JP5778834B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that draws a jackpot by winning a game ball.

In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a big hit lottery is performed when a game ball wins a prize such as a start opening. When the jackpot is won, the gaming machine is put into a jackpot gaming state in which the jackpot is opened and many winning balls can be obtained.
Also known are pachinko machines that have different jackpot winning conditions in the jackpot lottery after the jackpot. That is, such a pachinko gaming machine has a probability variation (probability variation) state in which the winning probability of winning a jackpot varies from a low probability to a high probability after the jackpot gaming state of a predetermined number of rounds is completed. For this reason, by performing a probability change notification effect for notifying that the internal state is a probability change state, for example, on a liquid crystal screen, the player's expectation of winning the next jackpot by continuing the game is enhanced.
In such a gaming machine, the lottery lottery result is informed to the player by various effects that are elaborate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Normally, when a game ball enters the starting port, a random number for determining whether or not the jackpot is won and the contents of the effect are obtained by a random number generating means or the like. In addition, when a game ball enters the start opening during the special symbol change display (notification of the lottery result), a random number acquired with this ball as a trigger is stored in the storage device, and the reserved ball is reserved. It will be. The reserved balls thus reserved are processed (variable display of special symbols) in the order in which they are reserved.
And in the gaming machine shown in Patent Document 1, the random number stored in the storage device is determined when the random number is stored, and various effects are performed based on the determination result.

  For example, when it is determined that the fourth holding ball has won the jackpot when four holding balls are reserved, the third holding ball is processed from the first holding ball. In the meantime, a predictive effect is given to give the player a sense of expectation that the fourth holding ball may have won the jackpot. Such sign production can quickly increase the player's expectation that he may win a big hit.

JP 2004-283544 A

Here, if the game by the game ball is continued for a long time, it becomes difficult to maintain the player's concentration and the like. For this reason, it is conceivable to use such a sign effect in order to maintain the concentration of the player. However, it has been difficult to sufficiently maintain the player's concentration and the like in the indication effect on the gaming machine proposed conventionally.
An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of further enhancing the interest of a game when a player plays a game.

  A gaming machine 100 to which the present invention is applied includes a start port 121, 122 into which a game ball enters, and a detection unit 211, 212 that detects that a game ball has entered the start port 121, 122 and that has won a prize. The lottery means 200 for performing the big hit lottery corresponding to the winnings to the start ports 121 and 122 detected by the detection means 211 and 212, and the design showing the result of the big hit lottery by the lottery means 200 are displayed together with the background. A display unit 114, and a holding ball for the generation of a holding ball in which the big win lottery of the lottery unit 200 performed corresponding to a winning detected by the detecting units 211 and 212 is held Reservation ball generation information acquisition means 200 for acquiring the generation information, and input related to the reservation ball generation information acquired by the reservation ball generation information acquisition means 200 Corresponding to the pre-determining means 200 for determining the result of the jackpot lottery before the jackpot lottery is performed by the lottery means 200, and winning according to the reserved ball generation information acquired by the reserved ball generation information acquiring means 200. Before the result of the jackpot lottery performed by the lottery means 200 is displayed on the display means 114, the background of the display means 114 indicates the determination result of the prior determination means 200 corresponding to the winning The background display control means 300 to be changed to, the symbol variation control means 300 for controlling the symbol variation display so that the symbol displayed on the display means 114 is displayed by stopping after the symbol variation is started, and It is output to the symbol variation control unit 300 as the time from the start of symbol variation on the display unit 114 to the stop. Determination means 200 for determining a moving time for each of the winnings detected by the detection means 211 and 212, and the background display control means 300 is acquired by the reserved ball generation information acquisition means 200. Based on the information of the variation time corresponding to another winning detected by the detecting means 211, 212 before the winning relating to the reserved ball generation information, the result of the jackpot lottery corresponding to the other winning is displayed. When displayed on the means 114, it is determined whether or not the background of the display means 114 is changed to a content suggesting the determination result of the prior determination means 200 corresponding to the winning, and the background display control means 300 is determined. Is to select the background after the change from a plurality of backgrounds including a background that increases the player's expectation over the background before the change and a background that lowers the expectation. When the determination result of the article pre-determination means 200 is a big hit, a transition to a background that increases the degree of expectation or a background that decreases the degree of expectation is performed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when a player plays, it becomes possible to improve the interest property of a game further.

It is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure explaining the pachinko game machine concerning this Embodiment, (a) is an enlarged view which shows an example of the indicator arrange | positioned at the lower right of a game board, (b) is a pachinko game machine FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a control unit. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of a game control part. It is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a RAM of an effect control unit. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the content of normal symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an electric tulip process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by the prior determination process which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the prior determination process which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of an effect control part. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the prior determination command reception process in an effect control part. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the effect execution command reception process in an effect control part. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the effect control process in an effect control part. It is a figure explaining the timing when an indication effect is performed in an image display part.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Basic configuration of gaming machine]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment.
A pachinko gaming machine 100 as an example of the gaming machine shown in the figure is configured to pay out a prize ball when a game ball launched by an instruction operation by a player wins. The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a game board 110 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 150 that surrounds the game board 110. The game board 110 is detachably attached to the frame member 150.

The game board 110 has a game area 111 for playing with a game ball on the front surface, a rail member 112 that forms a passage where a game ball launched from below rises toward the upper position of the game area 111, and a game And a guide member 113 for guiding a game ball on the right side of the region 111.
In the present embodiment, an image display unit 114 is provided as an example of a display unit that displays various images for presentation at a position of the game area 111 that is easily visible to the player. As the game progresses by the player, for example, the image display unit 114 notifies the player of the symbol lottery result (symbol variation result) with a decorative symbol, or displays a notice effect by the appearance of a character or the appearance of an item. Or As the image display unit 114, for example, a configuration example using a liquid crystal display device, an EL display device, an LED dot display device, a 7-segment display device, or the like can be considered.
In the present embodiment, the front of the game board 110 is provided with a movable accessory 115 and a board lamp 116 used for various effects. The movable accessory 115 is configured to be movable with respect to the game board 110 and performs various effects by movement, and the board lamp 116 performs various effects by light by emitting light.

  The game area 111 is provided with a game nail and a windmill (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game ball falls. Further, in the game area 111, various bonuses relating to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions. In addition, the game area 111 is provided with a discharge port 117 through which game balls launched into the game area 111 that have not been won in the winning area are discharged out of the game area 111.

In the present embodiment, as various types of prizes and lotteries, the first start port 121 where a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) is started when a game ball enters and a position below the first start port 121 is placed. The game board 110 is provided with a second start port 122 where a special symbol lottery starts when a game ball enters and a gate 124 where a normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) starts when the game ball passes. ing. Here, the first starting port 121 and the second starting port 122 operate either one predetermined special electric accessory (large winning port 125) or one predetermined special symbol display. It means a winning opening related to winning a game ball.
The second start port 122 includes an electric tulip 123 as a normal electric accessory that is turned on and off by a pair of blades in the shape of tulip flowers opened and closed by an electric solenoid. When the blades of the electric tulip 123 are closed, it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start port 122. However, when the blades are opened, the entrance of the second start port 122 expands and the game ball moves to the second start port 122. It is configured to be easy to enter. When the electric tulip 123 wins the normal symbol lottery, the blade opens for a specified time (for example, 6 seconds) and a specified number of times (for example, 3 times) while lighting or flashing.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a high probability state (for example, 1/30) from a low probability state (for example, 1/300) to a high probability state (for example, 1/30) when the jackpot probability that the jackpot is drawn in a special symbol lottery varies under a predetermined condition. ))). In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can reduce the special symbol variation time during the special symbol lottery under a predetermined condition, increase the probability of winning during the normal symbol lottery, or the normal symbol variation time during the normal symbol lottery. In some cases, the opening time of the blades of the electric tulip 123 may be shortened, or the number of times the blades of the electric tulip 123 may be opened (electric chew support).

Further, in the present embodiment, as various types of prizes and lotteries, a large winning opening 125 that is located below the second start opening 122 and opens according to the result of the special symbol lottery, and a game ball wins. However, the game board 110 is provided with a normal winning opening 126 where the lottery does not start. The big winning opening 125 is normally closed, but a round in which the special winning lottery is maintained in an open state is maintained in an open state until a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, 30 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won). Repeat a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times or 2 times).
In the present embodiment, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are disposed in the game area 111, but a configuration example in which only one of them is disposed or another start port is disposed. A configuration example is also conceivable. In the present embodiment, one big prize opening 125 is arranged in the game area 111, but a configuration example in which a plurality of big prize openings 125 are arranged is also conceivable.
In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying a lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower right position of the game board 110. Details of the display 130 will be described later.

  The payout of prize balls will be described. When a game ball wins at the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126, a predetermined number of award balls per game ball are paid out according to the place where the game ball has won. It is. For example, when a game ball wins the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when the game ball wins the big prize port 125, When a game ball wins the 13 prize balls and the normal prize opening 126, 10 prize balls are paid out respectively. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, there is no payout of the prize ball in conjunction with it.

Note that various boards and the like (not shown) are attached to the rear surface of the game board 110. In other words, the main board and the sub board are arranged on the rear surface of the game board 110. That is, on the rear surface of the game board 110, a game control board in which a later-described game control unit 200 that performs internal lottery, determination of winning, and the like is provided as a main board. The game control board is sealed in a main board case made of a transparent member so that a trace remains when opened.
Also, as a sub-board, an effect control board in which an after-mentioned effect control unit 300 for overall control of effects is configured, and an image control board in which an after-mentioned image / sound control unit 310 for controlling effects by images and sounds is configured. In addition, a lamp control board on which a later-described lamp control unit 320 that controls effects by various lamps and the movable accessory 115 is provided. In addition, a switching power supply (not shown) that converts the supplied 24V AC power supply into a DC power supply and outputs it to various boards and the like is disposed on the rear surface of the game board 110.
In other words, a payout control board 400, which will be described later, which controls payout of payout balls, and a supply control board controlled by the payout control board and temporarily replenished from the outside, The frame member 150 is provided with a payout unit (not shown) for paying out and paying out lending balls.

When the player touches the handle 151 and rotates the lever 152 in the clockwise direction, the frame member 150 moves the game balls at a predetermined time interval (for example, 100 per minute) with a hitting force according to the operation angle. And a launching device (not shown) for electrically firing. In addition, the frame member 150 includes a supply device (not shown) that sequentially supplies game balls to the launching device one by one at a timing in conjunction with the operation of the player's lever 152, and a game ball that the supply device supplies to the launching device. A plate 153 (see FIG. 2) for temporarily storing. For example, a payout ball by a payout unit is paid out to the plate 153.
In the present embodiment, the plate 153 is configured as an integrated upper and lower plate, but a configuration example in which the upper plate and the lower plate are separated is also conceivable. A configuration example in which the handle 151 of the launching device emits light under a predetermined condition is also conceivable.

Further, the frame member 150 includes a stop button 154 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching the handle 151 of the launch device, and a game ball accumulated in the tray 153. A take-out button 155 for dropping and taking out the box (not shown).
Further, the frame member 150 includes a speaker 156 and a frame lamp 157 for notifying the gaming state and situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and performing various effects. The speaker 156 performs various effects based on music, voice, and sound effects, and the frame lamp 157 performs various effects based on light depending on a pattern or light emission color caused by lighting and blinking. In addition, about the frame lamp | ramp 157, the structural example which enables it to perform the effect which changes the irradiation direction of light can be considered.
The frame member 150 also includes a transparent plate (not shown) for separating the game board 110 from the player.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2A is an enlarged view showing an example of a display 130 arranged at the lower right of the game board 110. b) is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine 100. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to winning of the first starting port 121 and a winning of the second starting port 122. The second special symbol display 222 that operates in response to the above and the normal symbol display 223 that operates in response to the passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display 221 variably displays the special symbol resulting from winning of the first start port 121 and displays the lottery result. The second special symbol display 222 variably displays special symbols resulting from winning at the second start port 122 and displays the lottery results. The normal symbol display unit 223 displays the normal symbol variably and displays the lottery result when the game ball passes through the gate 124. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 are configured by a 7-segment display device, and the normal symbol display 223 is configured by an LED display device. .

  In addition, the indicator 130 operates in response to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the first special symbol hold indicator 218 that operates corresponding to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222. 2 a special symbol hold indicator 219 and a normal symbol hold indicator 220 that operates in response to the hold in the normal symbol indicator 223. This hold will be described. If there is a prize by another game ball during the fluctuation display operation (while the fluctuation display for one win is being performed), the symbol fluctuation display operation for the prized game ball will be applied to the game ball which has been won first. Until the variable display operation is completed, a predetermined number (for example, four) is held as a limit. The fact that such a hold is made and the number of the hold (the number of undrawn lots) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220. In the present embodiment, each of the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 is constituted by an LED display device arranged in a row, and the lighting thereof The number of holds is displayed according to the mode.

  The frame member 150 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, as an example of an input device, an effect button 161 and an effect key 162 composed of a plurality of keys adjacent to the effect button 161 and arranged in a substantially cross shape are provided. Are disposed on the frame member 150. The production key 162 is configured such that one central key is arranged at the center, and four peripheral keys having substantially the same shape are arranged around the central key. The player can select one of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114 by operating the four peripheral keys, and can select the selected image by operating the center key. Can be entered as information.

[Configuration of control unit]
Next, a control unit that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the control unit. As shown in the figure, the control unit includes a game control unit 200 that performs various controls relating to the number of prize balls to be paid out, such as internal lottery and determination of winning, as main control means. Further, as sub-control means, an effect control unit 300 that comprehensively controls effects, an image / sound control unit 310 that controls effects using images and sound, and effects using various lamps and movable accessories 115 A ramp control unit 320 for controlling the payout, and a payout control unit 400 for performing payout control of the payout ball. As described above, the game control unit 200, the effect control unit 300, the image / sound control unit 310, the lamp control unit 320, and the payout control unit 400 are each a game as a main board disposed on the rear surface of the game board 110. The control board, and further, the effect control board, the image control board, the lamp control board, and the payout control board as sub boards are individually configured.

[Configuration and function of game control unit]
The game control unit 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the number of paid-out prize balls, such as internal lottery and winning determination, and a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like. And a RAM 203 used as a working memory for the CPU 201.
The game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery when a game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, and sends a determination result as to whether or not it is a win in the special symbol lottery to the effect control unit 300. Also, fluctuation setting of winning probability at special symbol lottery (for example, fluctuation setting from 1/300 to 1/30), special symbol fluctuation time shortening at special symbol lottery, and normal symbol at normal symbol lottery The variable time is set to be shortened, and the setting content is sent to the effect control unit 300.
Further, the game control unit 200 controls the extension of the opening time of the blades of the electric tulip 123, the setting of the number of times the blades of the electric tulip 123 are opened, and the setting of the opening / closing operation interval when the blades are opened. In addition, when a game ball continuously wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, the game ball is suspended until the limit number (for example, four) for the undrawn lots, or the game ball continuously passes through the gate 124. The suspension is set up to the limit number (for example, 4) for the undrawn lots.
In addition, the game control unit 200 keeps an open state in a protruding manner until the special winning opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 30 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) according to the result of the special symbol lottery. Is controlled to be repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times or 2 times). Furthermore, the opening / closing operation interval when the special winning opening 125 is opened is controlled.

Further, when the game ball is won in the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126, the game control unit 200 per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control unit 400 is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning opening 126, an instruction command (command) is sent to the payout control unit 400 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the payout control unit 400 is not instructed to pay out the prize ball in conjunction therewith.
When the payout control unit 400 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 200, the game control unit 200 acquires information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 400. As a result, the number of prize balls paid out is managed.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port switch (SW) as an example of a detection unit that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121. )) 211, a second start port detecting unit (second start port switch (SW)) 212 as an example of a detecting means for detecting a winning of a game ball to the second start port 122, and the electric tulip 123 are opened and closed. The electric tulip opening / closing part 213 and a gate detection part (gate switch (SW)) 214 for detecting the passage of the game ball to the gate 124 are connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 has a large winning port detecting unit (large winning port switch (SW)) 215 for detecting a winning of a game ball to the large winning port 125, and the large winning port 125 is inclined to be in a closed state. A large winning opening / closing unit 216 set to the open state and a normal winning opening detecting unit (normal winning opening switch (SW)) 217 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning opening 126 are connected.

In addition, the game control unit 200 displays the reserved number for the undrawn special symbol lottery (big win lottery) started by winning the game ball at the first start port 121 within the limit number (for example, four). A special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219 for displaying the number of unsold lots in the special symbol lottery started by winning a game ball in the second start port 122 within the limit number, A normal symbol hold indicator 220 is connected to the normal symbol lottery display (open / close lottery) started by the passage of the game ball to the gate 124 and displays the number of unsettled hold numbers within the limit number.
Further, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol display 221 for displaying a result of a special symbol lottery started by winning a game ball at the first start port 121, and a game ball to the second start port 122. A second special symbol display 222 that displays the result of the special symbol lottery started by winning and a normal symbol display 223 that displays the result of the normal symbol lottery are connected.

  Then, detection signals detected by the first start port switch 211, the second start port switch 212, the gate switch 214, the big winning port switch 215 and the normal winning port switch 217 are sent to the game control unit 200. In addition, the control signal from the game control unit 200 includes an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213, a prize winning opening / closing unit 216, a first special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219, a normal symbol hold indicator 220, It is sent to the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, and the normal symbol display 223. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of payout prize balls.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 250 that transmits various kinds of information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall is connected to the game control unit 200. Then, the game control unit 200 transmits information regarding the number of paid-out winning balls acquired from the payout control unit 400, information indicating the state of the game control unit 200, and the like to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 250. .

[Configuration and function of production control unit]
Next, the effect control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the effect, a ROM 302 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301, various data, and the like, and a RAM 303 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 301 and the like. And a real-time clock (RTC) 304 for measuring the date and time.
The production control unit 300 sets the production content based on, for example, the determination result of whether or not the winning is a special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 200. At that time, in response to an operation input from the user using the effect button 161 or the effect key 162, the effect content corresponding to the operation input may be set. In addition, when the game is interrupted for a predetermined period, an instruction to set a screen display for waiting for a customer is given as one of the effects.
Furthermore, when the game control unit 200 changes the winning probability at the time of the special symbol lottery, shortens the special symbol fluctuation time at the time of the special symbol lottery, and shortens the normal symbol fluctuation time at the time of the normal symbol lottery. In this case, the production control unit 300 sets the production content corresponding to the set content.
In addition, the effect control unit 300 sends a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320.

[Configuration / Function of Image / Sound Control Unit]
The image / sound control unit 310 is a CPU 311 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the image and sound that expresses the content of the effect, a ROM 312 that stores programs executed by the CPU 311, various data, and the like, and a work for the CPU 311. And a RAM 313 used as a memory or the like.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 114 and the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300.
Specifically, in the ROM 312 of the image / sound control unit 310, a symbol image or background image displayed during the game on the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, and a notice effect for the player Image data such as a character or item for displaying is stored. Furthermore, various kinds of acoustic data such as music and sound output from the speaker 156 in synchronization with the image data or independently of the image data, and sound effects such as jingles are stored. The CPU 311 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300 from the image data and the sound data stored in the ROM 312. Furthermore, image processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, and the like are performed using the read image data, and voice processing using the read acoustic data is performed.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls screen display on the image display unit 114 based on the image data that has undergone image processing. Further, the sound output from the speaker 156 is controlled by the sound data subjected to the sound processing.

[Configuration and function of lamp control unit]
The lamp control unit 320 stores a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs executed by the CPU 321 and various data. A ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.
The lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, the emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Further, the operation of the movable accessory 115 is controlled.
More specifically, the ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (light emission pattern data) for the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 300. Data) is stored. The CPU 321 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 322 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300. The lamp controller 320 controls light emission from the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the read light emission pattern data.
The ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 115 corresponding to the production content set by the production control unit 300. The CPU 321 controls the operation of the movable accessory 115 based on the read operation pattern data.

[Configuration and function of payout control unit]
The payout control unit 400 includes a CPU 401 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling payout of the payout ball, a ROM 402 that stores programs executed by the CPU 401, various data, and the like, and a RAM 403 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 401. And.
The payout control unit 400 controls payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control unit 200.
Specifically, the payout control unit 400 acquires from the game control unit 200 a command for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won (such as the first start port 121). Then, the payout driving unit 411 is controlled so as to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the command. Here, the payout drive unit 411 includes a drive motor that sends out the game ball from the storage unit of the game ball.

  The payout control unit 400 also includes a payout ball detection unit 412 that detects the number of prize balls actually paid out from the game ball storage unit by the payout drive unit 411, and a game ball in the storage unit (not shown). Sphere detection unit 413 for detecting whether or not there is a storage, and whether or not the plate 153 in which a game ball used when a player plays a game or a prized ball to be held is full is detected. A full tank detection unit 414 is connected. Then, the payout control unit 400 receives detection signals detected by the payout ball detection unit 412, the ball presence detection unit 413, and the full tank detection unit 414, and performs predetermined processing according to these detection signals. Further, the payout control unit 400 is connected to a frame external information terminal board 450 that transmits various types of information to a host computer installed in the hall. Then, the payout control unit 400, for example, information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout driving unit 411, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 412, etc. Is transmitted to the host computer via the frame external information terminal board 450. Also, similar information is transmitted to the game control unit 200.

[Read ahead]
Here, the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment can perform so-called hold prefetching. The pre-reading here refers to determining the symbol variation pattern not at the start of symbol variation but at the start opening prize. That is, when a game ball enters the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, the game control unit 200 acquires various random numbers for performing a big hit determination process or the like (see step 605 in FIG. 6). . In addition, if a game ball enters the start opening during the special symbol change display (notification of the lottery result) (start opening winning), the random number obtained by this input is stored in the RAM 203, and the holding ball is stored. Will be reserved. The reserved balls thus reserved are processed (variable display of special symbols) in the order in which they are reserved. Then, the random number stored in the RAM 203 is determined (preliminary determination) when the random number is stored. As described above, in the case of holding prefetching, the symbol variation pattern is determined based on the random number stored in the RAM 203 when the symbol variation is started, not when the symbol variation is started.

The result of the prior determination is used for various effects. For example, the result is transmitted to the effect control unit 300, and the effect control unit 300 provides a player with a sense of expectation that, for example, the holding ball may have won the jackpot based on the received result. Produce signs.
In the present embodiment, as will be described later, in the predictive effect process, it is determined whether or not a predetermined effect (predictive effect) is performed based on the result of the predictive effect lottery, and the determination result indicates that the predetermined effect is performed. The pre-determined pre-determination result is controlled to be taught to the player.

Here, the game control unit 200 functions as an on-holding ball generation information acquisition unit that acquires on-holding ball generation information on the generation of an on-holding ball on which a big hit lottery performed in response to the detected winning is held. In addition, the game control unit 200 functions as an example of a pre-determination unit that determines a result of the jackpot lottery before the jackpot lottery is performed for a winning related to the reserved ball generation information.
Further, the effect control unit 300 changes the background to a content that suggests a prior determination result corresponding to the winning before the result of the jackpot lottery performed corresponding to the winning related to the reserved ball occurrence information is displayed. It functions as an example of display control means. In addition, the effect control unit 300 as an example of the background display control means determines the other winning based on the information on the variation time H corresponding to another winning detected before the winning related to the reserved ball generation information. When the corresponding jackpot lottery result is displayed, it is determined whether or not the background is changed to the content suggesting the preliminary determination result corresponding to the winning.
The fluctuation time H here is output to the symbol fluctuation control means as the time from the start of the symbol fluctuation to the stop. The game control unit 200 functions as an example of a determining unit that determines the variation time H for each of the detected winnings, and the displayed symbol is displayed by stopping after the symbol variation starts. It functions as an example of symbol variation control means for controlling variation display.

[Configuration of RAM of Game Control Unit and RAM of Effect Control Unit]
In order to execute such reservation prefetching, the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 and the RAM 303 of the effect control unit 300 have the following configurations.
FIG. 3-2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3A) of the game control unit 200 according to the present embodiment. (A) of the same figure is a block diagram which shows the structure of the memory | storage area | region 204, (b) is a block diagram which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a).
As shown to (a) of the figure, RAM203 is provided with the storage area 204 as a special symbol holding | maintenance storage area which memorize | stores the jackpot random number acquired by the jackpot random number lottery. This storage area 204 has eight storage units. Specifically, the storage area 204 includes a first storage unit 204a, a second storage unit 204b, a third storage unit 204c, a fourth storage unit 204d, a fifth storage unit 204e, a sixth storage unit 204f, and a seventh storage. Part 204g and eighth storage part 204h.

Moreover, as shown in (b) of the figure, each of these storage units 204a to 204h includes a portion for storing the number of fluctuations N when winning the jackpot, and a first start port 121 (see FIG. 1). And a portion for storing information on whether a random number has been acquired by entering a game ball or whether a random number has been acquired by entering the second start port 122 (see the same figure). .
In addition, each of the storage units 204a to 204h includes a portion for storing the acquired jackpot random number, a portion for storing a design random number, and a portion for storing a reach random number. That is, each of the storage units 204a to 204h stores a jackpot random number, a design random number, and a reach random number. These jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, and reach random numbers can be referred to as game data, and details thereof will be described later.
In addition, each of the storage units 204a to 204h has a portion in which the advance determination information is stored. The predetermination information here is information obtained by a predetermination process (see step 606 in FIG. 6) described later. Specifically, pre-determination information is big hit, small hit, or lost, and if it is a big win, what is the type of the big win, and the content of the production has reach This is information for indicating whether it is a production or a non-reach production.

  Here, each random number is stored in order from the first storage unit 204a. More specifically, for example, when no random number is stored in any of the first storage unit 204a to the eighth storage unit 204h, the acquired random number is stored in the first storage unit 204a. Further, for example, when random numbers are already stored in the first storage unit 204a to the fourth storage unit 204d, the acquired random number is stored in the fifth storage unit 204e.

FIG. 3-3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 303 (see FIG. 3A) of the effect control unit 300 according to the present embodiment. (A) of the same figure is a block diagram which shows the structure of RAM303, (b) is a block diagram which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a).
As shown to (a) of the figure, RAM303 is equipped with the 1st reservation storage area 305 and the 2nd reservation storage area 306 as a reservation status storage area which memorize | stores the condition where the reservation ball | bowl is reserved. Each of the first reserved storage area 305 and the second reserved storage area 306 has four storage units. That is, the first reserved storage area 305 includes a first storage unit 305a, a second storage unit 305b, a third storage unit 305c, and a fourth storage unit 305d. The second reserved storage area 306 includes a first storage unit 306a, a second storage unit 306b, a third storage unit 306c, and a fourth storage unit 306d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, each of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d includes a hold flag storage area for turning on / off the hold flag and a sign flag for turning on / off the sign flag. And a storage area.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in the figure, the game control unit 200 has a special symbol lottery unit 231 as an example of a lottery means, a normal symbol lottery unit 232, and a special symbol variation control unit 233 as functional units for executing various lottery processes. The special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 and the normal symbol control unit 237 are provided.
In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 and a game progress control unit 236 as functional units that execute processing associated with special symbol variation.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 is a function unit that executes operation control of various types of objects and data processing related to a prize ball, etc., as a function unit for a prize winning opening operation control unit 238, an electric tulip operation control unit 239, and a prize ball processing unit 240. And an output control unit 241 and a random number control unit 242.

The special symbol lottery unit 231 performs a special symbol lottery when a game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122.
The normal symbol lottery unit 232 performs the normal symbol lottery when the game ball passes through the gate 124.
The special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 controls the fluctuation of the special symbol according to the lottery result when the special symbol lottery is performed.

The special symbol lottery result determination unit 234, when a special symbol lottery is performed, the lottery result is “whether it is a big hit”, “a type of jackpot when a big winner is won”, “not a big winner It is determined whether or not it is a small hit or not.
Here, the types of “big hit” include “long hit” in which a long jackpot game time can be expected to be paid out, and “short hit” in which a big hit game time is short. For example, in the “long win”, a round that is maintained until the open state of the big winning opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 30 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) is repeated, for example, 15 times. In the “short win”, the round at the special winning opening 125 is repeated twice, for example.

Furthermore, the “long win” is a jackpot (“specific symbol A” in the subsequent stage), which is also called “15 round probability per change” that generates both a probability change (probability change) gaming state and a time reduction (time reduction) game state after the end of the jackpot game. And a jackpot called “ordinary jackpot” (a jackpot in the “normal symbol” in the subsequent stage) that generates only the short-time gaming state and does not generate the probability variation gaming state after the jackpot game ends. The “short win” is a so-called “two-round probable hit” (a big hit in the “specific symbol B” in the subsequent stage) that generates a probability variation gaming state after the jackpot game ends and does not generate a short-time gaming state.
In addition, the “small winning” in the case of not winning a big win, for example, a small winning game is performed in which the big winning opening 125 is opened and closed twice, and the gaming state at the time of winning the small win is continued even after the winning is completed. It is a win (winning with the “small hit symbol” in the latter part) That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the probability variation game state, the probability variation game state is continued even after the end of the small hit game, and the game state does not shift. Similarly, if the gaming state at the time of winning the small hit is a normal gaming state (normal gaming state) in which neither probability fluctuation nor time reduction is made, the normal gaming state is continued even after the end of the small hitting game, The gaming state does not transition.
Further, in the “missing”, neither the “big hit” nor the “small winning” is set, and none of the above-described gaming states advantageous to the player is set (setting of the “missing symbol” in the subsequent stage).

The variation pattern selection unit 235 selects the variation pattern of the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222 when the lottery result of the special symbol is “big hit”. Further, it is determined whether or not a reach effect is to be performed. The “reach effect” here is an effect performed by the image display unit 114 or the like for causing the player to expect a big hit.
The game progress control unit 236 controls the progress of the game in each game state.

When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether the normal symbol lottery result is “winning or lost”. Further, the fluctuation of the normal symbol is controlled according to the lottery result.
When it is determined as “winning”, the electric tulip 123 is opened for a specified time (for example, 6 seconds) and a specified number of times (for example, 3 times), and the winning probability of the game ball to the second start port 122 is increased. generate. In addition, when it is determined as “disengagement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 is not generated.

The special winning opening operation control unit 238 controls the opening operation of the special winning opening 125.
The electric tulip operation control unit 239 controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123.
The prize ball processing unit 240 controls the management of the number of prizes received for various types of winnings and lotteries, and controls the payout of prize balls according to the prizes.
The output control unit 241 controls the output of control commands from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 400.
The random number control unit 242 controls updating of various random number values used in processing by the main control unit and the sub control unit.

[Basic operation of gaming machine]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 configured as described above will be described.
The basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is performed by a game control unit 200 that is a main control means. Then, under the control of the game control unit 200, the effect control unit 300, which is a sub-control means, controls the game effect, and the payout control unit 400 controls the payout of the prize ball.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main operations of the game control unit 200.
The game control unit 200 repeatedly executes each process shown in FIG. 5 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) in a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Referring to FIG. 5, random number update processing, start port switch (SW) processing, gate switch (SW) processing, special symbol processing, normal symbol processing, big prize opening processing, electric tulip (electric chew) processing, prize ball processing, Output processing is sequentially executed (steps 501 to 509).

In the random number update process (step 501), the random number control unit 242 of the game control unit 200 updates various random number values used in the process by the main control unit and the sub control unit. Details of the setting of the random number and the update of the random value will be described later.
In the start port switch process (step 502), the special symbol lottery unit 231 of the game control unit 200 monitors the states of the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212 in FIG. If this happens, a special symbol lottery process is executed. Details of the start port switch process will be described later.
In the gate switch process (step 503), the normal symbol lottery unit 232 of the game control unit 200 monitors the state of the gate switch 214 of FIG. 3-1, and when the switch is turned ON, the normal symbol lottery unit 232 Execute the process. Details of the gate switch processing will be described later.
In the special symbol processing (step 504), the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234, the variation pattern selection unit 235, and the game progress control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 perform the special symbol variation and the symbol variation. Processing associated with is performed. Details of the special symbol process will be described later.
In the normal symbol process (step 505), the normal symbol control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 performs the normal symbol variation and the process associated with the symbol variation. Details of the normal symbol processing will be described later.
In the special prize opening process (step 506), the special prize opening operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 controls the opening operation of the special prize opening 125 based on a predetermined condition. Detailed contents of the big prize opening process will be described later.
In the electric tulip process (step 507), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 of the game control unit 200 controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123 based on a predetermined condition. Details of the electric tulip process will be described later.
In the prize ball processing (step 508), the prize ball processing unit 240 of the game control unit 200 controls the management of the number of winning prizes and the payout of prize balls according to the winning prize.
In the output process (step 509), the output control unit 241 of the game control unit 200 outputs a control command to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 400. The control command is generated in each process up to step 508, set in the RAM 203, and output in this output process.

[Start-up switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port switch process (step 502 in FIG. 5).
In the start port switch process, the special symbol lottery unit 231 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the start port switches 211 and 212 are turned ON by winning a game ball in the start ports 121 and 122 ( Step 601). If the start port switches 211 and 212 are turned ON, then the special symbol lottery unit 231 determines whether or not the number U of unreserved reservations is less than the upper limit value (step 602). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U has reached the upper limit (No in step 602), the winning portion for the undrawn lots cannot be held any longer, and the start port switch process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of reservations U is less than the upper limit (Yes in step 602), the special symbol lottery unit 231 next adds 1 to the value of the number of reservations U (step 603). Thereafter, the special symbol lottery unit 231 adds 1 to the value of the number of fluctuations N stored in the RAM 203 (step 604). The variation number N here refers to the total number of jackpot lottery rights acquired by the game balls entering the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Hereinafter, the hold by the first start opening prize is referred to as a first hold U1, and the hold by the second start opening prize may be referred to as a second hold U2.

  To explain further, the number of fluctuations N indicates how many jackpot lottery rights have been obtained by counting from the initial state, and does not indicate the number of special symbol fluctuations that have been made so far. Absent. For example, after the power is turned on, a game ball has entered the first start port 121, and the right to win a jackpot has been acquired 100 times, and the game ball has entered the second start port 122. Suppose that the right to win a jackpot is acquired 10 times. In this state, data “110” is stored in the RAM 203. Then, when a game ball enters the first starting port 121 from this state and wins the jackpot lottery right, the special symbol lottery unit 231 adds 1 to the value “110” stored in the RAM 203. Then, data “111” is stored. If the number U of reserves has reached the upper limit reserve number and the right to win a jackpot lottery cannot be obtained by this entry, a game ball enters the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Even if the ball is struck, the number N of changes is not counted.

Then, the special symbol lottery unit 231 acquires a random number value for the lottery by the current winning and holds it in the storage area 204 of the RAM 203 (step 605). Here, since the winning of the start ports 121 and 122 is won, random values for special symbol lottery (a jackpot random number, a jackpot symbol random number, a reach random number, a variation pattern random number, etc.) are acquired. The random value acquired at this time is the value updated by the random number update process in step 501. And the result of the special symbol lottery is determined by this random number value.
More specifically, the random number value here includes a jackpot random value that determines jackpot, jackpot or loss, and jackpot type (long hit, short hit, presence / absence of transition to high probability gaming state, time reduction The design random number value for determining whether or not to shift to the gaming state (a jackpot symbol random value) and the reach random number value for determining whether or not to perform the effect with reach are included. In the present embodiment, the probability variation gaming state may be referred to as a high probability gaming state, and the normal gaming state may be referred to as a low probability gaming state.
The CPU 201 of the game control unit 200 executes a pre-determination process of another routine using various stored random number values (step 606). The details of the prior determination process will be described later.

[Gate switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate switch process (step 503 in FIG. 5).
In this gate switch process, the normal symbol lottery unit 232 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the gate switch 214 is turned on (step 701). If the gate switch 214 is turned on, then the normal symbol lottery unit 232 determines whether or not the number of holds G for the undrawn lot is less than the upper limit value (step 702). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds G has reached the upper limit (No in Step 702), the winning for the undrawn lots cannot be held any more, so the gate switch process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of reservations G is less than the upper limit (Yes in Step 702), the normal symbol lottery unit 232 next adds 1 to the value of the number of reservations G (Step 703). Then, a random value for the lottery by the current winning is acquired and held in the RAM 203 (step 704). Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

[Special symbol processing in game control unit]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol process (step 504 in FIG. 5).
In this special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is a big hit (a special symbol lottery win) (step 801). If it is a big hit, since a special symbol representing some big hit has already been selected and stopped, the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation (Yes in step 801). On the other hand, if it is not a big hit (No in Step 801), the special symbol variation control unit 233 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a special symbol variation (Step 802). If the special symbol is not changing (No in step 802), the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 determines whether the number U of unreserved special symbols (see FIG. 6) is 1 or more (step 803). If the number of holdings U = 0 (No in step 803), it means that there is no winning for starting the special symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the number of holdings U is 1 or more (Yes in Step 803), the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the holding number U (Step 804), and then the big hit determination process by another routine Then, the variation pattern selection process is executed (steps 805 and 806). As will be described in detail later, setting information (design, game state, variation pattern, etc.) included in the variation start command sent to the effect control unit 300 is determined by the jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing.

  Thereafter, the special symbol variation control unit 233 generates a variation start command including the setting information determined by the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process, and sets it in the RAM 203 (step 807). Then, based on this setting information, the special symbols on the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 shown in FIG. 3A start to change (step 808), and only for the time set in the change pattern. In order to perform special symbol variation, measurement of variation time is started (step 809). The variation start command set in step 807 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 509 of FIG.

  Next, when it is determined in step 802 that the special symbol is changing (Yes in step 802), the special symbol variation control unit 233 determines whether or not the variation time has ended (step 810). That is, it is determined whether or not the variation time started in step 809 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process in step 806. If the variation time has not ended (No in step 810), the special symbol variation 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 810), the special symbol variation control unit 233 first sets a variation stop command in the RAM 203 (step 811). Next, the special symbol variation control unit 233 ends the variation of the special symbols in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 (step 812), and resets the measured variation time (step 812). 813). Then, a stop routine process of another routine is executed (step 814). The contents of the stop process will be described later. The variable stop command set in step 811 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 509 of FIG.

[Big hit judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (step 805 in FIG. 8).
In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number in the current special symbol lottery (step 901), and determines whether or not the jackpot has been won (step 902). ). Whether or not the jackpot has been won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the jackpot random number acquired in step 604 of FIG. 6 matches the value set as the winning value of the jackpot.

If the determination in step 901 is a big win (Yes in step 902), then the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random number (step 903). In this determination, it is first determined whether or not the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is changed (probability change or probability change) (step 904). Whether or not the probability fluctuates is determined by determining whether or not the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in step 604 of FIG. 6 matches a preset value.
When the probability changes (Yes in Step 904), the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 next determines whether or not to shorten the symbol change time (time reduction, time reduction) (Step 905). Whether or not the time is shortened is determined by determining whether or not the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in step 604 of FIG. 6 matches a preset value, similarly to the determination of the probability variation.

  After the above determination, when the time is shortened (Yes in step 905), the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 sets a symbol (hereinafter referred to as a specific symbol A) indicating a big hit with probability fluctuation and time reduction. Information is set in the RAM 203 (step 906). When the time is not shortened (No in step 905), a symbol (hereinafter, specific symbol B) representing a big hit with probability variation but not time reduction is set in the RAM 203 as setting information (step 907). If the probability does not fluctuate (No in step 904), a symbol (hereinafter referred to as a normal symbol) indicating that the game is a big hit with time reduction but no probability variation is set in the RAM 203 as setting information (step 908).

When the big hit is not made (No in Step 902), the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 next judges whether or not the big hit is made (Step 909). Whether or not the jackpot is determined is determined by determining whether or not the value of the jackpot random number obtained in step 604 of FIG. 6 matches the value set as the winning value of the jackpot, as in the case of the jackpot determination. Is done.
If the special symbol lottery result determination unit 234 is a small hit (Yes in Step 909), the symbol (henceforth, a small hit symbol) indicating that there is no probability variation or time reduction is set in the RAM 203 as setting information. Set (step 910). If it is not a small hit (No in step 909), a symbol indicating that the lottery is lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information (step 911).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (step 806 in FIG. 8).
In this variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery (step 1001). This determination is the same as step 901 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9) (the determination result of step 901 may be used). If it is a big hit (Yes in Step 1001), the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 reads the big hit fluctuation pattern table from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (Step 1002).

On the other hand, if the jackpot has not been won (No in step 1001), the variation pattern selection unit 235 then determines a random number for determining whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a jackpot. (Step 1003). Whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value acquired in step 604 in FIG. 6 matches a preset value.
As a result of determination using random numbers, when a reach effect is performed (Yes in step 1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads a variation pattern table for reach from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (step 1005). When the reach effect is not performed (No in Step 1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (Step 1006).
Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with values of variation pattern random numbers.

  Next, the variation pattern selection unit 235 acquires a random number (variation pattern random number) for determining the variation pattern, and stores it in the RAM 203 (step 1007). Then, the fluctuation pattern random number is determined using the fluctuation pattern table set in steps 1002, 1005, and 1006 (step 1008). That is, the variation pattern selection unit 235 refers to the variation pattern table set in the RAM 203 and selects a variation pattern according to the random number value acquired in Step 1007. Therefore, even if the same random number value is acquired, the variation referred to depending on the state difference such as whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit or not and whether or not a reach effect is performed if it is not a big hit Since the pattern tables are different, the determined variation pattern may be different.

  Thereafter, the variation pattern selection unit 235 sets the variation pattern selected in Step 1008 in the RAM 203 as setting information (Step 1009). The variation pattern setting information set in step 1009 is included in the variation start command set in step 807 of FIG. 8, and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in step 509 of FIG.

[Processing during stop by game control unit]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the stop process (step 814 in FIG. 8).
In the suspension process, the game progress control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a big win has been won in the current special symbol lottery (step 1101). If it is a big hit (Yes in step 1101), the game progress control unit 236 next determines whether or not the type of the big win is a long win (step 1102).
These determinations can be made based on, for example, the symbol type set in the setting information in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). Here, the jackpot of the specific symbol A and the normal symbol is a long hit, and the jackpot of the specific symbol B is a short hit. Therefore, if the specific symbol A or the normal symbol is set in the setting information, “Yes” in both steps 1101 and 1102. If the specific symbol B is set, Yes in step 1101 and No in step 1102. If the off symbol or the small hit symbol is set, No in step 1101. Since these determinations are substantially the same as steps 902, 904, and 905 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the determination results of steps 902, 904, and 905 may be used.

  When the jackpot type is a long win (Yes in step 1102), the game progress control unit 236 turns on a flag (long hit game flag) for identifying that the game is a long win game (step 1103). . Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the gaming state per long. Note that, as described above, the presence / absence of probability fluctuation is not distinguished here per unit length. These are specified by turning on the corresponding flag in the jackpot game process (FIG. 13-2) in the big prize opening process (FIG. 13-1) described later.

  Next, the game progress control unit 236 sets a long hit game start command for starting a long hit game in the RAM 203 (step 1104), and identifies the probability change game at the time short game or the probability change. The flags (time-short game flag, probability change game flag, latent probability change game flag) are turned OFF (step 1105), and the stop process is terminated. Note that the operation of turning on the short-time game flag, the probability variation game flag, and the latent probability variation game flag is performed in the jackpot game processing (FIG. 13-2) in the below-described prize winning process (FIG. 13-1).

If the jackpot type is not long hit (No in step 1102), the game progress control unit 236 turns on a flag (short hit game flag) for identifying that it is a short hit game (step 1106). . Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a short hit gaming state.
Next, the game progress control unit 236 sets a short hit game start command for starting a short win game in the RAM 203 (step 1107), and turns OFF the short-time game flag, the probability change game flag, and the latent probability change game flag ( Step 1105), the stop process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the result of the special symbol lottery this time is not a big hit (No in step 1101), the game progress control unit 236 next determines whether or not the short-time game flag is ON in the setting of the game state in the RAM 203. Check (step 1108). When the short-time game flag is ON (Yes in Step 1108), the game progress control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the short-time game state, which will be described later (Step 1109). It is checked whether or not becomes 0 (step 1110). If the number of times of lottery J = 0 (Yes in Step 1110), the time-saving game flag is turned OFF (Step 1111). Note that the initial value of the lottery number J is set in a jackpot game process (FIG. 13-2) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 13-1) described later.

  If the short-time game flag is OFF (No in Step 1108), or after being turned OFF in Step 1111 or if the value of the number of lottery J is not 0 (No in Step 1110), the game progress control unit 236 then It is checked whether or not the probability variation game flag is ON in the setting of the game state in the RAM 203 (step 1112). Here, it is assumed that the latent probability variation game is also included in the probability variation game. That is, in step 1112, it is determined whether either the probability variation game flag or the latent probability variation game flag is ON.

  When the probability variation game flag (or the latent probability variation game flag) is ON (Yes in step 1112), the game progress control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of variations) X in the probability variation game state described later ( Step 1113), it is checked whether or not the number of times of lottery X has become 0 (Step 1114). If the number of lotteries X = 0 (Yes in Step 1114), the probability variation game flag (or the latent probability variation game flag) is turned OFF (Step 1115). Note that the initial value of the lottery number X is set in a jackpot game process (FIG. 13-2) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 13-1) described later.

If the probability variation game flag (or the latent probability variation game flag) is OFF (No in Step 1112), or after being turned OFF in Step 1115, or if the value of the number of lottery X is not 0 (No in Step 1114), then The game progress control unit 236 determines whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery this time is a small hit (step 1116). If it is not a small hit (No in step 1116), the stop process is terminated.
On the other hand, if it is a small hit (Yes in step 1116), the game progress control unit 236 turns on a flag (small hit game flag) for identifying that it is a small hit game (step 1117). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state. Then, the game progress control unit 236 sets a small hit game start command for starting the small hit game in the RAM 203 (step 1118), and ends the in-stop process.

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of normal symbol processing (step 505 in FIG. 5).
In this normal symbol processing, the normal symbol control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in an auxiliary game (a winning of normal symbol lottery) (step 1201). If it is during the auxiliary game, since the normal symbol is already selected and stopped, the normal symbol process is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation (Yes in step 1201). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game is not being performed (No in Step 1201), the normal symbol control unit 237 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is changing the normal symbol (Step 1202). If the normal symbol is not changing (No in Step 1202), then the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether or not the number G of reserved symbols for the undrawn normal symbol (see FIG. 7) is 1 or more (Step 1203). If the number of holds G = 0 (No in step 1203), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is 1 or more (Yes in step 1203), the normal symbol control unit 237 subtracts 1 from the value of the reserved number G (step 1204), and the normal random number lottery in this normal symbol lottery A determination is made (step 1205), and it is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won (step 1206). Whether or not the game is won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in step 704 in FIG. 7 matches the value set as the winning value. When the normal symbol lottery is won (Yes in Step 1206), the normal symbol control unit 237 sets a symbol representing the winning (hereinafter referred to as a winning symbol) in the RAM 203 as setting information (Step 1207). On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won (No in step 1206), the normal symbol control unit 237 sets a symbol indicating that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) in the RAM 203 as setting information (step 1208). ).

  Next, the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether or not the current operation state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 corresponds to either the probability variation gaming state or the short-time gaming state (step 1209). When it corresponds to one of the gaming states (Yes in Step 1209), the normal symbol control unit 237 sets the fluctuation time of the normal symbol variation to a short time (Step 1210). In the example shown in FIG. 12, it is set to 3 seconds. On the other hand, when the current operation state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 does not correspond to either the probability variation gaming state or the short-time gaming state (No in step 1209), the normal symbol control unit 237 increases the variation time of the normal symbol variation. Time is set (step 1211). In the example shown in FIG. 12, it is set to 29 seconds.

  After that, the normal symbol control unit 237 starts normal symbol fluctuation in the normal symbol display 223 shown in FIG. 3A based on the setting contents of Step 1207 or Step 1208 (Step 1212). Further, in order to perform normal symbol variation for the time set in step 1210 or step 1211, measurement of the variation time is started (step 1213).

  Next, when it is determined in step 1202 that the normal symbol is changing (Yes in step 1202), the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether or not the fluctuation time has ended (step 1214). That is, it is determined whether or not the variation time started in step 1213 has reached the variation time set in step 1210 or step 1211. If the fluctuation time has not ended (No in step 1214), the normal symbol variation is continued, so that the normal symbol processing is ended as it is.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time is over (Yes in step 1214), the normal symbol control unit 237 first ends the fluctuation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display unit 223 (step 1215), and resets the measured fluctuation time. (Step 1216). Next, the normal symbol control unit 237 determines whether or not the winning is made based on the normal symbol which has been stopped after the change (step 1217). If the winning is made (Yes in Step 1217), the auxiliary game operation control is started (Step 1218). On the other hand, if the lottery is off (No in step 1217), the normal symbol processing is terminated while maintaining the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100.

[Large winning mouth processing by game control unit]
FIG. 13A is a flowchart showing the contents of the special winning opening process (step 506 in FIG. 5).
In this special winning opening process, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is a big hit (step 1301). If it is not a big hit, there is no winning in the big winning opening 125, so the big winning opening process is terminated (No in step 1301). On the other hand, if it is a big hit (Yes in step 1301), then the big prize opening operation control unit 238 performs the opening operation in the operation control at the big hit started in the pachinko gaming machine 100 being stopped (FIG. 11). It is determined whether or not it is in progress (step 1302).

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in Step 1302), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 next determines whether or not a predetermined time for opening operation (opening time) has elapsed. Judgment is made (step 1303). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation at the special winning opening 125 is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in step 1303). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in step 1303), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 then adds 1 to the value of the open round number R of the special winning opening 125 from the current value (step 1304). Then, the special winning opening 125 is opened (step 1305).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the open state at the special winning opening 125 has passed a preset time (opening time) (step 1306). If the open state at the big prize opening 125 has not passed the opening time (No in step 1306), then the big prize opening operation control unit 238 determines whether the number C of winning prizes to the big prize opening 125 is 9 or more. Is determined (step 1307). When the open state at the big prize opening 125 has not passed the opening time and the winning number C is less than 9, the open state of the big prize opening 125 is continued, so the big prize opening process is terminated. (No in step 1307). On the other hand, if the open state of the special winning opening 125 has passed the opening time (Yes in Step 1306) or the winning number C has reached nine (Yes in Step 1307), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 The big prize opening 125 is closed (step 1308).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the number of open rounds R of the special winning opening 125 has reached a preset maximum value (step 1309). If the maximum value has not been reached, since the operation control at the time of the big hit is continued, the big winning opening process is terminated (No in step 1309). The maximum value is set according to the type of jackpot specified by the specific symbol set in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). For example, the maximum value is set to 15 rounds for the jackpot of the specific symbol A and the normal symbol, and the maximum value is set to two rounds for the jackpot of the specific symbol B.

  If the number R of open rounds of the big prize opening 125 reaches the maximum value (Yes in step 1309), the big prize opening operation control unit 238 then resets the number of open rounds R to 0 (step 1310), The ending operation in the operation control is started (step 1311). Thereafter, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not an elapsed time from the start of the ending operation has passed a predetermined time (ending time) for the ending operation to be performed (step 1312). If the ending time has not elapsed, the ending operation is continued, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in step 1312). On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (Yes in step 1312), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 performs the big hit game process and then ends the special winning opening process (step 1313). The contents of the jackpot game process will be described later.

  If it is determined in step 1302 that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not open (No in step 1302), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the special winning opening 125 is open (step). 1314). If it is being opened, the operations after step 1306 are executed (Yes in step 1314).

  If the big prize opening 125 is not open (No in step 1314), the big prize opening operation control unit 238 next determines whether or not the pachinko gaming machine 100 is ending (step 1315). If the ending is in progress, the operation after step 1312 is executed (Yes in step 1315).

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not in the ending (No in step 1315), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 next performs an open round execution interval (interval) in which the elapsed time after closing the special winning opening 125 is set in advance. It is determined whether or not (time) has elapsed (step 1316). If the interval time has not elapsed, the next open round is not yet performed, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in step 1316). On the other hand, if the elapsed time after closing the special winning opening 125 has passed the interval time, the operation after step 1304 is executed in order to perform the next open round (Yes in step 1316).

[Big hit game processing]
FIG. 13-2 shows the contents of the jackpot game process (step 1313) executed when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in step 1312).
As shown in FIG. 13B, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 first turns off the long winning game flag turned ON in Step 1103 of FIG. 11 or the short winning game flag turned ON in Step 1106 ( Step 1317).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the big hit determined in step 1301 of FIG. 13-1 is a normal big win (step 1318). If it is a normal jackpot (Yes in Step 1318), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 turns on the short-time game flag (Step 1319). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the short-time gaming state. In addition, the big winning opening operation control unit 238 sets an initial value of the lottery number J (step 1320), and ends the big hit game process. The initial value of the lottery number J is 100 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery in the short-time gaming state is performed 100 times, the short-time gaming state ends.

  When the jackpot determined in step 1301 of FIG. 13-1 is not a normal jackpot (No in step 1318), the jackpot operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the jackpot is a probability variation jackpot (step 1321). Here, the probable jackpot is a jackpot that generates a probability variation in the long hit, and corresponds to the jackpot in the specific symbol A.

  When it is a probable big hit (Yes in Step 1321), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 turns on the probable change game flag (Step 1322). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the probability-changing gaming state and the short-time gaming state. On the other hand, if it is not a probabilistic jackpot (No in step 1321), the type of jackpot is a short hit, that is, a jackpot with the specific symbol B (normal jackpot or neither jackpot of the specific symbol A). Therefore, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 turns on the latent probability changing game flag (step 1323). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the probability-changing gaming state (not accompanied by the short-time gaming state).

  After setting the probability variation game flag or the latent probability variation game flag to ON, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 sets an initial value of the lottery number X (step 1324), and ends the jackpot game processing. The initial value of the lottery number X is 1000 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery is performed 1000 times in the probability variation gaming state (or probability variation gaming state + time short gaming state), the probability variation gaming state (or probability variation gaming state + time short gaming state) ends.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the electric tulip process (step 507 in FIG. 5).
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in an auxiliary game (step 1401). When the auxiliary game is not being performed, the electric tulip 123 is not opened, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in step 1401). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game is being performed (Yes in step 1401), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 determines whether the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the middle of the opening operation in the operation control during the auxiliary game (step). 1402).

  If the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in Step 1402), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 then determines whether or not a predetermined time (opening time) for performing the opening operation has elapsed. (Step 1403). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation is continued, and the electric tulip process is terminated (No in step 1403). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in step 1403), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 then determines whether the current operation state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 corresponds to either the probability variation gaming state or the short-time gaming state. It is determined whether or not (step 1404). If one of the gaming states is applicable (Yes in Step 1404), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 sets the opening time of the electric tulip 123 to a long time (Step 1405). In the example shown in FIG. 14, it is set to 3.5 seconds. On the other hand, when the current operation state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 does not correspond to either the probability variation gaming state or the short-time gaming state (No in step 1404), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 sets the opening time of the electric tulip 123. A short time is set (step 1406). In the example shown in FIG. 14, it is set to 0.2 seconds.

  Thereafter, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 opens the electric tulip 123 (step 1407), measures the elapsed time after the release, and determines whether or not the opening time set in step 1405 or step 1406 has elapsed. Judgment is made (step 1408). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening of the electric tulip 123 is continued, and the electric tulip process is terminated (No in step 1408).

  On the other hand, if the elapsed time after the release of the electric tulip 123 has passed the opening time (Yes in step 1408), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 then closes the electric tulip 123 (step 1409), and during auxiliary games The operation control is finished and the electric tulip process is finished (step 1410).

[Random number judgment method]
Here, a determination method using random numbers performed in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 10), the normal symbol process (FIG. 12), and the like will be described in detail.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of random numbers used in the present embodiment.
15A shows a configuration example of a jackpot random number, FIG. 15B shows a configuration example of a jackpot symbol random number, FIG. 15C shows a configuration example of a reach random number, and FIG. Configuration examples are shown respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 15 (a), the jackpot random number is set to two types of jackpots when the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the normal gaming state and jackpots when the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the probabilistic gaming state, and the jackpot. The range of values of random numbers (big hit random numbers) is 300 from 0 to 299. In the case of a jackpot in the normal gaming state, only one winning value is set, and the winning probability is 1/300. Further, in the case of a big hit when in the probability variation gaming state, 10 winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). In the case of small hits, three winning values are set, and the winning probability is 3/300 (= 1/100). That is, in the example shown in the figure, if the winning symbols 121 and 122 are won and the special symbol lottery is performed in the probability variation gaming state, the winning probability is 10 times that in the case where the special symbol lottery is performed in the normal gaming state.

  Referring to FIG. 15B, three types of jackpot symbols are prepared: a normal symbol, a specific symbol A, and a specific symbol B. Here, as described in the explanation of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the normal symbol is a symbol indicating that it is a jackpot without probability variation, and the specific symbol A is a jackpot with probability variation and time reduction. The specific symbol B is a symbol indicating that it is a big hit with a probability variation but not with a time reduction. The range of random number values is 10 from 0 to 9. Four values are assigned to each of the normal symbol and the specific symbol A. Two values are assigned to the specific symbol B. That is, in the example shown in the figure, the probability of probability variation is 6/10 (= 4/10 + 2/10 = 3/5) and the probability of probability variation is 4/10 (= 2/5) in the case of a big hit. In the example shown in the figure, the jackpot symbol is a total of three types including the normal symbol and the two specific symbols. However, the jackpot symbol may be classified into four or more types and assigned a random value.

  Referring to FIG. 15C, the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, and 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and the lottery without the reach effect is performed. 228 random numbers are assigned to the result (no reach). In other words, in the illustrated example, when a special symbol lottery is not won, a reach effect is performed with a probability of 22/228 (= 11/114).

  Referring to FIG. 15D, the range of random number values is 10 from 0 to 9, and 9 winning values are set. That is, in the example shown in the figure, when a game ball passes through the gate 124 and a normal symbol lottery is performed, the winning is performed with a probability of 9/10.

  These random number values start from a predetermined initial value and are incremented by one each time the random number update process (step 501) shown in FIG. 5 is performed. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start opening switch process (FIG. 6) and the gate switch process (FIG. 7), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 8) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 12). The This counter is an infinite loop counter, and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value of the set random number (for example, 299 for the big hit random number). In addition, since the random number update process is performed at regular intervals, if the initial value of each random number is specified, the winning value may be estimated based on such information. Therefore, in general, a mechanism for randomly changing the initial value of each random number at an appropriate timing has been introduced.

[Preliminary judgment processing]
Here, the prior determination process (see step 606 in FIG. 6) in the case of holding prefetching will be described in detail.
First, a determination method using random numbers in the prior determination process will be described.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of random numbers used in the pre-determination process according to the present embodiment.
(A) of the figure is a configuration example of jackpot random numbers in the pre-determination process, (b) is a configuration example of symbol random numbers in the pre-determination process, and (c) is a configuration example of reach random numbers in the pre-determination process. Are shown respectively.

Referring to (a) in the figure, two types of jackpot random numbers are set: a low probability gaming state (normal gaming state) and a high probability gaming state (probability varying gaming state). The range of random number values is 601 from 0 to 600. Furthermore, two types of jackpot random numbers are set for the jackpot and the jackpot for the low probability gaming state and the high probability gaming state, respectively. That is, as a random number determination table used in the prior determination process, a low probability random number determination table used for determination of a big hit random number in a low probability gaming state and a high number used for determination of a big hit random number in a high probability gaming state And a random number determination table for probability.
In the case of the low probability gaming state, both the big win winning value and the small win winning value are set, the big win winning probability is 2/601, and the small win winning probability is also 2/601. In the case of a high-probability gaming state, 20 jackpot winning values are set, the jackpot winning probability is 20/601, two small hit winning values are set, and the small win winning probability is 2/601. . In other words, in the example shown in the figure, when the special symbols lottery is performed by winning the starting holes 121 and 122 in the probability variation gaming state, the jackpot winning probability is 10 times as compared with the case where the special symbol lottery is performed in the low probability gaming state. .
In the present embodiment, the low-winning random number determination table and the high-probability random number determination table have small winning winning values of 50 and 100, respectively. Therefore, regardless of whether the game state is a low-probability game state or a high-probability game state, it is determined that the jackpot number is 50 or 100 when the jackpot random number is 50 or 100.

(B) of the same figure shows the symbol random number at the time of jackpot by the 1st starting opening prize, the symbol random number at the time of jackpot by the 2nd starting slot winning, and the symbol random number at the time of small hitting.
Referring to (b) of the figure, the types of jackpots for the first starting entrance prize are as follows: per length with high probability short-time, long per length with normal time, short per short with high probability time, short per short with normal time, high probability short-time There are six types available, one per short and the other per normal time. The range of random number values is 251 from 0 to 250. And since the value of 0-100 is allocated per length with high probability shortening, the probability of being per length with high probability shortening is 101/251 when performing pre-reading preserving of the first start opening prize. Moreover, since the value of 101-150 is normally assigned per length with a short time, the probability that it is per length with a normal time is 50/251 when the pre-reading reservation of the first start opening prize is performed. In addition, per value with a short time with a high probability, a short value with a short time with a normal time, a short value with a short time without a high probability, and a value with a short time without a short time with a normal probability, values of 151 to 175, 176 to 200, 201 to 225, 226 to 250, respectively. Are assigned, the probabilities are all 25/251.

  In addition, referring to (b) of the figure, there are two types of jackpots for the second start opening winning, one per length with high probability and the other with a length with normal time. The range of random number values is 251 from 0 to 250. And since the value of 0-150 is allocated per length with high probability time shortening, the probability per length with high probability time shortening will be 151/251 when performing pre-reading reservation of the 2nd start opening prize. In addition, since the values of 151 to 250 are assigned per length with a normal time, the probability of being with the time length with a normal time is 100/251 when preserving the second start opening prize preemption.

Here, the reason why the control is performed so as to win only the long probability with a short time or the long length with a normal time at the time of the big hit by the second start opening prize will be described.
That is, in the non-short game state, almost no game ball enters the second start port 122. In other words, in the non-short-time gaming state, most of the jackpot lottery is performed when a game ball enters the first start port 121. Therefore, in the non-time-saving gaming state, any one of the six types of jackpots is won to enhance the fun of the game.
On the other hand, even if a game ball enters the second start port 122, if six types of jackpots are won, the player's willingness to play is reduced by providing a short-time game state. There is a risk of letting you. For example, if you win a short chance with high probability short-term and become short-time gaming state, if you win further per short with normal time or short with no normal time, you win a short chance with high probability It is impossible to enjoy the game value by the player, and the player's willingness to play is reduced at once. Also, for example, if a player wins a short win with a high probability and enters a short play state, the player will win a lot of prize balls if he frequently wins one of the “short wins” again. It may be difficult to achieve the maximum goal of the game, and the willingness to play may decline at once. Such a situation frequently occurs in the short-time gaming state.
Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation from frequently occurring, the second start opening prize is won only for either the high probability per short length or the normal short length.

In addition, referring to (b) of the figure, two types of small hits A and small hits B are prepared as the types of small hits at the time of the small hit. The range of random number values is 251 from 0 to 250. Since a value of 0 to 120 is assigned to the small hit A, the probability of the small hit A is 121/251 when performing pre-holding preemption in the first starting opening prize or the second starting opening winning. . In addition, since the value of 121 to 250 is assigned to the small hit B, the probability is 130/251.
It should be noted that the small hit A and the small hit B are exactly the same in the contents of the small hit game executed thereafter, and the difference is that in the case of the small hit A, the special symbol indicators 221 and 222 (FIG. 3-1 The special symbol that is stopped and displayed on the reference) and the special symbol that is stopped and displayed on the special symbol indicators 221 and 222 in the case of the small hit B are different.

Also, referring to (c) in the figure, the reach random value range is 251 from 0 to 250. A reach random number determination table is prepared for the case with reach and the case without reach. That is, a value of 0 to 24 is assigned with reach, and a value of 25 to 250 is assigned without reach. Accordingly, the probability of having a reach when performing a pre-reading preemption in the first start opening prize or the second start opening winning is 25/251, and the probability of having no reach is 226/251.
More specifically, the reach random number is determined based on the reach random number determination table only when the jackpot random number is determined to be lost. As described above, at the time of losing, the probability that the non-reach effect is executed increases, while the so-called gas reasure effect that gives the player a sense of expectation is executed with a probability of about 10%. On the other hand, since the reach presence effect is always executed at the time of big hit and small hit, in the present embodiment, the reach random number is acquired, but the reach random number is not determined.

It should be noted that the effect with reach and the effect without reach determined by the reach random number indicate a mode of effect performed in the image display unit 114. That is, during the variation display of special symbols, for example, three columns of symbols consisting of a number sequence in which numbers 1 to 9 are continuously written in the vertical direction are displayed, and the variation display of special symbols is started. At the same time, these symbols start to scroll.
Then, in the effect with reach, when the scrolling is stopped and the symbols are stopped and displayed after elapse of a predetermined time after the start of the scrolling, any two symbols (sequences) are stopped first. At this time, the same number is stopped and displayed on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally, and the last one row gradually decreases the scrolling speed, and there is a sense of expectation that three identical numbers will be aligned on the straight line. Give to the player. Such an effect with reach includes a so-called super reach effect in which various characters appear or a story develops before the last line of scrolling stops. On the other hand, unlike the effect with reach, the effect without reach does not produce an effect that gives the player a sense of expectation, and the symbols stop and display in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. Is.
As described above, the reach random number is used to determine whether to perform an effect with reach or an effect without reach in the image display unit 114 when the determination result of the jackpot random number is a loss. A reachable effect appears with a probability, so that the player is appropriately expected.
In addition, when a big win is won, a reachable effect is always performed, and finally the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. On the other hand, in the case of winning with a small win or loss, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on the straight line.

[Preliminary judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of the preliminary determination process (step 606 in FIG. 6) according to the present embodiment.
In the flowchart shown in the figure, the CPU 201 of the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the internal state is a high-probability gaming state (step 1701), and determines that the internal state is a high-probability state (Yes in step 1701). It is determined how many jackpot lottery rights have been acquired since the jackpot lottery right acquired in the switch process (see FIG. 6) has shifted to the current high probability gaming state.
In other words, if the winning of the jackpot (per length with high probability short-time, short per short with high probability short-time, short per short without high-probability time) is confirmed, the number of changes when winning the jackpot N is set to the reference number M. For example, if “Long per long with high probability” is won by the 200th jackpot lottery (special symbol fluctuation display) after turning on the power, the data “200” is stored in the RAM 203, and Along with this, the internal state becomes a high probability gaming state. Therefore, the jackpot lottery performed at the 201st time after turning on the power corresponds to the first jackpot lottery after shifting to the high probability gaming state, and similarly, the jackpot lottery performed at the 210th time Corresponds to the tenth jackpot lottery after shifting to the high probability gaming state. In this way, it is calculated how many jackpot lotteries the right of the jackpot lottery acquired by the start opening switch process (see FIG. 6) corresponds to the high probability gaming state. Specifically, the CPU 201 obtains the calculated value Z by subtracting the reference number M from the variation number N (step 1702).

Then, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the calculated value Z is equal to or less than the predetermined number X (step 1703). The predetermined number X here is an upper limit number of times that a big hit random number is determined based on the high probability hourly determination table.
Here, in the present embodiment, if the subsequent game state is won with a big win that becomes a high probability gaming state, then the big hit random number is determined based on the high probability hourly determination table with the upper limit being 100 times. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the predetermined number X is set to 100, and it is determined whether or not the calculated value Z is 100 or less.
That is, whether the jackpot random number acquired by the start switch processing (see FIG. 6) is determined based on the high probability hourly determination table, or the high probability gaming state ends and the low probability hourly determination table It is determined here whether it is determined based on the above.
For example, suppose that a winning hit with a short time with a high probability is won by the 200th jackpot lottery (the number of fluctuations N = 200) after turning on the power. Thereafter, 98 jackpot lotteries have been performed since entering the high probability gaming state, and in a situation where the jackpot has not yet been won, the variation number N = 299 hold A, the variation number N = 300 hold B, the variation number It is assumed that N = 301 hold C is stored in the RAM 203. At this time, since the reference number M = 200 is set, the hold A is the calculated value Z = 99, the hold B is the calculated value Z = 100, and the hold C is the calculated value Z = 101. Therefore, hold A and hold B are determined as “YES” in step 1703, and hold C is determined as “NO” in step 1703.
In this way, the processing of Step 1702 and Step 1703 makes it possible to make a jackpot determination based not on the current internal state but on the internal state at the time of special symbol processing. Therefore, an accurate determination result can be derived even when the gaming state changes from the high probability gaming state to the low probability gaming state.

When the CPU 201 determines that the calculated value Z is equal to or less than the predetermined number of times X (Yes in step 1703), the prior determination information related to “big hit” for changing the subsequent internal state to the low-probability gaming state is the start-up switch process ( It is determined whether it is stored before starting (see FIG. 6) (step 1704). For example, when random numbers are stored in the fifth storage unit 204e (see FIG. 3-2) of the storage area 204 in step 605 of the start port switch process (see FIG. 6), the first storage unit 204a to the fourth storage unit are stored. It is determined whether or not pre-determination information related to any one of the normal time shortened length, the normal time shortened short hit, and the normal time short / short short is stored in the unit 204d (see FIG. 3-2). That is, it is determined whether there is a reserve ball that is digested prior to the reserve ball retained in the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) to change the gaming state to the low probability gaming state. This is because if such a reserved ball is reserved first, the gaming state becomes a low-probability gaming state when digesting the reserved ball reserved in the start port switch process (see FIG. 6). Because.
Therefore, if it is determined No in step 1704, the high probability random number determination table is selected (step 1706), and if it is determined Yes in step 1704, the low probability random number determination table is selected (step 1706). Step 1707).

Here, when the current gaming state is a low-probability gaming state (No in Step 1701), or even if the current gaming state is a high-probability gaming state, it is determined that the calculated value Z exceeds the predetermined number X. In the case (No in Step 1703), the following processing is performed. That is, the CPU 201 stores the advance determination information related to the jackpot for changing the subsequent gaming state to the high probability gaming state in the storage area 204 (see FIG. 3-2) of the RAM 203. It is determined whether it has been previously stored (step 1705). For example, when random numbers are stored in the sixth storage unit 204f (see FIG. 3-2) of the storage area 204 in step 605 of the start port switch process (see FIG. 6), the first storage unit 204a to the fifth storage. It is determined whether or not prior determination information related to one of the per unit with high probability and the short unit, the short unit with high probability and the short unit per unit, and short per unit with high probability and no unit is stored in the unit 204e (see FIG. 3-2). That is, it is determined whether there is a reserve ball that is digested prior to the reserve ball retained in the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) to change the internal state to the high probability gaming state. This is because if such a reserved ball is retained first, the internal state becomes a high-probability gaming state when digesting the retained ball retained in the start port switch process.
Accordingly, when it is determined No in step 1705, the low probability random number determination table is selected (step 1707), and when it is determined Yes, the high probability random number determination table is selected (step 1706).

  Although not shown in detail, in step 1704 and step 1705, the storage area 204 includes a jackpot for changing the subsequent gaming state to the high probability gaming state and a jackpot for changing the subsequent gaming state to the low probability gaming state. When stored in (refer to FIG. 3-2), a determination is made based on prior determination information related to the reserved ball to be digested later among these two jackpots. For example, the first storage unit 204a (see FIG. 3-2) stores pre-determined information related to the length with a high probability of shortening the time, and the third storage unit 204c (see FIG. 3-2) relates to the length of a normal time with a short time Assume that prior determination information is stored. In this case, in order to make a determination based on the prior determination information stored in the third storage unit 204c (see FIG. 3-2), it is determined Yes in step 1704, and No in step 1705.

  As described above, the processing of step 1704 and step 1705 can determine the jackpot based on the internal state in the special symbol processing. Therefore, when the internal state changes from a high probability gaming state to a low probability gaming state, or when the internal state changes from a low probability gaming state to a high probability gaming state, an accurate prejudgment result is derived. Can do.

Each random number is determined based on the table selected from the low probability random number determination table and the high probability random number determination table (step 1708), and the determination result is stored in the storage area 204 (FIG. 3) as prior determination information. 2) (step 1709). Then, it is determined whether or not the determination result is a big hit or a small win (step 1710). If it is a big hit or a small win (Yes in step 1710), a predictive command is set (step 1711). If it is lost (No in step 1710), a normal command is set (step 1712). Thereby, the preliminary determination process is completed. The set prior determination command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (see step 509 in FIG. 5).
These pre-determination commands are used to send information indicating that the number of the first hold U1 or the second hold U2 has been changed to the effect control unit 300, and the pre-determination result is a big hit. , It has information on whether it is small hit or lost.

[Operation of production control unit]
Next, an operation performed by the effect control unit 300 in response to each command transmitted from the game control unit 200 will be described. Specifically, in the present embodiment, effect control unit 300 performs an advance determination command reception process, an effect execution command reception process, and an effect control process. In these processes, the CPU 301 of the effect control unit 300 reads a program stored in the ROM 302 and is executed by the program.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the effect control unit 300. Various commands transmitted from the game control unit 200 by the output process (see step 509 in FIG. 5) are temporarily stored in a command storage unit (not shown) provided in the RAM 303 of the effect control unit 300. Then, the CPU 301 of the effect control unit 300 goes to see commands stored in a command storage device (not shown) at a predetermined interval, and controls the effects based on the stored commands.
The effect control unit 300 repeatedly executes each process shown in FIG. 18 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Referring to FIG. 18, the advance determination command reception process, the effect execution command reception process, and the effect control process are sequentially executed (steps 1801 to 1803).
As shown in the figure, when the effect control unit 300 receives a predetermination command from the game control unit 200, it performs a predetermination command reception process (step 1801), and when it receives an effect execution command from the game control unit 200, Reception processing is performed (step 1802). Then, the effect control unit 300 performs effect control processing thereafter (step 1803).
The detailed contents of the prior determination command reception process, the effect execution command reception process, and the effect control process will be described later.

[Pre-judgment command reception processing by the production control unit]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the contents of the advance determination command reception process in the effect control unit 300.
In the flowchart shown in the figure, the CPU 301 determines whether or not a prior determination command is stored in a command storage unit (not shown) (step 1901). If it is determined that the pre-determination command is stored (Yes in step 1901), the CPU 301 uses the hold flag storage area (see FIG. 3-3) in the first hold storage area 305 to the second hold storage area 306 in the RAM 303. The hold flag is turned on (step 1902).
Note that if the advance determination command is not stored (No in step 1901), the advance determination command reception process ends.

Next, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the predictor flag is turned on in any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d (see FIG. 3-3) of the first reserved storage area 305 to the second reserved storage area 306 of the RAM 303. Is determined (step 1903). As a result, if the CPU 301 determines that the predictor flag is turned on in any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d (see FIG. 3-3) (Yes in step 1903), the CPU 301 It is determined whether or not the time H is greater than a predetermined value K (step 1904). If the CPU 301 determines that the variation time H is greater than the predetermined value K (Yes in step 1904), the CPU 301 sets a hold number predictor display command (step 1905).
On the other hand, if it is determined that any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d (see FIG. 3-3) is not turned on (No in step 1903), and the variation time H is equal to or less than the predetermined value K. Is determined (No in step 1904), the hold number normal display command is set (step 1906).
Note that these commands are for informing the player of the number of holds in the effect control process, and have information related to the first hold U1 and the second hold U2. The hold number predictor command also includes information indicating in which storage unit the predictor flag is turned on.
When the command is set in this way, the prior determination command reception process is terminated.

More specifically, the variation time H here refers to a variation time that is a time at which a special symbol is varied by the jackpot determination process (see FIG. 9), and can also be referred to as a variation time related to the variation. Further, the predetermined value K is a value larger than the time required for performing the indication effect, and for example, a value of 4 seconds may be adopted. That is, when a certain amount of time (for example, 3 seconds) is required to perform the sign effect, the predetermined sign effect cannot be performed during the symbol variation if the variation time H is short.
Therefore, even when it is determined that the predictor flag is ON in any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d (see FIG. 3-3) (Yes in step 1903), the variation time H is the predetermined value. If it is determined that it is equal to or less than K (No in step 1904), a holding number normal display command is set (step 1906).

[Production execution command reception processing by the production control unit]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect execution command reception process in the effect control unit 300.
In the flowchart shown in the figure, the CPU 301 of the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not an effect execution command is stored in the RAM 303 (step 2001). The effect execution command mentioned here refers to a command generated by special symbol processing (see step 504 in FIG. 5). Information related to at least jackpot, jackpot, and loser jackpot determination results and special It has information related to the symbol variation time and the aspect of the effect (the effect with reach or the effect without reach). More specifically, the effect execution command has information on the contents of the special symbol from which the variable display will be started, that is, whether the special symbol variable display related to the big hit, the small hit, or the loss is started. . In addition, the effect execution command includes information on whether the effect performed in the special symbol variation display is the effect with reach or the effect without reach, and further the time of the reach effect.

  When CPU 301 determines that a prior determination command is stored (Yes in step 2001), CPU 301 selects one effect table from a plurality of effect tables stored in ROM 302 based on the effect execution command (step 2002). ).

  More specifically, the ROM 302 of the effect control unit 300 stores a long hit effect table, a short hit and small hit effect table, an effect table with loss reach, and an effect table without lose reach. Each of these tables is provided with a plurality of tables corresponding to the variation times determined by the game control unit 200. For example, there is a table for 4 seconds, 8 seconds, and 12 seconds in the effect table without los-reach, and a table for 1 minute, 1 minute 30 seconds, and 2 minutes is provided in the long hit effect table. It has been. And CPU301 selects one production | presentation table based on the information which the received production execution command has among these several tables. For example, if the received effect execution command has information of “lost”, “no reach”, and “variable time 4 seconds”, the no-reach effect table for 4 seconds is selected.

  Thereafter, the CPU 301 randomly extracts and acquires 1 random number from 0 to 250 (step 2003), and determines the random number based on the selected effect table. In this effect table, a random number and an effect pattern are associated with each other, and one effect pattern is determined from a number of effect patterns according to the random number. Thereby, CPU301 determines the production content (step 2004). More specifically, the decorative design pattern in the image display unit 114, the operation pattern of the movable accessory 115, the irradiation pattern of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, and the sound pattern output from the speaker 156 are determined.

  In this way, after the effect pattern to be performed during the special symbol variation display is determined, the CPU 301 sets an effect confirmation command related to the determined effect pattern (step 2005). Then, the CPU 301 performs a shift process for the reserved storage areas 305 and 306 in the RAM 303 (step 2006). For example, when the received effect execution command relates to the first hold U1, the flag stored in the fourth storage unit 305d is shifted to the third storage unit 305c and stored. Then, the flag stored in the third storage unit 305c is shifted and stored in the second storage unit 305b, and the flag stored in the second storage unit 305b is shifted and stored in the first storage unit 305a. In this case, the flag stored in the first storage unit 305a is deleted.

The CPU 301 determines whether or not the predictor flag is turned on in any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d in the holding storage areas 305 and 306 (step 2007). If it is determined that any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d is turned on (Yes in step 2007), it is next determined whether or not the variation time H is greater than a predetermined value K. Judgment is made (step 2008). If it is determined that the predictor flag is not turned on in any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d (No in step 2007), a hold number normal display command is set (step 2010).
If it is determined that the fluctuation time H is greater than the predetermined value K (Yes in step 2008), the CPU 301 sets a hold number predictor display command (step 2009). If it is determined that this is not the case (No in step 2008), a hold number normal display command is set (step 2010). These commands are for informing the player of the number of holds in the effect control process, and have information relating to the number of holds of the first hold U1 and the number of holds of the second hold U2. The hold number predictor command also includes information indicating which storage unit 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d stores the predictor flag.

Although not specifically illustrated, when the CPU 301 of the effect control unit 300 executes a routine process, a prior determination command and an effect execution command may be received simultaneously. In this case, in step 1905 or step 1906 of the prior determination command reception process shown in FIG. 19, the hold number sign display command or the hold number normal display command is already set. On the other hand, in the effect execution command reception process shown in FIG. 20, separately from the prior determination command reception process, the hold number predictive display command or the hold number normal display command is based on the information after the shift process in step 2006. Set. Therefore, the command set in step 1905 or step 1906 is different from the command set in step 2009 or step 2010.
As described above, when the advance determination command and the effect execution command are received simultaneously, the command set in the advance determination command reception process is deleted, and then a new command is set in the effect execution command reception process. It becomes.

  If it is determined that the predictor flag is ON (Yes in Step 2007) and if the variation time H is determined to be greater than the predetermined value K (Yes in Step 2008), the CPU 301 determines whether the predetermined condition is satisfied. The lottery of the change destination stage is performed and determined (step 2011).

The stage of the change destination determined here is displayed on the image display unit 114 as the background (scene, mode) changes. That is, in the present embodiment, a variation effect by the decorative symbol as a result of the special symbol lottery and a predictive effect that suggests a result of pre-determination by pre-reading for the undrawn portion of the special symbol lottery are performed. This predictive effect can be said to be an effect for giving the player a notice that the reserved ball includes a big hit or a promotion to a certain change. Therefore, if a stage change is performed during the fluctuating performance, the player can have a sense of expectation that the game may be a big hit or a probable change by continuing the game, and the fun of the game can be enhanced.
Note that character image data, moving image data (for example, background image data) and the like used for the indication effect are stored in advance in the ROM 312 of the image / sound control unit 310. The background here refers to an image or a moving image displayed on the image display unit 114 excluding a decorative design and a reserved image.

As described above, such indication effect is not always performed when the CPU 301 determines that the indication flag is ON (Yes in step 1903 or Yes in step 2007). That is, when the CPU 301 determines that the fluctuation time H for displaying the result of the special symbol lottery is longer than the time required for the stage change (predetermined value K) (Yes in step 1904 or Yes in step 2008). ). That is, in the present embodiment, when it is determined whether or not to produce a stage change as an example of production that cannot be performed without a predetermined time, based on the variation time H, when it is determined that the production is not performed, The effect is carried over until a change that can secure a predetermined time occurs due to digestion of the reserved ball.
To explain further, the variation time H may be determined according to the number of holdings. An example in that case will be described. The fluctuation time H when the holding number is 0 to 1 is 12 seconds, the fluctuation time H when the holding number is 2 to 3, is 8 seconds or 12 seconds, and the fluctuation time H when the holding number is 4 is Let it be 4 seconds, 8 seconds or 12 seconds. Assume that it takes 3 seconds to change the stage. Under such a condition, when the variation time H is 4 seconds, a sufficient time for the stage change is not secured, and no sign effect is performed. Further, when the fluctuation time H is 8 seconds or 12 seconds, the sign effect is performed on the assumption that the time required for the stage change can be secured. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare various effects for stage changes such as when the effect time is long or short.

In this case, a stage with a higher expectation level (reliability) of big hit or probability change is determined as the stage of change destination. As a modification thereof, it is also conceivable to determine the second stage, which is a stage with lower expectation than the initial stage (first stage), and the third stage, which is a stage with higher expectation than the first stage. .
Further, in this embodiment, the stage change is performed as the indication effect, but it is also possible to display a specific character instead of the stage change. In this case, the special character display effect requires a predetermined time from the start of the effect to the end as in the case of the stage change.
In addition, when performing a stage change in the present embodiment, it is conceivable to display a specific character in a superimposed manner as an indication effect, and it is also possible to use such a specific character display for holding display. Conceivable.

When the change destination stage is determined in this way, the CPU 301 sets a stage display command (step 2012) and ends a series of processing. Thereafter, the CPU 301 controls the image display unit 114 and the speaker 156 via the image / sound control unit 310, and controls the movable accessory 115, the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 via the lamp control unit 320. Or
If the effect execution command is not stored (No in step 2001), the effect execution command reception process ends.

[Production control processing by production control unit]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect control process in the effect control unit 300.
In the flowchart shown in the figure, when the hold number sign display command is set in the above-described prior determination command reception process or effect execution command reception process, the CPU 311 of the image / sound control unit 310 reads the program from the ROM 312. Then, the effect display device control as the hold number sign display control is started for the image display unit 114 (step 2101). That is, the stage is changed while the decorative design of the image display unit 114 is changing. When the hold number display is displayed on the image display unit 114, the hold number display is changed.
In addition, the CPU 321 of the lamp control unit 320 reads out the program from the ROM 322 and starts the production effect device control as the reserved number sign display control for the movable accessory 115 (step 2102). Similarly, the CPU 321 of the lamp control unit 320 starts the lighting device control for production as the reserved number sign display control for the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 (step 2103). Further, the CPU 311 of the image / sound control unit 310 starts the sound output device control as the hold number sign display control for the speaker 156 (step 2104).
Further, when the hold number normal display command is set, the CPU 311 performs the effect display device control as the hold number normal display control of the image display unit 114 (step 2101), and the CPU 321 holds the movable accessory 115 normally. Performing effect device control (step 2102) is performed as display control. In addition, the lighting device control for production as the hold number normal display control of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 by the CPU 321 (step 2103), and the sound output device control as the hold number normal display control of the speaker 156 by the CPU 311 (step 2104). I do.

[Timing when predictive performance is performed]
FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the timing at which an indication effect is performed in the image display unit 114. FIGS. 22 (a), (b), and (c) in FIG. The state that occurs is shown for convenience of explanation. (a), (b) and (c) are shown in time series, and change in the order of (a) to (c) with the passage of time.
At the time shown in (a) of the figure, there are four holdings, ie, holding balls 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D. When the holding ball 10A which is the earliest holding ball among the holding balls 10A to 10D is digested, the variation time H is determined in the jackpot determination process (see FIG. 9). In this case, the fluctuation time H is 12 seconds (H = 12). At this time, it is assumed that the preliminary determination process (see FIG. 17) has already been performed for all of the holding balls 10A to 10D, and none of them has been a big hit.

  Then, at the time shown in FIG. 22 (b), there is a holding ball 10E which is a new holding ball in addition to the holding balls 10B, 10C, 10D, so there are also four holdings at this time. . In addition, it is assumed that a pre-determination process (see FIG. 17) has been performed for a new reserved ball 10E, and that it was a big hit. Further, the variation time H determined when the reserved ball 10A is digested is 4 seconds (H = 4). That is, the fluctuation time H is not more than 4 seconds which is the predetermined value K. Therefore, the sign effect is not performed at the timing when the reserved ball 10B is digested. That is, the timing for executing the indication effect for the reserved ball 10E is lowered.

Further, at the time shown in FIG. 22 (c), in addition to the holding balls 10C, 10D, and 10E, a holding ball 10F that is a new holding ball is generated. The fluctuation time H determined when the holding ball 10C is digested is 8 seconds (H = 8). That is, the fluctuation time H is longer than the predetermined value K of 4 seconds. For this reason, an indication effect as a prior determination result of the reserved ball 10E is performed with the symbol variation display performed in the image display unit 114 when the reserved ball 10C is digested.
In addition, it was not a big hit in the prior judgment about this reserved ball 10F.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the effect by the hold number normal display control is performed, the hold time predictor display control may not be performed because the change time H related to the change is short. That is, there is a case where a predictive command is set by the prior determination process (see step 1711 in FIG. 17). In such a case, the hold ball is digested, and when a fluctuation with a long fluctuation time H occurs, the hold number sign display control is performed. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine the timing for executing, for example, background change of a sign effect that requires a predetermined time to change the display on the image display unit 114. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the interest of the game by positively performing the indication effect as a result of the prior determination.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Pachinko machine 114 ... Image display part 200 ... Game control part 300 ... Production control part

Claims (1)

A start opening for entering a game ball, a detection means for detecting that a game ball has entered the start opening, and a jackpot lottery corresponding to the winning for the start opening detected by the detection means A game machine comprising: a lottery means for performing a display; and a display means for displaying a symbol indicating a result of the jackpot lottery by the lottery means together with a background,
A holding ball generation information acquisition unit for acquiring holding ball generation information about the generation of a holding ball in which the jackpot lottery of the lottery unit performed corresponding to a winning detected by the detection unit is held;
Pre-determining means for determining the result of the jackpot lottery before the jackpot lottery is performed by the lottery means for the winnings related to the reserved ball generation information acquiring means acquired by the lottery ball generation information;
Before the result of the jackpot lottery performed by the lottery means performed in response to the winning associated with the reserved ball generation information acquired by the reserved ball generation information acquisition means is displayed on the display means, the background of the display means Background display control means for changing the content to suggest the determination result of the prior determination means corresponding to the winning,
A symbol variation control means for controlling the symbol variation display so that the symbol displayed on the display means is displayed by stopping after the symbol variation is started;
Determining means for determining, for each of the winnings detected by the detecting means, a fluctuation time output to the symbol fluctuation controlling means as a time period between the start and stop of the symbol fluctuation on the display means; ,
With
The background display control means is based on the information of the variation time corresponding to another winning detected by the detecting means before the winning relating to the holding ball generation information acquired by the holding ball generation information acquiring means. When the result of the jackpot lottery corresponding to the other prize is displayed on the display means, the background of the display means is changed to the content suggesting the judgment result of the prior judgment means corresponding to the prize. Whether or not
The background display control means selects a background after change from a plurality of backgrounds including a background that increases the player's expectation level and a background that lowers the expectation level than the background before the change, A gaming machine characterized in that, when the determination result of the determination means is a jackpot, a transition is made to a background that increases the degree of expectation or a background that lowers the degree of expectation.

Images