JP5967399B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that includes an operation unit that can be operated by a player and that produces an effect in accordance with the operation of the operation unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine that performs an effect in response to an operation of an operation means by a player is known. For example, in the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the button operation performs an expected value indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is a win during a predetermined period from the start of the change of the special symbol to the confirmation display. Increase it every time Only when it is determined that the determination result is winning, the expectation value can reach “100” indicating that the winning is determined. The player repeatedly operates the button in hopes that the expected value of “100” is displayed.

JP 2009-189655 A

  In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, an effect using the operation means and the expectation is executed within one continuous predetermined period. Therefore, if the high degree of expectation is not displayed within the predetermined period, after the predetermined period, the player will see the performance without having a strong expectation for winning. Therefore, the conventional gaming machine cannot fully maintain the player's expectation for winning by making full use of the effect using the operation means and the degree of expectation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of maintaining a player's expectation for winning by making full use of an effect using operation means and expectation.

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. , Display means for displaying a notification image for notifying the player whether or not the result of determination by the determination means is the occurrence of the advantageous state, operation means operated by the player, Each time the determination by the detection means for detecting the operation amount and the determination means is performed, the display means displays a basic video, which is a series of the notification video for which the presentation is completed independently, according to the determination result. Expectation video control that can insert the expectation video as the notification video for notifying the player of the expectation that the result of the determination is a hit before or during the start of the basic video. Means, An expectation degree control means for increasing the expectation degree to be notified to the player based on the operation amount of the operation means detected by the detection means during the display of the expectation degree image, and display of the expectation degree image. Additional expectation level that is the notification video that is raised again from the expectation level raised by the expectation level control means after finishing and after starting or resuming the display of the basic video image and during or after the basic video image An additional expectation degree video control means capable of inserting a video, and an indication of the expected degree picture at the end based on the operation amount of the operation means detected by the detection means during the display of the additional expectation degree video the expected degree plus control means for further increasing from the expectation, insert only the expectation image, the expected degree image and the additional degree of expectation to insert a video, or any If a selection means for selecting or not inserted, the proportion of the said expectation degree image and said additional expectation image by the selecting means is selected to be inserted, which is hit a result of the determination is the It is higher than the selected ratio that only the expected video is inserted, and lower than the selected ratio when only the expected video is inserted when the result of the determination is not successful .

The gaming machine according to the present invention executes an effect (hereinafter referred to as an “expected degree effect”) that raises the degree of expectation according to the amount of operation of the operation means before or during the start of the basic video where the effect is completed independently. can do. Therefore, the player can fully enjoy the production based on the basic video while having a sense of expectation according to the notified degree of expectation. Furthermore, the gaming machine can also execute an effect (hereinafter referred to as an “expected expectation extra effect”) that further increases from the expected level that has increased in accordance with the operation amount of the operation means after the expected level effect has ended. That is, even when a low expectation degree is notified in the expectation degree effect, if the expectation degree addition effect is executed, the expectation degree once notified is added. Therefore, even when a low expectation is notified in the expectation effect, the player can enjoy the effect without impairing the expectation. Further, the gaming machine can give the player a stronger sense of expectation by executing the effect on the expectation level, unlike the case where the already displayed expectation level is reset and raised again. Further, the expectation video and the additional expectation video are inserted before, after, or in the middle of the basic video. Therefore, the game machine developer can compose a video for displaying the expected degree only by combining the expected degree video, the additional expected degree video, and the basic video. In other words, the developer does not need to create all of the video for notifying the degree of expectation separately from the basic video. Therefore, development of the gaming machine according to the present invention is easy. Further, the rate at which the expected video and the additional expected video are selected is higher than the rate at which only the expected video is selected when the determination result is correct, If the result of the determination is not successful, it is lower than the selected ratio that only the expected video is inserted. Therefore, the player can have higher expectation when the additional expectation degree image is further inserted than when only the expectation degree image is inserted.

  The additional expectation degree video control means may display on the display means any of the plurality of additional expectation degree videos having different rates of increase in the expectation degree. The expectation degree addition control means may increase the expectation degree at a rate corresponding to the additional expectation degree video displayed by the additional expectation degree video control means. In this case, the player can enjoy the game while expecting an additional expectation video with a high rate of increase in expectation to be displayed, in addition to expecting the expectation to be added. Therefore, the player can play the game with a stronger sense of expectation.

  An expectation degree display means for displaying the expectation degree may be further provided. In this case, the gaming machine can display the degree of expectation by the expectation degree display means in addition to the display means.

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 1st 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 effect process executed in the sub control board process. It is a flowchart of the normal expectation degree process performed by an expectation degree effect process. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the rise expectation degree determination table memorize | stored in ROM583. It is a figure which shows an example of the expectation degree effect performed according to a normal expectation degree pattern. It is a flowchart of the expectation degree addition process executed in the expectation degree effect process. It is a figure which shows an example of the expectation degree effect performed according to an expectation degree addition pattern. It is a flowchart of the automatic raise process performed by an expectation degree effect process. It is a figure which shows an example of the expectation degree effect performed according to an automatic raise pattern. It is a flowchart of the blow determination process performed by an expectation degree production process. It is a figure which shows an example of the expectation degree effect performed according to the blow fixed pattern. It is a flowchart of the normal expectation degree process which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine 1 which is 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 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 has a substantially square shape when viewed from the front (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. In the upper center of the upper plate 5, an operation button 9 that is operated by a player is disposed. 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. A display screen 28 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like is disposed in the approximate center of the game area 4. The display screen 28 displays various videos such as moving images and messages. In particular, the display screen 28 displays a demo symbol for notifying the result of the jackpot determination. The pachinko machine 1 executes an effect (hereinafter referred to as “notification effect”) for confirming and displaying a combination of demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination after changing a plurality of (three in this embodiment) demo symbols. By doing so, the player is notified of the result of the jackpot determination. An image displayed on the display screen 28 during the notification effect is referred to as a notification image.

  An expectation level display unit 10 is provided directly below the display screen 28. The expectation level display unit 10 includes two large seven segments side by side, and can display two-digit numbers, characters, symbols, and the like. Although details will be described later, the pachinko machine 1 can display the expectation degree for the jackpot on the expectation degree display unit 10. In this embodiment, the degree of expectation for the jackpot is “0” which is the lowest, and the degree of expectation increases as the value increases. When the expectation is “100” or more, the jackpot is determined. That is, an expectation degree of “100” or higher is displayed only when the determination result is a big hit.

  A first special symbol start winning opening 14 is provided below the expectation degree display unit 10. A normal symbol start gate 12 is provided on the right side of the display screen 28, and a second special symbol start electric accessory 15 is disposed below the normal symbol start gate 12. A V attacker 17 and a normal attacker 16 are provided side by side on the lower left side of the second special symbol starting electric member 15.

  The second special symbol starting electric member 15 includes an opening / closing member. The opening / closing member of the second special symbol starting electric accessory 15 can swing in the front-rear direction around the lower end. When the opening / closing member swings forward to be in an open state, it becomes easy to win a game ball to the second special symbol starting electric accessory 15. The normal attacker 16 and the V attacker 17 also include an opening / closing member that can swing in the front-rear direction. The game ball can win the normal attacker 16 and the V attacker 17 only when the opening / closing member is opened. Each open / close member is electrically opened and closed by a solenoid.

  Although not shown, a specific area and a non-specific area are formed in the flow path of the game ball won in the V attacker 17. In the pachinko machine 1, the game ball passing through a specific area in the V-attacker 17 during the jackpot game is a condition for causing a probability variation state after the jackpot game is over. In the present embodiment, the V attacker 17 is released once during one big hit game. The opening pattern of the V attacker 17 includes a long-time opening pattern that is opened for a maximum of 13 seconds in one opening operation and a short-time opening pattern that is opened only for a maximum of 0.3 seconds. In the case of the short-time release pattern, the probability that the game ball wins the V attacker 17 is low. The types of jackpot games are provided with a long-time opening jackpot in which a long-time opening pattern is selected and a short-time opening jackpot in which a short-time opening pattern is selected. Therefore, the rate at which the probability variation state occurs varies depending on whether or not the jackpot is a long time open.

  A symbol display section 8 is provided in the lower right portion of the game area 4. The symbol display unit 8 includes a normal symbol display unit, a first special symbol display unit, a second special symbol display unit, a normal symbol memory number display LED, a first special symbol memory number display LED, and a second special symbol memory number display LED. Is provided. When the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 12, a normal hit determination is performed, and the determination result is displayed on the normal symbol display section. When a game ball wins the first special symbol start winning opening 14, a first jackpot determination is performed, and one of a plurality of special symbols is displayed on the first special symbol display unit according to the determination result. When a game ball wins the second special symbol start electric accessory 15, a second jackpot determination is performed, and the result of the determination is displayed on the second special symbol display unit.

  The normal symbol memory number display LED displays up to four normal symbol operation reserved balls. The normal symbol operation reserved ball number is the number of game balls that have passed through the normal symbol start gate 12 and for which the result of the normal hit determination is not yet displayed on the normal symbol display portion. The first special symbol memory number display LED displays up to four first special symbol actuated balls. The number of first special symbol actuated reserved balls is the number of game balls that have won the first special symbol start winning opening 14 and for which the result of the first jackpot determination has not yet been displayed. The second special symbol memory number display LED displays up to four second special symbol actuated balls. The second special symbol actuated holding ball number is the number of game balls that have won the second special symbol starting electric player 15 and the result of the second jackpot determination is not yet displayed.

  The electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 40 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, a relay board 47, and the like.

  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 effects processing, 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 CPU 51 executes the program every 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, the first start switch 72, and the second start switch 73 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 first start switch 72 detects a game ball won in the first special symbol start winning opening 14. The second start switch 73 detects a game ball won in the second 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, the operation button switch 11, and the speaker 48. The operation button switch 11 detects the operation of the operation button 9 (see FIG. 1) and outputs the detection result to the sub-control board 58. The sub control board 58 performs comprehensive control such as effects according to the command transmitted from the main board 41 and the detection result of the operation button switch 11. The lamp driver board 46 controls the display of the expectation level display unit 10, the operation of various illuminations, 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 to an electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 69, a normal attacker opening / closing solenoid 70, and a V attacker opening / closing solenoid 71. The electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 69 opens and closes the opening / closing member of the second special symbol starting electric accessory 15 during the normal winning game. The normal attacker open / close solenoid 70 opens and closes the open / close member of the normal attacker 16 during the big hit game. The V attacker open / close solenoid 71 opens and closes the open / close member of the V attacker 17 during the big hit game.

  A normal symbol operation switch 74, a normal attacker switch 75, a specific area switch 76, and a non-specific area switch 77 are connected to the relay board 47. The normal symbol operation switch 74 detects a game ball that has passed through the normal symbol start gate 12. The normal attacker switch 75 detects a game ball that has won the normal attacker 16. The specific area switch 76 detects a game ball that has passed through a specific area in the V attacker 17. The non-specific area switch 77 detects a game ball that has passed through the non-specific area in the V attacker 17. Furthermore, the symbol display unit 8 is connected to the relay board 47.

  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 reservation ball number storage area 5204, a first jackpot relation information storage area 5205, a first special symbol operation reservation ball A number storage area 5206, a second jackpot relation information storage area 5207, a second special symbol actuated holding ball number storage area 5208, a command relation storage area 5209, and a flag relation storage area 5210 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 first jackpot relation information storage area 5205 stores a random number that is acquired when a game ball is won in the first special symbol start winning opening 14. The first special symbol operation reservation ball number storage area 5206 stores the first special symbol operation reservation ball number storage area 5206. The second jackpot relation information storage area 5207 stores a random number that is acquired when a game ball is awarded to the second special symbol start electric accessory 15. The second special symbol operation reserved ball number storage area 5208 stores the second special symbol operation reserved ball number. The command relation storage area 5209 stores control commands output from the main board 41 to other boards. The flag relation storage area 5210 stores various flags other than the flags stored in the winning ball flag storage area 5202.

  The first jackpot relation information storage area 5205 of the RAM 52 will be described with reference to FIG. Since the configuration of the second jackpot relation information storage area 5207 is the same as that of the first jackpot relation information storage area 5205, the description will be simplified. The first jackpot relation information storage area 5205 and the second jackpot relation information storage area 5207 are used in a special symbol process (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of the main process described later. The first jackpot relation information storage area 5205 is provided with a plurality of storage areas. When a game ball wins the first special symbol start winning opening 14, 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 first jackpot random number field in which the value of the first jackpot determination counter is stored, a first special symbol determination random number field in which the value of the first special symbol determination counter is stored, and a first variation pattern determination A first variation pattern determination random number column in which the value of the counter is stored is provided. When a game ball wins the first special symbol start winning opening 14, the value of each random number acquisition counter counted at that time is stored in each column. The first jackpot random number is used for determining the first jackpot. The first special symbol determination random number is used to determine the first special symbol. The first variation pattern determination random number is used to determine an effect pattern (demo pattern variation pattern) of a notification effect that notifies the result of the jackpot determination. The normal hit relation information storage area 5203 (see FIG. 4) is configured in the same manner as the first jackpot relation information storage area 5205 and the second jackpot relation information storage area 5207.

  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. Due to this variation pattern, the display screen 28 in synchronization with the variation time of the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display unit and the second special symbol display unit (equal to the variation time of the demo symbol), and the variation of the special symbol, A notification effect pattern to be executed by the speaker 48 or the like 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, the type of jackpot judgment (first jackpot judgment or second jackpot judgment), the gaming state at the time of jackpot judgment (during normal state or short-time state), and the result of jackpot judgment (big jackpot or missed) ) Are provided with a plurality of tables. 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 type of jackpot determination, the gaming state, 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, there are provided a variation pattern for displaying only the basic video on the display screen 28 and a variation pattern for inserting an expectation video or the like in the middle of the basic video (hereinafter referred to as “expectation display pattern”). Yes. The notification effect executed according to the expectation level display pattern is referred to as an expectation level effect.

  The basic video is a series of notification videos that complete the production independently. The pachinko machine 1 can display only the basic video and notify the player of the result of the jackpot determination. In the table shown in FIG. 6, basic videos for executing “normal reach”, “reach effect A”, and “reach effect B” are illustrated. In the reach effect executed by the basic video, after various effects are executed in a state where the same demo symbols are stopped on the left and right, a combination of demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination is fixedly displayed. Note that the reach effect is an effect indicating that there is a possibility of a big hit, and is performed after the same demo symbols on the left and right are stopped and the reach state is reached.

  The expectation degree image is a notification image displayed to notify the player of the degree of expectation that the result of the jackpot determination (first jackpot determination and second jackpot determination) is a jackpot. The pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment increases the displayed expectation level based on the number of operations of the operation button 9 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) when displaying the expectation level image. Although details will be described later, the sub-control board 58 can easily select a higher rate as the rate of increase in the degree of expectation when the determination result is a big hit. Therefore, if the degree of expectation becomes a high value, the player can strongly expect that the determination result is a big hit.

  The expectation level display pattern includes four fluctuation patterns: a “normal expectation level pattern”, an “expectation level addition pattern”, an “automatic ascent pattern”, and a “striking confirmation pattern”. The “normal expectation pattern” is a variation pattern in which only a normal expectation image (that is, an expectation image other than an expectation image in a hit determination pattern described later) is inserted into the basic image. The “expected degree addition pattern” is a variation pattern in which an expected degree video and an additional expected degree video can be inserted into a basic video. The additional expectation degree image is a notification image for increasing the expectation level that has been raised during the display of the expectation degree image. The “automatic ascending pattern” is a variation pattern in which an expected degree image and an automatically ascending image can be inserted into a basic image. The automatic ascending image is a notification image for automatically increasing the degree of expectation to a value of “100” or more regardless of the operation of the operation button 9. In the “hit confirmation pattern”, an expectation video that raises the expectation to “100” by only one operation of the operation button 9 is inserted into the basic video. The “automatic ascending pattern” and the “striking pattern” are variation patterns that can be selected (determined) only when the determination result is a big hit. The specific contents of the effect executed when each variation pattern is selected will be described later with reference to the drawings.

  When the basic video is displayed, it is the same regardless of whether the expected video is inserted or not, except when the video is replaced by another video (specifically, an automatically rising video or a jackpot final video). The basic video is displayed for the same time (60 seconds in this embodiment). Then, the display time of each of the expected video and the additional expected video inserted in the middle of the basic video is 10 seconds. Therefore, the variation time of the “normal expectation pattern” (that is, the effect time of the notification effect) is 70 seconds (60 seconds + 10 seconds), and the variation time of the “expectation extra pattern” is 80 seconds (60 seconds + 10 seconds + 10 seconds). It becomes.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the determination result is a big hit, the ratios to be selected are in the order of “variation pattern in which only the basic video is displayed”, “normal expectation pattern”, and “expectation extra pattern”. Get higher. On the other hand, when the determination result is out of order, the selected ratio decreases in the order of “variation pattern in which only the basic video is displayed”, “normal expectation pattern”, and “expected expectation pattern”. Therefore, the player can have a higher expectation for the jackpot when the expected video is inserted than when only the basic video is displayed. Also, higher expectation can be achieved when the additional expectation video is further inserted than when only the expectation video is inserted.

  The operation of 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 processing of the control program is executed in the CPU 51 when the CPU 51 detects 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 process, a process for controlling the operation of the jackpot game (mainly the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing members of the normal attacker 16 and the V attacker 17) and a process related to the gaming state after the end of the jackpot game are performed. . More specifically, if the game ball passes through a specific area in the V attacker 17 during the jackpot game, a probability variation short-time state occurs after the jackpot game ends. If the game ball does not pass through the specific area, a non-probability short time state is generated.

  Next, special symbol processing is performed (S14). Although details will be described later, in the special symbol processing, processing such as jackpot determination 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 (opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member of the second special symbol starting electric accessory 15) is performed when the normal hit is achieved. CPU51 will open the 2nd special symbol starting electrically-driven accessory 15 longer than in a non-time-short state, if the time-short state has arisen.

  Next, normal symbol processing is performed (S16). In the normal symbol processing, a normal hit random number is acquired when the normal symbol operation switch 74 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 5210 (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. As the display state flag, “1” is stored when the special symbol is fluctuating, “2” is displayed when the special symbol is stopped, and “0” is stored when the special 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 is won in the first special symbol start winning opening 14 (S21). When the first start switch 72 provided in the first special symbol start winning opening 14 detects the winning of the game ball, the first of the winning ball flag storage area 5202 in the main process switch reading process (S11, see FIG. 7). The flag corresponding to the start switch 72 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 S25. If a game ball has won the first special symbol start winning opening 14 (S21: YES), it is determined whether or not the value of the first special symbol actuated holding ball number storage area 5206 is "4" ( S22). If it is “4” (S22: YES), the number of balls on hold has reached the upper limit that can be held, so the process directly proceeds to the determination of S25.

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

  Next, processing related to winning a game ball to the second special symbol starting electric accessory 15 is performed. First, it is determined whether or not a game ball has won the second special symbol start electric accessory 15 (S25). When it is determined that the flag corresponding to the second start switch 73 provided on the second special symbol start electric accessory 15 is “OFF” and the game ball is not won (S25: NO). Then, the process proceeds to determination of S31 as it is. If a game ball has won the second special symbol start electric accessory 15 (S25: YES), it is determined whether or not the value of the second special symbol actuated holding ball number storage area 5208 is "4". (S26). If it is “4” (S26: YES), since the random number for this game ball cannot be stored, the process proceeds to the determination of S31 as it is.

  If the second special symbol operation reserved ball number is not “4” (S26: NO), “1” is added to the value of the second special symbol operation reserved ball number storage area 5208 (S27). Various random numbers are acquired and stored in the second jackpot relation information storage area 5207 (S28). The process proceeds to the determination at S31.

  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 big hit gaming state (S31: NO), it is determined whether any of the two special symbol display parts is changing (S32). If the display state flag is not “1” and neither of them is changing (S32: NO), it is determined whether or not one of the two special symbol display units is in a stopped display (S33). If the display status flag is not “2” and none of them is being stopped (S33: NO), the process proceeds to S34 (see FIG. 9), and a big hit determination is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, it is first determined whether or not the number of second special symbol actuating balls is “1” or more (S34). If it is “1” or more and the second special symbol operation holding ball is present (S34: YES), the second jackpot determination is performed, which will be described in detail later. If the number of the second special symbol operation reservation balls is “0” (S34: NO), it is determined whether or not the number of the first special symbol operation reservation balls is “1” or more (S35). If it is “0” (S35: NO), the process directly returns to the main process.

  If the number of the first special symbol operation reservation balls is “1” or more (S35: YES), the value of the first special symbol operation reservation balls number storage area 5206 is subtracted from “1” (S36), and the first jackpot determination Is performed (S37). The first jackpot determination is performed based on the value in the first jackpot random number column of the first jackpot relation information storage area 5205 with reference to a determination table according to whether or not the probability variation state is in effect. Next, in the special symbol variation pattern determination table (see FIG. 6), the variation pattern is determined by a table corresponding to the type of jackpot determination, the gaming state, and the determination result. Furthermore, a special symbol is determined. Specifically, if the determination result is a jackpot (S38: YES), one of the variation patterns indicating the first jackpot is determined by the value in the first variation pattern determination random number column (S39). When the variation pattern is determined, the variation of the special symbol is started. Next, one of the first special symbols indicating the first jackpot is determined by the value of the first jackpot special symbol determination random number field (S40). In the case of the first jackpot determination, the percentage of long-time open jackpot is 50%. The process proceeds to S51. If the determination result is out of order (S38: NO), one of the variation patterns indicating the outage is determined (S41), and the process proceeds to S51. The special symbol in the case of a loss is one type of “-”.

  In addition, when the second special symbol operation holding ball exists (S34: YES), the second jackpot determination is performed in the same flow as the first jackpot determination. First, “1” is subtracted from the value of the second special symbol operation reserved ball number storage area 5208 (S43), and a second jackpot determination is made according to whether or not the probability variation state is being performed (S44). If it is a big jackpot (S45: YES), a variation pattern indicating that it is a second jackpot is determined (S46), and a second special symbol indicating that it is a second jackpot is determined (S47). The process proceeds to S51. In the case of the second jackpot determination, the percentage of long-time open jackpot is 100%. If the determination result is out of order (S45: NO), the variation pattern indicating the out of place is determined (S48), and the process proceeds to S51.

  When the big hit determination is completed, a variation pattern designation command for designating the determined variation pattern is stored in the command relation storage area 5209 of the RAM 52 (S51). The variation pattern designation command is transmitted to the sub control board 58 in the command output process (S10, see FIG. 7) of the main process to be executed next time. The variation time of the special symbol determined according to the determined variation pattern is set in the special symbol variation time counter which is a timer counter (S52). “1” indicating that any of the special symbol display sections is changing is stored in the display state flag (S53), and the process returns to the main process.

  In addition, in the determination of S32 shown in FIG. 8, when “1” is stored in the display state flag and it is determined that any of the special symbol display portions is changing (S32: YES), the change is made. It is determined whether time has elapsed (S54). When the value of the special symbol variation time counter set in S52 (see FIG. 9) is “0” and it is determined that the variation time has elapsed (S54: YES), a special symbol stop command is stored in the RAM 52. Is stored (S55). This command is transmitted to the sub-control board 58 and the relay board 47 in the next main process, and instructs the demo symbols on the display screen 28 and the special symbol display unit to stop changing. Next, a predetermined stop display time (for example, 0.6 seconds) is stored in the special symbol stop time counter (S56). “2” indicating that any one of the special symbol display sections is being stopped is stored in the display state flag (S57), and the process returns to the main process. On the other hand, if it is determined in S54 that the variation time has not yet elapsed (S54: NO), the process returns to the main process as it is.

  Further, in the determination of S33, “2” is stored in the display state flag, and when it is determined that any of the special symbol display sections is being stopped (S33: YES), it is set in S56. Based on the value of the counter, it is determined whether or not the stop display time has elapsed (S59). If the value of the special symbol stop time counter is not “0” and the stop display time has not yet elapsed (S59: NO), the process returns to the main process as it is. When the stop display time has elapsed (S59: YES), “0” indicating that the special symbol display portion is neither changing nor being stopped is stored in the display state flag (S60). Next, a game state transition process is performed (S61), and the process returns to the main process. In the gaming state transition process (S61), 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. In addition, if the termination condition (for example, the discontinuity continues for a predetermined number of times) is satisfied, the gaming state is terminated and the state is shifted to the non-short-time state and the non-probability variation state.

  With reference to FIGS. 10 to 20, the sub control board processing 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 a variation pattern (expectation display pattern) for executing the expectation effect is designated by the main board 41, the expectation image is inserted into the basic image, and the result of the jackpot determination uses the expectation. To inform the player. The sub control board process is executed by the CPU 581 according to the control program stored in the ROM 583.

  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 an expectation display pattern for executing the expectation effect (S72). If it is not the expectation level display pattern (S72: NO), the notification effect is controlled according to the designated variation pattern (S73), and the process returns to the determination of S71. When the expectation level display pattern is designated (S72: YES), the expectation level effect process for controlling the expectation level effect is executed (S74), and the process returns to the determination of S71. Details of the expectation 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.

  With reference to FIG. 11, the expectation degree effect process will be described. When the expectation level effect process is started, first, display of the basic video defined by the designated variation pattern is started (S81). As described above, the basic video is a series of notification videos in which the production is completed independently. In the basic video, after a plurality of demo symbols fluctuate, a combination of demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination is determined and displayed. Therefore, when the basic video is displayed, the three demo symbols start to change.

  Next, it is determined whether the stop timing of the left demo symbol has arrived (S82). 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 in S82 is repeated until the elapsed time after the start of fluctuation reaches a predetermined time (S82: NO). When the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time and the stop timing of the left demo symbol comes (S82: YES), the left demo symbol is stopped (S83). Next, it is determined whether the stop timing of the right demo symbol has arrived (S84). If it has not arrived (S84: NO), the determination of S84 is repeated. When the stop timing of the right demo symbol arrives (S84: YES), the same demo symbol as the demo symbol stopped to the left is stopped to the right to reach a reach state (S85). Note that the left and right demo symbols may be stopped simultaneously to reach a reach state. The present invention can also be realized by stopping the right demo symbol first.

  Next, if the designated expectation display pattern is a normal expectation pattern (S86: YES), a normal expectation process is executed (S87, see FIG. 12), and the process returns to the sub control board process. If the pattern is not the normal expectation pattern (S86: NO) and the expectation addition pattern (S88: YES), the expectation addition process is executed (S89, see FIG. 15), and the process returns to the sub-control board process. If the pattern is not an expected addition pattern (S88: NO) and if it is an automatic ascent pattern (S90: YES), an automatic ascent process is executed (S91, see FIG. 17), and the process returns to the sub-control board process. If it is not an automatic ascending pattern (S90: NO), the designated expectation display pattern is a blow determination pattern, so a blow determination process is executed (S92, see FIG. 19), and the process is a sub-control board process. Return to. Hereinafter, the process for controlling each expectation degree production will be described in detail.

  With reference to FIG. 12 to FIG. 14, the normal expectation process and the aspect of the effect executed by the normal expectation process will be described. The normal expectation process is a process executed according to the normal expectation pattern, and only the expectation picture is inserted into the basic picture once. As shown in FIG. 12, when the normal expectation process is started, it is determined whether or not the display timing of the expectation video for notifying the player of the expectation has arrived (S101). In the present embodiment, the display timing of the expected degree video is determined in advance by a designated variation pattern (normal expected degree pattern). If the display timing has not arrived (S101: NO), the determination in S101 is repeated. When the display timing of the expectation level video comes (S101: YES), the rate of increase in the expectation level is selected according to the designated variation pattern (S102). Here, the expectation degree to raise is demonstrated.

  FIG. 13 shows an expected rise determination table stored in the ROM 583. The expected rise degree determination table is referred to in order to determine the expected degree of increase every time the operation button 9 is operated once. In the present embodiment, the CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 displays the expectation image and validates the operation button 9 every time the operation button 9 is operated, the value of the increase value determination random number. Get (1-100). Each value of the rising value determination random number is associated with an expected degree of increase in advance. The CPU 581 determines the expectation degree associated with the acquired random number value as the expectation degree to be increased.

  Specifically, a case where the determination result is a big hit and the expected level during display is “0 to 24” will be described. In this case, if the acquired random number is any one of “1 to 25”, the degree of expectation is increased to “25”. When the acquired random number is any one of “26 to 99”, if the increase rate determined by the lottery is “normal”, “1” is added to the degree of expectation, and the increase rate is “high”. If there is, “2” is added. Further, if the acquired random number is “100”, the degree of expectation is increased to “100” indicating a big hit. In addition, when the result of the jackpot determination is out of place, the expectation degree to be raised is determined so that the expectation degree does not rise to a value larger than “99” (a value indicating that it is a jackpot). In the case of a deviation, the expected degree of increase is determined so that the frequency of increasing the expected degree to “25” or “50” at a time is reduced.

  In the process of S102 (see FIG. 12), either “normal” (expected degree of addition “1”) or “high” (expected degree of addition “2”) is designated as the rate of increase in the expected degree. The lottery is selected according to the fluctuation pattern. Specifically, when a variation pattern indicating a big hit is designated, the probability of winning the increase rate “high” is higher than when a variation pattern indicating a loss is designated. In addition, in the case of accompanying a basic video that is likely to be displayed at the time of a big hit, the probability of winning the increase rate “high” is higher than in the case of accompanying a basic video that is frequently displayed at the time of loss.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the increase rate “high” is won (S103). In the case of winning (S103: YES), in order to indicate that the rate of increase in the degree of expectation is “high”, an expectation degree image with a red background color is displayed on the display screen 28 (S104). When the winning rate is “high” (S103: NO), an expectation image with a blue background color is displayed to indicate that the rising rate is “normal” (S105).

  An expectation increasing process is executed according to the increasing rate determined by the lottery (S106). In the expectation level increasing process, first, “00” is displayed on the display screen 28 and the expectation level display unit 10 as an initial value of the expected level. Every time the operation button 9 is activated and the operation button 9 is operated, a rising value determination random number is acquired. Among the expected rise determination table (see FIG. 13), a table corresponding to the determination result and the expected expectation being displayed is referred to, and a value corresponding to the random value is determined as the expected increase value. The expectation degree displayed on the expectation degree image and the expectation degree display unit 10 is increased to the determined increase value. In the normal expectation effect, the displayed expectation does not increase unless the operation button 9 is operated.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the displayed expectation degree has reached “100” indicating that it is a jackpot (S107). If “100” has not been reached (S107: NO), it is determined whether or not the display time of the expectation display video (in this embodiment, 10 seconds) has elapsed and the time is over (S108). If the time is not over (S108: NO), the processes of S106 to S108 are repeated.

  When the displayed expectation reaches “100” before the time is over (S107: YES), the notification video displayed for the remaining time until the end of the notification effect is a jackpot confirmation video indicating that the jackpot has been confirmed. (S109). The process returns to the expectation level effect process. As described above, if the result of the jackpot determination is out of place, the display expectation does not reach “100”. If the display expectation reaches time without reaching “100” (S108: YES), the display of the interrupted basic video is resumed (S110), and the process returns to the expectation effect process.

  With reference to FIG. 14, the aspect of the expectation degree effect executed according to the normal expectation degree pattern will be described. First, a basic video is displayed, and reaches a reach state 20 seconds after the start of production. Then, after 40 seconds, the display of the basic video is interrupted, and the expected video is inserted. An effect executed while an expectation level image is displayed is called an expectation level effect. In the expectation effect, first, a message “Limit combo / Aim for 100 with repeated strikes!” Is displayed on the display screen 28, prompting the operation button 9 to be repeated. The initial value “00” of the expected level is displayed on the display screen 28 and the expected level display unit 10. When the player hits the operation button 9 repeatedly, the degree of expectation increases according to the number of operations (operation amount) of the operation button 9.

  When the degree of expectation reaches “100” within the display time of the degree of expectation video, “V / BONUS” is displayed on the display screen 28, and “FF” indicating that the jackpot has been confirmed is displayed on the expectation degree display unit 10. Is displayed. Thereafter, the display of the basic video is not resumed, and the video up to the end of the production is replaced with the jackpot confirmed video. That is, in the jackpot finalized video, the combination of demo symbols indicating the jackpot is finalized. On the other hand, when the display time of the expectation video has passed without the expectation reaching “100”, the expectation displayed at that time is interrupted while remaining in the expectation display 10. The display of the basic video is resumed on the display screen 28. Then, the demo symbol is fixedly displayed in the basic video, and the result of the jackpot determination is notified to the player.

  The pachinko machine 1 can notify the result of the jackpot determination even if only the basic video is displayed without inserting the expectation video. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the basic video display time itself is 60 seconds, but the overall effect time is 70 seconds by inserting the expected video of 10 seconds.

  With reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, an expectation degree adding process and an aspect of an effect executed by the expectation degree adding process will be described. The expectation addition process is a process executed according to an expectation addition pattern, and an additional expectation picture may be inserted into the basic picture in addition to the expectation picture. As shown in FIG. 15, when the expectation degree addition process is started, it is determined whether or not the display timing of the expectation degree video has arrived (S111). If it has not arrived (S111: NO), the determination of S111 is repeated. When the expected video display timing comes (S111: YES), the expected rate of increase (“normal” or “high”) is drawn in accordance with the designated variation pattern (S112). When the increase rate “high” is won (S113: YES), an expectation video indicating that the increase rate of the expectation is “high” is inserted (S114). If the rate of increase is “high” (S113: NO), an expectation video indicating that the rate of increase is “normal” is inserted (S115).

  In accordance with the increase rate determined in S112, processing for increasing the degree of expectation from “00” is performed (S116). If the display expectation does not reach “100” (S117: NO) and the time is not over (S118: NO), the processes of S116 to S118 are repeated. If the display expectation reaches “100” before the time is over (S117: YES), the notification video displayed for the remaining time until the end of the notification effect is replaced with the jackpot determination video (S131), Return to the expectation effect process. In this case, the additional expectation degree video is not displayed.

  If the display expectation degree is over the time without reaching “100” (S118: YES), the expectation degree displayed on the display screen 28 and the expectation degree display unit 10 at that time is stored in the RAM 582 and the interrupted basic The video display is resumed (S119). In the present embodiment, the expectation level is continuously displayed on the expectation level display unit 10 even after the display of the basic video is resumed. However, when the display of the basic video is resumed, the expectation degree of the expectation degree display unit 10 may be deleted. Next, it is determined whether or not the display timing of the additional expectation degree video has arrived (S121). If it has not arrived (S121: NO), the determination in S121 is repeated. When the display timing of the additional expectation degree video comes (S121: YES), the rising rate of the expectation degree is again drawn according to the designated fluctuation pattern (mainly whether it is a big hit fluctuation pattern) ( S122). Here, in the lottery in S122, the rising rate “high” is drawn with a higher probability than in the above-described rising rate drawing during the display of the expected video (see S112). When the increase rate “high” is won (S123: YES), an additional expectation image with a red background color is inserted to indicate that the increase rate of the expectation is “high” (S124). If the rate of increase is “high” (S123: NO), an additional expectation image with a blue background color is inserted to indicate that the rate of increase is “normal” (S125).

  Next, the expected level displayed at the end of the expected level video (notified to the player) is set again as the expected level of the target to be increased (S127). A rise expectation level determination table (see FIG. 13) is referred to, and processing for further raising the expectation level displayed on the expectation level display unit 10 is performed according to the rise rate determined in S122 (S128). If the display expectation does not reach “100” (S129: NO) and the time is not over (S130: NO), the processes of S128 to S130 are repeated. If the display expectation reaches “100” before the time is over (S129: YES), the notification video is replaced with the jackpot decision video (S131), and the process returns to the expectation effect process. If the display expectation reaches time without reaching “100” (S130: YES), the display of the interrupted basic video is resumed (S132), and the process returns to the expectation effect process.

  With reference to FIG. 16, the aspect of the expectation degree effect executed according to the expectation degree addition pattern will be described. First, a basic video is displayed, and reaches a reach state 20 seconds after the start of production. Then, after 40 seconds, the display of the basic video is interrupted, the expected video is inserted, and the expected performance is started. During the expectation stage, the degree of expectation increases according to the number of operations of the operation button 9. If the degree of expectation does not reach “100” during the expectation degree production, the display of the interrupted basic video is resumed while the degree of expectation displayed at that time remains in the expectation degree display unit 10. . The production mode described above is exactly the same as the production mode (see FIG. 14) of the normal expectation process described above.

  In the expectation addition process, the basic image is interrupted again 60 seconds after the start of the production, and an additional expectation image, which is a notification image for raising the expectation level again, is inserted. The effect executed while the additional expectation degree image is displayed is referred to as an expectation addition effect. In the expectation extra stage production, a message of “Add on / continuous hits !! / close to 100!” Is displayed. When the player hits the operation button 9 repeatedly, the expected level displayed at the end of the expected level effect (“64” in the example of FIG. 16) further increases according to the number of operations.

  When the expected level reaches “100” during the display time of the additional expected level video, a combination of demo symbols indicating that the jackpot is displayed on the display screen 28, and “FF” indicating that the jackpot has been determined is displayed. It is displayed on the expectation level display unit 10. Thereafter, the display of the basic video is not resumed, and the video up to the end of the production is replaced with the jackpot confirmed video. That is, in the jackpot finalized video, the combination of demo symbols indicating the jackpot is finalized. On the other hand, when the display time of the expectation video has passed without the expectation reaching “100”, the expectation displayed at that time is interrupted while remaining in the expectation display 10. The display of the basic video is resumed on the display screen 28. Then, the demo symbol is fixedly displayed in the basic video, and the result of the jackpot determination is notified to the player.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, the display content and display time of only the basic video are the same as the display content and display time (60 seconds) of the basic video in the normal expectation effect illustrated in FIG. However, since the 10-second expectation video and the 10-second additional expectation video are inserted, the overall production time of the expectation addition production is 80 seconds. As in the case illustrated in FIG. 14, the basic video is configured so that the result of the jackpot determination can be notified even if only the basic video is displayed without inserting the expected video and the additional expected video. Yes.

  With reference to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the aspect of the effect performed by the automatic ascending process and the automatic ascending process will be described. The automatic ascending process is a process executed according to an automatic ascending pattern, and an automatically ascending image, which is an image that automatically increases the degree of expectation, is inserted into the basic image. As shown in FIG. 17, when the automatic ascending process is started, it is determined whether or not the display timing of the expected video has arrived (S141). If it has not arrived (S141: NO), the determination of S141 is repeated. When the display timing of the expectation level video comes (S141: YES), the rate of increase in the expectation level (“normal” or “high”) is drawn in accordance with the designated variation pattern (S142). When the increase rate “high” is won (S143: YES), an expectation video indicating that the increase rate of the expectation is “high” is inserted (S144). If the rate of increase is “high” (S143: NO), an expectation video indicating that the rate of increase is “normal” is inserted (S145). In the automatic ascending process of the present embodiment, the probability of winning the increase rate “high” is set lower than when another expectation pattern is designated.

  In accordance with the increase rate determined in S142, a process for increasing the degree of expectation from “00” is performed (S147). In the process of S147, unlike the case where another expectation pattern is specified, the expectation is controlled not to increase to a value of “100” or more. Next, it is determined whether or not the display timing of the automatically ascending video has arrived (S148). In the present embodiment, the timing at which the predetermined time (50 seconds) has elapsed from the start of the production and the timing at which the degree of expectation reaches “50” arrives earlier is set as the display timing of the automatically ascending video. However, the display timing of the automatically rising image can be set as appropriate. If the timing has not arrived (S148: NO), the processes of S147 and S148 are repeated.

  When the display timing of the automatically rising image comes (S148: YES), the display of the automatically rising image is started while the display of the expectation level by the expectation level display unit 10 is continued (S149). Regardless of whether or not the operation button 9 is operated, the expected level displayed on the display screen 28 and the expected level display unit 10 is automatically increased to a frequency “100” or higher indicating that the jackpot is confirmed. (S150). When the predetermined time elapses, the automatically raised video is replaced with the jackpot confirmed video (S151), and the process returns to the expectation effect process.

  With reference to FIG. 18, the aspect of the expectation degree effect | action performed according to an automatic raise pattern is demonstrated. First, a basic video is displayed, and reaches a reach state 20 seconds after the start of production. Then, after 40 seconds, the display of the basic video is interrupted, the expected video is inserted, and the expected performance is started. During the expectation stage, the degree of expectation increases according to the number of operations of the operation button 9. When the degree of expectation rises to “50”, or when 50 seconds elapses from the start of the production, an automatically rising image is inserted. An effect executed during display of the automatically rising image is referred to as an automatically rising effect. In the automatic ascending effect, after the message “chase combo” is displayed on the display screen 28, the displayed expectation exceeds “100” and continues to rise automatically. In the present embodiment, when the expected level displayed on the display screen 28 exceeds three digits, only the lower two digits of the expected level are displayed on the expected level display unit 10. Next, the operation of the operation button 9 is prompted. When the operation button 9 is operated or a predetermined time elapses, a combination of demo symbols indicating a big hit is determined and displayed.

  With reference to FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the aspect of the production performed by the blow determination process and the blow determination process will be described. The blow determination process is a process executed according to the blow determination pattern, and the expectation is raised to “100” by only one operation of the operation button 9. As shown in FIG. 19, when the blow determination process is started, it is determined whether or not the display timing of the expectation video has arrived (S161). If it has not arrived (S161: NO), the determination of S161 is repeated. When the display timing of the expected video is reached (S161: YES), the display of the expected video is started (S163). In S163, either of the rising rate “high” and “normal” expectation degree images may be displayed. The effect during the display of the expectation video in the case where the blow determination pattern is designated is referred to as a blow determination effect.

  In the single shot finalizing effect, it is determined whether or not the operation button 9 has been operated (S164). If it has not been operated (S164: NO), it is determined whether or not the display time of the expected video has elapsed (whether or not the time has been exceeded) (S165). If the time is not over (S165: NO), the process returns to the determination of S164. If the operation button 9 is operated even once before the time is over (S164: YES), “V” indicating a big hit is displayed on the display screen 28, and “FF” is an expectation level display section. 10 (S166). The video displayed on the display screen 28 is replaced with the jackpot confirmed video (S167), and the process returns to the expectation effect process. If the operation button 9 is not operated and the time is over (S165: YES), the display of the interrupted basic video is resumed (S168), and the process returns to the expectation effect process.

  With reference to FIG. 20, the aspect of the expectation degree effect performed according to the blow determination pattern will be described. First, a basic video is displayed, and reaches a reach state 20 seconds after the start of production. Then, after 40 seconds, the display of the basic video is interrupted, the expectation video is inserted, and the blow determination effect is started. In the single shot finalizing effect, an image that prompts repeated hitting of the operation button 9 is displayed, but if the operation button 9 is operated even once before the time is over, a video indicating that it is a big hit is displayed at that time. . Thereafter, the jackpot confirmed video is replaced and the jackpot demo symbol combination is confirmed and displayed. When the time is over, the display of the basic video is resumed, and the jackpot demo symbol is confirmed and displayed in the basic video. When the blow finalizing effect is executed, the player can recognize that the determination result is a big hit only by operating the operation button 9 once without repeating the operation button 9. Therefore, the player pays attention to the contents of the production from the stage of operating the operation button 9 for the first time. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can increase the player's expectation from the first stage of repeatedly hitting the operation button 9 by including the blow determination effect in a part of the expectation effect.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment executes an effect (expectation effect) that increases the expectation level according to the amount of operation of the operation button 9 in the middle of the basic video where the effect is completed independently. can do. Therefore, the player can fully enjoy the production based on the basic video while having a sense of expectation according to the notified degree of expectation. Furthermore, the pachinko machine 1 can also execute an effect (an expectation added effect) that further increases the expectation level according to the amount of operation of the operation button 9 after the expectation effect is finished. That is, even when a low expectation degree is notified in the expectation degree effect, if the expectation degree addition effect is executed, the expectation degree once notified is added. Therefore, even when a low expectation is notified in the expectation effect, the player can enjoy the effect without impairing the expectation. In the expectation degree addition effect, an addition to the expectation degree displayed in the expectation degree effect is performed. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can give the player a stronger sense of expectation by executing the effect on the expectation level, unlike the case where the already displayed expectation level is reset and then raised again from “00”. it can. Further, the expectation video and the additional expectation video are inserted before, after, or in the middle of the basic video. Therefore, a game machine developer can compose an image to be displayed in an expectation effect by simply combining an expectation video, an additional expectation video, and a basic video. In other words, the developer does not have to create all of the video for the expectation level effect separately from the basic video. Therefore, development of the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is easy.

  The pachinko machine 1 displays one of a plurality of expectation degree videos and additional expectation degree videos having different rates of increase in expectation. Then, the expectation level is increased at an increase rate corresponding to the displayed expectation level image. Therefore, in addition to expecting that the expectation effect and the expectation addition effect are executed, the player expects that an expectation image and an additional expectation image with a high rate of expectation will be displayed. You can enjoy the game. Therefore, the player can play the game with a stronger sense of expectation.

  The pachinko machine 1 can display the automatically raised video after the display of the expected video. In the effect while displaying the automatically rising image (automatic rising effect), up to the frequency of the degree of expectation “100” or more indicating that the jackpot is confirmed regardless of the number of operations (operation amount) of the operation button 9 Expectation automatically increases. That is, even when a low expectation is notified by the expectation effect, an expectation indicating that the jackpot is confirmed may be notified afterwards even if the operation button 9 is not operated. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game while continuing to pay attention to the effect using the degree of expectation.

  The pachinko machine 1 replaces the video displayed on the display screen 28 with the jackpot determined video when the displayed expected level rises to a frequency of the expected level “100” or higher indicating that the jackpot is fixed. . As a result, after the player is informed of the jackpot is confirmed by the degree of expectation, the jackpot confirmed video is also notified again. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can make the player easily understand that the jackpot has been confirmed, and can attract the player's interest more strongly.

  The first special symbol start winning port 14 and the second special symbol start electric accessory 15 in the present embodiment correspond to the “start port” of the present invention. The CPU 51 of the main board 41 that performs jackpot determination in S37 and S44 of FIG. 9 functions as the “determination means” of the present invention. The jackpot gaming state corresponds to the “advantageous state” of the present invention. The display screen 28 corresponds to “display means”. The operation button 9 corresponds to “operation means”. The operation button switch 11 corresponds to “detection means”. In S73 of FIG. 10 and S81 of FIG. 11, the CPU 581 of the sub control board 58 that displays the basic video on the display screen 28 according to the variation pattern designated by the main board 41 functions as the “basic video control means” of the present invention. . The CPU 581 that inserts the expected video into the basic video in S104 and S105 in FIG. 12, S114 and S115 in FIG. 15, S144 and S145 in FIG. 17, and S163 in FIG. 19 functions as “expected video control means”. The CPU 581 that increases the degree of expectation in S106 in FIG. 12, S116 in FIG. 15, and S147 in FIG. 17 functions as “expectation degree control means”. The CPU 581 that inserts the additional expectation degree image into the basic image in S124 and S125 in FIG. 15 functions as the “additional expectation degree image control means”. The CPU 581 that increases the degree of expectation in S128 of FIG. 15 functions as “expectation degree addition control means”.

  The CPU 581 for inserting the automatically rising image into the basic image in S149 of FIG. 17 functions as “automatic rising image control means”. The CPU 581 that determines whether or not the degree of expectation has increased to “100” in S107 of FIG. 12 and S117 and S129 of FIG. 15 functions as “determination means”. The CPU 581 that replaces the video with the jackpot confirmed video in S109 of FIG. 12 and S131 of FIG. 15 functions as a “replacement unit”.

  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. A modified example of the normal expectation process (see FIG. 12) will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko machine 1 according to this modification is different from the above embodiment only in that the processes of S202 to S208 shown in FIG. 21 are performed, and other processes, configurations, and the like are the same as those of the above embodiment. Therefore, the same processes and configurations as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 21, in the normal expectation process in the present modification, whether or not to display the expectation image of the red background indicating that there is a high possibility that the increase rate is “high” is determined by lottery. The Specifically, when the rate of increase in expectation is won as “high” (S103: YES), the expectation image of the red background is displayed at a higher rate (for example, 80%) than in the case of loss. Is determined by lottery (S201). When the background red display is won (S202: YES), a background red expectation image indicating that there is a high possibility that the rate of increase is “high” is displayed (S203). When the background red display is lost (S202: NO), a blue background expectation image is displayed (S204). When the expected rate of increase is “normal” (S103: NO), the expected redness image of the background red is displayed at a lower rate (for example, 0% to 5%) than when “high”. This is determined by lottery (S205). If the background red display is won (S206: YES), the background red expectation image is displayed (S207), and if it is lost (S206: NO), the background blue expectation image is displayed (S208).

  As described above, the pachinko machine 1 may not accurately notify the player of the determined rate of increase in expectation. That is, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present modification includes a ratio determining unit (S102) that determines a ratio of the expected degree that the expectation degree control unit (S106) increases. Furthermore, the expectation degree video control means (S203, S204, S207, S208) in the pachinko machine 1 of the present modification displays the expectation degree video (background red) corresponding to the ratio determined by the ratio determination means on the display screen 28. First expectation degree video control means (S203, S208) to be displayed, and second expectation degree video control to display on the display screen 28 an expectation degree video (background blue) corresponding to a ratio different from the ratio determined by the ratio determination means Means (S204, S207). As a result, the player can operate the operation button 9 with the expectation that the rate of increase in actual expectation is high even when the expectation level image (background blue) corresponding to the rate of increase in low is displayed. . Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present modification can fully attract the player's interest by fully utilizing the effects using the operation buttons 9. Note that the pachinko machine 1 can always display an expected video image of the background blue when it is lost in the lottery with the ratio “high” (S103: NO). Thereby, the opportunity for a player to be discouraged can be reduced.

  Note that the pachinko machine 1 can also execute the processing of S201 to S208 in FIG. 21 when displaying the video with the expected degree added. That is, the pachinko machine 1 may execute the processes of S201 to S208 shown in FIG. 21 instead of the processes of S124 and S125 shown in FIG. In other words, the pachinko machine 1 may include ratio determining means (S122) that determines the ratio of the expected degree that the expectation degree addition control means (S128) increases, and additional expectation degree video control means (S203, S204, S207). , S208) includes first additional expectation degree video control means (S203, S208) for causing the display screen 28 to display an additional expectation degree image (background red) corresponding to the ratio determined by the ratio determination means, and the ratio determination means. There may be provided second additional expectation degree video control means (S204, S207) for causing the display screen 28 to display an additional expectation degree video (background blue) corresponding to a ratio different from the determined ratio. In this case, the player can operate the operation button 9 with the expectation that the rate of increase in actual expectation is high, even if an additional expectation level image corresponding to a low rate of increase is displayed. In this case, disappointment of the player can be prevented by prohibiting the display of the additional expectation degree video corresponding to the rate lower than the rate determined by the rate determining means. Moreover, it goes without saying that the processing of S201 to S208 shown in S21 may be executed instead of S144 and S145 of FIG.

  Other modifications can be made to the above embodiment. For example, the pachinko machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment performs the expectation effect when notifying the player of the result of the jackpot determination. However, the present invention can be applied not only to the result of the jackpot determination but also to the case of notifying other determination results such as whether or not the probability variation state is correct and whether or not the short-time state is correct.

  In the above embodiment, the minimum value of expectation is “0”, and the greater the value, the higher the expectation for jackpot. When the value is “100” or more, it is determined that the game is a jackpot. However, it goes without saying that the mode of expectation can be changed. For example, the degree of expectation may be set so that the expectation for jackpot increases as the value decreases. More specifically, the degree of expectation may be set so that the expectation for the jackpot becomes higher as the number of enemies decreases in the effect of “decision of the jackpot if all enemies are defeated”. In this case, reducing the number of enemies corresponds to the “expansion of expectation” in the present invention. In addition, the player may be notified of the degree of expectation by using a graph, a color change, an action of an accessory, or the like without using numerical values.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the above embodiment detects the number of operations of the push-type operation button 9 as an “operation amount”, and increases the expectation based on the detected number of operations. However, the present invention can be realized by using other operation means instead of the operation button 9. For example, a trackball or the like that inputs an operation instruction by rotating a sphere can be used instead of the operation button 9. Further, the “operation amount” is not limited to the number of operations. For example, when the operation button 9 is used, the force applied to the operation button 9 at the time of operation (pressing) may be measured to obtain an “operation amount”, or the operation button 9 may be pressed and the length of time of pressing. Etc. may be used as the “operation amount”. The rotation amount (for example, the rotation speed) of the trackball may be set as the “operation amount”.

  In the above-described embodiment, the expectation degree notified during the display of the expectation degree video is the expectation degree from when the expectation degree image is displayed until the additional expectation degree image is displayed (while the basic image is resumed). It is continuously displayed on the display unit 10. However, the display of the expected level can be interrupted while displaying the basic video. Moreover, in the expectation degree effect of the above embodiment, the expectation degree is displayed in two places of the display screen 28 and the expectation degree display unit 10. In addition, the expectation degree is displayed on the expectation degree display unit 10 in the expectation degree addition effect. However, it goes without saying that the display mode of expectation can be changed. For example, the expectation may be displayed only on the expectation display unit 10 without displaying the expectation on the display screen 28. The degree of expectation may be notified to the player using voice.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the above embodiment inserts an expectation video in the middle of a basic video. However, the expectation video can be inserted not only in the middle of the basic video but also before the start of the basic video. Further, the additional expectation degree video may be inserted not only in the middle of the basic video but also after the basic video ends.

  In the above embodiment, the maximum number of times that the additional expectation degree video is displayed in one notification effect is one. However, it is also possible to insert the additional expectation degree video a plurality of times in one notification effect. In other words, it is possible to provide two or more opportunities to increase the degree of expectation. In this case, the same additional expectation degree image may be inserted a plurality of times, or different additional expectation degree images may be inserted.

  In the above-described embodiment, two rising rates of “high” and “normal” are provided. However, the rate of increase in expectation may be one, or three or more. Further, the method for determining the expected value increase is not limited to the method illustrated in FIG.

  The automatic ascending image in the above embodiment is inserted immediately after the display time of the expectation level image ends. However, the display of the basic video may be resumed between the expectation video and the automatically rising video. Further, the display of the basic video may be resumed after displaying the automatically raised video.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 2 Game board 9 Operation button 10 Expectation degree display part 11 Operation button switch 14 1st special symbol start winning opening 15 2nd special symbol start electric accessory 28 Display screen 51 CPU
53 ROM
58 Sub Control Board 72 First Start Switch 73 Second Start Switch 581 CPU

Claims (3)

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;
Display means for displaying a notification video for notifying a player whether or not the result of the determination by the determination means is the occurrence of the advantageous state;
Operation means operated by a player;
Detecting means for detecting an operation amount of the operating means;
Each time the determination by the determination unit is performed, according to the determination result, a basic video control unit that causes the display unit to display a basic video which is a series of the notification video that is independently produced.
An expectation video control means capable of inserting the expectation video as the notification video for notifying the player of the expectation that the determination result is a hit before or during the start of the basic video;
Expectation degree control means for raising the expectation degree to be notified to the player based on the operation amount of the operation means detected by the detection means during the display of the expectation degree video;
The expectation is after the display of the basic display is finished video is started or restarted, and during or after completion of the basic image, the raising again the expected degree of increased by the expected degree control means An additional expectation video control means capable of inserting an additional expectation video that is a notification video;
During the display of the additional expectation image, based on the operation amount of the detected said operating means by said detecting means, and expectation plus control means for further increasing from the notified the expectation at the end of the expected degree image ,
A selection means for selecting whether to insert only the expected video, insert the expected video and the additional expected video, or neither .
The ratio by which the selection unit inserts the expectation video and the additional expectation video is selected,
If the result of the determination is a win, it is higher than the selected ratio that only the expected video is inserted,
When the result of the determination is not successful, the gaming machine is characterized in that it is lower than a selected ratio that only the expected video is inserted . The additional expectation degree video control means displays on the display means any one of the plurality of additional expectation degree pictures having different rates of increase in the expectation degree,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the expectation degree addition control means increases the expectation ratio at a rate corresponding to the additional expectation degree image displayed by the additional expectation degree image control means.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising expectation level display means for displaying the expectation level.

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