JP7347841B2 - gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines.

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, enter a low-probability state when the number of successive probability variable jackpots reaches a limit number of times. For example, Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-169862

Although gaming machines with such functions have existed for a long time, new gaming features have not been developed for these gaming machines, and there is still room for improvement in terms of increasing gaming enjoyment.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has the function of setting the subsequent state to a low probability state when the number of successive probability-variable jackpots has reached the limit number. To provide a gaming machine that improves gaming interest.

According to the present invention, it is possible to fire a game ball, and it is possible to execute a symbol change based on the winning of the game ball in the first starting hole or the second starting hole, and it is possible to win a jackpot with the start of the symbol change. A game machine that can start a jackpot game after the end of the symbol change, and when the jackpot is won in the jackpot judgment, the jackpot is won more than in the normal state. a winning easy state management means for managing the setting of a winning easy state in which it is easier to win a game ball into the second starting slot than a non-winning easy state. and a performance means, and a performance control means for controlling the performance means, the jackpot includes a plurality of types of variable probability jackpots with different limit numbers, and the variable probability state management means is configured to control the probability variation state management means to control the probability variation jackpot in the normal state. When winning a variable probability jackpot, set the limit number corresponding to the variable probability jackpot, and when winning the variable probability jackpot in the normal state, after the end of the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot, the state becomes the variable probability state, and When the probability variable jackpot is won in a probability variable state, if the number of successive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot has not reached the limit number of times, the period after the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot is While being in the variable probability state, when the number of successive winnings of the variable probability jackpot including the variable probability jackpot reaches the limit number, the state becomes the normal state after the end of the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot, and the production control means It is possible to execute a first specific notification that makes it possible to specify the limit number of times corresponding to the probability variable jackpot won in the normal state, and to make it possible to specify the number of limits corresponding to the winning of the jackpot in the normal state and the easy-to-win state. In a series of games that starts under At least in part, the first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot is not executed, and in the series of games, the second probability variable jackpot that is the probability variable jackpot in the normal state for the second and subsequent predetermined times. The rate at which the first specific notification related to the second probability variable jackpot is executed when a winning occurs, and the rate at which the first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot occurs when the first probability variable jackpot is won. There is provided a gaming machine characterized in that the rate of execution is different .
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to fire the game ball, and it is possible to execute symbol fluctuation based on the winning of the game ball in the first starting hole or the second starting hole, and the jackpot is achieved with the start of the symbol fluctuation. A gaming machine that can start a jackpot game after the end of the symbol change, and when the jackpot is won in the jackpot judgment, the jackpot game is more likely than the normal state. a winning easy state that manages the setting of a winning easy state in which it is easier to win a game ball into the second starting slot than a non-winning easy state; a management means, a performance means, and a performance control means for controlling the performance means, the jackpot includes a plurality of types of variable probability jackpots with different limit numbers, and the variable probability state management means is configured to control the normal state. When winning the variable probability jackpot, set the limit number corresponding to the variable probability jackpot, and when winning the variable probability jackpot in the normal state, after the end of the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot, the state becomes the variable probability state. , When the probability variable jackpot is won in the probability variable state, if the number of successive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot has not reached the limit number, after the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot ends. is in the variable probability state, and when the number of successive winnings of the variable probability jackpot including the variable probability jackpot reaches the limit number, the state becomes the normal state after the end of the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot, and the performance The control means is capable of executing a first specific notification that makes it possible to specify the limit number of times corresponding to the probability variable jackpot won in the normal state, and the control means is capable of executing a first specific notification that makes it possible to specify the limit number of times corresponding to the probability variable jackpot won in the normal state and the non-easy-to-win state. In a series of games that are started based on a winning and then enter the normal state and the non-winning easy state, the winning of the first probability strange jackpot, which is the first probability strange jackpot in the normal state, occurs. In at least a part of the time, the first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot is not executed, and in the probability variable state, the easy winning state is set instead of the non-winning easy state, and the number of winnings is set as the limit number. After the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot when reaching , the easy entry state is set until the symbol variation is executed a specified number of times, and the winning of the jackpot in the normal state is set in the specified number of times. There is a first number of times that is smaller than the probability denominator related to the probability, and a second number of times that is larger than the probability denominator, and the performance control means is configured to control the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot when the limit number of times is reached. When terminating, in addition to when the specified number of times is the first number of times, at least in part when the specified number of times is the second number of times, a second specific notification that can specify the first number of times is sent. A gaming machine is provided which is characterized in that:

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that improves game interest while having a function of setting the subsequent state to a low probability state when the number of successive probability variable jackpots has reached the limit number.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a symbol display device arranged in area II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in area III shown in FIG. 1 and the surrounding area. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the game machine. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. Figure 8(a) shows the lottery table for determining whether the special pattern is correct, Figure 8(b) shows the lottery table for the special pattern 1 stop symbol lottery, and Figure 8(c) shows the lottery table for the special pattern 2 stop symbol lottery. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table. FIG. 9(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special pattern variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special pattern variation pattern derivation state. 10(a) to 10(c) are diagrams showing specific examples of the limit number notification effect, and FIG. 10(a) shows a specific example when the symbol a is stopped and displayed, and FIG. ) is a diagram showing a specific example in which the symbol b is displayed in a stopped state, and FIG. 10(c) is a diagram showing a specific example in which the symbol c is displayed in a stopped state. FIG. 11(a) shows a specific example of the limit number concealment performance, and FIG. 11(b) shows a specific example of the performance executed at the start of the second and subsequent jackpot games when the limit number notification performance is executed. FIG. 11(c) is a diagram showing a specific example of the performance executed at the start of the second and subsequent jackpot games when the limit number secret performance is executed. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the limit number-related effect control process. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the limit number-of-times related performance control process A. FIGS. 14(a) to 14(c) are diagrams schematically showing lottery tables used in the lottery for determining whether or not to execute the limit number notification performance in the limit number related performance control process A. FIG. 15(a) is a flowchart of the limit number-related performance control process B, and FIG. 15(b) is a lottery table used in the lottery for determining whether or not to execute the limit number-of-time notification performance in the limit number-related performance control process B. FIG. Figure 16(a) is a table that organizes the relationship between the stop symbols of special symbols and the prescribed number of times when the limit number of times is reached, and Figure 16(a) is a table that organizes the relationship between the stop symbols of special symbols and the prescribed number of times when the limit number of times is reached. This is a table that organizes the relationship between times. FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) are diagrams showing specific examples of the specified number of times announcement performance. FIG. 17(c) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table used for a lottery to determine whether or not to announce 1000 times as the prescribed number of times in the prescribed number of times announcement performance.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the explanation is omitted as appropriate. In addition, in the following explanation, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", and "bottom" refer to the gaming machine 10 on the front side (player's side) as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified. ).
In addition, "advantageous (advantageous degree)" in the following explanation refers to being advantageous to the player, and furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the prize ball (game Refers to being advantageous in terms of the amount of money acquired (not limited to the payout of game balls, but also includes the payout of medals).

<About the features of the present invention>
Before explaining the details of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, the features of the invention (present invention) described in this embodiment will be explained.
In explaining the features, the configuration in parentheses is an example of the configuration of this embodiment corresponding to the immediately preceding configuration, and in the description of the gaming machine 10 that follows, the configuration in parentheses will be used for the same purpose. The configuration may be described in

The present invention
It is possible to fire a game ball, and it is possible to execute a symbol change based on the winning of a game ball to a first starting port (first starting port 57) or a second starting port (second starting port 59). A gaming machine that executes a judgment to determine whether or not a jackpot is won with the start of the jackpot, and when the jackpot is won in the jackpot judgment, starts a jackpot game after the end of the symbol variation,
Probability variable state management means (a part of the gaming state control means 155) that manages the setting of a variable probability state (special pattern high probability) in which the probability of winning the jackpot is higher than the normal state (special pattern low probability);
Winning easy state management means (gaming state control means) that manages the setting of a winning easy state (general pattern high certainty) in which it is easier to win a game ball into the second starting port than a non-winning easy state (normal pattern low certainty) 155) and
A presentation means (main display section 81),
Effect control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) that controls the above-mentioned effect means,
Equipped with
The above jackpots include multiple types of guaranteed and variable jackpots,
When the variable probability jackpot is won in the normal state, the variable probability state management means sets the number of times corresponding to the variable probability jackpot as the limit number,
When winning the above-mentioned variable probability jackpot in the above-mentioned normal state, after the end of the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot, the state will become the above-mentioned variable probability state,
When winning the above probability variable jackpot in the above probability variable state,
If the number of consecutive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot does not reach the above limit number of times, after the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot, the above probability variable state will occur,
When the number of consecutive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot reaches the limit number, the state will be the normal state after the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot,
The performance control means is capable of executing a first specific notification (limit number notification performance) that makes it possible to specify the limit number corresponding to the probability-variable jackpot won in the normal state,
In a series of games that starts based on the winning of the jackpot in the normal state and the non-winning easy state, and then ends in the normal state and the non-easy winning state, the above in the first normal state. At least part of the time when a first probability variable jackpot that is a probability variable jackpot is won, the above-mentioned first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot is not executed;
This gaming machine is characterized by:

According to the present invention, by making it difficult to specify the limit number corresponding to the probability-variable jackpot in the first normal state, a feeling of expectation regarding the limit number to be set is created, and in the game where the limit number has a range. It is possible to improve the game's interest.

First, in the series of games, when the first probability variable jackpot in the normal state occurs, the limit number notification performance may not be executed.

In addition, "the variable probability state management means, when winning the variable probability jackpot in the normal state, sets the number of times corresponding to the variable probability jackpot as the limit number" means that there are multiple types of variable probability jackpots, and there are multiple types of variable probability jackpots. This means that a limit number of times corresponding to each type of probability-variable jackpot is determined, and the number of types of limit times does not matter as long as there are two or more types of times.
In particular, the same limit number may be associated with multiple types of probability variable jackpots, and in this way, the set limit number can be specified by the stop symbol of the special symbol that is stopped and displayed at the time of a probability variable jackpot. It can be made difficult.

The gaming machine 10 having the above features will be specifically described based on the following embodiments.

<About the structure of the gaming machine 10>
First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 5.
1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a symbol display device 90 arranged in area II shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a symbol display device 90 arranged in area III shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board 50 installed in the gaming machine 10, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. FIG.
Note that the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 are only necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and configurations and functions not shown here may be added to the gaming machine 10. You may. Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the configurations shown here, and some configurations or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

The game machine 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, and fires game balls into the front area (hereinafter referred to as "game area 50a") of a game board 50 on which a large number of game nails (not shown) are erected. A game is performed in which a prize ball is obtained when a game ball enters a winning hole (for example, the big winning hole 55, etc.). In addition, in the following explanation, the game ball entering the winning hole may be simply expressed as "winning (in the winning hole)".

The gaming machine 10 has a rectangular outer frame 15 that opens in the front and rear, an inner frame 17 that removably holds the game board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a structure that covers the front side of the game board 50. A front frame 20 is provided.

The middle frame 17 is rotatably supported around the left end side by a hinge mechanism (not shown) located on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed in front of the outer frame 15. Note that the middle frame 17 is locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (inserting the door key into the cylinder lock 23 and moving the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (in this embodiment, to the right). rotation) is possible.

The front frame 20 is rotatably supported around the left end side by a hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed with respect to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 is locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (inserting the door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (in this embodiment, to the left) ) is possible.
Further, the front frame 20 includes a transparent member 25 disposed to cover the game area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the game area 50a and the game board 50 from view.
The front frame 20 also includes an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are vertically spaced apart and integrally provided with the front frame 20. .
The front frame 20 also includes an operation handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operation handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a. It looks like this.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the middle frame 17 includes a middle frame opening sensor 76 that detects whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the outer frame 15. , and a front frame opening sensor 77 that detects whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, these door opening sensors are both turned on in the open state and turned off in the closed state. However, these door opening sensors may be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state.
Thereby, the gaming machine 10 can detect both the open/close state of the middle frame 17 with respect to the outer frame 15 and the open/close state of the front frame 20 with respect to the middle frame 17.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player are arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. This operation button group is provided with a ball lending button 39a and a return button 39b that accepts a prepaid card return operation as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100, which will be described later. 1 As an operation unit that is electrically connected to the sub-control board 200, a performance button that can accept operations by a player to switch performances occurring during a game or to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10. 37, and cursor buttons 38 (up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, middle cursor button 38e) for instructing up, down, left, and right operations, respectively. included. Note that each operating section is provided with a sensor for detecting an operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operating section based on a change in the detection state of the sensor.
Further, on the side of the upper ball receiving tray 27, a movable decorative body 22 is provided which is operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown).

A ball extraction mechanism 36 is provided at the bottom of the lower ball tray 29 to discharge the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball extraction mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed at the bottom of the lower ball receiving tray 29 opens, and game balls naturally fall and are discharged from the bottom opening.
Although not shown, the upper ball receiving tray 27 is provided with a mechanism that, when operated, moves the stored balls to the lower ball receiving tray 29, similar to the ball removing mechanism 36. By operating both mechanisms 36, it becomes possible to discharge the stored balls.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are provided on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20, respectively. Further, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of light-transmitting covers, and frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are disposed inside each of them. There is. The speaker 33 and the frame lamp 35 can output sounds or turn on or off in conjunction with effects, error effects, etc. that occur during the game.

The effect display device 80 is composed of a main display section 81 disposed approximately at the center of the game board 50 and a sub display section 82 disposed around the main display section 81. The sub-display section 82 further includes an upper sub-display section 82 a disposed above the main display section 81 , a left sub-display section 82 b disposed on the left side of the main display section 81 , and a sub-display section 82 b disposed above the main display section 81 . and a right sub-display section 82c disposed on the right side of the screen.
Here, the main display section 81 is a fixed type liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display section 82a, the left sub-display section 82b, and the right sub-display section 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown). It is a display device.

The main display section 81 can display a variable display of symbol rows that is performed in conjunction with a variable display on a first special symbol display device 91 or a second special symbol display device 92, which will be described later, and can also display various other effects. can also be displayed.
In the variable display of the symbol rows (decorative symbols) displayed on the main display section 81, the displayed decorative symbols form three symbol rows. The direction of the variable display of each symbol row is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an up-down direction, a left-right direction, a depth direction, or a combination thereof (diagonal direction).
Here, the depth direction refers to a pattern row that extends from the back of the main display section 81 toward the front or vice versa, even though it is actually a two-dimensional variable display on the display screen of the main display section 81. A virtual direction that is perceived by a player in a display mode that uses a method (for example, perspective) that gives the impression of a variable display.
In addition, the decorative designs in this embodiment include a "1 design" imitating the number "1", a "2 design" imitating the number "2", a "3 design" imitating the number "3", "4 design" imitating the number "4", "5 design" imitating the number "5", "6 design" imitating the number "6", "7 design" imitating the number "7"'', an "8 symbol" imitating the number "8", and a "9 symbol" imitating the number "9", and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following explanation, "1 design", "3 design", "5 design", "7 design", and "9 design" will be collectively referred to as "odd number design", and "2 design" and "4 design". , "6 symbols" and "8 symbols" may be collectively referred to as "even symbols."

Each of the sub-display sections 82 is not only provided mainly to display performance images related to the performance, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the upper sub-display section 82a are on the upper side with respect to the main display section 81, the left sub-display section 82b is on the left side with respect to the main display section 81, and the right sub-display section 82c is on the left side with respect to the main display section 81. Each of the sub-display sections 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display section 82 overlaps the display area of the main display section 81. .

Note that the effect display device 80 (the main display section 81, the upper sub-display section 82a, the left sub-display section 82b, and the right sub-display section 82c) in this embodiment employs a liquid crystal display device. The implementation of the invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices such as a drum type and a dot matrix type can be employed as the effect display device 80.

A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display section 81, and these LEDs constitute a display area of the symbol display device 90. Special symbols and normal symbols are displayed on the symbol display device 90.
Further, the symbol display device 90 is arranged in a position that is less visible to the player than the main display section 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 is smaller in area than the display area of the main display section 81. .
Note that the arrangement and number of LEDs in the symbol display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in FIG. 2, but this is just an example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs in the symbol display device 90 are limited to this example. It is not something that will be done.

The special symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to operate a special electric accessory (for example, the special electric accessory 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92.
Note that the special symbols may be abbreviated as "special symbols", and in particular, the first special symbol may be abbreviated as "special symbol 1" and the second special symbol may be abbreviated as "special symbol 2".

The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric accessory (for example, the ordinary electric accessory 61). The normal symbols in this embodiment are displayed on the normal symbol display device 93.
Note that the normal symbol may be abbreviated as "Puzu", and the normal electric accessory may be referred to as "Electric Chew".

Further, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol retention lamp 94, a second special symbol retention lamp 95, and a normal symbol retention lamp 96 in addition to the above-mentioned display device.
The first special symbol holding lamp 94 makes it possible to specify the number of symbol variations of the reserved special symbol 1, and the second special symbol retaining lamp 95 makes it possible to specify the number of symbol variations of the reserved special symbol 2. The normal symbol holding lamp 96 makes it possible to specify the number of symbol fluctuations of the reserved common symbol, and both have two LED lighting modes (in this embodiment, only the right side is always lit = 1, and the left and right sides are always lit = 1). 2. Right side blinking + left side constant lighting = 3, left and right blinking = 4), it is possible to specify the number of corresponding symbol variations.

In the following explanation, the symbol variation in which the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner on the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 and then stopped is referred to as "symbol variation of the special symbol", and the following In the description, a symbol variation in which a regular symbol is stopped and displayed after the regular symbol display device 93 is variably displayed may be referred to as a "symbol fluctuation of a regular symbol."
In addition, in the following explanation, the variable display of the symbol row (decorative pattern) displayed on the main display section 81 mentioned above will be distinguished from the "design variation of the special pattern" and "the pattern variation of the regular pattern". It is sometimes referred to as "symbol variation".
In addition, in the following explanation, when it is simply referred to as "symbol variation", unless otherwise specified, it means the symbol variation of the special symbol.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the front surface of the game board 50, obstacles such as a large number of game nails (not shown), a windmill 52, and decorative members are placed, so that the game ball that is launched can roll. A gaming area 50a is defined in the area.
Further, on the left side and above the gaming area 50a, a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 are arranged to guide the game ball launched by rotating the operating handle 31 to the upper part of the gaming area 50a. has been done. Note that the outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the gaming area 50a as a reference. Here, the windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the falling direction of the game ball.

The game machine 10 is capable of adjusting the strength of the launch of the game ball by changing the amount of rotational operation (for example, the rotation angle) of the operating handle 31, and the first flow path where the game ball that is launched more weakly rolls. Various obstacles are placed in the gaming area 50a so that the game ball rolls through either X (so-called left-handed batting) or the second flow path Y (so-called right-handed batting) where the game ball that is hit more strongly rolls. It is located.

In FIG. 4, the major winning openings 55, the first starting opening 57, the second starting opening 59, the gate 63, and the general winning opening 67 are shown as the main winning openings, but the illustrated winning openings are just examples. , and their number and arrangement may be changed as appropriate.

The big prize opening 55 is arranged at the lower right part of the gaming area 50a. A big winning hole sensor 72 is attached to the big winning hole 55, and a winning to the big winning hole 55 is determined based on the detection result of the big winning hole sensor 72, and a number (a book) corresponding to the big winning hole 55 is determined. In the embodiment, 15) prize balls are awarded.
In addition, in this embodiment, more game balls roll toward the big prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X. Each obstacle is placed.

A special electric accessory 65 is arranged above the grand prize opening 55. The special electric accessory 65 is a member that convertably transitions to an open state in which it is easy to enter the big prize opening 55 or a closed state in which it is difficult to enter the prize, and is switched between the open state and the closed state by the special electric accessory solenoid 66. Transition to one of the states.
More specifically, the special electric accessory 65 is in an open state during at least part of the easy-to-win period of a jackpot game that is started due to a jackpot being derived by the special drawing correctness determination described later. , Accordingly, winning into the big prize opening 55 is allowed. In this way, when the special electric accessory 65 is in the open state, it becomes easy to win into the big prize opening 55, so during the easy winning period when the chance of winning prize balls increases greatly, it is possible to play an advantageous game. It can be said that it is a state.
During the winning easy period, the open state and closed state of the special electric accessory 65 are set alternately, and one open state (sometimes referred to as "round game", the total number of round games that occur in one jackpot) is set alternately. The round (sometimes referred to as the "number of rounds") ends based on a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls entering the grand prize opening 55, and the special electric accessory 65 closes. state.
In addition, one open state also ends based on the elapse of a sufficient time (in this embodiment, 30 seconds) for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the big winning hole 55. do.
Here, in one round game, when the special electric accessory 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on the winning of 10 game balls, it cannot be set to the closed state immediately. Therefore, in one round game, a case may occur in which more than 10 game balls enter the grand prize opening 55.

The first starting port 57 is arranged at the lower center of the gaming area 50a. A first starting port sensor 70 is attached to the first starting port 57, and a winning in the first starting port 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting port sensor 70, and the prize is associated with the first starting port 57. The number of prize balls given (in this embodiment, 3) is awarded. In at least a part of the case where it is determined that a prize is won in the first starting hole 57, the symbol variation of the special drawing 1 will be performed.
In addition, in the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, more game balls are directed toward the first starting port 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y. It is assumed that obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that they roll.

The second starting port 59 is arranged at the lower right portion of the gaming area 50a. A second starting port sensor 71 is attached to the second starting port 59 , and a winning in the second starting port 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting port sensor 71 , and the prize is associated with the second starting port 59 . The number of prize balls given (in this embodiment, 1) is awarded.
In at least a part of the case where it is determined that a prize has been won in the second starting hole 59, the symbol variation of the special drawing 2 will be performed.
In addition, in the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, more game balls are directed toward the second starting port 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X. It is assumed that obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that they roll.

A normal electric accessory 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric accessory 61 is a member that convertably transitions between an open state in which it is easy to enter the game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to enter the game ball, and the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 transitions to either the open or closed state.
More specifically, the normal electric accessory 61 is in an open state during at least a part of the game with a winning pattern that is won by the fluctuation of the pattern of the normal pattern, and accordingly, the winning to the second starting opening 59 occurs. is allowed. In this way, when the normal electric accessory 61 is in the open state, it is easy to enter the second starting port 59, so the symbol fluctuation of the special drawing 2 is suppressed by the prize ball while suppressing the decrease in the number of game balls. The chances of being executed can be greatly increased.

The gate 63 is located at the right center of the gaming area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and winning at the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least a part of the case where winning at the gate 63 is determined, the symbols of common symbols will be changed.
In addition, although details will be described later, in this embodiment, winning at the gate 63 triggers the start of the easy winning period in the jackpot game. This allows the player to leave his/her seat during the start invalid period and start valid period, which will be described later.
In addition, in this embodiment, each obstacle is set so that more game balls roll toward the gate 63 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X. things are arranged. In particular, the gate 63 is arranged upstream of the big prize opening 55 in the second flow path Y. Therefore, there remains a possibility that the winning game ball of the gate 63 that triggered the start of the winning easy period will enter the big winning slot 55. Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the gate 63 is used as the trigger for starting the easy winning period, the winning hole for starting the easy winning period is different from the winning hole for executing the symbol change of the common symbol. may also be used.

The general winning hole 67 is arranged at the lower left part of the gaming area 50a. A general winning hole sensor 73 is attached to the general winning hole 67, and a winning to the general winning hole 67 is determined based on the detection result of the general winning hole sensor 73, and a number ( In this embodiment, the prize ball 4) is awarded.
In addition, in this embodiment, more game balls roll toward the general prize opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y. Each obstacle is arranged, but each obstacle may be arranged so that many game balls roll toward the general winning hole 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. . Further, a plurality of general winning holes 67 may be provided.

The out port 69 is arranged at the bottom of the gaming area 50a. Game balls that are hit into the game area 50a and do not enter the above-mentioned winning holes fall into the out hole 69 and are treated as out balls.
In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) is provided for detecting an out ball, which is a game ball that has entered the input prize opening and the out opening.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the back side of the game board 50, there are a main control board case 109 in which the main control board 100 is stored, a first sub-control board case 209 in which the first sub-control board 200 is stored, and a second sub-control board case 209. The second sub-control board case 309 in which the control board 300 is stored, the power control board case 509 in which the power control board 500 is stored, and the payout control board case 409 in which the payout control board 400 is stored are installed, and the first sub-control board case 309 is installed. In addition to the back surfaces of the control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening/closing cover 45 that covers a part of the back surface of the main control board case 109 is detachably attached.
Note that the main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43.
Further, the board case and cover covering each board are made of transparent members, and the corresponding board is visible through each case and cover.

The power supply control board 500 generates a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates a normal power supply to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the above-mentioned control board, and a backup power supply based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island. It is comprised of a backup power supply circuit 502 and a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects a power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage).
Further, a power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned on, the power control board 500 is turned on. A normal power supply circuit 501 generates a normal power supply, and supplies power to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). is supplied.
Further, when a power outage is detected by the power outage detection circuit 503, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power outage signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, first sub control board 200, and payout control board 400. Send to.
Further, the backup power supply circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment on the gaming island.
Note that the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the payout control board 400, and the power failure detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, and the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400 may be provided.

Further, on the back side of the game board 50, above the open/close cover 45, a game ball tank 46 is arranged in which game balls supplied from the ball supply equipment of the game island are stored. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 connected to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 pass through the payout passage 49. The ball is then delivered to the upper ball receiving tray 27.

Up to this point, the structure of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has been described, but these are only specific examples, and the present invention can be implemented with another structure.

<About the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, the control configuration provided in the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be explained using FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration included in the gaming machine 10. The control configuration shown in FIG. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may include a control configuration not shown in FIG. 6.

The main control board 100 includes a CPU 101 that performs various calculation processes related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory as a temporary storage area, and peripheral boards. It is equipped with an I/O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals to and from each device, and a random number circuit 105 that operates in a system separate from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers). are interconnected via an internal bus.

The CPU 101 reads various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processing, thereby executing various processes related to the main control of the game.
The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power supply generated in a backup power supply circuit, which will be described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, when the power is restored after a power outage (when the power is turned on), the gaming machine 10 can use the data to return to the state immediately before the power outage. Information is configured to be backed up. For example, in addition to data such as the stack pointer and each register held when a power outage occurred, the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (playing stopped state or playing enabled state), the current special drawing drawing state, the current Information related to the game, such as the state of the general drawing lottery, etc., is to be backed up. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by RAM clear processing. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, which will be described later, will be newly set.

In this embodiment, in addition to at least an area in which information related to such games is stored (sometimes referred to as an area related to games in the RAM 103), the complement of the checksum and the area related to games in the RAM 103 are stored. The area where the backup flag is stored (sometimes referred to as a game-related backup information area of the RAM 103) is backed up. Then, when the power is restored, the gaming machine 10 returns using the various information stored in the backed-up gaming-related area of the RAM 103 and the gaming-related backup information area of the RAM 103.
Note that there are no restrictions on the specific method of backup in this embodiment. For example, an area of the RAM 103 to be backed up may be implemented with a configuration that can hold data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage state. As another example, different hardware may be provided in the RAM 103 for a first memory configured to be able to hold data in a non-volatile manner even in a power-off state and a second memory that is referenced when the gaming machine 10 is in operation. In that case, the gaming machine 10 saves the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when the power is cut off, and transfers the saved information from the first memory to the first memory when the power is restored. All you have to do is recover to the second memory.

In addition, the main control board 100 includes a first starting opening sensor 70, a second starting opening sensor 71, a big winning opening sensor 72, a general winning opening sensor 73, a gate sensor 74, an out ball sensor 75, a middle frame opening sensor 76, It is electrically connected to the front frame door opening sensor 77 and the like, and is configured such that detection signals from these sensors can be input to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104.

The main control board 100 also includes a first special symbol display device 91, a second special symbol display device 92, a normal symbol display device 93, a first special symbol retention lamp 94, a second special symbol retention lamp 95, and a normal symbol retention lamp. 96, it is electrically connected to the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 and the special electric accessory solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I/O port 104.
Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation section 39 and the RAM clear switch 43, and is configured to be able to detect operations on the main operation section 39.

The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line. The main control board 100 is connected to enable communication only in the direction, and various production control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200.
Note that data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 cannot request the main control board 100 to send data. It is composed of
Further, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is adopted for data transmission from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may be adopted.

The first sub-control board 200 serves as a temporary storage area, a CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processing related to game performances based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores data such as performance control programs and various lottery tables, etc. It is equipped with a RAM 203 that functions as a work area and buffer memory, and an I/O port 204 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device. The main controls related to game performance are executed according to a control program stored in the game machine.
Note that the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the production button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the operation section.

In addition, the first sub-control board 200 outputs to the audio control board 310 an image control command that instructs the second sub-control board 300 to display an image in the production control process based on the production control command from the main control board 100. voice control commands for instructing the sound to be displayed, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, movable control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22, the sub-display section 82, etc. generate.
Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 for bidirectional communication, and each control command (image control command, audio control command) is transmitted to the first sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310. The control board 200 sends a response command (ACK command) to each control board (second (sub control board 300, audio control board 310) to the first sub control board 200.

Further, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the frame lamp 35 and transmits lamp control data via the I/O port 204. The frame lamp 35 is configured such that lighting is controlled by lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.
Further, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display section 82 and transmits movable control data via the I/O port 204. The movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display section 82 are configured to be movable under movable control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

The second sub-control board 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs various calculation processes related to image production based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 302 that stores image control programs and various data, and a temporary storage area. It is equipped with a RAM 303 that functions as a work area and buffer memory, and an I/O port 304 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device. It is configured to execute such main control.
In addition, although not shown, the second sub-control board 300 includes a VDP that generates image data in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the performance content determining means 225, which will be described later, based on the control signal received from the CPU 301; It is equipped with a sound source IC that generates audio data in accordance with the content of the performance based on control signals received from the CPU 301. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in the image ROM in response to instructions from the CPU 301, processes the image data, and sends the generated image data to the main display section 81 and sub display section 82. do. Further, a high-speed VRAM used for developing and processing image data read from the image ROM is connected to this VDP.

The audio control board 310 includes a CPU 311 that performs various calculation processes related to audio production based on audio control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores audio control programs, audio data, etc., and a workpiece that serves as a temporary storage area. It is equipped with a RAM 313 that functions as an area and buffer memory, and an I/O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device. is configured to perform specific control. Therefore, the audio control board 310 reads the audio data stored in the ROM 312 in response to the audio control command received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesizes the read audio data, and generates the final audio data after synthesis. can be transmitted to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, and the speaker 33 can output sound.

The payout control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, ROM, and RAM (all not shown).
Further, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally, and controls the payout unit 48 to be driven to pay out game balls based on the payout control command from the main control board 100. At the same time, the ball feeding mechanism and the firing mechanism are driven synchronously based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31 to control the firing of the game balls.

The power supply control board 500 includes a normal power supply circuit that generates a normal power supply to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the above-mentioned control board, and a backup circuit that generates a backup power supply based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island. It is comprised of a power supply circuit and a power interruption detection circuit (both not shown) that detects a power interruption (the voltage supplied by the normal power source drops by a predetermined voltage).
Further, a power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned on, the power control board 500 is turned on. Normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). Supplied.
Further, when a power outage is detected by the power outage detection circuit, the power supply control board 500 sends a power outage signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400. Send.
Further, the backup power supply circuit is configured to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment on the gaming island.
Note that the backup power supply circuit may be provided on the payout control board 400, and the power failure detection circuit may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but instead of being provided on the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400. They may be provided for each.

<About the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be explained using FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in FIG. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may include a functional configuration that is not shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, when explaining the functional configuration, reference will be made to FIGS. 8 and 9 as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 includes a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main reservation control means 120, a preliminary determination means 125, a special lottery means 130, a regular lottery means 135, and a jackpot game. Control means 140, symbol display control means 145, electric accessory control means 150, game state control means 155, main information storage means 160, main error control means 165, main command management means 170, power recovery processing execution means 175, and A cutoff processing execution means 180 is provided, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG.

The main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by the means included in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in respective storage areas. . In particular, the data (effect control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 is transmitted by the command transmission means to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200, which will be described later. be done.

Ball entry determining means 110 determines whether or not a ball has entered each winning hole based on the detection result of a sensor provided in each winning hole.

The main random number generation means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges by the random number circuit 105, and at the timing when a winning in the winning opening is determined, the main random number generating means 115 generates one or more random numbers corresponding to the winning opening from the random number circuit 105. Obtain (latch) a random number.
More specifically, when it is determined that a prize has been won in the first starting hole 57 or the second starting hole 59, the main random number generating means 115 generates a random number for determining whether the special pattern is correct or not, and a special pattern stopping pattern, which will be described later. Obtain random numbers for lottery and random numbers for special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery. When it is determined that the gate 63 has won, a random number for determining the validity of a common symbol, a random number for a common symbol stop symbol lottery, and a random number for a common symbol variation pattern lottery, which will be described later, are stored in the corresponding main information storage means 160. Store in storage area.
Note that the random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers that it updates itself are updated normally or not, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, the random number circuit 105 Information indicating that the abnormality has occurred is written in a specific storage area. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality in the random number circuit 105 has occurred.

The main reservation control means 120 performs control regarding the reservation of symbol fluctuations of special symbols and symbol fluctuations of regular symbols. Regarding special figure 1, the random numbers for special figure validity judgment, random numbers for special figure stop symbol lottery, and random numbers for special figure fluctuation pattern lottery, which are obtained by winning in the first starting opening 57, are specially selected. It is held (stored) as the operation hold information shown in FIG.
More specifically, the main reservation control means 120 adds 1 each time the operation reservation information of the special symbol 1 is reserved, and the operation reservation information of the special symbol 1 is used (in the lottery of the special symbol lottery means 130). A holding counter (hereinafter referred to as the "Special Figure 1 Holding Counter") is decremented by 1 for each time the special drawing 1 holding counter is used. The operation reservation information is stored in the storage area corresponding to the current special figure 1 reservation counter of the main information storage means 160, and each time the operation reservation information is used, the used operation reservation information is cleared and the remaining operation reservation information is stored. The information is controlled to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to the storage area corresponding to the special figure 1 holding counter which is one less than the current special figure 1 holding counter in order from the smallest special figure 1 holding counter.
Moreover, the main reservation control means 120 performs the same control as the above-mentioned control regarding the special figure 2 and general figure separately from the special figure 1, and the reserve counter of the special figure 2 is called the special figure 2 reserve counter.
In addition, in the following explanation, "suspension of operation reservation information" may be expressed as "suspension of symbol fluctuation" or simply "suspension."
In addition, when the main reservation control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation reservation information (retention counter) of special figure 1 or special figure 2, the main reservation control means 120 performs production control including the special figure 1 reservation counter and the special figure 2 reservation counter. A command (pending command) is generated, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In addition, in this embodiment, when both the operation reservation information corresponding to special figure 1 and the operation reservation information corresponding to special figure 2 are reserved, the operation reservation information corresponding to special figure 2 is prioritized. The priority variations used are made.

The advance determination means 125 executes advance determination for a look-ahead effect targeting the operation reservation information at least in part when the operation reservation information of the special symbol is suspended at a predetermined advance determination timing.
More specifically, the preliminary determination means 125 reads each random number of the operation suspension information that has been suspended this time, and performs preliminary determination for each of the special pattern validity determination, special pattern stop symbol lottery, and special pattern variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. Execute. In each preliminary determination, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each preliminary determination is used. Therefore, the results of these preliminary determinations are the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later.
Further, the advance determination means 125 generates a performance control command (advance determination command) including the derived result of the advance determination, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In addition, as described above, the advance determination command is transmitted at least in part when the special symbol operation suspension information is suspended at a predetermined advance determination timing (it is generated and the transmission command is stored in the main information storage means 160). (stored in the storage area), so it will be sent following the above-mentioned pending command. Here, the timing of the predetermined preliminary determination refers to a time when the jackpot game is not in progress, and furthermore, in this embodiment, when the operation suspension information of the special symbol 1 is suspended during the high accuracy of the general symbol, which will be described later, , Since the preliminary determination is regulated, the transmission of the preliminary determination command corresponding to the preliminary determination is also regulated.

The special pattern lottery means 130 includes a special pattern validity determination means 131, a special pattern stop symbol lottery means 132, and a special pattern fluctuation pattern deriving means 133. Processing by each means is executed in the order of the variation pattern deriving means 133. The special symbol lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation suspension information among the operation suspension information held in the main information storage means 160 when the special symbol variation start condition is satisfied.
In addition, "the special pattern fluctuation start conditions are met" means, for example, that the jackpot game is not in progress, and that neither special pattern 1 nor special pattern 2 is in the state of symbol fluctuation stopping (special pattern 1 or special pattern 2). (including the fact that the symbol fluctuation according to FIG. 2 has stopped), all the conditions for the existence of operation reservation information in at least one of the special symbols 1 and 2 are satisfied.

Here, FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c) are diagrams schematically showing lottery tables used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description.
In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including those other than these lottery tables, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are sequentially added to the read random numbers in a predetermined order (only one target lottery value is used). If so, the number of additions is once), and the result corresponding to the lottery value in which a carry (overflow) has occurred is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation regarding lottery tables, names are attached to the lottery tables for convenience of explanation, but if data such as lottery values included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is stored in an identifiable manner in each ROM, Often these names do not specify the area where the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, if there are items listed for convenience of explanation or "-" or "0" as lottery values, these do not necessarily indicate data stored in each ROM. isn't it. Then, results with "-" or "0" written as the lottery value will not win. Furthermore, if the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within the range) is listed in the lottery table, the result will be 100% derived, so the lottery is not necessarily performed. There is no need to do so. In addition, if the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur in the addition of the last lottery value, so there is no need to perform the addition. In that case, the lottery value itself used for the addition becomes unnecessary.

The special pattern validity determining means 131 reads a random number for determining whether the special pattern is valid or not for each symbol change, and uses the read random number and a lottery table for determining the validity of the special pattern to determine whether the winner is a jackpot or a loss by lottery. Execute the special figure appropriateness determination.
FIG. 8(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for determining whether the special symbol is correct or not, and the lottery table is commonly used for the special symbol 1 and the special symbol 2. The range of random numbers used in this determination is 0 to 65535, so if the special drawing lottery state has a low probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special drawing low probability"), the random number is 205/65536 (about 205/65536). A jackpot is derived with a probability of 1/320).
Similarly, when the special drawing lottery state has a high probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special drawing high probability"), a jackpot is derived with a probability of 600/65536 (approximately 1/109).

When the result of the special pattern correctness determination is a jackpot, the special pattern stopping pattern lottery means 132 reads a random number for the special pattern stopping pattern lottery, and uses the read random number and the lottery table for the special pattern stopping pattern lottery. The stop symbols of the special drawings are determined by lottery.
FIG. 8(b) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for the special drawing 1 stop symbol lottery, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 99. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived with special drawing 1, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 100/100 (1/1).
Here, symbol A has a round number of 4 and is a symbol that becomes a special symbol low and a general symbol high as described later after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "normal symbol", and the symbol related to the symbol A jackpot is sometimes referred to as a "normal jackpot").
FIG. 8(c) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for the special pattern 2 stop symbol lottery, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 99, similar to the special pattern 1 stop symbol lottery. be. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived from special drawing 2, there is a probability of 60/100 (approximately 1/1.67) that symbol a will be drawn, and a probability of 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33) that symbol b will be drawn. , symbol c is determined as a stopping symbol with a probability of 10/100 (1/10). Here, symbols a to c are symbols whose number of rounds is 10 and which become special symbols and ordinary symbols after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "probability-variable symbols"). A jackpot related to this is sometimes referred to as a "probable jackpot").

Particularly, in this embodiment, a limit number of times, which is the upper limit of the number of consecutive probability variable jackpots including the first probability variable jackpot, is set according to these symbols, and the set limit number is the number of consecutive probability variable jackpot games. When the subtracted limit number becomes 0, the special pattern is always low and the normal pattern is high after the end of the jackpot game.
Specifically, the limit number of times is set to 3 times for symbol a, 5 times for symbol b, and 7 times for symbol c. Therefore, in this embodiment, from the viewpoint of the limit number of times, the symbol c is more advantageous than the symbol b, and the symbol b is more advantageous than the symbol a.
In the following description, the fact that the subtracted limit count becomes 0 may be simply expressed as reaching the limit count. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the determination as to whether or not the limit number of hits is reached is realized by subtracting the set limit number each time a probability variable jackpot occurs; This may be realized by adding up the number of times each time and determining whether or not the added number of times has reached a set limit number of times.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the jackpot includes a plurality of types of probability variable jackpots, and when a probability variable jackpot is won in the normal state, the probability variable state management means sets the number of times corresponding to the probability variable jackpot as the limit number, When winning a probability-variable jackpot in a normal state, the period after the jackpot game related to the probability-variable jackpot ends becomes a probability-variable state, and when winning a probability-variable jackpot in a probability-variable state, the number of consecutive probability-variable jackpots including the probability-variable jackpot. has not reached the limit number of times, the state after the end of the jackpot game related to the particular probability variable jackpot becomes a probability variable state, while when the number of successive winnings of probability variable jackpots including the said probability variable jackpot has reached the limit number of times, the said probability variable jackpot In other words, after the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot ends, the normal state is reached.

In addition, when the result of the special pattern correctness determination does not result in a jackpot, the special pattern stopping pattern lottery means 132 selects pattern B as the stopping pattern when the special pattern 1 is a loss, and pattern d when the special pattern 2 is a loss. Decide uniformly.
By the way, in the present embodiment, the ratio (0/100) at which a probability variable jackpot is derived in the symbol fluctuations related to the special pattern 1 and the ratio (100/100) at which a probability variable jackpot is derived in the symbol variations related to the special pattern 2. are different (the pattern variation of special pattern 2 is more advantageous than the pattern variation of special pattern 1). Although the details are omitted, this difference is when the game ball passes through the V winning area provided in the big winning opening 55 during the jackpot game (when the sensor provided in the V winning area detects the gaming ball) This is realized by changing whether or not to provide a round game that facilitates passing through the V winning area depending on the stop symbol of the special figure.

The special pattern variation pattern deriving means 133 is equipped with a plurality of types of special pattern variation pattern lottery tables that are referred to when determining a special pattern variation pattern, and based on the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special pattern validity determination. Based on this, select one special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery table to determine the current special pattern fluctuation pattern, and use the selected special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery table and random numbers for special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery to create one special pattern. A figure variation pattern is determined, and a variation time is determined based on the determined special figure variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from the start of the symbol variation related to the special pattern (special pattern 1 or special pattern 2) to the end of the pattern variation.
Although the details of the transition conditions etc. will be described later, the special pattern variation pattern derivation states in this embodiment include the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. exist. The above-described method for determining the special pattern variation pattern is adopted for the symbol variation of special pattern 1 in special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted for special pattern 2 in special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. The pattern variation of the other special pattern in each special pattern variation pattern derivation state is determined by one predetermined special pattern variation pattern according to the result of the special pattern validity determination.

In addition, at the start of the symbol variation, the special symbol variation pattern deriving means 133 generates a performance control command (variation start command ) and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

Similar to the special symbol lottery means 130, the common symbol lottery means 135 reads out the earliest pending operation information among the pending operating information held in the main information storage means 160 when the symbol of the common symbol is not changing. , Using the read random number, execute a judgment of the validity of the general pattern to determine the validity of the general pattern, and as a result of the judgment of the normal pattern, the normal electric accessory 61 is controlled to be in the open state. In this case, a regular pattern stopping pattern lottery is performed in which the stopping symbols of the regular pattern are determined by lottery, and a regular pattern fluctuation pattern lottery is performed in which the fluctuation pattern (fluctuating time) of the general pattern is determined by lottery.
More specifically, in the determination of whether or not the Fuzu drawing is correct, the Fuzu drawing state is a state with a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu high probability"), and the Fuzu drawing state is a state where the probability is low ("Fuzu drawing high certainty"). Although the drawing table is omitted, in this embodiment, the probability of winning a common symbol is 65,535/65,536 with the probability of winning a common symbol, and the remaining 1/65,536. On the other hand, when the probability of winning is 1/65536, the probability of winning is 1/65536, and the probability of losing is 65535/65536. It should be noted that in the case of a low accuracy of a normal pattern, it may be arranged so that the normal pattern does not hit (65536/65536 results in a loss).

In the regular pattern stop symbol lottery, similar to the special pattern stop symbol lottery, a lottery table (not shown) for the common pattern stop symbol lottery is created from multiple types of stop symbols with different patterns in which the normal electric accessory 61 is opened. One stop symbol is determined by the lottery used. In addition, in the case of a loss in the normal pattern validity determination, the stopping pattern is uniformly determined as in the special pattern 1 and the special pattern 2.

In addition, in the general pattern fluctuation pattern lottery, similar to the special pattern fluctuation pattern lottery, one general pattern fluctuation pattern is selected from multiple types of general pattern fluctuation patterns by lottery using a lottery table for general pattern fluctuation pattern lottery (not shown). A pattern is determined.

In this way, it can be said that a high probability of a common pattern has a higher probability of deriving a winning result compared to a low probability of a common pattern, and is more advantageous than a low probability of a common pattern.

The jackpot game control means 140 controls the jackpot game according to the determined jackpot symbol, etc., when the result of the special drawing lottery is a jackpot.
In the jackpot game in this embodiment, the period changes in the order of the start invalid period, the start valid period, the winning easy period, and the end demo period. More specifically, when a jackpot game is started, it becomes a start invalid period, and the start invalid period ends with the passage of time and transitions to a start valid period. In the start valid period, when a winning occurs at the gate 63, the period transitions to the easy winning period. Then, when the winning easy period ends, the game transitions to the end demo period, the end demo period ends as time passes, and the jackpot game ends at the end of the end demo period. Although the details will be described later, the start invalid period and the end demo period are determined based on the jackpot symbol related to the current jackpot and the gaming state at the time of winning the jackpot.
In addition, at the start of the jackpot game (invalid start period), the jackpot game control means 140 generates a performance control command (hereinafter referred to as "jackpot game start command") including the time required for the start invalid period, and stores the main information. The main information storage means 160 stores it in the transmission command storage area of the means 160, and at the end of the winning easy period, generates an effect control command (hereinafter referred to as "jackpot game end command") including the time required for the end demo period, and the main information storage means 160 The command is stored in the send command storage area. Furthermore, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a performance control command (hereinafter referred to as "easy winning period start command") indicating the start of the easy winning period when a winning at the gate 63 occurs during the start valid period, and The information is stored in the information storage means 160.

The symbol display control means 145 causes the first special symbol display device 91 to display the special symbol 1 in a variable manner according to the variation time based on the special symbol variation pattern of the special symbol 1, and after the variation time has elapsed, the symbol is determined by the special symbol stop symbol lottery. The special figure 1 is stopped and displayed with the stop symbol shown. Similarly, according to the variation time based on the special symbol variation pattern of the second special symbol, the special symbol 2 is displayed in a variable manner on the second special symbol display device 92, and after the variation time has elapsed, the special symbol is stopped determined by the special symbol lottery. Special drawing 2 is stopped and displayed with the pattern.
In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a special symbol game timer for managing the display time (fluctuating time, stop display time) of the special symbol 1 and the special symbol 2, and when the special symbol is stopped and displayed. (at the timing when the value of the special figure game timer becomes "0"), generates an effect control command (variation stop command) for requesting fixed stop display of the decorative pattern, and transmits the command to the main information storage means 160. Store in the command storage area.
Here, the fixed stop display of a decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of a decorative pattern in a pattern variation, and is different from the temporary stop display of a decorative pattern that may occur during the execution of a pattern variation. Specifically, in the temporary stop display of a decorative pattern, for example, the decorative pattern being displayed in a stopped manner is accompanied by a movement of shaking up and down (so-called shaking fluctuation), while in the fixed stop display of a decorative pattern, it is not displayed in a stopped state. The decorative pattern that is used does not fluctuate. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the stop display of the decorative symbols is a fixed stop display or a temporary stop display.

Further, the symbol display control means 145 causes the ordinary symbol to be displayed in a variable manner on the ordinary symbol display device 93 according to the ordinary symbol variation pattern (variation time) of the ordinary symbol, and after the fluctuation time has elapsed, the ordinary symbol is displayed by a regular symbol stop symbol lottery. The determined stop symbol is stopped and displayed.
In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a common symbol game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of common symbols.

The electric accessory control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 66 during the above-mentioned winning easy period, and opens the special electric accessory 65 according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stop symbol of the special symbol.

In addition, when the electric accessory control means 150 wins the ordinary drawing lottery, it outputs a control signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62 to move the ordinary electric accessory 61 according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stop symbol of the ordinary drawing. Let it open.

The game state control means 155 controls the special drawing lottery state. Specifically, as described above, the game state control means 155 sets the special pattern low probability at the start of a jackpot game regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot, and sets the special pattern low probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot. At the end of the jackpot game related to the probability-variable jackpot, the special drawing is high-probability.
Moreover, the game state control means 155 controls the common lottery state. Specifically, at the start of a jackpot, the game state control means 155 makes the symbols low and steady regardless of the symbols related to the jackpot, and at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot or the probability variable jackpot, the symbols are changed a prescribed number of times. Until then, the symbol is high and accurate, and after the symbol has changed a specified number of times, it is determined to be low and accurate.

Such special symbol lottery state and regular symbol lottery state change in link with the above-mentioned special symbol variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special symbol variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. Hereinafter, the transition of this special figure variation pattern derivation state will be explained with reference to FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b). In addition, FIG. 9(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special pattern variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special pattern variation pattern derivation state. .
As shown in FIG. 9(a), the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state is a special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PA corresponding to special pattern low and regular pattern low accuracy, and a special pattern pattern derivation state PA corresponding to special pattern low and general pattern high accuracy. Consists of a figure fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and a special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state PC corresponding to special figure high accuracy and regular figure high accuracy, and except during a jackpot game, any of these special figure fluctuation pattern derivation states Set. The transition conditions between the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC include transition conditions (i) to transition conditions (iv).
Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, transition condition (ii) is the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot, and transition condition (iii) is the pattern of a specified number of times (details will be described later). End of variation, transition condition (iv) is the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot when the limit number of times is reached. In addition, when a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot is executed in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB is set again after the end of the jackpot game (related to transition condition (iii) The count of symbol fluctuations starts from 0).
In addition, when a jackpot game related to a probability variable jackpot is executed in the special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, and the game ball does not pass through the V winning area in a round game where it is easy to pass through the V winning area during the jackpot game, will transition to the special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state PB.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is , special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, and special figure variation pattern derivation state PC.

In addition, the game state control means 155 generates a performance control command (game state designation command) including each updated state when the special drawing lottery state, regular drawing lottery state, and special symbol fluctuation pattern deriving state are updated. is generated and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by each means, data derived by calculations, etc. by each means, in storage areas corresponding to the respective means.

The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I/O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined that there is an error state, a production control command (error command) including information that can identify the error state is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The main command management means 170 transmits the effect control command toward the first sub-control board 200 when the effect control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In addition, each production control command is, in principle, transmitted according to the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The power restoration processing execution means 175 includes a restoration state setting means 176 and a game ready state transition means 179.

The recovery state setting means 176 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration, the state at the time of power interruption immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power restoration, and the opening of the inner frame at the time of power restoration. A return state setting process for setting a return state is executed based on the state of the door sensor 76. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a game enabled state (sometimes accompanied by RAM clearing process and sometimes not accompanied by RAM clearing process).
Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration, the game stop state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame door opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration. In addition, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) at the time of power restoration, the RAM The clear process is executed and the game ready state is set (if the middle frame door opening sensor 76 is OFF when the power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and the game ready state is set) and the power is restored. If there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed) at the time of power restoration, a gaming enabled state is set without executing the RAM clearing process. In addition, when the RAM clearing process is executed, the special pattern low probability and the regular pattern low probability will be set.
Here, the game stop state means that the process according to the detection result of the sensor installed in each winning opening is not executed (there is no need to see the detection result of the sensor itself), and the game cannot proceed. This is the return state.
On the other hand, the game-enabled state is a return state in which it is possible to proceed with the game by executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors provided in each winning opening. In particular, if the RAM clearing process is not executed when the power is restored, the game returns to the state in which the game is possible at the time of the previous power outage. For example, if a jackpot game is in progress at the time of the most recent power outage, the game returns to the jackpot game in progress, and if the pattern variation is in progress at the time of the most recent power outage, the game returns to the pattern variation in progress. In particular, when returning to the jackpot game, the player returns to the jackpot game period (invalid start period, valid start period, easy winning period, or end demonstration period) at the time of the previous power outage. Furthermore, when the period to which the power is restored is the start invalid period or the end demonstration period, the elapsed time (remaining time) of the period after the restoration also returns to the elapsed time at the time of power outage. This is the same even when the period to return to is the winning easy period, and in this case, the number of remaining rounds and the number of winnings to the big prize opening 55 during round play are also returned to the state at the time of power outage. .

Also, whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 is determined by the RAM abnormality check that is performed at the beginning of the recovery state setting process (specifically, whether or not a backup flag is stored in the backup information area related to the target area). If the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), it is stored in the target area and the backup information area related to the area. A process of deriving the checksum of the complement of the target area and determining that the target area is normal if the calculation result is 0, otherwise determining that the target area is abnormal. ) is executed on the game-related area of the RAM 103.

The gameable state transition means 179 executes a gameable state transition process to transition to the gameable state when the gameable state is set.
Specifically, in the game-enabled state transition process, if the output of the security signal is ON, a process of turning OFF the output of the security signal and initial settings of the device are executed.
In addition, in the initial settings of the device, a launch permission command is sent to the payout control board 400 to permit the launch of game balls, settings are made to enable balls entering each winning slot, and the random number circuit 105 is activated. Processing such as setting data for this purpose is executed.

The power cutoff process execution means 180 executes the power cutoff process based on receiving the power cutoff signal from the power supply control board 500.
Specifically, for an area related to gaming in the RAM 103, a checksum of the area is derived, a complement of the checksum is stored in a backup information area related to gaming of the RAM 103, and a process is performed for the area. A process is executed to turn on a backup flag indicating that a power cut process has been executed (store the backup flag in the game-related backup information area of the RAM 103).

As shown in FIG. 7, the first sub-control board 200 includes a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal effect control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable accessory control means 245, a volume adjustment means 250, and a brightness It is equipped with an adjustment means 255, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using FIG. It is expressed functionally.
Here, the sub-information storage means 260 temporarily stores data read out by the means included in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in respective storage areas. It is a means. Further, the production control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub information storage means 260 by the subcommand management means 270. In the following explanation, it will be simply stated that the production control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub information storage means 260 by the subcommand management means 270. Sometimes expressed as receiving.

The sub-random number generation means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by the CPU 201 through program processing, and acquires the random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

The normal performance control means 220 includes a performance mode control means 221, a performance route determination means 222, a sub-holding control means 223, a pre-read performance control means 224, a performance content determination means 225, a decorative symbol control means 226, and a jackpot performance control means 227. Be prepared.

When the production mode control means 221 receives the game state designation command, the production mode control means 221 controls the transition of the production mode in a manner consistent with the special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side.
The production mode in this embodiment is divided into a normal mode, a time-saving mode, and a variable probability mode, and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA is in the normal mode, and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB is the time-saving mode and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state. The PC corresponds to the variable probability mode.

When the production route determining means 222 receives a preliminary determination command, the production route determining means 222 determines a production corresponding to the currently suspended symbol variation based on the preliminary determination result included in the command (in this embodiment, the special pattern variation pattern). Decide (set) the route.
Here, the production route is the production from the start to the end of the symbol variation, which defines the process of production that notifies the result of the special symbol validity judgment in the symbol variation, and is executed in the symbol variation. The content of the performance will be determined by a performance content determining means 225, which will be described later, according to a performance route corresponding to the symbol variation.

When the sub-holding control means 223 receives a holding command (hereinafter, it may simply be expressed as the occurrence of a holding prize winning), the sub-holding control means 223 applies information on the special drawing 1 holding counter and the special drawing 2 holding counter included in the command. Based on this, an effect for displaying a number of pending images corresponding to the special figure 1 pending counter and a number of pending images corresponding to the special figure 2 pending counter in the pending display area (not shown) of the main display section 81. Set the data. It should be noted that the pending image is an image that is the target of a pending look-ahead effect that changes in various ways to suggest the degree of advantage such as the expectation level of a jackpot game.

When the pre-read effect control means 224 receives the pre-determination command, it determines the content of the pre-read effect based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.
Pre-reading performance is, for the purpose of improving the interest of the game, before the start of the pattern change of the pre-reading object, the expectation level for the result of the special pattern correctness judgment in the pattern change of the pre-reading object, and the effect that is executed in the pattern change of the pre-reading object. This is a performance that suggests the content of the performance.

When the performance content determining means 225 receives the variation start command, the performance content determining means 225 determines the content of the performance to be executed in the current symbol variation according to the performance route already determined by the performance route determining means 222.
More specifically, the performance content determining means 225 determines the content of the performance (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in symbol variation using a performance pattern lottery table corresponding to the performance route determined by the performance route determining means 222. The decision will be made by lottery, etc. By doing this, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (performed according to) the determined performance route, and it is also possible to connect the performances in one symbol variation. Moreover, even if the same performance route is determined, the performance to be performed can be varied. Note that the timing for determining the content of the presentation may be, for example, the start of symbol variation.

When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives the fluctuation start command, the decorative pattern control means 226 determines the final (determined stop display) decorative pattern combination (left pattern/center pattern) of the decorative pattern based on the determined stop pattern of the special pattern. Determine the pattern (right pattern).
Specifically, the pattern A, the pattern a, the pattern b, and the pattern c are each associated with a matching pattern, and the pattern B and the pattern d are made to correspond to a random pattern.

A jackpot performance control means 227 determines execution of a performance related to the jackpot game based on performance control commands related to the jackpot game, such as a jackpot game start command, a jackpot game end command, a winning easy period start command, etc.
Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the jackpot production control means 227 provides a limit number announcement production that allows the set limit number to be specified during the invalid start period of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot won with a special figure low probability. The set limit number is announced or hidden by executing a limit number concealing effect that makes it impossible to specify the limit number.

The normal performance control means 220 reads the performance data of each device corresponding to the performance at the execution timing of each performance according to the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means included in the first sub-control board 200. Note that, if the read performance data includes performance data related to an image, an image control command is generated based on the performance data, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub information storage means 260. Furthermore, if there is performance data related to sound in the read performance data, a voice control command related to sound is generated based on the performance data, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub information storage means 260.
In particular, if the return state at the time of power restoration becomes a playable state with the execution of the RAM clear process, the normal performance control means 220 indicates that the return state becomes the playable state with the execution of the RAM clear process. If the performance data for notification is read and the return state at the time of power restoration becomes a playable state without executing the RAM clearing process, the game becomes the playable state without executing the RAM clearing process. Read out the performance data for notifying the person.
Furthermore, when the return state at the time of power restoration is the game stop state, the normal performance control means 220 notifies you that the game has become stopped and that it is necessary to execute the RAM clear process. Read out the performance data for.
Although the details of these notifications are omitted, it is preferable that they are continuously executed for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after the execution is started, and any production device that executes the notification does not matter.

When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error effect pattern and reads out effect data for executing an error effect according to the error effect pattern.
Note that the error performance is executed with priority over the fluctuation performance related to symbol variation (the execution of the fluctuation performance is regulated by the execution of the error performance). Here, the error performance is executed with priority when the device involved in the execution of the error performance and the device involved in the execution of the variable performance are the same device, and only the error performance is executed on that device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes executing the error effect in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variable effect in the device.
Further, the sub-error control means 230 independently (independently from the main error control means 165) determines whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and executes an error effect when it is determined that it is in an error state. The performance data may also be read out.

The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, the lamp control means 240 stores lamp control data that corresponds to the frame lamp 35 in the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220. If there is production data, the lamp control means 240 reads lamp control data based on the production data and transmits the read lamp control data to the frame lamp 35.

If there is performance data corresponding to a movable accessory in the performance data read by the normal performance control unit 220, the movable accessory control means 245 controls the movable ornament 22 or the sub-display from the ROM 202 based on the performance data. The movable control data for controlling the movement of the section 82 is read out, the read movable control data is transmitted to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display section 82, and the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display section 82 is controlled.

As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 temporarily stores data read out by the means included in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in respective storage areas. It is a means to do so.

The sub-command management means 270 receives the production control command transmitted from the main control board 100, and stores the received production command in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. If an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the image control command is transmitted to the second sub-control board 300. Further, if a voice control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the subcommand management means 270 transmits these commands to the voice control board 310. Note that these commands are, in principle, transmitted in the order in which they are stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

As explained above, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, when a special figure with a low probability wins a variable probability jackpot, by setting the limit number of times corresponding to the stop symbol of the special pattern related to the probability variable jackpot, the jackpot can be achieved. Although a lower limit is set for the number of consecutive games (in this embodiment, two times), the limit number, which was conventionally fixed, is given a range, thereby improving the interest in the game. In the present embodiment, in order to further enhance the effect of improving the game interest in the game, the set limit number of times can be specified during the invalid start period of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot won with a low probability of special drawing. It has a function to execute an announcement performance and to perform a limit number concealment performance that makes it impossible to specify the limit number. The details of this function will be explained below.

<Specific examples of limit number announcement performance and limit number concealment performance>
First, specific examples of the limit number notification performance and the limit number concealment performance will be described using FIGS. 10 and 11.
10(a) to 10(c) are diagrams showing specific examples of the limit number notification effect, and FIG. 10(a) shows a specific example when the symbol a is stopped and displayed, and FIG. 10(b) ) is a diagram showing a specific example in which the symbol b is displayed in a stopped state, and FIG. 10(c) is a diagram showing a specific example in which the symbol c is displayed in a stopped state. In addition, FIG. 11(a) shows a specific example of the limit number concealment performance, and FIG. 11(b) shows a specific example of the performance executed at the start of the second and subsequent jackpot games when the limit number notification performance is executed. FIG. 11(c) is a diagram showing a specific example of the performance executed at the start of the second and subsequent jackpot games when the limit number secret performance is executed.

As shown in FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c), the limit number notification effect is realized by an image displayed in the display area of the main display section 81, and the image includes a number of times until the limit number is reached. It includes a number that can specify the number of jackpot games related to executable probability-variable jackpots.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10(a), in the limit number notification effect when symbol a is stopped and displayed, a character image saying "3 RUSH rushes remaining" is displayed, and as shown in FIG. 10(b). As shown in FIG. 10(c), in the limit number notification effect when symbol b is displayed in a stopped state, a character image saying "5 RUSH rushes remaining" is displayed, and as shown in FIG. 10(c), when symbol c is displayed in a stopped state, In the limit number notification effect, a text image saying "7 RUSH rushes remaining" is displayed. Therefore, the player can identify the currently set limit number of times by visually recognizing the limit number of times notification effect.
In addition, in this embodiment, the limit number announcement performance is a performance that is executed during the start invalid period (starts during the start invalid period and ends during that period), but the execution period of the limit number announcement performance is limited to this. do not have. Specifically, the timing when the winning of the jackpot becomes definite in the symbol fluctuation that wins the probability variable jackpot for which the limit number of times is set (in this embodiment, the timing when the symbol alignment is confirmed and stopped). As long as the limit number announcement performance is executed after that until the end of the jackpot game related to the jackpot, its start timing and end timing are not limited. In particular, when the limit number announcement performance is executed during the end demo period, there is a risk of misunderstanding the remaining limit number, so the limit number announcement performance is specified by subtracting 1 from the currently set limit number. Preferably, it is possible.

As shown in FIG. 11(a), the limit number concealment effect is realized by an image displayed in the display area related to the main display section 81, and the image includes a list of probability-variable jackpots that can be executed until the limit number is reached. It does not include numbers that can specify the number of jackpot games. Specifically, in the limit number concealment effect, a text image saying "How many times to rush RUSH?" is displayed. Therefore, even if the player visually recognizes the limited number of times concealment performance, the player cannot specify the currently set limit number of times.
In addition, in this embodiment, the limit number concealment performance is a performance executed during the start invalid period, similar to the limit number notification performance, and the execution period of the limit number concealment performance is not limited to this. Specifically, the period after the timing when the winning of the jackpot becomes definite in the symbol variation that wins the probability variable jackpot for which the limit number of times is set and until the jackpot game related to the jackpot ends. As long as the limit number concealment performance is executed in the above, the start timing and end timing thereof are not limited.

In addition, when a limit number of times is set and a limit number of notification performance is executed, if a jackpot after the jackpot for which the limit number of times is set occurs, it is possible to execute until the limit number of times is reached. A remaining limit number announcement performance is executed that allows the remaining number of jackpot games related to probability-variable jackpots to be specified. As shown in FIG. 11(b), for example, when the remaining number of times is 2, the remaining limit number of times notification effect is such that the text "RUSH continuation remaining 2 times" is displayed in the display area related to the main display section 81. This is achieved by displaying an image.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11(c), when a limit number is set and a limit number secret performance is executed, if a jackpot after the jackpot for which the limit number is set occurs, the limit is set. A remaining limit number concealment performance that makes it impossible to specify the remaining number of jackpot games related to probability-variable jackpots that can be executed until the number reaches the number of times is executed. As shown in FIG. 11(c), the remaining limit count concealment effect is realized by displaying a text image "How many times does RUSH continue remaining?" in the display area of the main display section 81.
In this way, in the present embodiment, after the limit number notification performance is executed, a state is maintained in which it is possible to specify the remaining number of jackpot games related to probability variable jackpots that can be executed until the limit number is reached, and the limit number of times is After the secret performance is executed, a state is maintained in which it is impossible to specify the remaining number of jackpot games related to the probability variable jackpot that can be executed until the limit number of times is reached.
Although not shown in the diagram, when the limit number of times is set and the limit number of times secret performance is executed, if the remaining number of jackpot games related to the probability variable jackpot that can be executed before reaching the limit number of times becomes 0. In the case where the limit number of times is set and the limit number of times notification performance is executed, the remaining number of jackpot games related to the probability variable jackpot that can be executed before reaching the limit number becomes 0, as well as An effect that can specify that the remaining number of times is 0 is executed.

<About limit number-related production control processing>
Next, using FIGS. 12 to 15, when winning a special jackpot with a low probability, limit number related performance control processing to determine whether to perform a limit number announcement performance or a limit number concealment performance. Explain.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the limit number-related performance control process, and this process is executed when a change start comment related to a symbol change that wins a probability change jackpot is received. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the limit number related performance control process A, and FIGS. 14(a) to 14(c) are used for the lottery to determine whether or not to execute the limit number notification performance in the limit number related performance control process A. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table. In addition, FIG. 15(a) is a flowchart of the limit number-related performance control process B, and FIG. 15(b) is a flowchart used for a lottery to determine whether or not to execute the limit number-of-times notification performance in the limit number-related performance control process B. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table. Note that the range of random numbers used in these lotteries is from 0 to 99.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the first step S202 in the limit number-related production control process, it is determined whether or not the limit number is newly set. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S204, If not satisfied, the limit number-related performance control process is ended. Here, setting a new limit number of times is equivalent to determining whether or not you have won a probability variable jackpot in a special symbol low probability.
In step S204, it is determined whether the number of executions of the symbol change since the previous jackpot is 100 times or less, and if the condition is met, the process advances to step S206, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S206. The process advances to step S208. The significance of setting the threshold value of 100 times for this determination will be described later.
In step S206, a limit number-related performance control process A, which will be described later, is executed, and then the limit number-related performance control process is ended.
In step S208, a limit number-related performance control process B, which will be described later, is executed, and then the limit number-related performance control process is ended.

Next, details of the limit number-related performance control process A will be explained using FIG. 13.
In the first step S302 of the limit number-related performance control process A, it is determined whether the newly set limit number is the first one set in a series of games, and if the condition is satisfied; If the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S304, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S306.
In step S304, it is determined whether or not to perform the limit number notification performance by a lottery using lottery table 1, which will be described later, and the process proceeds to step S312, which will be described later.
Here, a series of games refers to the period starting from the jackpot game in which the player wins on a low-certain special map and a low-certain regular map, and after that, until the game becomes low-certain and low-certain on a regular map, and the period during which This also includes jackpot games. In particular, when the jackpot game that triggers the start of a series of games is a jackpot game related to a variable probability jackpot, the limit number initially set in the series of games is the limit number corresponding to the variable probability jackpot related to the start trigger. refers to

In step S306, it is determined whether or not the newly set limit number is the second time in a series of games, and if the condition is satisfied, the process advances to step S308, If not satisfied, the process advances to step S310.
In step S308, whether or not to perform the limit number notification performance is determined by a lottery using lottery table 2, which will be described later, and the process proceeds to step S312, which will be described later.

Step S310, that is, if the newly set limit number is the third or later set in a series of games, it is determined whether or not a limit number notification effect is to be executed by a lottery using a lottery table 3, which will be described later. is determined, and the process proceeds to step S312.

In step S312, it is determined whether or not a lottery is won to determine whether or not to perform the limit number announcement performance. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S314; if the condition is not satisfied, step Proceed to S316.
In step S314, performance data related to the limit number notification performance is set, and thereafter, the limit number related performance control process A is ended. As a result, the limit number notification effect will be executed.
In step S316, performance data related to the limit number secret performance is set, and thereafter, the limit number related performance control process A is ended. As a result, the limit number of times concealment effect will be executed.

As shown in FIGS. 14(a) to 14(c), in the lottery to determine whether or not to execute the limit number announcement effect using lottery tables 1 to 3, the special prize related to the probability-variable jackpot that triggered the lottery The stop symbol is referred to.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14(a), in a lottery using lottery table 1, if the stopping symbol of the special symbol related to the probability variable jackpot that triggered the lottery is symbol a or symbol b, will win the lottery with a probability of 60/100 (approximately 1/1.67), and if the stop symbol of the special symbol is symbol c, the probability of winning the lottery will be 50/100 (approximately 1/2). be elected.

As shown in FIG. 14(b), in a lottery using the lottery table 2, if the stop symbol of the special pattern related to the probability-variable jackpot that triggered the lottery is symbol a or symbol b, 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33) probability of winning the lottery, and if the stop symbol of the special symbol is symbol c, the probability of winning the lottery is 20/100 (1/5). These winning probabilities are higher than the winning probabilities in the lottery using the lottery table 1 when compared for each type of stop symbol of the special symbol. In particular, in this embodiment, the lowest winning probability (1/2) in the lottery using lottery table 1 is higher than the maximum winning probability (1/5) in the lottery using lottery table 2.

As shown in FIG. 14(c), in a lottery using the lottery table 3, regardless of the type of stop symbol of the special symbol related to the probability-variable jackpot that triggered the lottery, the probability is 70/100 (approximately 1/1. The probability of winning the lottery is 43). The winning probability is higher than both the winning probability in the lottery using lottery table 1 and the winning probability in the lottery using lottery table 2 when compared for each type of stop symbol of the special symbol. In particular, in this embodiment, the winning probability in the lottery using lottery table 3 (approximately 1/1.43) is the highest winning probability in the lottery using lottery table 1 (approximately 1/1.67), and This is higher than any of the highest winning probabilities (approximately 1/3.33) in the lottery using lottery table 2.

In this way, the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute a limit number announcement performance that can specify the limit number corresponding to the probability variable jackpot when winning a probability variable jackpot in a special pattern with low probability. Then, as shown in step S304, in a series of games, when the first winning of the special pattern low probability variable jackpot occurs, the limit number announcement performance is not executed in a part of the game, and the limit number set this time is It may become impossible to identify.
According to this, by making it difficult to specify the limit number corresponding to the probability variable jackpot in the first low-accuracy special pattern, it creates a sense of expectation for the set limit number, and improves the game quality by giving a range to the limit number. It is possible to improve the game's interest.
In order to achieve this effect, the limit number announcement performance may not always be executed when the first winning of the variable probability jackpot with the low probability special symbol occurs in a series of games.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the performance control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) can specify the limit number corresponding to the variable probability jackpot won in the normal state (special chart low probability). It is possible to execute the first specific notification (limit number of times notification performance), and it starts based on the winning of the jackpot in the normal state and non-winning easy state (general, low probability), and then after that, the normal state and non-winning easy state. In the series of games that are the period until the state is reached, at least part of the time when the winning of the first probability variable jackpot, which is the first probability variable jackpot in the normal state, occurs, the first specific notification regarding the first probability variable jackpot is In other words, it is not executed.

In addition, in this embodiment, if the newly set limit number is the first one set in a series of games, whether or not to execute the limit number notification effect is determined by a lottery using the lottery table 1. If the new limit number set this time is the second set in a series of games, whether or not to execute the limit number notification performance is determined by a lottery using a lottery table 2. As for the rate at which the execution of the limit number notification performance is determined, the rate determined by the lottery using the lottery table 1 and the rate determined by the lottery using the lottery table 2 are different.
According to this, the rate at which the limit number set by the first probability variable jackpot in a series of games can be specified, the rate at which the limit number set by the second probability variable jackpot in a series of games can be specified, By making the numbers different, it is possible to make it difficult to specify the limit number of times set according to the progress of the game in a series of games, and to improve the game interest in a game in which the limit number of times has a range.
In order to produce this effect, the limit number set by the first probability-variable jackpot in a series of games is different from the percentage that can be specified. It is not limited to a variable probability jackpot, but may be a variable probability jackpot any number of times after the first time.
In addition, the rate at which the number of limits set by the first variable probability jackpot in a series of games can be specified is different from the rate at which the number of limits set by the second variable probability jackpot in a series of games can be specified. The method is not limited to the method using a lottery table as in this embodiment, but any method may be used as long as it realizes the magnitude relationship of such proportions. This also applies to the relationship between the proportions described below.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, in a series of games, when a second probability variable jackpot, which is a probability variable jackpot in the normal state for a predetermined number of times after the second time, occurs, the first specific notification regarding the second probability variable jackpot ( When the first probability variable jackpot (the first probability variable jackpot in the first normal state in a series of games) is won, the first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot is executed. In other words, the ratio of

In particular, in this embodiment, the rate at which the limit number announcement performance related to the second probability variable jackpot in a series of games is executed is the rate at which the limit number notification performance related to the first probability variable jackpot in a series of games is executed. lower than. As a result, the rate at which the limit number announcement performance relating to the first variable probability jackpot in a series of games is executed is higher than the rate at which the limit number announcement performance relating to the second probability variable jackpot is executed in the series of games.
According to this, it is possible to make it easier for a player who has little gaming experience in the gaming machine 10 to recognize that the limit number notification effect will be executed at the beginning of a series of games.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when a second probability variable jackpot (the second probability variable jackpot in a series of games in the normal state) is won in a series of games, the first specific notification (limit) related to the second probability variable jackpot is issued. The first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot is executed when the first probability variable jackpot (the first probability variable jackpot in the first normal state in a series of games) is executed. In other words, it is lower than the percentage.

Note that, unlike this embodiment, the rate at which the limit number set by the second variable probability jackpot in a series of games can be specified is the same as the rate at which the limit number set by the first variable probability jackpot in a series of games can be specified. It is also possible to configure the ratio to be higher than the above ratio.
According to this, it is possible to make a player who has a long gaming experience in the gaming machine 10 feel a sense of expectation regarding the limit number of times set from the beginning of a series of games.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when a second probability variable jackpot (the second probability variable jackpot in a series of games in the normal state) is won in a series of games, the first specific notification (limit) related to the second probability variable jackpot is issued. The first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot is executed when the first probability variable jackpot (the first probability variable jackpot in the first normal state in a series of games) is executed. In other words, it is higher than the percentage.

Furthermore, as described above, in the present embodiment, the percentage at which the execution of the limit number announcement effect is determined by the lottery using the lottery table 3 is higher than the rate at which the execution of the limit number announcement effect is determined by the lottery using the lottery table 2. higher than the percentage. In other words, if the newly set limit number is set for the third time or later in a series of games, the rate at which the execution of the limit number notification effect is determined will be the newly set limit number. is set for the second time in a series of games, this is higher than the rate at which it is decided to execute the limit number announcement performance.
According to this, a sense of accomplishment is provided to both players who have a short gaming experience in the gaming machine 10 and players who have a long gaming experience, and to players who have won many probability-variable jackpots in a series of games. It can be made easier.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, in a series of games, when a third probability variable jackpot, which is a probability variable jackpot in the normal state after a predetermined number of times, is won, the first specific notification (limit number of times) related to the third probability variable jackpot occurs. The first specific notification related to the second probability variable jackpot is executed when the second probability variable jackpot (the second probability variable jackpot in the normal state in a series of games) occurs. In other words, it is higher than the percentage.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the proportion of execution of the limit number announcement performance is determined by a lottery using the lottery table 3 is higher than the proportion of execution of the limit number announcement performance determined by a lottery using the lottery table 1. . In other words, if the newly set limit number is set for the third time or later in a series of games, the rate at which the execution of the limit number notification effect is determined will be the newly set limit number. is set for the first time in a series of games, this is higher than the rate at which it is decided to execute the limit number announcement performance.
According to this, it is possible to further enhance the above-mentioned effect of making it easier to give a sense of accomplishment to a player who has won many probability-variable jackpots in a series of games.

Next, details of the limit number-related performance control process B will be explained using FIG. 15(a).
In the first step S402 of the limit number related performance control process B, whether or not to execute the limit number notification performance is determined by a lottery using a lottery table 4 to be described later, and the process proceeds to step S404.
In step S404, it is determined whether or not a lottery is won to determine whether or not to execute the limit number announcement performance. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S406, and if the condition is not satisfied, step Proceed to S408.
In step S406, performance data related to the limit number notification performance is set, and thereafter, the limit number related performance control process B is ended. As a result, the limit number notification effect will be executed.
In step S408, performance data related to the limit number secret performance is set, and thereafter, the limit number related performance control process B is ended. As a result, the limit number of times concealment effect will be executed.

As shown in FIG. 15(b), in the lottery using the lottery table 4 to decide whether or not to execute the limit number announcement effect, similar to the lottery using the lottery tables 1 to 3 described above, the trigger for the lottery is The stopping symbols of the special symbols related to the probability change jackpot are referred to.
Specifically, in a lottery using the lottery table 4, if the stopping symbol of the special symbol related to the probability variable jackpot that triggered the lottery is symbol a or symbol b, the lottery is 80/100 (1/1 If you win the lottery with a probability of .25) and the stop symbol of the special symbol is symbol c, you will win the lottery with a probability of 90/100 (approximately 1/1.11). These winning probabilities are higher than any of the winning probabilities in the lottery using lottery tables 1 to 3 when compared for each type of stopping symbol of the special symbol. In particular, in this embodiment, the lowest winning probability (1/1.25) in the lottery using lottery table 4 is the maximum winning probability (approximately 1/1.25) in the lottery using lottery tables 1 to 3. 1.43).

<About the specified number of times when the limit number of times is reached>
Next, details of the prescribed number of times when the limit number of times is reached will be explained using FIGS. 16 and 17. Here, the prescribed number of times is a threshold value for determining the success or failure of transition condition (iii), which is a condition for transitioning from special figure variation pattern derivation state PB to special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, as described above. This is the number of executions of symbol fluctuations in which the symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PB continues.
Figure 16(a) is a table that organizes the relationship between the stop symbols of special symbols when the limit number of times is reached and the prescribed number of times, and Figure 16(a) is a table that organizes the relationship between the stop symbols of special symbols and the prescribed number of times when the limit number of times is reached. This is a table that organizes the relationship between the times.
FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) are diagrams showing specific examples of the specified number of times announcement performance. FIG. 17(c) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table used in a lottery to determine whether or not to announce 1000 times as the prescribed number of times in the prescribed number of times announcement performance, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is It is 0-99.

As shown in FIG. 16(a), the prescribed number of times when the limit number of times is reached depends on the stop symbol of the special symbol related to the variable probability jackpot when the limit number of times is reached.
Specifically, if the stop symbol of a special symbol related to a variable probability jackpot when the limit number of times is reached is symbol a or symbol b, 100 times is set as the specified number of times, and the number of times is set as 100 times, It is smaller than the probability denominator of the winning probability (the value of the denominator when the numerator is 1, in this case about 320). On the other hand, when the stop symbol of the special symbol is symbol c, 1000 times is set as the specified number of times, and the number of times is larger than the probability denominator.
According to this, even if a stopping pattern of a special pattern with a relatively high advantage (a stopping pattern of a special pattern with a large number of limits set) is stopped when the limit is reached, the feeling of regret given to the player is reduced. can be reduced.
Note that the value of the prescribed number of times mentioned above is set regardless of whether or not the game ball passes through the V winning area during the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot when the limit number of times is reached.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16(b), due to circumstances such as the game ball not passing through the V winning area during the jackpot game, the probability of special winning after the jackpot game is low except when the limit number is reached. is set to 100 times as the prescribed number of times, regardless of the type of stop symbol of the special symbol related to the jackpot game.

As shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), in the specified number of times notification effect that announces the set specified number of times, a character image saying "100 chances left" is displayed, so that 100 times are set as the specified number of times. There is a pattern in which the specified number of times is announced, and a pattern in which the specified number of times is 1000 times is announced by displaying a character image saying "1000 chances left". In this embodiment, the prescribed number of times notification performance is executed during the end demo period, and the execution timing of the performance is after the performance that can specify that the remaining number of times is 0 is performed.

In addition, the pattern in which 1000 times is announced as the specified number of times is determined when the specified number of times is 1000 times and a variable probability jackpot, that is, when the stop symbol of the special symbol related to the variable probability jackpot when the limit number is reached is symbol c. There is a possibility that the pattern will not be determined if the stop symbol of the special symbol related to the probability variable jackpot when the limit number of times is reached is symbol a or symbol b.
Specifically, if the stop symbol of the special symbol related to the probability variable jackpot when the limit number of times is reached is symbol c, a lottery is held using the lottery table shown in FIG. 17(c), and in the lottery, 30 A pattern is determined in which the prescribed number of notifications is 1000 times with a probability of /100 (approximately 1/3.33).

In this way, in this embodiment, when the limit number of times is reached, 100 times is determined as the specified number of times, which is smaller than the probability denominator of the jackpot winning probability in the special map low probability, and 1000 times, which is larger than the probability denominator. There are cases where it is determined. In addition to the case where 100 times is determined as the specified number of times, a specified number of times notification effect in which 100 times is announced as the specified number of times is executed in a part of the case where 1000 times is determined as the specified number of times.
According to this, the player's desire to play when the limit number of times is reached can be increased without making the advantage after the limit number of times reached too high.
In addition, in this embodiment, when 1000 times is determined as the specified number of times and a specified number of notification performance is executed in which 100 times are announced as the specified number of times, the pattern fluctuation of 100 times in the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PB. When this is executed, an image or the like displayed in the display area of the main display section 81 informs that the remaining specified number of times is 900 at that point.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the prescribed number of times includes the first number of times (100 times) which is smaller than the probability denominator (approximately 320) related to the probability of winning a jackpot in the normal state, and the second number of times (1000 times) which is larger than the probability denominator. ), and the effect control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) is configured such that when the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot when the limit number of times is reached, the specified number of times is the first. In other words, in addition to when the specified number of times is the second number of times, a second specific notification (prescribed number of times notification effect) that can specify the first number of times is executed at least in part when the specified number of times is the second number of times.

In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, if the number of executions of the symbol change since the previous jackpot is 100 or less, whether or not to execute the limit number announcement performance is determined by the limit number related performance control process A. If the number of executions of the symbol variation since the previous jackpot is more than 100, it is determined by the limit number related performance control process B whether or not to execute the limit number notification performance. The rate at which the execution of the limit number announcement performance is determined by the limit number of times related performance control process A and the rate at which the execution of the limit number of times announcement performance is determined by the limit number of times related performance control process B are different.
According to this, if the number of times the symbol change has been executed since the previous jackpot is more than 100, that is, the player may have thought that the current jackpot was a special pattern with high accuracy. However, there are times when we can give you a surprise.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, in the easy-to-win state (general, high, accurate) where the specified number of times is the second number (1000 times), after the symbol fluctuation is executed a number of times greater than the first number (100 times). The rate at which the first specific notification (limit number of notification performance) related to the variable probability jackpot is executed when the winning of the variable probability jackpot occurs, and the rate at which the winning of the variable probability jackpot occurs before the first number of symbol changes is executed. In other words, the rate at which the first specific notification regarding the probability variable jackpot is executed is different.

In particular, in this embodiment, the rate at which the execution of the limit number announcement performance is determined by the limit number related performance control process B (the rate at which the execution of the limit number announcement performance is determined by lottery using the lottery table 4) is This is higher than the rate at which the execution of the limit number announcement performance is determined by the number-of-numbers related performance control process A (the rate at which the execution of the limit number announcement performance is determined by a lottery using any of lottery tables 1 to 3).
According to this, it is possible to enhance the effect of giving surprise to the player who may have thought that the current jackpot was a special prize with high accuracy.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, in the easy-to-win state (general, high, accurate) where the specified number of times is the second number (1000 times), after the symbol fluctuation is executed a number of times greater than the first number (100 times). When a probability variable jackpot winning occurs, the proportion of the first specific notification (limit number notification performance) related to the probability variable jackpot being executed is such that the probability variable jackpot winning occurs before the first number of symbol changes are executed. In other words, the rate is higher than the rate at which the first specific notification regarding the probability variable jackpot is executed.

Note that, unlike this embodiment, the rate at which the execution of the limit number announcement performance is determined by the limit number of times related performance control process B is higher than the rate at which the execution of the limit number of times announcement performance is determined by the limit number of times related performance control process A. It may also be configured such that the value is also low.
According to this, it is possible to create a sense of expectation that the limit number notification effect will be executed in the case of a jackpot within 100 rotations, which occurs relatively more frequently than jackpots after 100 rotations.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, in the easy-to-win state (general, high, accurate) where the specified number of times is the second number (1000 times), after the symbol fluctuation is executed a number of times greater than the first number (100 times). When a probability variable jackpot winning occurs, the proportion of the first specific notification (limit number notification performance) related to the probability variable jackpot being executed is such that the probability variable jackpot winning occurs before the first number of symbol changes are executed. In other words, the rate is lower than the rate at which the first specific notification regarding the probability variable jackpot is executed.

<About other modifications>
Modifications not described in the above description are listed below.

First, regarding the probability, proportion, frequency, and number of times in this embodiment, as long as each relationship is guaranteed, the smaller value may be 0, or the larger value may be the maximum value. It may be.
In particular, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.

In addition, in this embodiment, the special pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 is configured so that a jackpot is not normally derived, but a part of the special pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 is configured so that a normal jackpot is derived. It's okay. In this case, it is preferable that the proportion occupied by the normal jackpot in the case where a jackpot is derived in the special figure variation related to the special figure 2 is lower than the proportion occupied by the probability variable jackpot in that case.

In addition, as described above, in this embodiment, if the stop symbol of the special figure related to the variable probability jackpot when the limit number of times is reached is the symbol c, the special figure variation pattern after the end of the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot is derived. By setting 1000 times as the prescribed number of times related to state PB, it is possible to reduce the feeling of regret given to the player when the stopping symbol of a special symbol with a relatively high degree of advantage is stopped when the limit is reached. However, in the modified example where it is possible to derive a normal jackpot in the above-mentioned special figure variation related to special figure 2, the present invention is not limited to this.
Specifically, when there is only one guaranteed variable jackpot remaining until the limit is reached, and the next derived jackpot is a guaranteed variable jackpot, after the jackpot game related to the next derived jackpot ends. While setting 1000 times as the specified number of times related to the special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, in that case, if the next derived jackpot is a normal jackpot, the jackpot game related to the next derived jackpot You may make it set 100 times as the specified number of times related to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB after the end.
According to this, similar to the present embodiment described above, even if the stopping pattern of a special pattern with a relatively high advantage (the stopping pattern of a special pattern related to a probability variable jackpot) is stopped when the limit is reached, the game It is possible to reduce the sense of regret given to people.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the jackpot includes a normal jackpot, and when a normal jackpot is won, the normal state occurs after the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, and when a probability variable jackpot is won, the limit number of times is reached. When the last jackpot that occurs is a normal jackpot, after the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, an easy-to-win state (general pattern high certainty) is set until the specified number of symbol changes are executed, and the final jackpot is When is a guaranteed variable jackpot, the prescribed number of times related to the winning easy state after the end of the jackpot game related to the last jackpot is the second number (1000 times) at a higher rate than when the last jackpot is a normal jackpot. In other words, it becomes.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the case where the limit number is set by winning a special map low-accuracy jackpot and the limit number announcement performance is not performed, by performing the limit number secret performance, Although the set limit number is not specified, it is not limited to this. Specifically, in order to make the set limit number unidentifiable, the limit number concealing performance may be prevented from being performed by simply preventing the limit number notification performance from being performed.
However, as in the present embodiment, by performing the limit number concealment effect, it is possible to make a player who has little gaming experience in particular aware that the limit number itself is set.

In addition, in the special pattern high accuracy in this embodiment, the ending condition does not include the number of executions of symbol fluctuations in the special pattern high accuracy, but for example, if the pattern changes 10,000 times without a jackpot game in the special pattern high accuracy A condition may be set such that the special map high accuracy ends when the is executed. This contributes to making the control regarding the special pattern high accuracy substantially common with other gaming machines (so-called ST machines) while preventing the special pattern high accuracy from ending depending on the number of executions of symbol variation.

Further, the device that executes each effect described in this embodiment is not limited to the device described in this embodiment, and various devices may be employed.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, but also includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

<Additional notes>
This embodiment includes the following technical ideas.
(1)
It is possible to fire a game ball, it is possible to execute a pattern change based on the winning of a game ball in the first starting hole or the second starting hole, and it is determined whether or not a jackpot will be won with the start of the pattern change. A gaming machine capable of executing a jackpot game after the symbol variation is completed when the jackpot is won in the jackpot determination.
probability variable state management means for managing settings of a variable probability state in which the probability of winning the jackpot is higher than in a normal state;
a winning easy state management means for managing the setting of a winning easy state in which it is easier to win a game ball to the second starting port than a non-winning easy state;
Direction means and
performance control means for controlling the performance means;
Equipped with
The jackpot includes multiple types of guaranteed and variable jackpots,
When the probability variable jackpot is won in the normal state, the probability variable state management means sets the number of times corresponding to the probability variable jackpot as the limit number,
When winning the variable probability jackpot in the normal state, after the end of the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot, the state becomes the variable probability state,
When winning the variable probability jackpot in the variable probability state,
When the number of consecutive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot has not reached the limit number, the state after the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot will be in the variable probability state,
When the number of successive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot reaches the limit number, the state becomes the normal state after the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot,
The production control means is capable of executing a first specific notification that makes it possible to specify the limit number corresponding to the probability-variable jackpot won in the normal state,
In a series of games that are started based on the winning of the jackpot in the normal state and the easy-to-win state and then reach the normal state and the easy-to-win state, the above-mentioned game in the first normal state At least part of the time when a first probability variable jackpot that is a probability variable jackpot is won, the first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot is not executed;
A gaming machine characterized by:
(2)
The gaming machine described in (1) above,
In the series of games, when a second probability variable jackpot, which is the probability variable jackpot, is won in the normal state for a predetermined number of times after the second time, the first specific notification related to the second probability variable jackpot is executed. The ratio is different from the ratio at which the first specific notification related to the first probability strange jackpot is executed when the winning of the first probability strange jackpot occurs.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(3)
The gaming machine described in (2) above,
In the series of games, when the winning of the second probability variable jackpot occurs, the rate at which the first specific notification related to the second probability variable jackpot is executed is the same as when the winning of the first probability variable jackpot occurs. lower than the rate at which the first specific notification related to the first probability strange jackpot is executed;
A gaming machine characterized by:
(a)
In the series of games, when the winning of the second probability variable jackpot occurs, the rate at which the first specific notification related to the second probability variable jackpot is executed is the same as when the winning of the first probability variable jackpot occurs. higher than the rate at which the first specific notification related to the first probability strange jackpot is executed;
A gaming machine characterized by:
(b)
In the series of games, when a third probability variable jackpot that is the probability variable jackpot in the normal state after the predetermined number of times is won, the first specific notification related to the third probability variable jackpot is executed. is higher than the rate at which the first specific notification related to the second probability variable jackpot is executed when the winning of the second probability variable jackpot occurs.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(4)
The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
In the variable probability state, the easy winning state is set instead of the easy winning state,
After the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot when the limit number of times is reached, the easy-to-enter state is set until the symbol variation is executed a specified number of times,
The prescribed number of times includes a first number of times that is smaller than the probability denominator related to the winning probability of the jackpot in the normal state, and a second number of times that is larger than the probability denominator,
When the jackpot game related to the probability-variable jackpot when the limit number of times is reached is ended, the performance control means is configured to control, in addition to the case where the specified number of times is the first number of times, the specified number of times is the second number of times. performing a second specific notification that can specify the first number of times at least in part when the number of times is the number of times;
A gaming machine characterized by:
(5)
The gaming machine described in (4) above,
In the easy-to-enter state where the prescribed number of times is the second number of times, when the winning of the probability variable jackpot occurs after the symbol fluctuation is executed a number of times greater than the first number of times, the number of winnings related to the probability variable jackpot occurs. a rate at which one specific notification is executed, and a rate at which the first specific notification related to the variable probability jackpot is executed when the winning of the variable probability jackpot occurs before the first number of symbol changes are executed; are different,
A gaming machine characterized by:
(c)
In the easy-to-enter state where the prescribed number of times is the second number of times, when the winning of the probability variable jackpot occurs after the symbol fluctuation is executed a number of times greater than the first number of times, the number of winnings related to the probability variable jackpot occurs. The rate at which one specific notification is executed is higher than the rate at which the first specific notification related to the probability variable jackpot is executed when the winning of the variable probability jackpot occurs before the first number of symbol changes is executed. expensive,
A gaming machine characterized by:
(d)
In the easy-to-enter state where the prescribed number of times is the second number of times, when the winning of the probability variable jackpot occurs after the symbol fluctuation is executed a number of times greater than the first number of times, the number of winnings related to the probability variable jackpot occurs. The rate at which one specific notification is executed is higher than the rate at which the first specific notification related to the probability variable jackpot is executed when the winning of the variable probability jackpot occurs before the first number of symbol changes is executed. low,
A gaming machine characterized by:
(6)
The gaming machine described in (4) or (5) above,
The jackpot usually includes a jackpot,
When the normal jackpot is won, the normal state will be after the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot,
When the last jackpot that will reach the limit number of times if the probability variable jackpot is won is the normal jackpot, after the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot ends, the specified number of symbol variations is executed. Until the entry prize is set up,
When the last jackpot is the definite variable jackpot, the provision regarding the award easy state after the end of the jackpot game related to the last jackpot is set at a higher rate than when the last jackpot is the normal jackpot. the number of times is the second number of times,
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) Speakers 34a, 34b Left and right side frames 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Production button 38 Cursor button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation section 39a Ball Rent button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Play area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54 Protective member 55 Big prize opening 57 First start Port 59 Second starting port 61 Normal electric accessory 62 Normal electric accessory solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special electric accessory 66 Special electric accessory solenoid 67 General winning opening 69 Out opening 70 First starting opening sensor 71 Second starting opening sensor 72 Big winning hole sensor 73 General winning hole sensor 74 Gate sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame opening sensor 77 Front frame opening sensor 80 Production display device 81 Main display section 82 Sub display section 82a Upper sub display section 82b Left sub display section 82c Right sub-display section 90 Symbol display device 91 First special symbol display device 92 Second special symbol display device 93 Normal symbol display device 94 First special symbol retention lamp 95 Second special symbol retention lamp 96 Normal symbol retention lamp 100 Main control Board 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 I/O port 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main reservation control means 125 Advance determination means 130 Special pattern lottery means 131 Special pattern validity determination device 132 Special pattern stop pattern lottery device 133 Special figure fluctuation pattern derivation means 135 Regular figure lottery means 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric accessory control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Recovery Power processing execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Game ready state transition means 180 Power cut processing execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I/O port 209 First sub control board case 210 Sub random number generation means 220 Normal performance control means 221 Performance mode control means 222 Performance route determination means 223 Sub hold control means 224 Pre-read performance control means 225 Performance content determination means 226 Decorative pattern Control means 227 Jackpot production control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable accessory control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 I/O port 309 2nd sub control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 I/O port 400 Payout control board 409 Payout control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power failure detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims (2)

It is possible to fire a game ball, it is possible to execute a pattern change based on the winning of a game ball in the first starting hole or the second starting hole, and it is determined whether or not a jackpot will be won with the start of the pattern change. A gaming machine capable of executing a jackpot game after the symbol variation is completed when the jackpot is won in the jackpot determination.
Probability variable state management means for managing settings of a probability variable state in which the probability of winning the jackpot is higher than a normal state;
a winning easy state management means for managing the setting of a winning easy state in which it is easier to win a game ball to the second starting port than a non-winning easy state;
Direction means and
Production control means for controlling the production means;
Equipped with
The jackpot includes multiple types of variable probability jackpots with different limit numbers ,
When the probability variable jackpot is won in the normal state, the probability variable state management means sets the limit number of times corresponding to the probability variable jackpot,
When winning the variable probability jackpot in the normal state, after the end of the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot, the state becomes the variable probability state,
When winning the variable probability jackpot in the variable probability state,
When the number of consecutive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot has not reached the limit number, the state after the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot will be in the variable probability state,
When the number of successive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot reaches the limit number, the state becomes the normal state after the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot,
The production control means is capable of executing a first specific notification that makes it possible to specify the limit number corresponding to the probability-variable jackpot won in the normal state,
In a series of games that are started based on the winning of the jackpot in the normal state and the easy-to-win state and then reach the normal state and the easy-to-win state, the above-mentioned game in the first normal state At least part of the time when a first probability variable jackpot that is a probability variable jackpot is won, the first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot is not executed;
In the series of games, when a second probability variable jackpot, which is the probability variable jackpot, is won in the normal state for a predetermined number of times after the second time, the first specific notification related to the second probability variable jackpot is executed. The ratio is different from the ratio at which the first specific notification related to the first probability strange jackpot is executed when the winning of the first probability strange jackpot occurs.
A gaming machine characterized by: It is possible to fire a game ball, it is possible to execute a pattern change based on the winning of a game ball in the first starting hole or the second starting hole, and it is determined whether or not a jackpot will be won with the start of the pattern change. A gaming machine capable of executing a jackpot game after the symbol variation is completed when the jackpot is won in the jackpot determination.
probability variable state management means for managing settings of a variable probability state in which the probability of winning the jackpot is higher than in a normal state;
a winning easy state management means for managing the setting of a winning easy state in which it is easier to win a game ball to the second starting port than a non-winning easy state;
Direction means and
performance control means for controlling the performance means;
Equipped with
The jackpot includes multiple types of variable probability jackpots with different limit numbers ,
When the probability variable jackpot is won in the normal state, the probability variable state management means sets the limit number of times corresponding to the probability variable jackpot,
When winning the variable probability jackpot in the normal state, after the end of the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot, the state becomes the variable probability state,
When winning the variable probability jackpot in the variable probability state,
When the number of consecutive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot has not reached the limit number, the state after the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot will be in the variable probability state,
When the number of successive winnings of the probability variable jackpot including the probability variable jackpot reaches the limit number, the state becomes the normal state after the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot,
The production control means is capable of executing a first specific notification that makes it possible to specify the limit number corresponding to the probability-variable jackpot won in the normal state,
In a series of games that are started based on the winning of the jackpot in the normal state and the easy-to-win state and then reach the normal state and the easy-to-win state, the above-mentioned game in the first normal state At least part of the time when a first probability variable jackpot that is a probability variable jackpot is won, the first specific notification related to the first probability variable jackpot is not executed;
In the variable probability state, the easy winning state is set instead of the easy winning state,
After the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot when the limit number of times is reached, the easy-to-enter state is set until the symbol variation is executed a specified number of times,
The prescribed number of times includes a first number of times that is smaller than the probability denominator related to the winning probability of the jackpot in the normal state, and a second number of times that is larger than the probability denominator,
When the jackpot game related to the probability-variable jackpot when the limit number of times is reached is ended, the performance control means is configured to control, in addition to the case where the specified number of times is the first number of times, the specified number of times is the second number of times. performing a second specific notification that can specify the first number of times at least in part when the number of times is the number of times;
A gaming machine characterized by:

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