JP5977874B1 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An object effect and an expectation effect can be enjoyed. A pachinko gaming machine executes an effect of displaying an object image suggesting the contents of game information on an image display unit 114 before the execution of the reach effect. Here, the object image includes a change object 51 having a possibility of changing the display mode and a holding object 52 having no possibility of changing the display mode. Then, the effect control unit continuously displays the variable object 51 until the movable combination 115 (the first movable combination 115A and the second movable combination 115B) is superimposed on the screen of the image display unit 114. [Selection] Figure 50

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

In gaming machines, for example, a display that displays a change object related to change display on an image display unit during display of change of a symbol by a symbol control means is known. Moreover, what displays a pending | holding object on an image display part based on the result of the prior determination by a prior determination means (for example, special symbol determination part 234) is known. There is a gaming machine that performs an object effect that changes the display mode of these variable objects and hold objects.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a change that is a target of a hold change effect by changing a plurality of hold display images corresponding to a change game that is held after the start hold ball corresponding to the change game that is a target of the change change effect. A gaming machine that is supposed to indicate the expected degree of jackpot of the game is described.

JP2015-33539A

  By the way, in the gaming machine, at a predetermined timing during the symbol variation display by the symbol control means, apart from the object effect, an expected effect that makes it expect that it is determined that the special game is to be performed is performed.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to enjoy both an object effect and an expected effect.

  The present invention that achieves the above object is realized as the following gaming machine. This gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) is acquired by an acquisition unit (for example, a random number acquisition unit 231) that acquires game information upon establishment of a predetermined condition and the acquisition unit (for example, a random number acquisition unit 231). Based on the game information, determination means (for example, special symbol determination unit 234) for determining whether or not to perform a special game advantageous to the player, and determination results of the determination unit (for example, special symbol determination unit 234) The symbol control means (for example, the special symbol variation control unit 233) that displays the symbol in a variable manner and then stops the display with the symbol representing the determination result, and the symbol control means (for example, the special symbol variation control unit 233). The determination means (for example, the special symbol determination unit 234) determines that the special game is to be performed at a predetermined timing during the display of the variation of the symbol by Based on the game information acquired by the expected effect executing means (for example, the effect control unit 300) that performs the expected effect to be waited for and the acquisition means (for example, the random number acquiring unit 231), Object image effect execution means (for example, effect control unit 300) for executing an effect of displaying an object image indicating the content of game information on the screen of an image display unit (for example, image display unit 114), and display of the object image During the execution of the expected effect by the change effect execution means (for example, the effect control unit 300) for executing the change effect for changing the aspect and the expected effect execution means (for example, the effect control unit 300), the image display unit ( For example, a movable member (for example, movable accessory 115) that can move to a position that overlaps the screen of the image display unit 114), the object The image has a first object image (for example, a changeable object 51) having a possibility of changing the display mode, and a second object image (for example, a holding object 52) having no possibility of changing the display mode, The movable member (for example, movable accessory 115) is superimposed on the screen of the image display unit (for example, image display unit 114) after the execution of the expected effect by the expected effect execution means (for example, the effect control unit 300) is started. A gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) characterized by continuously displaying the first object image (for example, the changing object 51) until timing.

  In addition, the said code | symbol in this column is attached | subjected illustratively in the description of this invention, and this invention is not reduced by this code | symbol.

  According to the present invention, both an object effect and an expected effect can be enjoyed.

It is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. (A) is an enlarged view showing an example of a display device arranged at the lower right of the game board, (b) is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the control unit of the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the image / sound control part and lamp | ramp control part of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game control part of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the basic process by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the process at the time of the power supply cutoff by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the main control processing of a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a customer waiting | standby setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of normal symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an electric tulip process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by this Embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot random number, (b) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot symbol random number, (c ) Is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reach random number, and (d) is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hit random number. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the variation pattern used in a variation pattern selection process, and a table. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of a game control part, (a) is a block diagram which shows the structure of a storage area, (b) is a block diagram which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a) It is. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of an effect control part, (a) is a block diagram which shows the structure of a storage area, (b) is a block which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a) FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the prior determination process. It is a figure which shows the structure of a command, (a) is a figure which shows the data structure of a command, (b) is a figure which shows the structure as a bit string of a command. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the command storage area in RAM. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the output process by an output control part. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an effect control part, (a) is a figure which shows a main process, (b) is a figure which shows an interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of command reception processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of a mode flag. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the production | presentation selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during completion | finish of the fluctuation effect of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big hit effect selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the ending effect selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the customer waiting command reception process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of effect button processing. It is a figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the change effect of the decoration symbol which an effect control part performs using an image display part. It is a figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the change effect of the decoration symbol which an effect control part performs using an image display part. It is a figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the change effect of the decoration symbol which an effect control part performs using an image display part. It is explanatory drawing of a change object and a pending | holding object. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the change effect in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the case where only a change object is displayed in the object display / non-display effect of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the case where only a pending | holding object is displayed in the object display / non-display effect of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the modification A of the case where only a pending | holding object is displayed about the object display / non-display effect of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the case where a holding | maintenance object and a fluctuation | variation object are displayed in the object display / non-display effect of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of revival display of an object display / non-display effect according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of continuous display of object display / non-display effects according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the modification B of the object display / non-display effect of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram of an object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the modification C of the object display / non-display effect of Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram of revival display in the object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the continuous display in the object display / non-display effect of Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram of an object display / non-display effect according to the third embodiment. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram of an object display / non-display effect according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram of revival display of an object display / non-display effect according to the fourth embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Basic configuration of gaming machine]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment.
A pachinko gaming machine 100 as an example of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 is configured to pay out a prize ball when a gaming ball launched by an instruction operation by a player wins. The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a game board 110 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 150 that surrounds the game board 110. The game board 110 is detachably attached to the frame member 150.

The game board 110 has a game area 111 for playing with a game ball on the front surface, a rail member 112 that forms a passage where a game ball launched from below rises toward the upper position of the game area 111, and a game A guide member 113 for guiding the game ball is provided on the right side of the region 111.
In the present embodiment, an image display unit 114 that displays various images for production is provided at a position of the game area 111 that is easily visible to the player. The image display unit 114 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a decorative symbol for notifying the player of a symbol lottery result (symbol variation result), for example, as the game progresses by the player. An effect image by the appearance of a character or the appearance of an item or an effect image using a later-described hold display is displayed.
In addition, a movable accessory 115 and a board lamp 116 used for various effects are provided on the front surface of the game board 110. The movable accessory 115 performs various effects by operating on the game board 110, and the board lamp 116 performs various effects by emitting light.

  The game area 111 is provided with a game nail and a windmill (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game ball falls. Further, in the game area 111, various bonuses relating to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions. In addition, the game area 111 is provided with a discharge port 117 through which game balls launched into the game area 111 that have not been won in the winning area are discharged out of the game area 111.

  In the present embodiment, as various functions related to winning and lottery, a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) starts when a game ball wins, and it is normal when a game ball passes. A start gate (hereinafter simply referred to as a gate) 124 for starting a symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is disposed on the game board 110. In FIG. 1, the gates 124 are provided on the left and right sides of the game area 111, the left gate 124 is indicated as 124L, and the right gate 124 is indicated as 124R. Moreover, the 1st starting port 121 and the 2nd starting port 122 here say the winning opening used as the operation opportunity of the predetermined 1 special symbol display. Specifically, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are provided with switches (a first start port switch 211 and a second start port switch 212 described later) that detect the passage of a game ball when winning a prize. It has been. And when a game ball wins the 1st starting port 121 or the 2nd starting port 122, this switch will detect the passage of a gaming ball as an opportunity to operate a special symbol display.

  The second start port 122 includes an electric tulip (opening / closing member) 123 as a normal electric accessory that is turned on and off by a pair of blades in the shape of tulip flowers that are opened and closed by an electric solenoid. In the electric tulip 123, when the blade is closed, it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start port 122, but when the blade is opened, the entrance of the second start port 122 is expanded and the game ball is moved to the second start port 122. It is configured to be easy to enter. When the electric tulip 123 wins the normal symbol lottery, the blade opens for a specified time (for example, 0.15 to 1.8 seconds) and for a specified number of times (for example, 1 to 3 times) while lighting or blinking.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 has, as gaming states, a low probability state with a low winning probability and a high probability state with a higher winning probability than the low probability state based on the winning probability of the jackpot lottery. And it is controlled to either the low probability state or the high probability state under a predetermined condition. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a short time state where there are few winning opportunities at the second start port 122 and a short state when there are more winning opportunities at the second start port 122 than in the short time state. Then, under a predetermined condition, the state is controlled to either the timeless state or the timeless state. The short-time state is controlled by any one or a combination of, for example, increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, reducing the normal symbol variation time, or extending the opening time of the electric tulip 123. It is a gaming state to be played. In the short time state, the special symbol variation time of the special symbol may be shortened.

Also, in this embodiment, as other prizes and lottery items, a lottery is performed even if a game ball wins a grand prize opening 125 as a special electric bonus that opens according to the result of the special symbol lottery. An ordinary winning opening 126 that is not present is arranged on the game board 110.
In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying a lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower right position of the game board 110.

  Also, on the back side of the game board 110, a game control board that determines whether or not a special symbol is won, an effect control board that comprehensively controls effects, an image control board that controls effects by images and sounds, various lamps, Various substrates (not shown) such as a lamp control substrate for controlling the effect by the movable accessory 115 are attached. In addition, a switching power supply (not shown) that converts the supplied 24V AC power source into a DC power source and outputs it to various boards and the like is disposed on the back surface of the game board 110.

When the player touches the handle 151 and rotates the lever 152 in the clockwise direction, the frame member 150 moves the game balls at a predetermined time interval (for example, 100 per minute) with a hitting force according to the operation angle. And a launching device (not shown) for electrically firing. In addition, the frame member 150 includes a supply device (not shown) that sequentially supplies game balls to the launching device one by one at a timing interlocked with the operation of the player's lever 152, and a game ball that the supply device supplies to the launching device. And a plate 153 for temporarily storing. For example, a payout ball by a payout unit is paid out to the plate 153.
In the present embodiment, the plate 153 is configured as an integrated upper and lower plate, but a configuration example in which the upper plate and the lower plate are separated is also conceivable. A configuration example in which the handle 151 of the launching device emits light under a predetermined condition is also conceivable.

The frame member 150 also includes a stop button 154 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching the handle 151 of the launch device, and a game ball stored in the tray 153. A take-out button 155 for dropping and taking out the box (not shown).
Further, the frame member 150 includes a speaker 156 and a frame lamp 157 for notifying the gaming state and situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and performing various effects. The speaker 156 performs various effects using music, voice, and sound effects. The frame lamp 157 is composed of a light emitting body such as an LED, and performs various effects by light depending on a pattern due to lighting and blinking, a difference in emission color, and the like. In addition, about the frame lamp | ramp 157, the structural example which enables it to perform the effect which changes the irradiation direction of light can be considered.
The frame member 150 also includes a transparent plate (not shown) for separating the game board 110 from the player.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2A is an enlarged view showing an example of the display unit 130 arranged at the lower right of the game board 110. FIG. 2B is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine 100.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 receives a first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to winning of the first starting port 121 and a winning of the second starting port 122. A second special symbol display 222 that operates correspondingly and a normal symbol display 223 that operates corresponding to the passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display unit 221 displays the lottery result after stopping displaying the special symbol based on the winning of the first start port 121 after variably displaying. The second special symbol display 222 displays the lottery result after the special symbol is variably displayed on the basis of the winning of the second start port 122 after being variably displayed. Based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the normal symbol display unit 223 displays the lottery result by stopping the normal symbol after the normal symbol is variably displayed. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 are each constituted by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode. Similarly, the normal symbol display 223 is also composed of a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the normal symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode.

  In addition, the indicator 130 operates in response to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the first special symbol hold indicator 218 that operates corresponding to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222. 2 a special symbol hold indicator 219 and a normal symbol hold indicator 220 that operates in response to the hold in the normal symbol indicator 223. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 are each configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of holds is determined depending on the lighting mode. Is displayed.

Here, the hold will be described. If a game ball wins in the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 during the special symbol change display operation (while the change display for one win is being performed), the special symbol is changing. In addition, the special symbol variation display operation based on the subsequent winning cannot be started. Therefore, the number of subsequent winnings is memorized up to a specified number (for example, 4), and the right to start a special symbol for the winning game ball is until the variable display operation for the previously winning game ball ends. Deferred.
For normal symbols, the same processing as for special symbols is performed. The fact that such a hold has been made and the number of hold (unchanged number) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219 and the normal symbol hold indicator 220.

  Furthermore, the display device 130 includes a state display device 224 that displays the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In the present embodiment, the status indicator 224 is configured by a display device in which three LEDs are arranged. One of the three LEDs notifies whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a high probability state where the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is high. The other one is to notify by lighting whether the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a short time state in which it is easy to win a prize at the second start port 122. Still another one is to notify by lighting whether or not the player is in a state advantageous to the player by making a right strike (by changing the hitting force of the game ball).

  The state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 displayed by the state display 224 is not limited to the above example, and other states can be displayed. For example, when the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is set to a medium probability state in which the winning probability is higher than the low probability state and the winning probability is lower than the high probability state, the state indicator 224 indicates whether or not the state indicator 224 is in the medium probability state. May be notified by lighting.

  In addition, the indicator 130 includes a round number indicator 225 for displaying the number of rounds when the big winning opening 125 is operated in the jackpot game performed according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery. The jackpot game will be described later. The round number display 225 is configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of operating rounds of the big winning opening 125 in the jackpot game is displayed according to the lighting mode.

  The frame member 150 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, as an example of an input device, an effect button 161, an effect key 162 that is adjacent to the effect button 161 and includes a plurality of keys arranged in a substantially cross shape, Is disposed on the frame member 150. In the illustrated example, the player can instruct one of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114 by operating an effect key 162 including four keys arranged in a cross, for example. It is possible to select the designated image by operating the effect button 161. In addition to the effect buttons 161 and the effect keys 162 shown in the figure, various input forms such as levers, dials, and the like can be adopted as the input device.

[Configuration of control unit]
Next, a control unit that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the control unit of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the image / sound control unit and the lamp control unit of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit includes a game control unit 200 that determines whether a special symbol is won or the like as main control means. In addition, as the sub-control means, an effect control unit 300 that comprehensively controls the effect and a payout control unit 330 that controls payout of the payout ball are provided.

[Configuration and function of game control unit]
The game control unit 200 is used as a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when determining whether or not a special symbol is won, a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like, a working memory of the CPU 201, and the like. RAM 203 to be provided.
When the game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, the game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery and sends the lottery result to the effect control unit 300. In addition, the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state and the change information of the short time state and the short time state are sent to the effect control unit 300.
Further, the game control unit 200 performs control to increase the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, shorten the normal symbol variation time, or extend the opening time of the electric tulip 123. In addition, the game control unit 200 holds up to the limit number (for example, four) of the unchangeable amount when the game ball continuously wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, or the game ball continues. Thus, the suspension is set up to the limit number (for example, 4) of the unchangeable amount when passing through the gate 124.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 opens until the special winning opening 125, which is a special electric accessory, satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) according to the result of the special symbol lottery. Control is performed so that the round in which the state is maintained is repeated a predetermined number of times. Furthermore, the opening / closing operation interval when the special winning opening 125 is opened is controlled.

Further, when the game ball is won in the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126, the game control unit 200 per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control unit 330 is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning opening 126, an instruction command (command) is sent to the payout control unit 330 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the payout control unit 330 is not instructed to pay out the prize ball in conjunction with it.
When the payout control unit 330 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 200, the game control unit 200 acquires information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 330. As a result, the number of prize balls paid out is managed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port switch (SW)) 211 that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121, as shown in FIG. , A second start port detection unit (second start port switch (SW)) 212 that detects a winning of a game ball to the second start port 122, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213 that opens and closes the electric tulip 123, and the gate 124. A gate detection unit (gate switch (SW)) 214 for detecting the passage of the game ball is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 has a large winning port detecting unit (large winning port switch (SW)) 215 for detecting a winning of a game ball to the large winning port 125, and the large winning port 125 is inclined to be in a closed state. A large winning opening / closing unit 216 set to the open state and a normal winning opening detecting unit (normal winning opening switch (SW)) 217 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning opening 126 are connected.

In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol hold indicator 218 that displays the number of unreserved reserves that have been won to the first start port 121 during the change of the special symbol within a limit number (for example, four). , A second special symbol hold indicator 219 that displays within the limit the number of non-changed reserves won to the second starting port 122 during the change of the special symbol, and the non-changed display that has passed through the gate 124 during the change of the normal symbol A normal symbol hold indicator 220 for displaying the fluctuation hold amount within the limit number is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol display 221 for displaying a special symbol variation display and a special symbol lottery result performed by winning a game ball in the first starting port 121, and a second starting port. A second special symbol display 222 that displays the result of the special symbol variation display and special symbol lottery performed by winning the game ball to 122, and the normal symbol display that displays the normal symbol variation display and the normal symbol lottery result A device 223 and a state indicator 224 for displaying the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 are connected.

  Then, detection signals detected by the first start port switch 211, the second start port switch 212, the gate switch 214, the big winning port switch 215 and the normal winning port switch 217 are sent to the game control unit 200. In addition, the control signal from the game control unit 200 includes an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213, a prize winning opening / closing unit 216, a first special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219, a normal symbol hold indicator 220, It is sent to the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, the normal symbol display 223, and the status display 224. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of payout prize balls.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 350 for transmitting various information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall is connected to the game control unit 200. Then, the game control unit 200 transmits the information about the number of paid-out prize balls acquired from the payout control unit 330 and the information indicating the state of the game control unit 200 to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 350. To do.

[Configuration and function of payout control unit]
The payout control unit 330 includes a CPU 331 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling payout of payout balls, a ROM 332 that stores programs executed by the CPU 331, various data, and the like, and a RAM 333 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 331 and the like. And.
The payout control unit 330 controls payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control unit 200.
Specifically, the payout control unit 330 acquires, from the game control unit 200, a command for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won (the first start port 121 or the like). Then, the payout driving unit 334 is controlled so as to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the command. Here, the payout drive unit 334 is constituted by a drive motor that sends out the game ball from the game ball storage unit.

The payout control unit 330 includes a payout ball detection unit 335 that detects the number of prize balls actually paid out from the game ball storage unit by the payout driving unit 334, and a game ball in the storage unit (not shown). Detecting unit 336 for detecting presence / absence of storage of the game, and detecting whether or not the plate 153 for holding the game ball used when the player plays the game or the paid-out prize ball is full. A full tank detection unit 337 is connected. The payout control unit 330 receives the detection signals detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, the ball presence detection unit 336, and the full tank detection unit 337, and performs predetermined processing according to these detection signals.
Further, a frame external information terminal board 340 that transmits various types of information to the host computer installed in the hall is connected to the payout control unit 330. Then, the payout control unit 330, for example, information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout driving unit 334, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, etc. Is transmitted to the host computer via the frame external information terminal board 340. Also, similar information is transmitted to the game control unit 200.

[Configuration and function of production control unit]
The effect control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling effects, a ROM 302 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301 and various data, a RAM 303 that is used as a work memory of the CPU 301, and the like. And a real-time clock (RTC) 304 for measuring.
The effect control unit 300 sets the contents of the effect, for example, based on the determination result of whether or not the winning in the special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 200 and the variation pattern. At that time, in response to an operation input from the user using the effect button 161 or the effect key 162, the effect content corresponding to the operation input may be set. In this case, for example, a signal (operation signal) corresponding to an operation is received from a controller (not shown) such as the effect button 161, and the operation content identified by the operation signal is reflected in the setting of the effect.
In addition, when the game is interrupted for a predetermined period, the effect control unit 300 instructs the setting of the screen display for waiting for a customer as one of the effects.
Furthermore, the production control unit 300 sets the production content based on the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state received from the game control unit 200, and the change information of the short time state and the short time state.
Further, the effect control unit 300 sends a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320.

  Furthermore, the effect control unit 300 is connected to an image / sound control unit 310 that controls an effect using an image and sound, and a lamp control unit 320 that controls an effect using various lamps and the movable accessory 115. Has been.

[Configuration / Function of Image / Sound Control Unit]
As shown in FIG. 4, the image / sound control unit 310 stores an image that expresses the contents of presentation and a CPU 311 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling sound, a program executed by the CPU 311, various data, and the like. A ROM 312, a RAM 313 used as a working memory for the CPU 311, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 314, a CGROM 315, and an SNDROM 316 are provided.

Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 114 and the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300.
Specifically, the CGROM 315 has a symbol image or background image displayed during the game on the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, a character for displaying a notice effect to the player, Image data such as items is stored. The SND ROM 316 stores various types of acoustic data such as music and sound output from the speaker 156 in synchronization with the image data or independently of the image data, and sound effects such as jingles.
Based on the hold number command or the change start command sent from the effect control unit 300, the CPU 311 performs analysis of the animation pattern, creation of a display list in which commands related to drawing are created, transmission of the display list to the VDP 314, and the like. .

The VDP 314 reads image data and acoustic data stored in the CGROM 315 and the SNDROM 316 based on the display list received from the CPU 311. Furthermore, the VDP 314 performs drawing processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, and the like, and audio processing using the read acoustic data, using the read image data. . The VDP 314 controls screen display on the image display unit 114 based on the image data subjected to the drawing process. The VDP 314 controls the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the sound data that has been subjected to sound processing.
In the present embodiment, the VDP 314 is configured to perform audio processing in addition to the drawing processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a processor that performs dedicated audio processing may be provided separately.

[Configuration and function of lamp control unit]
The lamp control unit 320 stores a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs executed by the CPU 321 and various data. A ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.
The lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, the emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Further, the operation of the movable accessory 115 is controlled.

Specifically, the ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (light emission pattern data) of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 300. Data) is stored. The CPU 321 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 322 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300. The lamp controller 320 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the read light emission pattern data.
The ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 115 corresponding to the production content set by the production control unit 300. The CPU 321 controls the operation of the movable accessory 115 based on the read operation pattern data.

  In the present embodiment, game control unit 200, effect control unit 300, image / sound control unit 310, lamp control unit 320, and payout control unit 330 are each a main board disposed on the rear surface of game board 110. The game control board, the effect control board as the sub board, the image control board, the lamp control board, and the payout control board are individually configured.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in FIG. 5, the game control unit 200 includes a random number acquisition unit 231, a normal symbol determination unit 232, a special symbol variation control unit 233, and a special symbol determination unit 234 as functional units that execute various lottery processes. And a normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236.
In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 as a functional unit that executes a process associated with special symbol variation.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 is a function unit that executes data processing related to operation control of various types of objects and prize balls, etc. As a function unit, a prize winning opening operation control unit 237, an electric tulip operation control unit 238, and a prize ball processing unit 239 are provided. And an output control unit 240 and a random number control unit 241.

The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number related to a special symbol when a game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122. Specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from a predetermined range of numerical values and used for determination by the special symbol determination unit 234.
The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number related to a normal symbol when a game ball passes through the gate 124. Specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from a predetermined range of numerical values, and used for determination by the normal symbol determination unit 232.
The special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 controls the fluctuation of the special symbol according to the lottery result when the special symbol lottery is performed.

  The special symbol determination unit 234 uses a random number table as shown in FIG. 20 at the start of the variation of the special symbol, and the lottery result is “whether it is a big winner”, “a type of big winner when winning a big winner”, “ It is determined whether or not the jackpot is lost or not when the jackpot is not won. That is, the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number value related to a special symbol when the first starting port switch 211 or the second starting port switch 212 serving as a detection unit detects passage of a game ball, and determines a special symbol. The unit 234 determines based on the acquired random number value whether or not to play a special game (such as a big hit game) advantageous to the player. The special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) described above refers to processing in the random number acquisition unit 231 and the special symbol determination unit 234.

  Here, the “hit” is divided into a plurality of types according to the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Specifically, the type of jackpot is determined depending on the combination of the short-time state or the short-time state and the high-probability state or the low-probability state. In other words, the type of jackpot based on the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game is a jackpot that becomes a high probability short-time gaming state having both a short-time state and a high-probability state after the jackpot game ends (hereinafter, high probability A jackpot that becomes a low probability short-game state with both a short-time state and a low-probability state (hereinafter, a jackpot of a low-probability short-game state), both a short-time non-state state and a high-probability state A jackpot that becomes a low probability short-time non-game state that has both a short-time no-game state and a low-probability state that has both a short-time and low-probability state There is a possibility of a jackpot of probable short gameless state). Each of these jackpots is associated with an individual special symbol, and the type of jackpot is determined according to the type of special symbol won in the special symbol lottery.

  In addition, the “bonanza” may be divided into a jackpot that can be expected to pay out a large amount of gaming balls for a long time, and a jackpot that can hardly be expected to pay out gaming balls because the jackpot game time is short. The former is called “long hit” and the latter is called “short hit”. For example, in “long win”, a round that is maintained until the open state of the grand prize opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). It is. In the “short win”, a round in which the special winning opening 125 is opened for a certain time (for example, 0.1 second) is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times).

In addition, in the case of “small winning” when the big winning is not won, for example, a small winning game is performed in which the big winning opening 125 is opened for a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times) for 0.1 seconds. At the time of winning the small hit, the game state before the small win is continued even after the small hit game is completed. That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the high probability short game state, the high probability short time gaming state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the gaming state does not shift. Similarly, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the low probability short-time non-game state, the low-probability short short no-game state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the game state does not shift.
Also, “small hit” is a kind of “out of game”, and none of the above gaming states that are advantageous to the player is set.

The variation pattern selection unit 235 selects a variation pattern (variation time) of a special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. Here, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern based on the determination result whether or not to play the jackpot game, the determination result whether or not to reach, and the like. Then, based on the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection unit 235, the special symbol variation control unit 233 controls the variation of the special symbol. Details of operations of the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 and the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 will be described later.
Here, “reach” is an effect for causing a player to expect a big hit in a decorative pattern to be described later.

When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether the normal symbol lottery result is “winning or not”.
The normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 controls the fluctuation of the normal symbol in accordance with the normal symbol lottery result.
The electric tulip operation control unit 238 opens the electric tulip 123 for a specified time and a specified number of times when it is determined to be “winning” by the normal symbol lottery, and the game ball can be easily won at the second start port 122. Generate a state. Further, when it is determined as “displacement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 is not generated.

The special winning opening operation control unit 237 controls the opening operation of the special winning opening 125.
The prize ball processing unit 239 sets commands for controlling the number of prizes received for various types of winning-related items and lottery, and for controlling the payout of prize balls according to the prizes.
The output control unit 240 controls the output of control commands from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 330.
The random number control unit 241 controls updating of various random number values used in processing by the main control unit.

[Basic operation of gaming machine]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
When the power is turned on, the game control unit 200 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs initialization and initial setting of various devices as a basic process at the time of activation. And after performing a basic process, the game control part 200 repeatedly performs the main control process which is a series of processes regarding progress of a game. In addition, when the power is shut off, the game control unit 200 executes a series of power-off processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the basic processing performed by the game control unit 200.
When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is turned on, the game control unit 200 first permits access to the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) (step (hereinafter, “step” will be referred to as “S”) 601). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not a RAM clear switch for clearing the RAM 203 is ON (S602).
When the RAM clear switch is OFF (No in S602), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the backup flag related to the operation at the time of power-off is ON (S603).
If the backup flag is ON (Yes in S603), the game control unit 200 next determines whether the checksum created when the power is turned off is normal (S604).
If the checksum is normal (Yes in S604), the game control unit 200 next executes a return process (S605). In this return process, the game control unit 200 performs setting of the sub-control means such as the effect control unit 300 accompanying the return from the state where the power is cut off. Specifically, the game control unit 200 determines the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is cut off (whether it is a big hit game, either a high probability state or a low probability state, a short time state or a short time state) The command for setting the sub-control means is output to the effect control unit 300 so that any one of them is reflected. In this return process, the game control unit 200 turns off the backup flag.

  On the other hand, if the RAM clear switch is ON (Yes in S602), the backup flag is OFF (No in S603), and the checksum is abnormal (No in S604), then the game control unit 200 is initialized. As processing, the stored contents of the RAM 203 are cleared (S606), and the work area of the RAM 203 is set (S607). Then, the game control unit 200 outputs a command for setting (initializing) the sub control means to the effect control unit 300, and sets the sub board (sub control means) (S608). The setting of the sub board includes clearing the RAM 303, RAM 313, and RAM 323 mounted on each sub board.

After the return process (see S605) is completed or after the setting of the sub-board (see S608) is completed, the game control unit 200 sets various counters and timers used for game control (S609). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the interrupt permission (S610), the interrupt prohibition (S611), the symbol random number control process (S612), the initial value random number update process (S613), and the power cutoff flag are ON. (S614) is repeatedly executed as a loop process.
Here, interrupt enable (S610) and interrupt disable (S611) are provided to enable execution of interrupt processing during execution of the loop processing (S610 to S614). In the present embodiment, main control processing in game control is executed by this interrupt processing. Details of the main control process will be described later.
In the symbol random number control process (S612), the game control unit 200 updates the variation pattern random number used in the special symbol lottery.
In the initial value random number update process (S613), the game control unit 200 updates initial values of various random values used in the game control.
In the determination of the power cut-off flag, if the power cut-off flag is OFF (No in S614), the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not cut off, and the game control unit 200 performs main control by interruption together with the loop processing (S610 to S614). Repeat the process. On the other hand, when the power shut-off flag is ON (Yes in S614), the game control unit 200 starts a process for shutting off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (power shut-off process).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of power-off processing performed by the game control unit 200.
In the power-off process, the game control unit 200 first clears the setting of the output port for performing various outputs (S701). Next, the game control unit 200 creates a checksum and stores it in the RAM 203 (S702). Next, the game control unit 200 sets the backup flag to ON (S703), prohibits access to the RAM 203 (S704), and shifts to an infinite loop.

[Main control processing of gaming machines]
Next, main control processing of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
In the main control process, the game control unit 200 controls the game in the pachinko gaming machine 100, instructs the effect control unit 300, which is a sub-control means, to control the effect, and gives a prize ball to the payout control unit 330. Instructs payout control.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing main control processing of the game control unit 200.
The main control process includes a series of processes in game control, and is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds). In the present embodiment, the game control unit 200 generates an interrupt every predetermined time set in advance, and when the interrupt is permitted in the loop process shown in FIG. 6 (see S610), the main control is performed as the interrupt process. Execute the process. As shown in FIG. 8, in the main control process, a random number update process, a switch process, a symbol process, an electric accessory process, a prize ball process, and an output process are sequentially executed (S801 to S806).

  In the random number update process (S801), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the random number control unit 241, and updates various random number values used in the game control by the game control unit 200. Details of the setting of the random number and the update of the random value will be described later.

As the switch process (S802), a start port switch process and a gate switch process are performed.
In the start port switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the random number acquisition unit 231, monitors the states of the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212 in FIG. If this happens, a special symbol lottery process is executed.
In the gate switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the normal symbol determination unit 232, monitors the state of the gate switch 214 in FIG. Execute the process.
The detailed contents of these switch processes will be described later.

As the symbol processing (S803), special symbol processing and normal symbol processing are performed.
In the special symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls the functions (subroutines) of the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol determination unit 234, and the variation pattern selection unit 235, and executes the special symbol variation and the process associated with this symbol variation. To do.
In the normal symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the normal symbol variation control unit 236, and executes a normal symbol variation and a process associated with the symbol variation.
The detailed contents of these symbol processes will be described later.

As the electric accessory process (S804), a big prize opening process and an electric tulip process are performed.
In the special prize opening process, the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the special prize opening operation control unit 237 and controls the opening operation of the special prize opening 125 based on a predetermined condition.
In the electric tulip process, the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the electric tulip operation control unit 238 and controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123 based on a predetermined condition.
Detailed contents of these electric accessory processing will be described later.

  In the prize ball processing (S805), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the prize ball processing unit 239, and sets a command for controlling the number of winning prizes and a control for paying out prize balls according to the winning prize.

  In the output process (S806), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the output control unit 240, outputs a command for effect control to the effect control unit 300, and sends a command for payout control to the payout control unit 330. Output. The effect control command is generated in each process from S802 to S804, and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. The payout control command is generated in the processing of S805 and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. A storage area is set in the RAM 203 for each type of control command.

  The output control unit 240 sequentially checks the storage area of each control command in the RAM 203, and if the control command is stored in each storage area (that is, the control command is generated in the processing of S802 to S805). The control command is read out and output to the output destination (the effect control unit 300 or the payout control unit 330).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, output processing is performed at the end of a series of main control processing. That is, the command generated in each process of S802 to S805 by the above functions as the first processing means is stored in a corresponding storage area of the RAM 203 in each process. After these processes, the output control unit 240 as a second processing unit collectively outputs the commands generated in each process accumulated in the storage area of the RAM 203. In other words, in this embodiment, when the main control process is executed for one cycle, the command generated in the execution of the one cycle is output after the last command generation in the execution of the one cycle is performed.

[Modified example of basic operation of gaming machine]
In the operation example described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the interrupt is permitted in the loop process portion of the basic process, and the main control process including a series of processes is executed as the interrupt process. However, the main control process only needs to be configured to be repeatedly executed at regular intervals, and the specific implementation means (execution procedure) is not limited to the examples illustrated in FIGS. For example, the main control process may be incorporated in a series of operations of the basic process, the elapsed time may be measured at a predetermined timing, and the process may return to the main control process every predetermined time (for example, 4 milliseconds). If the main control process is incorporated into the series of operations of the basic process, an interrupt is generated at regular intervals as in the operation described with reference to FIGS. It may be configured to return to the main control process incorporated in the basic process.

  When a command generated by basic processing is output, in principle, every time a command is generated, the command is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 203, and the function of the output control unit 240 as the second processing means is called. Output. Unlike the main control process related to the progress of the game, the basic process is a special process such as an initial operation performed only when the power is turned on. In addition, since the processing procedure may vary depending on the branching based on conditions such as the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is turned on, the generated command is promptly output so that there is no omission in the output processing. It is processing. In addition, when a command is continuously generated by a plurality of related processes, a process procedure for storing a plurality of commands in the command storage area of the RAM 203 and outputting them in response to a specific process request is adopted. May be.

[Start-up switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port switch process in the switch process shown in S802 of FIG.
In the start port switch process, a process for winning at the first start port 121 and a process for winning at the second start port 122 are sequentially performed. Referring to FIG. 9, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a game ball has won the first start port 121 and the first start port switch 211 has been turned on (S901). If the first start port switch 211 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U1 in the winning of the first start port 121 is less than the upper limit value (S902). . In the example shown in FIG. 9, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U1 has reached the upper limit value (No in S902), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, so the process for winning at the first start port 121 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the pending number U1 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S902), the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random value for determination by the current winning and stores it in the RAM 203 (S903). . Here, since the first starting port 121 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery is acquired. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of S801. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value. Random values (an example of game information) include jackpot random numbers that determine jackpot, jackpot or loss, jackpot type (short or short state after the end of jackpot game, short or short state, high probability state and low probability) Symbol random number value (big hit symbol random value) that determines the state, long hit, short hit), variation pattern random value to identify the variation pattern in the symbol variation, decide whether or not to reach with the effect Reach random number value, and so on.

  Next, the game control unit 200 performs a prior determination process (S904). The pre-determination process means that a random number is obtained by a special symbol process for a winning ball (holding ball) for which a random number has already been acquired by a winning at the starting opening but a random symbol has not yet been determined by a special symbol process to be described later. This is a process of determining the random number before the determination (preliminary determination).

  And the production | generation control part 300 of this Embodiment determines a random number by a special symbol process based on the determination result (predetermined result) of the random number determined by the prior determination process so that it may mention later, The determination result Prior to being notified, a notice effect that suggests the determination result (hereinafter, a notice effect based on prior determination) can be performed.

Here, as a notice effect based on prior determination, for example, an example of performing a hold display can be given. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, random numbers have already been acquired by winning at the start opening. The image display unit 114 performs hold display. Then, the result of prior determination is reflected on the hold display, and the determination result when the random number is determined by special symbol processing for the hold ball is suggested to the player. Thereby, the player can play a game while expecting the reserved ball.
Further, the notice effect based on the pre-determination is executed at the time of the symbol change for the other winning spheres performed before the symbol change for the winning ball (holding ball) for which the pre-determination is performed. In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of holding balls is four per one start port (first start port 121 or second start port 122) (see FIG. 9). In addition, priority is given to the digestion of the reserved balls in the second start port 122. In this case, for example, when a preliminary determination is made for the reserved ball with the second start port 122, the maximum variation including the current variation (referred to as the variation) is included before the symbol variation for the reserved ball is performed. Thus, the symbol variation for the four winning balls is performed. In the notice effect related to the reserved ball that has been determined in advance, if multiple symbol changes are made before the symbol change for the reserved ball, even if the notice effect that spans the multiple symbol changes is performed good.

  In addition, the notice effect based on prior determination is not limited to the one related to the above-described suspension, but is reflected in various effect contents performed before the determination result of random numbers (lottery result) by special symbol processing is notified. With this, it becomes possible to perform various notice effects.

Then, the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number U1 (S905).
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a pre-determination result command including the pre-determination information by the pre-determination process in S904 in the RAM 203 in order to notify the effect control unit 300 of the pre-determination result (S906).
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of an increase in the hold number U1 in S905 (S907), and ends the process for winning in the first start port 121. .

  Next, a process for winning in the second start port 122 is performed. Referring to FIG. 9, next, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 122 and the second start port switch 212 is turned on (S908). If the second start port switch 212 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the number of unreserved hold numbers U2 in the winning of the second start port 122 is less than the upper limit value (S909). ). In the example shown in FIG. 9, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U2 has reached the upper limit (No in S909), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, and the process for winning at the second start port 122 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the pending number U2 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S909), the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random number value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in the RAM 203 (S910). . Here, since the winning of the second starting port 122 is won, random numbers for special symbol lottery (big hit random number value, big hit symbol random number value, reach random number value, variation pattern random number value, etc.) are acquired as in S903 above. Is done. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of S801. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a prior determination process (S911). The content of this pre-determination process is the same as that of said S904.
Then, the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number U2 (S912).
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a pre-determination result command including pre-determination information obtained by the pre-determination process of S911 in the RAM 203 in order to notify the effect control unit 300 of the pre-determination result (S913).
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U2 in S912 in the RAM 203 (S914), and ends the process for winning at the second start port 122. .

[Gate switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate switch process when a game ball passes through the gate 124.
In this gate switch process, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball has passed through the gate 124 and the gate switch 214 is turned on (S1001). If the gate switch 214 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged holding number G is less than the upper limit value (S1002). In the example shown in FIG. 10, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reserves G has reached the upper limit (No in S1002), no more unchanging winnings can be reserved, and the gate switch processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of holdings G is less than the upper limit (Yes in S1002), the game control unit 200 acquires the random number value for the lottery by the current winning, and the RAM 203 (S1003). Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number value) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

Next, the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number G (S1004).
After the value of the hold number G is added in S1004, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number G increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number G in S1004 in the RAM 203 (S1005). The process for winning in the gate 124 is terminated.

[Special symbol processing in game control unit]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S803 of FIG.
In this special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the jackpot game flag is ON in the setting of a flag set in the RAM 203 (hereinafter, flag setting) ( S1101). Here, the jackpot game flag is a flag that is set to identify that the result of the special symbol lottery is a jackpot. Depending on the type of jackpot, either a long hit game flag or a short hit game flag is set. In the present embodiment, these are collectively referred to as a jackpot game flag.

  When the jackpot game flag is ON, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is already in the jackpot, so the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation (Yes in S1101). On the other hand, if the jackpot game flag is OFF (No in S1101), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the special symbol variation (S1102). If the special symbol is not changing (No in S1102), then the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 performs processing related to the number U1 and U2 (see FIG. 9) of the special symbols that have not been changed (S1103 to S1106). In the present embodiment, the number of holds U1 related to winning of the first start port 121 and the number of holds U2 related to winning of the second start port 122 are distinguished, so this processing is also performed for each corresponding start port. .

  Specifically, the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines whether or not the number of holds U2 related to winning in the second start port 122 is 1 or more (S1103). When the number of reservations U2 is 1 or more (Yes in S1103), the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U2 (S1104). On the other hand, if the hold number U2 = 0 (No in S1103), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether the hold number U1 related to winning in the first start port 121 is 1 or more (S1105). When the number of reservations U1 is 1 or more (Yes in S1105), the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U1 (S1106). On the other hand, if the holding number U1 = 0 (No in S1105), it means that there is no winning for starting the special symbol lottery, so the special symbol change is not started, and the waiting process for waiting for customers set in another routine To finish the process (S1116).

  After subtracting the holding number U1 or the holding number U2 in S1104 or S1106, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 turns off the customer waiting flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1107). The customer waiting flag is a flag for identifying that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the customer waiting state, and is set in the customer waiting setting process (S1116, see FIG. 15).

  Next, the special symbol variation control unit 233 executes jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing by separate routines (S1108, S1109). As will be described in detail later, by the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process, setting information for variation of the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a variation pattern, etc.) is determined. Is done. These pieces of information are included in a change start command sent to the effect control unit 300.

  Thereafter, the special symbol variation control unit 233 is displayed by the first special symbol display unit 221 and the second special symbol display unit 222 shown in FIG. 2 based on the setting contents determined in the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process. The special symbol change is started (S1110). Then, a change start command including setting information (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a change pattern, etc.) indicating the setting contents is generated and set in the RAM 203 (S1111). The variation start command set in S1111 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S806 of FIG.

  When it is determined in S1102 that the special symbol is changing (Yes in S1102), or after the change start command is set in S1111, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 determines whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed (S1112). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of the variation of the special symbol in S1110 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process in S1109. If the variation time has not passed (No in S1112), the special symbol variation is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has elapsed (Yes in S1112), the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines the variation of the special symbol in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 as a big hit determination process in S1108. It stops at the symbol determined in (S1113). A change stop command for stopping a decorative design to be described later is set in the RAM 203 (S1114). Then, a stop routine process of another routine is executed (S1115). The contents of the stop process will be described later. The change stop command set in S1114 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S806 of FIG.

[Big hit judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (S1108 in FIG. 11).
In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number value in the current special symbol lottery (S1201), and determines whether the jackpot or small hit is made (S1202). , S1205). Whether the jackpot or the jackpot is determined is whether the jackpot random number obtained in S903 or S910 in FIG. 9 matches the value set as the jackpot winning value or the value set as the jackpot winning value It is determined by judging whether (refer Fig.20 (a)).

  If the result of the random number determination in S1201 is a big hit (Yes in S1202), then the special symbol determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random number value (S1203). Depending on the result of this determination, the type of jackpot (high or low probability state, short or short state, short or short state, long or short hit) is determined. Which jackpot is determined is determined by whether the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in S903 or S910 in FIG. 9 matches one of preset values for each jackpot type (FIG. 20 ( b)).

  After the above determination, the special symbol determination unit 234 sets the symbol representing the jackpot type determined by the determination of the jackpot symbol random number (the jackpot symbol) in the RAM 203 as setting information (S1204).

  If the result of the random number determination in S1201 is a small hit (No in S1202, Yes in S1205), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses a symbol indicating that it is a small hit (hereinafter referred to as a small hit symbol) as setting information. It is set in the RAM 203 (S1206).

  If the result of the random number determination in S1201 is neither big win nor small win (No in S1202 and S1205), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses the symbol indicating that the lottery is lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) as setting information in the RAM 203. (S1207).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (S1109 in FIG. 11).
In this variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 first refers to the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (whether it is a short time state or a short time state, and a high probability state or a low probability state). (S1301). Then, using the determination result of S1202 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 12), it is determined whether or not the jackpot was won in this special symbol lottery (S1302). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1302), the fluctuation pattern selecting unit 235 reads the big hit fluctuation pattern table from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1303).

On the other hand, if the jackpot has not been won (No in S1302), the variation pattern selection unit 235 then determines a random value for determining whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a jackpot. (S1304). Whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value acquired in S903 or S910 in FIG. 9 matches a preset value (see FIG. 20C). .
As a result of the determination using the random number value, when the reach effect is performed (Yes in S1305), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for reach from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1306). When the reach effect is not performed (No in S1305), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1307).
Here, the fluctuation pattern table includes a plurality of fluctuation patterns prepared in advance (fluctuation time 3 seconds, 7 seconds, 13 seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) and values of fluctuation pattern random numbers. Is a table in which

  Next, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern random value using the variation pattern random value acquired in S903 or S910 of FIG. 9 and the variation pattern table set in S1303, S1306, and S1307 (S1308). ). That is, the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 refers to the fluctuation pattern table set in the RAM 203 and selects a fluctuation pattern corresponding to the random value of the fluctuation pattern random number. Therefore, even if the same random number value is acquired, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (whether it is a short-time state or no-short-time state, and a high-probability state or a low-probability state), the result of a special symbol lottery (whether or not it is a big hit When there is no big hit, the variation pattern table to be referred to differs depending on the difference in whether or not the reach effect is performed.

  Thereafter, the variation pattern selection unit 235 sets the variation pattern selected in S1308 as setting information in the RAM 203 (S1309). The variation pattern setting information set in S1309 is included in the variation start command set in S1111 of FIG. 11, and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S806 of FIG. Details of the variation pattern selected in this embodiment and its setting will be described later.

[Processing during stop by game control unit]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the suspension process (S1115 in FIG. 11).
In this stop process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not a flag indicating that the time is short (hereinafter, a time short flag) is turned on in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1401). When the time reduction flag is ON (Yes in S1401), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the time reduction state (S1402), and whether or not the number of lotteries J has become zero. (S1403). If the number of times of lottery J = 0 (Yes in S1403), the time reduction flag is turned OFF (S1404). It should be noted that the operation for turning on the hourly flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery count J are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 18) in a special winning opening process (FIG. 17) described later.

  If the time reduction flag is OFF (No in S1401), or after the time reduction flag is turned OFF in S1404, or if the value of the lottery count J is not 0 (No in S1403), the game control unit 200 next stores the RAM 203 It is checked whether or not a flag indicating a high probability state in the flag setting (hereinafter, probability variation flag) is ON (S1405). When both the probability variation flag and the previous time-short flag are ON, the high-probability short-time gaming state is established, and when the probability variation flag is ON and the time-short flag is OFF, the high-probability time-short no-game state.

  When the probability variation flag is ON (Yes in S1405), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of variations) X in the high probability state (S1406), and whether or not the number of lotteries X has become 0. This is checked (S1407). If the number of lotteries X = 0 (Yes in S1407), the probability variation flag is turned OFF (S1408). Note that the operation for turning on the probability change flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number X are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 18) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 17) described later.

  If the probability change flag is OFF (No in S1405), or after the probability change flag is turned OFF in S1408, or if the value of the number of times of lottery X is not 0 (No in S1407), the game control unit 200 next It is determined whether or not a special symbol lottery has been won (S1409). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1409), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the type of the big win is a long win (S1410).

  Here, the determination of whether or not a big hit can be made based on the determination result of the big hit determination process (FIG. 12). For example, if any of the symbols shown in the diagram of FIG. 20B to be described later is set, Yes is obtained in S1409. If a lost symbol or a small bonus symbol is set in the RAM 203 by the big hit determination process, No in S1409.

  If the jackpot type is a long win (Yes in S1410), the game control unit 200 turns on the long win game flag (S1411). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a jackpot gaming state (long winning gaming state) in which the jackpot type is long winning. In addition, here, in the long hit, it is not distinguished whether it is a high probability state or a low probability state. Whether the state is a high probability state or a low probability state is specified by turning on a corresponding flag in a game state setting process (FIG. 18) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 17) described later.

  If the jackpot type is not long hit (No in S1410), the game control unit 200 turns on the short hit game flag (S1412). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a big hit gaming state (short winning gaming state) in which the big hit type is short hit. Similar to the case of long hit, the case of short hit does not distinguish between a high probability state and a low probability state.

  After turning on the jackpot game flag in S1411 or S1412, the game control unit 200 initializes the values of the lottery times J and X (S1413). Further, the game control unit 200 turns off the time reduction flag when the time reduction flag is ON in S1401 and the lottery count J is not 0 in S1403 (S1414). Similarly, when the probability variation flag is ON in S1405 and the number of lotteries X is not 0 in S1407, the probability variation flag is turned OFF (S1414).

On the other hand, when the result of the special symbol lottery this time is not a big hit (No in S1409), the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery this time is a big hit (S1415). If it is not a small hit (No in S1415), the in-stop process is terminated.
On the other hand, when it is a small hit (Yes in S1415), the game control unit 200 starts a small hit game (S1416). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state. In the small hit game, as described above, the special winning opening 125 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times, and is ended after a predetermined time has elapsed.

After initializing the values of the lottery times J and X in S1413, the game control unit 200 starts an opening operation (S1417). Here, the content of the opening operation differs depending on whether the winning game flag is turned ON in S1411 or S1412. That is, depending on the state of the big hit game flag, one of the opening operations set in each of the long win games and the short win game state is performed.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets an opening command for performing an effect in the opening operation according to the jackpot game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (S1418), and ends the in-stop process. This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S806 of FIG.

[Customer waiting setting process by game control unit]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting setting process (S1116 in FIG. 11).
In this customer waiting setting process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the customer waiting flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1501). Here, the customer waiting flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state.

  If the customer waiting flag is ON, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state, and thus the processing is terminated as it is (Yes in S1501). On the other hand, when the customer waiting flag is OFF, the game control unit 200 generates a customer waiting command and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1502), and turns on the customer waiting flag (S1503). The customer waiting command set in S1502 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S806 of FIG. The customer waiting flag is set in a state where there is no suspension with the special symbol change stopped.

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the normal symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S803 of FIG.
In this normal symbol process, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1601). Here, the auxiliary game flag is a flag that is set when a normal symbol lottery is won. The state in which the auxiliary game flag is set is a state in which the electric tulip 123 is opened in accordance with the electric tulip process (FIG. 19) described later and it is easy to win the second start port 122 (auxiliary game state).

  When the auxiliary game flag is ON, since the auxiliary game state has already been reached and the normal symbol is stopped, the normal symbol process is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation (Yes in S1601). On the other hand, if the auxiliary game flag is OFF (No in S1601), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the normal symbol variation (S1602). If the normal symbol is not changing (No in S1602), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether the number G of the normal symbols remaining unchanged (see FIG. 10) is 1 or more (S1603). If the holding number G = 0 (No in S1603), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is 1 or more (Yes in S1603), the normal symbol variation control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the reserved number G (S1604), and the winning random number determination in the current normal symbol lottery is determined. To determine whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won (S1605). Whether or not the winner has been won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in S1003 in FIG. 10 matches the value set as the winning value in the table shown in FIG. It is determined.

  Next, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 sets the normal symbol according to the result of the normal symbol lottery (S1606). That is, when a normal symbol lottery is won, a symbol representing the winning (hereinafter referred to as a winning symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a symbol indicating that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information.

  Next, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 sets the variation time of the normal symbol (S1607). This variation time is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processes of S1404 and S1414 in FIG. 14, and S1804 and S1807 in FIG. That is, when the time reduction flag is ON in the setting in S1607, it is set to a short time (for example, 1.5 seconds), and when the time reduction flag is OFF, it is set to a long time (for example, 4.0 seconds). Is done. After this setting, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 starts normal symbol fluctuations in the normal symbol display 223 shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 based on the setting contents of S1607 (S1608).

  After starting the change of the normal symbol in S1608 or when it is determined that the normal symbol is changing in S1602 (Yes in S1602), the normal symbol change control unit 236 determines whether or not the change time has passed (S1609). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of fluctuation of the normal symbol in S1608 has reached the fluctuation time set in S1607. If the variation time has not passed (No in S1609), the normal symbol variation is continued, and the normal symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time is over (Yes in S1609), the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 stops the fluctuation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display 223 (S1610). Then, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won based on the stopped normal symbol (S1611). If the winning is made (Yes in S1611), the auxiliary game flag is turned ON (S1612). On the other hand, if the lottery is off (No in S1611), the normal symbol processing is terminated without turning on the auxiliary game flag.

[Large winning mouth processing by game control unit]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special prize opening process in the electric accessory process shown in S804 of FIG.
In this big prize opening process, the big prize opening operation control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the big hit game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1701). When the big hit game flag is OFF, there is no winning in the big winning opening 125, and the big winning opening process is terminated (No in S1701). On the other hand, when the jackpot game flag is ON (Yes in S1701), the big prize opening operation control unit 237 opens in the operation control at the time of jackpot that is started in the pachinko gaming machine 100 being stopped (FIG. 14). It is determined whether or not the operation is in progress (S1702).

  If the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in S1702), the next prize opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not a predetermined time (opening time) for performing the opening operation has elapsed. (S1703). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation at the special winning opening 125 is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1703). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1703), the special prize opening operation control unit 237 performs the operation setting of the special prize opening 125 (S1704), and initializes the winning number C (C = 0). Then, the value of the number R of rounds of operation of the big prize opening 125 is incremented by 1 from the current value (S1706), and the big prize opening 125 is started (opened) (S1707).

  In the operation setting of S1704, the operation pattern of the special winning opening 125 and the number of rounds (operation round number) operated by the operation pattern are set. As the case where the big prize opening 125 is operated, there are a case where it is a big win per long or short in a special symbol lottery and a case where it is a small win. The operation pattern and the number of rounds are variously set according to the hit type. As an example, in the case of a long hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and 29.5 seconds are released once in one round. In the case of a short hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and one round is performed once for 0.1 seconds. In the case of a small hit, for example, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.1 second is released 15 times in this round. Here, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared in the above examples, both 0.1 seconds of opening is performed 15 times. That is, the action of the big winning opening 125 that can be seen by the player is the same in the case of short win and small win, and the short win and the small win are distinguished only from the action of the big winning opening 125 on the game board 110. I can't do it.

  As another example, 15 rounds (15R) are activated per long, 29.5 seconds are released once per round, 2 rounds (2R) are activated per short, and 0 are rounded per round. .9 seconds are opened twice, and with a small hit, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.9 seconds is opened twice in this round. In this case as well, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared, both 0.9 seconds are released twice, and the action of the big prize opening 125 that can be seen by the player is in the case of short hits. It is the same in the case of small hits.

  The law stipulates that the cumulative opening time of the special winning opening 125 must be set within 1.8 seconds for a small hit. On the other hand, in the case of a big hit (long hit or short win), the big winning opening 125 must be continuously opened a plurality of times. Therefore, when trying to make it difficult to visually distinguish the operation with a small hit and the operation with a short hit as described above, within the range that satisfies the cumulative open time within 1.8 seconds in one operation, An operation mode in which the big prize opening 125 is opened two or more times is set, and in the short win, the same number of rounds as the number of small hits is set.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the opening time in the operation pattern set in S1704 has elapsed (S1708). If the open state at the big prize opening 125 has not passed the opening time (No in S1708), then the big prize opening operation control unit 237 has a predetermined number (for example, 9) It is determined whether or not (S1709). If the opening time has not elapsed and the number C of winning prizes is less than the prescribed number, the operating state (open state) of the big winning opening 125 is continued, so the big winning opening process is terminated (No in S1709). ). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1708) or the winning number C has reached the specified number (Yes in S1709), the big prize opening operation control unit 237 finishes operating the big prize opening 125 (closing) (S1710).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the number R of rounds of operation of the special winning opening 125 has reached the maximum value set in S1704 (S1711). If the maximum value has not been reached, the remaining operations are performed, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1711).

If the number R of rounds of operation of the special prize opening 125 has reached the maximum value (Yes in S1711), the special prize opening operation control unit 237 then starts an ending operation (S1712). Here, the content of the ending operation corresponds to the state of the big hit game flag among the ending operations set in each gaming state of the long hit game and the short hit game.
Thereafter, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 sets an ending command for performing an effect in the ending operation according to the big hit game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (S1713). This ending command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S806 of FIG.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 resets the round number R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 to 0 (S1714), and then performs an ending operation in which an elapsed time from the start of the ending operation is set in advance. It is determined whether the power time (ending time) has elapsed (S1717). If the ending time has not elapsed, the ending operation is continued, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in S1717). On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1717), next, the big prize opening operation control unit 237 goes through the game state setting process by the game control unit 200 (S1718), and then turns off the big hit game flag, The big prize opening process is terminated (S1719). The contents of the game state setting process will be described later.

  If it is determined in S1702 that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not opening (No in S1702), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not it is ending (S1715). If the ending is in progress (Yes in S1715), the operations after S1717 are executed.

On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not ending (No in S1715), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 next determines whether or not the special winning opening 125 is operating (opening) (S1716). If it is not in operation (No in S1716), the operation after S1705 is executed. If it is in operation (Yes in S1716), the operation after S1708 is executed.
The effect performed in the small hit game described above is the same as the effect performed in the short hit game, and it is not possible to distinguish short hit and small hit from the effect.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 18 shows the content of the game state setting process (S1718) performed by the game control unit 200 when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1717).
When the game state setting process is performed, the jackpot game flag is set to ON in S1701 of FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, the game control unit 200 first determines the type of jackpot (S1801, S1802, S1803, S1806). These determinations can be made based on, for example, the type of symbol set as setting information in the RAM 203 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 12). Since these determinations are substantially the same as S1202, S1203, and S1205 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 12), the determination results of S1202, S1203, and S1205 may be used.

If it is a small hit (Yes in S1801), the gaming state is not changed, so the gaming state setting process is terminated.
When the type of jackpot is a jackpot of the low probability short game state (No in S1801, Yes in S1802 and S1803), the game control unit 200 turns on the short flag (S1804). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the low gaming state when the probability is low. In addition, the game control unit 200 sets an initial value of the lottery count J (S1805) and ends the game state setting process. The initial value of the lottery number J is 100 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery in the low probability short game state is performed 100 times, the low probability short game state is ended and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the type of jackpot is a jackpot of the low probability short-time non-game state (No in S1801, Yes in 1802, No in S1803), the game control unit 200 ends the process without turning on both the time-short flag and the probability change flag. To do. Therefore, the setting of the game state of the RAM 203 for the game after the jackpot becomes a low probability short time no game state.

  When the type of jackpot is a jackpot of the short probability gaming state with high probability (No in S1801, S1802, Yes in S1806), the game control unit 200 sets the hour flag to ON (S1807) and sets the initial value of the number of lottery times J. (S1808). In this case, the initial value of the number of times of lottery J is 10,000 in the illustrated example. Further, the game control unit 200 turns on the probability change flag (S1809), and sets the initial value of the number of lotteries X (S1810). The initial value of the number of times of lottery X is 10,000 in the illustrated example. As a result, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability and short gaming state. If the lottery in the high probability short game state is performed 10,000 times, the high probability short game state is terminated and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the type of jackpot is a jackpot of the high probability short-time non-game state (No in S1801, S1802, and S1806), the game control unit 200 turns on only the probability variation flag (S1809), and the initial value ( 10000 times) is set (S1810). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability short time no gaming state. Then, if the lottery in the high probability short-time non-game state is performed 10,000 times, the high-probability short-time non-game state is finished and the low-probability short-time non-game state is entered.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the contents of the electric tulip process in the electric accessory process shown in S804 of FIG.
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1901). When the auxiliary game flag is OFF, the electric tulip 123 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1901). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game flag is ON (Yes in S1901), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the electric tulip 123 is operating (S1902).

  When the electric tulip 123 is not in operation (No in S1902), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the operation pattern of the electric tulip 123 (S1903), and operates the electric tulip 123 with the set operation pattern (S1904). . Here, the operation pattern is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processes of S1404 and S1414 in FIG. 14, S1804 and S1807 in FIG. For example, when the time reduction flag is OFF at the time of setting in S1903, an operation pattern that opens once with an opening time of 0.15 seconds is set, and when the time reduction flag is ON, the opening time of 1.80 seconds is set. An operating pattern that opens three times in time is set. Thus, normally, when the time reduction flag is ON (when it is in the time reduction state), the electric tulip 123 is opened a plurality of times for a long time, and the winning support that makes it easy to win the second start port 122 (electricity chewing support). Is done.

  When it is determined in S1902 that the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Yes in S1902), or after the electric tulip 123 is operated in S1904, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 passes the open time in the set operation pattern. It is determined whether or not it has been done (S1905). If the opening time has not elapsed, the operation state (open state) of the electric tulip 123 is continued, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1905). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1905), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the auxiliary game flag to OFF and ends the electric tulip process (S1906).

[Random number judgment method]
Here, a determination method using random numbers performed in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 12), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 13), the normal symbol process (FIG. 16), and the like will be described in detail.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a random number (determination table) used in the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery in the present embodiment.
FIG. 20 (a) shows a configuration example of jackpot random numbers used in the special symbol lottery, FIG. 20 (b) shows a configuration example of jackpot symbol random numbers used in the special symbol lottery, and FIG. 20 (c) shows a special symbol lottery. A configuration example of reach random numbers used, and a configuration example of hit random numbers used in normal symbol lottery are shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 20 (a), as the jackpot random number determination value, the jackpot when the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 at the time of jackpot determination is a low probability state and the jackpot when the game state at the jackpot determination is a high probability state 2 types and small hits are set. The range of values of random numbers (big hit random numbers) is 300 from 0 to 299 in all cases. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a low probability state (a jackpot lottery), only one winning value is set, and the winning probability is 1/300. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a high probability state, 10 winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). That is, in the example shown in the figure, if the winning symbols 121 and 122 are won in the high probability state and the special symbol lottery is performed, the winning probability is 10 times that in the case where the special symbol lottery is performed in the low probability state. Further, three winning values are set regardless of the low probability state or the high probability state, and the winning probability is 3/300 (= 1/100).

  Referring to FIG. 20B, five types of jackpot symbols are prepared: low probability symbol A, low probability symbol B, high probability symbol A, high probability symbol B, and latent symbol symbol. Here, the low-probability symbol A and the low-probability symbol B are symbols indicating that the low-probability state is a big hit. Of these, the low-probability symbol A is a long win (low-probability short-time gaming state), and the low-probability symbol B is Represents each short hit (low probability, short no-game state). The high-probability symbol A and the high-probability symbol B are symbols representing a jackpot of a high-probability state. Among these symbols, the high-probability symbol A is a long win (high-probability short-time gaming state), and the high-probability symbol B is a short-hit ( High probability short-time non-game state). The latent symbol is a symbol representing that it is a big hit in a high probability short-time no-game state. Therefore, the high probability symbol B and the latent probability symbol have the same gaming state after the jackpot game, but the latent probability symbol is a condition for performing a latent effect that does not clearly notify the player that the probability state is high. Therefore, it is provided separately from the high probability symbol B. The range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249. In addition, in the jackpot symbol random number, a winning value is set for each of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 that trigger the special symbol lottery.

In the low probability pattern A, 35 values are assigned as winning values in both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol A when winning a jackpot is 35/250 (= 7/50).
In the low probability symbol B, 15 values are assigned as winning values for both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, when winning the jackpot, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol B is 15/250 (= 3/50).

In the high probability symbol A, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 25/250 (= 1/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121.
On the other hand, 175 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 175/250 (= 7/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122.

In the high probability symbol B, 75 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 75/250 (= 3/10).
On the other hand, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122 is 25/250 (= 1/10).

In the latent symbol, 100 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning in the latent symbol when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 100/250 (= 2/5).
On the other hand, the winning value in the latent symbol is not assigned to the second starting port 122, and when winning in the second starting port 122, it is not won in the latent symbol.

  As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 20B, the jackpot when winning the first starting port 121 has a probability of becoming a jackpot (high probability symbol B, latent probability symbol) of the high probability short-time non-game state. The probability that the jackpot when winning the second start port 122 is high is a jackpot (high probability symbol A) in the short game state with high probability is high. In this way, by making the winning probabilities of the jackpot types different when winning at the first start port 121 and when winning at the second start port 122, various game characteristics can be provided. Further, the arrangement of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 on the game board 110 is devised so that it is easy to aim at either the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 in a specific state (mode). By configuring the above, it is possible to encourage the player to participate in more aggressive games.

Next, the determination of reach random numbers will be described.
Referring to FIG. 20 (c), the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, and 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and the reach effect is not performed. 228 random numbers are assigned to the result (no reach). In other words, in the illustrated example, when a special symbol lottery is not won, a reach effect is performed with a probability of 22/250 (= 11/125).

  It should be noted that the effect with reach and the effect without reach determined by the reach random number indicate a mode of effect performed in the image display unit 114. That is, during the variation display of special symbols, for example, three columns of symbols consisting of a number sequence in which numbers 1 to 9 are continuously written in the vertical direction are displayed, and the variation display of special symbols is started. At the same time, these symbols start to scroll.

  Then, in the effect with reach, when the scrolling is stopped and the symbols are stopped and displayed after elapse of a predetermined time after the start of the scrolling, any two symbols (sequences) are stopped first. At this time, the same number is stopped and displayed on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally, and the last one row gradually decreases the scrolling speed, and there is a sense of expectation that three identical numbers will be aligned on the straight line. Give to the player. Among such effects with reach, there are so-called SP (super) reach effects and SP / SP reach effects where various characters appear and stories develop before the last line of scrolling stops. include. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, which will be described later, in this embodiment, when the variation time is longer (for example, 90 seconds or 60 seconds), the SP reach or SP / SP reach effect is set to be executed. . On the other hand, unlike the effect with reach, the effect without reach does not produce an effect that gives the player a sense of expectation, and the symbols stop and display in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. Is.

As described above, the reach random number is used to determine whether to perform an effect with reach or an effect without reach in the image display unit 114 when the result of the determination of the jackpot random number is a loss. A reachable effect appears with a probability, so that the player is appropriately expected.
In addition, when a big win is won, a reachable effect is always performed, and finally the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. On the other hand, in the case of winning with a small win or loss, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on the straight line.

Next, the determination of the jackpot random number used for the normal symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 20 (d), the range of random number values is 10 from 0 to 9, and one value is assigned as the winning value when the time-short flag is OFF, and the winning value when the time-short flag is ON. Nine values are assigned. Therefore, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed in the timeless state, the player wins with a probability of 1/10. On the other hand, if the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed in the short-time state, the player wins with a probability of 9/10.

A random value as determination information used for various types of lottery starts from a predetermined initial value and is incremented by one each time the random number update process (S801) shown in FIG. 8 is performed. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start opening switch process (FIG. 9) and the gate switch process (FIG. 10), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 11) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 16). The Note that this random value counter is an infinite loop counter, and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value of the set random number (for example, 299 for the jackpot random number shown in FIG. 20A). In addition, since the random number update process is performed at regular intervals, if the initial value of each random number is specified, the winning value may be estimated based on such information. Therefore, in general, a mechanism for randomly changing the initial value of each random number at an appropriate timing has been introduced.
Note that the random number range, winning value ratio, and winning value shown in the configuration example of each random number in FIG. 20 are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated values.

[Setting example of fluctuation pattern]
Next, an example of setting the variation pattern and table used in the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. 13 will be described.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of a variation pattern and a table used in the variation pattern selection process illustrated in FIG. FIG. 21 shows a setting example that is selected when a game ball is won at the first start port 121 and the gaming state is a low probability short-time non-game state or a high probability short-time non-state. .

  Although not shown in the present embodiment, as the setting of the variation pattern used for the variation pattern selection process, the variation selected when the gaming state is the low probability short gaming state or the high probability short gaming state. There are also patterns, and a table for a short time state which is referred to when selecting these variation patterns is also provided. In addition, the setting contents of each table are different in the present embodiment. Further, regarding the case where a game ball wins at the second start port 122, similarly, a table for setting a variation pattern selected in the variation pattern selection process may be provided, or a game ball may be provided at the first start port 121. It may be possible to share and refer to a table that is referred to when winning a prize.

  As illustrated in FIG. 21, the variation patterns A to D are variation patterns that are selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit (Yes in S1302 in FIG. 13). The variation patterns E to H are variation patterns that are selected when a reach effect is performed (Yes in S1305 in FIG. 13). The variation patterns I to K are set as variation patterns that are selected when the reach effect is not performed (No in S1305 of FIG. 13). Since the reach effect is always performed when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, the presence or absence of the reach effect is not referred to when the variation patterns A to D are selected.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 21, four types of variation patterns A to D are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit (in the case of Yes in S1302 in FIG. 13). Also, seven types of variation patterns E to K are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of place (in the case of No in S1302 in FIG. 13). The fluctuation time is 90 seconds for fluctuation pattern A, 60 seconds for fluctuation pattern B, 30 seconds for fluctuation pattern C,
Fluctuation pattern D is 15 seconds, fluctuation pattern E is 90 seconds, fluctuation pattern F is 60 seconds, fluctuation pattern G is 30 seconds, fluctuation pattern H is 15 seconds, fluctuation pattern I is 13 seconds, fluctuation pattern J is 7 seconds, fluctuation Pattern K is set to 3 seconds.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the range of the random number (variation pattern random number) value is 250 from 0 to 249 in all cases.
When the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, 100 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern A, and a variation time of 90 seconds is set with a probability of 100/250. Also, 75 random numbers are assigned to the fluctuation pattern B, and a fluctuation time of 60 seconds is set with a probability of 75/250. Furthermore, 50 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern C, and a variation time of 30 seconds is set with a probability of 50/250. Then, 25 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern D, and a variation time of 15 seconds is set with a probability of 25/250.
That is, among the variation patterns A to D selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, the variation pattern A is selected at the highest rate, the variation pattern B is selected at the next highest rate, and the next It is possible to set so that the variation pattern C is selected at a higher rate and the variation pattern D is selected at the lowest rate. And, when winning the jackpot, it is easy to execute the variation effect over a relatively long time.

Also, when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of order and an effect with reach is performed, 25 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern E, and a variation time of 90 seconds is set with a probability of 25/250. The Further, 50 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern F, and a variation time of 60 seconds is set with a probability of 50/250. Furthermore, 75 random numbers are assigned to the fluctuation pattern G, and a fluctuation time of 30 seconds is set with a probability of 75/250. Then, 100 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern H, and a variation time of 15 seconds is set with a probability of 100/250.
In other words, the variation pattern H is selected at the highest rate among the variation patterns E to H selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of order and the effect with reach is performed, and the variation pattern at the next highest rate. It can be set such that G is selected, the variation pattern F is selected at the next highest rate, and the variation pattern E is selected at the lowest rate. When the effect with reach and the effect with reach is performed, the variation effect over a relatively short time is easily executed.

  When the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of order and a reachless effect is performed, 250 random numbers are assigned to the variation patterns I to K. The variation pattern I is selected when the number of holdings is 0, the variation pattern J is selected when the number of holdings is 1 or 2, and the variation pattern K is selected when the number of holdings is 3 or 4. It is set as a fluctuation pattern. That is, in the case where an effect without reach and a reachless effect is performed, the average time of symbol variation is set to be shorter as the number of pending determinations in the special symbol lottery is larger.

  The game control unit 200 determines the variation pattern random number value (see S903 and S910 in FIG. 9) acquired when the game ball wins the start openings 121 and 122, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100, presence / absence of reach effect, The variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on the condition such as the number. Then, the information of the determined variation pattern of the special symbol is included in the variation start command and is sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300. As will be described later, in the effect control unit 300, an effect corresponding to a change time specified based on information of a change pattern included in the change start command (executable during the change time) as an effect when the special symbol changes Is selected and executed.

[Configuration of the RAM of the Game Control Unit and the RAM of the Effect Control Unit for Performing the Prediction Effect Based on Prior Determination]
Next, the configuration of the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 and the RAM 303 of the effect control unit 300 in the present embodiment for executing a notice effect based on prior determination will be described.
FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) of the game control unit 200 according to the present embodiment. 22A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage area 204, and FIG. 22B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each storage unit shown in FIG. 22A.

  As shown in FIG. 22A, the RAM 203 includes a storage area 204 as a special symbol holding storage area for storing the jackpot random number acquired by the jackpot random number lottery. This storage area 204 has eight storage units corresponding to the maximum number of reservations of the first start port 121 and the number of reservations of the second start port 122 (when the upper limit value of each reservation number is 4). . Specifically, the storage area 204 includes a first storage unit 204a, a second storage unit 204b, a third storage unit 204c, a fourth storage unit 204d, a fifth storage unit 204e, a sixth storage unit 204f, and a seventh storage. Part 204g and eighth storage part 204h.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.22 (b), each of these memory | storage parts 204a-204h is an area | region where the information showing the distinction of the winning start port (the 1st start port 121 or the 2nd start port 122) is memorize | stored. And an area for storing the acquired jackpot random number, an area for storing the design random number, an area for storing the reach random number, and an area for storing the variation pattern random number. That is, the jackpot random number, the design random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number are stored in each of the storage units 204a to 204h.

  Here, each random number is stored in order from the first storage unit 204a. More specifically, for example, when no random number is stored in any of the first storage unit 204a to the eighth storage unit 204h, the acquired random number is stored in the first storage unit 204a. Further, for example, when random numbers are already stored in the first storage unit 204a to the fourth storage unit 204d, the acquired random number is stored in the fifth storage unit 204e.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 303 (see FIG. 3) of the effect control unit 300 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 23A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reserved storage areas 305 and 306, and FIG. 23B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each storage unit shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 23A, the RAM 303 includes a first reserved storage area 305 and a second reserved storage area 306 as a reserved status storage area for storing a status where a reserved ball is held. The first holding storage area 305 and the second holding storage area 306 correspond to holding for winning in the first starting port 121 and holding for winning in the second starting port 122, respectively. Have. Specifically, the first reserved storage area 305 includes a first storage unit 305a, a second storage unit 305b, a third storage unit 305c, and a fourth storage unit 305d. The second reserved storage area 306 includes a first storage unit 306a, a second storage unit 306b, a third storage unit 306c, and a fourth storage unit 306d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23B, each of these storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d has a hold flag storage area for turning ON / OFF the hold flag, and a notification flag storage for turning ON / OFF the notification flag. And a region. The hold flag is a flag for identifying the presence or absence of a hold ball for each of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d. That is, for example, when the number of holds due to winning at the first start port 121 is 3, the hold flag is turned ON in the three hold flag storage areas of the first to third storage units 305a, 305b, and 305c. The notification flag is a flag for identifying that it has been determined that the notice effect is to be performed based on the result of the prior determination for each reserved ball. That is, for example, it is determined that a pre-determination process (see S904 and S911 in FIG. 9 and FIG. 24-1 described later) is performed on the above-mentioned three reserved balls, and a notice effect is performed on the third reserved ball. In this case, the notification flag is turned ON in the notification flag storage area of the third storage unit 305c.

  That is, the RAM 203 and the RAM 303 function as a storage unit that stores hold information that is start information based on establishment of a predetermined start condition with a predetermined number as a limit in the game control unit 200 and the effect control unit 300. In addition, the game control unit 200, based on the hold information that is the start information, before the determination of the special symbol determination unit 234 triggered by the establishment of the start condition corresponding to the start information, It is a prior determination means which performs the prior determination process regarding whether to transfer to. The effect control unit 300 is an effect control unit that performs a notice effect for giving a notice (improvement) of a preliminary determination result.

  Although not particularly shown, the RAM 203 has an area for storing prior determination information (hereinafter referred to as a prior determination information storage area) separately from the configuration shown in FIG. The pre-determination information is information obtained by the pre-determination process based on each random number (see S904 and S911 in FIG. 9). The content of the pre-determination information is the same as the information obtained as various determination results in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 11), specifically, the type of jackpot (big hit, small hit, off) and big hit In this case, the type of the jackpot and the content of the production are information for indicating whether the production is a reachable or non-reach production or the content of the variation pattern (variation time).

[Preliminary judgment processing]
Next, the prior determination process (see S904 and S911 in FIG. 9) will be described in detail.
In the pre-determination process in the present embodiment, the game control unit 200 makes a pre-determination using the same random number table as the random number configuration example described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21 as follows.

FIG. 24-1 is a flowchart showing the contents of the pre-determination process (S904, S911 in FIG. 9) according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 24-1, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the gaming state is a high probability state (S2401), and if it is determined that the gaming state is a high probability state (Yes in S2401), the high probability state. Is selected, and a jackpot random number and a jackpot symbol random number are pre-determined (S2402). On the other hand, if it is determined No in S2401, the table for the low probability state is selected, and the jackpot random number and the jackpot symbol random number are determined in advance (S2403).

After pre-determination of the jackpot random number and jackpot symbol random number in S2402 or S2403, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the gaming state is a short-time state (S2404), and determines that it is a short-time state (Yes in S2404), The table for the short time state is selected, and the reach random number is determined in advance (S2405). Further, the table for the short time state is selected, and the fluctuation pattern random number is preliminarily determined (S2406).
On the other hand, if it is determined No in S2404, a table for time reduction and no state is selected and a reach random number is determined in advance (S2407). Further, a table for timelessness and no-time state is selected, and a fluctuation pattern random number is determined in advance (S2408).

  Thereafter, the game control unit 200 obtains the results of the jackpot random number prior determination obtained as described above, the results of the jackpot symbol random number prior determination, the reach random number prior determination result, and the variation pattern prior determination result. It is stored in the advance determination information storage area as advance determination information (S2409). Further, in order to transmit the advance determination information to the effect control unit 300, the advance determination result command including the advance determination information is set in the RAM 203 (S2410).

  Here, the above-described prior determination includes a random number value (see S903 and S910 in FIG. 9) acquired according to the winning of a game ball to the start ports 121 and 122, and a determination table used in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 20). And a determination table having the same configuration as that of the reference). That is, the determination itself after selecting the determination table to be used is the same as the determination in the jackpot determination process (see S1201 in FIG. 12). Therefore, in this embodiment, the jackpot determination processing subroutine (see S1108 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) used in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 11) is called to determine the random number in the above-described prior determination.

  With this configuration, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to prepare a processing function (subroutine) for determining a random number separately from the jackpot determination process in order to determine a random number in the prior determination process. Therefore, the number of control instructions can be reduced, and an increase in the size of the program related to the jackpot determination process and the prior determination process can be suppressed. Further, as described above, when the determination table used for the pre-determination is configured similarly to the determination table used for the jackpot determination, the determination table used for the jackpot determination may also be used for the pre-determination.

  Further, here, only the prior determination (whether or not a big win) related to the special symbol lottery has been described, but in the present embodiment, the variation pattern when the special symbol variation display and stop display are performed is also pre-read (preliminary determination). I do. The selection of the variation pattern in the special symbol lottery is performed by selecting a variation pattern selection random number (see S903 and S910 in FIG. 9) and a variation pattern table (FIG. 21) acquired in accordance with the winning of the game ball to the start ports 121 and 122. (See S1109 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13). Therefore, even in the prefetching of the variation pattern, it is selected using the random number value for variation pattern selection acquired at the time of winning and the prefetch table having the same configuration as the variation pattern table used in the variation pattern selection processing of the special symbol processing. The variation pattern can be prefetched.

  In this case, in order to prefetch the variation pattern selected in the variation pattern selection processing, the variation pattern selection processing subroutine (see S1109 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13) used in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 11) is called and used. be able to. Further, regarding the prefetch table used for prefetching of the variation pattern selection, the variation pattern table used in the variation pattern selection processing of the special symbol processing may be used. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of control instructions relating to the prefetching of the variation pattern selection and to suppress an increase in the program size.

  Note that if the pre-determination process and the jackpot determination process at the time of special symbol change are performed in the same subroutine using the same determination table group, the execution time of each process is different, so the pre-determination result and the special symbol change time There is a case where the determination result by the jackpot determination process is different. That is, it is a case where the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (high probability state or low probability state, short time state or short time state) changes after the execution of the pre-determination process until the start of the special symbol change. In this case, since different types of determination tables are used depending on the gaming state, the specific determination table used for determination differs between the execution of the pre-determination process and the execution of the jackpot determination process. . Therefore, even if the same random number value acquired at the time of winning the start openings 121 and 122 is used, the prior determination result and the determination result of the jackpot determination process may be different. In such a case, in the effect control unit 300, if the game state changes before the start of the special symbol variation after the execution of the pre-determination process, the control based on the pre-determination result is not executed (prohibition). You may do.

[Command structure and transmission method]
Here, the configuration and transmission method of commands (effect control commands and setting commands) output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 24-2 is a diagram illustrating a command configuration. FIG. 24-2 (a) shows the data structure of the command, and FIG. 24-2 (b) shows the structure of the command as a bit string.

  As shown in FIG. 24-2 (a), the command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is composed of 2 bytes. This command is composed of a 1-byte “code” as the first data portion and a 1-byte “data” as the second data portion. “Code” indicates the type of command, and “Data” indicates the value of the command. This command is transmitted from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 using asynchronous synchronization by one serial signal. More generally, the “code” that is the first data part has a size of a bit (a is an integer of 2 or more), and the value of the leading 1 bit is specified as either 1 or 0. The “data” as the second data part has a size of n × a bits (n is an integer of 1 or more), and the value of the first 1 bit is different from the value of the first 1 bit of the first data part. Specific to the value.

  Since start-stop synchronization is used, a start bit (bit indicated as “S” in the figure) is provided at the head of each of “code” and “data” constituting the command, and 1 at the end. End bits of bits (bits indicated as “E” in the figure) are provided. Each of the “code” and “data” constituting the command is provided with one parity bit (bit indicated as “P” in the figure).

  As shown in FIG. 24-2 (a), both the “code” and “data” constituting the command have a data size of 1 byte (8 bits). When transmitted, the “code” and “data” are provided with a start bit, an end bit, and a parity bit, respectively. For this reason, it is not easy for the presentation control unit 300 that receives a command to identify whether the received data string is a “code” or “data” of the command from the outline of the data string. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a flag for identifying “code” and “data” is set. Specifically, the value of the specific portion of the 8-bit value constituting the “code” is made different from the value of the portion corresponding to the specific portion of the “code” among the 8-bit values constituting the “data”. .

  In the example shown in FIG. 24-2 (b), the first 1 bit of each of “code” and “data” is used as a flag. That is, in the 8-bit value constituting the “code”, the first 1-bit value is “1”, and in the 8-bit value constituting the “data”, the first 1-bit value is “0”. . Thereby, the effect control unit 300 can identify whether the data string is “code” or “data” by examining the value of the first 1 bit following the start bit of the received data string. The specific value of the flag is merely an example, and a value different from the above value may be used as long as “code” and “data” can be identified.

  Here, since the value of the first bit of “code” is specified as “1”, the range of values that can be taken by “code” is 128 from 10000000B (= 80H) to 11111111B (= FFH). It is. Note that the letter “B” attached to each value indicates binary notation, and the letter “H” indicates hexadecimal notation. In addition, since the value of the first 1 bit of “data” is specified as “0”, the range of values that “data” can take is 128 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 01111111B (= 7FH). is there. That is, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 24-2 (a) and (b), it is possible to set 128 types of commands, each of which can take 128 types of values.

  By the way, in the pachinko gaming machine 100, many types of effects are executed according to the gaming state, the determination result of the special symbol lottery, and the like. Therefore, a large number of commands are prepared for the commands for effect control. In particular, the “data” that is the value indicating the specific content of the command may be insufficient with the above 128. On the other hand, the “code” indicating the type of command is usually smaller than the above 128. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a part of the bit string of “code” to describe the value of “data”.

  For example, consider the case where the last 1 bit of “code” is used to describe the value of “data”. Hereinafter, each bit in the 8-bit bit string constituting “code” and “data” is referred to as first to eighth bits. Separately from the bit string that makes up the “code”, the “code” value that actually indicates the type of command is called the “code value”, and separately from the bit string that makes up the “data”, the actual command value is The value of “data” shown is called “data value”. Then, the code value is described using the first to seventh bits in the “code” bit string, and the data value is all of the “data” bit string (from the first bit to the eighth bit). , And the 8th bit of “code”.

  With this configuration, the possible range of the code value is that the value of the first bit is specified as “1”, and the total size is 7 bits. ) Up to 64). The possible range of the data value is 128 values represented by 8 bits of “data” in which the value of the first bit is specified as “0”, and values “0” and “8” of the 8th bit of “code”. 1 ”is 256. Therefore, it is possible to set a command having 256 kinds of values as data values.

  Note that the above configuration in the case where a data value is described using a part of the “code” is merely an example, and the specific number of bits and value are not limited to the above configuration example. For example, the data value may be described using the seventh bit and the eighth bit of the “code”. More generally, a predetermined type of data (data value) using a predetermined bit constituting “code” as the first data portion and a bit constituting “data” as the second data portion. Is recorded. Then, by using the remaining bits excluding the predetermined bits in the “code” which is the first data portion, other types of data (code values) different from the predetermined types of data (data values) are recorded. The In other words, a bit constituting “data” as the second data part and b bit (b is smaller than a−1 and an integer of 1 or more) constituting “code” as the first data part. In use, a data value having a size of (a + b) bits is recorded.

  Further, as a means for increasing the number of data values that can be handled, it is conceivable to increase the bit string of “data” describing the data values. For example, it is conceivable to prepare “first data” and “second data” as bit strings describing data values. In this case, if each bit string is 8 bits, a data value can be described by a bit string of 16 bits in total. In order to distinguish between “first data” and “second data”, if the second bit of the 8-bit bit string is used as a flag, for example, the first bit and the second bit of “first data” Can be “00B”, and the first and second bits of “second data” can be “01B”. The first bit has a value “0” as a flag for identifying “code”. That is, the “data” that is the second data portion is a bit string (“first data”, “second data”,...) That represents each data value every 8 bits (more generally, For each a bit), the same value as the value of the first 1 bit is set.

  With this configuration, the range of values that the “first data” can take is 64 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 00111111B (= 3FH), and the range of values that the “second data” can take is Since there are 64 from 01000000B (= 40H) to 01111111B (= 7FH), the total is 4096 (= 64 × 64). Here, the first bit is used as a flag for identifying “code” and “data” (“first data” and “second data”), and “first data” and “second data” Although the second bit is used as a flag for identifying the first and second bits, a flag for identifying four types of bit strings may be set using the first and second bits. For example, “code” may have the value of the first and second bits “11B”, and “data” may have the value of the first and second bits “00B”, “01B”, and “10B”. Conceivable.

[Configuration Example for Command Output in RAM of Game Control Unit]
FIG. 24C is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a command storage area in the RAM 203.
As shown in FIG. 24-3, the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 has a command storage area (storage area) to which individual commands generated by various processes such as the main control process shown in FIG. 8 are assigned. . In the example illustrated in FIG. 24C, 31 command storage areas from area 1 to area 31 are set in the RAM 203. Here, the command allocation to each command storage area does not necessarily have a one-to-one correspondence. For example, a plurality of commands that are not generated at the same time can be assigned to the same command storage area. In the example shown in FIG. 24-3, a plurality of commands are assigned to the region 1, the region 9, the region 12, the region 19, the region 20, the region 21, the region 22, the region 23, and the region 30, and other commands. One command is assigned to each storage area.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 24-3, a command relating to power-on is assigned to the area 1. Commands relating to power-on include a command for controlling power-on at the time of RAM clear and a command for controlling power-on at the time of recovery. Since these commands are generated in different scenes, they are not generated at the same time, and are all assigned to the area 1.

  In the areas 2 to 4, three commands related to winning at the first starting port 121 (described as “starting port 1 winning” in the figure) are assigned. One of the commands related to winning at the first starting port 121 is a command (in the figure, "Special Fig. 1") showing a determination (pre-reading) result in a prior determination based on winning at the first starting port 121 (see S904 in FIG. 9). "Design pre-read"), and is assigned to region 2. The other one is a command (denoted as “Special Figure 1 Variation Pattern Prefetch” in the figure) indicating the variation pattern prefetching (preliminary determination) result specified together with the determination result, and is assigned to the region 3. Another one is a command ("Special figure 1 hold (+1)" in the figure) indicating that the number of special symbol lottery reservations has been updated (in this case, the value is increased by 1) based on the winning at the first starting port 121. And is assigned to the area 4.

  In the areas 5 to 7, three commands related to winning at the second start port 122 (described as “start port 2 winning” in the figure) are assigned. One of the commands related to winning at the second starting port 122 is a command ("special figure 2 pattern look-ahead" in the figure) indicating the determination result in the prior determination based on winning at the second starting port 122 (see S911 in FIG. 9). And is assigned to the area 5. The other one is a command (shown as “special figure 2 variation pattern prefetch” in the figure) indicating the prefetch result of the variation pattern specified together with the determination result, and is assigned to the region 6. Another one is a command ("Special figure 2 hold (+1)" in the figure) indicating that the number of special symbol lottery reservations has been updated (in this case, the value is increased by 1) based on the winning at the second starting port 122. And is assigned to the area 7.

  In the areas 8 to 10, five commands related to the normal symbol lottery (in the figure, “Temporary Map Hold”, “Typical Map Type”, “Typical Map Confirmation”, “Typical Map Open / Close”, and “Typical Map Hold” are described. ) Is assigned. Of the normal symbol lottery commands, one of the “general symbol hold” commands indicates that the number of normal symbol lotteries has been updated (in this case, the value is increased by 1) based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the gate 124. It is a command (denoted as “general map hold (+1)” in the figure) and is assigned to area 8. The “ordinary symbol type” command designates a normal symbol representing the determination result in the normal symbol lottery, and indicates that the variable symbol display on the normal symbol indicator 223 is started (denoted as “normal symbol variation start” in the diagram). And is assigned to area 9. The “general symbol confirmation” command is a command that indicates that the normal symbol display 223 is stopped and displayed in the normal symbol lottery and the normal symbol representing the determination result of the normal symbol lottery is fixed (“normal symbol confirmation” in the figure). And is assigned to the area 9. The “open / close map” command is a command (indicated as “open / close of normal train”) indicating that the electric tulip 123, which is a normal electric accessory, is operated (auxiliary game) based on the determination result of the normal symbol lottery. Yes, assigned to area 9. Another one of the “pending custom map” commands is a command indicating that the number of holdings has been updated (in this case, the value is decreased by 1) due to the normal symbol lottery process (in the figure, “pending general drawing (- 1) ”and assigned to the area 10.

  Here, in the normal symbol lottery process, the normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol stop display, and the operation of the electric tulip 123 by the auxiliary game are sequentially executed as a series of operations. Then, the normal symbol variation display based on the fact that another game ball has passed through the gate 124 during the operation of the electric tulip 123 is not started (see FIG. 16). For this reason, the above three types of commands “general map type”, “general map confirmation”, and “general power open / close” are not generated at the same time. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 24-3, these three types of commands are assigned to the same command storage area (area 9).

  In the areas 11 to 14, nine commands related to special symbol lottery (in the figure, described as “special figure variation” and “special figure special electricity”) are assigned. Of the commands related to the special symbol lottery, one of the “special diagram change” commands is a command (indicating whether the current gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (high probability state or low probability state, short time state or short time state). In the figure, it is described as “gaming state”) and is assigned to the area 11. Another one of the “special symbol change” commands is to designate a special symbol representing the determination result of the special symbol lottery in the special symbol lottery, and display the fluctuation on the first special symbol indicator 221 and the second special symbol indicator 222. Is a command (denoted as “special drawing designation” in the figure) indicating that it has started, and is assigned to the area 12. Still another special symbol variation command is a command for specifying a variation pattern of special symbol variation performed in the special symbol lottery (described as “variation pattern” in the figure), and is assigned to the region 13. Still another of the “special figure change” commands is a command (in the figure, “special figure hold (in the figure) indicating that the number of holds has been updated (here, the value is decreased by 1) due to the special symbol lottery process being performed. -1) "), and is assigned to the area 14.

  On the other hand, one of the “special drawing special electric power” commands is a command indicating that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state (denoted as “customer waiting” in the figure), and is assigned to the area 12. Another one of the “Special Figure Special Electric” commands is a command (in the figure, “Special Electric, Special Bonus Games”) indicating that the special winning combination 125 is operated based on the determination result of the special symbol lottery. And is assigned to the area 12. Still another special command special command is a command (denoted as “big jack OP” in the figure) indicating that the opening operation of the jackpot game has been started, and is assigned to the area 12. Still another special command special command is a command (denoted as “big jack ED” in the figure) indicating that the jackpot game ending operation has started, and is assigned to the area 12. Yet another one of the “Special Figure Special Electric” commands is that the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 are stopped and displayed, and the special symbol representing the determination result of the special symbol lottery is confirmed. The command (shown as “special drawing confirmation” in the figure) is assigned to the area 12.

  Here, in the special symbol lottery process, the change display of the special symbol, the special symbol stop display, and the operation of the special winning opening 125 by the special game are sequentially executed as a series of operations. Then, during the execution of the special game, the special symbol variation display based on the winning of another game ball is not started (see FIG. 11). In the jackpot game, the opening operation, the operation of the big prize opening 125, and the ending operation are sequentially executed as a series of operations. Therefore, the “special drawing designation” command and the five types of “special drawing special electricity” commands in the above “special figure change” command are not generated at the same time. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 24-3, these six types of commands are assigned to the same command storage area (area 12).

  In the areas 15 to 18, four commands related to switch detection (described as “switch passing” in the figure) are assigned. One of the commands related to the switch detection is a command indicating that the game ball has passed through the left gate 124 </ b> L of the game area 111 (described as “pass left gate” in the figure), and is assigned to the area 15. Another command related to the switch detection is a command indicating that the game ball has passed through the gate 124R on the right side of the game area 111 (denoted as “pass right gate” in the figure), and is assigned to the area 16. . Still another command related to the switch detection is a command (denoted as “passing through the start port SW2 (electric chew)” in the figure) indicating that a game ball has won the second start port 122, and is assigned to the area 17 It has been. Still another command related to the switch detection is a command indicating that a game ball has won the big winning opening 125 (denoted as “big winning opening winning” in the figure), and is assigned to the area 18.

  In the areas 19 to 30, a command related to an error (described as “error” in the figure) is assigned. As an error detected by the game control unit of the pachinko gaming machine 100, for example, a full error indicating that the payout ball is full in the tray 153 (see FIGS. 1 and 2B), the front frame of the frame member 150, Door open error indicating that is in an open state, payout error indicating that it is no longer possible to pay out game balls by the payout unit, and various detection switches such as the gate switch 214 and the start port switches 211 and 212 are not connected There is a switch disconnection error or the like indicating that In the example shown in FIG. 24-3, these errors are assigned to areas 19 to 23, respectively. In addition, for each error, a command indicating that each error has occurred (described as “˜error start” in the figure) and a command indicating that each error has been resolved (described as “˜error end” in the figure). Are assigned to the same command storage area.

  In addition, various control items and error items are set in accordance with the specifications and functions of the pachinko gaming machine 100, and the error is resolved depending on the command according to the control item, the command indicating that an error has occurred, and the type of error. A command or the like indicating that may be generated. These commands can be appropriately assigned to the command storage area. In the example shown in FIG. 24-3, commands relating to various errors are individually assigned to the areas 24-30. Further, a command (denoted as “winning notification designation” in the figure) for detecting and notifying a specific winning is assigned to the area 31.

As described above, in the command storage area provided in the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200, one or more types of commands are associated with one command storage area. Then, in the main control process shown in FIG. 8, the game control unit 200 stores the generated command in a command storage area associated with the command.
Here, in the main control process, not every command is necessarily generated every time one cycle of the process is executed. For example, when there is no winning at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122, the above-mentioned commands relating to winning at the starting ports 121 and 122 and the “special figure change” command are not generated. Of the commands related to the normal symbol lottery, the “open / close map” command and the “special drawing special electricity” command are not generated unless it is time to operate these electric accessories. In addition, a command related to the occurrence of an error is not generated unless an error has occurred.
Therefore, when the output process of the main control process (see S806 in FIG. 8) is performed, commands are usually stored in some command storage areas among the command storage areas provided in the RAM 203. Commands are not stored in other command storage areas.

[Command output operation]
FIG. 24-4 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of output processing by the output control unit 240.
In the present embodiment, the output control unit 240 pays attention to the command storage area of the RAM 203 shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 24-4, the output control unit 240 of the game control unit 200 first has a command storage area at the head of the command storage areas provided in the RAM 203 (area 1 in the example shown in FIG. 24-3). (S2411), it is checked whether a command is stored (S2412). If the command is stored (Yes in S2412), the output control unit 240 reads out the stored command and outputs it to the effect control unit 300 (S2413).

  If no command is stored in the focused command storage area (initially area 1) (No in S2412), or after outputting the command stored in the command storage area in S2413, the output control unit 240 It is checked whether there is a command storage area of the next area number (S2414). When there is a next command storage area (Yes in S2414), the output control unit 240 pays attention to the command storage area (S2415), returns to S2412, confirms the presence / absence of a command (S2412), and outputs (S2413). repeat. If the last command storage area (area 31 in the example shown in FIG. 24-3) has been processed, there is no command storage area of the next area number (No in S2414), and the output process ends. To do.

[Set command output order]
In the main control process, when a command is generated in each process described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 19, the generated command is usually stored in a corresponding command storage area of the RAM 203. That is, commands are generally stored in the command storage area in the order in which the commands are generated.
On the other hand, as described with reference to FIG. 24-4, in the output processing by the output control unit 240, the command storage areas are stored in a fixed order (in the order of area numbers in the above example). Output the command. In other words, the commands are output in a predetermined specific order regardless of the order in which the commands are generated. This is because it may be desirable to transmit specific commands to the effect control unit 300 in a specific order in order to prevent confusion in the effect control of the effect control unit 300 based on the command. That is, as will be described in detail later, the effect control unit 300 executes effect control based on commands in the order received from the game control unit 200, and therefore, the confusion such as inconsistency in effect control due to the difference in the order of receiving commands. This may need to be prevented.
A specific command output order setting example will be described below with reference to FIG.

As a first specific example, the relationship between the output order of a command related to a special symbol lottery determination and a command related to a prior determination will be described.
Referring to FIG. 24-3, among the commands related to the special symbol lottery, a “special symbol designation” command including information on the determination result and indicating that the special symbol variation display has been started is assigned to the region 12. Further, a “variation pattern” command for specifying a variation pattern in the special symbol variation is assigned to the region 13.

  On the other hand, the “special figure 1 symbol prefetching” command including information on the predetermination result based on the winning at the first starting port 121 is assigned to the region 2 and includes the information on the variation pattern by the prefetching. The “pattern prefetch” command is assigned to the area 3. In addition, the “special figure 2 pattern prefetching” command including information on the pre-determination result based on the winning at the second starting port 122 is assigned to the area 5 and includes information on the fluctuation pattern by the prefetching. 'Command is assigned to area 6.

  As described above, the command for the determination of the special symbol lottery and the change and stop of the special symbol are stored in the assigned command rather than the command for the pre-determination and the pre-reading of the variation pattern performed based on the winning at the start ports 121 and 122. The area number of the area is large. Therefore, it is output later in the output process shown in FIG. By setting the output order in this way, it is possible to prevent the effect control from being confused when these commands are generated in the main control process of the same cycle.

  More specifically, when a game ball is newly won at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port without a hold based on winning at the starting ports 121 and 122, a special symbol lottery is immediately performed after winning. A determination is made and a special symbol variation is started. In this case, based on the winning of the same game ball, the “design pre-read” command and the “variation pattern pre-read” command, the “special pattern designation” command, and the “variation pattern” command are generated in the main control process of the same cycle. there is a possibility. At this time, if the “special drawing designation” command and the “variation pattern” command are output prior to the “design prefetching” command and the “variation pattern prefetching” command, the effect control unit 300 receives the “special drawing designation” received earlier. After the production based on the command and the “variation pattern” command, the production based on the “design prefetch” command and the “variation pattern prefetch” command is performed, which may cause confusion in the production control. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, commands for special symbol lottery determination and special symbol variation and stop are preliminarily determined based on winning to the start ports 121 and 122 and variation pattern prefetching. The output order is set to output after the command.

As a second specific example, the relationship between the output order of a command related to a hold based on winning at the start ports 121 and 122 and a command related to updating the number of holds based on the determination of a special symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 24-3, the “Special Figure 1 Hold (+1)” command including information on the right to receive the determination of the special symbol lottery (holding occurrence) based on the winning at the first start port 121 is the area 4. Assigned to. In addition, a “Special Figure 2 Hold (+1)” command including information on the right to receive a special symbol lottery determination (holding occurrence) based on a winning at the second starting port 122 is assigned to the area 7. On the other hand, the “special figure hold (−1)” command including the update (decrease) information on the number of hold based on the special symbol lottery process being performed is assigned to the area 14.

  As described above, the command related to the occurrence of the hold based on the winning at the start ports 121 and 122 has a smaller area number of the assigned command storage area than the command related to the update of the hold number based on the determination of the special symbol lottery. Therefore, it is output first in the output process shown in FIG. By setting the output order in this way, it is possible to prevent the effect control from being confused when these commands are generated in the main control process of the same cycle.

  More specifically, when a game ball is newly won at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port without a hold based on winning at the starting ports 121 and 122, a special symbol lottery is immediately performed after winning. A determination is made and a special symbol variation is started. In this case, based on the winning of the same game ball, the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command or the “special figure 2 hold (+1)” command and the “special figure hold (−1)” command have the same cycle. It may be generated by the main control process. At this time, if the “special drawing hold (−1)” command is output prior to the “special drawing 1 hold (+1)” command or the “special drawing 2 hold (+1)” command, the production control unit 300 first. On the basis of the received “special drawing hold (−1)”, although there is no hold, an effect accompanying a decrease in the number of holds will be performed, which may cause confusion in effect control. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the output order is set so that the command including the information on the occurrence of the hold is output before the command including the information on the update (decrease) of the hold number. .

  In the above specific example, the relationship between the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command, the “special figure 2 hold (+1)” command, and the “special figure hold (−1)” command has been described. The same applies to the command related to the suspension of the right to receive the lottery determination. Referring to FIG. 24-3, a “general map hold (+1)” command is assigned to area 8 and a “general map hold (−1)” command is assigned to area 10, respectively. The command storage area to which the “command” is assigned has a smaller area number. Therefore, it is output first in the output process shown in FIG.

As a third specific example, the relationship between a command related to pre-determination based on winning at the start ports 121 and 122 and a command related to determination of special symbol lottery will be described.
The special symbol lottery is performed when the game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122. The command related to pre-determination and holding based on winning in the first starting port 121 and the command related to pre-determining and holding based on winning in the second starting port 122 are separately generated and individually assigned commands. Stored in the storage area. In the example shown in FIG. 24-3, commands relating to pre-judgment and holding based on winning to the first start port 121 are assigned to the areas 2 to 4, and pre-judging and holding based on winning to the second start port 122 are related. Commands are assigned to areas 5-7. This is because a game ball wins at the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 almost simultaneously, and a command relating to pre-judgment and hold based on winning at the first start port 121 and a win to the second start port 122 This is because both the pre-judgment based on the command and the command related to the hold may be generated in the main control process of the same cycle.

  On the other hand, since the special symbol lottery process is sequentially executed for each process based on winning of one game ball, a plurality of the same commands related to the special symbol lottery based on the winning of a plurality of game balls are executed in the same cycle. It is not generated by the main control process. In other words, while the process based on winning of one game ball is being executed, the execution of that process is prioritized, and the special symbol lottery process based on other game balls (holding) is not executed. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 24-3, only one set of commands related to the special symbol lottery (“special variation” command) is assigned to the areas 11 to 14 regardless of the number of the start ports 121 and 122. Yes.

As a fourth specific example, a mutual relationship between a plurality of commands related to a prior determination based on winning at the start ports 121 and 122 will be described.
Referring to FIG. 24-3, commands relating to pre-judgment based on winning at the first start port 121 ("special figure 1 pattern prefetching" command, "special figure 1 variation pattern prefetching" command, "special figure 1 hold (+1)" Each “command” is assigned to a continuous command storage area (areas 2, 3, 4).

  When the game ball wins the first start port 121, as shown in FIG. 9, on the basis of this win, acquisition of a random value as determination information (S903), pre-determination process (S904), update of the number of holds ( A series of processing such as S905) is executed. The above three commands are generated by this series of processing. That is, these commands are closely related commands generated based on the establishment of the same generation condition that one game ball has won the first start port 121. Here, when a command is output from the game control unit 200, another command generated based on a generation condition unrelated to these commands is inserted between these closely related commands. There is a possibility that confusion will occur in the production control by the production control unit 300. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the output order is set so that each of the commands related to the advance determination based on the winning to the first start port 121 is continuously output.

  In the above specific example, the command related to the advance determination based on the winning to the first starting port 121 has been described, but the same applies to the command related to the prior determination based on the winning to the second starting port 122. Therefore, these commands are also assigned to consecutive command storage areas (areas 5, 6, and 7) and set so that the output order is continuous.

  Moreover, the same setting is applicable not only to the setting of the output order in the command related to the prior determination based on the winning to the start ports 121 and 122 but also to the output order of a plurality of closely related commands. For example, among the commands related to the normal symbol lottery, the “general symbol hold (+1)” command and the “normal symbol variation start” command satisfy the same generation condition that one game ball has passed one gate 124. Therefore, the commands are assigned to consecutive command storage areas (areas 8 and 9), and the output order is set to be continuous. In addition, since the “general symbol hold (−1)” command is generated on the condition that the determination of the normal symbol lottery is performed, the command is closely related to the “normal symbol variation start” command, so that the continuous command storage is performed. Assigned to the area (area 10), the output order is set to be continuous.

  Similarly, among the commands related to the special symbol lottery, the “gaming state” command, the “special drawing designation” command, and the “variation pattern” command have one game ball having one start port (the first start port 121 or Since the commands are generated based on the establishment of the same generation condition that the second start port 122) has been won, it is assigned to consecutive command storage areas (areas 11, 12, 13) so that the output order is continuous. Is set. In addition, since the “special figure hold (−1)” command is generated on the condition that the determination of the special symbol lottery is performed, it is closely related to the “special figure designation” command, so that the continuous command storage area Assigned to (area 14), the output order is set to be continuous.

  In the example shown in FIG. 24-3, each command related to the advance determination based on winning in the first start port 121 and each command related to the prior determination based on winning in the second start port 122 is stored in a continuous command. It is assigned to a region (regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Accordingly, when the winning at the first starting port 121 and the winning at the second starting port 122 occur almost simultaneously, and these commands are generated by the main control processing in the same cycle, two sets based on each winning Commands are output continuously.

Furthermore, as the mutual relationship of the plurality of commands related to the prior determination based on winning at the start ports 121 and 122, the output order of each command is also specifically set.
Referring to FIG. 24-3, among the command storage areas (areas 2, 3, and 4) of the three commands related to the pre-judgment based on the winning to the first start port 121, the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command Region 4 is located last. That is, it is set so that the “Special Figure 1 Hold (+1)” command is output last. Thereby, when the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is received, the effect control unit 300 can specify two commands corresponding to the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 100, it is possible to set whether to perform a pre-determination or pre-reading of a variation pattern or not depending on the gaming state and the winning start ports 121 and 122. For example, the pre-determination based on the winning at the first start port 121 can be a specification that is performed only when the gaming state is a low probability short-time non-game state. That is, it is good also as a specification in which the prior judgment based on the winning to the 1st starting port 121 is not performed at the time of a high probability state or a time-short state. In such a specification, when the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is received, if the “special figure 1 symbol prefetch” command and the “special figure 1 fluctuation pattern prefetch” command are received immediately before this command, It can be seen that the preliminary determination has been made based on the winning of the game ball that is the generation condition of the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command. Then, it is possible to specify which pending information the pre-determination result and the variation pattern prefetch information included in the “special symbol 1 symbol prefetching” command and the “special symbol 1 variation pattern prefetching” command. On the other hand, when the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is received, if the “special figure 1 symbol pre-read” command and the “special figure 1 variation pattern pre-read” command are not received immediately before, the “special figure 1 pre-read” command is received. It can be seen that the preliminary determination was not made based on the winning of the game ball that was the generation condition of the “hold (+1)” command.

  On the other hand, among the three commands related to the pre-judgment based on the winning at the first starting port 121, the output order so that the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is output first (the order in which the command storage areas are arranged) Suppose that is set. In this case, after receiving the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command, the production control unit 300 waits for reception of the next command, and if the received command is not identified, whether or not a prior determination has been performed. It cannot be recognized. For this reason, the control becomes complicated as compared with the case where the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is output first. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is the last among the commands related to the pre-judgment based on the winning to the first starting port 121 (that is, the “special figure 1 symbol pre-read” command and The output order is set so that the “special figure 1 variation pattern prefetch” command is output first).

  In the above specific example, the command related to the advance determination based on the winning at the first start port 121 has been described, but the same applies to the command related to the prior determination based on the winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, in these commands, the “special figure 2 pattern prefetch” command and the “special figure 2 variation pattern prefetch” command are preceded by the “special figure 2 variation pattern prefetch” command in accordance with the allocated command storage area (areas 5, 6, and 7). The output order is set so that the “suspend (+1) in FIG. 2” command is output later.

As a fifth specific example, the relationship of the output order of commands related to special symbol lottery and commands related to normal symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 24-3, commands related to special symbol variation in the special symbol lottery (“game state” command, “special diagram designation” command, “variation pattern” command, “special diagram hold (−1)” command) Assigned to areas 11, 12, 13, and 14 (Since five "special figure special electricity" commands are assigned to the same area 12 as the "special figure designation" command that is a "special figure change" command, they are not generated at the same time. (Omitted). Also, commands related to the normal symbol lottery (“common symbol hold (+1)” command, “normal symbol variation start” command, “normal symbol hold (−1)” command) are assigned to the areas 8, 9, and 10. (The “normal symbol confirmation” command and the “general symbol open / close” command are assigned to the same area 12 as the “ordinary symbol variation start” command, and are not generated at the same time, so are omitted).

  As described above, the command related to the special symbol lottery has a larger area number of the allocated command storage area than the command related to the normal symbol lottery. Therefore, it is output later in the output process shown in FIG. By setting the output order in this way, it is possible to prevent the effect control from being confused when these commands are generated in the main control process of the same cycle.

  For example, there is an effect that is executed at the start of normal symbol variation or special symbol variation, and the “normal symbol variation start” command and “special symbol designation” command are the main control processes in the same cycle. Consider the generated case. In this case, the output order of the commands is specified depending on which of the execution as the effect based on the normal symbol variation and the execution as the effect based on the special symbol variation is prioritized. In other words, the effect control unit 300 executes effects based on the commands in the order in which the commands are received. Therefore, if the commands are output in the order shown in FIG. 24-3, the effect control unit 300 shifts to the effect based on the “special symbol designation” command immediately after starting the effect based on the “ordinary symbol variation start” command. . Therefore, when giving priority to execution as an effect based on special symbol variation, as shown in FIG. 24-3, the output order is set so that the command related to the special symbol lottery is output after the command related to the normal symbol lottery. .

As a sixth specific example, the relationship between the output order of commands related to games and commands related to errors will be described.
Referring to FIG. 24-3, various commands for notifying the effect control unit 300 of information related to the game are assigned to the areas 2 to 18. On the other hand, commands relating to errors are assigned to areas 19 to 30.

  Thus, the command related to the game has a smaller area number of the allocated command storage area than the command related to the error. Therefore, it is output first in the output process shown in FIG. Usually, the cycle of the main control process has a sufficient time margin for completing the output of all the commands generated in the main control process. However, if the main control process is terminated in the middle of the output process due to some cause such as a failure, if the information related to the game is not transmitted to the effect control unit 300, the effect control by the effect control unit 300 is affected. It may interfere with continuation. On the other hand, since the information regarding the error may be transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the next main control process cycle, even if the main control process ends during the transmission of the command, the effect on the operation of the effect control unit 300 is small. Therefore, in this embodiment, the output order is set so that a command related to a game is output preferentially over a command related to an error.

[Operation of production control unit]
Next, the operation of the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation of the effect control unit 300.
The operation of the effect control unit 300 includes a main process shown in FIG. 25A and an interrupt process shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 25 (a), the production control unit 300 first performs initial setting at the time of activation (S2501), sets the cycle of the CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) (S2502), and then follows the set cycle. The interrupt process is accepted while updating the random number used in the production control (S2503).

  The interrupt process is periodically performed according to the cycle set in S2502. Referring to FIG. 25B, in this interruption process, the effect control unit 300 receives a command from the game control unit 200 and performs a command reception process (S2511). In this command reception process, an effect pattern is selected. In addition, the effect control unit 300 performs effect button processing for accepting an operation of the effect button 161 and the like by the player (S2512). Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs a command transmission process of transmitting a command including information on the selected effect pattern to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 (S2513). As a result, effects such as image display on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 are performed.

[Command reception processing by the production control unit]
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of the command reception process (S2511 in FIG. 25B).
In this command reception process, the production control unit 300 first determines whether or not a prior determination result command has been received (S2601), and if a prior determination result command has been received (Yes in S2601), further holds on hold. It is determined whether or not a number increase command has been received (S2602). Note that the advance determination result command and the hold number increase command are set in the start port switch process shown in FIG. 9 in the game control unit 200 (S906, S907, S913, S914), and the output process (S806) shown in FIG. ) To the effect control unit 300.
When it is determined that the hold number increase command has been received (Yes in S2602), the effect control unit 300 adds 1 to the value of the hold number held in the RAM 303 (S2603). Further, the effect control unit 300 performs an effect selection process based on the prior determination result command and the hold count increase command (S2604). The contents of the effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not the advance determination result command and the pending number increase command (No in S2601 and S2602), the effect control unit 300 determines whether the received command is a change start command (S2605). This variation start command is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 11 in the game control unit 200 (S1111), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S806) shown in FIG.
When the received command is a change start command (Yes in S2605), the effect control unit 300 executes an effect selection process (S2606). Details of the effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not a prior determination result command, a pending number increase command, or a change start command (No in S2601, S2602, and S2605), the effect control unit 300 determines whether the received command is a change stop command (S2607). ). This variation stop command is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 11 in the game control unit 200 (S1114), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S806) shown in FIG.
When the received command is a change stop command (Yes in S2607), the effect control unit 300 executes a process during end of change effect (S2608). Details of the process during the end of the variation effect will be described later.

When the received command is not a pre-judgment result command, a pending number increase command, a change start command, or a change stop command (No in S2601, S2602, S2605, and S2607), the effect control unit 300 performs an opening in the jackpot effect. It is determined whether it is an opening command for starting (S2609). This opening command is set in the stop process shown in FIG. 14 (S1418), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S806) shown in FIG.
When the received command is an opening command (Yes in S2609), the effect control unit 300 executes a jackpot effect selection process (S2610). Details of the jackpot effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not a prior determination result command, a pending number increase command, a fluctuation start command, a fluctuation stop command, or an opening command (No in S2601, S2602, S2605, S2607, and S2609), the effect control unit 300 determines that the received command is It is determined whether or not the command is an ending command for starting the ending in the jackpot effect (S2611). This ending command is set in the big prize opening process shown in FIG. 17 (S1713), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S806) shown in FIG.
When the received command is an ending command (Yes in S2611), the effect control unit 300 executes an ending effect selection process (S2612). Details of the ending effect selection process will be described later.

  If the received command is not a prior determination result command, a pending number increase command, a fluctuation start command, a fluctuation stop command, an opening command, or an ending command (No in S2601, S2602, S2605, S2607, S2609, and S2611), then the production control unit 300 executes a customer waiting command reception process for shifting the received command to the customer waiting state (S2613). Details of the customer waiting command reception process will be described later.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the mode flag.
When an effect is performed by the effect control unit 300, various effect patterns are selected and executed based on the set effect mode. This effect mode is determined by a mode flag set in the RAM 303. Here, the mode flag is set to any value from 0 to 4, and five types of effect modes from A mode to E mode are assigned to each mode flag. The mode flag is set according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery or the number of lotteries of the special symbol lottery.
Mode flag 1 for jackpot of high probability symbol A, mode flag 2 for jackpot of low probability symbol A, mode flag 3 for jackpot of high probability symbol B and low probability symbol B, jackpot of latent symbol symbol and A mode flag 4 is assigned to each small hit. Here, the types of these symbols are the same as those shown in FIG. The mode flag 0 is not assigned to any jackpot. In mode flags 1 to 4, mode flag 0 is set by executing special symbol lottery a predetermined number of times.
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 27, the parameter M (M value) used in the process during the end of the changing effect is individually set for each mode except the A mode.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect selection processing (S2604, S2606) of FIG.
In this effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the prior determination result command received from the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 (S2801). Further, the advance determination information in the effect control unit 300 analyzes the pending number increase command received from the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 (S2802). Then, the effect control unit 300 selects a prior determination effect pattern based on the prior determination result command and the pending number increase command (S2803).

  Here, as the pre-determined effect pattern, it is possible to provide various effect patterns for announcing the random number determination result by the special symbol process before the notification of the random number determination result by the special symbol process. For example, when the prior determination result is reflected in the hold display, a hold display effect for performing the hold display based on the determination result of the jackpot random number can be provided as the prior determination effect pattern. In addition, it is also possible to provide an effect pattern such as a so-called continuous notice that continuously effects so as to straddle a plurality of symbol variations as a prior determination effect pattern.

  Then, the effect control unit 300 sets the number-of-holds command including the value of the number of holds after the addition and information on the pre-determined effect pattern selected in the effect selection process in the RAM 303 (S2804). Note that the number-of-holds command includes information indicating the pattern in order to notify the CPU 311 of the selected pre-decision effect pattern. By receiving the hold number command, the CPU 311 creates a display list or the like for drawing and outputting the image and sound corresponding to the selected pre-decision effect pattern on the VDP 314. Based on the display list or the like, the VDP 314 reads image data and sound data for representing the selected pre-decision effect pattern from the CGROM 315 or SNDROM 316 and expresses the pre-determination effect using the image display unit 114 or the speaker 156. .

  In the effect selection process, if the received command is neither the prior determination result command nor the pending number increase command, the processes of S2801 to S2804 are not performed.

  Then, the effect control unit 300 analyzes the received variation start command (S2805). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (S2806), and subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations held in the RAM 303 (S2807). Then, the effect control unit 300 is based on various setting information (information about jackpot type, gaming state after jackpot game, variation pattern, etc.) obtained from the analysis result of the change start command and the effect mode determined by the mode flag. Then, the change effect pattern of the pattern change by the image displayed on the image display unit 114 in the effect mode is selected (S2808).

  Finally, the effect control unit 300 sets a variable effect start command instructing the execution start of the selected effect in the RAM 303 (S2809). Note that the change effect start command includes information indicating the selected change effect pattern to notify the CPU 311 of the selected change effect pattern. Upon receiving the hold number command, the CPU 311 draws an image or sound corresponding to the selected variation effect pattern on the VDP 314 and creates a display list or the like for output processing. Based on the display list or the like, the VDP 314 reads image data and acoustic data for representing the selected variation effect pattern from the CGROM 315 and the SNDROM 316, and expresses the variation effect using the image display unit 114 and the speaker 156.

  Although not described in detail, in the process of selecting the variation effect pattern of symbol variation in S2808, the effect mode, the variation pattern, and the effect random number (one of the random numbers updated in S2503 in FIG. The variation effect pattern is determined based on the numerical value. Based on the determined variation effect pattern, the decorative symbol variation display, the background effect, and the notice effect are determined. The decorative symbol variation display is an effect display performed by the image display unit 114 in accordance with the special symbol variation display performed by the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. In this variable display of decorative symbols, a reach effect or the like is executed.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the contents of the changing effect end process (S2608) of FIG.
In this variation effect end process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received variation stop command (S2901). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (S2902). Then, the production control unit 300 determines whether or not the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit or a small hit based on the information indicating the type of the symbol when the special symbol fluctuation is obtained from the analysis result of the fluctuation stop command. Judgment is made (S2903). If it is a big hit or a small hit (Yes in S2903), the mode flag set in the RAM 303 is changed based on the setting example shown in FIG. 27 according to the type or the big hit (S2904).

  On the other hand, when the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is not a big win or a small win (No in S2903), the effect control unit 300 next checks whether or not the value of the mode flag is 0 (S2905). When the mode flag is not 0 (No in S2905), the effect control unit 300 subtracts 1 from the parameter M (S2906) and checks whether the value of M has become 0 (S2907). If the value of M becomes 0 (Yes in S2907), the effect control unit 300 sets the mode flag to 0 (S2908).

  If the mode flag is 0 in S2905 (Yes in S2905), if the value of the parameter M is not 0 in S2907 (No in S2907), or after setting the mode flag to 0 in S2908, or in S2904 After changing the mode flag, the effect control unit 300 sets a change effect end command for instructing the end of the effect of symbol change in the RAM 303, and ends the process during end of change effect (S2909). Here, referring to FIG. 27, when the mode flag is changed in S2904, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is an effect mode corresponding to the type of jackpot. If the mode flag is 0 in S2905 and if the mode flag is set to 0 in S2908, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is the A mode. If the value of the parameter M does not become 0 in S2907, the previous production mode is continued.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot effect selection process (S2610) of FIG.
In this jackpot effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received opening command (S3001), and selects an effect pattern (a jackpot effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (S3002). . Then, the effect control unit 300 reads image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected jackpot effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets a jackpot effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The jackpot presentation selection process is terminated (S3003). As a result, the performance during the big hit is determined.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the contents of the ending effect selection process (S2612) of FIG.
In this ending effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received ending command (S3101), and selects an effect pattern (ending effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (S3102). . Then, the effect control unit 300 reads image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected ending effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets an ending effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The ending effect selection process is terminated (S3103).

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting command reception process (S2613) of FIG.
The production control unit 300 determines whether or not a customer waiting command for shifting to the customer waiting state has been received (S3201). When the customer waiting command is received (Yes in S3201), the effect control unit 300 starts measuring the elapsed time (S3202) and turns on the measurement flag in the RAM 303 (S3203). On the other hand, when the received command is not a customer waiting command (No in S3201), the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 is ON (S3204). If the measurement flag is OFF (No in S3204), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated.

  When the measurement flag is ON (Yes in S3204 or after being turned ON in S3203), the effect control unit 300 next determines whether or not the measurement time has reached a predetermined time-up time (S3205). . If the time is not up (No in S3205), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, when the time is up (Yes in S3205), the production control unit 300 turns off the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 (S3206), and sets a customer waiting production command for performing the customer waiting production in the RAM 303. The customer waiting command reception process is terminated (S3207).

  When the command reception process is completed as described above, the RAM 303 is set with any one of a variation effect start command, a variation effect end command, a jackpot effect start command, an ending effect start command, and a customer waiting effect command.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect button process (S2512 in FIG. 25B).
In this effect button process, the effect control unit 300 first determines whether or not an operation means such as the effect button 161 by the player has been operated (S3301). Here, the operation of the operation means includes turning on the effect button 161 and turning it on when the center key and the surrounding keys of the effect key 162 are pressed. In addition, when an operation device other than the effect button 161 and the effect key 162 such as a touch panel is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 100, this includes detecting the operation of the device. The effect control unit 300 receives an operation signal from the controller of these devices and detects that an operation has been performed.

  If the operation means such as the effect button 161 is operated (Yes in S3301), the effect control unit 300 sets an effect button command including information indicating the operation content of the operation means in the RAM 303, and ends the effect button process. (S3302).

  Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs the command transmission process (S2513) of FIG. 25B, and the command set in the RAM 303 by the command reception process and the effect button process described above is displayed in the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp. It transmits to the control part 320. Then, the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 display an image on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the received command. Is controlled to execute the set effect.

(Variation production of decorative design 41)
Next, the variation effect of the decorative design 41 performed by the effect control unit 300 using the image display unit 114 will be specifically described.
34, 35, and 36 are diagrams illustrating one aspect of the variation effect of the decorative design 41 performed by the effect control unit 300 using the image display unit 114.
As shown in FIG. 34, three decorative symbols 41 are displayed on the image display unit 114. The production control unit 300, as shown in FIG. 34, in the fluctuating production of the decorative symbol 41, (1) after the three decorative symbols 41 are variably displayed by, for example, vertical scrolling, 41 (for example, the numeral “5”) is stopped and displayed, and then (3) the right decorative pattern 41 (for example, the numeral “3”) is stopped and displayed. Finally, (4) the central decorative pattern 41 ( For example, the numeral “6”) is stopped and displayed. The combination “563” of the decorative symbols 41 that are stopped and displayed as shown in FIG. 34 (4) is an example of a combination when the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is off. Moreover, the fluctuating effect of the decorative design 41 shown in FIGS. 34 (1) to (4) is an example of a reachless effect.

In the case of an effect with reach, the effect control unit 300 stops (2) the number “5”, which is the decorative symbol 41 on the left side, and (5) the decorative symbol on the right side, as shown in FIG. The numeral “5” which is 41 is stopped and displayed, and the left and right decorative symbols 41 are aligned. After that, the production control unit 300 stops displaying the number “6” as the central decorative symbol 41 when the jackpot is not won and (7) when the jackpot is won (7) ) The number “5” which is the decorative pattern 41 in the center is stopped and displayed.
In the following, after reaching the reach state, it is a decorative symbol 41 different from the decorative symbol 41 on both sides and does not win a big hit without performing development effects such as SP reach effect and SP / SP reach effect described later. The effect of stopping and displaying the decorative symbol 41 indicating this in the center is referred to as a normal reach effect. For example, the normal reach effect is an effect that transitions to (1), (2), (5), and (6) in FIG.

Or, as shown in FIG. 34, the effect control unit 300 stops (5) “5”, which is the decorative symbol 41 on the right side, enters the reach state, and then (8) uses the decorative symbol 41 on the left side and the right side. A certain “5” “5” is moved to the corner of the image display area and reduced in size, and (9) an SP reach effect as a development effect is performed. In the SP reach production, the production control unit 300 performs any of a plurality of types of productions having different jackpot expectation levels unique to the SP reach production. In the following description, the fact that the SP reach effect is being performed is represented as an SP reach image 71.
After that, when the jackpot is not won, at the end of the SP reach production, (10) the number “6” as the decorative symbol 41 in the center is stopped and displayed, and when the jackpot is won ( 11) The number “5” which is the decorative pattern 41 in the center is stopped and displayed. The SP reach effect is basically an effect in which the effect time is longer than the above-described normal reach effect.

  Or, as shown in FIG. 35, the production control unit 300 (1) starts to fluctuate the three decorative symbol sequences, (2) stops and displays the number “5” as the decorative symbol 41 on the left side, (5) The number “5”, which is the decorative symbol 41 on the right side, is stopped and displayed, and the reach state is reached. (12) The numbers “5”, “5”, which are the decorative symbol 41 on the left and right sides, are displayed in the image display area. (13) A super-super-reach (SP / SP reach) effect, which is a development effect, is performed. In the SP / SP reach production, the production control unit 300 performs one of a plurality of types of productions having different jackpot expectations unique to the SP / SP reach production. Note that the SP / SP reach effect is basically an effect with a longer effect time than the SP reach effect. Further, in the following description, the SP / SP reach effect is represented by being illustrated as an SP / SP reach image 72.

  Alternatively, the effect control unit 300 (5) stops and displays the number “5” as the decorative symbol 41 on the right side and sets the reach state, and then (8) sets the number “5” as the decorative symbol 41 on the left side and the right side. “5” is moved to the corner of the image display area and reduced in size, and first, (9) SP reach effect which is the development effect is performed. Then, at the end of the SP reach production, (10) the number “6” of the central decorative design 41 is temporarily stopped and then restarted, and (12) the number “6” of the left and right decorative design 41 is displayed. 5 ”and“ 5 ”are moved to the corners of the image display area and reduced to display (13) SP / SP reach effect. Thereafter, when the jackpot is not won, (14) the number “6”, which is the central decorative symbol 41, is stopped and displayed. When the jackpot is won, (15) the central decorative symbol 41 is displayed. The number “5” is stopped and displayed. The temporary stop is a state in which the decorative design 41 appears to stop when it is first viewed, but does not stop completely, for example, the decorative design 41 moves slightly.

  The effect control unit 300 performs a pseudo-continuous effect (pseudo-continuous) as a variable effect of the other decorative symbols 41. The pseudo-continuous effect is an effect that makes it appear as if a variation display of the decorative symbol 41 for a plurality of times is performed in the variation display for one variation of the special symbol. In the pseudo-continuous production, the production control unit 300 changes the decorative design 41 before changing to the reach state, temporarily stops the decorative design 41, and then starts the variable display of the decorative design 41 again.

  More specifically, the production control unit 300, as shown in FIG. 36, (1) after starting to fluctuate the three decorative symbols 41, (2) the number “5” that is the decorative symbol 41 on the left side. After the stop display, (3) the character “S” which is the decorative symbol 41 on the right side is stopped and displayed, (16) “ream”, which is a specific icon meaning performing a pseudo continuous effect, is described. The icon 41r is temporarily stopped. Then, the production control unit 300 displays the variation of the first decoration symbol 41 until then, and again, as shown in FIG. 36, (1) starts variation of the three decoration symbols 41 and starts the second variation of the decoration symbol 41. Start to display the fluctuation. Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 starts the second variation display of the decorative symbol 41, and then, for example, as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, temporarily setting the decorative symbol 41 and displaying the decorative symbol 41 multiple times before reaching the reach state is referred to as a pseudo continuous effect. The effect control unit 300 performs the variable display of the decorative symbol 41, for example, three times at the maximum as the pseudo continuous effect.

  In the present embodiment, in the variation display for one variation of the special symbol, when the decorative symbol 41 becomes variation → temporary stop → revariation → reach state, the pseudo continuous effect until the reach state is reached. This is called pseudo-duplex. Further, in the present embodiment, in the variation display for one variation of the special symbol, when the decorative symbol 41 becomes variation → temporary stop → revariation → temporary stop → revariation → reach state before the reach state is reached. This pseudo-continuous production is referred to as pseudo-triple. Further, in the present embodiment, the degree of jackpot expectation increases as the number of times of variation display of the decorative symbol 41 corresponding to one variation of the special symbol increases. In FIG. 36 (2), the numeral “5”, which is the left decorative design 41, is stopped and displayed, but as shown in (16), the character “S”, which is the right decorative design 41, is displayed. If the icon 41r described as “ream” in the center is temporarily stopped after the stop display, the decorative pattern 41 on the left side may not be the number “5”. For example, in the pseudo-duplex, the number “5” is stopped and displayed as the left decorative symbol 41 in the first variation display of the decoration symbol 41, and the number “3” is stopped in the second variation symbol 41. It may be displayed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 21, when the determination result is a big hit, the variation time (variation patterns A to D) of 90 to 15 seconds is set. The longer the variation time is, the higher the expectation of jackpot is set. Further, when the variation time is long, it is possible to execute an SP reach effect or an SP / SP reach effect with a relatively long effect time. Therefore, when the SP reach effect or the SP / SP reach effect with a long effect time is performed, the expectation level of the jackpot is set to be high.

And in this Embodiment, when SP reach production is performed, it is made to perform the pseudo | simulation 2 series pseudo continuous production with a comparatively high probability. Similarly, when the SP / SP reach effect is executed, a pseudo-triple pseudo-continuous effect is performed with a relatively high probability. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the pseudo continuous effect is executed when the degree of expectation for jackpot is high. In particular, when the jackpot expectation is higher, the number of sets in which the decorative symbol 41 fluctuates again after the temporary stop in the pseudo-continuous production is increased.
As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the player can have a sense of expectation with respect to the jackpot winning by executing the pseudo continuous effect.

[Variable object / Pending object]
FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram of a change object and a hold object.
By the way, when a game ball first wins in the first start port 121 in a state where there is no hold, immediately, the display of fluctuation for the first win is started. During this change display, the game ball is further awarded to the first start port 121, and the suspension occurs. At this time, the change display for further winnings cannot be started immediately, and is reserved as a jackpot determination right. Then, when one variation display based on the first first start port 121 is completed, another variation display is performed in the order in which the variation is suspended based on the right that has been suspended. The same applies to the second start port 122.
In the following, on the screen of the image display unit 114 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “screen”), a “variable object” that is a display related to a variable display for winning, and a “hold” that is a display related to a reserved right. Each “object” will be described in detail.

(Change object 51)
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 37 (a) and 37 (b), the screen is provided with a variation effect by a variation display of the decorative symbol 41 based on the symbol variation of the special symbol. Then, on the lower side of the screen, a special object fluctuation control unit 233 (see FIG. 11 and the like) displays a variable object 51 indicating that the special symbol is changing (decoration display of the decorative symbol 41). . That is, the variation object 51 is displayed on the screen as an object related to the variation display of the special symbol during the variation display of the special symbol. The variable object 51 starts to be displayed in the area where the variable object 51 is displayed (in the present embodiment, below the center of the screen) at the start of the special symbol variable display, and is displayed along with the special symbol variable stop. Disappear.

(Pending object 52)
In the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, based on the information in the storage area corresponding to the current holding ball in the RAM 303, as shown in FIG. 37 (a) and FIG. The hold object 52 is displayed. The hold object 52 is an object indicating that the jackpot determination right is held. Further, in the present embodiment, the display mode of the hold object 52 on the screen is determined based on the prior determination result by the prior determination process.

Specifically, a maximum of four holds are generated by winning at the first start port 121. Therefore, a maximum of four hold objects 52 are displayed on the screen by winning at the first start port 121. Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of holding objects 52 are displayed side by side from the right side to the left side in order from a position close to the moving object 51 to a position away from the moving object 51.
In the following description, with respect to the maximum four hold objects 52 displayed, the “first hold object 52”, “second hold object 52”, “third hold object 52”, respectively, in order from the variation object 51. These are referred to as “hold object 52” and “fourth hold object 52”.

Also, a maximum of four holds are generated by winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, although not shown, a maximum of four hold objects 52 are displayed on the screen by winning at the second start port 122. Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of holding objects 52 related to winning in the second start port 122 are displayed side by side from the left side to the right side in order from the position close to the moving object 51 to the position away from the moving object 51. Yes.
In the following, the reservation based on the winning at the first starting port 121 will be described in detail as a representative example, and the detailed description of the holding based on the winning at the second starting port 122 will be omitted.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 37 (a) and 37 (b), when the variable display based on the held right is started, for example, the second to fourth hold objects 52 are displayed by the change object 51. The display position is moved toward the position to be displayed. Further, the first hold object 52 moves to the display position of the change object 51 when the change display based on the held right is started. In the following description, the start of the variable display based on the held right may be expressed as the display change of the hold object 52 as the change object 51.

  In the following description, when the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 and the plurality of hold objects 52 are not particularly distinguished from each other, the change object 51 and the hold object 52 are collectively referred to as “hold / change object”. An explanation may be given.

  In this embodiment, the hold / variation object is basically configured in the same or similar form. However, the form may differ among the plurality of holding objects 52 depending on the contents of the effects and the progress of the effects. Moreover, the form of the change object 51 and the holding | maintenance object 52 may differ according to production content and progress of production.

In the present embodiment, as for the image layer to be displayed on the screen of the image display unit 114, the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 are drawn on different image layers. Further, in the present embodiment, the image layer for displaying the hold object 52 is superposed so that the image layer for displaying the hold object 52 is positioned higher than the image layer for displaying the variable object 51 (player side).
Note that a plurality (four at the maximum in the present embodiment) of the pending objects 52 may be drawn on different image layers one by one. The plurality of held objects 52 may be configured to individually control display or non-display.

[Pending / variable object types]
In the present embodiment, the following two types of pending / variable objects are prepared. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 37A and 37B, there are a “normal icon 61” and a “special icon 62” as the hold / change objects. The normal icon 61 is not changed by a change effect described later, and the display mode cannot be changed. On the other hand, the display state of the special icon 62 can be changed by a change effect described later.

[Change production of hold / variable objects]
Next, the change effect of the hold / change object will be described.
The special icon 62 as the hold / change object (the change object 51, the hold object 52) is subjected to jackpot determination processing by changing a display mode of a color, a pattern, a shape or the like (hereinafter referred to as “color etc.”), for example. Based on the determination result and the pre-determination result by the pre-determination process, the expected degree of winning the jackpot is notified or suggested.

As shown in FIG. 37C, the special icon 62 has a plurality of display modes corresponding to the degree of expectation of jackpot. In the present embodiment, the special icon 62 is white “white special icon 62w” → blue “blue special icon 62b” → green “green special icon 62g” in a case where the degree of expectation is lower to higher. → Red “red special icon 62r” → Zebra pattern “striped pattern special icon 62z” → Rainbow color “rainbow special icon 62s” In this order, the display modes are changed.
Note that the display mode is not changed in order according to the above-described order, but a color in the middle may be omitted. In the present embodiment, a color with a high degree of expectation is not changed to a color with a low degree of expectation.

And in this Embodiment, the timing of the change of the special icon 62 by a change effect is as follows.
The special icon 62 has a case where the display mode changes without changing the display position, and a case where the display mode changes with the movement of the display position, depending on the change effect.

First, as a change not accompanied by the movement of the display position, the display state of the special icon 62 as the hold object 52 may change at the display position of the hold object 52. Further, the display mode of the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 may change depending on the display position of the variable object 51.
Next, as a change accompanying the movement of the display position, the display mode of the special icon 62 as the hold object 52 changes immediately after the movement when the display position moves by ending one variable display of the special symbol. Or the display mode may change simultaneously with the movement.
Further, when the display of the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 is changed from the hold object 52 to the variable object 51, the display mode may change immediately after the movement, or the display mode may change simultaneously with the movement. .

  And if the reach effect is not performed, the special icon 62 as the change object 51 can be changed at any time from the start of the change display of the decorative design 41 to the end of the change display. On the other hand, if the reach icon 52 is not executed, the special icon 62 as the hold object 52 is displayed until the display as the hold object 52 is ended by changing the display as the variable object 51 after the display is started. In the meantime, the display mode can change at any time.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a change effect in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 38A, the change effect of the hold / change object can be exemplified by displaying the character 63 on the screen. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 38B, the character 63 performs an action of throwing an item 64 against the special icon 62. For example, when the special icon 62 receives the item 64, the display mode of the special icon 62 changes as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 38, the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 is changed from the display mode that was the white special icon 62w before the change to the display mode of the green special icon 62g after the change.
As the change effect, the display mode of the hold / change object may simply change without any special action as in the example performed using the character 63 and the item 64.

In this embodiment, two types of icons, the normal icon 61 and the special icon 62, are used as the hold / variation object, but the type of icon is not limited to two types. A plurality of icons as well as the normal icon 61 may be used as icons that do not change due to the change effect. Further, as an icon that changes due to the change effect, not only the special icon 62 but also a plurality of icons may be used. Further, for example, four held objects displayed at the maximum may be displayed with different icons.
And even if it is a case where the icon of a different shape is used, the pattern which changes display modes, such as a color, can be applied similarly as a change production.

[Object display / non-display effect]
The hold / change object configured as described above may be hidden on the screen of the image display unit 114 in accordance with the progress of the change effect.

Here, in the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 34 to 36, for example, a reach effect is performed.
In this embodiment, if the reach effect is not performed, the change object 51 is displayed on the screen from the start of change display to the stop of change. Also, the hold object 52 is displayed on the screen from the start of display until the display is changed as the variable object 51 if no reach effect is performed.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, when the reach effect is executed, the hold / variation object is determined based on whether the type of the displayed icon is the normal icon 61 or the special icon 62. Show or hide.
Thus, in the present embodiment, “object display / non-display effect” for controlling the display / non-display of the hold / change object is performed according to a predetermined condition. Hereinafter, the “object display / non-display effect” will be described in detail.

In the object display / non-display effect of the first embodiment, the special icon 62 (an example of the first object image) having a possibility of changing the display mode is continuously displayed even after the start of the reach effect. On the other hand, the normal icon 61 (an example of the second object image) whose display mode is not likely to change is controlled to be hidden after the start of the reach effect.
In the following, with respect to the object display / non-display effects according to the first embodiment, only the variable object 51 is displayed, the case where the variable object 51 is not displayed, and only the hold object 52 is displayed, Three cases in which the object 52 is displayed will be described in order.

  FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram of a case where only the variable object 51 is displayed in the object display / non-display effect according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 39A, (1) the decorative symbol 41 and the normal icon 61 as the variable object 51 are displayed on the screen of the image display unit 114. Then, (2) variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is performed. (3) The left decorative pattern 41 and the right decorative pattern 41 are aligned to establish a reach state (normal reach). Then, the normal icon 61 as the variable object 51 is hidden at the timing when the reach state is reached. Thereafter, (4) the normal icon 61 is not displayed even if the normal reach is expanded to the SP reach, and (5) the normal icon 61 is not displayed until the variable display of the three decorative symbols 41 is stopped. To do.

  In the description of the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the broken object 51 or the suspended object 52 (the normal icon 61 or the special icon 62) is indicated by a broken line for the sake of convenience.

  Thereafter, (6) after the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped, the normal icon 61 that has been hidden is temporarily displayed, and the normal icon 61 disappears. Then, the winning display of the game ball in the winning opening starts (7) the variable display of the new decorative symbol 41 is started. At this time, the normal icon 61 as the variable object 51 is displayed again.

  In addition, as shown in (6), in the above example, the normal icon 61 that has been hidden is once displayed, but the hidden normal icon 61 is not displayed again but remains hidden. The variation display of the new decorative design 41 may be started.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 39B, (1) the decorative symbol 41 and the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 are displayed on the screen of the image display unit 114. The special icon 62 is a white special icon 62w. Then, (2) during the variation display of the decorative symbol 41, the variation object 51 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the blue special icon 62b by a variation effect.

Thereafter, (3) the reach state of the decorative symbol 41 is established. Then, (4) during normal reach, the change object 51 is changed from the blue special icon 62b to the green special icon 62g by the change effect. Furthermore, (5) the normal reach is advanced to the SP reach.
Here, when the special icon 62 is displayed as the variable object 51, the display of the special icon 62 is continued as it is without being hidden even when reaching the reach state. Further, (6) during the SP reach, the change object 51 is changed from the green special icon 62g to the red special icon 62r by the change effect.
Then, (7) the display of the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 is continued until the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped. In this example, the three decorative symbols 41 are aligned and the variable display stops. That is a big hit.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of a case where only the hold object is displayed in the object display / non-display effect according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 40A, on the screen of the image display unit 114, (1) the decorative symbol 41 and three normal icons 61 are displayed as the hold object 52. Then, (2) the reach state (normal reach) of the decorative symbol 41 is established. At this normal reach timing, the three normal icons 61 as the hold object 52 are hidden. Further, (3) even if the normal reach is changed to the SP reach, the state where the three normal icons 61 as the hold object 52 are hidden is continued. (4) The three normal icons 61 are not displayed until the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 stops.

  Thereafter, (5) in the present embodiment, after the decorative symbol 41 stops, the three normal icons 61 that have been hidden are temporarily displayed. (6) At the timing when the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is newly started, the display position of each holding object 52 is moved, and the two normal icons 61 as the holding objects 52 are displayed.

  In addition, as shown in (5), the normal icon 61 that has been hidden is temporarily displayed. However, the hidden normal icon 61 is not displayed again, but remains hidden and is newly displayed next time. Variation display of the decorative pattern 41 may be started.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 40 (b), (1) the decorative symbol 41 and three special icons 62 as the hold object 52 are displayed on the screen. The three special icons 62 are respectively white special icons 62w. Then, (2) the reach state of the decorative symbol 41 is established. (3) During the normal reach, the third reserved object 52 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the blue special icon 62b by the change effect.
Thereafter, (4) the normal reach is changed to the SP reach. Here, when the special icon 62 is displayed as the hold object 52, the display of the special icon 62 is continued without being hidden even at the timing when the reach state is reached. (5) During the SP reach effect, the third hold object 52 is changed from the blue special icon 62b to the green special icon 62g by the change effect.
Then, (6) the display of the special icon 62 as the hold object 52 is continued until the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped. After that, (7) the variable display of the new decorative design 41 is started.

  In addition, regarding the hold object 52 described with reference to FIGS. 40A and 40B, by performing a change effect during the reach effect, the determination result of the special symbol currently changing (the change) is obtained. Regardless, it is possible for the player to play a game while expecting the determination result of the special symbol performed thereafter.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40, in the first embodiment, the special icon 62 that may be changed may change even after the start of the reach production. The display is continued after the start of production. On the other hand, the normal icon 61 having no possibility of change is not displayed after the start of the reach effect since there is no possibility of change after the start of the reach effect.
Here, in the game that becomes a big hit when the three decorative symbols 41 are aligned, the reach production in which the two decorative symbols 41 are aligned is an aspect in which the player expects a big hit and is greatly interested. . Therefore, when a reach production is performed, it is desirable to have interest in the reach production.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the start of the reach production, the display without the role of notifying the jackpot expectation degree, that is, the display of the normal icon 61 having no possibility of change, is hidden on the screen. Yes. In this embodiment, the reach effect is given priority over the display of the normal icon 61.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram of Modification A of the case where only the suspended object is displayed for the object display / non-display effect of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 41, on the screen of the image display unit 114, (1) a decorative symbol 41 and three reserved objects 52 are displayed. The first and third reserved objects 52 are displayed as normal icons 61, and the second reserved object 52 is displayed as a white special icon 62w.
Then, (2) the reach state of the decorative symbol 41 is established. Furthermore, (3) it develops from normal reach to SP reach. Here, in the modified example A, when any one of the plurality of holding objects 52 is displayed with the special icon 62, the display of all the holding objects 52 is continued even if the special icon 62 is developed.
Then, during (4) SP reach, the second hold object 52 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the red special icon 62r by the change effect.

  Then, (5) all the held objects 52 are continuously displayed until the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped. (6) After the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped, the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is newly started.

  As described above, in the modified example A, when at least one special icon 62 as the hold object 52 with the possibility of change is included, the other hold objects 52 are the normal icons 61 with no change possibility. Even so, even after the start of the reach effect, all the hold objects 52 are continuously displayed so that the effect using the hold / change objects can be enjoyed.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a hold object and a variable object are displayed in the object display / non-display effect according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 42, on the screen of the image display unit 114, (1) a decoration symbol 41, a special icon 62 as the variable object 51, and three special icons 62 as the hold object 52 are displayed. . Note that a blue special icon 62 b is displayed as the variable object 51.
Then, (2) the reach state of the decorative symbol 41 is established. Then, (3) during normal reach, the changing object 51 changes from the blue special icon 62b to the green special icon 62g due to the change effect.

Thereafter, (4) the normal reach is changed to the SP reach. Here, even if the SP reach is developed, the display of the variable object 51 and all the suspended objects 52 is continued. Then, during the SP reach, the changing object 51 is changed from the green special icon 62g to the red special icon 62r by a change effect. Further, during the SP reach, the second reserved object 52 changes from the white special icon 62w to the green special icon 62g due to the change effect.
Also, (5) during the SP reach, the second reserved object 52 is changed from the green special icon 62g to the red special icon 62r by the change effect. Further, (6) during the SP reach, the second reserved object 52 is changed from the red special icon 62r to the striped pattern special icon 62z by the change effect.

  Then, (7) the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 and the special icon 62 as the hold object 52 are continuously displayed until the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 stops. (8) After the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped, the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is newly started.

  As described above, regardless of the variable object 51 and the hold object 52, the special icon 62 that may be changed is continuously displayed after the start of the reach effect. In particular, in the example of FIG. 42, the reliability of the special icon 62 displayed as the hold object 52 is higher than that of the special icon 62 displayed as the variable object 51 during the reach effect. In such a case, regardless of the change object 51 and the hold object 52, the special icon 62 is continuously displayed, so that not only the determination result of the special symbol that is currently changing (the change). The game can be performed while expecting the determination result of the special symbol performed thereafter.

  Subsequently, the normal icon 61 that has been hidden after the start of the reach effect is revived and displayed after the start of the reach effect, and after the timing at which the normal icon 61 is not displayed after the start of the reach effect. “Continuous display” that is continuously displayed as the normal icon 61 will be described.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram of the revival display of the object display / non-display effect according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 43A shows a case where only the variable object 51 is displayed, and FIG. 43B shows a case where only the hold object 52 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 43A, on the screen of the image display unit 114, (1) a decorative pattern 41 and a normal icon 61 as a variable object 51 are displayed. Then, (2) the reach state (normal reach) of the decorative symbol 41 is established. Then, the normal icon 61 as the variable object 51 is hidden at the timing when the reach state is reached. After that, (3) it evolves from normal reach to SP reach.

Thereafter, (4) the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 is displayed again at the display position of the variable object 51 during the SP reach. Then, (5) during the SP reach, the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the red special icon 62r by the change effect. Further, (6) during the SP reach, the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 is changed from the red special icon 62r to the striped pattern special icon 62z by the change effect.
After that, (7) the special icon 62 as the changing object 51 is continuously displayed until the decoration symbol 41 stops changing.

  In the present embodiment, the special icon 62 displayed again is always changed to a display mode with higher reliability (see one or more stages (see FIG. 37 (c))) by a change effect.

  As shown in FIG. 43 (b), (1) the decorative symbol 41 and three normal icons 61 as the reserved objects 52 are displayed on the screen of the image display unit 114. Then, (2) the reach state (normal reach) of the decorative symbol 41 is established. Then, at the timing when the reach state is reached, the three normal icons 61 as the hold object 52 are hidden. Furthermore, (3) it develops from normal reach to SP reach.

Thereafter, (4) the three special icons 62 as the hold object 52 are displayed again at the display position of the hold object 52 during the SP reach. The three special icons 62 are displayed by white special icons 62w, respectively.
(5) During the SP reach, the first hold object 52 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the blue special icon 62b by the change effect. Further, (6) during the SP reach, the first hold object 52 is changed from the blue special icon 62b to the red special icon 62r by the change effect.
Thereafter, (7) the special icon 62 as the hold object 52 is continuously displayed until the change display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped. Note that after the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped, the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is newly started.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the special icon 62 displayed again is always changed to a display mode with higher reliability (one or more steps (see FIG. 37 (c))) by the change effect. ing.

  As described above, the normal icon 61 having no possibility of change is temporarily hidden after the start of the reach effect. At this time, the player thinks that the change effect for the normal icon 61 is no longer executed when the display of the normal icon 61 disappears. However, during the reach performance, the hidden normal icon 61 is restored as the special icon 62 and is displayed again. In this way, the player can play a game with a certain expectation for the occurrence of the revival effect itself.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the special icon 62 displayed again is always changed to a display mode with higher reliability by a change effect. In the present embodiment, the effect in which the revival display is performed has special values as compared with the case where the revival display is not accompanied.
For example, a case is considered in which the special icon 62 is not changed to a display mode with higher reliability by a change effect after the revival display. In this case, not only does the value of the revival display itself decrease, but the player may be overwhelmed with the expectation of the change of the display mode due to the change effect and may be tired of the game.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when accompanied by a revival effect, the revival display is made a special effect by always changing the special icon 62 to a display mode with a higher expectation.

  In the present embodiment, the display mode is always changed to a display mode with higher reliability after the revival display is performed based on the above viewpoint. However, the display mode is not necessarily changed.

Note that the revival display described with reference to FIGS. 43A and 43B may be applied to a case where both the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 are displayed.
Further, in the case where both the floating object 51 and the holding object 52 are displayed, or in the case where only the holding object 52 is displayed, not all the holding / changing objects but only one holding object 52 such as one is restored. May be. Further, for example, a part of the hold object 52 such as one may be displayed as the special icon 62 and the rest may be displayed as the normal icon 61.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram of continuous display of object display / non-display effects according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 44, on the screen of the image display unit 114, (1) a decorative symbol 41 and a normal icon 61 as a variable object 51 are displayed. Then, (2) the reach state of the decorative symbol 41 is established. Here, in the continuous display of the object display / non-display effect according to the first embodiment, the normal icon 61 as the variable object 51 is continuously displayed as it is even when the normal reach is reached.
Furthermore, (3) it develops from normal reach to SP reach. Then, (4) the normal icon 61 as the variable object 51 is changed to the special icon 62 during the SP reach. Thereafter, (5) during the SP reach, the white special icon 62w is changed to the red special icon 62r by a change effect.

Then, (6) SP reach reaches SP / SP reach. Then, at the timing when the SP / SP reach is developed, the red special icon 62r is changed to the striped pattern special icon 62z by the change effect.
Thereafter, (7) the special icon 62 as the changing object 51 is continuously displayed until the three decorative symbols 41 stop changing. In this example, the three decorative symbols 41 are aligned and the variable display stops. That is a big hit.

  In addition, when continuous display is performed, any one of the suspended / variable objects that are continuously displayed must be changed to a display mode with a higher reliability (see one or more levels (see FIG. 37C)). I have to.

  As described above, when the normal icon 61 having no possibility of change is continuously displayed even at a predetermined timing after the start of the reach production (in this embodiment, the reach state is established), the normal icon 61 The icon 61 is changed to a special icon 62. The special icon 62 changed in this way is changed to a display mode with higher reliability by a change effect, so that the player can play a game with great expectations. And, for example, after the reach effect is started, the player expects that the change effect will be executed after the normal icon 61 is not hidden and the display continues. You can play games.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram of Modification B of the object display / non-display effect according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 45A, on the screen of the image display unit 114, (1) a decorative pattern 41 and a normal icon 61 as a variable object 51 are displayed. Here, (2) and (3) the normal icon 61 as the variable object 51 may be changed to the special icon 62 until the reach state of the decorative symbol 41 is established, for example. Also in the modified example B, the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 is continuously displayed during the development from (4) normal reach to SP reach.

As shown in FIG. 45 (b), (1) the decoration symbol 41, the normal icon 61 as the variable object 51, and the three normal icons 61 as the hold objects 52 are displayed on the screen. In (1), the timing at which the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped is displayed.
Then, (2) when the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is newly started, the display position of the hold object 52 is moved. At this time, the normal icon 61 displayed as the second reserved object 52 before the movement may be displayed by the special icon 62 when displayed as the first reserved object 52 after the movement.
Thereafter, (3) the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped. (4) The first hold object 52 is displayed and changed as the variable object 51. In this example, a special icon 62 is displayed as the variable object 51. In the modified example B as well, the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 is continuously displayed during the development from (5) normal reach to SP reach.

  In the first embodiment, for example, when the normal icon 61 and the special icon 62 are mixed as a hold / change object, when the reach state is established, only the special icon 62 is continuously displayed, and the normal icon 61 is displayed. May be hidden. For example, if all the hold / change objects are the special icons 62, all the hold / change objects are continuously displayed even after the reach state is established. On the other hand, for example, if all the hold / change objects are the normal icons 61, all the hold / change objects are not displayed even after the reach state is established.

  In the first embodiment, the non-display / display control for the normal icon 61 is performed at the timing when the reach state (normal reach) is established after the start of the reach effect, but is not limited to this timing. The non-display / display control can be performed at a predetermined timing after the start of the reach effect, such as SP reach development timing or SP / SP reach development timing.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the second embodiment will be described. The basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the pachinko gaming machine 100 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment, the change object 51 (an example of the first object image) having a possibility of changing the display mode and the hold object 52 (the second object) having no possibility of changing the display mode. An example of an object image).
In the object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment, even when the reach icon is started, even if the icon is a special icon 62 whose display mode can be changed by the change effect, the special icon 62 is displayed. When displayed as the hold object 52, the display mode of the special icon 62 cannot be changed even by the change effect. On the other hand, when the special effect 62 is displayed as the variable object 51 when the reach effect is started, the display mode of the special icon 62 can be changed by the change effect.
In the object display / non-display effect of the second embodiment, control is performed to continuously display the variable object 51 until a predetermined timing after the start of the reach effect.
Hereinafter, the object display / non-display effect of the second embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram of an object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment.
First, as a premise of the object display / non-display effect of the second embodiment, regarding the variable object 51, there is a possibility that the display mode of the variable object 51 may change due to the change effect until the SP / SP reach is developed. After the development of SP / SP reach, the display mode of the variable object 51 is not changed by the change effect. Further, regarding the hold object 52, when the reach effect is not performed, there is a possibility that the display mode of the hold object 52 is changed by the change effect, but when the reach effect is being executed, the hold by the change effect is held. The display mode of the object 52 is not changed.

  And as shown in (1), on the screen of the image display part 114, the decoration symbol 41, the special icon 62 as the change object 51, and the four special icons 62 as the hold object 52 are displayed. Yes. In (1), the three decorative symbols 41 indicate a state where they are stopped and displayed. The variable object 51 and the hold object 52 are all displayed as white special icons 62w.

  Thereafter, (2) a new variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is started. The display positions of the change object 51 and the hold object 52 are moved at the start timing of the change display of the decorative pattern 41. In this example, the second hold object 52 before the movement is displayed as the first hold object 52 after the movement. As the display position of the first hold object 52 is moved, the white special icon 62w is changed to the blue special icon 62b by a change effect. Further, the display of the first holding object 52 before the movement is changed as the variable object 51 by the movement of the display position.

  (3) The first reserved object 52 is changed from the blue special icon 62b to the green special icon 62g by the change effect. (4) The variable display of the three decorative symbols 41 is stopped.

  Further, (5) a new variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is started. At the start timing of the change display, the display positions of the change object 51 and the hold object 52 are moved. Specifically, the display of the first hold object 52 is changed as the variable object 51. Since the first hold object 52 before moving is displayed by the green special icon 62g, the moving object 51 is displayed by the green special icon 62g after moving.

Thereafter, (6) during the variation display of the decorative symbol 41, the variation object 51 is changed from the green special icon 62g to the red special icon 62r by a variation effect. Further, during the variation display of the decorative symbol 41, the first reserved object 52 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the blue special icon 62b by the change effect.
Then, (7) the left decorative pattern 41 and the right decorative pattern 41 are aligned, and a reach state is established. Thereafter, (8) during normal reach, the variable object 51 is changed from the red special icon 62r to the striped pattern special icon 62z by the change effect.

  Subsequently, (9) the normal reach evolves to the SP reach. And (10) During SP reach, the change object 51 is changed from the striped pattern special icon 62z to the rainbow color special icon 62s by the change effect.

  Next, (11) further develop from SP reach to SP / SP reach. In the second embodiment, the floating object 51 and the hold object 52 are not displayed at the timing when the SP / SP reach is developed. Thereafter, (12) the variable display of the three decorative symbols 41 is stopped. (13) Thereafter, in the present embodiment, after the variable display of the three decorative symbols 41 stops, the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 that have been hidden are displayed again. In this example, the three decorative symbols 41 are aligned and the variable display stops. That is a big hit.

  In the case of a big hit, the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 that have been hidden may not be displayed again and may remain hidden.

Next, a modification C of the object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram of a modification C of the object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment.
As shown in (1), on the screen of the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol 41, a special icon 62 as the variable object 51, and four special icons 62 as the hold object 52 are displayed. In (1), the decorative pattern 41 shows a state where the variable display is stopped. The variable object 51 and the hold object 52 are all displayed as white special icons 62w.
47 (1) to (6) are the same as (1) to (6) of FIG. 46 described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Then, (7) the reach state of the decorative symbol 41 is established. And in the modification C, the hold | maintenance object 52 is not displayed at the timing which became a reach state.
Thereafter, (8) during normal reach, the variable object 51 is changed from the red special icon 62r to the striped pattern special icon 62z by the change effect.

  Subsequently, (9) the normal reach evolves to the SP reach. And (10) During SP reach, the change object 51 is changed from the striped pattern special icon 62z to the rainbow color special icon 62s by the change effect.

  Next, (11) further develop from SP reach to SP / SP reach. In the second embodiment, the variable object 51 is not displayed at the timing when the SP / SP reach is developed. Thereafter, (12) the variable display of the three decorative symbols 41 is stopped. (13) Thereafter, in the present embodiment, after the variable display of the three decorative symbols 41 stops, the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 that have been hidden are displayed again. In this example, the three decorative symbols 41 are aligned and the variable display stops. That is a big hit.

  In the second embodiment, the display mode of the changing object 51 may change depending on the changing effect from the establishment of the reach state to the SP / SP reach development (that is, during normal reach and during SP reach). Therefore, as described with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47, in the object display / non-display effect of the second embodiment, until the start of SP / SP reach as a predetermined timing after the start of the reach effect, The variable object 51 is continuously displayed. On the contrary, after the start of the SP / SP reach production, the variable object 51 is not displayed. In the second embodiment, after the execution of the SP / SP reach effect, the display of the variable object 51 that is no longer informed that the degree of expectation at a higher level is not given in terms of notifying the expectation degree of jackpot is not performed. Therefore, the player can preferentially enjoy the SP / SP reach production with high expectation.

  Further, the hold object 52 has a specification in which the display mode does not change due to the change effect after the reach state is established. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 47, in the modified example C, after the reach state is established, the hold object 52 is hidden, and the player can concentrate on the change display of the decorative symbol 41 that is currently changing. I am doing so.

  In the second embodiment, for example, in a gaming machine having a specification in which the display mode of the variable object 51 can be changed by the change effect until the SP reach development, the variable object 51 may be continuously displayed until the SP reach development. good. Similarly, in a gaming machine having a specification in which the display mode of the variable object 51 can be changed by the change effect until the reach state (normal reach) is established, the variable object 51 is continuously displayed until the reach state is established. It ’s fine.

  Further, in the second embodiment, as described above, the display of the variable object 51 is continued while the display mode may change due to the change effect, and after the possibility that the display mode changes does not change, The object 51 is not displayed. Therefore, the display of the variable object 51 only needs to be continued at least while the display mode of the variable object 51 is likely to change, and even after the possibility that the display mode of the variable object 51 changes is eliminated. The variable object 51 may be continuously displayed.

By the way, the object display / non-display effect of the second embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47 can also be grasped as follows.
First, as described with reference to FIG. 37 (b), the special icon 62 is displayed when the display mode changes with the change of the display position due to the change effect (an example of the first change effect) and the display position. In some cases, the display mode changes without any movement (an example of a second change effect).

When the special icon 62 is displayed as the variable object 51, the display mode changes without moving the display position either before or after the reach state is established in the variable effect (the start of the reach effect). (An example of the second change effect) is possible (for example, FIGS. 46 (5), (6), (8), (10)).
On the other hand, when the special icon 62 is displayed as the hold object 52, the display mode changes without moving the display position before the reach state is established in the variation effect (the start of execution of the reach effect) (second display). An example of a change effect) is possible (for example, FIG. 46 (2), (3), (6)). Further, when the special icon 62 is displayed as the hold object 52, after the reach state in the variation effect is established (the execution of the reach effect is started), the display mode changes without moving the display position (second). An example of a change effect) is impossible (for example, FIGS. 46 (7) to (13)).

  By the way, also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to perform an effect using the revival display and the continuous display. Hereinafter, the revival display in the object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment and the continuous display of the object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram of revival display in the object display / non-display effect of the second embodiment.
As shown in (1), on the screen of the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol 41, a special icon 62 as the variable object 51, and two special icons 62 as the hold object 52 are displayed. In addition, (1) has shown the state in normal reach. And (2) it develops from normal reach to SP reach.
Furthermore, (3) the SP reach will evolve into the SP / SP reach. In the object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment, the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 are not displayed at the timing developed to SP / SP reach.

  Next, (3) during the SP / SP reach, the special icon 62 is displayed again so that the floating object 51 and the hold object 52 that have been hidden are restored. Thereafter, (5) the changing object 51 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the blue special icon 62b by the change effect. Further, (6) the changing object 51 is changed from the blue special icon 62b to the red special icon 62r by the change effect. In this example, (7) the three decorative symbols 41 are aligned and the variable display stops. That is a big hit.

  Also, even in the revival display of the second embodiment, any one of the special icons 62 displayed again is surely changed to a display mode (one or more stages (see FIG. 37 (c))) with higher reliability by the change effect. I try to change it.

In addition, when performing the revival display, the timing at which the variable object 51 is not displayed is not limited to the above-mentioned SP / SP reach development timing, and the timing at which the revival display is performed again is limited to the SP / SP reach timing. Not.
In the second embodiment, there is a possibility that the display mode of the variable object 51 may change due to the change effect until the SP / SP reach development timing, and there is no possibility that the display mode will change after the SP / SP reach development. It has become. For this reason, the change object 51 is not displayed at the timing of SP / SP reach development, and after that, the revival display is performed during the SP / SP reach.

On the other hand, for example, in a gaming machine with the principle that the display mode of the variable object 51 can be changed by changing effects until the timing of SP reach development, the variable object 51 is hidden by SP reach development. During the SP reach or during the SP / SP reach, the display mode may be changed by the change effect after performing the revival display.
Similarly, in a gaming machine having a specification that the display mode of the variable object 51 can be changed by the change effect until the timing when the normal reach is established, the variable object 51 is hidden at the timing when the normal reach is established. The display mode may be changed by a change effect after performing a revival display during normal reach, SP reach, or SP / SP reach.

  In the restoration display in the second embodiment, only the target special icon 62 of the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 may be restored and the display mode may be changed by a change effect. Further, a plurality of special icons 62 displayed as the hold object 52 may be displayed again, and any of the special icons 62 may be changed by a change effect.

FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram of continuous display in the object display / non-display effect according to the second embodiment.
As shown in (1), a decorative pattern 41 and a special icon 62 as a variable object 51 are displayed on the screen. And the reach state of the decorative pattern 41 is established. And (2) it develops from normal reach to SP reach.
Furthermore, (3) the SP reach will evolve into the SP / SP reach. Here, as shown in (3), even if the SP reach is expanded to the SP / SP reach, the display of the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 is continued as it is.

Thereafter, at a predetermined timing during the SP / SP reach, the special icon 62 as the variable object 51 is changed from (4) the white special icon 62w to the blue special icon 62b by the change effect, and (5) the blue special icon 62b. To the red special icon 62r, and (6) the red special icon 62r is changed to the striped pattern special icon 62z.
(7) The variable object 51 and the hold object 52 are continuously displayed until the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped.

  Moreover, when performing a continuous display, either the hold | maintained and the fluctuation | variation object continuously displayed is displayed in a display mode (one level or more (refer to Drawing 37 (c))) with higher reliability by change production, I always try to change it.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the third embodiment will be described. The basic configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the pachinko gaming machine 100 of the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the object display / non-display effect according to the third embodiment, the movable accessory 115 is configured to be movable to a position overlapping the screen of the image display unit 114 during the execution of the reach effect. Specifically, a first movable accessory 115 </ b> A is provided on the upper side in the vertical direction of the game board 110, and a second movable accessory 115 </ b> B is provided on the lower side of the game board 110. The first movable accessory 115A and the second movable accessory 115B are configured to be able to advance and retreat toward the central portion of the image display unit 114 that is in a direction approaching each other.

In the object display / non-display effect according to the third embodiment, the change object 51 (an example of the first object image) having a possibility of changing the display mode, and the hold object 52 (the display mode is not likely to change) An example of a second object image).
Here, in the object display / non-display effect of the third embodiment, even when the reach icon is started, even if it is a special icon 62 that can be changed by a change effect as the type of icon, the special icon 62 Is displayed as the hold object 52, it is impossible to change the display mode of the special icon 62 even by the change effect. On the other hand, if the special icon 62 is displayed as the variable object 51 when the reach effect is started, the display mode of the second icon can be changed by the change effect.
In the object display / non-display effect according to the third embodiment, the variable object 51 is continuously displayed until the timing when the movable accessory 115 is superimposed on the screen of the image display unit 114 after the start of the reach effect.
Hereinafter, the object display / non-display effect of the third embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram of an object display / non-display effect according to the third embodiment.
As shown in (1), on the screen of the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol 41, a special icon 62 as the variable object 51, and four special icons 62 as the hold object 52 are displayed. Note that the three decorative symbols 41 are in a state where the variable display is stopped.
Note that (1) to (9) are the same as (1) to (9) described with reference to FIG. 46, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

(10) During the SP reach, the movable combination 115 (the first movable combination 115A and the second movable combination 115B) is superimposed on the screen of the image display unit 114. Then, the floating object 51 and the hold object 52 are not displayed at the timing when the movable accessory 115 is superimposed on the screen.
(11) When the movable accessory 115 is retracted from the screen, three decorative symbols 41 are displayed together on the screen. In this example, it is a big hit. The variable object 51 and the hold object 52 are not displayed until the variable display of the three decorative symbols 41 is stopped.
Thereafter, (12) after the variable display of the three decorative symbols 41 is stopped, the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 that have been hidden are displayed again.
In the case of a big hit, the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 that have been hidden may not be displayed again and may remain hidden.

<Embodiment 4>
Next, the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The basic configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the pachinko gaming machine 100 of the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the object display / non-display effect of the fourth embodiment, a special icon 62 whose display mode may change due to the change effect is displayed as the variable object 51 and the hold object 52. In the object display / non-display effect of the fourth embodiment, the hold object 52 is displayed until a predetermined timing after the start of the reach effect, and is not displayed after the predetermined timing. Become. On the other hand, the display of the variable object 51 is continued until the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped.
Hereinafter, the object display / non-display effect of the fourth embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram of an object display / non-display effect according to the fourth embodiment.
First, as a premise of the object display / non-display effect of the fourth embodiment, the display mode of the variable object 51 may change until the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped. In addition, the hold object 52 may change the display mode of the hold object 52 due to the change effect until the reach state (normal reach) is established, but after the reach state (normal reach) is established, the change The display mode of the hold object 52 is not changed due to the effect.

  As shown in (1), on the screen of the image display unit 114, there are displayed a decoration symbol 41, a special icon 62 as the variable object 51, and three special icons 62 as the hold object 52. Yes. Note that the three decorative symbols 41 are in a variable display. Further, the variable object 51 and the hold object 52 are all displayed as white special icons 62w.

  Thereafter, (2) during the variation display of the decorative symbol 41, the variation object 51 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the blue special icon 62b by the variation effect. Also, (3) during the variation display of the decorative symbol 41, the third reserved object 52 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the blue special icon 62b by the change effect.

(4) The left decorative pattern 41 and the right decorative pattern 41 are aligned, and a reach state is established. Furthermore, (5) the normal reach is advanced to the SP reach. At this SP reach development timing, the special icon 62 displayed as the hold object 52 is hidden. The special icon 62 displayed as one variable object 51 is continuously displayed as it is.
Next, (6) during SP reach, the variable object 51 is changed from the blue special icon 62b to the green special icon 62g by the change effect.

Then, (7) the SP reach develops into the SP / SP reach. Here, during the SP / SP reach, the changing object 51 is changed from the green special icon 62g to the red special icon 62r by the change effect.
Finally, (8) the changing object 51 is continuously displayed until the changing display of the decorative symbol 41 is stopped. In this example, the three decorative symbols 41 are aligned and the variable display stops. That is a big hit.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the hold object 52 is hidden at the timing of SP reach development after the start of the reach effect. On the other hand, since the display mode of the change object 51 may change until the change display of the decorative design 41 is stopped, the display is continuously performed until the change display of the decoration design 41 is stopped.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, the hold object 52 does not change the display mode by the change effect after the reach state is established. Therefore, after the start of the reach effect, the hold object 52 having no possibility of change is hidden. Here, the expected degree of jackpot at the stage where the normal reach is executed is set lower than the case where the SP reach effect is executed, for example. Conversely, when the SP reach effect is executed, the player has higher expectations for the jackpot. Therefore, in the object display / non-display effect according to the fourth embodiment, the expectation degree is set so that the hold object 52 is not displayed at the timing when, for example, the SP reach effect is performed. High priority SP reach production is given priority.

FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram of the revival display of the object display / non-display effect according to the fourth embodiment.
As shown in (1), on the screen of the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol 41, a special icon 62 as the variable object 51, and three special icons 62 as the hold object 52 are displayed. Note that the decorative pattern 41 is in a variable display.
Thereafter, (2) the reach state of the decorative symbol 41 is established. Furthermore, (3) it develops from normal reach to SP reach. Then, the special icon 62 displayed as the hold object 52 is hidden at the timing when the SP reach is developed. The display of the special icon 62 displayed as one variable object 51 is continued as it is.

Further, (4) during the SP reach, the special icon 62 is redisplayed as the reserved object 52 so as to be restored. Further, (5) the special icon 62 displayed as the first reserved object 52 is changed from the white special icon 62w to the red special icon 62r by the change effect.
Thereafter, (6) the variable display of the three decorative symbols 41 is stopped. (7) The special icon 62 displayed as the first reserved object 52 before the movement is displayed as the variable object 51 after the movement. At this time, the red special icon 62r is displayed as the variable object 51. Thereafter, the variable display of the decorative symbol 41 is newly started.

  Also, even in the revival display of the fourth embodiment, any one of the special icons 62 displayed again is surely displayed in a display mode (one or more stages (see FIG. 37 (c))) with higher reliability by changing effects. I try to change it.

  As described above, according to the revival display of the object display / non-display effect according to the fourth embodiment, even if the expectation level of the jackpot in the change is low, a change effect with a high expectation level is performed on the hold object 52. As a result, the player can play a game with expectation.

  In the fourth embodiment, the non-display / display control for the hold object 52 as the hold / change object is performed at the timing of SP reach development after the start of the reach effect, but is not limited to this timing. . The non-display / display control may be performed at a predetermined timing after the start of the reach effect, such as the timing when the reach state is established or the timing of SP / SP reach development.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, with regard to the number of holds, for example, a maximum of four hold / variable objects are displayed based on winnings at the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, for example. However, it is not limited to this. For example, based on the winnings of both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122, a maximum of eight hold / variable objects are displayed, and both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are held. You may make it display a pending | holding and a change object based on a number.

  Moreover, you may provide an image display part in 115 A of 1st movable combinations and 2nd movable combination 115B, respectively. Then, the effect image is displayed in a state where the first movable combination 115A and the second movable combination 115B are separated from each other, or the image display unit of the first movable combination 115A and the second movable combination in a state where they are close to each other. An effect image may be displayed across the image display part of the object 115B. Further, the hold / variable object may be displayed on the first movable combination 115A or the second movable combination 115B, and the object effects from the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment may be performed.

In the present embodiment, in the main control process of the game control unit 200, the operation of finally outputting the commands generated in each process of the main control process to the effect control unit 300 has been described (see FIG. 8). .
In the present embodiment, in the basic process that is initially executed by the game control unit 200 when the power is restored, the main control process is performed in order to output a command or the like for instructing the initialization to the effect control unit 300. The function (subroutine) of the output control unit 240 used in the above is called and executed (see FIG. 6).
In this embodiment, the command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is composed of a “code unit” and a “data unit”, and an identification flag is provided for each head bit. This has been explained (see FIG. 24-2).
Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a part of a “code part” of a command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is used to describe a data value.

[Technical features of the present embodiment]
As described above, in this embodiment, in the main control process repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals by the game control unit 200 in order to reduce the increase in the control command for controlling the operation of the game control means, one cycle At the end of the main control process, the commands generated by the execution of the one cycle are collected and output to the effect control unit 300. In other words, a gaming machine that achieves the above-described purpose is a gaming machine that produces an effect according to the progress of the game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and performs a main control process that is a series of processes related to the progress of the game. A game control means (for example, a game control unit 200) that repeatedly executes according to conditions and generates data including information on a game obtained by executing the main control process, and executes a series of the main control processes in one cycle Output means (for example, the output control unit 240) for outputting the data generated by the execution of the one cycle after the last data is generated in the execution of the one cycle, and the output means (For example, an effect control unit 300) that receives data output from the output control unit 240 and performs an effect based on the received data. Equipped with a.
In this way, since it is not necessary to perform output processing for each generated data, control instructions for performing output processing can be reduced, and an increase in program size can be suppressed. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform output processing every time data is generated, the time required for the entire output processing can be shortened.
More specifically, in the above gaming machine, storage means (for example, RAM 203) for storing the data generated by the main control processing in a storage area (for example, command storage area) set for each data is provided. The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) further stores the data generated in the main control process in the storage area (for example, command storage area) associated with the generated data, The output means (for example, the output control unit 240) checks whether data is stored in each storage area of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and obtains data from the storage area where the data is stored. Read and output.
In this way, each time the output process is performed, each storage area is checked and the stored data is output, so that data output leakage can be prevented.

Another game machine that achieves the above object is a game machine (for example, pachinko game machine 100) that produces an effect according to the progress of the game, and is a series of processes related to the progress of the game. Is repeatedly executed according to a predetermined condition, and a game control means (for example, a game control unit 200) for executing a special process different from the main control process according to a condition different from the main control process, and the game control means ( For example, it includes an effect control unit (for example, an effect control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control unit 200) and performs a process related to the effect based on the data, and the game control unit in the main control process The process (for example, the game control unit 200) performs a process based on the progress of the game and generates data including information obtained by executing the process 1 Or the part which calls and executes a plurality of first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) and the data generated by the execution of the first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) are the effect control. A second processing means (for example, the output control section 240) that outputs to the means (for example, the effect control section 300), and executes the game control means (for example, the game control section) in the special processing. 200) includes a part for executing a setting process for setting a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and data generated in the setting process as the second processing means in the main control process ( For example, the output control unit 240) can be called and output to the effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300).
In this way, there is no need to prepare individual control instructions for output processing of data generated by special processing, so control instructions for output processing are reduced and increase in program size is suppressed. can do.
More specifically, the above gaming machine further comprises storage means (for example, a RAM 203) for storing the data generated in the main control process in a storage area set for each data, and the main control process The first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) in the table sequentially stores the data generated by executing the process in the storage area (for example, command storage area) associated with the generated data, The second processing means (for example, the output control unit 240) in the main control process checks whether data is stored in each storage area of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and stores the data. The data is read out from the storage area that is being output and output, and in the setting process in the special process, the data generated in the setting process is憶 means (e.g., RAM 203) is stored in a predetermined said memory area in.
In this way, each time the output process is performed, each storage area is checked and the stored data is output, so that data output leakage can be prevented.

Also, in this embodiment, in order to improve the accuracy of data transmission from the game control means to the effect control means, a predetermined bit of “code” as the first data portion and “data” as the second data portion A predetermined bit of “is used as a flag for identifying“ code ”and“ data ”. In other words, a gaming machine that achieves the above-described purpose is a gaming machine that produces an effect in accordance with the progress of the game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and executes a main control process related to the progress of the game, and the main control process The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates and outputs data including information relating to the game obtained by executing the game, and the data output from the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) And an effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300) that performs processing related to the effect based on the received data, and the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) includes: a A first data portion (for example, “code”) having a size of bits (a is an integer of 2 or more) and the value of the first 1 bit specified as either 1 or 0, and n × a The first 1-bit value is specified to be different from the first 1-bit value of the first data portion (for example, “code”). 2 data portions (for example, “data”).
In this way, since the first data portion and the second data portion can be clearly distinguished by recognizing the value of the leading 1 bit, data transmission from the game control means to the effect control means Accuracy can be improved.
More preferably, in the gaming machine, the second data portion (for example, “data”) of the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) is a bit from the beginning. Is set to the same value as the value of the first one bit.
In this way, even when the size of the second data portion is large, it is easy to identify each of the second data portions by dividing each specific size.

In the present embodiment, the data sent from the game control means to the effect control means even when it is necessary to send large-size data, such as when a command specifying a variation pattern to be executed is sent. In order to suppress an increase in the overall size, a predetermined bit of “code” that is the first data portion is used to describe the data value, and a part of “code” and “data” that is the second data portion In this paper, we proposed a method for describing data values. In other words, a gaming machine that achieves the above-described purpose is a gaming machine that produces an effect in accordance with the progress of the game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and executes a main control process related to the progress of the game, and the main control process The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates and outputs data including information relating to the game obtained by executing the game, and the data output from the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) And an effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300) that receives and processes the effect based on the data, and the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) is a bit A first data portion (for example, “code”) having a size of (a is an integer of 3 or more) and the value of the first 1 bit specified as either 1 or 0, and n × a bits n is an integer greater than or equal to 1), and the first 1-bit value is specified to be different from the first 1-bit value of the first data portion (for example, “code”). (For example, “data”), and a predetermined bit constituting the first data part (eg “code”) and a bit constituting the second data part (eg “data”) The data of a predetermined type is recorded, and other types different from the data of the predetermined type are used by using the remaining bits except the predetermined bit in the first data portion (for example, “code”). The data can be recorded.
Another gaming machine according to the present invention that achieves the above object is a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that produces an effect in accordance with the progress of the game, and executes main control processing relating to the progress of the game. From the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates and outputs data including information related to the game obtained by executing the main control process, and the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives the output data and performs processing related to production based on the data, and is generated by the game control unit (for example, game control unit 200). The data has a size of a bit (a is an integer of 3 or more), and the first data portion (for example, “code”) in which the value of the first 1 bit is specified as either 1 or 0, A second data portion (eg, “data”) having a bit size and a value of the leading 1 bit different from a value of the leading 1 bit of the first data portion (eg, “code”) ), And b bits (b is smaller than a-1 and an integer greater than or equal to 1) constituting the first data portion (for example, “code”) and the second data portion (for example, “data”) )) And data having a size of (a + b) bits can be recorded.
With the above configuration, the size of data to be recorded in the second data portion can be increased without changing the total size of the first data portion and the second data portion. When large data is sent from the game control means to the effect control means, an increase in the size of the entire transmitted data can be suppressed.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 (see FIG. 1) is an example of a gaming machine. The game control unit 200 (see FIG. 3) is an example of a game control unit. The production control unit 300 (see FIG. 3) is an example of production control means. The output control unit 240 (see FIG. 5) is an example of an output unit. The RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) is an example of a storage unit. The command storage area is an example of a storage area.

41 ... decorative pattern, 51 ... variable object, 52 ... reserved object, 61 ... normal icon, 62 ... special icon, 62w ... white special icon, 62b ... blue special icon, 62g ... green special icon, 62r ... red special icon, 62z ... striped pattern special icon, 62s ... rainbow color special icon, 100 ... pachinko machine, 114 ... image display unit, 115 ... movable accessory, 115A ... first movable accessory, 115B ... second movable accessory

Claims (1)

Obtaining means for obtaining game information upon establishment of a predetermined condition;
Determination means for determining whether or not to perform a special game advantageous to the player based on the game information acquired by the acquisition means;
Based on the determination result of the determination means, the symbol control means for displaying the symbol variably and stopping the display with the symbol representing the determination result;
Expected effect execution means for performing an expected effect that expects that it is determined that the special game is determined to be performed by the determination means at a predetermined timing during the display of variation of the symbol by the symbol control means;
Object image effect execution means for executing an effect of displaying an object image suggesting the content of the game information on the screen of the image display unit based on the game information acquired by the acquisition means, before the execution of the expected effect. ,
Change effect execution means for executing a change effect for changing the display mode of the object image;
During the execution of the expected effect by the expected effect execution means, a movable member that can be moved to a position overlapping the screen of the image display unit;
With
The object image includes a first object image having a possibility of changing a display mode, and a second object image having no possibility of changing a display mode,
The gaming machine, wherein the first object image is continuously displayed until the movable member is superimposed on the screen of the image display unit after the execution of the expected effect by the expected effect executing means.

Images