JP7464239B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Gaming machines capable of executing operational effects that prompt the player to operate the operating means are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2019-13527 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a gaming machine that can execute interesting effects that utilize operational effects.

The gaming machine of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, comprises: a pattern control means for controlling the patterns displayed in the display area of a display device, which include multiple types of decorative patterns for informing the player of the win/lose judgment result, and special patterns that are different from the decorative patterns and indicate the occurrence of an event advantageous to the player; an operation means that can be operated by the player; and an effect execution means for executing an operation effect that encourages the player to operate the operation means by displaying an operation image, and is characterized in that after the occurrence of a pseudo-continuous effect is indicated by the special pattern, the special pattern changes to the operation image and the operation effect is executed.

The present invention makes it possible to create interesting effects that utilize operational effects.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a list of decorative patterns. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining pre-performance. A figure for explaining a first specific example of pre-performance. A figure for explaining a third specific example of pre-performance. A figure for explaining a fourth specific example of pre-performance. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a suggestion of a reversal performance. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a third specific example regarding a suggestion of a reversal performance. 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). 13 is a diagram for explaining the number of times the decorative pattern swings. FIG. This is a diagram showing events that may occur after a reach performance ends in failure, in chronological order, based on the number of times the decorative symbols fluctuate. A figure to explain a third specific example of the oscillation of decorative patterns during a loss confirmation period (pseudo loss confirmation period). A diagram to explain the operation presentation using special patterns. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation presentation using special symbols. A figure to explain a third specific example of an operation presentation using a special pattern. A figure for explaining fourth and fifth specific examples of operation presentations using special patterns. 17A and 17B are diagrams for explaining fourth and fifth specific examples of operation presentations using special symbols (continuation of FIG. 17). 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 the 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. 1. The gaming machine 1 includes a gaming board 90. The gaming board 90 is made of a substantially square plywood, and a guide rail 903 that constitutes a passage for guiding a gaming ball launched by operating a launching device 908 (launching handle) to a playing area 902 is provided so as to have a substantially arc shape.

The game area 902 is provided with a start winning hole 904, a big winning hole 906, an out hole, etc. The display device 91 is provided at the rear of the game board 90, and the display area 911 of the display device 91 is an area that can be seen through an opening 901 formed in the game board 90. Note that in some drawings, the display area 911 is depicted as roughly rectangular, but the shape, etc. can be changed as appropriate (the shape, etc. of the display area 911 can be changed by changing the shape and size of the opening 901 and the shape and size of the display device 91 itself).

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, gaming balls are launched toward the gaming area 902 by operating the launching device 908. When a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area 902 enters a winning hole such as the start winning hole 904 or the big winning hole 906, a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by the payout device.

Note that we will not explain components of the gaming machine 1 that are not related to the present invention, such as the frame of the gaming machine 1 and the lower and upper trays that store the gaming balls. These components can have the same structure as known gaming machines.

The winning/losing lottery (winning/losing determination) is executed by a winning/losing determination means provided on a control board (not shown) when a game ball enters the start winning opening 904 shown in FIG. 1 (there may be multiple such start winning openings 904). Note that in this embodiment, it is a winning "opening" (where the winning game ball is taken in), but it may also be a winning "area" (where the winning game ball flows directly down the game area 902. An example of the winning area is a gate-like configuration).

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.

When a jackpot is won, a jackpot game is played. In a jackpot game, the jackpot opening 906 opens frequently, allowing the player to win many game balls (so-called winning balls). This is similar to known gaming machines, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

In addition, in this embodiment, the results of the winning/losing judgment are announced in the order in which the numerical values for the winning/losing judgment were acquired. However, when a numerical value is acquired and the winning/losing judgment result based on a numerical value acquired before is announced, the numerical value is stored in a storage means provided on a control board (not shown) until the announcement of the winning/losing judgment result based on the numerical value starts. The maximum number of numbers (hereinafter sometimes referred to as reserved (information)) for which the announcement of the winning/losing judgment result has not yet started can be set appropriately. The maximum number of reserved information that the storage means in this embodiment can store is four. The numerical values acquired for the winning/losing judgment are also used as numerical values for determining the specific content of the performance that announces the winning/losing judgment result. The display area 911 may be configured to display (reserved display; not shown) indicating the presence of the reserved information. Also, the winning/losing judgment may be immediately performed when the starting winning hole 904 is won, and the winning/losing judgment result itself may be stored in the storage means (in such a case, the winning/losing judgment result itself becomes reserved information).

Whether the result of the hit/miss judgment is a big hit or a miss is notified by a 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 patterns 10 include a first element portion 11 and a second element portion 12. The first element portion 11 is a portion including an image representing any of the numbers "1" to "7", and the second element portion 12 is a portion including an image representing any of the numbers "Character A" to "Character G". In other words, seven types of decorative patterns 10 are set: a pattern including "1" and "Character A", a pattern including "2" and "Character B", a pattern including "3" and "Character C", ... and a pattern including "7" and "Character G". In the following description, when various decorative patterns 10 are represented, the first element portion 11 is shown, such as "decorative pattern 10 of "1"" and "decorative pattern 10 of "7".

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) Effects, display modes, etc. using the decorative pattern 10 The following describes effects, display modes, etc. using the decorative pattern 10 that can be executed by the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment. Note that the configuration does not necessarily have to be capable of executing all of the items described below. It may be possible to have a configuration that can execute only some of the items. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the image in the following description includes not only still images but also videos (moving images).

2-1) Pre-performance The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is capable of executing a pseudo-sequential performance. Since the pseudo-sequential performance itself is well known, detailed description will be omitted. However, the pseudo-sequential performance is a unit performance (specific performance) in which the changing decorative pattern 10 stops once and then starts changing again, and is repeated one or more times. The occurrence of the unit performance (pseudo-sequential performance) is set to increase the probability (jackpot reliability) that the target hit/miss judgment result will be a jackpot. In other words, the occurrence of the unit performance can be said to be a welcome event for the player.

In this embodiment, when a unit performance occurs, a symbol combination selected from a plurality of decorative symbols 10 and displayed, i.e., a combination consisting of the pseudo-stopped left, center, and right decorative symbols 10, becomes a "specific combination." In this embodiment, the specific combination is one in which the center decorative symbol 10 becomes the target symbol 10t. In other words, the position of the target symbol 10t contained in the specific combination (the display position in relation to the other decorative symbols 10 that make up the specific combination) is fixed (in this embodiment, it is "middle") (see FIG. 3(b)).

The target pattern 10t is any one of a number of decorative patterns 10, but the type of decorative pattern 10 that corresponds to the target pattern 10t is not fixed. In other words, the type of decorative pattern 10 that becomes the target pattern 10t can change each time. In this embodiment, any of the decorative patterns 10 of "1" to "7" are set to be the target pattern 10t.

The pre-effect shows the player which decorative pattern 10 will be set as the target pattern 10t. Specifically, the pre-effect is executed to show the player which target pattern 10t will be set in a certain notification effect (the effect from when the decorative pattern 10 starts to change until it stops at a combination that indicates the result of the win/lose judgment, i.e., the effect for one change). Note that in this embodiment, the pre-effect does not occur in all notification effects (every change). It occurs during a notification effect where there is a possibility of a unit effect (pseudo continuous effect) occurring.

In this embodiment, the pre-effect is an effect 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, the player is informed that the decorative pattern 10 including the character is set as the target pattern 10t. For example, in a notification effect in which the target pattern 10t is the decorative pattern 10 of "3", an image of character C (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a pre-image 18) is displayed (see FIG. 3(a)). In this way, a player who sees the pre-effect can feel that character C is indicating something. If the player continues to play for a certain period of time (if the player comes into contact with the pre-effect and the unit effect several times), the player can grasp that the decorative pattern 10 including the character shown in the pre-effect is set as a pattern indicating the occurrence of the unit effect. Note that the image of the character displayed as a pre-effect (pre-image 18) does not have to be an exact match with the image of the character that constitutes the decorative pattern 10. It is sufficient that the player can understand that the character displayed in the pre-effect represents a character included in one of the decorative patterns 10.

The pre-effect needs to occur before the specific combination is shown. In this embodiment, the pre-effect starts almost at the same time as the start of the notification effect. In other words, from the player's perspective, the flow is such that the decorative pattern 10 that notifies a certain win/loss judgment result starts to change and the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the target pattern 10t is shown immediately. Since the specific combination cannot be shown at a stage before the pre-effect occurs, it is preferable to make it difficult for the player to predict the timing when the specific combination may be shown (the timing when the unit effect may occur) by showing the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the target pattern 10t at the beginning of the notification effect (since the specific combination is not shown before the pre-effect, the later the timing when the pre-effect occurs, the easier it is to predict the timing when the specific combination may be shown, and the less interesting the game becomes). However, this does not deny the pre-effect occurring some time after the start of the notification effect. It is sufficient to make the pre-effect occur before the time when the specific combination may 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 types of sub-display device 91b are possible. As one example, a display device (e.g., a liquid crystal display device) capable of displaying a full-color image like the main display device 91a may be provided as the sub-display device 91b, and the preliminary image 18 may be displayed on the sub-display device 91b (see FIG. 4(a)).

As a different example, it is possible to use a transmissive display device as the sub-display device 91b. Specifically, it is possible to provide a transmissive display device 91b (a display device 91b in which the portion on which no image is displayed can be made transparent) in front of the main display device 91a, and to have the preliminary image 18 displayed on the transmissive display device 91b (see FIG. 4(b). The transmissive 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 In the above embodiment, the pre-effect is described as a character image showing the type of decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t, but the form of the pre-effect is not limited to this. For example, the pre-effect may be a form showing a "number" of the decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t.

The pre-performance may be in a form that allows the player to sense which decorative pattern 10 is set as the target pattern 10t, but it is better not to display the decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t itself. This is because if the pre-performance were to display the decorative pattern 10 set as the target pattern 10t itself, there is a risk that the image displayed as the pre-performance will be mistaken for the decorative pattern 10. Therefore, it is preferable that the image displayed as the pre-performance is not the target decorative pattern 10 itself, but is in a form that shows a connection to the target decorative pattern 10 so that the player can sense that it is showing 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.

If the specific combination is set such that the center decorative pattern 10 becomes the target pattern 10t as in the above embodiment, it is sufficient to make it possible to distinguish at least the target pattern 10t that is changing as the center decorative pattern 10 group from the other patterns, and it is not necessary to set a similar difference between the left and right decorative pattern 10 groups.

Fourth Specific Example: In the above embodiment, it has been explained that in one notification performance (during one change), only one of the multiple decorative patterns 10 is set as the target pattern 10t, but it is also possible that two or more of the multiple decorative patterns 10 are set as the target pattern 10t in one notification performance (see Figure 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). Since a greater number of target symbols 10t gives the player the impression that a specific combination is more likely to be formed, 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 can be changed as appropriate as long as it is advantageous to the player. For example, it can be applied to a so-called pre-reading performance. The pre-reading performance suggests that the probability that a certain hit/miss judgment result (target hit/miss judgment result) will be a jackpot has increased by using a notification performance (previous notification performance) of a hit/miss judgment result (previous hit/miss judgment result) that is notified earlier. When a specific combination is constructed in the previous notification performance, if the target hit/miss judgment result is configured to have a high probability of being a jackpot, the target pattern 10t included in the specific combination in the previous notification performance is displayed in the pre-performance. In other words, the target pattern 10t that constructs the so-called "chance eye" can be changed each time, and the pre-performance indicates which decorative pattern 10 the target pattern 10t is.

As another example, when a special combination is created, a performance that gives hope of winning a big prize (chance up performance) is generated. In such a configuration, it is conceivable that the decorative pattern 10 that is the target pattern 10t that creates the special combination is indicated in a pre-performance.

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 is executed that suggests the likelihood of a reversal effect occurring. In short, it is set so that the likelihood of a reversal effect occurring is higher when a specific image 20 is displayed in the display area 911 after the end of the reach effect has ended in failure (see FIG. 7(c-1)) than when the specific image 20 is not displayed (see FIG. 7(c-2)). Therefore, the display of the specific image 20 can be said to be a desirable 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 mode is a combination that includes the specific pattern 10s. The specific pattern 10s is any one of a plurality of types of decorative patterns 10. In this embodiment, the decorative pattern 10 of "7" is set as the specific pattern 10s (other decorative patterns 10 are not specific patterns 10s). The specific mode is a mode that may be displayed when the reach performance ends in failure, and is therefore considered to be a "reach miss" mode. Specifically, in this embodiment, the left decorative pattern 10 and the right decorative pattern 10 are set as the same type of pattern as a "reach", and the mode in which the middle decorative pattern 10 to indicate a "reach miss" 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 (center) - 4 (right)" is a specific mode (see FIG. 7(c-1)), and other combinations (for example, a combination of "4 (left) - 5 (center) - 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.

The fact that the decorative pattern 10 of "7" is set as the specific pattern 10s means that if the reach performance with the decorative pattern 10 of "7" ends in failure, the specific mode will not be displayed. This is because the decorative pattern 10 inside cannot be a "7" as a reach miss with the decorative pattern 10 of "7" (it would result in a triple combination indicating a jackpot). However, this does not mean that a reversal performance will not occur if the reach performance with the decorative pattern 10 of "7" ends in failure. It just means that there is no indication of the occurrence of a reversal performance depending on whether or not there is a specific mode.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the reach is established by the decorative pattern 10 of "7", the probability of a jackpot is set to be higher than when the reach is established by other decorative patterns 10. In this way, in order to ensure that the reach by the decorative pattern 10 of "7" is "chance up", the probability of the reach occurring by the decorative pattern 10 of "7" is lower than the probability of the reach occurring by other decorative patterns 10. Therefore, the probability that the reach performance by the decorative pattern 10 of "7" will end in failure is lower than the probability that the reach performance by the other decorative patterns 10 will end in 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 patterns 10 as the specific pattern 10s. This is because if the other decorative patterns 10 are set as the specific pattern 10s, the frequency of occurrence of a situation in which the combination of the decorative patterns 10 after the failure cannot be set to 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.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, modifications, and developments of the above-mentioned reversal effect suggestions. Note that multiple of the features described in the specific examples below may be 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 the specific image 20 in the above embodiment is an image in which the combination of the decorative symbols 10 results in a specific pattern, it does not have to be an image using the decorative symbols 10. For example, if an image including a specific character (the specific image 20) is displayed after the reach effect ends in failure, the probability of a reversal effect occurring is higher than when the image is not displayed. However, if the specific image 20 is an image in which the combination of the decorative symbols 10 results in a specific pattern as in the above embodiment, the probability of a reversal effect occurring is suggested by the "reach failure pattern combination" that the player would normally miss because it is displayed after the reach effect ends in failure, making the game more complex.

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, 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 a non-specific aspect if it is any other relationship. For example, if "the number of the other decorative pattern 10-the number of the decorative pattern 10 that constitutes the reach=1", it is considered to be a specific aspect (see FIG. 8(a)), and if "the number of the other decorative pattern 10-the number of the decorative pattern 10 that constitutes the reach=-1", it is considered to be a non-specific aspect (see FIG. 8(b)). 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)).

When the basic state is returned to, the decorative pattern 10 is not completely stopped. Specifically, the decorative pattern 10 is in a slightly swaying (oscillating) state. In this embodiment, the decorative pattern 10 is in a state of swaying up and down. If the period from the time of returning to the basic state until the decorative pattern 10 completely stops (the period from FIG. 10(a) to (b-1)) is defined as the "miss confirmation period", the decorative pattern 10 is in a swaying state during the miss confirmation period. Note that the reason for returning to the basic state after a "reach miss" is to prepare for the next notification effect (next change). In other words, if a "miss" is confirmed without a reversal effect occurring (if there is a next hold), the next change will start in the standard state (the next change will start after FIG. 10(b-1)).

In this embodiment, the number of times the decorative pattern 10 swings during the failure confirmation period (when the reversal effect does not occur) is not constant. In other words, the number of times the decorative pattern 10 swings during the failure confirmation period when a certain reach effect ends in failure can change each time. Here, the number of swings refers to the number of times the decorative pattern 10 swings up and down, with one round trip counted as one swing (see FIG. 11). Also, the "number of swings" here refers to the decimal point (it does not necessarily have to be a natural number). For example, the number of swings when the decorative pattern 10 is displaced by "two and a half round trips" is 2.5. Also, for example, 2.5 swings is more than 2 swings (2 swings is less than 2.5 swings).

As mentioned above, the number of times the decorative pattern 10 shakes during the loss confirmation period is not constant, so the number of shakes that can be selected (the number of shakes of the "selection candidates") is set to two or more. For example, it is assumed that at least the number of shakes N1 = 3 (times) and the number of shakes 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 point of view, the following gameplay is realized. When the reach effect ends in failure, there is a possibility that a reversal effect will occur and result in a big win. Since the number of oscillations of the decorative pattern 10 may be set to N1 = 3 (times) as the period during which the loss is confirmed, there is a possibility that the loss will be confirmed when the decorative pattern 10 has oscillated three times (the time shown by P1 in FIG. 12). A player who is in the period during which the number of oscillations N1 = 3 (times) is selected may think that the number of oscillations of the decorative pattern 10 until the loss is confirmed is three times. In this case, it is expected that a reversal effect will occur when the number of oscillations of the decorative pattern 10 exceeds three times when the reach effect ends in failure (when the decorative pattern 10 stops completely after three times and the loss is not confirmed). In reality, a reversal effect may occur when the number of oscillations reaches 3.5 (the point indicated by P2 in FIG. 12), or the reversal effect may not occur at that point, and the decorative pattern 10 may stop completely when the number of oscillations reaches 4 (the point indicated by P3 in FIG. 12), confirming a loss.

If the number of oscillations during the loss confirmation period were fixed at three, the occurrence of a reversal effect would be confirmed as soon as the number of oscillations exceeded three, which would be a simple configuration. However, in this embodiment, even when the number of oscillations exceeds three, it is possible to realize an interesting gameplay in which the occurrence of a reversal effect is not confirmed (because there may be cases where the number of oscillations N2 during the loss confirmation period is 4 (times)).

Below, we will explain specific examples of improvements, modifications, developments, etc., made to matters related to the oscillation of the decorative pattern 10 during the above-mentioned loss confirmation period (pseudo loss confirmation period). Note that a configuration may be made in which multiple matters described in the specific examples described below are applied.

First Specific Example The probability that the number of oscillations in the loss confirmation period is less than the number of oscillations in the pseudo loss confirmation period is set to be higher than the probability that the number of oscillations in the pseudo loss confirmation period is selected. In accordance with the above embodiment, the probability that the number of oscillations N1 = 3 (times) (less than the number of oscillations M = 3.5 (times) in the pseudo loss confirmation period) is selected is set to be higher than the probability that the number of oscillations N2 = 4 (times) (more than the number of oscillations M = 3.5 (times) in the pseudo loss confirmation period) is selected.

By doing this, the player will be exposed to many more periods of time during which the number of oscillations = 3 (times) until a loss is confirmed. In other words, although the number of oscillations until a loss is confirmed is basically 3 times, if it exceeds 3 times, the occurrence of a reversal performance is not confirmed, but it is possible to realize gameplay that gives players hope that it will occur.

Second Specific Example It is assumed that a plurality of types of reach effects can be executed. Here, reach effects of the same type do not necessarily have to be completely the same in appearance. It is permitted that the appearance of the effects differs depending on the presence or absence of a so-called chance up. In other words, as a result of the appearance of most of the effects being common, those that are perceived as the same type of effects by the player are deemed to correspond to the same type of reach effects even if some of the appearances are different. For example, it is assumed that at least two types of reach effects, a first reach effect and a second reach effect, can be executed. Then, the number of times that the decorative pattern 10 shakes during the failure confirmation period when the first reach effect ends in failure is different from the number of times that the decorative pattern 10 shakes during the failure confirmation period when the second reach effect ends in failure, but the number of times that the decorative pattern 10 shakes during the failure confirmation period of each of the first reach effect and the second reach effect is the same. In other words, the number of times that the decorative pattern 10 shakes during the failure confirmation period may differ if the type of reach effect is different, but is constant if the reach effect is the same type.

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, by arranging the number of candidates (N1, N2, etc.) that can be set as the number of oscillations during the confirmed miss period (when a reversal effect does not occur) and the number of candidates (M1, M2, etc.) that can be set as the number of oscillations during the pseudo confirmed miss period (when a reversal effect occurs) in an alternating order (arranged from smallest to largest as N1, M1, N2, M2, etc.), it is possible to realize an interesting gameplay in which a "situation that may result in a confirmed miss" and a "situation that may result in a reversal effect" alternate after a failed end of a reach effect.

Fourth Specific Example: Although the direction of the swing (swing) of the decorative pattern 10 in the above embodiment is described as "up and down", the direction is not limited to up and down. It may be configured to swing "left and right". The swing (swing) refers to the decorative pattern 10 repeating the same movement once or multiple times, and one such movement may be considered as one swing number, and may be configured in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

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 of the operation means 80. 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, but it is sufficient that 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 symbol is used for the pseudo-successive performance. Specifically, after the decorative symbol 10 is pseudo-stopped on the left and the decorative symbol 10 (of a different type from the decorative symbol 10 pseudo-stopped on the left) is pseudo-stopped on the right (see FIG. 14(a)), a "teasing" occurs that the special symbol will pseudo-stop in the middle (see FIG. 14(b)). Specifically, the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner together with the decorative symbol 10 group in the middle, and a "teasing" occurs that the symbol selected from the group of symbols in the middle will become the special symbol. After that, when the selected symbol becomes the special symbol (when the special symbol stays at the position where the "middle" symbol is displayed) (see FIG. 14(c)), a unit performance (pseudo-successive performance) (see FIG. 15(a)) occurs. In other words, in this embodiment, the symbol pseudo-stopped between the decorative symbol 10 pseudo-stopped on the left and the decorative symbol 10 pseudo-stopped on the right becomes a special symbol, which is used as an indication of the occurrence of the pseudo-successive performance. In addition, if the special symbol does not stop after the "teasing" mentioned above, the unit performance (pseudo continuous performance), which is an advantageous event for the player, does not occur, and the operation performance during the re-changing described below does not occur. Although not shown, in this embodiment, the hit/miss judgment result is confirmed as a miss.

When the special symbol remains at the position where the "medium" symbol is displayed and a re-change occurs, the special symbol changes to the operation image 40 and the operation performance is executed (see FIG. 15(a)). In this embodiment, together with the operation image 40 in which the special symbol changes, an image of a meter (meter image 41) indicating the operation effective time during which the operation of the operation means 80 is reflected in the performance, and an instruction image 42 indicating the required operation mode of the operation means 80 (various operation modes can be exemplified, such as a single operation to operate only once, a continuous operation to operate continuously (rapid tap), and a maintenance operation to maintain the operated state (long press)) are displayed. When a player sees this, he or she can understand that it is a situation in which the operation means 80 should be operated. The specific mode of the operation performance may be any, but the result of the performance suggests the probability that the hit/miss judgment result will be a jackpot (jackpot reliability) (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.

Below, we will explain specific examples of improvements, modifications, developments, etc., made to the operational effects that use special symbols. Note that multiple of the items explained in the specific examples below may be applied in the configuration.

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 is set in which a plurality of types of special pattern patterns are set as the pattern of the special pattern. The pattern pattern is then set to suggest the probability that the special pattern will stay in a predetermined position (the "middle" position in the above embodiment) and that a pseudo-continuous performance (unit performance) will occur. In the configuration of this example, the pattern pattern suggests 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 is generated (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 is generated (see FIG. 16(b-2)). The difference between the first operation image 401 and the second operation image 402 may be any one. 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 a special symbol remains at a predetermined position and a unit performance occurs, whether or not a unit performance occurs is also indicated by whether or not the special symbol remains at a predetermined position. In short, when a special symbol indicates that the number of pseudo consecutive times is two (so-called "pseudo 2") (see FIG. 17(a)), whether or not the number of pseudo consecutive times is three (so-called "pseudo 3") is indicated by the special symbol (see FIG. 17(d), FIG. 18(a)). In other words, when a unit performance is indicated by a special symbol, whether or not a unit performance occurs (whether or not the pseudo consecutive performance continues) is indicated by whether or not the special symbol remains at a predetermined position, and is not indicated by any other method.

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

Fifth Specific Example (an extension of the fourth specific example)
In the configuration of the fourth specific example, an operation performance occurs each time the special symbol stays at a predetermined position (each time a unit performance occurs). In other words, there may be cases where multiple operation performances (see FIG. 17(c) and FIG. 18(c)) occur triggered by a special symbol (during one notification performance). In this way, when multiple operation performances occur triggered by a special symbol, the result of the next operation performance (later operation performance) (see FIG. 18(c)) is more advantageous to the player than the result of a certain operation performance (previous operation performance) (see FIG. 17(c)). For example, it is assumed that multiple results with different jackpot reliability are set in stages as the results of the operation performance. As an example, it is assumed that a first result (white), a second result (blue), a third result (green), and a fourth result (red) are set, and the jackpot reliability increases in this order (the fourth result is the highest).

With this as a premise, the result of the subsequent operation performance will be a result "greater than" the result that occurred in the previous operation performance. For example, if the second result (blue) (see FIG. 17(c)) occurs in the previous operation performance, then the subsequent operation performance will be either the second result (blue), the third result (green), or the fourth result (red) (the first result (white) will not occur) (see FIG. 18(c)). By doing this, it is possible to realize gameplay that is expected to gradually step up the operation performance that occurs each time a unit performance occurs.

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 fluctuating 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 patterns 10 in any group of decorative patterns 10 become effective patterns 10a located on the upper line Lu and the lower line Ll, the two decorative patterns 10 are two frames apart, so there is no effective pattern 10a located on the center line Lc. A reach can be achieved on the upper line Lu and the lower line Ll (a two-line reach can be achieved) (see FIG. 19(b)). Note that a configuration may be used 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 patterns 10 are fluctuating (meaning a state in which the decorative patterns 10 are neither stopped nor pseudo-stopped), it is not yet determined which decorative patterns 10 will be the active patterns 10a and which will be the inactive patterns 10b, so no difference in the display mode is set depending on the patterns. In this embodiment, the fluctuating speed slows down as the time approaches when the fluctuating decorative patterns 10 stop (i.e., the time when the decorative patterns 10 stop or pseudo-stop; hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the fluctuating stop time), but when the fluctuating speed slows down, 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 course spanning the time of the fluctuation stop, at the stage prior to the time of the fluctuation stop (when the effective pattern 10a and the non-effective pattern 10b cannot yet be distinguished, and the fluctuation speed is so slow that the player can clearly see the decorative pattern 10), all the decorative patterns 10 are in an opaque state (see FIG. 20(a)). Then, when the time of the fluctuation stop is reached (when the effective pattern 10a and the non-effective pattern 10b can be distinguished), the opaque state of the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the effective pattern 10a is maintained, but the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the non-effective pattern 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 effective pattern 10a is maintained before and after the time of the fluctuation stop, that is, the degree of clarity is maintained, but the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the non-effective pattern 10b changes from an opaque state to a semi-transparent state, that is, the degree of clarity decreases.

In this way, in the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment, the active symbols 10a are displayed more clearly than the inactive symbols 10b, making it easy to distinguish between the active symbols 10a and the inactive symbols 10b.

In addition, before and after the time when the fluctuation stops, the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the active pattern 10a remains opaque, but the decorative pattern 10 that becomes the inactive pattern 10b changes from an opaque state to a semi-transparent state, so the change in the inactive pattern 10b (the decrease in clarity) is emphasized, making it even easier to distinguish between the active pattern 10a and the inactive pattern 10b.

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.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, modifications, and developments in matters related to the display of the active patterns 10a and inactive patterns 10b. Note that the configuration may also apply multiple matters described in the specific examples described below.

First Specific Example In the above embodiment, a plurality of active lines may be set, but only one active line may be set at any one time. The decorative symbols 10 located on the active line may be set as active symbols 10a, and the decorative symbols 10 not located on the active line but at least a part of which is displayed in the display area 911 may be set as inactive symbols 10b, and the display control may be performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

However, in a configuration in which multiple active lines are set, it is more difficult to distinguish between the active and inactive patterns 10a and 10b than in a configuration in which only one active line is set at any one time. In other words, in a configuration in which multiple active lines are set, it is particularly meaningful to control the display of the decorative patterns 10 as in the above embodiment.

Second Specific Example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the "difference in clarity" between the active symbols 10a and the inactive symbols 10b is set depending on whether the background image 30 is visible or not, but this is merely an example. It is sufficient if the active symbols 10a are displayed in a manner that makes them "easier to see" for the player than the inactive 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 in which multiple valid lines are set, when there is a possibility of a jackpot (three of the same type of symbols) on one valid line (first valid line L1) but no such possibility on the other valid line (second valid line L2), the decorative patterns 10 on the first valid line L1 are displayed as valid patterns 10a, while the decorative patterns 10 on the second valid line L2 are displayed as inactive patterns 10b (although they are on a valid line).

For example, when the left group of decorative symbols 10 and the right group of decorative symbols 10 stop changing, the first effective line L1 is in a reach state (potential for a jackpot), but the second effective line L2 is not in a reach state (miss 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 are displayed more clearly than the latter. In this way, the same control as in the above embodiment may be performed with the symbols that still have the potential to form a jackpot combination as effective symbols 10a, and the rest as 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, and various modifications are possible 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.

・Method 1-3
The gaming machine described in Means 1-1 or 1-2 is characterized in that 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 know whether a specific combination has been achieved.

・Method 1-4
A gaming machine described in any one of means 1-1 to 1-3, characterized in that the decorative pattern includes a portion representing a character, and the pre-effect is an effect that displays a character contained in the decorative pattern that is set as the target pattern.
By doing so, it is easy to know which decorative pattern is 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.

・Method 2-1
The gaming machine is provided with a reach performance execution means for executing a reach performance which shows the result of a hit/miss determination based on the type of outcome, and which results in a successful outcome if the result of the hit/miss determination is a hit; and a reversal performance execution means for executing a reversal performance which shows that the result of the hit/miss determination is actually a hit, by ending the reach performance with a failure outcome other than the successful outcome, thereby making it appear as if the result of the hit/miss determination is a miss, and which is characterized in that the probability of the reversal performance occurring is higher when a specific image is displayed on the display device after the reach performance results in the failure outcome than when the specific image is not displayed.
By doing this, the player will pay attention to the reach performance even after the failure of the end, so that the entertainment value of the game can be improved.

・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.

・Method 2-4
The gaming machine described in means 2-3 is characterized in that the specific aspect is an aspect in which a specific pattern, which is one of the decorative patterns, is displayed at a specific position in relation to other decorative patterns that constitute the specific aspect.
One example of the specific aspect is a feature in which a specific design, which is a type of decorative design, 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
The gaming machine described in means 4-1 is characterized in that an event advantageous to the player occurs when the special symbol remains in a specified position, and if the special symbol does not remain in the specified position, no event advantageous to the player occurs and the operation presentation is not executed.
In this way, it is possible to realize easy-to-understand gameplay in which whether or not the special symbol remains in a predetermined position determines whether an advantageous event occurs and whether an operational performance occurs.

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).

Measure 5-1
A gaming machine comprising: a display device having a display area; and a notification means for varying a plurality of decorative patterns in the display area, and then notifying a winning/losing determination result based on a combination of effective patterns, which are decorative patterns, along an effective line at the time when the variation is stopped, and wherein when a non-effective pattern, which is a decorative pattern that is not the effective pattern, is displayed in the display area, the effective pattern is displayed more clearly than the non-effective pattern.
This makes it easier to distinguish between active and inactive symbols.

Measure 5-2
The gaming machine described in means 4-1 is characterized in that, before and after the fluctuation stopping time, the degree of clarity of the activated symbols is maintained, while the degree of clarity of the inactivated symbols is controlled to decrease.
In this way, a change that does not occur in the active symbols before and after the variation stop time occurs in the inactive symbols, making it easier to distinguish between the active symbols and the inactive symbols.

Measure 5-3
A gaming machine described in means 5-1 or 5-2, characterized in that a background image is displayed in the display area as a background of the decorative pattern, and the background image is visible through the inactive patterns, and the background image is not visible through the active patterns.
In this way, the background image emphasizes the difference between the effective and ineffective patterns, making it easier to distinguish between the effective and ineffective patterns (the situation in which the background image is visible through some patterns and not through other patterns creates a large difference in how the patterns 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 Gaming machine 10 Decorative pattern 11 First element section 12 Second element section 10t Target pattern 10s Specific pattern 10a Effective pattern 10b Ineffective pattern 18 Preliminary image 20 Specific image 30 Background image 40 Operation image 50 Special pattern 501 First special pattern 502 Second special pattern 51 Operation suggestion section 80 Operation means 91 Display device 911 Display area 91a Main display device 91b Sub-display device

Claims (3)

A gaming machine in which a player operates a launching device to launch a gaming ball,
A winning/losing determination means for determining whether or not a winning/losing decision has been made when the launched game ball enters the starting area ;
a display device having a display area;
a notification means for notifying a winning/losing determination result based on a combination of effective patterns along one or more effective lines among a plurality of types of decorative patterns displayed in the display area , and when the winning/losing determination result is a winning result, the combination of the effective patterns along any one or more of the effective lines is determined to be a winning combination, while when the winning/losing determination result is a losing result, the notification means notifies a winning/losing determination result by making the combination of the effective patterns along any one or more of the effective lines not a winning combination;
Equipped with
The decorative pattern that is not along any one or more of the active lines is determined to be an inactive pattern.
This gaming machine is characterized in that, when the decorative pattern that was being displayed in a variable manner in the display area stops or pseudo-stops, the clarity of the decorative pattern, which becomes the inactive pattern, is controlled so as to be lower in a state in which it is not being displayed in a variable manner after the decorative pattern stops or pseudo-stops than in a state in which it was displayed in a variable manner before the decorative pattern stops or pseudo-stops. A background image that is a background of the decorative pattern is displayed in the display area,
The decorative pattern displayed in a variable manner in the display area is in an opaque state in which the background image is not visible through the decorative pattern,
The gaming machine described in claim 1, characterized in that, when the decorative pattern stops or pseudo-stops, the decorative pattern that becomes the active pattern is maintained in an opaque state, while the decorative pattern that becomes the inactive pattern is made translucent so that the background image can be seen through. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that any of the inactive symbols is not entirely displayed in the display area, but is partially cut off.

Images