JP6036899B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine and can be applied to a so-called seven machine, a winged article, a right article, or a ball-type gaming machine such as an arrangement ball.

  Normally, a gaming machine has a start opening, a variable entrance, etc. in the game area, and executes a symbol variation game based on the entrance of the game ball to the start port, and the result of the symbol variation game is a specific result. Then, the gaming state shifts to a specific gaming state that is advantageous for the player. Then, when a game in which a game ball can enter the variable entrance (round game) is performed a plurality of times, the game state of the gaming machine becomes a normal game state (non-specific game state).

  By the way, as this type of gaming machine, one having two variable entrances and two round display LEDs is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, it is equipped with a “first variable entrance for performing 6 ingress games” and a “second variable entrance for performing 15 ingress games” and using the first variable entrance. In this case, one round display LED is turned on when the second variable entry hole is used, and the other round display LED is turned on.

JP 2006-187111 A

  However, in the gaming machine according to this conventional example, only the variable entrance is properly used according to the type of the specific gaming state to be executed (the number of entering games), and a plurality of variable entrances are provided. However, it is difficult to enhance the entertainment interest of the game.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to effectively use a plurality of variable entrances in a gaming machine having a plurality of variable entrances. It is to realize the specific game state and appropriately notify the player of the contents of the specific game state.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
A specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player is started based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, and in the specific gaming state, a gaming machine in which a gaming ball for allowing a gaming ball to enter a predetermined variable entrance can be executed a plurality of times. Because
The variable entrance has a first variable entrance and a second variable entrance,
In the second variable entrance, there is provided specific detection means capable of detecting a game ball entering the second variable entrance, and the specific detection means detects the game ball in the specific game state. By doing so, it will be possible to execute the next entry game,
Of the plurality of entry games in the specific game state, the first variable entry port is used in the entry game from the first time to a predetermined number of times, and the entry from the next time of the predetermined number of times to the plurality of times is performed. In the ball game, the second variable entrance is used,
First notifying means for notifying the predetermined time;
Second notifying means for notifying the plurality of times;
Equipped with a,
The notification by the first notification unit and the second notification unit is performed when the predetermined condition is satisfied .

  As described above, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, in a gaming machine having a plurality of variable entrances, it is possible to realize a specific gaming state that effectively uses the plurality of variable entrances, and the contents of the specific gaming state. Can be appropriately notified to the player.

It is a perspective view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows a game board. (A) is a front view schematically showing a display screen of an effect display device, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a variation display mode executed in a special symbol display unit, and (c) is an information display device. It is explanatory drawing which shows. (A) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second grand prize opening etc. (longitudinal section in a cross section horizontal to the game board), and (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second big prize winning opening etc. (longitudinal section in a section perpendicular to the game board) ). (a) And (b) is longitudinal cross-sectional views, such as a 2nd big winning opening. (a)-(c) is a schematic explanatory drawing of a decision round display part and an upper limit round display part. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a symbol variation game and a jackpot game. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the opening pattern of a 1st big winning opening, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the opening pattern of a 2nd big winning opening, the drive pattern of a distribution solenoid, and an effective period. . (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the open pattern of a 2nd big winning opening, the drive pattern of a distribution solenoid, and an effective period. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table etc. which are used by special figure 1 big hit lottery. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data table etc. which are used by special figure 2 big hit lottery. (a)-(d) is a schematic explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display mode of a fixed round display part and an upper limit round display part. (a)-(d) is a schematic explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display mode of a fixed round display part and an upper limit round display part. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the aspect of the jackpot game which can be performed. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the aspect of the jackpot game which can be performed. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows a symbol fluctuation effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating jackpot game production. It is a flowchart which shows a game control process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows a symbol variation start process. It is a flowchart which shows a big hit game process. It is a flowchart which shows a continuation fixed round process. It is a flowchart which shows a continuation uncertain sound process. It is a flow figure showing processing at the time of big hit game end. It is a flowchart which shows a jackpot game related command output process. (A) is a flowchart which shows a round display start process, (b) is a flowchart which shows a round display end process. (A) is a flowchart for demonstrating a specific area passage presence-and-absence monitoring process, (b) is a flowchart for demonstrating an effect control process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a design fluctuation effect process. It is a flowchart which shows a big hit game effect process. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating Example 2, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 1. FIG. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating Example 3. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 2, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 3. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 3, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 4. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 5, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 6. FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments showing modes for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, specific examples in which the present invention is applied to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) 1 referred to as a “seven machine” will be described.

(1) Mechanical structure a. First, the overall structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a gaming machine main body H that is rotatably attached to the outer frame 2 using hinges H1 and H2. The gaming machine main body H includes a main body frame 3, a front frame 4, a dish member 5A integrated with the front frame 4, a game board 10 (see FIG. 2), a back mechanism board 102, and the like. It is said.

  The main body frame 3 is configured by a frame-like body capable of holding the game board 10, is fitted into the outer frame 2, and is pivotally supported with respect to the outer frame 2 so as to be opened and closed. And when this main body frame 3 hold | maintains the game board 10 (refer FIG. 2), the game area | region 11 provided in the surface of the game board 10 can be visually recognized from the front of the main body frame 3. FIG.

  The front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the main body frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the main body frame 3 so as to be openable and closable. The front frame 4 includes a viewing window 41a in which a glass plate 43 is inserted, and when the front frame 4 is closed, the game area 11 located behind the front frame 4 is visible from the front of the front frame 4 through the viewing window 41a. It is said. The “dish member 5A in which the upper plate member 5 and the lower plate member 6 are integrated” is integrated with the front frame 4 so that the main frame 3 can be opened and closed integrally with the front frame 4.

  In this gaming machine 1, speakers SP1 to SP4 are built in on the left and right sides of the upper side and the lower side of the front part, and sound effects and other sounds (voices) according to the gaming state are produced using these speakers SP1 to SP4. generate. In addition, on the front surface portion of the front frame 4, a portion that constitutes the arrangement position of the upper plate member 5 is provided with a receiving port 5 b for receiving a game ball discharged from the gaming machine 1. Further, an effect button substrate 228 (see FIG. 7) is provided on the back side of the upper plate member 5, and an “effect button SW” is arranged on the upper surface of the upper plate member 5 so as to be operable.

  A lower plate member 6 is provided below the upper plate member 5, and a receiving port 6 a for receiving a game ball discharged from the upper plate member 5 is provided in the approximate center of the lower plate member 6. A firing handle 9 is provided on the right end side of the lower plate member 6. A launching device unit 90 (see FIG. 2) to which a launching handle 9 is connected is disposed on the rear side of the front surface of the main body frame 3 and on the left end side below the game board 10. ing. The launch handle 9 is equipped with a touch switch (touch sensor) 9a for detecting that the player is touching, and in the vicinity thereof, the launch stop for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is stopped. A switch 9b is attached.

b. Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 10 includes a game board main body 10A having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 are disposed on the front surface of the game board main body 10A. Further, the game area 11 is constituted by a portion of the front surface portion of the game board main body 10A that is substantially surrounded by a substantially circular or substantially elliptical peripheral wall formed by the outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13.

  A central device 20, a first start port 17a, a second start port 17b, a first grand prize port 31a, and a second grand prize are located on the front portion of the game board main body 10A and in the game area 11. A mouth 35a, general winning mouths 45, 46, 47, a normal symbol operating gate 16, a windmill 19, an information display device 60, and the like are provided. In addition, the second grand prize opening 35a is incorporated in the central device 20, but unlike the present embodiment, the second big prize opening 35a and the central device 20 may be configured as separate devices. Further, a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are arranged in the game area 11 so as to be suitable for pachinko games in consideration of the position balance with each board part, and an out port 18 is provided at the bottom of the game area 11. It has been.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inner rail 13 is arranged in a substantially U shape, and the left end portion is disposed at the upper left portion of the game board 10, and “the upper left portion of the outer rail 12” located on the left side thereof. A “gap through which a game ball can pass” is provided between them to form a ball entrance 11S. Then, the game ball (see symbol Y) launched from the launcher unit 90 rises while rolling on the inner side of the outer rail 12, and is released to the game area 11 through the ball entrance 11S.

  The central device 20 includes an effect display device 27 and a frame member 21 surrounding the outer edge thereof. The effect display device 27 is configured by using a liquid crystal display device, and executes a symbol variation effect in accordance with the special symbol variation display and stop display in the information display device 60. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is substantially the entire display area, and the background (background pattern) or background color (white, blue, The background color of the screen such as red) can be displayed. And the effect design display area 27b which displays the effect design of 3 (three digits) in the state superimposed on the front of this background design or background color is provided on the display screen 27a.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, a first reserved display area 27D and a second reserved display area 27E are provided on the edge side of the display screen 27a. Among these, in the first hold display area 27D, the number of pieces of acquired information (hereinafter referred to as “first hold number”) related to the “first special symbol” generated based on the entry into the first starting port 17a is “ "4" is displayed as the upper limit number, and in the second hold display area 27E, the number of pieces of acquired information related to the "second special symbol" generated based on the ball entering the second start port 17b (hereinafter referred to as "second hold number"). ")" Is displayed with the upper limit number being "4". Here, in the following description, a game ball entering the first start port 17a is referred to as a “first start prize”, and a game ball entering the second start port 17b is referred to as a “second start prize”. May be called. Moreover, the undigested acquisition information (random number, information on fluctuation) regarding the special symbol (the first special symbol, the second special symbol) is entered into the start opening (17a, 17b). This is information in which the determination (first determination or second determination, which will be described later) and the special symbol (first special symbol, second special symbol) are not displayed. And all the hold display areas 27D and 27E were acquired based on the entrance into the start openings 17a and 17b, but the number of undigested acquisition information (random numbers, information on fluctuations) is “display number of hold symbols”. Each time the undigested acquired information is digested, the “number of displayed symbols displayed” is sequentially decremented and displayed.

  The first start port 17a is a non-variable start port, and has an opening whose size remains unchanged upward. In addition, the size of the opening of the first start port 17a is set to allow passage of one game ball, and the size is not enlarged or reduced. Then, the game ball that has entered the first start port 17a flows into a first start port passage of a passage member (not shown) mounted on the rear surface of the game board main body 10A, and is arranged in the first start port passage. This is detected by the first start-entry ball detection switch 17s (see FIG. 7). Here, in the following description, a part of the gaming area 11 that is located on the left side of the central device 20 (left area of the gaming area 11) is the left area 10L, and a part that is located on the right side (right area of the gaming area 11) is right. The region 10R may be referred to as each. And since the 1st starting port 17a is provided in the substantially center part along the left-right direction of the center apparatus 20, the game ball which flows down any of the left area | region 10L and the right area | region 10R can be entered. ing.

  The second starting port 17b is a variable entry port provided as the ordinary electric accessory 17d, and is disposed in the right region 10R (upwardly obliquely to the right of the first starting port 17a). The second starting port 17b is a so-called tulip type formed so that a pair of movable wing pieces 17e and 17e are opened and closed on the left and right sides, and a normal electric accessory solenoid 17c for operating the pair of movable wing pieces 17e and 17e (see FIG. 7). In addition, a second start port entrance detection switch 17t for detecting a game ball that has entered the second start port 17b is disposed inside the second start port 17b (see FIG. 7).

  If the normal electric accessory solenoid 17c is not energized, the pair of movable wing pieces 17e and 17e are set up in a standing state (see the solid line in FIG. 2), and one ball is placed between the pair of movable wing pieces 17e and 17e. A game ball receiving opening (space portion) having a size that allows the game ball to pass therethrough is provided, and the closed state (first mode) in which the possibility of entering the game ball into the second start port 17b is low. However, since the obstacle member 17g is disposed vertically above the game ball receiving port (space part), it is impossible for the game ball to enter the second start port 17b in the closed state. On the other hand, when the normal electric accessory solenoid 17c is energized, the pair of movable blade pieces 17e and 17e tilt so that the distance between the upper end portions is enlarged with the lower end portion as a fulcrum (see the broken line in FIG. 2). See), and an open state (second mode) in which the possibility of entering a game ball is increased. In this case, the space between the upper end portions of the movable wing pieces 17e, 17e is enlarged, and the game balls that have passed through the left and right of the obstacle member 17g can enter the second starting port 17b.

  Here, when the gaming machine 1 has an opening extension function, and the gaming state is an opening extension state (high frequency state) in which the opening extension function operates, the second start port 17b is in an opening state (second mode). Becomes longer (for example, “5 seconds”). On the other hand, in the non-open extended state in which the open extension function does not operate, the time for the second start port 17b to be in the open state (second mode) is shortened (for example, “0.2 seconds”). In addition, when the open extension function is activated to enter the open extended state, the frequency of entering the game ball into the second start port 17b becomes higher than in the non-open extended state. Unlike the present embodiment, by removing the obstacle member 17g, even when the second starting port 17b is in the closed state (first mode), the game ball can enter the second starting port 17b. It may be possible.

  Here, in the gaming machine 1, whether or not the “first special symbol” is determined based on the game ball entering the first start port 17 a (hereinafter, also referred to as a “first determination determination”) is performed. Based on the game ball entering the second start port 17b, a determination as to whether or not the “second special symbol” is present (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a second determination as to whether or not) is performed. That is, the acquisition information is acquired based on the fact that the game ball that has entered the first start port 17a is detected by the first start port input detection switch 17s, and whether or not the “first special symbol” is determined (first determination / non-acquisition) Determination) is performed. In addition, acquisition information is acquired based on the fact that a game ball that has entered the second start port 17b is detected by the second start port input detection switch 17t, and whether or not the “second special symbol” is determined (second determination) Determination) is performed.

  The first grand prize winning port 31a is a variable ball entrance provided as a special electric accessory, and is provided in the game area 11 at a position diagonally above and to the right of the first starting port 17a. The second grand prize winning opening 35 a is also a variable ball opening provided as a special electric accessory, and is provided in the upper right corner 21 </ b> F of the frame member 21.

  The first big prize opening 31a is of a so-called “attacker type”, and has an opening 31k that is open to accept a game ball flowing down the game area 11, and an opening / closing member 31b for opening and closing the opening 31k. And a first grand prize opening solenoid 31c (see FIG. 7) for driving the opening / closing member 31b, and a first big prize opening entrance for detecting a game ball entering the first big prize opening 31a. A ball detection switch 31s (see FIG. 7) and a first grand prize port discharge detection switch 31t (see FIG. 7) for detecting the discharge of the game ball that has entered the first grand prize port 31a. The opening / closing plate 31b is configured to be tiltable forward by pivotally supporting the lower edge portion thereof. The opening 31k (the first big winning opening 31a) is normally closed by a standing opening / closing member 31b and does not receive a game ball (closed state), but the big hit game (specific game) In this case, the first big prize opening solenoid 31c is driven based on a predetermined pattern (an opening pattern A, which will be described later), and tilts forward to make it easy to accept a game ball (open state). . Here, the first grand prize winning opening 31a constitutes a specific example of “first variable entry opening”. Note that when the first grand prize opening entrance detection switch 31s and the first grand prize opening discharge detection switch 31t detect the passage of the game ball, a detection signal is transmitted to a main control unit 200A described later.

  As described above, the second grand prize winning opening 35a is provided as a special electric accessory and constitutes a specific example of the “second variable entry opening”. The second big prize opening 35 a is provided in the upper right corner 21 </ b> F of the frame member 21. The front surface portion of the upper right corner portion 21F is a transparent portion (a portion formed of a transparent resin plate or the like) 35F, and a second major winning opening 35a is provided with the transparent portion 35F as a front surface portion (see FIG. 4 (b)). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the substrate portion 21G is placed at a portion located at the rear of the transparent portion 35F in the upper right corner portion 21F (a portion slightly separated from the transparent portion 35F by a distance slightly exceeding the diameter (11 mm) of the game ball). It is arranged. A partition wall 35g is provided between the front surface portion of the substrate portion 21G and the transparent portion 35F, and an entrance passage 35M through which a game ball can enter using the front surface portion of the substrate portion 21G, the transparent portion 35F, and the partition wall 35g. Is configured.

  The entry passage 35M includes an opening 35k that opens obliquely upward to the right region 10R on the outer periphery of the frame member 21, and constitutes a receiving port that receives a game ball flowing down the right region 10R by the opening 35k. To do. Further, the entrance passage 35M is branched into a specific area guiding path 35P and a non-specific area guiding path 35Q at an intermediate portion thereof. Further, a second ball for detecting a game ball that has entered the second big prize opening 35a (in the entry passage 35M) through the opening 35k is located at a position closer to the opening 35k than the intermediate portion thereof in the entry passage 35M. A grand prize entry ball detection switch 35s is provided. In addition, a distribution device 36 for distributing the game ball detected by the second grand prize opening entrance detection switch 35s to the specific area guide path 35P or the non-specific area guide path 35Q is provided at an intermediate portion of the entrance path 35M. Is provided.

  A specific region 11R of a size that allows a game ball to enter is opened at a portion of the front surface portion of the substrate portion 21G that is positioned at the end of the specific region guide passage 35P. A non-specific region 11T of a size into which a game ball can enter is opened at a portion located at the end of the passage 35Q. Therefore, the game balls distributed to the specific area guide passage 35P enter the specific area 11R, and the game balls distributed to the non-specific area guide path 35Q enter the non-specific area 11T. The specific area 11R is provided with a specific area passage detection switch 35u (see FIG. 7) for detecting that a game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 35a has passed the specific area 11R. The specific area 11T is provided with a non-specific area passage detection switch 35v (see FIG. 7) for detecting that a game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 35a has passed through the non-specific area 11T. . Here, the specific area passage detection switch 35u constitutes a specific example of “specific detection means”. In addition, when the second grand prize opening detection switch 35s, the specific area passage detection switch 35u, and the non-specific area passage detection switch 35v detect the passage of the game ball, a detection signal is transmitted to the main control unit 200A described later.

  The second big prize opening 35a includes an opening / closing member 35b for opening / closing the opening 35k, and a second big prize opening solenoid 35c (see FIG. 7) for driving the opening / closing member 35b. As shown in FIG. 4A, the opening / closing member 35b is generally inclined upward to the left about the fulcrum, and closes the opening 35k. However, when the second big prize opening solenoid 35c is driven at a predetermined timing in the big hit game (specific game), the opening / closing member 35b rotates in the clockwise direction around the fulcrum at the lower end, and FIG. As shown to b), it becomes a right upward inclination shape and opens the opening part 35k. In this case, since the opening / closing member 35b protrudes into the right region 10R, the game ball flowing down the right region 10R is caught by the opening / closing member 35b, rolled on the opening / closing member 35b in the left downward inclination direction, and entered into the opening 35k. be able to.

  The sorting device 36 includes a sorting member 36a and a sorting solenoid 36b (see FIG. 7) that drives the sorting member 36a. Among these members, the distribution member 36a is rotatable with respect to the lower fulcrum 36c (can rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the game board 10). Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the driving of the sorting solenoid 36b is stopped, the sorting member 36a assumes a right-upward posture (hereinafter referred to as a first posture), and enters the second big prize opening. The game balls detected by the detection switch 35s can be distributed to the non-specific area 11T. On the other hand, when the drive of the sorting solenoid 36b is started, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the sorting member 36a assumes a left-upward posture (hereinafter referred to as a second posture), and the second grand prize is won. The game balls detected by the entrance ball detection switch 35s can be distributed to the specific area 11R. The drive pattern of the sorting solenoid 36b will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the game area 11 is provided with general winning ports 45, 46 and 47 on the left side of the first starting port 17 a. Then, the game balls that have entered any of the general winning ports 45, 46, 47 flow into a general winning port passage member (not shown) mounted on the rear surface of the game board 10, and are provided in the passage member. It is detected by the general entrance detection switch 45s (see FIG. 7). A normal symbol operating gate 16 is provided on the right side of the central device 20. The normal symbol operating gate 16 is arranged so as to protrude from the front portion of the game board 10, and includes a gate switch 16s (see FIG. 7), and detects a game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 16 from above to below. Is possible.

  The information display device 60 is display-controlled by the main control board 200, and is the surface portion of the game board 10 and the lower left of the outer edge portion 10B corresponding to the outside of the game area 11 (the outer surface edge of the game board 10). It arrange | positions at the site | part (lower left outer edge part). Since the lower left portion of the outer edge portion 10B is a portion that can be viewed from the front through the lower left side of the viewing window 41a, the information display device 60 can be viewed through the glass plate 43 from the front of the front frame 4 ( (See FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3C, the information display device 60 includes a substrate 60A. A first special symbol display unit 62a, a second special symbol display unit 62b, and a first special symbol are provided on the substrate 60A. A hold display section 64a, a second special symbol hold display section 64b, a confirmed round display section 66a, an upper limit round display section 66b, and the like are provided. Here, the confirmed round display section 66a constitutes a specific example of “first notification means”, and the upper limit round display section 66b constitutes a specific example of “second notification means”. Further, a specific example of the “number notification means” is configured by the confirmed round display portion 66a and the upper limit round display portion 66b.

  The first special symbol display unit 62a, the second special symbol display unit 62b, and the normal symbol display unit 63 are all configured using a “7-segment display”. Among these, in the first special symbol display unit 62a, the variable display of the first special symbol is performed based on the “first start winning prize”, and when the execution time of the variable display has elapsed, the result of the determination on whether or not the first special symbol is determined is obtained. It is displayed for a certain time (for example, 0.6 seconds). In addition, the second special symbol display unit 62b performs variable display of the second special symbol based on the “second start winning”, and when the execution time of the variable display has elapsed, the result of the determination on whether or not the second special symbol is determined is a predetermined time. (For example, 0.6 seconds) is displayed. When the result of the determination on the special symbol is “out”, the off symbol is displayed on the special symbol display section (62a or 62b), and the result of the determination on the special symbol is “big hit”. Shows the jackpot symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the normal symbol display unit 63 is also composed of a “7-segment display”, and when the symbol variation start condition is established based on the game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 16, the normal symbol is displayed. Start displaying fluctuations. In this normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol display section 63 displays the arithmetic numbers from “0” to “9” in this order, and then again displays the arithmetic numbers from “0” to “9”. It consists of “circular display” that repeats the display in order. Then, when the execution time of the normal symbol fluctuation display has elapsed, the result of the normal symbol fluctuation display (result of the determination on whether or not the normal symbol is true) is displayed for a certain time (for example, 0.5 seconds). At this time, when the stopped normal symbol is an "odd number", the symbol corresponds to a normal symbol hit symbol, and when the stopped symbol is an "even digit", the symbol is an off-normal symbol symbol. Applicable.

  Each of the first special symbol hold display unit 64a, the second special symbol hold display unit 64b, and the normal symbol hold display unit 65 includes two LEDs, and the corresponding symbols (first special symbol, second special symbol, normal, respectively) As for the number of holdings for the symbol), an integer from “zero” to “4” can be displayed depending on the number of lighting of the two LEDs and the driving mode (lighting or blinking).

  The confirmed round display part 66a is a part for displaying the confirmed number of rounds (the number of round games confirmed to be executed), and the upper limit round display part 66b is an upper limit number of rounds (to be executed in the target jackpot game). The maximum number of round games that can be played). Here, the confirmed round display part 66a and the indeterminate round display part 66b are turned on when a big hit symbol is displayed on the special symbol display part (62a, 62b). As shown in FIG. 6, the confirmed round display section 66a includes a first display LED 67a, a second display LED 67b, and a third display LED 67c. As shown in FIG. When the display LED 67a is lit, the number of rounds determined is “2”. As shown in FIG. 6B, the number of rounds determined when the second display LED 67b is lit is “4”, as shown in FIG. 6C. When the third display LED 67c is lit, it is notified that the determined number of rounds is “6”. In addition, when a big hit symbol is displayed on the special symbol display section (62a, 62b), any one of the first display LED 67a, the second display LED 67b, and the third display LED 67c is lit but remains. Remains off.

  The upper limit round display section 66b also includes a first display LED 68a, a second display LED 68b, and a third display LED 68c as shown in FIG. 6, and the first display LED 68a as shown in FIG. 6A. When the display LED 68a is lit, the upper limit of the number of rounds that can be executed in the current jackpot game is "10". When the second display LED 68b is lit as shown in FIG. 6B, the number of rounds that can be executed in the current jackpot game When the third display LED 68c is lit as shown in FIG. 6C, it is displayed that the upper limit of the number of rounds that can be executed in the current big hit game is “16”. In addition, when a big hit symbol is displayed on the special symbol display section (62a, 62b), any one of the first display LED 68a, the second display LED 68b, and the third display LED 68c is lit but remains. Remains off. Details of the confirmed round display portion 66a and the upper limit round display portion 66b will be described later.

(2) Configuration of Control Circuit Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The control circuit of the gaming machine 1 is configured by using the main control board 200, and controls the basic progress of the game and whether or not it is related to the winning ball, and a plurality of sub-control units (220A). , 222A, 240A, 260A). In addition, the sub-control unit is configured using (a) the sub-control board 220, and is configured using the sub-control unit 220A that controls the game effects, and (b) the effect display control board 222. An effect display control unit 222A that controls the display device 27, (c) a payout control unit 240A that is configured using the payout control board 240, and controls the operation of paying out a rented or winning ball, and (d) launching It is configured using a control board 260, and includes a launch control unit 260A that controls the launch of a game ball.

  The control boards (200, 220, 222, 240, 260) constituting these control units (200A, 220A, 222A, 240A, 260A) are executed by a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, and the CPU. ROM in which various programs and data are stored, RAM in which the CPU stores temporary data when the program is executed, a peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with peripheral devices, and the CPU performs calculations Various peripheral LSIs such as an oscillator that outputs a clock of the above and a watchdog timer that monitors the runaway of the CPU are connected to each other via a bus. In addition, the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7 represents the direction which inputs / outputs data or a signal. The main controller 200A constitutes a specific example of game control means, and functions as a first number setting means and a second number setting means. Furthermore, the sub control unit 220A constitutes a specific example of the effect control means.

  The main control unit 200A includes a gate switch 16s, a first start port entrance detection switch 17s, a second start entrance entrance detection switch 17t, a general winning entrance entrance detection switch 45s, a first major entrance entrance detection switch 31s, A game ball detection signal is received from the second grand prize opening ball detection switch 35s, the first big prize outlet discharge detection switch 31t, the specific area passage detection switch 35u, the non-specific area passage detection switch 35v, etc. After determining whether or not the player is involved in the progress and the winning ball, various signals (commands) described later are output to the sub-control unit 220A, the payout control unit 240A, the launch control unit 260A, and the like.

  In addition, the main controller 200A (main control board 200) includes various types of electric motors such as the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the first big prize opening solenoid 31c, the second big prize opening solenoid 35c, the distribution solenoid 36b, the information display device 60, and the like. These operations are directly controlled by outputting drive signals. Further, predetermined signals (commands) determined by the CPU 201 constituting the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) are transmitted to the sub control board 220 and the payout control board 240, respectively.

  When the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) receives various signals (commands) from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), it analyzes the contents of the signals (commands) and plays games according to the results. The production of. That is, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) controls the game effects based on the control signal from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200). The sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) is electrically connected to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228, respectively. The effect display device 27 is electrically connected to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222). The sub control board 220 includes a CPU 220a, a RAM 220b, and a ROM 220c.

  The CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 receives each control signal from the main control board 200 and controls each board such as the effect display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. The ROM 220c stores data (especially information related to game decoration) necessary for controlling each board. The CPU 220a receives a display control command (that is, a display control signal) sent from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) and analyzes it according to a program stored in the ROM 220c. Then, the CPU 220a configuring the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) can display a predetermined display control command determined by the CPU 220a or a display control command that has been transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200). Is transmitted to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222).

  Next, the input / output relationship of signals or commands to the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) will be described. As described above, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) is connected to the effect display control board 222 and various boards such as the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. Further, as described above, when the sub control unit 220A receives various effect commands (display control commands, etc.) from the main control unit 200A, the sub control unit 220A interprets the content of the command, and (a) the effect display device 27 Specific display contents, (b) sound effects output from the speakers SP1 to SP4, and (c) specific lighting and blinking of various LEDs mounted on the various LED boards 4b to 4h and the like. Specific aspects are determined.

  Next, a drive signal (various symbol control commands) of the effect display device 27 is output to the effect display control unit 222A, and effect symbol variation display and stop display, background symbol, character symbol display, and the like are performed. At this time, with respect to display data (still image data, moving image data, etc.) of various symbols for effects to be displayed (effect symbols, background symbols, character symbols, live-action images, etc.), effect display device 27 or effect display Data stored in a display ROM (not shown) built in the control board 222 is used.

  Sound effects are output from the speakers SP <b> 1 to SP <b> 4 by outputting audio signals to the amplifier substrate 224 in accordance with the change display and stop display of the effect symbols. In addition, by supplying a signal to the decoration drive board 226 and outputting drive signals of various LED lamps from the decoration drive board 226, the lighting / flashing operation of each LED lamp is controlled. Further, when the player operates the effect button SW (when an instruction is input), this operation signal (instruction input signal) is supplied to the sub-control unit 220A. The sub-control unit 220A is configured to be able to reflect the operation result on various effect contents including the effect display device 27 based on the supplied operation signal.

(3) Outline of the game by the gaming machine 1 Next, an outline of the game performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

a. Special symbol variation game and jackpot game Next, an outline of the special symbol variation game and the like will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, in this gaming machine 1, the stop display of the symbol indicating the result of the determination of success / failure performed based on the start winning (the first start winning or the second start winning) and the stage before the stop display are performed. The variable display is executed by two types of symbol display devices, that is, the information display device 60 and the effect display device 27. Here, the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a of the information display device 60 and the second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b of the information display device 60 are "this symbol". The main control unit 200A determines “symbol to be stopped (stop symbol)” and “variation time (variation pattern)”.

  It should be noted that the “effect design” is displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the variation mode and the stop symbol are displayed by the sub-control unit 220A that controls the game effect under the control of the main control unit 200A. It is determined. Usually, the symbol variation of these “production symbols” is executed for the same time as the “main symbol”, and the display contents (hit and miss) of these “production symbols” are displayed in the first special symbol display. It is assumed that there is no contradiction with the display content (big hit, miss, etc.) of the “main symbol” in the part 62a or the second special symbol display part 62b.

  Here, in the gaming machine 1, based on the first start winning, the first special symbol display section 62a executes “symbol changing game related to the first special symbol” and displays the second special symbol based on the second starting winning. In the part 62b, the “symbol changing game related to the second special symbol” is executed. In addition, the symbol change effect is executed in the effect display device 27 in accordance with the execution of “the symbol variable game related to the first special symbol” or “the symbol variable game related to the second special symbol”. The outline of “special symbol variation game (symbol variation game related to the first special symbol, symbol variation game related to the second special symbol)” and “symbol variation effect” will be described below. Note that each of the present design and the production design constitutes a specific example of “identification information”. However, even if the “identification information” used in the gaming machine 1 is integrated into one of the present design and the production design. Good.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the symbol variable game (variable display) related to the first special symbol and the symbol variable game (variable display) related to the second special symbol correspond to the special symbol display section (62a or 62b). ) Is used to perform “circular display” of an incomplete symbol (hereinafter referred to as an incomplete symbol) in which an arithmetic number cannot be configured. Specifically, the content is to “circulate and display” imperfect symbols that are less familiar to the player than arithmetic numbers and are difficult to identify and store. Here, the first special symbol and the second special symbol constitute a specific example of the identification information. Then, the result of the determination on whether or not the special symbol is executed based on the “first start prize” is displayed according to the stop display mode in the variable display related to the first special symbol, and the result relating to the second special symbol is displayed. The result of the determination on whether or not the special symbol is executed based on the “second start winning” is displayed by the stop display mode in the variable display.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the probability state of the gaming machine 1 (hereinafter, the probability that the result of the determination on the special symbol is a big hit) is a low-probability state, The probability that the determination result indicating the big hit is derived (hereinafter referred to as the big hit probability) is about “1/315”, and if the probability state of the gaming machine 1 is the high probability state, the first success / failure determination is made. The jackpot probability is approximately “1 / 31.5” in both of the determinations of the second win / fail decision. Then, when the determination result (big hit symbol) indicating a big hit is stopped and displayed on any of the special symbol display units 62a and 62b, a “hit” is generated, and the big hit game execution means (that is, the specific game execution means) is driven. The jackpot game is executed and the gaming state becomes the jackpot gaming state. Here, the big hit gaming state constitutes a specific example of the specific gaming state.

  Here, when the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed, after performing the fanfare effect, a round game in which the winning prize opening (the first winning prize opening 31a and the second winning prize opening 35a) is opened multiple times. The “big hit game” to be performed is executed. Further, the round game constitutes a specific example of “entering game”, and is executed after the “continuous fixed round game” and the “continuous fixed round game” that are executed first using the first grand prize opening 31a. Consists of “Continuous Uncertain Round Game”. “Continuously confirmed round game” is a round game executed from the first (first round) to a predetermined time (predetermined round), and the execution of the next round game is guaranteed when performing each round game. ing. In this continuation determination round game, it is a round game which makes it the content to open | release the 1st big winning opening 31a based on the opening pattern A shown to Fig.9 (a). The continuation confirmed round game constitutes a specific example of the aforementioned “first entry game”. Here, the round indicates the number of round games since the big hit game is started. For example, the first round game is the “first round” round game.

  “Continuous uncertain round game” is executed as a round game subsequent to a predetermined time (predetermined round), and the execution of the next round game is not guaranteed when individual round games are performed. This continuous indeterminate round game is a round game in which the second grand prize opening 35a is opened based on the first opening pattern, the second opening pattern, or the third opening pattern. In each round game, the second big winning prize is obtained. When the specific area passage detection switch 35u detects at least one game ball that has entered the mouth 35a, a continuation condition is satisfied (however, detection within an effective period described later, that is, effective detection is required) The next round game can be executed (the player can continue on his own). In other words, if the continuation condition is not satisfied in the continuation indefinite round game (so-called “puncture”), the next round game cannot be executed and the big hit game is terminated. The continuation confirmed round game constitutes a specific example of the above-mentioned “second incoming game”.

  When the big hit game is started in this way, any one of a predetermined winning pattern (opening pattern A, first opening pattern to third opening pattern) is made into a big winning opening (the first big winning opening 31a, the second big winning opening 35a). ) Is repeated while sandwiching a predetermined interval time (2 seconds in this embodiment). When the upper limit number of rounds is reached (when the continuation condition is continuously established in the continuous indefinite round game and the upper limit number of rounds is reached), or the continuation condition is not established in the continuous indefinite round game, finish. Then, the ending effect can be performed and the symbol variation game can be started. Here, “big hit” constitutes a specific example of “specific result”, and “big hit game” constitutes a specific example of “specific game”. When the result of the determination is a big hit, the big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 62a (62a or 62b) is determined using a random number lottery, which will be described later with a specific example. . In addition, if the determination result (disappearing symbol) indicating the disengagement is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display parts 62a and 62b, the big hit game (specific game) is not executed.

  As described above, the continuation fixed round game is a round game in which the first big prize opening 31a is opened based on the opening pattern A shown in FIG. In this continuous final round game, after the first grand prize opening 31a is opened, the first big prize opening entrance detection switch 31s counts ten game balls or before the tenth. When one predetermined time (26 seconds) elapses, the first grand prize winning opening 31a is in a closed state, and one continuous fixed round game (one round of continuous fixed round game) is ended.

  In “Continuous Uncertain Round Game”, the second grand opening 35a is opened to the first opening pattern shown in FIG. 9B, the second opening pattern shown in FIG. 10A, or the third opening shown in FIG. It is a round game that opens based on patterns. Here, the first opening pattern is an opening pattern in which the second grand prize opening 35a is opened with 25 seconds as the opening limit time, and the second opening pattern has the second big winning opening 35a with 7 seconds as the opening limit time. It is an opening pattern that opens. Further, the third opening pattern is an opening pattern in which opening the second big prize opening 35a for 0.5 seconds (short opening) is repeated twice with 1 second closing.

  When the second grand prize opening 35a is opened based on the first opening pattern in the “continuous uncertain round game” (hereinafter referred to as the first continuous uncertain round game), the second big prize opening 35a is opened. After the first predetermined time (25 seconds) elapses, or before the first predetermined time (25 seconds) elapses, the second grand prize opening entrance detection switch 35s counts 10 game balls entered. Then, the second grand prize opening 35a is closed, and one first continuous uncertain round game is ended.

  In addition, when the second grand prize opening 35a is opened based on the second release pattern in the “continuous uncertain round game” (hereinafter referred to as a second continuous uncertain round game), the second big prize opening 35a is opened. After the release state, the second large winning opening entrance ball detection switch 35 s has entered 10 game balls before the second predetermined time (7 seconds) elapses or before the second predetermined time (7 seconds) elapses. When the number is counted, the second big prize opening 35a is closed, and one second continuous uncertain round game is finished.

  Further, when the second grand prize opening 35a is opened based on the third release pattern in the “continuous uncertain round game” (hereinafter referred to as a third continuous uncertain round game), the second opening of the third open pattern. When the second big winning opening entrance detection switch 35s counts 10 game balls entered before the short opening is completed, the second big winning opening 35a is closed and the first 3 End the continuation indeterminate round game.

  In the gaming machine 1, when the first continuation indeterminate round game is started, the distribution solenoid 36b that has been de-energized is controlled as follows. In other words, the distribution member 36 is driven based on the first drive pattern shown in FIG. 9B when the first continuous indeterminate round game is started, and the game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 35a is played. Distribution to the specific area 11R or the non-specific area 11T is performed. Specifically, the distribution solenoid 36b is energized at the same time as the second big prize opening 35a is opened. This energization (hereinafter referred to as the first energization) is carried out for “0.5 seconds”, whereby the distribution member 36a in the first posture is in the second posture and the game that has entered the second grand prize opening 35a. The sphere can be guided to the specific area 11R.

  When the first period energization of “0.5 seconds” is completed, the energization of the sorting solenoid 86 is stopped for “3 seconds” (hereinafter, referred to as “intermediate energization stop”), and the posture of the sorting member 36a is the first posture. Become. As described above, when the energization of the distribution solenoid 36b is stopped, when the game ball reaches the distribution member 36a, the game ball is guided to the non-specific region 11T. When the intermediate energization stop is completed, the distribution solenoid 36b is energized (hereinafter referred to as second energization) for "10.5 seconds", thereby the game that has entered the second grand prize winning opening 35a. The sphere can be guided to the specific area 11R.

  When the first continuous indeterminate round game is started, an effective period (hereinafter referred to as a first effective period) is started. Then, after 1 second has elapsed after the distribution solenoid 36b has finished the second energization, the first effective period ends. Then, when a game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 35a within the first effective period is guided to the specific area 11R, and the specific area passage detection switch 35u detects the guided game ball, this detection is performed. It is considered valid and the continuation condition for the continuation indefinite round game is established. In the first continuation uncertain round game, there is a high possibility that the game ball is guided to the specific area 11R within the effective period (first effective period) (hereinafter referred to as “first probability”).

  Further, in the second continuous uncertain round game in which the second big winning opening 35a is opened in the second opening pattern, the distribution member 36 is triggered by the start of the second continuous uncertain round game as shown in FIG. The game balls that are driven based on the second drive pattern shown in FIG. 5 and are placed in the second big prize opening 35a are distributed to the specific area 11R or the non-specific area 11T. Specifically, at the same time as opening the second grand prize opening 35a, the first energization of the sorting solenoid 36b is performed for "0.5 seconds", and the sorting member 36a in the first posture is set in the second posture, The game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 35a is brought into a state that can be guided to the specific area 11R.

  When the first period energization of “0.5 seconds” is completed, the energization of the distribution solenoid 36b is stopped (intermediate energization stop) for “3 seconds”, and the attitude of the distribution member 36a becomes the first attitude. Thus, when the distribution solenoid 36b is in the middle energization stop state, when the game ball reaches the distribution member 36a, the game ball is guided to the non-specific region 11T. When the intermediate energization stop is completed, energization (second period energization) of the sorting solenoid 36b is started. However, the second energization of the second drive pattern is terminated in 1.5 seconds.

  When the second continuation uncertain round game is started, an effective period (hereinafter referred to as a second effective period) is started. Then, after the distribution solenoid 36b ends the second period energization (1.5 seconds energization), the second effective period ends when 1 second elapses. Then, if the game ball is guided to the specific area 11R in the second big prize opening 35a within the second effective period, and the specific area passage detection switch 35u detects the guided game ball, this detection is effective. Thus, the continuation condition for the continuation indefinite round game is established. In the second continuous uncertain round game, the probability that the game ball is guided to the specific area 11R within the effective period (second effective period) is lower than the above-mentioned “first probability” (hereinafter, “ Second probability ”).

  Further, in the third continuous indeterminate round game in which the second grand prize opening 35a is opened in the third release pattern, the distribution member 36 is triggered by the start of the third continuous indeterminate round game as shown in FIG. The game balls that are driven based on the third drive pattern shown in FIG. 5 and are placed in the second grand prize opening 35a are distributed to the specific area 11R or the non-specific area 11T. Specifically, at the same time as opening the second grand prize opening 35a, the first energization of the sorting solenoid 36b is performed for "0.5 seconds", and the sorting member 36a in the first posture is set in the second posture, The game ball that has entered the second grand prize opening 35a is brought into a state that can be guided to the specific area 11R. When the first period energization of “0.5 seconds” is completed, the energization of the sorting solenoid 86 is stopped, and the posture of the sorting member 36a becomes the first posture. Thereafter, unlike the above-described first drive pattern and second drive pattern, energization of the sorting solenoid 36b (second energization) is not started.

  When the third continuation uncertain round game is started, an effective period (hereinafter referred to as a third effective period) is started. The third effective period ends when one second has elapsed after the distribution solenoid 36b has completed the first energization. Then, if the game ball is guided to the specific area 11R in the second grand prize opening 35a within the third effective period, and the specific area passage detection switch 35u detects the guided game ball, this detection is effective. Thus, the continuation condition for the continuation indefinite round game is established. However, in the third continuous indeterminate round game, the probability that the game ball is guided to the specific area 11R within the effective period (third effective period) is lower than the above-mentioned “second probability” (hereinafter referred to as “the second probability”). It is called “third probability”), and it is difficult to perform effective detection of the game ball by the specific area passage detection switch 35u.

  As described above, in the case where the result of the determination of success / failure (first determination of success / failure determination, second determination of success / failure) is a big hit, the big hit symbol (that is, the winning mode) is determined by random lottery (the distribution lottery). And the execution mode of the big hit game (hit game) executed after that differs according to the type of the big hit symbol determined. In the present embodiment, among the “seven-segment display body” constituting the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b, one that emits one segment is “off”, and a plurality of A segment that emits light indicates “big hit”. Further, the type of jackpot is specified by the number of segments to emit light and the arrangement mode of the segments to emit light. However, in this specification, in order to simplify the description, the jackpot symbol is expressed using “alphabet” such as “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and the like.

  Hereinafter, the types of jackpot symbols determined by random lottery (distribution lottery) will be described. Here, when the game state when the determination is made (first determination / not determination, second determination) is a non-open extension state in which the release extension function is not activated, the frequency of entering the second start port 17b is Since it becomes low (because almost no ball enters the second starting port 17b), the first hit / no-go judgment is mainly performed as the hit / no-go judgment. Further, when the game state when the determination is made (first determination / not determination, second determination) is an open extended state in which the open extension function is activated, the frequency of entering the second start port 17b increases. At the same time, the gaming machine 1 processes the determination random number value acquired based on the second starting prize in preference to the determination random number value acquired based on the first starting prize (a process such as success / failure determination, Since this is a gaming machine 1 to be described later, the second winning / failing determination is mainly performed as the winning / failing determination.

  When the result of the first success / failure determination is a big hit, the big hit symbol is a random lottery (distribution lottery), and a “big hit symbol indicating the occurrence of a 10R normal big hit A (hereinafter referred to as a normal big hit symbol A)” and “10R normal big hit A big hit symbol indicating the occurrence of B (hereinafter referred to as a normal big hit symbol B), a big hit symbol indicating the occurrence of a 13R normal big hit C (hereinafter referred to as a normal big hit symbol C), and a “10R probability variable big hit A occurrence”. The jackpot symbol shown (hereinafter referred to as probability variation jackpot symbol A) and the jackpot symbol indicating the occurrence of 16R probability variation jackpot B (hereinafter referred to as probability variation jackpot symbol B) are determined (see FIG. 11). In the tables of FIGS. 11 and 12, the numerical value shown in the “occurrence rate” column indicates the distribution rate of each big hit (big hit symbol) in the gaming state targeted by each table.

  If the result of the second win / fail determination is a big hit, the big hit symbol is a random lottery (distribution lottery), and the “normal big hit symbol C” and “16R normal big hit symbol D (hereinafter referred to as a normal big hit symbol D) are shown. ) ”,“ A jackpot symbol indicating the occurrence of 13R probability variation big hit C (hereinafter referred to as “probable variation big hit symbol C”) ”and“ a jackpot symbol indicating occurrence of 16R probability variation big hit D (hereinafter referred to as “probable variation big hit symbol D”) ” Either one is determined (see FIG. 12).

  Here, in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, “10R”, “13R”, and “16R” with types for each jackpot indicate the upper limit number of round games that can be executed in the jackpot game based on the occurrence of the jackpot. . That is, “10R”, “13R”, and “16R” are specific examples of “multiple times”. Hereinafter, the contents of the jackpot that occurs in the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the normal jackpot symbol A is stopped and displayed (when 10R normal jackpot A is generated), the number of confirmed round games (predetermined number of times) is “2 times (first round to second round)”, the upper limit number of round games ( “Multiple times” is defined as “10 times”. In other words, the number of confirmed round games (predetermined number of times) is “2”, and the number of executable indeterminate round games is “8 times (third to tenth rounds)”. For this reason, when the normal big hit symbol A is stopped and displayed, as shown in FIG. 13A, the first display LED 67a of the finalized round display section 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is two times). ), The first display LED 68a of the upper limit round display section 66b is turned on (indicating that a plurality of times is 10 times).

  When the normal jackpot symbol B is stopped and displayed (when the 10R normal jackpot B is generated), the number of confirmed round games (predetermined number of times) is “4 times (1st to 4th round)”, and the maximum number of round games ( “Multiple times” is defined as “10 times”. That is, the number of fixed round games (predetermined number) is “4 times”, and the number of executable indeterminate round games is “6 times (5th to 10th rounds)”. For this reason, when the normal jackpot symbol B is stopped and displayed, as shown in FIG. 13B, the second display LED 67b of the confirmed round display section 66a is lit (indicating that the predetermined number of times is four times). ), The first display LED 68a of the upper limit round display section 66b is turned on (indicating that a plurality of times is 10 times).

  When the normal jackpot symbol C is stopped and displayed (when 13R normal jackpot C is generated), the number of confirmed round games (predetermined times) is “4 times (1st to 4th rounds)”, and the maximum number of round games ( “Multiple times” is set to “13 times”. That is, the number of predetermined round games (predetermined number) is “4 times”, and the number of executable indeterminate round games is “9 times (fifth to thirteenth rounds)”. For this reason, when the normal jackpot symbol C is stopped and displayed, as shown in FIG. 13C, the second display LED 67b of the confirmed round display section 66a is lit (indicating that the predetermined number of times is two times). ), The second display LED 68b of the upper limit round display section 66b is turned on (indicating that a plurality of times is 13 times).

  When the probability variation big hit symbol A is stopped and displayed (when 10R probability variation big hit A occurs), the number of confirmed round games (predetermined number of times) is “4 times (1st to 4th rounds)”, and the maximum number of round games ( “Multiple times” is defined as “10 times”. That is, the number of fixed round games (predetermined number) is “4 times”, and the number of executable indeterminate round games is “6 times (5th to 10th rounds)”. For this reason, when the probability variation big hit symbol A is stopped and displayed, as shown in FIG. 13 (d), the second display LED 67b of the confirmed round display section 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is four times). ), The first display LED 68a of the upper limit round display section 66b is turned on (indicating that a plurality of times is 10 times).

  When the probability variation big hit symbol B is stopped and displayed (when 16R probability variation big hit B is generated), the number of final round games (predetermined number) is “6 times (1st to 6th rounds)”, the maximum number of round games ( (Multiple times) is set to “16 times”. In other words, the number of confirmed round games (predetermined number) is “6 times”, and the number of executable indeterminate round games is “10 times (seventh to sixteenth rounds)”. For this reason, when the probability variation big hit symbol B is stopped and displayed, as shown in FIG. 14A, the third display LED 67c of the confirmed round display section 66a is lit (indicating that the predetermined number of times is six times). ), The third display LED 68c of the upper limit round display section 66b is lit (displays that the plurality of times is 16 times).

  When the normal jackpot symbol D is stopped and displayed (when the 16R normal jackpot D is generated), the number of confirmed round games (predetermined number) is “4 times (1st to 4th rounds)”, the maximum number of round games ( (Multiple times) is set to “16 times”. That is, the number of predetermined round games (predetermined number) is “4 times”, and the number of executable indeterminate round games is “12 times (5th to 16th rounds)”. For this reason, when the normal big hit symbol D is stopped and displayed, as shown in FIG. 14B, the second display LED 67b of the finalized round display section 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is four times). ), The third display LED 68c of the upper limit round display section 66b is lit (displays that the plurality of times is 16 times).

  When the probability variation jackpot symbol C is stopped and displayed (when 13R probability variation jackpot C is generated), the number of confirmed round games (predetermined number of times) is “6 times (first to sixth rounds)”, and the maximum number of round games ( “Multiple times” is set to “13 times”. That is, the number of confirmed round games (predetermined number) is “6 times”, and the number of executable indeterminate round games is “7 times (seventh to thirteenth rounds)”. For this reason, when the probability variation big hit symbol C is stopped and displayed, as shown in FIG. 14C, the third display LED 67c of the finalized round display section 66a is lit (indicating that the predetermined number of times is six times). ), The second display LED 68b of the upper limit round display section 66b is turned on (indicating that a plurality of times is 13 times).

  When the probability variation big hit symbol D is stopped and displayed (when 16R probability variation big hit D is generated), the number of confirmed round games (predetermined number of times) is “2 times (first round to second round)”, and the maximum number of round games ( (Multiple times) is set to “16 times”. That is, the number of predetermined round games (predetermined number) is “2”, and the number of executable indeterminate round games is “14 times (third round to sixteenth round)”. For this reason, when the probability variation big hit symbol D is stopped and displayed, as shown in FIG. 14 (d), the first display LED 67a of the confirmed round display portion 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is two times). ), The third display LED 68c of the upper limit round display section 66b is lit (displays that the plurality of times is 16 times).

  As described above, when the result of the determination is the big hit (first win / no-go determination, second win / no-go determination), the main control unit 200A performs a random number lottery (distribution lottery) and stops and displays the big hit symbol (that is, the hit mode ). Then, depending on the type of jackpot symbol that is determined, a plurality of first times in which “predetermined times” in the jackpot game to be executed thereafter are predetermined (in this embodiment, two times, four times, or six times). And “multiple times” is also set to any one of a plurality of predetermined second times (in this embodiment, 10 times, 13 times, or 16 times). In this way, the main control unit 200A functions as “first number setting means” and “second number setting means”.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the possibility of reaching the upper limit round (possibility of continuation of the player's own power) varies depending on the type of release pattern executed in the first indeterminate round. In other words, if the first indeterminate round is successfully overcome, it is possible to reach the upper limit round. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 (a), as a continuous indeterminate round other than the upper limit round or all continuous indeterminate rounds, only the second big prize opening 35a is opened based on the first open pattern. Is provided, the possibility of reaching the upper limit round is increased (hereinafter referred to as the first possibility). Further, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), as the continuous uncertain round excluding the upper limit round, the second grand prize opening 35a is opened based on the second opening pattern. If 35a does not include an open state based on the third release pattern, the possibility of reaching the upper limit round is lower than the first possibility (hereinafter referred to as the second possibility).

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 16 (a) and (b), in the case where a continuous indeterminate round excluding the upper limit round is provided with the second big prize opening 35a being opened based on the third release pattern, The possibility of reaching the round is lower than the second possibility (hereinafter referred to as the third possibility). In the case of this third possibility, if the timing of game ball firing is not good, the continuation condition cannot be established in the continuation uncertain round in which the second grand prize opening 35a is opened based on the third release pattern. . FIG. 16 (a) shows a case where the player has failed to continue on his own (when the game ball is not allowed to enter the second big winning opening 35a after the first 0.5 second release), FIG. b) shows a case where the player has succeeded in continuation of his / her own power (when the game ball is made to enter the second large winning opening 35a after the first 0.5 second release).

  In this embodiment, when a predetermined jackpot symbol (normal jackpot symbol A, normal jackpot symbol D, probability variation jackpot symbol A, probability variation jackpot symbol D) is stopped and displayed, the upper limit round is reached with a probability of almost 100%. be able to. This is because only the second large winning opening 35a is opened based on the first opening pattern as a continuous uncertain round.

  Further, when a big hit (13R normal big hit C, 13R probability variable big hit C) that can execute a big hit game with a large upper limit number of rounds is generated, another big hit (10R that can execute a big hit game with a smaller upper limit number of rounds) In some cases, it is difficult to reach the upper limit round as compared to the case where a normal jackpot A or the like) is generated. In these cases, when the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed, even if the maximum number of rounds is displayed, the number of round games that are actually executed may be reduced, so the maximum number of rounds is large. There is a possibility that what is displayed will be "Nuka Joy". In addition, there is a possibility that the profit gained by the big hit game may be larger than the case where the lower limit number of rounds is displayed more than the case where the upper limit number of rounds is displayed. The big hit game can be progressed. Furthermore, when the player is displayed on the upper limit round display portion 66b, the player will have an imagination about the development of the jackpot game actually played, the profits obtained by the jackpot game, and the like, and the game entertainment is enhanced. In addition, when a big hit that can execute a big hit game with a large upper limit number of rounds is generated, compared to the case where a big hit game with a lower maximum number of rounds can be executed and other big hits that can be executed, the upper round is uniformly set. It may be difficult to reach. For example, in a continuation indefinite round of a jackpot game with an upper limit number of rounds of 13 or more, a third release pattern is always included as an opening pattern of the second big prize opening 35a, and a continuation of big hit games with an upper limit number of rounds of less than 13 In the final round, the third opening pattern may not necessarily be included as the opening pattern of the second big prize opening 35a.

  Further, in this embodiment, it is difficult to establish the continuation condition in a predetermined continuation indeterminate round, but if the continuation condition can be established, a big hit game gain that makes it easy to reach the upper limit round is provided. Specifically, in the jackpot game based on the occurrence of 13R normal jackpot C, 16R probability variable jackpot B or 13R probability jackpot C, the second big prize opening 35a is opened based on the third opening pattern in the first continuous uncertain round. Then, in the subsequent continuation uncertain round, the second big prize opening 35a is opened based on the first opening pattern. For this reason, the first uncertain continuation round is a barrier for reaching the upper limit round, but if this barrier is successfully overcome, the upper limit round can be reached. For this reason, the player is “at the timing when the interval effect after the final continuation confirmation run ends” (the timing at which the second big prize opening 35a opens the first 0.5 seconds in the first continuation uncertain round) Then, the game ball is fired so as to reach the right region 10R (the game ball is fired with a sense of one-shot game aiming at short opening of the second big prize opening 35a). If this launch can be performed successfully, the upper limit round can be reached, and if it cannot be performed successfully, the end of the big hit game is determined at that time. In other words, since the second big prize opening 35a is opened based on the third release pattern, it is difficult to make the continuation of the ongoing continuation indefinite round game to the next continuation indefinite round game successful, The player will launch a challenging game ball such that the game ball enters the second big prize opening 35a at the timing when the second big prize opening 35a opens for the first 0.5 seconds. , The player's sense of accomplishment when self-success is successful is greater. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the game entertainment at a stretch.

  Furthermore, a big hit game (a big hit game based on the occurrence of 13R normal big hit C) that is difficult to establish a continuation condition in a continuous uncertain round with many predetermined times, and a continuation condition in a continuous uncertain round with a small number of predetermined times A jackpot game that is easy to establish (a jackpot game based on the occurrence of a 10R normal jackpot A). In other words, if there are many continuous fixed rounds and it is possible to secure a certain profit only for the continuous fixed rounds, it will be difficult to reach the upper limit round, and the number of continuous fixed rounds will be small, and a fixed profit will be secured only for the continuous fixed rounds. If it is not possible, it may be easy to reach the upper limit round. However, even when the number of continuation confirmed rounds is large, it is easy to reach the upper limit round if the continuation condition can be established in a predetermined continuation uncertain round. In addition, when a big hit that can execute a big hit game with a large number of predetermined times is generated, it may be harder to reach the upper limit round than when a big hit that can execute a big hit game with a predetermined number of times is generated. .

  A probability variation means (to be described later) is activated when any probability variation jackpot is generated and the corresponding jackpot game is terminated, and the probability that the result of the determination is a jackpot (hit probability) is a high probability (high probability) State). In addition, after the big hit game is over, the opening extension means (described later) is activated, and the opening time of the second start port 17b is extended (open extension state). The high probability state and the extended extended state are used until the cumulative number of special symbol variation games that are executed without generating a big hit after the end of the big hit game reaches “10,000 times” (substantially, the next big hit is generated. Until). In addition, when any of the normal big hits occurs, the probability changing means does not start operating after the corresponding big hit game is finished, so that the probability state of the gaming machine 1 is set to the normal probability state (low probability state). In addition, after the big hit game is over, the opening extension means (described later) is activated, and the opening time of the second start port 17b is extended (open extension state). This open extended state is continued until the cumulative number of special symbol variable games executed without causing a big hit after the end of the big hit game reaches “100”.

b. Symbol variation effect and jackpot game effect The symbol variation effect is also started based on the first start prize or the second start prize. The execution time (variation time) of the symbol variation effect is also specified by a variation pattern (described later) determined at the start of the symbol variation game (design variation effect). In this symbol variation effect, as shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, an effect symbol display area 27 b appears at a predetermined portion of the display screen 27 a of the effect display device 27, and the effect symbol variation display (effect symbol) The symbol variation effect using) is started. Then, when the execution time (variation time) of the change display of the effect symbol elapses, the stop display of the effect symbol is executed for a certain time (about 0.6 seconds). This stop display of the effect symbols is to display the result of the determination as to whether or not it is the same as the stop display by the information display device 60 (the special symbol display unit (62a or 62b)).

  As shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, the effect symbol display is changed and stopped while three effect symbols (three digits) are displayed in the effect symbol display area 27b. Display is made. This variation display of the effect symbols is configured by “circular display (scroll variation display)” in which the effect symbols indicating the numerical numbers “1” to “9” are repeatedly displayed in this order. At that time, in order to excite the fluctuation display, “background design” and “character design” are displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, sound effects are uttered from the speakers SP1 to SP4, and illumination is performed. As a result, a design variation effect is realized. The details of the effect design will be described later.

  In addition, the stop symbols of the production symbols include “a symbol indicating a big hit (big hit symbol)” and “a symbol indicating a loss (loss symbol)”. Among them, the symbol indicating the occurrence of “normal jackpot” is composed of a combination in which all three effect symbols display the same even number, and the symbol indicating the occurrence of “probable big hit” is an odd number whose all three effect symbols are the same. It consists of a combination that displays. As shown in FIG. 17C, when the “big hit symbol” is displayed on the effect display device 27, the reach display is performed in the middle of the fluctuation display that is the premise, but the “out of symbol” is displayed ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as “reach disagreement”), as shown in FIG. 17B, when reach display is performed in the middle of the presumed variation display, and as shown in FIG. 17A, the premise variation display. In some cases, reach display is not performed in the middle of the process (hereinafter referred to as simple detachment).

  Hereinafter, the jackpot game effect will be described by taking as an example a case where the number of confirmed round games (predetermined times) is “4 times (1 round to 4 rounds)” and the upper limit number of round games (multiple times) is “16 times”. . When the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed, as shown in FIG. 18, a fanfare effect is performed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 (B1). This fanfare effect is performed for about 15 seconds after the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed. When this fanfare effect is finished, the first round game (the first round) is executed. At that time, the round effect related to the first round is executed on the display screen 27a (B2). When the end condition of the first round is satisfied, the round game related to the first round is ended and an interval effect is performed on the display screen 27a (B3). Thereafter, after a predetermined interval time (about 2 seconds of standby time), a round effect related to the round game related to the second time (second round) is executed. Thereafter, similarly, a round effect relating to the round game relating to the third round (third round) and the fourth round (fourth round) is executed (B4).

  When the end condition of the fourth round is satisfied, the round game related to the fourth round is ended and an interval effect is performed on the display screen 27a (B5). Then, the fifth round (fifth round) is started and a round effect related to the fifth round is executed on the display screen 27a (B6). Here, the round game related to the fifth round is a continuous uncertain round game. Then, in the round game related to the fifth round, if the game ball passes the specific area 11R during the effective period, the continuation condition is established, and the round game related to the sixth round (next round game) can be executed. On the other hand, in the round game related to the fifth round, if the game ball does not pass the specific area 11R during the effective period, the continuation condition is not satisfied, and the round game related to the sixth round (next round game) Cannot be executed.

  When the continuation condition is not satisfied and the round game related to the fifth round is finished and the jackpot game is finished, after the ending effect is performed on the display screen 27a (B10), the next symbol variation game (symbol variation effect) is started. . On the other hand, when the continuation condition is satisfied, the round game related to the sixth round is started through the interval effect, and the round effect related to the sixth round is executed on the display screen 27a (B8). At this time, a display (“display of letter V”) for praising that the continuation condition is satisfied in the previous round (fifth round) is made on the display screen 27a.

  Also in the sixth and subsequent rounds, success / failure of the continuation condition is determined every time the round is executed, and if it is established, the next round game can be executed, and if it is not established, the big hit game is executed in the round game. When it is established, every time the next round game is executed, a display ("display of letter V") is made on the display screen 27a to praise that the continuation condition was established in the previous round. Each time a round game is executed, the continuation condition is established, and when the upper limit number of round games is completed or the continuation condition is not established before the upper limit number of round games is performed, the big hit game is terminated. Then, after performing the ending effect on the display screen 27a (B10), the next symbol variation game (design variation effect) is started.

(4) Outline of Game Control by Main Control Unit 200A FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. In this game control process, a prize ball payout process (S80), a normal symbol game process (S100), a normal electric game game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S300), a big hit game process (S600), the first large game Each process, such as a winning opening monitoring process (S900), a second large winning opening monitoring process (S905), an effective period monitoring process (S920), a sorting device driving process (S950), a specific area passing presence / absence monitoring process (S980), etc. It is executed repeatedly. Note that the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute the processing of S80 to S980 in FIG. 19 every time a timer interrupt with a period of 4 msec occurs after the power is turned on. In the prize ball payout process (S80), a game ball is placed in the prize opening (the first start opening 17a, the second start opening 17b, the first big prize opening 31a, the second big prize opening 35a, the general prize opening 45 to 47). The normal symbol game process (S100) is a process related to award ball payout at the time of entering a ball. The normal symbol display unit 63 displays a variation of a normal symbol and a stop display of a normal symbol (stop display of a winning symbol or a missed symbol). The ordinary electric game product process (S200) is a process related to the opening and closing of the second start port 17b, but detailed description of these processes is omitted.

A. Special design game processing (S300)
When the special symbol game process (S300) is started, as shown in FIG. 20, it is first determined whether or not a first start prize or a second start prize has occurred (S301a, S301b). Then, when a negative determination is made in the processing of S301a and the processing of S301b (S301a; NO, S301b; NO), the process directly proceeds to the processing after S308 shown in FIG.

  If it is determined by the CPU 201 that the first start winning has occurred (S301a; YES), it is determined whether or not the first hold number is less than a predetermined number (less than 4 in this embodiment) (S302a). If it is determined that the number is less than the predetermined number in the process of S302a (S302a; YES), a random number value for determination is acquired accordingly (S303a). The determination random number value acquired based on the first start winning is stored in a predetermined memory address of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 in a shift memory format, and the first reserved number is a first reserved number memory (illustrated). Is omitted (additional storage) (S303a), and the process proceeds to S308 in FIG. Here, the determination random number value acquired in the process of S303a includes (a) a random determination random value used for the first determination to be executed based on the first start winning prize, and (b) a first special symbol display unit. The symbol determination random number value for determining the winning symbol to be stopped and displayed at 62a, (c) “reach random number value for determining whether or not to produce reach in the symbol variation effect” and the like are included.

  Here, the latter is preferentially processed under the situation where the determination random number value acquired based on the first start prize and the determination random value acquired based on the second start prize are stored. (It will be described later.) 20 to 23, among the processes performed by the CPU 201, each process executed based on the first start prize (hereinafter referred to as a process related to the special figure 1) and the second start prize. Among the executed processes (hereinafter referred to as processes related to the special drawing 2), the same processes are given the same number of steps (numbers for calculation). Since the process with the same number of steps is basically the same process, one of “process related to special figure 1” and “process related to special figure 2” will be described in the following description. The description of the other may be omitted. In addition, “process for special figure 1” is distinguished by adding “a” in alphabet to “number of steps”, and “process for special figure 2” by adding “b” in alphabet to “number of steps”. There is.

  If the CPU 201 determines that the second start winning has occurred (S301b; YES), the number of second special symbols corresponding to the second start winning (second holding number) is less than a predetermined number (this embodiment). Is less than 4) (S302b). If it is determined that the number is less than the predetermined number in the process of S302b (S302b; YES), a random number value for determination is acquired accordingly (S303b). The determination random number value acquired based on the second start winning is stored in a predetermined memory address of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 in a shift memory format, and the second reserved number is stored in a second reserved number memory (illustrated). Is omitted (additional storage) (S303b), and the process proceeds to S308 in FIG. Here, the determination random number value acquired in the process of S303b includes (a) a random determination value for determining whether or not to be executed based on the second start winning prize, and (b) a second special symbol display unit. 62c includes a symbol determination random number value for determining a symbol to be stopped and displayed, and (c) “reach random number value for determining whether or not to produce reach in symbol variation effect”.

  In the process of S308, as shown in FIG. 21, it is determined whether or not a big hit game is being executed (S308). Specifically, if the big hit game flag (see the process of S378 in FIG. 22) is set (set to ON), a positive determination is made in the process of S308. When the CPU 201 determines that the big hit game is being executed (S308; YES), the special symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S308 that the big hit game is not being executed (S308; NO), whether or not the special symbol is fluctuating (one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is fluctuating). Whether or not) (S310). If the special symbol is not changing (S310; NO), it is considered that either the special symbol has not yet changed, or has been stopped and displayed as a stop symbol after the change display. Therefore, it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the stop symbol of the special symbol (S312). If the special symbol is not variably displayed (S310; NO), and is not within the stop display time during which the special symbol is stopped (S312; NO), whether or not the variable display can be started. Is determined (S314a, S314b). In the present embodiment, the stop display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol is 0.6 seconds.

  The “condition for starting the variable display of the special symbol” is that either of the “first reserved number” and the “second reserved number” is not “zero”. Then, the CPU 201 of this embodiment preferentially determines whether or not the “second hold number” is “zero” (S314b). That is, when the “second hold number” is not “zero”, the oldest determination random number value is read from the second determination random number value memory (S316b), and the determination process of the second special symbol (second determination) Determination process) is performed (S320b). Note that the determination random number value read in S316b is acquired in S303b, and includes a success / failure determination random value, a symbol determination random number value, a reach random number value, and the like.

  In the second success / failure determination process (S320b), a process related to the second success / failure determination is performed. In this second win / fail determination process (S320b), it is determined whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability state (whether or not the probability variation flag is set). “Big hit determination” is performed using the “data table for use” and “the random number value for determination (determination random number value for big hit) read out in the process of S316b”. The “big hit determination” is performed using the “table” and the “determination random number value read in the processing of S316b (determination random number value for jackpot)”.

  The CPU 201 executes a special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b) following the second win / fail determination process (S320b). In the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), as shown in FIG. 23, when the result of the second win / fail determination process (S320b) is “big hit” (S501; YES), the CPU 201 The symbol determined random number value acquired in the process is read from the random number value memory for determination (predetermined area of the RAM 202), and the jackpot symbol stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b is set (determined) (S505), and then the jackpot Is performed (S510A), and the process proceeds to S560. Specifically, in the process of S505, the jackpot symbols are “normal jackpot symbol C”, “normal jackpot symbol D”, “probable variation jackpot symbol C”, and “probability variation jackpot symbol” by random number lottery using the symbol random number value determined. D ”. Then, “predetermined times” and “multiple times” are determined according to the type of jackpot symbol to be determined. Further, when the result of the second winning / failing determination process (S320b) is “displacement” (S501; NO), a dismissed symbol is set as a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display unit 62b (S507), A process for setting a variation pattern table is performed (S510C), and the process proceeds to S560.

  In the process of S560, a variation pattern determination random value (random value for determining the variation pattern of the special symbol) is acquired (S560). Then, the fluctuation pattern is determined using the fluctuation pattern table set in the fluctuation pattern table setting process (S510A, S510C) and the random value acquired in the process of S560 (S562). Then, the CPU 201 starts the special symbol variation display on the second special symbol display unit 62b (S570), and at the same time a predetermined command (symbol) indicating the start of symbol variation toward the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220). A change start command) is transmitted (S572). That is, the CPU 201 transmits a “variation pattern designation command (command for designating a variation pattern)”, a “special symbol stop information designation command”, and the like related to the special symbol to the sub-control board 220. As shown in the present embodiment, the variation pattern determination random number value may be generated (acquired) when starting the variation of the special symbol, but is obtained by the processing of S303b or S303a (starting) Acquired at the time of winning a prize).

  Further, the CPU 201 sub-controls a process for subtracting “1” from the number of holdings (second holding number) related to the second special symbol and a command for specifying the holding number (second holding number) after the subtraction. Processing to transmit to the substrate 220 is performed (S575). Then, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. The variation time of the second special symbol is specified by the variation pattern determined in the special symbol 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), and the first special symbol is determined by the variation pattern determined in the special symbol 1 symbol variation start process (S500a) described later. The symbol variation time is specified.

  Here, the variation pattern is determined in consideration of various conditions such as whether or not the reach effect is performed, and whether or not the symbol for stopping and displaying the special symbol is a winning symbol (big hit symbol). If it is known, it is possible to determine the time during which the special symbol is variably displayed. In addition, if the special symbol stop information designation command is analyzed, it can be known whether the special symbol stops at the big hit symbol or the off symbol, and when it stops at the big hit symbol, it is known which of the big hit symbol is. it can. That is, in the special figure 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), the type of jackpot shown in FIG. 12 can be known, and in the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a) described later, the type of jackpot shown in FIG. 11 is known. be able to. The CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220 determines an effect mode on the effect display device 27 based on the information and then outputs an effect design display control signal to the effect display control board 222. Performs symbol change display and stop display. Further, based on the variation time (variation pattern designation command) of the special symbol, it is also determined whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect on the effect display device 27, and what kind of reach effect is to be used. Then, the sub-control board 220 controls the effect display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the like according to the contents of the effect thus determined, thereby performing the effect of the determined contents.

  When the “second hold number” is “zero” (S314b; YES) and the “first hold number” is not “zero” (S314a; NO), the oldest determination from the first determination random value memory The random number value for reading is read (S316a), and a first determination is made (S320a). Then, after performing the special symbol 1 symbol variation start processing (S500a) based on FIG. 23, the special symbol game processing (S300) is terminated, and the game control processing of FIG. 19 is resumed. Here, the first success / failure determination process performed as the process of S320a is performed in the same manner as the second success / failure determination process performed as the process of S320b, and the special figure 1 symbol variation start process performed as the process of S500a is performed as the process of S500b. This is performed in the same manner as the special figure 2 symbol variation start process.

  Also in the first win / fail determination process (S320b), it is determined whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability state. When the gaming state is the high probability state, the “high probability data table” and “S316a processing” are performed. A “big hit determination” is performed using the read determination random number value (big hit determination random number value), and when in the low probability state, the “low probability data table” and the determination read in the processing of S316a The “big hit determination” is performed using the “random number value for jackpot (determination random number value for jackpot)”. Also in the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a), the CPU 201 obtains the symbol acquired in the process of S303a in FIG. 20 when the result of the first win / fail determination process (S320a) is “big hit” (S501; YES). After the determined random number value is read from the random number value memory for determination (predetermined area of the RAM 202) and the jackpot symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 60a is set (determined) (S505), the variation pattern table for jackpot Is set (S510A), and the process proceeds to S560. Here, in the process of S505 in the special figure 1 symbol variation start process (S500a), by the random lottery using the symbol determination random value, the normal big hit symbol A and the normal big hit symbol B as the big hit symbol in the process of S505. Any one of the normal jackpot symbol C, the probability variation jackpot symbol A, or the probability variation jackpot symbol B is determined, and “predetermined times” and “multiple times” are determined according to the type of the jackpot symbol determined. In addition, when the result of the first win / fail determination process (S320b) is “displacement” (S501; NO), a disengaged symbol is set as a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a (S507), A process for setting a variation pattern table is performed (S510C), and the process proceeds to S560.

  Also in this special symbol 1 symbol variation start process (S500a), after performing the processes of S560 and S562 in the same manner as the special symbol 2 symbol variation start process (S500b), the first special symbol display unit 62a performs the first special symbol. The fluctuation display is started (S570). Then, a command (design change start command) indicating the start of the variation display of the first special symbol is transmitted to the sub-control unit 200A (sub-control board 220) (S572), and the number of reservations related to the first special symbol A process of subtracting “1” from (first hold number) and a process of transmitting a command for specifying the hold number (first hold number) after the subtraction to the sub-control board 220 (S575), The special symbol game process (S300) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  Note that different variation pattern tables are set depending on whether or not the variation time shortening function (variation shortening flag) is functioning (whether or not it is set). In other words, when the fluctuation time reduction function is not functioning, the fluctuation pattern table when the fluctuation time reduction function is not activated is set, and when the fluctuation time reduction function is functioning, A variation pattern table is set. When the latter variation pattern table is set, the possibility that the variation time specified by the determined variation pattern is shortened is higher than when the former variation pattern table is set. In addition, in the variation pattern table for big hits, a plurality of variation patterns for performing reach effects are stored. Further, as the variation pattern table for detachment, a variation pattern table is prepared taking into consideration “the presence / absence of reach effect” and “the number of holds at the start of variation”. Then, when performing a reach effect, a variation pattern that specifies a longer variation time is selected than when a reach effect is not performed, and when the number of special symbols held is small, a longer variation time is identified. When a variation pattern is selected and the number of holdings is large, a variation pattern that specifies a shorter variation time is selected.

  Next, when it is determined that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is changing (S310; YES) in S310 of the special symbol game processing (S300) (see FIG. 21), the special symbol game processing (S300) is already special. The symbol variation pattern and the stop symbol are determined, and the special symbol variation display is started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S341). At this time, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether a predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting a timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S341; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S341; YES), the fluctuating first special symbol or second special symbol is stopped (S344), the stopped symbol is displayed, and the symbol is also displayed. A stop command is output toward the sub-control board 220 (S346). The symbol stop command is transferred to the effect display control board 222 via the sub control board 220. Then, after setting the stop display time for stopping and displaying the special symbol (S348), it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has elapsed (S350).

  Next, when it is determined that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is changing (S310; YES) in S310 of the special symbol game processing (S300) (see FIG. 21), the special symbol game processing (S300) is already special. The symbol variation pattern and the stop symbol are determined, and the special symbol variation display is started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S341). At this time, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether a predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting a timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S341; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S341; YES), the fluctuating first special symbol or second special symbol is stopped (S344), the stopped symbol is displayed, and the symbol is also displayed. A stop command is output toward the sub-control board 220 (S346). The symbol stop command is transferred to the effect display control board 222 via the sub control board 220. Then, after setting the stop display time for stopping and displaying the special symbol (S348), it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has elapsed (S350).

  If it is determined in the process of S350 that the special symbol stop display time has not elapsed (S350; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S350; YES), it is determined whether or not the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display section (62a or 62b) (S352 in FIG. 22).

  If an affirmative determination is made in the process of S352 of FIG. 22, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets information indicating the current game progress in a buffer to be referred to at the end of a “big hit game” to be described later. (Memorize) (S354). Specifically, “type of big hit (10R normal big hit A, 10R normal big hit B, 13R normal big hit C, 16R normal big hit D, 10R positive variable big hit A, 16R positive variable big hit B, 13R positive big hit C, 16R positive big hit C, D) ”And“ Game state flag state ”are set (stored) (S354). In addition, the specific area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 functions as a buffer used in the process of S354. Here, the “gaming state flag” is a flag indicating “the gaming state of the gaming machine 1”, specifically, “variable shortening flag”, “open extension flag”, and the like. In the process of S354, Data indicating whether the flag is set to “ON” or “OFF” (data indicating the current gaming state) is set.

  The “variation shortening flag” is a flag indicating that the variation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol is shortened (shortened variation state) (the time shortening function is activated). The “open extension flag” is a flag indicating that the opening time of the second start port 17b (ordinary electric accessory 17d) is extended (the open extension function is activated). Furthermore, the “probability change flag” to be described later indicates that the probability that the result of the special symbol success / failure determination is a big hit is in a state (high probability state) in which the probability is high (the probability variation function is activated). Flag. In the present embodiment, the ON / OFF switching timings of the “variation shortening flag” and the “open extension flag” are the same, and both flags are handled integrally. Thus, when it is a shortening variation state, it is also an open extension state, and when the shortening variation state is completed, the opening extension state is also terminated at the same time.

  Following the process of S354, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a process of setting the opening / closing mode of the big prize opening (the first big prize opening 31a, the second big prize opening 35a) according to the type of jackpot to be generated ( S370). More specifically, an opening / closing mode corresponding to the type of jackpot shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12 is set. For example, when the 10R normal big hit A is generated, the first to second rounds are set as the continuation confirmed rounds, and the third to tenth rounds are set as the continuation uncertain rounds. In the continuous final round, the opening / closing mode is such that the first big prize opening 31a is opened using the opening pattern A, and the second big prize opening 35a is opened using the first opening pattern in the continuous uncertain round. Is set. In addition, when 13R normal big hit C is generated, the first to fourth rounds are set as the continuation confirmed rounds, and the fifth to thirteenth rounds are set as the continuation uncertain rounds. Then, in the continuous final round, the first big prize opening 31a is opened using the open pattern A, the third open pattern is used in the fifth round of the continuous indeterminate rounds, and the first open pattern is used in the sixth and subsequent rounds. Are used to set the opening / closing mode with the content of opening the second big prize opening 35a. Further, for the other big hits, the opening / closing modes shown in FIG. 11 or 12 corresponding to the big hit are set. Even if the opening / closing mode is set in this way, there are cases where the continuation indeterminate round can be completed, or in the middle of the continuation indeterminacy round, a so-called “puncture” may occur and the jackpot game may be terminated. is there.

  Then, following the process of S370, a process of setting the big hit game flag (set to ON) is performed (S378). By setting the “big hit game flag”, the big hit game execution means starts operating, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. Further, the process proceeds to the process after S380 following the process of S378. Here, when the “big hit game flag” is set in the process of S378, the big hit game execution means starts to operate and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. When the “big hit game flag” is set (when the big hit game execution means is in operation), the probability changing function, the time shortening function, and the open extension function are not activated. For this reason, after performing a series of processes after S380 as follows, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated. Specifically, in the process of S380, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is set (set to ON) (S380). If it is not set (S380; NO), the process proceeds to S384 as it is. If it is set (S380; YES), after performing the process (S382) for canceling the probability variation flag (set to OFF), the process proceeds to S384. Note that the jackpot probability is set to the normal probability by the processing of S382.

  In the process of S384, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). If it is not set (S384; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited as it is and FIG. Return to the game control process. On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S384 that the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S384; YES), after the fluctuation shortening flag and the open extension flag are canceled (set to OFF) ( S386, S387), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Then, when returning to the game control process of FIG. 19, a big hit game process described later is performed.

  Next, a process when a negative determination is made in the process of S352 of FIG. 22 will be described. That is, when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b is “out of symbol” (S352; NO), the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). It is determined whether or not (S398). If the fluctuation shortening flag is not set (set to OFF) (S398; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S398; YES), the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is set to “−1” (S400), and then the value of the fluctuation shortening counter becomes “zero”. It is determined whether or not (S404). If it is not “zero” (S404; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the value of the variation shortening counter has become “zero” in the process of S404 (S404; YES), the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is switched from the shortened variation state to the normal variation state. It will be. For this reason, after performing the process (S410) for canceling the fluctuation shortening flag (set to OFF) and the process (S416) for canceling the release extension flag (set to OFF), exit the special symbol game process (S300). Returning to the game control process of FIG. Here, the “variation shortening counter” indicates the upper limit execution count of the special symbol variation display performed in the variation shortened state, and when the value becomes “zero”, the variation variation state of the special symbol variation display this time Is finished, the next fluctuation display is switched to the normal fluctuation state, and the fluctuation display of the special symbol after the next time is performed in the normal fluctuation state.

B. Big hit game processing (S600)
When the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 repeatedly performs the game control process of FIG. 19, when it is determined that the “hit game flag” is set in the jackpot game process (S600) shown in FIG. 24 (S602; YES), processing related to the execution of the jackpot game is performed. That is, when the jackpot game process is activated, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the jackpot game flag is set (set to ON) (S602), and determines that the jackpot game flag is released (set to OFF) (S602; NO). ), The big hit game processing is finished as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the jackpot game flag is set (set to ON) (S602; YES), the number of rounds corresponding to the type of jackpot that has occurred is set as the “number of remaining rounds” (S606), and the execution round A process of initializing R to a value 1 is performed (S608), and the process proceeds to S610. Here, the remaining number of rounds is the upper limit round number of the jackpot game that is started this time (hereinafter, the upper limit number of rounds is indicated by a natural number “s”). In the process of S606, the number of confirmed rounds (hereinafter, the number of confirmed rounds is indicated by a natural number “r”) is also set. The upper limit round number (s) is the number of rounds to be executed when the final continuation indeterminate round can be executed, and constitutes a specific example of “multiple times”. The number of confirmed rounds (r) indicates the number of rounds to be executed as a continuous confirmed round, and constitutes a specific example of “predetermined times”. For example, when a big hit game based on the occurrence of 16R probability variable big hit B is started, “16” is set as the upper limit round number (s), and “6” is set as the final round number (r). Information about the remaining number of rounds (upper limit number of rounds), execution round R, and number of confirmed rounds is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 202. If it is not the start timing of the big hit game, the remaining number of rounds and the execution round R are already set, so the process of S606 and S608 is skipped and the process proceeds to the next process of S610.

  In the process of S610, it is determined whether or not the remaining number of rounds is “zero” (S610). If it is determined that the remaining number of rounds is not “zero” (is a positive number) (S610; NO), it is determined whether or not the execution round R is a continuation confirmed round (S614). Specifically, if the execution round R is a value equal to or less than the number of confirmed rounds (r), it is determined that the execution round R is a continuous confirmed round (S614; YES), and the process proceeds to a continuous confirmed round process (S650). When the execution round R exceeds the number of confirmed rounds (r) (S614; NO), the process proceeds to the continuation uncertain round process (S700). For example, when a jackpot game based on the occurrence of 16R probability variable jackpot B is executed, if the execution round R is “1 to 6”, it is determined positively in the process of S614, and the execution round R is “7 or more”. A negative determination is made in the process of S614. On the other hand, when the number of remaining rounds is “zero” (S610; YES), the process shifts to a big hit game end process (S800). Here, the continuation finalization round process (S650) is a process for performing the continuation finalization round, and is executed with the first big prize opening 31a opened. Further, the continuation indeterminate round process (S700) is a process for performing a continuation indeterminate round, and is executed with the second big prize opening 35a opened.

  The continuation confirmation round process (S650) of S650 is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG. When the continuation determination round process (S650) is activated, the CPU 201 first determines whether or not the first big prize opening 31a is open (S652), and determines that it is not open (S652; NO). It is determined whether or not the error occurrence flag has been released (set to OFF) (S680). The error occurrence flag is set when an error such as a ball clogging, fraud or failure is detected during the big hit game in the first big prize opening monitoring process (S900) or the second big prize opening monitoring process (S905). Flag. If the error occurrence flag is set (set to ON) (S680; NO), the continuation confirmation round process (S650) is terminated as it is. In this case, the first grand prize winning port 31a is never opened.

  On the other hand, when the error occurrence flag is canceled (set to OFF) (S680; YES), it is determined whether or not preparation for opening the first big winning opening 31a is in progress (S682). If it is determined that preparation is in progress (S682; YES), the continuation confirmation round process (S650) is once ended and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Here, the state where the preparation is completed (the state where the preparation is not in progress) refers to a state where the first grand prize opening 31a may be opened, and when the round to be started is the first round, a fanfare effect is performed. When the round to be started is a round after the second round, the interval time (the closing time in which the big winning openings 31a and 35a are closed) performed immediately before the start of the round is indicated. Refers to the elapsed state.

  When the CPU 201 returns to the game control process, while repeating the series of various processes shown in FIG. 19, if the CPU 201 determines that it is not preparing (preparation complete) in the process of S682 (S682; NO), the first big prize opening solenoid 31c. The first big winning opening 31a is opened (S684), and the continuation confirmation round process (S650) is temporarily terminated to return to the game control process of FIG.

  After the CPU 201 returns to the game control process and performs a series of various processes shown in FIG. 19, the big hit game process (S600) is started again. In this case, the first big prize opening 31a is being opened in the process of S652. (S652; YES). Then, it is determined whether or not the opening time (26 seconds) of the first big winning opening 31a in the open state has passed (S654). If the opening time has elapsed (S654; YES), the process proceeds to S658. If the opening time has not elapsed (654; NO), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls that have entered the first grand prize opening 31a has reached a specified number (10 in this embodiment) ( In S656), even when the specified number is reached (S656; YES), the process proceeds to S658.

  If it is determined that the opening time (26 seconds) of the first grand prize opening 31a has not elapsed and that a predetermined number of game balls have not entered the first big prize opening 31a, The continuation confirmation round process (S650) is temporarily ended while maintaining the release, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In this case, when the CPU 201 obtains a positive determination in the process of S654 or S656 of the continuation confirmation round process (S650) while repeatedly performing the series of various processes shown in FIG. 19 when returning to S650. The process proceeds to S658 and subsequent steps.

  In the process of S658, the first big prize opening solenoid 31c is driven and controlled to close the first big prize opening 31a. Then, a process of decrementing the remaining number of rounds by a value of 1 (S660) and a process of incrementing the execution round R by a value of 1 (S662) are performed, and the continuation confirmation round process (S650) is temporarily terminated to play the game shown in FIG. Return to control processing. Thereby, one round game (continuation confirmation round) is completed in this way.

  Next, the continuation indefinite round process (S700) of S700 will be described. This continuous indeterminacy round process (S700) is performed in a continuous indeterminacy round, and is executed based on the flowchart shown in FIG. When the continuous uncertain round process (S700) is activated, the CPU 201 first determines whether or not the second big prize opening 35a is open (S702), and determines that it is not open (S702; NO). Then, it is determined whether or not the error occurrence flag is released (set to OFF) (S720). If the error occurrence flag is set (set to ON) (S720; NO), the continuation indeterminate round process (S700) is terminated as it is. In this case, the second grand prize winning opening 35a is not opened.

  On the other hand, when the error occurrence flag is canceled (set to OFF) (S720; YES), it is determined whether or not preparation for opening the second big prize opening 35a is being made (S722). If it is determined that preparation is in progress (S722; YES), the continuation indeterminate round process (S700) is once terminated and the game control process of FIG. 19 is resumed. Here, the state where preparation is completed (the state where preparation is not in progress) refers to a state where the second grand prize opening 35a may be opened, and an interval time (large prize opening 31a) that is performed immediately before the start of the round to be started. , 35a is a closed state).

  When the CPU 201 returns to the game control process and determines that it is not preparing (preparation complete) in the process of S722 (S722; NO) while repeatedly performing a series of various processes shown in FIG. 19, the second big prize winning solenoid 35c. When the second large winning opening 35a is opened (S724), the effective period for validating the detection of the passing of the game ball to the specific area 11R is started (S726). Then, after the distribution device drive execution flag is set (set to ON) (S728), the distribution solenoid 36b is driven (S730), and the continuation uncertain round process (S700) is terminated. Here, the distribution device drive execution flag is a flag indicating that the distribution solenoid 36b can be driven. When this flag is set (set to ON), the distribution solenoid 36b can be driven. When released (set to OFF), the sorting solenoid 36b cannot be driven.

  After the CPU 201 returns to the game control process and performs a series of various processes shown in FIG. 19, the big hit game process (S600) is started again. In this case, the second big prize opening 35a is being opened in the process of S702. (S702; YES). Then, it is determined whether or not the opening time has elapsed since the second grand prize winning opening 35a has been opened (S704). Here, the opening time determined in the process of S704 is “25 seconds” when the second big prize opening 35a is opened with the first opening pattern, and the second big prize opening 35a is opened with the second opening pattern. “7 seconds”, and when the second grand prize opening 35a is opened in the third release pattern, “1.5 seconds (the time until the second 0.5 second release is completed. The time for performing the 0.5 second opening twice with the intermediate closure in between).

  If the open time (25 seconds, 7 seconds, or 1.5 seconds) has elapsed (S704; YES), the process proceeds to S708. If the opening time has not elapsed (704; NO), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls that have entered the second big prize opening 35a has reached a specified number (10 in this embodiment) ( S706) Even when the specified number is reached (S706; YES), the process proceeds to S708. If it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed and a predetermined number of game balls have not entered the second grand prize opening 35a (S704; NO, S706; NO), The continuation indeterminate round process (S700) is temporarily terminated while maintaining the release, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In this case, while a series of various processes shown in FIG. 19 are repeatedly performed, if a positive determination is made in the process of S704 or S706 of the continuation indeterminate round process (S700), the process proceeds to the processes after S708.

  In the process of S708, the second big prize opening solenoid 35c is driven and controlled to close the second big prize opening 35a. When the processing of S708 is performed, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the specific area passage flag is set (set to ON) (S710). If the specific area passing flag is set (set to ON) (S710; YES), the process of canceling the specific area passing flag (set to OFF) (S712) and the number of remaining rounds by 1 A process of decrementing (S714) and a process of incrementing the execution round R by a value 1 (S716) are performed, the continuation indeterminate round process (S700) is once terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. As a result, the continuation uncertain round (S700) is terminated. In this case, if the remaining number of rounds is a positive value, the subsequent continuous uncertain round (S700) is executed (see FIG. 24). Here, the specific area passing flag indicates whether or not the game ball has passed through the specific area 11R within the effective period (described later) in the target continuation uncertainty round. When the specific area passage flag is set (set to ON), it indicates that the game ball has passed through the specific area 11R within the effective period (described later). The specific area passage flag will be described using a specific area passage presence / absence monitoring process (S980) in FIG. The valid period will be described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S710 that the specific area passage flag has been released (set to OFF) (S710; NO), the remaining number of rounds is set to “zero” (S718), and continuation indefinite The round process (S700) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In this case, when the big hit game process (S600) of FIG. 24 is started, a positive determination is made in the process of S610, and the big hit game (S600) is ended. At this time, when the continuous undetermined round that has been executed is not the upper limit round of the big hit game, the next continuous undetermined round cannot be executed (that is, a so-called “puncture state”).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 27, the big hit game end process (S800) will be described. When this jackpot game end process (S800) is started, the CPU 201 releases the jackpot game flag (sets it to OFF) (S805) as shown in FIG. 22 ”(see S354 in FIG. 22)”, information on the type of jackpot symbol (hereinafter referred to as “this jackpot symbol”), which is the premise of this jackpot game, is acquired (S810). Based on the above, a process for setting a game state after the big hit game is completed.

  In other words, when the current big hit symbol is a probable change big hit symbol (S820; YES), a process for setting the probability change flag (set to ON) (S822) and a process for setting "10,000" to the fluctuation shortening counter After performing (S835), the process of setting the variable shortening flag (S850), and the process of setting the release extension flag (S855), the big hit game end process (S800) is terminated. On the other hand, if the current big hit symbol is a normal big hit symbol (S820; NO), the process of setting “100” in the fluctuation shortening counter (S835) and the process of setting the fluctuation shortening flag (S850). Then, after performing the process of setting the release extension flag (S855), the big hit game end process (S800) is terminated.

  Next, the outline of the jackpot game-related command output process (S860) will be described with reference to FIG. The jackpot game-related command output process (S860) is performed as the jackpot game progresses. As a subroutine of the special symbol game process (S300) and the jackpot game process (S600), the main control unit 200A (main control board 200). CPU 201) mounted on the. In this process, as the jackpot game progresses, a command for controlling the execution of a “jackpot game effect process” (see FIG. 32) described later is transmitted to the sub-control unit 220A.

  As shown in FIG. 28, when the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines that the start timing of the big hit game has arrived (S865; YES), it sends a “big hit game start designation command” to the sub-control board 220. After the transmission (S870), the jackpot game related command output process (S860) is terminated. Here, the start timing of the big hit game arrives when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets the opening mode of the big prize opening and sets the “big hit game flag” to ON (see S370 and S378 in FIG. 22). To do. The “big hit game start designation command” is a command for instructing the sub-control unit 220A to start the “effect indicating the start of the big hit game (so-called“ fanfare effect ”).

  When the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines that the start timing of the round game has arrived (S865; NO, S875; YES), the “open designation command (round number designation command)” is directed to the sub-control board 220. (S880), the jackpot game-related command output process (S860) is terminated. That is, in the present embodiment, the “round game execution upper limit number” is “10 times”, “13 times”, or “16 times” depending on the type of jackpot. Therefore, the CPU 201 sets “open designation command (round number designation command)”, that is, “round number designation command for designating each round number to be started” to “10 times”, “13” according to the type of jackpot that has occurred. "Times" or "16 times" is output as the upper limit number. Note that the start timing of the round game arrives when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs the processing of “S684 in FIG. 25” or “S724 in FIG. 26”.

  When the CPU 201 determines that the end timing of the round game has arrived (S865; NO, S875; NO, S885; YES), the CPU 201 sends a “big prize opening closing command (round end command)” to the sub-control board 220. (S890), the jackpot game related command output process (S860) is terminated. The “big winning opening closing designation command (round end command)” is a command for causing the sub-control unit 220A to start “interval display”. The end timing of the round game arrives when the CPU 201 performs the process of “S658 in FIG. 25” or “S708 in FIG. 26”.

  When the CPU 201 determines that the jackpot game end timing has arrived (S865; NO, S875; NO, S885; NO, S892; YES), after transmitting the “hit game end designation command” to the sub-control board 220 ( S896), the jackpot game related command output process (S860) is terminated. Here, the big hit game end timing arrives at the timing when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines that the “big hit game end condition” is satisfied (S610 in FIG. 24; YES). Here, as a case where the big hit game is ended, there are a case where the round game is played up to the upper limit number of times and a case where the continuation condition is not satisfied in the continuation uncertain round. When a “big hit game end designation command” is transmitted to the sub-control unit 220A, the sub-control unit 220A executes a “hit end effect (hit hit ending effect)” in the effect display device 27 and the like (S1850 in FIG. 32). reference).

  Next, an outline of the round display start process (S930) will be described with reference to FIG. This round display start process (S930) is for starting display in the confirmed round display part 66a and the indeterminate round display part 66b. As a subroutine of the special symbol game process (S300), the main control part 200A ( This is a process performed by the CPU 201) mounted on the main control board 200. When the round display start process (S930) is activated, it is determined whether or not the big hit symbol is stopped (S932). If the determination is negative (S932; NO), the round display start process (S930) is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the big hit symbol is displayed on the first special symbol display unit 62a or the second special symbol display unit 62b (when the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed in the processing of S344 in FIG. 21), in the processing of S932 Judgment is positive. In this case, display of “predetermined times” is started on the confirmed round display portion 66a, and display of “multiple times” is started on the upper limit round display portion 66b. Then, when the display on the confirmed round display part 66a and the upper limit round display part 66b is started, the round display start process (S930) is ended.

  Next, an outline of the round display end process (S960) will be described with reference to FIG. This round display end process (S960) is for ending the display started in the round display start process (S930). As a subroutine of the big hit game process (S600), the main control unit 200A (to the main control board 200). This is a process performed by the mounted CPU 201). When the round display end process (S960) is activated, it is determined whether or not round display (display on the confirmed round display unit 66a and the upper limit round display unit 66b) is being executed (S962). (S962; NO), the round display end process (S960) is ended as it is.

  If the round display (display on the confirmed round display portion 66a and the upper limit round display portion 66b) is being executed (S962; YES), it is determined whether or not it is the end timing of the big hit game (S964). If it is not the game end timing (S964; NO), the round display end processing (S960) is ended as it is. On the other hand, if it is the end timing of the big hit game (S964; YES), after the round display (display on the confirmed round display portion 66a and the upper limit round display portion 66b) is ended (S967), the round display end processing (S960) is ended. Here, the big hit game end timing shown in the round display end processing (S960) also arrives at the timing at which the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines that the “big hit game end condition” is satisfied (S610 in FIG. 24; YES).

C. First grand prize opening monitoring process (S900) and second big prize opening monitoring process (S905)
The first big prize opening monitoring process (S900) is a process for monitoring a ball clogging that may occur in the first big prize opening 31a, and the second big prize opening monitoring process (S905) occurs in the second big prize opening 35a. This process is a process for monitoring the clogging of the balls to be obtained.

  In this first prize winning port monitoring process (S900), even if a predetermined time (for example, 1 second or 2 seconds) elapses after the CPU 201 closes the first prize winning port 31a, the remaining in the first prize winning port 31a. When it is determined that the sphere does not become zero, the error occurrence flag is set (set to ON). That is, when the number of game balls that have entered the first big winning opening 31a does not match the number of game balls to be discharged, this is a process of setting an error occurrence flag (set to ON). Specifically, after the end of one round game (continuation confirmation round), the game detected by the first grand prize opening entrance detection switch 31s even if a predetermined time (for example, 1 second or 2 seconds) elapses. If the number of balls does not match the number of game balls detected by the first grand prize port discharge detection switch 31t (if the latter number is smaller), the remaining balls (entered the ball). An error occurrence flag is set (set to ON) on the assumption that there is a ball that is not discharged.

  Further, the second grand prize opening monitoring process (S905) is performed in the second big prize opening 35a even if a predetermined time (for example, 1 second or 2 seconds) elapses after the CPU 201 closes the second big prize opening 35a. When it is determined that the remaining sphere of the vehicle does not become zero, the error occurrence flag is set (set to ON). That is, when the number of game balls that have entered the second grand prize opening 31a does not match the number of game balls to be discharged, this is a process of setting an error flag (set to ON). Specifically, after the continuation indefinite round game is finished, even if a predetermined time (for example, 1 second or 2 seconds) elapses, the number of game balls detected by the second grand prize opening entrance detection switch 35s is: If the total number of game balls detected by the specific region passage detection switch 35u and the total number of game balls detected by the non-specific region passage detection switch 35v do not match (if the latter total number is smaller), the second largest An error occurrence flag is set (set to ON) on the assumption that there are remaining balls (balls that have entered but are not discharged) in the winning opening 35a.

  In the continuous uncertain round, the game balls are caught by the sorting member 36a whose posture is changed, remain in the second big prize opening 35a, and are discharged with the number of game balls entered in the second big prize opening 31a. There may be a problem that the number of game balls does not match. For this reason, when this failure occurs after the continuation uncertain round is performed, the CPU 201 performs a retry process that changes the distribution member 36a from the first posture to the second posture, and again to the first posture. . Then, by performing this retry process once or a plurality of times, when the number of game balls that have entered the second grand prize opening 31a matches the number of game balls to be discharged, the second big prize opening monitoring process ( S905) is terminated as it is, and if they do not match, the error occurrence flag is set (set to ON).

D. Validity period monitoring process (S920)
Next, the effective period monitoring process (S920) will be briefly described. This valid period monitoring process (S920) is a process for ending the valid period. More specifically, when the CPU 201 determines that the first release pattern is being executed in the continuous indeterminate round, as shown in FIG. 9B, 15 seconds have passed after the second big prize opening 35a is opened. When the time has elapsed, the effective period is ended, and the effective period monitoring process (S920) is ended. However, when 15 seconds have passed since the opening of the second grand prize opening 35a, a predetermined number of game balls enter the second big prize opening 35a, and when the second big prize opening 35a is closed, at that time End the validity period.

  If the CPU 201 determines that the second release pattern is being executed in the continuous uncertain round, as shown in FIG. 10A, when 6 seconds have elapsed since the second big prize opening 35a was opened. The effective period is ended (one second before the maximum opening time of 7 seconds elapses), and the effective period monitoring process (S920) ends. However, when 6 seconds have passed after the second grand prize opening 35a is opened, when a predetermined number of game balls enter the second big prize opening 35a and the second big prize opening 35a is closed, at that time End the validity period.

  Further, when the CPU 201 determines that the third release pattern is being executed in the continuous uncertain round, as shown in FIG. 10B, 1.5 seconds have passed since the second big prize opening 35a was opened. Sometimes (before starting the second short opening), the effective period ends, and the effective period monitoring process (S920) ends. In this case as well, when 1.5 seconds have passed since the second grand prize opening 35a is opened, a predetermined number of game balls enter the second big prize opening 35a and the second big prize opening 35a is closed. Although the effective period is supposed to be terminated at that time, the possibility of such a situation is extremely low or there is no possibility of such a situation.

E. Sorting device drive processing (S950)
Next, the distribution device driving process (S950) in S950 will be briefly described. As described above, when the second big prize opening 35a is opened in the continuous uncertain round, the distribution device drive execution flag is set (set to ON), and the distribution solenoid 36b is driven (see FIG. 26). (Refer to the processing of S728 and S730).

  When the CPU 201 determines that the second big prize opening 35a is opened in the third opening pattern in the continuous uncertain round, the second big prize opening 35a finishes the first short opening as shown in FIG. 10 (b). At the same time, the process of stopping the driving of the sorting solenoid 36b and the process of canceling (setting OFF) the sorting apparatus drive execution flag are performed, and then the sorting apparatus driving process (S950) is terminated. Thereby, the attitude | position of the distribution member 36a is returned from a 2nd attitude | position to the 1st attitude | position (attitude which distributes a game ball to the non-specific area | region 11T). At this time, since the distribution device drive execution flag is released (set to OFF), the distribution solenoid 36b is not driven thereafter (see the third drive pattern in FIG. 10B). For this reason, even if the 2nd big winning opening 35a starts the second short opening, the posture of the sorting member 36a is maintained in the first posture. For control purposes, if a prescribed number of game balls enter the second big prize opening 35a before the first short opening, the posture of the sorting member 36a is immediately returned to the first posture. However, it is virtually impossible to make this happen.

  When the CPU 201 determines that the second big prize opening 35a is opened in the first opening pattern in the continuous uncertain round, “when the second big prize opening 35a is opened in the third opening pattern, the closed state is established. When the same time as the “time” (same time after the first short opening ends), the process of stopping the distribution solenoid 36b is once performed. At this time, since the distribution device drive execution flag remains set (set to ON), the distribution solenoid 36b can be driven thereafter (see the first drive pattern in FIG. 9B). . Then, when 3.5 seconds have elapsed since the start of the continuation uncertain round (when the second big prize opening 35a is first opened), the distribution solenoid 36b is driven again, and this drive continues for 10.5 seconds. (Continue until 14 seconds have passed since the second big prize opening 35a started to open). Thereby, the attitude | position of the distribution member 36a becomes a 2nd attitude | position again, and it becomes possible to guide a game ball to the specific area | region 11R.

  When the drive time of 10.5 seconds elapses, the CPU 201 performs the process of stopping the drive of the sorting solenoid 36b and the process of canceling (setting OFF) the sorter drive execution flag, The device driving process (S950) is terminated. Thereby, the attitude | position of the distribution member 36a is returned from a 2nd attitude | position to the 1st attitude | position (attitude which distributes a game ball to the non-specific area | region 11T). However, if a prescribed number of game balls enter the second big prize opening 35a before the second driving time (10.5 seconds) elapses, the posture of the sorting member 36a is immediately returned to the first posture. .

  Further, when the CPU 201 determines that the second big prize opening 35a is opened in the second opening pattern in the continuous uncertain round, “when the second big prize opening 35a is opened in the third opening pattern, the closed state is established. When the same time as the “time” (same time after the first short opening ends), the process of stopping the distribution solenoid 36b is once performed. Also in this case, since the distribution device drive execution flag remains set (set to ON), the distribution solenoid 36b can be driven thereafter (see the second drive pattern in FIG. 10A). ). Then, when 3.5 seconds have elapsed since the start of the continuation uncertain round (when the second big prize opening 35a is first opened), the sorting solenoid 36b is driven again, and this driving continues for 1.5 seconds. (Continued until 6 seconds have elapsed since the opening of the second big prize opening 35a). Thereby, the attitude | position of the distribution member 36a becomes a 2nd attitude | position again, and it becomes possible to guide a game ball to the specific area | region 11R. When the driving time of 1.5 seconds elapses, the CPU 201 performs processing for stopping the driving of the sorting solenoid 36b and processing for releasing (setting to OFF) the sorting device drive execution flag, The device driving process (S950) is terminated. Thereby, the attitude | position of the distribution member 36a is returned from a 2nd attitude | position to the 1st attitude | position (attitude which distributes a game ball to the non-specific area | region 11T). However, if a prescribed number of game balls enter the second big prize opening 35a before the second driving time (1.5 seconds) elapses, the posture of the sorting member 36a is immediately returned to the first posture. .

F. Specific area passage presence / absence monitoring process (S980)
Next, the specific area passage presence / absence monitoring process (S980) in S980 will be described with reference to FIG. When the specific area passage presence / absence monitoring process (S980) is activated, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines whether or not it is within the valid period (S982). If it is within the effective period (S982; YES), it is determined whether or not the passage of the game ball to the specific area 11R is detected by the specific area passage detection switch 35u (S984). If it is detected (S984; YES), the specific area passage flag is set (set to ON) (S986), and then the specific area passage presence / absence monitoring process (S980) is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not within the valid period (S982; NO) and when the passing of the game ball to the specific area 11R is not detected (S984; NO), the specific area passing flag is set (ON) The specific region passage presence / absence monitoring process (S980) is terminated without setting the above.

(5) Production control processing (S1000)
Next, with reference to FIG. 30B, an outline of the “effect control process (S1000)” performed by the sub control unit 220A (the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220) in cooperation with the effect display control unit 222A will be described. . Note that FIG. 30B illustrates only main processes among the processes constituting the effect control process. In this effect control process (S1000), main processes such as a symbol variation effect process (S1100) and a big hit game effect process (S1800) are repeatedly executed. Further, since the time required for one round of the process in FIG. 29B is about 2 msec, these processes are repeatedly executed every about 2 msec.

a. Symbol variation effect processing (S1100)
In the symbol variation effect process (S1100), as shown in FIG. 31, when the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 receives a command at the time of symbol variation start (S1105; YES), the processing after S1110 is executed. Here, the commands received in the processing of S1105 are a variation pattern designation command and a special symbol stop information designation command.

  Based on the received “special symbol stop information designation command”, the CPU 220a can determine the result of the determination as to whether it has been executed in the main control unit 200A. If the determination result is a big hit (S1110; YES), a process for distributing the effect pattern table at the time of the big hit is performed based on the received variation pattern designation command (S1115). If the result of the determination is wrong (S1110; NO), a process of distributing the effect pattern table at the time of failure is performed based on the received variation pattern designation command (S1120).

  When the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 ends the process of S1115 or S1120, the CPU 220a performs the process of S1140. In the process of S1140, the effect pattern of the design variation effect is determined using the effect pattern table set in the process of S1115 or S1120 (S1140). In this case, in the process of S1140 after the process of S1115, the specific execution mode of the display effect executed on the display screen 27a, the specific mode of the reach display, etc. according to the effect pattern determined in the process of S1140. A display pattern from the start to the end of the symbol variation display (determined display) is determined (S1140). Further, in the process of S1140 executed through the process of S1120, a specific execution mode and reach display of the display effect executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is performed according to the effect pattern determined in the process of S1140. The display pattern from the start to the end (definite display) of the variation display of the effect symbols such as the reach display mode in the case of execution is determined.

  When the CPU 220a performs the process of S1140, the CPU 220a performs the process of setting the stop symbol of the effect symbol (the symbol to be confirmed and displayed) (S1145), and then proceeds to the process of S1150. Here, in the process of S1145 executed through the process of S1115 and the process of S1140, a specific mode or the like of “effect design for definite display of big hit” is selected and set as the “big hit stop symbol”, and the process of S1120 In the process of S1145 executed through the processes of S1140 and S1140, a specific mode or the like of “the effect symbol for definite display” is selected and set as the “outage stop symbol”.

  In the process of S1150, a command (effect display detail command) for designating the “effect pattern” determined in the process of S1140 and the “stop pattern of the effect design” determined in the process of S1145 is displayed on the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board). 222), and the effect display device 27 starts to display the effect symbols such as effect symbols and background symbols in a variable manner (S1150). That is, the symbol variation effect on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is started. Thereafter, when a symbol stop command is received (S1160), the symbol variation effect is terminated (S1165).

b. Big hit game effect processing (S1800)
The jackpot game effect process (S1800) is performed when the gaming machine 1 plays a jackpot game. In this jackpot game effect process (S1800), as shown in FIG. 32, when a “hit game start designation command” is received (S1805; YES), a fanfare effect execution process is performed (S1810). Here, in the gaming machine 1, when a big hit occurs, a big hit game start designation command is transmitted from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A. That is, the main control unit 200A sets the opening mode of the big winning opening (the first big winning opening 31a, the second big winning opening 35a), and sets the “big hit game flag” (set to ON) at the timing (see FIG. 22 S370, 378), a big hit game start designation command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 220A.

  Each time the sub-control unit 220A receives a round start designation command, the sub-control unit 220A executes a round effect on the display screen 27a and the like of the effect display device 27. That is, when a big hit occurs, the main control unit 200A transmits a “hit game start designation command” and then transmits a “round start designation command” to the sub-control unit 220A at the start timing of the round game. As a result, the sub-control unit 220A receives the “round start designation command for designating the start of the first round” (S1815), and thus performs the “effect indicating that it is one round” on the display screen 27a ( S1820).

  Even when the subsequent rounds are started, the sub control unit 220A receives the round start designation command, so that the sub control unit 220A receives the round start designation command (S1815; YES), and the effect display device 27 A round effect is executed on the display screen 27a and the like (S1820, S1818). In this case, when the jackpot land to be executed is a continuation uncertain round other than the continuation undetermined round to be executed first (S1816; YES), “V display (congratulate the establishment of the continuation condition is celebrated) during the round performance. Display) "is made (S1818). In other round games (continuation confirmed round and first continuation uncertain round) (S1816; NO), a round effect without “V display (display congratulating the establishment of the continuous condition)” is executed. (S1820).

  Further, as described above, the main control unit 200A transmits a “round end designation command” to the sub-control unit 220A at the timing of ending the round game. When the sub-control unit 220A receives this “round end command” (S1830; YES), the sub-control unit 220A ends the running round effect and starts the “interval effect” on the effect display device 27 and the like (S1835). Furthermore, every time the sub-control unit 220A receives a subsequent “round start designation command”, the sub-control unit 220A ends the “interval effect”, starts the “round effect”, and receives the subsequent “round end command”. "Interval production" is started.

  Furthermore, every time the sub-control unit 220A receives a subsequent “round start designation command”, the sub-control unit 220A ends the “interval effect”, starts the “round effect”, and receives the subsequent “round end command”. "Interval production" is started. In this manner, the “round effect” is repeated until the “round effect” related to the final round is performed with the “interval effect” interposed therebetween. As described above, when the “big hit game end designation command” is transmitted from the main control unit 200A to the sub control unit 220A at the timing when the final round ends while executing the big hit game effect, the sub control unit 220A The “big hit game end designation command” is received (S1840; YES). Then, the sub control unit 220A that has received the “big hit game end designation command” executes the ending effect (S1850), and then ends the big hit game effect (S1800).

(6) Effects of the embodiment The gaming machine 1 realizes a big hit gaming state in which the first big prize opening 31a and the second big prize opening 35a are effectively linked. Specifically, when the big hit game is started, the first big prize opening 31a is used in a predetermined round game from the first time, and the second big prize opening 35a is used in the remaining round games. And in the continuation fixed round game which uses the 1st big winning opening 31a, it continues unconditionally until the frequency | count of execution becomes predetermined time. On the other hand, in a continuous indeterminate round game using the second grand prize opening 35a, the player establishes a continuation condition by himself (the game ball is entered into the second big prize opening 35a, and this game ball Is detected by the specific region passage detection switch 35u within the effective period) is a condition for executing the next second ball game. In other words, in this gaming machine 1, when the big hit gaming state is entered, “determined profit associated with the execution of the continuous confirmed round game” and “deterministic profit associated with the execution of the continuous undefined round game (depending on the success or failure of the continuation of own power The profit that can be fluctuated) "is given in cooperation with the first grand prize winning port 31a and the second big prize winning port 35a.

  That is, when the big hit gaming state is started, the player plays the game with a sense of security in the continuous confirmed round game from the first time to the predetermined number of times, and the continuous uncertain round game from the next time to the predetermined number of times. The game will be played with tension. For this reason, when the big hit game state is started, it is realized by using a big winning entry (variable entry) with different entry games (continuous fixed round game, continuous uncertain round game) that the image received by the player is greatly different It is possible to enhance the entertainment interest. In addition, since the gaming machine 1 makes a distinction between the “predetermined number of times determined to be executed using the first grand prize winning opening 31a” and the “maximum number of continuations of the round game (multiple times)”, the big hit The contents of the gaming state (development of the big hit gaming state, profits that can be given in the big hit gaming state, etc.) can be appropriately transmitted to the player. Specifically, the notification result regarding the predetermined times and the plurality of times makes it clear that the size of the plurality of times and the ratio of the predetermined times among the plurality of times are obvious, and the notification result can make the player feel excited. , Can enhance the game entertainment.

  Further, in the gaming machine 1, “predetermined times” and “multiple times” are set in various ways, and the result of this setting is notified, so that it is easy to enhance the gaming interest from this point. For example, if the “predetermined number of times” is small, the confirmed profit (confirmed predetermined number of times) is small, and the period during which a game can be played with a sense of security is shortened. On the other hand, if the “predetermined number of times” increases, the determined profit (the determined predetermined number of times) increases, and the period during which the game can be played with a sense of security becomes longer. For this reason, when “predetermined times” and “multiple times” are notified, the player's impression varies according to the notification result, and therefore it is easier to enhance the game interest by the notification result.

  Further, in the gaming machine 1, since the notification by the confirmed round display unit 66a and the upper limit round display unit 66b is executed when the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed, the game entertainment is enhanced at a stretch with the stop display of the big hit symbol. be able to. For example, when the “predetermined condition” is satisfied, the “predetermined number of times” is less discouraged, and the greater number is delighted, so that the game can be accented and the game entertainment is enhanced.

  Further, in this gaming machine 1, since the notification by the confirmed round display unit 66a and the upper limit round display unit 66b is continuously performed until the big hit game is finished, the player can make a “round using the first big winning opening 31a. You will continue to feel “a sense of security in the game” and “a sense of tension in the round game using the second big prize opening 35a” until the big hit game ends. For this reason, the big hit game that may be in a simple game state in which the game ball is made to enter the first grand prize opening 31a or the like can be made into a game state in which the game interest can be continuously enhanced.

  Furthermore, in this gaming machine 1, since the notification by the confirmed round display unit 66a and the upper limit round display unit 66b is controlled by the main control unit 200A (game control means), this notification can be reliably performed. Further, in this embodiment, in the confirmed round display part 66a and the upper limit round display part 66b, the achievement rate of the “continuation condition” in the continuation uncertain round (for example, “continuation condition in which the continuation uncertain round is performed only by the first release pattern” ) Is a big hit with a high achievement rate or a big hit with a low success rate for the “continuation condition” including the uncertain continuation round performed in the third release pattern, etc.). The impact is caused by the opening pattern that is encountered when the final round is started (depending on whether the opening pattern of the second big prize opening 35a, the first opening pattern, the second opening pattern, or the third opening turn is encountered). Given, you can further enhance the entertainment interest.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an indeterminate round display section 66c is provided instead of the upper limit round display section 66b. In the second embodiment, the number of continuous confirmed rounds (predetermined number) is displayed on the confirmed round display section 66a, and the number of continuous undefined rounds that can be executed is displayed on the undefined round display section 66c. Here, a specific example of the “number notification means” is configured by the confirmed round display portion 66a and the indeterminate round display portion 66c.

  The configuration of the confirmation round display unit 66a is the same as that of the first embodiment, and includes a first display LED 67a, a second display LED 67b, and a third display LED 67c. The indeterminate round display part 66c is a part for displaying the number of continuous indeterminate rounds (the number obtained by subtracting a predetermined number from a plurality of times). In the second embodiment, the confirmed round display portion 66a and the indeterminate round display portion 66c are turned on when a big hit symbol is displayed on the special symbol display portions (62a, 62b).

  As shown in FIG. 33 (a), the indeterminate round display section 66c has the same number of times “7” as the first display LED 69a for displaying that the number of continuous indeterminate rounds is “6”. A second display LED 69b for displaying that there is a third display LED 69c for displaying that the same number is “8”, and a second display LED 69c for displaying that the same number is “9”. 4 display LED 69d, fifth display LED 69e for displaying that the same number is “10”, and sixth display LED 69f for indicating that the same number is “12”, and the same number of times And a seventh display LED 69g for displaying that “14” is “14”.

  In the gaming machine of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33 (a), when the normal big hit symbol A is stopped and displayed (when the 10R normal big hit A is generated), the first display LED 67a of the confirmed round display portion 66a is Illuminates (indicating that the predetermined number of times is 2), and the third display LED 69c of the indeterminate round display section 66c is lit (indicating that the number of continuous indeterminate rounds is 8). Accordingly, the player can understand that the predetermined number of times is two times and the plurality of times is ten times.

  Although illustration is omitted, when the normal big hit symbol B is stopped and displayed (when the 10R normal big hit B is generated), the second display LED 67b of the finalized round display section 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is four times). Then, the first display LED 69a of the indeterminate round display section 66c is lit (displays that the number of continuous indeterminate rounds is 6). When the normal big hit symbol C is stopped and displayed (when the 13R normal big hit C is generated), the second display LED 67b of the finalized round display section 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is four times), The fourth display LED 69d of the indeterminate round display section 66c is lit (displays that the number of continuous indeterminate rounds is 9).

  When the probability variation big hit symbol A is stopped (when 10R probability variation big hit A is generated), the second display LED 67b of the confirmation round display section 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is four times), and is uncertain. The first display LED 69a of the round display portion 66c is lit (displays that the number of continuous uncertain rounds is 6). When the probability variation big hit symbol B is stopped and displayed (when 16R probability variation big hit B is generated), the third display LED 67c of the confirmed round display portion 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is six), The fifth display LED 69e of the indeterminate round display section 66c is lit (displays that the number of continuous indeterminate rounds is 10).

  When the normal big hit symbol D is stopped and displayed (when the 16R normal big hit D is generated), the second display LED 67b of the confirmed round display section 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is four times), and is uncertain. The sixth display LED 69f of the round display section 66c is lit (displays that the number of continuation indeterminate rounds is 12). Further, when the probability variation big hit symbol C is stopped and displayed (when 13R probability variation big hit C is generated), the third display LED 67c of the confirmed round display portion 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is six), The second display LED 69b of the indeterminate round display section 66c is lit (displays that the number of continuous indeterminate rounds is 7).

  Furthermore, when the probability variation big hit symbol D is stopped and displayed (when the 16R probability variation big hit D is generated), the first display LED 67a of the confirmed round display portion 66a is turned on (indicating that the predetermined number of times is two times), The seventh display LED 69g of the indeterminate round display section 66c is lit (displays that the number of continuous indeterminate rounds is 14).

  In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In the gaming machine of the second embodiment, when the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed, the number of confirmed rounds (predetermined number of times) and the number of continuous uncertain rounds (the number of times obtained by subtracting the predetermined number from a plurality of times) are displayed. Therefore, the player understands the upper limit number of round games (a plurality of times) in his / her head and proceeds with the jackpot game. In other words, since the maximum number of times (multiple times) will be understood with the one-cushion put after the big hit symbol is stopped, the big hits that will start from now on until the maximum number of times (multiple times) is understood. The expectation to a game can be heightened. As shown in FIG. 33 (b), an indeterminate round display portion 66c is used together with an upper limit round display portion 66b as a gaming machine according to a variation of the first embodiment and the second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the first variation). A gaming machine provided may also be exemplified.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the display mode of the upper limit round display section 66b differs depending on the type of jackpot that is generated (the type of jackpot symbol that is stopped) as shown in FIG. Specifically, the light emission colors of the LEDs (first display LED 68a, second display LED 68b, and third display LED 67c) constituting the upper limit round display unit 66b are different depending on the difficulty level of reaching the upper limit round. It is

  As the LEDs (first display LED 68a, second display LED 68b, and third display LED 68c) constituting the upper limit round display section 66b of the third embodiment, so-called “full color LEDs (for example, red, green, and blue 3) LED lamps with different types of LED chips) ”. The type (red, green, blue) and number of LED chips used by the main control unit 200A (“use only one LED chip”, “use two predetermined LED chips”, “three types” The light emission color can be made different by selecting “Use LED chip” or the like. The main control unit 200A performs PWM control, so that a wider variety of emission colors can be realized.

  In Example 3, when LEDs for displaying a plurality of times (first display LED 68a, second display LED 68b, and third display LED 68c) reach the upper limit round is “probability A”, When light is emitted “white” as shown in FIG. 34 (a) and the probability of reaching the upper limit round is “probability B lower than probability A”, “blue” as shown in FIG. 34 (b). When the probability of reaching the upper limit round is “probability C lower than probability B”, light is emitted “red” as shown in FIG.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15 (a), if the second big prize opening 35a has only an open state based on the first opening pattern as a continuous uncertain round, the upper limit round can be reached. When the property is high, “white” is emitted. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), when the second big prize opening 35a is provided with an open state based on the second opening pattern as a continuous uncertain round excluding the upper limit round (however, the third opening is not provided) If it is not provided with an open state based on the pattern), light is emitted in “blue”. And as shown to FIG. 16 (a) and (b), when the 2nd big prize opening 35a is provided with what becomes an open state based on a 3rd open pattern as a continuation uncertain round except an upper limit round. What is necessary is just to make it "red".

  Also in the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment. That is, since the reachability to the upper limit round can be determined by the display mode (“white”, “blue”, “red”) of the upper limit round display section 66b, the game entertainment can be further enhanced. For example, even if the upper limit round number (several times) is displayed in large numbers, if the upper limit round display portion 66b is lit in “red”, a big hit game is played with a sense of tension. On the other hand, even if the upper limit round number (multiple times) is displayed in a small amount, if the upper limit round display portion 66b is lit in “white”, a big hit game is played with a sense of expectation. Further, when the upper limit round display portion 66b is displayed in “white”, the player can play a game with a margin even in the continuous uncertain round. The third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, but may be a modification of the second embodiment. That is, the light emission colors of the LEDs (the first display LED 69a to the eighth display LED 69h) constituting the indeterminate round display section 66c can be made different, and it is possible to display that the upper limit round can be reached by this light emission color.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is limited to the description for specifying the present invention in the scope of the claims unless departing from the scope of the present invention. However, it is possible to appropriately add an improvement based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has, and to the extent that a person skilled in the art can easily replace them.

  That is, in each embodiment, the first variable winning opening 31a is provided with an attacker type first large winning opening 31a, and the second variable winning opening is provided with an opening / closing blade type second large winning opening 35a. The types of the first variable entrance and the second variable entrance are not limited to those shown in each embodiment. For example, the first variable entrance may be an open / close blade type and the second variable entrance may be an attacker type. Further, as in Modification 2 shown in FIG. 35 (a), the first grand prize winning opening (first variable pitching entrance) 31a and the second big winning prize opening (second variable pitching entrance) 35a are attacker types (implemented). It may be a type in which the lower edge portion is opened and closed with an opening / closing plate pivotally supported as in the first big prize winning opening 31a of Example 1.

  Further, as in Modification 3 shown in FIGS. 35 (b) and 36 (a), the first grand prize opening (first variable ball opening) 31a and the second big prize winning hole (second variable ball opening). An opening 351k that can receive a game ball flowing down the game area 11 on the front side of the game board 10 on at least one of the game boards 10a, and an opening / closing that appears from the front of the game board 10 to open / close the opening 351k The member 35b may be provided. Further, as in Modification 4 shown in FIG. 36 (b), a ball receiving member 25f that can protrude and retract toward the front of the board surface 10b of the game board 10, and a solenoid 25c that causes the ball receiving member 25f to move in and out (back and forth). May be provided. In this modification, the ball receiving member 25f has a substantially pocket shape opened upward, and when the ball receiving member 25f protrudes forward of the board surface 10b, the game ball reaching from above can be received by the ball receiving member 25f. is there.

  Furthermore, in each embodiment, the mode in which the display in the confirmed round display unit 66a, the upper limit round display unit 66b, and the indeterminate round display unit 66c is distinguished according to the type of LED lamp that emits light is exemplified. It is not limited to what is shown in the examples. For example, the display level of the level meter (for example, when displaying 6 rounds in a level meter in which 10 display units are arranged in sequence from one end to the other end, 6 display units are lit from one end side). It is good also as performing.

  In addition, in each embodiment, depending on the type of jackpot, there is a difference in the possibility of establishment of the continuation condition in the continuation uncertain round. (For example, in each embodiment, the second big prize opening 35a may be uniformly opened based on the first opening pattern in the continuous uncertain round).

  Further, in each embodiment, when the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed, the display of the confirmed round display portion 66a, the upper limit round display portion 66b, and the unconfirmed round display portion 66c is started (the stop display of the jackpot symbol is “predetermined condition”). ")" Is exemplified, but other embodiments can also be exemplified. For example, after a jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed, a gaming machine that starts a jackpot game when a predetermined start condition is satisfied (for example, when a ball passes the start gate after the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed, the jackpot game is started. In the gaming machine, when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, the display of the confirmed round display portion 66a, the upper limit round display portion 66b, and the indeterminate round display portion 66c is started (the jackpot symbol is stopped and the start condition is satisfied). A mode in which this is a “predetermined condition” can also be exemplified.

  In each example and each modification, the confirmed round display unit 66a, the upper limit round display unit 66b, and the indeterminate round display unit 66c are configured by LED lamps. However, the modified example 5 in FIG. As described above, a confirmed round display unit 66a configured by a 7-segment LED display body, an upper limit round display unit 66b configured by a 7-segment LED display unit, and an indeterminate round display unit configured by a 7-segment LED display unit (not shown) are illustrated. You can also Moreover, as shown in the modification 6 of FIG.37 (b), the aspect which provides the confirmation round display part 27d and the upper limit round display part 27e in the display screen 27a of the production | presentation display apparatus 27 can be illustrated. Furthermore, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the aspect (henceforth the modification 7) which provides a fixed round display part and an indefinite round display part in the display screen 27a of the production | presentation display apparatus 27 can also be illustrated. In Modification 6 and Modification 7, the effect control means (sub-control unit 220A) that performs control related to the effect is notified by the first notification means and the second notification means (the confirmed round display portion 66a, the upper limit round display portion). 66b, notification by the indeterminate round display unit 66c).

  In each embodiment, a mode in which the round game is executed in the order of the continuous confirmed round game and the continuous indeterminate round game is illustrated. However, the round game is executed in the order of the continuous fixed round game and the continuous indeterminate round game, and further, the continuous fixed round The modification which performs a game can also be illustrated. Furthermore, in each of the embodiments, the mode of determining whether or not the specific region 11R can be passed is determined by driving the sorting device 36. However, the passability may be determined in a different mode. For example, a periodic member that performs a periodic motion (rotation, up / down movement, left / right movement, etc.) is provided inside the second grand prize winning opening 35a, and depending on the timing at which the game ball that entered the second big winning opening 35a reaches the periodic member A mode of determining whether or not the specific region 11R can pass can also be exemplified. Further, the numbers displayed by the confirmed round display unit 66a, the upper limit round display unit 66b, and the indeterminate round display unit 66c are not limited to those shown in the embodiments and the modified examples.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are used as “rental balls” or “prize balls”, and various winning holes (first start) provided on the game board are used. Games that give the player a profit (game value) as a result of the game by paying out a predetermined number of prize balls in response to the entry of game balls into the mouth, the second start opening, the big prize opening, etc. Although the example in which the present invention is applied to the machine 1 has been described, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine of a type that gives a gaming profit (game value) in a form different from “payout of prize balls”. it can. As such a type of gaming machine, when a game ball is entered into various winning openings, data indicating the amount of profit (the magnitude of the game value) corresponding to the winning ball is given to the main control unit or the payout By storing it in the RAM of the control unit, it is possible to exemplify a gaming machine that gives a game profit (game value) to a player. In this case, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  As a type of gaming machine in which gaming profit (game value) is converted into data and given to the player, a gaming machine that circulates and uses a plurality of gaming balls built in the gaming machine, specifically, Examples of the game machine (so-called enclosed game machine) configured to return the game ball discharged to the back surface of the game board through various winning holes or out holes to the launch position and launch it again. In this type of game machine (so-called enclosed game machine), for example, every time a game ball enters a winning opening, for example, data indicating a prize ball amount determined for each winning opening is stored. Thus, the game value as a result of the game can be given to the player.

  The present invention can be used in the field of manufacturing and selling gaming machines.

1; gaming machine (ball game machine),
11R; specific region,
17a; first start opening (first variable entrance),
17b; second start opening (second variable entrance),
31a; first big prize opening,
35a; 2nd big winning entrance (special variable entrance),
66a; a confirmed round display section (first notification means),
66b; upper limit round display section (second notification means),
66a and 66b; frequency notification means,
66c; uncertain round display section,
200A; main control unit (game control means, first number setting means, second number setting means),
220A; sub-control unit (production control means).

Claims (1)

A specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player is started based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, and in the specific gaming state, a gaming machine in which a gaming ball for allowing a gaming ball to enter a predetermined variable entrance can be executed a plurality of times. Because
The variable entrance has a first variable entrance and a second variable entrance,
In the second variable entrance, there is provided specific detection means capable of detecting a game ball entering the second variable entrance, and the specific detection means detects the game ball in the specific game state. By doing so, it will be possible to execute the next entry game,
Of the plurality of entry games in the specific game state, the first variable entry port is used in the entry game from the first time to a predetermined number of times, and the entry from the next time of the predetermined number of times to the plurality of times is performed. In the ball game, the second variable entrance is used,
First notifying means for notifying the predetermined time;
Second notifying means for notifying the plurality of times;
Equipped with a,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the first notification means and the second notification means is performed when the predetermined condition is satisfied .

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