JP5435050B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and in particular, can be applied to a so-called seven machine, a winged article, a right article, or a ball-type gaming machine such as an arrangement ball.

  A ball-type gaming machine (pachinko machine) usually has a start winning device and a big winning device arranged in a game area. In such a gaming machine, determination of success / failure is performed using a random number for determination acquired when a game ball enters the start winning device, and a symbol variable game is started using a special symbol display means. Is done. Then, when the execution time of the symbol variable game has elapsed, the result of the determination of success or failure is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display means. In addition, this type of gaming machine is usually provided with effect display means for performing symbol variation effects and jackpot game effects using effect symbols (pseudo symbols, etc.) separately from the special symbol display means. Using the symbol fixed display, the “result of determination of success / failure determination” is notified.

  When the result of the determination is “winning”, the gaming machine starts a big hit game, and an open operation is performed on the big winning device in the closed state. After the opening operation is started, the opening operation is once completed when a predetermined number of game balls are won in the big winning device or a predetermined time has elapsed, and one “big hit round” is completed. To do. When this “big hit round” is repeated a predetermined number of times (number of rounds), this gaming machine ends the big hit game. Hereinafter, a game ball entering a start prize device may be referred to as a “start prize”.

  By the way, even when a new random number for determination is acquired during the execution of the symbol variation game or jackpot game, it is not in a state where a new symbol variation game can be started immediately. Until the start timing of the base symbol variation game comes, it is stored in the hold storage means as hold (hold information). The hold storage means stores the determination random number obtained due to the start winning as a hold (hold information) while limiting the predetermined upper limit number, and digests the determination random number (hold). When the timing arrives, the random number to be processed first is read from the random numbers for determination stored in the holding storage means, and is used as a target for determination of success or failure.

  Among such gaming machines, prior determination (so-called hold prefetching) is performed on the determination random number stored in the hold storage means as hold (hold information) prior to the start of the symbol variation game based on the hold. In addition, there is an effect display means or the like that performs an effect suggesting the result of the prior determination (so-called prefetch effect). Specifically, a gaming machine that performs a so-called “hold notice effect” or a so-called “continuous notice effect” as a “prefetch effect” has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-8597 A

  However, this kind of look-ahead production has become uniform, and it is difficult to enhance the game entertainment. That is, the conventional “look-ahead effect” is limited to suggesting “successful occurrence of big hits”, and it is difficult to increase the player's expectation. Therefore, the advent of a new production method that can enhance the entertainment interest of the game machine while making use of the reservation prefetch function of the gaming machine is desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of enhancing the gaming interest while making use of the hold prefetching function.

The gaming machine according to claim 1,
When the game ball enters the start opening, the special symbol display means displays the special symbol in a variable manner until a predetermined fluctuation time elapses, and shows the result of winning or losing as the fluctuation display ends. A symbol variation game execution means for executing
A jackpot game mode selection means for selecting one jackpot game mode from a plurality of jackpot game modes having different payout planned winning ball numbers when the result of the symbol variable game is a win;
Jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game according to the jackpot game mode selected by the jackpot game mode selection means;
When a game ball enters the starting port during the execution of the symbol variation game or the jackpot game, the symbol variation game corresponding to the entered ball is to be executed after the currently executed symbol variation game or jackpot game ends. Holding storage means for storing as holding;
At the start of the symbol variation game, the effect pattern selection means for selecting the effect pattern of the symbol variation effect performed by the effect means along with the execution of the symbol variation game from a plurality of predetermined effect patterns;
A symbol variation effect executing means for executing the symbol variation effect by the effect means based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selecting means;
A gaming machine equipped with
When the symbol variation game that is indicating the winning result is being executed and the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation game, the result of the symbol variation game is stored in the hold stored. Hold determination means for determining whether or not a hit hold that is a hit is included,
A determination result that the winning determination is included is obtained by the holding determination means, and the number of expected payout balls in the previous big hit game executed through the currently executing symbol variation game, and the winning hold When the total of the number of expected payout balls in the subsequent big hit game is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the symbol variation effect currently being performed with the symbol variation game currently being executed is An effect replacement execution means for replacing the effect based on the selected effect pattern with a special effect, and performing a hit notification through the special effect,
The symbol variation game that becomes a start trigger of the subsequent big hit game after the previous big hit game is started or after the previous big hit game is started or after the previous big hit game is started. Until it is started, the jackpot continuous effect execution means for executing the jackpot continuous effect that suggests that the jackpot game is continuous with the effect means,
It is characterized by providing.

  In this specification, a hold on which the result of the success / failure determination is expected to be a win, that is, a hold on which the result of the symbol variation game is a win is referred to as a “hit hold”, and the result of the determination on the success / failure may be missed. A scheduled hold, that is, a hold where the result of the symbol variation game is missed may be referred to as a “off hold”. In addition, the symbol variation game that indicates the winning result may be referred to as “hit variation”, and the symbol variation game that indicates the defeat result may be referred to as “displacement variation”.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is confirmed that there is a winning hit at a predetermined timing when the “hit fluctuation” is executed, and it is obtained by the big hit game related to “hit fluctuation” and the big hit game related to “hit hold”. When the number of prize balls to be obtained is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the symbol variation effect being executed with the hit variation is replaced with a special effect different from the effect based on the effect pattern determined at the start of the variation. In other words, it does not simply suggest the consecutive occurrence of big hits in a short period of time (so-called continuous chain), but it is determined at the start of the fluctuation by determining the status of the on-holding and the total number of payable scheduled winning balls. Replace the production content that should have been made with a special production. As a result, it is now possible to acquire a large amount of prize balls that cannot be obtained in a single big hit game, that is, “plus alpha prize balls” as a trigger for this game. It can be suggested through an ongoing symbol variation game (symbol variation production).

  As described above, the gameability realized by the invention of claim 1 is not limited to simple gameplay such as “suggesting continuous occurrence of jackpot”. In other words, by exchanging the contents of this symbol variation production at a predetermined timing, it has a novel gameplay that suggests to the player that a large amount of prize balls that cannot be obtained in a single big hit game can be acquired in a short period of time. realizable.

  Moreover, in the invention of claim 1, when the number of prize balls obtained by the “previous jackpot game” related to the “hit fluctuation” and the “later jackpot game” related to the “hit hold” is a predetermined number or more, A big hit continuous performance that links the “first jackpot game” and the “next jackpot game” is executed. That is, when the “first big hit game” is executed, the big hit continuous effect is executed until the “next big hit game” or “the hit fluctuation that triggers the start of the subsequent big hit game” is reached. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to cultivate a sense of unity between the “previous jackpot game” and the “later jackpot game”, and the player's sense of superiority with respect to the ability to obtain a large number of prize balls. be able to. In addition, in the invention of claim 1, the player who has encountered the big hit continuous production reaffirms that the “replacement to the special production” executed previously led to a large number of prize balls. It is possible to enhance the player's sense of achievement regarding the acquisition of a large number of prize balls. Therefore, according to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to increase the attention and expectation of the player facing the symbol variation effect while making use of the hold prefetching function, and to enhance the player's sense of superiority. Can be achieved.

  In the present invention, a determination is made as to whether or not the sum of the “scheduled prize ball number in the previous jackpot game” and the “scheduled prize ball number in the subsequent jackpot game” is a predetermined number or more (hereinafter referred to as “total judgment”). "). Based on the result of the total determination, whether or not “replacement of effect” is determined is determined, but a plurality of hit holds are included in the hold stored in the hold storage means at a predetermined timing during the execution of “hit fluctuation”. In such a case, a mode in which jackpot games performed based on all winning suspensions are targeted for “total determination” can be exemplified.

  In addition, when a plurality of winning holds are included in the holding stored in the holding storage means at a predetermined timing during the execution of “hit fluctuation”, the big hit game performed based on a specific winning hold is “total” A mode to be determined can also be exemplified. For example, it is possible to exemplify an aspect in which only a big hit game that is performed based on the one stored first among a plurality of hit holds stored in the hold storage means is a target of “total determination”. In addition, a mode in which only the jackpot game with the largest number of payout scheduled prize balls is targeted for “total determination” can be exemplified. In the case of the latter, when only the winning hit that triggers the execution of the big hit game with the same number of winning balls to be paid out is stored, only the big hit game with the execution of the one hit holding as the trigger is determined as “total judgment”. Can be targeted.

The gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
As an effect pattern of the symbol variation effect performed by the effect means in association with the symbol variation game that indicates the result of the detachment, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation effect, the content of the symbol variation effect is It is characterized in that a special outage effect pattern is set for switching to the contents of the special effect and notifying through the special effect.

  In the invention of claim 2, when the symbol variation effect accompanying “out-of-range variation” is being executed, the “big hit” occurs after the occurrence of the special effect in order to switch the effect content of the symbol variation effect to the content of the special effect. Thus, a case where a large amount of prize balls can be obtained and a case where no “big hit” occurs can be alternatively generated. In other words, “replacement for special effects” and “decision of jackpot” do not become “equal”, and the range of games can be expanded, so that the game entertainment can be further improved.

  Here, in the invention of claim 2, a special effect (hereinafter referred to as “realistic effect”) associated with a variation in variation and a special effect associated with variation in deviation (hereinafter referred to as a “effect of production”) are selected. Generated. Then, it is possible to appropriately set the occurrence ratios of “true effect” and “gase effect” and arbitrarily set the reliability when the special effect occurs. It should be noted that the rate at which the “gase effect” occurs with the deviation variation may be set lower than the rate at which the “true effect” occurs with the hit variation.

The gaming machine according to claim 3 is the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The holding determination means is executing the symbol variation game that indicates the result of the detachment, and the symbol is stored in a hold stored when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation game. Determine whether or not a winning hold is included in which the result of the floating game is a hit,
The effect replacement execution means is currently being executed when the hold determination means obtains a determination that the winning hold is included during the execution of the symbol variation game that will indicate the result of losing. The symbol variation effect performed in accordance with the symbol variation game is replaced with a special effect different from the effect based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection means, and notification of losing is made through the special effect. Features.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the occurrence of the special effect can make the player have a sense of expectation for the start of the big hit game based on one or both of “the current symbol variation game” and “hold”. Specifically, when the symbol variation effect being executed is replaced with a special effect, (a) a case where a “big hit” occurs and a large amount of prize balls can be obtained; A case where there is a “win” in the hold can be generated. For this reason, even if a notification is made through a special effect, the player can have a sense of expectation for the presence of a hit hold. Therefore, according to the invention of claim 3, the game entertainment can be further improved.

  In particular, when claim 3 is dependent on claim 2, in addition to the cases (a) and (b), a case can be generated in which (c) “big hit” does not occur. In this case, if the current symbol variation effect is replaced with a special effect, (i) expectation that a large number of prize balls that cannot be obtained in a single big hit game can be acquired as a result of this symbol variation effect. (Iii) Even if this symbol variation game is out of place, the player expects the player to have a sense of expectation that there may be a chance to hold the game. It can also happen when you disappoint. That is, since three cases are alternatively generated, the range of games can be expanded, and the game entertainment can be further improved.

The gaming machine according to claim 4 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The execution of the symbol variation game, which is during execution of the symbol variation game that indicates the winning result and the newly stored suspension after the predetermined time has elapsed, will indicate the winning result; A post-elapse hold determination means for determining whether or not the
A determination result indicating that the winning is determined to be a winning hold by the holding determination means after the elapse of time, and the number of award-scheduled winning balls in the previous big hit game performed through the currently executing symbol variation game and the winning hold When the total of the number of winning balls to be paid out in the jackpot game after the game is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, a predetermined effect element is added to the symbol variation effect currently being performed with the symbol variation game currently being executed. Directing element adding means to
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the invention of claim 4, during execution of the symbol variation game (symbol variation effect), it is suggested to the player that a predetermined number or more of the prize balls can be obtained in a short period of time with the present symbol variation game as an opportunity. Gameability can be secured until the end of the hit fluctuation. Therefore, according to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to further improve the game entertainment. In addition, according to the invention of claim 4, even when a predetermined effect element is added to the symbol variation effect that is being performed in accordance with the symbol variation game that is currently being executed, The symbol variable game is started from the end of the previous jackpot game until the start of the subsequent jackpot game or from the end of the previous jackpot game. It is also possible to execute a jackpot continuous effect that suggests that the jackpot game continues until it is played.

  Here, the “effect element” means a “display effect element” that realizes a display effect (an aspect of the symbol variation effect) accompanying the progress of the symbol variation game, and a voice effect (symbol variation effect) associated with the progression of the symbol variation game. "Sound effect element" that realizes the "light effect element" that realizes a light emission effect (an aspect of the symbol change effect) that accompanies the progress of the symbol variation game. Among them, as the “display effect element”, for example, “pseudo symbols (designs that show the results of symbol variation games” “characters (titles, comments, production descriptions, slogans) displayed on the effect display means provided in the gaming machine, It is desirable to have a slogan or the like having a certain meaning.) ”“ Background design ”“ Character design ”“ Live action video ”etc. These“ pseudo design ”“ character ”“ background design ”“ character design ”“ Display effect elements such as “live-action video” can be generally understood as “effect designs”.

  Examples of the “sound production element” include “music”, “sound effects”, “words” and the like output from the sound output means provided in the gaming machine. In addition, as the “light emitting effect element”, for example, various light emission modes (light emission color, number of times of light emission, light emission order, light emission time, etc.) by the light emission means provided in the “front frame” and “game board” constituting the gaming machine (Emission pattern).

The gaming machine according to claim 5 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The holding determination means includes the winning hold in the newly stored hold until the predetermined time elapses from the start of the symbol variation game that indicates the winning result. It is characterized by determining whether or not.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the special effect is executed on the assumption that the “hit hold” is generated during the “hit fluctuation”, the player who wants to encounter the special effect actively fires the game ball. I can expect that. That is, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the stoppage (the act of stopping the launch of the game ball) during the symbol variation game, so that the operating rate of the gaming machine can be improved.

  As the “production means”, an effect display means (liquid crystal display device or the like) for performing an effect display (display effect) on the game, an audio output means (speaker) for outputting an effect sound (sound effect) on the game, and a game Illustrates one or more of light emitting means (lamp device) for performing the above electrical decoration (light emitting effect) and movable effect means (movable accessory device) for performing a game effect operation it can.

  Further, in this specification, “front” and “front” indicate “front with respect to the gaming machine (that is, a direction closer to the player)”, and “rear” and “back” indicate the gaming machine. The reference rear (that is, the direction away from the player) "is shown. Further, “left” indicates “left” as viewed from the player, and “right” indicates “right as viewed from the player”. Further, in “a member that can be opened and closed like a door (hereinafter referred to as a“ door type member ”)” such as a main body frame, a front frame, an upper plate member, a lower plate member, etc., “left”, “right” “Front”, “Rear” and the like are based on the case where these door-type members are in use, that is, in the closed state. Further, in this specification, a game ball entering (accepting) a variety of winning holes provided on the game board surface may be referred to as “winning” or “entering”. Of these, “winning” means that a game ball enters a winning opening, which is a premise for paying out a winning ball, and that a gaming ball enters (accepts) a winning opening. Substantially synonymous with “entering ball”.

  As described above, according to the invention of each claim, it is possible to obtain a gaming machine capable of enhancing the gaming interest while making use of the hold prefetching function.

It is a front view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. In the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention, it is a perspective view showing an outer frame, a main body frame, a front frame, and a dish member (an upper dish member, a lower dish member). It is a schematic explanatory view for explaining a main body frame and the like in the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the game board of the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows roughly the display screen of the presentation display apparatus of the game machine which concerns on each Example. (A) And (c) is a front view which shows schematically the variable start prize-winning apparatus. (A) is a front view schematically showing a lower display device of a gaming machine according to each embodiment, and (b) is a special symbol variable display mode executed by the lower display device of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the variable display mode of the auxiliary | assistant symbol performed on the display screen of the presentation display apparatus of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on Examples 1-3. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 1 big hit lottery (1st big hit lottery) of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 2 big hit lottery (2nd big hit lottery) of the game machine which concerns on each Example. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of a pseudo | simulation symbol. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed by the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a holding | maintenance situation, a symbol variation game, a symbol variation effect, etc. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a holding | maintenance situation, a symbol variation game, a symbol variation effect, etc. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed by the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed by the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a symbol variation game, a symbol variation effect, etc. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a symbol variation game, a symbol variation effect, etc. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a symbol fluctuation effect and a jackpot game effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a symbol fluctuation effect and a jackpot game effect. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a holding | maintenance situation, a symbol variation game, a symbol variation effect, etc. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a holding | maintenance situation, a symbol variation game, a symbol variation effect, etc. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed by the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that a command was output from the main control part in the gaming machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the normal electric accessory game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on Examples 1-3. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the success / failure determination process of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol change start process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the variation pattern table for jackpots which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the fluctuation pattern table for deviation concerning each Example (except Example 3). It is a flowchart which shows the big hit game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the jackpot game end of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production control processing of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process at the time of holding | maintenance generation | occurrence | production of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the design fluctuation effect process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the design fluctuation effect process of the gaming machine which concerns on Examples 1-4. It is a flowchart which shows the design change effect production | generation replacement process of Example 1 and Example 2. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a design change effect production | generation replacement | exchange process. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a design change effect production | generation replacement | exchange process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating jackpot game effect process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed with the game machine which concerns on a modification. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed with the game machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a deviation variation pattern table according to the second embodiment. In Example 3, it is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship of a holding | maintenance situation, a symbol change game, a symbol change effect, etc. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed with the game machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. In Example 3, it is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship of a holding | maintenance situation, a symbol change game, a symbol change effect, etc. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed with the game machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the design fluctuation effect replacement | exchange process of Example 3. It is a flowchart which shows an effect element addition process. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic control device according to a fourth embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on Example 4. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the design fluctuation effect replacement | exchange process of Example 4. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed with the game machine which concerns on Example 5. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the design fluctuation effect process of the game machine which concerns on Example 5. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment showing the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each example described below, each specific example in which the invention according to each claim is applied to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) 1 referred to as a “seven machine” will be described.

(1) Mechanical structure a. First, the overall structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a gaming machine main body H (machine body) attached to the outer frame 2. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame main body 21 configured by a substantially rectangular frame-shaped body, and a front plate portion 22 that covers a lower front portion of the outer frame main body 21.

  The gaming machine main body H is rotatably assembled to the left end side of the outer frame 2 using upper and lower hinges H1 and H2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the outer frame 2. The gaming machine main body H is a portion of the gaming machine 1 excluding the outer frame 2, and as shown in FIG. 2, the main body frame 3, the front frame 4, and the dish member integrated with the front frame 4. (Upper plate member 5 and lower plate member 6) 5A, game board 10 (see FIG. 4), back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 3) and the like are the main parts. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body frame 3 is fitted into the outer frame 2 and is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. As shown in FIG. 1, a locking device 7 is mounted on the right end side of the main body frame 3. In FIG. 2, the outer frame 2, the main body frame 3, the front frame 4, and the dish member 5 </ b> A are illustrated, and the game board 10 and the back mechanism board 102 are not shown.

  The main body frame 3 is entirely made of plastic, and is constituted by a frame-like body as shown in FIG. The main body frame 3 includes a frame main body portion 3b including a window portion 3M in an upper half portion, and a protruding portion 3c protruding in a substantially rectangular frame shape from the back surface portion of the frame main body portion 3b. And the main body frame 3 comprises the holding | maintenance part for hold | maintaining the game board 10 using this protrusion part 3c. That is, the holding tool 3f is mounted on the protruding end surface of the projecting portion 3c in a state where the holding tool 3f can rotate on the left and right sides of the window 3M and the right and left sides of the window 3M. The game board 10 is held by the main body frame 3 by bringing the protruding end of the game board 10 into contact with the rear surface of the game board 10.

  When the main body frame 3 holds the game board 10, the “game area 11 formed on the front surface portion 10a of the game board 10” can be viewed from the front of the main body frame 3 through the window 3M. Further, a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 3) is mounted on the back surface portion of the game board 10 to cover the back surface portion. The back pack 102 is pivotally supported by the middle frame 3 so that it can be opened and closed. The back pack 102 has a “game ball tank for storing game balls” and a “pay game ball to the upper plate member 5”. A “game ball payout device for taking out”, “a case containing various control boards (main control board 200 to be described later)” and the like are mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the main body frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the main body frame 3 so as to be openable and closable. The front frame 4 has a visual recognition window 41a at the center thereof. This viewing window 41a is provided in a state penetrating the front and rear of the front frame 4, and a gaming area 11 (a substantially circular gaming area 11 in front view) formed on the board surface of the gaming board 10 is opened in a shape that can be seen from the front. When the front frame 4 is closed, the game area 11 located behind the front frame 4 can be viewed from the front through the viewing window 41a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 includes a frame main body 41, a glass plate 43 (see FIG. 3) attached to the frame main body 41, and a holder for holding the glass plate 43 on the frame main body 41. (Not shown). Further, in the gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, “a plate member 5 </ b> A in which the upper plate member 5 and the lower plate member 6 are integrated” is integrated with the front frame 4. 4 can be opened and closed integrally. However, the plate member 5 </ b> A may be mounted below the mounting portion of the front frame 4 in the main body frame 3 so that it can be opened and closed separately from the front frame 4. Further, the upper plate member 5 and the lower plate member 6 are provided separately, arranged below the mounting portion of the front frame 4 in the main body frame 3, and the upper plate member 5 arranged above is separated from the front frame 4. The lower plate member 6 arranged below can be opened and closed and cannot be opened and closed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, speakers SP1 and SP2 (see FIG. 9) are mounted on the left and right above the front portion of the front frame 4, and the speakers SP3 and SP2 are also attached to the left and right ends of the front plate portion 22, respectively. SP4 (see FIG. 9) is incorporated. And in this game machine 1, the sound effect according to a game state and other sounds (sound) are generated using these speakers SP1-SP4. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the front surface portion of the front frame 4, a location that constitutes the position of the upper plate member 5 is provided with a receiving port 5 b for receiving a game ball discharged from the gaming machine 1. Yes. Further, a ball rental display board 410 (see FIG. 8) and an effect button board 228 (see FIG. 9) are provided on the back side of the upper plate member 5, and an “effect button SW” is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate member 5. In place (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the dish member 5 </ b> A below the upper dish member 5 constitutes the lower dish member 6. At the approximate center of the lower plate member 6, a receiving port 6 a for receiving a game ball discharged from the upper plate member 5 is provided in the inside of the substantially container shape. A firing handle 9 is provided on the right end side of the lower plate member 6. A launching device unit 90 (see FIG. 4) is disposed on the rear side of the front surface of the main body frame 3 (inside the main body frame 3) and located on the left end side below the game board 10. The launcher unit 9 is connected to the launcher unit 90. Here, the launcher unit 90 is for launching a game ball sent out from a ball feeder (not shown) substantially vertically upward to reach the game area 11. The launch handle 9 is equipped with a touch switch (touch sensor) 9a for detecting that the player is touching, and in the vicinity thereof, the launch stop for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is stopped. A switch 9b is attached.

b. Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 10 includes a game board main body 10A configured using a substantially rectangular plywood in front view, and various board components (the outer rail 12, the inner rail 13, and the main accessory attached to the game board main body 10A. Device 20 etc.) is mounted. Note that a sheet-like object on which a cell image is printed is attached to the front surface of the game board main body 10A, but the illustration is omitted.

  The game board main body 10A includes a region forming portion 10B that is substantially circular in a front view, and a region outside 10C that is positioned around the region forming portion 10B. In addition, an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 that are both configured using a band-shaped metal plate are disposed on the front surface of the game board main body 10A. And the front part (game board surface) of the area | region formation part 10B comprises the game area | region 11, being substantially enclosed by the substantially circular surrounding wall which this outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 form.

  While the inner rail 13 is arranged in a substantially U shape, the game board main body 10A is disposed at the upper left portion at the left end portion, and the “game” between the “upper left portion of the outer rail 12” located on the left side thereof. A “gap through which a sphere can pass” is provided to form a ball entrance 11S. Further, the left end portion of the outer rail 12 is disposed close to the upper left of the ball outlet 96j of the launcher unit 90. And the part arrange | positioned on the outer side of the inner rail 13 in the outer rail 12 draws the path | route which goes up diagonally to the left from the left end part of the outer rail 12, and when it reached the side of the right end part of the inner rail 13, The route rises while changing the route to an arc-like route substantially parallel to the inner rail 13, and reaches the upper right part of the game board main body 10A beyond the side of the ball entrance 11S.

  The upper end portion of the auxiliary rail 13 </ b> B is integrated with the outer surface portion of the inner rail 13. Then, the “passage formed between the auxiliary rail 13B and the portion of the outer rail 12 substantially parallel to the auxiliary rail 13B” and the “passage formed between the outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 above it reach the ball entrance 11S. The “passage” continuously forms the guide route Y. The lower end of the guide path Y communicates with the “ball outlet 96j of the launcher unit 90” and rises leftward from the lower end to rise “outside of the inner rail 13 (on the left side)” It passes through the outside of the rail 13 in the clockwise direction and reaches the ball entrance 11S.

  In the area forming unit 10B (the part located in the game area 11 in the game board 10), the main accessory device 20, the normal symbol operating gate (normal symbol operating port) 16, the first start winning device 17a, 2 Start winning device 17b, large winning device 31, lower display device 60, three general winning devices 40, 41, 43, a number of obstacle nails (not shown), windmill 19 and the like are arranged. ing.

  The main accessory device 20 includes an attachment member (decorative plate) 21 and an effect display device 27. Among these, the attachment member 21 is comprised by the plate-shaped body with which the front part of the area | region formation part 10B is mounted | worn, and comprises the upper half center part of the game area | region 11 as shown in FIG. The attachment member (decorative plate) 21 is provided with a window portion forming hole 21d, and the window portion forming hole 21d constitutes a display window 21e. The display window 21e is substantially rectangular when viewed from the front.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the stage member 21 p is attached to the lower edge portion of the attachment member 21 so as to protrude forward, and the decorative member 21 </ b> A is attached to the other part of the peripheral portion of the attachment member 21. It is mounted in a state of protruding. The decorative member 21A includes a flange portion 21H protruding from the upper edge portion of the mounting member 21, a left decorative portion 21L protruding from the left edge portion of the mounting member 21, and a right decorative portion protruding from the right edge portion of the mounting member 21. 21R.

  A game ball passage (a so-called “warp passage”) 21w is formed inside the left decorative portion 21L. That is, in the left side surface portion of the left decorative portion 21L, the entrance (not shown) of the passage 21w opens obliquely upward to the left, and the game ball flowing down the game area 11 is received at this entrance, and the stage It makes it approach on the part 21p (inside the main accessory apparatus 20). Moreover, the stage part 21p comprises the rolling surface of a game ball by the upper surface part. The rolling surface is configured as an inclined surface that descends from the left and right end portions toward the central portion, and is a raised portion that slightly protrudes upward at the central portion of the rolling surface.

  In the gaming machine 1, the game ball that has flowed down the game area 11 and reached the left end of the rolling surface through the passage 21w rolls right on the rolling surface, and further rolls leftward. . Then, when the momentum of the game ball has declined, this game ball is discharged out of the main accessory device 20, but most of the game balls discharged from the center of the rolling surface are first started with a certain probability. The winning device 17a is won (described later). Among the game balls that flow down the game area 11 and win the first start winning device 17a, those that enter the first start winning device 17a without entering the main winning device 17a and the main winning feature There is one that enters the device 20 and rolls on the stage portion 21p and then wins the first start winning device 17a.

  The effect display device 27 constitutes a specific example of “effect means”, is configured using a liquid crystal display device, and executes a symbol change effect linked to a special symbol change display and a stop display in the lower display device 60. . In this embodiment, the lower display device 60 (the first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b) performs a symbol variable game using the special symbol (this symbol), and the effect display device 27 The symbol variation effect is performed using the pseudo symbol (a specific example of the effect element is shown). Here, in the following description, the special symbol (main symbol) displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a is referred to as “first special symbol” and the special symbol (book) displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b. Symbol) is referred to as “second special symbol”. The details of the first special symbol and the second special symbol will be described later.

  The display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 can display various symbols using the whole or a part thereof. On this display screen 27a, as shown in FIG. 5, a pseudo symbol display area 27b in which three (three digits) pseudo symbols are displayed, and a background in which a background symbol (hereinafter referred to as a background symbol) is displayed. A display area 27c may appear. In the pseudo symbol display area 27b, three pseudo symbols are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction, and effect display and stop display using these “pseudo symbols” are performed. Further, in the background display area 27c, there may be a case where a symbol indicating a character (hereinafter referred to as a character symbol) is displayed as a background symbol, or a live-action image (not shown) is displayed. These “pseudo symbols” and the like indicate specific examples of “effect elements” displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27. These “pseudo symbols”, “background symbols”, and “character symbols” indicate “designs”. "Variation production" and "Big hit production" are realized.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a first auxiliary symbol display area A that is variably displayed in conjunction with a first special symbol display unit 62a described later at a position on the right end side near the lower edge on the display screen 27a. Then, a second auxiliary symbol display area B that is variably displayed in conjunction with a second special symbol display unit 62b described later appears. In these auxiliary symbol display areas A and B, after the auxiliary symbol using the mosaic pattern is displayed in a variable manner in conjunction with the corresponding special symbol display portions 62a and 62b (first special symbol and second special symbol). The variable display is stopped simultaneously with the corresponding special symbol display parts 62a and 62b. When the variable display is stopped, the stop symbol of the auxiliary symbol is confirmed and displayed, and the result of the determination of success / failure is displayed based on the stop symbol. However, since there are many types of stop symbols, and each stop symbol is misleading, the player can understand the meaning of the stop symbol (whether it is a big hit, miss, probability change big hit, etc.) Have difficulty. Further, the content specified by the stop symbol that is fixedly displayed in the auxiliary symbol display areas A and B is specified by the stop display of the corresponding special symbol display portions 62a and 62b (first special symbol and second special symbol). The content is the same as the content.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first reserved display area (D1, D2, D3, D4) appears in the upper position near the left edge of the display screen 27a, and the upper area near the right edge. The second reserved display area (E1, E2, E3, E4) may appear at the position on the side. In the first hold display area (D1 to D4), the number of holds (hereinafter referred to as “first hold number”) related to the “first special symbol” generated due to winning in the first start winning device 17a. “4” is displayed as the upper limit number, and in the second hold display area (E1 to E4), the number of holds (hereinafter referred to as “the second special symbol” caused by winning to the second start winning device 17b) "Second hold number") is displayed with "4" as the upper limit number. Note that a display unit for displaying the first hold number and a display unit for displaying the second hold number can be provided outside the display screen 27a. Further, in the following description, a game ball winning in the first start winning device 17a and a game ball winning in the second start winning device 17b may be referred to as “start winning”.

  The first hold display area (D1 to D4) has a configuration in which the first display unit D1, the second display unit D2, the third display unit D3, and the fourth display unit D4 are arranged from the bottom to the top. Prepare. The second hold display area (E1 to E4) also includes a first display unit E1, a second display unit E2, a third display unit E3, and a fourth display unit E4 arranged from below to above. It has a configuration. Each display unit (D1 to D4, E1 to E4) can display a graphic with a sphere (perfect circle).

  Any of the hold display areas (D1 to D4, E1 to E4) won the start winning devices 17a and 17b, but the number of game balls that have not yet been digested (that is, the number of hold) It is displayed by the number of “D1 to D4, E1 to E4”, and each time an undigested game ball is digested, the number of “undigested game balls” (the number of holds) is sequentially decremented and displayed. is there. Specifically, when the number of holdings is “1”, only the display part (D1, E1) with subscript 1 is used, and when the number of holdings is “2”, the display part with subscript 1 ( D1, E1) and the display part (D2, E2) with the subscript 2 are used. Furthermore, when the number of reservations is “3”, display units other than the display unit with subscript 4 (D1 to D3, E1 to E3) are used, and when the number of reservations is “4”, all display units ( D1-D4, E1-E4) are used. In addition, when the number of holdings decreases from “4” to “3”, the use of the display part (D4, E4) with the subscript 4 is stopped, and when the number of holdings decreases from “3” to “2”, The use of the display part (D3, E3) with the subscript 3 is stopped. In addition, when the number of holds decreases from “2” to “1”, the use of the display part (D2, E2) with the subscript 2 is stopped, and when the number of holds decreases from “1” to “zero”, The use of all the display units (D1 to D4, E1 to E4) is to be stopped. The “undigested game balls (holding balls)” related to each special symbol are won in the start winning devices 17a and 17b, but the symbol changing game accompanying the winning is performed in the corresponding special symbol display units 62a and 62b. Refers to a non-playing game ball.

  The first start winning device 17a is a non-variable (fixed) start winning device, and has a pocket shape with an opening (first start port) opened above. And since this 1st starting port is located in the vertical part of the center part of the stage part 21p (rolling surface), the game ball which falls from the center part passes through this 1st starting port, and becomes a 1st start winning prize. The probability of winning the device 17 is increased. In addition, a start winning detection switch 17s (see FIG. 8) for detecting the passage of the game ball is disposed inside the first start winning device 17. In addition, the size of the opening of the first start winning device 17a is set to allow passage of one game ball, and the size is not enlarged or reduced. For this reason, the winning possibility of the game ball to the first start winning device 17a is fixed.

  The second start winning device 17b is a variable (open / close) start winning device, and is disposed immediately below the first start winning device 17a. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the second start winning device 17b is mounted on the front surface of the mounting plate 17c and the mounting plate 17c fixed to the game board body 10A by screws, and the second starting winning device 17b. A normal electric accessory 17d that constitutes the inlet side portion and an obstruction member 17k attached to the front surface of the mounting plate 17c.

  The ordinary electric accessory 17d is a so-called tulip-shaped pair of movable wing pieces 17e, 17e, and an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c for operating the pair of movable wing pieces 17e, 17e (see FIG. 8). ). Among these, the movable blade pieces 17e, 17e can be opened to the left and right so that the upper end sides are separated from each other around the lower support shaft. When the movable wing pieces 17e and 17e are in the closed state where the wing pieces 17e and 17e are erected, the distance between the upper ends of the movable wing pieces 17e and 17e is reduced. Further, when the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c is driven and the movable wing pieces 17e and 17e are tilted so that the upper end sides are separated from each other with respect to the lower end side axis, the upper end portions of the movable wing pieces 17e and 17e. The space between them is enlarged, and an open state is established.

  The obstruction member 17k is disposed vertically above the ordinary electric accessory 17d. In addition, a start winning detection switch 17t (see FIG. 8) for detecting the passage of the game ball is disposed inside the second start winning device 17b.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (a), when the second start winning device 17b is in a closed state, a space K1 that allows one game ball to pass between the upper ends of the pair of movable wing pieces 17e, 17e. However, the obstacle member 17K is disposed vertically above the space K1. For this reason, it is impossible for the game ball to win the second start winning device 17b in the closed state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), when the second start winning device 17b is in an open state and the pair of movable blade pieces 17e, 17e are opened left and right, the distance between the upper ends of the movable blade pieces 17e, 17e. K1 is expanded more than the full left and right width of the obstacle member 17K. For this reason, it is possible for the game balls that have passed through the left and right of the obstacle member 17K to win the second start winning device 17b.

  In this gaming machine 1, when the second start winning device 17b is in an open state, the game balls flowing down the game area 11 can win the second start winning device 17b. Then, when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 becomes the open extension mode (described later) and the time for the second start winning device 17b to be in the open state becomes long, the probability that the game ball wins the second start winning device 17b is the first. The probability of winning the 1-start winning device 17a is much higher. In this embodiment, the opening time of the second start winning device 17b in the open extension mode is set to “5 seconds”, and the opening time of the second start winning device 17b in the non-open extension mode (normal opening mode) is set to “0”. .2 seconds ".

  On the other hand, as described above, when the second start winning device 17b is closed, it is impossible for the game ball to win the second start winning device 17b, so that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is not the open extension mode. In this case, the probability that the game ball wins the second start winning device 17b is much lower than the probability that the game ball wins the first start winning device 17a. That is, when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 becomes the open extension mode, the case where the gaming ball wins the first start winning device 17a becomes a rare case, and when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is not the opening extension mode, the gaming ball is the first The case that wins the 2-start winning device 17b is a rare case.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a large winning device 31 is disposed below the second start winning device 17b. The special winning device 31 includes a mounting plate portion 31k attached to the front surface portion 10a of the game board 10. The mounting plate portion 31k is provided with an opening having a substantially band shape in a substantially central portion in a state of passing through the front and back, and the opening constitutes a big prize opening 31a. The rear end portion of the grand prize winning port 31a is connected to a “large prize winning prize winning passage (not shown)”. In addition, the “Grand Prize Entrance Award Passage” is a passage for allowing a game ball to win from the Grand Prize Exit 31a to pass through, and the game ball that has won the Grand Prize Exit 31a passes through the Grand Prize Exit Award Passage and then plays this game. It is discharged outside the machine 1.

  The grand prize winning device 31 includes an opening / closing plate 31b for opening / closing the grand prize winning port 31a, a grand prize winning solenoid 31c (see FIG. 8) for driving the opening / closing plate 31b, and a prize winning passage winning path. A special winning opening winning detection switch 31s (see FIG. 8) provided in the middle of the route or in the route terminal unit is provided. When the opening / closing plate 31b is in the standing posture, the opening / closing plate 31b closes the large winning opening 31a in the large winning device 31, so that it is impossible to win a game ball in the large winning device 31. On the other hand, when the opening / closing plate 31b tilts forward with its lower end as a fulcrum and assumes a forward leaning posture, the prize winning opening 31a is opened and the rear surface portion (back surface portion) of the opening / closing plate 31b flows down the game area 11. And the guidance part which guide | induces the game ball which reached | attained the big prize apparatus 31 to the big prize opening 31a is comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower display device 60 is arranged on the left side of the big winning device 31. As shown in FIG. 7A, the lower display device 60 includes an attachment plate 61 that is attached to the front surface of the game board main body 10A. The mounting plate 61 includes a first special symbol display unit 62a, a second special symbol display unit 62b, a normal symbol display unit 63, a first special symbol hold display unit 64a, and a second special symbol hold display. A part 64b, a normal symbol hold display part 65, and the like are provided. The first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b constitute a specific example of “special symbol display means”.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, each of the first special symbol display unit 62a, the second special symbol display unit 62b, and the normal symbol display unit 63 is configured using a “7-segment display”. Among these, in the first special symbol display section 62a, “stop symbol of the first special symbol” indicating the result of the determination of success / failure executed due to the detection of the game ball by the first start opening winning detection switch 17s. However, the display is stopped after the change display. Further, in the second special symbol display section 62b, a “second special symbol stop symbol” indicating the result of the success / failure determination executed due to the detection of the game ball by the second start opening winning detection switch 17ts is displayed. Then, stop display after changing display. The contents of the display results of the first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b will be described later. In addition, the result of the symbol variation game (result of the determination of success / failure) displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b, and the display result of the symbol variation effect displayed on the effect display device 27 (whether / not determined) The result of determination is assumed to match.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the normal symbol display unit 63 is configured by a “7-segment display”, and the symbol variation start condition is caused by the game ball passing through any of the normal symbol operation gates 16. When established, the normal symbol variation display is started. In this normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol display section 63 displays the arithmetic numbers from “0” to “9” in this order, and then again displays the arithmetic numbers from “0” to “9”. It consists of “circular display” that repeats the display in order. When the execution time of these variable displays elapses, the normal symbol stop symbol is executed for a certain period of time. At this time, when the stop symbol is “odd number”, it is a winning symbol, and when the stop symbol is “even number”, it is a missed symbol. The lottery means for performing the lottery to determine whether or not the ordinary electric accessory 17d should be opened is constituted by a main control unit 200A described later.

  The first special symbol hold display unit 64a and the second special symbol hold display unit 64b are each configured by using two LEDs, and display the so-called “number of hold for special symbols” with an upper limit of 4 each. is there. That is, the first special symbol hold display unit 64a displays the number of game balls that have won the first start winning device 17a but cannot be digested yet (that is, the number of holds) as four upper limit numbers, Each time an undigested game ball (hold) is digested, the number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves) is sequentially decremented and displayed. The second special symbol hold display section 64b displays the number of game balls that have won the second start winning device 17b but cannot be digested yet (that is, the hold number) as an upper limit number of four, Each time an undigested game ball (hold) is digested, the number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves) is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, hold)” related to the special symbol (the first special symbol and the second special symbol) is awarded to the start winning device (17a or 17b), but the special symbol display section ( 62a or 62b) indicates a game ball in which the result of the lottery determination (win / fail judgment) associated with the passage and the fluctuation display preceding this are not displayed.

  The normal symbol hold display unit 65 is also configured by using two LEDs and passes through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the number of game balls still undigested (holding number) is displayed with the upper limit being four. Each time an undigested game ball is digested, the number of undigested game balls (reserved number) is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (holding ball)” relating to the normal symbol has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the normal symbol display unit 63 displays the result of the lottery (the lottery result symbol of the lottery result symbol). A game ball in which neither a fixed display nor a variable display preceding this (a display using a 7-segment display in this embodiment) is made.

  The first special symbol hold display unit 64a, the second special symbol hold display unit 64b, and the normal symbol hold display unit 65 display the number of holds in the same manner. That is, (a) two LEDs are turned off to indicate that the “hold number” is “zero”, and (b) one LED is turned off while one LED is turned on, and “hold number”. Is “1”, (c) two LEDs are lit and “holding number” is “2”, (d) one LED is blinking while one LED is blinking It is turned on to indicate that the “holding number” is “3”, and (e) two LEDs are blinked to indicate that the “holding number” is “4”. The display content of the first hold display area (D1 to D4) corresponds to the display content of the first special symbol hold display section 64a, and the display content of the second hold display area (E1 to E4) is the first. 2 corresponds to the display content of the special symbol hold display section 64b.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the three general winning devices 40, 41, 43 are arranged on the left and right of the main accessory device 20. In each of the general winning devices 40, 41, 43, general winning detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s (see FIG. 8) for detecting the winning of the game ball are arranged. Further, an out port 18 is provided below the game board 10. Further, a back ball preventing member (not shown) is provided below the out port 18. And the game ball which returned without reaching the game area 11 is prevented from returning to the launch position again.

(2) Configuration of Control Circuit Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The control circuit of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control unit 200A and a plurality of sub control units (220A, 240A, 260A). That is, the main control unit 200A that is configured using the main control board 200 and controls the basic progress of the game and whether or not the prize ball is involved, and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 240A, 260A) I have.

  The sub-control unit is composed of (a) the sub-control board 220 and “sub control that controls various effects of the game using symbol display, lamp emission, sound effects, movement of moving objects, etc.” An effect control for controlling various effects of the game using symbol display, lamp emission, sound effects, movement of moving objects, etc., while being configured using the control unit 220A and (b) the effect display control board 222. 222A, (c) a payout control board 240, and a payout control part 240A for controlling the operation of paying out rented or winning balls, and (d) a fire control board 260. And a launch control unit 260A that controls the launch of the game ball.The sub-control unit includes a primary sub-control unit (220A, 240A) directly connected to the main control unit 140, and the first control unit. Main control unit via secondary / sub control unit Second sub-control unit which is connected to the 00A (260A) and are present.

  The control boards (200, 220, 240, 260) constituting these control units (200A, 220A, 240A, 260A) are a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, and various programs and data executed by the CPU. ROM in which the CPU is stored, the RAM in which the CPU stores temporary data when the program is executed, the peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with the peripheral device, and the clock for the CPU to perform operations are output Various peripheral LSIs are connected to each other via a bus, such as an oscillator that performs CPU, a watchdog timer that monitors CPU runaway, and a CTC (counter timer circuit) that periodically generates an interrupt signal. Note that the directions of the arrows in FIGS. 8 to 10 indicate the directions in which data or signals are input / output. In FIG. 8, only the CPU 201, the RAM 202, and the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 are shown. The PIO mounted on the main control board 200 and further the CPU mounted on another control board. Further, illustration of RAM, ROM, etc. is omitted.

  The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) includes a normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, a start opening winning detection switch 17s, general winning detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, a big winning opening winning detection switch 31s, and the like. After receiving the detection signal and determining whether or not the basic progress of the game and the winning ball are involved, the sub control unit 200A (sub control board 220), the payout control part 240A (payout control board 240), and the launch control part 260A Various signals (commands) to be described later are output toward (fire control board 260) and the like. The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) is also connected to a count switch 8s that detects a game ball fired from the launcher unit.

  Further, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) directly controls these operations by outputting signals to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the big prize opening solenoid 31c, and the lower display device 60. That is, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) functions as a success / failure determination unit and a big hit game execution unit. Further, predetermined signals (commands) determined by the CPU 201 constituting the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) are transmitted to the sub control board 220 and the payout control board 240, respectively. Here, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) includes symbol variation game execution means, jackpot game mode selection means, jackpot game execution means, hold storage means, hold determination means, hold determination means after progress, probability change means, A specific example of the opening extension means is configured.

  When the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) receives various signals (commands) from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), it analyzes the contents of the signals (commands) and plays games according to the results. The production of. That is, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) controls the game effects based on the control signal from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200). As shown in FIG. 10, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) includes an effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), an amplifier board 224, a decoration drive board 226, and an effect button board 228. And are electrically connected to each other. The sub control board 220 includes a CPU 220a, a RAM 220b, and a ROM 220c. Note that the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) includes a hold storage unit, an effect pattern selection unit, a symbol variation effect execution unit, a hold determination unit, an effect replacement execution unit, a jackpot continuous effect execution unit, a post-elapse hold determination unit, A specific example of the effect element adding means is configured.

  The CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 receives each control signal from the main control board 200 and controls each board such as the effect display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. The ROM 220b stores data (especially information related to game decoration) necessary for controlling each board. The CPU 220a receives a display control command (that is, a display control signal) sent from the main controller 200A (main control board 200) and analyzes it according to a program stored in the ROM 220b. Then, the CPU 220a configuring the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) can display a predetermined display control command determined by the CPU 220a or a display control command that has been transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200). Is transmitted to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the effect display control board 222 includes a CPU 222a, a control ROM 222b, a control RAM 222c, a VDP (video display processor) 222d, a work RAM 222e, a display ROM (character ROM) 222g, and a video. A RAM 222h is mounted. In addition, an effect display device 27 is electrically connected to the VDP 222d.

  The CPU 222a receives various display control signals (commands) transmitted from the sub-control board 220 and analyzes the received signals (commands) according to a program stored in the control ROM 222b. Then, the CPU 222a transmits the analysis result to the VDP 222d. The control ROM 222b stores various image display control programs according to the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, and the control RAM 222c is provided with a storage area, a work area, and the like for temporarily storing various data. ing. Further, the display ROM 222g stores data related to display of various effect symbols displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 (eg, pseudo symbol data that is variably displayed).

  The VDP 222d reads the data stored in the effect display ROM 222g based on the “analysis result” by the CPU 222a, generates image data in the work RAM 222e based on the read data, and temporarily stores it in the video RAM 222h. Thereafter, the image data stored in the video RAM 222h is loaded on the signal (RGB image signal) from the transmission unit 222k and transmitted to the effect display device 27.

  Speakers SP1 to SP4 that output predetermined sound effects are electrically connected to the amplifier board 224. Further, the decoration driving board 226 is connected to various LED boards on which various decoration LEDs (lamps) provided on the front frame 4 and the game board 10 are mounted. The decoration drive board 226 receives signals from the sub-control board 220A and performs control related to game decoration.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a relay terminal plate, a launch control unit 260A, a lower pan full tank switch 6s, and the like are connected to the payout control unit 240A. The payout control unit 240A is connected to a payout motor 109m, a front payout switch 109a, and a rear payout switch 109b constituting a game ball payout device (payout device) 109 via a relay terminal plate. Further, the main control unit 200A is connected to the payout control unit 240A so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.

  The payout control unit 240A is responsible for various types of control related to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when the player operates the lending button 5c or the return button 5q, the operation signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 410 to the payout control board 240 via the relay terminal board, and the payout motor 109m is based on the operation signal. A drive signal for driving the game ball is transmitted to the game ball payout device (payout device) 109 (the payout motor 109m).

  When the main controller 200A outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control part 240A receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m to pay out the prize ball. Further, the game balls to be paid out are detected by two payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b) and input to the payout control unit 240A. Further, the number of prize balls paid out is also detected by the count switch 109c and counted by the main controller 200A.

  Next, the input / output relationship of signals or commands to the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) will be described. As described above, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) is connected to the effect display control board 222 and various boards such as the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. Further, as described above, when the sub-control unit 220A receives various effect commands (display control commands, etc.) from the main control unit 200A, the sub-control unit 220A interprets the content of the command and (a) the effect display device 27 Specific display contents, (b) sound effects output from the speakers SP1 to SP4, and (c) various LEDs mounted on various LED boards 4b to 4h and other lamps or other lamps The specific aspect of is determined.

  Next, a drive signal (various symbol control commands) of the effect display device 27 is output to the effect display control unit 222A to perform variable display and stop display of effect symbols (pseudo symbols, background symbols, character symbols, etc.). At this time, the display data (still image data, moving image data, etc.) of the displayed effect symbols (pseudo symbol, background symbol, character symbol, live-action image, etc.) is displayed on the effect display device 27 or the effect display control board 222. The data stored in the display ROM (not shown) built in is used.

  A sound effect is output from the speakers SP1 to SP4 by outputting an audio signal to the amplifier board 224 in accordance with the pseudo symbol variation display and stop display. In addition, by supplying signals to the decorative drive board 226 and outputting drive signals of the various LED lamps 4b to 4h) from the decorative drive board 226, various lamps (LEDs, etc.) can be turned on and blinked. Control. Further, when the player operates the effect button SW provided on the front side of the upper plate member 5, this operation signal is supplied to the sub-control unit 220A. The sub-control unit 220A is configured to be able to reflect the operation result on various effect contents including the effect display device 27 based on the supplied operation signal.

  Next, the “hold storage unit” and the like will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 is provided with a first determination random number memory 202a, a second determination random number memory 202b, a first hold number memory 202c, and a second hold number memory 202d. Yes. The RAM 220b mounted on the sub-control board 220 includes a first determination random number information memory 221b, a second determination random number information memory 222b, a first hold number information memory 223b, and a second hold number information memory 224b. Is provided. In the following description, “effective start prize” refers to a start prize that occurs when the corresponding number of holds (first hold number or second hold number) is not the upper limit number.

  When a valid starting prize is generated for the first starting prize-winning device 17a, a random number for determination is acquired, and in the main control board 200, the acquired random number for determination is stored in the first determination random number memory 202a in a shift memory format. In addition, the value of the first hold number memory 202c is stored cumulatively. At this time, a start winning command is transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 220. Here, the start winning command is a command indicating a random number (determination random number) acquired based on the start winning to the first start winning device 17a and the first hold number after the start winning. When the sub control board 220 receives the start winning command, the sub-control board 220 shifts information related to the random number (determination random number) (hereinafter referred to as “determination random number information”) to the first determination random number information memory 221b. The value is stored in the format, and the value of the first hold number stored in the first hold number information memory 223b is “+1”. However, unlike the present embodiment, a command for specifying a random number (determination random number) acquired based on the start winning to the first start winning device 17a, and a command for specifying the first hold number after the start winning May be a separate command.

  Even when an effective start winning for the second start winning device 17b occurs, a random number for determination is acquired, and the acquired determination random number is transferred to the second determination random number memory 202b in the shift memory format on the main control board 200. As well as being stored, the value in the second reserved number memory 202d is cumulatively stored, and a start winning command is transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 220. The start prize command is a command indicating a random number (determination random number) acquired based on a start prize to the second start prize device 17b and a second hold number after the start prize. Then, when receiving the start winning command, the sub-control board 220 stores information (determination random number information) related to the random number (determination random number) in the second determination random number information memory 222b in a shift memory format, The value of the second hold number stored in the second hold number information memory 224b is incremented by “+1”. Unlike this embodiment, a command for specifying a random number (determination random number) acquired based on the start winning to the second start winning device 17b, and a command for specifying the second reserved number after the start winning May be a separate command.

  In the present embodiment, the first determination random number information memory 221b and the second determination random number information memory 222b constitute a specific example of “holding storage means”, and the CPU 220a configuring the sub-control board 220 performs the first determination. The determination is performed in advance using the determination random number information stored in the random number information memory 221b or the second determination random number information memory 222b. However, as shown in Example 4 described later, the first determination random number memory 202a and the second determination random number memory 202b constitute a specific example of “holding storage means” and are mounted on the main control board 200. The CPU 201 may configure a specific example of “preliminary determination unit”. That is, the CPU 201 may make a prior determination using the determination random number stored in the first determination random number memory 202a or the second determination random number memory 202b (see FIG. 56).

(3) Game flow by gaming machine 1 As described above, in this gaming machine 1, stop display (definite display) of a stop symbol indicating the result of determination of success / failure performed based on the start winning, and before this stop display The variable display performed in stages is executed by two types of symbol display devices, the lower display device 60 and the effect display device 27. Here, the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a of the lower display device 60 and the second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b of the lower display device 60 are “present symbols”. The “stop pattern” and “variation time (variation pattern)” are determined in the “main control unit 200A” that governs the basic progression of the game.

  In this embodiment, whether or not a game ball is detected by the first start opening winning detection switch 17s (hereinafter referred to as “first start winning”) is determined (hereinafter referred to as “first”). Determination and determination as to whether or not the game ball is detected by the second start opening winning detection switch 17t (hereinafter referred to as “second start winning”) (hereinafter referred to as “second determination”). 2 ”is determined only by“ Big Winning Lottery ”, but at least one of the first and second winning / notifying determinations is“ Big Winning Lottery ”. It may be configured by “small lottery” executed in this case.

  On the other hand, the “pseudo symbol” is displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the variation mode and the stop symbol are controlled by the “sub control unit 220A” that controls the game effect under the control of the main control unit 200A. Is determined. Usually, these “pseudo symbols” symbol variations are executed for the same time as “main symbols”, and the display contents of these “pseudo symbols” stop symbols (big hit, miss etc.) are the first special symbols. It is assumed that there is no contradiction with the display content (big hit, miss, etc.) of the “main symbol” on the display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b. In the present embodiment, when a symbol variation effect such as reach display using a special symbol is performed, the symbol variation effect is performed on the effect display device 27 (pseudo symbol). Hereinafter, the display content of this symbol and the pseudo symbol will be briefly described.

a. The first special symbol display unit 62a performs the variable display and stop display of the first special symbol resulting from the first start winning of the symbol, that is, "the symbol variable game relating to the first special symbol". The second special symbol change display and stop display resulting from the second start winning, that is, “the symbol variable game related to the second special symbol” is performed in the second special symbol display unit 62b. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), these variable displays are incomplete symbols (hereinafter referred to as “unsatisfied”) that cannot be used for arithmetical numbers by the 7-segment display that constitutes the corresponding special symbol display section (62a or 62b). The content is to perform "circular display" of a complete symbol). In other words, the content is to “circulate and display” imperfect symbols that are not familiar to the player compared to arithmetic numbers and are difficult to identify and store.

  As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, when the probability mode of the gaming machine 1 is the low probability mode (normal probability mode), the determination result indicating the big hit in both the first winning determination and the second winning determination The probability that is derived is approximately “1/400”. In addition, when the probability mode of the gaming machine 1 is the high probability mode, the probability that a determination result indicating a big hit is derived is about “1/40” in both the first and second determinations. Is done. Then, when the determination result indicating the big hit is derived in the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b, a “hit” is generated, and the big hit game execution means starts operating and the big hit game is executed. Is done.

  When the big hit game is started, the main control unit 200A drives and stops the big prize opening solenoid 31c, so that the “opening / closing operation for opening and closing the big prize opening 31a” is executed. Note that while the gaming state is the big hit gaming state, the special symbol (the main symbol) is not displayed in a variable state, that is, the symbol variable game is not executable. On the other hand, when the big hit game is not performed “before the big hit gaming state transition” or “after the big hit gaming state is finished”, the state where the variation display of the special symbol (this symbol) is performed, that is, the symbol fluctuation game is performed. It becomes an executable state (design variation game state).

  Here, “opening the grand prize winning device 31” is realized by driving the big prize opening solenoid 31c so that the open / close plate 31b in the standing position is tilted forward, and the big winning opening 31a is changed to the open state. “Closing the big winning device 31” is realized by stopping the driving of the big winning port solenoid 31c, returning the open / close plate 31b to the standing posture, and returning the big winning port 31a to the closed state. In each round game during the big hit game, an open / close operation is performed for the big prize device 31 to change the big prize opening 31a to the open state only once. In addition, when a predetermined number (10) of game balls enter the big winning opening 31a or when the opening time of the big winning opening 31a reaches the opening limit time (30 seconds), the round end condition is satisfied. To finish the current round game (big hit round). When the opening / closing operation of the big winning device 31 is repeated a plurality of times with a predetermined interval in between, the big hit game is finished.

  In the gaming machine 1, when the gaming state shifts to the big hit gaming state (special gaming state), a “round game” is performed for a predetermined number of times (4 rounds, 8 rounds, or 16 rounds). When the final “round game” is finished, the big hit game is finished. Furthermore, after performing the effect related to the end of the big hit (ending effect), the gaming state is returned to the symbol variation gaming state.

  In this embodiment, the “round start designation command” and the “round end designation command” are transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 220 at each start and end of each round game. The CPU 220a mounted on the CPU determines the progress status of the currently executed jackpot game (round game) based on the “round start designation command” and the “round end command” from the main control board 200, and according to the progress status. Various jackpot effects are executed by the effect display device 27 and the like. The “round start designation command” is a command indicating the start of a round game and the number of rounds of the started round game, and is also referred to as a “round number designation command”. The “round end designation command” is a command indicating that the big hit round has ended.

  In the present embodiment, the contents of the jackpot game (round game) to be executed according to the mode of the jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed (determined display) on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b, The gaming state of the gaming machine 1 after the big hit game ends will be different. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail. Here, in the following description, “16R probability variable jackpot” and “16R normal jackpot” are jackpots that trigger the start of a jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as “jackpot game A”) in which “16 rounds” of the round game are performed, “8R probability variable jackpot” and “8R normal jackpot” are jackpots that trigger the start of a jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as “jackpot game B”) in which the round game is “8 rounds”. The “4R probability variable jackpot” and “4R normal jackpot” are jackpots that trigger the start of a jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as “jackpot game C”) in which the round game is “four rounds”. Furthermore, in any jackpot game, “150” game balls are paid out when a prescribed number (10) of game balls enter the big winning opening 31a in each round game. For this reason, the number of planned payouts for “Big Bonus Game A” is “2,400”, the number of planned balls for “Big Hit Game B” is “1,200”, and the number of planned prizes for “Big Hit Game C” The number of balls is set to “600” (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

  When the determination result indicating “big hit” is derived by the first winning / nothing determination, main control unit 200A determines the type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol) by random lottery (that is, distribution lottery). Then, as shown in FIG. 12, by the random lottery (distribution lottery), the “big hit type” is “16R probability variable big hit”, “16R normal big hit”, “8R positive variable big hit”, “8R normal big hit”, “ It is determined as either “4R probability variable big hit” or “4R normal big hit”. A random number for performing “lottery lottery” (hereinafter referred to as “symbol for determining symbols”) is acquired at the timing at which the start winning is generated, similarly to random numbers for determination of success / failure (random numbers for jackpot lottery, etc.). The Note that, even if the result of the first determination is not a big win, the main control unit 200A may determine whether or not to generate a small hit by random number lottery (small hit lottery).

  Even when the determination result indicating “big hit” is derived by the second winning / nothing determination, the main control unit 200A determines the type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol) by random number lottery (distribution lottery). Also, as shown in FIG. 13, the “big hit type” is “16R probability variable big hit”, “16R normal big hit”, “8R positive big hit”, “8R normal big hit”, “4R positive big hit” as shown in FIG. And “4R normal jackpot”. The “design determination random number” for performing the “distribution lottery” is also acquired at the timing when the start winning is generated, similarly to the random number for determination of success / failure (such as a random number for big hit lottery). Note that, even when the result of the second win / fail determination is not a big hit, the main control unit 200A may determine whether or not to generate a small hit by random number lottery (small hit lottery).

  The “lottery lottery” in the case where the result of the second win / fail decision is “big hit” is more advantageous for the player than the “lottery lottery” in the case of the result of the first hit / fail judgment is “big hit” Sorting is done. In other words, in the present embodiment, the “lottery lottery” in the case where the result of the second winning / failing determination is “big hit” is compared with the “sort lottery” in which the result of the first hit / failure determination is “big hit”. Thus, the probability that a jackpot that can expect a larger amount of prize balls is selected is high (see FIGS. 12 and 13). For this reason, for a player, the first success / failure determination is more continuous in the case of playing a game in which the second success / failure determination is continuously performed (hereinafter referred to as “a game mainly based on the second success / failure determination”). It can be said that the advantage is higher than the case where the game (hereinafter referred to as “the game mainly based on the first win / fail decision”) is performed.

  When “16R probability variation big hit”, “8R probability variation big hit” or “4R probability variation big hit” is generated, the probability that the result of the determination of success / failure will be a big hit after executing the corresponding big hit game is high. That is, the probability that the result of the first success / failure determination is a big hit and the probability that the result of the second success / failure determination is a big hit are respectively high probabilities. As described above, the gaming state in which the probability that the determination result is a big hit is a high probability is the “high probability mode (high probability state)”. In addition, when “16R probability variation big hit”, “8R probability variation big hit” or “4R probability variation big hit” occurs, the game mode in which the release extension means and the variable time reduction means operate after executing the corresponding big hit game, that is, “open extension”. Mode.

  This open extension mode is continued until the cumulative number of change displays (symbol change game) executed without generating a big hit after the corresponding big hit game is ended becomes “10,000 times”. However, in consideration of the jackpot winning probability (big hit probability) that is normally determined for gaming machines (pachinko machines), it is substantially possible that the open extension mode will continue until the cumulative number of variable displays reaches “10,000 times”. Means that the open extension mode continues until the next big hit. Therefore, hereinafter, the case is simply expressed as “the open extension mode continues until the next big hit occurs” (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

  On the other hand, if a “16R normal big hit”, “8R normal big hit” or “4R normal big hit” occurs, the probability that the result of the determination is a big hit after executing the corresponding big hit game will be a low probability (normal probability). The That is, the probability that the result of the first success / failure determination is a big hit and the probability that the result of the second success / failure determination is a big hit are each low probability (normal probability). In addition, after the corresponding jackpot game is over, the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 becomes the open extension mode, and the time for the second start winning device 17b to be in the open state becomes long. And this open extension mode is continued until the cumulative number of variable displays (symbol variable game) executed without generating a big hit after the corresponding big hit game ends becomes “100”.

c-2. On the display screen 27a of the pseudo-design effect display device 27, if the symbol variation start condition is satisfied due to winning (start winning) in the first start winning device 17a or the second starting winning device 17b, the pseudo symbol variation display is performed. (Design variation effect using pseudo design) is started. Then, when the execution time (variation time) of the pseudo symbol variable display has elapsed, the pseudo symbol stop display (determined display) is executed for a certain time (about 0.6 seconds). This pseudo-symbol stop display is to display the determination result of the success / failure determination, similar to the stop display by the lower right display device 60 (the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b).

  On the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, three (three digits) pseudo-pattern variation display and stop display are performed. This pseudo-pattern variation display shows that the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed in this order, and then the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed again in this order. It consists of repeated “circular display (scroll fluctuation display)”. In addition, the confirmed symbols that are confirmed and displayed in the pseudo-symbol display area 27b include “a stop symbol that indicates a loss” and “a stop symbol that indicates a big hit”.

  Here, as described above, in the gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, as the “big hit”, the stop symbols (big hit symbols) of this symbol corresponding to each of a plurality of types of big hits. It is set. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14A, a pseudo symbol stop symbol (big hit symbol) is defined as follows. That is, the stop symbol indicating the occurrence of “16R probability variation big hit”, “8R probability variation big hit”, or “4R probability variation big hit” is configured by arranging three “same odd numbers” on the display screen 27a. The stop symbol indicating the occurrence of “16R normal big hit”, “8R normal big hit”, or “4R normal big hit” is configured by arranging three “same even numbers” on the display screen 27a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14B, the “off symbol” is configured by displaying a numerical symbol different from the others on at least one of the three pseudo symbol display portions.

  In the effect display device 27, when the jackpot symbol shown in FIG. 14A is displayed, as shown in FIG. 15C, reach display is performed in the middle of the variable display as the premise. Also, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, when the “stop symbol indicating detachment” is displayed on the effect display device 27, the reach display is not performed in the middle of the variable display that is the premise (hereinafter referred to as “removal display”). , “Simple detachment”) and reach display (hereinafter referred to as “reach detachment”). Further, the reach display of the present embodiment is an effect display in which two pseudo symbols out of the pseudo symbols displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 are stopped at the same symbol, and the other one pseudo symbol is changing. It is.

  Although not shown in FIG. 15, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, the position on the right end side near the lower edge on the display screen 27a fluctuates in conjunction with the first special symbol display unit 62a. A first auxiliary symbol display area A to be displayed and a second auxiliary symbol display area B that is variably displayed in conjunction with the second special symbol display unit 62b appear. Then, the special symbol display unit (62a or 62b) that is executing the symbol variable game and the auxiliary symbol corresponding to the special symbol display unit perform a variable display. When the variable display is stopped, the stop symbol of the auxiliary symbol is confirmed and displayed, and the result of the determination of success / failure is displayed based on the stop symbol.

  Further, although illustration is omitted in FIG. 15, in the background screen display area 27c of the display screen 27a, effects such as “background design”, “character design”, “actual video”, etc. are displayed for exciting the fluctuation of the pseudo design. (See FIG. 5). This effect is generally performed according to the effect pattern determined at the start of the symbol variation effect.

  Furthermore, the execution time (variation time) of the symbol variation effect is determined by a variation pattern (described later) determined at the start of the symbol variation game. And when this fluctuation pattern is a specific fluctuation pattern, the design fluctuation effect of a specific aspect is performed. Hereinafter, the symbol variation effect of this specific mode will be described using specific examples shown in FIGS. Here, the specific variation pattern is a variation pattern that identifies a variation time longer than a certain time. In addition, in FIGS. 16 to 26, a specific example is shown regarding a case where a game mainly based on the second success / failure determination is performed. The following specific examples can be applied.

  The specific example 1 shown in FIG. 16 and the specific example 2 shown in FIG. 17 are specific examples in which the symbol variation game and the symbol variation effect are performed according to the same “specific variation pattern”. Further, in both the specific example 1 and the specific example 2, when the second hold number is “2”, by digesting the hold stored first (hereinafter referred to as “first hold”), The case where the symbol change game and the symbol change effect are started is shown. In either case of specific example 1 or specific example 2, the earliest hold is “hit hold”, and the number of expected payout balls in the big hit game performed based on the “hit hold” is “1200 "Individual". That is, the first stored hold (determination random number) is a hold that generates “8R probability variation big hit” or “8R normal big hit”.

  In the specific example 1, as shown in FIG. 16, when the start timing of the fluctuation related to the earliest hold comes, the hit special fluctuation using the second special symbol is started in the second special symbol display unit 62b and the effect display is performed. The device 27 starts the design variation effect. Then, it is assumed that two off-holds occur until the first predetermined time (about 10 seconds) elapses after the hit fluctuation starts, that is, until the “predetermined time point t1”. Furthermore, after a predetermined time point t1 has elapsed (after 10 seconds have passed since the start of hit fluctuation) and until the second predetermined time (about 14 seconds) has elapsed since the start of hit fluctuation, that is, “specific time t2 It is assumed that one off-hold has occurred until “ Here, “predetermined time point t1” is a timing that becomes a branching point for determining whether or not the content of the symbol variation effect is to be replaced, and “specific time point t2” is a timing at which the content of the symbol variation effect is replaced. As described above, in this embodiment, “predetermined time point t1” and “specific time point t2” are set as different timings, and an example (described later) of replacing the contents of the symbol variation effect at the predetermined timing of the reach development effect is illustrated. A specific example in which “predetermined time t1” and “specific time t2” are set at the same timing can also be illustrated.

  Also in the second specific example, as shown in FIG. 17, when the start timing of the fluctuation related to the earliest hold comes, the hit special fluctuation using the second special symbol is started in the second special symbol display unit 62b and the effect display is performed. The device 27 starts the design variation effect. Then, it is assumed that one off hold and one hit hold occur in this order after the hit fluctuation starts and before “predetermined time t1”. Furthermore, it is assumed that one off-hold is generated after the predetermined time point t1 and before reaching the specific time point t2. However, the number of expected payout balls in the big hit game that is performed based on the hit suspension that occurred before reaching the predetermined time point t1 is “2400”. In other words, this hit hold is a hold that generates “16R probability variable big hit” or “16R normal big hit”.

  Here, in FIGS. 16 and 17, an arrow indicating command transmission from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 220 is also shown. Among these, “start C” indicates transmission of a “change start command”, and sub-control is performed from the main control board 200 at the timing when the symbol change game is started in the special symbol display section (62a or 62b). It is transmitted to the substrate 220.

  The “winning time C” indicates transmission of the “start winning time command”, and is transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 220 at a timing when an effective start winning is generated. In FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 21, FIG. 24, and FIG. 25, the order of transmission of “winning time C” is specified by adding a number in ascending order in the order of occurrence of starting winnings to the end of “winning time C”. doing.

  Further, as described above, when the sub-control board 220 receives the “start winning prize command”, the random number information for determination is shifted to the determination random number information memory (223b or 224b) in the time series of the start winning shift memory format. Is memorized. In addition, since the specific example 1 and the specific example 2 are specific examples related to the case where a game mainly based on the second winning / failing determination is performed, each time a valid start winning is given to the second start winning device 17b, The random number information for determination is stored in the random number information memory for determination 2 224b.

  In Specific Example 1 and Specific Example 2, as shown in FIG. 18, when the timing for digesting the earliest hold arrives, the effect display device 27 has a character (a friend character) that becomes a friend and an enemy for the player. The symbol variation effect is started (a1) while the character (enemy character) to appear becomes. In addition, the code | symbol (A0-A4) added in FIG. 18 respond | corresponds to the code | symbol (A0-A4) which specifies the "holding status" shown in FIG.16 and FIG.17.

  In this symbol variation effect, reach display is performed at a timing (hereinafter referred to as “reference time point”) after a predetermined time point t1 and before a specific time point t2 after the start of the symbol variation effect (a5). The so-called “reach development production” is performed. Here, in the specific example 1, the specific example 2, and the specific example 3 described later, the “reference time point” is a time point at which a third predetermined time (about 12 seconds) has elapsed after the start of the hit fluctuation.

  In Specific Example 1 and Specific Example 2, as shown in FIG. 18, when the timing to digest the earliest hold arrives, the teammate character and the enemy character are arranged side by side until reaching the “reference time” (A1 to a4). At the reference time, reach display is performed, and at the same time, the postures of the teammate character and the enemy character are set as the starting posture of the student race (a5). Thereafter, in both the specific example 1 and the specific example 2, the teammate character and the enemy character run in the run until the specific time point t2 is reached (a6, a7 in FIG. 18, a8 in FIG. 19). It should be noted that “development after a specific time point” in the symbol variation effect differs between the specific example 1 and the specific example 2.

  In both the specific example 1 and the specific example 2, a predetermined effect pattern is selected when the earliest hold is digested and the symbol variation effect is started. Then, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the design variation effect is started by reproducing the effect movie (hereinafter referred to as “normal effect movie”) specified according to the selected effect pattern.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 16, in the first specific example, the second determination random number information memory 224 b stores data until the “predetermined time point t <b> 1” is reached after the start of the hit fluctuation related to the earliest hold. The “second determination random number information” does not include “hit pending”. For this reason, in the specific example 1, even after the specific time point t2 has passed, the effect according to the effect pattern selected at the start of the symbol variation effect is continued. Specifically, even after the specific time point t2, the normal performance movie is reproduced as it is, so that the team race between the ally character and the enemy character is continued as shown in FIG. 19 (a9, a10). . Then, after displaying that the teammate character has won the race (a11), the jackpot display is performed and the symbol variation effect is terminated (a12).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, in the second specific example, it is stored in the second determination random number information memory 224b during the period from the start of the hit fluctuation related to the earliest hold until the “predetermined time t1” elapses. In the “second determination random number information”, “hit pending” is included, and the number of expected winning balls (1200) in the big hit game (the previous big hit game) performed through the hit fluctuation being executed ) And the number of planned payout balls (2400) in the jackpot game (later jackpot game) performed based on the stored hit-holding is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (3600).

  For this reason, in the specific example 2, after passing the specific time t2, the effect according to the effect pattern selected at the start of the symbol variation effect is replaced with another special effect, and the symbol variation effect is continued. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the “normal effect movie” played until reaching the specific time point t2 is replaced with the “special effect movie” at the specific time point t2, and the “special effect movie” is used. The variation effect is executed from the specific time t2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, after a specific time point t2, an image suggesting a large number of prize balls in a short period is displayed (cut-in) (b9). For example, an image showing gold coins stacked as prizes and a bag (dollar bag) filled with gold coins is displayed (b9). Subsequently, the teammate character and the enemy character develop a winning prize (gold coin) battle “Prize Battle” (b10). Then, after displaying that the teammate character has won the “Prize Battle” (b11), the jackpot display is performed and the symbol variation effect is ended (b12).

  Next, in specific example 1 and specific example 2, the effects and the like after the currently executed symbol variation effect (winning variation) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In both the specific example 1 and the specific example 2, when the symbol variation effect is finished (a12 and b12 in FIG. 19), a fanfare effect is performed (a13 and b13) as shown in FIGS. When this fanfare effect is finished, the round game related to the first round is executed. At that time, the round effect related to the first round is executed on the display screen 27a (a14, b14). Then, when the end condition for the first round is satisfied, the round game related to the first round is ended and an interval effect is performed on the display screen 27a (not shown). Thereafter, after a predetermined interval time (about 2 seconds of waiting time), a round game related to the second round and a round effect related to the second round are executed. Thereafter, the “round game” and the “round effect” are repeated in the same manner until the final round (8 rounds) with the “interval time” and the “interval effect” interposed therebetween.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 20, “fanfare effect” is executed by playing a movie for fanfare effect (indicated as “F movie” in the figure), and “round effect” is for round effect corresponding to each round. It is executed by playing a movie (denoted as “R movie” in the figure). The “interval effect” is executed by playing an interval effect movie (denoted as “I movie” in the figure).

  As shown in FIG. 22, in the first specific example, when the final round (eighth round) ends and the jackpot game (the previous jackpot game) ends, the ending effect according to the normal pattern is performed on the display screen 27a ( a15), the symbol variation game (symbol variation effect) is started (a16). At this time, the design variation effect is started on the display screen 27a while digesting the oldest determination random number stored in the second determination random number memory 202b. At this time, the display screen 27a has a pseudo symbol display area. 27b is displayed, and the variable display using the pseudo symbol is executed. Further, a first auxiliary symbol display area A and a second auxiliary symbol display area B appear on the display screen 27a, and corresponding special symbol display parts 62a and 62b (in the first specific example, the second special symbol display part 62b) and At the same time, the variable display is executed. Although illustration is omitted, the ending effect according to the normal pattern is executed by playing the normal ending effect movie. Depending on the ending effect, there is no suggestion that the big hit game is continuous.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22, in the second specific example, after the final round (eighth round) is finished and the big hit game (the previous big hit game) is finished, after performing the ending effect according to the special pattern (b15) The symbol variation game (symbol variation effect) is started while digesting the oldest determination random number stored in the second determination random number memory 202b. The ending effect according to this special pattern is an effect that suggests that the big hit game continues, and is an effect that displays a plurality of bags (dollar bags) packed with gold coins (b15). Then, the ending effect according to the special pattern is executed by playing a continuous effect movie as shown in FIG.

  The symbol variation effect started after performing the ending effect according to the special pattern is a symbol variation effect accompanying the deviation variation, and by continuing the reproduction of the above-described continuous effect movie (“E movie” in FIG. 21). Executed. And in this symbol variation effect, the effect (big hit continuous effect) which suggests that the big hit game continues on the display screen 27a is performed. Specifically, an effect of displaying a plurality of bags (dollar bags) in which gold coins are tightly packed is executed in substantially the entire area of the display screen 27a (b16 in FIG. 22). At this time, the first auxiliary symbol display area A and the second auxiliary symbol display area B appear on the display screen 27a, and the corresponding special symbol display portions 62a and 62b (in the second specific example, the second special symbol display portion 62b). ) Change display at the same time.

  When the execution time of the symbol variation effect accompanying the deviation variation elapses, the symbol variation effect is ended as shown in FIG. 23 (b17). When the stop symbol stop display time (about 0.6 seconds) elapses, the symbol variation effect accompanying the next deviation variation is started (b18), and when the execution time of the symbol variation effect accompanying this deviation variation has elapsed, The symbol variation effect is terminated (b19). Furthermore, when the stop display time of the stop symbol (about 0.6 seconds) elapses, the symbol variation effect accompanying the hit variation is started (b20), and when the execution time of the symbol change effect accompanying the hit variation elapses, the symbol change The production ends (b21, b22). As a result, a big hit occurs (b22), and after performing the fanfare effect (b23), the subsequent big hit game is started.

  In specific example 2, after the above-mentioned “ending effect according to the special pattern” is performed, the effect before the subsequent big hit game is started is executed by continuing the playback of the movie for continuous effect described above. Is done. In other words, after the previous jackpot game is over, the symbol variation effect accompanying the two-time fluctuations and the symbol variation effect accompanying the one hit variation are effects that suggest that the jackpot game is continuous (successful success game) Executed.

  Specific example 3 shown in FIG. 24 is a specific example in which the symbol variation game and the symbol variation effect are performed according to the “specific variation pattern” that identifies the same variation time as in the case of specific example 1 or specific example 2. Further, specific example 3 shows a case where the symbol variation game and the symbol variation effect are started by digesting “first hold” when the second number of reservations is “3”. Further, in specific example 3, the earliest hold is “hit hold”, and the number of payout scheduled winning balls in the big hit game based on the “hit hold” is “1200”.

  In the specific example 3, in the stage before digesting the “first hold”, the hold processed after the first hold (hereinafter referred to as “next hold”) and the “next hold” are followed. The hold to be processed (hereinafter referred to as “hold one after another”) is stored. “Next hold” is “off hold”, but “next hold” is hit hold. The number of planned payout balls in the jackpot game to be performed based on this “next hold” is set to “2400”.

  Although illustration is omitted, also in the specific example 3, as in the specific example 1, when the timing for digesting the earliest hold comes, in the effect display device 27, a character (a friend character) and a player who are friendly to the player The symbol variation effect is started while the enemy character (enemy character) appears. Further, reach display is performed at the reference time point before the specific time point t2, and thereafter, a so-called “reach development effect” similar to the specific example 1 is performed.

  In this specific example 3, there are only two off-holds until the “predetermined time point t1” is reached after the start of the hit fluctuation associated with the earliest hold. At the stage, the winning hold other than the earliest hold is stored in the second determination random number information memory 224b. In addition, the number of the expected payout balls in the “later jackpot game” performed based on the stored hit hold is “2400”, the number of the expected payout balls (2400), The total of the number of expected payout balls (1200 balls) in the “previous jackpot game” performed after the change becomes a predetermined number (3600 balls) or more. For this reason, also in the specific example 3, after replacing the effect according to the effect pattern selected at the start of the design variation effect with another special effect at the specific time t2, the design change effect is changed to the special effect after the specific time t2. Continue with content.

  Specific example 4 shown in FIG. 25 is a specific example in which the symbol change game and the symbol change effect are performed according to the “specific change pattern” that specifies the same change time as in specific example 1 and specific example 2. Specific example 4 also shows a case in which the symbol variation game and the symbol variation effect are started by digesting “first hold” when the second number of suspension is “2”. However, in the specific example 4, the earliest hold and the hold processed after the earliest hold are “release hold”.

  In the fourth specific example, when the start timing of the fluctuation related to the earliest hold arrives, the second special symbol display unit 62b starts the deviation variation using the second special symbol, and the effect display device 27 uses the pseudo symbol. Initiate outlier fluctuations. Then, it is assumed that one release hold and one hit hold occur in this order until the “predetermined time point t1” is reached after the start of the release change. Furthermore, after the predetermined time point t1 has passed, one off-hold is held until the second predetermined time (about 14 seconds) elapses (until the specific time point t2) after the start of the fluctuation change. Suppose that it occurred. Note that the number of scheduled payout balls in the big hit game that is performed based on the hit suspension that occurred before reaching the predetermined time point t1 is “2400”.

  Also in the specific example 4, as shown in FIG. 18, when the timing for digesting the earliest hold comes, the effect display device 27 has a character that becomes an ally for the player (an ally character) and an enemy character for the player ( The symbol variation effect is started (a1). In this symbol variation effect as well, reach display is made at the “reference time” (a5), and then a so-called “reach development effect” is performed. Thereafter, the teammate character and the enemy character run in a race until reaching the specific time t2 (a6, a7 in FIG. 18, a8 in FIG. 26), but the development after the specific time t2 is different from the specific example 1. ing.

  That is, also in the specific example 4, a predetermined effect pattern is selected when the earliest hold is digested and the symbol variation effect is started. Then, as shown in FIG. 26, by reproducing the effect movie (normal effect movie) corresponding to the selected effect pattern, the symbol variation effect is executed.

  In the fourth specific example, as shown in FIG. 25, the second determination random number information memory 224 b stores the “predetermined time point t 1” from the start of the deviation fluctuation related to the earliest hold. “Hold hold” is included in “second determination random number information”. For this reason, after passing the specific time t2, the effect according to the effect pattern selected at the time of starting the symbol variation effect is replaced with another special effect, and the symbol variation effect is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, the “normal effect movie” played until reaching the specific time point t2 is replaced with the “special effect movie” at the specific time point t2, and the pattern using the “special effect movie” is used. The fluctuating effect (special effect) is executed from the specific time t2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 26, after a specific time point t2, an image suggesting a prize ball, for example, an image showing a stack of prizes stacked as a prize is displayed (cut-in) (d9). Subsequently, the teammate character and the enemy character develop a winning battle (price battle) for winnings (a bundle of bills in the case) (d10). Then, after displaying that the enemy character has won the “Prize Battle” (d11), an off-display is performed to end the symbol variation effect (d12).

  In FIG. 26, a comparative example with respect to the specific example 4 is also shown. This comparative example is different from the specific example 4 in that no hit hold is generated before the “predetermined time t1” after the start of the deviation fluctuation. In this comparative example, the effect according to the effect pattern selected at the start of the symbol variation effect is continued even after the specific time t2. Specifically, even after the specific time point t2, the normal performance movie is reproduced as it is, so that the team race between the ally character and the enemy character is continued (a9, a10). Then, after displaying that the enemy character has won the race (c11), an off-display is performed to end the symbol variation effect (c12).

  In specific example 2 and specific example 3, the total of the number of planned winning balls (1200) in the previous jackpot game and the number of planned winning balls (2400) in the subsequent jackpot game is a predetermined number (3600) ) Because of this, the production mode is greatly changed before and after the specific time t2. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the player's expectation facing this symbol variation effect and improve the gaming interest. Further, in the fourth specific example, the occurrence of the special effect can make the player have a sense of expectation for the start of the big hit game based on one or both of the “current symbol variation game” and the “hold”. For this reason, even if a notification is made through a special effect, the player can have a sense of expectation for the presence of a hit hold.

  Moreover, in the second specific example, the number of prize balls obtained in the “first jackpot game” related to the “hit fluctuation” and the “next jackpot game” related to the “hit hold” is equal to or more than a predetermined number. The big hit continuous effect that links the “big hit game” and the “next big hit game” is executed. For this reason, a sense of unity between the “previous jackpot game” and the “later jackpot game” can be nurtured, and the player's sense of superiority with respect to the ability to obtain a large number of prize balls can be enhanced. Moreover, in the specific example 2, the player who encountered the big hit continuous production reaffirms that the “replacement to the special production” executed previously led to a lot of prize balls. It is possible to increase the sense of achievement related to the acquisition of a large number of prize balls.

(5) Command transmission The gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment performs various controls in order to realize the above-described “symbol changing game” and the like. When executing this control, various commands are transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220). Next, how this command is transmitted will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

  The main control unit 200A and the sub control unit 220A are connected by a 9-bit width parallel signal cable. Of these, one bit is allocated for outputting a strobe signal, and the remaining eight bits are allocated for command output. When a command is output from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A, first, command data for 8 bits is output to an 8-bit signal cable assigned for command output, and then A 1-bit strobe signal is output. Further, the sub control unit 220A can reliably read the command transmitted from the main control unit 200A by reading the command data at the rising timing of the strobe signal.

  Here, examples of commands output from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220) include those illustrated in FIG. 27B. That is, there are (A) a variation pattern designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CHP”), (B) a special symbol stop information designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CJS”), and the like. . The variation pattern designation command is a command for designating a variation pattern, and a variation pattern for normal variation (described later) and a variation pattern for shortened variation (described later) according to the variation pattern table used at the time of starting winning. ) Is specified. The variation pattern designation command is a command for starting the variation of the pseudo symbol and designating the variation time of the pseudo symbol. The mode designation command is a command for designating a game mode set by “main control unit 200A (main control board 200) as game mode setting means”.

(6) Outline of Game Control by Main Control Unit 200A FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. In this game control process, each process such as a prize ball payout process (S80), a normal symbol game process (S100), a normal electric game game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S300), a big hit game process (S600), etc. Is executed repeatedly. Note that the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of the present embodiment is configured to execute the processing of S80 to S600 of FIG. 28 every time a timer interrupt with a period of 4 msec occurs after the power is turned on. That is, the processing of S80 to S600 in FIG. 28 is repeatedly executed every 4 msec. In each process constituting the game control process, various signals are transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 proceeds. Hereinafter, the game control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A. Prize ball payout processing (S80)
The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process of paying out game balls as prize balls (prize ball payout process) (S80). That is, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered by detecting the states of the start opening winning detection switches 17s and 17t, the big winning opening winning detection switch 31s and the general winning detection switches 40s, 41s and 43s. If a game ball has entered, this information is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. Based on the information stored on the RAM 202, a prize ball payout signal is output toward the payout control board 240. If the winning information for the start opening winning detection switch 17s or the like has already been stored on the RAM 202, an appropriate payout number including the previously stored information is designated and a payout signal is output. To do.

  When outputting a payout signal from the main control unit 200A to the payout control unit 240A, first, a strobe signal is output toward the payout control unit 240A (payout control board 240), and then signal data is output. On the other hand, when the CPU mounted on the payout control board 240 constituting the payout control unit 240A receives the payout signal, the CPU interprets the content of the signal and sends a drive signal to the payout motor 109m mounted on the prize ball payout device 109. Is output and award balls are paid out. The prize ball payout device 109 is provided with two payout switches (a front payout switch 109a and a rear payout switch 109b) for detecting a payout game ball. While detecting each one, a process of paying out the number of prize balls designated by the payout signal is performed.

B. Normal symbol game processing (S100)
In the normal symbol game process (S100), the normal symbol display unit 63 starts to display the variation of the normal symbol when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 16. When the CPU 201 determines that the execution time of the normal symbol variation display has elapsed while repeatedly performing the game control process of FIG. 28, the CPU 201 performs the stop display of the normal symbol stop symbol. Further, when the CPU 201 determines that the stop symbol stop display time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed while repeatedly performing the game control process of FIG. 28, the stop symbol activates the ordinary electric accessory 17d. It is determined whether the symbol is a symbol to be activated (a normal symbol hit symbol) or a symbol that is not to be activated (a symbol that is out of the normal symbol).

  If the stop symbol is a symbol that activates the normal electric accessory 17d (a normal symbol hit symbol), whether or not the normal electric accessory release extension function is operating (that is, the open extension means is operating). If the opening extension means is in operation, the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is set to "opening time when the opening extension function is activated (for example, the above-mentioned 5 seconds)" The normal symbol game process (S100) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the opening extension means is not in operation, after setting the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d to “opening time when the opening extension function is not operated (for example, 0.2 seconds as described above)”, the normal symbol game process Is finished and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  Note that the CPU 201 does not operate the normal electric accessory 17d, does not execute the normal symbol variation display in the normal symbol display unit 63, and does not execute the normal symbol stop display, and further relates to the normal symbol. When it is determined that the number of holds is not “0”, the normal symbol variation display is started. Further, the number of holdings for the normal symbol is “+1” when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 16 and the number of holdings for the normal symbol is less than a predetermined number (four in this embodiment). It is set to “−1” every time the symbol variation display is started.

C. Normal electric game processing (S200)
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an outline of the ordinary electric accessory game process. When the ordinary electric accessory game process is activated while the CPU 201 performs the game control process of FIG. It is determined whether or not it is operating (whether or not the second start winning device 17b is in an open state). If it is determined that the second start winning device 17b is in an open state (S201; YES), the operation time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (predetermined to maintain the second start winning device 17b in the open state). It is determined whether or not the time has elapsed (5 seconds in the open extension mode and 0.2 seconds in the normal release mode) (S202). If it is determined that the operating time (opening time) has passed the predetermined time (S202; YES), the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is stopped to place the second start winning device 17b in the open state closed ( S206), the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated.

  However, when the CPU 201 releases the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning device 17b) (S202; NO), a prescribed number (for example, eight) of game balls have entered the second start winning device 17b. If it is determined (S204; YES), even if the aforementioned operating time (opening time) has not reached the predetermined time, the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is stopped (S206), and the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated. . In the gaming machine 1, when the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c is driven during the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d, the pair of wing pieces of the second start winning portion 17b constituting the ordinary electric accessory 17d is outward. Rotating, the second start winning device 17b is opened.

D. Special design game processing (S300)
Next, the outline of the special symbol game process will be described with reference to FIGS. When the special symbol game process is activated, as shown in FIG. 30, it is first determined whether or not a game ball has won the first start winning device 17a or the second start winning device 17b (S302a, S302b). ). Then, if a negative determination is made in the processing of S302a and the processing of S302b (S302a; NO, S302b; NO), the processing directly proceeds to the processing after S308 shown in FIG.

  on the other hand, When it is determined that the game ball has won the first start winning device 17a (S302a; YES), It is determined whether or not the number of reserved special symbols (first number of reserved items) corresponding to the first start winning device 17a is less than a predetermined number (in this example, less than 4) (S303a). In the process of S303a, When it is determined that the number is less than the predetermined number (S303a; YES), Obtain a random number for determination (random number for lottery) related to winning in the first start winning device 17a, While storing in the first determination random number memory 202a, A value obtained by incrementing “first hold number” by “+1” is stored in the first hold number memory 202c (S304a). And After sending the start winning command to the sub-control board 220 (S306a), The process proceeds to S308 in FIG. here, As mentioned above, the command at the start winning prize is The random number (determination random number) stored in the process of S304a based on the start winning to the first start winning device 17a, It is a command which shows the 1st holding | maintenance number after the said start winning prize. However, Unlike this example, A command for specifying the random number (determination random number) stored in the process of S304a; The command specifying the first hold number after executing the process of S304a may be a separate command.

  Here, the gaming machine 1 includes a first start winning device 17a and a second start winning device 17b as start winning devices, and a first special symbol corresponding to the first start winning device 17a (hereinafter referred to as "Special Figure 1"). And a second special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as “special figure 2”) corresponding to the second start winning device 17b. The latter is preferentially processed under the situation where the determination random number based on the start winning to the first start winning device 17a and the determination random number based on the start winning to the second start winning device 17b are stored. (Described later).

  30 to 34, among the processes performed by the CPU 201, each process (hereinafter referred to as a process related to the special figure 1) executed when a game ball wins the first start winning device 17a. ) And the same processing among the respective processing (hereinafter referred to as processing related to special figure 2) executed due to the winning of the game ball to the second start winning device 17b, the same number of steps (calculation) Number). Since the process with the same number of steps is basically the same process, one of “process related to special figure 1” and “process related to special figure 2” will be described in the following description. The description of the other may be omitted. In addition, “process for special figure 1” is distinguished by adding “a” in alphabet to “number of steps”, and “process for special figure 2” by adding “b” in alphabet to “number of steps”. There is.

  The determination random numbers acquired and stored in the process of S304a include (a) a first win determination, that is, a jackpot lottery (hereinafter, “ Lottery random numbers (hereinafter referred to as “special figure 1 big hit lottery random numbers”), (b) for determining the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display section 62a. A random number for design determination (special design 1 random number for design determination), (c) a reach random number for determining whether or not to perform reach display in the pseudo-design variation display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and so on. Unlike this embodiment, when a small lottery (special figure 1 small lottery) is performed due to the winning of a game ball to the first start winning device 17a, a random number for determination (in the process of S306a) The random number for lottery) includes a random number for lottery (hereinafter referred to as “lottery random number for special figure 1 small lot”) used in the “special figure 1 small lottery lottery”.

  If it is determined that a game ball has won the second start winning device 17b (S302b; YES), the number of second special symbols corresponding to the second start winning device 17d (second hold number) is a predetermined number. It is determined whether it is less than (less than 4 in this embodiment) (S303b). In the process of S303b, when it is determined that the number is less than the predetermined number (S303b; YES), a random number for determination (lottery random number) related to the second start winning device 17b is acquired and the second determination random number memory 202b described above. And the value obtained by adding “+1” to the “second hold number” is stored in the second hold number memory 202d (S304b). Then, after the start winning command is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S306b), the process proceeds to S308 in FIG. Note that, as described above, the command at the time of the start winning is the random number (determination random number) stored in the process of S304b based on the start winning to the second start winning device 17a and the second reserved number after the start winning. It is a command to show. Further, unlike the present embodiment, the command for specifying the random number (determination random number) stored in the process of S304b and the command for specifying the first hold number after executing the process of S304b may be different commands.

  Further, the determination random numbers acquired and stored in the process of S304b include (a) a big win lottery (hereinafter referred to as “winning lottery determination”) that is executed due to the second winning / failing determination, that is, the winning of the game ball to the second start winning device 17b. , "Lottery random number for lottery" (hereinafter referred to as "Special figure 2 big lottery lottery"), (b) The symbol to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b is determined. Design determination random number (special design 2 design determination random number), (c) Reach for determining whether or not to perform reach display in the pseudo symbol variation display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 Random numbers, etc. Unlike the present embodiment, when a small lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special drawing 2 small lottery”) due to the winning of a game ball to the second start winning device 17b is obtained in the process of S306b. The determination random numbers (lottery random numbers) include lottery random numbers (hereinafter referred to as “special drawing 2 small lottery random numbers”) used in the “special drawing 2 small lottery”.

  In the process of S308, as shown in FIG. 31, it is determined whether or not a big hit game is being executed (S308). Specifically, if the big hit game flag (see the process of S378 in FIG. 32) is set (set to ON), a positive determination is made in the process of S308. The big hit game flag is a flag indicating that the “big hit game execution means” is in operation.

  When the CPU 201 determines that the big hit game is being executed (S308; YES), the special symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S308 that the big hit game is not being executed (S308; NO), whether or not the special symbol is fluctuating, that is, one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is fluctuating. It is determined whether or not (S310). If the special symbol is not changing (S310; NO), it is considered that either the special symbol has not yet changed, or has been stopped and displayed as a stop symbol after the change display. Therefore, it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the stop symbol of the special symbol (S312). If the special symbol is not variably displayed (S310; NO), and is not within the stop display time during which the special symbol is stopped (S312; NO), whether or not the variable display can be started. Is determined (S314a, S314b). In the present embodiment, the stop display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol is 0.6 seconds.

  The “condition for starting the variable symbol display of the special symbol” is that either the “first hold number” or the “second hold number” is not “zero”. Then, the CPU 201 of this embodiment preferentially determines whether or not the “second hold number” is “zero” (S314b). In other words, when the “second hold number” is not “zero”, the oldest determination random number is read from the second determination random number memory 202b (S316b), and the determination process of the second special symbol (second determination process). Perform (S320b). The determination random numbers read in S316b are those acquired in S304b, and include special figure 2 big hit lottery random numbers, special figure 2 symbol determination random numbers, and reach random numbers.

  In the second win / fail determination process (S320b), as shown in FIG. 33, it is first determined whether or not the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability mode (S322), and when it is a high probability mode (S322). YES), a determination is made using “high probability data table” and “special figure 2 big hit lottery random number read in the process of S316b” (S324), and the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the low probability mode When it is (normal probability mode) (S322; NO), the determination of success / failure is performed using the “low probability data table” and “the special figure 2 big hit lottery random number read out in the process of S316b” (S326). In the high probability mode, the fluctuation shortening function for shortening the fluctuation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol as compared with the normal is activated, and the opening extension function of the second start winning device 17b (ordinary electric accessory) is activated. (It will be described later.) However, in the high probability mode, the case where the fluctuation shortening function and the opening extension function are not operated can be set separately.

  When the result of the success / failure determination performed in the process of S324 or S326 is a big hit (S330; YES), after setting the big hit flag (set to ON) (S332), the second success / failure determination process (S320b) is terminated. Then, the process proceeds to a variation start process related to the second special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol 2 symbol variation start process”) (S500b in FIG. 31). Further, when the result of the determination is not good (S330; NO), after setting the “off flag”, that is, the “flag indicating that no big hit has occurred” (set to ON) (S339), 2 The winning / no-go determining process (S320b) is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special figure 2 symbol variation starting process (S500b). In addition, the determination process (S320a; first determination process) regarding the first special symbol reads the oldest determination random number (the special figure 1 big hit lottery random number acquired in S306a) from the first determination random number memory 202a ( S316a) is performed in accordance with FIG. The determination random numbers read in S316a are those acquired in S304a, and include special figure 1 big hit lottery random numbers, special figure 1 symbol determination random numbers, and reach random numbers.

  In the special figure 2 symbol fluctuation start process (S500b), as shown in FIG. 34, first, a fluctuation setting process (S510, S540) and the like are performed based on the result of the second win / fail determination process (S320b). That is, in the process of S502, when it is determined that the result of the second win / fail determination process (S320) is “big hit” (S502; YES), the process proceeds to S510 and the “big hit fluctuation setting process” is performed. In the big hit variation setting process (S510), the symbol determination random number (special symbol 2 symbol determination random number) included in the determination random number read out in the above-described processing of S316b is read, and based on the result of random number lottery using the random number. Selection in consideration of the process of setting (determining) the symbol (big hit symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b, the mode of the determined big hit symbol and the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 Using the fluctuation pattern table, a process for setting (determining) the fluctuation pattern by random lottery is performed. A process of setting (determining) a symbol (big hit symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b by random number lottery using the special symbol 2 symbol random number, and a random number using the special symbol 1 symbol random number The process of setting (determining) the symbol (big hit symbol) that is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a by lottery is a specific example of the processing that the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs as the “big hit mode execution means” Configure.

  Here, when setting (determining) the variation pattern, in the gaming state in which the big hit probability is low probability and normal variation is performed (low probability normal variation mode), the variation in the column labeled “low probability / normal” in FIG. In a gaming state in which a big hit probability is low probability and a short variation is performed (low probability short variation mode), the variation pattern table in the column “low probability / shortening” in FIG. 35 is used. Further, in a gaming state in which the big hit probability is high probability and short fluctuation is performed (high probability short fluctuation mode), the fluctuation pattern table in the column “high probability / shortening” in FIG. 35 is used. Unlike the present embodiment, when a so-called “latency probability variation jackpot” can occur, there is a case where a gaming state (high probability normal variation mode) in which the jackpot probability has a high probability and performs normal variation may occur. In this case, a variation pattern table for the “high probability normal variation mode” is added to FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 described later.

  Further, among the variation patterns stored in each variation pattern table shown in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 to be described later, a “specific variation pattern” is obtained by adding “circle”. In this embodiment, the “specific variation pattern” is selected from the variation patterns that specify the variation time of 27 seconds or more. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 35 and FIG. 36, which will be described later, describe a variation pattern table storing a small number of variation patterns. A large number of variation patterns (for example, 20 types, 50 types, 100 types) associated with “value” are stored. 35 and 36 also include “specific variation patterns”, but these “specific variation patterns” also specify a variation time of 27 seconds or more.

  On the other hand, in the process of S502, if it is determined that the result of the second win / fail determination process (S320b) is not “big hit” (S502; NO), the process proceeds to S540 and the “offset fluctuation setting process” is performed. In this outlier variation setting process (S540), a variation pattern is set by random lottery using a variation pattern table selected in consideration of the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1 and whether or not the reach effect is executed. The process of (determining) is performed. Thereafter, a symbol determination random number is acquired, and a process of setting a stop symbol is performed. The presence / absence of execution of the reach effect is determined based on the reach random number acquired in the process of S304b (see FIG. 30) and the read reach random number.

  The variation pattern table used in the process of S540 is selected as follows. That is, it is determined whether or not the reach effect is executed based on the reach random number included in the determination random number read in the process of S316b (see FIG. 31). Then, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “low probability normal variation mode” and no reach effect is performed, “no reach effect” in the column of “low probability / normal” in FIG. When the variation pattern table corresponding to the indicated portion is set and the reach effect is performed, the change pattern table corresponding to the portion indicated as “with reach effect” in the same column of FIG. 36 is set.

  If the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “low probability shortening variation mode” and no reach effect is performed, “no reach effect” in the column of “low probability / shortened” in FIG. When the variation pattern table corresponding to the indicated portion is set and the reach effect is performed, the change pattern table corresponding to the portion indicated as “with reach effect” in the same column of FIG. 36 is set. Further, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “high probability shortening variation mode” and no reach effect is performed, “no reach effect” in the column of “high probability / shortening” in FIG. When the variation pattern table corresponding to the indicated portion is set and the reach effect is performed, the change pattern table corresponding to the portion indicated as “with reach effect” in the same column of FIG. 36 is set.

  Here, among the variation patterns shown in FIG. 36, the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when the variation shortening function is operating is the variation pattern selected when the variation shortening function is not operating. Is likely to be shortened compared to the variation time specified by. Further, in this embodiment, when the result of the determination is “disappearing”, the length of the variation time is determined in consideration of the number of holds regarding the special symbol and the presence or absence of the reach effect. That is, the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when it is determined that the reach effect is not performed is compared with the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when the reach display is determined. Shortened. In addition, when the number of reserved special symbols is small (for example, “zero” or “1”), a variation pattern that specifies a longer variation time is selected, and when the number of retained symbols is large (for example, “2”). (In the case of “4”), a variation pattern that specifies a shorter variation time is selected. Note that each variation pattern table described in the present embodiment is preset in the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200. In the present embodiment, the “shortening variation mode (short time mode)” indicates a state in which the variable time shortening function (short time function) is in operation. And in the game mode in which the opening extension means operates, that is, the “high probability opening extension mode (high probability shortening variation mode)” and the “normal probability opening extension mode (normal probability shortening variation mode)”, the variable time shortening function (time shortening function) ) Is activated. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, “shortening variation mode (short time mode)” can be read as “open extension mode”.

  Returning to FIG. 34, further explanation will be given. After the processing of S510 or S540, the CPU 201 starts displaying the second special symbol (special symbol 2) in the second special symbol display section 62b (S590), and performs sub-control. A predetermined command (design variation start command) indicating the start of the variation display of the special figure 2 is transmitted to the unit 200A (sub control board 220) (S592). That is, the CPU 201 transmits a “variation pattern designation command”, a “special symbol stop information designation command” and the like related to the second special symbol to the sub-control board 220. Further, the CPU 201 performs a process of subtracting “1” from the “second hold number” and a process of transmitting a hold number designation command for specifying the hold number after the subtraction to the sub-control board 220. (S595), the special symbol 2 symbol variation start process (S500b) is terminated, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated, and the game control process of FIG. 32 is resumed. When the sub-control board 220 receives the hold number designation command, the value of the second hold number information memory 224b is set to “−1” (see FIG. 11). “Process from the start to the end (stop display) of special symbol variation display” according to the special symbol game process (S300) shown in FIGS. A specific example of processing performed as “symbol changing game execution means” is configured.

  Here, the variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command are output toward the sub-control board 220 together with the strobe signal as shown in FIG. This strobe signal is connected to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 220a mounted on the sub-control board 220. When the strobe signal is input, the CPU 220a on the sub-control board 220 receives each designation signal immediately and receives the designation signal. Analyze the contents. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the variation pattern is determined in consideration of various conditions such as whether or not the reach effect is performed and whether or not the symbol for stopping and displaying the special symbol is a winning symbol (big hit symbol). If the variation pattern is known, the time for the special symbol to be variably displayed can be determined. In addition, if the special symbol stop information designation command is analyzed, it can be known whether the special symbol stops at the big hit symbol or the off symbol, and when it stops at the big hit symbol, it is known which of the big hit symbol is. it can. That is, in the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), the type of jackpot shown in FIG. 13 can be known, and in the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a) described later, the type of jackpot shown in FIG. 12 is known. be able to.

  The CPU 220a mounted on the sub-control board 220 determines an effect mode on the effect display device 27 based on these pieces of information, and then outputs a pseudo-design display control signal to the effect display control board 222. Performs symbol change display and stop display. Further, based on the variation time (variation pattern designation command) of the special symbol, it is also determined whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect on the effect display device 27, and what kind of reach effect is to be used. Then, the sub-control board 220 controls the effect display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the like according to the contents of the effect thus determined, thereby performing the effect of the determined contents.

  Returning to FIG. 31, when “the number of holds regarding the second special symbol” is “zero” (S314b; YES), and “the number of holds regarding the first special symbol” is not “zero” (S314a; NO), The oldest determination random number is read from the first determination random number memory 202a (S316a), and a first win / no-go determination process is performed (S320a). Then, after performing the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Here, the first success / failure determination process performed as the process of S320a is also performed according to FIG. 33 as in S320b, and the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a) performed as the process of S500a is also performed as the process of S500b. Similar to the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), the process is performed in accordance with FIG. That is, in the first success / failure determination process of S320a, the first success / failure determination is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 33, and in the special figure 1 symbol variation start process of S500a, based on the result of the first success / failure determination process (S320a), After performing a process of setting a variation pattern, a process of setting a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a (S510, S540), the processes of S590, S592, and S595 are executed.

  Next, when it is determined that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is changing (S310; YES) in S310 of the special symbol game processing (S300) (see FIG. 31), the special symbol game processing (S300) is already special. The symbol variation pattern and the stop symbol are determined, and the special symbol variation is started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S341). That is, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether the predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting the timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S341; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S341; YES), the fluctuating first special symbol or second special symbol is stopped (S344), the stopped symbol is displayed, and the symbol is also displayed. A stop command is output toward the sub-control board 220 (S346). The symbol stop command is transferred to the effect display control board 222 via the sub control board 220. Then, after setting the stop display time for stopping and displaying the special symbol (S348), it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has elapsed (S350).

  If it is determined in the process of S350 that the special symbol stop display time has not elapsed (S350; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S350; YES), it is determined whether or not the stop display mode is a mode of jackpot (big jackpot symbol) (S352 of FIG. 32).

  If an affirmative determination is made in the processing of S352 of FIG. 32, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets information indicating the current game progress in a buffer to be referred to at the end of the “big hit game” described later. (Memorize) (S354). Specifically, “type of big hit” and “game state flag state” are set (stored) (S354). Further, the specific area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 functions as a buffer used in the process of S354. Here, the “gaming state flag” is a flag indicating “the gaming state of the gaming machine 1”, that is, “probability change flag”, “fluctuation shortening flag”, “open extension flag”, and the like. In the process of S354, Data indicating whether these flags are set to “ON” or “OFF”, that is, data indicating the current gaming state (gaming mode) is set. Further, the “probability change flag” is a flag indicating that the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is in a high probability mode (mode in which the probability changing means operates), and the “change shortening flag” is a game of the gaming machine 1. It is a flag indicating that the mode (game state) is in a variation shortening mode (a mode in which the execution time of symbol variation display is likely to be shortened). Further, the “open extension flag” increases the release time of the “variable start winning device” such as the second start winning device 17b of the present embodiment when the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is the open extended mode (the second start winning device 17b of this embodiment). (Mode).

  Subsequent to the process of S354, a process of setting an opening / closing pattern of the big winning device 31 according to the generated big hit mode is performed (S370). In other words, when “4R normal big hit” or “4R probable big hit” occurs, an opening / closing pattern for performing the above-mentioned round game “4 rounds” is set, and “8R normal big hit” or “8R probable big hit” occurs. In this case, an opening / closing pattern for performing “8 rounds” of the round game described above is set. Further, when “16R normal big hit” or “16R probability variable big hit” occurs, an opening / closing pattern for performing “16 rounds” of the round game described above is set.

  Subsequent to the process of S370, a process of setting a big hit game flag (set to ON) is performed (S378). By setting the “big hit game flag”, the big hit game execution means starts operating, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. The main control unit 200A transmits a “hit game start designation command (indicated as start C in the drawing) toward the sub-control unit 220A at the timing when the“ hit game flag ”is set.

  Subsequent to the process of S378, the process proceeds to the process after S380. Here, when the “big hit game flag” is set in the process of S378, the big hit game execution means starts to operate and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. When the “big hit game flag” is being set (when the big hit game execution means is in operation), the probability changing function, the time reduction function, and the open extension function are not activated. For this reason, after performing a series of processes after S380 as follows, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated.

  That is, in the process of S380, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is set (set to ON) (S380). If it is not set (S380; NO), the process proceeds to S384 as it is and is set. If yes (S380; YES), after canceling the probability variation flag (set to OFF) (S382), the process proceeds to S384. Then, in the process of S384, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). If it is not set (S384; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited. Returning to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S384 that the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S384; YES), after the fluctuation shortening flag and the open extension flag are canceled (set to OFF) ( S386, S387), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In any case, when returning to the game control process of FIG. 28, a jackpot game process (FIG. 37) described later is started and a jackpot game is executed.

  Next, a process when a negative determination is made in the process of S352 of FIG. 32 will be described. That is, when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b is “out of symbol” (S352; NO), the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). It is determined whether or not (S398). If the fluctuation shortening flag is not set (set to OFF) (S398; YES), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the variation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S398; YES), that is, when the game mode at the time of the occurrence of the deviation is “low probability shortening variation mode” or “high probability shortening variation mode”. After the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is set to “−1” (S400), it is determined whether or not the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is “zero” (S404). If it is not “zero” (S404; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Here, the “variation shortening counter” indicates the upper limit number of variations of the special symbol executed while shortening the variation, and when the value becomes “zero”, the shortening variation is not performed in the next variation of the special symbol. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the fluctuation shortening counter has become “zero” in the process of S404 (S404; YES), the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the low probability shortening fluctuation mode to the low probability normal fluctuation. Switch to mode. For this reason, the process of canceling the fluctuation shortening flag (set to OFF) (S410), the process of canceling the release extension flag (setting to OFF) (S416), and the process of transmitting the mode designation command to the sub control board 220 (S416). After performing S430), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In the process of S430, a “mode designation command” that designates the low-probability normal variation mode is transmitted to the sub-control board 220.

E. Big hit game processing (S600)
When the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 repeatedly performs the game control process of FIG. 28, when it is determined that the “hit game flag” is set in the jackpot game process (S600) shown in FIG. 37 (S602; YES), processing related to the execution of the jackpot game is performed. By this processing, the “big hit game A”, “big hit game B”, or “big hit game C” is realized in the gaming machine 1. Note that the jackpot game process (S600) constitutes a specific example of a process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 as the “hit game execution means”.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the flow of the big hit game process (S600). When each big hit round is started, as described above, the opening operation of the big prize opening 31a scheduled in each big hit round is completed, or the number of game balls entered into the big prize opening 31a is the prescribed number of winning prizes. When the number is (10), the end condition of the “big hit round” is satisfied. Thereafter, after a predetermined waiting time (for example, 2 seconds), if the “big hit game end condition” is not satisfied, the next “big hit round” is started. Then, when this “big hit round” is repeated a predetermined number of times (4 times, 8 times or 16 times), the big hit game is ended. Hereinafter, detailed processing contents will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 to 38.

  When the big hit game is started (S602; YES), it is first determined whether or not the “big hit round” is being executed (S604). Here, the big winning opening 31a is kept closed in the “normal game state that is not the big hit game state (symbol changing game state)”, and the “big hit round” is still executed immediately after the big hit game is started. Not. Therefore, immediately after the start of the big hit game, it is determined that the “big hit round” is not being executed (S604; NO), and subsequently, it is determined whether or not the big hit game end condition is satisfied (S612). That is, it is determined whether or not “the number of executions of the big hit round” has reached the set number of times of the corresponding big hit game (S612).

  However, since the big hit game end condition is not satisfied immediately after the big hit game is started, a negative determination is inevitably made in the process of S612 (S612; NO). For this reason, it shifts to the process of S614 and it is judged whether standby time passed (S614). Here, the “standby time” is the time during which the prize winning opening 31a is kept closed and the “interval effect” is executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, that is, the “interval time”. In the embodiment, it is set to 2 seconds. However, immediately after the big hit game is started, the big hit round is not executed, so it is inevitably determined that the waiting time has elapsed (S614; YES), and the big hit round is started. After that (S616), the big hit game process shown in FIG. 37 is once ended and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. The main control unit 200A transmits a “round start designation command (denoted as R start C in the drawing)” toward the sub-control unit 220A at the timing of starting the “big hit round (round game)”.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns to the game control process, after performing a series of various processes shown in FIG. 28, the big hit game process (S600) is started again. At this time, as described above, the time required for the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 to execute the game control process shown in FIG. 28 once is about 4 msec. Therefore, the big hit game process (S600) shown in FIG. 37 is also repeatedly executed about every 4 msec.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S604, it is determined whether or not the “opening operation in the big hit round” has been completed (S606). That is, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31a has reached 30 seconds. Then, if a positive determination is made in the process of S606, after the big hit round is finished (S610), the big hit game process (S600) shown in FIG. 37 is exited and the game control process shown in FIG. 28 is resumed. . On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in the process of S606 (S606; NO), it is determined whether or not the game balls won in the special winning opening 31a have reached the prescribed number of winnings (S608).

  Even when the number of winning game balls reaches the prescribed winning number (S608; YES), after the big hit round is finished (S610), the big hit game processing (S600) shown in FIG. Return to the game control process. In other words, when the number of winning game balls reaches the prescribed number of winnings, the big winning opening 31a that is to be opened and closed in the round game is closed without waiting for the completion of the opening operation scheduled in the big hit round. The main control unit 200A transmits a “round end designation command (denoted as R end C in the drawing)” toward the sub-control unit 220A at the timing of ending the “big hit round”, that is, “round game”.

  On the other hand, when the opening operation scheduled in the big hit round is not completed (S606; NO), and the winning number has not reached the prescribed winning number (S608; NO), the big hit round is continued. Returning to the game control process of FIG. 28, the big hit game process of FIG. 37 is exited.

  When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the “big hit gaming state” (S602; YES), a positive determination is made in the processing of S606 while the game control processing of FIG. 28 is repeatedly executed. Alternatively, a positive determination is made in the processing of S608. Thus, one big hit round is completed.

  When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in the “big hit game state”, the big hit game process (S600) is executed again, and if it is determined that the “big hit round” is not being executed in S604 (S604; NO). It is determined whether or not the “big hit game” end condition is satisfied (S612). That is, it is determined whether or not the “big hit number of rounds” executed during the big hit game has reached the round number (4, 8 or 16) set as the final round by the processing of S370 described above. If the number of executed “big hit rounds” (number of rounds) has not reached the number of rounds of the final round (S612; NO), it is confirmed that the waiting time (2 seconds) has elapsed (S614; YES) ), A new jackpot round is executed (S616).

  On the other hand, in the process of S612, if it is determined that the termination condition of the “big hit game” is satisfied (S612; YES), the “big hit game end process (S800)” shown below is performed, and then the big hit game is executed. The process (S600) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. When the big hit game end process (S800) is activated, as shown in FIG. 38, the CPU 201 cancels (sets to OFF) the big hit game flag (see S378 in FIG. 32) (S805), By referring to the "Big hit end reference buffer (see S354 of FIG. 32)", information on the type of the big hit symbol (hereinafter referred to as "this big hit symbol") that is the premise of the current big hit game is acquired. Then, based on this information, processing for setting a game mode after the end of the big hit game is performed.

  That is, if the current big hit symbol (the symbol stopped in the process of S344 in FIG. 31) is “ordinary big hit symbol” (S820; NO), a process of setting “100” to the fluctuation shortening counter (S840). Then, the process of setting the fluctuation shortening flag (S850) and the process of setting the release extension flag (S855) are performed. Then, after the mode designation command is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 for designating that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 after the end of the big hit game is “low probability shortening variation mode” (S860), the big hit game end processing (S800) Exit.

  If the current big hit symbol is the “probable big hit symbol” (S820; YES), the processing for setting the probability variation flag (set to ON) (S822) and “10,000” in the fluctuation shortening counter are set. Processing (S835), processing for setting a variation shortening flag (S850), and processing for setting an open extension flag (S855) are performed. Further, after the mode designation command for designating that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 after the big hit game is “high probability shortening variation mode” is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S860), the big hit game end processing (S800) Exit. The main control unit 200A cancels (sets to OFF) the big hit game flag (S805) and issues a “big hit game end designation command (denoted as R end C in the drawing)” toward the sub-control unit 220A. Send.

(7) Production control process (S900)
Next, using FIG. 39, sub-control unit 220A (CPU 220a of sub-control board 220 constituting sub-control unit 220A) cooperates with effect display control unit 222A (CPU not shown in effect display control board 222). The outline of the “effect control process (S900)” performed will be described. FIG. 39 shows only main processes among the processes constituting the effect control process.

  In this effect control process (S900), when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed, an initialization process is first performed (S960). After this, until the power is turned off, main processing such as processing at the time of holding (S1000), symbol variation effect processing (S1100), symbol variation effect replacement processing (S1300), jackpot game effect processing (S1800), etc. Is repeatedly executed. Note that the time required for one round of the process in FIG. 39 is approximately 2 msec, and therefore these processes are repeatedly executed about every 2 msec. Hereinafter, the sub control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

a. Processing when hold occurs (S1000)
In the hold occurrence process (S1000), as shown in FIG. 40, when the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 receives a start winning command (S1005; YES), information on the hold number specified by the start winning command And the information regarding the random number for determination is stored (S1010).

  Specifically, when a start winning command resulting from a start winning to the first start winning device 17a is received (S1005; YES), “determination random number information” is stored in the first determination random number information memory 221b. Then, the value of the first holding number stored in the first holding number information memory 223b is incremented by “+1” (see FIG. 11). When a start winning command resulting from the start winning to the second start winning device 17b is received (S1005; YES), the “determination random number information” is stored in the second determination random number information memory 222b and the second The value of the second hold number stored in the hold number information memory 224b is incremented by “+1” (see FIG. 11).

  Following the process of S1010, the CPU 220a performs a process of additionally displaying an image related to the number of holds on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 (S1020). Specifically, when a start winning command resulting from a start winning to the first start winning device 17a is received (S1005; YES), the first hold display area (D1, D2, D3, D4) is being used ( When the number of display units (D1 to D4) that are lit up is increased by one and a start winning command resulting from the start winning to the second starting winning device 17b is received (S1005; YES), the first hold display In the area (E1, E2, E3, E4), the number of display units (D1 to D4) that are in use (lighting display) is increased by one (see FIG. 5). And if CPU220a performs S1020 process, it will complete | finish processing (S1000) at the time of holding | maintenance generation | occurrence | production, and will return to the presentation control process (S900) shown in FIG.

b. Symbol variation effect processing (S1100)
In the symbol variation effect process (S1100), as shown in FIG. 41, when the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 receives a command at the time of symbol variation start (S1105; YES), the continuous effect flag is canceled (set to OFF). It is determined whether or not (S1108). Here, the continuation effect flag is a flag indicating that the symbol variation effect performed by playing the aforementioned continuation effect movie is being executed, that is, a state in which the “big hit continuous effect” is executed. This flag is set (set to ON) when replacing the symbol variation effect (see S1340 in FIG. 43) (see S1338 in FIG. 43).

  If the continuation effect flag is released (set to OFF) (S1108; YES), it is determined whether or not a specific variation pattern is designated as the variation pattern of the current symbol variation game (S1110). Here, the commands received in the processing of S1105 are a variation pattern designation command (CHP) and a special symbol stop information designation command (CJS). For this reason, the sub-control unit 220A can execute the process of S1110 based on the received “variation pattern designation command” and is executed in the main control unit 200A based on the received “special symbol stop information designation command”. The result of the hit determination (S320a, S320b) can be determined.

  When it is determined that the specific variation pattern is not specified in the processing of S1110 (S1110; NO), after performing the processing of selecting (determining) and setting the effect pattern of the symbol variation effect and the stop symbol ( (S1135), the design variation effect is started (S1140), and the process proceeds to S1165 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, when a specific variation pattern is designated (S1110; YES), after performing the process of setting the “replaceable flag” (set to ON) (S1115), the effect pattern of the symbol variation effect and the stop A process of selecting (determining) and setting a symbol is performed (S1120). And after performing the process (S1125) which starts a symbol change effect, and the process (S1130) which starts the operation | movement of a replacement | exchange monitoring timer, it transfers to the process after S1165.

  Here, the process of S1120 and the process of S1135 are executed based on the result of the determination. That is, based on the received “variable pattern stop information designation command” and the “special symbol stop information designation command”, when the result of the success / failure determination (S320a, S320b) is determined to be a big hit Processing for determining “effect pattern for jackpot effect” and “hit symbol” is performed. The execution mode of the effect display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, the mode of reach display, and the like are determined by the “effect pattern for the jackpot effect”. Further, a specific mode of “pseudo symbol for definite display of big hit” is determined as “hit hit stop symbol”.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the result of the success / failure determination (S320a, S320b) is not based on the received “special symbol stop information specifying command”, the received “variation pattern specifying command” and “special symbol stop information specifying command” ”Is performed to determine“ effect pattern for off-stage production ”and“ out-of-line design ”. By this “effect pattern for off-stage effect”, the execution mode of the effect display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, whether or not the reach display is executed, the reach display mode when the reach display is executed, and the like are determined. . Further, a specific mode of “pseudo symbol for definite display” is determined as “off symbol”.

  Further, in the process of S1120 and the process of S1135, in addition to the execution mode of the effect display related to the pseudo symbol and the mode of the stop symbol, the effect mode related to other effect elements, the display mode related to the auxiliary symbol, and the like are selected and set. That is, an effect mode related to display effect elements (background symbols, character symbols, live-action images) other than pseudo symbols, an effect mode related to sound effect elements, and an effect mode related to light emission effect elements are selected and set. Also, the auxiliary symbol variation display mode and stop mode are selected and set.

  If the continuation effect flag is set (set to ON) (S1108; NO), as shown in FIG. 42, it is determined whether or not the “immediate hit fluctuation” is a start imming (S1150). Here, “specific hit fluctuation” refers to hit fluctuation that triggers the start of “subsequent jackpot game”. In this embodiment, as will be described later, when a plurality of winning holds are included in the holdings stored at “predetermined time t1”, the big hit game performed based on all the winning holds Are subject to “total judgment”, the “specific hit fluctuation” may be determined as follows. For example, the number of planned winning balls for the previous jackpot game, the number of scheduled winning balls for the jackpot game that is executed first after the end of the previous jackpot game, and the scheduled winning ball for the jackpot game that is executed next. When the sum of the numbers is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, when the effect replacement execution means is activated, the hit fluctuation that triggers the start of the next big hit game is set as the “specific hit fluctuation”. Sometimes.

  If it is determined in the processing of S1150 that the timing of “specific hit fluctuation” is the start timing (S1150; YES), the process of canceling the continuous effect flag (set to OFF) (S1151), and the pattern change for the continuous effect After performing the process (S1152) of selecting (determining) the effect pattern of the effect and the stop symbol for the continuous effect and the process of starting the symbol variation effect (S1155), the process proceeds to the process of S1165 of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of S1150 that the “immediate hit variation” is not the start imming (S1150; NO), the effect pattern of the effect variation effect for the continuous effect and the stop symbol for the effect effect are selected (determined). After performing the process (S1152) to perform and the process (S1155) to start the symbol variation effect, the process proceeds to S1165 in FIG.

  Here, the process of S1152 is also executed based on the result of the determination of success / failure, similar to the process of S1120 and the process of S1135. However, even if the result of the determination (S320a, S320b) is a big hit, the pseudo symbol variation display is not performed in the symbol variation effect to be started. For this reason, in the process of S1152, it is not necessary to perform the process of determining the “pseudo symbol for confirming and displaying the big hit”, the process of determining the reach display mode, and the like. In addition, even if the result of the determination (S320a, S320b) is unacceptable, the pseudo symbol variation display is not performed in the symbol variation effect to be started. There is no need. Therefore, in the process of S1152, only the stop symbol of the auxiliary symbol is selected (determined) as the stop symbol. In addition, the process of S1152 and the process of S1155 comprise the specific example of the process which CPU220a of the sub-control board | substrate 220 performs as a "hit succession effect execution means".

  In the processing of S1165, the sub-control unit 220A, based on the received variation pattern designation command and special symbol stop information designation command, designates the effect pattern determined in S1120 or S1135 and the “pseudo symbol stop symbol” (effect). The display detail command) is transmitted to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), and the effect display device 27 starts to display effect symbols such as pseudo symbols and background symbols (symbol variation effect) (S1165). Then, when the sub control unit 220A receives the symbol stop designation command transmitted from the main control unit 200A (S1165; YES), the sub control unit 220A transfers the received effect stop designation command to the effect display control unit 222A. Then, the effect display device 27 stops the effect display of the pseudo symbol and the background symbol (S1170).

  Here, the “replaceable flag” is a flag indicating that “symbol variation effect” can be replaced. If this flag is set (set to ON), it is selected / set in the process of S1120. Even if it is an effect pattern, the contents of the design variation effect performed based on the effect pattern may be replaced later with other effect contents. The “replacement monitoring timer” is a timer indicating whether or not the progress of the symbol variation effect has reached the aforementioned “predetermined time t1” (see FIGS. 16, 17, 24, and 25). When it is made, whether or not the “symbol variation effect” can be replaced based on the hold (determination random number information) stored in the first determination random number information memory 221b or the second determination random number information memory 222b. Is determined (described later).

  The symbol variation effect process (S1100) constitutes a specific example of processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 as “symbol variation effect execution means”. Further, the processing of S1120 and the processing of S1135 constitute a specific example of processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 as “effect pattern selection means”.

c. Symbol change effect replacement processing (S1300)
In the symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300), as shown in FIG. 43, it is determined that the replaceable flag (see S1115 in FIG. 41) is set (set to ON) by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220. (S1320; YES), the process proceeds to S1325 and subsequent steps.

  In the process of S1325, it is determined whether or not the replacement monitoring timer (see S1130 in FIG. 41) is up. That is, it is determined whether or not the “predetermined time point t1” has been reached since the start of the current symbol variation effect (S1325). If the replacement monitoring timer has not expired (S1325; NO), the symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300) is once terminated and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the replacement monitoring timer has expired (S1325; YES), the suspension (decision random number information) stored at that time (predetermined time t1) becomes a big hit, that is, “winning” It is determined in advance whether or not there is “pending” (S1330). Specifically, when the release extension means is activated and a game mainly based on the second determination is made, the CPU 220a holds the hold (determination random number information stored in the second determination random number information memory 222b). ) Is determined in advance, and it is determined whether or not there is a “hit hold” (S1330). In addition, when the release extension means stops operating and a game mainly based on the first determination of success / failure is being performed, the CPU 220a holds the hold (determination random number information) stored in the first determination random number information memory 221b. Is determined in advance, and it is determined whether or not there is a “hit hold” (S1330). Note that the processing of S1330 takes into consideration the gaming state when the hold is actually processed (when the symbol variation game is actually started) for each hold (determination random number information) to be pre-determined. Done. In other words, if the symbol variation game that starts by processing the hold that is subject to prior determination is performed in the low probability mode, the prior determination regarding the hold is referred to the above-mentioned “low probability data table”. And executed. In addition, if the symbol variation game that starts by processing the hold that is subject to prior determination is performed in the high probability mode, the prior determination related to the hold is referred to the “data table for high probability” described above. And executed.

  If it is determined in advance that there is no “hit hold” (S1330; NO), a process for canceling the replaceable flag (set to OFF) (S1380) and a process for clearing (initializing) the replacement monitoring timer After performing (S1385), the symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300) is terminated and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) shown in FIG. In this case, the symbol variation effect is completed according to the effect pattern selected and set at the start of the symbol variation effect.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in advance in the processing of S1330 that there is a “hit pending” (S1330; YES), it is determined whether or not the currently running symbol fluctuation game is a win fluctuation (S1332), and the win fluctuation If (S1332; YES), the process proceeds to S1335. In the process of S1335, the number of the expected payout balls in the “previous jackpot game” performed through the currently running symbol variation game and the “later jackpot game” performed based on the stored hit hold It is determined whether or not the total (hereinafter simply referred to as “total number”) with the number of payout scheduled prize balls is a predetermined number (3,600 in this embodiment) or more (S1335).

  Note that the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 determines the lottery random number for the big hit lottery (see Fig. 1 big hit lottery random number) based on the determination random number information stored in the first hold number information memory 223b and the second hold number information memory 224b. In addition to the special figure 2 big lottery random number), the symbol determining random number for determining the symbol to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display part 62a and the second special symbol display part 62b (the special figure 1 symbol determining random number) The special figure 2 design determining random number) can also be specified. Based on the specified symbol for determining the symbol, it is possible not only to identify whether the winning hold is a “probable big hit” hold or a “normal big hit” hold, It is possible to specify the number of planned winning balls for the “later jackpot game” performed based on the hold.

  Here, a determination example of the processing of S1335 will be described with reference to FIGS. However, in any of the determination examples, the number of expected payout balls in the “previous jackpot game” played through the currently running symbol variation game is “1200”.

  In the determination example 1 shown in FIG. 44 (a), there is one hit hold based on the determination random number information stored in the second hold number information memory 224b, and “after” is performed based on the hit hold. This shows a case where it is determined that the number of payout scheduled winning balls in the “hit game” is “1200”. Further, in the determination example 2 shown in FIG. 44B, there are two hit holds based on the determination random number information stored in the second hold number information memory 224b, and based on these two hit holds. This shows a case where it is determined that the number of payout scheduled winning balls in the “later big hit game” to be performed is “600” (total of 1200). In these determination examples 1 and 2, the “total number” is limited to “2400”, so a negative determination is made in the processing of S1335.

  In the determination example 3 shown in FIG. 45 (a), there is one hit hold based on the determination random number information stored in the second hold number information memory 224b, and “after” is performed based on the hit hold. This shows a case where it is determined that the number of payout scheduled winning balls in the “hit game” is “2400”. Further, in the determination example 4 shown in FIG. 45B, there are two hit holds based on the random number information for determination stored in the second hold number information memory 224b, and based on the two hold holds. This shows a case where it is determined that the number of payout scheduled winning balls in the “later jackpot game” to be performed is “1200” (2400 in total). In these determination examples 3 and 4, the “total number” is “3,600”, and thus a positive determination is made in the processing of S1335.

  In this way, in this embodiment, when there are a plurality of hit holds that are subject to prior determination, all of the number of winning balls to be paid out in the “later big hit game” performed based on these hit holds are calculated. The processing of S1335 is performed in consideration. However, even in the case where there are a plurality of winning suspensions that are subject to prior judgment, unlike the present embodiment, only the number of winning balls to be paid in the “later jackpot game” performed based on a specific winning suspension is considered. Then, the process of S1335 may be performed. For example, the processing of S1335 may be performed in consideration of only the first winning hit among the hits to be determined in advance, or the number of expected winning balls in the “next big hit game” is the largest. The processing of S1335 may be performed in consideration of only the increased hit hold.

  Returning to FIG. 43 for further explanation, when the “total number” is less than the predetermined number (S1335; NO), the process of canceling the replaceable flag (set to OFF) (S1380) and clearing the replacement monitoring timer ( After performing the process of initialization (S1385), the symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) shown in FIG. In this case, the symbol variation effect is completed according to the effect pattern selected and set at the start of the symbol variation effect.

  On the other hand, when the “total number” is equal to or larger than the predetermined number (S1335; YES), a process of setting the continuous effect flag (set to ON) is performed (S1338), and the progress of the currently changing symbol variation effect is further performed. When the replacement timing arrives by reaching the above-mentioned “specific time point t2” (see FIGS. 16, 17, 24, and 25) (in the case of specific examples 2 to 4), the process of replacing the symbol variation effect being executed with the special effect (S1340). And after performing the process (S1380) which cancels | releases a replaceable flag (sets it to OFF), and the process (S1385) which clears (initializes) a replacement | monitoring monitoring timer, a symbol change effect replacement | exchange process (S1300) is complete | finished. The process returns to the effect control process (S900) shown in FIG. In this case, the symbol variation effect is completed according to an effect pattern different from the effect pattern selected and set at the start of the symbol variation effect.

  In addition, as the above-described specific example 2 to specific example 4, when the progress of the symbol variation effect reaches the predetermined time point t1 after the start thereof, the replacement to the “special effect” is not performed immediately, but the specific time point t2. An example of the replacement to the “special effect” is shown as an example. In other words, after an affirmative determination is made in the process of S1325, an example in which the process of S1340 is executed after a specific time has elapsed is illustrated. More specifically, an example is illustrated in which a predetermined time point t1 is set before the start of the reach effect, and the “special effect” is replaced at a predetermined timing (specific time t2) after the reach effect becomes the development effect. did. However, the replacement timing to “special effect” is not limited to that shown in the above-described specific example 2 to specific example 4, and when the progress of the symbol variation effect reaches a predetermined time point t1 from the start of the “special effect” A mode of performing a replacement to “can also be illustrated.

  In addition, when it is determined in advance in step S1330 that there is “hit on hold” (S1130; YES), and if it is determined that the currently changing symbol variation effect is out of variation (S1332; NO), execution is performed. After performing the process of replacing the internal symbol variation effect with the special effect (S1340), the process of canceling the replaceable flag (set to OFF) (S1380) and the process of clearing (initializing) the replacement monitoring timer (S1385) And do. Then, the symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) shown in FIG. Also in this case, the symbol variation effect is completed according to an effect pattern different from the effect pattern selected and set at the start of the symbol variation effect. However, in this case, when the symbol variation effect being executed is completed, an outlier display using a pseudo symbol is performed.

  Here, the processing of S1330 executed when the winning variation is performed as the current symbol variation game constitutes a specific example of the processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 as “holding determination means”. In addition, the processing of S1380 performed through the positive determination of the processing of S1332 and the positive determination of the processing of S1335 constitutes a specific example of processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 as “production replacement execution means”.

d. Big hit game effect processing (S1800)
The jackpot game effect process (S1800) is performed when the gaming machine 1 plays a jackpot game. In the jackpot game effect process (S1800), when a “hit game start designation command” is received (S1805; YES), a fanfare effect is executed (S1810). Here, in the gaming machine 1, when a big hit occurs, a big hit game start designation command is transmitted from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A. In other words, the main control unit 200A sets (sets to ON) the “hit game flag” and sets the opening pattern of the big winning opening 31a (S370 in FIG. 32), and designates the big hit game start to the sub-control unit 220A. The command is transmitted (see “Start C” in FIG. 32).

  In addition, every time the sub control unit 220A receives a round start designation command, the sub control unit 220A executes a round effect on the display screen 27a or the like of the effect display device 27. That is, when a big hit occurs, the main control unit 200A transmits a big hit game start designation command and then sends a “round start designation command” to the sub-control unit 220A at the big hit round start timing (“R start” in FIG. 37). C "). As a result, the sub-control unit 220A receives the “round start designation command for designating the start of the first round” (S1815), and thus performs the “effect indicating that it is one round” on the display screen 27a ( S1820).

  Further, as described above, the main control unit 200A transmits a “round end designation command” to the sub-control unit 220A at the timing of ending the big hit round (see “R end C” in FIG. 37). When the sub-control unit 220A receives this “round end command” (S1870; YES), the sub-control unit 220A ends the currently executed round effect and starts the “interval effect” on the effect display device 27 and the like (S1835).

  Furthermore, every time the sub-control unit 220A receives a subsequent “round start designation command”, the sub-control unit 220A ends the “interval effect”, starts the “round effect”, and receives the subsequent “round end command”. "Interval production" is started. In this manner, the “round effect” is repeated until the “round effect” related to the final round is performed with the “interval effect” interposed therebetween.

  As described above, when the big hit game effect is executed, when the “big hit game end designation command” is transmitted from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A at the timing when the final round ends (“End C” in FIG. 38). The sub control unit 220A receives the “big hit game end designation command” (S1840; YES). Then, the sub-control unit 220A that has received the “big hit game end designation command” determines whether or not the continuation effect flag is released (set to OFF) (S1845), and is released (set to OFF). (S1845; YES), after executing the ending effect according to the normal pattern (S1850), the jackpot game effect (S1800) is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the continuation effect flag is set (set to ON) (S1845; NO), the ending effect according to the special pattern is executed (S1855), and then the big hit game effect (S1800) is ended. In this case, until the subsequent big hit game is started, an effect (big hit continuous effect) that suggests that the big hit game is continued is executed.

(8) Effects of the embodiment In the gaming machine 1, when the “hit fluctuation” is being executed, the presence of the hit hold is confirmed at the predetermined timing (t1), and the big hit game related to the “hit fluctuation” When the number of award balls obtained with the jackpot game related to “hit on hold” is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the symbol variation effect being executed with the hit variation is different from the effect based on the effect pattern determined at the start of the variation. Replace with special production. In other words, instead of simply suggesting the possibility of consecutive big hits in a short period (so-called continuous change), the start of fluctuation is determined by determining the status of the on-hold occurrence and the total number of payable scheduled award balls The content of the production that should have been decided at times is replaced with a special production. As a result, it is now possible to acquire a large amount of prize balls that cannot be obtained in a single big hit game, that is, “plus alpha prize balls” as a trigger for this game. It can be suggested through an ongoing symbol variation game (symbol variation production).

  As described above, the gameability realized by the gaming machine 1 is not limited to simple gameplay such as “suggesting the continuous occurrence of big hits”. In other words, by replacing the contents of the current symbol variation effect at a predetermined timing (t2), it is possible to suggest to the player that a large amount of prize balls that cannot be obtained in a single big hit game can be acquired in a short period of time. Achievable playability. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of attention and expectation of the player who faces the symbol variation effect while making use of the hold prefetching function.

  Further, according to the gaming machine 1, the occurrence of the special effect can make the player have a sense of expectation for the start of the big hit game based on one or both of the “current symbol variation game” and the “hold”. . Specifically, when the symbol variation effect being executed is replaced with a special effect, (a) a case where a large amount of prize balls can be obtained while generating a “hit”, and (b) this time “off”. A case where there is a “win” in the hold can be generated. For this reason, even if a notification is made through a special effect, the player can have a sense of expectation for the presence of a hit hold.

  In addition, in the gaming machine 1, when the number of prize balls obtained in the “previous jackpot game” related to the “hit fluctuation” and the “later jackpot game” related to the “hit hold” is equal to or more than a predetermined number, The big hit continuous performance is executed to connect the “first jackpot game” and the “next jackpot game”. That is, when the “first big hit game” is executed, the big hit continuous effect is executed until the “next big hit game” or “the hit fluctuation that triggers the start of the subsequent big hit game” is reached. For this reason, according to this gaming machine 1, it is possible to cultivate a sense of unity between the “previous jackpot game” and the “later jackpot game” and to give the player a sense of superiority with respect to being able to obtain a large number of prize balls. Can do. In addition, in this gaming machine 1, a player who has encountered a big hit continuous production reaffirms that the “replacement to the special production” executed previously led to a large number of prize balls. A player's sense of accomplishment regarding the acquisition of a large amount of prize balls can be enhanced. Therefore, according to this gaming machine 1, it is possible to increase the attention level and expectation of the player facing the symbol variation effect while making use of the hold prefetching function, and to enhance the player's sense of superiority. Can be planned.

  In the first embodiment, when the symbol variation effect is replaced, the entire effect content is switched. In other words, a mode in which the battle effect determined at the start of the change is switched to another battle effect, specifically, a mode in which a battle that competes for running speed (competitive race) is switched to a battle that competes for winning a prize (prize money battle). Was illustrated. However, in the invention of each claim, it is possible to exemplify a mode in which only a part of the production content is switched. For example, as in the modification shown in FIG. 47, when a positive determination is made in the process of S1335 of FIG. 43 described above, only the character may be changed.

  That is, in this modified example, when the progress of the symbol variation effect reaches the specific time t2 after the start of the design change, only the character that is running the race is replaced from male to female without switching the content of the battle (e9). And it is supposed to complete the symbol variation effect while continuing the student race using the replaced character.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described. The gaming machine of the second embodiment is different from the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment in that a so-called “gase effect” is added, but the other points are the same as the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that FIG. 48 is added and that FIG. 49 is used instead of FIG.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a “special outage effect pattern” is set as the effect pattern of the symbol variation effect executed in accordance with the deviation variation. This special off-stage effect pattern is for performing a change notification when the design variation effect is completed, while the content of the effect is switched to the content of the special effect during the execution of the design variation effect.

  In the gaming machine of the second embodiment, the variation pattern that is selected when the result of the determination is incorrect is selected from the variation pattern table shown in FIG. In this variation pattern table, those with “circle” are “specific variation patterns”, and those without “circle” are variation patterns other than “specific variation patterns” (hereinafter referred to as “normal variation patterns”). It is said.) In addition, among the normal variation patterns shown in FIG. 49, those with “triangle marks” are “normal variation patterns for the gaze effect”. Note that the “normal variation pattern for the gasse effect” is a variation pattern corresponding to the “special off-effect pattern”.

  When the “normal variation pattern” is selected in the symbol variation start process (S500) shown in FIG. 34, a negative determination is made in the process of S1110 of the symbol variation effect process (S1100) shown in FIGS. In S1135, a process of selecting (determining) and setting the effect pattern of the symbol variation effect and the stop symbol is performed. However, if “normal variation pattern for gas effect” is selected in the symbol variation start process (S500), “special out-effect pattern” is set in S1135.

  This “special loss effect pattern” is an effect pattern in which, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the symbol variation effect, the content is switched to the content of the special effect, and the error notification is made via this special effect. In other words, according to the special loss effect pattern, an effect similar to that of the above-described specific example 2 is executed. However, in the effect according to the special loss effect pattern, processing related to the replacement of the effect is not performed. That is, it differs from the specific example 2 in that it is an effect that is originally set at the start of the symbol variation effect as an effect that the effect content is scheduled to switch to the content of the special effect.

  Next, a specific example (hereinafter, referred to as “specific example 5”) of the symbol variation effect according to the special losing effect pattern will be described with reference to FIG. This specific example 5 also shows the case where the symbol variation game and the symbol variation effect are started by digesting the “first hold” from the situation where the second number of holds is “2”. In this specific example 5, the first hold and the hold to be digested after the first hold are “off hold”, and all the hold that occurs during the symbol variation game based on the first hold is “out hold”. I will do it.

  In the specific example 5, as shown in FIG. 48, when the start timing of the fluctuation related to the earliest hold arrives, the second special symbol display unit 62b starts the deviation fluctuation using the second special symbol, and also displays the effect. The device 27 starts the design variation effect. Then, until the progress of the symbol variation effect reaches the specific time point t2, the teammate character and the enemy character run in the same manner as in Example 2 (a5 to a8 in FIG. 48). Then, when the specific time point t2 is reached, the contents of the effect are switched to the special effect, and thereafter, “Prize Battle” similar to the specific example 2 is developed (g9, g10). Then, after displaying that the enemy character has won the “Prize Battle” (g11), a display of off-going is performed and the symbol variation effect is terminated (g12).

  According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the effect content of the symbol variation effect is switched to the content of the special effect when “out-of-range change” is being executed. For this reason, since the case where the “big hit” is generated after the occurrence of the special effect and the case where the “big hit” is not generated are alternatively generated, the game entertainment can be further improved. That is, “occurrence of special effects” does not surely mean “occurrence of big hits”, so that it is possible to further improve the game entertainment.

  In particular, in the second embodiment, the cases shown in the first specific example to the fifth specific example can occur, so that the following effects can be obtained. In other words, (a) a case where a large amount of winning balls can be obtained while generating a “big hit”, (b) a case where this time is “out” but there is a “hit” in the hold, and (c) “hit” ”Can be generated (a completely gusset case). For this reason, if the running symbol variation effect is replaced with a special effect, (i) expectation that a large number of prize balls that cannot be obtained in a single jackpot game can be acquired as a result of this symbol variation effect. (Iii) Even if the current symbol variation game is out of place, the player may have a sense of expectation that there may be a chance of a hold as a hold. It may happen that you disappoint your expectations. That is, since three cases are alternatively generated, the range of games can be expanded, and the game entertainment can be further improved.

  The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a process related to a hit hold that occurs after a predetermined time has elapsed is added. That is, the point in which FIGS. 50 to 53 and FIG. 55 are added and the point in which FIG. 54 is used instead of FIG. 43 are different from the first embodiment.

  Specific example 6 shown in FIGS. 50 and 51 and specific example 7 shown in FIGS. 52 and 53 are both performing a hit variation, and the progress of the hit variation (design variation effect) reaches a predetermined time point t1. A case where a hit hold (hereinafter referred to as “hold after progress”) has occurred is illustrated. Also, in both the specific example 6 and the specific example 7, the number of expected payout balls in the “previous jackpot game” performed through the hit fluctuation during execution is “1200”, and the predetermined time point t1 has passed. The number of payout scheduled award balls in the “later jackpot game” to be performed based on the subsequent winning hold is “2400”. Note that in both the specific example 6 and the specific example 7, all the holds other than the “hold after the elapse of time” are set as release hold.

  In the specific example 6, the same symbol variation effect as the specific example 1 is executed until the specific time point t2 is reached (see a8 in FIG. 51). Then, as shown in FIGS. 50 and 51, after the specific time point t2, a “holding after lapse” occurs, and the number of winning balls to be paid out in the “previous jackpot game” that is performed through the hit fluctuation during the execution. The sum of (1200) and the planned number of payout balls (2400) in the “later jackpot game” performed based on the suspension after the lapse of time becomes a predetermined number or more (3600) (A4 in FIG. 50, H9) in FIG.

  In this specific example 6, when the hit change is being executed and the hit hold (after-elapsed hold) occurs after the specific time point t2, the character S is applied to the symbol change effect performed in accordance with the change. Is immediately added (h10 in FIG. 51). Then, after the symbol variation effect is continued with the character S added, a display to the effect that the teammate character has won the run is displayed (h11), the jackpot display is performed, and the symbol variation effect is terminated (h12). The character S constitutes a specific example of the effect element to be added.

  Also in the specific example 7, the same symbol variation effect as the specific example 1 is executed until the specific time point t2 is reached (see a3 in FIG. 53). Then, as shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, after the progress of the hit variation (symbol variation effect) has passed the predetermined time point t1 and before the specific time point t2 is reached, a “holding after progress” is generated, Expected number of payout balls in the “previous jackpot game” (1200), which is performed through the fluctuation of the hits being executed, and the number of expected payout balls in the “after jackpot game” (based on the hold after the elapse) 2400) is a predetermined number or more (3600) (A4 in FIG. 52, k4 in FIG. 53).

  In this specific example 7, when a hit variation is being executed and a hit hold (holding after the elapse of time) occurs after the predetermined time point t1 and before reaching the specific time point t2, the change is performed according to the hit change. The character S is immediately added to the displayed symbol variation effect (k9 in FIG. 53). Then, after the symbol variation effect is continued with the character S added, a display to the effect that the teammate character has won the run is displayed, a jackpot display is performed, and the symbol variation effect is terminated.

  The symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300) of the third embodiment is performed according to FIG. 54. The difference between the symbol variation effect replacement processing (S1300) and the symbol variation effect replacement processing (S1300) of the first embodiment is as follows. Street.

  In the symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300) of the third embodiment, when the “total number” is determined to be equal to or larger than the predetermined number in the process of S1335 (S1335; YES), a process of setting the continuous effect flag (set to ON) is performed. Perform (S1338). Further, when the replacement timing arrives after the specific time point t2 (in the case of specific examples 2 to 4), after performing the process of replacing the symbol variation effect being executed with the special effect (S1340), the replaced flag is set (ON) (S1345). Then, a process for canceling the replaceable flag (set to OFF) (S1380), a process for setting the time-up flag (set to ON) (S1382), and a process for clearing (initializing) the replacement monitoring timer (S1385). Then, the symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300) is terminated.

  Here, the replaced flag is a flag indicating that the symbol variation effect being executed has been replaced with a special effect, and when the replaced flag is set (set to ON), a predetermined time point t1 has passed. Even if “holding after lapse” occurs after that, the character S is not added to the symbol variation effect being executed. The time-up flag is a flag indicating that the progress status of the currently executing symbol variation effect has passed a predetermined time point t1.

  In Example 3, the effect element addition process (S1500) shown in FIG. 55 is added to the effect control process (S900) shown in FIG. For this reason, in the effect control process (S900) of the third embodiment, when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed, an initialization process is first performed (S960), and then the power is turned off. In the meantime, the main processing such as the on-hold occurrence process (S1000), the symbol variation effect process (S1100), the symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300), the effect element addition process (S1500), the jackpot game effect process (S1800), etc. The process is repeatedly executed.

  In this effect element addition processing (S1500), if it is determined that the time-up flag (see S1382 in FIG. 54) is set (set to ON) by the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 (S1505; YES). The process proceeds to S1510 and subsequent processes.

  In the process of S1510, it is determined whether or not the replaced flag (see S1345 in FIG. 54) is set (set to ON). That is, it is determined whether or not the symbol variation effect has already been replaced (S1510). If the replacement flag is set (set to ON) (S1510; YES), the process proceeds to S1560 and subsequent steps. That is, without performing a series of processes (S1540, S1545, and S1550) related to the production element addition, the process proceeds to S1560 and subsequent processes. When a symbol stop command is received (S1560; YES), the negative flag in S1565 is determined, and the replaced flag is canceled (set to OFF) (S1570). Further, after releasing the time-up flag (set to OFF) (S1580), the effect element addition process (S1500) is terminated. In this case, the symbol variation effect is completed with the effect content (special effect) replaced in the process of S1340 in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the replaced flag is released (set to OFF) (S1510; NO), the big-holding is held in the holding (determination random number information) stored at that time, that is, “hit-holding” "Is previously determined (S1540). Specifically, when the release extension means is activated and a game mainly based on the second determination is made, the CPU 220a holds the hold (for determination) stored in the second determination random number information memory 222b. (Random number information) is preliminarily determined, and it is determined whether or not there is a “hit hold” (S1540). Further, when the release extension means stops operating and a game mainly based on the first determination of success / failure is being performed, the CPU 220a holds the hold (determination random number) stored in the first determination random number information memory 221b. Information) is determined in advance, and it is determined whether or not there is a “hit hold” (S1540). Note that the process of S1540 constitutes a specific example of the process performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 as the “post-delay hold determination unit”. Here, the processing related to the prior determination in S1540 is performed using the determination random number stored in the first determination random number memory 202a or the second determination random number memory 202b provided in the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 may perform this. In other words, the CPU 201 (main control unit 200A) of the main control board 200 may constitute a specific example of the “post-delay hold determination unit”. Also, in the processing of S1540, the game state when the hold is actually processed (when the symbol variation game is actually started) is taken into consideration for each hold (determination random number information) subject to prior determination. Done.

  If it is determined in advance that there is no “hit hold” (S1540; NO), the process proceeds to S1560 as it is, and if a symbol stop command is received (S1560; YES), a positive determination is made in S1565. Thereafter, the time-up flag is canceled (set to OFF) (S1580), and the effect element addition process (S1500) is terminated. In this case, the symbol variation effect is completed according to the effect pattern selected and set at the start of the symbol variation effect.

  Further, when it is determined in advance in the processing of S1540 that there is a “hit pending” (S1540; YES), the number of payout scheduled winning balls in the “previous jackpot game” performed through the currently running symbol variation game And whether or not the total (total number) of the award-scheduled prize balls in the “following big hit game” performed based on the stored hit hold is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (3,600) ( S1545).

  Here, the process of S1545 can be performed as follows. For example, “M” is the expected number of balls to be paid out in the “previous jackpot game” played through the currently running symbol variation game, In the case where the number of the expected payout balls in the “game” is “N”, a process of determining whether or not “M + N” is the predetermined number or more in the process of S1545 can be exemplified. In addition, “M” is the number of the expected payout balls in the “previous jackpot game” performed through the currently changing symbol variation game, and the “after” is performed based on the winning suspension that occurs after the predetermined time t1. The number of planned winning balls in “Big jackpot game” is “N”, and the number of planned winning balls in the jackpot game after being played based on the hit hold already stored before reaching the predetermined time t1 When “P” is set to “P”, a process of determining whether or not “M + N + P” is a predetermined number or more can be exemplified. In this case, “M + P” is less than the predetermined number. In any case, when there are a plurality of winning holds that have occurred after the predetermined time point t1, the number of scheduled payout balls in the big hit game performed based on each winning hold is added up, and the process of S1545 is performed. It can also be done.

  If the “total number” is less than the predetermined number (S1545; NO), the process proceeds to S1560 as it is, and if a symbol stop command is received (S1560; YES), the time is up after a positive determination in S1565. The flag is released (set to OFF) (S1580), and the effect element addition process (S1500) is terminated. In this case, the symbol variation effect is completed according to the effect pattern selected and set at the start of the symbol variation effect.

  When the “total number” is equal to or larger than the predetermined number (S1545; YES), when the effect element addition timing arrives, processing for adding the effect element to the symbol variation effect being executed is performed (S1550). In other words, when the positive determination in S1545 is obtained after the specific time t2, processing for immediately adding a production element is performed (S1550), and when it is obtained before reaching the specific time t2, the specific time t2 is obtained. A process of adding an effect element is performed after waiting for (S1550). In any case, when a symbol stop command is received (S1560; YES), after a positive determination in S1565, the time-up flag is canceled (set to OFF) (S1580), and an effect element addition process (S1500) ) Ends. In this case, the symbol variation effect is completed with the addition of the effect element to the symbol variation effect executed according to the effect pattern selected and set at the start of the symbol variation effect. Note that the process of S1550 constitutes a specific example of the process performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 as “effect element adding means”.

  According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. In other words, according to the third embodiment, during the execution of the symbol variation game (the symbol variation effect), the player can acquire a predetermined number or more (a large amount) of prize balls in a short period of time, triggered by the current symbol variation game. It is possible to guarantee the gameability such as suggestion until the end of the hit fluctuation. Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the game entertainment can be further improved.

  The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that processing related to replacement with a special effect is performed based on the preliminary determination performed by the main control unit 200A. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that FIG. 56 is used instead of FIG. 11, FIG. 57 is used instead of FIG. 30, and FIG. 58 is used instead of FIG.

  Also in the special symbol game processing of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 57, when it is determined that a game ball has won the first start winning device 17a (S302a; YES), the processing of S303a and the processing of S304a are performed. Do. After that, using the determination random number (special figure 1 big hit lottery random number) and the symbol determining random number (special figure 1 symbol determining random number) acquired in the process of S304a, a prior determination as to whether or not a big hit can occur, Pre-determination regarding the type is performed (S305a). Note that whether or not the generated big hit is a promising big hit and the number of payout-scheduled winning balls for the generated big hit are determined by prior determination regarding the type of the big hit.

  Then, after a start winning command is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S307a), the process proceeds to S308 in FIG. Here, the command at the time of start winning that is the target in the process of S307a is information that indicates the result of the prior determination in S305a and a command that indicates the first hold number after the start winning. However, unlike the present embodiment, the information indicating the result of the pre-determination and the command for specifying the first hold number after executing the process of S304a may be different commands.

  If it is determined that the game ball has won the second start winning device 17b (S302b; YES), the determination random number (special figure) obtained in S304b after the processing in S303b and the processing in S304b is performed. Using a big hit lottery random number) and a symbol determining random number (special figure 2 symbol determining random number), a preliminary determination as to whether or not a big hit can be generated and a preliminary determination regarding the type of the big hit that occurs are performed (S305b). Note that whether or not the generated big hit is a promising big hit and the number of payout-scheduled winning balls for the generated big hit are determined by prior determination regarding the type of the big hit.

  Then, after the start winning command is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S307b), the process proceeds to S308 in FIG. Here, the start winning command to be processed in the process of S307b is information indicating the result of the prior determination in S305b and a command indicating the second hold number after the start winning. However, unlike the present embodiment, the information indicating the result of the pre-determination and the command for specifying the second hold number after executing the process of S304b may be different commands.

  As shown in FIG. 56, a RAM 220b (see FIG. 9) mounted on the sub-control board 220 includes a first determination result information memory 226b, a second determination result information memory 227b, and a first hold number information memory 223b. And a second reserved number information memory 224b. The contents of the first hold number information memory 223b and the second hold number information memory 224b are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  When the sub control board 220 receives the “start winning prize command” based on the process of S307a, the information (determination result information) indicating the result of the prior determination performed in S305a is transferred to the first determination result information memory 226b in the shift memory format. And the value of the first hold number stored in the first hold number information memory 223b is incremented by "+1". In addition, when the “start winning prize command” based on the process of S307b is received, information indicating the result of the prior determination performed in S305b (determination result information) is stored in the second determination result information memory 227b in a shift memory format. Then, the value of the second hold number stored in the second hold number information memory 224b is incremented by “+1”.

  The symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300) of the fourth embodiment is executed according to FIG. This symbol variation effect replacement processing (S1300) is different from the symbol variation effect replacement processing (FIG. 43) of the first embodiment in that “processing of S1329” is performed instead of “processing of S1330 (FIG. 43)”. That is, in the symbol variation effect replacement process (S1300) of the fourth embodiment, when the positive determination in S1325 is obtained, whether or not there is determination result information that is a big hit in the determination result information stored at that time. Is determined (S1329). Specifically, when the release extension means is activated and a game mainly based on the second determination is made, the CPU 220a determines the determination result information stored in the second determination result information memory 227b. (S1329). Further, when the release extension means stops operating and a game mainly based on the first determination of success / failure is performed, the CPU 220a determines the determination result information stored in the first determination result information memory 226b. (S1329).

  Furthermore, when it is determined that there is no determination result information that will be a big hit (S1329; NO), after the processing after S1380, if it is determined that there is determination result information that will be a big hit (S1129; YES) ), And shifts to the processing after S1335. The same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained in the fourth embodiment.

  The fifth embodiment is that the big hit continuous performance is executed after the “previous jackpot game” is finished and before the symbol variable game that becomes the start timing of the “next big hit game” is started. And different. That is, the fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that FIG. 59 is used instead of FIGS. 21 to 23 and that FIG. 60 is used instead of FIG.

  In the fifth embodiment, in the above-described specific example 2, the “symbol variation effect accompanying the two deviations” after the previous big hit game is executed as an effect (hit continuous effect) suggesting that the big hit game continues. However (b18, b19 in FIG. 59), the “symbol variation effect accompanying the hit variation”, which becomes the trigger for the subsequent big hit game, is executed according to the normal mode (b30 to b32 in FIG. 59). That is, the “symbol variation effect accompanying the hit variation” is performed using effect symbols such as a pseudo symbol and a background symbol in the pseudo symbol display area 27b of the display screen 27a (b30 to b32). Then, reach display is also executed during the variation of the symbol variation effect (b31).

  Also in the symbol variation effect process (S1100) of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 60, when the continuation effect flag is set (set to ON) (S1108; YES), “specific hits” It is determined whether it is the start timing of “variation” (S1150). If it is determined that it is the start timing of “specific hit fluctuation” (S1150; YES), a process (S1154) of releasing (setting to OFF) the continuous effect flag, an effect pattern of the symbol change effect, After performing the process of selecting (determining) the stop symbol (S1156) and the process of starting the symbol variation effect (S1161), the process proceeds to the process of S1165 in FIG.

  Here, the processing of S1156 is performed in the same manner as the processing of S1135 described above (see FIG. 41), and is executed on the display screen 27a when the result of the determination of success / failure (S320a, S320b) is determined to be a big hit. In the case where the execution mode of the effect display, the mode of reach display, the specific mode of the “pseudo symbol for confirming and displaying the jackpot”, etc. are determined, and the result of the determination (S320a, S320b) is determined to be out of place, The execution mode of the effect display executed on the display screen 27a, the presence / absence of the reach display, the reach display mode in the case of executing the reach display, the specific mode of the “pseudo symbol for definite display” is determined.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not the start timing of the “specific hit fluctuation” (S1150; NO), a process of selecting (determining) the effect pattern for the continuous effect and the stop symbol for the continuous effect ( After performing S1159) and the process (S1161) of starting the symbol variation effect, the process proceeds to S1165 of FIG. Here, the processing of S1159 is the same processing as the processing of 1152 described above (see FIG. 42). According to the fifth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and is not limited to the wording of each claim without departing from the scope described in each claim. Can be easily replaced by these, and improvements based on knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can be added as appropriate.

  That is, aspects other than those exemplified in the examples and modifications can be exemplified as the contents of the effects after the replacement of the symbol variation effects. For example, the aspect which replaces the reach production (for example, normal reach production) determined at the time of the start of a change with another reach production (for example, development type reach production) can be illustrated. In addition, as an effect after replacement, for example, a mode in which “display with a low appearance rate” such as a premier display or a premier video is executed can be exemplified.

  In each embodiment, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are used as the special symbols, and the processing related to the second special symbol is preferentially performed. However, both the first special symbol and the second special symbol are used. The invention of each claim can also be applied to a mode in which the special symbol processing is performed in the order of the start winning prize. In this case, the upper limit number of the first holding number and the second holding number may be set to “4”, and the number of holdings to be subjected to the prior determination may be set to “8” at the maximum. In such a case, the “predetermined number” that becomes the “branch point for effect replacement” may be larger than the case shown in each embodiment (for example, 5000). Furthermore, the invention of each claim can be applied to a gaming machine having one special symbol.

  In each embodiment, an effect element (hereinafter referred to as “special effect element”) constituting a special effect and an effect element (hereinafter referred to as “added effect element”) added by the effect element adding means are “ The description has been focused on the case of “display effect element”. However, the “special effect element” and the “addition effect element” are realized by driving the “display effect element”, “sound effect element”, “light emission effect element”, and “movable effect means (movable accessory device)”. Any one or two or more of “movable presentation elements” may be included. For example, even if a special production is a special production (special reach production, etc.) or a “character” that cannot appear normally, and a “sound” or “light” that is different from the usual production. Good. Further, “sound”, “light”, etc. different from usual may be emitted in a spot while adding “characters” in which “additional effect elements” do not normally appear in a spot.

  Furthermore, in each of the embodiments, an example has been given in which the hit hold stored before the start of the hit fluctuation that becomes the start trigger of the previous jackpot game is exemplified, but the hit hold stored after the start of the hit change is described. May be the only target. In other words, the hold determination means determines whether or not the hit hold is included in the newly stored hold until the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation game that indicates the win result. It may be characterized by determining.

  In each embodiment, the gaming machine 1 including one variable start prize device (second start prize device 17b) and one non-variable start prize device (first start prize device 17a) is illustrated. A gaming machine having only one variable start prize device, a gaming machine having only a plurality of variable start prize devices, a plurality of variable start prize devices and one or more non-variable starters The invention of each claim can be applied to a gaming machine including a winning device, a gaming machine including one variable start winning device and a plurality of non-variable starting winning devices.

  The present invention can be used in the field of manufacturing and selling gaming machines.

1; gaming machine (ball game machine),
2; outer frame,
10: Game board,
11: Game area,
17a; first start winning device,
17b; second start winning device,
27; production display device (production means),
27a; display screen,
31; Grand prize-winning device,
62a; first special symbol display section,
62b; second special symbol display section,
200A; main control unit (win / fail judgment means, hold storage means, symbol variation game execution means, jackpot game mode selection means, jackpot game execution means, hold storage means),
220A; sub-control unit (hold storage means, effect pattern selection means, symbol variation effect execution means, hold determination means, effect replacement execution means, jackpot continuous effect execution means, post-delay hold determination means, effect element addition means),
222A; effect display control unit.

Claims (5)

When the game ball enters the start opening, the special symbol display means displays the special symbol in a variable manner until a predetermined fluctuation time elapses, and shows the result of winning or losing as the fluctuation display ends. A symbol variation game execution means for executing
A jackpot game mode selection means for selecting one jackpot game mode from a plurality of jackpot game modes having different payout planned winning ball numbers when the result of the symbol variable game is a win;
Jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game according to the jackpot game mode selected by the jackpot game mode selection means;
When a game ball enters the starting port during the execution of the symbol variation game or the jackpot game, the symbol variation game corresponding to the entered ball is to be executed after the currently executed symbol variation game or jackpot game ends. Holding storage means for storing as holding;
At the start of the symbol variation game, the effect pattern selection means for selecting the effect pattern of the symbol variation effect performed by the effect means along with the execution of the symbol variation game from a plurality of predetermined effect patterns;
A symbol variation effect executing means for executing the symbol variation effect by the effect means based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selecting means;
A gaming machine equipped with
When the symbol variation game that is indicating the winning result is being executed and the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation game, the result of the symbol variation game is stored in the hold stored. Hold determination means for determining whether or not a hit hold that is a hit is included,
A determination result that the winning determination is included is obtained by the holding determination means, and the number of expected payout balls in the previous big hit game executed through the currently executing symbol variation game, and the winning hold When the total of the number of expected payout balls in the subsequent big hit game is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the symbol variation effect currently being performed with the symbol variation game currently being executed is An effect replacement execution means for replacing the effect based on the selected effect pattern with a special effect, and performing a hit notification through the special effect,
The symbol variation game that becomes a start trigger of the subsequent big hit game after the previous big hit game is started or after the previous big hit game is started or after the previous big hit game is started. Until it is started, the jackpot continuous effect execution means for executing the jackpot continuous effect that suggests that the jackpot game is continuous with the effect means,
A gaming machine comprising:   As an effect pattern of the symbol variation effect performed by the effect means in association with the symbol variation game that indicates the result of the detachment, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation effect, the content of the symbol variation effect is 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a special outage effect pattern is set for switching to the contents of the special effect and notifying through the special effect. The holding determination means is executing the symbol variation game that indicates the result of the detachment, and the symbol is stored in a hold stored when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation game. Determine whether or not a winning hold is included in which the result of the floating game is a hit,
The effect replacement execution means is currently being executed when the hold determination means obtains a determination that the winning hold is included during the execution of the symbol variation game that will indicate the result of losing. The symbol variation effect performed in accordance with the symbol variation game is replaced with a special effect different from the effect based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection means, and notification of losing is made through the special effect. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The execution of the symbol variation game, which is during execution of the symbol variation game that indicates the winning result and the newly stored suspension after the predetermined time has elapsed, will indicate the winning result; A post-elapse hold determination means for determining whether or not the
A determination result indicating that the winning is determined to be a winning hold by the holding determination means after the elapse of time, and the number of award-scheduled winning balls in the previous big hit game performed through the currently executing symbol variation game and the winning hold When the total of the number of winning balls to be paid out in the jackpot game after the game is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, a predetermined effect element is added to the symbol variation effect currently being performed with the symbol variation game currently being executed. Directing element adding means to
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:   The holding determination means includes the winning hold in the newly stored hold until the predetermined time elapses from the start of the symbol variation game that indicates the winning result. It determines whether or not, The game machine as described in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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