JP7466915B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

There is a known gaming machine that can perform a reversal effect in which the result of the win/loss determination appears to be a loss, and then indicates that the result is actually a win (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2018-86419 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to improve the entertainment value of gaming machines that have reversal effects.

The gaming machine of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, comprises an operating means operable by a player, a specific performance execution means for executing a specific performance leading to a favorable outcome indicating that the player is in a favorable situation or an unfavorable outcome indicating that the player is in a disadvantageous situation as a performance constituting the performance during the change from the start of the change of the decorative symbols indicating the result of the win/lose lottery to the time when the decorative symbols stop in a manner according to the result of the win/lose lottery, and a reversal performance execution means for executing a reversal performance that reverses the unfavorable outcome as a performance constituting the specific performance, and is characterized in that if a specific event occurs as a result of the operation of the operating means during a predetermined period when the operation of the operating means is not prompted, which is set when the unfavorable outcome is reached, the probability of the reversal performance occurring is higher than if it does not occur.

The present invention makes it possible to improve the entertainment value of gaming machines that have reversal effects.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram showing decorative patterns and reserved patterns displayed in the display area. 13 is a diagram for explaining the game state (transition of the game state). FIG. A diagram to explain a specific pre-reading performance. FIG. 1 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining specific example 1-2. FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining specific example 1-2. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining specific example 1-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining image presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 2-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 2-4. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a specific effect. A diagram to explain a reversal performance suggestion (specific event). FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 3-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 3-4. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 3-6. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 4-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 4-4. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a time presentation. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the time presentation (continuation of FIG. 19). FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the time presentation (continuation of FIG. 20). FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 5-1. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 5-2. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 5-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 5-5. FIG. 1A is a diagram for explaining an overview of the special effects, and FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining the appearance of the reserved patterns. A diagram to explain the control of the display of reserved patterns during a special performance. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining specific example 6-1. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining specific example 6-2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining specific example 6-3. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining specific example 6-4. A diagram for explaining specific example 6-5.

1) Basic Configuration of the Gaming Machine Hereinafter, one embodiment of the gaming machine 1 (pachinko gaming machine) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 1. In the following description, the term "image" includes not only still images but also moving images.

The gaming machine 1 includes a gaming board 90. The gaming board 90 is made of a substantially square piece of plywood, and includes a guide rail 903 that is provided in a substantially arc-shaped manner and that constitutes a path for guiding gaming balls launched by operating a launching device 908 (launching handle) to a gaming area 902.

The game area 902 is provided with a display device 91, a starting area 904, a big prize area 906, an outlet, and the like. The display area 911 of the display device 91 is a portion that can be seen through an opening 901 formed in the game board 90. The game area 902 is also provided with a number of game pegs that act as obstacles against which the game balls collide, causing changes in the way the game balls flow down. The game balls flowing down the game area 902 change into various forms depending on the conditions when they collide with the game pegs.

In such a gaming machine 1, gaming balls are launched toward the gaming area 902 by operating the launching device 908. When a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area 902 enters a winning area such as the starting area 904 or the big winning area 906, a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by the payout device.

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

The lottery for the big win is executed by a winning/losing lottery means provided on a control board (not shown) when a game ball enters the starting area 904. In this embodiment, a first starting area 904a (the so-called "special chart 1" starting area) and a second starting area 904b (the so-called "special chart 2" starting area) are provided as the starting area 904. When a game ball enters the starting area 904, a number (winning/losing lottery information) is obtained from a random number source, and if the number is the same as the predetermined winning number, it is a big win, and if it is different, it is a loss. In this embodiment, the notification of the winning/losing lottery results is started in the order in which the number is obtained (so-called fluctuation is started), but if there is winning/losing lottery information for which the notification of the winning/losing lottery result has not yet been completed, the newly obtained winning/losing lottery information is stored as reserved information (strictly speaking, pre-variation reserved information to be described later) in a storage means provided on a control board (not shown).

In this embodiment, as the reserved pattern 10, a reserved pattern 11 (a pattern indicating the existence of the so-called "reserved change") corresponding to the winning/losing lottery information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the reserved information during change) in which the during-change performance (from the start of the change of the decorative pattern 80 (decorative pattern group 80g) to the complete stop of the combination indicating the winning/losing lottery result, which is the so-called performance during one change. Hereinafter, it may be simply referred to as "change") that notifies the winning/losing lottery result has started, but the notification of the winning/losing lottery result has not been completed, and a reserved pattern 12 before the change that corresponds to the winning/losing lottery information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the reserved information before the change) in which the during-change performance that notifies the winning/losing lottery result has not started (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the reserved pattern 11 during the change is displayed larger than the reserved pattern before the change 12, but the basic form of both is the same. The basic form of the reserved pattern 11 during the change and the reserved pattern before the change 12 may be completely different. In addition, the reserved pattern 11 during the change may not be displayed. In addition, the order in which the winning/losing lottery results corresponding to the reserved patterns 12 before the change are notified (the so-called reserved "consumption order") is earlier for those located to the right.

The maximum number of pre-change reserved information is limited. In this embodiment, the maximum number of first pre-change reserved information (special chart 1 reserved) obtained by winning the first starting area 904a is four, and the maximum number of second pre-change reserved information (special chart 2 reserved) obtained by winning the second starting area 904b is four. Therefore, with respect to the reserved pattern 10 corresponding to one of the special charts 1 and 2, one reserved pattern 11 during change and up to four pre-change reserved patterns 12 may be displayed (see FIG. 2). The pre-change reserved pattern 12 is set so that if the game ball should be launched aiming at the first starting area 904a (normal game state to be described later), the first pre-change reserved information (special chart 1 reserved) is displayed as the pre-change reserved pattern 12, and if the game ball should be launched aiming at the second starting area 904b (special game state to be described later), the second pre-change reserved information (special chart 2 reserved) is displayed as the pre-change reserved pattern 12. Regardless of the game state, the pre-change reserved pattern 12 corresponding to both the first pre-change reserved information and the second pre-change reserved information stored in the storage means may be displayed (up to eight pre-change reserved patterns 12 may be displayed).

In this embodiment, as in known gaming machines, the result of the lottery is notified to the player by the combination of decorative patterns 80 (see FIG. 2) displayed in the display area 911 of the display device 91. Specifically, decorative pattern groups 80g (left decorative pattern group 80gL, center decorative pattern group 80gC, right decorative pattern group 80gR) including multiple types of decorative patterns 80 start to change, and finally one decorative pattern 80 is selected from each decorative pattern group 80g and stops. If a jackpot is won, the combination of decorative patterns 80 selected from each decorative pattern group 80g and stopped will be a predetermined combination (for example, three of the same decorative patterns 80). If a loss occurs, the combination will be something other than the combination that results in a jackpot. The decorative patterns 80 may be a combination of numbers and characters, etc.

In addition, images (so-called "small symbols" or the like) showing various information may be displayed unobtrusively near the outer edge of the display area 911 (illustration of such images is omitted in each figure). The player can enjoy the game without being aware of this type of image. In other words, it is basically possible to understand the results of the lottery by looking at the decorative symbols 80.

In this embodiment, a normal game state and a special game state are set as game states (see FIG. 3). The special game state is a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state. The normal game state is a low probability game state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is low (for example, the probability of winning a jackpot is about 1/320), and is a low base state (low probability, no time reduction) in which the game ball is unlikely to enter the starting area 904. The special game state is a high probability game state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is high (for example, the probability of winning a jackpot is about 1/80), and is a high base state (high probability, time reduction) in which the game ball is likely to enter the starting area 904. In the normal game state, the player launches the game ball aiming at the first starting area 904a. In this embodiment, a so-called "left hit" is performed. In the special game state, the player launches the game ball aiming at the second starting area 904b. In this embodiment, a so-called "right hit" is performed. The special game state is a state in which it is easy to win the lottery to open the second starting area 904b, which is triggered by the game ball entering the normal starting area 905, so it is relatively easy for the game ball to enter the second starting area 904b.

In this embodiment, the special game state is entered after all jackpot games have ended. The special game state ends when the winning/losing lottery results are a miss a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). When the special game state ends, the normal game state is entered. If the jackpot is won before the predetermined number of consecutive misses after the transition to the special game state, the game state will transition again to the special game state (the count of the predetermined number of times will be reset). In other words, the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called ST machine in which the condition for consecutive wins is to win a jackpot before the predetermined number of consecutive misses after the transition to the special game state. Note that, unless otherwise specified in the following description, the game characteristics (specifications) are merely one example. For example, it may be a so-called probability loop machine. It may also be a V probability machine. It may also be a gaming machine (one-type/two-type mixed machine) equipped with a so-called small win, in which a jackpot can be won by a game ball entering a predetermined area when the small win is won. In addition, a game state different from the normal game state and the special game state may be set, for example, a low probability game state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is low, and a high base state (low probability, time-saving) in which the game ball is likely to enter the starting area 904 may be set.

2) The following describes various effects that can be executed by the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment. Note that the configuration may be such that only some of the effects described below can be executed. Also, the configuration may be such that the effects described below can occur only when a specific mode (which may be a mode that the player can select, or a mode that is set automatically (without selection by the player)) is set.

2-1) Specific Pre-reading Performance The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is capable of executing a specific pre-reading performance (see FIG. 4) as a type of pre-reading performance. The specific pre-reading performance, like a general pre-reading performance, is a performance that starts during a change performance (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a target change performance) before a change performance (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a (big win) change performance) for a certain winning/losing lottery result (a winning/losing lottery result for a pre-reading target; hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a target winning/losing lottery result in the explanation of "2-1) specific pre-reading performance") is started, and suggests the probability that the target winning/losing lottery result will be a jackpot (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a (big win) reliability). In some drawings, the reserved pattern 10 corresponding to the target winning/losing lottery result is indicated by "T". Note that the winning/losing lottery result (the previous winning/losing lottery result) corresponding to the previous changing performance used in the specific pre-reading performance is a "miss" (see FIG. 4(b)).

The specific look-ahead performance includes a first half (see Fig. 4 (a) and (b)) and a second half (see Fig. 4 (c-1) and (c-2)). The first half is executed during the previous change performance. In this embodiment, the first half is executed during the previous change performance before the target change performance. Specifically, the first half starts after the previous change performance starts (see Fig. 4 (a)), and ends at the same time as the previous change performance ends (see Fig. 4 (b)). The performance mode of the first half is the same every time (the mode is the same regardless of the mode of the second half, which will be described later). In this embodiment, the characters "Is something coming?" (first half characters 15) are displayed in the display area 911. In this way, the fact that the mode is the same every time does not suggest the reliability of the first half itself. It merely warns that a specific look-ahead performance will occur (it can be said that the reliability is suggested in the sense that the probability of the specific look-ahead performance occurring has increased, but it does not suggest the high or low reliability).

The latter half of the specific pre-reading performance is a part executed during the target change performance. Specifically, the latter half starts at the same time as the target change performance starts, and ends before the target change performance ends (before the notification of the target hit/miss lottery result is completed) (see Figures 4 (c-1) and (c-2)). The performance mode of the latter half can be different each time. Unlike the first half, the latter half suggests the jackpot reliability of the target hit/miss lottery result. In this embodiment, either the first latter half mode (see Figure 4 (c-1)) or the second latter half mode (see Figure 4 (c-2)) occurs. The jackpot reliability of the target hit/miss lottery result is higher when the second latter half mode occurs than when the first latter half mode occurs. In the latter half mode, characters following the first half character 15 (second half character 16) are displayed. In the first latter half mode in this embodiment, the characters "It's a chance!" (first latter half character 161) are displayed, and in the second latter half mode, the characters "It's super hot!" (second latter half character 162) are displayed. In other words, following the lines for the production in the first half ("Is something coming?"), the lines that follow are displayed in the second half (each second half character 16 (second half line) follows the first half character 15 (first half line) in a natural way).

In order to make the first and second parts appear as a continuous performance, in this embodiment, the first part is executed in a period (first period) including the end of the previous previous performance during the target change (the end of the miss notification), and the second part is executed in a period (last period) including the start of the target change performance (the first period and the last period are continuous periods with no blank period between them). In this way, the first and second parts are executed continuously (the dialogue of the first part (first half characters 15) is received, and the dialogue of the second half part (second half characters 16) is displayed without a blank period). However, this does not deny the possibility of a performance form in which a blank period occurs. In other words, this does not deny the possibility of setting the first part to end before the end of the previous previous performance during the target change, or the second half to start after the target change performance starts. However, if the effect of making the first and second parts appear as a continuous performance is enhanced, it is preferable to use the embodiment.

In this way, the specific look-ahead performance in this embodiment is executed in the first half, which has the same appearance (does not suggest reliability) every time during the previous change performance, and in the second half, which has a different appearance every time (suggests reliability depending on the appearance) during the target change performance. In other words, while the occurrence of the look-ahead performance is predicted in the previous change performance, it is the performance (second half appearance) executed during the target change performance that actually suggests the reliability of the target hit/miss lottery result. If the reliability is suggested during the previous change performance (in this embodiment, the reliability is suggested in the first half), it may be difficult to understand whether the suggestion of reliability is about the previous hit/miss lottery result or the target hit/miss lottery result. In order to reduce such a risk, in this embodiment, the first half (the performance in the previous change performance) only predicts the occurrence of the reliability suggestion performance (second half), and the reliability is suggested by the second half (the performance in the target change performance).

In order to reduce the above-mentioned concerns, it would be possible to have both the first half characters 15 and the second half characters 16 displayed during the target change performance, but doing so would mean that it would no longer function as a "look-ahead performance," and the entire series of performances would have to be executed during the target change performance, lengthening the time required for the series of performances. The specific look-ahead performance in this embodiment can solve these problems.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, concrete changes, modifications, etc., made to the above-mentioned specific look-ahead performances. Note that, to the extent possible, configurations may be made that apply a combination of multiple technologies described using the following specific examples.

〇Specific example 1-1
In the above embodiment, the specific pre-reading effect is an effect in which an image (text) is displayed in the display area 911 as the first and second half, but it may also be an effect in which sound is output from the speaker 75 (no image is displayed).

In addition, one of the first and second parts may be a "visual" presentation in which an image (text) is displayed, and the other an "auditory" presentation in which sound is output (no image is displayed). As explained in the above embodiment, the first and second parts differ in the presence or absence of a reliability suggestion effect, so in order to emphasize this difference, one is made a "visual" presentation and the other an "auditory" presentation. It is preferable to set the first part to be a presentation in which sound is output (an "auditory" presentation) and the second part to be a presentation in which an image is displayed (a "visual" presentation). It can be said that the content of the presentation is easier to grasp with a "visual" presentation than with an "auditory" presentation, so it is preferable to set the second part, in which reliability is suggested, as a "visual" presentation.

Specific example 1-2
In the above embodiment, the first half of the specific look-ahead performance is executed during the previous target changing performance, but the first half may be executed over two or more previous changing performances. For example, the first half (first half of the first half) is executed during the previous target changing performance, the second half (second half of the first half) is executed during the previous target changing performance, and then the second half is executed during the target changing performance. In the first half, the characters "Is something coming?" (first half characters 151) are displayed (see FIG. 5(a)), in the second half, the characters "Not yet!" (first half characters 152) are displayed (see FIG. 5(b)), and in the second half, the characters "It's your chance!" or "It's super hot!" are displayed (see FIG. 5(c-1), (c-2)). The aspect of the first half does not necessarily suggest reliability, but the aspect of the second half suggests reliability. In other words, the first half of the first part (the effect executed in the effect two steps before that ("Is something coming?")) and the second half of the second part (the effect executed in the effect one step before that ("Not yet!")) have the same format every time.

The maximum number of future changing effects that can be used in the specific look-ahead effect is three (because the maximum number of reserved items is four). In other words, the first half occurs a maximum of three times. With this in mind, prepare the three first half effect modes in advance. For example, prepare three modes: "Is something coming?", "Not yet!", and "Almost there." Then, depending on the number of future changing effects used in the specific look-ahead effect, the first half effects are executed in this order. If three future changing effects are used (using three changes), the specific look-ahead effect will proceed as follows: "Is something coming?" (three before the target changing effect) → "Not yet!" (two before the target changing effect) → "Almost there" (one before the target changing effect) → "Chance!"/"Super hot!" (target changing effect) (see Figure 6). If two future changing effects are used (using two changes), the specific look-ahead effect will proceed as shown in Figure 5.

Unlike the examples shown in Figs. 5 and 6 above, the same first half of the performance may be executed (the same first half character 15 may be displayed) in all of the two or more future changing performances. For example, the first half character 15 "Is something coming?" may be displayed in all of the two or more future changing performances.

Specific example 1-3
A non-specific look-ahead performance different from the specific look-ahead performance is executed. The non-specific look-ahead performance is a performance in which the aspect is the same as that of the specific look-ahead performance up to the part corresponding to the first half (see FIG. 7(a)), but the part corresponding to the second half is not executed (see FIG. 7(b-2)). If a specific look-ahead performance like the above embodiment occurs, the non-specific look-ahead performance displays the characters "What's coming?" (first half characters 15) in the next-movement performance (the next-movement performance before the target-movement performance) (see FIG. 7(a)), but unlike the specific look-ahead performance in which the characters "It's a chance!" and "It's super hot!" (second half characters 16) are displayed in the target-movement performance (see FIG. 7(b-1)), no characters are displayed (see FIG. 7(b-2)). In other words, the non-specific look-ahead performance suggests to the player that a specific look-ahead performance may have occurred, but the performance of the reliability suggestion (the second half of the specific look-ahead performance) does not actually occur.

It is preferable to set the target winning/losing lottery result to have a higher reliability of winning when a specific pre-reading effect occurs than when a non-specific pre-reading effect occurs. In this way, gameplay is realized in which it is expected that after the first half of the effect is executed (first half characters 15 are displayed) in the previous during-variation effect, the second half of the effect will be executed (second half characters 16 are displayed) in the target during-variation effect (if the second half of the effect is executed, it is expected that it will be in a more reliable state). It may also be set so that if a non-specific pre-reading effect occurs, the target winning/losing lottery result is confirmed as a loss.

However, conversely, the setting may be such that the reliability of the target winning/losing lottery result being a jackpot is higher when a non-specific pre-reading effect occurs than when a specific pre-reading effect occurs. A non-specific pre-reading effect is an unnatural presentation form in which the first half of the effect (display of first half text 15 of "Is something coming?") occurs but no subsequent effect occurs, and the occurrence of such an unnatural presentation may be set as an event advantageous to the player. The setting may be such that when a non-specific pre-reading effect occurs, the target winning/losing lottery result is confirmed to be a jackpot.

2-2) Image Presentation The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is capable of executing an image presentation as a presentation constituting the during-change presentation. As described above, in this embodiment, the during-change reserved pattern 11 (a pattern corresponding to the so-called "change") and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 are displayed in the display area 911. In the following description, the during-change reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 simply refer to a pattern in a normal state (a pattern that is not in a so-called chance-up state). The during-change reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 in this embodiment have the same form (as long as the player can recognize that they represent the same object), but the during-change reserved pattern 11 is displayed larger than the pre-change reserved pattern 12. In other words, when one during-change presentation ends (one reservation is consumed) and the pre-change reserved pattern 12, which is the earliest consumed pattern, becomes the during-change reserved pattern 11, the size of the pattern is controlled to be larger.

The image effect (see FIG. 8) is an effect that assumes that the changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 are displayed, and a predetermined effect image 20 is displayed. The specific form of the effect image 20 may be any. Preferably, it represents a moving tangible object. In this embodiment, an effect image 20 representing a "car" is displayed. The effect image 20 is displayed as if it has entered the display area 911 from outside the display area 911. After that, the effect image 20 moves so as to approach the reserved pattern 10 (changing reserved pattern 11 and pre-changing reserved pattern 12). In this embodiment, the reserved pattern 10 is arranged along the lower edge of the display area 911, while the effect image 20 moves along the lower edge of the display area 911 (see FIG. 8(a)). Note that the effect image 20 in this embodiment is not an image that suggests the reliability of a jackpot (it is an image that is not related to the reliability of a jackpot).

The effect image 20 moving in this manner overlaps the reserved pattern 10 (referring to a state in which the player sees the image overlapping in the front-to-back direction). In a state in which both the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 are displayed as the reserved pattern 10, a state in which the effect image 20 overlaps both the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 (at least one of them) may occur. In this embodiment, the effect image 20 is displayed so as to overlap the rear side of the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the front side of the pre-change reserved pattern 12 (see FIG. 8(c)). From the perspective of the reserved pattern 10, the currently changing reserved pattern 11 is located in front of the effect image 20 (exposed without being covered by the effect image 20), and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is displayed in such a manner that it is covered by the effect image 20. Each reserved pattern 10 and the performance image 20 are represented by different image layers, and the "image layer representing the currently changing reserved pattern 11", "image layer representing the performance image 20", and "image layer representing the pre-change reserved pattern 12" are set to the front in this order (of these three image layers, the "image layer representing the currently changing reserved pattern 11" is the frontmost). Note that in the performance image 20, the part that overlaps behind the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the part that overlaps in front of the pre-change reserved pattern 12 are continuous and not separated. In other words, a single, non-separate object (the object represented by the performance image 20; in this embodiment, a car) overlaps with both the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 at a certain point in time (the image that overlaps with the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the image that overlaps with the pre-change reserved pattern 12 do not represent different things).

In the image presentation in this embodiment, the presentation image 20 transitions from a state where it is not overlapped with either the currently changing reserved pattern 11 or the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 (see FIG. 8(a)) → a state where it is overlapped only with the currently changing reserved pattern 11 (a state where it is overlapped after the currently changing reserved pattern 11) (see FIG. 8(b)) → a state where it is overlapped with both the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 (a state where it is overlapped after the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and in front of the pre-changing reserved pattern 12) (see FIG. 8(d)) → a state where it is overlapped only with the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 (a state where it is overlapped in front of the pre-changing reserved pattern 12) (see FIG. 8(d)). In other words, not only a state where the presentation image 20 overlaps with both the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-changing reserved pattern 12, but also a state where it overlaps with only one of the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 occurs.

By creating such an image effect, the currently changing reserved pattern 11 appears to be located in front of the pre-changing reserved pattern 12. The display area 911 displays images two-dimensionally, making it difficult to create a sense of depth, but by using this embodiment, the currently changing reserved pattern 11 appears to be in the foreground and the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 appears to be in the background (at the back), making it easier to distinguish between the two reserved patterns 10. Also, the currently changing reserved pattern 11 corresponds to the result of the lottery for the currently executing currently changing performance (currently changing performance including image performance) (it is the "active" reserved pattern 10), and if you want to emphasize this, it is good to make the currently changing reserved pattern 11 appear to be in front of the pre-changing reserved pattern 12, as in this embodiment.

In particular, in this embodiment, the pending pattern 11 during change is displayed large and the pending pattern 12 before change is displayed small, enhancing the effect of both pending patterns 10 appearing to be shifted forward and backward.

In addition, in the image presentation in this embodiment, not only does the presentation image 20 overlap both the changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12, but also the presentation image 20 overlaps only one of the changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12, so the front-to-back relationship between the changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is emphasized. In particular, in this embodiment, the image presentation progresses so as to transition from a "state where the presentation image 20 overlaps only one of the changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12" to a "state where the presentation image 20 overlaps both the changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12", so that the presentation mode is such that the presentation image 20 (car) is inserted between the changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12, and it appears as if there is a space (shifted in the front-to-back direction) between the two reserved patterns 10.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, specific embodiments, and modifications to the above image presentation-related matters. Note that, to the extent possible, configurations may be made that apply a combination of multiple technologies described using the following specific examples.

〇Specific example 2-1
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the currently changing reserved pattern 11 is displayed larger than the pre-changing reserved pattern 12, but the sizes of the two may be the same. Even if the sizes are the same, the currently changing reserved pattern 11 appears to be located in front of the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 due to the generation of image effects.

〇Specific example 2-2
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the effect image 20 is displayed so as to overlap the rear side of the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the front side of the pre-changing reserved pattern 12, but the opposite configuration may be used. In other words, the effect image 20 may be configured so as to overlap the front side of the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the rear side of the pre-changing reserved pattern 12. In this way, the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 appears to be in front of the currently changing reserved pattern 11.

When doing as in this example, if it is desired to enhance the effect of making the pre-change reserved pattern 12 appear to be in front of the current-change reserved pattern 11, the pre-change reserved pattern 12 may be displayed larger than the current-change reserved pattern 11. However, even when doing as in this example, as explained in specific example 2-1 above, the current-change reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 may be configured so that their sizes do not change.

Specific example 2-3
In the image presentation in the above embodiment, it has been described that the overlapping manner of the presentation image 20 (front-to-back relationship with the presentation image 20) is different for the pending-change pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12, but the configuration may be applied to the pre-change reserved pattern 12. In other words, in a state where two or more pre-change reserved patterns 12 are displayed, the presentation image 20 is displayed so as to overlap the front side of one pre-change reserved pattern 12 and the rear side of another pre-change reserved pattern 12. In this way, it is possible to make the pre-change reserved pattern 12 appear to be shifted forward and backward.

It may also be configured to apply to the reserved pattern 10 of special pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as the first reserved pattern. The first reserved pattern includes both the pattern during and before the change) and the reserved pattern 10 of special pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as the second reserved pattern. The second reserved pattern includes both the pattern during and before the change). In other words, when both the first reserved pattern and the second reserved pattern are displayed (see FIG. 9(a)), the performance image 20 is displayed so that one of the first reserved pattern and the second reserved pattern overlaps at the rear and the other overlaps at the front (see FIG. 9(b)). In this way, it is possible to create a situation in which one of the first reserved pattern and the second reserved pattern appears to be located in the foreground and the other appears to be located in the background, making it easier to distinguish between the first reserved pattern and the second reserved pattern.

Specific example 2-4
The image presentation can also be used for the reserved change presentation. The reserved change presentation is a well-known presentation that suggests that the probability (reliability) of the winning/losing lottery result corresponding to the reserved pattern 10 being a jackpot has increased by changing the state of the reserved pattern 10. Hereinafter, the state of the reserved pattern 10 before the change that changes through the reserved change presentation is referred to as the pre-change state, and the state after the change is referred to as the post-change state (the post-change state has a higher reliability than the pre-change state).

In the image presentation described in the above embodiment, the currently changing reserved pattern 11 is positioned in front of the presentation image 20 (exposed without being covered by the presentation image 20), but the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is covered by the presentation image 20 (see FIG. 10(b)). Using this, one or more of the displayed pre-change reserved patterns 12 may change from a pre-change state (see FIG. 10(a)) to a post-change state (see FIG. 10(c)) through the image presentation. In other words, the image presentation is a presentation to make the currently changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-change reserved pattern 12 appear to be positioned in a shifted manner forward and backward, and by utilizing the fact that the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is temporarily covered by the presentation image 20, a reservation change presentation for the pre-change reserved pattern 12 may occur before and after the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is covered by the presentation image 20. In other words, the pre-change reserved pattern 12, which was in a pre-change state before being covered by the performance image 20, may change to a post-change state when it is exposed again after being covered by the performance image 20. Note that, in the image performance described in the above embodiment, when multiple pre-change reserved patterns 12 are displayed, all of them will be temporarily covered by the performance image 20. Therefore, a configuration in which two or more pre-change reserved patterns 12 may change at once for one image performance may be used.

On the other hand, since the changing reserved pattern 11 is not covered by the effect image 20 (see Fig. 10 (a) and (b)), the state of the changing reserved pattern 11 does not change with the occurrence of the image effect. In other words, the reserved change effect with the occurrence of the image effect can occur for the reserved pattern 10 that is temporarily covered by the effect image 20, but cannot occur for the reserved pattern 10 that is not covered. As explained in the specific example 2-2, if the image effect is such that the changing reserved pattern 11 is covered by the effect image 20 but the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 is not covered by the effect image 20, the state of the changing reserved pattern 11 can change with the image effect, but the state of the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 cannot change. The same applies to the image effect as in the specific example 2-3. The state of the reserved pattern 10 that is temporarily covered by the effect image 20 may change, but the state of the reserved pattern 10 that is not covered may not change.

2-3) Suggestion of Reversal Performance In this embodiment, a specific performance and a reversal performance (also called a revival performance, etc.) may occur as performances constituting the performance during the change. A specific performance (see FIG. 11) is a performance leading to a favorable ending indicating that the situation is favorable to the player, or an unfavorable ending indicating that the situation is unfavorable to the player. The specific performance in this embodiment is a type of reach performance. For example, it is possible to set a specific performance in which an ally character (a character on the player's side) and an enemy character fight (see FIG. 11(a)), with the victory of the ally character being set as a favorable ending (see FIG. 11(b-1)) and the defeat of the ally character being set as an unfavorable ending (see FIG. 11(b-2)). A configuration in which two or more types of performances (reach performances) are provided as the specific performance may be used.

A reversal effect can occur when a specific effect ends in an unfavorable way (can occur with the same variation as a specific effect), and is an effect in which the unfavorable ending is overturned (an unfavorable situation is overturned). In other words, a reversal effect is an effect that does not occur with the variation of a specific effect that ends in a favorable way. If the specific effect is as described above, a reversal effect can be an effect in which an image of a defeated ally character being revived is displayed (see FIG. 11 (c-1)). In other words, since a reversal effect is an effect in which an unfavorable ending of a specific effect is overturned, it means that a reversal effect is prepared according to the mode of the specific effect (particularly the mode of the unfavorable ending). If multiple types of specific effects with different modes are provided, different types of reversal effects corresponding to each of the multiple types of specific effects may be provided (a common type of reversal effect may be provided for each of the multiple types of specific effects).

The result of the lottery for the special effect during the fluctuation is the target lottery result (the same applies below in the explanation of "2-3) Reversal Suggestion Effects"). If the result of the lottery for the target lottery is a big win, the special effect will end in a favorable way (see FIG. 11(b-1)), or the special effect will end in an unfavorable way (see FIG. 11(b-2)) and a reversal effect will occur (see FIG. 11(c-1)). On the other hand, if the result of the lottery for the target lottery is a miss, the special effect will end in an unfavorable way (see FIG. 11(b-2)) and a reversal effect will not occur (see FIG. 11(c-2)). In other words, the special effect reaching a favorable way and the occurrence of a reversal effect are the results of the fluctuation effect that are favorable to the player, and the special effect reaching an unfavorable way (no reversal effect occurs) is the result of the fluctuation effect that is unfavorable to the player.

Assuming this configuration, when a specific presentation leads to an unfavorable ending, the following specific event may occur. The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with an operation means 70 (first operation means 71; hereafter, when the operation means 70 is mentioned without special explanation, it refers to the first operation means 71) that can be operated by the player (see FIG. 1). An example of the operation means 70 is a push button. In addition, a sensor that can detect a part of the player's body (hand, etc.) may be provided, and the detection of a part of the body by the sensor may be regarded as an operation of the operation means 70.

When a specific effect leads to an unfavorable ending, an image indicating that the unfavorable ending has been reached (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as unfavorable ending image 30) is displayed in the display area 911 (see FIG. 12(a)). Note that when a favorable ending is reached, an advantageous ending image 31 (an image indicating that an advantageous ending has been reached) with a different appearance from the unfavorable ending image 30 is displayed. In the case of the specific effect as described above, an unfavorable ending image 30 indicating a situation in which an ally character has been defeated is displayed. However, the unfavorable ending image 30 does not include an image that encourages the player to operate the operation means 70. In other words, an unfavorable ending is not something that a player who encounters the unfavorable ending will recognize as a situation in which he or she should operate the operation means 70.

If an unfavorable ending is reached and the operation means 70 is operated during a specified period of time that is set while the image for an unfavorable ending 30 is displayed (see FIG. 12(b)), this may trigger a specific event. As mentioned above, an unfavorable ending is not a situation in which the player is prompted to operate the operation means 70, but if the operation means 70 is operated during the specified period in which the image for an unfavorable ending 30 is displayed (this can be said to be an effective operation period in which operation of the operation means 70 is effective, although this is not explicitly stated as being during the effective operation period), a reaction to this may occur. This reaction is the specific event.

In this embodiment, if the operation means 70 is operated during the above-mentioned specified period and a specific event occurs as a result of this (see FIG. 12(c-1)), it is determined that a reversal effect will occur (see FIG. 12(d-1)) (even if a reversal effect is determined to occur, if no operation is performed during the specified period, the specific event will not occur). In other words, it is determined that the target winning/losing lottery result is a jackpot. On the other hand, if the operation means 70 is operated during the above-mentioned specified period (see FIG. 12(b)) and a specific event does not occur as a result of this (see FIG. 12(c-2)), a reversal effect will not occur (see FIG. 12(d-2)). In other words, it is determined that the target winning/losing lottery result is a loss.

In this embodiment, the occurrence of a change in the target image 30t included in the image 30 for an unfavorable ending is set as a specific event. As described above, an unfavorable ending is a performance in which an ally character is defeated, and the image 30 for an unfavorable ending includes a defeated ally character, and in this embodiment, the ally character is set as the target image 30t. When it is determined that a reversal performance will occur (when the target winning/losing lottery result is a jackpot), when the operation means 70 is operated during a specified period, the occurrence of the ally character moving (shaking) (changing as if the character is about to stand up) is set as a specific event (see FIG. 12 (c-1)). Since the reversal performance is a performance in which a defeated ally character revives, it can be said that the occurrence of a reversal performance is suggested by making such a change occur. Note that such a change occurs every time the operation means 70 is operated during the specified period. In other words, if the operation means 70 is operated continuously (if it is hit repeatedly), the character will continue to move (continue to shake). If it has been determined that a reversal effect will not occur (if the result of the lottery is a loss), such a change will not occur even if the operating means 70 is operated during the specified period (see FIG. 12 (c-2)).

In this way, in the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment, when the operation means 70 is operated when a specific effect has reached an unfavorable ending, this can trigger the occurrence of a specific event that suggests the occurrence of a reversal effect, providing an interesting gaming experience. Because the player is not prompted to operate the operation means 70 when an unfavorable ending occurs (during a specified period), not everyone can enjoy the suggestive effect of the reversal effect (only players who realize that a specific event may occur can enjoy the suggestive effect).

Below, we will explain specific examples of improvements, concrete changes, modifications, etc., made to the above-mentioned reversal performance suggestions. Note that, to the extent possible, a configuration may be made in which multiple techniques described using the following specific examples are combined and applied.

Specific example 3-1
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the occurrence of a reversal effect is confirmed (a jackpot is confirmed) when a specific event occurs, but it may be set so that the occurrence of a reversal effect is not confirmed even when a specific event occurs. In other words, it may be configured so that the probability of a reversal effect occurring is high (not 100%) when a specific event occurs, compared to when a specific event does not occur (meaning when the operation means 70 is operated during a specified period and a specific event does not occur). By doing as in this example, the occurrence of a specific event becomes a gameplay that remains a "chance up" that does not guarantee a jackpot.

Specific example 3-2
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that if the specific event does not occur even when the operation means 70 is operated during a predetermined period, it is confirmed that the reversal effect will not occur (it is confirmed that the reversal effect will not occur). However, it is also possible to set the reversal effect to occur even if the specific event does not occur as a result of the operation of the operation means 70 during the predetermined period. With the setting as in the above embodiment, if the specific event does not occur when the operation means 70 is operated during the predetermined period, the occurrence of the reversal effect (a big win) cannot be expected at all. On the other hand, if the present example is used, a game property is realized in which the occurrence of the reversal effect (a big win) can be expected even if the specific event does not occur when the operation means 70 is operated during the predetermined period.

Specific example 3-3
As the specific event, one of a plurality of events having different modes occurs. For example, as the specific event, a first specific event (see FIG. 13(a)) may occur, and a second specific event (see FIG. 13(b)) different from the first specific event may occur. Then, the probability of a reversal performance occurring is higher when the second specific event occurs than when the first specific event occurs as a result of the operation of the operation means 70 during the predetermined period when an unfavorable ending is reached (see FIG. 13). Note that, in the case of this example, the occurrence of at least the first specific event does not determine the occurrence of a reversal performance (the occurrence probability of a reversal performance when the first specific event occurs is less than 100% (see specific example 3-1)). The occurrence probability of a reversal performance when the second specific event occurs may be 100% or less than 100%.

By doing as in this example, even if the operation means 70 is operated during a specified period and a specific event occurs, the gameplay is realized in which the player also focuses attention on the specific aspects of the specific event (the gameplay is whether or not the player notices that multiple types of specific events exist).

The differences between the specific events may be of any kind, but preferably they indicate the probability of a reversal occurring. If the specific event is set to be a change in which an ally character moves (attempts to stand up) as in the above embodiment, then the ally character may move more significantly in the second specific event than in the first specific event (the ally character appears more likely to revive in the second specific event than in the first specific event) (see Figure 13).

Specific example 3-4
In the above embodiment, it was explained that the change in the ally character included in the unfavorable ending image 30 that is displayed when a specific performance results in an unfavorable ending is set as the specific event, but a different change may also be set as the specific event.

For example, it is conceivable to configure the change of the decorative pattern 80 as a specific event. An unfavorable ending is one that makes it look like the target winning/losing lottery result is a losing one. In other words, if a reversal effect does not occur, the losing one is confirmed, and if a reversal effect occurs, it is overturned and a big win is shown. Therefore, when an unfavorable ending is reached, a "losing combination" of the decorative patterns 80 (a combination that is not a triplet of the same decorative patterns 80) is displayed once (see FIG. 14(a)). In other words, even if a reversal effect occurs (if the target winning/losing lottery result is a big win), the decorative patterns 80 are displayed in a manner that indicates a losing one in order to make it look like a losing one. Note that, at least for a specified period of time, the fluctuation of each decorative pattern 80 that constitutes the "losing combination" is not completely stopped (so-called pseudo-stop state) (in the drawings, it is shown as being completely stopped, but is slightly swaying). If a reversal effect does not occur, the decorative patterns 80 stop changing completely at the "losing combination" and a notification is issued that the target winning/losing lottery result is a losing one (see FIG. 14(d-2)). If a reversal effect occurs, the "losing combination" is erased, the decorative patterns 80 stop changing completely at the "jackpot combination" (three of the same decorative patterns 80), and a notification is issued that the target winning/losing lottery result is a jackpot (see FIG. 14(d-1)).

Based on this premise, if the operation means 70 is operated (see FIG. 14(b)) during a specified period when it is determined that a reversal effect will occur (the result of the target winning/losing lottery is a jackpot), the decorative pattern 80 that constitutes the "losing combination" will sway (moving more than the movement of a "pseudo stop") (see FIG. 14(c-1)). In other words, the decorative pattern 80 is the target image 30t, and the change of the decorative pattern 80 swaying is set as a specific event. Of course, even if the operation means 70 is operated (see FIG. 14(b)) during a specified period when a reversal effect will not occur (the result of the target winning/losing lottery is a losing one), such a change in the decorative pattern 80 (specific event) will not occur (see FIG. 14(c-2)). Also, if the operation means 70 is not operated during a specified period when a reversal effect will occur (the result of the target winning/losing lottery is a jackpot), such a change in the decorative pattern 80 (specific event) will not occur.

As described above, when the result of the target winning/losing lottery is a jackpot (a reversal effect occurs), a change from a "losing combination" to a "jackpot combination" occurs, and a specific event occurs that suggests that such a change will occur. In other words, by causing the decorative pattern 80 as the target image 30t to fluctuate as a specific event, a presentation mode is created that suggests that the combination of decorative patterns 80 will change (that the "losing combination" may change). This makes it easier for players who are encountering a specific event to sense that the specific event may suggest that a reversal effect will occur.

Specific example 3-5
In the above embodiment, the specific event is described as a change in the image (target image 30t) displayed in the display area 911 (a change that the player can visually perceive), but a configuration in which a change other than a change in the image occurs as the specific event may also be used. For example, a specific event may be set to be a change that the player can perceive auditorily, such as a predetermined sound effect being output from the speaker 75. Also, a specific event may be set to be a change that the player can perceive tactilely, such as air being sprayed from a predetermined part toward the player.

Specific example 3-6
Assume that the configuration is provided with multiple types of operation means 70. For example, assume that the configuration is provided with a first operation means 71 and a different second operation means 72 (see FIG. 1). On this premise, during a predetermined period when an unfavorable outcome (see FIG. 15(a)) occurs in a case where a reversal performance is determined to occur (see FIG. 15(d)) (the target winning/losing lottery result is a jackpot), a specific event does not occur (see FIG. 15(c-1)) when the first operation means 71 is operated (see FIG. 15(b-1)), but a specific event occurs (see FIG. 15(c-2)) when the second operation means 72 is operated (see FIG. 15(b-2)). In other words, the configuration is such that a specific event occurs when some of the operation means 70 out of the multiple types of operation means 70 are operated, but the specific event does not occur when other operation means 70 are operated. The reversal effect suggestion (occurrence of a specific event) does not prompt the player to operate the operating means 70, but can be considered a "hidden effect," so to speak. By implementing this example, gameplay is achieved in which the presence of the reversal effect suggestion is difficult to notice.

When doing as in this example, it is preferable to set the probability of occurrence of the second operation effect that prompts the player to operate the second operation means 72 lower than the probability of occurrence of the first operation effect that prompts the player to operate the first operation means 71 throughout the game. In other words, the second operation means 72 (second operation effect) is set to be a "rare" operation means 70 (a "rare" operation effect) compared to the first operation means 71 (first operation effect) (a setting in which, if the player plays continuously for a certain period of time, there are fewer opportunities to operate the second operation means 72 than the opportunities to operate the first operation means 71). In this case, a specific event will not occur unless the second operation means 72, which is a "rare" operation means 70, is operated, making it more difficult for the player to notice the presence of a reversal effect suggestion.

2-4) Specific Operation Presentation The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is capable of executing a specific operation presentation (see FIG. 16), which is a type of operation presentation that encourages the player to operate the operation means 70, as a presentation constituting the during-variation presentation. The specific operation presentation in this embodiment ultimately leads to a favorable ending (see FIG. 16(d-1)) that is favorable to the player, or an unfavorable ending (see FIG. 16(d-2)) that is unfavorable to the player. When a favorable ending is reached, the probability (reliability) that the winning/losing lottery result (hereinafter referred to as the target winning/losing lottery result in the explanation of "2-4) Specific Operation Presentation") corresponding to the during-variation presentation including the specific operation presentation will be a jackpot is higher than when an unfavorable ending is reached. In this embodiment, when an unfavorable ending is reached, the target winning/losing lottery result is determined to be a miss. On the other hand, when a favorable ending is reached, the target winning/losing lottery result may be a jackpot (it may be set to be a jackpot).

The specific operation presentation in this embodiment is a presentation in which the goal is to defeat an enemy character by operating the operation means 70. Ultimately defeating the enemy character is set as a favorable ending, and not defeating it is set as an unfavorable ending.

The specific operation presentation includes a first half and a subsequent second half. In the first half, the player is prompted to operate the operation means 70, and a change image 42 that changes according to the operation of the operation means 70 during the operation valid period (the period during which the operation of the operation means 70 is reflected in the presentation) is displayed. In this embodiment, the player is prompted to operate the operation means 70 continuously (continuous operation; if the operation means 70 is a push button, this is called "continuous hitting"). In the display area 911, an operation image 40 (the word "continuous hitting" or an image representing the operation means 70) indicating that continuous operation is required is displayed. A time image 52 (meter, etc.) indicating the operation valid period (the period until the first half ends) may be displayed (see FIG. 16(a)). In addition, the player may be prompted to operate the operation means 70 only once (single operation) or to maintain the state in which the operation means 70 is operated (maintenance operation; if the operation means 70 is a push button, this is called "long press").

In the first half, a change image 42 is displayed that changes in response to the operation of the operating means 70. In this embodiment, the change image 42 is an image that indicates the vitality (HP) of the enemy character. The change image 42 includes multiple image elements 421 at the start (initial state) of the specific operation presentation (first half). In this embodiment, in the initial state, a change image 42 including 10 image elements 421 is displayed (see FIG. 16(a)). In other words, it is indicated that the vitality of the enemy character to be defeated is "10". Note that the number of image elements 421 in the initial state may be variable. For example, the type of character that may appear as an enemy character may change each time, and the initial state vitality (the number of image elements 421) may be set according to the type of the enemy character.

In the first half, the image elements 421 are gradually decreased by operating the operation means 70. From the player's point of view, the operation means 70 is operated continuously to decrease the stamina of the enemy character. In this embodiment, a predetermined lottery (decreasing lottery) is executed each time the operation means 70 is operated, and the image elements 421 are decreased by "1" each time the decrement lottery is won (the image elements 421 may be decreased by "2" or more). If a maintenance operation is required in the first half, the decrement lottery may be executed each time a maintenance operation is performed for a predetermined period of time. If a single operation is required in the first half, the image elements 421 may be decreased to the limit number of elements, which will be described later, in response to the single operation.

In this embodiment, the change image 42 allows the initial value (=10) of the number of image elements 421 to be grasped. In other words, even if the image elements 421 are reduced, the change image 42 includes elements indicating that the initial value of the image elements 421 was 10. In this embodiment, the change image 42 has frame elements 422 that form 10 spaces, and the image elements 421 are arranged within the spaces (spaces partitioned by the frame elements 422). Even if the image elements 421 are reduced, the frame elements 422 remain (see FIG. 16(b)), so it is possible to grasp that the initial value was 10. In other words, it is possible to grasp how much the image elements 421 have reduced from the initial value (the progress of the reduction) even in the middle of the first half.

When it is decided that a specific operation presentation will be performed, the "limit element number" is determined in advance. In the first half, the number of image elements 421 will not be less than the "limit element number". For example, if it is determined that the "limit element number = 2", then once the number of image elements 421 reaches "2", the reduction lottery will not be performed (or will not result in a win even if it is performed).

The number of limiting elements indicates the likelihood that the specific operation presentation will end in a favorable outcome. In other words, the fewer the number of limiting elements, the higher the likelihood of a favorable outcome (the more the number of limiting elements, the higher the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome). In other words, the number of limiting elements is an element that indicates the outcome of a specific operation presentation. From the player's perspective, the more the enemy character's vitality is reduced in the first half of the presentation, the higher the likelihood that the enemy character will ultimately be defeated.

If the operation of the operating means 70 in the first half is insufficient, or if the player does not win many of the reduction lotteries, it is possible that the number of image elements 421 in the first half will not reach the limit number of elements (the number of image elements 421 at the end of the first half will exceed the limit number of elements). In this case, the player will not be able to grasp the exact limit number of elements, and so the effect of suggesting the ending described above will not be achieved. In other words, to enjoy the accurate ending suggestion effect, active operation of the operating means 70 is required.

In this embodiment, the limit number of elements will never be 0 in the first half. In other words, there is no possibility of the enemy character's vitality becoming 0 (defeating the enemy character) in the first half. The game moves to the ending through the second half, the details of which will be described later, and it is not clear whether the ending will be favorable or unfavorable in the first half. However, this does not deny the possibility of the limit number of elements being 0 in the first half (there are cases where the ending will be favorable in the first half).

The latter half is executed following the first half. In the latter half, the change image 42 at the end of the first half is highlighted and displayed. In this embodiment, the image elements 421 remaining at the end of the first half are enlarged and displayed. For example, if the number of image elements 421 remaining in the first half is "2" (see FIG. 16(b)), two image elements 421 are enlarged and displayed (see FIG. 16(c)). If the limit number of elements is reached in the first half (if the specific operation presentation has "limit number of elements = 2"), the two image elements 421 enlarged and displayed can be said to indicate the limit number of elements. As described above, the limit number of elements suggests the outcome of the specific operation presentation, so the number of image elements 421 enlarged and displayed in the latter half may suggest the outcome. Note that the size of the image elements 421 displayed in the latter half does not have to be constant as long as it is larger than that of the first half. The enlargement rate may differ depending on the number of remaining image elements 421.

In the latter half, the player is prompted to perform a single operation (operate once) of the operating means 70 (see FIG. 16(c)). If all the enlarged image elements 421 are erased (deleted), the game ends in an advantageous way in which the enemy character is defeated (the enemy character's vitality becomes "0") (see FIG. 16(d-1)), and if all the enlarged image elements 421 are not erased (at least one image element 421 remains), the game ends in an unfavorable way in which the enemy character is not defeated (see FIG. 16(d-2)). In other words, the latter half is a branching part that determines whether the enemy character's vitality, which was reduced in the first half, becomes "0" or not. The operation that the player is prompted to perform in the latter half does not have to be a single operation. However, since the latter half (see FIG. 16(c)) is the final branching part as to whether the game ends in an advantageous way or not, it is better to make the ending clear by a single operation. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment where the objective is to defeat an enemy character, the single operation in the latter half of the game is perceived by the player as a "final attack on the enemy character." Note that a valid operation period is also set in the latter half of the game, and if no single operation of the operation means 70 is performed during the valid operation period, the end of the valid operation period will trigger the conclusion (advantageous or unfavorable).

In this embodiment, when image element 421 is enlarged and displayed in the latter half, frame element 422 is erased (see FIG. 16(c)). After moving to the latter half, which is the final branch, it is considered that there is no need to clearly show how much image element 421 has decreased from its initial value (there is no need to show the intermediate progress of the phenomenon as in the first half), so frame element 422 is erased (changed image 42 excluding frame element 422 is enlarged and displayed).

In this way, the specific operation presentation in this embodiment includes a first half and a second half, and the change image 42 at the end of the first half is highlighted and displayed in the second half. It can be said that the change image 42 at the end of the first half indicates the "intermediate progress" of the specific operation presentation, and this intermediate progress is highlighted in the second half, making it an easy-to-understand presentation format.

In addition, the change image 42 in this embodiment includes multiple image elements 421 at the start of the specific operation presentation, and the first half of the presentation is one in which the image elements 421 decrease in number. As it becomes difficult to tell how many of these types of image elements 421 remain once the presentation has progressed to a certain extent, in this embodiment, the remaining image elements 421 are enlarged and displayed in the second half of the presentation.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, specific embodiments, modifications, etc., made to the above-mentioned specific operation presentations. Note that, to the extent possible, configurations may be made that apply a combination of multiple technologies described using the following specific examples.

Specific example 4-1
In the above embodiment, the specific operation presentation is described as a display in which the change image 42 at the end of the first half is emphasized in the second half, specifically, the image element 421 is enlarged and displayed, but the method of "emphasis" is not limited to that described in the above embodiment. For example, it is conceivable to make the color of the change image 42 (image element 421) at the end of the first half different from the color of the change image 42 displayed in the second half. Also, for example, it is conceivable to configure the number of image elements 421 at the end of the first half to be represented by "numbers" in the second half.

Specific example 4-2
If the number of image elements 421 does not reach the limit number of elements in the first half, the number of image elements 421 is forcibly reduced to the limit number of elements at the end of the first half (the change image 42 is changed). In other words, even if the number of image elements 421 does not reach the limit number of elements for reasons such as insufficient operation of the operation means 70 in the first half, the number of image elements 421 is forcibly reduced to the limit number of elements, and in the second half, the image elements 421 are always enlarged and displayed as the limit number of elements.

As mentioned above, the limit number of elements suggests the outcome of a specific operation presentation, and by doing as in this example, "the number of image elements 421 enlarged and displayed in the latter half = the limit number of elements", so that the number of image elements 421 highlighted and displayed in the latter half suggests the outcome regardless of the situation.

Specific example 4-3
Although the specific operation presentation in the above embodiment has been described as a presentation in which the changing image 42 including the image element 421 is displayed, the presentation may be a presentation in which the changing image 42 of another type is displayed as long as the image is changed in response to the operation of the operating means 70. For example, the following may be considered.

As the change image 42, an image including a numerical value (hereinafter referred to as the performance numerical value 42n) is displayed. In the first half of the specific operation performance, the performance numerical value 42n is gradually decreased by the operation of the operation means 70 (see Figs. 17(a) and (b)). For example, as in the above embodiment, the performance numerical value 42n is decreased when a reduction lottery executed in response to the operation of the operation means 70 is won. In addition, a limit numerical value is set each time the specific operation performance occurs, and in the first half, the performance numerical value 42n is prevented from falling below the limit numerical value. The limit numerical value indicates the outcome of the specific operation performance (for example, the lower the limit numerical value, the higher the probability of a favorable outcome is set).

In the latter half of the game, the performance value 42n at the end of the first half of the game (see FIG. 17(b)) is enlarged and displayed (see FIG. 17(c)). The player is then prompted to operate the operation means 70, and the performance value 42n being set to "0" by the operation of the operation means 70 as a favorable ending (see FIG. 17(d-1)), and not being set to "0" as an unfavorable ending (see FIG. 17(d-2)). (Note that "becoming "0"" here does not mean that "0" is displayed as it is, but includes a situation in which the performance value 42n is erased or another image that makes it look like "0" has been reached is displayed (see FIG. 17(d-1)). As in the above embodiment, it is preferable that the operation mode prompted to the player in the latter half of the game is a single operation. In other words, the operation means 70 is operated once during the operation effective period of the latter half of the game to indicate whether the performance value 42n is set to "0" (whether it is a favorable ending or not).

Specific example 4-4
A configuration is assumed in which a plurality of types of modes are set as the highlighting modes of the change image 42 (image element 421) shown in the latter half. For example, a first mode (see FIG. 18(a)) and a second mode (see FIG. 18(b)) in which the size of the image element 421 is larger than that in the first mode are set. Then, it is assumed that the probability of a favorable ending is higher when the change image 42 (image element 421) in the second mode is displayed in the latter half than when the change image 42 (image element 421) in the first mode is displayed. Strictly speaking, the number of image elements 421 remaining at the end of the first half also suggests the ending, so if the number of the image elements 421 is the same, the probability of a favorable ending is higher when the image elements 421 are enlarged and displayed in the second mode than when they are enlarged and displayed in the first mode.

By doing this, not only is it easy to understand because the changing image 42 (image element 421) is emphasized in the latter half, but the manner in which this emphasis is applied also provides a sense of playability in that the ending is suggested.

Specific example 4-5
Although the specific operation presentation in the above embodiment has been described as a presentation in which a change occurs in the first half in which the image elements 421 decrease, it may also be a presentation in which a change occurs in which the image elements 421 increase. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the image elements 421 reach a target number as a favorable outcome, and failure to reach the target number as an unfavorable outcome, and a specific operation presentation in which the player increases the image elements 421 by operating the operating means 70 toward the target number. As in the above embodiment, the image elements 421 remaining in the first half are enlarged and displayed in the second half.

2-5) Time Presentation In this embodiment, it is possible to execute a time presentation (see Figs. 19 to 21) as a presentation constituting the during-variation presentation. The time presentation suggests the probability (reliability) that the winning/losing lottery result (the winning/losing lottery result corresponding to the during-variation presentation including the time presentation, hereinafter referred to as the target winning/losing lottery result in the explanation of "2-5) Time Presentation") will be a jackpot, based on the number of times a specific event occurs within a specified time. In this embodiment, the setting is made so that the greater the number of times a specific event occurs, the higher the jackpot reliability. In other words, the specific event is a so-called chance-up (presentation), and the more times the time presentation occurs, the higher the expectation of a jackpot.

The specific event in this embodiment is the display of a specific image (hereinafter referred to as the opportunity image 50) at a specific position in the display area 911 (hereinafter, when simply referring to the display of the opportunity image 50, it refers to the image being displayed at the specific position). The more times the opportunity image 50 is displayed within the specified time (the number of times shown at the points in FIG. 21(c-1) and (c-2)), the higher the reliability. Between the start and end of the specified time (time-up), the timing at which the specific event can occur (hereinafter referred to as the specific timing) is set to X times. In other words, in the time presentation, the opportunity image 50 will be displayed a maximum of X times. Therefore, the most favorable result of the time presentation for the player is the opportunity image 50 being displayed X times. In this embodiment, X=5. Note that the value of X may be configured to change each time the time presentation occurs.

At the specific timing, an effect (teasing effect) (see Fig. 19(b), Fig. 20(a), Fig. 21(a)) occurs in which the opportunity image 50, which moves from the top of the display area 911 toward the center (see Fig. 19(a), Fig. 19(d), Fig. 20(c)), is likely to stop in the center (predetermined position). If the opportunity image 50 stops at the predetermined position (see Fig. 19(c-1), Fig. 20(b-1), Fig. 21(b-1)), a specific event occurs (this is considered to be a "success"). If the opportunity image 50 does not stop at the predetermined position and slides downward (moves outside the display area 911) (see Fig. 19(c-2), Fig. 20(b-2), Fig. 21(b-2)), this is not considered to be a specific event (this is considered to be a "failure"). In this way, the X number of specific timings is the number of chances for the opportunity image 50 to be displayed, and the focus of the effect is on how many of these opportunities result in a "success".

In this embodiment, while the time effect is being performed, the number of times the opportunity image 50 has already been displayed at that time is displayed in the display area 911 (hereinafter referred to as the number image 50n) (see Figures 19 to 21). It is also possible to configure the display so that such a number image 50n is not displayed.

In the time performance, a time image 52 is displayed to indicate the time lapse until the specified time is reached (end of the specified time) (see Figures 19 to 21). In this embodiment, the time image 52 has a meter section 521, which indicates the time lapse until the end of the specified time. In addition to the meter section 521, the time image 52 in this embodiment also has a remaining number display section 522. The remaining number display section 522 indicates the remaining number of specific timings at which a specific event may occur. In this embodiment, the remaining number is indicated by a "number", so the remaining number display section 522 includes a number that indicates the number. As described above, the specific timing set in the time performance is X = 5 times, so at the start of the specified time (before the first specific timing arrives), the remaining number display section 522 including the number "5" is displayed (see Figure 19 (a)). After that, each time a specific timing passes (each time the display of the opportunity image 50 changes to "success" or "failure"), the number in the remaining number display section 522 decreases (see Figures 19(d), 20(c), 21(c-1), and (c-2)). By looking at the number in the remaining number display section 522, the player can know how many chances there are left for the opportunity image 50 to be displayed.

In this embodiment, the remaining number of times display section 522 changes in accordance with the decrease in the meter section 521 (see Figures 19 to 21). The meter section 521 becomes smaller as the end of the specified time approaches, and the remaining number of times display section 522 is displayed so as to be attached to the end of the meter (the moving end of the meter). In this embodiment, since the moving end of the meter changes from left to right as time passes, the remaining number of times display section 522 also changes from left to right. Note that the time image 52 in this embodiment has a frame section that surrounds the meter section 521. The shape of the frame section is maintained even as time passes, and it can be said to indicate the size of the meter section 521 in the initial state (at the start of the specified time).

The time when the meter section 521 is at its minimum (disappears) is the end of the specified time. In this embodiment, the end of the specified time is set to approximately coincide with the end of the last specific timing. In other words, the remaining number display section 522 is set to "0" when the meter section 521 is at its minimum (disappears) (see Fig. 21 (c-1) and (c-2)). Note that it is also possible to set it so that such a "0" is not displayed. In other words, when "1" is displayed, the player can understand that there is one specific timing remaining, so it is also possible to set it so that there is no indication that there is no more specific timing. For example, the remaining number display section 522 may be erased when the meter section 521 is at its minimum (disappears).

In this way, the time presentation in this embodiment uses the time image 52 to show not only the remaining specified time, but also the remaining number of specific timings (chance opportunities at which the opportunity image 50 may be displayed), making it easier to understand the progress of the presentation (current situation). For example, if the meter unit 521 were configured to only show the remaining specified time, it would be possible to know how much time has passed (how much time is left), but not how many remaining chances there are. By using this embodiment, it becomes possible to know the number of chances along with the remaining specified time.

In addition, as in this embodiment, by making the remaining number of times display section 522 shift over time, it is possible to clearly indicate that the effect is that the remaining number of times at a specific timing decreases as time passes. In particular, in this embodiment, the remaining number of times display section 522 shifts in accordance with the decrease in the meter section 521, making it easier to understand that the remaining number of times at a specific timing decreases as time passes, and the player is less likely to overlook the fact that the remaining number of times is being displayed.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, specific embodiments, and modifications to the above-mentioned time-related aspects. Note that, to the extent possible, configurations may be created that apply a combination of multiple technologies described using the following specific examples.

Specific example 5-1
In the above embodiment, the time effect is described as a specific event when the chance image 50 is displayed at a predetermined position in the display area 911, but the content of the event can be changed in various ways as long as the number of occurrences indicates the result of the target winning/losing lottery. For example, the time effect is such that the fluctuating decorative pattern 80 (see FIG. 22(a)) temporarily stops pseudo-stop (see FIG. 22(c-1), (c-2)) and then changes again (see FIG. 22(d)). The combination of the decorative patterns 80 at the time of the pseudo-stop becomes a specific combination (so-called chance eye) that satisfies a predetermined rule (see FIG. 22(c-1)) as a specific event (not becoming a chance eye (becoming a non-chance eye) (see FIG. 22(c-2)) is not considered to be a specific event). The specific timing is the timing when the chance eye can be established, that is, the timing when the decorative pattern 80 stops pseudo-stop and becomes a chance eye or a non-chance eye. Each time the specific timing passes, the number in the remaining number display section 522 decreases (see FIG. 22(d)). In the example shown in Figure 22, when the decorative patterns 80 form a "sequential" combination from the left, it is considered a chance combination, and any other combination (excluding the jackpot combination) is considered a non-chance combination.

Although not shown, the time presentation may be configured as a so-called step-up presentation. For example, a step-up presentation may show the progress of the presentation by displaying an image showing each step (stage). A specific event may occur when an image of N stages is displayed, to an image of N+1 stages (next stage) is displayed. The specific timing is the timing at which such a change to the next stage image can occur. A configuration in which two or more step-ups can occur at one specific timing may also be used.

Specific example 5-2
A number-changing performance in which the remaining number display unit 522 changes may occur during the time performance (during the lapse of a specified time). For example, a number included in the remaining number display unit 522 may increase (see FIG. 23(c)) as a result of an image (action image 55) that acts on the remaining number display unit 522 being displayed (see FIG. 23(b)). When the number in the remaining number display unit 522 increases, at least the number of specific timings indicated by the number will occur during the remaining specified time (if the number-changing performance occurs again, the remaining number will increase). Note that the remaining number display unit 522 may always change when the action image 55 is displayed, or the remaining number display unit 522 may not necessarily change even if the action image 55 is displayed. In this way, a performance form in which the remaining number of times (specific timings) can be expected to increase during the performance is obtained.

When the number included in the remaining number display unit 522 increases, the meter unit 521 may also be configured to increase in size (the meter increases) (see the change from (b) to (c) in FIG. 23). An increase in the remaining number of times indicates that the number of times a specific timing occurs has increased, and this increase is accompanied by a change as if the time until the end of the specified time (time-up) has been extended. By doing this, the player will see that the time until time-up has been extended as a result of the increased number of chances. However, since the meter unit 521 only shows the player a rough "guideline" of the remaining time, this does not deny the possibility of a configuration in which the meter unit 521 does not change (continues to decrease) even if the number included in the remaining number display unit 522 increases.

Specific example 5-3
The state of the remaining number of times display section 522 (the state of the part excluding the part (number) indicating the remaining number of times) indicates the result (occurrence of a specific event (success) or non-occurrence of a specific event (failure)) at a specific timing. For example, the "color" of the remaining number of times display section 522 may be configured to be a first state of "white" and a second state of "red," and the second state is more likely to result in a specific event occurring (success) at a specific timing than the first state (see FIG. 24(a)). A configuration in which three or more states are set may also be used.

In this example, the state of the remaining number of times display unit 522 may be the same throughout the time presentation (prescribed time), or may change during the time presentation. In the latter case, the probability of a specific event occurring at each specific timing that occurs multiple times through the time presentation can be suggested. Specifically, the state of the remaining number of times display unit 522 (in the above example, the "color") suggests the probability of a specific event occurring at the next specific timing. The end of the specific timing is then the trigger for the state (color) of the remaining number of times display unit 522 to change. For example, after the first specific timing occurs with the remaining number of times display unit 522 "5" in "red" (see FIG. 24(b-1)), the remaining number of times display unit 522 "4" may be in "white" at the second specific timing (see FIG. 24(b-2)). In this way, it is possible to clearly show the probability of a specific event occurring that changes at each specific timing.

Specific example 5-4
In the above embodiment, the remaining number display unit 522 has been described as displaying the remaining number of times at a specific timing until the end of the specified time in "numbers." However, it may not clearly display the remaining number in this way, but may instead display the number of remaining times. For example, it may display an approximate remaining number, such as "blue" when the remaining number is 5 to 4 times, "yellow" when the remaining number is 3 to 2 times, and "red" when the remaining number is 1 time. Note that the aspect of "displaying the remaining number of times by the remaining number display unit 522" includes not only an aspect in which the remaining number itself is clearly displayed in numbers, but also a configuration in which an approximate number of times (somewhat) is displayed as in this example.

Specific example 5-5
The time image 52 includes a portion (hereinafter referred to as a success count display portion 523) indicating the number of occurrences of a specific event instead of the remaining count display portion 522 (or together with the remaining count display portion 522) (see FIG. 25). As in the above embodiment, the success count display portion 523 is displaced in accordance with the decrease in the meter. If a specific event occurs at a specific timing, the number in the success count display portion 523 is increased by "1" (see the change from FIG. 25(a) to (b)). On the other hand, if a specific event does not occur even when a specific timing arrives, the number does not change (see the change from FIG. 25(b) to (c)). In this way, it is possible to grasp the number of specific events that have occurred up to the present time, together with the approximate remaining time, during the time performance.

Although not shown, the success count display unit 523 may indicate the approximate number of times a specific event has occurred, rather than clearly indicating the number with a number. For example, the success count display unit 523 may indicate the number of times a specific event has occurred, such as by displaying "blue" when the specific event has occurred 0-2 times, "green" when the specific event has occurred 3-4 times, and "red" when the specific event has occurred 5 times (such a configuration is also considered to fall within the category of "indicating the number of times a specific event has occurred").

2-6) Special effects (display mode of reserved patterns during special effects)
In this embodiment, a special effect (see FIG. 26(a)) may occur as an effect constituting the effect during the change. The special effect is a so-called reach effect. If the winning/losing lottery result corresponding to the effect during the change in which the special effect occurs (hereinafter referred to as the target winning/losing lottery result in the explanation of "2-6 special effect (display mode of reserved patterns during special effect)") is a big win, the special effect leads to an ending (winning ending) (see FIG. 26(a-2)) that is advantageous to the player, and if it is a loss, leads to an ending (losing ending) (see FIG. 26(a-3)) that is disadvantageous to the player. Note that the winning ending also includes a pattern in which it appears as if a losing ending has been reached but is then reversed (a reversal pattern ending). Note that the special effect may be of only one type, or may be of multiple types. It can also be said that the special effect is a chance-up effect in which the reliability of the winning/losing lottery result is higher when it occurs than when it does not occur.

The reserved pattern 10 has two modes: normal mode 10n and special mode 10s (see FIG. 26(b)). The normal mode 10n is the basic mode (mode in normal conditions) of the reserved pattern 10. When the reserved pattern 10 is displayed, it is almost always in the normal mode 10n. There may be only one type of normal mode 10n, or there may be multiple types.

The special mode 10s is a mode in which the corresponding winning/losing lottery result has a higher jackpot reliability than the normal mode 10n. In other words, it is a so-called "chance-up hold." There may be only one type of normal mode 10n, or there may be multiple types. In this embodiment, three types are set: a first special mode 101s (blue), a second special mode 102s (green), and a third special mode 103s (red) (note that in the drawings, "color" is represented by letters). The jackpot reliability increases in this order (the third special mode 103s is the highest). The jackpot reliability of the first special mode 101s is higher than that of the normal mode 10n. A special mode 10s that guarantees a jackpot may be set.

As described above, in this embodiment, basically (when the special performance is not being performed), if there is corresponding winning/losing lottery information, the changing reserved pattern 11 and the pre-changing reserved pattern 12 are displayed as the reserved pattern 10. When the special performance is being performed, the reserved pattern 10 is controlled as follows.

The display of the changing reserved pattern 11 during the special performance differs depending on whether the mode is the normal mode 10n or the special mode 10s. During the special performance, the changing reserved pattern 11 of the special mode 10s is displayed (see FIG. 27(b-2)), but the changing reserved pattern 11 of the normal mode 10n is not displayed (see FIG. 27(b-1)). In other words, it is displayed if it is a so-called chance-up reserved pattern, but it is not displayed if it is a normal reserved pattern. In this embodiment, regardless of whether or not a special performance is being performed, the position where the changing reserved pattern 11 is displayed in the display area 911 is the same (see FIG. 27(a), (b-2)). Therefore, the player can understand that the reserved pattern 10 of the special mode 10s displayed during the special performance is the changing reserved pattern 11. The changing reserved pattern 11 corresponds to the target hit/miss lottery result notified at the end of the special performance, and if it is the normal mode 10n, it is not displayed because there is no need to show it to the player. On the other hand, if it is a special mode 10s, it is displayed to emphasize that it is a chance to increase. In particular, in a configuration in which multiple types of special mode 10s are set, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to allow the player to understand which type of special mode 10s it is in (the reliability of the hold).

On the other hand, the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is not displayed during the special effect, regardless of whether the mode is the normal mode 10n or the special mode 10s (see Fig. 27 (b-1) and (b-2)). In other words, during the special effect, the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is not displayed, although the pre-change reserved pattern 11 may be displayed. The occurrence of a special effect means that there is an expectation that the target hit/miss lottery result corresponding to the pre-change reserved pattern 11 will be a jackpot, so the pre-change reserved pattern 12, which is unrelated to the target hit/miss lottery result, is not displayed, allowing the player to concentrate on the outcome of the special effect (the target hit/miss lottery result).

In this way, in this embodiment, the pending pattern 11 during change is the target pending pattern, and during the special performance, the target pending pattern is displayed if it is in the special mode 10s, but is not displayed if it is in the normal mode 10n. On the other hand, the pending pattern 12 before change is not the target pending pattern, and is not displayed during the special performance regardless of whether it is in the normal mode 10n or the special mode 10s.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, specific embodiments, modifications, etc., made to the above-mentioned special effects (display modes of reserved symbols 10 during special effects). Note that, to the extent possible, a configuration may be made in which multiple techniques described using the following specific examples are combined and applied.

Specific example 6-1
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is not displayed during the special performance regardless of whether it is the normal mode 10n or the special mode 10s, but the pre-change reserved pattern 12 may be controlled in the same manner as the changing reserved pattern 11 (pre-change reserved pattern 12 is also set as the target reserved pattern). In other words, during the special performance, the pre-change reserved pattern 12 in the normal mode 10n is not displayed, but the pre-change reserved pattern 12 in the special mode 10s is displayed (see FIG. 28).

Even if a special effect occurs, the target winning/losing lottery result does not necessarily mean a big win (it may be a loss), and if it is considered that players are concerned about the winning/losing lottery results after the target winning/losing lottery result, it is preferable to display the pre-change reserved pattern 12 of the special mode 10s even during the special effect for the target winning/losing lottery result, as in this example. Note that the position (position in the display area 911) where the pre-change reserved pattern 12 of the special mode 10s displayed during the special effect is displayed should be the same as the position where the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is displayed when the special effect is not being executed (see the "blue" pre-change reserved pattern 12 in FIG. 28).

Specific example 6-2
Unlike the above embodiment and specific example 6-1, all of the pre-change reserved patterns 12 (regardless of whether they are the normal mode 10n or the special mode 10s) are displayed during the special performance. In other words, the pre-change reserved patterns 12 are displayed regardless of whether a special performance is in progress (see FIG. 29(b)). Doing as in this example is particularly effective when a change in the state of the pre-change reserved patterns 12 (so-called reserved change performance; see the change in FIG. 29(b)→(c)) occurs during the special performance. In other words, if a configuration is adopted in which a reserved change performance for the pre-change reserved patterns 12 can occur even during the special performance, it is preferable to display the pre-change reserved patterns 12 during the special performance.

Specific example 6-3
As described above, during the special performance, the pending pattern 11 (target pending pattern) of the normal mode 10n is not displayed. Therefore, when a special performance is started in a certain pending performance with the pre-changing pending pattern 12 of the normal mode 10n displayed (see FIG. 30(a)), the pending pattern 11 is not displayed at least at the start of the special performance (see FIG. 30(b)). Even in this case, a performance in which the pending pattern 11 of the special mode 10s is displayed during the special performance (see FIG. 30(c)) may occur. In other words, it is assumed that there is a "pending pattern 11 of the normal mode 10n that is not displayed," and as a result of a pending change performance in which the pending pattern 11 of the normal mode 10n changes to the special mode 10s during the special performance (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a sudden pending change performance), the pending pattern 11 of the special mode 10s may be displayed.

By doing this, it is possible to show that the reliability of the variable reserved pattern 11 has increased even during the special performance that is transitioned to while the variable reserved pattern 11 of the normal mode 10n is displayed (it is possible to execute a chance-up performance using the reserved pattern 10). From the player's point of view, the variable reserved pattern 11 that was not displayed will suddenly be displayed (and will be displayed in the special mode 10s), which will be a surprising performance form.

When a sudden hold change effect occurs, it is preferable to generate an effect (hereinafter referred to as an occurrence notification effect) indicating that the effect has occurred (see FIG. 30(c)). Since a sudden hold change effect is a mode in which an undisplayed changing hold pattern 11 is suddenly displayed, it is necessary to make the player aware of its occurrence. In this embodiment, the occurrence notification effect is generated by outputting a predetermined sound effect from the speaker 75 (the occurrence notification effect will not be executed during a special effect unless a sudden hold change effect occurs). Although not shown, a predetermined image may be displayed in the display area 911 together with the sound effect.

The manner of the sound effect may be the same as that output during a normal reserve change presentation (a presentation in which the reserved pattern 10 in the actually displayed state changes state) that occurs when no special presentation is being executed. By doing this, a player who is familiar with normal reserve change presentations (a player who has heard the above sound effect) can understand that a reserve change presentation (a sudden reserve change presentation) has occurred, because the same sound effect is output when a sudden reserve change presentation occurs, even when the changing reserved pattern 11 in the normal state 10n is not displayed.

Specific example 6-4
As described in the above embodiment, even if the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is in the special mode 10s, it is not displayed during the special performance, but an alternative performance (hereinafter referred to as an alternative performance) is executed (see FIG. 31). The alternative performance is not executed during the special performance when all the pre-change reserved patterns 12 are in the normal mode 10n. Various specific modes of the alternative performance are considered. For example, it is considered that the lamp 58 provided in a position visible to the player is turned on (see FIG. 31(b)). Although not shown, as another example, it is considered that a predetermined image (an image dedicated to the alternative performance) is displayed in the display area 911. In this way, even if a special performance occurs in a state where the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is overlooked as being in the special mode 10s, it is possible to determine whether the pre-change reserved pattern 12 is in the special mode 10s or not based on the presence or absence of the alternative performance.

In the case of this example, the mode of the alternative performance may be different depending on the type of special mode 10s (not actually displayed). The first alternative performance occurs when the first special mode 101s (blue), the second alternative performance occurs when the second special mode 102s (green), and the third alternative performance occurs when the third special mode 103s (red). It is preferable that each alternative performance indicates the corresponding special mode 10s. For example, if the lighting of the lamp 58 described above is the alternative performance, the first alternative performance is blue, the second alternative performance is green, and the third alternative performance is red (the example shown in FIG. 31 is an example of "red"). In this way, it is possible to determine the type of special mode 10s that is not displayed based on the mode of the alternative performance. In addition, if two or more pre-change reserved patterns 12 are special patterns 10s, it is possible to set it to execute an alternative performance corresponding to the special pattern 10s with the highest reliability, or to execute an alternative performance corresponding to the special pattern 10s of the pre-change reserved pattern 12 that is consumed earliest among the two or more pre-change reserved patterns 12 in the special pattern 10s.

Specific example 6-5
Even if the changing reserved pattern 11 (target reserved pattern) becomes the special mode 10s, the changing reserved pattern 11 is not necessarily displayed during the special performance. In other words, when the special performance starts in a state where the changing reserved pattern 11 of the special mode 10s is displayed (see FIG. 32(a)), the display mode is either one of the display mode (mode described in the above embodiment) (see FIG. 32(b-1)) in which the changing reserved pattern 11 of the special mode 10s is displayed, or the non-display mode (see FIG. 32(b-2)) in which it is not displayed.

Whether the special effect is in a display form or a non-display form indicates the probability that the ending of the special effect will be an ending that is favorable to the player (a winning ending), in other words, the reliability of the jackpot. As an example, it is possible to set the reliability of the jackpot to be higher for the display form than for the non-display form. When the reserved pattern 11 is displayed during the change of the special mode 10s, it can be said that the special mode 10s is in a highlighted state, so the reliability of the jackpot is set to be higher in this state than in the non-display state.

3) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The matters described in the above embodiment can also be applied to other gaming machines, such as slot machines, except for the use of a configuration unique to pachinko gaming machines.

The presentation that suggests the probability (confidence of the jackpot) of the winning/losing lottery result described in the above embodiment being a "jackpot" can also be used to suggest the probability of a so-called "small jackpot."

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

・Method 1-1
A gaming machine comprising: an in-flight performance execution means for executing an in-flight performance from the start of the variation of a decorative pattern indicating a win/lose lottery result until the decorative pattern stops in a manner according to the win/lose lottery result; and a look-ahead performance execution means for executing a specific look-ahead performance which is started while a previous in-flight performance which is an in-flight performance prior to the start of a target in-flight performance which is the in-flight performance for a target win/lose lottery result is being executed, the specific look-ahead performance indicating the reliability, that is, the probability that the target win/lose lottery result will be a win, wherein the specific look-ahead performance includes a first half part which is executed during the previous in-flight performance and does not indicate the reliability, and a second half part which is executed during the target in-flight performance and indicates the reliability.
According to the above gaming machine, the first half part which does not suggest reliability is executed in the previous during-change performance, and the second half part which suggests reliability is executed in the target during-change performance, so it is easy to understand that the subject of the reliability suggestion by the specific pre-reading performance is the win/lose lottery result corresponding to the target during-change performance.

・Method 1-2
The gaming machine described in means 1-1 is characterized in that the reliability is higher when a second latter half mode different from the first latter half mode occurs as the mode of the latter half part of the specific pre-reading performance than when a first latter half mode occurs.
In this way, it is possible to have a configuration in which the level of reliability is suggested depending on the aspect of the latter half.

・Method 1-3
The specific pre-reading performance is characterized in that in the first half, predetermined first half characters are displayed, and in the second half, characters for the second half are displayed following the first half characters, and the second half characters are displayed in any one of a plurality of forms as the second half characters, as described in means 1-1 or 1-2.
By doing this, the specific look-ahead effect can be made to appear as a continuous effect extending from the first half characters to the second half characters.

・Method 1-4
A gaming machine described in any one of means 1-1 to 1-3, characterized in that it is possible to execute a non-specific look-ahead performance different from the specific look-ahead performance, and the non-specific look-ahead performance has the same appearance as the specific look-ahead performance up to the part corresponding to the first half, but the part corresponding to the second half is not executed.
By doing this, even if the first half of the effect occurs during the previous fluctuation effect, it is possible to realize a gameplay in which a reliability indication is not necessarily given.

・Method 1-5
The gaming machine described in means 1-4 is characterized in that the reliability is higher when the specific pre-reading performance occurs than when the non-specific pre-reading performance occurs.
By doing this, a gameplay is realized in which the player expects the latter part of the effect to occur in the target changing performance after the first part of the effect has occurred in the previous changing performance.

・Method 2-1
A gaming machine comprising: an during-change performance execution means for executing a during-change performance from the start of the change of a decorative pattern indicating the result of a win/lose lottery until the decorative pattern stops in a manner according to the result of the win/lose lottery; a display means for displaying, among the win/lose lottery information used for the win/lose lottery, as during-change reserved patterns, those for which the corresponding during-change performance has started but the notification of the win/lose lottery result has not been completed, and those for which the corresponding during-change performance has not started, as pre-change reserved patterns; and an image performance execution means for executing an image performance in which a performance image overlapping both the during-change reserved pattern and the pre-change reserved pattern is displayed on the display means, the performance image being displayed so as to overlap behind one of the during-change reserved pattern and the pre-change reserved pattern and in front of the other.
According to the gaming machine, the currently changing reserved pattern and the pre-changing reserved pattern appear to be shifted forward and backward, making it easy to distinguish between the two reserved patterns.

・Method 2-2
The gaming machine described in means 2-1 is characterized in that the presentation image is displayed so as to overlap the rear side of the pending pattern during the change and the front side of the pending pattern before the change.
By doing this, the pending pattern that corresponds to the current change (the pending pattern for the so-called "change in question") is positioned in the foreground and highlighted.

・Method 2-3
The gaming machine described in Means 2-1 or 2-2 is characterized in that the presentation image changes from a state in which it is superimposed on only one of the currently changing reserved pattern and the pre-changing reserved pattern to a state in which it is superimposed on both.
By doing this, the presentation image appears as if it is entering the space (the space before and after) between the pending pattern during the change and the pending pattern before the change.

・Method 2-4
A gaming machine described in any one of means 2-1 to 2-3, characterized in that, when the image presentation occurs, the aspect of one of the currently changing reserved pattern and the pre-changing reserved pattern may not change, but the aspect of the other may change.
In the image production, either the pending pattern during the change or the pending pattern before the change is covered with the production image. By using this, the state of the pending pattern covered by the production image may be changed (the image production can be used to generate a so-called "pending change").

Measure 3-1
The gaming machine is equipped with an operating means that can be operated by a player, a specific performance execution means that executes a specific performance that leads to a favorable ending indicating that the player is in a favorable situation or an unfavorable ending indicating that the player is in an unfavorable situation, as a performance that constitutes the performance during the change from when the decorative pattern indicating the result of the win/lose lottery starts to change to when the decorative pattern stops in a manner corresponding to the result of the win/lose lottery, and a reversal performance execution means that executes a reversal performance that reverses the fact that the unfavorable ending has been reached, as a performance that constitutes the specific performance, and is characterized in that if a specific event occurs as a result of operating the operating means during a specified period during which operation of the operating means is not prompted, which is set when the unfavorable ending is reached, the probability of the reversal performance occurring is higher than if the specific event did not occur.
The gaming machine provides an interesting gameplay in which the likelihood of a reversal performance occurring is suggested depending on whether or not a specific event occurs when the operating means is operated during a specified period when an unfavorable outcome is reached (the likelihood of a reversal performance occurring is suggested only when the operating means is operated in a situation where no operation is prompted).

Measure 3-2
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein, when the specific event occurs, the occurrence of the reversal effect is confirmed.
In this way, a game feature is realized in which it is possible to know whether or not a reversal effect will occur depending on whether or not a specific event occurs when the operating means is operated during a predetermined period of time.

Measure 3-3
The gaming machine described in claim 1, characterized in that the probability of the reversal effect occurring is higher when a second specific event different from the first specific event occurs as the specific event than when a first specific event occurs.
By doing so, even if a specific event occurs as a result of operating the operating means, gameplay is realized in which the player focuses their attention on what specific event will occur.

Measures 3-4
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the specific event is a change that occurs in the target image displayed during the specified period that would not occur if the operating means was not operated.
In this way, the occurrence of a specific event can be visually grasped.

Measure 3-5
During the predetermined period, the decorative pattern is displayed in a manner indicating a loss,
5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the specific event is a predetermined action of the decorative symbols triggered by the operation of the operating means.
In this way, certain events may suggest that the "outlier pattern" may be overturned.

・Method 4-1
A gaming machine comprising: an operating means operable by a player; and a specific operation presentation execution means for executing a specific operation presentation which prompts the player to operate the operating means and in which a changing image which changes in response to the operation of the operating means is displayed, the specific operation presentation including a first half portion followed by a second half portion, and the changing image at the end of the first half portion is displayed in an emphasized manner in the second half portion.
The specific operation presentation is easy to understand in that the state of the changing image at the end of the first half (in the middle of the specific operation presentation) is highlighted in the second half.

Measure 4-2
The gaming machine described in means 4-1 is characterized in that the changing image includes a plurality of image elements at the start of the specific operation presentation, the first half of the specific operation presentation is one in which the image elements gradually decrease due to operation of the operating means, and the second half of the specific operation presentation is one in which the image elements remaining at the end of the first half are enlarged and displayed.
This provides a presentation form that allows the number of image elements remaining in the first half to be easily grasped.

Measure 4-3
The gaming machine described in means 4-2 is characterized in that the specific operation presentation is set such that the disappearance of the image element enlarged and displayed in the latter half portion by a single operation of the operating means is an ending favorable to the player, and the absence of the disappearance is an ending unfavorable to the player.
In this way, whether or not the remaining image elements in the first half can be eliminated is a branching factor in whether or not a favorable ending will be achieved.

Measure 4-4
The gaming machine described in means 4-1 is characterized in that the changing image includes a numerical value for a performance, the first half of the specific operation performance is one in which the numerical value for a performance gradually decreases by operating the operating means, and the second half of the specific operation performance is one in which the numerical value for a performance at the end of the first half is displayed in an enlarged form.
This results in a presentation format that allows the presentation numerical values at the end of the first half to be easily grasped.

Measures 4-5
The specific operation presentation is characterized in that the presentation value displayed in an enlarged manner in the latter half of the game is set so that a result advantageous to the player is achieved when the presentation value becomes 0 with a single operation of the operating means, and a result unfavorable to the player is achieved when the presentation value does not become 0.
In this way, whether or not the remaining performance value in the first half can be made "0" determines whether or not a favorable ending will be achieved.

Measure 5-1
The gaming machine is provided with an effect execution means for executing a time effect which suggests the likelihood of the result of a win/lose lottery being a win based on the number of times a specific event occurs within a specified time, the time effect displaying a time image showing the passage of time until the specified time is reached, the time image including a remaining number display section which shows the remaining number of times at a specific timing at which the specific event is likely to occur.
According to the gaming machine, the time image shows not only the remaining time of the specified time but also the remaining number of times at a specific timing, so that the progress of the presentation (current situation) can be easily understood.

Measure 5-2
The gaming machine described in Means 5-1 is characterized in that the time image is one in which the remaining number of times display section changes over time.
In this way, it is possible to clearly show that the remaining number of times at a specific timing decreases over time.

Measure 5-3
The gaming machine described in Means 5-2 is characterized in that the time image includes a meter section that decreases over time, and the remaining number of times display section displaces in accordance with the decrease in the meter section.
By doing so, it becomes easier to understand that the remaining number of times at a specific timing decreases as time passes, and the player is less likely to overlook the fact that the remaining number of times is being displayed.

Measure 5-4
The gaming machine according to any one of means 5-1 to 5-3, wherein the remaining number display unit indicates the remaining number of times at the specific timing by a numerical value.
This provides a presentation that allows the player to clearly grasp the remaining number of plays.

Measure 6-1
A gaming machine comprising: a special effect execution means for executing a special effect which, when a special effect occurs, is more likely to result in a winning or losing lottery result than when the special effect does not occur, as an effect constituting an effect during the change from when the decorative pattern indicating the result of a winning or losing lottery starts to change until the decorative pattern stops in a manner according to the result of the winning or losing lottery; and a display means for displaying, as a reserved pattern, win/lose lottery information used in the win/lose lottery for which notification of the corresponding win/lose lottery result has not been completed; and, as the manner of the target reserved pattern which is the reserved pattern, one or more normal manners and one or more special manners which indicate a higher probability that the corresponding win/lose lottery result will be a winning lottery than the normal manners are set, and during the special effect, the target reserved pattern in the special manner is displayed, but the target reserved pattern in the normal manner is not displayed.
According to the gaming machine, the reserved symbols in the normal mode are not displayed during the special performance, so that the player can concentrate on the special performance.

Measure 6-2
The gaming machine described in means 6-1 is characterized in that the special performance is a reach performance that leads to a winning outcome if the result of the win/lose lottery is a winning outcome, and leads to a losing outcome if the result is a losing outcome.
Since the reach effect is an effect that players should pay particular attention to, it is advisable to prevent the reserved symbols in the normal mode from being displayed.

Measure 6-3
The gaming machine described in means 6-1 or 6-2 is characterized in that the reserved patterns are divided into during-change reserved patterns, which are patterns for which the corresponding during-change performance has started but the notification of the result of the win/lose lottery has not been completed, and pre-change reserved patterns, which are patterns for which the corresponding during-change performance has not started, among the win/lose lottery information used for the win/lose lottery, and the target reserved patterns are the during-change reserved patterns, and during the special performance, the pre-change reserved patterns are not displayed regardless of their state.
There is no problem if the pre-changing reserved pattern, which corresponds to the winning/losing lottery result unrelated to the currently running special performance, is not displayed regardless of the state, and it is sufficient if the pre-changing reserved pattern related to the special performance is displayed only when it is in a special state.

Measure 6-4
A gaming machine described in any one of means 6-1 to 6-3, characterized in that the special effect is started when the target reserved pattern is in the normal mode, and the target reserved pattern in the special mode can be displayed during the special effect even if the target reserved pattern is not displayed.
By doing this, it is possible to execute a chance-up effect (equivalent to a hold change effect) using the reserved symbols during the special effect.

1 gaming machine 10 reserved pattern 11 changing reserved pattern 12 pre-changing reserved pattern 10n normal mode 10s special mode 101s first special mode 102s second special mode 103s third special mode 15 first half character 16 second half character 161 first second half character 162 second second half character 20 performance image 30 unfavorable ending image 30t target image 31 favorable ending image 40 operation image 42 change image 421 image element 422 frame element 42n performance value 50 good chance image 50n number of times image 52 time image 521 meter section 522 remaining number of times display section 523 success number of times display section 55 action image 58 lamp 70 operation means 71 first operation means 72 second operation means)
75 Speaker 80 Decorative pattern 91 Display device 911 Display area

Claims (1)

An operation means operable by a player;
A specific performance execution means for executing a specific performance leading to a favorable ending indicating that the player is in an advantageous situation or an unfavorable ending indicating that the player is in an unfavorable situation as a performance constituting a performance during the variation from the start of the variation of the decorative symbols indicating the result of the lottery to the stop of the decorative symbols in a manner according to the result of the lottery;
A reversal effect execution means for executing a reversal effect in which the unfavorable ending is reversed as a performance constituting the specific performance;
Equipped with
A gaming machine characterized in that, when a specific event occurs in which the decorative pattern performs a predetermined action as a result of operation of the operating means during a predetermined period during which operation of the operating means is not prompted and the decorative pattern is displayed in a manner indicating a miss, which is set when the unfavorable ending is reached, the probability of the reversal performance occurring is higher than if this event did not occur.
However, if the operating means is not operated during the predetermined period, the predetermined action of the decorative pattern does not occur.

Images