JP7464287B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

In typical gaming machines, the effects to be executed are determined by lottery, but various proposals have been made to prevent bias in the effects that are executed (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2004-041318 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a gaming machine that can reduce bias in the effects that are executed (the effect elements that are output).

The gaming machine of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is equipped with a presentation control means for controlling a specific presentation in which one of a plurality of types of presentation elements is output, and the presentation control means is capable of executing basic control for treating X number of specific presentations in the order in which they are executed as one presentation group, preventing the same type of presentation element from being output in two or more specific presentations included in the same presentation group, and for a certain presentation group (hereinafter referred to as the earlier presentation group) and a subsequent presentation group (hereinafter referred to as the later presentation group), making the type of presentation element of the specific presentation that is last to be executed among those included in the earlier presentation group different from the type of presentation element of the specific presentation that is first to be executed among those included in the later presentation group.
However, the number of types of performance elements is assumed to be X.

The present invention makes it possible to suppress bias in the performances that are executed (the performance elements that are output).

1 is an overall view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a schematic diagram showing the state within the large prize area in a unit game (a unit game that constitutes a big win game) in which the specific area is in a closed state, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the state within the large prize area in a unit game (a small win game) in which the specific area is in an open state. A diagram showing decorative patterns and reserved patterns displayed in the display area. 13A is a diagram for explaining the game state and the type of jackpot (the transition of the game state according to the type of jackpot), and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the probability of winning or losing in each game state. A diagram to explain special effects (the timing at which special effects are executed). FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining types of performance images. A diagram to explain the exclusive lottery that determines the performance images (performance elements) that will be displayed in each specific performance included in the first performance group. This is a diagram to explain the exclusive lottery that determines the performance image (performance element) to be displayed in each specific performance included in the second performance group, and the exclusion lottery that determines the performance image (performance element) to be displayed in the first specific performance of the second performance group. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 1-2. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining specific example 1-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 1-4. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a profit image (profit numerical value). 1A is a diagram for explaining a fixed pattern (a) and an indefinite pattern (b) that may occur as changes in profit figures. FIG. This is a diagram for explaining the series of steps in which a round promotion occurs after the change in the profit figure becomes a special pattern. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 2-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 2-7. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 2-8. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 2-9.

1) Basic configuration of the gaming machine Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a gaming machine) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the term "image" includes not only still images but also moving images. In addition, when it is said that "a gaming ball enters XX (a prize is won)", strictly speaking, it means that a sensor installed in the XX has detected the entering gaming ball.

First, the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1. The gaming machine 1 has a gaming board 90. The gaming board 90 is formed from a substantially square member (which may be a single member or a combination of multiple members), and a guide rail 903 is provided in a substantially arc shape that constitutes a passage for guiding a gaming ball launched by operating a launching device 908 (launching handle) to a gaming area 902. The gaming area 902 is provided with a starting area 904, a big winning area 906, an outlet 907, and the like.

The display area 911 of the display device 91 is visible through an opening 901 formed in the game board 90. Note that in some of the drawings, the shape of the display area 911 that is exposed and not covered by the game board 90 is shown simplified (as a square), but the size and shape of this part can be changed as appropriate.

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 area such as the starting area 904 or the big winning area 906, a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by the payout device.

2) Playability (game nature)
2-1) Win/Loss Lottery When the game ball enters the starting area 904, a numerical value (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as win/loss lottery information) is obtained from a random number source. A win/loss lottery is executed using this numerical value. If this numerical value is the same as a predetermined winning value, it is a win, and if it is different, it is a loss. In this embodiment, two types of wins are set: a big win and a small win. In other words, if the numerical value obtained from the random number source is the same as the winning value, it is a big win, and if it is the same as the small win value, it is a small win (otherwise, it is a loss).

In this embodiment, the starting area 904 includes a first starting area 904a and a second starting area 904b that is located at a different position from the first starting area 904a (see FIG. 1). When the game ball enters the first starting area 904a, first winning/losing lottery information is acquired, and the first winning/losing lottery (special drawing 1 lottery) is executed based on the information. When the game ball enters the second starting area 904b, second winning/losing lottery information is acquired, and the second winning/losing lottery (special drawing 2 lottery) is executed based on the information.

When a jackpot is won, a jackpot game is executed. In order to distinguish a jackpot win (jackpot game) that is won through a small jackpot win (details of which will be described later), a jackpot win is sometimes called a "direct win". In a jackpot game, a unit game (referring to a game for one "round". In the following description, it may also be called a "round") in which the jackpot area 906 (normally closed) is opened until a predetermined condition is met is repeated one or more times. In this embodiment, the unit game ends (the jackpot area 906 is closed) when either the winning condition that 10 game balls enter the jackpot area 906 or the time condition that a predetermined time has passed is met. The more unit games (number of rounds) included in a jackpot game, the greater the player's profit (expected profit) in the jackpot game. In this embodiment, the big prize area 906 is located on the right side of the play area 902, and the player plays the game so that the game ball enters the right side of the play area 902 (so-called "right hit").

When a small prize is won, a small prize game is executed. In the small prize game, the large prize area 906 is opened and the bonus area 60 provided within the large prize area 906 is opened (see FIG. 2(b)). The letter "V" is written near the bonus area 60, and the "V" is used to indicate the bonus area 60 to the player. The bonus area 60 is normally closed (see FIG. 2(a)), but is temporarily opened when a small prize is won (note that the bonus area 60 is not opened in the big prize game). Note that the large prize area 906 has two exit areas, and a game ball that enters the large prize area 906 will pass through one of the two exit areas. One of the two exit areas is the bonus area 60. A sensor is provided in each of the exit areas, and a game ball that passes through one of the exit areas is treated as having won the large prize area 906. In other words, a gaming ball that enters the bonus area 60 also enters the big prize area 906.

When a gaming ball enters the bonus area 60, a big win game is executed. In other words, not only can a big win be won by lottery, but a big win can also be won via a small win (a big win can be won by having one gaming ball enter the bonus area 60). Note that the bonus area 60 may be provided outside the big prize area 906.

The small prize game can be considered as a unit game for one round of the big prize game acquired through it. For example, a 10-round big prize (a big prize in which 10 unit games are executed) that has gone through a small prize means that the small prize game (a game in which the big prize area 906 is opened and the bonus area 60 is opened) is executed as the first round of the game, and the opening of the big prize area 906 executed as the big prize game is executed as the second to tenth rounds of the game (if the game ball does not enter the bonus area 60, the second to tenth rounds of the game are not executed and only the small prize game ends). The small prize game ends when at least one of the time condition and the winning condition (10 balls are won in this embodiment) is satisfied, just like the unit games that make up the big prize game. If the game balls are continuously shot, the winning condition will be satisfied first, so in the small prize game, the same prize balls as in one unit game can be obtained. In this embodiment, in unit games other than the unit game that is the small win game (unit games that constitute the big win game), the big prize area 906 is open but the bonus area 60 is closed (see FIG. 2(a)).

In this embodiment, when a small prize is won, the bonus area 60 is opened together with the big prize area 906, but the time is long enough to allow the game ball to enter the bonus area 60. The bonus area 60 is located on the right side of the game area 902, and the player hits the right side to allow the game ball to enter the bonus area 60. If the player continues to hit the right side, the game ball will almost certainly enter the bonus area 60. When a small prize is won, an instruction to hit the right side is displayed in the display area 911, so the player only needs to follow the instruction. Even if the player starts hitting the right side a few seconds after the instruction is issued, the game ball is set to almost certainly enter the bonus area 60. In this way, in this embodiment, the setting is such that "winning a small prize = winning a big prize" (winning a small prize leads to winning a big prize).

A gaming machine that has the potential to win a jackpot not only when a jackpot is won but also when a small jackpot is won, such as the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, is called a "type one, type two mixed machine" (winning a jackpot via a small jackpot is a "type two" game).

2-2) Decorative symbols The winning/losing lottery result is notified by the decorative symbols 80 (see FIG. 3) displayed in the display area 911. In this embodiment, three decorative symbol groups 80g are set, each of which includes a plurality of types of decorative symbols 80. Specifically, the three decorative symbol groups are a left decorative symbol group 80gL displayed on the left side of the display area 911, a right decorative symbol group 80gR displayed on the right side, and a middle decorative symbol group 80gC displayed between the left decorative symbol group 80gL and the right decorative symbol group 80gR. The lottery result is notified by a combination of three decorative symbols 80 selected and displayed from each decorative symbol group 80g. The performance from when the three decorative symbol groups 80g start to change until the change stops and a combination showing the lottery result is displayed is the performance during change (the performance for one change; hereinafter, it may be simply referred to as "change" or "rotation"). As with known gaming machines, the type of effect to be executed as part of the during-variation effect is determined by a lottery (a lottery that references one or more effect tables not shown) based on a random number obtained in accordance with the result of a win/lose lottery.

2-3) Reserve When a game ball enters the first starting area 904 and new first winning/losing lottery information is acquired, if a variable performance corresponding to the winning/losing lottery information acquired earlier is being executed, the new first winning/losing lottery information is stored in a storage means (not shown) as first reserved information (reserved). In this embodiment, the maximum number of first reserved information (special pattern 1 reserved) is four. The first reserved information stored in the storage means is displayed as a reserved pattern 70 (illustration of the reserved pattern 70 is omitted in some drawings) (see FIG. 3). Although not shown, a reserved pattern (so-called reserved pattern of the change) corresponding to the winning/losing lottery result in which the variable performance is currently being executed may be displayed. Depending on the game state, the reserved pattern 70 may not be displayed.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, there is no area for storing the second winning/losing lottery information as reserved information (second reserved information). In other words, there is no situation in which two or more pieces of second winning/losing lottery information for which the corresponding winning/losing lottery results have not been notified are reserved.

2-4) Game state As a game state in which a player plays to win a jackpot, a normal game state and a special game state (a so-called time-saving state) that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state are set. In the normal game state, a game ball should be launched aiming at the first starting area 904a (see FIG. 4(a)). The first starting area 904a is provided at a position where a game ball flowing down the left side of the game area 902 can enter. In other words, the normal game state is a state in which a player is encouraged to play left-handed (a left-handed game should be performed) (a game ball does not enter the first starting area 904a when hit from the right), and a state in which a jackpot is obtained through a first winning/losing lottery. The first winning/losing lottery is a lottery whose result is a jackpot or a losing one. In other words, a small win does not occur as a result of the first winning/losing lottery. The probability of winning a jackpot in the normal game state (the probability of winning a jackpot in the first win/lose lottery) is approximately 1/319.8 (see FIG. 4B). Anything other than that is a miss. In other words, the normal game state is a state in which it is not possible to win a jackpot via a small win. Although a small win may occur as a result of the first win/lose lottery, the small win will not allow the game ball to enter the bonus area 60. For example, if a small win is won in the first win/lose lottery, the opening time of the bonus area 60 is extremely short, and there is almost no possibility of the game ball entering the bonus area 60.

If the first lottery results in a jackpot, the three decorative patterns 80 will be the same, indicating that the jackpot has been won. If the result is a loss, another combination will be displayed.

The special game state is a state in which the game ball should be launched aiming at the second starting area 904b (see FIG. 4(a)). The second starting area 904b is provided at a position where the game ball flowing down the right side of the game area 902 can enter. In other words, the special game state is a state in which the player should play with a right hand (the game ball does not enter the second starting area 904b when playing with a left hand) and aims to win a jackpot through a second winning/losing lottery. The second winning/losing lottery is a lottery whose result is a jackpot or a small winning. In other words, the second winning/losing lottery does not result in a loss. The probability of a jackpot in the special game state (the probability of a jackpot in the second winning/losing lottery) is about 1/319.8, which is the same as the probability of a jackpot in the normal game state (the special game state is not a so-called probability-varying state (a state in which the probability of a jackpot is higher than in the normal game state), so it needs to be the same as the normal game state). The probability of a small winning is about 1/1.08 (see FIG. 4(b)). The second winning/losing lottery result may be set so that there is no loss. In other words, the second winning/losing lottery result may be set so that it is a small win or a big win.

If the result of the second winning/losing lottery is a small win or a big win, the three decorative patterns 80 will be the same, and the player will be notified that he or she has won the small win or big win. Since the setting is essentially "small win = big win", the combination of decorative patterns 80 is configured to be the same between a small win and a big win (all of which will be the same three patterns) so that the player will see that he or she has won a big win even if he or she has won a small win. However, a small pattern (small pattern; not shown) displayed near the outer edge of the display area 911 may be used to distinguish between a big win and a small win. The mode of the small pattern is different when a big win is won and when a small win is won. The small pattern may be displayed outside the display area 911 (lighting pattern of a lamp or the like displayed outside the display area 911). However, since the small pattern is small (smaller than the decorative pattern 80) and inconspicuous, the player can play the game by looking only at the decorative pattern 80 without being aware of the small pattern.

In the initial state (power ON state), the game is in the normal game state. A normal jackpot and a special jackpot are set as jackpots that can be won in the first win/lose lottery in the normal game state. A normal jackpot is a jackpot in which the game state after the jackpot game ends is the normal game state. A special jackpot is a jackpot in which the game state after the jackpot game ends is the special game state. The number of unit games (number of rounds) of each jackpot may be any number. The allocation of jackpots when a jackpot is won in the first win/lose lottery can be set appropriately. In this embodiment, the probability of a normal jackpot is 50% and the probability of a special jackpot is 50% (see FIG. 4(a)). When a special jackpot is won, the game will transition to a special game state that is more advantageous to the player (more advantageous than the normal game state) after the jackpot game ends, and the probability of transitioning to the special game state is 50%. In addition, the allocation of jackpots after the first winning/losing lottery may be set so that the special jackpot is 100% (or the normal jackpot may not be set).

When a special jackpot is won, the game transitions to a special game state after the jackpot game ends. In the special game state, the player plays a right-handed shot (the display area 911 displays a message encouraging right-handed shots). On the right side of the game area 902, a normal start area 905 is provided. Entering the normal start area 905 (see FIG. 1) triggers a normal lottery (normal symbol lottery). Winning the lottery triggers the second start area 904b (which is normally closed) to open. The probability of winning the normal lottery in the special game state is extremely high (100% or close to 100%). Therefore, if you hit the right side, the second start area 904b will easily open, and the game ball will enter the second start area 904b. In other words, if you play as instructed, the second win/lose lottery will be executed.

In addition, since the normal game state is set so that the normal lottery is not won (the winning probability is 0%), the game ball will not enter the second starting area 904b even if the player hits the right button in the normal game state. In contrast to this, the setting may be such that the normal lottery can be won even in the normal game state (for example, the probability of winning the normal lottery is the same in the normal game state and the special game state), but it is made substantially impossible for the game ball to enter the second starting area 904b even if the normal lottery is won in the normal game state. For example, the opening time of the second starting area 904b when the normal lottery is won in the normal game state is made extremely short to the extent that it is substantially impossible for the game ball to enter the second starting area 904b. In this way, in the normal game state, it is sufficient that the setting is such that the game ball cannot enter the second starting area 904b (to receive the second win/lose lottery), and the method for achieving this can be changed as appropriate.

The special game state ends on the condition that the result (loss) of the second winning/losing lottery is announced 100 times. In other words, the so-called "time-saving number = 100" is set. The announcement of the result of the first winning/losing lottery executed after the special game state is started is not counted in the time-saving number. In other words, basically, after the transition to the special game state, the special game state does not end unless the player hits the right and enters the game ball into the second starting area 904b. However, although it is extremely rare, if the result of the first winning/losing lottery based on the first reserved information that existed at the time the special game state was started is a jackpot (if the winning rate is about 1/319.8), the jackpot game will be executed. If the jackpot is a normal jackpot, the game will transition to the normal game state after the jackpot game ends, and if it is a special jackpot, the game will transition to the special game state after the jackpot game ends. If the first winning/losing lottery is executed in the special game state and a jackpot is won, the game may be set to transition to the special game state after the jackpot game ends. In this embodiment, if the first reserved information exists when the game transitions to the special game state, the time required for the in-flight performance of the winning/losing lottery result (loss) corresponding to the first reserved information is set to the shortest time (shortest fluctuation time). In other words, the so-called special chart 1 reserved is "quickly consumed."

As mentioned above, in the special game state, if the player continues to hit the right side to a certain extent, the game ball will enter the second starting area 904b that has been opened by winning the normal lottery, and this will trigger the second winning/losing lottery. As mentioned above, the probability of winning the jackpot as a result of the second winning/losing lottery is about 1/319.8, but the probability of winning a small jackpot is about 1/1.08, and since the setting is essentially "winning a small jackpot = winning a jackpot", in most cases, the player can win a jackpot on the first spin after switching to the special game state. In addition, since the special game state has "time reduction times = 100 times", it can be said that it is almost impossible to lose 100 times in a row (not winning either a jackpot or a small jackpot). In other words, the special game state can be said to be a state in which the player is guaranteed to win the next jackpot (either by winning a direct jackpot or winning a small jackpot). If the setting is such that there is no loss as a result of the second winning/losing lottery (always a small jackpot or a jackpot), the game will have a guaranteed jackpot on the first spin.

The jackpot that can be won through the second winning/losing lottery is either a normal jackpot or a special jackpot. In this embodiment, the distribution of jackpots won through the second winning/losing lottery is 19% normal jackpots and 81% special jackpots (see FIG. 4(a)). This distribution is the same whether the second winning/losing lottery results in a jackpot (a so-called "direct win") or if the second winning/losing lottery results in a small win and the player enters the bonus area 60 to win a jackpot (a jackpot via a small win).

After the special jackpot game ends, the game will transition back to the special game state, so you are guaranteed to win a jackpot after the second lottery. In other words, a special jackpot is a jackpot that guarantees consecutive wins. On the other hand, after a regular jackpot game ends, the game will transition back to the regular game state, so you will play (hit left) again with the aim of winning the jackpot in the first lottery.

Although not shown, in this embodiment, a presentation executed during a jackpot game notifies the player whether the jackpot obtained is a normal jackpot (ending the winning streak) or a special jackpot (continuing the winning streak). For example, a battle presentation may be executed during a jackpot game in which the player's character and an enemy character fight, and if it is a special jackpot, the player's character wins (if it is a normal jackpot, the player's character loses).

To briefly summarize the above points, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment has a gameplay in which the rate of entry (probability of transition) into a special game state advantageous to the player is 50%, and the rate of continuation of consecutive wins when transitioning to the special game state is 81%. Note that the above specifications are merely one example (so-called variable loop machines, ST machines, etc. may also be used). The various effects etc. described below can be executed even with other specifications, except for those that can only be achieved with the above specifications.

3) Specific Effects The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is capable of executing specific effects as effects constituting the during-variation effects. Specific effects (see Figs. 5(c) and (e)) can occur as a component of the during-variation effects in the special game state. In this embodiment, specific effects do not occur in the normal game state. In other words, specific effects are exclusive to the special game state. However, this does not deny the possibility of specific effects occurring in the normal game state.

A specific effect is one in which one of multiple types of effect elements is output. In this embodiment, an effect image 10 is displayed in the display area 911 as the effect element. Note that using an image as the effect element is merely an example. Anything that produces a performance effect can be used, and for example, a sound (performance sound) output from a speaker may be used as the effect element.

The multiple types of effect images 10 are recognizable by the player as representing different objects. In this embodiment, the characters depicted by the effect images 10 distinguish whether the types of the effect images 10 are the same or different. In this embodiment, one of five types of effect images 10 (see FIG. 6) representing different characters (characters A to E) is displayed when a specific effect occurs. The image representing character A is the first effect image 11, the image representing character B is the second effect image 12, ... and the image representing character E is the fifth effect image 15. The number of types of effect images 10 is three or more, and the number of types of effect images 10 can be increased or decreased as long as it is within this range.

As described above, the special game state aims to win a big win after the second winning/losing lottery. Although the probability of winning the big win as a result of the second winning/losing lottery is about 1/319.8, the probability of a small win is about 1/1.08, so a win (big win or small win) is immediately won. The specific performance occurs as a component of the performance during the variation (winning variation) in which the winning/losing lottery result is a win (big win or small win) (the specific performance does not occur in the losing variation). Since the probability of winning a small win is extremely high (more than 92%), in most cases, the specific performance will occur in the first variation after transitioning to the special game state. In this embodiment, it is set so that the specific performance always occurs in the winning variation in the special game state. Since the special game state is one in which the next big win (direct win or small win) is practically confirmed, a specific performance will occur each time the game transitions to the special game state, that is, each time a consecutive win occurs (see FIG. 5). However, this does not deny that a winning variation without a specific performance can occur in the special game state. In this embodiment, the special effects occur due to winning fluctuations, so no special effects occur more than once between jackpot games. In other words, at least one jackpot game is played between a certain special effect and the subsequent special effect.

In this way, specific effects occur due to winning fluctuations in the special game state, but in order to prevent bias in the output effect image 10 (effect element), in this embodiment, the following basic control is performed to determine the effect image 10 to be displayed.

A special jackpot obtained in the normal game state is called a "first jackpot" (see FIG. 5(a)). The time when the first jackpot is obtained (the time when the game transitions to the special game state for the first time after the first jackpot) is called the reference time. The first special effect that occurs after the reference time is called the first special effect, and subsequent special effects are called the second special effect, the third special effect, and so on. When a new reference time is set, the count is reset. In other words, when a normal jackpot (distribution 19%) is obtained in the special game state, the game transitions to the normal game state after the jackpot (ending the consecutive win), so a new reference time is set again when the next first jackpot is obtained (the first special effect that occurs after the new reference time is set is called the first special effect).

In this embodiment, X special effects in the order of execution from a reference point (hereinafter also referred to as the execution order) are considered to be one "effect group." Here, the value of X is the same as the number of types of effect images 10. That is, in this embodiment, X=5. The first to fifth special effects in the execution order are the first effect group, the sixth to tenth special effects are the second effect group, the eleventh to sixteenth special effects are the third effect group, and so on. In terms of execution order, the first effect group is followed by the second effect group, the second effect group is followed by the third effect group, and so on. Note that the division of the effect groups is merely for control purposes, and the differences in the effect groups to which they belong are not reflected in the effects (the difference between the effect groups is not apparent to the player). In the following explanation, regarding the relationship between a certain effect group and the following effect group, the former may be referred to as the previous effect group and the latter as the following effect group.

For the same performance group, the type of performance image 10 to be displayed in each specific performance is determined by a lottery (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an exclusive lottery) that prevents the same type of performance image 10 from being displayed in two or more specific performances. The exclusive lottery will be explained using the specific performance included in the first performance group as an example. For the first specific performance, the performance image 10 to be displayed is determined by lottery from among performance images A to E (the probability that various performance images 10 will be selected is 1/5) (see FIG. 7(a)). For the second specific performance, the performance image 10 to be displayed is determined by lottery from among the performance images 10 displayed in the first specific performance. For example, if performance image B is displayed in the first specific performance, the performance image 10 to be displayed in the second specific performance is determined by lottery from among performance images A, C to E (the probability that various performance images 10 will be selected is 1/4) (see FIG. 7(b)). For the third specific performance, the performance image 10 to be displayed is determined by lottery from among the performance images 10 displayed in the first and second specific performances. For example, if the effect image B is displayed in the first specific performance and the effect image E is displayed in the second specific performance, the effect image 10 to be displayed in the third specific performance is determined by lottery from among the effect images A, C, and D (the probability of selecting various effect images 10 is 1/3) (see FIG. 7(c)). For the fourth specific performance, the effect image 10 to be displayed is determined by lottery from among the effect images 10 displayed in the first to third specific performances. For example, if the effect image B is displayed in the first specific performance, the effect image E is displayed in the second specific performance, and the effect image C is displayed in the third specific performance, the effect image 10 to be displayed in the fourth specific performance is determined by lottery from among the effect images A and D (the probability of selecting various effect images 10 is 1/2) (see FIG. 7(d)). For the fifth specific performance, that is, the last specific performance included in a certain performance group (the first performance group in this example), the effect image 10 that was not displayed in the previous specific performances included in the certain performance group is displayed. For example, if performance image B is displayed in the first specific performance, performance image E in the second specific performance, performance image C in the third specific performance, and performance image A in the fourth specific performance, it is automatically determined that performance image D will be displayed in the fifth specific performance (see FIG. 7(e)). Such an exclusive lottery is also performed for the second and subsequent performance groups. This prevents the same type of performance image 10 from being displayed in two or more specific performances in the same performance group. In other words, for X (five in this embodiment) specific performances in the execution order included in one performance group, which is the same number as the types of performance images 10, different types of performance images 10 will be displayed.

For the earlier and later performance groups, a lottery (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an exclusion lottery) is conducted to make the type of performance image 10 displayed in the specific performance that is the last among those included in the earlier performance group different from the type of performance image 10 displayed in the specific performance that is the first among those included in the later performance group. To explain this using the first and second performance groups as an example (an example in which the earlier performance group is the first performance group and the later performance group is the second performance group), if performance image D is displayed in the fifth specific performance that is the last of the first performance group (see FIG. 7(e)), the performance image 10 to be displayed from among performance images A to C, E is determined by lottery for the sixth specific performance that is the first of the second performance group (the probability that various performance images 10 will be selected is 1/4) (see FIG. 8(a)). In other words, for the sixth specific performance that is the first of the second performance group, the performance image D displayed in the fifth specific performance that is the last of the first performance group is "excluded" from the lottery. By performing this kind of exclusion lottery, the same type of effect image 10 will not be displayed consecutively at the end of the previous effect group and the beginning of the next effect group. For the specific effects included in the second effect group from the seventh time onwards, the above-mentioned exclusive lottery is performed (see Figures 8(b) to (e)). For example, if effect image C is displayed in the sixth specific effect, the effect image 10 to be displayed in the seventh specific effect is determined by lottery from among effect images A, B, D, and E (the probability that various effect images 10 will be selected is 1/4). In other words, in the sixth specific effect, the lottery is performed by adding effect image D (the effect image 10 displayed in the fifth specific effect), which was excluded from the lottery, to the lottery items (see Figure 8(b)).

After that, an exclusive lottery similar to that described for the first performance group is performed (see Figures 8(c) to (e)). For the last performance of the second performance group (the 10th specific performance), it is automatically decided that the type of performance image 10 that was not displayed in the specific performances included in the second performance group will be displayed (see Figure 8(e)). Although not shown, when deciding the type of performance image 10 to be displayed in the first specific performance of the third performance group, an exclusion lottery is performed with the second performance group as the previous performance group and the third performance group as the subsequent performance group. As shown in Figure 8(e), if performance image B is displayed at the end of the second performance group (the 10th specific performance), the performance image 10 displayed at the beginning of the third performance group (the 11th specific performance) will be one of the four types of performance images A, C to E.

As described above, by configuring the performance image 10 to be displayed in each specific performance in the manner described in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a "bias" from occurring in which a specific type of performance image 10 is displayed more frequently. In particular, in this embodiment, the same type of performance image 10 is not displayed in two or more specific performances included in the same performance group, and the same type of performance image 10 is not displayed at the end of an earlier performance group and the beginning of a later performance group, so that the same type of performance image 10 is not displayed twice consecutively in the execution order.

Below, we will explain specific examples of improvements, modifications, and specific implementations of the specific performance-related features. Note that, to the extent possible, it is acceptable to apply multiple items described using each of the specific examples below.

○Specific example 1-1
In the above embodiment, an exclusive lottery and an exclusion lottery are performed when determining the type of the performance image 10 to be output in a specific performance. However, an exclusive lottery may be performed but an exclusion lottery may not be performed. As described above, the exclusion lottery is performed to prevent the same type of performance image 10 from being displayed at the end of a previous performance group and the beginning of a subsequent performance group. If this is permitted, the exclusion lottery may not be performed. Even in this way, the same type of performance image 10 is not displayed in two or more specific performances in each performance group due to the exclusive lottery, so the suppression of "bias" in which the frequency of displaying the same type of performance image 10 is high is realized.

○Specific example 1-2
The order (pattern) of the effect images 10 output in the X number of specific effects included in the earlier effect group is controlled to be always different from the order (pattern) of the effect images 10 output in the X number of specific effects included in the later effect group. As an example of such control, the following can be considered.

Assume an example in which the first performance group is the earlier performance group and the second performance group is the later performance group. For example, for the first performance group, performance image C is displayed in the first specific performance, performance image A in the second specific performance, performance image E in the third specific performance, performance image D in the fourth specific performance, and performance image B in the fifth specific performance. The performance image 10 displayed in the first specific performance of the second performance group (later performance group) is different in type from the ones displayed in the first (first specific performance) and last (fifth specific performance) of the first performance group (earlier performance group). In the above case, for the sixth specific performance, the performance image 10 to be displayed is determined by lottery from among the performance images A, D, and E (the probability of each type of performance image 10 being selected is 1/3). The lottery to determine the performance image 10 to be displayed in the seventh and subsequent specific performances (7th to 10th) may be performed by the exclusive lottery described above.

The reason for preventing the same type of performance image 10 from being displayed at the end of a previous performance group and the beginning of a subsequent performance group (the reason for conducting an exclusion lottery) is as described in the above embodiment (to prevent the same type of performance image 10 from being displayed consecutively). In addition, by preventing the same type of performance image 10 from being displayed at the beginning of a previous performance group and the beginning of a subsequent performance group, the order (pattern) in which the performance images 10 are displayed in the previous performance group and the order (pattern) in which the performance images 10 are displayed in the subsequent performance group will always be different. For example, as in the above example, if the previous performance group is "C → A → E → D → B", the subsequent performance group will not be "C → A → E → D → B" like the previous performance group (because the beginning of the subsequent performance group will be something other than "C").

If, as explained in Specific Example 1-1, no exclusion lottery is performed (the same type of effect image 10 is allowed to be displayed twice in a row), the effect image 10 to be displayed in the first specific effect of the subsequent effect group can be determined from among the effect images 10 displayed in the first specific effect of the previous effect group. In the above example, for the sixth specific effect, the effect image 10 to be displayed can be determined by lottery from among effect images A, B, D, and E (from among the effect images C displayed first in the first effect group).

○Specific example 1-3
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the "number of specific effects included in one performance group" = "the number of types of performance images (= X)", but it may be that the "number of specific effects included in one performance group"<"the number of types of performance images (= X)". For example, as in the above embodiment, in a configuration in which one performance group includes five specific effects in the execution order, six types of performance images A to F are set (see FIG. 10). In this case, in the five specific effects included in one performance group, an exclusive lottery is held, resulting in a performance form in which five different types of performance images A to F are displayed from among the performance images A to F.

In the above embodiment, if the "number of specific effects included in one effect group" is configured to be equal to the "number of types of effect images (=X)", the type of effect image 10 displayed in the last specific effect of a certain effect group will be determined by the lottery held up to that point (for example, in the first effect group, it is determined that a type of effect image 10 that was not displayed in the first to fourth specific effects will be displayed in the fifth specific effect) (see FIG. 7(e)), and the type of effect image 10 displayed in the last specific effect of a certain effect group can be predicted. On the other hand, by using the present example, the effect image 10 displayed in the last specific effect of a certain effect group is also determined by lottery from among two or more types of effect image 10 (see FIG. 10(e)), and the type of effect image 10 displayed in the last specific effect of a certain effect group cannot be predicted.

However, if the "number of specific effects included in one performance group" is less than the "number of types of performance images (=X)" as in this example, there is a possibility that certain types of performance images will not be displayed for a relatively long period of time (the frequency of display will decrease). In other words, if the "number of specific effects included in one performance group" = "number of types of performance images (=X)" as in the above embodiment, all types of performance images will be displayed in each performance group, but if it is as in this example, some of the multiple types of performance images in each performance group will not be displayed, so if the types of "not displayed performance images" continue to be the same in two or more consecutive performance groups, a situation will occur in which a specific type of performance image is not displayed for a long period of time. In other words, if the "number of specific effects included in one performance group" = "number of types of performance images (=X)" as in the above embodiment, a situation in which a specific type of performance image is not displayed for a long period of time will be prevented.

○Example 1-4
Instead of executing the exclusive lottery or the exclusion lottery described in the above embodiment, the type of the effect image 10 displayed in each specific effect is determined by a predetermined effect table (hereinafter referred to as a fixed table). The fixed table (one example of which is shown in FIG. 11(a)) is stored in a storage means (not shown) that the gaming machine 1 has. The fixed table includes fixed values that determine a prescribed order. The fixed values associated with each prescribed order do not change (in that respect, it is a "fixed" effect table).

As shown in FIG. 11(a), the fixed values are divided into two or more fixed value groups, each group consisting of X (types) of fixed values (the same number as the types of performance images 10) arranged in a prescribed order. If there are five types of performance images 10 as in the above embodiment, then X=5. For example, if there are five fixed value groups, then the fixed table will have 5 x 5 = 25 fixed values. In the following explanation, the values will be referred to in order from earliest to latest as the first fixed value group, the second fixed value group, ... the fifth fixed value group.

There are X types of fixed values. If X=5, for example, five types of fixed values, [1] to [5], are provided. Furthermore, the X fixed values contained in each fixed value group are different from each other. For example, in the prescribed order, the first fixed value group is "[2] [4] [1] [5] [3]", the second fixed value group is "[1] [2] [5] [3] [4]" ... so that two or more fixed values contained in the same fixed value group are not the same. Furthermore, the last fixed value contained in a certain fixed value group (the first fixed value group) is different from the first fixed value contained in the following fixed value group (the later fixed value group). In the above example, the last fixed value [3] of the first fixed value group is different from the first fixed value [1] of the second fixed value group.

At the reference time described in the above embodiment, a lottery (allocation lottery) is performed to assign each of the multiple types of performance images 10 to one of the fixed values in the fixed table (see FIG. 11(b)). Specifically, a lottery is first performed to assign one of the performance images A to E (all types) to the fixed value [1] (the probability that each of the performance images A to E will be assigned to the fixed value [1] is 1/5) (see FIG. 11(b-1)). Next, a lottery is performed to assign one of the four types of performance images 10, excluding the performance image 10 assigned to the fixed value [1], to the fixed value [2]. For example, if performance image B is assigned to the fixed value [1], a lottery is performed to assign one of the four types of performance images A, C to E to the fixed value [2] (the probability that each of the performance images A, C to E will be assigned to the fixed value [2] is 1/4) (see FIG. 11(b-2)). Next, a lottery is performed to assign one of the three types of effect images 10, excluding the effect images 10 assigned to the fixed values [1] and [2], to the fixed value [3]. For example, when the effect image E is assigned to the fixed value [2], a lottery is performed to assign one of the three types of effect images A, C, and D to the fixed value [3] (the probability that each of the effect images A, C, and D is assigned to the fixed value [3] is 1/3) (see FIG. 11 (b-3)). Next, a lottery is performed to assign one of the two types of effect images 10, excluding the effect images 10 assigned to the fixed values [1] to [3], to the fixed value [4]. For example, when the effect image A is assigned to the fixed value [3], a lottery is performed to assign one of the two types of effect images C and D to the fixed value [4] (the probability that each of the effect images C and D is assigned to the fixed value [4] is 1/2) (see FIG. 11 (b-4)). Finally, the fixed value [5] is assigned the effect image 10 (one type) that has not been assigned to any of the fixed values [1] to [4]. For example, if effect image D is assigned to the fixed value [4], effect image C is assigned to the fixed value [5] (see FIG. 11 (b-5)). In this way, a fixed table in which each fixed value is assigned one of effect images A to E (hereinafter referred to as the assigned fixed table) (see FIG. 11 (c)) is obtained. The assigned fixed table is temporarily stored in the storage means.

After this, a specific performance is executed in which the type of performance image 10 assigned to each fixed value is displayed according to the specified order of the assigned fixed table (see FIG. 11(c)). In other words, the type of performance image 10 displayed in the specific performance is determined according to the specified order of the fixed table. As described above, two or more fixed values included in the same fixed value group are not the same, and the last fixed value included in a fixed value group (first fixed value group) and the first fixed value included in the following fixed value group (last fixed value group) are different. As a result, as in the above embodiment, the same type of performance image 10 will not be displayed in two or more specific performances included in the same performance group, and the same type of performance image 10 will not be displayed twice in a row. In other words, in this example, an assigned fixed table is created in advance at a reference time point, and the performance image 10 displayed in each specific performance is controlled according to the assigned fixed table.

Note that after the reference time point is set, if more specific effects occur than the number of fixed values in the fixed table, the prescribed order returns to the beginning. For example, if the number of fixed values is 25, then in the 26th specific effect counting from the reference time point, the type of effect image 10 assigned to the first fixed value in the prescribed order is displayed. To prevent the same type of effect image 10 from being displayed in the 25th and 26th specific effects, the fifth fixed value group is considered to be the earlier fixed value group and the first fixed value group is considered to be the later fixed value group, and the last fixed value of the fifth fixed value group and the first fixed value of the first fixed value group are made different (see FIG. 11(a)).

The assigned fixed table is deleted from the storage means when a new reference time is set. In other words, when a new reference time is set, the above-mentioned allocation lottery is executed again and a new assigned fixed table is created (the previous assigned fixed table is replaced with the newly created assigned fixed table). Then, the specific effect (the type of effect image 10 to be displayed) is controlled according to the newly created assigned fixed table.

As explained in specific example 1-2, if the order (pattern) of the performance images 10 output in X specific performances included in an earlier performance group is necessarily different from the order (pattern) of the performance images 10 output in X specific performances included in a later performance group, the patterns of fixed values contained in each fixed value group are made different from each other. In other words, the same fixed values are not arranged in the same order in two or more fixed value groups.

Note that fixed values are merely formal names for assigning production elements by type (the same name is given to locations where the same type of production element is assigned), and do not have to be "numeric values" (things other than "numeric values" are also included in the concept of "fixed values").

○Example 1-5
By performing the basic control described in the above embodiment, the same type of performance image 10 will not be displayed in two or more specific performances included in the same performance group, and the same type of performance image 10 will not be displayed twice in a row. However, the performance image 10 may be displayed in a pattern that violates such a rule.

As an example, it is possible to set a rule (benefit rule) that determines that an event advantageous to the player will occur if the same type of performance image 10 is displayed twice in a row. Any event advantageous to the player may be set. For example, if a certain type of performance image 10 is displayed in the Nth specific performance, and the same type of performance image 10 as the Nth specific performance is displayed in the N+1th specific performance, it is possible to set it so that the jackpot based on the win notified through the N+1th specific performance is determined to be a special jackpot. Since it is possible to determine in advance (internally) whether or not a special jackpot is won when the second win/loss lottery information is acquired, when it is determined that a special jackpot has been won, a lottery is held to determine whether or not to execute the above-mentioned benefit rule (rule activation lottery), and if the lottery is won, control (forced control) is held so that the same type of performance image 10 as the Nth specific performance is displayed in the N+1th specific performance, contrary to the above-mentioned basic control.

In other words, the basic control described above is only control (normal control) when no special events such as the bonus rules described above occur, and control that contradicts the basic control may be performed. However, if control that contradicts the basic control is performed frequently, this goes against the original purpose of executing the basic control, which is to eliminate bias in the displayed performance image 10, so it is preferable that the probability of control that contradicts the basic control be less than 10%.

When using a fixed table as described in specific example 1-4 above, the specific effect (effect image 10) is basically controlled according to a pre-created assigned fixed table, but when the bonus rule is activated, control that contradicts the assigned fixed table (control that rewrites the effect of the assigned fixed table) is performed.

4) Profit Image In a jackpot game (including both a direct win and a small win), a profit image 20 is displayed in the display area 911 (see FIG. 12). The profit image 20 indicates the profit the player has acquired in the jackpot game. Specifically, the winning balls acquired in the jackpot game are added up. Thus, the profit image 20 includes a profit value that indicates the winning balls. The "winning balls" referred to here may indicate the number of game balls (number of prize balls) paid out during the jackpot game, or may indicate the net increase obtained by subtracting the number of game balls shot from the number of prize balls. In addition, only the winning balls acquired by the game ball entering the big prize area 906 may be reflected in the profit value, or the winning balls acquired by the game ball entering a winning area other than the big prize area 906 may be reflected in the profit value. The profit value in this embodiment indicates the number of prize balls acquired by the game ball entering the big prize area 906.

The profit value is added until a predetermined reset condition is met. In this embodiment, the reset condition is set to transition to a normal game state. That is, the profit value is reset when the consecutive wins end. In other words, the profit value indicates the balls won during the consecutive wins (the balls won in the first jackpot game may or may not be included in the profit value). Note that this type of profit image 20 (profit value) is merely an example. For example, the profit image 20 (profit value) may be reset each time a jackpot game ends (the profit for each jackpot game may be displayed).

There are multiple types of modes set as the manner in which the profit value changes. For example, suppose that the profit value changes based on the fact that a game ball enters the big prize area 906 and prize balls are obtained. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the big prize area 906 is set to 15. Therefore, when it is detected that one game ball has entered the big prize area 906 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a single win), it is determined that the profit value will increase by "15" from the current value (see FIG. 12). In the following explanation, the value before the increase based on the single win is referred to as the "current value" and the value after the increase is referred to as the "target value". With one win, the profit value will increase by "15" from the current value to the target value (target value - current value = 15).

In this embodiment, as the change mode of the profit value, a mode in which the count-up speed (change speed) from the current value to the target value is constant (hereinafter referred to as a fixed mode) (see FIG. 13(a)) and a mode in which the count-up speed (change speed) from the current value to the target value changes along the way, i.e., is indefinite (hereinafter referred to as an indefinite mode) (see FIG. 13(b)). The value between the current value and the target value is the intermediate value. In this embodiment, the intermediate value-current value=10 (target value-intermediate value=5). The count-up speed from the current value to the intermediate value is the same in the fixed mode and the indefinite mode. As described above, the fixed mode is a mode in which the count-up speed is constant, and if the change speed is V, the count-up speed from the current value to the intermediate value (until the current value increases by 10) is V in both the fixed mode and the indefinite mode (see FIG. 13). Therefore, it is impossible to distinguish between the fixed mode and the indefinite mode from the current value to the intermediate value. Naturally, in a given embodiment, the count-up speed from the intermediate value to the target value is also V.

On the other hand, in the indefinite mode, after reaching the intermediate value, the count-up speed gradually decreases as it approaches the target value. Specifically, the increase rate based on the current value is smaller when changing from 11 to 12 than when changing from 10 to 11, the increase rate when changing from 12 to 13 than when changing from 11 to 12, the increase rate when changing from 13 to 14 than when changing from 12 to 13, and the increase rate when changing from 14 to 15 than when changing from 13 to 14 (see FIG. 13(b)). In this way, in the indefinite mode, the rate of change of the profit value is the same as in the fixed mode up to the middle (intermediate value) and then decreases, so the time required for the current value to change to the target value based on one winning is longer in the indefinite mode (see FIG. 13(b)) than in the fixed mode (see FIG. 13(a)).

As the manner in which the profit value changes, one of the fixed and variable modes is set to the normal mode (the "default" mode), and the other is set to the special mode. In this embodiment, the variable mode is set to the normal mode, and the fixed mode is set to the special mode. In other words, when a change in the profit value occurs, it changes in a variable mode (normal mode) under normal circumstances. On the other hand, when an event that is advantageous to the player occurs, the profit value may change in a fixed mode (special mode). Looking at it from the other way around, when the advantageous event does not occur, the profit value will always change in a variable mode (normal mode) (the fixed mode (special mode) does not occur).

The above-mentioned advantageous event for the player may be any event related to the direct profit of the player (profit related to the number of balls paid out). In this embodiment, an increase (promotion) in the number of rounds in the jackpot game is set as the advantageous event. Assume that two or more types of round numbers are set as the number of rounds in the jackpot game. For example, in a configuration in which a 5-round jackpot and a 10-round jackpot are set, it is possible to start the jackpot game pretending to be a 5-round jackpot (although the 10-round jackpot is internally won), and to announce that it is a 10-round jackpot (promotion of the number of rounds occurs) in the middle of the jackpot game (simultaneously with or before the end of the 5th round unit game). It should be noted that there are various methods of "making it seem like a 5-round jackpot". For example, a 5-round jackpot is called a "regular bonus," a 10-round jackpot is called a "big bonus," and so on. A method is conceivable in which a unique name is specified for each jackpot, and the name of the 5-round jackpot is displayed at the beginning of the jackpot game (see FIG. 14(a)), making it appear as if a 5-round jackpot has been won, even though it is actually a 10-round jackpot. There are also various conceivable methods of notifying the player that an increase in the number of rounds has occurred. For example, if a name is specified for a 10-round jackpot as described above, it is conceivable to display the name of the 10-round jackpot as a notification of the round increase (see FIG. 14(d)).

It is conceivable that such an increase in the number of rounds is set as an "event advantageous to the player." In other words, when an increase in the number of rounds occurs, there is a possibility that the change in the profit value will be in a certain mode (special mode). In this embodiment, it is set so that the round number increase effect can occur in the fifth round of unit play, and when the round number increase effect occurs, there is a possibility that the change in the profit value will be in a certain mode (special mode) in the fourth round of unit play (target unit play) (see Figures 14(b) and (c)). In other words, before the round number increase effect occurs, the change in the profit value may be in a special mode that is different from the normal mode, and a player who notices this can know in advance that the round number will be increased. In other words, the change in the profit value (occurrence of a special mode) suggests that an event advantageous to the player will occur.

In addition, when the round number promotion effect occurs, the setting may be such that the special feature always occurs, or the special feature may not necessarily occur. Also, the special feature may occur before the round number promotion effect occurs, and the target unit play does not have to be limited to the fourth round.

In this embodiment, all winnings that occur in the target unit game are treated as special modes. For example, if one unit game ends when 10 game balls enter the large winning area 906 (the so-called count number is set to 10), all count-ups of the profit value based on the winning of 10 game balls are treated as special modes. If a so-called over-winning occurs, the count-up for that amount is also treated as special mode.

Note that the "event advantageous to the player" suggested by the change in the profit value is an increase in the number of rounds, but this is merely one example. Other events may be set as events suggested by the change in the profit value, such as the game state after the end of a jackpot becoming more advantageous than usual, or the occurrence of a so-called reserve consecutive win after the end of a jackpot.

In addition, when a special feature occurs, it is not guaranteed that an event advantageous to the player (in this embodiment, an increase in the number of rounds) will occur. Rather, it is possible to set it so that, although there is a high probability that an event advantageous to the player will occur when a special feature occurs (compared to when the special feature does not occur), there is no guarantee that the event will occur.

As explained above, the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment realizes an interesting gameplay in which the change in the profit value suggests that an event advantageous to the player will occur. Since it can be said that players do not generally pay much attention to the change in the profit value (it is usually only used to check the "profit" (the number of balls won)), the occurrence of a special mode can be said to be a performance that gives the player a "sense of discomfort" (if the player feels "uneasy" about the change in the profit value, the gameplay will be such that an event advantageous to the player will occur).

In particular, in this embodiment, when the profit value increases to the target value based on one winning, there is no difference in the change in the profit value between the normal mode (undefined mode) and the special mode (fixed mode) until it reaches the intermediate value before the target value is reached (see Figure 13), but after the intermediate value is reached, the change in the profit value is different between the normal mode (undefined mode) and the special mode (fixed mode) until it reaches the target value (it is not possible to distinguish between the two modes until halfway through), so it can be said that it is difficult for players to notice the occurrence of the special mode (fixed mode). In other words, by doing this, it is possible to relatively reduce the number of players who feel "uneasy" (this is a presentation form in which only a limited number of players notice the occurrence of the special mode).

Below, we will explain specific examples of improvements, modifications, and concretizations of the matters related to the profit image 20. Note that, to the extent possible, it is also possible to apply multiple matters described using each of the following specific examples.

○Specific example 2-1
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the probability of an event advantageous to the player occurring is suggested by the change in the profit value included in the profit image 20, but the suggestion may be made by a different aspect of the profit image 20. For example, a black character color for the profit value may be a normal aspect, and a red character color may be a special aspect, and if an event advantageous to the player occurs, the profit value may be in the special aspect.

○Specific example 2-2
In the above embodiment, the variable mode is the normal mode and the fixed mode is the special mode, but the opposite may be true, that is, the fixed mode is the normal mode (normal state) and the variable mode is the special mode. In this case, the rate of change of the profit value is constant unless the special mode occurs, so that the occurrence of the special mode is "noticeable" (the player is likely to feel "uncomfortable" when the special mode occurs).

○Example 2-3
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that all winnings occurring in the target unit game are treated as special modes. In other words, it has been explained that the change in the profit value can occur continuously based on two or more consecutive winnings. In contrast, the change in the profit value will not occur continuously as a special mode. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, even if the change in the profit value based on a certain winning (winning B) is treated as a special mode, the change in the profit value based on the winning (winning A) one before the certain winning and the change in the profit value based on the winning (winning C) one after the certain winning are treated as normal modes, so that the special mode does not occur twice in a row.

As mentioned above, when the change in the profit image 20 becomes a special pattern, it occurs as something that the player may feel "uncomfortable." Therefore, if the special pattern occurs consecutively, it may not be perceived as "uncomfortable." If, as in this example, the change based on the winning before and after the winning that becomes the special pattern is made to be a normal pattern, it becomes easier for the player to sense that the special pattern is different from the normal change.

○Example 2-4
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that all winnings occurring in the target unit game are made into a special mode. In other words, it has been explained that the change in the profit value can be made into a special mode more than twice in one big win game. In contrast to this, the change in the profit value is made into a special mode not more than twice in one big win game (at most once). In other words, even when a suggestion based on a special mode is executed, only the change mode based on one winning among the many winnings occurring in one big win game is made into a special mode, and the change modes based on the other winnings are made into normal modes.

As mentioned above, when the change in the profit image 20 becomes a special pattern, it occurs as something that the player may feel "uncomfortable". Therefore, if the special pattern occurs frequently, it may not be perceived as "uncomfortable". By following this example, it is possible to reduce the risk of this situation occurring.

○Example 2-5
In the above embodiment, the variable mode is described as a mode in which the rate of change of the profit value gradually decreases after reaching the intermediate value, but it may be configured to gradually decrease from the beginning (current value). By doing so, the difference between the fixed mode and the variable mode becomes clearer.

○Example 2-6
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the indefinite pattern is a pattern including a period in which the rate of change of the profit numerical value gradually decreases, but it may also be a pattern including a period in which the rate of change of the profit numerical value gradually increases.

○Example 2-7
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the time required for the current value to change to the target value based on one winning (hereinafter referred to as the change time) is longer in the indefinite mode than in the fixed mode (see FIG. 13), but the time is the same in the fixed mode and the indefinite mode. For example, the fixed mode is assumed to be constant at a change rate V1 from the current value to the target value. On the other hand, the indefinite mode is constant at a change rate V2 from the current value to the intermediate value, but after the intermediate value is reached, the change rate gradually decreases until the target value is reached. In this configuration, if V1=V2 as in the above embodiment, the change time is longer in the indefinite mode than in the fixed mode, so as shown in FIG. 16, V1<V2 is set so that the change time is the same in the fixed mode and the indefinite mode. That is, in the case of the indefinite mode, the change rate gradually decreases after the intermediate value is reached, so the time from the intermediate value to the target value is longer in the indefinite mode (T2b) than in the fixed mode (T1b) (T1b<T2b). To compensate for this, the time it takes for the current value to reach the intermediate value is shorter in the indefinite mode (T2a) than in the constant mode (T1a) (T1a>T2a), so that T1a+T1b=T2a+T2b holds true.

As in the above embodiment (Figure 13), if the change time is longer for the indefinite mode than for the fixed mode, there is a problem that the count-up will be faster when the fixed mode occurs (the count-up will be slower when the indefinite mode occurs). By using the present example (Figure 16), the change time remains the same whether the fixed mode or the indefinite mode is generated, and the above problem does not occur.

As explained in specific example 2-6 above, even if the variable mode includes a period in which the rate of change of the profit figure gradually increases, the configuration can be such that the change time is the same for the fixed mode and the variable mode.

○Example 2-8
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the indefinite mode includes a period in which the rate of change of the profit value gradually decreases (decreases over time), but it is also possible to consider a mode that does not change "gradually" in this way. For example, as shown in Figure 17, the rate of change is constant at Vx from the current value to the intermediate value, and the rate of change is constant at Vy from the intermediate value to the target value (however, Vx ≠ Vy (Figure 17 shows an example where Vx > Vy)).

○Example 2-9
As described in the above embodiment, the rate of change of the profit value changes when the intermediate value is reached, but the intermediate value is not constant (can change). For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the rate of change (count-up rate) from the current value to the intermediate value of 5 (first indefinite mode) and the rate of change (count-up rate) from the current value to the intermediate value of 10 (second indefinite mode) can occur as indefinite modes. As described above, the rate of change (count-up rate) from the current value to the intermediate value is the same in the fixed mode and the indefinite mode, so it can be said that the rate of change of the profit value is either the fixed mode or the indefinite mode at the timing when the intermediate value is reached, and the timing at which this can be determined is earlier in the first indefinite mode than in the second indefinite mode. In other words, it can be said that the first indefinite mode, which is earlier in the timing at which it is determined to be an indefinite mode, is more likely to make the player realize that the indefinite mode has occurred (is more likely to feel uncomfortable) than the second indefinite mode. In this way, by providing a plurality of types of indefinite modes that differ in the ease with which their occurrence can be understood, gameplay is realized in which the probability that the player will notice the occurrence of an indefinite mode may differ each time.

The probability of an event advantageous to the player (promotion to a round in the above embodiment) occurring may differ depending on which of the multiple types of variable modes occurs (the setting may be such that the occurrence of at least some of the multiple types of variable modes does not necessarily result in an advantageous event). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the setting may be such that the probability of an advantageous event occurring after the second variable mode occurs is higher than the probability of the first variable mode occurring. In this way, a gameplay feature is realized in which (players who are aware of the existence of variable modes) will also pay attention to the timing of changes in the profit numerical value.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The gaming machine 1 in the above embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine, but it can also be applied to other gaming machines, such as reel-type gaming machines, except for those that are based on a configuration specific to pachinko gaming machines.

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

Method 1-1
A gaming machine comprising a presentation control means for controlling a specific presentation in which one of a plurality of presentation elements is output, the presentation control means being capable of executing a basic control that treats X times of the specific presentation in the order of execution as one presentation group, prevents the same type of presentation element from being output in two or more of the specific presentations included in the same presentation group, and makes the type of presentation element of the specific presentation that is last to be executed among the first presentation group and the type of presentation element of the specific presentation that is first to be executed among the second presentation group different for a certain presentation group (hereinafter referred to as the first presentation group) from the next presentation group (hereinafter referred to as the second presentation group). However, the number of types of presentation elements is assumed to be X.
According to the gaming machine, it is possible to prevent bias from occurring in the presentation elements output in a specific presentation.

Method 1-2
The gaming machine described in means 1-1 is characterized in that the order of the types of presentation elements output when the specific presentation included in the earlier presentation group is executed is different from the order of the types of presentation elements output when the specific presentation included in the later presentation group is executed.
In this way, it is possible to prevent the order in which the performance elements are output from becoming patterned.

Method 1-3
The gaming machine described in means 1-1 or 1-2 is characterized in that it is provided with a fixed table including fixed values in a prescribed order, the fixed table having two or more fixed value groups each including X fixed values arranged in the prescribed order, the X fixed values included in each fixed value group being mutually different values, a lottery is executed in which each of a plurality of types of presentation elements is assigned to one of the fixed values, and then the specific presentation is executed in which the presentation elements of the types assigned to each of the fixed values in the prescribed order are output.
In this manner, the performance elements to be output can be determined using a fixed table.

Method 2-1
This gaming machine displays a profit image representing a profit obtained in a winning game executed when a winning/losing lottery result is a winning one, and is characterized in that the probability of an event advantageous to a player occurring is higher when the profit image is in a special mode different from the normal mode than when the mode is in the normal mode.
According to the gaming machine, an interesting gaming experience is realized in that the probability of an event advantageous to the player occurring is suggested by the profit image showing the profit obtained in a winning game.

Method 2-2
The gaming machine described in means 2-1 is characterized in that the profit image includes a profit value representing the profit obtained in the winning game, and the normal mode and the special mode have different patterns of change in the profit value.
In this way, a gaming experience is achieved in which the probability of a beneficial event occurring increases when the player feels "uneasy" about the way the profit numerical value changes.

Method 2-3
The gaming machine described in Means 2-2 is characterized in that the profit numerical value changes when the entry of a gaming ball into the winning area is detected, and when the profit numerical value increases to a target value based on the detection of the entry of a gaming ball into the preceding prize area, the manner in which the profit numerical value changes does not differ between the normal mode and the special mode until the profit numerical value reaches an intermediate value before the target value is reached, and the manner in which the profit numerical value changes differs between the normal mode and the special mode after the intermediate value is reached until the profit numerical value reaches the target value.
By doing this, the change pattern will be the same between the normal pattern and the special pattern until the intermediate value is reached, making it more difficult for the player to notice that a special pattern has occurred (this limits the number of players who feel "uneasy" when a special pattern occurs).

Method 2-4
The gaming machine according to Means 2-2 or 2-3, wherein in one of the normal mode and the special mode, the rate of change of the profit value is constant, and in the other mode, the rate of change of the profit value is variable.
In this way, whether the rate of change is constant or not can be set as the difference between the normal mode and the special mode.

1 Gaming machine 10 Presentation image (presentation element)
11 to 15 First performance image to fifth performance image 20 Benefit image 60 Bonus area 70 Reserved pattern 80 Decoration pattern 904 Start area (904a First start area 904b Second start area)
905 Normal start area 906 Big prize area 91 Display device 911 Display area

Claims (2)

A performance control means for controlling a specific performance in which any one of a plurality of performance elements is output is provided,
The performance control means includes:
The specific effects are grouped into X times in the order of execution, and a lottery is performed so that the same type of effect element is not output in two or more of the specific effects included in the same effect group.
For a certain performance group (hereinafter referred to as the first performance group) and a subsequent performance group (hereinafter referred to as the second performance group), a lottery is performed so that the type of the performance element of the specific performance that is the last to be executed among the first performance group is different from the type of the performance element of the specific performance that is the first to be executed among the second performance group.
A gaming machine capable of executing basic controls.
However, the number of types of performance elements is assumed to be X. The gaming machine described in claim 1, characterized in that the basic control selects a sequence of types of presentation elements output by executing a specific presentation included in the earlier presentation group so that the sequence of types of presentation elements output by executing a specific presentation included in the later presentation group is different from the sequence of types of presentation elements output by executing a specific presentation included in the later presentation group.

Images