JP7356700B2 - gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines whether or not to execute a special game and executes an effect based on the determination result.

In conventional gaming machines, when a game ball enters the starting hole and it is determined whether or not to execute a special game, the special symbol is displayed on the special symbol display device in a manner that shows the determination result after the special symbol is variably displayed. The pattern will be stopped and displayed. In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, in a predetermined image display device, decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner as the special symbol starts to be displayed in a variable manner, and a determination result is displayed as the special symbol is stopped and displayed. The decorative pattern is displayed in a stopped state.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-183903

By the way, in the conventional gaming machines, there is room for improvement in terms of improving the interest of the performance.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can improve the interest of the performance.

The present invention employs the following configuration to solve the above problems.
The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a determining means for determining whether to execute a special game advantageous to a player, a special game executing means for executing a special game based on a determination result of the determining means, and a special game executing means for executing a special game that is advantageous to a player. and a presentation control means for executing a variable presentation, displaying a predetermined display that can be displayed at a plurality of timings during the variable presentation, and displaying a symbol with reduced visibility. It is possible to execute and control a specific effect of displaying a symbol whose visibility has been increased after a certain period of time.The predetermined display can be displayed in a first mode and a second mode different from the first mode, and the display timing of the predetermined display can be controlled. The degree of expectation that the special game will be executed differs depending on the situation, and the variable performance includes a first performance, a second performance that has a higher expectation that the special game will be executed than the first performance, and a second performance that has a higher expectation that the special game will be executed. There is a specific symbol display in which the symbol is displayed in a manner indicating that the symbol is not displayed, and the production pattern of the variable production includes a first production pattern in which neither the second production nor the specific symbol display is controlled for execution after the first production is executed; A second performance pattern in which a second performance is executed after the first performance and then no specific symbol display is displayed, and a third performance pattern in which the second performance is executed after the first performance is executed and then a specific symbol display is displayed. There is a performance pattern in which a predetermined display can be displayed in a first mode during the first performance regardless of whether or not the special game is executed, and when the predetermined display is displayed during the first performance, Suggesting that the degree of expectation that the special game will be executed is relatively high, the predetermined display can be displayed in a second mode while the specific symbol display is being displayed, and the predetermined display can be displayed in the second mode while the specific symbol display is being displayed. , the predetermined display is displayed on the front side of the specific symbol display, suggesting that the special game will be executed, and the predetermined display is displayed on the front side of the specific symbol display, and the predetermined display is displayed during the first performance. The rate at which the first performance develops into the second performance is higher than when no display is displayed, and if a predetermined display is displayed during the first display, the specific display is not executed in response to the display of the predetermined display. , If a predetermined display is displayed while the specific symbol display is being displayed, a specific effect is executed in accordance with the display of the predetermined display .

According to this invention, it is possible to improve the interest of the performance.

Schematic front view of gaming machine 1 Explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the production button 26 Enlarged view of display 4 in FIG. 1 A block diagram showing a configuration example of a control device included in the gaming machine 1 Explanatory diagram for explaining special symbol determination Explanatory diagram for explaining the execution ratio of group effects during re-lottery effects A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main RAM 103 and various information stored in the main RAM 103. Explanatory diagram for explaining the production mode for time saving state Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example from when the jackpot symbol C is stopped and displayed in the first hit until the mode selection performance starts Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of mode selection effect Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of transitioning to new chapter mode via mode selection effect Explanatory diagram for explaining the execution ratio of group effects during reach effects Explanatory diagram for explaining the situation when the first rotation fluctuation display starts in new chapter mode Explanatory diagram for explaining reach performance following Figure 13 Explanatory diagram for explaining the re-lottery effect An explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the production following FIG. 14(E) Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of countdown production Explanatory diagram for explaining the production pattern of displaying panel images in character stock production An explanatory diagram for explaining the process of determining the performance pattern of the character stock performance, which is executed in the performance control board 130 in response to receiving a variation start command or a hold command (both will be described later) from the game control board 100. An explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of character stock production until the 4th second special symbol judgment is accumulated. Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of character stock performance after the 4th second special symbol judgment has been accumulated Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of character stock production following FIG. 21 Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example at the start of battle development production Explanatory diagram for explaining display areas 81b to 85b of character icons 81 to 85 during battle performance Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of progress from battle development performance to battle performance Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of battle production following FIG. 25 Explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of battle production following FIG. 26 An explanatory diagram to explain the flow of the variable effect after a battle effect in which characters A to D lose to the enemy five times is executed. An explanatory diagram to explain the mode selection effect when you win the small winning symbol 2 in the new chapter mode Explanatory diagram for explaining the mode selection effect following FIG. 29 An explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the production until the jackpot game starts when the small winning symbol 1 is drawn in the story mode Explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a production that transitions to a devil rush after a round production that matches the story mode Explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the production until the jackpot game starts when the small winning symbol 1 is won in battle mode An explanatory diagram to explain an example of a production that transitions to a devil rush after a round production that matches the battle mode. An explanatory diagram to explain an example of the effect when you win the small winning pattern 1 in Devil Rush. Explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the production until the jackpot game starts when the small winning symbol 3 is won in the devil rush An explanatory diagram to explain an example of a production in which when the small winning symbol 3 is drawn in the devil rush, the stage moves to the story mode after the round production according to the devil rush Flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in game control board 100 Detailed flowchart of switch processing in step S2 of FIG. 38 Detailed flowchart of the first starting port switch process in step S21 of FIG. 39 Detailed flowchart of the second starting port switch process in step S22 of FIG. 39 Detailed flowchart of special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG. 38 Detailed flowchart of the jackpot determination process in step S309 of FIG. 42 Detailed flowchart of the variation pattern determination process in step S310 of FIG. 42 Detailed flowchart of the small prize opening control process in step S6 of FIG. 38 Detailed flowchart of the big prize opening control process in step S7 of FIG. 38 Flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the production control board 130 Detailed flowchart of command reception processing in step S10 of FIG. 47 Detailed flowchart of pending command reception processing in step S13 of FIG. 48 Detailed flowchart of the fluctuation start command reception process in step S15 of FIG. 48

Hereinafter, a gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[Example of schematic configuration of gaming machine 1]
First, the general configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the game machine 1 includes a game board 2 provided with accessories related to winning and determination, and a frame member 3 that supports and fixes the game board 2. The frame member 3 supports a transparent glass plate arranged parallel to the game board 2 at a predetermined distance, and this glass plate and the game board 2 form a game area 10 in which game balls can flow down. has been done.

When the player grips the handle 20 and rotates the lever 21 clockwise, the game balls stored in the upper tray 28 are guided to a firing device (not shown) and are fired with a batting force corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 20. It is fired into the game area 10. This game area 10 is provided with game nails, windmills, etc. (not shown), and the fired game ball is guided to an upper position in the game area 10, and when it comes into contact with the game nails, windmills, etc. It falls along the game board 2 while changing the direction of movement. Note that the firing of the game balls is temporarily stopped by the player operating the stop button 22.

The upper tray 28 is for storing game balls and prize balls to be supplied to the firing device. A lower tray 29 for storing prize balls is provided below the upper tray 28. When the player operates the take-out button 23 located close to the lower tray 29, a part of the lower surface of the lower tray 29 is opened, and the game balls accumulated in the lower tray 29 are placed below the lower tray 29. It falls into a box (not shown).

When the player performs a so-called "left-handed hit" in which the player maintains the state in which the handle 20 is rotated at a small rotation angle, the game ball is hit with a relatively weak batting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the left side area in the game area 10 as exemplified by the arrow 31. On the other hand, when the player performs a so-called "right-handed hit" in which the player keeps the handle 20 rotated at a large rotation angle, the game ball is hit with a relatively strong hitting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the right side area in the game area 10 as illustrated by the arrow 32.

A first starting opening 11 and three normal winning openings 14 are provided in the passage path of the game ball hit to the left as accessories related to winning and determination. In addition, in the passage path of the game ball hit right, there are a second starting opening 12, a large winning opening 13, a normal winning opening 14, a gate 16, an electric tulip 17, and a small winning opening 19 as accessories related to winning and judgment. is provided. If the player hits left-handed, the game ball will basically not land in the second starting port 12, and if the player hits right-handed, the game ball will basically not land in the first starting port 11. The ball never wins.

In the process of flowing down along the game board 2, the game ball launched into the game area 10 enters the first starting hole 11, the second starting hole 12, the large winning hole 13, the normal winning hole 14, and the small winning hole 19. You can win by hitting either ball. When a prize is won, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29 according to the winning spot. Note that the game balls that do not win are discharged from the gaming area 10 via the discharge port 18.

The first starting port 11 is a starting port that is always open. The second starting port 12 is a starting port that is opened only when the electric tulip 17 as a normal electric accessory is operating. The electric tulip 17 is arranged close to the second starting port 12 and has a pair of blade members. This electric tulip 17 has two positions: a closed position in which the pair of blade members closes the second starting port 12 (see the solid line in FIG. 1), and an open position in which the second starting port 12 is opened (see the broken line in FIG. 1). It is configured so that its posture can be changed. The electric tulip 17 gathers game balls hit to the right at the second starting port 12 by taking an open position.

The second starting port 12 of this embodiment is normally closed by the electric tulip 17 in a closed position. When the game ball passes through the gate 16, although the prize ball is not paid out, it is determined whether or not to open the second starting port 12. In the following explanation, the determination executed on the condition that the game ball passes through the gate 16 will be referred to as "normal symbol determination." When the normal symbol judgment is performed, the normal symbol is displayed in a fluctuating manner on the normal symbol display 45 (see FIG. 4), and then the normal symbol indicating the determination result of the normal symbol discrimination is stopped and displayed. The normal symbols indicating the determination result of the normal symbol determination include a normal symbol indicating that the second starting port 12 is opened, and a normal symbol indicating that the second starting port 12 is not opened. When the normal symbol indicating opening of the second starting port 12 is stopped and displayed, the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 17 maintains the open position for a specified time and then returns to the closed position a specified number of times. On the other hand, when the normal symbol indicating that the second starting port 12 is not opened is displayed in a stopped state, the electric tulip 17 does not take the open position but remains in the closed position.

The probability that it is determined that the second starting port 12 is opened in normal symbol judgment includes a time-saving state (for example, 1/1) and a non-time-saving state (for example, 1/256), which has a lower probability than the time-saving state. . The fluctuation time of the normal symbol in this embodiment is the same (for example, 0.4 seconds) regardless of whether it is in a time-saving state or a non-time-saving state. The time during which the electric tulip 17 is controlled to be in the open position (that is, the opening time of the second starting port 12) is longer in the time saving state than in the non-time saving state. Specifically, for example, when the normal symbol indicating that the second starting port 12 is to be opened is stopped and displayed in the time saving state, the second starting port 12 is opened once for 5 seconds. In this embodiment, if the player hits the ball to the right during the time saving state, the game ball will easily enter the second starting hole 12. When the normal symbol indicating opening of the second starting port 12 is stopped and displayed in the non-time saving state, the second starting port 12 is opened once for 0.2 seconds. In this embodiment, even if the player continues to play right-handed during the non-time saving state, the second starting port 12 immediately changes to the closed position even if it is in the open position. For this reason, in the non-time saving state, basically no game ball can enter the second starting port 12. Therefore, it is not very realistic to aim at the second starting port 12 when in a non-time saving state, and the player performs a left-handed shot aiming at the first starting port 11 when in a non-time saving state. In addition, when in a time saving state, a right-handed strike is performed aiming at the second starting port 12. Note that the fluctuation time of the normal symbol may be shorter in the non-time saving state than in the time saving state. For example, the variation time of the normal symbols in the time saving state may be 0.4 seconds, and the variation time of the normal symbols in the non-time saving state may be 25 seconds.

In the game machine 1, when a game ball passes through the first starting port 11 and wins a prize, or when a game ball passes through the second starting port 12 and wins a prize, a jackpot game (special game) advantageous to the player is played. It is determined whether or not to execute. In the following explanation, the judgment executed on the condition that the game ball enters the first starting hole 11 will be referred to as the "first special symbol judgment," and the judgment that will be executed on the condition that the game ball enters the second starting hole 12 will be referred to as the "first special symbol judgment." This judgment is called "second special symbol judgment." In addition, these determinations are collectively referred to as "special symbol determination." When the first special symbol determination is performed, the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner on the first special symbol display 41 (see FIG. 3), and then the first special symbol indicating the determination result is stopped and displayed. When the second special symbol determination is performed, the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner on the second special symbol display 42 (see FIG. 3), and then the second special symbol indicating the determination result is stopped and displayed.

As the first special symbols indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination, jackpot symbols A to C indicating a jackpot and loss symbols indicating a loss are prepared in advance. Further, as second special symbols indicating the determination results of the second special symbol determination, jackpot symbols D to F, small winning symbols 1 to 3 indicating small wins, and loss symbols are prepared in advance. Note that unlike the second special symbol, the first special symbol does not have a small winning symbol (that is, the small winning probability is 0%). The probability of being determined to be a jackpot in the special symbol determination is the same regardless of the winning opening and the gaming state (for example, approximately 1/319, see FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B)).

When any of the jackpot symbols A to F indicating a jackpot is displayed in a stopped state, a jackpot game is performed following the stopped display. In the jackpot game, a plate that closes the jackpot opening 13 is operated. As a result, the normally closed big prize opening 13 is opened. By placing game balls into the jackpot hole 13 during the jackpot game, the player can obtain more prize balls than when the jackpot game is not played.

A plurality of opening patterns for the big winning hole 13 are prepared in advance, and which opening pattern the big winning hole 13 is opened with is uniquely determined by the type of the jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed. In this embodiment, when the jackpot symbols A to F are stopped and displayed, a predetermined condition (in this embodiment, the number of winning game balls in the grand prize opening 13 reaches 10, or A round game in which the grand prize opening 13 is opened is played a plurality of times until 29.5 seconds have elapsed since the opening. When the jackpot symbols A to F are stopped and displayed, the opening time of the jackpot 13 during one round game (hereinafter referred to as "1R") is such that the player can place 10 game balls into the jackpot. This is enough time for 13 to win. In addition, when the jackpot symbols A to F are stopped and displayed, the opening time of the jackpot opening 13 during 1R is not limited to the above-mentioned time, but any predetermined time (specifically, 29.5 seconds or less). (and the time exceeds 1.8 seconds).

Jackpot symbol C is a jackpot of 7R. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the player basically wins the first hit by determining the first special symbol. The first hit refers to a jackpot game that occurs for the first time after starting the game. As illustrated in the row of "first special symbol" in FIG. 5(C), the proportion of the jackpot symbol C accounts for 85% of the jackpots in the first special symbol determination. For this reason, most of the first hits are jackpot symbol C.

Here, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is initially set to a non-time saving state. Then, when a jackpot game (the game state is a non-time-saving state) is executed, the time-saving state is set at the end of the game. Unless a jackpot game is executed, the time-saving state is not set and the non-time-saving state remains. When the time-saving state is set at the end of the jackpot game, the time-saving state is controlled until the variable display related to the second special symbol determination is completed for the number of times corresponding to the jackpot symbol that triggered the jackpot game (see FIG. 5). See C). In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of production modes are prepared in advance for the time saving state. In each production mode, different productions are executed. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the player can select the performance mode after the jackpot game ends so that the player can aim for a small win with a performance that suits the player's preference.

In the case of jackpot symbol C, the game shifts to night mode or new chapter mode (the gaming state is time-saving mode) immediately after the jackpot game, and is controlled in the time-saving mode until the fluctuating display related to the third special symbol judgment ends three times. (See FIG. 5(C) and FIG. 8(A)). The night mode and the new chapter mode are performance modes that aim for a small hit through a total of 7 second special symbol determinations, including 3 second special symbol determinations and 4 suspensions of the 2nd special symbol determinations. Immediately after the jackpot game related to the jackpot symbol C, the game shifts to the performance mode selected by the player during the jackpot game out of the night mode and the new chapter mode.

Jackpot symbol B is a 7R jackpot, jackpot symbol E is an 8R jackpot, and jackpot symbol F is a 5R jackpot. In the case of a jackpot symbol B, E, or F, the game shifts to battle mode or story mode (the game state is a time-saving state) immediately after the jackpot game, until the fluctuating display related to the 13th second special symbol judgment ends. It is controlled in a time saving state (see FIG. 5(C) and FIG. 8(A)). The battle mode and the story mode are performance modes in which the player aims for a small hit by making a total of 17 second special symbol decisions, including 13 second special symbol decisions and 4 suspensions of the second special symbol decisions. Immediately after the jackpot game related to the jackpot symbols B, E, and F, the game shifts to the performance mode selected by the player during the jackpot game out of the battle mode and the story mode. In the following explanation, the battle mode and the story mode will be collectively referred to as "Girl Rush."

The jackpot symbols A and D are jackpots of 10R, and in this embodiment, are the jackpots in which the player can get the most prize balls. When a jackpot game is executed with the stop display of the jackpot symbol A or D, the game shifts to a god rush or a devil rush (the game state is a time-saving state) immediately after the jackpot game, and the second special symbol judgment is performed 100 times. The control is performed in a time saving state until the variable display related to is completed (see FIG. 5(C) and FIG. 8(A)). God rush and devil rush are performance modes that aim for a small hit by making a total of 104 second special symbol decisions, including 100 second special symbol decisions and 4 suspensions of the second special symbol decisions.

God Rush is a production mode of Group A whose production content is mutually related to night mode and battle mode. Group A's performances are based on, for example, TV anime broadcast on terrestrial TV. Devil Rush is a group B production mode whose production content is mutually related to the new chapter mode and the story mode. Group B's production is based on, for example, the theatrical version of the TV anime mentioned above. In this embodiment, in order to give a special feeling to God Rush and Devil Rush, only God Rush and Devil Rush are not selectable by the player, and are automatically set to the production mode of the same group as the production mode in the previous time saving state. The configuration that is determined is adopted. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, each time the production mode is determined, information on which production mode has been determined is stored in the sub-RAM 133 (described later) of the production control board 130. Based on this information, it is determined which of the God Rush and Devil Rush performance modes will be executed. In addition, the first time you hit it, it will be a divine rush.

When a losing symbol or a small winning symbol indicating a small winning is stopped and displayed as a result of the special symbol determination, a jackpot game is not performed following this stopped display. Specifically, when a losing symbol is stopped and displayed, the next special symbol determination is performed after this stopped display. When any of the small winning symbols 1 to 3 is stopped and displayed on the display 4, a small winning game is executed following this stopped display (see FIG. 5(D)). In the small winning game, a plate that closes the small winning opening 19 is operated. As a result, the small prize opening 19, which is normally closed, is opened.

The letter "V" is written on the plate that closes the small prize opening 19 (see FIG. 1). This character suggests the position of the V winning a prize opening switch 116b provided inside the small winning opening 19. Here, the periphery of the small prize opening 19 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material. Therefore, the player can visually check the inside of the small winning hole 19 regardless of whether the small winning hole 19 is opened or closed. Specifically, inside the small winning opening 19, a small winning opening switch 116a, a V winning opening switch 116b, a losing winning opening switch 116c, and a plate (not shown) for opening and closing these switches are provided. is also visible (see Figure 4). In this embodiment, when a small winning game is not being played, the plate closes the V winning opening switch 116b so that the game ball cannot pass through, and the losing winning opening switch 116c is opened so that the gaming ball can pass through. There is. During the small winning game of this embodiment, the plate opens the V winning opening switch 116b so that the game ball can pass through, and the losing winning opening switch 116c is closed so that the gaming ball cannot pass through.

The time during which the small prize opening 19 is opened in the small winning game is shorter than the one opening period of the large winning opening 13 in the jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as "1R"), and is predetermined to be 1.8 seconds or less. (for example, 1.8 seconds). In addition, if the total opening time of the small winning hole 19 during the small winning game is 1.8 seconds or less, the small winning hole 19 may be opened multiple times during the small winning game. The number of game balls that can be won in the small winning hole 19 during a small winning game is smaller than the number of game balls that can be won in the large winning hole 13 during a jackpot game (for example, 10 balls on average). During the small winning game, the player can win an average of three game balls into the small prize opening 19, and can obtain, for example, about 30 prize balls. This prize ball is smaller than the prize ball obtained in a 1R jackpot game. That is, the prize balls obtained in the small winning game are less than the prize balls obtained in the 1R jackpot game.

The game ball that has entered the small winning hole 19 first passes through the small winning hole switch 116a. This game ball is ejected from the gaming area 10 by passing through either the V winning opening switch 116b or the losing winning opening switch 116c. In this embodiment, if the player hits right during a small winning game, the game ball easily passes through the V winning port switch 116b (hereinafter referred to as "V winning"). When a V prize is won, following the end of the small winning game, a jackpot game in which the big winning opening 13 is opened is started (see FIG. 5(D)). If the small winning game is played but no V prize is won (specifically, when the game ball passes only the losing winning port switch 116c), the jackpot game is not started following the end of the small winning game. , the next special symbol judgment is performed.

In addition, in the small winning game, the large winning hole 13 may be opened instead of the small winning hole 19. Inside the big winning opening 13 in this case, a V winning opening switch, a plate for opening and closing this switch, and a losing winning opening switch are provided. When a small winning game is not being played, the plate closes the V winning opening switch so that game balls cannot pass through, and the losing winning opening switch opens so that game balls can pass through. Furthermore, during the small winning game, by operating the plate, the V winning opening switch is opened so that the game ball can pass through, and the losing winning opening switch is closed so that the gaming ball cannot pass through. When the game ball passes through the V winning hole switch, following the end of the small winning game, a jackpot game in which the big winning hole 13 is subsequently opened is started. When the game ball passes through the losing prize opening switch, the jackpot game is not started following the end of the small win game, and the next special symbol determination is performed.

The opening pattern of the small winning hole 19 in the small winning game and the opening pattern of the large winning hole 13 in the jackpot game immediately after the small winning game are both uniquely determined by the type of the small winning symbol that is stopped and displayed. When the big winning game ends immediately after the small winning game ends, the control is performed in a time saving state (see FIG. 5(D)). In the time saving state, control is performed until the variable display related to the second special symbol determination is completed a number of times determined by the small winning symbol.

When the small winning symbol 1 is stopped and displayed, a 10R jackpot game is played with the condition of winning a V prize. When a jackpot game is executed based on the stop display of small winning symbol 1, the game shifts to god rush or devil rush (the game state is a time saving state), and the fluctuating display related to the second special symbol judgment of 100 times is changed. The process is controlled in a time-saving state until the process ends (see FIG. 5(D) and FIG. 8(A)). With small winning symbol 1, as in the case of jackpot symbol A or D, a total of 104 second special symbol determinations, including 100 second special symbol determinations and 4 suspensions of second special symbol determinations, result in a small win. You can aim for a hit. As with the case where the jackpot symbol A or D is stopped and displayed, the player cannot select which of the divine rush and devil rush performance modes to enter with the small winning symbol 1. In this embodiment, it is basically not possible to win the small winning symbol 1 on the first hit. Therefore, when the small winning symbol 1 is stopped and displayed, the game basically shifts to the performance mode of the same group as the performance mode in the previous time saving state among the god rush and devil rush.

When the small winning symbol 2 is stopped and displayed, an 8R jackpot game is played on the condition of winning a V prize. Further, when the small winning symbol 3 is stopped and displayed, a 5R jackpot game is performed on the condition that the player wins a V prize. In the case of small winning symbol 2 or 3, the game shifts to battle mode or story mode (the game state is a time-saving state), and is controlled in a time-saving state until the fluctuating display related to the 13th second special symbol judgment ends. (See FIG. 5(D) and FIG. 8(A)). Due to the small winning symbol 2 or 3, as in the case of the jackpot symbol B, E, or F, a total of 17 second special symbol determinations are made, including 13 second special symbol determinations and 4 suspensions of the second special symbol determination. You can aim for a small hit with special symbol judgment. Immediately after the jackpot game triggered by the stop display of the small winning symbol 2 or 3, the game shifts to the production mode selected by the player from among the battle mode and the story mode.

If the time-saving state is set at the end of the jackpot game, and the jackpot game is not executed even once after the above-mentioned number of special symbol judgments, the time-saving state will be set as the special symbol stops displaying for the above-mentioned number of times. Set. As for the production mode, immediately before the special symbol is stopped and displayed for the above-mentioned number of times, the production mode changes from the production mode in the time saving state to the normal mode. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, for example, except during a jackpot game, when the game is controlled in a non-time saving state, the performance is performed in the normal mode. The normal mode is a production mode that is not related to either groups A or B.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily enter a game ball into the second starting port 12 when the time is shortened, and it is not possible to enter a game ball when the time is not shortened. In this embodiment, when the second special symbol determination is performed, a small winning game is performed with a relatively high probability (for example, about 1/10) (see FIG. 5(B)). In this embodiment, V winnings are basically made during the small winning game, so when the time is short, the jackpot game can be executed relatively easily through the small winning game.

The normal winning hole 14 is always open like the first starting hole 11 and the second starting hole 12, and is a winning hole from which a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out when a game ball wins. Note that, unlike the first starting opening 11 and the like, even if a game ball wins in the normal winning opening 14, no judgment is made.

[Example of configuration of presentation means of gaming machine 1]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display device, a performance accessory 7, a speaker 24, a board lamp 25, a performance button 26, and a frame lamp 37 for performing various performances. It is being

A display screen (hereinafter referred to as "liquid crystal screen 5") of a liquid crystal display device (an EL display device or the like) is an image display device that displays various effect images. The liquid crystal display device is provided on the back side (that is, the rear side) of the game machine 1 rather than the game board 2, and can be viewed through an opening formed in the game board 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal screen 5 is provided at a position where it can be easily recognized by the player. On the liquid crystal screen 5, a decorative pattern 55, a small pattern 56, a fourth pattern 57, CG or anime characters, etc. are displayed.

The decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the fourth pattern 57 are images that are displayed in a variable manner in synchronization with the variable display of the special symbol. The decorative pattern 55 is a pattern representing any number from 1 to 9. In this embodiment, the three decorative patterns 55 (and three small patterns 56) start to be displayed in a horizontal manner as the variable display of the special pattern starts, and the three decorative patterns 55 (and the three small patterns 56) are displayed in a horizontally horizontal manner (referred to as "main stop"). The judgment result of the special symbol judgment is notified by the combination of three numbers. The combination of decorative patterns 55 to be stopped and displayed is the same as the combination of small patterns 56.

Specifically, with the start of the stop display of the jackpot symbols A, D, or the small win symbol 1, three 7 symbols with the word "God" superimposed on the front side as the decorative pattern 55 are stopped and displayed. (See FIG. 5(E) and FIG. 31(C)). In addition, with the start of the stop display of the jackpot symbols B, E, or the small win symbol 2, three seven symbols without superimposed display of the word "God" are stopped and displayed as the decorative symbols 55. Further, in conjunction with the stop display of the jackpot symbols C, F, or the small win symbol 3, any three of the symbols 1 to 6, 8, or 9 are stopped and displayed as the decorative symbols 55.

In this embodiment, before the jackpot symbols B, E, or the small win symbol 2 are stopped and displayed, the decorative symbols 55 (and the small symbols 56) are temporarily stopped when any three of the symbols 1 to 9 are displayed. Is displayed. Also, before the jackpot symbol C, F or the small prize symbol 3 is stopped and displayed, the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) is one of three symbols 1 to 6, 8, or 9. A temporary stop is displayed. In the present embodiment, the decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) temporarily stopped and displayed in this way is again displayed in a high-speed variable manner (hereinafter referred to as "re-variation"), and the word "God" is superimposed. A re-lottery performance is executed to make the user expect that the symbols will change to 7 symbols that are not displayed. In this embodiment, with the start of the re-lottery performance, the three decorative symbols 55 are synchronized in the pattern of matching patterns, and are re-varied in a manner that makes it possible to recognize that the pattern of pattern matching is maintained (for example, , 222 → 333 → 444). Further, in this embodiment, with the start of the re-lottery performance, the three small symbols 56 are changed again at a speed that makes individual symbols unrecognizable.

In this embodiment, when the jackpot symbol B, E, or the small prize symbol 2 is stopped and displayed, the symbols 1 to 6, 8, or 9 change again due to the re-lottery effect and the word "God" is superimposed and displayed. Changes to 7 symbols (hereinafter, such a change is referred to as "promotion"). By promoting through the re-lottery performance, it is possible to suggest to the player that the jackpot symbols B, E, or the small winning symbol 2 are selected. When the jackpot symbols C, F, or the small winning symbol 3 are stopped and displayed, they are not promoted by the re-lottery presentation, and the decorative symbols 55 are temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as before the re-lottery presentation. The small symbols 56 are temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as the decorative symbols 55 at the same time as the decorative symbols 55 are temporarily stopped and displayed after the re-lottery performance. Thereafter, as the decorative pattern 55 is stopped and displayed, the small pattern 56 is stopped and displayed in the same combination as the decorative pattern 55.

Here, in this embodiment, in order to suggest that the decorative symbol 55 is promoted (specifically, it is the small winning symbol 2), a group presentation may be executed during the re-lottery presentation. The group effect is an effect in which a large number of characters C cross the LCD screen 5 from the lower right corner to the upper left corner while riding on weapons for the characters C (harpoons in this embodiment) (see FIG. 15(C)). The group performance during the re-lottery performance is executed from when the decorative symbols 55 and the small symbols 56 start changing again due to the re-lottery performance until the decorative symbols 55 and the minor symbols 56 are temporarily stopped and displayed. The group performance during the re-lottery performance is executed when the small winning symbol is 2, and is not executed when it is another special symbol. Whether or not to execute the group performance during the re-lottery performance is determined by random number lottery by the performance control board 130 (described later) when a fluctuation start command (described later) is received from the game control board 100 (described later). Here, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the execution ratio of the group effect during the re-lottery effect. In this embodiment, in the case of the small winning symbol 2, the proportion of the group effect executed during the re-lottery effect is 20%, and the proportion of the group effect not executed during the re-lottery effect is 80% (Fig. 6 reference). That is, the decorative symbol 55 can be promoted regardless of whether or not the group presentation is executed during the re-lottery presentation. When the small winning symbol is 1 or 3, the group presentation is not performed during the re-lottery presentation, and the rate at which the group presentation is not performed during the re-lottery presentation is 100%. In this embodiment, in the case of a loss or a jackpot, the group effect is not executed during the re-lottery effect.

Note that the group performance during the re-lottery performance may be performed to notify that the jackpot symbol B or E is the jackpot symbol. In such a case, the group performance during the re-lottery performance is executed when the jackpot symbol B or E is selected, and is not executed when the other special symbol is used.

The fourth symbol 57 is expressed in color, and after being displayed in a variable manner in synchronization with the decorative symbol 55 (and the special symbol), it is stopped and displayed at the same time as the decorative symbol 55 (and the special symbol). In the present embodiment, the fourth symbols 57 of "red", "blue", "green", "yellow", "white", and "purple" are fixed at the same position in this order. The variable display is performed by repeatedly displaying the image for a period of time (for example, 0.2 seconds). The variable display of the fourth pattern 57 is realized by switching the fourth pattern 57 of a predetermined color (for example, blue) between display and non-display at regular intervals (for example, every 0.2 seconds) and blinking. It's okay.

The color combination of the decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) that is stopped and displayed and the fourth pattern 57 that is stopped and displayed is predetermined to be different for each special pattern (see FIG. 5(E)). . As a result, the combination of the decorative pattern 55 (and the small pattern 56) and the fourth pattern 57 can notify the same content as that shown by the stopped and displayed special pattern. For example, three 7 symbols with the word "God" superimposed on the front side are displayed as decorative symbols 55, and a "red" symbol is displayed as the fourth symbol 57, which means that it is a jackpot symbol. Notify the same content as A. Further, for example, the same contents as the jackpot symbol C are notified when three 2 symbols are stopped and displayed as the decorative symbols 55 and a "blue" symbol is stopped and displayed as the fourth symbol 57.

The fourth pattern 57 is an image that is displayed in a smaller size toward the edge of the liquid crystal screen 5, and is less conspicuous than the decorative pattern 55 (and the small pattern 56). Therefore, even if the type of jackpot is notified by the combination of the decorative pattern 55 and the fourth pattern 57, it is difficult for the player to notice. Note that the fourth pattern 57 may be realized by a light emitting element (for example, a full color LED) provided near the right side of the liquid crystal display device 5. This light emitting element may be used as the fourth symbol 57 by lighting it up in a predetermined color at the same time as the decorative symbol 55 is stopped and displayed, to uniquely notify the determination result of the special symbol determination.

In the drawings, for the purpose of making it easier to see, the illustration of the fourth symbol in a fluctuating display is omitted, and only the fourth symbol in a static display is shown. However, the small symbol 56 and the fourth symbol 57 are always displayed in front of the other images in a position where they are not hidden by the production accessories 7 except during the jackpot game. Therefore, it does not become invisible or its visibility decreases. On the other hand, the decorative pattern 55 may be displayed in a superimposed manner behind another image and become invisible, or may be hidden by the performance accessory 7. In addition, a part or all of the decorative pattern 55 may be hidden regardless of whether or not the special pattern is being displayed in a variable manner.

The performance accessory 7 of this embodiment is provided between the front surface of the game board 2 and the glass plate, and is placed in the upper center of the liquid crystal screen 5. The performance accessory 7 of this embodiment is arranged at an initial position above the liquid crystal screen 5 when not in operation. When the timing to operate the performance accessory 7 is reached, the performance accessory 7 rotates downward from the initial position toward the center of the liquid crystal screen 5 by the driving force of the performance accessory motor 71, and placed in front of the The performance accessories 7 are used for various performances by being operated between an initial position and an advancing position.

The performance accessory 7 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material. The performance accessory 7 is used for various performances by causing a plurality of built-in light emitting elements (one type of board lamp 25) to emit light in multiple colors or in a single color. For example, by simultaneously emitting light in seven colors (specifically, red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, blue, and purple) from the light-emitting elements built into the performance accessory 7, the entire light is emitted in rainbow colors. let The performance accessory 7 is visible to the player regardless of its position. Therefore, the decoration applied to the performance accessory 7 and the light emission of the performance accessory 7 can enhance the performance effect regardless of the presence or absence of the movement.

Note that the performance accessory 7 may be provided, for example, between the game board 2 and the liquid crystal screen 5, and may be difficult for the player to see in the initial position. Furthermore, the performance accessory 7 may be movable up and down and left and right, or may be able to vibrate.

The speaker 24 outputs music, audio, sound effects, etc., and performs sound effects in synchronization with or asynchronously with the image display effect performed on the liquid crystal screen 5.

The board lamp 25 is a general term for a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, full color LEDs) provided on the game board 2. The frame lamp 37 is a general term for a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, full color LEDs) provided on the frame member 3. The frame lamp 37 includes, for example, a left side lamp provided on the left side of the frame member 3, a right side lamp provided on the right side of the frame member 3, a center lamp provided between the two speakers 24, and a game lamp. It is composed of a button lamp built into a production button 26 (see FIG. 2) that can be operated by a user.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the effect button 26. The performance button 26 of this embodiment is provided on the frame member 3, and the player can input operation information by operating it (for example, pressing it). In the gaming machine 1, a performance may be performed in accordance with the operation of the performance button 26. The production button 26 has a normal state in which its top surface is approximately at the same height as the top surface of the frame member 3, and a protruding state in which its top surface projects upward by a predetermined height (for example, 10 cm) relative to the top surface of the frame member 3. It is configured so that it can be controlled to change its height between different states. Note that the production button 26 can be operated at any height between the normal state and the protruding state.

Furthermore, the frame member 3 of this embodiment is provided with an effect key 27 for the player to perform a selection operation or move a cursor (see FIG. 2). The production key 27 is a so-called cross key, and includes an up key, a down key, a left key, and a right key. The production key 27 is used to adjust the light intensity of the liquid crystal screen 5, the board lamp 25, and the frame lamp 37, and is used to adjust the volume of the speaker 24.

[Example of configuration of display unit 4]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. 1. The display 4 mainly displays information regarding special symbol determination and normal symbol determination, and as illustrated in FIG. It is comprised of a special symbol pending display 43, a second special symbol pending display 44, a normal symbol display 45, a normal symbol pending display 46, a game status display 47, a round display 48, and the like.

When the first special symbol determination is performed, the first special symbol display device 41 variably displays the special symbol and then stops displaying the special symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination, thereby making the first special symbol determination. Notify the judgment results. When the second special symbol determination is performed, the second special symbol display device 42 variably displays the special symbol and then stops displaying the special symbol indicating the determination result of the second special symbol determination, thereby determining the second special symbol. Notify the judgment results.

The first special symbol reservation display 43 displays the number of reservations for the first special symbol determination (hereinafter referred to as "Special 1 reservation number"). The second special symbol reservation display 44 displays the number of reservations for the second special symbol determination (hereinafter referred to as "Special 2 reservation number"). In this embodiment, a pending icon 54 and a pending number (not shown) are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 so that the player can easily understand the pending number. The hold icons 54 are displayed in the order of the number of hold icons (up to four in this embodiment).

In this embodiment, the display manner of the hold icon 54 differs depending on the production mode. In the case of battle mode and story mode, the hold icon 54 is basically displayed in white (see FIG. 31(A)). Here, in this embodiment, blue, green, red, and rainbow colors are used as colors that indicate the level of possibility (hereinafter referred to as "reliability") of a big hit or a small win. Each color, in the order mentioned above, is more likely to be used in the case of a jackpot and less likely to be used in the case of a loss. Rainbow colors have a confidence level of 100%, are used only when there is a jackpot, and are not used when it is a loss. In the case of battle mode and story mode, in the case of a jackpot or a loss, and the fluctuation time of the special symbol is relatively long, the pending icon 54 is displayed in one of the colors indicating high or low reliability. easy. In the following description, the white hold icon 54 will be referred to as the normal mode hold icon 54, and the above color hold icon 54 other than white will be referred to as the special mode hold icon 54.

The hold icon 54 in the night mode and new chapter mode is displayed at the edge of the liquid crystal screen 5. In addition, the hold icon 54 in the night mode and new chapter mode is small and inconspicuous, basically notifying only the number of holds, and is not displayed in a special form (see FIG. 13(A)). In this embodiment, the pending icon 54 can be displayed in a slightly different display mode (for example, a display mode with high brightness) only when a small win occurs in the pending game. Here, in this embodiment, the hold icon 54 in the new chapter mode can be displayed only during the variable display of the second special symbols in the first and second rotations. During the variable display of the second special symbol in the third rotation in the new chapter mode, a panel image representing a character is displayed by character stock performance, which will be described later, thereby suggesting the possibility of a small hit in the pending state. Therefore, from the start of the variable display of the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode until the end of the variable display, the hold icon 54 that suggests content similar to the character stock presentation is not displayed.

In God Rush and Devil Rush, it is relatively easy to hit a small hit with a probability of 1/10 because it is only necessary to hit the second special symbol 100 times. For this reason, in God Rush and Devil Rush, a configuration is adopted in which the pending icon 54 is not displayed in order to emphasize that the jackpot games are continuous rather than individual special symbol determination. Note that the hold icon 54 may be displayed in the god rush and the devil rush. In this case, it is preferable to display the hold icon 54 in an inconspicuous manner, such as displaying it in a small size at the edge of the liquid crystal screen 5, similar to the hold icon 54 in the night mode and new chapter mode, for example.

The pending numbers are 0 to 4 that are displayed in small numbers on the left end of the LCD screen 5 in the same manner regardless of whether it is a jackpot or not, in synchronization with the pending number of the first special symbol determination and the pending number of the second special symbol determination. It's a number. The pending numbers include a first pending number that indicates the number of pending numbers from 0 to 4 in synchronization with the display on the first special symbol pending display 43, and a pending number in synchronization with the display on the second special symbol pending display 44. There is a second reserved digit indicating the number from 0 to 4. For example, when the number of reservations for the first special symbol judgment increases by one, the first reservation number is displayed as a number with one added, and when the number of reservations for the second special symbol determination increases by one, the second reservation number is displayed as a number with one added. is displayed. Here, the hold icon 54, like the decorative pattern 55, is hidden, hidden behind another image, or not displayed. On the other hand, like the small pattern 56, the reserved numbers are always displayed on the front side of other images regardless of the production mode, so they will not be obscured by other images or their visibility will decrease. .

When the normal symbol determination is performed, the normal symbol display device 45 notifies the determination result of the ordinary symbol determination by variably displaying the regular symbol and then stop displaying the normal symbol indicating the determination result of the ordinary symbol determination. The normal symbol pending display 46 displays the number of pending normal symbol determinations. The gaming status display 47 displays the gaming status at the time when the gaming machine 1 is powered on. The round display 48 is basically off, and displays the number of rounds of the jackpot game in response to the jackpot symbol being stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. do. The round display 48 does not light up and remains off in response to the stop display of a losing symbol or a small winning symbol.

[Configuration of the control device of the gaming machine 1 and overview of various determinations made in the gaming machine 1]
An example of the configuration of a control device included in the gaming machine 1 and an overview of various determinations performed in the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control device included in the gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining special symbol determination. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main RAM 103 and various information stored in the main RAM 103.

On the back side of the game board 2, a control device for controlling the operation of the game machine 1 is provided in addition to a ball tank for storing game balls to be delivered to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control device of the game machine 1 includes a game control board 100 that controls the progress of the game, such as various determinations and transmission of commands, and a game control board 100 that controls the performance based on commands received from the game control board 100. It is composed of a production control board 130 that controls the production, an image and sound control board 140 that controls production using images and sounds, a lamp control board 150 that controls production using various lamps and performance accessories 7, and the like. Note that the configuration of the control device is not limited to this, and for example, the production control board 130, the image and sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150 may be configured as one board.

[Configuration example of game control board 100]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the game control board 100 includes a main CPU 101, a main ROM 102, a main RAM 103, and a random number circuit 104. The main CPU 101 performs various calculation processes related to determination and the number of prize balls to be paid out based on programs stored in the main ROM 102 . The main RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the main CPU 101 executes the above programs or as a work area for data processing. The random number circuit 104 generates a jackpot random number used to determine whether it is a jackpot, a loss, or a small win, for example.

The game control board 100 includes a first starting port switch 111, a second starting port switch 112, an electric tulip control section 113, a gate switch 114, a large winning port switch 115, a small winning port switch 116a, a V winning port switch 116b, and a losing port switch 116a. The winning opening 116c, the large winning opening control section 117, the small winning opening control section 118, the normal winning opening switch 119, and the displays 41 to 48 constituting the display 4 are connected. In addition, although there are actually four normal winning opening switches 119, only one normal winning opening switch 119 is shown in FIG.

The first starting port switch 111 detects that a game ball has entered the first starting port 11 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100. The second starting port switch 112 detects that a game ball has entered the second starting port 12 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100. The electric tulip control unit 113 opens and closes the second starting port 12 by operating an electric solenoid connected to the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 17 in a drive-transferable manner according to a control signal from the game control board 100. do. The gate switch 114 detects that the game ball has passed through the gate 16 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100. The big winning hole switch 115 detects that a game ball has won in the big winning hole 13, and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100. The small winning hole switch 116a detects that a game ball has won in the small winning hole 19, and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100. The V winning a prize opening switch 116b detects a V winning prize and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100. The losing winning port switch 116c outputs a detection signal indicating that the game ball has been detected by the losing winning port switch to the game control board 100. The grand prize opening control unit 117 opens and closes the grand prize opening 13 by operating an electric solenoid that is coupled to a plate that closes the grand prize opening 13 so as to be able to transmit drive force, based on a control signal from the game control board 100. do. The small winning opening control unit 118 opens and closes the small winning opening 19 by operating an electric solenoid that is connected to a plate that closes the small winning opening 19 so as to be able to transmit a drive based on the control signal from the game control board 100. do. In addition, the small winning opening control unit 118 operates an electric solenoid that is drive-transmissibly connected to a plate that opens and closes the V winning opening switch 116b and the losing winning opening switch 116c, based on the control signal from the game control board 100. Open and close these switches by opening and closing the switches. The normal winning hole switch 119 detects that the game ball has entered the normal winning hole 14 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100.

The main CPU 101 of the game control board 100 receives a detection signal from the first starting port switch 111, second starting port switch 112, large winning port switch 115, small winning port switch 116a, or normal winning port switch 119. , instructs a payout control board (not shown) to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won, and manages the number of prize balls to be paid out based on information from the payout control board. Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, the payout control board supplies game balls to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29 by controlling the drive motor that sends out the game balls from the ball tank.

The main CPU 101 acquires "various random numbers for special symbol determination" as acquired information at the timing when the detection signal from the first starting port switch 111 is input, and performs the first special symbol determination using the acquired various random numbers. Execute. Further, various random numbers for special symbol determination are acquired at the timing when the detection signal from the second starting port switch 112 is input, and a second special symbol determination is executed using the acquired various random numbers.

In this embodiment, as "various random numbers for special symbol determination", for example, jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, variable pattern random numbers, and reach random numbers are used. The jackpot random number is a random number for determining whether it is a jackpot, a loss, or a small win. The symbol random number is a random number for determining the type of jackpot symbol when it is determined to be a jackpot, and for determining the type of small winning symbol when it is determined to be a small win. In this embodiment, the combination of the number of rounds of the jackpot game and the gaming state immediately after the end of the jackpot game differs for each jackpot symbol (and small win symbol) (see FIGS. 5(C) and (D)). Therefore, the symbol random number can be said to be a random number for determining the type of jackpot game and the gaming state immediately after the jackpot game ends. The variation pattern random number is a random number for determining the variation time from when the special symbol starts to be displayed in a variable manner until it is stopped and displayed in a manner that indicates the determination result of the special symbol determination. In this embodiment, the pattern in which the special symbols are displayed in a variable manner (hereinafter referred to as a "variable pattern") differs for each variation time, so the variable pattern random number can be said to be a random number for determining the variable pattern. When determining the fluctuation pattern when it is determined that the reach random number is a loss, the reach random number is used to determine the fluctuation pattern group for losing that exceeds a specific number of seconds (for example, 13.5 seconds) and the fluctuation pattern group for losing that exceeds the specified number of seconds (for example, 13.5 seconds) and This is a random number for selecting from which of the group of fluctuation patterns for loss a fluctuation pattern is to be determined.

Further, the main CPU 101 acquires a normal symbol random number at the timing when the detection signal from the gate switch 114 is input, and executes a normal symbol determination using the acquired normal symbol random number. The normal symbol random number is a random number for determining whether or not to open the second starting port 12, and is, for example, a random number generated using a random counter provided in the main RAM 103. When the main CPU 101 obtains the normal symbol random number, the main CPU 101 determines whether the obtained normal symbol random number matches the determination value assigned to the determination result of opening the second starting port 12 as a determination value to be compared with the regular symbol random number. Based on this, it is determined whether or not to open the second starting port 12.

In this embodiment, the jackpot random number is generated using the random number circuit 104, and various random numbers for special symbol determination other than the jackpot random number are generated by software using a random counter provided in the main RAM 103. In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the game control board 100 is provided with one random number circuit 104 will be explained, but the game control board 100 is provided with a plurality of random number circuits, and this random number circuit is used to determine special symbols other than jackpot random numbers. Various random numbers may be generated. For example, the game control board 100 includes a 16-bit random number circuit for generating jackpot random numbers, an 8-bit random number circuit for generating symbol random numbers, and an 8-bit random number circuit for generating fluctuating pattern random numbers. , and an 8-bit random number circuit for generating a reach random number. The 16-bit random number circuit independently updates hardware random numbers in the numerical range from 0 to 65535, and the 8-bit random number circuit independently updates hardware random numbers in the numerical range from 0 to 255.

The main ROM 102 stores in advance various determination values for comparison with various random numbers for special symbol determination. For example, the main ROM 102 stores in advance a jackpot determination table (not shown) in which the judgment value to be compared with the jackpot random number is assigned to one of "jackpot", "small win", and "loss". ing. For example, the main CPU 101 uses the acquired jackpot random number and the jackpot judgment table to determine whether the judgment result of the jackpot judgment (see FIG. 43) is a jackpot, a small hit, or a loss through special symbol judgment. The decision will be made before the judgment result is announced. If the jackpot random number matches the determination value assigned to the jackpot, the main CPU 101 determines that it is a jackpot.

Specifically, in this embodiment, "0 to 65535" is set as the determination value to be compared with the jackpot random number. For example, in the jackpot determination table used for the first special symbol determination, "0 to 204" are assigned to "jackpot" and "205 to 65335" are assigned to "loss" ( In other words, the jackpot probability is approximately 1/319 (see FIG. 5(A)). In addition, in the case of the first special symbol determination, there is no chance of a "small win" regardless of the gaming state.

In the jackpot determination table used for the second special symbol determination, "0 to 204" are assigned to "jackpot", "205 to 58981" are assigned to "loss", and "small" is assigned to "loss". "58982 to 65535" are assigned to "hit" (that is, jackpot probability is approximately 1/319; see FIG. 5(B))). When the second special symbol determination is performed, a "small win" is achieved with the same probability (for example, about 1/10) regardless of the gaming state.

Further, for example, the main ROM 102 stores in advance a "symbol determination table" (not shown) and a "jackpot variation pattern table" (not shown) as tables to be used when a jackpot is determined. The "symbol determination table" is a table in which a determination value to be compared with a random symbol number is assigned in advance to any one of a plurality of jackpot symbols. For example, after determining a jackpot, the main CPU 101 determines the type of jackpot symbol based on which jackpot symbol the acquired symbol random number matches the determination value assigned to it.

Specifically, in this embodiment, "0 to 99" is set as the determination value to be compared with the symbol random number (see FIG. 5(C)). In the symbol determination table used for the first special symbol determination (the symbol determination table for the first starting opening), "0" is assigned to the jackpot symbol A (determination ratio 1%), and "0" is assigned to the jackpot symbol B. "1-14" is assigned to the jackpot symbol C (decision ratio 14%), and "15-99" is assigned to jackpot symbol C (decision ratio 85%). In addition, in the symbol determination table used for the second special symbol determination (the symbol determination table for the second starting opening), "0" is assigned to the jackpot symbol D (determination ratio 1%), and the jackpot symbol E "1 to 14" are assigned to the jackpot symbol F (decision ratio of 14%), and "15 to 99" are assigned to the jackpot symbol F (decision ratio of 85%).

In this embodiment, a "small winning symbol determination table" (not shown) and a "small winning variation pattern table" (not shown) are stored in advance as tables used when a small winning is determined. When determining a small winning symbol, the main CPU 101 refers to the "small winning symbol determination table" and determines a small winning symbol to which a determination value to be compared with a symbol random number is assigned, as in the case of determining a jackpot symbol. do. Specifically, in the small winning symbol determination table, "0 to 9" are assigned to small winning symbol 1 (determination ratio 10%), and "10 to 64" are assigned to small winning symbol 2. (decision ratio 55%), and "65-99" is assigned to small winning symbol 3 (decision ratio 35%).

Furthermore, a "reach determination table" (not shown) and a "loss variation pattern table" (not shown) are stored in advance as tables to be used when it is determined that the game is a loss. "Variation pattern table for jackpot", "Variation pattern table for small win", and "Variation pattern table for loss", the acquired fluctuation pattern random number matches which of the judgment values compared with the fluctuation pattern random number. This is a table for determining one variation pattern from a plurality of variation patterns based on the following.

The "reach determination table" is a table for determining whether or not to select a variation pattern from a group of variation patterns for loss exceeding a specific number of seconds (for example, 13.5 seconds). Whether to select a variation pattern from a group of variation patterns for losing over a specific number of seconds (for example, 13.5 seconds) based on which of the judgment values included in the reach judgment table the obtained reach random number matches. is determined. In this embodiment, the larger the number of reservations when special symbol determination is executed, the smaller the ratio of selecting a variation pattern from a group of variation patterns for losing that exceeds a specific number of seconds (hereinafter referred to as "reach ratio"). It is set in advance (see FIG. 5(F)).

Specifically, for example, if "0 to 99" is preset as the judgment value for comparison with the reach random number, or if the number of pending special symbol judgments at the time of special symbol judgment execution is 0 to 1 (hereinafter referred to as (Also referred to as "pending 0 to 1."), "0 to 14" are assigned to the determination result of determining from a group of variation patterns for loss exceeding a specific number of seconds. Further, "15 to 99" is assigned to the determination result that the variation pattern is determined from a group other than the above-mentioned variation pattern group (that is, reach ratio 15%, see FIG. 5(D)). In addition, when the number of pending special symbol determinations at the time of special symbol determination execution is 2 or more, the reach ratio is 5%. Note that the reach ratio may be the same regardless of the gaming state, or may be different depending on the gaming state (for example, depending on whether it is a non-time saving state or a time saving state).

Further, although a detailed explanation will be omitted, in this embodiment, the variation pattern of the first special symbol for the non-time saving state is longer than the variation pattern of the first special symbol for the time saving state. Further, the variation pattern of the second special symbol for the time-saving state is shorter than the variation pattern of the second special symbol for the non-time-saving state. The variation pattern of the second special symbol for the time saving state is longer than the variation pattern of the first special symbol for the time saving state. However, since a small win can only be won with the second special symbol determination, the player aims at the second starting opening 12 instead of the first starting opening 11 when in a time saving state.

Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, in this embodiment, regardless of the gaming state, in the large winning variation pattern table and the small winning variation pattern table, the longer the variation time of the special symbol, the longer the variation pattern random number. Many judgment values to be compared are assigned. Therefore, in the case of a big hit or a small hit, a fluctuation pattern with a relatively long fluctuation time of the special symbol is likely to be determined. In addition, in the losing variation pattern table, the shorter the variation time of the special symbol, the more determination values to be compared with the variation pattern random number are assigned. Therefore, in the case of a loss, a variation pattern with a relatively short variation time of the special symbol is likely to be determined, and a variation pattern with a relatively long variation time of the special symbol is difficult to be determined.

In this embodiment, a variable effect pattern corresponding to the variable pattern determined by the main CPU 101 is determined by the sub CPU 131 of the effect control board 130. The variable performance pattern becomes the basis (scenario) of the configuration of the "variable performance." Here, the "fluctuation performance" is a performance based on the result of special symbol determination, and is a general term for the performance executed from when the special symbol starts to be displayed in a variable manner until the special symbol stops being displayed.

(Example of configuration of main RAM 103)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration example of the main RAM 103 in the game control board 100 and various information stored in the main RAM 103. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the main RAM 103 includes a determination storage area 1030, a first reservation storage area 1031, a second reservation storage area 1032, a third reservation storage area 1033, a fourth reservation storage area 1034, and a first reservation storage area 1030. A reserved storage area 1035, a second reserved storage area 1036, a third reserved storage area 1037, and a fourth reserved storage area 1038 are provided.

The determination storage area 1030 is a storage area in which various information used for special symbol determination is stored when the special symbol determination is actually executed. The first reservation storage area 1031 to the fourth reservation storage area 1034 are memories in which various information related to the first special symbol determination is stored in order from the first reservation storage area 1031 every time a game ball enters the first starting hole 11. It is an area. The first reservation storage area 1035 to the fourth reservation storage area 1038 are memories in which various information related to second special symbol determination is stored in order from the first reservation storage area 1035 every time a game ball enters the second starting port 12. It is an area.

For example, even if a game ball enters the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12 when a special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner or during a jackpot game (or during a small winning game), the special symbol will be judged or the special symbol will be changed. Fluctuation display cannot be performed immediately. Under such a situation, the main CPU 101 stores various information related to the special symbol determination in the suspension storage areas 1031 to 1038 as information indicating suspension of the special symbol determination. On the other hand, if the special symbol is not being displayed in a variable manner, the special symbol determination is not pending, and the jackpot game (or the small win game) is not in progress, the main CPU 101 uses the obtained various random numbers, etc. Immediately after the game ball is stored in the first holding storage area (1031 or 1035) corresponding to the winning start opening, it is shifted to the determination storage area 1030.

For example, if a game ball is won in the first starting hole 11 with no information stored in any of the first holding storage area 1031 to the fourth holding storage area 1034, the first special symbol obtained by this winning Various information related to the determination is stored in the first reserved storage area 1031, which is the highest level of free entries. Further, for example, if a game ball wins in the first starting hole 11 with information stored in the first reservation storage area 1031 and the second reservation storage area 1032, the first special symbol determination obtained by this winning Such various information is stored in the third reserved storage area 1033, which is the highest level of free entries.

Further, for example, "prior determination information" is also stored in the reserved storage areas 1031 to 1038. In this embodiment, when a game ball enters the starting hole, a preliminary determination is made to determine whether or not it is a jackpot prior to special symbol determination based on the jackpot random number, symbol random number, reach random number, and variable pattern random number. is performed (step S2109 in FIG. 9, step S2209 in FIG. 10). The preliminary determination information is information obtained by preliminary determination, including "winning opening information", information indicating whether or not it is a jackpot, information indicating the type of jackpot symbol if it is a jackpot, and information indicating the type of jackpot symbol if it is a small win. includes information indicating the type of small winning symbols, information indicating the fluctuation pattern of the special symbols, information indicating the gaming state, etc. The "winning starting opening information" is obtained when each random number stored in the same reserved storage area wins in which starting opening among the first starting opening 11 and the second starting opening 12. This is information indicating. The preliminary determination information including these pieces of information is stored in the same reserved storage area as the jackpot random numbers and the like used in the preliminary determination.

When the information stored in the first reserved storage area 1031 is shifted to the determination storage area 1030 when the first special symbol determination is executed, the information stored in the lower entry than the second reserved storage area 1031 is changed to 1. Entries are shifted upward one by one. For example, if the information stored in the first pending storage area 1031 is shifted to the determination storage area 1030 while information is stored in each of the first pending storage area 1031 to the third pending storage area 1033, The information stored in the second reservation storage area 1032 is shifted to the first reservation storage area 1031, and the information stored in the third reservation storage area 1033 is shifted to the second reservation storage area 1032.

Such information shift processing is similarly performed in the first reservation storage area 1035 to the fourth reservation storage area 1038 where information related to the second special symbol determination is stored. In the gaming machine 1 in this embodiment, when both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are suspended, that is, information is stored in both the first suspension storage area 1031 and the first suspension storage area 1035. If so, the shift processing in the first pending storage area 1035 to the fourth pending storage area 1038 is performed with priority before the shift processing in the first pending storage area 1031 to the fourth pending storage area 1034. Therefore, when the second special symbol determination is suspended, various information stored in the first pending storage area 1035 is shifted to the determination storage area 1030. Further, when the second special symbol determination is not suspended, that is, when only the first special symbol determination is suspended, various information stored in the first suspension storage area 1031 is shifted. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which the first special symbol and the second special symbol can be displayed in a variable manner at the same time. In such a configuration, two determination storage areas 1030 for first special symbol determination and second special symbol determination may be provided. In this case, the shift processing in the first pending storage area 1031 to the fourth pending storage area 1034 may be performed independently of the shift processing in the first pending storage area 1035 to the fourth pending storage area 1038.

[Example of configuration of production control board 130]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the production control board 130 includes a sub CPU 131, a sub ROM 132, a sub RAM 133, an RTC (real time clock) 134, and a random number circuit 135. The sub CPU 131 performs arithmetic processing when controlling the effects based on a program stored in the sub ROM 132. The sub-RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the sub-CPU 131 executes the above programs or as a work area for data processing. The RTC 134 measures the current date and time (date and time).

The sub CPU 131 sets performance contents of various performances based on game information regarding special symbol determination, normal symbol determination, preliminary determination information, jackpot game, etc. transmitted from the game control board 100. For example, the performance content to be set may be determined by a lottery using various "random numbers for performance control" to determine the performance content. Further, the sub CPU 131 may receive input of operation information from the effect button 26 or the effect key 27 and set the effect contents according to the operation information. The sub CPU 131 sends a command to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 to instruct execution of the performance based on the set performance content.

The "random number for performance control" is a random number that is appropriately updated in the random number circuit 135, for example, when timer interrupt processing (described later) by the performance control board 130 is not performed. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the random number circuit 135 is used to generate random numbers for performance control, thereby reducing the processing load on the sub CPU 131 compared to when the sub CPU 131 generates random numbers.

In addition, the sub CPU 131 may perform a random number update process of appropriately updating various production control random numbers using, for example, a loop count that is incremented by "1" each time the production control board 130 performs a timer interrupt process.

[Example of configuration of image sound control board 140]
The image and sound control board 140 controls the image display on the liquid crystal screen 5 and controls the output of sound effects from the speaker 24 . The image and sound control board 140 includes a central CPU 141, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 142, an audio DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 143, a control ROM 144, and a control RAM 145, as illustrated in FIG. It also includes an audio ROM, SDRAM, CGROM, and VRAM (all not shown).

The supervising CPU 141 sends image data stored in the CGROM to the VDP 142 based on programs stored in the control ROM 144, various tables such as a display list creation table, commands received from the production control board 130, etc. Give instructions to display. This instruction is mainly performed by outputting a display list.

Here, the display list consists of a group of commands for instructing the execution of drawing in frame units, including the type of image to draw, the position (coordinates) to draw the image, display priority, display magnification, and rotation. It includes various parameters such as angle and transmittance. Further, the display list creation table is a table used to create this display list.

The supervising CPU 141 also instructs the audio DSP 143 to output the audio data stored in the audio ROM from the speaker 24.

The control ROM 144 is composed of a mask ROM, and stores a control program for the central CPU 141 and a display list generation program for generating a display list.

The control RAM 145 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the overall CPU 141 executes the above programs, or as a work area for data processing.

The CGROM stores performance data necessary for executing performances associated with variable display of special symbols, performances associated with jackpot games, and the like. This CGROM is composed of flash memory, EEPROM, EPROM, mask ROM, etc., and includes sprite data (one image data) consisting of a collection of pixel information in a predetermined range of pixels (for example, 32 x 32 pixels), and multiple image data. It compresses and stores movie data, etc. consisting of a collection of files. Note that the pixel information is composed of color number information that specifies a color number for each pixel and an α value that indicates the transmittance of the image. Further, the CGROM stores, without compression, palette data in which color number information specifying a color number is associated with display color information for actually displaying the color.

Note that only part of the image data stored in the CGROM may be compressed. Further, as a method for compressing movie data, various known compression methods such as MPEG4 can be used.

The VRAM is composed of an SRAM that can write and read image data at high speed, and includes a display list storage area, an expansion storage area, a frame buffer for a liquid crystal screen, and the like.

The display list storage area is for temporarily storing the display list output from the central CPU 141. The expanded storage area stores image data that has been read out from the CGROM and then decompressed. The frame buffer for the liquid crystal screen is used for drawing and displaying image data displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5. The frame buffer for LCD screens is a double-buffer type memory equipped with two buffers, and while the image data stored in one buffer is output for display, the next image data is drawn in the other buffer. As a result, image data is drawn and displayed.

The VDP 142 expands the compressed image data stored in the CGROM and stores the expanded image data in the expansion storage area. Further, the VDP 142 performs drawing processing on the frame buffer for the liquid crystal screen, based on the display list stored in the display list storage area, using the image data stored in the expansion storage area. Further, the VDP 142 generates an RGB signal as a video signal indicating the color of the image from the image data stored in the display frame buffer in the VRAM, and outputs the generated RGB signal to the liquid crystal screen 5.

The audio DSP 143 is connected to an audio ROM that stores various audio data related to songs, voices, sound effects, etc., an SDRAM used as a work area for data processing, etc. by the audio DSP 143, and an amplifier. The audio DSP 143 reads audio data corresponding to an instruction from the central CPU 141 from the audio ROM to the SDRAM, executes data processing, and outputs the audio data after data processing to the speaker 24 (via an amplifier). The amplifier adjusts the volume according to an instruction regarding the volume obtained from the central CPU 141 via the audio DSP 143 and causes the speaker 24 to output audio data. Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, for example, a sound effect with a three-dimensional sound effect, such as a sound effect that can be heard from a virtual sound source position other than the position where the speaker 24 is installed, and a sound effect without a three-dimensional sound effect. Output acoustic data corresponding to the sound.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the VDP is responsible for drawing management and the audio DSP is responsible for sound management, but a configuration in which the VDP is responsible for both drawing management and sound management may be adopted. In this case, there is no need to separately provide an audio DSP.

[Example of configuration of lamp control board 150]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the lamp control board 150 includes a lamp CPU 151, a lamp ROM 152, and a lamp RAM 153. The lamp CPU 151 operates the light emitting element included in the performance accessory 7, the board lamp 25, the frame lamp 37, the performance accessory motor 71 that operates the performance accessory 7, and the performance button 26 based on the program stored in the lamp ROM 152. Performs arithmetic processing when controlling the effect button motor 261 and the like to be operated. Moreover, when the effect button 26 or the effect key 27 is operated by the player, the lamp CPU 151 transmits an operation command notifying the effect to the effect control board 130. Upon receiving the operation command, the production control board 130 transmits a command for executing the production (hereinafter referred to as "operation production start command") to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. . The image and sound control board 140 can execute an image and sound effect on the liquid crystal screen 5 and the speaker 24 by receiving the operation effect start command. Further, the lamp control board 150 can perform effects that cause various lamps to emit light by receiving an operation effect start command.

The lamp ROM 152 stores in advance, for example, a light emission pattern for controlling each performance means to emit light, and an operation pattern for controlling the operation of the performance button 26 and the performance accessories 7. The light emission pattern data includes, for example, information indicating the type of lamp that emits light, the color of light emitted, the time of light emitted, and the like. The lamp RAM 153 is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the lamp CPU 151 executes the above program, or as a work area for data processing.

The lamp CPU 151 sends data (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "data related to image and sound control") specifying the light emission pattern (and operation pattern) of the performance related to the start to the performance control board 130 at each performance start timing. It is received from the image and sound control board 140 via. For example, the lamp CPU 151 reads the light emission pattern (and operation pattern) designated by the received data from the lamp ROM 152, temporarily stores (sets) it in the lamp RAM 153, and performs control based on the pattern. Thereby, for example, control is realized in which each effect means emits light or operates in synchronization (or asynchronously) with the effect of displaying an image performed on the liquid crystal screen 5.

For example, in response to receiving data specifying a light emission pattern when the current variable effect is started at the start timing of the variable effect, the lamp CPU 151 controls light emission based on the specified light emission pattern from the start of the variable effect. Execute. Also, for example, during a variable performance, data specifying a light emission pattern for the predetermined performance may be received at the start timing of a predetermined performance (for example, a reach performance described later), and data specifying a light emission pattern for the predetermined performance may be received at the start timing of a predetermined performance (for example, a reach performance described later), and the data may be specified at the start of the predetermined performance. Executes light emission control based on the determined light emission pattern.

In this embodiment, the light emission patterns (and operation patterns) for each effect are stored in different areas prepared in advance for each effect in the lamp RAM 153. The configuration is not limited to this, and for example, one area in the lamp RAM 153 may be used as an area for storing one or more lighting patterns or operation patterns for effects.

Furthermore, the data related to image sound control may be data that collectively specifies light emission patterns (and operation patterns) related to one or more effects. As an example, the lamp CPU 151 may, at a timing when a predetermined effect (for example, a reach effect described later) is started during a variable effect, collectively generate light emission patterns corresponding to a plurality of effects to be executed after the predetermined effect. Specifying data may be received, and light emission control based on the specified light emission pattern may be started with the start of the predetermined effect. As another example, the lamp CPU 151 sets, in the lamp RAM 153, a light emission pattern corresponding to all effects to be executed during the current variable effect in response to receiving data instructing the start of a variable effect. The light emission control based on this light emission pattern may be performed during the variable performance.

The configuration of the gaming machine 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 is merely an example, and other configurations may be used. Moreover, the ratio explained with reference to FIG. 5 is only an example, and any ratio may be used.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the production mode for the time saving state. In this embodiment, at the final stage of the jackpot game, a "mode selection performance" is executed in which the player can select a performance mode for a time-saving state immediately after the jackpot game ends. A specific performance form of the mode selection performance will be described later with reference to FIG. 9 and the like, but in the mode selection performance, a plurality of mode images representing mutually different performance modes are displayed. Only one mode image among the plurality of mode images is displayed in a selected state, and the other mode images are displayed in an unselected state. In the present embodiment, in an initial state where the player has not selected the production mode, such as immediately after the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the setting value indicating the production mode of group A (see FIG. 8(A)) is set. It is stored in the sub RAM 133. In this embodiment, this setting value determines the type of mode image to be initially selected (that is, the configuration of the initial screen is determined). That is, in the mode selection performance in the initial state, the mode image representing the performance mode of group A is initially displayed in a selected state, and the mode image representing the performance mode of group B is displayed in an unselected state. Ru. Note that in an initial state, such as immediately after the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the setting value indicating the performance mode may not be stored in the sub-RAM 133. In the mode selection performance in the initial state when the setting value is not stored in this way, the mode image representing the performance mode of group A is first displayed in a selected state, and then the mode image representing the performance mode of group B is displayed. The image may be displayed without being selected.

Here, for example, players who prefer the night mode tend to prefer the performance mode of group A over group B. Furthermore, for example, players who prefer the new chapter mode tend to prefer the performance mode of group B over group A. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the performance mode that is initially selected on the initial screen of the mode selection performance is changed in consideration of the player's tendency. In this embodiment, the production mode that is initially selected on the initial screen is changed by updating the setting value indicating the production mode at the end of the mode selection production.

The mode selection performance of this embodiment is executed at the end of the jackpot game regarding jackpot symbols B, C, E, and F and small winning symbols 2 and 3, and jackpot symbols A and D and small winning symbol 1 are stopped and displayed. It is not carried out based on the facts. The flow of mode selection performance will be explained below.

In this embodiment, a predetermined period of validity of the performance button 26 (for example, 7 seconds) is set from a predetermined timing during the mode selection performance (for example, when 2 seconds have passed from the start of the mode selection performance) until the end of the mode selection performance. ) is set. In this embodiment, the button lamp emits white light during the valid period, and is turned off except during the valid period. During this valid period, a plurality of mode images representing mutually different production modes are displayed, and the type of mode image to be initially selected is determined by the setting value indicating the production mode. For example, if you hit jackpot symbol C for the first time, the setting value indicating the performance mode of group A is initially stored, so it will be displayed in the selected state at the start of the validity period. This is a mode image representing the mode (see FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B)(a)).

When the effect button 26 is operated once during the valid period of the mode selection effect, the mode image in the selected state is switched. For example, when the jackpot symbol C is the first hit, the mode image representing the new chapter mode is switched to the selected state in response to the first operation during the valid period of the mode selection effect (Fig. 8 (B) (b) reference). Then, in response to the second operation, the mode image representing the night mode is switched to a selected state (see FIGS. 8(B) and 8(c)). If the performance button 26 is not operated during the valid period of the mode selection performance, the mode image in the selected state will not be switched. The performance mode immediately after the end of the jackpot game being executed is the performance mode represented by the mode image in the selected state at the end of the valid period of the mode selection performance (that is, at the end of the mode selection performance), regardless of whether or not there is an operation.

In this embodiment, it is decided to shift to the production mode represented by the mode image in the finally selected state. In this embodiment, at the end of the mode selection performance, a setting value indicating the performance mode to which the mode is to be transferred is stored in the sub-RAM 133. Through this storage process, the performance mode for the time saving state immediately after the end of the jackpot game is set. Further, the performance mode that will be selected first on the initial screen of the mode selection performance in the next jackpot game is set.

Specifically, for example, if the jackpot symbol C is the first hit and the mode image representing the new chapter mode is selected at the end of the mode selection effect, it is determined to move to the new chapter mode ( (See FIG. 8(B)(d)). At the end of the mode selection effect, the setting value indicating the new chapter mode is stored in the sub RAM 133. As a result, the transition to the new chapter mode is set, and the mode image representing the group B performance mode is selected on the initial screen of the mode selection performance in the next jackpot game.

On the other hand, if the mode image representing the night mode is selected at the end of the mode selection effect, it is determined to shift to the night mode. At the end of the mode selection effect, the setting value indicating the night mode is stored in the sub RAM 133. As a result, it is set to shift to the night mode, and the mode image representing the performance mode of group A is selected on the initial screen of the mode selection performance in the next jackpot game.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the setting value indicating the destination performance mode is stored in the sub-RAM 133, regardless of which mode image is selected at the end of the mode selection performance. Thereby, by the mode selection performance, not only the performance mode immediately after the end of the jackpot game being executed can be determined, but also the state of the initial screen of the mode selection performance in the next jackpot game can be changed. According to this embodiment, the player only has to decide the desired performance mode once through one mode selection performance, and thereafter the desired performance mode is selected on the initial screen of the mode selection performance. Can be done. Here, in this embodiment, regardless of the presence or absence of an operation, the mode is shifted to the selected performance mode at the end of the valid period of the mode selection performance. Therefore, the player can shift to a desired performance mode by waiting for the expiration of the valid period without performing a selection operation during the mode selection performance. In this manner, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of reselecting the presentation mode many times each time the mode selection presentation is executed.

It should be noted that, during the valid period of the mode selection effect, the mode image in the selected state may be switched using the left and right keys of the effect key 27, and the effect mode may be determined by operating the effect button 26. In the case of such a configuration, in response to the operation of the performance button 26 during the validity period of the mode selection performance, the performance mode to which the mode selection performance is to be transferred is determined and the validity period ends. Further, as the destination performance mode is determined, a setting value indicating this performance mode is stored in the sub-RAM 133. In such a configuration, during the valid period of the mode selection effect, a selection key image imitating the effect key 27, the word "select" displayed near this image, and a image similar to the effect button 26 are displayed. A button image 90, the text "Determine with effect button", and a gauge image 91 indicating the remaining time of the validity period are displayed. These images are deleted when the destination performance mode is determined by operating the performance button 26.

Note that at the end of the mode selection performance, setting values indicating a group of performance modes may be stored instead of setting values indicating individual performance modes. Specifically, for example, in the case of the new chapter mode, a setting value indicating group B is stored in the sub-RAM 133 at the end of the mode selection effect.

In addition, at the end of the mode selection performance, the performance control board 130 executes a process of determining whether the setting value indicating the destination performance mode is a performance mode of the same group as the setting value already stored in the sub-RAM 133. You may. Then, only when it is determined that the destination production mode is not in the same group as the stored setting value (that is, a different group), the setting value indicating the transfer destination production mode is stored in the sub RAM 133. Good too.

With reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, a specific example from the first hit until the transition to the new chapter mode is confirmed will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example from when the jackpot symbol C is stopped and displayed in the first hit until the mode selection performance is started. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of mode selection performance. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of shifting to the new chapter mode via mode selection effect.

FIG. 9(A) exemplifies the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 when the jackpot symbol C is stopped and displayed at the first hit. In FIG. 9(A), in order to notify the same content as the jackpot symbol C, three 2 symbols indicating 2 are stopped and displayed as decorative symbols 55, and a blue fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed. At this time, the small symbols 56 are stopped and displayed in the same combination as the decorative symbols 55. After the state of FIG. 9(A) is maintained until the symbol confirmation time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, the jackpot game related to the jackpot symbol C is started. FIG. 9(B) exemplifies how a jackpot OP effect is being executed to notify that a jackpot game has started. The jackpot OP performance is a performance that displays characters indicating the type of the current jackpot game, and is a performance that is executed from the start of the jackpot game to the start of the 1R round game. In FIG. 9(B), the word "bonus" is displayed to indicate that this is a jackpot game related to jackpot symbol C. At the end of the jackpot OP performance, the words "Aim to the right" are displayed on the LCD screen 5, instructing the player to hit the ball to the right, and a voice saying "Aim to the right" is heard from the speaker 24. It is output.

FIG. 9(C) exemplifies the situation when the 1Rth round game is started. In this embodiment, in the case of a jackpot game related to jackpot symbol C, a video of character D is displayed from the 1st round game until the destination performance mode is determined in the mode selection performance (FIG. 9 (C) ~ (See FIG. 11(B)). This moving image displays pink bands at the top and bottom ends of the liquid crystal screen 5 from the start to the end.

As illustrated in FIG. 9(C), from the start of the 1R round game, the words "Right hit >>" are displayed at the right end corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. The characters "Right-handed >>" are used to instruct the player to play right-handed, and regardless of the type of jackpot game, from the start of the 1st round game after the start of the jackpot game to the final round game. It will continue to be displayed until the end. The characters "Right hit >>" are once erased at the start of the ED period, and are displayed from the time the time-saving state starts until the time-saving state falls to the non-time-saving state. The ED period is a period from the end of the final round game to the end of this jackpot game.

In the case of a jackpot game involving jackpot symbols B, C, E, and F, as illustrated in FIG. Displayed from the start of a round game. The words "Round 1" are continuously displayed until the 2R round game starts, and are updated to the words "Round 2" at the start of the 2R round game. Thereafter, it continues to be updated in accordance with the current round number, and is erased at the end of the final round game.

In this embodiment, regardless of the type of jackpot game, the characters "○○pt" indicating the total number of prize balls obtained in the jackpot games up to now are displayed from the start of the 1st round game. Since FIG. 9(C) shows the beginning of the 1st round of winning, the words "0pt" are displayed, indicating that the total number of prize balls is 0. The total number of prize balls will be deleted at the start of the ED period.

In the jackpot game of this embodiment, regardless of the type of jackpot, the title of the song is displayed on the right end of the liquid crystal screen 5 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 seconds) from the start of the 1R round game. This music is output from the speaker 24 from the start of the 1R round game after the start of the jackpot game to the start of the ED period, except for jackpot games related to jackpot symbols A and D and small win symbol 1. . In the jackpot game involving the jackpot symbols A and D and the small winning symbol 1, they are output from the start of the 1st round game until the end of the god rush or the devil rush.

In FIG. 9(D), immediately before the end of the final round game, there are the words "Round 8" to notify that it is the 8th round, the words "Right hit >>", and the total number of prize balls "547pt". ” is displayed. Further, FIG. 9(E) exemplifies the situation when only the characters "Round 8" are erased from the state of FIG. 9(D) at the end of the final round game.

In this embodiment, the mode selection performance starts from the start of the ED period in the jackpot game related to jackpot symbols B, C, E, and F, and small winning symbols 2 and 3 (see FIG. 9(F)). . In FIGS. 10 and 11, the mode selection performance in the case of the first hit and the jackpot symbol C is illustrated. The mode selection performance at this time is executed to determine either one of the night mode and the new chapter mode as the performance mode after the jackpot game being executed ends. Since FIGS. 10 and 11 are examples of first winnings, the performance mode that is first selected on the initial screen of the mode selection performance is the night mode of group A.

With the start of the mode selection effect (and the start of the ED period), the display of the words "Please select a mode" begins. In addition, with the start of the mode selection effect, a moving display of a night mode image 40 representing the night mode and a new chapter mode image 41 representing the new chapter mode is performed as illustrated in FIGS. 10(A) to 10(E). Begins. During this moving display, the effect mode cannot be selected, and the effect mode can be selected after the moving display is completed. As illustrated in FIGS. 10(A) to 10(E), the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 have dark hues (for example, low saturation) from the start of the mode selection effect to the time the moving display is completed. state or grayscale). This makes it possible to suggest that the presentation mode cannot be selected at present, but that the presentation mode will become selectable from now on.

Note that the tone of the mode image may be darkened by any method. For example, the tone of the mode image may be darkened by showing it to the player through a translucent black image. Specifically, for example, behind the words "Please select a mode" and in front of the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41, there is a black image with high transmittance that allows the back to be seen through. will be displayed in full. This black image is displayed from the start of the mode selection effect until the moving display of the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 is completed. The night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 are visible through this black image, so that they are displayed in a dark tone from the start of the mode selection effect until the time the moving display is completed.

In this embodiment, the following effect display is performed while the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 are being moved and displayed. First, with the start of the mode selection effect, the night mode image 40 starts to be superimposed and displayed on the front side of the moving image of character D from the upper left corner of the screen. At this time, the display of the new chapter mode image 41 has not yet started. In this embodiment, the type of mode image that is displayed first when the mode selection effect is started is determined by the set value indicating the effect mode stored in the sub-RAM 133. Since FIGS. 10 and 11 are examples of the first hit, the mode image representing the night mode of group A is displayed first when the mode selection effect is started.

Following the start of display of the night mode image 40, a new chapter mode image 41 starts to be displayed from the upper left corner of the screen similarly to the night mode image 40 (see FIG. 10(A)). The new chapter mode image 41, like the night mode image 40, is displayed in front of the character D's moving image. The new chapter mode image 41, which is started to be displayed later, is displayed in front of the night mode image 40 from the time the display starts until the timing shown in FIG. 10(E). From the timing shown in FIG. 10(E) to the timing shown in FIG. 11(A), the image is displayed behind the night mode image 40. In this manner, in this embodiment, mode images of a group different from the set value indicating the performance mode stored in the sub-RAM 133 are shown to the player with a higher display priority until halfway through the moving display. Note that during the moving display of mode images, mode images in the same group as the set value may be displayed with a higher display priority than mode images in a group different from the set value.

Here, in the present embodiment, if the first special symbol judgment after falling from the time saving state to the non-time saving state until a predetermined rotation (for example, the 30th rotation) does not result in a jackpot, when the previous time saving state The setting value indicating the production mode of is reset to the setting value indicating the production mode of group A. If a jackpot is achieved by the predetermined rotation, the setting value indicating the performance mode in the previous time saving state remains in the sub-RAM 133. In such a case, the type of mode image to be displayed first when the mode selection effect is started is determined by the setting value indicating the effect mode in the previous time saving state. For example, if a setting value indicating the new chapter mode remains, the new chapter mode image 41 is displayed first when the mode selection effect is started. In addition, in this embodiment, the setting value indicating the production mode is reset if the first special symbol judgment after falling from the time-saving state to the non-time-saving state and the first special symbol judgment until the predetermined rotation is not a jackpot, but the setting value is reset. The conditions may be other conditions. For example, if a jackpot occurs when the number of rotations exceeds the predetermined number, the setting value may be reset to the setting value indicating the group A performance mode. Further, if a jackpot is achieved when a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) or more has elapsed after falling from the time-saving state to the non-time-saving state, the set value may be reset to the setting value indicating the performance mode of group A.

Note that the night mode image 40 may start to be displayed before the new chapter mode image 41, regardless of the type of setting value indicating the production mode stored in the sub-RAM 133. Further, with the start of the mode selection effect, the display of the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 may be started at the same time, or the display of the new chapter mode image 41 may be started before the night mode image 40. You can.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10(A) to 10(C), the night mode image 40 whose display has started is gradually enlarged and displayed moving toward the upper right corner of the screen. When the night mode image 40 is moved and displayed to the upper right corner of the screen, it is then displayed while being gradually enlarged toward the left end of the screen (see FIG. 10(D)). In the night mode image 40 that has been moved to the left end of the screen and displayed, the left half is cut off and only the right half is visible.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the new chapter mode image 41 that has started to be displayed is gradually enlarged and moved to the center of the screen. When the new chapter mode image 41 is moved to the center of the screen, it is gradually reduced in size and moved to the right edge of the screen, where it is placed side by side with the night mode image 40 (see FIG. 10(D)). The right half of the new chapter mode image 41 that has been moved to the right end of the screen is cut off and only the left half is visible. The moving display of the new chapter mode image 41 up to this point takes the same amount of time as the moving display of the night mode image 40. Therefore, at the same time as the night mode image 40 is displayed on the left end of the screen, the new chapter mode image 41 is displayed on the right end of the screen, and these are arranged side by side.

The night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 are displayed moving toward the center of the screen from the state shown in FIG. 10(E). As illustrated in FIG. 10(F), the distance between the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 gradually decreases, and the left end of the new chapter mode image 41 overlaps with the rear side of the night mode image 40. In this manner, in this embodiment, the type of mode image that is displayed on the near side (that is, has a high display priority) when overlapping images is determined by the setting value indicating the production mode stored in the sub-RAM 133.

Thereafter, when all the parts of the night mode image 40 (and the new chapter mode image 41) that were cut off become visible, the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 are frozen. Up to this point, the moving display of the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 is completed. At the time of completion of movement, the night mode image 40 is displayed larger than the new chapter mode image 41. In this manner, in this embodiment, the type of mode image that is displayed larger than other mode images is determined by the setting value indicating the production mode stored in the sub-RAM 133.

As described above, in this embodiment, if a jackpot is won within a predetermined rotation (for example, the 30th rotation) after falling from a time-saving state to a non-time-saving state, the setting indicating the performance mode in the previous time-saving state is The value remains in the sub RAM 133. In such a case, the type of mode image that is displayed in a large size on the front side (i.e., has a high display priority) in the state shown in FIG. is decided. For example, if a setting value indicating the new chapter mode remains, the new chapter mode image 41 is displayed larger in front of the night mode image 40 in the state shown in FIG. 10(F).

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, in response to completion of the moving display, the words "Please select a mode" are deleted. Along with this, the display of a button image 90, a gauge image 91, the words "mode switching", and left and right arrows (for example, an image such as "<< >>") is started. These images are displayed to suggest that the selected mode image will be switched by operating the effect button 26. In this embodiment, the validity period of the effect button 26 starts at the same time as the button image 90 starts to be displayed. The remaining time of the validity period is indicated by the gauge image 91.

At the same time as the button image 90 starts to be displayed, the display mode of the night mode image 40 changes to a bright color (for example, full color) (see FIG. 11(A)). This suggests that the night mode image 40 is currently selected. On the other hand, the new chapter mode image 41 remains in a dark tone (for example, gray scale) unless selected by operating the production button 26. This suggests that the new chapter mode image 41 is currently not selected. In this way, in the case of the first win, the setting value indicating the performance mode of group A is stored in the sub RAM 133, so in the mode selection performance, the initial screen with the night mode image 40 selected first is displayed. Ru.

In addition, if the setting value indicating the production mode in the previous time saving state remains in the sub RAM 133, the type of mode image in the first selected state is determined by the setting value indicating the production mode in the previous time saving state. is decided. For example, if a setting value indicating the new chapter mode remains, an initial screen with the new chapter mode image 41 selected first is displayed.

Note that all the mode images may change to bright colors at the same time that the display of the button image 90 starts. Specifically, the display mode of the night mode image 40 changes to a bright color, and the display mode of the new chapter mode image 41 also changes to a bright color. Even with this change, the night mode image 40 is displayed larger on the front side than the new chapter mode image 41, so it can be suggested that the currently selected one is the night mode image 40.

When the effect button 26 is operated once, the state in which the night mode image 40 is selected is switched to the state in which the new chapter mode image 41 is selected (flow from FIG. 11(A) to (B)). In this embodiment, in response to this first operation, the display mode of the night mode image 40 changes to a dark tone, and the new chapter mode image 41 changes to a bright tone. In addition, in response to this first operation, the night mode image 40 is gradually reduced and moved to the rear of the new chapter mode image 41, and the new chapter mode image 41 is gradually enlarged and displayed behind the night mode image 40. Move the display to the front.

When the effect button 26 is operated for the second time during the valid period of the mode selection effect, the state in which the new chapter mode image 41 is selected switches to the state in which the night mode image 40 is selected (FIG. 11). (Flow from B) to (A)). In this embodiment, in response to this second operation, the display mode of the night mode image 40 returns to a bright tone, and the new chapter mode image 41 returns to a dark tone. In addition, in response to this second operation, the night mode image 40 is gradually enlarged and moved to the front side of the new chapter mode image 41, and the new chapter mode image 41 is gradually reduced and the night mode image 40 is displayed. Move to the back and display. Here, FIG. 11(A) depicts the gauge image 91 at the start of the validity period. When the night mode image 40 is switched to the selected state in response to the second operation, the gauge image 91 suggests a smaller remaining time than the remaining time suggested by the gauge image 91 illustrated in FIG. 11(B). The state will be as follows.

Thereafter, at the end of the predetermined validity period, the transition to the production mode represented by the mode image selected at this point is confirmed. FIG. 11C shows an example in which the new chapter mode image 41 is selected at the end of the validity period, and the transition to the new chapter mode is confirmed. In this example, the setting value indicating the new chapter mode is stored in the sub-RAM 133 at the end of the valid period. By this storage process, the performance is controlled in the new chapter mode immediately after the end of the jackpot game being executed. Then, if you win a small hit or a jackpot (specifically, jackpot symbols B, C, E, and F, and small winning symbols 2 and 3) in the new chapter mode at this time, the production mode of group B The mode selection effect on the initial screen with is selected is executed during the second jackpot game. In this way, even if you do not have to reselect the new chapter mode (or other performance mode from group B) in the next mode selection performance, the performance mode of group B will be selected, so you can select it again. No hassle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11C and 11D, the new chapter mode image 41 starts to expand from the end of the validity period, and the new chapter mode image 41 is displayed in full screen. The night mode image 40, the button image 90, the gauge image 91, the words "mode switch", the left and right arrows, and the moving image of character D are deleted at the end of the validity period.

If the valid period ends with the night mode image 40 being selected and not operated, or if the valid period ends with the night mode image 40 being selected as a result of the operation, at the end of the valid period. The transition to night mode is confirmed. In such a case, a setting value indicating that the transition destination is the night mode at the end of the valid period is stored in the sub-RAM 133. By this storage process, the performance is controlled in the night mode immediately after the end of the jackpot game being executed. If you win a small hit or a jackpot (specifically, jackpot symbols B, C, E, and F, and small winning symbols 2 and 3) in the night mode at this time, the performance mode of group A will be changed. The mode selection performance in the selected state is executed during the second jackpot game. In this way, in the next mode selection performance, the performance mode of group A is still selected without reselecting the night mode (or other performance mode from group A), so there is no need to bother with reselection. I can't find it.

If the shift to night mode is confirmed at the end of the valid period, the night mode image 40 starts to expand from the end of the valid period, and the night mode image 40 is displayed on the full screen. The new chapter mode image 41, the button image 90, the gauge image 91, the words "mode switch", the left and right arrows, and the animation of character D are deleted at the end of the validity period.

When a predetermined period of time (for example, 7 seconds) has elapsed since the new chapter mode image 41 was displayed on the full screen, the new chapter mode image 41 is deleted. At the same time, a performance is started to display a performance mode title that notifies the transition to the new chapter mode. In this performance, the following performance display is performed. First, an image resembling a stage curtain is displayed on the entire screen. Then, in response to the curtain rising on the stage, the words ``New Chapter: Rush begins with battle victory'' are displayed (see FIGS. 11(E) and 11(F)). The production that displays the production mode title that informs the transition to the new chapter mode ends during the ED period. Then, during this ED period, the screen configuration switches to the new chapter mode, and after the ED period ends, the fluctuating display of the second special symbol starts, and the first rotation fluctuating effect in the new chapter mode starts. (See FIGS. 11(G) and (H)). The screen configuration of the new chapter mode will be described later with reference to FIG. 13.

In the present embodiment, a warning is displayed while the curtain of the stage is rising during a production in which a production mode title indicating a transition to a new chapter mode is displayed. This alert is displayed during the ED period of the first win, but is not displayed during the second and subsequent jackpot games. Further, this attention call has a higher display priority than the production mode title, and is deleted before the production in which the production mode title is displayed ends. FIG. 11(E) shows how a first warning warning the player not to get addicted to the game and a second warning warning the player not to forget to take out the prepaid card start to be displayed at the same time. Illustrated. Note that the display of the second alert may be started after the first alert is erased, or the display of the first alert may be started after the second alert is erased.

In the mode selection performance of this embodiment, one performance mode is selected from two options. Note that the mode selection performance may be a performance in which one performance mode is selected from three or more options. In such a configuration, the size of each mode image is different so that the mode image in the selected state is displayed the largest, and the mode images further away from the mode image in the selected state are smaller. You can also let

In the case of a mode selection effect in which one effect mode is selected from three or more options, the order in which each mode image is arranged may be determined in advance. In such a configuration, on the initial screen of the mode selection effect, even if the arrangement order is rearranged according to the setting value indicating the effect mode stored in the sub-RAM 133 so that mode images of the same group as the setting value are centered. good.

In this embodiment, mode images are displayed side by side in the mode selection effect. Note that in the mode selection effect, each mode image may have a depth distance. In such a configuration, the mode image in the unselected state is displayed so as to be located further back than the mode image in the selected state. For example, a mode image in an unselected state is displayed with a blur corresponding to the depth distance added. On the other hand, the mode image in the selected state is displayed without adding blur. On the initial screen of the mode selection effect, the presence or absence of blur according to the depth distance is determined by the setting value indicating the effect mode stored in the sub-RAM 133, and the blurring according to the depth distance is determined for the mode image of a group different from the setting value. is added and displayed.

In the mode selection effect of this embodiment, all selectable mode images are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5. In addition, in the mode selection effect, a part of the selectable mode image is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5, and the other part may be hidden. Specifically, when the night mode image 40 is selected and the new chapter mode image 41 is not selected, the night mode image 40 is displayed on the LCD screen 5, and the new chapter mode image 41 is not selected. be displayed. That is, on the initial screen of the mode selection performance, display or non-display is determined by the setting value indicating the performance mode stored in the sub-RAM 133, and mode images of groups different from the setting value are hidden. Even if the mode image is hidden in this way, it is possible to show the player the mode images that can be selected while the mode image is being displayed moving, so that the player is aware of what kind of production mode the mode image can be transitioned to. is possible.

[About the first and second rotation variations in new chapter mode]
If you shift to the new chapter mode by winning the jackpot symbol C, you can expect a small hit by making you expect a reach effect to occur during the variable display of the second special symbol in the first and second rotations. let The reach effect is a variation effect in which the left and right decorative symbols 55 (or This is a general term for the performance until the small pattern 56) is temporarily stopped and displayed. The temporary stop display is a display mode in which the display position of the decorative pattern 55 (or small pattern 56) is hardly changed, but is slightly moved so as to swing vertically, or is slightly enlarged and reduced. The reach effect is likely to be executed in the case of a small hit (or a big hit) or a loss where the fluctuation time of the special symbol is relatively long. Therefore, the reach performance is a performance with relatively high reliability, and is a performance that makes you expect a small hit (or a big hit).

In this embodiment, the production modes of the reach effect that can be executed in the new chapter mode (and normal mode) include "normal reach effect," "SP reach effect," and "SPSP reach effect." "Normal reach effect" is, for example, a state where the left and right decorative symbols 55 (hereinafter referred to as "reach symbols") in a reach state are displayed in a large size in the center of the LCD screen 5, and the center decorative symbol 55 is relatively displayed. This is a presentation mode that scrolls at a slow speed. In this embodiment, from the start of the normal reach performance, the left and right small symbols 56 are temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as the ready-to-reach symbol, but the middle small symbol 56 is different from the middle decorative symbol 55 and is displayed in a variable manner at high speed. When the normal reach performance results in a loss, a combination of the reach pattern and the central decorative pattern 55 indicating a loss (hereinafter referred to as "reach loss eye") is stopped and displayed at the end of the normal reach performance. On the other hand, when the normal reach performance results in a small hit (or jackpot), the decorative symbols 55 are stopped and displayed in a combination indicating a small win (or jackpot) at the end of the normal reach performance.

For example, the normal reach performance is sometimes executed in response to a small win (or big win) variation pattern, but is more likely to be executed in response to a loss variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is relatively short. Therefore, it can be said that the normal reach performance is a reach performance with relatively low reliability (for example, a reliability of 0.01%).

The "SP reach effect" is, for example, an effect that makes the player expect to develop into an SPSP reach effect for any one of characters A to D. The decorative pattern 55 is hidden from the start of the SP ready-to-win performance until just before the win/loss notification. When the SP reach performance develops into the SPSP reach performance, in the SP reach performance, after characters A to D are displayed, a performance is executed in which only one of the characters is displayed. If you lose without progressing from SP reach performance to SPSP reach performance, in SP reach performance, characters A to D are displayed in the same way as when SP reach performance develops to SPSP reach performance, and then all characters After disappearing, the decorative pattern 55 is stopped and displayed when the reach is missed. If it becomes a small hit (or a big hit) without progressing from SP reach performance to SPSP reach performance, in SP reach performance, character A~ After D disappears, the decorative patterns 55 are stopped and displayed in a combination indicating a small win (or a big win).

For example, the SP ready-to-win performance is sometimes executed in response to a small win (or big win) variation pattern, but it is more likely to be executed in response to a loss variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is a little longer. Therefore, it can be said that the SP reach performance is a reach performance with a medium reliability (for example, a reliability of 7%). In this embodiment, there are cases in which the SP reach performance develops from a reach establishment via a normal reach performance, and cases in which it develops directly from a reach establishment without going through a normal reach performance.

The "SPSP reach effect" is an effect in which one of the characters A to D fights against an enemy. In the case of a small win (or a big win), after the enemy is defeated at the end of the SPSP reach performance, the decorative pattern 55 is stopped and displayed in a combination indicating a small win (or a big win). In the case of a loss, the decorative pattern 55 is stopped and displayed at the end of the SPSP reach performance after the enemy wins at the end of the reach loss.

The SPSP reach performance is a performance that takes longer than the normal reach performance and the SP reach performance, and is likely to be executed in response to a variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is relatively long. The SPSP reach effect is difficult to execute when the result of special symbol determination is a loss, and is easy to execute when the result of special symbol determination is a small hit (or a big hit). The reliability of SPSP reach performance is relatively high, for example, 40%. Therefore, the SPSP reach effect is a reach effect with higher reliability than the normal reach effect and the SP reach effect. In this embodiment, the SPSP reach performance is divided into two cases: one develops from a reach establishment through a normal reach performance, one develops from a reach establishment through an SP reach performance, and one develops from a reach establishment through a normal reach performance. There are cases where it develops, and cases where it develops directly from the establishment of a reach without going through either the normal reach effect or the SP reach effect.

Here, in this embodiment, in order to make people expect a small hit, the SP SP reach effect is set at a predetermined timing during the SP reach effect (for example, when all the characters A to D are displayed). The group performance may be executed at any of the predetermined timings (for example, just before the operation promotion performance (described later) at the end of the SSP reach performance). In this embodiment, the group effect during SP reach effect or SPSP reach effect (hereinafter referred to as "group effect during reach effect") has the same display format as the group effect during re-lottery effect described above. ing.

Whether or not to execute the group performance during the reach performance is determined by random number lottery by the performance control board 130 when a fluctuation start command (described later) is received from the game control board 100. The group performance during the reach performance is executed when a small win variation pattern or a loss variation pattern is selected. In the case of a small hit, the group effect is more likely to be executed during the reach effect than in the case of a loss. Here, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the execution ratio of the group effect during the ready-to-reach effect. In the present embodiment, in the case of a small win, the proportion of group effects executed during the ready-to-win effect is 25%, and the proportion of the group effects not executed during the ready-to-reach effect is 75% (see FIG. 12). In the case of a loss, the rate at which the group performance is executed during the ready-to-win performance is 10%, and the rate at which the group performance is not executed during the ready-to-reach performance is 90%.

In this embodiment, when a group effect is executed during an SP reach effect, there are cases in which the SP reach effect develops into an SPSP reach effect, and cases in which a win or loss is announced in the SP reach effect without developing into an SPSP reach effect. There is. As described above, in this embodiment, the SPSP reach effect is also difficult to execute in the case of a loss, but is easy to execute in the case of a small win. Therefore, as a result, it can be indirectly suggested that when the group effect is executed during the SP ready-to-reach effect, there is a higher possibility that the group effect will develop into the SPSP ready-to-reach effect than when it is not executed.

Furthermore, it is certain that the group performance during the SP reach performance will develop into the SPSP reach performance, assuming that the SPSP reach performance may be executed even if the group performance is not executed during the SP reach performance. may be suggested.

In addition, in this embodiment, a case will be described in which there is one type of presentation mode of the group presentation, but the group presentation may have a plurality of presentation modes. For example, group effects include presentation mode A in which a large number of characters A cross the screen, presentation mode B in which a large number of characters B cross the screen, presentation mode C in which a large number of characters C cross the screen, and presentation mode C in which a large number of characters C cross the screen, and multiple types of characters (e.g. There is a production mode D in which a large number of characters A to C) cross the screen. The group performance during the reach performance has a high probability of being selected in the order of performance modes A to D when there is a small win, and performance mode D is executed only when there is a small win. In the group performance during the re-lottery performance, it is determined that the small winning symbol 1 is obtained no matter which of the performance modes A to D is executed. Therefore, as the performance mode of the group performance during the re-lottery performance, performance modes A to D are selected at an equal ratio. It should be noted that as a group performance during the re-lottery performance, the ratio of performance modes A to D may be selected in the order of increasing proportions.

In addition, the execution timing of the group effect that is executed to make players expect a small hit is not limited to the ready-to-win effect. For example, it may be suggested that the probability of a small hit is high by executing a group effect in response to the establishment of a reach.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, a specific example of the fluctuating performance of the first rotation in the new chapter mode shifted by winning the jackpot symbol C will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the situation when the first rotational variable display starts in the new chapter mode. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the reach effect following FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the re-lottery effect.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, if a jackpot symbol C is won and the destination performance mode is determined to be the new chapter mode during the ED period of the jackpot game related to this jackpot symbol C, the above ED At the end of the period, the screen will change to a new chapter mode screen configuration. FIG. 13(A) shows an example of the screen configuration of the new chapter mode at the end of the ED period, and corresponds to the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 in FIG. 11(G). At the time of FIG. 13(A), the decorative pattern 55 (and the small pattern 56) are stopped and displayed in the same combination that was stopped and displayed last time (specifically, the combination that suggests that it is the small winning pattern 3). Ru. The fourth symbol continues to be stopped and displayed from the last time it was stopped and displayed in blue to the time shown in FIG. 13(A). The decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the fourth pattern start to be displayed in a variable manner at the same time as the second special pattern in the first rotation in the new chapter mode starts to be displayed in a variable manner. Here, in the case of FIG. 13(A), the number of reservations for the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination is 0.

In this embodiment, when shifting to the new chapter mode, if the special symbol related to the second special symbol determination in the third rotation is a lost symbol and is stopped and displayed, the control in the time saving state ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to emphasize how the remaining number of second special symbol determinations decreases and give the player a feeling of excitement, the number of remaining times of second special symbol determination is reduced until the second special symbol determination of the third rotation is executed. 2 A number indicating the number of special symbol judgments is displayed in the upper left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. In the state of FIG. 13(A), the second special symbol determination for the first rotation has not been executed since the ED period is still in progress. Therefore, the number "2.0" is displayed in the upper left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. This number represents the fluctuation display of the first rotation as "1.9" to "1.0", and the fluctuation display of the second revolution as "0.9" to "0.0". As illustrated in FIG. 13(B), the above number changes from "2.0" to "1.9" in response to the start of the variable display of the second special symbol in the first rotation, and then , decreases by 0.1 every predetermined time (for example, every 5 seconds) (see FIG. 13(C)). In this embodiment, when the above-mentioned number is from "1.8" to "1.0" in the variable display of the first rotation, and when the above-mentioned number is from "0.8" to "0.8" in the variable display of the second rotation. 0", there is a possibility that reach will be achieved. In this embodiment, every time the above-mentioned number decreases by 0.1, a reach-to-reach effect is executed to incite whether or not a reach-to-win is achieved. As a result of the reach effect, if the reach effect is achieved, the countdown is stopped, the numbers are hidden, and the reach effect is developed. The flow after the reach effect at this time will be described later with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. As a result of the reach establishment inciting performance, if the reach is not established, the countdown of the above number continues. Then, when the number above reaches "1.0" in the countdown (in addition, "0.0" during the fluctuation display of the second rotation), if the reach is not achieved due to the reach effect, the above number changes. Instead, the decorative patterns 55 (and small patterns 56) are temporarily stopped and displayed in a combination indicating a loss, and then stopped and displayed.

In the present embodiment, the timing at which the number becomes "1.0" during the first rotational variable display is suggested by the display position of the icon 53. The icon 53 of this embodiment is an image displayed at the lower left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5 when the variable display of the second special symbol starts. The icon 53 continues to be displayed moving slightly to the right in front of the background gauge 60, and moves to the lower right corner of the LCD screen 5 when the above number reaches "1.0" during the first rotation of the variable display. is displayed (see FIGS. 13(B) to (D)). The background gauge 60 is an image that indicates the remaining time until the above-mentioned timing, and is an image that starts displaying at the same time as the icon 53. The background gauge 60 is displayed entirely in black at the start of display, and then changes from left to right until the entire background becomes white (see FIG. 13(B)). The icon 53 then changes to black again in order from where it passes, and immediately before the icon 53 reaches the lower right corner of the screen, the entire screen changes to black (see FIG. 13(C)). The icon 53 and the background gauge 60 of this embodiment are displayed during the variable display of the second special symbol in the second rotation as well as during the variable display of the second special symbol in the first rotation in the new chapter mode. During the second rotation of the variable display, the timing at which the icon 53 completes the moving display from the lower left corner to the lower right corner of the liquid crystal screen 5 indicates the timing at which the number becomes "0.0". Here, in FIG. 13(C), two pending icons 54 are placed in front of the icon 53 and the background gauge 60 because the number of pending decisions in the second special symbol judgment becomes 2 while the icon 53 is being moved and displayed. This is an example of how it is displayed. A hold icon 541 with 1 written inside corresponds to the first hold, and a hold icon 542 with 2 written inside corresponds to the first hold.

In the present embodiment, a dialogue production that displays characters and dialogue is executed until it is reported whether or not reach is achieved (see FIGS. 13B and 13C). In the dialogue production, a character or the like is displayed every time the number displayed in the upper left corner of the screen decreases by 0.1, and reliability is suggested based on the type of character and dialogue. There are characters A to C that are displayed in the dialogue production, and characters A, B, and C are more likely to be displayed in the order of small wins and are less likely to be displayed when they are losers.

As illustrated in FIG. 13(D), when the number in the upper left corner of the LCD screen 5 is "1.0", if the reach is not established as a result of the reach establishment promotion effect, immediately after that, three The decorative pattern 55 is temporarily stopped and then stopped (see FIG. 13(D)). At the same time that the icon 53 and the background gauge 60 are stopped and displayed in this manner, the icon 53 and the background gauge 60 are removed by retreating to the bottom of the screen. Then, as the variable display of the second special symbol of the second rotation in the new chapter mode starts, the new icon 53 and background gauge 60 are suddenly displayed (or appear sequentially from the bottom of the screen). At the same time, the number displayed in the upper left corner of the screen changes from "1.0" to "0.9". During the second rotation of the fluctuating display, a fluctuating effect similar to that of the first rotation is executed.

As illustrated in FIG. 13(F), when a reach is established as a result of the reach establishment promotion effect, the reach effect is executed. In the examples of FIGS. 13(F) and (G), when the number in the upper left corner of the LCD screen 5 is "1.0", reach is established and the SP reach effect is started. Depending on the type of variation pattern, a normal reach effect may be started or a SPSP reach effect may be started. In the present embodiment, the decorative pattern 55, the icon 53, the background gauge 60, the number "1.0" displayed in the upper left corner of the screen, and the total number of prize balls are hidden in response to the achievement of reach. be made into

FIG. 14(A) illustrates how the group effect is executed during the SP reach effect. Regardless of whether or not there is a group performance during the SP reach performance, there are cases where the SP reach performance develops after the SP reach performance (flow from Figure 14 (A) to (B)), and cases where the second stage does not develop into the SPSP reach performance. There are cases where the judgment result of the special symbol judgment is notified (the flow from FIG. 14(A) to (C)).

FIG. 14(B) exemplifies the start of an SPSP reach effect in which character C fights an enemy. As illustrated in FIG. 14(C), an operation promotion performance is executed at the end of the SPSP reach performance. In the operation promotion performance, the player is prompted to operate the performance button 26 by displaying the button image 90 and the gauge image 91 for a predetermined validity period. The validity period of the operation promotion performance is different from the validity period of the mode selection performance, and ends according to one operation. If there is no operation during the validity period, the validity period ends at a predetermined validity period end timing (for example, when 3 seconds have elapsed from the start of the validity period).

In the case of a loss, an effect in which character C loses to the enemy is started according to the end of the validity period. At the same time as the start of this performance, the small symbol 56 is temporarily stopped and displayed at the end of the reach, as illustrated in FIG. 14(E). Thereafter, the screen returns to the normal screen of the new chapter mode in which the decorative patterns 55 (and small patterns 56) are temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as the small patterns 56 temporarily stopped and displayed at this time. The normal screen in the new chapter mode is a screen displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 during most of the games in the new chapter mode, and has a screen configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 13(B) to 13(F), for example. The specific performance mode will be described later with reference to FIG. 16, but after returning to the normal screen, there are cases where a loss is reported and a case where a small winning symbol 3 is reported. When a loss is notified, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a loss pattern, and the decorative pattern 55 (and small symbol 56) is stopped and displayed in the same combination as the temporary stop display, and a white The fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed. When the small winning pattern 3 is notified, the small winning pattern 3 is stopped and displayed, and the combination of the decorative pattern 55 (and the small pattern 56) and the fourth pattern 57 indicating the small winning pattern 3 ( (See FIG. 5(E)).

In the case of small winning symbol 2 or 3, a performance in which character C wins over the enemy is started in accordance with the end of the valid period of the operation promotion performance in the final stage of the SPSP reach performance. Simultaneously with the start of this performance, the performance accessory 7 moves from the initial position to the advancing position, and the small symbols 56 are temporarily stopped and displayed, for example, in two patterns. Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 14(H), at the same time as the evacuation of the production accessory 7 is completed, the decorative pattern 55 is temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as the small pattern 56. Following this temporary stop display, the re-lottery performance is started.

In addition, when the small winning pattern 1 is the small winning pattern 1, the effect in which the character C wins over the enemy is started as in the case of the small winning pattern 2 or 3, and the small pattern 56 superimposes the word "God" on the front side. It is temporarily stopped when all 7 symbols are displayed. Thereafter, the decorative pattern 55 is temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as the small pattern 56. Then, the decorative pattern 55 and the small pattern 56 are stopped and displayed in the same combination as the second special pattern is stopped and displayed without executing the re-lottery performance.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B), with the start of the re-lottery performance, the decorative symbols 55 and the small symbols 56 start changing again. At the same time, the decorative pattern 55 is displayed moving upward on the liquid crystal screen 5 while being gradually reduced in size. FIG. 15(C) exemplifies how the group effect is executed during this re-fluctuation (that is, during the re-lottery effect). The group effect at this time suggests that it is the small winning symbol 2 and that the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) is promoted. After the re-lottery performance at this time, the set of 7 symbols are temporarily stopped and displayed, and then the decorative symbols 55 and the small symbols 56 are stopped and displayed along with the stop display of the small winning symbol 2 (see FIG. 15(D)). The performance during the small win game and the jackpot game related to the small win symbol 2 that is executed after this stop display will be described later with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30.

FIG. 15(F) exemplifies the situation when the group effect is not executed during the re-lottery effect. After the re-lottery performance at this time, there are cases where the decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) is not promoted and cases where it is promoted, and the former has a higher percentage than the latter (see Figures 15 (G) and (D)) ). If it is not promoted, after the re-lottery performance, for example, after the 2-symbol set is temporarily stopped and displayed, the decorative pattern 55 and the small pattern 56 are stopped and displayed together with the stop-display of the small winning pattern 3 (see FIG. 15(H)). . During the small winning game and the jackpot game related to the small winning symbol 3 that is executed after this stop display, basically, when the small winning symbol 2, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, is stopped and displayed. A performance similar to the performance is performed.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the effect following FIG. 14(E). When the small symbol 56 is temporarily stopped and displayed at the end of the reach loss in accordance with the expiration of the valid period of the operation promotion performance at the final stage of the SPSP reach performance, the screen returns to the normal screen of the new chapter mode as illustrated in FIG. 16(A). On the normal screen at this time, the number "1.0" representing the first rotation of the variable display is displayed in the upper left corner of the LCD screen 5, the icon 53 that has completed the movement display in the lower right corner of the screen, and the entire display. A black background gauge 60 is displayed. At this time, the decorative pattern 55 is temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as the small pattern 56 that was temporarily stopped and displayed in FIG. 14(E). In this embodiment, following such a state, there are cases where a loss is reported and cases where a small winning symbol 3 is reported. When a loss is notified, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a loss pattern, and the decorative pattern 55 (and small symbol 56) is stopped and displayed in the same combination as the temporary stop display, and a white The fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed (flow from FIG. 16(A) to FIG. 16(B)).

Here, in the present embodiment, in order to notify that it is the small winning symbol 3, the group effect may be executed during the temporary stop display of the reach losing eye (see FIG. 16(D)). In this embodiment, the group effect during the temporary stop display of the winning winnings is the same display mode as the group effect during the above-mentioned reach effect and re-lottery effect. As illustrated in FIG. 16(D), in this embodiment, the icon 53, background gauge 60, and hold icon 54 are displayed behind the characters related to the group effect. Characters related to the group presentation may be displayed.

Whether or not to execute the group performance during the temporary stop display of the reach losing number is determined by random number lottery by the performance control board 130 when a fluctuation start command (described later) is received from the game control board 100. The group performance during the temporary stop display of the reach losing number is executed when the small winning symbol is 3, and is not executed when it is another special symbol. In this embodiment, when the small winning symbol is 3, the rate at which the group effect is executed during the temporary stop display of the winning target is 20%, and the rate at which the group effect is not executed during the temporary stop display of the reach losing position is 80%. %. That is, irrespective of whether or not the group effect is executed during the temporary stop display of the winning winning number, the small winning symbol 3 may be stopped and displayed after the reaching winning winning number is temporarily stopped displaying. In this embodiment, in the case of a loss, a small winning symbol 1 or 2, or a jackpot, the group presentation during the temporary stop display of the reach losing number is not executed.

In this embodiment, when the small winning symbol 3 is stopped and displayed after the temporary stop display of the hit loser in the reach, a revival effect that makes it look like the jackpot has been restored is executed regardless of the presence or absence of the group effect during the temporary stop display of the hit loser. be done. As illustrated in FIG. 16(E), at the start of the revival performance, a performance is started in which the entire normal screen on which the hit losing number is temporarily stopped is displayed with cracks. Following this, in the revival performance, as illustrated in FIG. 16(F), for example, after the two-symbol set is temporarily stopped and displayed, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the small winning pattern 3 are stopped and displayed. The fourth purple symbol 57 is stopped and displayed (see FIG. 16(F)). During the small winning game and the jackpot game related to the small winning symbol 3 that is executed after this stop display, basically, when the small winning symbol 2, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, is stopped and displayed. A performance similar to the performance is executed.

In addition, the execution timing of the group performance to notify that it is the small winning symbol 3 is not limited to after returning to the normal screen. For example, by executing a group effect immediately before returning to the normal screen (for example, in the state illustrated in FIG. 14(E)), it may be possible to notify that the small winning symbol 3 will be obtained.

In addition, the group performance during the temporary stop display of the reach losing number may be executed in order to notify that it is the small winning symbol 1. In such a case, the group performance during the temporary stop display of the reach losing number is executed when it is the small winning symbol 1, and is not executed when it is another special symbol. At this time, after the group effect during the temporary stop display of the reach loss, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the green fourth pattern 57 are stopped and displayed in a combination indicating the small winning pattern 1 through the resurrection effect. .

[About the 3rd rotation variation effect in new chapter mode]
In the case of a loss in the first and second rotations in the new chapter mode, a variable display of the second special symbol in the third rotation is started. During the variable display of the second special symbol in the third rotation in the new chapter mode, the second special symbol judgment related to this variable display and the four pending second special symbol judgments are performed five times in total. A battle performance is executed that clearly informs you of whether or not you have won a small win. This battle performance is a variable performance that notifies the judgment results of the second special symbol judgments mentioned above in a series of flows. If there is a small hit (or jackpot) in the judgment result of the second special symbol judgment of the five times, it is suggested that there is a small hit (or jackpot) during the variable display of the third rotation. Performances that suggest a small win (or big win) include a battle performance in which any of the characters A to D wins over the enemy, or a performance in which the performance accessory 7 moves from the initial position to the advance position. . On the other hand, if the judgment results of the second special symbol judgment five times are all losses, a battle performance in which characters A to D lose to the enemy five times is executed during the variable display of the third rotation. Then, from the end of this battle performance to the end of the variable display of the second special symbol in the seventh rotation, a shutter closing performance (described later) for notifying a loss is performed in a series of steps.

In this embodiment, one type of dedicated variation pattern is prepared in advance for the variation display of the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode. Therefore, no matter how many times the second special symbol determination is suspended during the variable display of the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode, the variable performance that takes the same amount of time is executed. The above fluctuation pattern has a relatively long fluctuation time. For this reason, it is possible to accumulate enough 4 pending judgments for the second special symbol during the variable display of the second special symbol in the third rotation.

During the variable display of the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode, in order to effectively increase the expectation that characters A to D will win against the enemy in the battle performance, a countdown performance and character stock performance are performed before the battle performance. , and the battle development performance are executed in this order. The battle development performance is a performance that suggests development into a battle performance. Each of the above effects will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 28.

The countdown effect indicates that a predetermined timer value (for example, 5) is counted down and the value reaches 0. The character stock performance starts in response to the end of the countdown performance. Thereby, the countdown performance increases the player's sense of crisis that the fluctuating display of the last second special symbol in the time saving state has started, and the player's sense of tension that the character stock performance will start soon. In addition, in this embodiment, a case will be explained in which the countdown effect is an effect in which a timer value is counted down, but the countdown effect may be an effect pattern in which the timer value is counted up in the middle and then counted down again. It may be an effect pattern that ends when the value is counted up from an initial value to a predetermined value (for example, 10).

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the countdown effect. As illustrated in FIG. 17(A), the countdown performance of this embodiment starts from the start of the variable display of the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode. At the start of the countdown performance, the decorative pattern 55 is hidden and a performance of suddenly displaying a black image on the entire screen is started. As illustrated in FIG. 17(A), during the third variation display in the new chapter mode, unlike during the first and second variation display in the new chapter mode, the icon 53, the background gauge 60, and the hold icon 54 is not displayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 17(B), at a timing when a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed since the start of the variable display, the black image that has been displayed since the start of the variable display is erased. At the same time, display of the initial value of the timer value (5 in this embodiment) is started. The timer value in this embodiment is displayed in a different manner from the decorative pattern 55 so that it does not look like the decorative pattern 55 (see FIGS. 17B and 17D). Thereby, when the same timer value is displayed in multiple numbers at the same time as illustrated in FIGS. 17(B) and (D), it is possible to prevent the player from misunderstanding that the decorative symbols 55 with the same pattern are displayed. . After the timer value of 5 is displayed for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds), this timer value is erased and the character image illustrated in FIG. 17(C) is displayed for the same time as the timer value of 5. displayed in full screen. In this way, in this embodiment, the display of the timer value and the display of the character image are performed alternately at regular intervals (for example, every 0.5 seconds) until the timer value reaches a predetermined value (for example, 2). . After the timer value reaches a predetermined value, a different character image is displayed at regular intervals (for example, every 0.5 seconds) without displaying the timer value. Therefore, the countdown effect of this embodiment is as follows: Display 5 (see FIG. 17(B)) → Display character image (see FIG. 17(C)) → Display 4 → Display character image → Display 3 → Character The flow is as follows: image display→2 display (see FIG. 17(D))→character image display→character image display (see FIG. 17(E)). The character images displayed at each timing are different from each other. In this way, in the countdown performance of this embodiment, the performance mode that indicates that the timer value becomes 0 is changed from switching the combination of the timer value and character image to switching only the character image. This makes it possible to more effectively emphasize the impending character stock performance.

As mentioned above, in the battle performance, the results of 5 times (specifically, the variable display of the 2nd special symbol of the 3rd rotation in the new chapter mode, and the pending 2nd special symbol judgment of 4 times) are combined into 1 It will be shown in one performance. For this reason, it is necessary that the second special symbol determination be suspended before the start of the battle performance. In this embodiment, the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F) is displayed at the end of the countdown effect (that is, during the third rotation fluctuation display in the new chapter mode) as an effect to encourage the accumulation of reserves for the second special symbol determination. indicate. On this screen, in addition to the "Right-handed hit" display that is always displayed in the upper right corner of the LCD screen 5, the words "Right-handed hit" and "Hold the girl!" are newly displayed. be done.

In this embodiment, since the time-saving state is controlled until the third rotation of the variable display in the new chapter mode ends, the game ball easily enters the second starting port 12 if the player is hitting right. For this reason, there are cases where the second special symbol determination is pending before the display of the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F) is started. The current number of reservations can be recognized by looking at the reservation number displayed in small size at the left end of the liquid crystal screen 5. Here, in this embodiment, the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F) is displayed regardless of the number of pending special symbol determinations. In this embodiment, there is no suspension of second special symbol determination, and even if the player hits right after viewing the screen illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17(F), the display time of the screen and the time required to execute the character stock effect are set to be relatively long. As will be described in detail later, in the character stock performance that is started after the screen is erased as shown in FIG. 17(F), one panel image of a girl is displayed in response to the suspension of one second special symbol determination. . For this reason, on the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F), the words "Hold the girl!" indicate that the second special symbol determination should be suspended. In this embodiment, a panel image representing a girl (specifically, any one of the characters A to C) is displayed in response to a winning of a game ball to the second starting port 12 during a character stock presentation to be described later. The player who sees this can recognize that the "girl" on the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F) indicates the suspension of the second special symbol determination. In this embodiment, after the characters "Girl" are displayed, the characters "Tamero!" are displayed with a delay.

The character stock performance is started when a predetermined time (for example, 4 seconds) has elapsed since the start of display of the screen shown in FIG. 17(F). The character stock performance is executed during the variable display of the second special symbol in the third rotation in the new chapter mode. In this embodiment, up to five panel images are displayed during character stock presentation. The first panel image displayed is the panel image corresponding to the current variable display. The second and subsequent panel images are panel images corresponding to the suspension of the second special symbol determination. In this embodiment, since the upper limit number of pending second special symbol determinations is four, the number of panel images corresponding to pending second special symbol determinations is four at most.

In this embodiment, there are three types of display modes of the panel image when the display of the panel image is started. One panel image represents one of the characters A to C. In this embodiment, characters A, B, and C have higher reliability in this order. A panel image may be promoted to a panel image of a different character during its display. Specifically, the panel image of character A may continue to be displayed as the panel image of character A, or may be promoted to the panel image of any of characters B to D. Here, character D has higher reliability than characters A to C. Further, the panel image of character B may continue to be displayed as the panel image of character B, or may be promoted to the panel image of either character C or D. The panel image of character B does not change to the panel image of character A. Further, the panel image of character C may continue to be displayed as the panel image of character C, or may be promoted to the panel image of character D. The panel image of character C does not change to the panel image of character A or B. In this embodiment, three timings at which a panel image can be promoted are prepared in advance, and a panel image may be promoted up to two times.

From the above, one of the characters A to D is finally displayed on the panel image. In the battle performance, characters displayed on the panel image fight against enemies. Basically, in the case of a small win, characters A to D win against the enemy, and in the case of a loss, characters A to D lose to the enemy. As will be described in detail later, when a plurality of panel images are displayed as a character stock effect, the characters displayed on the panel images fight the enemy in the order in which the panel images are displayed. In this embodiment, since a maximum of five panel images are displayed, a maximum of five battles will be held in the battle performance, and the winner or loser will be announced five times at a maximum.

Here, a presentation pattern for displaying panel images will be explained with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a production pattern for displaying panel images in character stock production. What is determined by this performance pattern are the character first displayed on the panel image, the character after promotion, and the promotion timing (1 to 3). Effect patterns 1 to 3 are effect patterns in which the panel image is not promoted. The panel images of production patterns 1 to 3 are character A, character B, and character C, respectively. Effect patterns 4 to 27 are effect patterns in which panel images are promoted. For example, production pattern 4 is a production pattern in which character A is displayed when the display of the panel image is started, and character A is promoted to character B at promotion timing 1. Further, the effect pattern 18 is a effect pattern in which character B is displayed when the display of the panel image is started, and character B is promoted to character D at promotion timing 1.

Here, in this embodiment, at promotion timings 1 to 3, a promotion suggestion effect that makes the user expect the panel image to be promoted is executed. There are cases where the promotion is performed following the promotion suggestion performance (that is, the promotion is successful) and cases where the promotion is not promoted (that is, the promotion fails).

Specifically, the panel image is promoted at promotion timings 1 to 3 before the battle development effect starts. Promotion timing 1 arrives in response to the first game ball hitting the second starting port 12 after the characters "Full Charge", which will be described later, are displayed. Further, the promotion timing 2 comes when the second game ball enters the second starting port 12 after the characters "Full Charge" are displayed. Further, the promotion timing 3 comes when the third game ball enters the second starting port 12 after the characters "Full Charge" are displayed. Therefore, in response to the fourth or subsequent game ball entering the second starting port 12 after the words "Full Charge" are displayed, a promotion suggestion performance is executed, and the panel image is promoted. Never.

As described above, the promotion timing in this embodiment does not arrive at a predetermined timing, but at an unspecified timing depending on the winning situation of the game ball. If the game ball does not enter the second starting port 12 after the words "Full Charge" are displayed, even if the panel image has been decided to be promoted, it will not actually be promoted. That is, in this embodiment, the panel image is promoted on the condition that a game ball enters the second starting port 12. Thereby, it is possible to motivate the player to continue hitting right even after the words "Full Charge" are displayed.

The characteristics of the table in FIG. 18 are as follows. In the case of a small win, the determination ratio is set in advance for characters A to C to be higher in the order, and in the case of a loss, the determination ratio is set in advance to be lower in the order of characters A to C. As a result, the reliability can be increased in the order of characters A to C. The decision rate for character D is higher in the case of a small win than in the case of a loss. In the case of a small win, the decision ratio is higher for a late promotion than for an early promotion, and in the case of a loss, the decision ratio for a late promotion is lower than for an early promotion. As a result, it is possible to expect a small win if you are promoted later than if you are promoted early, so it is possible to maintain the expectation of a small win even if you are not promoted forever. Regardless of whether it is a small win or not, the rate of promotion from character A to character C is higher than the rate of promotion from character B to character C. Furthermore, regardless of whether or not it is a small win, the rate of promotion from character A to character D is almost the same as the rate of promotion from character B to character D. As a result, if character A is displayed at the start of displaying the panel image, it can be expected that the character will be promoted to character C or D to the same extent as when character B is displayed at the start of displaying the panel image.

Here, character stock presentation (first person) processing will be described with reference to FIG. 19(A). FIG. 19 explains the process of determining the performance pattern of the character stock performance, which is executed in the performance control board 130 in response to receiving a variation start command or a hold command (both will be described later) from the game control board 100. FIG. The character stock performance (first person) process illustrated in FIG. 19(A) is a process for determining a performance pattern for displaying the first panel image in the character stock performance. As described above, the first panel image corresponds to the variable display of the second special symbol in the third rotation in the new chapter mode. For example, the production control board 130 executes the character stock production (first person) process when the variable display of the second special symbol is started for the third time after the stop display of the jackpot symbol C (step S1514 in FIG. 19). ). Through the character lottery process (T11 in FIG. 19(A)) in this process, the production pattern of the first panel image will be changed in the new chapter mode based on whether the current variable display is a small hit or a loss. It is determined at the start of the variable display of the second special symbol in the third rotation. In this way, the aspect of the first panel image is determined when the variable display starts, but the first panel image is actually displayed only after the character stock effect starts during the variable display. be. In this embodiment, character lottery processing (T11 in FIG. 19(A) (see). In the character lottery process, whether it is a small win or a loss, a judgment is made that matches the random number value for the character lottery process obtained at the start of the variable display from among 27 types of performance patterns (see Figure 18). One performance pattern to which a value is assigned in advance is determined. The display mode of the first panel image is determined by this determined effect pattern.

As illustrated in T12 in FIG. 19(A), the production control board 130 executes the revival lottery process following the character lottery process. As described above, in the battle performance, the character finally displayed on the panel image fights the enemy. When performance patterns 1 to 27 illustrated in FIG. 18 are followed, in the case of a small win, a variable performance in which characters A to D win over the enemy is executed. In this embodiment, in order to increase the interest of the battle production, even in the case of a small win, characters A to D continue to lose to the enemy, as in the case of a loss, and then the small win is revived. There are times when we will perform a revival performance. Such a revival performance is executed when the player wins the revival lottery process. In the resurrection lottery process, a random number lottery is performed using the random numbers for the resurrection lottery process acquired at the start of the variable display, and if it is a small win, a resurrection effect is executed at a rate of 3%, and a resurrection effect is executed at a rate of 97%. Decide not to run. If it is a loss, it is decided not to perform the revival performance at a rate of 100%. The above processing determines the contents of the variable performance after the character stock performance.

Note that the execution timing of the character stock presentation (first person) process is not limited to the above. For example, the execution timing of the character stock effect (first person) process may be at the start of the countdown effect or at the start of the character stock effect. In such a case, the production control board 130 analyzes the variation start command (described later) in response to receiving the variation start command (described later), and holds the analysis result in the sub-RAM 133. Then, at the execution timing of the character stock performance (first person) process, a random number is drawn based on the above analysis result (specifically, whether it is a small hit or a loss). Further, the character stock performance (first person) process may be executed on the image and sound control board 140 instead of the performance control board 130.

Next, character stock presentation (second to fifth person) processing will be explained. The character stock performance (second to fifth person) process is a process for determining a performance pattern for displaying the second to fifth panel images in the character stock performance. As described above, the second and subsequent panel images correspond to the suspension of the second special symbol determination. For example, the performance control board 130 executes the character stock performance (2nd to 5th person) processing when the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner for the first to third time after the stop display of the jackpot symbol C (see FIG. 18). Step S1315). In the character stock performance (second to fifth players) process, first, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the second starting port 12 (T21 in FIG. 19(B)). The suspension commands (described later) of this embodiment include a suspension command related to suspension of the first special symbol determination and a suspension command related to suspension of the second special symbol determination. In this embodiment, for example, when the production control board 130 receives a suspension command related to suspension of the second special symbol determination from the game control board 100, it determines YES in the process of T21 in FIG. 19(B). Here, the pending command is information including preliminary determination information indicating whether it is a small hit or a loss. If the above-mentioned pending command is not received, the determination is NO and the character stock presentation (2nd to 5th person) processing ends.

When the production control board 130 determines YES in the process of T21 in FIG. 19(B), it executes the character lottery process (T22 in FIG. 19(B)). Through this process, in this embodiment, the production pattern of the second and subsequent panel images is changed to 2. It is determined when a game ball enters the starting hole 12 (that is, when a hold occurs). In the character lottery process at T22 in FIG. 19(B), whether it is a small win or a loss, the character lottery process that was acquired when the hold command was received is selected from 27 types of performance patterns (see FIG. 18). One performance pattern to which a determination value matching the random number value is assigned in advance is determined. If the current pending number of second special symbol determination is 1, the performance pattern of the second panel image is determined, and if the current pending number of second special symbol determination is 2, the performance pattern of the third panel image is determined. A performance pattern is determined. Also, if the current number of pendings in the second special symbol determination is 3, the production pattern of the fourth panel image is determined, and if the current number of pendings in the second special symbol determination is 4, the performance pattern of the fourth panel image is determined. An image presentation pattern is determined.

As illustrated at T23 in FIG. 19(B), the production control board 130 executes the revival lottery process following the character lottery process. In the resurrection lottery process at this time, a random number lottery is performed using the random numbers for the resurrection lottery process acquired when the hold command is received, and if it is a small win, the resurrection effect is executed at a rate of 3%, and at a rate of 97%. Decide not to perform the revival performance. If it is a loss, it is decided not to perform the revival performance at a rate of 100%. The above processing determines the contents of the variable performance after the character stock performance.

In this embodiment, the revival lottery process is executed every time the processes in FIGS. 19(A) and 19(B) are executed. Therefore, for example, when the process of T23 in FIG. 19(B) is executed, it may have already been determined to perform the revival effect by the process of T12 in FIG. 19(A). For this reason, the process at T23 in FIG. 19(B) may be executed only when it has not yet been decided to execute the revival effect.

Here, as a result of the process in FIG. 19(A) and the process in T22 in FIG. 19(B), the 1st to 5th panel images all become the same character at either timing before promotion or after promotion. A pattern may be determined. Therefore, in this embodiment, different processing is performed depending on the judgment result of the second special symbol judgment of the third rotation in the new chapter mode or the case where there is a small hit in the pending second special symbol judgment and the case where there is no small hit. . Specifically, when there is a small win, even if a performance pattern in which the first to fifth panel images are all of the same character is determined, a battle performance is performed using this determined performance pattern. On the other hand, if there is no small hit, when determining the production pattern for the 5th panel image, it is impossible to determine the production pattern in which the 1st to 5th panel images become panel images of the same character at any timing. impose prohibitions on That is, if there is no small hit, the effect pattern for the fifth panel image is determined from effect patterns in which the first to fifth panel images do not become panel images of the same character at any timing. Due to the above-mentioned prohibition, it is possible to suggest a small win if the first to fifth panel images are all the same.

Here, in the case of a small hit, as a result of the processing in FIG. 19(A) and the processing in FIG. 19(B) T22, even though the first to fifth panel images are all the same character, Depending on promotion, panel images of different characters may be mixed. This makes it possible to suggest a small win only during a period in which the first to fifth panel images are all of the same character during character stock performance. For example, during character stock performance, when the first to fifth panel images all show the same character, the frame lamp 37 is made to emit light in a light emission pattern that suggests a small win. As a result, when the panel images are all the same, a small win can be suggested by the aspect of the panel image and the frame lamp 37, and after the panel images are promoted, a small win can be suggested by the aspect of the frame lamp 37. .

In addition, in the case of a small win, the effect pattern may be rewritten so that after the first to fifth panel images are all in the same state, none of the panel images is promoted. As a result, after the first to fifth panel images all show the same character during character stock presentation, it becomes possible to suggest a small win based on the aspect of the panel images.

Note that the timing at which the promotion suggestion effect is executed (that is, the arrival timing of promotion timings 1 to 3) is not limited to the above-mentioned timing. For example, if a game ball enters the second starting port 12 during a promotion suggestion performance, the promotion suggestion performance is not executed in response to this winning, and the promotion success or promotion failure related to the promotion suggestion performance being executed is completed. A promotion suggestion performance may be executed in response to a game ball entering the second starting port 12 from the player. Further, the promotion suggestion performance does not have to be executed every time a game ball enters the second starting port 12. For example, promotion timing 1 comes when the second game ball enters the second starting port 12 after the words "Full Charge" are displayed, and promotion timing 2 comes when the words "Full Charge" are displayed. The fourth game ball may arrive in response to the winning of the fourth game ball in the second starting port 12 after the characters are displayed. In such a case, there is a promotion suggestion effect in which the panel image is not necessarily promoted in response to the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 12 after the words "Full Charge" are displayed, and a possibility that the panel image is promoted. It is possible to provide a certain promotion suggestion effect. Note that the promotion suggestion effect may be executed at the arrival of a predetermined time, and may be executed, for example, every two seconds after the characters "Full Charge" are displayed.

With reference to FIGS. 20 to 28, a specific example of the variable presentation after the start of the character stock presentation during the variable display of the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode will be described. In this example, a case is illustrated in which the suspension of the second special symbol determination is 0 at the start of the character stock performance, and the suspension of the second special symbol determination is 4 during the character stock performance. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the character stock performance until the suspension of the second special symbol determination is accumulated four times. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the character stock performance after the suspension of the second special symbol determination is accumulated four times. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of character stock production following FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example at the time of starting a battle development effect. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example in which a battle development effect develops into a battle effect. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of battle performance following FIG. 25. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of battle performance following FIG. 26. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of a variable effect after a battle effect in which characters A to D lose to the enemy five times is executed.

FIG. 20(A) exemplifies the situation when the character stock performance is started during the variable display of the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode. In this embodiment, the time from the start of character stock presentation to the start of battle development presentation is predetermined to 20 seconds. Since the time from the start of the character stock performance to the start of the battle development performance is set relatively long, even if the player hits right after the character stock performance starts, the second special symbol judgment will be suspended for a long time. You can save 4. At the upper center of the liquid crystal screen 5, a number indicating the remaining time until the start of the battle development performance is displayed. Since FIG. 20A shows the start of character stock performance, the initial value "20.00" is displayed as a number representing the remaining time. The remaining time decreases as time passes. Up to five panel images can be displayed during the 20 seconds until the remaining time reaches "00.00", and the panel images can be promoted. Here, even after the battle development performance, the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode is being displayed in a variable manner, so the second special symbol judgment is newly determined according to the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 12. Can be held. However, in this embodiment, after the remaining time reaches "00.00", a new panel image will not be displayed even if the second special symbol determination is newly suspended. .

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal screen 5 is divided into five display areas 81a to 85a from the start of the character stock performance to just before the start of the battle performance (see FIGS. 20(A) to 25(A)). . As illustrated in FIG. 20(A), numbers 1 to 5 are written inside the five display areas 81a to 85a, respectively. One panel image is displayed in front of each display area. The first panel image is displayed in the display area 81a labeled 1 inside, the second panel image is displayed in the display area 82a labeled 2 inside, and 3 is displayed inside. A third panel image is displayed in the indicated display area 83a. In addition, a fourth panel image is displayed in the display area 84a with the number 4 written inside, and a fifth panel image is displayed in the display area 85a with the characters 5 and "Full Charge" written inside. A panel image is displayed.

Here, in this embodiment, a game ball image imitating a game ball is displayed moving before each panel image is displayed. The time from the start of display of each game ball image until the moving display is completed and erased is 0.5 seconds. The game ball image is displayed moving from a display position indicating the position of the second starting port 12 (specifically, the lower right corner of the liquid crystal screen 5) toward the center of the screen. (See FIG. 20(B)). By moving and displaying the game ball image and then displaying the panel image, it is suggested that the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 12 and the display of the panel image are closely related.

As illustrated in FIGS. 20(B) and (C), in this embodiment, the game ball image is displayed from the start of the character stock performance, and the first panel image is displayed for 0.5 seconds from the start of the character stock performance. The display will start later. In this example, a panel image of character B is displayed as the first panel image. In addition, in response to the first game ball winning the second starting port 12 after the character stock performance has started, the game ball image related to the first panel image is displayed, and then the first game ball enters the second starting port 12. A panel image may be displayed.

Regarding the second and subsequent panel images, if the second special symbol determination is suspended due to a game ball winning in the second starting port 12 during character stock performance, the game ball image will be changed according to the winning. After that, the panel image is displayed (see FIGS. 20(C) and (D)). In FIG. 20(C), the number of reservations for the second special symbol determination becomes 1 due to the game ball winning in the second starting port 12, and the game ball image related to the second panel image is changed according to this winning. This is an example of how it is displayed.

In this embodiment, if the second special symbol determination is already pending by the time the character stock performance starts, panel images corresponding to the number of pending panels are displayed in sequence immediately after the first panel image is displayed. Here, in this embodiment, the display of the game ball image related to the next panel image is not started until one second has passed after the display of the previous panel image is completed. In other words, even if there are multiple pending second special symbol judgments by the time the character stock performance starts, or even if there are second special symbol judgments pending before the display of the panel image is completed, the previous panel When one second has passed since the display of the image is completed, the display of the next panel image is started. This allows the player to easily recognize each panel image. For example, in FIG. 20(D), the number of pending second special symbol judgments becomes 4 by the time the display of the second panel image is completed, and 1 second after the display of the second panel image is completed. The game ball image related to the third panel image is displayed as an example depending on the elapsed time. In this example, a panel image of character A is displayed as the second panel image.

FIG. 20(E) exemplifies the situation when the display of the fifth panel image is completed. In this example, the panel image of character A is displayed as the third panel image, and the panel image of character B is displayed as the fourth and fifth panel images. As illustrated in FIG. 20(F), the words "Full Charge" are displayed in response to the maximum number of five panel images being displayed. Thereby, it can be suggested that the number of reservations for the second special symbol determination has accumulated up to the upper limit number. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the time from the start of display of the game ball image to the time of deletion (that is, the completion of movement display) is 0.5 seconds, and as the game ball image is deleted, the display of the panel image is stopped. Begins. At this time, the game ball image related to the next panel image is not displayed until one second has elapsed from the start of display of the panel image. Therefore, it takes 1.5 seconds to complete displaying one panel image. Therefore, the time it takes for the words "Full Charge" to be displayed in response to the display of five panel images is at least 7.5 seconds after the start of the character stock presentation.

In addition, if there are multiple pending second special symbol judgments before the start of the character stock performance, or if there is a pending second special symbol judgment before the display of the panel is completed, the display of the previous panel image will be completed. The display of the next panel image may be started before the next panel image is displayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 21(A), in response to the display of the characters "Full Charge", a character promotion possible period in which a panel image can be promoted starts. In this embodiment, the words "Not yet" are displayed as an effect to notify the start of the character promotion possible period (see FIG. 21(A)). The text "Not yet" is displayed for a predetermined period of time (for example, 0.5 seconds) from the start of the character promotion possible period. In this embodiment, the character promotion possible period is the period until the remaining time at the top center of the screen reaches "00.00". As illustrated in FIG. 21(B), even during the character promotion possible period, if the game ball does not land in the second starting port 12, the panel image will not be promoted, and a promotion suggestion effect that makes people expect promotion will also be executed. Not done. In this embodiment, even if a game ball enters the second starting port 12 while the words "Not yet" are displayed, the promotion suggestion performance is not executed. Incidentally, the promotion suggesting performance may be started when a game ball enters the second starting port 12 while the words "Not yet" are displayed. In the case of such a configuration, the game ball image displayed when the promotion suggestion effect is started is superimposed and displayed on the near side, giving priority to the words "Not yet". Note that the text "Not yet" may be superimposed and displayed on the front side with priority over the game ball image.

FIG. 21(C) illustrates the situation when the promotion suggestion performance is started when the first game ball enters the second starting port 12 after the words "Full Charge" are displayed. There is. As illustrated in FIG. 21(C), in this embodiment, at the start of the promotion suggestion performance, the game ball image is displayed for a predetermined period of time (for example, 0.5 seconds) in the same way as immediately before the panel image is displayed. Subsequently, in the promotion suggestion effect, as illustrated in FIG. 21(D), the panel image and the display area at the top center of the screen where the remaining time is not displayed light up. Subsequently, in the promotion suggestion effect, all panel images emit light, as illustrated in FIG. 21(E). At this time, the portion that was emitting light in FIG. 21(D) is not emitting light (or is not emitting much light).

Here, in this embodiment, the promotion timing 1 arrives in response to the first game ball winning the prize in the second starting port 12 after the words "Full Charge" are displayed. Therefore, following the states illustrated in FIGS. 21(C) to (E), there are cases where promotion of at least one or more panel images succeeds (see FIG. 22(A)), and cases where no panel image is promoted at all. (that is, promotion failure) (see FIG. 22(D)). Whether or not to be promoted is determined by the process illustrated in FIG. 19 at the start of the current variable display or when the second special symbol determination is suspended.

As illustrated in FIG. 22(A), in the case of successful promotion, at the same time as the display of the panel image after promotion starts, the words "Up ↑" are displayed on the front side of the panel image after promotion. be done. Although success in promotion can be recognized by the text "Up ↑", the panel image after promotion is hidden by the text "Up ↑", making it difficult to see which character the character has been promoted to. Thereby, it is possible to give a feeling of excitement as to which character has been promoted. As illustrated in FIG. 22(B), when the characters "Up ↑" are erased after a predetermined period of time (in this embodiment, after 1 second), the promoted panel image can be clearly seen. become. In this embodiment, it takes two seconds from the start of one promotion suggestion performance until the panel image after promotion as a result of this promotion suggestion performance can be clearly seen. In the example of FIG. 22, a case will be described in which one panel image is promoted, but depending on the effect pattern determined by the process illustrated in FIG. 19 (see FIG. 18), all panel images may be promoted at the same time.

As illustrated in FIG. 22(C), in the case of failure in promotion, none of the panel images changes and the words "UP↑" are not displayed. In this embodiment, in the case of promotion failure, one promotion suggestion performance ends in one second from the start. In the case of success in promotion or in the case of failure in promotion, there is a possibility that the panel image will be promoted when promotion timings 2 and 3 arrive thereafter (see FIG. 22(D)). On the other hand, when promotion timings 2 and 3 do not arrive (that is, when no game ball enters the second start opening 12 during the character promotion possible period), the panel image is not promoted. After that, when the period in which characters can be promoted ends, the battle progresses to a battle performance through a battle development performance. In this battle performance, the characters in the five displayed panel images fight against the enemy one by one in the order in which the panel images are displayed.

FIG. 23(A) exemplifies the situation when the character promotion possible period ends without the panel image being promoted from the state of FIG. 22(B). In the battle development effect that is started in response to the end of the character promotion possible period, effects illustrated in FIGS. 23(B) to 25(B) are executed. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 23(B), at the start of the battle development performance, character icons 81 to 85 of the same characters as the characters represented by each panel image are displayed superimposed on the front side of the display areas 81a to 85a. Ru. Character icons 81 to 85 are derived using each panel image, and each panel image is erased at the same time as the display of character icons 81 to 85 is started. During battle performance, character icons 81 to 85 indicate the type of character that will fight the enemy. As illustrated in FIG. 23(B), the character icons 81 to 85 are displayed in front of the five empty display areas 81a to 85a. In this embodiment, the color of the frame of the character icons 81 to 85 differs depending on the type of character. Specifically, the color of the frame is white for characters A to C, and red for character D. It should be noted that a configuration may be adopted in which the type of character fighting the enemy is indicated by displaying a panel image during the battle performance, and in this case, the character icons 81 to 85 are not displayed.

Following FIG. 23(B), as illustrated in FIG. 23(C), the character icons 81 to 85 start moving and displaying while gradually shrinking from the display areas 81a to 85a toward the display areas 81b to 85b. . Here, FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display areas 81b to 85b of the character icons 81 to 85 during battle performance. As illustrated in FIG. 24(A), in this embodiment, display areas 81a to 85a are provided on the liquid crystal screen 5 from the start of the battle development performance to the end of the battle performance. Character icons 81 to 85 are displayed one by one in display areas 81b to 85b. Battle development effects and battle effects are performed using display areas other than display areas 81b to 85b in which character icons 81 to 85 are displayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 24(B), the display area 81b displays the character fighting the enemy in the first battle (i.e., the character icon 81), and the display area 82b displays the character fighting the enemy in the second battle. A character (that is, character icon 82) that fights with the enemy is displayed, and a character that fights with the enemy in the third battle (that is, character icon 83) is displayed in the display area 83b. Further, the display area 84b displays a character (i.e., character icon 84) that will fight the enemy in the fourth battle, and the display area 85b will display the character (i.e., character icon 85) that will fight the enemy in the fifth battle. is displayed. When a character is defeated by an enemy in a battle, the displayed character icon is shifted by one position to the display area 81b side.

Here, FIG. 24(B) illustrates a case where five character icons are displayed because there are four pending second special symbol determinations at the end of the character stock performance. If there are fewer than four pending second special symbol determinations at the end of the character stock performance, fewer than five character icons will be displayed. For example, if there are two pending second special symbol determinations at the end of the character stock production, the character icon 81 is displayed in the display area 81b, the character icon 82 is displayed in the display area 82b, and the character icon is displayed in the display area 83b. 83 is displayed. Further, no character icon is displayed in the display areas 84b and 85b. In this embodiment, the start time of the first battle is changed depending on the number of pending second special symbol determinations so that the start time of the last battle is the same regardless of the number of pending second special symbol determinations. It is. Therefore, the start time of the first battle when there are two pending second special symbol determinations corresponds to the start time of the third battle when there are four pending second special symbol determinations.

In this embodiment, the first character icon is displayed larger than other character icons in order to clearly indicate the first character to fight the enemy in the battle performance. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 24(B), the character icon 81 that fights the enemy earliest in the battle performance is displayed larger than the character icons 82 to 85.

In this embodiment, in response to the start of the battle development effect, the character icons 81 to 85 start moving and displaying sequentially toward the display areas 81b to 85b in the order in which the panel images were displayed. Therefore, the character icon 81 derived using the first panel image starts moving display first, and the character icon 85 derived using the fifth panel image starts moving display latest. . FIG. 23(C) illustrates a state in which the character icon 81 is displayed moving from the display area 81a toward the display area 81b. In this embodiment, in order to make it easier to understand how the character icons are being displayed while moving, the display priority is set to decrease in the order of character icons 81 to 85 during moving display. Therefore, the character icon 85, which has not yet started moving and displaying, is displayed superimposed behind the character icon 81 that is currently moving and displaying (see FIG. 23(C)). In this embodiment, from the time when the character icon 81 starts to be displayed, the words "Battle Start" indicating that a battle performance is to be started are displayed while being gradually enlarged from the left side of the LCD screen 5 toward the center. (See FIGS. 23(C) to 25(A)).

FIG. 23(D) shows an example when the character icon 81 has completed moving and displaying in the display area 81b, and the character icon 85 that has not yet started moving and displaying is displayed superimposed behind the character icon 81. This is an example of what it looks like. At this time, the character icon 82 is displayed moving from the display area 82a toward the display area 82b. Furthermore, the character icon 83 has started to be displayed moving from the display area 83a toward the display area 83b.

FIG. 23(E) exemplifies the state when the character icon 82 has completed moving and displaying in the display area 82b. At this time, the character icon 83 is displayed moving from the display area 83a toward the display area 83b, and the character icon 84 is displayed moving from the display area 84a toward the display area 84b. Furthermore, the character icon 85 has started to be displayed moving from the display area 85a toward the display area 85b. In FIGS. 23 to 27, only alphabets representing the types of characters are shown as character icons 82 to 85 displayed in display areas 82b to 85b for the purpose of making the drawings easier to read. What is actually displayed in the display areas 82b to 85b are character icons 81 to 85 representing characters, similar to those illustrated in FIG. 24(B).

FIG. 25(A) illustrates a state in which the moving display of character icons 81 to 85 has been completed. FIG. 25B shows an example in which the title of the theatrical version of the anime, which is the basis of the new chapter mode production, is displayed immediately before the battle development production ends. As illustrated in FIG. 25(C), enemies are first displayed as the battle performance begins. Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 25(D), at the start of the first battle, a cut-in image 86 indicating the start of the battle is displayed. The cut-in image 86 is an image that displays the face of the character represented by the first character icon. In this embodiment, when the display of the cut-in image 86 is started, the first character icon is changed to a dark color and is deleted as is (see FIGS. 25(D) and (E)).

As illustrated in FIG. 25E, after the cut-in image 86 is erased, a pushing effect in which the character displayed in the cut-in image 86 (Character B in this example) and the enemy are pushed is started. In this embodiment, the operation promotion performance is started during the pushing performance. As illustrated in Figure 25 (F), if the judgment result of the second special symbol judgment in the third rotation in the new chapter mode is small winning symbol 2 or 3, you will win against the enemy according to the operation during the operation promotion performance. Then, the small symbols 56 are temporarily stopped and displayed in one of the patterns 1 to 6, 8, and 9. At the same time, the performance accessory 7 is moved from the initial position to the advanced position. In the case of the small winning symbol 2, the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) are stopped and displayed in a set of 7 symbols without superimposing the word "God" through the re-lottery effect after the temporary stop display (Fig. 25(G)). On the other hand, if it is the small winning symbol 3, the decorative symbol 55 and the minor symbol 56 are stopped and displayed in the same combination as the combination of the minor symbol 56 at the time of temporary stop display through the re-lottery effect (Fig. 25(G) )reference).

As illustrated in FIG. 25(H), if the judgment result of the second special symbol judgment in the third rotation in the new chapter mode is small winning symbol 1, you will win against the enemy according to the operation during the operation promotion performance, A decorative pattern 55 (and a small pattern 56) consisting of seven patterns in which the word "God" is superimposed on the front side is temporarily stopped and then displayed in a stopped state.

If the judgment result of the second special symbol judgment of the third rotation in the new chapter mode is a loss, or if it is a small hit and the execution of the revival effect is decided, the enemy will be attacked according to the operation during the operation promotion effect. The player is defeated (see FIG. 25(I)). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 26(A), an effect suggesting defeat in the first game is started in response to the operation. In this effect, dark and noisy enemies are displayed in the display area other than the character icons 82 to 85. As illustrated in FIG. 26(B), preparations for the second game are started during a presentation that suggests defeat in the first game. When preparations for the second game begin, the first character icon 82 is displayed enlarged and moved downward. Along with this, the character icons 83 to 85 are moved and displayed downward.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 26(C), the effect indicating the defeat of the first game ends, and the words "4 rounds remaining" are displayed. This suggests that you should aim for a small hit in the remaining four second special symbol determinations. As illustrated in FIG. 26(D), at the start of the second game, the cut-in image 86 is displayed in the same way as at the start of the first game. In this example, the cut-in image 86 displays the face of character A represented by the first character icon 82. Thereafter, the operation promotion performance is started during the pushing performance of the second game in the same manner as the first game.

As illustrated in FIG. 26(F), when the first pending second special symbol determination is the small winning symbol 3, the enemy is defeated according to the operation during the operation promotion performance, and the left and right small symbols 56 are The symbols are 1 to 6, 8, and 9, and the small symbol 56 in the middle is temporarily stopped and displayed as a letter V. This combination is a combination that indicates a loss, and functions as a combination that indicates a small win within the hold. Simultaneously with the temporary stop display of the small pattern 56, the performance accessory 7 is moved from the initial position to the advanced position. Upon completion of evacuation of the production accessories 7, the words "Congratulations" are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5. Along with this, the small symbols 56 that have been temporarily stopped and displayed are stopped and displayed in the same combination (see FIG. 26(G)). At this time, the fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed as a white symbol. Thereby, it is reported that the determination result of the second special symbol determination in the third rotation in the new chapter mode was a loss. While the characters "Congratulations" are being displayed, the small symbol 56 starts to be displayed in a variable manner as the second special symbol starts to be displayed in a variable manner (see FIG. 26(H)). Then, after the decorative symbols 55 (and the small symbols 56) are temporarily stopped and displayed, for example, two symbols together, a re-lottery performance is executed. Thereafter, at the same time that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as the small winning symbol 3, the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) of the same combination as before the re-lottery performance is stopped and displayed (see FIG. 26(I)) ). At this time, the fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed as a purple symbol. In addition, if the first pending second special symbol determination is the small winning symbol 2, the decorative symbol 55 (and the minor symbol 56) will be drawn with all 7 symbols without superimposing the word "God" through the re-lottery effect. ) is stopped and displayed. In addition, if the first hold in the second special symbol determination is the small winning symbol 1, the re-lottery effect will not be executed and the decorative symbol will be a set of 7 symbols with the word "God" superimposed on the front side. 55 (and the small pattern 56) are stopped and displayed.

Although not shown in the diagram, if the first pending second special symbol determination is small winning symbol 1, you will win against the enemy according to the operation during the operation promotion performance, and up to Figures 26 (F) to (H). In the same manner as above, it is reported that the judgment result of the second special symbol judgment of the third rotation in the new chapter mode was a loss. In the next variation, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed when the small hit is 1, and at the same time, the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) is stopped and displayed as a set of 7 symbols with the word "God" superimposed on the front side. be done.

If the first hold of the second special symbol judgment is a loss, or if it is a small hit and the execution of the revival effect has been decided, you will be defeated by the enemy according to the operation during the operation promotion effect (Figure 26 ( See J). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 27(A), an effect suggesting defeat in the second game is started in response to the operation. In FIG. 27(A), dark and noisy enemies are displayed in the display area other than the character icons 83 to 85. As illustrated in FIG. 27(B), preparations for the third game are started during the production suggesting the defeat of the second game. When preparations for the third game begin, the first character icon 82 is displayed enlarged and moved downward. Along with this, the character icons 84 and 85 are displayed moving downward.

After that, as illustrated in FIG. 27(C), the effect indicating the defeat of the second game ends, and the words "3 rounds remaining" are displayed. This suggests that you should aim for a small hit in the remaining three second special symbol determinations. After that, for example, if the third and fourth games are defeated in the same manner as the first and second games, a fifth game is started. In the fifth game, a pushing effect is performed in the same way as in the first to fourth games, and during this pushing effect, an operation promotion effect is started in the same way as in the first to fourth games. When a performance to notify the defeat of the fifth game is started in response to an operation during the operation promotion performance, the small symbol 56 is temporarily stopped and displayed at the end of the reach at the same time as the start of this performance (see FIG. 27(E)). . After that, a battle end indication effect is executed in which a shutter image resembling a shutter is displayed moving from both left and right ends of the LCD screen 5 toward the center of the screen in front of the image related to the effect announcing the defeat of the fifth battle. be done. In the present embodiment, during the battle end suggestion performance, an operation promotion performance that prompts the user to repeatedly press the performance button 26 is started. In response to the operation during this operation promotion performance, the left and right shutter images move rattlingly and widen so that the left and right shutter images are expected to open (see FIG. 27(F)).

If there is a small hit in the judgment result of the second special symbol judgment in the third rotation in the new chapter mode or during the pending second special symbol judgment, the shutter will be released according to the operation during the operation promotion performance during the battle end suggestion performance. An effect in which the image opens completely is executed. For example, a case will be explained in which the first pending symbol is the small winning symbol 3. In such a case, the left and right small symbols 56 are symbols 1 to 6, 8, and 9, and the small symbol 56 in the middle is temporarily stopped and displayed as the letter V. This combination suggests that the judgment result of the second special symbol judgment in the third rotation in the new chapter mode is a loss, and that there is a small hit in the pending game. Simultaneously with the temporary stop display of the small pattern 56, the performance accessory 7 is moved from the initial position to the advanced position. Upon completion of evacuation of the production accessories 7, the words "Congratulations" are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5. Along with this, the small symbols 56 that have been temporarily stopped and displayed are stopped and displayed in the same combination (see FIG. 27(2)). At this time, the fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed as a white symbol. Thereby, it is reported that the determination result of the second special symbol determination in the third rotation in the new chapter mode was a loss. While the words "Congratulations" are being displayed, the small symbol 56 starts to be displayed in a variable manner as the second special symbol starts to be displayed in a variable manner (see FIG. 27 (3)). Then, after the decorative symbols 55 (and the small symbols 56) are temporarily stopped and displayed, for example, two symbols together, a re-lottery performance is executed. Thereafter, at the same time as the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as the small winning symbol 3, the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) of the same combination as before the re-lottery performance is stopped and displayed (see FIG. 27 (4)) ). At this time, the fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed as a purple symbol. In addition, if the first pending second special symbol determination is the small winning symbol 2, the decorative symbol 55 (and the minor symbol 56) will be drawn with all 7 symbols without superimposing the word "God" through the re-lottery effect. ) is stopped and displayed. In addition, if the first hold in the second special symbol determination is the small winning symbol 1, the re-lottery effect will not be executed and the decorative symbol will be a set of 7 symbols with the word "God" superimposed on the front side. 55 (and the small pattern 56) are stopped and displayed.

If the judgment result of the second special symbol judgment of the third rotation in the new chapter mode and the suspension of the second special symbol judgment are all losses, the shutter image will be changed according to the operation during the operation promotion performance during the battle end suggestion performance. It doesn't open completely. Then, at the end of the valid period, a shutter closing effect in which the shutter image is completely closed is executed (see FIG. 28(A)). The shutter closing effect continues with the shutter image closed until the judgment result of the 2nd special symbol judgment of the 3rd rotation in the new chapter mode and the suspension of the 2nd special symbol judgment are all notified that it is a loss. Ru.

When the shutter closing effect is started, the small symbol 56 remains temporarily stopped and displayed in the reach losing position. As the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol, the small symbols 56 are stopped and displayed in the temporarily stopped and displayed combination (see FIG. 28(B)). Further, the fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed in white. Along with the start of this stop display, the title of the theatrical version of the anime that is the basis of the production related to the new chapter mode and the word "end" are displayed to indicate the end of the new chapter mode. This title and the word "end" will continue to be displayed until it is announced that all pending second special symbol determinations are losses. With the start of the next variable display of the second special symbol, the small symbol 56 starts variable display while the shutter image remains closed (see FIG. 28(C)). Thereafter, as the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol, the small symbols 56 are stopped and displayed in a combination that indicates a loss (see FIG. 28(D)). Further, the fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed in white. Similarly, the small symbol 56 and the fourth symbol 57 are displayed in a variable manner until the fourth suspension of the second special symbol determination is completed, and the small symbol 56 is stopped and displayed in combination indicating a loss, and the fourth symbol 57 is displayed in a similar manner. The stop display in white is repeated (see FIGS. 28(E) to (J)). In the shutter closing effect, a shutter image opening effect is executed in response to the stopped display of the losing symbol corresponding to the fourth hold in the second special symbol determination (FIGS. 28(K) and (L)) reference). Here, in this embodiment, when the small pattern 56 starts to be stopped and displayed, the decorative pattern 55 is stopped and displayed in the same combination as the small pattern 56 behind the shutter image. By opening the shutter image, the decorative pattern 55 hidden by the shutter image becomes visible. In this embodiment, when the shutter image is fully opened, the words "Please return the handle to the left" are started to be displayed to encourage the player to hit left.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mode selection effect when the small winning symbol 2 is won in the new chapter mode. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mode selection effect following FIG. 29. FIG. 29(A) illustrates the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 when the stop display of the small winning symbol 2 starts in the new chapter mode. In FIG. 29(A), in order to notify the same content as the small winning symbol 2, a set of 7 symbols without superimposed display of the word "God" is displayed as a decorative symbol 55, and a white fourth symbol 57 is displayed as stopped. At this time, the small pattern 56 is stopped and displayed in the same combination as the decorative pattern 55.

After the state of FIG. 29(A) is maintained until the symbol confirmation time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, the small winning game related to the small winning symbol 2 is started. FIG. 29(B) exemplifies a state in which a small win OP effect is being executed to notify that a small win game has started. The small win OP performance is a performance that displays characters indicating the type of the current small win game, and is a performance that is executed from the start of the small win game to the end of the round game related to the small win game. In FIG. 29(B), the words "Character Bonus" are displayed to suggest that this is a small winning game related to small winning symbol 2. At the end of the small win OP production, the words "Aim for V" and multiple characters "Right hit" are displayed on the LCD screen 5, urging the player to win V, and the words "Aim for V" are displayed on the LCD screen 5. A sound such as "" is output from the speaker 24. In this embodiment, in order to clearly indicate to the player which position to aim for, the parts other than the background of the words "Aim for V" (specifically, the part shown in FIG. An image imitating the game board 2 of this embodiment is displayed in C) other than the checkered pattern portion. The image imitating the game board 2 is, for example, an image showing the area around the small winning hole 19 centered on the letter "V" written on the plate that closes the small winning hole 19 (i.e., the V winning hole switch 116b). It is. In the example shown in FIG. 29(C), the image imitating the game board 2 includes a plate that closes the small prize opening 19, the lower right portion of the liquid crystal screen 5, and the normal prize opening 14. Here, in FIG. 29(C), for the purpose of making the drawing easier to understand, lead lines and symbols are attached to the accessories in the image imitating the game board 2. In reality, an image simulating the game board 2 is displayed without leader lines or symbols.

In response to winning a V prize during a round game related to a small winning game, an effect (not shown) representing light being emitted from the lower right corner of the liquid crystal screen 5 in all directions is displayed. This effect is an image that starts to be displayed in response to a V win in order to notify the player of a V win. Then, over a period from the start of the ED period related to the small winning game to the end of the OP period of the jackpot game that follows this small winning game, the above effect spreads and the entire LCD screen 5 is covered with light, resulting in a whiteout effect display. will be held. Following the whiteout, a round presentation of the jackpot game starts. FIG. 29(D) exemplifies a state in which the round performance is started from the start of the 1st round game (2nd round game if the small winning game is added) after the start of the jackpot game. In this embodiment, in the case of a jackpot game related to small winning symbol 2, videos of characters A to C are displayed from the start of the round performance until the destination performance mode is determined in the mode selection performance (for example, in Figure 29 ( D) to FIG. 29(F)). This video displays pink bands on the top and bottom edges of the LCD screen 5 from the start to the end (Figures 29 (D) to 29 (F), Figures 30 (A) to (C)) reference).

In the case of a jackpot game related to the small winning symbol 2, as illustrated in FIG. 29(D), eight circles are displayed from the start of the round performance to suggest that a round game for 8R will be played. In the case of a jackpot game related to the small winning symbol 2, the above circles continue to be displayed while changing from white to black one by one after each round, and are erased at the end of the final round game (see FIG. 29(E)).

FIGS. 29(F) to 30(C) illustrate mode selection effects when the small winning symbol 2 is won in the new chapter mode. The mode selection performance at this time is executed to determine either one of the battle mode and the story mode as the performance mode after the jackpot game in progress is finished. Since the sub RAM 133 stores a setting value indicating the new chapter mode, the first performance mode selected on the initial screen of the mode selection performance is the group B story mode.

With the start of the mode selection effect (and the start of the ED period), the display of the words "Please select a mode" begins. Furthermore, with the start of the mode selection effect, the moving display of the battle mode image 42 representing the battle mode and the story mode image 43 representing the story mode is started (see FIGS. 29(F) and 30(A)). . Since the setting value indicating the new chapter mode is stored, the mode image indicating the story mode of group B is displayed first when the mode selection effect is started. In this example, during the moving display of the battle mode image 42 and the story mode image 43, an effect display similar to the moving display of the mode images illustrated in FIGS. 10(A) to 10(E) is performed. Specifically, the story mode image 43 performs a moving display similar to the moving display of the night mode image 40 illustrated in FIGS. 10(A) to 10(E). Furthermore, the battle mode image 42 performs a moving display similar to the moving display of the new chapter mode image 41 illustrated in FIGS. 10(A) to 10(E).

As illustrated in FIGS. 29(F) and 30(A), the battle mode image 42 and the story mode image 43 are displayed in dark hues from the start of the mode selection effect until the time the moving display is completed. The production mode can be selected during the valid period that starts in response to the completion of the moving display.

As illustrated in FIG. 30(B), in response to completion of the moving display, the words "Please select a mode" are deleted. Along with this, the button image 90, the gauge image 91, the words "mode switching", and the left and right arrows start to be displayed. Simultaneously with the start of displaying the button image 90, the valid period of the effect button 26 starts.

At the same time as the button image 90 starts to be displayed, the display mode of the story mode image 43 changes to a bright color (see FIG. 30(B)). This suggests that the story mode image 43 is currently selected. On the other hand, the battle mode image 42 remains dark unless selected by operating the effect button 26. This suggests that the battle mode image 42 is currently not selected. As described above, since the setting value indicating the presentation mode of group B is stored in the sub-RAM 133, in the mode selection presentation, an initial screen with the story mode image 43 selected first is displayed.

When the production button 26 is operated once, the state in which the story mode image 43 is selected is switched to the state in which the battle mode image 42 is selected (flow from FIG. 30(B) to (C)). In this embodiment, in response to this first operation, the display mode of the story mode image 43 changes to a dark tone, and the battle mode image 42 changes to a bright tone. In addition, in response to this first operation, the story mode image 43 is gradually reduced and moved to the rear of the battle mode image 42, and the battle mode image 42 is gradually enlarged and displayed to the front of the story mode image 43. Move to display.

When the production button 26 is operated for the second time during the valid period of the mode selection production, the state in which the battle mode image 42 is selected switches to the state in which the story mode image 43 is selected (FIG. 30(C) ) to (B)). In this embodiment, in response to this second operation, the display mode of the story mode image 43 returns to a bright color, and the battle mode image 42 returns to a dark color. In addition, in response to this second operation, the story mode image 43 is gradually enlarged and moved to the front side of the battle mode image 42, and the battle mode image 42 is gradually reduced and displayed to the rear side of the story mode image 43. Move to display. Here, FIG. 30(B) depicts the gauge image 91 at the start of the validity period. When the story mode image 43 is switched to the selected state in response to the second operation, the gauge image 91 suggests a smaller remaining time than the remaining time suggested by the gauge image 91 illustrated in FIG. 30(C). The state will be as follows.

Thereafter, at the end of the predetermined validity period, the transition to the production mode represented by the mode image selected at this point is confirmed. FIG. 30(D) shows an example in which the story mode image 43 is selected at the end of the validity period, and the transition to the story mode is confirmed. In this example, the setting value indicating the story mode is stored in the sub-RAM 133 at the end of the validity period. By this storage process, the performance is controlled in the story mode immediately after the end of the jackpot game being executed. Then, if you win a small hit or a jackpot (specifically, jackpot symbols B, C, E, and F, and small winning symbols 2 and 3) in the story mode at this time, the performance mode of group B will be changed. The mode selection effect on the initial screen in the selected state is executed during the third jackpot game. In this way, even if you do not have to reselect the story mode (or other production mode from group B) in the next mode selection production, the production mode of group B will be selected, so there is no need to bother with reselection. I can't find it.

As illustrated in FIG. 30(D), the story mode image 43 starts expanding from the end of the validity period, and the story mode image 43 is displayed in full screen. The battle mode image 42, the button image 90, the gauge image 91, the words "mode switch", the left and right arrows, and the videos of characters A to D are deleted at the end of the validity period.

If the valid period ends with the battle mode image 42 being selected as a result of the operation, the transition to the battle mode is confirmed at the end of the valid period. In such a case, a setting value indicating that the transition destination is battle mode at the end of the validity period is stored in the sub-RAM 133. By this storage process, the performance is controlled in the battle mode immediately after the end of the jackpot game being executed. If you win a small hit or a jackpot (specifically, jackpot symbols B, C, E, and F, and small winning symbols 2 and 3) in the battle mode at this time, the performance mode of group A will be changed. The mode selection performance in the selected state is executed during the third jackpot game. In this way, in the next mode selection performance, the performance mode of group A is still selected without reselecting the night mode (or other performance mode from group A), so there is no need to bother with reselection. I can't find it.

If the transition to battle mode is confirmed at the end of the valid period, the battle mode image 42 starts to expand from the end of the valid period, and is displayed on the full screen. The story mode image 43, the button image 90, the gauge image 91, the words "mode switch", the left and right arrows, and the animations of characters A to C are deleted at the end of the validity period.

When a predetermined period of time (for example, 7 seconds) has elapsed since the story mode image 43 was displayed on the full screen, the story mode image 43 is deleted. At the same time, a production is started to display a production mode title notifying the transition to the story mode (see FIG. 30(F)). In this performance, the following performance display is performed. First, the words "Girl Rush" are displayed. Then, in response to the display of this character, the words "Story mode entered" are displayed (see FIG. 30(F)). The performance of displaying the performance mode title notifying the transition to the story mode ends after the variable display of the second special symbol is started. Then, during this variable display, the screen configuration is switched to the story mode (see FIGS. 30(H) and 31(A)).

[If you win small winning symbol 1 in story mode]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32, the performance during the jackpot game when the small winning symbol 1 is won in the story mode will be described. FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the production until the jackpot game starts when the small winning symbol 1 is won in the story mode. FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance in which the game shifts to a devil rush after a round performance consistent with the story mode.

The story mode of this embodiment is a production mode that is characterized in that the player can watch his/her favorite story video after reaching the reach. For example, the player can select a desired story video type from episodes 1 to 4 during the period until the reach is established, and can watch this story video after the reach is established. FIG. 31(A) shows the basic screen configuration in the story mode until reach is achieved. What is distinctive about the screen in FIG. 31(A) is the button image 90, the text "Select number of episodes" which suggests that the number of episodes of the story video can be changed by operating the production button 26, and the currently selected number of episodes. The message ``Episode 1 Mission: Convince Character C!'' is displayed to inform you of the story video.

As illustrated in FIG. 31(B), when a reach is achieved during the variable display of the second special symbol in the story mode, the story video selected before the reach is achieved is played. FIG. 31(C) exemplifies the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 when the stop display of the small winning symbol 1 starts as a result of the above-mentioned variable display. In FIG. 31(C), in order to notify the same content as the small winning symbol 1, a set of 7 symbols with the word "God" superimposed on the front side is displayed as a decorative symbol 55, and the green number 4 symbols 57 are stopped and displayed. At this time, the small pattern 56 is stopped and displayed in the same combination as the decorative pattern 55.

After the state of FIG. 31(C) is maintained until the symbol confirmation time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, the small win game related to the small win symbol 1 is started. FIG. 31(D) exemplifies how the small win OP performance of the small win symbol 1 is being executed. In FIG. 31(D), the words "God Bonus" are displayed to suggest that this is a small winning game related to small winning symbol 1. At the end of the small win OP performance, the words "Aim for V" encouraging the player to win a V prize, an image imitating the game board 2, and multiple words "Right hit" are displayed on the LCD screen 5. or a voice saying "Aim for V" is output from the speaker 24. This performance to encourage the V winning is the same as that performed when the small winning symbol 2 is stopped and displayed, except that the bonus band 46 is displayed. The bonus band 46 is an image that informs that it is a small winning game (and a big winning game) related to the small winning symbol 1, and is an image that starts displaying when the small winning game starts and disappears when the big winning game ends.

In response to a V win during a round game related to a small winning game, an effect notifying the V win is displayed. Then, over a period from the start of the ED period related to the small winning game to the end of the OP period of the jackpot game following this small winning game, the above effect spreads and the entire LCD screen 5 is covered with light, resulting in a whiteout effect display. will be held. Following the whiteout, a round presentation of the jackpot game starts. In this embodiment, in order to enjoy the story video selected by the player, when the small winning symbol 1 is stopped and displayed, a digest video of the story video that was being played is played as a round effect (see FIG. 31(F)). ). The story video is a reach performance that is played only in the story mode and is compatible with Group B's performance mode. Therefore, the performance for playing back the digest video of this story video is a round performance that conforms to the Group B performance mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 32(A), in this embodiment, the round performance in which the digest video of the story video is played continues even when the final round game ends. Subsequently, with the start of the ED period, an ED effect corresponding to the devil rush is started, and the above-mentioned round effect is continued (see FIG. 32(B)). The ED effect at this time is superimposed on the front side of the round effect. The display area of the ED effect increases as time passes and is finally displayed on the entire screen (see FIG. 32(C)). For this reason, the round effect will eventually become invisible during the ED period. When the ED period ends, the ED performance corresponding to the devil rush ends, and immediately after the end of the ED period, the game shifts to the devil rush (see FIG. 32(D)).

In this embodiment, when the small winning symbol 1 is stopped and displayed, the performance mode of the same group as the setting value indicating the performance mode stored in the sub-RAM 133 is automatically changed immediately after the jackpot game ends, among God rush or devil rush. to move to. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the small winning symbol 1 is stopped and displayed, the mode selection effect is not executed during this jackpot game. This allows the player to concentrate on videos related to the story video without being distracted by the selection of production modes.

[If you win small winning symbol 1 in battle mode]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34, the performance during the jackpot game when the small winning symbol 1 is won in the battle mode will be described. FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the production until the jackpot game starts when the small winning symbol 1 is won in the battle mode. FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance in which the game shifts to a devil rush after a round performance in accordance with the battle mode.

The battle mode of this embodiment is a production mode in which the player cannot select his/her favorite production, unlike the story mode. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 33(A), the words "select number of episodes", etc. that were displayed during the story mode (see FIG. 31(A)) are not displayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 33(B), when a reach is achieved during the variable display of the second special symbol in the battle mode, a battle reach effect that can only be executed in the battle mode is executed. FIG. 33(C) exemplifies the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 when the stop display of the small winning symbol 1 starts as a result of the above-mentioned variable display. In FIG. 33(C), in order to notify the same content as the small winning symbol 1, a set of seven symbols with the word "God" superimposed on the front side is displayed as a decorative symbol 55, and the green number 4 symbols 57 are stopped and displayed. At this time, the small symbols 56 are stopped and displayed in the same combination as the decorative symbols 55.

After the state of FIG. 33(C) is maintained until the symbol confirmation time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, the small winning game related to the small winning symbol 1 is started. As illustrated in FIGS. 33(D) and (E), the production from the start of the small winning game to the start of the jackpot game is the production when the small winning symbol 1 is won in the story mode (FIGS. 31(D) and 33(E)). (See (E)).

As illustrated in FIG. 33(F), when the small winning symbol 1 is won in the battle mode, a round performance according to the performance mode of group A is executed as a round performance of the jackpot game. As illustrated in FIG. 34(A), in this embodiment, the round performance is continued even at the end of the final round game. Subsequently, with the start of the ED period, an ED effect based on the devil rush is started, and the above-mentioned round effect is continued (see FIG. 34(B)). The ED effect is superimposed on the front side of the round effect, and as time passes, the display area increases and is finally displayed on the entire screen (see FIG. 34(C)). For this reason, the round effect will eventually become invisible during the ED period. When the ED period ends, the ED performance corresponding to the devil rush ends, and immediately after the end of the ED period, the game shifts to the devil rush (see FIG. 34(D)).

As described above, in this embodiment, even if the small winning symbol 1 is stopped and displayed in either the story mode or the battle mode, the mode selection effect is not executed during the jackpot game. Thereby, it is possible for the players to concentrate on the round performance suitable for each group without being distracted by the selection of the performance mode.

[If you win small winning symbol 1 and small winning symbol 3 in devil rush]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 35 to 37, an example of performance will be described in the case where the small winning symbol 1 is won in the devil rush and then the small winning symbol 3 is drawn in the devil rush. FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the effect when the small winning symbol 1 is won in the devil rush. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the effect until the jackpot game is started when the small winning symbol 3 is won in the devil rush. FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance in which, when the small winning symbol 3 is won in the devil rush, the game shifts to the story mode after the round performance in accordance with the devil rush.

In the devil rush of this embodiment, in order to emphasize that the jackpot games are consecutive, the circle that is displayed to suggest that a round game will be played continues to be displayed even after the jackpot game ends. FIG. 35(A) shows the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 when the stop display of the small winning symbol 1 starts in a state where the round game for 10R has already been executed by winning the small winning symbol 1 during the devil rush. is exemplified. In FIG. 35(A), in order to notify the same content as the small winning symbol 1, a set of 7 symbols with the word "God" superimposed on the front side is displayed as a decorative symbol 55 (and a small symbol 56). , and the green fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed.

In the state of FIG. 35(A), after the symbol confirmation time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, the decorative symbol 55, the small symbol 56, the fourth The pattern 57 is maintained. As illustrated in FIG. 35(B), from the start of the OP period, an OP effect corresponding to the devil rush is started. In the OP performance at this time, for example, a bonus band 46 is displayed superimposed on the front side of a devil rush band 45 that informs that it is a devil rush.

At the end of the above OP performance, the words "Aim for the V" and multiple "Right hit" characters are displayed on the LCD screen 5, and the words "Aim for the V" are displayed on the LCD screen 5, urging the player to win the V prize. Sound is output from the speaker 24. This performance that encourages V-winning is a right-handed performance that is compatible with Devil Rush, and a background image that is not displayed when promoting V-winning in other production modes (for example, an image that suggests that it is Devil Rush) is displayed. .

In response to a V win during a round game related to a small winning game, an effect notifying the V win is displayed. Then, over a period from the start of the ED period related to the small winning game to the end of the OP period of the jackpot game following this small winning game, the above effect spreads and the entire LCD screen 5 is covered with light, resulting in a whiteout effect display. will be held. Following the whiteout, a round performance based on the devil rush is started as a round performance of the jackpot game (see FIG. 35(D)). At this time, the devil rush band 45 is erased and only the bonus band 46 continues to be displayed.

As exemplified in FIG. 35(E), in this embodiment, the round performance based on the devil rush is continued even at the end of the final round game. Subsequently, with the start of the ED period, an ED effect corresponding to the devil rush is started, and the above-mentioned round effect is continued (see FIG. 35(F)). The ED effect at this time is superimposed on the front side of the round effect. The display area of the ED effect increases as time passes and is finally displayed on the entire screen (see FIG. 36(A)). For this reason, the round effect will eventually become invisible during the ED period. When the ED period ends, the ED performance corresponding to the devil rush ends, and the devil rush continues immediately after the end of the ED period (see FIG. 36(B)). The bonus band 46 is erased at the end of the ED period, and the devil rush band 45 is displayed at the same time as the devil rush starts. At this time, a black circle indicating the number of completed round games continues to be displayed.

FIG. 36(C) shows the liquid crystal screen 5 when the stop display of the small winning symbol 3 has started in a state where the round game for 20R has already been executed due to winning the small winning symbol 1 twice during the devil rush. This example shows the situation. In FIG. 36(C), in order to notify the same content as the small winning symbol 3, a set of 6 symbols is displayed in a stopped state as a decorative pattern 55 (and a small pattern 56), and a purple fourth symbol 57 is displayed in a stopped state. ing.

In the state of FIG. 36(C), after the symbol confirmation time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, the decorative symbol 55, the small symbol 56, the fourth The pattern 57 is maintained. When the small winning symbol 3 is drawn in the devil rush, basically the same effect as when the small winning symbol 1 is drawn in the devil rush is performed until the round effect ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, by using the small winning symbol 3 which cannot originally produce a devil rush, it is possible to produce a continuous jackpot game with a devil rush.

As illustrated in FIG. 37(E), in the present embodiment, when the small winning symbol 3 is won in the devil rush, the round performance corresponding to the devil rush ends at the end of the final round game. Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 37(B), with the start of the ED period, an effect announcing the end of the devil rush is started. During this ED period, the words "NEXT Girl Rush" indicating the destination production mode are displayed (see FIG. 37(C)). Girl Rush is a general term for battle mode and story mode. Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 37(D), the display of the production mode title notifying the transition to the story mode is started. In the production mode title at this time, the words ``Girl Rush Story Mode Enter'' are displayed to indicate that a new story mode is starting. As illustrated in FIG. 37(E), while the production mode title is being displayed, variable display of the second special symbol is started, and during this variable display, the story mode screen configuration is established.

In this embodiment, when the small winning symbol 3 is stopped and displayed in the devil rush, the game shifts to the story mode of the same group B as the devil rush. In this manner, in this embodiment, immediately after the end of the jackpot game, the game automatically shifts to the story mode of group B, which is the same as the setting value indicating the production mode stored in the sub RAM 133. As described above, in this embodiment, when the small winning symbol 3 is stopped and displayed in the devil rush, the mode selection effect is not executed during this jackpot game. Thereby, it is possible to effectively express that the devil rush is a special performance mode that is different from other performance modes that can be selected by the player.

Hereinafter, an example of the processing performed by the gaming machine 1 to realize the various effects described above will be explained in detail.

[Timer interrupt processing by game control board 100]
Next, with reference to FIG. 38, the timer interrupt process executed in the game control board 100 will be described. Here, FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt process executed in the game control board 100. The game control board 100 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated at regular intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation, excluding special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. When a timer interrupt occurs, the game control board 100 executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 38. Note that the processes shown in FIGS. 38 to 44 are performed according to instructions issued by the main CPU 101 based on a program stored in the main ROM 102.

First, the main CPU 101 of the game control board 100 executes a random number update process for updating symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, fluctuation pattern random numbers, and normal symbol random numbers by software (step S1).

For example, each random number is incremented by "1" each time the process of step S1 is performed. Note that a loop counter is used as a counter for performing the process in step S1, and after each random number reaches a preset maximum value, it is returned to "0" and updated. Note that it may be set in advance to update the jackpot random numbers by software, or to generate each random number by calculating a value generated using the random number circuit 104 and a value generated by software.

Following the process of step S1, the main CPU 101 detects that the first starting port switch 111 detects that a game ball has entered the first starting port 11 and that a game ball has entered the second starting port 12. A switch process is executed to determine the state of the detection signal input from each switch such as the second starting port switch 112 for the purpose of determining the state of the detection signal (step S2). This switch processing will be described in detail later based on FIG. 39.

Following the process of step S2, the main CPU 101 executes special symbol determination, causes the first special symbol display 41 or second special symbol display 42 to variably display the special symbol, and then displays the determination result of the special symbol determination. A special symbol process including a process of stopping and displaying the special symbol shown is executed (step S3). In the special symbol processing, whether or not it is a jackpot, the type of jackpot, the variation pattern of the special symbol, etc. are determined. This special symbol processing will be described in detail later based on FIG. 42.

Following the process of step S3, the main CPU 101 executes normal symbol determination, including processing to cause the normal symbol display 45 to fluctuately display the normal symbol, and then stop and display the normal symbol indicating the result of the normal symbol determination. Normal symbol processing is executed (step S4).

Following the process of step S4, the main CPU 101 performs an electric tulip process in which the electric tulip 17 is operated via the electric tulip control unit 113 when it is determined that the first starting port 11b is to be opened as a result of normal symbol determination. (Step S5).

Following the process of step S5, the main CPU 101 performs a small winning opening control process of controlling the small winning opening control unit 118 to open the small winning opening 19 when it is determined that there is a small win in the process of step S3. (Step S6). The small winning opening control process is a process that controls the small winning game, and a special symbol (small winning symbol) indicating that it has been determined that the small winning game will be executed is stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display 42. It is done in case. This small prize opening control process will be described in detail later based on FIG. 45.

Following the processing in step S6, the main CPU 101 executes a big winning opening control process that controls the big winning opening control unit 117 to open the big winning opening 13 when it is determined that there is a jackpot in the processing in step S3. Execute (step S7). This big winning opening control process will be described in detail later based on FIG. 46.

Following the process of step S7, the main CPU 101 executes a prize ball process to control the payout of prize balls according to winning of game balls (step S8).

Following the process of step S8, the main CPU 101 transmits to the effect control board 130 the various commands set (stored) in the main RAM 103 in the processing steps before step S8 and information necessary for determining the effect contents. Processing is executed (step S9).

[Switch processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 39 is a detailed flowchart of the switch processing in step S2 of FIG. 38. Following the process of step S1, the main CPU 101 monitors the presence or absence of the input of the detection signal from the first starting port switch 111, and determines the special symbol at the time when the detection signal from the first starting port switch 111 is input. First starting port switch processing including processing to obtain random numbers (jackpot random number, symbol random number, reach random number, and fluctuation pattern random number) for use is executed (step S21). This first starting port switch process will be described in detail later based on FIG. 40.

Next, the main CPU 101 monitors whether a detection signal is input from the second starting port switch 112 and obtains a random number for special symbol determination at the time when the detection signal from the second starting port switch 112 is input. The second starting port switch process including the process of activating the engine is executed (step S22). This second starting port switch process will be described in detail later based on FIG. 41.

Then, the main CPU 101 monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the gate switch 114, and executes a gate switch process to obtain a normal symbol random number at the time when the detection signal from the gate switch 114 is input (step S23). ).

[First starting port switch processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 40 is a detailed flowchart of the first starting port switch process in step S21 of FIG. 39. As illustrated in FIG. 40, the main CPU 101 determines whether the first starting port switch 111 is turned “ON” based on whether a detection signal from the first starting port switch 111 is input. (Step S2101). For example, when an ON signal indicating that the first starting port switch 111 is turned "ON" is input, it is determined that the first starting port switch 111 is turned "ON".

When the main CPU 101 determines that the first starting port switch 111 is turned "ON" (step S2101: YES), the main CPU 101 acquires the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, the reach random number, and the variation as the acquired information used for the first special symbol determination. A pattern random number is obtained (steps S2102 to 2105).

Next, the main CPU 101 determines that the number U1 of reservations for the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 103 is equal to the maximum number Umax1 of reservations for the first special symbol determination stored in the main ROM 102 (“4” in this embodiment). ) (step S2106).

If the main CPU 101 determines that the number of reservations U1 is less than the maximum number of reservations Umax1 (step S2106: YES), the main CPU 101 updates the value of the number of reservations U1 to a value obtained by adding "1" (step S2107).

Following the process of step S2107, the main CPU 101 determines whether the time-saving game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is "ON" (step S2108). This time-saving game flag is a flag that is set to "ON" when the current gaming state is a time-saving state, and conversely, set to "OFF" when it is a non-time-saving state.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the time-saving game flag is not "ON" (that is, "OFF") (step S2108: NO), it executes a preliminary determination process (step S2109). Specifically, the main CPU 101 determines the jackpot based on the acquired information obtained through the processing of steps S2102 to 2105, prior to the jackpot determination processing (see FIG. 43) and fluctuation pattern determination processing (see FIG. 44), which will be described later. It is determined in advance whether or not it will be determined, and what type of variation pattern will be determined.

Following the process in step S2109, the main CPU 101 stores the preliminary determination information obtained in the preliminary determination process in step S2109 and the various random numbers acquired in the processes in steps S2102 to 2105 in the reserved storage area of the main RAM 103 ( Step S2110).

If the main CPU 101 determines that the time-saving game flag is "ON" (step S2108: YES), it stores the various random numbers obtained in the processing of steps S2102 to 2105 in the reserved storage area in the main RAM 103 (step S2111).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S2110 or step S2111, it sets a pending command related to the first special symbol determination in the main RAM 103 (step S2112). This suspension command is a command to notify that the first special symbol determination has been suspended, and includes the preliminary determination information obtained in the process of step S2109. The hold command is transmitted to the production control board 130 by the transmission process of step S9.

When the process of step S2112 is executed, when it is determined that the first starting port switch 111 is not turned on (step S2101: NO), or when it is determined that the number of reservations U1 is not less than the maximum number of reservations Umax1 (Step S2106: NO), the main CPU 101 ends the process shown in FIG.

[Second starting port switch processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 41 is a detailed flowchart of the second starting port switch process in step S22 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 41, following the first starting port switch processing in step S21, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the detection signal from the second starting port switch 112 has been input. It is determined whether the switch 112 is turned on (step S2201). For example, when an ON signal indicating that the second starting port switch 112 is turned "ON" is input, it is determined that the second starting port switch 112 is turned "ON".

When the main CPU 101 determines that the second starting port switch 112 is turned "ON" (step S2201: YES), the main CPU 101 acquires the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, the reach random number, and the variation as the acquired information used for the second special symbol determination. A pattern random number is obtained (steps S2202 to 2205).

Next, the main CPU 101 determines that the second special symbol determination pending number U2 stored in the main RAM 103 is equal to the second special symbol determination maximum pending number Umax2 (“4” in this embodiment) stored in the main ROM 102. ) (step S2206).

If the main CPU 101 determines that the number of reservations U2 is less than the maximum number of reservations Umax2 (step S2206: YES), the main CPU 101 updates the value of the number of reservations U2 to a value obtained by adding "1" (step S2207).

Following the process in step S2207, the main CPU 101 determines whether the time-saving game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is "ON" (step S2208), similarly to the process in step S2108. When the main CPU 101 determines that the time-saving game flag is "ON" (step S2208: YES), it executes a preliminary determination process (step S2209).

Following the process in step S2209, the main CPU 101 stores the preliminary determination information obtained in the preliminary determination process in step S2209 and the various random numbers acquired in the processes in steps S2202 to 2205 in the reserved storage area of the main RAM 103 ( Step S2210).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the time-saving game flag is not "ON" (that is, "OFF") (step S2208: NO), the main CPU 101 stores the various random numbers obtained in the processing of steps S2202 to 2205 in the reserved storage area in the main RAM 103. (Step S2211).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S2210 or step S2211, it sets a pending command related to the second special symbol determination in the main RAM 103 (step S2112). This suspension command is a command to notify that the second special symbol determination has been suspended, and includes the preliminary determination information obtained in the process of step S2210. The hold command is transmitted to the production control board 130 by the transmission process of step S9.

When the process of step S2212 is executed, when it is determined that the second starting port switch 112 is not turned on (step S2201: NO), or when it is determined that the number of reservations U2 is not less than the maximum number of reservations Umax2 (Step S2206: NO), the main CPU 101 ends the process shown in FIG.

[Special symbol processing by game control board 100]
Next, details of the special symbol processing executed by the game control board 100 will be explained with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 42 is a detailed flowchart of the special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG. 38.

As illustrated in FIG. 42, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not a jackpot game or a small win game is in progress (step S301). The main CPU 101 determines whether or not a jackpot game is being played, for example, based on whether a jackpot game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is set to "ON". This jackpot game flag is a flag indicating whether or not a jackpot game is being executed, and is set to "ON" at the start of the jackpot game, and set to "OFF" at the end of the jackpot game. Further, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not a small winning game is being played, for example, based on whether the small winning game flag is set to "ON". This small winning game flag is a flag indicating whether or not a small winning game stored in the main RAM 103 is being executed, and is set to "ON" at the start of the small winning game, and is set to "ON" at the end of the small winning game. It is set to "OFF". Here, if it is determined that the jackpot game or the small win game is in progress (step S301: YES), the process proceeds to normal symbol processing in step S4.

When determining that the jackpot game is not in progress (step S301: NO), the main CPU 101 determines whether or not a special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (step S302). Here, if it is determined that the special symbol is not being displayed in a variable manner (step S302: NO), it is determined whether or not the pending number U2 of the second special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 103 is "1" or more. (Step S303). Here, if it is determined that the number of reservations U2 is equal to or greater than "1" (step S303: YES), the number of reservations U2 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S304).

If the main CPU 101 determines that the number of reservations U2 is not equal to or greater than "1" (step S303: NO), the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the number of reservations U1 of the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 103 is equal to or greater than "1". (Step S305). Here, if it is determined that the pending number U1 is not greater than "1" (step S305: NO), the process proceeds to the normal symbol process of step S4.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the number of reservations U1 is greater than or equal to "1" (step S305: YES), the main CPU 101 updates the number of reservations U1 to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S306).

Following the process of step S304 or the process of step S306, the main CPU 101 executes a shift process for the reserved storage area of the main RAM 103 (step S308). Specifically, when executing the shift process subsequent to the process in step S304, the main CPU 101 transfers the earliest acquired information stored in the second special symbol determination pending storage area to the determination storage area. At the same time, the remaining acquired information is shifted upward one entry at a time. The determination storage area is a storage area in which various information used for special symbol determination is stored when the special symbol determination is actually executed. In addition, when performing a shift process following the process of step S306, the earliest acquired information stored in the reserved storage area for first special symbol determination is shifted to the determination storage area, and the remaining The acquired information is shifted upward one entry at a time.

Following the process of step S308, the main CPU 101 executes a jackpot determination process based on the random numbers stored in the determination storage area (step S309). This jackpot determination process will be described in detail later based on FIG. 43.

Following the process of step S309, the main CPU 101 executes a variation pattern determination process to select a variation pattern of the special symbol (step S310). This variation pattern determination process will be described in detail later based on FIG. 44.

Following the process of step S310, the main CPU 101 determines whether the setting information of the special symbol determined in the process of step S309 is related to the first special symbol determination or whether it is related to the second special symbol determination. A fluctuation start command is set in the main RAM 103, including information indicating whether this is the case, setting information of the fluctuation pattern determined in the process of step S310, information regarding the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, etc. (step S311).

This variation start command is a command for instructing the start of the production accompanying the variable display of the special symbol, and is transmitted to the production control board 130 by the transmission process of step S9. As a result, variable display of the decorative pattern 55 on the liquid crystal screen 5 is started.

Following the process of step S311, the main CPU 101 starts variable display of the special symbol based on the setting information of the variation pattern included in the variation start command set in the process of step S311 (step S312). At that time, if the processing of steps S309 to S311 is performed with the acquisition information (random number) related to the first special symbol determination stored in the determination storage area, the special symbol is displayed on the first special symbol display 41. Start displaying fluctuations in . On the other hand, if the processing in steps S309 to S311 is performed with the acquired information (random numbers) related to the second special symbol determination being stored, the second special symbol display 42 starts to display the special symbols in a variable manner. .

Next, the main CPU 101 starts measuring the fluctuation time, which is the elapsed time since the start of the fluctuation display in step S312 (step S313).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S313 or determines that the special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (step S302: YES), the main CPU 101 selects a symbol selected by the process of step S310 from the start of measuring the variation time in step S313. It is determined whether the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern has elapsed (step S315). Here, if it is determined that the variable time has not elapsed (step S315: NO), the process proceeds to normal symbol processing in step S4.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the variable time has elapsed (step S315: YES), the special symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. A symbol confirmation command is set in the main RAM 103 to notify that this is the case (step S316). This symbol confirmation command is transmitted to the production control board 130 by the transmission process in step S9. As a result, a process is performed in which the decorative pattern 55 that has been variably displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 is stopped and displayed in a manner that indicates the judgment result of the special pattern judgment.

Following the process of step S316, the main CPU 101 ends the variable display of the special symbols started in the process of step S312 (step S317). Specifically, the special symbol (jackpot symbol or losing symbol) determined in the process of step S309 is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display that was being displayed in a variable manner. Note that this stop display of the special symbol continues until at least a predetermined symbol confirmation time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed.

In this way, the main CPU 101 causes the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 to variably display the special symbol, and then displays the special symbol indicating the determination result of the jackpot determination process on the first special symbol display 41. Or the second special symbol display 42 is made to stop display.

Following the process of step S317, the main CPU 101 resets the fluctuation time that was started to be measured in the process of step S313 (step S318), and starts a jackpot game if it is a jackpot, and a small win if it is a small win. A stopping process including a process of setting an opening command for starting a winning game is executed (step S319). When this opening command is sent to the production control board 130 by the transmission process in step S9 (see FIG. 38), the sub CPU 131 of the production control board 130 executes the OP production corresponding to the type of jackpot (or small win), for example. An OP performance start command for instructing the start is set in the sub RAM 133. The OP performance is started in response to this OP performance start command being transmitted to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission process in step S30 (see FIG. 46).

[Jackpot determination processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 43 is a detailed flowchart of the jackpot determination process in step S309 of FIG. The main CPU 101 executes jackpot determination based on the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area (step S3091). For example, in the jackpot determination table, a judgment value to be compared with the jackpot random number is assigned in advance to a jackpot, a small win, or a loss. The main CPU 101 determines whether the value of the jackpot random number acquired in the process of step S2102 in FIG. 40 (or the process in step S2202 in FIG. Based on this, it is determined whether or not it is a jackpot.

Following the process of step S3091, the main CPU 101 determines whether the determination result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot (step S3092). Here, if it is determined that it is a jackpot (step S3092: YES), the main CPU 101 refers to the symbol determination table stored in advance in the main ROM 102 and sets the jackpot random number used for the jackpot determination in step S3091. The type of jackpot symbol is determined based on the symbol random number stored in the determination storage area, and the setting information is set in the main RAM 103 (step S3093). By determining the type of jackpot symbol, the type of jackpot is determined. Specifically, for example, if the symbol random number is related to the first special symbol determination, the main CPU 101 determines whether the symbol random number is specified in the first starting opening symbol determination table (not shown). The jackpot symbol is determined based on which judgment value it matches. In addition, when the symbol random number is related to the second special symbol determination, the main CPU 101 determines which determination value the symbol random number matches with which determination value is specified in the second starting opening symbol determination table (not shown). The jackpot symbol is determined based on whether

On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a jackpot (step S3092: NO), the main CPU 101 determines whether or not it is a small win (step S3094). Here, if it is determined that it is a small hit (step S3094: YES), the main CPU 101 refers to the symbol determination table stored in advance in the main ROM 102 and determines the type of small winning symbol based on the random number of symbols. The setting information is set in the main RAM 103 (step S3095).

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a small hit (step S3094: NO), it sets the setting information of the losing symbol in the main RAM 103 (step S3096). As a result, in the process of step S317, the losing symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. In this case, no jackpot game is played. With this, the main CPU 101 ends the process shown in FIG. 43.

[Variation pattern determination processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 44 is a detailed flowchart of the variation pattern determination process in step S310 of FIG. The main CPU 101 determines whether or not the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner at the third rotation after the jackpot symbol C is stopped and displayed (step S3101). If the determination is YES in this process, a dedicated variation pattern is determined as the current variation pattern (step S3102), and the variation pattern determination process is ended.

If the determination in step S3101 is NO, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the determination result in step S3091 is a jackpot (step S3103). Here, if it is determined that it is a jackpot (step S3103: YES), a jackpot variation pattern table (not shown) corresponding to the current gaming state is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3102). The variation pattern table is a table in which variation patterns of special symbols are associated with judgment values for comparison with variation pattern random numbers, and is a table that is stored in advance in the main ROM 102 for each gaming state.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a big hit (step S3103: NO), it determines whether or not it is a small hit (step S3105). If it is determined that it is a small win (step S3105: YES), a small win variation pattern table (not shown) corresponding to the current gaming state is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3106).

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a small hit (step S3103: NO), that is, if it is a loss, it determines whether or not the ready-to-win effect is determined from a variable pattern that cannot be performed (step S3107). Specifically, the main CPU 101 determines that the value of the reach random number stored in the determination storage area together with the jackpot random number used in the process of step S3091 is the reach random number based on the pending number of special symbol determinations with the same winning start opening. It is determined which of the judgment values for comparison matches.

If the main CPU 101 determines the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol from among the fluctuation patterns that cannot perform the reach effect (step S3107: NO), the main CPU 101 reads the fluctuation pattern table for the reach from the main ROM 102 and sets it in the main RAM 103 (step S3108). . On the other hand, if the ready-to-reach effect is determined from the unexecutable variation patterns (step S3109: NO), the non-reach variation pattern table is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3107).

Next, the main CPU 101 refers to the variation pattern table set in the main RAM 103 by the process of step S3104, the process of step S3106, the process of step S3108, or the process of step S3109, and determines the variation pattern of the special symbol, The setting information is set in the main RAM 103 (step S3110). Specifically, the main CPU 101 determines which of the determination values defined in the fluctuation pattern table the fluctuation pattern random number stored in the determination storage area together with the jackpot random number used in the process of step S3091 matches. Based on this, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined. For example, when the fluctuation pattern table for jackpot is set in the main RAM 103, the main CPU 101 generates a special Determine the fluctuation pattern of the symbol. Further, for example, when the non-reach variation pattern table is set in the main RAM 103, the main CPU 101 determines a variation pattern corresponding to the number of reservations after the shift processing in step S308, based on the variation pattern random number. The setting information of the fluctuation pattern is included in the fluctuation start command together with the special symbol setting information set in the main RAM 103 by the jackpot determination process of step S309 mentioned above, and is transmitted to the production control board 130 by the transmission process of step S9. . With this, the main CPU 101 ends the process shown in FIG. 44.

[Small winning opening control process by game control board 100]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 45, the small prize opening control process executed by the game control board 100 will be described. This small winning opening control process is a process of executing a small winning game selected based on the small winning symbol determination table stored in the main ROM 102. Here, FIG. 45 is a detailed flowchart of the small prize opening control process in step S6 of FIG. 38. Following the electric tulip process in step S5, the main CPU 101 determines whether the small winning game flag is set to "ON" as illustrated in FIG. 38 (step S641). Here, if it is determined that the small winning game flag is not set to "ON" (step S641: NO), the process proceeds to the big winning opening control process of step S7.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the jackpot game flag is set to "ON" (step S641: YES), the main CPU 101 determines that the elapsed time from setting the opening command related to the small win game by the stopping process is set to the predetermined opening. Based on whether or not the time has been reached, it is determined whether or not it is during the opening period of the small winning game (step S642). Here, if it is determined that it is during the opening period (step S642: YES), it is determined whether the opening time has elapsed based on whether or not the elapsed time has reached a predetermined opening time (step S642: YES). S643). Here, if it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed (step S643: NO), the process proceeds to the big winning opening control process of step S7.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the opening time has elapsed (step S643: YES), the main CPU 101 sets the operation pattern etc. of the small prize opening control unit 118 and stores the setting information in the main RAM 103 (step S644). By executing the process of step S644, various times related to the small winning game, such as the ending time after the end of the round, are also set.

Following the process of step S644, the main CPU 101 resets the winning number X of game balls entered into the small winning slot 19, which is stored in the main RAM 103 (step S645).

Following the process of step S645, the main CPU 101 starts control to open the small prize opening (step S646). Next, the main CPU 101 starts measuring the opening time, which is the elapsed time since the opening control was started (step S647).

If the main CPU 101 determines that the opening of the small winning game is not in progress (step S642: NO), the main CPU 101 determines that the current state is stored in the main RAM 103, for example, based on information indicating at which point in the small winning game the current state is. , it is determined whether the ending period is in progress (step S648). Here, if it is determined that the ending period is in progress (step S648: YES), the process proceeds to step S659, which will be described later.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the ending of the small winning game is not in progress (step S648: NO), the main CPU 101 determines whether the small winning opening switch has been turned "ON" (step S649). Specifically, based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the small winning opening switch 116a, it is determined whether the small winning opening switch 116a is turned "ON".

Here, if the main CPU 101 determines that the small prize opening switch 116a is turned "ON" (step S649: YES), it determines that one game ball has won in the small prize opening 19, and The number of winnings X is updated to a value obtained by adding "1" (step S650).

Following the process of step S650, the main CPU 101 determines whether the V winning a prize opening switch 116b has been turned "ON". When it is determined that the V winning a prize opening switch 116b is turned "ON" (step S651: YES), a V winning prize command is set (step S652), and the jackpot game flag is turned "ON" (step S653).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S653, when the process of step S647 is executed, or when it is determined that the small winning hole switch 116a is not "ON" (step S649: NO), the main CPU 101 controls the small winning hole 19. It is determined whether a specified opening time has elapsed since the start of opening (step S654). Specifically, it is determined whether the open time whose measurement was started in the process of step S647 has reached the specified open time stored in the main ROM 102.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the specified opening time has not elapsed (step S654: NO), the number of winnings X of game balls in the current round game stored in the main RAM 103 is stored in the main ROM 102. It is determined whether or not it matches the number of game balls Xmax (for example, "9") that defines the closing timing of the big prize opening 13 (step S655). Here, if it is determined that the number of winnings X does not match the number of game balls Xmax (step S655: NO), the process proceeds to the big winning opening control process of step S7.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that the number of winnings X matches the number of game balls Xmax (step S655: YES), the main CPU 101 causes the small winning opening control unit 118 to terminate the opening control of the small winning opening 19 that was started in the process of step S646. (step S656).

Following the process in step S656, the main CPU 101 starts measuring the ending time (step S657), and sets the ending command in the main RAM 103 (step S658). This ending command is a command to notify that the round game of the small winning game has ended, and is transmitted to the production control board 130 by the transmission process of step S9.

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S658, it determines whether the ending time has elapsed (step S659). If it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (step S659: NO), the process proceeds to the big winning opening control process of step S7.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the ending time has elapsed (step S659: YES), the main CPU 101 sets the small winning game flag to "OFF" in order to end the small winning game (step S660).

[Big winning opening control process by game control board 100]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 46, the big winning opening control process executed by the game control board 100 will be described. This jackpot control process is a process for executing a jackpot game selected based on a jackpot symbol determination table stored in the main ROM 102. Here, FIG. 46 is a detailed flowchart of the big winning opening control process in step S7 of FIG. 38. Following the small prize opening control process in step S5, the main CPU 101 determines whether the jackpot game flag is set to "ON" as illustrated in FIG. 38 (step S601). Here, if it is determined that the jackpot game flag is not set to "ON" (step S601: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process of step S8.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the jackpot game flag is set to "ON" (step S601: YES), the main CPU 101 sets the elapsed time since the opening command related to the jackpot game is set by the stopping process to the predetermined opening time. It is determined whether or not the opening of the jackpot game is in progress based on whether or not the game has reached (step S602). Here, if it is determined that the opening is in progress (step S602: YES), it is determined whether the opening time has elapsed based on whether or not the elapsed time has reached a predetermined opening time (step S603). ). Here, if it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed (step S603: NO), the process proceeds to prize ball processing in step S8.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the opening time has elapsed (step S603: YES), it sets the number of rounds Rmax of the jackpot game, the operation pattern of the jackpot control unit 117, etc., and stores the setting information in the main RAM 103. (Step S604). By executing the process of step S604, various times related to the jackpot game, such as the interval time between one round and the next round and the ending time after the final round, are also set.

Following the process in step S604, the main CPU 101 resets the winning number Y of game balls entering the jackpot slot 13 stored in the main RAM 103 (step S605), and The number of rounds R is updated to a value obtained by adding "1" (step S606). This round number R is set to "0" before the start of the jackpot, and is incremented by "1" each time the process of step S606 is performed.

Following the process of step S606, the main CPU 101 starts control to open the big prize opening (step S607). Next, the main CPU 101 starts measuring the opening time, which is the elapsed time since the opening control was started (step S608). Then, a round start command is set in the main RAM 103 to notify that a round game for opening the big prize opening 13 has started (step S609).

If the main CPU 101 determines that the opening of the jackpot game is not in progress (step S602: NO), the main CPU 101 determines whether the final It is determined whether or not the ending is in progress immediately after the end of the round (step S611). Here, if it is determined that the ending is in progress (step S611: YES), the process proceeds to step S625, which will be described later.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the ending of the jackpot game is not in progress (step S611: NO), the main CPU 101 determines the interval based on the information stored in the main RAM 103 indicating which point in the jackpot game the current state is, for example. It is determined whether it is in the middle (between one round and the next round) (step S612). Here, if it is determined that the interval is in progress (step S612: YES), whether or not the interval time set by the process of step S604 has elapsed since the big prize opening 13 was closed at the end of the previous round game. is determined (step S613). Here, if it is determined that the interval time has elapsed (step S613: YES), it is time to start the next round game, so the process proceeds to step S605. Conversely, if it is determined that the interval time has not elapsed (step S613: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process of step S8.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that the interval is not in progress (step S612: NO), the main CPU 101 determines that the round game is in progress and determines whether the big prize opening switch has been turned "ON" (step S614). ). Specifically, based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the big winning opening switch 115, it is determined whether the big winning opening switch 115 is turned "ON".

Here, if the main CPU 101 determines that the grand prize opening switch 115 is turned "ON" (step S614: YES), it determines that one game ball has won in the grand prize opening 13, and the game ball The number of winnings Y is updated to a value obtained by adding "1" (step S615).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S615, when the process of step S609 is executed, or when it is determined that the grand prize opening switch 115 is not “ON” (step S614: NO), the main CPU 101 controls the operation of the grand prize opening 13. It is determined whether a specified opening time has elapsed since the start of opening (step S616). Specifically, it is determined whether the open time whose measurement was started in the process of step S608 has reached the specified open time stored in the main ROM 102.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the specified opening time has not elapsed (step S616: NO), the number Y of winnings of game balls in the current round game, which is stored in the main RAM 103, is stored in the main ROM 102. It is determined whether the number matches the number of game balls Ymax (for example, "9") that defines the closing timing of the big prize opening 13 (step S617). Here, if it is determined that the number of winnings Y does not match the number of game balls Ymax (step S617: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball processing of step S8.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that the number of winnings Y matches the number of game balls Ymax (step S617: YES), or if it determines that the specified opening time has elapsed (step S616: YES), the main CPU 101 controls the big winning opening control section 117, the opening control of the big prize opening 13 started in the process of step S607 is ended (step S618).

Following the process of step S618, the main CPU 101 determines whether the current number of rounds R of the jackpot game stored in the main RAM 103 matches the number of rounds Rmax set by the process of step S604. (Step S619). Here, if it is determined that the number of rounds R does not match the number of rounds Rmax (step S619: NO), in order to control the start timing of the next round game, the time elapsed after the big prize opening 13 was closed is Measurement of a certain interval time is started (step S620). The interval time whose measurement has been started in the process of step S620 is used in the process of step S613.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that the number of rounds R matches the number of rounds Rmax (step S619: YES), it starts measuring the ending time (step S622), and resets the number of rounds R stored in the main RAM 103. (step S623), and sets the ending command in the main RAM 103 (step S624). This ending command is a command to notify that the last round game has ended, and is transmitted to the production control board 130 by the transmission process of step S8. Note that this ending command includes information (gaming information) regarding the gaming state after the end of the jackpot game.

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S624 or determines that the ending is in progress (step S611: YES), the main CPU 101 determines whether the set ending time has elapsed (step S625). Specifically, it is determined whether the ending time whose measurement was started in the process of step S622 has reached the set ending time set in the process of step S604. Here, if it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (step S625: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process of step S8.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the set ending time has elapsed (step S625: YES), it executes a game state setting process to set the game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 after the end of the jackpot game (step S626). Through this process, a gaming state corresponding to the type of jackpot symbol (or small prize symbol) is set.

After the process of step S626, the main CPU 101 sets the jackpot game flag to "OFF" in order to end the jackpot game (step S627).

[Timer interrupt processing by production control board 130]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 47, the timer interrupt process executed in the production control board 130 will be described. Here, FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt process executed in the production control board 130. The processing shown in FIGS. 47 to 50 will be described below as being performed by the production control board 130, but some or all of these processes will be performed by the production control board 130, the image and sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150. It may be executed in any of the following.

The sub CPU 131 in the production control board 130 repeatedly executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 47 at fixed time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds), similar to the timer interrupt process performed in the game control board 100. Note that the processes shown in FIGS. 47 to 50 are performed according to instructions issued by the sub CPU 131 based on a program stored in the sub ROM 132.

The sub CPU 131 first executes a command reception process to perform a process according to a command from the game control board 100 (step S10), and then executes a transmission process (step S30). In the command reception process, processing is performed in response to receiving various commands from the game control board 100 and the lamp control board 150. Specifically, the sub CPU 131 receives, for example, a command as game information from the game control board 100, and sets the performance content according to the received command. For example, the sub CPU 131 determines a variable performance pattern corresponding to the special symbol fluctuation pattern, and determines whether or not to execute an executable notice performance and the content in the determined variable performance pattern. Then, the sub CPU 131 generates, for example, a command instructing execution of the determined effect, and transmits it to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. As a result, the effect determined by the effect control board 130 is executed by the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. The command reception process will be described in detail later based on FIG. 48.

Following the processing in step S30, the sub CPU 131 performs data transfer processing (step S50). The sub CPU 131 uses data transmitted from the image and sound control board 140, for example, to control the light emission of the frame lamp 37 and the like and to control (for example, operate) the performance accessories 7 and the like at the start of each performance. Transfer to lamp control board 150. By performing this data transfer process, for example, light emission control is performed to cause the board lamp 25 and the frame lamp 37 to emit light in conjunction with the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 and the effect sound output from the speaker 24. Or, the performance accessory 7 is operated. With this, the sub CPU 131 ends the process shown in FIG. 47.

[Command reception processing by production control board 130]
FIG. 48 is a detailed flowchart of the command reception process in step S10 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 48, the sub CPU 131 first determines whether or not a command transmitted from the game control board 100 or the lamp control board has been received (step S11). Here, if it is determined that no command has been received (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S30.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the command has been received (step S11: YES), the command is transmitted from the game control board 100 in accordance with the process of step S2112 (see FIG. 40) or step S2212 (see FIG. 41). It is determined whether the command is a pending command (step S12). Here, if it is determined that the received command is not a pending command (step S12: NO), the process proceeds to step S14, which will be described later.

If the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is a pending command (step S12: YES), it executes pending command reception processing (step S13). In the pending command reception process, the sub CPU 131 sets, in the sub RAM 133, an icon display command including, for example, setting information regarding the display mode of the panel image displayed in the character stock effect. This pending command receiving process will be described in detail later based on FIG. 49.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is not a pending command (step S12: NO), the sub CPU 131 determines that the command is a fluctuation start command transmitted from the game control board 100 in accordance with the process of step S311 (see FIG. 42). It is determined whether there is one (step S14). Here, if it is determined that the received command is not a fluctuation start command (step S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S16, which will be described later.

If the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is a fluctuation start command (step S14: YES), it executes fluctuation start command reception processing (step S15). In the variation start command reception process, the sub CPU 131 determines, for example, a variation effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern of the special symbol included in the variation start command. This fluctuation start command reception process will be described in detail later based on FIG. 50.

If the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is not a variation start command (step S14: NO), the sub CPU 131 determines that the command is a symbol confirmation command transmitted from the game control board 100 in accordance with the process of step S316 (see FIG. 42). It is determined whether or not (step S16). If the sub CPU 131 determines that it is a symbol confirmation command (step S16: YES), it sets a variable performance end command in the sub RAM 133 (step S17). By transmitting this variable production end command to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 through the transmission process in step S30, the decorative pattern 55 and the small pattern 56 are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 along with the stop display of the special pattern. It will stop being displayed.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is not a symbol confirmation command (step S16: NO), the sub CPU 131 determines whether the command is an operation command transmitted from the lamp control board 150 (step S18). This operation command is a command sent from the lamp control board 150 to notify the information when the lamp CPU 151 of the lamp control board 150 detects the operation of the production button 26 or the production key 27. The operation command includes information indicating which of the production button 26 and the production key 27 was operated, information indicating which key was operated when the production key 27 was operated, and the like.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the operation command has been received (step S18: YES), the sub CPU 131 sets an operation effect start command in the sub RAM 133 (step S19). This command is transmitted to the image-acoustic control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission process in step S30. By receiving this command, the image and sound control board 140, for example, uses the LCD screen 5 and the speaker 24 to display an image or sound effect (for example, the selected mode selection effect) according to the operation during the valid period. You can perform an effect that switches the mode image of the state. Further, by receiving this command, the lamp control board 150 can execute an effect that causes various lamps to emit light according to the operation during the valid period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the received command is not an operation command (step S18: NO), processing according to the command is executed (step S20). As an example, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the opening command transmitted from the game control board 100 has been received, the sub CPU 131 starts the performance of the jackpot game (or small win game) corresponding to the type of jackpot (or small win). Set the opening command to direct.

[Pending command reception processing by production control board 130]
FIG. 49 is a detailed flowchart of the pending command reception process in step S13 of FIG. When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is a pending command (step S12: YES), as illustrated in FIG. 49, the sub CPU 131 adds "1" to the number of pending special symbol determinations stored in the sub RAM 133. The value is updated to the value (step S1311). Specifically, based on the winning start opening information included in the preliminary determination information in the pending command, whether it is a pending command related to the first special symbol determination or a pending command related to the second special symbol determination. is determined, and based on the determination result, the number of reservations related to the first special symbol determination or the number of reservations related to the second special symbol determination is updated to a value obtained by adding "1".

Following the process in step S1311, the sub CPU 131 analyzes the preliminary determination information included in the received hold command, and stores the analysis result in the sub RAM 133 (step S1312).

Following the process of step S1312, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not pre-reading effects such as the effect of displaying the special mode hold icon 54 and the effect of displaying the second to fifth panel images in the character stock effect are executable. Determination is made (step S1313). For example, if the setting information for any pre-read effect has already been set in the sub-RAM 133, or if a jackpot game (or a small win game) is in progress, it is determined that the pre-read effect is not executable. If it is determined that the prefetch effect is not executable (step S1313: NO), the process proceeds to step S1316.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the look-ahead effect is executable (step S1313: YES), the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner in the first to third rotations after the stop display of the jackpot symbol C. (Step S1314). If the sub CPU 131 determines YES in the process of step S1314, it executes the process of character stock presentation (second to fifth characters) (step S1315). This process has been described above with reference to FIG. 19(B), so the explanation here will be omitted.

If the process of step S1315 is executed, if the determination is NO in the process of step S1314, or if the determination is NO in the process of step S1313, the sub CPU 131 sets an icon display command in the sub RAM 133 (step S1316 ). The icon display command includes advance determination information obtained based on the hold command, winning start opening information, etc., and includes these setting information when the process of step S1315 is executed. This icon display command is transmitted to the image-acoustic control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission process in step S30 (see FIG. 47). Thereby, the character stock performance is realized by the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 in the manner determined by the performance control board 130.

[Variation start command reception process by production control board 130]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 50, the fluctuation start command reception process executed in the production control board 130 in response to receiving the fluctuation start command transmitted from the game control board 100 will be described. Here, FIG. 50 is a detailed flowchart of the fluctuation start command reception process in step S15 of FIG. 48.

As illustrated in FIG. 48, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the command received from the game control board 100 is a fluctuation start command (step S14: YES), the sub CPU 131 acquires a fluctuation effect pattern random number and stores it in the sub RAM 133. (Step S1511). The sub-CPU 131, such as the variable effect pattern random number, obtains the value at the time of receiving the change start command as the variable effect pattern random number.

Following the process of step S1511, the sub CPU 131 analyzes the fluctuation start command received from the game control board 100 (step S1512). As described above, the variation start command includes information on whether or not it is a jackpot indicating the judgment result of the jackpot judgment (see FIG. 43), the type of special symbol, setting information on the variation pattern of the special symbol, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1. Contains information indicating. By performing this process, the sub CPU 131 obtains the information necessary to determine the variable effect pattern.

Following the process of step S1512, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner in the third rotation after the stop display of the jackpot symbol C (step S1513). If the determination in step S1513 is YES, the sub CPU 131 executes character stock rendering (first person) processing (step S1514). This process has been described above with reference to FIG. 19(A), so the explanation here will be omitted.

If the determination in step S1513 is NO, the sub CPU 131 determines a variable effect pattern by referring to a variable effect pattern table (not shown) corresponding to the current gaming state (step S1515). The variable performance pattern table is a table stored in the sub ROM 132 in advance, and one or more variable effect pattern tables are stored for each combination of whether or not there is a jackpot, the type of jackpot symbol (or small winning symbol), and the variation pattern of the special symbol. This is a table in which different types of variable performance patterns are associated in advance. In the sub ROM 132, for example, variable effect pattern tables for a non-time saving state and a time saving state are stored in advance.

When the process of step S1515 is executed, or when the process of step S1514 is executed, the sub CPU 131 sets a variable effect start command including the setting contents determined in these processes (step S1516). The fluctuation effect start command is transmitted to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission process in step S30 (see FIG. 47). As a result, the variable performance determined by the performance control board 130 is realized by the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150.

Following the process in step S1516, the sub CPU 131 subtracts "1" from the value of the number of reservations stored in the sub RAM 133 (step S1517). With this, the sub CPU 131 ends the process shown in FIG.

[Actions and effects of this embodiment]
In this embodiment, it is possible to perform a battle performance using characters A to D. The reliability of the battle performance increases in the order of characters A to D fighting the enemy. The characters used for the battle effect are displayed in the display area 81a to 81a based on the preliminary judgment information (specifically, whether it is a small hit or a loss) in response to the number of pending second special symbol judgments increasing by one. 85a (and display areas 81b to 85b). For example, the reliability is higher when character D is displayed in display areas 81a to 85a (and display areas 81b to 85b) than when character A is displayed. Thereby, using the characters, it is possible to suggest the reliability based on the type of character in the display areas 81a to 85a (and display areas 81b to 85b) and the type of battle performance.

Further, in this embodiment, characters A to D can be displayed as characters used for battle effects. The reliability of the characters is highest in the order of characters A to D. If there is no small hit, it is impossible to display five characters of the same type as panel images (and character icons 81 to 85) at the same time. On the other hand, in the case of a small win, five characters of the same type can be displayed simultaneously as panel images (and character icons 81 to 85). Thereby, when the panel images (and character icons 81 to 85) are displayed, it is possible to give the player a thrilling feeling and increase the interest of the game.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, battle development effects and battle effects are performed in display areas other than the display areas 81b to 85b where the character icons 81 to 85 are displayed. In this embodiment, it is possible to perform a battle performance using characters A to D, and the reliability of characters A to D is higher in the order of characters fighting the enemy. In the display areas 81b to 85b, it is possible to perform an effect of displaying character icons 81 to 85. Characters A to D can be displayed as character icons 81 to 85, and the reliability is higher when character D is displayed than when character A is displayed, for example. Thereby, it is possible to suggest the reliability by display areas other than the display areas 81b to 85b and display areas 81b to 85b, respectively.

In addition, in this embodiment, any one of group A's production modes of night mode, battle mode, and god rush, and group B's production modes of new chapter mode, story mode, and devil rush Execute the performance in mode. As a mode selection performance in which a performance mode can be selected, one mode image is displayed in a selected state, and another mode screen is displayed in an unselected state. The sub RAM 133 can store setting values indicating the production mode. When executing the mode selection effect, for example, if a setting value indicating night mode is stored, the mode image indicating group A is displayed in a selected state, and the mode image indicating group B is selected. Displayed in the state where it is not set. When executing the mode selection effect, for example, if a setting value indicating the new chapter mode is stored, the mode image indicating group B will be displayed in a selected state, and the mode image indicating group A will be displayed in a selected state. Display in unselected state. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of reselecting the performance mode many times each time the mode selection performance is executed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the mode image displayed in the selected state in the mode selection effect is larger than the mode image displayed in the unselected state. Thereby, the mode image displayed in the selected state can be preferentially displayed, making it easier to understand.

Further, in this embodiment, the mode image displayed in the selected state in the mode selection effect is displayed with priority over the mode image displayed in the unselected state. Thereby, no matter how the mode images are arranged, the mode image displayed in the selected state can be displayed preferentially.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a group effect can be executed during a variable effect. The variable effects include, for example, SP reach effect, SPSP reach effect, re-lottery effect, and revival effect. If the group effect is executed during the SP ready-to-win effect or during the SPSP ready-to-win effect, it is suggested that the expectation level of a small hit is high. If the group presentation is executed during the re-lottery presentation, it is suggested that the small winning symbol 2 will be obtained. If the group effect is executed during the temporary stop display of the reach losing number immediately before the revival effect, it is suggested that the small winning symbol 3 will be obtained. With this, it is possible to suggest different contents using the same mode of group presentation depending on the timing of execution.

[Modified example]
The present invention is also applicable to other gaming machines, such as single-type gaming machines, reel-type gaming machines, and slot machines.

Note that any type of operation means may be used for inputting operation information by the player's operation. The operation means may include, for example, a touch panel that is a display screen on which the player can input operation information by performing a touch operation with a finger. Further, an optical sensor or the like provided in the frame member 3 may be used as the operating means so that the player can input operating information by performing a touch operation on the glass plate.

Note that the production control board 130 may execute part of the processing executed in the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150, or the part of the processing carried out in the production control board 130 may be executed by the picture and sound control board 140. Alternatively, the lamp control board 150 may be executed. Further, any of the production control board 130, the image sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150 may be configured as one unit. may be executed by one control board.

Furthermore, the configuration of the gaming machine 1 and the light emitting mode and operating mode of each member described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized even with other configurations, light emitting modes, and operating modes. stomach. Furthermore, the order of processing, set values, threshold values used for determination, etc. in the flowcharts described above are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented with other orders and values as long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention. Needless to say. The explanatory diagrams and the like illustrated in the above embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may be used.

Note that the above-mentioned effects are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. Furthermore, the above embodiments and modifications are applicable to each other, and the present invention may be realized in various combinations.

1 Game machine 5 Display screen of liquid crystal display device 7 Performance accessory 11 First starting port 12 Second starting port 100 Game control board 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
130 Production control board 131 CPU
132 ROM
133 RAM
140 Image sound control board 150 Lamp control board

Claims (1)

a determining means for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player;
special game execution means for executing a special game based on the determination result of the determination means;
A presentation control means for executing the presentation,
The performance control means executes a variable performance, displays a predetermined display that can be displayed at a plurality of timings during the variable performance, and displays a symbol whose visibility has decreased after displaying a symbol whose visibility has increased. It is possible to control the specific performance and execution,
The predetermined display can be displayed in a first mode and a second mode different from the first mode,
The degree of expectation that the special game will be executed varies depending on the display timing of the predetermined display,
The variable performance includes a first performance, a second performance that has a higher expectation that the special game will be executed than the first performance, and a specific symbol display that displays symbols in a manner that indicates that the special game will not be executed. , there is
The production pattern of the above-mentioned variable production includes:
A first performance pattern in which neither the second performance nor the specific symbol display is controlled after the first performance is executed;
A second performance pattern in which a second performance is executed after the first performance is executed, and the specific symbol display is not displayed thereafter;
There is a third performance pattern in which a second performance is executed after the first performance is executed, and a specific symbol display is then displayed.
Regardless of whether or not the special game is executed, a predetermined display can be displayed in the first mode during the first performance, and when the predetermined display is displayed during the first performance, the special game is executed. It suggests that expectations are relatively high,
While the specific symbol display is being displayed, a predetermined display can be displayed in the second mode, and when the predetermined display is displayed while the specific symbol display is being displayed, it is suggested that the special game will be executed;
The prescribed display is displayed in front of the specific symbol display,
When the predetermined display is displayed during the first production, the rate of development from the first production to the second production is higher than when the predetermined display is not displayed during the first production,
If a predetermined display is displayed during the first production, the specific production is not performed in response to the display of the predetermined display, and if a predetermined display is displayed while the specific symbol display is displayed, the specific display is not executed in response to the display of the predetermined display. A gaming machine that executes a specific performance .

Images