JP5974406B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that acquires pre-reading information related to a determination result before an actual hit determination is made for a reserved random number, and performs an effect according to the acquired pre-reading information.

  Conventionally, gaming machines that perform various effects according to pre-read information acquired from random numbers stored as reserved random numbers are known. For example, when the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 acquires a random number triggered by a winning of a game ball at the start opening while executing a notification effect that notifies the result of the hit determination, the acquired random number Is stored as a holding random number (holding ball). Each time the notification effect ends, a hit determination is performed on the stored pending random number, and the determination result is notified to the player by the notification effect. The number of holding random numbers (the number of holding balls) is indicated by the number of holding symbols displayed on the holding display means. This gaming machine acquires information related to the result of the hit determination that is subsequently executed on the pending random number as prefetch information. A part of the reserved symbol is changed according to the acquired prefetch information.

JP 2012-1000088 A2

  In conventional gaming machines, only part of the reserved symbols can be changed. Therefore, the effect of changing the hold display according to the pre-read information cannot be fully utilized, and it is difficult to attract the player's interest.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can fully utilize the effect of changing the hold display in accordance with the pre-reading information and can attract the player's interests.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a winning random number for determining whether or not a winning game advantageous to the player is executed due to the passing of the game ball through the starting port provided in the gaming board. Random number acquisition means for acquiring one or more types of random numbers, random number storage means for sequentially storing the random numbers acquired by the random number acquisition means, and the winning random numbers stored in the random number storage means A hit determination means for determining whether or not the predetermined random number is determined, a display means for displaying an image, and a notification effect for notifying a player of the result of the determination of the hit determination means on the display means. Among the random numbers stored in the random number storage means, the effect control means to be executed, and the random number that has not yet been notified by the notification effect of the result of the determination by the hit determination means From the hold random number stored in the storage means, the hold display control means for displaying the same number of hold symbols as the number of hit random numbers included in the hold random number in the hold display area in the display area of the display means, Information acquisition means for acquiring at least one of information on a result of the determination that is subsequently executed by the hit determination means for the hold random number and information on the notification effect that notifies the result of the determination on the hold random number Whether or not the hold display control means can enlarge the entire hold display area at a plurality of magnifications, and expands the hold display area according to the information acquired by the information acquisition means. determines, on the information acquired by the information acquisition means, indicates to the said hold-random number is per the results of the determination to be performed thereafter The average value of the ratio to be used if it contains broadcast, characterized by higher than the average value of the magnification does not contain the information indicating that the per above.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention can expand the entire hold display area in accordance with information acquired from the hold random number (hereinafter referred to as “prefetch information”). Therefore, it is possible to give the player a novel impression that is completely different from the conventional gaming machine. Furthermore, it is also possible to execute various effects that were difficult before enlargement in the enlarged hold display area. Therefore, the gaming machine according to the present invention can fully attract the interest of the player by fully utilizing the effect of changing the hold display according to the pre-read information.

In addition , the player can have a strong expectation for winning as the entire holding display area is enlarged at a high magnification. Therefore, the player's interest in the effect using the hold display area can be more strongly attracted.

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. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the jackpot relation information storage area 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 a main process executed on 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. It is a figure which shows an example of the hold display area expansion effect in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example in case a display change effect is performed in a hold display area expansion effect. It is a figure which shows an example in case an expectation degree display effect is performed in a hold display area expansion effect. 6 is a flowchart of sub control board processing executed in a sub control board 58; It is a flowchart of the pending | holding effect determination process performed by sub control board | substrate process. It is a flowchart of the notification effect control process performed by a sub control board | substrate process.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, a game board 2 is provided in the upper half of the pachinko machine 1. The game board 2 is substantially square (see FIG. 2), and the front surface is protected by a front frame 13 holding a transparent glass plate. An upper plate 5 is provided at the lower part of the game board 2. The upper plate 5 supplies game balls to the launcher and receives prize balls. An operation button 9 is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 5. A lower plate 6 for receiving a prize ball is provided immediately below the upper plate 5. On the right side of the lower plate 6, a launch handle 7 for adjusting the launch of the game ball is provided. Speakers 48 are respectively provided on the left and right corners of the upper portion of the front frame 13.

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

  The rendering device 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the rendering device 8 includes a display screen 28 formed of an LCD at the center. Various videos are displayed on the display screen 28. In order to notify the player of the result of the jackpot determination, there are provided three side-by-side demo symbol display units. The pachinko machine 1 performs 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 the demo symbols displayed on the three demo symbol display units. Thus, the result of the jackpot determination is notified to the player. Further, the display screen 28 is formed with a holding display area 84 (see FIGS. 9 to 11) for displaying the number of special symbol operation holding balls (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “holding balls”). The pachinko machine 1 is characterized by an effect using the hold display area 84 (details will be described later).

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

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

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

  The sub control board 58 includes a CPU 581, a RAM 582, and a ROM 583, and is connected to the lamp driver board 46, the effect control board 43, the speaker 48, and the operation buttons 9. The sub control board 58 performs comprehensive control such as effects according to the command transmitted from the main board 41. The lamp driver board 46 controls the movable accessory 30 and the like. The effect control board 43 includes a CPU 43 a and the like, and controls display of the display screen 28 in accordance with a command received from the sub control board 58. The payout control board 45 includes a CPU 45a and the like. The payout control board 45 controls the operation of the prize ball payout device 49 in accordance with a command transmitted from the main board 41, and pays out a predetermined number of game balls.

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

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

  The jackpot relation information storage area of the RAM 52 will be described with reference to FIG. The jackpot relation information storage area is used in a special symbol process (see FIGS. 7 and 8) of a main process, which will be described later, and stores a random number acquired when winning a game ball to the special symbol start electric accessory 15. The jackpot relation information storage area is provided with a plurality of storage areas. When a game ball wins the special symbol starting electric accessory 15, if the number of special symbol operation reservation balls is less than 4 (0 to 3), random numbers are stored in order from the memory area with the smallest number. The CPU 51 uses the storage area with the smallest number among the random numbers in the storage areas that have not yet been processed as a determination area, and performs various processes such as jackpot determination on the random numbers stored in the determination area. When the processing related to the random number stored in the determination area (specifically, the notification effect for informing the determination result and the jackpot game executed when the determination result is a big hit) is finished, the storage area with the next smallest number Is set as a determination area, and processing such as jackpot determination is repeated. Note that the random numbers in the storage area that has been processed may be deleted as appropriate.

  In each storage area, a jackpot random number field in which the value of the jackpot determination counter is stored, a special symbol determination random number field in which the value of the special symbol determination counter is stored, and a variation pattern determination in which the value of the variation pattern determination counter is stored A random number field is provided. When a game ball wins the special symbol start electric accessory 15, the value of each random number acquisition counter counted at that time is stored in each column. The jackpot random number is used for jackpot determination. The special symbol determination random number is used to determine a special symbol. The variation pattern determination random number is used to determine an effect pattern (demonstration variation pattern) of a notification effect for notifying the result of the jackpot determination. The RAM 52 is provided with a normal hit relation information storage area for storing a random number acquired when a game ball is won in the normal symbol start gate 12. The normal hit relation information storage area is configured in the same manner as the big hit relation information storage area.

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

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

  When the determination result is a big hit, the variation pattern for executing the reach effect is always determined. On the other hand, when the determination result is out of order, the ratio of determining the “non-reach” variation pattern that does not execute the reach effect is the highest. The reach effect is an effect performed in a state where a part of the plurality of demo symbols is stopped, and indicates that there is a possibility of a big hit. There are eight types of reach effects in the present embodiment: normal reach, reach effects A, B, C, D, E, and premier reach effects X, Y. As shown in FIG. 5, when the determination result is a big hit, the determined ratio increases in the order of normal reach and reach effects A, B, C, D, and E. On the other hand, when the determination result is out of order, the determined ratio decreases in the order of normal reach and reach effects A, B, C, D, and E. Also, the premier reach effects X and Y can be determined only when the determination result is a jackpot. Accordingly, the probability (reliability) that the jackpot determination result shown in the reach effect is a jackpot increases in the order of normal reach, reach effects A, B, C, D, E, and premier reach effects X, Y.

  With reference to FIGS. 6-8, the process by the main board | substrate 41 of the pachinko machine 1 is demonstrated. The main control of the pachinko machine 1 is performed by a control program stored in the ROM 53. The main process of the control program (see FIG. 6) is executed by the CPU 51 when the CPU 51 senses an interrupt signal generated every 4 ms by the interrupt signal generation circuit 57 (see FIG. 3).

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

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

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

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

  Next, special symbol processing is performed (S14). Although details will be described later, in the special symbol processing, processing such as jackpot determination, determination of a special symbol, and determination of a variation pattern is performed (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

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

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

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the special symbol process is started, it is determined whether or not a game ball has won the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 (S21). When the start opening switch 70 provided on the special symbol start electric accessory 15 detects the winning of the game ball, the winning ball flag corresponding to the start opening switch 70 is displayed in the main process switch reading process (S11, see FIG. 6). “ON”. If this flag is not “ON” and the game ball has not won (S21: NO), the process directly proceeds to the determination of S31. If a game ball has won the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 (S21: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of special symbol actuated balls is “4” (S22). If the number of special symbol actuated balls stored in the RAM 52 is “4” (S22: YES), since the reserved balls have reached the upper limit that can be held, the process proceeds to the determination of S31 as it is.

  When the number of special symbol operation reservation balls is not “4” (S22: NO), “1” is added to the number of special symbol operation reservation balls stored in the RAM 52, and the number of special symbol operation reservation balls is subtracted. A reserved ball number notification command for notifying the control board 58 is stored in the RAM 52 (S23). Next, various random numbers are acquired and stored in the storage area with the smallest number among the empty storage areas in the jackpot relation information storage area (see FIG. 4) (S24). Specifically, the value of the jackpot determination counter is stored in the jackpot random number column, the value of the special symbol determination counter is stored in the special symbol determination random number column, and the value of the variation pattern determination counter is stored in the variation pattern determination random number column. The

  Next, a process of pre-reading information on the random number (holding random number) newly acquired in S24 before actual jackpot determination is performed (S25). In S25, at least one of the information about the result of the jackpot determination performed by the newly acquired jackpot random number and the information about the variation pattern determined by the newly acquired variation pattern determination random number is prefetched. In the present embodiment, information on the result of the jackpot determination and information on the variation pattern are both prefetched. In sub-control board processing (see FIGS. 12 to 14) described later, whether or not to execute an effect of expanding the hold display area 84 (hereinafter referred to as “hold display area expansion effect”) and the hold display to be executed. The contents of the area expansion effect are determined according to the two pieces of pre-read information. However, in S25, for example, only information about the variation pattern may be prefetched. In this case, in the sub-control board processing, the contents of the reserved display area expansion effect are determined according to only the information of the pre-read variation pattern. In addition to at least one of the two pieces of information, the CPU 51 may prefetch information other than the two pieces of information (for example, information on special symbols). Next, a prefetch result notification command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the prefetched information is stored in the RAM 52 (S26). 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 jackpot gaming state (S31: NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S32). If the display state flag is not “1” and the special symbol is not changing (S32: NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is being stopped (S33). If the display status flag is not “2” and the stop display is not in progress (S33: NO), the process proceeds to S35 (see FIG. 8), and processing such as jackpot determination is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, before the jackpot determination is made, it is determined whether or not the number of special symbol actuated balls is “1” or more (S35). If the number of special symbol operation reservation balls stored in the RAM 52 is not equal to or greater than “1” (S35: NO), there is no game ball for which a big hit determination is to be made, and the process directly returns to the main process. If it is “1” or more (S35: YES), “1” is subtracted from the number of special symbol operation reservation balls stored in the RAM 52, and the number of special symbol operation reservation balls is notified to the sub-control board 58. The reserved ball number notification command is stored in the RAM 52 (S36). The determination area of the jackpot relation information storage area (see FIG. 4) is shifted to the storage area of the next number (S37).

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

  When it is determined that the jackpot is determined to be a jackpot (S39: YES), a special symbol indicating a jackpot is determined (S40). Next, if the time-short state is in effect (S41: YES), the special symbol variation pattern determination table (see FIG. 5) is referred to the table in the time-short state and in the case of big hit, and varies depending on the value of the variation pattern determination random number column. A pattern is determined (S42). If it is not in the time-short state (S41: NO), the variation pattern is determined by the table in the case of the non-time-short state (normal state) and the jackpot (S43). If the determination result is out of order (S39: NO), a special symbol ("-" in this embodiment) indicating that it is out of position is determined (S46). If it is in the time-short state (S47: YES), the fluctuation pattern is determined by the table of the time-short state and the deviation (S48), and if not in the time-short state (S47: NO), the fluctuation pattern is determined by the normal state and the deviation table. Is determined (S49).

  Next, a variation pattern designation command for designating the determined variation pattern and instructing the variation of the special symbol and the demo symbol (start of notification effect) is stored in the RAM 52 (S52). The stored command is output to another board such as the sub control board 58 in the command output process (S10, see FIG. 6) of the main process to be executed next. Next, the variation time of the special symbol determined according to the variation pattern is set in the special symbol variation time counter which is a timer counter (S53). “1” indicating that the special symbol is changing is stored in the display state flag (S54), and the process returns to the main process.

  Also, in the determination of S32 shown in FIG. 7, when “1” is stored in the display state flag and it is determined that the special symbol is changing (S32: YES), has the change time elapsed? It is determined whether or not (S57). If the value of the special symbol variation time counter set in S53 (see FIG. 8) is “0” and it is determined that the variation time has elapsed (S57: YES), the special symbol variation stop ( A special symbol stop command for instructing (end of notification effect) is stored in the RAM 52 (S58). The predetermined stop display time is stored in a special symbol stop time counter which is a timer counter (S59). “2” indicating that the special symbol is being stopped and displayed is stored in the display state flag (S60), and the process returns to the main process. On the other hand, if it is determined in S57 that the variation time has not yet elapsed (S57: NO), the process directly returns to the main process.

  In the determination of S33, “2” is stored in the display state flag, and when it is determined that the special symbol is being stopped (S33: YES), the value of the counter set in S59 is used. Then, it is determined whether or not the stop display time has elapsed (S61). If the value of the special symbol stop time counter is not “0” and the stop display time has not yet elapsed (S61: NO), the process returns to the main process as it is. When the stop display time has elapsed (S61: YES), “0” indicating that the special symbol is neither fluctuating nor stopped is stored in the display state flag (S62). Next, a game state transition process is performed (S63), and the process returns to the main process. In the gaming state transition process (S63), when the determination result is a big hit, the big hit gaming state flag is set to “ON”, and the gaming state is shifted to the big hit gaming state. In this case, a jackpot game start command indicating that the jackpot game is to be started is stored in the RAM 52. Further, if the termination conditions of the short-time state and the probability variation state are satisfied, these gaming states are terminated, and the gaming state shifts to the non-short-time state and the non-probability variation state.

  With reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, the effect contents of the hold display area expansion effect executed in the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the hold display area expansion effect is an effect performed by expanding the hold display area 84 formed in the display area 80 of the display screen 28 (see FIG. 2), and is executed in the notification effect. The The pachinko machine 1 can execute a hold display area expansion effect over a plurality of notification effects according to the result of prefetching with respect to the reservation ball for which the result of the jackpot determination has not been notified yet. However, it is also possible to perform the hold display area expansion effect only while the notification effect is executed once. In the present embodiment, the hold display area expansion effect is more easily executed when the jackpot determination result is larger than when the jackpot determination result is out of place. In addition, when a variation pattern with high reliability is specified, it is easier to execute a hold display area expansion effect over many notification effects than when a variation pattern with low reliability is specified, and the hold The rate at which the display area expansion effect is executed also increases.

  First, the basic contents of the hold display area expansion effect will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, when the notification effect is executed, the display area 80 starts to change the left, middle, and right demo symbols 81 (see the upper part of FIG. 9). Next, the demo symbol 81 stops in the order of left and right. When the reach effect is executed, the same demo symbol 81 is stopped on the left and right to reach the reach state, and the reach effect is executed during the reach state according to the variation pattern. Thereafter, if the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, the same demo symbol 81 on the left and right is stopped. If the result of the jackpot determination is out of place, the demo symbol 81 different from the left and right is stopped inside, and it is notified that it is out of place. Further, if a variation pattern of “non-reach” in which the reach effect is not executed is specified, after the different demo symbols 81 are stopped on the left and right, the demo symbol 81 in the middle is stopped and the notification effect is ended. .

  While the notification effect is being executed, a holding display area 84 is formed in front of the demo symbol 81 below the display area 80. In the hold display area 84, the same number of hold symbols 85 as the number of hold balls at that time are displayed. By confirming the number of reserved symbols 85, the player can easily grasp the number of reserved balls at that time. The hold display area 84 of the present embodiment is a rectangular area in plan view with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction, but it goes without saying that the mode of the hold display area 84 can be changed. For example, the reserved symbol 85 may be directly displayed on the front surface of the demo symbol 81 without providing a region frame. In this case, an area where each reserved symbol 85 is displayed (an area having the same shape as the reserved symbol 85) is the reserved display area 84. The reserved symbols 85 may be displayed vertically. The reserved symbol 85 used in the present embodiment is a black star symbol. However, the mode of the reserved symbol 85 can be changed as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the hold display area expansion effect, the entire hold display area 84 is enlarged. Therefore, it is possible to give the player a novel impression that is completely different from the conventional gaming machine. Furthermore, in the enlarged holding display area 84, various effects that were difficult before the enlargement can be executed. In the present embodiment, as the hold display area 84 is enlarged, the hold symbol 85 displayed in the hold display area 84 is also enlarged.

  In the hold display area 84, the character 82 is always displayed. In the present embodiment, the frog character 82 is displayed at the upper left of the holding display area 84. When the pachinko machine 1 performs the reserved display area expansion effect, the pachinko machine 1 expands the reserved display area 84 while executing the effect of moving the character 82. In the present embodiment, the hold display area 84 is expanded when the frog character 82 jumps to the left of the display area 80. Accordingly, the player can expect the character 82 to move and pay attention to the character 82 to enjoy the game. Note that the position where the character 82 is displayed can be changed as appropriate, and may be within the hold display area 84 or in the vicinity of the hold display area 84. It goes without saying that the mode of the character 82 and the motion of the character 82 can be changed.

  The pachinko machine 1 can enlarge the hold display area 84 at a plurality of magnifications (hereinafter, this effect is referred to as “stage expansion effect”). In the reserved display area enlargement effect, the pachinko machine 1 has a higher average value of the enlargement magnification of the reserved display area 84 when there is a reserved ball that has been pre-read to be determined to be a big hit, compared to the case where it does not exist. Thus, the magnification of the hold display area 84 is determined. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game in the hope that the hold display area 84 will be greatly enlarged.

  When the pachinko machine 1 executes the hold display area expansion effect over a plurality of notification effects, the pachinko machine 1 can sequentially expand the hold display area 84 step by step each time the notification effect is executed. In this case, the player can increase a sense of expectation for the jackpot every time the holding display area 84 is gradually expanded in a plurality of notification effects. That is, a continuous effect over a plurality of notification effects can be executed using a change in the size of the hold display area 84. Therefore, the gaming machine can more fully utilize the effect of changing the hold display area 84 according to the prefetch information.

  In addition, the pachinko machine 1 can also enlarge the hold display area 84 in one or a plurality of stages while the notification effect is executed once. Since the hold display area 84 may be enlarged step by step during one notification effect, the player can enjoy the hold display area enlargement effect without sacrificing expectation even when the magnification of the first enlargement is small. Can do. As described above, the stage expansion effect includes a case where the hold display area 84 is expanded stepwise by one notification effect, a case where the hold display region 84 is expanded stepwise by a plurality of notification effects, and a case where both are performed. is there.

  Next, the display change effect executed in the hold display area expansion effect will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the display change effect is an effect that changes the display mode of the hold symbol 85 displayed in the enlarged hold display area 84. The pachinko machine 1 determines whether or not to change the display mode so that the rate of change of the display mode becomes higher as the reserved symbol 85 of the holding sphere that executes the variation pattern having a higher expectation degree. Further, it is determined whether or not to change the display mode so that the percentage of change in the display mode of the reservation symbol 85 of the holding ball that is a big hit is higher than that of the holding symbol 85 of the holding ball that is lost. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can further increase the player's expectation by changing the holding symbol 85. In the present embodiment, the hold display area expansion effect is executed, and the hold symbol 85 is changed in the expanded hold display area 84. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the display mode can be changed so that the reserved symbol 85 itself is enlarged. That is, the pachinko machine 1 can diversify the effect of changing the display mode of the reserved symbol 85 by executing the reserved display area expansion effect. The pachinko machine 1 can also change the mode of the plurality of reserved symbols 85. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the black star-shaped reserved symbol 85 is changed to a white star-shaped reserved symbol 85C, and the size is enlarged. However, the manner in which the reserved symbol 85 is changed can be changed as appropriate. The pachinko machine 1 may change the reserved symbol 85 in a plurality of modes.

  Next, the expectation level display effect executed in the hold display area expansion effect will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the expectation display effect is an effect that attaches an expectation that the determination result will be a big hit to at least one of the hold symbols 85 displayed in the enlarged hold display area 84. . Since the pachinko machine 1 expands the hold display area 84 to give an expectation level, the player can easily recognize the expectation level as compared with the conventional case. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the expectation is displayed on all three reserved symbols 85. However, the pachinko machine 1 may give an expectation only to a part of the plurality of reserved symbols 85 displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the closer to 100% the expectation given to each holding symbol 85, the higher the expectation that the result of jackpot determination for that holding ball will be a big hit. Furthermore, the pachinko machine 1 has each holding symbol when the holding ball stored at that time includes a holding ball that is a big hit, compared to a case where the holding ball that is a big win is not included. The degree of expectation to be displayed is determined so that the total value of the degree of expectation given to 85 becomes high. Therefore, the player can enjoy the effect while paying attention not only to the expected level attached to each holding symbol 85 but also to the total value of the displayed multiple expected levels. Needless to say, the mode of expectation to be displayed is not limited to the percentage display.

  With reference to FIG. 12 to FIG. 14, 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, in the sub-control board process, a notification effect for notifying the result of the jackpot determination is controlled. The sub control board process is executed by the CPU 581 according to the program stored in the ROM 583.

  When the sub-control board processing is started, it is determined whether or not a reserved ball number notification command is received from the main board 41 (S80). When received (S80: YES), the same number of reserved symbols 85 as the number of special symbol operation reserved balls notified by the command are displayed in the reserved display area 84 (S81). That is, the CPU 581 increases the reserved symbol 85 when the number of reserved balls increases, and decreases the reserved symbol 85 when the number of reserved balls decreases. In addition, when increasing the reservation symbol 85, the CPU 581 adds the reservation symbol 85 to the right side of the reservation symbol 85 displayed at that time. When the number of reserved symbols 85 is decreased, the leftmost reserved symbol 85 is deleted simultaneously with the start of the notification effect, and the other reserved symbols 85 are shifted to the left by one. The process proceeds to the determination of S82. If the pending ball number notification command has not been received (S80: NO), the process proceeds directly to the determination of S82.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a prefetch result notification command is received from the main board 41 (S82). As described above, when the CPU 51 of the main board 41 newly acquires a random number triggered by the winning of a game ball to the special symbol start electric accessory 15, information on the result of the jackpot determination based on the acquired random number, And look ahead for information about variation patterns. The pre-read information is notified to the sub-control board 58 by a pre-read result notification command. In the sub control board process, when a prefetch result notification command is received (S82: YES), prefetch information notified by the command is stored in the RAM 582 (S83), and a hold effect determination process is performed (S84). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the determination of S85. In the hold effect determination process, whether or not to execute the hold display area expansion effect and the content of the effect to be executed are determined according to the notified pre-read information. Details of the hold effect determination process will be described later with reference to FIG. If the prefetch result notification command has not been received (S82: NO), the process proceeds directly to the determination of S85.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a variation pattern designation command is received from the main board 41 (S85). If it has not been received (S85: NO), the process proceeds directly to the determination in S87. When the variation pattern designation command is received (S85: YES), the notification effect control process is executed (S86), and the process proceeds to the determination of S87. In the notification effect control process, the notification effect is controlled according to the designated variation pattern. In addition, processing for controlling the hold display area expansion effect is also executed. Details of the notification effect control process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a special symbol stop command has been received from the main board 41 (S87). If not received (S87: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S92 as it is. When the special symbol stop command is received (S87: YES), the combination of the demo symbols 81 indicating the result of the jackpot determination is fixedly displayed (S88). It is determined whether or not it is time to end the hold display area expansion effect (S89). The number N of notification effects for executing the hold display area expansion effect is determined in a hold effect determination process (see FIG. 13) described later. If the hold display area expansion effect in the determined N notification effects is completed and the effect is finished (S89: YES), the size of the hold display area 84 is returned to the original size, and The change in the display mode of the hold symbol 85 is also restored (S90). The process proceeds to the determination at S92. If it is not the timing to end the hold display area expansion effect (S89: NO), the process directly proceeds to the determination of S92.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game start command is received from the main board 41 (S92). If not received (S92: NO), the process directly returns to the determination of S80. When the jackpot game start command is received (S92: YES), the jackpot game effect process is executed (S93), and the process returns to the determination of S80.

  With reference to FIG. 13, the hold effect determination process will be described. As described above, the hold effect determination process is a process executed when a prefetch result notification command is received. In the hold effect determination process, whether or not to execute the hold display area expansion effect and the content of the effect to be executed are determined according to the notified pre-read information. First, it is determined whether or not it is already determined to execute the reserved effect area expansion effect (S100). If it has already been determined (S100: YES), the process directly returns to the sub control board process (see FIG. 12).

  If it is not yet decided to execute the reserved effect area expansion effect (S100: NO), whether or not to execute the reserved display area expansion effect depends on the pre-read information for the reserved ball stored at that time. It is determined (S101). Specifically, when there is a reserved ball that has been pre-determined to be determined to be a big hit, the ratio of executing the reserved display area expansion effect is increased as compared with the case where the reserved ball does not exist. In addition, when it is prefetched that a variation pattern with a high expectation is determined, it is possible to perform a hold display area expansion effect as compared with a case where only a variation pattern with a low expectation is determined. Increase the rate of execution.

  When it is determined not to execute the hold display area expansion effect (S102: NO), the process returns to the sub control board process as it is. When it is decided to execute (S102: YES), the contents of the on-hold display area expansion effect are drawn in accordance with the pre-read information (S103). Specifically, whether or not to execute a stage expansion effect, a display change effect, and an expectation level display effect is drawn. Furthermore, the number N of notification effects for executing the hold display area expansion effect is determined. Note that when there is a reserved ball that has been pre-determined to be determined to be a big hit, it is easier to determine the larger number of times N than when there is no reserved ball. Further, the number N of times may be set to “1”, and the hold display area expansion effect may be terminated by one notification effect. In this case, instead of the pre-reading information, the effect content may be determined in accordance with at least one of the result of the jackpot determination actually executed and the actually determined variation pattern.

  If it is not won to execute the stage expansion effect (S105: NO), the magnification of the hold display area 84 is determined according to the pre-read information (S106), and the process proceeds to the determination of S110. Specifically, the CPU 581 displays the hold display so that the average value of the enlargement magnification of the hold display area 84 is higher when there is a hold ball that has been pre-read to be determined to be a big hit, compared to when there is no hold ball. The magnification of the area 84 is determined. In addition, when pre-reading that a variation pattern with a high degree of expectation is determined in advance, the average value of the enlargement magnification is larger than when predetermining that only a variation pattern with a low expectation is determined. The magnification is determined so as to be higher.

  If the stage enlargement effect is selected (S105: YES), the final enlargement stage P (that is, the enlargement magnification) that is the stage of the enlargement process that is finally executed is determined according to the pre-read information ( S107). P is an integer of 2 or more. Also in the process of S107, as in the process of S106, the CPU 581 increases the average value of the final expansion stage P when there is a reserved ball that is pre-determined to be a big hit, compared to the case where it does not exist. Thus, the final enlargement stage P is determined. In addition, when it is prefetched that a variation pattern with a high degree of expectation is determined, the average of the final enlargement stage P is compared with a case where only a variation pattern with a low expectation is determined. The final enlargement stage P is determined so that the value becomes higher. Next, the determined P final enlargement stages are distributed to N fluctuations (notification effects) in which the hold display area expansion effect is executed, so that the stage of the enlargement process executed in each notification effect is set. (S108). The process proceeds to determination of S110.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the display change effect has been won (S110). If not won (S110: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S113. If selected (S110: YES), whether or not to change the display mode of each of the displayed one or more reserved symbols 85 is determined according to the pre-read information corresponding to each reserved symbol 85. (S111), the process proceeds to the determination of S113. As described above, the CPU 581 determines whether or not to change the display mode so that the rate of change in the display mode becomes higher on average as the reserved symbol 85 of the holding sphere that executes the variation pattern having a high expectation degree. To decide. Further, whether or not to change the display mode so that the rate of change in the display mode of the holding symbol 85 of the holding ball that is a big hit is higher than that of the holding symbol 85 of the holding ball that is lost is average. decide.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the winning degree display effect has been won (S113). If not selected (S113: NO), the process returns to the sub-control board process. If it is elected (S113: YES), the total value of the expectation given to each reserved symbol 85 is determined according to the pre-read information (S114). The CPU 581 attaches to each holding symbol 85 when the holding ball stored at that time includes a big hitting holding ball, compared to when the big hitting holding ball is not included. The degree of expectation to be displayed is determined so that the total value of the degree of expectation is higher on average. In addition, when a reserved ball that executes a variation pattern with a high degree of expectation is included, the CPU 581 calculates the total expectation level compared to a case where only a reserved ball that executes a variation pattern with a low expectation level is stored. Each expectation is determined so that the value becomes high on average. Next, the degree of expectation assigned to each reserved symbol 85 is determined according to the prefetch information (S115), and the process returns to the sub control board process. In the processing of S115, the holding symbol 85 of the holding sphere in which the variation pattern having a high expectation is executed is likely to be given a higher expectation than the other holding symbols 85.

  The notification effect control process will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the notification effect control process is executed when a variation pattern designation command is received. In the notification effect control process, the notification effect is controlled according to the variation pattern specified by the command, and the hold display area expansion effect executed in the notification effect is controlled. First, it is determined whether or not it is a notification effect for executing a hold display area expansion effect (S120). If it is not a notification effect for executing the hold display area expansion effect (S120: NO), the hold display area expansion effect is not executed, and the notification effect is controlled according to the designated variation pattern (S133), Processing returns to sub-control board processing.

  If it is a notification effect that executes the hold display area expansion effect (S120: YES), the first notification effect (special symbol of the special symbol) of the notification effect that executes the hold display area expansion effect or the notification effect that continues multiple times. It is determined whether or not (S 121). If it is the first time fluctuation, the process of enlarging the hold display area 84 is always executed (S123 to S125). Specifically, it is determined whether or not to execute the stage expansion effect (S123). If it is determined not to execute (S123: NO), the hold display area 84 is enlarged in one step to the magnification determined in S106 (see FIG. 13) (S124), and the process is determined in S127. Migrate to If it is determined to execute the step expansion effect (S123: YES), the hold display area 84 is sequentially expanded at the initial expansion step determined in S108 (see FIG. 13) (S125), and the process is performed. Shifts to the determination in S127. In the processes of S124, S125, and S134, which will be described later, a process of operating the character 82 (see FIGS. 9 to 11) attached to the hold display area 84 every time the hold display area 84 is enlarged by one step. Done.

  Next, it is determined whether or not it is determined to execute the display change effect (S127). If it is determined not to execute (S127: NO), the process directly proceeds to the determination of S130. If it is determined to execute the display change effect (S127: YES), the hold symbol 85 determined to change the display mode in S111 (see FIG. 13) is changed to the determined mode. (S128), the process proceeds to the determination of S130.

  Next, it is determined whether or not to execute the expectation level display effect is determined (S130). If it is determined not to execute (S130: NO), the process proceeds to S136 as it is. If it is determined to execute the expectation level display effect (S130: YES), the hold symbol 85 is given an expectation level in the manner determined in S115 (see FIG. 13) (S131), and the process proceeds to S136. Transition. When the control of the reserved display area expansion effect (S123 to S131) ends, the subsequent notification effect is controlled according to the designated variation pattern (S136), and the process returns to the sub-control board process.

  Moreover, if it is the notification effect of the 2nd time or later among one notification effect which performs a pending | holding display area expansion effect, or the notification effect which continues several times (S121: NO), it will be determined to perform a step expansion effect. It is determined whether or not (S133). If it is determined not to execute (S133: NO), the process proceeds to S136 as it is, and the subsequent notification effects are controlled. If it is decided to execute (S133: YES), the hold display area 84 is sequentially enlarged at the expansion stage allocated to the current notification effect (S134), and the subsequent notification effect is controlled (S136). Processing returns to sub-control board processing.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment can enlarge the entire hold display area 84 according to the prefetch information acquired from the hold random number. Therefore, it is possible to give the player a novel impression that is completely different from the conventional gaming machine. Furthermore, in the expanded holding display area 84, it is possible to execute various effects that were difficult before the expansion. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can fully attract the player's interest by fully utilizing the effect of changing the hold display according to the pre-read information.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment can enlarge the entire holding display area 84 at a plurality of magnifications. The pachinko machine 1 includes the information that is pre-read to be the jackpot, the average value of the magnification when the pre-read information includes the pre-read information that is to be a big jackpot by the jackpot determination that is subsequently executed If it is not, the magnification is set higher than the average value. Therefore, the player can have a strong expectation for the jackpot as the holding display area 84 is enlarged at a high magnification. Therefore, it is possible to attract the player's interest to the effect using the hold display area 84 more strongly.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment can also expand the hold display area 84 in stages each time the notification effect is executed once. That is, a continuous effect over a plurality of notification effects can be executed using a change in the size of the hold display area 84. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can more fully utilize the effect of changing the hold display area 84 according to the prefetch information.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment can expand the hold display area 84 in one or more stages while the notification effect is executed once. Since the hold display area 84 may be enlarged step by step during one notification effect, the player can enjoy the effect without impairing his expectation even when the magnification of the first enlargement is small.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment can attach the expected degree of jackpot determined based on the pre-read information to the expanded holding display area 84. Therefore, the player can easily recognize the expected degree of jackpot for the holding ball by looking at the expectation degree attached to the enlarged holding display area 84.

  In the present embodiment, the special symbol start electric accessory 15 corresponds to the “start opening” of the present invention. The CPU 51 of the main board 41 that acquires random numbers in S24 of FIG. 7 functions as the “random number acquisition means” of the present invention. The jackpot relation information storage area (see FIG. 4) of the RAM 52 corresponds to the “random number storage means” of the present invention. The CPU 51 that makes a jackpot determination in S38 of FIG. 8 functions as the “hit determination means” of the present invention. The display screen 28 corresponds to “display means”. The CPU 581 that executes the notification effect control process shown in FIG. 14 functions as the “effect control means” of the present invention. The CPU 581 for displaying the hold symbol 85 in the hold display area 84 in S81 of FIG. 12 functions as the “hold display control means” of the present invention. The CPU 581 that performs random number prefetch processing in S25 of FIG. 7 functions as the “information acquisition unit” of the present invention. The CPU 581 that determines the degree of expectation in S114 and S115 of FIG.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. First, the pachinko machine 1 of the above-described embodiment may not only perform a holding display area expansion effect over a plurality of notification effects, but may also perform a holding display area expansion effect in a single notification effect. Thereby, the contents of the production are diversified. However, the hold display area expansion effect may be an effect that is always performed using the prefetch information.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the display area 80 of one display screen 28, both the hold display area 84 and an area for displaying other images such as the demo symbol 81 are provided. However, a display device that displays the hold display area 84 may be used separately from the display screen 28 that displays an image such as the demo symbol 81. In this case, the pachinko machine 1 can further diversify the effect contents by performing the reserved display area expansion effect using a display device that mainly displays the number of reserved balls.

  The pachinko machine 1 of the above embodiment further diversifies the contents of the effect by expanding the hold display area 84 at a plurality of magnifications. However, it is possible to enlarge the hold display area 84 at one magnification. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 of the above embodiment expands the hold display area 84 step by step every time the notification effect is executed, or expands the hold display region 84 step by step in one notification effect. It is also possible to execute only one of them.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of the above embodiment, the timing for changing the display mode of the reserved symbol 85 is the timing when the notification effect is started. However, the timing for changing the display mode of the hold symbol 85 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the reserved symbol 85 may be additionally displayed in a display mode different from the normal display mode when the game ball wins the special symbol starting electric combination 15 and the reserved symbol 85 is additionally displayed. The display mode may be changed after the notification effect is started, such as during the reach effect. Further, the timing for enlarging the hold display area 84 can be similarly changed. For example, the hold display area 84 may be enlarged at the timing when the hold symbol 85 is additionally displayed. In addition, when the pachinko machine 1 according to the above embodiment attaches an expectation to each of the plurality of reserved symbols 85, the expectation is displayed at the timing when the hold display area 84 is expanded. However, the timing for giving the expectation can be changed as appropriate. For example, each time the notification effect is executed, one degree of expectation may be given to each reserved symbol 85.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 2 Game board 15 Special symbol start electric accessory 28 Display screen 41 Main board 51 CPU
52 RAM
53 ROM
58 Sub-control board 70 Start-up switch 80 Display area 81 Demo symbol 82 Character 84 Reservation display area 85, 85C Reservation symbol 581 CPU
582 RAM
583 ROM

Claims (1)

One or more kinds of random numbers including a winning random number for determining whether or not to execute a winning game advantageous to the player due to the passing of the game ball through the starting port provided in the game board Random number acquisition means to acquire;
Random number storage means for sequentially storing the random numbers acquired by the random number acquisition means;
A hit determination means for determining whether or not the hit random number stored in the random number storage means is a predetermined random number determined in advance;
Display means for displaying an image;
Effect control means for causing the display means to execute a notification effect for notifying a player of the result of the determination of the hit determination means;
Among the random numbers stored in the random number storage means, the same number of the pending random numbers as the number of the winning random numbers included in the pending random numbers that are the random numbers for which the result of the determination by the hit determining means has not been notified by the notification effect yet A hold display control means for displaying a symbol in a hold display area within a display area of the display means;
The information on the result of the determination that is subsequently executed by the hit determination unit with respect to the reserved random number, and the result of the determination on the reserved random number from the held random number stored in the random number storage unit Information acquisition means for acquiring at least one of the information of the notification effect,
The hold display control means includes
The entire hold display area can be enlarged at a plurality of magnifications,
Determining whether to enlarge the entire holding display area according to the information acquired by the information acquisition means ;
The average value of the magnification used when the information acquired by the information acquisition means includes information indicating that the result of the determination performed subsequently with respect to the pending random number is a win, A gaming machine, characterized in that the gaming machine is set to be higher than the average value of the magnifications when information indicating winning is not included .

Images