JP5906477B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that executes a continuous effect that repeats an effect of the same mode a plurality of times.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine that executes a continuous effect that repeats an effect of the same mode multiple times is known. For example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Literature 1 performs a continuous effect (pseudo continuous notice effect) that repeats a variable display of symbols and a stop display for a lottery result of one jackpot lottery. The greater the number of continuous productions, the higher the expectation of jackpot. Therefore, the player plays the game paying attention to the number of times of continuous production.

JP 2011-4862 A

  The production contents of the conventional continuous production are monotonous, and if the production contents can be changed and diversified, the player's interest can be more strongly attracted. However, if the contents of the production are changed and diversified, there is a problem that it becomes difficult for the player to know what kind of continuous production is expected to win. In other words, it has been difficult for a conventional gaming machine to make the player easily grasp the degree of expectation for winning while changing the contents of the effect of the continuous performance.

  The present invention provides a gaming machine that can easily attract a player's interest by allowing a player to easily grasp the degree of expectation for winning even when the contents of a continuous performance are varied and diversified. With the goal.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether or not an advantageous state, which is a gaming state advantageous to a player, is caused when a game ball wins at a starting port provided in the gaming board. The player can determine whether or not the result of the determination by the determining means is the occurrence of the advantageous state by displaying the symbols after changing the plurality of symbols and displaying the symbols. and a notification control means for controlling the notification effect of informing, during variations of the plurality of symbols, and expectation display means capable of displaying expectation of what is hit by the judgment result of the previous SL-size constant means, and raising means for raising the expectation level displayed by the expectation display means, in said notification effect once for informing the one of the determination result of by previous SL-size constant means, said plurality of symbols Reduce the specific design that is one of After the deceleration control to, provided with a slip control means for executing a slipping effect for reacceleration the specific symbol, and determination means for determining by lot whether to execute the deceleration control by the slip control means, The raising means, when it is determined that the deceleration control is to be executed as a result of the lottery by the deciding means, a first raising means for raising the degree of expectation every time the sliding effect is executed by the sliding control means. And a second raising means for raising the degree of expectation while changing the specific symbol without decelerating when it is decided not to execute the deceleration control as a result of the lottery by the deciding means .

The gaming machine according to the present invention, unlike a conventional gaming machine that executes a general continuous production, can attract the interest of the player by continuing the sliding production. Then, every time the slip effect is executed once in the notification effect, the expectation is raised. Therefore, the player can easily grasp the degree of expectation of winning while recognizing the number of executions of the slip effect. Even if the contents of the notification effect using the slip effect are further diversified, the player can easily grasp the degree of expectation. Even a player who is not proficient in a game can easily recognize that the expectation level increases every time the slide effect continues, so that the game can be easily understood and the game can be fully enjoyed. In addition, the degree of expectation rises not only when the slip effect is executed but also during the fluctuation of the specific symbol. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game while always hoping that the degree of expectation increases.

  The gaming machine is executing by stopping the specific symbol after performing the deceleration control on the specific symbol when the expectation degree display means displays the expectation level in the notification effect. An end means for ending the increase in the degree of expectation in the notification effect may be further provided. In this case, when the specific symbol decelerates, the player pays strong attention to re-acceleration without stopping and pays attention to the effect. Therefore, the gaming machine can strongly attract the player's interest by using the slip effect.

  In the notification effect, the timing for increasing the degree of expectation may be determined in advance. When the timing has arrived, one of the increase in the expectation by the first ascent means, the increase in the expectation by the second ascent means, and the stop of the specific symbol by the end means is executed. May be. In this case, the expectation level is always increased by the second ascending means if the deceleration control of the specific symbol is not executed even when the expectation level rises. In other words, the decelerating state of the specific symbol, in which it is uncertain whether or not the expectation level increases, is exempted and the expectation level is always increased. Therefore, the player can first expect that the specific symbol will not decelerate. And even if it decelerates, it can be expected that the specific symbol is accelerated again without stopping as it is. Therefore, the gaming machine can entertain the player in stages.

  The display mode when the rising means increases the expectation level may be provided with a confirmation mode that is a display mode for increasing the expectation level again after the increase in the expectation level. The raising means may raise the expectation level again during the notification effect being executed when the expectation degree is raised by the confirmation mode. When the degree of expectation rises according to the confirmation mode, it is confirmed that the degree of expectation rises again thereafter. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game while paying attention not only to the smooth effect but also to the display mode when the degree of expectation increases.

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage area of a RAM 52 of a main board 41. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the jackpot relation information storage area 5205 of RAM52. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a special symbol variation pattern determination table stored in a ROM 53. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of main processing in the main board 41. It is a flowchart of the special symbol process performed by the main process. It is a flowchart of the special symbol process performed by the main process. 4 is a flowchart of sub control board processing in a sub control board 58; It is a flowchart of the expectation degree display effect process performed by the sub control board process. It is a figure for demonstrating the production | presentation screen of an expectation degree display effect in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the production | presentation aspect of an expectation degree display effect in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the mechanical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a game board 2 is provided in the upper half of the pachinko machine 1. The game board 2 is substantially square (see FIG. 2), and the front surface is protected by a front frame 13 holding a transparent glass plate. An upper plate 5 is provided at the lower part of the game board 2. The upper plate 5 supplies game balls to the launcher and receives prize balls. A lower plate 6 for receiving a prize ball is provided immediately below the upper plate 5. On the right side of the lower plate 6, a launch handle 7 for adjusting the launch of the game ball is provided. Speakers 48 are respectively provided on the left and right corners of the upper portion of the front frame 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 4 surrounded by a guide rail 3 is formed on the front surface of the game board 2. An effect device 8 for executing various effects is provided in the approximate center of the game area 4. A normal symbol start gate 12 is provided on the left side of the effect device 8. A special symbol starting electric accessory 15 is disposed below the stage device 8, and a special winning opening 16 is provided below the special symbol starting electric accessory 15. The special symbol start electric accessory 15 includes an opening / closing member, and when the opening / closing member is opened, it becomes easy to win a game ball. The big winning opening 16 also includes an opening / closing member, and the game ball can win the big winning opening 16 only when the opening / closing member is opened.

  The rendering device 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the rendering device 8 includes a display screen 28 formed of an LCD at the center. Various videos are displayed on the display screen 28. In order to notify the player of the result of the jackpot determination, there are provided three side-by-side demo symbol display units. The pachinko machine 1 informs the player of the result of the jackpot determination by changing and displaying the combination of the demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination after changing the demo symbols displayed on the three demo symbol display portions. . Although details will be described later, during the expectation display effect, an expectation display portion 81 for displaying an expectation symbol 82 indicating the jackpot expectation is formed in the display area of the display screen 28 ( (See FIG. 12).

  A movable accessory 30 is provided on the right side of the display screen 28. The movable accessory 30 performs various effects by moving the movable part. Below the movable accessory 30 is provided a display unit 24 that displays the result of the jackpot determination and the number of reserved balls. The display unit 24 includes a special symbol display unit, a normal symbol display unit, a special symbol memory number display LED, and a normal symbol memory number display LED. The special symbol display unit includes two 7-segment LEDs, and displays a special symbol indicating the result of the jackpot determination. The normal symbol display unit displays the result of the normal hit determination by turning on and off the LED. The special symbol memory number display LED displays the number of game balls (the so-called “special symbol operation holding ball number”) for which the result of the jackpot determination has not been displayed yet. The normal symbol memory number display LED displays the number of game balls for which the normal hit determination result has not been displayed yet (so-called “normal symbol operation holding ball number”).

  The electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 40 of the pachinko machine 1 mainly includes a main board 41, a sub control board 58, a lamp driver board 46, an effect control board 43, a payout control board 45, and a relay board 47.

  The main board 41 controls the main control of the pachinko machine 1. The main board CPU unit 50 of the main board 41 is provided with a CPU 51 that performs various arithmetic processes, a RAM 52 that temporarily stores data, and a ROM 53 that stores a control program and the like. An interrupt signal generation circuit 57 is connected to the main board CPU unit 50. The main board 41 executes a program each time an interrupt signal is input from the interrupt signal generation circuit 57. The main board 41 is connected to the sub control board 58, the payout control board 45, the relay board 47, the output port 55, and the start port switch 70 via the I / O interface 54. The output port 55 outputs information on the pachinko machine 1 to a game hall management computer (not shown). The start port switch 70 detects a game ball won in the special symbol start electric accessory 15.

  The sub control board 58 includes a CPU 581, a RAM 582, and a ROM 583, and is connected to the lamp driver board 46, the effect control board 43, and the speaker 48. The sub control board 58 performs comprehensive control such as effects according to the command transmitted from the main board 41. The lamp driver board 46 controls the movable accessory 30 and the like. The effect control board 43 includes a CPU 43 a and the like, and controls display of the display screen 28 in accordance with a command received from the sub control board 58. The payout control board 45 includes a CPU 45a and the like. The payout control board 45 controls the operation of the prize ball payout device 49 in accordance with a command transmitted from the main board 41, and pays out a predetermined number of game balls.

  The relay board 47 is connected with a normal symbol operation switch 71, a special prize opening / closing solenoid 72, an electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 73, a special prize opening switch 75, and the display unit 24. The normal symbol operation switch 71 detects a game ball that has passed through the normal symbol start gate 12. The big prize opening / closing solenoid 72 opens and closes the opening / closing member of the big prize opening 16 during the big hit game. The electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 73 opens and closes the opening / closing member of the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 during the normal winning game. The big prize opening switch 75 detects a game ball won in the big prize opening 16.

  The power supply board 42 is connected to the main board 41 and the game ball launching device 37, and supplies DC stabilized power to each board and the game ball launching device 37. The game ball launching device 37 launches one game ball to the game area 4 at regular intervals (0.6 seconds in the present embodiment).

  A storage area of the RAM 52 of the main board 41 will be described with reference to FIG. In the RAM 52, a counter storage area 5201, a winning ball flag storage area 5202, a normal hit relation information storage area 5203, a normal symbol operation reserved ball number storage area 5204, a jackpot relation information storage area 5205, a special symbol operation hold ball number storage area 5206. A command relation storage area 5207 and a flag relation storage area 5208 are provided.

  The counter storage area 5201 stores various counters. The winning ball flag storage area 5202 stores a flag indicating whether or not a game ball has won the normal symbol starting gate 12 and each winning opening. The normal hit relation information storage area 5203 stores a random number acquired when winning a game ball to the normal symbol start gate 12. The normal symbol operation reserved ball number storage area 5204 stores the normal symbol operation reserved ball number. The jackpot relation information storage area 5205 stores a random number acquired when winning a game ball to the special symbol start electric accessory 15. The special symbol operation reserved ball number storage area 5206 stores the special symbol operation reserved ball number. The command relation storage area 5207 stores a control command output from the main board 41 to another board or the like. The flag relationship storage area 5208 stores various flags other than the flags stored in the winning ball flag storage area 5202.

  The jackpot relation information storage area 5205 of the RAM 52 will be described with reference to FIG. The jackpot relation information storage area 5205 is used in a special symbol process (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of the main process described later. The jackpot relation information storage area 5205 is provided with a plurality of storage areas. When a game ball wins the special symbol starting electric accessory 15, if the number of special symbol operation reservation balls is less than 4 (0 to 3), random numbers are stored in order from the memory area with the smallest number. The CPU 51 uses the storage area with the smallest number among the random numbers in the storage areas that have not yet been processed as a determination area, and performs various processes such as jackpot determination on the random numbers stored in the determination area. When the processing related to the random number stored in the determination area (specifically, the notification effect for informing the determination result and the jackpot game executed when the determination result is a big hit) is finished, the storage area with the next smallest number Is set as a determination area, and processing such as jackpot determination is repeated. Note that the random numbers in the storage area that has been processed may be deleted as appropriate.

  In each storage area, a jackpot random number field in which the value of the jackpot determination counter is stored, a special symbol determination random number field in which the value of the special symbol determination counter is stored, and a variation pattern determination in which the value of the variation pattern determination counter is stored A random number field is provided. When a game ball wins the special symbol start electric accessory 15, the value of each random number acquisition counter counted at that time is stored in each column. The jackpot random number is used for jackpot determination. The special symbol determination random number is used to determine a special symbol. The variation pattern determination random number is used to determine an effect pattern (demonstration variation pattern) of a notification effect for notifying the result of the jackpot determination. The normal hit relation information storage area 5203 (see FIG. 4) is configured similarly to the big hit relation information storage area 5205.

  The special symbol variation pattern determination table stored in the ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. The variation pattern is a variation pattern of the demo symbol used when notifying the player of the determination result by the jackpot determination. This variation pattern is executed by the display screen 28, the movable accessory 30, the speaker 48, etc. in synchronization with the variation time of the special symbol displayed on the display unit 24 (equal to the variation time of the demo symbol) and the variation of the special symbol. The notification effect pattern to be performed is determined. The sub control board 58 controls the notification effect based on the variation pattern determined by the main board 41.

  In the special symbol variation pattern determination table, a plurality of tables are provided according to the gaming state at the time of jackpot determination (during a non-short-time state or during a time-short state) and the result of the jackpot determination (big hit or miss). Each table is assigned a plurality of types of variation patterns, and each variation pattern is associated with a variation pattern determination random number value (0 to 511). When the jackpot determination is performed, a table corresponding to the gaming state at that time and the determination result is referred to, and the variation pattern is determined by the value of the variation pattern determination random number acquired together with the jackpot random number. The main board 41 transmits a command specifying the determined variation pattern to the sub-control board 58. The sub control board 58 controls the notification effect according to the designated variation pattern.

  In the present embodiment, a variation pattern for executing the expectation level display effect is provided in a part of the variation pattern. The expectation level display effect is a notification effect that displays an expectation level that the result of the jackpot determination is a win. In the expectation level display effect in the present embodiment, first, the left, middle, and right demo symbols are accelerated and fluctuated, and the left demo symbol is stopped. Then, the expectation symbol 82 (see FIG. 12) is displayed on the expectation display section 81 until the same demo symbol as the one stopped on the left stops on the right and the reach effect is started. Up to four expectation degree symbols 82 can be displayed, and the greater the number of expectation degree symbols 82 (hereinafter referred to as “display expectation degree”), the higher the expectation degree for the jackpot. When the display of the expectation degree is finished, after one of the reach effect A, the reach effect B, and the jackpot decision effect is executed, a combination of demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination is confirmed and displayed. The reach effect is an effect that indicates that there is a possibility of a big hit, which is performed after the same demo symbols on the left and right are stopped and reach a reach state.

  The variation pattern when the determination result is a big hit is set such that the higher the display expectation, the higher the selected ratio. On the other hand, the variation pattern when the determination result is out of order is set such that the greater the display expectation, the lower the selected ratio. Accordingly, when the expectation level display effect is executed, the greater the number of expected level symbols 82 displayed, the higher the expectation level for the jackpot. The player can enjoy the game while paying attention to the number of expectation level symbols 82 displayed.

  The pachinko machine 1 can execute a slip effect for re-acceleration after performing deceleration control for decelerating the right demo symbol during the expectation display effect. The pachinko machine 1 increases the degree of expectation every time the slip effect is executed once (that is, one expectation degree symbol 82 is additionally displayed). Therefore, the player can easily grasp the degree of expectation for the jackpot while recognizing the number of times the slip effect is executed. Furthermore, the pachinko machine 1 performs various and various effects in addition to the slip effect in the expectation level display effect. Specifically, the degree of expectation can be increased without a slip effect. The expectation symbol 82 can be additionally displayed in a display mode in which it is determined that the expectation level further increases by one step. The player can easily grasp the expectation level symbol 82 that the expectation level increases every time the slip effect continues. Further, even when various expectation level display effects are executed, the player can easily understand the gameability (expectation level) and fully enjoy the game.

  Processing performed by the main board 41 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The main control of the pachinko machine 1 is performed by a control program stored in the ROM 53. The main process of the control program (see FIG. 7) is executed by the CPU 51 when the CPU 51 senses an interrupt signal generated every 4 ms by the interrupt signal generation circuit 57 (see FIG. 3).

  First, command output processing is performed (S10). In the command output process, a control command is output to the sub control board 58, the payout control board 45, the relay board 47, and the like. The control command output here is a control command stored in the RAM 52 in the main process executed last time.

  Next, a switch reading process is performed (S11). In the switch reading process, a process for detecting a game ball is performed from the detection results of the normal symbol start gate 12 and each switch (see FIG. 3) provided at each winning opening.

  Next, a counter update process is performed (S12). In the counter update process, the value of the random number acquisition counter stored in the RAM 52 is added, and the value of the timer counter is subtracted.

  Next, special electric accessory processing is performed (S13). In the special electric accessory processing, processing for controlling the operation of the jackpot game (mainly opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member of the big winning opening 16) and processing regarding the game state generated after the end of the jackpot game are performed.

  Next, special symbol processing is performed (S14). Although details will be described later, in the special symbol processing, processing such as jackpot determination, determination of a special symbol, and determination of a variation pattern is performed (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

  Next, ordinary electric accessory processing is performed (S15). In the ordinary electric accessory process, a process for controlling the operation of the normal hit game is performed when the normal hit is reached. If the time-short state has occurred, the CPU 51 opens the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 longer than in the non-time-short state.

  Next, normal symbol processing is performed (S16). In the normal symbol process, a normal hit random number is acquired when the normal symbol operation switch 71 detects a game ball. Based on the acquired random number, processing such as ordinary hit determination, storage of commands for controlling fluctuations in ordinary symbols, and the like are performed. The probability of being determined to be a normal hit during the short-time state is higher than the probability of being determined to be a normal hit during the non-time-short state. The variation time of the normal symbol is shorter in the time-short state than in the non-time-short state.

  Next, a payout process (S17), an error check (S18), and an information output process (S19) are performed. In the payout process, the payout of prize balls is controlled. In the error check, when an error occurs, the error is notified using the display screen 28, the speaker 48, and the like. In the information output process, various types of information are output to a game hall management computer (not shown).

  Details of the special symbol process (S14) will be described with reference to FIGS. First, flags used in special symbol processing will be described. In the flag relation storage area 5208 (see FIG. 4) of the RAM 52, a big hit gaming state flag, a display state flag, and the like are stored. The jackpot game state flag is “ON” when “1” is stored during the jackpot game, and “0” is stored and “OFF” when the jackpot game is not played. The special symbol display state flag stores “1” when the special symbol on the display unit 24 is fluctuating, “2” when the special symbol is displayed in a stopped state, and “0” when the symbol is neither fluctuating nor stopped. .

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the special symbol process is started, it is determined whether or not a game ball has won the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 (S21). When the start opening switch 70 provided on the special symbol start electric accessory 15 detects a winning of the game ball, the start opening switch 70 in the winning ball flag storage area 5202 in the main process switch reading process (S11, see FIG. 7). The flag corresponding to is set to “ON”. If this flag is not “ON” and the game ball has not won (S21: NO), the process directly proceeds to the determination of S31. If a game ball has won the special symbol start electric accessory 15 (S21: YES), it is determined whether or not the value of the special symbol operation reserved ball number storage area 5206 is "4" (S22). If it is “4” (S22: YES), the holding ball has reached the upper limit at which it can be held, so the process proceeds to the determination of S31 as it is.

  When the number of special symbol operation reserved balls is not “4” (S22: NO), “1” is added to the value of the special symbol operation reserved balls number storage area 5206 (S23). Next, various random numbers are acquired and stored in the storage area with the smallest number among the empty storage areas in the jackpot relation information storage area 5205 (see FIG. 5) (S24). Specifically, the value of the jackpot determination counter is stored in the jackpot random number column, the value of the special symbol determination counter is stored in the special symbol determination random number column, and the value of the variation pattern determination counter is stored in the variation pattern determination random number column. The

  Next, it is determined whether or not the game state is a jackpot gaming state (S31). If the jackpot gaming state flag is “ON” and it is determined that the jackpot gaming state is in effect (S31: YES), the processing returns to the main processing as it is. If it is not in the jackpot gaming state (S31: NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S32). If the display state flag is not “1” and the special symbol is not changing (S32: NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is being stopped (S33). If the display status flag is not “2” and the stop display is not in progress (S33: NO), the process proceeds to S35 (see FIG. 9), and a big hit determination is performed.

  In the jackpot determination, first, it is determined whether or not the number of special symbol actuated balls is “1” or more (S35). If the value of the special symbol operation reserved ball number storage area 5206 in the RAM 52 is not equal to or greater than “1” (S35: NO), there is no game ball to be subjected to the jackpot determination, and the process returns to the main process as it is. If it is “1” or more (S35: YES), “1” is subtracted from the value of the special symbol operation reserved ball number storage area 5206 (S36). The determination area of the jackpot relation information storage area 5205 (see FIG. 5) is shifted to the storage area of the next number (S37).

  Next, a jackpot determination according to the gaming state is performed (S38). The determination table for performing jackpot determination is provided with a low probability determination table used during a non-probability variation state and a high probability determination table in which the probability of determining a jackpot is higher than in a non-probability variation state. Yes. The jackpot determination is performed by referring to one of the determination tables depending on whether or not a probability variation state has occurred.

  When it is determined that the jackpot is determined to be a jackpot (S39: YES), a special symbol indicating a jackpot is determined (S40). Next, if the time-short state is in effect (S41: YES), the special symbol variation pattern determination table (see FIG. 6) is referred to the table in the time-short state and in the case of big hit, and varies depending on the value of the variation pattern determination random number column A pattern is determined (S42). If it is not in the time-short state (S41: NO), the variation pattern is determined by the table in the case of the non-time-short state (normal state) and the jackpot (S43). If the determination result is out of order (S39: NO), a special symbol ("-" in this embodiment) indicating that it is out of position is determined (S46). If it is in the time-short state (S47: YES), the fluctuation pattern is determined by the table of the time-short state and the deviation (S48), and if not in the time-short state (S47: NO), the fluctuation pattern is determined by the normal state and the deviation table. Is determined (S49).

  Next, a variation pattern designation command for designating the determined variation pattern and instructing the variation of the special symbol and the demo symbol (start of notification effect) is stored in the command relation storage area 5207 of the RAM 52 (S52). . The stored command is output to another board such as the sub control board 58 in the command output process (S10, see FIG. 7) of the main process to be executed next. Next, the variation time of the special symbol determined according to the variation pattern is set in the special symbol variation time counter which is a timer counter (S53). “1” indicating that the special symbol is changing is stored in the display state flag (S54), and the process returns to the main process.

  In addition, in the determination of S32 shown in FIG. 8, if “1” is stored in the display state flag and it is determined that the special symbol is changing (S32: YES), has the change time elapsed? It is determined whether or not (S57). If the value of the special symbol variation time counter set in S53 (see FIG. 9) is “0” and it is determined that the variation time has elapsed (S57: YES), the special symbol variation stop ( A special symbol stop command for instructing (end of notification effect) is stored in the RAM 52 (S58). The predetermined stop display time is stored in a special symbol stop time counter which is a timer counter (S59). “2” indicating that the special symbol is being stopped and displayed is stored in the display state flag (S60), and the process returns to the main process. On the other hand, if it is determined in S57 that the variation time has not yet elapsed (S57: NO), the process directly returns to the main process.

  In the determination of S33, “2” is stored in the display state flag, and when it is determined that the special symbol is being stopped (S33: YES), the value of the counter set in S59 is used. Then, it is determined whether or not the stop display time has elapsed (S61). If the value of the special symbol stop time counter is not “0” and the stop display time has not yet elapsed (S61: NO), the process returns to the main process as it is. When the stop display time has elapsed (S61: YES), “0” indicating that the special symbol is neither fluctuating nor stopped is stored in the display state flag (S62). Next, a game state transition process is performed (S63), and the process returns to the main process. In the gaming state transition process (S63), when the determination result is a big hit, the big hit gaming state flag is set to “ON”, and the gaming state is shifted to the big hit gaming state. Moreover, if the termination conditions for the short-time state and the probability variation state are satisfied, these gaming states are terminated, and the non-time-short state and the non-probability variation state are entered.

  With reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the sub control board process executed by the sub control board 58 will be described. In the sub-control board process, a process for controlling effects by the display screen 28, the speaker 48, and the like is performed according to a command transmitted from the main board 41. In particular, when the fluctuation pattern for executing the expected level display effect is designated by the main board 41, the expected level display effect is executed, and the expected level determined by the designated variation pattern is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the sub control board process is started, it is first determined whether or not a variation pattern designation command is received from the main board 41 (S71). If received (S71: YES), it is determined whether or not the variation pattern specified by the command is a variation pattern for executing the expectation level display effect (S72). If it is not the variation pattern that executes the expectation level display effect (S72: NO), the notification effect is controlled according to the variation pattern (S73), and the process returns to the determination of S71. When the variation pattern for executing the expectation level display effect is designated (S72: YES), the expectation level display effect process for controlling the expectation level display effect is executed (S74), and the process returns to the determination of S71. Details of the expectation level display effect process will be described later.

  If the variation pattern designation command has not been received from the main board 41 (S71: NO), it is determined whether or not a special symbol stop command has been received (S75). If not received (S75: NO), the process returns to the determination of S71. When the special symbol stop command is received (S75: YES), the combination of demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination is fixed and displayed, the notification effect is ended (S76), and the process returns to the determination of S71. In the sub-control board process, other processes such as a process for controlling an effect during a big hit game and a process for notifying an error are also executed, but the description thereof is omitted.

  The expectation level display effect process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. When the expectation level display effect process is started, first, the display expectation level N (in this embodiment, N is an integer of 1 to 4) determined by the specified variation pattern is stored in the RAM 582 (S81). ). “1” is set to the unit effect counter n for recognizing the order of the unit effects being executed (S82). The unit effect is an effect executed a plurality of times during one expectation display effect. At the end of one unit effect, either an increase in expectation or a stop of the right demo symbol (that is, the end of the increase in expectation) is executed. Next, all of the three demo symbols displayed on the left, middle, and right in the display screen 28 are accelerated and fluctuations are started (S83).

  Next, it is determined whether the stop timing of the left demo symbol has arrived (S84). The time from the start of the demo symbol change to the stop of the left demo symbol is determined in advance, and the elapsed time after the start of the change is measured by a timer counter. The determination of S84 is repeated until the elapsed time after the start of fluctuation reaches a predetermined time (S84: NO). If it is determined that the elapsed time has reached a predetermined time and the stop timing of the left demo symbol has arrived (S84: YES), the left demo symbol is stopped (S85).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the deceleration execution timing of the right demo symbol in the nth unit effect has arrived (S86). In the present embodiment, a maximum of five unit effects are executed during one expectation display effect, but the timing (deceleration execution timing) at which deceleration of the right demo symbol starts in each unit effect is predetermined. ing. If the deceleration execution timing has not arrived (S86: NO), the determination of S86 is repeated.

  Here, in this embodiment, if the right demo symbol is decelerated and then accelerated again, the degree of expectation increases. On the other hand, when the demo symbol on the right decelerates and stops as it is, the expectation rise ends and a reach effect is performed. Therefore, the player pays attention to the demo symbol that is decelerating while expecting the demo symbol to re-accelerate. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the expectation level is always increased if the deceleration control of the right demo symbol is not executed despite the arrival of the deceleration execution timing in the expectation level display effect. In other words, the pachinko machine 1 exempts the deceleration control in which it is uncertain whether or not the degree of expectation will rise, and makes the player recognize that the degree of expectation will surely rise, thereby strongly attracting the player's interest. Can be attached.

  In order to execute the above control, when the deceleration execution timing in the nth unit effect arrives (S86: YES), it is determined whether or not the deceleration control in the nth unit effect is exempted. Specifically, it is first determined whether or not the display of the expected degree “N” to be displayed has already been completed (S87). When the display of the expected degree “N” has already been completed (that is, when the order n of the unit effects being executed is larger than the number N of the expected degree symbols 82 to be displayed) (S87: YES), It is necessary to stop the right design and end the rise in expectations. Accordingly, deceleration control of the right demo symbol is executed (S90).

  If “n ≦ N” and display of the display expectation degree “N” is not completed (S87: NO), a lottery is performed as to whether or not the deceleration control is exempted (S88). The lottery in S88 is desirably executed so that the higher the display expectation “N”, the higher the exemption ratio. Further, the lottery in S88 may be performed so that the larger the value of “N−n”, the higher the exemption ratio. In this case, the player can expect more strongly that many expectation symbols 82 are displayed. If the lottery is exempted from the deceleration control (S89: NO), the right demo symbol deceleration control is executed (S90), and the process proceeds to the determination of S91. If the lottery exempting the deceleration control is won (S89: YES), the process proceeds to the determination of S91 as it is without performing the deceleration control of the right demo symbol.

  Next, it is determined whether or not an expectation increase timing in the nth unit effect has arrived (S91). The expectation level increase timing is a timing at which either an increase in expectation level (additional display of an expectation level symbol 82) or a right demo symbol stop control (end of expectation level increase) is executed. Similar to the deceleration execution timing described above, the expected level increase timing in each unit effect is predetermined. If the expectation increase timing has not arrived (S91: NO), the determination in S91 is repeated.

  When the expectation rise timing in the n-th unit effect has arrived (S91: YES), it is determined whether or not display of the display expectation “N” has already been completed (S92). If “n ≦ N” is satisfied and the display expectation degree “N” has not been displayed (S92: NO), the display mode of the expectation degree symbol 82 is determined (S93 to S97).

  As shown in FIG. 12, an expectation display unit 81 is provided in the display area of the display screen 28 during the expectation display effect. In the expectation level display portion 81 of this embodiment, a maximum of four expectation level symbols 82, which are characters for displaying the expectation level for the jackpot, are displayed. Furthermore, the display mode of the expectation symbol 82 of the present embodiment includes a normal mode 83 and a rising confirmation mode 84. The normal mode 83 is a display mode that is used simply to display the degree of expectation. The rising confirmation mode 84 is a display mode for not only displaying the degree of expectation but also for allowing the player to recognize that the degree of expectation will rise again in the next unit effect. By using the rising confirmation mode 84 in addition to the normal mode 83, it is possible to diversify the content of the expectation level display effect and sufficiently enhance the player's expectation.

  When determining the display mode of the expectation symbol 82, first, it is determined whether or not “N−n ≧ 1” (S93). If the difference between the display expectation “N” and the order n of the unit effects being executed is “0” (S93: NO), the display is performed when the expectation symbol 82 is additionally displayed in the unit effects being executed. Expectation reaches “N”. In this case, since the rising confirmation mode 84 cannot be displayed, the setting for displaying the normal mode 83 is performed (S96), and the process proceeds to the determination of S98.

  If “N−n ≧ 1” (S93: YES), a lottery is performed as to whether or not to display the rising confirmation mode 84 (S94). The lottery in S94 is desirably executed such that the higher the value of “N−n”, the higher the ratio of displaying the rising confirmation mode 84. In this case, the player can expect more strongly that many expectation symbols 82 are displayed. When the lottery for displaying the rising confirmation mode 84 is won (S95: YES), the setting for displaying the rising determination mode 84 is performed (S97). If the selection is lost (S95: NO), the normal mode 83 is set to be displayed (S96).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the right demo symbol is under deceleration control (S98). If the deceleration control is being performed (S98: YES), the right demo symbol is reaccelerated to execute the slip effect, and the expectation symbol 82 is additionally displayed in the display mode set in S96 or S97 ( S99). The process returns to the determination in S86. If the right demo symbol is not under deceleration control (S98: NO), the slip effect is not executed, the expectation symbol 82 is additionally displayed as it is (S100), and the process returns to the determination of S86. In the present embodiment, the expectation degree symbol 82 is displayed largely at the center of the display screen 28, and then moves to the expectation degree display portion 81 while being reduced and stops (see FIG. 12). If the display of the display expectation “N” has already been completed (S92: YES), the right demo symbol during the deceleration control is stopped, and the increase in the expectation is finished (S101). Thereafter, the notification effect is controlled according to the designated variation pattern (S102), and the process returns to the sub-control board process (see FIG. 10).

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the deceleration control in the present embodiment, the changing demo pattern on the right starts to decelerate from a predetermined stop position and passes through the stop position while being in the decelerated state. When the predetermined time (the time from the deceleration execution timing to the expectation rise timing) elapses, the right demo symbol is the same position (hereinafter referred to as “branch position”) regardless of whether or not the slip effect is executed. .) After that, when the slip effect is executed, the right demo symbol is accelerated again from the branch position. When the expectation rise ends, the demo symbol on the right turns back upward and stops at the stop position. Therefore, as the demo symbol on the right approaches the branch position, the degree of concentration of the player with respect to the game gradually increases. In the present embodiment, the time during which deceleration control is executed for the right demo symbol (the time from the deceleration execution timing to the expectation rise timing) becomes longer as the unit effect is continuously executed. Is set. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can gradually increase the degree of concentration of the player with respect to the game, and can sufficiently attract the interest of the player.

  With reference to FIG. 13, the production | generation aspect and effect of the expectation degree display effect performed in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment are demonstrated. In the expectation degree display effect of pattern 1 shown in FIG. 13, the display expectation degree “N” is set to “1”. In pattern 1, all three demo symbols change and the left demo symbol stops. Next, the right demo symbol starts to decelerate at a predetermined deceleration execution timing during the first unit effect, and when the expectation rise timing arrives, a slip effect is executed in which the right demo symbol re-accelerates. At the same time, a first expectation symbol 82 is displayed. Next, in the second unit effect, the right demo symbol is subjected to deceleration control, and when the expectation rise timing comes, the right demo symbol that is the same as the left demo symbol stops. That is, the degree of expectation is fixed at “1”. Thereafter, a reach effect is executed, and a combination of demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination is determined and displayed.

  In the expectation level display effect of pattern 2 shown in FIG. 13, the display expectation level “N” is set to “4”. In pattern 2, the slip effect is executed in all of the first to fourth unit effects, and the expectation symbol 82 is additionally displayed each time the slip effect is performed. Then, the demo pattern on the right stops in the fifth unit effect, and the degree of expectation is fixed at “4” which is the maximum value, and the process proceeds to the reach effect.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 1 can attract the interest of the player by continuing the slip effect unlike a conventional game machine that executes a general continuous effect. And every time the slip effect is executed, the expectation is raised. Therefore, the player can easily grasp the degree of expectation for the jackpot while recognizing the number of consecutive smooth effects. Even if the contents of the expectation degree display effect are further diversified, the player can easily grasp the expectation degree. Even a player who is not proficient in a game can easily recognize that the expectation level increases every time the slide effect continues, so that the game can be easily understood and the game can be fully enjoyed.

  The pachinko machine 1 terminates the increase in the expectation in the expectation display effect being executed by decelerating the right demo symbol and then stopping it. Therefore, when the right demo symbol is decelerated, the player pays strong attention to re-acceleration without stopping and pays attention to the performance. Accordingly, the pachinko machine 1 can strongly attract the interest of the player using the slip effect.

  In the expectation degree display effect of pattern 3 shown in FIG. 13, the display expectation degree “N” is set to “4” as in pattern 2. However, unlike pattern 2, pattern 3 wins lottery excluding deceleration control in the second and fourth unit effects. If the exemption for deceleration control is won, the right demo symbol will not decelerate even when the deceleration execution timing arrives. In the unit effect in which the demo pattern on the right does not slow down, the expectation symbol 82 is always additionally displayed.

  As described above, the degree of expectation in the present embodiment rises not only when the slip effect is executed, but also during the fluctuation of the right demo symbol. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game while always hoping that the degree of expectation increases. By raising the expectation level without going through the slip effect, the expectation display effect becomes diversified and complicated, but the rising expectation degree is clearly displayed, so that the player can easily understand the game characteristics.

  As shown in Patterns 1 to 3, in the expectation level display effect, the expectation level rise timing is predetermined. Then, when the expectation rise timing arrives, any of the rise of the expectation with the slip effect, the rise of the expectation without the slip effect, or the end of the expectation with the stop of the right demo symbol Always executed. Therefore, even when the expectation rise timing arrives, the expectation rises without fail if the right demo symbol deceleration control is not performed. In other words, the decelerating state in which it is uncertain whether or not the expectation level increases is exempted, and the expectation level is always increased. Therefore, the player can first expect that the demo symbol on the right will not slow down. And even if it decelerates, it can be expected that the demo symbol on the right will re-accelerate. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can entertain the player in stages.

  As shown in pattern 2 and pattern 3, the first to third expectation symbols 82 may be displayed by the rising confirmation mode 84. When the expectation level is increased by the ascent confirmation mode 84, the pachinko machine 1 increases the expectation level again during the expectation level display effect being executed. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game while paying attention not only to the smooth effect but also to the display mode when the degree of expectation increases.

  Note that the special symbol start electric accessory 15 in the present embodiment corresponds to the “start opening” of the present invention. The jackpot gaming state corresponds to the “advantageous state” of the present invention. The CPU 51 that executes the jackpot determination in S38 of FIG. 9 functions as a “determination unit”. The display screen 28 corresponds to the “symbol display means” of the present invention. The expectation level display unit 81 in the display screen 28 corresponds to “expectation level display means”. The CPU 581 that executes the sub-control board processing shown in FIG. 10 functions as “notification control means”. The CPU 581 that increases the degree of expectation in S99 and S100 in FIG. 11 functions as an “ascending means”. Specifically, the CPU 581 that increases the expectation level in S99 of FIG. 11 functions as the “first increase means”, and the CPU 581 that increases the expectation level in S100 of FIG. 11 functions as the “second expectation level increase means”. The CPU 581 that executes the slip effect in S90 and S99 in FIG. 11 functions as “slip control means”. The CPU 581 that ends the increase in the expectation level in S101 of FIG. 11 functions as an “end means”.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. First, the mode of displaying the degree of expectation can be changed as appropriate. For example, it is needless to say that the degree of expectation may be displayed not by the number of expectation degree symbols 82 but by numerical values, color changes, character actions, and the like. In addition to the display screen 28, a display device for displaying the degree of expectation may be provided. In addition, the degree of expectation may be notified to the player using voice, movement of a movable accessory, or the like. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine in which the demo symbol displayed on the drum is mechanically changed instead of changing the demo symbol using the display screen 28 for displaying the video.

  In the above embodiment, the degree of expectation rises not only when the slip effect is executed, but also during the fluctuation of the right demo symbol. However, when the expectation is raised, it may be accompanied by a slip effect. Even in this case, the player can easily grasp the degree of expectation for the jackpot. Furthermore, even if the content of the expectation notification effect is diversified by randomly changing the execution timing of the slip effect or inserting a video in the middle of the effect, the player can easily grasp the expectation level .

  In the above-described embodiment, the slip effect that re-accelerates the right demo symbol is executed. However, it goes without saying that the symbol to be re-accelerated (corresponding to the “specific symbol” of the present invention) is not limited to the right demo symbol.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment terminates the rise in the expectation level in the expectation level display effect being executed by stopping the right demo symbol. However, it is also possible to increase the degree of expectation after the right demo symbol stops. For example, the expectation symbol 82 may be additionally displayed during the execution of the reach effect.

  In the above embodiment, the expectation level display effect always includes a reach effect. In other words, when at least one expectation symbol 82 is displayed, it is determined that the reach effect is executed. However, it is needless to say that the demo symbols may be displayed in a definite manner without executing the reach effect after the expectation level is displayed.

  In the embodiment, the timing for increasing the degree of expectation is determined in advance. Therefore, the player can recognize that the degree of expectation always rises if the right demo symbol is not decelerated after the expectation degree rise timing has arrived. However, the present invention can be realized even if the timing for increasing the degree of expectation is changed without being determined in advance. In this case, since the player cannot predict the timing at which the degree of expectation increases, the player can enjoy the performance while always expecting the degree of expectation to rise.

  In the above embodiment, when the expectation symbol 82 is displayed in the rising confirmation mode 84, it is determined that the expectation is further increased once. It is also possible to provide an increase confirmation mode in which it is determined that the expectation level is increased by two or more stages. For example, a plurality of rise confirmation modes 84 may be used properly so that the red rise confirmation mode 84 is confirmed in one stage and the gold rise confirmation mode 84 is confirmed in two stages.

  In the above embodiment, one expectation symbol 82 is additionally displayed one by one at each expectation rise timing. However, two or more expectation symbols 82 may be additionally displayed at one timing. In other words, by appropriately changing the amount of increase in the degree of expectation, the player's interest in the expectation degree display effect can be further strongly attracted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 2 Game board 15 Special symbol start electric accessory 28 Display screen 41 Main board 51 CPU
52 RAM
53 ROM
58 Sub-control board 70 Start-up switch 81 Expectation degree display part 82 Expectation degree symbol 83 Normal aspect 84 Ascent confirmation aspect 581 CPU
5205 Jackpot related information storage area

Claims (4)

A determination means for determining whether or not to generate an advantageous state, which is a gaming state advantageous to a player, when a game ball wins at a starting port provided in the game board;
A symbol display means for displaying a plurality of symbols;
Notification control means for controlling a notification effect for notifying the player whether or not the result of determination by the determination means is the occurrence of the advantageous state by making a fixed display after changing the plurality of symbols; ,
During variation of the plurality of symbols, and expectation display means capable of displaying expectation of what is hit by the judgment result of the previous SL-size constant means,
Ascending means for raising the expectation displayed by the expectation display means;
In said notification effect once for informing the one of the determination result of by previous SL-size constant means, after performing a deceleration control to decelerate the specific symbols, one of said plurality of symbols, the specific A slip control means for executing a slip effect that re-accelerates the design ,
Determination means for determining whether to execute the deceleration control by the slip control means by lottery ,
The raising means is
As a result of the lottery by the determining unit, when it is determined to execute the deceleration control, a first increasing unit that increases the degree of expectation every time the sliding control unit executes the sliding effect ,
As a result of the lottery by the deciding means, when it is decided not to execute the deceleration control, a second raising means for raising the degree of expectation while changing the specific symbol without decelerating. A featured gaming machine.   In the notification effect, when the expectation level display means displays the expectation level, the specific symbol is stopped after the deceleration control is performed on the specific symbol. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising ending means for ending the increase in the degree of expectation. In the notification effect, the timing for raising the degree of expectation is predetermined,
When the timing has arrived, one of the increase in the expectation by the first ascent means, the increase in the expectation by the second ascent means, and the stop of the specific symbol by the end means is executed. The gaming machine according to claim 2 , wherein the gaming machine is a game machine. The display mode when the rising means increases the expectation level is provided with a confirmation mode that is a display mode for increasing the expectation level again after the increase in the expectation level,
The game according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein, when the expectation level is increased according to the confirmation mode, the increase means increases the expectation level again during the notification effect being executed. Machine.

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