JP7460103B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

The following Patent Document 1 describes a gaming machine that improves the visibility of the active symbols involved in notifying the winning/losing determination results.

JP 2018-201898 A

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can easily distinguish between valid symbols and ineffective symbols.

A gaming machine according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, includes a display device having a display area, and a display device that is effective at the time when the variation is stopped after changing a plurality of types of decorative patterns in the display area. and a notification means for notifying the result of judgment based on a combination of the valid symbols which are the decorative symbols along the line, and in addition to the valid symbols, the ineffective symbols which are the decorative symbols which are not the valid symbols are displayed in the display area. If so, the valid symbols are displayed brighter than the ineffective symbols.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily distinguish between valid symbols and ineffective symbols.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a list diagram of decorative patterns. It is a diagram for explaining advance performance. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a first specific example regarding advance presentation. A figure for explaining a third specific example of pre-performance. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a fourth specific example regarding advance presentation. It is a diagram for explaining the suggestion of a reversal effect. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a third specific example regarding suggestion of a reversal effect. 13 is a diagram for explaining the oscillation of decorative patterns during a loss confirmation period (pseudo loss confirmation period). FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram (continuation of FIG. 9) for explaining the oscillation of decorative patterns during the loss determination period (pseudo loss determination period). It is a figure for explaining the number of swings of a decorative pattern. It is a diagram showing events that may occur after the reach effect ends in failure, in chronological order based on the number of swings of the decorative pattern. A figure to explain a third specific example of the oscillation of decorative patterns during a loss confirmation period (pseudo loss confirmation period). It is a diagram for explaining an operation performance using special symbols. FIG. 14 is a diagram (continuation of FIG. 14) for explaining an operation effect using special symbols. It is a diagram for explaining a third specific example regarding operation effects using special symbols. A figure for explaining fourth and fifth specific examples of operation presentations using special patterns. FIG. 17 is a diagram (continuation of FIG. 17) for explaining a fourth specific example and a fifth specific example regarding operation effects using special symbols. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a multiple effective line mode. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the display modes of active and inactive symbols. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a third specific example regarding the display of active and inactive symbols.

1) Basic configuration of gaming machine Hereinafter, one embodiment of the gaming machine 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The gaming machine 1 includes a gaming board 90. The game board 90 is formed of approximately square plywood, and the guide rail 903, which constitutes a path for guiding the game ball fired by operating the firing device 908 (launching handle) to the gaming area 902, has a roughly arc shape. It is set up like this.

The gaming area 902 is provided with a starting winning opening 904, a big winning opening 906, an out opening, and the like. The display device 91 is provided behind the game board 90, and a display area 911 of the display device 91 is an area that is visible through an opening 901 formed in the game board 90. Note that in some of the figures, the display area 911 is shown to have a roughly rectangular shape, but the shape etc. can be changed as appropriate (the shape and size of the opening 901, the shape and size of the display device 91 itself), etc. By changing the display area 911, the shape etc. of the display area 911 can be changed).

In addition, the play area 902 is provided with multiple game pegs as obstacles that change the way the game ball flows down when the game ball collides with them. The game ball flowing down the play area 902 changes into various forms depending on the conditions when it collides with the game pegs.

In such a gaming machine 1, a game ball is fired toward the gaming area 902 by operating the firing device 908. When the game balls flowing down the gaming area 902 enter a winning opening such as the starting winning opening 904 or the big winning opening 906, a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by the payout device.

Note that explanations of components of the gaming machine 1 that are not related to the present invention, such as the frame of the gaming machine 1, the lower tray and the upper tray for storing game balls, will be omitted. For these, structures similar to those of known gaming machines can be applied.

The winning/failure lottery (judgment/judgment) is executed by a winning/failure judging means provided on a control board (not shown) triggered by the winning of a game ball into the starting winning hole 904 shown in FIG. 1 (such a starting winning hole 904 is (There may be more than one). In addition, in this embodiment, the winning "mouth" (the winning game ball is taken into the inside) is the winning "region" (the winning gaming ball flows down the gaming area 902 as it is. The winning area is the gate. An example of such an embodiment may be the following.

When a game ball enters the start winning hole 904, a number is obtained from a random number source, and if the number is the same as a predetermined jackpot number, it is a jackpot, and if it is different, it is a miss. In other words, the entry of a game ball into the start winning hole 904 is the trigger for directly determining whether or not a jackpot has been won.

If a jackpot is won, a jackpot game is executed. In the jackpot game, the jackpot opening 906 is frequently opened and the player can win many game balls (so-called balls), and since it is similar to a known gaming machine, a detailed explanation will be provided. omitted.

In addition, in this embodiment, notification of the validity judgment results will be started in the order in which the numerical values for performing the validity judgment are acquired, but when a certain numerical value is acquired, When the result of the judgment based on a numerical value is reported, it is stored in a storage means provided on the control board (not shown) until the notification of the result of judgment based on the certain numerical value is started. The maximum number of stored values (maximum pending number) of numerical values (hereinafter also referred to as pending (information)) for which notification of the validity determination result has not yet started can be set as appropriate. The maximum number of pending information that can be stored by the storage means in this embodiment is four. Note that the numerical value acquired for performing the validity determination is also used as a numerical value for determining the specific content of the performance for notifying the validity determination result. The display area 911 may display a display (pending display; not shown) indicating the existence of the pending information. Furthermore, it may be configured such that the winning/failure judgment is made immediately upon winning a prize in the starting winning hole 904, and the winning/failure judgment result itself is stored in the storage means (in such a case, the winning/failure judgment result itself is stored as pending information). It turns out that).

Whether the result of the judgment is a jackpot or a loss is notified by the combination of decorative patterns (identification patterns) 10 (a list of decorative patterns 10 is shown in FIG. 2) displayed in the display area 911 of the display device 91. . The decorative pattern 10 includes a first element part 11 and a second element part 12. The first element part 11 is a part containing an image representing any of the numbers "1" to "7", and the second element part 12 is a part containing an image representing any of the numbers "1" to "7". This is the part that contains the image. That is, as the decorative pattern 10, a pattern including ``1'' and ``character A,'' a pattern including ``2'' and ``character B'', a pattern including ``3'' and ``character C'', etc. ...Seven types of symbols including ``7'' and ``Character G'' are set. In the following description, when various decorative patterns 10 are expressed, the first element part 11 is indicated, such as "1" decorative pattern 10, "7" decorative pattern 10, etc. shall be.

When announcing the result of the win/loss determination, multiple types of decorative patterns 10 (groups of decorative patterns 10) are displayed in a fluctuating manner, then the fluctuating is stopped, and finally, three decorative patterns 10 are displayed in a stationary state. The combination of these three decorative patterns 10 indicates to the player whether or not the jackpot has been won. Note that the state in which the notification of the result of the win/loss determination is completed refers to a state in which the fluctuating has "completely stopped," and the pseudo-stop (provisional stop) state described below is not a state in which the notification of the result of the win/loss determination is completed. In this embodiment, if a jackpot has been won, it will be "three of the same decorative patterns 10." If it is not "three of the same decorative patterns 10," it is a loss. In the following description, the decorative pattern 10(s) displayed on the left of the display area 911 may be referred to as the "left decorative pattern 10(s)", the decorative pattern 10(s) displayed on the right as the "right decorative pattern 10(s)", and the decorative pattern 10(s) displayed between the left decorative pattern 10(s) and the right decorative pattern 10(s) as the "middle decorative pattern 10(s)".

2) Production, display mode, etc. using the decorative pattern 10 The production, display mode, etc. using the decorative pattern 10 that can be performed by the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below. Note that the configuration does not have to be able to execute all of the matters described below. The configuration may be such that only some items can be executed. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, images in the following description include not only still images but also moving images (images with movement).

2-1) Preliminary performance The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is capable of executing a pseudo continuous performance. Since the pseudo-continuous performance itself is well known, a detailed explanation will be omitted, but it is a unit performance (specific performance) in which the fluctuating decorative pattern 10 temporarily stops and then starts fluctuating again, which is repeated one or more times. . The unit performance (pseudo-continuous performance) is set so that the probability that the target success/failure determination result will be a jackpot (jackpot reliability) is increased by its occurrence. In other words, the occurrence of a unit performance can be said to be a pleasant event for the player.

In this embodiment, when a unit performance occurs, a symbol combination selected and displayed from among a plurality of types of decorative symbols 10, that is, a combination consisting of pseudo-stopped left, middle, and right decorative symbols 10. is a "specific combination." In the specific combination in this embodiment, the decorative pattern 10 inside is the target pattern 10t. In other words, the position of the target pattern 10t included in the specific combination (display position in relation to other decorative patterns 10 constituting the specific combination) is fixed (in this embodiment, it is "middle") (Fig. 3(b)).

Although the target pattern 10t is one of the plurality of types of decorative patterns 10, the type of the decorative pattern 10 corresponding to the target pattern 10t is not constant. In other words, the type of decorative pattern 10 serving as the target pattern 10t can change each time. In this embodiment, it is set so that any of the decorative patterns 10 of "1" to 10 of "7" can be the target pattern 10t.

The preliminary effect shows the player which decorative pattern 10 is to be set as the target pattern 10t. Specifically, when the target pattern 10t set in a certain notification effect (the effect from the start of the variation of the decorative pattern 10 until it stops at the combination indicating the result of judgment, that is, the effect for one variation) is A preliminary presentation is performed to show the player whether or not this is the case. In addition, in this embodiment, preliminary effects do not occur in all notification effects (every variation). Occurs during a notification performance where a unit performance (pseudo-continuous performance) may occur.

The preliminary rendering in this embodiment is a rendering in which a character is displayed in the display area 911. Specifically, one of the characters A to G is displayed in the display area 911 (see FIG. 3(a)). As described above, the decorative pattern 10 in this embodiment includes one of the characters A to G as the second element portion 12. By displaying a character corresponding to the decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t, it is shown to the player that the decorative pattern 10 including the character has been set as the target pattern 10t. For example, in a notification performance in which the target pattern 10t is the decorative pattern 10 of "3", an image of the character C (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a preliminary image 18) is displayed (see FIG. 3(a)). By doing so, the player who has seen the preliminary presentation can feel that the character C is showing something. If the game is continued to a certain extent (if the player comes into contact with the preliminary performance and the unit performance several times), the decorative pattern 10 including the character shown in the preliminary performance will be set as a pattern indicating the occurrence of the unit performance. It is possible to understand the Note that the character image (preliminary image 18) displayed as a preliminary effect does not have to completely match the character image constituting the decorative pattern 10. Any character that allows the player to understand that the character displayed in the preliminary presentation represents a character included in any of the decorative patterns 10 may be sufficient.

The pre-rendering needs to occur before the specific combination is shown. The advance presentation in this embodiment is started substantially simultaneously with the start of the notification presentation. In other words, from the player's perspective, the flow is such that the decorative pattern 10 that notifies a certain validity determination result starts changing and immediately the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the target pattern 10t is shown. Since a specific combination cannot be shown at a stage before the preliminary effect occurs, by showing the decorative pattern 10 that is the target pattern 10t at the beginning of the notification effect, the timing at which the specific combination can be shown (when the unit effect occurs) It can be said that it is preferable to make it difficult for the player to predict (the possible timing) (because the specific combination is not shown before the preliminary effect, the later the timing when the preliminary effect occurs, the more likely the specific combination will be). The timing at which combinations may be shown becomes easier to predict, making the game less interesting). However, this does not negate the possibility of causing the advance performance to occur some time after the start of the notification performance. The preliminary effect may be generated before the specific combination can be shown.

After the pre-performance, if a specific combination is shown in which the target pattern 10t (decorative pattern 10 of "3") shown in the pre-performance becomes the middle decorative pattern 10 (see FIG. 3(b)), a unit performance (pseudo continuous performance) occurs in which the decorative pattern 10 changes again (see FIG. 3(c)). Although not shown, if the target pattern 10t (decorative pattern 10 of "3") does not pseudo-stop as the middle decorative pattern 10, the unit performance does not occur.

When the decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t is fixed, the number of combinations of decorative patterns 10 that indicate the occurrence of a unit performance (pseudo continuous performance) is reduced. In contrast, in this embodiment, the type of decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t can be changed each time, making it possible to provide a wide variety of combinations of decorative patterns 10 that indicate the occurrence of a unit performance (pseudo continuous performance).

The following describes specific examples of improvements, modifications, and developments of the above pre-performance-related matters. Note that multiple aspects of the specific examples described below may be applied.

First Specific Example In the above embodiment, the pre-image 18 (image of a character) displayed as a pre-performance is described as being displayed on the same display device 91 (display area 911) as the decorative pattern 10, but it may be displayed on a different display device. That is, a main display device 91a on which the decorative pattern 10 is displayed and a sub-display device 91b separate from the main display device 91a are provided, and the pre-performance is executed on the sub-display device 91b.

Various devices can be considered as the sub display device 91b. As an example, a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display device) capable of displaying a full-color image like the main display device 91a is provided as the sub display device 91b, and the preliminary image 18 is displayed on the sub display device 91b. It is conceivable to do so (see FIG. 4(a)).

As a different example, a transmissive display device may be used as the sub display device 91b. Specifically, a transmissive display device 91b (a display device 91b that can make the part where an image is not displayed transparent) is provided in front of the main display device 91a, and the transmissive display device 91b It is conceivable that the preliminary image 18 is displayed using a transmissive display device 91b (see FIG. 4B; the transparent display device 91b and the preliminary image 18 displayed thereon are indicated by dotted lines).

In this way, by having the pre-performance executed on a display device 91b separate from the main display device 91a, it becomes possible to execute the pre-performance independently of the image displayed on the main display device 91a, making it easier to control the performance. Also, for example, in situations where the pre-image 18 (image of a character) becomes an image that interferes with other performances, it is necessary not to execute the pre-performance (leading to a decrease in the frequency of occurrence of pre-performances), but it is possible to reduce the occurrence of such situations.

○Second specific example Although it has been explained that the preliminary presentation in the above embodiment indicates the type of the decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t based on the image of the character, the aspect of the preliminary presentation is limited to this. isn't it. For example, a mode may be adopted in which "numbers" of the decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t are shown.

The preliminary presentation may be in a manner that allows the player to sense which decorative pattern 10 is set as the target pattern 10t, but the decorative pattern 10 itself that is set as the target pattern 10t is not displayed. It is better not to do so. This is because if the preliminary presentation is such that the decorative pattern 10 itself set as the target pattern 10t is displayed, there is a risk that the image displayed as the preliminary presentation may be mistaken for the decorative pattern 10. Therefore, it is preferable that the image displayed as a preliminary performance is not the target decorative pattern 10 itself, but shows a connection to the extent that the player can feel that it shows the target decorative pattern 10.

○Third Specific Example After the pre-performance, the decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t is made to be distinguishable from the other decorative patterns 10. For example, after the pre-performance (see FIG. 5(a)), the brightness of the decorative pattern 10 set as the changing target pattern 10t is increased (while the brightness of the other decorative patterns 10 is maintained) (see FIG. 5(b)), so that the target pattern 10t and the other decorative patterns 10 can be easily distinguished. In this way, during the change after the pre-performance (before the specific combination is displayed), a difference in the manner in which the target pattern 10t and the other decorative patterns 10 can be distinguished is set, so that it is possible to make it easier to understand which decorative pattern 10 is set as the target pattern 10t.

In addition, if it is set as a specific combination that the decorative pattern 10 inside is the target pattern 10t as in the above embodiment, at least the target pattern 10t that is changing as the group of 10 decorative patterns inside and the other It is only necessary that the symbols can be distinguished from each other, and it is not necessary to set the same difference in the groups of 10 decorative symbols on the left and right.

○Fourth specific example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that in one notification performance (during one variation), only one of the plurality of decorative patterns 10 is set as the target pattern 10t. In the notification performance, two or more of the plurality of types of decorative symbols 10 may be set as the target symbols 10t (see FIG. 6(b)).

When using a configuration like this example, it is preferable that the greater the number of target symbols 10t that are set, the higher the probability that a specific combination will be formed thereafter, i.e., the higher the probability that a unit performance will occur (see Figure 6). Having a greater number of target symbols 10t gives the player the impression that a specific combination is easier to achieve, so the probability of a specific combination being formed is increased accordingly.

○Fifth specific example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that a unit performance (pseudo continuous performance) occurs when a specific combination is constructed, but the event that occurs when a specific combination is constructed is , can be changed as appropriate if it is advantageous to the player. For example, it may be applied to so-called look-ahead effects. A look-ahead effect indicates that the probability that a certain correctness judgment result (target correctness judgment result) will be a jackpot has increased, and the notification effect (previous judgment result) of the correctness judgment result (previous judgment result) is completed before that. It is suggested by using the announcement direction). In the case where a specific combination is constructed in the previous notification performance, if the probability that the target success/failure judgment result is a jackpot is increased, the target symbol 10t included in the specific combination in the previous notification performance is set in advance. Make sure it is shown in the performance. In other words, the target pattern 10t forming a so-called "chance eye" can be changed each time, and which decorative pattern 10 the target pattern 10t is is shown in advance.

As another example, it is assumed that when a specific combination is constructed, a performance (chance-increasing performance) that gives hope for winning a jackpot occurs. In such a configuration, it is conceivable that which decorative pattern 10 is the target pattern 10t for constructing a special move combination is shown in a preliminary presentation.

2-2) Suggestion of a reversal effect The decorative pattern 10 is configured to suggest the possibility of a reversal effect occurring. The reversal effect (also called a revival effect, etc.) itself is well known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted, but it is a type of effect in which the result of the hit/miss judgment is shown to be a miss at first, and then the result of the hit/miss judgment is actually a hit. In other words, it is an effect that aims to improve the entertainment value of the game by first disappointing the player, and then turning that disappointment into joy.

In this embodiment, a reversal effect may occur after the reach effect (if the hit/miss determination result is notified without the reach effect, the reversal effect does not occur). The reach effect is an effect that occurs when a so-called "reach" (in this embodiment, this means that two of the three decorative patterns 10 that notify the hit/miss determination result are the same type of pattern) is achieved, and the outcome indicates the hit/miss determination result. A successful outcome and a failed outcome are set as the outcomes of the reach effect (multiple types of outcomes may be set for each), and it is controlled so that if the hit/miss determination result is a hit, it is a successful outcome, and if it is a miss, it is a failed outcome. The specific form of the reach effect may be any. One example of the reach effect is an effect in which an ally character (a character on the player's side) and an enemy character fight, and the victory of the ally character is set as a successful outcome, and the defeat of the ally character (the enemy character wins) is set as a failed outcome (see FIG. 7(a)).

In this embodiment, after the reach effect ends in failure (see FIG. 7(b)), an effect indicating the probability that a reversal effect will occur is executed. To put it simply, the case where the specific image 20 is displayed in the display area 911 after a failure ending (see FIG. 7 (c-1)) is better than the case where the specific image 20 is not displayed (see FIG. (See (c-2)) is set so that the probability that a reversal effect will occur is higher. Therefore, it can be said that displaying the specific image 20 is a favorable event for the player.

The specific image 20 in this embodiment is an image in which the combination of decorative patterns 10 forms a specific pattern. Since it is an image that is displayed when the reach effect results in a failure, the specific pattern is a combination of decorative patterns 10 that is displayed as if the hit/miss determination result is a miss. Note that until the reach effect results in a failure and a miss is confirmed (a state in which there is still a possibility of a reversal effect occurring), the decorative patterns 10 do not stop completely, but are in a pseudo-stop state. This means that there is a higher probability of a reversal effect occurring when the combination displayed in the pseudo-stop state is a specific pattern (see FIG. 7(c-1)) than when it is not a specific pattern (see FIG. 7(c-2)).

The specific aspect is a combination including the specific design 10s. The specific design 10s is any one of the plurality of types of decorative designs 10. In this embodiment, the decorative pattern 10 of "7" is set as the specific pattern 10s (other decorative patterns 10 are not the specific pattern 10s). The specific mode is a mode that may be displayed when the reach effect ends in failure, so it is set as the "reach out" mode. Specifically, in the present embodiment, it is set that the left decorative pattern 10 and the right decorative pattern 10 are the same type of pattern as "reach", and the middle is set to indicate "out of reach". A mode in which the decorative pattern 10 is "7" is a specific mode. For example, when a reach is achieved with the decorative pattern 10 of "4", the combination of "4 (left), 7 (middle), 4 (right)" is a specific form (see Figure 7 (c-1)). ), and other combinations (for example, combinations such as "4 (left), 5 (middle), 4 (right)") are not specific modes (see FIG. 7 (c-2)).

In other words, the specific aspect in this embodiment can be said to be an aspect in which a specific pattern 10s, which is one type of decorative pattern 10, is displayed at a specific position (the "middle" between the "left" and "right" decorative patterns 10) in relation to the other decorative patterns 10 (the "left" and "right" decorative patterns 10) that constitute the specific aspect. Therefore, basically, whether or not a specific aspect has been constructed can be easily seen by focusing on the decorative pattern 10 displayed at a specific position, i.e., the "middle" decorative pattern 10.

Furthermore, the fact that the "7" decorative pattern 10 is set as the specific pattern 10s means that the specific mode will not be shown if the reach effect with the "7" decorative pattern 10 ends in failure. It is. This is because the decorative pattern 10 of "7" is out of reach, and the decorative pattern 10 inside cannot be set to "7" (it will become a set of three indicating a jackpot). However, this does not mean that a reversal effect will not occur if the ready-to-reach effect with the decorative pattern 10 of "7" ends in failure. This means that there is no suggestion that a reversal effect will occur depending on the presence or absence of a specific aspect.

Moreover, in this embodiment, when a reach is achieved by the decorative pattern 10 of "7", the probability of a jackpot is higher than when a reach is achieved by other decorative symbols 10. In this way, in order to ensure that the reach by the decorative pattern 10 of "7" is a "chance up", the probability that the reach by the decorative pattern 10 of "7" will occur is lower than the probability that the reach by the other decorative pattern 10 will occur. lower than probability. Therefore, the probability that the ready-to-win effect with the decorative pattern 10 of "7" will result in a failure is lower than the probability that the ready-to-win effect with the other decorative patterns 10 will result in a failure. Therefore, it can be said that setting the decorative pattern 10 of "7" as the specific pattern 10s is more convenient than setting the other decorative pattern 10 as the specific pattern 10s. This is because if the other decorative patterns 10 are made into the specific pattern 10s, the frequency of occurrence of a situation in which the combination of the decorative patterns 10 after a failed outcome cannot be made into a specific mode increases.

In this way, in this embodiment, the likelihood of a reversal effect occurring is suggested by the presentation mode (whether or not a specific image 20 is displayed) after the reach effect has ended in failure, so it is possible to realize gameplay that draws attention to the presentation mode after the failed ending. In particular, in this embodiment, the likelihood of a reversal effect occurring is suggested by the combination of decorative patterns 10 after the failed ending (whether or not a specific mode is achieved), resulting in novel gameplay that draws the player's attention to the so-called "reach miss" pattern combination.

Hereinafter, specific examples will be described in which the matters related to the suggestion of the above-mentioned reversal effects are improved, modified, developed, etc. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of items described in the specific examples described below are applied.

First specific example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the probability of a reversal effect occurring is higher when a specific image 20 is displayed than when it is not displayed, but the configuration may also be such that the occurrence of a reversal effect is confirmed when a specific image 20 is displayed.

Second Specific Example Although it has been described that the specific image 20 in the above embodiment is an image in which the combination of the decorative patterns 10 is in a specific manner, it does not have to be an image using the decorative patterns 10. For example, if an image including a predetermined character (the image is the specific image 20) is displayed after the reach effect ends in failure, the reversal effect will be different from the case where the image is not displayed. There is a high probability that this will occur. However, if the specific image 20 is an image in which the combination of decorative symbols 10 has a specific aspect as in the above embodiment, the player would normally miss it because it is displayed after the failure of the reach effect. The game becomes more profound because the probability of a reversal effect occurring is suggested by the frequent ``symbol combinations that are out of reach''.

Third Specific Example Although the specific aspect in the above embodiment has been described as a combination including a specific pattern 10s that is one of a plurality of types of decorative patterns 10, it does not have to be a combination based on the presence of a specific pattern 10s. For example, if the relationship between the decorative pattern 10 that constitutes the reach (the "left" and "right" decorative patterns 10 in the above embodiment) and the other decorative patterns 10 (the "middle" decorative pattern 10 in the above embodiment; referred to as the other decorative patterns 10 in the description of this example) is a specific aspect if it is a predetermined relationship, and if it is a non-specific aspect if it is any other relationship, it is considered to be a specific aspect (see FIG. 8(a)) if "the number of the other decorative pattern 10 - the number of the decorative pattern 10 that constitutes the reach = 1", and a non-specific aspect (see FIG. 8(b)) if "the number of the other decorative pattern 10 - the number of the decorative pattern 10 that constitutes the reach = -1". In other words, when the decorative pattern 10 constituting the reach is "5", if the other decorative pattern 10 is "6", it is a specific mode, and if the other decorative pattern 10 is "4", it is a non-specific mode.

It is also possible to configure the decorative patterns 10 in a sequence from the left (for example, "2," "3," and "4") as a specific pattern, and the rest as non-specific patterns. However, because the reversal performance occurs after a "missed reach," it is preferable that the combination of decorative patterns 10 that indicates a missed reach is natural. In other words, if a reach is defined as a combination of the left decorative pattern 10 and the right decorative pattern 10 being the same type, then it is advisable to set the specific pattern (and non-specific pattern) within the category of combinations in which the left decorative pattern 10 and the right decorative pattern 10 are the same type.

2-3) Swing of the decorative symbols 10 during the loss confirmation period (pseudo loss confirmation period) As described above, when the reach effect ends in failure, there is a possibility that a reversal effect will occur. From the player's point of view, the reversal effect occurs during the period until the hit/miss determination result is confirmed as a loss, that is, until the decorative symbols 10 completely stop in a combination indicating a loss. Therefore, the player will hope for the reversal effect to occur before the decorative symbols 10 completely stop in a combination indicating a loss. In this embodiment, assuming such gameplay, the state of the decorative symbols 10 after the reach effect ends in failure is as follows.

First, an example of the flow of the notification effect when the reach effect occurs when the hit/miss judgment result is a miss (when the reversal effect does not occur) will be described. From the start of the notification effect until the reach effect is established, the display area 911 is in a state where the decorative pattern 10 is displayed in a variable manner in front of the background image 30 (note that the background image 30 is not shown in some figures) (such a state where the decorative pattern 10 is displayed in front of the background image 30 is sometimes referred to as the basic state) (see FIG. 9(a)). After that, the left decorative pattern 10 and the right decorative pattern 10 become the same type and pseudo-stop, thereby establishing the reach effect (see FIG. 9(b)). After that, the reach effect occurs (see FIG. 9(c)). Since any mode may be used from the establishment of the reach effect to the occurrence of the reach effect, the description will be omitted. Then, after the reach effect ends in failure (see FIG. 9(d)), the basic state is returned to in which a combination of decorative patterns 10 (pseudo-stop state) indicating a "reach miss" is displayed, and the background image 30 is displayed behind the decorative patterns 10 of that combination (see FIG. 10(a)).

At the time of returning to the basic state, the decorative pattern 10 has not completely stopped. Specifically, the decorative pattern 10 is in a slightly swaying (swinging) state. In this embodiment, the decorative pattern 10 is in a vertically swaying state. If the period from when the decorative pattern 10 returns to the basic state until it completely stops (period from FIG. 10(a) to (b-1)) is defined as the "missing confirmation period", then the decorative pattern 10 is confirmed to be missing. This means that it is in a state of fluctuation during the period. The reason for returning to the basic state after "out of reach" is to prepare for the next notification effect (next fluctuation). In other words, if a "miss" is confirmed without a reversal effect occurring (if there is a next hold), the next fluctuation will start in the standard state (after Fig. 10 (b-1), (the next fluctuation is started).

In this embodiment, the number of swings of the decorative pattern 10 during the failure confirmation period (when no reversal effect occurs) is not constant. In other words, the number of swings of the decorative pattern 10 during the failure confirmation period when a certain kind of ready-to-win effect ends in failure may change each time. Here, the number of swings refers to the number of times that the decorative pattern 10 swinging up and down once makes one reciprocation (see FIG. 11). Also, the "number of times" here refers to decimal places (it does not necessarily mean that it is a natural number). For example, assume that the number of swings when the decorative pattern 10 is displaced by "two and a half round trips" is 2.5 times. Further, for example, the number of swings of 2.5 times exceeds the number of swings of 2 times (the number of swings of 2 times is less than the number of swings of 2.5 times).

As mentioned above, since the number of swings of the decorative pattern 10 during the failure confirmation period is not constant, the number of swings that can be selected (the number of swings of the "selection candidate") is set to two or more. For example, it is assumed that at least the number of swings N1 = 3 (times) and the number of swings N2 = 4 (times) are set as selection candidates.

When a reversal effect occurs (i.e., a big win occurs), the period during which the decorative pattern 10 oscillates from the point at which the standard state is returned to until the point at which the reversal effect starts (the period from FIG. 10(a) to (b-2)) is defined as the "pseudo-miss confirmation period". In this embodiment, the number of oscillations M = 3.5 (times) is set as the number of oscillations that may be selected during the pseudo-miss confirmation period. In other words, the relationship N1 < M < N2 holds between the above-mentioned N1 and N2. Note that other numbers of oscillations that may be selected as the number of oscillations during the pseudo-miss confirmation period may also be set.

Because of this configuration, from the player's perspective, the following gameplay is realized. When the reach effect ends in failure, there remains a possibility that a reversal effect will occur and result in a jackpot. Since the number of swings of the decorative pattern 10 may be N1 = 3 (times) as the period for determining the deviation, the deviation occurs at the time when the decorative pattern 10 swings three times (the time indicated by P1 in FIG. 12). may be confirmed. A player who is in contact with the loss confirmation period in which the number of swings N1 = 3 (times) is selected may think that the number of swings of the decorative symbol 10 until the loss is confirmed is 3 times. In this case, when the number of swings of the decorative pattern 10 exceeds 3 when the reach effect ends in failure (when the decorative pattern 10 completely stops after 3 times and the failure is not confirmed) I look forward to seeing a reversal of the situation. In reality, the reversal effect may occur when the number of swings reaches 3.5 times (the point indicated by P2 in Figure 12), or the reversal effect may not occur at that point and the number of swings increases. The configuration is such that the decorative pattern 10 may completely stop at the fourth time (the point indicated by P3 in FIG. 12) and the failure may be confirmed.

If the number of swings during the deviation confirmation period is fixed at three times, the present embodiment would have a simple configuration in which the occurrence of a reversal effect is confirmed when the number of swings exceeds three times. So, even if the number of swings exceeds 3, the occurrence of a reversal performance is not confirmed (because there may be cases where the number of swings N2 = 4 (times) during the error confirmation period). It is possible to realize interesting gameplay.

Hereinafter, specific examples will be described in which the matters related to the swinging of the decorative pattern 10 during the above-mentioned deviation confirmation period (pseudo deviation confirmation period) are improved, modified, developed, etc. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of items described in the specific examples described below are applied.

○First specific example: The probability that the number of fluctuations in the period of confirmation of failure is less than the number of fluctuations in the period of confirmation of pseudo loss is selected, and the probability that the number of fluctuations of the number of fluctuations in the period of confirmation of pseudo loss is selected is greater than the number of fluctuations in the period of confirmation of pseudo loss. Set it higher than . According to the above embodiment, the probability that the number of swings N1 = 3 (times) (less than the number of swings M = 3.5 (times) in the pseudo-missing confirmation period) is selected is the number of swings N2 = 4 (times) (more than the number of swings M = 3.5 (times) in the pseudo error confirmation period) is set to have a high probability of being selected.

By doing this, the player will come into contact with the failure confirmation period of the number of swings = 3 (times) many times. In other words, the number of swings until a miss is confirmed is basically three times, but if it exceeds three times, the occurrence of a reversal effect is not confirmed, but it is possible to realize a game where you can expect the occurrence of a reversal effect. It is possible.

○Second specific example It is assumed that multiple types of reach effects are possible. Here, the same type of ready-to-win effects do not need to have completely the same presentation mode. It is permissible for the mode of performance to differ depending on whether there is a so-called chance up or not. In other words, as a result of most aspects of the effects being the same, the effects that appear to the player to be the same type of effect are equivalent to the same type of reach effect even if some aspects are different. shall be taken as a thing. For example, it is assumed that at least two types of reach effects, a first reach effect and a second reach effect, are executable. Then, the number of swings of the decorative pattern 10 during the failure confirmation period when the first reach effect has a failure ending, and the number of swings of the decorative pattern 10 during the failure confirmation period when the second reach effect has a failure outcome. Although the numbers are different, it is assumed that the number of swings of the decorative pattern 10 during the failure confirmation period of each of the first ready-to-reach performance and the second ready-to-reach performance is the same. In other words, the number of swings of the decorative symbol 10 during the loss confirmation period may vary depending on the type of ready-to-win presentation, but it is assumed to be constant for the same type of ready-to-win presentation.

Even with this configuration, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be expected. This is because it is assumed that the player does not think that the number of oscillations is set to be different depending on the type of reach performance. For example, if the number of oscillations N1 of the decorative pattern 10 during the failure confirmation period when the first reach performance ends in failure is 3 times, the number of oscillations N2 of the decorative pattern 10 during the failure confirmation period when the second reach performance ends in failure is 4 times, and the number of oscillations M of the decorative pattern 10 during the pseudo-loss confirmation period is 3.5 (times), the player who is in contact with the failure confirmation period of the first reach performance may think that the number of oscillations of the decorative pattern 10 is 3 times, and it is considered that the player expects a reversal performance to occur when the number of oscillations of the decorative pattern 10 exceeds 3 when the second reach performance ends in failure or when a reversal performance occurs.

In addition, with a configuration like this example, it is possible to set different numbers of oscillations depending on the type of reach performance, so it becomes easy to make the length from the start of the reach performance to the point at which it is confirmed to have ended (the point at which the decorative pattern 10 completely stops) constant for each type of reach performance. In other words, it becomes easy to control the performance according to the total time required for the notification performance (the so-called fluctuation time).

Third Specific Example As in the above embodiment, when the number of oscillations N1 and the number of oscillations N2 may be set as the number of oscillations of the decorative pattern 10 during the loss determination period, the number of oscillations M1 (corresponding to the number of oscillations M in the above embodiment) and the number of oscillations M2 may be set as the number of oscillations during the pseudo loss determination period. Note that the magnitude relationship between N1, N2, M1, and M2 is N1<M1<N2<M2.

For example, let N1 = 3 (times), N2 = 4 (times), M1 = 3.5 (times), and M2 = 4.5 (times) (see FIG. 13). In this way, first, after a failed end of the reach effect, there is a possibility that a miss will be confirmed when the decorative pattern 10 has swung three times (at the time indicated by P1 in FIG. 13). After that, if the number of swings exceeds three, it is expected that a reversal effect will occur when the number of swings is 3.5 (at the time indicated by P2 in FIG. 13). And even if a reversal effect does not occur at 3.5 swings, if a miss is not confirmed at 4 swings (at the time indicated by P3 in FIG. 13), it is expected that a reversal effect will occur at 4.5 swings (at the time indicated by P4 in FIG. 13).

In this way, the candidate number of times (N1, N2...) that can be set as the number of swings during the failure confirmation period (when a reversal effect does not occur) and the number of swings during the pseudo failure confirmation period (when a reversal effect occurs). By arranging the number of candidates that can be set (M1, M2, etc.) alternately (in order from the smallest to N1, M1, N2, M2, etc.), reach effect can be achieved. After a failed outcome, it is possible to realize an interesting gaming experience in which "a situation in which there is a possibility that a loss is confirmed" and "a situation in which there is a possibility that a reversal effect may occur" alternately occur.

Fourth Specific Example Although it has been explained that the direction of shaking (swinging) of the decorative pattern 10 in the above embodiment is "up and down", the direction is not limited to up and down. It may also be configured to swing from side to side. Shaking (swinging) refers to the decorative pattern 10 repeating the same action one or more times, and the same structure as the above embodiment may be used, with one movement being considered as one swinging number.

2-4) Operation Presentation Using Special Symbols The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is capable of executing an operation presentation. The operation presentation is a presentation that prompts the player to operate the operation means 80. In this embodiment, the operation means 80 is a push button (see FIG. 1). However, the operation means 80 may be any type that the player can operate. In the operation presentation, an operation image 40 is displayed in the display area 911 so that the player can understand that the situation requires the operation means 80 to be operated. The operation image 40 is an image that represents the operation means 80 (a push button in this embodiment). The specific form of the operation image 40 may be any type, as long as the player can understand that the operation means 80 is being pointed to. The image may be an image that imitates the operation means 80, or an image that represents the operation means 80 in words such as "button."

In this embodiment, it is possible to execute an operational effect using a special symbol. The effect will be described in detail below. The special symbol is a different symbol from the decorative symbol 10 that notifies the result of the win/lose judgment. In other words, the special symbol does not notify the result of the win/lose judgment. Except for the points that will be specifically described below, the specific form of the special symbol may be any. The special symbol in this embodiment is a symbol that is generally "circular" in shape.

The special pattern includes a portion that suggests the operation means 80 (hereinafter referred to as the operation suggestion portion 51). In this embodiment, the special pattern is configured such that the operation image 40 or something similar to the operation image 40 is wrapped inside the main portion of the special pattern (the portion having the above-mentioned roughly "circular" shape) (see FIG. 14(b) etc.). The "operation image 40 or something similar to the operation image 40" is the operation suggestion portion 51. Therefore, a player who sees the special pattern will get the impression that the special pattern has some connection to the operation means 80.

In this embodiment, the special symbols are used for pseudo-continuous presentation. Specifically, after the decorative pattern 10 has pseudo-stopped on the left and the decorative pattern 10 (of a different type from the decorative pattern 10 that has pseudo-stopped on the left) has pseudo-stopped on the right (see FIG. 14(a)), There is a ``provocation'' that the special symbol may come to a pseudo stop (see FIG. 14(b)). Specifically, the special symbol is variably displayed together with the 10 groups of decorative symbols inside, and there is a ``agitation'' that a symbol selected from the group of symbols inside will become a special symbol. After that, when the selected symbol becomes a special symbol (when the special symbol remains in the position where the "medium" symbol is displayed) (see Figure 14(c)), unit performance (pseudo continuous performance) (Fig. 15(a)) occurs. In other words, in this embodiment, the fact that a pattern that pseudo-stops between the decorative pattern 10 that pseudo-stops to the left and the decorative pattern 10 that pseudo-stops to the right becomes a special pattern indicates the occurrence of a pseudo-continuous performance. used as. In addition, if the special symbol does not pseudo-stop after the above-mentioned "inciting", the unit performance (pseudo continuous performance), which is an advantageous event for the player, will not occur, and the operation performance at the time of re-variation described later will not occur. does not occur either. Although not shown, in this embodiment, it is determined that the result of the judgment is negative.

When the special symbol remains at the position where the "medium" symbol is displayed and another change occurs, the special symbol changes to the operation image 40 and the operation effect is executed (see FIG. 15(a)). In this embodiment, in addition to the operation image 40 in which the special symbol changes, a meter image (meter image 41) indicating the operation effective time during which the operation of the operation means 80 is reflected in the performance, and the required operation means 80 are displayed. An instruction image 42, etc. indicating an operation mode (various operation modes can be exemplified, such as a single operation that is operated only once, a continuous operation that is operated continuously (repeat press), and a maintenance operation that maintains the operated state (long press)). is displayed. The player who sees this can understand that the situation is such that the operating means 80 should be operated. The specific form of the operation presentation may be of any kind, but it is assumed that the probability that the result of the judgment will be a jackpot (jackpot reliability) is suggested by the result of the presentation (see FIG. 15(b)). ).

In this way, in this embodiment, it is possible to execute an innovative flow of presentations in which the occurrence of a unit presentation (pseudo continuous presentation) is indicated by a special symbol, followed by a transition to an operational presentation. From the player's perspective, after the occurrence of a happy event such as the occurrence of a unit presentation (pseudo continuous presentation), the operational presentation suggests the likelihood of a jackpot, so there is a double benefit in having the special symbol remain in a specified position.

In addition, a special pattern is displayed between the left decorative pattern 10 and the right decorative pattern 10 (the special pattern is displayed in the position where the "middle" decorative pattern 10 would normally be displayed), and the special pattern changes to the operation image 40. In other words, the special pattern and the operation image 40 that it changes to are displayed in the center of the display area 911. Since the operation presentation must clearly show the player that he is in a situation where he is being prompted to operate the operation means 80, it is preferable that the operation image 40 is displayed in the center of the display area 911. In this embodiment, the special pattern changes to the operation image 40 and the operation presentation starts as a result of the special pattern remaining in the center of the display area 911, so it is possible to start the operation presentation in a natural flow without moving the operation image 40 significantly.

The special symbol also includes an operation suggestion portion 51, which is a portion that suggests the operation image 40. Therefore, the player can sense (predict the progress of the game) that an operation display will be executed from the stage at which the special symbol is displayed (the stage before re-variation). This prevents the player from failing to operate the operation means 80, even if the effective operation time for the operation display is short, if the player predicts the occurrence of the operation display.

Hereinafter, specific examples will be described in which matters related to operation effects using special symbols are improved, modified, developed, etc. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of items described in the specific examples described below are applied.

First Specific Example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the occurrence of a pseudo-sequential performance (unit performance) is indicated by a special symbol, but the occurrence indicated by the special symbol is not limited to a pseudo-sequential performance. Any event that is advantageous to the player (such as an event that increases the probability of winning a jackpot) may be indicated. In this way, the flow of the performance is such that after the occurrence of an event advantageous to the player is indicated by a special symbol, the probability of winning a jackpot is suggested by the operation performance.

○Second specific example A configuration in which multiple types of modes are set as modes of the special design. The mode of the special symbol suggests the probability that the special symbol will remain at a predetermined position (the "middle" position in the above embodiment) and a pseudo continuous performance (unit performance) will occur. If configured as in this example, the form of the special symbol will suggest not only the probability that a pseudo-continuous performance will occur, but also the probability that an operation performance will occur.

Third Specific Example A configuration is assumed in which a plurality of types of modes are set as the mode of the operation suggestion portion 51 included in the special symbol. For example, a first mode 511 (see FIG. 16(a-1)) and a second mode 512 (see FIG. 16(b-1)) are set as the operation suggestion portion 51 (hereinafter, the special symbol including the operation suggestion portion 51 of the first mode 511 is referred to as the first special symbol 501, and the special symbol including the operation suggestion portion 51 of the second mode 512 is referred to as the second special symbol 502). Then, when the occurrence of a unit performance is indicated by the first special symbol 501, an operation performance (hereinafter referred to as the first operation performance) in which the first operation image 401 is displayed occurs (see FIG. 16(a-2)). On the other hand, when the occurrence of a unit performance is indicated by the second special symbol 502, an operation performance (hereinafter referred to as the second operation performance) in which the second operation image 402 is displayed occurs (see FIG. 16(b-2)). The difference between the first operation image 401 and the second operation image 402 may be any. For example, the first operation image 401 and the second operation image 402 are common in that they are both images representing the operation means 80 itself, but it is possible to make the second operation image 402 larger than the first operation image 401. Also, the operation suggestion portion 51 of the first mode 511 shows the first operation image 401, and the operation suggestion portion 51 of the second mode 512 shows the second operation image 402. On this premise, the second operation presentation is more preferable to the player than the first operation presentation. For example, the setting is made such that the reliability of a jackpot is higher when the second operation presentation occurs than when the first operation presentation occurs (see FIG. 16 (a-2) (b-2)).

In this way, gameplay is achieved in which the player feels more comfortable when the second special pattern 502 is displayed than when the first special pattern 501 is displayed. In other words, if the second special pattern 502 remains in a predetermined position, the second operation effect (which has a higher probability of a jackpot than the first operation effect) will occur, and so gameplay is achieved that is of greater value to the player when the second special pattern 502 indicates the occurrence of a unit effect than when the first special pattern 501 indicates the occurrence of a unit effect. Therefore, when a special pattern is displayed, the player will also pay attention to the state of the operation suggestion portion 51 that the special pattern contains.

○Fourth specific example When the special symbol remains in a predetermined position and a unit performance occurs, whether or not a unit performance will occur will also be indicated by whether or not the special symbol remains in a predetermined position. To put it simply, when the special symbol indicates that the number of pseudo consecutive runs will be 2 times (so-called "pseudo 2") (see Figure 17(a)), the number of pseudo consecutive runs will be 3 times (so-called "pseudo 2"). A special symbol indicates whether the result is "Pseudo 3") (see FIGS. 17(d) and 18(a)). In other words, when a special symbol indicates the occurrence of a unit effect, whether or not another unit effect will occur (or not) is determined by whether the special symbol remains in a predetermined position, and other techniques shall not be indicated by.

With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an easy-to-understand performance in which an operation performance occurs each time a unit performance occurs (each time the number of pseudo-sequences increases). In other words, it is possible to create an easy-to-understand performance in which the number of occurrences of the operation performance in a series of notification performances is linked to the number of pseudo consecutive performances.

○Fifth specific example (example developed from the fourth specific example)
If the configuration is as in the fourth specific example, an operation performance will occur each time the special symbol remains at a predetermined position (every time a unit performance occurs). In other words, multiple operation performances (see FIGS. 17(c) and 18(c)) triggered by a special symbol may occur (during one notification performance). In this way, when multiple operation performances triggered by special symbols occur, the result of one operation performance (previous operation performance) (see FIG. 17(c)) is higher than the result of the next operation performance (later operation). The result of the performance (see FIG. 18(c)) is assumed to be more advantageous to the player. For example, assume that a plurality of results with different jackpot reliability levels are set in stages as a result of the operation performance. As an example, the first result (white), second result (blue), third result (green), and fourth result (red) are set, and the jackpot reliability increases in this order (fourth result). The result is the highest).

Based on this assumption, it is assumed that the result of the subsequent operation performance is "more than" the result of the previous operation performance. For example, if the second result (blue) (see Figure 17(c)) occurs in the previous operation performance, the second result (blue) and the third result (green) will be generated as the subsequent operation performance. , the fourth result (red) occurs (the first result (white) does not occur) (see FIG. 18(c)). By doing so, it is possible to realize the expected gameplay in which the operation performance that occurs every time a unit performance occurs gradually steps up.

The result of the subsequent operation may be one that "exceeds" the result of the previous operation (i.e., a "step up" is always generated). For example, if the second result (blue) occurs in the previous operation, then either the third result (green) or the fourth result (red) will occur as the subsequent operation (not only will the first result (white) not occur, but neither will the same result as the previous operation (the second result (blue)) occur).

2-5) Display of Effective Symbols 10a and Non-effective Symbols 10b In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a "multiple effective line mode" is set as a mode (style) of presentation. In this mode, multiple lines are set as "effective lines" of the decorative symbols 10. The concept of an effective line itself is well known, so a detailed explanation is omitted, but a combination of decorative symbols 10 lined up along the line is effective for notifying the result of the win/loss judgment. In other words, when the result of the win/loss judgment is a jackpot, three decorative symbols 10 of the same type are lined up along one of the multiple lines. In this embodiment, when the mode is switched to the "multiple effective line mode", a decorative symbol 10 dedicated to the mode is displayed. However, this is merely an example, and the concept of a decorative symbol 10 dedicated to the mode may not exist. In the following description, the decorative symbol 10 located on the effective line may be referred to as the "effective symbol 10a", and the decorative symbol 10 not located on the effective line may be referred to as the "non-effective symbol 10b".

There are various possible ways of setting the valid lines. In this embodiment, there are three lines: a line set in the center in the vertical direction of the display area 911 (hereinafter referred to as the center line Lc), a line set on the upper side (hereinafter referred to as the upper line Lu), and a line set on the lower side (hereinafter referred to as the lower line Ll). However, the "center line Lc" and the "upper line Lu and lower line Ll" are not valid lines at the same time. When the center line Lc is a valid line, the upper line Lu and the lower line Ll are not valid lines. When the upper line Lu and the lower line Ll are valid lines, the center line Lc is not a valid line. The reasons are as follows.

The fluctuating decorative pattern 10 moves one frame at a time. On the other hand, the decorative patterns 10 (adjacent decorative patterns 10) in the group of decorative patterns 10 arranged in the moving direction are separated by two frames. A so-called blank pattern may be present between a certain decorative pattern 10 and its adjacent decorative pattern 10 (they may be arranged one frame at a time, such as decorative pattern 10, blank pattern, decorative pattern 10, blank pattern, etc.). The central line Lc and the upper line Lu, and the central line Lc and the lower line Ll are separated by one frame. When one decorative pattern 10 in any decorative pattern 10 group becomes an effective pattern 10a located on the central line Lc, the decorative patterns 10 adjacent above and below the effective pattern 10a are separated by two frames, so that the decorative patterns 10 adjacent above and below the effective pattern 10a do not become effective patterns 10a located on the upper line Lu or the lower line Ll. In other words, the decorative patterns 10 adjacent above and below the effective pattern 10a become ineffective patterns 10b. This means that a reach can only occur on the center line Lc (a one-line reach can occur) (see Figure 19 (a)).

On the other hand, when two decorative symbols 10 in any group of 10 decorative symbols become effective symbols 10a located on the upper line Lu and the lower line Ll, the two decorative symbols 10 are separated by two frames. Therefore, there is no valid symbol 10a located on the center line Lc. A reach can be established on the upper line Lu and the lower line Ll (a 2-line reach can be established) (see FIG. 19(b)). Note that a configuration may be adopted in which effective lines (diagonal effective lines) are set from the upper left to the lower right and from the lower left to the upper right. In other words, the number of effective lines can be increased or decreased as appropriate.

Now consider a state where one decorative pattern 10 in any group of decorative patterns 10 is an active pattern 10a located on the center line Lc, and the decorative patterns 10 adjacent to the active pattern 10a above and below are inactive patterns 10b, with at least a portion of the inactive pattern 10b being displayed in the display area 911 (as shown in FIG. 19(a)). Since it is undesirable for the player to mistake the inactive pattern 10b for an active pattern 10a, in this embodiment the display mode of the decorative pattern 10 is controlled as follows.

While the decorative pattern 10 is fluctuating (meaning the state where the decorative pattern 10 is neither stopped nor pseudo-stopped), it is determined which decorative pattern 10 will be the valid pattern 10a or the ineffective pattern 10b. Since there is no difference in display mode depending on the pattern, no difference is set. In this embodiment, the variation speed becomes smaller as the variation of the decorative pattern 10 approaches the time when the variation stops (that is, the time when the decorative pattern 10 stops or pseudo-stops. Hereinafter, it may be referred to as the variation stop time). However, in a state where the fluctuation speed is reduced, all decorative patterns 10 are clearly displayed (see FIG. 20(a)).

After that, when the variation stop time is reached, if not only the active pattern 10a but also the inactive pattern 10b are displayed in the display area 911, the active pattern 10a is displayed more clearly than the inactive pattern 10b. In this embodiment, the inactive pattern 10b is made semi-transparent, so that the active pattern 10a is made clearer to the player than the inactive pattern 10b. Specifically, the inactive pattern 10b is made in a state in which the background image 30 can be seen through the inactive pattern 10b (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a semi-transparent state), while the active pattern 10a is made in a state in which the background image 30 cannot be seen through the active pattern 10a (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an opaque state) (see FIG. 20(b)).

In terms of the time passing over the fluctuation stop point, at a stage before the fluctuation stop point (still in a state where it is not possible to distinguish between the valid symbols 10a and the ineffective symbols 10b, the player can clearly see the decorative symbols 10). In a state in which the speed of variation is as small as possible), all decorative patterns 10 are in an opaque state (see FIG. 20(a)). Then, when the fluctuation stops (when it reaches a state where the valid symbol 10a and the non-valid symbol 10b can be distinguished), the opaque state of the decorative symbol 10 that becomes the valid symbol 10a is maintained, but the non-valid symbol The decorative pattern 10, which becomes 10b, changes to a semi-transparent state (see FIG. 20(b)). In other words, the opaque state of the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the valid pattern 10a is maintained before and after the fluctuation stops, that is, although the degree of clarity is maintained, the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the ineffective pattern 10b remains opaque. to a translucent state, ie, the degree of clarity decreases.

In this way, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the valid symbols 10a are displayed more clearly than the ineffective symbols 10b, so it is easy to distinguish between the valid symbols 10a and the ineffective symbols 10b.

Furthermore, before and after the fluctuation stops, the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the valid pattern 10a remains opaque, but the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the ineffective pattern 10b changes from an opaque state to a translucent state. Therefore, the change (decrease in clarity) of the ineffective symbol 10b is emphasized, and the distinction between the effective symbol 10a and the ineffective symbol 10b becomes easier.

In addition, the difference in the degree of clarity between the valid pattern 10a and the ineffective pattern 10b is expressed by whether or not the background image 30 is visible, so the difference between the valid pattern 10a and the ineffective pattern 10b is emphasized, making it even easier to distinguish between the valid pattern 10a and the ineffective pattern 10b.

Hereinafter, specific examples in which matters related to the display of the valid symbols 10a and ineffective symbols 10b are improved, modified, developed, etc. will be explained. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of items described in the specific examples described below are applied.

First Specific Example Although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which a plurality of active lines may be set, a configuration may be adopted in which only one active line is always set. In the above embodiment, the decorative pattern 10 located on the one effective line is defined as the effective pattern 10a, and the decorative pattern 10 not located on the effective line but at least partially displayed in the display area 911 is defined as the ineffective pattern 10b. Display control similar to that can be performed.

However, in the case of a configuration in which a plurality of valid lines are set, it can be said that it is more difficult to distinguish between valid symbols 10a and ineffective symbols 10b than in a configuration in which only one valid line is always set. That is, for a configuration in which a plurality of effective lines are set, it is particularly meaningful to control the display of the decorative pattern 10 as in the above embodiment.

○Second specific example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the "difference in the degree of clarity" between the valid pattern 10a and the ineffective pattern 10b is set depending on whether or not the background image 30 is transparent. , this is just an example. The valid symbols 10a may be displayed in a manner that is "easier to see" for the player than the ineffective symbols 10b. Examples of such display modes include the following.

The effective patterns 10a are brighter than the ineffective patterns 10b. From the opposite perspective, the ineffective patterns 10b are darker so as to be less noticeable.
The effective symbols 10a are made larger than the ineffective symbols 10b. From the opposite perspective, the ineffective symbols 10b are made smaller so as to be less noticeable.
In the case where the decorative pattern 10 includes the first element portion 11 and the second element portion 12, the effective pattern 10a includes both the first element portion 11 and the second element portion 12, but the ineffective pattern 10b does not include either of them. For example, if each decorative pattern 10 is composed of "numbers" and "characters" as in this embodiment, the effective pattern 10a includes both "numbers" and "characters", while the ineffective pattern 10b includes only "numbers" on one side.
An image that emphasizes the active pattern 10a is added (accompanied) to the active pattern 10a, but such an image is not added to the inactive pattern 10b.

○Third specific example: In a configuration where multiple active lines are set, although there is a possibility of a jackpot (a set of three symbols of the same type) on a certain active line (first active line L1), , when there is no such possibility on another active line (second active line L2), the decorative symbol 10 on the first effective line L1 is set as the effective symbol 10a, while the decoration on the second effective line L2 is set as the effective symbol 10a. The symbol 10 is displayed as a non-valid symbol 10b (although it is on the valid line).

For example, at the time when the fluctuation of the 10 groups of decorative symbols on the left and the 10 groups of decorative symbols on the right has stopped, reach has been established on the first active line L1 (there is a possibility of a jackpot), but the second active line It is assumed that a reach has not been established on line L2 (a miss has been confirmed). In this case, the decorative symbols 10 located on the first effective line L1 are displayed as effective symbols 10a, and the decorative symbols 10 located on the second effective line L2 are displayed as ineffective symbols 10b (see FIG. 21). In other words, the former is displayed more clearly than the latter. In this way, the same control as in the above embodiment may be performed by setting the symbols that still have a possibility of becoming a jackpot combination as the valid symbols 10a and the other symbols as the ineffective symbols 10b.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment at all, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

3) Specific means (gaming machines) obtained from the above embodiment are listed below.

・Method 1-1
This gaming machine is characterized in that the occurrence of a specific effect in which a pattern combination selected and displayed from a plurality of types of decorative patterns becomes a specific combination is set as an event advantageous to a player, the specific combination includes target patterns that can change each time, and a pre-effect occurs before the specific effect occurs, suggesting which of the plurality of types of decorative patterns will be set as the target pattern.
According to the gaming machine described above, the type of decorative pattern set as the target pattern can be changed each time, so that it is possible to provide a wide variety of patterns indicating the occurrence of an event advantageous to the player.

・Method 1-2
The gaming machine described in means 1-1 is characterized in that the pre-performance begins approximately simultaneously with the start of the performance that notifies the winner/loser of the result of the win/lose determination.
This makes it difficult to predict when a particular combination will be presented.

・Means 1-3
The gaming machine according to means 1-1 or 1-2, wherein the display position of the target symbol included in the specific combination in relation to the other decorative symbols is fixed.
By doing so, it is easy to understand whether a specific combination has been established.

・Means 1-4
Means 1-1 characterized in that the decorative pattern includes a part representing a character, and the preliminary presentation is a presentation that displays a character included in the decorative pattern set as the target pattern. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1-3.
By doing so, it is easy to understand which decorative pattern has been set as the target pattern.

・Method 1-5
A gaming machine described in any one of means 1-1 to 1-4, characterized in that it comprises a main display device on which the decorative pattern is displayed, and a sub-display device which is a display device other than the main display device and on which the pre-performance is executed.
In this way, it is possible to display which decorative symbol is set as the target symbol on the sub-display device, regardless of the main display device. In other words, it is easy to control the presentation.

・Method 1-6
The gaming machine described in means 1-5 is characterized in that the sub-display device is a transparent display device that is provided in front of the main display device and can make the portion on which no image is displayed transparent.
An example of the sub-display device is the above-mentioned transmission type display device.

・Means 2-1
A reach performance execution means that executes a reach performance that indicates a success/failure determination result based on the form of the ending, and which becomes a successful outcome when the success/fail determination result is a win, and the outcome of the reach performance is not the successful outcome. and a reversal effect execution means for performing a reversal effect to show that the result of the win/fail determination is actually a win after making it appear as if the result of the win/fail determination is a failure, and the above-mentioned reach effect. A gaming machine characterized in that when a specific image is displayed on a display device after reaching the failed outcome, the probability that the reversal effect will occur is higher than when the specific image is not displayed. .
By doing so, the player will pay attention even after the failed reach performance, so it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

・Method 2-2
The gaming machine described in means 2-1 is characterized in that, when the specific image is displayed, the occurrence of the reversal effect is confirmed.
In this way, the display of a specific image may be set as a confirmed win.

・Method 2-3
The gaming machine described in Means 2-1 or 2-2 is characterized in that the specific image is an image in which a combination of decorative patterns that shows the result of a win/loss judgment is a loss is in a specific form.
In this way, it is possible to realize a gameplay that draws attention to the combination of decorative symbols when the reach performance ends in failure.

・Means 2-4
As described in means 2-3, the specific mode is a mode in which a specific pattern, which is a type of the decorative pattern, is displayed at a specific position in relation to other decorative patterns constituting the specific mode. gaming machines.
An example of the specific mode is a mode in which a specific pattern, which is a type of decorative pattern, is displayed at a predetermined position.

Measure 3-1
a display device that displays decorative patterns that indicate a win/lose determination result based on a combination when the patterns completely stop; a reach effect execution means that executes a reach effect that indicates the win/lose determination result based on the type of outcome, and that results in a successful outcome when the win/lose determination result is a win; a miss determination period setting means that, when the outcome of the reach effect is a failure outcome other than the successful outcome, causes the display device to pseudo-stop the decorative patterns in a combination that indicates that the win/lose determination result is a miss, and then swings the decorative patterns to set a miss determination period until the decorative patterns completely stop and the win/lose determination result is determined to be a miss; and a reversal effect execution means that executes a reversal effect that indicates that the win/lose determination result is actually a win, and that is an effect that can occur during the pseudo miss determination period in which the decorative patterns are swung to make it look as if the miss determination period has been set when the outcome of the reach effect is the failure outcome, and that indicates that the win/lose determination result is actually a win;
In this way, it is not clear until the very end (until the decorative symbols completely stop) whether or not a reversal effect will occur, which increases the entertainment value of the game.

Measure 3-2
The gaming machine according to the means 3-1, characterized in that the number of oscillations N1 and N2 are set as the number of oscillations of the decorative symbols that can be selected during the loss determination period, and the number of oscillations M is set as the number of oscillations of the decorative symbols that can be selected during the pseudo loss determination period. However, N1, N2, and M satisfy the relationship of "N1<M<N2".
In this way, when the number of swings exceeds N1, a reversal effect may or may not occur (only the number of swings N2 is selected), so the game becomes more interesting when the reach effect ends in failure.

Measure 3-3
The gaming machine described in Means 3-2 is characterized in that the probability that the number of oscillations N1 is selected as the number of oscillations of the decorative pattern during the loss determination period is higher than the probability that the number of oscillations N2 is selected.
By doing this, it is possible to realize a gameplay in which, although there is hope that a reversal effect will occur when the number of swings exceeds N1, the occurrence of the reversal effect is not guaranteed.

・Method 4-1
A gaming machine comprising: a pattern control means for controlling patterns displayed in a display area of a display device, the pattern control means controlling a plurality of decorative patterns for informing a player of a win/lose determination result, and special patterns which are different from the decorative patterns and indicate that an event advantageous to the player will occur; an operation means which can be operated by a player; and an effect execution means for executing an operation effect which encourages the player to operate the operation means by displaying an operation image, wherein after the special pattern indicates that an event advantageous to the player will occur, the special pattern changes to the operation image and the operation effect is executed.
In this way, it is possible to realize an interesting game flow that transitions from a special symbol presentation (a presentation indicating the occurrence of an advantageous event) to an operation presentation.

・Measure 4-2
When the special symbol remains in a predetermined position, an event advantageous to the player occurs, and if the special symbol does not remain in the predetermined position, an event advantageous to the player does not occur, and The gaming machine according to means 4-1, wherein the operation performance is not executed.
By doing so, it is possible to realize an easy-to-understand gameplay in which whether or not the special symbol stays at a predetermined position is the difference between the occurrence of an advantageous event and the occurrence of an operation effect.

Measure 4-3
The gaming machine described in means 4-2 is characterized in that the special pattern is displayed at the specified position between the two decorative patterns displayed on one side and the other side of the display area, and the special pattern changes into the operation image to execute the operation performance.
By doing so, the operation image is displayed in the center of the display area, making it easy to understand that an operation presentation has occurred (that is, that an operation of the operating means is being prompted).

Measure 4-4
The gaming machine described in any one of means 4-1 to 4-3, wherein the special symbol includes a portion suggesting the operation image.
In this way, the player can sense whether an operational effect will be executed from the stage when the special symbol is displayed (predict the progress of the game).

・Means 5-1
After varying a plurality of types of decorative patterns in the display area, a display device having a display area and a combination of valid symbols, which are the decorative patterns along the valid line, are used to determine a validity determination result at a time when the variation is stopped. and a notification means for notifying, when an ineffective symbol which is the decorative symbol which is not the effective symbol is displayed in the display area, the effective symbol is displayed more clearly than the ineffective symbol. A gaming machine characterized by:
By doing so, it becomes easy to distinguish between valid symbols and non-valid symbols.

・Means 5-2
Means 4-1 described in means 4-1, characterized in that the degree of clarity of the valid symbols is maintained while the degree of clarity of the non-valid symbols is decreased before and after the fluctuation stops. gaming machines.
By doing this, changes that do not occur in the valid symbols will occur in the ineffective symbols before and after the fluctuation stops, making it easier to distinguish between the valid symbols and the ineffective symbols.

・Means 5-3
A background image is displayed as a background of the decorative pattern in the display area, and the background image is visible through the ineffective pattern, and is not visible through the active pattern. The gaming machine according to means 5-1 or 5-2, characterized in that:
By doing this, the background image emphasizes the difference between non-valid and valid symbols, making it easier to distinguish between valid and non-valid symbols (for some symbols, the background image can be seen through, The situation in which the background images of other designs cannot be seen through makes a big difference in how the designs are perceived (visibility).

Measure 5-4
The gaming machine described in any one of means 5-1 to 5-3 is characterized in that a plurality of the pay lines may be set.
For gaming machines in which a plurality of pay lines are set, it is important to make it easy to distinguish between pay symbols and non-pay symbols, so the above-described configuration is particularly effective.

1 Game machine 10 Decorative pattern 11 First element part 12 Second element part 10t Target pattern 10s Specific pattern 10a Valid pattern 10b Ineffective pattern 18 Prior image 20 Specific image 30 Background image 40 Operation image 50 Special pattern 501 First special pattern 502 Second special symbol 51 Operation suggestion section 80 Operation means 91 Display device 911 Display area 91a Main display device 91b Sub-display device

Claims (1)

a display device having a display area;
After fluctuating a plurality of types of decorative symbols in the display area, the decorative symbol along one or more effective lines is used as an effective symbol at the time when the variation is stopped or pseudo-stopped, and one or more of the effective lines are set as effective symbols. Notifying means that determines a symbol that does not comply with any of the above as an ineffective symbol and notifies the result of a validity determination based on a combination of the valid symbols;
Equipped with
The notification means is configured to determine a combination of the valid symbols along one or more of the valid lines as a winning combination if the result of the validity determination is a win;
A background image is displayed in the display area as a background of the decorative pattern,
When the variations of the plurality of types of decorative patterns are stopped or pseudo-stopped and the non-effective pattern is displayed in the display area together with the valid pattern, the background image can be seen through the non-effective pattern, and the background image is visible through the non-effective pattern. A gaming machine characterized in that the background image cannot be seen through the valid symbols.
However, the effective line is not displayed in the display area in a state where the variation of the decorative pattern is not stopped or pseudo-stopped.

Images