JP6097357B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides an effect of performing an effect when a symbol is variably displayed to indicate a determination result of whether or not to execute a special game, or when such a symbol variability display is not performed for a predetermined period. The present invention relates to a gaming machine including means.

  In the following patent document, a plurality of gaming machines are provided by outputting a synchronization pulse signal of a predetermined cycle from the start of power supply, and controlling the start timing and change timing of a demonstration image, an idling image, etc. based on the synchronization pulse signal. In other words, it is described that a game expression of the same content is performed at the same timing.

JP 2003-305240 A (paragraphs 0009 and 0010)

  However, in order to make the player feel fresh when the player gets bored with the game and continue the game, an effect that causes the plurality of gaming machines to perform the same game expression at the same timing, for example, If it is performed at a low frequency of about once per hour, the player does not know when such an effect will be performed, so the game will be stopped even if such an effect is performed, etc. There was a problem that the effect of continuing the game was not sufficient.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the effect of continuing the game.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes special game determination means for determining whether or not to perform a special game advantageous to the player by establishing a predetermined start condition;
Production control means for controlling predetermined production means;
With
The production control means includes
Based on the determination result by the special game determination means, a game effect control means for performing a game effect indicating the determination result;
A time measuring means for measuring time to a preset start time;
When the time measuring means knows the arrival of the start time, the special effect control means for causing the effect means to perform a special effect different from the game effect;
It is performed even when the game effect is being performed before the special effect is performed, provided that the predetermined condition is satisfied and the time until the start time is less than the predetermined time. even in the absence, and notification effect control means for causing the notification effect in response to time measured to notify the information on the start time by the clock means,
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, when the game effect is being performed, information regarding the start time of the special effect can be notified, so that the player is willing to continue the game until the display of the special effect is started. It can be generated and the effect of continuing the game can be improved.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric system of the game machine. It is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in which a plurality of gaming machines are installed. It is a figure for demonstrating the jackpot of the same gaming machine and transition of a gaming state. It is a flowchart of a main side timer interruption process. It is a flowchart of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart of a gate switch process. It is a flowchart of special symbol processing. It is a flowchart of jackpot determination processing. It is a flowchart of a process during a stop. It is a flowchart of a normal symbol process. It is a flowchart of an electric Chu process. It is a flowchart of a specific area release control process. It is a flowchart of a big prize opening control process. It is a flowchart of a long hit game control process. It is a flowchart of a game state setting process. It is a flowchart of a sub timer interruption process. It is a flowchart of a command reception process. It is a flowchart of an effect selection process. It is a flowchart of the process during the end of a variation effect. It is a flowchart of an opening effect selection process. It is a flowchart of a round effect selection process. It is a flowchart of an ending effect selection process. It is a flowchart of a customer waiting command reception process. It is a flowchart of an image sound control board timer interruption process. It is a flowchart of a measurement process. It is a flowchart of a countdown effect control process. It is a flowchart of a countdown effect control process. It is a flowchart of a new song announcement effect start process. It is a flowchart of normal production control processing. It is a flowchart of normal production control processing. It is a flowchart of normal production control processing. It is a flowchart of normal production control processing. It is a flowchart of a customer waiting content determination process. It is a flowchart of a notice content determination process. It is a flowchart of a notification effect determination process. It is a flowchart of a new song announcement effect end process. It is a flowchart of an image output control process. It is a figure which shows the example of the flow of the effect at the time of a customer waiting state. It is a figure which shows the example of the effect at the time of a customer waiting state. It is a figure which shows the example of the flow of the production | presentation in a game. It is a figure which shows the example in which a 1st alerting | reporting effect is performed during a game. It is a figure which shows the example by which a 2nd alerting | reporting effect is performed during a game. It is a figure which shows the example in which a suggestion effect is performed during a game. It is a flowchart of the notice effect control processing in a modification.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine and includes a gaming board 2 attached to the inside of the front frame 10. In the game board 2, a game area 3 in which game balls launched by the operation of the handle 11 flow down is surrounded by rail members 12. In the game area 3, a large number of game nails (not shown) for guiding a game ball are projected. The game board 2 is provided with a board lamp 19, and the front frame 10 is provided with a speaker 17 and a frame lamp 18. The front frame 10 is provided with an effect button 30 and an effect key 31 that can be operated by the player. Here, in the present specification, “upper and lower” means the upper and lower sides in a state where the gaming machine 1 is erected in order to play a game, and “left and right” mean the left and right toward the game area 3 of the game board 2.

  A center accessory device 15 is disposed at the center of the game board 2, and a liquid crystal screen 60 a of the main liquid crystal display device 60 is disposed at the center of the center accessory device 15, and a movable accessory device 16 is provided. Has been placed. The main liquid crystal display device 60 displays various effect images such as a customer waiting effect image for waiting for customers, a variation effect image, and a jackpot effect image for jackpot game on the liquid crystal screen 60a. The fluctuating effect image is to stop after changing decorative symbols such as numbers, and to notify the result of jackpot determination by the stopped decorative symbols. The effect using the variation effect image is hereinafter referred to as “decorative symbol variation effect” or “variation effect”. The variation effect is performed in parallel with the special symbol variation described later. A liquid crystal screen 61 a of the sub liquid crystal display device 61 is disposed at the center of the movable accessory device 16. The sub liquid crystal display device 61 also displays various effect images on the liquid crystal screen 61a. The main liquid crystal display device 60, the sub liquid crystal display device 61, the speaker 17, the frame lamp 18, the panel lamp 19 and the movable accessory device 16 correspond to the rendering means.

  A start winning device 5 is provided at the lower center of the game area 3 that is below the center accessory device 15. The start winning device 5 includes a first start port 5a through which a game ball can always enter and a door-type electric tulip (hereinafter abbreviated as “electric chew”) 5c, and only when the electric chew 5c is open. And a second starting port 5b into which a game ball can enter. The electric chew 5c is opened and closed by an electric chew opening / closing member 5f made of a solenoid or the like.

  Further, the game area 3 is provided with a specific winning device 4, a big winning device 7, a gate 8, and a plurality of normal winning devices 9. The game balls that have entered each normal winning device 9 enter the normal winning port 9a in the normal winning device 9, and are detected by the normal winning port switch 9b. The gate 8 is provided at the right center portion of the game area 3 so that a game ball can pass therethrough, and the game ball that has passed through the gate 8 is detected by the gate switch 8a.

  The big prize device 7 is arranged at the lower right side of the game area 3 and includes a big prize opening 7a that is opened and closed by a big prize opening / closing member 7c, and a game ball that has entered the big prize opening 7a is a big prize opening. It is detected by the switch 7b.

  The specific winning device 4 is disposed on the right side of the game area 3 below the gate 8 and above the large winning device 7, and includes a specific winning port 4a that is opened and closed by a specific winning port opening / closing member 4b. In addition, a V winning opening (specific area) 4d that is opened and closed by a V winning opening opening / closing member 4c is provided on a passage through which game balls that have entered the specific winning opening 4a flow down. When the V winning opening / closing member 4c opens the V winning opening 4d, the game ball that has entered the specific winning opening 4a enters the V winning opening 4d, and the V winning opening opening / closing member 4c receives the V winning opening. When 4d is closed, the ball enters the lose prize opening 4e. A game ball that has entered the specific winning opening 4a is detected by the specific winning opening switch 4f, and a game ball that has entered the V winning opening 4d is detected by the V winning opening switch 4g and has entered the lose winning opening 4e. The game ball is detected by the lose prize opening switch 4h.

  As described above, the gate 8, the specific winning device 4, and the big winning device 7 are provided on the right side of the game area 3, and the player makes a so-called right strike aiming at the right side of the game area 3. It is possible to enter the ball. In addition, due to the arrangement of game nails or the like, the first start port 5a does not enter when hitting right, but the second start port 5b is configured so as to enter even when hit right. Therefore, in the jackpot game in which the big winning opening 7a is opened and closed, the player can make a right turn to enter a gaming ball into the big winning opening 7a and obtain a winning ball according to the number of the winning prizes. It will be.

  Further, even in the short-time gaming state described later, the player aims to generate an auxiliary game in which the second starting port 5b is opened as will be described later by making the game ball pass the gate 8 by making a right strike. . Then, even during the auxiliary game, the player enters the second starting port 5b by making a right turn and aims at the occurrence of a small hit game in which the specific winning port 4a is opened and closed as will be described later. 4a is entered to aim at the occurrence of a jackpot game due to a two-type jackpot described later. That is, during the short-time gaming state, the player will make a right strike. On the other hand, in the normal gaming state described later, since it is difficult to enter the second starting port 5b, the player aims at the first starting port 5a and fires the game ball to the left side of the game area 3, and does not make a right strike. It becomes.

  A display 14 composed of a plurality of lamps is provided outside the game area 3, and the display 14 includes a first special symbol display 14a, a second special symbol display 14b, a normal symbol display 14c, and a first display. A special symbol holding lamp 14d and a normal symbol holding lamp 14e are included. The first special symbol display 14a notifies the result of a determination (hereinafter referred to as “first special symbol determination”) that is performed based on a game ball entering the first starting port 5a. After the variable display, the symbol variation for stopping and displaying the determination symbol indicating the determination result is performed. In the first special symbol determination, it is determined whether or not it is a jackpot, and if it is determined that it is a jackpot, the type of jackpot is determined. The second special symbol display 14b notifies the result of the determination (hereinafter referred to as “second special symbol determination”) performed based on the game ball entering the second starting port 5b. After the variable display, the symbol variation for stopping and displaying the determination symbol indicating the determination result is performed. In the second special symbol determination, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit. If it is determined that the jackpot is determined, the type of the jackpot is determined. On the other hand, if it is determined that the jackpot is not determined, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is determined. When it is determined that a small hit is made, the type of the small hit is determined. The type of jackpot indicates the type of jackpot when a jackpot based on the jackpot (two kinds of jackpots described later) occurs. Therefore, the judgment of the type of jackpot is the jackpot (two kinds of jackpots) It can be rephrased as a type judgment. In the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination, it is also determined whether or not a reach effect is performed and which variation pattern is used.

  Hereinafter, the symbols displayed on the first special symbol display 14a and the second special symbol display 14b, including the determination symbols, are referred to as the first special symbol and the second special symbol, respectively. It is called “design”. The determination symbols that are stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 14a and the second special symbol display 14b are referred to as a first determination symbol and a second determination symbol, respectively. Also, the symbol variation of the first special symbol and the symbol variation of the second special symbol are referred to as the first special symbol variation and the second special symbol variation, respectively, and are collectively referred to as “special symbol variation”. The first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are collectively referred to as “special symbol determination” or “big hit determination”.

  If the determination symbol indicating the result of the first special symbol determination or the second special symbol determination is a symbol indicating a jackpot (hereinafter referred to as “hit symbol”), a jackpot game for opening and closing the big prize opening 7a is performed a predetermined number of times. . Thus, the jackpot when the determination symbol is a jackpot symbol is referred to as a one-type jackpot. Further, if the determination symbol indicating the result of the second special symbol determination is a determination symbol indicating a small winning (hereinafter referred to as “small winning symbol”), a small winning game for opening and closing the specific winning opening 4a a predetermined number of times is performed. During the small hit game, the V winning opening 4d is temporarily opened. Then, when a game ball that has entered the specific winning opening 4a during the small winning game enters the V winning opening 4d, a big winning game for opening and closing the large winning opening 7a a predetermined number of times is performed. . The jackpot based on the jackpot, that is, the jackpot generated when the game ball enters the V winning opening 4d is referred to as two kinds of jackpot. The jackpots determined by the first special symbol determination are all 1-type jackpots, but the jackpots determined by the second special symbol determination include a 1-type jackpot and a 2-type jackpot. Hereinafter, the jackpot game and the jackpot game are collectively referred to as a “special game”, and an effect associated with the special game is referred to as a “spot effect”. The jackpot determination is performed by determining whether or not a special game advantageous to the player is to be performed when the start condition is satisfied, with the ball entering the first start port 5a or the second start port 5b as a predetermined start condition. Is.

  When the game ball enters the first start port 5a during the special symbol change or during the special game, the main control board 20 (see FIG. 2) assumes that the special symbol change cannot be executed immediately for that ball. Random numbers such as jackpot random numbers acquired for the incoming ball are stored in the storage unit 27 with a predetermined number as an upper limit. When the special symbol variation becomes executable (that is, when the special symbol variation or the special game is not performed), it is determined whether or not it is a big hit based on the stored random number. And perform special symbol variation. That is, when a game ball enters the first start port 5a during the special symbol change or the special game, the gaming machine 1 holds the right of jackpot determination based on the ball. The first special symbol hold lamp 14d displays the number of rights held. As described above, the predetermined number (four in this case) of the right to be held is the upper limit, so that the game ball enters the first start opening 5a while the predetermined number is held. Even so, the right to win the jackpot is not reserved.

  On the other hand, even if a game ball enters the second start opening 5b during a special symbol change or special game, the gaming machine 1 does not hold the right of jackpot determination based on the entry, and is based on the entry The jackpot judgment and special symbol variation are not executed. That is, the first special symbol variation and the second special symbol variation are not performed simultaneously. And in the case where neither special symbol variation nor special game is performed, when the right of jackpot determination based on entering the first starting port 5a is held, jackpot determination based on the held right and Even if a special symbol variation is performed and a game ball enters the second start port 5b during that time, the jackpot determination and the special symbol variation for that ball are not performed. On the other hand, when neither special symbol variation nor special game is performed, when the jackpot determination right based on the ball entering the first start port 5a is not reserved, a game ball is placed in the second start port 5b. When the ball enters, a jackpot determination and special symbol variation for the ball are performed.

  The normal symbol display 14c notifies the result of the normal symbol determination performed with the passage of the game ball to the gate 8 as a normal symbol that is stopped and displayed via the variable display. If the stop-displayed normal symbol is a winning symbol, an auxiliary game is performed for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times to open the electric chew 5c (that is, to open the second start port 5b).

  If the game ball passes through the gate 8 during the normal symbol variation display or the auxiliary game, the main control board 20 assumes that the normal symbol variation cannot be executed immediately for the passage, and the hit obtained for the passage is obtained. Memorize random numbers. When the normal symbol variation display can be started (that is, when the normal symbol variation display and the auxiliary game are not performed), the stored random number is used. A normal symbol determination of whether or not the game is successful is performed, the normal symbol variation display is started, and the normal symbol indicating the determination result is stopped and displayed. That is, when the game ball passes through the gate 8 during the change of the normal symbol or the auxiliary game, the gaming machine 1 holds the right of the normal symbol determination based on the passage. The normal symbol hold lamp 14e displays the number of such reserved rights. The number of rights held is limited to a predetermined number (here, 4), so even if a game ball passes through the gate 8 with the predetermined number being held, it is normal for the passage. The symbol determination right is not reserved.

  Next, the electrical system of the gaming machine 1 will be described based on FIG. The gaming machine 1 of the embodiment includes a main control board 20, a payout control board 21, and a sub control board 25. The sub control board 25 includes an effect control board 22, an image sound control board 23, and a lamp control board 24. ing. The payout control board 21 and the effect control board 22 are connected to the main control board 20, and the image sound control board 23 and the lamp control board 24 are connected to the effect control board 22. Each control board includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Further, the main control board 20 includes a holding storage unit 27 in the RAM.

  The main control board 20 mainly performs control related to profits such as jackpot lottery and game state transition. The main control board 20 includes a first start port switch 5d that detects a game ball that has entered the first start port 5a and a second start port switch 5e that detects a game ball that has entered the second start port 5b. The above-mentioned electric chew opening / closing member 5f, gate switch 8a, large winning opening switch 7b, large winning opening opening / closing member 7c, each normal winning opening switch 9b, first special symbol holding lamp 14d, normal symbol holding lamp 14e, first special holding switch The symbol indicator 14a, the second special symbol indicator 14b, and the normal symbol indicator 14c are connected to each other, and as indicated by arrows in FIG. 2, a signal is input to the main control board 20 from each switch, A signal is output from the main control board 20 to the lamp or the like.

  The main control board 20 transmits various commands to the payout control board 21 and receives signals from the payout control board 21 for payout monitoring. A payout drive motor 26 that drives a payout device (not shown) is connected to the payout control board 21, and the payout control board 21 operates the payout drive motor 26 in accordance with a command received from the main control board 20 to pay out a prize ball. Let it be done.

  Further, the main control board 20 transmits various commands to the effect control board 22. The effect control board 22 includes an RTC (real time clock) 28 and transmits / receives commands and signals to / from the image sound control board 23. The RTC 28 measures the current date and time (date and time). When power is supplied to the gaming machine 1 from the island power supply device 100 (see FIG. 3), the RTC 28 operates with the power, and the island power supply device. When power is not supplied from 100, the game machine 1 operates with power supplied from a backup power source (not shown) built in the gaming machine 1. For this reason, the RTC 28 can measure the current date and time even when the gaming machine 1 is not powered on. A main liquid crystal display device 60, a sub liquid crystal display device 61, and a speaker 17 are connected to the image sound control board 23, and the image sound control board 23 is a liquid crystal screen of the main liquid crystal display device 60 according to a command received from the effect control board 22. 60a and the liquid crystal screen 61a of the sub liquid crystal display device 61 display images and output sound from the speaker 17. The effect control board 22 transmits and receives commands and signals to and from the lamp control board 24. An effect button 30, an effect key 31, a frame lamp 18, a panel lamp 19, and the movable accessory device 16 are connected to the lamp control board 24.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pachinko hall is provided with an island 200 in which a plurality of gaming machines 1 are arranged in parallel. Each gaming machine 1 in the same island 200 is electrically connected to a common island power supply apparatus 100. For this reason, when the power supply of the island power supply device 100 is turned on with the individual power switch of each gaming machine 1 in the island 200 set to “ON”, all the gaming machines 1 in the island 200 are activated simultaneously. be able to. Therefore, as will be described later, by performing the predetermined effect by measuring the time from when each gaming machine 1 is started up (when the power is turned on), all the gaming machines 1 on the same island 200 can simultaneously perform the same effect. It is possible to start.

  Next, the gaming state and the winning probability of the gaming machine 1 will be described. The gaming state of the gaming machine 1 includes a timeless gaming state (hereinafter also referred to as “normal gaming state”) and a timeless gaming state. The short-time game state refers to a state in which a game ball is more likely to win a prize at the second start port 5b than a short-time game state. Specifically, in the game state without time saving, the winning probability of the normal symbol determination is about 1/10, the normal symbol variation time is 25 seconds, and the opening time of the second start port 5b in one auxiliary game is 0.1 second. In the short-time game state, the winning probability of the normal symbol determination is about 9/10, the normal symbol variation time is 2 seconds, and the second start opening 5b in one auxiliary game is The opening time is 0.3 seconds and the number of opening is 5 times. The jackpot winning probability is about 1/199 in any gaming state and in both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination, and the small win winning probability in the second special symbol determination is about 1 / 1.01. In addition, the probability that a game ball that has entered the specific winning opening 4a enters the V winning opening 4d is about 1/16.

  In the initial state (that is, when the power is turned on and the first game is started), it is the normal game state. Then, if the special symbol variation is stopped by the jackpot symbol, the jackpot game that opens the jackpot 7a a predetermined number of times according to the type of jackpot (this opening period is referred to as “round” and is denoted by R), The gaming state is transitioned to either the short-time gaming state or the normal gaming state depending on the gaming state when the jackpot is generated and the type of winning indicated by the jackpot symbol. Similarly, when a jackpot based on the jackpot (two kinds of jackpots) occurs, the jackpot game is also released through a jackpot game in which a predetermined number of rounds are opened according to the jackpot type indicated by the jackpot symbol in the jackpot 7a. The gaming state is transitioned according to the gaming state at the time of occurrence and the type of jackpot indicated by the jackpot symbol.

  The jackpot type and gaming state transition in the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the jackpots in the gaming machine 1 are per 15R with time reduction, per 4R with time reduction, per sudden reduction, per 7R without time reduction, and per 4R without time reduction. Per 15R with time reduction, 4R with time reduction, and sudden reduction in short time are real rounds of 15 rounds, 4 rounds, and 0 rounds, respectively, all of which are big hits that transition to a short time gaming state after a big hit game. For each 7R without time and 4R without time, the number of real rounds is 7 rounds and 4 rounds, respectively, and both are big hits that transition to the normal gaming state after the big hit game. The actual number of rounds refers to the number of rounds in which a plurality of balls can be entered into the big winning opening 7a. That is, in the gaming machine 1, the number of rounds in the sense of the number of times of opening each jackpot is 15R, but for example, an extremely short round such as 0.2 seconds (that is, even if a ball is entered into the big prize opening 7a, it is at most The number of rounds in which only one ball is entered is not included in the actual number of rounds.

  In the gaming machine 1, as described above, in the normal gaming state, the player does not make a right turn and aims at the first starting port 5a. When one kind of big hit occurs in the normal gaming state, 50% of them are per 4R with a short time or sudden short time, and 50% are 7R big hits without a short time. That is, a transition to the short time gaming state is made with a probability of 50%. In the short-time gaming state, since the player makes a right-hand hit, both the type 1 big hit and the type 2 big hit can occur, but the type 2 big hit is higher than the type 1 big hit. When two types of big hits occur in the short-time gaming state, 70% of them are per 15R with time or 4R with time, and 30% are 4R big hit without time. The same applies when a one-type jackpot occurs in the short-time gaming state. Also, the short-time gaming state is terminated when a big hit does not occur during the special symbol determination 100 times, and transitions to the normal gaming state.

  Next, the operation of the main control board 20 will be described based on FIGS. Various counters and various flags, which will be described later, are provided in the RAM, and are cleared to zero or turned OFF when the pachinko gaming machine is turned on.

  [Main-side timer interrupt process] The main control board 20 repeats the main-side timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 5 every short time, for example, 4 msec. First, the main control board 20 is based on the jackpot random number for determining the jackpot, the jackpot, or the loss, the jackpot symbol random for determining the jackpot symbol (that is, the type of jackpot), and the jackpot symbol (that is, based on the jackpot) Small hitting design random number to determine the type of jackpot), reach random number to determine whether or not to achieve reach, variation pattern random number to determine the variation pattern, normal symbol random number used for normal symbol determination, etc., respectively The random number update process for updating in the random number storage unit is performed (step S101).

  Next, the main control board 20 performs a normal winning opening switch process (S104) in addition to a start opening switch process (S102) and a gate switch process (S103) described later. The normal winning opening switch process is a process of adding 1 to the value of the normal winning opening counter if the normal winning opening switch 9b is ON. Subsequently, the main control board 20 performs a special symbol process (S105), a normal symbol process (S106), an electric chew process (S107), a specific area release control process (S108), and a special prize opening release control process (described later). S109) is performed. Then, the main control board 20 sets a command for paying out award balls, such as a number of prize balls according to the value of the big prize mouth counter, a number of prize balls according to the value of the normal prize mouth counter, in the RAM. Then, a prize ball process (S110) for clearing those counters to zero is performed, and an output process (S111) for outputting the command set in each of the above processes to the payout control board 21 and the effect control board 22 is performed.

  [Starting Port Switch Processing] As shown in FIG. 6, in the starting port switch processing, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the first starting port switch 5d is turned on (S201). If the process proceeds to S206 and is ON, the value U1 of the first start port hold counter that counts the number of jackpot random numbers stored in the hold storage unit 27 (that is, the number of jackpot determination rights held) is It is determined whether or not the upper limit value is less than 4 (S202). If it is not less than 4, the process proceeds to step S206. If it is less than 4, 1 is added to U1 (S203), and as the information used for the first special symbol determination, the jackpot random number, jackpot symbol random number, reach random number, and Fluctuation pattern random numbers are obtained from the respective random number storage units, stored in the hold storage unit 27 (S204), and a hold number increase command is set in the RAM (S205). The first special symbol determination is configured to be either a big hit or a loss, and is not determined to be a small hit. Therefore, in step S204, the small hit symbol random number for determining the type of the two big hits is not acquired. The information stored in the hold storage unit 27 is moved to the determination storage area in the RAM when the first special symbol determination is executed. The determination storage area is an area in which information used for the special symbol determination is stored when the special symbol determination is executed.

  In step S206, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the second start port switch 5e is turned on. If not, the main control board 20 returns from the start port switch process and proceeds to the next gate switch process. If it is, a special game is determined (S207). Whether or not a special game is in progress is determined based on whether or not the long hit game flag, the short hit game flag, or the small hit game flag is set to ON. Note that the jackpot game includes a long win game having a real round and a short win game having no real round, and the long win game flag is a flag indicating whether or not the long hit game is being executed. The short hit game is set to ON at the start of the long hit game, and set to OFF at the end of the long hit game. The short hit game flag indicates whether or not the short hit game is being executed. It is set to ON at the start and set to OFF at the end of the short hit game. The small hit game flag is a flag indicating whether or not a small hit game that is opening the specific winning opening 4a is being executed, and is set to ON at the start of the small hit game and set to OFF at the end of the small hit game Is done. The main control board 20 returns from the start port switch process if it is during a special game and proceeds to the next gate switch process, and if it is during a special game, it determines whether or not a special symbol is changing (S208). . If it is determined that the special symbol variation is not in progress, as the information used for the second special symbol determination, the big hit random number, the big hit symbol random number, the small hit symbol random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number are respectively stored in the random number storage units. And stored in the determination storage area (S209), returns from the start port switch process, and proceeds to the next gate switch process.

  [Gate Switch Processing] As shown in FIG. 7, in the gate switch processing, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the gate switch 8a is turned on (S301). Proceeding to the next normal winning a prize mouth switch process, if it is ON, it is determined whether or not the value G of the gate hold counter is less than the upper limit of 4 (S302). If it is not less than 4, the process returns from the gate switch process and proceeds to the next normal winning opening switch process. If it is less than 4, 1 is added to G (S303), and a normal symbol random number used for normal symbol determination to be described later. Is acquired from the random number storage unit and stored in a predetermined storage area (S304), the process returns from the gate switch process and proceeds to the next ordinary winning a prize opening switch process. That is, up to four normal symbol random numbers are stored in the predetermined storage area.

  [Special Symbol Processing] As shown in FIG. 8, in the special symbol processing, the main control board 20 determines whether the long hit game flag, the short hit game flag, or the small hit game flag is set to ON. It is then determined whether or not a special game is being played (S401). If it is determined that the game is in a special game, the process returns from the special symbol process and proceeds to the next normal symbol process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the special game is not being played, it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S402). If it is determined that the special symbol is changing, the process proceeds to step S414.

  When the main control board 20 determines that the special symbol is not changing, information used for the second special symbol determination, that is, various random numbers related to the ball entering the second start port 5b are stored in the determination storage area. If it is determined whether or not it is stored, the process proceeds to jackpot determination processing (S407). On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not stored, it is determined whether or not the number U1 of the first special symbol determination is 1 or more (S404). If it is determined that the hold number U1 is not 1 or more, it is determined whether or not the customer waiting flag is ON (S419). If the customer waiting flag is ON, the process returns from the special symbol processing and the next normal symbol is returned. If it is not ON, the customer waiting command is set in the RAM (S420), the customer waiting flag is turned ON (S421), the process returns from the special symbol processing and proceeds to the next normal symbol processing. The customer waiting flag is a flag indicating whether or not the gaming machine 1 is in a customer waiting state, and is turned on when the right of the first special symbol determination is not held and the special symbol variation is not performed. It is set to OFF when the special symbol variation is started again. The customer waiting command is a command for starting a customer waiting effect (corresponding to a demonstration effect), and is output to the effect control board 22 in step S111. , Start the customer waiting production. The customer waiting effect is an effect in which a customer waiting effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 60a, and a sound corresponding to the image is emitted from the speaker 17 or the frame lamp 18 is caused to emit light.

  When the main control board 20 determines in step S404 that the hold number U1 is 1 or more, the main control board 20 subtracts 1 from the hold number U1 (S405), executes a shift process on the hold storage unit 27 (S406), and determines the big hit Proceed to processing (S407). In the shift process, the main control board 20 stores the jackpot random number, the jackpot symbol random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number related to the first special symbol determination stored in the hold storage unit 27 in the earliest (first) position. The stored data is shifted to the determination storage area, the second stored data is the first, the third stored data is the second, and so on.

  In the big hit determination process (S407), the main control board 20 determines whether the big hit, the small hit or the loss based on the random number stored in the determination storage area, and indicates the determination result. Information on the determination symbol is set in the RAM. The jackpot determination process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Next, the main control board 20 executes a variation pattern selection process (S408). In the variation pattern selection process, the main control board 20 refers to the variation pattern table stored in advance to determine the type of determination symbol set in the jackpot determination processing (S407), the current gaming state, and the first special symbol determination. Special information based on information regarding whether it relates to the second special symbol determination, in the case of the first special symbol determination, the current hold number U1, the reach random number and the variation pattern random number stored in the determination storage area Selects the presence or absence of a design variation pattern and reach production. Then, the main control board 20 displays information on the determination symbol, information indicating whether the determination symbol relates to the first special symbol determination or the second special symbol determination, information on the selected variation pattern, presence / absence of reach effect. A change start command including information to be shown, information on the current game state, and the like is set in the RAM (S409). This variation start command is a command for instructing the start of the variation effect accompanying the special symbol variation. If the main control board 20 relates to the special symbol variation, the first special symbol display 14a if it relates to the first special symbol determination, and the second special symbol display if it relates to the second special symbol determination. In 14b, the process starts (S410).

  Next, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the customer waiting flag is set to ON (S411). If the customer waiting flag is not set to ON, the process proceeds to step S413 and the customer waiting flag is set to ON. Is set to OFF, the customer waiting flag is set to OFF (S412), and the process proceeds to step S413. In step S413, the main control board 20 starts measuring the variation time, and proceeds to step S414. In step S414, it is determined whether or not the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern selected in the process of step S408 has elapsed since the measurement of the variation time was started (S414). If it is determined that the variation time has not elapsed, the process returns from the special symbol processing and proceeds to the next normal symbol processing. If it is determined that the variation has elapsed, a variation stop command is set in the RAM (S415). The variable stop command includes information on the determination symbol to be stopped, information indicating whether the determination symbol is related to the first special symbol determination or the second special symbol determination, and the like. This variation stop command is transmitted to the effect control board 22 by the output process of step S111, and the decoration symbol that has been variably displayed on the liquid crystal screen 60a on the effect control board 22 is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination. Processing is performed. The main control board 20 ends the special symbol variation display following the processing of step S415, stops displaying the special symbol with the determination symbol set in the jackpot determination processing (S407) (S416), and measures the variation that has been measured. The time is reset (S417), a process during stop to be described later is performed (S418), the process returns from the special symbol process and proceeds to the next normal symbol process.

  [Big Jack Determination Processing] As shown in FIG. 9, in the big hit determination processing, the main control board 20 performs a big hit determination using the big hit random number stored in the storage area for determination (S501). Specifically, in the case of the jackpot random number related to the first special symbol determination, the main control board 20 refers to the first special symbol jackpot determination table stored in advance, and determines the jackpot random number related to the second special symbol determination. In this case, the second special symbol jackpot determination table stored in advance is referred to. The first special symbol jackpot determination table stores a random value for the jackpot (1 type jackpot) and a random value for the loss, and the second special symbol jackpot determination table has a randomness for the jackpot (1 type jackpot). A numerical value, a random value for small hits, and a random value for loss are stored. If the main control board 20 determines that the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area is one kind of jackpot (YES in S502), the main control board 20 uses the jackpot symbol random number stored in the determination storage area in advance. The type of jackpot is determined with reference to the stored jackpot symbol determination table (S503). In the symbol determination table at the time of jackpot, the type of jackpot and a random value are stored in association with each other. Then, the main control board 20 sets the jackpot symbol indicating the determined jackpot type as a determination symbol in the RAM (S504), returns from the jackpot determination process, and proceeds to the next variation pattern selection process.

  On the other hand, when the main control board 20 determines that the result of the special symbol determination is not one type big hit (NO in S502), the main control board 20 determines whether or not the special symbol determination is the first special symbol determination (S505). If so, it is determined with reference to the second special symbol jackpot determination table (S506). Then, if it is determined to be a small hit, using the small hit symbol random number stored in the storage area for determination, the type of the small hit is determined with reference to a symbol determination table at the time of the small hit stored in advance ( S507). In the symbol determination table at the time of small hits, the types of small hits and random numbers are stored in association with each other. Then, the main control board 20 sets the small winning symbol indicating the determined small winning type in the RAM as a determination symbol (S508), returns from the big hit determination processing, and proceeds to the next processing. The type of jackpot when two kinds of jackpots are determined by this jackpot design. On the other hand, when it is determined as the first special symbol determination in step S505 and when it is determined that it is not a small hit in step S506, since it is a loss, the lost symbol is set in the RAM (S509), and the big hit determination process is started. Return to the next variation pattern selection process.

  [In-Stop Process] As shown in FIG. 10, in the in-stop process, the main control board 20 determines whether or not it is a one-type jackpot based on the result of the jackpot determination performed in step S387 (S701). . If it is determined that the type 1 jackpot is based on the jackpot symbol set in step S504, whether the jackpot game executed for the type 1 jackpot is a long hit game or a short hit game. Determine (S702). The main control board 20 sets the long hit game flag to ON when it is determined that it is a long hit game (S703), and sets the short hit game flag to ON when it is determined that it is not a long hit game. Set (S704).

  Next, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the time-saving game flag is set to ON (S705). The short-time game flag is a flag that indicates whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a short-time game state. When the jackpot game is turned off, the flag is temporarily turned OFF. It is set to ON in a gaming state setting process (S1214) described later, and remains OFF when shifting to the normal gaming state. If the main control board 20 determines that the time-saving game flag is not set to ON, the process proceeds to step S707. If the main control board 20 determines that the time-saving game flag is set to ON, the time-saving game flag is set to OFF. (S706), the process proceeds to step S707.

  On the other hand, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the time-saving game flag is ON when it is determined in step S701 that it is not one type big hit (S708). If it is determined that it is not ON, the main control board 20 proceeds to step S712. If it is determined that there is, the time-short game remaining count W stored in the RAM is decremented by 1 (S709). The short game remaining number W indicates the remaining number of times that the special symbol variation is executed in the short time gaming state (in other words, the remaining number of times that the special symbol determination is executed). Then, the gaming state is returned from the short-time gaming state to the normal gaming state. In step S710, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the short-time game remaining count W is 0. If it is not 0, the main control board 20 proceeds to step S712, and if it is 0, the short-time game flag is set. Set it to OFF (S711), and proceed to step S712.

  In step S712, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the jackpot is based on the result of the jackpot determination performed in step S387 (S712). Then, the process proceeds to the normal symbol process next to the special symbol process, and when it is determined that a small hit is made, the small hit game flag is turned ON (S713), and the process proceeds to step S707.

  In step S707, the main control board 20 sets an opening command in the RAM. The opening refers to a period from the start of the jackpot game to the start of the first round, or the period from the start of the jackpot game to the opening of the specific winning opening 4a for the first time. The opening command is a command for notifying that the opening is started, that is, that the special game is started, and information on the determination symbol that is the basis of the special game, and the determination symbol is the first special symbol. It includes information indicating whether the determination relates to the second special symbol determination, information indicating the gaming state at the time of the special symbol determination, or the like.

  [Normal Symbol Processing] As shown in FIG. 11, in the normal symbol processing, the main control board 20 determines whether or not an auxiliary game flag indicating whether or not an auxiliary game is in progress (S801). Returning from the normal symbol processing and proceeding to the next electric chew processing, if it is not ON, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol is changing (S802). If it is changing, the process proceeds to step S813. If it is not changing, it is determined whether or not the value G of the gate hold counter is 1 or more (S803). If G is not 1 or more, normal symbol processing is started. Return to the next electric Chu process, and if G is 1 or more, 1 is subtracted from G (S804), based on the pre-stored winning value for normal symbol determination, a predetermined storage area in step S304 It is determined whether or not the first stored random number stored in the normal symbol is a hit (S805). If it is a win (YES in S806), the win symbol is set in the RAM (S807). If not hit (NO in S806), the lost symbol is set in the RAM (S808). The normal symbol random number used for the normal symbol determination is deleted from the predetermined storage area. If the short-time game flag is ON (YES in S809), the variable time is set to 2 seconds (S810). If the short-time game flag is OFF (NO in S809), the variable time is set to 25 seconds ( S811), normal symbol change is started (S812), and the process proceeds to step S813.

  In step S813, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the variation time has elapsed. If not, the main control board 20 returns from the normal symbol processing and proceeds to the next processing. The symbols set in steps S807 and 808 are stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display 14c (S814). If the stopped symbol is a winning symbol (YES in S815), the auxiliary game flag is turned on (S816), and if it is a lost symbol (NO in S815), the normal symbol processing is performed without turning on the auxiliary game flag. Return to the next electric Chu process.

  [Electric Chu Process] As shown in FIG. 12, in the electric Chu process, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON (S901). Then, the process proceeds to the next specific area release control process. On the other hand, if it is determined to be ON, it is determined whether or not the electric chew 5c is operating (S902). If it is in operation, the process proceeds to step S907, but if it is not in operation, if the time-saving game flag is ON (YES in S903), the operation pattern for releasing 0.3 seconds 5 times (S904), ON If not (NO in S903), the operation pattern for performing 0.1 second release once is set (S905), and the operation of the electric chew 5c in accordance with the operation pattern is started (S906). move on. In step S907, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the operating time corresponding to the operating pattern set in step S904 or S905 has elapsed. If not, the main control board 20 returns from the electric chew process and returns to the next specific area. The process proceeds to the release control process. If it has elapsed, the auxiliary game flag is turned OFF (S908), the process returns from the electric chew process, and the process proceeds to the next specific area release control process.

  [Specific Area Release Control Process] As shown in FIG. 13, in the specific area release control process, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the small hit game flag is ON (S1001), and if it is not ON, Returning from the specific area opening control process and proceeding to the next big prize opening opening control process, if it is determined ON, for example, based on the elapsed time since the opening command related to the small hit game is set in step S707 above Then, it is determined whether or not a small hit game is being opened (S1002). If it is determined that the opening is in progress, it is determined whether a predetermined opening time has elapsed (S1017) .If it is determined that the time has not elapsed, the process returns from the specific area release control process to the next. The process proceeds to the big prize opening control process, but if it is determined that it has elapsed, the number X of game balls to be entered into the specific prize opening 4a stored in the RAM is reset (S1018), and the specific prize opening opening / closing member 4b is reset. Is controlled to start opening the specific winning opening 4a (S1019), and the measurement of the opening time (that is, the elapsed time since the opening is started) is started (S1020), and the process proceeds to step S1006.

  On the other hand, if the main control board 20 determines in step S1002 that the opening in the small hit game is not in progress, for example, based on the elapsed time from the start of the small hit game, it is determined whether or not the small hit game is ending. Determine (S1003). If it is determined that ending is in progress, the process proceeds to step S1021, and if it is determined that ending is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S1004. In step S1004, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the specific winning opening switch 4f is turned on based on whether or not a signal is input from the specific winning opening switch 4f (S1004). If it is determined that the specific winning opening switch 4f is not ON, the process proceeds to step S1006. If it is determined that the specific winning opening switch 4f is ON, a game ball has entered the specific winning opening 4a. Judgment is made and 1 is added to the number X of game balls entering (S1005), and the process proceeds to step S1006.

  In step S1006, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the opening time of the specific winning opening 4a has reached a preset setting time (0.5 seconds in the present embodiment) (S1006). If it is determined that it has not reached, the process proceeds to step S1008. If it is determined that the set time has been reached, the V prize opening opening / closing member 4c is actuated to start opening the V prize opening 4d (S1007). move on. Thereby, the above-mentioned two types of big hits can be generated. In step S1008, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the V winning opening switch 4g is turned on based on whether or not a signal is input from the V winning opening switch 4g. If it is determined that it is not ON, the process proceeds to step S1010. If it is determined that it is ON, the V winning flag is set to ON (S1009), and the process proceeds to step S1010. This V winning flag is a flag indicating whether or not a game ball has entered the V winning opening 4d during the small hit game and two types of big wins have occurred, and is ON when a gaming ball enters the V winning opening 4d. It is turned off at the end of the small hit game.

  In step S1010, for example, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the V winning opening 4d is closed depending on whether or not a predetermined time (0.2 seconds in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the start of opening the V winning opening 4d. It is determined whether or not (S1010). If it is determined that it is not the closing timing, the process proceeds to step S1012, but if it is determined that it is the closing timing, the V winning opening opening / closing member 4c is controlled to close the V winning opening 4d (S1011), and the process proceeds to step S1012. . Thus, the V winning opening 4d is opened for 0.2 seconds after 0.5 seconds from the opening of the specific winning opening 4a.

  In step S1012, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the specified winning opening 4a is opened according to whether or not the opening time when the measurement was started in step S1020 has reached a predetermined time (1.5 in this embodiment). It is determined whether or not the opening for one second has been completed (S1012). If it is determined that the specified release operation has ended, the process proceeds to step S1014. If it is determined that the specified release operation has not ended, the game ball enters the specific winning opening 4a in the current small hit game. It is determined whether or not the number of balls X is equal to a predetermined upper limit number Xmax (eg, “6”) (S1013). If it is determined that the number of entered balls X does not match the upper limit number Xmax, the process returns from the specific area opening control process and proceeds to the next big prize opening opening control process. If it is determined that they match, the process proceeds to step S1014. Proceed.

  In step S1014, the main control board 20 controls the specific winning opening / closing member 4b to close the specific winning opening 4a (S1014). That is, in the small hit game, the specific winning opening 4a is closed when 1.5 seconds have elapsed from the start of opening or when the upper limit number Xmax is entered, whichever comes first. Next, the main control board 20 resets the measured opening time (S1015), starts measuring the ending time (S1016), returns from the specific area opening control process, and controls the next big prize opening opening control. Proceed to processing. Ending means the period from the end of opening of the special winning opening 4a to the end of the small hit game in the small hit game. In the big hit game, the big hit game ends after the last round ends. This is the period until The ending effect using the liquid crystal screen 60a or the like is performed until the ending time at which the measurement is started reaches a predetermined time.

  On the other hand, if the main control board 20 determines in step S1003 that the ending is in progress, whether the measured ending time has reached the specified ending time, that is, whether the specified ending time has elapsed. Is determined (S1021). If it is determined that the specified ending time has not elapsed, the process returns from the specific area opening control process and proceeds to the next big prize opening opening control process. If it is determined that the specified ending time has elapsed, In order to end the game, the small hit game flag is turned OFF (S1022), and it is determined whether or not the V winning flag is ON (S1023). If it is determined that the V winning flag is not ON, that is, if a game ball does not enter the V winning opening 4d during the small hit game, the process returns from the specific area releasing control process to open the next big winning opening. Proceed to the control process. As a result, the special game ends only with the small hit game. When the special game ends only with the small hit game, the game state does not change and the current game state is maintained. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1023 that the V winning flag is ON, the main control board 20 turns off the V winning flag (S1024) and starts the long win game related to the two types of big wins after the small hit game. Therefore, the long hit game flag is turned ON (S1025). Then, the short-time game flag is turned OFF (S1026), the process returns from the specific area release control process, and proceeds to the next big prize opening release control process.

  [Big Winner Open Control Process] As shown in FIG. 14, in the special winning opening release control process, the main control board 20 first determines whether or not the long winning game flag is ON (S1101). For example, a long hit game control process (S1104) described later is performed, and the process returns from the big winning opening release control process to the next prize ball process, but if it is not ON, it is determined whether or not the short hit game flag is ON. Determine (S1102). If the short win game flag is not ON, the process returns from the big prize opening control process and proceeds to the next prize ball process. If the short win game flag is ON, the short win game control process is performed (S1103). Return from the mouth opening control process and proceed to the next prize ball process. In the short win game control process, a process for opening and closing the big prize opening 7a is performed in the same manner as the long hit game control process described later, but the opening time of the big prize opening 7a in one round is, for example, 0.2 seconds. Thus, since it is an extremely short time in which only one game ball enters the big winning opening 7a, the player can obtain a large amount of prize balls in the long hit game, while the short win game Then you can hardly get a prize ball.

  [Long per game control processing] As shown in FIG. 15, in long per game control processing, the main control board 20 opens the long per game based on the elapsed time since the opening command was set in step S707, for example. It is determined whether it is in the middle (S1201). When it is determined that the opening is in progress, it is determined whether the elapsed time has reached the specified opening time, that is, whether the specified opening time has passed (S1217), and the specified opening time has elapsed. If it is determined that it is not, return from the long game control process and proceed to the next process, but if it is determined that it has elapsed, the upper limit number of rounds of special games according to the determination pattern set in the jackpot determination process Information such as the operation pattern of Rmax and the special winning opening 7a is set in the RAM (S1218). The information set at this time includes the jackpots indicated by the determination symbols, such as the specified opening time of the special winning opening 7a in each round, the specified interval time between rounds and the next ending time, etc. It also includes information indicating various times defined according to the type. The interval refers to the closing period of the special winning opening 7a between the rounds and the next round. Further, the specified opening time includes a long one such as 29.5 seconds and a short one such as 0.2 seconds, and the number of rounds is determined by a combination thereof.

  Subsequent to the processing of step S1218, the main control board 20 resets the number Y of game balls entered into the big prize opening 7a stored in the RAM (S1219), and the long hitting game stored in the RAM is being played. 1 is added to the number R of rounds (S1220), the opening of the special winning opening 7a is started by controlling the special winning opening / closing member 7c (S1221), and the opening is the elapsed time since the opening is started. Time measurement is started (S1222). Then, a round start command for notifying that the round has started is set in the RAM (S1223), and the process proceeds to step S1206.

  On the other hand, if the main control board 20 determines in step S1201 that it is not opening in the long hit game, it determines whether or not it is ending based on, for example, the elapsed time from the start of the long hit game ( If it is determined that the ending is in progress (S1202), the process proceeds to step S1213. If it is determined in step S1202 that the ending is not in progress, for example, based on the elapsed time from the start of the long hit game, it is determined whether the interval is in progress (S1203). If it is determined that the interval is in progress, it is determined whether the interval time at which measurement was started in step S1224, which will be described later, has passed the specified interval time set in step S1218 (S1216), and the specified interval time has elapsed. If it is determined that it is time to start the next round, the process proceeds to step S1219, and if it is determined that the specified interval time has not elapsed, the process returns from the long hit game control process and the next round Proceed to processing.

  On the other hand, if the main control board 20 determines in step S1203 that it is not in the interval, the main control board 20 determines that it is in the round, and determines whether or not the big prize opening switch is based on the presence / absence of a signal input from the big prize opening switch 7b. It is determined whether or not 7b is turned on (S1204). If it is determined that the big prize opening switch 7b is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S1206. If it is decided that the big prize opening switch 7b is turned on, one game ball is placed in the big prize opening 7a. It is determined that a ball has been entered, and 1 is added to the number Y of game balls stored in the RAM (S1205), and the process proceeds to step S1206.

  In step S1206, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the specified opening time has elapsed since the opening of the special winning opening 7a, based on the opening time measured in step S1222. If the main control board 20 determines that the specified opening time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1208. If it is determined that the specified opening time has not elapsed, the number of game balls entering in the current round It is determined whether or not Y matches a predetermined upper limit number Ymax (for example, “9”) (S1207). If it is determined that the number of entered balls Y does not match the upper limit number Ymax, the game returns from the long game control process. If it is determined that they match, the process proceeds to step S1208. When returning from the long hit game control process, the process returns to the big prize opening control process and proceeds to the next prize ball process.

  In step S1208, the main control board 20 controls the special prize opening / closing member 7c to end the opening of the special prize opening 7a, and closes the special prize opening 7a. Then, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the current round number R of the game per long matches the round upper limit number Rmax (S1209), and if not, controls the start timing of the next round. Therefore, the measurement of the interval time, which is the elapsed time after the special winning opening 7a is closed, is started (S1224), and the process returns from the long game control process.

  On the other hand, if the main control board 20 determines in step S1209 that the round number R matches the round upper limit number Rmax, the main control board 20 starts measuring the ending time (S1210) and resets the round number R stored in the RAM. (S1211), an ending command is set in the RAM (S1212), and the process proceeds to step S1213. The ending command is a command for notifying that the last round in the jackpot game has ended, that is, that the jackpot game is to be ended. , Information indicating whether the determination symbol relates to the first special symbol determination or the second special symbol determination, information indicating the gaming state at the time of the special symbol determination, etc. Is included. In step S1213, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the measured ending time has passed the specified ending time (S1213). And when it is determined that it has not elapsed, it returns from the long hit game control process, but when it is determined that it has elapsed, a game state setting process described later is executed (S1214), in order to end the long hit game, The long hit game flag is set to OFF (S1215), and the process returns from the long hit game control process.

  [Game State Setting Process] As shown in FIG. 16, in the game state setting process, the main control board 20 performs the current operation based on, for example, which of the long winning game flag and the short winning game flag is set to ON. It is determined whether or not the special game is a long game (S1301), and if it is determined that the special game is not a long game, the process proceeds to step S1307. If it is determined that the game is a long game, step S1302 Proceed with the process. In step S1302, the main control board 20 determines whether or not the current long hit game is a long hit game subsequent to the small hit game (that is, a long hit game related to two types of big hits). For example, this determination can be made on the basis of the information on whether or not the long hit game flag is turned on, together with information on whether or not it is related to the type 1 big hit.

  If the main control board 20 determines that the game is not a long hit game related to the two types of jackpots, the main control board 20 determines whether or not there is a short time after the jackpot game ends based on the jackpot symbol set as the determination symbol (S1304). On the other hand, when it is determined that the game is a long hit game according to the two types of big hits, the presence / absence of a short time after the big hit game is determined based on the small hit symbol set as the determination symbol (S1305). If it is determined that there is no time saving (NO in S1306), the main control board 20 returns from the gaming state setting process and proceeds to the next step S1215. If it is determined that the time is short (S1306), the process proceeds to step S1307. , The time-saving game flag is set to ON, the time-saving game remaining count W is set to “100” (S1308), the process returns from the game state setting process, and the process proceeds to the next step S1215. By setting the short-time game remaining number of times W to “100”, the second game is performed in the second period except for the case where a jackpot occurs during the period from the end of the jackpot game until the execution of 100 special symbol determinations. When the start opening 5b is easily opened, the game is controlled in the short game state.

  In parallel with the processing in the main control board 20 described above, the processing as shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, the operation of the effect control board 22 will be described.

  [Sub-side timer interrupt process] The effect control board 22 repeats the sub-side timer interrupt process as shown in FIG. 17 every predetermined short time (for example, 4 msec). In the sub timer interruption process, a command reception process (S2101), an effect button process (S2102), and a command transmission process (S2103), which will be described later, are performed. The effect button process determines whether or not the effect button 30 or the effect key 31 has been operated based on the presence or absence of an operation signal input from the effect button 30 or the effect key 31. This is a process of setting an operation command for notifying to the RAM. The command transmission process is a process of transmitting the command set in the command reception process and the effect button process to the image sound control board 23 and the lamp control board 24. When the command transmission process is executed, the image sound control board 23 and the lamp control board 24, based on the received command, the rendering means (main liquid crystal display device 60, sub liquid crystal display device 61, speaker 17, frame lamp 18, The board lamp 19 and the movable accessory device 16) are caused to execute various effects (decorative symbol variation effect, winning effect, customer waiting effect, etc.).

  [Command Receiving Process] As shown in FIG. 18, in the command receiving process, the effect control board 22 determines whether or not the pending number increase command is received from the main control board 20 (S2301). , Hold number addition processing. In the hold number addition process, 1 is added to the hold number stored in the predetermined storage area, and a hold display command for displaying a hold image corresponding to the hold number on the liquid crystal screen 60a is set in the RAM. Next, the effect control board 22 determines whether or not a change start command has been received (S2303), and if received, performs an effect selection process described later (S2304) and whether or not a change stop command has been received. (S2305), if it has been received, processing during the end of the changing effect described later is performed (S2306). Then, the effect control board 22 determines whether or not an opening command has been received (S2307), and if received, performs an opening effect selection process (S2308) described later, and whether or not a round start command has been received. (S2309), if it is received, round effect selection processing described later is performed (S2310), it is determined whether an ending command is received (S2311), and if received, it will be described later An ending effect selection process is performed (S2312). Further, the effect control board 22 performs a customer waiting command reception process (S2313) described later.

  [Effect Selection Process] As shown in FIG. 19, in the effect selection process, the effect control board 22 first analyzes the change start command received from the main control board 20 (S2401), and sets a mode flag indicating the effect mode. Refer to (S2402). The variation start command includes information indicating the current gaming state, information indicating the special symbol and variation pattern selected in the jackpot lottery (jackpot determination). The effect mode is an aspect of the effect on the liquid crystal screen 60a. When the effect mode is different, the image displayed on the liquid crystal screen 60a is different, for example, the characters and background images that appear, and the decorative symbol variation effect is also produced. The one corresponding to the mode is executed.

  Subsequently, the effect control board 22 refers to the change effect pattern table and selects a change effect pattern based on the analyzed change start command and the referred effect mode (S2403). As a result, it is determined what kind of effect is to be performed as the decorative symbol variation effect, including a notice effect corresponding to a suggestion effect such as a so-called step-up notice effect or a chance-up notice effect. Then, a variation effect start command for causing the image sound control board 23 to execute the decorative design variation effect based on the selected variation effect pattern (this command includes a command for reducing the number of held images by 1) is set. Then (S2404), a hold number subtraction process for subtracting 1 from the hold number stored in the predetermined storage area is performed (S2405), and the process returns from the effect selection process to the next step S2305.

  [Processing during Variation Effect End] As shown in FIG. 20, in the processing during the variation effect end, the effect control board 22 analyzes the change stop command (S2501) and refers to the mode flag (S2502). Next, it is determined whether or not the decorative symbol variation effect that is about to end is a hit (big hit or small win) notification (S2503), and if it is a hit notification, mode flag change processing is performed ( S2508). In the mode flag change process, the mode flag is changed to indicate the effect mode corresponding to the type of the hit, and when the changed effect mode is not the normal mode, the counter value M corresponding to the effect mode is set. Set the upper limit count in RAM.

  On the other hand, the effect control board 22 determines whether or not the mode flag is 0 (S2504) if the decorative symbol variation effect to be finished is not a notification of winning (NO in S2503). Proceed to step S2509. The mode flag of 0 indicates the normal mode (the effect mode in the normal gaming state), and the mode flag is 0 in the initial state (that is, when the first game is started when the power is turned on). It is. On the other hand, if the mode flag is not 0, the value M of the counter for the current effect mode is decreased by 1 (S2505). If the value M does not become 0 (NO in S2506), the process proceeds to step S2509. If it becomes 0 (YES in S2506), the mode flag is set to 0 to return to the normal mode (S2507), and the process proceeds to step S2509. In step S2509, the effect control board 22 sets a change effect end command for ending the decorative symbol change effect, returns from the changing effect end process, and proceeds to the next step S2307.

  [Opening Effect Selection Process] As shown in FIG. 21, in the opening effect selection process, the effect control board 22 analyzes the opening command (S2601), and determines whether or not the jackpot game to be started is a long hit game. If it is a long hit game (S2602), an opening effect pattern selection process is performed to select an opening effect pattern for the long hit game (S2603). Then, the effect control board 22 sets an opening effect start command for causing the image sound control board 23 to execute an opening effect according to the selected effect pattern (S2604), and returns from the opening effect selection process to the next step S2309. Proceed to On the other hand, if the big hit game to be started is not the long hit game, short hit effect pattern selection processing for selecting a short hit effect pattern performed between the opening of the short hit game and the end of the ending is performed (S2605). Then, the effect control board 22 sets a short hit effect start command for causing the image sound control board 23 to execute the short hit effect by the selected effect pattern (S2606), and returns from the opening effect selection process to the next. The process proceeds to step S2309.

  [Round effect selection process] As shown in FIG. 22, in the round effect selection process, the effect control board 22 analyzes the round start command (S2701), and determines the number of continuations of special game (number of consecutive chants) and the number of rounds. Then, the production pattern during the round is selected (S2702). Then, an in-round effect start command for causing the image sound control board 23 to execute an effect during the round based on the selected effect pattern is set (S2703), and the process returns from the round effect selection process to proceed to the next step S2311.

  [Ending Effect Selection Process] As shown in FIG. 23, in the ending effect selection process, the effect control board 22 analyzes the ending command (S2801) and determines whether or not the jackpot game to be ended is a long hit game. (S2802) If the game is a long game, the mode flag is referred to (S2803), and based on the analyzed ending command and the referenced mode flag, an ending effect pattern selection process is performed to select an ending effect pattern (S2804). . Then, the effect control board 22 sets an ending effect start command for causing the image sound control board 23 to execute an ending effect according to the selected effect pattern (S2805), and returns from the ending effect selection process to the next step S2313. Proceed to The ending effect is an effect for notifying the player of the end of the winning game. On the other hand, if the jackpot game to be ended is not a long hit game, a short hit effect end command for ending the short hit effect that is being executed is set (S2806), and the process returns from the ending effect selection process to the next. Proceed to step S2313.

  [Customer Waiting Command Receiving Process] As shown in FIG. 24, in the customer waiting command receiving process, the effect control board 22 determines whether or not a customer waiting command has been received (S2901). The measurement of the time until the waiting effect is executed is started and the measurement flag is turned on (S2902, S2903), and the process proceeds to step S2905. On the other hand, if it is not received, it is determined whether or not the measurement flag is turned on (S2904). If it is not turned on, the time until execution of the customer waiting effect is not being measured. , Return to the command reception process, proceed to the next effect button process, and if turned ON, the time is up, that is, the time currently measured is set as the time until execution of the customer waiting effect It is determined whether or not (S2905). If the time is not up, the process returns from the customer waiting command reception process, returns to the command reception process, and proceeds to the next effect button process. If the time is up, the measurement flag is turned OFF (S2906). A customer waiting effect start command for starting the waiting effect is set (S2907), the process returns from the customer waiting command receiving process, returns to the command receiving process, and proceeds to the next effect button process.

  In parallel with the above-described processing in the effect control board 22, the image sound control board 23 performs processing as shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, the operation of the image sound control board 23 will be described.

  [Image Sound Control Board Timer Interrupt Processing] The image sound control board timer 23 repeats image sound control board timer interruption processing as shown in FIG. 25 every predetermined short time. In the image sound control board timer interrupt process, first, the image sound control board 23 obtains RTC information indicating the current date and time (date and time) from the RTC 28 of the effect control board 22 and stores it in the RAM. (S3000). That is, the RTC information stored in the RAM is updated every time the image acoustic control board timer interrupt process is executed. Then, a measurement process (S3001), a countdown effect control process (S3002), a new song announcement effect start process (S3003), a normal effect control process (S3004), a new song announcement effect end process (S3005), and an image output control process (S3006) described later. ), Audio output control processing (S3007), and data transmission control processing (S3008).

  [Measurement Process] As shown in FIG. 26, in the measurement process, the image sound control board 23 is powered on from the gaming machine 1 until the first new song announcement effect is executed after the gaming machine 1 is turned on. Elapsed time after being introduced is measured, and after the first new song announcement effect is executed, the elapsed time after the new song announcement effect is executed is measured. The new song announcement effect corresponds to a special effect. Specifically, the image sound control board 23 performs a count process of adding 1 to the number of interrupt processes N stored in the RAM (S3101). As described above, since the image sound control board timer interrupt process is executed at predetermined time intervals, the interrupt processing count N increases by 1 at each predetermined time period. Is executed, the interrupt processing count N is reset to zero. Therefore, from the interruption processing count N and the predetermined time, until the first new song announcement effect is executed after the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the first new song announcement effect is executed. After that, the elapsed time from the execution of the new song announcement effect can be calculated.

  Next, the image sound control board 23 determines whether it is the start time of the countdown effect based on the elapsed time measured as described above (S3102). In the gaming machine 1, the new song announcement effect is started every hour from the power-on of the gaming machine 1, and the start time of the countdown effect is 60 seconds before the start time of each new song announcement effect. The start time of the countdown effect here is not necessarily the time at which the countdown effect is actually started, but is the time to permit the start of the countdown effect. That is, the time when the countdown effect is actually started is delayed from the start time of the countdown effect, for example, 30 seconds before the start time of the new song announcement effect, depending on the execution state of the normal effect. There is. Further, the countdown effect may not be performed depending on the execution state of the normal effect. Note that the normal effect is a variation effect associated with a special symbol variation display, a winning effect associated with a special game, and a customer waiting effect performed when neither a special symbol variation display nor a special effect associated with a special game is performed. Say. If the image sound control board 23 determines that it is not the start time of the countdown effect, it proceeds to step S3104. If it is determined that it is the start time of the countdown effect, it sets the countdown flag to ON (S3103) and proceeds to step S3104. The countdown flag is turned on when the start time of the countdown effect is reached, and turned off when the new song announcement effect is started.

  Next, the image sound control board 23 determines whether it is the start time of the new song presentation effect based on the elapsed time measured as described above (S3104). As described above, in the gaming machine 1, the new song announcement effect is started every hour after the gaming machine 1 is turned on. That is, the first new song announcement effect is executed when one hour has elapsed since the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on, and thereafter, the next new song announcement effect is executed when one hour has elapsed since the start of the previous new song announcement effect. If the image sound control board 23 determines that it is not the start time of the new song announcement effect, it returns from the measurement process and proceeds to the next countdown effect control process. If it is determined that it is the start time of the new song announcement effect, the new song announcement flag Is turned ON (S3105), a reset process is performed to return the interrupt processing count N to 0 (S3106), and the process returns from the measurement process to the next countdown effect control process. The new song announcement flag is turned ON when the start time of the new song announcement effect is reached, and is turned OFF when the new song announcement effect is started. In this way, the image sound control board 23 turns on the new song announcement flag when the measured elapsed time reaches a predetermined time (here, 1 hour) regardless of the various commands transmitted from the effect control board 22. Then, the new liquid crystal presentation effect is started on the main liquid crystal display device 60 and the speaker 17.

  [Countdown Effect Control Process] As shown in FIG. 27, in the countdown effect control process, the image sound control board 23 first determines whether or not the countdown flag is ON (S3201). Returning from the effect control process and proceeding to the next process, if it is determined to be ON, it is determined whether or not the process of setting the setting information related to the countdown effect in the RAM has been completed (S3202). And when it determines with the process which sets setting information in RAM having been completed, it returns from a countdown effect control process, progresses to the next new music announcement effect start process, and when it determines with having not been completed, for example, effect control Based on the reception status of the command relating to the special game from the board 22, it is determined whether or not the special game is being performed (S3203).

  If it is determined in step S3203 that the special game is not in progress, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not it is in the customer waiting effect, for example, after receiving the customer waiting effect start command and the variable effect start command. Is determined based on whether or not it is received (S3204). During the customer waiting effect, there is no change effect or winning effect associated with the game using the game ball. For this reason, even if a countdown effect unrelated to the game using the game ball is performed, there is no possibility of damaging the interest of the game, so when the image sound control board 23 determines that it is in the customer waiting effect, Setting information for starting the countdown effect is set in the RAM (S3216). The image sound control board 23 stores a new song table in which the announcement date of each new song is stored for a plurality of new songs, and the current date specified from the new song table and the RTC information stored in the RAM. Based on the above, the new song to be announced in the new song announcement effect following the countdown effect to be started is specified, and information on the countdown effect related to the new song is included in the setting information. When setting information for starting the countdown effect is set, a display list is created based on the setting information and set in a predetermined storage area, and an image for the countdown effect is displayed on the main liquid crystal display device 60 according to the display list. Is displayed. At the same time, a sound for countdown effect is emitted from the speaker 17. That is, the image sound control board 23 immediately starts the countdown effect when the waiting time effect is in progress when the start time of the countdown effect is reached. The display list is composed of a group of commands for instructing execution of drawing in units of frames.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3204 that the image sound control board 23 is not in the waiting-for-customer effect, for example, whether or not the special symbol is being changed based on the elapsed time since the change effect start command was received. Is determined (S3205). When the image sound control board 23 determines that the special symbol variation display is in progress, any of the development start flag, the prohibition flag, and the post-end start flag stored in the RAM is turned ON. Whether or not the flag setting process is complete is determined based on whether or not (S3206). These flags are flags indicating whether to start the countdown effect or whether to perform the countdown effect. Specifically, the development start flag is a flag indicating whether or not the countdown effect is started at the development timing of the effect in the variable effect, and the prohibition flag is a flag indicating whether or not the execution of the countdown effect is prohibited. The after start flag indicates that the variation effect accompanying the variation display of the current special symbol (ie, currently being executed) is terminated (specifically, the timing at which the present variation effect ends or the next variation It is a flag indicating whether or not to start a countdown effect (at the timing when the effect is started).

  When the image sound control board 23 determines that the flag setting process has not been completed, the remaining time until the change display of the special symbol this time is completed is, for example, the change effect start command received from the effect control board 22. Based on the variation time of the special symbol specified based on this and the elapsed time after receiving the variation production start command (S3207). Then, from the calculated remaining time and the current time, it is determined whether or not the variation effect accompanying the variation display of the special symbol this time ends before the new song announcement effect is started (S3208). If it is determined that the new song presentation effect is to be ended before the start of the new song announcement effect, the after-start start flag is set ON (S3209). Thus, the countdown effect is started at the timing when the current variation effect ends or when the next variation effect starts.

  On the other hand, if the image sound control board 23 determines in step S3208 that the change effect accompanying the change display of the special symbol this time does not end before the start of the new song release effect, the new song announcement effect is started. It is determined based on the change effect start command received from the effect control board 22 whether or not there is a change timing in the change effect (e.g., an advance timing for developing from normal reach to super reach) before the change (S3210). ). If the image sound control board 23 determines that there is a development timing in the variation production before the new song announcement production is started, the development start flag is set to ON (S3211), and there is no such development timing. If it is determined, the prohibition flag is turned ON (S3212). When the development start flag is set to ON, the countdown effect is started at the development timing existing before the new song announcement effect is started in the variation effect accompanying the variation display of the special symbol this time. . On the other hand, when such development timing does not exist, the countdown effect is not executed by turning on the prohibition flag.

  In this way, when the variation effect accompanying the variation display of the special symbol is performed when the start time of the countdown effect arrives, when the variation effect ends before the start of the new song announcement effect following the countdown effect, When the countdown effect is started at the timing when the change effect ends or when the change effect accompanying the change display of the next special symbol starts, and when the change effect does not end before the new song announcement effect following the countdown effect starts, If there is a development timing when the variation production develops before the start of the new song announcement production, the countdown production is started at the development timing, and if there is no such development timing, the countdown production is not performed. It is possible to suppress the loss of interest.

  When the image sound control board 23 determines in step S3206 that the flag setting process has been completed, and the process for turning on any of the development start flag, the prohibition flag, and the post-end start flag (S3209). , S3211, S3212), it is determined whether or not the prohibition flag is set to ON (S3213). And when it determines with the prohibition flag being set to ON, it returns from a countdown effect control process, and progresses to the next new music announcement effect start process. As described above, when the prohibition flag is set to ON, the setting information for starting the countdown effect in step S3216 is not set, so the countdown effect is not performed.

  On the other hand, if the image sound control board 23 determines in step S3213 that the prohibition flag is not set to ON, it determines whether or not the development start flag is set to ON (S3214). If it is determined that the development start flag is not set to ON, the process returns from the countdown effect control process and proceeds to the next new song announcement effect start process, but the development start flag is set to ON. If it is determined, it is determined whether or not the development timing has come (S3215) based on the analysis result of the variation effect start command related to the present variation effect. If it is determined that the development timing is not reached, the process returns from the countdown effect control process and proceeds to the next new song announcement effect start process. If it is determined that the development timing is reached, the countdown effect is started as described above. Setting information is set in the RAM (S3216). Thereby, the countdown effect is started at the development timing of the variable effect.

  When the change display of the special symbol that was performed when the start time of the countdown effect has ended, or when the change display of the special symbol is not performed when the start time of the countdown effect has arrived, but the customer waiting effect has not started Is processed as follows. The image sound control board 23 determines in step S3205 that the special symbol variation display is not in progress. Next, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the after-start flag is set to ON (S3217). And when it determines with not being set to ON, it returns from a countdown effect control process, and progresses to the next new music announcement effect start process, but when it determines with being set to ON, for example from the effect control board 22 Based on the reception status of the hold display command and the change effect start command, it is determined whether or not the right of the first special symbol determination is held (S3218). If it is determined that it is not on hold, it is determined whether or not a variable effect end command has been received from the effect control board 22 (S3219). If it is determined that it has not been received, the process returns from the countdown effect control process. Then, the process proceeds to the next new song announcement production start process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the change effect end command has been received, setting information for starting the countdown effect is set in the RAM as described above (S3216). As a result, the countdown effect is started at the end timing of the change effect accompanying the change display of the special symbol this time.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3218 that the right to determine the first special symbol is reserved, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not a variable effect start command is received from the effect control board 22 (S3220). ). And when it determines with not having received, it returns from a countdown effect control process, and progresses to the next new music announcement effect start process, but when it determines with having received, setting information for starting a countdown effect as mentioned above Is set in the RAM (S3216). As a result, the countdown effect is started at the start timing of the change effect accompanying the change display of the next special symbol.

  If a special game is being played when the start time of the countdown effect arrives, the following processing is performed. The image sound control board 23 determines that the special game is being played in step S3203. Next, as shown in FIG. 28, the image sound control board 23 receives the commands received from the effect control board 22 (opening effect start command, round effect start command, ending effect start command, short win effect start command, short hit effect, Based on the production end command or the like, it is determined whether or not the game is being played per long (S3221). If it is determined that the game is long hit, it is determined whether or not it is before the start of the final round (S3222).

  If it is determined in step S3222 that the final round is not yet started, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not an in-round effect start command has been received from the effect control board 22 (S3223). Then, if it is determined that it has not been received, the process returns from the countdown effect control process and proceeds to the next new song announcement effect start process, but if it is determined that it has been received, the countdown for the specified new song is performed as in step S3216 described above. Setting information for starting the production is set (S3224), the process returns from the countdown production control process, and proceeds to the next new song announcement production start process. During a long hit game, an in-round effect start command is transmitted from the effect control board 22 every time a round is started, and an in-round effect is performed based on the in-round effect start command. Then, during the round effect, at least a part of the display content (for example, a display indicating the current number of rounds) is switched by the round. Therefore, when the start time of the countdown effect is in the long hit game and before the start of the final round, the countdown effect is started at the switching timing of the during-round effect upon reception of the in-round effect start command. It becomes.

  On the other hand, the image sound control board 23 determines that the game is not long hit in step S3221 and if it is not before the final round in step S3222, for example, a short win effect end command or an ending effect start command. Whether or not the ending of the short hit game or the long hit game has ended is determined based on the elapsed time since the reception of S (S3225). When it is determined that the ending has not ended, the process returns from the countdown effect control process and proceeds to the next new song announcement effect start process, but when it is determined that the ending has ended, setting information for starting the countdown effect Is set (S3224), the process returns from the countdown effect control process, and proceeds to the next new song announcement effect start process. As a result, if the start time of the countdown effect comes after the start of the last round during the long hit game, there is no timing for switching the effect during the round, so the countdown effect starts at the timing when the end of the long hit game ends. Will be allowed to. In addition, when the start time of the countdown effect arrives during the short win game, the short win effect associated with the short win game is a series from the start of the opening to the end of the ending, and there is a switching timing of the output in the middle Therefore, the countdown effect is started at the timing when the short hit game ending is completed.

  [New song presentation effect start processing] As shown in FIG. 29, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the new song announcement flag is set to ON (S3301). And if it is determined that it is not set to ON, it returns from the new song presentation effect start process and proceeds to the next normal effect control process, but if it is determined that it is set to ON, all the flags related to the countdown effect, That is, the countdown flag, the start flag after completion, the development start flag, and the prohibition flag are set to OFF (S3302). Next, the image sound control board 23 specifies the current date based on the RTC information stored in the RAM (S3303), and selects a new song corresponding to the current date based on the new song table described above (S3304). ). Then, setting information for executing the new song announcement effect of the selected new song is set (S3305), the new song announcement flag is set to OFF, and the process returns from the new song announcement effect start process to the next normal effect control process. . When setting information for executing a new song announcement effect is set, a display list is created based on the setting information and set in a predetermined storage area, and a new song announcement effect is displayed on the main liquid crystal display device 60 according to the display list. Is displayed. At the same time, the speaker 17 produces a sound for producing a new song. That is, when the start time of the new song announcement effect comes, the new song announcement effect is started.

  [Normal Effect Control Process] As shown in FIG. 30, in the normal effect control process, the image sound control board 23 first determines whether or not a command is received from the effect control board 22 (S3401). And when it determines with not having received, it returns from a normal production | presentation control process, and progresses to a new song announcement production end process (S3005). On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is a customer waiting effect start command when it is determined that the command is received (S3402), and if it is determined that the command is a customer waiting effect start command, then a customer waiting content determination process described later is executed. (S3403), setting information for starting display of the determined customer waiting effect image is set (S3404), and the process proceeds to step S3405. If it is determined in step S3402 that the command is not a customer waiting effect start command, the process proceeds to step S3405.

  In step S3405, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the command received from the effect control board 22 is a hold display command (S3405). The normal effect in the present embodiment is performed in the entire area of the liquid crystal screen 60a when the countdown effect or the new song presentation effect is not performed, and is performed using the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a when these effects are performed. . For this reason, the hold display image indicating that the right of the first special symbol determination is held is also displayed in the entire area of the liquid crystal screen 60a when these effects are not performed, and these effects are performed. Sometimes it is displayed in the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a. In addition, during the special game, since the special symbol determination is not performed, the hold display image is not displayed.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step S3405 that the received command is a pending display command, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the countdown effect is being performed (S3406), and if it is determined that the countdown effect is not being performed. Then, it is determined whether or not the new song announcement effect is being executed (S3407). If it is determined that the new song announcement effect is not being executed, setting information for additionally displaying the hold display image in the entire area is set in the RAM (S3408). ). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3406 that the countdown effect is being performed, or if it is determined in step S3407 that the new song announcement effect is being performed, it is determined whether or not a special game is being performed (S3409). If it is determined that the special game is not being performed, the setting information for additionally displaying the hold display image in the lower area is set in the RAM (S3410). If it is determined that the special game is being performed, such setting is performed. Absent.

  Next, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the command received from the effect control board 22 is a change effect start command (S3411). If it is determined that the command is a change effect start command, the countdown effect is executed. If it is determined that the countdown effect is not being executed, it is determined whether the new song announcement effect is being executed (S3413). If it is determined in step S3414 that the new song presentation effect is not being executed, the image sound control board 23 sets a main table in the RAM for executing the changing effect in the entire area of the liquid crystal screen 60a (S3415). The main table is a table used when changing effects are performed in the entire area of the liquid crystal screen 60a. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3412 that the countdown effect is being executed, or if it is determined in step S3413 that the new song announcement effect is being executed, the variable effect is executed in the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a. The dot effect table is set in the RAM (S3415). The dot effect table is a table used when performing a normal effect with dot display in the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a.

  After setting the main table or the dot effect table, the image sound control board 23 acquires a random number for selection (S3416). Specifically, the image acoustic control board 23 performs a random number update process for updating the random number at a predetermined cycle shorter than the timer interrupt process cycle. The image acoustic control board 23 stores the current random number, Get as a random number for selection. Then, based on the acquired selection random number and the set main table or dot effect table, the change effect pattern is determined (S3417). Specifically, in these tables, the variation pattern of the special symbol and a plurality of variation effect patterns are stored in association with each other, and the image sound control board 23 analyzes the variation effect start command and performs special processing. A pattern variation pattern is specified, and a pattern corresponding to the selection random number is determined from a plurality of variation effect patterns corresponding to the variation pattern.

  Next, the image sound control board 23 performs a notice content determination process (S3418) described later. Then, the normal effect image of the determined content (that is, the normal effect image that displays the variation effect based on the determined variation effect pattern, and if there is a notice effect, the normal effect image including the image of the determined notice effect) ) Is set in the RAM (S3419). By setting the display list generated based on the setting information, the main liquid crystal display device 60 performs these effects in the entire area of the liquid crystal screen 60a when the countdown effect or the new song presentation effect is not performed. When it is closed, a normal effect (in this case, a variable effect) is started in the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a. When there is a notice effect, the notice effect is started when it is time to start the notice effect during the fluctuating effect.

  When it is determined in step S3411 that the variation effect start command has not been received, or when the process of step S3419 is executed, the image sound control board 23 counts down at the development timing of the variation effect as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not a development start flag indicating whether or not to start is set to ON (S3420). If it is determined that it is set to ON, it is determined whether or not the current time is the development timing (S3421). If it is determined that the current time is the development timing, the normal effect image is displayed on the full screen (in the entire area). Setting information for switching from (display) to reduced display is set in the RAM (S3422). The reduced display is a display made in a display area smaller than those images superimposed on the countdown effect image and the new song presentation effect image in the upper area of the liquid crystal screen 60a. Accordingly, the normal effect image is superimposed on the countdown effect image displayed at the development timing at the development timing of the variation effect, and is reduced and displayed in the upper area of the liquid crystal screen 60a. Since the development of the fluctuating effect causes the player to expect a big hit, not only the dot display in the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a but also the reduced display in the upper area draws the player's attention. Because.

  The image sound control board 23 determines that the development start flag is not ON in step S3420, if it is determined that it is not the development timing in step S3421, or if the process of step S3422 is executed, for example, the new song announcement flag is ON. It is determined whether or not it is the start timing of the new song presentation effect based on whether or not it is set to (S3423). When it is determined that it is the start timing of the new song presentation effect, it is determined whether or not the prohibition flag indicating whether or not the execution of the countdown effect is prohibited is set to ON (S3424), and is set to ON. If it is determined that there is, setting information for switching the full-screen display of the normal effect image to the reduced display is set in the RAM (S3425). Thus, the countdown effect is not performed, and the normal effect image is switched to the reduced display simultaneously with the start of the new song announcement effect.

  If the image sound control board 23 determines in step S3423 that it is not the start timing of the new song presentation effect, if it is determined in step S3424 that the prohibition flag is not ON, or if the process of step S3425 is executed, the effect control board 22 It is determined whether or not the received command is a variation effect end command (S3426). When it is determined that the command is a change effect end command, the normal effect executed by the main liquid crystal display device 60 and the speaker 17 is ended (S3427). Then, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the after-start flag is set to ON (S3428), and if it is determined to be set to ON, the right of the first special symbol determination is reserved. It is determined whether or not (S3429). If it is determined that the right to determine the first special symbol is not reserved, setting information for displaying a normal effect image including a decorative symbol in a stopped state in the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a is set in the RAM (S3430). . As a result, when the right to determine the first special symbol is not reserved, the variation display of the special symbol next to the variation display of the special symbol currently being executed is not immediately started. At the timing when the display is completed, the countdown effect is started, and at the same time, the normal effect image including the decorative pattern in the stopped display state is displayed in dots in the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a.

  If the image sound control board 23 determines in step S3426 that it is not a variable effect end command, or if it is determined in step S3428 that the after-start flag is not set to ON, the right to determine the first special symbol is determined in step S3429. When it is determined that is held, or when the process of step S3430 is executed, the following process is executed with respect to the hit effect related to the long hit game.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the command received from the effect control board 22 is an opening effect start command (S3431). If it is determined that the command is an opening effect start command, an opening effect image is selected (S3432), and then it is determined whether a countdown effect is being executed (S3433). When determining that the countdown effect is not being executed, the image sound control board 23 determines whether the new song presentation effect is being executed (S3434). If it is determined that the new song announcement effect is not being executed, setting information for starting full screen display of the opening effect image is set in the RAM (S3435). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3433 that the countdown effect is being executed, or if it is determined in step S3434 that the new song announcement effect is being executed, setting information for starting the reduced display of the opening effect image is stored in the RAM. Set to (S3436).

  When it is determined in step S3431 that the image sound control board 23 is not an opening command, or when the process of step S3435 or step S3436 is executed, the command received from the presentation control board 22 is an effect during the round related to the long hit game. It is determined whether it is a start command (S3437). If it is determined that the command is an in-round effect start command, setting information for displaying an in-round effect image corresponding to the number of rounds is set in the RAM (S3438).

  When it is determined in step S3437 that the image sound control board 23 is not an in-round production start command, or when the process in step S3438 is executed, the command received from the production control board 22 starts the ending production related to the long hit game. It is determined whether it is a command (S3439). When it is determined that the command is an ending effect start command, setting information for starting display of the ending effect image is set in the RAM (S3440).

  If it is determined in step S3439 that the command is not an ending effect start command, or if the process of step S3440 is executed, the image sound control board 23 performs the process as shown in FIG. Run. That is, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the command received from the effect control board 22 is a short hit effect start command (S3441). If it is determined that the command is a short hit effect start command, a short hit effect image is selected (S3442). Next, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the countdown effect is being executed (S3443), and if it is determined that the countdown effect is not being executed, whether or not the new song announcement effect is being executed. (S3444), if it is determined that the new song presentation effect is not being executed, setting information for starting full screen display of the selected short hit effect image is set in the RAM (S3445). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3443 that the countdown effect is being executed, or if it is determined in step S3444 that the new song presentation effect is being executed, the setting for starting the reduced display of the selected short hit effect image Information is set in the RAM (S3446).

  Next, if it is determined in step S3441 that the image sound control board 23 is not a short hit effect start command, or if the process of step S3445 or S3446 is executed, the command received from the effect control board 22 is a short hit effect. It is determined whether it is an end command (S3447). If it is determined that the short win effect end command is received, the short hit effect being executed is ended (S3448). If it is determined in step S3447 that the command is not a short hit effect end command, or if the process of step S3448 is performed, the image sound control board 23 returns from the normal effect control process, and the next new song announcement effect end process ( Go to S3005).

  [Customer Waiting Content Determination Process] As shown in FIG. 34, in the customer waiting content determination process, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the time from the current time to the start time of the new song presentation effect is less than the first predetermined time. Judgment is made (S3501). The time from the current time to the start time of the new song announcement effect can be calculated based on the elapsed time from the power-on or the start of the previous new song announcement effect measured in the measurement process of step S3001. In the present embodiment, the first predetermined time is 10 minutes. And when the image sound control board 23 determines that it is not less than the first predetermined time (that is, 10 minutes or more until the start of the next new song presentation effect), it determines the customer waiting effect image that does not include the notification effect. (S3509). Here, the notification effect is an effect for notifying information related to the start time of the next new song announcement effect. For example, the time until the start time of the new song announcement effect, such as “The performance will start in another 10 minutes!” There is an effect to notify that the time until the start time of the new song announcement effect is short, such as an effect that directly informs the user, and “The performance will start soon!”.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3501 that the image sound control board 23 is less than the first predetermined time (that is, less than 10 minutes until the start of the next new song announcement effect), the start of the new song announcement effect starts from the present time. It is determined whether the time until the time is less than the second predetermined time (S3502). The second predetermined time is shorter than the first predetermined time, and in the present embodiment, the second predetermined time is 5 minutes. If the image sound control board 23 determines that it is not less than the second predetermined time (that is, 5 minutes or more until the start of the next new song presentation effect), it obtains a selection random number as in step S3416. Then, using the selection random number and the first notification effect table stored in advance, a lottery to determine whether or not to notify, and selection of a notification pattern for notification (S3506), the result of the lottery, When notifying (YES in S3507), a customer waiting effect image including the first notification effect by the selected notification pattern is determined (S3508), and when not informing (Y3 in S3507), the notification effect is not included. A customer waiting effect image is determined (S3509). The first notification effect table stores a plurality of random numbers and notification patterns respectively corresponding to the random numbers. If the acquired selection random number is stored in the first notification effect table, the notification is performed. If it is not stored, it is determined not to be notified. When notifying, the notification pattern corresponding to the random number for selection is selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3502 that the image sound control board 23 is less than the second predetermined time (that is, less than 5 minutes until the start of the next new song presentation effect), the selection is made in the same manner as in step S3416. A random number is acquired, and using the selection random number and the second notification effect table stored in advance, similarly to step S3506, a lottery for determining whether to notify, and selection of a notification pattern for notification (S3503), when notifying as a result of the lottery (YES in S3504), determining a customer waiting effect image including the second notification effect by the selected notification pattern (S3505), and not informing (Y in S3504), a customer waiting effect image that does not include the notification effect is determined (S3509). The second notification effect table stores a plurality of random numbers and notification patterns respectively corresponding to the random numbers, as in the first notification effect table, but the number of stored random numbers is the first. The lottery result of notification is easier to obtain than the first notification effect table and more than the first notification effect table.

  That is, the image sound control board 23 has time measuring means (that is, a part for performing the measurement processing in step S3001) for measuring the time until the start time of the new song presentation effect, and the new song announcement effect start is started by this time measuring means. When the time is measured up to a predetermined time before (in this case, 5 minutes), it is determined that the notification effect is performed with higher probability than when the time is not measured until the predetermined time.

  Since the time until the start time of the new song announcement effect is shorter when the second notification effect is performed than when the first notification effect is performed, the direction of the second notification effect is greater than the first notification effect. However, for example, it is said that it is easy for the player to know that it is not long before the start of the new song announcement production, such as “The performance will start soon!”.

  When the image-acoustic control board 23 determines the customer waiting effect image in step S3505, step S3508, or step S3509, the process returns from the customer waiting content determination process to the normal effect control process, and proceeds to the next step S3404 described above.

  [Preliminary Content Determination Processing] As shown in FIG. 35, in the preliminary content determination processing, the image and sound control board 23 determines whether or not the variation effect pattern determined in step S3417 includes a notification effect (S3601). . If it is determined that the notice effect is not included (NO in S3602), it is determined that neither the suggestion effect nor the notification effect is performed (that is, the suggestion / not-notification effect) (S3603). Here, as described above, the notification effect is an effect of notifying information on the start time of the special effect (new song announcement effect), and corresponds to the first notice effect. The suggestion effect is an effect that suggests the result of the jackpot determination, and corresponds to a second notice effect.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the image sound control board 23 includes a notice effect (YES in S3602), a notification effect determination process is performed (S3604). As will be described later, the notification determination process is a process for determining whether or not to perform a notification effect, and in the case of performing a notification effect, whether to perform a first notification effect or a second notification effect. , Indicated by a first notification flag and a second notification flag. Therefore, the image sound control board 23 determines whether either the first notification flag or the second notification flag is ON (S3605), and if neither is ON, the display of the suggestion effect is determined as the notice effect. (S3606). On the other hand, if any of them is ON, it is determined whether or not the first notification flag is ON (S3607). If it is ON, the display of the first notification effect is determined as the notice effect (S3608), and the first notification flag is determined. The notification flag is turned off (S3609). If the first notification flag is not ON, the second notification flag is ON, so the display of the second notification effect is determined (S3610), and the second notification flag is turned OFF. (S3611). When the image sound control board 23 performs the process of step S3603, step S3606, step S3609, or step S3611, it returns from the notice content determination process to the normal effect control process, and proceeds to the next step S3419 described above.

  [Notification Effect Determination Processing] As shown in FIG. 36, in the notification effect determination processing, the image sound control board 23 performs the first predetermined time from the current time to the start time of the new song announcement effect in the same manner as in step S3501. It is determined whether it is less than (S3701). If the image sound control board 23 determines that it is not less than the first predetermined time, it returns from the notification effect determination process and proceeds to the next step S3605 in the above-described notice content determination process. In this case, since both the first notification flag and the second notification flag remain OFF, it is determined in step S3605 that neither the first notification flag nor the second notification flag is ON.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3701 that the image sound control board 23 is less than the first predetermined time, it determines whether or not the time from the current time to the start time of the new song presentation effect is less than the second predetermined time ( S3702). When the image sound control board 23 determines that it is not less than the second predetermined time, based on the variable effect start command determined to be received in step S3411 or the variable effect pattern determined in step S3417, It is determined whether or not the fluctuating effect to be started on the liquid crystal screen 60a is a win (big hit or small win) (S3703). If it is determined not to win using the 1 notification effect table (S3704), a lottery to determine whether or not to notify is performed using the first notification effect table for losing stored in advance (S3705). The selection random number is acquired in the same manner as in step S3416. If the result of lottery is to be notified (YES in S3706), the first notification flag is turned ON (S3707). Note that the first notification effect table for winning and the first notification effect table for losing each store a plurality of random numbers when it is determined to notify, but it is more lost than the first notification effect table for winning. The first notification effect table for use stores more random numbers, and it is easier to obtain a result of notification.

  If the image sound control board 23 determines in step S3702 that it is less than the second predetermined time until the new song presentation effect start time, the variable effect that is to be started on the liquid crystal screen 60a in the same manner as in step S3703. Is determined to be a win (S3708), and if it is determined to be a win, it is determined not to win using a pre-stored second notification effect table for winning (S3709). In this case, a lottery for determining whether or not to perform notification is performed using the second notification effect table for loses stored in advance (S3710). If the result of lottery is to be notified (YES in S3711), the second notification flag is turned ON (S3712). In the second notification effect table for winning and the second notification effect table for losing, a plurality of random numbers in the case of determining to notify are stored, respectively. For the second notification effect table, more random numbers are stored, and it is easier to obtain a result of notification. In addition, it is easier to obtain a result that the second notification effect table for winning is notified than the first notification effect table for winning, and the second notification effect table for lose notification is notified more than the first notification effect table for lose. It is easier to obtain the results.

  When the image sound control board 23 determines NO in step S3701, S3706, or S3711, or executes the process of step S3707 or S3712, it returns from the notification effect determination process to the notice content determination process, and the next described above. Proceed to step S3605. Therefore, when it is less than the first predetermined time but not less than the second predetermined time until the new song announcement effect start time, when the lottery result to notify is obtained, the first notification flag is turned ON and the new song announcement effect starts. When it is less than the second predetermined time until the time, when the lottery result to notify is obtained, the second notification flag is turned ON, and in any other case, either the first notification flag or the second notification flag Will return to the notice content determination process. Then, the image sound control board 23 displays the first notification effect when the first notification flag is ON, and the second notification effect when the second notification flag is ON. If any of the notification flags is OFF, the suggestion effect is determined as the notice effect.

  [New Song Announcement End Process] As shown in FIG. 37, in the new song announcement effect end process, the image sound control board 23 reaches the time required for the new song announcement effect, for example, after the start of the new song announcement effect. Whether or not the new song announcement effect has ended is determined based on whether or not it has been performed (S3801). And when it determines with not complete | finishing, it returns from the new song announcement effect completion | finish process. When returning from the new song presentation effect ending process, the image sound control board 23 advances the process to the image output control process of step S3006 next to the image control board timer interrupt process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3801 that the new song presentation effect has ended, it is determined whether or not the end processing for setting the setting information for returning the normal effect image to the full screen display (normal screen mode) has been completed ( S3802). And when it determines with completion | finish processing being completed, it returns from new song announcement effect completion | finish processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the termination process has not been completed, for example, whether or not it is in the customer waiting state based on whether or not the variable production start command is received after receiving the customer standby production start command from the production control board 22. Is determined (S3803). When it is determined that the customer is waiting, setting information for returning to the normal screen mode is set in the RAM (S3804), and the process returns from the new song presentation effect end process.

  Also, if it is determined in step S3803 that the image sound control board 23 is not in the customer waiting state, whether or not it is a long hit game based on, for example, the reception status of a command related to the special game from the effect control board 22 or not. Is determined (S3805). If it is determined that the long hit game is not being played, it is determined whether or not a variable effect start command is received as a start command (S3806). If it is determined that it has not been received, the process returns from the new song announcement effect end process. If it is determined that it has been received, setting information for returning to the normal screen mode is set in the RAM (S3807) Return from termination processing.

  Also, if it is determined in step S3805 that the game is a long hit game, the image sound control board 23 is based on whether or not an effect start command for the last round is received from the effect control board 22 before starting the final round. It is determined whether or not (S3808). If it is determined that it is before the start of the final round, it is determined whether or not an in-round production start command has been received as a start command (S3806), and if it is determined that it has been received, the process of step S3807 is performed. If the process returns from the new song announcement effect end process and it is determined that it is not before the final round, for example, it is determined whether or not the ending effect has ended based on the elapsed time since the reception of the ending effect start command. (S3809). When it is determined that the ending effect has not ended, the process returns from the new song announcement effect end process. When it is determined that the ending effect has ended, the process of step S3807 is performed, and the process returns from the new song announcement effect end process. .

  By setting the setting information for returning to the normal screen mode at the timing as described above, when the new song presentation effect is finished, if the customer is waiting, the normal screen mode is immediately returned, and the new song announcement effect ends. If the game is not waiting for a customer and is not in a special game, for example, the screen is returned to the normal screen mode at the timing when the variation effect is started in response to reception of the variation effect start command. In addition, if a special game is being played when the new song announcement effect ends, if it is before the start of the final round, it is returned to the normal screen mode at the timing when the next round is started, and is not before the start of the final round. The normal screen mode is restored at the timing when the ending effect ends.

  [Image Output Control Processing] As shown in FIG. 38, in the image output control processing, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not setting information related to the effect image displayed on the main liquid crystal display device 60 is stored in the RAM. Judgment is made (S3901). If it is determined that the setting information is stored in step S3901, the image sound control board 23 creates a display list for the main liquid crystal based on the stored setting information (S3902). Then, the created display list is set in a predetermined storage area (S3903). On the other hand, if the image sound control board 23 determines that the setting information is not stored in step S3901, or if the process of step S3903 is executed, the process proceeds to step S3904, and the setting information regarding the sub liquid crystal display device 61 is stored in the RAM. Whether or not is stored is determined. If it is determined that the setting information is stored, a display list for the sub liquid crystal is created (S3905), and the created display list is set in a predetermined storage area (S3906). If it is determined that the setting information is not stored in step S3904, or if the process of step S3906 is executed, the image sound control board 23 returns from the image output control process, and the image sound control board timer interrupt process. The process proceeds to the audio output process in the next step S3007.

  [Audio Output Control Process] The audio output control process (S3007) is not shown, but the image sound control board 23 is synchronized with the effect image displayed by the main liquid crystal display device 60 in accordance with the image output control process, and the speaker. 17 is a process of outputting audio from the audio. When the normal effect image is displayed on the full screen, the sound related to the normal effect image is output in synchronization with the display of the normal effect image. In addition, when the normal effect image is displayed in dots in the lower area, the sound related to the countdown effect or new song announcement effect performed using the upper area is preferentially output, but the normal effect image is displayed in dots in the lower area. If the change effect related to the normal effect image has a high expectation level (for example, the reach or more), the normal effect image is related to the normal effect image. The sound is output by superimposing the sound related to the countdown effect or the new song announcement effect performed using the upper area. However, the volume of the former voice is assumed to be smaller than the volume of the latter voice. On the other hand, even when the normal effect image is displayed in dots in the lower area and reduced in the upper area, if the expectation level that is a big hit is low, the sound related to the normal effect image is not output. When returning from the sound output process, the image sound control board 23 proceeds to the data transmission control process of the next step S3008 in the image sound control board timer interrupt process.

  [Data Transmission Control Process] The data transmission control process (S3008) is a process in which the image sound control board 23 transmits data related to the image sound control to the effect control board 22 (not shown). Is transmitted to the lamp control board 24. As a result, the lamp control board 24 produces effects on the frame lamp 18, the panel lamp 19, and the movable accessory device 16 in synchronization with the effects produced by the main liquid crystal display device 60, the sub liquid crystal display device 61, and the speaker 17. Let it run.

  Next, an example of the notice effect (notification effect and suggestion effect) in the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the example shown in FIG. 39, when the customer waiting effect start command is received (that is, when the customer waiting effect starts), the new song announcement effect start time is less than the second predetermined time. This is an example. In this example, when it is determined that the audiovisual control board 23 has received a customer waiting effect start command in the normal effect control process (YES in S3402), the current song start effect is started in the customer waiting content determination process (S3403). It is determined that it is less than the second predetermined time until the time (YES in S3501, YES in S3502), the lottery result (S3503) is obtained using the second notification effect table, and a lottery result for notification is obtained (S3504). YES), in step S3505, a customer waiting effect image including the second notification effect image is determined, and the setting information for starting display of the determined customer waiting effect image is returned to the normal effect control process. (S3404).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 39 (A), the second notification effect (specifically, “the performance will start soon” will be displayed on the liquid crystal screen 60a and the speaker 17 to notify that the time until the start time of the new song announcement effect is short. ! "And an effect informing the user with an image and voice). In addition, in the customer waiting effect, the customer waiting effect including the notification effect (the first notification effect or the second notification effect), that is, the customer waiting effect (first demo) for notifying the information related to the start time of the new song presentation effect. Effect) and a customer waiting effect that does not include the notification effect, that is, a customer waiting effect (second demonstration effect) that does not notify the information related to the start time of the new song announcement effect.

  Then, the image sound control board 23 sets the countdown flag to ON (S3103) when the countdown effect start time is reached in the measurement process (S3102), and in the countdown effect control process, YES in step S3201, NO in step S3202, In step S3203, the process proceeds with NO, and since the customer waiting effect is being performed (YES in S3204), setting information for starting the countdown effect is set (S3216). Therefore, when the countdown effect start time is reached, the countdown effect is started as shown in FIG. The countdown effect is displayed largely in the upper area of the liquid crystal screen 60a, and the decorative symbol “193” that is stopped is displayed in dots in the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a.

  Next, the image sound control board 23 sets a new song announcement flag to ON (S3105) when the new song announcement effect start time is reached in the measurement process (S3104), and determines YES in step S3301 in the new song announcement effect start process. Then, the process proceeds to step S3302, step S3303, and step S3304, setting information for executing the new song announcement effect of the selected new song is set (S3305), and the new song announcement flag is turned OFF (S3306). Therefore, when the new song announcement effect start time comes, the new song announcement effect starts as shown in FIG. The new song announcement effect is displayed in a large area in the upper area of the liquid crystal screen 60a, and the decorative symbol “193” that is stopped is continuously displayed in dots in the lower area of the liquid crystal screen 60a.

  Further, the image sound control board 23 proceeds to YES in step S3801, NO in step S3802, YES in step S3803 in the new song presentation effect end process, and sets setting information for returning to the normal screen mode (S3804). Therefore, when the new song announcement effect ends, as shown in FIG. 39D, the display of the customer waiting effect image on the entire liquid crystal screen 60a is resumed.

  FIG. 39 shows an example in which the second notification effect is performed in the customer waiting effect, but as shown in FIG. 40, the customer notification effect includes the first notification effect and the notification effect (first The notification effect and the second notification effect) may not be performed.

  That is, when the customer waiting effect start command is received (that is, when the customer waiting effect shown in FIG. 40 (a) is started), in the customer waiting content determination process, the new song announcement effect start time is less than the first predetermined time. Is not less than the second predetermined time (YES in S3501, NO in S3502), and a lottery result (S3506) is obtained using the first notification effect table, and a lottery result for notification is obtained (in S3507). YES), when the customer waiting effect image including the first notification effect is determined (S3508), the customer waiting effect including the first notification effect is performed as shown in FIG. A countdown effect is performed as shown in e), and a new song announcement effect is performed as shown in FIG.

  Further, when it is determined that it is less than the second predetermined time until the new song announcement effect start time when the customer waiting effect start command is received, as described above, as shown in FIG. A customer waiting effect is performed, and then a countdown effect is performed as shown in FIG. 40 (e), and a new song announcement effect is performed as shown in FIG. 40 (f).

  On the other hand, when the customer waiting effect start command is received, if it is determined that it is not less than the first predetermined time until the new song announcement effect start time (NO in S3501), or the first notification effect table or the second notification effect table is used. In the lottery, when the result that the notification is not given is obtained (NO in S3507 or NO in S3504), the customer waiting effect without the notification effect is performed as shown in FIG. A countdown effect is performed as shown in FIG. 40 (e), and a new song announcement effect is performed as shown in FIG. 40 (f).

  In the example shown in FIG. 41, when a variation effect start command is received (that is, when a variation effect starts), the new song announcement effect start time is less than the second predetermined time, and thus the change effect (corresponding to a game effect) is notified. This is an example of production. In this example, when it is determined that the image sound control board 23 has received the variable effect start command in the normal effect control process (YES in S3411), the process proceeds with NO in step S3412, NO in step S3413, and steps S3414, S3416, Proceeding to S3417, it is determined that there is a notice in the notice content determination process of step S3418 (YES in S3601 and S3602).

  Then, in the notification effect determination process in step S3604, it is determined that the current time is less than the second predetermined time until the new song announcement effect start time (YES in S3701, YES in S3702), and the variation effect to be started is not hit. As a result of performing the lottery (S3710) using the second notification effect table for loss and obtaining the lottery result to notify (YES in S3711), the second notification flag is set. It is set to ON (S3712), the process returns to the notice content determination process, proceeds to YES in step S3605, and proceeds to NO in step S3607, determines the display of the second notification effect (S3611), and turns off the second notification flag (S3611). ), Returning to the normal effect control processing, setting information for starting display of the normal effect image including the second notification effect is set (S3419). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 41 (A), the liquid crystal screen 60a and the speaker 17 perform a fluctuating effect including an image of the second notification effect that notifies that the time until the start time of the new song announcement effect is short.

  Then, the image sound control board 23 sets the countdown flag to ON (S3103) when the countdown effect start time is reached in the measurement process (S3102), and in the countdown effect control process, YES in step S3201, NO in step S3202, The process proceeds with NO in step S3203, NO in step S3204, YES in S3205, and NO in step S3206, and calculates the remaining time until the end of the fluctuation (S3217). In the example of FIG. 41, it is assumed that the special symbol variation is completed by the new song announcement effect (that is, the variation effect is completed), YES is determined in step S3208, and the start flag after completion is set ON (S3209). Therefore, the image sound control board 23 determines YES in step S3217 when it is determined in the countdown effect control process to be executed thereafter that the variation of the special symbol has ended (NO in step S3205). In the example of FIG. 41, it is determined that there is no hold in step S3218, and since the variable effect end command is received (YES in S3219), setting information for starting the countdown effect is set (S3216). ). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 41 (C), the countdown effect is started at the timing when the changing effect is ended as shown in FIG. 41 (B).

  The image sound control board 23 performs a new song presentation effect as shown in FIG. 41D, similarly to the example of FIG. 39 described above. In the example of FIG. 41, when the right of the first special symbol determination is held during the new song announcement effect, and the new song announcement effect ends, a variation effect start command based on the hold is received in the new song announcement effect end process. (S3806: YES), setting information for returning to the normal screen mode is set (S3807). Therefore, at the start timing of the variation effect, as shown in FIG. 41 (E), the normal screen mode is restored and the variation effect is performed.

  FIG. 41 shows an example in which the second notification effect is performed in the variation effect. As shown in FIGS. 42 and 44, the variation effect includes the case where the first notification effect is performed and the notification effect (first In some cases, the suggestion effect is performed without the first notification effect and the second notification effect).

  In the example of FIG. 42, when the image sound control board 23 receives the change effect start command (that is, at the start of change effect shown in FIG. 42A), it determines that there is a notice in the notice content determination process (S3601). In S3602, YES, in the notification effect determination process, it is determined that it is less than the first predetermined time but not less than the second predetermined time until the start time of the new song presentation effect (YES in S3701, NO in S3702) and is about to start. As a result of performing lottery (S3705) using the first notification effect table for losing, the result of lottery to notify is obtained (YES in S3706). ) In the notice content determination process, the display of the first notification effect is determined (S3608). Therefore, when the variation effect is performed as shown in FIG. 42 (b), the first notification effect is performed, and then the variation effect ends as shown in FIG. 42 (c). ) A countdown effect is performed, and a new song announcement effect is performed as shown in FIG.

  As in the example of FIG. 41, FIG. 43 shows that when a variation effect start command is received (that is, at the start of the variation effect shown in FIG. 43A), the new song announcement effect start time is less than the second predetermined time. In this case, as described above, as shown in FIG. 43 (b), the second notification effect is performed during the changing effect, and then the end of the changing effect is triggered as shown in FIG. 43 (c). A countdown effect is performed, and a new song announcement effect is performed as shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 44, when a change effect start command is received (that is, at the start of change effect shown in FIG. 44A), it is determined that there is a notice in the notice content determination process (YES in S3601 and S3602), and notification is made. In the effect determination process, when it is determined that it is not less than the first predetermined time until the new song announcement effect start time (NO in S3701), or when a result that no notification is given in the lottery is obtained (NO in S3706 or NO in S3711) ). In such a case, the image sound control board 23 determines that neither the first notification flag nor the second notification flag is ON in the notice content determination process (NO in S3605), and determines the display of the suggestive effect (S3606). Returning to the normal effect control process, setting information for starting display of the normal effect image including the suggestion effect is set (S3419). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 44 (b), the suggestion effect is performed during the change effect. Thereafter, a countdown effect is performed as shown in FIG. 44 (c), and a new song announcement effect is performed as shown in FIG. 44 (d).

  In the example shown in FIG. 44, since the fluctuating effect is a hit, the first notification effect table for winning is used when it is less than the first predetermined time but not less than the second predetermined time until the start of the new song presentation effect. If it is less than the second predetermined time until the start of the new song announcement effect, a lottery is performed using the winning second notification effect table (S3704, 3909). The first notification effect table for winning is less likely to obtain the result of the notification than the first notification effect table for lost, and the second notification effect table for winning is less than the second notification effect table for lose. Therefore, in a variation effect with a notice effect, when the variation effect is a hit, the notification effect is less likely to be performed than in the case of losing, and conversely, the suggestion effect is likely to be performed.

  The notification effect (first notification effect or second notification effect) corresponds to a first notice effect that is a notice effect for notifying information related to the start time of the new song announcement effect. The information related to the start time of the new song announcement effect notified in the notification effect is less than the first predetermined time but less than the second predetermined time (first notification effect) and less than the second predetermined time. It is different in the case of (second notification effect). That is, in the notification effect, information related to the start time of the new song announcement effect according to the time elapsed is notified. On the other hand, the suggestion effect corresponds to a second notice effect that is a notice effect that suggests the determination result of the jackpot determination.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 includes a special game determination unit (main control board 20) that determines whether or not a special game advantageous to the player is performed when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and a predetermined effect unit ( Effect control means (sub control board 25) for controlling the main liquid crystal display device 60, the sub liquid crystal display device 61, the speaker 17 and the like. Then, the effect control means is based on a game effect control means (see FIGS. 19, 20, 30, 31) for performing a game effect (variation effect) indicating the determination result based on the determination result by the special game determination means, in advance. When the time measuring means (see FIG. 26) for measuring the time to the set start time and the arrival of the start time are known by the time measuring means, the directing means performs a special effect (new song announcement effect) different from the game effect. Special effect control means (see FIGS. 26 and 29), notification effect determination means (see FIG. 36) for determining whether or not to perform a notification effect for notifying information about the start time before the special effect is performed, and notification When it is determined by the effect determination means that the notification effect is to be performed, the notification effect control means for performing the notification effect according to the time counted by the timing means when the game effect is being performed. Has a see FIG 30, 35), the.

  In addition, as described above, when it is determined that it is not less than the first predetermined time until the next new song announcement effect start time (NO in S3701), the notification effect is not performed, and the first new song announcement effect start time is first. When it is determined that it is less than the predetermined time, a notification effect can be performed (in the case of YES in S3706 or S3711). That is, the notification effect determining means, when the time counting means is timed to the first predetermined time before the new song announcement effect start time (next new song announcement effect start time), until the first predetermined time before the new song announcement effect start time. It is determined that the notification effect is performed with a higher probability than when the time is not counted.

  In addition, the second notification effect table used when it is less than the second predetermined time until the next new song announcement effect start time is less than the first predetermined time but not less than the second predetermined time until the next new song announcement effect start time. It is easier to obtain a lottery result of notification than the first notification effect table used for the above. That is, the notification effect determining means, when the time counting means is timed up to a second predetermined time before the new song announcement effect start time (next new song announcement effect start time), until the second predetermined time before the new song announcement effect start time. It is determined that the notification effect is performed with a higher probability than when the time is not counted.

  Further, the gaming machine 1 includes special game determination means for determining whether or not to perform a special game advantageous to the player when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and effect control means for controlling the predetermined effect means, The effect control means includes a game effect control means for performing a game effect indicating the determination result based on a determination result by the special game determination means, a time measuring means for timing a time until a preset start time, and a time measuring means. When the arrival of the start time is known, the special effect control means for causing the effect means to perform a special effect different from the game effect, and the notice effect control means for performing a predetermined notice effect when the game effect is being performed. (See FIGS. 35 and 36 and FIG. 45 to be described later), and the notice effect control means, a notification determination means for determining whether or not to notify information about the start time before the special effect is performed, and notification When it is determined that the information related to the start time is notified by the determining means, the first notice effect (see FIGS. 42 and 43) for notifying the information related to the start time according to the time measured by the time measuring means is performed. And a second control unit that performs a second notice effect (see FIG. 44) that suggests a determination result when it is determined by the notification determination unit that the information about the start time is not notified. And

  Therefore, according to the gaming machine 1, since it is possible to inform the player of the start time of the special effect, it is possible to generate a willingness to continue the game until the display of the special effect is started. The effect of continuing can be improved.

  Also, when the time is measured until a predetermined time before the start time of the special effect, the notification effect is performed with higher probability than when the time is not measured until the predetermined time, so the start time is approaching Since it becomes easier to notify information related to the start time of the special performance than when the player is not approaching, it is possible to increase the player's sense of expectation for the special performance. On the other hand, when the start time is not approaching, it is more difficult to report information about the start time of the special performance than when the start time is approaching. Can be prevented.

  In the case of performing the notice effect, if it is determined that the information related to the start time of the special effect is to be notified, the notice effect (first notice) for notifying information related to the start time according to the time measured by the time measuring means. When it is determined that the information corresponding to the start time of the special effect is not notified, the suggestion effect (second notice effect) that suggests the determination result of the jackpot determination is performed. When notification of information related to the start time of the performance cannot be received, the determination result of the jackpot determination can be received, the player's sense of expectation for the jackpot can be increased, and the interest of the game can be improved. In the present embodiment, as described above, the winning first notification effect table is more likely to cause a loss, so that the number of cases where the second notice effect is increased when there is a high probability of actually being a big hit. As a result, it is more difficult to obtain the result of the notification than the first notification effect table, and therefore it is easier to obtain the result of the suggestion effect. The same applies to the winning second notification effect table and the lost second notification effect table. Therefore, in the variation effect that is the winning result, the probability that the suggestion effect is performed is higher than the probability that the notification effect (the first notification effect and the second notification effect) is performed.

  Thus, in the gaming machine 1, the notification effect is more easily performed when the remaining time until the next new song announcement effect start time (hereinafter abbreviated as “remaining time”) is shorter than the predetermined time. In addition, between the variation effects whose remaining time is shorter than the predetermined time and between the variation effects whose remaining time is longer than the predetermined time, the notification effect is more easily performed in the case of the variation effect that is lost. . That is, the variation effect that the remaining time is shorter than the predetermined time and loses is the variation effect that the remaining time is shorter than the predetermined time and wins, the variation effect that the remaining time is longer than the predetermined time and lost, the remaining time is the predetermined time The notification effect is more likely to be performed than any of the longer and winning variation effects. On the other hand, a variation effect in which the remaining time is longer than the predetermined time and wins is a variation effect in which the remaining time is longer than the predetermined time and loses, a variation effect in which the remaining time is shorter than the predetermined time and wins, and the remaining time is a predetermined time. The notification effect is harder to perform than any of the variable effects that become shorter and lose.

  In the above embodiment, at the start of the variation effect, the remaining time until the start of the new song announcement effect is determined to determine whether the notification effect is performed. It is also possible to determine whether or not to perform the notification effect by looking at the remaining time. Such a modification will be described with reference to FIG.

  The notice effect control process of the modification shown in FIG. 45 is performed after the normal effect control process of step S3004 in the image sound control board timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 25, for example. When this notice effect control process is performed, the notice content determination process in step S3418 in FIG. 30 is not performed.

  In the notice effect control process shown in FIG. 45, the image sound control board 23 first determines whether or not it is the start timing of the notice effect during the changing effect (S4001). Specifically, for example, based on the elapsed time since the reception of the change effect start command, it is determined whether or not the change effect is being performed. If the change effect is being processed, the change effect start command or the change effect pattern is analyzed. Thus, it is determined whether or not a notice effect is to be performed, and if so, it is determined whether or not it is the start timing of the notice effect. If it is determined that it is not the start timing, the process returns from the notice effect control process and proceeds to the next process. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the start timing, it is determined whether the time from the current time to the start time of the new song presentation effect is less than the first predetermined time (S4002). That is, at the start of the notice effect, the remaining time until the new song announcement effect start time is observed. And when it determines with the image sound control board 23 not being less than 1st predetermined time, it returns from a notice effect control process, and progresses to the next process.

  On the other hand, if the image sound control board 23 determines in step S4002 that it is less than the first predetermined time, it determines whether or not the time from the current time to the start time of the new song presentation effect is less than the second predetermined time ( S4003). When the image sound control board 23 determines that it is not less than the second predetermined time, it determines whether or not the current variation effect is a win (S4004). First, using the first notification effect table for winning (S4005), if it is determined not to win, the first notification effect table for loss is used (S4006), and whether or not to notify is determined. . Then, when notifying as a result of the lottery (YES in S4007), setting information for starting display of the first notification effect image as shown in FIG. 42B is set (S4008) and not informing. (NO in S4007), setting information for starting the display of the suggested effect image as shown in FIG. 44B is set (S4009).

  If it is determined in step S4003 that the new song presentation effect start time is less than the second predetermined time, the image sound control board 23 determines whether or not the currently performed variation effect is a hit ( S4010), if it is determined that it will win, using the second notification effect table for winning (S4011), if it is determined not to win, using the second notification effect table for lose (S4012), A lottery is performed to determine whether to notify. Then, when notifying as a result of the lottery (YES in S4013), setting information for starting the display of the second notification effect image as shown in FIG. 43B is set (S4014) and not notified (NO in S4013), setting information for starting display of the suggested effect image as shown in FIG. 44B is set (S4015). Then, in the image output control process of step S3006, the image sound control board 23 creates a display list based on the set setting information, and a notice effect image is displayed on the main liquid crystal display device 60 according to the display list. The At the same time, the speaker 17 emits a sound for a notice effect. Accordingly, the notice effect (first notice effect, second notice effect, or suggestive effect) is started at the start timing of the notice effect.

  As described above, in the modified example shown in FIG. 45, when the start timing of the notice effect is reached, the notice effect image (notice) is displayed separately from the setting information for starting display of the normal effect image set in step S <b> 3419 in FIG. 30. Setting information for starting display of one of the first notification effect image, the second notification effect image, or the suggestion effect image is set as the effect image). On the other hand, in the embodiment in which the notice content determination process in step S3418 in FIG. 30 is performed, the setting information related to the notice effect image is included in the setting information set in step S3419.

  In the above embodiment, the notification effect can be performed even in the winning variation effect, but the notification effect may not be performed in the winning variation effect. Specifically, when it is determined that it is a win in steps S3703 and S3708, the process may be returned without performing the lottery as shown in steps S3704 and S3709. By doing so, when the notice effect is performed in the variation effect to be won, the suggestion effect is always performed, and it is possible to increase the player's expectation for the jackpot.

  Further, in the lottery for determining whether the notification effect is performed in the variation effect, the table used for the lottery may not be divided depending on whether the variation effect is a win or a loss. In other words, the variation effects between the variation effects whose remaining time until the next new song announcement effect start time is shorter than the predetermined time and between the variation effects whose remaining time until the next new song announcement effect start time is longer than the predetermined time are hit. Regardless of whether or not, the ease of performing the notification effect may be the same.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 1st predetermined time and the 2nd predetermined time were set as time for judging the length of the remaining time until the next new music announcement effect start time, the 1st predetermined time shorter than 2nd predetermined time is set. 3 When the predetermined time is set and it is determined that the remaining time is less than the third predetermined time, the notification effect is greater than when it is determined that the remaining time is less than the second predetermined time but not less than the third predetermined time. You may comprise so that it may become easy to be performed. That is, the set number of “predetermined time”, which is the timing at which the probability of obtaining the notification effect is increased, is arbitrary. For example, only one second predetermined time may be set. Good.

1 Game Machine 17 Speaker (Direction)
20 Main control board (special game judging means)
30 Sub-control board (production control means)
60 Main liquid crystal display device (production means).

Claims (1)

Special game determination means for determining whether or not to perform a special game advantageous to the player by establishing a predetermined start condition;
Production control means for controlling predetermined production means;
With
The production control means includes
Based on the determination result by the special game determination means, a game effect control means for performing a game effect indicating the determination result;
A time measuring means for measuring time to a preset start time;
When the time measuring means knows the arrival of the start time, the special effect control means for causing the effect means to perform a special effect different from the game effect;
It is performed even when the game effect is being performed before the special effect is performed, provided that the predetermined condition is satisfied and the time until the start time is less than the predetermined time. even in the absence, and notification effect control means for causing the notification effect in response to time measured to notify the information on the start time by the clock means,
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

Images