JP7064733B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

In a gaming machine provided with an operation means that can be operated by a player such as a push button and capable of performing an operation effect using the operation means, an operation validity period in which the operation of the operation means is reflected in the effect is set. (For example, see Patent Document 1 below).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-153056

An object of the present invention is to improve the taste of an operation effect for urging a player to operate an operating means in a gaming machine provided with an operating means that can be operated by the player.

The gaming machine according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, has one or a plurality of types of operation effects in which an operation means that can be operated by a player and an operation validity period during which the operation of the operation means is effective are set. The operation effect executing means capable of executing the above, which is at least one of the above-mentioned one or a plurality of types of operation effects, and can be set in a specific operation effect in which continuous operation of the operation means is required. As the operation validity period, a plurality of types of operation validity periods having different lengths are set.

According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the taste of the operation effect that encourages the player to operate the operating means.

It is a front view of the gaming machine which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the general flow of operation production. It is a figure which showed the kind of an operation image. It is a figure which showed the relationship between the image notice effect and the operation image displayed in the operation effect. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd modification. It is a figure for demonstrating the 4th modification. It is a figure for demonstrating the 5th modification and the 6th modification. It is a figure (the 1) for demonstrating the 7th modification. It is a figure (the second) for demonstrating the seventh modification. It is a figure for demonstrating the 8th modification. It is a figure for demonstrating the 9th modification.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the gaming machine 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

The gaming machine 1 includes a gaming board 90. The game board 90 is formed of a substantially square plywood, and the guide rail 903 constituting the passage for guiding the game ball launched by the operation of the launch device 908 (launch handle) to the game area 902 has a substantially arc shape. It is provided as follows.

The game area 902 is provided with a display device 91, a start winning opening 904, a large winning opening 906, an out opening 907, and the like. The display area 911 of the display device 91 is an area that can be visually recognized through the opening 901 formed in the game board 90. In some figures, the display area 911 is roughly described, but its shape and the like can be changed as appropriate (the shape and size of the opening 901 and the shape and size of the display device 91 itself can be changed. The shape of the display area 911 can be changed with.).

Further, in the game area 902, a plurality of game nails are provided as obstacles that change the flow mode of the game ball by colliding with the game ball flowing down. The game ball flowing down the game area 902 changes in various modes depending on the conditions when it collides with the game nail.

In such a gaming machine 1, the gaming ball is launched toward the gaming area 902 by operating the launching device 908. When a game ball flowing down the game area 902 wins a prize in a winning opening such as a starting winning opening 904 or a large winning opening 906, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out by a payout device.

The components of the gaming machine 1 that are not related to the present invention, such as the frame of the gaming machine 1, the lower plate and the upper plate for storing the gaming balls, will be omitted. As for these, those having the same structure as a known gaming machine can be applied.

The jackpot lottery is executed by the winning / failing determination means provided on the control board (not shown) triggered by the winning of the game ball to the starting winning opening 904 (a plurality of such starting winning openings may be provided). Specifically, a numerical value is acquired from the random number source triggered by the winning of the game ball to the starting winning opening 904, and if the numerical value is the same as the predetermined jackpot value, it becomes a jackpot, and if it is different, it becomes a jackpot. It will be out of order. Since it is the same as a known gaming machine, the description is omitted, but in the case of a big hit, a predetermined combination of identification symbols (designs for notifying the result of winning / failing) (for example, three sets of the same symbols) is used. It will be notified by the above, and if other combinations are displayed, it will be out of order.

It should be noted that various effects such as the operation effect described below may be determined based on the result of the actual hit / fail judgment, and are determined not by the result of the hit / fail judgment but by the numerical value obtained from the random number source. It may be a configuration. In any case, the production is practically determined based on the pass / fail judgment (from the player's point of view), so the following explanation determines the production based on the pass / fail judgment. However, it is not intended to exclude from the present invention the configuration in which the effect is determined by the numerical value obtained from the random number source.

The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment can execute an operation effect using a plurality of types of operation means 10 that can be operated by the player as a kind of effect suggesting whether or not the game is correct. Hereinafter, the operation effect will be described in detail. It should be noted that the operation effect may be any scene, timing, or the like as long as it is an effect that suggests whether or not the operation is correct. Further, the various images in the following description are not only still images but also a concept including moving images having at least a part of movement (change).

In the present embodiment, as the plurality of types of operation means 10 used for the operation effect, the first operation means 11 and the second operation means 12 that can be operated by the player are provided (see FIG. 1). In the present embodiment, the first operating means 11 is a push button that can be pushed downward. The second type operating means is an operation unit that can be pushed inward. The first operating means 11 and the second operating means 12 may be any operating means as long as they can be operated by the player and can be operated independently of each of the first operating means 11 and the second operating means 12. The detailed description of is omitted. The first operating means 11 and the second operating means 12 may be capable of performing operations other than the pushing operation (for example, rotating operation) as described above. Further, a plurality of operating means may be set as the first operating means 11 and the second operating means 12. For example, a plurality of push buttons may be provided, and any of the plurality of push buttons may be configured to function as the first operating means 11 as described below.

The operation of each operating means 10 is detected by a control means (control circuit formed on the control board) (not shown). At least in the operation effect described below, the operation of the first operation means 11 and the operation of the second operation means 12 are distinguished. However, another operation effect set so that the operation of the first operating means 11 and the operation of the second operating means 12 are not distinguished (settings in which any operation is valid) may be executed.

The operation effect showing a rough flow in FIG. 2 is an effect that urges the player to operate either the first operation means 11 or the second operation means 12. An operation valid period during which the operation of the operating means becomes effective is set, and the operation of the operating means 10 corresponding to the player is urged (see FIG. 2B), and the operation of the operating means 10 within the operation valid period is produced. It will be reflected above. During the operation valid period, a meter indicating the remaining time (or elapsed time) of the operation valid period may be displayed (see FIG. 2 (b)). In the present embodiment, the length of the operation valid period that can occur at a specific timing in a certain operation effect is the same every time (the length of the operation valid period of one type of operation effect and another type of operation effect). In addition, in the case of a configuration in which the operation validity period can be set multiple times in the same operation effect, the length of the operation validity period that occurs at a certain timing and another timing may be different. ). As long as it is such an effect, any specific mode of the operation effect may be used. In the present embodiment, the operation effect may be executed at the final stage of the effect of notifying the hit / fail determination result (the effect of fighting the ally side character and the enemy side character (see FIG. 2A)). If the result of the hit / fail determination is a big hit, an effect (successful effect) indicating that the outcome is advantageous to the player is executed when the operation of the operation means 10 is detected within the operation valid period (corresponding to the effect). Successful staging includes staging that is once shown to be non-successful and then overturned (so-called reversal staging, revival staging). On the other hand, if the result of the hit / fail determination is incorrect, an effect (failure effect) indicating that the result is disadvantageous to the player is executed when the operation of the operation means 10 is detected within the operation valid period. (See FIG. 2 (c)). If the operation of the operation means 10 is not detected within the operation valid period, one of the success effect and the failure effect is executed based on the result of the hit / miss determination after the operation valid period.

In the present embodiment, the player is requested to operate the corresponding operating means 10 only once during the operation valid period (see FIG. 2B), but other operating modes (for example, so-called repeated hits, long presses, etc.) are required. ) May be required of the player. Further, the operation mode of the operation means 10 required by the player may be different for each operation effect.

During the operation valid period in the operation effect, the operation image 20 that prompts the player to operate the operation means 10 (indicating that the operation means 10 should be operated) is displayed (see FIG. 2B). The operation image 20 is an image imitating the corresponding operation means 10. That is, when the operation of the first operation means 11 is urged in the operation effect, the operation image 20 imitating the first operation means 11 is displayed, and when the operation of the second operation means 12 is urged, the second operation means The operation image 20 imitating the 12 is displayed. The player can see the operation image 20 and grasp which operation means 10 should be operated. It should be noted that the "imitation" image does not mean that the image is limited to an image in which the operation means 10 is strictly drawn. It may be deformed to the extent that the player can grasp that it represents each operating means 10. Further, a part of the operation image 20 may imitate the corresponding operation means 10. That is, the operation image 20 may include a portion that imitates the corresponding operation means 10.

In the present embodiment, two types of images corresponding to the first operating means 11, the first normal operating image 211 and the first large operating image 212 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), are the second operating means 12. One type of the second operation image 22 (see FIG. 3C) is set as the image corresponding to. Since both the first normal operation image 211 and the first large operation image 212 are images including a portion imitating the first operation means 11, they exhibit similar shapes, but the first normal operation image 211 has a similar shape. In comparison, the second instruction large image is displayed larger. That is, the first normal operation image 211 and the second instruction large image are images including a portion imitating the same operation means called the first operation means 11, but the mode is different (the size is different in this embodiment). It can be said that.

As described above, the operation effect according to the present embodiment is an effect of notifying the result of the hit / miss determination based on the ending. It can also be said that the ending indicates whether or not a situation favorable to the player occurs. The probability of being in an advantageous situation for such a player (probability of achieving success effect; hereinafter, also referred to as reliability) is suggested by the type of operation image 20 displayed in the operation effect. In the present embodiment, the reliability when the first large operation image 212 is displayed is set higher than the reliability when the first normal operation image 211 is displayed. Further, the reliability when the second operation image 22 is displayed is set higher than the reliability when the first large operation image 212 is displayed (see FIG. 3). That is, from the viewpoint of the two types of operating means 10 of the first operating means 11 and the second operating means 12, the operation of the second operating means 12 is promoted more than the case where the operation of the first operating means 11 is prompted. The case is more reliable. Further, even when the operation of the same first operation means 11 is prompted, the reliability is higher when the first large operation image 212 is displayed than when the first normal operation image 211 is displayed. It is expensive. The player wants to display the operation image 20 with higher reliability in the operation effect.

As for the effect executed as the end of the operation effect in the present embodiment, the effect that the ally character wins as a result of the battle between the ally side character and the enemy side character (see the left side of FIG. 2C) is a successful effect, and the ally. An effect (see the right side of FIG. 2C) in which the side character is defeated (the enemy side character wins) is set as a failure effect. Before the operation image 20 is displayed (the operation validity period is set), an image in which the ally side character and the enemy side character fight is displayed (see FIG. 2A). The operation image 20 finally displayed suggests the probability that the ally character will win.

The operation effect in the present embodiment includes an image preview effect suggesting what kind of operation image 20 is shown in the operation valid period. Hereinafter, the image preview effect will be described. It should be noted that the image notice effect may always occur during the operation effect, or the image advance notice effect may not occur. When the configuration is set so that the image notice effect may not occur, the player is notified after the operation effect when the image notice effect occurs as compared with the case where the image notice effect does not occur. It should be set so that the probability of a favorable situation is high.

The image notice effect is executed when the image in which the ally side character and the enemy side character fight is displayed before the operation image 20 is displayed (the operation validity period is set). In the present embodiment, in the area near the corner of the display area 911 (right corner in the present embodiment), the image of the image preview effect is displayed so as to overlap the image of the ally side character and the enemy side character fighting (Fig.). 2 (a)). The image notice effect is an effect showing the possibility that the aspect of the operation image 20 changes to be advantageous to the player.

In the image preview effect, a candidate image 30 suggesting what the operation image 20 displayed during the operation valid period will be is displayed (see FIGS. 2A and 4). In the present embodiment, an operation image 20 having the same form as each operation image 20 displayed during the operation valid period and smaller than the operation image 20 is displayed as a candidate image 30. In the initial state of the image preview effect, the first normal operation image 211 is displayed as the candidate image 30. The operation image 20 corresponding to the candidate image 30 finally displayed in the image preview effect will be displayed during the operation valid period (see FIG. 4). In the image preview effect in the present embodiment, a character is displayed together with any of the operation images 20, and an image in which the character tries to change the operation image 20 is displayed. That is, a change suggestion notice indicating that the type of the operation image 20 displayed as the candidate image 30 may change is executed. As the ending of the change suggestion notice, a favorable ending for the player that the candidate image 30 changes to a more reliable one and an unfavorable ending for the player that the current type of the candidate image 30 is maintained are set. There is. That is, the change of the candidate image 30 in the image preview effect is limited to the change in the direction in which the reliability of the corresponding operation image 20 becomes high, and the change in the direction in which the reliability becomes low is set so as not to occur. ing. In the present embodiment, the modes of the image preview effect that can occur are roughly classified as follows.
1. First aspect A mode in which the first normal operation image 211 displayed as the candidate image 30 in the initial state does not change and continues to be displayed until the operation valid period. The operation image 20 displayed during the operation valid period is the first normal operation image 211 (see FIG. 4A).
2. A mode in which the first normal operation image 211 displayed as the candidate image 30 in the initial state changes to the first large operation image 212 on the way, and the first large operation image 212 continues to be displayed until the operation valid period. The operation image 20 displayed during the operation valid period is the first large operation image 212 (see FIG. 4B).
Third aspect The first normal operation image 211 displayed as the candidate image 30 in the initial state changes to the first large operation image 212 in the middle, and the first large operation image 212 changes to the second operation image 22 in the middle. A mode in which the second operation image 22 changes and continues to be displayed until the operation validity period. The operation image 20 displayed during the operation valid period is the second operation image 22 (see FIG. 4C).

It should be noted that the configuration divided in this way is just an example. For example, in the initial state, the operation image 20 other than the first normal operation image 211 may be displayed as the candidate image 30. Further, the first normal operation image 211 displayed as the candidate image 30 may suddenly change to the second operation image 22 (without passing through the first large operation image 212) (step-up of two or more steps may occur). It may be configured.

As described above, in the image preview effect, the candidate image 30 (operation image 20) may be stepped up, and the operation image 20 corresponding to the finally displayed candidate image 30 is in the operation valid period. Will be displayed in. In the present embodiment, the image notice effect is executed in the area near the corner of the display area 911, and the operation image 20 displayed during the operation valid period is set to be displayed in the substantially central area of the display area 911. ing. The candidate image 30 (candidate image 30 displayed in the corner of the display area 911) that was finally displayed in the image preview effect moves to the substantially center side of the display area 911 while being enlarged as it is, and the game is played. It will be displayed as an operation image 20 for prompting a person to operate the operation means 10. That is, the candidate image 30 is displayed smaller than when the corresponding image is displayed during the operation valid period.

As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the image preview effect suggesting what the operation image 20 shown in the operation valid period will be is executed. Therefore, since the player pays close attention to the image preview effect in the hope that the more advantageous operation image 20 is displayed, it is possible to improve the taste of the operation effect.

Hereinafter, a modified example in which the gaming machine 1 according to the above embodiment is improved, embodied, deformed, or the like will be described. It should be noted that a configuration may be configured in which a plurality of techniques described using the following modification are combined and applied.

First Modification Example Although it has been described that a plurality of types of operating means 10 (first operating means 11 and second operating means 12) are provided in the above embodiment, only one type of operating means 10 is provided. The same technical idea can be applied to the configuration. During the operation valid period of the operation effect, as the operation image 20 displayed for encouraging the operation of the one type of operation means 10, a plurality of types having different reliability when displayed may be set. .. Further, a configuration may be provided in which three or more types of operating means 10 are provided. Further, in a configuration in which a plurality of types of operating means 10 are provided, only one type of operating image 20 may be set as the operating image 20 corresponding to each operating means 10.

Second Modification Example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the operation image 20 itself (the one having the same form as the operation image 20) is displayed as the candidate image 30 displayed during the image preview effect, but each candidate image is displayed. The image 30 may correspond to each of the operation images 20 as long as it is an image that the player can understand. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the character "small button" is displayed as the candidate image 30 corresponding to the first normal operation image 211 (see FIG. 5A), and the candidate corresponding to the first large operation image 212. The character "button large" is displayed as the image 30 (see FIG. 5B), and the character "○○" is displayed as the candidate image 30 corresponding to the second operation image 22 (○○ is the second operation means 12). It is conceivable to display the name (the name shown to the player in the production or the game guide) (see FIG. 5 (c)). That is, any form of the candidate image 30 may be used as long as it can be understood that each of the candidate images 30 shows any of the operation images 20.

Third Modification Example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the operation valid period in which the operation of the operation means 10 is valid is set in the operation effect, but the case where the operation valid period is not set (the operation of the operation means 10 is prompted). It may be configured so that a case where it is not performed) may occur. That is, before the end of the operation effect (success effect, failure effect) is reached, the end is reached (automatically) without causing a state in which the operation image 20 is displayed and the player is urged to operate the operation means 10. The configuration may be such that an aspect (leading to an end) can occur. In this case, as an aspect of the ending of the image notice effect, it may be set so that a case where the candidate image 30 is not displayed (the operation image 20 is not displayed during the operation valid period) may occur. If the operation of the operation means 10 is not prompted in the operation effect, the initial mode of the image notice effect is a candidate if the reliability is set to be lower than that of the case where the operation of the operation means 10 is prompted. The image 30 may not be displayed. That is, when the image preview effect is completed without displaying the candidate image 30, it is suggested that the operation of the operation means 10 is not prompted (the lowest reliability) in the operation effect. It may be in the form of a notice.

Fourth Modification Example In the stage before the operation valid period in the operation effect is started, any one of the set operation images 20 is displayed as the pre-image 40 (FIG. 6 (a). )reference). The prior image 40 in the present embodiment has the same form as the operation image 20, but is displayed in a less clear manner than when it is displayed as the operation image 20. The pre-image 40 in the present embodiment is a translucent mode (in FIG. 6A, it is drawn by a dotted line) so that the background image can be seen through. The position where the advance image 40 is displayed is set to be the same as the position displayed as the operation image 20. In the present embodiment, the prior image 40 is displayed substantially in the center of the display area 911. By displaying such a preliminary image 40 before the operation valid period, the player understands that the operation of the operation means 10 may be prompted in the future.

As described in the above embodiment, the candidate image 30 finally displayed in the image preview effect will be displayed as the operation image 20 during the operation valid period. In the example, the operation image 20 displayed as the prior image 40 and the operation image 20 displayed during the operation valid period are set to be different. For example, when the first normal operation image 211 is displayed as the prior image 40 (see FIG. 6A), the candidate image 30 of the second operation image 22 is finally shown in the image preview effect. The first normal operation image 211 displayed as the prior image 40 will be replaced with the second operation image 22 during the operation valid period (see FIG. 6C). Specifically, the replacement will occur after the candidate image 30 finally displayed in the image preview effect is displayed so as to move to the prior image 40 side. In the present embodiment, the candidate image 30 in which the character displayed in the image notice effect is finally displayed is thrown to the pre-image 40 side (in the present embodiment, substantially the center of the display area 911). (See FIG. 6 (b)), the above replacement occurs (see FIG. 6 (c)). Since the candidate image 30 is displayed smaller than the operation image 20, it is preferable to display the candidate image 30 so that the size of the image gradually increases as the candidate image 30 moves toward the prior image 40. With such a configuration, from the player's point of view, it is expected that the operation of the first operation means 11 will be promoted after the first normal operation image 211 is displayed during the operation valid period. In addition, the operation image is replaced with the second operation image 22 at the start of the operation valid period, and the operation of the second operation means 12 is promoted, which is an interesting effect mode. The candidate image 30 may be displayed (appeared) before the prior image 40. When the candidate image 30 is displayed (appeared) first, when the pre-image 40 is displayed thereafter, the type of the pre-image 40 and the type of the candidate image 30 are compared, and the pre-image 40 is the one. When the reliability is lower than that of the candidate image 30, it is possible to make the player expect the player to change (step up) the type of the candidate image 30 in the direction of increasing the reliability.

It is also possible to cause an effect mode in which the above replacement is not realized. In this case, the pre-image 40 is displayed as the operation image 20 as it is during the operation valid period. According to the example shown in FIG. 6, when the first normal operation image 211 is displayed as the preliminary image 40, the candidate image 30 of the second operation image 22 is finally shown in the image preview effect. In this case, the configuration is such that an effect (failure effect) in which the replacement of the first normal operation image 211 displayed as the prior image 40 with the second operation image 22 fails can occur. Any specific mode of failure production may be used. For example, although the candidate image 30 has moved to the pre-image 40 side, it may be repelled by the pre-image 40 and the replacement may have failed. With such a configuration, even if the type of the candidate image 30 shown in the image preview effect is stepped up, it is not always shown as the operation image 20 during the operation valid period. It is possible to do.

Further, an effect mode in which the operation image 20 displayed as the prior image 40 and the operation image 20 displayed during the operation valid period are the same may occur. For example, when the first normal operation image 211 is displayed as the pre-image 40 and the candidate image 30 of the first normal operation image 211 is finally shown in the image preview effect, the pre-image 40 is used. The displayed first normal operation image 211 is displayed as the operation image 20 as it is (changes from an unclear state to a clear state).

Fifth Modification Example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the length of the operation valid period set at a specific timing in a certain operation effect is the same every time, but the configuration may be different. That is, it is assumed that a plurality of types of operation valid periods are stored in a storage means (not shown in advance), and each time the operation effect occurs, the type of operation valid period to be set is determined by lottery. In such an operation effect in which the length of the operation effective period can be changed (hereinafter, may be referred to as a specific operation effect), the length of the operation effective period may be configured to indicate the reliability. For example, it is conceivable to set the reliability to be higher as the length of the operation valid period set in the specific operation effect is longer (see FIG. 7A). With such a configuration, the player also pays attention to the length of the operation valid period.

・ Sixth variant (an example of further development of the fifth variant)
Each of the plurality of types of operation images 20 that may be displayed during the operation validity period of the operation effect is associated with one of the plurality of types of operation validity periods having different lengths (FIG. 7 (FIG. 7). b) See). That is, the type of the operation image 20 displayed in the operation valid period and the length of the operation valid period are linked. With such a configuration, the operation image 20 shows not only the reliability but also the length of the operation valid period, so that the effect is easy to understand.

As in the above embodiment, a plurality of operation means 10 called a first operation means 11 and a second operation means 12 are provided, and the first operation image (first normal operation image 211, first large operation image 212) corresponding to each is provided. ) And the second operation image 22 are set, the length of the operation valid period differs depending on the type of the operation means 10 for prompting the operation, so that the taste of the effect is improved.

If the player thinks that the operation image 20 with high reliability will be operated over time while expecting that the situation will be more advantageous, the operation image with high reliability is displayed. It is preferable that the operation effective time is set to be longer as 20 is displayed. For example, when the first normal operation image 211 is displayed, the operation valid period is set to 3 seconds, and when the first large operation image 212 is displayed, the operation valid period is set to 5 seconds. When the second operation image 22 is displayed, the length of the operation valid period is set to 7 seconds (see FIG. 7B).

However, it does not deny that the setting is the opposite of the above. That is, if it is considered that the player can operate the operation means 10 in less time in order to expect that the operation image 20 having a higher reliability is displayed, the player can expect that the situation will be more advantageous. It is preferable that the operation effective time is set to be shorter as the operation image 20 having a higher value is displayed. For example, when the first normal operation image 211 is displayed, the operation valid period is set to 7 seconds, and when the first large operation image 212 is displayed, the operation valid period is set to 5 seconds. When the second operation image 22 is displayed, the length of the operation valid period is set to 3 seconds.

・ Seventh variant (an example of further development of the fifth or sixth variant)
The mode of the period display 50 indicating that the operation is valid is different depending on the length of the operation valid period. The period display 50 includes a meter 51 (see FIG. 8) indicating the remaining time and elapsed time of the operation valid period, and a display of the operation mode of the operation means 10 requested by the player (characters such as "press a button", hereinafter. (Referred to as operation mode display 52) (see FIG. 9) and the like can be exemplified.

When a meter 51 indicating the remaining time or elapsed time of the operation valid period is displayed as the period display 50, the longer the operation valid period is, the larger the size of the meter 51 (displayed at the start of the operation valid period). It is preferable that the size to be increased.) Is set to be large. For example, when the meter 51 is composed of an outer frame and an element (displayed as if it is filled in the outer frame) that decreases or increases with the passage of time displayed inside the outer frame. , It is preferable that the length (length of the outer frame) in the decreasing or increasing direction (horizontal direction in this embodiment) of the element that decreases or increases with the passage of time is set to be long (see FIG. 8). By doing so, the player can visually grasp the length of the operation valid period.

Further, the size of the meter 51 may be set to a size corresponding to the time difference of the actual operation valid period. For example, when the first normal operation image 211 is displayed, the operation valid period is 3 seconds, and when the first large operation image 212 is displayed, the operation valid period is 5 seconds. When the second operation image 22 is displayed, it is assumed that the length of the operation valid period is 7 seconds. In this case, the size of the meter 51 (see FIG. 8B) displayed together with the first large operation image 212 is the size of the meter 51 (see FIG. 8A) displayed together with the first normal operation image 211. The size of the meter 51 displayed together with the second operation image 22 (see FIG. 8C) is set to 5/3 times that of the first normal operation image 211 (see FIG. 8A). It should be 7/3 times the size of. That is, based on the size of the meter 51 displayed when the shortest operation valid period is set, the size of the meter 51 displayed when the other operation valid period is set is the actual operation valid. Set to increase in proportion to the length of the period. As a result, the length of the actual operation valid period and the size of the meter 51 are linked, so that the length of the actual operation valid period can be easily grasped.

When the meter 51 is displayed as the period display 50, the speed at which the element displayed inside the outer frame decreases or increases with the passage of time decreases or increases during the operation valid period is (meter 51). It is preferable to make them the same (regardless of the size of).

When the operation mode display 52 is displayed as the period display 50, it is conceivable that the size of the characters changes according to the length of the operation valid period. For example, in a configuration in which three types of operation valid period lengths are set, the character is displayed larger as the operation valid period becomes longer (see FIG. 9). By doing so, the player can visually grasp the length of the operation valid period. In addition to this, it is conceivable that the character color changes according to the length of the operation validity period.

In addition, both the meter 51 indicating the remaining time and the elapsed time of the operation valid period and the operation mode display 52 of the operation means 10 requested by the player may be configured to change according to the length of the operation valid period. A configuration in which only one of them changes may be used.

As described above, in the specific operation effect in which the length of the operation valid period can be changed, the mode of the period display 50 changes according to the length of the operation valid period, while other types of operation effects are used. In (operation effect excluding specific operation effect), it is preferable that the mode of display indicating that the operation is in effect does not change according to the length of the operation valid period. For example, in the operation effect excluding the specific operation effect, the size of the meter 51 indicating the remaining time and the elapsed time of the operation valid period is constant regardless of the length of the set operation valid period, while the specific operation effect. In the above, it is assumed that the size of the meter 51 can be changed according to the length of the set operation valid period. By doing so, it is possible to enhance the impression that the size of the meter 51 changes in the specific operation effect.

・ Eighth variant (an example of further development of any of the fifth to seventh variants)
The operation mode of the operation means 10 that prompts the player during the operation valid period of the specific operation effect is to continuously operate the operation means 10 (in the specific operation effect, the operation means 10 is operated only once. To prevent the mode of requesting from occurring). As the operation mode for continuously operating the operation means 10, a mode for operating the operation means 10 a plurality of times (so-called "continuous hitting" or the like) and a mode for maintaining the operated state of the operation means 10 (so-called "long press"). Etc.) can be exemplified (see FIG. 10).

As described above, the length of the operation valid period may change in the specific operation effect, but simply requesting the operation of the operation means 10 once during the operation valid period is the length of the operation valid period. It may be set so that the continuous operation of the operation means 10 is required during the operation valid period of the specific operation effect as in this example, assuming that there is not much meaning to change the value.

Ninth Modification Example Although it has been explained that the operating means 10 in the above embodiment is a physical structure that moves by the force of the player, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. A sensor for detecting an object may be provided, and the player holding his / her hand or the like so as to be detected by the sensor may be referred to as “operation of the operating means”. In this case, a plurality of modes in which the movements of the hands and the like are different are set as the operation modes requested from the player during the operation valid period, and the operation image 20 according to each mode is displayed during the operation valid period. To do so. For example, there is a possibility that the player is required to have an operation mode in which the hand is moved up and down and an operation mode in which the hand is moved left and right (each operation mode has different reliability), and is displayed when prompting each mode. It is assumed that the size, color, and the like of the "hand" (the image of the "hand" corresponds to the operation image 20) are different (see FIG. 11). It is assumed that this aspect of "hand" indicates so-called reliability. In this case, the image notice effect suggests which operation image 20 is displayed during the operation valid period (what the size, color, etc. of the "hand" will be). ..

・ Tenth variant example The reliability is different depending on the length of the image preview effect. Specifically, the longer the length of the image preview effect, the easier it is to step up to a more reliable type of candidate image 30. If this example is applied to a configuration in which an operation effect is generated at the final stage of a series of effects (so-called super reach effect, etc.), the timing at which the image preview effect is started (generated) in the series of effects. The earlier the number is, the easier it is to step up to a more reliable type of candidate image 30. With such a configuration, it is possible to pay attention to the time when the image notice effect is generated. For example, as described in the fourth modification (FIG. 6), when the candidate image 30 is configured to be displayed before the prior image 40, the timing at which the candidate image 30 is displayed is set. The earlier (based on the timing at which the prior image 40 is displayed), the higher the expectation.

However, it does not deny that the reverse setting, that is, the shorter the length of the image preview effect, the easier it is to step up the type of the candidate image 30 to a more reliable one.

11th Modification Example It has been explained that the operation effect in the above embodiment shows the result of the hit / fail judgment depending on the ending, but it is only an example. It suffices if the ending of the operation effect indicates whether or not the situation is favorable to the player. For example, in a gaming machine provided with a movable body, which is shown to have an increased probability of becoming a big hit by being movable, the ending of the operation effect may be linked to the presence or absence of the movement of the movable body.

Although the embodiments of the present invention (and modifications thereof) have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. be.

For example, the gaming machine according to the above embodiment is a so-called pachinko gaming machine, but the same technique applies to other gaming machines such as rotary gaming machines as long as they are provided with operating means that can be operated by the player. It is possible to apply ideas.

Specific means (game machines) obtained from the above embodiments are listed below.

・ Means 1
Operation means that can be operated by the player,
An operation effect executing means capable of executing one or a plurality of types of operation effects for which an operation validity period in which the operation of the operation means is effective is set, and
Equipped with
A gaming machine characterized in that a plurality of types of operation valid periods having different lengths are set as the operation valid period that can be set in a specific operation effect that is at least one of the one or a plurality of types of operation effects.
According to the gaming machine according to the above means 1, it is possible to realize an interesting effect mode in which the length of the operation valid period can be changed each time even if the operation effect is the same type (specific operation effect). Is.

・ Means 2
A plurality of types of operation images that may be displayed during the operation validity period are set, and each of the plurality of types of operation images and one of the plurality of types of operation validity periods having different lengths are set. The gaming machine according to means 1, wherein they are associated with each other.
As described above, if the type of the operation image and the length of the operation valid period are associated with each other, it is easy to understand that the length of the operation valid period can be changed.

・ Means 3
Each of the plurality of types of operation images has a different reliability, which is a probability that a situation advantageous to the player will occur after the specific operation effect when displayed in the specific operation effect. The described gaming machine.
As described above, if the length of the operation valid period is related to the reliability, it is possible to further enhance the taste of the operation effect.

・ Means 4
The gaming machine according to means 3, wherein the operation image having higher reliability has a longer operation validity period set when the operation image is displayed in the specific operation effect.
Assuming that the more reliable the operation image is displayed, the more time it takes for the player to operate the operation means while expecting that the situation will be advantageous, the reliability is as shown in the above configuration. It is preferable that the operation effective time is set to be longer as the higher operation image is displayed.

・ Means 5
The gaming machine according to means 3, wherein the operation image having a lower reliability has a longer operation validity period set when the operation image is displayed in the specific operation effect.
If it is considered that the more reliable the operation image is displayed, the player can operate the operation means in less time in order to expect that the situation will be advantageous, the reliability as described above. It is preferable that the operation effective time is set to be shorter as the operation image with a higher degree is displayed.

・ Means 6
As the operating means, a first operating means and a second operating means different from the first operating means are provided.
As the above-mentioned multiple types of operation images,
A first operation image including a part imitating the first operation means,
A second operation image including a part imitating the second operation means,
The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 5, wherein is set.
・ Means 7
In the specific operation effect, the means 6 characterized in that the length of the operation valid period to be set is different between the case where the first operation image is displayed and the case where the second operation image is displayed. The gaming machine described in.
With such a configuration, it is possible to realize an effect mode in which the length of the operation valid period changes according to the type of the operation means for which the operation is urged.

・ Means 8
During the operation valid period in the specific operation effect, a period display indicating that the period is in effect is displayed.
The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 7, wherein the displayed mode of the period display changes according to the length of the operation valid period.
With such a configuration, it is possible to make it easy to understand the change in the length of the operation validity period (difference in length).

・ Means 9
The gaming machine according to means 8, wherein the longer the operation valid period is, the larger the size of the period display is.
With such a configuration, it is possible to make it easier to understand the change in the length of the operation validity period (difference in length).

・ Means 10
While the aspect of the period display displayed in the specific operation effect changes according to the length of the operation valid period, the mode is changed.
The means 8 or the display indicating that the operation of the operating means is valid in the operation effect of a type other than the specific operation effect does not change according to the length of the period. The gaming machine according to means 9.
With such a configuration, it is possible to enhance the impression that the size of the period display changes in the specific operation effect.

・ Means 11
The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 10, wherein the specific operation effect is an effect that encourages the player to continuously operate the operation means.
In the specific operation effect, the length of the operation valid period may change, but simply requesting the operation of the operation means once during the operation valid period means that the length of the operation valid period changes. It is preferable that the setting is such that continuous operation of the operation means is required during the operation validity period of the specific operation effect as in the above configuration.

1 Pachinko machine 10 Operation means 11 First operation means 12 Second operation means 20 Operation image 211 First normal operation image 212 First large operation image 22 Second operation image 30 Candidate image 40 Preliminary image 50 Period display 51 Meter 52 Operation mode display

Claims (1)

Operation means that can be operated by the player,
An operation effect executing means capable of executing one or a plurality of types of operation effects for which an operation validity period in which the operation of the operation means is effective is set, and
Equipped with
As the operation valid period that can be set in the specific operation effect that is at least one of the one or a plurality of types of operation effects, a plurality of types of operation valid periods having different lengths from the start to the end of the operation valid period are set. Ori,
During the operation valid period in the specific operation effect, the remaining time display indicating that the operation is valid, the remaining time indicating the rest of the operation valid period, and the operation means for requesting the player to operate are shown. It is configured to display the operation image display, and the operation mode display which is displayed separately from the remaining time display and the operation image display and shows the operation mode of the operation means requested by the player. And
A gaming machine characterized in that the mode of displaying the remaining time and the mode of displaying the operation mode change according to the length of the operation valid period.

Images