JP5804024B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, a slot machine, and a fusion machine of a pachinko machine and a slot machine.

  Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, in which an effect screen is displayed on a liquid crystal screen, sound is output from a speaker, or light is emitted from an LED lamp, an effect accompanying the progress of the game is performed. 2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine having a function capable of setting a production environment such as a sound volume and LED brightness based on a player's operation is known. For example, in the gaming machine of Patent Literature 1, when a player's button operation is accepted in a state where a game (production) is not performed (so-called demonstration state, etc.), a setting screen (for example, a volume setting screen) is produced and displayed. It is displayed on the device, and the setting of the production environment by the player is accepted.

JP 2013-132314 A

  However, in the above-mentioned gaming machine, the setting screen is displayed only when no game is being performed, and the production environment can be set, and the player cannot set the production environment during the game. The period during which the production environment can be set is limited. Therefore, even if the player wants to change the production environment during the game, such as when the volume set in the demo state is different from the preferred volume, the player who does not want to interrupt the game (production) May give up setting. Thus, even if a function for setting the production environment is provided, the function may not be fully utilized.

  The gaming machine of the present invention makes it easy to set a production environment according to the player's preference by increasing the opportunities to display the setting screen and set the production environment, and to improve the game entertainment Main purpose.

The gaming machine of the present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned main object.
That is, the gaming machine of the present invention is
A gaming machine that performs a predetermined production based on the progress of the game,
A time measuring means for measuring time;
A setting period generating means for generating an effect environment setting period in which the player can set an environment related to the predetermined effect;
Display means capable of displaying an effect environment setting image for setting the effect environment during the effect environment setting period;
With
The setting period generating means generates the production environment setting period based on the time measured by the time measuring means,
The display means includes
An effect image in the predetermined effect can be displayed,
When the predetermined effect is performed during the generation of the effect environment setting period, the effect image and the effect environment setting image are displayed on the same display screen.
This is the gist.

In addition, the gaming machine of the reference invention disclosed for reference in this specification is:
A gaming machine that performs a predetermined production based on the progress of the game,
A time measuring means for measuring time;
A setting period generating means for generating an effect environment setting period in which the player can set an environment related to the predetermined effect;
Display means capable of displaying an effect environment setting image for setting the effect environment during the effect environment setting period;
Setting period generating means for generating the production environment setting period;
With
The setting period generating means generates the production environment setting period based on the time measured by the time measuring means.

In the gaming machine of this reference invention, an effect environment setting period during which an effect environment setting image (also referred to as “effect environment setting screen”) can be displayed is generated based on the time measured by the time measuring means. The player can set the production environment from the production environment setting image at a timing based on the measured time regardless of the progress state of the game. As a result, it is possible to automatically generate an opportunity for setting the production environment by displaying the production environment setting image, and by using this opportunity, the production environment can be set according to the player's preference. It is possible to improve the game entertainment. Note that “game progression” can include a symbol variation effect process described later. Further, examples of the “predetermined effect” include a variable display of identification information (symbol) displayed as the game progresses, and a voice, light emission, and the like output in accordance with the variable display. In addition, the “environment relating to the predetermined effect” means, for example, the volume of sound, the luminance of light emission, the type of character (design) to be displayed, the luminance / contrast of display means such as liquid crystal, Examples include energy saving mode and normal mode.

In the gaming machine of the reference invention,
The display means includes
An effect image in the predetermined effect can be displayed,
When the predetermined effect is performed while the effect environment setting period is occurring, the effect image and the effect environment setting image may be displayed on the same display screen.

  In this way, it is possible to display the effect environment setting image without interrupting the predetermined effect (while continuing to execute the predetermined effect), thereby enabling the player to set the effect environment. Further, since the effect image and the effect environment setting image are displayed on the same display screen (single display screen), the player can set the effect environment while viewing the effect image. Thereby, a production environment can be set more appropriately (a player's desired state).

In the gaming machine of the reference invention of this aspect,
When the predetermined effect is performed during the production environment setting period, the display means displays the production image in a smaller size than when the production environment setting period is not generated, The production environment setting image may be displayed in a larger size than the production image.

  In this way, not only the player can easily recognize that the production environment can be set, but also the production environment can be easily set with the production environment setting image. Can be prompted. In addition, “displaying the effect image in a smaller size than when the effect environment setting period has not occurred” may indicate that the effect image as a whole is displayed in a small size or is necessary among the displayed effect images. The effect image may be displayed small. For example, it is possible to exemplify a mode in which the identification information (design) displayed in a variable manner is displayed in a small size and the background is displayed in the same size. Also, “displaying the environment setting image for display in a larger size than the effect image” means that the display area (display area) of the environment setting image on the display screen is the display of the environment setting image on the display screen. It means that it is larger than the display area (display area) that is not displayed, that is, the part that does not overlap the display area of the effect environment setting image.

In the gaming machine of the reference invention,
A game machine that variably displays identification information on the display screen based on the entrance of a game ball into a starting port, and executes a specific game advantageous to the player when the result of the change display becomes a specific result,
The setting period generation means may generate the production environment setting period based on a predetermined instruction from a player when the identification information is not variably displayed.

  In this way, the player can set the production environment at any timing, such as before the game starts or during the game interruption, in addition to the timing based on the measurement by the time measuring means. More, it is possible to further easily set a production environment according to the player's preference.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to easily set the production environment according to the player's preference by increasing the opportunity to set the production environment by displaying the production environment setting image. Improvements can be made.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of the pachinko machine 10 of 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the game board 30 of the pachinko machine 10 of 1st Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control circuit of the pachinko machine 10 of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the symbol display apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display mode of the normal symbol display apparatus 41. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the jackpot symbol of the special symbol display device. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen configuration of the effect display device 34. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a sub-control board 90. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a main control process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of special symbol variation display related processing executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a big hit determination table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the big hit symbol determination table of a 1st special symbol. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the big hit symbol determination table of a 2nd special symbol. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a variation pattern table setting process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the fluctuation | variation pattern table for electric power no support states. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the fluctuation pattern table for electric power support states. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the fluctuation pattern table for production environment setting. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a big hit game process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a big hit game end process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an effect control process executed by a CPU 90a of a sub control board 90. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a demonstration effect process executed by a CPU 90a of a sub control board 90. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the production environment setting process in the demonstration production performed by CPU90a of the sub control board 90. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen for production environment setting displayed on the production display device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the symbol fluctuation effect process performed by CPU90a of the sub-control board 90. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an effect environment setting process during a game executed by a CPU 90a of a sub-control board 90. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a mode that a design change effect image is performed with the effect display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the big hit game effect process of a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the production environment setting process of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the timing which a production environment setting period arrives. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol fluctuation effect process of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the jackpot game effect process of 2nd Example.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. In the following, an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine of a type (so-called seven machine type) in which a jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed in response to the end of the special symbol variation display, and the jackpot game is triggered by this will be described. To do.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an appearance of a pachinko machine 10 (game machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a game board 30 of the pachinko machine 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the control circuit of the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment.

[Overall configuration of pachinko machine 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment has a game board 30 (see FIG. 2) in which the board surface is arranged so as to be visible through a glass plate 12 (transparent plate) fitted in the front frame 11. And an upper receiving tray 14 and a lower receiving tray 16 for storing game balls, and a launching handle 18 for launching the game balls stored in the upper receiving tray 14 to the game board 30.

  The front frame 11 is fitted into the main body frame 21 and can be rotated with respect to the main body frame 21 with the left side as a rotation axis. The main body frame 21 is fitted into the outer frame 22 so that it can be rotated with respect to the outer frame 22 with the left side as a rotation axis. The front frame 11 and the main body frame 21 are configured as a substantially rectangular plastic frame. The outer frame 22 is configured as a substantially rectangular wooden frame, and is fixed to the island frame of the island facility of the pachinko hall.

  Speakers 28a and 28b are provided on the upper left and upper right of the front frame 11 for making various sound effects and notifying the player of the game state as the game progresses. The part is provided with a locking device 29 for locking the front frame 11 to the main body frame 21. In addition, a prepaid card type ball lending device (CR unit) (not shown) is provided on the left side of the front frame 11.

  The upper tray 14 has a ball lending button 24a for instructing lending of game balls within the range of the value balance (valuable balance) of the card inserted in the CR unit, and an upper portion of the upper tray 14 inserted in the CR unit. A return button 24b for instructing the return of the card is provided. Further, the upper tray 14 is provided with an effect button 26 for performing various effects according to the player's operation and left and right direction buttons 26a and 26b at the center of the upper surface thereof.

  The launch handle 18 is provided at the lower right portion of the front frame 11, and includes a touch sensor 18a (see FIG. 3) that detects that the player is touching the handle and a launch stop that temporarily stops launch of the game ball. A switch 18b (see FIG. 3) is provided. A launching device (not shown) for launching game balls stored in the upper tray 14 one by one is connected to the rotation shaft of the launching handle 18, and the launching device is provided when the launching handle 18 is rotated. The firing motor 19 (see FIG. 3) rotates, and accordingly, a game ball is launched with a striking force having a strength corresponding to the operation amount of the firing handle 18.

[Composition of game board 30]
As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 30 has a game area 31 surrounded by an outer rail 31a and an inner rail 31b. This game board 30 is arranged at the left part of the game area 31 and has a normal symbol operation gate 32 having a gate switch 32a (see FIG. 3) for detecting the passage of a game ball, and a pattern arranged at the lower right part of the game area 31. A display device 40, an effect display device 34 disposed in the center of the game area 31, a center accessory 49 disposed around the effect display device 34, and a game ball disposed below the center accessory 49. A first start port 36 having a first start port switch 36a (see FIG. 3) for detecting an incoming ball, and a second start port switch 38a (for detecting the entrance of a game ball formed on the left part of the center accessory 49) A second start opening 38 having a large winning opening 44 having a large winning opening switch 44a (see FIG. 3) which is disposed in the lower right part of the game area 31 so as to be opened and closed and detects the entry of a game ball. In the lower left corner of the game area 31 Is location includes a general winning opening 45 having a general winning opening switch 45a (see FIG. 3), and out port 46 for collecting the game balls that did not enter into any of the winning openings, the. In addition to this, the game board 30 is provided with a windmill 47 below the normal symbol operating gate 32, and a number of nails (not shown) for guiding and playing game balls around the above-described winning holes. Is provided.

  The second starting port 38 is a variable ball entrance provided as an ordinary electric accessory, and includes a blade piece portion 38c and a second starting port solenoid 38b (see FIG. 3) for operating the blade piece portion 38c. Prepare. When the wing piece portion 38c stands upright, the second starting port 38 is in a normal state where the possibility of entering a game ball is relatively low (see the dotted line in FIG. 2), and the wing piece portion 38c opens to the left side. When the game ball is in the open state, the possibility of entering the game ball is higher than the normal state (see the solid line in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, in a normal state in which the wing piece portion 38c is upright, it is configured such that it is impossible to enter the game ball into the second starting port 38.

  The special winning opening 44 is a variable ball receiving opening provided as a special electric accessory, and includes an opening / closing plate 44c and a special winning opening solenoid 44b (see FIG. 3) for operating the opening / closing plate 44c. The special winning opening 44 is normally closed by a closing plate 44c that is closed by the opening / closing plate 44c and does not accept a game ball. In the big hit game (specific game), the special winning opening solenoid 44b (see FIG. 3), the open / close plate 44c is actuated and opened to the near side, so that an open state (open state) in which a game ball can be easily received is obtained. A large winning opening switch 44a (see FIG. 3) for detecting the entering of a game ball and counting the number of the balls is attached to the large winning opening 44. In the present embodiment, as a process for the big hit game, one round is taken until a predetermined time (for example, 25 seconds) elapses before the big winning opening switch 44a counts 10 game balls or 10 balls. The big prize opening 44 is opened, and the opening operation of the big prize opening 44 is repeated until the prescribed round. In addition, between each round, the special winning opening 44 is closed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds).

  As illustrated in the configuration diagram of FIG. 4, the symbol display device 40 includes a normal symbol display device 41 that can display and stop displaying a normal symbol, and a special symbol display device that can display and stop displaying a special symbol. 42, and a round display device 43 that displays a symbol indicating the specified number of rounds (maximum number of rounds) of the jackpot game. The normal symbol display device 41 includes a left normal symbol display unit 41a and a right normal symbol display unit 41b configured using light emitting diodes (LEDs). In FIG. 5, an example of the display mode of the normal symbol display device 41 is shown. In the normal symbol display device 41, as shown in the figure, the left normal symbol display unit 41a and the right normal symbol display unit 41b are both turned off (see the first row from the top), and the left normal symbol display unit 41a is lit. The display mode in which the right normal symbol display unit 41b is turned off (see the second step from the top) and the display mode in which the left normal symbol display unit 41a is turned off and the right normal symbol display unit 41b is turned on (see the third step from the top) In addition, there are four display modes of the display mode (see the fourth row from the top) in which both the left normal symbol display unit 41a and the right normal symbol display unit 41b are lit. When the normal symbol display device 41 detects that the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 32, the normal symbol display device 41 variably displays the normal symbol by sequentially switching the four display modes, and the variable display execution time (variation time) ), The normal symbol is stopped and displayed in any one of the above display modes. At this time, when the display mode of the normal symbols that are stopped and displayed is a specific display mode (for example, the display mode shown in the fourth row from the top), the second start port 38 is set as a hit for a certain time (for example, 0. 0). For 5 seconds). When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 32 during the normal symbol fluctuation display, the normal symbol fluctuation display is held up to four times, and when the current fluctuation display ends, it is held. The variable display is digested sequentially.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the special symbol display device 42 includes a first special symbol display unit 42 a and a second special symbol display unit 42 b configured using a seven-segment display. A plurality of display modes (up to 128) are expressed by combinations with light extinction. The special symbol display device 42 corresponds to either the first special symbol display unit 42a or the second special symbol display unit 42b when a ball entering either the first start port 36 or the second start port 38 is detected. The special symbol is variably displayed by sequentially switching the display state of the special symbol display section, and when the execution time (variable time) of the variable display has elapsed, the special symbol is stopped in any of the display modes that can be expressed. Display. At this time, when the display mode of the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is a specific display mode (winning special symbol), it is a big hit. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display unit 42a is a display unit that variably displays the special symbol based on the game ball entering the first starting port 36, and the second special symbol display unit 42b is the second special symbol display unit 42b. It is a display unit that variably displays special symbols based on the game balls entering the start opening 38. Hereinafter, in particular, the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display unit 42a is also referred to as a first special symbol (special diagram 1), and the special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display unit 42b is referred to as a second special symbol (special symbol). Also called FIG. In FIG. 6, an example of the display mode of the special symbol display device 42 at the time of big hit is shown. As shown in the drawing, the special symbol (the first normal big hit symbol) that becomes the first normal big hit is the display mode in which the upper right, lower right, and lower left vertical bar segments in the first special symbol display section 42a are lit. 2 There is a display mode in which the middle horizontal bar segment and the upper right and lower left vertical bar segments in the special symbol display section 42b are lit (see the first row from the top). In addition, the special symbol (first probability variable big hit symbol) that becomes the first probability variation big hit is a display mode in which the upper horizontal bar segment and the lower right and lower left vertical bar segments in the first special symbol display section 42a are lit. There is a display mode in which the upper horizontal bar segment and the upper left and lower left vertical bar segments in the second special symbol display section 42b are lit (see the second column from the top). In addition, the special symbol (second probability variation big hit symbol) that becomes the second probability variation big hit is a display mode in which the upper horizontal bar segment and the lower right vertical bar segment in the first special symbol display unit 42a are lit, 2 There is a display mode in which the upper and lower horizontal bar segments and the lower left vertical bar segment in the special symbol display section 42b are lit (see the third row from the top). In addition, the display mode of the special symbol at the time of the big hit is not limited to the above mode, and may be displayed in any manner, and the type of the display mode of the special symbol at the time of the big hit is not limited to one type. It is good also as what prepares a kind. When the game ball enters the first start opening 36 during the special symbol variation display, the first special symbol variation display is held up to four times and when the game ball enters the second start aperture 38 The variable display of the second special symbol is suspended up to a maximum of 4 times. Then, when the current variation display is finished, the variation display of the special symbol held is sequentially digested. As will be described later, the number of holdings of the variable display of the first special symbol is displayed by the first holding symbol 35a, and the number of holdings of the variable display of the second special symbol is displayed by the second holding symbol 35b.

  Here, in the first normal jackpot, a jackpot game (specific game) in which the opening operation of the jackpot 44 is repeated over a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 16 rounds) is performed, and after the jackpot game ends, The probability that the result of determining whether or not a special symbol is a big hit (probability per special symbol) is set to a low probability state, and the special symbol and the normal symbol are displayed until the special symbol is displayed for a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). The second start port when the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is shortened and the probability that the result of the normal symbol's success / failure determination becomes a hit (probability per ordinary symbol) becomes higher than the low probability state and the normal symbol is stopped and displayed. This is a jackpot mode (a jackpot mode in which a low probability electric support state is set after a big hit game) in which a state with electric support with an open time of 38 is extended is set. In addition, in the first probability variation jackpot, a big hit game in which the opening operation of the big winning opening 44 is repeated over a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 16 rounds) is performed, and after the big hit game ends, a predetermined number of times (for example, Until the special symbol variation display (10,000 times) is performed, a high probability state in which the probability per special symbol is higher than the low probability state is set, and the variation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol is shortened and A big hit mode (high probability electric power after a big hit game) that sets a state with electric support that the opening time of the second start port 38 is extended when the hit probability becomes higher than the low probability state and the normal symbol is stopped and displayed. A big hit mode for setting a support state). Further, in the second probability variation jackpot, a jackpot game is performed in which the opening operation of the jackpot 44 is repeated over a number of rounds (for example, five rounds) smaller than a predetermined number of rounds, and after the jackpot game ends, Similar to the first probability variation big hit, this is a big hit mode in which a state with high probability electric support is set. Hereinafter, a gaming state having a low probability per special figure is also referred to as a special low probability state, and a gaming state having a high probability per special figure is also referred to as a special high probability state. In addition, a gaming state in which the probability per base figure is in a low probability state is also referred to as a normal state low probability state, and a gaming state in which the probability per base figure is in a high probability state is also referred to as a general figure high probability state. Furthermore, a gaming state in which the variation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol is shortened is also referred to as a time-shortening state, and a gaming state in which the opening time of the second start port 38 is extended is also referred to as an open-extended state. In this embodiment, the power support state is a state in which all three states of the normal high probability state, the short time state, and the open extension state have occurred, but any one or two of the three states are It is good also as the state which generate | occur | produced.

  The effect display device 34 is configured as a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and various effect displays such as a change display of effect symbols, a reach effect, and a notice effect are performed on the display screen. As shown in the screen configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, the effect display device 34 of the present embodiment has three effect symbols (pseudo special symbols) that are arranged side by side and are composed of characters and numbers. ) 34L, 34M, 34R and a background symbol (not shown). The effect display device 34 displays the three effect symbols 34L, 34M, and 34R in a variable manner when the game ball enters the first start port 36 and when the game ball enters the second start port 38. . The production symbols 34L, 34M, and 34R are variably displayed so as to scroll at a high speed from the top to the bottom when the variation display is started, and when the execution time (variation time) of the variation display elapses, the effect on the left is displayed. The symbols 34L, the effect symbol 34R on the right, and the effect symbol 34M in the middle are stopped and displayed in this order. At this time, when the left effect symbol 34L and the right effect symbol 34R do not coincide with each other, a simple disengagement without reach is reached, and when the left effect symbol 34L and the right effect symbol 34R coincide with each other, reach is reached. Then, when the middle production symbol 34M is stopped with a predetermined reach production, if the middle production symbol 34M and the right and left production symbols 34L and 34R do not match, the reach production pattern is lost. A big hit occurs when 34M and the left and right effect symbols 34L, 34R coincide. Moreover, the result of the success / failure of the effect symbol displayed on the effect display device 34 is basically the success / failure of the special symbol (first special symbol, second special symbol) displayed by the special symbol display device 42 described above. Corresponds to the result of.

  In the present embodiment, the first reserved symbol 35 a and the second reserved symbol 35 b are also displayed in the display screen of the effect display device 34. The first reserved symbol 35a is displayed one by one in order from the left whenever a game ball enters the first starting port 36 while the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed. Every time the display is started, the display is erased in the reverse order from that at the time of starting entry. The second reserved symbol 35b is also displayed one by one in order from the left whenever a game ball enters the second starting port 38 while the first special symbol or the second special symbol is displayed. Every time the display is started, the display is erased in the reverse order from that at the time of starting entry.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment configured as described above, the first start port 36 is disposed below the effect display device 34 (center accessory 49), and the player can play a game in a normal game that is not a big hit game. By rotating the firing handle 18 (so-called left-handed) so that the ball flows down to the left side of the game area 31 (left side area of the effect display device 34), the game ball can enter the first start port 36. it can. Further, the normal symbol operating gate 32 and the second starting port 38 are arranged on the left side of the effect display device 34, and the player can pass the game ball to the normal symbol operating gate 32 by making a left strike. When the second start opening 38 is opened due to the normal symbol being hit, the player can make the game ball enter the second start opening 38 by continuing left-handing. Furthermore, the big winning opening 44 is arranged in the lower right part of the game area 31, and when the big hit game is started, the player turns the firing handle 18 to the right as much as possible so as to fire the game ball. As a result, the game ball can flow down to the right side of the game area 31 (the right area of the effect display device 34) and enter the big winning opening 44 that has been opened.

[Configuration of control circuit]
Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 10 includes a main control board 70 that controls the basic progress of the game, a payout control board 80 that controls the payout of prize balls and ball rentals, The control board includes a sub-control board 90 that controls the overall control of various effects performed along with the progress, and a control board such as a launch control board 100 that controls the game ball. These control boards include a CPU that executes various logic operations and calculation operations, a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU, a RAM that temporarily stores data when the programs are executed, and various controls. A timer that measures the necessary time (system timer), a peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with peripheral devices, an oscillator that outputs a clock for CPU operations, and a watch that monitors CPU runaway Various peripheral LSIs such as a dog timer and a CTC (counter timer circuit) that periodically generates an interrupt signal are connected to each other by a bus. In FIG. 3, only the CPU 70 a, ROM 70 b, and RAM 70 c of the main control board 70 among the various devices mounted on each control board are shown, and the other parts are not shown. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the sub-control board 90 that forms part of the control circuit.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control board 70 receives signals from the first start port switch 36a and the second start port switch 38a as signals necessary for controlling the basic progress of the game. A ball entry signal is directly input, and a passing signal from the gate switch 32a, a ball entry signal from the big prize opening switch 44a, a ball entry signal from the general prize opening switch 45a, and the like are inputted via the relay terminal plate 72. ing. From the main control board 70, a relay terminal board receives a control signal to the symbol display board 40a for controlling the display of the symbol display device 40, a drive signal to the second start opening solenoid 38b, a drive signal to the big prize opening solenoid 44b, and the like. 72 is output. The main control board 70 communicates with the payout control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the launch control board 100 (communication via the payout control board 80), and various command signals (commands, drive signals, etc.) and data. We are exchanging.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the payout control board 80 directly receives a detection signal from a frame opening switch 81 for detecting the opening of the front frame 11 as a signal necessary for performing control related to payout of award balls and ball rentals. The operation signals from the ball lending button 24a and the return button 24b are input via the ball lending display board 82 and the relay terminal board 83, and are received from the pre-payout switch 84 and the post-payout switch 85 for detecting the payout of the prize ball. A detection signal is input via the relay terminal board 87. From the payout control board 80, a drive signal to the payout motor 86 for paying out the prize balls is output via the relay terminal board 87. The payout control board 80 communicates with the main control board 70 and the launch control board 100, and exchanges various command signals and data.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the sub-control board 90 includes a CPU 90a, a ROM 90b, a RAM 90c, a timer 90d, etc., receives various command signals from the main control board 70, and produces a game according to the commands. The sub-control board 90 drives the LED 93a built in the effect display control board 91 that controls the effect display device 34, the amplifier board 92 that drives the various speakers 28a and 28b, the center accessory 49, etc. The decorative driving board 93 that drives the decorative motor 93b for operating the movable accessory, the operation signal from the effect button operation detection switch 27 that is provided on the effect button 26 and detects the operation of the effect button 26, and the direction button 26a 26b is connected to an effect button board 94 for inputting operation signals from direction button operation detection switches 27a and 27b, which detect operation of the direction buttons 26a and 26b. As described above, the effects controlled by the sub-control board 90 according to the present embodiment are the effect screen displayed on the effect display device 34, the sound output from the various speakers 28a and 28b, the light emitted from the LED 93a, and the movable role. This is done by the movement of things. In the present embodiment, the player can set the volume of the various speakers 28a, 28b and the brightness screen (backlight) of the effect display device 34 and the brightness of the LED 93a. This is referred to as a “production environment”.

  The firing control board 100 detects a detection signal from the touch sensor 18a, an operation signal from the firing stop switch 18b, a detection signal from the lower tray full switch 102 that detects that the game ball is full in the lower tray 16 and the like. And a pulse signal for driving is output to the firing motor 19. The launch control board 100 drives the launch motor 19 to launch a game ball when the launch handle 18 is rotated, the touch sensor 18a is on, the launch stop switch 18b is off, and the lower tray full switch 102 is off. When either the touch sensor 18a is turned off, the firing stop switch 18b is turned on, or the lower tray full tank switch 102 is turned on, the driving of the firing motor 19 is stopped and the launch of the game ball is stopped. Further, the launch control board 100 communicates with the main control board 70 via the payout control board 80, and data regarding the operation state of the launch handle 18 such as a detection signal from the touch sensor 18 a is sent via the payout control board 80. Transmit to the main control board 70.

[Main control processing]
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment thus configured will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main control process executed by the CPU 70a of the main control board 70. This process is executed when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on. The main control process includes a power-on process required for power-on such as an initialization process (S100), a game start process (S110), a normal symbol game process (S120), and a normal symbol-based game process (S130). ), Special symbol game processing (S140), and jackpot game processing (S150). In the present embodiment, since the time required for the processes of S110 to S150 is about 4 msec, these processes are repeatedly executed at intervals of about 4 msec. The main control board 70 advances the entire game of the pachinko machine 10 by transmitting various commands to the control board in charge and executing the processes according to the commands in accordance with the execution of these processes.

[Game start processing]
In the game start process of S110, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first starts various sensors (gate switch 32a, first start port switch 36a, second start port switch 38a, big prize port switch 44a, general prize port switch 45a, etc.). ) And is stored in a predetermined state storage area of the RAM 70c, or various kinds of determination information (a jackpot determination random number, a jackpot symbol determination random number, a reach random number, a variation pattern determination random number, or a normal symbol determination) Update random numbers for judgment). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a game ball is detected by a switch related to the entry of the game ball (the first start port switch 36a, the second start port switch 38a, the big winning port switch 44a, the general winning port switch 45a, etc.). If it is determined that it has been detected, the number of prize balls to be paid out is calculated and saved as prize ball information in a predetermined prize ball information storage area of the RAM 70c. Ball information) is transmitted to the payout control board 80, and the game start process is terminated. When the payout control board 80 receives the award ball number designation command, the payout motor 86 is driven to pay out the game balls one by one, and the game balls paid out by the pre-payout switch 84 and the post-payout switch 85 are detected. Each time a prize ball payout process is performed to decrement the prize ball information (the number of unpaid game balls) by one value. This award ball payout process is repeatedly executed until the award ball information reaches a value of 0. When a game ball is detected and a new award ball number designation command is received from the main control board 70, the prize ball is received. The process is repeated until the information becomes zero. When the game start process ends, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next normal symbol game process of S120.

[Normal design game processing]
In the normal symbol game process of S120, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first determines whether or not the normal symbol hold is not the value 0, that is, the value 1 or more. The normal symbol is determined by decrementing only, and the normal symbol (see FIG. 5) to be stopped is determined based on the result of the determination. The normal symbol success / failure determination is performed by using a normal symbol success / failure determination random number acquired based on the passing of the game ball through the normal symbol operation gate 32 and a normal symbol per-determination table. In some cases, a low-probability normal symbol per-decision table is used with a low probability of hit (for example, about 0.8%), and a high probability of hit with a high probability (for example, about 99.2%) when there is power support. A normal symbol per table determination table is used. Further, when the result of the determination is successful, the symbol is determined as a symbol for stopping and displaying the winning symbol, and when the result of determining whether or not the result is incorrect, the symbol is determined as a symbol for stopping and displaying any of the symbols that are lost. Then, the variation time of the normal symbol is set, the variation display of the normal symbol is started, and waiting for the variation time to elapse. The setting of the fluctuation time is set to a long time (for example, 30 seconds) when in the state without electric support, and is shortened to a short time (for example, 1 second) when in the state with electric support. When the variation time has elapsed, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol, and when the symbol that has been stopped is a winning symbol, the opening time of the second starting port 38 is set and the opening of the second starting port 38 is started. The normal symbol game process is temporarily terminated, and when the stopped and displayed symbol is out of the symbol, the normal symbol game process is terminated without doing anything. The opening time of the second start port 38 is set to a short time (for example, 0.5 seconds) when there is no electric support, and is extended to a long time (for example, 5 seconds) when there is an electric support. Further, as described above, the second starting port 38 is opened by driving the second starting port solenoid 38b to open the blade portion 38c to the left. When the normal symbol game process ends, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next normal symbol game process of S130.

[Game processing per normal symbol]
In the normal symbol game process of S130, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 has reached the set time set in the normal symbol game process for the elapsed time (open elapsed time) after the second start port 38 starts to open. Whether a predetermined number (e.g., 8) of game balls are in the second starting port 38 or not. When it is determined that the elapsed time has not reached the set time and a specified number of game balls have not entered the second start port 38, the game processing per normal symbol is performed while the second start port 38 is kept open. Exit once. On the other hand, it is determined that the elapsed elapsed time has reached the set time, or it is determined that the specified number of game balls have already entered the second start port 38 even before the elapsed elapsed time has reached the set time. Then, the driving of the second start port solenoid 38b is stopped, and the game process per ordinary symbol is finished. When the normal symbol per game process is completed, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next special symbol game process of S140.

[Special design game processing]
The special symbol game process of S140 is executed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. When the special symbol game process is executed, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first inputs a detection signal from the first start port switch 36a to determine whether or not a game ball has entered the first start port 36. Determine (S200). If it is determined that a game ball has entered the first start port 36, it is determined whether or not the current number of reserved special symbols is smaller than the upper limit value (value 4 in this embodiment) (S202). . When it is determined that the number of retained first special symbols is less than the upper limit value, the number of retained first special symbols is incremented by 1 (S204), and information for determination is acquired to obtain predetermined information for determination in the RAM 70c. The data is stored in the storage area (S206), and the first special symbol hold occurrence command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S208). Here, as the determination information acquired in S206, the big hit determination random number used in the big hit determination performed based on the entrance of the game ball into the first start port 36, or the result of the big hit determination is the big hit Information such as a jackpot symbol determining random number for determining the jackpot symbol to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 42a, a variation pattern determining random number for determining the variation pattern of the first special symbol, and the like. . Further, the first special symbol hold time command includes a first special symbol hold number designation command for displaying the hold number on the first hold symbol 35 a in the display screen of the effect display device 34. If it is determined in S200 that no game ball has entered the first start opening 36, or if it is determined in S202 that the number of reserved special symbols has reached the upper limit, the processing of S204 to S208 is skipped. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S210.

  Subsequently, a detection signal from the second start port 38a is input to determine whether or not a game ball has entered the second start port 38 (S210). If it is determined that a game ball has entered the second start port 38, it is determined whether or not the current number of reserved second special symbols is less than the upper limit value (value 4 in this embodiment) (S212). . When it is determined that the number of reserved special symbols is less than the upper limit, the number of reserved special symbols is incremented by 1 (S214), and information for determination is acquired to obtain predetermined information for determination in the RAM 70c. The data is stored in the storage area (S216), and the second special symbol hold occurrence command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S218). Here, as the determination information acquired in S216, the big hit determination random number used for the big hit determination performed based on the game ball entering the second start port 38 or the result of the big hit determination is a big hit. In this case, information such as a jackpot symbol determining random number for determining the jackpot symbol to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display means 42b and a variation pattern determining random number for determining the variation pattern of the second special symbol can be exemplified. . The second special symbol hold occurrence command includes a second special symbol hold number designation command for displaying the hold number on the second hold symbol 35b in the display screen of the effect display device 34. If it is determined in S210 that no game ball has entered the second starting port 38, or if it is determined in S212 that the number of second special symbols has reached the upper limit value, the processing of S214 to S218 is skipped. The process proceeds to the next step S220.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a big hit game is being played (S220), whether or not any of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is in a variable display (S222), the first special symbol and the second special symbol. It is determined whether any of them is in the stop display time (S224). If it is determined that a big hit game is in progress, the special symbol game process is terminated, and the process returns to the main control process to proceed to the next big hit game process of S150. On the other hand, if it is determined that neither the first special symbol nor the second special symbol is in the variable display, and neither the first special symbol nor the second special symbol is in the stop display time, it is not in the big hit game. 2. It is determined whether or not the number of reserved special symbols is 0 (S226). If it is determined that the second special symbol hold number is not 0, the oldest determination information of the second special symbol determination information (big hit determination random number) stored in the determination information storage area (RAM 70c) is determined. Reading (S228), the second special symbol variation display related process is executed (S230), and the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the second special symbol hold number is 0, it is determined whether or not the first special symbol hold number is 0 (S232). If it is determined that the number of holds of the first special symbol is not 0, the oldest determination information among the determination information (big hit determination random number) of the first special symbol stored in the determination information storage area (RAM 70c) Reading (S234), the first special symbol variation display related processing is executed (S236), and the special symbol game processing is temporarily terminated. When the first special symbol holding number is also 0, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied (S238). If it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, a demo designation command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S240), and the special symbol game process is terminated. Here, the predetermined condition may be that the demonstration effect waiting time until the demonstration effect is started becomes a predetermined time. If the measurement of the demonstration effect waiting time is not started when the determination of S238 is performed, the measurement of the demonstration effect waiting time is started by the timer of the main control board 70. Further, the predetermined time may be set to, for example, several tens of seconds or several minutes. In addition, the measurement of the demonstration effect waiting time may be stopped and reset when it is determined in S200 or S210 that a game ball has entered the first start port 36 or the second start port 38. The sub control board 90 that has received the demonstration designation command starts a demonstration effect as described later. The measurement of the demonstration effect waiting time is not limited to that performed on the main control board 70, and may be performed on the sub control board 90. In this case, the process of S238 is omitted, and the demonstration designation command is immediately transmitted to the sub-control board 90 in S240, and the sub-control board 90 that has received the demonstration designation command starts measuring the demonstration effect waiting time for a predetermined time. You can start the demonstration when it becomes. On the other hand, in S226 to S236, when neither the number of reservations of the first special symbol nor the number of reservations of the second special symbol is 0, the variable display (digestion of the reservation) of the second special symbol is executed with priority (special). Figure 2 priority fluctuation). Details of the variable display related process will be described below. The first special symbol variation display related process and the second special symbol variation display related process are both executed in common, and will be described with reference to a common flowchart (the flowchart in FIG. 13).

  In the variation display related process, first, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is on, that is, whether the current gaming state is a high probability state or a low probability state (S300). When the probability change flag is off, that is, when the current gaming state is in a low probability state, a big hit determination is performed using the jackpot determination random number read in S228 and the low probability jackpot determination table (S302), and the probability change flag is turned on. When the current gaming state is a high probability state, a big hit determination is performed using the read big hit determination random number and the high probability big hit determination table (S304) to determine whether or not the determination result is a big hit. (S306). An example of the big hit determination table is shown in FIG. FIG. 14 (a) shows a low probability jackpot determination table, and FIG. 14 (b) shows a high probability jackpot determination table. In the low probability jackpot determination table, the big hit determination random number is a value 60 or 61 out of the values 0 to 796 (big hit probability of 1 / 398.5). In the high probability jackpot determination table, the hit determination random number is The value 0 to 796 was assumed to be a big hit when the value was 60 to 79 (a big hit probability of 1 / 39.85). In this embodiment, a common big hit determination table is used for the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

  When the result of the big hit determination is determined to be a big win in S306, the big hit symbol determining random number is read from the determination information storage area (RAM 70c) (S308), and the big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed based on the read big hit symbol determining random number is read. Select and decide (S310). Here, the first special symbol jackpot symbol determination table illustrated in FIG. 15 is used to determine the first special symbol jackpot symbol, and the second special symbol jackpot symbol determination table is illustrated in FIG. The big special symbol determination table of the second special symbol is used.

  In the big special symbol determination table of the first special symbol, as shown in FIG. 15, the first symbol on the left side of FIG. “First normal big hit” (appearance probability of about 40%), when the big hit symbol determining random number is a value 102 to 203, the symbol on the left side of FIG. 6 (appearance probability of about 40%), when the big hit symbol determination random number is a value 204 to 255, the symbol on the left side of FIG. 6 is selected and becomes the “second probability variation big hit” (about 20% Appearance probability). Also, in the big special symbol determination table of the second special symbol, as shown in FIG. 16, when the random number for big hit symbol determination is a value 0 to 101 among the values 0 to 255, the symbol on the first stage on the right side of FIG. 6 is selected. 6 becomes the “first normal jackpot” (appearance probability of about 40%), and when the jackpot symbol determining random number is between 102 and 229, the symbol on the second stage on the right side of FIG. "Big jackpot" (appearance probability of about 50%), and when the random number for determining the big hit symbol is 230 to 255, the symbol on the third stage on the right side of FIG. 6 is selected and becomes the "second probable big hit" (about 10 % Appearance probability). In this way, the second special symbol jackpot symbol determination table has a higher probability of appearance of the “first probability variation jackpot” than the first special symbol jackpot symbol determination table, and the appearance of the “second probability variation jackpot”. The probability is low. For this reason, it can be said that the game according to the second special symbol is a game that is advantageous to the player than the game according to the first special symbol, so that the game proceeds favorably to the player. Become.

  Further, if it is determined in S306 that the result of the big hit determination is not a big hit, since it is a loss, a loss symbol is determined (S312). Although the detailed explanation is omitted, for example, the winning symbol can be set using a jackpot symbol determining random number and a not-showing symbol determining table. Of course, if a losing symbol determining random number is acquired separately from the jackpot symbol determining random number, it can be set using the losing symbol determining random number and the losing symbol determining table.

  When the stop symbol is determined in this way, the variation pattern table setting process illustrated in FIG. 17 for setting the variation pattern table is executed (S314). In the variation pattern table setting process, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first determines whether or not the electric support state is set (S330), and the electric support state is set instead of the electric support state. For example, the fluctuation pattern table for the no power support state illustrated in FIG. 18 is set (S332), and the fluctuation pattern table setting process is terminated. If the power support state is set, the fluctuation counter for counting the fluctuation number is incremented by 1 (S334), and it is determined whether or not the high probability state is set (S336). . If the high probability state is not set, that is, if the low probability electric support state is set, the fluctuation pattern table for the electric support state illustrated in FIG. 19 is set (S340), and the fluctuation pattern table setting is performed. The process ends. On the other hand, if the high probability state is set, that is, if the high probability power support state is set, it is determined whether or not the counter value exceeds a predetermined value (S338), and the counter value reaches the predetermined value. If exceeded, the variation pattern table for the power support state illustrated in FIG. 19 is set (S340), and the variation pattern table setting process is terminated. If the counter value is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the variation pattern table for effect environment setting illustrated in FIG. 20 is set (S342), and the variation pattern table setting process is terminated. Here, the variation counter is reset to a value of 0 when the big hit game ends in the big hit game end process described later. In this embodiment, the value 1 is used as the predetermined value of S336. . For this reason, in this embodiment, when the big hit is a promising big hit, when the special symbol is first changed and displayed after the big hit game ends, a change pattern table for setting the production environment is set. Therefore, a variation pattern table is set.

  In the variation pattern table for the state without electrical support in FIG. 18 and the variation pattern table for the state with electrical support in FIG. 19, when the determination result is a big hit, various variation patterns are associated with the random number for determining the variation pattern. (Variation time) is defined, and when the determination result is wrong, various variation patterns (variation times) are defined in association with the number of holds and the variation pattern determination random number. In these variation pattern tables, when the determination result is not true, the variation patterns (variation patterns P01 to P04, which generate normal variations A, B, C, and D, which have a shorter variation time than those of the big hit, are generated. P07, P08, etc.) are selected at a high ratio, and when the result of the determination is a big hit, the fluctuation pattern (the fluctuation patterns P05, P06 for generating the super reach A, B) have a longer fluctuation time than the case of the loss. Etc.) is high. Further, the normal fluctuations C and D (variation patterns P07 and P08) in the fluctuation pattern table for the electric support state are compared with the normal fluctuations A and B (variation patterns P01 and P02) in the fluctuation pattern table for the electric support state. The fluctuation time is short. Furthermore, in the variation pattern table for the electric support state, the ratio of selecting the variation pattern of the normal variation is higher than that of the variation pattern table for the state without the electric support, particularly when it is out of place. Therefore, the average fluctuation time of the fluctuation pattern set based on the fluctuation pattern table for the electric support state is larger than the average fluctuation time of the fluctuation pattern set based on the fluctuation pattern table for the electric support state. Will also be short. On the other hand, in the variation pattern table for effect environment setting in FIG. 20, only the variation pattern P09 dedicated to effect environment setting is defined regardless of the result of the determination of the success or the number of holds. For this reason, when the variation pattern table for effect environment setting shown in FIG. 20 is set, the selected variation pattern (variation time) is constant (15 seconds of variation pattern P09). Since the fluctuation pattern table for setting the production environment is set during the electric support state, the fluctuation pattern table for the electric support state and the fluctuation pattern P07 (variation time 1 second) that becomes the normal fluctuation C are set. It can be said that a long variation time is ensured as compared with a case where a variation pattern (variation time 4 seconds) or the like that is normally varied D is selected. Note that in the production environment setting dedicated variation, the reach production is not performed, and the variation is the same as the normal variation.

  When the variation pattern table is set, the variation pattern determination random number is read (S316), and the variation pattern is set using the read variation pattern determination random number and the set variation pattern table (S318). Then, the special symbol variation display is started (S320), the number of special symbols held is decremented by 1 (S322), a symbol variation start command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S324), and the variation display is performed. The related process is terminated. In the process of S320 to S324, when the target of the current variation display-related process is the first special symbol, the variation display of the first special symbol is started and the number of holds of the first special symbol is decremented by a value of 1. It becomes processing. On the other hand, when the target of the current variation display related process is the second special symbol, the variation display of the second special symbol is started, and the number of holdings of the second special symbol is decremented by a value of 1. The symbol variation start command transmitted in S324 includes a big hit variation pattern, a variation time in the pattern (variation pattern designation command), and a big hit stop symbol (special symbol stop information designation command) when the big hit determination result is a big hit. When the result of the big hit determination is out, a deviation variation pattern, a variation time in the pattern (variation pattern designation command), and a deviation stop symbol (special symbol stop information designation command) are included. Receiving the symbol variation start command, the sub-control board 90 analyzes the command, determines the content of the effect to be performed on the screen of the effect display device 34 based on the analysis result, and generates a control signal (effect command) according to the determination. ) To the effect display control board 91 to control the effect display device 34. When the special symbol variable display is started, the determination information (holding information) related to the variable display is cleared from the determination information storage area.

  Returning to the special symbol game process of FIGS. 10 to 12, when the special symbol game process is executed after the variation display of the special symbol (the first special symbol or the second special symbol) is started, the first special game process is executed in S222. Since it is determined that either the symbol or the second special symbol is in the variable display, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 determines whether or not the variable time has elapsed (S242). Since the variation time is determined according to the variation pattern of the special symbol, whether or not the variation time has passed is determined by determining the elapsed time since the variation display of the special symbol was started and the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern. This can be done by comparison. If it is determined that the variation time has not elapsed, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. If it is determined that the variation time has elapsed, the variation display of the special symbol being varied is stopped (S244), and a symbol stop command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S246). The sub control board 90 (effect display control board 91) that has received this symbol stop command ends the symbol variation effect on the effect display device 34. Then, a stop display time is set (S248), and it is determined whether or not the stop display time has passed (S250). Here, the stop display time is an interval from when the special symbol variation display is stopped until the next variation display is started, and is set to 0.6 seconds, for example. If it is determined that the stop display time has not elapsed, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. When the special symbol game process is executed after the special symbol stop display is made, it is determined in S224 that the stop display time is in progress. If it is determined that has passed, it is determined whether or not the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is a jackpot symbol (S252).

  If it is determined in S252 that the game is a big hit symbol, the big hit game flag is turned on (S254) and a big hit game start designation command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S256). As a result, a big hit game start effect or the like is executed by the sub control board 90 in a big hit game effect process described later. In addition, during the big hit game, in order to stop the probability variation function, the variation time shortening function, and the release extension function, the probability variation flag is turned off when the probability variation flag is on (S258, S260), and the variation is shortened when the variation shortening flag is on. The flag is turned off and the release extension flag is turned off (S262 to S266), the special symbol game process is terminated, and the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next big hit game process of S150.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S252 that the symbol is not a big hit symbol, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is on (S268). If it is determined that the probability variation flag is not on, the processing proceeds to the next step S278. If it is determined that the probability variation flag is ON, the probability variation counter is decremented by 1 (S270), and it is determined whether or not the probability variation counter is 0 (S272). Here, the probability variation counter indicates an upper limit value of the number of fluctuations of the special symbol that maintains the high probability state, and the value is set at the end of the jackpot game. If it is determined that the probability variation counter is not 0, the process proceeds to the next step S278 while maintaining the high probability state. If it is determined that the probability variation counter is 0, the probability variation flag is turned off (S274), and the game state designation is performed. The command is transmitted to the sub control board 90 (S276), and the process proceeds to the next step S278. Thereby, the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 is changed from the high probability state to the low probability state. The gaming state designation command includes a setting state of a probability change flag indicating the current gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 and the like. The sub control board 90 that has received the gaming state designation command transmits, for example, an effect command indicating the gaming state to the effect display control board 91 to change the display of the background screen of the effect display device 34 from the high probability state to the low probability state. For example, change the process.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is on (S278). When the fluctuation shortening flag is not on, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated as it is. When the fluctuation shortening flag is on, the fluctuation shortening counter is decremented by 1 (S280), and it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening counter is 0 (S282). Here, the fluctuation shortening counter indicates an upper limit value of the number of fluctuations of the special symbol that maintains the operating state of the fluctuation time shortening function (variation shortening of the special symbol and the normal symbol). The corresponding value is set. When the fluctuation shortening counter is not 0, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated while maintaining the electric support state. When the fluctuation shortening counter is 0, the fluctuation shortening flag is turned off to end the electric support state. (S284), the release extension flag is turned off (S286), a game state designation command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S288), and the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. Thereby, the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 is changed from the state with the electric support to the state without the electric support. Note that the gaming state designation command includes a setting status of a variation shortening flag and an opening extension flag indicating the current gaming state of the pachinko machine 10. The sub control board 90 that has received the game state designation command transmits, for example, an effect command indicating the game state to the effect display control board 91 to display the background screen of the effect display device 34 from the state with the electric support to the electric support. Perform processing such as changing to the state of none. Note that the determination in S272 is executed regardless of whether the state is a low probability state or a high probability state, and the determination in S282 is performed regardless of whether there is a power support state or a power support state. In the probability variation big hit, after the big hit, 10,000 times are set in the probability variation counter and the variation shortening counter. Therefore, in the case of these probability variation big hits, the probability variation counter and the variation shortening counter may normally have a value of 0. Therefore, the high probability state and the power support state will not end until the next big hit.

[Big hit game processing]
The big hit game process of S150 is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the jackpot game process of FIG. 21 is executed, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first determines whether or not the jackpot game flag is on, that is, whether or not the jackpot game is being played (S400). If it is determined that the big hit game flag is OFF, the big hit game process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the big hit game flag is ON, it is determined whether or not the big winning opening 44 is open (S402), and if it is determined that the big winning opening 44 is closed (not open), It is determined whether or not it is the opening timing of the special winning opening 44 (S404). This determination is performed by determining whether or not a prescribed closing time (2 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed. If it is determined that it is the opening timing of the big prize opening 44, the big prize opening solenoid 44b is driven and controlled so that the big prize opening 44 is opened (S406), and the big hit game processing is once ended. On the other hand, if it is determined in S404 that it is not the opening timing of the big winning opening 44, the big hit game processing is once ended.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S402 that the special winning opening 44 is open, it is determined whether or not it is the closing timing of the special winning opening 44 (S408). This determination is made by either a specified opening time (25 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed or the number of game balls that have entered the special winning opening 44 has reached a specified number (10 in this embodiment). This is done by determining whether or not it is established. If it is determined that it is not the closing timing of the big prize opening 44, the big hit game process is temporarily ended while the big prize opening 44 is kept open. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the closing timing of the big prize opening 44, the big prize opening solenoid 44b is driven and controlled so that the big prize opening 44 is closed (S410), and it is judged whether or not the big winning game end condition is satisfied. (S412). This determination is performed by determining whether or not the special winning opening 44 is opened according to the specified number of rounds. The prescribed number of rounds is 16 rounds for the first normal jackpot or the first probability variation jackpot, and 5 rounds for the second probability variation jackpot. If it is determined in S412 that the big hit game end condition is not satisfied, the big hit game processing is once ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that the big hit game end condition is satisfied, the big hit game end process illustrated in FIG. 22 is executed (S414), and the big hit game process is ended.

  In the big hit game end process of FIG. 22, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first turns the big hit game flag from on to off (S450), and the current big hit is the probability variable big hit (first probability variable big hit or second probability variable big hit). ) Is determined (S452). If it is determined that the current big hit is not a probable big hit but a normal big hit, the probable variation flag is kept off and the fluctuation shortening counter is set to 100 times (S454). Is set to 10,000 times to turn on the probability variation flag (S456, S458), and the fluctuation shortening counter is set to 10,000 times (S460). As described above, when the probability variation counter and the variation shortening counter are set to 10,000 times, the high probability state and the electric support state are substantially continued until the next big hit. When the variation shortening counter is set in this way, the variation shortening flag and the release extension flag are turned on (S462, S464), the variation counter is set to 0 (S466), the big hit game end designation command and the game state designation command Is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S468), and the big hit game end process is terminated. In addition, the sub control board 90 that has received the game state designation command, for example, transmits an effect command indicating the game state to the effect display control board 91 and displays the background screen of the effect display device 34 according to the game state at that time. The process etc. which are set to are performed.

  Next, processing executed by the sub control board 90 will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the effect control process executed by the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90. The effect control process includes a demonstration effect process (S500), an effect environment setting process during a demonstration effect (S510), a symbol variation effect process (S520), a jackpot game effect process (S530), and an effect environment setting during a game. This is performed by repeatedly executing the process (S540). In the jackpot game effect process of S530, when the jackpot game start designation command transmitted by the main control board 70 in the process of S254 of the special symbol game process of FIG. When the jackpot game end designation command transmitted by the main control board 70 is received in the process of S466 of the jackpot game end process in FIG. 22, a jackpot game end effect (a jackpot ending effect) is executed.

[Demo production process]
The demonstration effect process of S500 is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the demonstration effect process is executed, the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 first determines whether or not the demonstration effect flag is off (S600). If it is determined that the demonstration effect flag is OFF, it is determined whether a demonstration designation command transmitted by the main control board 70 is received in the process of S240 of the special symbol game process of FIG. 11 (S602). If it is determined in S602 that the demonstration designation command has not been received, the demonstration effect process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S602 that the demonstration designation command has been received, the demonstration production flag is turned on and the demonstration production is started (S620). In the demonstration production, in addition to the production that introduces the model information (specs, etc.) of the pachinko machine 10 and the characters that appear during the production, the player can operate the production environment (volume and sound) by operating the production button 26. An effect of notifying that the brightness can be set is performed.

  When the demonstration effect is thus started, or when it is determined in S600 that the demonstration effect flag is on rather than off, it is transmitted by the main control board 70 in the special symbol game process S208 and S218 of FIG. It is determined whether or not a hold occurrence command has been received (S606). If it is determined that the on-hold command has not been received, the demonstration effect process is temporarily ended while the demonstration effect flag remains on. If it is determined in S606 that the hold occurrence command has been received, the demonstration effect flag is turned off, the demonstration effect is terminated (S608), and the demonstration effect process is terminated. The demonstration effect is not limited to the one that ends when the hold occurrence command is received, and may be one that ends based on the elapsed time since the demonstration effect was started.

[Production environment setting process during demonstration production]
The production environment setting process during the demonstration production in S510 is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the production environment setting process during the demonstration production is executed, the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 first determines whether or not the demonstration production flag is on (S650), and the demonstration production flag is on. If it is determined, it is determined whether or not an effect environment setting screen (also referred to as “effect environment setting image”) for setting the effect environment is being displayed (S652). If it is determined that the effect environment setting screen is not being displayed, it is determined whether or not the effect button 26 has been operated by the player (S654). As described above, during the demonstration production, an operation is performed to notify that the player can set the production environment by operating the production button 26, and therefore the processing of S654 is performed by the player in setting the production environment. Is a process for determining whether or not an instruction has been issued. If it is determined that the production button 26 has not been operated, the production environment setting process during the demonstration production is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that the effect button 26 has been operated, an effect environment setting screen is displayed on the effect display device 34 (S656).

  Thus, when the production environment setting screen is displayed or when it is determined in S652 that the production environment setting screen is being displayed, the player performs a button operation (operation of the production button 26 and the direction buttons 26a and 26b). If it is determined whether or not it has been operated, the display of the effect environment setting screen is changed based on the operation (S660), and the effect environment setting process during the demonstration effect is ended. Here, an example of an effect environment setting screen displayed on the effect display device 34 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in the production environment setting screen of this embodiment, “volume” and “brightness” can be set as the production environment, and the current “volume” and “brightness” setting states are also displayed. (As shown by the bold line in the figure, for example, “volume” is set to “medium” and “luminance” is set to “dark”) When this production environment setting screen is displayed, the player first operates the direction buttons 26a and 26b to move the cursor 34a to the left or right to set the setting target to either “volume” or “brightness”. A selection target is determined by selecting and pressing the effect button 26. When “volume” is determined as a setting target, the direction buttons 26 a and 26 b are operated to select one of three levels of “small”, “medium”, and “large”, and the effect button 26 is pressed. Set the desired “volume”. When “luminance” is selected as a selection target, the direction buttons 26a and 26b are operated to select one of the three levels of luminance “dark”, “medium”, and “light”, and the effect button 26 is pressed. As a result, a desired “luminance” is set. When “volume” and “brightness” are set by depressing the effect button 26, the cursor 34a returns to a state where the setting target can be selected again.

  If it is determined in S658 that no operation from the player is accepted, it is determined whether or not the non-operation time during which the effect button 26 and the direction buttons 26a and 26b are not operated is a predetermined time or more (S662). . Here, the predetermined time of the non-operation time is set to, for example, several seconds (3 seconds or 5 seconds), for example, as a time that allows the player to determine that the setting of the production environment has been completed. If it is determined in S662 that the no-operation time is less than the predetermined time, the production environment setting process during the demonstration production is ended while the production environment setting screen is displayed on the production display device 34.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S662 that the no-operation time of the production button 26 and the direction buttons 26a and 26b is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the production environment (“volume” and “brightness”) is changed based on the display content of the production environment setting screen. The setting is made (S664), the production environment setting screen is deleted (S666), and the production environment setting process during the demonstration production is ended. Thereby, the player can set a favorite production environment during the demonstration production before the game is started. Then, based on the effect environment set during the demonstration effect, effects in the symbol variation effect process and the big hit game effect process after the game start are performed. Specifically, sound is output from the speakers 28a and 28b based on the set volume, and an effect screen is displayed on the effect display device 34 based on the set luminance (the backlight of the effect display device 34 emits light). ), The LED 93a emits light based on the set brightness. In addition, in the production environment setting screen, the brightness of the screen of the production display device 34 and the luminance of the LED 93a may be set separately. In addition, “setting completed” indicating that the player has completed the setting is provided on the effect environment setting screen, and the cursor 34a is moved to “setting completed” instead of determining the no-operation time. It is good also as what progresses to the process of S664, when the production button 26 is operated.

[Design variation effect processing]
The symbol variation effect process in S520 is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the symbol variation effect process is executed, first, the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 has received a symbol variation start command transmitted by the main control board 70 in the process of S324 of the variation display related process of FIG. Is determined (S700). If it is determined that the symbol variation start command has been received, a stop symbol for the effect symbol is set based on the received command (S702), and an effect pattern is set (S704). Here, since the symbol change start command includes a special symbol stop symbol (special symbol stop information designation command), the setting of the stop symbol of the effect symbol is the stop of the effect symbol pre-stored in the ROM 90b. This can be done by reading out a stop symbol corresponding to the received special symbol stop information designation command. In addition, since the symbol variation start command includes a special symbol variation pattern (variation pattern designation command), the setting of the effect pattern is the effect pattern included in the effect pattern table stored in advance in the ROM 90b. This can be done by reading the effect pattern corresponding to the received variation pattern designation command.

  When the stop symbol and the effect pattern of the effect symbol are set in this way, it is determined whether or not the set effect pattern is an effect environment setting dedicated pattern corresponding to the variation pattern P09 dedicated to the effect environment setting (S706). If it is determined that the pattern is not an effect environment setting dedicated pattern, the effect display device 34 starts the symbol variation effect in the standard display mode (first display mode) (S708). In the symbol variation effect in the standard display mode, a relatively large size effect symbol as shown in FIG. 7 is variably displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 34. If it is determined in S706 that the pattern is an effect environment setting dedicated pattern, the effect environment setting period flag is turned on (S710), and the effect display device 34 starts the symbol variation effect in the reduced display mode (second display mode) ( S712). In the reduced pattern display design variation effect, an effect design having a size smaller than that of the standard display configuration is variably displayed at a corner (for example, the lower right corner) of the display screen of the effect display device 34. These processes are performed by transmitting to the effect display control board 91 an effect command (symbol change effect start command) for instructing the start of the symbol change effect based on the stop symbol of the effect symbol, the effect pattern, and the display mode. When the effect display control board 91 that has received the effect command is an effect pattern in the standard display mode, the display control is performed so that the symbol variation effect (effect symbol variation display) is started in a large size on the display screen of the effect display device 34. To do. Further, if the production pattern is a reduced display mode, display control is performed so that the symbol variation production is started with a small size at the corner of the display screen of the production display device 34.

  If it is determined in S700 that the symbol variation start command has not been received, or if the symbol variation effect is started in S708 and S712, it is transmitted by the main control board 70 in the process of S246 of the special symbol game process of FIG. It is determined whether or not a symbol stop command is received (S714). If it is determined that the symbol stop command has been received, the symbol variation effect on the effect display device 34 is terminated (S716). This process is performed by transmitting to the effect display control board 91 an effect command (design change effect end command) for instructing the end of the symbol change effect. If the production environment setting period flag is on, it is turned off (S718, S720), and the symbol variation production process is terminated. If it is determined in S714 that the symbol stop command has not been received, the processing of S716 to S720 is skipped, and the symbol variation effect process is terminated. In this way, while the special symbol variation display is performed with the variation pattern P09 dedicated to the production environment setting, the production display device 34 performs the symbol variation production in the reduced display mode, and the production environment setting period flag is on. Will be.

[Processing environment setting process during game]
The effect environment setting process during the game in S540 is executed according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. In the effect environment setting process of FIG. 28, the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 first determines whether or not the effect environment setting period flag is on (S800). If it is determined that the production environment setting period flag is on, the production environment setting screen is displayed on the production display device 34 unless the production environment setting screen is being displayed on the production display device 34 (S802, S804). Next, it is determined whether or not a button operation (operation of the effect button 26 and the direction buttons 26a and 26b) is performed by the player (S806). If it is determined that the player has operated, the display of the effect environment setting screen is performed based on the operation. Is changed (S808), and the effect environment setting process during the game is terminated. If it is determined that the operation is not performed, the effect environment setting process during the game is ended while the effect environment setting screen is displayed.

  Here, FIG. 29 shows an example of a state in which the symbol change effect is performed on the effect display device 34. FIG. 29A shows a state in which the symbol variation effect is performed in a state where the effect environment setting period has not occurred. It has been broken. FIG. 29B shows a state in which the symbol variation effect is performed in the state where the effect environment setting period is occurring. An effect environment setting screen is displayed in a size larger than the symbol variation effect, which is performed at the lower corner. In this way, the effect environment setting screen is displayed in a large size, so that the player can easily set the effect environment even during the symbol variation effect.

  If it is determined in S800 that the production environment setting period flag is not on but off, it is determined whether or not the production environment setting screen is being displayed (S810). If it is determined that the production environment setting screen is being displayed, the production environment setting period flag is turned on in the symbol variation production process of FIG. 27 and the production environment setting screen is displayed. The design variation effect in the pattern is ended, the effect environment setting period flag is turned off, and the effect environment setting period is ended. Therefore, the production environment (volume and brightness) is set based on the display contents of the production environment setting screen (S812), the production environment setting screen is erased (S814), and the production environment setting process during the game ends. To do. Thereby, during the symbol variation effect, the setting of the effect environment by the player is accepted, and the subsequent effect is performed based on the accepted effect environment. In the present embodiment, the setting of the production environment is accepted during the design variation production, and the production is performed in the production environment based on the received setting from the next design variation production. However, the production environment is not limited to this. The setting may be received in the middle of the symbol variation effect, and the effect may be performed in the effect environment based on the accepted setting from the middle of the symbol variation effect. In this case, similarly to the production environment setting process during the demonstration production, the production environment may be set and the production environment setting screen may be deleted when the no-operation time becomes a predetermined time or longer. Note that if the effect environment setting screen is deleted, the symbol variation effect may be changed from the reduced display mode to the standard display mode.

  Here, in this embodiment, if the player operates the effect button 26 during the demonstration production, the production environment setting period is generated. Therefore, the player sets the desired production environment during the demonstration production before the game starts. can do. However, when the player wants to set the production environment during the game, such as when the production environment can be set only during the demonstration production, or when the production environment set before the start of the game is different from the favorite one, All the reservations for the first special symbol and the second special symbol must be digested and a demonstration production must be made. Then, because it is a special figure 2 priority fluctuation, during the state with electricity support (during the state with high probability electricity support), even if there is a hold of the first special symbol, digest the hold of the second special symbol In spite of the progress of the game, it is necessary to digest the reservation of the first special symbol in order to shift to the demonstration production. As described above, the game according to the second special symbol is a game that has a higher probability of appearance for the first probability variation jackpot and is advantageous to the player than the game according to the first special symbol. For this reason, if the reservation of the first special symbol is digested while the high probability electric support is present, a disadvantage is caused to the player. In order to suppress the occurrence of such disadvantages, in this embodiment, a variation pattern P09 dedicated to setting the production environment is provided, and the first special symbol variation display in the state with high probability electric support is used as the dedicated pattern. By doing so, a production environment setting period is generated, and a desired production environment can be set.

  Moreover, the variation time of the variation pattern P09 dedicated to the production environment setting is 15 seconds, so that not only a sufficient time for setting the production environment is secured, but also the second special symbol is displayed while the special symbol variation display is being performed. It is enough time to save the hold. For this reason, even if there is little hold of the second special symbol in the state where the state with high probability electric support is started, the hold of the second special symbol is interrupted and the hold of the first special symbol is consumed. It is possible to suppress the disadvantage caused by the operation. In particular, when the big hit game related to the big hit (the so-called first hit) generated in the absence of low probability electric support is completed, the effect of suppressing such a disadvantage is remarkable because usually the second special symbol hold is small. It will be something. In this embodiment, the setting of the variation pattern P09 dedicated to setting the production environment is set at the time of the first variation after the big hit game related to the probability variation big hit.

  According to the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment described above, when the state with high probability electric support is set after the big hit game ends and the variation display of the special symbol is less than a predetermined number of times, the production environment setting period is generated. A production environment setting screen (production environment setting image) can be displayed. That is, based on the state of the game in progress being in a state with high probability electric support (specific state), it is possible to generate the production environment setting period and display the production environment setting screen. Thereby, it is possible to give the player an opportunity to set the production environment and allow the player to set a preferred production environment. In addition, since the state with the high probability electric support starts once the predetermined number of times is started and the player sets the production environment with the first special symbol variation display, the player can perform the production in the state with the high probability electric support. The progress of the game can be excited as a favorite production. Not only that, it is possible to save the second special symbol hold during the first special symbol fluctuation display, so there is a disadvantage that the first special symbol hold is digested while there is a high probability electric support. Can be suppressed.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the predetermined number of times of the special symbol variation display is set to one, but this is not limited thereto, and the predetermined number of times is the second special symbol stored after the end of the big hit game related to the probable big hit. It may be the number of times within the range of the number of holds. If the number of times is within such a range, the reservation of the first special symbol will not be digested. Therefore, the predetermined number of times may be appropriately determined within the range. Alternatively, the production environment can be set when the number of times of the special symbol variation display reaches the predetermined number, and is not limited to the case where the production environment can be set when the number of times of the special symbol variation display is equal to or less than the predetermined number of times. It may be a thing. In this case, the predetermined environment may be set to 50 times, 100 times, etc., and the production environment may be set during the 50th or 100th special symbol variation display.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the production environment setting period during the electric support state is generated during one special symbol variation display, but there are a plurality of production environment setting periods during the electric support state. It is good also as what generate | occur | produces over the fluctuation | variation display of a special symbol of times.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, it is possible to set the production environment by setting a variation pattern dedicated to the production environment setting during the design variation production with high probability electric support (during the design variation game). The production environment may be set by setting a variation pattern dedicated to the production environment setting even during the design variation production in a state with low probability electric support.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the production environment can be set during the symbol variation production with the high probability electric support. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the state with the high probability electric support is set. As long as the production environment can be set, the production environment may be set at another timing. For example, since the high probability electric support state is set after the jackpot game related to the probability variation jackpot (the first probability variation jackpot or the second probability variation jackpot) ends, the stage is played during the jackpot game related to the probability variation jackpot. A production environment may be set by generating an environment setting period.

  FIG. 30 shows a big hit game effect process in this modification. In the big hit game effect process of this modification, the CPU 90a of the sub-control board 90 first executes the big hit game start effect when receiving the big hit game start designation command as described above (S900, S902). Further, when the big hit game end designation command is received (S904), it is determined whether or not the current big hit (the big hit ended this time) is a probability variation big hit (first probability variation big hit or second probability variation big hit) ( S906). When it is determined that the current big hit is not a probable big hit, the big hit game end effect is started in the standard display mode (first display mode) (S908). Although the illustration of the jackpot game end effect in the standard display mode is omitted, the jackpot game end effect is greatly performed on the display screen of the effect display device 34. On the other hand, if it is determined that the current big hit is a promising big hit, the production environment setting period flag is turned on (S910), and the big hit game end production is started in the reduced display mode (second display mode) (S910). Although the illustration of the jackpot game end effect in the reduced display mode is omitted, the effect display device 34 is smaller in size than the standard display mode so that the effect environment setting screen can be displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 34. A big hit game end effect is performed at the corner of the display screen (for example, the lower right corner). Then, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game end effect has ended (S914). If it is determined that the jackpot game end effect has ended, if the effect environment setting period flag is on, the effect environment setting period flag is turned off (S916). , S918), the big hit game effect processing is terminated. As described above, during the jackpot game end effect, the effect environment setting period flag is turned on. Therefore, during the jackpot game end effect, the effect environment setting screen is displayed in the effect environment setting process during the game shown in FIG. Will be displayed. For this reason, the player can set the production environment during the big hit game end production. In the case of this modification, it is only necessary not to perform the process of generating the effect environment setting period during the symbol variation effect. For this reason, the processing of S334, S338, and S342 is omitted in the variation pattern setting processing of FIG. 17, and the processing of S706, S710, S712, S718, and S720 may be omitted in the symbol variation effect processing of FIG.

  In this modified example, the production environment setting period is generated during the big hit game end effect, but this is not restrictive, and the big hit game is started after the big hit game is started, such as the case where the production environment setting period is generated during the big hit game start production. It is only necessary that the production environment can be set before the game ends. In addition, when a round effect is performed in each round during a big hit game, the effect environment may be set during the round effect. In the first embodiment, whether the number of rounds is a big hit of 5 rounds (second probability variation big hit) or the number of rounds is a big hit of 16 rounds (the first probability variation big hit or the first normal big hit) is clearly indicated to the player. If you perform a so-called continuation effect (round promotion effect) that makes it clear whether or not the round will continue beyond the 5th round in the round production until the end of the 5th round During the production, there are cases where the production button 26 and the direction buttons 26a and 26b are operated. If the production environment setting screen is displayed during such a round production involving button operations, the functions of the production button 26 and the direction buttons 26a and 26b may be duplicated and the processing may become complicated. Therefore, it is only necessary to generate the production environment setting period and display the production environment setting screen during the round production other than the production with the button operation.

  In this modification, the production environment setting period is always generated when the current big hit is a probable big hit, but this is not the only case. When winning, a production environment setting period may be generated. Alternatively, the production environment setting period may be generated every predetermined number of times by counting the number of times the probability variation big hit has occurred.

  In this modification, the production environment setting period is generated on the condition that the current big hit is a probable big hit and a state with high probability electric support is generated after the big hit game ends, but not limited to this, after the big hit game ends What is necessary is just to generate a production environment setting period based on being in a state with electric support (a state with low probability electric support or a state with high probability electric support). In this case, in the above-described embodiment, both the normal big hit and the probabilistic big hit are in the electric support state after the big hit game is finished, so the big hit game is not in the electric support state after the big hit game is finished (the electric no support state is entered). May be included. Alternatively, it is possible to generate an effect environment setting period during the big hit game based on the fact that the big hit game is executed regardless of the state after the big hit game ends.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the pachinko machine 10 of the second embodiment will be described. In the pachinko machine 10 of the second embodiment, the effect environment setting process of FIG. 31 is mainly executed on the sub-control board 90 in place of the effect environment setting process in the game of FIG. 28, and the symbol variation of FIG. 33 differs from the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment in that the symbol variation effect process in FIG. 33 is executed and the jackpot game effect process in FIG. 34 is executed. Hereinafter, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the pachinko machine 10 according to the first embodiment. In the flowcharts of the second embodiment, the same steps as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a process of generating a production environment setting period when a state with a high probability electric support is set after the big hit game is finished and the variation display of the special symbol is less than a predetermined number of times. Do not do it. For this reason, the processing of S334, S338, and S342 is omitted in the variation pattern setting processing of FIG. 17, and the processing of S706, S710, S712, S718, and S720 may be omitted in the symbol variation effect processing of FIG.

[Production environment setting process]
In the production environment setting process of the second embodiment, the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 first determines whether or not the timer 90d is measuring (S850). If the timer 90d is not measuring, the CPU 90a By starting the operation, the elapsed time starts to be measured (S852), and the process proceeds to the next step S854. If the timer 90d is measuring, the process of step S852 is skipped and the process proceeds to the next step S854. For this reason, the timer 90d of the sub-control board 90 starts measurement when the presentation environment setting process of FIG. 31 is executed for the first time after the pachinko machine 10 is turned on. It will start operation.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the production environment setting period flag is ON (S854) and whether or not the production environment setting period has arrived based on the measurement time (elapsed time) of the timer 90d (S856). Here, FIG. 32 shows how the production environment setting period arrives based on the elapsed time. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the production environment setting period arrives at every predetermined time. As an example, as shown in the figure, the elapsed time is 0 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes,... Every 60 minutes. It is assumed that the environment setting period has arrived. If it is determined in S854 and S856 that the production environment setting period flag is off and the production environment setting period has not arrived, the production environment setting process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined in S854 and S856 that the production environment setting period flag is off and the production environment setting period has arrived, the production environment setting period flag is changed from off to on (S858), and the production display device 34 is used for production environment setting. A screen is displayed (S860), and the process proceeds to the next step S862. In this way, in the second embodiment, the production environment setting screen is displayed on the production display device 34 every time the production environment setting period arrives, that is, every predetermined time (for example, every 60 minutes). For this reason, regardless of the state of the game, the player has the opportunity to set the production environment every predetermined time, and the production environment can be set. If it is determined in S854 that the production environment setting period flag is on, the production environment setting screen is already displayed on the production display device 34. Therefore, the processing of S856 to S860 is skipped and the next processing of S862 is performed. move on.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a button operation (operation of the effect button 26 and the direction buttons 26a and 26b) is performed by the player (S862). If it is determined that the player has operated, display of the effect environment setting screen is performed according to the operation. Is changed (S864), and the rendering environment setting process is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation button is not operated, it is determined whether or not the no-operation time of the effect button 26 and the direction buttons 26a and 26b is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (S866), Then, the production environment is set based on the display contents of the production environment setting screen (S868), the production environment setting screen is deleted (S870), the production environment setting period flag is turned from on to off (S872), and production is performed. Terminate the environment setting process.

[Design variation effect processing]
In the symbol variation effect process of the second embodiment, when the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 sets a stop symbol and an effect pattern based on the received symbol variation start command in S700 to S704, the effect environment setting period flag is set. It is determined whether or not it is on (S705). When it is determined that the production environment setting period flag is not on but off, the symbol variation production is started in the standard display mode (first display mode) (S708), and when it is determined that the production environment setting period flag is on, reduction is performed. The symbol variation effect is started in the display mode (second display mode) (S712). In the second embodiment, every time the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time, the production environment setting period arrives and the production environment setting period flag is turned on. Production will be performed. Also, during the production environment setting period, as shown in FIG. 29B, the production environment setting screen is displayed on the production display device 34, and the symbol variation production is performed in a reduced display mode.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the symbol variation effect is being executed in the standard display mode (S722), and if it is determined that the symbol variation effect is being executed in the standard display mode, is the effect environment setting period flag on? (S724) If the production environment setting period flag is ON, the symbol variation production is changed from the standard display mode to the reduced display mode (S726), and the process proceeds to S714, where the production environment setting period flag is set. If it is not on but off, the process of S726 is skipped, and the process proceeds to S714 while maintaining the standard display mode. Here, even if the design variation effect is started in the standard display mode because the production environment setting period has not arrived, the production environment setting period may arrive in the middle of the design variation production. In such a case, the symbol variation effect is changed from the standard display mode to the reduced display mode. Thus, even when the effect environment setting period arrives when the symbol variation effect is being performed, the progress of the symbol variation effect can be prevented. Moreover, since the display environment setting screen is displayed in a large size with the symbol variation effect as a reduced display mode, it is possible to prompt the player to set the effect environment.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S722 that the symbol variation effect is being executed in the reduced display mode instead of the standard display mode, it is determined whether or not the effect environment setting period flag is off (S728), and the effect environment setting period flag is set. If it is off, the symbol variation effect is changed from the reduced display mode to the standard display mode (S730), and the process proceeds to S714. If the effect environment setting period flag is not off but on, the process of S730 is skipped. The process proceeds to S714 while maintaining the reduced display mode. Here, since the effect environment setting period has arrived, the effect environment setting period may end during the symbol change effect even if the symbol change effect is started in the reduced display mode. In such a case, the display environment setting screen has been erased and there is no need to perform the symbol variation effect in the reduced display mode, so the player can be changed by changing the symbol variation effect from the reduced display mode to the standard display mode. The symbol variation effect is displayed in an easy-to-see manner.

[Big hit game effect processing]
In the jackpot game effect process of the second embodiment, when the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 receives the jackpot game start designation command in S900, it determines whether or not the effect environment setting period flag is on (S901). If it is determined that the environment setting period flag is not on but off, a big hit game start effect is executed in the standard display mode (S902a), and if it is determined that the effect environment setting period flag is on, the big hit game starts in the reduced display mode. An effect is executed (S902b). When the production environment setting period flag is on, the production environment setting screen is displayed on the display screen of the production display device 34. Therefore, the big hit game start production is performed at the corner of the display screen of the production display device 34. When the big hit game end designation command is received in S904, it is determined whether or not the production environment setting period flag is on (S905), and when it is determined that the production environment setting period flag is not on but off, standard display is performed. The big hit game end effect is executed in the mode (S908a), and if it is determined that the production environment setting period flag is on, the big hit game end effect is executed in the reduced display mode (S910a). When the effect environment setting period flag is on, the effect environment setting screen is displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 34, so the big hit game end effect is performed at the corner of the display screen of the effect display device 34.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game effect (a jackpot game start effect or a jackpot game end effect) is being executed in the standard display mode (S922), and it is determined that the jackpot game effect is being executed in the standard display mode. Then, it is determined whether or not the production environment setting period flag is on (S924), and if the production environment setting period flag is on, the running big hit game production is changed from the standard display mode to the reduced display mode (S926). ), The big hit game effect process is finished, and if the production environment setting period flag is not on but off, the process of S926 is skipped and the big hit game effect process is finished while maintaining the standard display mode. As a result, when the production environment setting period has arrived in the middle of the big hit game production, although the production environment setting period has not yet arrived, the big hit game production has been started in the standard display mode. The standard display mode can be changed to the reduced display mode. For this reason, when the big hit game effect is being performed, even if the production environment setting period arrives, the progress of the big hit game effect can be prevented. In addition, since the big win game effect is displayed in a reduced display mode and the big screen for setting the production environment is displayed, the player can be prompted to set the production environment.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S922 that a big hit game effect (a big hit game start effect or a big hit game end effect) is being executed in a reduced display mode instead of the standard display mode, it is determined whether or not the production environment setting period flag is off. If the production environment setting period flag is off (S928), the big hit game production is changed from the reduced display mode to the standard display mode (S930), the big hit game production process is terminated, and the production environment setting period flag is off. If it is not ON, the process of S930 is skipped and the big hit game effect process is terminated while maintaining the reduced display mode. As a result, when the production environment setting period has arrived, the jackpot game effect is started in the reduced display mode, but when the production environment setting period ends in the middle of the jackpot game production, the jackpot game production is reduced from the reduced display mode. It can be changed to a standard display mode. In this way, when the production environment setting period ends and the production environment setting screen is erased and it is no longer necessary to perform the big hit game production in the reduced display mode, the big hit game production is changed from the reduced display mode to the standard display mode. Thus, the big hit game effect is easily displayed to the player.

  According to the pachinko machine 10 of the second embodiment described above, an effect environment setting screen is generated by generating an effect environment setting period every predetermined time based on the measurement time (elapsed time) of the timer 90d of the sub control board 90 ( Presentation environment setting image) can be displayed. That is, it is possible to generate the production environment setting period based on the time measured by the timer 90d (time measuring means) and display the production environment setting screen. Thereby, the setting environment of the production environment can be given to the player every predetermined time, and the player can set the desired production environment. In addition, if a symbol variation effect or a jackpot game effect is performed when the effect environment setting screen is displayed, the symbol variation effect or the jackpot game effect is displayed in a reduced display mode. Even if the setting screen is displayed, the progress of the production can be prevented. Furthermore, even if the symbol variation effect and the jackpot game effect are displayed in a reduced display mode, if the setting of the production environment is completed, the symbol variation effect and the jackpot game effect are changed from the reduced display mode to the standard display mode. A player who desires display in the display mode can be prompted to set the production environment early. Since the production environment can be set every predetermined time, it is not necessary for the player to complete the holding and move to the demonstration production when it is desired to set the production environment. Similarly to the above, it is possible to suppress a disadvantage caused by digestion of the reservation of the first special symbol during the high probability electric support state.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the second embodiment, the production environment setting period arrives at every predetermined time (every 60 minutes). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any timing can be used as long as it is based on the measured time. The production environment setting period may arrive at the timing. For example, it is good also as what the production environment setting period arrives gradually (measurement time 0 minutes, 60 minutes, 110 minutes, 150 minutes, 180 minutes,...), And the production environment setting period has arrived. It is good also as a thing which the interval to perform becomes long gradually (measurement time is 0 minute, 60 minutes, 130 minutes, 210 minutes, 300 minutes, ...), and the interval that the production environment setting period arrives is irregular ( The measurement time may be 0 minute, 40 minutes, 100 minutes, 130 minutes, 210 minutes,.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the second embodiment, the arrival of the production environment setting period is determined based on the measurement time by the timer 90d of the sub-control board 90, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the arrival of the production environment setting period may be determined based on the time measured by the timer of the main control board 70. Alternatively, a real-time clock (RTC) that records the current time may be provided on the main control board 70 or the sub-control board 90, and the arrival of the production environment setting period may be determined based on the RTC time.

  In the pachinko machine 10 according to the first and second embodiments, when the production environment setting screen is displayed, the symbol variation production (big hit game production) is performed in a reduced display mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, when the production environment setting screen is displayed, the symbol variation effect (big hit game production) is performed in the standard display mode, and the production environment setting screen may be displayed so as to be superimposed on the symbol variation production (big hit game production). . In this case, the display environment setting screen may be displayed on a screen having transparency (a screen on which the back symbol variation effect (big hit game effect) can be viewed).

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the first and second embodiments, the production environment can be set based on the player operating the production button 26 during the demonstration production. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is only necessary that the production environment can be set based on the instruction. For example, the production environment may be set based on the player operating the ball lending button 24a during the demonstration production. Or it is not restricted to the operation of such a button, a non-contact type sensor is provided in the effect display device 34 or the center accessory 49, and a non-contact type sensor is operated by a player's action (holding a hand, etc.). The production environment may be set based on the fact that is turned on. Further, the sub-control board 90 may be configured to be able to input sound from a microphone, and the production environment may be set when a voice instruction from a player is received during a demonstration production.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the volume and the brightness can be set as the production environment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the volume may be set or only the brightness may be set. Alternatively, a production environment other than volume and brightness may be settable. For example, in a gaming machine that can generate vibration in the effect button 26 and the like in accordance with the effect, the strength of the vibration may be set.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the pachinko machine 10 is applied to the pachinko machine 10 as an example of the gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arrangement ball machine, the slot machine, and the fusion machine of the pachinko machine and the slot machine. For example, the present invention may be applied. For example, when the present invention is applied to a slot machine, the production environment setting period is generated based on the occurrence of a bonus game (big bonus game or regular bonus game) in the first embodiment. Good. In the second embodiment, as in the case of application to the pachinko machine 10, the production environment setting period may be generated based on the measurement time (elapsed time).

  Further, in the embodiment, 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 port, second start port) provided on the game board are used. The present invention relates to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) that gives a player a gaming profit (game value) by paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the number of game balls that enter the winning prize opening, etc. However, the present invention can also be applied to a type of gaming machine that gives a gaming profit in a form different from the “payout of prize ball”. For example, when a game ball is entered into various winning openings, data indicating the amount of profit (the magnitude of the game value) corresponding to the ball is stored in the RAM (game value) of the main control unit or the payout control unit. The present invention can also be applied to a type of gaming machine that gives a player a gaming profit (game value) by storing it in the management control unit. An effect can be obtained. Of course, as the game value managed by the game value management control unit, the game value obtained as a result of the game and the game value obtained by inserting cash or the like may be managed separately (displayed separately). , May be managed together (displayed by addition / subtraction) (both separate display and addition / subtraction display may be performed). 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.

  The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems will be described. In the embodiment, the pachinko machine 10 corresponds to the “game machine”, and the CPU 90a and the timer 90d of the sub control board 90 that executes the processing of S850 and S852 of the production environment setting process of FIG. 31 correspond to the “time measuring means”. The CPU 90a, the effect display device 34, and the effect display control board 91 of the sub control board 90 that executes the process of S860 of the effect environment setting process of FIG. 31 correspond to “display means”, and the effect environment setting process of FIG. The CPU 90a of the sub-control board 90 that executes the processes of S856 and S858 corresponds to “setting period generation means”. The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problem is the same as that of the embodiment described in the column of means for solving the problem. Therefore, the elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems are not limited. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems should be made based on the description of the column, and the examples are those of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems. It is only a specific example.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described using the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course you get.

  10 Pachinko machine, 11 Front frame, 12 Glass plate, 14 Upper tray, 16 Lower tray, 18 Launch handle, 18a Touch sensor, 18b Launch stop switch, 19 Launch motor, 21 Body frame, 22 Outer frame, 24a Ball rental button, 24b return button, 26 effect button, 26a, 26b direction button, 27 effect button operation detection switch, 27a, 27b direction button operation detection switch, 28a, 28b speaker, 29 locking device, 30 game board, 31 game area, 31a outer rail , 31b Inner rail, 32 Normal symbol operation gate, 32a Gate switch, 34 Effect display device, 34L, 34M, 34R Effect symbol, 35a First reserved symbol, 35b Second reserved symbol, 36 First start port, 36a First start Mouth switch, 38 second starting port, 38a second Moving port switch, 38b Second start port solenoid, 38c Wing piece, 40 Symbol display device, 40a Symbol display board, 41 Normal symbol display device, 41a Left normal symbol display portion, 41b Right normal symbol display portion, 42 Special symbol display Device, 42a First special symbol display unit, 42b Second special symbol display unit, 43 Round display unit, 44 Grand prize opening, 44a Grand prize opening switch, 44b Grand prize opening solenoid, 44c Opening / closing plate, 45 General prize opening, 45a General winning port switch, 46 out port, 47 windmill, 49 center role, 70 main control board, 70a CPU, 70b ROM, 70c RAM, 72 relay terminal board, 80 payout control board, 81 frame release switch, 82 ball rental display Board, 83 relay terminal board, 84 switch before dispensing, 85 switch after dispensing, 86 dispensing motor, 87 relay terminal board, 90 sub-control board, 90a CPU, 90b ROM, 90c RAM, 91 effect display control board, 92 amplifier board, 93 decoration drive board, 93a LED lamp, 93b decoration motor, 94 effect button board, 100 launch control Substrate, 102 Bottom pan full switch.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine that performs a predetermined production based on the progress of the game,
A time measuring means for measuring time;
A setting period generating means for generating an effect environment setting period in which the player can set an environment related to the predetermined effect;
Display means capable of displaying an effect environment setting image for setting the effect environment during the effect environment setting period;
With
The setting period generating means generates the production environment setting period based on the time measured by the time measuring means ,
The display means includes
An effect image in the predetermined effect can be displayed,
When the predetermined effect is performed during the generation of the effect environment setting period, the effect image and the effect environment setting image are displayed on the same display screen .

Images