JP7466178B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines.

Conventionally, pachinko gaming machines perform a jackpot determination to determine whether or not a jackpot has been reached, provided that a gaming ball has entered the starting hole (variable ball entry hole). When a jackpot determination is made, a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner to notify the player of the jackpot determination result. When the special symbol variable display indicates that the jackpot determination result is a jackpot, a jackpot game advantageous to the player is executed (see Patent Document 1).

The gaming machine of Patent Document 1 may enter a time-saving state (special gaming state) after a jackpot game has been played, in which it is easier for a gaming ball to enter the opening and closing start hole than in the normal gaming state (normal gaming state).

JP 2018-88993 A

However, for gaming machines that can be controlled to a special gaming state in which it is easier for a gaming ball to enter a variable ball entrance that can be changed to a closed state or an open state that makes it easier for a ball to enter than a closed state, there is still room for improvement to increase the interest in the game.

The gaming machine according to the present invention comprises:
A variable ball entry opening that can be changed to a closed state or an open state that makes it easier to enter the ball than the closed state;
Another ball inlet different from the variable ball inlet;
A game control means for determining whether or not a winning ball is to be obtained based on the ball entering the variable ball entrance or the other ball entrance, and for variably displaying a special symbol indicating the result of the determination process,
The game control means includes:
When the special symbols are stopped and displayed in a specific manner indicating a win, a big win game that is advantageous to the player can be executed;
After the end of the jackpot game, the game state can be controlled to a first special game state in which the game ball is more likely to enter the variable ball entrance than in a normal game state;
When the special symbols are stopped and displayed in a non-specific manner different from the specific manner in the normal game state , the game state can be controlled to a second special game state in which a game ball is more likely to enter the variable ball entrance than in the normal game state without going through the big win game and which is different in advantage to a player from the first special game state;
Based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, a normal judgment process is performed to determine whether or not a normal win has occurred.
When the result of the normal judgment process in the first special game state is the normal win, a first opening pattern can be set as an opening pattern of the variable ball entrance;
When the result of the normal judgment process in the second special game state is the normal win, a second opening pattern that is different in advantage to a player from the first opening pattern can be set as an opening pattern of the variable ball entrance;
The probability that the result of the judgment process in the normal gaming state is a miss and the special symbol displayed in the stopped state is the non-specific pattern, and the second special gaming state is controlled based on this , is:
This gaming machine is characterized in that the probability that the result of the judgment process in the normal gaming state will be a win and that the probability that the special pattern displayed in a stopped state will be controlled to the first special gaming state will be higher than the probability that the special pattern displayed in a stopped state will be the specific pattern .

The present invention makes it possible to increase interest in games.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. A schematic front view showing the second large prize device and other features of the gaming machine. 2 is an enlarged view of part A shown in FIG. 1, showing displays provided on the gaming machine. FIG. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the main control board of the gaming machine. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the sub-control board of the gaming machine. 13 is a table showing various random numbers acquired by the game control microcomputer. (A) A big win determination table. (B) A big win symbol type determination table. (C) A small win symbol type determination table. (D) A losing symbol type determination table. (E) A reach determination table. This is a determination table for the big win symbol type and the small win symbol type, and is a table explaining the types of big wins and small wins. This is a table for determining the type of losing symbol, and explains the types of losing symbols. (A) A normal symbol winning determination table. (B) A normal symbol change pattern determination table. (C) An electric chute opening pattern determination table. This is a special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for non-time-saving states. (A) A special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state A. (B) A special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state B. (C) A special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state C. This is a specific table of start winning commands. 13 is a flowchart of a main control process. 13 is a flowchart of a main-side timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a sensor detection process. 13 is a flowchart of a gate passing process. 13 is a flowchart of a normal operation process. 13 is a flowchart of a special action process. 13 is a flowchart of a special symbol waiting process. 13 is a flowchart of a jackpot determination process. 13 is a flowchart of a variation pattern selection process. 13 is a flowchart of a variation pattern selection process. This is a flowchart of processing during special pattern change. 13 is a flowchart of a special symbol determination process. 13 is a flowchart of a game status management process. This is a flowchart of special electric device processing 1 (jackpot game). 13 is a flowchart of a game status setting process. This is a flowchart of special electric device processing 2 (small win game). This is a flowchart of special electric device processing 2 (small win game). 13 is a flowchart of a distribution member control process. 13 is a flowchart of a specific area sensor detection process. 13 is a flowchart of a sub-control main process. 13 is a flowchart of a 1 ms timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a 10 ms timer interrupt process. A timing chart showing the opening pattern of the second large prize opening and the operation pattern of the distribution member according to the type of small prize. 1 is a diagram illustrating a game flow of a gaming machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a background image in day background mode, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a background image in night background mode, FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a background image in ultra night background mode, and FIG. 1D is a diagram showing a background image in last chance background mode. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a presentation.

1. Structure of the gaming machine A pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment includes a gaming machine frame 50 and a gaming board 2 attached within the gaming machine frame 50. The front frame 51 of the gaming machine frame 50 is provided with a handle 60 for launching gaming balls with a launch strength according to the rotation angle, a ball supply tray (upper tray) 61 for storing the gaming balls, and a surplus ball receiving tray (lower tray) 62 for storing the gaming balls that cannot be accommodated in the ball supply tray 61. The front frame 51 is also provided with a performance button 63 and a select button 64 (see the plan view within the dashed line in FIG. 1) that can be operated by the player during a performance that is executed as the game progresses. The front frame 51 is also provided with a decorative frame lamp 66 and a speaker 67.

The game board 2 has a game area 3, in which game balls launched by operating a handle 60 flow down, surrounded by a rail member 4. The game board 2 is also provided with a decorative board lamp 5 (see FIG. 5). The game area 3 has a number of game pegs (not shown) protruding therefrom to guide the game balls.

In addition, near the center of the game area 3, an image display device 7, which is a liquid crystal display device, is provided. The display screen 7a of the image display device 7 has a performance pattern display area that displays the performance patterns (decorative patterns) 8L, 8C, and 8R in synchronization with the variable display (variable display) of the first special pattern and the second special pattern described below. The performance pattern display area consists of three display areas, for example, "left," "middle," and "right." The left display area displays the left performance pattern 8L, the middle display area displays the middle performance pattern 8C, and the right display area displays the right performance pattern 8R. Each performance pattern consists of a plurality of patterns representing the numbers from "1" to "9," for example. The image display device 7 displays the results of the variable display of the first special pattern and the second special pattern displayed on the first special pattern display device 41a and the second special pattern display device 41b (see FIG. 3) described below (i.e., the result of the jackpot lottery) in an easy-to-understand manner by combining the left, middle, and right performance patterns.

For example, if a big win is won, the performance symbols are displayed as a repeat number such as "777". If a small win is won, the performance symbols are displayed as a predetermined chance number such as "246". If the win is a miss (normal miss), the performance symbols are displayed as random numbers such as "263". This makes it easier for the player to understand the progress of the game. In other words, the player generally does not understand the result of the big win lottery using the first special pattern display 41a or the second special pattern display 41b, but rather uses the image display device 7 to understand the result. The position of the display area of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R does not have to be fixed. In addition, the variable display of the performance symbols can be, for example, scrolled up and down. In addition, the combination of performance symbols to be displayed can be arbitrarily changed according to the result of each lottery, and the performance symbols may be displayed as random numbers when a small win is won.

The image display device 7 displays on the display screen 7a not only the effect pattern change effect (also called "decorative pattern change effect" or simply "change effect") using the effect patterns as described above, but also the big win effect that is performed in parallel with the big win game and the demo effect for waiting customers. In the effect pattern change effect, in addition to the effect patterns such as numbers, effect images other than the effect patterns, such as background images and character images, are also displayed.

The display screen 7a of the image display device 7 also has a first effect pending display area that displays effect pending 9A according to the number of stored first special pattern pendings, which will be described later, and a second effect pending display area that displays effect pending 9B according to the number of stored second special pattern pendings, which will be described later. By displaying the effect pendings, it is possible to clearly show the player the number of stored first special pattern pendings displayed on the first special pattern pending display 43a, which will be described later, and the number of stored second special pattern pendings displayed on the second special pattern pending display 43b (see FIG. 3).

A center decorative body 10 is disposed near the center of the game area 3, in front of the image display device 7. A stage section 11 is formed at the bottom of the center decorative body 10, which can guide game balls rolling on the top surface to a first starting hole 20, which will be described later. A warp section 12 is provided at the left side of the center decorative body 10, which allows game balls to flow in from an entrance and out to the stage section 11 from an exit. Furthermore, a decorative member 13 depicting letters, figures, etc. is disposed at the top of the center decorative body 10.

Below the image display device 7 in the game area 3, a fixed winning device 19 is provided, which includes a first starting hole 20 (an example of an "other ball entry hole") through which the ease with which a game ball can enter remains constant. The first starting hole 20 is also called the first starting winning hole, fixed ball entry hole, or first ball entry hole. The entry of a game ball into the first starting hole 20 triggers the drawing of a lottery for a first special symbol (a jackpot lottery, i.e., the acquisition and determination of a jackpot random number, etc.).

Also, to the upper right of the first starting hole 20, there is provided a normal variable winning device (so-called electric chute) 22 equipped with a second starting hole 21 (variable ball entry hole). The second starting hole 21 is also called the second starting winning hole, variable ball entry hole, or second ball entry hole. The entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 21 triggers the drawing of a second special symbol (a jackpot drawing, i.e., obtaining and determining a jackpot random number, etc.).

The electric chute 22 is equipped with a movable member (ball entry opening/closing member) 23 that can move back and forth, and the second starting opening 21 is opened and closed by the operation of the movable member 23. The movable member 23 is driven by an electric chute solenoid 24 (see FIG. 4). The second starting opening 21 allows game balls to enter only when the movable member 23 is open (i.e., when the movable member 23 is in an open state). In other words, game balls cannot enter when the movable member 23 is closed (i.e., when the movable member 23 is in a closed state). Note that the second starting opening 21 does not have to be completely impossible to enter when the movable member 23 is closed, so long as it is more difficult for game balls to enter when the movable member 23 is closed than when the movable member 23 is open.

In addition, below the first starting hole 20 in the game area 3, a first large prize device (first special variable prize device, other special prize means) 31 equipped with a first large prize hole (other special prize hole) 30 is provided. The first large prize device 31 is equipped with an opening/closing member (other special prize hole opening/closing member) 32 that can be opened or closed, and opens and closes the first large prize hole 30 by operating the opening/closing member 32. The opening/closing member 32 is driven by a first large prize hole solenoid 33 (see FIG. 4). Game balls can enter the first large prize hole 30 only when the opening/closing member 32 is open (i.e., when it is in the open state).

Also, to the right of the first large prize opening 30 in the game area 3, a second large prize opening device (second special variable prize opening device, special prize opening means) 36 equipped with a second large prize opening (corresponding to a special prize opening) 35 is provided. The second large prize opening device 36 is equipped with an opening/closing member (corresponding to a special prize opening opening/closing member) 37 that can be opened or closed, and the second large prize opening 35 is opened or closed by the operation of the opening/closing member 37. The opening/closing member 37 is of a retractable type that moves back and forth, and is driven by a second large prize opening solenoid 38 (see FIG. 4). The second large prize opening 35 can receive game balls only when the opening/closing member 37 is open (i.e., when it is in the open state).

2, inside the second large prize winning device 36, a specific area (V area) 39 and a non-specific area 70 through which the game ball that has passed through the second large prize winning port 35 can pass are formed. In addition, in the second large prize winning device 36, a second large prize winning port sensor 35a that detects the entry of the game ball into the second large prize winning port 35 is arranged upstream of the specific area 39 and the non-specific area 70. In addition, in the specific area 39, a specific area sensor 39a that detects the passage of the game ball into the specific area 39 is arranged. In addition, in the non-specific area 70, a non-specific area sensor 70a that detects the passage of the game ball into the non-specific area 70 is arranged. In addition, the second large prize winning device 36 is equipped with a distribution member 71 that distributes the game ball that has passed through the second large prize winning port 35 to either the specific area 39 or the non-specific area 70, and a distribution member solenoid 73 that drives the distribution member 71. When the distribution member solenoid 73 is energized, the distribution member 71 takes a first state (passage-permitted state) in which the game ball is distributed to the specific area 39, and when the distribution member solenoid 73 is not energized, the distribution member 71 takes a second state (passage-blocked state) in which the game ball is distributed to the non-specific area 70.

2, when the distribution member solenoid 73 is energized, the distribution member 71 is in a passing-permitting state that allows the game ball to pass through to the specific area 39. When the distribution member 71 is in a passing-permitting state, a game ball that enters the second large prize opening 35 passes through the second large prize opening sensor 35a and then passes through the specific area 39. This route of the game ball is called the first route.

As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2, when the distribution member solenoid 73 is not energized, the distribution member 71 is in a passage-blocking state that prevents the passage of game balls to the specific area 39. When the distribution member 71 is in a passage-blocking state, a game ball that has entered the second large prize opening 35 passes through the second large prize opening sensor 35a, then rolls on the distribution member 71 and passes through the non-specific area 70. This route of the game ball is called the second route.

In this pachinko game machine 1, the passage of the game ball into the specific area 39 is the trigger for the execution of the jackpot game described below. In other words, in this form, the jackpot lottery is also held depending on whether the game ball passes through the specific area 39. A jackpot won by the lottery for the first special pattern or the lottery for the second special pattern described above is called a type 1 jackpot, and a jackpot won by the passage of the game ball into the specific area 39 is called a type 2 jackpot. A jackpot game that is played when a type 1 jackpot is won is called a type 1 jackpot game, and a jackpot game that is played when a type 2 jackpot is won is called a type 2 jackpot game. A type 1 jackpot is also called a direct hit jackpot.

As shown in FIG. 1, a normal winning hole 27 is provided at the lower left of the game area 3. Also, at the bottom of the game area 3, an outlet 6 is provided for discharging game balls that have been shot into the game area 3 but have not entered any of the winning holes.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, a first gate 28 through which the game ball can pass is provided above the second starting opening 21 in the game area 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a second gate 69 through which the game ball can pass is provided above the normal winning opening 27 in the game area 3. The passage of the game ball through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69 triggers the execution of a normal pattern lottery (i.e., the acquisition and determination of a normal pattern random number (winning random number)) that determines whether or not the electric chute 22 will open.

The game area 3 in which the various winning holes are arranged has a left game area (first game area) 3A on the left side of the center in the left-right direction, and a right game area (second game area) 3B on the right side. A hitting style in which the game ball is shot so that it flows down the left game area 3A is called a left hit. On the other hand, a hitting style in which the game ball is shot so that it flows down the right game area 3B is called a right hit. In this form of pachinko game machine 1, the flow path through which the game ball flows down when playing with a left hit is called the first flow path R1, and the flow path through which the game ball flows down when playing with a right hit is called the second flow path R2.

A second gate 69, a first starting port 20, a first big prize device 31, and an outlet 6 are provided on the first flow path R1. The player aims to win at the first starting port 20 by hitting the game ball so that it flows down the first flow path R1.

On the other hand, the second flow path R2 is provided with a first gate 28, an electric chute 22, a second large prize device 36, a first large prize device 31, and an outlet 6. By hitting a game ball so that it flows down the second flow path R2, the player aims to pass through the first gate 28, or to win in the second start port 21 related to the electric chute 22, the first large prize port 30, or the second large prize port 35.

In this embodiment, the first gate 28, the electric chute 22, and the second large prize device 36 are unitized and can be attached to and detached from the game board 2 as a single structure. In addition, the fixed prize device 19 and the first large prize device 31 are unitized and can be attached to and detached from the game board 2 as a single structure.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, displays 40 are arranged at the lower right of the game board 2. The displays 40 include a first special symbol display 41a that variably displays a first special symbol (corresponding to the first symbol, also called special symbol 1), a second special symbol display 41b that variably displays a second special symbol (corresponding to the second symbol, also called special symbol 2), and a normal symbol display 42 that variably displays a normal symbol. The displays 40 also include a first special symbol reserve display 43a that displays the number of reserved activations (first special symbol reserves) of the first special symbol display 41a, and a second special symbol reserve display 43b that displays the number of reserved activations (second special symbol reserves) of the second special symbol display 41b. The first special symbol reserve is also called special symbol 1 reserve, and the second special symbol reserve is also called special symbol 2 reserve.

The variable display of the first special symbol is triggered by the entry of a gaming ball into the first starting hole 20. The variable display of the second special symbol is triggered by the entry of a gaming ball into the second starting hole 21. In the following explanation, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are sometimes collectively referred to as special symbols (special symbols). Furthermore, the first special symbol display device 41a and the second special symbol display device 41b are sometimes collectively referred to as the special symbol display device 41. Furthermore, the first special symbol reserve display device 43a and the second special symbol reserve display device 43b are sometimes collectively referred to as the special symbol reserve display device 43.

The special symbol display 41 notifies the result of a lottery (special symbol lottery, big win lottery) based on winning at the first start port 20 or the second start port 21 by displaying a special symbol (identification information) in a variable manner (variable display) and then displaying it in a stopped state. The special symbol (stop symbol, special symbol derived and displayed as a display result of the variable display) that is stopped is one special symbol selected from a plurality of types of special symbols by a special symbol lottery. If the stopped symbol is a special symbol (big win symbol) of a predetermined big win stop mode (specific stop mode), a big win game is performed in which the first big win port 30 is opened in an opening pattern corresponding to the type of the stopped and displayed big win symbol (i.e., the type of the won big win). Also, if the stopped symbol is a special symbol (small win symbol) of a predetermined small win stop mode, a small win game is performed in which the second big win port 35 is opened in an opening pattern corresponding to the type of the stopped and displayed small win symbol (i.e., the type of the won small win). The opening patterns of the large prize openings (first large prize opening 30 and second large prize opening 35) in the large prize game and the small prize game will be described later.

Specifically, the special symbol display 41 is composed of, for example, eight LEDs arranged side by side, and displays a special symbol according to the result of the big win lottery depending on the lighting state of the LEDs. For example, if a big win (one of the multiple types of big wins described below) is won, a big win symbol (specific state) is displayed with the first, second, fifth, and sixth LEDs from the left lit, such as "○○●●○○●●" (○: lit, ●: off). Also, if a small win (one of the multiple types of small wins described below) is won, a small win symbol is displayed with the fifth and sixth LEDs from the left lit, such as "●●●●○○●●". Also, if a loss (one of the multiple types of loss described below) is won, a loss symbol is displayed with only the rightmost LED lit, such as "●●●●●●●○". It is also possible to adopt a mode in which all LEDs are turned off as one of the loss symbols. In addition, before the special symbol is displayed in a static state, the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner (variable display) for a predetermined variable time, and the manner of the variable display is, for example, a manner in which each LED lights up so that light flows repeatedly from left to right. Note that the manner of the variable display can be changed as appropriate, such as all LEDs flashing at once if each LED is not displayed in a static state (illuminated in a specific manner).

In this pachinko game machine 1, when a game ball enters the first start hole 20 or the second start hole 21, the values (judgment information) of various random numbers such as the jackpot random number obtained for that entry are temporarily stored in the special chart reservation memory unit 85 (see FIG. 4). In detail, if the game ball enters the first start hole 20, it is stored as the first special chart reservation in the first special chart reservation memory unit 85a (see FIG. 4), and if the game ball enters the second start hole 21, it is stored as the second special chart reservation in the second special chart reservation memory unit 85b (see FIG. 4). There is an upper limit to the number of special chart reservations that can be stored in each special chart reservation memory unit 85, and the upper limit value (upper limit memory number, upper limit reservation number) in this embodiment is "4" for the first special chart reservation memory unit 85a and "4" for the second special chart reservation memory unit 85b (reservation storage means).

The reserved special symbols stored in the reserved special symbols memory unit 85 are consumed when it becomes possible to change the display of the special symbols based on the reserved special symbols. The consumption of reserved special symbols means determining the jackpot random number or the like that corresponds to the reserved special symbols, and executing the changeable display of the special symbols to show the result of the determination. Therefore, in this pachinko game machine 1, even if the changeable display of the special symbols based on the winning of the game ball into the first start hole 20 or the second start hole 21 cannot be performed immediately after the winning, that is, even if the winning occurs during the changeable display of the special symbols or during the playing of a special game (jackpot game or small jackpot game), the right to draw the jackpot for the winning can be reserved up to a specified number.

The number of reserved special drawings is then displayed on the reserved special drawing display 43. Specifically, the first reserved special drawing display 43a and the second reserved special drawing display 43b are composed of four LEDs. Each reserved special drawing display 43 displays the number of reserved special drawings by lighting up the LEDs equal to the number of reserved special drawings.

The variable display of the normal symbol is triggered by the passage of the game ball through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69. The normal symbol display 42 displays the normal symbol variably (variably) and then displays it in a stopped state, thereby announcing the result of the normal symbol lottery based on the passage of the game ball through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69. The normal symbol displayed in a stopped state (normal stop symbol, normal symbol derived and displayed as a display result of the variable display) is one normal symbol selected from a plurality of types of normal symbols by the normal symbol lottery. If the normal symbol displayed in a stopped state is a specific normal symbol (a normal symbol in a predetermined stopping mode, i.e., a normal winning symbol (long opening symbol, short opening symbol, see Fig. 10(A) and Fig. 10(B)), an auxiliary game (auxiliary game) is played to open the second start hole 21 in an opening pattern according to the current game state. The opening pattern of the second start hole 21 will be described later.

Specifically, the normal symbol display 42 is composed of, for example, two LEDs (see FIG. 3), and displays the normal symbol according to the result of the normal symbol lottery by the way they are lit. For example, if the lottery result is a win, a normal winning symbol with both LEDs lit is displayed as "○○" (○: lit, ●: off). If the lottery result is a loss, a normal losing symbol with only the right LED lit is displayed as "●○". A mode in which all LEDs are turned off may be adopted as a normal losing symbol. Before the normal symbol is displayed in a stopped state, the normal symbol is displayed in a variable display (variable display) for a predetermined variable time, and the variable display mode is, for example, a mode in which both LEDs are lit alternately. Note that the variable display mode can be changed as appropriate, such as all LEDs flashing at once unless each LED is displayed in a stopped state (a display lit in a specific mode).

In addition, this pachinko game machine 1 is configured not to obtain a normal pattern random number based on the passage of a game ball when the variable display of the normal pattern based on the passage of the game ball through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69 cannot be performed immediately after the passage, that is, when the game ball passes through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69 while the variable display of the normal pattern is being performed or while the auxiliary game is being performed. In other words, it is configured not to store the operation reservation (normal pattern reservation) of the normal pattern display device 42. In addition, the normal pattern reservation may be configured to be able to be stored up to a predetermined upper limit number (for example, "4") in a predetermined storage area in the RAM 84 (see FIG. 4). In this case, the normal pattern reservation stored in the RAM 84 is consumed when the variable display of the normal pattern based on the normal pattern reservation becomes possible. The consumption of the normal pattern reservation means determining the normal pattern random number corresponding to the normal pattern reservation and executing the variable display of the normal pattern to show the result of the determination. In this case, it is also preferable to provide a normal pattern reservation indicator that displays the number of stored normal pattern reservations.

2. Electrical Configuration of the Game Machine Next, the electrical configuration of the present pachinko game machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the pachinko game machine 1 includes a main control board (game control board) 80 that controls game profits such as big win lottery and transition of game state, a sub-control board (performance control board) 90 that controls performances executed as the game progresses, and a payout control board 110 that controls payout of game balls. The main control board 80 constitutes a main control unit, and the sub-control board 90 constitutes a sub-control unit 99 together with an image control board 100, a lamp control board 107, and a sound control board 106, which will be described later. The sub-control unit 99 only needs to include at least the sub-control board 90 and be capable of controlling various performances using performance means (such as the image display device 7, the board lamp 5, the frame lamp 66, the speaker 67, and the board movable body 15).

The pachinko game machine 1 also includes a power supply board 150. The power supply board 150 supplies power to the main control board 80, the sub-control board 90, and the payout control board 110, and also supplies the necessary power to other devices via these boards. The power supply board 150 is provided with a backup power circuit 151. When power is not being supplied to the pachinko game machine 1, the backup power circuit 151 supplies power to the RAM 84 of the main control board 80 and the RAM 94 of the sub-control board 90, which will be described later. Therefore, the information stored in the RAM 84 of the main control board 80 and the RAM 94 of the sub-control board 90 is retained even when the power to the pachinko game machine 1 is cut off. In addition, a power switch 155 is connected to the power supply board 150. The power supply is turned on and off by turning the power switch 155 on and off. In addition, a backup power supply circuit for the RAM 84 of the main control board 80 may be provided on the main control board 80, and a backup power supply circuit for the RAM 94 of the sub-control board 90 may be provided on the sub-control board 90.

The power supply board 150 is also provided with a RAM clear switch (RAM clear operation means) 152 for causing the CPU 82 to clear the information stored in the RAM 84 of the game control microcomputer 81, which will be described later. The RAM clear switch 152 is provided on the power supply board 150 arranged on the back side of the present pachinko game machine 1. Therefore, only an employee of the game arcade who can open the game machine frame 50 can operate the RAM clear switch 152. In other words, the RAM clear switch 152 can be said to be an operation means that cannot be operated by a player. The RAM clear switch 152 is a tactile switch, and when the RAM clear switch 152 is pressed, a detection signal indicating that the RAM clear switch 152 is ON is input to the game control microcomputer 81. The state in which the RAM clear switch 152 is pressed is referred to as the ON state of the RAM clear switch 152, and the state in which the RAM clear switch 152 is not pressed is referred to as the OFF state of the RAM clear switch 152.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main control board 80 is equipped with a one-chip microcomputer for game control (hereinafter referred to as "game control microcomputer") 81 that controls the progress of the game on the pachinko game machine 1 according to a program. The game control microcomputer 81 includes a ROM 83 that stores programs for controlling the progress of the game, a RAM 84 used as a work memory, a CPU 82 that executes the programs stored in the ROM 83, and an I/O port section (input/output circuit) 87 for inputting and outputting data and signals. The ROM 83 may be external. The RAM 84 is provided with the above-mentioned special chart reservation memory section 85 (first special chart reservation memory section 85a and second special chart reservation memory section 85b).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, various sensors and solenoids are connected to the main control board 80 via a relay board 88. Therefore, signals are input from each sensor to the main control board 80, and signals are output from the main control board 80 to each solenoid. Specifically, the sensors connected include the first start hole sensor 20a, the second start hole sensor 21a, the first gate sensor 28a, the second gate sensor 69a, the first large prize hole sensor 30a, the second large prize hole sensor 35a, the specific area sensor 39a, the non-specific area sensor 70a, and the normal prize hole sensor 27a.

The first start opening sensor 20a is provided in the first start opening 20 to detect game balls that have entered the first start opening 20. The second start opening sensor 21a is provided in the second start opening 21 to detect game balls that have entered the second start opening 21. The first gate sensor 28a is provided in the first gate 28 to detect game balls that have passed through the first gate 28, and the second gate sensor 69a is provided in the second gate 69 to detect game balls that have passed through the second gate 69. The first large prize opening sensor 30a is provided in the first large prize opening 30 to detect game balls that have entered the first large prize opening 30. The second large prize opening sensor 35a is provided in the second large prize opening 35 to detect game balls that have entered the second large prize opening 35. The specific area sensor 39a is provided in the specific area 39 in the second large prize opening 35 to detect game balls that have passed through the specific area 39. The non-specific area sensor 70a is provided in the non-specific area 70 in the second large prize opening 35 and detects game balls that have passed through the non-specific area 70. The regular prize opening sensors 27a are provided in the regular prize openings 27 and detect game balls that have won in the regular prize openings 27.

The solenoids connected include the electric chute solenoid 24, the first large prize opening solenoid 33, the second large prize opening solenoid 38, and the distribution member solenoid 73. The electric chute solenoid 24 drives the movable member 23 of the electric chute 22. The first large prize opening solenoid 33 drives the opening/closing member 32 of the first large prize device 31. The second large prize opening solenoid 38 drives the opening/closing member 37 of the second large prize device 36. The distribution member solenoid 73 drives the distribution member 71 of the second large prize device 36.

Furthermore, the first special symbol display 41a, the second special symbol display 41b, the normal symbol display 42, the first special symbol reserved display 43a, and the second special symbol reserved display 43b are connected to the main control board 80. In other words, the display control of these displays 40 is performed by the game control microcomputer 81.

The main control board 80 also transmits various commands to the payout control board 110, and receives signals from the payout control board 110 to monitor payouts. The payout control board 110 is connected to the prize ball payout device 120 and the card unit 135 (installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1, which allows ball lending based on information from an inserted prepaid card, etc.), and is also connected to the launching device 112 via a launch control circuit 111. The launching device 112 includes a handle 60 (see Figure 1).

Based on signals from the game control microcomputer 81 and the card unit 135 connected to the pachinko game machine 1, the payout control board 110 drives the prize ball motor 121 of the prize ball payout device 120 to pay out prize balls or pay out loan balls. The paid-out prize balls and loan balls are detected by the prize ball sensor 122 to count them. When the player operates the handle 60 (see FIG. 1) of the launch device 112, the touch switch 114 detects contact with the handle 60, and the launch volume 115 detects the amount of rotation of the handle 60. The launch motor 113 is then driven to launch the game ball with a strength according to the magnitude of the detection signal from the launch volume 115. In this pachinko game machine 1, one game ball is launched in about 0.6 seconds.

The main control board 80 also transmits various commands to the sub-control board 90. The connection between the main control board 80 and the sub-control board 90 is a one-way communication connection that only allows signals to be transmitted from the main control board 80 to the sub-control board 90. In other words, a unidirectional circuit (not shown, for example a circuit using a diode) is interposed between the main control board 80 and the sub-control board 90 as a means for restricting the direction of communication.

As shown in FIG. 5, a one-chip microcomputer for performance control (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer for performance control") 91 that controls the performance of the pachinko game machine 1 according to a program is mounted on the sub-control board 90. The microcomputer for performance control 91 includes a ROM 93 that stores programs for controlling the performance as the game progresses, a RAM 94 used as a work memory, a CPU 92 that executes the programs stored in the ROM 93, and an I/O port section (input/output circuit) 97 for inputting and outputting data and signals. The ROM 93 may be external.

As shown in FIG. 5, the image control board 100, the sound control board 106, and the lamp control board 107 are connected to the sub-control board 90. The performance control microcomputer 91 of the sub-control board 90 causes the CPU 102 of the image control board 100 to control the display of the image display device 7 based on commands received from the main control board 80. The RAM 104 of the image control board 100 is a memory for expanding image data. The ROM 103 of the image control board 100 stores still image data and video data to be displayed on the image display device 7, specifically image data of characters, items, figures, letters, numbers, symbols, etc. (including performance patterns) and background images. The CPU 102 of the image control board 100 reads image data from the ROM 103 based on commands from the performance control microcomputer 91. Then, it executes display control based on the read image data.

The performance control microcomputer 91 also outputs voice, music, sound effects, etc. from the speaker 67 via the voice control board 106 based on commands received from the main control board 80. Sound data such as voice output from the speaker 67 is stored in the ROM 93 of the sub-control board 90. A CPU may be implemented on the voice control board 106, in which case the CPU may be made to execute the voice control. In this case, a ROM may be implemented on the voice control board 106, and the sound data may be stored in the ROM. The speaker 67 may also be connected to the image control board 100, and the CPU 102 of the image control board 100 may be made to execute the voice control. In this case, the sound data may also be stored in the ROM 103 of the image control board 100.

The performance control microcomputer 91 also controls the lighting of lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the board lamp 5 via the lamp control board 107 based on commands received from the main control board 80. In detail, the performance control microcomputer 91 creates light emission data (data that determines the on/off state and light color, also called lamp data) that determines the light emission mode of lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the board lamp 5, and controls the light emission of lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the board lamp 5 according to the light emission data. Note that data stored in the ROM 93 of the sub-control board 90 is used to create the light emission data.

Furthermore, the performance control microcomputer 91 operates the movable board 15 connected to the lamp control board 107 via the relay board 108 based on the command received from the main control board 80. The movable board 15 is a so-called movable gimmick provided on the center decorative body 10, although it is not shown in FIG. 1. In detail, the performance control microcomputer 91 creates operation pattern data (also called drive data) that determines the operation mode of the movable board 15, and controls the operation of the movable board 15 according to the operation pattern data. The operation pattern data is created using data stored in the ROM 93 of the sub-control board 90. A CPU may be implemented on the lamp control board 107, in which case the CPU may be made to execute lamp lighting control and operation control of the movable board 15. Furthermore, in this case, a ROM may be implemented on the lamp control board 107, and data regarding the light emission pattern and operation pattern may be stored in the ROM.

The sub-control board 90 is also connected to a performance button detection switch (SW) 63a and a select button detection switch 64a. The performance button detection switch 63a detects that the performance button 63 (see Figure 1) has been pressed. When the performance button 63 is pressed, a detection signal is output from the performance button detection switch 63a to the sub-control board 90. The select button detection switch 64a detects that the select button 64 (see Figure 1) has been pressed. When the select button 64 is pressed, a detection signal is output from the select button detection switch 64a to the sub-control board 90.

Note that Figures 4 and 5 are merely functional block diagrams for explaining the electrical configuration of this pachinko gaming machine 1, and the boards shown in Figures 4 and 5 are not the only boards provided. With the exception of the main control board 80, any of the boards shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be configured as a single board, and the single board shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be configured as multiple boards.

3. Main Games in the Gaming Machine Next, the main games played by the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. The pachinko gaming machine 1 acquires special pattern related random numbers based on winning at the first start port 20 or the second start port 21. The special pattern related random numbers include jackpot random numbers, pattern type random numbers, reach random numbers, and variable pattern random numbers, as shown in FIG. 6(A). The jackpot random numbers are used to determine whether or not a jackpot has been won or not, and whether or not a small win has been won or not. The jackpot random numbers take values in the range of 0 to 65535. The pattern type random numbers are used to determine the type of jackpot pattern, the type of small win pattern, and the type of losing pattern. The pattern type random numbers take values in the range of 0 to 199.

The reach random number is a random number that determines whether or not a reach will occur in the variable presentation that shows the result when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss. A reach is a state in which there is only one variable presentation pattern left out of multiple presentation patterns, and depending on which of the variable presentation patterns that is displayed in a stopped state, a combination of presentation patterns that indicates a big win (for example, a "7↓7" state) may be formed. Note that the presentation pattern that is displayed in a stopped state in the reach state may be displayed as if it is shaking slightly on the display screen 7a, or may be displayed as if it is expanding and contracting repeatedly. The reach random number has a value in the range of 0 to 255.

Fluctuation pattern random numbers are random numbers used to determine fluctuation patterns, including fluctuation times. Fluctuation pattern random numbers take values in the range of 0 to 99. The random numbers are also called judgment information.

The pachinko game machine 1 also obtains a normal symbol random number (winning random number) shown in FIG. 6(B) based on the passage of the game ball through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69. The normal symbol random number is a random number used for a lottery (normal symbol lottery) to determine whether or not to play an auxiliary game that opens the electric chute 22. The normal symbol random number has a value in the range of 0 to 65535.

The pachinko game machine 1 determines whether or not a jackpot random number obtained based on winning the first start port 20 or the second start port 21 is a jackpot random number, and whether or not a jackpot random number is a small jackpot random number, by judging the jackpot random number obtained based on winning the first start port 20 or the second start port 21 according to the jackpot judgment table shown in FIG. 7(A). As shown in FIG. 7(A), the winning probability of a jackpot random number is the same (approximately 1/229) in the drawing of the first special symbol (special symbol 1) based on winning the first start port 20 and the drawing of the second special symbol (special symbol 2) based on winning the second start port 21, but the winning probability of a small jackpot is different. The winning probability of a small jackpot random number in the drawing of the special symbol 1 is approximately 1/20, and the winning probability of a small jackpot random number in the drawing of the special symbol 2 is approximately 1/7. In other words, it is easier to win a small jackpot random number in the drawing of the special symbol 2 than in the drawing of the special symbol 1.

When the pachinko gaming machine 1 determines that a jackpot has been won, it determines the type of jackpot pattern by judging the pattern type random number according to the jackpot pattern type determination table shown in FIG. 7(B). In the drawing for special pattern 1, there is a 50% probability that "Special pattern 1_jackpot pattern A" will be selected, and a 50% probability that "Special pattern 1_jackpot pattern B" will be selected. On the other hand, in the drawing for special pattern 2, there is a 100% probability that "Special pattern 2_jackpot pattern C" will be selected. If the type of jackpot pattern that is won is different, the opening pattern of the large prize opening in a type 1 jackpot game and the settings related to the game state after the jackpot game will be different (see FIG. 8). This point will be described later.

In this embodiment, if a jackpot is determined to have been won in the drawing of special chart 1 or the drawing of special chart 2, the first special symbol or the second special symbol will be displayed in a variable manner, and then the jackpot symbol will always be displayed as a stopped jackpot symbol (see Figures 7(A) and 7(B)). In other words, since the probability of a jackpot being determined to have been won in the drawing of special chart 1 or the drawing of special chart 2 is approximately 1/229, if a jackpot is determined to have been won in the drawing of special chart 1 or the drawing of special chart 2, the probability of the first special symbol or the second special symbol being displayed as a stopped jackpot symbol is approximately 1/229.

When the pachinko gaming machine 1 determines that a small win has been won, it determines the type of small win symbol by judging the symbol type random number according to the small win symbol type determination table shown in FIG. 7(C). In the drawing for special symbol 1, the "special symbol 1_small win symbol a" is determined 100% of the time. On the other hand, in the drawing for special symbol 2, the "special symbol 2_small win symbol b" is determined 90% of the time, and the "special symbol 2_small win symbol c" is determined 10% of the time. If the type of small win symbol that has been won is different, the opening pattern of the large prize opening in the small win game and the type 2 large win game, and the settings related to the game state after the large win game will be different (see FIG. 8). This point will be described later.

In this embodiment, if the drawing of the special chart 1 determines that the small prize has been won, the first special pattern will be displayed in a variable manner and then the small prize pattern will always be displayed as a stopped pattern (see Fig. 7 (A) and Fig. 7 (C)). In other words, since the probability of the drawing of the special chart 1 determining that the small prize has been won is about 1/20, the probability of the first special pattern being displayed as a stopped pattern when the drawing of the special chart 1 determines that the small prize has been won is about 1/20. On the other hand, if the drawing of the special chart 2 determines that the small prize has been won, the second special pattern will be displayed in a variable manner and then the small prize pattern will always be displayed as a stopped pattern (see Fig. 7 (A) and Fig. 7 (C)). In other words, since the probability of the drawing of the special chart 2 determining that the small prize has been won is about 1/7, the probability of the second special pattern being displayed as a stopped pattern when the drawing of the special chart 2 determines that the small prize has been won is about 1/7.

In addition, when the pachinko gaming machine 1 determines that neither the big win nor the small win has been won (i.e., when it determines that the winning symbol has been lost), it determines the type of the losing symbol by judging the symbol type random number according to the losing symbol type judgment table shown in FIG. 7 (D). In the drawing of the special symbol 1, the winning symbol is determined to be "Special symbol 1_losing symbol A" at a rate of 99.5% and "Special symbol 1_losing symbol B" at a rate of 0.5% (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, in the drawing of the special symbol 2, the winning symbol is determined to be "Special symbol 2_losing symbol C" at a rate of 80.0%, "Special symbol 2_losing symbol D" at a rate of 10.0%, and "Special symbol 2_losing symbol E" at a rate of 10.0%. The difference in the type of the losing symbol affects the setting of the game state after the losing symbol is stopped and displayed (see FIG. 9). This is one of the features of the pachinko gaming machine 1. This point will be discussed later.

In this form of pachinko game machine 1, if the drawing of special symbol 1 is determined to be a miss, the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and then the symbol type random number is determined according to the miss symbol type determination table shown in FIG. 7(D), and then "Special symbol 1_Missing symbol B" is determined with a probability of 0.5% (see FIG. 9), and the first special symbol is displayed as "Special symbol 1_Missing symbol B". In other words, if the drawing of special symbol 1 is determined to be a miss, the probability that the first special symbol will be displayed as "Special symbol 1_Missing symbol B" is 1/200.

On the other hand, if the drawing of special chart 2 is judged to be a miss, after the second special chart is displayed in a variable manner, the chart type random number is judged according to the miss chart type judgment table shown in Figure 7 (D), and "Special chart 2_Missing chart D" is determined with a probability of 10.0% (see Figure 9), and the second special chart is stopped and displayed as "Special chart 2_Missing chart D". In other words, if the drawing of special chart 2 is judged to be a miss, the probability that the second special chart will be stopped and displayed as "Special chart 2_Missing chart D" is 1/10. In addition, if the lottery for special symbol 2 is determined to be a miss, the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and the symbol type random number is determined according to the miss symbol type determination table shown in FIG. 7(D), and "special symbol 2_miss symbol E" is determined with a probability of 10.0% (see FIG. 9), and the second special symbol is displayed as "special symbol 2_miss symbol E". In other words, if the lottery for special symbol 2 is determined to be a miss, the probability that the second special symbol will be displayed as "special symbol 2_miss symbol D" is 1/10.

When the pachinko gaming machine 1 judges a miss (a normal miss, described below), it judges the reach random number according to the reach judgment table shown in FIG. 7(E) to determine whether or not the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R will be in reach in the variable performance. The probability of judging that there is a reach differs depending on whether or not the gaming state is in the time-saving state (special gaming state), described below. The probability of judging that there is a reach is higher when the time-saving state is not in effect than when the time-saving state is in effect.

Next, the types of big wins, small wins, and losses will be described in detail with reference to Figures 8 and 9. As described above, the results of the special symbol lottery (the lottery for special symbol 1 or the lottery for special symbol 2) can be a "big win", a "small win", or a "loss". In the case of a "big win", a "big win symbol" is displayed on the special symbol display 41. The big win symbols include "Special symbol 1_big win symbol A", "Special symbol 1_big win symbol B", and "Special symbol 2_big win symbol C". In the case of a "small win", a "small win symbol" is displayed on the special symbol display 41. The small win symbols include "Special symbol 1_small win symbol a", "Special symbol 2_small win symbol b", and "Special symbol 2_small win symbol c". In the case of a "loss", a "loss symbol" is displayed on the special symbol display 41. The losing designs include "Special design 1_losing design A", "Special design 1_losing design B", "Special design 2_losing design C", "Special design 2_losing design D", and "Special design 2_losing design E".

If a jackpot is won in the special pattern lottery, a "jackpot game" is played in which the first large prize opening 30 is opened in an opening pattern corresponding to the type of jackpot pattern that is stopped and displayed. If a small prize is won, a "small prize game" is played in which the second large prize opening 35 is opened in an opening pattern corresponding to the type of small prize pattern that is stopped and displayed. Then, if a game ball enters a specific area 39 in the second large prize opening 35 during the small prize game, a "jackpot game" is played in which the first large prize opening 30 is opened in an opening pattern corresponding to the type of the small prize pattern that has been won. A jackpot game played based on the result of the special pattern lottery being a jackpot is called a type 1 jackpot game, and a jackpot game played based on passage to the specific area 39 is called a type 2 jackpot game.

In this form, the jackpot game includes multiple rounds of play (unit opening play), an opening (also written as OP) before the first round of play begins, and an ending (also written as ED) after the final round of play ends. Each round of play begins with the end of the OP or the end of the previous round of play, and ends with the start of the next round of play or the start of the ED. The time (interval time) for the jackpot opening to be closed between rounds of play is included in the open round of play before that closure.

In this embodiment, the small win game includes a small win opening game that opens the second large winning opening 35, an opening (pre-opening interval) before the small win opening game starts, and an ending (post-closing interval) after the small win opening game ends.

If the special symbol lottery results in a jackpot (i.e., if a type 1 jackpot is won), a jackpot game (type 1 jackpot game) is executed to open the first big prize opening 30. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, there are two types of jackpot symbols (jackpot symbols stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41a) that can be won in the lottery for the first special symbol (special symbol 1), and there is one type of jackpot symbol (jackpot symbol stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display 41b) that can be won in the lottery for the second special symbol (special symbol 2). Specifically, in the lottery for special symbol 1, there is a possibility of winning "special symbol 1_jackpot symbol A" and "special symbol 1_jackpot symbol B". In addition, in the lottery for special symbol 2, there is a possibility of winning "special symbol 2_jackpot symbol C".

As shown in FIG. 8, "Special chart 1_jackpot pattern A" and "Special chart 1_jackpot pattern B" are 4R (round) jackpots, and the first big prize slot 30 opens once per round, with a maximum opening time of 29.5 seconds. When "jackpot pattern A" and "jackpot pattern B" are won, the game state after the jackpot game is "time-saving state A" (one of multiple types of time-saving states) described below. In the time-saving state based on "jackpot pattern A", the number of time-saving times is set to 1, and in the time-saving state after the jackpot game based on "jackpot pattern B", the number of time-saving times is set to 6. The number of time-saving times is the upper limit of the number of times the variable display of the special pattern is executed in the time-saving state. Details of the game state will be described later.

In addition, "Special Chart 2 - Jackpot Pattern C" is a 10R jackpot, and the first large prize slot 30 opens once per round, with a maximum opening time of 29.5 seconds. When "Jackpot Pattern C" is won, the game state after the jackpot game is the "Time-saving state A" described below, and the number of time-saving times is set to 6.

As shown in FIG. 8, if the lottery for special chart 2 determines that the jackpot has been won, the jackpot will be a 10R jackpot, but if the lottery for special chart 1 determines that the jackpot has been won, the jackpot will be a 4R jackpot. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, if the lottery for special chart 1 determines that the jackpot has been won, the time-saving state controlled after the end of the executed jackpot game is set to one time at a rate of 50%, and set to six times at a rate of 50%. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, if the lottery for special chart 2 determines that the jackpot has been won, the time-saving state controlled after the end of the executed jackpot game is set to six times at a rate of 100%. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lottery for special chart 2 makes it easier to win a jackpot with a larger bonus than the lottery for special chart 1 (see FIG. 8).

When a small prize is won as a result of the special pattern lottery, a small prize game is executed in which the second large prize opening 35 is opened once. If a game ball enters the second large prize opening 35 opened by the small prize game and the game ball passes through the specific area 39 in the second large prize device 36, a big prize is won, and a big prize game (a type 2 big prize game) is executed in which the first large prize opening 30 is opened. When this big prize game (a big prize game triggered by passing through the specific area 39) is executed, the opening of the second large prize opening 35 as a small prize game corresponds to the first round. Note that if the game ball does not pass through the specific area 39 in the small prize game, the big prize game is not executed. In this specification, the big prize game and the small prize game may be referred to as special games. Note that in the special game, there may be a round in which the big prize opening is opened multiple times during one round.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, there is one type of small prize pattern (small prize pattern stopped and displayed on the first special pattern display 41a) that can be won in the lottery for special chart 1, and two types of small prize patterns (small prize pattern stopped and displayed on the second special pattern display 41b) that can be won in the lottery for special chart 2. Specifically, in the lottery for special chart 1, there is a possibility of winning "Special chart 1_small prize pattern a". In addition, in the lottery for special chart 2, there is a possibility of winning "Special chart 2_small prize pattern b" and "Special chart 2_small prize pattern c".

"Small win pattern a" is a small win that is practically impossible to pass through to the specific area 39 (also called V-passing). In contrast, "small win pattern b" and "small win pattern c" are small wins that are always possible to pass through V. In other words, in this form, except in irregular cases, a big win game will not be played from a small win based on the lottery of special pattern 1. Whether or not V-passing is possible during the execution of a small win game is determined by the operation pattern of the distribution member 71 and the opening pattern of the opening/closing member 37. This point will be described in detail later.

In a small prize game based on each type of small prize pattern, the second large prize opening 35 is opened once for 1.6 seconds. However, the opening time in each small prize game differs depending on the type of small prize pattern. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, it is about 4.6 seconds for "small prize pattern a" and 0.008 seconds for "small prize pattern b" and "small prize pattern c". The reason why the opening time of the small prize game differs depending on the type of small prize pattern is to change the opening timing of the second large prize opening 35 for the distribution member 71, which moves in a constant motion from the start of this opening. This creates a passing opening pattern that allows V to pass during the execution of the small prize game, and a non-passing opening pattern that does not allow V to pass (including substantially) during the execution of the small prize game. Details of the passing opening pattern and the non-passing opening pattern will be described later.

In addition, in a big win game (type 2 big win game) that is executed based on the passage of the game ball into the specific area 39, the first big winning opening 30 is opened in an opening pattern that is determined according to the type of small winning symbol. Specifically, in a type 2 big win game based on the winning of the "small winning symbol a", the first big winning opening 30 is opened once per round from the 2nd round to the 5th round with a maximum opening time of 29.5 seconds, and the first big winning opening 30 is opened once per round from the 6th round to the 11th round with a maximum opening time of 0.1 seconds. In other words, a type 2 big win game of 4 rounds is essentially executed. And the game state after the execution of this type 2 big win game is controlled to a "non-time shortening state". However, since the "small winning symbol a" is a small win that is essentially impossible to pass through V, such a type 2 big win game is not executed except in irregular cases.

In addition, in a type 2 jackpot game based on winning "small jackpot pattern b" and "small jackpot pattern c", the first large prize opening 30 is opened once per round from round 2 to round 11, with a maximum opening time of 29.5 seconds. In other words, a type 2 jackpot game of 10 rounds is essentially played. The game state after the play of this type 2 jackpot game is controlled to "time-saving state A" described below. In the time-saving state based on "small jackpot pattern b", the number of time-saving times is set to 6, but in the time-saving state after a jackpot game based on "small jackpot pattern c", the number of time-saving times is set to 100.

As shown in FIG. 8, when a small jackpot is determined to be won by the drawing of the special chart 2 and the second special pattern is stopped and displayed as "small jackpot pattern b", a 10R two-type jackpot game is essentially executed, and after the two-type jackpot game ends, the time-saving state A is controlled to have the number of time-saving times set to 6. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when a small jackpot is determined to be won by the drawing of the special chart 2 and the second special pattern is stopped and displayed as "small jackpot pattern c", a 10R two-type jackpot game is essentially executed, and after the two-type jackpot game ends, the time-saving state A is controlled to have the number of time-saving times set to 100. On the other hand, when a small jackpot is determined to be won by the drawing of the special chart 1 and the first special pattern is stopped and displayed as "small jackpot pattern a", the jackpot game is not executed from the small jackpot win based on the drawing of the special chart 1 except in irregular cases. In this case, even if a jackpot game is executed, the time-saving state is not controlled to have the number of time-saving times set to 100 after the jackpot game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the drawing for special drawing 2 is more likely to result in a small prize with a larger bonus than the drawing for special drawing 1 (see FIG. 8). Note that the drawing for special drawing 1 in this embodiment may be configured to be more likely to result in a small prize with a larger bonus than the drawing for special drawing 2.

Also, if the result of the special pattern lottery is determined to be a loss, the type of the loss pattern is determined. As shown in FIG. 9, there are two types of loss patterns determined in the lottery for special pattern 1 (losing patterns stopped and displayed on the first special pattern display 41a). Specifically, in the lottery for special pattern 1, it is determined to be either "Special pattern 1_losing pattern A" or "Special pattern 1_losing pattern B". On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, there are three types of loss patterns determined in the lottery for special pattern 2 (losing patterns stopped and displayed on the second special pattern display 41b). Specifically, in the lottery for special pattern 2, it is determined to be either "Special pattern 2_losing pattern C", "Special pattern 2_losing pattern D", or "Special pattern 2_losing pattern E".

"Special symbol 1_missing symbol A" and "Special symbol 2_missing symbol C" are normal misses, while "Special symbol 1_missing symbol B", "Special symbol 2_missing symbol D", and "Special symbol 2_missing symbol E" are special misses. A special miss (non-specific mode) is a miss that triggers control of the time-saving state described below. In other words, if the result of the special symbol lottery is a special miss, the game control microcomputer 81 controls the game state after the missing symbol is stopped and displayed to the time-saving state. A special miss is also called a time-saving miss.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the result of the drawing for special chart 1 is determined to be a miss, the allocation rate (decision rate) of "special chart 1_missing pattern B" is "0.5%". On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the result of the drawing for special chart 2 is determined to be a miss, the allocation rate (decision rate) of "special chart 2_missing pattern D" is "10%". Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the result of the drawing for special chart 2 is determined to be a miss, the allocation rate (decision rate) of "special chart 2_missing pattern E" is "10%". As a result, in this embodiment, the probability that the result of the lottery for special chart 2 will be a special miss ("Special chart 2_missing pattern D" and "Special chart 2_missing pattern E") is higher ("20%) than the probability that the result of the lottery for special chart 1 will be a special miss ("Special chart 1_missing pattern B") ("0.5%) (see FIG. 9). As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to make the player more interested in whether the result of the lottery for special chart 2 will be a special miss, rather than the result of the lottery for special chart 1. In this embodiment, when the lottery for special chart 2 is determined to be a miss, the probability that the second special pattern will be stopped and displayed as a special miss ("Special chart 2_missing pattern D" and "Special chart 2_missing pattern E", see FIG. 9) is 1/5.

Therefore, in this form of pachinko game machine 1, if the drawing of special chart 2 is judged to be a miss, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol will be displayed as a miss symbol D or a miss symbol E is higher than the probability (approximately 1/229) that the first special symbol or the second special symbol will be displayed as a jackpot symbol when the drawing of special chart 1 or the drawing of special chart 2 is judged to be a miss. Also, in this form of pachinko game machine 1, if the drawing of special chart 2 is judged to be a miss, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol will be displayed as a miss symbol D or a miss symbol E is higher than the probability (approximately 1/20) that the first special symbol will be displayed as a jackpot symbol when the drawing of special chart 1 is judged to be a small win. Furthermore, in this form of pachinko game machine 1, if the drawing of special chart 2 is judged to be a miss, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol will be displayed as a miss symbol D or a miss symbol E is higher than the probability (about 1/7) that the second special symbol will be displayed as a small win symbol when the drawing of special chart 2 is judged to be a small win. As a result, in this form, it is possible to expect that the drawing of special chart 2 will be judged to be a miss and the second special symbol will be displayed as a miss symbol D or a miss symbol E and then the time-saving state will be entered, rather than the case where the time-saving state is entered after the end of the big win game.

Here, the gaming states of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, there are two gaming states: a non-time-saving state and a time-saving state. The non-time-saving state is also called the normal gaming state. When playing the pachinko gaming machine 1 for the first time, the gaming state after the power is turned on is the non-time-saving state (normal gaming state). The time-saving state is a gaming state in which it is easier for the gaming ball to enter the electric chute 22 than in the non-time-saving state.

There are three types of time-saving states: time-saving state A, time-saving state B, and time-saving state C. As described above, time-saving state A is a time-saving state to which the state transitions after the end of a jackpot game (see FIG. 8). In contrast, time-saving state B and time-saving state C are time-saving states to which the state transitions when a losing symbol is stopped and displayed without a jackpot game being played. In more detail, when "Special symbol 1_Losing symbol B" or "Special symbol 2_Losing symbol D" is stopped and displayed, the state is controlled to time-saving state B when the stop time has elapsed, and when "Special symbol 2_Losing symbol E" is stopped and displayed, the state is controlled to time-saving state C when the stop time has elapsed. In this embodiment, when the state is controlled to time-saving state B, the number of time-saving times is set to 6, and when the state is controlled to time-saving state C, the number of time-saving times is set to 100 (see FIG. 9). As will be described later, when the time-saving state is different, the normal symbol change pattern and the electric chute 22 opening pattern are different.

Next, the time-saving state will be explained in more detail. In the time-saving state, as shown in FIG. 10(A), the winning probability of the normal pattern lottery is the same as in the non-time-saving state. In this embodiment, the non-time-saving state and the time-saving state (time-saving state A, time-saving state B, time-saving state C) may be judged as winning by the normal pattern lottery, but they will not be judged as losing. Also, in the non-time-saving state and the time-saving state (time-saving state A, time-saving state B, time-saving state C), if the normal pattern lottery is judged as winning, the normal pattern may be stopped and displayed as a long opening pattern, and if the normal pattern lottery is judged as winning, the normal pattern may be stopped and displayed as a short opening pattern (see FIG. 10(A)). In this embodiment, there are two types of winning patterns for the normal pattern, a long opening pattern and a short opening pattern, but there may be only one type of winning pattern. Also, in this form, there are cases where a win is determined by the normal pattern lottery in a non-time-saving state, but in a time-saving state (time-saving state A, time-saving state B, time-saving state C), the normal pattern lottery will almost always determine a win, and so the probability fluctuation function of the normal pattern display 42 is not activated, but the probability fluctuation function of the normal pattern display 42 may be activated.

In addition, in the time-saving state, as shown in FIG. 10(B), the change time of the normal pattern is shorter than in the non-time-saving state. In this embodiment, the change time of the normal pattern is 10 seconds in the non-time-saving state, but is 2 seconds in time-saving state A, 3 seconds in time-saving state B, and 1 second in time-saving state C. In other words, in the time-saving state, the change time shortening function of the normal pattern display 42 is activated.

In addition, in the time-saving state in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10(C), the opening time of the electric chute 22 in the auxiliary game is longer than in the non-time-saving state. In this embodiment, the opening time of the electric chute 22 is 0.1 seconds per time when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a short opening symbol, and 1.2 seconds per time when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a long opening symbol. In addition, the opening time of the electric chute 22 in the time-saving state A is 1.0 seconds per time when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a short opening symbol, and 2.0 seconds per time when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a long opening symbol. In the time-saving state B, the opening time of the electric chute 22 is 1.0 seconds per time when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a short opening symbol, and 1.5 seconds per time when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a long opening symbol. The opening time of the electric chute 22 in the time-saving state C is 2.0 seconds per time when the normal symbol is displayed as a short opening symbol, and 2.5 seconds per time when the normal symbol is displayed as a long opening symbol. In other words, in the time-saving state, the opening time extension function of the electric chute 22 is activated.

In addition, in the time-saving state, as shown in FIG. 10(C), the number of times the electric chute 22 opens during auxiliary play may be more than in the non-time-saving state. In this embodiment, the electric chute 22 opens once in the non-time-saving state, twice in time-saving state A, and twice in time-saving state C. That is, in time-saving state A and time-saving state C, the function for increasing the number of times the electric chute 22 opens is activated. Note that in time-saving state B, the number of times the electric chute opens during auxiliary play is once, the same as in the non-time-saving state, but it may be two or more times.

When the normal symbol display 42's variable time shortening function, the electric chute 22's opening time extension function, and the electric chute 22's opening count increasing function are operating, the electric chute 22 opens more frequently and game balls enter the second starting hole 21 more frequently than when these functions are not operating. As a result, the base, which is the ratio of the number of winning balls to the number of shot balls, becomes higher. Therefore, the state in which these functions are operating (i.e., time-shortening state) is also called the "high base state," and the state in which they are not operating (i.e., non-time-shortening state) is also called the "low base state." In the high base state, you can aim for a jackpot without significantly reducing the number of game balls you have. The high base state is a state in which so-called electric support control (control that supports the electric chute 22 to enter the second starting hole 21) is being executed. Therefore, the high base state is also called the electric support control state. The low base state is also called the non-electric support control state. The time-shortening state (high base state) corresponds to the "bonus game state."

The time-saving state (high base state) does not necessarily require all of the above functions to be activated. In other words, it is sufficient that the activation of one or more of the functions of the normal symbol display 42's fluctuation time reduction function, the function of extending the opening time of the electric chute 22, and the function of increasing the number of times the electric chute 22 is opened makes it easier for a game ball to enter the second start hole 21 related to the electric chute 22 than when the function is not activated. Also, the activation of one or more of the functions of the normal symbol display 42's probability fluctuation function, the function of the normal symbol display 42's fluctuation time reduction function, the function of extending the opening time of the electric chute 22, and the function of increasing the number of times the electric chute 22 is opened may make it easier for a game ball to enter the second start hole 21 related to the electric chute 22 than when the function is not activated.

Comparing time-saving state A, time-saving state B, and time-saving state C, the normal symbol variation time is shorter in time-saving state C than time-saving state A and time-saving state B, and time-saving state A is shorter than time-saving state B. In addition, the electric chute 22 is opened for a longer time in the auxiliary game in time-saving state C than time-saving state A and time-saving state B, and time-saving state A is longer than time-saving state B. In addition, the electric chute 22 is opened more times in the auxiliary game in time-saving state C than time-saving state A and time-saving state B, and time-saving state A is more times than time-saving state B. Therefore, the ease of a game ball entering the second starting hole 21 is in the relationship of time-saving state C > time-saving state A > time-saving state B. In other words, although all time-saving states are more advantageous to the player than non-time-saving states, among the time-saving states, time-saving state C is the most advantageous to the player, and time-saving state A is the next most advantageous to the player.

The time-saving state ends when the variable display of the special symbol is executed a predetermined maximum number of times, or when a jackpot is won and the jackpot game is executed. The maximum number of times (time-saving number of times) is determined based on the type of special symbol that triggered the control of the time-saving state. In this embodiment, the number of time-saving times can be set to 1 time, 6 times, or 100 times (see Figures 8 and 9). When the number of time-saving times is set to 100 times, the player can get a new jackpot as long as he or she is playing correctly. In other words, the next jackpot is essentially confirmed. This point will be discussed later.

In the time-saving state (high base state), it is more advantageous to play by hitting the ball to the right to enter the right play area 3B (see Figure 1). This is because the electric support control makes it easier for the electric chute 22 to open compared to the low base state, making it easier to win the second start hole 21 than the first start hole 20. Therefore, the ball is hit to the right to enter the second start hole 21 while passing through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69, which triggers the normal pattern lottery. This allows more start wins (wins at the start hole) to be obtained than by hitting to the left. In this pachinko game machine 1, the game is played by hitting to the right even during jackpot play.

In contrast, in the non-time-saving state (low base state), it is more advantageous to play by hitting the ball from the left to enter the left play area 3A (see Figure 1). Because electric support control is not being executed, the electric chute 22 is less likely to open than in the high base state, making it easier to win in the first start hole 20 than in the second start hole 21. For this reason, the ball is hit from the left in order to win in the first start hole 20. This allows more start wins to be obtained than by hitting from the right.

In this embodiment, when a game ball is shot in the non-time-saving state with the aim of winning in the first starting hole 20, the game ball flowing down the first flow path R1 may pass through the second gate 69 provided on the first flow path R1 (see FIG. 1). When a game ball is shot in the non-time-saving state with the aim of winning in the first starting hole 20, if the game ball flowing down the first flow path R1 passes through the second gate 69, a normal pattern lottery is held to determine whether or not to open the electric chute 22. If the normal pattern lottery is won in the non-time-saving state, it is possible to win the game ball in the second starting hole 21 if the electric chute 22 is opened once as an auxiliary game for 1.2 seconds even in the normal game state (see FIG. 10 (C)). As a result, if the player wins the normal symbol lottery in the non-time-saving state and an auxiliary game is played, the player can hit the game ball toward the right game area 3B (see Figure 1) by hitting with the right hand, and if the electric chute 22 is open in the normal game state, the game ball can enter the second starting hole 21, giving the player an opportunity to play the lottery for special symbol 2 in the non-time-saving state.

Next, the determination of the special symbol variation pattern (special symbol variation pattern) will be explained. The pachinko gaming machine 1 determines the special symbol variation pattern according to a special symbol variation pattern determination table that differs between the non-time-saving state and the time-saving state (see Figures 11 and 12). The special symbol variation pattern determination table in the time-saving state (Figure 12) is a table in which a variation pattern with a short variation time is more likely to be selected than the special symbol variation pattern determination table in the non-time-saving state (Figure 11). Also, in this embodiment, the special symbol variation pattern is determined according to different special symbol variation pattern determination tables for time-saving state A, time-saving state B, and time-saving state C (see Figures 12 (A) (B) (C)). More specifically, the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state A (see FIG. 12(A)), the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state B (see FIG. 12(B)), and the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state C (see FIG. 12(C)) have the same table related to special chart 1, but the table related to special chart 2 is different.

Specifically, in the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state A (see FIG. 12(A)), a fluctuation pattern with a 30-second fluctuation time (any of P31 to P38) is determined as the fluctuation pattern of special chart 2. When these fluctuation patterns are selected, a fluctuation performance accompanied by a battle reach, which will be described later, is executed. In addition, in the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state B (FIG. 12(B)), a fluctuation pattern with a 40-second fluctuation time (any of P41 to P48) is determined as the fluctuation pattern of special chart 2. When these fluctuation patterns are selected, a fluctuation performance accompanied by a story reach, which will be described later, is executed. In addition, in the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state C (FIG. 12(C)), a fluctuation pattern with a 10-second fluctuation time (any of P51 to P58) is determined as the fluctuation pattern of special chart 2. When these fluctuation patterns are selected, a fluctuation performance accompanied by a mission reach, which will be described later, is executed.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the change time of the special pattern 2 is configured to differ depending on the type of time-saving state. Time-saving state C is a time-saving state in which the change time of the special pattern 2 is shorter than time-saving state A and time-saving state B, and time-saving state A is a time-saving state in which the change time of the special pattern 2 is shorter than time-saving state B. Therefore, in time-saving state C, the special pattern change (display of the change of the special pattern) progresses faster than time-saving state A and time-saving state B, and in time-saving state A, the special pattern change progresses faster than time-saving state B.

In addition, in this embodiment, if a special miss (time-saving miss) such as "miss pattern B" is drawn in the lottery for special pattern 1 in the non-time-saving state, special pattern change pattern P8 is selected, and after the SP reach is executed, the time-saving entry performance described below is executed (see the special pattern 1 column in Figure 11). This notifies the player that the game will move to the time-saving state without executing a jackpot game. This point will be described later.

In this embodiment, since it is possible to store up to four special chart 2 reserves (second special chart reserves), after the time-saving state ends, the display of the change in special chart 2 based on the remaining special chart 2 reserves can be executed. When the display of the change in special chart 2 based on the remaining special chart 2 reserves is executed, as shown in the special chart 2 column in FIG. 11, a change pattern with a change time of 50 seconds (any of P21 to P23) may be determined as the change pattern of special chart 2. When these change patterns are selected and the last chance background mode (see FIG. 38(D)) described later is set, a change performance accompanied by a final battle reach is executed. Note that the final battle reach, battle reach, story reach, and mission reach are all types of so-called SP reaches.

In addition, in this embodiment, when special chart fluctuation pattern P24 or special chart fluctuation pattern P25 with a fluctuation time of 50 seconds is selected (see the special chart 2 column in FIG. 11), and the last chance background mode (see FIG. 38 (D)) is set, a fluctuation effect accompanied by a final battle reach described below and an awakening effect described below is executed. This notifies the player that a jackpot game will not be executed and a transition to time-saving state B or time-saving state C will occur. This point will be described later.

In this embodiment, when the normal pattern lottery is won in the normal game state and the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game, if a game ball is put into the second start hole 21, up to four special pattern 2 reserves (second special pattern reserves) can be stored. In this case, in the normal game state, a game ball is put into the second start hole 21, and the special pattern 2 variation display based on the accumulated special pattern 2 reserves (second special pattern reserves) is executed. At that time, as shown in the special pattern 2 column in FIG. 11, a variation pattern with a variation time of 50 seconds (any of P21 to P23) may be determined as the variation pattern of the special pattern 2. When these variation patterns are selected and the daytime background mode (see FIG. 38 (A)) described later is set, a variation performance accompanied by a help challenge performance is executed. This makes it possible to suggest to the player whether the special pattern 2 lottery will determine whether it is a big win, a small win, or a miss. This will be described later.

In addition, in this embodiment, when special chart fluctuation pattern P24 or special chart fluctuation pattern P25 with a fluctuation time of 50 seconds is selected (see the special chart 2 column in FIG. 11), and the daytime background mode (see FIG. 38(A)) described later is set, a fluctuation effect accompanied by a help challenge effect in which a time-saving state B entry effect described later or a time-saving state C entry effect described later is performed is executed. This not only indicates to the player whether the special chart 2 lottery will result in a big win, a small win, or a miss, but also notifies the player that the big win game will not be executed and the game will move to time-saving state B or time-saving state C. This point will be described later.

4. About the start winning command The pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment can execute a so-called pre-reading performance. The pre-reading performance is a performance that suggests the expected probability of winning the start winning before the start winning judgment immediately before the start of the special pattern fluctuation (variation display of the special pattern) based on the start winning, by using the start winning command specified based on the judgment information (random number such as a random number for a jackpot) acquired by the start winning.

As shown in FIG. 13, the start winning command generated in this embodiment includes lottery result information, whether it is a big win, a small win, a normal miss, or a time-saving miss (special miss). The start winning command in this embodiment also includes start port information, which of the first start port 20 or the second start port 21 was won. Note that it is sufficient for the start winning command to include lottery result information, and the information included in the start winning command other than the lottery result information can be changed as appropriate.

5. Operation of the Game Control Microcomputer 81 [Main Control Processing] Next, the operation of the game control microcomputer 81 will be described with reference to Figs. 14 to 35. The counter, timer, flag, status, buffer, etc., which appear in the description of the operation of the game control microcomputer 81, are provided in the RAM 84. When the power supply of the pachinko game machine 1 is turned on, the game control microcomputer 81 provided in the main control board 80 reads out the program of the main control processing shown in Fig. 14 from the ROM 83 and executes it. As shown in the figure, the main control processing first performs initial settings (step S001). In the initial settings, for example, stack settings, constant settings, interrupt time settings, CPU 82 settings, SIO, PIO, CTC (circuit for managing interrupt time), various flags, statuses, counters, etc. are reset. The initial value of the flag is "0", that is, "OFF", the initial value of the status is "1", and the initial value of the counter is "0". The initial settings (S001) are performed only once after the power supply is turned on, and are not performed thereafter.

Following the initial setting (S001), interrupts are prohibited (S002), and the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003) is executed. In this normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003), the various random number counter values shown in FIG. 6 are updated by incrementing them by 1. When each random number counter value reaches its upper limit, it returns to "0" and is incremented again. The period initial value of each random number counter may be a value other than "0", and may be changed randomly. Each random number may also be a so-called hardware random number generated using a known random number generation circuit consisting of a counter IC or the like.

When the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003) is completed, an interrupt is permitted (S004). While the interrupt is permitted, the main timer interrupt process (S005) can be executed. The main timer interrupt process (S005) is executed based on an interrupt pulse repeatedly input to the CPU 82, for example, at a cycle of 4 msec. That is, it is executed at a cycle of 4 msec, for example. Then, from the end of the main timer interrupt process (S005) until the next start of the main timer interrupt process (S005), the update process of various counter values by the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003) is repeatedly executed. Note that, if an interrupt pulse is input to the CPU 82 when the interrupt is prohibited, the main timer interrupt process (S005) does not start immediately, but starts after the interrupt is permitted (S004).

[Main timer interrupt processing] Next, the main timer interrupt processing (S005) will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, in the main timer interrupt processing (S005), output processing (S101) is executed first. In the output processing (S101), commands etc. set in the output buffer provided in the RAM 84 of the main control board 80 in each process described below are output to the sub control board 90, the payout control board 110, etc.

In the input process (S102) that follows the output process (S101), the detection signals detected by various sensors (first start hole sensor 20a, second start hole sensor 21a, first large prize hole sensor 30a, second large prize hole sensor 35a, normal prize hole sensor 27a, etc. (see FIG. 4)) attached to the pachinko game machine 1 are read and stored in the output buffer of the RAM 84 as prize ball information. In addition, a detection signal from a lower tray full switch that detects whether the lower tray 62 is full is also taken in and stored in the output buffer of the RAM 84 as lower tray full data. The number of prize balls corresponding to winning at each winning hole is set to a predetermined value, such as 2 balls for the second start hole 21. However, the number of prize balls corresponding to winning at each winning hole can be changed as appropriate.

The normal and special symbol main random number update process (S103) that is performed next is the same as the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003) that is performed in the main control main process in Figure 14. That is, the update process for the various random number counter values (including the normal symbol random number counter value) shown in Figure 6 is performed both during the execution period of the main side timer interrupt process (S005) and during other periods (the period from the end of the main side timer interrupt process (S005) to the start of the next main side timer interrupt process (S005)).

Following the normal pattern/special pattern main random number update process (S103), the sensor detection process (S104), normal operation process (S105), special operation process (S106), distribution member control process (S107), and specific area sensor detection process (S108) are executed. After that, other processes (S109) are executed, and the main side timer interrupt process (S005) is terminated. As the other processes (S109), the second special pattern reserved display 43b is controlled to a display mode showing the number based on the number of reserved balls of the special pattern 2 described below, and the first special pattern reserved display 43a is controlled to a display mode showing the number based on the number of reserved balls of the special pattern 1 described below. Then, the processes of steps S002 to S004 of the main control main process are repeatedly executed (see FIG. 14) until the next interrupt pulse is input to the CPU 82, and when the interrupt pulse is input (after about 4 msec), the main side timer interrupt process (S005) is executed again. In the output process (S101) of the main timer interrupt process (S005) that is executed again, the commands etc. that were set in the output buffer of RAM 84 in the previous main timer interrupt process (S005) are output.

[Sensor detection process] As shown in FIG. 16, in the sensor detection process (S104), first, it is determined whether or not the gaming ball has passed through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69, i.e., whether or not the gaming ball has been detected by the first gate sensor 28a or the second gate sensor 69a (S201). If the gaming ball has passed through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69 (YES in S201), the gate passing process (S202) described below is performed. On the other hand, if the gaming ball has not passed through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69 (NO in S201), the gate passing process (S202) is skipped and the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S203, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the second start hole 21, that is, whether or not a game ball has been detected by the second start hole sensor 21a (S203). If a game ball has not entered the second start hole 21 (NO in S203), the process proceeds to step S209. If a game ball has entered the second start hole 21 (YES in S203), the process proceeds to step S209. If a game ball has entered the second start hole 21 (YES in S203), the process proceeds to step S204. If the number of reserved balls in the special chart 2 has reached "4" (YES in S204), the process proceeds to step S209. If the number of reserved balls in the special chart 2 is less than "4" (NO in S204), the process adds 1 to the number of reserved balls in the special chart 2 (S205).

Next, the special chart 2 related random number acquisition process (S206) is performed. In the special chart 2 related random number acquisition process (S206), the jackpot random number counter value (label-TRND-A), the pattern type random number counter value (label-TRND-AS), the reach random number counter value (label-TRND-RC), and the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) are acquired (i.e., the random number group shown in FIG. 6(A) is acquired), and these acquired random number values are stored in the memory area of the second special chart reserved memory unit 85b (FIG. 4) that corresponds to the current number of reserved balls for special chart 2.

Next, the second start winning command identification process (S207) is performed. In the second start winning command identification process (S207), the second start winning command (an example of winning information) is identified using the start winning command identification table shown in FIG. 13 based on the random number group stored in step S206. Specifically, if the jackpot random number is "65535" and the pattern type random number is "199", the second start hole location in the start winning command identification table in FIG. 13 is referenced to identify the command "E2H01H" as the second start winning command. The command is made up of 2 bytes of information (1 byte of upper command (e.g. E2H) and 1 byte of lower command (e.g. 01H)).

The classification of the jackpot random numbers in the table shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the classification in the jackpot determination table (see FIG. 7(A)). The classification of the random numbers by pattern type is also made to distinguish whether or not it is a special miss (time-saving miss) (see FIG. 7(D)). In detail, if the jackpot random number value is between 65250 and 65535, it is determined to be a jackpot, and a second start winning command (the value of the lower command is 01H) indicating this (i.e., the acquired determination information is jackpot winning information that is to be determined as a jackpot winning) is specified. If the jackpot random number value is between 0 and 9000, it is determined to be a small win, and a second start winning command (the value of the lower command is 02H) indicating this (i.e., the acquired determination information is small win information that is to be determined as a small win) is specified. Also, if the jackpot random number is 9001-65249 and the pattern type random number is 0-159, it is determined to be a normal miss, and the second start winning command (lower command value is 03H) indicating this (i.e., the acquired judgment information is normal miss information that is going to be judged as a normal miss) is specified. Also, if the jackpot random number is 9001-65249 and the pattern type random number is 160-199, it is determined to be a special miss (time-saving miss), and the first start winning command (lower command value is 04H) indicating this (i.e., the acquired judgment information is special miss information that is going to be judged as a special miss).

In the start winning command of this embodiment, the upper digit of the two-digit hexadecimal upper command is information specifying the type of command (that it is a start winning command). The lower digit of the upper command is start port information specifying the type of start port (whether to win at the first start port 20 or the second start port 21). The lower digit of the two-digit hexadecimal lower command is lottery result information. Note that these rules for generating start winning commands are just an example and can be changed as desired.

Then, the game control microcomputer 81 sets the second start winning command identified in step S207 in the output buffer of the RAM 84 (S208).

Next, in the sensor detection process (S104), it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the first starting hole 20, that is, whether or not a game ball has been detected by the first starting hole sensor 20a (S209). If a game ball has not entered the first starting hole 20 (NO in S209), the process is terminated. However, if a game ball has entered the first starting hole 20 (YES in S209), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls in the special chart 1 (the number of reserved first special charts, specifically, the value of the counter that counts the number of reserved first special charts provided in RAM 84) has reached "4" (S210). Then, if the number of reserved balls in the special chart 1 has reached "4" (YES in S210), the process is terminated. However, if the number of reserved balls in the special chart 1 is less than "4" (NO in S210), "1" is added to the number of reserved balls in the special chart 1 (S211).

Next, the special chart 1 related random number acquisition process (S212) is performed. In the special chart 1 related random number acquisition process (S212), like the special chart 2 related random number acquisition process (S206), the jackpot random number counter value (label-TRND-A), the pattern type random number counter value (label-TRND-AS), the reach random number counter value (label-TRND-RC), and the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) are acquired (i.e., the random number group shown in FIG. 6(A) is acquired), and these acquired random number values are stored in the memory area of the first special chart reserved memory unit 85a (FIG. 4) corresponding to the current number of reserved balls for special chart 1.

Next, a first start winning command identification process (S213) is performed. In the first start winning command identification process (S213), a first start winning command (an example of winning information) is identified using the start winning command identification table shown in FIG. 13 based on the random number group stored in step S212. Specifically, if the jackpot random number is "65535" and the pattern type random number is "199", the first start port location in the start winning command identification table in FIG. 13 is referenced to identify the command "E1H01H" as the first start winning command. The identified first start winning command includes lottery result information.

As in the case of the second start winning command described above, the classification of the jackpot random numbers in the table shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the classification in the jackpot determination table (see FIG. 7(A)). In addition, the classification of the random numbers by pattern type is made to be able to distinguish whether or not it is a special miss (time-saving miss) (see FIG. 7(D)). In detail, if the jackpot random number value is 65250 to 65535, it is determined to be a jackpot, so the first start winning command (the value of the lower command is 01H) indicating that (i.e., the acquired judgment information is jackpot winning information that is expected to be judged as a jackpot win) is specified. In addition, if the jackpot random number value is 0 to 3300, it is determined to be a small win, so the first start winning command (the value of the lower command is 02H) indicating that (i.e., the acquired judgment information is small win information that is expected to be judged as a small win) is specified. Also, if the jackpot random number is 3301-65249 and the pattern type random number is 0-197, it is determined to be a normal miss, and the first start winning command (the value of the lower command is 03H) indicating this (i.e., the acquired judgment information is normal miss information that is going to be judged as a normal miss) is specified. Also, if the jackpot random number is 3301-65249 and the pattern type random number is 199, it is determined to be a special miss (time-saving miss), and the first start winning command (the value of the lower command is 04H) indicating this (i.e., the acquired judgment information is special miss information that is going to be judged as a special miss) is specified.

Then, the game control microcomputer 81 sets the first start winning command identified in step S213 in the output buffer of the RAM 84 (S214) and ends the process. In this embodiment, when the first start winning command indicating a special miss is output to the sub-control board 90, the game control microcomputer 81 executes a performance suggesting a transition to a time-saving state (for example, a performance in which a predetermined image suggesting a transition to a time-saving state is displayed on the display screen 7a) as a pre-reading performance.

[Gate Passing Process] As shown in FIG. 17, in the gate passing process (S202), first, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol is waiting to change (S221). Waiting for the normal symbol to change means that neither the normal symbol change display is being executed nor the auxiliary game is being executed. If the normal symbol is not waiting to change (NO in S221), this process ends immediately, but if the normal symbol is waiting to change (YES in S221), the normal symbol random number acquisition process (S222) is performed. In the normal symbol random number acquisition process (S222), the normal symbol random number counter value (value of label-TRND-H, FIG. 6 (B)) is acquired, and the acquired random number value is stored in a specified memory area of RAM 84.

[Normal operation processing] After the sensor detection processing (S104), the game control microcomputer 81 performs the normal operation processing (S105) shown in FIG. 18. In the normal operation processing (S105), first, it is determined whether the electric chute 22 is in operation (S301). If the electric chute is not in operation (NO in S301), it is then determined whether the normal symbol is being displayed as stopped (from the start to the end of the stop time of the normal symbol) (S302). If the normal symbol is not being displayed as stopped (NO in S302), it is then determined whether the normal symbol is being displayed as changing (S303). If the normal symbol is not being displayed as changing (NO in S303), it is then determined whether there is a memory of the normal symbol random number before the hit judgment obtained in the above-mentioned step S222 (S304). If there is no memory of the normal symbol random number (NO in S304), this processing ends. The passage of the game ball through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69 corresponds to "the fulfillment of a specified condition."

If a normal symbol random number is stored in step S304 (YES in S304), a hit determination process (S305) is performed. In the hit determination process (S305), if the time-saving state is not in effect, a hit is determined based on the normal symbol hit determination table for the non-time-saving state (see the non-time-saving state column in the table shown in FIG. 10(A)), and if the time-saving state is in effect (time-saving state A, time-saving state B, or time-saving state C), a hit is determined based on the normal symbol hit determination table for the time-saving state (see the time-saving state column in the table shown in FIG. 10(A)). Then, a symbol determination process is performed to set normal stop symbol data ("51H", "52H", "55H", see FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B)) according to the result of the hit determination process in a specified memory area of RAM 84 (S306). That is, in the pattern determination process (S306), if it is a "miss", data corresponding to a "normal miss pattern" is set, and if it is a "win", data corresponding to a "normal win pattern" is set (see Figures 10(A) and 10(B)). Note that the win determination process (S305) corresponds to the "normal determination process".

The game control microcomputer 81 then performs normal pattern change time determination processing (S307). In the normal pattern change time determination processing (S307), by referring to the normal pattern change pattern selection table shown in FIG. 10(B), if the game state is not in the time-saving state, a normal pattern change pattern with a normal pattern change time of 10 seconds is selected. On the other hand, if the game state is in the time-saving state A, a normal pattern change pattern with a normal pattern change time of 2 seconds is selected, if the game state is in the time-saving state B, a normal pattern change pattern with a normal pattern change time of 3 seconds is selected, and if the game state is in the time-saving state C, a normal pattern change pattern with a normal pattern change time of 1 second is selected.

Then, the game control microcomputer 81 starts displaying the normal symbol fluctuations in the normal symbol fluctuation pattern selected in step S307 (S310). In addition, in conjunction with this, a normal symbol fluctuation start command is set to notify the sub-control board 90 that the normal symbol fluctuations have started.

If the normal symbol is being displayed in the above-mentioned step S303 (YES in S303), it is then determined whether the normal symbol change time has elapsed (S311), and if not, the process ends. On the other hand, if the time has elapsed (YES in S311), the normal symbol change display is stopped with the display result (normal winning symbol or normal losing symbol) according to the result of the normal symbol random number determination (S312). Then, a normal symbol change stop command is set to notify the sub-control board 90 that the normal symbol change has stopped (S313), and the normal symbol stop time (500 ms in this embodiment, see FIG. 10 (B)) is set (S314), and the process ends.

Also, if the normal symbol is being displayed in the above-mentioned step S302 (YES in S302), it is then determined whether the stop time for the normal symbol set in step S314 has elapsed (S315), and if it has not elapsed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it has elapsed (YES in S315), it is determined whether the normal symbol stop symbol data for the normal winning symbol ("51H", "52H", see Figures 10(A) and 10(B)) has been set (S316), and if it is not the data for the normal winning symbol (i.e., if there is no win (NO in S316)), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is the data for the normal winning symbol (i.e., if there is a win (YES in S316)), the opening pattern of the electric chute 22 is set (S317). In detail, when the reel is in a non-time-saving state, an opening pattern for the non-time-saving state (see electric chute opening TBL1 in Figure 10 (C) and electric chute opening TBL2 in Figure 10 (C)) is set as the opening pattern of the electric chute 22 according to the long opening pattern or short opening pattern that is stopped and displayed. On the other hand, if the time-saving state A is in effect, the opening pattern for the time-saving state A (see electric chute opening TBL3 in FIG. 10(C) and electric chute opening TBL4 in FIG. 10(C)) is set as the opening pattern of the electric chute 22 according to the stopped long opening pattern or short opening pattern, if the time-saving state B is in effect, the opening pattern for the time-saving state B (see electric chute opening TBL5 in FIG. 10(C) and electric chute opening TBL6 in FIG. 10(C)) is set as the opening pattern of the electric chute 22 according to the stopped long opening pattern or short opening pattern, if the time-saving state C is in effect, the opening pattern for the time-saving state C (see electric chute opening TBL7 in FIG. 10(C) and electric chute opening TBL8 in FIG. 10(C)) is set as the opening pattern of the electric chute 22 according to the stopped long opening pattern or short opening pattern. Then, the electric chute 22 is operated according to the opening pattern set in step S317 (S318).

If the electric chute 22 is in operation in step S301 described above (YES in S301), it is then determined whether the operation time of the electric chute 22 has elapsed (S319), and if it has not elapsed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it has elapsed (YES in S319), the operation of the electric chute 22 is terminated (S320).

[Special action processing] After the normal action processing (S105), the game control microcomputer 81 performs the special action processing (S106) shown in Figure 19. In the special action processing (S106), the processing related to the special symbol display 41 and the big prize device (first big prize device 31 and second big prize device 36) is divided into five stages, and "special action status 1, 2, 3, 4, 5" is assigned to each stage. If the "special operation status" is "1" (YES in S901), a special symbol waiting process (S902) is performed; if the "special operation status" is "2" (NO in S901, YES in S903), a special symbol changing process (S904) is performed; if the "special operation status" is "3" (NO in S901, S903, YES in S905), a special symbol determination process (S906) is performed; if the "special operation status" is "4" (NO in S901, S903, S905, YES in S907), a special electric device process 1 for a big win game (S908) is performed; if the "special operation status" is "5" (NO in S901, S903, S905, S907), a special electric device process 2 for a small win game (S909) is performed. The special operation status is initially set to "1".

[Special symbol waiting process] As shown in Figure 20, in the special symbol waiting process (S902), first, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls in the second starting hole 21 (i.e., the number of reserved balls in special symbol 2) is "0" (S1001). If the number of reserved balls in special symbol 2 is "0" (YES in S1001), that is, if there is no memory of the random number counter value group obtained due to winning in the second starting hole 21, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls in the first starting hole 20 (i.e., the number of reserved balls in special symbol 1) is "0" (S1007). If the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is also "0" (YES in S1007), that is, if there is no memory of the random number counter value group obtained as a result of winning at the first starting port 20, it is determined whether the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 has already been set to the standby screen (demo screen for waiting for customers) (S1013), and if so (YES in S1013), the process ends, and if not (NO in S1013), the standby screen setting process (S1014) is performed. In the standby screen setting process (S1014), a customer waiting standby command is set to display the standby screen after a predetermined standby time has elapsed.

In step S1001, if the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is not "0" (NO in S1001), that is, if there is a memory of a random number counter value group acquired due to winning in the second starting hole 21 (reserved information for special chart 2), the special chart 2 big win determination process (S1002) and the special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (S1003) described later are performed. After that, the game control microcomputer 81 decrements the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 by 1 (S1004). Then, the storage location (memory area) of various counter values in the second special chart reservation memory unit 85b is shifted one from the current position to the side to be read, and the memory area corresponding to the fourth reserved ball in the second special chart reservation memory unit 85b (the memory area farthest from the side to be read) is cleared (S1005). In this way, the second special chart reservations are consumed in the order in which they were reserved. Next, the game control microcomputer 81 executes the special chart 2 variation start process (S1006). In the special symbol 2 variation start process (S1006), the special operation status is set to "2" and a variation start command is set in the output buffer of the RAM 84 to start the variation display of the second special symbol. The variation start command (also called the special symbol 2 variation start command) set in the special symbol 2 variation start process (S1006) includes information on the special symbol stop pattern data set in the special symbol 2 big win determination process (S1002) and information on the variation pattern set in the special symbol 2 variation pattern selection process (S1003) (including information on the variation time). The special symbol 2 big win determination process (S1002) corresponds to the "process of determining whether or not a win has occurred."

In addition, if the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is "0" but the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is not "0" (YES in S1001 and NO in S1007), that is, if there is no reserved information for special chart 2 but there is one or more random number counter value groups (reserved information for special chart 1) obtained due to winning in the first starting hole 20, the special chart 1 big win determination process (S1008) and special chart 1 variation pattern selection process (S1009) described later are performed. After that, the game control microcomputer 81 decrements the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 by 1 (S1010). Then, the storage location (storage area) of various counter values in the first special chart reservation memory unit 85a is shifted by one from the current position to the side to be read, and the memory area corresponding to the fourth reserved ball in the first special chart reservation memory unit 85a (the memory area farthest from the side to be read) is cleared (S1011). In this way, the first special chart reservations are consumed in the order in which they were reserved. Next, the game control microcomputer 81 executes the special symbol 1 variation start process (S1012). In the special symbol 1 variation start process (S1012), the special operation status is set to "2" and a variation start command is set in the output buffer of the RAM 84 to start the variation display of the first special symbol. The variation start command (also called the special symbol 1 variation start command) set in the special symbol 1 variation start process (S1012) includes information on the special symbol stop symbol data set in the special symbol 1 big win determination process (S1008) and information on the variation pattern set in the special symbol 1 variation pattern selection process (S1009) (including information on the variation time). The special symbol 1 big win determination process (S1008) corresponds to the "process of determining whether or not a win has occurred".

As described above, in this embodiment, the variable display of the special pattern based on the reserved first special pattern is only performed when the reserved second special pattern is "0" (YES in S1001). In other words, the consumption of the reserved second special pattern is executed in priority to the consumption of the reserved first special pattern. And in this embodiment, if a small jackpot is won in the lottery based on the reserved second special pattern, the player is guaranteed to pass through the specific area 39 during the small jackpot game. This point will be explained in more detail later.

In this embodiment, as described above, the consumption of the second special symbol reservation is executed in priority to the consumption of the first special symbol reservation, so that not only is the judgment of whether or not the special symbol 2 will be a hit, but also the selection of whether or not the special symbol will be a miss is executed in priority over the selection of the special symbol 1 (see Figs. 20 and 21). As a result, it is more advantageous for the player to win a small prize or a big prize in the selection of the special symbol 2 than to win a small prize or a big prize in the selection of the special symbol 1 (see Fig. 8), and since the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a miss symbol D or a miss symbol E is higher than the probability (1/500) that the first special symbol is stopped and displayed as a miss symbol B, it is possible to stimulate the player's desire to play that he or she has acquired the opportunity to receive the selection of the special symbol 2 at all costs in the normal game state. Therefore, it is possible to provide a novel gameplay that is not found in conventional pachinko game machines.

[Special chart 2 jackpot determination process (special chart 1 jackpot determination process)] The special chart 2 jackpot determination process (S1002) and the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (S1008) have the same process flow, so they will be explained together based on FIG. 21. As shown in FIG. 21, in the special chart 2 jackpot determination process (S1002) or the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (S1008), first, the jackpot random number counter value (the value of label-TRND-A) is read as the determination value (S1101). In detail, in the special chart 2 jackpot determination process (S1002), the jackpot random number counter value stored in the second special chart reserved memory unit 85b (more specifically, the memory area corresponding to the first of the second special chart reserved) of the RAM 84 is read. Also, in the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (S1008), the jackpot random number counter value stored in the first special chart reserved memory unit 85a (more specifically, the memory area corresponding to the first of the first special chart reserved) of the RAM 84 is read.

Next, the jackpot determination table (see FIG. 7(A)) is set (S1102). Next, it is determined whether or not there is a jackpot based on the set jackpot determination table (S1103). That is, it is determined whether or not the jackpot random number counter value (label-TRND-A) matches any of the jackpot determination values from "65250" to "65535" (see FIG. 7(A)). If the result of the jackpot determination (S1103) is "jackpot," the jackpot flag is turned ON (S1104), and the symbol type random number counter value (value of label-TRND-AS) is read out to determine the jackpot symbol type (type of jackpot) based on the jackpot symbol type determination table shown in FIG. 7(B) (S1105). After determining the type of jackpot symbol (S1105), the special symbol stop symbol data corresponding to the type of jackpot symbol (see FIG. 7B) is set in the special symbol type buffer provided in RAM 84 (S1106), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the result of the jackpot determination (S1103) is not a "jackpot," it is determined whether or not it is a small jackpot (S1107). In detail, in the special chart 2 jackpot determination process (S1002), it is determined whether or not the jackpot random number counter value matches any of the small jackpot determination values "0" to "9000" (see the special chart 2 column in FIG. 7 (A)). In addition, in the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (S1008), it is determined whether or not the jackpot random number counter value matches any of the small jackpot determination values "0" to "3300" (see the special chart 1 column in FIG. 7 (A)). The probability of winning a small jackpot is higher in the special chart 2 lottery than in the special chart 1 lottery. In more detail, the probability of winning a small jackpot in the special chart 1 lottery is about 1/20, while the probability of winning a small jackpot in the special chart 2 lottery is about 1/7.

If the result of the small win determination (S1107) is a "small win," the small win flag is turned ON (S1108), and the symbol type random number counter value (value of label-TRND-AS) is read out to determine the small win symbol type (type of small win) based on the small win symbol type determination table shown in FIG. 7(C) (S1109). After the small win symbol type is determined (S1109), the special symbol stop symbol data (see FIG. 7(C)) corresponding to the small win symbol type is set in the special symbol type buffer provided in RAM 84 (S1110), and the process ends. Note that the random number that determines whether or not there is a small win may be provided separately from the big win random number.

Also, if it is not a big win (NO in S1103) or a small win (NO in S1107), it is a "miss", so the symbol type random number counter value (value of label-TRND-AS) is read out and the type of missing symbol (type of miss) is determined based on the missing symbol type determination table shown in FIG. 7(D) (S1112). After determining the type of missing symbol (S1112), the special symbol stop symbol data corresponding to the type of missing symbol (see FIG. 7(D)) is set in the special symbol type buffer provided in RAM 84 (S1113) and the process ends.

[Special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (special chart 1 variation pattern selection process)] The special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (S1003) and the special chart 1 variation pattern selection process (S1009) have the same processing flow, so they will be explained together based on Figures 22 and 23. As shown in Figure 22, in the special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (S1003) or the special chart 1 variation pattern selection process (S1009), first, it is determined whether the game state is in a non-time-saving state (whether the time-saving flag is OFF or not) (S1301).

If the game is not in the time-saving mode (YES in S1301), it is then determined whether the jackpot flag is ON (S1302). If it is ON (YES in S1302), the table for jackpots during non-time-saving mode (the portion of the table shown in FIG. 11 that corresponds to the jackpot) is referenced, and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (the value of label-TRND-T1) (S1303). As shown in FIG. 11, once the fluctuation pattern is determined, the fluctuation time is also determined.

Note that a fluctuation pattern is associated with a fluctuation performance, and when a fluctuation pattern is determined, a fluctuation performance according to that fluctuation pattern is executed. Specifically, for example, in a fluctuation performance based on fluctuation pattern P1, an SP reach is executed, and in a fluctuation performance based on fluctuation pattern P2, a normal reach (N reach) is executed (see the notes column of the table shown in FIG. 11). Here, an SP reach (super reach) is a reach with a longer fluctuation time after the reach than a normal reach, and the allocation rate of the table is set so that the winning expectancy (expectation of winning the jackpot) is higher than that of a normal reach. In this form, a super reach is executed in a progressive manner via a normal reach.

In addition, in step S1302, if the big win flag is not ON (NO in S1302), it is determined whether the small win flag is ON or not (S1304). If it is ON (YES in S1304), a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value by referring to the table for small and medium wins in the non-time-saving state (the portion of the table shown in FIG. 11 that corresponds to the small win) (S1305).

Also, in step S1304, if the small win flag is not ON (NO in S1304), it is determined whether the type of the losing symbol is "losing symbol B" (S1306). "Losing symbol B" is a special losing symbol that transitions to time-saving state B (time-saving count 6 times) depending on the lapse of the stop time of the special symbol (see FIG. 9). If the type of the losing symbol is "losing symbol B" (YES in S1306), a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (value of label-TRND-T1) by referring to the table for losing symbol B during non-time-saving state (the portion of the table shown in FIG. 11 that corresponds to losing symbol B) (S1307). In this embodiment, if it is a losing symbol B, it is determined to be fluctuation pattern P8.

In this embodiment, if the variation pattern P8 is determined, an SP reach with a high probability of winning is executed. Then, in this SP reach, a failure effect (a failure effect) is executed, but after that, a time-saving entry effect is executed, which suggests a transition to a time-saving state (see Figure 42). This point will be described later.

Also, in step S1306, if it is not "losing symbol B" (NO in S1306), it is determined whether the type of the losing symbol is "losing symbol D" (S1308). "Losing symbol D" is a special losing symbol that transitions to time-saving state B (time-saving count 6 times) depending on the lapse of the stop time of the special symbol (see FIG. 9). If the type of the losing symbol is "losing symbol D" (YES in S1308), a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (value of label-TRND-T1) by referring to the table for losing symbol D during non-time-saving state (the portion of the table shown in FIG. 11 that corresponds to losing symbol D) (S1309). In this embodiment, if it is losing symbol C, it is determined to be fluctuation pattern P24.

Also, in step S1310, if it is not "losing symbol E" (NO in S1310), it is determined whether the type of the losing symbol is "losing symbol E" (S1311). "Losing symbol E" is a special losing symbol that transitions to time-saving state C (time-saving count 100 times) depending on the lapse of the stop time of the special symbol (see FIG. 9). If the type of the losing symbol is "losing symbol E" (YES in S1310), a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (value of label-TRND-T1) by referring to the table for losing symbol E during non-time-saving state (the portion of the table shown in FIG. 11 that corresponds to losing symbol E) (S1311). In this embodiment, if it is a losing symbol E, it is determined to be fluctuation pattern P25.

In this embodiment, if variation pattern P24 or variation pattern P25 is determined, a final battle reach or help challenge effect will be executed. Then, at the final battle reach, an awakening effect is executed which suggests a transition to time-saving state B or time-saving state C (see FIG. 46). Also, a time-saving state B entry effect which suggests a transition to time-saving state B, or a time-saving state C entry effect which suggests a transition to time-saving state C is executed (see FIG. 45). Furthermore, these points regarding the help challenge effect will be discussed later.

Also, in step S1310, if it is not "losing symbol E" (NO in S1310), it is a normal miss (losing symbol A or losing symbol C, see Figure 9), so next it is determined whether the reach random number counter value (the value of label-TRND-RC) is a reach establishment random number value (S1312). As shown in Figure 7 (E) the reach establishment random number value is "0" to "11" in the time-saving state, and "0" to "27" in the non-time-saving state. In other words, in the time-saving state, it is more difficult to reach in the case of a normal miss than in the non-time-saving state. This is to speed up the consumption of reserved special symbols by selecting more non-reach misses with short fluctuation times in the time-saving state. If the reach random number counter value is a reach-established random number value (YES in S1312), i.e., if there is a reach but not a miss, a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value by referring to the table for reach but not a miss during non-time-saving state (the portion of the table shown in FIG. 11 that corresponds to reach but not a miss) (S1313).

On the other hand, if the reach random number counter value is not a reach establishment random number value (NO in S1312), i.e., if there is a miss without a reach, a table for misses without a reach during non-time-saving mode (the portion of the table shown in FIG. 11 that corresponds to misses without a reach) is referenced to select a fluctuation pattern based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1314).

In the special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (S1003), the same variation pattern is selected whether step S1313 or step S1314 is executed (see the column for special chart 2 and losing pattern D in FIG. 11). This is because when special chart 2 varies in a non-time-saving state, a reach effect called a "final battle reach" or a help challenge effect is executed. In this form, the variation display of special chart 2 in a non-time-saving state is based on the special chart 2 reserve remaining when the time-saving state ends, or the special chart 2 reserve accumulated by putting a game ball into the second start hole 21 when the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game. Therefore, the final battle reach indicates whether or not a jackpot (type 1 jackpot or type 2 jackpot) can be won or whether or not a special loss will occur based on the special chart 2 reserve (maximum of 4) remaining when the time-saving state ends. In addition, when the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game, a game ball is inserted into the second starting hole 21, and the help challenge presentation shows whether or not the player will win a jackpot (type 1 jackpot or type 2 jackpot) based on the accumulated special chart 2 reserved balls (maximum of 4 balls), or whether or not the player will receive a special miss.

In addition, when there is a miss without a reach in the special pattern 1 variation pattern selection process (S1009), the function of shortening the variation according to the number of reserved balls is activated. In other words, when the number of reserved balls of the special pattern is "3" or "4", a variation pattern with a shorter variation time is selected compared to when the number of reserved balls of the special pattern is "0" to "2".

Also, in step S1301, if it is determined that the game state is not in a non-time-saving state (NO in S1301), that is, if it is determined that the game state is in a time-saving state, as shown in FIG. 23, if the type of the time-saving state is "time-saving state A" (YES in S1315), a fluctuation pattern is selected according to the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state A shown in FIG. 12 (A) (S1316). Also, if the type of the time-saving state is "time-saving state B" (NO in S1315, YES in S1317), a fluctuation pattern is selected according to the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state B shown in FIG. 12 (B) (S1318). Also, if the type of the time-saving state is "time-saving state C" (NO in both S1315 and S1317), a fluctuation pattern is selected according to the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table for time-saving state C shown in FIG. 12 (C) (S1319). In this embodiment, the type of time-saving state is determined by referring to the value of the game state flag described below (see the table in Figure 26).

When selecting a fluctuation pattern in the time-saving state, the process is the same as in the non-time-saving state, except that the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table to be referenced is the table corresponding to each time-saving state (see Figures 12 (A) to (C)). Note that in the time-saving state, even if a special miss (miss pattern B or miss pattern C) is drawn, the same fluctuation pattern as when a normal miss (miss pattern A) is drawn is selected (see the miss column in the table shown in Figure 12 (A)). This is because the state has already been controlled to the time-saving state, and there is no need to control the state to the time-saving state again in response to the stop display of miss pattern B or miss pattern C.

In the special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (S1003), the same variation pattern is selected whether the player has a reach or a miss without a reach (see the columns for special chart 2 and miss pattern C, miss pattern D, and miss pattern E in Figures 12 (A) to (C)). This is because when the special chart 2 varies in time-saving state A, a reach effect called "battle reach" is always executed, when the special chart 2 varies in time-saving state B, a reach effect called "story reach" is always executed, and when the special chart 2 varies in time-saving state C, a reach effect called "mission reach" is always executed. In each time-saving state, the variation display of special chart 2 is mainly performed, not the variation display of special chart 1. Therefore, whether or not a jackpot (a type 1 jackpot or a type 2 jackpot) can be won based on the variation display of special chart 2 is indicated by a reach effect specific to each game state, such as a battle reach, story reach, or mission reach. In addition, variable effects including battle reaches are executed in a variable time of 30 seconds, variable effects including story reaches are executed in a variable time of 40 seconds, and variable effects including mission reaches are executed in a variable time of 10 seconds. In this way, in this form, the content and duration of the effects are changed depending on the type of time-saving state, making it difficult for players to get bored of the game.

Incidentally, in the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table during the time-saving state for special chart 1 (see FIG. 12), the function of shortening fluctuation according to the number of reserved balls when there is no reach and a miss works when the number of reserved balls is "2" to "4". In other words, shortening fluctuation is more likely to be selected than during a non-time-saving state. Also, the probability that a fluctuation pattern with a long fluctuation time is selected when a jackpot is won is lower than during a non-time-saving state. In other words, a fluctuation pattern with a short fluctuation time is more likely to be selected than during a non-time-saving state. In other words, the fluctuation pattern determination table during the time-saving state is a table in which the fluctuation time is shorter than the fluctuation pattern determination table during a non-time-saving state.

After the variation pattern is selected as described above, the selected variation pattern is set (S1320) as shown in FIG. 22, and this process ends. The information on the variation pattern set in step S1320 is included in the variation start command set in step S1006 or S1012 in the special pattern waiting process (S902).

[Special symbol fluctuation processing] As shown in FIG. 24, in the special symbol fluctuation processing (S904), it is first determined whether the special symbol fluctuation time (fluctuation time determined according to the fluctuation pattern selected in step S1003 or S1009, see FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) has elapsed (S1501). If it has not elapsed (NO in S1501), this processing is immediately ended. This allows the display of the changing special symbol to continue.

On the other hand, if the fluctuation time has elapsed (YES in S1501), a fluctuation stop command is set (S1502) and the special operation status is set to "3" (S1503). Then, other processing is performed (S1504), such as stopping the special symbol fluctuation display at a symbol (big win symbol, small win symbol, or losing symbol) according to the set special symbol stop symbol data (see Figures 7 (B) to (D)), and this processing ends.

[Special symbol determination process] As shown in FIG. 25, in the special symbol determination process (S906), first, it is determined whether the stop time of the special symbol (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) has elapsed (S1601). If it has not elapsed (NO in S1601), this process is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if the stop time has elapsed (YES in S1601), the game status management process described below is performed (S1602).

Next, it is determined whether the jackpot flag is ON (S1603). If the jackpot flag is ON (YES in S1603), the special operation status is set to "4" (S1604). The game control microcomputer 81 then determines whether the time-saving flag is ON (S1605), and if it is not ON, proceeds to step S1607, but if it is ON, the time-saving flag is turned OFF (S1606) and proceeds to step S1607. As a result, the jackpot game is controlled to a non-time-saving state (low base state). Note that the low base state in this embodiment is a low base state in the sense that there is no winning support due to the electric chute 22 being frequently opened, and does not take into account the base-up based on the operation of the big winning device.

After that, to start the jackpot game, a jackpot opening command (see FIG. 8) is set (S1607), and the opening of the jackpot game is started (S1608). Following step S1608, the game control microcomputer 81 sets an opening pattern (see FIG. 8 for details) according to the type of jackpot symbol that was won (S1609). At this time, the value of the jackpot opening counter, which counts the number of times the jackpot opening is opened during the special game, is set to a value according to the type of jackpot symbol that was won. The opening pattern may be set (data according to the opening pattern) for each round.

On the other hand, if the big win flag is not ON in step S1603 (NO in S1603), it is then determined whether the small win flag is ON or not (S1610). If the small win flag is ON (YES in S1610), the special operation status is set to "5" (S1611). Note that if the small win flag is ON, the time-saving flag is not set to OFF even if it is ON. After that, in order to start the small win game, the small win opening command (see FIG. 8) is set (S1612), and the opening of the small win game is started (S1613).

Following step S1613, the game control microcomputer 81 sets an opening pattern (see FIG. 8 for details) according to the type of small win symbol that was won (S1614). At this time, the value of the large prize opening counter is set to a value according to the type of small win symbol that was won. The game control microcomputer 81 then turns on the distribution member operation flag (S1615) and ends this process. The distribution member operation flag is a flag that indicates that it is the period during which the distribution member 71 is to be operated. That is, in this embodiment, the operation of the distribution member 71 begins with the opening of the small win game. The operation pattern of the distribution member will be described in detail later.

If the small win flag is not ON in step S1610 (NO in S1610), neither the big win game nor the small win game will start, so the special operation status is set to "1" (S1616) and this process ends.

[Game Status Management Process] As shown in FIG. 26, in the game status management process (S1602), first, it is determined whether the time-saving flag is ON (S1701), and if it is not ON, the process proceeds to step S1710. If it is ON, the value of the time-saving counter that counts the number of special symbol variations (variable display of special symbols) executed during the time-saving state is decremented by 1 (S1702), and it is determined whether the value of the time-saving counter is "0" (S1703). If it is not "0", the process proceeds to step S1710, and if it is "0", the time-saving flag is turned OFF (S1704), and the process proceeds to step S1710. In this pachinko game machine 1, when the time-saving state is entered, the value of the time-saving counter is set to either "1", "6", or "100" (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). The value of the time-saving counter, which counts the number of times the special symbol changes during the time-saving state, being "0" corresponds to "a specific end condition being met."

In step S1710, it is determined whether the time-saving flag is OFF. If the time-saving flag is not OFF, the process proceeds to step S1714. If the time-saving flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step S1711. That is, it is determined whether the special symbol displayed in a stopped state is a losing symbol among "losing symbol B", "losing symbol D", or "losing symbol E". If the special symbol is not a special losing symbol (a losing symbol among "losing symbol B", "losing symbol D", or "losing symbol E") (NO in S1711), the process proceeds to step S1714. If the special losing symbol is a special losing symbol (YES in S1711), the time-saving flag is turned ON (S1712), and the number of time-saving times (see FIG. 9) corresponding to the type of losing symbol is set in the time-saving counter (S1713), and the process proceeds to step S1714. The time-saving state is controlled by executing steps S1712 and S1713. The time-saving state ends when one of the following ending conditions is met: the special chart changes a predetermined maximum number of times (time-saving number of times), or the next big win is played. In this way, in this form, the time-saving state may be controlled even in the event of a miss. Note that in this form, the time-saving state is controlled based on a miss only when the non-time-saving state is active (when step S1710 is YES).

In step S1714, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a game status flag update process (S1714). In the game status flag update process (S1714), the value of the game status flag is set to a value according to the current game status. As shown in the table in FIG. 26, the value of the game status flag is set to "1" if the game is in a non-time-saving state, set to "2" if the game is in time-saving state A, set to "3" if the game is in time-saving state B, and set to "4" if the game is in time-saving state C. In this game status flag update process (S1714), if the time-saving flag is OFF, the game status is in a non-time-saving state, so the value of the game status flag is set to "1". Also, if the time-saving flag is ON based on the stop display of the losing pattern B, the game status is in time-saving state B, so the value of the game status flag is set to "3". Furthermore, if the time-saving flag is turned ON based on the stopped display of the losing symbol C, the game is in time-saving state C, and the value of the game state flag is set to "4." In the game state flag update process (S1714), a game state designation command including information on the updated game state flag (i.e., information on the current game state) is set in the output buffer of RAM 84. By outputting this command, information on the current game state is notified to the sub-control board 90. The sub-control board 90 then controls the presentation mode according to the current game state.

[Special electric device processing 1 (jackpot game)] Special electric device processing 1 is processing for executing jackpot games such as type 1 jackpot games and type 2 jackpot games. As shown in FIG. 27, in special electric device processing 1 (S908), it is first determined whether or not the jackpot end flag is ON (S2001). The jackpot end flag is a flag that indicates that the opening of all first big prize winning devices 31 has been completed in the jackpot game in which a winning jackpot has been won.

If the jackpot end flag is not ON (NO in S2001), it is determined whether the first large prize opening 30 is currently open (i.e., whether the first large prize device 31 is currently open) (S2002). If it is not currently open (NO in S2002), it is determined whether the time has come to open the first large prize opening 30, i.e., whether the opening time for the jackpot has elapsed and it is time to start opening the first large prize opening 30, or whether the interval time between openings has elapsed and it is time to start the next opening (S2003).

If the result of the determination in step S2003 is NO, the process ends. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S2003 is YES, the first large prize opening 30 is opened according to the set opening pattern (S2004).

If the first major prize opening 30 is open in step S2002 (YES in S2002), it is determined whether the number of winnings into the first major prize opening 30 in that unit open game has reached the specified maximum number of winnings (10 in this embodiment) (S2005). If the specified number of winnings has not been reached (NO in S2005), it is determined whether the time has come to close the first major prize opening 30 (i.e., whether a specified opening time (see FIG. 8) has elapsed since the first major prize opening 30 was opened) (S2006). Then, if the opening time of the first major prize opening 30 has not elapsed (NO in S2006), this process ends.

On the other hand, if the specified number of winning balls has been reached (YES in S2005) or the opening time of the first large prize opening 30 has elapsed (YES in S2006), i.e., if either of the two opening end conditions is met, the first large prize opening 30 is closed (blocked) (S2007). Then, the value of the large prize opening counter is decremented by 1 (S2008), and it is determined whether the value of the large prize opening counter is "0" or not (S2009). If it is not "0" (NO in S2009), the process ends as is to start the next opening.

On the other hand, if it is "0" (YES in S2009), the jackpot ending command (see FIG. 8) is set to end the jackpot game (S2010), and the jackpot ending is started (S2011). Then, the jackpot end flag is set and the process ends (S2012).

If the jackpot end flag is ON in step S2001 (YES in S2001), all openings of the first large winning port 30 in the jackpot game have been completed, so it is determined whether the jackpot ending time has elapsed (S2013), and if the ending time has not elapsed (NO in S2013), the process ends. On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (YES in S2013), the jackpot end flag is turned OFF (S2014) and the jackpot flag is turned OFF (S2015). Then, after setting the special operation status to "1" (S2016), the game status setting process (S2017) described below is performed, and this process ends.

[Game Status Setting Process] As shown in FIG. 28, in the game status setting process (S2017), first, it is determined whether the winning symbol (jackpot symbol or small winning symbol) that triggered the execution of the current jackpot game is a symbol that triggers control to the time-saving state (see FIG. 8) (S2101). If the result of this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S2104, but if the result of the determination is YES, the time-saving flag is turned ON (S2102), and the number of time-saving times (see FIG. 8) corresponding to the type of winning symbol is set in the time-saving counter (S2103), and the process proceeds to step S2104. By executing steps S2102 and S2103, the game status after the current jackpot game becomes the time-saving state (high base state). The time-saving state ends when one of the following ending conditions is met: the special symbol changes to a predetermined upper limit execution number (time-saving number) or the next jackpot game is executed.

In step S2104, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a game status flag update process (S2104). In the game status flag update process (S2104), the value of the game status flag is set to a value corresponding to the current game status. Specifically, in this game status flag update process (S2104), if the time-saving flag is OFF, the game status is not in a time-saving state, so the value of the game status flag is set to "1", and if the time-saving flag is ON, the game status is in time-saving state A, so the value of the game status flag is set to "2" (see the table in FIG. 26). In addition, in the game status flag update process (S2104), a game status designation command including information on the updated game status flag (i.e., information on the current game status) is set in the output buffer of the RAM 84. By outputting this command, the sub-control board 90 is notified of information on the current game status. Then, the sub-control board 90 controls the presentation mode according to the current game status.

[Special electric device processing 2 (small win game)] Special electric device processing 2 is processing for executing a small win game in which the second large win device 36 equipped with a specific area 39 is opened. As shown in Figures 29 and 30, in special electric device processing 2 (S909), it is first determined whether or not the small win end flag is ON (S2301). The small win end flag is a flag that indicates that the opening of the second large win device 36 has ended in the small win game.

If the small win end flag is not ON (NO in S2301), it is determined whether the second large prize opening 35 is currently open (i.e., whether the second large prize device 36 is currently open) (S2302). If it is not currently open (NO in S2302), it is determined whether the time has come to open the second large prize opening 35, i.e., whether the predetermined pre-opening interval (small win opening) time has elapsed and it is time to start opening the second large prize opening 35 (S2303).

If the result of the determination in step S2303 is NO, the process ends. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S2303 is YES, the second large prize opening 35 is opened according to the opening pattern (see FIG. 8) corresponding to the type of the small prize symbol that has been won (S2304).

If the second large prize opening 35 is open in step S2302 (YES in S2302), it is determined whether the number of prizes won through the second large prize opening 35 has reached the specified maximum number of prizes (10 in this embodiment) (S2305). If the specified number of prizes has not been reached (NO in S2305), it is determined whether the time has come to close the second large prize opening 35 (i.e., whether a specified opening time (1.6 seconds in this embodiment as shown in FIG. 8) has elapsed since the second large prize opening 35 was opened) (S2306). Then, if the opening time for the second large prize opening 35 has not elapsed (NO in S2306), this process ends.

In contrast, if the specified number of winnings has been reached (YES in S2305) or the opening time of the second large prize opening 35 has elapsed (YES in S2306), that is, if either of the two opening end conditions is met, the second large prize opening 35 is closed (blocked) (S2307). Then, the value of the large prize opening counter is decremented by 1 (S2308), and the small prize end flag is set (S2309), and this process ends.

If the small win end flag is ON in step S2301 (YES in S2301), as shown in FIG. 30, it is determined whether a predetermined time (post-closing interval) has elapsed since the second large prize opening 35 was closed during the small win game (S2310), and if the post-closing interval has not elapsed (NO in S2310), the process ends. The post-closing interval for the small win game will be described later. On the other hand, if the post-closing interval has elapsed (YES in S2310), the small win end flag is turned OFF (S2311), the small win flag is turned OFF (S2312), and the process proceeds to step S2313.

In step S2313, it is determined whether the V flag is ON. The V flag is a flag that indicates that a game ball has passed through the specific area 39 during the execution of a small win game, and is a flag that is turned ON in step S2603 (see FIG. 32) described later. If this V flag is not ON (NO in S2313), a type 2 big win game will not be executed, so the value of the big win opening counter is cleared to "0" (S2314), and the special operation status is set to "1" (S2315), and the processing ends.

On the other hand, if the V flag is ON (YES in S2313), in order to execute a Type 2 jackpot game, the game control microcomputer 81 turns the V flag OFF (S2317), turns the jackpot flag ON (S2318), and sets the special operation status to "4" (S2319). Next, if the time-saving flag is ON (YES in S2320), the time-saving flag is turned OFF (S2321). Then, the jackpot opening command (see FIG. 8) is set (S2322), and the jackpot opening starts (S2323). This transitions from a small jackpot game in which the second large prize opening 35 is opened for a short period of time to a Type 2 jackpot game.

[Distribution member control process] The game control microcomputer 81 performs the distribution member control process (S107) following the special action process (S106) (see FIG. 15). In the distribution member control process (S107), as shown in FIG. 31, first it is determined whether the distribution member operation flag is ON or not (S2501). If the distribution member operation flag is not ON, this process ends. On the other hand, if the distribution member operation flag is ON, the opening of the small win game has started (see FIG. 25), so the distribution member operation process (S2502) is performed to operate the distribution member 71 in a predetermined operation pattern, and the V effective period setting process (S2503) is also performed.

In the distribution member operation process (S2502), a timer is set to measure the operation time of the distribution member 71, and based on the timing using the timer, the distribution member solenoid 73 is turned ON when it is time to open the distribution member 71, and is turned OFF when it is time to close the distribution member 71. This causes the distribution member 71 to move in a constant manner from the start of the opening of the small win game.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 36(c), the distribution member 71 is first controlled to a passage-blocking state (the state shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2) for 8 ms from the start of the opening of the small win game. This is called the pre-opening interval. Next, it is controlled to a passage-permitting state (the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) for 4600 ms. This is called V-opening. Next, it is controlled to a passage-blocking state for 3000 ms. This is called the post-closing interval. This series of operations consisting of "pre-opening interval ⇒ V-opening ⇒ post-closing interval" is the constant operation of the distribution member 71.

In addition, in the V effective period setting process (S2503), a V effective period is set for a certain operation of the distribution member 71 as described above. The V effective period is a period during which, when a detection is made by the specific area sensor 39a, the detection is considered valid and the V flag is turned ON. As shown in FIG. 36(d), the V effective period is from the start of the opening of the specific area 39 (the point at which the distribution member 71 is controlled to a passing-permitting state) until a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is set to a time longer than the opening time of the specific area 39 (the time during which the distribution member 71 is controlled to a passing-permitting state). This is done to take into account the time lag until a game ball that has passed the arrangement position of the distribution member 71 reaches the specific area 39.

Specifically, in the V valid period setting process (S2503), a timer is set to measure the V valid period, and based on the timing using the timer, the V valid flag is turned ON when it is time to enable the specific area 39, and the V valid flag is turned OFF when it is time to disable the specific area 39. Note that in step S2602 of the specific area sensor detection process (S108) described later, it is determined whether or not the V valid period is in progress by determining whether or not this V valid flag is ON.

Following the V valid period setting process (S2503), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the operation of the distribution member 71 has ended (S2504). Specifically, based on the timer for measuring the operation time of the distribution member 71 set in step S2502, it determines whether or not the total operation time (7608 ms (see FIG. 36(c))) from when the distribution member 71 starts to when it ends a certain operation has elapsed. Then, if the operation of the distribution member 71 has not ended, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if the operation of the distribution member 71 has ended, the distribution member operation flag is turned OFF (S2505) and then this process ends.

Here, based on FIG. 36, the relationship between the constant operation of the distribution member 71 as described above and the opening pattern of the second large prize opening 35 (opening/closing member 37) in the small prize game will be explained. In this embodiment, there are two opening patterns of the second large prize opening 35 in the small prize game, as shown in FIG. 36(b) and (e). Note that FIG. 36(a) shows the timing of the variable display and the stop display of the special pattern to make it easier to understand the timing of the start of the small prize game.

The opening pattern shown in FIG. 36(b) is the opening pattern that is selected when a small prize is won in the lottery for special chart 2. In other words, it is the opening pattern that is selected when "Special chart 2_small prize pattern b" and "Special chart 2_small prize pattern c" (see FIG. 8) are won. This opening pattern is a passing opening pattern that allows passage to specific area 39.

More specifically, this passing opening pattern is an opening pattern in which the second large prize opening 35 is closed for 8 ms, then opened for 1600 ms, and then closed for 6000 ms. In other words, the small prize game executed with this opening pattern includes an opening in which the second large prize opening 35 is closed for 8 ms, a small prize opening game in which the second large prize opening 35 is open for 1600 ms, and a post-closing interval in which the second large prize opening 35 is closed for 6000 ms.

When the second large prize opening 35 is opened in such an opening pattern, during the 1600 ms opening period of the second large prize opening 35 and the 3000 ms period after the second large prize opening 35 is closed, the distribution member 71 is in a state of allowing passage when the distribution member 71 is opened in a V-shape (see Figures 36 (b) and (c)). Therefore, regardless of the timing of the winning, the game ball can pass through the specific area 39. In this embodiment, if the game ball is continuously shot by hitting it from the right, each device such as the second large prize device 36 is arranged so that the game ball will always win the second large prize opening 35 during the 1.6 second opening period. In addition, the time required for the game ball that has passed through the second large prize opening 35 to reach the arrangement position of the distribution member 71 is shorter than 3000 ms.

The opening pattern shown in FIG. 36(e) is the opening pattern that is selected when "Special Chart 1_Small Winning Pattern A" (see FIG. 8) is won in the lottery for Special Chart 1. This opening pattern is a non-passing opening pattern that makes it practically impossible to pass through to the specific area 39.

More specifically, this non-passing opening pattern is an opening pattern in which the second large prize opening 35 is closed for 4568 ms, then opened for 1600 ms, and then closed for 1440 ms. In other words, the small prize game executed with this opening pattern includes an opening in which the second large prize opening 35 is closed for 4568 ms, a small prize opening game in which the second large prize opening 35 is open for 1600 ms, and a post-closing interval in which the second large prize opening 35 is closed for 1440 ms.

When the second large prize opening 35 is opened in this opening pattern, the V-opening of the distribution member 71 is almost completed during the opening (see Figures 36 (e) and (c)). The period during which the V-opening of the distribution member 71 and the opening of the second large prize opening 35 coincide is only 40 ms immediately after the second large prize opening 35 begins to open. Therefore, even if a game ball enters the game opening as the second large prize opening 35 begins to open, by the time the game ball reaches the position of the distribution member 71, the distribution member 71 has been controlled to a passage-blocking state. Therefore, when this opening pattern is selected, the game ball will almost never pass through the specific area 39. In other words, it is virtually impossible for the game ball to pass through the specific area 39.

As described above based on FIG. 36, in this embodiment, the operation of the distribution member 71 is started with the start of the opening of the small win game. Then, the small win game is executed in one of two opening patterns according to the type of small win symbol. Each opening pattern has a different opening time. Therefore, in each opening pattern, the opening timing of the second large winning opening 35 relative to the displacement timing of the distribution member 71 is different. Thus, it is possible to execute a small win game that can pass through the specific area 39 regardless of the timing of winning the second large winning opening 35 (special 2V passing small win in FIG. 36(b)), and a small win game that cannot pass through the specific area 39 regardless of the timing of winning the second large winning opening 35 (special 1V non-passing small win in FIG. 36(e)).

In this embodiment, during the small win game, the number of game balls that enter the second large prize device 36 is counted based on the detection by the second large prize opening sensor 35a, and the number of game balls that are discharged from the second large prize device 36 is counted based on the detection by the specific area sensor 39a or the non-specific area sensor 70a. In other words, in this embodiment, the specific area sensor 39a and the non-specific area sensor 70a also function as outlet sensors that count the number of game balls that are discharged from the second large prize device 36. When the two count values do not match at the end of a certain operation of the distribution member 71, an error is notified. After the second large prize opening 35 is closed, the operation of the distribution member 71 may be stopped when the two count values match. In this way, it is possible to smoothly start the variable display of the special pattern after the second large prize opening 35 is closed.

[Specific area sensor detection process] Returning to the explanation of the operation of the game control microcomputer 81, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the specific area sensor detection process (S108) following the distribution member control process (S107) (see FIG. 15). In the specific area sensor detection process (S108), as shown in FIG. 32, first, it is determined whether or not a game ball has been detected by the specific area sensor 39a (S2601). If there is no detection (NO in S2601), the process ends, but if there is detection (YES in S2601), it is determined whether or not the V effective period is in progress (S2602). The V effective period is the period set in the V effective period setting process (S2503) in the distribution member control process (FIG. 31) described above. Specifically, the V effective period is the period shown in FIG. 36 (d).

If it is determined in step S2602 that the V valid period is in progress (YES in S2602), the V flag is turned ON (S2603), a V pass command is set (S2604), and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2602 that the V valid period is not in progress (NO in S2602), the specific area sensor detection process ends without performing the processes in steps S2603 and S2604. The V pass command is a command to cause the sub-control board 90 to notify of V pass (passage of the specific area 39).

6. Operation of the performance control microcomputer 91 Next, the operation of the performance control microcomputer 91 will be described with reference to Figures 33 to 35. Note that counters, timers, flags, buffers, etc. that appear in the description of the operation of the performance control microcomputer 91 are provided in the RAM 94.

[Sub-control main processing] When the power is turned on to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the performance control microcomputer 91 reads out from the ROM 93 and executes the sub-control main processing program shown in FIG. 33. As shown in the figure, the sub-control main processing first performs power-on processing in response to power-on (S4001). The power-on processing includes, for example, setting the CPU 92, the SIO, PIO, CTC (circuit for managing interrupt time), etc.

Next, interrupts are prohibited (S4002), and a random number update process is executed (S4003). In the random number update process (S4003), the values of various random number counters for determining various effects are updated to make decisions regarding various effects. As an example, a method for updating the random number counters for determining various effects can be the same as the random number update process performed by the main control board 80 described above. When updating, the random number values may be incremented by 2 instead of by 1. This is also the case in the random number update process performed by the main control board 80 described above.

When the random number update process is completed, a command transmission process is executed (S4004). In the command transmission process (S4004), various commands stored in the output buffer in the RAM 94 of the sub-control board 90 are transmitted to the image control board 100. The image control board 100 that receives the command displays an image on the display screen 7a (display unit) according to the received command (executes various effects using images). In addition to the various effects performed by the image control board 100, the sub-control board 90 outputs sound from the speaker 67 via the sound control board 106 (executes various sound effects using sound), causes the board lamp 5 and the frame lamp 66 to emit light via the lamp control board 107 (executes various light-emitting effects using light), and operates the board movable body 15 (executes various movable body effects using operation). In this way, various effects (variation effects, hold effects, movable body effects, operation effects, pre-reading effects, other advance notice effects, opening effects associated with special games, open game effects, ending effects, customer waiting effects, control of effect modes, etc.) are realized.

The performance control microcomputer 91 then permits interrupts (S4005). Thereafter, steps S4002 to S4005 are looped. While interrupts are permitted, it becomes possible to execute receive interrupt processing (S4010), 1 ms timer interrupt processing (S4011), and 10 ms timer interrupt processing (S4012).

The reception interrupt process (S4010) is executed each time various commands sent from the main control board 80 are input to the performance control microcomputer 91. In the reception interrupt process (S4010), the performance control microcomputer 91 stores the various commands sent and received by the output process (S101) of the main control board 80 in a reception buffer of RAM 94. This reception interrupt process is executed with priority over other interrupt processes (S4011, S4012).

[1 ms timer interrupt processing] The 1 ms timer interrupt processing (S4011) is executed each time an interrupt pulse with a 1 msec period is input to the sub-control board 90. In the 1 ms timer interrupt processing (S4011), as shown in FIG. 34, input processing (S4101), light emission data output processing (S4102), movable body control processing (S4103), and watchdog timer processing (S4104) are performed in that order.

In the input process, the operation of the operation unit that can be operated by the player, such as the performance button detection switch 63a and the select button detection switch 64a, is detected, and commands are set and performance data is created according to the detection result. In the light emission data output process, based on the performance data created in the input process or the performance data creation process described later, light emission data (lamp data) is output to the lamp control board 107 to make lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the board lamp 5 light up at a timing that matches the image performance, etc. In other words, the performance control microcomputer 91 makes the frame lamp 66 and the board lamp 5 light up in a predetermined light emission mode according to the light emission data. In the movable body control process, drive data is output to perform a movable body performance that operates a movable body such as the board movable body 15 at a predetermined timing based on the performance data created in the input process or the performance data creation process described later. In other words, the performance control microcomputer 91 performs a movable body performance that operates the board movable body 15 in a predetermined operating mode according to the drive data. In the watchdog timer process, the watchdog timer is reset.

[10 ms timer interrupt processing] The 10 ms timer interrupt processing (S4012) is executed each time an interrupt pulse with a 10 msec period is input to the sub-control board 90. As shown in FIG. 35, the 10 ms timer interrupt processing (S4012) sequentially performs received command analysis processing (S4201), performance timer update processing (S4202), audio control processing (S4203), and performance data creation processing (S4204).

In the received command analysis process, the command stored in the receive buffer of RAM 94 by the receive interrupt process (S4010) is analyzed, and processing according to the command (for example, selecting an effect, setting a performance mode, setting a command, etc.) is performed. In the performance timer update process, a timer for measuring the time related to each performance is updated. For example, in the performance timer update process, the start timing and end timing of the effective operation period of operation parts such as the performance button 63 and the select button 64 are measured. In the audio control process, audio data (data that controls the audio output from the speaker 67) is created and output to the audio control board 106 based on the processing results of the input process and received command analysis process. In the performance data creation process, performance data is created based on the processing results of the received command analysis process.

Here, an example of processing when the performance control microcomputer 91 receives a command from the game control microcomputer 81 will be described. The command received by the performance control microcomputer 91 is a fluctuation start command (special chart 1 fluctuation start command or special chart 2 fluctuation start command). When the performance control microcomputer 91 determines in the received command analysis process (S4201) that it has received a fluctuation start command, it selects a performance pattern (sub-fluctuation pattern) of the fluctuation performance based on the special chart fluctuation pattern indicated by the command, sets information on the sub-fluctuation pattern, and sets a fluctuation performance start command including information on the sub-fluctuation pattern in the output buffer as a processing at the time of receiving the fluctuation start command. For example, if the special chart fluctuation pattern indicated by the fluctuation start command is an SP fluctuation (a fluctuation pattern associated with an SP reach), it selects a sub-fluctuation pattern for performing an SP reach, and sets a fluctuation performance start command corresponding to the sub-fluctuation pattern in the output buffer. After that, various processes (such as command transmission process (S4004), light emission data output process (S4102), movable body control process (S4103), and audio control process (S4203)) are executed to realize a variation effect corresponding to the selected sub-variation pattern. Note that the process flow for realizing such effects is basically the same for other effects such as effects associated with special games, customer waiting effects, pre-reading effects, so-called advance notice effects associated with the corresponding variations, and control of the presentation mode.

7. Game flow in this embodiment Next, the game flow in this embodiment of the pachinko game machine 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 37. As shown in Fig. 37, first, in the non-time-saving state (normal game state), the game is played by hitting from the left, aiming for a big win based on the lottery of special chart 1.

When a jackpot is won in the lottery for Special Chart 1, if the type of jackpot pattern is "Special Chart 1_Jackpot Pattern A", after 4 rounds of jackpot play, the number of time-saving cycles will transition to time-saving state A with 1 cycle (see Figure 8). Also, if the type of jackpot pattern is "Special Chart 1_Jackpot Pattern B", after 4 rounds of jackpot play, the number of time-saving cycles will transition to time-saving state A with 6 cycles (see Figure 8).

In the time-saving state A, the game is played by hitting the right hand side, aiming for a big win based on the drawing of the special chart 2 (a big win based on passing through the specific area 39 after winning a small win, or a direct hit big win). If the number of time-saving times is set to 1, it is possible to draw the special chart 2 the total number of times (i.e. 5 times) that is the sum of the number of time-saving times "1" and the upper limit memory number "4" of the special chart 2 reservation. In other words, after the time-saving state is entered and a prize is awarded to the second starting hole 21, the first drawing of the special chart 2 and the variable display of the special chart 2 are started, by saving 4 special chart 2 reservations during the variable display of the special chart 2, it is possible to draw the special chart 2 based on the special chart 2 reservation up to 4 times after the time-saving state ends and the state becomes non-time-saving state.

In addition, if the number of time-saving times is set to 6, the number of times (i.e. 10 times) that the special chart 2 can be drawn will be the sum of the number of time-saving times "6" and the upper limit memory number "4" of the reserved special chart 2. In this form, the probability of winning a small jackpot in the drawing of the special chart 2 is about 1/7. Therefore, it can be said that it is easier to execute the next big jackpot game (it is easier to play consecutive games) when the number of time-saving times has shifted to a time-saving state of 6 times than when the number of time-saving times has shifted to a time-saving state of 1 time. As mentioned above, the pachinko game machine 1 of this form is configured so that if a small jackpot is won based on the drawing of the special chart 2, the big jackpot game will always be executed as long as the game is played correctly (see FIG. 36).

In the special drawing 2 lottery, if a player wins a type 2 jackpot after winning a small jackpot, if the type of small jackpot symbol is "Special drawing 2_small jackpot symbol b", the number of time-saving times will change to time-saving state A, where the number of time-saving times will be 6, after a jackpot game of 10 rounds (see Figure 8). Also, if the type of small jackpot symbol is "Special drawing 2_small jackpot symbol c", the number of time-saving times will change to time-saving state A, where the number of time-saving times will be 100, after a jackpot game of 10 rounds (see Figure 8). Also, in the special drawing 2 lottery, if a player wins a direct jackpot (if "Special drawing 2_jackpot symbol C" is won), the number of time-saving times will change to time-saving state A, where the number of time-saving times will be 6, after a jackpot game of 10 rounds (see Figure 8).

Here, the time-saving state where the number of times of time-saving is 100 is a state where the next big win is essentially guaranteed. This is because in the lottery of Special Chart 2, there is a probability of about 1/7 of winning a small win, and if you win a small win, it is possible to pass the game ball through the specific area 39. Therefore, it can be said that the time-saving state where the number of times of time-saving is 100 is a time-saving state that is more advantageous to the player than the time-saving states where the number of times of time-saving is 1 or 6. Also, it can be said that a win (small win or big win) where the number of times of time-saving is set to 100 is a win that is more advantageous to the player than a win where the number of times of time-saving is set to 1 or 6.

As long as the player continues to win small prizes or direct jackpots in the Special Chart 2 lottery, the favorable state for players who mainly focus on the Special Chart 2 lottery (a state where it is easier to win a jackpot) will continue. When the time-saving state ends and all of the remaining Special Chart 2 reserves (remaining reserves on Special Chart 2) are losses, the game will return to focusing on the Special Chart 1 lottery.

In this embodiment, when playing a game that mainly involves drawing the special pattern 1 in a non-time-saving state, the game may transition to the time-saving state without a jackpot being played. This is the case when the "Special pattern 1 - Losing pattern B" is drawn (see Figure 37).

When "Special pattern 1_missing pattern B" is drawn, the game moves from the normal game state to the time-saving state A where the number of times of time-saving is 6 times after the stop time of the special pattern has elapsed (see FIG. 9). The time-saving state B is a time-saving state where the number of balls held is more likely to decrease than the time-saving state A (see FIG. 10 (B) (C)). However, if the game moves to the time-saving state B, it becomes possible to receive the number of times of drawing the special pattern 2 that is the total number of the time-saving number "6" and the upper limit memory number "4" of the reserved special pattern 2 (i.e. 10 times). In other words, in this form, in a 1-type 2-type mixed machine, it is possible to obtain a chance variation that exceeds the upper limit memory number of the reserved special pattern 2 without going through a jackpot game. Note that the chance variation refers to a variation that is actually easier to win a jackpot game than the variation of the special pattern 1. In this way, in this form, even if the result of the drawing of the special pattern 1 is not a jackpot, it is possible to expect the game to move to the time-saving state. This improves the interest in playing the pachinko game machine 1.

In this embodiment, when a game ball is shot in with the aim of winning in the first starting hole 20 in the non-time-saving state, the game ball flowing down the first flow path R1 passes through the second gate 69 provided on the first flow path R1, and a normal symbol lottery is held. If an auxiliary game is played when the normal symbol lottery is won in the non-time-saving state, the player can shoot the game ball toward the right game area 3B (see Figure 1) by hitting it with the right hand, and the game ball can win in the second starting hole 21 while the electric chute 22 is open. As a result, if a "Special chart 2_missing symbol D" or "Special chart 2_missing symbol E" is drawn in the non-time-saving state, the game may transition to the time-saving state without a jackpot game being played. As a result, if, in normal game mode, the player can get the game ball to enter the second starting hole 21 while the electric chute 22 is open, the player will not only be interested in whether or not they will win the lottery on special chart 2, but also in whether or not they will get a special miss, providing a novel gameplay experience.

Furthermore, in this form, even if the time-saving state entered after a jackpot game is played, or the time-saving state entered without a jackpot game being played, ends and the state becomes non-time-saving, if the special chart 2 reservation remains, it is possible to receive a lottery for special chart 2 based on that special chart 2 reservation. In this case, if you are playing the lottery for special chart 2 and you draw "Special chart 2_missing pattern D" or "Special chart 2_missing pattern E," you may enter the time-saving state without playing a jackpot game. As a result, even if the time-saving state entered after a jackpot game is played, or the time-saving state entered without a jackpot game being played, ends and the player enters a non-time-saving state, a special miss will occur due to a lottery for special chart 2 based on the remaining reserved special chart 2, and the second special pattern will be displayed as "Special chart 2_Missing pattern D" or "Special chart 2_Missing pattern E", giving the player hope for the possibility of returning to the time-saving state, and providing a more innovative gameplay than conventional pachinko machines.

When "Special pattern 2_missing pattern D" is drawn, the game moves to time-saving state B, where the number of time-saving times is 6, after the stop time of the special pattern has elapsed (see FIG. 9). Time-saving state B is a time-saving state in which the number of balls held is more likely to decrease than time-saving state A (see FIG. 10 (B) (C)). However, if the game moves to time-saving state B, the game can receive the total number of times (i.e. 10 times) of the time-saving times "6" and the upper limit memory number "4" of the reserved special pattern 2. In other words, in this form, in a 1-type 2-type mixed machine, it is possible to obtain a chance fluctuation that exceeds the upper limit memory number of the reserved special pattern 2 without going through a jackpot game. Note that a chance fluctuation refers to a fluctuation that is actually easier to win a jackpot game than a fluctuation of the special pattern 1. In this way, in this form, even if the result of the lottery for the special pattern 2 is not a jackpot, it is expected to move to the time-saving state. This improves the game interest of the pachinko game machine 1.

In addition, if "Special symbol 2 - Missing symbol E" is drawn, when the stop time of the special symbol has elapsed, the game will transition to time-saving state C, where the number of time-saving times is 100 (see FIG. 9). If the game transitions to time-saving state C, the number of time-saving times is set to "100," so a jackpot is essentially confirmed. Furthermore, time-saving state C is a time-saving state in which the number of balls held is less likely to decrease than time-saving state A (see FIG. 10 (B) (C)). In this way, even though this is a type 1/type 2 mixed machine in which the drawing of special symbol 2 includes a miss, the next jackpot can be confirmed based on the drawing of special symbol 2 in the non-time-saving state without going through a jackpot game. This makes it possible to increase interest in the game.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the drawing of Special Chart 2 makes it easier to win a jackpot with a larger bonus than the drawing of Special Chart 1 (see FIG. 8). Specifically, the number of prize balls that can be acquired during a jackpot game is greater for a jackpot based on the drawing of Special Chart 2 (type 2 jackpot, direct hit jackpot) than for a jackpot based on the drawing of Special Chart 1, and the number of time-saving times is more likely to be set to a larger value (see FIG. 8). Therefore, with this embodiment of the pachinko game machine 1, it is possible to provide a new gameplay in which a type 1/type 2 mixed machine can transition from a non-time-saving state to a time-saving state with a predetermined number or more of time-saving times without going through a jackpot game.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the probability of drawing a special miss in the drawing of the special chart 2 (0.5%, see FIG. 9) is much higher than the probability of drawing a special miss in the drawing of the special chart 1 (20%, see FIG. 9). As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to make the player expect the possibility of drawing a special miss when playing the drawing of the special chart 2 in the non-time-saving state, rather than when playing the drawing of the special chart 1 in the non-time-saving state. Therefore, when the player wins the normal pattern drawing in the non-time-saving state and the electric chute 22 is opened, when the time-saving state entered after the jackpot game is played, or when the time-saving state entered without the jackpot game being played ends and the special chart 2 reservation remains in the non-time-saving state, it is possible to stimulate the player's desire to play and draw a special miss in the drawing of the special chart 2. This makes it possible to increase the interest in the game.

In addition, if the player is determined to have won a jackpot or a small jackpot by the drawing of Special Chart 2, not only will the jackpot game be played, but the time-saving state to which the player transitions after the jackpot game ends is more advantageous to the player than if the player is determined to have won a jackpot or a small jackpot by the drawing of Special Chart 1 (see Figure 8), so it is possible to increase the player's desire to receive a chance to draw Special Chart 2 by drawing a special losing ticket in the drawing of Special Chart 2. This makes it possible to provide the player with a novel gameplay not found in conventional pachinko gaming machines.

8. Presentation Examples in This Form 8-1. Presentation Mode Next, presentation examples in the pachinko game machine 1 of this form will be described with reference to Figs. 38 to 46. First, the presentation mode will be described. The presentation mode is a form of presentation using the image display device 7, speaker 67, board lamp 5, frame lamp 66, etc., and when the presentation mode is different, for example, the characters, items, background images, etc. displayed on the image display device 7 are different, and the variable presentation using the presentation symbols 8L, 8C, 8R is also executed in a form corresponding to the presentation mode.

The presentation modes of this embodiment include a day background mode in which a normal daytime background image as shown in FIG. 38(A) is displayed, a night background mode in which a normal night background image as shown in FIG. 38(B) is displayed, an ultra night background mode in which a special night background image as shown in FIG. 38(C) (a background image that combines a normal night background image with a star image) is displayed, and a last chance background mode in which a special daytime background image as shown in FIG. 38(D) (a background image that combines a normal daytime background image with a flame effect image) is displayed.

The daytime background mode (see FIG. 38(A)) is a presentation mode that is set when the game is not in the time-saving state and the number of reserved balls on special chart 2 is "0." In other words, it is a presentation mode that is set when the game is not in the time-saving state and the game progresses mainly through the selection of special chart 1.

The night background mode (see FIG. 38(B)) is a presentation mode that is set when the time-saving count is controlled to 1 or 6 times in time-saving state A. In the time-saving state, the game progresses with the aim of winning at the second starting hole 21 by hitting with the right hand, so in the night background mode, the presentation control microcomputer 91 displays a right-hit notification image RI in the upper right corner of the display screen 7a to notify the player that the game should be played by hitting with the right hand. Also, in the night background mode, in order to indicate the end time of the time-saving state, the presentation control microcomputer 91 displays a remaining number display ZI that indicates the remaining number of times the time-saving count is remaining in the lower right corner of the display screen 7a. The remaining number display ZI is also called the end time indication display.

The super night background mode (see FIG. 38(C)) is a presentation mode that is set when the time-saving count is controlled to 100 times in the time-saving state A. Even in the super night background mode, the right-hit notification image RI and the remaining number of times display ZI are displayed on the display screen 7a. However, the display mode of the remaining number of times display ZI in the super night background mode is different from the display mode of the remaining number of times display ZI in the night background mode. The display mode of the remaining number of times display ZI in the night background mode is a mode in which a numerical value indicating the remaining number of time-saving times is displayed, and is updated according to the execution of the special chart change. In contrast, the display mode of the remaining number of times display ZI in the super night background mode is a mode in which a numerical value is not displayed and is colored in rainbow colors, and is not updated even if the special chart change is executed. The remaining number of times display ZI in the night background mode shown in FIG. 38(B) is called the remaining number of times display ZI in the normal mode, and the remaining number of times display ZI in the super night background mode shown in FIG. 38(C) is called the remaining number of times display ZI in the special mode. As described above, in this form, when the time-saving count is set to 100 times, the next big win is essentially confirmed. Therefore, the remaining number of times display ZI in the special mode functions as an effect that suggests that the next big win has been confirmed. Note that when the number of time-saving times is set to 100, the remaining number of times display ZI in the special mode may be configured not to be displayed. Even in this configuration, the background image of the ultra-night background mode is displayed on the display screen 7a, suggesting to the player that the next big win has been confirmed.

The last chance background mode (see FIG. 38(D)) is a presentation mode that is set when the time-saving state ends without winning a jackpot, and when the night background mode shown in FIG. 38(B) or the super night background mode shown in FIG. 38(C) is set and the number of reserved balls for the special chart 2 is not "0". In other words, it is a presentation mode that is set when the time-saving state ends without winning a jackpot and the number of reserved balls for the special chart 2 is not "0" in the non-time-saving state. In this form, when the time-saving state ends without winning a jackpot, the number of reserved balls for the special chart 2 is configured to be stored as the upper limit memory number of "4". Therefore, when the time-saving state ends without winning a jackpot, the last chance background mode is controlled. During the last chance background mode, the reserved special chart 2 is consumed, so the player can still aim for a jackpot win with a high probability. Therefore, the last chance background mode, like the night background mode, functions as a presentation that suggests that the state is more favorable to the player than the day background mode. In addition, in the non-time-saving state, if the special symbol 2 variation based on the special symbol 2 reservation is all completed without winning the jackpot, the mode will switch to the daytime background mode. In addition, in this form, if the normal symbol lottery is won in the normal game state and the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game, even if the game ball enters the second starting hole 21, the last chance background mode (see FIG. 38 (D)) will not be set.

8-2. Variable performance Next, the variable performance will be described. When the variable display of the special symbol is started, the pachinko game machine 1 executes the variable performance based on the variable pattern related to the variable display of the special symbol and the result of the special symbol lottery (the result of the big win judgment or the small win judgment, the result of the symbol type judgment, the result of the reach judgment, and the result of the variable pattern judgment). In the variable performance, the variable display of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R is performed on the display screen 7a in a superimposed manner on a predetermined background image. In the variable display of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R, the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R stop after the variable display. That is, after the variable display of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R is performed over the variable time of the special symbol, the variation stops and the stop display of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R is performed. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is announced by the stop display of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R.

8-2-1. Performance pattern display area As shown in FIG. 39(A), the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 is divided horizontally into three approximately equal parts, with a left performance pattern area 50b1, a middle performance pattern area 50b2, and a right performance pattern area 50b3 provided on the left, center, and right sides. The left performance pattern area 50b1 is an area that displays the left performance pattern 8L when the performance patterns 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed in a stopped state in the variable performance. Similarly, the middle performance pattern area 50b2 and the right performance pattern area 50b3 are areas that display the middle performance pattern 8C and the right performance pattern 8R.

As shown in FIG. 39(A), a small symbol area 50c is provided in one section (upper left) at the left end of the top edge of the display screen 7a. The small symbol area 50c is an area that displays the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 while the special symbol is being displayed. Note that while the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R may become hidden during the display, the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are never hidden. In this respect, the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 function as symbols that complement the role of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R.

In addition, in Figure 39 (A), the left performance pattern area 50b1, the middle performance pattern area 50b2, the right performance pattern area 50b3, and the small pattern area 50c are clearly indicated by dashed two-dot lines, but this is written to indicate the range of the left performance pattern area 50b1, the middle performance pattern area 50b2, the right performance pattern area 50b3, and the small pattern area 50c, and is not actually displayed. Also, the range of each area can be changed as appropriate.

8-2-2. Normal Variation In the variation presentation, the pachinko game machine 1 can first perform normal variation. The normal variation functions as a presentation that suggests that the variation display of the special symbol has started.

When the display of the special patterns begins, for example, as shown in Figure 39 (A), the left performance pattern 8L, the middle performance pattern 8C and the right performance pattern 8R are displayed frozen on the display screen 7a, while the left small pattern KZ1, the middle and small pattern KZ2 and the right small pattern KZ3 are displayed frozen, and the display of the special patterns is not being performed and the display of the special patterns is waiting to be changed to the state where, as shown in Figure 39 (B), the display of the special patterns 8L, 8C and 8R begins to change, and the display of the small patterns KZ1, KZ2 and KZ3 begins to change. And, when the variation pattern of the variation display of the special symbol is, for example, "normal miss variation" (a miss variation without a reach), as shown in FIG. 39 (C-1), the left performance symbol 8L and the right performance symbol 8R temporarily stop in different stop modes, and then, as shown in FIG. 39 (D), the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed stopped in a stop mode suggesting a miss (so-called spread eyes). At this time, the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also displayed stopped all at once in a stop mode suggesting a miss. On the other hand, when the variation pattern of the variation display of the special symbol is, for example, a reach variation pattern such as "N miss variation" (a reach miss variation in which a miss is indicated by a normal reach), as shown in FIG. 39 (C-2), the left performance symbol 8L and the right performance symbol 8R temporarily stop in the same stop mode, and a reach is established. At this time, the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 continue to change, and a reach effect is performed according to the change pattern. The stopping order and stopping mode of the effect symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R can be changed as appropriate.

8-2-3. N reach (normal reach)
The pachinko game machine 1 can execute N-reach when a reach is established in the normal variation. N-reach is a presentation that suggests that the result of the special symbol lottery may be a "jackpot" and functions as a presentation that makes the player look forward to the jackpot.

In the N reach, as shown in FIG. 40(A), the reach is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), and as shown in FIG. 40(B), the speed of change of the middle performance pattern 8C gradually slows down. Then, when the change pattern of the special pattern change display is, for example, "N miss change," the performance patterns 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed stopped in a stop mode suggesting a miss (so-called barake eyes) as shown in FIG. 40(C-1). At this time, the small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also displayed stopped all at once in a stop mode suggesting a miss. On the other hand, when the change pattern of the special pattern change display is, for example, "N jackpot change" (jackpot change indicating a jackpot win by a normal reach), the small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are displayed stopped in a stop mode suggesting a jackpot (so-called double numbers) as shown in FIG. 40(C-2). At this time, the small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also displayed stopped all at once in a stop mode suggesting a jackpot. In addition, the content of the N Reach effect is not limited to the gradual deceleration of the middle effect pattern 8C, but can be changed or added as appropriate.

In addition, with regard to the stopping patterns of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R that indicate a miss, the spread when the reach is not established is called a "non-reach spread" or a "non-reach miss" and the spread when the reach is established is called a "reach spread" or a "reach miss". The combination of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R that make up the non-reach spread (for example, "2, 3, 1" or "5, 8, 6") and the combination of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R that make up the reach spread (for example, "2, 1, 2" or "5, 4, 5") are selected by the performance control microcomputer 91. In addition, the combination of the effect symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R that make up the stopping pattern (double number) that indicates a jackpot (for example, "2-2-2" or "7-7-7") is selected by the effect control microcomputer 91 based on the type of jackpot symbol that has been selected.

The pachinko game machine 1 can perform an SP reach after an N reach. The SP reach is a presentation that suggests that the result of the special symbol lottery is more likely to be a "jackpot" than an N reach, and functions as a presentation to make the player expect a jackpot.

In the SP reach, after the N reach, for example, as shown in FIG. 41(A), a background image dedicated to the SP reach (background image for the SP reach G113) is displayed on the display screen 7a, and an image indicating that the SP reach has started (SP reach start title image) G1 is displayed in the center of the display screen 7a. After that, as shown in FIG. 41(B), a performance dedicated to the SP reach (for example, a battle performance) is performed. Then, when the final stage of the performance dedicated to the SP reach is reached, if the change pattern of the change display of the special symbol is, for example, an "SP jackpot change" (a jackpot change indicating that a jackpot has been won by the SP reach), as shown in FIG. 41(C-1), a success performance suggesting a jackpot (for example, a display in which the main character (one of the ally characters) stands in a pose after winning a battle, a victory performance) is performed on the display screen 7a, and the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed in a stopped state (so-called double numbers) suggesting a jackpot. At this time, the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also displayed stopped at the same time in a stop mode that suggests a big win. On the other hand, when the change pattern of the special symbol change display is, for example, "SP miss change" (a miss with a reach that indicates a miss by an SP reach), as shown in FIG. 41 (C-2), a failure effect that suggests a miss (for example, a display in which the enemy character wins the battle and stands with his legs crossed, a defeat effect) is performed, and the effect symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed stopped at the same time in a stop mode that suggests a miss (so-called barake eyes). At this time, the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also displayed stopped at the same time in a stop mode that suggests a miss. The effect contents of the SP reach can be changed or added as appropriate. In this embodiment, the effect shown in FIG. 41 is executed as the SP reach based on the lottery of the special symbol 1 in the non-time-saving state.

8-2-5. Variable performance based on special miss (time-saving miss) Next, we will explain the variable performance when the result of the special drawing is a special miss (miss pattern B, "special pattern 1_miss pattern B", see FIG. 9) that triggers control to the time-saving state. When the variable pattern indicated by the special pattern 1 variable start command received from the game control microcomputer 81 is "P8", the variable performance with SP reach is executed (see FIG. 11) in the same way as when the variable pattern is "P1" or "P4".

In this SP reach, as shown in Figure 42 (A), a failure effect (defeat effect) is executed. Here, if the result of the special chart lottery is a normal miss (missing pattern A), when a failure effect is executed in the SP reach, the performance patterns 8L, 8C, and 8R that are provisionally displayed as scattered patterns are definitively displayed as stopped, and in conjunction with this, the small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also displayed as scattered patterns (see Figure 42 (B)).

In contrast, if the result of the lottery for Special Chart 1 is a special miss (missing symbol B, "Special Chart 1_missing symbol B", see Figure 9), when a failure effect is executed in the SP reach, the effect symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are not definitely stopped and displayed, and a revival image G70 is displayed on the display screen 7a (see Figure 42 (C)). Note that in this form, the revival image G70 is an image of a character who is a companion of the main character.

The display of the revival image G70 indicates to the player that they will be entering a time-saving state. In other words, the effect of displaying the revival image G70 functions as an effect suggesting that they will be entering a time-saving state, or an effect suggesting that the result of the special chart lottery is not a normal miss. The effect of displaying the revival image G70 is referred to as a time-saving entry effect. The content of the time-saving entry effect can be changed as appropriate.

After that, as shown in FIG. 42(D), the microcomputer 91 for controlling the performance makes the revival image G70 invisible, and displays the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R temporarily stopped with a special symbol with the middle performance symbol 8C as the special symbol TZ. In this embodiment, the special symbol TZ is an image including the letters (〇〇 background) of the name of the performance mode (sky background mode or space background mode described later) corresponding to the transition to the time-saving state. Then, the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are definitely stopped with this special symbol, and the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are stopped with the specific symbols "1, 3, and 5" (see FIG. 42(E)). Thus, in this embodiment, the transition to the time-saving state is suggested by the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R being stopped with a special symbol, and by the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 being stopped with a specific symbol. In other words, when the special numbers of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed, or when the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are displayed with specific numbers, this functions as a performance that indicates to the player that the time-saving state will be entered (that a special miss has been drawn). Note that the special numbers of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R, and the specific numbers of the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 can be changed as appropriate.

8-3. Presentation mode corresponding to time-saving state B or time-saving state C Next, a description will be given of the presentation mode of the time-saving state triggered by a special miss (missing pattern B, missing pattern D, missing pattern E, see FIG. 9). When the result of the special pattern lottery is "missing pattern B" or "missing pattern D", the pachinko game machine 1 controls the time-saving state B with the number of time-saving times being 6 (see FIG. 9). In this time-saving state B, the presentation control microcomputer 91 sets the sky background mode in which the sky background shown in FIG. 43 (A) is displayed. The sky background is displayed on the display screen 7a, suggesting to the player that the time-saving state B has been entered. In the sky background mode, the right-hit notification image RI and the remaining number of times display ZI in the normal mode are displayed on the display screen 7a, as in the night background mode. In addition, when the time-saving state B ends without winning a jackpot in the sky background mode, the game machine 1 transitions to the last chance background mode.

When the result of the lottery on the special chart 2 is "missing pattern E," the pachinko game machine 1 controls the time-saving state C to 100 times (see FIG. 9). In this time-saving state C, the performance control microcomputer 91 sets the mode to a space background mode in which the space background shown in FIG. 43 (B) is displayed. The space background is displayed on the display screen 7a, suggesting to the player that the time-saving state C has been entered. In this embodiment, the time-saving state C is a state in which the next big win is essentially confirmed. Therefore, the display of the space background also functions as a performance that suggests to the player that the next big win is essentially confirmed. In the space background mode, the right-hit notification image RI and the remaining number of times display ZI of the special mode are displayed on the display screen 7a, just like in the super night background mode. In the space background mode, the remaining number of times display ZI of the special mode may not be displayed.

Incidentally, as shown in Fig. 12 (A) to (C), in the night background mode or super night background mode corresponding to the time-saving state A, a "battle reach" is performed in the 30-second change presentation accompanying the change display of the special chart 2, in the sky background mode corresponding to the time-saving state B, a "story reach" is performed in the 40-second change presentation accompanying the change display of the special chart 2, and in the space background mode corresponding to the time-saving state C, a "mission reach" is performed in the 10-second change presentation accompanying the change display of the special chart 2. The battle reach is a reach presentation that indicates whether or not the main character wins or loses a battle with an enemy character, just like the SP reach that accompanies the change display of the special chart 1 in the non-time-saving state, the story reach is a reach presentation that indicates whether or not the story surrounding the main character wins or loses, and the mission reach is a reach presentation that indicates whether or not the main character wins or loses a mission that he or she challenges. In each reach presentation, a success presentation is performed if a small win or a big win is won, and a failure presentation is performed if it is not won. In this way, in this form, when the type of time-saving state is different, the time for the special chart to change and the content of the change presentation are different. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decline in interest in the game. Note that the content of the change presentation in each time-saving state can be changed as appropriate.

After that, when the time-saving state ends, if the last chance background mode corresponding to the non-time-saving state in which the special chart 2 reservation remains is set, a "final battle reach" is performed in the 50-second (see FIG. 11) variation display accompanying the variation display of the special chart 2. The final battle reach is a reach display in which the protagonist character and the enemy character engage in a battle different from the battle reach, and the outcome is indicated by the outcome. In this reach display, a success display is performed if a small win or a big win is won, and a failure display is performed if a normal miss or a special miss is won. In this way, in this form, the variation time of the special chart variation and the performance content in the variation display are different between the time-saving state and the non-time-saving state in which the special chart 2 reservation remains, so it is possible to suppress a decrease in interest in the game. Note that the performance content of the variation display in the non-time-saving state in which the special chart 2 reservation remains can be changed as appropriate.

In this embodiment, when the variation of the special chart 2 in the non-time-saving state is a small win variation based on a small win, the stop time of the special symbol is long at 20 seconds (see FIG. 11). This is to ensure time to perform a performance (right-hit notification performance) that notifies the player to perform a right hit before the small win game is executed after the end of the variation display of the special chart 2. In other words, when the pachinko game machine 1 executes a victory performance (success performance) in the "final battle reach" based on a small win, it performs a right-hit notification performance during the subsequent stop time of the special symbol (not shown). This prevents the player from missing the opportunity to win in the second large winning hole 35. In addition, this right-hit notification performance functions as a V-hit notification performance that notifies the player to aim for the V attacker (second large winning device 36), and is performed from the end of the small win variation of the special chart 2 to the V passing in the small win game.

8-4. Auxiliary game suggestion performance Next, the auxiliary game suggestion performance that suggests whether or not an auxiliary game is executed will be described with reference to FIG. 44. In the pachinko game machine 1, when the variable display of the normal symbol is started in the normal game state, the auxiliary game suggestion performance may be executed at a predetermined rate (for example, 100 if the result of the normal symbol lottery is a win, and 30% if the result of the normal symbol lottery is a miss) based on the variable pattern related to the variable display of the normal symbol and the result of the normal symbol lottery (the result of the hit judgment of the normal symbol, the result of the variable pattern judgment), etc. When the auxiliary game suggestion performance is executed, as shown in FIG. 44 (A), the variable display of the auxiliary symbol HZ is performed on the display screen 7a in a superimposed manner on a predetermined background image. In the variable display of the auxiliary symbol, the auxiliary symbol stops after the variable display. That is, after the variable display of the auxiliary symbol HZ is performed over the variable time of the normal symbol, the variation stops and the stop display of the auxiliary symbol HZ may be performed. Then, the result of the normal symbol lottery is announced by the stopped display of the auxiliary symbol HZ.

When the auxiliary game suggestion effect is executed, an auxiliary pattern area 50f may be provided below the display screen 7a of the image display device 7, as shown in FIG. 44(A). The auxiliary pattern area 50f is an area that displays the auxiliary pattern HZ when the auxiliary pattern HZ is displayed in a varying or stationary manner.

For example, when the auxiliary game suggestion effect is executed, as shown in FIG. 44(A), auxiliary pattern area 50f is displayed on display screen 7a, and auxiliary pattern HZ is displayed in a variable manner in auxiliary pattern area 50f. Note that in FIG. 44, effect patterns 8L, 8C, and 8R and small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are displayed in a variable manner, so that the variable effect is being executed. If the result of the normal pattern lottery is a miss, auxiliary pattern HZ displayed on display screen 7a is displayed stopped in a missing state indicating "x" (see FIG. 44(B)). The auxiliary pattern HZ displayed on display screen 7a is displayed stopped in a missing state indicating "x", thereby informing the player that the result of the normal pattern lottery is a miss.

On the other hand, if the result of the normal symbol lottery is a win, the auxiliary symbol HZ displayed on the display screen 7a is displayed as a win symbol indicating a circle (see FIG. 44(C)). The auxiliary symbol HZ displayed on the display screen 7a is displayed as a win symbol indicating a circle, thereby informing the player that the result of the normal symbol lottery is a win.

After that, when the normal symbol lottery is won and the electric chute 22 opens, as shown in FIG. 44(D), an auxiliary game promotion image HN stating "Aim for the electric chute!" is displayed to the right of the auxiliary symbol area 50f provided on the display screen 7a. By displaying the auxiliary game promotion image HN on the display screen 7a, it is possible to encourage the player to hit the game ball to the right and enter the second starting hole 21 that is now open.

8-5. Help Challenge Presentation Next, we will explain the help challenge presentation that is executed when the auxiliary game is executed in the non-time-saving state, and a game ball is entered into the second start port 21 during the execution of the auxiliary game, and a variable presentation based on the accumulated special chart 2 reservation (maximum 4 pieces) is started. Note that, each time a game ball is entered into the second start port 21 and a variable display based on the reserved memory of the accumulated special chart 2 is performed once, one help challenge presentation is executed. Therefore, during the execution of the auxiliary game in the normal game state, a game ball is entered into the second start port 21, and help challenge presentations are executed for the number of the accumulated special chart 2 reserved memories.

In the normal game mode, the pachinko game machine 1 wins the normal symbol lottery, the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game, and while the electric chute 22 is open, a game ball enters the second start hole 21, and the special symbol 2 reserve is accumulated, resulting in a non-time-saving state. If the daytime background mode (see FIG. 38(A)) is set, a "help challenge effect" is performed in a 50-second (see FIG. 11) changing effect accompanying the changing display of the special symbol 2. The help challenge effect is an effect in which the main character and enemy character engage in a battle that is different from the battle reach and final battle reach, and the winner is determined by the outcome of the battle. Note that the defeat effect is executed in the help challenge effect, suggesting that the result of the special symbol lottery is a miss, and that the game will move to a time-saving state.

When playing the auxiliary game in the non-time-saving state, if a game ball enters the second starting hole 21 and the special symbol 2 reserve is accumulated, and then the variable performance based on the special symbol 1 reserve ends, as shown in FIG. 45(A), the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed on the display screen 7a in a stopped state indicating a miss (the so-called spread pattern, "567"), and the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also displayed in a stopped state indicating a miss ("567").

When the daytime background mode (see FIG. 45(A)) is set, the presentation control microcomputer 91 selects a presentation pattern for a variable presentation that performs a help challenge presentation based on the variation pattern indicated by the special chart 2 variation start command received from the game control microcomputer 81. Then, the presentation control microcomputer 91 executes a variable presentation that performs a help challenge presentation based on the selected presentation pattern. Note that in this embodiment, the presentation control microcomputer 91 selects a presentation pattern for a variable presentation that performs a help challenge presentation until the stored special chart 2 reserved memory becomes "0".

When the variable performance for the help challenge performance is started, the performance control microcomputer 91 displays an image indicating that the main character and the enemy character will soon battle each other and an image indicating the "help challenge" on the display screen 7a, as shown in FIG. 45(B). By displaying an image indicating that the main character and the enemy character will soon battle each other and an image indicating the "help challenge" on the display screen 7a, it is possible for the player to understand that a variable performance based on the accumulated special chart 2 reserve is being performed by placing a game ball in the second start hole 21 during the execution of the auxiliary game in the non-time-saving state.

For example, in the non-time-saving state, when the special drawing of the special drawing 2 does not result in a special miss, and all the special drawing 2 variations based on the reserved special drawing 2 are completed, the microcomputer 91 for controlling the performance displays an image indicating that the help challenge performance has ended and an image indicating that the main character has been defeated on the display screen 7a, as shown in FIG. 45(C). The microcomputer 91 for controlling the performance displays the small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 on the display screen 7a in a stopped state ("567") that also suggests a miss (see FIG. 45(C)). As shown in FIG. 45(C), the image indicating that the help challenge performance has ended and an image indicating that the main character has been defeated are displayed on the display screen 7a, making it possible for the player to understand that all the special drawing 2 variations based on the reserved special drawing 2 accumulated in the non-time-saving state have ended.

For example, in the non-time-saving state, when the accumulated special chart 2 reserved memory is not "0", the pachinko game machine 1 controls to the time-saving state B where the number of time-saving times is 6 when the lottery result of the special chart 2 is a losing pattern D. When the daytime background mode (see FIG. 38 (A)) is set, the performance control microcomputer 91 selects a performance pattern of a variable performance that performs a help challenge performance and a time-saving state B entry performance based on the variation pattern "P24" indicated by the special chart 2 variation start command received from the game control microcomputer 81. When the performance control microcomputer 91 selects a performance pattern that performs a variable performance that performs a help challenge performance and a time-saving state B entry performance, the performance example shown in FIG. 45 (B) is displayed on the display screen 7a. After that, when the variable performance ends, the performance control microcomputer 91 executes a time-saving state B entry performance on the display screen 7a as shown in FIG. 45 (D). When the performance control microcomputer 91 executes the time-saving state B entry performance, it displays on the display screen 7a an image indicating that the main character and the enemy character will fight and an image indicating "Help Challenge Extension". By displaying on the display screen 7a an image indicating that the main character and the enemy character will fight and an image indicating "Help Challenge Extension", it is possible to make the player understand that the opportunity to receive the lottery for the special chart 2 has been extended by the transition to the time-saving state B, and to allow the player to continue playing. In addition, when the performance control microcomputer 91 executes the time-saving state B entry performance, it displays the remaining number of times display ZI in the normal mode in the upper right part of the display screen 7a. By displaying the remaining number of times display ZI in the normal mode on the display screen 7a, it is possible to make the player understand that the transition to the time-saving state B in which the number of times of time-saving is set to 6 times will occur. The performance control microcomputer 91 displays a stop mode ("135") that suggests that the small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also missing on the display screen 7a (see FIG. 45 (D)).

For example, in the non-time-saving state, if the accumulated special chart 2 reserved memory is not "0", the pachinko game machine 1 controls to the time-saving state C with the time-saving count of 100 times if the lottery result of the special chart 2 is a losing pattern E. When the daytime background mode (see FIG. 38 (A)) is set, the performance control microcomputer 91 selects a performance pattern of a variable performance that performs a help challenge performance and a time-saving state C entry performance based on the variation pattern "P25" indicated by the special chart 2 variation start command received from the game control microcomputer 81. When the performance control microcomputer 91 selects a performance pattern that performs a variable performance that performs a help challenge performance and a time-saving state C entry performance, the performance example shown in FIG. 45 (B) is displayed on the display screen 7a. After that, when the variable performance ends, the performance control microcomputer 91 executes a time-saving state C entry performance on the display screen 7a as shown in FIG. 45 (E). When the performance control microcomputer 91 executes the performance of entering the time-saving state C, it displays on the display screen 7a an image indicating that the main character will fight against an enemy character different from the enemy character shown in FIG. 45(B) and an image indicating the "Super Help Challenge". By displaying on the display screen 7a an image indicating that the main character will fight against an enemy character and an image indicating the "Super Help Challenge", it is possible to make the player understand that the time-saving state C, which is a substantial big win, has been entered, and to make the player continue playing. In addition, when the performance control microcomputer 91 executes the performance of entering the time-saving state C, it displays the remaining number of times display ZI of the special mode in the upper right part of the display screen 7a. By displaying the remaining number of times display ZI of the special mode on the display screen 7a, it is possible to make the player understand that the time-saving state C, in which the number of times is set to 100, will be entered. The performance control microcomputer 91 displays a stopped pattern ("135") on the display screen 7a, which indicates that the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also misses (see Figure 45 (E)).

For example, when the reserved memory for special chart 2 is not "0" in the non-time-saving state, the lottery result for special chart 2 is a big win or a small win, and the daytime background mode (see FIG. 38 (A)) is set, the presentation control microcomputer 91 selects a presentation pattern for executing a variation presentation for a help challenge presentation indicating victory in the battle based on the variation pattern "P21" or "P22" indicated by the special chart 2 variation start command received from the game control microcomputer 81. The presentation control microcomputer 91 executes a variation presentation for a help challenge presentation based on the selected presentation pattern. When the variation presentation for the help challenge presentation ends, the presentation control microcomputer 91 displays an image indicating that the help challenge presentation has ended and an image indicating that the main character has won on the display screen 7a (see FIG. 45 (F)). By displaying on the display screen 7a an image indicating that the help challenge presentation has ended and an image indicating that the main character has won, the player can understand that the special drawing 2 has determined that the big win or small win has been won. In addition, the presentation control microcomputer 91 displays on the display screen 7a the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 in a stopped state ("666") that suggests a big win or small win (see FIG. 45 (F)).

In this embodiment, when the variation of the special chart 2 in the non-time-saving state is a small win variation based on a small win, the stop time of the special pattern is long at 20 seconds (see FIG. 11). This is to ensure time to perform a performance (right-hit notification performance) that notifies the player to perform a right hit before the small win game is executed after the end of the variation display of the special chart 2. In other words, when the pachinko game machine 1 executes a victory performance (success performance) in the "help challenge performance" based on a small win, it performs a right-hit notification performance during the subsequent stop time of the special pattern (not shown). This prevents the player from missing the opportunity to win in the second large winning hole 35. In addition, this right-hit notification performance functions as a V-hit notification performance that notifies the player to aim for the V attacker (second large winning device 36), and is performed from the end of the small win variation of the special chart 2 to the V passing in the small win game.

Next, with reference to FIG. 46, a description will be given of an example of a performance displayed on the display screen 7a after a victory performance or a defeat performance is performed in the final battle reach that has been executed when the last chance background mode is set.

When the special chart 2 is selected by lottery and a small win or a big win is determined, and the last chance background mode is set, if the variation pattern indicated by the special chart 2 variation start command received from the game control microcomputer 81 is variation pattern "P21" or variation pattern "P22", the presentation control microcomputer 91 selects a presentation pattern for executing a variation presentation for performing a final battle reach that branches off to a victory presentation. The presentation control microcomputer 91 executes a variation presentation for performing a final battle reach that branches off to a victory presentation based on the selected presentation pattern (see FIG. 46 (A)). The presentation control microcomputer 91 executes the final battle reach, branches off to a victory presentation (success presentation) at the final battle reach, and when the variation presentation ends, the presentation example shown in FIG. 46 (B) is displayed on the display screen 7a. As shown in FIG. 46(B), the performance control microcomputer 91 causes the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R to be displayed definitively in a manner suggesting a big win or a small win, and accordingly causes the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 to be displayed in a manner suggesting a big win or a small win. As shown in FIG. 46(B), the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed definitively in a manner suggesting a big win or a small win on the display screen 7a, and the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are displayed in a manner suggesting a big win or a small win, making it possible for the player to understand that he or she has won a big win or a small win.

In addition, when the special chart 2 is determined to be a normal miss (missing pattern D, missing pattern E, see FIG. 9) by the lottery, if the last chance background mode is set, the presentation control microcomputer 91 selects a presentation pattern that executes a variation presentation that performs a final battle reach that branches off to a defeat presentation if the variation pattern indicated by the special chart 2 variation start command received from the game control microcomputer 81 is variation pattern "P23". In this case, the presentation control microcomputer 91 executes a variation presentation that performs a final battle reach that branches off to a defeat presentation based on the selected presentation pattern (see FIG. 46 (A)). The presentation control microcomputer 91 executes the final battle reach, branches off to a defeat presentation (failure presentation) at the final battle reach, and when the variation presentation ends, the presentation example shown in FIG. 46 (C) is displayed on the display screen 7a. As shown in FIG. 46(C), the performance control microcomputer 91 displays the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R definitively in a manner suggesting a loss, and also displays the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 in a manner suggesting a loss. As shown in FIG. 46(C), the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are definitively displayed on the display screen 7a in a manner suggesting a loss, and the small symbols KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also displayed in a manner suggesting a loss, making it possible for the player to understand that they have lost.

On the other hand, when the special drawing of the special chart 2 is judged to be a special miss (missing pattern D, missing pattern E, see FIG. 9), if the last chance background mode is set, the microcomputer 91 for controlling the presentation selects a presentation pattern that performs a final battle reach that branches into a defeat presentation and an awakening presentation that suggests a transition to the time-saving state B or the time-saving state C after the final battle reach ends, if the variation pattern indicated by the special chart 2 variation start command received from the game control microcomputer 81 is the variation pattern "P24" or the variation pattern "P25". In this case, the microcomputer 91 for controlling the presentation executes a variation presentation that performs a final battle reach based on the selected presentation pattern (see FIG. 46 (A)). The microcomputer 91 for controlling the presentation executes the final battle reach, branches into a defeat presentation (failure presentation) at the final battle reach, and then executes the awakening presentation shown in FIG. 46 (D) on the display screen 7a. The awakening presentation is a presentation that indicates that the main character awakens. In addition, in the awakening performance, the display screen 7a displays an awakened main character and an image indicating "It's not over yet!" In this embodiment, when the last chance background mode is set, the display screen 7a displays an awakened main character and an image indicating "It's not over yet!" in the awakening performance, so that the lottery for the special chart 2 based on the reserved special chart 2 remaining when the time-saving state ends is not a normal miss but a special miss (miss pattern D, miss pattern E, see FIG. 9), and it is possible to make the player understand that the normal game state will transition to the time-saving state again without executing the jackpot game. As shown in FIG. 46(D), the small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are stopped and displayed on the display screen 7a in a manner suggesting a miss. As shown in FIG. 46(D), the small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3 are also stopped and displayed on the display screen 7a in a manner suggesting a miss, so that the player can understand that it is a miss.

After the awakening performance shown in Figure 46 (D) ends and the final battle reach ends, the mode will transition to sky background mode (see Figure 43 (A)) or space background mode (see Figure 43 (B)).

In conventional pachinko machines, a jackpot determination is made as to whether or not a jackpot will occur based on the entry of a gaming ball into the starting hole, and a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner to indicate the result of the jackpot determination. When the special symbol is displayed in a stopped jackpot state that indicates the result of the jackpot determination, a jackpot game that is advantageous to the player is executed, and after the jackpot game ends, the machine may be controlled to a time-saving state that makes it easier for the gaming ball to enter the electric chute.

In addition, in conventional pachinko gaming machines, the probability of winning a jackpot must be the same for the drawing of the first special symbol and the drawing of the second special symbol, so the probability of winning a jackpot cannot be different for the drawing of the first special symbol and the drawing of the second special symbol. Therefore, in conventional pachinko gaming machines, the time-saving state is only controlled after the end of a jackpot game that has been executed, making it difficult to provide innovative gameplay and increase interest in the game.

Therefore, according to the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, a new opportunity to enter the time-saving state is provided not only after the end of the jackpot game, but also when the special symbol is stopped and displayed as either the losing symbol B, the losing symbol D, or the losing symbol E (see FIG. 9). Also, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as the losing symbol D or the losing symbol E is higher than the probability (1/500) that the first special symbol is stopped and displayed as the losing symbol B. Furthermore, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as the losing symbol D or the losing symbol E is higher than the probability (approximately 1/229) that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as the jackpot symbol. With the above-mentioned configuration, in the pachinko game machine 1, the first special symbol is not expected to stop and be displayed as a losing symbol B, but in the normal game state, when the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D or a losing symbol E is high, so that it is possible to expect a variable display based on the reserved special symbol 2. Also, with the above-mentioned configuration, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D or a losing symbol E is increased, so that it is possible to expect a variable display based on the reserved special symbol 2 remaining when the time-saving state ends. As a result, in the normal game state, it is important for the player to receive a lottery for the special symbol 2, which determines whether or not a special losing symbol will be drawn, rather than a lottery for the special symbol 1. Therefore, by providing a new opportunity to enter the time-saving state when the special symbol stops and is displayed as either Miss Symbol B, Miss Symbol D, or Miss Symbol E, not just after the end of a big win, and by making the opportunity to receive the lottery for Special Symbol 2 more valuable, it is possible to provide innovative gameplay and increase interest in the game.

9. Effects of this embodiment As described above in detail, according to the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, when the first special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol B ("Special symbol 1_losing symbol B", see FIG. 9), the game control microcomputer 81 controls the time-saving state in which the game ball is more likely to enter the electric chute 22 than in the normal game state (non-time-saving state) (see FIG. 9). Also, when the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol D", see FIG. 9) or a losing symbol E ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol E", see FIG. 9), the game control microcomputer 81 controls the time-saving state in which the game ball is more likely to enter the electric chute 22 than in the normal game state (non-time-saving state) (see FIG. 9). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D or a losing symbol E (see FIG. 9) is much higher than the probability (about 1/229) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a winning symbol. This makes it possible to expect the second special symbol to be stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol D", see FIG. 9) or a losing symbol E ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol E", see FIG. 9) and controlled to a time-saving state, rather than being controlled to a time-saving state after the end of a big win game. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player with a novel gameplay that has never been seen before, and therefore it is possible to suppress a decline in interest in the game.

In addition, according to this embodiment of the pachinko game machine 1, when the number of times the variable display of the special symbol executed during the time-saving state reaches 100 times by the game control microcomputer 81, that is, when the value of the time-saving counter becomes "0" (YES in step S1703 in FIG. 26), the time-saving flag is turned OFF (step S1704 in FIG. 26), and the game is controlled from the time-saving state to the normal game state (non-time-saving state). In this embodiment, since it is possible to accumulate up to four special symbol 2 reserves, if it is possible to accumulate up to four special symbol 2 reserves in the time-saving state, the variable display of special symbol 2 based on the remaining special symbol 2 reserves is executed in the controlled normal game state after the time-saving state ends. As a result, in the normal game state, the second special symbol based on the remaining reserved special symbol 2 is displayed as a losing symbol D ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol D", see FIG. 9) or a losing symbol E ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol E", see FIG. 9), and it becomes possible to expect the possibility of being controlled to the time-saving state again. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player with a novel gameplay that has never been seen before, and it is possible to suppress a decline in interest in the game.

In addition, according to this embodiment of the pachinko game machine 1, in the normal game mode (non-time-saving mode), when a game ball is shot from the left with the aim of winning into the first starting hole 20, the game ball flowing down the first flow path R1 may pass through the second gate 69 provided on the first flow path R1 (see FIG. 1). When the game ball passes the second gate 69 in the non-time-saving mode, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a normal pattern lottery to determine whether or not to open the electric chute 22. If the normal pattern lottery is won in the non-time-saving mode, the game control microcomputer 81 may open the electric chute 22 once for 1.2 seconds as an auxiliary game even in the normal game mode (see FIG. 10(C)). During the execution of the auxiliary game in the normal game state, a maximum of four special symbol 2 reserves can be stored by inserting a game ball into the second starting hole 21, and in the normal game state, the game control microcomputer 81 executes the variable display of the second special symbol based on the maximum of four special symbol 2 reserves. Then, in the normal game state, when the second special symbol based on the remaining special symbol 2 reserve is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol D", see FIG. 9) or a losing symbol E ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol E", see FIG. 9), the game control microcomputer 81 controls the game to a time-saving state (see FIG. 9). As a result, when the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game in the normal game mode (non-time-saving mode), by inserting a game ball into the second starting hole 21, the player can be interested not only in whether the lottery for the special symbol 2 determines whether a big win or a small win has been won, but also in whether the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol D", see FIG. 9) or a losing symbol E ("Special symbol 2_losing symbol E", see FIG. 9). This makes it possible to provide the player with a new and innovative gameplay that has never been seen before, and thus to prevent a decline in interest in the game.

Also, according to this embodiment of the pachinko game machine 1, if the second special symbol reservation is not "0" (NO in step S1001 in FIG. 20), the special symbol 2 jackpot determination process (step S1002 in FIG. 20) is performed, and the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. On the other hand, if the second special symbol reservation is "0" (YES in step S1001 in FIG. 20) and the first special symbol reservation is not "0" (NO in step S1007 in FIG. 20), the special symbol 1 jackpot determination process (step S1008 in FIG. 20) is performed, and the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. Therefore, in this embodiment, the game control microcomputer 81 prioritizes the consumption of the second special symbol reservation over the consumption of the first special symbol reservation (see FIG. 20). As a result, by having the game ball enter the second starting hole 21, the judgment by the special chart 2 big win judgment process (step S1002 in FIG. 20) and the type of the losing symbol are determined in the special chart 2 big win judgment process if the winning symbol is determined to be a miss are performed preferentially. Therefore, it is possible to make the player want to have the game ball enter the second starting hole 21. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player with a novel gameplay that has never been seen before, and to prevent a decline in interest in the game.

In addition, with this form of pachinko game machine 1, the number of prize balls that can be won during a jackpot game (type 2 jackpot, direct hit jackpot) based on the drawing of special chart 2 is greater than the number of jackpots based on the drawing of special chart 1, and the number of time-saving times is more likely to be set to a large value (see FIG. 8). As a result, a case in which a jackpot is determined to have been won in the drawing of special chart 2 is more advantageous for the player than a case in which a jackpot is determined to have been won in the drawing of special chart 1 (see FIG. 8). As a result, when the game control microcomputer 81 displays the special symbols (first special symbol, second special symbol) with special misses ("Special symbol 1_missing symbol B", "Special symbol 2_missing symbol D", "Special symbol 2_missing symbol E", see Figure 9) stopped and controls the time-saving state, it is possible to heighten the player's desire to get the game ball into the second starting hole 21 at all costs and win the jackpot based on the lottery for the advantageous special symbol 2, and it is possible to prevent a decline in interest in the game.

10. Modifications Below, the modification examples will be described. In the description of the modification examples, the same components as those of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. Of course, the components of the modification examples may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, technical features in the above embodiment and the following modification examples may be appropriately deleted unless they are described as essential in this specification.

In the above embodiment, when a jackpot is won based on the drawing of special chart 1 or the drawing of special chart 2, the game transitions to the time-saving state after the end of the executed jackpot game, but this is not limited to this. For example, when a jackpot is won based on the drawing of special chart 1 or the drawing of special chart 2, there may be cases where the game does not transition to the time-saving state after the end of the executed jackpot game.

In the above embodiment, the result of the drawing of the special chart 1 is a special miss that triggers the control of the time-saving state, but the result of the drawing of the special chart 1 may be a configuration without a special miss. With such a configuration, it is possible to make the drawing result of the special chart 2 more advantageous for the player than the drawing result of the special chart 1, and it is possible to provide a new game feature in which, in the non-time-saving state after the time-saving state ends, a player can get a chance to draw the special chart 2 again for the number of times of time-saving + the upper limit memory number of the reserved special chart 2 by drawing a special miss only in the drawing of the special chart 2. In this case, the number of times of time-saving in the time-saving state to which the transition is made due to a special miss based on the drawing of the special chart 2 may be a different configuration, such as being a smaller or larger value than the main number of times of time-saving in the time-saving state after the big win game based on the drawing of the special chart 2 (the number of times of time-saving with a large allocation rate). It is possible to change the game feature depending on what value is set for the number of times of time-saving in the time-saving state to which the transition is made due to a special miss based on the drawing of the special chart 2.

In addition, in the above embodiment, if the results of the lottery for special chart 1 are configured to have no special misses, it is possible to make the results of the lottery for special chart 2 more advantageous to the player than the results of the lottery for special chart 1. If the player can accumulate special chart 2 reserves when auxiliary play is played in which the electric chute 22 is opened in a non-time-saving state, it is possible to provide a new gameplay in which the player can have the opportunity to draw as many special charts 2 as the "maximum number of special chart 2 reserves stored" if a special miss is drawn in the lottery for special chart 2 before all the accumulated special chart 2 reserves are consumed.

In the above embodiment, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D or a losing symbol E is higher than the probability (approximately 1/229) that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a big win symbol. Also, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D or a losing symbol E is higher than the probability (approximately 1/20) that the first special symbol is stopped and displayed as a small win symbol. Furthermore, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol D or a losing symbol E is higher than the probability (approximately 1/7) that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a small win symbol. However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol stops as a losing symbol D or a losing symbol E may be higher than the probability (approximately 1/229) that the first special symbol or the second special symbol stops as a winning symbol, and may be lower than the probability that the first special symbol or the second special symbol stops as a small winning symbol. With this configuration, it is possible to make the player very interested in whether he can win a small winning symbol in the drawing of special symbol 1 or the drawing of special symbol 2, and then to make him interested in whether he can win a special losing symbol in the drawing of special symbol 1 or the drawing of special symbol 2.

In the above embodiment, the probability (1/5) that the second special symbol will stop and be displayed as a losing symbol D or a losing symbol E is higher than the probability (1/500) that the first special symbol will stop and be displayed as a losing symbol B, but this is not limited to this. As long as the probability that the second special symbol will stop and be displayed as a losing symbol D or a losing symbol E is higher than the probability that the first special symbol will stop and be displayed as a losing symbol B, this can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the probability that the second special symbol stops and is displayed as the losing symbol D or the losing symbol E is 1/5, but this is not limited to this. For example, the probability that the second special symbol stops and is displayed as the losing symbol D or the losing symbol E can be changed as appropriate, so long as it is higher than the probability (approximately 1/229) that the first special symbol or the second special symbol stops and is displayed as the jackpot symbol.

In the above embodiment, when the time-saving state is controlled after a big win game, the time-saving state is controlled to A, when the time-saving state is controlled based on a losing symbol B or D, the time-saving state is controlled to B, and when the time-saving state is controlled based on a losing symbol E, the time-saving state is controlled to C. However, in either case, the time-saving state may be controlled to A, that is, in either case, the time-saving state may be controlled to a common state. In this case, the special pattern change pattern determination table (selection criteria for the special pattern change pattern) may be different or not different (specifically, for example, the table shown in FIG. 12 (A) may be used in either case) when the time-saving state is controlled after a big win game (i.e., when a big win symbol or a small win symbol is stopped and controlled to the time-saving state), when a losing symbol D is stopped and controlled to the time-saving state, and when a losing symbol E is stopped and controlled to the time-saving state.

In addition, in the above-mentioned form, when the reel is controlled to the time-saving state after a jackpot game (i.e. when a jackpot pattern or a small jackpot pattern is displayed stationary and the reel is controlled to the time-saving state), when a losing pattern B is displayed stationary and the reel is controlled to the time-saving state, when a losing pattern D is displayed stationary and the reel is controlled to the time-saving state, and when a losing pattern E is displayed stationary and the reel is controlled to the time-saving state, a predetermined special pattern change pattern determination table (for example, the table shown in Figure 12 (A)) is used when the reel is controlled to the time-saving state after a jackpot game, but when the reel is controlled to the time-saving state without a jackpot game (i.e. based on a special miss), a different special pattern change pattern determination table (for example, the table shown in Figure 12 (B)) may be used. In other words, in the above embodiment, when the type of special miss is "miss symbol B," "miss symbol D," or "miss symbol E," the special symbol change pattern determination table in the subsequent time-saving state is different. However, regardless of the type of miss symbol, a common special symbol change pattern determination table may be used in the time-saving state to which the game transitions without executing a jackpot game. However, when configured in this way, it is desirable to vary the number of time-saving times depending on the type of miss symbol. This is because it is expected that the game will develop more diversely and interest in the game will increase.

In the above embodiment, the value of the time-saving counter that counts the number of times the variable display of the special pattern is executed during the time-saving state (the total upper limit execution number that is counted whether the variable display of the special pattern 1 is executed or the variable display of the special pattern 2 is executed) becomes "0" (YES in step S1703 in FIG. 26), which corresponds to "the specific end condition being successful", but this is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the above-mentioned total upper limit execution number, a special pattern 1 upper limit execution number that counts only the variable display of the special pattern 1, or a special pattern 2 upper limit execution number that counts only the variable display of the special pattern 2, may be set, and the satisfaction of either number may correspond to "the specific end condition being established". In addition, the special pattern 1 upper limit execution number and the special pattern 2 upper limit execution number can be set to a value different from the total upper limit execution number. In addition, without setting a total upper limit execution number, a special pattern 1 upper limit execution number and a special pattern 2 upper limit execution number are set, and the satisfaction of either number may correspond to "the specific end condition being established". Furthermore, only the maximum number of times that the special chart 2 is executed may be set, and the fulfillment of this number may correspond to "the fulfillment of a specific end condition." In addition, in addition to the combined maximum number of times that the special chart 2 is executed, the number of times that the special chart 2 small win is executed may be set, which counts the number of small wins won based on the special chart lottery, and the fulfillment of any number of times may correspond to "the fulfillment of a specific end condition."

In the above-mentioned form of pachinko game machine 1, it was possible to receive a lottery for special chart 2 based on the special chart 2 reservation remaining at the end of the time-saving state, but this is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured so that the special chart 2 reservation (second special chart reservation) cannot be saved. In this case, in the normal game state, if the result of the normal pattern lottery is a winning win, the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game, and while it is open, it is only possible to enter a game ball into the second starting hole 21 and receive a lottery for special chart 2 based on the saved special chart 2 reservation. In this case, if a special miss is drawn in the lottery for special chart 2, it may be possible to transition to a time-saving state in which the number of time-saving times, for example 30 times, is set to help play in the normal game state. As a result, in the normal game state, the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game, and if the game ball enters the second starting hole 21 and the special drawing of the special chart 2 results in a special miss, the game will transition to a time-saving state, and the auxiliary game executed in the normal game state will help the player continue playing in the normal game state.

In the above embodiment, if the reserved special chart 2 remains at the end of the time-saving state, the last chance background mode (see FIG. 38(D)) is set, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the reserved special chart 2 remains at the end of the time-saving state, the last chance background mode (see FIG. 38(D)) may not be set. In this case, since the last chance background mode (see FIG. 38(D)) is not set, the final battle reach may not be executed in the variable presentation based on the reserved special chart 2 remaining at the end of the time-saving state.

In the above embodiment, passing through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69 corresponds to "the fulfillment of a specified condition," but this is not limited to this. For example, instead of providing the first gate 28 or the second gate 69, a normal symbol start hole that triggers the drawing of a normal symbol may be provided. In this case, the entry of the game ball into the normal symbol start hole may correspond to "the fulfillment of a specified condition."

In the above-mentioned pachinko game machine 1, in the normal game mode, when the game ball passes through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69 and the result of the normal pattern lottery is a winning combination, the electric chute 22 opens as an auxiliary game, and while the electric chute 22 is open, the game ball can enter the second starting hole 21 to accumulate the special pattern 2 reserve. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the second gate 69 may not be provided, and the electric chute 22 may be configured to be difficult to open as an auxiliary game when the result of the normal pattern lottery is a winning combination in the normal game mode. In this case, the only configuration that may be used is to display a variable number of times based on the special pattern 2 reserve remaining at the end of the time-saving mode. In this case, for example, the number of time-saving times may be set to a large number, for example 100 times, to impress upon the player that the time-saving mode has been restored.

In addition, in the above embodiment, if the result of the normal symbol lottery during normal game play is a winning combination, the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game, and if it is difficult to accumulate the special symbol 2 reserve by inserting a game ball into the second starting hole 21 during the opening, the situation in which the special symbol 2 reserve is accumulated during normal game play is rare, so the help challenge performance may not be executed on the display screen 7a.

In the above embodiment, the opening of the electric chute 22 in the normal game state causes a game ball to enter the second start port 21, and in the variation effect based on the accumulated special chart 2 reserve, a help challenge effect is executed (see FIG. 45), and in the variation effect based on the special chart 2 reserve remaining at the end of the time-saving state, a final battle reach different from the above-mentioned help challenge effect is executed (see FIG. 46). However, this is not limited to this. For example, a common effect that suggests the lottery result of the special chart 2 based on the special chart 2 reserve may be executed between the variation effect based on the accumulated special chart 2 reserve caused by the opening of the electric chute 22 in the normal game state, and the variation effect based on the special chart 2 reserve remaining at the end of the time-saving state. In this case, for example, a final battle reach may be executed as the common effect. Also, for example, a help challenge effect may be executed as the common effect. In addition, the common effect may be another effect different from the final battle reach or the help challenge effect.

In the above embodiment, the first starting hole 20 corresponds to the "other ball entry hole", but this is not limited to this. For example, if a third starting hole is provided that triggers the drawing of the second special symbol, the third starting hole may correspond to the "other ball entry hole".

In the above embodiment, the special chart 2 jackpot determination process (step S1002 in FIG. 20) was prioritized over the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (step S1008 in FIG. 20) (see FIG. 20). However, this is not limited to this. For example, the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (step S1008 in FIG. 20) and the special chart 2 jackpot determination process (step S1002 in FIG. 20) may be alternated in order of winning.

In the above embodiment, when the jackpot is determined to be won by the drawing of special chart 2, the number of prize balls that can be obtained during the jackpot game may be greater than when the jackpot is determined to be won by the drawing of special chart 1, and the number of time-saving times set in the time-saving state to which the jackpot game is switched after the jackpot game ends may be greater (see FIG. 8), which corresponds to "when the result of the process of determining whether or not a win is based on the entry of a game ball into a variable ball entrance is a win, it is more advantageous for the player than when the result of the process of determining whether or not a win is based on the entry of a game ball into another ball entrance is a win." However, this is not limited to this. For example, the fact that the number of prize balls that can be obtained during a jackpot game is greater when the lottery for the special chart 2 determines that a jackpot has been won than when the lottery for the special chart 1 determines that a jackpot has been won (see FIG. 8) may correspond to "the result of the process of determining whether or not a jackpot has been won based on the entry of a game ball into a variable ball entrance is a win, which is more advantageous for the player than the result of the process of determining whether or not a jackpot has been won based on the entry of a game ball into another ball entrance is a win." Also, the fact that the number of time-saving times set in the time-saving state to which the jackpot game is transferred after the end of the jackpot game may be greater when the lottery for the special chart 2 determines that a jackpot has been won than when the lottery for the special chart 1 determines that a jackpot has been won (see FIG. 8) may correspond to "the result of the process of determining whether or not a jackpot has been won based on the entry of a game ball into a variable ball entrance is a win, which is more advantageous for the player than the result of the process of determining whether or not a jackpot has been won based on the entry of a game ball into another ball entrance is a win." Furthermore, if a jackpot is determined to have been won by the drawing of special chart 2, the electric chute 22 opens in an opening mode (e.g., the opening time of the electric chute 22, the number of times the electric chute 22 opens) that makes it easier for the game ball to enter through the second starting port 21 in the time-saving state to which the state transitions after the end of the jackpot game is greater than if a jackpot is determined to have been won by the drawing of special chart 1, which may be equivalent to "if the result of the process of determining whether or not a win is determined based on the game ball entering the variable ball entry port is a win, it is more advantageous for the player than if the result of the process of determining whether or not a win is determined based on the game ball entering the other ball entry port is a win."

In the above embodiment, when a jackpot is determined to have been won by drawing the special chart 2, the number of prize balls that can be obtained during the jackpot game is greater than when a jackpot is determined to have been won by drawing the special chart 1, and the number of time-saving times set in the time-saving state to which the jackpot game is switched after the jackpot game ends is greater (see FIG. 8), but this is not limited to this. For example, when a jackpot is determined to have been won by drawing the special chart 1, the number of prize balls that can be obtained during the jackpot game is greater than when a jackpot is determined to have been won by drawing the special chart 2, and the number of time-saving times set in the time-saving state to which the jackpot game is switched after the jackpot game ends may be greater.

In the above embodiment, if the result of the judgment using the jackpot random number is a miss and the result of the judgment using the pattern type random number is a special miss ("Special pattern 1_miss pattern B", "Special pattern 2_miss pattern D", and "Special pattern 2_miss pattern E", see FIG. 9), the game is controlled to the time-saving state without playing the jackpot. In contrast, a random number (time-saving random number) for the lottery to decide whether to control to the time-saving state (time-saving lottery) may be obtained separately, and the time-saving lottery (decision whether to enter the time-saving state or not) may be performed using the time-saving random number before the variable display of the special pattern begins. In this case, the time-saving lottery may be performed before or after the judgment of whether or not there is a jackpot. In addition, when the time-saving lottery is performed, the time-saving lottery may be performed using the jackpot random number or the pattern type random number instead of the time-saving random number.

In addition, in the above embodiment, even if a special miss ("Special chart 1_missing pattern B", "Special chart 2_missing pattern D", and "Special chart 2_missing pattern E", see Figure 9) is drawn in the time-saving state, the time-saving state is not set again (the number of time-saving times is reset) (the configuration proceeds to step S1711 only if YES is given in step S1710 of Figure 26), but if a special miss is drawn in the time-saving state, the time-saving state may be set again (the number of time-saving times is reset).

In the above embodiment, the machine is configured as a so-called 1-type 2-type mixed machine, but it may be a gaming machine of a type other than the 1-type 2-type mixed machine, such as a so-called "ST machine" or "probability loop machine". When it is an ST machine or a probability loop machine, it may be a so-called "symbol probability variable machine" in which the transition to a high probability state where the probability of winning a jackpot is high is determined based on the type of special symbol that is won, or it may be a so-called "V probability variable machine" in which the transition to a high probability state is determined based on passing through a specific area in a V attacker (a big prize device with a specific area). Even if it is configured so that a special miss (time-saving miss) can be drawn in a gaming machine of a type other than such a 1-type 2-type mixed machine, it is possible to provide new gameplay that has not been seen before.

In addition, in the above form, the machine is configured as a so-called one-type two-type mixed machine, but in the case of an ST machine or a probability loop machine, the normal pattern lottery is won in the normal game state, the electric chute 22 is opened as an auxiliary game, and a help challenge performance is executed. In addition, in the variable performance based on the special pattern 2 reserved remaining at the end of the time-saving state, the final battle reach and awakening performance are not executed. With this configuration, if the lottery for the special pattern 2 results in a special miss, and the time-saving state entry performance is executed in the help challenge performance, and "Help challenge extension" is displayed on the display screen 7a, not only can the variable display of the special pattern 2 be performed for the upper limit memory number of the special pattern 2 reserved in the normal game state, but it is also possible to make the player understand that the variable display of the special pattern 2 can be performed for the "time-saving number + upper limit memory number of the special pattern 2 reserved". Therefore, in the ST machine or probability loop machine, the auxiliary game in the normal game state supports the player to continue in the normal game state more than in the conventional pachinko game machine.

In addition, in the above form, it is configured as a so-called 1 type 2 type mixed machine, but in the case of an ST machine or a sure-win loop machine, the variable performance based on the reserved special symbol 2 remaining at the end of the time-saving state may be configured to execute a final battle reach or an awakening performance. In this case, it may be configured so that it is difficult to win the lottery for a normal symbol in the normal play state and open the electric chute 22 as an auxiliary play, and the help challenge performance is not executed. With this configuration, in the variable performance based on the reserved special symbol 2 remaining at the end of the time-saving state, it is possible to suggest whether or not it will be a jackpot or a miss by the final battle reach. Also, when the awakening performance, which is a time-saving state entry performance, is executed in the variable performance based on the reserved special symbol 2 remaining at the end of the time-saving state, it is possible to suggest to the player that it is possible to play in the time-saving state again.

In addition, in the above embodiment, it is configured as a so-called type 1/type 2 mixed machine, but in the case of an ST machine or a probability loop machine, if it is not a so-called "V probability machine" in which the transition to a high probability state is determined based on passing through a specific area in a V attacker (a large prize device having a specific area), there is no need to provide a specific area 39 in the second large prize opening 35. In this case, it is not necessary to win a small prize in the drawing of special chart 1 or the drawing of special chart 2.

In the above embodiment, the setting of the time-saving state is more advantageous to the player in that the number of time-saving times may be set to 100 when the time-saving state is controlled by drawing a special miss than when the time-saving state is controlled after a jackpot game based on the lottery of special chart 1. In contrast, the setting of the time-saving state may be more advantageous to the player when the time-saving state is controlled by drawing a special miss than when the time-saving state is controlled by drawing a special miss.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the case where the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a special miss and controlled to the time-saving state is configured to be more advantageous for the player in terms of setting the time-saving state than the case where the first special symbol is stopped and displayed as a special miss and controlled to the time-saving state. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may be such that the case where the first special symbol is stopped and displayed as a special miss and controlled to the time-saving state is more advantageous for the player in terms of setting the time-saving state than the case where the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a special miss and controlled to the time-saving state.

In the above embodiment, the number of time-saving times is set to 1, 6, or 100, but the number of time-saving times can be changed as appropriate as long as it does not interfere with gameplay. In the above embodiment, when the time-saving time is saved based on a special miss, the number of time-saving times is set to a value greater than the upper limit of the number of special charts reserved ("4" in the above embodiment), such as 6 or 100, but it may be set to a value less than or equal to the upper limit of the number of special charts reserved, such as 2 or 4.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when a special miss occurs, the time-saving state is sometimes controlled to one in which the execution of a jackpot game is substantially confirmed (time-saving state in which the number of times of time-saving is set to 100) and other times in which the execution of a jackpot game is not confirmed (time-saving state in which the number of times of time-saving is set to 6). In contrast, when a special miss occurs, the time-saving state may always be controlled to one in which the execution of a jackpot game is substantially confirmed. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, the type of special miss may be only miss pattern C.

In the above embodiment, the V non-passing small prize ("Special chart 1_small prize pattern a", see Figure 8) may be won based on the drawing of Special chart 1, but the configuration may be such that the small prize is not won based on the drawing of Special chart 1.

In the above embodiment, the small win that can be won based on the lottery of the special chart 1 is only the V non-passing small win that is not expected to pass through the specific area 39 (V passing), but it may be configured to be able to win the V passing small win that is possible to pass through V. In this case, if V passing occurs during a small win game based on a V passing small win, the time-saving count may be configured to transition to a predetermined number of time-saving states after the end of the 2nd type jackpot game. Also in this case, even if V passing does not occur during a small win game based on a V passing small win, the time-saving state may be transitioned to in response to the end of the small win game. In this case, for example, after the processing of step S2315 shown in FIG. 30, the time-saving flag may be turned ON and the value of the time-saving counter may be set. In this case, the time-saving count may be different between when transitioning to the time-saving state after the end of the 2nd type jackpot game and when transitioning to the time-saving state without executing the 2nd type jackpot game. Specifically, for example, the time-saving count may be set to 100 times in the former and 6 times in the latter. In this way, if a small win is won (small win symbol is displayed), a transition to the time-saving state can be made without playing the big win, providing new gameplay. In this case, it is not necessary to transition to the time-saving state based on the display of a losing symbol.

In the above configuration, the machine is configured as a so-called Type 1/Type 2 mixed machine, but depending on the gameplay you want to achieve, it may be a so-called "Hanemono" (Type 2 machine) that does not have a Type 1 jackpot. In other words, it may be configured so that it is not possible to win a so-called "direct jackpot" in either the drawing of Special Chart 1 or the drawing of Special Chart 2.

In addition, in the above embodiment, it is possible to win a so-called "direct jackpot" based on the drawing of special chart 2, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which it is not possible to win a "direct jackpot" based on the drawing of special chart 2, i.e., the jackpot based on the drawing of special chart 2 is only a type 2 jackpot.

In the above embodiment, the second large prize opening 35 (opening/closing member 37) and the distribution member 71 are controlled to open and operate so that the V always passes during the small prize game based on the drawing of the special chart 2. In contrast, the second large prize opening 35 and the distribution member 71 are controlled to open and operate so that the V sometimes passes and sometimes does not pass during the small prize game based on the drawing of the special chart 2 (i.e., if the timing when the distribution member 71 is in a passing-permitting state and the timing of the winning of the second large prize opening 35 match well, the ball passes through the specific area 39, but if they do not match, the ball does not pass through the specific area 39). When configured in this way, the lottery result of the special chart 2 is always a miss, that is, the ball always wins a small prize or a large prize.

In the above embodiment, the opening pattern for the small prize game based on the lottery of the special drawing 2 is an opening pattern in which the game ball that entered the second large prize opening 35 passes through the specific area 39 regardless of the timing of the winning (see Fig. 36 (b) and (c)). However, as long as the game is played correctly (as long as the right hand is continued), if the ball can always pass through the specific area 39 during the small prize game, the opening pattern does not have to be one in which all the game balls that entered the second large prize opening 35 can pass through the specific area 39. Specifically, for example, the opening pattern may be one in which 0.1 second opening is repeated 12 times, and the game balls that entered the first to ninth openings pass through the specific area 39, but the game balls that entered the tenth to twelfth openings pass through the non-specific area 70. In other words, the passing opening pattern may be an opening pattern in which the game balls that entered the second large prize opening 35 can win and at least one of the game balls that entered the second large prize opening 35 passes through the specific area 39. In addition, when the opening pattern is as in this modified example, the opening and closing member of the second large prize winning device should be as follows so that the game ball can easily enter the second large prize winning opening 35 at each opening. That is, it should be a retractable type that can move forward and backward, blocking the second large prize winning opening when it is in front and opening the second large prize winning opening when it is in the back. The opening and closing member should be arranged so that the game balls flowing down the second flow path R2 roll on the upper surface of the opening and closing member. In addition, the coefficient of friction of the upper surface of the opening and closing member should be high (for example, a surface using a highly elastic material such as rubber) so that the game balls roll slowly on the upper surface of the opening and closing member. Alternatively, a protrusion for slowing down the rolling speed of the game balls may be provided on the passage of the game balls, with the upper surface of the opening and closing member serving as the floor.

In the above embodiment, the specific area 39 is opened according to a predetermined operation pattern managed by time based on the start time of the small win game (see FIG. 36). On the other hand, the specific area 39 may be opened (put into a passing-allowed state) when the number of winning balls entering the second large winning port 35 becomes a predetermined number of winning balls that triggers the operation (for example, 1 ball). In this case, in the special 2V passing small win, the number of winning balls that triggers the operation may be set to, for example, "1", and in the special 1V non-passing small win, the number of winning balls that triggers the operation may be set to, for example, "7". In this way, in the special 2V passing small win, the winning balls entering the second large winning port 35 can be allowed to pass into the specific area 39. On the other hand, in the special 1V non-passing small win, the number of winning balls entering the second large winning port 35 does not become 7 during the 1.6-second opening period, so that passage into the specific area 39 can be prevented. In this case, the opening pattern when a special 2V passing small win is called a passing opening pattern, and the opening pattern when a special 1V non-passing small win is called a non-passing opening pattern. Also, even if the distribution member 71 is configured to operate based on the number of winning balls that trigger the operation, the fact remains that the specific area 39 switches between passing and not passing at a predetermined timing.

In the above embodiment, the upper limit of the number of reserved special drawings 2 (second reserved special drawings) is set to "4", but the upper limit of the number of reserved special drawings 2 can be changed as appropriate. Also, a configuration without reserved special drawings 2, i.e., a configuration in which the upper limit of the number of reserved special drawings 2 is "0", may be used.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the probability of winning the small prize in the drawing of Special Chart 2 is set to approximately 1/7, and the passing rate (V passing rate) of the winning ball through the specific area 39 of the second large prize opening 35 in the small prize game is set to approximately 100%, so if the number of time-saving times is set to 100 in the time-saving state, the execution of the big prize game is essentially confirmed. In contrast, the drawing results of Special Chart 2 may be configured to include no misses, with the V passing rate being approximately 100%. In this case, the execution of the big prize game is essentially confirmed even with a small number of time-saving times (for example, 1 time).

In the above embodiment, the types of big wins and small wins that can pass through the V are limited to wins that are controlled to a time-saving state after the big win game ends, but it is also possible to provide wins that are controlled to a non-time-saving state after the big win game ends.

In the above embodiment, the display unit that performs the variable effects is configured with the display screen of one display device (display screen 7a of image display device 7), but it may be configured with each display screen of two or more display devices. For example, in a configuration that includes a sub-display device in addition to image display device 7 as the main display device, the display screen of the main display device may perform the variable effects of the effect patterns 8L, 8C, and 8R, and the display screen of the sub-display may perform the variable effects of the small patterns KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3. Note that a touch panel consisting of a touch sensor and a liquid crystal display device may be mounted on the gaming machine frame 50, and the liquid crystal display device in this touch panel may be used as the sub-display device.

In the above embodiment, four random numbers, including a jackpot random number, are obtained as random numbers (determination information) based on winning at the first start port 20 or the second start port 21, but it is also possible to obtain one random number and determine whether it is a jackpot or a small jackpot, the type of jackpot pattern, small jackpot pattern, or missing pattern, whether there is a reach, and the type of variation pattern based on that random number. In other words, the number of random numbers obtained based on a start winning and what is determined for each random number can be set arbitrarily.

11. Inventions Described in the Above-described Embodiments The above-described embodiments describe the inventions of the following means. In the following description of the means, the corresponding component names and expressions in the above-described embodiments and the symbols used in the drawings are added in parentheses for reference. However, the components of each invention are not limited to these additions.

<Means A>
The invention according to Means A1 is as follows:
A variable ball entry opening (second starting opening 21, see FIG. 1) that can be changed to a closed state or an open state that makes it easier to enter the ball than the closed state;
In a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 1) equipped with a gaming control means (gaming control microcomputer 81), a process is performed to determine whether or not a win has been made based on the entry of a gaming ball into the variable ball entry port (special symbol 2 big win determination process, step S1002 in FIG. 20), and a special symbol indicating the result of the determination process is variably displayed.
The game control means includes:
When the special symbols are stopped and displayed in a specific manner (jackpot symbol) indicating a win, a jackpot game that is advantageous to the player can be executed;
After the end of the jackpot game, the game can be controlled to a special game state (time-saving state) in which the game ball is more likely to enter the variable ball entrance than in a normal game state (non-time-saving state),
When the special symbols are stopped and displayed in a non-specific mode (miss symbol D, miss symbol E, see FIG. 9 ) different from the specific mode, the game can be controlled to the special game state;
This gaming machine is characterized in that the probability (1/20) that the special symbol will be stopped and displayed in the non-specific manner is higher than the probability (approximately 1/229) that the special symbol will be stopped and displayed in the specific manner.

According to a gaming machine of this configuration, when a special symbol is displayed in a non-specific manner different from the specific manner in which it is displayed when the result of the judgment process is a win, the machine may be controlled to a special gaming state in which it is easier for the gaming ball to enter the variable ball entrance than in the normal gaming state, and the probability that the special symbol will be displayed in a non-specific manner is higher than the probability that it will be displayed in a specific manner. This makes it possible to create anticipation for the special symbol being displayed in a non-specific manner and being controlled to the special gaming state without a jackpot being played, rather than the special symbol being displayed in a specific manner and being controlled to the special gaming state after the jackpot game ends. This makes it possible to provide new gameplay that has never been seen before, and to increase interest in the game.

The invention according to Means A2 is as follows:
A gaming machine according to the means A1,
A reservation memory means (a second special chart reservation memory unit 85b, see FIG. 4) is provided for storing the acquired information acquired based on the entrance of the game ball into the variable ball entrance as a reservation,
The game control means includes:
Based on the acquired information, a process of determining whether or not a win will occur (special symbol 2 big win determination process, step S1002 in FIG. 20) is performed, and the special symbol indicating the result of the determination process is displayed in a variable manner,
This gaming machine is characterized in that it changes from the special game state to the normal game state based on the fact that a specific ending condition is met (the value of a time-saving counter that counts the number of special symbol variations (variable display of special symbols) performed during the time-saving state becomes "0"; YES in step S1703 in Figure 26).

In a gaming machine with this configuration, when a specific end condition is met, in the normal gaming state changed from the special gaming state, the acquired information acquired based on the ball entering the variable ball entrance may be stored as pending. As a result, in the normal gaming state changed from the special gaming state, a judgment process is performed based on the acquired information stored as pending, and the special symbol is displayed in a non-specific manner, making it possible to anticipate the possibility of being controlled to the special gaming state again. This makes it possible to provide new gameplay that has not been seen before and to increase interest in the game.

The invention according to Means A3 is as follows:
A gaming machine according to the means A1 or A2,
The game control means includes:
Based on the establishment of a predetermined condition (the passage of the gaming ball through the first gate 28 or the second gate 69), a normal judgment process (a hit judgment process, step S305 in FIG. 18) is performed to determine whether or not a normal hit has occurred.
This gaming machine is characterized in that, in the normal game state, when the result of the normal judgment process is a normal win, an auxiliary game (an auxiliary game that opens the second starting hole 21) can be executed to bring the variable ball entrance into the open state.

According to a gaming machine of this configuration, in the normal game state, if the result of the normal judgment process is a normal win based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, an auxiliary game may be executed to open the variable ball entrance. Therefore, a ball may be entered into the variable ball entrance while the auxiliary game is being executed, and the special symbol may be displayed in a non-specific manner in the normal game state, thereby controlling the game to the special game state. As a result, when an auxiliary game is executed in the normal game state, it is possible to interest the player not only in whether a jackpot game is executed by entering a game ball into the variable ball entrance, but also in whether the special symbol is displayed in a non-specific manner and the game is controlled to the special game state. Therefore, a new gameplay that has not been seen before can be provided, and interest in the game can be increased.

The invention according to Means A4 is:
A gaming machine according to any one of means A1 to A3,
A ball inlet other than the variable ball inlet (first starting hole 20, see FIG. 1 ) is provided;
The game control means includes:
Based on the entry of the game ball into the other ball entry port, a process of determining whether or not a win has been made (special chart 1 big win determination process, step S1008 in FIG. 20) is performed.
This gaming machine is characterized in that the process of determining whether or not a win will occur based on the entry of a gaming ball into the variable ball entry port (special chart 2 jackpot determination process, step S1002 in Figure 20) is given priority over the process of determining whether or not a win will occur based on the entry of a gaming ball into the other ball entry ports (see Figure 20).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, priority is given to performing judgment processing based on the entry of a gaming ball into a variable ball entry port, rather than performing judgment processing based on the entry of a ball into another ball entry port other than the variable ball entry port. As a result, by having a gaming ball enter the variable ball entry port, the judgment processing as to whether or not it is a win and whether or not the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a non-specific manner and controlled to a special gaming state can be performed preferentially, which makes it possible to stimulate the player's desire to have the gaming ball enter the variable ball entry port. This makes it possible to provide new gameplay that has not been seen before, and to increase interest in the game.

The invention according to Means A5 is:
A gaming machine according to any one of means A1 to A3,
A ball inlet other than the variable ball inlet (first starting hole 20, see FIG. 1 ) is provided;
The game control means includes:
Based on the entry of the game ball into the other ball entry port, a process of determining whether or not a win has been made (special chart 1 big win determination process (step S1008 in FIG. 20) is performed,
This gaming machine is characterized in that a case in which the process of determining whether or not a win will occur based on the entry of a gaming ball into the variable ball entry port (special chart 2 jackpot determination process (step S1002 in FIG. 20) results in a win is more advantageous to the player than a case in which the process of determining whether or not a win will occur based on the entry of a gaming ball into the other ball entry port (special chart 1 jackpot determination process (step S1008 in FIG. 20) results in a win.

With a gaming machine of this configuration, it is more advantageous for the player if the result of the judgment process based on the entry of a gaming ball into the variable ball entrance is a winning combination than if the result of the judgment process based on the entry of a gaming ball into another ball entrance is a winning combination. As a result, when the special symbol is displayed in a non-specific manner and controlled to a special gaming state, it is possible to stimulate the player's desire to get the gaming ball into the variable ball entrance at all costs in order to draw a winning combination that is advantageous to the player, and it is possible to increase the player's interest in the game.

1... Pachinko game machine 7... Image display device 7a... Display screen 20... First start port 21... Second start port 22... Electric chute 28... First gate 35... Second big winning port 39... Specific area 69... Second gate 81... Game control microcomputer 85b... Second special chart reservation memory section 91... Performance control microcomputer 100... Image control board

Claims (1)

A variable ball entry opening that can be changed to a closed state or an open state that makes it easier to enter the ball than the closed state;
Another ball inlet different from the variable ball inlet;
A game control means for determining whether or not a winning ball is to be obtained based on the ball entering the variable ball entrance or the other ball entrance, and for variably displaying a special symbol indicating the result of the determination process,
The game control means includes:
When the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a specific manner indicating a win, a big win game that is advantageous to the player can be executed;
After the end of the jackpot game, the game state can be controlled to a first special game state in which the game ball is more likely to enter the variable ball entrance than in a normal game state;
When the special symbols are stopped and displayed in a non-specific manner different from the specific manner in the normal game state , the game state can be controlled to a second special game state in which a game ball is more likely to enter the variable ball entrance than in the normal game state without going through the big win game and which is different in advantage to a player from the first special game state;
Based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, a normal judgment process is performed to determine whether or not a normal win has occurred.
When the result of the normal judgment process in the first special game state is the normal win, a first opening pattern can be set as an opening pattern of the variable ball entrance;
When the result of the normal judgment process in the second special game state is the normal win, a second opening pattern that is different in advantage to a player from the first opening pattern can be set as an opening pattern of the variable ball entrance;
The probability that the result of the judgment process in the normal gaming state is a miss and the special symbol displayed in the stopped state is the non-specific pattern, and the second special gaming state is controlled based on this , is:
The gaming machine is characterized in that the probability that the result of the judgment process in the normal gaming state is a win and the special pattern displayed in a stopped state is in the specific mode is higher than the probability that the first special gaming state is controlled .

Images