JP7429955B2 - gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that plays games using gaming media such as gaming balls and gaming medals, and is particularly applicable to pachinko gaming machines and the like.

Conventionally, gaming machines are equipped with performance devices such as liquid crystal displays and movable accessories (gimmicks), and various performances are performed as the game progresses. Such performances include, for example, a symbol fluctuation performance in which symbols change and are stopped based on the result of jackpot determination, the result of the symbol fluctuation performance (that is, the result of jackpot determination), and the contents (whether or not there is a reach effect, the type of reach effect) There is a preview performance that foretells whether or not there will be a development, a jackpot game performance that is executed during a jackpot game, etc. (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-218197

Although the performances executed by the game machines as described above play an important role in increasing the interest of the game, there is still room for improvement in order to increase the interest.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can realize novel effects that attract players and increase the interest of gaming. be.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

The gaming machine of means 1 is
A gaming machine that plays games using predetermined gaming media,
A display screen that can display images;
A performance execution means capable of executing a performance related to the game,
The performance execution means is capable of executing a specific performance as the performance in a performance period including a first period and a second period after the first period,
When the specific performance is executed,
In the first period, a first display section and a second display section are formed on the display screen,
In the second period, a plurality of icon images suggesting game information related to a game are displayed side by side in a predetermined direction on the first display section and are displayed moving along the predetermined direction , and then the plurality of icon images An information image corresponding to gaming information suggested by at least one icon image among the images is displayed on the second display section, and an icon image related to the suggestion of the gaming information is erased from the first display section. The gist is:

According to such a gaming machine , a series of performances from the first period to the second period realizes a performance (suggestive performance) that suggests game information related to the game , and displays information arranged in a predetermined direction on the first display section. It is possible to draw the player's attention to which information image corresponding to the plurality of icon images (game information) displayed on the second display section is displayed moving along the predetermined direction. Become . This makes it possible to realize novel effects that attract players and increase the interest of the game.

The gaming machine of means 2 is the gaming machine of means 1 described above,
During the second period, an effect display is performed in which a predetermined effect image is displayed for at least one icon image among the plurality of icon images displayed on the first display section, and the effect display is made to be a target of the effect display. An information image corresponding to game information suggested by the icon image is displayed on the second display section.
The gist is that.

According to such a gaming machine , it is possible to increase a player's interest in a specific performance.

According to the present invention described above, it is possible to realize a novel performance that attracts players and to increase the interest of the game.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a back view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an enlarged view of the main display shown in FIG. 3, and is a diagram showing displays included in the gaming machine. FIG. It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming machine. This is a table showing the correspondence between types of jackpots and opening patterns of jackpots. It is a table showing various random numbers obtained by the game control microcomputer. (A) is a hit determination table, (B) is a jackpot type determination table, (C) is a normal symbol hit determination table, and (D) is a regular symbol fluctuation pattern selection table. This is a fluctuation pattern table. It is a flowchart of main control main processing. 3 is a flowchart of main interrupt processing. It is a flowchart of starting port sensor detection processing. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of starting pitch entry. It is a flowchart of normal figure movement processing. It is a flowchart of normal symbol standby processing. It is a flowchart of normal symbol propriety determination processing. It is a flowchart of normal symbol random number shift processing. It is a flowchart of normal symbol fluctuation processing. It is a flowchart of normal symbol confirmation processing. It is a flowchart of normal electric accessories processing. It is a flowchart of special figure operation processing. It is a flowchart of special symbol standby processing. It is a flowchart of special figure 2 propriety judgment processing. It is a flowchart of special figure 2 variation pattern selection processing. It is a flowchart of special figure 2 variation pattern selection processing. It is a flowchart of special figure 2 random number shift processing. It is a flowchart of special figure 1 propriety judgment processing. It is a flowchart of special figure 1 variation pattern selection processing. It is a flowchart of special figure 1 variation pattern selection processing. It is a flowchart of special figure 1 random number shift processing. It is a flowchart of special symbol fluctuation processing. It is a flowchart of special symbol confirmation processing. It is a flowchart of special electric accessory processing (jackpot game). It is a flowchart of gaming state setting processing. It is a flowchart of pending ball number processing. It is a flowchart of power-off monitoring processing. It is a flowchart of sub-control main processing. 3 is a flowchart of reception interrupt processing. It is a flowchart of 2ms timer interrupt processing. It is a flowchart of 10ms timer interrupt processing. 3 is a flowchart of received command analysis processing. It is a flowchart of the effect processing at the time of fluctuation start. (A) is a schematic diagram when the movable presentation member is in an inactive state, and (B) is a schematic diagram when the movable presentation member is in an operational state. (A) is a specific variable performance pattern determination table for a jackpot, and (B) is a specific variable performance pattern determination table for a loss. (A) is a timing chart of the first specific variation effect, and (B) is a timing chart of the second specific variation effect. It is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a first specific variation performance (first specific performance). (A) is a cut-in notice pattern determination table for a jackpot, and (B) is a cut-in notice pattern determination table for a loss. It is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a second specific variation performance (second specific performance). It is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a second specific variation performance (second specific performance). (A) is an icon passage notice pattern determination table for a jackpot, and (B) is an icon passage notice pattern determination table for a loss. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the display screen (display section).

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using an example. In the following, the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine (pinball game machine) in which the game medium used in the game is a game ball, and the game can be progressed by firing the game ball toward the game board surface. Explain an example. Specifically, a symbol variation game (also simply referred to as a "variation game") in which a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole and then stopped is played (also simply referred to as a "variable game"), and the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. With the end of the game, the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed (the result of the variable game becomes a specific result), and a jackpot game (special game) in which a predetermined amount of gaming profits (for example, prize balls) can be awarded to the player is activated. A so-called "type 1" pachinko game machine that can be used will be explained as an example.

Note that in the following description, the term "front side" simply refers to the front (front) side when the gaming machine is viewed from the front, and the side (front side) where the player is located when playing a game. In addition, simply the rear side (rear side) refers to the back side (back side) when the gaming machine is viewed from the front. Furthermore, simply the upper side (upper side), lower side (lower side), left side (left side), and right side (right side) refer to the upper, lower, left, and right directions when looking at the gaming machine from the front. , for example, refers to the upper side, lower side, left side, and right side in FIGS. 1 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pachinko game machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a game machine frame 50 and a game board 2 attached within the game machine frame 50. It is configured to be detachable from the frame 50. FIG. 3 shows the game board 2 removed from the game machine frame 50. The gaming machine frame 50 includes a front frame 51 having a decorative surface, a main frame 52 for mounting the gaming board 2, etc., and an outer frame 53 for mounting the pachinko gaming machine 1 on the island equipment of the hall. The front frame 51, the main body frame 52, and the outer frame 53 are pivotally supported at one end side and are configured to be openable and closable, respectively.

The front frame 51 includes a firing handle 60 for firing the game ball with a firing intensity corresponding to the amount of operation (rotation angle) of the player, and a hitting ball capable of storing game balls and supplying the stored game balls to the firing device side. A supply tray (upper tray) 61 and a surplus ball receiving tray (lower tray) 62 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the batted ball supply tray 61 are provided. In addition, the front frame 51 includes a first performance button 63a and a second performance button 63b (whichever of these two performance buttons) can be operated by the player during the execution of a game performance performed as the game progresses. One or both of them may be simply referred to as the "effect button 63"), a decorative frame lamp 66 that can emit various lights depending on the gaming situation, and a decorative frame lamp 66 that can emit various sounds depending on the gaming situation ( A speaker 67 and the like capable of emitting sound effects) are also provided. The frame lamp 66 is composed of an LED.

The production button 63 functions as an input means that allows input by external operation. The player can use different performance buttons depending on the type of game performance. For example, when the first performance button 63a or the second performance button 63b is operated during execution of a game performance, a predetermined operation-corresponding performance is performed based on the operation. The production button 63 (input means) is also referred to as "operation means", the first production button 63a is also referred to as "first input means" or "first operation means", and the second production button 63b is also referred to as "first production means". Also referred to as "second input means" or "second operation means."

Note that the configuration of the production button 63 is not limited to the aspect of this embodiment, and it is sufficient that the player can make an input. For example, it may be a retractable type, a touch sensor type, etc.), or it may be a non-contact type input means (photoelectric type, etc.) that detects the proximity of a part of the player's body and inputs the information. good. Further, in this embodiment, a push-type operating means (push button) is used, but a tilting-type operating means such as an operating lever or an operating stick that can be tilted in the front-back direction or left-right direction may be used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, two effect buttons, the first effect button 63a and the second effect button 63b, are provided, but the number of effect buttons may be one, or three or more. Good too.

The game board 2 has a game area 3 surrounded by a rail member 4, into which game balls shot by operating a shooting handle 60 flow down. A plurality of game nails 16 for guiding game balls are protruded in the game area 3, and a ball return prevention piece 6 is provided at the tip of the rail member 4. The ball return prevention piece 6 is for preventing the game ball once guided to the game area from returning to the firing device side. The game board 2 is also provided with a decorative board lamp 5 (see FIG. 5) that can emit various lights depending on the game situation. The panel lamp 5 is composed of an LED.

Near the center of the game area 3, an image display device 7 consisting of a liquid crystal display device is provided as a display device for effects (effect display means). The display screen 7a of the image display device 7 includes a performance pattern display area 7b (also referred to as a "performance pattern display section") in which performance patterns 8L, 8C, and 8R (also simply referred to as "performance pattern 8") are displayed. It is provided. The production symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed in a variable manner in the production symbol display area 7b (production symbol display section) in synchronization with the variable display of the first special symbol and the variable display of the second special symbol, which will be described later. Examples of the variable display mode include scroll display in up and down, left and right, diagonal directions, and the like. The effect pattern display area 7b consists of three pattern display areas, for example, "left," "middle," and "right." The left pattern display area displays the left pattern 8L, and the middle pattern display area displays the medium pattern. A symbol 8C is displayed, and a right production symbol 8R is displayed in the right symbol display area. In addition, the positions of the left, middle, and right symbol display areas do not need to be provided separately, and the display areas for the left, middle, and right production symbols may each be used as the entire symbol display area (production symbol display area 7b). .

The performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R of this embodiment each consist of numerical symbols (design types) from "1" to "9", and these numerical symbols are displayed in order. Specifically, the variable display of the production pattern 8 is performed by scrolling and displaying the numerical patterns in the order of "1" → "2" ... "8" → "9" (ascending order). , when it reaches "9", returns to "1" and repeats the scroll display until the end of the variation (stop display).

Depending on the combination of left, middle, and right (stop display mode) displayed (stop display) in the production pattern display area 7b, a first special symbol display 41a (also referred to as "first special symbol display section"), which will be described later, is displayed. The results of the variable display of the first special symbol displayed, the results of the variable display of the second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display 41b (also referred to as "second special symbol display section"), that is, The result of special symbol validity determination (also simply referred to as "validity determination") is displayed in a manner that is easy for the player to recognize. In this embodiment, the order (stop order) in which the three performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R, which are being displayed in a variable manner, are stopped and displayed is, in principle, "left → right → middle." That is, the first stop symbol in the stop order is the left effect symbol 8L, the second stop symbol in the stop order is the right effect symbol 8R, and the third (last) stop symbol in the stop order is the middle effect symbol 8C. . Furthermore, the stopped symbol that is first in the stopping order is also referred to as the "first stopped symbol", the stopped symbol that is second in the stopping order is also referred to as the "second stopped symbol", and the stopped symbol that is the third in the stopping order. This is also called the "third stop symbol" or "final stop symbol."

Here, any or all of the first special symbol, second special symbol, and production symbol 8 may be simply referred to as "design" or "identification information." In addition, ordinary symbols are also called "regular symbols" and "ordinary identification information," special symbols are also referred to as "special symbols," and the first special symbol is referred to as "special symbols 1" and "first special symbol." '', and the second special pattern is also called ``special pattern 2'' or ``second special pattern.'' Furthermore, it refers to any or all of the image display device 7 that displays the production symbol 8, the first special symbol display 41a that displays the first special symbol, and the second special symbol display 41b that displays the second special symbol. Also referred to as "identification information display means."

The stop display mode of the effect pattern 8 can be determined as follows. For example, if the result of the special symbol validity judgment is a jackpot, and the type of jackpot is a 16R (round) jackpot or a 6R jackpot, the same 3-digit double digits such as "444" or "777" will be displayed. It is possible to display the symbols in a static manner. In addition, if the result of the special symbol validity judgment is a jackpot and the type of the jackpot is a 2R jackpot, the performance symbol can be used with a preset chance symbol such as "135" or a special symbol such as "3★3". It is possible to stop display. Furthermore, in the case of a miss, it is possible to stop displaying the performance symbols with a winning pattern in which at least one of the three symbols such as "637" and "373" is different. Thereby, the player can easily grasp the progress status of the game (whether or not a jackpot has occurred, etc.) by looking at the performance symbols that are stopped and displayed. In other words, the player generally does not directly understand the result of the special symbol validity determination by looking at the special symbols displayed on the first special symbol display 41a or the second special symbol display 41b, but rather The user sees and understands the performance symbols displayed in the symbol display area 7b.

Here, among the stop display modes (symbol combinations) of the production pattern 8, the stop display mode corresponding to the case where the result of the special symbol validity judgment is a jackpot is referred to as the "jackpot mode", "specific mode", or "specific display result". '', and the stop display mode corresponding to the case where the result of the special symbol propriety judgment is a failure is also referred to as a ``missing mode'', a ``non-specific mode'', or a ``non-specific display result''. Furthermore, since the manner in which the performance symbols 8 are stopped and displayed can be said to indicate the result of the fluctuating display of the performance symbols 8, the manner in which the performance symbols 8 are stopped and displayed is also referred to as the "result display manner".

On the display screen 7a of the image display device 7, in addition to displaying a game performance (also referred to as a "performance symbol game performance") using the performance symbols 8 as described above, a jackpot game performance (also referred to as a "performance symbol game performance") that is executed in conjunction with a jackpot game is displayed. Various effects related to the game are displayed, such as "special game effects" (also referred to as "special game effects") and demonstration effects for waiting customers. Furthermore, in performance displays such as performance pattern game performance and jackpot game performance, in addition to performance patterns such as numbers, various performance images other than performance patterns such as background images and character images are also displayed. Note that the performance symbol game performance is also referred to as a "variable performance."

In addition, the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 includes a first performance reservation display area 9c (first performance reservation display section) that displays a first performance reservation 9a according to the number of stored first special symbol reservations, which will be described later. , a second effect pending display area 9d (second effect pending display section) that displays a second effect pending 9b according to the number of stored second special figures pending (described later) is provided (see FIG. 3). Depending on the display mode (display number) of the first performance hold and second performance hold, the number of stored first special figure holds displayed on the first special figure hold display 43a, which will be described later, and the second special figure hold display 43b. It is possible to clearly show the number of stored second special drawings displayed to the player.

Near the center of the game area 3 and in front of the image display device 7, a center decoration 10 is provided that surrounds the display screen 7a (effect pattern display area 7b). The center decoration body 10 is constructed from a molded plastic (resin) product, and is attached to the surface (front surface) of the game board 2 as a frame-shaped part (board part) with an open center. . The display screen 7a of the image display device 7 becomes visible through the central opening of the center decorative body 10.

A stage portion 11 having a game ball rolling surface on which game balls can roll is provided at the lower part of the center decoration body 10. Further, a hollow warp portion 12 is provided on the left side of the center decoration body 10. The warp section 12 is provided with a warp entrance and a warp exit, and receives a game ball flowing down the game area 3 from the warp entrance, discharges the game ball from the warp exit, and guides it to the stage section 11. The game ball guided to the rolling surface of the stage part 11 can enter the first starting port 20, which will be described later, with a higher possibility than the game ball not guided to the stage part 11. Further, on the upper part of the center decorative body 10, a decorative member 13 having an illumination member (board lamp 5) such as an LED, which can be turned on depending on the game state, and shaped like letters, figures, etc. is arranged. ing.

Further, at the lower part of the center decoration body 10 and behind the stage section 11, there is provided a movable performance member 14 that can be operated in accordance with the game performance. The movable performance member 14 is in the form of a single plate (rod) extending in the left-right (horizontal) direction, and is normally hidden behind the game board 2 and exposed from the front side (player side), as shown in FIG. is not visible. In addition, in FIG. 3, the movable effect member 14 is shown by a broken line. For example, when a predetermined operating condition is established, such as when a game performance with a relatively high possibility of winning a jackpot is executed, the movable performance member 14 rises and appears in front of the display screen 7a, and most of it It becomes visible. In this way, the movable performance member 14 functions as a movable performance accessory (also referred to as a "movable member") that can be moved in front of the display screen 7a.

Here, the operation of the movable effect member 14 will be explained with reference to FIG. 43. 43(A) shows a state in which the movable effect member 14 is in a standby position before actuation (also referred to as a "non-operating state" or a "standby state"), and FIG. 43(B) shows a state where the movable effect member 14 is in a standby position before actuation. The state in which the member 14 is in the actuated position after being actuated (also referred to as the "actuated state") is shown. A pair of support rails 14r, 14r extending in the vertical direction is provided on the right and left sides of the image display device 7. The support rails 14r, 14r are integrally (unitized) provided on a frame (not shown) for assembling the image display device 7 on the back side of the game board 2, and are provided from the front side (player side) of the game board 2. is considered invisible. The left and right ends of the movable presentation member 14 are supported by the support rails 14r, 14r, and the movable presentation member 14 is movable up and down along the support rails 14r, 14r.

In this embodiment, the movable effect member 14 is moved up and down using an electric drive source (not shown) such as a stepping motor, and by driving the electric drive source in a predetermined drive pattern, the movable effect The member 14 is guided by support rails 14r, 14r and moves up and down. As shown in FIG. 43(B), the movable presentation member 14 is movable from the standby position to approximately the vertical center of the display screen 7a. Thereby, the movable effect member 14 can move up and down (move) in front of the display screen 7a. Regarding the configuration (mechanism) for vertically moving the movable effect member 14, in order to avoid complicating the explanation in this embodiment, the explanation is simplified including FIG. ) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 43, and any known configuration may be adopted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 43(B), when the movable effect member 14 rises and is located in front of the display screen 7a, the portion of the display screen 7a where the movable effect member 14 is located is covered and hidden. That part will no longer be visible from the front. In this embodiment, it is possible to perform performances by positioning the movable performance member 14 in front of the display screen 7a in this way. Details regarding this will be described later.

The image display device 7, which can perform display effects by displaying various effect images depending on the game situation, is also referred to as a "display effect section" or "display effect means", and is activated during game effects. The movable performance member 14 that can perform a movable performance by doing so is also referred to as a "movable performance section" or "movable performance means." In addition, the speaker 67, which can perform sound production by emitting various sounds (sound effects) depending on the gaming situation, is also referred to as a "sound production section" or "sound production means", and depending on the gaming situation. The board lamp 5, the frame lamp 66, and the decorative member 13, which can perform light effects by emitting various lights according to the requirements, are also referred to as a "light effect section" or "light effect means." In addition to the board lamps 5, for example, the production button 63 and the firing handle 60 have built-in illumination members such as LEDs, similar to the decorative member 13, and can be turned on and off depending on the game situation by the action of the illumination members. When blinking or the like, these presentation buttons 63 and firing handle 60 can also be said to be "light presentation means." Furthermore, these "display presentation means," "movable presentation means," "sound presentation means," and "light presentation means" are also collectively referred to as "performance means."

Below the image display device 7 in the game area 3, a fixed winning device 19 is provided which includes a non-variable first starting port 20 that does not change the ease with which game balls enter the game ball. Based on the entry of the game ball into the first starting port 20, a random number etc. for special symbol validity determination is acquired, and when a predetermined condition is established, the validity determination regarding the first special symbol (“first special symbol ) is executed, the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and is stopped and displayed based on the result of the validity determination.

Below the first starting port 20, a variable winning device 22 (also referred to as a "variable starting port") is provided which includes a variable second starting port 21 that changes the ease with which game balls enter. There is. Based on the entry of the game ball into the second starting port 21, a random number etc. for determining the validity of the special symbol is acquired, and when a predetermined condition is established, the determination of the validity of the second special symbol ("second special symbol validity") is performed. (Also referred to as "judgment") is executed, the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and is stopped and displayed based on the result of the validity determination.

In addition, the variable display of special symbols and the variable display of production symbols that are performed based on the result of special symbol validity determination being a "jackpot" are also referred to as "jackpot variation" or "specific variation", and special symbol validity determination. The variable display of special symbols and the variable display of performance symbols that are performed based on the result of ``losing'' are also referred to as ``losing variation'' or ``non-specific variation.''

The variable prize winning device 22 includes a movable member 23, and opens and closes the second starting port 21 by the operation of the movable member 23. Through this opening/closing operation, the second starting port 21 can change from the first mode (closed state) to the second mode (open state) in which there is a higher possibility of a game ball entering than the first mode. be. That is, the movable member 23 changes the possibility of the game ball entering the second starting port 21 by performing a predetermined operation (opening/closing operation). This movable member 23 is driven by a second starting port solenoid 24 (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, a game ball can enter the second starting port 21 only when the movable member 23 is in the open state, and a game ball cannot enter the second starting port 21 when the movable member 23 is in the closed state. In addition, if the second starting port 21 is such that it is more difficult for a game ball to enter the ball when the movable member 23 is in the closed state than when it is in the open state, the second starting port 21 is completely opened when the movable member 23 is in the closed state. It does not have to be something that makes it impossible to enter the ball.

To the right of the first start opening 20 in the gaming area 3, a first big winning device 31 is provided which includes a first big winning opening 30 (also referred to as a "first variable ball entrance"). The first big winning device 31 includes an opening/closing member 32, and opens and closes the first big winning opening 30 by operating the opening/closing member 32. The opening/closing member 32 is driven by the first big prize opening solenoid 33 (see FIG. 5). A game ball can enter the first big prize opening 30 only when the opening/closing member 32 is in the open state. In other words, the first big winning device 31 can be put into a ball entry impossible state (closed state) in which a game ball cannot enter and a ball entry possible state (open state) in which a game ball can enter by the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member 32. Changeable.

Further, above the first grand prize opening 30 in the gaming area 3 and at the lower right of the center decoration body 10, a second grand prize opening 35 (also referred to as a "second variable ball entrance") is provided. Two major prize winning devices 36 are provided. The second big winning device 36 includes an opening/closing member (wing member) 37, and opens and closes the second big winning opening 35 by operating the opening/closing member 37. The opening/closing member 37 is driven by a second large prize opening solenoid 38 (see FIG. 5). A game ball can enter the second big prize opening 35 only when the opening/closing member 37 is in the open state. In other words, the second big winning device 36 has an opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member 37, which allows the game ball to enter the ball-inhibited state (closed state) and the game ball to enter the ball-admitted state (open state). It is possible to change to

A gate 28 (game ball passage opening) through which game balls can pass is provided on the right side of the center decorative body 10 in the game area 3. Based on the passing of the game ball to the gate 28, a random number etc. for determining the validity of the normal symbol is acquired, and when a predetermined execution condition is met, a normal number for determining whether or not to open the second starting port 21 is obtained. As the pattern validity determination is executed, the normal symbols are displayed in a variable manner, and are stopped and displayed based on the result of the normal symbol validity determination. When the winning normal symbol is stopped and displayed, the second starting port 21 becomes open.

Furthermore, a plurality of general winning holes 27 are provided at the bottom of the gaming area 3. In this embodiment, four general winning ports 27 are provided, three of which are left general winning ports provided on the left side of the first starting port 20, and one is a left general winning port provided on the left side of the first large winning port 30. There is a general prize opening on the right side. The first starting hole 20, the second starting hole 21, the first big winning hole 30, the second big winning hole 35, and the general winning hole 27 are the ball entering holes that trigger the payout of prize balls, and each ball entering hole When game balls enter the ball, a predetermined number of game balls (prize balls) are paid out at each ball entrance. Specifically, the number of prize balls in the first starting hole 20 is "5", the number of prize balls in the second starting hole 21 is "3", and the number of prize balls in the first big winning hole 20 and the second big winning hole 35. is "15", and the number of prize balls in general prize opening 27 is "10".

A game in which a plurality of ball entry openings (first starting opening 20, second starting opening 21, first big winning opening 30, second big winning opening 35, general winning opening 27, gate 28) etc. are arranged in this way. The area 3 can be divided into a left gaming area (first area) 3A on the left side of the center in the left-right direction and a right gaming area (second area) 3B on the right side. A hitting method in which the game ball is fired by operating the firing handle 60 so that the game ball flows down the left gaming area 3A is called "left hitting", and the firing handle 60 is operated so that the game ball flows down the right gaming area 3B. The batting style in which the game ball is fired by operating the ball is called "right-handed batting." Here, among the plurality of ball entry ports, the first starting port 20 and the three left general winning ports 27 are provided so that game balls flowing down the left game area 3A of the game area 3 can enter. The second starting hole 21, the first big winning hole 30, the second big winning hole 35, the right general winning hole 27, and the gate 28 are the places where game balls flowing down the right gaming area 3B of the gaming area 3 enter. It is set up so that it is possible. For this reason, in this pachinko game machine 1, when starting the game, the player, in principle, hits the ball to the left with the aim of hitting the ball into the first starting hole 20. On the other hand, when the game state changes due to a jackpot in the judgment based on the ball entering the first starting hole 20, as a general rule, hit right and enter the gate 28, the second starting hole 21, the first big winning hole 30, or The aim is to land the ball in the second grand prize opening 35.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a main display 40 is arranged at the lower right portion of the game board 2. The main display 40 includes a first special symbol display 41a (first special symbol display section) that variably displays and stops displaying a first special symbol, and a second special symbol that variably displays and stops displaying a second special symbol. It includes a display 41b (second special symbol display section) and a normal symbol display 42 (normal symbol display section) that variably displays and stops displaying normal symbols. In addition, the main display 40 includes a first special symbol reservation display 43a that displays the stored number of validity determination information (first special symbol reservation) related to the first special symbol, and a first special symbol reservation display 43a that displays the number of stored validity determination information (first special symbol reservation) related to the first special symbol. A second special pattern reservation display 43b that displays the memory number of (second special symbol reservation), and a regular symbol reservation display 44 that displays the memory number of operation reservation (common symbol reservation) of the normal symbol display 42, It is included. Furthermore, the main display 40 includes a hit indicator 48 that indicates that the result of the first special symbol validity determination or the second special symbol validity determination is a hit, and a hit display 48 that indicates that the result of the first special symbol validity determination or the second special symbol validity determination is a hit; A round indicator 45 that indicates the number of rounds of the jackpot game to be executed when the result of the determination is a jackpot, a game status indicator 46 that indicates that the probability variation function is activated, and a game ball launch direction, that is, the right direction. A firing direction indicator 47 is included, which indicates whether the ball should be hit to the left or the left. These various indicators included in the main display 40 are display-controlled by a main control section, which will be described later.

The variable display of the first special symbol is performed based on the entry of the game ball into the first starting port 20. The variable display of the second special symbol is performed based on the entry of the game ball into the second starting port 21. In addition, in the following explanation, the first special symbol and the second special symbol may be collectively referred to as a special symbol. Further, the first special symbol display device 41a and the second special symbol display device 41b may be collectively referred to as the special symbol display section 41. Further, the first special figure holding display 43a and the second special figure holding display 43b may be collectively referred to as the special figure holding display section 43.

In the special symbol display section 41, the special symbols (identification information) are displayed in a variable manner according to a predetermined variable display time (also referred to as "variable time"), and then are displayed in a stopped manner, and the display mode ( The result of the lottery (special symbol validity determination, jackpot lottery) based on the ball entering the first starting port 20 or the second starting port 21 is notified by the stop display mode). The special symbol that is stopped and displayed is one special symbol that is selected from a plurality of types of special symbols based on the special symbol appropriateness determination. When the stopping symbol is a predetermined specific special symbol (specific identification information), that is, the mode of stopping display of the special symbol (the display result of the variable display of the special symbol) is a specific mode (specific display result) that indicates a jackpot. In this case, a jackpot game (special game) is executed in which the first big winning hole 30 or the second big winning hole 35 is opened in an opening pattern according to the type of the stopped and displayed jackpot symbol. The opening pattern of the jackpot opening in the jackpot game will be described later.

The stop display of the special symbol is performed until a predetermined stop display time (determined display time) elapses. If the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is a missing symbol (missing pattern, non-specific pattern), and special symbol reservation is stored at the time of the stop display, when the stop display time has elapsed, the memory order The oldest (earliest) special symbol reservation is consumed, and the variable display of the next special symbol is thereby started. In addition, if the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is a missed symbol and special symbol hold is not stored at the time of the stop display, the stop display state of the special symbol will be maintained even after the stop display time has elapsed. be done. On the other hand, if the stopped and displayed special symbol is a jackpot symbol, when the stop display time has elapsed, the opening period of the jackpot game, which will be described later, will begin, and after the opening period, the first round of the jackpot game will start. . Note that the stop display time of the special symbol is generally set to "0.5 seconds to 1.0 seconds", and is set to "0.6 seconds" in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first special symbol display 41a is composed of eight LEDs indicated by "i to p", and displays a special symbol according to the result of the first special symbol validity determination. In this example, the results of the first special symbol correctness determination are ``16R 1st jackpot'', ``6R 2nd jackpot'', ``6R 3rd jackpot'', ``6R 4th jackpot'', and ``6R 5th jackpot''. There are different types of jackpots (see FIGS. 6 and 8), and the LED of the first special symbol display 41a displays a display mode (specific mode, specific display result) according to each of the five types of jackpots. It is possible to take it. Specifically, if the result of the first special symbol judgment is the 16R first jackpot, three LEDs of “ijn” are lit and the rest are turned off (16R first jackpot symbol), and the 6R first jackpot is turned on. If there is a 2nd jackpot, the 3 LEDs labeled “ino” will be lit and the rest will be turned off (6R 2nd jackpot symbol), and if the 6R 3rd jackpot is won, the 3 LEDs labeled “inp” will be turned on. is turned on and the rest are turned off (6R 3rd jackpot symbol), and when the 6R 4th jackpot is reached, the 3 LEDs of "ijo" are lit and the rest are turned off (6R 4th jackpot symbol), When the 6R fifth jackpot is reached, three "jno" LEDs are turned on and the rest are turned off (6R fifth jackpot symbol). In addition, when it is a miss, two LEDs of "lo" are turned on and the rest are turned off (missing symbol).

The second special symbol display 41b is composed of eight LEDs indicated by "a to h", and displays a special symbol according to the result of the second special symbol validity determination. In this example, the results of the second special symbol validity determination are "16R 6th jackpot", "16R 7th jackpot", "12R 8th jackpot", "6R 9th jackpot", "2R 10th jackpot", and " 2R 11th jackpot" are provided (see FIGS. 6 and 8), and the LED of the second special symbol display 41b is displayed in a display mode (specific mode, specific display results). Specifically, if the result of the second special symbol validity judgment is the 16R 6th jackpot, three LEDs of “abd” are lit and the rest are turned off (16R 6th jackpot symbol), and the 16R 6th jackpot is turned on. If there is a 7 jackpot, the 3 LEDs labeled “abg” will light up and the rest will be turned off (16R 7th jackpot symbol), and if the 12R 8th jackpot is the 3 LEDs labeled “abc”. is turned on and the rest are turned off (12R 8th jackpot symbol), and when the 6R 9th jackpot is reached, the 3 LEDs of "afg" are turned on and the rest are turned off (6R 9th jackpot symbol), If the 2R 10th jackpot is reached, the 4 LEDs of "abde" will be lit and the rest will be turned off (2R 10th jackpot symbol), and if the 2R 11th jackpot is the 4 "abdh" LEDs. Turn on the LED and turn off the rest (2R 11th jackpot symbol). In addition, when it is a miss, two LEDs of "eh" are turned on and the rest are turned off (missing symbol).

Note that the stop display mode of the special symbols (stop symbols) is not limited to these, and can be set arbitrarily. In addition, before the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined variable time, but the manner of the variable display is such that, for example, light repeatedly flows from left to right in a predetermined order. It is possible to make each LED light up like this.

In this pachinko game machine 1, when a game ball enters the first starting port 20 or the second starting port 21, various information such as a random number for determining the validity of a special symbol ("acquired information") is based on the entering of the ball. ) is acquired, and the acquired various information is temporarily stored in a special figure reservation storage unit (not shown) formed in the RAM of the main control unit. Specifically, if the ball enters the first starting port 20, it is stored in the first special pattern holding storage unit (not shown) as the first special pattern pending, and if the ball enters the second starting port 21, it is stored as the first special pattern pending. It is stored in a second special figure reservation storage unit (not shown) as a second special figure reservation. The number of special figure reservations (acquisition information) that can be stored in each special figure reservation storage section is up to a predetermined number, and the upper limit value in this embodiment is "4". These first special symbol reservation storage section and second special symbol reservation storage section are also referred to as "first acquisition information storage means" and "second acquisition information storage means", respectively, and also referred to as "acquisition information storage means" in general.

The special symbol reservation stored in the special symbol reservation storage section is consumed when the special symbol can be displayed in a variable manner based on the special symbol reservation. Extinguishing the special symbol reservation means determining the special symbol propriety judgment random number etc. corresponding to the special symbol reservation, and executing a variable display of the special symbol to show the determination result. Therefore, in this pachinko game machine 1, if the special symbol variation display based on the entry of the game ball into the first starting port 20 or the second starting port 21 cannot be performed immediately upon entry, that is, the special symbol variation display Even when a display is being executed or a special game is being executed, it is possible to reserve the right to judge the validity of the special symbol for the ball entered, up to a predetermined number (“4” in this example). It has become.

The number of special figure reservations stored in the special figure reservation storage section is displayed on the first special figure reservation display 43a and the second special figure reservation display 43b. Specifically, the first special figure reservation display 43a is composed of two LEDs "uv", and by controlling the display of the LEDs according to the number of first special figures reserved, the first special figure It displays the number of pending items. For example, when the number of reservations is "0", both LEDs are turned off, such as "u□v□" (for example, □: off, ●: red, ▲: green), and the number of reservations is When is "1", the display format is "u□v●", where the "u" LED is turned off and the "v" LED is lit in red, and when the number of reservations is "2", "u● v The display mode may be such that both LEDs are lit in red, and when the number of reservations is "4 (upper limit number)", both LEDs may be lit in green, such as "u▲v▲".

In addition, the second special figure holding display 43b is composed of two LEDs "wx", and by controlling the display of the LEDs according to the number of second special figures holding, the number of second special figures holding is displayed. For example, if the number of reservations is "0", the display format is such that both LEDs are turned off, such as "w□x□" (for example, □: off, ●: on red, ▲: on green), and the number of pending "1" to "4" are also determined in the same way as the first special figure reservation display 43a.

The fluctuating display of the normal symbols is triggered by the passage of the game ball to the gate 28. The normal symbol display device 42 displays the normal symbols in a variable manner for a predetermined period of time, then stops displaying them, and uses the stopped and displayed normal symbols (stopped symbols) to indicate the result of the normal symbol validity determination based on the passage of the game ball to the gate 28. inform. The normal symbol that is stopped and displayed is one normal symbol selected from a plurality of types of normal symbols by the normal symbol validity determination. When the stopped and displayed normal symbol is a predetermined specific normal symbol (winning normal symbol), an auxiliary game is performed in which the second starting port 21 is opened in an opening pattern according to the current game state. Note that the opening pattern of the second starting port 21 will be described later.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the normal symbol display 42 is composed of two LEDs "st", and displays a normal symbol according to the result of the normal symbol validity determination depending on the lighting mode. It is. For example, if the result of normal symbol validity determination is a hit, the normal symbol with both LEDs lit will be displayed in a stop state, such as "s■t■" (for example, ■: lit, □: off). . Further, when the result of the normal symbol validity determination is a miss, a miss normal symbol such as "s□t■" in which only the "t" LED is lit is displayed. Note that the out-of-place normal symbol is not a specific normal symbol. Before the normal symbol is stopped and displayed, the normal symbol is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined variable time period, and the manner of the variable display is, for example, in such a manner that both LEDs alternately turn on and off. be.

In this pachinko gaming machine 1, when a game ball passes through the gate 28, various information (also referred to as "obtained information") such as a random number for determining whether a normal symbol is correct or not is obtained based on the passing of the game ball, and the obtained various information is The information is temporarily stored as a general pattern reservation in a general pattern reservation storage section (not shown) formed in the RAM of the main control section. The number of common symbols that can be stored in the common symbol reservation storage section is limited to a predetermined number, and the upper limit in this embodiment is "4". The regular symbol reservation stored in the regular symbol reservation storage unit is consumed when the variable display of the ordinary symbol based on the ordinary symbol reservation becomes possible. The extinguishing of a normal symbol reservation means to determine the random number for normal symbol propriety determination corresponding to the ordinary symbol reservation, and to execute a fluctuating display of the ordinary symbol to show the determination result. Therefore, in this pachinko gaming machine 1, when the fluctuating display of the normal symbols based on the passing of the game ball to the gate 28 cannot be executed immediately at the time of the passage, that is, when the fluctuating display of the regular symbols is being executed or the auxiliary game is being executed. Even in the case of a certain number of symbols, it is possible to reserve the right to judge the validity of the normal symbols for the passage of the symbols, with a predetermined number as the upper limit.

The number of common symbols stored in the common symbol reservation storage section is displayed on the common symbol reservation display 44. Specifically, the Fuzuzu reservation display 44 is composed of two LEDs "qr", and displays the number of Fuzuzu reservations by lighting up the LEDs according to the number of Fuzuzu reservations. be. For example, when the number of reservations is "0", both LEDs are turned off, such as "q□r□" (for example, □: off, ●: red, ▲: green), and the number of reservations is When is "1", the display mode can be such as "q□r●" where the "q" LED is turned off and the "r" LED is lit in red. Further, the number of reservations "2" to "4" is also determined in the same manner as the first special figure reservation display 43a.

Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be explained based on FIGS. 2 and 5. The pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a main control board 80 ("main control section", "main control section") that controls the game progress and gaming profit, such as special symbol validity determination, normal symbol validity determination, and transition of game state. ” or “gaming control unit”), a sub-control board 90 (also referred to as “sub-control unit”, “sub-control unit”, or “effect control unit”) that controls the effects to be executed as the game progresses. ), a payout control board 110 (also referred to as a "payout control unit") that controls the payout of game balls, an image display device 7, a production display 102, a production first special figure holding display 103a, and a production second special figure. It includes an image control board 100 (also referred to as an "image control section" or "display control section") that controls the display of the hold display 103b and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, a main control board storage case housing a main control board 80 is provided approximately at the center of the rear side (back side) of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Above the main control board case, there is provided an image control board storage case that houses the audio control board 106, lamp control board 107, and image control board 100, and above the image control board storage case there is a sub-control board. A sub-control board storage case containing 90 is provided. Further, a payout control board case for storing a payout control board is provided on the lower left side of the main control board case, and a power board case for storing a power supply board 109 is provided on the right side thereof.

A one-chip microcomputer for game control (also referred to as a "microcomputer for game control") 81 is mounted on the main control board 80, which controls the progress of the game of the pachinko game machine 1 according to a program. The game control microcomputer 81 includes a ROM that stores programs for controlling the progress of the game, a RAM used as a work memory, and a CPU that executes the programs stored in the ROM. The game control microcomputer 81 transmits and receives data (information) to and from other boards etc. via an input/output circuit 87 (I/O port section). The input/output circuit 87 may be built into the game control microcomputer 81. Further, the ROM may be externally attached. The RAM of the game control microcomputer 81 is provided with the above-mentioned special symbol reservation storage section (first special symbol reservation storage section and second special symbol reservation storage section) and regular symbol reservation storage section. Further, at a predetermined address of the RAM (main control RAM) of the main control board 80 (game control microcomputer 81), storage areas for use in various flags and various counting counters are secured.

Various sensors and solenoids are connected to the main control board 80 via a relay board 88. Therefore, signals are input from each sensor to the main control board 80, and signals are output from the main control board 80 to each solenoid. Specifically, as sensors, a first starting hole sensor 20a, a second starting hole sensor 21a, a gate sensor 28a, a first big winning hole sensor 30a, a second big winning hole sensor 35a, and a general winning hole sensor 27a are connected. has been done. These various sensors are also referred to as "gaming ball detection means."

The first starting port sensor 20a is provided in the first starting port 20 and detects a game ball that has entered the first starting port 20. The second starting port sensor 21a is provided within the second starting port 21 and detects a game ball that has entered the second starting port 21. The gate sensor 28a is provided inside the gate 28 and detects a game ball that has passed through the gate 28. The first big winning hole sensor 30a is provided in the first big winning hole 30 and detects a game ball that has entered the first big winning hole 30. The second big winning hole sensor 35a is provided in the second big winning hole 35 and detects a game ball that has entered the second big winning hole 35. The general winning hole sensor 27a is provided in each general winning hole 27 and detects a game ball that has entered the general winning hole 27. When these sensors detect a game ball, the detection signal is input to the main control board 80, and in response to this, the game control microcomputer 81 sends a ball entering command according to each winning hole to the sub control board 90.

Further, as the solenoids, a second starting port solenoid 24, a first big winning port solenoid 33, and a second big winning port solenoid 38 are connected. These various solenoids are also referred to as "driving means". The second starting port solenoid 24 is for driving the movable member 23 of the variable prize winning device 22. The first big prize opening solenoid 33 is for driving the opening/closing member 32 of the first big winning device 31. The second big prize opening solenoid 38 is for driving the opening/closing member 37 of the second big winning device 36.

Furthermore, the main control board 80 includes a first special symbol display 41a, a second special symbol display 41b, a normal symbol display 42, a first special symbol pending display 43a, a second special symbol pending display 43b, and a normal symbol display 42. A figure holding display 44, a round display 45, a game status display 46, a firing direction display 47, and a winning display 48 are connected. That is, the display control of these main display devices 40 is performed by the game control microcomputer 81.

Further, the main control board 80 transmits various commands to the payout control board 110 and receives signals from the payout control board 110 for monitoring payout. The payout control board 110 includes a payout device 120 that pays out prize balls and rental balls, and a card unit 135 (installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1, which stores information on an inserted prepaid card (gaming value storage medium), etc.). A device that allows ball lending based on information about the ball is connected to the terminal, and a firing device 112 is also connected via a firing control board 111 (also referred to as a "launching control section"). Firing device 112 includes firing handle 60 (see FIG. 1).

The payout control board 110 is mounted with a one-chip microcomputer for payout control (also referred to as a "microcomputer for payout control") 116 that controls the payout of game balls according to a predetermined program. The payout control microcomputer 116 includes a ROM that stores programs for controlling the payout of game balls, a RAM used as a work memory, and a CPU that executes the programs stored in the ROM. The payout control microcomputer 116 drives the payout motor 121 of the payout device 120 via the input/output circuit 117 based on the signal from the game control microcomputer 81 and the signal from the card unit 135 connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1. The player then pays out prize balls and pays out rental balls. The game balls that are paid out are detected by payout sensors 122 and 123 for counting.

When the player operates the firing handle 60 of the firing device 112, the touch switch 114 detects the player's contact with the firing handle 60, and the firing volume 115 detects the amount of rotation of the firing handle 60. Then, the firing motor 113 is driven and controlled so that the game ball is fired with a strength corresponding to the magnitude of the detection signal of the firing volume 115. In this embodiment, the number of game balls that the firing device 112 can continuously fire by driving the firing motor 113 is about 100 in one minute.

Further, the main control board 80 transmits various commands to the sub control board 90. The connection between the main control board 80 and the sub-control board 90 is a unidirectional communication connection that allows only the transmission of signals from the main control board 80 to the sub-control board 90. That is, a unidirectional circuit (for example, a circuit using a diode), not shown, is interposed between the main control board 80 and the sub-control board 90 as a communication direction regulating means.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sub-control board 90 is equipped with a performance control one-chip microcomputer (also referred to as "performance control microcomputer") 91 that controls the performance of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a predetermined program. . The performance control microcomputer 91 is responsible for overall performance control in executing various performances, and functions as a "performance control means." The performance control microcomputer 91 includes a ROM that stores programs for controlling the performance as the game progresses, a RAM used as a work memory, and a CPU that executes the programs stored in the ROM. . The production control microcomputer 91 sends and receives data to and from other boards etc. via the input/output circuit 95. In addition, the input/output circuit 95 may be built in the production control microcomputer 91, and the ROM may be externally attached. Furthermore, storage areas for use in various flags and various counting counters are secured at predetermined addresses of the RAM (performance control RAM) of the sub-control board 90 (microcomputer 91 for production control).

An image control board 100, an audio control board 106, and a lamp control board 107 are connected to the sub-control board 90. The sub control board 90 (sub control unit), image control board 100 (image control unit), audio control board 106 (audio control unit), and lamp control board 107 (lamp control unit) are displayed depending on the gaming situation. It functions as a performance execution means for causing a corresponding performance device, member, etc. (performance means) to execute various performances (game-related performances) such as production, sound production, lamp production (light production), etc. It also functions as a preview performance execution means for executing various preview performances such as a chance notice, a pending change notice, and a step-up notice. The preview performance will be described later.

The production control microcomputer 91 of the sub-control board 90 controls the CPU of the image control one-chip microcomputer (also referred to as "image control microcomputer") 101 of the image control board 100 based on commands received from the main control board 80. , the image display device 7, the effect display 102, the effect first special figure hold display 103a, and the effect second hold display 103b are controlled to display. The RAM of the image control board 100 is a memory for expanding image data. The ROM of the image control board 100 stores still image data and video data displayed on the image display device 7, specifically characters, items, figures, letters, numbers, symbols, etc. (including performance patterns, reserved patterns, etc.) Image data such as images and background images are stored. The image control microcomputer 101 reads image data from the ROM based on instructions from the performance control microcomputer 91. Then, display control is executed based on the read image data.

The performance display device 102 is composed of two LEDs, and performs a variable display and a stop display in accordance with the fluctuating display and stop display of the performance pattern 8, and changes the performance pattern 8 by turning on/off the two LEDs or by a combination of colors. It is stopped and displayed in a display mode that shows the display result (result of special symbol validity judgment). In addition, the first special figure pending display 103a and the second pending display 103b are similarly composed of two LEDs. Then, depending on the lighting/extinguishing of the two LEDs or the combination of colors, the performance first special figure reservation display 103a displays the number of reservations displayed in the first performance reservation display area 9c and the first special figure reservation display 43a. The display is controlled in a display mode that shows the same number of pending items as the number of pending items. In addition, the performance second special figure reservation display 103b is displayed in a display mode showing the same number of reservations as the number of reservations displayed in the second performance reservation display area 9d and the number of reservations displayed in the second special figure reservation display 43b. controlled. This can be done by displaying the character pattern on almost the entire display screen 7a (effect pattern display section) or by activating the movable effect member 14 to cover a part of the display screen 7a. Such a display device is provided because some or all of the various images displayed on the display screen 7a, such as the first performance pending 9a and the second performance pending 9b, may become invisible. Note that a VDP (Video Display Processor) may be provided in place of or in addition to the image control one-chip microcomputer 101 of the image control board 100.

Furthermore, the performance control microcomputer 91 outputs audio, music, sound effects, etc. from the speaker 67 via the audio control board 106 based on commands received from the main control board 80. Acoustic data such as audio output from the speaker 67 is stored in the ROM of the sub-control board 90. Note that a CPU may be mounted on the voice control board 106, and in that case, the CPU may be caused to execute voice control. Furthermore, in this case, a ROM may be mounted on the audio control board 106, and acoustic data may be stored in the ROM. Alternatively, the speaker 67 may be connected to the image control board 100 to cause the image control microcomputer 101 to perform audio control. In this case, the acoustic data may be stored in the ROM of the image control board 100.

In addition, the performance control microcomputer 91 also generates light emission pattern data (data that determines lighting/extinguishing, lighting color, etc.) that determines the lighting mode of lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the panel lamp 5 based on commands received from the main control board 80. , also referred to as lamp data) from data stored in the ROM, and controls the lighting of lamps (LEDs) such as the frame lamp 66 and the panel lamp 5 via the lamp control board 107.

Further, the effect control microcomputer 91 operates the movable effect member 14 connected to the lamp control board 107 via the relay board 108 based on the command received from the main control board 80. As mentioned above, the movable performance member 14 is a movable accessory (movable member) for performance, and is a movable so-called gimmick. The production control microcomputer 91 determines operation pattern data (also referred to as "drive data") for operating the movable production member 14 in a predetermined operating mode from data stored in the ROM of the sub-control board 90, The operation of the movable effect member 14 is controlled based on the determined operation pattern data. Note that a CPU may be mounted on the lamp control board 107, and in that case, the CPU may be caused to control the lighting of the lamp and the operation of the movable effect member 14. Furthermore, in this case, a ROM may be mounted on the lamp control board 107, and data regarding the light emission pattern and the operation pattern may be stored in the ROM. In addition, the movable effect member 14 is configured to include a plurality of decorative LEDs (not shown), and the light emission pattern data that determines the light emission mode (on/off/blinking, emitted light color, etc.) of the decorative LEDs is also determined by the movable effect member 14. It is included in the 14 operation pattern data. Therefore, the operation of the movable presentation member 14 includes not only the vertical movement of the movable presentation member 14 but also the light emission (lighting/blinking, etc.) of the decorative LED. Note that the movable presentation member 14 does not need to be provided with a decorative LED.

The sub-control board 90 includes a first performance button detection switch 63c that detects that the first performance button 63a has been operated, and a second performance button detection switch 63d that detects that the second performance button 63b has been operated. , are connected. When the first performance button 63a is operated, the switch signal (also referred to as a "detection signal") of the first performance button detection switch 63c is turned ON and input to the sub-control board 90, and the first performance button 63a is operated. When the signal is released, the detection signal is turned OFF and inputted to the sub-control board 90. When the second performance button 63b is operated, the detection signal of the second performance button detection switch 63c is turned ON and inputted to the sub-control board 90, and when the second performance button 63b is released, the detection signal is The signal is turned off and input to the sub control board 90. Note that one or both of the first performance button detection switch 63c and the second performance button detection switch 63d is also referred to as a "performance button detection switch." Further, the first performance button detection switch 63c is also referred to as "first operation detection means", and the second performance button detection switch 63d is also referred to as "second operation detection means", and the first performance button detection switch 63c and One or both of the second performance button detection switches 63d are also referred to as "operation detection means."

Next, the control related to the validity determination (validity determination means) in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, there are "jackpot" and "miss" as the results of the special symbol validity determination. When it is a "jackpot", a "jackpot symbol" is displayed (stop display) on the special symbol display section 41, and when it is a "miss", a "missing symbol" is displayed (stop display) on the special symbol display section 41. When it is determined that it is a jackpot in the special symbol validity judgment, the big winning hole (first big winning hole 30 or second big winning hole 35) is opened in an opening pattern according to the type of special symbol (jackpot type) that is stopped and displayed. A "special game" to be released is executed. A special game that is executed as a jackpot is called a "jackpot game."

There are multiple types of jackpots in this embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the jackpots include "16R 1st jackpot", "6R 2nd to 5th jackpot", "16R 6th jackpot", "16R 7th jackpot", and "12R 8th jackpot". ”, “6R 9th jackpot”, “2R 10th jackpot” and “2R 11th jackpot”, a total of 11 types are provided. Among these jackpots, "16R 1st jackpot" and "6R 2nd to 5th jackpot" which are the jackpots related to the 1st special symbol, and "16R 6th jackpot" which is the jackpot related to the 2nd special symbol are: All of these are jackpots related to jackpot games using the first jackpot 30 (lower attacker). Specifically, in both "16R 1st jackpot" and "16R 6th jackpot", the number of openings (number of rounds) of the first jackpot 30 is 16 times, and the opening time is 1 opening (1 The jackpot is 25 seconds per round). In addition, for each of the "6R 2nd to 5th jackpots", the number of openings (number of rounds) of the first big prize opening 30 is 6 times, and the opening time is 25 seconds per opening (1 round). It is. Note that the round may be simply written as "R". Further, the rounds that make up the jackpot game are also referred to as "round games."

On the other hand, "16R 7th jackpot", "12R 8th jackpot", "6R 9th jackpot", "2R 10th jackpot" and "2R 11th jackpot" which are jackpots related to the second special symbol are the second jackpot. This is a jackpot related to a jackpot game using the winning hole 35 (top attacker). Specifically, for "16R 7th jackpot", "12R 8th jackpot" and "6R 9th jackpot", the number of times the second big prize opening 35 is opened (number of rounds) is 16, 12, and 6, respectively. The opening time is 25 seconds per opening (one round) for a jackpot. In addition, in both "2R 10th jackpot" and "2R 11th jackpot", the number of openings (number of rounds) of the second grand prize opening 35 is 2, and the opening time is 1 opening (1 round). It is a jackpot of 0.1 seconds per time. In the special symbol display section 41, jackpot symbols corresponding to these jackpot types are stopped and displayed.

Here, the 16R 1st jackpot, 16R 6th jackpot, and 16R 7th jackpot are also collectively referred to as the "16R jackpot," and the 6R 2nd to 5th jackpots and the 6R 9th jackpot are also collectively referred to as the "6R jackpot." , 2R 10th jackpot and 2R 11th jackpot are collectively referred to as "2R jackpot". Further, the 12R eighth jackpot is also simply referred to as the "12R jackpot."

In addition, in this example, there are four types of jackpots depending on the number of rounds: 2R jackpot, 6R jackpot, 12R jackpot, and 16R jackpot, but for example, there may be two types, 5R jackpot and 10R jackpot, or 7R jackpot. It is possible to provide various jackpot types, such as one type. Further, in this embodiment, the maximum number of rounds in the jackpot game is 16R (16R jackpot), but the maximum number of rounds is not limited to this, and may be set to 15R or less (for example, 10R), for example.

In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, depending on the type of jackpot that has been won (occurred), the gaming state after the end of the jackpot game (the gaming state when the variable game is executed) is set to a high probability state, which will be described later. It is possible to control the system to a short time state, a high base state, etc. That is, the result of the special symbol validity judgment is a jackpot, and the types of the jackpot are the aforementioned 16R 1st jackpot, 6R 2nd jackpot, 16R 6th jackpot, 16R 7th jackpot, 12R 8th jackpot, 6R 9th jackpot, and 2R. If any of the 10th jackpots is achieved, the gaming state after the end of the jackpot game is controlled to be a "high probability state, time saving state and high base state" which will be described later. In addition, if the result of the special symbol validity judgment is a jackpot, and the type of the jackpot is one of the above-mentioned 6R 3rd to 5th jackpot and 2R 11th jackpot, the gaming state after the end of the jackpot game will be as described below. It is controlled to be a "low probability state, time saving state, and high base state". From this, the 16R 1st jackpot, 6R 2nd jackpot, 16R 6th jackpot, 16R 7th jackpot, 12R 8th jackpot, 6R 9th jackpot, and 2R 10th jackpot can be regarded as "probable and variable jackpots", The 3rd to 5th jackpots and the 2R 11th jackpot can be regarded as "non-probable jackpots" (normal jackpots, time-saving jackpots).

In addition, the 2R jackpot (2R 10th jackpot, 2R 11th jackpot) is a jackpot that opens the 2nd jackpot 35 in 0.1 seconds per round (opens and closes instantaneously) as described above, and is extremely There is a low possibility that a game ball will enter the second grand prize opening 35 which opens in a short time, and therefore, a possibility of winning a prize ball based on the ball entering the second grand prize opening 35 is also low. Such a 2R jackpot is also called a ``no ball jackpot,'' of which the 2R 10th jackpot is also called a ``no ball popout guaranteed strange jackpot,'' and the 2R 11th jackpot is called ``no ball roll normal (time-saving).'' Also known as "Jackpot".

In addition, in this embodiment, regarding the 2R 10th jackpot and the 2R 11th jackpot, when a jackpot occurs or a jackpot game is executed, it is difficult for the player to understand which jackpot game will be executed. . That is, regarding these jackpots, by standardizing the manner of the variable effect displayed on the image display device 7 (display screen 7a), the stop display mode of the effect pattern 8, the mode of the jackpot game effect, etc., it is possible to achieve a jackpot through the effect. This makes it difficult to understand (distinguish) the type. Therefore, when a 2R jackpot occurs, the player should, in principle, determine whether the gaming state after the jackpot game is a low probability state or a high probability state. (see FIG. 6) cannot be determined.

In addition, in this embodiment, among the jackpots that open the second jackpot 35 (upper attacker), for the 16R 7th jackpot, 12R 8th jackpot, and 6R 9th jackpot, when the jackpot occurs or the jackpot game is executed, , it is difficult for the player to understand which number of rounds the jackpot game will be executed. That is, regarding these jackpots, by standardizing the manner of the variable effect displayed on the image display device 7 (display screen 7a), the stop display mode of the effect pattern 8, the mode of the jackpot game effect, etc., it is possible to achieve a jackpot through the effect. This makes it difficult to grasp (determine) the exact number of rounds in a game. For this reason, these jackpots are achieved by completing the round in a situation where you do not know how long the round will last, and paying attention to whether or not the round will continue at the end of the 6th or 12th round (round branch). It has become a game feature. Such a jackpot is called a "rank-up bonus", and hereinafter this jackpot may be referred to as "RUB".

Furthermore, in this embodiment, among the jackpots that open the first jackpot 30 (lower attacker), for the 6R second to fifth jackpots, when the jackpot occurs or when the jackpot game is executed, the jackpot related to any jackpot It is difficult for the player to understand whether the game will be executed or not. That is, regarding these jackpots, by standardizing the manner of the variable effect displayed on the image display device 7 (display screen 7a), the stop display mode of the effect pattern 8, the mode of the jackpot game effect, etc., it is possible to achieve a jackpot through the effect. This makes it difficult to understand (distinguish) the type. Therefore, when any of the 6R 2nd to 5th jackpots occurs, the player should, in principle, determine whether the gaming state after the jackpot game is a low probability state or a high probability state. It cannot be determined until the state reaches a continuation or termination branch (see FIG. 6).

When the first special symbol (special symbol 1) is judged as a jackpot, the probability of distribution to each jackpot is 5% for the 16R first jackpot, 55% for the 6R second jackpot, and 55% for the 6R third jackpot. 5%, 6R 4th jackpot 15%, 6R 5th jackpot 20%. On the other hand, when the second special symbol (special symbol 2) is determined to be a jackpot, the distribution probability to each jackpot is 30% for the 16R 6th jackpot, 7% for the 16R 7th jackpot, The 12R 8th jackpot is 10%, the 6R 9th jackpot is 8% (that is, RUB is 25%), the 2R 10th jackpot is 5%, and the 2R 11th jackpot is 40%. In other words, when a jackpot is achieved by the judgment (special figure 2 judgment) based on the ball entering the second starting port 21, which becomes easy to enter due to the activation of the release extension function (occurrence of a high base state), which will be described later. The occurrence rate (allocation probability) of the 16R jackpot is higher than that in the case where the jackpot is determined by the judgment based on the ball entering the first starting port 20 (special figure 1 judgment). In this way, in this pachinko game machine 1, the game ball enters the second starting port 21 rather than hitting the jackpot in the winning/failure judgment made when the game ball enters the first starting hole 20 (special figure 1 correcting/failure judgment). It is set so that the possibility of a jackpot being a jackpot in the judgment made after the ball enters the ball (special figure 2 judgment) is more likely to be advantageous to the player. Therefore, the player plays the game expecting the ball to enter the second starting port 21. This is particularly noticeable during the operation of the release extension function, in which the frequency of balls entering the second starting port 21 increases.

Here, in this pachinko gaming machine 1, the determination of whether it is a jackpot or a miss (validity determination) is performed based on a "random number for special symbol validity determination" (also referred to as "validity determination information"), and a jackpot is determined. In this case, the type of jackpot is determined based on the "random number for jackpot type determination" (also referred to as "random number for symbol determination" or "information for symbol determination"). As shown in FIG. 7(A), the random number for determining the validity of the special symbol takes a value in the range from 0 to 629, and the random number for determining the jackpot type takes a value in the range from 0 to 99. In addition, the random numbers (acquired information) acquired based on the ball entering the first starting port 20 and the second starting port 21 include, in addition to the random number for determining the validity of special symbols and the random number for determining the type of jackpot, "fluctuation pattern random number ” (also referred to as “fluctuation pattern information”).

The fluctuation pattern random number is a random number for determining a fluctuation pattern including a fluctuation time, and takes a value in the range of "0 to 198". Furthermore, the random numbers obtained based on passage through the gate 28 include the random numbers for normal symbol validity determination shown in FIG. 7(B). The normal symbol validity determination random number is a random number for determining whether or not to perform an auxiliary game that opens the second starting port 21 (normal symbol lottery), and takes a value in the range of "0 to 240".

Next, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment will be explained. The pachinko game machine 1 has a plurality of game states depending on the combinations in which the probability variation function, the variation time reduction function, and the opening extension function for special symbols and normal symbols are activated or deactivated. The state in which the probability variation function is activated for the special symbols (first special symbol and second special symbol) is also referred to as a "high probability state" or "probability variable state," and the state in which it is not activated is referred to as a "low probability state." Also called "state" or "normal state." In the high probability state, the probability of being judged as a jackpot in the special symbol validity determination is higher than in the normal state. That is, in the normal state, the jackpot determination table for the normal state is used to determine the success or failure, but in the high probability state, the jackpot determination table for the high probability state is used, in which there are many values of random numbers for special symbol validity determination that are determined to be jackpots. (See FIG. 8(A)). In other words, when the special symbol probability variation function is activated, the probability that the result of the special symbol variation display will be a jackpot (the stopped symbol will become a jackpot symbol) becomes higher than when it is not activated. The activation/deactivation of the probability variation function is controlled by the main control board 80 (game control microcomputer 81). Therefore, the main control board 80 (game control microcomputer 81) serves as a probability setting means that can set the winning probability (jackpot probability) of the special symbol validity judgment to a low probability (first probability) or a high probability (second probability). Function.

In addition, the state in which the variable time shortening function is activated for the special symbols (one or both of the first special symbol and the second special symbol) is also referred to as the "time saving state", and the state in which it is not in operation is referred to as the "non-operating" state. It is also called a "time-shortened state". In the time saving state, the average value of the variation time of the special symbols (time from the start of variable display to the time of final display) is shorter than the average value of the variation time of the special symbols in the non-time saving state. That is, in the time-saving state, the fluctuation pattern is determined using a fluctuation pattern table that is determined so that a fluctuation pattern with a short fluctuation time is selected more often than in the non-time-saving state (see FIG. 9). . As a result, in the time-saving state, the pace at which the reserved special symbols are consumed becomes faster, and effective ball entry into the starting slot (balls that can be stored as reserved special symbols) is more likely to occur. Therefore, players can aim for a jackpot while the game progresses smoothly. In addition, control of activation/deactivation of the variable time reduction function is performed by the main control board 80 (game control microcomputer 81). Therefore, the main control board 80 (game control microcomputer 81) functions as a shortening fluctuation state setting means that can set a shortening fluctuation state in which the special symbol fluctuation time is shorter than usual.

The probability variation function and variation time reduction function for special symbols may operate at the same time, or only one may operate. The probability variation function and variation time reduction function for the normal symbols operate in synchronization with the variation time reduction function for the special symbols. That is, the probability variation function and variation time reduction function of the normal symbol operate in the time saving state of the special symbol, and do not operate in the non-time saving state. Therefore, in the time-saving state, the probability of winning in normal symbol validity determination is higher than in the non-time-saving state. Specifically, in the time saving state, the normal symbol correctness judgment ( Normal symbol determination) is performed (see FIG. 8(C)).

Also, in the time saving state, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is shorter than in the non-time saving state. In this embodiment, the variation time of the normal symbol is 30 seconds in the non-time saving state, but is 1 second in the time saving state (see FIG. 8(D)). Further, in the time-saving state, the opening time extension function of the variable prize winning device 22 (second starting port 21) is activated, and the opening time of the second starting port 21 in the auxiliary game is longer than in the non-time-saving state. In addition, in the time-saving state, the function of increasing the number of openings of the variable prize winning device 22 is activated, and the number of openings of the second starting port 21 in the auxiliary game is greater than in the non-time-saving state. Specifically, when the result of normal symbol validity determination is a hit in the non-time saving state, the movable member 23 of the variable winning device 22 (second starting port 21) performs one opening operation for 0.2 seconds, and the time saving state When the result of the normal symbol validity determination is a hit, the movable member 23 of the variable winning device 22 (second starting port 21) performs an opening operation of 2.0 seconds three times.

Under the situation where the probability fluctuation function and fluctuation time shortening function for normal symbols, and the opening time extension function and opening number increase function of the variable winning device 22 are operating, compared to when these functions are not operating. As a result, the second starting port 21 is opened frequently, and the frequency of game balls entering the second starting port 21 increases (also referred to as a "high frequency state"). As a result, the base, which is the ratio of the number of prize balls to the number of fired balls, increases. Therefore, a state in which these functions are operating is called a "high base state", and a state in which they are not operating is called a "low base state". In a high base state, you can aim for a jackpot without significantly reducing the number of game balls you have.

In the high base state (high frequency state), not all of the above functions may be activated. In other words, by operating at least one of the probability variation function and variation time shortening function for normal symbols, and the opening time extension function and opening number increase function of the variable winning device 22, it is possible to increase the probability from when that function is not activated. It is sufficient that the second starting port 21 is easily opened (the ball enters the ball more frequently). Further, the high base state may be controlled independently without accompanying the time saving state of the special symbol. The function of generating such a high base state can also be referred to as a "high base generation function" (high frequency state generating means).

In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the 16R first jackpot, the 6R second jackpot, the 16R sixth jackpot, the 16R seventh jackpot, the 12R eighth jackpot, the 6R ninth jackpot, and the 2R tenth jackpot. In either case, the gaming state after the jackpot game (after the special game) will be a special symbol high probability state, a special symbol time saving state, and a high base state (see FIG. 6). This gaming state is particularly referred to as a "high-accuracy, high-base state." The high-accuracy-high base state ends when the variable display of special symbols is executed a predetermined number of times, or when a jackpot is achieved and a jackpot game is executed. This high probability/high base state is a state in which it is clear to the player that it is a high probability state, and is a so-called "probability variable state" for the player.

In addition, in the case of either the 6R 3rd to 5th jackpot or the 2R 11th jackpot, the gaming state after the jackpot game (after the special game) will be the normal state (low probability state) of the special symbol, and the special The symbol is in a time saving state and a high base state (see FIG. 6). This gaming state is particularly referred to as a "low probability high base state". The low-probability-high base state ends when the variable display of the special symbol is executed a predetermined number of times (in this example, 100 or 20 times) or when a jackpot is won and the jackpot game is executed.

As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, if the low-probability low base state in which no jackpot game is played is the standard, this low-probability low base state is called the "normal gaming state" or the "normal state". In this state, a game in which special symbols are displayed in a variable manner (variable game) can be regarded as a "normal game." On the other hand, since the high-probability high base state and the low-probability high base state are more advantageous for the player than the low-probability low base state, these high-probability high base states and low-probability high base states are referred to as "advantageous states." It can be understood as In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, three game states can be set: "low probability low base state", "low probability high base state", and "high probability high base state". Of these three gaming states, the low probability/high base state as an advantageous state is also referred to as the "first gaming state", and the high probability/high base state as an advantageous state is also referred to as the "second gaming state", which is a non-advantageous state. The low probability low base state is also referred to as the "third gaming state." In addition to these three game states, it may be possible to set a special symbol high probability state, a special symbol non-time saving state, and a low base state, that is, a "high probability low base state". This high-probability low base state is also more advantageous for the player than the low-probability low base state, so it can be regarded as an "advantageous state."

In a high base state such as a high probability high base state or a low probability high base state, the game can proceed more advantageously if the game ball enters the right game area 3B by hitting right. In the high base state, the second starting port 21 is opened more easily than in the low base state, and it is easier for the ball to enter the second starting port 21 than to enter the first starting port 20. This is because For this reason, the game ball is hit right to enter the second starting port 21 while passing the game ball through the gate 28 which is the trigger for normal symbol validity determination. Thereby, compared to the case where the player hits left-handed, a large number of starting balls (opportunities for determining whether the special symbol is correct or not) can be obtained. In this state, the firing direction indicator 47 is controlled to light up in a predetermined manner to notify that the game ball should be fired aiming at the right game area 3B (right-hand hitting instruction notification).

On the other hand, in a low base state (for example, a low probability low base state), the game can proceed more advantageously if the game ball enters the left game area 3A by hitting to the left. In the low base state, the second starting port 21 is more difficult to open than in the high base state, and it is easier for the ball to enter the first starting port 20 than to enter the second starting port 21. This is because Therefore, in order to cause the game ball to enter the first starting port 20, the game ball is hit to the left. Thereby, compared to the case of right-handed hitting, a large number of starting balls (opportunities for determining whether the special symbol is correct or not) can be obtained. In this state, the firing direction indicator 47 is lit (displayed) controlled in a predetermined manner to notify that the game ball should be fired aiming at the left gaming area 3A (left-handed hitting instruction notification).

Here, the firing direction indicator 47 is composed of two LEDs "yz", and indicates the firing direction by lighting the LEDs according to the game state. For example, in the low base state, it is possible to notify that the light should be emitted to the left gaming area as a display mode that turns off both LEDs, such as "y□z□" (for example, □: off, ■: on). can. In addition, in the high base state, it is possible to notify that the light should be emitted to the right gaming area as a display mode in which both LEDs are turned on, such as "y z ■" (for example, □: off, ■: on). can.

[Main control main processing]
Next, the operation of the game control microcomputer 81 (control processing by the main control section 80) will be explained based on FIGS. 10 to 36. Note that the counters, flags, status, buffers, etc. that appear in the explanation of the game control microcomputer 81 are provided in the RAM of the main control board 80. When the power of the pachinko game machine 1 is turned on, the game control microcomputer 81 provided in the main control board 80 reads out and executes the main control main processing program shown in FIG. 10 from the ROM of the main control board 80. As shown in the figure, in the main control main processing, first, initial settings are performed (S101). Initial settings include, for example, stack settings, constant settings, interrupt time settings, CPU settings of the main control board 80, SIO, PIO, and CTC (interrupt time controller) settings, and various flags, status, and counter settings. Perform a reset, etc. The initial value of the flag is "0", that is, "OFF", the initial value of the status is "1", and the initial value of the counter is "0". Initial settings (S101) are executed only once after the power is turned on, and are not executed thereafter.

After initial setting (S101), interrupts are prohibited (S102), and normal symbol/special symbol main random number update processing (S103) is executed. In this normal symbol/special symbol main random number update process (S103), the values of the various random number counters shown in FIG. 7 are updated by adding one. When the value of each random number counter reaches the upper limit value, it returns to "0" and is added again. Note that the initial value of each random number counter may be a value other than "0" or may be changed randomly. The updated random number counter value is sequentially stored in a predetermined update value storage area (not shown) of the RAM of the main control board 80.

When the normal symbol/special symbol main random number update process (S103) is completed, an interrupt is permitted (S104). While interrupts are enabled, interrupt processing (S105) can be executed. This interrupt processing (S105) is executed based on an interrupt pulse that is repeatedly input to the CPU of the main control board 80, for example, at a period of 4 ms. Then, after the interrupt processing (S105) ends and until the next interrupt processing (S105) starts, the updating processing of various counter values by the normal symbol / special symbol main random number updating processing (S103) is repeated. executed. Note that if an interrupt pulse is input to the CPU while the interrupt is disabled, the interrupt processing (S105) is not started immediately, but is started after the interrupt is enabled (S104).

[Interrupt processing]
Next, interrupt processing (S105) will be explained. As shown in FIG. 11, in the interrupt processing (S105), output processing (S201) is first executed. In the output process (S201), commands (control signals) etc. set in the output buffer provided in the RAM of the main control board 80 in each process described below are output to the sub control board 90, payout control board 110, etc. do. The commands and the like outputted here include information regarding the gaming state, the result of special symbol validity determination, symbols as jackpot types, fluctuation patterns, and the like. Note that the command consists of, for example, 2 bytes of information. The upper 1 byte is information regarding the type of command, and the lower 1 byte is information regarding the contents of the command.

In the input process (S202) that is performed after the output process (S201), various sensors (first starting opening sensor 20a, second starting opening sensor 21a, first big winning opening sensor) mainly attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1 are used. 30a, second big prize opening sensor 35a, etc. (see FIG. 5)) is read and stored in the output buffer of the RAM as prize ball information. Further, a detection signal from a lower tray full detection sensor (not shown) that detects whether the lower tray 62 is full is also taken in and stored in the output buffer of the RAM as lower tray full data.

The normal symbol/special symbol main random number update process (S203) performed next is the same as the normal symbol/special symbol main random number update process (S103) performed in the main control main process of FIG. That is, the updating process of the various random number counter values (including the normal symbol random number counter value) shown in FIG. This is done both during the period until the next interrupt processing (S105) is started).

Following the normal symbol/special symbol main random number update process (S203), the starting port sensor detection process (S204), the starting ball entry process (S205), the regular symbol movement process (S206), and the special pattern movement process (S207), which will be described later. , executes pending ball count processing (S208) and power-off monitoring processing (S209). Thereafter, other processing (S210) that is not deeply related to the present invention is executed, and the interrupt processing (S105) is ended. Then, the processes of S102 to S104 of the main control main processing are repeatedly executed until the next interrupt pulse is input to the CPU of the main control board 80 (see FIG. 10). After that), the interrupt processing (S105) is executed again. In the output process (S201) of the interrupt process (S105) executed again, the commands etc. set in the output buffer of the RAM in the previous interrupt process (S105) are output.

[Starting port sensor detection processing]
As shown in FIG. 12, in the starting port sensor detection process (S204), first, it is determined whether the game ball has passed through the gate 28, that is, whether the game ball has been detected by the gate sensor 28a (S301 ). If the game ball has not passed through the gate 28 (NO in S301), the process moves to S305, and if the game ball has passed through the gate 28 (YES in S301), the number of normal symbol pending balls (normal pattern pending It is determined whether or not the number (specifically, the value of a counter provided in the RAM that counts the number of regular drawings) is less than 4 (S302).

As a result, if the number of normal symbols reserved balls is not less than 4 (NO in S302), the process moves to S305. On the other hand, if the number of normal symbols reserved balls is less than 4 (YES in S302), "1" is added to the number of normal symbols reserved balls (S303), and the normal symbol random number acquisition process (S304) is performed. In the normal symbol random number acquisition process (S304), the value of the random number counter for normal symbol validity determination (label -TRND-H, FIG. 7(B)) stored in the update value storage area (not shown) of the RAM is obtained. Then, the obtained random number value (obtained information) is stored in the address space corresponding to the current number of normal symbol reserved balls in the regular symbol reserved storage section provided in the RAM of the main control board 80.

In S305, it is determined whether a game ball has entered the second starting port 21, that is, whether a game ball has been detected by the second starting port sensor 21a (S305). If the game ball has not entered the second starting port 21 (NO in S305), the process moves to S309, and if the game ball has entered the second starting port 21 (YES in S305) , the number of special figure 2 reserved balls (the number of second special figure reserves, specifically the value of the counter that counts the number of second special figure reserves provided in the RAM of the main control unit 80) is less than 4 (upper limit number) It is determined whether or not (S306). Then, if the number of reserved balls for special figure 2 is not less than 4 (NO in S306), the process moves to S309, and if the number of reserved balls for special figure 2 is less than 4 (YES in S306), the process proceeds to S309. 2. Add 1 to the number of reserved balls (S307), and perform special figure 2 related random number acquisition processing (S308).

In the special figure 2 related random number acquisition process (S308), the value of the random number counter for determining the validity of special symbols (label -TRND-A) stored in the update value storage area of the RAM (not shown), the random number for determining the jackpot type Obtain the value of the counter (label-TRND-AS) and the value of the fluctuation pattern random number counter (label-TRND-T1) (that is, obtain the random number value shown in FIG. 7(A)), and obtain the obtained random number value (obtain information) is stored in the address space corresponding to the current number of special figure 2 reserved balls in the second special figure reservation storage section 85b.

Next, it is determined whether a game ball has entered the first starting port 20, that is, whether a game ball has been detected by the first starting port sensor 20a (S309). If no game ball enters the first starting port 20 (NO in S309), the process ends, but if a game ball enters the first starting port 20 (YES in S309), the special Is the number of 1 reserved balls (the number of 1st special symbols reserved, specifically the value of the counter that counts the number of 1st special symbols reserved in the RAM of the main control unit 80) less than 4 (upper limit number)? It is determined whether or not (S310). Then, if the number of special figure 1 reserved balls is not less than 4 (NO in S310), the process ends, but if the number of special figure 1 reserved balls is less than 4 (YES in S310), special figure 1 is reserved. Add "1" to the number of pitches (S311), and perform special map 1 related random number acquisition processing (S312).

In the special figure 1 related random number acquisition process (S312), similarly to the special figure 2 related random number acquisition process (S308), the value of the special symbol validity determination counter stored in the update value storage area (not shown) of the RAM (Label-TRND-A), the value of the random number counter for determining the jackpot type (Label-TRND-AS), and the value of the fluctuation pattern random number counter (Label-TRND-T1) (that is, the random number shown in FIG. 7(A) is obtained. The acquired random numbers are stored in an address space corresponding to the current number of special figure 1 reserved balls in the first special figure reservation storage section.

[Processing at the time of starting ball entry]
As shown in FIG. 11, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the starting ball entering process (S205) following the starting opening sensor detection process (S204). As shown in FIG. 13, in the starting ball entry process (S205), first, it is determined whether the number of special map 2 reserved balls has increased by "1" (S315). Then, when it is determined that the number of reserved balls for special drawing 2 has increased by "1" (YES in S315), the process moves to S316. This corresponds to the case where "1" is added to the number of reserved balls in special drawing 2 in S307 in the starting port sensor detection process (S204) based on the game ball entering the second starting port. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of special figure 2 reserved balls has not increased (NO in S315), the process moves to S319.

In S316, the latest acquired random number value (acquired information) acquired in the special figure 2 related random number acquisition process (S308) in the immediately preceding starting port sensor detection process (S204) and stored in the second special figure reservation storage unit is read ( S316). Next, the obtained random number value related to the read second special symbol is determined (S317). In S317, among the read random numbers, the value of the random number counter for special symbol validity determination (random number value for special symbol validity determination) is determined to be a jackpot depending on the current gaming state (low probability state or high probability state). If the result of the determination is a jackpot, the type of jackpot is further determined. This determination in S317 is a preliminary determination that performs a validity determination (determination of whether or not it is a jackpot) regarding the second special drawing reservation prior to the validity determination (S1303, S1304) in the later-described special pattern 2 validity determination process (S1202). (This corresponds to so-called "pending read ahead").

In addition, the prior judgment of whether or not it is a jackpot is based on the jackpot judgment table (see Figure 8 (A)), that is, if it is a high probability state, it is a jackpot judgment table for a high probability state, and if it is a normal state (low probability state). For example, it is possible to determine whether or not the jackpot determination value matches the jackpot determination value based on the normal state jackpot determination table. In addition, as other pre-judgment aspects, as a fluctuation pattern information determination table that can determine fluctuation pattern information, there is a fluctuation pattern information determination table for normal states (for low probability states) and a fluctuation pattern information determination table for high probability states (for high probability states). It is assumed that the variation pattern information determination table has the following. In the preliminary determination, predetermined fluctuation pattern information is selected based on the obtained random number value (the value of a random number counter for special symbol validity determination, etc.) and the fluctuation pattern information determination table according to the gaming state. It is possible to do so. From this selected variation pattern information, it is possible to identify whether or not it is a jackpot, the type of jackpot, whether a game production with a high expectation of a jackpot will be executed, etc.

Next, in S318, game information (prior determination information) related to the result of the determination in S317, specifically, information indicating whether the random number value for special symbol validity determination matches the jackpot determination value (validity information), Command data including information indicating the value of the random number counter for determining the jackpot type (random value for determining the jackpot type), information indicating the value of the fluctuating pattern random number counter (fluctuation pattern random value), etc., as the special chart 2 starting ball entry command. The command is generated and set in the output buffer of the RAM (S318). In addition, as the special figure 2 starting ball entry command, part or all of the value of the special figure 2 acquisition random number read out in S316 may be sent as is to the sub-control board, or the value of the special figure 2 acquisition random number Instead of transmitting as is, game information (for example, the above-mentioned fluctuation pattern information, etc.) acquired based on the value of the special figure 2 acquisition random number may be transmitted.

In addition, by analyzing the special chart 2 start ball command sent from the main control unit 80 by the sub-control unit 90, it is possible to determine whether the information is related to a jackpot, what type of jackpot it is, and what the fluctuation pattern is. etc., can be identified by the sub-control unit 90. In addition to this, in this embodiment, by analyzing the special figure 2 starting ball entry command, it is possible to determine whether or not the obtained special figure 2 acquisition random number will be a jackpot when judged in a high probability state, and It is possible to determine whether or not it will be a jackpot when it is determined based on the probability state. As a result, the sub-control unit 90 stores the received special figure 2 starting ball entry command as pending (production pending information), pre-determines the production pending information at a specific timing, and when it is determined whether it is correct or not in a low probability state. It becomes possible to determine whether performance suspension information that is determined to be a jackpot is stored.

In addition, from the perspective of fraud prevention, among the acquired random values read in S316, the random value for determining the validity of the special symbol is not sent as is to the sub-control unit, but the value of the random number counter for determining the jackpot type (the value of the other random number counter for determining the jackpot type) Generate command data including information indicating the random number value for type determination), the value of the variable pattern random number counter (variable pattern random number value), and information indicating the result of preliminary determination as a special chart 2 starting ball entry command, and It is possible to set

Next, in S319, similarly to the process related to the above-mentioned special figure 2, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls in the special figure 1 has increased by "1" (S319). Then, when it is determined that the number of reserved balls for special drawing 1 has increased by "1" (YES in S319), the process moves to S320. This corresponds to the case where "1" is added to the number of reserved balls of special map 1 in S311 in the starting port sensor detection process (S204) based on the game ball entering the first starting port. On the other hand, if it is determined in S319 that the number of special map 1 reserved balls has not increased (NO in S319), the process is ended as is.

In S320, it is determined whether or not the time saving flag is ON (S320), and when it is determined that the time saving flag is ON, that is, the high base state is established (YES in S320), the process is directly ended. On the other hand, if it is determined in S320 that the time saving flag is OFF, that is, in a low base state (NO in S320), the process proceeds to the process related to preliminary determination from S321 onwards. Here, if the time saving flag is ON, that is, if the current gaming state is a high base state, the opening extension function that increases the frequency of balls entering the second starting port 21 is activated, and the validity of the special drawing 2 is activated. The state is such that a judgment (see FIG. 8(B)) is likely to be made. In addition, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the extinguishment of the second special symbol reservation (fluctuating display of the second special symbol) is executed with priority over the extinguishment of the first special symbol retention (fluctuating display of the first special symbol). (so-called special map 2 priority variable machine). In such a configuration, for example, if a preliminary determination of special drawing 1 is made and the result is notified to the player through a notice or other performance, and if it is clearly shown that the preliminary determination result is a jackpot, the player , By using the priority digestion of the second special figure reservation, intentionally eliminate the second special figure reservation (setting it to "0") at any timing, and the result of the preliminary determination is shown for special figure 1. Technological intervention such as intentionally generating jackpots becomes possible. It is not desirable from the viewpoint of the fairness of the game that the player is able to adjust the timing at which the jackpot occurs in this way. Therefore, if the current gaming state is not a low base state but a high base state (YES in S320), this process is ended without performing the process related to the preliminary determination of special map 1 after S321. .

The processing in S321 to S323 is similar to the processing in S316 to S318 described above for the special figure 1. That is, the latest acquired random number value (acquired information) acquired in the special figure 1 related random number acquisition process (S312) in the starting port sensor detection process (S204) and stored in the first special figure reservation storage unit is read out (S321), A preliminary determination is performed on the read random number value (S322). Then, command data including game information related to this preliminary determination is generated as a special chart 1 starting ball entry command, and the command is set in the output buffer of the RAM (S323). Note that the preliminary determination (pending pre-reading) in S322 is performed prior to the validity determination (S1603, S1604) in the special figure 1 validity determination process (S1207), which will be described later.

[General figure movement processing]
The game control microcomputer 81 performs the normal figure operation process (S206) shown in FIG. 14 following the start ball entry process (S205). In the normal pattern movement processing (S206), the processing regarding the normal pattern display 42 and the variable winning device 22 is divided into four stages, and "normal pattern movement status 1, 2, 3, 4" is assigned to each of these stages. . Then, if the "common pattern movement status" is "1" (YES in S401), the normal pattern standby process (S402) is performed, and if the "common pattern movement status" is "2" (S401 NO in S403, YES in S403), perform the normal symbol fluctuation processing (S404), and if the "Normal pattern movement status" is "3" (NO in both S401 and S403, YES in S405), the normal symbol is confirmed. Processing (S406) is performed, and if the "normal figure action status" is "4" (all of S401, S403, and S405 are NO), normal electric accessory processing (S407) is performed. Note that the normal figure action status is "1" in the initial setting.

[Normal symbol standby processing]
As shown in FIG. 15, in the normal symbol standby process (S402), it is first determined whether the number of reserved balls of the normal symbol is "0" (S501), and if it is "0" (YES in S501). ), this process ends without performing the processes in S502 to S505. On the other hand, if it is not "0" (NO in S501), a normal symbol propriety determination process to be described later is performed (S502), and then a normal symbol variation pattern selection process is performed (S503).

In the normal symbol variation pattern selection process (S503), with reference to the normal symbol variation pattern selection table shown in FIG. Select a pattern. On the other hand, if the gaming state is a non-time saving state, a normal symbol fluctuation pattern in which the normal symbol fluctuation time is 30 seconds is selected. After finishing the normal symbol variation pattern selection process (S503), the below-described normal symbol random number shift process (S504) is performed, then the normal symbol variation start process (S505) is performed, and the process ends. In the normal symbol variation start process, a variable display of the normal symbol is started based on the normal symbol variation pattern selected in S503, and the normal operation status is set to "2". In addition, in the normal symbol variation start process, a normal symbol variation start command is set in order to notify the sub-control board 90 of the start of variation of the normal symbols.

[Normal symbol validity determination process]
As shown in FIG. 16, in the normal symbol validity determination process (S502), first, the value (label -TRND-H) of the random number counter for normal symbol validity determination stored in the regular symbol reservation storage unit is read out (S601). . Next, it is determined whether the time saving flag is ON (that is, whether the gaming state is in the time saving state) (S602). In S602, if it is determined that the time-saving flag is ON, that is, the time-saving state is determined (YES in S602), the table for the time-saving state among the normal symbol hit determination tables shown in FIG. 8(C) (the hit determination value is "0" to "239") is used to determine whether or not the winning pattern is a hit (S604), and the process proceeds to S605. That is, it is determined whether the read value of the random number counter for normal symbol validity determination (label -TRND-H) matches any of the hit determination values. On the other hand, if it is determined in S602 that the time-saving flag is not ON, that is, it is in a non-time-saving state (NO in S602), the table for the non-time-saving state of the normal symbol hit determination table shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not it is a hit by low probability normal pattern correctness determination based on the determination value "0", "1" (S603), and the process moves to S605. Then, it is determined whether the result of the normal pattern correctness determination (S603, S604) is a hit (normal pattern hit) or not (S605), and if it is determined that it is a miss (NO in S605), the missed normal symbol is stopped and displayed ( (S606) and ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in S605 that there is a hit (normal pattern hit) (YES in S605), the winning normal pattern (normal pattern per pattern) to be stopped and displayed is determined (S607), and the normal pattern hit flag is turned ON ( S608), the process ends.

[Normal pattern random number shift processing]
As shown in FIG. 17, in the normal symbol random number shift process (S504), first, the number of normal symbol reserved balls is decremented by 1 (S701). Next, the storage location of each common symbol reservation in the common symbol reservation storage unit is shifted one place from the current position to the side from which it is read (S702). Then, the address space, which is the storage location of the highest pending memory in the common picture pending storage section, is made empty ("0"), that is, the RAM area corresponding to the fourth pending common picture is cleared to 0 (S703 ), the process ends. In this way, the reservations for common maps are cleared in the order of reservation.

[Normal symbol fluctuation processing]
As shown in FIG. 18, in the normal symbol variation process (S404), first, it is determined whether the variation time of the normal symbol has elapsed (S801), and if it has not elapsed (NO in S801), the process ends. . On the other hand, if it has elapsed (YES in S801), the normal symbol fluctuation stop command is set (S802), and the normal symbol movement status is set to "3" (S803). Then, perform other processing such as stopping the fluctuating display of the normal symbols at the display result (hit normal symbol or missed normal symbol) according to the judgment result of the random number for determining the validity of the normal symbol (S804). Finish.

[Normal pattern confirmation process]
As shown in FIG. 19, in the normal symbol determination process (S406), first, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol hit flag is ON (S901). If the ordinary figure flag is not ON (NO in S901), the ordinary figure operation status is set to "1" (S905), and this process ends. On the other hand, if the normal map per flag is ON (YES in S901), then it is determined whether the time saving flag is ON, that is, whether or not the time saving state is in progress (S902). If it is in the time saving state (YES in S902), the opening pattern in the time saving state is set as the opening pattern of the variable prize winning device 22 (second starting port 21) (S903). The opening pattern during the time saving state is, as described above, an opening pattern in which opening for 2.0 seconds is repeated three times. Therefore, the second starting port opening counter that counts the number of times the second starting port 21 is opened is set to "3".

On the other hand, if it is in the non-time saving state (NO in S902), the opening pattern in the non-time saving state is set as the opening pattern of the variable prize winning device 22 (second starting port 21) (S906). The opening pattern during the non-time saving state is, as described above, an opening pattern in which opening is performed once for 0.2 seconds. Therefore, the second starting port opening counter is set to "1". Then, following the setting of the opening pattern (S903, S906), the normal pattern operation status is set to "4" (S904), and the present process ends.

[Normal electric accessory processing]
As shown in FIG. 20, in the normal electric accessory processing (S407), first, it is determined whether or not the normal figure per end flag is ON (S1001). The common symbol winning end flag is a flag indicating that the opening of the second starting port 21 has ended in the auxiliary game executed as a winning result.

If the normal pattern hit end flag is not ON (NO in S1001), it is determined whether or not the second starting port 21 is being opened (S1002). As a result, if the second starting port 21 is not open (NO in S1002), it is determined whether or not the time (timing) to open the second starting port 21 has arrived (S1003), and if not (S1003). If the process has been completed (YES in S1003), the second starting port 21 is opened (S1004), and the process ends without performing the process in S1004.

On the other hand, if the second starting port 21 is being opened (YES in S1002), whether or not the timing for closing the second starting port 21 has come (that is, after opening the second starting port 21, a predetermined timing is determined). (S1005), and if it has not reached (NO in S1005), complete this process without performing the processing in S1006 to S1010, and if it has (YES in S1005) , the second starting port 21 is closed (S1006).

Following the closing process of the second starting port 21 (S1006), the value of the second starting port opening counter is decremented by 1 (S1007), and it is determined whether the value of the second starting port opening counter is "0" or not. (S1008). If it is not "0" (NO in S1008), the process is finished in order to open the second starting port 21 again. On the other hand, if it is "0" (YES in S1008), a normal pattern per end process is performed to end the auxiliary game (S1009), a normal pattern per end flag is set (S1010), and this process ends. In addition, the second starting port opening counter becomes "0" when the second starting port 21 is opened (opening operation of the movable member 23) three times if the time saving state is in progress, and if it is in the non-time saving state, the second starting port opening counter becomes "0". When the second starting port 21 is opened once, it becomes "0".

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1001 that the normal pattern hit end flag is ON (YES in S1001), the opening operation of the second starting port 21 has been completed the number of times set in S903 or S906. , the end flag per common figure is turned OFF (S1011), the flag per common figure is turned OFF (S1012), the general figure action status is set to "1" (S1013), and the process ends. As a result, in the next interrupt process, the normal symbol standby process (S402) will be executed again as the normal symbol operation process (S206).

[Special figure movement processing]
As shown in FIG. 11, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the special figure operation process (S207) following the regular figure operation process (S206). In the special figure operation process (S207), as shown in FIG. "Special figure operation status 1, 2, 3, 4" is assigned to each stage. Then, if the special pattern movement status is "1" (YES in S1101), special pattern standby processing (S1102) is performed, and if the special pattern movement status is "2" (NO in S1101, S1103 YES), perform special symbol fluctuation processing (S1104), and if the special symbol operation status is "3" (NO in both S1101 and S1103, YES in S1105), perform special symbol confirmation processing (S1106). If the "special figure operation status" is "4" (all of S1101, S1103, and S1105 are NO), special electric accessory processing (S1107) as a jackpot game is performed. In addition, the special figure operation status is "1" in the initial setting.

[Special symbol standby processing]
As shown in FIG. 22, in the special symbol standby process (S1102), first, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls at the second starting port 21 (i.e., the number of reserved balls for special symbol 2) is "0" (S1201 ). If the number of reserved balls in special figure 2 is "0" (YES in S1201), that is, if there is no memory of the random number counter value obtained due to the ball entering the second starting port 21, the first starting It is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls in the mouth 20 (namely, the number of reserved balls on special map 1) is "0" (S1206). If the number of reserved balls for special figure 1 is also "0" (YES in S1206), that is, if there is no memory of the random number counter value acquired due to the ball entering the first starting port 20, the image It is determined whether or not the display screen 7a of the display device 7 is being processed as a standby screen (demonstration screen for waiting for customers is being executed) (S1211), and if it is being processed as a standby screen (YES in S1211). ), if the process is completed and the process of setting the standby screen is not in progress (NO in S1211), a standby screen setting process is executed to display the standby screen (S1212).

If it is determined in S1201 that the number of reserved balls for special map 2 is not "0" (NO in S1201), that is, the memory of the random number counter value acquired due to the ball entering the second starting port 21 is one or more. In that case, the following special figure 2 validity judgment process (S1202), special figure 2 variation pattern selection process (S1203), special figure 2 random number shift process (S1204), and special figure 2 variation start process (S1205) are performed in this order. conduct. In addition, if the number of reserved balls for special drawing 2 is "0" but the number of reserved balls for special drawing 1 is not "0" (YES in S1201, NO in S1206), that is, the random number counter value related to the second starting port 21 is There is no memory, but if there is memory of one or more random number counter values obtained due to the ball entering the first starting port 20, the special figure 1 validity judgment process (S1207) described later, the special figure 1 fluctuation Pattern selection process (S1208), special figure 1 random number shift process (S1209), and special figure 1 fluctuation start process (S1210) are performed in this order. As described above, in this embodiment, the variable display of the first special symbol based on the first special symbol reservation is performed only when the second special symbol reservation is "0" (YES in S1201). That is, the extinguishment of the second special symbol reservation (fluctuating display of the second special symbol) is executed with priority over the extinguishment of the first special symbol retention (fluctuating display of the first special symbol). In this embodiment, the judgment based on the second special figure reservation is more likely to result in a jackpot that is profitable for the player than the judgment based on the first special figure reservation (Fig. 8 (B) ).

[Special figure 2 validity judgment process]
As shown in FIG. 23, in the special figure 2 validity determination process (S1202), first, as a determination value, the lowest area of the second special figure reservation storage section 85b of the RAM (i.e., the first of the second special figure reservation The value (label -TRND-A) of the random number counter for special symbol validity determination (oldest memory) stored in the RAM area corresponding to (RAM area corresponding to) is read out (S1301). Next, it is determined whether the probability change flag is ON, that is, whether or not the state is high probability (S1302). If it is not a high probability state (NO in S1302), that is, if it is a normal state, the jackpot determination table for the normal state (with jackpot determination values of "3" and "3") among the jackpot determination tables shown in FIG. 397'')) (S1303). On the other hand, if it is in a high probability state (YES in S1302), a judgment is made based on a jackpot judgment table for a high probability state among the jackpot judgment tables (S1304). In the jackpot judgment table for high probability states, the jackpot judgment values are "3", "53", "113", "173", "227", "281", "337", "397", "449". , "503".

If the result of the jackpot determination (S1303, S1304) is determined to be a "jackpot" (YES in S1305), the value of the random number counter for jackpot type determination (label -TRND-AS) is read out and shown in Figure 8 (B). The jackpot type is determined based on the jackpot type determination table shown in FIG. Finish. On the other hand, if it is determined that the result of the jackpot determination (S1303, S1304) is not a "jackpot" (NO in S1305), a losing symbol is determined (S1306), and the present process ends.

In the case of judgment regarding the first special symbol, the jackpot type is determined using the jackpot type determination table for the first special symbol, and in the case of the judgment regarding the second special symbol, the jackpot type is determined using the jackpot type determination table for the first special symbol. The jackpot type is determined using the type determination table. The jackpot determination (special symbol validity determination) and the jackpot type determination determination may be respectively referred to as "determination", or the jackpot determination and which jackpot symbol will be determined may also be referred to as "determination". Further, these results may also be referred to as "judgment results."

Here, the round indicator 45 is composed of four LEDs: a 2R lamp, a 6R lamp, a 12R lamp, and a 16R lamp (see FIG. 4). For example, when a 2R jackpot occurs, the 2R lamp is lit and displayed at the timing when the corresponding jackpot symbol is confirmed and displayed. Specifically, the display mode is "2R▲6△12△16R△" (for example, ▲: lights on, △: lights off). Furthermore, when a 6R jackpot is reached, the 6R lamp is lit and displayed at the timing when the corresponding jackpot symbol is confirmed and displayed. Specifically, the display mode is "2R△6▲12△16R△". Furthermore, when a 12R jackpot is reached, the 12R lamp is lit and displayed at the timing when the corresponding jackpot symbol is confirmed and displayed. Specifically, the display mode is "2R△6△12▲16R△". Furthermore, when a 16R jackpot is reached, the 16R lamp is lit and displayed at the timing when the corresponding jackpot symbol is confirmed and displayed. Specifically, the display mode is "2R△6△12△16R▲".

[Special figure 2 variation pattern selection process]
In the special symbol standby process (S1102), following the special symbol 2 validity determination process (S1202), the special symbol 2 variation pattern selection process is performed (S1203). The special figure 2 variation pattern selection process (S1203) is a process of selecting a variation pattern (special figure 2 variation pattern) related to the variation display when performing the variation display of the second special symbol. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, in the special figure 2 variation pattern selection process (S1203), first, it is determined whether the gaming state is a time saving state (whether the time saving flag is ON or not) (S1401 ). As a result, if it is determined that it is not in a time-saving state (NO in S1401), that is, if it is in a non-time-saving state, it is then determined whether the jackpot flag is ON (S1402). As a result, if it is determined that the jackpot flag is ON (YES in S1402), refer to the non-time saving state jackpot table (the part of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the non-time saving state and jackpot), A variation pattern is selected based on the variation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) (S1403). In this embodiment, one of the variation patterns P1 to P3 is selected. In this embodiment, it is assumed that once the fluctuation pattern is determined, the fluctuation time is also determined. Next, the process moves to S1404.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1402 that the jackpot flag is not ON (NO in S1402), then it is determined whether the number of reservations of the second special symbol is "1" or "2" (S1405). The number of pending memories here refers to the number of memories including information that determines the fluctuation pattern through this process, so the number of pending memories is set to any value from "1" to "4". If it is determined in S1405 that the number of reservations is "1" or "2" (YES in S1405), the first reservation number out table (one of the fluctuation pattern tables shown in FIG. 9 that is in a non-time saving state and A variation pattern is selected based on the variation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) (S1406). In this embodiment, one of the variation patterns P4 to P7 is selected. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1405 that the pending number is not "1" or "2", that is, it is "3" or "4" (NO in S1405), the second pending number out table (the fluctuation shown in FIG. (S1407 ). In this embodiment, one of the variation patterns P8 to P11 is selected. Moreover, the first table for losing the number of reservations is set to have a higher possibility of selecting a fluctuation pattern with a relatively long fluctuation time than the second table for losing the number of reservations. Furthermore, the shortest selectable variation time (12000 ms) is also longer than that of the second reservation number removal table (4000 ms).

Further, when it is determined in S1401 that the time is shortened (YES in S1401), it is determined whether the jackpot flag is ON (S1408). As a result, if it is determined that the jackpot flag is ON (YES in S1408), the variation pattern is A fluctuation pattern is selected based on the random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) (S1409). In this embodiment, one of the variation patterns P12 to P14 is selected.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1408 that the jackpot flag is not ON (NO in S1408), then it is determined whether the number of reservations is "1" (S1410). The number of reservations here is also the same as described above, and the number of reservations is set to any value from "1" to "4". If it is determined in S1410 that the number of balls on hold is "1" (YES in S1410), the third table for out-of-on-hold pitches (in the fluctuation pattern table shown in Figure 9, the time is short, the ball is off, and the number of balls on hold is "1") A variation pattern is selected based on the variation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) (S1411). In this embodiment, one of the variation patterns P15 to P18 is selected.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1410 that the number of reservations is not "1", that is, it is determined that the number of reservations is any one of "2" to "4" (NO in S1410), the fourth reservation number removal table (Fig. Select a variation pattern based on the variation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) by referring to the part of the variation pattern table shown in the table that corresponds to the time-saving state, out-of-time, and number of reserved pitches "2 to 4" ( S1411). In this embodiment, one of the variation patterns P19 to P22 is selected. Here, the possibility that a short fluctuation pattern will be selected is made higher than the fluctuation pattern selected when the time is short and the result is an error, compared to the fluctuation pattern that is selected when the time is short and the result is a loss. There is. This is to speed up the speed at which special symbols are reserved by selecting more variation patterns with short variation times in the time-saving state (to speedily advance the game during the time-saving state).

After selecting a variation pattern as described above, other processing shown in FIG. 24 is performed (S1404), and this processing ends. In other processing (S1404), processing such as setting a variation pattern designation command corresponding to the selected variation pattern in the output buffer of the RAM is performed. Further, the variation pattern designation command set in this process is included in a variation start command, which will be described later, and is transmitted to the sub-control unit 90 by the output process (S201).

[Special figure 2 random number shift processing]
As shown in FIG. 26, in the special figure 2 random number shift process (S1204), first, the number of reserved balls in the special figure 2 is decremented by 1 (S1501). Next, the storage location of the various counter values in the second special figure reservation storage section 85b is set to one level lower (for example, when the second special figure reservation storage section 85b consists of an address space corresponding to addresses "0000" to "0003") , address "0000" side) (S1502). Then, set "0" in the highest address space of the second special figure reservation storage section 85b, that is, (if the upper limit number is stored), the RAM corresponding to the fourth of the second special figure reservation. The area is cleared to 0 (S1503), and this processing ends.

After executing the special figure 2 random number shift process (S1204), the special figure 2 fluctuation start process (S1205) shown in FIG. 22 is executed. In the special figure 2 variation start process (S1205), the special figure operation status is set to "2", a variation start command is set to the output buffer of the RAM, and the variation display of the second special symbol is started.

In the special symbol standby process (S1102) of FIG. 22, if it is determined that the number of reserved balls for special symbol 2 is "0" and the number of reserved balls for special symbol 1 is not "0" (YES in S1201, NO in S1206) ), special figure 1 validity determination process (S1207), special figure 1 variation pattern selection process (S1208), special figure 1 random number shift process (S1209), and special figure 1 variation start process (S1210) are performed in this order.

[Special figure 1 validity judgment process]
As shown in FIG. 27, in the special figure 1 validity determination process (S1207), processing (S1601 to S1609) is performed in the same flow as the special figure 2 validity determination process (S1202) shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed explanation of this process will be omitted. However, since this process is related to special figure 1, in S1601, the lowest area of the first special figure reservation storage section 85a of the RAM (that is, the RAM area corresponding to the first piece of the first special figure reservation) is The stored random number counter value (label -TRND-A) for determining the validity of special symbols is read out and processed.

[Special figure 1 variation pattern selection process]
As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, in the special pattern 1 variation pattern selection process (S1208), the first special symbol A process (S1701 to S1712) is performed to select a variation pattern (special figure 1 variation pattern) related to the variation display of. Therefore, detailed explanation of this process will be omitted.

[Special figure 1 random number shift processing]
As shown in FIG. 30, in the special figure 1 random number shift process (S1209), first, the number of reserved balls in the special figure 1 is decremented by 1 (S1801). Next, the storage location of various counter values in the first special figure reservation storage section is shifted to the lower side by one (S2002). Then, set "0" in the highest address space of the first special figure reservation storage unit, that is, (if the upper limit number is stored), the RAM area corresponding to the fourth of the first special figure reservation. is cleared to 0 (S1803), and this processing ends.

After executing the special figure 1 random number shift process (S1209), the special figure 1 fluctuation start process (S1210) shown in FIG. 22 is executed. In the special figure 1 variation start process (S1210), the special figure operation status is set to "2", a variation start command is set in the output buffer of the RAM, and the variation display of the first special symbol is started.

[Special symbol fluctuation processing]
As shown in FIG. 31, in the special symbol variation process (S1104), first, the variation time of the special symbol, that is, the variation time determined according to the variation pattern selected in S1203 or S1208 described above (see FIG. 9) It is determined whether or not the period has elapsed (S1901). If it is determined that the variable time has not elapsed (NO in S1901), the process ends without performing the processes in S1902 to S1912. As a result, the variable display of the special symbols is continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1901 that the fluctuation time has elapsed (YES in S1901), a fluctuation stop command is set (S1902). Then, it is determined whether the probability variation flag is ON or not (S1903), and if it is ON (YES in S1903), the probability variation counter is subtracted by 1 (S1904), and whether the value of the probability variation counter is "0" or not is determined. Determine (S1905). If it is determined in S1905 that the probability variation counter is "0" (YES in S1905), the probability variation flag is turned OFF (S1906), and the process moves to S1907. On the other hand, if it is determined that the probability variation flag is not ON (NO in S1903) or if it is determined that the probability variation counter is not "0" (NO in S1905), the process directly proceeds to S1907.

In S1907, it is determined whether or not the time saving flag is ON (S1907), and if it is determined that the time saving flag is ON (YES in S1907), the number of times the special symbol change display executed during the time saving state is counted. The value of the time saving counter is subtracted by 1 (S1908). Then, it is determined whether the value of the time saving counter is "0" (S1909), and if it is "0" (YES in S1909), the time saving flag is turned OFF (S1910) and the process proceeds to S1911. Further, if it is determined that the time saving flag is not ON (NO in S1907) or if it is determined that the value of the time saving counter is not "0" (NO in S1909), the process directly proceeds to S1911.

In S1911, the special figure operation status is set to "3" (S1911). Then, other processes such as stopping the variable display of the special symbols according to the judgment results of the special symbol propriety judgment random numbers and jackpot type determination random numbers are performed (S1912), and this process is ended.

In addition, the game control microcomputer 81 that executes the above-mentioned special symbol 2 variation start process (S1205), special symbol 1 variation start process (S1210), and special symbol variation process (S1104) functions as a "variable game execution means". It is something to do.

[Special design confirmation process]
As shown in FIG. 32, in the special symbol confirmation process (S1106), first, it is determined whether the jackpot flag is ON (S2001). If the jackpot flag is ON (YES in S2001), then it is determined whether the type of confirmed jackpot is a 16R jackpot (S2002), and if it is determined to be a 16R jackpot (YES in S2002), the jackpot game The value of a round counter that counts the number of rounds executed during the process is set to "16" (S2003), and the process moves to S2009. On the other hand, if it is determined in S2002 that the jackpot type is not a 16R jackpot (NO in S2002), it is determined whether the confirmed jackpot type is a 12R jackpot (S2004), and it is determined that it is a 12R jackpot. If so (YES in S2004), the value of the round counter is set to "12" (S2005), and the process moves to S2009. In addition, if it is determined in S2004 that the jackpot type is not a 12R jackpot (NO in S2004), it is determined whether the confirmed jackpot type is a 6R jackpot (S2006), and if it is determined that it is a 6R jackpot (S2006). (YES), sets the value of the round counter to "6" (S2007), and moves to the process of S2009. Furthermore, if it is determined in S2006 that the jackpot type is not a 6R jackpot (NO in S2006), the confirmed jackpot type is a 2R jackpot, so the value of the round counter is set to "2" (S2008), and in S2009 Move to processing.

In S2009, a jackpot opening pattern is set according to the type (type) of the confirmed jackpot (S2009). Here, as described above, the opening pattern of the big winning opening is determined according to the type of jackpot, so the opening pattern of the big winning opening corresponding to the jackpot determined this time is set (see FIG. 6). Then, in each jackpot game, the opening operation of the big winning hole (first big winning hole 30 or second big winning hole 35) is executed based on the big winning hole opening pattern set in S2009.

Next, in S2010, a jackpot opening command is set to start the jackpot game (S2010). In this embodiment, the opening commands include a first opening command corresponding to the 16R first jackpot, a second opening command corresponding to the 6R second to fifth jackpot, a third opening command corresponding to the 16R sixth jackpot, and RUB ( A total of 5 types are provided: the 4th opening command corresponding to the 16R 7th jackpot, 12R 8th jackpot, 6R 9th jackpot) and the 5th opening command corresponding to the 2R jackpot (2R 10th jackpot, 2R 11th jackpot). ing. In S2010, an opening command is set according to the type of jackpot decided this time (jackpot to start). Then, the main control unit 80 (gaming control microcomputer 81) transmits the set opening command to the sub-control unit 90 at a predetermined timing by output processing (S201), and the sub-control unit 90 that has received the opening command 90 performs execution processing of a predetermined game performance based on the opening command.

After setting the opening command, the opening period of the jackpot game is started (S2011), and the special figure operation status is set to "4" (S2012). The opening period is a period that is set before the first opening operation of the big winning hole in a jackpot game and after the variable display of special symbols (production symbols) is made impossible, and is also referred to as the "starting period". say. Furthermore, the performance executed during this "start period" is also referred to as a "start performance (opening performance)." In this embodiment, the opening period (opening time) is determined by the type of confirmed jackpot and the gaming state when the jackpot is confirmed (that is, when the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed). The opening period can be specified by the opening command described above. Therefore, the sub-control unit 90 that has received the opening command can perform the opening performance based on the jackpot type and opening period specified by the opening command.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S2001 that the jackpot flag is not ON (NO in S2001), the special figure operation status is set to "1" (S2013), and this process ends.

[Special electric accessory processing (jackpot game)]
As shown in FIG. 33, in the special electric accessory processing (S1107), first, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is ON (S2101), and if it is determined that the probability variation flag is ON (YES in S2101) , the probability change flag is turned OFF (S2102), and it is determined whether the time saving flag is ON (S2103). If it is determined in S2103 that the time saving flag is ON (YES in S2103), the time saving flag is turned OFF (S2104) and the process proceeds to S2105. In addition, if it is determined in S2101 that the probability change flag is not ON (NO in S2101), the process proceeds to S2103 without performing the process in S2102, and if it is determined in S2103 that the time saving flag is not ON (NO in S2103), The process proceeds to S2105 without performing the process of S2104. In other words, while the jackpot game is being executed, the control is made to a low probability state and a non-time saving state. In this embodiment, since the low base state is always maintained during the non-time saving state, the low base state is also controlled during the execution of the jackpot game.

Next, in S2105, it is determined whether the jackpot end flag is ON (S2105). The jackpot end flag is a flag indicating that the opening process of the big winning devices (the first big winning device 31 and the second big winning device 36) in the jackpot game has all been completed (the jackpot game has ended). If the jackpot end flag is not ON (NO in S2105), then it is determined whether it is time to start a round (S2106). This is determined based on the jackpot opening pattern set for each jackpot type described above. For example, if it is before the start of the first round, the determination is made based on whether the opening period has ended and it is now the timing to execute the first opening process of the first round. If the first round has already started, the determination is made based on whether the previous round has ended and the predetermined interval period has ended.

If it is determined in S2106 that it is time to start a round (YES in S2106), a round start command for the corresponding round is set (S2107), and a big prize opening opening process is performed (S2108). As a result, the big winning hole (the first big winning hole 30 or the second big winning hole 35) becomes open and a predetermined round starts. In addition, in S2107, a round start command that can specify the round to start is set, such as "1R start command" for the start of the first round and "2R start command" for the start of the second round. . The set round start command is sent to the sub-control unit 90 through the output process in S201. In the big winning hole opening process of S2108, the big winning hole opening pattern (the first big winning hole The opening/closing member is operated (opening operation) in order to open the winning opening 30 or the second big winning opening 35).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S2106 that it is not the round start time (NO in S2106), the process moves to S2112. Here, cases where it is determined that it is not the time to start a round include, for example, during the opening period before the start of one round, during the round game, during the interval period after the end of the round game (during the big winning hole closing process), etc. .

In S2112, it is determined whether the big winning hole opening operation is being executed, that is, whether the big winning hole opened by the process of S2108 is still being opened (during a round game) (S2112). As a result, if it is determined that the big winning opening operation is not being executed (during a round game) (NO in S2112), the process moves to S2116 without performing the processing of S2113 to S2115, and the big winning opening opening operation is executed. If it is determined that the round game is in progress (during a round game) (YES in S2112), it is determined whether the end condition (round end condition) of the round game being executed is satisfied (S2113).

Here, the round end conditions of this embodiment are: (1) the opening time of the big prize opening set in the round game being executed (for example, 25 seconds), that is, the execution time of the round game has elapsed, and (2) the execution In the middle round game, two conditions are set: that a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 10) have entered the big prize opening. When one of the conditions is satisfied, it means that the round end condition is satisfied based on the previously satisfied condition.

If it is determined in S2113 that the round end condition is not satisfied (NO in S2113), the process ends without performing the processes in S2114 to S2121. On the other hand, if it is determined in S2113 that the round end condition is satisfied (YES in S2113), a round end command for the corresponding round is set (S2114), and the process moves to S2115. In S2114, a round end command that can specify the round to end is set, such as a "1R end command" if the first round ends, or a "2R end command" if the second round ends. The set round end command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 90 through the output process in S201.

Next, in S2115, a big winning hole closing process is performed (S2115), and the opening/closing member of the big winning hole (the first big winning hole 30 or the second big winning hole 35) is operated (closing operation), and the big winning hole (the second big winning hole) is closed. The first big winning opening 30 or the second big winning opening 35) is closed. In the grand prize opening closing process, a closing time, ie, an interval time, is set to keep the grand prize opening (first grand prize opening 30 or second grand prize opening 35) in a closed state.

Next, in S2116, it is determined whether or not the interval time has elapsed (S2116), and if it is determined that the interval time has not elapsed (during the interval period) (NO in S2116), the main processing is performed without performing the processing in S2117 to S2121. Finish processing. On the other hand, if it is determined in S2116 that the interval time has elapsed (YES in S2116), the value of the round counter is decremented by 1 (S2117), and it is determined whether the value of the round counter is "0" (S2118). ). As a result, if it is determined that the value of the round counter is not "0" (NO in S2118), the process ends without performing the processes in S2119 to S2121. On the other hand, if it is determined that the value of the round counter is "0" (YES in S2118), a jackpot ending command is set as a jackpot ending process to end the jackpot game (S2119), and a jackpot ending period is started. (S2120), turns on the jackpot end flag (S2121), and ends this process. Note that the value of the round counter becomes "0" when all round games in the jackpot game to be executed are completed.

In S2119, an ending command is selected from a plurality of predetermined ending commands according to the gaming state at the time of the current jackpot, the type of jackpot, the gaming state after the jackpot, etc., and the selected command is Set. The type of ending command set in this way determines the ending period (ending time) to be executed (set). During the ending period, after all the opening operations of the big winning openings (the first big winning opening 30 and the second big winning opening 35) in the jackpot game have been completed, it is possible to perform the variable display of special symbols (production symbols). This is the period set before the end of the period, and is also called the "termination period." In the ending period (end period), the first grand prize opening 30 and the second grand prize opening 35 are in a closed state. The performance executed during this "end period" is also referred to as the "end performance".

The main control unit 80 (game control microcomputer 81) transmits the ending command set in S2119 to the sub-control unit 90 at a predetermined timing through output processing (S201), and the sub-control unit that has received the ending command 90 performs execution processing of a predetermined ending effect based on the ending command.

If it is determined that the jackpot end flag is ON in S2105 described above (YES in S2105), the final round in the jackpot game has ended, so it is determined whether the ending time of the jackpot has elapsed, that is, in S2120 described above. It is determined whether it is the end timing of the ending period started in the process (S2122). As a result, if it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (NO in S2122), the process ends without performing the processes in S2123 to S2126. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ending time has elapsed (YES in S2122), the jackpot end flag is turned OFF (S2123), and a game state setting process (S2124) to be described later is performed. Next, the jackpot flag is turned OFF (S2125), the special figure operation status is set to "1" (S2126), and this process is finished. As a result, in the next interrupt processing, the special symbol standby processing (S1102) will be executed again as the special symbol operation processing (FIG. 21). In addition, the game control microcomputer 81 that executes the above special electric accessory processing (S1108) functions as a "special game execution means".

[Game status setting process]
As shown in FIG. 34, in the game state setting process (S2124), it is first determined whether the jackpot game that has ended this time is related to a variable probability jackpot (S2201). In this example, as mentioned above, 7 types of guaranteed and variable jackpots include 16R 1st jackpot, 6R 2nd jackpot, 16R 6th jackpot, 16R 7th jackpot, 12R 8th jackpot, 6R 9th jackpot, and 2R 10th jackpot. Therefore, in S2201, it is determined whether the condition corresponds to any one of these seven types. As a result, if it is determined that the jackpot game that ended this time is related to a probability variable jackpot (YES in S2201), the probability variation flag is turned ON (S2202), and the probability variation counter is set to "10,000" (S2203). ), and further turns on the time saving flag (S2204), sets the time saving counter to "10,000" (S2205), and ends this process.

Here, the value set in the probability variation counter is the number of times that special symbol validity determination can be executed with high probability. The value "10,000" (10,000 times) set in this example is based on the jackpot probability in a high probability state, the daily business hours of the game parlor, and the special drawing validity judgment that can be executed during the business hours. Considering the number of times, etc., this is essentially the same as guaranteeing a high probability state until the next jackpot occurs or until business hours end. Therefore, when the gaming state is set to a high probability state, it can be said that the high probability state is guaranteed until the next jackpot occurs (substantially the same meaning). In addition, when the probability change flag is ON, the time saving counter is also set to "10,000", so while this high probability state is set, the time saving state (open extension state) is also set. You can say that. In addition, as in this embodiment, the value of "10,000" may be set in the probability change counter and the time saving counter, and the high probability high base state may be set substantially until the next jackpot. When the time saving flag is ON, control may be adopted in which a high-accuracy, high-base state is set until the next jackpot occurs without setting a value in the counter.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the jackpot game that ended this time is not related to a probability variable jackpot (NO in S2201), that is, if the jackpot game that ended this time is related to a non-probability variable jackpot (normal jackpot), the probability variation flag is turned ON. The time-saving flag is turned ON (S2206) and the time-saving counter is set to "100" or "20" (S2207), and the process ends. In this embodiment, as mentioned above, four types of non-probable variable jackpots are the 6R 3rd to 5th jackpot and the 2R 11th jackpot, so when the jackpot game related to any of these 4 types ends, the game The state becomes a low probability state, a time saving state, and a high base state (that is, a low probability high base state). This low-probability-high base state ends when either of the following conditions is met: the special symbol variation display (special symbol validity determination) is performed 100 or 20 times, and the next jackpot occurs. In this embodiment, the number of times the special symbol is displayed as a variation (specified number of variations), which is the condition for ending the low-probability-high base state, is set in accordance with the type of jackpot that is the trigger for setting the low-probability, high-base state. Specifically, the prescribed number of fluctuations in the low probability high base state triggered by the 6R 3rd to 5th jackpot is set to 100 times, and the prescribed number of fluctuations in the low probability high base state triggered by the 2R 11th jackpot is set to 100 times. It is set as "20 times" (see Figure 6). Therefore, if the jackpot game that ended this time is related to any of the 6R 3rd to 5th jackpots, "100" is set in the time saving counter, and if it is related to the 2R 11th jackpot, "100" is set in the time saving counter. 20'' is set (S2207). The time saving counter and the probability change counter count the total number of times the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner and the number of times the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. The gaming control microcomputer 81 that executes the above gaming state setting process (S2124) functions as a "gaming state control means".

[Held pitch count processing]
As shown in FIG. 11, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the reserved ball number process (S208) following the special figure operation process (S207). As shown in FIG. 35, in the reserved ball number processing (S208), first, the number of special symbol 1 reserved balls, the number of special symbol 2 reserved balls, and the number of normal symbol reserved balls stored in the RAM of the main control board 80 is read out. (S2501). Next, data on the number of held balls (a held ball number command for transmitting the held ball number information to the sub-control board 90, etc.) is set in the output buffer of the RAM (S2502). The data related to the number of pending pitches (number of pending pitches command) is output by the output process (S201) in the next interrupt processing (S105), and the data related to the number of pending pitches (number of pending pitches command) is output for each interrupt processing. Setting to the output buffer (S2502) and output processing (S201) are performed sequentially. When the sub-control unit 90 that has received the held ball number command determines that there has been an increase or decrease in the number of special figure held balls based on the received held ball number command, the sub-control unit 90 changes the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 accordingly. The display contents of the performance pending display area (first performance pending display area 9c, second performance pending display area 9d) are updated. For example, if the number of special figure 1 reserved balls increases by 1 from "3" to "4", the first effect pending 9a corresponding to the increased number of special figure 1 reserved balls "4" will be displayed as the first effect pending. It is additionally displayed in area 9c. In addition, when the number of special figure 1 reserved balls decreases by 1 from "2" to "1" (in other words, when the first special figure reservation is exhausted), the left end of the first effect reservation display area 9c (special figure 1 reservation The first performance hold 9a displayed in the area corresponding to the number of pitches "1" (see Figure 3) is moved to the variable hold display area 9e (see Figure 3), and along with this, the first performance hold is moved. The first effect pending 9a displayed in the display area 9c is moved (shifted) by one position to the left.

In addition, regarding the data of the number of special pattern held balls when the number of special pattern held balls is added, that is, the data of the number of special pattern held balls due to the occurrence of starting balls (starting winnings), please use the above-mentioned starting ball entering command. Alternatively, a number of reserved balls command indicating the number of special pattern reserved balls after addition (after starting balls entered) may be set in the output buffer together with the starting balls command. In addition, regarding the data of the number of reserved balls when the number of reserved balls of special symbols is subtracted, that is, the data of the number of reserved balls of special symbols accompanying the start of fluctuation of special symbols (expiration of special symbol reservation), use the above-mentioned fluctuation start command. Alternatively, a pending ball count command indicating the number of special figure pending balls after subtraction (after the special figure pending consumption) may be set in the output buffer together with the fluctuation start command.

[Power-off monitoring processing]
As shown in FIG. 11, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a power-off monitoring process (S209) following the pending ball count process (S208). As shown in FIG. 36, in the power-off monitoring process (S209), first, it is determined whether or not a power-off signal is input (S2601), and if there is no input (NO in S2601), this process ends. On the other hand, if a power-off signal is input (YES in S2601), the current state of the gaming machine (whether it is a fixed change or not, whether it is in a winning game or not, how many balls are on hold, and the remaining number of changes in the fixed change/time saving) is determined. etc.) is stored in the RAM (S2602), the power-off flag is turned ON (S2603), and thereafter loop processing is performed without returning to interrupt processing (S105).

[Sub control main processing]
Next, the operation of the performance control microcomputer 91 (control processing by the sub-control unit 90) will be explained based on FIGS. 37 to 42. In addition, the counter, flag, status, buffer, timer, etc. that appear in the explanation of the production control microcomputer 91 are provided in the RAM of the sub-control board 90 (sub-control unit). When the power of the pachinko game machine 1 is turned on, the performance control microcomputer 91 provided in the sub-control board 90 reads out the sub-control main processing program shown in FIG. 37 from the ROM of the sub-control board 90 and executes it. As shown in the figure, in the sub-control main processing, first, CPU initialization processing is performed (S4001). In the CPU initialization process (S4001), stack settings, constant settings, CPU 92 settings, SIO, PIO, CTC (interrupt time controller) settings, and various flags, status, and counter resets are performed.

Next, in S4002, it is determined whether the power-off signal is ON and the contents of the RAM of the sub-control board 90 are normal (S4002). If this determination result is NO (NO in S4002), the RAM of the sub-control board 90 is initialized (S4003), and the process proceeds to S4004. On the other hand, if the determination result is YES (YES in S4002), the process proceeds to S4004 without initializing the RAM of the sub-control board 90. In other words, if the power-off signal is not ON, or if the contents of the RAM are not normal even if the power-off signal is ON (NO in S4002), the RAM of the sub-control board 90 is initialized. If the power-off signal is turned ON but the contents of the RAM are maintained normally (YES in S4002), the RAM is not initialized. When the RAM is initialized, various flags, statuses, and counter values are reset.

Note that S4001 to S4003 are executed only once after the power is turned on (when the power is turned on), and are not executed thereafter. In addition, in this embodiment, the performance control microcomputer 91 also performs the same process as the power failure monitoring process (S209) by the gaming control microcomputer 81 shown in FIG. When this happens, the data related to the effect control at that time is stored in the RAM of the sub-control board 90. In other words, data related to performance control in the event of a power outage such as a power outage is backed up. For this reason, unless the RAM of the sub-control board 90 is initialized (S4003) when the power is turned on after recovering from a power outage such as a power outage (returning from a power outage), the effect will be controlled by the effect control microcomputer 91. The state returns to the state before the power failure occurred.

Next, in S4004, interrupts are prohibited (S4004), and random number seed update processing is executed (S4005). In the random number seed updating process (S4005), the values of various performance determining random number counters are updated. The updated random number counter value is sequentially stored in a predetermined update value storage area (not shown) of the RAM of the sub control board 90. The random number for performance determination includes a random number for determining a variable performance that determines the mode (variable performance pattern) of the performance symbol game performance (variable performance) to be executed, a random number for determining a preview performance that determines the preview performance, and a random number for determining the performance symbol that determines the performance symbol. There are random numbers etc. for determining the production design. The random number updating method can be the same as the random number updating process performed by the main control board 80 described above. Note that when updating the random numbers, the random numbers may be added in increments of 2 instead of incrementing them in increments of 1. The random number for performance determination is acquired at a predetermined timing. This timing is, for example, when the main control board 80 sends a control signal (starting ball entry command) notifying that a starting ball has arrived, or when the main control board 80 sends a control signal (starting ball entering command) notifying the start of fluctuation. When a start command (start command) is transmitted, when determining a variable effect pattern to be described later, etc. The acquired random number for effect determination is stored in a predetermined random number counter value storage area (not shown) of the RAM of the sub-control board 90.

When the random number seed update process (S4005) is completed, a command transmission process is executed (S4006). In the command transmission process, various commands (control signals) stored in the output buffer (also referred to as "sub output buffer") in the RAM of the sub control board 90 are transmitted to the image control board 100, the audio control board 106, and the lamp. Among the control boards 107, the command is sent to the control board to which the corresponding command is sent. Each control board (each control unit) that receives the command uses various presentation devices (image display device 7, speaker 67, panel lamp 5, frame lamp 66, movable presentation member 14, etc.) to perform various effects according to the received command. Execute performances (variable performances, special game performances related to jackpot games, etc.).

Next, in S4007, interrupts are permitted (S4007). After that, S4004 to S4007 are looped. While interrupts are enabled, reception interrupt processing (S4008), 2ms timer interrupt processing (S4009), and 10ms timer interrupt processing (S4010) can be executed. By executing these control processes, display control of performance symbols etc. executed on the display screen 7a (performance symbol display area 7b) of the image display device 7, lighting control of various lamps, operation control of movable decorative members, It becomes possible to control the audio output from the speaker, etc.

[Reception interrupt processing]
In the reception interrupt processing (S4008), as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not it has been input (S4101). If it is determined in S4101 that the strobe signal is not ON (NO in S4101), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S4101 that the strobe signal is ON (YES in S4101), various commands sent from the main control board 80 are stored in the RAM of the sub control board 90 (S4102), and the process ends. . This reception interrupt process (S4008) is a process that is executed with priority over other interrupt processes (S4009, S4010).

[2ms timer interrupt processing]
The 2 ms timer interrupt process (S4009) is a process that is executed every time an interrupt pulse with a 2 msec period is input to the sub control board 90. As shown in FIG. 39, in the 2ms timer interrupt processing (S4009), first, input processing is performed to create switch data (edge data and level data) based on the detection signals from the production button detection switches 63c and 63d (S4201). ). This switch data indicates whether each of the first performance button 63a and second performance button 63b is operated (ON, OFF), and is used to execute a performance corresponding to the operation based on the operation of the performance button 63. be. Next, a lamp data output process (S4202) that outputs lamp data for emitting light from lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the panel lamp 5, and outputs drive data for driving the movable presentation member 14 (electrical drive source). drive data output processing (S4203). Note that the lamp data and drive data are created by a 10ms timer interrupt process, which will be described later. Then, watchdog timer processing is performed to reset the watchdog timer (S4204).

[10ms timer interrupt processing]
The 10 ms timer interrupt process (S4010) is a process that is executed every time an interrupt pulse of 10 msec period is input to the sub control board 90. As shown in FIG. 40, in the 10ms timer interrupt processing (S4010), first, received command analysis processing (S4302), which will be described later, is performed. Next, a switch state acquisition process is performed in which the switch data created in the 2ms timer interrupt process is stored in the RAM of the sub control board 90 as switch data for the 10ms timer interrupt process (S4303), and the switch data stored in the switch status acquisition process is Switch processing is performed to set the display contents of the display screen 7a based on the data (S4304). Thereafter, other processes such as creating lamp data (data for controlling lighting of the board lamp 5 and frame lamp 66) and updating random numbers for effect determination are executed (S4305).

[Received command analysis processing]
As shown in FIG. 41, in the received command analysis process (S4302), it is first determined whether or not a starting ball entry command has been received from the main control board 80 (S4395), and if a starting ball entry command has not been received, If it is determined (NO in S4395), proceed to the process of S4401, and if it is determined that the starting ball entry command has been received (YES in S4395), perform the production pending information storage process (S4400) and proceed to the process of S4401. do.

In the performance pending information storage process (S4400), various information (pre-judgment results, jackpot type determination error) included in the starting ball entry command (special chart 1 starting ball command or special chart 2 starting ball command) received in S4395 is performed. Game information that can specify numerical values, random fluctuation pattern values, etc.), the type of special symbol (first special symbol, second special symbol) and the number of special symbol pending balls at the time of sending and receiving the starting ball command (when generating the command) Accordingly, the information is stored in a predetermined effect pending information storage area of the RAM of the sub control board 90 in a shift memory format. For example, if the received starting ball command is a special chart 1 starting ball command that corresponds to the number of reserved balls of special chart 1 "4", the preliminary judgment result and hit type included in the special chart 1 starting ball command The information is stored as special figure 1 performance pending information in an area corresponding to the number of reservations 4 in the special figure 1 performance pending information storage area. The performance pending information stored in this way is used to execute various performances such as a variable performance, a preview performance, and a performance mode, which will be described later. The storage contents (performance pending information) of the production pending information storage area in the sub-control board 90 are stored in the special figure pending storage section (first special figure pending storage section, second special figure pending storage section) in the above-mentioned main control board (main control section) 80. This matches the stored content (obtained information) of the reserved storage unit). From this, it can be said that the performance pending information storage area of the sub-control board 90 also functions as "obtained information storage means".

Next, in S4401, it is determined whether a fluctuation start command has been received from the main control board 80 (S4401). As a result, if it is determined that a fluctuation start command has been received (YES in S4401), a fluctuation effect start process (S4402), which will be described later, is performed, and the process moves to S4403, where it is determined that a fluctuation start command has not been received. (NO in S4401), the process moves to S4406 without performing the variable effect start process.

In S4403, it is determined whether a fluctuation stop command has been received from the main control board 80 (S4403), and if it is determined that a fluctuation stop command has been received (YES in S4403), the effect pattern 8 is stopped and displayed, and the fluctuation effect is produced. Performs variable performance end processing to end the process (S4404). In the fluctuating performance end process (S4404), a fluctuating performance end command for stopping and displaying the performance symbol 8 and ending the fluctuating performance is set in the sub output buffer. When the set variable effect end command is sent to the image control board 100 by the command transmission process (S4006), the image control microcomputer 101 changes the effect pattern 8 that was being displayed in a variable manner on the display screen 7a of the image display device 7. The display is stopped and the variable performance (performance symbol game performance) is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined in S4403 that the fluctuation stop command has not been received (NO in S4403), the process proceeds to S4405 without performing the fluctuation production end process. Incidentally, the variable performance refers to various performances performed in accordance with the variable display of special symbols, such as the variable display of the performance symbol 8 and the reach performance. It can be said that the performance control microcomputer 91 that executes the above variable performance start process (S4402) and variable performance end process (S4404) also functions as a "variable game execution means".

Next, in S4405, it is determined whether a jackpot game related command has been received from the main control board 80 (S4408). Here, the jackpot game-related commands are commands sent from the main control board 80 when executing the jackpot game, and specifically, the opening command ( (see S2010), round start command sent at the start of the round (see S2107), round end command sent at the end of the round (see S2114), ending command sent at the end of the jackpot game (see S2119) Reference) etc. are applicable. In S4405, it is determined whether any of these jackpot game related commands have been received, and if not received (NO in S4405), the process moves to S4407, and if received (YES in S4405) , performs processing related to execution of performance (jackpot game related performance) according to the type of the received command (S4406).

For example, if the received command is an opening command, an opening performance command that specifies an opening performance according to the type of jackpot specified based on the command is set in the sub output buffer, and if the received command is a round start command, the command A round performance command that specifies a round performance according to the round specified based on the round is set in the sub output buffer, and if it is an ending command, an ending that specifies an ending performance according to the type of jackpot specified based on the command. Set the production command to the sub output buffer. When the various production commands related to the set jackpot are sent to the image control board 100 through command transmission processing (S4006), the image control microcomputer 101 executes opening production and round production according to the progress status of the jackpot game. Performances related to jackpot games such as the following are executed on the display screen 7a of the image display device 7.

Next, other processing is performed in S4407, and the present processing ends. Other processing (S4407) includes, for example, processing based on received commands other than the various commands mentioned above (for example, normal symbol fluctuation start command and normal symbol fluctuation stop command).

[Variable effect start processing]
Next, the variable effect start process (S4402) executed in the received command analysis process (S4302) will be described. As shown in FIG. 42, in the variable performance start process (S4402), first, random number processing for performance determination is performed to obtain various random numbers for performance determination such as a random number for determining variable performance, a random number for determining preview performance, and a random number for determining performance symbols. (S4501) In this embodiment, the process of S4501 is performed at the timing when the fluctuation start command is received from the main control unit 80, and a predetermined value (acquisition information) is acquired from each random number. Based on this acquired value (acquired information), the mode of the effect symbol game effect to be executed (variable effect), the mode of the preview effect, the effect pattern to be stopped and displayed, etc. are determined.

Next, in S4502, the received fluctuation start command is analyzed (S4502). The fluctuation start command includes a fluctuation pattern designation command (information that designates a fluctuation pattern) that designates the fluctuation pattern selected in the fluctuation pattern selection process of the first special symbol or the second special symbol. The fluctuation pattern designation command includes the fluctuation pattern information (P1 to P22) shown in FIG. 9, the game state information that designates the current gaming state, the result of the first special symbol validity determination or the second special symbol validity determination, and the jackpot type. It includes design information and the like to be specified (see FIG. 8). In addition, since there are two types of fluctuation pattern designation commands, one corresponding to the first special symbol and the other corresponding to the second special symbol, by analyzing the fluctuation pattern designation command, the production symbol game production to be started this time It is possible to determine whether the (fluctuation display of performance symbols) is related to special figure 1 or special figure 2. Incidentally, the variable pattern information, game state information, symbol information, etc. can also be used in other processes other than the variable performance start process to be executed thereafter.

Next, in S4503, the performance control microcomputer 91 refers to the current mode status (S4503). The mode status is for determining the production mode to be executed. The mode status is any value from "1" to "5", and each value is assigned to the production mode A to E. Specifically, mode status "1" corresponds to production mode A, mode status "2" corresponds to production mode B, mode status "3" corresponds to production mode C, and mode status "4" corresponds to production mode C. The mode status "5" corresponds to the production mode D, and the mode status "5" corresponds to the production mode E. By referring to the current mode status, it is possible to specify the current production mode.

Here, the presentation mode is a mode of presentation on the image display device 7, and when the presentation mode is different, part or all of the presentation mode of the game presentation, such as a preview presentation or a reach presentation, is different. Specifically, the images displayed on the image display device 7 (effect display ) differs depending on the production mode. Further, the variable effects can also be executed in a manner according to the effect mode, and when providing multiple variable effects (such as preview effects and reach effects), it is possible to execute different variable effects depending on the effect mode. be able to.

In this embodiment, production modes A and B are executed when controlled to a low-accuracy low base state, production mode C is executed when controlled to a high-accuracy high base state, and production modes D and E are executed. is executed when controlled to either the low-probability high base state or the high-probability high base state. Therefore, when the production mode is any of A to C, the player can check whether the current gaming state is a low-probability low-base state or a high-probability high-base state (probability variable gaming state). You can figure out if it exists. In that sense, production modes A to C can be said to be probability notification modes. Production modes A and B are also referred to as "normal mode", and production mode C is also referred to as "variable mode". On the other hand, if the performance mode is D or E, the player may check whether the current gaming state is a low probability high base state (time saving state) or a high probability high base state (probability variable gaming state). It is difficult to understand whether this is the case. In that sense, production modes D and E can be said to be probability non-notification modes. In this embodiment, after the jackpot game related to any of the 16R 1st jackpot, 16R 6th jackpot, and RUB ends, the mode becomes production mode C, and after the end of the jackpot game related to any of the 6R 2nd to 5th jackpots, the production mode The mode becomes D, and after the end of the jackpot game related to the 2R jackpot, the mode becomes the production mode E.

Next, in S4504, a variable effect pattern determination table (not shown) is set for determining a variable effect pattern (variable effect pattern) to be performed using the image display device 7, board lamp 5, movable effect member 14, etc. (S4504). Specifically, the variable effect pattern determination table to be used is set based on the mode status (current effect mode) referred to in S4503 and the variable pattern designation command received from the main control unit 80. For example, if the variation pattern information specified by the received variation pattern specification command is "P1 (variation pattern P1)" (see Figure 9), the variation effect pattern determination table will be used to determine when the jackpot corresponding to the current effect mode A variable performance pattern determination table is set. The variable production pattern determination table is mainly used to determine the execution mode of production symbol game production (variation mode of production symbols, etc.), and contains multiple variable production pattern determination tables ( (not shown) is stored in advance in the ROM of the sub control board 90. In S4504, the table corresponding to the mode status (current performance mode) referred to in S4503 is selected and set from among these variable performance pattern determination tables.

Next, in S4505, based on the random number for determining the variable effect obtained in S4501 and the variable effect pattern determination table set in S4504, a variable effect pattern that matches the specified variable pattern is selected and set (S4505). As the variation performance pattern, the variation mode (execution mode of the variation production) of the production pattern 8 displayed in the production pattern display area 7b is mainly set. As a result, in the performance symbol game performance (variable performance), it is determined whether to execute the reach performance (variable performance with reach) or not to perform the reach performance (variable performance without reach). Furthermore, the variable production pattern includes not only the variation mode of the production pattern 8 but also the execution mode of sound production, light production, movable production, etc. that is executed in conjunction with the variable display of the production pattern 8, and the execution of these productions. The presence or absence is also determined.

In addition, the reach effect is, for example, a display mode of the effect pattern 8 when the result of the special symbol validity judgment indicates a jackpot, in which three effect patterns 8L, 8C, and 8R are all the same (double number). In the case where a mode (jackpot mode, specific mode) is provided, two of the three production symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R (for example, the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol) constitute the jackpot mode. (Also referred to as "reach pattern" or "ready-to-reach mode") is stopped (temporarily stopped) and the remaining one (for example, the third stop symbol) continues to be displayed in a variable manner, and the remaining one production symbol It is an effect that shows whether or not the symbol is stopped and displayed to complete the jackpot mode. According to this reach effect, it is possible to effectively arouse the expectations of players who aim to hit the jackpot.

Further, in S4505, based on the random number for effect design determination obtained in S4501 and a stop pattern determination table (not shown), the effect pattern 8 to be stopped and displayed (also referred to as "stop effect pattern") is determined and set. Here, the types of stop display include temporary stop display (temporary stop) and confirmed stop display (determined stop). Temporary stop means that the scrolling display (fluctuating display) of the production design is temporarily stopped (temporarily stopped), and the production design is displayed at a predetermined stop position on the display screen (for example, production design display area 7b), and the number, character, etc. This means that the object is displayed in a state where it moves slightly enough to be recognizable. A state of slight movement is also called "sway fluctuation." On the other hand, a fixed stop means that the scrolling display (fluctuating display) of the production symbols is completed, and the numbers, characters, etc. are recognized when the production symbols reach a predetermined stop position on the display screen (for example, production symbol display area 7b). It means that it is displayed completely stopped when possible. When the performance symbol is fixed and stopped after being fluctuated, the display result of the fluctuating display (result of the fluctuating performance) is definitively displayed (determined display) (derived display). Therefore, the temporary stop of the performance symbols can be performed once or multiple times until the final stop is reached.

The stop effect symbols determined (selected) in S4505 are symbols that temporarily stop (hereinafter also referred to as "temporary stop symbols") and symbols that permanently stop (hereinafter also referred to as "confirmed stop symbols"). Specifically, the effect pattern 8 that is stopped and displayed (determined stop) as a result of the variable effect, that is, the confirmed stop pattern, is displayed as "787" or the like if the result of the special symbol validity judgment is a miss, and if it is a reach or miss. One of the three performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R is considered to be a different design from the other production symbols, and when it is out of reach, the three production symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R such as "635" are selected. At least one of the performance symbols is set as a winning combination in which the other performance symbols are different. On the other hand, if the result of the special symbol validity judgment is a jackpot, either the 16R 1st jackpot or the 16R 6th jackpot, it will be counted as a double of "777", and in the case of 6R 2nd to 5th jackpots, it will be "777". ” or even numbers such as “666”, and in the case of a jackpot corresponding to RUB, it will be a RUB-specific number (dedicated symbol) such as “3★3”. In addition, in the case of a 2R jackpot, the three performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are stopped and displayed in the same manner as in the case of a loss (return). However, for the 2R jackpot, a predetermined chance number such as "135" may be displayed in a stopped state.

In addition, the effect pattern 8 that is temporarily stopped in the middle of the fluctuating display before reaching the fixed stop, that is, the temporary stop pattern, is basically a number other than the above-mentioned double (jackpot mode) (out-of-reach, out-of-reach, (Completely off the mark, etc.) However, for example, in the case of a variable performance pattern in which the so-called "re-lottery" is executed in which the performance symbol 8 is stopped at the zero number and then displayed again in a variable manner, the temporarily stopped symbol is set to the number zero (jackpot mode). In this case, the temporary stop symbol is an outcome corresponding to a jackpot with a relatively low advantage (for example, a normal jackpot with a lower advantage than a probability variable jackpot). In addition, the fixed stop symbol after the re-lottery can again be an outcome corresponding to a jackpot with a relatively low advantage, or an outcome corresponding to a jackpot with a relatively high advantage. Furthermore, since the production pattern 8 is temporarily stopped immediately before the final stop after the fluctuating display ends, the production pattern 8 that temporarily stops immediately before the final stop is also a temporary stop pattern. The temporary stop symbol is the same as the confirmed stop symbol. It should be noted that the stop display mode of the effect pattern 8 described above is just an example, and what is to be stopped and displayed as the stop effect pattern can be set as appropriate.

In the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, the variation modes (variable production patterns) of the production pattern 8 include reach A, reach B, reach C, super reach (also referred to as "SP reach") A, super reach B, Super reach C etc. are set. In S4505, based on the fluctuation performance pattern determination table, it is determined which of these reach performances, etc., will be performed or whether these performances will not be performed (this is also referred to as "normal fluctuation"). For example, when a variable effect with reach is executed, any of the ready-to-reach effects is set based on the variable pattern designation command and the variable effect pattern determination table. Here, when a super reach effect (any one of SP reach A to C) is executed, the possibility of a jackpot is higher than when a normal reach effect (any one of SP reach A to C) is executed. is set to be high. In other words, it can be said that the super reach performance is a game performance with a higher possibility of hitting the jackpot (jackpot expectation level) compared to the normal reach performance.

In this embodiment, when the sub control board 90 receives a fluctuation pattern designation command that designates a fluctuation pattern with a fluctuation time of 30000 ms or more (see FIG. 9) as a fluctuation pattern designation command from the main control board 80, the corresponding A reach effect (variable effect with reach) can be set (executed) based on the command. If the variation time is 30,000 ms, the normal reach effect is set (executed) (normal reach variation effect), and if the variation time is 45,000 ms or more, the SP reach effect is set (executed) as the reach effect. (SP reach variation effect). In addition, in this embodiment, the types of reach effects are three types of normal reach, reach A to C, and three types of super reach, SP reach A to C, but the types (number) of reach effects are as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may include more reach effects.

Here, the variable display of the production symbols 8 is basically performed as follows. That is, after the three performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R start to fluctuate, the fluctuation speed of all the symbols becomes almost constant at high speed, and then, when a predetermined period of time (for example, 9 seconds) has elapsed, the first stop symbol is displayed. (In this example, the left performance symbol 8L) fluctuates at a reduced speed and the first stop symbol stops (temporarily stops). Next, the fluctuation speed of the second stop symbol (in this example, the right effect symbol 8R) decreases, the second stop symbol stops (temporary stop), and finally the third stop symbol (in this example, the middle effect symbol 8C) The fluctuation speed decreases and the third stop symbol stops (temporarily stops). Thereafter, the three performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are fixed and stopped, and the display result of the variable display is derived and displayed, and one variable display ends with this. Normal fluctuations, reach effects, etc. are performed based on the flow from the start to the end of such fluctuation display.

For example, when the variable time shortening function of the special symbol according to the number of reserved balls or the game state is not activated (when the variable time shortening function is not activated), the three production symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R will display a variable display. If it has started, the left production symbol 8L (first stop symbol) will stop (temporary stop) at the timing when a predetermined time (for example, 9 seconds) has elapsed from the start of the fluctuation, and then the right production symbol 8R (second stop symbol) will stop (temporary stop). symbol) stops (temporarily stops). At this time, if the left and right performance symbols 8L and 8R stop (temporarily stop) at the same number symbols (ready-to-reach mode), a ready-to-win effect is established, and thereafter, a ready-to-win effect is developed. On the other hand, if the reach is not established (in other words, if it is a normal fluctuation), the right production symbol 8R (second stop symbol) stops (temporary stop), and then the middle production symbol 8C (third stop symbol) stops ( temporary stop). In this embodiment, in normal variation, the time required from the start of variation of the production symbol 8 until the third stop symbol (medium production symbol 8C in this example) stops (temporary stop) is about 11 seconds. However, in the normal variation when the special symbol variation time shortening function is activated, the time it takes from the start of the variation display until the left production symbol 8L (first stop symbol) stops (temporary stop) is normally (variation The time taken for the right effect symbol 8R (second stop symbol) and middle effect symbol 8C (third stop symbol) to stop (temporary stop) is also shorter than the time reduction function (when the time reduction function is not activated). Becomes shorter.

In addition, depending on the variable performance pattern set in S4505 and the preview performance pattern set in S4506 described later, for example, after the start of the variable display of the performance pattern 8, the three performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R may be displayed at the same time. The order and timing of the stop display of production symbols, such as stopping all at once (temporary stop), or all symbols continuing to fluctuate even after a predetermined time (for example, 9 seconds) until the first stop symbol stops, etc. etc. may be different from the above-mentioned aspects.

Next, in S4506, a process related to the setting of a preview effect (preview effect setting process) is performed (S4506). The preview performance is a performance that suggests the possibility that the result of the variable display currently being executed or the result of the variable display executed later will be a jackpot (expectation level of jackpot). Preview performances are also called ``suggestive performances.'' In this embodiment, there are various types of preview effects, such as a preview performance (pending preview preview) based on the performance pending information (prior judgment result) stored in S4400, and a preview performance (the relevant fluctuation preview) related to the current special figure variation display (variation production). Since the preview effects can be executed, S4506 determines whether to execute each preview effect (execution or not) and sets the execution pattern of the preview effects to be executed (previous effect pattern). or Specifically, based on the random number for determining the preview performance obtained in S4501 and the preview performance determination table stored in the ROM of the sub-control board 90, whether or not to execute the preview performance and the preview performance pattern are determined, and this decision is made. A preview performance pattern is set based on the results.

In addition, the storage content of the production pending information stored in S4400 (the storage content of the production pending information storage area) and the result of the special symbol propriety judgment identified by the analysis result of the variation start command in S4502 (this special symbol variation Notice performance pattern set in S4506 based on the variation pattern information of the special symbol (variation pattern and stop symbol related to the current special symbol variation display), which is also specified by the analysis result of the variation start command That is, the type (notice type) and mode of the preview performance to be executed, the presence or absence of the preview performance, etc. will be different. In addition, when executing a preview performance, one of the multiple preview performances (one type of preview performance) may be executed, or two or more preview performances (multiple types of preview performances) may be executed. That is, during one variable display (during a variable effect), a plurality of types of preview effects may be executed at different execution timings.

Next, in S4507, a variable effect start command for starting a variable effect based on the variable effect pattern set in S4505 and the preview effect pattern set in S4506 is set in the sub output buffer (S4507), and the variable effect start process is executed. Finish. When the variable effect start command set in S4507 is sent to the image control board 100 by the command transmission process (S4006), the image control microcomputer 101 transmits the variable effect pattern specified based on the variable effect start command, that is, in S4505 Predetermined image data for variable effects corresponding to the variable effect pattern set in (image data configuring start of variation, during variation, stop of variation, etc. of the effect pattern 8) and a preview effect specified based on the variable effect start command. The pattern, that is, the predetermined preview performance image data corresponding to the preview performance pattern set in S4506 is read from the ROM of the image control board 100, and the image display device 7 displays the variable performance, preview performance, etc. based on the read image data. This is executed on the display screen 7a. Further, a variable display (blinking display) using two LEDs on the effect display 102 is also performed.

Here, in this embodiment, a variable effect pattern accompanied by the operation of the movable effect member 14 is provided as a type of variable effect pattern that can be set in the above-mentioned S4505. A variable performance pattern that involves the operation of the movable performance member 14 is also referred to as a "specific variable performance pattern." When a specific variable effect pattern is set in S4505 and a variable effect based on the pattern is executed (started), the movable effect member 14 operates at a predetermined time during the variable effect, and an effect display corresponding to the operation is displayed. It is displayed on the screen 7a. A performance in which the movable performance member 14 operates in this manner and a performance display corresponding to the operation is displayed (executed) is also referred to as a "movable display performance." In other words, the specific variable performance pattern is a performance pattern of a variable performance including a movable display performance.

The specific variation effect pattern can be set when the sub control board 90 receives a variation pattern designation command that specifies a variation pattern with a variation time of 30000 ms or more in the low accuracy low base state. That is, it can be set for a variation pattern in which the variation time in the non-time saving state shown in FIG. 9 is 30000 ms or more. The specific variation performance pattern of this embodiment includes a pattern in which a movable display performance is performed from the start of variation of the performance symbol 8 until the first stop symbol stops (temporary stop) (also referred to as "first specific variation performance pattern". ), and a pattern in which a movable display effect is performed after the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol stop (temporarily stop) in the reach symbol (reach mode) after the change of the effect symbol 8 starts (that is, after the reach is established). (Also referred to as "second specific variation effect pattern.")

It should be noted that the specific fluctuation performance pattern can also be configured to be set in game states other than the low-probability low-base state, such as the low-probability high base state and the high-probability high base state. Even in this case, when the sub-control board 90 receives a variation pattern designation command specifying a variation pattern with a variation time of 30000 ms or more, the specific variation effect pattern can be set.

Setting (selection) conditions for the specific variable performance pattern (selection rate in the case of jackpot, selection rate in case of loss, etc.) can be determined by, for example, the specific variable performance pattern determination table shown in FIG. 44. FIG. 44(A) is a specific variation performance pattern determination table used when the result of special symbol validity determination (mainly special symbol 1 validity determination) is a jackpot (excluding 2R jackpot) in a low-accuracy, low-base state. (B) is a specific variation performance pattern determination table used when the result of special symbol validity determination (mainly special symbol 1 validity determination) is a failure in a low-accuracy, low-base state. As shown in the figure, for both the jackpot and the loss, the value of the random number for determining the variable effect (for example, 0 to 99) is set to "none", "first specific variable effect pattern" and "second specific variable effect pattern". It is said to be a data structure assigned to "Fluctuating Performance Pattern". Note that "none" in each table means that a specific variable effect pattern is not set (selected), that is, a variable effect including a movable display effect is not executed. In addition, "-" in each table means that the value of the random number for determining variable performance is not assigned, that is, it is not selected (not selected).

According to the specific variation performance pattern determination table in FIGS. 44(A) and (B), when the specific variation performance pattern is set in S4505, the first specific variation performance pattern or the second specific variation performance pattern is set. . When the result of the special symbol validity determination is a jackpot, the possibility of setting (selecting) a specific variation performance pattern is higher than when it is a loss. In other words, a variable performance based on a specific variable performance pattern (a variable performance including a movable display performance) has a higher expectation of a jackpot than a variable performance that does not include a movable display performance. Furthermore, when the result of the special symbol validity determination is a jackpot, the possibility of setting (selecting) the second specific variable performance pattern is higher than that of the first specific variable performance pattern. In other words, the variable presentation based on the second specific variable presentation pattern has a higher jackpot expectation compared to the variable presentation based on the first specific variable presentation pattern. Furthermore, the first specific variation effect pattern can be set for a variation pattern with a variation time of 30,000 ms or more in a non-time saving state, and the second specific variation effect pattern can be set for a variation pattern with a variation time of 45,000 ms or more. can be set. That is, the first specific variation effect pattern can be set when the sub control board 90 receives a variation pattern designation command that specifies any of the variation patterns P1 to P6 and P8 to P10 (see FIG. 9). In addition, as for the second specific variation effect pattern, the sub control board 90 receives a variation pattern designation command that specifies any of the variation patterns P1 to P6 and P8 to P10 (see FIG. 9) other than P3, P6, and P10. Can be set if

Under these conditions, when a variable performance based on a specific variable performance pattern (a variable performance including a movable display performance) is executed, the player's expectations for a jackpot will increase, and the specific variable performance pattern will become the first variable performance pattern. In the case of the 2 specific fluctuating performance pattern, the fluctuating performance has a relatively long fluctuation time, and the expectation for a jackpot is further increased.

Note that the setting (selection) conditions for the specific variation effect pattern shown in this embodiment are just an example, and the setting (selection) conditions including the specific variation effect pattern determination table can be arbitrarily determined.

Next, we will explain in detail the variable effects executed based on the specific variable effect pattern being set in S4505, that is, the variable effects based on the first specific variable effect pattern and the variable effects based on the second specific variable effect pattern. do. In addition, a variable performance based on a specific variable performance pattern is also referred to as a "specific variable performance", a variable performance based on the first specific variable performance pattern is also referred to as a "first specific variable performance", and a second specific variable performance pattern is also referred to as a "first specific variable performance". The fluctuating performance based on is also referred to as a "second specific fluctuating performance." Further, the specific variation performance is also referred to as a "specific performance", and one or both of the first specific variation performance and the second specific variation performance may be referred to as a "specific performance". Furthermore, the first specific variation performance is also referred to as a "first specific performance," and the second specific variation performance is also referred to as a "second specific performance." In addition, the movable display effect included in the first specific variation effect (first specific variation effect pattern) is also referred to as the "first movable display effect", and the movable display effect included in the second specific variation effect (second specific variation effect pattern) The movable display effect is also referred to as a "second movable display effect."

[First specific variation performance]
As described above, in the first specific variation performance, the movable performance member 14 operates from the start of variation of the performance symbol 8 until the first stop symbol stops (temporary stop), and a performance display corresponding to the operation is displayed on the display screen 7a. This is a fluctuating performance that takes place in In other words, this is a variable performance in which a movable display performance (first movable display performance) is performed from the start of variation of the performance symbols 8 until the first stop symbol stops (temporarily stops). Hereinafter, a specific example of the first specific variation effect will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. 45(A) and the transition of the effect display shown in FIG. 46.

The execution period of the first specific variable performance can be roughly divided into a period in which the movable display performance is performed and a period in which the ready-to-win performance after the movable display performance is performed. Among these, the period during which the movable display effect is executed (also referred to as the "movable display effect period") starts from time t0, which is the start timing of the variable effect (fluctuating display of the effect pattern 8) shown in FIG. 45(A). , until a predetermined timing after the time t2, which is the stop timing of the first stop symbol, has elapsed. In this embodiment, this movable display effect period (period including the movable display effect) is composed of a plurality of periods. Specifically, out of the execution period of the first specific variation effect, a first period from time t0 to time t1, a second period from time t1 to time t2 (after the first period), and a period after time t2. A movable display performance period is constituted by the third period (after the second period) and the third period (see FIG. 45(A)), and a corresponding performance is executed in each period.

When the first specific variation effect is started, first, the effect is developed as shown in FIGS. 46(A) to 46(B). FIGS. 46(A) and 46(B) are aspects of effects executed during the period from time t0 to time t1 of the timing chart shown in FIG. 45(A), that is, the first period.

In the first period, with the start of the first specific variation effect, the effect pattern 8 displayed approximately in the center of the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 starts to be displayed in a variable manner, as shown in FIG. 46(A). At this time, since the movable performance member 14 is at a standby position below the display screen 7a (on the back side of the game board 2), it does not enter the player's field of view, and substantially the entire display screen 7a is visible to the player. Then, when a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed since the start of the variation of the performance symbols 8 (the start of the first specific variation performance), a movable display performance (first movable display performance) is started.

When the movable display effect (first movable display effect) is started, the movable effect member 14 starts operating and moves up (moves) the front side of the display screen 7a, and as shown in FIG. 46(B), the display It stops at a substantially midway position in the vertical direction of the screen 7a (first operating position). At this time, the display screen 7a is covered with the movable presentation member 14 over the entire left and right portions (horizontal direction) of the upper and lower middle positions thereof, and the upper display portion 71 (upper screen) and the upper display portion 71 (upper screen) The lower display section 72 (lower screen) becomes visible. That is, the display screen 7a is divided into upper and lower parts (two screens) by the operation of the movable presentation member 14, and the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72 appear (formed) on the display screen 7a.

When the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72 appear, the display ranges of the display sections 71 and 72 (each screen size after division) are approximately equal, and the movable presentation member 14 moves toward the standby position (descends). ) until the start of the process. Further, as the movable performance member 14 operates (raises), the performance pattern 8 that is being displayed in a variable manner is displayed in a small size at the upper right of the display screen 7a, that is, at the upper right of the upper display section 71.

When the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72 appear on the display screen 7a, the effects are then developed as shown in FIGS. 46(C) to (E). FIGS. 46(C) to 46(E) are aspects of effects executed during the period from time t1 to time t2 of the timing chart shown in FIG. 45(A), that is, the second period.

In the second period, a predetermined effect image is displayed on the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72 that appeared on the display screen 7a in the previous first period, and effect display is performed on each display section 71, 72. In this embodiment, a character image imitating a person is displayed on each display section 71, 72. Here, a first character image 710 of character A (hereinafter also referred to as "character A") is displayed on the upper display section 71, and a second character image 720 of character B (hereinafter also referred to as "character B") is displayed on the lower part. It is displayed on the display unit 72 (see FIG. 46(C)). Then, on each of the display sections 71 and 72, an effect display is performed using character images 710 and 720 representing characters A and B performing predetermined movements (actions), respectively.

Note that in this embodiment, it is assumed that the first character image 710 (character A) is displayed on the upper display section 71 and the second character image 720 (character B) is displayed on the lower display section 72; It is also possible to turn the character upside down. Further, the configuration is configured such that character images of characters other than characters A and B are displayed, item images imitating predetermined items are displayed, and character images representing predetermined titles, messages, etc. are displayed. It is also possible.

While the character images 710 and 720 are displayed on the display sections 71 and 72, when a predetermined notice execution timing (for example, 4 seconds has elapsed since the start of the change), a predetermined notice image is displayed on the upper display section 71. (also referred to as a "specific image") is displayed. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 46(D), a cut-in image 730 corresponding to the character (character A in this case) displayed on the upper display section 71 is displayed on the upper display section 71.

The cut-in image 730 (notice image, specific image) is displayed as a change notice (suggestion effect) that suggests the jackpot expectation level (gaming information related to the game) of the change effect currently being executed (the change). It is. In this embodiment, the cut-in image 730 includes a plurality of types of cut-in images with different cut-in background colors (cut-in colors). Specifically, there are three types: a red cut-in image with a red background color, a green cut-in image with a green background color, and a blue cut-in image with a blue background color. A performance that indicates the expectation level of a jackpot related to the currently running variation performance (the variation) by displaying such a cut-in image is also referred to as a "cut-in notice."

When executing the cut-in notice, which of the three types of cut-in images will be displayed is determined (set) in the above-mentioned S4506. That is, in the preview performance setting process (S4506), a cut-in preview pattern that displays any one of the three types of cut-in images is set as the preview performance pattern to be executed in the first specific variable performance. The setting (selection) conditions for the cut-in notice pattern (selection rate in the case of a jackpot, selection rate in the case of a miss, etc.) can be determined by, for example, the cut-in notice pattern determination table shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 47(A) is a cut-in notice pattern determination table used when the result of special symbol validity determination (mainly special symbol 1 validity determination) is a jackpot (excluding 2R jackpot) in a low-accuracy, low-base state. (B) is a cut-in notice pattern determination table used when the result of special symbol validity determination (mainly special symbol 1 validity determination) is a failure in a low-accuracy, low-base state. As shown in the figure, for both jackpots and misses, the value of the random number for determining the preview performance (for example, 0 to 99) is set to the "first cut-in notice pattern" and the "second cut-in notice pattern". and the data structure assigned to the "third cut-in notice pattern".

The first cut-in notice pattern is a pattern in which a blue cut-in image is displayed (blue cut-in), the second cut-in notice pattern is a pattern in which a green cut-in image is displayed (green cut-in), The third cut-in notice pattern is a pattern in which a red cut-in image is displayed (red cut-in).

According to the cut-in notice pattern determination tables in FIGS. 47(A) and (B), when the cut-in notice pattern is set in S4506, the first cut-in notice pattern, the second cut-in notice pattern, or the third cut-in notice pattern An in-notice pattern is set. If the result of the special symbol validity judgment is a jackpot, the possibility of setting (selecting) the first cut-in notice pattern, second cut-in notice pattern, and third cut-in notice pattern increases in this order, while the special symbol validity If the result of the determination is negative, the possibility of setting (selecting) the first cut-in notice pattern, the second cut-in notice pattern, and the third cut-in notice pattern becomes lower in this order. Based on these settings (selection) possibilities (selection rates), the expectation of jackpot for cut-in notices is highest for red, followed by green and then blue (red cut-in image> Green cut-in image > Blue cut-in image). Through the cut-in notice set in this way, it becomes possible for the player to grasp the level of expectation for a jackpot regarding the current variation performance (the variation), and when the red cut-in image is displayed, the player's expectation level for a jackpot will increase. This will result in an even higher increase.

Then, when the cut-in image 730 is displayed on the upper display section 71 and a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, the movable effect member 14 starts operating and the display screen 7a is displayed as shown in FIG. 46(E). Lower (move) the front side. At this time, in accordance with the lowering of the movable presentation member 14, the display range of the upper display section 71 is expanded, and the display range of the lower display section 72 is reduced. Additionally, along with this, the character images 710 and 720, which were previously displayed separately on the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72, are now displayed together on the upper display section 71, whose display range is expanded. become. Here, an effect display (moving display) in which the second character image 720 (character B) displayed on the lower display section 72 appears to move to the upper display section 71 is performed. When the movable presentation member 14 descends in this way and eventually comes off completely from above the display screen 7a, the lower display section 72 disappears, and the upper display section 71 comes to occupy the entire display screen 7a. As a result, the display screen 7a returns to the original one screen, and character images 710 and 720 (characters A and B) are displayed on the display screen 7a. Note that the movable presentation member 14 that has been lowered on the near side of the display screen 7a stops at the standby position.

When the display screen 7a returns to one screen, the effect is then developed as shown in FIG. 46(F). FIG. 46(F) shows an aspect of the effect executed in the period after time t2 of the timing chart shown in FIG. 45(A), that is, in the third period.

In the third period, an effect display is performed on the display screen 7a using the character images 710, 720 (characters A, B) that were displayed on the respective display sections 71, 72 in the previous second period. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 46(F), an effect depicting characters A and B chasing a balloon 740 on which the letters "SP" representing super reach are written is displayed. Then, after either character A or B grabs the balloon 740 or the balloon 740 disappears from the screen without grabbing the balloon 740, the effect pattern 8 that is being displayed in a variable manner changes. It is displayed at approximately the center (original display position) of the display screen 7a, and the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol are stopped in order and displayed in a ready-to-reach manner. With the display of this reach mode (reach established), the performance of the third period, that is, the movable display performance (first movable display performance) of the first specific variable performance ends, and after this, the reach performance is executed on the display screen 7a. be done.

In addition, in the performance display of the third period shown in FIG. If you do not catch 740, the subsequent reach effect in the variation will be either normal reach or SP reach. Then, after the ready-to-win performance, the performance symbol 8 is stopped and displayed approximately in the center of the display screen 7a (performance symbol display area 7b) in a jackpot mode or a miss mode, thereby ending the first specific variation performance.

The above is an overview of the first specific variation effect (first specific effect) according to this embodiment, and the effect displays executed in the second period and the third period are shown in FIGS. 46(C) to 46(F). Aspects other than those described above may also be used. Further, various types of effect display can be executed in the second period and the third period depending on the variable effect pattern (first specific variable effect pattern) set in S4505 and the preview effect pattern set in S4506. is also possible. For example, a plurality of first specific variable effect patterns in which the effect display mode displayed on the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72 in the second period, the effect display mode displayed on the display screen 7a in the third period, etc. are different. It is also possible to provide a preview performance pattern and configure one of them to be set in S4505 and S4506. Thereby, it becomes possible to make the first specific variation effect diverse. In addition, in this embodiment, the cut-in notice performance pattern to be executed in the second period is set as the preview performance pattern, but the cut-in notice performance pattern is included in the first specific variable performance pattern, and the cut-in notice performance pattern is included in the first specific variable performance pattern. It is also possible to set the preview as a variable performance pattern. Thereby, it becomes possible to unify the performance patterns that make up the first specific variable performance, and it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of design, control, etc. of the performance.

[Second specific variation performance]
As mentioned above, in the second specific fluctuation performance, during the fluctuation display of the performance symbol 8, after the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol stop (temporarily stop) in the reach symbol (ready-to-reach mode), the movable performance member 14 is activated. At the same time, a performance display corresponding to the operation is a variable performance that is performed on the display screen 7a. In other words, it is a variable performance in which a movable display performance (second movable display performance) is performed after the reach of the performance symbol 8 is established. Further, the second specific variation performance is a variation performance that can be executed in conjunction with the variation when the variation time of the special symbol is 45000 ms or more. Hereinafter, a specific example of the second specific variation effect will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. 45(B) and the transition of the effect display shown in FIG. 48.

In the second specific fluctuation performance, as shown in FIG. 45(B), after the start (time t0) of the fluctuation performance (fluctuating display of the performance symbol 8), the movable display performance is executed after time t1, which is the reach establishment timing. A movable display performance period is set. The execution period after the reach is established (after time t1) can be roughly divided into a movable display performance period and a period in which the second half of the reach performance after the movable display performance (also referred to as "development performance") is executed. . In this embodiment, the movable display effect period is composed of a plurality of periods. Specifically, out of the execution period of the second specific variation effect, the first period from time t1 to time t2, the second period from time t2 to time 3 (after the first period), and after time t3. A movable display effect period is constituted by three periods, ie, a third period (after the second period) (see FIG. 45(B)), and a corresponding effect is executed in each period.

After the start of the second specific fluctuation performance (after time t0), the first stop symbol (left performance symbol 8L) and second stop symbol (right performance symbol 8R) stop (temporary stop) and reach is established (time t1 ), first, the effects are developed as shown in FIGS. 48(A) and 48(B). FIGS. 48(A) to 48(B) are aspects of effects executed during the period from time t1 to time t2 of the timing chart shown in FIG. 45(B), that is, the first period.

In the first period, as shown in FIG. 48(A), the effect pattern 8 is displayed in a ready-to-reach mode approximately at the center of the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 until a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed since the ready-to-win is established. be done. At this time, since the movable performance member 14 is at a standby position below the display screen 7a (on the back side of the game board 2), it does not enter the player's field of view, and substantially the entire display screen 7a is visible to the player. Then, when a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed since the reach is established, a movable display effect (second movable display effect) is started.

When the movable display effect (second movable display effect) is started, the movable effect member 14 starts operating and moves up (moves) the front side of the display screen 7a, and as shown in FIG. 48(B), the display It stops at a position slightly below the middle of the screen 7a in the vertical direction, specifically, at a position about ⅓ above the lower side of the display screen 7a (second operating position). At this time, the display screen 7a is covered with the movable presentation member 14 over the entire left and right portions (horizontal direction) approximately ⅓ above the bottom edge, and the upper display portion 75 ( The upper screen) and the lower display section 76 (lower screen) become visible. That is, the display screen 7a is divided into upper and lower parts (two screens) by the operation of the movable presentation member 14, and the upper display section 75 and the lower display section 76 appear (formed) on the display screen 7a.

When the upper display section 75 and the lower display section 76 appear, the display range of each display section 75, 76 (each screen size after division) is that the upper display section 75 is larger (wider) than the lower display section 76. This state is maintained until the movable presentation member 14 starts moving (lowering) toward the standby position. In addition, as the movable presentation member 14 operates (raises), the left presentation symbol 8L (first stop symbol) and right presentation symbol 8R (second stop symbol) that constitute the reach mode are moved to the left and right upper portions of the display screen 7a, respectively. That is, the left and right presentation symbols 8C (third stop symbol) are displayed in a small size (temporary stop display) at the left and right upper portions of the upper display section 75, and the left and right presentation symbols 8L and 8L are displayed approximately in the center of the upper display section 75. It is displayed larger than 8R (variably displayed).

When the upper display section 75 and the lower display section 76 appear on the display screen 7a, the effects are then developed as shown in FIGS. 48(C) to 48(F). FIGS. 48(C) to 48(F) are aspects of effects executed during the period from time t2 to time t3 of the timing chart shown in FIG. 45(B), that is, the second period.

In the second period, first, as shown in FIG. 48(C), an icon image (first suggestion image) that suggests the jackpot expectation level (gaming information related to the game) of the currently executing fluctuation performance (the fluctuation) is displayed on the lower display section 76. In this example, an image imitating a sphere (sphere image) with letters indicating the expectation of jackpot is used as an icon image, and multiple icon images with different contents (gaming information) of the letters attached to the sphere are used as icon images. It has various icon images. Specifically, a first icon image 761 with the words "development" attached, a second icon image 763 with the words "great opportunity" attached, and a third icon image 763 with the letters "extremely hot" attached. There are three types of icon images 765. Note that the number of icon images does not need to be three, and may be one or two, or four or more types.

When displaying the icon images, the first icon image 761 appears from the left end of the lower display section 76 and is displayed moving toward the right end of the lower display section 76, and thereafter, the second icon image 761 is displayed in the same manner. 763 and the third icon image 763 are displayed in order (see FIG. 48(C)). With this display mode, an effect is created in which the first to third icon images 761, 763, and 765 appear to be passing (crossing) the lower display section 76. Furthermore, since the display of these icon images is executed after the reach is achieved during the second specific variation effect, the characters attached to the icon images (spherical images) are information that suggests the degree of expectation for the reach effect. I can say that.

In the second period, while the three icon images 761, 763, and 765 are thus displayed on the lower display section 76, as shown in FIGS. An effect display is performed in which a lightning bolt is shot toward the icon image of the section 76. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 48(C), first to third icon images 761, 763, and 765 are sequentially displayed on the lower display section 76, and each icon image is displayed toward the right end of the lower display section 76. As it moves, as shown in FIG. 48(D), when a lightning bolt 750 is shot at the first icon image 761, the word "development" attached to the first icon image 761 where the lightning bolt 750 was shot moves to the upper display section 75, and along with the movement, an effect display (not shown) showing the first icon image 761 disappearing is performed. After that, as shown in FIG. 48(E), the first character image 751 (second suggestion image) representing the character "Development" is applied to each of the left effect pattern 8L and right effect pattern 8R that constitute the reach mode. displayed below. That is, the first character images 751, 751 (information images) corresponding to the characters attached to the first icon image 761 displayed on the lower display section 76 are displayed on the upper display section 75, and the first icon image 761 is deleted from the lower display section 76.

Further, as shown in FIG. 48(E), when a lightning bolt 750 is shot at the second icon image 763, the words "Great Opportunity" are attached to the second icon image 763 where the lightning bolt 750 was shot. moves to the upper display section 75, and an effect display (not shown) is performed that shows how the second icon image 763 disappears as the second icon image 763 moves to the upper display section 75. After that, as shown in FIG. 48(F), a second character image 753 (second suggestion image) representing the characters "Great Opportunity" is attached to each of the left effect pattern 8L and right effect pattern 8R that constitute the reach mode. displayed below. That is, the second character images 753, 753 (information images) corresponding to the characters attached to the second icon image 763 displayed on the lower display section 76 are displayed on the upper display section 75, and the second icon image 763 is deleted from the lower display section 76. After this, when the lightning bolt 750 is also shot at the third icon image 765, a third character image (not shown) representing the characters "intense heat" is similarly displayed on the upper display section 75. At the same time, the third icon image 765 is deleted from the lower display section 76.

In this way, in the second period, a lightning bolt is shot from the upper display section 75 to the icon image on the lower display section 76, and a character image corresponding to the character attached to the icon image that received the lightning is displayed on the upper display section 76. A series of effects are displayed in which the icon images are displayed and the icon images are erased, thereby creating an effect that makes it appear that the icon (character) that received the lightning bolt moves from the lower display section 76 to the upper display section 75 and is stocked. Ru. Then, the content of the character image (in this example, "Development", "Great Opportunity", or "Extreme Heat") that is finally displayed (stocked) on the upper display section 75 is changed to the currently running variable performance (the relevant This indicates the expectation level of jackpot (change). That is, the content of the character image finally displayed on the upper display section 75 determines the suggestion of the jackpot expectation level of the currently executed variation performance (the variation).

In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a pair of left and right character images are displayed below each of the left effect pattern 8L and right effect pattern 8R that constitute the ready-to-reach mode (FIGS. 48(E), (F), etc.) ), the display position and number of character images are not limited to this example. For example, the left effect pattern 8L and the right effect pattern that constitute the reach mode shown in FIGS. 48(E) and (F) etc. One horizontally written character image may be displayed between 8R, or a relatively small character image that is large enough to recognize the displayed content (characters) may be displayed over the entire background of the upper display section 75. Is possible. In addition, instead of displaying a character image, the background color (background image color) of the upper display section 75 can be changed to a color corresponding to the jackpot expectation level suggested by the characters attached to the icon image (for example, if it is extremely hot, It is also possible to use red for great opportunities, green for great opportunities, and blue for development.

Further, the suggestion of the jackpot expectation level by the icon image does not need to be a text, and may be, for example, a figure, symbol, item, character, etc. determined depending on the level of the jackpot expectation level. This also applies to character images (information images corresponding to icon images) displayed on the upper display section 75.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contents of suggestions (gaming information) by icon images and character images are used as the jackpot expectation level, but the content of suggestions by these images does not have to be the jackpot expectation level. (This variation) allows you to specify the type of character that will appear later (character name), the type of reach effect that will be executed later (reach name, reach title), the type of preview effect that will be executed later (notice name, preview title), etc. , the content (gaming information) suggested by icon images and character images.

Here, in the above-mentioned second period, "display of the icon image on the lower display section 76 (moving display)", "lightning discharge from the upper display section 75 to the icon image on the lower display section 76", and "display of the icon image on the upper display section 76" A performance that suggests the jackpot expectation level (expectation level of reach performance) related to the currently running fluctuation performance (the fluctuation) by a series of performance displays (performance actions) including "display of character images in the icon" It is also called a passing preview performance.

The performance pattern when the icon passing notice performance is executed is determined (set) in the above-mentioned S4506. That is, in the preview performance setting process (S4506), the icon passing preview performance pattern is set as the preview performance pattern to be executed in the second specific variable performance. The setting (selection) conditions for the icon passing notice presentation pattern (selection rate in the case of jackpot, selection rate in the case of loss, etc.) can be determined by, for example, the icon passing notice pattern determination table shown in FIG. 50.

FIG. 50(A) is an icon passing notice pattern determination table used when the result of special symbol validity determination (mainly special symbol 1 validity determination) is a jackpot (excluding 2R jackpot) in a low probability low base state. (B) is an icon passing notice pattern determination table used when the result of special symbol validity determination (mainly special symbol 1 validity determination) is a failure in a low-accuracy, low-base state. As shown in the figure, for both the jackpot and the miss, the value of the random number for determining the preview performance (for example, 0 to 99) is set to the "first icon passing notice pattern" and the "second icon passing notice pattern". , the data structure assigned to the "third icon passing notice pattern" and the "fourth icon passing notice pattern". Note that in each table, "-" means that the value of the random number for determining the preview performance is not assigned, that is, it is not selected (not selected).

The first icon passing notice pattern is that after the first to third icon images 761, 763, 765 are displayed on the lower display section 76, a lightning bolt is shot from the upper display section 75 toward the first icon image 761. In this pattern, the first character image 751 of "Development" is displayed on the upper display section 75 and the first icon image 761 on the lower display section 76 is deleted (see FIGS. 48(D) and (E)). reference).

The second icon passing notice pattern is that after the first to third icon images 761, 763, and 765 are displayed on the lower display section 76, a lightning bolt is shot from the upper display section 75 toward the first icon image 761. In response, the first character image 751 of "Development" is displayed on the upper display section 75 and the first icon image 761 on the lower display section 76 is erased, and then the first character image 751 of "Development" is displayed on the upper display section 75 toward the second icon image 763. In this pattern, a lightning bolt is shot, and in response to this, the second character image 753 of "Great Opportunity" is displayed on the upper display section 75, and the second icon image 763 on the lower display section 76 is erased (Fig. 48 (See (E), (F)).

The third icon passing notice pattern is that after the first to third icon images 761, 763, and 765 are displayed on the lower display section 76, a lightning bolt is shot from the upper display section 75 toward the first icon image 761. In response, the first character image 751 of "Development" is displayed on the upper display section 75 and the first icon image 761 on the lower display section 76 is erased, and then the first character image 751 of "Development" is displayed on the upper display section 75 toward the second icon image 763. In response to this, the second character image 753 of "Great Opportunity" is displayed on the upper display section 75, the second icon image 763 on the lower display section 76 is erased, and then the third icon A lightning bolt is emitted from the upper display section 75 toward the image 765, and in response to this, the third character image (not shown) of "intense heat" is displayed on the upper display section 75, and the third character image of the lower display section 76 is displayed. This is a pattern in which the icon image 765 is deleted.

In the fourth icon passing notice pattern, only the third icon image 765 among the first to third icon images 761, 763, 765 is displayed on the lower display section 76, and then the third icon image 765 is displayed upward. A lightning bolt is emitted from the section 75, and in response to this, the third character image (not shown) of "intense heat" is displayed on the upper display section 75, and the third icon image 765 on the lower display section 76 is erased. It's a pattern.

According to the icon passing notice pattern determination table in FIGS. 50(A) and (B), when the icon passing notice pattern is set in S4506, the variation time of the variation is 45000 ms (variation patterns P2, P5, P9). If so, the first icon passing notice pattern, the second icon passing notice pattern, or the third icon passing notice pattern is set, and if the variation time of the variation is 75000ms (variation patterns P1, P4, P8), the first icon passing notice pattern A passing notice pattern, a second icon passing notice pattern, a third icon passing notice pattern, or a fourth icon passing notice pattern is set. Regardless of whether the fluctuation time of the fluctuation is 45,000ms or 75,000ms, if the result of the special symbol validity judgment is a jackpot, the first icon passing notice pattern, the second icon passing notice pattern, and the third icon passing notice pattern. The possibility of setting (selecting) increases in this order, but if the result of special symbol validity judgment is incorrect, setting (selecting) the first icon passing notice pattern, second icon passing notice pattern, and third icon passing notice pattern in that order. ) less likely. In addition, if the fluctuation time of the fluctuation is 75000 ms, the possibility of setting (selection) is lower than that of the first to third icon passage notification patterns, but in addition to the first to third icon passage notification patterns, the fourth icon There is also a possibility that a passing notice pattern may be set (selected), and the possibility of setting (selection) is higher when the result of the special symbol validity determination is a jackpot than when the result is a miss. Based on these settings (selection) possibilities (selection rates), the expected jackpot of the icon passing notice performance is the highest for the fourth icon passing notice pattern, followed by the third icon passing notice pattern and the second icon passing notice pattern. The notification pattern is ranked lower in the order of the first icon passage notification pattern. Through the icon passing preview performance set in this way, the player can grasp the jackpot expectation level (expectation level of reach performance) related to the current fluctuation performance (the fluctuation), and the third character of "fierce heat" When the image is finally displayed, expectations for a jackpot will further increase.

In addition, in the icon passing notice performance based on the fourth icon passing notice pattern, after the upper display section 75 and the lower display section 76 appear on the display screen 7a, the third icon image 765 is displayed on the lower display section 76, and the first The icon image 761 (development) and the second icon image 763 (great opportunity) are not displayed. Therefore, at the time when only the third icon image 765 (only one icon image) is displayed on the lower display section 76, the jackpot expectation level (expectation level of reach effect) of the variable effect is "extremely hot". is confirmed.

When the icon passage notice effect performed as described above is completed, the effect is then developed as shown in FIGS. 49(G) to (H). FIGS. 49(G) to 49(H) are aspects of effects executed in the period after time t3 of the timing chart shown in FIG. 45(B), that is, in the third period.

In the third period, when the icon passing notice effect in the previous second period ends, the movable effect member 14 starts operating and moves downward (moves) on the near side of the display screen 7a, as shown in FIG. 49(G). do. At this time, the display range of the upper display section 75 is expanded and the display range of the lower display section 76 is reduced in accordance with the lowering of the movable presentation member 14. When the movable presentation member 14 descends and eventually comes off completely from above the display screen 7a, the lower display section 76 disappears and the upper display section 75 covers the entire display screen 7a (the entire area). come to occupy As a result, the display screen 7a returns to the original one screen, and the developed performance (reach second half performance) included in the second specific variation performance (second specific variation performance pattern) is displayed on the display screen 7a. The start of this development performance (return to one screen) marks the end of the third period of performance, that is, the movable display performance (second movable display performance) of the second specific variation performance, and after this, the development performance will continue on the display screen 7a. executed. Note that the movable presentation member 14 that has been lowered on the front side of the display screen 7a stops at the standby position.

While the development effect is executed (displayed) in the second specific variation effect, the three effect symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed in a small size at the upper right of the display screen 7a in a variable display state again (FIG. 49(H) ). Furthermore, while the development effect is being executed (displayed), the character image displayed on the upper display section 75 in the previous icon passing preview effect (second period) is displayed as is (see FIG. 49(H)). . Then, after the development performance, the performance symbol 8 is stopped and displayed in a jackpot mode or a miss mode approximately at the center of the display screen 7a (performance symbol display area 7b), thereby ending the second specific variation performance.

The above is an overview of the second specific variation effect according to the present embodiment, but the effect display executed in the second period may be in modes other than those shown in FIGS. 48(C) to (F). Further, it is also possible to enable various types of effect display to be executed in the second period depending on the variable effect pattern (second specific variable effect pattern) set in S4505 and the preview effect pattern set in S4506. . For example, a plurality of second specific variable performance patterns and preview performance patterns that are displayed on the upper display section 75 and the lower display section 76 in the second period are provided, and any one of them is set in S4505 and S4506. It can be configured to be set with . Thereby, it becomes possible to make the second specific variation effect diverse. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance pattern of the icon passing preview performance to be executed in the second period is set as the preview performance pattern, but the performance pattern of the icon passing preview performance is included in the second specific variable performance pattern. It is also possible to set it as a variable performance pattern. This makes it possible to unify the performance patterns that make up the second specific variable performance, making it possible to improve the efficiency of performance design, control, etc.

[Effects of Examples]
In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment described above, when the first specific variable performance (specific performance) is executed as a performance related to the game, the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72 appear on the display screen 7a. A first character image 710 (character A) is displayed on the upper display section 71, and a second character image 720 (character B) is displayed on the lower display section 72 (see FIGS. 46(B) and 46(C)). After that, the cut-in image 730 is displayed on the upper display section 71 where the first character image 710 (character A) is displayed (see FIG. 46(D)), and then the display range of the upper display section 71 is expanded. At the same time, the display range of the lower display section 72 is reduced (see FIG. 46(E)), and finally the lower display section 72 disappears. Then, on the display screen 7a after the lower display section 72 disappears, the effect display by the character images 710 and 720 (characters A and B) that were previously displayed on the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72 is displayed. (See Figure 46(F)). Through this series of effects, characters A and B (character images 710, 720), which were initially displayed on separate upper and lower display sections, are finally displayed on the remaining display section (display screen 7a), and the effect unfolds. This makes it possible to perform expressions such as ``to be played''. This makes it possible to realize novel effects that attract players and increase the interest of the game.

In particular, in this embodiment, when the display range of the upper display section 71 is expanded, a cut-in image as a cut-in notice is displayed on the upper display section 71, and after the cut-in notice, the display range of the upper display section 71 is expanded. is expanded. Therefore, it is possible to draw the player's attention to the upper display section 71 whose display range is expanded, and to arouse expectations for the variable performance being executed (the first specific variable performance). This makes it possible to effectively attract players to the specific variable performance being executed.

In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, after the first specific variable effect starts, the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72 appear on the display screen 7a, and then the display range of the upper display section 71 is expanded. Up until now, the display ranges of the upper display section 71 and the lower display section 72 have been kept approximately equal. Therefore, until the display range of the upper display section 71 is expanded, it is possible to draw the player's attention to the display contents of the respective display sections 71 and 72 (effect display by characters A and B). Thereby, it becomes possible for the player to enjoy the effects displayed by each display section appearing on the display screen 7a.

In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a second specific variable effect (specific effect) is executed as an effect related to the game, an upper display section 75 and a lower display section 76 appear on the display screen 7a, The lower display part 76 (first display part) of these displays a plurality of icon images (three types of icon images 761, 763 in this embodiment) with characters indicating the jackpot expectation level (gaming information related to the game). , 765) is displayed (see FIG. 48(C)). The text attached to each icon image suggests different jackpot expectations, and the level of expectation is determined for each icon image. Then, an effect display is performed in which a lightning bolt is shot at at least one of the three icon images displayed on the lower display section 76, and the jackpot expectation level (game information) suggested by the icon image that received the lightning bolt. The character image (information image) corresponding to is displayed on the upper display section 75 (second display section), and the icon image that received the lightning bolt (the icon image that triggered the display of the character image) is displayed on the lower display section 76. (See FIGS. 48(D) to (F)). Through a series of effects (icon passage notice effect) from "displaying an icon image on the lower display section 76" to "displaying a character image on the upper display section 75," an effect suggesting game information related to the game ( (suggestive performance) is realized. This makes it possible to realize novel effects that attract players and increase the interest of the game.

In particular, in this embodiment, the number of times lightning bolts are emitted for the three icon images displayed on the lower display section 76 and the number of times that character images are displayed on the upper display section 75 (that is, from the lower display section 76 to the upper display section 75) It has a plurality of icon passing notice patterns (in this embodiment, the first to fourth icon passing notice patterns) that differ in the number of times the icon (character) moves to, and the icon passing notice effect is based on any one of them. is executed during the second specific variation performance (second period). Therefore, it is possible to draw the player's attention to which of the three icon images (gaming information) displayed on the lower display section 76 corresponds to which character image (information image) is displayed on the upper display section 75. becomes. This makes it possible to increase the player's interest in the second specific variation performance (icon passing preview performance).

In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, after the start of the second specific variation performance, the left performance symbol 8L and the right performance symbol 8R are displayed in a reach mode (reach symbol), and then the movable As a display effect, an icon passing preview effect (effect related to the second period) is executed (see FIG. 48). Therefore, it is possible to draw the attention of the player to the performance development after the reach is established. This makes it possible to increase the interest of the game after the reach is established.

In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the jackpot expectation level suggested by the icon image and character image displayed in the icon passing notice performance executed after the reach is established is as follows: This is information (expectation level of reach performance) regarding the development performance (reach performance in the second half) that will be executed. For this reason, the series of performances from "displaying the icon image on the lower display section 76" to "displaying the character image on the upper display section 75", that is, the icon passing preview production, is the development of the fluctuating display after the reach is established. It comes to function as a production that suggests (suggestive production). This makes it possible to further increase the interest of the game after the reach is established.

In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the movable display effect is started while the specific variable effect is being executed, and the movable effect member 14 moves up on the near side of the display screen 7a to a predetermined position (the first position) on the display screen 7a. By stopping at the first operating position and the second operating position, the display screen 7a is partially covered by the movable presentation member 14. The portion other than the portion covered by the movable presentation member 14 forms two upper and lower display portions on the display screen 7a (see FIGS. 46 and 48). Therefore, it is possible to create an effect in which a plurality of (two in this embodiment) display sections appear on the display screen 7a as the movable effect member 14 moves. This makes it possible to enhance the performance effect of the specific variation performance.

In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, after the performance display is performed with the movable performance member 14 stopped at a predetermined position (first operating position, second operating position) on the display screen 7a, the movable performance is displayed. As the member 14 descends, the display range of the upper display section of the upper and lower display sections formed on the display screen 7a is expanded. Therefore, it is possible to create an effect in which the display range of one display section is expanded as the movable effect member 14 moves. This makes it possible to further enhance the performance effect of the specific variation performance.

Although examples have been described above as embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is not limited to the wording of each claim as long as it does not deviate from the scope described in each claim. It is possible for a person skilled in the art to easily replace them, and to appropriately add improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the movable display performance period in which the movable display performance is executed is made up of three periods, the first to third periods, out of the execution time of the specific variable performance. It is also possible to set the period to four or more periods. For example, in the first specific variation effect, FIGS. 46(B) to (D) may be the first period, and FIGS. 46(E) to (F) may be the second period. Furthermore, in the second specific variation effect, FIGS. 48(B) to (C) may be the first period, and FIGS. 48(D) to (F) may be the second period. Alternatively, in the first specific variation performance, FIG. 46(B) is the first period, FIG. 46(C) is the second period, FIG. 46(D) is the third period, and FIGS. 46(E) to (F ) may be set as the fourth period. In addition, in the second specific fluctuation performance, FIG. 48(B) is the first period, FIG. 48(C) is the second period, FIGS. 48(D) to (F) are the third period, and FIG. 49(G) is the second period. ) to (H) may be set as the fourth period. In other words, it is possible to broadly divide or subdivide the movable performance period compared to the embodiment.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the movable effect member 14 that can move on the front side of the display screen 7a is provided, and by positioning the movable effect member 14 on the front side of the display screen 7a, the movable effect member 14 is bordered. The display screen 7a was divided into two to form two display parts, but a production image (layer) corresponding to the movable production member 14 is provided, and the production image is displayed on the display screen 7a on which the variable production is displayed. By displaying , a plurality of display sections may be made to appear (formed) on the display screen 7a. That is, the movable presentation member 14 shown in FIGS. 46, 48, etc. may be replaced with an image. This makes it possible to variously determine the number, shape, size, etc. of each display section when a plurality of display sections appear on the display screen 7a, and it becomes possible to increase the degree of freedom in presentation.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it was assumed that two display parts, the upper display part and the lower display part, appear (formed) on the display screen 7a during the execution of the specific variation effect (specific effect). The number of display units, positional relationship, etc. are not limited to this embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 51(A), two movable presentation members 14A and 14B extending in the left and right (horizontal) directions are provided as movable presentation members that can move up and down (vertically) on the near side of the display screen 7a. , each may be positioned on the front side of the display screen 7a, so that three display sections (upper and lower) appear on the display screen 7a (the display screen 7a is divided into upper and lower parts). Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 51(B), one movable presentation member 14H that can be moved in the left and right (horizontal) direction is provided in front of the display screen 7a, and this movable presentation member 14H is moved in front of the display screen 7a. By positioning it on the side, it may be configured so that two left and right display sections appear on the display screen 7a (the display screen 7a is divided into left and right halves). Or, for example, as shown in FIG. 51(C), one movable effect member 14W that can move the front side of the display screen 7a in the up and down (vertical) direction and the front side of the display screen 7a can be moved in the left and right (horizontal) directions. By providing one movable presentation member 14H that can be moved to the top and bottom, and by positioning either or both of the movable presentation member 14W and the movable presentation member 14H on the front side of the display screen 7a, two upper and lower portions are provided on the display screen 7a. It is possible to make a display part appear (split the display screen 7a into two, top and bottom), make two display parts appear on the left and right on the display screen 7a (split the display screen 7a into left and right halves), or make the display screen 7a have four display parts on the top, bottom, left and right. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which two display sections appear (the display screen 7a is divided into four parts, top, bottom, left, and right). Also in these configurations, it is possible to perform the movable display effect in the same manner as the specific variation effect according to the above-described embodiment. Note that it is also possible to replace the movable effect members shown in FIGS. 51(A) to 51(C) with images (boundary images) as described above.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the movable effect member 14 rises on the near side of the display screen 7a, the limit position of the rise is approximately the middle position in the vertical direction of the display screen 7a. It may be configured so that it can rise further, or it may be configured so that it passes over the upper side of the display screen 7a and stops at a position completely off the top of the display screen 7a (second standby position).

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 46(B), 48(B), etc., after the movable effect member 14 appears on the near side of the display screen 7a, it begins to descend toward the standby position. Up until now, it was assumed that the movable effect member 14 did not operate, but after appearing in front of the display screen 7a, it moves up and down within the display range (within the display area) of the display screen 7a, and repeats up and down movements a predetermined number of times. It may be configured to operate in a predetermined operating mode during the movable display effect, such as by. In this case, it is possible to perform an effect display in which the display contents of the upper display section and the lower display section change in accordance with the operation of the movable effect member 14. This makes it easier to draw the player's attention to the display screen on which the movable display effect is being performed, making it possible to further enhance the interest of the game.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 46(B) and 48(B), the movable effect member 14 appears in front of the display screen 7a and then descends toward the standby position. Accordingly, the display range of the upper display section is expanded, the display range of the lower display section is reduced, and the lower display section disappears, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration opposite to this. That is, a standby position is provided above the display screen 7a (image display device 7), and after the movable effect member 14 appears on the near side of the display screen 7a, as it rises toward the standby position, the display on the lower display section changes. The range may be expanded, the display range of the upper display section may be reduced, and the upper display section may disappear. It is also possible to increase the interest of the game by using performance patterns (specific variation performance patterns, preview performance patterns) that realize the configuration opposite to those of the examples, and by adding such reverse performance patterns to the examples, specific fluctuation performance patterns It is possible to diversify the production (specific production).

Specifically, for example, as in the above embodiment, after the movable effect member 14 appears on the near side of the display screen 7a in the first specific variable effect, a cut-in image is displayed on the upper display section 71, and then As a mode opposite to the mode in which the movable effect member 14 descends and the display range of the upper display section 71 is expanded, the movable effect member 14 moves up after displaying the cut-in image on the lower display section 72 and expands the display range of the upper display section 71. An aspect may be provided in which the display range of 72 is expanded. In addition, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, after the movable effect member 14 appears on the front side of the display screen 7a in the second specific variation effect, "display of the icon image on the lower display section 76" and "display of the icon image on the upper display section 75" are performed. The movable presentation member 14 descends through the process of ``displaying a character image on the upper display section 75 + erasing the icon image on the lower display section 76'' and expanding the display range of the upper display section 75. The opposite aspects include "displaying an icon image on the upper display section 75", "discharging a lightning bolt from the lower display section 76 to the icon image", and "displaying a character image on the lower display section 76 + displaying the upper display section 75". It is possible to provide an aspect in which the movable presentation member 14 rises after the "icon image deletion" process and the display range of the lower display section 76 is expanded. In this case, when the movable effect member 14 appears on the front side of the display screen 7a and the upper display section 75 and the lower display section 76 are formed, the display range of each display section is such that the upper display section 75 is lower than the upper display section 75. It may be made larger (wider) than the portion 76.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the specific variation performance pattern is set in S4505, the first specific variation performance pattern or the second specific variation performance pattern is set. That is, when one variation performance is executed as a specific variation performance, the variation performance is executed as a first specific variation performance or a second specific variation performance. Therefore, both the first movable display performance included in the first specific variation performance and the second movable display performance included in the second specific variation performance are executed during one (same) variation performance. It was assumed that one or the other would be executed. On the other hand, both the first movable display effect and the second movable display effect may be executed at different timings (predetermined time difference) during one variable effect (specific variable effect). For example, in one variation performance (specific variation performance), the first movable display performance is executed from the start of variation of the performance symbol to the stop of the first stop symbol, and then, after the reach of the performance symbol is established, the second movable display is performed. A specific variable effect pattern may be provided in which the effect is executed. In this case, it is desirable to correspond to a variation pattern in which the variation time is 45000 ms or more. This is to ensure the execution time of the movable display effect after the reach is established.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the effects shown in FIGS. 46(B) to (F) (first movable display effect) are executed from the start of variation of the effect symbols to the stop of the first stop symbol, and the effects shown in FIG. Although the effects shown in FIG. 49 (G) (second movable display effect) are executed after the reach is established, the execution order (execution timing) of these effects may be changed. That is, the effects shown in FIGS. 48(B) to 49(G) are executed from the start of variation of the effect symbols to the stop of the first stop symbol, and the effects shown in FIGS. 46(B) to (F) are executed after the reach is established. It may also be executed. This also makes it possible to enhance the performance effect of the specific fluctuation performance, and by adding a performance pattern in which the execution order (execution timing) is changed to the example, the specific fluctuation performance (specific performance) can be diversified. be able to.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a variation performance (specific variation performance) including a movable display performance was provided as one aspect of the variation performance executed in conjunction with the variable display of the special symbol, but the performance including the movable display performance is The present invention is not limited to the variable performance, and a performance including a movable display performance may be provided in a demonstration performance or a jackpot game performance (round performance). That is, it is possible to provide a demonstration performance that includes a movable display performance as one aspect of the demonstration performance, or to provide a jackpot game performance (round performance) that includes a movable display performance as one aspect of the jackpot game performance (round performance). be. In this case, a demonstration performance including a movable display performance and a jackpot game performance (round performance) including a movable display performance correspond to the specific performance. This makes it possible to increase the interest of the demonstration performance and the jackpot game performance (round performance).

Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a type 1 pachinko game machine that determines whether or not to operate the probability variation function based on the type of jackpot symbol, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not limited to. For example, the big prize opening (V Attacker) is equipped with a specific area (V area) as a probability variable operation opening, and a probability variation function is applied based on whether or not the game ball passes through the specific area (V passage) during a jackpot game. The present invention can also be applied to one type of pachinko game machine (so-called "V-koku machine") in which it is determined whether to operate or not. Alternatively, a specific area (V area) is provided in the big winning hole where the ball can be entered when the result of the special symbol validity judgment becomes a small hit, and the game ball that enters the big winning hole during a small winning game. It is also possible to apply the present invention to type 1 and type 2 pachinko gaming machines in which a jackpot game is executed when the player passes through a specific area (passes V).

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the control process (so-called special figure 2 However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a control process (so-called special figure 1 priority variation) in which the first special figure reservation is prioritized over the second special figure reservation. Alternatively, without setting a priority for extinguishing the first special figure reservation and the second special figure reservation, the first special figure reservation and the second special figure reservation are consumed in order from the oldest memorized one. It may also be a control process (so-called variation of ball entry order (storage order)). In addition, instead of the special pattern 2 priority variation in the above-mentioned embodiment, a variable display of the first special symbol and a variable display of the second special symbol (extinguishment of the first special symbol reservation and expiration of the second special symbol reservation) are provided. Control processing executed in parallel (so-called special figure 1 and 2 simultaneous variation) may be adopted.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, regarding the preliminary determination based on the starting pitch, the latest obtained random number value (obtained information) stored in the special figure reservation storage unit is read out, and the read obtained random number value (obtained information) is determined. (Prior judgment) (“Processing at the time of starting ball entry (S205)”; see FIGS. 11, 13, etc.), but the method of preliminary judgment is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the special figure reservation storage section, an area (obtained information storage means) that stores the obtained information that is subject to preliminary judgment (that is, the obtained information obtained based on the starting pitch) may be stored in the main control section or sub-controller. It may also be provided in the RAM of the unit to judge (preliminary judgment) the acquired information stored in the storage area (preliminary judgment storage part). In this case, by storing the results of the preliminary determination in the RAM of the main control unit or the sub-control unit, it is also possible to erase the acquired information used for the preliminary determination (acquired information stored in a separate storage area). Alternatively, instead of making a preliminary determination on the acquired information stored in the special figure reservation storage unit, the preliminary determination may be made on the acquired information acquired based on the starting pitch. That is, you may make it pre-determine before storing acquired information in a special figure reservation storage part. In this case, there is no need to provide an area separate from the special figure reservation storage section to store the acquired information that is subject to preliminary determination, and there is no need to read out the acquired information stored in the special figure reservation storage section for preliminary determination. do not have.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the jackpot probability can be set to a low probability (first probability) or a high probability (second probability) by deactivating or activating the probability fluctuation function, but the type (number) of the jackpot probability is not limited to this, for example, it is possible to set three or more types of probabilities, such as a medium probability (third probability) that is higher than a low probability (first probability) and lower than a high probability (second probability). Good too. Furthermore, the first low probability and the first high probability (first probability condition), the second low probability and the second high probability (second probability condition), the third low probability and the third high probability (third probability condition), etc. , multiple types of probability conditions that define the relationship between low and high probabilities are provided, and any one of the multiple types of probability conditions can be arbitrarily set (selected), for example, when the gaming machine is powered on. Good too.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the game medium used for the game is a game ball, and the pachinko game machine (pinball game machine) is capable of advancing the game by firing the game ball toward the game board surface. Although the present invention has been illustrated as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to a slot machine (a rotating drum type game machine) in which the game medium used for the game is a game medal. It is also possible to do so.

[others]
Hereinafter, inventions related to the embodiments (examples) disclosed in this specification will be disclosed as reference inventions.

(Reference invention 1)
Conventionally, gaming machines are equipped with performance devices such as liquid crystal displays and movable accessories (gimmicks), and various performances are performed as the game progresses. These performances include, for example, a symbol variation game production in which symbols change and stop display based on the result of jackpot determination, the result of the symbol variation game production (in other words, the result of jackpot determination), and the contents (whether or not there is a reach effect, reach effect) There is a preview performance that foretells the type of game, the presence or absence of development, etc., and a jackpot game performance that is executed during a jackpot game (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-218197).

Although the performances executed by the game machines as described above play an important role in increasing the interest of the game, there is still room for improvement in order to increase the interest.

This Reference Invention 1 has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can realize novel performances that attract players and increase the interest of gaming. There is a particular thing.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-1 is
A gaming machine that plays games using predetermined gaming media,
A display screen that can display images;
A performance execution means capable of executing a performance related to the game,
The performance execution means is capable of executing a specific performance including a first period, a second period after the first period, and a third period after the second period as the performance,
When the specific performance is executed,
In the first period, a plurality of display units appear on the display screen,
In the second period, a predetermined image is displayed on each of the plurality of display sections, and the display range of any one of the display sections on which the predetermined image is displayed is expanded so that the remaining display sections are displayed. disappear,
In the third period, an effect display including a predetermined image displayed on each of the display sections is displayed on the display screen.

According to such a gaming machine, when a specific performance is executed as a performance related to a game, a plurality of display sections appear on the display screen (first period), and a predetermined image is displayed on each display section ( 2nd period). After that, the display range of one of the display sections (multiple display sections) on which the predetermined image is displayed is expanded, and the display sections other than that display section (remaining display sections) disappear (the second display section). 2 period), an effect display including the predetermined images previously displayed on each display section (first period) is displayed on the display screen (third period). Through this series of performances from the first to third periods, the multiple predetermined images that were initially displayed on each display section (separate display sections) are finally displayed on the remaining display section (display screen). This makes it possible to create a performance expression in which a performance unfolds. This makes it possible to realize novel effects that attract players and increase the interest of the game.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-2 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-1 mentioned above,
After the plurality of display units appear in the first period, the display range of each display unit is approximately equal until the display range of any display unit is expanded in the second period. It is characterized by this.

According to such a gaming machine, after a plurality of display parts appear on the display screen, until the display range of any one of the plurality of display parts is expanded, the display range of each display part is are assumed to be approximately equal. Therefore, after the plurality of display sections appear, it is possible to draw the player's attention to the display content (predetermined image) of each display section until the display range of any one of the display sections is expanded. This makes it possible for the player to enjoy the effects displayed on each display section (a plurality of display sections).

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-3 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-1 or 1-2 mentioned above,
The present invention is characterized in that when the display range is expanded in the second period, a specific image is displayed on the display section whose display range is expanded.

According to such a gaming machine, after a plurality of display sections appear on the display screen and a predetermined image is displayed on each display section, the display range of any one of the display sections is expanded. A specific image is displayed in the section. Therefore, it becomes easier to draw the player's attention to the display section whose display range is expanded. This makes it possible to effectively attract players to a specific performance.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-4 is the gaming machine of any one of Reference Inventions 1-1 to 1-3 mentioned above,
comprising a movable member that can move in front of the display screen,
In the first period, the movable member moves toward the front side of the display screen to partially cover the display screen,
The plurality of display sections are formed by a portion of the display screen other than the portion covered by the movable member.

According to such a gaming machine, during the first period of the specific performance, the movable member moves toward the front side of the display screen, and the display screen is partially covered by the movable member. A plurality of display sections are formed by a portion of the display screen other than the portion covered by the movable member. Therefore, it is possible to create an effect in which a plurality of display units appear on the display screen as the movable member moves. This makes it possible to enhance the performance effect of a specific performance.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-5 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-4 mentioned above,
In the second period, the movable member moves in front of the display screen, thereby expanding the display range of any one of the plurality of display units.

According to such a gaming machine, the movable member that moved to the front side of the display screen during the first period of the specific performance moves to the front side of the display screen during the subsequent second period, thereby moving the movable member to the front side of the display screen in the second period. The display range of any one of the plurality of display sections is expanded. Therefore, it is possible to create an effect in which the display range of one of the display sections is expanded as the movable member moves. This makes it possible to further enhance the performance effect of the specific performance.

According to the first reference invention described above, it is possible to realize a novel performance that attracts players and to increase the interest of the game.

(Reference invention 2)
This Reference Invention 2 aims to solve the same problem as Reference Invention 1 described above.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-1 is
A gaming machine that plays games using predetermined gaming media,
A display screen that can display images;
A performance execution means capable of executing a performance related to the game,
The performance execution means is capable of executing a specific performance including a first period and a second period after the first period as the performance,
When the specific performance is executed,
In the first period, a first display section and a second display section appear on the display screen,
In the second period, an icon image suggesting gaming information related to a game is displayed on the first display section, and then an information image corresponding to gaming information suggested by the icon image is displayed on the second display section. At the same time, the icon image related to the suggestion of the game information is deleted from the first display section.

According to such a gaming machine, when a specific performance is executed as a performance related to a game, a first display part and a second display part appear on the display screen (first period), and the first display part of them appears. , an icon image suggesting game information related to the game is displayed (second period). After that, an information image corresponding to the gaming information suggested by the icon image displayed on the first display section is displayed on the second display section, and the icon image related to the suggestion of the gaming information, that is, the display trigger of the information image The icon image that has become is erased from the first display section (second period). Through a series of performances from the first period to the second period, a performance that suggests game information related to the game (suggestive performance) is realized. This makes it possible to realize novel effects that attract players and increase the interest of the game.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-2 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-1 mentioned above,
In the second period, a plurality of icon images suggesting different gaming information are displayed on the first display section, and then an information image corresponding to gaming information suggested by at least one icon image among the plurality of icon images is displayed. is displayed on the second display section, and an icon image related to the suggestion of the game information is erased from the first display section.

According to such a gaming machine, when executing a specific effect, a plurality of icon images suggesting different game information are displayed on the first display section that appears on the display screen. Thereafter, an information image corresponding to the gaming information suggested by at least one of the plurality of icon images displayed on the first display section is displayed on the second display section, and the information image is displayed as a trigger for displaying the information image. The icon image you created will be deleted. Therefore, it is possible to draw the player's attention to which of the plurality of icon images (gaming information) displayed on the first display section corresponds to the information image displayed on the second display section. This makes it possible to increase the player's interest in the specific performance.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-3 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-2 mentioned above,
In the second period, after an information image corresponding to gaming information suggested by one of the plurality of icon images is displayed on the second display section, an information image corresponding to gaming information suggested by another icon image is displayed on the second display section. The information image may be displayed on the second display section.

According to such a gaming machine, after the information image corresponding to the game information suggested by one of the plurality of icon images displayed on the first display section is displayed on the second display section, the other icon images are displayed on the second display section. An information image corresponding to the game information suggested by the icon image may be displayed on the second display section. Therefore, the display of the information image on the second display section and the accompanying erasure of the icon image may be executed multiple times within the second period. This makes it possible to further increase the player's interest in the specific performance.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-4 is the gaming machine of any one of the aforementioned Reference Inventions 2-1 to 2-3,
Equipped with a determination means capable of determining whether or not to control to a special gaming state that is advantageous to the player,
The specific performance includes a performance that displays a pattern in a variable manner based on the result of the determination,
The first period is a period after the start of the variable display of the symbols and after the symbols are displayed in a ready-to-win mode.

According to such a gaming machine, the specific performance includes a performance in which the symbols are displayed in a variable manner based on the result of the determination, and in the specific performance, the symbol starts to be displayed in a variable manner, and the symbol is displayed in a ready-to-win mode. After that (that is, after the reach is established), the performance related to the above-mentioned second period is executed. Therefore, it is possible to draw the attention of the player to the performance development after the reach is established. This makes it possible to increase the interest of the game after the reach is achieved.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-5 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-4 mentioned above,
The game information is characterized in that it is information regarding a variable display of the symbol after the symbol is displayed in a ready-to-win mode.

According to such a gaming machine, the gaming information that is information suggested by the icon image displayed on the first display section and that is associated with the information image displayed on the second display section is This is information regarding the fluctuation display after establishment. Therefore, the series of effects from displaying the icon image on the first display section to displaying the information image on the second display section functions as a presentation (suggestion effect) that suggests the development of the variable display after the reach is established. become. This makes it possible to further increase the interest of the game after the reach is established.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-6 is the gaming machine of any one of the aforementioned Reference Inventions 2-1 to 2-5,
The specific performance includes a third period after the second period,
In the third period, the display range of the second display section is expanded and the first display section disappears.

According to such a gaming machine, after the information image corresponding to the gaming information suggested by the icon image displayed on the first display section is displayed on the second display section in the specific performance (after the second period) , the display range of the second display section is expanded and the first display section disappears (third period). For this reason, a series of effects (specific effects) are created in which the content of the suggestion (gaming information) is determined by the information image displayed when the display range of the second display area is expanded and the first display area disappears. It becomes realizable. This makes it possible to effectively attract players to a specific performance.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-7 is the gaming machine of any one of Reference Inventions 2-1 to 2-6 mentioned above,
comprising a movable member that can move in front of the display screen,
In the first period, the movable member moves toward the front side of the display screen to partially cover the display screen,
The first display section and the second display section are formed by a portion of the display screen other than the portion covered by the movable member.

According to such a gaming machine, during the first period of the specific performance, the movable member moves toward the front side of the display screen, and the display screen is partially covered by the movable member. A first display section and a second display section are formed by a portion of the display screen other than the portion covered by the movable member. Therefore, it is possible to create an effect in which the first display section and the second display section appear on the display screen as the movable member moves. This makes it possible to enhance the performance effect of a specific performance.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to realize a novel performance that attracts players and to increase the interest of the game.

1 Pachinko game machine, 2 Game board, 3 Game area, 7 Image display device, 7a Display screen, 8 Performance pattern, 14 Movable performance member (movable member), 20 First starting port, 21 Second starting port, 30 First Big winning hole, 30a 1st big winning hole sensor, 35 2nd big winning hole, 35a 2nd big winning hole sensor, 41a 1st special symbol display (first special symbol display), 41b 2nd special symbol display (2nd special symbol display section), 71 upper display section, 72 lower display section, 75 upper display section, 76 lower display section, 80 main control board (main control section), 81 game control microcomputer, 90 sub-control board ( sub-control unit), 91 production control microcomputer, 100 image control board (image control unit), 101 image control microcomputer, 710 first character image, 720 second character image, 751 first character image, 753 second character image , 761 first icon image, 763 second icon image, 765 third icon image.

Claims (2)

A gaming machine that plays games using predetermined gaming media,
A display screen that can display images;
A performance execution means capable of executing a performance related to the game,
The performance execution means is capable of executing a specific performance as the performance in a performance period including a first period and a second period after the first period,
When the specific performance is executed,
In the first period, a first display section and a second display section are formed on the display screen,
In the second period, a plurality of icon images suggesting game information related to a game are displayed side by side in a predetermined direction on the first display section and are displayed moving along the predetermined direction , and then the plurality of icon images An information image corresponding to gaming information suggested by at least one icon image among the images is displayed on the second display section, and an icon image related to the suggestion of the gaming information is erased from the first display section. A gaming machine featuring: During the second period, an effect display is performed in which a predetermined effect image is displayed for at least one icon image among the plurality of icon images displayed on the first display section, and the effect display is made to be a target of the effect display. An information image corresponding to game information suggested by the icon image is displayed on the second display section.
The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that:

Images