JP5786823B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and is applied to a so-called seven machine, a ball-type gaming machine such as a winged article, a right article, or an arrangement ball, and a revolving type gaming machine called a slot machine (or pachislot). can do.

  For example, in a ball-type game machine (pachinko machine), a determination (whether or not) of whether or not to execute a special game is executed due to the game ball entering the start opening. The symbol variation game is started based on the result of the determination. Then, when the execution time of the symbol variation game has elapsed, the result of the determination is displayed on a predetermined display means (determination result display means). Also, this type of gaming machine is usually provided with effect means such as symbol display means (effect display means), sound output means, light emission means, etc., and using this effect means, the result of the symbol variation game, that is, the above-mentioned success / failure. An effect (hereinafter referred to as “determination effect”) for showing the result of the determination to the player is executed. For example, the display effect of “determination effect is to display the result of the determination of success / failure in the display area of the symbol display means after a plurality of symbols are variably displayed in the display area of the symbol display means”. A gaming machine that performs as one aspect is known.

  In such gaming machines, attempts have been made to enhance the game entertainment appeal by focusing on the “determination effect” mode. For example, a gaming machine that performs the above-described “display effect” in a state accompanied by a so-called “pseudo-continuous effect” has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, during the continuation of the "display effect", the so-called "pseudo continuous pattern" is stopped and displayed, and the "display effect" is developed into the "pseudo continuous effect" triggered by the stop display of the "pseudo continuous pattern" A gaming machine that performs so-called “super reach production” through this “pseudo-continuous production” has been proposed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-5401

  However, this type of pseudo-continuous production has come to be adopted in many gaming machines, and is becoming a regular production. For this reason, in the production method that relies on the conventional pseudo-continuous production, the player lacks impact, and it is difficult to effectively enhance the game interest.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to provide a game that can execute an effect that gives a strong impact to the player and can effectively enhance the gaming interest. Is to provide a machine.

The gaming machine according to claim 1,
When the determination of success / failure is made based on the game ball entering the starting port, a plurality of symbols are displayed in a predetermined variation direction in the display area of the symbol display means, and the determination of success / failure is made through the variation display. A gaming machine configured to be stopped and displayed in a manner based on the results of
The state in which the symbols other than the final stop symbol among the plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in an unreachable state before the plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in a manner based on the result of the success / failure determination. Thus, a pre-stop effect indicating whether or not a predetermined special symbol is stopped and displayed at a predetermined stop display position in the display area as the final stop symbol, while the special symbol can be recognized and the stop display position is Pre-stop production execution means for performing a reciprocating operation that repeats a change in the change direction and a change in the direction opposite to the change direction,
Through the pre-stop effect, special symbol stop display means for stopping and displaying the special symbol as the final stop symbol at the stop display position,
When the special symbol is stopped and displayed, a post-stop effect executing means for performing a predetermined post-stop effect following the stop display,
Bei to give a,
The post-stop effect is started through a display that disappears after the special symbol that has been stopped and displayed at the stop display position reaches the stop position of the other symbol, and then disappears.
Before Symbol stopped after demonstration execution means, wherein the stop after directing, the reach display varying the final stop symbols the other symbols displayed stopped at the reach not met embodiment as an aspect of the reach satisfied, after the stop It is characterized by being performed from the start of the production.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed after the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a final stop symbol in a state where reach is not established, the predetermined reach is reached. It is possible to obtain a gaming machine that performs a new symbol variation effect such as development into a production. In other words, according to the gaming machine of the first aspect of the present invention, the “no reach” is given to the player after the start of the symbol variation effect and before the pre-stop effect (the first “grab” portion). It is possible to realize a fresh and fluctuating design effect that, when the final stop symbol stops at a special symbol in the pre-stop production, it will effectively develop into a reach production.

  In addition, when a player encounters a novel design action with a special symbol (a reciprocating motion that makes up the pre-stop effect), the player has an “expectation for the development of reach production” and an “expectation for winning”. Can be held. For this reason, according to the gaming machine of the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to execute an effect that gives a strong impact to the player, and it is possible to effectively enhance the gaming interest.

  In addition, in this specification, “Pre-stop effect (effect realized by reciprocating motion that repeats a change in the direction of change and a change in the direction opposite to the change direction near the stop display position while making it possible to recognize special symbols) "May be referred to as" buzz production ".

The gaming machine according to the first invention disclosed in the present specification for reference (hereinafter referred to as reference invention 1) is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
As the number of executions of the reciprocating operation in the pre-stop effect increases, the possibility that the plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in a hit state through the reach effect increases.

In the gaming machine of the reference invention 1, since a new effect technique such as “indicating the possibility of winning (hit reliability) by the execution pattern of the effect before stoppage” is adopted, it is possible to realize a fresher symbol variation effect.

The gaming machine according to the second invention (hereinafter referred to as reference invention 2) disclosed in the present specification for reference is the gaming machine according to claim 1 or reference invention 1 .
The display mode of the special symbol changes as the number of executions of the reciprocating operation in the pre-stop effect increases.

In the reference invention 2 , since the display mode of the special symbol changes as the number of executions of the reciprocation increases, it is possible to execute an effect that gives a stronger impact to the player. For example, when a player encounters a change in the display mode of a special symbol, the player can be confident that the result of the success / failure determination is likely to be a hit. Can be enhanced.

A gaming machine according to a third invention (hereinafter referred to as reference invention 3) disclosed by reference in the present specification is the gaming machine according to claim 1, reference invention 1 or reference invention 2 ,
As the number of executions of the reciprocating motion in the pre-stop effect increases, the amount of fluctuation of the special symbol in the reciprocating motion changes.

In Reference Invention 3 , as the number of executions of the reciprocating operation increases, the amount of change in the special symbol in the reciprocating operation changes, so it is possible to execute an effect that gives a stronger impact to the player. For example, by recognizing that the amount of change in the special symbol has changed, the player can be confident that the result of the determination is likely to win. Can be effectively increased.

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

According to the gaming machine of the invention 請 Motomeko 1 as described above, can perform an effect that gives a strong impact to the player, it is possible to enhance the game excitement effectively.

It is a front view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. In the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention, it is a perspective view showing an outer frame, a main body frame, a front frame, and a dish member (an upper dish member, a lower dish member). It is a schematic explanatory view for explaining a main body frame and the like in the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows a game board in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows roughly the display screen of the effect display apparatus of the game machine which concerns on each Example. (A) And (b) is a front view which shows schematically the variable start winning device. (A) is a front view schematically showing a lower display device of a gaming machine according to each embodiment, and (b) is a special symbol variable display mode executed by the lower display device of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the variable display mode of the auxiliary | assistant symbol performed on the display screen of the presentation display apparatus of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 1 big hit lottery (1st big hit lottery) of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table used by the special figure 2 big hit lottery (2nd big hit lottery) of the game machine which concerns on each Example. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed by the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed with the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect performed with the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of a pseudo | simulation symbol. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pattern fluctuation effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pattern fluctuation effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pattern fluctuation effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pattern fluctuation effect. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that a command was output from the main control part in the gaming machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the normal electric accessory game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the success / failure determination process of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol change start process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the variation pattern table for jackpots which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the fluctuation pattern table for deviation concerning each Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production control processing of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the design fluctuation effect process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an effect pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an effect pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an effect pattern table. It is a time figure for demonstrating pre-stop production, re-variation display, etc. It is explanatory drawing which shows an effect pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an effect pattern table. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining Example 3; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining Example 3; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining Example 4; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining Example 4; It is explanatory drawing which shows an effect pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an effect pattern table. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 1, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 2. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 3, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 4. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 5, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 6. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modification example 7. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments showing modes for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, specific examples in which the present invention is applied to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) 1 referred to as a “seven machine” will be described.

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

  The gaming machine main body H is rotatably mounted on the left end side of the outer frame 2 using hinges H1 and H2 on the left end side of the outer frame 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The gaming machine main body H is a portion of the gaming machine 1 excluding the outer frame 2, and as shown in FIG. 2, the main body frame 3, the front frame 4, and the dish member integrated with the front frame 4. (Upper plate member 5 and lower plate member 6) 5A, game board 10 (see FIG. 4), back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 3) and the like are the main parts.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body frame 3 is fitted into the outer frame 2 and is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. As shown in FIG. 1, a locking device 7 is mounted on the right end side of the main body frame 3. In FIG. 2, the outer frame 2, the main body frame 3, the front frame 4, and the dish member 5 </ b> A are illustrated, and the game board 10 and the back mechanism board 102 are not shown.

  The main body frame 3 is entirely made of plastic, and is constituted by a frame-like body as shown in FIG. The main body frame 3 includes a frame main body portion 3b including a window portion 3M in an upper half portion, and a protruding portion 3c protruding in a substantially rectangular frame shape from the back surface portion of the frame main body portion 3b. And the main body frame 3 comprises the holding | maintenance part for hold | maintaining the game board 10 using this protrusion part 3c.

  That is, the holding tool 3f is mounted on the protruding end surface of the projecting portion 3c in a state where the holding tool 3f can rotate on the left and right sides of the window 3M and the right and left sides of the window 3M. The game board 10 is held by the main body frame 3 by bringing the protruding end of the game board 10 into contact with the rear surface of the game board 10.

  When the main body frame 3 holds the game board 10, the “game area 11 formed on the front surface portion 10a of the game board 10” can be viewed from the front of the main body frame 3 through the window 3M. Further, a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 3) is mounted on the back surface portion of the game board 10 to cover the back surface portion.

  The back pack 102 is pivotally supported by the middle frame 3 so that it can be opened and closed. The back pack 102 has a “game ball tank for storing game balls” and a “pay game ball to the upper plate member 5”. A “game ball payout device for taking out”, “a case containing various control boards (main control board 200 to be described later)” and the like are mounted.

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

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

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

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

  The launch handle 9 is equipped with a touch switch (touch sensor) 9a for detecting that the player is touching, and in the vicinity thereof, the launch stop for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is stopped. A switch 9b is attached. It should be noted that the launching device unit 90 of the present embodiment launches the game ball sent out from the ball feeding device (not shown) substantially vertically upward according to the setting of “100 shots / minute” to reach the game area 11. For this reason, when a game ball is continuously fired toward the ball flow down device 70 described later, the game ball reaches the ball flow down device 70 at intervals of “0.6 seconds”.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The effect display device 27 constitutes a specific example of the “symbol display means”, is configured using a liquid crystal display device, and executes a symbol variation effect linked to the special symbol variation display and stop display in the lower display device 60. To do. In the present embodiment, the lower display device 60 (the first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b) uses the special symbol (the main symbol) to perform the symbol variation game, and the effect display device 27 is simulated. A symbol variation effect is performed using a symbol (a specific example of the effect element is shown). Here, the symbol variation effect is an effect performed in accordance with the progress of the symbol variation game (special symbol variation display, stop display) in order to show the player the result of the symbol variation game. Configure an example. The special symbol constitutes a specific example of “determination symbol”. In the following description, the special symbol (main symbol) displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a is referred to as "first special symbol", and the special symbol (main symbol) displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b. ) Is referred to as a “second special symbol”. Details of the first special symbol and the second special symbol will be described later.

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

  Here, as the “effect element” that realizes the symbol variation effect (determination effect) accompanying the progress of the symbol variable game, the “display effect” that realizes the display effect (an aspect of the symbol variation effect) accompanying the progress of the symbol variable game. "Element" and "sound production element" that realizes the sound effect accompanying the progress of the symbol variation game (an aspect of the symbol variation effect) and the light effect (an aspect of the symbol variation effect) that accompanies the progress of the symbol variation game “Lighting effect element”, “Moving effect element” that realizes a moving effect accompanying the progress of the symbol variation game, and the like. Among them, as the “display effect element”, for example, “pseudo symbols (designs that show the results of symbol variation games” “characters (titles, comments) displayed on the effect display means (effect display device 27) provided in the gaming machine. It is desirable to have a certain meaning such as production description, slogan, motto, etc.) ”“ Background design ”“ Character design ”“ Live action video ”etc. These“ pseudo design ”“ character ”“ background design ” Display effect elements such as “character design” and “live-action video” can be generally regarded as “effect design”.

  In addition, as the “sound production element”, for example, “music”, “sound effects”, “words” that can be heard by the player and output from sound output means (speakers SP1 to SP4) provided in the gaming machine Etc. can be illustrated. In addition, as the “light emitting effect element”, for example, light that is visible to the player emitted by the light emitting means provided in the “front frame 4” or “game board 10” that constitutes the gaming machine, or that the player can visually recognize Illustrative examples of light emission are given. Furthermore, examples of the “movable effect element” include an action that can be visually recognized by the player, which is executed using the movable accessory means provided in the “front frame 4” or the “game board 10”. The “effect element” for realizing the symbol variation effect may be a combination of a plurality of effect elements. For example, a mode in which light is emitted while a movable unit having a light emitting unit is moved, a mode in which a sound effect is produced while a movable unit having a sound output unit is movable, and the like can be exemplified.

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

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

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

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

  The first start winning device 17a is a non-variable (fixed) start winning device and has a pocket shape with an opening (game ball receiving port) opened above. This opening (game ball receiving port) constitutes a first starting port. Since the opening (first start port) is located substantially vertically below the center of the stage portion 21p (rolling surface), the game ball falling from the center has the opening (first start). The probability of winning the first start winning device 17 is increased. In addition, a start winning detection switch 17s (see FIG. 8) for detecting the passage of the game ball is disposed inside the first start winning device 17. In addition, the size of the opening (first start port) of the first start winning device 17a is set to allow passage of one game ball, and the size is not enlarged or reduced. . For this reason, the winning possibility of the game ball to the first start winning device 17a is fixed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 7A, each of the first special symbol display unit 62a, the second special symbol display unit 62b, and the normal symbol display unit 63 is configured using a “7-segment display”. Among these, in the first special symbol display unit 62a, a first special symbol (determination symbol) indicating a result of the determination of success / failure executed due to the detection of the game ball by the first start opening winning detection switch 17s. Then, stop display after changing display. Further, in the second special symbol display unit 62b, a second special symbol (determination symbol) indicating a result of the success / failure determination executed due to the detection of the game ball by the second start opening winning detection switch 17ts, Stop display after changing display. In addition, the content of the display result of the 1st special symbol display part 62a and the 2nd special symbol display part 62b is mentioned later. In addition, the result of the symbol variation game displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a and the second special symbol display unit 62b (result of the determination of success / failure) and the display result of the symbol variation effect displayed on the effect display device 27 The result of determination is assumed to match.

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

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

  The normal symbol hold display unit 65 is also configured by using two LEDs and passes through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the number of game balls still undigested (holding number) is displayed with the upper limit being four. Each time an undigested game ball is digested, the number of undigested game balls (reserved number) is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (holding ball)” related to the normal symbol has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the normal symbol display unit 63 displays the result of the lottery associated with the passage (stop of the normal symbol) Display) and game balls that are not preceded by a change display (in this embodiment, display using a 7-segment display).

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

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

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

  The sub-control unit is configured using (a) the sub-control board 220, display effect, sound effect (effect sound, etc.), light emission effect (LED lighting / flashing, etc.), movable effect (movable accessory, etc.) ), The sub-control unit 220A that controls various effects, (b) the effect display control unit 222A configured using the effect display control board 222, and (c) the payout control board 240. A payout control unit 240A that controls the operation of paying out a rental ball and a prize ball, and (d) a launch control unit 260A that is configured using the launch control board 260 and that controls the game ball launch. The sub-control unit includes a primary sub-control unit (220A, 240A) directly connected to the main control unit 140 and a first control unit 200A connected to the main control unit 200A via the primary sub-control unit. There is a secondary sub-control unit (260A).

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

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

  Further, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) directly controls these operations by outputting signals to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the big prize opening solenoid 31c, and the lower display device 60. In other words, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) functions as a success / failure determination unit that determines whether or not it is correct, a variation pattern determination unit that determines a variation pattern, and a jackpot game execution unit that executes a jackpot game. Further, predetermined signals (commands) determined by the CPU 201 constituting the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) are transmitted to the sub control board 220 and the payout control board 240, respectively.

  When the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) receives various signals (commands) from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), it analyzes the contents of the signals (commands) and plays games according to the results. The production of. That is, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) controls the game effects based on the control signal from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200). As shown in FIG. 9, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) includes an effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), an amplifier board 224, a decoration drive board 226, and an effect button board 228. And are electrically connected to each other. The sub control board 220 includes a CPU 220a, a RAM 220b, and a ROM 220c. Further, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) functions as “pre-stop effect executing means”, “special symbol stop display means”, and “special symbol stop effect executing means”.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Sound effects are output from the speakers SP <b> 1 to SP <b> 4 by outputting sound signals to the amplifier substrate 224 in accordance with the pseudo symbol variation display and stop display. In addition, by supplying a signal to the decorative drive board 226 and outputting drive signals of the various LED lamps 4b to 4h) from the decorative drive board 226, various lamps (LEDs, etc.) can be turned on and blinked. Control. Further, when the player operates the effect button SW provided on the front side of the upper plate member 5, this operation signal is supplied to the sub-control unit 220A. The sub-control unit 220A is configured to reflect the operation result on various effects including the effect display device 27 based on the supplied operation signal.

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

  In this embodiment, whether or not a game ball is detected by the first start opening winning detection switch 17s (hereinafter referred to as “first start winning”) is determined (hereinafter referred to as “first”). Determination and determination as to whether or not the game ball is detected by the second start opening winning detection switch 17t (hereinafter referred to as “second start winning”) (hereinafter referred to as “second determination”). (2) “Winning determination”) is composed only of “Big winning lottery”, but at least one of the first winning determination and the second winning determination is “Big winning lottery”, and the result of the big winning lottery is off. It may be configured by “small lottery” executed in this case. In addition to the success / failure determination (determination of whether or not to start a special game) related to the big hit or the small hit, as a determination made based on the start winning prize, a round determination for determining the number of rounds of the big hit game, Probability change determination to determine whether or not to start probability change game (high probability state) after the big hit game, time reduction decision to determine whether or not to start short time game (short time state) after the big hit game ends , Open extension determination to determine whether or not to open extended game (open extended state) after the big hit game ends, period determination to determine the execution period of those probability-changing games, short-time games and open extended games, etc. Can be illustrated. Probability games, short-time games, and open-extended games are advantageous games for players, as are big hit games and small hit games. Therefore, big hit games, small hit games, probable games, short-time games, and open extended games. Can be regarded as “special games”. Note that the operation control of the probability changing function for realizing the probability changing game, the time shortening function for realizing the time-saving game, and the action extending function for realizing the operation extension game is performed in the game control process described later by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. Done in

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

  Here, in the gaming machine 1, due to the first start winning, the “special symbol changing game related to the first special symbol” is executed in the first special symbol display unit 62 a, and due to the second starting winning, In the second special symbol display section 62b, the “symbol changing game related to the second special symbol” is executed. In addition, with the execution of “symbol changing game related to the first special symbol” or “symbol changing game related to the second special symbol”, the effect display device 27 executes the symbol change effect. The outline of “symbol fluctuation game” and “symbol fluctuation effect” will be described below.

a. Symbol Variation Game “The symbol variation game according to the first special symbol” is composed of the variation display and stop display of the first special symbol, and “The symbol variation game according to the second special symbol” is the variation display and stop of the second special symbol. Composed by display. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), these variable displays are incomplete symbols (hereinafter referred to as “unsatisfied”) that cannot be used for arithmetical numbers by the 7-segment display that constitutes the corresponding special symbol display section (62a or 62b). The content is to perform "circular display" of a complete symbol). In other words, the content is to “circulate and display” imperfect symbols that are not familiar to the player compared to arithmetic numbers and are difficult to identify and store. Then, the result of the first success / failure determination is displayed by the stop display in the “symbol variable game related to the first special symbol”, and the result of the second success / failure determination is displayed by the stop display in the “symbol variable game related to the second special symbol”. Is done.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, when the probability mode of the gaming machine 1 is the low probability mode (ordinary probability mode), the big hit is shown in both the first and second determinations. The probability that the determination result is derived is about “1/400”. Further, when the probability variation function is operating, that is, when the probability mode of the gaming machine 1 is the high probability mode (when the high probability game is being executed), it is a big hit in both the first and second determinations The probability of deriving the determination result indicating is about “1/40”. Then, when the determination result indicating the big hit is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b, a “hit” is generated, and the big hit game execution means starts operating to execute the big hit game. Is done.

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

  Here, “opening the grand prize winning device 31” is realized by driving the big prize opening solenoid 31c so that the open / close plate 31b in the standing posture is tilted forward, and the big winning opening 31a is changed to the open state. “Closing the big winning device 31” is realized by stopping the driving of the big winning port solenoid 31c, returning the open / close plate 31b to the standing posture, and returning the big winning port 31a to the closed state. In each round game during the big hit game, an open / close operation is performed for the big prize device 31 to change the big prize opening 31a to the open state only once. When a specified number of game balls (10) enter the big winning opening 31a or when the opening time of the big winning opening 31a reaches the opening limit time (30 seconds or 0.2 seconds), the round The end condition is satisfied, and the running round game (big hit round) is ended. When the opening / closing operation of the big winning device 31 is repeated a plurality of times with a predetermined interval in between, the big hit game is finished.

  In the gaming machine 1, when the gaming state shifts to the big hit gaming state (special gaming state), a “round game” is performed for a predetermined number of times (4 rounds, 8 rounds, or 16 rounds). When the final “round game” is finished, the big hit game is finished. Furthermore, after performing the effect related to the end of the big hit (ending effect), the gaming state is returned to the symbol variation gaming state. In the present embodiment, a “round start designation command” and a “round end designation command” are transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 220 at each start and end of each round game. Then, the CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220 determines the progress status of the currently executed big hit game (round game) based on the “round start designation command” and the “round end command” from the main control board 200. Then, various jackpot game effects according to the progress are executed by the effect display device 27 and the like. The “round start designation command” is a command indicating the start of the round game and the number of rounds of the round game to be started, and the “round end designation command” is a command indicating that the big hit round has ended.

  In the present embodiment, the contents of the jackpot game (round game) to be executed according to the mode of the jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed (determined display) on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b, The gaming state of the gaming machine 1 after the big hit game ends will be different. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail. Here, in the following description, “16R probability variable big hit” and “16R normal big hit” are big hits that trigger the start of a big hit game (hereinafter referred to as “big hit game A”) in which the round game is “16 rounds”. “8R probability variable jackpot” and “8R normal jackpot” are jackpots that trigger the start of a jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as “jackpot game B”) in which the round game is “8 rounds”. The “4R probability variable jackpot” and “4R normal jackpot” are jackpots that trigger the start of a jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as “jackpot game C”) in which the round game is “four rounds”. Furthermore, in any jackpot game, “150” game balls are paid out when a prescribed number (10) of game balls enter the big winning opening 31a in each round game. For this reason, the number of planned payouts for “Big Bonus Game A” is “2,400”, the number of planned balls for “Big Hit Game B” is “1,200”, and the number of planned prizes for “Big Hit Game C” The number of balls is set to “600” (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

  When the determination result indicating “big hit” is derived by the first winning / nothing determination, main control unit 200A determines the type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol) by random lottery (that is, distribution lottery). Then, as shown in FIG. 11, by the random lottery (distribution lottery), the “big hit type” is “16R probability variable big hit”, “16R normal big hit”, “8R positive variable big hit”, “8R normal big hit”, “ It is determined as either “4R probability variable big hit” or “4R normal big hit”. A random number for performing “lottery lottery” (hereinafter referred to as “symbol for determining symbols”) is acquired at the timing at which the start winning is generated, similarly to random numbers for determination of success / failure (such as random numbers for jackpot lottery). The Note that, even if the result of the first determination is not a big win, the main control unit 200A may determine whether or not to generate a small hit by random number lottery (small hit lottery).

  Even when the determination result indicating “big hit” is derived by the second winning / nothing determination, the main control unit 200A determines the type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol) by random number lottery (distribution lottery). Also, as shown in FIG. 12, even if this random number lottery is performed, the “type of big hit” is “16R probability variable big hit”, “16R normal big hit”, “8R positive big hit”, “8R normal big hit”, “4R positive big hit” And “4R normal big hit”. The “design determination random number” for performing the “distribution lottery” is also acquired at the timing when the start winning is generated, similarly to the random number for determination of success / failure (such as a random number for big hit lottery). Note that, even when the result of the second win / fail determination is not a big hit, the main control unit 200A may determine whether or not to generate a small hit by random number lottery (small hit lottery).

  The “lottery lottery” in the case where the result of the second win / fail decision is “big hit” is more advantageous for the player than the “lottery lottery” in the case of the result of the first hit / fail judgment is “big hit” Sorting is done. In other words, in the present embodiment, the “lottery lottery” in the case where the result of the second winning / failing determination is “big hit” is compared with the “sort lottery” in which the result of the first hit / failure determination is “big hit”. Thus, there is a high probability that a jackpot where a larger amount of prize balls can be expected is selected (see FIGS. 11 and 12). For this reason, for a player, the first success / failure determination is more continuous in the case of playing a game in which the second success / failure determination is continuously performed (hereinafter referred to as “a game mainly based on the second success / failure determination”). It can be said that the advantage is higher than the case where the game (hereinafter referred to as “the game mainly based on the first win / fail decision”) is performed.

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

  This open extension mode is continued until the cumulative number of change displays (symbol change game) executed without generating a big hit after the corresponding big hit game is ended becomes “10,000 times”. However, in consideration of the jackpot winning probability (big hit probability) that is normally determined for gaming machines (pachinko machines), it is practical that the open extension mode continues until the cumulative number of variable displays reaches “10,000 times”. Means that the open extension mode continues until the next big hit. Therefore, hereinafter, the case is simply expressed as “the open extension mode continues until the next big hit occurs” (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

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

b. Outline of symbol variation effect (determination effect) In the following, after explaining the symbol variation effect without the “pre-stop effect” (hereinafter referred to as “normal pattern variation effect”), the “pre-stop effect” is accompanied. The symbol variation effect (hereinafter referred to as “special aspect symbol variation effect”) will be described.

b-1. Normal Pattern Change Effect The normal mode symbol change effect is executed when the change pattern determined at the start of the symbol change game (symbol change effect) is not a specific change pattern (described later). The design variation effect of this normal mode starts due to a game ball entering (start winning prize) into the first starting winning device 17a (first starting port) or the second starting winning device 17b (second starting port). Is done.

  In the symbol variation effect in the normal mode, as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, a pseudo symbol display area 27b appears in a predetermined portion of the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the pseudo symbol variation display is performed. (Design variation effect using pseudo design) is started. In addition, since a production background element (at least one of “background design”, “character design”, and “actual video”) is displayed in substantially the entire area of the display screen 27a (not shown), a pseudo design display area The pseudo pattern 27b and the effect background element are displayed in a superimposed state. Then, when the execution time (variation time) of the pseudo symbol variable display has elapsed, the pseudo symbol stop display (determined display) is executed for a certain time (about 0.6 seconds). This pseudo-symbol stop display is to display the determination result of the success / failure determination, similar to the stop display by the lower right display device 60 (the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b). The pseudo symbol constitutes a specific example of “a symbol displayed on the symbol display means”.

  As shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, the pseudo-symbol variable display is displayed and stopped while three (3-digit) pseudo-symbols are displayed in the pseudo-symbol display area 27b. Display is made. This pseudo-pattern variation display shows that the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed in this order, and then the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed again in this order. It consists of repeated “circular display (scroll fluctuation display)”.

  Here, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, various types of pseudo-symbol display areas 27 b can appear on the display screen 27 a of the effect display device 27. That is, the pseudo-symbol display area 27b can appear in various sizes (approximately the entire region, approximately the center, near the edge, etc.) on the display screen 27a. Hereinafter, the specific example shown in FIG. A typical mode (a mode in which three pseudo symbols are arranged in the horizontal direction) will be described as an example. That is, the pseudo symbol display area 27b according to this specific mode includes a left circulation display region 27L that performs a cyclic display of a pseudo symbol located on the left side (hereinafter referred to as “left pseudo symbol”), and a pseudo symbol located at the center. (Hereinafter referred to as “middle pseudo symbol”) and the right cyclic display region 27R for performing cyclic display of the pseudo symbol located on the right side (hereinafter referred to as “right pseudo symbol”). It consists of and.

  The left circulation display area 27L, the middle circulation display area 27C, and the right circulation display area 27R are areas in which the pseudo symbols (the numbers to be calculated) are changed from the upper side to the lower side. Is displayed. That is, the longitudinal widths of the left circulation display area 27L, the middle circulation display area 27C, and the right circulation display area 27R correspond to substantially the entire width along the vertical direction of the display screen 27a. On the other hand, the short width of the left circulation display area 27L, the middle circulation display area 27C, and the right circulation display area 27R is configured to be less than “1/3” of the substantially full width along the horizontal direction of the display screen 27a. These circulation display areas 27L, 27C, and 27R are displayed in the display screen 27a in a state where adjacent ones do not touch each other (contact). Since each circulation display area 27L, 27C, and 27R is displayed semi-transparently or transparently, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), the player provides an effect background behind each circulation display area 27L, 27C, and 27R. The element will be viewed in a watermarked state.

  As shown in FIG. 14 (a), the left circulation display area 27L, the middle circulation display area 27C, and the right circulation display area 27R include stop display areas LH, CH, and RH positioned substantially at the center in the vertical direction, and each stop display. Upper display areas LU, CU, and RU positioned above the areas LH, CH, and RH, and lower display areas LD, CD, and RD positioned below the respective stop display areas LH, CH, and RH. The numerical symbols constituting the pseudo symbol (in order of “1” to “9”) are the upper display areas LU, CU, RU, stop display areas LH, CH, RH, lower display areas LD, CD, RD. By displaying so as to move in order, pseudo-pattern variation display (circulation display) is realized. For example, as shown in FIG. 15B, at the first predetermined timing, “8” is displayed in the upper display area LU of the left circulation display area 27L, “7” is displayed in the stop display area LH, and “6” is displayed in the lower display area LD. In the case of being displayed, “8” displayed in the upper display area LU is displayed in the stop display area LH at the second predetermined timing, and “7” displayed in the stop display area LH is displayed in the lower display area. By displaying on the LD, pseudo-variable display is realized. Here, the stop display areas LH, CH, and RH are areas that constitute stop display positions of the corresponding pseudo symbols. However, the stop display areas LH, CH, RH of the left circulation display area 27L, the middle circulation display area 27C, and the right circulation display area 27R (appearance position, size, shape, etc. on the display screen 27a). The appearance position, size, shape, and the like are also changed.

  In any of the left circulation display area 27L, the middle circulation display area 27C, and the right circulation display area 27R, the speed at which the pseudo symbol fluctuates is high. For example, the pseudo symbol moves from the upper display areas LU, CU, RU to the stop display areas LH, CH, RH (for example, 30 mm), or from the stop display areas LH, CH, RH to the lower display areas LD, CD, RD. The moving speed (for example, 30 mm) is set to a speed at which a time of “60 to 100 ms” is performed. For this reason, it is difficult or impossible for the player to recognize the pseudo symbols that are “circularly displayed (scroll fluctuation display)” in the left circulation display area 27L, the middle circulation display area 27C, and the right circulation display area 27R. ing. In addition, in this gaming machine 1, immediately before the pseudo symbol (except for the special symbol) is stopped and displayed, the “pseudo symbol fluctuation speed” is gradually decreased to display the pseudo symbol to be easily recognized. Control may be performed, or display control for immediately recognizing the pseudo symbol may be performed by stopping the variable display (circulation display) immediately when the stop timing of the pseudo symbol (excluding the special symbol) is reached. These display controls may be alternatively performed according to the variation time. Specifically, the latter display control is performed when the variation time is short (for example, within 5 seconds), and the former display control is performed when the variation time is longer than that.

  In the gaming machine 1, the pseudo symbols are stopped and displayed in the left circulation display region 27L and the right circulation display region 27R before the execution time (variation time) of the pseudo symbol variation display elapses. That is, as shown in FIG. 15A, the “left pseudo symbol” is stopped and displayed in the stop display region LH of the left circulation display region 27L, and the “right pseudo symbol” is displayed in the stop display region RH of the right circulation display region 27R. Stopped display. Furthermore, when the execution time (variation time) of the pseudo symbol variation display elapses, the “medium pseudo symbol” is stopped and displayed in the stop display area CH of the middle circulation display area 27C. Then, a “determined symbol” indicating the result of the determination of success / failure is constituted by a combination symbol using “left pseudo symbol”, “right pseudo symbol”, and “middle pseudo symbol”.

  The confirmed symbols that are confirmed and displayed in the pseudo-symbol display area 27b include a “stop symbol indicating a loss” and a “stop symbol indicating a big hit”. Here, as described above, in the gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, as a “big hit”, a stop symbol (big hit symbol) of this symbol corresponding to each of a plurality of types of big hits. It is set. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16 (a), the stop symbol (big hit symbol) of the pseudo symbol is determined as follows. That is, the stop symbol indicating the occurrence of “16R probability variation big hit”, “8R probability variation big hit”, or “4R probability variation big hit” is configured by arranging three “same odd numbers” on the display screen 27a. The stop symbol indicating the occurrence of “16R normal big hit”, “8R normal big hit”, or “4R normal big hit” is configured by arranging three “same even numbers” on the display screen 27a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16B, the “off symbol” is configured with at least one of the three pseudo symbols stopped and displayed in the pseudo symbol display area 27b as a numerical symbol different from the others.

  In the effect display device 27, when the jackpot symbol shown in FIG. 16A is displayed, as shown in FIG. 13C, reach display is performed in the middle of the variable display which is the premise. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the “stop symbol indicating detachment” is displayed on the effect display device 27, the reach display is not performed in the middle of the variable display that is the premise (hereinafter referred to as “removal display”). , “Simply out”) and reach display (hereinafter referred to as “reach out”). In addition, the reach display of the present embodiment stops two pseudo symbols, the left pseudo symbol and the right pseudo symbol, of the three pseudo symbols displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the other one of them. This is an effect display in which the pseudo symbol is changing. Further, in this gaming machine 1, as a display effect (hereinafter referred to as “reach effect”) performed after reach display (hereinafter referred to as “reach effect”), the reach content is simple (hereinafter referred to as effect content). Examples include “normal reach production” such as “non-development production” that does not develop in the middle, and reach development production (“super reach production”, “special reach production”) in which production content develops in the middle of production.

  Here, the “reach display (reach)” is an effect display (variation) when there are a plurality (three or four or more) of symbols (pseudo symbols) displayed on the symbol display means (effect display device 27). This is a stunning display for indicating that there is a possibility of winning in the middle of (display). In other words, after executing variable display in which a plurality of symbols (pseudo symbols) are cyclically displayed (scrolled) by the symbol display means, “big hit display (display indicating that the result of success / failure determination is a win)” or “specific type” In the case of performing “out-of-line display (reach out-of-line display)”, it refers to a stunning display performed in the middle of the variable display. For example, in the middle of this effect display (variation display), pseudo symbols other than the symbols that are finally displayed (hereinafter referred to as final stop symbols) are stopped in a predetermined combination manner, and depending on the type of the final stop symbol, This is a stunning display showing that there is a possibility that a jackpot display will be made. More specifically, when the jackpot display is completed if the stop symbols of a plurality of pseudo symbols are all the same symbol, after the pseudo symbols other than the final stop symbol are stopped and displayed with the same symbol, the final stop symbol is displayed. This indicates a display (production) indicating that “there is a possibility of occurrence of a big hit” before the stop display. However, it is sufficient if the “reach display” is a display indicating that it is one step before “occurrence of big hit”. For example, the numerical symbols are stopped and displayed in ascending order from “left to right” or “left to right”. When the jackpot display is configured with (for example, “1”, “2”, “3”, etc.), the left pseudo symbol and the right pseudo symbol are stopped and displayed with the numerical symbol of “1” skipped. Can be completed. In this specification, a symbol that is stopped and displayed at the end of the symbol variation effect (a symbol that cannot be replaced with another pseudo symbol at the end of the symbol variation effect) is referred to as a “determined symbol”. Stopping and displaying the confirmed symbol is referred to as “determined display”.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 5, the first auxiliary symbol display area A corresponding to the first special symbol display portion 62a and the second auxiliary symbol display region 62a are located at the right end side near the lower edge on the display screen 27a. A second auxiliary symbol display area B corresponding to the special symbol display part 62b appears. Then, the auxiliary symbol displayed in the auxiliary symbol display area corresponding to the special symbol display unit (62a or 62b) that is executing the symbol variable game is changed to a special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol). A change display is performed accordingly. Then, when the auxiliary symbol ends the variable display with the end of the variable symbol display, the stop symbol of the auxiliary symbol is fixedly displayed, and the result of the determination of success or failure is displayed based on the stop symbol. Further, in the background screen display area 27c of the display screen 27a, an effect for enlarging the fluctuation of the pseudo pattern is unfolded while displaying background elements such as “background pattern”, “character pattern”, “live-action image” (FIG. 5). See). This effect is generally performed according to the effect pattern determined at the start of the symbol variation effect. The execution time (change time) of effect display is determined by a change pattern (described later) determined at the start of the symbol change game (symbol change effect).

b-2. Special Variation Symbol Variation Production The special variation symbol variation production is executed when the variation pattern determined at the start of the symbol variation game (design variation presentation) is a specific variation pattern (described later). Hereinafter, as a specific example of the symbol variation effect of the special mode, a specific example illustrated with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19 (hereinafter referred to as “specific example 1”) and a specific example illustrated with reference to FIG. “Specific Example 2”) will be described. It should be noted that the symbol variation effect in the special mode is the same as the symbol variation effect in the normal mode except that it includes the “pre-stop effect” and the “post-design symbol effect (revariation display with reach development effect)”. Here, the “special symbol” in this embodiment is “a special symbol that is not used when a plurality of symbols (pseudo symbols in this embodiment) are stopped and displayed in a manner corresponding to the result of the determination of success / failure”. That is, it is a dedicated symbol used in the “pre-stop production”.

  The symbol variation effect of this special mode is also started due to a game ball entering (start winning prize) into the first starting winning device 17a (first starting port) or the second starting winning device 17b (second starting port). Is done. Also in this special mode of symbol variation effect, as shown in FIG. 17, a pseudo symbol display area 27b appears in a predetermined part of the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the pseudo symbol variation display (pseudo symbol is displayed). The used symbol variation effect) is started. In addition, although the effect background element is displayed in almost the entire area of the display screen 27a (not shown), as described above, the circulation display areas 27L, 27C, and 27R are displayed translucently or transparently, so that the player Is visually recognized in the state where the effect background element is watermarked behind each of the circulation display areas 27L, 27C, and 27R. In addition, since the circulation display (variation display) realized in each circulation display area 27L, 27C, and 27R is performed at high speed, the player cannot recognize the pseudo symbols that are cyclically displayed. Then, when the execution time (fluctuation time) of the pseudo symbol variation display elapses, the pseudo symbol stop display (determined display) is performed for a certain period of time (about 0.6 seconds), and the above-mentioned lower right display device 60 (first display). Similar to the stop display by the special symbol display part 62a or the second special symbol display part 62b), the result of the determination of success or failure is displayed. However, this special pattern variation effect differs from the normal pattern variation effect in that one “pre-stop effect” is performed before the pseudo symbol stop display is performed.

  Also in this special mode of symbol variation effect, as shown in FIG. 17, a left circulation display region 27L, a middle circulation display region 27C, and a right circulation display region 27R appear on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and are simulated. The variable display of symbols is started (a1). Thereafter, the stop symbol of the left pseudo symbol is stopped and displayed in the stop display region LH at a predetermined timing (a2), and the stop symbol of the right pseudo symbol is stopped and displayed in the stop display region RH (a3). Note that the “left pseudo symbol stop symbol” and the “right pseudo symbol stop symbol” shown in FIG. It is a “temporary stop symbol” that may be replaced with another pseudo symbol at the time.

  When the stop symbol of the left pseudo symbol and the stop symbol of the right pseudo symbol are stopped and displayed (temporary stop display) in the corresponding stop display regions LH and RH (a2, a3), the special symbol T is displayed in the intermediate circulation display region 27C. ”Appears and the pre-stop effect (swing effect) is executed (see a4 to a8 in FIG. 17, FIGS. 18 and 20). Here, in this gaming machine 1, the result of the determination of the success / failure is displayed with a symbol using the arithmetic numbers “1” to “9” (see FIG. 16). The special symbol T is constituted by “unused symbols”. In addition, reach display is not established for the display configured by stopping display (temporary stop display) in the corresponding stop display areas LH and RH of the stop symbol of the left pseudo symbol and the stop symbol of the right pseudo symbol. (In this embodiment, it is simply a display of “separate eyes”).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the special symbol T shown in the present embodiment includes a main body portion T <b> 1 displaying “US characters in a circle” and blade portions T <b> 2 and T <b> 2 projecting on both sides of the portion. ing. And the special symbol T is displayed so that the lower end side may approach the upper end side of the middle circulation display area 27C (a4 in FIG. 17). The display position of the special symbol T at this time is referred to as “initial display position”.

  After that, the special symbol T is lowered so that the main body portion T1 is displayed in the stop display region CH of the medium pseudo symbol while flapping the blade portions T2 and T2 (a5), and reaches the stop display region CH (a6). . Further, after raising the blade portions T2 and T2 while flapping (a7), it returns to the “initial display position” (a8). In this way, after the special symbol T is displayed at the “initial display position” and then descends to the “stop display area CH”, the special symbol T is displayed on the stop display area CH, and further from the “stop display area CH” to the “stop display area CH”. It is returned to the “initial display position”. In other words, after the special symbol T is displayed at the “initial display position”, the moving display from the “initial display position” to the “stop display area CH” (moving display in the direction of pseudo symbol variation, And a moving display from the “stop display area CH” toward the “initial display position” (moving display in a direction opposite to the direction of fluctuation of the pseudo symbol, hereinafter referred to as “return display”). Do. And, the special symbol T is a combination of the “outward display” and the “return display”, and near the “stop display position CH”, the “pseudo symbol changes in the direction of change” and “the direction opposite to the change direction”. A reciprocating motion that repeats “variation” is performed. That is, in the present embodiment, the special symbol T is changed in the “pseudo symbol variation direction” and “the variation in the direction opposite to the variation direction” with at least a part of the special symbol T displayed on the display screen 27a. Repeated reciprocating motions will be performed.

  Here, time of “1.5 seconds (1500 ms)” is spent when performing either “outgoing path display” or “return path display” (when moving about 45 mm). For this reason, the player can recognize the special symbol T when performing either “outward display” or “return display”. Further, since the reciprocating operation shown in each embodiment is performed at a constant speed, it is particularly easy for the player to recognize the special symbol T. However, as shown in the related invention described later, the number of reciprocating operations is increased. The reciprocating motion may be accelerated or decelerated according to the following. In the following description, a reciprocating operation constituted by a combination of “outward display” and “return display” may be referred to as “turning operation”. In this embodiment, the time required for one reciprocating operation (turning operation) is set to “3.0 seconds” (see FIGS. 33 to 35). It can be made longer (see FIGS. 43 and 44) or shorter than the time shown in the embodiment.

  In the first specific example, after the “first reciprocating operation (turning operation)”, the second reciprocating operation (turning operation) and the third reciprocating operation (turning operation) are continuously performed ( (See a9 to a18 in FIG. 18). Then, after the third reciprocating motion (turning motion) is executed, a display indicating that the special symbol T (pseudo-continuous symbol T) is confirmed to be stopped at the “stop display position CH” is displayed (FIG. 19 a19-a22). Specifically, after the special symbol T (pseudo-continuous symbol T) in the “initial display position” is displayed to be lowered to the “stop display region CH”, the special symbol T is displayed in the stop display region CH. Is done. As a result, through the reciprocating operation (turning operation), that is, the “pre-stop effect”, it is determined that the special symbol T is “stopped and displayed at the stop display position CH” as the final stop symbol (a19 to a22). Then, the special symbol T stopped and displayed in the stop display area CH expands and finally ruptures (a23), and the special symbol stop effect (re-variable display) is started (a24). Here, “a series of effects (a19 to a22 in FIG. 19) from when the special symbol T is moved from the initial display position to the stop display region CH and stopped and displayed” is referred to as a special stop effect (special stop). In this embodiment, the time required for this special stop effect (special stop) is set to “3.0 seconds” (see FIGS. 33 to 35).

  The special symbol stop effect is executed as a re-variable display accompanied by a so-called “reach development effect”. In this re-variable display, the left circulation display area 27L, the middle circulation display area 27C, and the right circulation display area 27R appear on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the left pseudo design, the right pseudo design, and the middle pseudo design are varied again. (A24). In addition, although the specific example 1 exemplifies a mode in which the result of the success / failure determination is confirmed and displayed on the display screen 27a by one special symbol stop effect, as shown in Example 2 (FIGS. 37 and 38) described later After the re-variable display (for example, pseudo continuous effect) is performed a predetermined number of times, the result of the determination of success / failure can be confirmed and displayed on the display screen 27a. In this case, in the “revariable display (for example, pseudo-continuous effect) other than the final revariable display (that is, the revariable display with the reach development effect)”, in the final stage, “the special symbol T through the pre-stop effect”. May be performed at the stop display position CH (an effect similar to the effects shown in FIGS. 17 to 19).

  In the first specific example, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the re-variable display is started, the stop symbol of the left pseudo symbol is fixedly displayed in the stop display area LH (a25). Further, reach display is executed by stopping and displaying the stop symbol of the right pseudo symbol in the stop display region RH (a26). That is, reach display (display indicating that reach has been established) is performed by stopping and displaying the same type of pseudo symbols in the stop display area LH of the left circulation display area 27L and the stop display area RH of the right circulation display area 27R. (A26). Thereafter, after the reach development effect is executed (a27, a28), the stop symbol of the medium pseudo symbol is fixedly displayed in the stop display area CH of the middle circulation display area 27C, and the result of the determination of the validity is displayed (a29). . The reach development effect shown in the present embodiment is that the display screen 27a is blacked out and then a crack is generated in the display screen 27a. When this crack is enlarged, the inside of the crack indicates “a friendship indicating the player's ally. Characters ”and“ enemy characters indicating player's enemies ”are caused to appear, and a battle effect in which both characters confront each other is executed. Then, in the design variation effect that displays that the result of the success / failure determination is “winning”, the effect that the teammate character wins the enemy character is executed, and the design that displays that the result of the success / failure determination is “out” In the variation effect, an effect in which the enemy character wins the teammate character is executed. In this specific example 1, since the pre-stop effect is started without performing reach display, the special symbol T is stopped at the stop display position CH. This means that “reach display and reach development effect are then executed. Will be shown.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the specific example 2 is different from the specific example 1 in that no special symbol stop effect is performed. Hereinafter, only the difference between the specific example 2 and the specific example 1 will be described. Although illustration is omitted, also in the specific example 2, the left circulation display area 27L, the middle circulation display area 27C, and the right circulation display area 27R appear on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the pseudo-pattern variation display is performed. Start. Thereafter, the stop symbol of the left pseudo symbol is stopped and displayed in the stop display region LH at a predetermined timing, and the stop symbol of the right pseudo symbol is stopped and displayed in the stop display region RH. Then, the “special symbol T” appears in the middle circulation display area 27C, and the first reciprocating operation (turning operation) is executed. However, in this specific example 2, when the first reciprocating operation (turning operation) is completed (FIGS. 20a7 and a8), the special symbol T disappears. Then, without performing the special symbol stop effect, the middle pseudo symbol stop symbol is stopped and displayed in the stop display region CH of the middle circulation display region 27C (determined display), and the result of this determination is displayed. The symbol variation effect is terminated (A9). Thereafter, the next symbol variation effect is started in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol started in response to the result of the success / failure determination performed subsequently (A10). In this embodiment, among the symbol variation effects in the special mode, those that do not perform the effect after the special symbol stop are generated only when the result of the determination is “out”. It may be generated even when the result is “hit”. In addition, when performing the re-variation display multiple times, in the final stage of the last re-variation display (that is, the effect after the special symbol stop), “Pre-stop effect is performed, but the special symbol T is stopped at the stop display position CH. An effect not to be displayed (hereinafter, an effect indicating that re-variable display is not performed) may be performed. For example, as in the second specific example, the special symbol T may be extinguished through the pre-stop production, and the current symbol variation production may be terminated.

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

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

  Here, examples of commands output from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220) include those illustrated in FIG. That is, there are (A) a variation pattern designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CHP”), (B) a special symbol stop information designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CJS”), and the like. . The variation pattern designation command is a command indicating the variation pattern (variation time) of the special symbol selected by the main control unit 200A when starting the variation display of the special symbol. The sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220) It can be determined whether or not a specific variation pattern (described later) is selected by this command. The variation pattern designation command is also a command for starting the variation of the pseudo symbol and designating the display pattern of the pseudo symbol (the effect pattern of the symbol variation effect).

(6) Outline of Game Control by Main Control Unit 200A FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. In this game control process, each process such as a prize ball payout process (S80), a normal symbol game process (S100), a normal electric game game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S300), a big hit game process (S600), etc. Is executed repeatedly. Note that the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute the processing of S80 to S600 of FIG. 22 every time a timer interrupt with a period of 4 msec occurs after the power is turned on. That is, the processing of S80 to S600 in FIG. 22 is repeatedly executed every 4 msec. In each process constituting the game control process, various signals are transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 proceeds. Hereinafter, the game control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, a detailed description of the big hit game process (S600) is omitted among the processes constituting the game control process shown in FIG.

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

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

B. Normal symbol game processing (S100)
In the normal symbol game process (S100), the normal symbol display unit 63 starts to display the variation of the normal symbol when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 16. If the CPU 201 determines that the execution time of the normal symbol variation display has elapsed while repeatedly performing the game control process of FIG. 22, the CPU 201 performs the stop display of the normal symbol stop symbol. Furthermore, if the CPU 201 determines that the stop symbol stop display time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed while repeatedly performing the game control process of FIG. 22, the stop symbol activates the ordinary electric accessory 17d. It is determined whether the symbol is a symbol to be activated (a normal symbol hit symbol) or a symbol that is not to be activated (a symbol that is out of the normal symbol).

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

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

C. Normal electric game processing (S200)
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an outline of the ordinary electric accessory game process. When the ordinary electric accessory game process is activated while the CPU 201 performs the game control process of FIG. It is determined whether or not it is operating (whether or not the second start winning device 17b is in an open state). If it is determined that the second start winning device 17b is in an open state (S201; YES), the operation time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (predetermined to maintain the second start winning device 17b in the open state). It is determined whether or not the time has elapsed (5 seconds in the open extension mode and 0.2 seconds in the normal release mode) (S202). If it is determined that the operating time (opening time) has passed the predetermined time (S202; YES), the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is stopped to place the second start winning device 17b in the open state closed ( S206), the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated.

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

D. Special design game processing (S300)
Next, the outline of the special symbol game process will be described with reference to FIGS. When the special symbol game process is activated, as shown in FIG. 24, first, it is determined whether or not a game ball has won the first start winning device 17a or the second start winning device 17b (S302a, S302b). ). Then, when a negative determination is made in the processing of S302a and the processing of S302b (S302a; NO, S302b; NO), the process directly proceeds to the processing after S308 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a game ball has won the first start winning device 17a (S302a; YES), the number of first special symbols corresponding to the first starting winning device 17a (first hold number) is a predetermined number. It is determined whether it is less than (less than 4 in this embodiment) (S304a). In the process of S304a, if it is determined that the number is less than the predetermined number (S304a; YES), a determination random number (lottery random number) related to winning in the first start winning device 17a is acquired (S306a). This determination random number is stored in a memory (hereinafter referred to as “first determination random number memory”) provided in the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200, whereby the “first hold number” is incremented by “+1”. The Thereafter, the process proceeds to S308a and subsequent steps shown in FIG.

  Here, the gaming machine 1 includes a first start winning device 17a and a second start winning device 17b as start winning devices, and a first special symbol corresponding to the first start winning device 17a (hereinafter referred to as "Special Figure 1"). And a second special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as “special figure 2”) corresponding to the second start winning device 17b. Then, a random number for determination based on the start winning to the first start winning device 17a (special random number for determination of FIG. 1) and a random number for determination based on the start winning to the second start winning device 17b (random number for determining special figure 2) And the latter are processed preferentially (described later).

  In FIG. 24 to FIG. 28, among the processes performed by the CPU 201, each process (hereinafter referred to as a process related to the special chart 1) executed when a game ball wins the first start winning device 17 a. ) And the same processing among the respective processing (hereinafter referred to as processing related to special figure 2) executed due to the winning of the game ball to the second start winning device 17b, the same number of steps (calculation) Number). Since the processing with the same number of steps is basically the same processing, one of “processing relating to special figure 1” and “processing relating to special figure 2” will be described in the following description. The description of the other may be omitted. In addition, “process for special figure 1” is distinguished by adding “a” in alphabet to “number of steps”, and “process for special figure 2” by adding “b” in alphabet to “number of steps”. There is.

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

  If it is determined that a game ball has won the second start winning device 17b (S302b; YES), the number of second special symbols corresponding to the second start winning device 17d (second hold number) is a predetermined number. It is determined whether it is less than (less than 4 in this embodiment) (S303b). In the process of S303b, if it is determined that the number is less than the predetermined number (S303b; YES), a special figure 2 determination random number (lottery random number) related to the second start winning device 17b is acquired (S306b). This determination random number is stored in a memory (hereinafter, referred to as “second determination random number memory”) provided in the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200, whereby the “second hold number” is incremented by “+1”. The Thereafter, the process proceeds to S308a and subsequent steps shown in FIG.

  Further, the determination random numbers acquired and stored in the process of S306b include (a) a second winning determination, that is, a jackpot lottery executed (hereinafter referred to as “winning lottery”) based on a game ball winning to the second start winning device 17b. A random number for lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special figure 2 big hit lottery random number”) used in the case of “special figure 2 big hit lottery”) and (b) a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display section 62b. Design random number (special design 2 design random number), (c) reach random number for determining whether or not to perform reach display in the pseudo-design variable display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 ,and so on. Unlike the present embodiment, when a small lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special drawing 2 small lottery”) due to the winning of a game ball to the second start winning device 17b is obtained in the process of S306b. The determination random numbers (lottery random numbers) include lottery random numbers (hereinafter referred to as “special drawing 2 small lottery random numbers”) used in the “special drawing 2 small lottery”.

  In the process of S308, as shown in FIG. 25, it is determined whether or not a big hit game is being executed (S308). Specifically, if the big hit game flag (see the process of S378 in FIG. 26) is set (set to ON), a positive determination is made in the process of S308. The big hit game flag is a flag indicating that the “big hit game execution means” is in operation.

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

  The “condition for starting the variable symbol display of the special symbol” is that either the “first hold number” or the “second hold number” is not “zero”. Then, the CPU 201 of this embodiment preferentially determines whether or not the “second hold number” is “zero” (S314b). That is, if the “second hold number” is not “zero”, the oldest special figure 2 determination random number is read from the “special figure 2 determination random number memory” provided in the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 (S316b). ), A determination process for the second special symbol (second determination process) is performed (S320b). The special figure 2 determination random number read in S316b is acquired in S306b, and includes special figure 2 big hit lottery random numbers, special figure 2 symbol determination random numbers, and reach random numbers.

  In the second win / fail determination process (S320b), as shown in FIG. 27, it is first determined whether or not the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability mode (S322), and when it is a high probability mode (S322). YES), a determination is made using “high probability data table” and “special figure 2 big hit lottery random number read in the process of S316b” (S324), and the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the low probability mode When it is (normal probability mode) (S322; NO), the determination of success / failure is performed using the “low probability data table” and “the special figure 2 big hit lottery random number read out in the process of S316b” (S326). In the high probability mode, the fluctuation shortening function for shortening the fluctuation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol as compared with the normal is activated, and the opening extension function of the second start winning device 17b (ordinary electric accessory) is activated. (It will be described later.) However, in the high probability mode, the case where the fluctuation shortening function and the opening extension function are not operated can be set separately.

  If the result of the success / failure determination performed in the process of S324 or S326 is a big hit (S330; YES), after setting the big hit flag (set to ON) (S332), the second success / failure determination process (S320b) is terminated. Then, the process proceeds to the variation start process related to the second special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol 2 symbol variation start process”) (S500b in FIG. 25). Further, when the result of the determination is not good (S330; NO), after setting the “off flag”, that is, the “flag indicating that no big hit has occurred” (set to ON) (S339), 2 The winning / no-go determining process (S320b) is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special figure 2 symbol variation starting process (S500b). Note that the first special symbol determination process (S320a; first determination process) is the oldest special figure 1 determination from the “special figure 1 determination random number memory” provided in the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. The random number for use (the special figure 1 big hit lottery random number acquired in S306a) is read (S316a), and the same process is performed according to FIG. The determination random numbers read in S316a are those acquired in S306a, and include special figure 1 big hit lottery random numbers, special figure 1 symbol determination random numbers, and reach random numbers.

  In the special figure 2 symbol variation start processing (S500b), as shown in FIG. 28, first, variation setting processing (S510, S540) and the like are performed based on the result of the second winning / failing determination processing (S320b). That is, in the process of S502, when it is determined that the result of the second win / fail determination process (S320) is “big hit” (S502; YES), the process proceeds to S510 and the “big hit fluctuation setting process” is performed. In the big hit variation setting process (S510), the symbol determination random number (special symbol 2 symbol determination random number) included in the determination random number read out in the above-described processing of S316b is read, and based on the result of random number lottery using the random number. Selection in consideration of the process of determining (selecting) the symbol (big hit symbol) that is stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b, and the mode of the determined big hit symbol and the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 A process for determining (selecting) the variation pattern of the second special symbol by random lottery using the variation pattern table to be performed. A process of determining (selecting) a symbol (big hit symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display section 62b by random number lottery using the special symbol 2 symbol random number, and a random number using the special symbol 1 symbol random number The process of determining (selecting) the symbol (big hit symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a by lottery is a specific example of the processing performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 as the “big hit mode determining means”. Configure.

  Here, when determining (selecting) the variation pattern, in the gaming state in which the big hit probability is low probability and normal variation is performed (low probability normal variation mode), the variation in the column labeled “low probability / normal” in FIG. In the gaming state in which the big hit probability is low probability and the short variation is performed (low probability short variation mode), the variation pattern table in the column “low probability / shortening” in FIG. 29 is used. Further, in a gaming state in which the big hit probability is high probability and shortening variation (high probability shortening variation mode), the variation pattern table in the column of “high probability / shortening” in FIG. 29 is used.

  Unlike the present embodiment, when a so-called “latency probability variation jackpot” can occur, there is a case where a gaming state (high probability normal variation mode) in which the jackpot probability has a high probability and performs normal variation may occur. In this case, as the variation pattern table used when the result of the second success / failure determination process (S320b) or the first success / failure determination process (S320a) is a big hit, in addition to the variation pattern table shown in FIG. A variation pattern table for “high probability normal variation mode” is added. In addition to the variation pattern table shown in FIG. 30, “high probability normal” is used as the variation pattern table used when the result of the second success / failure determination process (S320b) or the first success / failure determination process (S320a) is out of place. A variation pattern table for “variation mode” is added. Further, for convenience of explanation, FIGS. 29 to 30 show a variation pattern table storing a small number of variation patterns. Actually, these variation pattern tables include “variation pattern determination random number values”. A large number of variation patterns (for example, 20 types, 50 types, 100 types) associated with are stored.

  On the other hand, in the process of S502, if it is determined that the result of the second win / fail determination process (S320b) is not “big hit” (S502; NO), the process proceeds to S540 and the “offset fluctuation setting process” is performed. In the outlier variation setting process (S540), the variation pattern of the second special symbol is selected using a variation pattern table selected in consideration of the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1 and whether or not the reach effect is executed. Is determined (selected) by random lottery. Thereafter, a symbol determination random number is acquired, and a process of determining (selecting) a stop symbol of the second special symbol is performed. The presence / absence of execution of the reach effect is determined based on the reach random number acquired in the process of S304b (see FIG. 24) and read.

  The variation pattern table used in the process of S540 is selected as follows. That is, whether or not the reach effect is executed is determined based on the reach random number included in the determination random number read in the process of S316b (see FIG. 25). When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the “low probability normal variation mode” and no reach effect is performed, among the change pattern tables shown as “no reach effect” in FIG. When a variation pattern table corresponding to the number of reservations (second number of reservations) is set and a reach effect is to be performed, a change pattern table labeled “with reach effect” in FIG. 30 is set.

  Further, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the “low probability shortening variation mode” and the reach effect is not performed, among the variation pattern tables indicated as “no reach effect” in FIG. When a variation pattern table corresponding to the number of reservations (second number of reservations) is set and a reach effect is to be performed, a change pattern table labeled “with reach effect” in FIG. 30 is set. Further, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “high probability shortening variation mode” and no reach effect is performed, among the variation pattern tables indicated as “no reach effect” in FIG. A variation pattern table corresponding to the number of reservations (second number of reservations) is set, and a variation pattern table labeled “with reach effect” in FIG. 30 is set.

  Here, among the variation patterns shown in FIGS. 29 to 30, the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when the variation shortening function is operating is selected when the variation shortening function is not operating. There is a high possibility of being shortened compared to the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation pattern. Further, in this embodiment, when the result of the determination is “disappearing”, the length of the variation time is determined in consideration of the number of holds regarding the special symbol and the presence or absence of the reach effect. That is, the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when it is determined that the reach effect is not performed is compared with the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when the reach display is determined. Shortened. In addition, when the number of reserved special symbols is small (for example, “zero” or “1”), a variation pattern that specifies a longer variation time is selected, and when the number of retained symbols is large (for example, “2”). (In the case of “4”), a variation pattern that specifies a shorter variation time is selected.

  Each variation pattern table shown in FIGS. 29 to 30 is set in advance in the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200. In this embodiment, the “shortening variation mode (short time mode)” refers to a state in which the variable time shortening function (short time function) is in operation. And in the game mode in which the opening extension means operates, that is, the “high probability opening extension mode (high probability shortening variation mode)” and “normal probability opening extension mode (normal probability shortening variation mode)”, the variation time shortening function (time shortening function) ) Is activated. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, “shortening variation mode (short time mode)” can be read as “open extension mode”. Also, among the variation patterns stored in each variation pattern table shown in FIGS. 29 to 30, a “specific variation pattern” added with “circle” is a pre-stop effect (reciprocating operation) or after a special symbol is stopped. It is selected from those that can ensure a sufficient variation time (for example, 30 seconds or more) in performing an effect accompanied by an effect.

  Returning to FIG. 28, further explanation will be made. After the processing of S510 or S540, the CPU 201 starts the variable display of the second special symbol (special symbol 2) on the second special symbol display unit 62b (S590), and the sub-control. A predetermined command (design variation start command) indicating the start of the variation display of the special figure 2 is transmitted to the unit 200A (sub control board 220) (S592). That is, the CPU 201 transmits a “variation pattern designation command”, a “special symbol stop information designation command” and the like related to the second special symbol to the sub-control board 220. Further, the CPU 201 performs a process of subtracting “1” from the “second hold number” and a process of transmitting a hold number designation command for specifying the hold number after the subtraction to the sub-control board 220. (S595), the special symbol 2 symbol variation start process (S500b) is terminated, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  Here, the variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command are output toward the sub-control board 220 together with the strobe signal as shown in FIG. This strobe signal is connected to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 220a mounted on the sub-control board 220. When the strobe signal is input, the CPU 220a on the sub-control board 220 receives each designation signal immediately and receives the designation signal. Analyze the contents. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the variation pattern is determined in consideration of various conditions such as whether or not the reach effect is performed and whether or not the symbol for stopping and displaying the special symbol is a winning symbol (big hit symbol). The CPU 220a on the side of the sub control board 220 can recognize the variation pattern corresponding to the variation display of the special symbol this time by analyzing the received variation pattern designation command, and the time for the variation display of the special symbol can be determined. Can be recognized. Also, by analyzing the received special symbol stop information designation command, it recognizes whether the special symbol stops at a big hit symbol or stops at a big hit symbol, and when it stops at a big hit symbol, which is the big hit symbol can do. That is, in the special symbol 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), the type of jackpot shown in FIG. 12 can be recognized, and in the special symbol 1 symbol variation start process (S500a) related to the first special symbol described later, FIG. The type of jackpot shown can be recognized.

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

  Returning to FIG. 25, when “the number of holdings related to the second special symbol” is “zero” (S314b; YES), and “the number of holdings related to the first special symbol” is not “zero” (S314a; NO), The oldest determination random number is read from the first determination random number memory 202a (S316a), and a first win / no-go determination process is performed (S320a). Then, after performing the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Here, the first success / failure determination process performed as the process of S320a is also performed according to FIG. 27 as in S320b, and the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a) performed as the process of S500a is also performed as the process of S500b. It is performed according to FIG. 27 in the same manner as the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b). That is, in the first winning / failing determination process of S320a, the first winning / failing determination is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 27, and in the special figure 1 symbol variation start process of S500a, the first winning / failing determination process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. After performing the process of selecting (determining) the variation pattern of the first special symbol based on the result of (S320a), the process of selecting (determining) the symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a (S510) , S540), S590, S592, and S595.

  Next, when it is determined that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is changing (S310; YES) in S310 of the special symbol game processing (S300) (see FIG. 25), the special symbol game processing (S300) is already special. The symbol variation pattern and the stop symbol are determined, and the special symbol variation is started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S341). That is, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether a predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting a timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S341; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

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

  If it is determined in the process of S350 that the special symbol stop display time has not elapsed (S350; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S350; YES), it is determined whether or not the stop display mode is a mode that represents a big hit (big hit symbol) (S352 in FIG. 26).

  If an affirmative determination is made in the processing of S352 of FIG. 26, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets information indicating the current game progress in a buffer to be referred to at the end of the “big hit game” described later. (Memorize) (S354). Specifically, “type of big hit” and “game state flag state” are set (stored) (S354). Further, the specific area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 functions as a buffer used in the process of S354. Here, the “gaming state flag” is a flag indicating “the gaming state of the gaming machine 1”, that is, “probability change flag”, “fluctuation shortening flag”, “open extension flag”, and the like. In the process of S354, Data indicating whether these flags are set to “ON” or “OFF”, that is, data indicating the current gaming state (gaming mode) is set. Further, the “probability change flag” is a flag indicating that the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is in a high probability mode (mode in which the probability changing means operates), and the “change shortening flag” is a game of the gaming machine 1. It is a flag indicating that the mode (game state) is in a variation shortening mode (a mode in which the execution time of symbol variation display is likely to be shortened). Further, the “open extension flag” increases the release time of the “variable start winning device” such as the second start winning device 17b of the present embodiment when the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is the open extended mode (the second start winning device 17b of this embodiment). (Mode).

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

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

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

  That is, in the process of S380, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is set (set to ON) (S380). If it is not set (S380; NO), the process proceeds to S384 as it is and is set. If yes (S380; YES), after canceling the probability variation flag (set to OFF) (S382), the process proceeds to S384. Then, in the process of S384, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). If it is not set (S384; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited. Returning to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S384 that the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S384; YES), after the fluctuation shortening flag and the open extension flag are canceled (set to OFF) ( S386, S387), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In any case, when returning to the game control process of FIG. 22, a jackpot game process (FIG. 29) described later is started and a jackpot game is executed.

  When the big hit game is ended, by referring to the aforementioned “big hit game end reference buffer (see S354 of FIG. 26)”, the big hit symbol (hereinafter, “ Information on the type (ordinary jackpot symbol, probability variation jackpot symbol) is acquired, and processing for setting a game mode after the jackpot game is performed based on this information. In other words, when “this big hit symbol” is “ordinary big hit symbol”, processing for setting “100” in the variation shortening counter, processing for setting the variation shortening flag, and processing for setting the release extension flag And do. As a result, after the special game (the first jackpot game) related to the “normal jackpot” is finished, the special symbol is changed to “100 times” (until the value of the fluctuation shortening counter becomes zero). The extension function and the variable time reduction function are activated. However, when the next big hit is generated, the opening extension function and the fluctuation time shortening function stop operating. When the big hit game related to the normal big hit is finished, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 sends a mode designation command for designating that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the “low probability shortening variation mode” to the sub control board 220. Send to.

  Also, if this big hit symbol is “probable variation big hit symbol”, set the probability variation flag (set to ON), set the variation shortening counter to “10,000”, and set the variation shortening flag And a process of setting the release extension flag. That is, when a “probable big hit” occurs, the probability that the result of the determination is a big hit is high after the big hit game related to the big hit is completed until the next big hit is generated. Also, after the jackpot game related to the jackpot, the opening extension function and the variable time shortening function are in an operating state until the number of changes of the special symbol reaches “10,000 times” (until the value of the fluctuation shortening counter becomes zero). It becomes. However, when the next big hit is generated, the opening extension function and the fluctuation time shortening function stop operating. When the big hit game related to “probability big hit” is finished, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 sub-modes the mode designation command for designating that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is “high probability shortening variation mode”. Transmit to the control board 220.

  Next, a process when a negative determination is made in the process of S352 of FIG. 26 will be described. That is, when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b is “out of symbol” (S352; NO), the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). It is determined whether or not (S398). If the fluctuation shortening flag is not set (set to OFF) (S398; YES), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

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

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

(7) Production control process (S900)
Next, referring to FIG. 31, the “control control process (CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220)” performed in cooperation with the effect display control unit 222A (the CPU not shown of the effect display control board 222) is performed. The outline of “S900)” will be described. FIG. 31 shows only main processes among the processes constituting the effect control process.

  In the effect control process (S900), when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed, an initialization process is first performed (S960). Thereafter, until the power is turned off, main processes such as the symbol variation effect process (S1100) and the big hit game effect process (S1800) are repeatedly executed. Note that the time required for one round of processing in FIG. 31 is approximately 2 msec, so these processes are repeatedly executed every about 2 msec. Hereinafter, only the symbol variation effect processing (S1100) in the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 31 will be described, and description of the jackpot game effect processing will be omitted.

  In the symbol variation effect processing (S1100), as shown in FIG. 32, when the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 receives a command at the time of symbol variation start (S1105; YES), the processing after S1110 is executed. Here, the commands received in the processing of S1105 are a variation pattern designation command (CHP) and a special symbol stop information designation command (CJS).

  Based on the received “special symbol stop information designation command”, the sub-control unit 220A can determine the result of the determination (S320a, S320b) executed in the main control unit 200A. If the determination result is a big hit (S1110; YES), a process for distributing the effect pattern table at the time of the big hit is performed based on the received variation pattern designation command (S1115). If the result of the determination is wrong (S1110; NO), a process of distributing the effect pattern table at the time of failure is performed based on the received variation pattern designation command (S1120). The processing in S1115 and the processing in S1120 will be described later.

  When the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 ends the process of S1115 or S1120, the CPU 220a performs the process of S1140. In the process of S1140, a random number lottery is performed using the effect pattern table (for big hit or missed) set in the process of S1115 or S1120 to determine the effect pattern of the symbol variation effect (S1140). Here, in the process of S1140 after the process of S1115, using the effect pattern table set in the process of S1115, a specific execution mode of display effects executed on the display screen 27a, a specific mode of reach display, and the like. The display pattern from the start to the end (deterministic display) of the pseudo symbol variation display is determined (S1140). Specifically, the specific contents of the reach production (“normal reach production”, “reach development production”) (types of background symbols, characters to appear, etc.), types of pseudo symbols constituting the reach display, and temporary stop display The type of pseudo symbol and the like are determined (S1140). Also, using the effect pattern table set in the processing of S1115, the effect mode related to effect elements (sound effect element, light emission effect element, movable effect element, etc.) other than the display effect elements, the display mode related to the auxiliary symbols, etc. are selected and set. (S1140).

  Further, in the process of S1140 executed after the process of S1120, the specific execution mode of the display effect executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, the presence / absence of the reach display, the reach when the reach display is executed. Processing for determining a display pattern from the start to the end (deterministic display) of the pseudo symbol variation display such as the display mode is performed. Specifically, using the effect pattern table set in the processing of S1120, specific contents of “simple outage effect” when reach display is not performed, and reach effect when “reach display” is performed (“normal reach effect”) , “Reach development effect”), the types of pseudo symbols constituting the reach display, the types of pseudo symbols for temporary stop display, and the like are determined (S1140). Also, using the effect pattern table set in the processing of S1120, the effect mode related to effect elements (sound effect element, light emission effect element, movable effect element, etc.) other than the display effect element, the display mode related to the auxiliary symbols, etc. are selected and set. (S1140).

  When the CPU 220a performs the process of S1140, the CPU 220a performs a process of setting a stop symbol (design to be confirmed) of the pseudo symbol (S1145), and then proceeds to the process of S1150. Here, in the process of S1145 executed through the process of S1115 and the process of S1140, a specific mode of “pseudo symbol for definite display of jackpot” or a stop mode of the auxiliary symbol is selected as the “big hit stop symbol”. Set. In addition, in the process of S1145 executed through the process of S1120 and the process of S1140, a specific mode of “pseudo symbol for definite display and a stop mode of an auxiliary symbol” is selected / set as the “stopping stop symbol” Is done.

  In the process of S1150, a command (effect display detail command) for designating the “effect pattern” determined in the process of S1140 and the “pseudo symbol stop pattern” determined in the process of S1145 is displayed in the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board). 222), and the effect display device 27 starts to display the effect symbols such as pseudo symbols and background symbols (S1150). That is, the symbol variation effect on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is started.

  Thereafter, in the process of S1160, if the sub-control unit 220A determines that the symbol stop command (CZE) transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) has been received (S1160; YES), the received symbol stop The command is transferred to the effect display control unit 222A, the effect display of the pseudo symbol and the background symbol on the effect display device 27 is stopped (S1165), and the symbol variation effect is ended. Thereby, the design variation effect using effect elements (sound effect element, light emission effect element, movable effect element, etc.) other than the display effect element is also ended.

  Next, the processing in S1115 and the processing in S1120 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 are tables showing an effect pattern table for a big hit, and FIG. 35 is a table showing an effect pattern table for a loss. In the following description, a variation pattern other than the “specific variation pattern” is referred to as a “non-specific variation pattern”. In addition, the variation pattern of the special symbol (the variation pattern described above using FIG. 29) selected when the result of the success / failure determination is a win (big hit) is referred to as a “hit variation pattern”. The variation pattern of the special symbol selected in a certain case (the variation pattern described above with reference to FIG. 30) will be referred to as “outlier variation pattern”.

  33 and 34 show only the effect pattern table corresponding to the variation pattern table in the column of “low probability / normal” in FIG. 29, and FIG. 35 shows “low probability / normal” of FIG. Only the effect pattern table corresponding to the variation pattern table in the column to be displayed is shown. Note that the gaming machine 1 has a ROM 220c mounted on the sub-control board 220 in addition to these effect pattern tables in a variation pattern table in a column labeled “low probability / shortening” in FIGS. 29 and 30. The corresponding effect pattern table and the effect pattern table corresponding to the variation pattern table in the column of “High probability / shortening” in FIGS. 29 and 30 are also stored. In this embodiment, the latter two effect patterns are stored. Description of the table is omitted.

  Note that FIGS. 33 to 35 show an effect pattern table storing two effect patterns stored in a state corresponding to each variation pattern. However, only one effect pattern may be memorize | stored in each effect pattern table, and three or more effect patterns may be memorize | stored. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the number of effect patterns stored in each effect pattern table matches, but it is not necessary to match the number of effect patterns stored in each effect pattern table.

  Here, “previous fluctuation” shown in FIGS. 33 to 35 and FIGS. 37, 38, 43, and 44, which will be described later, is a fluctuation display before the first reciprocating action (swinging action) in the symbol fluctuation effect. (Previous variation execution means). Further, “special stop” shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, FIG. 37, FIG. 38, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44 shows an effect of stopping the special symbol T in the stop display area CH of the middle circulation display area 27C. . In these figures, the time (seconds) outside the parentheses shown below the column in which “the number of executions of the reciprocating operation (turning operation)” and “special stop” are shown is “reciprocating operation (turning operation)” and “ It is the total time required to perform “stop of special symbol”, and the time (seconds) in parentheses is also the time required to perform “reciprocating operation (turning operation)”. 33 to 35, FIG. 37, FIG. 38, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44, the "development effect" refers to "re-variable display performed in the special symbol stop effect", and "determined display" "The fixed display of the pseudo symbol (display for indicating the result of the success / failure determination) performed in the special symbol stop effect" is shown.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 selects a non-specific fluctuation pattern as the “hit fluctuation pattern”, the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 is accompanied by a pre-stop effect (reciprocating operation) or a special symbol stop effect in the processing of S1115. An effect pattern table for executing a non-design variation effect, that is, the above-described “normal pattern variation effect” is selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, when the CPU 201 has selected “non-specific variation pattern A1” as the hit variation pattern, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern a11 and effect pattern a12” are stored. . In this case, in the process of S1140, the CPU 220a selects the effect pattern a11 or the effect pattern a12 as the effect pattern, and executes the symbol variation effect corresponding to the selected effect pattern, but when any effect pattern is selected, The execution time of the symbol variation effect is a time determined according to the non-specific variation pattern A1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 33, when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 selects the specific fluctuation pattern as the “hit fluctuation pattern”, the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 performs the pre-stop effect (reciprocating operation) in the process of S1115. And the effect pattern table for executing the symbol variation effect accompanied by the effect after stopping the special symbol, that is, the above-described “design variation effect of the special mode”. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, when the CPU 201 has selected “specific variation pattern A2” as the “hit variation pattern”, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern a21 and effect pattern a22” are stored. When the CPU 201 selects “specific variation pattern A3” as the “hit variation pattern”, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern a31 and effect pattern a32” are stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 34, when the CPU 201 has selected “specific variation pattern A4” as the “hit variation pattern”, the CPU 220a selects the effect pattern table in which “effect pattern a41 and effect pattern a42” are stored. However, when the CPU 201 has selected “specific variation pattern A5” as the “hit variation pattern”, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern a51 and effect pattern a52” are stored.

  Regardless of which specific variation pattern is selected as the “hit variation pattern” by the CPU 201, the CPU 220a performs a reciprocating operation (turning operation) in the process of S1140 while performing the number of times selected from “3-12 times”. The effect pattern for performing the effect after the symbol stop is selected, and the symbol variation effect corresponding to the selected effect pattern is executed. In addition, when any effect pattern is selected as the “hit variation pattern”, the execution time of the symbol variation effect is a time determined according to the specific variation pattern selected by the CPU 201.

  In this gaming machine 1, the CPU 201 spends “3 seconds” to “36” seconds in the pre-stop effect regardless of which specific variation pattern is selected as the “hit variation pattern”.

  As shown in FIG. 35, when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 selects the specific fluctuation pattern as the “outgoing fluctuation pattern”, the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 is accompanied by a reciprocating operation (turning operation) in the process of S1120. An effect pattern table is selected for executing a symbol variation effect, or a symbol variation effect accompanied by a reciprocating operation (swinging operation) and a special symbol stop effect. For example, as shown in FIG. 35, when the CPU 201 has selected “specific variation pattern N1” as the “out-of-range variation pattern”, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern n11 and effect pattern n12” are stored. When the CPU 201 selects the “specific variation pattern P1” as the “offset variation pattern”, the CPU 220a selects the effect pattern table in which the “effect pattern p11 and the effect pattern p12” are stored. Further, when the CPU 201 has selected “specific variation pattern P2” as the “offset variation pattern”, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern p21 and effect pattern p22” are stored.

  Even when the CPU 201 selects any specific variation pattern as the “out-of-range variation pattern”, the CPU 220a performs a special operation while performing the reciprocating operation (turning operation) the number of times selected from “1-3 times” in the processing of S1140. An effect pattern for performing an effect after stopping the symbol once, or an effect pattern in which the reciprocating operation (turning motion) is performed once but no effect after stopping the special symbol is selected, and the symbol corresponding to the selected effect pattern Perform fluctuating effects. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the number of reciprocating motions executed in the pre-stop production is less than the symbol variation production performed based on the hit variation pattern. In addition, when any specific variation pattern is selected as the “out-of-range variation pattern”, the execution time of the symbol variation effect is a time determined according to the specific variation pattern selected by the CPU 201. Further, the time spent for the pre-stop production is “3 seconds” to “9” seconds, and the time spent for the pre-stop production is shorter than the symbol variation production performed based on the hit variation pattern. Further, the number of reciprocating operations (swinging operations) performed during the symbol variation effect is also higher than the symbol variation effect performed based on the hit variation pattern.

  When the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 selects an effect pattern other than “effect pattern n12” as the effect pattern, a special operation is performed while performing a reciprocating operation (turning operation) a predetermined number of times selected from “1-3 times”. A symbol variation effect is performed in which the effect after the symbol stops is performed once. On the other hand, when “effect pattern n12” is selected as the effect pattern, the special symbol T is stopped in the stop display area CH of the middle circulation display area 27C after performing the reciprocating operation (turning action) “once”. (See the specific example 2 shown in FIG. 20), and without performing the special symbol stop effect (re-variable display with the reach development effect), the medium pseudo symbol is displayed in the stop display region CH of the middle circulation display region 27C. A symbol variation effect for confirming and displaying the stop symbol is executed.

  As described above, in this gaming machine 1, when the special symbol variation start timing comes, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines the variation pattern and displays the first special symbol display unit 62 a or the second special symbol display of the lower display device 60. In the part 62b, the special symbol variation display is started. When the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 determines that the variation pattern determined by the CPU 201 is the specific variation pattern, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table for executing the “special pattern variation effect”. Thus, as shown in FIG. 36, the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 serves as a pre-variation execution means, a pre-stop effect execution means, a special symbol stop display means, and a special symbol post-stop effect execution means according to the selected effect pattern. Execute the process.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, according to the selected production pattern, an example of executing the process as the front variation execution unit, the pre-stop production execution unit, the special symbol stop display unit, and the special symbol stop post-production execution unit, An effect pattern that constitutes a pre-variation execution means, an effect pattern that constitutes an effect execution means before stop, an effect pattern that constitutes a special symbol stop display means, and an effect pattern that constitutes an effect execution means after a special symbol stop, It is good also as providing each separately. In this case, according to the selected variation pattern, an effect pattern constituting the previous variation execution means, an effect pattern constituting the pre-stop effect execution means, an effect pattern constituting the special symbol stop display means, and an effect after the special symbol stop It is good also as selecting the production pattern which comprises an execution means, and the combination aspect of these production patterns.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 35, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the greater the number of reciprocating operations (spinning operations), the more successful the symbol variation effect that is in progress. There is a high possibility that it is an effect that indicates. That is, as the number of executions of the reciprocating operation in the pre-stop effect increases, the possibility that a plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in a hit state through the reach effect is increased. In addition, the longer the time spent for the effect before stopping, the higher the possibility that the ongoing symbol variation effect is an effect indicating that the result of the determination of success or failure is a win. In other words, the longer the execution time of the reciprocating operation in the pre-stop production, the higher the possibility that a plurality of symbols will be stopped and displayed in a hit state through the reach production.

(8) Effects of the Example According to the gaming machine 1, after performing the roaring effect (pre-stop effect) indicating whether or not the special symbol T is stopped and displayed as the final stop symbol in the state where reach is not established, When the special symbol T is stopped and displayed, a new symbol variation effect such as development to reach effect can be performed. In other words, according to this gaming machine 1, before starting the pre-stop production after the start of the symbol variation production (the first “grasping” portion), the player is assumed that “the reach is not performed”. If the final stop symbol stops at the special symbol T in the pre-stop effect, a fresh design variation effect can be realized.

  Moreover, when the player encounters a novel production action of the special symbol T (reciprocating movement that constitutes the production before the stop), the player is given an “expectation for the development of reach production” and a “expectation for winning”. ". As a result, it is possible to execute an effect that gives a strong impact to the player, and the gaming interest can be effectively enhanced. Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, the longer the time spent for the reciprocating operation in the symbol variation effect, the higher the possibility that the result of the determination is a hit. It is configured. That is, in this embodiment, as described above, when the “number of times of reciprocating operation” is large, the hit reliability increases, but the time spent for one reciprocating operation is set to a certain time (3 seconds). For this reason, the longer the time spent for the reciprocating operation in the symbol variation effect, the higher the possibility that the result of the determination will be a hit. Therefore, the player who has faced that the reciprocating operation has been performed for a long time can be confident that the symbol variation effect with high hitting reliability is currently in progress.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that FIG. 37 is used instead of FIG. 33 and that FIG. 38 is used instead of FIG.

  Also in the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 selects the specific fluctuation pattern as the hit fluctuation pattern, the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 performs the reciprocal operation in the process of S1115. An effect pattern table for executing a symbol variation effect accompanied by a (swinging action) and a special symbol stop effect is selected. 37 is the same as FIG. 33 except that the contents of “effect pattern a21 and effect pattern a31” are different, and the contents of FIG. 38 are different in the contents of “effect pattern a41 and effect pattern a51”. 34 is the same as that of FIG. 34, and the description of the effect pattern similar to the effect pattern shown in FIG. 33 or 34 is omitted. In addition, the “revariation” shown in FIGS. 37 to 38 is a revariation display other than the revariation display (revariation display constituting the effect after stopping the special symbol) performed last in the “special pattern variation effect”. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 37, when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 has selected “specific variation pattern A2” as the hit variation pattern, the CPU 220a displays an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern a21 and effect pattern a22” are stored. When the “specific variation pattern A3” is selected, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern a31 and effect pattern a32” are stored. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 38, when the CPU 201 has selected “specific variation pattern A4” as the “hit variation pattern”, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern a41 and effect pattern a42” are stored. However, when the CPU 201 has selected “specific variation pattern A5” as the “hit variation pattern”, the CPU 220a selects an effect pattern table in which “effect pattern a51 and effect pattern a52” are stored.

  The production pattern a21, the production pattern a31, the production pattern a41, and the production pattern a51 are all for performing a pre-stop production (first pre-stop production) consisting of one or more reciprocating operations (swinging operations). This is an effect pattern, and during the pre-stop production, re-variable display (re-variable display other than the re-variable display that constitutes the special symbol after-stop production) is performed, and after the last pre-stop production, Execute. In the second embodiment, the special symbol T is stopped and displayed at the stop display position CH in the pre-stop effect before the re-variable display (re-variable display other than the re-variable display constituting the special symbol stop effect). However, it is also possible to exemplify a mode in which re-variable display (re-variable display other than re-variable display constituting the effect after stopping special symbols) is performed without performing stop display of the special symbol T.

  According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, since there is an effect pattern that alternately repeats a predetermined number of pre-stop effects and re-variable display (pseudo-continuous effects), It is easy to widen the width. For example, in the symbol variation effect according to the effect pattern a22, after finishing the previous variation, the special symbol stop effect (revariation display with reach development effect) is started as it is after three reciprocation operations (turning operations). . In addition, after the reciprocating operation (turning operation) is performed three times, the effect after stopping the special symbol (revariable display with reach development effect) is started as it is in the effect pattern for displaying that the determination of success / failure is out of place. (See production patterns p12 and p22 in FIG. 35). As a result, the player who faces this kind of symbol variation production drinks a grudge and watches the end of the reach development production (for example, the result of the aforementioned battle production). That is, it is possible to realize an effect capable of sustaining the player's expectation until the symbol variation effect is completed while the opportunity of re-variation display is once.

  In the design variation effect according to the effect pattern p32, the effect pattern a42, the effect pattern a51, or the effect pattern p52, the number of executions of the reciprocating operation (spinning operation) is “4 times” in the pre-stop effect after finishing the previous change. At this point, the occurrence of the hit is fixed, so that the player who faces the symbol variation production watches the subsequent production while feeling satisfaction and relief. In other words, it is possible to realize an effect that can give the player a sense of satisfaction during the progress of the symbol variation effect (on the way) and thereafter give a sense of relief and superiority until the effect ends.

  In addition, in the symbol variation effect according to the effect pattern a31 or the effect pattern p41, the hit occurrence is not fixed at the end of the effect before stop after the end of the previous variation. Paying attention to “whether or not (swinging operation) is started”, the subsequent production is watched. In other words, not only the number of reciprocating operations (turning operations) but also an effect that can be expected to start the reciprocating operation (turning operations) again after the re-variable display can be executed. Specifically, for example, the first pre-stop effect is ended in an unwilling or insufficient state for the player, and the player's sense of expectation is being executed during the re-variable display that is started thereafter. You can achieve an effective production of scolding. Therefore, according to the gaming machine of the second embodiment, it is possible to further increase the variation of the production and further enhance the gaming interest.

  Next, the gaming machine of the third embodiment will be described using FIG. 39 and FIG. The gaming machine according to the third embodiment is different from the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that the display mode of the special symbol T changes as the number of reciprocating operations in the pre-stop production increases. The gaming machine of the third embodiment is also different from the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment in that the display mode of the special symbol T changes as the execution time of the pre-stop effect increases. However, the other points are the same as the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment.

  Here, FIG. 39 and FIG. 40 show that the number of reciprocating operations is the first (b1 to b5 in FIG. 39) and the second (b6 to b10 in FIG. ) The case where the size of the special symbol T gradually increases as the third time (b11 to b15 in FIG. 40) and the fourth time (b16 to b20 in FIG. 40) increase. In the following description, the reciprocating operation shown in b1-b5 of FIG. 39 is “reciprocating operation A”, the reciprocating operation shown in b6-b10 of FIG. 39 is “reciprocating operation B”, and the reciprocating operations shown in b11-b15 of FIG. The operation is referred to as “reciprocating operation C”, and the reciprocating operation illustrated in b16 to b20 in FIG. 40 is referred to as “reciprocating operation D”.

  39 and FIG. 40, as the “pre-stop effect with a large number of reciprocation execution times” approaches the final stage of the pre-stop effect rather than the “pre-stop effect with a small number of reciprocation operations”, It shows that the size of the special symbol T becomes larger. That is, (a) a pre-stop effect in which the number of executions of the reciprocating operation is one (pre-stop effect that executes only the reciprocating operation A), and (b) a pre-stop effect in which the number of executions of the reciprocating operation is two times ( (Pre-stop effect for performing reciprocation A and reciprocation B), (c) Pre-stop effect for performing reciprocation 3 times (Pre-stop effect for performing reciprocation A, reciprocation B and reciprocation C) ), (D) Final reciprocation operation in the order of pre-stop effect (reciprocation operation A, reciprocation operation B, reciprocation operation C, and pre-stop effect for performing reciprocation operation D) where the number of reciprocation operations is four This shows that the size of the special symbol T at the time of execution of is increased.

  According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. In other words, since the size of the special symbol T gradually increases as the number of reciprocation operations performed in the pre-stop effect increases, it is possible to execute an effect that has a stronger impact on the player. For example, when a player encounters that the special symbol T has expanded, the player can be confident that the result of the success / failure determination is highly likely to win. Can be enhanced.

  Further, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the time required to execute one reciprocating operation is uniformly set to “3 seconds”. As the number of times increases, the execution time of the effect before stoppage becomes longer. Therefore, FIG. 39 and FIG. 40 also show that the display mode of the special symbol T changes as the execution time of the pre-stop effect increases. That is, in the “pre-stop effect that performs a plurality of reciprocating operations”, the number of reciprocating operations is the first (b1 to b5 in FIG. 39), the second (b6 to b10 in FIG. 39), and the third (in FIG. 40). b11 to b15) and the fourth time (b16 to b20 in FIG. 40), the case where the size of the special symbol T gradually increases as the execution time for the pre-stop effect becomes longer is shown.

  39 and 40, the “pre-stop effect where the number of reciprocating operations is large and the execution time is long” is more than the “pre-stop effect where the number of reciprocating operations is small and the execution time is short” It shows that the size of the special symbol T at the stage before the end of the pre-stop production is larger. That is, (e) the reciprocating operation A only is executed and the execution time is “3 seconds” before the stop effect, (f) the reciprocating operation A and the reciprocating operation B are executed, and the execution time is “6 seconds”. (G) Reproduction operation A, reciprocation operation B, and reciprocation operation C are executed, and the execution time is "9 seconds". (H) Reciprocation operation A, reciprocation operation B, reciprocation operation The size of the special symbol T at the end of the pre-stop effect (when the final reciprocation is executed) increases in the order of the pre-stop effect in which C and the reciprocating operation D are executed and the execution time is set to “12 seconds”. Is shown.

  And in Example 3, the effect which gives a stronger impact with respect to a player can also be performed from the point that the size of the special symbol T enlarges, so that the execution time of the effect before a stop becomes long. For example, the player can be confident that the result of the determination of success or failure is high by encountering the “special symbol T expanded as the execution time of the effect before stoppage becomes longer”. The game can be effectively enhanced with a stronger impact on the game.

  In addition, in Example 3 and Example 4 to be described later, an example in which the execution time of the effect before stop increases as the number of executions of the reciprocating operation in the effect before stop increases. However, in Example 3 and Example 4 to be described later, the “time required for executing one reciprocating operation” is set short in the effect before stopping with a large number of reciprocating operation executions, and the number of reciprocating operation executions is small before the stop. For example, by setting a longer “time required for execution of one reciprocation” in the production, the execution time of the production before the stop does not become longer even if the number of executions of the reciprocation in the production before the stop increases. Even if the execution time of is long, it is possible to realize a mode in which the number of executions of the reciprocating operation in the effect before stop does not increase.

  In addition, in “when the display mode of the special symbol changes as the number of executions of the reciprocating operation in the pre-stop effect increases” and “when the display mode of the special symbol changes as the execution time of the pre-stop effect increases” These “modes of change in the display mode of the special symbol” are not limited to “modes in which the size of the special symbol T gradually increases” shown in the third embodiment. For example, as the number of reciprocating operations in the pre-stop effect increases, “a mode in which the size of the special symbol T is reduced”, “a mode in which the size of the special symbol T is alternately enlarged and reduced”, “a color of the special symbol "Aspect where the shape of the special symbol changes", "Aspect where the type of character constituting the special symbol changes", "Aspect where the number of characters constituting the special symbol changes", etc. . In addition, as the execution time of the effect before the stop becomes longer, “a mode in which the size of the special symbol T is reduced”, “a mode in which the size of the special symbol T is alternately enlarged and reduced”, “a color of the special symbol is Examples of “changing modes”, “modes in which the shape of special symbols change”, “modes in which the types of characters that make up special symbols change”, “modes in which the number of characters that make up special symbols change”, etc. You can also.

  Further, in the third embodiment, when the pre-stop effect is executed a plurality of times in one design variation effect, the display mode of the special symbol T according to the “number of times of reciprocating operation” counted for each pre-stop effect. May be changed, or the display mode of the special symbol T may be changed according to the “number of times of reciprocating operation” counted through the entire symbol variation effect (effect before all stops). Furthermore, in Example 3, when the pre-stop production is executed a plurality of times in one design variation production, the display mode of the special design T may be changed according to the execution time of each pre-stop production, The display mode of the special symbol T may be changed in accordance with the “execution time of the effect before all stops” measured throughout the variation effect.

  Next, a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 and 42. The gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment differs from the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that the fluctuation amount (movement amount) of the special symbol T in the reciprocating operation changes as the number of times of performing the reciprocating operation in the pre-stop effect increases. . Further, in the gaming machine of the fourth embodiment, the variation amount (movement amount) of the special symbol T in the reciprocating operation changes as the execution time of the pre-stop effect becomes longer, which is different from the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment. . However, the other points are the same as the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment.

  Here, FIG. 41 and FIG. 42 show that the number of reciprocating motions is the first time (c1 to c5 in FIG. 41) and the second time (c6 to c10 in FIG. 41) in the “pre-stop effect of performing a plurality of reciprocating motions”. ) As the third time (c11 to c15 in FIG. 42) and the fourth time (c16 to c20 in FIG. 42) increase, the fluctuation amount of the special symbol T in the reciprocating operation gradually increases. In other words, in each reciprocating operation, the amount of change in the special symbol T that has reached the stop display area CH in the direction opposite to the direction of change of the pseudo symbol (the amount that fluctuates with the return path display) is executed. It is set to increase as the number of times increases. For this reason, the range displayed on the display screen 27a when the individual reciprocating operation of the special symbol T is completed is the time when the first reciprocating operation is completed (see c5 in FIG. 41) and the second reciprocating operation is completed. Time (refer to c10 in FIG. 41) and reduction in order of completion of the third reciprocation (see c15 in FIG. 42). When the fourth reciprocation is completed (see c20 in FIG. 42), the special symbol T is not displayed on the display screen 27a (the special symbol T has completely passed the upper edge of the display screen 27a, and the special symbol T Is in a state where the entire area has gone out of the display screen 27a). In the following description, the reciprocating operation shown in c1 to c5 in FIG. 41 is “reciprocating operation J”, the reciprocating operation shown in c6 to c10 in FIG. 41 is “reciprocating operation K”, and the reciprocating operation shown in c11 to c15 in FIG. The operation is referred to as “reciprocating operation L”, and the reciprocating operation illustrated in c16 to c20 in FIG. 42 is referred to as “reciprocating operation M”.

  41 and 42, as the “pre-stop effect with a large number of reciprocation executions” approaches the final stage of the pre-stop effect rather than the “pre-stop effect with a small number of reciprocation operations”, It also shows that the amount of fluctuation (movement amount) of the special symbol T in the reciprocating operation increases. That is, (j) a pre-stop effect in which the number of reciprocating operations is set to one (pre-stop effect in which only the reciprocating operation J is executed), and (k) a pre-stop effect in which the number of reciprocating operations is set to two times ( (1) Pre-stop effect in which reciprocating operation J and reciprocating operation K are executed), (l) Pre-stop effect in which reciprocating operation is performed three times (pre-stop effect in which reciprocating operation J, reciprocating operation K and reciprocating operation L are executed) ), (M) Special effects in the reciprocating motion in the order of the pre-stop effect (reciprocating motion J, reciprocating motion K, reciprocating motion L and reciprocating motion M performing the reciprocating motion M) in which the reciprocating motion is performed four times. It also shows that the fluctuation amount (movement amount) of the symbol T increases (the distance of the special symbol T from the stop display area CH increases).

  According to the fourth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. For example, since the fluctuation amount of the special symbol T gradually increases as the number of executions of the reciprocation increases, it is possible to execute an effect that gives a stronger impact to the player. In other words, by recognizing that the fluctuation amount of the special symbol T has increased, the player can be convinced that the result of the determination is highly likely to be a hit. It can effectively enhance the interest.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the time required to execute one reciprocating operation is uniformly set to “3 seconds”. As the number of times increases, the execution time of the effect before stoppage becomes longer. Therefore, FIGS. 41 and 42 also show that the amount of fluctuation (movement amount) of the special symbol T in the reciprocation increases as the execution time of the pre-stop effect increases. That is, in the “pre-stop effect that executes a plurality of reciprocating operations”, the number of reciprocating operations is the first (c1 to c5 in FIG. 41), the second (c6 to c10 in FIG. 41), and the third (in FIG. c11 to b15) and the fourth time (c16 to c20 in FIG. 42), the variation amount (movement amount) of the special symbol T in the reciprocation increases as the execution time of the pre-stop effect increases (special symbol). It also shows that the distance from the stop display area CH of T increases).

  41 and 42, the “pre-stop effect where the number of reciprocating operations is large and the execution time is long” is more than the “pre-stop effect where the number of reciprocating operations is small and the execution time is short” It also shows that the amount of fluctuation of the special symbol T in the reciprocating operation increases. That is, (n) the reciprocating operation J is executed only and the execution time is “3 seconds” before the stop effect, (o) the reciprocating operation J and the reciprocating operation K are executed, and the execution time is “6 seconds”. (P) Reciprocation operation J, reciprocation operation L, and reciprocation operation L are executed, and the execution time is “9 seconds”. (H) Reciprocation operation J, reciprocation operation K, reciprocation operation The amount of change (movement amount) of the special symbol T in the reciprocating operation increases in the order of the pre-stop effect in which the L and the reciprocating operation M are executed and the execution time is set to “12 seconds” (stop display of the special symbol T) It also shows that the distance from the region CH increases).

  In the fourth embodiment, the longer the execution time of the pre-stop effect, the greater the impact of the special symbol T in the reciprocating operation, and it is possible to execute an effect that has a stronger impact on the player. . For example, when a player encounters a special symbol T in which the amount of fluctuation in the reciprocating operation increases as the execution time of the reciprocating operation becomes longer, it is highly probable that the result of the success / failure determination will be a hit. Since it can be convinced, it has a stronger impact on the player and can effectively enhance the game interest.

  In addition, “when the number of executions of the reciprocating motion in the pre-stop effect increases, the amount of change (movement amount) of the special symbol T changes” or “the longer the execution time of the pre-stop effect, the longer the special symbol in the reciprocating motion. In “when the variation amount (movement amount) of T changes”, these “modes of change in the variation amount (movement amount) of the special symbol” are not limited to “˜modes in which the variation amount increases” shown in the fourth embodiment. . For example, as the number of executions of the reciprocating operation increases, “˜a mode in which the fluctuation amount becomes smaller”, “˜a mode in which the fluctuation amount becomes larger or smaller” and the like can be exemplified. Further, as the execution time of the pre-stop effect becomes longer, “˜a mode in which the fluctuation amount becomes smaller”, “˜a mode in which the fluctuation amount becomes larger or smaller”, and the like can be exemplified.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, when the pre-stop effect is executed a plurality of times in one design variation effect, the variation amount of the special symbol T according to the “number of reciprocating operations” counted for each pre-stop effect. Or the amount of variation of the special symbol T may be varied according to the “number of times of reciprocating operation” counted through the entire symbol variation effect (effect before all stops). Furthermore, in Example 4, when the pre-stop production is executed a plurality of times in one design variation production, the variation amount of the special design T may be changed according to the execution time of each pre-stop production. The amount of variation of the special symbol T may be changed according to the “execution time of the effect before all stops” measured throughout the variation effect.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that FIG. 43 is used instead of FIG. 33 and that FIG. 44 is used instead of FIG. Here, the effect pattern table shown in FIG. 43 is different from the effect pattern table shown in FIG. 33 in that an effect pattern a23 is added as an effect pattern corresponding to the specific variation pattern A2. 44 is different from the effect pattern table shown in FIG. 34 in that an effect pattern a43 is added as an effect pattern corresponding to the specific variation pattern A4.

  The effect pattern a23 and the effect pattern a43 perform each reciprocating operation in the pre-stop effect at a low speed (by spending about 9 seconds for each reciprocating operation). And, in the symbol variation effects according to these effect patterns a23 and a43, the reciprocation is “twice”, but each reciprocation is performed at a low speed. The reciprocating operation becomes longer as in the case where the reciprocating operation is performed many times (for example, 6 times) at a normal speed (for example, about 3 seconds). Among the symbol variation effects for stopping and displaying the winning symbol, in the symbol variation effects according to the effect patterns other than “effect pattern a23 and effect pattern a43”, each reciprocating operation is performed at a normal speed. Since the “number of times the operation is performed” is increased, the time spent for the reciprocating operation in the symbol variation effect is increased. In FIG. 43 and FIG. 44, “S rolling” indicates “low-speed reciprocation”.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. In other words, as an effect indicating that the hit reliability is high, the number of executions of the reciprocation is increased while performing the reciprocation at a normal speed, and the number of executions of the reciprocation is reduced while performing the reciprocation slowly. By mixing things together, it is possible to diversify the production and effectively enhance the game entertainment. In addition, since the player who encounters the pre-stop effect that performs the reciprocating motion slowly can recognize that the hit has occurred, it is possible to improve the game entertainment. In addition, by slowly performing the reciprocating operation in this manner and increasing the time spent for the effect before the stop (reciprocating operation), the number of reciprocating operations is not so much, and the number of re-variable displays is small ( For example, it is possible to execute an effect (a highly reliable effect, a hot effect) indicating that the possibility of hitting is high, even though it is once.

Having described the embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto, without departing from the scope described in 請 Motomeko 1, without being limited to the description language of 請 Motomeko 1, Improvements based on the knowledge that those skilled in the art normally have can be added as appropriate to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily replace them.

  That is, in each embodiment, three pseudo symbols are “circulated display (scroll fluctuation display)” and one special symbol reciprocates. However, the pseudo display “circulation display (scroll fluctuation display)” is illustrated. The number of symbols may be two, or four or more. Also, the number of special symbols that reciprocate may be two or more. Furthermore, in each of the embodiments, the mode of reciprocating the special symbol in the middle pseudo symbol variation path is illustrated. It is also possible to exemplify a mode in which the special symbol is reciprocated in the variable path of the pseudo symbol at the other end (the other of the left pseudo symbol and the right pseudo symbol) after stopping in the stop display area.

  Each embodiment exemplifies a mode in which the directions of the “circular display (scroll fluctuation display)” of a plurality of pseudo symbols are equalized. However, in some of the plurality of pseudo symbols and the remaining pseudo symbols, “ The direction of “circulation display (scroll fluctuation display)” may be different. Further, in each embodiment, all the pseudo symbols are “circularly displayed (scroll fluctuation display)” from the top to the bottom, and the special symbol is reciprocated up and down. It is also possible to exemplify a mode in which the special symbol is reciprocated up and down by “circulation display (scroll fluctuation display)”.

  Further, as in Modification 1 of FIG. 45 (a), an upper circulation display area 27U that is long in the horizontal direction above, and an intermediate circulation display area 27M that is long in the horizontal direction below. A lower circulation display area 27D, which is long in the horizontal direction below, appears on the display screen 27a, and pseudo patterns are displayed in the horizontal direction (in this example, from right to left) in these circulation display areas 27U, 27M, 27D. In addition to “circulation display (scroll fluctuation display)” (g1 to g3), a mode in which the special symbol D reciprocates in the left-right direction can be exemplified. In the display screen 27a, the number of circular display areas appearing in the vertical direction may be two or four or more. Further, unlike each of the embodiments and the second modification, a plurality of circulation display areas may appear in a slanting direction and a pseudo-pattern circulation display (scroll fluctuation display) may be performed in these circulation display areas. Good.

  Further, as in Modification 2 of FIG. 45 (b), a plurality of pseudo symbols are changed while being rotated in the first rotation direction, and the rotation of the special symbols in the first rotation direction and the first rotation are as follows. A reciprocating operation in which the rotation in the opposite second rotation direction is performed alternately may be performed. For example, in each of the stop display areas LH, CH, and RH, cyclic display may be performed while rotating the pseudo symbol in a predetermined direction. In this case, every time the pseudo symbol is rotated once in each stop display area LH, CH, RH, the arithmetic numbers indicated by the symbol are advanced in ascending order of “1 to 9”, and again after “9”. You may return to "1", and also may perform the display which repeats repeating in ascending order in order of "1-9" (h1). However, even in such a variable display by rotation, the pseudo symbol is rotated at high speed, so that the player can use the arithmetic numbers currently displayed in the stop display areas LH, CH, RH during the cyclic display. Cannot be recognized.

  In the second modification, when the left pseudo symbol is stopped and displayed in the stop display area LH and the right pseudo symbol is stopped and displayed in the stop display area RH (h2), the special symbol E is reciprocated in the stop display area CH. (Reciprocating rotation operation) is started (h3). That is, the rotation in the first rotation direction (h3) and the rotation in the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction (h4) are alternately performed while the special symbol E has its rotation speed reduced. Perform reciprocal motion. At this time, since the rotation speed is reduced, the player can recognize that the rotating pseudo symbol is the special symbol E. Then, the stop display of the pseudo symbol (medium pseudo symbol) is executed at a predetermined timing in the stop display region CH. At that time, when the special symbol E is stopped and displayed in the stop display area CH (h5), the special symbol stop effect (re-variable display) is started, and when symbols other than the special symbol E are stopped and displayed, The symbol variation effect ends.

  In each embodiment, the special symbol T is reciprocated within a range that does not completely pass through the lower end of the stop display area CH. However, the movement range of the special symbol is not limited to this. For example, as in Modification 3 shown in FIG. 46A, the stop display area CH is arranged in the middle of the path along which the special symbol T reciprocates, and the special symbol T that moves up and down moves the stop display area CH “upward”. It is good also as passing from "lower to upper" or "lower to upper" (e1-e5). Furthermore, as in Modification 4 shown in FIG. 46B, after the special symbol T that appears from one side edge of the display screen moves to the other side edge of the display screen and goes out of the screen, The aspect which appears again from the one side edge side can also be illustrated (f1-f5).

  Moreover, in each Example, although the aspect which performs a reach display after the start of the effect after a special symbol stop was illustrated (refer FIG. 19), like the modification 5 shown to Fig.47 (a), the effect after a special symbol stop It is also possible to exemplify a mode in which reach display is performed at the start of and the re-variation in the effect after stopping the special symbol is performed only with the medium pseudo symbol. Moreover, in each Example, although the left pseudo symbol and the right pseudo symbol were sequentially stopped and the reach display was performed after the start of the special symbol stop effect, the reach display was performed (see FIG. 19), but FIG. 47 (b) As shown in the modified example 6 shown in FIG. 5, after the start of the special symbol stop effect, the left pseudo symbol and the right pseudo symbol are simultaneously stopped and reach display can be exemplified.

  Furthermore, in each of the embodiments, the case where the reach display is performed in a manner that is easy for the player to recognize is illustrated (see FIG. 19). However, as in Modification 7 shown in FIG. 48, the reach display is performed in a manner that is difficult for the player to recognize. Cases can also be illustrated. In the modified example 7, when the effect after the special symbol is stopped is started, the left pseudo symbol, the middle pseudo symbol, and the right pseudo symbol are reduced and displayed near the edge of the display screen 27, so that the left pseudo symbol and the right pseudo symbol are displayed. Reach display using is performed in a state that is difficult for the player to recognize (c24, c25). In this case, the player recognizes that the reach display is made based on the content of the effect displayed on the display screen 27 (for example, the start of the battle effect) instead of the display using the left pseudo symbol and the right pseudo symbol. It is good to do.

In the first embodiment described above, “the pre-stop production executing means executes the pre-stop production according to one production pattern selected from a plurality of production patterns that are different in the number of executions of the reciprocating operation (spinning operation). Configured and possible
As the number of executions of the reciprocating operation in the pre-stop production increases, the possibility that the plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in a hit state through the reach production increases.
At the same time, in the above-described first embodiment, “the pre-stop production execution means performs the pre-stop production according to one production pattern selected from a plurality of production patterns having different execution times of the reciprocating operation (turning operation). Is configured to run,
The longer the execution time of the pre-stop production, the higher the possibility that the plurality of symbols will be stopped and displayed in a winning manner through the reach production.
However, “when the specific variation pattern is selected by the main control unit 200A, the pre-stop production execution means has a one-to-one correspondence with the selected specific variation pattern as a variation display pattern executed by the symbol display means. It is also possible to exemplify “a mode in which the pre-stop production is performed according to the production pattern in correspondence”.

  Further, “the pre-stop production execution means is configured to be able to execute the pre-stop production according to one production pattern selected from a plurality of production patterns having the same number of executions of the reciprocating operation (spinning operation). It may be ”. Further, “the pre-stop production executing means is configured to be able to execute the pre-stop production according to one production pattern selected from a plurality of production patterns having the same execution time of the reciprocating operation (spinning operation). It may be ”.

  Further, in each embodiment, “in the case where a plurality of reciprocating motions (turning motions) are performed as a pre-stop effect, the execution time of each reciprocating motion (turning motion) is the same time (3 seconds or 9 seconds). However, the execution time of each reciprocating operation (turning operation) can be set longer or shorter. For example, in a predetermined pre-stop effect, as the number of executions of the reciprocating operation (spinning operation) increases, “the specific example in which the execution time of each reciprocating operation (spinning operation) increases”, “execution of each reciprocating operation (spinning operation) Specific examples in which the time is shortened "," specific examples in which the execution time of each reciprocating operation (turning operation) is lengthened and shortened alternately "can be exemplified.

Here it can be exemplified by the following ranges as "near stop display position" of the invention 請 Motomeko 1. For example, a range in which at least a part of the special symbol can be displayed on the display unit (for example, the display screen 27a) of the symbol display means when the special symbol changes in the direction opposite to the changing direction can be exemplified. In this case, O and score special symbols repeated reciprocating operation, when enlarging its variation may be a state in which the special symbol is not displayed on the display unit, at least part display unit of the special symbol The state displayed on the screen may be maintained.

  Further, the center of the stop display position (the center along the changing direction) and the edge of the display part of the symbol display means (for example, the display screen 27a) (located in the direction opposite to the changing direction based on the stop display position). Where D is the distance from the center of the stop display position, preferably at a distance within 0.7D from the center of the stop display position, more preferably A location within a distance of 0.6 D from the center of the stop display position can be exemplified. Even in this case, when the amount of fluctuation is increased by repeating the reciprocating motion of the special symbol, the special symbol may not be displayed on the display unit, or at least a part of the special symbol may be displayed on the display unit. The state displayed on the screen may be maintained.

  Furthermore, when the width along the variation direction of the special symbol is L, it is “within 4L”, preferably “within 3L” from the center of the stop display position (center along the variation direction), more preferably A range within a distance of “within 2L” can also be exemplified. In this case, it is desirable that at least a part of the special symbol is displayed on the display unit when the special symbol changes by the maximum amount in the direction opposite to the fluctuation direction. However, even in this case, the special symbol may not be displayed on the display unit when the amount of fluctuation increases by repeating the reciprocating motion of the special symbol, or at least a part of the special symbol may be displayed. The state displayed on the display unit may be maintained.

Here, as a related aspect of the invention 請 Motomeko 1 can be exemplified by "the according number of times of execution of the reciprocating movement of the stop before effect increases, which is characterized in that changing speed of the special symbols is changed." For example, as the number of executions of the reciprocating operation increases, “a mode in which the fluctuation speed of the special symbol is accelerated”, “a mode in which deceleration is performed”, “a mode in which acceleration and deceleration are alternately performed”, and the like can be exemplified. Further, as another related invention, “a characteristic in which the speed of change of the special symbol changes as the execution time of the reciprocating operation in the pre-stop effect increases” can be exemplified. For example, as the execution time of the reciprocating operation becomes longer, “a mode in which the fluctuation speed of the special symbol is accelerated”, “a mode in which the speed is decelerated”, “a mode in which acceleration and deceleration are alternately performed”, and the like can be exemplified.

  In addition, unlike each embodiment, the first pre-stop effect may be started after performing reach display with previous fluctuations, or when the special symbol stops for the first time (when the special symbol stop display means is activated), Reach display may be performed, and only the medium pseudo-pattern may be changed at the time of re-change display.

  Examples of the symbol display means (effect display means) and the determination symbol display means include various display devices such as a liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal display), a plasma display, a CRT display, and a 7-segment LED display. In this case, the determination symbol display means and the symbol display means (effect display means) may be constituted by separate display devices, or may be constituted by the same display device. That is, the determination symbol display means may be configured by a display device different from the “effect display device constituting the symbol display means (effect display means)”, or determined by “part of the display screen of the effect display device”. You may comprise a symbol display means.

  Further, in a gaming machine provided with a determination symbol display means and a symbol display means (effect display means), the display content of the symbol display means (effect display means) is usually more than the display content of the determination symbol display means. It is easy to recognize. For example, (a) the symbol display means (effect display means) displays a larger symbol than the judgment symbol display means, (b) the symbol display means (display effect display means) a symbol (display) that is established as a character / number. Effect element) is displayed, and the determination symbol display means displays a symbol that is not established as a character / number. (C) The symbol display means (effect display means) is closer to the center of the game board than the determination symbol display means. By arranging or performing two or more of (a) to (c), the display content of the symbol display means (effect display means) is recognized more than the display content of the determination symbol display means Easy to do.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are used as “rental balls” or “prize balls”, and various winning holes (first start) provided on the game board are used. Games that give the player a profit (game value) as a result of the game by paying out a predetermined number of prize balls in response to the entry of game balls into the mouth, the second start opening, the big prize opening, etc. Although the example in which the present invention is applied to the machine 1 has been described, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine of a type that gives a gaming profit (game value) in a form different from “payout of prize balls”. it can. For example, when a game ball is entered into various winning holes, data indicating the amount of profit (the magnitude of the game value) corresponding to the ball is stored in the RAM of the main control unit or the payout control unit. Thus, the present invention can also be applied to a type of gaming machine in which a gaming profit (game value) is given to a player. In this case as well, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. As a type of gaming machine in which gaming profit (game value) is converted into data and given to the player, a gaming machine that circulates and uses a plurality of gaming balls built in the gaming machine, specifically, Examples of the game machine (so-called enclosed game machine) configured to return the game ball discharged to the back surface of the game board through various winning holes or out holes to the launch position and launch it again. In this type of game machine (so-called enclosed game machine), for example, every time a game ball enters a winning opening, for example, data indicating a prize ball amount determined for each winning opening is stored. Thus, the game value as a result of the game can be given to the player.

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

1; gaming machine (ball game machine),
2; outer frame,
10: Game board,
11: Game area,
17a; first start winning device,
17b; second start winning device,
27; Effect display device (symbol display means),
27a; display screen,
70; movable accessory (storage device),
31; Grand prize-winning device,
62a; first special symbol display section (determination symbol display means),
62b; second special symbol display section (determination symbol display means),
200A; main control unit,
220A; sub-control unit (pre-stop effect execution means, special symbol stop display means, special symbol stop effect execution means),
222A; effect display control unit.

Claims (1)

When the determination of success / failure is made based on the game ball entering the starting port, a plurality of symbols are displayed in a predetermined variation direction in the display area of the symbol display means, and the determination of success / failure is made through the variation display. A gaming machine configured to be stopped and displayed in a manner based on the results of
The state in which the symbols other than the final stop symbol among the plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in an unreachable state before the plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in a manner based on the result of the success / failure determination. Thus, a pre-stop effect indicating whether or not a predetermined special symbol is stopped and displayed at a predetermined stop display position in the display area as the final stop symbol, while the special symbol can be recognized and the stop display position is Pre-stop production execution means for performing a reciprocating operation that repeats a change in the change direction and a change in the direction opposite to the change direction,
Through the pre-stop effect, special symbol stop display means for stopping and displaying the special symbol as the final stop symbol at the stop display position,
When the special symbol is stopped and displayed, a post-stop effect executing means for performing a predetermined post-stop effect following the stop display;
Bei to give a,
The post-stop effect is started through a display that disappears after the special symbol that has been stopped and displayed at the stop display position reaches the stop position of the other symbol, and then disappears.
Before Symbol stopped after demonstration execution means, wherein the stop after directing, the reach display varying the final stop symbols the other symbols displayed stopped at the reach not met embodiment as an aspect of the reach satisfied, after the stop A gaming machine characterized by being performed from the start of production.

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