JP5859034B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a pachinko machine that performs a notice effect asynchronously.

  In recent years, in a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a pachinko machine), which is a form of gaming machine, a so-called big hit is made on the main controller side mainly by winning a game ball at a start winning opening provided on the game board. A predetermined random number used for a lottery related to whether or not the game can be executed or a lottery of a predetermined symbol called a special symbol is acquired in advance, and a random number acquired in advance based on the start condition of the special symbol is established. It is common to execute a lottery for determining whether or not to perform a big hit game and a lottery for determining a variation time of a special symbol. Also, on the sub-control device side of the pachinko machine, referring to the lottery result determined on the main control device side, a variation pattern table in which a plurality of variation patterns are defined, and a notification pattern in which a plurality of notification patterns are defined With reference to the table, various performance patterns are determined so as to excite the game before the result of the lottery regarding whether or not the big hit game can be executed is derived. Then, the player proceeds with the game while expecting a big hit while paying attention to the effect pattern expressed as an image or a moving image on the effect display device constituted by a liquid crystal device or the like.

  However, in particular, since the appearance timing of the notice pattern in a conventional pachinko machine is defined in advance according to the selected variation pattern, the appearance timing of a specific notice pattern (for example, a notice pattern that is easy to select at the time of a big hit) is set. If a player who knows in advance plays a game and a specific notice pattern does not appear at the time that he / she knows, the expectation for the big hit in the change will be greatly reduced, and the player will be bored with the game. Arise.

JP 2011-234958 A

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a gaming machine that maintains a sense of expectation during symbol variation by making the generation timing of a notice pattern random, and does not get bored with the game.

As a configuration according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, the game information obtained when winning a winning prize placed in the gaming area of the game board is triggered is read when a predetermined starting condition is satisfied. Based on the main control device that executes a predetermined game lottery based on the read game information and the reception of a command including information on the result of the predetermined game lottery transmitted from the main control device, the game board is arranged on the game board. Effect control for determining the variation pattern and the notice pattern of the effect symbol displayed on the effect display device that is displayed, starting the variation of the effect symbol, and notifying the player of the result of the predetermined game lottery by the stop mode of the effect symbol a gaming machine comprising a device, rendering tables effect control device, regardless of the reception of the command including information about the results of a given game lottery, in a non-variation in the performance symbols An effect display control unit that repeatedly executes a predetermined lottery regarding a notice pattern displayed in a predetermined notice display area provided in the apparatus is provided, and the effect display control unit is configured to display a predetermined notice display based on a result of the predetermined lottery. A specific notice effect is displayed in the area.
Further, as another configuration, the effect display control unit is configured to repeatedly execute a predetermined lottery regarding a preview pattern displayed in a predetermined preview display area at a predetermined time interval.
The summary of the invention does not enumerate all necessary features of the present invention, and individual configurations constituting the feature group can also be the invention.

For example, the effect display control means includes a plurality of notice pattern determination tables in which a plurality of predetermined notice patterns are defined, and each of the notice pattern determination tables is different from each other in the selection rate of the prescribed predetermined notice patterns. In the predetermined lottery, the presentation display control means is configured to refer to one of a plurality of notice pattern tables and determine a specific notice pattern by lottery according to the variation pattern determined by the effect control device. Also good.
As another configuration, the effect display control means has a lottery prohibition period setting unit for setting a period for prohibiting a predetermined lottery based on the fact that a specific notice effect is displayed in a predetermined notice display area, A predetermined lottery may be interrupted during the lottery prohibition period set by the lottery prohibition period setting unit.
As another configuration, the lottery prohibition period setting unit may refer to a lottery prohibition period determination table in which a plurality of different lottery prohibition periods are defined, and may randomly set the lottery prohibition period.

  According to the gaming machine according to each of the above configurations, since the occurrence timing of the sub-notice effect displayed based on the sub-notice pattern is random, it is possible to maintain and increase the expectation during the symbol variation, It can prevent getting bored.

It is a schematic perspective view of a pachinko machine. It is a front view of a game board. It is a schematic block diagram of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram of a game information storage means, a special symbol success / failure lottery means, and a schematic diagram of a success / failure lottery table. It is a block diagram of a special symbol type determination means, and a schematic diagram of a special symbol type determination table. It is a block diagram of a variation time determination means, and a schematic diagram of a variation time determination table. It is a flowchart of a game lottery process and a game information prefetch process. It is a block diagram of a main effect display control means, and a schematic diagram of a variation pattern determination table. It is a schematic diagram of the main notice pattern determination table. It is a block diagram of a sub effect display control means. It is a schematic diagram of a sub notice pattern determination table. It is a flowchart which shows a sub notice effect determination process and a lottery prohibition period determination process. It is a schematic diagram of a lottery prohibition period determination table. It is a figure which shows the flow of a fluctuation production, a main notice production, and a sub notice production.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included in the invention. It is not always essential to the solution.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment is pivotally attached to a vertical rectangular machine casing 2 installed in an island facility of a game arcade and a side portion of the machine casing 2, A main body frame 3 that can be freely opened and closed, a game board 30 that is mounted inside the main body frame 3, and a glass window that is pivotally attached to the front surface of the main body frame 3 and that can be freely opened and closed. 4A and a panel door 4 having a tray 6 provided below the glass window 4A, an unillustrated launching device disposed at the lower portion of the main body frame 3, and a handle 7 attached to the lower portion of the panel door 4. And a speaker 8 provided on each of the left and right upper portions of the panel door 4 and a plurality of light emitters (not shown) disposed inside the panel door 4.

  An operation unit 9 is disposed at the center of the tray 6. The operation unit 9 is developed in the effect display device 500 when selecting a dial portion for moving a cursor or the like displayed on the effect display device 500 described later and an item corresponding to the cursor moved by the dial portion. And a button part that is pressed down when performing various button effects.

  On the back side of the pachinko machine 1, there are a main control device 100 shown in FIG. 3, an effect control device 200 that constitutes a sub-control device, and a payout control device 300 via a container, a support member, etc., not shown. It is installed. The main control device 100, the production control device 200, and the payout control device 300 all have a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program required for game processing, and data required for game processing. And a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a temporary storage area for the CPU to perform processing according to the computer program stored in the ROM. Each control device of the main control device 100, the effect control device 200, and the payout control device 300 is driven by power supply from a power supply device (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 30 has a game area 30 </ b> A in which game balls flow down on the front surface thereof. The game area 30A can be observed from the glass window 4A. The game area 30A is partitioned and formed to be substantially circular by an outer guide rail 27 and an inner guide rail 28 for sliding the game ball.

  The game balls accommodated in the tray 6 are supplied one by one to a launching device (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the payout control device 300 includes a firing motor 7 </ b> B so that a game ball is fired at a predetermined intensity based on an input from a firing volume 7 </ b> A that increases or decreases in response to the amount of rotation of the handle 7. Is driven and controlled. The game ball that has been launched by the launching device and has reached the game area 30A flows down in the game area 30A. The payout control device 300 is connected to a firing stop switch 7 </ b> C provided on the circumference of the handle 7 and a touch sensor 7 </ b> D disposed inside the handle 7.

  The game board 30 includes an effect display device 500 having a display screen 500A on which a main effect and a sub-effect described later are displayed, a first special symbol display device 35A, a second special symbol display device 35B, a normal symbol display device 36, and the like. Various display devices, various winning components such as a first starting winning component 60, a second starting winning component 62, a large winning device 64, and a plurality of general winning components 66, a passing gate 68, a plurality of game nails, Or other game parts, such as a windmill, are arrange | positioned. Details of each part will be described below.

  The effect display device 500 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device disposed in a substantially central portion of the game area 30A. The effect display device 500 can variably display an effect symbol S composed of, for example, numbers 1 to 8 and a specific character on the display screen 500A. In addition, on the display screen 500A of the effect display device 500, it is possible to display moving images such as specific images and animations that express various effects developed during the fluctuation of the effect symbol S. This is executed by an effect control device 200 described later. In addition, the variation time of the effect symbol S is substantially synchronized with the variation time of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, which will be described later. By watching the direction of the production, the game progresses with the expectation for the big hit game.

A pair of movable bodies 53A; 53B are slidably arranged in the left-right direction on both sides of the central decorative member 50 arranged so as to surround the upper part and both sides of the effect display device 500. The operations of the movable bodies 53A and 53B are controlled by the effect control device 200.
A stage 55 is extended below the central decorative member 50. The stage 55 is an area extending in the front-rear and left-right directions formed below the effect display device 500, and the game ball that has reached the stage 55 falls downward while rolling in the left-right direction. . In addition, a ball introduction port 55A is opened at the center of the stage 55, and a game ball that has entered the ball guide entrance 55A falls below the ball lead-out port 55B that is opened below, and is positioned directly below. The first start winning component 60 to be won is won with a high probability.

  The first special symbol display device 35A and the second special symbol display device 35B have a configuration in which a plurality of LED lamps are arranged in a semi-annular shape and a circular shape, respectively. Draw the lottery result. Here, the period in which the LED is blinking is a special symbol variation time, and the period in which the LED is blinked and displayed in a predetermined manner is a special symbol confirmation notification time. Further, the variable display of the first special symbol display device 35A and the second special symbol display device 35B is controlled by the main control device 100 described later.

  The normal symbol display device 36 is composed of, for example, an LED lamp that can be lit in red and blue, and derives a result of a general drawing lottery described later by color. Here, the period in which the LED blinks alternately in red and blue is the normal symbol variation time. The period in which the LED has finished blinking and the LED is lit in red or blue is displayed in the normal symbol confirmation notification. It's time. Further, the fluctuation display of the normal symbol display device 36 is controlled by the main control device 100 described later.

Next, various winning components arranged in the game area 30A will be described.
The first start winning component 60 and the second start winning component 62 are arranged below the stage 55 and adjacent to the substantial center of the game area 30A vertically. Both the first start prize component 60 and the second start prize component 62 have an upwardly open prize slot that can take in a game ball flowing down from above, and the game balls taken from the prize prize slot are From the back side of the game board 30 after being detected by the first start opening detection sensor SW1 and the second start opening detection sensor SW2 disposed inside the first start winning prize component 60 and the second start winning prize component 62, respectively. It is discharged outside the machine. Further, detection signals of the first start port detection sensor SW1 and the second start port detection sensor SW2 are output to the main controller 100 side.

  The second start winning component 62 is provided with a pair of opening / closing bodies 63 that prevent or allow a game ball to win the second start winning component 62. The pair of opening / closing bodies 63 are blade-like parts that can be closed or opened by driving the solenoid SOL1 controlled by the main control device 100. In the closed state where the opening / closing body 63 stands upright, a winning game ball is won. In the open state in which the opening / closing body 63 is blocked and expanded in the left-right direction, game balls are allowed to win. The opening operation of the opening / closing body 63 is executed when the result of a lottery (ordinary drawing lottery) related to a normal symbol, which will be described later, which is executed based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the passing gate 68, is per ordinary figure. Is done.

  The big winning device 64 is a winning device that is arranged at the approximate center in the left-right direction of the game area 30A below the second start winning component 62, and has a rectangular shape that opens forward in front of the game board 30. It has a winning opening and a plate-like opening / closing body 65 for closing or opening the large winning opening. The opening / closing body 65 is provided in a rotating manner in a flap shape in the front-rear direction around an axis parallel to the lower edge portion of the prize winning opening, and to the prize winning opening in a closed state parallel to the front surface of the game board 30. It is impossible to enter the game ball, and the game ball is taken into the big prize opening in the open state tilted forward. The game ball taken into the big prize opening is detected by the big prize opening detection sensor SW3 provided in the big prize device 64 and then discharged from the back side of the game board 30 to the outside of the machine. Further, the detection signal of the special winning detection sensor SW3 is output to the main controller 100 side. The special winning device 64 is opened by driving the solenoid SOL2 controlled by the main control device 100 during a special game that is executed when the result of the special figure win / fail lottery described later is “winning”. Therefore, the player can easily win a prize in the big winning opening by launching a game ball into the game area 30A during execution of the special game.

  A plurality of general winning components 66 are arranged separately on the left and right sides of the game area 30A. Similar to the first start winning component 60 and the second start winning component 62, the general winning component 66 has a winning port that can take in a game ball flowing down from above, and is taken from the winning port. After the game ball is detected by the general winning opening detection sensor SW4 disposed inside, the game ball is discharged from the back side of the game board 30 to the outside of the machine. Further, the detection signal of the general winning opening detection sensor SW4 is output to the main controller 100 side.

  The passing gate 68 is disposed on the left side of the game area 30A, and has a gate-shaped structure through which a game ball can pass from above to below. The game ball that has passed through the passage gate 68 is detected by the passage gate detection sensor SW5 stored therein, and then flows downward. The detection signal of the passage gate detection sensor SW5 is output to the main control device 100 side.

  Next, main control processing by the main control device 100 and the effect control device 200 will be described. In the illustrated example, the function and processing of each control device embodied by the operation of the CPU are represented as “means”.

  As shown in the figure, the main controller 100 includes a game information storage means 110, a special symbol win / fail lottery means 120, a special symbol type determination means 130, a variation time determination means 140, a special symbol variation display control means 150, a special game. The control means 160, the game information prefetching means 170, the normal symbol winning / not-lotting means 180, the normal symbol variation display control means 185, and the game state control means 190 are provided.

(About game information storage processing)
The game information storage means 110 is triggered by the input of detection signals output from the first start port detection sensor SW1 and the second start port detection sensor SW2 corresponding to the first start winning component 60 and the second start winning component 62, respectively. The game information consisting of a plurality of random numbers is acquired and stored.
FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing a configuration of the game information storage unit 110. As shown in the figure, the game information storage means 110 includes a special figure success / failure lottery random number generator 111A, a special figure success / failure lottery random number acquisition unit 111B, a special figure type determination random number generator 112A, and a special figure type determination random number. The acquisition unit 112 </ b> B, the variation time determination random number generation unit 113 </ b> A, the variation time determination random number acquisition unit 113 </ b> B, and the game information hold storage unit 115 are configured.

The random number generator for special figure win / fail lottery 111A updates the value of the loop counter one by one within a predetermined range (in the present embodiment, an integer range of 0 to 65535) based on an interrupt signal periodically input. This is a hardware counter that generates hardware random numbers.
Random number acquisition part 111B for special figure determination lottery is generated by random number generation part 111A for special figure determination lottery based on the input of the detection signal from first start port detection sensor SW1 or second start port detection sensor SW2 Acquire (latch) random numbers.

  The special figure type determination random number generator 112A sets the value of the loop counter within a predetermined range (0 to 0 in this embodiment) based on the interrupt signal that is periodically input in the same manner as the special figure success / failure random number generator 111A. This is a hardware counter that generates hardware random numbers by updating by 1 in the range of an integer of 99). The special figure type determination random number acquisition unit 112B is generated by the special figure type determination random number generation unit 112A based on the input of the detection signal from the first start port detection sensor SW1 or the second start port detection sensor SW2 (see special drawing). Acquires (latches) a random number for type determination.

  The random time generator 113A for determining the variation time is a software counter that generates a software random number by updating the value of the loop counter one by one within a predetermined range (in this embodiment, an integer range of 0 to 99). The variation time determination random number acquisition unit 113B is generated by the variation time determination random number generation unit 113A based on the detection signal input from the first start port detection sensor SW1 or the second start port detection sensor SW2 (for variation time determination). ) Get (latch) a random number.

  As described above, the plurality of random numbers acquired by the random number acquisition units 111B; 112B; 113B described above are simultaneously acquired based on the input from the first start port detection sensor SW1 or the second start port detection sensor SW2. The random numbers obtained at the same time are temporarily stored in the game information hold storage unit 115 and read when a predetermined start condition described later is satisfied. In the following description, random numbers acquired at the same time may be collectively referred to as “game information”.

  The game information hold storage unit 115 is configured by a RAM having a plurality of storage areas capable of individually storing a plurality of game information. The upper limit of the game information that can be stored in the game information hold storage unit 115 is, for example, 4 (maximum 8) for each of the winnings for the first starting winning component 60 and the winnings for the second starting winning component 62, respectively. The game information hold storage unit 115 stores the game information acquired by winning the first start prize component 60 and the second start prize component 62 until the above upper limit is reached. The data is stored in order in storage areas (first storage area and second storage area) provided independently according to the type. In addition, the game information stored in each storage area is read out when the start condition is satisfied, and a predetermined game lottery process (a special figure determination lottery process, a special figure type determination process, a variation is performed based on the read game information. It is deleted (shifted) after the time determination process is executed. As described above, the game information storage unit 110 sequentially acquires and stores game information composed of a plurality of random numbers until the upper limit is reached, triggered by winning the first start winning component 60 or the second start winning component 62. It has a function.

(Regarding the special drawing rejection lottery process)
Next, the special symbol success / failure lottery process executed by the special symbol success / failure lottery means 120 of the main controller 100 will be described. As will be described in detail below, the special symbol success / failure lottery means 120, the special symbol type determination means 130, and the variation time determination means 140 are stored in the game information storage means 110 when a predetermined start condition is established. Each of the above-described random numbers is read out, and a result of success / failure corresponding to the read random number (hereinafter also referred to as “result of success / failure”), a special symbol type, and a variation time are determined. In the present specification, the processes executed based on the game information may be collectively referred to as “game lottery” or “game lottery process”.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the special symbol winning / lottery means 120. As shown in the figure, the special symbol success / failure lottery means 120 includes a special symbol success / failure lottery random number reading unit 121, a low probability success / failure lottery table 122A, and a high probability success / failure lottery table 122B.
As shown in FIG. 4 (c), in these tables, the success / failure results ("winning", "missing") corresponding to each of the special figure winning / raising random numbers in the range of 0 to 65535 are defined. The special symbol success / failure lottery random number reading unit 121 of the special symbol success / failure lottery means 120 is based on the fact that a predetermined starting condition is satisfied, and the special symbol success / failure lottery random number stored as the game information by the game information storage means 110 described above. , And by referring to one of the low-probability lottery table 122A and the high-probability lottery table 122B according to the current gaming state, the winning / failing result (“ "Win" or "off") is extracted.

  In the present embodiment, the probability that the success / failure result is “winning” is about 10 times greater when the high probability success / failure lottery table 122B is referenced than when the low probability success / failure lottery table 122A is referenced. It is set high. Which table is referred to depends on the special figure gaming state set by the gaming state control means 190 to be described later. When the gaming state is “special figure low probability” to be described later, the low probability winning / failing lottery table If 122A is referred to and the “special drawing high probability” is indicated, the high-probability lottery table 122B is referred to.

  In addition, the start condition that triggers the execution of the special figure winning / losing lottery is that the special symbol is not changing and is not in a special game (special game state), and the start condition is satisfied. Based on this, the random numbers for special figure determination lottery stored by the game information storage means 110 are sequentially read, and the corresponding determination result is extracted. In addition, the order of reading the random numbers for special figure winning / notting lottery may be in the order of winning (according to the order stored in the game information storage means 110), or the random number for lottery for special figure winning / losing stored in the second storage area You may make it read preferentially rather than the random number for lottery special drawing memorize | stored in the 1st storage area.

(About special figure kind decision processing)
Next, the special symbol type determining process executed by the special symbol type determining means 130 of the main controller 100 will be described. FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the special symbol type determining means 130. As shown in the figure, the special symbol type determining means 130 includes a special symbol type determining random number reading unit 131 and a special symbol type determining table 132 that is referred to when the above-described success / failure result is “winning”. ing. As shown in FIG. 5B, the special figure type determination table 132 is subdivided into a special figure type determination table 132A for special 1 and a special figure type determination table 132B for special 2 respectively. In these tables, special symbol types (special symbol types) corresponding to the special symbol type determining random numbers in the range of 0 to 99 are defined.

The special symbol type determining random number reading unit 131 of the special symbol type determining unit 130 determines the special symbol type stored as the game information by the game information storage unit 110 based on the above-described success / failure result being “win”. The special figure corresponding to the read special figure type determination random number is read out by referring to any one of the special figure type determination table 132A for special 1 and the special figure type determination table 132B for special 2 Extract the type.
Here, the special figure type determination table 132A for special 1 is a table that is referred to when the random number for determining the special figure type is acquired when the first start winning component 60 is won. The special figure type determination table for 2 per 132B is a table that is referred to when the special figure type determination random number is acquired with the winning of the second start winning component 62 as a trigger. In other words, if the special figure type determination random number is read from the first area of the game information holding storage unit 115, the special figure type determination table 132A for special one is referred to, and the If it has been read, the special figure type determination table 132B for special 2 is referred to.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the special figure type determination table 132A for special 1 and the special figure type determination table 132B for special 2 have a special symbol A to a random number for special figure type determination. One of the special figure types is defined out of the total four types of special D. Note that the item “selection rate” in the figure is given for convenience of explanation, and is not defined in an actual table, and the same applies to the following tables.

  The special figure type determination table 132A for special 1 is defined such that the selection ratios of special figure types from special symbols A to D are 20%, 60%, 10%, and 10%, respectively. Further, the special figure type determination table 132B for special 2 is defined such that the selection rates of special figure types from special symbols A to C are 70%, 25%, and 5%, respectively. As is clear from the figure, a special figure type determination table 132A for special figure referred to when the random number for determining the special figure type is acquired when the first start winning component 60 is won, The special figure type determination table 132B referred to when the figure type determination random number is acquired in response to the winning of the second start winning component 62, the special figure type is determined between the special figure type determination table 132B. There is a significant difference in the selection rate. Specifically, when the special figure type determination table 132B for special 2 is referred to rather than the special figure type determination table 132A for special 1 is referred to. On the other hand, the probability that the special symbol A is selected is remarkably increased, and when the special symbol type determination table 132B for special 2 is referenced, there is no possibility that the special symbol D is selected. The special figure type extracted by each table is used as an element for determining a mode (number of rounds) during a special game, which will be described later, and a game state after the special game.

  These special symbol types determine the mode of the special symbol derived to the first special symbol display device 35A or the second special symbol display device 35B described above. In this embodiment, for example, when the special symbol type is “special symbol A”, all of the plurality of LED lamps constituting the first special symbol display device 35A or the second special symbol display device 35B are turned on, and “special symbol” is displayed. In the case of “B”, any three of the plurality of LED lamps are lit, and in the case of “special design C”, any two of the plurality of LED lamps are lit, and in the case of “special design D”, a plurality of As said that any one of the LED lamps is lit, the special symbol stop mode is set differently in the special symbol type. In addition, when the above-mentioned success / failure result is “off”, the special symbol type determination process is not executed, and the special symbol mode derived to the first special symbol display device 35A or the second special symbol display device 35B is: For example, any five of the plurality of LED lamps are turned on.

(About variable time determination processing)
Next, the variation time determination process executed by the variation time determination means 140 of the main controller 100 will be described. The variation time determining means 140 has a function of determining the variation time (effect time) of the above-mentioned special symbol and the effect symbol S that varies corresponding to the variation time of the special symbol.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the variation time determination unit 140. As shown in the figure, the variation time determination means 140 includes a variation time determination random number reading unit 141, a hit variation time determination table 142, and a departure variation time determination table 143.
As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the winning variation time determination table 142 is a table that is referred to when the above-described success / failure result is “winning”, and a gaming state to be described later is “normal high probability”. It is subdivided into a high-per-probability variation time determination table 142A referred to in some cases and a low-probability variation time determination table 142B referred to when the gaming state is “ordinary low probability”.
Further, the outlier variation time determination table 143 is a table that is referred to when the result of the above-mentioned special figure winning / losing lottery is “out”, and is referred to when the gaming state is “ordinary high probability”. It is subdivided into a high-probability deviation variation time determination table 143A and a low-probability variation time determination table 143B referred to when the gaming state is “ordinary low probability”.

Each variation time determination table includes a variation time corresponding to each of the random numbers for variation time ranging from 0 to 99 (in the example shown, any one of 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 13 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, and 90 seconds). Is defined). The random time reading random number reading unit 141 of the variable time determining unit 140 reads the random number for determining the variable time stored as the game information by the game information storage unit 110 based on the extraction of the result of the above-described determination. The variation time corresponding to the read variation time determination random number is extracted and determined by referring to one of the above variation time determination tables in accordance with the result of the determination and the gaming state. As can be seen from the comparison of the variation rate selection rates defined in each table, the variation time tends to be extracted when the success / failure result is “winning” than when it is “out”. . In addition, when the result of the special figure win / fail lottery is “out”, a shorter fluctuation time tends to be extracted when the game state is “high probability of normal” than when “low probability of normal” (In the example shown, only “2 seconds” or “5 seconds”).
Therefore, when the game state is “ordinary high probability”, the number of executions of the special figure winning / lotting per unit time is improved. Note that each of the above-described tables is merely an example, and in addition to this, the variation time may be determined with reference to a table that defines a different variation time according to the storage of the game information (the number of reserved memories). .

  As described above, the main control device 100 includes the special symbol success / failure lottery means 120, the special symbol type determination means 130, and the variation time determination means 140, and reads out and reads out the game information stored in the game information storage means 110. As a result of the success / failure lottery corresponding to the game information, the type of special symbol and the variation time are extracted and determined. Then, main controller 100 transmits to the effect control device 200 the effect symbol variation command including information on the special symbol type and the variation time, as a result of the extraction and determination of the determined lottery.

  On the side of the effect control device 200 that has received the effect symbol variation command, various effect patterns (variation pattern, main notice pattern) displayed upon variation of the effect symbol S based on the result of the lottery, the type of special symbol, and the variation time. , Sub-notice pattern), and a process of displaying a moving image or an image corresponding to the determined effect pattern on the display screen 500A of the effect display device 500 is executed. This process will be described later.

(About special map fluctuation display processing)
The special symbol variation display control means 150 outputs a variation start signal to the first special symbol display device 35A or the second special symbol display device 35B of the main control device 100 in response to the transmission of the effect symbol variation command described above. Then, the variation display of the special symbol is executed for the predetermined variation time extracted, and the variation stop signal is output after the predetermined variation time has elapsed, and is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating the result of the lottery determination. Thereby, one game process with respect to the game information acquired with the winning of the first start winning component 60 or the second starting winning component 62 as an opportunity ends.
The first special symbol display device 35A is a display device that is controlled when the above-described game information is acquired upon winning the first start winning component 60, and the second special symbol display device. A display device 35 </ b> B is controlled when the above-described game information is acquired in response to winning of the second start winning component 62.

  FIG. 7A is a flow summarizing a series of game lottery processes by the main controller 100 described above. As shown in the figure, main controller 100 determines in S200 whether or not game information is stored in game information storage means 110. If YES, the process proceeds to S201, and if NO, the determination is repeated. In S201, main controller 100 determines whether or not the current gaming state is a special game. If YES, the process is terminated, and if NO, the process proceeds to S202. Whether or not a special game is in progress is determined based on the state of a special game flag set in the RAM during the special game. In S202, main controller 100 determines whether or not the special symbol is changing. If YES, the main control device 100 ends the process, and if NO, proceeds to S203. The determination as to whether or not the change is occurring is made based on the state of the symbol change flag set in the RAM during the change.

  In S203, main controller 100 reads the game information, and proceeds to S204. Specifically, the random number acquisition units of the special symbol determination lottery means 120, the special symbol type determination means 130, and the variation time determination means 140 of the main controller 100 respectively determine the corresponding special symbol determination lottery random number and special symbol type determination. The random number for use and the random number for determining the variation time are read out. As is clear from the determination process of S201 and S202, the game lottery process based on the game information is based on the condition that the current game state set as the start condition is not in a special game and the special symbol is not changing. Run as.

  In S204, main controller 100 extracts the result of the lottery determination, the special figure type, and the variation time based on the read game information, and proceeds to S205. In S205, main controller 100 starts the variable display of first special symbol display device 35A or second special symbol display device 35B, and proceeds to S206. In S206, main controller 100 transmits to the effect controller 200 the effect symbol variation command including information regarding the result of the lottery determination, the special figure type, and the variation time, and ends the process.

(About special game control processing)
Next, the special game control means 160 of the main controller 100 will be described. When the above-described success / failure result is “winning”, the special game control means 160 displays the special symbol and the production symbol S in a manner indicating that it is “winning”, and then the game is given to the player. A special game (so-called “big hit game”) advantageous to the user is executed. Here, the specific mode of the special game is set in advance according to the above-described special figure type.

For example, when the type of the special symbol is “special symbol A”, the special game control means 160 outputs a control signal to the solenoid SOL2 of the big winning device 64, and the special winning opening of the big winning device 64 is set to 16R (round). ) Set to the open state. For example, the opening time per 1R is 30 seconds or until 10 gaming balls are won, whichever comes first. The interval between each round is set to 2.5 seconds, for example. Therefore, when the special game is executed, the theoretical number of winning balls (the number of payouts) that can be acquired by the player is about 2400 (15 × 10 × 16). Further, when the special symbol type is “special symbol B” to “special symbol D”, the special game control means 160 outputs a control signal to the solenoid SOL2 to set the special winning opening of the special winning device 64 to 4R ( Round) Open. The opening time per 1R and the interval between each round are the same as described above. Therefore, when the special game is executed, the theoretical number of prize balls (the number of payouts) that can be obtained by the player is about 600 (15 × 10 × 4).
Note that the mode of the special game is not limited to the above-described mode, and the number of rounds may be set by further subdividing by further subdividing the types of special symbols.

(About game information look-ahead processing)
Next, the game information prefetching means 170 of the main controller 100 will be described. Based on the fact that the game information is stored in the above-described game information storage means 110, the game information prefetching means 170, before the start condition for the game information is established, more specifically, during the change of the special symbol and the effect symbol S The game information stored in the game information storage means 110 is read in advance, and a process substantially similar to the game lottery process described above is executed based on the read game information. Specifically, the game information prefetching means 170 reads out the game information stored in the game information storage means 110 during the change of the special symbol and the effect symbol S before the start condition of the game information is satisfied, and the read The variation time is extracted based on the game information. Hereinafter, the game information prefetching process executed by the game information prefetching means 170 of the main controller 100 will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG.

  In S250, the game information prefetching means 170 of the main controller 100 indicates that the game ball has won the first start winning component 60 or the second starting winning component 62, in other words, the game information storing means 110 (game information holding storage unit). 115) whether the game information is stored in the first storage area or the second storage area. If YES, the process proceeds to S251. If NO, the determination is repeated. In S251, the game information prefetching means 170 of the main control device 100 determines whether or not the special symbol is changing. If YES, the process proceeds to S252, and if NO, the process ends. Whether the special symbol is changing is determined based on the state of the symbol change flag set in the RAM.

  The game information prefetching means 170 of the main controller 100 reads the game information stored in the game information storage means 110 in S252, and proceeds to S253. In S253, the game information prefetching means 170 of the main control device 100 executes the above-described game lottery process for the read game information, and proceeds to S254. Specifically, referring to the random number for special figure determination lottery included in the game information and the low probability determination lottery table 122A or the high probability determination lottery table 122B included in the special symbol determination lottery means 120, the special figure determination lottery table 122B is used. The result of the success / failure corresponding to the random number is extracted. Note that which winning lottery table is to be referred to is determined based on the state of a special figure game state flag to be described later. Also, hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the special figure winning lottery (processing) executed before the start condition is established is referred to as “prefetching winning lottery (processing)”.

  In S254, the game information prefetching means 170 of the main control device 100 executes the above-described variation time determination process for the read game information, and proceeds to S255. Specifically, the random time for determining the variation time included in the game information, the variation time determination table 142 (142A or 142B) for the variation time determination means 140, or the variation time determination table 143 for removal (143A or 143B) The variation time corresponding to the variation time determination random number is extracted. Which table is to be referred to is determined based on the result of the above-described prefetching lottery and the state of a general game state flag to be described later. Hereinafter, for convenience, the variation time determination process executed before the start condition is satisfied is referred to as “prefetch variation time determination processing”.

In S255, the game information prefetching means 170 of the main control device 100 transmits a prefetch command to the effect control device 200 and ends the process. The prefetch command includes information related to the variation time extracted by the above-described prefetch determination lottery process and the prefetch variation time determination process, and the effect control device 200 that has received the prefetch command receives the prefetch command received. Based on the content of the command, in addition to performing an effect called a pre-reading effect on the display screen 500A of the effect display device 500, a sub-notice effect determining process described later is executed.
In the above example, the pre-read command is transmitted unconditionally. However, the change time extracted by the pre-read change time determination process is easily extracted when the result of the lottery is “winning”. Random lottery using a configuration in which a prefetch command is transmitted only when it is `` seconds '' or more, and a plurality of tables with different selection rates regarding the presence or absence of prefetch command transmission according to the variation time extracted by the prefetch variation time determination process A configuration may be adopted in which randomness is given to whether or not a prefetch command is transmitted. With such a configuration, it is possible to increase a sense of expectation for a special game when the player observes the pre-reading effect.

(Regarding the normal symbol winning lottery process)
The normal symbol success / failure lottery means 180 of the main controller 100 determines “winning” or “out” relating to the normal symbol by lottery (ordinary symbol lottery) when the game ball passes through the passing gate 68. is there. Specifically, the normal symbol success / failure lottery means 180 is configured in substantially the same manner as the special symbol success / failure lottery means 120 described above, and updates the value of the loop counter one by one within a predetermined range to determine whether or not the normal symbol success / failure lottery means 180 is. In other words, the game ball detection signal from the pass gate detection sensor SW5 is sent to the main controller 100 when the game ball has passed through the pass gate 68 from the random number generator for random determination for generating lottery random numbers. Based on what has been entered, obtain (latched) the random number for lottery win / fail lottery, and determine whether the acquired random number for lottery win / fail lottery is “win” or “out”, or The determination is made with reference to the high-probability lottery table. In addition, the random number for determining the normal figure change time is acquired at the same time as the random number for determining whether or not the normal figure is received.

Although illustration is omitted, the low-probability lottery table and the high-probability lottery table stipulate the correspondence between the random numbers for the normal-prospect lottery lottery and the success / failure result ("winning" or "losing"). For example, the probability of “win” when referring to the low-probability lottery table is set to 1/40, and the probability of “win” when referring to the high-probability lottery table is set to 1 / 1.4. ing. In other words, the high-probability lottery table is set to have a much higher probability of winning “win” than the low-probability lottery table, and in most cases, “win” is won. It is supposed to be.
Further, in the present embodiment, the gaming state to which the low-probability lottery table is referenced is the “ordinary low probability” state, and the gaming state to which the high-probability lottery table is referenced is “normal high probability”. It is a state.

  Although not shown, main controller 100 includes a normal symbol variation time determining unit that determines a variation time of a normal symbol, and the normal symbol variation time determining unit determines the variation time of the special symbol. Similar to the variation time determination means 140, it has a normal variation time determination random number reading unit and a general variation time determination table. The normal figure change time determination table is referred to when the gaming state is “high probability of normal figure”, and is referred to when the game state is “low probability of normal figure”. It is subdivided into a low-probability standard variable time determination table. For example, “2 seconds” and “3 seconds” are defined as the variation time in the high probability ordinary variable time determination table, and “30 seconds”, for example, as the variation time are defined in the low probability ordinary variable time determination table. “45 seconds” is specified. The normal symbol variation time determination random number reading unit of the normal symbol variation time determination means reads out the above-described random variation time determination random number based on the result of the above-mentioned lottery extraction, and according to the gaming state. Then, referring to any one of the above tables, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol corresponding to the read general-purpose fluctuation time determining random number is extracted. As can be seen from the fluctuation times specified in the high probability ordinary figure variation time determination table and the low probability ordinary figure variation time determination table, when the game state is "ordinary high probability", the normal symbol varies. Since the time from the start to the floating stop is significantly reduced compared to the case of “low probability of ordinary figure”, it becomes possible to receive the ordinary drawing lottery efficiently. The result of the lottery is “winning” with a very high probability.

(Regarding normal symbol fluctuation display processing)
After the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is extracted through the above processing, the normal symbol fluctuation display control means 185 of the main control device 100 outputs a fluctuation start signal to the normal symbol display device 36 to display the fluctuation display of the normal symbol. Is executed for the predetermined fluctuation time extracted, and a fluctuation stop signal is output after the predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed, and is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating the result of the lottery for the normal symbol.
As a result, the one-time processing for the above-mentioned random number for lottery for normal / unusual lottery and the random number for determining the normal variation time obtained when the game ball passes to the passage gate 68 is completed.

  Further, when the fluctuation display of the normal symbol is stopped and the mode of the stopped normal symbol is a mode indicating “winning”, the main control device 100 controls the SOL1 to set the pair of opening / closing bodies 63 in a predetermined mode. The release operation is performed by. Specifically, when the gaming state is “ordinary low probability”, the opening / closing body 63 is opened only once for 0.5 seconds under the control of SOL1. On the other hand, when the gaming state is “ordinary high probability”, the cycle of opening / closing the opening / closing body 63 for 1.2 seconds under the control of SOL1 is repeated, for example, three times. When the opening process of the opening / closing body 63 is executed, the game ball can easily win the second start winning component 62 when the “ordinary high probability” is obtained, and a special figure based on the winning is obtained. It becomes possible to receive a lottery lottery efficiently.

(About game state control processing)
Next, the gaming state control means 190 of the main controller 100 will be described. The gaming state control means 190 is set in the RAM, and a symbol variation flag for determining whether the special symbol is fluctuating or stopped, whether the gaming state has a special low probability or a special symbol. Special figure gaming state flag for determining whether the figure is a high probability, a general figure gaming state flag for determining whether the gaming state is a normal figure low probability or a normal figure high probability, and the above-mentioned The state of various flags such as a special game flag for determining whether or not a special game is being executed is switched (“0” or “1”).

The symbol variation flag is a flag that is switched at the same time when the variation of the special symbol is started by the special symbol variation display control means 150 (“0” (OFF) → “1” (ON) ”). Thus, for example, the determinations in S202 and S251 described above are YES. The symbol variation flag is switched at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is stopped by the special symbol variation display control means 150 (“1” → “0”).
The special game state flag is a flag that is switched at the same time that the special game is started by the special game control means 160 (“0” (OFF) → “1” (ON) ”). For example, the determination in S201 described above is YES.

  The special figure game state flag and the ordinary figure game state flag are flags that are switched when the special game is executed ("0" (OFF) or "1" (ON) "). More specifically, the game state control means 190 determines the state after the special game according to the above-described special figure type that triggered the execution of the special game. For example, if the special figure type that triggered the execution of the special game is “special symbol A”, the special figure game state flag is switched to “ON” simultaneously with the end of the special game, and the special game state flag Is switched to “ON”. As a result, the state after the special game becomes “Special figure high probability” and “Normal figure high probability”. If the special figure type that triggered the execution of the special game is “special symbol B”, the special figure game state flag is switched to “OFF” simultaneously with the end of the special game, and the special figure game state flag Is switched to “OFF”. As a result, the state after the special game becomes “Special figure low probability” and “Normal figure low probability”. Also, if the special figure type that triggered the execution of the special game is “special symbol C”, the special figure game state flag is switched to “ON” simultaneously with the end of the special game, and the special figure game state flag Is switched to “OFF”. As a result, the state after the special game becomes “special figure high probability” and “normal figure low probability”. When the special figure type that triggered the execution of the special game is “special symbol D”, the special figure game state flag is switched to “OFF” simultaneously with the end of the special game, and the general figure game state flag is “ It is switched to “OFF”. As a result, the state after the special game becomes “Special figure low probability” and “Normal figure low probability”. In this way, by switching the special figure game state flag and the general figure game state flag by the game state control means 190, it is possible to shift the state after the special game to a state disadvantageous or advantageous for the player. Become. In this embodiment, the state of “high probability of special figure” and “high probability of ordinary figure” is assumed to continue until the next special game is started. For example, the flag is switched depending on the number of changes in the special symbol. It is good.

  In addition to the above-described control processes, the main control device 100 performs payout control when a game ball has won the first start winning component 60, the second start winning component 62, the big winning device 64, and the general winning component 66. When a payout command is transmitted to the device 300 and the payout control device 300 that receives the payout command drives the prize ball payout device 301, a predetermined number of prize balls set in advance are paid out to the player. A prize ball paid out from the prize ball payout device 301 is detected by a payout counting switch 302 disposed in the game ball flow path of the prize ball payout device 301, and the payout control device 300 receives an input from the payout counting switch 302. Based on this, the payout operation is stopped. In the present embodiment, the number of prize balls set in advance for winning the first start winning component 60 or the second starting winning component 62 is three, and is associated with the big winning opening of the big winning device 64 in advance. The number of winning balls is 15, and the number of winning balls previously associated with the general winning component 66 is five. The game balls that have not won any of the above are collected from the out port 69 located at the bottom of the game area 30A.

  Next, the configuration and main processing of the effect control device 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the effect control device 200 controls the effect display device 500 mainly based on the effect symbol change command transmitted from the main control device 100, and at a predetermined change time set by the main control device 100. Correspondingly, the effect design S is variably displayed, and various effects (variation effect, main notice effect) are displayed on the display screen 500A together with the variation display, and the effect symbol variation command is received. Sub-effect display control means 220 that controls the effect display device 500 at a timing that is unrelated (asynchronous) with the timing and develops a sub-notice effect, which will be described later, on the display screen 500A, and various types of music and audio mainly emitted from the speaker 8. Voice control means 230 for controlling the light source, and a light emitter or movable body 53A; And a character object control unit 240 for driving and controlling the various operation modes of the B. Hereinafter, each means will be described.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main effect display control means 210. The main effect display control means 210 transmits a main effect execution command to an effect display control board (not shown) connected to the effect display device 500. The main effect execution command includes information related to the variation pattern determined by the variation effect determination process described later and information related to the main notification pattern determined by the main notification effect determination process. The effect display control board incorporates a CPU as a calculation means, circuit components such as ROM, RAM, and VDP as storage means for storing images necessary for effect display and moving image data, and main effect display control. Based on the main effect execution command transmitted from the means 210 side, various effects are displayed in the main effect display area R1 shown in FIG. 14 of the display screen 500A of the effect display device 500.
The content of the main effect execution command transmitted from the main effect display control means 210 is held in the storage area of the RAM until one change of the effect symbol S is completed, and is erased when the change of the effect symbol S is stopped. The Further, the content of the main effect execution command held is referred to by the sub-effect display control means 220 described later.

(Variation production determination process)
As shown in FIG. 8A, the main effect display control means 210 includes a variation pattern (reach pattern) selection unit 210A and a main notice pattern selection unit 210B. The variation pattern selection unit 210A mainly analyzes the effect symbol variation command transmitted from the main control device 100, and based on the information related to the result of the lottery included in the effect symbol variation command and the information related to the variation time, A variation pattern corresponding to the variation time of the special symbol is extracted and determined by a random lottery described later.

  As shown in the figure, the variation pattern selection unit 210A includes a variation pattern determination random number acquisition unit 212 and a variation pattern determination table 213, and the variation pattern determination random number acquired by the variation pattern determination random number acquisition unit 212. Is extracted from the fluctuation pattern determination table 213 and determined.

  Here, the random number for determining the variation pattern is a software random number generated by updating the value of the loop counter by 1 within a predetermined range (in this embodiment, an integer range of 0 to 9), and is a main control device. Simultaneously with the reception of the effect symbol variation command transmitted from 100, the variation pattern determining random number obtaining means 212 obtains it.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the variation pattern determination table 213 has a production time corresponding to the variation time (2 seconds, 5 seconds, 13 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 90 seconds) of the special symbol described above. The variation pattern determination tables 213A to 213F are subdivided, and variation patterns corresponding to variation pattern determination random numbers are defined. Here, among each variation pattern, “reach” is a state in which two effect symbols S of three effect symbols are temporarily stopped with the same number or character, and the remaining one effect. A state where the symbol S can be a special game (big hit) if the symbol S stops at the same number or character as the effect symbol S (reach symbol) in a temporarily stopped state. On the other hand, “non-reach” is a state other than the above-described state, and is a state in which two effect symbols S out of three effect symbols are temporarily stopped by different numbers or characters. The “super reach” is a variation pattern in which an effect display by a predetermined image or moving image is executed until the remaining effect symbol S stops after the above reach is established. An effect by different images and moving images is executed.

Among the above variation patterns, for example, a predetermined image or moving image representing the “super reach 1” corresponding to the variation time (effect time) “13 seconds” of the effect symbol S, or the variation time (effect time) of the effect symbol S When a predetermined image or video representing “Super Reach 3” corresponding to “30 seconds” is displayed on the display screen 500A, the player is special because of the change rate selection rate (see FIG. 6B). I don't have that much expectation for games.
On the other hand, for example, when a predetermined image or video representing “Super Reach 11” corresponding to the variation time (effect time) “90 seconds” of the effect symbol S is displayed on the display screen 500A, the player selects the selection rate. Therefore, the expectation for the special game is extremely high because of the low level (high selection rate when the result of the lottery determination is “win”). As described above, the variation pattern selection unit 210A of the main effect display control unit 210 randomly extracts a variation pattern having an effect time corresponding to the variation time determined by the main control device 100 from the variation pattern determination table 213. decide.

(About main notice effect decision processing)
Next, the main notice pattern selection unit 210B of the main effect display control means 210 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the main notice pattern selection unit 210B includes a main notice pattern determination random number acquisition means 215, a release main notice pattern determination table 216, and a hit main notice pattern determination table 217. A main notice pattern corresponding to the main notice pattern determining random number acquired by the main notice pattern determining random number acquisition means 215 is extracted from the outlier main notice pattern determining table 216 or the hit main notice pattern determining table 217 and determined. Here, the main notice pattern determination random number is a software random number generated by updating the loop counter value by 1 within a predetermined range (in the present embodiment, an integer range of 0 to 19), and is a main control pattern. Simultaneously with the reception of the effect symbol variation command transmitted from the device 100, the main notice pattern determination random number acquisition means 215 acquires it. That is, the main notice pattern determining random number is a random number acquired at the same time as the above-described variation pattern determining random number.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the main disconnection notice pattern table 216 for losing and the main notice pattern determination table 217 for winning. The main notice pattern table for losing 216 is a table that is referred to when the information related to the result of the winning / failing lottery included in the effect symbol variation command is “out”, and is selected and extracted by the variation pattern selecting unit 210A described above. Types of variation patterns (“non-reach”, “reach 1 to reach 4”, “super (SP) reach 1 to SP reach 5”, “SP reach 6 to SP reach 10”, “SP reach 11 to SP reach 15” )), And is subdivided into detachment main notice pattern determination tables 216A to 216E.

  On the other hand, the winning main notice pattern determination table 217 is a table that is referred to when the information related to the result of the success / failure lottery included in the effect symbol variation command is “winning”, and is selected by the variation pattern selection unit 210A described above. , Types of fluctuation patterns to be extracted ("reach 1 to reach 4", "super (SP) reach 1 to SP reach 5", "SP reach 6 to SP reach 10", "SP reach 11 to SP reach 15") Are divided into hit main notice pattern determination tables 217A to 217D.

  As can be seen from the selection rate of each main notice pattern shown in the figure, when the information related to the result of the lottery is “winning”, “expectation degree advance notice” or “super hot notice” is selected. The ratio is set to be relatively higher than the case of “out”, and from the viewpoint of the player, these “expectation up notice” or “extreme notice notice” may appear during the change of the production symbol S. It is an important factor in measuring the degree of expectation for jackpots. Here, the “expectation UP advance notice” is, for example, a notice effect that is displayed 20 seconds after the start of the change in the effect symbol S, and “Gekiatsu notice” is displayed 35 seconds after the start of the change in the effect symbol S. This is a notice effect. When the player knows in advance the frequency (appearance rate) and timing at which the main notice appears, and when the main notice is displayed on the display screen 500A, a sense of expectation for the big hit is made at once. Will increase. On the other hand, if the main notice is not displayed at the timing that the player knows, the player's sense of expectation for the big hit will fade, and he will be interested in the subsequent fluctuations and stop mode of the production symbol S. There is even the possibility of losing.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, at the start of the variation of the effect symbol S (when the effect symbol variation command is received), the variation pattern and the main notice are based on the variation time and the result of success / failure determined in advance on the main controller 100 side. Since the pattern is determined at the same time, if a player who knows the frequency and timing of appearance of the main notice plays a game, the game is likely to be monotonous. In the present embodiment, this will be described below. The processing by the sub-effect display control means 220 can maintain a sense of expectation for the big hit and can give an unexpectedness to the player, so that the game is not monotonous and does not get bored with the game. As can be seen from the selection rate in the figure, it is needless to say that there is a possibility of a big hit even if the “expectation up notice” or “extreme notice” does not appear.

(About sub-notice effect determination process)
Next, the sub effect display control means 220 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the sub effect display control means 220 includes a sub notice pattern selection unit 220A and a lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B. The sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A refers to the sub-notice determination random number acquired by the sub-notice determination random number acquisition unit 221 and the sub-notice determination pattern determination table 222, and determines the sub-notice pattern corresponding to the sub-notice determination random number. A sub-notice effect determination process for extracting and determining is executed. Information related to the sub notice pattern extracted and determined by the sub notice effect determination process is transmitted to the effect display control board (not shown) as a sub notice effect execution command by the sub effect display control means 220, and the effect display control board is displayed. Displays the sub notice effect corresponding to the sub notice pattern extracted and determined in the sub notice display area R2 (see FIG. 14) provided on the display screen 500A of the effect display device 500. Although details will be described later, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A performs the sub-notice effect determination process using the sub-notice determination random number and the sub-notice pattern determination table 222 in the game information by the main control device 100 described above. Regardless of the timing of acquisition, establishment of start conditions, or reception of an effect symbol variation command, the program is repeatedly executed, for example, every 1/60 seconds in accordance with a measuring means such as a software timer (not shown).

  Here, the sub notice determination random number is a software random number generated by updating the value of the loop counter by 1 within a predetermined range (in this embodiment, an integer range of 0 to 19). The sub-notice pattern corresponding to the obtained sub-notice determining random number is acquired and determined every 1/60 seconds by the notice-deciding random number acquiring means 221.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of the sub-notice pattern determination table 222. As shown in FIG. 11, the sub-notice pattern determination table 222 is displayed when the sub-notice character P is not displayed in the sub-notice display area R2. The sub-pre-notice pattern determination table 222A and the sub-pre-notice pattern determination tables 222B to 222F are subdivided. It is prescribed. The movements of the sub-notice character P include “Character P Appearance”, “Character P Hidden”, “No Movement”, “Walk Left / Right”, “Run Left / Right”, “Jump”, “Sit Down”, “Drop Apple” The action contents of the sub-notice character P such as “drop the bell”, “fly in the sky”, “drop the golden apple”, “drop the rainbow apple” are defined at a predetermined selection rate.

  The sub-notice pattern determination table 222A is a table that is referred to when the sub-notice character P is not displayed in the sub-notice display area R2 of the display screen 500A shown in FIG. 14 (for example, immediately after the pachinko machine 1 is turned on). One of “character P appearance” and “character P non-display” is defined for a predetermined range of sub-notice determination random numbers. The sub-notice pattern determination table 222B is a table that is referred to when the effect symbol S is stopped on the condition that the sub-notice character P is displayed. That is, the sub-notice effect determination process is always executed in principle regardless of the variation or non-change of the effect symbol S.

  In the sub-notice pattern determination table 222C, on the condition that the sub-notice character P is displayed and the effect symbol S is changing, the change pattern extracted and determined by the change pattern selection unit 210A is “ It is a table that is referred to in the case of “reach 1” to “reach 4”. Further, the sub-notice pattern determination table 222 </ b> D indicates that the variation pattern extracted and determined by the variation pattern selection unit 210 </ b> A is “on the condition that the sub-notice character P is displayed and the effect symbol S is fluctuating. It is a table that is referred to in the case of “SP reach 1” to “SP reach 10”. Further, the sub-notice pattern determination table 222E indicates that the change pattern extracted and determined by the change pattern selection unit 210A is “on the condition that the sub-notice character P is displayed and the effect design S is changing”. The table is referred to when the SP reach 11 "to the" SP reach 15 ". Further, the sub-notice pattern determination table 222F is subject to the game information prefetching process by the main controller 100 described above on condition that the sub-notice character P is displayed and the effect symbol S is changing. It is a table that is referred to when (transmission of a prefetch command) is an executed change.

  As described above, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A determines a plurality of sub-notice pattern patterns having different sub-notice pattern selection rates depending on the variation pattern on the assumption that the sub-notice character P is displayed. With reference to any sub-forecast pattern determination table corresponding to the variation pattern extracted and determined by the variation pattern selection unit 210A from the tables 222C to 222F, from among the referenced sub-forecast pattern determination tables, The sub notice pattern corresponding to the sub notice decision random number is extracted and determined.

(About lottery prohibition period decision processing)
The lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B includes a lottery prohibition period determination random number obtaining unit 225, a lottery prohibition period determination table 226, and a lottery prohibition timer 227. The lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B includes the lottery prohibition period determination table 226 in the lottery prohibition period determination table 226 on the condition that a sub-notification other than “character P non-display” or “no action” is extracted and determined by the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A. A lottery prohibition period determination process for randomly extracting and determining a lottery prohibition period corresponding to a random number for lottery prohibition period determination configured as software random numbers from 1 to 9 is executed. The lottery prohibition period determined by the lottery prohibition period determination process is measured by a lottery prohibition timer 227 set as a software timer. When the lottery prohibition period determined by the lottery prohibition period determination process is set in the lottery prohibition timer 227, the sub notice pattern selection unit 220A described above performs the sub notice effect determination process described above during the set lottery prohibition period. Interrupt. That is, after a sub-notice pattern other than “character P non-display” or “no action” is extracted and determined and a sub-notice effect based on the sub-notice pattern is displayed, a new lottery prohibition period is displayed for a new lottery prohibition period. The sub-notice effect is not displayed on the display screen 500A. Note that even in the lottery prohibition period, the sub-notice effect displayed before the lottery prohibition period may be continuously displayed, or may be deleted simultaneously with the start of the lottery prohibition period.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the sub-notice effect determination process and the lottery prohibition period determination process by the sub-effect display control unit 220 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In S300, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A of the sub-effect display control unit 220 determines whether 1/60 seconds have elapsed based on a measuring unit such as a software timer (not shown). If YES, the process proceeds to S301. In the case of NO, the determination is repeatedly executed.

  In S301, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A determines whether it is during the lottery prohibition period. If YES, the process proceeds to S300. On the other hand, when determination is NO, it transfers to S302. In S302, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A acquires the sub-notice determination random number by the sub-notice determination random number acquisition unit 221 and proceeds to S303. In S303, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A determines whether the sub-notice character P is displayed on the display screen 500A. If NO, the process proceeds to S304, and the sub-notice pattern determination table 222A is referred to in S304. Then, “sub character appearance” or “sub character non-display” corresponding to the sub notice determination random number is extracted and determined. On the other hand, if the determination in S303 is YES, the process proceeds to S305.

  In step S305, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A determines whether the effect symbol S is changing. If NO, the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the sub-notice pattern selection table 222B is referred to, and the sub-notice-decision random number is determined. Any sub-notice pattern corresponding to is extracted and determined. On the other hand, if the determination in S305 is YES, the process proceeds to S307. Whether or not the effect symbol S is changing is determined based on the state (“0” or “1”) of the effect symbol change flag set in the main effect display control means 210 described above.

  In S307, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A determines whether or not the change in the currently changing effect design S is a change that is a transmission target of the prefetch command by the prefetch game processing by the main control device 100 described above. If YES, the process proceeds to S309. If NO, the process proceeds to S309. In S308, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A refers to the sub-notice pattern determination table 222F, and extracts and determines one of the sub-notice patterns corresponding to the sub-notice determining random number. Note that the determination as to whether or not the change is a transmission target of the prefetch command is performed based on the hold order information included in the prefetch command or information regarding the presence or absence of the prefetch game process included in the effect symbol variation command. .

  In S309, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A refers to any one of the sub-notice pattern determination tables 222C to 222E according to the variation pattern of the currently changing effect design S, and corresponds to the sub-notice-decision determination random number. Extract and determine the pattern. Note that the information related to the variation pattern of the effect symbol S that is currently varied is determined based on the information related to the variation pattern included in the main effect execution command stored in the RAM at the time of command generation.

  In S310, the lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B determines whether a specific sub-notice pattern has been extracted and determined by the above-described processing of S304, S306, S308, and S309. If NO, the process proceeds to S300, and if YES, S311. Migrate to Here, the specific sub-notice pattern is a sub-notice pattern other than “character P non-display” or “no action”, and sub-notice patterns other than those described above are extracted in the processes of S304, S306, S308, and S309. If determined, the determination is YES.

  The sub effect display control means 220 transmits a sub notice effect execution command including information related to the sub notice pattern extracted and determined in S311 to the effect display control board, and the sub effect display control board 220 corresponds to the sub notice pattern on the display screen 500A. The effect operation of the notice character P is displayed. In addition, the lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B acquires a lottery prohibition period determining random number in S312, and proceeds to S313. The lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B refers to the lottery prohibition period determination table 226 in S313, and extracts and determines a lottery prohibition period corresponding to the acquired random number for determination of the lottery prohibition period.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the lottery prohibition period determination table 226. The lottery prohibition period determination table 226 includes, for example, “2 seconds” to “20” according to a uniform selection rate with respect to the random numbers for determination of the lottery prohibition period. Ten lottery prohibition periods (hours) up to “second” are defined. In the subsequent S314, the lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B sets the lottery prohibition timer 227 based on the lottery prohibition period extracted and determined in the process of S313, and returns to S300.
Since the predetermined lottery prohibition period is set in the lottery prohibition timer 227 by the process of S314, the determination in the process of S301 is YES, so that the effect of the sub-predictor character P by the specific sub-predictor pattern displayed last time is performed. For a predetermined period from the action, the sub-notice effect determination process is interrupted, and as a result, the effect action of the sub-notice character P is not performed. Thus, by determining the timing of the performance action by the sub-pre-notice character P by random lottery, the timing of the performance action by the sub-forecast character P becomes random, and when the performance action by the sub-forecast character P is performed. It becomes possible to give the player a sense of tension that they do not understand.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the flow of the change effect and the main notice effect displayed on the display screen 500 </ b> A by the process of the main effect display control unit 210 and the sub-notice effect displayed by the process of the sub effect display control unit 220. FIG. FIG. 14A is a time chart showing the state of the effect symbol S and the timing of the sub-notice effect determination process. FIGS. 14B and 14C are displays when the game progresses according to the time chart. The change of screen 500A is shown. In the time chart of FIG. 14A, the ratio of the length of the diagram to the actual time is different due to the difference in the time scale.

  In the example shown in the figure, the variation of the production symbol S is started from the state in which the production symbol S has been stopped for a certain period, and the variation pattern is “SP reach 11” when the variation of the production symbol S starts (when the production symbol variation command is received). ”And the main notice pattern is decided as“ variation start notice 3 + reach establishment notice ”. Further, as shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C, the display screen 500A includes a main effect display area R1 in which a fluctuating effect and a main notice effect are developed, and a sub notice display area in which a sub notice effect is developed. The player is divided into R2, and the player advances the game while observing both effects displayed in both display areas R1 and R2. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the sub-notice character P is not displayed at the beginning of the stop period of the effect symbol S.

  As shown in the time chart of FIG. 14 (a), when the change of the effect symbol S is stopped, the sub-notice effect determination unit 220A of the sub-effect display control means 220 determines the sub-notice effect at a time interval of 1/60 seconds. The process is being executed repeatedly. In the sub-notice effect determination process, since the sub-notice character P is not displayed, the sub-notice pattern determination table 222A is referred to (S303, S304), and “character P non-display” or “ “Character P Appearance” is repeatedly extracted. Then, when the “character P appearance” of the sub-notice pattern is extracted as the result of the repeated processing, the sub-notice character P suddenly appears in the sub-notice display area R2 (right side of the screen in the illustrated example) of the display screen 500A. The effect operation to be displayed is displayed. In the above example, the sub-notice effect determination process is repeatedly executed at a uniformly set time interval of 1/60 seconds. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of types of time intervals are combined. Then, the sub-notice effect determination process may be repeatedly executed.

  When the sub-notice character P appears on the display screen 500A, the lottery prohibition period determination process (S312 to S314) by the lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B of the sub effect display control means 220 is executed, and lottery prohibition over a predetermined time is prohibited. A period T1 is set. As the lottery prohibition period T1 elapses, the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A repeatedly executes the sub-notice effect determination process again. In the sub-notice effect determining process after the restart, since the sub-notice character P is displayed, the sub-notice pattern determination table 222B is referred to (S305, S306). “Walk left and right” is extracted. When the sub-notice pattern “walk left and right” is extracted, the sub-predictor character P suddenly displayed on the display screen 500A walks in the left-right direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Is displayed. Further, when the effect operation is displayed on the display screen 500A, the lottery prohibition period determination process by the lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B of the sub effect display control means 220 is executed again, and a lottery prohibition period T2 over a predetermined time is set. The

Next, the case where the variation of the effect symbol S is started will be described. When the change of the effect symbol S by the change pattern “SP reach 11” and the main notice pattern “change start notice 3 + reach establishment notice” is started, the change of the effect symbol S is started on the display screen 500A, for example, “ “Fluctuation start notice 3” is displayed with the message “maybe hot !!”, and after reaching a predetermined time before reaching reach after the start of change, for example, “reach establishment notice” with a message “hot reach!” Is displayed. . In addition, after reaching the reach, an SP reach effect outside the figure by a predetermined moving image or image corresponding to “SP reach 11” is developed. On the other hand, since the main notice pattern is “variation start notice 3 + reach establishment notice”, an “expectation up notice” or “extreme notice notice” that increases a player's sense of expectation for a big hit may occur. Absent.
In other words, when the player notices that the main notice has not occurred 20 seconds or 30 seconds after the start of change, all of the changing production symbols S are stopped with the same number or character. There is a possibility that the feeling of expectation for the generated jackpot will be weakened, and the interest in the subsequent change or stop mode of the effect design S may be lost.

However, in the present embodiment, even if the main notice pattern displayed in the main effect display area R1 is the above-described pattern, the sub-notice effect displayed in the sub notice display area R2 makes a big hit. The expectation can be increased again.
That is, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 14A, when the variation of the effect symbol S starts, the variation pattern “SP reach 11” is determined in the sub-notice effect determination process executed by the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A. Based on the extracted information, the sub-notice pattern determination table 222E is referred to (S309). Then, as a result of the repeated processing, for example, when the sub-notice pattern “drop golden apple” is extracted, the sub-notice character P suddenly displayed on the display screen 500A as shown in FIG. A directing action to drop a golden apple is displayed. Furthermore, after the elapse of the predetermined lottery prohibition period T3, the sub-notice pattern determining unit 220A repeatedly executes the sub-notice effect determining process, and for example, when the sub-notice pattern “drop rainbow apple” is extracted, suddenly Is displayed on the display screen 500A as an effect of dropping the iridescent apple.

  In other words, even when the “expectation UP advance notice” or the “super hot notice” does not occur in the main effect display area R1 while the effect symbol S is changing, the player is relatively in the sub notice display area R2. The expectation that you might possibly win a big hit is displayed by displaying the action corresponding to the sub-notice pattern with low selection rate “drop golden apple” and “drop rainbow apple” The game can be performed in a state where the expectation to the big hit is continuously maintained until the production symbol S stops.

  Also, the sub-notice effect determination process executed by the sub-notice pattern selection unit 220A is repeatedly executed at a time (every 1/60 seconds) unrelated to the trigger of the effect symbol S (= reception of the effect symbol variation command). In addition, since a lottery prohibition period is further provided, and the determination of the lottery prohibition period is determined by random lottery by the lottery prohibition period setting unit 220B, for example, a different sub-notice pattern during one change of the production symbol S Will be displayed abruptly at multiple times and at the timing of variation of the production symbol S, or at a time that is unrelated to the variation time. It becomes possible to grant. In addition, as an example of the unexpectedness, for example, the sub-notice effect displayed immediately after the start of the change of the effect symbol S and in the middle of the change (for example, immediately before the reach is established), for example, “sit down” or “ In the case of “jumping and jumping”, when an effect operation corresponding to the sub-change notice pattern “dropping a rainbow apple” is suddenly displayed at the end of change of the effect symbol S (for example, immediately before the stop of the effect symbol S), The expectation that it may possibly be a big hit at the end of the change can be possessed so as to betray the expectation at the beginning and the middle of the change of the production symbol S.

That is, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment is acquired in response to a winning at a start winning component (the first starting winning component 60 or the second starting winning component 62) arranged in the game area 30A of the gaming board 30. The game information is read when the above-described predetermined start condition is satisfied, and is transmitted from the main control device 100 that executes the predetermined game lottery described above based on the read game information and the main control device 100. On the basis of the reception of the effect symbol variation command, the effect symbol variation pattern and the main notice pattern displayed on the effect display device 500 arranged on the game board 30 are determined and the variation of the effect symbol S is started. A gaming machine including an effect control device 200 for notifying a player of the result of a predetermined game lottery according to a stop mode of the effect symbol S. The sub notice pattern selection unit 220A of the effect display control means 220 is provided in the effect display device 500 every predetermined time (in this example, 1/60 seconds) regardless of the reception timing of the effect symbol variation command. In order to repeatedly execute the lottery regarding the sub-notice pattern displayed in the notice display area R2, and to display the sub-notice effect by the action of the sub-notice character P in the sub notice display area R2 based on the result of the lottery, the main notice pattern Regardless of whether or not there is a notice effect based on the game, the game can proceed while always maintaining a sense of expectation for the big hit.
The main effect display control unit 210 may execute the sub notice effect determination process and the lottery prohibition period determination process by the sub effect display control unit 220 described above.

Hereinafter, returning to FIG. 3, another configuration of the effect control device 200 will be described.
The voice control unit 230 receives internal commands including the contents of various commands generated by the respective control units of the production control device 200, and based on the internal commands, the production of the variation of the production symbol S from the ROM outside the figure, The music data, voice data, or sound effect data that excites the main notice effect, sub notice effect, jackpot game, etc. are output to the driver circuit side (not shown) that drives the speaker 8, and the sound corresponding to the progress of the game is output from the speaker 8. Give rise to

  The accessory control means 240 determines, for example, the drive mode, drive timing, and movable period of the movable body 53A; 53B based on the same internal command as described above, and is provided as a drive source for the movable body 53A; 53B according to the determined mode. The step motor (not shown) is driven to cause the player to visually recognize the movement of the movable body 53A; 53B corresponding to the above-described variation pattern, main notice effect, and sub notice effect, and execute an effect that excites the game. . Further, the accessory control means 240 determines the lighting mode, lighting timing, and lighting period of a light emitter (not shown) disposed in the game board 30 or the panel door 4 based on the internal command. In this manner, a signal is output to the circuit board on which the light emitter is mounted, and an effect that excites the game is executed by making the lighting operation of the light emitter corresponding to each effect visible.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made by combining the embodiments. Obviously in the trader. Further, it is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such various changes and improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 Pachinko machine, 30 game board, 30A game area, 60 first start winning parts,
62 second start winning parts, 64 grand prize winning devices, 100 main controller,
200 production control device, 210 main production display control means,
210A fluctuation pattern selection unit, 210B main notice pattern selection unit,
220 sub production display control means, 220A sub notice pattern selection unit,
220B Lottery prohibition period setting unit.

Claims (2)

When the predetermined start condition is established, the game information acquired by winning the start prize component arranged in the game area of the game board is read out, and a predetermined game lottery is performed based on the read game information. A main controller to execute;
Based on the reception of the command including the information related to the result of the predetermined game lottery transmitted from the main control device, the variation pattern and the notice pattern of the effect symbol displayed on the effect display device arranged on the game board are displayed. An effect control device for determining and starting the change of the effect symbol, and notifying a player of the result of the predetermined game lottery by a stop mode of the effect symbol;
A gaming machine equipped with
The production control device is displayed in a predetermined notice display area provided in the production display device during non-fluctuation of the production symbol irrespective of reception of a command including information on the result of the predetermined game lottery. Providing effect display control means for repeatedly executing a predetermined lottery regarding the notice pattern,
The effect display control means displays a specific notice effect in the prescribed notice display area based on the result of the prescribed lottery.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect display control means repeatedly executes the predetermined lottery regarding the advance notice pattern displayed in the predetermined advance notice display area at predetermined time intervals.

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