JP5686848B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that launches a game ball on a game board surface.

  In game machines such as pachinko machines, there are a wide range of games that perform jackpot games that open the jackpot when winning a jackpot in the jackpot judgment made by winning the game ball launched on the game board surface at the starting slot. Are known. In this type of gaming machine, when a game ball that has won a big winning opening during a big hit game passes a predetermined area, the probability of winning a big hit in the big hit determination after the big hit game is shifted to a high probability. It has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP2013-13586A

  By the way, in the gaming machine in which the winning game probability of winning a winning game is transferred to a high probability by passing a predetermined area by passing a game ball that has won a winning game during the jackpot game as in the above-described prior art, By visually checking whether or not the game ball has passed through a predetermined area during the game, it is possible to grasp whether or not the subsequent probability state has a high probability. Therefore, in such a gaming machine, it is common to perform different effects depending on whether or not the game ball has passed through a predetermined area during the jackpot game, and inform the player of the subsequent probability state. is there.

  However, if a different effect is performed depending on whether or not the game ball has passed through a specific passing area during the jackpot game, it is visually confirmed whether or not the game ball has passed through the predetermined area during the jackpot game. For players who did not, it will be possible to grasp whether the winning probability of jackpot is a high probability or a low probability in the production mode that will be performed afterwards, which will reduce the interest of the game There's a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a gaming machine capable of producing an effect with enhanced interest in a gaming machine that shifts to a high probability state when a gaming ball passes through a predetermined area. The purpose is to do.

  To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a gaming machine (1) in which a game ball passes through a first start area (13) or a second start area (14) through which a game ball can pass. Determining means (52) for determining whether or not to play a special game advantageous to the player, and if the determining means (52) determines that the special game is to be performed, a game ball cannot be entered A special game control means (53) for performing an open special game for operating a variable winning device (15, 16) that can be operated in a closed state and an open state in which a game ball can enter a ball. After the open special game is played by the game control means (53), the game ball that has entered the variable winning device (15, 16) during the open special game has not passed the predetermined area (18). Sometimes, the probability that the determination means (52) determines to play the special game is set as the first probability. Low probability gaming state control means (56) for controlling the game in the low probability gaming state (ST2, ST4) and after the opening special game is performed by the special gaming control means (53), during the opening special game When the game ball that has entered the variable winning device (15, 16) passes through the predetermined area (18), the probability that the determination means (52) determines that the special game will be performed is High probability gaming state control means (57) for controlling a game in a high probability gaming state (ST3, ST5) set to a second probability higher than the first probability, and the low probability gaming state control means (56) When the game is controlled in the low probability gaming state (ST2, ST4), or the game is controlled in the high probability gaming state (ST3, ST5) by the high probability gaming state control means (57) Sometimes, a specific game state in which a game is controlled in a specific game state in which a game ball can easily pass through the second start area (14) And when the game is controlled in the low probability gaming state (ST2, ST4) by the low probability gaming state control means (56), or the high probability gaming state control means (57) When the game is controlled in the game state (ST3, ST5), and when the game is controlled in the specific game state by the specific game state control means, the game effect is given to the predetermined effect means (12). Production control means (33) for performing the game, the special game control means (53), the game ball that entered the variable winning device (15, 16) passes through the predetermined area (18) An open special game that is either a difficult first open special game or a second open special game in which a game ball that has entered the variable winning device (15, 16) easily passes through the predetermined area (18) is performed. The determination means (52) allows the game ball to pass through the first start area (13). Accordingly, the second rate is higher when it is determined that the special game is to be performed by passing a game ball through the second starting area (14) than when it is determined that the special game is to be performed. The special opening control game (33) causes the special game control means (53) to perform the first opening special game triggered by the passing of the game ball to the first starting area (13). After the game or the second open special game, when the game is controlled in the low probability game state (ST2, ST4) by the low probability game state control means (56), or the high probability game When a game is controlled in the high-probability gaming state (ST3, ST5) by the state control means (57), an unknown game effect that does not clearly indicate in which gaming state the game is controlled is performed. It is the structure characterized by these.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine (1) according to the first aspect, the effect control means (33) is moved to the second start area (14) by the special game control means (53). After the first open special game or the second open special game triggered by the passing of the game ball, the high probability game state control means (57) allows the game to be played in the high probability game state (ST3, ST5). When being controlled, a high-probability game effect indicating that the game is controlled in the high-probability gaming state (ST3, ST5) is performed.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of the game without reducing the game motivation of the player.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance structure of a gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement aspect of an electric tulip. It is a figure which expands and shows the rolling area | region where the game ball which won the 2nd big winning opening rolls. It is a block diagram which shows the control mechanism of a gaming machine. It is the block diagram which showed typically the main function structure in the main control board. It is a figure which shows the kind of special game at the time of winning a prize to a 1st start opening and a 2nd start opening and winning. It is a figure which shows the opening mode of the 1st big winning a prize in the 1st thru | or 5th special game, and the 2nd big winning opening, and the game mode after completion | finish of a special game. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement of the shutter interlock | cooperated with opening / closing operation | movement of a 2nd big winning opening. It is a figure which shows the transition of the gaming state of the gaming machine by the control of the main control board. It is a figure which shows the open time of the 1st big winning opening and the 2nd big winning opening when the 1st thru | or 4th special game is performed. It is a flowchart which shows the main operations in a main control board. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a 1st start port switch process and a 2nd start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of special symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a normal symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an electric tulip process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an output process. It is a block diagram schematically showing the main functional configuration of the effect control board. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the special game effect process performed in a special game effect control part. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the round which a 1st big winning opening or a 2nd big winning opening opens in a 1st thru | or 4th special game, and the round display in a special game effect. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen transition in a special game effect in case the 1st thru | or 4th special game is performed. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen transition in a special game effect in case a 5th special game is performed. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the symbol fluctuation effect process performed by each of a normal game effect control part, a latent game effect control part, and a time-short game effect control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detailed process sequence at the time of starting a symbol fluctuation effect. It is a figure which shows the production | presentation aspect of the design variation effect performed by the design variation production process. It is a figure which shows an example of the period when the design fluctuation production | presentation in the unknown production | presentation aspect in latent mode continues. It is a figure which shows an example of the period when the design fluctuation production | presentation in the unknown production | presentation aspect in time reduction mode continues.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members that are common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration of a gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment. This gaming machine 1 is a ball-type gaming machine configured to pay out a winning ball when a gaming ball launched by a launching device in accordance with a player's instruction operation wins various winning holes. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 has a gaming machine main body 1a fixed to an island facility of a hall (store), and a transparent glass plate 2 is fitted on the front side of the gaming machine main body 1a. A front frame door 3 is provided. The gaming machine main body 1 a includes a gaming board 10 that rolls gaming balls inside the front frame door 3.

  The front frame door 3 is pivotally supported at the left end of the gaming machine main body 1a so that the front side of the gaming machine main body 1a can be opened and closed. The transparent glass plate 2 is for making the gaming board 10 attached to the inside of the gaming machine main body 1a visible while the front frame door 3 closes the front side of the gaming machine main body 1a. In addition, a shelf-shaped sphere storage unit 4 that protrudes to the front side is provided at the lower center of the front frame door 3. On the upper surface of the ball storage section 4, an operation button 6 that can be operated by the player is provided, and a storage tray for storing a game ball for launching on the game board 10 is provided. Further, the front frame door 3 includes a handle lever 5 that can be rotated in the clockwise direction in order to allow the player to fire the game ball at the lower right portion of the ball storage unit 4. Further, the front frame door 3 is provided with a frame lamp 7 that is lit in various patterns as the game progresses, above the transparent glass plate 2 and below the ball storage unit 4, and is positioned above the transparent glass plate 2. Speakers 8 are provided on the left and right sides of the frame lamp 7 to output sound for various effects as the game progresses.

  When the front frame door 3 is in a closed state, the game board 10 forms a game area where the game ball can roll between the board surface and the transparent glass plate 2 fitted in the front frame door 3. When the handle lever 5 is operated by the player, the game ball is launched to the upper left part of the game area with a hitting force corresponding to the operation angle, and then the game ball flows down while rolling in the game area. When the game ball wins various winning holes provided on the game board 10, the gaming machine 1 pays out the prize ball to the storage tray of the ball storage unit 4.

  In the center of the game board 10, a center accessory 11 for performing various effects as the game progresses is provided. The game board 10 also has a first start port 13, a second start port 14, a first grand prize port 15, a second big prize port 16, and a through hole in addition to a large number of nails and windmills around the center actor 11. Known members such as a gate 21 and an out port 23 are provided. In addition to this, the game board 10 is also provided with a normal winning opening not shown. Further, the game board 10 displays a special symbol corresponding to the determination result of the special game determination (big hit determination) by displaying a variation of the special symbol on the lower left part of the board surface outside the game area where the game ball rolls. The number of holds due to the winning of the game ball is displayed at the first start port 13 and the second start port 14, or the normal symbol lottery result due to the game ball passing through the through gate 21 is displayed. For this purpose, a symbol display 22 is provided.

  In the game board 10 shown in FIG. 1, a through gate 21 is provided on the left side of the center accessory 11. The through gate 21 is a gate that is a condition for performing the normal symbol lottery in the gaming machine 1. When the game ball passes through the gate, the normal symbol lottery is performed in the gaming machine 1.

  The first start port 13 is provided below the center accessory 11, and the second start port 14 is provided on the right side of the first start port 13. Here, the game ball having a relatively high possibility of winning the first starting port 13 is a game ball that rolls on the left side of the center accessory 11 as indicated by an arrow F1. is there. That is, the first start port 13 is provided so that the possibility that the game ball rolling on the right side of the center accessory 11 wins the first start port 13 as shown by the arrow F2 is extremely low. A game ball with a relatively high possibility of winning at the second starting port 14 is a game ball that rolls on the right side of the center accessory 11 as indicated by an arrow F2 when the game ball is launched on the game board 10. . That is, the second start port 14 is provided so that the possibility that the game ball rolling on the left side of the center accessory 11 wins the second start port 14 as shown by the arrow F1 is extremely low.

  Each of the first start port 13 and the second start port 14 is a winning port for paying out a predetermined number of winning balls, and whether or not to play a jackpot game that is a special game advantageous to the player in the gaming machine 1 This is a winning opening that is a condition for determining whether or not a jackpot (special game determination) is to be made. When the game balls winning the start openings 13 and 14 pass through the start detection area and the start condition is satisfied, a big hit determination is made in the gaming machine 1, and the special symbol variation display is started on the symbol display 22. Also in the center accessory 11 and the like, the symbol variation effect according to the result of the jackpot determination is started. Then, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the special symbol variation display and the symbol variation effect are finished, and the result of the jackpot determination is displayed. If the result of the jackpot determination indicates a jackpot, then the gaming machine 1 starts a special game advantageous to the player as a jackpot game.

  The symbol display 22 is arranged at the corner of the game board 10 and is provided at a position where it is difficult for the player to visually recognize. The display mode of the special symbol variable display is also difficult for the player to identify. Displayed in display mode. Therefore, the player recognizes the result of the jackpot determination or the like based on the result of the symbol variation effect performed mainly by the center accessory 11 or the like.

  Moreover, the 2nd starting port 14 is equipped with the electric tulip 14a opened and closed in the shape of a wing | blade in the vicinity position of the both right and left sides. FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing an operation mode of the electric tulip 14a, in which FIG. 2A shows a closed state and FIG. 2B shows an open state. When the electric tulip 14a is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the game balls B1 and B2 rolling near the second starting port 14 are blocked so as not to win the second starting port 14. . On the other hand, when the electric tulip 14a is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the game balls B1 and B2 rolling in the vicinity of the second starting port 14 win the second starting port 14. The auxiliary state is set so as to facilitate the operation. That is, the electric tulip 14a is in an auxiliary state (open state) that assists the game ball launched into the game board 10 to win the second start port 14, and the game ball wins the second start port 14. It is provided as an auxiliary member that is driven to a non-assisting state (closed state) that does not assist. The electric tulip 14a is normally in the closed state shown in FIG. 2A, and does not assist the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 14. On the other hand, when the game ball launched on the game board 10 wins the normal symbol lottery performed by passing through the through gate 21, the electric tulip 14a has a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times according to the game state at that time. The open state shown in FIG. 2B is set, and the auxiliary state assists the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 14.

  The first big prize opening 15 is provided on the game board 10 on the right side of the second start opening 14. The first grand prize opening 15 is a first variable winning device that is driven to an open state in which a game ball can be won and a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won, and is normally in a closed state. Then, in the gaming machine 1, when winning a jackpot in the jackpot determination (special game determination) performed by winning the game ball in the first starting port 13 or the second starting port 14, a special game to be started after that is determined in advance. In the first round, the first grand prize opening 15 is driven to the open state, and the game ball can enter the first big prize opening 15. When the first grand prize opening 15 is opened, the open state continues until a predetermined time elapses or until a predetermined number of winnings are counted. Therefore, when the first big winning opening 15 is in the open state, it is possible to win up to a predetermined number of game balls until a predetermined time elapses, thereby allowing the player to acquire a prize ball. it can. Then, the first grand prize winning port 15 driven to the open state returns to the closed state when a predetermined time has elapsed or when a predetermined number of winnings are counted.

  The second grand prize opening 16 is provided on the right side of the center accessory 11. The second large winning opening 16 is a second variable winning device that is driven to an open state in which a game ball can be won and a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won, and is normally in a closed state. Then, in the gaming machine 1, when a big win is won in the jackpot determination (special game determination) performed on the condition that a game ball is won at the first start port 13 or the second start port 14, a special game to be started thereafter In the determined round, the second grand prize opening 16 is driven to the open state, and the game ball can enter the second big prize opening 16. When the second big prize opening 16 is opened, the opened state continues until a predetermined time elapses or until a predetermined number of winnings are counted. Therefore, when the second grand prize winning opening 16 is in an open state, it is possible to win up to a predetermined number of game balls until a predetermined time elapses, whereby the player can acquire a prize ball. it can. And the 2nd big winning opening 16 driven to the open state returns to the closed state when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number of winnings are counted.

  In the special game, a round game that selectively drives one of the first grand prize winning port 15 and the second grand prize winning port 16 to the open state is executed a predetermined number of times. Therefore, the first grand prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16 are not simultaneously opened. In addition, a special game in which a round game that opens the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is performed a plurality of times gives an opportunity for the player to acquire more prize balls than usual. Since it is a game, it becomes a game state (special game state) that is particularly advantageous for the player. The opening time for continuing the opening state of the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is preset for each round according to the type of special game, and different opening times are set for each round. It is also possible to do. For example, in a specific round of a plurality of rounds performed as a special game, the opening time of the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is set to a short time that makes it difficult for a game ball to enter. You can also.

  In addition, the center accessory 11 includes an image display 12 configured by, for example, a color liquid crystal display in the center. The image display 12 can display three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c with symbols such as numerals, alphabets, and characters. As the jackpot determination (special game determination) is performed in the gaming machine 1 and the variation display of the special symbol is started, the image display 12 varies the three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c in the vertical direction. By starting the symbol variation effect and stopping the variation effect after a lapse of a predetermined time, the effect of notifying the player of the result of the jackpot determination (special game determination) is performed. For example, when the symbol variation effect performed on the image display 12 stops when all three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c are aligned with the same symbol, it is informed that the stop symbol is a big hit with the aligned symbols. Is done.

  The image display 12 may perform various game effects between the start and stop of the symbol variation effect. For example, the normal reach effect in the normal reach state may be performed from the normal symbol variation effect, or the operation effect that prompts the player to operate the operation button 6 may be performed from the normal reach effect in the normal reach state. Further, when the player performs a button operation while performing the operation effect and the player succeeds in performing the operation effect, the image display device 12 shifts the normal reach effect in the normal reach state to the next stage, and a specific character or the like is displayed. There may be various development effects that display whether or not the target action can be achieved.

  The out port 23 is provided at the lowermost center of the game board 10 and discharges game balls that have not won any of the above-described various winning ports to the back side of the game board 10 as out balls.

  Further, a rolling area 17 is formed on the right side of the center accessory 11 in which a game ball that has entered the second big prize opening 16 rolls when the second big prize opening 16 is open. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the rolling region 17. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the lower part of the rolling area 17 detects a winning of a game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 16 and discharges it to the back side of the game board 10. A discharge port 20 is provided. When the second big prize opening 16 is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 3A, the game ball B3 launched into the game board 10 does not enter the rolling area 17. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, when the second big prize opening 16 is in the open state, the game ball B 4 which is launched into the game board 10 and enters the second big prize opening 16. , B5 enters the rolling region 17. A part of the rolling region 17 is provided with a V gate 18 configured to allow a game ball to pass therethrough as well as the through gate 21 and to detect the passage of the game ball. Yes. That is, the rolling area 17 is a path that passes the V gate 18 as a path for guiding the game balls B4 and B5 that have entered the second grand prize opening 16 to the discharge opening 20, and V It has two passage areas, the second passage area 17b, which is a path that does not pass through the gate 18.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the V gate 18 detects the passing of a game ball B4 that has entered the second big prize opening 16, the probability of winning a big hit in the jackpot determination after the special game ends is increased. A high probability state higher than the normal probability is obtained. In other words, the V gate 18 is a gate that serves as an opportunity to shift to a high probability state in which the probability of winning a subsequent jackpot is higher than the normal low probability state (normal probability state). The upper portion of the V gate 18 is driven in conjunction with the opening operation of the second grand prize opening 16 and opens and closes the entry path to the V gate 18 by moving forward and backward with respect to the surface of the game board 10. A shutter 19 is provided. For example, when the second big prize opening 16 is driven to open, the shutter 19 opens the entry path to the V gate 18 at a timing delayed by a predetermined time of about 1 to 2 seconds from the opening timing. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), when the game ball B5 enters the second big prize opening 16 when the shutter 19 closes the V gate 18, the game ball B5 enters the first passage area 17a. Therefore, without passing through the V gate 18, the air is guided to the discharge port 20 via the second passage region 17 b. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the game ball B4 enters the second big prize opening 16 when the shutter 19 is opened above the V gate 18, the game ball B4 is 1 enters the passage region 17a, passes through the V gate 18 and is led to the discharge port 20. As described above, the shutter 19 functions as a distribution unit that distributes the game balls that have entered the second grand prize winning opening 16.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the game ball enters the second big prize opening 16 during the special game that is won by winning the jackpot, and the game ball that enters the ball enters the rolling area 17. When passing through the first passing area 17a provided, the probability state of winning the subsequent jackpot is changed from the low probability state to the high probability state. The V gate 18 provided in the rolling area 17 is visible from the front side of the game board 10. Therefore, when a jackpot occurs in the gaming machine 1, the player can visually check whether or not the game ball has passed the V gate 18 during the jackpot special game, and the probability state thereafter is low. It is possible to grasp which is a high probability.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the gaming machine 1 attached to the back side of the game board 10. On the back side of the gaming board 10, a main control board 30 that controls the main operation of the gaming machine 1 and a sub control board 31 that controls each part based on signals and commands output from the main control board 30 are provided. ing. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the sub control board 31 includes a payout control board 32, an effect control board 33, an image control board 34, a lamp control board 35, and the like.

  The main control board 30 includes a CPU 30a, a ROM 30b, and a RAM 30c. The main control board 30 has a first start port switch 41 for detecting that the game ball has won the first start port 13 and a second start port switch for detecting that the game ball has won the second start port 14. 42, a through gate switch 43 for detecting that a game ball has passed through the through gate 21, an electric chew solenoid 44 for opening and closing the electric tulip 14a, a first big winning port solenoid 45 for opening and closing the first big winning port 15, A first grand prize opening switch 46 that detects that a game ball has won a prize in the first big prize opening 15, a second big prize opening solenoid 47 that opens and closes the second big prize opening 16, and a game ball in the second big prize opening 16 A second grand prize opening switch 48 for detecting that the player has won a prize, a shutter solenoid 49 for driving the shutter 19 provided in the rolling region 17 of the second big prize opening 16, and a V gate. 8 game ball is connected to each of the V gate switch 50 for detecting that has passed. A symbol display 22 is connected to the main control board 30. The symbol display 22 is provided with a special symbol display 22a for displaying the variation of the special symbol and a normal symbol display 22b for displaying the variation of the normal symbol.

  The main control board 30 is a payout control board when each of the first start opening switch 41, the second start opening switch 42, the first big prize opening switch 46 and the second big prize opening switch 48 detects a winning of a game ball. A prize ball command is sent to 32. The payout control board 32 includes a CPU 32a, a ROM 32b, and a RAM 32c, and is configured to control a payout motor 32d provided on the back side of the game board 10. When a prize ball command is input from the main control board 30, A predetermined number of balls are paid out in accordance with the winning opening.

  Further, the main control board 30 is configured to perform a jackpot determination for determining whether or not to perform a special game and a normal symbol lottery for determining whether or not to open the electric tulip 14a. For example, when a game ball passes through the through gate 21, the main control board 30 performs a normal symbol lottery for determining whether to open or close the electric tulip 14a, and the normal symbol display 22b results in the normal symbol lottery. Based on this, the normal symbol variation display is started. When the normal symbol lottery is won, the main control board 30 stops the fluctuation display of the normal symbol at the winning symbol after a predetermined time has elapsed, and then drives the electric chew solenoid 44 for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times so that the electric tulip 14a is operated. Open. In addition, when the normal symbol lottery is won and the electric tulip 14a is in an open state, as described above, it becomes easy for a game ball to enter the second starting port 14, so the state where the electric tulip 14a is open is a player. It is one of the advantageous gaming states for the game.

  Further, when the main control board 30 detects that the game ball has won the first start port 13 or the second start port 14, the main control board 30 makes a jackpot determination according to the winning start port, and the special symbol display 22a. Then, the display of the variation of the special symbol for a predetermined time based on the determination result is started. Then, the main control board 30 starts the special symbol change display on the special symbol display 22a, and causes the effect control board 33 to perform the symbol change effect for a predetermined time according to the jackpot determination result. Send signals and commands. In addition, when it is detected that the game ball has won the first start port 13 or the second start port 14 and the change display of the previous special symbol has not ended, the main control board 30 displays the special symbol associated with the winning. Hold the variable display of. Then, when it is time to finish the variation display of the previous special symbol and start the next variation display, the main control board 30 digests the hold and performs the next jackpot determination, and the result of the jackpot determination Based on this, the special symbol variation display is started.

  If the main control board 30 is found to have won the jackpot in the jackpot determination, after the special symbol variation display is performed for a predetermined time, the main control board 30 starts the special game according to the jackpot type, and the special game In each of the rounds, the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened by selectively driving the first big prize opening solenoid 45 or the second big prize opening solenoid 47 to the open state. The main control board 30 sends a signal or a command to cause the effect control board 33 to perform a jackpot game effect corresponding to the special game as the special game is started.

  The production control board 33 includes a CPU 33a, a ROM 33b, and a RAM 33c, determines specific production contents based on signals and commands from the main control board 30, and controls the execution of the decided production. That is, the effect control board 33 controls each of the image control board 34 and the lamp control board 35 to execute an effect based on the determined specific effect contents. In this way, the effect control board 33 determines a specific effect to be performed for the entire gaming machine 1 based on an instruction from the main control board 30 and comprehensively controls the execution of the effect.

  For example, when the big hit determination is performed by the main control board 30 and the special symbol variation display is performed for a predetermined time, the effect control board 33 displays the three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, A symbol variation effect that varies 12c is performed. In this symbol variation effect, the three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c are simply a normal symbol variation effect in which the up and down direction is changed, and various notice effects in which characters appear from such a normal symbol variation effect. Various effects are performed according to the result of the jackpot determination, such as effects that make a transition. In addition, the operation buttons 6 are connected to the effect control board 33. Therefore, when it is detected that the operation button 6 has been operated at a predetermined timing at which the player can perform a button operation, the effect control board 33 can also perform an effect according to the button operation. .

  When a special game is played by the main control board 30, the effect control board 33 controls execution of a special game effect (a jackpot game effect) according to the type of jackpot won in the jackpot determination.

  The image control board 34 includes a CPU 34 a, a ROM 34 b, a RAM 34 c, and a VRAM 34 d, and controls an image displayed on the image display 12. The image control board 34 starts a design variation effect that varies the three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c based on an instruction from the performance control substrate 33, and shifts the design variation effect to a reach effect. Or shift to a more advanced production. Further, the image control board 34 displays a round of the current round during a special game based on an instruction from the effect control board 33 or displays a special game effect image such as a moving image. In the image control board 34, the VRAM 34 d is a memory for writing an image to be displayed on the image display 12. The CPU 34a executes various processes such as a background image display process, a decorative symbol display process, and a character image display process on the VRAM 34d, so that a background image, a decorative symbol image, a character image, etc. are displayed on the image display 12. The player can visually recognize the foreground image by displaying the images in a superimposed manner. Further, the image control board 34 is configured to generate a sound effect for production from the speaker 8.

  The lamp control board 35 includes a CPU 35a, a ROM 35b, and a RAM 35c, and performs control to turn on the frame lamp 7 based on an instruction from the effect control board 33.

  The image display 12, the speaker 8, and the frame lamp 7 are rendering means provided for performing various effects that can be easily perceived by the player as the game progresses in the gaming machine 1.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the main functional configuration of the main control board 30.

  The RAM 30c of the main control board 30 is provided with a game data storage unit 61 and a hold storage unit 62. The game data storage unit 61 stores various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, variation pattern random numbers, reach random numbers, and the like as game data. The various random numbers stored in the game data storage unit 61 are random numbers that can take values within a predetermined range, and the values are sequentially updated by a random number update unit (not shown). Therefore, the values of various random numbers differ depending on the timing at which game data is read from the game data storage unit 61. In the game data storage unit 61, a normal symbol random number used for the normal symbol lottery is also stored as game data. On the other hand, the holding storage unit 62 is a storage area for temporarily storing and holding the game data read from the game data storage unit 61 by the game data acquisition unit 51 up to a predetermined upper limit number.

  In the ROM 30b of the main control board 30, a determination table 63, an open pattern table 64, and a variation pattern table 65 are stored in advance. The determination table 63 is a table that is referred to for performing a jackpot determination (special game determination). The determination table 63 includes a low-probability determination table and a high-probability determination table. In the low-probability determination table, a predetermined number of values are determined as winning values for which a jackpot random number is a jackpot. In the determination table for high probability, more winning values are set than in the determination table for low probability.

  The opening pattern table 64 is an opening pattern for opening each of the first big winning opening 15 and the second big winning opening 16 in a special game played as a big win game when the big win is won in the big hit determination, and the end of the special game It is a table referred in order to determine a later game mode. The release pattern table 64 defines a plurality of release patterns and a plurality of game modes after the end of the special game, and a table in which symbol random numbers are associated with combinations of the release patterns and the game modes. It is. Therefore, when it is determined that the jackpot is won in the jackpot determination, the first big winning opening 15 and the second big winning opening 16 are opened during the special game by referring to the opening pattern table 64 based on the design random number. One release pattern to be performed can be determined, and the game mode after the end of the special game can also be determined. The open pattern table 64 includes a table for determining the symbol random number acquired by winning the first start port 13 and a table for determining the symbol random number acquired by winning the second start port 14. And are provided separately. Therefore, even if the design random number is the same value, different opening patterns are determined depending on whether the first starting port 13 is won and acquired, or the second starting port 14 is acquired. It is like that.

  Here, the game mode is an operation mode of the gaming machine 1 when the player advances the game aiming for a big hit. In the present embodiment, there are three game modes, ie, a normal mode, a latent mode, and a time reduction mode, as game modes. These game modes will be described in detail later.

  The variation pattern table 65 is a table that is referred to in order to determine the variation time of a special symbol for displaying the determination result when the jackpot determination is performed on the main control board 30. The variation pattern table 65 includes a plurality of tables such as a table that is referred to when the jackpot random number indicates a jackpot, and a table that is referred to when the reach random number indicates reach. Each of the plurality of tables included in the variation pattern table 65 is a table in which the variation time of the special symbol is associated with the variation pattern random number. Therefore, by referring to this variation pattern table 65, it is possible to determine the variation time of the special symbol corresponding to the result of jackpot determination or the reach random number.

  The CPU 30a of the main control board 30 controls the operation of the gaming machine 1 in an integrated manner. Therefore, the CPU 30a functions as various processing units. FIG. 3 illustrates some of the functions, and the CPU 30a functions as a game data acquisition unit 51, a jackpot determination unit 52, a special game control unit 53, a game state control unit 54, and a specific game state control unit 55. .

  When the first start port switch 41 and the second start port switch 42 detect winning of a game ball, the game data acquisition unit 51 receives a jackpot random number, a design random number, a variation from the game data storage unit 61 at that timing. Game data including a pattern random number and a reach random number is acquired. When the game data acquisition unit 51 acquires the game data by winning the first start port 13 or the second start port 14, the game data acquisition unit 51 stores the game data in the holding storage unit 62. The holding storage unit 62 distinguishes between the game data acquired by winning the first start port 13 and the game data acquired by winning the second start port 14, and sets each game data to a predetermined upper limit number ( For example, up to four) can be stored. Therefore, the game data acquisition unit 51 stores the game data acquired by winning the first start port 13 in the storage area for the first start port, and the game data acquired by winning the second start port 14 Store in the reserved storage area for the second start port. When the upper limit number of game data has already been stored in these reserved storage areas, the game data acquisition unit 51 discards the game data acquired from the game data storage unit 61 and holds the storage data 62. The process of storing in is not performed.

  The jackpot determination unit 52 reads game data stored in the hold storage unit 62 and in a hold state, and makes a jackpot determination based on the game data. In other words, the jackpot determination unit 52 refers to the determination table 63 based on the jackpot random number included in the game data, and determines whether or not the jackpot random number matches the winning value of the jackpot. As described above, the determination table 63 includes a high-probability determination table and a low-probability determination table, and the jackpot determination unit 52 determines the low-probability determination table and the high probability according to the probability state at the time of reading game data. One of the determination tables for use is selected, and it is determined whether or not the jackpot random number matches the winning value of the jackpot determined in the selected table. Based on such determination, winning or losing of the game data read from the holding storage unit 62 is determined. Note that the low probability determination table is a table in which the probability of winning a jackpot is set to about 1/400, for example, and the high probability determination table has a higher probability of hitting the jackpot than the normal probability determination table, for example, 1 The table is set to about / 68.

  The jackpot determination unit 52 does not read game data from the holding storage unit 62 when the special state variation display is performed by the gaming state control unit 54. In this case, at the timing when the special symbol variation display performed by the gaming state control unit 54 is finished and the next variation display can be performed, the jackpot determination unit 52 stores the game data from the hold storage unit 62. Is read, and the jackpot determination is performed based on the read game data. At this time, if the game data is stored in the reserved storage area for the second start port, the jackpot determination unit 52 reads the game data and determines the jackpot. That is, the jackpot determination unit 52 in the present embodiment gives priority to the game data stored in the reserved memory area for the second start port over the game data stored in the reserved memory area for the first start port. It is configured to read out and perform pending digestion.

  The special game control unit 53 functions when the jackpot determination by the jackpot determination unit 52 is won and the game is determined to shift to a special game advantageous to the player. When the special game control unit 53 determines that a big hit is made by the big hit determination unit 52, the special game control unit 53 opens each of the first big winning port 15 and the second big winning port in a special game state performed accordingly. And the game mode after the special game ends. In addition, the special game control unit 53, in response to the start of the special game, which is a jackpot game, starts the first grand prize port 15 and the second big prize port in each of a plurality of rounds based on the determined release pattern. By opening each one alternatively, the open special game for operating the first grand prize port 15 or the second big prize port 16 to the open state during the special game is controlled.

  When the special game control unit 53 determines the release pattern in the special game state and the game mode after the special game is finished, the game data acquired by winning in either the first start port 13 or the second start port 14 Refers to different tables depending on whether or not is a big hit. For example, when the game data stored in the holding storage unit 62 with the winning at the first start port 13 is a big hit, the special game control unit 53 sets the table corresponding to the first start port 13 from the open pattern table 64. Is determined based on the design random number included in the game data, and the game mode after the end of the special game is determined. In addition, when the game data stored in the holding storage unit 62 with the winning at the second start port 14 is a big hit, the special game control unit 53 displays a table corresponding to the second start port 14 from the open pattern table 64. One open pattern is determined based on the read and random number included in the game data, and the game mode after the end of the special game is determined.

  In other words, the special game control unit 53 determines the type of special game to be performed as a jackpot game after that when the jackpot is won in the jackpot determination. In the present embodiment, as a special game type, for example, there are five to five special games.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the types of special games when winning a prize at the first start port 13 or the second start port 14 and generating a jackpot. First, FIG. 6A shows the types of special games when the game data acquired by winning the first start port 13 is determined to be a big hit. If it is determined that the game data acquired by winning the game ball at the first start port 13 is a big hit, the special game control unit 53, as shown in FIG. 6A, the first, second, One special game is determined from the third, fourth and fifth special games P1 to P5. In the example of FIG. 6A, the rate of occurrence of the first special game P1 is 10%, the rate of occurrence of the second special game P2 is 10%, and the rate of occurrence of the third special game P3 is 20%. The proportion of occurrence of the fourth special game P4 is 30%, and the proportion of occurrence of the fifth special game P5 is 30%. Therefore, when a game ball wins the first starting port 13 and wins a jackpot, one of the first to fifth special games P1 to P5 is executed as a jackpot game to be performed thereafter. .

  On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows the type of special game when the game data acquired by winning the second start port 14 is determined to be a big hit. When it is determined that the game data acquired by winning the game ball at the second starting port 14 is a big hit, the special game control unit 53, as shown in FIG. Five special games P5 are determined as jackpot games to be executed. Therefore, when a game ball wins the second starting port 14 and wins a big win, any of the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 is not performed, and the fifth special game P5 is always executed. The

  FIG. 7 is a view showing an opening pattern of the first big prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16 in the first to fifth special games P1 to P5 and a game mode after the special game is finished. First, in the first to fifth special games P1 to P5, in any special game, a round in which one of the first big prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16 is opened a predetermined number of times (for example, total 16 rounds). The first grand prize opening 15 is opened from the first round to the fourth round, and the second big prize opening 16 is opened in the fifth round. Thereafter, the first big prize opening 15 is opened again from the sixth round to the fifteenth round, and the second big prize opening 16 is opened again in the sixteenth round. The above points are common to any of the first to fifth special games P1 to P5.

  The difference between the first to fifth special games P1 to P5 is firstly the opening time of the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 in each round. That is, the long opening and the short opening are determined in both the first grand prize opening 15 and the second big winning opening 16, and either one of the long opening and the short opening is rounded for each round of each special game P1 to P5. Is set. In the case of long opening, the opening time of the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is set to a relatively long time of about 30 seconds, for example. On the other hand, in the case of a short opening, the opening time of the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is set to an extremely short time of about 0.2 seconds, for example. Therefore, when the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened for a long time, the game balls are likely to enter the open big prize openings 15 and 16 while the short opening is opened. Is in a state in which it is difficult for a game ball to win in the open large winning openings 15 and 16. In either case of long opening or short opening, if a predetermined upper limit number (for example, about 9) of game balls wins while the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened, Even before the opening time elapses, the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is closed. However, in the case of short opening, even if one or two game balls may rarely win during the opening of the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16, the predetermined upper limit number It can be said that (for example, about nine) game balls rarely win. Therefore, in the case of a short opening, there are many cases in which the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is closed when an opening time of about 0.2 seconds elapses.

  However, the opening time in the case of long opening is not limited to 30 seconds, and the opening time in the case of short opening is not limited to 0.2 seconds. For example, in the case of long release, it may be longer than the launch interval when game balls are continuously launched against the game board 10 and may be an open time in which a plurality of game balls can enter in the open state. On the other hand, in the case of short opening, for example, it may be an opening time that is shorter than the launching interval when game balls are continuously launched against the game board 10 and is difficult for the game balls to enter in the open state.

  A second difference in the first to fifth special games P1 to P5 is a game mode after the jackpot game. As game modes set after the end of the special game, there are two modes, a latent mode and a time reduction mode. In the time reduction mode, after the jackpot game is over, the electric tulip 14a is driven from the closed state (non-assist state) to the open state (assist state) more frequently than usual, so that the second start port 14 is more frequent than usual. This is a game mode in which a game is played in a specific game state so that the game ball can be easily won. In this time-short mode, the opening time of the electric tulip 14a is longer than that in the latent mode, and the opening frequency is increased, so that the player can advance the game without reducing the number of prize balls acquired in the special gaming state. . On the other hand, the latent mode is a game mode in which the electric tulip 14a is driven as usual to advance the game, unlike the time reduction mode, and the game ball wins the second starting port 14 in comparison with the time reduction mode. It is a game mode in which a game is played in a difficult state. In this latent mode, even when the electric tulip 14a is opened, the opening time is much shorter than that in the time reduction mode, so that it is difficult to win a game ball in the second starting port 14. Therefore, in the latent mode, the player advances the subsequent game while gradually reducing the number of prize balls acquired in the special game state.

  In the first special game P1, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first grand prize opening 15 is long open from the first to the fourth round, and after the fifth round, the first big prize opening 15 or the second An opening pattern is determined in which all the big winning openings 16 are short-opened, and an opening special game based on the opening pattern is performed. In addition, the first special game P1 is a game in which the game mode after the special game ends becomes the latent mode.

  In the second special game P2, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the first grand prize opening 15 becomes long open until the first to third rounds, and the first big prize opening 15 becomes short open in the fourth round. In the fifth round, the second grand prize opening 16 becomes long open, and in the sixth round and thereafter, an opening pattern is determined in which the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 are all short-opened. Based on the open special game. In addition, the second special game P2 is a game in which the game mode after the special game ends is the latent mode.

  In the third special game P3, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the first grand prize opening 15 is long open from the first to the fourth round, and after the fifth round, the first big prize opening 15 or the second An opening pattern is determined in which all the big winning openings 16 are short-opened, and an opening special game based on the opening pattern is performed. That is, the open special game performed in the third special game P3 is the same as the open special game performed in the first special game P1. However, the third special game P3 is a game in which the game mode after the end of the special game is the short-time mode, and this point is different from the first special game P1.

  In the fourth special game P4, as shown in FIG. 7 (d), the first grand prize opening 15 is long open until the first to third rounds, and the first big prize opening 15 is short open in the fourth round. In the fifth round, the second grand prize opening 16 becomes long open, and in the sixth round and thereafter, an opening pattern is determined in which the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 are all short-opened. Based on the open special game. That is, the open special game performed in the fourth special game P4 is the same as the open special game performed in the second special game P2. However, the fourth special game P4 is a game in which the game mode after the end of the special game is the short-time mode, and this point is different from the second special game P2.

  In the fifth special game P5, as shown in FIG. 7 (e), an opening pattern in which the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is long open in all the rounds from the first to the sixteenth rounds. Is determined, and an opening special game based on this opening pattern is performed. Therefore, the open special game performed in the fifth special game P5 is a game that does not match any of the open special games performed in the first to fourth special games P1 to P4. The fifth special game P5 is a game in which the game mode after the end of the special game is the time reduction mode.

  The special game control unit 53 determines one special game from the first to fifth special games P1 to P5 by determining a symbol random number included in the game data determined to be a big hit. However, when a big win is won by winning the second start opening 14, the fifth special game P5 is determined each time. When the gaming machine 1 shifts to the special game state, the special game control unit 53, based on the determined one special game release pattern, the first big prize winning solenoid 45, the second big prize winning solenoid 47 and the shutter solenoid. By driving 49, an open special game for opening the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is advanced. The special game control unit 53 monitors the V gate switch 50 and can detect when a game ball passes through the V gate 18 while the special game is in progress.

  Here, paying attention to the fifth and sixteenth rounds when the second grand prize winning opening 16 is opened, the first special game P1 and the third special game P3 are the open special games, respectively. The two major winning openings 16 are short-circuited. Therefore, when the first special game P1 or the third special game P3 is performed in the gaming machine 1, the possibility that a game ball enters the second big prize opening 16 is extremely low. On the other hand, in the second and fourth special games P2 and P4, the second big prize opening 16 is long open in the fifth round, and in the fifth special game P5, the second big prize is obtained in the fifth and sixteenth rounds. The mouth 16 opens long. Therefore, when any one of the second, fourth, and fifth special games P2, P4, and P5 is performed in the gaming machine 1, there is a possibility that a game ball may enter the second grand prize opening 16.

  As described above, when a game ball entered while the second big prize opening 16 is opened passes through the V gate 18, the probability that the big hit determination unit 52 will subsequently determine that the big hit is in a high probability state. Therefore, the second, fourth and fifth special games P2, P4, and P5 have a round game in which the second grand prize winning opening 16 is opened long, so that the probability state after the special game ends is shifted to the high probability state. A game that can be played. On the other hand, since the first and third special games P1 and P3 do not have a round game in which the second big prize opening 16 is opened long, the probability state after the end of the special game is shifted to the high probability state. A game that cannot be played, and the probability state after the special game ends becomes a low probability state.

  In this way, from the viewpoint of whether the winning probability of winning the jackpot after the special game is in a high probability state or a low probability state, the open special games performed in the first to fifth special games P1 to P5 are roughly divided. Then, the open special game performed in the first and third special games P1 and P3 becomes the first open special game in which the winning probability of jackpot cannot be shifted to the high probability state after the special game ends, The open special game performed in the fourth and fifth special games P2, P4, and P5 is a second open special game that can shift the jackpot winning probability to a high probability state after the end of the special game.

  Here, even when the second grand prize opening 16 is short-opened, the possibility that the game ball enters the second big prize opening 16 is not zero. That is, the game ball may enter at the timing when the second grand prize opening 16 is opened for a short time of about 0.2 seconds. However, when a game ball enters the second grand prize opening 16 in such a short opening, the special game control unit 53 controls the shutter 19 so that the game ball does not pass through the V gate 18. Control the behavior. FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation of the shutter 19 in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the second big prize opening 16, where (a) shows the case of long open, and (b) shows the case of short open. ing. In either case of long open or short open, the shutter 19 opens the V gate 18 after a predetermined time Td of about several seconds elapses after the second big prize opening 16 is opened. The predetermined time Td is the same time for long open and short open.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the second big prize opening 16 is opened long, the shutter is released at the timing T2 after a predetermined time Td has elapsed after the second big prize opening 16 is opened at the timing T1. 19 opens the V gate 18. Even at the timing T2 when the V gate 18 is opened, the second grand prize opening 16 is in the opened state, so that a game ball entering the second big prize opening 16 in this state passes through the first passage area 17a. Pass V gate 18. Therefore, when the second grand prize opening 16 is opened long, if the game ball can enter the second big prize opening 16 while the shutter 19 opens the V gate 18, it is almost certainly possible. It is possible to pass a game ball through the V gate 18. Therefore, the second, fourth, and fifth special games P2, P4, and P5 having a round in which the second grand prize winning opening 16 is opened long can shift the probability state of the gaming machine 1 to the high probability state. Second open special game.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the second big prize opening 16 is opened short, the timing T2 after a predetermined time Td has elapsed since the second big prize opening 16 was opened at the timing T1. When the shutter 19 opens the V gate 18, the second big prize winning opening 16 is already closed. Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second grand prize opening 16 during a short period of time when the second big prize opening 16 is short-opened, the shutter 19 opens the V gate 18 in the game ball. Since it passes through the rolling area 17 before playing, it does not pass through the V gate 18 provided in the first passing area 17a, but passes through the second passing area 17b and is discharged from the outlet 20 to the back side of the game board 10. Is done. When the shutter 19 opens the V gate 18, the second grand prize opening 16 is already closed, so that a game ball does not enter the second big prize opening 16 at that timing. The game ball does not pass through the gate 18. Therefore, the first and third special games P1 and P3 that do not have a round in which the second grand prize winning opening 16 is long open cannot make the probability state of the gaming machine 1 shift to the high probability state. It becomes a special game.

  And in this embodiment, the case where a game ball enters into the 2nd start port 14 and makes a big hit rather than the case where a game ball enters the 1st start port 13 and makes a big hit has a higher rate. The second open special game is executed, and if the game ball enters the second start port 14 and wins a big game, the probability state of the gaming machine 1 may be shifted to the high probability state. Becomes higher.

  Next, the gaming state control unit 54 controls gaming states other than the special gaming state described above, and controls the special symbol display on the special symbol display 22a based on the result of the jackpot determination by the jackpot determination unit 52. At the same time, it is a control unit that advances the game by causing the effect control board 33 to perform a symbol variation effect linked with the variation display of the special symbol. The gaming state control unit 54 controls the progress of a game in the low probability gaming state when the winning probability of the jackpot by the jackpot determination unit 52 is low after the special game ends. And a high-probability gaming state control unit 57 that controls the progress of the game in the high-probability gaming state when the big-hitting winning probability by the jackpot determination unit 52 becomes high after the special game ends, And a normal game state control unit 58 that functions after the progress of the game by the low-probability game state control unit 56 or the high-probability game state control unit 57 is completed and controls the progress of the normal game in the low-probability state. doing. Note that the normal gaming state control unit 58 is turned on not only after the progress of the game by the low-probability gaming state control unit 56 or the high-probability gaming state control unit 57 after the special game ends but also when the gaming machine 1 is powered on. Even in the state immediately after.

  The low-probability gaming state control unit 56, the high-probability gaming state control unit 57, and the normal gaming state control unit 58 are connected to the jackpot determination unit 52 in accordance with the jackpot determination performed by the jackpot determination unit 52 in each gaming state. By referring to the variation pattern table 65 based on the determination result and the random numbers (for example, the variation pattern random number and the reach random number) included in the game data acquired by the jackpot determination unit 52 from the holding storage unit 62, the special symbol display 22a The variation time of the special symbol to be performed is determined, and based on the determined variation time, the variation display of the special symbol on the special symbol display 22a is controlled. Then, as the special symbol display on the special symbol display 22a is started, a command is sent to the effect control board 33 in order to perform a symbol variation effect corresponding to the variation time of the special symbol.

  The low-probability gaming state control unit 56 functions when the game ball that has entered the second big prize opening 16 does not pass through the V gate 18 during execution of the special game, and the jackpot determination unit 52 thereafter The winning probability is set to the low probability state, and the progress of the game in the low probability game state is controlled until the special symbol change display is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) after the special game is finished. If the jackpot determination unit 52 does not determine that the jackpot is determined before the special symbol variation display is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times), the progress of the game by the low-probability gaming state control unit 56 ends. Then, the normal game state control unit 58 functions to start the progress of the game in the normal game state.

  The high-probability gaming state control unit 57 functions when a game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 16 passes through the V gate 18 during execution of the special game, and the jackpot determination unit 52 thereafter Is set to the high probability state, and the progress of the game in the high probability game state is controlled until the special symbol variation display is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) after the special game ends. If the jackpot determination unit 52 does not determine that the jackpot is determined before the special symbol variation display is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times), the progress of the game by the high-probability gaming state control unit 57 ends. Then, the normal game state control unit 58 functions to start the progress of the game in the normal game state. When the high-probability gaming state control unit 57 finishes the control for advancing the game and causes the normal gaming state control unit 58 to function, the high-probability gaming state control unit 57 returns the jackpot winning probability in the jackpot determination unit 52 from the high probability state to the low probability state.

  When the special game control unit 53 determines the short-time mode as the game mode after the end of the special game, each of the low probability game state control unit 56 and the high probability game state control unit 57 is a game mode after the end of the special game. Is set to the time reduction mode, and the variation time of the special symbol corresponding to the time reduction mode is determined. On the other hand, when the latent mode is determined as the game mode after the end of the special game by the special game control unit 53, each of the low-probability gaming state control unit 56 and the high-probability gaming state control unit 57 The game mode is set to the latent mode, and the variation time of the special symbol corresponding to the latent mode is determined. Each of the short-time mode and the latent mode is terminated when the gaming control by the low-probability gaming state control unit 56 or the high-probability gaming state control unit 57 is terminated, and thereafter, the normal gaming state control unit 58 performs a normal operation. As the game progresses in the gaming state, the normal mode is entered.

  The specific game state control unit 55 controls an auxiliary game that opens the electric tulip 14a. When the time saving mode is set after the end of the special game, the specific gaming state control unit 55 determines that during the period until the time saving mode ends, based on the normal symbol lottery result than in the normal mode or the latent mode. By frequently driving the electric Chu solenoid 44, the auxiliary tuition is controlled so that the electric tulip 14a is frequently opened to enter a specific game state in which the game ball can easily enter the second starting port 14.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the transition of the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 under the control of the main control board 30 as described above. First, when the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the gaming machine 1 operates in the normal gaming state ST1 in the normal mode. The normal game state ST1 is a state in which the game is advanced with a low probability (normal probability) in which the probability of winning a jackpot is lower than the high probability state. In this normal game state ST1, even when the normal symbol lottery performed by passing the game ball through the through gate 21 is won, the time for the electric tulip 14a to open the second start port 14 is extremely short. There is a low possibility that a game ball will win the start opening 14. Therefore, in the normal game state ST1, the player operates the handle lever 5 so that the game ball launched into the game area of the game board 10 flows down the left area of the center accessory 11 as shown by the arrow F1 in FIG. The game is played with the aim of causing the game ball to enter the first start port 13.

  Then, when a big hit is generated by the game ball entering the first start port 13 in the normal game state ST1 (arrow A1), the gaming machine 1 has the first special game P1, the second special game P2, the third The special game P3, the fourth special game P4, and the fifth special game P5 are executed as a jackpot game (arrow A2). When a special game is started in the gaming machine 1, an open special game is performed in which each of the first big prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16 arranged on the right side of the center accessory 11 is opened in a predetermined round. . Therefore, the player operates the handle lever 5 while the special game is being performed in the gaming machine 1, so that the game ball launched into the game area of the game board 10 is centered as shown by the arrow F <b> 2 in FIG. 1. The game is performed with the aim of causing the game ball to enter the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 by adjusting the right area of the accessory 11 to flow down.

  When the first special game P1 is performed, the subsequent game state is a low-probability game state ST2 in the latent mode. When the second special game P2 is performed, the game ball passes through the V gate 18 during the special game, and the subsequent game state becomes the high probability game state ST3 in the latent mode. Further, when the third special game P3 is performed, the subsequent game state becomes the low-probability game state ST4 in the time-saving mode. Further, when the fourth and fifth special games P4 and P5 are performed, the game state passes through the V gate 18 during the special game, and the subsequent game state becomes the high-probability game state ST5 in the short-time mode. .

  Here, in the low-probability gaming state ST2 and the high-probability gaming state ST3 in the latent mode, even when the normal symbol lottery performed by passing the game ball through the through gate 21 is won, the electric tulip 14a is connected to the second starting port. The time for opening 14 is extremely short, and the possibility that a game ball enters the second starting port 14 is low. Therefore, in the low-probability game state ST2 and the high-probability game state ST3 in the latent mode, the player operates the handle lever 5 to launch the game ball into the game area of the game board 10 as shown by the arrow F1 in FIG. Is adjusted so as to flow down the left area of the center accessory 11, and a game is played with the aim of causing the game ball to enter the first start port 13.

  When a big hit is generated by winning a game ball to the first starting port 13 in the low-probability gaming state ST2 and the high-probability gaming state ST3 in this latent mode (arrow A3), the gaming machine 1 Any one of the special game P1, the second special game P2, the third special game P3, the fourth special game P4, and the fifth special game P5 is executed again as a special game (arrow A2). On the other hand, when the number of changes in the special symbol reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times) without generating a big hit in the low probability gaming state ST2 and the high probability gaming state ST3 in the latent mode, the gaming state is low probability gaming in the latent mode. The state ST2 and the high-probability gaming state ST3 return to the normal gaming state ST1 in the normal mode (arrow A4). In this case, when a transition is made from the high-probability gaming state ST3 in the latent mode to the normal gaming state ST1 in the normal mode, the probability of winning the jackpot in the jackpot determination returns from the high-probability state to the low-probability state.

  On the other hand, in the low-probability gaming state ST4 and the high-probability gaming state ST5 in the short-time mode, when the normal symbol lottery performed by the game ball passing through the through gate 21 is won, the electric tulip 14a frequently moves the second start port 14. In addition, the game ball is opened for a long time, so that the game ball can easily enter the second start port 14. Therefore, in the low-probability gaming state ST4 and the high-probability gaming state ST5 in the short-time mode, the player operates the handle lever 5 to launch into the gaming area of the gaming board 10 as shown by the arrow F2 in FIG. Is adjusted so as to flow down the right area of the center accessory 11, and a game is played with the aim of causing the game ball to enter the second start opening 14 that is frequently opened.

  At this time, when a big hit is generated by a game ball entering the second starting port 14 in the low probability gaming state ST4 and the high probability gaming state ST5 in the short mode (arrow A5), the gaming machine 1 is the fifth special game P5. Is executed as a jackpot game (arrow A6). On the other hand, when the number of changes in the special symbol reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times) without generating a big hit in the low-probability gaming state ST4 and the high-probability gaming state ST5 in the short-time mode, the gaming state is the normal gaming state in the normal mode. Return to ST1 (arrows A4 and A7). In this case, when the transition from the high probability gaming state ST5 in the short-time mode to the normal gaming state ST1 in the normal mode, the probability of winning the jackpot in the jackpot determination returns from the high probability state to the low probability state.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment passes through the special game from the normal game state ST1 in the normal mode, the low probability game state ST2 in the latent mode, the high probability game state ST3 in the latent mode, and the low probability in the short time mode. A transition is made to either the gaming state ST4 or the high-probability gaming state ST5 in the time-saving mode. When a big hit occurs in the low probability gaming state ST4 and the high probability gaming state ST5 in the short time mode, the fifth special game P5 is executed at a very high rate of 100%. Therefore, the player can win the prize without reducing the possession by continuing to win the jackpot repeatedly until the number of changes of the special symbol reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times) in the high-probability gaming state ST5 in the short-time mode. You can increase the sphere.

  On the other hand, in the gaming machine 1 as described above, even if the game ball passes through the V gate 18 during execution of the special game and the probability state after the end of the special game becomes high probability, the change of the special symbol is thereafter performed. If the next jackpot is not won before the number of times reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times), the probability state returns to a low probability, so for the player, there is no profit in the high probability game state. It may return to a low probability without enjoying it. For example, when transitioning to the short-time mode after the end of a special game, the player will enjoy a certain advantage in that the game can proceed without reducing the number of possessions while the short-time mode continues. Can do. However, when shifting to the latent mode after the end of the special game, in the high-probability gaming state ST3 of the latent mode, as in the normal mode, the player must advance the game while reducing the number of possessions, and in the latent mode. In the case where the jackpot is not won, there is a case where the player returns to the low probability without receiving any profit in the high probability gaming state ST3. In the gaming machine 1 in which such a case occurs, even if the game ball passes through the V gate 18 during the special game, the player is not realized that the subsequent jackpot winning probability has shifted to a high probability state. In this way, it is preferable that the willingness of the game is continued by suppressing the discouragement level of the player when the player returns to a low probability without receiving any profit in the high probability state.

  Therefore, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, except for the fifth special game P5, has an open pattern in which the game ball easily passes through the V gate 18 during the special game, and an open pattern in which the game ball does not easily pass through the V gate 18. Matching the total number of rounds that the 1st grand prize opening 15 and the 2nd grand prize opening 16 open long, the special game ends even if only the number of long open rounds where the player can win many prize balls is counted It is impossible to grasp whether the later probability state is a high probability or a low probability.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the opening times of the first big prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16 when the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 are performed. First, FIG. 10A shows opening times in the first and third special games P1 and P3. When the first or third special game P1, P3 is started, a relatively long opening time Ta is set from the first round to the fourth round, and the first big prize opening 15 is opened long. In the fifth round, a relatively short opening time Tb is set, and the second grand prize winning opening 16 is short-opened. Even in the sixth round, a relatively short opening time Tb is set, and the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is short-opened. In this way, in the case of the first or third special game P1, P3, a total of four rounds from the first round to the fourth round are long open rounds, and the other rounds are short open rounds. Therefore, the number of prize balls that a player can acquire during the execution of the first or third special game P1, P3 is substantially the number of prize balls for four rounds.

  Next, FIG. 10B shows the opening times in the second and fourth special games P2 and P4. When the second or fourth special game P2, P4 is started, a relatively long opening time Ta is set from the first round to the third round, and the first big prize opening 15 is opened long. In the fourth round, a relatively short opening time Tb is set, and the first big prize opening 15 is short-opened. Thereafter, in the fifth round, the relatively long opening time Ta is set again, and the second big prize opening 16 is opened long. In the sixth round, a relatively short opening time Tb is set, and the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is short-opened. In this way, in the case of the second or fourth special game P2, P4, a total of 4 rounds including the 3rd round from the 1st round to the 3rd round and the 5th round are long open, and the others The round is a short open round. Therefore, the number of prize balls that a player can acquire during the execution of the second or fourth special game P2, P4 is substantially the number of prize balls for four rounds. In FIG. 10B, the opening time when the first big prize opening 15 is short-circuited is the same as the opening time Tb when the second big prize opening 16 is short-opened in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the opening time when the first big prize opening 15 is short-opened is set to a time longer than the opening time Tb when the second big prize opening 16 is short-opened, or set to a short time. You can also do things.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first big winning opening 15 and the opening pattern in which the game ball can pass through the V gate 18 during the execution of the special game and the release pattern in which the game ball cannot pass through the V gate 18 are provided. Since the number of rounds in which the second big prize opening 16 is long open is matched, even if the player counts the number of rounds that can win a prize ball during the special game, the probability state after the end of the special game is It is impossible to grasp whether the probability is high or low. However, the player can visually check whether the game ball passes through the V gate 18 during the special game to determine whether the probability state after the end of the special game is high or low. It is possible to grasp.

  On the other hand, when the fifth special game P5 is played in the gaming machine 1, all the 16 rounds are long open as described above. Therefore, the number of prize balls that a player can acquire during the execution of the fifth special game P5 is the number of prize balls for 16 rounds. In this way, the number of prize balls that a player can obtain during the execution of the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 is substantially four rounds, whereas in the fifth special game P5, the player has 16 Since the award balls for rounds can be obtained, the special game that is most advantageous to the player among all types of special games is the fifth special game P5. The fifth special game P5 is an exceptional special game in which it is possible to grasp that the probability state after the end of the special game is high by counting the number of rounds in which the player can win the prize ball. ing.

  Next, main operation procedures performed in the main control board 30 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing main operations in the main control board 30. The CPU 30a of the main control board 30 sets a process based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 as a timer interrupt process for a certain period of time (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation, except in special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Repeat every time. When this process is started, the main control board 30 performs a random number update process (step S101), a first start port switch process (step S102), a second start port switch process (step S103), and a gate switch process (step S104). ), Various switch processes (step S105), prize ball process (step S106), special symbol process (step S107), special prize opening process (step S108), normal symbol process (step S109), electric tulip (electric chew) process (Step S110) and the output process (Step S111) are sequentially executed as a series of processes. When the series of processes is completed, the initial value random number update process (Step S112) is repeatedly executed. Thereafter, when time elapses and an interrupt is generated again by the timer, the execution of the processes after the random number update process (step S101) is started again. Thereafter, such processing is repeated.

  In the random number update process (step S101), a process of updating the values of various random numbers such as a jackpot random number, a design random number, a variation pattern random number, and a reach random number stored in the game data storage unit 61 of the RAM 30c is performed. In the first start port switch process (step S102), the game data acquisition unit 51 described above monitors the state of the first start port switch 41, and the game ball that has entered the first start port 13 passes through a predetermined area. Thus, when the first start port switch 41 is turned on, processing for acquiring game data from the game data storage unit 61 is performed. In the second start port switch process (step S103), the game data acquisition unit 51 described above monitors the state of the second start port switch 42, and the game ball that has entered the second start port 14 passes through a predetermined area. Thus, when the second start port switch 42 is turned on, processing for acquiring game data from the game data storage unit 61 is performed. In the gate switch process (step S104), the specific game state control unit 55 monitors the state of the through gate switch 43, and a normal symbol is displayed when the game ball passes through the through gate 21 and the through gate switch 43 is turned on. In order to draw a lottery, a process of obtaining a normal symbol random number is performed. In the various switch processes (step S105), a process of inputting signals from all other switches (for example, a prize winning switch) is performed. In the winning ball process (step S106), a process of counting the number of winnings in various winning ports and setting a winning ball command based on the counted value is performed. In the special symbol process (step S107), a big hit determination process by the jackpot determination unit 52, the special game control unit 53 and the game state control unit 54, a special symbol change process based on the jackpot determination result, and the like are performed. In the special prize opening process (step S108), the operation of the opening special game for opening the first big prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16 is controlled. In the normal symbol process (step S109), the specific game state control unit 55 performs a normal symbol variation and a process associated with the symbol variation. In the electric tulip process (step S110), the opening / closing operation control of the electric tulip 14a by the specific game state control unit 55 is performed. In the output process (step S111), a process of outputting a control command, game data, and the like from the main control board 30 to each of the payout control board 32 and the effect control board 33 is performed. The commands and data to be output to each substrate are generated in each process of steps S102 to S110 and are set in advance in the RAM 30c. Therefore, in this output process, the commands and data set in the RAM 30c are read and output. In the initial value random number update process (step S112), initial values of various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, variation pattern random numbers, reach random numbers stored in the game data storage unit 61 are updated.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the first start port switch process (step S102 in FIG. 11) and the second start port switch process (step S103 in FIG. 11). First, as shown in FIG. 12A, in the first start port switch process (step S102), it is determined whether or not a game ball has won the first start port 13 and the first start port switch 41 is turned on. (Step S201). If the first start port switch 41 is not turned on, the first start port switch process is terminated. If the first start port switch 41 is on, it is determined whether or not the number of holds U1 stored in the hold memory area for the first start port of the hold storage unit 62 is less than the upper limit (step S202). . In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holdings U1 has reached the upper limit (NO in step S202), the number of holdings cannot be increased any more, and the first start port switch process is terminated. On the other hand, if the hold number U1 is less than the upper limit value (YES in step S202), the value of the hold number U1 is incremented by 1 (step S203). Then, game data obtained by winning the first start port 13 is read from the game data storage unit 61, and various random number values included in the game data are stored in the hold memory area for the first start port of the hold storage unit 62. (Step S204). Depending on the value of the jackpot random number read out at this time, it is determined whether the jackpot is “losing” or “lost”. In the case of “big hit”, the type of special game to be played as the big hit game is determined by the value of the read design random number. In the case of “losing”, whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined based on the read reach random number value. Then, the main control board 30 sets game data including various read random numbers as game data for transmission for transmitting to the effect control board 33 (step S205). The transmission game data set at this time is given information indicating that it is game data acquired by winning the first start port 13. When the game data setting is completed, the first start port switch process is terminated.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, in the second start port switch process (step S103 in FIG. 8), whether a game ball has won the second start port 14 and the second start port switch 42 has been turned on. It is determined whether or not (step S301). If the second start port switch 42 is not turned on, the second start port switch process is terminated. If the second start port switch 42 is on, it is determined whether or not the number of holds U2 stored in the hold storage area for the second start port of the hold storage unit 62 is less than the upper limit value (step S302). . In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holdings U2 has reached the upper limit (NO in step S302), the number of holdings cannot be increased any more, so the second start port switch process is terminated. On the other hand, when the hold number U2 is less than the upper limit value (YES in step S302), 1 is added to the value of the hold number U2 (step S303). Then, game data obtained by winning the second start port 14 is read from the game data storage unit 61, and various random number values included in the game data are stored in the hold memory area for the second start port of the hold storage unit 62. (Step S304). Based on the values of the various random numbers read at this time, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit, and in the case of a loss, whether or not a reach effect is performed. Then, the main control board 30 sets game data including various read random numbers as transmission game data for transmitting to the effect control board 33 (step S305). The transmission game data set at this time is given information indicating that it is game data acquired by winning the second starting port 14. When the game data setting is completed, the second start port switch process is terminated.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the gate switch process (step S104 in FIG. 11). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the through gate 21 and the through gate switch 43 is turned on (step S401). If the through gate switch 43 is not turned on, the gate switch process is terminated. If the through gate switch 43 is on, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery holding number G is less than the upper limit value (step S402). In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reservations G has reached the upper limit (NO in step S402), the number of reservations cannot be increased any more, and the gate switch process is terminated. On the other hand, when the reserved number G is less than the upper limit value (YES in step S402), 1 is added to the value of the reserved number G (step S403). Then, the normal symbol random number for the normal symbol lottery when the game ball passes through the through gate 21 is read, and the random number value is stored in the RAM 103 (step S404). Note that the random symbol value read at this time determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery due to the game ball passing through the through gate 21 is successful.

  Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol process (step S107 in FIG. 11). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is a jackpot game (special game) (step S501). If the jackpot game is in progress, the special symbol processing cannot be performed until the jackpot game (special game) is finished, so the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation processing (step) YES in S501). On the other hand, if it is not a jackpot game (NO in step S501), the main control board 30 determines whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is displaying a variation of a special symbol (step S502). When the special symbol variation display is not in progress (NO in step S502), it is determined whether or not the number of holdings U2 is 1 or more (step S503). When the holding number U2 is 1 or more (YES in step S503), the main control board 30 reads the game data stored first in the holding storage area for the second start port of the holding storage unit 62 (step S504). ), 1 is subtracted from the value of the holding number U2 (step S505). Then, the other reserved storage areas stored in the reserved storage area for the second start port are sequentially shifted (step S506).

  On the other hand, when the hold number U2 is 0 (NO in step S503), the main control board 30 determines whether or not the hold number U1 is 1 or more (step S507). When the holding number U1 is 1 or more (YES in step S507), the main control board 30 reads out the game data stored first in the holding storage area for the first start port of the holding storage unit 62 (step S508). ), 1 is subtracted from the value of the holding number U1 (step S509). Then, the other reserved storage areas stored in the reserved storage area for the first start port are shifted (step S510). In addition, when the number of holds U1 is 0 (NO in step S507), it means that there is no hold based on winning in the first start port 13 or the second start port 14 which is a condition for determining the jackpot, so a special symbol The process is terminated without starting the fluctuation display.

  When the game data is read out in any one of step S504 and step S508, the process proceeds to the process for determining the jackpot based on the read game data (steps S511 to S517). That is, the main control board 30 first determines whether or not the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability state (step S511), and if it is a high probability state, selects and reads the high probability determination table. (Step S512) If not in the high probability state, the determination table for low probability is selected and read (Step S513). Then, the main control board 30 executes a jackpot determination process for determining whether or not to play a jackpot game as a special game advantageous to the player (step S514). In this jackpot determination process (step S514), whether or not the jackpot is determined is determined based on the jackpot random number included in the game data read in step S504 or S508, and a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner according to the determination result. The variation time is determined. The details of the jackpot determination process will be described later.

  After performing the jackpot determination process (step S514), the main control board 30 controls the effect of the symbol variation effect including the variation display of the decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c corresponding to the variation time determined in the jackpot determination process. A change start command for causing the substrate 33 to execute is set in the RAM 30c (step S516). Then, the main control board 30 starts the special symbol variation display on the special symbol indicator 22a (step S516), and starts the variation time measurement in order to continue the variation display until the variation time elapses (step S516). S517).

  On the other hand, when the variation of the special symbol is being displayed in step S502 (YES in step S502), the main control board 30 determines whether or not the variation time has ended (step S518). Here, it is determined whether or not the variation time measured in step S517 has reached the variation time determined in the jackpot determination process (step S514) when the special symbol variation display is started. If the variation time has not ended (NO in step S518), the special symbol variation display is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the variation time has ended (YES in step S518), the main control board 30 sets a variation stop command for stopping the variation effect performed by the effect control board 33 in the RAM 30c ( Step S519). Then, the special symbol change display on the special symbol display 22a is stopped at the stop symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination (step S520), and the measured change time is reset (step S521). Then, the main control board 30 executes a stop process (step S522). The details of the stop process will be described later.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the jackpot determination process (step S514 in FIG. 14). When this processing is started, the main control board 30 determines whether or not the jackpot random number included in the game data is a jackpot based on the table selected in step S512 or S513 in FIG. 14 (step S541). If the jackpot is won (YES in step S542), the open pattern table 64 is referenced based on the design random number (step S543), and the type of special game to be played as a jackpot game is determined (step S544). When determining the design random number, the design random number to be determined is a random number read from the reserved storage area for the first start opening, and read from the reserved storage area for the second start opening. The table to be referenced differs depending on whether it is a random number. In the case of the symbol random number read from the reserved memory area for the first start port, any one of the first to fifth special games P1 to P5 is determined by the determination in step S544. Further, in the case of the symbol random number read from the reserved area for the second start port, the fifth special game P5 is determined by the determination in step S544. When the type of special game is determined, the main control board 30 sets a special symbol corresponding to the jackpot as a stop symbol to be stopped after the special symbol variation display (step S545). Subsequently, the main control board 30 refers to the jackpot variation pattern table from the variation pattern table 65 of the ROM 30b (step S546), and determines the variation time of the symbol based on the variation pattern random number (step S547). Thereafter, the main control board 30 preliminarily sets an opening pattern for opening the first big prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16 in the special gaming state that occurs based on the type of the special game determined in step S544. It is set (step S548).

  If the jackpot is not won (NO in step S542), the main control board 30 sets a lost symbol based on the symbol random number as a stop symbol to be stopped after the special symbol variation display (step S549). Then, the reach random number is determined to determine whether or not the reach effect is to be performed (step S550). When the reach effect is to be performed, the main control board 30 refers to the reach variation pattern table from the variation pattern table 65 of the ROM 30b ( In step S551), a symbol variation time is determined based on a variation pattern random number, a reach random number, or the like (step S552).

  On the other hand, when the reach effect is not performed (NO in step S550), it is determined whether or not the time reduction mode is being performed (step S553). When in the time reduction mode, the main control board 30 refers to the time reduction mode variation pattern table from the variation pattern table 65 of the ROM 30b (step S554), and determines the symbol variation time based on the variation pattern random number, the reach random number, or the like. (Step S555). It should be noted that during the time reduction mode, it is easier to determine a time when the special symbol variation time is shorter than in the other modes.

  If it is not in the time reduction mode (NO in step S553), the main control board 30 determines whether or not it is in the latent mode (step S556). When in the latent mode, the main control board 30 refers to the latent mode variation pattern table from the variation pattern table 65 of the ROM 30b (step S557), and determines the variation time of the symbol based on the variation pattern random number, the reach random number, or the like. (Step S558).

  Further, if it is not in the latent mode (NO in step S556), the main control board 30 refers to the normal variation pattern table from the variation pattern table 65 of the ROM 30b (step S559) and is stored in the holding storage unit 62. The number of holdings (for example, the value of the holding number U1 stored in the holding storage area for the first start port) is confirmed (step S560). Then, the main control board 30 determines the symbol variation time set in the normal variation pattern table based on the variation pattern random number, the reach random number, and the number of reservations (step S561). For example, when the number of holdings is larger than a predetermined number, the variation time that is relatively shorter than usual is determined in order to efficiently digest the variation display of the special symbol. This is the end of the jackpot determination process (step S514).

  Next, FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the stop process (step S522 in FIG. 14). In this process, after the change display of the special symbol is stopped, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is shifted to the jackpot game (special game), or the low probability gaming state ST2, ST4 or the high probability gaming state in the latent mode or the short time mode. A process of shifting ST3 and ST5 to the normal gaming state ST1 and returning the probability of winning the jackpot from the high probability state to the low probability state is performed. When the stop process is started, the main control board 30 determines whether or not a jackpot has occurred (step S571). If a jackpot has occurred (YES in step S571), the jackpot corresponding to the type of the special game is determined. A game (special game) is set (step S572). A jackpot start command is set in the RAM 30c in order to cause the stage control board 33 to perform a stage corresponding to the jackpot game (special game) (step S573). Thereafter, the main control board 30 starts executing a special game as a jackpot game (step S574).

  If the main control board 30 determines that no jackpot game is to be generated (NO in step S571), the main control board 30 determines whether the current game mode is the time reduction mode or the latent mode (step S575). As a result, when the time reduction mode or the latent mode is selected (YES in step S575), the main control board 30 decrements the count value SC, which is the remaining number of times of the special symbol variation display for continuing the time reduction mode or the latent mode, by 1. (Step S576), it is determined whether or not the count value SC has become 0 (step S577). As a result, when the count value SC is not 0, the gaming state in the time reduction mode or the latent mode continues, and thus the in-stop process is terminated. When count value SC becomes 0 (YES in step S577), main control board 30 determines whether or not the current probability state is a high probability state (step S578). The probability state is changed and set to the low probability state (step S579). If the current probability state is not a high probability state, the process skips without performing step S579. Then, the main control board 30 ends the operation state of the low-probability gaming state control unit 56 or the high-probability gaming state control unit 57 in the short-time mode or the latent mode, and starts the operation of the normal gaming state control unit 58 to change the gaming state. Return to the normal gaming state ST1 (step S580).

  If the main control board 30 determines that the current game mode is not the time reduction mode or the latent mode but the normal mode (NO in step S575), then the main control board 30 ends the process without performing any special process. This is the end of the stop process (step S522).

  Next, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are flowcharts showing details of the special prize opening process (step S108 in FIG. 11). In this process, the opening / closing operations of the first big prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16 after the big hit game (special game) is started are controlled. The main control board 30 determines whether or not the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a jackpot game (special game) (step S601). When it is not in the big hit game (NO in step S601), the opening / closing operation of the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is not performed, so the big prize opening process is ended. On the other hand, when the jackpot game is in progress (YES in step S601), the main control board 30 is in the opening operation of the jackpot game started by the gaming machine 1 in the stop process (step S574 in FIG. 16). It is determined whether or not (step S602). When the gaming machine 1 is in the opening operation (YES in step S602), the main control board 30 determines whether or not a predetermined time for opening operation (opening time) has elapsed (step S603). . If the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S603), the opening operation is continued, and the big prize opening process is terminated.

  When the opening time has elapsed (YES in step S603), the main control board 30 adds 1 to the current round value R that opens the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 (step S603). S604). The round value R is initialized to 0 at the time of occurrence of the jackpot, and becomes a round value to be performed this time by adding 1 in step S604. Then, the main control board 30 confirms the preset opening pattern (step S605), and opens the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 in the current round R defined in the opening pattern. Time is set (step S606). Then, the main control board 30 opens one of the first big prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16 corresponding to the current round R (step S607). When the first grand prize winning port 15 or the second grand prize winning port 16 is opened, the main control board 30 starts the measurement operation of the opening time set in step S606.

  Then, the main control board 30 determines whether or not the V gate switch 50 has detected the passing of the game ball (step S608), and if the V gate switch 50 has detected the passing of the game ball, the V gate passing command is determined. Is set in the RAM 30c (step S609). If the V gate switch 50 has not detected the passing of the game ball, the process of step S609 is skipped.

  Next, the main control board 30 determines whether or not the opening time set in step S606 has elapsed since the opening of the special winning opening (step S610), and if the opening time has not elapsed (in step S610). In step S611, it is determined whether or not a predetermined upper limit number of game balls have been won through the open big winning opening. As a result, when the opening time has not elapsed and the number of winning prizes has not reached the upper limit (NO in step S611), the opening state of the big prize opening continues, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated. .

  On the other hand, when the opening time has elapsed (YES in step S610), or when the number of winning prizes to the big prize opening reaches the upper limit (YES in step S611), the main control board 30 is currently open. The first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is closed (step S612). Then, it is determined whether or not the current round R is a value indicating the final round (for example, 16) (step S613). If it is not the final round (NO in step S613), since the big hit game continues, the big prize winning process is terminated as it is.

  If the current round R is the final round (YES in step S613), the main control board 30 executes the processing from step S614 onward to end the jackpot game. That is, the main control board 30 resets the current round value R to 0 (step S614), and determines whether or not the game ball has passed through the V gate 18 during the jackpot game (special game) (step S615). ). If the game ball has passed the V gate 18 (YES in step S615), the main control board 30 sets a high probability state as the jackpot winning probability in the subsequent jackpot determination (step S616). On the other hand, when the game ball does not have the V gate 18 (YES in step S615), the main control board 30 does not perform the process of step S616, and the probability of winning the jackpot in the subsequent jackpot determination is low. State.

  Thereafter, the main control board 30 determines whether or not to shift to the time reduction mode (step S617), and sets the time reduction mode when shifting to the time reduction mode (step S618). If the mode is not the time-saving mode but the mode is shifted to the latent mode, the latent mode is set (step S619). The main control board 30 sets the count value SC of the number of remaining fluctuations of the special symbol in the time reduction mode or the latent mode to 100 (step S620).

  Then, the main control board 30 starts measuring the time for ending the jackpot game (step S621), and determines whether or not the ending has ended (step S622). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the ending was started, it is determined that the ending has not been completed (NO in step S622), and the big prize opening process is terminated. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of ending, it is determined that the ending has ended (YES in step S622), and a jackpot end command is set on the effect control board 33 to end the jackpot game effect ( In step S623), the jackpot game is terminated (step S624).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S602 that the gaming machine 1 is not opening (NO in step S602), the process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. 18, and the main control board 30 determines whether the first grand prize port 15 or the second grand prize port. It is determined whether or not 16 is open (step S651). If it is open (YES in step S651), the processing from step S608 shown in FIG. 17 is executed. If not open (NO in step S651), it is determined whether or not the gaming machine 1 is ending a big hit game (step S652). If the ending is in progress (YES in step S652), the processes in and after step S622 shown in FIG. 17 are executed. If the ending is not in progress (NO in step S652), the elapsed time after the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is closed has passed a predetermined interval (interval time) of each round. Whether or not (step S653). If the interval time has not elapsed (NO in step S653), it is not the timing for carrying out the next round yet, so the big prize opening process is terminated. On the other hand, when the interval time has elapsed (YES in step S653), the processing after step S604 shown in FIG. 17 is executed to perform the next round.

  When a big win game (special game) is started in the gaming machine 1 by the above-described special prize opening process, the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is used in an open pattern according to the type of the special game. A round for releasing is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 rounds). When the special game ends, either the high probability state or the low probability state is set depending on whether or not the game ball has passed through the V gate 18.

  Next, FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the normal symbol processing (step S109 in FIG. 11). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is an auxiliary game (step S701). Here, during the auxiliary game, it means that the normal symbol lottery is won and the electric tulip 14a is being opened. If the auxiliary game is being performed (YES in step S701), the main control board 30 ends the normal symbol process without starting the normal symbol variation. If it is not in an auxiliary game (NO in step S701), it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is displaying a normal symbol variation (step S702). If the normal symbol is not being variably displayed (NO in step S702), the main control board 30 determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery holding number G is 1 or more (step S703). If the number of holds G is 0 (NO in step S703), it means that there is no game ball passing to the through gate 21 which is a condition for normal symbol lottery, so that the normal symbol variation display is not started. Normal symbol processing ends.

  On the other hand, when the holding number G is 1 or more (YES in step S703), the main control board 30 reads game data (normal symbol random number) corresponding to the earliest holding (step S704), and the holding number G 1 is subtracted by 1 (step S705), and the storage area storing other hold is shifted (step S706). Then, the main control board 30 determines whether or not the normal symbol random number read from the hold is a predetermined winning value, and determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won (step S707). When the normal symbol lottery is won (YES in step S707), the main control board 30 sets a symbol (winning symbol) indicating that the normal symbol lottery is won in the RAM 103 (step S708). If the normal symbol lottery is not won (NO in step S707), a symbol (losing symbol) indicating that the normal symbol lottery is lost is set in the RAM 103 (step S709).

  Then, the main control board 30 determines whether or not the current game mode of the gaming machine 1 is in the time reduction mode (step S710), and if it is in the time reduction mode (YES in step S710), the normal symbol variation time Is set to a short time (3 seconds in the illustrated example) (step S711). Also, if it is determined that the current game mode is not the time reduction mode but one of the normal mode and the latent mode (NO in step S710), the normal symbol variation time is long (29 seconds in the example). (Step S712). The main control board 30 starts normal symbol variation display on the symbol display 22 based on the variation time set in step S711 or S712 (step S713), and starts measurement operation of the variation time (step S714). ).

  If the normal symbol variation display is in progress (YES in step S702), the main control board 30 determines whether or not the regular symbol variation time has ended (step S715). That is, it is determined whether or not the variation time started in step S714 has reached the variation time set in step S711 or S712. If the variation time has not ended (NO in step S715), the normal symbol variation is continued, so that the normal symbol processing is terminated as it is. When the variation time has ended (YES in step S715), the main control board 30 stops the variation display of the normal symbol and displays the symbol set in step S708 or S709 (step S716). Thereafter, the measured variation time is reset (step S717). Then, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won (step S718), and if it is won (YES in step S718), an auxiliary game for opening the electric tulip 14a is started (step S719). As a result, the gaming state is in the auxiliary game. On the other hand, if the normal symbol lottery is not won (NO in step S718), the normal symbol processing is terminated while the current state of the gaming machine 1 is maintained.

  Next, FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of the electric tulip process (step S110 in FIG. 11 (electric chew process)). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is an auxiliary game (step S801). When the auxiliary game is not being performed (NO in step S801), the electric tulip 14a is not opened, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated. When the auxiliary game is being performed (YES in step S801), the main control board 30 determines whether or not the electric tulip 14a is being opened (step S802). If the electric tulip 14a is not being opened (step S802) It is determined whether or not the current game mode is the time reduction mode (NO in step S802) (step S803). If it is the time reduction mode (YES in step S803), the main control board 30 sets the opening time of the electric tulip 14a to a long time (3.5 seconds in the example shown) (step S804). Further, when the mode is not the time reduction mode but one of the normal mode and the latent mode (NO in step S803), the main control board 30 sets the opening time of the electric tulip 14a for a short time (in the case of the example, 0.2 seconds). (Step S805). Then, the main control board 30 opens the electric tulip 14a (step S806) and starts measuring the elapsed time after opening (step S807). On the other hand, if the electric tulip 14a has already been opened (YES in step S802), the processes in steps S803 to S807 are skipped. Thereafter, the main control board 30 determines whether or not the opening time set in step S804 or S805 has elapsed (step S808). If the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S808), the electric tulip 14a Since the open state is continued, the electric tulip process is terminated. If the opening time has elapsed (YES in step S808), the main control board 30 returns the electric tulip 14a to the closed state (step S809), ends the auxiliary game, and ends the electric tulip process (step S810).

  19 and 20, during the time reduction mode, the electric tulip 14a is opened more frequently and for a longer time than the other latent modes and the normal mode, so that the second start port 14 can be opened. Game balls are easier to enter.

  Next, FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the output process (step S111 in FIG. 11). In this process, various data and commands are output from the main control board 30 to the sub-control board 31. First, when the game data for transmission is set, the main control board 30 transmits it to the effect control board 33 (step S901). If the game data for transmission is not set, the transmission process in step S901 is not performed. Next, if the variation start command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 33, and an instruction is given to effect for the time corresponding to the variation time of the special symbol (step S902). Thereby, the fluctuating effect which fluctuates the decorative symbols 12a, 12b and 12c by the effect control board 33 is started. If the change start command is not set, the transmission process in step S902 is not performed. Next, if the change stop command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 33, and the change effect executed by the effect control board 33 is stopped, and whether or not the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot. An instruction for notifying the player of this is given (step S903). If the change stop command is not set, the transmission process in step S903 is not performed. Next, if the jackpot start command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 33, and the start of the effect operation accompanying the start of the jackpot game is instructed (step S904). The jackpot start command transmitted at this time includes information indicating whether the game mode after the jackpot game is the short-time mode or the latent mode. If the jackpot start command is not set, the transmission process in step S904 is not performed. Next, if the V gate passage command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 33 (step S905). If the V gate passage command is not set, the transmission process in step S905 is not performed. Next, if the jackpot end command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 33, and the end of the effect corresponding to the jackpot game is instructed (step S906). If the jackpot end command is not set, the transmission process in step S906 is not performed. Finally, if various other commands are set, each part is controlled by transmitting it to the effect control board 33 and the payout control board 32 (step S907). For example, a prize ball command that accompanies winning of a game ball at various winning openings is transmitted to the payout control board 32 at this time, and the payout control board 32 pays out a prize ball. Thus, the output process ends.

  When the main control board 30 drives the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 to the open state during the big hit game (special game), a signal indicating that the round is advanced in the output process, A signal indicating which round is a long opening or a short opening is transmitted to the effect control board 33.

  Next, the effect control board 33 will be described. The effect control board 33 controls the execution of various effects corresponding to the operation state of the gaming machine 1 controlled by the main control board 30 described above. FIG. 22 is a block diagram schematically showing the main functional configuration of the effect control board 33. As shown in FIG. 22, the CPU 33a of the effect control board 33 functions as a normal game effect control unit 71, a special game effect control unit 72, a latent game effect control unit 74, and a time-short game effect control unit 76, and the main control board 30. It is configured to perform various game effects based on various commands output from.

  First, the special game effect control unit 72 will be described. The special game effect control unit 72 functions as a jackpot game (special game) is started in the gaming machine 1 and controls execution of the special game effect corresponding to the special game. The special game effect control unit 72 displays the current round in the special game on the image display 12 by controlling the image control board 34. As the round progresses during the special game, the special game effect control unit 72 sequentially updates the round display. At this time, the special game effect control unit 72 is configured to update the round display by counting only the rounds in which the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened long.

  The special game effect control unit 72 includes a V gate passage effect unit 73. The V gate passage effect section 73 functions when the special game played on the main control board 30 is the fifth special game P5, and the V gate is transmitted from the main control board 30 during the progress of the fifth special game. When a passing command is received, a V gate passing effect is executed based on the command. However, when the special game played on the main control board 30 is one of the first to fourth special games P1, P2, P3, and P4, the V gate passing effect section 73 does not function. Therefore, even if the special game effect control unit 72 receives a V gate pass command from the main control board 30 during the progress of the second or fourth special game, the V gate pass effect is not executed.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of special game effect processing performed in the special game effect control unit 72. This process is a process repeatedly executed at regular time intervals by the CPU 33a of the effect control board 33, for example. When the special game effect control unit 72 starts this process, it determines whether or not the special game effect is being executed (step S1001). If the special game effect is not being executed (NO in step S1001), the special game effect control unit 72 determines whether or not a jackpot start command has been received (step S1002). Here, when the jackpot start command is not received, it is not necessary to start the special game effect, so the special game effect process is terminated. On the other hand, when the jackpot start command is received (YES in step S1002), the special game effect control unit 72 starts execution of the special game effect corresponding to the type of special game specified by the jackpot start command (step S1002). S1003). For example, two types of effect patterns are prepared in advance as special game effects, and when one of the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 is performed on the main control board 30, one of the two kinds of effect patterns is displayed. The execution of the special game effect based on one effect pattern is started. Therefore, regardless of which of the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 is performed on the main control board 30, the special game effect started to be executed by the special game effect control unit 72 has the same content. . Further, when the fifth special game P5 is performed on the main control board 30, the special game effect control unit 72 starts executing the special game effect based on the other effect pattern. When the execution of the special game effect is started in this way, the special game effect control unit 72 initializes the round value R to 0 (step S1004).

  On the other hand, when the special game effect is being executed (YES in step S1001), the special game effect control unit 72 is the timing at which the first grand prize port 15 or the second grand prize port 16 is opened by the main control board 30. It is determined whether or not (step S1005). If the special winning opening is opened (YES in step S1005), the special game effect control unit 72 determines whether or not the round is a long open round (step S1006). As a result, when the round is long open (YES in step S1006), the special game effect control unit 72 adds 1 to the round value R (step S1007), and adds the current round value R to the image display 12. It is displayed (step S1008). If it is not the timing at which the big prize opening is opened (NO in step S1005), or if the round in which the big prize opening is opened is a short open round (NO in step S1006), the processing of steps S1007 and S1008 Skip.

  Next, the special game effect control unit 72 determines whether or not a V gate passage command has been received from the main control board 30 (step S1009). When the V gate passing command is received (YES in step S1009), the special game effect control unit 72 determines whether or not the special game currently being executed is the fifth special game P5 (step S1010). If it is the fifth special game P5 (YES in step S1010), the special game effect control unit 72 executes the V gate pass effect in response to receiving the V gate pass command (step S1011). On the other hand, when the V gate passage command has not been received (NO in step S1009), or the special game currently being executed is not the fifth special game P5 but the first to fourth special games P1 to P4. If it is either (NO in step S1010), the process of step S1011 is skipped and the V gate passage effect is not performed.

  Subsequently, the special game effect control unit 72 determines whether or not a jackpot end command has been received from the main control board 30 (step S1012). If the jackpot end command has not been received, the special game effect process is terminated in order to continue the special game effect. On the other hand, when the jackpot end command is received (YES in step S1012), the special game effect control unit 72 determines whether or not to shift to the time reduction mode (step S1013). As a result, when shifting to the short time mode (YES in step S1013), the special game effect control unit 72 sets the short time game effect number C1 performed in the short time mode to a predetermined value (for example, 100) (step S1014). Further, when the mode is shifted to the latent mode without shifting to the time-saving mode (NO in step S1013), the special game effect control unit 72 sets the number of latent game effects C2 performed in the latent mode to a predetermined value (for example, 100) (step). S1015). Thereafter, the special game effect control unit 72 ends the special game effect (step S1016).

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a round in which the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened in the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 and the round display in the special game effect.

  First, as shown in FIG. 24 (a), in the first and third special games P1 and P3, the first of the 16 rounds in which the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened. From the first round to the fourth round, the first grand prize opening 15 is opened long. The special game effect control unit 72 updates the round display in the special game effect when the first big prize opening 15 is opened long in the first to fourth rounds. That is, as shown in FIG. 24A, the special game effect control unit 72 displays the round display in the special game effect as the first round in the first round in which the first big prize opening 15 is opened long. The round display in the special game effect is displayed as the second round in the second round in which the first big winning opening 15 is opened long, and the round display in the special game effect is displayed in the third round in which the first big winning opening 15 is opened long. The third round is displayed, and the round display in the special game effect is displayed as the fourth round in the fourth round in which the first grand prize opening 15 is opened long. Since the second grand prize opening 16 and the first grand prize opening 15 are short-circuited after the fifth round, the special game effect control unit 72 does not update the round display in the special game effect. In the fourth round in which the first grand prize opening 15 is opened long, the special game effect control unit 72 may display the round display in the special game effect as the final round.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 24 (b), in the second and fourth special games P2 and P4, the first of the 16 rounds in which the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened. From the first round to the third round, the first big prize opening 15 is opened long, the first big prize opening 15 is opened short in the fourth round, and the second big prize opening 16 is opened long in the fifth round. The special game effect control unit 72 updates the round display in the special game effect when the first grand prize port 15 or the second big prize port 16 is opened long in the first to fifth rounds. That is, as shown in FIG. 24 (b), the special game effect control unit 72 displays the round display in the special game effect as the first round in the first round in which the first big prize opening 15 is opened long. The round display in the special game effect is displayed as the second round in the second round in which the first big winning opening 15 is opened long, and the round display in the special game effect is displayed in the third round in which the first big winning opening 15 is opened long. Display as the third round. In the fourth round in which the first grand prize opening 15 is short-opened, the round display in the special game effect is not updated, and in the fifth round in which the second big prize port 16 is long open, the round display in the special game effect is displayed. Displayed as the fourth round. Since the first grand prize opening 15 and the second grand prize opening 16 are short-circuited after the sixth round, the special game effect control unit 72 does not update the round display in the special game effect. In the fifth round in which the second grand prize opening 16 is opened long, the special game effect control unit 72 may display the round display in the special game effect as the final round.

  In FIG. 24B, the opening time Tb when the first big prize opening 15 is short-opened is longer than the opening time Tb when the second big prize opening 16 is short-opened in FIG. By setting a long time or setting a short time, the timing at which the second big prize opening 16 is long opened in the second and fourth special games P2 and P4 is set to the first and third times. In the special games P1 and P3, it becomes possible to match the timing when the first grand prize opening 16 is long-released in the fourth round, and it is possible to match the performance times of those special game effects. .

  In such special game effects, only the rounds in which the player can substantially win prize balls are counted out of all 16 rounds in which the first grand prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened. Round display. That is, when the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 are performed, the round display in the special game effect performed by the special game effect control unit 72 is performed in common with each other. Therefore, even if any of the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 is performed in the gaming machine 1, the probability state after the end of the special game shifts to a high probability state from such a round display. It is an effect mode in which the player cannot grasp whether or not.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen transition of the image display 12 in the special game effect when the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 are performed. As described above, the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 are special games in which the player can substantially acquire four rounds of prize balls, and the round display displayed on the image display 12 is the first. When four rounds are reached, the fourth round is the final round from which a prize ball can be obtained. When the special game effect control unit 72 starts to execute the special game effects corresponding to the first to fourth special games P1 to P4, the image display device via the image control board 34 as shown in FIG. A special game effect image 12f composed of a live-action image, a character image, or the like is displayed at the center of the 12 screens. In addition, a stop symbol (a jackpot symbol) 12d in a state where three decorative symbols indicating that a jackpot has been arranged is displayed on the upper left of the screen. Further, the special game effect control unit 72 displays a round display 12 e on the upper right of the screen of the image display 12. Then, the special game effect control unit 72 updates the round display 12e with the progress of the special game round. As shown in FIG. 25 (b), when the round display 12e progresses to the fourth round, a round game in which the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened long is performed. At this time, if one of the second and fourth special games P2 and P4 is being executed, the second grand prize winning opening 16 is opened long. Therefore, when one of the second and fourth special games P2 and P4 is being executed, the special game effect control unit 72 performs main control when displaying the screen shown in FIG. A V-gate passing command may be received from the substrate 30. However, even if the V gate passing command is received when any of the second and fourth special games P2 and P4 is being performed, the special game effect control unit 72 receives the V gate passing command. The special process is not performed, and the screen before receiving the V gate passing command is continuously displayed as shown in FIG. Such an effect mode is the same effect mode as the special game effect when any one of the first and third special games P1 and P3 is being performed. In addition, since the number of rounds that are long open is the same for the special game effect production time when the second or fourth special game P2, P4 is performed, the first or third special game P1, P3 is the same. It is basically the same time as the special game production time when it is performed.

  Therefore, even if the player is playing the second or fourth special game P2 or P4 in the gaming machine 1, the player can only watch the special game effect displayed on the image display 12 thereafter. It is impossible to grasp that the probability state of the game has shifted to the high probability state, and there is no excessive expectation on the gaming state after the end of the special game, and there may be a transition to the high probability state Stay in the expectation of Therefore, even if the player wins the high probability game state after the end of the second or fourth special game P2 or P4 without winning a jackpot, even if the player returns to the low probability state, the player's discouragement is suppressed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the player's willingness to play from being significantly reduced.

  On the other hand, even when the first or third special game P1 or P3 is being performed in the gaming machine 1, the player sees the special game effect displayed on the image display 12. It is impossible to grasp whether or not the subsequent probability state has shifted to the high probability state. For this reason, when the special game is over, the player has a certain sense of expectation that the player may have shifted to a high probability state, so that the player's willingness to play can be continued.

  On the other hand, FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen transition of the image display 12 in the special game effect when the fifth special game P5 is performed. In the fifth special game P5, a round game in which the first big prize opening 15 or the second big prize opening 16 is opened long in all 16 rounds is performed. When the special game effect control unit 72 starts to execute the special game effect corresponding to the fifth special game P5, the special game effect control unit 72 is placed at the center of the screen of the image display 12 via the image control board 34 as shown in FIG. A special game effect image 12f composed of a live-action video, a character video, or the like is displayed. In the upper left of the screen, a stop symbol 12d in a state where three decorative symbols indicating that it has been a big hit is displayed. Further, the special game effect control unit 72 displays a round display 12 e on the upper right of the screen of the image display 12. Then, the special game effect control unit 72 updates the round display 12e as the fifth special game P5 progresses. As shown in FIG. 26 (b), when the round display 12e progresses to the fourth round, in the fifth special game P5, the second big prize opening 16 is opened long. Therefore, the special game effect control unit 72 may receive a V gate passage command from the main control board 30 when displaying the screen shown in FIG. Since the fifth special game P5 is a special game for performing the V gate passing effect, the special game effect control unit 72 receives the V gate passing command and, as shown in FIG. The passing effect image 12g is displayed to notify the player that the subsequent probability state becomes a high probability state.

  Therefore, when the fifth special game P5 is performed in the gaming machine 1, the player only looks at the special game effect displayed on the image display 12, and the subsequent probability state shifts to the high probability state. I can understand that. Then, the player has a great sense of expectation in the gaming state after the end of the fifth special game P5, and after the fifth special game P5 has ended, the game in the short-time mode with a great expectation. To progress. In the fifth special game P5, the player can obtain 16 rounds of prize balls, and the number of prize balls that can be obtained during the special game is larger than the other special games P1 to P4. Further, in the time-saving mode after the fifth special game P5 is finished, as described above, the player can advance the game without significantly reducing the number of prize balls obtained in the fifth special game. Therefore, even after the end of the fifth special game P5, even if the player returns to the low probability state without winning a jackpot in the short time mode of the high probability state, Because many prize balls that were won in the special game P5 remain, the player returned to the low probability state without winning a jackpot in the high probability state after the end of the second or fourth special game P2, P4 Compared with, the disappointment of the player is not so great.

  Returning to FIG. 22, next, the normal game effect control unit 71, the latent game effect control unit 74, and the short-time game effect control unit 76 will be described. Each of the normal game effect control unit 71, the latent game effect control unit 74, and the short-time game effect control unit 76 controls the execution of the symbol change effect based on the change start command received from the main control board 30. That is, when each of the control units 71, 74, 76 receives a variation start command from the main control board 30, the symbol variation effect corresponding to the special symbol variation display performed on the main control board 30 based on the variation start command. Each of the image control board 34 and the lamp control board 35 is controlled to perform the above. When the change stop command is received from the main control board 30, the design change effect is stopped and the three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c are displayed in a stop design corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination.

  Here, the normal game effect control unit 71 functions when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the normal game state ST1, and controls the execution of the symbol variation effect in the normal game state ST1. That is, the normal game effect control unit 71 receives a change start command from the main control board 30 and displays a symbol change effect corresponding to the special symbol change display performed on the main control board 30 in a normal effect mode. Control to do. In addition, a normal production mode is a mode which suggests that the winning probability of jackpot is low for the player.

  When the effect control by the normal game effect control unit 71 is performed, if the symbol variation effect stops at the jackpot symbol and a jackpot is generated, the effect control board 33 receives the jackpot start command received from the main control board 30. The production control is transferred from the normal game production control unit 71 to the special game production control unit 72.

  The latent game effect control unit 74 functions when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the latent mode, and controls the execution of the symbol variation effect in each of the low probability game state ST2 and the high probability game state ST3 in the latent mode. . The latent game effect control unit 74 includes an unknown indication effect execution unit 75. This unknown indication execution part 75 is the first start opening after the first opening special game corresponding to the first special game P1 is performed by winning the hold that won the first start opening 13 and winning the jackpot. It functions after the winning that is won to 13 is won and the second open special game corresponding to the second special game P2 is performed, and the low probability game state control unit 56 on the main control board 30 performs the low probability game state. When the game is controlled in ST2, or when the game is controlled in the high probability game state ST3 by the high probability game state control unit 57, in which game state the game is controlled, the player It controls the execution of an unknown game effect that is not explicitly shown in FIG. That is, the unknown presentation effect execution unit 75 is a mode different from the normal performance mode in which the symbol variation production in the latent mode corresponding to the variation display of the special symbol performed on the main control board 30 is performed. It controls to perform in the production mode which does not clearly indicate the winning probability of jackpot.

  When the effect control by the latent game effect control unit 74 is being performed, if the symbol variation effect stops at the jackpot symbol and a jackpot is generated, the effect control board 33 receives the jackpot start command received from the main control board 30. The production control is transferred from the latent game production control unit 74 to the special game production control unit 72. In addition, when the symbol variation effect by the latent game effect control unit 74 is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) after the first or second special game P1, P2 is finished, Subsequent production control on the production control board 33 moves from the latent game production control unit 74 to the normal game production control unit 71.

  The short-time game effect control unit 76 functions when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in the short-time mode, and controls the execution of the symbol variation effect in each of the low-probability game state ST4 and the high-probability game state ST5 in the short-time mode. . At this time, the short game effect control unit 76 includes an unknown effect execution unit 77 and an explicit effect execution unit 78.

  The unspecified performance execution unit 77 wins the first winning opening 13 after the first winning special game corresponding to the third special game P3 is performed by winning the hold that won the first starting opening 13 and winning the jackpot. The function is performed after the second winning special game corresponding to the fourth special game P4 is performed by winning the winning prize winning in the main control board 30, and the low probability game state ST4 is operated by the low probability game state control unit 56 on the main control board 30. When the game is controlled in the game, or when the game is controlled in the high probability game state ST5 by the high probability game state control unit 57, it is determined to which player the game is controlled. It controls the execution of an unspecified game effect that is not explicitly shown. In other words, the unknown indication effect execution unit 77 is a mode different from the normal effect mode in the time variation mode symbol change effect corresponding to the special symbol change display performed on the main control board 30, and It controls to perform in the production mode which does not clearly indicate the winning probability of jackpot. It should be noted that the performance mode of the unknown game effect performed by the unknown game performance execution unit 77 is another effect that is further different from the performance mode of the unknown game effect performed by the unknown game performance execution unit 75 of the latent game performance control unit 74. It is preferable to set it as an aspect.

  On the other hand, in the explicit effect execution unit 78, the second opening special game corresponding to the fifth special game P5 is performed by winning the holding that won the first starting port 13 or the second starting port 14 in a big hit. It functions later, and controls the execution of an explicit game effect that clearly indicates to the player that the game is controlled in the high probability game state ST5 by the high probability game state control unit 57 on the main control board 30. That is, upon receiving the variation start command from the main control board 30, the explicit effect execution unit 78 generates a time variation mode symbol variation effect corresponding to the special symbol variation display performed on the main control board 30 based on the variation start command. The control is performed so as to be performed in an effect mode that is different from the normal effect mode and clearly indicates that the winning probability of the jackpot is a high probability state for the player.

  At this time, when the effect control by the short game effect control unit 76 is being performed, if the symbol variation effect stops at the jackpot symbol and a jackpot occurs, the effect control board 33 receives the jackpot start command received from the main control board 30. The production control shifts from the short-time game production control unit 76 to the special game production control unit 72. In addition, a big hit is not made between the end of the third, fourth or fifth special game P3, P4 and P5 until the symbol variation effect by the short-time game effect control unit 76 is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). In the case of the game control, the subsequent effect control on the effect control board 33 moves from the time-saving game effect control unit 76 to the normal game effect control unit 71.

  FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure of the symbol variation effect process performed by each of the normal game effect control unit 71, the latent game effect control unit 74, and the short-time game effect control unit 76. This process is also a process that is repeatedly executed at regular time intervals such as several milliseconds by the CPU 33a of the effect control board 33, for example. When starting the process, the effect control board 33 determines whether or not the symbol variation effect is being executed (step S1101). If the symbol variation effect is not being executed (NO in step S1101), the effect control board 33 determines whether a variation start command has been received (step S1102). Here, when the variation start command is not received, it is not necessary to start the symbol variation effect, and thus the symbol variation effect process is terminated. On the other hand, when the change start command is received (YES in step S1102), the effect control board 33 starts executing the symbol change effect corresponding to the change time designated by the change start command (step S1103).

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure when starting the symbol variation effect. At the start of the symbol variation effect, the effect control board 33 determines whether or not the number of time-short game effects C1 to be performed in the time-saving mode is 1 or more (step S1201). When the time-short game effect count C1 is 1 or more (YES in step S1201), the time-short game effect control unit 76 operates on the effect control board 33, and the V-gate passing effect is generated during the special game before the time-short mode is started. It is determined whether it has been executed (step S1202). Based on this determination, it is determined whether or not the special game before the time reduction mode is started is the fifth special game P5, and it is determined whether or not the explicit game effect that clearly indicates the probability state is performed. If the V-gate passing effect is being executed during the special game (YES in step S1202), the explicit effect executing unit 78 operates in the time-saving game effect control unit 76. Based on the change start command received from the main control board 30, the explicit effect execution unit 78 determines an effect pattern for high-probability time / short effect (an explicit game effect effect pattern) (step S 1203), and determines the determined effect pattern. Based on this, the symbol variation effect is started in such a manner that the player is clearly informed of the high probability state (step S1204). On the other hand, when the V gate passage effect is not executed during the special game (NO in step S1202), the unknown time effect execution unit 77 operates in the time-saving game effect control unit 76. In this case, based on the change start command received from the main control board 30, the unknown indication effect execution unit 77 determines an effect pattern for a normal short-time effect (an effect pattern for an unknown indication game effect) that does not clearly indicate the jackpot winning probability. (Step S1205), based on the determined effect pattern, a symbol variation effect is started in a mode in which the probability state is not clearly shown to the player (Step S1206). Then, the short time game effect control unit 76 decrements the short time game effect number C1 by 1 (step S1207), and ends the symbol variation effect start processing.

  If the short-time game effect count C1 performed in the short-time mode is 0 (NO in step S1201), the effect control board 33 determines whether or not the latent game effect count C2 performed in the latent mode is 1 or more ( Step S1208). When the number of latent game effects C2 is 1 or more (YES in step S1208), the latent game effect control unit 74 operates on the effect control board 33, and the unknown effect effect execution unit 75 functions. Then, based on the change start command received from the main control board 30, the unknown indication effect execution unit 75 determines an effect pattern for the hidden effect (the effect pattern of the unknown indication game effect) that does not clearly indicate the jackpot winning probability (step S1209). ), A symbol variation effect is started in a mode in which the probability state is not clearly indicated to the player based on the determined effect pattern (step S1210). Then, the latent game effect control unit 74 decrements the latent game effect number C2 by 1 (step S1211), and ends the symbol variation effect start process.

  Further, when the number of latent game effects C2 performed in the latent mode is 0 (NO in step S1208), the normal game effect control unit 71 operates on the effect control board 33. Then, based on the change start command received from the main control board 30, the normal game effect control unit 71 determines an effect pattern for the normal game state performed in the normal game state ST1 (step S1212), and based on the determined effect pattern. The symbol variation effect in the normal effect mode is started (step S1213), and the symbol variation effect start process is ended. The symbol variation effect is being executed by the symbol variation effect start process as described above.

  Returning to FIG. 27, when the symbol variation effect is being executed in step S1101 (YES in step S1101), the effect control board 33 determines whether or not a variation stop command has been received (step S1104). If the variation start command has not been received (NO in step S1104), it is not necessary to stop the symbol variation effect, and the symbol variation effect process is terminated. On the other hand, when the change stop command is received (YES in step S1104), the effect control board 33 stops the currently executing symbol change effect based on the change stop command and displays the result of the jackpot determination (step S1105). ). Thus, the symbol variation effect process ends.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an aspect of the symbol variation effect performed by the symbol variation effect process as described above. When the symbol variation effect is performed in the normal game state ST1, as shown in FIG. 29 (a), the three display symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c are displayed in a normal rendering manner on the image display 12. The symbol variation display in the normal effect mode suggests that the player has a low probability of winning the jackpot.

  In addition, after the first or second special game P1, P2 is performed in the gaming machine 1, when the game mode shifts to the latent mode, the game state is either the low probability game state ST2 or the high probability game state ST3. In addition, an unknown game effect as shown in FIG. 29B is performed. For example, in the unillustrated game effect shown in FIG. 29B, a screen with a background different from the normal effect mode is displayed on the image display 12, and three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c are displayed on the front side of the background. Is done. That is, in both the low-probability gaming state ST2 and the high-probability gaming state ST3, as shown in FIG. 29 (b), the symbol variation effect is performed in the common effect mode as the latent mode. Therefore, for a player who has not confirmed whether or not the game ball has passed the V gate 18 during the jackpot game, in the symbol variation effect shown in FIG. 29B, in either the low probability state or the high probability state I can't figure out if there is. This prevents the player from having an excessively high expectation after the end of the jackpot, so even if the player returns to a low probability state without winning a jackpot in the latent mode of the high probability state, The degree of discouragement can be kept small. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player's willingness to play from being reduced.

  In addition, after the third or fourth special game P3, P4 is performed in the gaming machine 1, when the game mode shifts to the short-time mode, the game state is either the low probability game state ST4 or the high probability game state ST5. Also, the unknown game effect as shown in FIG. 29 (c) is performed. For example, in the unillustrated game effect of FIG. 29 (c), a background screen different from the above-described two effect modes is displayed on the image display 12, and three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c are displayed on the front side of the background. Fluctuation display is performed. That is, in both the low-probability gaming state ST4 and the high-probability gaming state ST5, as shown in FIG. 29 (c), the symbol variation effect is performed in the same effect mode as the time reduction mode. Therefore, for a player who has not confirmed whether or not the game ball has passed the V gate 18 during the jackpot game, in the symbol variation effect shown in FIG. 29 (c), in either the low probability state or the high probability state I can't figure out if there is. This prevents the player from having an excessively high expectation after the jackpot, so even if the player returns to a low-probability state without winning a jackpot in the short-time mode of the high-probability state, The degree of discouragement can be kept small. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player's willingness to play from being reduced. In the screen example shown in FIG. 29 (c), for example, three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c are displayed in a state in which the time-short mode display 12h indicating that the time-short mode is in effect is added to the right corner of the image display device 12. Is displayed. Therefore, the player can grasp that the time reduction mode is in progress.

  Furthermore, after the fifth special game P5 is performed in the gaming machine 1, when the game mode shifts to the short-time mode, for example, a high probability is present at the lower part of the screen of the image display 12 as shown in FIG. 29 (d). The three decorative symbols 12a, 12b, and 12c are displayed in a variable manner with the high probability display 12i indicating. In the screen example of FIG. 29D, as in FIG. 29C, a time reduction mode display 12h indicating that the time reduction mode is in effect is added to the right corner of the screen of the image display 12, for example. Therefore, the player can grasp that the time reduction mode is in the high probability state.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a period in which the symbol variation effect in the latent mode is continued by the latent game effect control unit 74. FIG. 30A shows the game control by the high probability game state control unit 57 in the latent mode. (B) shows the symbol variation effect when the game control is performed by the low probability gaming state control unit 56 in the latent mode. As shown in FIGS. 30 (a) and 30 (b), regardless of whether the second special game P2 or the first special game P1 is performed, the symbol variation effect after the special game ends. Until 100 times are performed, the latent game effect control unit 74 performs a common symbol variation effect in an unknown effect mode. Then, if the big win is not won 100 times before the symbol variation effect is performed 100 times, the latent mode ends, and thereafter, the normal game effect control unit 71 performs the symbol variation effect in the normal effect mode. .

  In FIGS. 30 (a) and 30 (b), the latent game effect is displayed until the symbol variation effect is performed 100 times in both the high probability game state ST3 and the low probability game state ST2 after the special game ends. The case where the design fluctuation effect (unknown game effect) by the control part 74 continues is illustrated. This is because the high probability state is continued until the symbol variation effect is performed 100 times when the high probability gaming state ST3 is obtained after the special game, but the high probability state is not necessarily continued in the latent mode. The symbol variation effect by the latent game effect control unit 74 may not be continued until the period ends. That is, after the special game is finished, the operation of the latent game effect control unit 74 is ended at the timing when the symbol variation effect by the latent game effect control unit 74 is performed a predetermined number of times less than 100 times, and then the normal game effect control unit 71 You may make it perform the symbol fluctuation effect in normal mode.

  Also, the number of times that the latent game effect control unit 74 performs the symbol variation effect (unknown game effect) in the case of the high probability game state ST3 after the special game and the case of the low probability game state ST2 needs to be the same. Nor. For example, when the low probability game state ST2 is entered after a special game, the symbol variation effect (unknown game effect) by the latent game effect control unit 74 is terminated earlier than when the high probability game state ST3 is entered. Anyway. For example, when the game state ST3 becomes a high probability game state ST3, a variation effect is performed in an unillustrated effect mode until the latent game effect control unit 74 reaches 100 times, and the low probability game state ST2 If it becomes, the operation of the latent game effect control unit 74 is terminated at an arbitrary timing when the symbol variation effect by the latent game effect control unit 74 is 30 to 100 times, and thereafter, the normal game effect control unit 71 You may make it perform the design fluctuation production in the normal mode by. Also, in this case, if the number of symbol variation effects executed by the latent game effect control unit 74 exceeds 30, then a lottery is performed to end the latent mode with a certain probability every time the symbol variation effect is performed, up to a maximum of 100 times. The symbol variation effect by the latent game effect control unit 74 may be continued. According to such an effect mode, in the latent mode, the player can have a sense of expectation that the player may be in a high probability state as the number of times of execution of the symbol variation effect by the latent game effect control unit 74 increases. Therefore, interest property can be improved further.

  Next, FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a period in which the symbol variation effect in the time-saving mode continues by the unknown indication effect execution unit 77 of the time-saving game effect control unit 76, and (a) is a high-probability game in the time-saving mode. The symbol variation effect when the game control is performed by the state control unit 57, and (b) shows the symbol variation effect when the game control is performed by the low-probability gaming state control unit 56 in the time reduction mode. As shown in FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b), regardless of whether the fourth special game P4 or the third special game P3 is performed, the symbol variation effect is performed after the special game ends. Until 100 times are performed, a common symbol variation effect is performed in an unclear indication mode by the unknown indication effect execution unit 77 of the short-time game effect control unit 76. If the jackpot is not won by 100 times until the symbol variation effect is performed 100 times, the time reduction mode ends, and thereafter, the normal game effect control unit 71 performs the symbol variation effect in the normal effect mode. .

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a first opening special game in which a game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 16 is difficult to pass through the V gate 18 as a special game to be performed when a big win is won. In addition, it is possible to perform any opening special game of the second opening special game in which the game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 16 easily passes through the V gate 18, and the first start port 13 is connected to the game ball. When a special ball is determined to be played by passing a game ball through the second start port 14, it is determined that a special game is performed at a higher rate than when a special game is determined by passing It is the structure which performs a game. Furthermore, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration after the first opening special game or the second opening special game that is performed when the gaming ball enters the first starting port 13. When the game is controlled in the low probability gaming state ST2, ST4 by the low probability gaming state control unit 56, or the game is controlled in the high probability gaming state ST3, ST5 by the high probability gaming state control unit 57. In some cases, it is possible to perform an unknown game effect that does not clearly indicate in which game state the game is controlled. According to such a configuration, a player who has not visually confirmed whether or not a game ball has passed through the V gate 18 during a special game can be played with high interest. .

  In addition, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has a high-probability gaming state control unit 57 after the first opening special game or the second opening special game that is performed when a gaming ball enters the second start port 14. When the game is controlled in the high-probability game state ST5, the high-probability game effect indicating that the game is controlled in the high-probability game state ST5 is performed. According to such a configuration, a game ball is inserted into the second start port 14 to win a big hit, and if the probability state after the end of the special game is high, a high probability game effect is performed. Therefore, when a game is being played in a specific game state (time reduction mode) in which a game ball can easily enter the second starting port 14, the player's game motivation can be stimulated, and the gaming machine 1 can be enjoyed. It can be further increased.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the thing of the content mentioned above, A various modification is applicable.

  For example, in the above embodiment, an unknown indication game effect that does not clearly indicate whether the winning probability of jackpot is a high probability or a low probability in the latent mode after the first or second special game P1, P2 is performed. Example of performing an unknown indication game effect that does not clearly indicate whether the winning probability of jackpot is a high probability or a low probability even in the short-time mode after the third or fourth special game P3, P4 is performed explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the latent mode after the first or second special game P1, P2, the jackpot winning probability is not clearly indicated as being high probability or low probability. An indefinite game effect is performed, and in the short-time mode after the third or fourth special game P3, P4 is performed, it is clearly indicated to the player whether the winning probability of the jackpot is a high probability or a low probability An explicit game effect may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, when the game ball enters the second start port 14 and a big hit occurs, the fifth special game P5 is performed at a rate of 100%. However, the fifth special game P5 is illustrated. The rate at which is performed may not be 100%. That is, when a game ball enters the second starting port 14 and a big hit occurs, not only the fifth special game P5 but also each of the first to fourth special games P1 to P4 is at a relatively low rate. It may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which two variable winning devices, the first grand prize opening 15 and the second big prize opening 16, are provided for the game board 10 has been described. However, the variable prize provided as the big prize opening is described. The number of devices may be one, or may be three or more.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the aspect which displays the present round with a numerical value was illustrated as a round display in special game, the outline | summary of a round display is not restricted to it. For example, in a special game effect, a different character image or background image may be displayed on the image display 12 for each round, and the player may be notified of the current round by these images.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 10 Game board 12 Image display (direction means)
13 First start port (first start area)
14 Second start port (second start area)
15 1st Grand Prize Entrance (Variable Prize Winner)
16 Second grand prize opening (variable winning device)
18 V gate (predetermined area)
33 Production control board (production control means)
52 jackpot determination unit (determination means)
53 Special Game Control Unit (Special Game Control Unit)
54 Game state control unit (game state control means)
55 Specific gaming state control unit (specific gaming state control means)
56 Low probability gaming state control unit (low probability gaming state control means)
57 High probability gaming state control unit (high probability gaming state control means)
58 Normal gaming state control unit (normal gaming state control means)

Claims (2)

A determination means for determining whether or not a special game advantageous to the player is performed by passing the game ball through the first start area or the second start area through which the game ball can pass;
When it is determined by the determination means that the special game is to be performed, a variable winning device that can operate in a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter and an open state in which a game ball can enter can be operated in the open state. Special game control means for performing open special games,
After the open special game is performed by the special game control means, when the game ball that has entered the variable winning device during the open special game has not passed through a predetermined area, the special game is determined by the determination means. A low-probability gaming state control means for controlling a game in a low-probability gaming state in which the probability determined to perform is set to a first probability;
After the opening special game is performed by the special game control means, when the game ball that has entered the variable prize device during the opening special game passes through the predetermined area, the determination means performs the special game. A high-probability gaming state control means for controlling a game in a high-probability gaming state in which a probability determined to play a game is set to a second probability higher than the first probability;
When the game is controlled in the low probability gaming state by the low probability gaming state control means, or when the game is controlled in the high probability gaming state by the high probability gaming state control means, the second Specific game state control means for controlling a game in a specific game state in which a game ball easily passes through the start area;
When the game is controlled in the low probability gaming state by the low probability gaming state control means, or when the game is controlled in the high probability gaming state by the high probability gaming state control means, When the game is controlled in the specific game state by the specific game state control means, the effect control means for causing the predetermined effect means to perform the game effect;
With
The special game control means includes
A first opening special game in which a game ball that has entered the variable winning device does not easily pass through the predetermined area, and a second opening special game in which a game ball that has entered the variable winning apparatus easily passes through the predetermined area. It is possible to play any open special game of the game,
The determination means determines that the special game is to be performed by passing the game ball through the second start area, rather than the determination that the special ball is to be performed by passing the game ball through the first start area. When it is determined, the second open special game is played at a high rate,
The production control means is after the first open special game or the second open special game triggered by the passing of the game ball to the first start area by the special game control means. When a game is controlled in the low probability gaming state by the probability gaming state control means, or when a game is controlled in the high probability gaming state by the high probability gaming state control means, in any gaming state A gaming machine characterized by causing an unknown game effect that does not clearly indicate whether the game is controlled or not.   The effect control means is the high-probability gaming state after the first opening special game or the second opening special game triggered by the passing of the game ball to the second starting area by the special game control means. The high-probability game effect indicating that the game is controlled in the high-probability gaming state is performed when the game is controlled in the high-probability gaming state by the control means. Game machines.

Images