JP7481727B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines whether or not to execute a special game and executes a presentation based on the result of that determination.

In conventional gaming machines, when a gaming ball enters a starting hole and it is determined whether or not a special game will be executed, the special symbol is displayed variably on the special symbol display device, and then a special symbol is displayed stationary in a manner that indicates the result of the determination. In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, a decorative symbol is displayed variably on a specified image display device as the display of the special symbol begins to variably, and as the special symbol is displayed stationary, the decorative symbol is displayed stationary in a manner that indicates the result of the determination.

JP 2014-183903 A

However, conventional gaming machines have room for improvement in terms of making the presentation more entertaining.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can improve the entertainment value of the presentation.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.
The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a determination means for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to a player, a special game execution means for executing one of a plurality of special games based on the determination result of the determination means, and an effect control means for executing an effect, and the effect control means is capable of executing a variable effect, a predetermined effect that can be executed at a plurality of timings during the variable effect, and a specific effect that displays a pattern with reduced visibility and then a pattern with increased visibility, and the variable effect includes a first effect, a second effect having a higher expectation that the special game will be executed than the first effect, and a third effect that displays a pattern in a manner indicating that the special game will not be executed, and the effect patterns of the variable effect include a first effect in which neither the second effect nor the third effect is executed after the first effect is executed. There are an output pattern, a second presentation pattern in which the first presentation is executed and then the second presentation is executed, and then the third presentation is not executed, and a third presentation pattern in which the first presentation is executed and then the second presentation is executed, and then the third presentation is executed; when a predetermined presentation is executed during the first presentation, it suggests that the expectation that the special game will be executed is relatively high, and when a predetermined presentation is executed during the third presentation, it suggests that the predetermined special game will be executed, there is a higher probability that the first presentation will progress to the second presentation when a predetermined presentation is executed during the first presentation than when a predetermined presentation is not executed during the first presentation, and when a predetermined presentation is executed during the first presentation, a specific presentation is not executed in response to the execution of the predetermined presentation, and when a predetermined presentation is executed during the third presentation, a specific presentation is executed in response to the execution of the predetermined presentation .

This invention makes it possible to improve the entertainment value of the presentation.

Schematic front view of the gaming machine 1 FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance button 26. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device provided in the gaming machine 1. An explanatory diagram for explaining special pattern determination. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the execution ratio of group performances during re-selection performances; A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main RAM 103 and various information stored in the main RAM 103. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a presentation mode for a time-saving state. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example from when the big win symbol C is stopped and displayed in the first win to when the mode selection performance starts. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of a mode selection presentation; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of transition to a new chapter mode via a mode selection performance; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the execution ratio of group performances during reach performances; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state when the first rotation of the variable display in the new chapter mode is started; FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining reach effects following FIG. 13 . FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a re-lottery performance; FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the effect following FIG. 14(E). FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of a countdown effect. An explanatory diagram for explaining a production pattern in which a panel image is displayed in a character stock production An explanatory diagram for explaining a process for determining a presentation pattern of a character stock presentation, which is executed in the presentation control board 130 in response to receiving a fluctuation start command or a hold command (both of which will be described later) from the game control board 100. An explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of a character stock performance until four reserves of the second special pattern judgment are accumulated. An explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of a character stock performance after four reserves of the second special pattern judgment are accumulated. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the character stock effect following FIG. 21 . FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the start of a battle development performance. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining display areas 81b to 85b of character icons 81 to 85 during a battle performance. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of a battle progression performance developing into a battle performance; FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of a battle effect following FIG. 25 . FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of a battle effect following FIG. 26; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the change performance after the battle performance in which characters A to D are defeated by the enemy five times is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mode selection performance when the small winning symbol 2 is drawn in the new chapter mode. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mode selection presentation following FIG. 29 . FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance up to the start of a big win game when a small win symbol 1 is drawn in the story mode. An explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a transition to a demon rush after a round performance in accordance with the story mode. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance up to the start of a big win game when a small win symbol 1 is drawn in the battle mode. An explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance transitioning to a demon rush after a round performance in accordance with the battle mode. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance when the small winning symbol 1 is drawn in the Devil Rush. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance up to the start of a big win game when a small win symbol 3 is drawn in the Devil Rush. An explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a performance in which, when the small winning pattern 3 is drawn in the devil rush, the game transitions to the story mode after a round performance in accordance with the devil rush. A flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt process executed in the game control board 100. Detailed flow chart of the switch process in step S2 of FIG. 38. Detailed flowchart of the first start port switch processing in step S21 of FIG. 39 Detailed flow chart of the second start port switch processing in step S22 of FIG. Detailed flow chart of special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the big win determination process in step S309 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the fluctuation pattern determination process in step S310 of FIG. Detailed flow chart of the small prize opening control process in step S6 of FIG. Detailed flow chart of the big prize opening control process in step S7 of FIG. A flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt process executed in the performance control board 130. Detailed flow chart of the command receiving process in step S10 of FIG. 47 Detailed flow chart of the hold command receiving process in step S13 of FIG. 48 Detailed flow chart of fluctuation start command reception processing in step S15 of FIG. 48

Below, we will explain the gaming machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, with appropriate reference to the drawings.

[Example of schematic configuration of gaming machine 1]
First, the schematic configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the gaming machine 1. As illustrated in Figure 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a gaming board 2 on which are provided accessories related to winning and judgment, and a frame member 3 that supports and fixes the gaming board 2. The frame member 3 supports a transparent glass plate that is arranged parallel to the gaming board 2 at a predetermined distance, and the glass plate and the gaming board 2 form a gaming area 10 in which gaming balls can flow down.

When a player grips the handle 20 and rotates the lever 21 clockwise, the game balls stored in the upper tray 28 are guided to a launching device (not shown) and launched into the play area 10 with a force that corresponds to the rotation angle of the handle 20. This play area 10 is provided with game nails, windmills, etc. (not shown), and the launched game balls are guided to an upper position in the play area 10 and fall along the play board 2 while changing their direction of movement as they come into contact with the game nails, windmills, etc. The launch of the game balls can be temporarily stopped by the player operating the stop button 22.

The upper tray 28 stores the game balls and prize balls to be supplied to the launching device. Below this upper tray 28, a lower tray 29 is provided for storing prize balls. When a player operates the ejection button 23 located adjacent to this lower tray 29, a portion of the underside of the lower tray 29 is opened, and the game balls stored in the lower tray 29 fall into a box (not shown) located below the lower tray 29.

When a player performs a so-called "left hit" by rotating the handle 20 at a small rotation angle, the game ball is hit with a relatively weaker force. In this case, the game ball flows down the left side of the game area 10 as shown by arrow 31. On the other hand, when a player performs a so-called "right hit" by rotating the handle 20 at a large rotation angle, the game ball is hit with a relatively stronger force. In this case, the game ball flows down the right side of the game area 10 as shown by arrow 32.

In the path of a game ball hit from the left, a first start hole 11 and three regular winning holes 14 are provided as devices related to winning and judgment. In addition, in the path of a game ball hit from the right, a second start hole 12, a large winning hole 13, a regular winning hole 14, a gate 16, an electric tulip 17, and a small winning hole 19 are provided as devices related to winning and judgment. When a player hits from the left, the game ball will not basically win in the second start hole 12, and when a player hits from the right, the game ball will not basically win in the first start hole 11.

The game balls shot into the game area 10 may enter any of the first start opening 11, second start opening 12, large prize opening 13, normal prize opening 14, and small prize opening 19 as they flow down along the game board 2, and win a prize. If a ball wins a prize, a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to the winning location are paid out to the upper tray 28 or lower tray 29. Game balls that do not win a prize are discharged from the game area 10 via the discharge opening 18.

The first starting hole 11 is a starting hole that is always open. The second starting hole 12 is a starting hole that is only open when an electric tulip 17, which is a normal electric device, is operating. The electric tulip 17 is disposed close to the second starting hole 12 and has a pair of blade members. This electric tulip 17 is configured to be able to change its position between a closed position (see the solid line in FIG. 1) in which the pair of blade members closes the second starting hole 12, and an open position (see the dashed line in FIG. 1) in which the second starting hole 12 is opened. When the electric tulip 17 is in the open position, it gathers game balls hit to the right toward the second starting hole 12.

In this embodiment, the second starting hole 12 is normally blocked by the electric tulip 17 in a closed position. When the game ball passes through the gate 16, a prize ball is not paid out, but it is determined whether or not to open the second starting hole 12. In the following description, the determination performed on the condition that the game ball passes through the gate 16 is called a "normal pattern determination". When a normal pattern determination is performed, a normal pattern is displayed variably on the normal pattern display 45 (see FIG. 4), and then a normal pattern indicating the determination result of the normal pattern determination is displayed stationary. The normal pattern indicating the determination result of the normal pattern determination includes a normal pattern indicating that the second starting hole 12 is to be opened and a normal pattern indicating that the second starting hole 12 is not to be opened. When a normal pattern indicating that the second starting hole 12 is to be opened is displayed stationary, a pair of wing members of the electric tulip 17 maintains an open position for a specified time and then returns to a closed position a specified number of times. On the other hand, if a normal pattern is displayed, indicating that the second starting hole 12 is not to be opened, the electric tulip 17 does not open but remains in the closed position.

The probability of determining that the second starting hole 12 is opened in the normal pattern determination includes a time-saving state (e.g., 1/1) and a non-time-saving state (e.g., 1/256) in which the probability is lower than that in the time-saving state. The normal pattern change time in this embodiment is the same regardless of whether the state is time-saving or non-time-saving (e.g., 0.4 seconds). The time during which the electric tulip 17 is controlled to the open position (i.e., the opening time of the second starting hole 12) is longer in the time-saving state than in the non-time-saving state. Specifically, for example, when a normal pattern indicating that the second starting hole 12 is to be opened is displayed in a stopped state in the time-saving state, the second starting hole 12 is opened once for only 5 seconds. In this embodiment, if the player hits to the right in the time-saving state, the game ball easily enters the second starting hole 12. When a normal pattern indicating that the second starting hole 12 is to be opened is displayed in a stopped state in the non-time-saving state, the second starting hole 12 is opened once for only 0.2 seconds. In this embodiment, even if the player continues to hit to the right in the non-time-saving state, the second starting hole 12 will immediately return to a closed position even if it is in an open position. For this reason, in the non-time-saving state, the game ball cannot basically enter the second starting hole 12. Therefore, it is not very realistic to aim at the second starting hole 12 in the non-time-saving state, and the player hits to the left aiming at the first starting hole 11 in the non-time-saving state. Also, in the time-saving state, the player hits to the right aiming at the second starting hole 12. Note that the change time of the normal pattern may be shorter in the non-time-saving state than in the time-saving state. For example, the change time of the normal pattern in the time-saving state may be 0.4 seconds, and the change time of the normal pattern in the non-time-saving state may be 25 seconds.

In the gaming machine 1, when the gaming ball passes through the first start hole 11 and wins, or when the gaming ball passes through the second start hole 12 and wins, it is determined whether or not to execute a jackpot game (special game) advantageous to the player. In the following description, the determination performed on the condition that the gaming ball wins in the first start hole 11 is called the "first special pattern determination", and the determination performed on the condition that the gaming ball wins in the second start hole 12 is called the "second special pattern determination". In addition, these determinations are collectively called "special pattern determination". When the first special pattern determination is performed, the first special pattern is displayed in a variable manner on the first special pattern display 41 (see FIG. 3), and then the first special pattern indicating the determination result is displayed in a static manner. When the second special pattern determination is performed, the second special pattern is displayed in a variable manner on the second special pattern display 42 (see FIG. 3), and then the second special pattern indicating the determination result is displayed in a static manner.

As the first special symbols that indicate the result of the first special symbol determination, jackpot symbols A to C indicating a jackpot and a miss symbol indicating a miss are prepared in advance. In addition, as the second special symbols that indicate the result of the second special symbol determination, jackpot symbols D to F, small win symbols 1 to 3 indicating a small win, and a miss symbol are prepared in advance. Unlike the second special symbols, the first special symbols do not have small win symbols (i.e., the probability of a small win is 0%). The probability of a jackpot being determined by the special symbol determination is the same regardless of the starting hole that was won and the game state (for example, about 1/319, see Figures 5 (A) and (B)).

When any of the jackpot symbols A through F, which indicate a jackpot, is displayed, a jackpot game is played following this display. In the jackpot game, a plate that blocks the jackpot opening 13 is activated. This opens the jackpot opening 13, which is normally closed. By allowing a game ball to enter the jackpot opening 13 during the jackpot game, the player can obtain more prize balls than when the jackpot game is not being played.

A plurality of opening patterns of the large prize opening 13 are prepared in advance, and which opening pattern the large prize opening 13 will be opened in is determined uniquely by the type of the jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed. In this embodiment, when the jackpot symbols A to F are stopped and displayed, a round game in which the large prize opening 13 is opened is played multiple times until a predetermined condition (in this embodiment, the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 13 reaches 10, or 29.5 seconds have passed since the large prize opening 13 was opened) is met. When the jackpot symbols A to F are stopped and displayed, the opening time of the large prize opening 13 during one round game (hereinafter referred to as "1R") is sufficient for the player to enter 10 game balls into the large prize opening 13. Note that the opening time of the large prize opening 13 during 1R when the jackpot symbols A to F are stopped and displayed is not limited to the above-mentioned time, and may be any predetermined time (specifically, a time of 29.5 seconds or less and more than 1.8 seconds).

The jackpot pattern C is a 7R jackpot. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the player basically hits the first jackpot by the first special pattern judgment. The first jackpot is the first jackpot game that occurs after starting the game. As shown in the "First Special Pattern" row of FIG. 5(C), jackpot pattern C accounts for 85% of jackpots based on the first special pattern judgment. For this reason, most first jackpots are jackpot pattern C.

Here, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is initially set to a non-time-saving state. Then, when a jackpot game (note that the game state is in a non-time-saving state) is played, the game is set to the time-saving state at the end of the game. If a jackpot game is not played, the game is not set to the time-saving state and remains in the non-time-saving state. When the game is set to the time-saving state at the end of a jackpot game, the game is controlled in the time-saving state until the variable display related to the second special pattern determination for the number of times corresponding to the jackpot pattern that triggered the jackpot game is completed (see FIG. 5(C)). In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, multiple presentation modes are prepared in advance for the time-saving state. Each presentation mode executes a different presentation. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the player can select the presentation mode after the jackpot game ends so that the player can aim for a small win with a presentation according to his/her preference.

In the case of jackpot pattern C, immediately after the jackpot game, the game will switch to night mode or new chapter mode (note that the game state is in time-saving state), and will be controlled in time-saving state until the variable display related to the three second special pattern judgments ends (see Figures 5 (C) and 8 (A)). Night mode and new chapter mode are presentation modes that aim for a small win by making a total of seven second special pattern judgments, consisting of three second special pattern judgments and four pending second special pattern judgments. Immediately after the jackpot game related to jackpot pattern C, the game will switch to either night mode or new chapter mode, whichever presentation mode the player selected during the jackpot game.

The jackpot pattern B is a 7R jackpot, the jackpot pattern E is an 8R jackpot, and the jackpot pattern F is a 5R jackpot. In the case of the jackpot pattern B, E, or F, the game will transition to the battle mode or story mode (time-saving game mode) immediately after the jackpot game, and will be controlled in the time-saving mode until the variable display related to the 13 second special pattern judgments ends (see Figure 5 (C) and Figure 8 (A)). The battle mode and story mode are presentation modes that aim for a small jackpot by 13 second special pattern judgments and 4 reserved second special pattern judgments, for a total of 17 second special pattern judgments. Immediately after the jackpot game related to the jackpot pattern B, E, or F, the game will transition to the presentation mode selected by the player during this jackpot game, out of the battle mode and the story mode. In the following explanation, the battle mode and the story mode will be collectively referred to as "Girl Rush".

The jackpot patterns A and D are 10R jackpots, and in this embodiment, they are the jackpots that give the player the most prize balls. When a jackpot game is executed triggered by the stop display of jackpot pattern A or D, the game transitions to God Rush or Devil Rush (note that the game state is in a time-saving state) immediately after the jackpot game, and the game is controlled in the time-saving state until the variable display related to the 100 second special pattern judgments ends (see Figures 5 (C) and 8 (A)). God Rush and Devil Rush are presentation modes that aim for a small jackpot by 100 second special pattern judgments and 4 reserved second special pattern judgments, for a total of 104 second special pattern judgments.

God Rush is a group A presentation mode whose presentation content is related to Night Mode and Battle Mode. The presentation of Group A is based on, for example, a TV anime broadcast on terrestrial television. Devil Rush is a group B presentation mode whose presentation content is related to New Chapter Mode and Story Mode. The presentation of Group B is based on, for example, a movie version of the TV anime. In this embodiment, in order to give a special feeling to God Rush and Devil Rush, the player cannot select God Rush and Devil Rush, and a configuration is adopted in which the presentation mode of the same group as the presentation mode in the previous time-saving state is automatically determined. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, information on which presentation mode has been determined each time a presentation mode is determined is stored in the sub-RAM 133 (described later) of the presentation control board 130. Based on this information, it is determined which presentation mode of God Rush or Devil Rush will be executed. Note that God Rush is the first hit.

If a losing symbol or a small win symbol indicating a small win is displayed as a result of the special symbol determination, the big win game will not be played following this display. Specifically, if a losing symbol is displayed, the next special symbol determination will be played after this display. If any of small win symbols 1 to 3 is displayed on the display 4, the small win game will be played following this display (see FIG. 5 (D)). In the small win game, the plate that blocks the small win opening 19 is activated. This opens the small win opening 19, which is normally closed.

The plate blocking the small winning hole 19 has the letter "V" written on it (see FIG. 1). This letter indicates the position of the V winning hole switch 116b provided inside the small winning hole 19. Here, the periphery of the small winning hole 19 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material. Therefore, the player can see inside the small winning hole 19 regardless of whether the small winning hole 19 is open or closed. Specifically, the small winning hole switch 116a, the V winning hole switch 116b, the losing winning hole switch 116c, and a plate (not shown) that opens and closes these switches are provided inside the small winning hole 19, and all of them are visible (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, when a small winning game is not being played, the V winning hole switch 116b is blocked by the above plate so that the game ball cannot pass through, and the losing winning hole switch 116c is opened so that the game ball can pass through. During the small win game of this embodiment, the plate opens the V winning port switch 116b to allow the game ball to pass through, and closes the losing winning port switch 116c to prevent the game ball from passing through.

The time during which the small prize opening 19 is opened in a small prize game is shorter than the opening period of the large prize opening 13 in a large prize game (hereinafter referred to as "1R"), and is a predetermined arbitrary time of 1.8 seconds or less (for example, 1.8 seconds). Note that, as long as the total opening time of the small prize opening 19 during a small prize game is 1.8 seconds or less, the small prize opening 19 may be opened multiple times during a small prize game. The number of game balls that can enter the small prize opening 19 during a small prize game is smaller than the number of game balls that can enter the large prize opening 13 during a large prize game (for example, an average of 10 balls). During a small prize game, a player can enter an average of three game balls into the small prize opening 19, and can obtain, for example, about 30 prize balls. This prize ball is smaller than the prize balls obtained in a 1R large prize game. In other words, the prize balls obtained in a small prize game are less than the prize balls obtained in a 1R large prize game.

The game ball that enters the small winning hole 19 first passes through the small winning hole switch 116a. The game ball passes through either the V winning hole switch 116b or the miss winning hole switch 116c and is discharged from the game area 10. In this embodiment, if the player hits to the right during the small winning game, the game ball easily passes through the V winning hole switch 116b (hereinafter referred to as "V winning"). If a V winning hole occurs, the small winning game ends, and the big winning game that opens the big winning hole 13 starts (see FIG. 5 (D)). If a V winning hole does not occur even when a small winning game is played (specifically, if the game ball only passes through the miss winning hole switch 116c), the big winning game does not start following the end of the small winning game, and the next special pattern determination is performed.

In addition, in the small prize game, the large prize opening 13 may be opened instead of the small prize opening 19. In this case, the large prize opening 13 is provided with a V prize opening switch, a plate for opening and closing this switch, and a miss prize opening switch. When the small prize game is not being played, the plate closes the V prize opening switch so that the game ball cannot pass through, and opens the miss prize opening switch so that the game ball can pass through. During the small prize game, the plate is activated so that the V prize opening switch is opened so that the game ball can pass through, and the miss prize opening switch is closed so that the game ball cannot pass through. When the game ball passes through the V prize opening switch, the small prize game ends, and the big prize game that opens the large prize opening 13 is started. When the game ball passes through the miss prize opening switch, the big prize game does not start following the end of the small prize game, and the next special symbol determination is performed.

The opening pattern of the small prize opening 19 during a small prize game, and the opening pattern of the large prize opening 13 during a large prize game immediately after the end of this small prize game, are both uniquely determined by the type of small prize symbol that is stopped and displayed. When the large prize game immediately after the end of the small prize game ends, the game is controlled in a time-saving state (see FIG. 5 (D)). The game is controlled in the time-saving state until the variable display related to the second special symbol determination the number of times determined by the small prize symbol ends.

When the small win symbol 1 is stopped, a 10R big win game is played on the condition of a V win. When a big win game is played based on the stop display of the small win symbol 1, the game transitions to God Rush or Devil Rush (note that the game state is in a time-saving state), and the game is controlled in a time-saving state until the variable display related to the 100 second special symbol judgments ends (see FIG. 5 (D) and FIG. 8 (A)). As with the case of the big win symbol A or D, the small win can be achieved with 100 second special symbol judgments and 4 second special symbol judgments withheld, for a total of 104 second special symbol judgments. The player cannot select which of the God Rush and Devil Rush performance modes to transition to with the small win symbol 1, as in the case of the big win symbol A or D being stopped. In this embodiment, the small win symbol 1 is basically not drawn on the first win. Therefore, when the small win symbol 1 is stopped, the game basically transitions to the performance mode of the same group as the performance mode in the previous time-saving state, among the God Rush and Devil Rush.

When the small win symbol 2 is stopped, an 8R big win game will be played on the condition that a V is won. Also, when the small win symbol 3 is stopped, a 5R big win game will be played on the condition that a V is won. In the case of small win symbol 2 or 3, the game will move to battle mode or story mode (note that the game state is in a time-saving state), and the game will be controlled in a time-saving state until the variable display related to the 13 second special symbol judgments ends (see Figure 5 (D) and Figure 8 (A)). With small win symbol 2 or 3, as in the case of big win symbol B, E, or F, 13 second special symbol judgments and 4 second special symbol judgments are withheld, for a total of 17 second special symbol judgments, can be aimed for a small win. Immediately after the big win game triggered by the stop display of small win symbol 2 or 3, the game will move to the presentation mode selected by the player from battle mode and story mode.

When the jackpot game ends, the time-saving state is set, and if the jackpot game is not executed even if the above-mentioned number of special symbol determinations are performed, the non-time-saving state is set with the stop display of the special symbol the above-mentioned number of times. The presentation mode falls from the presentation mode in the time-saving state to the normal mode just before the stop display of the special symbol the above-mentioned number of times. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, for example, when the game is controlled in the non-time-saving state except during the jackpot game, the presentation is performed in the normal mode. The normal mode is a presentation mode that is not related to either group A or B.

As described above, in this embodiment, a game ball can easily enter the second starting hole 12 when the time-saving state is active, but a game ball cannot enter the second starting hole 12 when the time-saving state is not active. In this embodiment, when a second special symbol determination is made, a small win game is played with a relatively high probability (for example, about 1/10) (see FIG. 5(B)). In this embodiment, a V is basically won during a small win game, so when the time-saving state is active, a big win game is relatively easily executed via a small win game.

The normal winning hole 14 is always open, like the first starting hole 11 and the second starting hole 12, and is a winning hole from which a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out when a game ball enters the normal winning hole 14. Unlike the first starting hole 11, etc., no judgment is made even if a game ball enters the normal winning hole 14.

[Example of configuration of presentation means of gaming machine 1]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display device, a performance device 7, a speaker 24, a board lamp 25, a performance button 26, and a frame lamp 37 to perform various performances.

The display screen (hereinafter referred to as "LCD screen 5") of the liquid crystal display device (which may be an EL display device, etc.) is an image display device that displays various performance images. The LCD display device is provided on the rear side (i.e., the rear side) of the gaming machine 1 relative to the gaming board 2, and can be viewed through an opening formed in the gaming board 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the LCD screen 5 is provided in a position that is easily visible to the player. The LCD screen 5 displays decorative patterns 55, small patterns 56, fourth patterns 57, CG or animated characters, etc.

The decorative pattern 55, small pattern 56, and fourth pattern 57 are images that are displayed in a variable manner in synchronization with the variable display of the special pattern. The decorative pattern 55 is a pattern that represents any of the numbers 1 to 9. In this embodiment, the three decorative patterns 55 (and the three small patterns 56) start to be displayed in a horizontal line when the variable display of the special pattern starts, and the three decorative patterns 55 (and the three small patterns 56) are displayed in a static state when the stopped display of the special pattern starts (referred to as the "main stop"). The result of the special pattern determination is notified by the combination of the three numbers. The combination of the decorative patterns 55 that are displayed in a static state is the same as the combination of the small patterns 56.

Specifically, when the big win pattern A, D, or small win pattern 1 starts to be displayed, three 7 symbols with the character "God" superimposed on the front side are displayed as decorative patterns 55 (see FIG. 5(E) and FIG. 31(C)). When the big win pattern B, E, or small win pattern 2 starts to be displayed, three 7 symbols without the character "God" superimposed are displayed as decorative patterns 55. When the big win pattern C, F, or small win pattern 3 starts to be displayed, three of the 1 to 6, 8, or 9 symbols are displayed as decorative patterns 55.

In this embodiment, before the big win pattern B, E, or small win pattern 2 is stopped, three of the decorative patterns 55 (and small patterns 56) are temporarily stopped and displayed among the patterns 1 to 9. Also, before the big win pattern C, F, or small win pattern 3 is stopped and displayed, three of the decorative patterns 55 (and small patterns 56) are temporarily stopped and displayed among the patterns 1 to 6, 8, or 9. In this embodiment, the decorative patterns 55 (and small patterns 56) temporarily stopped and displayed in this manner are changed and displayed again at high speed (hereinafter referred to as "re-change") to execute a re-lottery performance in which the player is expected to change to a pattern 7 without superimposing the character "God". In this embodiment, with the start of the re-lottery performance, the three decorative patterns 55 are changed again in a manner that allows the player to recognize that the pattern-matching state is maintained while remaining synchronized (for example, slowly changing from 222 to 333 to 444). In addition, in this embodiment, when the re-draw performance begins, the three small symbols 56 are changed again at a speed that makes it impossible to recognize each individual symbol.

In this embodiment, when the big win symbol B, E, or small win symbol 2 is stopped and displayed, the 1 to 6, 8, or 9 symbols are changed again by the re-draw performance to a 7 symbol without the superimposed character "God" (hereinafter, such a change is called "promotion"). By promoting by the re-draw performance, it is possible to suggest to the player that it is the big win symbol B, E, or small win symbol 2. When the big win symbol C, F, or small win symbol 3 is stopped and displayed, it is not promoted by the re-draw performance, and the decorative symbol 55 is displayed temporarily in the same combination as before the re-draw performance. The small symbol 56 is displayed temporarily in the same combination as the decorative symbol 55 at the same time that the decorative symbol 55 is displayed temporarily after the re-draw performance. After that, as the decorative symbol 55 is stopped and displayed, the small symbol 56 is displayed temporarily in the same combination as the decorative symbol 55.

Here, in this embodiment, in order to suggest that the decorative pattern 55 is promoted (specifically, it is the small winning pattern 2), a group performance may be executed during the re-draw performance. The group performance is a performance in which a large number of characters C ride on a weapon for character C (a harpoon in this embodiment) and cross from the lower right corner to the upper left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5 (see FIG. 15 (C)). The group performance during the re-draw performance is executed from the time when the decorative pattern 55 and the small pattern 56 start to change again by the re-draw performance until the decorative pattern 55 and the small pattern 56 are temporarily stopped and displayed. The group performance during the re-draw performance is executed when it is the small winning pattern 2, and is not executed when it is another special pattern. The group performance during the re-draw performance is determined by a random number lottery by the performance control board 130 (described later) when a change start command (described later) is received from the game control board 100 (described later). Here, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the execution ratio of the group performance during the re-draw performance. In this embodiment, in the case of small win pattern 2, the probability that the group performance is executed during the re-draw performance is 20%, and the probability that the group performance is not executed during the re-draw performance is 80% (see FIG. 6). In other words, the decorative pattern 55 can be promoted regardless of whether the group performance is executed during the re-draw performance. In the case of small win pattern 1 or 3, the group performance is not executed during the re-draw performance, and the probability that the group performance is not executed during the re-draw performance is 100%. In this embodiment, in the case of a miss or a big win, the group performance is not executed during the re-draw performance.

The group performance during the re-draw performance may be executed to notify that the jackpot pattern is B or E. In such a case, the group performance during the re-draw performance is executed if the jackpot pattern is B or E, and is not executed if the jackpot pattern is another special pattern.

The fourth pattern 57 is expressed by color, and after being displayed in a variable manner in synchronization with the decorative pattern 55 (and the special pattern), it is displayed stationary at the same time as the decorative pattern 55 (and the special pattern). In this embodiment, the fourth pattern 57 is displayed in a variable manner by repeatedly displaying the fourth pattern 57 of "red", "blue", "green", "yellow", "white" and "purple" in the same position in that order for a fixed period of time (e.g., 0.2 seconds each). The variable display of the fourth pattern 57 may be realized by flashing the fourth pattern 57 of a predetermined color (e.g., blue) between display and non-display at fixed intervals (e.g., every 0.2 seconds).

The combination of the decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) and the color of the stopped fourth pattern 57 is predetermined to be different for each special pattern (see FIG. 5(E)). As a result, the combination of the decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) and the fourth pattern 57 can announce the same content as the special pattern that is stopped. For example, the display of three 7 patterns with the character "God" superimposed on the foreground as the decorative pattern 55 and the display of a "red" pattern as the fourth pattern 57 announces the same content as the jackpot pattern A. Also, the display of three 2 patterns as the decorative pattern 55 and the display of a "blue" pattern as the fourth pattern 57 announces the same content as the jackpot pattern C.

The fourth symbol 57 is a small image displayed at the edge of the LCD screen 5, and is an image that is less noticeable than the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56). For this reason, even if the type of jackpot is indicated by the combination of the decorative symbol 55 and the fourth symbol 57, it is difficult for the player to notice. The fourth symbol 57 may be realized by a light-emitting element (e.g. a full-color LED) provided near the right side of the LCD display device 5. This light-emitting element may be used as the fourth symbol 57 by lighting it up in a predetermined color simultaneously with the display of the decorative symbol 55 stopped, to unambiguously indicate the result of the special symbol determination.

In the drawings, for ease of viewing, the fourth symbol during the variable display is omitted, and only the fourth symbol during the stationary display is shown. However, the small symbol 56 and the fourth symbol 57 are always displayed in front of the other images in a position that is not hidden by the performance device 7, except during a jackpot game. Therefore, they never become invisible, nor do their visibility decrease. In contrast, the decorative symbol 55 may become invisible by being superimposed behind the other images, or may be hidden by the performance device 7. Also, the decorative symbol 55 may be partially or completely hidden regardless of whether the special symbol is variable or not.

In this embodiment, the performance device 7 is provided between the front of the game board 2 and the glass plate, and is positioned above the center of the LCD screen 5. When not in operation, the performance device 7 in this embodiment is placed in an initial position above the LCD screen 5. When the time comes to operate the performance device 7, the performance device 7 moves downward while rotating from the initial position toward the center of the LCD screen 5 by the driving force of the performance device motor 71, and is placed in front of the LCD screen 5. The performance device 7 is used for various effects by operating it between the initial position and the advanced position.

The performance prop 7 is made of a translucent synthetic resin material. The performance prop 7 is used for various performances by illuminating multiple built-in light-emitting elements (a type of board lamp 25) in multiple colors or a single color. For example, the light-emitting elements built into the performance prop 7 can be illuminated simultaneously in seven colors (specifically, red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, blue, and purple) to create a rainbow of colors as a whole. The performance prop 7 is visible to the player regardless of its position. Therefore, the decorations applied to the performance prop 7 and the illumination of the performance prop 7 can enhance the performance effect regardless of whether or not the prop 7 is moving.

The performance device 7 may be provided, for example, between the game board 2 and the LCD screen 5, and may be difficult for the player to see in its initial position. The performance device 7 may also be movable up and down and left and right, and may also be capable of vibrating.

The speaker 24 outputs music, voice, sound effects, etc., either synchronously or asynchronously with the image display on the LCD screen 5, to create a sound-based presentation.

The board lamp 25 is a collective term for multiple light-emitting elements (e.g., full-color LEDs) provided on the game board 2. The frame lamp 37 is a collective term for multiple light-emitting elements (e.g., full-color LEDs) provided on the frame member 3. The frame lamp 37 is composed of, for example, a left side lamp provided on the left side of the frame member 3, a right side lamp provided on the right side of the frame member 3, a center lamp provided between the two speakers 24, and a button lamp built into the performance button 26 (see Figure 2) that can be operated by the player.

Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the effect button 26. In this embodiment, the effect button 26 is provided on the frame member 3, and the player can input operation information by operating (e.g., pressing) it. In the gaming machine 1, an effect may be performed in response to the operation of the effect button 26. The effect button 26 is configured so that its height can be controlled to change between a normal state in which its top surface is at approximately the same height as the top surface of the frame member 3, and a protruding state in which its top surface protrudes a predetermined height (e.g., 10 cm) above the top surface of the frame member 3. Note that the effect button 26 can be operated regardless of the height it is controlled to between the normal state and the protruding state.

The frame member 3 of this embodiment is also provided with effect keys 27 to allow the player to perform selection operations or cursor movement (see FIG. 2). The effect keys 27 are so-called cross keys, and are composed of an up key, a down key, a left key, and a right key. The effect keys 27 are used to adjust the light intensity of the LCD screen 5, the board lamp 25, and the frame lamp 37, and to adjust the volume of the speaker 24.

[Configuration example of display 4]
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in Fig. 1. The display 4 mainly displays information related to special symbol determination and normal symbol determination, and is configured to have a first special symbol display 41, a second special symbol display 42, a first special symbol reserved display 43, a second special symbol reserved display 44, a normal symbol display 45, a normal symbol reserved display 46, a game status display 47, a round display 48, etc., as exemplified in Fig. 3.

When a first special pattern determination is made, the first special pattern display 41 notifies the result of the first special pattern determination by displaying a variable special pattern and then a static special pattern indicating the result of the first special pattern determination. When a second special pattern determination is made, the second special pattern display 42 notifies the result of the second special pattern determination by displaying a variable special pattern and then a static special pattern indicating the result of the second special pattern determination.

The first special pattern reserved display 43 displays the number of reserved balls for the first special pattern judgment (hereinafter referred to as the "special 1 reserved number"). The second special pattern reserved display 44 displays the number of reserved balls for the second special pattern judgment (hereinafter referred to as the "special 2 reserved number"). In this embodiment, a reserved icon 54 and a reserved number (not shown) are displayed on the LCD screen 5 so that the player can easily understand the reserved number. The reserved icons 54 are displayed in the order of the number of reserved balls (up to four in this embodiment).

In this embodiment, the display mode of the reserved icon 54 differs depending on the presentation mode. In the battle mode and story mode, the reserved icon 54 is basically displayed in white (see FIG. 31(A)). Here, in this embodiment, blue, green, red, and rainbow colors are used as colors that indicate the high or low probability of a big win or a small win (hereinafter referred to as "reliability"). Each color is likely to be used in the case of a big win and unlikely to be used in the case of a miss, in the order described above. Rainbow colors are used only when the reliability is 100% and the big win, and are not used when the miss. In the battle mode and story mode, in the case of a big win or a miss in which the special pattern fluctuates for a relatively long time, the reserved icon 54 is likely to be displayed in one of the colors that indicate the high or low reliability. In the following description, the white reserved icon 54 is referred to as the normal mode reserved icon 54, and the reserved icon 54 of the above colors other than white is referred to as the special mode reserved icon 54.

The reserved icon 54 in the night mode and the new chapter mode is displayed at the edge of the liquid crystal screen 5. In addition, the reserved icon 54 in the night mode and the new chapter mode is displayed in a small and inconspicuous manner, basically notifying only the number of reserved balls, and is not displayed in a special manner (see FIG. 13 (A)). In this embodiment, the reserved icon 54 can be displayed in a slightly different display manner (for example, a display manner with high brightness) only when a small win occurs in the reserved ball. Here, in this embodiment, the reserved icon 54 in the new chapter mode can be displayed only during the display of the second special pattern in the first and second rotations. During the display of the second special pattern in the third rotation in the new chapter mode, a panel image representing a character is displayed by the character stock effect described later, suggesting the possibility of a small win in the reserved ball. For this reason, from the start of the display of the second special pattern in the third rotation in the new chapter mode to the end of the display of the second special pattern, the reserved icon 54 suggesting the same content as the character stock effect is not displayed.

In God Rush and Devil Rush, it is relatively easy to hit a small win, which has a probability of 1/10, by making 100 second special symbol determinations. For this reason, God Rush and Devil Rush are configured not to display the hold icon 54 in order to emphasize the succession of big wins rather than individual special symbol determinations. Note that the hold icon 54 may be displayed in God Rush and Devil Rush. In this case, it is preferable to display the hold icon 54 in an inconspicuous display format, such as by displaying it small on the edge of the LCD screen 5, similar to the hold icon 54 in the night mode and new chapter mode.

The reserved numbers are numbers from 0 to 4 that are displayed small on the left edge of the liquid crystal screen 5 in the same manner regardless of whether or not a jackpot has been awarded, in synchronization with the reserved number of the first special symbol judgment and the reserved number of the second special symbol judgment. The reserved numbers include a first reserved number that indicates the reserved number with numbers from 0 to 4 in synchronization with the display of the first special symbol reserved indicator 43, and a second reserved number that indicates the reserved number with numbers from 0 to 4 in synchronization with the display of the second special symbol reserved indicator 44. For example, when the reserved number of the first special symbol judgment is increased by one, the first reserved number is displayed with a number incremented by one, and when the reserved number of the second special symbol judgment is increased by one, the second reserved number is displayed with a number incremented by one. Here, the reserved icon 54 is hidden, or hidden or not displayed by other images, just like the decorative pattern 55. In contrast, the reserved numbers are always displayed in front of other images regardless of the performance mode, just like the small pattern 56, so they are never hidden by other images or their visibility is reduced.

When a normal pattern determination is made, the normal pattern display 45 notifies the result of the normal pattern determination by displaying a normal pattern in a variable manner and then displaying a normal pattern that indicates the result of the normal pattern determination in a static manner. The normal pattern reserve display 46 displays the number of reserved normal pattern determinations. The game status display 47 displays the game status at the time the gaming machine 1 is turned on. The round display 48 is basically turned off, and displays the number of rounds of the jackpot game in response to the jackpot pattern being displayed in a static manner on the first special pattern display 41 or the second special pattern display 42. The round display 48 does not light up in response to the missing pattern or small jackpot pattern being displayed in a static manner, but remains off.

[Configuration of the control device of the gaming machine 1 and overview of various determinations performed by the gaming machine 1]
An example of the configuration of the control device provided in the gaming machine 1 and an overview of various determinations performed by the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device provided in the gaming machine 1. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining special symbol determination. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main RAM 103 and various information stored in the main RAM 103.

On the back side of the game board 2, in addition to a ball tank that stores game balls to be sent to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29, a control device that controls the operation of the game machine 1 is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control device of the game machine 1 is composed of a game control board 100 that controls the progress of the game, such as various judgments and command transmissions, a performance control board 130 that controls the overall performance based on commands received from the game control board 100, an image and sound control board 140 that controls the performance using images and sounds, a lamp control board 150 that controls the performance using various lamps and performance props 7, and the like. Note that the configuration of the control device is not limited to this, and for example, the performance control board 130, the image and sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150 may be composed of a single board.

[Configuration example of game control board 100]
As shown in Fig. 4, the game control board 100 includes a main CPU 101, a main ROM 102, a main RAM 103, and a random number circuit 104. The main CPU 101 performs various calculation processes related to the judgment and the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the programs stored in the main ROM 102. The main RAM 103 is used as a memory area for temporarily storing various data used when the main CPU 101 executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing, etc. The random number circuit 104 generates a jackpot random number used to determine, for example, a jackpot, a miss, or a small win.

The game control board 100 is connected to a first start port switch 111, a second start port switch 112, an electric tulip control unit 113, a gate switch 114, a large prize port switch 115, a small prize port switch 116a, a V prize port switch 116b, a losing prize port 116c, a large prize port control unit 117, a small prize port control unit 118, a normal prize port switch 119, and the displays 41 to 48 that make up the display 4. In addition, although there are actually four normal prize port switches 119, only one normal prize port switch 119 is shown in FIG. 4.

The first start hole switch 111 detects that a game ball has entered the first start hole 11 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100. The second start hole switch 112 detects that a game ball has entered the second start hole 12 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100. The electric tulip control unit 113 opens and closes the second start hole 12 by operating an electric solenoid connected to a pair of blade members of the electric tulip 17 in a drive-transmittable manner in response to a control signal from the game control board 100. The gate switch 114 detects that a game ball has passed through the gate 16 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100. The special prize hole switch 115 detects that a game ball has entered the special prize hole 13 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100. The small winning hole switch 116a detects that a game ball has entered the small winning hole 19 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100. The V winning hole switch 116b detects the V winning and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100. The losing winning hole switch 116c outputs a detection signal indicating that a game ball has been detected by the losing winning hole switch to the game control board 100. The large winning hole control unit 117 opens and closes the large winning hole 13 based on a control signal from the game control board 100 by operating an electric solenoid connected to a plate that blocks the large winning hole 13 in a drive-transmittable manner. The small winning hole control unit 118 opens and closes the small winning hole 19 based on a control signal from the game control board 100 by operating an electric solenoid connected to a plate that blocks the small winning hole 19 in a drive-transmittable manner. In addition, the small winning port control unit 118 opens and closes the V winning port switch 116b and the losing winning port switch 116c by operating an electric solenoid that is connected to a plate that opens and closes these switches in a drive-transmitting manner based on a control signal from the game control board 100. The normal winning port switch 119 detects that a game ball has entered the normal winning port 14 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100.

When a detection signal is input from the first start port switch 111, the second start port switch 112, the large prize port switch 115, the small prize port switch 116a, or the normal prize port switch 119, the main CPU 101 of the game control board 100 instructs a payout control board (not shown) to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the location where the game ball entered, and manages the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the information from the payout control board. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, the payout control board supplies game balls to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29 by controlling a drive motor that sends game balls out from a ball tank.

The main CPU 101 acquires "various random numbers for special pattern determination" as acquired information when a detection signal is input from the first start port switch 111, and executes a first special pattern determination using the acquired random numbers. Also, the main CPU 101 acquires various random numbers for special pattern determination when a detection signal is input from the second start port switch 112, and executes a second special pattern determination using the acquired random numbers.

In this embodiment, for example, a jackpot random number, a pattern random number, a variation pattern random number, and a reach random number are used as the "various random numbers for determining special symbols". The jackpot random number is a random number for determining whether it is a jackpot, a miss, or a small win. The pattern random number is a random number for determining the type of jackpot pattern when it is determined to be a jackpot, and for determining the type of small win pattern when it is determined to be a small win. In this embodiment, the combination of the number of rounds of the jackpot game and the game state immediately after the jackpot game ends is different for each jackpot pattern (and small win pattern) (see Figures 5 (C) and (D)). For this reason, the pattern random number can be said to be a random number for determining the type of jackpot game and the game state immediately after the jackpot game ends. The variation pattern random number is a random number for determining the variation time from when the special symbol starts to vary and is displayed stationary in a manner that indicates the result of the special symbol determination. In this embodiment, the pattern in which the special symbol is variably displayed (hereinafter referred to as the "variation pattern") differs for each variation time, so the variation pattern random number can be said to be a random number for determining the variation pattern. The reach random number is a random number used to select whether to use a fluctuation pattern when determining a miss from among a group of fluctuation patterns for misses that exceed a specific number of seconds (e.g., 13.5 seconds) and other than that group of fluctuation patterns (i.e., a group of fluctuation patterns for misses that are less than the specific number of seconds) when determining the fluctuation pattern to use when determining a miss.

The main CPU 101 also acquires a normal pattern random number at the timing when a detection signal is input from the gate switch 114, and executes a normal pattern judgment using the acquired normal pattern random number. The normal pattern random number is a random number for determining whether or not to open the second start hole 12, and is, for example, a random number generated using a random counter provided in the main RAM 103. When the main CPU 101 acquires the normal pattern random number, it judges whether or not to open the second start hole 12 based on whether or not the acquired normal pattern random number matches a judgment value assigned to the judgment result that the second start hole 12 is to be opened as a judgment value to be compared with the normal pattern random number.

In this embodiment, the jackpot random number is generated using the random number circuit 104, and various random numbers for determining special symbols other than the jackpot random number are generated by software using a random counter provided in the main RAM 103. In this embodiment, the game control board 100 is described as having one random number circuit 104, but the game control board 100 may have multiple random number circuits, and various random numbers for determining special symbols other than the jackpot random number may be generated by these random number circuits. For example, the game control board 100 may have a 16-bit random number circuit for generating the jackpot random number, an 8-bit random number circuit for generating the symbol random number, an 8-bit random number circuit for generating the variable pattern random number, and an 8-bit random number circuit for generating the reach random number. The 16-bit random number circuit updates the hardware random numbers in the numerical range of 0 to 65535, and the 8-bit random number circuit updates the hardware random numbers in the numerical range of 0 to 255, independently.

The main ROM 102 stores various judgment values in advance for comparison with various random numbers for special pattern judgment. For example, the main ROM 102 stores a jackpot judgment table (not shown) in advance in which judgment values to be compared with the jackpot random number are assigned to one of "jackpot", "small win", and "miss". For example, the main CPU 101 uses the acquired jackpot random number and the jackpot judgment table to determine whether the judgment result of the jackpot judgment (see FIG. 43) will be a jackpot, a small win, or a miss before the judgment result of the special pattern judgment is announced. If the jackpot random number matches the judgment value assigned to the jackpot, the main CPU 101 judges it to be a jackpot.

Specifically, in this embodiment, "0 to 65535" is set as the judgment value to be compared with the jackpot random number. For example, in the jackpot judgment table used for the first special symbol judgment, "0 to 204" is assigned to a "jackpot", and "205 to 65335" is assigned to a "miss" (i.e., the jackpot probability is approximately 1/319. See FIG. 5 (A)). Note that in the case of the first special symbol judgment, it will never result in a "small jackpot" regardless of the game state.

In the jackpot determination table used for the second special symbol determination, "0-204" is assigned to a "jackpot", "205-58981" is assigned to a "miss", and "58982-65535" is assigned to a "small win" (meaning the probability of a jackpot is approximately 1/319. See FIG. 5(B)). When the second special symbol determination is performed, a "small win" occurs with the same probability (e.g. approximately 1/10) regardless of the game state.

For example, the main ROM 102 prestores a "symbol determination table" (not shown) and a "jackpot variation pattern table" (not shown) as tables to be used when a jackpot is determined to have occurred. The "symbol determination table" is a table in which a determination value to be compared with the symbol random number is preassigned to one of a number of jackpot symbols. For example, after determining that a jackpot has occurred, the main CPU 101 determines the type of jackpot symbol based on which jackpot symbol the acquired symbol random number matches with the determination value assigned to that symbol.

Specifically, in this embodiment, "0 to 99" is set as the judgment value to be compared with the symbol random number (see FIG. 5(C)). In the symbol determination table (symbol determination table for the first starting hole) used for the first special symbol judgment, "0" is assigned to the jackpot symbol A (determination ratio 1%), "1 to 14" is assigned to the jackpot symbol B (determination ratio 14%), and "15 to 99" is assigned to the jackpot symbol C (determination ratio 85%). In the symbol determination table (symbol determination table for the second starting hole) used for the second special symbol judgment, "0" is assigned to the jackpot symbol D (determination ratio 1%), "1 to 14" is assigned to the jackpot symbol E (determination ratio 14%), and "15 to 99" is assigned to the jackpot symbol F (determination ratio 85%).

In this embodiment, a "small win symbol determination table" (not shown) and a "small win variable pattern table" (not shown) are stored in advance as tables to be used when a small win is determined. When determining a small win symbol, the main CPU 101 refers to the "small win symbol determination table" to determine a small win symbol to which a determination value to be compared with the symbol random number is assigned, in the same way as when determining a big win symbol. Specifically, in the small win symbol determination table, "0-9" is assigned to small win symbol 1 (determination ratio 10%), "10-64" is assigned to small win symbol 2 (determination ratio 55%), and "65-99" is assigned to small win symbol 3 (determination ratio 35%).

In addition, a "reach judgment table" (not shown) and a "miss fluctuation pattern table" (not shown) are stored in advance as tables to be used when a miss is judged. The "big win fluctuation pattern table", "small win fluctuation pattern table", and "miss fluctuation pattern table" are tables for determining one fluctuation pattern from multiple fluctuation patterns based on which of the judgment values compared with the fluctuation pattern random number the acquired fluctuation pattern random number matches.

The "reach judgment table" is a table for determining whether or not to select a fluctuation pattern from a group of fluctuation patterns for losses that exceed a specific number of seconds (e.g., 13.5 seconds). Whether or not to select a fluctuation pattern from a group of fluctuation patterns for losses that exceed a specific number of seconds (e.g., 13.5 seconds) is determined based on whether the acquired reach random number matches any of the judgment values included in the reach judgment table. In this embodiment, the ratio of fluctuation patterns selected from a group of fluctuation patterns for losses that exceed a specific number of seconds (hereinafter referred to as the "reach ratio") is preset to be smaller as the number of reserved numbers when the special pattern judgment is executed increases (see FIG. 5 (F)).

Specifically, for example, when "0 to 99" is preset as a judgment value for comparison with the reach random number, if the number of reserved special symbol judgments at the time of execution of the special symbol judgment is 0 to 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "reserved 0 to 1"), "0 to 14" is assigned to the judgment result that the result is determined from the group of fluctuation patterns for misses exceeding a specific number of seconds. Also, "15 to 99" is assigned to the judgment result that the result is determined from a group of fluctuation patterns other than the above (i.e., a reach rate of 15%, see FIG. 5(D)). Also, if the number of reserved special symbol judgments at the time of execution of the special symbol judgment is 2 or more, the reach rate is 5%. Note that the reach rate may be the same regardless of the game state, or may differ depending on the game state (for example, whether the game state is in a non-time-saving state or a time-saving state).

Although detailed explanation is omitted, in this embodiment, the fluctuation pattern of the first special symbol in the non-time-saving state is longer than the fluctuation pattern of the first special symbol in the time-saving state. Also, the fluctuation pattern of the second special symbol in the time-saving state is shorter than the fluctuation pattern of the second special symbol in the non-time-saving state. The fluctuation pattern of the second special symbol in the time-saving state is longer than the fluctuation pattern of the first special symbol in the time-saving state. However, since a small jackpot can only be won by determining the second special symbol, the player aims for the second start hole 12 rather than the first start hole 11 when in the time-saving state.

Although detailed explanations will be omitted, in this embodiment, regardless of the game state, in the big win fluctuation pattern table and the small win fluctuation pattern table, the longer the fluctuation time of the special pattern, the more judgment values are assigned to be compared with the fluctuation pattern random number. For this reason, in the case of a big win or small win, a fluctuation pattern in which the fluctuation time of the special pattern is relatively long is more likely to be determined. Also, in the loss fluctuation pattern table, the shorter the fluctuation time of the special pattern, the more judgment values are assigned to be compared with the fluctuation pattern random number. For this reason, in the case of a loss, a fluctuation pattern in which the fluctuation time of the special pattern is relatively short is more likely to be determined, and a fluctuation pattern in which the fluctuation time of the special pattern is relatively long is less likely to be determined.

In this embodiment, the variable presentation pattern corresponding to the variable pattern determined by the main CPU 101 is determined by the sub-CPU 131 of the presentation control board 130. The variable presentation pattern is the basis (scenario) of the "variable presentation" configuration. Here, "variable presentation" is a general term for presentations based on the results of special pattern determination, and are executed from when the special pattern starts to vary until the special pattern stops displaying.

(Example of the configuration of the main RAM 103)
7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration example of the main RAM 103 in the game control board 100 and various information stored in the main RAM 103. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the main RAM 103 is provided with a judgment memory area 1030, a first reserved memory area 1031, a second reserved memory area 1032, a third reserved memory area 1033, a fourth reserved memory area 1034, a first reserved memory area 1035, a second reserved memory area 1036, a third reserved memory area 1037, and a fourth reserved memory area 1038.

The determination memory area 1030 is a memory area in which various information used for the special pattern determination when the special pattern determination is actually performed is stored. The first reserve memory area 1031 to the fourth reserve memory area 1034 are memory areas in which various information related to the first special pattern determination is stored in order from the first reserve memory area 1031 each time a game ball enters the first starting hole 11. The first reserve memory area 1035 to the fourth reserve memory area 1038 are memory areas in which various information related to the second special pattern determination is stored in order from the first reserve memory area 1035 each time a game ball enters the second starting hole 12.

For example, even if a game ball enters the first start port 11 or the second start port 12 when a special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner or during a big win game (or during a small win game), it is not possible to immediately perform a special symbol determination or to perform a variable display of the special symbol. Under such circumstances, the main CPU 101 stores various information related to the special symbol determination in the reserved memory areas 1031 to 1038 as information indicating the reservation of the special symbol determination. On the other hand, when a special symbol is not being displayed in a variable manner, a special symbol determination is not being reserved, and a big win game (or a small win game) is not being played, the main CPU 101 shifts the various acquired random numbers, etc. to the determination memory area 1030 immediately after storing them in the first reserved memory area (1031 or 1035) corresponding to the start port where the game ball entered.

For example, if a game ball enters the first starting hole 11 when no information is stored in any of the first holding memory area 1031 to the fourth holding memory area 1034, various information related to the first special pattern determination obtained by this winning is stored in the first holding memory area 1031, which is the top of the empty entries. Also, for example, if a game ball enters the first starting hole 11 when information is stored in the first holding memory area 1031 and the second holding memory area 1032, various information related to the first special pattern determination obtained by this winning is stored in the third holding memory area 1033, which is the top of the empty entries.

For example, the reserved memory areas 1031 to 1038 also store "pre-judgment information." In this embodiment, when a game ball enters a start hole, a pre-judgment is performed based on the jackpot random number, the pattern random number, the reach random number, and the change pattern random number to judge whether or not a jackpot has been won prior to the special pattern judgment (step S2109 in FIG. 9, step S2209 in FIG. 10). The pre-judgment information is information obtained by the pre-judgment, and includes "winning start hole information," information indicating whether or not a jackpot has been won, information indicating the type of jackpot pattern if a jackpot has been won, information indicating the type of small win pattern if a small win has been won, information indicating the change pattern of the special pattern, information indicating the game state, and the like. The "winning start hole information" is information indicating which of the first start hole 11 and the second start hole 12 each random number stored in the same reserved memory area was acquired as a result of winning the prize in the first start hole 11 or the second start hole 12. The pre-judgment information including these pieces of information is stored in the same reserved memory area as the jackpot random number used in the pre-judgment.

When the information stored in the first reserved memory area 1031 is shifted to the judgment memory area 1030 when the first special pattern judgment is performed, the information stored in the entries lower than the second reserved memory area 1031 is shifted up by one entry. For example, when information is stored in each of the first reserved memory area 1031 to the third reserved memory area 1033, when the information stored in the first reserved memory area 1031 is shifted to the judgment memory area 1030, the information stored in the second reserved memory area 1032 is shifted to the first reserved memory area 1031, and the information stored in the third reserved memory area 1033 is shifted to the second reserved memory area 1032.

Such information shift processing is also performed in the first reserved memory area 1035 to the fourth reserved memory area 1038 in which information related to the second special symbol determination is stored. In the gaming machine 1 in this embodiment, when both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are reserved, that is, when information is stored in both the first reserved memory area 1031 and the first reserved memory area 1035, the shift processing in the first reserved memory area 1035 to the fourth reserved memory area 1038 is performed preferentially before the shift processing in the first reserved memory area 1031 to the fourth reserved memory area 1034. Therefore, when the second special symbol determination is reserved, various information stored in the first reserved memory area 1035 is shifted to the determination memory area 1030. Also, when the second special symbol determination is not reserved, that is, when only the first special symbol determination is reserved, various information stored in the first reserved memory area 1031 is shifted. Note that a configuration in which the first special symbol and the second special symbol can be displayed variably at the same time may be adopted. In such a configuration, two determination memory areas 1030 may be provided, one for determining the first special symbol and one for determining the second special symbol. In this case, the shift processing in the first reserved memory area 1031 to the fourth reserved memory area 1034 may be performed independently of the shift processing in the first reserved memory area 1035 to the fourth reserved memory area 1038.

[Example of configuration of performance control board 130]
As shown in Fig. 4, the performance control board 130 includes a sub-CPU 131, a sub-ROM 132, a sub-RAM 133, an RTC (real-time clock) 134, and a random number circuit 135. The sub-CPU 131 performs calculations when controlling performances based on the programs stored in the sub-ROM 132. The sub-RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used by the sub-CPU 131 when executing the programs, or as a working area for data processing, etc. The RTC 134 measures the current date and time (date and time).

The sub-CPU 131 sets the content of various effects based on game information related to special and normal symbol determinations, advance determination information, jackpot play, etc., sent from the game control board 100. For example, the content of the effects to be set may be determined by a lottery using various "random numbers for effect control" to determine the content of the effects. The sub-CPU 131 may also accept input of operation information from the effect button 26 or effect key 27, and set the content of the effects according to the operation information. The sub-CPU 131 sends commands to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 to instruct the execution of the effects with the set content of the effects.

The "random number for performance control" is, for example, a random number that is appropriately updated in the random number circuit 135 when the timer interrupt process (described later) by the performance control board 130 is not being performed. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the random number for performance control is generated using the random number circuit 135, thereby reducing the processing burden on the sub-CPU 131 compared to when the sub-CPU 131 generates the random number.

The sub-CPU 131 may also perform a random number update process to appropriately update various random numbers for controlling performance, for example, using a loop count that is incremented by "1" each time a timer interrupt process is performed by the performance control board 130.

[Example of configuration of image and audio control board 140]
The image and sound control board 140 controls the image display on the liquid crystal screen 5 and the sound effect output from the speaker 24. As shown in Fig. 4, the image and sound control board 140 includes an overall CPU 141, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 142, an audio DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 143, a control ROM 144, and a control RAM 145. It also includes an audio ROM, an SDRAM, a CGROM, and a VRAM (none of which are shown).

The general CPU 141 instructs the VDP 142 to display image data stored in the CGROM based on programs stored in the control ROM 144, various tables such as a display list creation table, and commands received from the performance control board 130. This instruction is mainly performed by outputting a display list.

The display list is made up of a set of commands for instructing drawing on a frame-by-frame basis, and includes various parameters such as the type of image to be drawn, the position (coordinates) at which the image is to be drawn, display priority, display magnification, rotation angle, transparency, etc. The display list creation table is a table used to create this display list.

The overall CPU 141 also instructs the audio DSP 143 to output the audio data stored in the audio ROM from the speaker 24.

The control ROM 144 is composed of a mask ROM and stores the control program of the overall CPU 141 and a display list generation program for generating a display list.

The control RAM 145 is used as a memory area for temporarily storing various data used by the overall CPU 141 when executing the above programs, or as a working area for data processing, etc.

The CGROM stores the performance data required to execute the performance associated with the variable display of special symbols and the performance associated with jackpot play. This CGROM is composed of flash memory, EEPROM, EPROM, mask ROM, etc., and stores compressed sprite data (a single piece of image data) consisting of a collection of pixel information for a specified range of pixels (e.g. 32 x 32 pixels), movie data consisting of a collection of multiple image data, etc. The pixel information consists of color number information that specifies a color number for each pixel and an alpha value that indicates the transmittance of the image. The CGROM also stores uncompressed palette data that associates color number information that specifies a color number with display color information for actually displaying the color.

Note that only a portion of the image data stored in the CGROM may be compressed. Movie data can be compressed using various well-known compression methods, such as MPEG4.

The VRAM is made up of SRAM that can write and read image data at high speed, and includes a display list storage area, a development storage area, and a frame buffer for the LCD screen.

The display list memory area temporarily stores the display list output from the overall CPU 141. The expanded memory area stores image data that has been read from the CGROM and then expanded. The LCD screen frame buffer is used for drawing and displaying image data to be displayed on the LCD screen 5. The LCD screen frame buffer is a double-buffer memory with two buffers, and while image data stored in one buffer is being output for display, the next image data is drawn in the other buffer, thereby drawing and displaying the image data.

The VDP 142 expands the image data stored in a compressed state in the CGROM and stores the expanded image data in the expanded memory area. The VDP 142 also performs drawing processing on the LCD screen frame buffer using the image data stored in the expanded memory area based on the display list stored in the display list memory area. The VDP 142 also generates RGB signals as video signals indicating the color of the image from the image data stored in the display frame buffer in the VRAM, and outputs the generated RGB signals to the LCD screen 5.

The audio DSP 143 is connected to an audio ROM that stores various audio data related to music, voice, sound effects, etc., an SDRAM used as a work area for data processing by the audio DSP 143, and an amplifier. The audio DSP 143 reads audio data corresponding to instructions from the general CPU 141 from the audio ROM to the SDRAM, executes data processing, and outputs the processed audio data to the speaker 24 (via the amplifier). The amplifier adjusts the volume according to instructions regarding the volume obtained from the general CPU 141 via the audio DSP 143, and outputs the audio data to the speaker 24. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, for example, audio data corresponding to a stereophonic effect and a non-stereophonic effect are output, in which the sound is heard from a virtually formed sound source position other than the position where the speaker 24 is installed.

In this embodiment, a case is described in which the VDP is responsible for drawing management and the audio DSP is responsible for sound management, but a configuration in which the VDP is responsible for both drawing management and sound management may also be adopted. In this case, there is no need to provide a separate audio DSP.

[Example of configuration of lamp control board 150]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the lamp control board 150 includes a lamp CPU 151, a lamp ROM 152, and a lamp RAM 153. The lamp CPU 151 performs calculation processing when controlling the light-emitting element of the performance role 7, the board lamp 25, the frame lamp 37, the performance role motor 71 that operates the performance role 7, the performance button motor 261 that operates the performance button 26, etc., based on the program stored in the lamp ROM 152. In addition, when the performance button 26 or the performance key 27 is operated by the player, the lamp CPU 151 transmits an operation command to the performance control board 130 to notify the fact. In response to receiving the operation command, the performance control board 130 transmits a command (hereinafter referred to as an "operation performance start command") for executing a performance to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. By receiving the operation performance start command, the image and sound control board 140 can execute a performance using images and sounds on the liquid crystal screen 5 and the speaker 24. In addition, the lamp control board 150 can execute a performance in which various lamps are illuminated by receiving an operation performance start command.

The lamp ROM 152 stores in advance, for example, light emission patterns for controlling the light emission of each performance means, and operation patterns for controlling the operation of the performance button 26 and the performance props 7. The light emission pattern data includes, for example, information indicating the type of lamp to be illuminated, the light emission color, the light emission time, etc. The lamp RAM 153 is used, for example, as a memory area for temporarily storing various data used by the lamp CPU 151 when executing the above program, or as a working area for data processing, etc.

At each start timing of a performance, the lamp CPU 151 receives data (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "data related to image and sound control") specifying the light emission pattern (and operation pattern) of the performance related to the start from the image and sound control board 140 via the performance control board 130. For example, the lamp CPU 151 reads out the light emission pattern (and operation pattern) specified by the received data from the lamp ROM 152, temporarily stores (sets) it in the lamp RAM 153, and performs control based on that pattern. This allows, for example, control to be achieved such that each performance means emits light and operates in synchronization (or asynchronously) with the performance that displays an image on the LCD screen 5.

For example, the lamp CPU 151 executes light emission control based on the specified light emission pattern from the start of the variable performance in response to receiving data specifying the light emission pattern when the current variable performance starts at the start timing of the variable performance. Also, for example, during the variable performance, data specifying the light emission pattern for a specified performance (for example, a reach performance described below) is received at the start timing of the above specified performance, and light emission control is executed based on the specified light emission pattern in conjunction with the start of the above specified performance.

In this embodiment, the light emission patterns (and operation patterns) for each performance are stored in different areas in the lamp RAM 153 that are prepared in advance for each performance. This configuration is not limited to this, and for example, one area in the lamp RAM 153 may be used as an area for storing light emission patterns or operation patterns for one or more performances.

The data relating to image and sound control may also be data that collectively specifies the light emission patterns (and operation patterns) for one or more effects. As one example, the lamp CPU 151 may receive data that collectively specifies the light emission patterns corresponding to multiple effects to be executed after a specified effect (for example, a reach effect, which will be described later) at the timing when the specified effect is started during a variable effect, and start light emission control using the specified light emission pattern in conjunction with the start of the specified effect. As another example, in response to receiving data instructing the start of a variable effect, the lamp CPU 151 may set in the lamp RAM 153 light emission patterns corresponding to all effects to be executed during the current variable effect, and perform light emission control using this light emission pattern during the variable effect.

The configuration of the gaming machine 1 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7 is merely an example, and other configurations are also possible. Also, the ratio described with reference to Figure 5 is merely an example, and any ratio is acceptable.

Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the presentation mode for the time-saving state. In this embodiment, at the end of the big win game, a "mode selection presentation" is executed in which the player can select the presentation mode for the time-saving state immediately after the end of the big win game. The specific presentation form of the mode selection presentation will be described later with reference to Figure 9, etc., but in the mode selection presentation, multiple mode images representing different presentation modes are displayed. Only one mode image out of the multiple mode images is displayed in a selected state, and the other mode images are displayed in an unselected state. In this embodiment, in the initial state in which the presentation mode has not been selected by the player, such as immediately after the power supply of the gaming machine 1 is turned on, a setting value indicating the presentation mode of group A (see Figure 8 (A)) is stored in the sub-RAM 133. In this embodiment, the type of mode image that is initially selected is determined by this setting value (i.e., the configuration of the initial screen is determined). In other words, in the initial mode selection presentation, the mode image representing the presentation mode of group A is initially displayed in a selected state, and the mode image representing the presentation mode of group B is displayed in an unselected state. Note that in an initial state, such as immediately after the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the setting value indicating the presentation mode may not be stored in the sub-RAM 133. In this manner, in the initial mode selection presentation when no setting value is stored, the mode image representing the presentation mode of group A may be displayed in a selected state first, and the mode image representing the presentation mode of group B may be displayed in an unselected state.

Here, for example, players who prefer night mode tend to prefer the presentation mode of group A over group B. Also, for example, players who prefer new chapter mode tend to prefer the presentation mode of group B over group A. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the presentation mode that is initially selected on the initial screen of the mode selection presentation is changed, taking into account the tendencies of the player. In this embodiment, the presentation mode that is initially selected on the initial screen is changed by updating the setting value indicating the presentation mode at the end of the mode selection presentation.

The mode selection presentation in this embodiment is executed at the end of the big win game involving big win symbols B, C, E, and F, and small win symbols 2 and 3, and is not executed based on the stopped display of big win symbols A and D, and small win symbol 1. The flow of the mode selection presentation is explained below.

In this embodiment, a predetermined effective period (e.g., 7 seconds) of the effect button 26 is set from a predetermined timing during the mode selection effect (e.g., when 2 seconds have passed since the start of the mode selection effect) to the end of the mode selection effect. In this embodiment, the button lamp is illuminated in white during the effective period, and the button lamp is turned off outside the effective period. During this effective period, multiple mode images representing different effect modes are displayed, and the type of mode image that is initially selected is determined by the setting value indicating the effect mode. For example, if the player hits the jackpot pattern C on the first hit, the setting value indicating the effect mode of group A is initially stored and set, so that the mode image that is selected and displayed at the start of the effective period is the mode image representing the night mode (see FIG. 8 (A) and (B) (a)).

When the effect button 26 is operated once during the valid period of the mode selection effect, the mode image in the selected state changes. For example, when the jackpot pattern C is the first hit, the mode image representing the new chapter mode is selected in response to the first operation during the valid period of the mode selection effect (see FIG. 8(B)(b)). Then, the mode image representing the night mode is selected in response to the second operation (see FIG. 8(B)(c)). If the effect button 26 is not operated during the valid period of the mode selection effect, the mode image in the selected state will not change. The effect mode immediately after the end of the active jackpot game is the effect mode represented by the mode image in the selected state at the end of the valid period of the mode selection effect (i.e., at the end of the mode selection effect), regardless of whether or not there is an operation.

In this embodiment, it is decided to transition to the presentation mode represented by the mode image in the final selected state. In this embodiment, when the mode selection presentation ends, a setting value indicating the presentation mode to transition to is stored in the sub-RAM 133. This storage process sets the presentation mode for the time-saving state immediately after the end of the jackpot game. In addition, the presentation mode that will be initially selected on the initial screen of the mode selection presentation for the next jackpot game is set.

Specifically, for example, if the jackpot pattern C is the first hit, and the mode image representing the new chapter mode is selected at the end of the mode selection presentation, it is decided to transition to the new chapter mode (see FIG. 8 (B) (d)). At the end of the mode selection presentation, a setting value indicating the new chapter mode is stored in the sub-RAM 133. As a result, the transition to the new chapter mode is set, and the initial screen of the mode selection presentation for the next jackpot game will have the mode image representing the presentation mode of group B selected.

On the other hand, if the mode image representing the night mode is selected when the mode selection presentation ends, it is decided to transition to the night mode. When the mode selection presentation ends, a setting value representing the night mode is stored in the sub-RAM 133. This sets the transition to the night mode, and the initial screen of the mode selection presentation for the next big win game will have the mode image representing the presentation mode of group A selected.

In this way, in this embodiment, regardless of which mode image is selected at the end of the mode selection performance, a setting value indicating the presentation mode to which the transition will be made is stored in the sub-RAM 133. As a result, not only can the mode selection performance determine the presentation mode immediately after the end of the ongoing big win game, but the state of the initial screen of the mode selection performance in the next big win game can be changed. According to this embodiment, the player can simply determine the presentation mode of his/her choice once with one mode selection performance, and thereafter the presentation mode according to his/her desire can be selected on the initial screen of the mode selection performance. Here, in this embodiment, regardless of whether or not an operation is performed, the transition is made to the presentation mode selected at the end of the valid period of the mode selection performance. Therefore, the player can transition to the presentation mode according to his/her desire by waiting for the valid period to elapse without performing a selection operation during the mode selection performance. In this way, according to this embodiment, the hassle of having to reselect the presentation mode many times each time the mode selection performance is executed can be eliminated.

In addition, during the valid period of the mode selection effect, the selected mode image may be switched by using the left and right keys of the effect key 27, and the effect mode may be confirmed by operating the effect button 26. In such a configuration, the transition destination effect mode is confirmed and the valid period ends in response to the operation of the effect button 26 during the valid period of the mode selection effect. In addition, when the transition destination effect mode is confirmed, a setting value indicating this effect mode is stored in the sub-RAM 133. In such a configuration, during the valid period of the mode selection effect, a selection key image imitating the effect key 27, the word "Select" displayed near this image, a button image 90 imitating the effect button 26, the word "Confirm with effect button", and a gauge image 91 indicating the remaining time of the valid period are displayed. These images are erased when the transition destination effect mode is confirmed by operating the effect button 26.

When the mode selection display ends, a setting value indicating a group of display modes may be stored instead of a setting value indicating an individual display mode. Specifically, for example, when the new chapter mode is selected, a setting value indicating group B is stored in the sub-RAM 133 when the mode selection display ends.

In addition, when the mode selection performance ends, the performance control board 130 may execute a process to determine whether the setting value indicating the destination performance mode is a performance mode of the same group as the setting value already stored in the sub-RAM 133. Then, only when it is determined that the destination performance mode is not a performance mode of the same group as the stored setting value (i.e., a different group), the performance control board 130 may store the setting value indicating the destination performance mode in the sub-RAM 133.

Referring to Figures 9 to 11, a specific example will be described from the first win to the determination of the transition to new chapter mode. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example from when the jackpot pattern C is displayed stopped on the first win to when the mode selection presentation starts. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the mode selection presentation. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of transitioning to new chapter mode via the mode selection presentation.

9(A) shows an example of the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 when the jackpot pattern C is stopped and displayed at the first hit. In FIG. 9(A), three 2 symbols are displayed as decorative symbols 55, and a blue 4th symbol 57 is displayed as a stopped symbol to notify the same content as the jackpot pattern C. At this time, the small symbols 56 are displayed in the same combination as the decorative symbols 55. After the state of FIG. 9(A) is maintained until the symbol determination time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, the jackpot game related to the jackpot pattern C starts. FIG. 9(B) shows an example of the state in which the jackpot OP effect is being executed to notify the start of the jackpot game. The jackpot OP effect is an effect that displays characters suggesting the type of the jackpot game this time, and is an effect that is executed from the start of the jackpot game to the start of the first round game. In FIG. 9(B), the word "bonus" is displayed to suggest that the jackpot game is related to the jackpot pattern C. At the end of the jackpot OP performance, the words "Aim to the right" are displayed on the LCD screen 5 to instruct the player to hit to the right, and the voice "Aim to the right" is output from the speaker 24.

Figure 9 (C) shows an example of the state when the first round of play begins. In this embodiment, in the case of a jackpot game involving jackpot symbol C, a video of character D is displayed from the start of the first round of play until the transition mode is determined in the mode selection presentation (see Figures 9 (C) to 11 (B)). This video displays pink bands at the top and bottom of the LCD screen 5 from the start to the end.

As shown in FIG. 9(C), the words "Hit Right >>" are displayed in the far right corner of the LCD screen 5 from the start of the first round of play. The words "Hit Right >>" are intended to instruct the player to hit to the right, and are displayed continuously from the start of the first round of play after the start of the jackpot game until the end of the final round of play, regardless of the type of jackpot game. The words "Hit Right >>" are erased once at the start of the ED period, and are displayed from the start of the time-saving state until it falls into the non-time-saving state. The ED period is the period from the end of the final round of play to the end of this jackpot game.

In the case of a jackpot game involving jackpot symbols B, C, E, and F, as shown in FIG. 9(C), the word "Round 1" is displayed from the start of the first round of play to indicate that the first round of play is in progress. The word "Round 1" continues to be displayed until the start of the second round of play, at which point it is updated to the word "Round 2." It then continues to be updated according to the current round number, and is erased at the end of the final round of play.

In this embodiment, regardless of the type of jackpot game, the characters "○○pt" indicating the total number of prize balls obtained in the jackpot games up to now are displayed from the start of the first round of play. Figure 9 (C) shows the start of the first round of play in the first round of play, so the characters "0pt" are displayed, indicating that the total number of prize balls is 0. The total number of prize balls is erased at the start of the ED period.

In the jackpot game of this embodiment, regardless of the type of jackpot, the title of the song is displayed on the right edge of the liquid crystal screen 5 for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) from the start of the first round of play. This song is output from the speaker 24 from the start of the first round of play after the start of the jackpot game until the start of the ED period, except for jackpot games related to jackpot patterns A and D, and small jackpot pattern 1. In jackpot games related to jackpot patterns A and D, and small jackpot pattern 1, the song is output from the start of the first round of play until the end of the God Rush or Devil Rush.

Figure 9 (D) shows an example of the state in which the words "Round 8" to indicate that it is the 8th round, the words "Right hit>>", and the total number of winning balls "547 pts" are displayed just before the end of the final round of play. Also, Figure 9 (E) shows an example of the state when only the words "Round 8" are erased from the state of Figure 9 (D) at the end of the final round of play.

In this embodiment, the mode selection presentation starts from the start of the ED period in the jackpot game involving jackpot patterns B, C, E, and F, and small jackpot patterns 2 and 3 (see FIG. 9(F)). FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show an example of the mode selection presentation when it is the first jackpot and the jackpot pattern is C. The mode selection presentation at this time is executed to determine either the night mode or the new chapter mode as the presentation mode after the jackpot game currently being played ends. Since FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show an example of the first jackpot, the presentation mode that is initially selected on the initial screen of the mode selection presentation is the night mode of group A.

As the mode selection performance begins (and the ED period begins), the text "Choose a mode" begins to be displayed. As the mode selection performance begins, a moving display of a night mode image 40 representing night mode and a new chapter mode image 41 representing new chapter mode begins, as illustrated in Figs. 10(A)-(E). The performance mode cannot be selected during this moving display, and can be selected once the moving display is complete. As illustrated in Figs. 10(A)-(E), the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 are displayed in a dark color (e.g., low saturation or grayscale) from the start of the mode selection performance until the moving display is complete. This suggests that the performance mode cannot currently be selected, but will be selectable in the future.

The mode image may be darkened in any manner. For example, the mode image may be darkened by showing it to the player through a semi-transparent black image. Specifically, for example, a black image with high transparency that allows the background to be seen is displayed in full behind the text "Choose a mode" and in front of the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41. This black image is displayed from the start of the mode selection presentation until the movement display of the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 is completed. As the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 can be seen through this black image, they are displayed in a dark shade from the start of the mode selection presentation until the movement display is completed.

In this embodiment, the following display effects are performed while the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 are being displayed and moved. First, as the mode selection effect begins, the night mode image 40 begins to be displayed superimposed on the front of the video of character D from the upper left corner of the screen. At this time, the new chapter mode image 41 has not yet started to be displayed. In this embodiment, the type of mode image that is displayed first when the mode selection effect begins is determined by the setting value that indicates the effect mode stored in sub-RAM 133. Figures 10 and 11 are examples of the first win, so the mode image that is displayed first when the mode selection effect begins is the mode image that represents group A's night mode.

After the night mode image 40 starts to be displayed, the new chapter mode image 41 starts to be displayed from the upper left corner of the screen in the same way as the night mode image 40 (see FIG. 10(A)). The new chapter mode image 41 is displayed in front of the video of character D in the same way as the night mode image 40. The new chapter mode image 41, which starts to be displayed later, is displayed in front of the night mode image 40 from the start of display until the timing of FIG. 10(E). Then, from the timing of FIG. 10(E) to the timing of FIG. 11(A), it is displayed behind the night mode image 40. In this way, in this embodiment, the mode images of the group different from the setting value indicating the presentation mode stored in the sub-RAM 133 are shown to the player with a high display priority until the middle of the moving display. Note that, during the moving display of the mode images, the mode images of the same group as the setting value may always be displayed with a higher display priority than the mode images of the group different from the setting value.

Here, in this embodiment, if the first special symbol judgment from the time-saving state to the non-time-saving state until the predetermined number of rotations (for example, the 30th rotation) does not result in a jackpot, the setting value indicating the presentation mode in the previous time-saving state is reset to the setting value indicating the presentation mode of group A. If a jackpot is won by the above-mentioned predetermined number of rotations, the setting value indicating the presentation mode in the previous time-saving state remains in the sub-RAM 133. In such a case, the type of mode image to be displayed first when the mode selection performance is started is determined by the setting value indicating the presentation mode in the previous time-saving state. For example, if the setting value indicating the new chapter mode remains, the new chapter mode image 41 is displayed first when the mode selection performance is started. In this embodiment, the setting value indicating the presentation mode is reset if the first special symbol judgment from the time-saving state to the non-time-saving state until the predetermined number of rotations does not result in a jackpot, but the condition for resetting the setting value may be other conditions. For example, if a jackpot is won at the above-mentioned predetermined number of rotations or more, it may be reset to the setting value indicating the presentation mode of group A. Also, if a jackpot occurs when a predetermined time (e.g., 20 minutes) or more has elapsed since the time-saving state fell into a non-time-saving state, the setting value may be reset to the value indicating the presentation mode of group A.

Regardless of the type of setting value indicating the presentation mode stored in the sub-RAM 133, the night mode image 40 may start to be displayed before the new chapter mode image 41. Furthermore, with the start of the mode selection presentation, the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 may start to be displayed simultaneously, or the new chapter mode image 41 may start to be displayed before the night mode image 40.

As shown in the examples of Figures 10 (A) to (C), when the night mode image 40 starts to be displayed, it gradually expands as it moves towards the top right corner of the screen. Once the night mode image 40 reaches the top right corner of the screen, it then gradually expands as it moves towards the left edge of the screen (see Figure 10 (D)). When the night mode image 40 reaches the left edge of the screen, the left half is cut off and only the right half is visible.

As shown in the examples of Figures 10 (A) to (C), when the new chapter mode image 41 begins to be displayed, it gradually expands as it moves to the center of the screen. Once the new chapter mode image 41 has reached the center of the screen, it gradually shrinks as it moves to the right edge of the screen, where it is lined up side-by-side with the night mode image 40 (see Figure 10 (D)). Once the new chapter mode image 41 has been moved to the right edge of the screen, the right half is cut off and only the left half is visible. The movement of the new chapter mode image 41 up to this point takes the same amount of time as the movement of the night mode image 40. For this reason, at the same time that the night mode image 40 is displayed at the left edge of the screen, the new chapter mode image 41 is displayed at the right edge of the screen, and they are lined up side-by-side.

The night mode image 40 and new chapter mode image 41 are displayed and move from the state shown in FIG. 10(E) towards the center of the screen. As shown in FIG. 10(F), the distance between the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 gradually decreases, until the left edge of the new chapter mode image 41 overlaps with the rear side of the night mode image 40. In this way, in this embodiment, the type of mode image that is displayed in the foreground when they overlap (i.e., has a higher display priority) is determined by the setting value indicating the presentation mode stored in the sub-RAM 133.

After that, when all of the cut-off parts of the night mode image 40 (and new chapter mode image 41) become visible, the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 become still. At this point, the moving display of the night mode image 40 and the new chapter mode image 41 is complete. When the moving is complete, the night mode image 40 is displayed larger than the new chapter mode image 41. In this way, in this embodiment, the type of mode image that is displayed larger than the other mode images is determined by the setting value indicating the presentation mode stored in sub-RAM 133.

As described above, in this embodiment, if a jackpot is hit within a predetermined number of spins (e.g., the 30th spin) after falling from the time-saving state to the non-time-saving state, the setting value indicating the presentation mode in the previous time-saving state remains in the sub-RAM 133. In such a case, the type of mode image that is displayed large in the foreground (i.e., has a high display priority) in the state of FIG. 10 (F) is determined by the setting value indicating the presentation mode in the previous time-saving state. For example, if the setting value indicating the new chapter mode remains, the new chapter mode image 41 is displayed large in the foreground compared to the night mode image 40 in the state of FIG. 10 (F).

As shown in FIG. 11(A), the text "Choose a mode" disappears as the moving display is completed. Along with this, the button image 90, gauge image 91, the text "Switch modes", and left and right arrows (for example, an image like "<< >>") begin to be displayed. These images are displayed to suggest that the selected mode image will be switched by operating the effect button 26. In this embodiment, the effective period of the effect button 26 begins at the same time that the button image 90 begins to be displayed. The remaining time of the effective period is indicated by the gauge image 91.

At the same time that the button image 90 starts to be displayed, the display mode of the night mode image 40 changes to a lighter color (e.g., full color) (see FIG. 11 (A)). This indicates that the night mode image 40 is currently selected. On the other hand, the new chapter mode image 41 remains in a darker color (e.g., grayscale) unless it is selected by operating the effect button 26. This indicates that the new chapter mode image 41 is not currently selected. In this way, in the case of a first win, the setting value indicating the effect mode of group A is stored in the sub-RAM 133, so that in the mode selection effect, an initial screen in which the night mode image 40 is initially selected is displayed.

If the setting value indicating the presentation mode in the previous time-saving state remains in the sub-RAM 133, the type of mode image in the initially selected state is determined by the setting value indicating the presentation mode in the previous time-saving state. For example, if a setting value indicating the new chapter mode remains, an initial screen in which the new chapter mode image 41 is initially selected is displayed.

At the same time that the button image 90 starts to be displayed, all mode images may change to a lighter color. Specifically, the display mode of the night mode image 40 changes to a lighter color, and the display mode of the new chapter mode image 41 also changes to a lighter color. Even with this change, the night mode image 40 is displayed larger and closer to the viewer than the new chapter mode image 41, suggesting that the night mode image 40 is currently selected.

When the effect button 26 is operated once, the state changes from the state in which the night mode image 40 is selected to the state in which the new chapter mode image 41 is selected (flow from FIG. 11 (A) to (B)). In this embodiment, in response to this first operation, the display state of the night mode image 40 changes to a darker color, and the new chapter mode image 41 changes to a lighter color. Also, in response to this first operation, the night mode image 40 gradually shrinks and moves behind the new chapter mode image 41, and the new chapter mode image 41 gradually expands and moves in front of the night mode image 40.

When the effect button 26 is operated a second time during the valid period of the mode selection effect, the state in which the new chapter mode image 41 is selected is switched to the state in which the night mode image 40 is selected (flow from FIG. 11 (B) to (A)). In this embodiment, in response to this second operation, the display state of the night mode image 40 returns to a bright color, and the new chapter mode image 41 returns to a dark color. In response to this second operation, the night mode image 40 gradually expands and moves to the front side of the new chapter mode image 41, and the new chapter mode image 41 gradually shrinks and moves to the back side of the night mode image 40. Here, FIG. 11 (A) shows the gauge image 91 at the start of the valid period. When the state in which the night mode image 40 is selected is switched to the state in which the gauge image 91 is indicated as having a remaining time less than the remaining time indicated by the gauge image 91 illustrated in FIG. 11 (B).

After that, at the end of the predetermined valid period, the transition to the presentation mode represented by the mode image selected at this time is confirmed. FIG. 11(C) shows an example in which the new chapter mode image 41 is selected at the end of the valid period, and the transition to the new chapter mode is confirmed. In this example, a setting value indicating the new chapter mode is stored in the sub-RAM 133 at the end of the valid period. This storage process controls the presentation in the new chapter mode immediately after the end of the ongoing big win game. Then, if a small win or big win (specifically, big win patterns B, C, E, and F, and small win patterns 2 and 3) is won in this new chapter mode, the mode selection presentation on the initial screen with the group B presentation mode selected is executed during the second big win game. In this way, the group B presentation mode is selected without the need to reselect the new chapter mode (or another presentation mode in group B) in the next mode selection presentation, so there is no need to bother with reselecting it.

As shown in the examples of Figures 11 (C) and (D), when the valid period ends, the new chapter mode image 41 starts to expand and is displayed full screen. The night mode image 40, button image 90, gauge image 91, the words "mode switch", the left and right arrows, and the animation of character D are erased when the valid period ends.

If the valid period ends with the night mode image 40 selected without any operation, or if the valid period ends with the night mode image 40 selected as a result of operation, the transition to the night mode is confirmed at the end of the valid period. In such a case, a setting value indicating that the transition destination is the night mode at the end of the valid period is stored in the sub-RAM 133. This storage process controls the presentation in the night mode immediately after the end of the ongoing big win game. Then, if a small win or big win (specifically, big win patterns B, C, E, and F, and small win patterns 2 and 3) is drawn in the night mode at this time, a mode selection presentation with the presentation mode of group A selected is executed during the second big win game. In this way, the presentation mode of group A is selected without the need to reselect the night mode (or other presentation modes of group A) in the next mode selection presentation, so there is no hassle of reselecting it.

If the transition to night mode is confirmed at the end of the valid period, the night mode image 40 will begin to expand from the end of the valid period, and will be displayed full screen. The new chapter mode image 41, button image 90, gauge image 91, the words "mode switch", the left and right arrows, and the animation of character D will be erased at the end of the valid period.

When a predetermined time (e.g., 7 seconds) has elapsed since the new chapter mode image 41 was displayed on the entire screen, the new chapter mode image 41 is erased. At the same time, an effect is started in which the effect mode title is displayed to notify the transition to the new chapter mode. In this effect, the following effect display is performed. First, an image resembling a stage curtain is displayed on the entire screen. Then, as the stage curtain is fully raised, the words "New Chapter Battle Win to Enter Rush" are displayed (see FIG. 11 (E) and (F)). The effect of displaying the effect mode title to notify the transition to the new chapter mode ends during the ED period. Then, during this ED period, the screen configuration is switched to the new chapter mode, and as the display of the second special pattern begins to change after the ED period ends, the first rotation change effect in the new chapter mode begins (see FIG. 11 (G) and (H)). The screen configuration of the new chapter mode will be described later with reference to FIG. 13.

In this embodiment, a warning is displayed when the stage curtain is rising during the performance in which the performance mode title is displayed to notify the player of the transition to the new chapter mode. This warning is displayed during the ED period of the first win, but is not displayed during the second or subsequent big wins. This warning has a higher display priority than the performance mode title, and is erased before the performance in which the performance mode title is displayed ends. FIG. 11(E) illustrates an example in which a first warning, which warns the player not to get too absorbed in the game, and a second warning, which warns the player not to forget to take the prepaid card, are displayed simultaneously. Note that the second warning may be displayed after the first warning is erased, or the first warning may be displayed after the second warning is erased.

In the mode selection presentation of this embodiment, one presentation mode is selected from two options. The mode selection presentation may also be a presentation in which one presentation mode is selected from three or more options. In such a configuration, the mode image in the selected state is displayed largest, and the size of each mode image may be made different so that the mode images farther away from the mode image in the selected state are smaller.

In the case of a mode selection presentation in which one presentation mode is selected from three or more options, the order of the mode images may be determined in advance. In such a configuration, on the initial screen of the mode selection presentation, the order may be rearranged so that the mode images in the same group as the setting value, which indicates the presentation mode stored in the sub-RAM 133, are at the center.

In this embodiment, the mode images are displayed side by side in the mode selection presentation. Note that in the mode selection presentation, each mode image may have a depth distance. In such a configuration, mode images in an unselected state are displayed to be deeper than mode images in a selected state. For example, mode images in an unselected state are displayed with blurring added according to the depth distance. On the other hand, mode images in a selected state are displayed without blurring added. In the initial screen of the mode selection presentation, the presence or absence of blurring according to the depth distance is determined by a setting value indicating the presentation mode stored in the sub-RAM 133, and mode images in a group different from the setting value are displayed with blurring added according to the depth distance.

In the mode selection presentation of this embodiment, all selectable mode images are displayed on the LCD screen 5. Note that in the mode selection presentation, some of the selectable mode images may be displayed on the LCD screen 5, with the remaining portions hidden. Specifically, when the night mode image 40 is selected and the new chapter mode image 41 is not selected, the night mode image 40 is displayed on the LCD screen 5, and the new chapter mode image 41 is hidden. That is, on the initial screen of the mode selection presentation, whether to display or not is determined by a setting value indicating the presentation mode stored in the sub-RAM 133, and mode images of a group different from the setting value are hidden. Even if hidden in this way, it is possible to show the selectable mode images to the player while the mode images are being moved, so that the player can recognize what presentation mode they can switch to.

[About the first and second spin changes in New Chapter Mode]
When the new chapter mode is started by winning the big win pattern C, the player is made to expect a small win by expecting a reach performance during the variable display of the second special pattern on the first and second rotations. The reach performance is a general term for the performance from when the decorative patterns 55 on the left and right are temporarily stopped and displayed as the same pattern (i.e., a reach is established) to when the decorative pattern 55 (or small pattern 56) is temporarily stopped and displayed in a combination that notifies the result of the special pattern determination. The temporary stop display is a display mode in which the decorative pattern 55 (or small pattern 56) is slightly moved up and down without changing the display position, or is slightly enlarged and reduced repeatedly. The reach performance is likely to be performed in the case of a small win (or a big win) or when the special pattern is lost and the variable time is relatively long. For this reason, the reach performance is a performance with a relatively high reliability, and is a performance that makes the player expect a small win (or a big win).

In this embodiment, the reach performance modes that can be executed in the new chapter mode (and normal mode) include "normal reach performance", "SP reach performance", and "SPSP reach performance". "Normal reach performance" is a performance mode in which, for example, the left and right decorative patterns 55 (hereinafter referred to as "reach patterns") in the reach established state are displayed large in the center of the liquid crystal screen 5, and the central decorative pattern 55 is scrolled at a relatively slow speed. In this embodiment, from the start of the normal reach performance, the left and right small patterns 56 are displayed temporarily stopped in the same combination as the reach patterns, but the central small pattern 56 is displayed fluctuating at a high speed, unlike the central decorative pattern 55. If the normal reach performance is a miss, the reach pattern and the central decorative pattern 55 are displayed stopped in a combination indicating a miss (hereinafter referred to as a "reach miss") at the end of the normal reach performance. On the other hand, if a small win (or big win) occurs during the normal reach performance, the decorative pattern 55 is displayed stopped in a combination that indicates a small win (or big win) at the end of the normal reach performance.

For example, although a normal reach effect may be executed in response to a small win (or big win) variation pattern, it is more likely to be executed in response to a miss variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is relatively short. For this reason, a normal reach effect can be said to be a reach effect with a relatively low reliability (for example, a reliability of 0.01%).

The "SP reach performance" is a performance that gives the expectation that the performance will progress to an SPSP reach performance for one of characters A to D, for example. Decorative pattern 55 is hidden from the start of the SP reach performance until just before a win or loss is announced. When an SP reach performance progresses to an SPSP reach performance, a performance is executed in which characters A to D are displayed and then only one of them is displayed. When an SP reach performance fails to progress to an SPSP reach performance, in the SP reach performance, characters A to D are displayed in the same manner as when an SP reach performance progresses to an SPSP reach performance, and then all the characters disappear and decorative pattern 55 stops and displays with a reach failure eye. If the SP reach performance does not progress from the SP reach performance to the SPSP reach performance and results in a small win (or big win), in the SP reach performance, characters A to D disappear and decorative pattern 55 is displayed in a combination indicating a small win (or big win) in the same manner as when the SP reach performance does not progress from the SPSP reach performance and results in a miss.

For example, the SP reach performance may be executed in response to a small win (or big win) variation pattern, but is more likely to be executed in response to a miss variation pattern in which the special symbol variation time is slightly longer. For this reason, the SP reach performance can be said to be a reach performance with a medium reliability (for example, a reliability of 7%). In this embodiment, the SP reach performance may develop from the establishment of a reach via a normal reach performance, or may develop directly from the establishment of a reach without going through a normal reach performance.

The "SPSP reach effect" is an effect in which one of the characters A to D fights an enemy. In the case of a small win (or a big win), the decorative pattern 55 is displayed in a combination indicating a small win (or a big win) after the enemy is defeated at the end of the SPSP reach effect. In the case of a miss, the decorative pattern 55 is displayed in a reach miss pattern after the enemy wins at the end of the SPSP reach effect.

The SPSP reach performance takes longer than the normal reach performance and the SP reach performance, and is likely to be executed in response to a variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is relatively long. The SPSP reach performance is unlikely to be executed if the result of the special symbol determination is a miss, and is likely to be executed if the result of the special symbol determination is a small win (or a big win). The reliability of the SPSP reach performance is relatively high, for example 40%. For this reason, the SPSP reach performance is a reach performance with a higher reliability than the normal reach performance and the SP reach performance. In this embodiment, the SPSP reach performance may develop from the establishment of a reach via a normal reach performance, from the establishment of a reach via an SP reach performance, from the establishment of a reach via a normal reach performance to an SP reach performance, or directly from the establishment of a reach without the intervention of either the normal reach performance or the SP reach performance.

Here, in this embodiment, in order to create hope for a small win, a group performance may be executed at a specific timing during the SP reach performance (for example, when all characters A to D are displayed) and at a specific timing during the SPSP reach performance (for example, immediately before the operation prompting performance (described below) at the end of the SSP reach performance). In this embodiment, the group performance during the SP reach performance or the SPSP reach performance (hereinafter referred to as "group performance during reach performance") has the same display format as the group performance during the re-draw performance described above.

Whether or not to execute the group performance during the reach performance is determined by a random number drawing by the performance control board 130 when a variation start command (described later) is received from the game control board 100. The group performance during the reach performance is executed when a variation pattern for a small win or a variation pattern for a loss is selected. In the case of a small win, the group performance is more likely to be executed during the reach performance than in the case of a loss. Here, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the execution rate of the group performance during the reach performance. In this embodiment, in the case of a small win, the rate at which the group performance is executed during the reach performance is 25%, and the rate at which the group performance is not executed during the reach performance is 75% (see FIG. 12). In the case of a loss, the rate at which the group performance is executed during the reach performance is 10%, and the rate at which the group performance is not executed during the reach performance is 90%.

In this embodiment, if a group performance is executed during an SP reach performance, there are cases where the SP reach performance progresses to an SPSP reach performance, and cases where a win or loss is announced with the SP reach performance without progressing to an SPSP reach performance. As described above, in this embodiment, the SPSP reach performance is also unlikely to be executed in the case of a miss, but is likely to be executed in the case of a small win. As a result, it is possible to indirectly suggest that when a group performance is executed during an SP reach performance, there is a higher possibility of it progressing to an SPSP reach performance than when it is not executed.

In addition, assuming that an SPSP reach performance may be executed even if a group performance is not executed during an SP reach performance, the group performance during an SP reach performance may suggest that it is certain that the performance will progress to an SPSP reach performance.

In this embodiment, the case where the group performance has one type of performance mode will be described, but the group performance may have multiple performance modes. For example, the group performance may have performance mode A in which a large number of characters A cross the screen, performance mode B in which a large number of characters B cross the screen, performance mode C in which a large number of characters C cross the screen, and performance mode D in which a large number of multiple types of characters (for example, characters A to C) cross the screen. In the case of a small win, the group performance during the reach performance is more likely to be selected in the order of performance modes A to D, and performance mode D is executed only in the case of a small win. In the case of a re-draw performance, the group performance is determined to be small win pattern 1 regardless of which of performance modes A to D is executed. Therefore, the performance modes A to D are selected at an equal rate as the performance modes of the group performance during the re-draw performance. In addition, the performance modes A to D may be selected in the order of performance modes A to D as the group performance during the re-draw performance.

The timing of the group performance that is executed to generate hope for a small win is not limited to during a reach performance. For example, by executing a group performance in response to the establishment of a reach, it may be possible to suggest that the probability of a small win is high.

Below, with reference to Figs. 13 to 15, a specific example of the first rotation variable presentation in the new chapter mode entered by hitting the jackpot symbol C will be described. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state when the first rotation variable display in the new chapter mode starts. Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the reach presentation following Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the re-draw presentation.

As described above with reference to Figures 9 to 11, when the big win symbol C is drawn and the transition presentation mode is determined to be the new chapter mode during the ED period of the big win game related to this big win symbol C, the screen configuration will be the new chapter mode at the end of the ED period. Figure 13 (A) illustrates an example of the state when the screen configuration of the new chapter mode is achieved at the end of the ED period, and corresponds to the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 at the time of Figure 11 (G). At the time of Figure 13 (A), the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) are displayed in the same combination as the last time they were displayed in a stopped state (specifically, a combination suggesting that it is the small win symbol 3). The fourth symbol has been displayed in a stopped state since the last time it was displayed in blue until the time of Figure 13 (A). The decorative symbol 55, the small symbol 56, and the fourth symbol start to be displayed in a changing state at the same time as the second special symbol of the first rotation in the new chapter mode starts to be displayed in a changing state. Here, in FIG. 13(A), the number of pending first special pattern determinations and second special pattern determinations is 0.

In this embodiment, when the game is switched to the new chapter mode, if the special symbol related to the second special symbol determination on the third spin stops and displays as a losing symbol, the control in the time-saving state ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to emphasize the decrease in the number of remaining second special symbol determinations and give the player a sense of excitement, a number indicating the number of second special symbol determinations until the second special symbol determination on the third spin is performed is displayed in the upper left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. In the state of FIG. 13(A), the second special symbol determination on the first spin has not been performed because it is still during the ED period. Therefore, the number "2.0" is displayed in the upper left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. This number represents the variable display on the first spin from "1.9" to "1.0", and the variable display on the second spin from "0.9" to "0.0". As shown in FIG. 13B, the number changes from "2.0" to "1.9" in response to the start of the variable display of the second special symbol in the first rotation, and then decreases by 0.1 every predetermined time (for example, every 5 seconds) (see FIG. 13C). In this embodiment, when the number is "1.8" to "1.0" in the variable display of the first rotation, and when the number is "0.8" to "0.0" in the variable display of the second rotation, there is a possibility that a reach will be established. In this embodiment, every time the number decreases by 0.1, a reach establishment teasing performance is executed to tease whether or not a reach will be established. If a reach is established as a result of the reach establishment teasing performance, the countdown stops and the number is hidden, and the performance progresses to a reach performance. The flow after the reach performance at this time will be described later with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 16. If a reach is not established as a result of the reach establishment teasing performance, the countdown of the number continues. Then, if the reach is not achieved during the reach-achievement hinting performance when the countdown reaches "1.0" (note that it is "0.0" during the second rotation variable display), the number does not change and the decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) are displayed as a provisional stop in a combination indicating a miss, and then displayed as a stop.

In this embodiment, the timing when the number becomes "1.0" during the first rotation is suggested by the display position of the icon 53. The icon 53 in this embodiment is an image displayed in the lower left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5 as the second special pattern starts to change. The icon 53 continues to move little by little to the right in front of the background gauge 60, and moves to the lower right corner of the liquid crystal screen 5 at the timing when the number becomes "1.0" during the first rotation (see Figures 13(B) to (D)). The background gauge 60 is an image that suggests the remaining time until the timing, and is an image that starts to be displayed at the same time as the icon 53. The background gauge 60 is displayed entirely in black when it starts to be displayed, and then changes to white from left to right until it becomes entirely white (see Figure 13(B)). Then, it changes to black again in order from the places where the icon 53 has passed, and changes to black entirely just before the icon 53 arrives at the lower right corner of the screen (see Figure 13(C)). In this embodiment, the icon 53 and background gauge 60 are displayed during the display of the second special symbol during the second rotation in the new chapter mode, just as they are during the display of the second special symbol during the first rotation. During the display of the second rotation, the timing at which the number becomes "0.0" is indicated by the timing at which the icon 53 completes its movement from the lower left corner to the lower right corner of the liquid crystal screen 5. Here, FIG. 13(C) illustrates an example in which two reserved icons 54 are displayed in front of the icon 53 and background gauge 60 as the number of reserved second special symbol judgments becomes 2 during the movement of the icon 53. The reserved icon 541 with 1 written inside corresponds to the first reserved, and the reserved icon 542 with 2 written inside corresponds to the earliest reserved.

In this embodiment, a dialogue effect is executed to display a character and a line before it is announced whether or not a reach has been achieved (see Figures 13 (B) and (C)). The dialogue effect displays a character, etc., every time the number displayed in the upper left corner of the screen decreases by 0.1, and the type of character and line indicates the reliability. There are characters A to C that are displayed in the dialogue effect, and characters A, B, and C are more likely to be displayed in the order of a small win and less likely to be displayed in the case of a loss.

As shown in FIG. 13(D), when the number in the upper left corner of the LCD screen 5 is "1.0", if the reach is not achieved as a result of the reach achievement teasing performance, three decorative symbols 55 are displayed temporarily in a combination indicating a miss, and then displayed stationary (see FIG. 13(D)). At the same time as being displayed stationary in this way, the icon 53 and background gauge 60 are removed to the bottom of the screen and erased. Then, as the display of the second special symbol for the second rotation in the new chapter mode begins, a new icon 53 and background gauge 60 are suddenly displayed (or appear one after another from the bottom of the screen), and the number displayed in the upper left corner of the screen changes from "1.0" to "0.9". During the display of the second rotation, the same display as the first rotation is executed.

As shown in FIG. 13(F), when a reach is achieved as a result of the reach achievement prompting performance, a reach performance is executed. The examples of FIG. 13(F) and (G) show how a reach is achieved and an SP reach performance starts when the number in the upper left corner of the LCD screen 5 is "1.0", but depending on the type of fluctuation pattern, a normal reach performance or an SPSP reach performance may start. In this embodiment, in response to the achievement of a reach, the decorative pattern 55, the icon 53, the background gauge 60, the number "1.0" displayed in the upper left corner of the screen, and the total number of winning balls are hidden.

Figure 14 (A) shows an example of how a group performance is executed during a SP reach performance. Regardless of whether or not a group performance is present during a SP reach performance, after the SP reach performance there is a case where it develops into an SPSP reach performance (flow from Figure 14 (A) to (B)), or a case where it does not develop into an SPSP reach performance and the result of the second special symbol determination is announced (flow from Figure 14 (A) to (C)).

Figure 14 (B) shows an example of the start of an SPSP reach effect in which character C fights an enemy. As shown in Figure 14 (C), an operation prompting effect is executed at the end of the SPSP reach effect. In the operation prompting effect, a button image 90 and a gauge image 91 are displayed for a predetermined effective period to prompt the player to operate the effect button 26. Unlike the effective period of the mode selection effect, the effective period of the operation prompting effect ends with one operation. If no operation is performed during the effective period, the effective period ends at a predetermined effective period end timing (for example, 3 seconds have passed since the start of the effective period).

In the case of a miss, a performance in which character C loses to an enemy starts according to the end of the valid period. At the same time as the start of this performance, as exemplified in FIG. 14(E), the small symbol 56 is temporarily stopped and displayed as a reach miss. After that, the display returns to the normal screen of the new chapter mode in which the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) are temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as the small symbol 56 temporarily stopped and displayed at this time. The normal screen of the new chapter mode is a screen displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 in most of the games in the new chapter mode, and has a screen configuration as exemplified in FIG. 13(B) to (F). The specific performance mode will be described later with reference to FIG. 16, but after returning to the normal screen, there are cases where a miss is notified and cases where a small win symbol 3 is notified. When a miss is notified, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a miss symbol, and the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) are stopped and displayed in the same combination as the temporary stop display, and the white fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed. When the small win pattern 3 is announced, as the small win pattern 3 is stopped and displayed, the decorative pattern 55 (and the small pattern 56) and the fourth pattern 57 are stopped and displayed in a combination that shows the small win pattern 3 (see FIG. 5 (E)).

If the small winning symbol is 2 or 3, an effect in which character C defeats the enemy begins in response to the end of the effective period of the operation prompt effect at the end of the SPSP reach effect. At the same time as this effect begins, as exemplified in FIG. 14(G), the effect device 7 moves from the initial position to the advance position, and small symbols 56 are temporarily stopped and displayed, for example, with two symbols aligned. After that, as exemplified in FIG. 14(H), as soon as the effect device 7 has been retracted, decorative symbols 55 are temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as small symbols 56. Following this temporary stop display, a re-lottery effect begins.

When the small win symbol is 1, the effect of character C defeating the enemy starts in the same way as when the small win symbol is 2 or 3, and the small symbols 56 are temporarily stopped as a set of seven symbols with the character "God" superimposed on the foreground. After that, the decorative symbols 55 are temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as the small symbols 56. Then, the decorative symbols 55 and small symbols 56 are stopped and displayed in the same combination as the second special symbol is stopped and displayed, without a re-draw effect being executed.

As shown in Figs. 15(A) and (B), as the re-draw performance begins, the decorative pattern 55 and the small pattern 56 start to change again. At the same time, the decorative pattern 55 is gradually reduced in size and moved upward on the LCD screen 5. Fig. 15(C) illustrates the execution of a group performance during this re-change (i.e., during the re-draw performance). The group performance at this time suggests that the decorative pattern 55 (and the small pattern 56) will be promoted to a small win pattern 2. After the re-draw performance at this time, the seven patterns are temporarily stopped, and then the decorative pattern 55 and the small pattern 56 are stopped and displayed with the small win pattern 2 (see Fig. 15(D)). The performance during the small win game and the big win game related to the small win pattern 2 executed after this stop display will be described later with reference to Figs. 29 and 30.

Figure 15 (F) shows an example of a state when a group effect is not executed during a re-draw effect. After the re-draw effect, the decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) may or may not be promoted, with the former occurring more frequently than the latter (see Figures 15 (G) and (D)). If the decorative pattern 55 and small pattern 56 are not promoted, for example, after the re-draw effect, two patterns are temporarily stopped and displayed, and then the decorative pattern 55 and small pattern 56 are stopped and displayed along with the small win pattern 3 (see Figure 15 (H)). During the small win game and big win game related to the small win pattern 3 executed after this stop display, the same effect as the effect when the small win pattern 2 is stopped and displayed, which will be described later with reference to Figures 29 and 30, is basically executed.

Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the performance following Figure 14 (E). When the small symbol 56 is temporarily stopped with a reach miss in response to the end of the effective period of the operation promotion performance at the end of the SPSP reach performance, the normal screen of the new chapter mode is restored as illustrated in Figure 16 (A). In the normal screen at this time, the number "1.0" indicating that it is a variable display of the first rotation is displayed in the upper left corner of the liquid crystal screen 5, the icon 53 that has completed the moving display is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen, and the background gauge 60 that is entirely black is displayed. At this time, the decorative symbol 55 is temporarily stopped and displayed in the same combination as the small symbol 56 that was temporarily stopped and displayed in Figure 14 (E). In this embodiment, following such a state, there are cases where a miss is notified and cases where a small winning symbol 3 is notified. When a loss is reported, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a losing symbol, and the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) are stopped and displayed in the same combination as the provisionally stopped symbol, and the white fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed (flow from (A) to (B) in Figure 16).

Here, in this embodiment, in order to notify that it is small win pattern 3, a group performance may be executed during the provisional stop display of a reach missing symbol (see FIG. 16 (D)). In this embodiment, the group performance during the provisional stop display of a reach missing symbol has the same display form as the group performance during the reach performance and the re-draw performance described above. As exemplified in FIG. 16 (D), in this embodiment, the icon 53, background gauge 60, and reserved icon 54 are displayed behind the character related to the group performance, but the character related to the group performance may also be displayed in front of these images.

Whether or not the group performance during the provisional stop display of the reach miss is performed is determined by a random number lottery by the performance control board 130 when a variation start command (described later) is received from the game control board 100. The group performance during the provisional stop display of the reach miss is performed when the small win pattern 3 is displayed, and is not performed when other special patterns are displayed. In this embodiment, when the small win pattern 3 is displayed, the probability that the group performance during the provisional stop display of the reach miss is executed is 20%, and the probability that the group performance during the provisional stop display of the reach miss is not executed is 80%. In other words, regardless of whether the group performance during the provisional stop display of the reach miss is executed, there are cases where the small win pattern 3 is stopped and displayed after the provisional stop display of the reach miss. In this embodiment, when there is a miss, a small win pattern 1 or 2, or a big win, the group performance during the provisional stop display of the reach miss is not executed.

In this embodiment, when the small win pattern 3 is stopped and displayed after the tentative display of the reach miss pattern, a revival effect is executed to make it look like the big win has been revived, regardless of the presence or absence of a group effect during the tentative display of the reach miss pattern. As illustrated in FIG. 16(E), at the start of the revival effect, an effect is started in which the entire normal screen on which the reach miss pattern is temporarily displayed cracks. Following this, in the revival effect, as illustrated in FIG. 16(F), for example, after the two-pattern match is temporarily displayed, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the purple fourth pattern 57 are stopped and displayed with the small win pattern 3 (see FIG. 16(F)). During the small win game and the big win game related to the small win pattern 3 executed after this stop display, the same effect as the effect when the small win pattern 2 is stopped and displayed, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, is basically executed.

The timing of the group performance executed to notify the player that the small win pattern 3 is present is not limited to after the normal screen is restored. For example, the player may be notified that the small win pattern 3 is present by executing the group performance immediately before the normal screen is restored (for example, in the state illustrated in FIG. 14(E)).

The group performance during the provisional stop display of the reach miss may be executed to notify that it is the small win pattern 1. In such a case, the group performance during the provisional stop display of the reach miss is executed if it is the small win pattern 1, and is not executed if it is another special pattern. After the group performance during the provisional stop display of the reach miss, the decorative pattern 55, the small pattern 56, and the green fourth pattern 57 are displayed stopped in a combination that indicates the small win pattern 1 via the revival performance.

[About the third rotation change in New Chapter Mode]
If the first and second spins in the new chapter mode are misses, the second special symbol variable display for the third spin is started. During the variable display of the second special symbol for the third spin in the new chapter mode, a battle performance is executed to easily inform the player whether a small win will be obtained by the second special symbol judgment related to this variable display and the four reserved second special symbol judgments, which are a total of five times. This battle performance is a variable performance that informs the player of the results of the above five second special symbol judgments in a series of flows. If the results of the above five second special symbol judgments are a small win (or a big win), it is suggested that the small win (or a big win) will occur during the variable display of the third spin. Examples of performances that suggest a small win (or a big win) include a performance in which one of the characters A to D defeats an enemy in a battle performance, and a performance in which the performance role 7 moves from the initial position to the advance position. On the other hand, if all the five second special symbol determinations are misses, a battle effect is executed during the third rotation in which characters A to D lose to the enemy five times. Then, from the end of this battle effect until the end of the seventh rotation in which the second special symbol is displayed, a shutter closing effect (described later) is executed to inform the player of a miss.

In this embodiment, one dedicated variation pattern is prepared in advance for the variable display of the second special symbol on the third spin in new chapter mode. Therefore, no matter how many pending second special symbol judgments are during the variable display of the second special symbol on the third spin in new chapter mode, the variation performance is executed over the same amount of time. The above variation pattern has a relatively long variation time. Therefore, it is possible to accumulate four pending second special symbol judgments during the variable display of the second special symbol on the third spin.

During the third spin of the second special symbol change display in the new chapter mode, in order to effectively heighten the sense of anticipation that characters A to D will defeat the enemy in the battle performance, a countdown performance, a character stock performance, and a battle development performance are executed in this order before the battle performance. The battle development performance is a performance that suggests that the performance will develop into a battle performance. Each of the above performances will be explained below with reference to Figures 17 to 28.

The countdown effect counts down a specified timer value (e.g., 5) and indicates that the value will reach 0. The character stock effect starts when the countdown effect ends. This increases the player's sense of crisis that the final variable display of the second special symbol in the time-saving state has begun, and the tension of the character stock effect that will soon begin. Note that in this embodiment, a case is described in which the countdown effect counts down the timer value, but the countdown effect may be a performance pattern in which the timer value is counted up midway and then counted down again, or a performance pattern that ends when the timer value has counted up from the initial value to a specified value (e.g., 10).

Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the countdown effect. As illustrated in Figure 17 (A), the countdown effect of this embodiment begins when the variable display of the second special pattern begins for the third spin in new chapter mode. When the countdown effect begins, the decorative pattern 55 is hidden and a black image is suddenly displayed on the entire screen. As illustrated in Figure 17 (A), during the third variable display in new chapter mode, unlike during the variable display for the first and second spins in new chapter mode, the icon 53, background gauge 60, and reserved icon 54 are not displayed.

As shown in FIG. 17(B), when a predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed since the start of the variable display, the black image that has been displayed since the start of the variable display is erased. At the same time, the display of the initial value of the timer value (5 in this embodiment) is started. In this embodiment, the timer value is displayed in a different manner from the decorative pattern 55 so as not to be seen as the decorative pattern 55 (see FIG. 17(B) and (D)). This makes it possible to prevent the player from mistaking that the decorative pattern 55 of the pattern matching is displayed when the same timer value is displayed multiple times at the same time as shown in FIG. 17(B) and (D). After the timer value of 5 is displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds), this timer value is erased and the character image shown in FIG. 17(C) is displayed on the full screen for the same time as the display time of the timer value of 5. In this way, in this embodiment, the display of the timer value and the display of the character image are alternated at regular intervals (e.g., 0.5 second intervals) until the timer value reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 2). After the timer value reaches a predetermined value, a different character image is displayed at regular intervals (for example, every 0.5 seconds) without the timer value being displayed. For this reason, the countdown performance of this embodiment follows the flow of displaying 5 (see FIG. 17(B)) → displaying a character image (see FIG. 17(C)) → displaying a character image → displaying a character image → displaying a 3 → displaying a character image → displaying a 2 (see FIG. 17(D)) → displaying a character image → displaying a character image (see FIG. 17(E)). The character images displayed at each timing are different from each other. In this way, in the countdown performance of this embodiment, the performance mode that suggests the timer value will reach 0 is changed from switching the combination of the timer value and character image to switching only the character image. This makes it possible to more effectively emphasize that the character stock performance is imminent.

As described above, the battle performance shows the results of five times (specifically, the third spin of the second special symbol change display in new chapter mode, and the four reserved second special symbol determinations) in one performance. For this reason, it is necessary that the second special symbol determination is reserved before the battle performance begins. In this embodiment, the screen shown in FIG. 17(F) is displayed at the end of the countdown performance (i.e., during the third spin of the change display in new chapter mode) as a performance to encourage the player to save the reserved second special symbol determinations. On this screen, in addition to the display of "Right Hit" that is always displayed in the upper right corner of the LCD screen 5, the words "Right Hit" and "Save the Girl!" are newly displayed.

In this embodiment, the time-saving state is maintained until the third rotation variable display in the new chapter mode ends, so if the player hits the right side, the game ball will easily enter the second starting hole 12. For this reason, there may be cases where the second special symbol judgment reserve is accumulated before the display of the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F) begins. The current number of reserves can be recognized by looking at the reserve number displayed in small letters at the left end of the liquid crystal screen 5. Here, in this embodiment, the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F) is displayed regardless of the number of reserved special symbol judgments. In this embodiment, the display time of the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F) and the time required to execute the character stock performance are set relatively long so that there is no reserve of the second special symbol judgment and even if the player hits the right side after viewing the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F), four reserves of the second special symbol judgment can be sufficiently accumulated. As will be described in detail later, in the character stock performance that starts after the screen illustrated in FIG. 17(F) is erased, one panel image of a girl is displayed corresponding to one reserve of the second special symbol judgment. For this reason, the screen shown in FIG. 17(F) suggests that the second special symbol determination is to be reserved with the words "Save the girl!". In this embodiment, a panel image showing a girl (specifically, any of characters A to C) is displayed in response to the entry of a game ball into second starting hole 12 during the character stock performance described below. A player who sees this can recognize that the "girl" on the screen shown in FIG. 17(F) refers to the reservation of the second special symbol determination. In this embodiment, the words "Save!" are displayed with a delay after the words "Girl" are displayed.

The character stock performance starts when a predetermined time (e.g., 4 seconds) has elapsed since the start of displaying the screen shown in FIG. 17 (F). The character stock performance is executed during the variable display of the second special symbol for the third spin in the new chapter mode. In this embodiment, a maximum of five panel images are displayed during the character stock performance. The first panel image displayed is the panel image that corresponds to the current variable display. The second and subsequent panel images are panel images that correspond to the pending determination of the second special symbol. In this embodiment, since the maximum number of pending determinations of the second special symbol is four, the number of panel images that correspond to the pending determination of the second special symbol is a maximum of four.

In this embodiment, there are three types of display modes of the panel image when the display of the panel image starts. For one panel image, one of the characters A to C is displayed. In this embodiment, the reliability is highest in the order of characters A, B, and C. The panel image may be promoted to a panel image of a different character during its display. Specifically, the panel image of character A may continue to be displayed as the panel image of character A, or may be promoted to a panel image of one of characters B to D. Here, character D has a higher reliability than characters A to C. The panel image of character B may continue to be displayed as the panel image of character B, or may be promoted to a panel image of one of characters C or D. The panel image of character B does not change to the panel image of character A. The panel image of character C may continue to be displayed as the panel image of character C, or may be promoted to the panel image of character D. The panel image of character C does not change to the panel image of character A or B. In this embodiment, three timings are provided for when a panel image can be promoted, and the panel image can be promoted a maximum of two times.

As described above, the panel image will ultimately display one of characters A through D. In the battle performance, a performance is played out in which the character displayed in the panel image fights an enemy. Basically, in the case of a small win, characters A through D will win against the enemy, and in the case of a loss, characters A through D will lose to the enemy. As will be described in more detail later, when multiple panel images are displayed due to the character stock performance, the characters displayed in the panel images will fight the enemy in the order in which the panel images were displayed. In this embodiment, a maximum of five panel images are displayed, so a maximum of five battles will be fought in the battle performance, and the outcome will be announced a maximum of five times.

Now, the presentation patterns for displaying panel images will be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the presentation patterns for displaying panel images in a character stock presentation. The presentation patterns determine the character first displayed in the panel image, the character after promotion, and the promotion timing (1-3). Presentation patterns 1-3 are presentation patterns in which the panel image is not promoted. The panel images in presentation patterns 1-3 are character A, character B, and character C, respectively. Presentation patterns 4-27 are presentation patterns in which the panel image is promoted. For example, presentation pattern 4 is a presentation pattern in which character A is displayed when the panel image starts to be displayed, and character A is promoted to character B at promotion timing 1. Presentation pattern 18 is a presentation pattern in which character B is displayed when the panel image starts to be displayed, and character B is promoted to character D at promotion timing 1.

In this embodiment, at promotion timings 1 to 3, a promotion suggestion effect is executed, which gives the expectation that the panel image will be promoted. There are cases where promotion occurs following the promotion suggestion effect (i.e. promotion is successful) and cases where promotion does not occur (i.e. promotion is unsuccessful).

Specifically, the panel image is promoted at promotion timings 1 to 3 before the battle development performance begins. Promotion timing 1 occurs when the first game ball enters the second starting hole 12 after the word "full charge" is displayed, as described below. Promotion timing 2 occurs when the second game ball enters the second starting hole 12 after the word "full charge" is displayed. Promotion timing 3 occurs when the third game ball enters the second starting hole 12 after the word "full charge" is displayed. Therefore, when the fourth or subsequent game balls enter the second starting hole 12 after the word "full charge" is displayed, the promotion suggestion performance is executed, but the panel image is not promoted.

As described above, the promotion timing in this embodiment does not arrive at a predetermined timing, but arrives at an unspecified timing depending on the winning status of the game ball. If no game ball wins in the second starting hole 12 after the word "FULL CHARGE" is displayed, the panel image will not actually be promoted even if it has been decided that the image will be promoted. In other words, in this embodiment, the panel image will be promoted on the condition that a game ball wins in the second starting hole 12. This makes it possible to motivate the player to continue hitting to the right even after the word "FULL CHARGE" is displayed.

The features of the table in FIG. 18 are as follows. In the case of a small win, the determination rate is higher in the order of characters A to C, and in the case of a loss, the determination rate is lower in the order of characters A to C. This allows the reliability to be increased in the order of characters A to C. In the case of a small win, the determination rate of character D is higher than in the case of a loss. In the case of a small win, the determination rate is higher for later promotion than for earlier promotion, and in the case of a loss, the determination rate is lower for later promotion than for earlier promotion. This allows a small win to be expected more often for later promotion than for earlier promotion, so it is possible to continue to have expectations for a small win even if there is no promotion. Regardless of whether there is a small win or not, the rate of promotion from character A to character C is higher than the rate of promotion from character B to character C. Also, regardless of whether there is a small win or not, the rate of promotion from character A to character D is almost the same as the rate of promotion from character B to character D. This allows you to expect that if character A is displayed when the panel image starts to be displayed, you will be promoted to character C or D to the same extent as if character B was displayed when the panel image starts to be displayed.

Here, the character stock performance (first person) processing will be described with reference to FIG. 19 (A). FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the processing for determining the performance pattern of the character stock performance, which is executed in the performance control board 130 in response to receiving a change start command or a hold command (both of which will be described later) from the game control board 100. The character stock performance (first person) processing exemplified in FIG. 19 (A) is a processing for determining the performance pattern for displaying the first panel image in the character stock performance. As described above, the first panel image corresponds to the variable display of the second special pattern in the third rotation in the new chapter mode. For example, the performance control board 130 executes the character stock performance (first person) processing when the variable display of the second special pattern for the third rotation starts after the stop display of the big win pattern C (step S1514 in FIG. 19). The character lottery processing in this processing (T11 in FIG. 19 (A)) determines the performance pattern of the first panel image at the start of the variable display of the second special pattern in the third rotation in the new chapter mode, based on whether the variable display this time is a small win or a miss. In this way, the state of the first panel image is determined at the start of the variable display, but the first panel image is not actually displayed until the character stock effect begins during that variable display. In this embodiment, a character lottery process (see T11 in FIG. 19(A)) is executed by referring to a different effect table depending on whether the result of the current second special pattern determination is a small win or a miss (see FIG. 18). In the character lottery process, whether it is a small win or a miss, one effect pattern is determined from 27 types of effect patterns (see FIG. 18) to which a determination value that matches the value of the random number for the character lottery process obtained at the start of the variable display is pre-assigned. The display state of the first panel image is determined by this determined effect pattern.

As illustrated in FIG. 19(A)T12, the performance control board 130 executes the revival lottery process following the character lottery process. As described above, in the battle performance, the character finally displayed on the panel image fights the enemy. According to the performance patterns 1 to 27 illustrated in FIG. 18, in the case of a small win, a variable performance in which characters A to D win against the enemy is executed. In this embodiment, in order to increase the interest of the battle performance, even in the case of a small win, a revival performance is executed in which characters A to D continue to lose to the enemy as in the case of a loss, and then a revival performance that makes it look like the small win has been revived is executed. Such a revival performance is executed if the revival lottery process is won. In the revival lottery process, a random number lottery using a random number for the revival lottery process acquired at the start of the variable display is used, and in the case of a small win, a revival performance is executed with a probability of 3%, and a revival performance is not executed with a probability of 97%. In the case of a loss, a revival performance is not executed with a probability of 100%. The above process determines the content of the variable performance after the character stock performance.

The timing of executing the character stock performance (first person) processing is not limited to the above. For example, the timing of executing the character stock performance (first person) processing may be when the countdown performance starts, or when the character stock performance starts. In such a case, the performance control board 130, for example, analyzes the fluctuation start command (described later) in response to receiving this command, and stores the analysis result in the sub-RAM 133. Then, at the timing of executing the character stock performance (first person) processing, a random number is drawn based on the analysis result (specifically, whether it is a small win or a miss). Also, the character stock performance (first person) processing may be executed in the image and sound control board 140 instead of the performance control board 130.

Next, the character stock performance (2nd to 5th person) processing will be described. The character stock performance (2nd to 5th person) processing is a process for determining a performance pattern for displaying the second to fifth panel images in the character stock performance. As described above, the second and subsequent panel images correspond to the reservation of the second special pattern determination. For example, the performance control board 130 executes the character stock performance (2nd to 5th person) processing when the second special pattern is being displayed for the first to third times after the stop display of the jackpot pattern C (step S1315 in FIG. 18). In the character stock performance (2nd to 5th person) processing, first, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the second starting hole 12 (T21 in FIG. 19 (B)). The reservation command (described later) in this embodiment includes a reservation command related to the reservation of the first special pattern determination and a reservation command related to the reservation of the second special pattern determination. In this embodiment, for example, when the effect control board 130 receives a hold command from the game control board 100 to hold the second special symbol determination, it judges YES in the process of T21 in FIG. 19(B). Here, the hold command is information that includes advance judgment information indicating whether it is a small win or a miss. If the hold command has not been received, it is judged NO and the character stock effect (2nd to 5th person) processing ends.

When the processing of T21 in FIG. 19(B) is judged as YES, the performance control board 130 executes the character lottery process (T22 in FIG. 19(B)). In this embodiment, the performance pattern of the second and subsequent panel images is determined when the game ball enters the second starting hole 12 (i.e., when the reservation occurs) based on the advance judgment information (specifically, whether it is a small win or a miss) included in the reservation command. In the character lottery process of T22 in FIG. 19(B), whether it is a small win or a miss, one performance pattern to which a judgment value that matches the value of the random number for the character lottery process acquired at the time of receiving the reservation command is assigned in advance is determined from 27 types of performance patterns (see FIG. 18). If the current reservation number of the second special pattern judgment is 1, the performance pattern of the second panel image is determined, and if the current reservation number of the second special pattern judgment is 2, the performance pattern of the third panel image is determined. Additionally, if the current number of reserved second special pattern determinations is 3, the presentation pattern for the fourth panel image is determined, and if the current number of reserved second special pattern determinations is 4, the presentation pattern for the fifth panel image is determined.

As shown at T23 in FIG. 19(B), the performance control board 130 executes a revival lottery process following the character lottery process. In the revival lottery process at this time, a random number lottery is performed using the random number for the revival lottery process acquired when the hold command was received, and in the case of a small win, there is a 3% chance that a revival performance will be executed, and in the case of a loss, there is a 100% chance that a revival performance will not be executed. The above process determines the content of the variable performance following the character stock performance.

In this embodiment, a revival lottery process is executed each time the processes of Figures 19(A) and (B) are executed. Therefore, for example, at the time that the process of T23 of Figure 19(B) is executed, it may already have been decided by the process of T12 of Figure 19(A) that a revival performance will be executed. Therefore, the process of T23 of Figure 19(B) may be executed only when it has not yet been decided that a revival performance will be executed.

Here, as a result of the process of FIG. 19(A) and the process of FIG. 19(B) T22, a presentation pattern may be determined in which the first to fifth panel images all become the same character at any timing before or after promotion. Therefore, in this embodiment, different processes are performed depending on whether or not there is a small win in the result of the second special symbol determination of the third rotation in the new chapter mode, or in the pending second special symbol determination. Specifically, when there is a small win, even if a presentation pattern in which the first to fifth panel images all become the same character is determined, the battle presentation is performed with this determined presentation pattern. On the other hand, when there is no small win, when determining the presentation pattern for the fifth panel image, a prohibition is imposed so that a presentation pattern in which the first to fifth panel images become panel images of the same character at any timing cannot be determined. In other words, when there is no small win, the presentation pattern for the fifth panel image is determined from among presentation patterns in which the first to fifth panel images do not become panel images of the same character at any timing. Due to the existence of the prohibition as described above, it is possible to suggest that there is a small win by the first to fifth panel images all being the same.

Here, in the case of a small win, as a result of the processing in FIG. 19(A) and the processing in FIG. 19(B) T22, even if the first through fifth panel images are all the same character, the panel images of different characters may be mixed due to promotion. This makes it possible to indicate a small win only during the period when the first through fifth panel images are all the same character during the character stock performance. As an example, when the first through fifth panel images are all the same character during the character stock performance, the frame lamp 37 is illuminated in an illumination pattern indicating a small win. This makes it possible to indicate a small win based on the state of the panel images and frame lamp 37 when the panel images are all the same, and to indicate a small win based on the state of the frame lamp 37 after the panel images are promoted.

In the case of a small win, the presentation pattern may be rewritten so that no panel image is promoted after the first through fifth panel images all become the same. This makes it possible to indicate a small win based on the state of the panel images once the first through fifth panel images all become the same character during the character stock presentation.

Note that the timing at which the promotion suggestion effect is executed (i.e., the timing at which promotion timings 1 to 3 occur) is not limited to the above-mentioned timing. For example, if a game ball enters the second starting port 12 during a promotion suggestion effect, the promotion suggestion effect may not be executed in response to this entry, but may be executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the second starting port 12 after the promotion success or promotion failure related to the promotion suggestion effect being executed is completed. Also, the promotion suggestion effect does not have to be executed every time a game ball enters the second starting port 12. For example, promotion timing 1 may arrive in response to the second game ball entering the second starting port 12 after the word "full charge" is displayed, and promotion timing 2 may arrive in response to the fourth game ball entering the second starting port 12 after the word "full charge" is displayed. In such a case, it is possible to provide a promotion suggestion effect in which the panel image does not necessarily advance in response to the entry of a gaming ball into the second starting hole 12 after the word "FULL CHARGE" is displayed, and a promotion suggestion effect in which the panel image may advance. Note that the promotion suggestion effect may be executed when a predetermined time has elapsed, for example, every two seconds after the word "FULL CHARGE" is displayed.

With reference to Figures 20 to 28, a specific example of the change performance after the start of the character stock performance during the change display of the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode will be described. In this example, the case where the reserve of the second special symbol determination is 0 at the start of the character stock performance and the reserve of the second special symbol determination becomes 4 during the character stock performance is illustrated. Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the character stock performance until four reserves of the second special symbol determination are accumulated. Figure 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the character stock performance after four reserves of the second special symbol determination are accumulated. Figure 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the character stock performance following Figure 21. Figure 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example at the start of the battle development performance. Figure 25 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the development from the battle development performance to the battle performance. Figure 26 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the battle performance following Figure 25. Figure 27 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of the battle performance following Figure 26. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram explaining the flow of the change presentation after a battle presentation in which characters A to D are defeated by the enemy five times is executed.

Figure 20 (A) illustrates an example of the state when the character stock performance starts during the variable display of the second special symbol on the third rotation in the new chapter mode. In this embodiment, the time from the start of the character stock performance to the start of the battle development performance is preset to 20 seconds. Since the time from the start of the character stock performance to the start of the battle development performance is set relatively long, even if the player hits the right button after the character stock performance starts, four pending second special symbol judgments can be sufficiently accumulated. A number indicating the remaining time until the start of the battle development performance is displayed in the upper center of the liquid crystal screen 5. Since Figure 20 (A) is at the start of the character stock performance, the initial value "20.00" is displayed as the number representing the remaining time. The remaining time decreases as time passes. During the 20 seconds until the remaining time reaches "00.00", a maximum of five panel images can be displayed, and the panel image can be promoted. Here, since the second special symbol is still being displayed for the third spin in the new chapter mode after the battle development performance, it is possible to put a new second special symbol determination on hold in response to the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 12. However, in this embodiment, once the remaining time reaches "00.00", no new panel image is displayed in response to a new second special symbol determination being put on hold.

In this embodiment, from the start of the character stock performance to just before the start of the battle performance, the liquid crystal screen 5 is divided into five display areas 81a to 85a (see Figures 20 (A) to 25 (A)). As shown in Figure 20 (A), the numbers 1 to 5 are written inside the five display areas 81a to 85a. For each display area, one panel image is displayed on the front side. The display area 81a with the number 1 written inside displays the first panel image, the display area 82a with the number 2 written inside displays the second panel image, and the display area 83a with the number 3 written inside displays the third panel image. The display area 84a with the number 4 written inside displays the fourth panel image, and the display area 85a with the number 5 and the word "full charge" written inside displays the fifth panel image.

In this embodiment, a game ball image resembling a game ball is displayed and moved before each panel image is displayed. The time from when each game ball image starts to be displayed until it is completely moved and erased is 0.5 seconds. The game ball image is displayed and moved from a display position suggesting the position of the second starting hole 12 (specifically, the lower right corner of the LCD screen 5) toward the center of the screen. (See FIG. 20(B)). By displaying the game ball image and then the panel image, it is suggested that there is a close relationship between the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 12 and the display of the panel image.

As illustrated in Figures 20 (B) and (C), in this embodiment, the game ball image is displayed from the start of the character stock performance, and the first panel image begins to be displayed 0.5 seconds after the start of the character stock performance. In this example, a panel image of character B is displayed as the first panel image. Note that, in response to the first game ball entering the second starting hole 12 after the start of the character stock performance, the game ball image related to the first panel image may be displayed, and then the first panel image may be displayed.

For the second and subsequent panel images, if a game ball enters the second starting hole 12 during the character stock performance, causing a second special pattern determination to be put on hold, a game ball image is displayed in response to this winning, and then a panel image is displayed (see Figures 20 (C) and (D)). Figure 20 (C) shows an example in which the game ball has entered the second starting hole 12, causing the number of pending second special pattern determinations to become 1, and a game ball image for the second panel image is displayed in response to this winning.

In this embodiment, if there are already pending second special symbol determinations by the time the character stock performance starts, the panel images for the number of pending determinations are displayed in sequence immediately after the first panel image is displayed. Here, in this embodiment, the display of the game ball image for the next panel image does not start until one second has passed since the display of the previous panel image is completed. In other words, even if there are multiple pending second special symbol determinations by the time the character stock performance starts, or even if a pending second special symbol determination occurs before the display of the panel image is completed, the display of the next panel image starts when one second has passed since the display of the previous panel image is completed. This makes it possible for the player to easily recognize each panel image. For example, FIG. 20(D) illustrates an example in which the number of pending second special symbol determinations becomes four by the time the display of the second panel image is completed, and a game ball image for the third panel image is displayed in response to one second having passed since the display of the second panel image is completed. In this example, a panel image of character A is displayed as the second panel image.

Figure 20 (E) illustrates the state when the display of the fifth panel image is completed. In this example, the panel image of character A is displayed as the third panel image, and the panel images of character B are displayed as the fourth and fifth panel images. As illustrated in Figure 20 (F), the word "Full charge" is displayed in response to the maximum number of five panel images being displayed. This makes it possible to indicate that the number of reserved second special symbol determinations has accumulated to the upper limit. As described above, in this embodiment, it takes 0.5 seconds from the start of the display of the game ball image to the time of its deletion (i.e., the completion of the moving display), and the display of the panel image begins with the deletion of this game ball image. The game ball image related to the next panel image is not displayed until one second has elapsed from the start of the display of the panel image at this time. For this reason, it takes 1.5 seconds for the display of one panel image to be completed. Therefore, the time until the word "Full charge" is displayed in response to the display of five panel images is at least 7.5 seconds after the start of the character stock performance.

Note that if there are multiple pending second special pattern determinations by the time the character stock performance begins, or if a pending second special pattern determination occurs before the panel display is complete, the display of the next panel image may begin before the display of the previous panel image is complete.

As illustrated in FIG. 21(A), in response to the display of the word "FULL CHARGE", a character promotion possible period during which the panel image can be promoted begins. In this embodiment, the word "Not yet" is displayed as an effect to notify the start of the character promotion possible period (see FIG. 21(A)). The word "Not yet" is displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) from the start of the character promotion possible period. In this embodiment, the character promotion possible period is the period until the remaining time in the upper center of the screen becomes "00.00". As illustrated in FIG. 21(B), even during the character promotion possible period, if no game ball enters the second starting hole 12, the panel image will not be promoted, and no promotion suggestion effect that expects promotion will be executed. In this embodiment, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole 12 while the word "Not yet" is displayed, no promotion suggestion effect will be executed. Note that the promotion suggestion effect may be started when a game ball enters the second starting hole 12 while the word "Not yet" is displayed. In this configuration, the game ball image displayed when the promotion suggestion effect starts is displayed superimposed on the front side in priority to the text "Not yet." The text "Not yet" may be displayed superimposed on the front side in priority to the game ball image.

Figure 21 (C) shows an example of the state when the promotion suggestion effect starts when the first game ball enters the second starting hole 12 after the word "Full Charge" is displayed. As shown in Figure 21 (C), in this embodiment, when the promotion suggestion effect starts, the game ball image is displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) in the same way as just before the panel image is displayed. Then, in the promotion suggestion effect, the panel image and the display area at the top center of the screen where the remaining time is not displayed light up, as shown in Figure 21 (D). Then, in the promotion suggestion effect, all the panel images light up, as shown in Figure 21 (E). At this time, the parts that were lit up in Figure 21 (D) do not light up (or do not light up very much).

In this embodiment, promotion timing 1 occurs when the first game ball enters the second starting hole 12 after the word "FULL CHARGE" is displayed. Therefore, following the states illustrated in Figures 21(C) to (E), there are cases where at least one or more panel images are successfully promoted (see Figure 22(A)), and cases where no panel images are promoted at all (i.e. promotion failure) (see Figure 22(D)). Whether or not a promotion will occur is determined by the process illustrated in Figure 19 at the start of the current variable display or when the second special symbol determination is put on hold.

As shown in FIG. 22(A), in the case of successful promotion, the word "UP↑" is displayed in front of the promoted panel image at the same time as the display of the promoted panel image starts. Although the word "UP↑" allows the user to recognize that the promotion has been successful, the word "UP↑" hides the promoted panel image, making it difficult to see which character the user has been promoted to. This makes it possible to create a sense of excitement as to which character the user has been promoted to. As shown in FIG. 22(B), when the word "UP↑" is erased after a predetermined time (one second in this embodiment), the promoted panel image becomes clearly visible. In this embodiment, it takes two seconds from the start of one promotion suggestion performance until the promoted panel image as a result of this promotion suggestion performance becomes clearly visible. In the example of FIG. 22, a case where one panel image is promoted is described, but depending on the performance pattern (see FIG. 18) determined by the process shown in FIG. 19, all panel images may be promoted at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 22(C), if the promotion fails, none of the panel images change and the word "Up↑" is not displayed. In this embodiment, if the promotion fails, one promotion suggestion effect ends one second after it starts. If the promotion is successful or if the promotion fails, the panel image may be promoted when promotion timings 2 and 3 arrive thereafter (see FIG. 22(D)). On the other hand, if promotion timings 2 and 3 do not arrive (i.e., if the game ball does not enter the second starting hole 12 during the character promotion period), the panel image is not promoted. After that, in response to the end of the character promotion period, the effect progresses to a battle effect via a battle development effect. In this battle effect, the characters of the five displayed panel images will fight enemies one by one in the order in which the panel images were displayed.

Figure 23 (A) illustrates the state when the character promotion period ends without the panel image being promoted from the state of Figure 22 (B). In the battle development performance that starts in response to the end of the character promotion period, the performance illustrated in Figure 23 (B) to Figure 25 (B) is executed. Specifically, as illustrated in Figure 23 (B), at the start of the battle development performance, character icons 81 to 85 of the same characters as the characters represented by each panel image are superimposed on the front side of the display areas 81a to 85a. The character icons 81 to 85 are derived using each panel image, and at the same time that the display of the character icons 81 to 85 starts, each panel image is erased. During the battle performance, the type of character fighting the enemy is suggested by the character icons 81 to 85. As illustrated in Figure 23 (B), the character icons 81 to 85 are displayed on the front side of the five empty display areas 81a to 85a. In this embodiment, the color of the frame of the character icons 81 to 85 differs depending on the type of character. Specifically, the frame color is white for characters A to C, and red for character D. Note that a panel image may be displayed during the battle to suggest the type of character fighting the enemy, in which case character icons 81 to 85 are not displayed.

Following FIG. 23(B), as illustrated in FIG. 23(C), the character icons 81-85 begin to move and be displayed while gradually shrinking from display areas 81a-85a to display areas 81b-85b. Here, FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display areas 81b-85b of the character icons 81-85 during the battle performance. As illustrated in FIG. 24(A), in this embodiment, display areas 81a-85a are provided on the liquid crystal screen 5 from the start of the battle development performance to the end of the battle performance. Character icons 81-85 are displayed one by one in the display areas 81b-85b. The battle development performance and battle performance are executed using display areas other than the display areas 81b-85b in which the character icons 81-85 are displayed.

As shown in FIG. 24(B), the display area 81b displays the character (i.e., character icon 81) who will fight the enemy in the first battle, the display area 82b displays the character (i.e., character icon 82) who will fight the enemy in the second battle, and the display area 83b displays the character (i.e., character icon 83) who will fight the enemy in the third battle. The display area 84b displays the character (i.e., character icon 84) who will fight the enemy in the fourth battle, and the display area 85b displays the character (i.e., character icon 85) who will fight the enemy in the fifth battle. When a character is defeated by an enemy in a battle, the character icon being displayed is shifted one towards the display area 81b.

Here, FIG. 24(B) illustrates an example in which five character icons are displayed because there are four reserved second special pattern judgments at the end of the character stock performance. If there are fewer than four reserved second special pattern judgments at the end of the character stock performance, fewer than five character icons will be displayed. For example, if there are two reserved second special pattern judgments at the end of the character stock performance, character icon 81 is displayed in display area 81b, character icon 82 is displayed in display area 82b, and character icon 83 is displayed in display area 83b. And no character icons are displayed in display areas 84b and 85b. In this embodiment, the start time of the first battle is moved forward or backward depending on the number of reserved second special pattern judgments so that the start time of the last battle is the same regardless of the number of reserved second special pattern judgments. Therefore, the start time of the first battle when there are two reserved second special pattern judgments corresponds to the start time of the third battle when there are four reserved second special pattern judgments.

In this embodiment, in order to clearly indicate the first character to fight the enemy in the battle scene, the first character icon is displayed larger than the other character icons. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24(B), character icon 81, which will fight the enemy first in the battle scene, is displayed larger than character icons 82 to 85.

In this embodiment, the character icons 81 to 85 start moving in sequence toward the display areas 81b to 85b in the order that the panel images were displayed in response to the start of the battle development performance. Therefore, the character icon 81 derived using the first panel image starts moving first, and the character icon 85 derived using the fifth panel image starts moving last. FIG. 23(C) illustrates the state in which the character icon 81 moves from the display area 81a to the display area 81b. In this embodiment, in order to make it easier to understand the state in which the icons are moving, the display priority is set to decrease in the order of the character icons 81 to 85 during the moving display. Therefore, behind the character icon 81 that is moving, the character icon 85 that has not yet started moving is superimposed (see FIG. 23(C)). In this embodiment, when the character icon 81 starts moving, the text "Battle Start" is displayed, suggesting that the battle performance will start, and is gradually enlarged and moved from the left side of the liquid crystal screen 5 toward the center (see FIG. 23(C) to FIG. 25(A)).

Figure 23 (D) shows an example of when character icon 81 has completed moving to display area 81b, with character icon 85, which has not yet started moving, superimposed behind character icon 81. At this time, character icon 82 is moving from display area 82a to display area 82b. Also, character icon 83 has started moving from display area 83a to display area 83b.

Figure 23 (E) shows an example of the state when character icon 82 has completed moving to display area 82b. At this time, character icon 83 has moved from display area 83a to display area 83b, and character icon 84 has moved from display area 84a to display area 84b. Character icon 85 has begun moving from display area 85a to display area 85b. Note that in Figures 23 to 27, in order to make the drawings easier to read, only alphabets indicating the character types are used for the character icons 82 to 85 displayed in display areas 82b to 85b. What is actually displayed in display areas 82b to 85b are character icons 81 to 85 representing characters, similar to the example shown in Figure 24 (B).

Figure 25 (A) shows an example of the state when the movement display of character icons 81-85 has been completed. Figure 25 (B) shows an example of the title of the animated film that is the basis for the new chapter mode effects being displayed just before the battle development effects end. As shown in Figure 25 (C), enemies are displayed first as the battle effects begin. Then, as shown in Figure 25 (D), a cut-in image 86 is displayed at the start of the first battle, suggesting the start of the battle. The cut-in image 86 is an image that displays the face of the character represented by the foremost character icon. In this embodiment, as the cut-in image 86 begins to be displayed, the foremost character icon is changed to a darker hue and then erased (see Figures 25 (D) and (E)).

As shown in FIG. 25(E), after the cut-in image 86 is erased, a pushing performance is started in which the character (character B in this example) displayed in the cut-in image 86 and the enemy push against each other. In this embodiment, the operation prompt performance is started during the pushing performance. As shown in FIG. 25(F), if the result of the second special symbol determination on the third rotation in the new chapter mode is small win symbol 2 or 3, the enemy is defeated according to the operation during the operation prompt performance, and the small symbol 56 is temporarily stopped and displayed in any of the patterns 1 to 6, 8, and 9. At the same time, the performance gimmick 7 is operated from the initial position to the advance position. In the case of small win symbol 2, the decorative symbol 55 (and small symbol 56) is stopped and displayed in a 7-pattern arrangement without the character "God" being superimposed through a re-draw performance after the temporary stop display (see FIG. 25(G)). On the other hand, if it is small winning pattern 3, the decorative pattern 55 and small pattern 56 are displayed in the same combination as the combination of small patterns 56 at the time of the temporary stop display through a re-draw performance (see Figure 25 (G)).

As shown in FIG. 25(H), if the result of the second special symbol determination on the third spin in the new chapter mode is small win symbol 1, the player will defeat the enemy in response to the operation during the operation prompting performance, and the decorative symbol 55 (and small symbol 56) will be displayed as a temporary stop and then stopped, with seven symbols aligned with the word "God" superimposed on the foreground.

If the result of the second special symbol determination on the third spin in the new chapter mode is a miss, or if it is a small win and the execution of the revival effect has been decided, the player will be defeated by the enemy depending on the operation during the operation prompt effect (see FIG. 25(I)). In this case, as shown in FIG. 26(A), an effect suggesting defeat in the first battle will be started depending on the operation. In this effect, a dark, noisy enemy is displayed in the display area other than the character icons 82 to 85. As shown in FIG. 26(B), preparation for the second battle will start during the effect suggesting defeat in the first battle. When preparation for the second battle starts, the foremost character icon 82 is enlarged and moved downward. Accordingly, character icons 83 to 85 are moved downward.

After that, as shown in FIG. 26(C), the effect suggesting defeat in the first match ends and the words "4 tries remaining" are displayed. This suggests that the player should aim for a small win with the remaining 4 second special pattern determinations. As shown in FIG. 26(D), at the start of the second match, a cut-in image 86 is displayed in the same way as at the start of the first match. In this example, the cut-in image 86 displays the face of character A, represented by the foremost character icon 82. After that, in the same way as the first match, an operation promotion effect begins during the pushing effect of the second match.

As shown in FIG. 26(F), when the first reserved symbol in the second special symbol determination is the small win symbol 3, the player defeats the enemy according to the operation during the operation prompting performance, and the left and right small symbols 56 are 1 to 6, 8, and 9, and the middle small symbol 56 is displayed as a temporary stop with the letter V. This combination is a combination that indicates a miss, and functions as a combination that suggests a small win in the reservation. At the same time as the temporary stop display of the small symbol 56, the performance role 7 is operated from the initial position to the advance position. With the completion of the evacuation of the performance role 7, the word "Congratulations" is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5. With this, the small symbol 56 that was displayed as a temporary stop is displayed as it is (see FIG. 26(G)). At this time, the fourth symbol 57 is displayed as a white symbol. This notifies the player that the result of the second special symbol determination for the third rotation in the new chapter mode was a miss. During the display of the word "Congratulations", the small pattern 56 starts to change with the start of the next change display of the second special pattern (see FIG. 26(H)). Then, after the decorative pattern 55 (and the small pattern 56) are temporarily stopped and displayed with, for example, two patterns aligned, a re-draw performance is executed. After that, the second special pattern is stopped and displayed with the small winning pattern 3, and at the same time, the decorative pattern 55 (and the small pattern 56) of the same combination as before the re-draw performance is stopped and displayed (see FIG. 26(I)). At this time, the fourth pattern 57 is stopped and displayed with a purple pattern. Note that, if the first reserved pattern of the second special pattern judgment is the small winning pattern 2, the decorative pattern 55 (and the small pattern 56) is stopped and displayed with seven patterns aligned without the word "God" being superimposed through the re-draw performance. In addition, if the first reserved symbol in the second special symbol determination is small winning symbol 1, the re-draw performance is not executed, and decorative symbol 55 (and small symbol 56) is displayed as a line of seven symbols with the character "God" superimposed on the front side.

Although not shown in the figure, if the first reserved second special symbol judgment is small win symbol 1, the player will defeat the enemy according to the operation during the operation prompt performance, and will be notified that the result of the second special symbol judgment on the third spin in the new chapter mode was a miss in the same manner as in Figures 26 (F) to (H). At the same time that the second special symbol is displayed as a small win symbol 1 in the next variation, decorative symbol 55 (and small symbol 56) is displayed as a 7-symbol line-up with the character "God" superimposed on the front side.

If the first pending second special symbol judgment is a miss, or if it is a small win and a revival effect has been decided, the player will be defeated by the enemy depending on the operation during the operation prompt effect (see FIG. 26(J)). In this case, as shown in FIG. 27(A), an effect suggesting defeat in the second match will be started depending on the operation. In FIG. 27(A), a dark, noisy enemy is displayed in the display area other than character icons 83-85. As shown in FIG. 27(B), preparation for the third match will start during the effect suggesting defeat in the second match. When preparation for the third match starts, the first character icon 82 is enlarged and moved downward. Accordingly, character icons 84 and 85 are moved downward.

After that, as shown in FIG. 27(C), the effect suggesting the defeat of the second game ends and the words "3 times remaining" are displayed. This suggests that the player should aim for a small win with the remaining 3 second special symbol judgments. After that, for example, if the player loses the third and fourth games in the same manner as the first and second games, the fifth game begins. In the fifth game, a pushing performance is executed in the same manner as the first to fourth games, and an operation promotion performance is started during this pushing performance in the same manner as the first to fourth games. If an effect notifying the player of the defeat of the fifth game begins in response to an operation during the operation promotion performance, the small symbol 56 is temporarily stopped and displayed with a reach miss at the same time as the start of this performance (see FIG. 27(E)). After that, a battle end suggestion performance is executed in which a shutter image imitating a shutter is moved and displayed so as to cover the left and right ends of the liquid crystal screen 5 toward the center of the screen in front of the image related to the effect notifying the player of the defeat of the fifth game. In this embodiment, an operation promotion performance is started during the battle end suggestion performance to encourage the player to repeatedly hit the performance button 26. Depending on the operation during this operation prompt, the left and right shutter images will move in a jerky motion and the distance between them will increase, creating anticipation for the shutter images to open (see Figure 27 (F)).

In the new chapter mode, if there is a small win in the result of the second special symbol determination of the third rotation or in the reserved second special symbol determination, the shutter image is fully opened in response to the operation during the operation prompting effect during the battle end suggestion effect. For example, a case where the first reserved symbol is a small win symbol 3 will be described. In such a case, the left and right small symbols 56 are symbols 1 to 6, 8, and 9, and the middle small symbol 56 is displayed as a temporary stop with the letter V. This combination suggests that the result of the second special symbol determination of the third rotation in the new chapter mode is a miss, and that there is a small win in the reserved symbol. At the same time as the temporary stop display of this small symbol 56, the performance role 7 is operated from the initial position to the advance position. With the completion of the evacuation of the performance role 7, the word "Congratulations" is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5. With this, the small symbols 56 that were temporarily displayed are displayed as they are (see FIG. 27 (2)). At this time, the fourth symbol 57 is displayed as a white symbol. This notifies the player that the result of the second special symbol determination at the third rotation in the new chapter mode was a miss. During the display of the word "Congratulations," the small symbol 56 starts to change as the second special symbol starts to change (see FIG. 27(3)). Then, the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) are temporarily stopped and displayed, for example, with two symbols aligned, and then a re-draw performance is executed. After that, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed with the small winning symbol 3, and at the same time, the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) in the same combination as before the re-draw performance is stopped and displayed (see FIG. 27(4)). At this time, the fourth symbol 57 is stopped and displayed with a purple symbol. In addition, if the first reserved symbol of the second special symbol determination is the small winning symbol 2, the decorative symbol 55 (and the small symbol 56) is stopped and displayed with seven symbols aligned without the word "God" being superimposed through the re-draw performance. In addition, if the first reserved symbol in the second special symbol determination is small winning symbol 1, the re-draw performance is not executed, and decorative symbol 55 (and small symbol 56) is displayed as a line of seven symbols with the character "God" superimposed on the front side.

If the result of the second special pattern determination on the third spin in new chapter mode and all of the pending second special pattern determinations are misses, the shutter image will not open completely in response to the operation during the operation prompting effect during the battle end suggestion effect. Then, at the end of the valid period, a shutter close effect is executed in which the shutter image closes completely (see FIG. 28(A)). The shutter close effect continues with the shutter image in a closed state until it is announced that the result of the second special pattern determination on the third spin in new chapter mode and all of the pending second special pattern determinations are misses.

When the shutter closing effect starts, the small symbol 56 remains temporarily displayed as a reach miss. As the second special symbol of the third rotation in the new chapter mode is stopped as a miss, the small symbol 56 is displayed as a temporarily displayed combination (see FIG. 28(B)). Also, the fourth symbol 57 is displayed as a white stop. As this stop display starts, the title of the theatrical animation that is the basis of the effect related to the new chapter mode and the word "end" are displayed to indicate the end of the new chapter mode. This title and the word "end" are displayed continuously until it is notified that all the pending second special symbol judgments are misses. As the next change display of the second special symbol starts, the small symbol 56 starts to change while the shutter image is closed (see FIG. 28(C)). After that, as the second special symbol is stopped as a miss, the small symbol 56 is displayed as a combination indicating a miss (see FIG. 28(D)). Also, the fourth symbol 57 is displayed as a stopped symbol in white. In the same manner, the variable display of the small symbol 56 and the fourth symbol 57, the stop display of the small symbol 56 in a combination indicating a miss, and the stop display of the fourth symbol 57 in white are repeated until the fourth reserved symbol of the second special symbol judgment is consumed (see FIG. 28 (E) to (J)). In the shutter closing effect, in response to the stop display of the missing symbol corresponding to the fourth reserved symbol of the second special symbol judgment, an effect in which the shutter image opens is executed (see FIG. 28 (K) and (L)). Here, in this embodiment, when the stop display of the small symbol 56 starts, the decorative symbol 55 is displayed as a stopped symbol in the same combination as the small symbol 56 behind the shutter image. By opening the shutter image, the decorative symbol 55 hidden by the shutter image becomes visible. In this embodiment, when the shutter image is fully opened, the display of the text "Please move the handle back to the left" starts to encourage the player to hit left.

Figure 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mode selection presentation when small win pattern 2 is drawn in new chapter mode. Figure 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mode selection presentation following Figure 29. Figure 29 (A) shows an example of the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 when the stopped display of small win pattern 2 begins in new chapter mode. In Figure 29 (A), in order to notify the same content as small win pattern 2, a seven-pattern alignment without the character "God" superimposed is displayed as decorative pattern 55, and a white fourth pattern 57 is displayed as a stopped display. At this time, small patterns 56 are displayed in the same combination as decorative pattern 55.

29(A) is maintained until the pattern determination time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, and then the small win game related to the small win pattern 2 is started. FIG. 29(B) illustrates an example of a state in which a small win OP performance is being executed to notify that a small win game has started. The small win OP performance is a performance that displays characters suggesting the type of the small win game, and is executed from the start of the small win game to the end of the round game related to the small win game. In FIG. 29(B), the characters "Character Bonus" are displayed to suggest that it is a small win game related to the small win pattern 2. At the end of the small win OP performance, the characters "Aim for V" and multiple characters "Right Hit" are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 to encourage the player to win a V, and the voice "Aim for V" is output from the speaker 24. In this embodiment, in order to clearly indicate to the player which specific position to aim at, an image simulating the game board 2 of this embodiment is displayed in the area other than the background of the text "Aim for V" (specifically, other than the lattice pattern area in FIG. 29(C)). The image simulating the game board 2 is, for example, an image that represents the periphery of the small winning hole 19 with the letter "V" (i.e., the V winning hole switch 116b) written on the plate that blocks the small winning hole 19 at the center. In the example shown in FIG. 29(C), the image simulating the game board 2 includes the plate that blocks the small winning hole 19, the lower right part of the liquid crystal screen 5, and the normal winning hole 14. Here, in FIG. 29(C), in order to make the drawing easier to understand, leading lines and symbols are attached to the roles in the image simulating the game board 2. In reality, the image simulating the game board 2 is displayed without leading lines and symbols.

In response to a V win during a round game related to a small win game, an effect (not shown) is displayed that shows light being emitted in all directions from the lower right corner of the LCD screen 5. This effect is an image that starts to be displayed in response to a V win in order to notify a V win. Then, from the start of the ED period related to the small win game to the end of the OP period of the big win game following this small win game, the above effect spreads and the entire LCD screen 5 is covered with light, resulting in a whiteout effect. Following the whiteout, the round effect of the big win game starts. Figure 29 (D) illustrates the state in which the round effect starts from the start of the first round game (the second round game if the small win game is added) after the start of the big win game. In this embodiment, in the case of a big win game related to a small win pattern 2, a video of characters A to C is displayed from the start of the round effect until the transition effect mode is determined in the mode selection effect (for example, see Figures 29 (D) to 29 (F)). This video displays pink bands at the top and bottom of the LCD screen 5 from the beginning to the end (see Figures 29 (D) to 29 (F) and Figures 30 (A) to (C)).

In the case of a jackpot game involving small win symbol 2, as shown in FIG. 29(D), eight circles are displayed from the start of the round performance to indicate that eight rounds of play will be played. In the case of a jackpot game involving small win symbol 2, the circles continue to be displayed, changing from white to black one by one at the end of each round, and are erased at the end of the final round of play (see FIG. 29(E)).

Figures 29 (F) to 30 (C) show examples of the mode selection presentation when small win symbol 2 is hit in new chapter mode. The mode selection presentation at this time is executed to determine either battle mode or story mode as the presentation mode after the ongoing big win game ends. Since a setting value indicating new chapter mode is stored in sub-RAM 133, the presentation mode that is initially selected on the initial screen of the mode selection presentation is group B's story mode.

When the mode selection performance starts (and the ED period starts), the text "Choose a mode" starts to be displayed. Also, when the mode selection performance starts, the battle mode image 42 representing the battle mode and the story mode image 43 representing the story mode start to be displayed moving (see FIG. 29(F) and FIG. 30(A)). Because the setting value indicating the new chapter mode is stored, the mode image representing the story mode of group B is displayed first when the mode selection performance starts. In this example, while the battle mode image 42 and the story mode image 43 are being displayed moving, the same display as the mode image moving display illustrated in FIG. 10(A)-(E) is performed. Specifically, the story mode image 43 moves in the same way as the night mode image 40 illustrated in FIG. 10(A)-(E). Also, the battle mode image 42 moves in the same way as the new chapter mode image 41 illustrated in FIG. 10(A)-(E).

As shown in FIG. 29(F) and FIG. 30(A), the battle mode image 42 and story mode image 43 are displayed in a dark color from the start of the mode selection presentation until the movement display is completed. Selection of the presentation mode becomes possible during the valid period that begins in response to the completion of the movement display.

As shown in FIG. 30(B), when the moving display is completed, the text "Choose a mode" disappears. Along with this, the button image 90, the gauge image 91, the text "Switch modes", and the left and right arrows start to be displayed. At the same time that the button image 90 starts to be displayed, the valid period of the effect button 26 starts.

At the same time that the button images 90 start to be displayed, the display mode of the story mode image 43 changes to a lighter color (see FIG. 30 (B)). This indicates that the story mode image 43 is currently selected. On the other hand, the battle mode image 42 remains in a dark color unless it is selected by operating the presentation button 26. This indicates that the battle mode image 42 is not currently selected. In this way, because the setting value indicating the presentation mode of group B is stored in the sub-RAM 133, the mode selection presentation displays an initial screen in which the story mode image 43 is initially selected.

When the effect button 26 is operated once, the story mode image 43 is selected, and the battle mode image 42 is selected (flow from FIG. 30 (B) to (C)). In this embodiment, in response to this first operation, the display mode of the story mode image 43 changes to a darker color, and the battle mode image 42 changes to a brighter color. In response to this first operation, the story mode image 43 gradually shrinks and moves behind the battle mode image 42, and the battle mode image 42 gradually expands and moves in front of the story mode image 43.

When the effect button 26 is operated a second time during the valid period of the mode selection effect, the state in which the battle mode image 42 is selected is switched to the state in which the story mode image 43 is selected (flow from FIG. 30(C) to (B)). In this embodiment, in response to this second operation, the display state of the story mode image 43 returns to a bright color, and the battle mode image 42 returns to a dark color. In response to this second operation, the story mode image 43 gradually expands and moves to the front side of the battle mode image 42, and the battle mode image 42 gradually shrinks and moves to the back side of the story mode image 43. Here, FIG. 30(B) shows the gauge image 91 at the start of the valid period. When the story mode image 43 is switched to the selected state in response to the second operation, the gauge image 91 indicates a remaining time that is less than the remaining time indicated by the gauge image 91 illustrated in FIG. 30(C).

After that, at the end of the predetermined valid period, the transition to the presentation mode represented by the mode image selected at this time is confirmed. FIG. 30(D) shows an example in which the story mode image 43 is selected at the end of the valid period, and the transition to the story mode is confirmed. In this example, a setting value indicating the story mode is stored in the sub-RAM 133 at the end of the valid period. This storage process controls the presentation in the story mode immediately after the end of the ongoing big win game. Then, if a small win or big win (specifically, big win patterns B, C, E, and F, and small win patterns 2 and 3) is drawn in the story mode at this time, the mode selection presentation of the initial screen with the presentation mode of group B selected is executed during the third big win game. In this way, the presentation mode of group B is selected without the need to reselect the story mode (or other presentation modes of group B) in the next mode selection presentation, so there is no hassle of reselecting it.

As shown in FIG. 30(D), when the valid period ends, the story mode image 43 starts to expand and is displayed full screen. The battle mode image 42, button image 90, gauge image 91, the words "mode switch", the left and right arrows, and the animations of characters A to D are erased when the valid period ends.

If the effective period ends with the battle mode image 42 selected as a result of the operation, the transition to the battle mode is confirmed at the end of the effective period. In such a case, a setting value indicating that the transition destination will be the battle mode at the end of the effective period is stored in the sub-RAM 133. This storage process controls the presentation in the battle mode immediately after the end of the ongoing big win game. Then, if a small win or big win (specifically, big win patterns B, C, E, and F, and small win patterns 2 and 3) is hit in the battle mode at this time, a mode selection presentation with the presentation mode of group A selected is executed during the third big win game. In this way, there is no need to reselect the night mode (or another presentation mode of group A) in the next mode selection presentation, as the presentation mode of group A is already selected, so there is no hassle of reselecting it.

If the transition to battle mode is confirmed at the end of the valid period, the battle mode image 42 will begin to expand from the end of the valid period until it is displayed full screen. The story mode image 43, button image 90, gauge image 91, the words "mode switch", the left and right arrows, and the animations of characters A to C will be erased at the end of the valid period.

When a predetermined time (e.g., 7 seconds) has elapsed since the story mode image 43 was displayed full screen, this story mode image 43 is erased. At the same time, a performance is started in which a performance mode title is displayed to notify the user of the transition to story mode (see FIG. 30(F)). In this performance, the following performance display is performed. First, the words "Girl Rush" are displayed. Then, in response to this display, the words "Enter Story Mode" are displayed (see FIG. 30(F)). The performance displaying the performance mode title to notify the user of the transition to story mode ends after the display of the second special symbol begins to change. Then, during this display, the screen switches to the story mode screen configuration (see FIG. 30(H) and FIG. 31(A)).

[If you get small win pattern 1 in Story Mode]
Next, referring to Fig. 31 and Fig. 32, the effects during the big win game when the small win symbol 1 is drawn in the story mode will be described. Fig. 31 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the effects until the big win game starts when the small win symbol 1 is drawn in the story mode. Fig. 32 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the effects that transition to the devil rush after the round effects according to the story mode.

The story mode of this embodiment is a presentation mode characterized by the fact that the player can watch a story video of their choice after a reach is achieved. For example, the player can select the type of story video of their choice from Episodes 1 to 4 during the period until a reach is achieved, and can watch this story video after the reach is achieved. Figure 31 (A) shows the basic screen configuration in the story mode until a reach is achieved. What is distinctive about the screen of Figure 31 (A) is that it displays a button image 90, the text "Select Episode Number," which suggests that the number of episodes of the story video can be changed by operating the presentation button 26, and the text "Episode 1 Mission Persuade Character C!", which notifies the player of the currently selected story video.

As shown in FIG. 31(B), when a reach is achieved during the variable display of the second special symbol in story mode, the story video selected before the reach is achieved is played. FIG. 31(C) shows an example of the state of the LCD screen 5 when the static display of small win symbol 1 begins as a result of the variable display. In FIG. 31(C), to notify the same content as small win symbol 1, a seven-symbol arrangement with the character "God" superimposed on the foreground is displayed as decorative symbol 55, and a green fourth symbol 57 is displayed as a static display. At this time, small symbols 56 are displayed as a static combination in the same manner as decorative symbol 55.

31(C) is maintained until the pattern determination time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, and then the small win game related to the small win pattern 1 is started. FIG. 31(D) illustrates the state in which the small win OP performance for the small win pattern 1 is being executed. In FIG. 31(D), the word "God Bonus" is displayed to suggest that it is a small win game related to the small win pattern 1. At the end of the small win OP performance, the word "Aim for V" to encourage the player to win a V, an image imitating the game board 2, and multiple words "Right Hit" are displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5, and the voice "Aim for V" is output from the speaker 24. This performance to encourage the player to win a V is the same as that executed when the small win pattern 2 is stopped and displayed, except that the bonus band 46 is displayed. The bonus band 46 is an image that notifies the player that it is a small win game (and a big win game) related to the small win pattern 1, and is an image that begins to be displayed when the small win game starts and is erased when the big win game ends.

In response to a V win during a round game related to a small win game, an effect announcing a V win is displayed. Then, from the start of the ED period related to the small win game to the end of the OP period of the big win game following this small win game, the above effect spreads and the entire LCD screen 5 is covered with light, resulting in a whiteout effect. Following the whiteout, the round effect of the big win game begins. In this embodiment, when the small win symbol 1 is stopped and displayed, a digest video of the story video that was being played is played as a round effect (see FIG. 31 (F)) in order to allow the player to enjoy the story video selected by the player. The story video is a reach effect that conforms to the effect mode of group B, which is played only in story mode. Therefore, the effect of playing the digest video of this story video is a round effect that conforms to the effect mode of group B.

As shown in FIG. 32(A), in this embodiment, the round performance continues even after the final round of play ends, playing a digest video of the story video. Then, with the start of the ED period, an ED performance corresponding to the Devil Rush starts, and the round performance continues (see FIG. 32(B)). At this time, the ED performance is displayed superimposed on the front side of the round performance. The display area of the ED performance increases as time passes, and is finally displayed on the entire screen (see FIG. 32(C)). Therefore, the round performance eventually becomes invisible during the ED period. With the end of the ED period, the ED performance corresponding to the Devil Rush ends, and immediately after the end of the ED period, a transition occurs to the Devil Rush (see FIG. 32(D)).

In this embodiment, when small win symbol 1 is stopped and displayed, the game automatically switches to either God Rush or Devil Rush, whichever is in the same group as the setting value indicating the presentation mode stored in sub-RAM 133, immediately after the big win game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, when small win symbol 1 is stopped and displayed, the mode selection presentation is not executed during this big win game. This allows the player to focus on the video related to the story video without being distracted by the selection of the presentation mode.

[When you get small win pattern 1 in battle mode]
Next, the effects during the big win game when the small win symbol 1 is drawn in the battle mode will be described with reference to Fig. 33 and Fig. 34. Fig. 33 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the effects until the big win game starts when the small win symbol 1 is drawn in the battle mode. Fig. 34 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the effects that transition to the devil rush after the round effects according to the battle mode.

The battle mode of this embodiment is different from the story mode in that the player cannot choose the presentation of their choice. For this reason, as shown in the example of FIG. 33(A), the text "Select Episode Number" that was displayed during the story mode (see FIG. 31(A)) is not displayed.

As shown in FIG. 33(B), when a reach is achieved during the variable display of the second special symbol in battle mode, a battle reach effect that can only be performed in battle mode is executed. FIG. 33(C) shows an example of the state of the LCD screen 5 when the result of the variable display is that small win symbol 1 starts to be displayed stationary. In FIG. 33(C), to notify the same content as small win symbol 1, a seven-symbol line-up with the character "God" superimposed on the foreground is displayed stationary as decorative symbol 55, and a green fourth symbol 57 is displayed stationary. At this time, small symbols 56 are displayed stationary in the same combination as decorative symbol 55.

The state shown in FIG. 33(C) is maintained until the pattern determination time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, and then the small win game for small win pattern 1 begins. As shown in the example of FIG. 33(D) and (E), the presentation from the start of the small win game to the start of the big win game is the same as the presentation when small win pattern 1 is drawn in story mode (see FIG. 31(D) and (E)).

As shown in FIG. 33(F), when small win symbol 1 is hit in battle mode, a round performance corresponding to the performance mode of group A is executed as a round performance of a big win game. As shown in FIG. 34(A), in this embodiment, the round performance continues even at the end of the final round of play. Then, with the start of the ED period, an ED performance corresponding to the devil rush starts, and the round performance continues (see FIG. 34(B)). The ED performance is superimposed on the front side of the round performance, and the display area increases as time passes, and is finally displayed on the entire screen (see FIG. 34(C)). Therefore, the round performance finally becomes invisible during the ED period. With the end of the ED period, the ED performance corresponding to the devil rush ends, and immediately after the end of the ED period, the game transitions to the devil rush (see FIG. 34(D)).

In this way, in this embodiment, even if the small win symbol 1 is displayed in either the story mode or the battle mode, the mode selection effect is not executed during the big win game. This allows the player to concentrate on the round effect that suits each group without being distracted by the selection of the effect mode.

[If you get small win pattern 1 and small win pattern 3 in Devil Rush]
Next, referring to Figures 35 to 37, a presentation example in the case where small win symbol 3 is drawn in the Devil Rush after small win symbol 1 is drawn in the Devil Rush will be described. Figure 35 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a presentation example in the case where small win symbol 1 is drawn in the Devil Rush. Figure 36 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a presentation example up to the start of a big win game in the case where small win symbol 3 is drawn in the Devil Rush. Figure 37 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a presentation example in which, in the case where small win symbol 3 is drawn in the Devil Rush, a round presentation according to the Devil Rush is followed by a transition to a story mode.

In this embodiment, the Devil Rush continues to display the circle that indicates that a round of play will be played even after the big win play ends, in order to emphasize that the big win play is continuing. Figure 35 (A) shows an example of the state of the liquid crystal screen 5 when the stop display of small win pattern 1 begins in a state in which 10 rounds of play have already been played due to winning small win pattern 1 during the Devil Rush. In Figure 35 (A), to notify the same content as small win pattern 1, a seven-pattern sequence is displayed as decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56) with the character "God" superimposed on the foreground, and a green fourth pattern 57 is displayed as a stop display.

In the state of FIG. 35(A), after the pattern determination time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed, the decorative pattern 55, small pattern 56, and fourth pattern 57 are maintained until the OP period of the small win game related to small win pattern 1 starts. As exemplified in FIG. 35(B), an OP performance in accordance with the Devil Rush starts from the start of the OP period. In the OP performance at this time, for example, a bonus band 46 is superimposed on the front side of the Devil Rush band 45 that notifies the player that it is a Devil Rush.

At the end of the OP performance, the words "Aim for V" and multiple "Hit to the right" are displayed on the LCD screen 5 to encourage the player to win a V, and the voice "Aim for V" is output from the speaker 24. This performance to encourage a V win is a right-hit performance that corresponds to the Devil Rush, and a background image (for example, an image suggesting that it is a Devil Rush) that is not displayed when encouraging a V win in other performance modes is displayed.

In response to a V win during a round play related to a small win game, an effect announcing a V win is displayed. Then, from the start of the ED period related to the small win game to the end of the OP period of the big win game following this small win game, the above effect spreads and a whiteout effect is displayed, covering the entire LCD screen 5 with light. Following the whiteout, a round effect based on the Devil Rush is started as the round effect of the big win game (see FIG. 35 (D)). At this time, the Devil Rush band 45 is erased and only the bonus band 46 continues to be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 35(E), in this embodiment, the round performance corresponding to the devil rush continues even after the final round of play has ended. Then, with the start of the ED period, the ED performance corresponding to the devil rush starts, and the round performance continues (see FIG. 35(F)). The ED performance at this time is superimposed on the front side of the round performance. The display area of the ED performance increases as time passes, and is finally displayed on the entire screen (see FIG. 36(A)). Therefore, the round performance finally becomes invisible during the ED period. With the end of the ED period, the ED performance corresponding to the devil rush ends, and the devil rush continues immediately after the end of the ED period (see FIG. 36(B)). The bonus band 46 is erased at the end of the ED period, and the devil rush band 45 is displayed at the same time as the devil rush starts. At this time, the black circle indicating the number of rounds that have been completed continues to be displayed.

Figure 36(C) shows an example of the state of the LCD screen 5 when the display of small win pattern 3 starts after 20 rounds of play have already been played due to two hits of small win pattern 1 during the Devil Rush. In Figure 36(C), to notify the same content as small win pattern 3, a set of six patterns is displayed as decorative pattern 55 (and small pattern 56), and a purple fourth pattern 57 is displayed as a stopped pattern.

In the state of FIG. 36(C), after the pattern determination time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed, decorative pattern 55, small pattern 56, and fourth pattern 57 are maintained until the OP period of the small win game related to small win pattern 3 starts. If small win pattern 3 is drawn in the Devil Rush, the same effect is basically performed until the end of the round effect as when small win pattern 1 is drawn in the Devil Rush. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to use small win pattern 3, which does not normally allow for the effect of the Devil Rush, to produce the effect of consecutive big win games in the Devil Rush.

As shown in FIG. 37(E), in this embodiment, if the small winning symbol 3 is drawn in the Devil Rush, the round performance corresponding to the Devil Rush ends at the end of the final round of play. Then, as shown in FIG. 37(B), a performance notifying the end of the Devil Rush starts with the start of the ED period. During this ED period, the words "NEXT Girl Rush" are displayed, suggesting the transition to the next performance mode (see FIG. 37(C)). Girl Rush is a general term for the battle mode and the story mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 37(D), a display of the performance mode title notifying the transition to the story mode starts. In the performance mode title at this time, the words "Girl Rush Story Mode Entry" are displayed to suggest that a new story mode will start. As shown in FIG. 37(E), the display of the second special symbol starts to change while this performance mode title is being displayed, and the screen configuration of the story mode is displayed during this change.

In this embodiment, if the small win symbol 3 is displayed in a stopped state during Devil Rush, the game will transition to a story mode in group B, the same as Devil Rush. In this way, in this embodiment, the game will automatically transition to a story mode in group B, the same as the setting value indicating the presentation mode stored in sub-RAM 133, immediately after the big win game ends. In this way, in this embodiment, if the small win symbol 3 is displayed in a stopped state during Devil Rush, the mode selection presentation will not be executed during this big win game. This effectively conveys that Devil Rush is a special presentation mode that is different from other presentation modes that can be selected by the player.

Below, we will explain in detail an example of the processing performed by the gaming machine 1 to realize the various effects described above.

[Timer interrupt processing by the game control board 100]
Next, the timer interrupt process executed in the gaming control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 38. Here, FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing an example of the timer interrupt process executed in the gaming control board 100. The gaming control board 100 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated at a fixed time (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or off. When a timer interrupt occurs, the gaming control board 100 executes a series of processes exemplified in FIG. 38. The processes shown in FIG. 38 to FIG. 44 are performed according to commands issued by the main CPU 101 based on the program stored in the main ROM 102.

First, the main CPU 101 of the game control board 100 executes a random number update process to update the symbol random number, reach random number, variable pattern random number, and normal symbol random number by software (step S1).

For example, each random number is incremented by "1" each time the processing of step S1 is performed. Note that a loop counter is used as the counter performing the processing of step S1, and each random number is returned to "0" and updated after reaching a preset maximum value. Note that it may be preset so that the jackpot random number is updated by software, or each random number is generated by calculating a value generated by the random number circuit 104 and a value generated by software.

Following the processing of step S1, the main CPU 101 executes a switch process to determine the state of the detection signal input from each switch, such as the first start hole switch 111 for detecting that a game ball has entered the first start hole 11, the second start hole switch 112 for detecting that a game ball has entered the second start hole 12, etc. (step S2). This switch process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 39.

Following the processing of step S2, the main CPU 101 executes special pattern determination, executes special pattern processing including processing for variably displaying special patterns on the first special pattern display device 41 or the second special pattern display device 42, and then statically displaying special patterns indicating the results of the special pattern determination (step S3). In the special pattern processing, it is determined whether or not there is a jackpot, the type of jackpot, the variation pattern of the special patterns, etc. This special pattern processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 42.

Following the processing of step S3, the main CPU 101 executes normal pattern determination, executes normal pattern processing including processing for causing the normal pattern display 45 to variably display the normal pattern and then causing the normal pattern indicating the result of the normal pattern determination to be statically displayed (step S4).

Following the processing of step S4, if the main CPU 101 determines, as a result of the normal pattern determination, that the first start hole 11b should be opened, it executes electric tulip processing to operate the electric tulip 17 via the electric tulip control unit 113 (step S5).

Following the processing of step S5, if the main CPU 101 determines in the processing of step S3 that a small win has occurred, it executes a small prize opening control process that controls the small prize opening control unit 118 to open the small prize opening 19 (step S6). The small prize opening control process is a process that controls the small prize game, and is executed when a special pattern (small prize pattern) indicating that a small prize game has been determined to be executed is stopped and displayed on the second special pattern display 42. This small prize opening control process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 45.

Following the processing of step S6, if the main CPU 101 determines in the processing of step S3 that a jackpot has been reached, it executes a large prize opening control process that controls the large prize opening control unit 117 to open the large prize opening 13 (step S7). This large prize opening control process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 46.

Following the processing of step S7, the main CPU 101 executes prize ball processing that controls the payout of prize balls in response to winning game balls (step S8).

Following the processing of step S8, the main CPU 101 executes a transmission process to transmit to the performance control board 130 various commands that were set (stored) in the main RAM 103 in the processing steps prior to step S8, as well as information necessary for determining the performance content (step S9).

[Switch processing by the game control board 100]
Fig. 39 is a detailed flow chart of the switch processing in step S2 of Fig. 38. Following the processing of step S1, the main CPU 101 monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the first start port switch 111, and executes a first start port switch processing including a process of acquiring random numbers (jackpot random numbers, pattern random numbers, reach random numbers, and variable pattern random numbers) for determining special patterns at the time when the detection signal is input from the first start port switch 111 (step S21). This first start port switch processing will be described in detail later with reference to Fig. 40.

Next, the main CPU 101 monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the second start port switch 112, and executes second start port switch processing, including processing for obtaining a random number for determining the special symbol at the time when the detection signal is input from the second start port switch 112 (step S22). This second start port switch processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 41.

Then, the main CPU 101 monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the gate switch 114, and executes gate switch processing to obtain the normal pattern random number at the time when the detection signal is input from the gate switch 114 (step S23).

[First start port switch processing by the game control board 100]
Fig. 40 is a detailed flowchart of the first start port switch processing in step S21 of Fig. 39. As illustrated in Fig. 40, the main CPU 101 determines whether the first start port switch 111 has been turned "ON" based on whether a detection signal has been input from the first start port switch 111 (step S2101). For example, when an ON signal indicating that the first start port switch 111 has been turned "ON" is input, it is determined that the first start port switch 111 has been turned "ON".

When the main CPU 101 determines that the first start switch 111 has been turned "ON" (step S2101: YES), it acquires the jackpot random number, pattern random number, reach random number, and variation pattern random number as acquired information to be used in determining the first special pattern (steps S2102 to S2105).

Next, the main CPU 101 determines whether the number of reserved first special pattern determinations U1 stored in the main RAM 103 is less than the maximum number of reserved first special pattern determinations Umax1 ("4" in this embodiment) stored in the main ROM 102 (step S2106).

If the main CPU 101 determines that the reserved number U1 is less than the maximum reserved number Umax1 (step S2106: YES), it updates the value of the reserved number U1 by adding "1" (step S2107).

Following the processing of step S2107, the main CPU 101 determines whether the time-saving game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is "ON" (step S2108). This time-saving game flag is set to "ON" when the current game state is a time-saving state, and conversely, is set to "OFF" when the current game state is not a time-saving state.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the time-saving game flag is not "ON" (i.e., "OFF") (step S2108: NO), it executes a pre-determination process (step S2109). Specifically, prior to the jackpot determination process (see FIG. 43) and the fluctuation pattern determination process (see FIG. 44) described below, the main CPU 101 pre-determines whether or not a jackpot will be determined and what type of fluctuation pattern will be determined, based on the information acquired by the processes of steps S2102 to S2105.

Following the processing of step S2109, the main CPU 101 stores the pre-determination information obtained by the pre-determination processing of step S2109 and the various random numbers obtained by the processing of steps S2102 to S2105 in a reserved memory area in the main RAM 103 (step S2110).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the time-saving game flag is "ON" (step S2108: YES), it stores the various random numbers obtained in the processing of steps S2102 to S2105 in a reserved memory area in the main RAM 103 (step S2111).

When the main CPU 101 executes the processing of step S2110 or step S2111, it sets a hold command related to the first special symbol determination in the main RAM 103 (step S2112). This hold command is a command to notify that the first special symbol determination has been put on hold, and includes the advance determination information obtained in the processing of step S2109. The hold command is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission processing of step S9.

When the processing of step S2112 is executed, when it is determined that the first start port switch 111 is not "ON" (step S2101: NO), or when it is determined that the reserved number U1 is not less than the maximum reserved number Umax1 (step S2106: NO), the main CPU 101 ends the processing shown in FIG. 40.

[Second start port switch processing by the game control board 100]
Fig. 41 is a detailed flowchart of the second start port switch processing in step S22 of Fig. 39. As illustrated in Fig. 41, following the first start port switch processing in step S21, the main CPU 101 determines whether the second start port switch 112 has been turned "ON" based on whether a detection signal has been input from the second start port switch 112 (step S2201). For example, when an ON signal indicating that the second start port switch 112 has been turned "ON" is input, it is determined that the second start port switch 112 has been turned "ON".

When the main CPU 101 determines that the second start switch 112 has been turned "ON" (step S2201: YES), it acquires the jackpot random number, pattern random number, reach random number, and fluctuation pattern random number as acquired information to be used in determining the second special pattern (steps S2202 to S2205).

Next, the main CPU 101 determines whether the number of reserved second special pattern determinations U2 stored in the main RAM 103 is less than the maximum number of reserved second special pattern determinations Umax2 ("4" in this embodiment) stored in the main ROM 102 (step S2206).

If the main CPU 101 determines that the reserved number U2 is less than the maximum reserved number Umax2 (step S2206: YES), it updates the value of the reserved number U2 by adding "1" (step S2207).

Following the processing of step S2207, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the time-saving game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is "ON" (step S2208), similar to the processing of step S2108. If the main CPU 101 determines that the time-saving game flag is "ON" (step S2208: YES), it executes a pre-determination process (step S2209).

Following the processing of step S2209, the main CPU 101 stores the pre-determination information obtained by the pre-determination processing of step S2209 and the various random numbers obtained by the processing of steps S2202 to S2205 in a reserved memory area in the main RAM 103 (step S2210).

If the main CPU 101 determines that the time-saving play flag is not "ON" (i.e., "OFF") (step S2208: NO), it stores the various random numbers obtained in the processing of steps S2202 to S2205 in a reserved memory area in the main RAM 103 (step S2211).

When the main CPU 101 executes the processing of step S2210 or step S2211, it sets a hold command related to the second special symbol determination in the main RAM 103 (step S2112). This hold command is a command to notify that the second special symbol determination has been put on hold, and includes the advance determination information obtained by the processing of step S2210. The hold command is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission processing of step S9.

When the processing of step S2212 is executed, when it is determined that the second start port switch 112 is not "ON" (step S2201: NO), or when it is determined that the reserved number U2 is not less than the maximum reserved number Umax2 (step S2206: NO), the main CPU 101 ends the processing shown in FIG. 41.

[Special symbol processing by the game control board 100]
Next, the special symbol processing executed by the game control board 100 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 42. Fig. 42 is a detailed flowchart of the special symbol processing in step S3 of Fig. 38.

As illustrated in FIG. 42, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not a big win game or a small win game is being played (step S301). The main CPU 101 determines whether or not a big win game is being played based on, for example, whether or not a big win game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is set to "ON". This big win game flag is a flag indicating whether or not a big win game is being played, and is set to "ON" at the start of a big win game and is set to "OFF" at the end of the big win game. The main CPU 101 also determines whether or not a small win game is being played based on, for example, whether or not a small win game flag is set to "ON". This small win game flag is a flag indicating whether or not a small win game is being played that is stored in the main RAM 103, and is set to "ON" at the start of a small win game and is set to "OFF" at the end of the small win game. If it is determined that a big win or small win is occurring (step S301: YES), processing proceeds to normal symbol processing in step S4.

When the main CPU 101 determines that a jackpot is not being played (step S301: NO), it determines whether or not a special symbol is being displayed in a changing state (step S302). If it determines that a special symbol is not being displayed in a changing state (step S302: NO), it determines whether or not the reserved number U2 for the second special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 103 is "1" or more (step S303). If it determines that the reserved number U2 is "1" or more (step S303: YES), it updates the reserved number U2 to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S304).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the reserved number U2 is not "1" or more (step S303: NO), it determines whether the reserved number U1 for the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 103 is "1" or more (step S305). Here, when it is determined that the reserved number U1 is not "1" or more (step S305: NO), the process proceeds to the normal symbol processing of step S4.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the reserved number U1 is equal to or greater than "1" (step S305: YES), it updates the reserved number U1 to a value that is reduced by "1" (step S306).

Following the processing of step S304 or the processing of step S306, the main CPU 101 executes a shift process on the reserved memory area of the main RAM 103 (step S308). Specifically, when the main CPU 101 executes a shift process following the processing of step S304, it shifts the most recently acquired information stored in the reserved memory area for the second special symbol determination to the judgment memory area, and shifts the remaining acquired information up one entry at a time. The judgment memory area is a memory area in which various information used for the special symbol determination when the special symbol determination is actually performed is stored. Also, when the main CPU 101 executes a shift process following the processing of step S306, it shifts the most recently acquired information stored in the reserved memory area for the first special symbol determination to the judgment memory area, and shifts the remaining acquired information up one entry at a time.

Following the processing of step S308, the main CPU 101 executes a jackpot determination process based on the random number stored in the determination memory area (step S309). This jackpot determination process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 43.

Following the processing of step S309, the main CPU 101 executes a variation pattern determination process to select a variation pattern for the special symbol (step S310). This variation pattern determination process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 44.

Following the processing of step S310, the main CPU 101 sets in the main RAM 103 a fluctuation start command including the setting information of the special pattern determined in the processing of step S309, information indicating whether the setting information of the special pattern relates to the first special pattern determination or the second special pattern determination, the setting information of the fluctuation pattern determined in the processing of step S310, information regarding the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, etc. (step S311).

This change start command is a command to instruct the start of a performance accompanied by the changing display of the special pattern, and is sent to the performance control board 130 by the transmission process of step S9. This starts the changing display of the decorative pattern 55 on the LCD screen 5, etc.

Following the processing of step S311, the main CPU 101 starts displaying the special symbol variations based on the setting information for the variation pattern included in the variation start command set in the processing of step S311 (step S312). At that time, if the processing of steps S309 to S311 is performed with the acquired information (random number) related to the first special symbol judgment stored in the judgment memory area, the first special symbol display 41 starts displaying the special symbol variations. On the other hand, if the processing of steps S309 to S311 is performed with the acquired information (random number) related to the second special symbol judgment stored, the second special symbol display 42 starts displaying the special symbol variations.

Next, the main CPU 101 starts measuring the change time, which is the elapsed time since the change display started in step S312 (step S313).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S313, or when it determines that the special symbol is being displayed (step S302: YES), it determines whether or not the change time corresponding to the change pattern selected by the process of step S310 has elapsed since the start of measurement of the change time in step S313 (step S315). If it is determined that the change time has not elapsed (step S315: NO), the process proceeds to the normal symbol process of step S4.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the variation time has elapsed (step S315: YES), it sets in the main RAM 103 a pattern determination command that notifies the first special pattern display 41 or the second special pattern display 42 that a special pattern indicating the result of the special pattern determination will be displayed stationary (step S316). This pattern determination command is sent to the performance control board 130 by the transmission process in step S9. As a result, a process is performed to cause the decorative pattern 55 that was being displayed variably on the liquid crystal screen 5 to be displayed stationary in a manner indicating the result of the special pattern determination.

Following the processing of step S316, the main CPU 101 ends the variable display of the special symbol that was started in the processing of step S312 (step S317). Specifically, the special symbol (jackpot symbol or losing symbol) determined in the processing of step S309 is displayed in a static manner on the special symbol display device that had been displaying the variable special symbol. Note that the static display of the special symbol continues at least until a predetermined symbol determination time (e.g., one second) has elapsed.

In this way, the main CPU 101 causes the first special pattern display device 41 or the second special pattern display device 42 to display a variably changing special pattern, and then causes the first special pattern display device 41 or the second special pattern display device 42 to display a stopped special pattern indicating the result of the jackpot determination process.

Following the processing of step S317, the main CPU 101 resets the variable time that was started to be measured in the processing of step S313 (step S318), and executes processing during the stop including processing to set an opening command to start a big win game if it is a big win, and to start a small win game if it is a small win (step S319). When this opening command is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission processing of step S9 (see FIG. 38), the sub-CPU 131 of the performance control board 130 sets, for example, an OP performance start command that instructs the start of an OP performance corresponding to the type of big win (or small win) in the sub-RAM 133. The OP performance starts in response to the transmission of this OP performance start command to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission processing of step S30 (see FIG. 46).

[Big win determination process by the game control board 100]
Fig. 43 is a detailed flowchart of the jackpot determination process in step S309 in Fig. 42. The main CPU 101 executes a jackpot determination based on the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area (step S3091). For example, in the jackpot determination table, a determination value to be compared with the jackpot random number is assigned in advance to a jackpot, a small win, or a miss. The main CPU 101 determines whether or not a jackpot has been determined based on whether the value of the jackpot random number obtained in the process of step S2102 in Fig. 40 (or the process of step S2202 in Fig. 41) matches any of the determination values set in the jackpot determination table set in the main RAM 103.

Following the processing of step S3091, the main CPU 101 judges whether the judgment result of the jackpot judgment is a jackpot or not (step S3092). If it is judged to be a jackpot (step S3092: YES), the main CPU 101 refers to the pattern determination table pre-stored in the main ROM 102, determines the type of jackpot pattern based on the pattern random number stored in the judgment memory area together with the jackpot random number used in the jackpot judgment of step S3091, and sets the setting information in the main RAM 103 (step S3093). The type of jackpot pattern is determined by determining the type of jackpot pattern. Specifically, for example, when the pattern random number is related to the first special pattern judgment, the main CPU 101 determines the jackpot pattern based on which judgment value specified in the pattern determination table for the first starting hole (not shown) the pattern random number matches. Furthermore, if the random number of symbols is related to the second special symbol determination, the main CPU 101 determines the jackpot symbol based on which determination value specified in the symbol determination table for the second starting hole (not shown) the random number of symbols matches.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that the reel is not a big win (step S3092: NO), the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the reel is a small win (step S3094). If the reel is a small win (step S3094: YES), the main CPU 101 refers to a symbol determination table stored in advance in the main ROM 102, determines the type of small win symbol based on the symbol random number, and sets the setting information in the main RAM 103 (step S3095).

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a small win (step S3094: NO), it sets the setting information for the losing symbol in the main RAM 103 (step S3096). As a result, in the processing of step S317, the losing symbol is displayed as stopped on the first special symbol display device 41 or the second special symbol display device 42. In this case, the big win game is not played. With this, the main CPU 101 ends the processing shown in FIG. 43.

[Variation pattern determination process by the game control board 100]
Fig. 44 is a detailed flow chart of the variation pattern determination process in step S310 in Fig. 42. The main CPU 101 judges whether the variation display of the second special symbol is the third rotation after the big win symbol C is stopped (step S3101). If it is judged as YES in this process, a dedicated variation pattern is determined as the variation pattern this time (step S3102), and the variation pattern determination process is terminated.

If the result of the process in step S3101 is NO, the main CPU 101 judges whether or not the result of the judgment in step S3091 is a jackpot (step S3103). If it is judged to be a jackpot (step S3103: YES), a jackpot variation pattern table (not shown) corresponding to the current game state is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3102). The variation pattern table is a table in which the variation pattern of the special symbol is associated with a judgment value for comparison with the variation pattern random number, and is a table that is pre-stored in the main ROM 102 for each game state.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that the reel is not a big win (step S3103: NO), it determines whether or not the reel is a small win (step S3105). If it determines that the reel is a small win (step S3105: YES), it reads out a small win variation pattern table (not shown) that corresponds to the current game state from the main ROM 102 and sets it in the main RAM 103 (step S3106).

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a small win (step S3103: NO), i.e., if it is a miss, it determines whether or not to determine the reach performance from an unfeasible variation pattern (step S3107). Specifically, the main CPU 101 determines which of the judgment values for comparison with the reach random number matches the value of the reach random number stored in the judgment memory area together with the big win random number used in the processing of step S3091, based on the number of reserved special pattern judgments with the same winning start port.

When the main CPU 101 determines the special symbol fluctuation pattern from a fluctuation pattern that cannot be executed to produce a reach effect (step S3107: NO), it reads out the reach fluctuation pattern table from the main ROM 102 and sets it in the main RAM 103 (step S3108). On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines the reach effect from a fluctuation pattern that cannot be executed (step S3109: NO), it reads out the non-reach fluctuation pattern table from the main ROM 102 and sets it in the main RAM 103 (step S3107).

Next, the main CPU 101 refers to the variation pattern table set in the main RAM 103 by the processing of step S3104, the processing of step S3106, the processing of step S3108, or the processing of step S3109 to determine the variation pattern of the special symbol, and sets the setting information in the main RAM 103 (step S3110). Specifically, the main CPU 101 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol based on which value of the judgment value specified in the variation pattern table the variation pattern random number stored in the judgment memory area together with the jackpot random number used in the processing of step S3091 matches. For example, when the jackpot variation pattern table is set in the main RAM 103, the main CPU 101 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol based on which value of the judgment value specified in the jackpot variation pattern table the variation pattern random number matches. Also, for example, when a non-reach fluctuation pattern table is set in the main RAM 103, the main CPU 101 determines a fluctuation pattern corresponding to the reserved number after the shift process of step S308 based on the fluctuation pattern random number. The setting information of the fluctuation pattern is included in the fluctuation start command together with the setting information of the special symbol set in the main RAM 103 by the jackpot determination process of step S309 described above, and is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission process of step S9. With this, the main CPU 101 ends the process shown in FIG. 44.

[Small winning hole opening control process by the game control board 100]
Hereinafter, the small prize winning opening control process executed by the game control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 45. This small prize winning opening control process is a process for executing a small prize game selected based on a small prize pattern determination table stored in the main ROM 102. Here, FIG. 45 is a detailed flowchart of the small prize winning opening control process in step S6 of FIG. 38. Following the electric tulip process in step S5, the main CPU 101 determines whether the small prize game flag is set to "ON" as illustrated in FIG. 38 (step S641). Here, if it is determined that the small prize game flag is not set to "ON" (step S641: NO), the process proceeds to the large prize winning opening control process in step S7.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the big win game flag is set to "ON" (step S641: YES), it determines whether or not it is in the opening period of the small win game based on whether or not the elapsed time since the opening command for the small win game was set by the stop processing has reached a predetermined opening time (step S642). Here, when it is determined that it is in the opening period (step S642: YES), it also determines whether or not the opening time has elapsed based on whether or not the elapsed time has reached the predetermined opening time (step S643). Here, when it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed (step S643: NO), the process proceeds to the big win port control process of step S7.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the opening time has elapsed (step S643: YES), it sets the operation pattern of the small prize port control unit 118 and stores the setting information in the main RAM 103 (step S644). By executing the process of this step S644, various times related to the small prize game, such as the ending time after the end of the round, are also set.

Following the processing of step S644, the main CPU 101 resets the number X of winning game balls that have entered the small winning opening 19, which is stored in the main RAM 103 (step S645).

Following the processing of step S645, the main CPU 101 starts the opening control of the small prize opening (step S646). Next, the main CPU 101 starts measuring the opening time, which is the elapsed time since the opening control started (step S647).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the small win game is not in the opening period (step S642: NO), it determines whether or not the game is in the ending period (step S648) based on information indicating the point in time in the small win game where the current state is stored in the main RAM 103, for example. If it is determined that the game is in the ending period (step S648: YES), the process proceeds to step S659, which will be described later.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the small win game is not ending (step S648: NO), it determines whether the small win port switch has been turned "ON" (step S649). Specifically, it determines whether the small win port switch 116a has been turned "ON" based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the small win port switch 116a.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the small prize opening switch 116a has been turned "ON" (step S649: YES), it determines that one game ball has entered the small prize opening 19, and updates the number of winning game balls X to a value incremented by "1" (step S650).

Following the processing of step S650, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the V winning port switch 116b has been turned "ON". If it is determined that the V winning port switch 116b has been turned "ON" (step S651: YES), it sets a V winning command (step S652) and sets the jackpot game flag to "ON" (step S653).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S653, executes the process of step S647, or determines that the small prize opening switch 116a is not "ON" (step S649: NO), it determines whether or not the specified opening time has elapsed since the small prize opening 19 started to be opened (step S654). Specifically, it determines whether or not the opening time that was started to be measured by the process of step S647 has reached the specified opening time stored in the main ROM 102.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the specified opening time has not elapsed (step S654: NO), it determines whether the number of winning balls X in the current round of play stored in the main RAM 103 matches the number of winning balls Xmax (e.g., "9") that specifies the timing of closing the large prize opening 13 stored in the main ROM 102 (step S655). If it is determined that the number of winning balls X does not match the number of winning balls Xmax (step S655: NO), the process proceeds to the large prize opening control process of step S7.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that the number of winnings X matches the number of game balls Xmax (step S655: YES), it causes the small winning opening control unit 118 to end the opening control of the small winning opening 19 that was started in the processing of step S646 (step S656).

Following the processing of step S656, the main CPU 101 starts measuring the ending time (step S657) and sets an ending command in the main RAM 103 (step S658). This ending command is a command to notify that the round of small win play has ended, and is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission processing of step S9.

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S658, it determines whether the ending time has elapsed (step S659). If it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (step S659: NO), the process proceeds to the large prize opening control process of step S7.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the ending time has elapsed (step S659: YES), it sets the small win game flag to "OFF" to end the small win game (step S660).

[Big prize opening control process by the game control board 100]
Hereinafter, the big prize opening control process executed by the game control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 46. This big prize opening control process is a process for executing a big prize game selected based on a big prize pattern determination table stored in the main ROM 102. Here, FIG. 46 is a detailed flowchart of the big prize opening control process in step S7 of FIG. 38. Following the small prize opening control process in step S5, the main CPU 101 determines whether the big prize game flag is set to "ON" as illustrated in FIG. 38 (step S601). Here, if it is determined that the big prize game flag is not set to "ON" (step S601: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process in step S8.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the jackpot game flag is set to "ON" (step S601: YES), it determines whether the jackpot game is in the opening stage based on whether the elapsed time since the opening command for the jackpot game was set by the stopped game process has reached a predetermined opening time (step S602). If it is determined that the jackpot game is in the opening stage (step S602: YES), it also determines whether the opening time has elapsed based on whether the elapsed time has reached the predetermined opening time (step S603). If it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed (step S603: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball processing in step S8.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the opening time has elapsed (step S603: YES), it sets the number of rounds Rmax for the jackpot game, the operation pattern of the jackpot opening control unit 117, etc., and stores the setting information in the main RAM 103 (step S604). By executing the process of this step S604, various times related to the jackpot game, such as the interval time between rounds and the next round, the ending time after the final round, etc., are also set.

Following the processing of step S604, the main CPU 101 resets the number Y of winning balls into the big prize opening 13 stored in the main RAM 103 (step S605), and updates the number of rounds R during the big prize, also stored in the main RAM 103, to a value incremented by "1" (step S606). This number of rounds R is set to "0" before the start of the big prize, and is incremented by "1" each time the processing of step S606 is performed.

Following the processing of step S606, the main CPU 101 starts the opening control of the special prize opening (step S607). Next, the main CPU 101 starts measuring the opening time, which is the elapsed time since the opening control started (step S608). Then, the main CPU 101 sets a round start command in the main RAM 103 to notify that a round of play to open the special prize opening 13 has started (step S609).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the jackpot game is not in the opening stage (step S602: NO), it determines whether the game is in the ending stage immediately after the end of the final round (step S611), for example, based on information stored in the main RAM 103 indicating the point in time in the jackpot game where the current state is. If it is determined that the game is in the ending stage (step S611: YES), the process proceeds to step S625, which will be described later.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the jackpot game is not ending (step S611: NO), it determines whether or not it is during an interval (between a round and the next round) based on information indicating at what point in the jackpot game the current state is stored in the main RAM 103 (step S612). If it determines that it is during an interval (step S612: YES), it determines whether or not the interval time set by the processing of step S604 has elapsed since the jackpot winning hole 13 was closed at the end of the previous round game (step S613). If it determines that the interval time has elapsed (step S613: YES), it is time to start the next round game, so the processing proceeds to the above step S605. Conversely, if it determines that the interval time has not elapsed (step S613: NO), the processing proceeds to the prize ball processing of step S8.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that it is not during an interval (step S612: NO), it determines that a round is being played and determines whether the special prize opening switch 115 has been turned "ON" (step S614). Specifically, it determines whether the special prize opening switch 115 has been turned "ON" based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the special prize opening switch 115.

Here, if the main CPU 101 determines that the large prize opening switch 115 has been turned "ON" (step S614: YES), it determines that one game ball has entered the large prize opening 13, and updates the number of winning game balls Y to a value incremented by "1" (step S615).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S615, executes the process of step S609, or determines that the special prize opening switch 115 is not "ON" (step S614: NO), it determines whether or not the specified opening time has elapsed since the special prize opening 13 started to be opened (step S616). Specifically, it determines whether or not the opening time that was started to be measured by the process of step S608 above has reached the specified opening time stored in the main ROM 102.

If the main CPU 101 determines that the specified opening time has not elapsed (step S616: NO), it determines whether the number of winning game balls Y in the current round of play stored in the main RAM 103 matches the number of game balls Ymax (e.g., "9") that specifies the closing timing of the large prize opening 13 stored in the main ROM 102 (step S617). If it is determined that the number of winning game balls Y does not match the number of game balls Ymax (step S617: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball processing in step S8.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that the number of winnings Y matches the number of game balls Ymax (step S617: YES), or determines that the specified opening time has elapsed (step S616: YES), it causes the special prize opening control unit 117 to end the opening control of the special prize opening 13 that was started in the processing of step S607 (step S618).

Following the processing of step S618, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the current number of rounds R of the jackpot game stored in the main RAM 103 matches the number of rounds Rmax set by the processing of step S604 above (step S619). Here, if it is determined that the number of rounds R does not match the number of rounds Rmax (step S619: NO), in order to control the start timing of the next round of game, it starts measuring the interval time, which is the elapsed time since the jackpot opening 13 was closed (step S620). The interval time measured by the processing of step S620 is used in the processing of step S613 above.

On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that the number of rounds R matches the number of rounds Rmax (step S619: YES), it starts measuring the ending time (step S622), resets the number of rounds R stored in the main RAM 103 (step S623), and sets an ending command in the main RAM 103 (step S624). This ending command is a command that notifies the player that the last round of play has ended, and is transmitted to the performance control board 130 by the transmission process of step S8. This ending command includes information (game information) regarding the game state after the big win game ends.

When the main CPU 101 executes the processing of step S624 or determines that the ending is in progress (step S611: YES), it determines whether or not the set ending time has elapsed (step S625). Specifically, it determines whether or not the ending time that began to be measured by the processing of step S622 above has reached the set ending time that was set by the processing of step S604 above. Here, if it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (step S625: NO), processing proceeds to the prize ball processing of step S8.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the set ending time has elapsed (step S625: YES), it executes a game state setting process to set the game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 after the big win game ends (step S626). This process sets the game state to one that corresponds to the type of big win symbol (or small win symbol).

After processing step S626, the main CPU 101 sets the jackpot game flag to "OFF" to end the jackpot game (step S627).

[Timer interrupt processing by the performance control board 130]
Below, the timer interrupt processing executed in the performance control board 130 will be described with reference to Fig. 47. Here, Fig. 47 is a flow chart showing an example of the timer interrupt processing executed in the performance control board 130. Below, the processing shown in Figs. 47 to 50 will be described as being executed by the performance control board 130, but some or all of these processes may be executed in any of the performance control board 130, the image and sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150.

The sub-CPU 131 in the performance control board 130 repeatedly executes the series of processes illustrated in FIG. 47 at regular intervals (e.g., 4 milliseconds), similar to the timer interrupt process performed in the game control board 100. Note that the processes shown in FIG. 47 to FIG. 50 are performed according to commands issued by the sub-CPU 131 based on the program stored in the sub-ROM 132.

The sub-CPU 131 first executes a command reception process in which processing is performed according to a command from the game control board 100 (step S10), and then executes a transmission process (step S30). In the command reception process, processing is performed in response to the reception of various commands from the game control board 100 and the lamp control board 150. Specifically, the sub-CPU 131 receives a command as game information from the game control board 100, for example, and sets the performance content according to the received command. For example, the sub-CPU 131 determines a variable performance pattern corresponding to the variable pattern of the special symbol, and determines whether or not to execute a preview performance that can be executed in the determined variable performance pattern, and the content of the performance. Then, the sub-CPU 131 generates a command to instruct the execution of the determined performance, for example, and transmits it to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. As a result, the performance of the content determined in the performance control board 130 is executed in the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. The command reception process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 48.

Following the processing of step S30, the sub-CPU 131 performs a data transfer process (step S50). The sub-CPU 131 transfers data sent from the image and sound control board 140 to the lamp control board 150, for example, to control the illumination of the frame lamps 37 and the like and to control (e.g., operate) the performance props 7 and the like in association with the start of each performance. By performing this data transfer process, for example, illumination control is performed to illuminate the board lamps 25 and the frame lamps 37 in conjunction with the performance image displayed on the LCD screen 5 and the performance sound output by the speaker 24, and the performance props 7 are operated. With this, the sub-CPU 131 ends the processing shown in FIG. 47.

[Command reception processing by the performance control board 130]
Fig. 48 is a detailed flow chart of the command receiving process in step S10 in Fig. 47. As illustrated in Fig. 48, the sub-CPU 131 first judges whether or not a command transmitted from the game control board 100 or the lamp control board has been received (step S11). If it is judged that a command has not been received (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S30.

When the sub-CPU 131 determines that a command has been received (step S11: YES), it determines whether or not the command is a hold command sent from the game control board 100 in response to the processing of step S2112 (see FIG. 40) or step S2212 (see FIG. 41) (step S12). Here, if it is determined that the received command is not a hold command (step S12: NO), the process proceeds to step S14, which will be described later.

If the sub-CPU 131 determines that the received command is a pending command (step S12: YES), it executes pending command reception processing (step S13). In the pending command reception processing, the sub-CPU 131 sets an icon display command including, for example, setting information related to the display mode of the panel image displayed in the character stock performance, in the sub-RAM 133. This pending command reception processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 49.

If the sub-CPU 131 determines that the received command is not a hold command (step S12: NO), it determines whether or not the command is a fluctuation start command sent from the game control board 100 in response to the processing of step S311 (see FIG. 42) (step S14). If it determines that the received command is not a fluctuation start command (step S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S16, which will be described later.

If the sub-CPU 131 determines that the received command is a fluctuation start command (step S14: YES), it executes a fluctuation start command reception process (step S15). In the fluctuation start command reception process, the sub-CPU 131 determines, for example, a fluctuation performance pattern that corresponds to the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol included in the fluctuation start command. This fluctuation start command reception process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 50.

If the sub-CPU 131 determines that the received command is not a variation start command (step S14: NO), it determines whether or not the command is a pattern determination command sent from the game control board 100 in response to the processing of step S316 (see FIG. 42) (step S16). If the sub-CPU 131 determines that the command is a pattern determination command (step S16: YES), it sets a variation effect end command in the sub-RAM 133 (step S17). This variation effect end command is sent to the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission processing of step S30, and the decorative pattern 55 and the small pattern 56 are displayed in a stopped state on the LCD screen 5 in conjunction with the stopped display of the special pattern.

When the sub-CPU 131 determines that the received command is not a pattern determination command (step S16: NO), it determines whether the command is an operation command sent from the lamp control board 150 (step S18). This operation command is a command sent from the lamp control board 150 to notify information when the lamp CPU 151 of the lamp control board 150 detects operation of the performance button 26 or performance key 27. The operation command includes information indicating which of the performance button 26 and performance key 27 was operated, and, if the performance key 27 was operated, information indicating which key was operated.

When the sub-CPU 131 determines that an operation command has been received (step S18: YES), it sets an operation performance start command in the sub-RAM 133 (step S19). This command is sent to the image/sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission process of step S30. By receiving this command, the image/sound control board 140 can, for example, execute a performance using images and sounds using the LCD screen 5 and the speaker 24 in response to the operation during the valid period (for example, a performance that switches the mode image of the selected state in the mode selection performance). Also, by receiving this command, the lamp control board 150 can execute a performance that causes various lamps to light up in response to the operation during the valid period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the received command is not an operation command (step S18: NO), a process corresponding to the command is executed (step S20). As an example, if the sub-CPU 131 determines that an opening command transmitted from the game control board 100 has been received, it sets an opening command that instructs the start of the presentation of a big win game (or a small win game) corresponding to the type of big win (or small win).

[Hold command reception processing by the performance control board 130]
Fig. 49 is a detailed flowchart of the reserved command reception process in step S13 in Fig. 48. When the sub-CPU 131 determines that the received command is a reserved command (step S12: YES), it updates the reserved number of special symbol determinations stored in the sub-RAM 133 to a value in which "1" has been added (step S1311), as illustrated in Fig. 49. Specifically, based on the winning start port information included in the advance determination information in the reserved command, it determines whether the reserved command is related to the first special symbol determination or the second special symbol determination, and based on the determination result, it updates the reserved number related to the first special symbol determination or the reserved number related to the second special symbol determination to a value in which "1" has been added.

Following the processing of step S1311, the sub-CPU 131 analyzes the pre-determination information contained in the received hold command and stores the analysis result in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1312).

Following the processing of step S1312, the sub-CPU 131 determines whether or not a look-ahead effect, such as an effect that displays a special mode of the reserved icon 54 and an effect that displays the second to fifth panel images in the character stock effect, can be executed (step S1313). For example, if the setting information for any look-ahead effect has already been set in the sub-RAM 133, if a big win game (or a small win game) is in progress, etc., it is determined that the look-ahead effect cannot be executed. If it is determined that the look-ahead effect cannot be executed (step S1313: NO), the processing proceeds to step S1316.

When the sub-CPU 131 determines that the look-ahead effect can be executed (step S1313: YES), it determines whether or not the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner for the first to third spins after the big win symbol C is displayed stopped (step S1314). When the sub-CPU 131 determines YES in the process of step S1314, it executes the process of the character stock effect (second to fifth person) (step S1315). This process has been described above with reference to FIG. 19 (B), so a description thereof will be omitted here.

When the process of step S1315 is executed, when the process of step S1314 is judged as NO, or when the process of step S1313 is judged as NO, the sub-CPU 131 sets an icon display command in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1316). The icon display command includes the advance judgment information obtained based on the pending command, the winning start port information, etc., and includes these setting information when the process of step S1315 is executed. This icon display command is transmitted to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission process of step S30 (see FIG. 47). As a result, the character stock performance is realized by the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 in the manner determined by the performance control board 130.

[Variation start command reception processing by the performance control board 130]
Hereinafter, referring to Fig. 50, the fluctuation start command receiving process executed in the performance control board 130 in response to receiving the fluctuation start command transmitted from the game control board 100 will be described. Here, Fig. 50 is a detailed flowchart of the fluctuation start command receiving process in step S15 of Fig. 48.

As illustrated in FIG. 48, if the sub-CPU 131 determines that the command received from the game control board 100 is a fluctuation start command (step S14: YES), it acquires a fluctuation presentation pattern random number and stores it in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1511). The sub-CPU 131 acquires the value at the time of receiving the fluctuation start command as the fluctuation presentation pattern random number.

Following the processing of step S1511, the sub-CPU 131 analyzes the fluctuation start command received from the gaming control board 100 (step S1512). As described above, the fluctuation start command includes information indicating whether or not there is a jackpot, which indicates the result of the jackpot determination (see FIG. 43), the type of special symbol, setting information for the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol, information indicating the gaming status of the gaming machine 1, and the like. By performing this processing, the sub-CPU 131 obtains the information necessary to determine the fluctuation presentation pattern.

Following the processing of step S1512, the sub-CPU 131 determines whether or not the second special symbol is changing for the third spin after the big win symbol C is stopped (step S1513). If the processing of step S1513 returns YES, the sub-CPU 131 executes the processing of the character stock presentation (first person) (step S1514). This processing has been described above with reference to FIG. 19(A), so a description thereof will be omitted here.

If the result of the process in step S1513 is NO, the sub-CPU 131 refers to a variable presentation pattern table (not shown) corresponding to the current game state to determine the variable presentation pattern (step S1515). The variable presentation pattern table is a table stored in advance in the sub-ROM 132, and is a table in which one or more types of variable presentation patterns are associated in advance with each combination of whether or not there is a jackpot, the type of jackpot pattern (or small jackpot pattern), and the variable pattern of the special pattern. For example, variable presentation pattern tables for the non-time-saving state and the time-saving state are stored in advance in the sub-ROM 132.

When the processing of step S1515 or step S1514 has been executed, the sub-CPU 131 sets a variable performance start command including the setting contents determined in these processes (step S1516). The variable performance start command is transmitted to the image/sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission process of step S30 (see FIG. 47). As a result, the variable performance of the type determined by the performance control board 130 is realized by the image/sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150.

Following the processing of step S1516, the sub-CPU 131 subtracts "1" from the value of the reserved number stored in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1517). The sub-CPU 131 then ends the processing shown in FIG. 50.

[Effects of this embodiment]
In this embodiment, a battle performance using characters A to D can be executed. The reliability of the battle performance increases in the order of characters A to D that fight against the enemy. The characters used in the battle performance can be displayed in the display areas 81a to 85a (and the display areas 81b to 85b) based on the advance judgment information (specifically, whether it is a small win or a miss) in response to an increase in the number of reserved second special symbol judgments by 1. The reliability is higher when character D is displayed than when character A is displayed in the display areas 81a to 85a (and the display areas 81b to 85b). This makes it possible to suggest the reliability of the type of character in the display areas 81a to 85a (and the display areas 81b to 85b) and the type of battle performance using the characters.

In addition, in this embodiment, characters A to D can be displayed as characters used in the battle performance. The reliability of the characters increases in the order of A to D. If there is no small win, it is not possible to simultaneously display five characters of the same type as panel images (and character icons 81 to 85). On the other hand, if there is a small win, it is possible to simultaneously display five characters of the same type as panel images (and character icons 81 to 85). This gives the player a sense of excitement when the panel images (and character icons 81 to 85) are displayed, making it possible to increase the excitement of the game.

In addition, in this embodiment, battle development effects and battle effects are executed in display areas other than the display areas 81b-85b in which the character icons 81-85 are displayed. In this embodiment, battle effects using characters A-D can be executed, with the characters fighting the enemy being characters A-D in order of increasing reliability. Effects that display character icons 81-85 can be executed in the display areas 81b-85b. Characters A-D can be displayed as the character icons 81-85, and for example, reliability is higher when character D is displayed than when character A is displayed. This makes it possible to suggest reliability using the display areas other than the display areas 81b-85b and the display areas 81b-85b, respectively.

In this embodiment, the presentation is performed in one of the presentation modes of group A, which are night mode, battle mode, and God Rush, and group B, which are new chapter mode, story mode, and devil rush. As a mode selection presentation in which the presentation mode can be selected, one mode image is displayed in a selected state, and another mode screen is displayed in a non-selected state. The sub-RAM 133 can store a setting value indicating the presentation mode. When the mode selection presentation is performed, for example, if a setting value indicating night mode is stored, the mode image indicating group A is displayed in a selected state, and the mode image indicating group B is displayed in a non-selected state. When the mode selection presentation is performed, for example, if a setting value indicating new chapter mode is stored, the mode image indicating group B is displayed in a selected state, and the mode image indicating group A is displayed in a non-selected state. This makes it possible to eliminate the hassle of having to reselect the presentation mode many times each time the mode selection presentation is performed.

In addition, in this embodiment, the mode image displayed when selected in the mode selection presentation is larger than the mode image displayed when not selected. This allows the mode image displayed when selected to be displayed preferentially, making it easier to understand.

In addition, in this embodiment, the mode image displayed in the selected state in the mode selection presentation is displayed with priority over the mode image displayed in the unselected state. This allows the mode image displayed in the selected state to be displayed with priority, regardless of how the mode images are arranged.

In addition, in this embodiment, a group performance can be executed during a variable performance. Variable performances include, for example, an SP reach performance, an SPSP reach performance, a re-draw performance, and a revival performance. If a group performance is executed during an SP reach performance or an SPSP reach performance, it suggests that there is a high expectation of a small win. If a group performance is executed during a re-draw performance, it suggests that small win pattern 2 will be displayed. If a group performance is executed during the provisional stop display of a reach miss pattern just before a revival performance, it suggests that small win pattern 3 will be displayed. This makes it possible to suggest different contents using the same type of group performance depending on the timing at which it is executed.

[Modification]
The present invention is also applicable to other gaming machines, such as, for example, a type 1 gaming machine, a reel gaming machine, a slot machine, and the like.

The operation means that the player operates to input operation information may be of any type. For example, the operation means may be a touch panel, which is a display screen on which the player can input operation information by performing a touch operation with his/her finger. The operation means may also be an optical sensor or the like provided on the frame member 3 so that the player can input operation information by performing a touch operation on a glass plate.

In addition, a part of the processing executed in the image and sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 may be executed in the performance control board 130, or a part of the processing executed in the performance control board 130 may be executed in the image and sound control board 140 or the lamp control board 150. In addition, any of the performance control board 130, the image and sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150 may be configured as an integrated unit, and as an example, the processing executed in the performance control board 130 and the image and sound control board 150 may be executed in a single control board.

Furthermore, the configuration of the gaming machine 1 and the light emission and operation modes of each component described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized with other configurations, light emission modes, and operation modes. Furthermore, the processing order, setting values, threshold values used for judgment, etc. in the above-mentioned flowchart are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized with other orders and values as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the present invention. The explanatory diagrams, etc. illustrated in the above embodiment are also merely examples, and other modes may be used.

The above-mentioned effects are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but various modifications and applications are possible. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be applied to each other, and the present invention may be realized in various combinations.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Gaming machine 5 Display screen of liquid crystal display device 7 Performance device 11 First start hole 12 Second start hole 100 Gaming control board 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
130 Performance control board 131 CPU
132 ROM
133 RAM
140 Image and sound control board 150 Lamp control board

Claims (1)

A determination means for determining whether or not a special game advantageous to a player is to be executed;
a special game execution means for executing one of a plurality of special games based on a determination result of the determination means;
A performance control means for executing a performance,
The performance control means is capable of executing a variable performance, a predetermined performance that can be executed at a plurality of timings during the variable performance , and a specific performance that displays a pattern with reduced visibility and then displays a pattern with increased visibility;
The variable performance includes a first performance, a second performance in which the expectation of the special game being executed is higher than that of the first performance, and a third performance in which a pattern is displayed in a manner indicating that the special game will not be executed .
The performance patterns of the variable performance include:
A first performance pattern in which neither the second performance nor the third performance is executed after the first performance is executed;
A second performance pattern in which the second performance is executed after the first performance is executed, and then the third performance is not executed;
a third performance pattern in which the first performance is executed, the second performance is executed, and then the third performance is executed;
When a predetermined effect is executed during the first effect, it is suggested that the expectation of the special game being executed is relatively high,
When a predetermined effect is executed during the third effect, it is suggested that a predetermined special game will be executed,
When a predetermined performance is executed during the first performance, the rate of development from the first performance to the second performance is higher than when a predetermined performance is not executed during the first performance,
This gaming machine does not execute a specific performance in response to the execution of a predetermined performance when a predetermined performance is executed during a first performance, and executes a specific performance in response to the execution of the predetermined performance when a predetermined performance is executed during a third performance .

Images