JP7060822B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bullet game machine having a game area in which a game ball is launched.

Conventionally, among various types of ball game machines, the so-called first-class pachinko game machine has a plurality of symbols changed in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided in the substantially center of the game board. Display (hereinafter, such display is referred to as "design variation" or "variation display", etc.). This gaming machine shifts to a special game called a big hit, in which more prize balls can be obtained than in a normal game when the combination of symbols when the movement of symbols in multiple rows is stopped becomes a specific mode. Known as a thing. In the variable display of symbols in the display area, not only multiple symbols are variablely displayed, but also the variable display time is usually set in a state where it becomes a big hit if one more symbol is aligned, as in the so-called reach screen. It is designed to raise the expectations of the player, such as making it longer than that. In addition, the player's expectation is raised by the effect of using characters in images such as patterns to give a story to the variable display and the advance notice effect that suggests the high degree of expectation for transition to special games. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-230714

Since a large number of gaming machines adopting the above-described configuration already exist as conventional models, further improvement in game playability is required in order to differentiate them from the conventional models.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of further improving playability.

The bullet game machine of a certain aspect of the present invention has a game board in which a game area is formed, a start port provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and a lottery value acquired when the ball enters the start port. Based on this, the pass / fail determination means for executing the pass / fail determination for determining whether or not the transition to the special game, which is in a state advantageous to the player from the normal game, is performed, the special symbol display device capable of displaying the special symbol, and the special symbol display device. When the special symbol indicating that the hit / fail determination is a predetermined result is stopped and displayed, the special game control means for shifting to the special game after the stop display, the effect display device capable of displaying the effect, and the operation of the player. A launching device capable of launching a game ball into the game area according to the above, and an operation input means for receiving an effect switching operation from the player are provided, and the special symbol change period from the start of change to the stop of change of the special symbol is described. The effect display device can variablely display the effect symbol, and the effect display device has at least a decorative symbol and a simple symbol as the effect symbol to be variablely displayed, and the effect display device has the decorative symbol. It is variablely displayed in a plurality of decorative symbol rows, the simple symbol is variablely displayed in the plurality of simple symbol rows on the effect display device, and variablely displayed in at least one decorative symbol row among the plurality of decorative symbol rows. The decorative symbol has a fluctuation speed that changes during the special symbol fluctuation period, or can be changed to a fluctuation speed of a plurality of stages, while the simple symbol that is variablely displayed in the plurality of simple symbol rows is described above. The fluctuation speed does not change in the middle of the special symbol fluctuation period, or the fluctuation speed can be changed to a fluctuation speed of a smaller number of steps than the decorative symbol, and the effect display device has a predetermined effect and the effect switching operation is performed. It is possible to display an individual effect in which the display mode is changed and a background effect that is continuously displayed even if the display mode of the individual effect is changed, and during the execution of the specific effect in which the decorative pattern is the reach mode. When the individual effect and the background effect are hidden, the decorative symbol and the predetermined effect can be displayed in an superimposed manner, and the decorative symbol and the predetermined effect are superimposed and displayed, the said. The decorative symbol is superimposed and displayed on the front surface of the predetermined effect, the simple symbol and the predetermined effect can be superimposed and displayed, and the simple symbol and the predetermined effect are superimposed and displayed. In this case, the simple symbol is superimposed and displayed on the front surface of the predetermined effect, and a guide display for prompting the launch of the game ball in the predetermined direction can be displayed on the effect display device. When is displayed superimposed While the guide display is superimposed and displayed on the front surface of the decorative symbol, the simple symbol and the guide display are not superimposed and displayed, and the decorative symbol and the individual effect can be superimposed and displayed. On the other hand, it is notified that the simple symbol and the individual effect are not superimposed and displayed, the guide display and the individual effect are not displayed superimposed, and the special game is not executed in the specific effect. After the specific effect is completed, the individual effect and the background effect are displayed again, and at least one of the decorative pattern, the predetermined effect, and the individual effect can be displayed as a transparent image. There is .
<Additional Notes>
It should be noted that the other aspects different from one aspect of the present invention are listed below, but these can be carried out without any limitation.
The ball game machine of another aspect different from one aspect of the present invention was acquired by taking the opportunity of entering the game board in which the game area is formed, the start port provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and the start port. It is provided with a winning / failing determination means for executing a winning / failing determination based on a lottery value, a symbol display device for displaying the result of the winning / failing determination in a variable manner, and an effect display device for displaying an effect. There are a first effect mode and a second effect mode in which the tendency of the effect displayed on the effect display device is different. Is started, and the standby demo is displayed after the symbol has stopped changing in the second effect mode, rather than the first time from when the symbol has stopped changing in the first effect mode until the standby demo is displayed. The second time until is shorter.

It should be noted that any combination of the above components, and those in which the components and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced between methods, devices, systems, computer programs, recording media containing computer programs, data structures, and the like are also used. , Is effective as an aspect of the present invention.

According to the ball gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to further improve the playability.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure on the front side of a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure on the back side of a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a main board. It is a figure which shows the hit / fail determination table schematically. It is a figure which shows schematically the symbol determination table. It is a figure which shows the fluctuation pattern table schematically. It is a figure which shows typically the advance hit / fail determination table referred to in the advance hit / fail judgment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a sub-board. It is a figure which shows the outline of the mobile cooperation system schematically. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware composition of a main board and a sub board schematicly. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware composition of an effect control device schematicly. It is a flowchart which shows the control start processing of the main board in a pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of S120 in FIG. 13 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an interrupt process. It is a flowchart which shows the control start process of a sub-board in a pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of S518 in FIG. 16 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the interrupt process when the command is received from the main board. It is a flowchart which shows the interrupt process when the timer interrupt for effect display control occurs. It is a flowchart which shows the interrupt process when a sub CPU receives a command from a control CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the interrupt process when the timer interrupt for various device control occurs. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the special symbol variation display. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the decorative pattern variation display. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a special game. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a small hit game. It is a figure which shows the effect display example in the 1st effect mode. It is a figure which shows the other effect display example in the 1st effect mode. It is a figure which shows the effect display example in the 2nd effect mode. It is a figure which shows the display example of a menu screen. It is a figure which shows the display example of a mode selection screen. It is a figure which shows the display example of the image selection screen. It is a figure which shows the display example of a volume adjustment screen. It is a figure which shows the display example of a light amount adjustment screen. It is a figure which shows typically the flow of the screen transition after a symbol stop. It is a figure which shows the basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine in a modification. It is a figure which shows the effect display example of the 1st effect mode which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the effect display example of the 2nd effect mode which concerns on the modification. It is a figure which shows typically the flow of the effect in the 3rd effect mode which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows typically the flow of the effect in the 1st effect mode which concerns on a modification.

(Prerequisite technology)
In the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment, a plurality of games corresponding to the conventional type 1 pachinko gaming machine are mixed. The second game is preferentially executed so that the first game and the second game as the plurality of games are not executed at the same time. Further, in order to achieve both of these playability, a plurality of start winning openings, a plurality of special symbol display devices, and a plurality of hold lamps are provided. It is designed so that the number of big hits in the second game is generally larger than the number of big hits in the first game. For example, the second game has a higher probability of becoming a big hit with a probability change, and the second game has a larger number of unit games constituting a special game when a big hit occurs (opening time of the big winning opening). A long open unit game and a short open unit game with a short open time are mixed in one special game, and even if the number of unit games is the same, the second game is a longer open unit game than the first game. The second game is designed to have a relatively higher profit than the first game, such as (including the case where the number of games is large). On top of that, at first, aim for the first hit in the first game, and after the big hit in the first game gives a time reduction, aim for the second game repeatedly and get a lot of balls. Realize.

FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. The pachinko gaming machine 100 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 101, a front frame 102, a transparent plate 103, a door 104, an upper ball plate 105, a lower ball plate 106, a firing handle 107, a speaker 108, an effect button 109, and a cross key 110. Includes decorative lamp 111. The outer frame 101 has an opening portion and is a frame body for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 100 at a position where it should be installed. The front frame 102 is a frame body that matches the opening portion of the outer frame 101, and is attached to the outer frame 101 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 102 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably accommodating the game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

The transparent plate 103 is formed of glass or the like and is supported by the door 104. The door 104 is attached to the front frame 102 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball plate 105 has a mechanism for storing the game ball, sending the game ball to the launch rail, extracting the game ball from the lower ball plate 106, and the like. The lower ball plate 106 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. Speakers 108 are provided on the left and right sides of the upper part of the door 104, and sound effects and music sounds according to the game state and the effect are output by means for controlling the effect. Most of the resin members constituting the appearance of the door 104 are translucent, and the decorative lamp 111 is provided inside the transparent member. The decorative lamp 111 is an LED that emits light in various colors according to the game state, the effect, etc. by means for controlling the effect, and plays a role of the effect by blinking or the like.

The game board 80 has a first starting port 11, a second starting port 12, a large winning opening 20, a first operating port 31, a second operating port 32, and a general winning opening 33 on a game area 81 partitioned by a rail 82. , Out port 34, effect display device 60, center decoration 64. The center decoration 64 is a decorative resin member provided so as to form a screen frame of the effect display device 60 over substantially the central portion of the game area 81 and the upper portion and the right portion thereof, and is a flow path of the game ball and the effect display device. It has 60 functions such as protection and decoration. A stage 65 on which the inflowing game ball rolls is formed at the lower part of the center decoration 64, and the falling direction from the stage 65 is the direction of entering the first starting port 11 and the first starting port 11 depending on the rolling method. It is distributed to the side direction that does not enter the ball. At the upper part of the center decoration 64, a movable accessory 66 that is driven according to the content of the effect and performs an effect is provided. In the game area 81, a plurality of mechanisms such as game nails and windmills (not shown) for forming a flow path of the game ball are installed. In this specification, "winning ball", "winning prize", and "falling in" may be synonymous with each other. In addition, each winning opening and each entry opening may be composed of a type of "passing opening" (also referred to as "gate" or "through chucker") through which a game ball passes, and "entry ball". "Winning,""fallingin," and "passing" may also be synonymous with each other.

The first starting port 11 is provided as a starting winning opening corresponding to the first game, and the second starting opening 12 is provided as a starting winning opening corresponding to the second game. The first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 are configured so that it is possible to aim for one of the ball depending on the launch strength of the game ball according to the player's intention. The first starting port 11 is provided at a substantially lower center in the game area 81, and the second starting port 12 is provided directly below the first starting port 11. Left-handed, that is, when the ball is hit relatively weakly aiming to flow to the left passage of the center decoration 64, it is possible or easy to enter the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12, while right-handed. That is, when the ball is hit relatively strongly aiming to flow to the right passage of the center decoration 64, the ball can enter the second starting port 12 or is easy to enter, but cannot enter the first starting port 11. Alternatively, a flow path is formed by arranging the game nails so as to make it difficult to enter the ball. However, since the upper part of the opening of the second starting port 12 is normally covered with the first starting port 11 and the inflow of the game ball is hindered, the second starting port is not opened unless the expanding mechanism of the second starting port 12 is opened. It is impossible or difficult to enter the ball at 12. The winning / failing lottery is a lottery for determining whether or not to shift from a normal game to a special game that is advantageous to the player, and is executed every time a ball enters the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12. To travel.

It should be noted that the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 may be provided at positions separated from each other to such an extent that it is possible to strike a target at any of them depending on the firing strength of the game ball. The first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 may be installed separately on the left side and the right side of the game area 81, respectively, so that it is difficult for a game ball aimed at one to enter the other. For example, the first starting port 11 is provided at a position where it is possible or easy to enter the ball when it is left-handed, that is, when it is aimed to flow to the left passage of the center decoration 64 and fired relatively weakly. The second starting port 12 is provided at a position where it is possible or easy to enter the ball when it is hit right-handed, that is, when it is aimed to flow to the right passage of the center decoration 64 and fired relatively strongly.

The first starting port 11 includes a first starting winning detection device 16. The first start winning detection device 16 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the first starting opening 11, and generates first starting winning information indicating the entry at the time of entry. The second starting port 12 includes a second starting winning detection device 17, an ordinary electric accessory 90 (so-called electric tulip) which is an expansion mechanism, and an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 91 for opening and closing the ordinary electric accessory 90. Be prepared. The second start winning detection device 17 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the second starting opening 12, and generates second starting winning information indicating the entry at the time of entry.

The first operating port 31 is provided at a position on the left side of the game area 81 and includes the first passage detecting device 36. The first passage detection device 36 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the first operating port 31, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The second operating port 32 is provided at a position on the right side of the game area 81, and includes a second passage detecting device 37. The second passage detection device 37 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the second operating port 32, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The passage of the game ball through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32 triggers an open lottery to determine whether or not to expand the ordinary electric accessory 90. When the game ball passes through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32, the normal symbol, which is a symbol showing the determination result of the open lottery, is variably displayed on the normal symbol display unit 45. Therefore, the open lottery is also called "ordinary symbol lottery". After a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the fluctuation, the fluctuation display of the normal symbol stops. When the normal symbol stops at the hit symbol, the normal electric accessory 90 is expanded by the driving force of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 91, and the possibility of entering the second starting port 12 is increased. As a modification, the number of operating ports may be one, and the game area 81 may be provided at the left side position.

Each of the three general winning openings 33 includes a general winning detection device 38 for detecting the entry of a game ball. The general winning detection device 38 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 33, and generates general winning information indicating the entry at the time of entry.

The large winning opening 20 includes a large winning opening detection device 25 for detecting the entry of a game ball, and a large winning opening solenoid 92 for opening and closing the large winning opening 20. The large prize detection device 25 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the large prize opening 20, and generates large prize opening winning information indicating the entry at the time of entry. The big winning opening 20 is a horizontally rectangular winning opening that is opened as a "big hit" when the first special symbol 51 or the second special symbol 52 is stopped in a predetermined mode. The large winning opening 20 is provided at a position on the upper right side of the out opening 34. As a modification, another large winning opening may be provided at the lower center of the game area 81 or above or below the large winning opening 20, and a plurality of large winning openings may be provided.

A symbol display unit 120 is arranged below the outside of the game area 81 in the game board 80. The symbol display unit 120 includes a first special symbol display unit 41, a second special symbol display unit 42, a first special symbol hold display unit 71, a second special symbol hold display unit 72, a normal symbol display unit 45, and a normal diagram. Each display unit such as a hold display unit 75, a game status display unit 76, and an abnormality notification unit 77 is provided. Specifically, the first special symbol display unit 41 corresponding to the first game and the second special symbol display unit 42 corresponding to the second game are arranged side by side at the lower left position, and the first special symbol Changes in 51 and the second special symbol 52 are displayed.

The first special symbol 51 is a symbol corresponding to the determination result of the first winning / failing lottery triggered by the entry of the game ball into the first starting port 11, and is a special game when the game is stopped in a predetermined hit mode. A big hit will occur. The second special symbol 52 is a symbol corresponding to the determination result of the second winning / failing lottery triggered by the entry of the game ball into the second starting port 12, and is a special game when the game is stopped in a predetermined hit mode. A big hit will occur. The first special symbol display unit 41 and the second special symbol display unit 42 are, for example, an eight-segment LED composed of eight segments of seven segments forming a "figure 8" and one segment representing a "dot". It is a display device of. With an 8-segment LED, a numerical value for 8 bits can be expressed by combining 8 segments. The first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 represented by the combination of segments do not necessarily form the body of letters or numbers, and may be symbols having no meaning in general formed by the combination of each segment. .. These symbols are replaced one after another at high speed and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 41 and the second special symbol display unit 42, or a predetermined display (for example, "-") and non-display (for example, all lights are turned off) are displayed. By displaying the symbol corresponding to the determination result after being repeated for a predetermined time, the symbol variation display of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 is realized. It should be noted that the first special symbol display unit 41 and the second special symbol display unit 42 use LED dot arrays that are not 8-segment LEDs, and a plurality of types of first special symbol 51 and second are used depending on the combination of lighting patterns and lighting colors. The special symbol 52 may be expressed.

Further, since the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 do not necessarily have to have a directing role, in this embodiment, the first special symbol display unit 41 and the second special symbol at the lower left of the game area 81 are used. The display unit 42 displays the image in an inconspicuous size. However, when adopting a method of expressing the special symbol without using a decorative symbol by giving it a directing role, the special symbol is displayed on another display device such as a liquid crystal display instead of the 8-segment LED. It may be configured to make it.

A first special symbol hold display unit 71 is provided above the first special symbol display unit 41 as a hold lamp for special symbol fluctuation corresponding to the first game, and a second special symbol display unit 42 is provided above the second special symbol display unit 42. A second special symbol hold display unit 72 is provided as a hold lamp for the special symbol change corresponding to the game of. The first special figure reservation display unit 71 is composed of two lamps, and the number of the winning / failing lottery values held in the first game depending on the number of lighting or the number of blinking lamps (hereinafter, the number of holdings of the winning / failing lottery value). Simply display (also referred to as "pending number"). The number of holdings in the first special figure holding display unit 71 is the first.
It is the number of times (number) that the lottery value is acquired based on winning the first starting port 11 during the change of the special symbol 51 or during the execution of the special game, and the number of winning balls for which the symbol change has not been executed yet. show. The second special figure hold display unit 72 is also composed of two lamps, and displays the number of holdes in the second game according to the number of lights or the number of blinks. The number of reservations in the second special symbol reservation display unit 72 is the number of times (number) of acquisition of lottery values based on winning a prize in the second starting port 12 while the second special symbol 52 is changing or the special game is being executed. Indicates the number of winning balls that are present and the symbol change has not yet been executed. The number of holdings of the winning / failing lottery value is also displayed at the lower part of the screen of the effect display device 60 in a form represented by the number of lighting of the holding lamp image.

A normal symbol display unit 45 is provided on the right side of the symbol display unit 120. The ordinary symbol display unit 45 is composed of two lamps for convenience, and the display state of the ordinary symbol is expressed by the lighting combination thereof. First, the fluctuation of the normal symbol is expressed by blinking the first lamp and the second lamp at the same time, and finally the stop symbol of the normal symbol is expressed by the combination of the lighting state of the first lamp and the second lamp. Is expressed. For example, turning on the first lamp and turning off the second lamp expresses the off-stop symbol, and turning off the first lamp and turning on the second lamp expresses the first hit mode, and the first. The second hit mode is expressed by lighting both the lamp and the second lamp.

Further, on the right side of the normal symbol display unit 45, a normal symbol hold display unit 75 is provided as a hold lamp for the normal symbol change. The normal figure hold display unit 75 also consists of two lamps, and displays the number of hold of normal symbol fluctuations according to the number of lighting or the number of blinking. The number of reserved normal symbol changes is the number of game balls that have passed through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32 during the change of the normal symbol, and the number of normal symbol lottery for which the normal symbol change has not yet been executed. Is shown.

The symbol display unit 120 is provided with a game status display unit 76 and an abnormality notification unit 77. The game state display unit 76 is a display unit that displays a game state such as a specific game state, which will be described later, and is composed of, for example, one lamp and one 7-segment LED. For example, each game status is notified by turning on the lamp when the probability is fluctuating, blinking when the ball is easy to enter, and turning off when the normal state is in the normal state, and the 7-segment LED is displayed during the execution of the special game. Displays the number of unit games (number of rounds) to be executed in the special game. The abnormality notification unit 77 is a display unit that notifies a part of the abnormality of the gaming machine, and is composed of, for example, a plurality of lamps, and notifies the abnormality by a lighting pattern according to the type of abnormality. It should be noted that these display units may not be centrally arranged in the symbol display unit 120, and each display unit may be individually configured, or may be divided into a plurality of display devices that are appropriately integrated. Further, the notification of the gaming state such as the specific gaming state may be configured to be performed only for a predetermined period such as a certain time after the power is restored from the power failure.

At the substantially center of the game area 81, an effect display device 60 is provided so that the screen is exposed from the screen frame formed by the center decoration 64, and the decorative symbol 61 linked to the first special symbol 51 or the second special symbol 52 is provided. The fluctuation of the including effect image is displayed. Hereinafter, such a display is referred to as "design variation" or "variation display".

The effect display device 60 is a display device including a liquid crystal display that variablely displays the decorative symbol 61 in conjunction with the variable display of the first special symbol 51 or the second special symbol 52. The decorative symbol 61 is a symbol for visually producing the determination result display of the lottery shown by the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52. As the decorative symbol 61, the effect display device 60 displays, for example, a moving image in which a plurality of rows of symbols imitating a game of a slot machine are varied in a central region of the screen. In this embodiment, the symbols composed of the numbers "0" to "9" are displayed in three columns and varied, and the combination of the three symbols finally stopped and displayed indicates hit or miss. Each of the plurality of symbols constituting the decorative symbol 61 is composed of numbers, letters, or symbols decorated with colors and patterns, and these numbers, letters, and symbols are common to all symbols. It may be configured by adding a different pattern to each and integrating them. This pattern is a pattern on which a motif related to the theme of decoration or production set in the model of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is drawn, and may be, for example, a pattern on which a character of a person or an animal is drawn. The decorative symbol 61 is switched between the case where the symbol including the symbol is integrally displayed and the case where the symbols are separated and only the numbers, letters, and symbols are displayed in a variable manner according to the development of the effect. It may be configured to be. In the background of the variable display of the decorative symbol 61, a moving image having a directing effect related to the decoration or the theme of the effect set for the model of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is displayed in conjunction with the variation of the symbol.

The effect display device 60 is composed of a liquid crystal display which is a high-definition dot matrix type display device, but the width of the display area may be about half the width of the game area, or a large size exceeding half. There may be. In the case of a large size, the game ball passage on the right side of the effect display device is formed with a passage width that allows one game ball to pass through, and if the player launches it with maximum strength as a so-called "right-handed", it will almost certainly be the right side passage. The game ball can be passed through, and it can be distinguished from the so-called "left-handed". The effect display device 60 is not limited to a single display device, but may be a combination of a plurality of display devices. In the case of a plurality of displays, displays of different sizes such as a combination of a main liquid crystal and a sub liquid crystal may be combined, the sub liquid crystal may be arranged at a position adjacent to the main liquid crystal, or a position other than the game board, for example, a launch handle. It may be installed in the vicinity of (upper ball plate, right decorative lamp, etc.). When installed in the vicinity of the firing handle, it may be configured in the form of a touch panel that can be operated and input by the player. The effect display device 60 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and may be configured by a display device such as an organic EL display, a mechanical display means such as a drum rotation type, or a display means such as an LED matrix type. ..

The effect button 109 is an operation input means that the player presses to input a predetermined instruction to the gaming machine according to the effect content, and the effect content or the like is changed according to the pressing mode. The effect button 109 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball plate 105. The cross key 110 is an operation input means for the player to input a direction instruction to the gaming machine, and is provided on the left outer wall surface of the upper ball plate 105.

The method and control flow of the game played in the gaming machine having the above configuration will be outlined. When the player rotates the launch handle 107 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball plate 105 are guided one by one to the rail 82 and launched to the game area 81 with the strength corresponding to the rotation angle. .. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 107 by hand, the firing of the game ball is repeated at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 81 hits a plurality of game nails, a windmill, a center decoration 64, etc., and falls in a direction corresponding to the way of hitting. When a game ball falls into each of the general winning openings 33, the first starting opening 11, the second starting opening 12, and the large winning opening 20, the winning ball according to the type of the winning opening is the upper ball plate 105 or the lower. It is paid out to the ball plate 106. The game ball that has fallen into each winning opening such as the general winning opening 33 is treated as a safe ball, and the game ball that has fallen into the out opening 34 is treated as an out ball.

Further, when the game ball passes through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32, the normal symbol is variablely displayed on the normal symbol display unit 45, and is stopped and displayed after the variation display time determined prior to the display has elapsed. When the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in the first hit mode or the second hit mode, the normal electric accessory 90 is expanded based on the hit mode of the stop-displayed symbol and the gaming state when the stop display is displayed. .. That is, when the gaming state when the symbol is stopped is the normal gaming state and the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in the first hit mode, a short opening for 0.1 second is executed as the opening of the normal electric accessory 90. Further, when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in the first hit mode in the specific game state (for example, the easy ball entry state), the normal symbol is in the second hit mode in the normal time and the specific game state (for example, the easy ball entry state). When the stop display is displayed, a long opening for 6 seconds is executed as the opening of the normal electric accessory 90. Here, the winning probability of the normal symbol and the execution probability of the long opening are set so as to differ depending on the gaming state. Specifically, in the open lottery in the normal state, the normal symbol is a hit with a probability of 1/100, and the execution probability of the short opening in that case (the probability that the winning symbol of the first hit mode is selected) is 1 /. 3. The execution probability of long opening (probability of selecting the winning symbol of the second hitting mode) is set to 2/3. Further, in the open lottery in the specific gaming state (for example, the ball entry easy state), the normal symbol is hit with a probability of 99/100, and the selection probability of the first hit mode and the second hit mode is the same as that of the normal game state. However, it is set so that the long opening is executed regardless of the winning mode. In this way, in the easy-to-enter state, the function of changing the hit probability of the normal symbol (probability change from 1/100 to 99/100) and the function of extending the opening time (the opening time when the stop is displayed in the first hit mode is 0). The ease of entering the second starting port 12 is enhanced by (extending from 1 second to 6.0 seconds). The function of extending the operating period of the ordinary electric accessory 90 (long opening) may be referred to as "opening extension".

In addition, as described above, by setting the probability of long opening to be higher than the probability of short opening in the normal state, long opening is executed at a constant rate even in the normal state when the normal symbol is won. .. As a modification, on the contrary, in the normal state, the probability of short opening may be higher than the probability of long opening, the specification may be the same for both, or the specification may be short opening without fail. good. Further, when the ball is in the easy-to-enter state, the easiness of entering the second starting port 12 may be enhanced by using three functions including a function of shortening the fluctuation time of the normal symbol. In that case, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is, for example, 10 seconds in the normal state and 2 seconds in the easy-to-enter state. The winning probability of the open lottery in the normal state may be set to zero (0/100), and the specification may be such that the normal electric accessory 90 can be expanded only when the open lottery is performed in the easy entry state. Further, when the normal electric accessory 90 expands, it may be notified in advance to that effect, or the hold of the normal symbol change may be pre-read and notified before the start of the change of the normal symbol, or the normal symbol may be notified. It may be notified during the fluctuation.

As a modification of the opening mode when the ordinary electric accessory 90 of the second starting port 12 is opened for a long time, the total opening time is lengthened to about 6 seconds by repeating the opening for 2 seconds, which is longer than the short opening, three times. It may be an embodiment. Further, a plurality of combinations of the opening time and the number of opening times may be prepared, and one of them may be selected. For example, when the 2-second opening is 3 times, the total opening time is the same as when the 6-second opening is 1 time, but the former is longer than the latter when the interval period is included. Therefore, especially in the configuration of the modified example in which the second starting port 12 is arranged in the right-handed direction, the former player enters the ball assuming that the player who notices the opening adjusts the hitting direction to the second starting port 12 from that point. It can be said that the chance is long. Further, it may be configured so that there are a plurality of hit types of ordinary symbols, and the opening mode of the expansion mechanism may be different depending on the hit types. For example, when the normal symbol is the first hit, the 0.1 second opening is set once in the normal state, the 1 second opening is set three times in the easy entry state, and the second hit is the normal state. Then, the 6-second opening may be performed once, and the 2-second opening may be performed twice in the easy-to-enter state.

On the other hand, when the ball enters the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12, the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 are displayed in the first special symbol display unit 41, the second special symbol display unit 42, and the effect display device 60. , And the decorative symbol 61 are variablely displayed. The variable display of the first special symbol 51, the second special symbol 52, and the decorative symbol 61 is stopped after the variation display time determined prior to the display has elapsed. The first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 are variablely displayed according to a variable pattern in which the variation mode from the start to the stop of the variation is defined. The decorative symbol 61 is variablely displayed according to a variable effect pattern in which the variation mode from the start to the stop of the variation is defined. A plurality of types of fluctuation patterns and fluctuation effect patterns are prepared, and each has various fluctuation times, long and short. While the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 are varied and displayed according to the variation pattern, the decorative symbol 61 is variablely displayed according to the variation effect pattern having the same variation time. In the variation pattern, the variation display time is set for each pattern as the end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the first special symbol 51, the second special symbol 52, and the decorative symbol 61 occurs when the variation display time elapses. It will be stopped. Hereinafter, the variation display of the decorative symbol 61 displayed according to the variation effect pattern will be illustrated, and the variation effect pattern will be briefly described. Details of the variation pattern and the method of determining the variation effect pattern will be described separately.

As an example of the variation display of the decorative symbol 61, first, when the variation starts, the symbols are varied in all three rows like the reel rotation of the slot machine, and when the variation end timing is approached, the symbols are stopped one by one in the final stop mode. The symbol combination as is displayed. In addition, as an operation when the fluctuation of the decorative symbol 190 is stopped, it may be controlled to stop a plurality of rows at the same time instead of one row at a time so that the effect display other than the decorative symbol is noticed during the variable display, or the effect display other than the decorative symbol may be noticed in a shorter fluctuation time. It may be possible to display the symbol variation. In addition, as an operation at the start of the change of the decorative symbol 190, it is controlled so as to delay the start of the change of a part of the columns according to the subsequent development (type of effect pattern, etc.) in the change, and a feeling of expectation is produced. You may do it.

Next, the variable effect pattern will be briefly described. The variable effect pattern includes a normal out-of-reach effect pattern, a reach out-of-reach effect pattern, and a reach jackpot effect pattern. The normal out-of-order effect pattern is an effect pattern when displaying a normal out-of-design pattern combination. The out-of-reach effect pattern is an effect pattern when displaying a combination of out-of-reach symbols through a reach state, which is a state in which one more symbol is aligned and a big hit is made. The reach jackpot effect pattern is an effect pattern when the symbol combination of the jackpot is displayed after the reach state. In particular, the pattern when going through the reach state includes a pattern having various long and short fluctuation times, a reach pattern with a relatively short fluctuation time is called "normal reach", and a reach pattern with a long fluctuation time is called "super reach". ". The normal out-of-reach effect pattern, the reach out-of-reach effect pattern, and the reach jackpot effect pattern have a normal pattern displayed in a normal state and a time-saving pattern displayed in a time-saving state, respectively. However, even in the normal state, if the second symbol changes corresponding to the entry of the ball into the second starting port 12, the probability that the big hit will be accompanied by a probability change or the probability that the number of unit games of the special game will increase is the first. Since it can be said that the chance state is higher than the first fluctuation corresponding to the entry into the 1 starting port 11, a pattern for chance effect indicating that the chance is a relatively advantageous jackpot may be used. In the embodiment, the time saving pattern is used in the time saving state, but since the time saving is accompanied in the probabilistic change state, the time saving pattern is also used in the probabilistic changing state. However, in the modified example, the specification may be such that a pattern for probabilistic change different from that for time saving is used in the probable change state. Alternatively, a specification may be made in which a common pattern is used for the time saving and the probabilistic change, or a specification in which the probabilistic change pattern is used in the probable change state without using the time saving pattern in particular.

When the number of hold of the winning / failing lottery reaches a predetermined number (for example, 3), the symbol fluctuation time in the case of a loss is shortened than usual in order to improve the game efficiency (hereinafter, also referred to as "shortening fluctuation"). Similarly, when the number of pending win / fail lottery is 4, the symbol fluctuation time in the case of a miss is further shortened as compared with the case of the above 3 in order to further improve the game efficiency (hereinafter, also referred to as "super shortened fluctuation"). ). When the first special symbol 51, the second special symbol 52, and the decorative symbol 61 at the time of stopping are in the stop mode showing a big hit after the above-mentioned symbol variation, it is a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game. The game shifts to a special game, and the opening / closing operation of the large winning opening 20 is started. The stop mode of the decorative symbol 61 showing a big hit is, for example, a combination mode in which three types of symbols match.

There are two types of special games, normal special games and shortened special games, and there is a big difference in the profits of the winning prize balls. Normally, the special game is started by displaying the production screen called the start demo time. After the screen display of the start demo time, the big winning opening 20 is opened, and the opening is continued for about 30 seconds, or is temporarily closed after 9 or more game balls have fallen. The process from opening to closing of the large winning opening 20 is basically called a unit game, but there may be a case where a plurality of short-time openings are repeated during one unit game. After the opening and closing of the large winning opening 20 or the unit game is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 4 times or 16 times, the special game is usually ended by the display of the effect screen called the end demo time. In normal special games, you can expect enough balls to enter 9 or more balls per unit game, and you can get enough prize balls (this is also called "ball out") by 16 times of unit games, which is a big profit. Is obtained. A special game in which 16 unit games are repeated is appropriately referred to as a "16R jackpot", and a special game in which 4 unit games are repeated is appropriately referred to as a "4R jackpot". Although the unit game is repeated 16 times, the unit game is substantially repeated a small number of times by opening the large winning opening 20 for a shorter time (for example, 0.2 seconds) than usual in some unit games. It is also possible to realize a normal special game (sometimes referred to as a "substantial nR jackpot") similar to that of the one.

On the other hand, in the shortened special game, the start demo time and the end demo time are short or almost nonexistent (0.1 seconds, etc.), and the large winning opening 20 is opened for 0.2 seconds in one unit game. This unit game is repeated twice to end the shortened special game. In the shortened special game, since the opening of the large winning opening 20 is only repeated twice for a very short time, it is almost impossible to enter the large winning opening 20, and the number of balls is substantially equal to zero. be. A special game in which two unit games are repeated is also appropriately referred to as a "2R jackpot". Although the number of unit games is the same as that of the normal special game, the shortened special game can be realized by opening the large winning opening 20 for a shorter time than usual in all the unit games.

Further, when the first special symbol 51 or the second special symbol 52 and the decorative symbol 61 at the time of stopping are in the predetermined small hit mode after the above-mentioned symbol variation, the small hit game composed of one unit game. The operation of opening and closing the large winning opening 20 is executed. In one unit game that constitutes a small hit game, the big winning opening 20 repeats opening for about 0.2 seconds twice, so that the operation mode is indistinguishable from or difficult to distinguish from the 2R big hit in appearance. Become.

When a special game occurs and the hit stop symbol at that time is in a specific mode (for example, "777"), the probability change, which is one of the specific games, is further started after the end of the special game. During the probability change, a winning / failing lottery with a higher probability of winning than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game may occur relatively early. It should be noted that it may not be clearly indicated from the appearance that the determination result of the winning / failing lottery is a specific jackpot, that is, a jackpot accompanied by a probability change, and a latent probability change state may be set in which the decorative design or the production content is not explicitly notified. In that case, it is not clearly shown in the effect display device 60 whether it is a probable change or a non-probable change even during the probable change. In addition, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, it may be clearly shown to the effect display device 60 whether it is a probable change or a non-probable change.

In the normal game after the special game is completed, the easy entry state, which is one of the specific game states, is started. In the easy-to-enter state, the winning probability of the open lottery is increased more than usual, and the opening extension is executed so that the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 90 is extended. Since the number of hits of the normal symbol per fixed time can be increased and the ease of entering the ball into the second starting port 12 is also increased, it is highly possible that the number of balls entering the second starting port 12 will increase. Therefore, as a result of increasing the chances of obtaining a prize ball by entering the second starting port 12, it becomes possible to continue playing while hardly reducing the number of balls held or gradually increasing the number of balls held.

In the easy-to-enter state, as one of the specific gaming states, the so-called time reduction in which the fluctuation time of the first special symbol 51, the second special symbol 52, and the decorative symbol 61 is shorter than in the normal state is further executed. The fluctuation time of the first special symbol 51, the second special symbol 52, and the decorative symbol 61 is returned to the original fluctuation time after a predetermined number of fluctuations, for example, 100 fluctuations are displayed, but the fluctuation time is reached. If a big hit occurs before, the time reduction will end once. Since the fluctuation time of the first special symbol 51, the second special symbol 52, and the decorative symbol 61 is shortened in a short time, until a big hit occurs compared to the case where the symbol changes with the normal fluctuation time. The time can be shortened, and the ease of obtaining a big hit can be relatively increased. In the modified example, the specification may be such that the special symbol is not shortened in the easy-to-enter state.

FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of a pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 150 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100. The main board 200 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100, and processes all game operations such as a lottery when winning a prize in the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12. The sub-board 300 includes a liquid crystal unit 151, controls the display content in the effect display device 60, and changes the effect display content particularly according to the determination result by the main board 200. The back set mechanism 152 includes a prize ball tank 153, a flow path of the prize ball, a payout device 154 for paying out the prize ball, and the like. The payout device 154 pays out the game balls supplied from the prize ball tank 153 to the upper ball plate 105 according to the winning of each winning opening. The payout control board 155 controls the payout operation by the payout device 154. The launching device 156 launches the stored balls of the upper ball plate 105 into the game area 81 one by one. The launch control board 157 controls the launch operation of the launch device 156. The power supply board 158 supplies electric power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 100.

<Functional block>
FIG. 3 shows a functional block of the pachinko gaming machine 100. Hereinafter, the functions realized by using each configuration will be described, but in the present specification, in order to match the physical configuration and the functional configuration, for example, a physical configuration such as a main board 200, a payout control board 155, a launch control board 157, etc. For convenience, the term may be used as it is for the part already explained as.

The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a power supply board 158 that generates a power source to be used in the gaming machine based on an AC power source (AC24V or the like) supplied from the outside of the gaming machine, and a main control device that controls the basic operation of the game and the progress of the game. Main board 200, a payout control board 155 as a frame control device for controlling the payout of prize balls, a launch control board 157 for controlling the launch of the game ball to the game area, and a directing operation and processing are controlled. The function is shared with the sub-board 300 as a sub-control device.

The main board 200 includes a first starting port 11, a second starting port 12, a large winning opening 20, a first operating port 31, a second operating port 32, and a general winning opening group (first general winning opening 33a, second general winning opening). It is electrically connected to the port b), the symbol display unit 120, and the external information output terminal 160, and various control signals are transmitted and received to and from each of them. The payout control board 155 is electrically connected to the main board 200, the launch control board 157, and the payout device 154. The payout control board 155 transmits a launch permission signal to the launch control board 157 based on a prize ball payout transmitted from the main board 200, a signal indicating the control state of the main board 200, and the like to indirectly transmit the launch control board 157. And also controls the payout of prize balls by the payout device 154. The payout device 154 includes a payout motor 166 and a ball counting sensor 167. The launch control board 157 is electrically connected to the payout control board 155, the launch device 156, and the ball feed device 164, and the ball feed device 164 and the launch device 164 and the launch device are based on the launch permission signal transmitted from the payout control board 155. The device 156 is controlled to launch a game ball. The sub-board 300 includes an effect display device 60, a movable accessory 66 (drive motor 67, position detection sensor 68), a speaker 108, an effect input operation device 115 (effect button 109, cross key 110), a decorative lamp 111, and electrical. It is connected to and sends and receives various control signals to and from each.

Data transmission / reception between the main board 200 and the sub-board 300 is one-way from the main board 200 to the sub-board 300. It is arranged on the sub-board 300. Since the unidirectionality of data transmission from the main board 200 to the sub board 300 is maintained, data cannot be transmitted from the configuration included in the sub board 300 to the configuration included in the main board 200, and the data transmission is performed. I can't even request it. Therefore, the sub-board 300 cannot refer to the information generated by the main board 200 unless the information is transmitted. Further, data is transmitted / received bidirectionally between the main board 200 and the payout control board 155, and between the payout control board 155 and the launch control board 157. However, as in the case between the main board 200 and the sub board 300, the configuration is such that data is transmitted and received from the main board 200 to the payout control board 155 in one direction, and the data is transmitted and received from the payout control board 155 to the launch control board 157 in one direction. It may be configured to send and receive data.

The functional blocks included in the main board 200, the payout control board 155, the launch control board 157, and the sub board 300 described below are merely examples, and as a modification, some functional blocks may be used on other boards. It may be installed. For example, the functional block included in the main board 200 may be mounted on the sub board 300, or the functional block included in the launch control board 157 may be mounted on the payout control board 155. good. Further, for example, a part of the functional block included in the main board 200 may be mounted on the main board 200, or the remaining part may be mounted on the payout control board 155, which is a part of the functional block. May be divided into a plurality of substrates to form one functional block as a whole.

<Main board 200>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the main board 200. The main board 200 includes a ball entry determination means 201, a random number generation means 202, a first lottery means 211, a second lottery means 212, a preliminary determination means 235, a general drawing lottery means 213, a hold control means 240, and a main display control means 250. Special game control means 260, small hit game control means 265, specific game control means 270, open / close control means 275, special figure adjustment means 276, main initial processing execution means 280, main power interruption processing execution means 282, main error detection means 284. , The command communication means 205 is provided.

<Entering ball determination means 201>
The ball entry determination means 201 determines the entry of a game ball into each winning opening. When the ball entry determination means 201 receives the first start winning information, it determines that the game ball has won the first start opening 11, and when it receives the second start winning information, the game ball has won the second start opening 12. to decide. When the winning ball determination means 201 receives the large winning opening winning information, it determines that the game ball has won the large winning opening 20, and when it receives the general winning information, it determines that the game ball has won the general winning opening 33. Upon receiving the passing information, the ball entry determining means 201 determines that the game ball has passed through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32.

<Random number generation means 202>
The random number generation means 202 generates random numbers to be used for various determinations in the first lottery means 211, the second lottery means 212, and the general drawing lottery means 213. Specifically, the random number generation means 202 ranges from "0" to "65535" as random numbers (also referred to as "win / fail lottery values") used in the win / fail lottery by the first hit / miss determination means 221 and the second hit / fail determination means 222. A random number in the range is generated by a predetermined means. Further, the random number generation means 202 is "0" to "255" as random numbers (also referred to as "symbol determination lottery value") used in the symbol determination (symbol lottery) by the first symbol determination means 226 and the second symbol determination means 227. Random numbers in the range up to are generated by a predetermined means. Further, the random number generation means 202 has "0" to "255" as random numbers (also referred to as "variation pattern determination lottery value") used in the determination of the variation pattern by the first variation pattern determination means 231 and the second variation pattern determination means 232. Random numbers in the range up to "" are generated by a predetermined means. Further, the random number generation means 202 generates a random number in the range of "0" to "99" as a random number used in the winning / failing lottery by the normal figure lottery means 213 by a predetermined means. Further, the random number generation means 202 generates a random number in the range of "0" to "2" as a random number used when determining a normal symbol by a predetermined means. The "random numbers" here are not only physical random numbers generated by the random number generation circuit and genuine random numbers in the mathematical sense, but also pseudo-random numbers such as random numbers using a 16-bit counter and software random numbers using a random number generation algorithm. But it may be. Alternatively, it may be a random number generated by combining a hardware random number and a software random number. Further, as the random numbers acquired by the first lottery means 211 and the second lottery means 212, the random numbers generated by the same generation means may be acquired, or the random numbers generated by another generation means may be acquired. ..

<Public map lottery means 213>
When the game ball passes through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32, the normal symbol lottery means 213 generates random numbers of a random number used for winning or losing lottery of the normal symbol and a random number used for determining the stop symbol of the normal symbol. Obtain from 202 and execute the lottery. The ordinary symbol lottery means 213 has a normal symbol winning / failing determination table (not shown) referred to for determining whether or not a normal symbol is correct, and a normal symbol determination to be referred to for determining a stop symbol of the ordinary symbol to be displayed on the ordinary symbol display unit 45. Hold the table. The normal symbol winning / failing judgment table defines the correspondence between the lottery value for winning / failing and the winning, and the normal symbol judgment table defines the correspondence between the lottery value for determining the stopped symbol and the normal symbol. Whether the normal symbol is correct or not and the stop symbol are determined based on the hit probability and the symbol selection probability. When the lottery value for the winning / failing lottery of the ordinary symbol corresponds to the hit, the ordinary symbol lottery means 213 determines the stop symbol of the ordinary symbol by referring to the ordinary symbol determination table, and the lottery value for the winning / failing lottery of the ordinary symbol is set. When it corresponds to the deviation, the aspect of the deviation symbol of 1 is always determined. When the result of the hit / fail determination of the normal symbol corresponds to a hit and the normal symbol stops at a predetermined symbol (first hit mode or second hit mode), the opening / closing control means 275, which will be described later, changes the mode of the stop symbol and the gaming state. The ordinary electric accessory 90 of the second starting port 12 is expanded accordingly. The expansion time is 0.1 seconds at the time of short opening and 6 seconds at the time of long opening. The lottery value of the ordinary symbol is temporarily held by the hold control means 240 described later. However, the lottery value is held only when the predetermined holding upper limit number held by the holding control means 240 is not exceeded.

<1st lottery means 211 and 2nd lottery means 212>
The first lottery means 211 has a function of executing a first lottery related to the first game, such as a first lottery value acquisition means 216, a first hit / miss determination means 221 and a first symbol determination means 226, and a first variation pattern determination. The first winning / failing lottery is executed as a winning / failing lottery corresponding to the entry of the ball into the first starting port 11, including the means 231. Based on various lottery results by the first lottery means 211, the main display control means 250 makes a variable display of the first special symbol 51 on the first special symbol display unit 41. Further, based on the information transmitted from the command communication means 205, the decorative symbol 61 is variablely displayed in the display area of the effect display device 60. The second lottery means 212 includes a second lottery value acquisition means 217, a second hit / fail determination means 222, a second symbol determination means 227, and a second variation pattern determination means 232, and corresponds to entry into the second starting port 12. The second winning / failing lottery is executed as a winning / failing lottery. Based on various lottery results by the second lottery means 212, the main display control means 250 makes a variable display of the second special symbol 52 on the second special symbol display unit 42. Further, based on the information transmitted from the command communication means 205, the decorative symbol 61 is variablely displayed in the display area of the effect display device 60.

<1st lottery value acquisition means 216 and 2nd lottery value acquisition means 217>
The first lottery value acquisition means 216 acquires random numbers for various lottery and determination by the first lottery means 211 from the random number generation means 202 when the ball enters the first starting port 11. Specifically, the first winning / failing lottery value for winning / failing determination by the first winning / failing determination means 221, the first symbol lottery value for determining the stop mode of the first special symbol 51 by the first symbol determining means 226, and the first variation pattern. The first pattern lottery value for determining the fluctuation pattern (variation time) of the first special symbol 51 by the determination means 231 is acquired from the corresponding random number generation means. The second lottery value acquisition means 217 acquires random numbers for various lottery and determination by the second lottery means 212 from the random number generation means 202 when the ball enters the second starting port 12. Specifically, the second winning / failing lottery value for winning / failing determination by the second winning / failing determination means 222, the second symbol lottery value for determining the stop mode of the second special symbol 52 by the second symbol determining means 227, and the second variation pattern. The second pattern lottery value for determining the fluctuation pattern (variation time) of the second special symbol 52 by the determination means 232 is acquired from the corresponding random number generation means.

The first winning / failing determination means 221 executes a winning / failing determination for determining whether or not to shift to the special game based on the first winning / failing lottery value. The second winning / failing determination means 222 executes a winning / failing determination for determining whether or not to shift to the special game based on the second winning / failing lottery value. In the hit / fail judgment, more specifically, "big hit" indicating that the game shifts to the special game, "small hit" indicating the shift to the small hit game, and "not shifting to the special game and the small hit game". It is determined which of the two is "off". The first hit / fail determination means 221 and the second hit / fail determination means 222 hold a hit / miss determination table referred to in the hit / fail determination. In addition, in order to distinguish the hit / fail judgment executed at the start of the symbol variation from the preliminary hit / fail judgment described later, it is also appropriately referred to as "hit / fail judgment as the main judgment". In the present specification, when the term "table" or "selection criterion" is used, the correspondence between the first parameter such as a lottery value and the second parameter such as a value indicating an option is strictly defined by a table structure. In addition to pointing to data, it is also broadly included to be realized by a program structure that derives the second parameter from the first parameter as such a correspondence. Including them, the concept is substantially synonymous with "table" and is appropriately referred to as "selection criteria". Further, when a table structure is used, the selection criteria that are substantially one type may be composed of a combination of a plurality of structurally subdivided tables, but when the term "multiple types of selection criteria" is used, the subdivisions may be used. Shows the actual number of types of tables, not the number of converted tables.

The first hit / miss determination means 221 and the second hit / fail determination means 222 hold a table corresponding to each hit / fail determination as a hit / fail determination table to be referred to in the hit / fail determination. Specifically, a hit / fail judgment table for hit / fail judgment by the first hit / miss judgment means 221 (also referred to as “first hit / miss judgment table”) and a hit / fail judgment table for hit / fail judgment by the second hit / miss judgment means 222 (“second hit / miss judgment table”). The table to be referred to is selected according to the pass / fail judgment to be executed while holding the "hit / fail judgment table"). In the plurality of winning / failing determination tables, the determination results of big hit, small hit, and miss are associated with the winning / failing lottery value, and the winning / failing probability is determined according to the range setting of the associated big hit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a hit / fail determination table. In the hit / fail judgment table of this figure, the judgment result of big hit, small hit, and miss is associated with the win / miss lottery value, and the big hit / small hit probability and the small hit / miss probability according to each associated range setting. Is decided. The first hit / fail determination means 221 and the second hit / fail determination means 222 refer to the hit / fail determination table of the present figure in the hit / miss determination as the present determination. In both the first winning / failing lottery by the first winning / failing determination means 221 and the second winning / failing lottery by the second winning / failing determination means 222, a big hit is normally obtained only when the winning / failing lottery value falls within the range of 0 to 299. At the time of probability change, the range of big hits is expanded, and it becomes a big hit not only when the winning / failing lottery value corresponds to the range of 0 to 299 but also when it corresponds to the range of 300 to 2999. In this way, the range corresponding to the jackpot changes according to the gaming state. In this figure, a single hit / fail judgment table shows the jackpot range in both normal time and probability change time, but the hit / fail judgment table may be prepared separately for normal time and probability change time. It may be prepared separately for one winning / failing lottery and for the second winning / failing lottery.

In this embodiment, even if the winning / failing lottery value does not fall within the large hit range, it will be a small hit if it falls within the predetermined range. In the example of this figure, when the winning / failing lottery value acquired by the first winning / failing determination means 221 corresponds to the range of 56500 to 65535, a small hit is obtained, and the winning / failing lottery value acquired by the second winning / failing determination means 222 is 64000 to 65535. If it falls within the range, it will be a small hit. That is, the range corresponding to the small hit is wider in the first win / fail lottery than in the second win / fail lottery, and the small hit is likely to occur. In this way, if it does not correspond to a big hit, it is originally all "off", but in the example of this figure, if it does not correspond to a big hit but also does not correspond to a small hit, the winning / losing lottery value range Is particularly expressed as "off". That is, when "hit or miss" is considered from the viewpoint of "whether or not it is a big hit", "small hit" may be included in the broad sense of "missing" in the sense of "not a big hit". In addition, when "hit or not" is considered from the viewpoint of "hit or not", "small hit" may be included in "hit" in a broad sense together with "big hit". In this figure, an example is shown in which the judgment table for whether or not it is a big hit and the judgment table for whether or not it is a small hit are realized in the form of a single hit / fail judgment table, but even if each is realized as a separate table. good. Further, the "small hit" may be provided only in one of the first game and the second game, or may not be provided in any of the games. In that case, the value corresponding to the small hit is not set in the corresponding hit / fail determination table.

<1st symbol determining means 226 and 2nd symbol determining means 227>
Returning to FIG. 4, the first symbol determining means 226 and the second symbol determining means 227 determine the stopped symbol at the start of the fluctuation of the symbol based on the symbol lottery value acquired from the random number generation means 202 and the result of the winning / failing determination. .. The first symbol determining means 226 and the second symbol determining means 227 hold a plurality of symbol determination tables referred to for determining a stop symbol of a special symbol. Specifically, the first symbol determining means 226 holds a plurality of symbol determination tables according to the result of the hit / fail determination by the first hit / miss determination means 221 and the second symbol determination means 227 is a hit / miss by the second hit / miss determination means 222. Holds a plurality of symbol judgment tables according to the judgment result. The first hit / fail determination means 221 holds a first symbol determination table at the time of a big hit referred to at the time of a big hit, a first symbol determination table at the time of a small hit referred to at the time of a small hit, and a first symbol determination table at the time of a loss referred to at the time of a miss. The second hit / miss determination means 222 holds a second symbol determination table at the time of a big hit, a second symbol determination table at the time of a small hit, and a second symbol determination table at the time of a miss, which is referred to at the time of a small hit. The first symbol determining means 226 and the second symbol determining means 227 select a symbol determination table to be referred to according to the result of the hit / fail determination. In addition, in order to distinguish the symbol determination executed at the start of the symbol variation from the prior symbol determination described later, it is also appropriately referred to as "design determination as the main determination".

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a symbol determination table. FIG. 6A is a table to be referred to when the hit / fail judgment result is a big hit, FIG. 6B is a table to be referred to when the hit / fail judgment result is wrong, and FIG. 6C is a table to be referred to. It is a table to be referred when the hit / fail judgment result is a small hit. The first symbol determination means 226 and the second symbol determination means 227 refer to the symbol determination table of the present figure in the symbol determination as the present determination. In each symbol determination table, the correspondence between the numbers "0" to "10" indicating the type of the special symbol and the first symbol lottery value or the second symbol lottery value is defined. The types of special symbols are associated with the big hit, small hit, and missed hit / fail judgment results, respectively. "0" to "4" correspond to the big hit, and "5" to "9" correspond to the small hit. "10" corresponds to the disconnection. Each type is assigned a plurality of special symbols, that is, a plurality of generally meaningless symbols formed by a combination of segments.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the types of special symbols "0" to "4" are associated with the presence or absence of probability fluctuations after a big hit and after a big hit. Specifically, the type "0" indicates a 16R jackpot with a probability change as a specific jackpot, is associated with "0 to 99" in the case of the first symbol lottery value, and is "0 to 99" in the case of the second symbol lottery value. 144 ”. The type "1" indicates a 4R jackpot (or "substantially 4R hit") with a probability change as a specific jackpot, is associated with "100 to 149" in the case of the first symbol lottery value, and is associated with "100 to 149" in the case of the second symbol lottery value. It is associated with "145 to 149". The type "2" indicates a 2R jackpot accompanied by a probability change, and the type "2" is associated with both the first symbol lottery value and the second symbol lottery value "150 to 189". The type "3" indicates a 16R jackpot that is not accompanied by a probability change as a normal jackpot, and the type "3" is associated with both the first symbol lottery value and the second symbol lottery value "150 to 189". The type "4" indicates a 4R jackpot that is not accompanied by a probability change as a normal jackpot, and the type "4" is associated with both the first symbol lottery value and the second symbol lottery value "230 to 255". In this way, the selection probability for each type of jackpot (that is, the content of the jackpot and the presence or absence of subsequent probability fluctuations) is determined by the size of the range of the symbol lottery value.

In addition, it is possible to provide more types of special symbols, and in that case, by configuring so that one jackpot type is determined corresponding to a plurality of special symbol types, the jackpot can be increased while increasing the symbol types. You can set fewer types. Alternatively, it is possible to subdivide into more types of jackpots in correspondence with the increased number of symbol types. Further, it is possible to provide different symbol types at the time of the first lottery and at the time of the second lottery. In this case, one jackpot type is configured to correspond to each of the type of special symbol selected at the time of the first lottery and the type of special symbol selected at the time of the second lottery. However, it is desirable to set so that the ratio of probability fluctuation is the same in the first lottery and the second lottery.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the type "10" is associated with the symbol lottery value in the entire range when the hit / fail determination result is wrong. Therefore, it is determined that the same special symbol will always be stopped and displayed in the case of deviation. It is also possible to provide a plurality of special symbols to be stopped and displayed in the case of disengagement.

As shown in FIG. 6 (c), the types of special symbols "5" to "9" are associated with small hits. The type "5" is associated with the range "0 to 49" of the symbol lottery value, and the type "6" is associated with the range "50 to 99" of the symbol lottery value. The type "7" is associated with the range "100 to 149" of the symbol lottery value, the type "8" is associated with the range "150 to 199" of the symbol lottery value, and the type "9" is the range of the symbol lottery value. It is associated with "200 to 255".

In this embodiment, in order to save the storage area in the main board 200, the table of FIG. 6 is also referred to as the pre-symbol determination table in the pre-symbol determination. The first symbol determining means 226 and the second symbol determining means 227 determine that the value of "0" to "10" indicating the type of the special symbol as a result of the preliminary symbol determination is the first winning / failing lottery or the second winning / failing lottery. It is transmitted to the effect determining means 303 together with the indicated value and the number of holds. In addition, as a preliminary symbol determination table, a table that can be further subdivided to enable complicated determination, or a table in which the determination range of the jackpot symbol for executing the same special game is summarized and simplified may be used. .. In addition, when the symbol is uniformly determined at the time of disengagement as in this embodiment, a specific symbol can be selected without referring to the acquired symbol lottery value and without preparing a symbol determination table for disengagement. You may decide.

<First variation pattern determining means 231 and second variation pattern determining means 232>
Returning to FIG. 4, the first variation pattern determining means 231 acquires, from the random number generation means 202, a variation pattern in which the display process of the symbol variation to be displayed on the first special symbol display unit 41 and the effect display device 60 is defined. It is determined from a plurality of fluctuation patterns based on one pattern lottery value. The second variation pattern determining means 232 uses the variation pattern in which the display process of the symbol variation to be displayed on the second special symbol display unit 42 and the effect display device 60 is determined as the second pattern lottery value acquired from the random number generation means 202. Determine from multiple variation patterns based on. The first variation pattern determining means 231 and the second variation pattern determining means 232 respectively refer to the variation pattern table when starting the symbol variation to determine the variation pattern of the symbol variation. Further, the first variation pattern determining means 231 and the second variation pattern determining means 232 execute a preliminary pattern determination as to which variation pattern range the pattern lottery value corresponds to. The control means of the first variation pattern determining means 231 and the second variation pattern determining means 232 and the main board 200 refer to the variation pattern table for determining the variation pattern when the variation start condition is satisfied, and the start port. Holds or shares the pre-pattern judgment table used to generate information for determining the execution of the look-ahead process at the time of entering the ball. The fluctuation pattern defines the fluctuation time from the start to the stop of the fluctuation when the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and has various long and short fluctuation times depending on the type. That is, in each fluctuation pattern in which the display process of the symbol variation is defined, the variation display time is substantially set for each pattern as the end condition of the symbol variation, and the special symbol is set when the variation display time elapses. Fluctuation is stopped. It should be noted that the fluctuation pattern determination executed at the start of the symbol variation is also appropriately referred to as "variation pattern determination as the main determination" in order to distinguish it from the prior pattern determination. Further, in order to contribute to the selection of the variation effect pattern of the decorative pattern described later, it may be defined as a different type of variation pattern even though the variation time is the same.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a variation pattern table. The first variation pattern determining means 231 and the second variation pattern determining means 232 refer to the table of the present figure (a) in the normal state, and refer to the table of the present figure (b) in the time saving state.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when the winning / failing judgment result is incorrect in the normal state, if the pattern lottery value is 0 to 4, "Super 1", which is the super reach of the pattern range number "0", is selected. If the pattern lottery value is 5 to 9, "Super 2", which is the super reach of the pattern range number "1", is selected. If the pattern lottery value is 10 to 19, select "normal 1", which is the normal reach of the pattern range number "2", and if the pattern lottery value is 20 to 29, select "normal", which is the normal reach of the pattern range number "3". 2 ”is selected. If the pattern lottery value is 30 to 255, select "out of reach" of the pattern range number "4". As "out of reach", different fluctuation patterns are selected according to the number of holdings. When the number of holdings is 0 to 2, the fluctuation pattern is 10 seconds, and when the number of holdings is 3, the fluctuation pattern is 7 seconds and the number of holdings. When is 4, a 4-second fluctuation pattern is selected.

In this figure, an example of mainly classifying into five types according to the fluctuation time will be described, but a plurality of fluctuation effect patterns are prepared for each of these fluctuation patterns in the sub-board 300, and dozens of types of variation effect patterns are prepared in total. Is equivalent to being associated with the lottery value range of each category.

The range of pattern lottery values assigned to "normal 1", "normal 2", and "out of reach" also differs depending on the number of reservations. When the number of holdings is 0 or 1, it is as shown in this figure (a), but as the number of holdings increases, the lottery value range of "normal 1" and "normal 2" becomes narrower, and the lottery value of "out of reach" The range becomes wider. The smaller the number of holds, the wider the lottery value range of the fluctuation pattern with a relatively long fluctuation time, and the probability that the fluctuation pattern with a long fluctuation time will be selected increases. Therefore, the smaller the number of holds, the longer the average fluctuation time, and the larger the number of holds, the shorter the average fluctuation time. By using a fluctuation pattern table in which the correspondence between the pattern lottery value range and the fluctuation pattern is different for each number of holdings, it is possible to realize control in which a fluctuation pattern having a long fluctuation time is easily selected when the number of holdings is small.

If the winning / failing judgment result is a 4R jackpot or a 16R jackpot in the normal state, if the pattern lottery value is 0 to 123, "Super 1", which is the super reach of the pattern range number "5", is selected and the pattern lottery value is set. If it is 124 to 248, "Super 2", which is the super reach of the pattern range number "6", is selected. If the pattern lottery value is 249 to 252, select "normal 1", which is the normal reach of the pattern range number "7", and if the pattern lottery value is 253 to 255, select "normal", which is the normal reach of the pattern range number "8". 2 ”is selected.

If the winning / failing judgment result is a 2R big hit or a small hit in the normal state, if the pattern lottery value is 0 to 122, "Super 3", which is the super reach of the pattern range number "9", is selected and the pattern lottery value is set. If it is 123 to 255, "normal 3", which is the normal reach of the pattern range number "10", is selected.

When the first variation pattern determining means 231 and the second variation pattern determining means 232 transmit the pre-determination result to the effect determining means 303 as a so-called look-ahead result, the value (0 to 10) of the pattern range number is set to the first correctness. It is transmitted together with a value indicating whether it is a lottery or a second winning / failing lottery and the number of pending items. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, it is illustrated that a table is provided for each of the winning / failing determination results in the preliminary pattern determination. In addition to deriving only information regarding which range it is located in, the control means side of the sub-board 300 may be controlled to determine what kind of variation is to be executed together with the preliminary pass / fail determination result.

In the variation pattern table of FIG. 7B referred to in the time saving state, the pattern lottery value is assigned to the variation pattern for time saving. However, the correspondence between the range of the pattern lottery value and the fluctuation time is the same as in FIG. 7 (a) except for the "reach-less loss shortening" selected in the dropout. “Reachless loss shortening” is a variation pattern with a relatively short fluctuation time associated with the same lottery value range and pattern range number as “reachless loss” in FIG. 7 (a). For "shortening without reach", different fluctuation patterns are selected according to the number of holdings, a fluctuation pattern of 10 seconds when the number of holdings is 0, 1 and a fluctuation pattern of 1 second when the number of holdings is 2-4. Are selected respectively. The first variation pattern determining means 231 and the second variation pattern determining means 232 may refer to different variation pattern tables, or may refer to different variation pattern tables depending on the gaming state. For example, in a gaming machine in which the second lottery is set to be more advantageous than the first lottery and the second lottery is processed in preference to the first lottery, the second lottery is easy to enter despite the time saving. The situation in which the hold of the second lottery is exhausted and the first lottery is continuously executed is not preferable for the player. Therefore, in the deviation variation in the first lottery in the easy entry state, a variation pattern table is referred to in which a variation pattern for a long time (for example, 10 seconds) that does not shorten the variation time is uniformly selected regardless of the number of holdings. It may be that.

<Hold control means 240>
Returning to FIG. 4, the hold control means 240 includes the special figure hold means 241 and the normal figure hold means 242. When the first winning / failing lottery value or the second winning / failing lottery value is newly acquired, the special figure holding means 241 changes the symbol corresponding to the first winning / failing lottery value or the second winning / failing lottery value acquired before that. When is displayed, the start of the symbol variation corresponding to the newly acquired first win / fail lottery value or the second win / fail lottery value is suspended, and the winning / failing lottery value is stored until the start of the variation display of the corresponding symbol. Here, for each of the first special symbols, the upper limit is four, the first winning / failing lottery value, the first symbol lottery value, and the first pattern lottery value are stored, and for the second special symbol, the upper limit is four each. The second winning / failing lottery value, the second symbol lottery value, and the second pattern lottery value are stored. The normal figure holding means 242 stores the normal figure lottery value acquired by the normal figure lottery means 213 as a holding ball. These holding numbers are represented by the number of lights or the number of blinks of the first special figure holding display unit 71, the second special figure holding display unit 72, and the normal figure holding display unit 75, respectively. The number of holds by the special figure hold means 241 is also displayed on the effect display device 60.

The lottery value of the second winning / failing lottery held by the special figure holding means 241 is preferentially digested over the lottery value of the first winning / failing lottery, and the symbol variation is displayed. Therefore, even if the big hit lottery value is reserved as the first winning / failing lottery, as long as the lottery value is reserved as the second winning / failing lottery, the symbol change corresponding to the big hit lottery value of the first winning / failing lottery is not displayed. Therefore, even if there is a jackpot hold as the first win / fail lottery, there is a possibility that a plurality of consecutive jackpots can be obtained by continuing to hit until the jackpot hold is entered as the second win / fail lottery.

<Main display control means 250>
The main display control means 250 includes a first special figure control means 251, a second special figure control means 252, and a normal figure control means 254. The first special symbol control means 251 displays the variation of the first special symbol 51 on the first special symbol display unit 41 according to the variation pattern determined according to the determination result of the first winning / failing lottery by the first lottery means 211. Let me. The first special symbol control means 251 sets as a new symbol variation start condition that the variation display of the symbol corresponding to the first winning / failing lottery or the second winning / failing lottery performed before that has been completed. The second special symbol control means 252 displays the variation of the second special symbol 52 on the second special symbol display unit 42 according to the variation pattern determined according to the determination result of the second winning / failing lottery by the second lottery means 212. Let me. The second special symbol control means 252 also has a new symbol variation start condition that the variation display of the symbol corresponding to the first winning / failing lottery or the second winning / failing lottery performed before that has been completed.

When the special figure holding means 241 stores the winning / failing lottery value of the second winning / failing lottery, the first special figure controlling means 251 reserves the start of the symbol variation display corresponding to the first winning / failing lottery. On the other hand, the second special figure control means 252 starts the symbol variation display corresponding to the second winning / failing lottery regardless of whether or not the winning / failing lottery value of the first winning / failing lottery is stored by the special figure holding means 241. As a result, when the lottery value is reserved in both the first winning / failing lottery and the second winning / failing lottery, the lottery value held in the second winning / failing lottery is preferentially read out and the symbol variation is displayed. In such a case, the lottery value held in the first winning / failing lottery is not read and the symbol change does not start until the number of holdings in the second winning / failing lottery becomes 0.

The first special symbol control means 251 and the second special symbol control means 252 are varied by the command communication means 205 described later at the timing of starting and the timing of stopping the variation display of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52. The start command and the fluctuation stop command are transmitted to the effect determining means 303 (sub-main). When the variation start command is transmitted, a value indicating each of the winning / failing determination result, the stop symbol, and the variation pattern determined or determined as the final determination and a value indicating whether it is the first winning / failing lottery or the second winning / failing lottery are set. It is transmitted to the effect determining means 303 together with the fluctuation start command. When the variable stop command is transmitted, the value indicating the stop symbol is transmitted to the effect determining means 303 together with the variable stop command. Further, the effect determining means 303 (sub-main) transmits a variation start command, a variation stop command, and the like to the effect control means 304 in order to control the variation display of the decorative symbol by the effect control means 304 (sub-sub). As a result, the variable display by the main display control means 250 and the effect control means 304 (sub-sub) is synchronized, and the interlocking is maintained. The normal symbol control means 254 causes the normal symbol display unit 45 to display the determination result of the lottery by the normal map lottery means 213 as a variable display of the normal symbol.

<Special figure adjustment means 276>
The special symbol adjusting means 276 waits for the start of the variable display of the other while the variable display of one of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 is performed. The special figure adjusting means 276 has a second special symbol based on the entry of the game ball into the second starting opening 12, regardless of the order in which the game ball has entered the first starting opening 11 or the second starting opening 12. The variation display of 52 is prioritized over the variation display of the first special symbol 51 based on the entry of the ball into the first starting port 11. For example, when both the first winning / failing lottery value and the second winning / failing lottery value are reserved, the second winning / failing lottery value is always preferentially digested, and the second special symbol 52 is continuously varied and displayed.

The special symbol adjusting means 276 in the modified example displays the variation of the first special symbol 51 and the variation of the second special symbol 52 according to the order of entering the balls into the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12. It may be selectively varied and displayed. For example, when the ball enters in the order of the first starting port 11, the first starting port 11, and the second starting port 12, the first special symbol 51, the first special symbol 51, and the second special symbol 52 are displayed in a variable order. Will be done. In this case, the special figure adjusting means 276 monitors the holding control means 240 and stores the holding order of the winning / failing lottery value. Since which special symbol should be changed is determined according to the entry order of the game balls, that is, the hold order of the winning / failing lottery value in the hold control means 240, the player can easily visually grasp the change order.

In another modification, the special symbol adjusting means 276 may display the variable display of the first special symbol 51 and the variable display of the second special symbol 52 in a predetermined digestion order regardless of the ball entry order. good. For example, priority may be given to alternately displaying the variable display of the first special symbol 51 and the variable display of the second special symbol 52. For example, when both the first winning / failing lottery value and the second winning / failing lottery value are reserved, the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 are alternately displayed in a variable manner. Since which special symbol should be changed is simply alternated regardless of the ball entry order of the game ball, the player can easily grasp the order of the change.

When one of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 is stopped in a hitting manner, the special symbol adjusting means 276 waits for the start of the variation display of the other. In this case, since the variable display of the special symbol is not started while the special game is executed, the player can concentrate on the special game.

<Preliminary determination means 235>
The pre-determination means 235 includes a first lottery pre-determination means 236 and a second lottery pre-determination means 237. The first lottery pre-determination means 236 is a random number acquired by the first lottery value acquisition means 216 before the execution of various determinations by the first winning / failing determination means 221, the first symbol determination means 226, and the first variation pattern determination means 231. Is used to determine in advance information about the change of the first special symbol before the start of the change of the first special symbol by the first special figure control means 251. The second lottery pre-determination means 237 is a random number acquired by the second lottery value acquisition means 217 before the execution of various determinations by the second winning / failing determination means 222, the second symbol determination means 227, and the second variation pattern determination means 232. Is used to determine in advance information about the change of the second special symbol before the start of the change of the second special symbol by the second special figure control means 252.

The first lottery pre-determination means 236 includes a first pre-win / fail lottery value determination table, a first pre-symbol lottery value determination table, and a first pre-variation pattern random value determination table as determination tables for pre-determination related to the first lottery means 211. Hold the table. The first lottery pre-determination means 236 uses the first pre-win / fail lottery value determination table to determine a random number group to which the first win / fail lottery value stored in the special figure holding means 241 belongs. The first lottery pre-determination means 236 uses the first pre-symbol lottery value determination table to determine a random number group to which the first symbol lottery value stored in the special figure holding means 241 belongs. The first lottery pre-determination means 236 uses the first pre-variation pattern determination table to determine a random number group to which the first variation pattern lottery value stored in the special figure holding means 241 belongs. Then, these determination results are temporarily stored as the pre-determination results, and the information regarding the pre-determination results is transmitted to the sub-board 300 by the command communication means 205 (sub-control command transmission means 207) described later.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a preliminary hit / fail determination table referred to in the preliminary hit / fail determination. The first lottery pre-determination means 236 (pre-win / fail determination regarding the first game) refers to the first pre-win / fail lottery value determination table of FIG. 8A when the ball enters the first start opening 11, and the win / fail lottery value. When is "0 to 299", a value of "1" indicating to that effect is set as a preliminary hit / fail determination result. When the winning / failing lottery value is "300 to 2999", the value of "2" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary winning / failing determination result. When the winning / failing lottery value is "3000 to 56499", the value of "3" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary winning / failing determination result. When the winning / failing lottery value is "56500 to 65535", the value of "4" indicating that fact is set as the preliminary winning / failing determination result. Next, the first symbol lottery value determination table (not shown) is referred to, and if the first symbol lottery value is "0 to 99", a value of "0" indicating that effect is set as the advance symbol determination result. .. When the first symbol lottery value is "100 to 149", a value of "1" indicating to that effect is set as a preliminary symbol determination result. When the first symbol lottery value is "150 to 189", the value of "2" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary symbol determination result. When the first symbol lottery value is "190 to 229", the value of "3" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary symbol determination result. When the first symbol lottery value is "230 to 255", the value of "4" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary symbol determination result. Further, referring to the first pre-variation pattern random value determination table (not shown), if the first pattern lottery value is "0 to 9", the value of "A" indicating that fact is set as the pre-pattern determination result. .. When the first pattern lottery value is "10 to 29", the value of "B" indicating to that effect is set as the pre-pattern determination result. When the first pattern lottery value is "30 to 255", the value of "C" indicating to that effect is set as the pre-pattern determination result. As described above, the pre-determination information set by the first lottery pre-determination means 236 (preliminary hit / fail determination regarding the first game) is the first start port 11 by the command communication means 205 (sub-control command transmission means 207) described later. It is transmitted to the effect determining means 303 in accordance with the transmission timing of the information indicating the entry into the ball (indicating that it is the first winning / failing lottery), the information indicating the number of holds, and the like.

The second lottery pre-determination means 237 (pre-win / fail determination regarding the second game) refers to the second pre-win / fail lottery value determination table of FIG. 8B when the ball enters the second start opening 12, and the win / fail lottery When the value is "0 to 299", the value of "1" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary hit / fail determination result. When the winning / failing lottery value is "300 to 2999", the value of "2" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary winning / failing determination result. When the winning / failing lottery value is "3000 to 63999", the value of "3" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary winning / failing determination result. When the winning / failing lottery value is "64000 to 65535", the value of "4" indicating that fact is set as the preliminary winning / failing determination result. Next, with reference to the second preliminary symbol lottery value determination table (not shown), if the second symbol lottery value is "0 to 144", a value of "0" indicating that effect is set as the preliminary symbol determination result. .. When the second symbol lottery value is "145 to 149", the value of "1" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary symbol determination result. When the second symbol lottery value is "150 to 189", the value of "2" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary symbol determination result. When the second symbol lottery value is "190 to 229", the value of "3" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary symbol determination result. When the second symbol lottery value is "230 to 255", the value of "4" indicating to that effect is set as the preliminary symbol determination result. Further, referring to the second pre-variation pattern random value determination table (not shown), if the second pattern lottery value is "0 to 9", the value of "A" indicating that fact is set as the pre-pattern determination result. .. When the second pattern lottery value is "10 to 29", the value of "B" indicating to that effect is set as the pre-pattern determination result. When the second pattern lottery value is "30 to 255", the value of "C" indicating to that effect is set as the pre-pattern determination result. As described above, the pre-determination information set by the second lottery pre-determination means 237 (preliminary hit / fail determination regarding the second game) is the second start port 12 by the command communication means 205 (sub-control command transmission means 207) described later. It is transmitted to the effect determining means 303 in accordance with the transmission timing of the information indicating the entry into the ball (indicating that it is the second winning / failing lottery), the information indicating the number of holds, and the like.

The various information temporarily stored as the pre-determination result by the pre-determination means 235 is stored in the predetermined pre-determination result storage area up to 4 each, as in the case of the reserved storage number. The preliminary determination result may be stored using the hold storage area stored by the hold control means 240. The information may be deleted based on the fact that the pre-determination result by the pre-determination means 235 is transmitted to the effect determination means 303 by the command communication means 205 (sub-control command transmission means 207) described later. In this way, efficient use of the storage area in the main board 200 can be expected by sharing the information with other areas or erasing the information based on the completion of transmission. Further, as the determination table for the advance determination, the determination table for the main determination may be used without providing the table dedicated to the advance determination, and the advance determination regarding the first game and the advance determination regarding the second gaming machine may be used. In some or all of them may share a common pre-judgment table. In this way, by sharing it with other determination tables, it can be expected that the data capacity of the main board 200 will be reduced. The content to be transmitted as the determination result of the pre-determination means 235 can be appropriately selected, for example, only the determination result of whether or not the result is transmitted. Further, the value of the random number acquired by the first lottery value acquisition means 216 and the second lottery value acquisition means 217 is transmitted to the sub-board 300 by the above-mentioned command communication means 205 without being determined by the pre-determination means 235, and the sub-board. It may be configured to judge the content of the preliminary judgment by 300.

<Special game control means 260>
The special game control means 260 operates the special game when the first special symbol 51 is stopped in a predetermined jackpot mode when the first winning / failing lottery by the first lottery means 211 results in the transition to the special game. It is determined that the condition is satisfied, and the special game is executed by opening the large winning opening 20. Similarly, when the special game control means 260 results in the second winning / failing lottery by the second lottery means 212 indicating a shift to the special game, when the second special symbol 52 is stopped in a predetermined jackpot mode. It is determined that the special game operating condition is satisfied, and the special game is executed by opening the large winning opening 20.

The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the large winning opening 20 is continuously performed a plurality of times, and is composed of a plurality of unit games. The special game includes a 16R jackpot that repeats a unit game 16 times, a 4R jackpot that repeats a unit game four times, and a 2R jackpot that repeats a unit game with a shorter opening time than the 16R jackpot and the 4R jackpot only twice. The 16R jackpot is the jackpot in the second win / fail lottery, and the 4R jackpot is the jackpot in the first win / fail lottery. In the 16R jackpot and the 4R jackpot, in principle, the jackpot 20 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. In the 2R jackpot, the jackpot 20 is opened for about 0.2 seconds in one unit game. The special game control means 260 ends the special game when the set number of rounds of the unit game is exhausted. Even in the case of a 2R jackpot, if the predetermined conditions are satisfied, the jackpot 20 may be opened in the same opening mode as the 16R jackpot and the 4R jackpot.

<Small hit game control means 265>
The small hit game control means 265 operates the small hit game when the first special symbol 51 is stopped in a predetermined small hit mode when the first lottery by the first lottery means 211 results in a small hit. It is determined that the condition is satisfied, and the small hit game is executed by opening the large winning opening 20 to the opening / closing control means 275. Similarly, the small hit game control means 265 is small when the second special symbol 52 is stopped in a predetermined small hit mode when the second lottery by the second lottery means 212 results in a small hit. It is determined that the winning game operating condition is satisfied, and the small hit game is executed by opening the large winning opening 20 to the open / close control means 275.

In the small hit game, the unit game is executed once, and the large winning opening 20 is opened and closed twice in one unit game. The small hit game control means 265 opens the large winning opening 20 for about 0.2 seconds per opening and closing, opens the small hit game as a whole for about 0.4 seconds, and then closes the large winning opening 20. And end the small hit game.

<Specific game control means 270>
The specific game control means 270 controls a normal game in a probabilistic state, a time saving state, and a ball entry easy state. The specific game control means 270 shifts the game state to the probabilistic state, the time saving state, and the easy ball entry state after the end of the special game when the special symbol is the symbol of the specific jackpot accompanied by the transition to the probable change. The probabilistic state, the time saving state, and the easy-to-enter state are continued until the next big hit occurs. In the time saving state, the first variation pattern determining means 231 and the second variation pattern determining means 232 select the variation pattern having a short variation time so that the variation display time of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 is substantially shortened. do. However, in the normal state, the fluctuation pattern table according to the number of holdings of the winning / failing lottery value by the holding control means 240 is referred to, and as the number of holdings by the holding control means 240 decreases, the fluctuation pattern having a long fluctuation time tends to appear. In the easy-to-enter state, both the probability change of the normal symbol and the opening extension of the second starting port 12 or the opening extension of the second starting port 12 are carried out. That is, the specific game control means 270 causes the second starting port 12 to be in the open extension state when a specific big hit occurs, and further increases the winning probability of the open lottery only when the winning / failing lottery is the second winning / failing lottery. Move to a probabilistic state higher than the normal probability state. During the probabilistic state, the probability that the hit / fail determination result by the first hit / miss determination means 221 and the second hit / fail determination means 222 will be a big hit is maintained at a high value.

<Open / close control means 275>
The opening / closing control means 275 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric accessory 90 of the second starting port 12 and the large winning opening 20. When the normal symbol is stopped in a specific mode, the open / close control means 275 sends an opening instruction to the normal electric accessory solenoid 91 to open the ordinary electric accessory 90 of the second starting port 12. In the normal state, the opening / closing control means 275 opens the second starting port 12 in the opening time of short opening or long opening according to the result of the opening lottery, and in the easy entry state, the opening time of long opening is the first. 2 The starting port 12 is opened. This is intended to improve the ease of entering the ball of the second starting port 12 so that the player can continue the game without reducing the number of balls held. In the special game, the open / close control means 275 sends an opening instruction to the large winning opening solenoid 92 to open the large winning opening 20.

<Main initial processing execution means 280, main power cut processing execution means 282, main error detection means 284>
The main initial processing execution means 280 executes the control start processing of the main board 200 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is turned on or when the power is turned off and restored. The main power cutoff processing executing means 282 executes an abnormality response process such as a power supply cutoff process on the main board 200 when a power supply abnormality such as a power supply cutoff occurs. The main error detecting means 284 executes an abnormality detection process on the main board 200. The control start processing, the abnormality response processing, and the abnormality detection processing of the main board 200 will be described later.

<Command transmission means>
The command communication means 205 has a payout control command communication means 206 that sends a control command necessary for executing the payout or the like to the payout control board 155, and a sub-control that sends a control command necessary for executing the effect control or the like to the sub-board 300. Includes command transmission means 207. The payout control command communication means 206 transmits a payout command instructing the payout of the number of prize balls corresponding to each winning opening based on the determination of the winning ball to each winning opening by the winning ball determining means 201, and the main board 200. Send a command indicating the status of the error that occurred in. When the sub-control command transmission means 207 starts the symbol change, the sub-control command transmission means 207 transmits the determination result of the lottery corresponding to the symbol change to the effect determination means 303 together with the symbol change control command.

The sub-control command transmitting means 207 fluctuates at the timing at which the first special symbol control means 251 and the second special symbol control means 252 start and stop the variation display of the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52. The start command and the fluctuation stop command are transmitted to the effect determining means 303 (sub-main). When the variation start command is transmitted, a value indicating each of the winning / failing determination result, the stop symbol, and the variation pattern determined or determined as the final determination and a value indicating whether it is the first winning / failing lottery or the second winning / failing lottery are set. It is transmitted to the effect determining means 303 together with the fluctuation start command. When the variable stop command is transmitted, the value indicating the stop symbol is transmitted to the effect determining means 303 together with the variable stop command. Further, the effect determining means 303 (sub-main) transmits a variation start command, a variation stop command, and the like to the effect control means 304 in order to control the variation display of the decorative symbol by the effect control means 304 (sub-sub). As a result, the variable display by the main display control means 250 and the effect control means 304 (sub-sub) is synchronized, and the interlocking is maintained. Further, the sub-control command transmission means 207 transmits the pre-determination result by the pre-determination means 235 to the effect determination means 303. After the pre-judgment result is temporarily stored in the transmission buffer, the winning openings (first start port 11, second start) corresponding to the pre-judgment result are started regardless of whether or not the symbol variation display corresponding to the lottery is started immediately. It is transmitted to the effect determining means 303 together with the type information of the mouth 12), the information on the number of reserved pieces, the game state, etc., and is erased from the transmission buffer or overwritten later. As a result, the so-called "look-ahead" process is realized, in which the sub-board 300 can speculatively recognize the winning / failing result before the order of starting the symbol variation comes around based on the received prior determination result. The processing based on the prior determination information performed by the sub-board 300 will be described later. The sub-control command transmission means 207 transmits information on the special game by the special game control means 260, information on the small hit game by the small hit game control means 265, and information on the lottery result by the ordinary symbol lottery means to the sub-board 300. Further, the sub-control command transmitting means 207 is transmitted to various controls on the main board 200 or to the main board 200, such as information on initial processing and information on errors by the main initial processing executing means 280 and the main error detecting means 284. Information about various signals and the like is appropriately transmitted to the sub-board 300.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sub-board. The sub-board 300 includes a symbol mode determining means 301, a pattern storage means 302, an effect determining means 303, an effect controlling means 304, a timekeeping means 307, an effect setting means 308, a sub initial process executing means 360, a sub power cut processing executing means 362, and the like. The sub-error detecting means 364, the command receiving means 370, and the sub-side pre-determining means 371 are provided.

The pattern storage means 302 holds a plurality of effect patterns in which the effect image contents to be displayed on the effect display device 60 and the display process thereof are defined in the variation of the decorative symbol 61. In the effect pattern, a plurality of variation effect patterns in which the variation process from the start to the stop of the variation in the variation display of the decorative symbol 61 and the effect process are defined, and the variation display of the decorative symbol are displayed separately, and the degree of expectation for a big hit. It includes a plurality of notice effect patterns that suggest the height of the variable display before the stop of the variable display.

The command receiving means 370 receives various commands transmitted from the command communication means 205, and the sub-side pre-determination means 371 holds the pre-determination result transmitted from the command communication means 205. The effect determining means 303 includes a normal effect determining means 373 and a look-ahead effect determining means 374. The normal effect determining means 373 displays on the effect display device 60 by the effect control means 304 according to the information of the determination result of the first winning / failing lottery or the determination result of the second winning / failing lottery transmitted from the command communication means 205, and the speaker. The content of the effect to be output to the 108, the decorative lamp 111, etc. is determined. The look-ahead effect determining means 374 displays on the effect display device 60 by the effect control means 304 according to the pre-determination result transmitted from the command communication means 205, and determines the effect content to be output to the speaker 108, the decorative lamp 111, and the like. .. The normal effect determining means 373 is determined by the first variation pattern determining means 231 or the second variation pattern determining means 232, and is selected from a plurality of variation effect patterns corresponding to the variation patterns of the special symbol transmitted from the command communication means 205. Select one and read it from the pattern storage means 302. The normal effect determining means 373 sends the read out variable effect pattern information to the effect control means 304. The normal effect determining means 373 holds a pattern table to be referred to in order to select a variable effect pattern. In some cases, the fluctuation effect pattern may be determined by the normal effect determination means 373 with reference to the pre-determination result transmitted from the command communication means 205, and the variation is combined with the content of the look-ahead effect by the look-ahead effect determination means 374. The production pattern may be determined. The look-ahead effect determining means 374 more accurately identifies and identifies the result of this determination based on the preliminary determination result from the command communication means 205, the past preliminary determination result held on the sub-board 300, the game state information, and the like. Based on the result, it is determined whether or not to execute the look-ahead effect before the final determination, and the content of the execution. Specifically, the look-ahead effect determining means 374 determines whether the current gaming state is in a probability-variable game, and then shifts to the normal gaming state based on the pre-determination result before the pre-determination result received this time. Determine whether or not to do so. Based on the judgment result, the pass / fail result of this judgment and the selected fluctuation pattern related to the pre-judgment result received this time are specified, and the execution possibility of the look-ahead effect and the execution content of the look-ahead effect are determined based on the specific result. .. Since the effect determining means 303 has many parts in which the normal effect determining means 373 and the look-ahead effect determining means 374 cooperate with each other, the effect determining means 303 will be described as a comprehensive effect determining means 303 except for a particularly necessary part.

In each variation effect pattern, the variation time is set for each pattern as the end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses. The effect determining means 303 selects a variation effect pattern of the effect image having the same variation time according to the variation pattern of the special symbol.

The symbol mode determining means 301 determines the combination and arrangement of the stop symbols of the decorative symbol 61 by the determination result of the lottery by the first lottery means 211 or the second lottery means 212, the stop symbol of the special symbol, the variation pattern of the special symbol, and the decoration. It is decided according to the variation effect pattern of the design. The symbol mode determining means 301 transmits information indicating the determined combination of the stopped symbols to the effect control means 304. The symbol mode determining means 301 holds a symbol range table to be referred to for determining a stop symbol of a decorative symbol.

The stop symbol of the decorative symbol 61 is formed as a combination of three symbols, for example, when the hit / fail determination result by the first hit / fail determination means 221 and the second hit / fail determination means 222 indicates a shift to a special game of 4R jackpot or 16R jackpot. Is selected as a specific combination, for example, a combination in which three symbols such as "777" and "111" are aligned. When the hit / fail judgment result is a 2R big hit or a small hit, a specific combination, for example, a predetermined combination such as "357" is selected, but the specific combination is not necessarily a combination of three symbols. It does not have to be. If the hit / fail judgment result is neither a big hit nor a small hit, it is a combination in which the three symbols are not aligned, such as "312" and "946", and it is a specific combination selected for a 2R big hit or a small hit. The combination that does not apply is selected. If the hit / fail judgment result is not a 4R jackpot or a 16R jackpot, and a variation pattern indicating a loss with reach is selected, a combination such as "191" or "727" in which only one symbol is not aligned. Select.

The variation effect pattern of the decorative symbol defines the variation display mode of the decorative symbol, that is, the effect process from the start of the variation of the decorative symbol to the stop of the variation. The variable effect pattern includes a pattern for displaying a normal out-of-order symbol, a pattern for displaying an out-of-order symbol through a reach state that becomes a big hit if one more symbol is aligned, and a big hit symbol after a reach state. The pattern when doing is included. In particular, the pattern when going through the reach state includes a pattern having various long and short fluctuation times. In each variation effect pattern, the variation time is set for each pattern as the end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses. The effect determining means 303 selects a variation effect pattern of the decorative symbol having the same variation time as the special symbol according to the variation pattern of the special symbol.

In the time saving state, when the variation pattern selected by the first variation pattern determining means 231 or the second variation pattern determining means 232 is a pattern for time saving, the effect determining means 303 is a variation in which the effect content for time saving is determined. Select a production pattern. The content of the effect for shortening the time is an effect of outputting a background image or sound that impresses the player in an advantageous state due to the shortened time or the probability change.

The notice effect pattern is an effect pattern for temporarily displaying an image, animation, video, or the like of a specific character or motif on the screen, an effect pattern for operating an accessory, or an effect pattern for outputting a specific voice. The effect of the advance notice effect pattern is executed in parallel with the symbol change, and it is suggested in advance that the symbol change is highly expected to stop in the jackpot mode. For example, there is a normal advance notice effect in which only one image of a character is displayed on the screen, and a group advance notice effect in which a group of a large number of characters is displayed so as to pass from one end to the other end of the screen. Further, a step-up notice effect is further included in which the display process of the notice effect is divided into a plurality of stages, the number of stages to be displayed is variable, and the higher the number of stages, the higher the expectation for the big hit.

The notice effect pattern includes a pattern (notice after reach) in which the effect is executed at the timing after the display mode of the decorative symbol 61 is in the reach state to announce the final stop mode of the symbol, and the decorative symbol 61. There is a pattern (pre-reach notice) that simultaneously announces that the production will be executed at the timing when it is not stopped and the reach state will be reached.

The effect determining means 303 should determine whether or not to display the advance notice effect on the effect display device 60 according to the determination result of the winning / failing lottery or the advance determination result by a predetermined advance notice lottery, set the advance effect, and display the effect. Determine the notice production pattern. The effect determining means 303 holds a notice determination table to be referred to for determining whether or not to display the notice effect, and a notice type table to be referred to when selecting the type of the notice effect pattern. The notice determination table is set so that different columns are referred to depending on the judgment result of the winning / failing lottery or the preliminary judgment result, and if the winning / failing lottery is successful, the advance notice effect is displayed with a higher probability than in the case of losing. Therefore, the correspondence between the judgment result of the winning / failing lottery and whether or not to display the notice effect is determined. As a result, it is possible to suggest a high degree of expectation for a big hit by displaying the notice effect itself.

The effect control means 304 causes the effect display device 60 to variably display the effect image including the decorative symbol 61 according to the selected variable effect pattern data. The effect control means 304 sets the reception of the change start command of the decorative symbol 61 as a condition for starting the variation display of the new decorative symbol. When it is determined by the effect determining means 303 that the advance notice effect is to be displayed, the effect control means 304 displays the advance notice effect according to the selected advance notice effect pattern on the effect display device 60 in a form of superimposing it on the effect of the symbol variation. Let me.

If the winning / failing lottery value of the second winning / failing lottery is stored, the effect control means 304 reserves the start of the symbol variation display corresponding to the first winning / failing lottery, and whether the winning / failing lottery value of the first winning / losing lottery is stored. Regardless of whether or not, the symbol variation display corresponding to the second winning / failing lottery is started. As a result, when the lottery value is reserved for both the first win / fail lottery and the second win / fail lottery, the lottery value held in the second win / fail lottery is preferentially read out and the variation of the decorative symbol is displayed. .. In such a case, the lottery value held in the first winning / failing lottery is not read and the change of the decorative symbol does not start until the number of holdings in the second winning / failing lottery becomes 0. In this way, the effect control means 304 causes the effect display device 60 to display the symbol variation effect including the variation display of the decorative symbol 61.

The effect control means 304 further controls the lighting and extinguishing of the decorative lamp 111 and the operation of the movable accessory 66. The effect control means 304 includes an effect display control means 305, a voice control means 306, and a lamp control means 309. The effect display control means 305 controls the display on the effect display device 60, and the sound control means 306 controls the sound output from the speaker 108. The lamp control means 309 controls the lighting and extinguishing of the decorative lamp 111.

While the first special symbol 51 and the second special symbol 52 are changing, it is necessary to display an image indicating that the symbol is changing on the effect display device 60. Normally, a normal size decorative symbol 61 having a certain size is variablely displayed, but in a manner that hinders the visibility of the variable display of the normal size decorative symbol 61, other than the variation of the decorative symbol 61 is the main production content. You may display a special effect to be performed. In this case, the player is presented with the fact that the symbol is being changed by variablely displaying an alternative symbol that is a decorative symbol having a size smaller than that of the normal size decorative symbol. Hereinafter, when simply referred to as a decorative symbol, it means a normal size decorative symbol, but when it is distinguished from an alternative symbol, the normal size decorative symbol is also referred to as a "normal decorative symbol".

The alternative symbol is displayed while the visibility of the normal decorative symbol is impaired, for example, while the normal decorative symbol is hidden. The alternative symbol is a form of a decorative symbol for suggesting a hit / fail judgment result in a dramatic manner, has a simpler (in other words, simplified, simplified) display form than the normal decorative symbol, and is a normal decorative symbol. It is displayed in a simpler fluctuation process. The alternative symbol has an appearance display form corresponding to a portion indicating a symbol type of a normal decorative symbol, and has, for example, a display form representing a number, a character, or a symbol indicating the symbol type. Further, the alternative symbol is variablely displayed in a narrower area than the area where the decorative symbol is normally variablely displayed, and is typically at a position where the main effect by elements other than the symbol is not easily hindered, for example, in the corner of the screen of the effect display device 60. It is displayed in a variable manner. The alternative symbol is usually displayed relatively smaller than the decorative symbol, but has at least a display form in which the symbol type can be visually identified. The alternative symbol may be a reduced version of the normal decorative symbol as it is, or may be the same as the normal decorative symbol except for the size.

The plurality of alternative symbols displayed in place of the plurality of normal decorative symbols suggests a high degree of expectation that the result of the winning / failing lottery will be in a favorable state to the player depending on the combination of the stop modes at the end of the fluctuation. For example, it is suggested that a plurality of alternative symbols have a high expectation of a big hit in the fluctuation by being in a reach state in which two of the three alternative symbols are in the same reach state. In addition, the left and right symbols that are in the reach state are specific types of symbols that suggest that the expectations are relatively high, such as "3" and "7", and the expectations such as "1" and "2" are high. By having a kind of symbol that suggests that it is relatively low, it may suggest that the degree of expectation of the reach state is high or low. It should be noted that the alternative symbol does not enter a definite stop state in appearance, but becomes a temporary stop state in which minute shaking is maintained. After the temporary stop of the substitute symbol, the normal decorative symbol may be displayed instead of the substitute symbol, and the normal decorative symbol may be displayed in a fixed stop state. Further, instead of displaying the normal decorative symbol and the alternative symbol exclusively, the display period may overlap. Furthermore, at a predetermined effect in which the visibility of the normal decorative symbol is impaired, the variation display of the normal decorative symbol may be continued and the variation of the alternative symbol may be displayed.

The timekeeping means 307 is a timekeeping circuit that outputs time information used for the game. The timekeeping means 307 is a timer circuit that measures the time from the time when the power is turned on with a counter and outputs it as time information. However, a real-time clock circuit having a built-in battery and capable of continuously measuring the date and time by the battery even when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is turned off or when a power failure occurs may be used. In the case of the real-time clock circuit, there is a possibility that the time of each game console may differ slightly due to individual differences and time deviations, whereas in the case of the timer circuit, the time difference between multiple game consoles as long as the power is turned on at the same time. Is unlikely to occur.

The effect determining means 303 executes a tuning effect that starts at a predetermined timing triggered by the time information output by the time measuring means 307 indicating a predetermined time. The tuning effect is an effect displayed on the effect display device 60 during the synchronized effect period, which is a period substantially asynchronous with the fluctuation period of the symbol variation and the game state. The tuning effect period extends for several minutes, the length of which is longer than the symbol variation time for one time, and may include a plurality of symbol variation periods. The effect pattern of the synchronized effect is stored in the pattern storage means 302, and the effect pattern defines the reproduction of a predetermined music and video. A plurality of types of effect patterns for synchronized effects are prepared, and different types of effect patterns can be selected depending on the date and time such as month, date, day of the week, and time.

The entrainment effect is executed regardless of whether it is during a normal game or a special game. Here, "during normal game" includes the display of the so-called standby demo screen. That is, "during normal game" includes (1) "normal game during variable display" in which the symbol is variablely displayed, and (2) "normal game during variable stop" in which neither the variable display of the symbol nor the standby demo screen is displayed. , (3) "Normal game while displaying the standby demo screen", which is not displaying the variation of the symbol but displaying the standby demo screen, is included. The tuning effect can be executed during any of the periods (1) to (3), but in the cases of (2) and (3), the output mode for controlling the volume reduction and the brightness reduction in the tuning effect is (1). It can be different from the time of. In addition, while the standby demo screen is displayed, the player can input information about the mobile cooperation system described later by operating the effect button 109 or the cross key 110, and when the operation input is made, the video and audio of the synchronized effect are output. It is suppressed, and the screen display such as production customization by the mobile cooperation system is prioritized.

The entrainment effect is, for example, an effect of reproducing a performance or a video of a predetermined music at a predetermined time (referred to as “synchronization effect start time”). The time that triggers the reproduction of the tuning effect may be the time reached at a predetermined time interval from the time when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is turned on, or the time every hour or half hour based on the standard time. May be. Alternatively, a time that may differ depending on the date or day of the week may be set, and the interval may be different, such as first one hour later, then three hours later, instead of a fixed interval such as "every hour". The interval may vary depending on the date and day of the week. It may be a variable setting in which the time can be specified by the game clerk for each game store. However, it is set in advance so that the same tuning effect is executed at least at the same time among a plurality of the same models installed in the same game store. For example, in the case of a specification triggered by a time that arrives at a predetermined time interval from the time when the power is turned on, a plurality of units are turned on at the same time in a game store. As a result, the same tuning effect is simultaneously executed on the plurality of game consoles when the predetermined time is reached. As a result, the production is displayed at the same time as if they were synchronized by multiple units, and the same music and video are played at the same time, creating a synergistic and realistic feeling as if a live performance or movie was being screened on the spot. A directing effect can be obtained.

The function of entrainment effect is also built into another game console of the same model, and multiple game consoles on the same game island are turned on at the same time by a game clerk every day. Then, the plurality of game consoles that are turned on at the same time all reach the synchronization effect start time almost at the same time, and the synchronization effect can be executed simultaneously at the same time. This is called a multiple-unit synchronous production. In that case, not only the display of the image is synchronized with multiple units, but also the output of sound effects and background music is synchronized with multiple units, and the more units are synchronized, the more synergistic effect is obtained by executing the production all at once. It will increase.

The effect setting means 308 stores the player's game history. The game history includes a history of game results and a history of production results. The history of game results is the result of a game that leads to a ball output that the player can obtain as a result of the game, such as the number of hit balls, the number of prize balls, the number of big hits, the number of probability changes, and the number of time reductions. The history of the production result is different from the profit in the game, and is recorded in order to obtain the profit such as the right to change the content and type of the production and the right to make it easier for a specific type of production to appear. It is information such as the score of. For example, in order to score the number of appearances of a predetermined effect, the result of a mini game, and the like and give it to the player, coded information indicating the score and the game history, for example, a two-dimensional code is displayed on the screen. When the player reads the two-dimensional code with the camera of his / her mobile terminal and decodes it, the score and the game history information obtained by the decoding are stored in the player's mobile terminal. The cooperation system between the gaming machine and the player's mobile terminal via the two-dimensional code will be described later. The score here is necessary to expand the range of production customization described later, and the score reaches a predetermined cumulative value (for example, reaching 1000 points, every 100 points, etc.). It is a specification that the items that can be customized increase.

The effect setting means 308 stores the setting of which of a plurality of types of effect content options is selected as the effect customization based on the player's selection instruction and the game history. For example, as an effect pattern to be displayed during a special game, a plurality of types of effect patterns having different displayed motifs, characters, and songs are prepared in the pattern storage means 302, and the player is made to select which effect is to be displayed. I will do it. Alternatively, a plurality of types of motifs or character designs are prepared in the pattern storage means 302 as the design of the design included in the decorative design that changes the design, and the player is allowed to select which of the designs is to be displayed. In such a case, when the player accepts the operation of the effect button 109 or the cross key 110 while the standby demo screen is displayed and the effect pattern is selected through the operation, the effect setting means 308 selects the selected content. Remember. The effect determining means 303 selects the type of the effect pattern during the special game according to the settings stored by the effect setting means 308.

The sub-initial processing execution means 360 executes the control start processing of the sub-board 300 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is turned on or when the power is turned off and restored. The sub-power cutoff processing executing means 362 executes an abnormality response process such as a power supply cutoff process on the sub-board 300 when a power supply abnormality such as a power supply cutoff occurs. The sub-error detecting means 364 executes the abnormality detection process on the sub-board 300. When the sub-error detecting means 364 detects the power cutoff, the sub-power cutoff processing executing means 362 backs up the data in the RAM to the backup RAM as the power cutoff process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of a mobile phone cooperation system. As a premise of the mobile cooperation system, the player registers the user by setting an account and a password in the game history server 358 provided with a dedicated site in advance on the mobile terminal 354. When the effect button 109 is pressed by the player at the start of the game, the effect display control means 305 displays the two-dimensional code 350, which encodes the address of the dedicated site of the game history server 358, on the screen of the effect display device 60. The player is made to read it with the camera of the mobile terminal and access the dedicated site of the game history server 358. Character information (also called "password information") in which the player's identification information and the effect score history are encoded is transmitted from the dedicated site to the mobile terminal and displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal. The effect display control means 305 displays the password information input screen on the effect display device 60, and causes the player to input the password information via a button operation such as a cross key 110. By decoding the input password information by the effect setting means 308 and registering it as the player's identification information and the effect score history, the player's previous game content and effect score state can be inherited. The input of this password information serves as an instruction to start recording the game history of the player and an instruction to start the effect customization for selecting various effect elements. After that, in the pachinko gaming machine 100, as the game and the production progress, the points given by the effect setting means 308 to the player as a benefit in the effect are added as needed and accumulated as the effect score history, and the player. Can customize the effect at any time and select and set the desired element as various effect elements. The score for the production is basically added for each symbol change, and the higher the production type with the higher expectation for the transition to the special game, the higher the score is given, and the higher the score is given even when the transition to the special game is performed.

As an effect customization, the player uses a part of the accumulated points, and according to the number of points used, the color, the background, the shape, the character, and the colors, the background, the shape, the character, which constitute the effect content displayed on the effect display device 60. You can change the production elements such as music to your favorite type. The effect setting means 308 receives an instruction to change the effect element via a button operation by the player, and changes various effect elements according to the instruction. As for the effect elements that can be customized, a plurality of types of items are prepared for each element, and different values are set as the number of points required for each item. Therefore, when the accumulated score reaches a predetermined value, the number of customizable items increases, or a chance to increase the number of customizable items is given. When the player operates a button as an instruction to end the game or the effect customization, the effect setting means 308 generates a two-dimensional code 350 in which information such as a privilege on the effect and the effect score history is encoded, and controls the effect display. The means 305 displays on the effect display device 60. The player can read the two-dimensional code 350 with the camera of his / her own mobile terminal and decode the read two-dimensional code 352 to acquire information and store it in the mobile terminal 354. Further, the information is transmitted from the mobile terminal 354 to the game history server 358 having a dedicated site via the network 356, and is managed in association with its own account information. In this way, information such as production benefits and production score history is transmitted to the mobile terminal 354 via a transmission means of displaying and reading the two-dimensional code 350, and is managed by the game history server 358. The contents of the game and the production can be taken over in the next game. In addition, by continuing the game for a long time, the number of symbol fluctuations and the number of productions increase, and the score can be obtained.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the main board 200 and the sub board 300. The main board 200 includes electronic components such as a main CPU 290, a main RAM 291 and a main ROM 292. The main ROM 292 stores in advance a main control program and data for controlling the overall game operation. The main control program or data is read from the main ROM 292 into the main RAM 291 and the main control program is executed by the main CPU 290. Each electronic component is connected by a bus such as a system bus or a data bus (not shown). The entry signal from each entry port, the payout signal from the payout control board 155, and the like are acquired by the main CPU 290 via various interfaces (not shown). The main CPU 290 drives and controls external devices such as the winning port solenoid, the first special symbol display unit 41, and the second special symbol display unit 42 by various drive circuits (not shown). Further, commands necessary for effect control are transmitted from the main CPU 290 to the sub-board 300 together with information such as a result of a winning / losing lottery, a result of determining a symbol, and a result of determining a variation pattern. A signal is transmitted from the main board 200 to the sub board 300 by one-way communication.

The instruction data transmitted from the main board 200 to the sub-board 300 has a 2-byte configuration consisting of a combination of 1-byte instruction type data, so-called MODE data, and 1-byte instruction content data, so-called EVENT data. The main board 200 can send one command by transmitting the command type data and the command content data to the sub board 300 in association with each other. The instruction type data is a bit string indicating the instruction type, and a unique type code is assigned to each instruction type in advance at the development stage. The instruction content data is a bit string indicating the content of the instruction. The most significant bit of the instruction type data and the instruction content data is an identification bit indicating whether the instruction type data or the instruction content data is used. When the most significant bit is 1, it indicates that the instruction type data is the most significant bit. When the bit is 0, it indicates that it is instruction content data.

Communication from the main board 200 to the sub board 300 is a specification in which 1 byte of data is transmitted for each data transmission, so it is necessary to transmit 1 byte each twice in order to transmit 2 bytes of instruction data. .. The MODE data, which is the upper byte, is transmitted in the first communication, and the EVENT data, which is the lower byte, is transmitted in the second communication. Considering the possibility of communication failure due to the influence of noise or the like, the main board 200 continuously transmits the same data, and when the same data is read twice in succession by the sub board 300, the completion of transmission / reception of the data is confirmed. .. The main board 200 repeatedly transmits the same data until it is read two times in a row, and transmits the same data up to five times.

The sub-board 300 includes electronic components such as a sub CPU 310, a sub RAM 311, a sub ROM 312, and an effect control device 313. The sub ROM 312 is one of the data storage means for holding the sub control program including the effect pattern data in which the effect process is defined and the display pattern data in which the effect display process is defined. A sub control program including effect pattern data, display pattern data, and voice pattern data is read from the sub ROM 312 into the sub RAM 311, and the effect control by the sub control program is executed by the sub CPU 310. Each electronic component is connected by a bus such as a system bus or a data bus (not shown). Signals from an external device such as the effect button 109 are acquired by the sub CPU 310 via various interfaces (not shown). The sub CPU 310 drives and outputs an effect display device 60, a speaker 108, a decorative lamp 111, a movable accessory 66, and the like by an effect control device 313, various drive circuits and control circuits (not shown) according to the effect pattern data. , Voice output, lamp lighting, and control of the production by the movement of the accessory. The sub CPU 310 transmits the display pattern data and the voice pattern data to the effect control device 313. In this embodiment, an example in which the sub-board 300 includes the effect control device 313 will be described, but the sub-board 300 and the effect control device 313 do not need to be integrated as a substrate and are separated and connected to each other. It may be formed as a separate substrate.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the effect control device 313.
The effect control device 313 includes a control CPU 320, a control RAM 322, a data ROM 324, a display control circuit 326, and a voice control circuit 314. The data ROM 324 is one of data storage means for holding material data such as effect image data and motion data used for effect display and audio data used for audio output in a data-compressed state. The effect image data is an image used for variable display or effect display as an effect object showing a judgment result of a winning / fail lottery, for example, a sprite image of a decorative pattern used for decorative pattern variation, a sprite image used for a notice effect, and various effects. It is a material image such as a moving image to be used. The motion data is data in which the motion is defined when the motion is added to the image used for various effects at a predetermined timing. The voice data is voice data such as music, background sounds, sound effects, and character lines that are output during the production.

Based on the display pattern data sent from the sub CPU 310, the effect image data and motion data specified in the display pattern data are read from the data ROM 324 to the control RAM 322, and the effect display using the effect image data and motion data. Is executed by the control CPU 320. As a result, commands, effect image data, and motion data related to the effect display are transmitted from the control CPU 320 to the display control circuit 326, and display control is performed by the display control circuit 326. Similarly, commands and voice data related to voice output are transmitted from the control CPU 320 to the voice control circuit 314, and voice output control is performed by the voice control circuit 314.

The display control circuit 326 includes a decoder 332, a drawing memory 334, a drawing circuit 336, a frame buffer 338, and a display circuit 340, each of which is connected via the bus 330. The bus 330 in this figure comprehensively shows buses such as a system bus, a data bus, and an address bus for convenience.

The effect image data and motion data sent from the control CPU 320 are stored in the drawing memory 334, and the compressed data among the data is decoded by the decoder 332. The drawing memory 334 is a VRAM (VideoRAM) used as a work area for decoding the effect image data or motion data by the decoder 332, or as a work area for executing drawing processing or image processing by the drawing circuit 336. ).

The drawing circuit 336 uses the data stored in the drawing memory 334 to sequentially execute commands sent from the control CPU 320 to generate a display image, and the generated display image is used as a frame of a moving image as a frame buffer. Store in 338. The frame buffer 338 is a VRAM as a buffer memory for temporarily storing a frame of a moving image to be output to the effect display device 60.

The display circuit 340 outputs the display images stored in the frame buffer 338 to the effect display device 60 in the form of video signals in the order in which they are stored. The frame buffer 338 has, for example, a memory area for two frames, and while the display circuit 340 outputs a display image from the memory area for one frame, the drawing circuit 336 generates the next display image. Store in the memory area for another frame.

The data ROM 324 holds "detailed display pattern data" in which the display control process performed by the display control circuit 326 is defined. At this time, the display pattern data sent from the sub CPU 310 can be called "rough display pattern data" in which the outline of the effect display process is defined. For example, the schematic display pattern data defines a rough flow of a series of effect display processes such as fluctuation start and fluctuation stop timings of decorative symbols, playback order of a plurality of moving images, and playback start and stop timings. .. On the other hand, the detailed display pattern data includes detailed display control such as the display order of sprite images for realizing variable display of decorative patterns and the display processing order for each frame for displaying moving images based on motion data. The process is defined.

When the effect control device 313 performs display control based on the "rough display pattern data" sent from the sub CPU 310, the effect control device 313 reads out the "detailed display pattern data" necessary for the processing from the data ROM 324 and uses both display pattern data. And execute the display process. Therefore, it can be said that the effect control device 313 executes the display control process based on the display putter data including the “rough display pattern data” and the “detailed display pattern data”. Therefore, in the present specification, unless explicitly mentioned, the "rough display pattern data" stored in the sub ROM 312 and the "detailed display pattern data" stored in the data ROM 324 are not distinguished, and simply "display pattern data" is used. ". For example, when the effect control means performs a specific process based on the display pattern data held in the data storage means, the display pattern data includes "rough display pattern data" and "detailed display pattern data". .. In the modified example, the display pattern data is not divided into "rough display pattern data" and "detailed display pattern data", and even if the display pattern data that serves as both is held in the sub ROM 312 or the data ROM 324. good.

In this embodiment, the hardware configuration of the effect control device 313 includes a control CPU 320, a control RAM 322, a data ROM 324, and a display control circuit 326. In the modification, the control CPU 320, the control RAM 322, the data ROM 324, and the display control circuit 326 may be integrated instead of being configured as separate electronic components. Further, the process that is supposed to be executed by the display control circuit 326 may be executed by the control CPU 320, the control RAM 322, or the data ROM 324. For example, the control CPU 320 included in the effect control device 313 may execute a process that is executed by the decoder 332, the drawing circuit 336, and the display circuit 340 included in the display control circuit 326. Further, the control RAM 322 included in the effect control device 313 may also have the functions of the drawing memory 334 and the frame buffer 338. In addition, the effect control device 313 may have a hardware configuration that does not include the display control circuit 326. In this case, the process that is supposed to be executed by the display control circuit 326 is executed by the control CPU 320, the control RAM 322, or the data ROM 324. May be done.

Further, in this embodiment, the hardware configuration of the sub-board 300 includes a configuration in which the effect control device 313 is included in addition to the sub CPU 310, the sub RAM 311 and the sub ROM 312. In the modification, the sub CPU 310, the sub RAM 311 and the ROM 312 and the effect control device 313 may be integrated instead of being configured as separate electronic components. Further, the process that is supposed to be executed by the effect control device 313 may be executed by the sub CPU 310, the sub RAM 311 or the sub ROM 312. For example, the sub CPU 310 may execute the processing of the control CPU 320, the sub RAM 311 may also have the function of the control RAM 322, and the sub ROM 312 may also have the function of the data ROM 324. In addition, the sub-board 300 may have a hardware configuration that does not include the effect control device 313. In this case, the process that is supposed to be executed by the effect control device 313 is executed by the sub CPU 310, the sub RAM 311 or the sub ROM 312. You may.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control start process of the main board 200 in the pachinko gaming machine. This control start processing is executed by the main initial processing execution means 280, and will be described below as being executed by the main CPU 290 that functions as the main initial processing execution means 280. When the power switch 150 is turned on, the main CPU 290 sets the stack pointer (S100) and permits access to the main RAM 291 (S102).
, Performs initial hardware-related settings such as settings for the internal registers of the main CPU 290 (S104).

Subsequently, the power supply cutoff / recovery process or the initialization process of the main RAM 291 is executed according to the operation state of the RAM clear switch, the value of the power supply cutoff information flag, and the state of the data stored in the main RAM 291. Specifically, if the RAM clear switch is not turned on and both the value of the power off information flag and the data stored in the main RAM 291 are normal, the process at the time of power off / recovery is executed. do. In other cases, that is, even when the RAM clear switch is turned on or the RAM clear switch is not turned on, either the power failure information flag or the data stored in the main RAM 291 is normal. If not, the initialization process of the main RAM 291 is executed.

The main CPU 290 confirms the operating state of the RAM clear switch, and when the RAM clear switch is turned on (Y in S106), initializes the main RAM 291 (S116). When the RAM clear switch is not turned on (N in S106), the main CPU 290 confirms the value of the power cutoff information flag (S108). If the value of the power off information flag does not match the power off normal data (N in S108), the main RAM 291 is initialized (S116). If the value of the power off information flag matches the power off normal data (Y in S108), the data stored in the main RAM 291 is inspected (S110). As will be described later, if the processing is normally completed when the power is turned off last time, the checksum of the data stored in the main RAM 291 is stored in the main RAM 291. Therefore, the main CPU 290 uses the checksum. Check the data in the main RAM 291. If the data stored in the main RAM 291 is not normal (N in S112), the data in the main RAM 291 is initialized (S116). If the data stored in the main RAM is normal (Y in S112), the process for returning to the state before the power is turned off is executed (S114).

In the power-off recovery process (S114), the power-on normal data indicating that the power was turned on normally is stored in the power-off information flag, and the initial setting of various errors and the initial setting of communication with the payout control board 155 are executed. do. Subsequently, the command request for the untransmitted portion before the power is turned off is cleared, and the command transmission of various information indicating the game state is requested. Subsequently, an effect command corresponding to the number of pending balls of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is requested. Subsequently, the open / closed state of the second starting port 12 and the large winning opening 20 is restored to the state before the power was cut off. Subsequently, a process for notifying the operating state of the probability fluctuation function of the special symbol is executed.

In the RAM initialization process (S116), the power-on normal data is stored in the power-off information flag, the entire area of the main RAM 291 is cleared by 0, the initial setting of the main RAM 291 and the initialization of the effect display are executed.

When the power cutoff / recovery process (S114) or the RAM initialization process (S116) is completed, a count value is set to activate the interrupt process described later, and the operation of the interrupt timer is started (S118). As a result, after that, a timer interrupt is generated every predetermined time (for example, 4 milliseconds), and the interrupt process described later is executed. Subsequently, the main CPU 290 executes the main process for managing the gaming machine (S120).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the main process of S120 in FIG. 13 in detail. The main CPU 290 temporarily prohibits timer interruption (S200), starts the operation of the watchdog timer (S202), and monitors the power failure (S204). When a drop in the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply board 158 is detected in a power supply voltage monitoring circuit (not shown), a power supply cutoff storage is executed by inputting an unconditional interruption request signal from the power supply voltage monitoring circuit to the main CPU 290. In the process, the power off confirmation data is stored in the power off confirmation flag. Therefore, the main CPU 290 monitors the value of the power-off confirmation flag (S204), and if the value of the power-off confirmation flag matches the power-off confirmation data (Y in S206), executes the process for power-off. Therefore, proceed to S212. If the value of the power off confirmation flag does not match the power off confirmation data (N in S206), the initial value random number per normal symbol, the initial value random value per special symbol, and the soft initial value random value per special symbol are updated. The initial value random number update process is executed (S208), the timer interruption is permitted (S210), and the process returns to S200. After that, S200 to S210 are repeated. When the timer interrupt occurs while the timer interrupt is prohibited (S202 to S208), the interrupt process described later is executed after the timer interrupt is permitted in S210.

When the power failure is detected in S206 (Y in S206), the main CPU 290 restarts the watchdog timer (S212) and confirms the content of the power failure information flag (S214). If the content of the power-off information flag does not match the power-on normal data (N in S214), it is determined that the data at the time of power-on is not saved normally, and the power-off error data is stored in the power-off information flag. (S216), proceed to S222. If the content of the power-off information flag matches the power-on normal data (Y in S214), it is determined that the data at the time of power-on is normally saved, and the power-off normal data is stored in the power-off information flag. (S218). Subsequently, in order to inspect the backed up data of the main RAM 291 at the next power-on, the checksum of the data stored in the main RAM 291 is calculated and stored in the main RAM 291 (S220). Subsequently, access to the main RAM 291 is prohibited (S222), and a loop is performed until the power is turned off. The main power cutoff processing execution means 282 realized by the main CPU 290 executes the above-mentioned processing when the power is turned off.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the details of the interrupt process. When a timer interrupt occurs in the main process (S120), the main CPU 290 executes the interrupt process. First, the interrupt operation condition is set (S300), and the watchdog timer is restarted (S302). Next, in order to manage the game machine, input processing (S304), various random number update processing (S306), initial value update type random number update processing (S308), initial value random number update processing (S310), timer subtraction processing (S312). , 2nd start port valid period setting process (S314), prize monitoring process (S316), prize ball control process (S318), normal symbol operation gate monitoring process (S320), normal symbol control process (S322), normal symbol change start Monitoring process (S324), start port monitoring control process (S326), special symbol control process (S328), special electric accessory control process (S330), large winning opening valid period setting process (S332), special symbol change start monitoring control Processing (S334), abnormality detection processing (S336), ball entry passage time abnormality detection processing (S338), game status display processing (S340), handle status signal inspection processing (S342), LED output processing (S344), launch control signal Output processing (S346), test signal output processing (S348), solenoid output processing (S350), effect control command transmission processing (S352), and external information output processing (S354) are executed in order, and the next timer interrupt is permitted. (S356) and return.

In the input process (S304), the data of the input port of the switch mounted on the game board surface, the disconnection short circuit power supply abnormality detection signal, the door / frame opening signal, the magnetic detection signal, the radio wave detection signal, and the touch state signal is monitored. , Data indicating the input state is created and stored in the main RAM 291. The data indicating this input state are level data (data of the input port at the time of this interruption) and rising data or falling data (data of the input port at the time of this interruption and data at the time of the previous interruption). Data indicating a switch in which switching was observed by comparing the data of the input port with an exclusive logical sum).

In the various random number update processes (S306), the normal symbol variation pattern random number and the variation pattern random number are updated. The normal symbol variation pattern random number is read from the main RAM 291. If the value is less than the predetermined maximum value, the value is incremented and stored, and if the value is equal to or more than the predetermined maximum value, 0 is stored. Further, the fluctuation pattern random number is read from the main RAM 291 and the subtraction result is stored when the result of subtracting the predetermined value from the value is 0 or more, and the predetermined maximum value is stored when the result is less than 0. As a result, the normal symbol variation pattern random number and the variation pattern random number are updated every time the timer interrupt occurs.

In the initial value update type random number update process (S308), the random number per normal symbol, the symbol random number per special symbol, and the soft random number per special symbol are updated. The value, maximum value, and initial value of each random number are read from the main RAM 291 and the value of the random number is incremented. If the result of the increment exceeds the maximum value, the value of the random number is set to 0. If the incremented result matches the initial value, the initial value random number is read from the main RAM 291 and the initial value is updated. As a result, the random number per normal symbol, the random number per special symbol, and the soft random number per special symbol are updated every time the timer interrupt occurs, and when the value of the random number returns to the initial value, that is, it goes around the range of random numbers. Then, the initial value is newly set and a random number is generated.

In the initial value random number update process (S310), the initial value random number per normal symbol, the symbol initial value random number per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol are updated. The initial value random number is read from the initial value random number update table of the main RAM 291 and the value of the initial value random number is incremented. If the result of the increment exceeds the upper limit, the value of the initial random number is set to 0. The same process is executed in the initial value random number update process (S208) in the main process (S120).

In the timer subtraction process (S312), the 2-byte timer is updated. The values of the timers for various controls are read from the main RAM 291 according to the table, and when the timer values are other than 0, the values are sequentially decremented and stored. If the value of the timer is 0, the timer is not updated.

In the second starting port valid period setting process (S314), the valid period of the second starting port 12 is set. At the second starting port 12, the valid period in which the prize ball is paid out and the lottery related to the second special symbol is executed by the entry of the game ball, and the prize ball is paid out and the second special even if the game ball enters. An invalid period is set in which the lottery related to the symbol is not executed. As will be described later, in the start port monitoring control process (S326), the monitoring process for winning the second start port is not executed during the invalid period of the second start port 12, so that the game ball enters the second start port 12. Even so, the payout of prize balls and the lottery related to the second special symbol will not be executed. The same applies to the case where the valid period and the invalid period are set in the first starting port 11, the large winning opening 20, the first operating opening 31, the second operating opening 32, the general winning opening 33, and the like. When the state of the normal symbol is "normal electric accessory is operating", the data indicating that the second start port 12 is the valid period is stored in the second start port valid period flag. If the state of the normal symbol is not "normal electric accessory is operating" and the value of the second start port effective extension timer is not 0, the second start port 12 is the valid period in the second start port valid period flag. If the value of the second start port valid extension timer is 0, the data indicating that the second start port is in the invalid period is stored in the second start port valid period flag.

In the prize monitoring process (S316), the passage of the game ball to the switch is inspected, and when the game ball passes through the switch, the switch has no invalid period or is currently in the valid period, and the prize ball is paid out. If so, update the winning counter. It also requests the creation of a security output request to be output to the external information output terminal 160 and the transmission of commands.

In the prize ball control process (S318), monitoring of data reception from the payout control board 155, command transmission request to the payout control board 155, command transmission to the payout control board 155, and inspection of received data from the payout control board 155. Are executed in order.

In the normal symbol actuating gate monitoring process (S320), the passage of the first actuating port 31 and the second actuating port 32 of the game ball is monitored, and it is determined that the game ball has passed through the first actuating port 31 or the second actuating port 32. When the number of reserved symbols is less than 4, which is the upper limit, the number of reserved ordinary symbols is updated and the random numbers related to the ordinary symbols are stored in the main RAM 291.

In the normal symbol control process (S322), the state of the normal symbol is monitored, and when it is determined that the normal symbol is being controlled, the process related to the normal symbol display unit 45 or the normal electric accessory 90 is executed. If the state of the normal symbol is "normal symbol changing", the normal symbol changing process is executed, and if it is "normal symbol stop symbol display", the normal symbol stop symbol display processing is executed and "normal electric" is executed. If it is "during the operation of the normal electric accessory", the process during the operation of the normal electric accessory is executed, and if it is "during the demonstration of the end of the operation of the normal electric accessory", the process during the demonstration of the end of the operation of the normal electric accessory is executed. In the process of changing the normal symbol, after changing the normal symbol, the fluctuation time is monitored, and if it is determined that the fluctuation time of the normal symbol has ended, the fluctuation stop setting of the normal symbol is set and the state of the normal symbol is changed to "normal". Set to "Stop symbol display". In the process of displaying the normal symbol stop symbol, the stop symbol display time of the normal symbol is monitored, and when it is determined that the stop symbol display time of the normal symbol has ended, the operation end setting of the normal symbol corresponding to the result of the hit determination is executed. In the case of a hit, the state of the normal symbol is set to "normal electric accessory is in operation", the operating state of the normal electric accessory opening extension function at the start of normal electric accessory operation is saved, and the normal electric accessory operation starts. The operation setting of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 91 corresponding to the operating state of the ordinary electric accessory opening extension function at the time is executed. In the case of off, the state of the normal symbol is set to "waiting for normal symbol change". When the winnings of the winning openings related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 of the game ball are monitored in the processing during the operation of the ordinary electric accessory, and it is determined that the number of winnings of the winning openings related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 has reached the maximum number of winnings. Performs the operation end setting of the ordinary electric accessory 90 and the setting of the effective extension time of the second start port. If it is determined that the number of winnings in the winning opening related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 has not reached the maximum number of winnings, the opening / closing time of the entrance of the winning opening related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 is monitored, and the ordinary electric accessory 90 is used. If it is determined that the opening / closing of the entrance of the winning opening related to the above is completed and the opening of the entrance of the normal electric accessory 90 is completed, the operation end setting of the ordinary electric accessory 90 and the second starting opening are valid. Execute the extension time setting. If it is determined that the opening / closing time of the entrance of the winning opening related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 has not ended, the setting of opening / closing the entrance of the winning opening related to the ordinary electric accessory 90 is not executed. In the process during the demonstration of the end of operation of the normal electric accessory, the operation end demo time of the ordinary electric accessory 90 is monitored, and if it is determined that the operation end demo time of the ordinary electric accessory 90 has ended, the state of the normal symbol is changed to "normal symbol". Set to "Waiting for fluctuation".

In the normal symbol change start monitoring process (S324), when the state of the normal symbol is monitored, "waiting for normal symbol change", and the value of the number of balls on hold for normal symbol operation is other than 0, the normal symbol changes. Judge to start. When it is determined to start the fluctuation of the normal symbol, the number of balls on hold for normal symbol operation is decremented, and the hit judgment, the determination of the stop symbol, the setting of the fluctuation pattern number of the normal symbol, and the setting of the fluctuation time of the normal symbol are executed. .. After that, the state of the normal symbol is set to "normal symbol changing", and the area of the main RAM 291 used for the state setting of the normal symbol, the hit determination, and the determination of the fluctuation pattern is cleared.

In the start opening monitoring control process (S326), the first starting opening 11 winning and the second starting opening 12 winning of the game ball are monitored. If the winning of the game ball is confirmed when the number of pending balls of the first special symbol is less than 4, the built-in random number is acquired, and the value obtained by adding the value of the soft random number per special symbol to the acquired built-in random number is added. It is stored in the buffer as a random number per special symbol used in the jackpot judgment. Further, as random numbers related to the special symbol, a symbol random number and a variable pattern random number are acquired and stored. When the hold of the second special symbol is prioritized over the hold of the first special symbol, only the update of the hold related to the prize is executed, but when the hold order of the special symbol is the winning order, the hold is executed. In addition to updating the hold related to the prize, the total number of holds is updated and the winning order is stored. Next, in order to request a notice effect command corresponding to the random number memorized at the start opening winning, if the state of the gaming machine is confirmed and it is judged that the command transmission period is reached, a hit notice effect request, a hit symbol advance notice effect request,
The pattern notice effect request is executed in order. Here, when (1) waiting for a hit and the random number related to the first special symbol is stored while the probability fluctuation function of the normal symbol is not operating, (2) waiting for a hit and the normal symbol When the random number related to the second special symbol is stored while the probability fluctuation function is not activated, or (3) when the random number related to the second special symbol is stored during the big hit or the small hit. , Judge that it is the command transmission period. Next, a production command corresponding to the number of balls on hold for operation of the special symbol is requested. As a result, the sub-board 300 is notified that the number of balls on hold for operation of the special symbol has been updated. As described above, in the look-ahead, four pieces of the prior determination information (preliminary hit / fail determination information, prior symbol determination information, prior pattern determination information) and the number of reserved balls are transmitted to the sub-board 300 as a set. In the above example, the main CPU 290 controls the transmission of the command for the pre-determination process, but in another example, when there is a ball entering the starting port, the command is uniformly transmitted and can be read ahead. The sub CPU 310 may perform various situation determinations such as whether or not it is a period. Next, the value of the second starting port validity period flag is inspected, and if the value of the second starting port validity period flag is data indicating that the second starting port 12 is a valid period, the first starting port winning prize is awarded. As in the case, the monitoring process of the second start opening winning is executed. When the value of the second starting port valid period flag is data indicating that the second starting port 12 is an invalid period, the monitoring process of the second starting port winning is not executed. If the winning of the game ball is confirmed when the number of reserved balls is 0, the number of reserved balls is once changed from 0 to 1, and then the control process related to the start of fluctuation described later is executed. ..

In the special symbol control process (S328), the hit waiting state is inspected, and when the special electric accessory is in operation, that is, during a big hit or a small hit, the special symbol control process is terminated. If the special electric accessory is not operating, the state of the special symbol is inspected, if it is "waiting for special symbol change", the special symbol control general-purpose processing is terminated, and if it is "start of change", the special symbol change. The start process is executed, and if "special symbol is changing", the special symbol change process is executed, and if "special symbol stop symbol is being displayed", the special symbol stop symbol display process is executed. In the special symbol variation start process, the selection number of the special symbol variation pattern is acquired based on the variation pattern random number, the variation time corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern number is determined, and the effect display is started on the sub-board 300. Request commands for additional symbol information, variation pattern, and character information, set the state of the special symbol to "special symbol variation in progress", and clear the variation pattern determination area used to determine the special symbol variation pattern with 0. .. In the process during special symbol change, after the special symbol is changed, the change time is monitored, and if it is determined that the change time of the special symbol has ended, the change stop setting of the special symbol is set and the state of the special symbol is changed to "special". Set to "Stop symbol display". In the process of displaying the special symbol stop symbol, the stop symbol display time of the special symbol is monitored, and when it is determined that the stop symbol display time of the special symbol has ended, the operation end setting of the special symbol corresponding to the result of the hit determination is executed. In the case of a big hit, in order to end the operation of the special symbol, the state of the special symbol is set to "waiting for special symbol change", the number of times the special electric accessory is continuously activated is set, and the probability of the special symbol is set. The variable function, the variable time shortening function of the special symbol, the probability fluctuation function of the normal symbol, the variable time shortening function of the normal symbol, and the opening extension function of the ordinary electric accessory are disabled, and the state of the gaming machine is prepared to open the big winning opening. Set in, set the hit start demo display time, execute the command request for the hit start demo effect, and the command request for the launch position specification effect. When the result of the hit judgment is a small hit, the operation end judgment of the fluctuation time shortening function of the special symbol and the probability fluctuation function of the normal symbol is performed, the fluctuation pattern selection state is updated, the command request of the game state is performed, and the special symbol is performed. In order to end the operation of, set the state of the special symbol to "waiting for special symbol change", set the state of the gaming machine during the small hit start demo, set the hit start demo display time, and set the hit start demo effect. Execute a command request and a command request for a firing position specification effect. If the result of the hit judgment is wrong, the operation end judgment of the fluctuation time shortening function of the special symbol and the probability fluctuation function of the normal symbol is performed, the fluctuation pattern selection state is updated, the command request of the game state is performed, and the special symbol is displayed. In order to terminate the operation, the state of the special symbol is set to "waiting for special symbol change", and the command request for the firing position designation effect is executed.

In the special electric accessory control process (S330), in order to execute the process related to the special electric accessory, the operating state of the condition device and the special electric accessory is inspected, and the condition device is operating or the special electric accessory is operating. If it is determined, the processing related to the special electric accessory is executed. Depending on the operating status of the special electric accessory, the processing during preparation for opening the large winning opening, the processing during operation of the special electric accessory, the processing during closing of the large winning opening, the processing during the big hit end demonstration, the processing during the small hit start demonstration, the small hit special electric Execute processing during operation, processing during closing of the small hit big winning opening, and processing during demonstration of the end of small hit.

In the large winning opening valid period setting process (S332), in order to save the result of the valid period determination of the large winning opening 20, if the value of the large winning opening valid time is 0, the large winning opening valid period flag is set to the big winning. The mouth invalid period data is stored, and if it is other than 0, the big prize opening validity period data is stored in the big winning opening validity period flag.

In the special symbol change start monitoring control process (S334), the operating state of the special symbol is monitored, and it is determined whether or not the special symbol is in a state where the change can be started. When the digestion order of the reserved balls of the special symbol is the priority digestion of the second special symbol, (1) it is not in the big hit or the small hit, (2) the first special symbol is waiting for change, (3). ) When the second special symbol is waiting for change and (4) the number of balls on hold for operation of the special symbol is other than 0, the special symbol can start changing. Is determined. When the digestion order of the reserved balls of the special symbol is the winning order, in addition to the above (1) to (3), (5) the total number of reserved balls of the special symbol is other than 0, (6) the relevant When all of the determinations that the digestion order, that is, the winning order is matched, are satisfied, it is determined that the special symbol can start to change.

When it is determined that the special symbol is in a state where it can start to fluctuate, the number of reserved balls for the special symbol is subtracted, and an effect command corresponding to the number of reserved balls for the first special symbol and the second special symbol is requested. As a result, the sub-board 300 is notified that the number of reserved balls of the special symbol has been updated.

Next, the hit determination of the special symbol is executed. In the hit determination, a random number per special symbol is used to determine whether the hit is a big hit, a small hit, or a miss, and the determination result is stored in the special symbol determination flag. Next, the design is decided. In the determination of the symbol, if the hit judgment is a big hit, the big hit symbol is determined based on the special symbol hit symbol random number, if it is a small hit, the small hit symbol is determined, and if it is a miss, the missed symbol is lost. Is determined.

When the result of the hit determination is a big hit, the operation content of the probability fluctuation function of the special symbol is determined based on the value of the group determination number indicating the type of the hit symbol determined in the symbol determination process, and the operation content of the special symbol is determined. Set the game state after the big hit, such as the operation content of the fluctuation time shortening function and the setting of the normal symbol winning easy state. Next, the settings during the big hit, such as the number of times the special electric accessory operates continuously and the contents of the opening time of the big winning opening, are executed. Next, the content of the variation pattern selection state is set by selecting the variation pattern table to be referred to after the end of the big hit based on the result of the hit determination and the operating state of the probability variation function of the normal symbol. Next, the start demo time and the end demo time are set with reference to the table selected based on the value of the group determination number indicating the game state and the type of the winning symbol. Subsequently, the area of the main RAM 291 used for the hit determination and the symbol determination is cleared, and the state of the special symbol is set to "variation start".

If the result of the hit judgment is a small hit, the content of the fluctuation pattern selection state is set, the start demo time and the end demo time are set, and the hit is made by selecting the fluctuation pattern table to be referred to after the small hit ends. The area of the main RAM 291 used for the determination and the symbol determination is cleared, and the state of the special symbol is set to "variation start". If the result of the hit determination is wrong, the area of the main RAM 291 used for the hit determination and the symbol determination is cleared, and the state of the special symbol is set to "variation start".

In the abnormality detection process (S336), the main CPU 290 functioning as the main error detection means 284 inspects the magnetic detection signal, the short-circuit power supply abnormality detection signal, the radio wave detection signal, and the door / frame opening signal, and changes in the error state. If there is, the error state is stored and the sub-board 300 is requested to display the error state effect of the game machine. At this time, the light emitting mode of the light emitting means such as the LED mounted on the control board may be controlled according to the error state. If there is no change in the error state, the error state storage and the error state effect display request are not executed.

In the ball entry passage time abnormality detection process (S338), the main CPU 290 functioning as the main error detection means 284 monitors the continuous on time of each switch level in order to detect the ball entry passage time abnormality, and the continuous on time (continuous on time). For example, if it is determined that the value of the counter that increments for each interrupt when the switch is on) is an abnormal value, the setting of the ball entry passage time abnormality, the command transmission request, and the security of outputting to the external information output terminal 160. Create output requests in sequence. At this time, the light emitting mode of the light emitting means such as the LED mounted on the control board may be controlled according to the abnormality of the ball entry transit time. If it is determined that the continuous on-time is not abnormal, the security output request is not created.

In the game state display process (S340), the number of times the special electric accessory is continuously operated, the error state, the number of balls on hold for normal symbol operation, and the number of balls on hold for operation of the special symbol are requested to be displayed. Create data.

In the handle state signal inspection process (S342), in order to monitor the touch state of the handle, the handle state is inspected, and if it is determined that the handle state has changed as a result of the inspection, the handle state monitoring timer is subtracted and the handle state is changed. Update, set the handle status monitoring timer, and execute the command transmission request for the handle status effect. If it is determined that there is no change in the handle status as a result of the inspection, the handle status monitoring timer is set. If the result of decrementing the value of the handle status monitoring timer is other than 0, it is determined that the timer is being subtracted, and the subsequent processing is not executed.

In the LED output processing (S344), the display of the special symbol, the display of the normal symbol, the display of the number of balls on hold for operation of the special symbol, the display of the number of balls on hold for operation of the normal symbol, the display of the game state, and the special electric accessory are continuous. Initialization of display, acquisition of display data, and display of display of the number of times of operation, display of the operation status of the special electric accessory when the continuous operation device of the accessory is not operated, display of the distinction, and display of the error. Run the output in sequence.

In the launch control signal output process (S346), in order to output a signal for prohibiting / permitting the launch of the game ball, the setting of the prohibition / permit for launching corresponding to the communication state with the payout control board 155 and the disconnection short circuit power supply abnormality, and After acquiring the firing prohibition / permission data, the firing prohibition / permission signal is output.

In the test signal output process (S348), a signal to be output to the test device is created and output to the corresponding output port.

In the solenoid output processing (S350), in order to output the output data of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 91 and the large winning opening solenoid 92, the output data of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 91 is acquired, and the output data of the large winning opening solenoid 92 is obtained. Acquire and output data. The operation flag and the operation timer of each solenoid are acquired, and the output data corresponding to the acquired solenoid operation flag and the solenoid operation timer are acquired. Next, the solenoid operation timer is updated and the output data is output to the solenoid output port.

In the effect control command transmission process (S352), the presence or absence of a transmission request for the command to be transmitted to the sub-board 300 is inspected, and if it is determined that there is a transmission request, the requested command data is acquired and the command buffer used is set to 0. Clear, acquire MODE data corresponding to the acquired command data, output MODE data, retain MODE data, acquire EVENT data corresponding to the acquired command data, and output EVENT data in order.

In the external information output process (S354), a signal to be output to the external information output terminal 160 is created, and the created signal is output to the external information output port.

The random numbers used in the operation process of the main board 200 described above will be described in more detail. The random numbers used in the main board 200 mainly include a random number per normal symbol and a random number with a fluctuation pattern of the normal symbol as random numbers related to the normal symbol, and a random number per special symbol (hard random number) as a random number related to the special symbol. , There are soft random numbers per special symbol, symbol random numbers per special symbol, and variable pattern random numbers. In addition, as random numbers for giving initial values of normal symbol per random number, special symbol per symbol random number, and special symbol per soft random number, which are initial value update type random numbers, normal symbol per initial value random number and special symbol per symbol initial value. There are random numbers and soft initial value random numbers per special symbol.

The random number per normal symbol is updated in the initial value update type random number update process (S308) of the interrupt process, and is stored in a predetermined position of the main RAM 291. The random number per normal symbol is the number of pending changes in the normal symbol when it is determined in the normal symbol operation gate monitoring process (S320) of the interrupt process that the game ball has passed through the first operation port 31 or the second operation port 32. When is less than 4, which is the upper limit value, is acquired from a predetermined position of the main RAM 291 and stored in another area of the main RAM 291. The normal symbol random number is used for the hit determination and the determination of the stop symbol when it is determined in the normal symbol fluctuation start monitoring process (S324) to start the fluctuation of the normal symbol.

The normal symbol variation pattern random number takes a value of 0 to 232, for example, is updated in various random number update processes (S306) of the interrupt process, and is stored in a predetermined position of the main RAM 291. The normal symbol fluctuation pattern random number is reserved for normal symbol fluctuation when it is determined in the normal symbol operation gate monitoring process (S320) of the interrupt process that the game ball has passed through the first operating port 31 or the second operating port 32. When the number is less than 4, which is the upper limit value, it is acquired from a predetermined position of the main RAM 291 and stored in another area of the main RAM 291. The normal symbol variation pattern random number is used to determine the normal symbol variation pattern when it is determined in the normal symbol variation start monitoring process (S324) that the normal symbol variation is to be started.

The random number per special symbol is obtained when the winning of the game ball is confirmed when the number of pending balls of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is less than 4 in the start port monitoring control process (S326) of the interrupt process. , It is generated by acquiring the values of the built-in random number and the soft random number per special symbol and adding them, and is stored in a predetermined position of the main RAM 291. The random number per special symbol is used to execute the big hit determination and the small hit determination in the special symbol fluctuation start monitoring control process (S334) of the interrupt process.

The soft random number per special symbol is updated in the initial value update type random number update process (S308) of the interrupt process, and is stored in a predetermined position of the main RAM 291. The soft random number per special symbol is the main RAM 291 when the winning of the game ball is confirmed when the number of pending balls of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is less than 4 in the start opening monitoring control process (S326). Obtained from a given position in the above and used to generate a random number per special symbol, as described above.

The symbol random number per special symbol takes a value of, for example, 0 to 999 (0 to 255 in the example of FIG. 6), is updated in the initial value update type random number update process (S308) of the interrupt process, and is updated in the main RAM 29.
It is stored in a predetermined position of 1. The symbol random number per special symbol is the main RAM 291 when the winning of the game ball is confirmed when the number of balls on hold for operation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is less than 4 in the start opening monitoring control process (S326). Is acquired from a predetermined position of the main RAM 291 and stored in another area of the main RAM 291. The symbol random number per special symbol is used to determine the jackpot symbol when the hit determination is a jackpot in the special symbol variation start monitoring control process (S334) of the interrupt process.

The variation pattern random number takes a value of, for example, 0 to 49999 (0 to 255 in the example of FIG. 7), is updated in various random number update processes (S306) of the interrupt process, and is stored in a predetermined position of the main RAM 291. The variation pattern random number is a predetermined value of the main RAM 291 when the winning of the game ball is confirmed when the number of operation pending balls of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is less than 4 in the start port monitoring control process (S326). Obtained from the position and stored in another area of the main RAM 291. The variation pattern random number is used to determine the special symbol variation pattern in the special symbol control process (S328) of the interrupt process.

The initial value random number per normal symbol, the initial value random number per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol have the same range as the random number per normal symbol, the symbol random number per special symbol, and the soft random number per special symbol, respectively. It is updated in the initial value random number update process (S208) of the main process (S120) and the initial value random number update process (S310) of the interrupt process, and is stored in a predetermined position of the main RAM 291. The initial value random number per normal symbol, the symbol initial value random number per special symbol, and the soft initial value random number per special symbol are the random number per normal symbol, the symbol random number per special symbol, and the special random number in the initial value update type random number update process (S308). It is used as the initial value of each random number when updating the soft random number per symbol.

Since the interrupt process is executed at regular time intervals by timer interrupt, various random number update processes (S306) and initial value update type random number update processes (S308) included in the interrupt process are also executed at regular time intervals. To. That is, the random number per ordinary symbol, the random number of the fluctuation pattern of the ordinary symbol, the random number per special symbol, the soft random number per special symbol, the random number of the symbol per special symbol, and the random number of the variation pattern are updated at regular intervals. On the other hand, in the main process (S120), the time from the end of the interrupt process to the occurrence of the next timer interrupt, that is, the time required for the interrupt process from the fixed time measured by the timer. It is repeated only for the reduced time. Since the time required for the interrupt process differs depending on the game state and the like, the initial value random number update process (S208) in the main process (S120) includes various random number update processes (S306) and initial value update type random number update process (S308). ), It is not executed at regular intervals. As a result, the initial value random number acquired when setting the initial value in the initial value update type random number update process (S308) can be made random every time.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a control start process of the sub-board 300 in the pachinko gaming machine. This control start process is executed by the sub-initial process execution means 360, and will be described below as being executed by the sub CPU 310 that functions as the sub-initial process execution means 360. When the control of the sub-board 300 is started, the sub CPU 310 sets a stack pointer (S500), prohibits all interruptions until various initial settings are completed (S502), and performs register setting and port initialization of the sub CPU 310. Perform the initial settings related to the hardware (S504). The control program is read from the sub ROM 312 and placed in the sub RAM 311. Of the various variables in the control program, the initial value is set for the variable with the initial value, and the zero clear data is set for the variable without the initial value. This initializes the sub RAM 311 (S506). The interrupt process on the sub-board 300 includes a process when the power is turned on and a reset process when various abnormalities occur when the watchdog function is enabled, as the interrupt process executed with the highest priority. Next, there is a command process received from the main board 200 as an interrupt process of priority level 7 having a high execution priority, and as an interrupt process of priority level 3 having the next highest priority, CPU runaway detection by a watchdog timer is performed. There is a time reset process. Next, as the priority level 2 interrupt process, there is a process related to commands sent and received to and from the control CPU 320, and as the lowest priority level 1 interrupt process, communication process with the real-time clock. There are various device control processes such as lamps, solenoids, and motors. If interrupts related to the above various processes occur at the same time, the interrupts set in advance for each type of interrupt are executed with priority. The processing shown in this figure includes the processing when the power supply is turned on, which is the interrupt of the highest priority level, the reset processing when various abnormalities occur, and the reset processing when the CPU runaway is detected, which is the interruption of the priority level 3. include.

Interrupts (priority level 7) other than commands received from the main board 200 are prohibited (S510), and various error information used in the model is set from all the error information stored in advance for all models (S512). .. All the lamps such as the decorative lamp 111 are turned off (S514), the operation of the watchdog timer is started (S516), and the main process is executed (S518). Normally, the main process of S518 does not return to the main flow, but when it returns, it shifts to sleep (small power consumption mode) (S520).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing in detail the main process of S518 in FIG. In order to check in the main process of this figure whether the control program arranged in the sub RAM 311 is correctly arranged in S506 of FIG. 16, the start address for starting the check is acquired (S530), and in the subsequent processes. All interruptions are allowed (S532), and device initialization operations such as motors and solenoids are executed (S534).

If the setting is to use the watchdog timer, clear the watchdog timer (S536), update the decorative symbol counter so that the combination of the decorative symbols is a random combination (S540), and input the sub CPU 310. Is monitored (S542). Since S540 is a process in a method of determining an out-of-order symbol of a decorative symbol using a counter, in the case of a method of determining an out-of-decoration symbol of a decorative symbol using a lottery sheet incorporating all combinations of symbols that are out-of-order symbols. Does not execute the processing of S540. The process of determining the out-of-order symbol of the decorative symbol using the lottery sheet is executed when a command indicating a stop symbol of the special symbol is received from the main board 200 as described later in S552. The sub CPU 310, which functions as the sub-error detecting means 364, monitors the error state, notifies the error when various errors are detected (S544), and executes processing according to the input state of the effect button 109 (S546). Execute the advance notice lottery (S548). In the advance notice lottery in S548, since the command of the advance notice effect to appear immediately after the start of the symbol change is transmitted to the effect control device 313 as soon as possible, the lottery process is not processed in one loop but a plurality of times. It is divided into loops, and the notice effect that appears immediately after the start of the symbol change is drawn in the previous loop. If there is an operation request for a device such as a real-time clock, lamp, motor, solenoid, etc., the operation is executed (S550), the command stored in the command buffer is analyzed (S552), and if it is immediately after the command analysis, the process is performed in S536. Return (Y of S554), if it is not immediately after command analysis (N of S554), the lottery soft random number is updated as a low priority process that may be performed in free time (S556), and the process returns to S536. In S552, when the command to be analyzed shows the variation pattern of the special symbol, the variation effect pattern of the decorative symbol is determined by the processing of this S552, and when the command to be analyzed indicates the stop symbol of the special symbol, the lottery sheet is displayed. If the method is used to determine the out-of-order symbol of the decorative symbol, the stop symbol of the decorative symbol is determined by the process of S552.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process when a command is received from the main board 200. The main command received from the main board 200 is a priority level 7 interrupt command having the highest priority next to the reset interrupt and the error interrupt. The data received from the main board 200 is read to the input port, and when the same data is read twice in a row, the data is confirmed as a new command (Y of S600), and the confirmed command is the first command. If it is (MODE data) (Y in S602), the first command is saved in the temporary storage area (S604). The hard random number is acquired for the subsequent processing (S606), and the original routine is returned. By acquiring a hard random number each time a main command is interrupted from the main board 200 in this way, the randomness of the value is enhanced without causing periodicity in the random number acquisition timing. If the data read in S600 does not match twice in a row (up to 5 times can be read), S602 is skipped and the original routine is returned (N in S600).

In S602, if the confirmed command is not the first command but the second command (N in S602), and if it can be confirmed that the first command has already been properly received (Y in S608), the command buffer (command data). The command write pointer which is the read position in the ring buffer) is acquired (S610), and the first command and the second command are saved in the command buffer (S612). The command data stored in the command buffer is analyzed in S552 of FIG. The command light pointer is updated (S614), the first command saved in the temporary storage area is cleared (S616), and the original routine is returned. If the first command has not been received in S608, skip S610 and later (N in S608) and return to the original routine.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process when a timer interrupt for effect display control occurs. This timer interrupt is a priority level 2 interrupt for transmitting a command related to the effect display from the sub CPU 310 to the control CPU 320, and is generated in a cycle of 500 μs. In this interrupt, the buffer is checked (S620), and if there is command data for transmission in the buffer (Y of S622), the command data is read (S624) and transmitted to the control CPU 320 (S626). The command data is transmitted to the control CPU 320 up to three times at predetermined time intervals until the sub CPU 310 receives a command indicating that the command data has been normally received on the control CPU 320 side. After transmission, the buffer read address setting is updated (S628), and the original routine is returned. If there is no data for transmission in the buffer (N in S622), skip S624 and subsequent steps and return to the original routine.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process when the sub CPU 310 receives a command from the control CPU 320. This interrupt is also a priority level 2 interrupt. The command received by the sub CPU 310 from the control CPU 320 is mainly a command indicating that the command transmitted from the sub CPU 310 to the control CPU 320 has been normally received. When a command is received from the control CPU 320, the received command data is read (S630), the command is analyzed (S632), saved in the command buffer (S634), and the original routine is returned.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process when a timer interrupt for controlling various devices occurs. This timer interrupt is an interrupt for lamp control such as a decorative lamp 111, control of a solenoid or motor for driving a movable accessory 66, and management control of various timers, and is generated in a cycle of 1 ms. Since it is the interrupt of priority level 1 with the lowest priority, interrupts of priority level 2 or higher are permitted (S640), and a signal indicating input from the effect button 109, a signal indicating error detection, and a signal indicating power failure , Processes the input / output of ports that input / output drive signals to controlled devices such as motors and solenoids (S642). At this time, if a signal indicating a power failure is input, the backup process is immediately started. Update the data related to device control such as count processing based on the control pattern of devices such as motors and solenoids and on / off control of the buffer for writing data to the port in S642 (S644), and set a timer to measure the timing of the effect. Update (S646), update the timer for managing the input valid time of the effect button 109 (S648), and update the task control counter for lighting switching control of the decorative lamp 111 and runaway monitoring control of the control CPU 320. To create a 16 ms cycle (S650).

The minimum unit of lighting switching control of the decorative lamp 111 is 16 ms. One frame of the image display control is 16 ms or 32 ms, and by setting an integral multiple thereof as the minimum unit of the lighting switching control of the decorative lamp 111, it is possible to easily synchronize the lamp control and the image display control. Further, when counting a relatively long period such as an error notification for 30 seconds, if a count with a 10 interrupt (1 ms) cycle is used, the count value becomes longer than necessary, but 16 ms. The count value can be shortened by using the count value of the cycle.

There are 16 types of tasks from processes 0 to 15 in the task control, one of which is the lighting switching control of the decorative lamp 111, and two tasks are the runaway monitoring control of the control CPU 320. The lighting switching control of the decorative lamp 111 is executed once every 16 interrupts according to the count value of the task control counter to realize switching in a cycle of 16 ms. The runaway monitoring control of the control CPU 320 is assigned to, for example, processes 0 and 8, and when the count values of the task control counters are 0 and 8, that is, once every 80 interrupts, the toggle signal from the control CPU 320 is monitored (S652). By doing so, monitoring is realized in a cycle of 8 ms.

It should be noted that the control CPU 320 outputs a toggle signal that is on / off inverted every frame, and if this toggle signal does not change continuously at the same value for 1600 ms, it is determined that the control CPU 320 is out of control, and the sub CPU 310 is used. Sends a reset signal to the control CPU 320, and the control CPU 320 that receives the reset signal executes the reset. Since the toggle signal is received from the control CPU 320 in a cycle of one frame (16 ms or 32 ms), it is monitored in a cycle of 8 ms shorter than that cycle. Finally, a timer for managing a relatively long error notification period such as an error notification for 30 seconds as described above is subtracted (S654), and the error notification ends at the time-out.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the process of displaying the special symbol variation. When the second winning / failing lottery value is reserved (Y of S700), the second winning / failing determination means 222 reads the second winning / failing lottery value and determines whether or not the second special symbol 52 is correct (S702), and the second winning / failing is determined. The determination means 222 determines the stop symbol of the second special symbol 52 (S704), the second variation pattern determination means 232 determines the variation pattern of the second special symbol 52 (S706), and issues a variation start command together with the determined result. It is transmitted to the sub-board 300 and the symbol variation of the second special symbol 52 is started (S716).

When the second winning / failing lottery value is not held (N of S700) and the first winning / failing lottery value is held (Y of S708), the first winning / failing determination means 221 is the first winning / failing lottery. The value is read out and the hit / fail of the first special symbol 51 is determined again (S710), the first hit / miss determination means 221 determines the stop symbol of the first special symbol 51 (S712), and the first variation pattern determination means 231 is the first. 1 The variation pattern of the special symbol 51 is determined (S714), and the variation start command is transmitted to the sub-board 300 together with the determined result to start the symbol variation of the first special symbol 51 (S716). If the first winning / failing lottery value is not held, the processes from S710 to S722 are skipped (N in S708).

The symbol variation display of the special symbol is processed (S718), S718 is repeated until the predetermined variation time elapses and the symbol display stop timing is reached (N of S720), and the symbol display is stopped after the predetermined variation time elapses. When the timing is reached (Y of S720), the fluctuation stop command is sent to the sub-board 300 to stop the symbol fluctuation being displayed at the predetermined stop symbol (S722), and the fluctuation display of the special symbol is terminated. do.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the process of displaying decorative symbol variation. The effect determining means 303 of the sub-board 300 receives a command indicating the change start and effect display contents from the main board 200 (S750), and stops the decorative symbol according to the received special symbol stop symbol, variation pattern, and pass / fail determination result. The aspect is determined (S752), and the variation effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern is determined (S754). Here, when the precursor setting is turned on by the preliminary determination (Y of S756), the already determined variable effect pattern includes a specific effect content that should be avoided from being superimposed on the advance notice effect. If it is not (N of S758) and it is not a symbol change that is the trigger for turning on the precursor setting (N of S760), the setting to display the predetermined advance notice effect is executed (S764), and the precursor setting is set. If it is a symbol change that is the trigger that was turned on (Y of S760), the precursor setting is turned off (S762). If the precursor setting is not on (N in S756) or if the variable effect pattern contains a specific effect content (Y in S758), the processes from S760 to S764 are skipped.

After that, the variation effect display of the decorative symbol is started (S766), the variation effect display process of the decorative symbol and (S768), the display process of the notice effect is executed (S770), and the variation stop command is received from the main board 200. When S768 and S770 are repeated (N in S772) and a variable stop command is received (Y in S772), the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed in the stop mode determined in S752 to stop the symbol variation display (S774). ), The variable production of the decorative pattern is completed (S776).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the process of the special game. First, the effect display control means 305 starts the effect process of the special game (S800), and the open / close control means 275 opens the large winning opening 20 (S802). If the predetermined opening time has not elapsed (N of S804) and the number of balls entered into the large winning opening 20 has not reached 9 or more, the game returns to S804 (N of S806) and the predetermined opening time has elapsed (N of S806). Although the opening time has not passed (Y of S804) (N of S804), when the number of balls entered into the large winning opening 20 reaches 9 or more (Y of S806), the open / close control means 275 is the large winning opening. 20 is closed (S810).

If the unit game has not reached the final round (N in S810), 1 is added to the number of rounds to return to S802 (S812), and if the unit game has reached the final round (Y in S810), the effect display is displayed. The control means 305 ends the effect processing of the special game (S814), the special game control means 260 ends the special game (S816), and starts the execution of the specific game, that is, the probability change, the time saving, and the easy-to-enter state (S818). ).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the process of the small hit game. In the small hit game, a unit game that is executed only once is started (S819), the large winning opening 20 is opened (S820), and the opening is continued until a predetermined opening time elapses (N of S822). When the time has passed (Y of S822), the large winning opening 20 is closed (S824), and if the opening and closing for the set number of times has not been completed (N of S826), 1 is added to the number of opening and closing to return to S820. (S828) If the opening and closing for the set number of times is completed (Y in S8286), the small hit game is terminated.

In the prerequisite technique, the number of big hits in the second game is generally larger than the number of big hits in the first game, that is, the second game has one big hit than the first game. Although it was designed to have a higher expected value of winning a prize ball in, in another example, the first game may be designed to have a higher expected value of winning a prize ball than the second game. However, the first game and the second game may be designed so that the expected value of winning a prize ball is substantially equal to each other. In the latter case, the special game executed in the first game may be designed so that the average number of unit games included in the special game executed in the second game is equal. For example, in the first game, a special game in which a unit game is executed 10 times with a probability of 100% is executed, and in a second game, a special game in which a unit game is executed four times with a probability of 50% is executed. However, there may be a special game in which the unit game is executed 16 times with a probability of 50%. Further, in any case, a specific area is provided in the large winning opening, and when the game ball that has entered the large winning opening enters the specific area or passes through the specific area, in the normal game after the special game is completed. It may be configured so that a specific game such as a probabilistic state is performed. In this case, the special game executed when the big hit is made in the second game is easier to enter the specific area than the special game executed when the big hit is made in the first game. It may be configured so that the probability that the normal game in the probable change state is executed after the end of the special game is high. For example, the first hit in which a special game in which it is relatively difficult to enter a specific area is executed, and the second hit in which a special game in which it is relatively easy to enter a specific area is executed. It may be provided so that the second game has a higher probability of being a second hit than the first game. Alternatively, the probability of a second hit in the first game may be less than 100%, but the probability of a second hit in the second game may be configured to be 100%.

(Example)
Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described. In the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment, as the production mode during the normal game, the first production mode in which the production according to the symbol variation is displayed and the video having a narrative character are continuously displayed regardless of the symbol variation. A second production mode is prepared. The first effect mode is a mode in which the variation effect as described in the above-mentioned premise technique is executed, and the reach effect, the advance notice effect, and the like according to the display process of the symbol variation are executed. In the first effect mode, the normal game is advanced while enjoying the effect according to the fluctuation time of the symbol. On the other hand, in the second effect mode, an image over a relatively longer time than the symbol variation is displayed in parallel with the symbol variation. As the images used in the second production mode, a plurality of images of about 10 minutes having a narrative character are prepared, and when the reproduction of one image is completed, the reproduction of the next image is started. In the second production mode, the normal game is advanced while sequentially viewing the images prepared in advance. In this embodiment, the effect mode can be selected by the operation input of the player in the normal game until the first big hit. The player can enjoy the game according to the production mode according to his / her taste until the first big hit.

FIG. 26 shows an effect display example in the first effect mode. The decorative symbol 502 is displayed in the center of the screen of the effect display device 60, and the hold display 504 indicating the hold state is displayed in the lower right of the screen. The first effect mode is an effect mode designed so that the player's attention is mainly directed to the variable display of the decorative symbol 502, and the decorative symbol 501, which is the main effect, is displayed in a large size in the center of the screen. The decorative symbol 502 is displayed so as to occupy an area of 1/3 or more of the screen, for example, is displayed so as to occupy an area of half or more of the screen. In addition to numbers, characters, or symbols for identifying the symbol type, the decorative symbol 502 is accompanied by a pattern or character corresponding to the symbol type, and the character image is changed like an animation, or the entire symbol is displayed. Is displayed to apply effects to. In the first effect mode, various decorative displays are attached to the decorative symbol 502, so that the decorative symbol that suggests the result of the hit / miss determination is mainly displayed.

In the first effect mode, the volume of the speaker 108 and the light amount of the decorative lamp 111 can be adjusted during the game, the volume is changed by pressing the left and right buttons of the cross key 110, and the light amount is changed by pressing the up and down buttons of the cross key 110. Is changed. The volume setting information and the light amount setting information are stored in the sub RAM 311 of the sub board 300, and are updated by pressing the cross key 110. In order to show that such an operation input is possible, an image 510 imitating the cross key 110 is displayed at the lower left of the screen to guide the input operation.

FIG. 27 shows another effect display example in the first effect mode. In this screen example, instead of displaying the decorative symbol 501, the alternative symbol 506 is displayed at the lower left of the screen, and the object image 508, which is an element other than the symbol, is displayed at the center of the screen. For example, the appearance of the characters fighting each other is displayed in the center of the screen, and the winning or losing of the battle suggests the winning / failing judgment result in a dramatic manner. In this case, the decorative symbol is not displayed in the center of the screen, but instead of the decorative symbol, the effect display is mainly performed with elements other than the symbol suggesting the result of the pass / fail determination. In the first effect mode, a variation effect pattern according to the variation time of the symbol is selected, and the effect display suggesting the result of the hit / fail determination related to the symbol variation is the main.

In the first effect mode, multiple stages are prepared, and the stage is when the number of stays in each stage (the number of symbol changes made during the period of staying in each stage) and the effect contents at the time of the symbol change satisfy the predetermined conditions. Is switched. For example, when the number of symbol fluctuations reaches 20 or when a variation pattern of a type capable of executing a stage change effect is selected in the 20th and subsequent symbol variations, the stage is switched to the next stage. Each stage has a different background image of the effect display, and it is shown that, for example, the place where the character who plays the main role of the effect stays is different. It is possible to display different production contents depending on the stage in which the person stays, for example, the production contents associated with the place of stay are displayed. Each stage may be set for each character that plays a leading role in the effect, or the main character may be switched by a stage change, and a background image or effect content associated with the set character may be displayed.

FIG. 28 shows an effect display example in the second effect mode. In the second production mode, a video display area 518 for displaying a story-like image such as a movie or drama is set in the center of the screen, and a decorative pattern 512 or a hold display 514 is displayed in a screen area different from the video display area 518. Will be done. In the illustrated example, the decorative symbol 512 is displayed at the lower left of the screen, and the hold display 514 is displayed at the lower right of the screen. The position of the image display area 518 in the second effect mode is fixed, and the narrative image is continuously displayed in the image display area 518 until a big hit is achieved in the second effect mode. In addition, a video information display area 520 is provided in a part of the video display area 518 (for example, the upper left of the screen), and the wording of "drama mode" indicating that the second production mode is used, as well as the title and story of the displayed video. The number (for example, the second episode) is displayed.

The image displayed in the image display area 518 is reproduced regardless of whether the decorative symbol 512 is in the variable display or the stop display. In principle, the image displayed in the image display area 518 progresses independently of the symbol variation, and even during the variation display period from the start of the symbol variation to the stop of the variation, the symbol variation until the next variation starts. It will proceed even during the stop display period that has not been done. More specifically, even if the next fluctuation is held and the next fluctuation starts a short time after the fluctuation stops, the fluctuation stop state continues for a while because there is no holding of the next fluctuation. Even so, the playback of the video is continued. Further, the content of the video displayed in the video display area 518 is not affected by the fluctuation pattern of the symbol, the type of the stop symbol, or the like, and the video data stored in the sub ROM 312 in advance is reproduced as it is. Therefore, it can be said that the video displayed in the second effect mode does not suggest the result of the hit / fail determination in a dramatic manner, and has a low relationship with the result of the hit / fail determination or is irrelevant to the result of the hit / fail determination.

In the second effect mode, the display mode of the decorative symbol 512 is made more modest than in the first effect mode in order to draw attention to the image displayed in the image display area 518 rather than the hit / fail determination result. In the second effect mode, the decorative symbol 512 is displayed relatively smaller than in the first effect mode, and the decorative symbol 512 is always displayed in the fixed display area at the lower left of the screen. This is in contrast to the display of the normal decorative symbol and the alternative symbol being switched in the first effect mode. In the second effect mode, the decorative display of the decorative symbol 512 is also less than that in the first effect mode, and a simplified symbol mainly composed of numbers, letters or symbols for identifying the symbol type is used. In the second effect mode, the character image is not attached, the character image is changed like an animation, or the effect is applied to the entire pattern, and the display is the same as that of the alternative symbol 506 in the first effect mode. Is done. Therefore, in the second effect mode, the display area and the display mode of the decorative symbol are different from those in the first effect mode, and the decorative symbol 512 is displayed in a mode in which the decorative symbol 512 is not emphasized as compared with the first effect mode.

In the second effect mode, the display of the advance notice effect that suggests the degree of expectation of the hit / fail determination result related to the change or hold is also more modest than in the first effect mode. In the second effect mode, the display frequency of the advance notice effect suggesting the degree of expectation of the hit / fail determination result is set to be less than that in the first effect mode. For example, when a reach fluctuation pattern having a relatively long fluctuation time is selected, in the first effect mode, a notice effect suggesting an expectation that the symbol becomes a reach mode, or an expectation that a big hit is obtained after the symbol becomes a reach mode. A notice effect that suggests the degree of expectation of a symbol type that will be a big hit is frequently executed. On the other hand, in the second effect mode, these advance notice effects are not displayed or are displayed at a lower frequency than in the first effect mode. Further, in the first effect mode, these advance notice effects are performed using a display area that is easily noticed by the player in the center of the screen, while in the second effect mode, the game is not in the center of the screen but near the outer edge of the image display area 518. A notice effect is displayed in a display area that is difficult for people to pay attention to. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, a notice effect display area 522 is set at the lower left of the video display area 518, and words such as "this fluctuation is highly expected" are conservatively displayed as the notice effect. Therefore, in the second effect mode, the display mode and display frequency of the advance notice effect are different from those in the first effect mode, and the advance notice effect is not emphasized so much so that the viewing of the image displayed in the image display area 518 is not hindered. Will be done.

In the second effect mode, a plurality of images are prepared as images to be displayed in the image display area 518. For example, a video in which a story continues over multiple episodes (for example, 12 episodes in total) is prepared as in a serial TV drama, and the length of the video per episode is about 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, or 25 minutes. It has been edited to be. In the initial state, the playback of the video is set to start from the first episode, and when the playback of the first episode ends, the playback of the second episode continues, and when the playback of the second episode ends. Then, the story progresses in order, such that the reproduction of the third episode is started. The story number information of the video to be reproduced is stored in the sub RAM 311 as video setting information. In the initial state after clearing the RAM, the first episode is set as the video setting information, and the video setting information is updated to the second episode at the timing when the reproduction of the second episode is started. Therefore, the video setting information stores information that identifies the video that is currently being played or should be played from the current time, and the information is updated when the video to be played is switched to the next video. ..

In the second production mode, it is possible to change the number of episodes to be played in the middle of the episode. For example, by pressing the up / down button of the cross key, the number of episodes can be switched to the next episode or the previous episode. Is possible. When the operation of switching the number of talks is performed, the video setting information of the sub RAM 311 is also updated. It is also possible to switch to the first effect mode in the middle of the second effect mode. For example, by pressing the effect button 109, the second effect mode is terminated and the first effect mode is started from the next symbol change. be able to. In this case, the video setting information is maintained, and the story number information of the video that was being played immediately before switching to the first effect mode is retained.

When the end of the second effect mode is determined during the symbol change in the second effect mode, a display such as "Preparing to change the mode" is displayed in the video display area 518. After that, when the symbol variation is stopped, the screen of the effect display device 60 is switched to the content of the first effect mode, and the symbol variation in the first effect mode is started. When switching from the second effect mode to the first effect mode, the initial stage is selected from the plurality of stages prepared as the first effect mode. At this time, if there is a hold corresponding to the next symbol change in the change in which the mode is changed and the next change can be started immediately, the initial stage of the first effect mode is triggered by the start of the next symbol change. You may move to the stage. On the other hand, if there is no hold corresponding to the next symbol change in the change performed by the mode change operation, the symbol change is stopped, immediately after the symbol change is stopped (for example, 1 second or 2 seconds after the stop), or. , The stage may be shifted to the initial stage of the first effect mode during the stop display from the stop of the symbol change to the start of the next symbol change based on a new ball entry.

In order to guide the player of the input operation method during the game of the second effect mode, an image 524 for guiding the input operation is displayed near the outer edge (for example, the lower right) of the video display area 518. In an example of the image 524 for guidance operation, the volume can be adjusted with the left and right buttons of the cross key 110, the number of talks can be changed with the up and down buttons of the cross key 110, and the mode can be terminated with the effect button 109. Is shown. In the second effect mode, the amount of light cannot be adjusted during the game.

When the symbol variation stops in the second effect mode and a big hit occurs, the reproduction of the video in the image display area 518 is interrupted, and the display is switched to the effect display indicating that the big hit has occurred. For example, it is suggested that after the decorative symbol 512 is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a big hit, the movable accessory operation effect of the movable accessory 66 falling toward the center of the screen is executed, and the big hit is achieved. After that, the movable accessory 66 is withdrawn, a display indicating that the big hit has been confirmed, and an effect display suggesting the type of the big hit are made, and a special game according to the type of the big hit is started. In the case of a big hit, the video display in the video display area 518 is forcibly terminated and the game shifts to the special game, so words such as "Interruption exemption!" May be good.

The movable accessory operation effect in which the movable accessory 66 is operated is a common effect executed not only in the second effect mode but also in the first effect mode. The movable accessory operation effect is mainly used as an effect that suggests that it will be a big hit, and by operating the movable accessory while lighting it in a specific color (for example, rainbow color), the big hit with probability change can be confirmed or the 16R big hit can be achieved. It is used as a high-expectation effect that suggests confirmation. The timing of occurrence of this common effect may differ depending on the effect mode. In the second effect mode, if the high expectation effect is executed while the symbol is fluctuating, the video viewing is hindered. Therefore, the movable accessory operation effect is executed after or immediately before the stop of the symbol that becomes a big hit. On the other hand, in the first effect mode, it is possible to execute the high expectation effect during the symbol change, and the movable accessory operation effect is executed even during the symbol change. Therefore, the movable character effect is executed at a later timing in the second effect mode than in the first effect mode, and the movable character effect is executed in the second effect mode at a timing closer to the stop of the fluctuation of the symbol than in the first effect mode. Tends to be executed. In addition, in the first effect mode, the movable accessory operation effect may be executed a plurality of times within the same fluctuation. For example, the movable accessory operation effect may be executed at the development timing to the super reach effect or the winning branch timing. On the other hand, in the second effect mode, the movable accessory operation effect may not be executed within the same fluctuation, or may be executed only once at the maximum.

When the special game is completed in this embodiment, the game is shifted to a normal game with an easy entry state. In this embodiment, the end of the easy-to-enter state is determined by the number of symbol fluctuations. For example, if a big hit is not achieved by the time 70 symbol changes are made, the easy-to-enter state ends and the easy-to-enter state is set. It is transferred to a normal game without accompanying. In addition, the presence or absence of a probability fluctuation state is determined according to the type of jackpot that triggered the transition to the special game. After the special game, the probability of entering the ball is changed to the easy entry state without the probability fluctuation state. In the easy-to-enter state, the third effect mode, in which the display mode of the effect is different from that of the first effect mode and the second effect mode described above, is executed. The third effect mode is an effect mode corresponding to a time-saving state in which the fluctuation time is shorter than the normal state, and the effect display is mainly performed with the symbol variation. As the effect mode of the time reduction state, the effect mode may be common between the time reduction state with the probability fluctuation state (probability variation time reduction) and the time reduction state without the probability fluctuation state (normal time reduction). You may let me. In the latter case, in addition to the third effect mode for probabilistic time reduction, a fourth effect mode for normal time reduction may be prepared.

If the symbol variation at the end of the easy-to-enter state (for example, the 70th time) is out of the range, the third effect mode in the easy-to-enter state ends, and the first effect mode or the second effect mode is not accompanied by the easy-to-enter state. Will be migrated to. For the symbol fluctuation at the end of the easy entry state, a fixed fluctuation pattern with a long fluctuation time is selected, and the total number of big hits in the easy entry state and the profit obtained by continuing the easy entry state are quantified. The number of points, etc. is displayed, and an effect display that summarizes the easy entry state is made. In addition, when a big hit occurs due to a symbol change at the end of the easy entry state, a development effect suggesting that the big hit is displayed after the effect display summarizing the easy entry state, and the symbol indicating the big hit is stopped. Later it will be transferred to a special game.

In order for the player to select whether to shift to the first effect mode or the second effect mode after the effect display summarizing the ball entry easy state when the symbol changes at the end of the ball entry easy state. The selection screen of is displayed while the design is changing. At this time, only the effect mode can be selected, and the video (for example, the number of stories) to be played after the transition to the second effect mode cannot be selected. When the first effect mode is selected, the mode shifts to the first effect mode after the symbol is stopped. On the other hand, when the second effect mode is selected, the video set in the video setting information stored in the sub RAM 311 is played back from the beginning. For example, if the third episode is being played in the second production mode when the symbol change that triggered the big hit and the transition to the easy entry state is stopped, the third episode is set as the video setting information. Therefore, the third episode is played from the beginning in the second production mode, which is shifted after the end of the easy entry state.

In a normal game that does not involve an easy entry state, it is possible to switch between the first effect mode and the second effect mode by the operation input of the player. When the symbol is in a stopped state, such as before the start of the game or during the interruption of the game, the effect mode can be changed through the menu screen for setting the game. On the menu screen, in addition to setting the effect mode, it is also possible to select the image to be played back in the second effect mode. On the menu screen, it is possible to set the volume output from the speaker 108 and the light amount of the decorative lamp 111.

FIG. 29 shows a display example of the menu screen 530. The menu screen 530 is displayed by pressing the effect button 109 when the standby demo in which the game is not executed is being displayed, or when the symbol is being stopped and the next symbol change is not started for a while. On the menu screen 530, a mode selection image 532 for selecting an effect mode, a volume setting image 534 for volume adjustment, and a light amount setting image 536 for light amount adjustment are displayed. Each image shows an operation method for entering the submenu screen. For example, pressing the effect button 109 shifts to the mode selection screen, pressing the left and right buttons of the cross key 110 shifts to the volume setting screen, and pressing the up and down buttons of the cross key 110 shifts to the light intensity setting screen. Transition.

FIG. 30 shows a display example of the mode selection screen 540. The mode selection screen 540 is a submenu screen displayed by pressing the effect button 109 on the menu screen 530. On the mode selection screen 540, the selection image 542 of the "normal mode" corresponding to the first effect mode and the selection image 544 of the "drama mode" corresponding to the second effect mode are displayed as selection candidates of the effect mode. .. In order to improve the visibility of which is the selection target, one image to be selected is highlighted and the other image is grayed out. FIG. 30 shows a state in which the selected image 544 of the “drama mode” is highlighted. In this state, when the left and right buttons of the cross key 110 are pressed, the selection target is switched, the selection image 542 in the "normal mode" is highlighted, and the selection image 544 in the "drama mode" is grayed out. Each selected image includes a screen image during the game, an explanatory text showing the features of each effect mode, and the like.

When the effect button 109 is pressed while the mode selection screen 540 is being displayed, the selection of the selected effect mode is confirmed, and the mode selection information stored in the sub RAM 311 is updated. When the effect button 109 is pressed with the "normal mode" corresponding to the first effect mode selected, a screen indicating that the normal mode has been determined is displayed, and then the display returns to the menu screen 530. On the other hand, if the effect button 109 is pressed with the "drama mode" corresponding to the second effect mode selected, a screen indicating that the drama mode has been determined is displayed, and then an image for specifying the number of stories and the like is displayed. Move to the selection screen. If no input operation is performed on the mode selection screen 540 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, etc.), the display returns to the menu screen 530 of FIG. 29. In this case, the mode selection information is not updated, and the previously set mode selection information is maintained.

FIG. 31 shows a display example of the image selection screen 550. The image selection screen 550 is a submenu screen displayed when the "drama mode" is determined on the mode selection screen 540. On the image selection screen 550, selection images 552,554,556 as selection candidates for images to be reproduced in the second effect mode are displayed, and the images 552 to be selected are the left and right images 554 in the center of the image selection screen 550. It is displayed larger than 56. By pressing the left and right buttons of the cross key 110, the image to be selected displayed in the center of the screen can be switched. In the example shown in FIG. 31, in addition to the selected images of the first episode, the second episode, etc. that can be viewed in the second effect mode, the selected image for ending the second effect mode and shifting to the first effect mode is also available. Is displayed.

When the effect button 109 is pressed after pressing the left and right buttons while the video selection screen 550 is displayed to select the video to be played, the video to be played is confirmed and the video setting information stored in the sub RAM 311 is updated. .. If the effect button 109 is not pressed after the video to be reproduced is selected and the input operation is not performed for a predetermined time, the display returns to the menu screen 530 of FIG. 29. In this case, the video setting information is not updated, and the previously set video setting information is maintained. Therefore, on the mode selection screen 540 and the video selection screen 550, the mode selection information and the video setting information stored in the sub RAM 311 are not updated and are maintained as before unless the effect button 109 is pressed to confirm the change. To.

When the video selection screen 550 is displayed, the selected image displayed in the center of the screen corresponds to the number of talks stored as video setting information in the sub RAM 311. In the initial state such as when the power of the gaming machine is turned on, for example, the first episode is set as the initial setting of the video setting information. In this case, when the video selection screen 550 is displayed, the selection image 552 corresponding to the first episode is displayed in the center of the screen. On the other hand, when the video setting information is updated through the video selection screen 550, or when the video setting information is updated with the progress of the game in the second production mode, the selected image corresponding to the updated number of stories is in the center of the screen. It is displayed first.

FIG. 32 shows a display example of the volume adjustment screen 560. The volume adjustment screen 560 is a submenu screen displayed by pressing the left and right buttons of the cross key 110 on the menu screen 530. In this embodiment, the volume of the speaker 108 can be set in 5 steps from 1 to 5, and the scale indicating the volume is increased or decreased by pressing the left and right buttons of the cross key 110. For example, pressing the left button reduces the volume by one step, and pressing the right button increases the volume by one step. The set volume is stored in the sub RAM 311 as volume setting information. The volume setting information is updated only by pressing the left and right buttons of the cross key 110. Therefore, it is not necessary to press the enter button (effect button 109) to determine the adjusted volume.

When the effect button 109 is pressed on the volume adjustment screen 560, the display returns to the menu screen 530 of FIG. 29. Further, even if the input operation is not performed for a predetermined time on the volume adjustment screen 560, the display returns to the menu screen 530. In this case, if the left and right buttons are pressed before returning to the menu screen 530, the update of the volume setting information is reflected in response to the pressing of the left and right buttons. Further, when the volume adjustment screen 560 is displayed, the volume corresponding to the stored volume setting information is displayed. For example, if the volume setting information is "1", the volume scale is displayed so as to indicate "1" when the volume adjustment screen 560 is displayed.

FIG. 33 shows a display example of the light amount adjustment screen 570. The light amount adjustment screen 570 is a submenu screen displayed by pressing the up / down buttons of the cross key 110 on the menu screen 530. In this embodiment, the light intensity of the decorative lamp 111 can be set in three stages of weak, medium, and strong, and the scale indicating the light intensity is increased or decreased by pressing the up / down buttons of the cross key 110. For example, pressing the lower button reduces the amount of light by one step, and pressing the upper button increases the amount of light by one step. The set light amount is stored in the sub RAM 311 as light amount setting information. The light amount setting information is updated only by pressing the up / down buttons of the cross key 110. Therefore, it is not necessary to press the enter button (effect button 109) to determine the adjusted light amount.

When the effect button 109 is pressed on the light amount adjustment screen 570, the display returns to the menu screen 530 of FIG. 29. Further, even if the input operation is not performed for a predetermined time on the light amount adjustment screen 570, the display returns to the menu screen 530. In this case, if the up / down buttons are pressed before returning to the menu screen 530, the update of the light intensity setting information is reflected in response to the pressing of the up / down buttons. Further, when the light amount adjustment screen 570 is displayed, the light amount corresponding to the stored light amount setting information is displayed. For example, if the light amount setting information is "medium", the light amount scale is displayed so as to indicate "medium" when the light amount adjustment screen 570 is displayed.

The menu screens shown in FIGS. 29 to 33 can be displayed when the game has not started and the symbols are not variablely displayed. If a ball is entered into the first start port 11 or the second start port 12 and a new symbol change is started while these menu screens are displayed, the menu screen is hidden and includes the change display of the decorative symbol. You can switch to the screen during the game. At this time, if the first effect mode is set, the game screen is switched to the game screen as shown in FIG. 26, and if the second effect mode is set, the game screen is switched to the game screen as shown in FIG. 28.

When a new symbol change is started while the mode selection screen 540 of FIG. 30 is displayed, the mode selection information is not updated and previously, regardless of which effect mode is selected by the operation of the cross key 110 immediately before. The setting of is maintained. For example, when a new symbol change is started while the selected image 544 of the "drama mode" of FIG. 30 is highlighted in a state where the first effect mode is set in the mode selection information, the mode selection information is It is maintained in the first effect mode. Therefore, the effect mode that is a selection candidate at the start of the symbol variation is only a candidate for the selection operation, and is not confirmed information unless the effect button 109 is pressed.

Similarly, when a new symbol change is started while the image selection screen 550 of FIG. 31 is being displayed, the image setting information is updated regardless of which image is selected by the operation of the cross key 110 immediately before. However, the previous settings are retained. For example, when a new symbol change is started while the selected image 554 of the "second episode" of FIG. 31 is displayed so as to be located at the center in a state where the first episode is set in the video setting information. The video setting information is maintained as "Episode 1". Therefore, the video (for example, the number of stories) that is a selection candidate at the start of the symbol variation is only a candidate for the selection operation, and is not confirmed information unless the effect button 109 is pressed.

On the other hand, when a new symbol variation is started while the volume adjustment screen 560 of FIG. 32 or the light amount adjustment screen 570 of FIG. 33 is being displayed, the volume or light amount selected immediately before that is reflected. This is because in the volume adjustment and the light amount adjustment, the setting information is updated only by pressing the cross key 110, and it is not necessary to press the effect button 109 to update the setting information.

In the menu screens shown in FIGS. 30 to 33, the display of the submenu screen is terminated by pressing the effect button 109, and the screen shifts to the change standby screen before the start of the symbol change and the main menu screen shown in FIG. 29. That is, on the submenu screen, each submenu screen can be terminated by the return operation of pressing the effect button 109. If a new symbol change starts before the return operation of pressing the effect button 109, the display of the submenu screen ends and the screen shifts to the in-game screen accompanied by the change display of the symbol. When a new symbol change is started while the effect mode selection screen of FIG. 30 and the image selection screen of FIG. 31 are being displayed, the next change is started without reflecting the immediately preceding selection operation. On the other hand, when a new symbol change is started while the volume adjustment screen of FIG. 32 and the light amount adjustment screen of FIG. 33 are displayed, the next change is started in a state where the immediately preceding selection operation is reflected.

Next, the screen transition while the symbol is stopped will be described. FIG. 34 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of screen transition after the symbol is stopped. If the next symbol variation is not started after the symbol variation is stopped in the first effect mode, the screen in which the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed is maintained for a certain period of time. After the symbol is stopped, the transition to the menu screen is prohibited until a predetermined transition prohibition time elapses, and even if the effect button 109 or the cross key 110 is pressed, the screen in which the decorative symbol is stopped is maintained. This transition prohibition time is about 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 7 seconds, or 10 seconds. In one embodiment, the transition prohibition time is set to 5 seconds. When the transition prohibition time elapses after the symbol is stopped, the transition to the menu screen can be performed by pressing the effect button 109 or the like. In order to indicate that the transition to the menu screen is possible, the effect button 109 may be blinked, or the effect display device 60 may indicate that the effect button 109 is pressed to switch to the menu screen.

If the next symbol variation is not started after the symbol variation is stopped in the second effect mode, the state in which the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed is maintained, while the reproduction of the image in the image display area 518 is continued. Even in the second effect mode, the transition to the menu screen is prohibited until a predetermined transition prohibition time elapses after the symbol is stopped. The transition prohibition time in the second effect mode is set to the same time as the first effect mode or a shorter time than the first effect mode. For example, the transition prohibition time in the second effect mode is set to 3 seconds. The transition prohibition time may be another time such as 5 seconds. When the transition prohibition time elapses after the symbol is stopped, the transition to the menu screen can be performed by pressing the effect button 109 or the like.

If no operation input is made after the transition prohibition time has elapsed and the predetermined time has elapsed, the menu screen is automatically displayed. For example, if no operation input is made within 20 seconds, 30 seconds, or 40 seconds from the stop of the fluctuation of the symbol, the menu screen is displayed. The menu screen displayed at this time is superimposed on the in-game screen as displayed in FIG. 26 or FIG. 28. In the menu screen shown in FIG. 29, the menu is not displayed on the entire screen, and the image for menu display is arranged at the bottom of the screen. Therefore, the display content located at the upper part of the screen during the game is displayed. It remains visible. In the first effect mode, a part of the decorative symbol 502 located at the upper part of the screen is visible. In the second effect mode, at least a part of the image display area 518 located at the upper part of the screen is visible. In the second effect mode, the video in the video display area 518 continues to be played even after the symbol is stopped. Therefore, even when the menu screen is displayed while the symbol is stopped, the video having a story is continuously viewed. can do.

The standby demo screen is displayed when more time has passed after the symbol is stopped. The standby demo screen is a screen that displays the game method of the gaming machine as a demonstration when the game is not executed, and displays the model name and the manufacturer name of the gaming machine. The standby demo screen is displayed when the input operation by the effect button 109 or the cross key 110 is not performed for a predetermined time after the last symbol change is stopped in the normal game state. When an input operation is performed by the effect button 109 or the cross key 110 while the symbol is stopped, the above-mentioned menu screen is displayed, and the measurement of the elapsed time, which is a condition for switching the display to the standby demo screen, is reset. Further, the above-mentioned menu screen is also displayed when an input operation is performed by the effect button 109 or the cross key 110 while the standby demo screen is displayed. In addition, if there is a ball entering the first start port 11 or the second start port 12 while the standby demo screen is being displayed and a new symbol change is started, the display of the standby demo screen ends and the decorative symbol changes. The in-game screen with the display is displayed.

Since the standby demo screen is a display that uses the entire screen of the effect display device 60, the in-game screen that has been displayed up to that point becomes invisible. If the video in the second effect mode is played before the standby demo screen is displayed, the playback is interrupted and the entire screen is switched to the standby demo display. When the standby demo screen is displayed, the mode selection information is reset, and the initial setting of the first effect mode is set as the mode selection information. Therefore, even if the standby demo screen is displayed before the display of the second effect mode, once the standby demo screen is displayed, the mode shifts to the first effect mode. Even if the standby demo screen is displayed, the video setting information in the second effect mode is not reset, and the previous video setting information is maintained as it is. Therefore, when the video selection screen of FIG. 31 is displayed after the standby demo screen is displayed, the previously set number of talks is displayed first. The video setting information stored in the sub RAM 311 is changed only when the RAM is initialized (ram clear) or updated through the video selection screen, and the previous settings are maintained in other cases. For example, in the case of recovering from a power failure without clearing the RAM, the settings of the previous video setting information are maintained.

In this embodiment, the time from when the symbol stops fluctuating until the standby demo screen is displayed is different between the first effect mode and the second effect mode. Specifically, the standby demo screen is displayed after the symbol has stopped changing in the second effect mode, rather than the first time from when the symbol has stopped changing in the first effect mode until the standby demo screen is displayed. The second time until it is displayed is shortened. For example, the length of the first hour is 120 seconds, 180 seconds, 240 seconds or 300 seconds, while the length of the second hour is 45 seconds, 60 seconds, 75 seconds or 90 seconds. In one embodiment, the length of the first hour is 240 seconds and the length of the second hour is 75 seconds. Therefore, the length of the second hour is ½ or less of the first hour, for example, one-third or less of the first hour.

The reason why the time until the standby demo screen is displayed in the second production mode is shortened is that the image is displayed even when the symbol is stopped, that is, even if the next fluctuation is not held and the fluctuation stop state is continued. This is because the specification is such that an image having a story is reproduced in the display area 518. When the number of holdings is small during a normal game, even if the game balls are continuously fired, the balls may not enter the starting port well and the symbol change may not be continuously executed. If the playback of the video in the video display area 518 is stopped or interrupted when the fluctuation of the symbol is stopped, even if the time from the stop of the symbol to the start of the next fluctuation of the symbol is about several seconds, the playback of the video is performed during that time. Will be interrupted. Then, the video is played back while being interrupted in the video display area 518, and it becomes difficult to immerse in the video displayed in the video display area 518 and enjoy the video. On the other hand, if the video can be viewed with the symbol stopped for a long period of time, it becomes possible to watch only the video without playing the game, which is not the original way of enjoying the gaming machine. Further, if the video can be viewed without using the gaming ball, it leads to a decrease in the operating rate of the gaming machine, which is not preferable. Therefore, in this embodiment, for the purpose of balancing the guarantee of continuous video reproduction in the video display area 518 and the suppression of the decrease in the operating rate of the gaming machine, up to the display of the standby demo screen in the second production mode. I'm shortening the time.

According to this embodiment, by preparing a second effect mode that is not bound by the symbol change in addition to the first effect mode that mainly focuses on the symbol change, it is possible to provide a different way of enjoying the game from the conventional gaming machine. can. In the case of the first effect mode, which mainly focuses on symbol variation, it may take a long time to obtain the first big hit, so that only the out-of-order variation effect is displayed, which may reduce the player's interest. .. On the other hand, in the second production mode, which is less related to the symbol variation, even if it takes a long time to get the first big hit, you can enjoy while watching the video that is not related to the result of the hit / miss judgment. be able to. Also, if it takes a relatively long time to hit the first big hit, you can enjoy watching the videos prepared for multiple episodes one by one. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by preparing two types of production modes having different modes, it is possible to provide a new playability in which the time until the first big hit is enjoyed by an element different from the symbol variation.

The present invention has been described above based on the examples. It is understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is merely an example, and that various modifications are possible for each of these components and combinations of processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. be. Hereinafter, modification examples will be given.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 35 shows the basic structure on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine in the modified example. The main difference from the structure in the prerequisite technique shown in FIG. 1 is the difference between the configuration of the starting winning opening and the screen configuration of the effect display device 60.

In the game area 81, the first starting opening 11 as the first starting winning opening corresponding to the first game, and the second starting opening 12 and the third starting opening 12 as the second starting winning opening corresponding to the second game. A starting port 13 and a starting port 13 are provided. The second starting port 12 and the third starting port 13 have different installation positions and structures, but both of them play the same role in that they are treated as entering balls in the second game. However, in the normal state during normal game where the left side of the game board is the recommended position for launching the game ball as a so-called "left-handed", the ball entering the second starting port 12 is regarded as normal, while the ball enters the third starting port 13. If the ball enters, it is considered abnormal. In addition, in a specific game state or a special game in which the right side of the game board is set as the recommended position for launching the game ball as a so-called "right-handed", the ball entering the second start port 12 is regarded as abnormal, while the third start port 13 is used. If the ball enters the ball, it is considered normal.

The first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 are arranged on the left and right substantially in the center below the effect display device 60. In this embodiment, the first starting port 11 is arranged side by side and the second starting port 12 is arranged side by side on the right, but in the modified example, the first starting port 11 is arranged side by side on the right and the second starting port 12 is arranged side by side on the left. You may. A distribution device 600 is provided above the first start port 11 and the second start port 12. The distribution device 600 is composed of a distribution inlet 601, a first passage 602, a second passage 603, and a distribution mechanism 604. The passage is bifurcated to the left and right from the distribution ball opening 601 that opens at the upper part, one first passage 602 faces the opening of the first starting port 11 on the left, and the other second passage. By forming the 603 toward the opening of the second starting port 12 on the right side, the sorting device 600 forms a Y-shape that is turned upside down as a whole. A movable distribution mechanism 604 is provided at a position divided into the first passage 602 and the second passage 603, and depending on the position of the distribution mechanism 604, the game ball entered from the distribution inlet 601 is the first passage. It is distributed to either 602 or the second passage 603. The distribution mechanism 604 is provided so as to be displaced to the left and right in a pendulum shape with its center as an axis, and when the distribution mechanism 604 is located on the right side, the second passage 603 is blocked by the distribution mechanism 604 and distribution is performed. The game ball that has entered the ball entry port 601 is guided to the first passage 602. When the game ball is guided to the first passage 602, the distribution mechanism 604 is displaced to the left due to the weight of the game ball, so that the first passage 602 after the game ball flows to the first starting port 11 swings. It is blocked by the displacement mechanism 604. Next, the game ball that has entered the distribution ball opening 601 is guided to the second passage 603, and the distribution mechanism 604 is displaced to the right by the weight of the game ball, so that the game ball moves to the second starting port 12. The second passage 603 after the flow is blocked by the distribution mechanism 604. In this way, each time the game ball enters the first start port 11 or the second start port 12, the distribution mechanism 604 is displaced to the left and right like a pendulum, so that the game ball has the first start port 11 and the second. Each ball is alternately guided to the starting port 12 and enters the ball. In the modified example, the distribution mechanism 604 is electrically or electronically controlled and displaced to the left or right. For example, the game balls may be distributed to the left or right by a predetermined ratio of numbers, or the game balls may be displaced to the left or right by a predetermined ratio of time. May be good.

In the game area 81, the third starting opening 13 is provided on the right side of the first starting opening 11 and the second starting opening 12 and above the large winning opening 20. The third starting opening 13 is provided as a second starting winning opening corresponding to the second game, similarly to the second starting opening 12. The third starting port 13 includes a third starting winning detection device 18. The third start winning detection device 18 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the third starting opening 13, and generates second starting winning information indicating the entry at the time of entry. The third starting port 13 includes a third starting winning detection device 18, an ordinary electric accessory 90 (so-called electric tulip) which is an expansion mechanism, and an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 91 for opening and closing the ordinary electric accessory 90. Be prepared.

It is possible to aim for the ball to enter either the left side or the right side of the game area 81 depending on the launch strength of the game ball according to the player's intention. As a so-called "left-handed", a game ball fired relatively weakly mainly aimed at the left side enters the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12. As a so-called "right-handed", a game ball that is relatively strong or fired at the maximum strength, mainly aiming at the right side, enters the third starting port 13. However, in the normal state, since the inflow of the game ball is obstructed by the game nail or the like above the opening of the third starting port 13, unless the expansion mechanism of the third starting port 13 is opened, the third starting port 13 is used. It is impossible or difficult to enter the ball. Therefore, in the normal state, the player mainly hits the ball by aiming at the distribution device 600 at the substantially center by "left-handed" to enter the ball into the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12. In a state where it is easy to enter the ball due to a certain change or a short time, the player mainly hits the ball aiming at the third starting port 13 on the right side by "right-handing", so that a large number of game balls can be sent to the opened third starting port 13. Let the ball enter and change the pattern efficiently. As described above, the situation in which the game ball is distributed to the first start port 11 and the second start port 12 by the distribution device 600 mainly refers to the game in the normal state.

The lottery value used for the winning / failing determination is acquired by the first lottery value acquisition means 216 or the second lottery value acquisition means 217 each time a ball enters the first start opening 11, the second start opening 12, or the third start opening 13. Then, the hit / fail determination is executed by the first hit / miss determination means 221 or the second hit / fail determination means 222. Alternatively, the lottery value is held by the special figure holding means 241. The special figure holding means 241 may function as a unit as both the first holding control means and the second holding control means, and as a modification, the first holding control means and the second holding control means may be used as one. It may function separately.

On the screen of the effect display device 60, for example, the first decorative symbol 610 is variablely displayed in the lower left area, the second decorative symbol 611 is variablely displayed in the upper right area, and the first hold display 620 is displayed on the lower left side. Is displayed, and the second hold display 621 is displayed on the lower right side. The display positions of the first decorative symbol 610, the second decorative symbol 611, the first hold display 620, and the second hold display 621 are not limited to these, but usually all of them are simultaneously displayed on the same screen or in the main. It is displayed separately for the effect display device and the sub effect display device. The first decorative symbol 610 is a variable display of the decorative symbol corresponding to the first special symbol 51 in the first game, and the second decorative symbol 611 is the decorative symbol corresponding to the second special symbol 52 in the second game. It is a variable display of. The second decorative symbol 611 can be variablely displayed even when the first decorative symbol 610 is variablely displayed, and the first decorative symbol 610 can be variablely displayed even when the second decorative symbol 611 is variablely displayed. be.

When either the first decorative symbol 610 or the second decorative symbol 611 has a reach effect, even if one of the decorative symbols with the reach effect is enlarged and displayed, and the other decorative symbol is reduced. good. Further, in the case of a super reach effect in which the effect is displayed for a long time according to a long variation pattern in which the variation effect time is relatively long, for example, one decorative pattern that has reached is displayed in a reduced reach at a conspicuous position, and the other is displayed in a reduced reach. The decorative pattern may be reduced and displayed at a position where it is inconspicuous.

The first hold display 620 is an image that lights and displays the number of the first winning / failing lottery values held by the special figure holding means 241 and corresponds to the lighting display of the first special figure holding display unit 71. The second hold display 621 is an image that lights and displays the number of the second winning / failing lottery values held by the special figure holding means 241 and corresponds to the lighting display of the second special figure holding display unit 72. Both the first hold display 620 and the second hold display 621 have an upper limit of four lighting. The first variation pattern determining means 231 or the second variation pattern determining means 232 totals when the number of the first winning / failing lottery value and the second winning / failing lottery value held by the special figure holding means 241 reaches four. The preliminary determination results relating to the eight winning / failing lottery values are transmitted to the effect determining means 303. In this case, all eight pre-judgment results may be transmitted, or information indicating that any of the eight pre-judgment results includes a judgment result with a high expectation of a big hit may be transmitted. Information indicating whether the winning / failing lottery value corresponds to such a determination result may be transmitted. When the effect determining means 303 receives a pre-determination result indicating a determination result with a high expectation of a big hit, the effect display device 60 displays an effect suggesting to that effect. For example, the hold display of the first hold display 620 or the second hold display 621 corresponding to the winning / failing lottery value corresponding to the result with high expectation of a big hit can be enlarged or the color can be changed. It may be suggested that the expectation of a big hit is high by a visual method of changing to a different aspect. The "result with high expectation of big hit" here means, for example, when the winning / failing lottery value corresponds to the big hit and the big hit is scheduled to be displayed, or when the notice effect or reach effect with high expectation is executed. This is a case where a symbol change is planned due to the associated change pattern.

The screen example of the effect display device 60 shown in FIG. 35 is a display example during a normal game with an easy entry state. In a normal game that does not involve an easy entry state, the decorative symbol and the hold display are displayed in different modes depending on the effect mode.

FIG. 36 shows an effect display example of the first effect mode according to the modified example. In the first effect mode, the first decorative symbol 610 is displayed relatively large in the center or the upper part of the screen, and the second decorative symbol 611 is displayed relatively small in the lower part of the screen. Further, the first hold display 620 and the second hold display 621 are displayed at the lower right of the screen. In the first effect mode, two decorative displays that are variablely displayed in parallel are displayed so as to occupy the area in the center of the screen, and the display is such that the player's attention is directed to the symbol variation. The display positions of the first decorative symbol 610 and the second decorative symbol 611 do not have to be fixed, and both are displayed interchangeably, or at least one symbol variation is replaced with an alternative symbol, and a symbol other than the symbol is displayed in the center of the screen. A notice effect using the element of may be displayed.

FIG. 37 shows an effect display example of the second effect mode according to the modified example. In the second effect mode, the image display area 518 is set in the center of the screen or the upper part of the screen, the first decorative symbol 610 and the first hold display 620 are displayed at the lower left of the screen, and the second decorative symbol 611 and the second are displayed at the lower right of the screen. The hold display 621 is displayed. Further, a first notice effect display area 622 for suggesting the degree of expectation of the first decorative symbol 610 is provided in the lower left of the video display area 518, and an expectation of the second decorative symbol 611 is provided in the lower right of the video display area 518. A second notice effect display area 623 is provided to indicate the degree of expectation. The first decorative symbol 610 and the second decorative symbol 611 are displayed in a simplified manner as compared with the decorative symbol in the first effect mode. Further, each symbol is displayed in a different manner so that the first decorative symbol 610 and the second decorative symbol 611 can be easily distinguished. For example, different fonts and patterns of numbers, letters or symbols of symbols are displayed, and one is displayed in Chinese numerals and the other is displayed in alphanumericals. In addition, one of the symbols may be displayed as if it were a normal illustration, and the other may be displayed as if it imitates an LED dot matrix or a 7-segment LED.

(Modification 2)
In the above-described embodiment, both the first effect mode and the second effect mode are prepared as the effect modes of the normal game, and the effect mode can be selected according to the operation input of the player. In the modified example, either the first effect mode or the second effect mode may be selected according to the gaming state. For example, the second effect mode may be executed in the normal game without the easy entry state, and the first effect mode may be executed in the normal game with the easy entry state. Further, the normal game may proceed only in the second effect mode without the first effect mode.

(Modification 3)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the second effect mode is used as the effect during the normal game without the easy entry state is shown. In the modified example, the above-mentioned second effect mode may be used as an effect during a normal game accompanied by an easy entry state. The second effect mode may be always selected as the effect in the easy-to-enter state, or the effect in the easy-to-enter state may be selected from either the first effect mode or the second effect mode according to the input operation of the player. You may be able to select the crab.

(Modification example 4)
The above-mentioned second effect mode may be enabled only in a specific gaming state. In the above-described embodiment, it can be executed only in a normal game without an easy entry state (normal entry state), but in the modified example, it may be executed only in the easy entry state, or it may be executed only in the easy entry state. It may be executed only in the easy state and the probability fluctuation state, it may be executed only in the easy entry state and the normal probability state, or it may be executed only in the normal entry state and the probability fluctuation state. It may be possible to carry out only in a normal ball entry state and a normal probability state. In addition, it may be possible to execute only in any plurality of gaming states among these four types of gaming states.

(Modification 5)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the mode selection information and the video setting information stored in the sub RAM 311 are retained when the power is restored and the same state as immediately before the power is cut is maintained. In the modified example, at least one of the mode selection information and the video setting information may be reset and set to the initial state when the power is restored. For example, when the power is restored, the mode selection information becomes the first effect mode, the reproduction of the video in the second effect mode is interrupted, and the effect display in the first effect mode may be executed after the power is restored. Further, when only the image setting information is reset, the reproduction of the image in the second effect mode may be interrupted, and the image of the first episode of the initial setting may be reproduced from the beginning after the power failure is restored.

(Modification 6)
In the above-described embodiment, only the change from the second effect mode to the first effect mode is possible during the symbol change, and when changing from the first effect mode to the second effect mode, the menu screen is displayed while the symbol change is stopped. Was displayed and the mode was changed. In the modified example, the effect mode may be changed from the first effect mode to the second effect mode by operating the effect button 109 during the symbol change. In this case, after accepting the mode change, the effect mode may be switched from the start of the next symbol change. Further, as shown in the first modification, when two decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner in parallel, the effect mode is switched when the variation of one of the decorative symbols (for example, the first decorative symbol) starts to change. May be done. In the further modification, the effect mode may be switched immediately when the change of the effect mode is confirmed, and when the effect mode is switched during the symbol change, the effect mode may be switched during the symbol change. May be switched. In addition, while switching from the first effect mode to the second effect mode enables immediate reflection, when switching from the second effect mode to the first effect mode, the effect mode may be changed at the start of the next fluctuation. .. On the contrary, when switching from the first effect mode to the second effect mode, the next fluctuation start may be triggered, while when switching from the second effect mode to the first effect mode, the change of the effect mode may be reflected immediately.

(Modification 7)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the effect mode can be changed during the normal game is shown. In the modified example, it may be configured so that the effect mode can be changed or selected during the special game. For example, if it is configured so that the first effect mode or the second effect mode can be executed in the normal game after the end of the special game, a screen for selecting the effect mode is displayed during the execution of the special game. May be good. At this time, it may be configured so that the number of talks in the second effect mode cannot be selected, or it may be configured so that the number of talks can be selected.

(Modification 8)
In the above-described embodiment, the number of talks cannot be selected when shifting to the second effect mode in the final deviation change in the easy-to-enter state. In the modified example, the number of stories may be selected. In this case, the effect display device 60 may display the image selection screen for selecting the number of talks, or the effect button 109 or the cross key 110 may be operated while the selection screen is not displayed, that is, a so-called “back command”. The number of stories may be selected through. Further, when the effect mode can be selected during the special game as shown in the above-mentioned modification, the number of talks may be selected through the back command.

(Modification 9)
In the above embodiment, when the playback of the second production mode is interrupted due to the occurrence of a big hit or the display of the standby demo screen, and then the video is played back again in the second production mode, the beginning of each video is started. The case of starting the reproduction is shown. In the modified example, the time position at which the reproduction of the video is interrupted may be stored as the video setting information, and the video may be restarted from the interrupted time position when the video is reproduced again. In addition, a plurality of divisions (chapter) may be set in one video, and when the same video is played again, the video may be restarted from the beginning of the chapter including the interrupted time position. .. Further, when a plurality of chapters are provided in one video, the chapter may be selected by the operation input of the player, and the video may be reproduced from the beginning of the chapter of the player's preference.

(Modification 10)
In the above-described embodiment, when the reproduction of one image is completed in the second effect mode, the reproduction of the next image is started. In the modified example, it may be possible to set the specific video to be repeatedly loop-played by the operation input of the player. For example, on the video selection screen, a selected image for turning loop playback on and off may be prepared, and when loop playback is turned on, the video selected by the player may be repeatedly played. When loop reproduction is turned off, a plurality of videos may be sequentially reproduced as in the above-described embodiment.

(Modification 11)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, a case where a plurality of continuous images such as a continuous TV drama are prepared has been shown. In the modified example, the contents of each video are independent, and a plurality of videos having different characters and situation settings appearing in each video may be prepared. Further, a plurality of series works composed of images of about 10 episodes may be prepared, and the series to be reproduced by the operation input of the player and the number of episodes of the images included in each series may be selected.

(Modification 12)
In the above-described embodiment, even if the reproduction of the image in the second effect mode ends during the symbol variation, the next image is reproduced during the variation display of the same symbol without a time interval. .. In the modified example, when the reproduction of the image ends during the symbol change, the next image may be reproduced with the start of the next symbol change as a trigger. At this time, a display such as "Preparing the next video" may be displayed as a connection until the next video is played. In addition, an image including a summary of the currently played video and a description of the highlight of the next video may be displayed so that the next video can be prepared for viewing. Further, it may be decided whether or not to immediately reproduce the next video according to the remaining time of the fluctuation. For example, if the remaining time of the fluctuation is less than 10 seconds, the video is played from the next fluctuation without immediate playback, and if the remaining time of the fluctuation is 10 seconds or more, the next video is played immediately. It may be played back.

(Modification 13)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the timekeeping until the standby demo screen is displayed is reset when the effect button 109 or the cross key 110 is operated while the symbol is stopped is shown. In the modified example, when the operation of the firing handle 107 is detected, the timekeeping up to the standby demo screen display may be reset. In one embodiment, the timekeeping may be reset only for the operation of the effect button 109 or the cross key 110, and the timekeeping may not be reset for the operation of the firing handle 107. On the contrary, the timekeeping may not be reset for the operation of the effect button 109 or the cross key 110, but may be reset only for the operation of the firing handle 107.

Further, a predetermined special effect may be executed triggered by the handle detection that detects that the firing handle 107 has been operated. For example, when the standby demo screen is being displayed or when the fluctuation stop state continues without a hold corresponding to the next symbol fluctuation, "Game start!" Is displayed or voice output is performed based on the handle detection. You may perform an effect of changing the picture of the decorative pattern being displayed as a stop display like an animation. Further, the presence / absence of execution of the special effect at the time of steering wheel detection may be changed according to the game state. During a normal game, a special effect by detecting the steering wheel may be executed. In addition, whether or not to execute the special effect when the steering wheel is detected may be changed according to the effect mode. For example, the special effect when the handle is detected is executed while the first effect mode is selected, and the second effect mode is selected. It is not necessary to execute a special effect by detecting the steering wheel. Furthermore, the special effect by steering wheel detection is not executed while the menu screen is displayed, and the steering wheel is detected when the menu screen is not displayed, that is, while the standby demo screen is being displayed or the decorative symbol in the variable stop state is being displayed. It may be possible to execute a special effect by.

(Modification 14)
In the above-described embodiment, the image in the second effect mode can be visually recognized even while the menu screen is being displayed. In the modified example, the visibility of the image in the second effect mode may be lowered while the menu screen is displayed as compared with the case where the symbol is changed. For example, the brightness of the image display area 518 may be lowered while the menu screen is being displayed, or display processing such as blurring the image of the image display area 518 may be performed. In addition, the output of the sound corresponding to the video in the second effect mode may be temporarily stopped while the menu screen is being displayed.

(Modification 15)
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the video reproduced in the second effect mode can be switched during the game is shown. In the modified example, the music (BGM) output from the speaker 108 may be switched during the game in the effect mode different from the second effect mode (for example, the third effect mode). In the third effect mode according to this modification, a plurality of BGMs that can be played during the game are prepared, and for example, the BGM to be played can be switched by pressing the left and right buttons of the cross key 110. When the music switching operation for switching the BGM is performed during the game in the third effect mode, the reproduction of the BGM before the switching is interrupted, and the reproduction of the BGM after the switching is started. The effect display device 60 displays an effect content that combines an individual effect that is switched in synchronization with the switching of the BGM and a common background effect that is continuously displayed regardless of the switching of the BGM.

FIG. 38 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of the effect in the third effect mode according to the modified example.
This figure shows the effect display of the effect display device 60 and the audio output of the speaker 108 during the period in which the symbol changes a plurality of times in the third effect mode. In the effect display device 60, the common background effect associated with the effect content of the third effect mode is continuously displayed, and the individual effect and the variable effect of the decorative pattern are displayed superimposed on the common background effect. Music that can be switched by an input operation from the player is output from the speaker 108. The effect display device 60 displays the music name (title name) of the BGM currently being played, and indicates that the music can be switched by pressing the cross key 110.

At the start of the third effect mode, a predetermined type of music (for example, BGM1) is output, and an individual effect (for example, individual effect 1) corresponding to the output music is displayed. When the music switching operation is performed during the game in the third effect mode, the BGM output from the speaker 108 is immediately changed, and the display of the individual effect superimposed on the common background effect is also immediately changed. For example, when the BGM is switched from BGM1 to BGM2, the display of the individual effect 1 corresponding to BGM1 is interrupted, and the display of the individual effect 2 corresponding to BGM2 is started. On the other hand, the common background effect is continuously displayed regardless of the switching of the music. The decorative symbol is variablely displayed according to the variable effect pattern corresponding to the variable pattern of the special symbol, regardless of the switching of the music.

The data ROM 324 of the effect control device 313 has a plurality of music data for outputting a plurality of songs, a plurality of individual effect display patterns for displaying a plurality of individual effects, and a common background effect for displaying the common background effect. The effect display pattern and are stored in advance. As music data, audio data for playing a music having a length of about several minutes is stored. In the individual production display pattern, a display process of a length corresponding to the playback time of the corresponding music is defined. The individual production display pattern includes, for example, a process of sequentially displaying the lyrics included in the corresponding music according to the playback timing of the music, and a process of decoratively displaying a part of the words or words of the lyrics. .. Further, if the music is associated with a character appearing in the production, the display process of the cut-in image of the character, the production image related to the character, and the like is included in the individual production display pattern. By simultaneously starting the output of the music according to the music data and the display of the individual production according to the individual production display pattern corresponding to the music, the playback status of the music and the display status of the individual production are synchronized to produce the production. proceed.

The common background display pattern defines the display process of the background effect displayed as the background of the variable display of the decorative symbol over a plurality of symbol variation periods. The display process of the common background display pattern is determined so that the display process is not included in each individual effect so that there is no discrepancy in the display even if the common background display pattern is combined with any of a plurality of types of individual effects. In addition, a notice effect that suggests the expectation that the design will be a big hit and an expectation that it will be a more advantageous big hit type so that there will be no discrepancy on the display even if it is combined with any of the multiple types of variable effect patterns of the decorative design. The display process is defined so as not to include the advance notice effect that suggests. For example, in the advance notice effect that suggests the type of big hit, whether or not a difference in the actual number of rounds during the special game (that is, the number of prize balls that can be obtained) is suggested, or whether or not a probable change state is given after the special game ends. It may be suggested.

In the effect display that combines the above-mentioned individual effect and the common background effect, the display priority is set higher for the individual effect than for the common background effect. That is, the display layer of the individual effect is set on the front side of the display layer of the common background effect, and the individual effect is superimposed and displayed on the common background effect. In addition, the display priority of the decorative symbol is set higher than that of the common background effect, and the display priority of the decorative symbol is set higher than that of the individual effect. In a further modification, the display priority of the individual effect may be set higher than the display priority of the decorative symbol. Further, the launch direction guidance display for guiding the launch direction of the game ball is set to have a higher display priority than the individual effect and the variation effect of the decorative symbol. For example, the so-called right-handed notification effect that guides the game ball to be launched to the right is displayed in the display layer on the front side in preference to the individual effect and the display of the decorative symbol.

In the effect display that combines the above-mentioned individual effect and the common background effect, a notice effect that suggests the degree of expectation that the symbol will be a big hit may be further combined and displayed. The notice effect is displayed, for example, with a higher display priority than the common background effect, the individual effect, and the decorative symbol. In addition, when a highly expected effect pattern such as a super reach effect is selected as the variable effect pattern of the decorative pattern, the effect display combining the individual effect and the common background effect is interrupted, and the expectation set for the super reach effect. High-level notice effects and reach effects may be preferentially executed. For example, only when a specific variable effect pattern such as "out of reach" or "normal reach" is selected as the variable effect pattern of the decorative pattern, the effect display that combines the individual effect and the common background effect is made, and the super reach effect etc. If another type of variable effect pattern is selected, the common background effect and the individual effect may be interrupted. In addition, if the super reach effect is missed, the common background effect and the individual effect may be restarted with the start of the next symbol change as a trigger. In addition, the common background effect and the individual effect may be restarted from a predetermined timing (for example, 3 seconds or 5 seconds before the change stop) when the change of the symbol that is out of alignment is stopped or before the change stop.

Only one common background display pattern may be prepared, or a plurality of common background display patterns may be prepared. When a plurality of common background display patterns are prepared, it may be configured so that the type of common background effect (for example, the type of effect stage) can be selected by the operation input of the player. When the third effect mode is used in a normal game in a normal probability state, the effect stage may be set through the menu screen before the start of the game. On the other hand, when the third effect mode is used in a normal game in a specific game state (a state in which at least one of a probability fluctuation state and an easy entry state is given) to which the third effect mode is shifted after the end of the special game, the third effect mode is executed. The production stage may be selectable during the special game before it is played. In this case, the common background effect according to any one of the selected common background display patterns may be repeatedly executed in the third effect mode, or after the common background effect according to one common background display pattern is completed, It may be switched to the common background effect according to another common background display pattern. For example, it may be switched to a common background effect according to another common background display pattern, triggered by a big hit and a transition to a specific game state again after the special game is executed. In addition, even if the common background effect is switched in a predetermined order and the effect stages are sequentially shifted when a predetermined number of symbol changes are made or a specific variation pattern is selected after the predetermined number of symbol changes. good.

According to this modification, it is possible to switch the BGM during the game, and by displaying the individual effect corresponding to the selected BGM, it is possible to provide the effect content that suits the player's taste at any time. .. In addition, the individual effects corresponding to a plurality of BGMs are superimposed on the common background effect and displayed, and the common background effect is continuously displayed regardless of the change of the BGM, so that the effect is displayed according to the change of the BGM. Can be prevented from being temporarily interrupted. Conversely, even if it takes a certain amount of time to change the BGM or the individual effect, the time lag can be compensated for by the common background effect. As a result, it is possible to achieve both the occasional change of the effect mode and the continuity of the effect display.

In a further modification, the effect content that combines the above-mentioned BGM, individual effect, and common background effect may be executed during the special game. For example, the BGM may be changed during the execution of the special game, and the individual effects may be changed according to the change of the BGM. On the other hand, the common background effect may include the content of the effect according to the round digestion of the special game.

Further, the number of types of BGM that can be switched during the game may be changed by satisfying a predetermined condition during the game. For example, the number of types of BGM that can be selected when a predetermined condition is satisfied during a game may be increased, and a special music that cannot be selected until the predetermined condition is satisfied may be selected. For example, in the so-called consecutive villa state where the big hits in the easy-to-enter state continuously occur and the easy-to-enter state continues continuously (without the end of the easy-to-enter state) while sandwiching the special game, the continuous occurrence of the big hits occurs. It is set as a predetermined condition that the number of prize balls reaches a predetermined number and that the total number of prize balls acquired in the consecutive villa state reaches a predetermined number. Specifically, when the number of big hits (number of consecutive villas) in the consecutive villa state is 5, the number of BGMs that can be selected has increased from 4 songs to 6 songs, and the number of consecutive villas has increased to 10. In some cases, the number of selectable BGMs may be increased to eight songs. In addition, the number of BGMs that can be selected has increased from 4 songs to 6 songs when the cumulative number of prize balls won in the consecutive villa state has reached 5,000, and the cumulative number of prize balls won in the consecutive villa state has increased to 10,000. In that case, the number of selectable BGMs may be increased to eight songs. In addition, the number of BGMs may be increased on condition that a specific highly rare effect (so-called premium effect) is executed as a variable effect or a special game effect. This highly rare effect may be executed on the condition that the number of consecutive villas reaches a predetermined number of times, such as 10 times, or may be executed infrequently when the consecutive villa state continues. .. When the number of selectable BGMs increases, the number of types of individual effects corresponding to the BGM also increases as the number of BGMs increases.

Further, when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the game, not only the number of selectable BGMs may be increased, but also the display of the common background effect on which the individual effect is superimposed may be changed. For example, the common background effect may be changed to a different content from before, provided that the number of consecutive villas reaches 20 times and the cumulative number of prize balls won in the consecutive villa state reaches 20000. That is, the first common background effect may be displayed until the predetermined condition is satisfied, and the second background effect may be displayed after the predetermined condition is satisfied.

(Modification 16)
In the above-described embodiment, a case is shown in which a plurality of stages are prepared in the first effect mode, and the stages are switched when the number of stays in each stage and the effect contents at the time of symbol change satisfy predetermined conditions. In the modified example, a plurality of stages may be switched by the operation input of the player. For example, it may be configured so that it is possible to switch to the next effect stage by pressing the effect button 109 once during the game in the first effect mode. For example, when four production stages A, B, C, and D are prepared, each time the production button 109 is pressed, the production stage changes from A to B to C to D to A to B to ... May be configured to switch in a predetermined order. In addition, pressing the upper button of the cross key 110 switches in the normal order (for example, A → B → C → D → A → B → ...), and pressing the lower button of the cross key 110 reverses the order. It may be configured to be switched by (for example, A->D->C->B->A->D-> ...).

Each effect stage is configured so that the background image of the effect display is different from each other, and it can be seen that the effect stage is switched by switching the background image. As a background image corresponding to each effect stage, for example, a plurality of background display patterns that define a display process of the background effect that continues over a plurality of symbol variation periods are prepared, and the background effect is displayed according to the background display pattern. The background display pattern may be one that displays a still image or one that displays a moving image. For each background display pattern, one background display pattern can be played back in a loop so that a continuous background effect can be displayed over a relatively long period in which the symbol changes 10 times, 20 times, or 30 times. It is composed of. For example, by associating the first and last display contents of each background display pattern, one background display pattern can be repeatedly reproduced. Further, the display process according to the background display pattern is asynchronous with the pattern variation display process, and is continuously displayed regardless of the continuously executed symbol variation start timing. That is, the display is not reset when the new symbol change starts, but is continuously displayed before and after the start timing of the new symbol change. A plurality of background display patterns for each effect stage may be prepared, and the background display pattern may be switched when a specific symbol change is started.

Each production stage may be configured so that the music (BGM) is different, and when the production stage is switched, not only the background image may be switched, but also the BGM may be switched at the same time. In addition, each effect stage may have different characters appearing in the effect, and may have different types of reach effects, types of notice effects, and display modes of the notice effects. For example, in the effect stages A and B, the execution frequency of the advance notice effect by pre-reading is set high, in the effect stage C, the execution frequency of the advance notice effect is set low, and in the effect stage D, the advance notice effect by pre-reading is completely executed. It may be set not to be done. Further, in the effect stages A and B, the step-up notice effect is executed frequently, while in the effect stages C and D, the step advance notice effect is executed infrequently or even if it is set so as not to be displayed at all. good.

As a notice effect in each effect stage, a continuous advance notice effect pattern over a plurality of symbol change periods using pre-reading is prepared. For example, when the pre-judgment information corresponding to the big hit or the pre-pattern judgment information corresponding to a specific super reach fluctuation is acquired as the pre-judgment information by pre-reading, the effect display according to the continuous advance notice effect pattern is started. .. As a continuous advance notice effect pattern, a plurality of effect patterns having different effect execution periods are prepared, and for example, an effect pattern corresponding to each of two, three, or four symbol change periods is prepared. The effect determining means 303 determines the effect pattern according to the hold position that triggered the execution of the continuous notice effect, and causes the effect to be executed according to the continuous notice effect pattern until the pattern at which the hold is consumed changes.

In the continuous notice production, in one or more symbol fluctuations before the hold is exhausted, the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed in a specific display mode, or a specific character is made to appear, suggesting a high degree of expectation. The production is done. In addition, if the symbol is changed more than once before the hold is exhausted, a step-up notice effect suggesting that the expectation level is gradually increased each time the symbol is stopped is displayed. In this step-up notice effect, for example, a specific character appears at the start of the continuous notice effect, the character is continuously displayed for the execution period of the continuous notice effect, and the display mode of the character is changed each time the symbol is stopped. This suggests that expectations will gradually increase. For example, it may be suggested that the degree of expectation is gradually increased by gradually increasing the display size of the character, increasing the number of characters appearing, or increasing the motion of the character. In addition, by switching the background display pattern within the same production stage, it may be suggested that the step-up to a higher expectation level has been achieved.

In the continuous advance notice effect, the first continuous advance notice effect is executed in which a specific pattern of advance notice effect is performed up to the symbol change related to one or more holds that are digested before the hold (trigger hold) that triggers the execution of the continuous advance notice. May be good. In addition, the advance notice effect of a specific pattern is made up to the symbol change related to one or more holds that are digested before the trigger hold, and then the same or similar to the notice effect of the specific pattern in the symbol change that the trigger hold is digested. The second continuous notice effect may be executed. In the first continuous notice effect, the decorative symbol is stopped at a specific symbol combination (for example, 123 order or 445 shift) due to the symbol change related to one or more hold that is digested before the trigger hold. A design effect to be caused or a hold change effect to change the display mode of the hold display (hold object) may be performed. On the other hand, in the case of the second continuous notice effect, the hold change effect that changes the display mode of the hold display (hold object) is performed for the symbol change related to one or more holds that are digested before the trigger hold, and the trigger hold is digested. In the symbol variation to be performed, a series of continuous advance notice effects may be executed to change the display mode of the variable object, which is an effect similar to the hold change effect, which suggests the degree of expectation of the change. In addition, as the second continuous notice effect, the display mode of the background effect is changed to a special mode for both the symbol variation related to one or more holds that are digested before the trigger hold and the symbol variation that the trigger hold is digested. The background look-ahead effect that changes to may be executed.

In the continuous advance notice effect over a plurality of symbol change periods, the content of the multiple change effect may be collectively determined by the ball entering corresponding to the trigger hold, or the trigger hold may be started at the start of each symbol change. The content of each variation effect may be individually determined according to the position. In the case of the first continuous notice effect, it may be determined including the variation effect at the time of digestion of the trigger hold when the ball is entered in the trigger hold. On the other hand, in the case of the second continuous advance notice effect, the variation effect up to the fluctuation before the trigger hold is exhausted is collectively determined by the entry of the trigger hold, while the variation effect at the time of digestion of the trigger hold is determined. May be determined at the beginning of the symbol variation at which the trigger hold is digested. Further, when the content of each variation effect is individually determined, the content of each variation effect may be determined at the start of each symbol variation.

In this modification, when the production switching operation for switching the production stage is performed during the symbol change, the first period (stage switching period) in which the production stage can be switched immediately and the immediate switching of the production stage are waited for. Then, a second period (stage switching standby period) for switching the production stage is provided when the next symbol change is started. The first period corresponds to the period in which the decorative design starts to fluctuate and is displayed in a fluctuating manner at high speed, and the fluctuating display is performed at such a high speed that it becomes difficult or impossible to identify the symbol type of the decorative design to be displayed in a fluctuating manner. Corresponds to the period to be done. On the other hand, the second period corresponds to the period from when the decorative symbol is variablely displayed at a lower speed than the first period to when it is stopped and displayed after the lapse of the first period, and the identification of the symbol type of the decorative symbol which is variablely displayed. Corresponds to the period during which is easy or possible. When the decorative symbol is composed of a plurality of symbol rows, the first period corresponds to a period in which at least one variation of the plurality of symbol rows is started and all of the plurality of symbol rows are varied and displayed at high speed. On the other hand, the second period corresponds to the period from the timing at which at least one fluctuation speed of the plurality of symbol rows is switched to a lower speed than the first period until the plurality of symbol rows are stopped and displayed. In addition, as a period from immediately before the symbol stop or the symbol stop (for example, 3 seconds or 5 seconds before the symbol stop) to the start of the next symbol change, the third period (for example, the effect switching operation cannot be accepted). Inoperable period) is provided. If the effect switching operation is performed during this third period, the operation is invalidated.

The definitions of the first period (stage switching period), the second period (stage switching waiting period), and the third period (operation inoperable period) described above are examples, and these periods are determined by other definition methods. May be good. Further, the length and timing of the first period and the second period may be different depending on the variation time of the symbol, the type of variation pattern, the type of the effect to be executed, and the like. For example, the first period may be defined up to the timing when a specific advance notice effect may occur, and the second period may be defined after that. Further, the period until the decorative pattern becomes the reach mode may be defined as the first period, and the subsequent period may be defined as the second period. Further, the third period may be defined as an effect execution period in which the effect content can be changed by pressing the effect button 109 in the middle of the symbol change period. For example, the timing at which the reach of the decorative symbol is established or the development timing when the super reach effect is developed after the reach is established may be the start timing of the third period. Examples of the effect of changing the effect content by pressing the effect button 109 include an effect of operating a movable accessory by pressing the effect button 109 and an effect of increasing the number of meters displayed by repeatedly hitting the effect button 109. ..

Even in the first period from the start of fluctuation, a button effect using the effect button 109 (for example, an image simulating the effect button 109 is displayed, and a message or character suggesting the degree of expectation by pressing the effect button 109 is displayed. (For example, a notice effect in which a cut-in image of the above is displayed) may occur. In this case, in the "button effect valid period" in which the effect by pressing the button is valid, the stage can not be switched by pressing the effect button 109. The frequency of occurrence of this button effect may be set differently depending on the effect stage. As a result, the frequency at which the production stage can be switched during the first period may differ depending on the production stage. For example, in the effect stage A, the frequency of occurrence of the button effect in the first period may be set low, while in the effect stage B, the frequency of occurrence of the button effect in the first period may be set high. In this case, the probability that the stage switching operation will be possible in the first period of the effect stage A is set high, and the probability that the stage switching operation will be possible in the first period of the effect stage B is set low.

Further, the magnitude relationship between the lengths of the first period, the second period, and the third period may differ depending on the variation time of the symbol, the type of variation pattern, the type of the effect to be executed, and the like. For example, in the case of fluctuation pattern A without reach that is not shortened fluctuation (for example, the fluctuation time is 12 seconds), the magnitude relationship of the first period> the second period> the third period is set, and the reach is accompanied by the shortened fluctuation. In the case of no fluctuation pattern B (for example, the fluctuation time is 3 seconds), the magnitude relationship of the second period> the first period> the third period may be set. In the case of the deviation variation pattern C (for example, the variation time is 30 seconds) accompanied by the super reach effect, the second period> the first period> the magnitude relation of the third period, the third period> the first period> the second period. There may be a magnitude relationship, or a magnitude relationship of a third period> a second period> a first period. Here, the variation pattern B may be a variation pattern that is easy to be selected in the time saving state, or may be a variation pattern that is not selected or is difficult to be selected in the non-time saving state. Further, the fluctuation pattern B may be a shortened fluctuation pattern that is easily selected when the number of holdings at the start of fluctuation is a predetermined number or more (for example, 3 or more), and the number of holdings at the start of fluctuation is less than a predetermined number (for example, 3 or more). It may be a fluctuation pattern that is not selected or is difficult to be selected in the case of (no hold).

FIG. 39 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of the effect display in the first effect mode according to the modified example, and schematically shows the relationship between the timing of the effect switching operation and the switching reflection timing of the effect stage. Display example 1 shows a flow when the effect switching operation is performed once during the stage switching period (first period). When the effect switching operation is performed during the stage switching period, the stage change is immediately reflected, and the effect content corresponding to the effect stage after switching is switched during the change. Further, in synchronization with the switching of the effect stage, a display indicating which is the effect stage after the switch is displayed. As shown in Display Example 1, if the operation of switching from the production stage A to B is performed during the stage switching period while staying at the production stage A, the production content corresponding to the production stage B is switched immediately after the switching operation, and the production stage is switched to. A display indicating that you are staying at B is made. Specifically, the background image displayed on the screen and the output BGM are changed, and the wording of "stage B" is temporarily displayed on the screen. In addition, when the continuous advance notice effect peculiar to the effect stage before switching is executed, the execution of the continuous advance notice effect is interrupted along with the switching of the effect stage, and the advance notice effect according to the effect stage after switching is executed. .. For example, the background effect according to the background display pattern for the effect stage B is displayed from the beginning, and the BGM for the effect stage B is reproduced from the beginning. That is, the progress of the background effect and the BGM before the effect switching operation is executed is reset, and the background effect and the BGM are started from the initial state.

The display example 2 shows the flow when the effect switching operation is executed a plurality of times during the stage switching period, and shows the case where the effect stage finally selected is the same as the effect stage before the switch. Specifically, when four types of production stages are prepared, by executing the production switching operation four times, the switching operation goes through the order of A → B → C → D → A and returns to the original state. If. In this case, the effect content is switched each time the effect switching operation is performed, and the background image corresponding to the effect stage A is displayed after the background image corresponding to the effect stages B, C, and D is displayed. Further, in the effect stage A after switching, the background effect according to the background display pattern for the effect stage A is displayed from the beginning, and the BGM for the effect stage A is reproduced from the beginning. That is, the progress of the background effect and the BGM before the effect switching operation is executed is reset, and the background effect and the BGM are started from the initial state. If a plurality of effect switching operations are continuously executed before the switching of the effect contents is completed, the display of the background image corresponding to the effect stage during the switching may be omitted. For example, only the background image corresponding to a part of the production stage C in the middle of switching such as A → C → A is displayed in the middle of switching, and the background image corresponding to the other production stages B and D in the middle of switching is displayed. It does not have to be. Similarly, for the BGM, the BGM corresponding to all the production stages in the middle of switching may be temporarily played back, or only the BGM corresponding to some of the production stages in the middle of switching may be temporarily played back. ..

Display example 3 shows a flow when the effect switching operation is executed in the switching standby period (second period) after the stage switching period. If the effect switching operation is performed once during the switching standby period, the stage change is not immediately reflected, and the stage change is waited until the next symbol change is started. At this time, a display indicating which production stage is scheduled to be switched is displayed, and a display indicating that the production stage is waiting for switching until the next change is displayed. As shown in the figure, when the effect switching operation of changing from the effect stage A to B is performed during the switching standby period, the switching standby state in which a word such as "from the next fluctuation to stage B" is displayed is displayed. It is also possible to perform a further effect switching operation after the switching standby state is set, and it is possible to change the effect stage to be selected in the next fluctuation. For example, if the effect switching operation is executed while "Next change to stage B" is displayed, the display is changed to "Next change to stage C", and the effect stage to be selected in the next change is changed from B to C. Can be changed. It should be noted that the effect content corresponding to the effect stage before switching (for example, effect stage A) is continued until the change of the symbol is stopped, and the effect stage after switching (for example, effect stage C) is triggered by the start of the next symbol change. It will be changed to the corresponding production content. For example, with the start of the next symbol change, the background effect according to the background display pattern for the effect stage C is displayed from the beginning, and the BGM for the effect stage C is reproduced from the beginning. That is, the progress of the background effect and the BGM before the effect switching operation is executed is reset, and the background effect and the BGM are started from the initial state.

The display example 4 shows the flow when the effect switching operation is executed a plurality of times during the switching standby period, and shows the case where the effect stage finally selected is the same as the effect stage before the switch. As shown in the figure, when the effect switching operation is executed four times and the effect stage A is selected in the next variation, the switching standby state in which the wording "from the next variation to stage A" is displayed is displayed. However, in this case, since the effect stage is not changed, the effect content cannot be switched before and after the start of the next symbol change, and the same effect stage (for example, from the change display of the symbol to the change display of the next symbol). The production content corresponding to the production stage A) is continuously displayed. Specifically, the background image and the BGM are not reset triggered by the next symbol change, and the background effect is displayed and the BGM is continuously reproduced. This is because the display process according to the background display pattern is asynchronous with the pattern variation display process, and is continuously displayed regardless of the continuously executed symbol variation start timing. In display example 4, since the background display is continuously executed, the display is not reset when a new symbol change starts, and the background effect is continuously displayed before and after the start timing of the new symbol change. To. As a result, when the same effect mode as the original effect mode is selected during the switching standby period, the effect content proceeds in the same manner as when the effect switching operation is not performed. Therefore, if the same effect stage as the current one is reselected during the switching standby period and the continuous advance notice effect peculiar to the current effect stage is executed, the continuous advance notice effect will continue even in the next symbol change. Then, a notice production that has been stepped up to a higher degree of expectation is executed.

If the effect switching operation is performed during the switching standby period and the symbol change performed by the effect switching operation becomes a big hit and the game is transferred to the special game, the initial change of the normal game that is transferred after the special game is completed. The production stage after switching may be started from. In addition, when the effect switching operation is performed during the switching standby period and the hold corresponding to the next change is not stored during the pattern change for which the effect switching operation is performed, the effect stage is switched when the change is stopped. The effect stage may be switched after a predetermined time (for example, 1 second or 2 seconds) has elapsed from the stop of the fluctuation. In addition, the effect stage may be switched when a new symbol change is started by entering the starting port, instead of switching the effect stage when or after the change is stopped. In other words, if the effect switching operation is performed during the switching standby period and the next change cannot be started immediately, the effect stage may be switched with the start of the next change as a trigger, and the start of the next change is The production stage may be switched under different conditions, for example, when the fluctuation is stopped. When the effect stage is switched, the background effect and the progress of the BGM before the effect switching operation is executed are reset, and the background effect and the BGM are started from the initial state, as in the above display example.

In addition, even if the effect switching operation is performed during the switching standby period, if the symbol change for which the effect switching operation is performed becomes a big hit and the game is transferred to the special game, the first time of the normal game to be transferred after the special game is completed. The effect switching operation may not be reflected in the fluctuation. In this case, regardless of the effect switching operation performed during the switching standby period, the effect stage during the symbol change that has become a big hit may be taken over as it is, or a specific effect stage defined as the effect stage to be transferred after the end of the special game. You may always move to the production stage. In addition, when the big hit occurs, the stage may be shifted to the production stage defined next to the production stage during the symbol change that became the big hit.

According to this modification, it is possible to increase the variation of the production by enabling the switching of the production stage during the game. Further, by enabling the immediate switching of the effect stage in the first period corresponding to the first half of the symbol change period, it is possible to more quickly provide the effect mode that suits the player's preference. On the other hand, by waiting for the switching of the production stage in the second period corresponding to the latter half of the symbol fluctuation period, it is possible to prevent the progress of high-expected production contents such as the advance notice production and reach production peculiar to each production stage from being hindered. .. In addition, if the original effect mode is reselected during the switching standby period, the effect content will continue as it is even in the next symbol change, so that a continuous effect notice with high expectation over multiple symbol change periods can be announced. It can be prevented from being interrupted. As a result, it is possible to realize more rapid switching of the production stage while providing the player with more production with high expectations.

(Modification 17)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the effect corresponding to the symbol variation is displayed in the first effect mode and the image having a narrative character is continuously displayed in the second effect mode regardless of the symbol variation is shown. In the modified example, there are a first effect mode and a second effect mode having different effect tendencies, and the effect corresponding to the symbol variation may be displayed in either the first effect mode or the second effect mode. That is, neither the first effect mode nor the second effect mode may be an effect mode in which an image having a narrative character is continuously displayed regardless of the symbol variation.

(Modification 18)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the decorative symbol 501 shown in FIG. 26 and the alternative symbol 506 shown in FIG. 27 are used as the effect of changing the symbol is shown. In a further modification, in addition to the variable display of the decorative symbol 501 shown in FIG. 26 and the variable display of the alternative symbol 506 shown in FIG. 27, a simple symbol different from the decorative symbol and the alternative symbol may be displayed in a variable manner. The simple symbol has an external display form corresponding to a portion indicating the symbol type of the decorative symbol, and has a display form representing a number, a character, or a symbol indicating the symbol type. The simplified symbol is displayed relatively smaller than the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol, and although the display form is simplified as compared with the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol, the simplified symbol has a display form in which the symbol type can be visually identified. For example, when the decorative pattern is composed of a combination of a pattern and a number, only the number is used for the simple pattern, and the display form is not accompanied by the pattern. The simple symbol is displayed in a small variation (for example, scroll display or rotation display) toward the corner of the display screen over a predetermined symbol variation period (one symbol variation period of the special symbol) together with the variation display of the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol. , The fluctuation display suggests that the design is changing.

The simple symbol is composed of a plurality of (for example, three) symbol sequences like the decorative symbol and the alternative symbol. The simple symbol is variablely displayed at the same speed with the symbol combination of the out-of-order mode over the symbol variation period. For example, even if a decorative symbol or an alternative symbol appears to have stopped in the middle of one symbol variation period and appears to be pseudo-multiple symbol variations, the simple symbol variation Will continue. That is, the simple symbol is not displayed as if it was stopped in the middle of one symbol change period. Therefore, the fluctuation speed of the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol tends to change or is likely to change within one special symbol fluctuation period, while the fluctuation speed of the simple symbol does not change or tends to be difficult to change. It is in. For example, decorative symbols and alternative symbols change to a multi-step fluctuation speed such as ultra-high speed, high speed, medium speed, low speed, and temporary stop, while simple symbols change to two stages of high-speed fluctuation and temporary stop. Only speed may be used.

When the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol is in the reach mode, or when the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol is temporarily stopped in the hit mode, the entire plurality of symbol rows are slowly and variablely displayed at the same speed in the hit mode. In the case of "full rotation reach", the simple symbol may also be synchronized with the temporary stop of the reach mode and the hitting mode, and the display mode of the full rotation reach may be obtained. In another modification, even if the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol is at least one of the reach mode, the temporary stop of the hit mode, and the full rotation reach mode, before the symbol is finally stopped (design variation). In the middle of the period), the simple symbol composed of the three symbol rows may be displayed in a variable manner without being in the reach mode, the hit mode, or the full rotation reach mode, and may be stopped and displayed at the stop timing of the special figure.

The display position of the simple symbol is always fixed, and unlike the decorative symbol and the alternative symbol, the display mode and display size are not changed or the display position is not changed in the middle of the effect display. The simple symbol is set to have a higher display priority than other effect displays, and is displayed on the layer on the front side of the display of the variable effect of the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol, the display of the advance notice effect, and the like. In addition, a simple symbol is displayed in an area different from the display area where the right-handed notification is made so as not to conflict with other displays having high display priority such as right-handed notification (launch direction guidance display). The above-mentioned decorative symbol or alternative symbol may be displayed in the area where the right-handed notification is made. In that case, the right-handed notification has priority over the display layer on the front side over the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol. Is displayed.

The simple symbol is stopped and displayed in synchronization with the change stop of the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol. In this case, for the purpose of making the result of success or failure easy to understand, a simple symbol having the same symbol combination as the symbol combination at the time of stopping the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol is stopped and displayed. That is, the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol and the simple symbol are stopped and displayed with the same combination of numbers. The simple symbol may be displayed not only during a normal game in which the symbol is changed, but also during a special game in which the symbol is transferred after a big hit in the normal game. In this case, a symbol combination (for example, 222, 777, etc.) indicating that the game is a big hit may be continuously stopped and displayed during the execution of the special game. On the other hand, the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol may be hidden during the special game, or only a single symbol (for example, 2 or 7) may be displayed instead of displaying a plurality of symbol rows.

The display of the simple symbol may be used in combination with the individual effect and the common background effect described in the above-mentioned modification 15. In this case, the display priority in the effect display device 60 is 1) launch direction guidance display (right-handed display), 2) simple symbol display, 3) decorative symbol and alternative symbol display, 4) notice display, and 5) individual effect. Display, 6) Common background effect display may be set in this order. That is, the display priority of 1) may be set to the highest and displayed on the frontmost display layer, while the display priority of 6) may be set to the lowest and displayed on the rearmost display layer. The display priorities of 1) and 2) may be the same or vice versa. Further, the display priorities of 3) and 4) may be the same or vice versa.

Further, the above-mentioned displays 1) to 6) are displayed so that any of the displays can be superimposed on each other, while any of the displays is displayed in different areas of the screen so that they cannot be superimposed on each other. It may be displayed. For example, the display area of 1) and the display areas of 2) and 5) are different from each other so that the launch direction guidance display of 1) does not overlap with the simple symbol display of 2) or the individual effect display of 5). May be good. On the other hand, at least a part of the display area of 1) and the display areas of 3), 4) and 6) may overlap. Similarly, in the simple symbol display of 2), the display area of 2) and the display area of 5) may be different so as not to overlap with the individual effect display of 5). On the other hand, at least a part of the display area of 2) and the display areas of 3), 4) and 6) may overlap.

Further, at least a part of the above-mentioned displays 1) to 6) may be displayed as a transparent image. Here, the "transparent image" refers to an image that is displayed so that the superimposed image can be seen through when it is superimposed and displayed on another image. For example, at least one of the displays such as 3) display of decorative symbols and alternative symbols, 4) notice display, 5) individual effect display, etc., which may be superimposed on one of the images. It may be displayed transparently. For example, an image having transparency may be used as the individual effect, and the display of the common background effect may be seen through behind the image for the individual effect.

(Modification 19)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the volume of the speaker 108 is adjusted according to the volume and the amount of light set by the player and the amount of light of the decorative lamp 111 is adjusted is shown. In a further modification, under certain circumstances, such as when an error occurs, the speaker 108 will be at maximum or fixed volume and the decorative lamp 111 will be at maximum or fixed light, regardless of the volume and light settings. It may be controlled to be. For example, the maximum volume and the maximum amount of light may be obtained when fraudulent detection such as fraudulent magnetism detection, fraudulent radio wave detection, and fraudulent winning detection is performed. In addition, the volume and the amount of light may be forcibly maximized only when a specific fraud detection is made, for example, when a fraudulent winning detection is made.

(Modification 20)
The following differences may be provided between the first effect mode and the second effect mode of the above-described embodiment. For example, the number of types of effects prepared as advance notice effects, the number of types of notices that can be displayed within the same variation, the number of types of reach effects, the frequency of occurrence of pseudo continuous variation effects, and the pseudo continuous variation executed within the same variation. Number of times, frequency of occurrence of look-ahead effect, number of types of look-ahead effect, etc. When changing the frequency of occurrence of a specific type of effect, the frequency of occurrence may be higher in the other effect mode than in one effect mode, or the specific type of effect is executed in one effect mode and the other. A specific type of effect may not be executed in the effect mode of. The difference in the effect tendency for each effect mode may be applied to a plurality of effect stages shown in the modification 16.

(Modification 21)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the mode is changed to the first effect mode or the second effect mode after the end of the easy-to-enter ball state is shown. In a further modification, the mode shifts to an effect mode different from the above-mentioned effect mode (for example, a fifth effect mode) in a limited period from the end of the easy entry state to the time when the symbol is changed a predetermined number of times. May be done. For example, after the end of the easy-to-enter state, the mode is changed to the fifth effect mode, and after the symbol is changed a predetermined number of times (for example, 20 times or 30 times) in the fifth effect mode, the mode is changed to the first effect mode or the second effect mode. It may be migrated. In addition, when the predetermined number of symbol fluctuations elapses, the normal game with the easy-to-enter state ends, and the transition to the normal game without the easy-to-enter state triggers a different effect mode from the above-mentioned effect mode. (For example, the fifth effect mode) may be shifted.

The configuration examples of the examples and the modifications are shown below.
[Structure 1]
A game board with a game area formed,
A starting port provided at a predetermined position in the game area and
A winning / failing determination means for executing a winning / failing determination based on a lottery value acquired when the ball enters the starting port.
A symbol display device in which a symbol for showing the result of the hit / fail determination is variablely displayed, and a symbol display device.
Equipped with a production display device that displays the production,
There are a first effect mode and a second effect mode in which the tendency of the effect displayed on the effect display device is different.
If the predetermined conditions are satisfied after the fluctuation of the symbol is stopped, the standby demo displayed during the game standby is started to be displayed.
The standby demo is displayed after the symbol has stopped fluctuating in the second effect mode, rather than the first time from when the symbol has stopped fluctuating in the first effect mode until the standby demo is displayed. A ball game machine that has a shorter second time until it is played.

[Structure 2]
A game board with a game area formed,
A starting port provided at a predetermined position in the game area and
A winning / failing determination means for executing a winning / failing determination based on a lottery value acquired when the ball enters the starting port.
A symbol display device in which a symbol for showing the result of the hit / fail determination is displayed in a variable manner, and a symbol display device.
An effect display device that displays the effect, and an effect display device
Equipped with an audio output device that outputs audio,
The effect display device is a menu screen for a video setting operation for changing the image displayed on the effect display device and a volume setting operation for changing the volume of the audio output device while the symbol is stopped and displayed. Can be displayed,
The menu screen can display which video is selected, and can display which volume is selected, and while the menu screen is being displayed, the variable display of the symbol can be displayed. Hidden when started
In the video setting operation, the video setting is changed when a selection operation for selecting one of a plurality of videos is performed and a decision operation for determining the selected video is performed.
In the volume setting operation, the volume setting is changed when a selection operation for selecting one of a plurality of volumes is performed.
When the variable display of the symbol is started and the menu screen is hidden after the selection operation to change the selected image while the menu screen is displayed, the image setting is set regardless of the selection operation to change the image. Maintained
When the variable display of the symbol is started and the menu screen is hidden after the selection operation to change the selected volume while the menu screen is displayed, the volume is set according to the selection operation to change the volume. A ball game machine that has been changed.

[Structure 3]
A game board with a game area formed,
A starting port provided at a predetermined position in the game area and
A winning / failing determination means for executing a winning / failing determination based on a lottery value acquired when the ball enters the starting port.
An effect display device that displays the effect, and an effect display device
An audio output device that outputs audio and
It is equipped with an operation input means for accepting a music switching operation from a player to switch to one of a plurality of music.
A plurality of music data for playing the plurality of songs, a plurality of individual effect display patterns for displaying individual effects corresponding to each of the plurality of songs, and a common display superimposed on the individual effects. It has a common effect display pattern for displaying background effects,
The individual effect corresponding to any of the plurality of individual effect display patterns is superimposed on the common background effect corresponding to the common effect display pattern and displayed on the effect display device, and is displayed on any of the plurality of music data. The corresponding music is output from the audio output device,
When the music switching operation from the player is accepted, the output of the switched music is started, and the display of the individual production corresponding to the switched music is started, while the common background effect is continuously displayed. Bullet game machine.

[Structure 4]
A game board with a game area formed,
A starting port provided at a predetermined position in the game area and
A winning / failing determination means for executing a winning / failing determination based on a lottery value acquired when the ball enters the starting port.
An effect display device in which a symbol for showing the result of the hit / fail determination is variablely displayed and an effect accompanying the variable display of the symbol is displayed.
It is provided with an operation input means for receiving an effect switching operation from a player for switching to one of a plurality of effect stages defined so that the tendency of the effect to be displayed on the effect display device is different.
In the effect switching operation, the effect stages to be selected can be switched in order according to a predetermined switching order triggered by the input operation of the player.
If the effect switching operation is accepted from the start of the change of the symbol to the elapse of the predetermined stage switching period, the effect display is changed according to the effect stage after the change during the change display of the symbol.
If the effect switching operation is received after the stage switching period has elapsed while the symbol variation is being displayed, a switching standby state is set in which the effect display according to the effect stage before switching is continued until the symbol variation is stopped. A ball game machine that is changed to a production display according to the production stage after switching when the next symbol change starts.

[Structure 5]
A game board with a game area formed,
A starting port provided at a predetermined position in the game area and
A winning / failing determination means for executing a winning / failing determination based on a lottery value acquired when the ball enters the starting port.
An effect display device in which a symbol for showing the result of the hit / fail determination is variablely displayed and an effect accompanying the variable display of the symbol is displayed.
It is provided with an operation input means for receiving an effect switching operation from a player for switching to one of a plurality of effect stages defined so that the tendency of the effect to be displayed on the effect display device is different.
In the effect switching operation, the effect stages to be selected can be switched in order according to a predetermined switching order triggered by the input operation of the player.
If the effect switching operation is accepted from the start of the change of the symbol to the elapse of the predetermined stage switching period, the display of the background effect corresponding to the effect stage after the change is changed during the change display of the symbol.
If a different effect stage from that before switching is selected when the effect switching operation is accepted after the stage switching period has elapsed while the symbol variation is being displayed, the effect stage before switching is displayed until the symbol variation stops. The background effect according to the corresponding background display pattern is in the switching standby state, and the display of the background effect corresponding to the effect stage after switching is changed to the start of the next symbol change.
If the effect switching operation is accepted after the stage switching period has elapsed during the variable display of the symbol, and the same effect stage as before the switching is selected after the effect switching operation is completed, the variable display of the symbol is displayed. A ball game machine in which the background effect corresponding to the same effect stage is continuously displayed during the variable display of the middle and the next symbol.

[Structure 6]
A game board with a game area formed,
A starting port provided at a predetermined position in the game area and
A winning / failing determination means for executing a winning / failing determination based on a lottery value acquired when the ball enters the starting port.
It is provided with an effect display device in which a symbol for showing the result of the hit / fail determination is displayed in a variable manner.
As the variation display of the symbol displayed on the effect display device, there are a variation display of a decorative symbol, a variation display of an alternative symbol, and a variation display of a simple symbol.
The decorative design has a portion indicating the symbol type and a design portion displayed incidentally.
The alternative symbol has an appearance display form corresponding to a portion indicating the symbol type of the decorative symbol, and is an area in which the decorative symbol is variablely displayed when the decorative symbol is hidden during the symbol variation period. Displayed in place of the decorative pattern in a smaller area,
The simple symbol is composed of a plurality of symbol rows having an appearance display form corresponding to a portion indicating a symbol type of the decorative symbol, and is a predetermined symbol together with a variable display of either the decorative symbol or the alternative symbol. A ball game machine that is variablely displayed over a variable period, suggests that the variable display is being performed by the variable display, and suggests the result of the hit / fail determination by stopping and displaying all of the plurality of symbol rows.

Hereinafter, examples of problems and actions and effects related to the examples and modifications will be described.

1) In recent gaming machines, different production contents are prepared for each gaming state, and a wide variety of production contents are prepared as production contents selected in the same gaming state. Further, the fun of the game is enhanced not only by displaying the effect on the liquid crystal screen but also by preparing a wide variety of BGMs, sound effects, etc. according to the display contents. However, it can be said that the contents of the production have been diversified for the production during the period when the symbol is not changing or during the special game, that is, the state before the start of the symbol change without entering the ball. However, it can be said that there is room to propose new productions to enhance the interest of the players. On the other hand, if the player pays attention only to the production before the start of the fluctuation, a contradictory situation may occur in which the original game of the gaming machine is not played. According to this embodiment and the modified example, the operating rate of the gaming machine is lowered by shortening the time until the standby demo display in the second production mode that enables video viewing even before the game while preparing a plurality of production modes. Can be prevented.

2) In recent game machines, a wide variety of production contents are prepared as effect displays on the LCD screen, and the interest of the game is enhanced by preparing a wide variety of BGMs, sound effects, etc. according to the display contents. .. Further, a gaming machine capable of selecting a favorite effect content by an input operation from a player and changing an effect setting according to the preference has also been proposed. In order to make the favorite game settings available to as many players as possible, it is desirable to provide an input setting method that is as simple and easy to understand as possible and that requires a small number of operations. According to this embodiment and the modified example, the number of input operations can be reduced by immediately reflecting the volume change and the light amount change. On the other hand, it is not intended by the player that the setting is changed even though the type and contents of the video and the production mode are simply referred to by requiring the determination operation for the video setting and the mode setting. Operation can be prevented.

3) In recent game machines, a wide variety of production contents are prepared as effect displays on the LCD screen, and the interest of the game is enhanced by preparing a wide variety of BGMs, sound effects, etc. according to the display contents. .. Further, a gaming machine capable of selecting a favorite effect content by an input operation from a player and changing an effect setting according to the preference has also been proposed. However, such production operations are often limited to operations on the menu screen before the start of the game, and if it is desired to change the production settings during the game, the game is temporarily interrupted and the menu screen is displayed. I had to operate. According to the present embodiment and the modified example, it is possible to switch the music during the game by continuously displaying the common background effect. Further, by realizing the display switching of not only the music but also the individual production according to the switching operation, it is possible to further enhance the interest of the production. In addition, the stage switching operation during fluctuations can be performed, and the production tendency can be changed more flexibly by enabling the immediate reflection of the production stage within a predetermined period.

4) In the symbol fluctuation period from the start of the fluctuation of the symbol to the stop of the fluctuation, not only the decorative symbol is displayed in a variable manner near the center of the display area, but also the characters have a story of battle and one wins. A moving image is displayed. In addition, in order to make the moving image displayed in the center of the screen stand out, the decorative design that is displayed in a variable manner is temporarily hidden or displayed in a small size toward the corner of the screen. Switching may be done, and the display mode of the symbol variation may be switched multiple times in the production with a long variation time. As a result, there is a possibility that it may be difficult to grasp whether the symbol variation is continuing or the symbol variation is once terminated and the next variation is started only by the display mode of the decorative symbol. According to this embodiment, by displaying the simple symbol in a variable manner in addition to the decorative symbol and the alternative symbol, the symbol variation can be shown to the player in an easy-to-understand manner.

10 Start port, 60 Production display device, 80 Game board, 81 Game area, 220
Win / fail judgment means.

Claims (1)

A game board with a game area formed,
A starting port provided at a predetermined position in the game area and
A pass / fail determination means for executing a pass / fail determination to determine whether or not to shift to a special game, which is a state more advantageous to the player than a normal game, based on the lottery value acquired when the ball enters the starting opening.
A special symbol display device that can display special symbols,
When the special symbol indicating that the hit / fail determination is a predetermined result is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device, the special game control means for shifting to the special game after the stop display and the special game control means.
A production display device that can display effects, and
A launching device capable of launching a game ball into the game area according to the operation of the player,
Equipped with an operation input means that accepts the effect switching operation from the player ,
During the special symbol fluctuation period from the start of fluctuation of the special symbol to the stop of fluctuation, the effect symbol can be variablely displayed on the effect display device.
As the effect symbol that is variablely displayed on the effect display device, at least a decorative symbol and a simple symbol are included.
The decorative symbol is variablely displayed on the effect display device in a plurality of decorative symbol rows, and the simple symbol is variablely displayed on the effect display device in a plurality of simple symbol rows.
The decorative symbol that is variablely displayed in at least one of the plurality of decorative symbol rows can change the fluctuation speed in the middle of the special symbol fluctuation period, or can change to a plurality of stages of fluctuation speed. On the other hand, the simple symbol that is variablely displayed in the plurality of simple symbol rows does not change the fluctuation speed in the middle of the special symbol fluctuation period, or can be changed to a fluctuation speed of a smaller number of steps than the decorative symbol. the law of nature,
The effect display device can display a predetermined effect, an individual effect whose display mode is changed according to the effect switching operation, and a background effect that is continuously displayed even if the display mode of the individual effect is changed. And
The individual effect and the background effect are hidden during the execution of the specific effect in which the decorative pattern is the reach mode.
The decorative symbol and the predetermined effect can be superimposed and displayed, and when the decorative symbol and the predetermined effect are displayed superimposed, the decorative symbol is superimposed on the front surface of the predetermined effect. Is displayed,
The simple symbol and the predetermined effect can be superimposed and displayed, and when the simple symbol and the predetermined effect are superimposed and displayed, the simple symbol is superimposed on the front surface of the predetermined effect. Is displayed,
It is possible to display a guide display for prompting the launch of a game ball in a predetermined direction on the effect display device, and when the decorative symbol and the guide display are superimposed and displayed, the guide display is displayed on the front surface of the decorative symbol. While they are displayed superimposed, the simple symbol and the guidance display are not displayed superimposed.
While the decorative symbol and the individual effect can be displayed superimposed, the simple symbol and the individual effect are not displayed superimposed, and the guide display and the individual effect are not displayed superimposed.
After being notified that the special game will not be executed in the specific effect and the specific effect is completed, the individual effect and the background effect are displayed again.
A ball gaming machine that can be displayed as a transparent image in at least one of the decorative pattern, the predetermined effect, and the individual effect .

Images