JP7488069B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that allows gaming.

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines and slot machines, are equipped with display means capable of displaying images based on image data.

In this type of gaming machine, for example, the materials used during movie effects and the materials for the symbols used during non-movie effects are stored separately, so that even if the display format or number of symbols used during non-movie effects is changed between models in the same series, the moving images used as materials during movie effects can be used in common between models in the same series (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-930778 A

In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 above, when images used in a previous model of a series are reused in a new model of a machine, depending on when the images were created, there may be differences in image quality compared to images created in the new model of the machine. However, no consideration was given to these differences in image quality, leaving room for improvement.

The present invention was made with an eye on these problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can optimally display images with different image quality.

(A) The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A gaming machine that can be controlled to an advantageous state that is advantageous to a player,
A specific effect execution means capable of executing a specific effect suggesting that the game is controlled to the advantageous state;
A storage means capable of storing display data used in the specific performance;
Equipped with
The types of display data stored in the storage means include at least a first type of display data and a second type of display data including display data for displaying an image that can be visually recognized as having a lower image quality than an image displayed using the first type of display data,
The specific performance execution means includes:
In the specific display area, a first specific performance using the first type of display data and a second specific performance using the second type of display data are at least executable.
During execution of the first specific performance, a first display using the first type of display data can be displayed in a first display area that is within the specific display area and has a high occupancy rate with respect to the specific display area;
During execution of the second specific performance, a second display using the second type of display data can be displayed in a second display area within the specific display area and having a lower occupancy rate with respect to the specific display area than the first display area;
When the second display is displayed, a related display related to the second display can be displayed in a region different from the second display region in the specific display region,
The second specific performance can be executed when the game is controlled to be in the advantageous state and when the game is not controlled to be in the advantageous state.
A display of information related to a game can be displayed;
The expectation level controlled to the advantageous state is different between when the first specific performance is executed and when the second specific performance is executed,
The related display can be displayed in conjunction with the second display,
The information display is displayed in priority to the related display.
It is characterized by the following.
Furthermore, the gaming machine according to claim 1 further comprises:
A gaming machine capable of playing games,
A specific performance execution means capable of executing a specific performance;
A storage means capable of storing display data used in the specific performance;
Equipped with
The types of display data stored in the storage means include at least a first type of display data and a second type of display data including display data of lower image quality than the first type of display data,
The specific performance execution means includes:
In the specific display area, a first specific performance using the first type of display data and a second specific performance using the second type of display data are at least executable.
During execution of the first specific performance, a first display using the first type of display data can be displayed in a first display area that is in the specific display area and has a high occupancy rate with respect to the specific display area;
During execution of the second specific performance, a second display using the second type of display data can be displayed in a second display area within the specific display area and having a lower occupancy rate with respect to the specific display area than the first display area;
When the second display is displayed, a related display related to the second display can be displayed in a region different from the second display region in the specific display region.
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the first display with high image quality is displayed large in a wide area of the specific display area, so that the first display can be displayed favorably, while the second display with low image quality is displayed small in the specific display area, so that it is difficult for the player to recognize that it is of low image quality. Also, by displaying the related display in the empty area around the second display area, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity caused by the difference in size of the display area between the first display and the second display.

The present invention may have only the invention-specific matters described in the claims of the present invention, or may have the invention-specific matters described in the claims of the present invention as well as configurations other than the invention-specific matters.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the pachinko game machine according to this embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram showing various control boards etc. installed in a pachinko gaming machine. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a game control main process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt process for game control. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display result determination table. A diagram showing the numerical range of a jackpot and the numerical range of a miss with time-saving in the variable display of the first special chart in normal state or time-saving state. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a performance control main process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a performance control process. A front view showing a pachinko gaming machine as the characteristic part 001SG. This is a configuration diagram showing various control boards and the like installed in a pachinko gaming machine as characteristic part 001SG. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating examples of performance control commands. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a display result determination table 1, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a display result determination table 2. FIG. (A) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a jackpot type determination table, and (B) is a diagram showing the contents of various jackpots. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a variation pattern. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between variable display results and fluctuation patterns. FIG. (A) is a diagram showing the execution period of various effects in Super Reach, (B) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the types and contents of Super Reach effects, and (C) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the types and contents of effects. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the types and contents of cheering effects, and FIG. 1B is a diagram explaining the appearance rate of each cheering character. A diagram showing the types and contents of cut-in effects. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing characters used in various performances, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing cheering characters used in various performances. 13A to 13G are diagrams showing examples of super reach presentation operations. (H) to (M) are diagrams showing examples of the super reach presentation operations. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining configurations of various icon images. 13A to 13F are diagrams showing examples of the display operation of icon images in the development suggestion performance. 13(G) to 13(J) are diagrams showing examples of the display operation of icon images in the development suggestion performance. 13 is a timing chart showing the display modes of icon images and game effect lamps in a development suggestion performance. 1A is a diagram showing an example of the presentation operation of super reach performance A, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the presentation operation of super reach performance B, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of the presentation operation of super reach performance C. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an image display in super reach performance C, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a main part of FIG. 13A to 13F are diagrams showing examples of the performance operations of the cheering performance. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are diagrams showing examples of the performance action when a cheering character stays on a cheering stage, and FIG. 10C is a diagram for explaining the appearance of an effect image in a successful pattern. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining examples of the movements of the cheering characters MA and MB. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the types of display modes of boundary lines displayed around the edges of a cheering character. (A) is a figure showing the display mode of the boundary line when displaying the cheering character MA during execution of the super reach performance A, (B) is the display mode of the boundary line when displaying the cheering character MB, and (C) is the display mode of the boundary line when displaying the cheering character MC. FIG. 1A shows the display mode of the boundary line when displaying the cheering character MA during execution of the super reach performance B, FIG. 1B shows the display mode of the boundary line when displaying the cheering character MB, and FIG. 1C shows the display mode of the boundary line when displaying the cheering character MC. (A) is a figure showing the display mode of the boundary line when displaying the cheering character MA during execution of the super reach performance C, (B) is the display mode of the boundary line when displaying the cheering character MB, and (C) is the display mode of the boundary line when displaying the cheering character MC. (A1) and (A2) are figures showing the state in which character A is displayed in a cut-in in small and large sizes, (B1) and (B2) are figures showing the state in which character B is displayed in a cut-in in small and large sizes, and (C1) and (C2) are figures showing the state in which character C is displayed in a cut-in in small and large sizes. 11 is a timing chart showing the display mode of each character. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a variable display start setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a support performance type determination process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a cut-in performance type determination process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the characteristic portion 001SG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example 2 of the characteristic portion 001SG. A figure showing modified example 3 of characteristic portion 001SG.

The following describes an embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

(Feature part 001SG form)
The gaming machine of form 1 is
A gaming machine (e.g., a pachinko gaming machine 1) capable of playing a game,
A display means (e.g., the image display device 5 or the performance control CPU 120) capable of displaying a specific display (e.g., the cut-in performance image 001SG004);
A storage unit (e.g., a ROM 121) capable of storing display data (e.g., image data) of the specific display;
Equipped with
The types of display data stored in the storage means include at least a first type of display data (e.g., image data of character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B) and a second type of display data including display data of lower image quality than the first type (e.g., image data of character image 001SG021C) (see FIG. 11-12(A)).
The display means includes:
The specific display can be displayed in a plurality of display sizes including a predetermined size and a specific size larger than the predetermined size (for example, a portion in which the performance control CPU 120 can display character images 001SG021A, 001SG021B, and 001SG021C in small and large sizes),
When the specific display is displayed at the specific size, a special display (e.g., effect image 001SG053) having higher visibility than the specific display can be displayed;
When the specific display is displayed at the specific size using the first type of display data, the special display is not displayed during the display period of the specific display (for example, when high-quality character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B are displayed at a large size, the effect image 001SG053 is not displayed. See FIG. 11-28 (A2) (B2)).
When the specific display is displayed at the specific size using the second type of display data, the special display can be displayed during at least a portion of the display period of the specific display (for example, when a low-quality, small-sized character image 001SG021C is stretched and displayed at a large size by a display process, an effect image 001SG053 having a higher image quality than the character image 001SG021C is displayed in front of the character image 001SG021C (upper display layer) so as to overlap at least a portion of the effect image. See FIG. 11-28 (C2)).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, when the first type of display data is used to display a specific display at a specific size, the special display is not displayed and the specific display can be displayed preferably in high image quality, whereas when the second type of display data is used to display a specific display at a specific size, the special display stands out and makes it difficult for the player to recognize that the specific display is of low image quality, so the specific display can be displayed preferably.

A gaming machine according to a second aspect is the gaming machine according to the first aspect,
The second type of display data (e.g., image data of the character image 001SG021C, etc.) includes display data reused from another gaming machine (e.g., a past work of a common series with the pachinko gaming machine 1, etc.),
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, by reusing the display data, it is possible to reduce development costs.

A gaming machine according to a third aspect is the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect,
It is possible to control the game to a favorable state for the player (for example, a jackpot game state, a probability variable state, a time-saving state, etc.),
The display mode of the special display (e.g., effect image 001SG053) includes at least a first display mode and a second display mode in which the rate of being controlled to the advantageous state when the special display is displayed is higher than the first display mode (e.g., the performance control CPU 120 is a portion that displays a red or large-sized effect image 001SG053 at a higher rate when the variable display result is a jackpot than when it is a miss),
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the player will pay attention to the display mode of the special display, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the specific display using the second type of display data is of low image quality, thereby making it difficult for the player to guess that a special display is being displayed.

A gaming machine according to a fourth aspect is a gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects,
A predetermined effect can be executed using display data different from the second type of display data,
The display means is capable of displaying the special display during the execution of the predetermined performance (for example, a portion in which the performance control CPU 120 can execute a cut-in performance in various performances such as a notice performance, a pseudo consecutive performance, and a deciding performance, which are different from the cut-in performance in the above-mentioned super reach performance, by using image data (for example, a high-quality character image) different from the image data of the low-quality character image 001SG021C).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, by displaying the special display even during the specified performance, the player is less likely to perceive the special display as being intended to make it difficult for the player to recognize that the specific display is of low image quality, thereby preventing a decline in interest in the game.

A gaming machine according to a fifth aspect is a gaming machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
When the display means displays the specific display at the specific size using the second type of display data, the display means starts displaying the special display after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since starting display of the specific display (for example, when the performance control CPU 120 displays character image 001SG021C corresponding to character C, which is a low-quality live-action human image, in a large size and in a conspicuous manner, the display means starts displaying effect image 001SG053 from timing tb2 when a predetermined time (for example, 1500 ms) has elapsed from timing tb1 when display (cut-in performance) of character image 001SG021C is started. See FIG. 11-29).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, after making the player aware that a specific display of low image quality has been displayed, the special display can make it difficult for the player to recognize that the specific display is of low image quality.

A gaming machine according to a sixth aspect is the gaming machine according to the fifth aspect,
The display means is capable of displaying the specific display as a moving image during the predetermined period (for example, a portion that displays the character image 001SG021C as a moving image during a predetermined period (tb1 to tb2) from the timing tb1 at which the performance control CPU 120 starts displaying the character image 001SG021C (cut-in performance) until a predetermined time (for example, 1500 ms) has elapsed. See FIG. 11-29).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the specific display is displayed in a moving manner during a specified period in which the special display is not displayed, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the specific display is of low image quality.

The gaming machine of form 7 is
A gaming machine (e.g., a pachinko gaming machine 1) capable of playing a game,
A display means (e.g., the image display device 5 or the performance control CPU 120) capable of displaying a predetermined display (e.g., icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, 001SG001C);
A storage means (e.g., a ROM 121) capable of storing display data (e.g., image data) of the predetermined display;
Equipped with
The types of display data stored in the storage means include at least a first type of display data (e.g., image data of character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B) and a second type of display data including display data of lower image quality than the first type (e.g., image data of character image 001SG021C) (see FIG. 11-12(A)).
The display means includes:
A predetermined display can be displayed that includes at least a first display element (e.g., a first display element 001SG011) and a second display element (e.g., a second display element 001SG012) different from the first display element (see FIG. 11-15 );
As the predetermined display, a first predetermined display (e.g., icon image 001SG001A, 001SG001B) using the first type of display data for the first display element, and a second predetermined display (e.g., icon image 001SG001C) using the second type of display data for the first display element can be displayed,
The first predetermined display and the second predetermined display have at least a part of their display periods overlapping each other (for example, the part where the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C are displayed at the timings ta5 to ta8. See FIG. 11-18 ).
The display data used for the second display element of the first predetermined display and the second display element of the second predetermined display are display data of equal or approximately equal image quality (for example, an image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of the icon image 001SG001C has lower image quality than the images constituting the first display element 001SG011 of the icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B, while an image constituting the second display element 001SG012 of the icon image 001SG001C and an image constituting the second display element 001SG012 of the icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B are both high image quality with almost no difference in image quality. See FIG. 11-15 ).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, when the first predetermined display and the second predetermined display are displayed during a common period, there is almost no difference in image quality between the first predetermined display and the second predetermined display for the second display element, which is part of the predetermined display, so that it becomes difficult for a player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element, and therefore the first predetermined display and the second predetermined display can be displayed preferably.

The gaming machine of aspect 8 is the gaming machine according to aspect 7,
The predetermined display is such that at least a portion of the second display element is displayed overlapping the first display element (for example, various images constituting the second display element 001SG012 are displayed overlapping the front side of the character image and background image constituting the first display element 001SG011. See FIG. 11-15).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, since the second display elements stand out more than the first display elements, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display elements.

A gaming machine according to a ninth aspect is the gaming machine according to the seventh or eighth aspect,
The display means displays a predetermined display in the second display element using display data of higher image quality than the first type of display data (for example, a portion that displays an image of higher image quality than the high-image quality images of characters A and B and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B as an image constituting the second display element in icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the second display element, which has almost no difference in image quality between the first and second specified displays, stands out more, making it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element.

A gaming machine according to a tenth aspect is the gaming machine according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects,
It is possible to control the game to a favorable state for the player (for example, a jackpot game state, a probability variable state, a time-saving state, etc.),
The display mode of the predetermined display includes at least a first display mode and a second display mode in which the rate of being controlled to the advantageous state when the predetermined display is displayed is higher than that of the first display mode,
The display means is capable of changing the predetermined display between the first display mode and the second display mode by changing the display mode of the second display element (for example, a portion in which the performance control CPU 120 changes the display color of the second display element 001SG012 of each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, 001SG001C from a normal color (for example, white) to red at a higher rate when the variable display result is a jackpot than when it is a miss, thereby changing the display mode of each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, 001SG001C, etc.)
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, since the player will pay attention to the display state of the second display element, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element.

The gaming machine of aspect 11 is the gaming machine according to any one of aspects 7 to 10,
The display means includes:
When starting to display the predetermined display, the display of the second display element is started after starting to display the first display element (for example, when the performance control CPU 120 displays each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C, after a predetermined time has elapsed since displaying the images of characters A to C and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011, the portion displaying various images constituting the second display element 001SG012).
When terminating the display of the predetermined display, the display of the first display element is terminated, and then the display of the second display element is terminated (for example, when terminating the display of the icon image 001SG001C, while various high-quality images constituting the second display element 001SG012 are being displayed, the display of the low-quality image of character C and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 is terminated, and then the display of various high-quality images constituting the second display element 001SG012 is terminated. See FIG. 11-18).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, by drawing attention to the first display element and then displaying the second display element later, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element.

A gaming machine according to a twelfth aspect is the gaming machine according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects,
When the display means starts displaying the first predetermined display and the second predetermined display, the display means starts displaying the first predetermined display after starting displaying the second predetermined display (for example, when displaying each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C, the performance control CPU 120 starts displaying the high-image-quality icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B after starting displaying the low-image-quality icon image 001SG001C. See FIG. 11-16 ).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, by first making the player aware that the second predetermined display, which includes a low-image-quality display, has been displayed, and then later displaying the first predetermined display, which is of high image quality, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize that the second predetermined display is of low image quality.

A gaming machine according to a thirteenth aspect is the gaming machine according to any one of the seventh to twelfth aspects,
A light emitting means is provided,
The light emitting means emits light in a common light emitting mode when displaying the first predetermined display and when displaying the second predetermined display (for example, the performance control CPU 120 is a part that causes the game effect lamp 9 to emit light in a common light emitting mode when displaying the high-quality icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B and when displaying the low-quality icon image 001SG001C. See FIG. 11-18).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, by emitting light in a common manner, it is possible to make it difficult for a player to recognize differences in image quality of the first display elements.

A gaming machine of form 14 is
A gaming machine (e.g., a pachinko gaming machine 1) capable of playing a game,
A display means (e.g., the image display device 5 or the performance control CPU 120) capable of displaying a special display (e.g., the cheering character image 001SG031);
A storage means (e.g., a ROM 121) capable of storing display data (e.g., image data) of the special display;
Equipped with
The types of display data stored in the storage means include at least a first type of display data (e.g., image data of cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering characters MA and MB) and a second type of display data including display data of lower image quality than the first type (e.g., image data of cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC) (see FIG. 11-12(B)).
The display means includes:
In a special display area (e.g., display area 5E), a first special display using the first type of display data (e.g., cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering characters MA and MB) and a second special display using the second type of display data (e.g., cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC) can be displayed;
The first special display and the second special display can be displayed by a first display pattern in which the display moves within the special display area and then ends (for example, a success pattern (patterns PS2-1 to PS2-9) in which a cheering character frames in from the lower right position of the display area 5E and runs to the left, and then one, three or five people stay on the cheering stage to cheer), and a second display pattern in which the display moves within the special display area and then moves out of the special display area (for example, a failure pattern (patterns PS1-1 to PS1-3) in which a cheering character frames in from the lower right position of the display area 5E and runs to the left, and then all of the cheering characters MA to MC pass through the cheering stage and frame out from the lower left position of the display area 5E),
The first special display is displayed more frequently by the first display pattern than the second special display,
The second special display is displayed more frequently in the second display pattern than the first special display (for example, the performance control CPU 120 determines the appearance ratios of the cheering characters MA to MC so that the cheering characters MA and MB appear more frequently in successful patterns than the cheering character MC, and the cheering character MC appears more frequently in unsuccessful patterns than the cheering characters MA and MB, and has a higher reliability of winning in successful patterns. See FIG. 11-10(B)).
The display means includes:
In the first pattern, when at least one of the first special display and the second special display ends its movement display within the special display area, a movement end corresponding display can be displayed (for example, when the performance control CPU 120 stops and displays a high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB on the cheering stage image 001SG030, it displays a small-sized effect image 001SG033 in front of the cheering character image 001SG031 (higher display layer), while when the performance control CPU 120 stops and displays a low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering character MC on the cheering stage image 001SG030, it displays a large-sized effect image 001SG034 that is larger and has higher brightness than the small-sized effect image 001SG033 in front of the cheering character image 001SG031 (higher display layer)).
When the second special display ends its movement display within the special display area, the movement end corresponding display is displayed in a manner that is more visible than when the first special display ends its movement display within the special display area (for example, when a cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to a low-quality cheering character MC is stopped and displayed on a cheering stage image 001SG030, an effect image 001SG034 is displayed in a manner that is more visible than when a cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to a high-quality cheering character MA, MB is stopped and displayed on a cheering stage image 001SG030. See FIG. 11-22).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the first special display can be preferably displayed as a high-quality first special display since the moving display often ends within the special display area, while the second special display can be made difficult for the player to recognize as having low image quality since the moving display often ends outside the special display area. Also, when the second special display ends within the special display area, the moving end corresponding display stands out, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the second special display is of low image quality, so the first special display and the second special display can be preferably displayed.

A gaming machine according to a fifteenth aspect is the gaming machine according to the fourteenth aspect,
It is possible to control the game to a favorable state for the player (for example, a jackpot game state, a probability variable state, a time-saving state, etc.),
When the second special display is displayed by the first display pattern, the probability of being controlled to the advantageous state is higher than when the first special display is displayed by the first display pattern (for example, the performance control CPU 120 determines whether or not to execute a cheering performance, the type of cheering characters, and the number of cheering characters at a predetermined rate so that the number of cheering characters increases in the order of 0, 1, 3, and 5, in other words, so that the success pattern has a higher chance of winning than the failure pattern. See FIG. 11-10 (A)).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, it is possible to draw attention to whether or not the second special display is displayed in the first display pattern, thereby increasing interest in the game.

A gaming machine according to a sixteenth aspect is the gaming machine according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect,
When the display means displays the first special display using the first display pattern, the display data used for the moving display is switched to display data of lower image quality than the display data used after the moving display is completed (for example, when the performance control CPU 120 displays a moving image of a high-image-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB, that is, when the image quality is not noticeable, the display means displays a moving image based on the second high-resolution data, and when the high-image-quality cheering character image 001SG031 is displayed as a still image, that is, when the image quality is noticeable, the display means displays a moving image based on the first high-resolution data. See FIG. 11-23).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the data volume can be reduced without causing any deterioration in image quality.

A gaming machine according to a seventeenth aspect is the gaming machine according to any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects,
The display means is
A special predetermined display using display data having a higher image quality than the second type of display data can be displayed, the special predetermined display being different from the special display,
When the special display is being moved, the special specified display can be displayed in a display layer in front of the display layer displaying the special display (for example, even when a low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering character MC is displayed, in the display areas 5SL, 5SR and the reserved display area 5H, a pattern image or reserved display image of higher quality than the cheering character image 001SG031 is always displayed in the front (higher display layer). See FIG. 11-21).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, by drawing attention to the special specified display, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize that the special display is of low image quality.

The gaming machine of aspect 18 is the gaming machine according to any one of aspects 14 to 17,
The display means is capable of displaying the first special display and the second special display multiple times in the first display pattern,
The second special display is displayed more frequently than the first special display (for example, a portion in which a lower-quality cheering character image 001SG031 is displayed with more cheering character images 001SG031 than a higher-quality cheering character image 001SG031),
It is possible,
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the low-image-quality second special display is frequently displayed multiple times, making it difficult for the player to recognize that each special display is of low image quality.

The gaming machine of form 19 is
A gaming machine (e.g., a pachinko gaming machine 1) capable of playing a game,
A specific performance execution means capable of executing specific performances (for example, a part where the performance control CPU 120 is capable of executing super reach performances A to C);
A storage means (e.g., ROM 121) capable of storing display data used in the specific performance;
Equipped with
The types of display data stored in the storage means include at least a first type of display data (e.g., image data of character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B) and a second type of display data including display data of lower image quality than the first type (e.g., image data of character image 001SG021C) (see FIG. 11-12(A)).
The specific performance execution means includes:
In a specific display area (e.g., display area 5E), a plurality of types of specific effects can be executed, including at least a first specific effect using the first type of display data (e.g., a super reach effect A displaying character image 001SG021A and a super reach effect B displaying character image 001SG021B) and a second specific effect using the second type of display data (e.g., a super reach effect C displaying character image 001SG021C);
During execution of the first specific performance, a first display using the first type of display data (e.g., a super reach performance image 001SG003 displaying character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B) can be displayed in a first display area (e.g., display area 5E) that is within the specific display area and has a high occupancy rate relative to the specific display area;
During execution of the second specific performance, a second display (e.g., a super reach performance image 001SG003 displaying a character image 001SG021C) using the second type of display data can be displayed in a second display area (e.g., a predetermined display area 001SG023) that is within the specific display area and has a lower occupancy rate with respect to the specific display area than the first display area,
When the second display is displayed, a related display related to the second display can be displayed in a region different from the second display region in the specific display region (for example, a portion in which the performance control CPU 120 stretches and enlarges a part of the background image 001SG022C displayed in the specific display region 001SG023 in the special display region 001SG024. See FIG. 11-19(C) and FIG. 11-20(A)).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the first display with high image quality is displayed large in a wide area of the specific display area, so that the first display can be displayed favorably, while the second display with low image quality is displayed small in the specific display area, so that it is difficult for the player to recognize that it is of low image quality. Also, by displaying the related display in the empty area around the second display area, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity caused by the difference in size of the display area between the first display and the second display.

A gaming machine according to a 20th aspect is the gaming machine according to a 19th aspect,
The display means enlarges and displays at least a part of the second display displayed in the second display area as the related display (for example, a part in which the performance control CPU 120 stretches and enlarges a part of the background image 001SG022C displayed in the predetermined display area 001SG023 in the special display area 001SG024. See FIG. 11-19(C) and FIG. 11-20(A)).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, by associating the operation of the second display with that of the related display, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity in the display.

A gaming machine according to a twenty-first aspect is the gaming machine according to the nineteenth or twentyth aspect,
The related display is displayed in a moving image in conjunction with the second display displayed in the second display area (for example, a portion in which the performance control CPU 120 links the moving image display of the background image 001SG022C in the predetermined display area 001SG023 with the moving image display of the background image 001SG022C in the special display area 001SG024).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, by associating the operation of the second display with that of the related display, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity in the display.

A gaming machine according to a twenty-second aspect is a gaming machine according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-first aspects,
The display means is capable of continuously displaying a specific predetermined display throughout the execution period of the second specific performance,
The specific predetermined display is displayed overlapping at least a part of the boundary between the second display area and an area different from the second display area (for example, the reserved display image 001SG025 displayed in the reserved display area 5H provided at the bottom of the display area 5E of the image display device 5 is displayed overlapping in front of the predetermined display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 (upper display layer) during the execution period of the super reach performance C, and a part of the reserved display image 001SG025 is displayed on at least a part of the boundary between the predetermined display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024. See FIG. 11-20 (B)).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the boundary between the second display area and an area different from the second display area is hidden by the specific predetermined display, making it difficult for the player to recognize, thereby reducing the sense of incongruity in display between the second display and the related display.

A gaming machine of aspect 23 is the gaming machine according to any one of aspects 19 to 22,
The related display is displayed in a manner that is less visible than the second display (for example, the background image displayed in the special display area 001SG024 is a portion that is displayed in a manner that is less recognizable due to a reduction in resolution caused by stretching and enlarging a portion of the low-quality background image 001SG022C displayed in the predetermined display area 001SG023).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the second display can be suitably displayed so that the related display is not too noticeable.

The gaming machine of form 24 is
A gaming machine (e.g., a pachinko gaming machine 1) capable of playing a game,
The display means (e.g., the image display device 5 and the performance control CPU 120) is capable of displaying a background display (e.g., background images 001SG022A to 001SG022C including character images 001SG021A to 001SG021C) and a predetermined display (e.g., a cheering character image 001SG031 and a cheering stage image 001SG030) that is at least partially overlapped with the background display,
The display means is
A boundary display indicating the boundary between the background display and the predetermined display can be displayed (for example, a portion in which the performance control CPU 120 can execute a process of displaying a contour line having a width at the edge of the cheering character image 001SG031, that is, a border process of displaying a border (boundary line) at the boundary between the cheering character image 001SG031 and the background images 001SG022A to 001SG022C),
As the background display, a first background display including a specific display element at least partially common to a display element of the predetermined display, and a second background display not including the specific display element can be displayed,
When the predetermined display is displayed while the first background display is being displayed, the border display is displayed in a first manner that is easy for a player to recognize (for example, when the cheering character image and the background image are both animated images, or both are live-action images, and at least some of the display elements (image properties) of the cheering character image and the background image are common (common for animated images or common for live-action images), the cheering character image is easily assimilated into the background image, so the border display is a portion that displays a thick line border image 001SG041 that is easy for a player to recognize; see FIG. 11-24 ).
When the predetermined display is displayed while the second background display is being displayed, the boundary display is displayed in a second manner that is more difficult for a player to recognize than the first manner (for example, when the cheering character image and the background image do not have common display elements (image properties), such as when one of the cheering character image and the background image is an animated image and the other is a live-action image, the performance control CPU 120 displays a thin-line boundary image 001SG042 that is difficult for a player to recognize because the cheering character image is difficult to assimilate into the background image, and has a narrow line width; see FIG. 11-24).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the boundary display can prevent the predetermined display from blending into the background display, so that the predetermined display can be displayed appropriately. Also, by switching the mode of the boundary display depending on the type of the background display, the predetermined display and the background display can be displayed appropriately while preventing the predetermined display from being overly emphasized.

The gaming machine of form 25 is
A gaming machine (e.g., a pachinko gaming machine 1) capable of playing a game,
The display means (e.g., the image display device 5 and the performance control CPU 120) is capable of displaying a background display (e.g., background images 001SG022A to 001SG022C including character images 001SG021A to 001SG021C) and a predetermined display (e.g., a cheering character image 001SG031 and a cheering stage image 001SG030) that is at least partially overlapped with the background display,
The display means includes:
A boundary display indicating the boundary between the background display and the predetermined display can be displayed (for example, a portion in which the performance control CPU 120 can execute a process of displaying a contour line having a width at the edge of the cheering character image 001SG031, that is, a border process of displaying a border (boundary line) at the boundary between the cheering character image 001SG031 and the background images 001SG022A to 001SG022C),
As the background display, a first background display including a specific display element at least partially common to a display element of the predetermined display, and a second background display not including the specific display element can be displayed,
When the predetermined display is displayed while the first background display is being displayed, the boundary display is displayed (for example, when the performance control CPU 120 determines that the cheering character image is easily assimilated into the background image and that at least some of the display elements (image properties) of the cheering character image and the background image are common (common for animation images or common for live-action images), such as when both the cheering character image and the background image are animated images or both are live-action images, the cheering character image is easily assimilated into the background image and therefore the border display 001SG041 is a thick line that is easy for the player to recognize; see FIG. 11-24 ).
When the second background display is displayed and the predetermined display is displayed, the boundary display is not displayed (for example, when the cheering character image and the background image do not have common display elements (image properties), such as when one of the cheering character image and the background image is an animated image and the other is a live-action image, the performance control CPU 120 does not display boundary images 001SG041 and 001SG042 because it is difficult for the cheering character image to be assimilated into the background image. See FIG. 11-24).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the boundary display can prevent the predetermined display from blending into the background display, so that the predetermined display can be displayed appropriately. Also, by displaying or hiding the boundary display depending on the type of background display, the predetermined display and the background display can be displayed appropriately while preventing the predetermined display from being overly emphasized.

A gaming machine of aspect 26 is the gaming machine of aspect 24 or aspect 25,
When the display means displays a predetermined display that does not include a specific display element of the first background display while the first background display is being displayed, the boundary display is displayed or not displayed in the first manner (for example, when the cheering character image and the background image do not have common display elements (image properties), such as when one of the cheering character image and the background image is an animation image and the other is a live-action image, the performance control CPU 120 displays a thin-line boundary image 001SG042 that is difficult for a player to recognize because the cheering character image is difficult to assimilate into the background image, which has a narrow line width, or does not display the boundary images 001SG041 and 001SG042. See FIG. 11-25(B) and FIG. 11-26(A)).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, it is possible to reduce the processing effort and the processing load relating to the boundary display.

A gaming machine of aspect 27 is a gaming machine according to any one of aspects 23 to 26,
A storage unit (e.g., a ROM 121) capable of storing display data (e.g., image data) of the predetermined display,
The types of display data stored in the storage means include at least a first type of display data (e.g., image data of character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B) and a second type of display data including display data of lower image quality than the first type (e.g., image data of character image 001SG021C) (see FIG. 11-12(A)).
When the predetermined display is displayed using the first type of display data, the boundary display is not displayed (see, for example, FIG. 11-25(B) and FIG. 11-26(A)).
When the predetermined display is displayed using the second type of display data, the boundary display is displayed (see, for example, FIG. 11-25(C), FIG. 11-26(C), and FIG. 11-27(C)).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, it is possible to preferably display a predetermined display using the second type of display data.

A gaming machine of aspect 28 is a gaming machine according to any one of aspects 23 to 27,
The background display and the predetermined display are displayed based on different display data (see FIG. 11-12 );
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the boundary display can prevent the predetermined display from blending into the background display, so that the predetermined display can be displayed appropriately. Also, by switching the mode of the boundary display depending on the type of the background display, the predetermined display and the background display can be displayed appropriately while preventing the predetermined display from being overly emphasized.

A gaming machine of aspect 29 is the gaming machine according to any one of aspects 23 to 28,
A storage unit (e.g., a ROM 121) capable of storing display data (e.g., image data) of the predetermined display,
The types of display data stored in the storage means include at least a first type of display data (e.g., image data of character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B) and a second type of display data including display data of lower image quality than the first type (e.g., image data of character image 001SG021C) (see FIG. 11-12(A)).
The display means is capable of displaying, as the predetermined display, a first predetermined display including a live-action person image (e.g., character image 001SG021B) and a second predetermined display including an animated person image (e.g., character image 001SG021A);
The first background display is a display including a real-life human image (e.g., background image 001SG022B including character image 001SG021B),
When the first predetermined display is displayed while the first background display is displayed, the boundary display is displayed regardless of whether the first predetermined display uses the first type or the second type of display data (see FIG. 11-26(B) ).
When the second predetermined display is displayed while the first background display is displayed, if the second predetermined display is a predetermined display using the first type of display data (e.g., a high-quality animation image), the boundary display is not displayed (see FIG. 11-26(A)), and if the second predetermined display is a predetermined display using the second type of display data (e.g., a low-quality animation image), the boundary display is displayed.
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the boundary display can be suitably displayed according to the type of the predetermined display.

(Basic explanation)
First, the basic configuration and control of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (which is also the configuration and control of a general pachinko gaming machine) will be described.

(Configuration of Pachinko Game Machine 1, etc.)
1 is a front view of a pachinko game machine 1, showing the layout of the main components. The pachinko game machine (game machine) 1 is broadly composed of a game board (gauge board) 2 that constitutes the game board surface, and a game machine frame (base frame) 3 that supports and fixes the game board 2. A game area is formed on the game board 2, and game balls as game media are shot into this game area by a predetermined ball shooting device.

Note that the "variable display" of special symbols means, for example, a variable display of multiple types of special symbols (the same applies to other symbols described below). Variations include updating the display of multiple symbols, scrolling the display of multiple symbols, transforming one or more symbols, and enlarging/reducing one or more symbols. In the variation of special symbols and normal symbols described below, multiple types of special symbols or normal symbols are updated and displayed. In the variation of decorative symbols described below, multiple types of decorative symbols are scrolled or updated, or one or more decorative symbols are transformed or enlarged/reduced. Note that variations also include a mode in which a certain symbol is displayed flashing. At the end of the variable display, a specified special symbol is displayed stationary (also called derived or derived display) as the display result (the same applies to the variable display of other symbols described below). Note that the variable display may be expressed as a variable display or variation.

The special pattern variably displayed on the first special pattern display device 4A is also called the "first special pattern," and the special pattern variably displayed on the second special pattern display device 4B is also called the "second special pattern." A special pattern game using the first special pattern is also called the "first special pattern game," and a special pattern game using the second special pattern is also called the "second special pattern game." There may be only one type of special pattern display device that variably displays the special patterns.

An image display device 5 is provided near the center of the play area on the game board 2. The image display device 5 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) device, and displays various presentation images. The image display device 5 may also be composed of a projector and a screen. Various presentation images are displayed on the image display device 5.

For example, on the screen of the image display device 5, in synchronization with the first special game or the second special game, multiple types of decorative patterns (such as patterns showing numbers, etc.) that are different from the special patterns are variably displayed as decorative identification information. Here, in synchronization with the first special game or the second special game, decorative patterns are variably displayed (for example, scrolled up and down or updated) in each of the "left", "middle" and "right" decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, 5R. The special game and the variable display of decorative patterns that are executed in synchronization are collectively referred to as simply variable display.

The screen of the image display device 5 may be provided with a display area for displaying a pending display corresponding to a variable display whose execution is pending, and an active display corresponding to a variable display that is being executed. The pending display and the active display are collectively referred to as a variable display-compatible display corresponding to the variable display.

The number of reserved variable displays is also called the reserved memory number. The reserved memory number corresponding to the first special game is also called the first reserved memory number, and the reserved memory number corresponding to the second special game is also called the second reserved memory number. The sum of the first reserved memory number and the second reserved memory number is also called the total reserved memory number.

A first hold indicator 25A and a second hold indicator 25B, each of which includes a number of LEDs, are provided at predetermined positions on the game board 2. The first hold indicator 25A displays the first hold memory number by the number of lit LEDs. The second hold indicator 25B displays the second hold memory number by the number of lit LEDs.

A winning ball device 6A is provided below the image display device 5, and a variable winning ball device 6B is provided to the right of the winning ball device 6A.

The winning ball device 6A forms a first start winning hole that is always kept in a constant open state so that game balls can enter, for example, by a specified ball receiving member. When a game ball enters the first start winning hole, a specified number of prize balls (for example, three) are paid out and the first special game can be started.

The variable winning ball device 6B (normal electric device) forms a second start winning hole that changes between a closed state and an open state by a solenoid 81 (see FIG. 3). The variable winning ball device 6B is, for example, an electric tulip-type device having a pair of movable wings, and when the solenoid 81 is in the off state, the movable wings are in a vertical position, so that the tip of the movable wings approaches the winning ball device 6A, and the second start winning hole is in a closed state in which the game ball does not enter (also referred to as the second start winning hole being in a closed state). On the other hand, when the solenoid 81 is in the on state, the movable wings of the variable winning ball device 6B are in a tilted position, so that the second start winning hole is in an open state in which the game ball can enter (also referred to as the second start winning hole being in an open state). When a game ball enters the second start winning hole, a predetermined number of prize balls (for example, three) are paid out and the second special game can be started. The variable winning ball device 6B may be any device that can change between a closed state and an open state, and is not limited to devices that include an electric tulip-type device.

At predetermined positions on the game board 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 1, three locations are provided at the lower left of the game area and one location is provided above the variable winning ball device 6B), general winning openings 10 are provided which are always kept in a constant open state by a predetermined ball receiving member. In this case, when a game ball enters one of the general winning openings 10, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 10 balls) are paid out as prize balls.

Between the winning ball device 6A and the variable winning ball device 6B, a special variable winning ball device 7 having a large winning opening is provided. The special variable winning ball device 7 has a large winning opening door that is driven to open and close by a solenoid 82 (see Figure 3), and the large winning opening door forms the large winning opening as a specific area that can be switched between an open state and a closed state.

As an example, in the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid 82 for the large prize opening door (for the special electric device) is in the OFF state, the large prize opening door closes the large prize opening, and game balls cannot enter (pass through) the large prize opening. On the other hand, in the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid 82 for the large prize opening door is in the ON state, the large prize opening door opens the large prize opening, and game balls can easily enter the large prize opening.

When a game ball enters the large prize opening, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 14 balls) are paid out as prize balls. When a game ball enters the large prize opening, more prize balls are paid out than when a game ball enters the first start prize opening, the second start prize opening, or the general prize opening 10, for example.

The entry of a game ball into each winning port, including the general winning port 10, is also called a "winning". In particular, a winning ball into the starting port (first starting winning port, second starting winning port) is also called a starting winning port.

A normal symbol display 20 is provided at a predetermined position on the game board 2 (the lower left of the game area in the example shown in FIG. 1). As an example, the normal symbol display 20 is made up of a 7-segment LED or the like, and performs a variable display of normal symbols as multiple types of normal identification information different from the special symbols. The normal symbols are represented by numbers showing "0" to "9" or lighting patterns such as "-". The normal symbols may also include a pattern in which all LEDs are turned off. Such a variable display of normal symbols is also called a normal symbol game.

A pass gate 41 through which the game ball can pass is provided to the right of the image display device 5. When the game ball passes through the pass gate 41, a regular game is executed.

A regular symbol pending display 25C is provided below the regular symbol display 20. The regular symbol pending display 25C is configured to include, for example, four LEDs, and displays the regular symbol pending memory number, which is the number of regular symbol games that are pending execution, by the number of lit LEDs.

In addition to the above features, the surface of the game board 2 is provided with windmills that change the direction and speed of the game balls, as well as numerous obstacle nails. At the very bottom of the game area, there is an outlet that takes in game balls that do not enter any of the winning holes.

Speakers 8L, 8R for playing and outputting sound effects and the like are provided at the upper left and right positions of the gaming machine frame 3. A main lamp 9a is provided above the image display device 5 on the gaming machine frame 3, and frame lamps 9b are provided on the left and right of the main lamp 9a so as to surround the playing area. Furthermore, an attacca lamp 9c is provided near the special variable winning ball device 7 on the gaming board 2.

At a predetermined position on the game board 2 (above the image display device 5 in FIG. 1), a movable body 32 (described later) that operates according to the performance is provided. The movable body 32 is also provided with a movable body lamp 9d. The movable body lamp 9d and the above-mentioned main lamp 9a, frame lamp 9b, and attacca lamp 9c may be collectively referred to as the game effect lamp 9. The main lamp 9a, frame lamp 9b, attacca lamp 9c, and movable body lamp 9d are each configured to include an LED.

At the lower right position of the gaming machine frame 3, a ball-hitting operation handle (operation knob) 30 is provided, which is operated by the player or the like to launch the gaming ball toward the gaming area using the ball-hitting device.

At a predetermined position of the gaming machine frame 3 below the playing area, a ball supply tray (upper tray) is provided to hold (store) gaming balls dispensed as prize balls or game balls lent by a predetermined ball lending machine so that they can be supplied to the ball launching device. In addition to the upper tray, the gaming machine frame 3 may also be provided with a payout section (ball supply tray) from which prize balls are paid out when the upper tray is full.

A stick controller 31A that can be held and tilted by the player is attached to a predetermined position on the gaming machine frame 3 below the playing area. The stick controller 31A is provided with a trigger button that can be pressed by the player. Operations on the stick controller 31A are detected by the controller sensor unit 35A (see FIG. 3).

At a predetermined position on the gaming machine frame 3 below the gaming area, a push button 31B is provided that the player can press to give a predetermined command. The operation of the push button 31B is detected by a push sensor 35B (see FIG. 3).

In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a stick controller 31A and a push button 31B are provided as detection means for detecting the player's actions (operations, etc.), but other detection means may also be provided.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The main board 11, housed in a board case 201, is mounted on the rear of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The main board 11 is provided with a setting key 51 and a setting change switch 52. The setting key 51 functions as a lock switch for switching to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state. The setting change switch 52 functions as a setting switch for changing settings such as the probability of winning a jackpot and the payout rate in the setting change state. The setting key 51 and the setting change switch 52 may be attached to the outside of the main board 11, for example, at a predetermined position on the power supply board 17.

A display monitor 29 is disposed in the center of the back surface of the main board 11, and a display changeover switch 31 is disposed to the side of the display monitor 29. The display monitor 29 may be configured, for example, using a seven-segment LED display device. The display monitor 29 and the display changeover switch 31 are disposed directly in front of the main board 11 when the back surface of the game board 2 is viewed with the game machine frame 3 open.

The display monitor 29 can display winning information such as consecutive win ratio, winning ratio, and base. The consecutive win ratio is the ratio of the number of winning balls that have entered the large winning port (attacker) to the total number of winning balls. The winning ratio is the ratio of the number of winning balls that have entered the second start winning port (electric chute) and the number of winning balls that have entered the large winning port (attacker) to the total number of winning balls. The base is the ratio of the total number of winning balls to the number of game balls shot out. When in the setting change state or setting confirmation state, the display monitor 29 can display the setting values in the pachinko game machine 1. When in the setting change state or setting confirmation state, the display monitor 29 only needs to be able to display the setting values to be changed or confirmed.

When the gaming machine frame 3 is closed, the setting key 51 and the setting changeover switch 52 cannot be operated from the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The gaming machine frame 3 is provided with a rotatable glass door frame 3a having a glass window, and is configured so that the gaming area can be opened and closed by the glass door frame 3a. When the glass door frame 3a is closed, the gaming area can be seen through the glass window.

In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a security cover 50A is attached to the right end of the outer frame 1a, which is formed in a vertically long rectangular frame shape. When the gaming machine frame 3 is closed, the security cover 50A covers the right side of the board case 201, including the setting key 51 and the setting changeover switch 52, from the rear side. The security cover 50A is a roughly L-shaped member including a short piece 50Aa and a long piece 50Ab, and may be made of a transparent synthetic resin.

(Outline of game progress)
The game ball is launched toward the game area by the player rotating the ball hitting operation handle 30 provided on the pachinko game machine 1. When the game ball passes through the passing gate 41, a normal game is started by the normal symbol display 20. If the game ball passes through the passing gate 41 during the period during which the previous normal game is being played (if the game ball passes through the passing gate 41 but the normal game based on the passing cannot be played immediately), the normal game based on the passing is put on hold up to a predetermined upper limit (for example, 4).

In this normal game, if a specific normal symbol (a normal winning symbol) is displayed as a fixed normal symbol, the display result of the normal symbol will be "normal winning". On the other hand, if a normal symbol other than a normal winning symbol (a normal losing symbol) is displayed as a fixed normal symbol, the display result of the normal symbol will be "normal losing". When a "normal winning" occurs, an opening control is performed to keep the variable winning ball device 6B in an open state for a predetermined period of time (the second starting winning port is opened).

When a game ball enters the first start winning hole formed in the winning ball device 6A, the first special symbol game is started by the first special symbol display device 4A.

When a game ball enters the second start winning hole formed in the variable winning ball device 6B, the second special symbol game is started by the second special symbol display device 4B.

In addition, if the game ball enters (wins) the start winning hole during the period when the special game is being played or during the period when the game is controlled to the jackpot game state described below (if a start winning occurs but the special game based on that start winning cannot be played immediately), the special game based on that entry will be put on hold until a specified upper limit number (for example, 4) is reached.

In the special game, if a specific special symbol (a jackpot symbol, for example, "7"; the actual symbol varies depending on the type of jackpot, as described below) is displayed as a confirmed special symbol, it is a "jackpot", and if a special symbol different from the jackpot symbol (a losing symbol, for example, "-") is displayed as a stopped symbol, it is a "miss". Note that "misses" in this pachinko game machine 1 include "misses with time reduction" that are controlled to a high base state (time reduction state) from the next variable display without going through a jackpot game.

After the display result in the special game becomes "jackpot," the game is controlled to a jackpot game state, which is an advantageous state for the player.

In the jackpot game state, the large prize opening formed by the special variable prize ball device 7 is opened in a predetermined manner. This open state continues until either a predetermined period of time (e.g., 29 seconds or 1.8 seconds) has elapsed, or the number of game balls that have entered the large prize opening reaches a predetermined number (e.g., 9), whichever comes first. The predetermined period is the maximum period during which the large prize opening can be opened in one round, and is hereinafter also referred to as the maximum opening period. This cycle in which the large prize opening is open is called a round (round game). In the jackpot game state, the round can be repeated until the predetermined maximum number of times (15 times or 2 times) is reached.

In the jackpot gaming state, the player can get prize balls by making the gaming ball enter the big prize opening. Therefore, the jackpot gaming state is an advantageous state for the player. The more rounds there are in the jackpot gaming state, and the longer the upper limit opening period, the more advantageous it is for the player.

A jackpot type is set for a "jackpot." For example, there are multiple types of opening modes of the jackpot opening (number of rounds or maximum opening period) and game states after a jackpot game state (normal state, time-saving state, special state, etc.), and the jackpot type is set according to these. There may be jackpot types that offer many prize balls, jackpot types that offer few prize balls, or jackpot types that offer almost no prize balls.

After the jackpot game state ends, the game may be controlled to a time-saving state or a special state depending on the type of jackpot mentioned above.

In the time-saving state, control (time-saving control) is executed to shorten the average special symbol fluctuation time (period during which the special symbol fluctuates) more than in the normal state. In the time-saving state, control (high opening control, high base control) is also executed to make it easier for the game ball to enter the second start winning hole by shortening the average regular symbol fluctuation time (period during which the regular symbol fluctuates) more than in the normal state and by improving the probability of a "regular symbol hit" in the regular symbol game more than in the normal state. The time-saving state is an advantageous state for the player because it is a state in which the fluctuation efficiency of special symbols (especially the second special symbol) is improved.

In the probability variable state (probability fluctuating state), in addition to time-saving control, probability variable control is executed, which increases the probability that the display result will be a "jackpot" compared to the normal state. The probability variable state is an even more advantageous state for the player, as it not only improves the efficiency of special symbol fluctuation, but also makes it easier to get a "jackpot."

The time-saving state or the probability of a special bonus state will continue until one of the end conditions is met first, such as the specified number of special games being played or the start of the next big win game state. The end condition of the state in which the specified number of special games have been played is also called a count-cut (count-cut time-saving state, count-cut probability of a special bonus state, etc.).

The normal state refers to a game state other than advantageous states such as a jackpot game state that is advantageous to the player, and special states such as a time-saving state and a probability-varying state, and is a state in which the pachinko game machine 1, such as the probability that the display result in the normal game will be a "normal hit" and the probability that the display result in the special game will be a "jackpot", is controlled in the same way as the initial setting state of the pachinko game machine 1 (for example, when a system reset is performed and the specified return process is not executed after the power is turned on).

The state in which probability variable control is being executed is also called a high probability state, and the state in which probability variable control is not being executed is also called a low probability state. The state in which time-saving control is being executed is also called a high base state, and the state in which time-saving control is not being executed is also called a low base state. Combining these, the time-saving state is also called a low probability high base state, the probability variable state is a high probability high base state, and the normal state is a low probability low base state. The high probability state and low base state are also called a high probability low base state.

The game state may change based on the game ball passing through a specific area (e.g., a specific area within a big prize opening) during a big win game state. For example, when the game ball passes through a specific area, the game state may be controlled to a special probability state after the big win game state.

(Progression of the performance, etc.)
In the pachinko game machine 1, various effects (effects to notify the progress of the game or to liven up the game) are executed according to the progress of the game. The effects are described below. The effects are executed by displaying various effect images on the image display device 5, but in addition to or instead of the display, the effects may be executed as sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R, turning on or off the game effect lamp 9, operating the movable body 32, or as an effect using any effect device including some or all of these.

As an effect that is executed according to the progress of the game, in the "left", "middle" and "right" decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C and 5R provided on the image display device 5, a variable display of decorative patterns begins in response to the start of the first or second special pattern game. At the timing when the display result (also called the determined special pattern) in the first or second special pattern game is displayed statically, the determined decorative pattern (a combination of three decorative patterns) which is the display result of the variable display of the decorative patterns is also displayed statically (derived).

During the period from when the variable display of the decorative symbols starts to when it ends, the state of the variable display of the decorative symbols may become a predetermined reach state (a reach is achieved). Here, a reach state refers to a state in which the decorative symbols that have not yet been stopped and displayed on the screen of the image display device 5 continue to be variable displayed when the decorative symbols that have not yet been stopped and displayed form part of a jackpot combination, which will be described later.

In addition, when the above-mentioned reach state occurs during the variable display of the decorative symbols, a reach effect is executed. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, multiple types of reach effects are executed with different rates (also called jackpot reliability or jackpot expectation) of the display result (the display result of the special game or the display result of the variable display of the decorative symbols) becoming a "jackpot" depending on the performance state. Reach effects include, for example, a normal reach and a super reach, which has a higher jackpot reliability than a normal reach.

When the display result of the special game is a "jackpot", a fixed decorative pattern that is a predetermined jackpot combination is derived as the display result of the variable display of decorative patterns on the screen of the image display device 5 (the display result of the variable display of decorative patterns is a "jackpot"). As an example, the same decorative patterns (for example, "7") are displayed stopped in line on a predetermined effective line in the "left", "center", and "right" decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R.

In the case of a "probability jackpot" that is controlled to a probability jackpot state after the end of the jackpot game state, odd decorative symbols (e.g., "7") are displayed in a line, and in the case of a "non-probability jackpot (normal jackpot)" that is not controlled to a probability jackpot state after the end of the jackpot game state, even decorative symbols (e.g., "6") may be displayed in a line. In this case, odd decorative symbols are also called probability jackpot symbols, and even decorative symbols are also called non-probability jackpot symbols (normal symbols). After a reach state is reached with non-probability jackpot symbols, a promotion effect may be executed that ultimately results in a "probability jackpot".

When the display result of the special game is a "miss," the state of the variable display of the decorative pattern does not become a reach state, and the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern may display a fixed decorative pattern of a non-reach combination (also called a "non-reach miss") as a "non-reach miss" (the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern may be a "non-reach miss"). Also, when the display result is a "miss," after the state of the variable display of the decorative pattern becomes a reach state, the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern may display a fixed decorative pattern of a predetermined reach combination (also called a "reach miss") that is not a jackpot combination as a "reach miss" (the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern may be a "reach miss").

The effects that the pachinko gaming machine 1 can execute include displaying the variable display compatible display (reserved display or active display) described above. In addition, as other effects, for example, a preview effect that predicts the jackpot reliability is executed during the variable display of the decorative pattern. Preview effects include a preview effect that predicts the jackpot reliability in the variable display currently being executed, and a pre-reading preview effect that predicts the jackpot reliability in the variable display before execution (variable display whose execution is on hold). As a pre-reading preview effect, an effect that changes the display mode of the variable display compatible display (reserved display or active display) to a mode different from normal may be executed.

In addition, the image display device 5 may temporarily stop the decorative pattern during the variable display of the decorative pattern and then resume the variable display, thereby executing a pseudo consecutive performance in which a single variable display appears to be multiple variable displays.

Even during a jackpot game state, a jackpot performance is executed to notify the player of the jackpot game state. The jackpot performance may include a performance to notify the player of the number of rounds, or an upgrade performance to show that the value of the jackpot game state is increasing.

In addition, for example, when a special game or the like is not being executed, a demo (demonstration) image is displayed on the image display device 5 (a customer waiting demo performance is executed).

(Board configuration)
The pachinko game machine 1 is equipped with a main board 11, a performance control board 12, a sound control board 13, a lamp control board 14, a relay board 15, and the like, as shown in Fig. 3. In addition, various boards, such as a payout control board, an information terminal board, and a launch control board, are arranged on the back of the pachinko game machine 1. Furthermore, a power supply board 17 is also equipped. The various control boards are not only electronic circuit boards such as printed wiring boards on which conductor patterns are formed and on which electrical components can be mounted, but also electronic circuit mounting boards configured to realize specific electrical functions by mounting electrical components on the electronic circuit board.

A power switch 91 is connected to the power supply board 17, and by operating the power switch 91 (turning it ON), power from an AC power source such as an external power source such as a commercial power supply, such as 100V AC, can be supplied from the power supply board 17 to electrical components including various control boards such as the main board 11 and the performance control board 12. The power supply board 17 is equipped with, for example, a rectifier circuit for converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), and a power supply circuit for converting a specified DC voltage to a specific DC voltage (for example, 12V DC or 5V DC).

The main board 11 is the main control board, and has the function of controlling the progress of the above-mentioned games in the pachinko game machine 1 (execution of special games (including management of reserved games), execution of regular games (including management of reserved games), jackpot game status, game status, etc.). The main board 11 has a game control microcomputer 100, a switch circuit 110, a solenoid circuit 111, etc.

The game control microcomputer 100 mounted on the main board 11 is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 103, a random number circuit 104, and an I/O (Input/Output port) 105.

The CPU 103 executes the programs stored in the ROM 101 to perform processes that control the progress of the game (processes that realize the functions of the main board 11). At this time, various data stored in the ROM 101 (such as data on fluctuation patterns, performance control commands, and various tables referenced when making various decisions) are used, and the RAM 102 is used as the main memory. The RAM 102 serves as a backup RAM in which the stored contents are preserved for a predetermined period of time even if the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped in part or in whole. Note that all or part of the programs stored in the ROM 101 may be deployed to the RAM 102 and executed on the RAM 102.

The random number circuit 104 counts updatable numerical data indicating various random number values (gaming random numbers) used to control the progress of the game. The gaming random numbers may be updated by the CPU 103 executing a specific computer program (updated by software).

The I/O 105 is configured to include, for example, an input port to which various signals (detection signals described below) are input, and an output port for transmitting various signals (signals for controlling (driving) the first special pattern display device 4A, the second special pattern display device 4B, the normal pattern display device 20, the first hold display device 25A, the second hold display device 25B, the normal hold display device 25C, etc., solenoid drive signals).

The switch circuit 110 takes in detection signals (such as a detection signal indicating that a game ball has passed or entered and the switch has been turned on) from various switches for detecting game balls (gate switch 21, start port switch (first start port switch 22A and second start port switch 22B), count switch 23), and transmits them to the game control microcomputer 100. The transmission of the detection signal indicates that the game ball has passed or entered.

The switch circuit 110 receives a reset signal, a power-off signal, and a clear signal from the power supply board 17 and transmits them to the game control microcomputer 100. The reset signal is an operation stop signal for stopping the operation of control circuits such as the game control microcomputer 100, and can be output using either a power supply monitoring circuit, an IC with a built-in watchdog timer, or a system reset IC. The power-off signal is turned off when the specified power supply voltage used in the pachinko game machine 1 exceeds a specified value, and is turned on when the period during which the specified power supply voltage is below the specified value continues for longer than the power-off reference time. The clear signal is turned on in response to, for example, pressing the clear switch 92 provided on the power supply board 17.

The solenoid circuit 111 transmits solenoid drive signals (such as signals to turn on solenoid 81 and solenoid 82) from the game control microcomputer 100 to the solenoid 81 for the normal electric device and the solenoid 82 for the large prize opening door.

The main board 11 is connected to a display monitor 29, a display changeover switch 31, a setting key 51, a setting changeover switch 52, and a door open sensor 90. The door open sensor 90 detects the opening of the gaming machine frame 3, including the glass door frame 3a.

As part of controlling the progress of the game, the main board 11 (game control microcomputer 100) supplies presentation control commands (commands that specify (notify) the progress of the game, etc.) to the presentation control board 12 according to the progress of the game. The presentation control commands output from the main board 11 are relayed by the relay board 15 and supplied to the presentation control board 12. The presentation control commands include, for example, commands that specify various determination results in the main board 11 (for example, the display results of the special game (including the type of jackpot), the variable pattern used when executing the special game (described in detail later)), the game status (for example, the start or end of the variable display, the opening status of the jackpot opening, the occurrence of a win, the number of reserved memories, the game status), the occurrence of an error, etc.

The performance control board 12 is a sub-control board independent of the main board 11, and has the function of receiving performance control commands and executing performances (various performances according to the progress of the game, including various notifications such as driving the movable body 32, notifying errors, and notifying of power outage recovery) based on the received performance control commands.

The performance control board 12 is equipped with a performance control CPU 120, a ROM 121, a RAM 122, a display control unit 123, a random number circuit 124, and an I/O 125.

The performance control CPU 120 executes the programs stored in the ROM 121 to perform processing for executing performances together with the display control unit 123 (processing for realizing the above-mentioned functions of the performance control board 12, including determining the performance to be executed). At this time, various data (data such as various tables) stored in the ROM 121 are used, and the RAM 122 is used as the main memory.

The presentation control CPU 120 may instruct the display control unit 123 to execute a presentation based on detection signals from the controller sensor unit 35A and the push sensor 35B (signals that are output when an operation by the player is detected and that appropriately indicate the content of the operation).

The display control unit 123 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor), CGROM (Character Generator ROM), VRAM (Video RAM), etc., and executes the performance based on instructions to execute the performance from the performance control CPU 120.

The display control unit 123 displays a performance image on the image display unit 5 by supplying a video signal corresponding to the performance to be executed to the image display unit 5 based on an instruction to execute the performance from the performance control CPU 120. The display control unit 123 further supplies a sound designation signal (a signal designating the sound to be output) to the sound control board 13 and a lamp signal (a signal designating the on/off state of the lamp) to the lamp control board 14 in order to output sound synchronized with the display of the performance image and to turn on/off the game effect lamp 9. The display control unit 123 also supplies a signal to operate the movable body 32 to the movable body 32 or to a drive circuit that drives the movable body 32.

The audio control board 13 is equipped with various circuits that drive the speakers 8L and 8R, and drives the speakers 8L and 8R based on the sound designation signal, causing the speakers 8L and 8R to output the sound designated by the sound designation signal.

The lamp control board 14 is equipped with various circuits that drive the game effect lamp 9, and drives the game effect lamp 9 based on the lamp signal, turning the game effect lamp 9 on and off in the manner specified by the lamp signal. In this way, the display control unit 123 controls the sound output and the turning on and off of the lamp.

The control of sound output, turning on/off of the lamp (such as supplying a sound designation signal or a lamp signal), and control of the movable body 32 (such as supplying a signal to operate the movable body 32) may be performed by the performance control CPU 120.

The random number circuit 124 counts updatable numerical data indicating various random number values (random numbers for performance) used to execute various performances. The random numbers for performance may be updated by the performance control CPU 120 executing a specific computer program (updated by software).

The I/O 125 mounted on the performance control board 12 includes an input port for taking in performance control commands transmitted from, for example, the main board 11, and an output port for transmitting various signals (video signals, sound designation signals, lamp signals).

The boards other than the main board 11, such as the performance control board 12, the sound control board 13, and the lamp control board 14, are also called sub-boards. As with the pachinko game machine 1, multiple sub-boards may be provided for different functions, or one sub-board may be configured to have multiple functions.

(motion)
Next, the operation (function) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described.

(Main Operations of Main Board 11)
First, a description will be given of the main operations of the main board 11. When power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started, the game control microcomputer 100 is started, and a game control main process is executed by the CPU 103. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the game control main process executed by the CPU 103 on the main board 11.

In the game control main process shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 103 first sets interrupts to be prohibited (step S1). Then, it performs the necessary initial settings (step S2). The initial settings include setting the stack pointer, register settings for built-in devices (CTC (counter/timer circuit), parallel input/output port, etc.), and setting the RAM 102 to be accessible.

Next, it is determined whether the recovery condition is met (step S3). The recovery condition can be met when the clear signal is in the OFF state, backup data is present, and the backup RAM is normal. When power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started, if the clear switch provided on the power supply board 17 is pressed, for example, an ON clear signal is input to the game control microcomputer 100. If such an ON clear signal is input, it is determined in step S3 that the recovery condition is not met. The backup data only needs to be capable of being stored in the RAM 102, which serves as the backup RAM for game control. In step S3, it is determined whether the recovery condition can be met by checking or inspecting the presence or absence of backup data and the presence or absence of data errors.

If the recovery condition is met (step S3; Yes), recovery processing (step S4) is executed, followed by setting confirmation processing (step S5). The recovery processing in step S4 sets a working area based on the contents stored in RAM 102. By setting the working area using the backup data stored in RAM 102, the game state when the power supply was stopped is restored, and if, for example, a special symbol was changing, it is sufficient if the change of the special symbol can be resumed from the state before the stoppage.

If the recovery condition is not met (step S3; No), an initialization process (step S6) is executed, and then a setting change process (step S7) is executed. The initialization process in step S6 includes a clearing process that clears flags, counters, and buffers stored in RAM 102, and the execution of the clearing process sets initial values in the working area.

In the setting confirmation process of step S5, it is determined whether a predetermined setting confirmation condition is met. The setting confirmation condition is met, for example, when power supply is started, the detection signal from the door open sensor 90 is in the ON state and the setting key 51 is turned ON. The setting confirmation process of step S5 is executed when the recovery condition is met in step S3, including the clear signal being in the OFF state. Therefore, since the setting confirmation condition can be met only when the clear signal is in the OFF state, the clear signal being in the OFF state can also be included in the setting confirmation condition.

When the setting confirmation condition is met in the setting confirmation process of step S5, the pachinko gaming machine 1 enters a setting confirmation state in which the setting values set therein can be confirmed, and a setting confirmation start command is sent from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12. In the setting confirmation state, the setting values set in the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be confirmed by viewing them on the display monitor 29. When the setting confirmation state is to end, a setting confirmation end command is sent from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12.

When the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in the setting confirmation state, it may be in a game stop state in which the progress of the game on the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped. In the game stop state, the launch of game balls by operating the ball-hitting handle, the detection of game balls by various switches, etc. are stopped, and the first special symbol display device 4A, the second special symbol display device 4B, and the normal symbol display device 20 may be controlled to stop displaying a losing symbol or the like, or to display a symbol corresponding to a game stop state other than a losing symbol. When the setting confirmation state ends, the game stop state associated with it may also end.

In the setting change process of step S7, it is determined whether a predetermined setting change condition is met. The setting change condition is met, for example, when power supply is started, the detection signal from the door open sensor 90 is in the ON state, and the setting key 51 is turned ON. The setting change condition may also include the clear signal being in the ON state.

When the setting change condition is met in the setting change process of step S7, the pachinko gaming machine 1 enters a setting change state in which the setting value set therein can be changed, and a setting change start command is sent from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12. In the setting change state, the setting value is displayed on the display monitor 29, and the numerical value displayed on the display monitor 29 is updated and displayed sequentially each time the setting change switch 52 is operated. After that, when the setting key 51 is turned off by an attendant at the game center or the like, the setting value displayed on the display monitor 29 is stored (updated and stored) in the backup area of the RAM 102, and the display monitor 29 is turned off. When the setting change state is to be ended, a setting change end command is sent from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12.

When the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in the setting change state, the pachinko gaming machine 1 may be in a play stop state, just as when it is in the setting confirmation state. When the setting change state ends, the associated play stop state may also end.

When the performance control board 12 receives a setting check start command or a setting change start command, control may be performed to notify the user that a setting check or change is in progress. For example, a predetermined image may be displayed on the image display device 5, a predetermined sound may be output from the speakers 8L and 8R, or a light-emitting component such as the game effect lamp 9 may be illuminated in a predetermined manner.

The clear signal is turned on by, for example, pressing a clear switch provided on the power supply board 17. Therefore, when power supply is started, if the detection signal from the door open sensor 90 is on and the setting key 51 is on, if the clear switch is on, the initialization process of step S6 and the setting change process of step S7 are executed, making it possible to control the device to the setting change state, and if the clear switch is off, the recovery process of step S4 and the setting confirmation process of step S5 are executed, making it possible to control the device to the setting confirmation state. When power supply is started, if the detection signal from the door open sensor 90 is off or the setting key 51 is off, if the clear switch is on, the initialization process of step S6 is executed but the device is not controlled to the setting change state, and if the clear switch is off, the recovery process of step S4 is executed but the device is not controlled to the setting confirmation state.

After executing the setting confirmation process or setting change process, the CPU 103 executes a random number circuit setting process to initialize the random number circuit 104 (step S8). Then, the register of the CTC built into the game control microcomputer 100 is set so that a timer interrupt occurs periodically at a predetermined time (e.g., every 2 ms) (step S9), and the interrupt is permitted (step S10). After that, a loop process is entered. After that, an interrupt request signal is sent from the CTC to the CPU 103 at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every 2 ms), and the CPU 103 can execute the timer interrupt process periodically.

When the CPU 103 that has executed the game control main process receives an interrupt request signal from the CTC and accepts the interrupt request, it executes the game control timer interrupt process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5. When the game control timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 5 is started, the CPU 103 first executes a predetermined switch process to determine whether or not detection signals have been received from various switches such as the gate switch 21, the first start port switch 22A, the second start port switch 22B, and the count switch 23 via the switch circuit 110 (step S21). Next, by executing a predetermined main side error process, it performs an abnormality diagnosis of the pachinko game machine 1, and can issue a warning if necessary depending on the diagnosis result (step S22). After that, by executing a predetermined information output process, it outputs data such as jackpot information (information indicating the number of jackpots), start information (information indicating the number of start winnings), and probability fluctuation information (information indicating the number of times the game has entered a probability variable state) that are supplied to a hall management computer installed outside the pachinko game machine 1 (step S23).

Following the information output process, a game random number update process is executed to update at least a portion of the game random numbers used on the main board 11 side by software (step S24). After this, the CPU 103 executes a special symbol process process (step S25). By the CPU 103 executing the special symbol process process at each timer interrupt, the execution and reservation management of the special symbol game, the control of the jackpot game state, the control of the game state, etc. are realized.

Following the special symbol process, the normal symbol process is executed (step S26). The CPU 103 executes the normal symbol process at each timer interrupt, enabling the execution and reservation management of the normal symbol game based on the detection signal from the gate switch 21 (based on the game ball passing through the passing gate 41), and the opening control of the variable winning ball device 6B based on a "normal symbol hit". The normal symbol game is executed by driving the normal symbol display 20, and the number of reserved normal symbols is displayed by lighting the normal symbol reservation display 25C.

After executing the normal symbol process processing, as part of the game control timer interrupt processing, processing when a power outage occurs, processing for paying out prize balls, etc. may be performed. After that, the CPU 103 executes a command control processing (step S27). The CPU 103 may set a performance control command for transmission in each of the above processes. In the command control processing of step S27, a process is performed to transmit the performance control command set for transmission to a sub-side control board such as the performance control board 12. After executing the command control processing, the interrupt is permitted and then the game control timer interrupt processing is terminated.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the special symbol process executed in step S25 shown in Figure 5. In this special symbol process, the CPU 103 first executes a start winning determination process (step S101).

In the start winning judgment process, a process is executed to detect the occurrence of a start winning, store the reserved information in a specified area of the RAM 102, and update the reserved memory number. When a start winning occurs, a random number value for determining the display result (including the type of big win) and the variation pattern is extracted and stored as reserved information. In addition, a process for predicting and judging the display result and the variation pattern based on the extracted random number value may be executed. After the reserved information and the reserved memory number are stored, a transmission setting is performed to transmit a performance control command to the performance control board 12 to specify the judgment results such as the occurrence of a start winning, the reserved memory number, and the predictive judgment. The performance control command at the time of the start winning that has been transmitted and set in this way is transmitted from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12, for example, after the special pattern process is completed, by executing the command control process of step S27 shown in FIG. 4.

After executing the start winning determination process in step S101, the CPU 103 selects and executes one of the processes in steps S110 to S120 depending on the value of the special symbol process flag provided in the RAM 102. Note that in each step of the special symbol process (steps S110 to S120), a transmission setting is made to transmit a performance control command corresponding to each step to the performance control board 12.

The normal special pattern processing in step S110 is executed when the value of the special pattern process flag is "0" (initial value). In this normal special pattern processing, a determination is made as to whether or not to start the first special pattern game or the second special pattern game based on the presence or absence of reserved information. In addition, in the normal special pattern processing, based on a random number value for determining the display result, whether or not the display result of the special pattern or the decorative pattern is to be a "jackpot", and if it is a "jackpot", the type of jackpot is determined (pre-determined) before the display result is derived and displayed. Furthermore, in the normal special pattern processing, a determined special pattern (either a jackpot pattern or a losing pattern) to be stopped and displayed in the special pattern game is set in response to the determined display result. After that, the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "1", and the normal special pattern processing is terminated. Note that the special pattern game using the second special pattern may be executed in preference to the special pattern game using the first special pattern (also called special pattern 2 priority consumption). Also, the order in which the game balls enter the first start winning slot and the second start winning slot may be stored, and the conditions for starting the special game may be met in the order in which the balls enter (also known as winning order consumption).

When making various decisions based on random number values, various tables stored in ROM 101 (tables in which decision values compared with random number values are assigned to decision results) are referenced. The same applies to other decisions on the main board 11 and various decisions on the performance control board 12. On the performance control board 12, various tables are stored in ROM 121.

The fluctuation pattern setting process of step S111 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "1". This fluctuation pattern setting process includes a process of determining one of multiple types of fluctuation patterns using a random number value for determining the fluctuation pattern based on a pre-determined result of whether or not the display result is a "jackpot". In the fluctuation pattern setting process, when a fluctuation pattern is determined, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "2" and the fluctuation pattern setting process ends.

The variation pattern specifies the execution time of the special game (special game variation time) (which is also the execution time of the variable display of the decorative symbols), the manner of the variable display of the decorative symbols (whether or not there is a reach, etc.), and the content of the presentation during the variable display of the decorative symbols (type of reach presentation, etc.), and is also called the variable display pattern.

The special pattern change process of step S112 is executed when the value of the special pattern process flag is "2". This special pattern change process includes a process for making settings to change the special pattern in the first special pattern display device 4A and the second special pattern display device 4B, and a process for measuring the elapsed time since the special pattern started to change. It also determines whether the measured elapsed time has reached the special pattern change time corresponding to the change pattern. Then, when the elapsed time since the special pattern started to change reaches the special pattern change time, the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "3", and the special pattern change process ends.

The special pattern stop process in step S113 is executed when the value of the special pattern process flag is "3". This special pattern stop process includes a process for setting the first special pattern display device 4A and the second special pattern display device 4B to stop the fluctuation of the special pattern and to stop displaying (deriving) the confirmed special pattern that is the display result of the special pattern. If the display result is a "jackpot", the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "4". If the display result is a "miss", when the time-saving state or the probability bonus state is controlled and the end of the number-cutting is established, the game state is also updated. When the value of the special pattern process flag is updated, the special pattern stop process ends.

The pre-opening process for the jackpot in step S114 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "4". This pre-opening process for the jackpot includes a process for starting the execution of a round in the jackpot game state and setting the jackpot opening port to an open state, based on the display result being "jackpot", etc. When the jackpot opening port is opened, a process for supplying a solenoid drive signal to the solenoid 82 for the jackpot opening port is executed. At this time, for example, depending on the type of jackpot, the maximum open period for the jackpot opening port and the maximum number of rounds to be executed are set. When these settings are completed, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "5", and the pre-opening process for the jackpot is completed.

The jackpot opening process of step S115 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "5". This jackpot opening process includes a process for measuring the time that has elapsed since the jackpot opening was opened, and a process for determining whether or not it is time to return the jackpot opening from an open state to a closed state based on the measured elapsed time and the number of game balls detected by the count switch 23. When the jackpot opening is to be returned to a closed state, a process for stopping the supply of a solenoid drive signal to the solenoid 82 for the jackpot opening door is executed, and then the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "6", and the jackpot opening process is terminated.

The post-jackpot release process of step S116 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "6". This post-jackpot release process includes a process for determining whether the number of times the round that opens the big prize opening has been executed has reached a set upper limit, and a process for making settings to end the jackpot game state when the upper limit has been reached. When the number of times the round has been executed has not reached the upper limit, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "5", whereas when the number of times the round has been executed has reached the upper limit, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "7". When the value of the special chart process flag is updated, the post-jackpot release process ends.

The jackpot end process of step S117 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "7". This jackpot end process includes a process of waiting until a waiting time corresponding to the period during which an ending presentation is executed as a presentation operation that notifies the end of the jackpot game state has elapsed, and a process of making various settings for starting special rate control or time-saving control in response to the end of the jackpot game state. When such settings are made, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "0", and the jackpot end process ends.

The pachinko game machine 1 is configured so that the winning probability of a jackpot and the ball payout rate change according to the setting value. For example, in the special symbol normal processing of the special symbol process processing, the winning probability of a jackpot and the ball payout rate change by using a display result judgment table (winning probability) according to the setting value. For example, the setting value is made up of six levels from 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest winning probability of a jackpot, and the winning probability of a jackpot decreasing as the value decreases in the order of 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. In this example, when the setting value is set to 6, the player has the highest advantage, and the advantage decreases stepwise as the value decreases in the order of 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. If the winning probability of a jackpot changes according to the setting value, the ball payout rate may also change according to the setting value. The winning probability of a jackpot is constant regardless of the setting value, while the number of rounds in the jackpot game state may change according to the setting value. The pachinko game machine 1 may be configured so that any of a plurality of setting values with different advantages for the player can be set. The setting value set in the pachinko game machine 1 is notified by sending a setting value designation command from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12.

Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of a display result judgment table. Figure 7 (A) shows an example of the configuration of a display result judgment table for the first special symbol used when the variable special symbol is the first special symbol, and Figure 7 (B) shows an example of the configuration of a display result judgment table for the second special symbol used when the variable special symbol is the second special symbol. The display result judgment table is a collection of data stored in ROM 101. In the display result judgment table, a winning judgment value compared with the random number value MR1 according to a set value is assigned to the special symbol display result, which is the variable display result of the special symbol. The random number value MR1 is a random number value for determining the display result, and the value is updated randomly within the range of 0 to 65535. As the display result judgment table, a display result judgment table common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol may be used.

As shown in FIG. 7(A), when the variable special chart is the first special chart, if the setting value is 1 and the game state is normal or time-saving, the value can be a number in the range of 0 to 65535, and among the hit determination values compared with the random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result, 1020 to 1237 are assigned to "jackpot", 65317 to 65535 are assigned to "miss with time-saving", and the other numerical ranges are assigned to "miss". Also, when the setting value is 1 and the game state is a probability variable state, among the hit determination values mentioned above, 1020 to 1346 are assigned to "jackpot", and the other numerical ranges are assigned to "miss". Note that, when the setting value in the first special chart is 2 to 6 and the game state is normal or time-saving, it is as shown in FIG. 7(A).

As shown in FIG. 7(B), when the variable special chart is the second special chart, if the setting value is 1 and the game state is normal or time-saving, the value can be a number in the range of 0 to 65535, and of the hit determination values compared with the random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result, 1020 to 1237 are assigned to "jackpot", 65317 to 65425 are assigned to "miss with time-saving", and the other numerical ranges are assigned to "miss". Also, when the setting value is 1 and the game state is a probability variable state, of the hit determination values mentioned above, 1020 to 1346 are assigned to "jackpot", and the other numerical ranges are assigned to "miss". Note that when the setting value in the second special chart is 2 to 6 and the game state is normal or time-saving, it is as shown in FIG. 7(B).

Now, looking at the numerical range of hit determination values assigned to "jackpot" and "miss with time-saving" in each display result determination table, as shown in FIG. 8, in the display result determination table for the first special chart when the game state is normal or time-saving, the range of hit determination values from 1020 to 1237 is set as a common numerical range of jackpot determination values for determining a jackpot regardless of the set value.

When the setting value is 1, only the common numerical range of the jackpot determination value is set (1020 to 1237 is assigned to "jackpot"), while when the setting value is 2 to 6, the numerical range corresponding to each setting value is set from 1238 as the non-common numerical range of the jackpot determination value so as to be continuous from the common numerical range of the jackpot determination value. This non-common numerical range of the jackpot determination value is set to the range of 1238 to 1253 for setting value 2, the range of 1238 to 1272 for setting value 3, the range of 1238 to 1292 for setting value 4, the range of 1238 to 1317 for setting value 5, and the range of 1238 to 1346 for setting value 6.

In other words, in the first special chart display result judgment table when the game state is normal or time-saving, when the setting value is 1, among the hit judgment values that can take a value in the range of 0 to 65535, only values within the common numerical range (1020 to 1237) are assigned to "jackpot", while when the setting value is 2 or more, among the jackpot judgment values, values within the range obtained by adding the non-common numerical range to the common numerical range are assigned to "jackpot". Furthermore, the non-common numerical range increases with 1238 as the setting value increases.

For this reason, the probability of a jackpot is increased by increasing the non-common numerical range that is adjacent to the common numerical range as the set value increases, with 1020 being the reference value for determining a jackpot (jackpot reference value).

Furthermore, in the first special chart display result judgment table when the game state is the normal state or the time-saving state, the range of 65317 to 65535 among the hit judgment values is set as the common numerical range of the time-saving miss judgment value for judging a time-saving miss regardless of the setting value. If we focus on the case where the setting value is 6, as described above, the hit judgment value is set to 1020 to 1346 as the numerical range of the jackpot judgment value, and the time-saving miss judgment value is set to the range of 65317 to 65535 with 65317 as the reference value for the time-saving miss (time-saving miss reference value) in a numerical range different from the range of the jackpot judgment value of the setting value 6 (1020 to 1346), so that the numerical range of the time-saving miss judgment value is prevented from overlapping with the range of the jackpot judgment value that changes according to each setting value.

In addition, in the first special chart display result judgment table when the game state is in a special probability state, the range of hit judgment values from 1020 to 1346 is set as a common numerical range of jackpot judgment values for determining a jackpot regardless of the set value.

When the setting value is 1, only the common numerical range of the jackpot determination value is set (1020 to 1346 is assigned to "jackpot"), while when the setting value is 2 to 6, the numerical range corresponding to each setting value is set from 1347 as the non-common numerical range of the jackpot determination value so as to be continuous from the common numerical range of the jackpot determination value. This non-common numerical range of the jackpot determination value is set to the range of 1347 to 1383 for setting value 2, the range of 1347 to 1429 for setting value 3, the range of 1347 to 1487 for setting value 4, the range of 1347 to 1556 for setting value 5, and the range of 1347 to 1674 for setting value 6.

In other words, in the first special chart display result judgment table when the game state is in the high probability state, when the setting value is 1, among the hit judgment values that can take a value in the range of 0 to 65535, only values within the common numerical range (1020 to 1346) are assigned to "jackpot", while when the setting value is 2 or more, among the jackpot judgment values, values within the range obtained by adding the non-common numerical range to the common numerical range are assigned to "jackpot". Furthermore, the non-common numerical range increases with 1347 as the setting value increases.

For this reason, the probability of a jackpot is increased by increasing the non-common numerical range that is adjacent to the common numerical range as the set value increases, with 1020 being the reference value for determining a jackpot (jackpot reference value).

In the display result judgment table for the second special chart when the game state is normal or time-saving, the range of hit judgment values from 1020 to 1237 is set as the common numerical range of the jackpot judgment value for determining a jackpot regardless of the set value.

When the setting value is 1, only the common numerical range of the jackpot determination value is set (1020 to 1237 is assigned to "jackpot"), while when the setting value is 2 to 6, the numerical range corresponding to each setting value is set from 1238 as the non-common numerical range of the jackpot determination value so as to be continuous from the common numerical range of the jackpot determination value. This non-common numerical range of the jackpot determination value is set to the range of 1238 to 1253 for setting value 2, the range of 1238 to 1272 for setting value 3, the range of 1238 to 1292 for setting value 4, the range of 1238 to 1317 for setting value 5, and the range of 1238 to 1346 for setting value 6.

In other words, in this pachinko gaming machine 1, in the second special chart display result judgment table when the game state is normal or time-saving, when the set value is 1, among the hit judgment values that can take a value in the range of 0 to 65535, only values within the common numerical range (1020 to 1237) are assigned to "jackpot", while when the set value is 2 or more, among the jackpot judgment values, values within the range obtained by adding the non-common numerical range to the common numerical range are assigned to "jackpot". Furthermore, the non-common numerical range increases with 1238 as the set value increases.

For this reason, the probability of a jackpot is increased by increasing the non-common numerical range that is adjacent to the common numerical range as the set value increases, with 1020 being the reference value for determining a jackpot (jackpot reference value).

Furthermore, in the display result judgment table for the second special chart when the game state is the normal state or the time-saving state, the range of 65317 to 65425 among the hit judgment values is set as the common numerical range of the time-saving miss judgment value for judging a time-saving miss regardless of the setting value. If we focus on the case where the setting value is 6, as described above, the hit judgment value is set to 1020 to 1346 as the numerical range of the jackpot judgment value, and the time-saving miss judgment value is set to the range of 65317 to 65425 with 65317 as the reference value for the time-saving miss (time-saving miss reference value) in a numerical range different from the range of the jackpot judgment value of the setting value 6 (1020 to 1346), so that the numerical range of the time-saving miss judgment value is prevented from overlapping with the range of the jackpot judgment value that changes according to each setting value.

In the second special symbol display result determination table when the game state is in a special probability state, the hit determination value range of 1020 to 1346 is set as a common numerical range of jackpot determination values for determining a jackpot regardless of the set value. The other features of the second special symbol display result determination table are the same as those of the first special symbol display result determination table.

As described above, in this pachinko game machine 1, when the variable special symbol is the first special symbol, the range of 65317 to 65535 is set as the common numerical range for time-saving misses regardless of the setting value when the game state is normal or time-saving, and when the variable special symbol is the second special symbol, the range of 65317 to 65425 is set as the common numerical range for time-saving misses regardless of the setting value when the game state is normal or time-saving. In other words, when the game state is normal or time-saving, the rate at which the variable display result is a time-saving miss is the same for all setting values, so that it is possible to prevent the setting value from making the gambling nature excessively high. Furthermore, for the time-saving misses to which a common judgment value is assigned for each setting value, the range is set to a continuous numerical range from 65317, which is the time-saving miss reference value, for all setting values, so that it is possible to reduce the processing load on the CPU 103 related to the judgment of the variable display result being a time-saving miss.

In addition, in this pachinko gaming machine 1, six setting values can be set, from 1 to 6, but the setting values that can be set in the pachinko gaming machine 1 may be five or less or seven or more. Also, the smaller the setting value set in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the more advantageous it may be for the player.

The jackpot type may be determined at different rates depending on the set value, based on the allocation of judgment values in the jackpot type judgment table. Alternatively, the jackpot type may be determined at a common rate regardless of the set value. The fluctuation pattern may be determined at different rates depending on the set value, based on the allocation of judgment values in the fluctuation pattern judgment table. Alternatively, the fluctuation pattern may be determined at a common rate regardless of the set value. The execution rate of normal reaches and super reaches may differ depending on the set value, so that the setting value may be suggested by the frequency at which normal reaches and super reaches are executed. Alternatively, the execution rate of normal reaches and super reaches may be common regardless of the set value. In addition, any setting suggestion performance may be possible at different rates depending on the set value.

(Main operations of the performance control board 12)
Next, the main operations of the performance control board 12 will be described. When the performance control board 12 receives a power supply voltage from a power supply board or the like, the performance control CPU 120 starts up and executes the performance control main process as shown in the flowchart of Fig. 9. When the performance control main process shown in Fig. 9 starts, the performance control CPU 120 first executes a predetermined initialization process (step S71), clears the RAM 122, sets various initial values, and sets the registers of the CTC (counter/timer circuit) mounted on the performance control board 12. In addition, it executes an initial operation control process (step S72). In the initial operation control process, control is executed to perform the initial operation of the movable body 32, such as control to drive the movable body 32 to return it to the origin position and control to perform a predetermined operation check.

Then, it is determined whether the timer interrupt flag is on or not (step S73). The timer interrupt flag is set to the on state every time a predetermined time (e.g., 2 milliseconds) elapses, for example based on the register setting of the CTC. At this time, if the timer interrupt flag is off (step S73; No), the process of step S73 is repeatedly executed and the process waits.

In addition, on the performance control board 12 side, an interrupt occurs to receive a performance control command from the main board 11, in addition to a timer interrupt that occurs every time a predetermined time has elapsed. This interrupt occurs, for example, when the performance control INT signal from the main board 11 becomes ON. When an interrupt occurs due to the performance control INT signal becoming ON, the performance control CPU 120 automatically sets the interrupt to be prohibited, but if a CPU that does not automatically become interrupt prohibited is used, it is desirable to issue an interrupt prohibition command (DI command). In response to an interrupt due to the performance control INT signal becoming ON, the performance control CPU 120 executes, for example, a predetermined command reception interrupt process. In this command reception interrupt process, a performance control command is taken in from a predetermined input port that receives a control signal transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15, among the input ports included in the I/O 125. The performance control command taken in at this time is stored in a performance control command reception buffer provided in, for example, the RAM 122. The performance control CPU 120 then sets the interrupt to permitted and ends the command reception interrupt process.

If the timer interrupt flag is on in step S73 (step S73; Yes), the timer interrupt flag is cleared to an off state (step S74), and a command analysis process is executed (step S75). In the command analysis process, for example, various presentation control commands transmitted from the game control microcomputer 100 of the main board 11 and stored in the presentation control command reception buffer are read, and then settings and controls corresponding to the read presentation control commands are performed. For example, the read presentation control command is stored in a specified area of the RAM 122, or a reception flag provided in the RAM 122 is turned on so that which presentation control command was received and the contents specified by the presentation control command can be confirmed by the presentation control process process, etc. In addition, if the presentation control command specifies the game state, the display control unit 123 may be instructed to display a background corresponding to the game state.

After executing the command analysis process in step S75, the performance control process is executed (step S76). In the performance control process, for example, control is performed to operate various performance devices, such as the display operation of the performance image in the display area of the image display device 5, the sound output operation from the speakers 8L and 8R, the lighting operation of the decorative light-emitting elements such as the game effect lamp 9 and the decorative LEDs, and the driving operation of the movable body 32. In addition, judgments, decisions, settings, etc. are made regarding the control contents of the performance operations using the various performance devices in accordance with the performance control commands, etc. transmitted from the main board 11.

Following the performance control process processing of step S76, a performance random number update process is executed (step S77), and at least a portion of the performance random numbers used on the performance control board 12 side is updated by software. Then, the process returns to step S73. Before returning to step S73, other processes may be executed.

Figure 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing executed in step S76 of Figure 9 as the performance control process processing. In the performance control process processing shown in Figure 10, the performance control CPU 120 first executes a look-ahead preview setting process (step S161). In the look-ahead preview setting process, for example, judgments, decisions, settings, etc. for executing the look-ahead preview performance are made based on the performance control command at the time of the start winning transmitted from the main board 11. In addition, processing is executed to display the hold display based on the number of hold memories identified from the performance control command.

After executing the process of step S161, the performance control CPU 120 selects and executes one of the processes of steps S170 to S175 as described below, depending on the value of a performance process flag provided in, for example, RAM 122.

The variable display start waiting process of step S170 is executed when the value of the presentation process flag is "0" (initial value). This variable display start waiting process includes a process of determining whether or not to start the variable display of the decorative pattern on the image display device 5 based on whether or not a command specifying the start of variable display has been received from the main board 11. If it is determined that the variable display of the decorative pattern on the image display device 5 should be started, the value of the presentation process flag is updated to "1" and the variable display start waiting process ends.

The variable display start setting process of step S171 is a process executed when the value of the performance process flag is "1". In this variable display start setting process, the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern (determined decorative pattern), the mode of the variable display of the decorative pattern, whether or not various performances such as reach performances and various advance notice performances are executed, and the mode and execution start timing are determined based on the display result and the change pattern specified by the performance control command. Then, a performance control pattern (a collection of control data for instructing the display control unit 123 to execute a performance) that reflects the determined result is set. After that, based on the set performance control pattern, the display control unit 123 is instructed to start the execution of the variable display of the decorative pattern, the value of the performance process flag is updated to "2", and the variable display start setting process is terminated. In response to the instruction to start the execution of the variable display of the decorative pattern, the display control unit 123 starts the variable display of the decorative pattern on the image display device 5.

The variable display performance process of step S172 is a process executed when the performance process flag is "2". In this variable display performance process, the performance control CPU 120 instructs the display control unit 123 to display a performance image based on the performance control pattern set in step S171 on the display screen of the image display device 5, to drive the movable body 32, to output voice and sound effects from the speakers 8L and 8R by outputting a command (sound effect signal) to the voice control board 13, and to turn on/off/blink the game effect lamp 9 and the decorative LED by outputting a command (illumination signal) to the lamp control board 14, thereby executing various performance controls during the variable display of the decorative pattern. After performing such performance control, for example, in response to the reading of an end code indicating the end of the variable display of the decorative pattern from the performance control pattern, or the reception of a command specifying the stop display of the fixed decorative pattern from the main board 11, the fixed decorative pattern, which is the display result of the decorative pattern, is stopped. When the final decorative pattern is displayed in a stopped state, the value of the performance process flag is updated to "3" and the performance process during variable display ends.

The special winning wait process of step S173 is executed when the value of the presentation process flag is "3". In this special winning wait process, the presentation control CPU 120 judges whether or not a presentation control command designating the start of a jackpot game state has been received from the main board 11. Then, when a presentation control command designating the start of a jackpot game state is received, the value of the presentation process flag is updated to "4". Also, when a command designating the start of a jackpot game state is not received and the waiting time for receiving the command has elapsed, it is judged that the display result in the special winning game was a "miss", and the value of the presentation process flag is updated to the initial value of "0". When the value of the presentation process flag is updated, the special winning wait process is terminated.

The jackpot performance process of step S174 is executed when the performance process flag value is "6". In this jackpot performance process, the performance control CPU 120 sets, for example, a performance control pattern corresponding to the performance content in the jackpot gaming state, and executes various performance controls in the jackpot gaming state based on the set content. In addition, in the jackpot performance process, for example, in response to receiving a command from the main board 11 specifying that the jackpot gaming state is to end, the value of the performance process flag is updated to "5", which is a value corresponding to the ending performance process, and the jackpot performance process ends.

The ending presentation process of step S175 is executed when the value of the presentation process flag is "7". In this ending presentation process, the presentation control CPU 120 sets a presentation control pattern corresponding to, for example, the end of a jackpot gaming state, and executes various presentation controls for the ending presentation at the end of the jackpot gaming state based on the set contents. After that, the value of the presentation process flag is updated to the initial value "0", and the ending presentation process is terminated.

(Modification of the basic explanation)
This invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machine 1 described in the basic description above, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 described above is a payout type gaming machine that pays out a predetermined number of gaming media as prizes when a prize is won, but it may also be an enclosed type gaming machine that encloses gaming media and awards points when a prize is won.

Only one type of pattern (for example, a symbol showing "- ") may be displayed during the variable display of the special pattern, and the variable display may be achieved by repeatedly displaying and extinguishing the pattern. Furthermore, even if the pattern is displayed during the variable display, the pattern may not be displayed when the variable display is stopped (the display result may not include the symbol showing "- ").

In the above basic explanation, a pachinko gaming machine 1 was shown as the gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to slot machines (e.g., slot machines equipped with one or more of big bonus, regular bonus, RT, AT, ART, CZ (hereinafter, bonus, etc.)) that can play a game in which medals are inserted and a predetermined bet amount is set, multiple types of symbols are rotated in response to the player's operation of the control lever, and when the symbols are stopped in response to the player's operation of the stop button, a specific combination of symbols is formed, and a predetermined number of medals is paid out to the player.

The programs and data for implementing the present invention are not limited to being distributed or provided to the computer device included in the pachinko gaming machine 1 by a removable recording medium, but may be distributed by being pre-installed in a storage device of the computer device or the like. Furthermore, the programs and data for implementing the present invention may be distributed by being downloaded from another device on a network connected via a communication line or the like by providing a communications processing unit.

The game can be executed not only by inserting a removable recording medium, but also by temporarily storing a program and data downloaded via a communication line or the like in an internal memory, or by directly executing the game using the hardware resources of another device on a network connected via a communication line or the like. Furthermore, the game can be executed by exchanging data with another computer device or the like via a network.

In this specification, expressions of comparison of various percentages such as the execution percentage of effects (such as "high", "low", "different", etc.) may include one being a "0%" percentage. For example, this also includes one being a "0%" percentage and the other being a "100%" percentage or a percentage less than "100%".

(Explanation regarding characteristic part 001SG)
Next, the pachinko gaming machine 1 as the characteristic part 001SG in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 11-1 to 11-40. In the following, the same reference numerals are used to omit detailed explanations of configurations similar to those of the pachinko gaming machine 1 described in the basic description, or configurations that have similar functions but differ in form or location, and the like, and differences from the pachinko gaming machine 1 described in the basic description will be mainly described. In the following, the normal reach may be abbreviated as "N reach," and the super reach may be abbreviated as "SP reach" or "S reach."

As shown in Figures 11-1 and 11-2, the pachinko gaming machine 1 as the characteristic part 001SG is configured in almost the same way as the pachinko gaming machine 1 described in the basic explanation. A vibration motor 61 built into the stick controller 31A is connected to the performance control board 12, and the performance control CPU 120 is capable of vibrating the stick controller 31A and the push button 31B. In addition, a button LED 62 built into the push button 31B is connected to the lamp control board 14, and the performance control CPU 120 is capable of turning the button LED 62 on and off.

The ROM 121 also stores a number of image data (display data) used to display performance images such as character images and background images that can be displayed in the super reach performance described below, and the display control unit 123, based on a performance execution instruction from the performance control CPU 120, can read image data corresponding to a performance pattern determined by lottery from the ROM 121 and supply a video signal corresponding to the performance to the image display device 5, thereby displaying the performance image on the image display device 5. Specifically, when the performance control CPU 120 has determined the display content, it can read out some image data that will become parts (for example, high-quality first type image data and low-quality second type image data described below) from the ROM 121, process them, and generate them as display image data in the RAM 122, and control the display control unit 123 to display an image based on the generated display image data.

Figure 11-3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a performance control command used in the pachinko gaming machine 1. The performance control command is, for example, two bytes in length, with the first byte indicating MODE (command classification) and the second byte indicating EXT (type of command). The first bit of the MODE data (bit 7) is always set to "1", and the first bit of the EXT data is set to "0". Note that the command format shown in Figure 11-3 (A) is only an example, and other command formats may be used. Also, in this example, the control command is composed of two control signals, but the number of control signals constituting the control command may be one, or may be three or more.

In the example shown in FIG. 11-3(A), command 8001H is a first variable display start command that specifies the start of variable display in a special symbol game using the first special symbol in the first special symbol display device 4A. Command 8002H is a second variable display start command that specifies the start of variable display in a special symbol game using the second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B. Command 81XXH is a variable pattern designation command that specifies the variable pattern (variable time (variable display time)) of the decorative symbols (also called performance symbols) that are variably displayed in the "left", "middle", and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5 in response to the variable display of the special symbols in the special symbol game. Here, XXH indicates an unspecified hexadecimal number, and may be any value that is set arbitrarily according to the contents of the instruction by the performance control command. In addition, in the variable pattern designation command, different EXT data is set according to the specified variable pattern, etc.

Command 8CXXH is a variable display result specification command, which is a presentation control command that specifies a variable display result such as a special pattern or a decorative pattern. In the variable display result specification command, as shown in FIG. 11-3(B), for example, different EXT data is set depending on the result of the determination (predetermination result) of whether the variable display result (also called the variable display result) is a "miss", "big win", or "small win", and the result of the determination (big win type determination result) of which of several types of big win types the big win type will be if the variable display result is a "big win".

For example, as shown in FIG. 11-3(B), in the variable display result designation command, command 8C00H is a first variable display result designation command indicating a pre-determined result that the variable display result will be "miss". Command 8C01H is a second variable display result designation command notifying the pre-determined result and jackpot type determination result that the variable display result will be "jackpot" and the jackpot type will be "variable jackpot A". Command 8C02H is a third variable display result designation command notifying the pre-determined result and jackpot type determination result that the variable display result will be "jackpot" and the jackpot type will be "variable jackpot B". Command 8C03H is a fourth variable display result designation command notifying the pre-determined result and jackpot type determination result that the variable display result will be "jackpot" and the jackpot type will be "variable jackpot C". Command 8C04H is a fifth variable display result specification command that notifies the predetermined result that the variable display result is "jackpot" and the jackpot type is "non-variable jackpot" and the jackpot type determination result. Command 8C05H is a sixth variable display result specification command that notifies the predetermined result that the variable display result is "small jackpot".

Command 8F00H is a pattern determination command that specifies the stop (determination) of the change in the decorative patterns in each of the "left", "middle", and "right" decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R on the image display device 5. Command 95XXH is a game state designation command that specifies the current game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the game state designation command, different EXT data is set depending on the current game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1, for example. As a specific example, command 9500H is a first game state designation command corresponding to a game state in which neither time-saving control nor probability variable control is performed (low probability low base state, normal state), and command 9501H is a second game state designation command corresponding to a game state in which time-saving control is performed but probability variable control is not performed (low probability high base state, time-saving state). In addition, command 9502H is a third game state designation command corresponding to a game state in which high probability bonus control is performed but time-saving control is not performed (high probability low base state, high probability bonus state without time-saving), and command 9503H is a fourth game state designation command corresponding to a game state in which time-saving control and high probability bonus control are both performed (high probability high base state, high probability bonus state with time-saving).

Command 9000 (H) is a presentation control command (initialization command: power-on command) that is sent when power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started. Command 9200 (H) is a presentation control command (power outage recovery command) that is sent when power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is resumed after a temporary halt. When power supply to the gaming machine is started, the gaming control microcomputer 100 sends a power outage recovery command if data is stored in the backup RAM, and sends an initialization command if not.

Command A0XXH is a start of jackpot command (also called a "fanfare command") that specifies the display of an effect image indicating the start of a jackpot or small jackpot game. Command A1XXH is a large prize opening open notification command that notifies the player that the large prize opening is in an open state during a jackpot game. Command A2XXH is a large prize opening post-open notification command that notifies the player that the large prize opening has changed from an open state to a closed state during a jackpot game. Command A3XXH is a end of jackpot command that specifies the display of an effect image at the end of a jackpot game or small jackpot game.

In the hit start specification command and hit end specification command, for example, EXT data similar to that of the variable display result specification command may be set, so that different EXT data is set according to the pre-determined result and the result of the big win type determination. Alternatively, in the hit start specification command and hit end specification command, the correspondence between the pre-determined result and the big win type determination result and the EXT data set may be made different from the correspondence in the variable display result specification command. In the large prize opening notification command and the large prize opening after opening notification command, for example, different EXT data is set according to the number of rounds (for example, "1" to "10") executed in the normal opening big win state and the high-speed opening big win state described below.

Command B100H is a first start port entry designation command that notifies the first start condition for executing a special symbol game using a first special symbol in the first special symbol display device 4A has been established based on the occurrence of a start winning (first start winning) caused by a game ball passing through (entering) the first start winning port formed by the winning ball device 6A being detected by the first start port switch 22A. Command B200H is a second start port entry designation command that notifies the second start condition for executing a special symbol game using a second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B has been established based on the occurrence of a start winning (second start winning) caused by a game ball passing through (entering) the second start winning port formed by the variable winning ball device 6B being detected by the second start port switch 22B.

Command C1XXH is a first reserved memory number notification command that notifies the first reserved memory number so that the reserved memory number of special charts can be specified. Command C2XXH is a second reserved memory number notification command that notifies the second reserved memory number so that the reserved memory number of special charts can be specified. The first reserved memory number notification command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12 when the first start port entry designation command is transmitted based on, for example, the game ball passing (entering) the first start port and the first start condition being satisfied. The second reserved memory number notification command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12 when the second start port entry designation command is transmitted based on, for example, the game ball passing (entering) the second start port and the second start condition being satisfied. In addition, the first pending memory number notification command and the second pending memory number notification command may be sent in response to the start of execution of the special game when either the first start condition or the second start condition is met (when the pending memory number is reduced).

Instead of the first pending memory number notification command and the second pending memory number notification command, a total pending memory number notification command that notifies the total pending memory number may be sent. In other words, the total pending memory number notification command may be used to notify an increase (or decrease) in the total pending memory number.

Command D100 is a customer waiting demo designation command for designating the execution of a customer waiting demo performance, and as described below, is a command sent by the demo display setting that is executed when neither the first reserved memory nor the second reserved memory exists in the normal processing of special symbols, and the customer waiting demo performance is executed when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the customer waiting demo designation command is sent.

The commands shown in FIG. 11-3(A) are merely examples, and some of these commands may not be included, or different commands may be used instead of these commands, or different commands may be added to these commands. For example, a prize ball number notification command may be provided to specify the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the game balls having entered each winning slot, a gate passage notification command to notify that the game ball has passed through the passage gate 41, and a notification command to notify the remaining number of times that the special bonus control or time-saving control will be executed.

Figure 11-4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of random numbers counted on the main board 11 side. As shown in Figure 11-4, on the main board 11 side, the numerical data indicating each of the random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result, the random number value MR2 for determining the type of jackpot, the random number value MR3 for determining the variation pattern, and the random number value MR4 for determining the normal chart display result are controlled so as to be countable. Note that random number values other than these may be used to enhance the gaming effect. Such random numbers used to control the progress of the game are also called gaming random numbers.

The random number circuit 104 may count numerical data indicating some or all of these random number values MR1 to MR4. The CPU 103 may count numerical data indicating some of the random number values MR1 to MR4 by updating various numerical data by software using a random counter different from the random number circuit 104, such as a random counter provided in a game control counter setting section set in the RAM 102, as described below.

The random number value MR1 for determining the special symbol display result is a random number value used to determine whether or not to control the game state to a jackpot by treating the variable display result of a special symbol or the like in a special symbol game as a "jackpot", and takes a value in the range of "1" to "65536", for example. The random number value MR2 for determining the jackpot type is a random number value used to determine the jackpot type as either "Probable jackpot A", "Probable jackpot B", "Probable jackpot C", or "Non-probable jackpot" when the variable display result is a "jackpot", and takes a value in the range of "1" to "100", for example.

The random number value MR3 for determining the variation pattern is a random number value used to determine the variation pattern in the variable display of special patterns and decorative patterns to one of several types prepared in advance, and can take a value in the range of "1" to "997", for example.

The random number value MR4 for determining the normal symbol display result is a random number value used to determine whether the variable display result in the normal symbol game by the normal symbol display device 20 is a "normal symbol hit" or a "normal symbol miss", and takes a value in the range of "3" to "13", for example.

Figure 11-5 (A) shows an example of the configuration of the special chart display result judgment table 1 stored in ROM 101. In this embodiment, a common special chart display result judgment table is used for the first special chart and the second special chart as the special chart display result judgment table, but the present invention is not limited to this, and separate special chart display result judgment tables may be used for the first special chart and the second special chart.

The special pattern display result determination table 1 is a table that is referenced to determine whether or not to control the variable display result to a jackpot game state as a "jackpot" before a determined special pattern that is a variable display result is derived and displayed in a special pattern game using a first special pattern by the first special pattern display device 4A or a special pattern game using a second special pattern by the second special pattern display device 4B, based on a random number value MR1 for determining the special pattern display result.

In the special chart display result judgment table 1 in this embodiment, a numerical value (judgment value) that is compared with the random number value MR1 for judging the special chart display result is assigned to the special chart display result of "jackpot" or "miss" depending on whether the game state of the pachinko game machine 1 is a normal state or a time-saving state (low probability state), or a probability change state (high probability state).

In the special chart display result judgment table 1, the table data indicating the judgment value to be compared with the random number value MR1 for judging the special chart display result is judgment data assigned to the decision result of whether or not to control the special chart display result to a jackpot game state as a "jackpot". In the special chart display result judgment table 1 in this embodiment, when the game state is a probability variable state (high probability state), more judgment values are assigned to the special chart display result of a "jackpot" than when the game state is a normal state or a time-saving state (low probability state). As a result, in the probability variable state (high probability state) in which the probability variable control is performed in the pachinko game machine 1, the probability of determining that the special chart display result is a "jackpot" and controlled to a jackpot game state is higher (about 1/30 in this embodiment) than the probability of determining that the special chart display result is a "jackpot" and controlled to a jackpot game state when the game state is a normal state or a time-saving state (low probability state) (about 1/300 in this embodiment). That is, in the special chart display result judgment table 1, when the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a probability variable state (high probability state), the judgment data is assigned to the decision result of whether or not to control to a jackpot gaming state so that the probability of deciding to control to a jackpot gaming state is higher than when it is in a normal state or a time-saving state.

Also, FIG. 11-5(B) shows an example of the configuration of the special symbol display result judgment table 2 stored in the ROM 101. The special symbol display result judgment table 2 is a table that is referenced to determine whether or not to control the variable display result to a small win game state as a "small win" based on the random number value MR1 for special symbol display result judgment before the determined special symbol that is the variable display result is derived and displayed in the special symbol game using the first special symbol by the first special symbol display device 4A or the special symbol game using the second special symbol by the second special symbol display device 4B. In the special symbol display result judgment table 2 in this embodiment, regardless of whether the game state in the pachinko game machine 1 is a normal state or a time-saving state (low probability state), or a probability change state (high probability state), a number (judgment value) that is compared with the random number value MR1 for special symbol display result judgment is assigned to the special symbol display result of "small win".

In the special chart display result judgment table 2, the table data indicating the judgment value to be compared with the random number value MR1 for judging the special chart display result is judgment data assigned to the decision result of whether or not to control the special chart display result to a small win game state as a "small win". In the special chart display result judgment table 2 in this embodiment, the number of judgment values assigned to a "small win" differs between the first special chart special chart game and the second special chart game. Specifically, in the first special chart special chart game, a judgment value is assigned to a "small win", but in the second special chart special chart game, no judgment value is assigned to a "small win". Therefore, as described below, the variable display of the second special chart is executed with priority over the variable display of the first special chart, and in a high base state in which the time-saving control is executed, a win occurs in the second start winning hole formed by the variable winning ball device 6B, and the variable display of the second special chart is executed frequently, so that "small wins" hardly occur. In a high base state in which game balls are likely to enter the second start winning hole formed by the variable winning ball device 6B, the occurrence of small wins in which many game balls cannot be obtained can be avoided, and a decrease in interest in the game can be prevented.

Figure 11-6 (A) shows an example of the configuration of a jackpot type determination table stored in ROM 101. The jackpot type determination table in this embodiment is a table that is referenced to determine the jackpot type as one of multiple types based on the random number value MR2 for jackpot type determination when it is determined that the special symbol display result is a "jackpot" and the jackpot game state is controlled. In the jackpot type determination table, a number (determination value) that is compared with the random number value MR2 for jackpot type determination is assigned to multiple types of jackpot types such as "non-variable jackpot", "variable jackpot A", "variable jackpot B", and "variable jackpot C" depending on whether the special symbol that is variably displayed (variably displayed) in the special symbol game is the first special symbol (special symbol game by the first special symbol display device 4A) or the second special symbol (special symbol game by the second special symbol display device 4B).

Now, the types of jackpots in this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 11-6 (B). In this embodiment, the types of jackpots are set to "Probable variable jackpot A" and "Probable variable jackpot B", in which high probability control and time-saving control are executed after the end of the jackpot gaming state, and the game transitions to a high probability, high base state; "Probable variable jackpot C", in which high probability control is executed but time-saving control is not executed after the end of the jackpot gaming state, and the game transitions to a high probability, low base state; and "Non-probable variable jackpot", in which only time-saving control is executed after the end of the jackpot gaming state, and the game transitions to a low probability, high base state.

The jackpot game state by "probable jackpot A" is a normal opening jackpot in which the rounds that change the special variable winning ball device 7 to the first state that is advantageous to the player are repeated 10 times (so-called 10 rounds). On the other hand, the jackpot game state by "probable jackpot B" is a normal opening jackpot in which the rounds that change the special variable winning ball device 7 to the first state that is advantageous to the player are repeated 5 times (so-called 5 rounds). Also, the jackpot game state by "non-probable jackpot" is a normal opening jackpot in which the rounds that change the special variable winning ball device 7 to the first state that is advantageous to the player are repeated 10 times (so-called 10 rounds). Therefore, "probable jackpot A" may be called a 10-round (10R) probable jackpot, and "probable jackpot B" may be called a 5-round (5R) probable jackpot. Furthermore, in the jackpot game with "Probable jackpot C", the round that changes the special variable winning ball device 7 to the first state that is advantageous to the player is repeated twice (so-called two rounds), and the opening period of the special variable winning ball device 7 in each round is shorter (for example, 0.1 seconds) than in other jackpot games, making it a high-speed opening jackpot. Note that, during jackpot games of any type, no probable jackpot control or time-saving control is executed.

Although not specifically shown, the small win game state in this embodiment changes the special variable winning ball device 7 to the first state, which is advantageous to the player, twice, and the opening time is the same as the opening period of the special big win C (0.1 seconds in this embodiment). After the small win game ends, the game state immediately before the small win game is carried over.

In other words, in this embodiment, when it is decided to have a "high probability jackpot C" or a "small jackpot", the variable display is executed in the same variable pattern (PC1-1 shown in FIG. 11-7), and the chance eye is displayed as a variable display result. Furthermore, since the opening pattern of the special variable winning ball device 7 is the same, it is not possible to distinguish from these variable displays and the opening pattern of the special variable winning ball device 7 whether it is a "high probability jackpot C" in which high probability control is executed, or a "small jackpot" in which the previous game state continues without high probability control. Therefore, after the end of the high probability jackpot C jackpot game or small jackpot game, it is possible to have the player continue playing while expecting that high probability control is being executed.

The high probability control and time-saving control executed after the end of the jackpot game state of the variable probability jackpot A or the variable probability jackpot B will continue to be executed until another jackpot occurs after the end of the jackpot game state. Therefore, if the jackpot that occurs again is the variable probability jackpot A or the variable probability jackpot B, the high probability control and time-saving control will be executed again after the end of the jackpot game state, resulting in a so-called consecutive jackpot state in which the jackpot game state occurs continuously without going through the normal state.

On the other hand, the time-saving control that is executed after the end of the jackpot game state due to a "non-variable jackpot" ends when a specified number of special game games (100 times in this embodiment) are played, or when the jackpot game state is reached before the specified number of special game games are played.

In the example of the jackpot type determination table shown in FIG. 11-6(A), the allocation of determination values to the jackpot types "Probable variable jackpot A", "Probable variable jackpot B", "Probable variable jackpot C", and "Non-probable variable jackpot" differs depending on whether the variably displayed special chart is the first special chart or the second special chart. In other words, when the variably displayed special chart is the first special chart, a predetermined range of determination values (values in the range of "81" to "100") are assigned to the jackpot types "Probable variable jackpot B" and "Probable variable jackpot C" with fewer rounds, whereas when the variably displayed special chart is the second special chart, no determination value is assigned to the jackpot types "Probable variable jackpot B" and "Probable variable jackpot C". With this setting, the ratio of determining the jackpot type to "probable jackpot B" or "probable jackpot C" with fewer rounds can be made different between the case where the first start condition for starting a special game using the first special symbol by the first special symbol display device 4A is satisfied and the case where the jackpot type is determined to be one of the multiple types based on the second start condition for starting a special game using the second special symbol by the second special symbol display device 4B being satisfied. In particular, in a special game using the second special symbol, the jackpot type is not determined to be "probable jackpot B" or "probable jackpot C" and controlled to a normal opening jackpot state or a high-speed opening jackpot state with fewer rounds, so that, for example, in a game state where game balls are likely to enter the second start winning hole formed by the variable winning ball device 6B due to high opening control accompanying time reduction control, frequent occurrence of a jackpot state with fewer winning balls can be avoided, preventing a decline in game interest.

In the example of the jackpot type determination table shown in FIG. 11-6(A), the allocation of the determination value for the "non-probability variable" jackpot type is the same regardless of whether it is the first special chart game or the second special chart game, so the probability of a non-probability variable jackpot and the probability of a probability variable jackpot are the same regardless of whether it is the first special chart game or the second special chart game.

As described above, the allocation of judgment values for "Probable Variable Jackpot B" and "Probable Variable Jackpot C" differs depending on whether it is the first special chart game or the second special chart, and accordingly, the allocation of judgment values for "Probable Variable Jackpot A" also differs depending on whether it is the first special chart game or the second special chart, and for "Probable Variable Jackpot A" which has a larger number of rounds, it is set up so that it is easier to determine in the second special chart game than in the first special chart game.

In addition, in the case of the special chart game of the second special chart, a predetermined range of judgment values different from that in the case of the special chart game of the first special chart may be assigned to the jackpot type of "Probable jackpot B" or "Probable jackpot C". For example, in the case of the special chart game of the second special chart, a smaller judgment value than that in the case of the special chart game of the first special chart may be assigned to the jackpot type of "Probable jackpot B" or "Probable jackpot C" compared to the case of the special chart game of the first special chart. Alternatively, regardless of whether it is the special chart game of the first special chart or the second special chart, the jackpot type may be determined by referring to common table data.

Figure 11-6 shows the variation pattern in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a plurality of variation patterns are prepared in advance for the cases where the variable display result is a "miss" and the variable display state of the decorative pattern is a "non-reach" and a "reach", and for the cases where the variable display result is a "jackpot" or a "small hit". The variation pattern corresponding to the case where the variable display result is a "miss" and the variable display state of the decorative pattern is a "non-reach" is called a non-reach variation pattern (also called a "non-reach miss variation pattern"), and the variation pattern corresponding to the case where the variable display result is a "miss" and the variable display state of the decorative pattern is a "reach" is called a reach variation pattern (also called a "reach miss variation pattern"). The non-reach variation pattern and the reach variation pattern are included in the miss variation pattern corresponding to the case where the variable display result is a "miss". The variation pattern corresponding to the case where the variable display result is a "jackpot" is called a jackpot variation pattern.

The jackpot fluctuation pattern and reach fluctuation pattern include a normal reach fluctuation pattern in which a normal reach reach performance is executed, and a super reach fluctuation pattern in which a super reach reach performance is executed. In this embodiment, only one type of normal reach fluctuation pattern is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple normal reach fluctuation patterns such as normal reach α, normal reach β, ... may be provided, just like the super reach fluctuation pattern, and in this case, the jackpot expectation (jackpot reliability) of each normal reach fluctuation pattern such as normal reach α, normal reach β, ... may be different. In addition, although super reach α and super reach β are provided as super reach fluctuation patterns, the present invention is not limited to this, and the super reach fluctuation pattern may be only one type, just like the normal reach fluctuation pattern.

The variation pattern in this embodiment also includes a special winning variation pattern (PC1-1) that corresponds to the case where the variable display result is a "small win" or the variable display result is a "jackpot" and the jackpot type is a "high probability jackpot C."

As shown in FIG. 11-7, the special chart variable display time of the normal reach variation pattern in which the reach performance of the normal reach in this embodiment is executed is set to be shorter than that of the super reach variation pattern. In addition, among the super reach variation patterns, the variable display period of the super reach β and super reach γ variation patterns is set to be longer (60 seconds) than the variable display period of the super reach α variation pattern (50 seconds).

In addition, in this embodiment, as described later, instead of first determining the type of the fluctuation pattern, such as the non-reach type, normal reach type, super reach type, etc., and then determining the fluctuation pattern to be executed from the fluctuation patterns belonging to the determined type, these fluctuation patterns are determined using only the random number value MR3 for fluctuation pattern determination without determining these types, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, in addition to the random number value MR3 for fluctuation pattern determination, a random number value for fluctuation pattern type determination may be provided, and the type of fluctuation pattern may be determined first from these random number values for fluctuation pattern type determination, and then the fluctuation pattern to be executed may be determined from the fluctuation patterns belonging to the determined type.

Figure 11-8 is an explanatory diagram of a method for determining a fluctuation pattern in this embodiment. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11-8, when the variable display result is a non-probable jackpot, the jackpot fluctuation pattern determination table A is selected, and the fluctuation pattern is determined from PB1-1 (fluctuation pattern of a normal reach jackpot), PB1-2 (fluctuation pattern of a super reach α jackpot), PB1-3 (fluctuation pattern of a super reach β jackpot), and PB1-4 (fluctuation pattern of a super reach γ jackpot) using the jackpot fluctuation pattern determination table A. Also, if the variable display result is a sure-win jackpot A or sure-win jackpot B, the jackpot fluctuation pattern determination table B is selected, and the fluctuation pattern is determined from PB1-1 (fluctuation pattern of a normal reach jackpot), PB1-2 (fluctuation pattern of a super reach α jackpot), PB1-3 (fluctuation pattern of a super reach β jackpot), and PB1-3 (fluctuation pattern of a super reach γ jackpot) using the jackpot fluctuation pattern determination table B.

As shown in FIG. 11-8(A), the number of judgment values assigned to PB1-1, PB1-2, PB1-3, and PB1-4 differs between jackpot fluctuation pattern judgment table A and jackpot fluctuation pattern judgment table B. Specifically, in jackpot fluctuation pattern judgment table A, 97 judgment values are assigned to PB1-1, 350 judgment values are assigned to PB1-2, 300 judgment values are assigned to PB1-3, and 250 judgment values are assigned to PB1-4. On the other hand, in jackpot fluctuation pattern judgment table B, 50 judgment values are assigned to PB1-1, 200 judgment values are assigned to PB1-2, 347 judgment values are assigned to PB1-3, and 400 judgment values are assigned to PB1-4. In other words, in this embodiment, when the variable display result is a sure-win A or a sure-win B, the Super Reach fluctuation pattern is determined at a higher rate than when the variable display result is a non-sure-win. Furthermore, the determination rate increases in the order of Super Reach α, Super Reach β, and Super Reach γ, making it possible to draw the player's attention to the fluctuation pattern in the variable display.

In addition, if the variable display result is a guaranteed jackpot C or a small jackpot, a special jackpot variation pattern determination table is selected, and the variation pattern is determined to be PC1-1 (special jackpot variation pattern) using the special jackpot variation pattern determination table. In other words, in this embodiment, the variable display is executed with the same variation pattern when the variable display result is a guaranteed jackpot C or a small jackpot, making it difficult for the player to determine from the variation pattern whether the variable display result is a guaranteed jackpot C or a small jackpot.

In addition, if the variable display result is "miss" and the number of reserved memories of the variable special chart is two or less, the miss fluctuation pattern determination table A is selected, and the miss fluctuation pattern determination table A is used to determine the fluctuation pattern from PA1-1 (non-reach miss fluctuation pattern), PA2-1 (normal reach miss fluctuation pattern), PA2-2 (super reach α miss fluctuation pattern), PA2-3 (super reach β miss fluctuation pattern), and PA2-4 (super reach γ miss fluctuation pattern).

Specifically, in the miss fluctuation pattern judgment table A, 600 judgment values are assigned to PA1-1, 300 judgment values are assigned to PA2-1, 50 judgment values are assigned to PA2-2, 40 judgment values are assigned to PA2-3, and 7 judgment values are assigned to PA2-4.

In addition, if the variable display result is "miss" and the number of reserved memories for the variable special chart is three, the miss fluctuation pattern determination table B is selected, and the fluctuation pattern is determined from PA1-2 (shortened fluctuation pattern of non-reach miss), PA2-1 (fluctuation pattern of normal reach miss), PA2-2 (fluctuation pattern of super reach α miss), PA2-3 (fluctuation pattern of super reach β miss), and PA2-4 (fluctuation pattern of super reach γ miss) using the miss fluctuation pattern determination table B.

Specifically, in the miss fluctuation pattern judgment table B, 700 judgment values are assigned to PA1-2, 200 judgment values are assigned to PA2-1, 50 judgment values are assigned to PA2-2, 40 judgment values are assigned to PA2-3, and 7 judgment values are assigned to PA2-4.

In addition, if the variable display result is "miss" and the number of reserved memories for the variable special chart is four, the miss fluctuation pattern determination table C is selected, and the fluctuation pattern is determined using the miss fluctuation pattern determination table C from PA1-3 (shortened fluctuation pattern of non-reach miss), PA2-1 (fluctuation pattern of normal reach miss), PA2-2 (fluctuation pattern of super reach α miss), PA2-3 (fluctuation pattern of super reach β miss), and PA2-4 (fluctuation pattern of super reach γ miss).

Specifically, in the miss fluctuation pattern judgment table C, 800 judgment values are assigned to PA1-3, 100 judgment values are assigned to PA2-1, 50 judgment values are assigned to PA2-2, 40 judgment values are assigned to PA2-3, and 7 judgment values are assigned to PA2-4.

In this way, in this embodiment, if the variable display result is a "miss," based on the number of reserved memories of the variable special chart being 3 or 4, etc., the variable display is executed more frequently using a shortened variable pattern (PA1-2, PA1-3) in which the special chart variable display time is shorter than the normal non-miss variable pattern (PA1-1), making it possible to prevent the game from becoming protracted while shortening the period until the next variable display result is a jackpot.

In addition, if the variable display result is "miss" in the time-saving state (high base state), the miss fluctuation pattern determination table D is selected, and the fluctuation pattern is determined from PA1-4 (time-saving shortened fluctuation pattern for non-reach miss), PA2-1 (normal reach miss fluctuation pattern), PA2-2 (super reach α miss fluctuation pattern), PA2-3 (super reach β miss fluctuation pattern), and PA2-4 (super reach γ miss fluctuation pattern) using the miss fluctuation pattern determination table D.

Specifically, in the miss fluctuation pattern judgment table D, 800 judgment values are assigned to PA1-4, 100 judgment values are assigned to PA2-1, 50 judgment values are assigned to PA2-2, 40 judgment values are assigned to PA2-3, and 7 judgment values are assigned to PA2-4.

In other words, in this embodiment, if the variable display result is a "miss" in the high base state (time-saving state), the variable display is executed more frequently using the shortening variable pattern (PA1-4) in which the special chart variable display time is shorter than the normal non-reach miss variable pattern (PA1-1) due to the time-saving state, so it is possible to shorten the period until the next variable display result is a jackpot while preventing the game from becoming protracted.

In this embodiment, the RAM 102 is provided with, for example, a game control data holding area as an area for holding various data used to control the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1. The game control data holding area includes, for example, a first special chart reserve memory section, a second special chart reserve memory section, a regular chart reserve memory section, a game control flag setting section, a game control timer setting section, a game control counter setting section, and a game control buffer setting section.

The first special symbol reservation memory unit stores reservation data of a special symbol game (a special symbol game using the first special symbol in the first special symbol display device 4A) in which a game ball has passed (entered) through the first start winning port formed by the winning ball device 6A and a start winning (first start winning) has occurred but has not yet started. As an example, the first special symbol reservation memory unit associates reservation numbers with the order of winning (the order of detection of the game ball) in the first start winning port, and stores, as reservation data, random number values MR1 for determining the special symbol display result, random number values MR2 for determining the jackpot type, and numerical data indicating random number values MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern, which are extracted by the CPU 103 from the random number circuit 104, etc. based on the establishment of the first start condition when the game ball passes (enters), until the number of memories reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, "4"). The reserved data stored in the first special chart reserved memory unit thus indicates that the execution of the special chart game using the first special chart is on hold, and serves as reserved information that makes it possible to determine whether or not a jackpot will be reached based on the variable display result (special chart display result) in this special chart game.

The second special symbol reservation memory unit stores reservation data of a special symbol game (a special symbol game using the second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B) in which a game ball has passed (entered) through the second start winning port formed by the variable winning ball device 6B and a start winning (second start winning) has occurred but has not yet started. As an example, the second special symbol reservation memory unit associates reservation numbers with the order of winning (the order of detection of the game ball) into the second start winning port, and stores, as reservation data, random number values MR1 for determining the special symbol display result, random number value MR2 for determining the jackpot type, and numerical data indicating random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern, which are extracted by the CPU 103 from the random number circuit 104, etc. based on the establishment of the second start condition when the game ball passes (enters), until the number reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, "4"). The reserved data stored in the second special chart reserved memory unit thus indicates that the execution of the special chart game using the second special chart is on hold, and serves as reserved information that makes it possible to determine whether or not a jackpot will be reached based on the variable display result (special chart display result) in this special chart game.

The reserved information (first reserved information) based on the establishment of the first start condition by the game ball passing (entering) the first start winning port, and the reserved information (second reserved information) based on the establishment of the second start winning condition by the game ball passing (entering) the second start winning port may be stored in a common reserved memory unit in association with the reserved number. In this case, start port data indicating whether the game ball passed (entered) the first or second start winning port may be included in the reserved information and stored in association with the reserved number.

The regular symbol reserve memory unit stores reserved information for regular symbol games that have not yet been started by the regular symbol display device 20, even though the game ball that has passed through the passing gate 41 has been detected by the gate switch 21. For example, the regular symbol reserve memory unit associates the game balls with reserved numbers in the order in which they passed through the passing gate 41, and stores numerical data indicating the random number value MR4 for determining the regular symbol display result extracted by the CPU 103 from the random number circuit 104, etc., based on the passage of the game ball, as reserved data, until the number reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, "4").

The game control flag setting unit is provided with multiple types of flags whose states can be updated depending on the progress of the game on the pachinko game machine 1. For example, the game control flag setting unit stores data indicating the flag value and data indicating the on or off state for each of the multiple types of flags.

The game control timer setting unit is provided with various timers used to control the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1. For example, the game control timer setting unit stores data indicating the timer values of each of multiple types of timers.

The game control counter setting unit is provided with multiple types of counters for counting count values used to control the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1. For example, the game control counter setting unit stores data indicating the count values of each of the multiple types of counters. Here, the game control counter setting unit may be provided with a random counter for counting some or all of the game random numbers in a manner that allows the CPU 103 to update them by software.

In the random counter of the game control counter setting unit, random numbers not generated by the random number circuit 104, for example, numerical data indicating random numbers MR2 to MR4, are stored as random count values, and the numerical data indicating each random number is updated periodically or irregularly according to the execution of software by the CPU 103. The software executed by the CPU 103 to update the random count value may be for updating the random count value separately from the updating operation of the numerical data in the random number circuit 104, or may be for updating the random count value by performing a predetermined process such as scrambling or arithmetic processing on all or part of the numerical data extracted from the random number circuit 104.

The game control buffer setting unit is provided with various buffers that temporarily store data used to control the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1. For example, the game control buffer setting unit stores data indicating the buffer values for each of multiple types of buffers.

The RAM 122 mounted on the performance control board 12 shown in FIG. 11-2 has a performance control data holding area that holds various data used to control performance operations. This performance control data holding area includes a performance control flag setting section, a performance control timer setting section, a performance control counter setting section, and a performance control buffer setting section.

The performance control flag setting unit is provided with multiple types of flags whose states can be updated according to performance operation states, such as the display state of the performance image on the screen of the image display device 5, and performance control commands sent from the main board 11. For example, the performance control flag setting unit stores data indicating the flag value and data indicating the on or off state for each of the multiple types of flags.

The performance control timer setting unit is provided with multiple types of timers that are used to control the progress of various performance operations, such as the display operation of a performance image on the screen of the image display device 5. For example, the performance control timer setting unit stores data indicating the timer values of each of the multiple types of timers.

The performance control counter setting unit is provided with multiple types of counters used to control the progress of various performance operations. For example, the performance control counter setting unit stores data indicating the count values of each of the multiple types of counters.

The performance control buffer setting unit is provided with various buffers that temporarily store data used to control the progress of various performance operations. For example, the performance control buffer setting unit stores data indicating the buffer values for each of multiple types of buffers.

In this embodiment, data constituting a start winning reception command buffer in which entries capable of storing data such as a start winning designation command, a pattern designation command, a variable category command, and a reserved memory number notification command are set in association with buffer number 1-0 corresponding to the variable display during execution due to the reserved memory of the first special chart, buffer number 1-1 to buffer number 1-4 corresponding to the reserved memory 1 to 4 of the first special chart, buffer number 2-0 corresponding to the variable display during execution due to the reserved memory of the second special chart, and buffer number 2-1 to buffer number 2-4 corresponding to the reserved memory 1 to 4 of the second special chart are stored in a predetermined area of the performance control buffer setting section. When a start winning occurs at the first start winning port or the second start winning port, four commands, namely, a start winning designation command (first start winning port designation command or second start winning port designation command), a pattern designation command, a variable category designation command, and a reserved memory number notification command (first reserved memory number notification command or second reserved memory number notification command), are transmitted as one set from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12. The four commands that make up this set - the start port winning designation command, the pattern designation command, the variable category designation command, and the pending memory count notification command - are stored in the entry for the buffer number that corresponds to the start port winning designation command and the pending memory count notification command.

The contents of the storage area (entry) corresponding to buffer numbers 1-0 to 1-4 corresponding to the first special chart are shifted up one by one as described below when the start condition is met and the variable display of the top reserved memory (buffer number "1-1") is started, and the contents of buffer number "1-0" that stores the contents of the reserved memory for which the start condition is met are cleared in the special chart hit waiting process executed when the variable display is ended. Similarly, the contents of the storage area (entry) corresponding to buffer numbers 2-0 to 1-4 corresponding to the second special chart are shifted up one by one as described below when the start condition is met and the variable display of the top reserved memory (buffer number "2-1") is started, and the contents of buffer number "2-0" that stores the contents of the reserved memory for which the start condition is met are cleared in the special chart hit waiting process executed when the variable display is ended.

When a first start winning port is entered, the CPU 120 for controlling the performance stores the commands in the start winning port reception command buffer, starting from the top of the free entries (the entry with the lowest buffer number) among buffer numbers 1-1 to 1-4, and when a second start winning port is entered, starting from the top of the free entries (the entry with the lowest buffer number) among buffer numbers 2-1 to 2-4. When a start winning port is entered, the start winning port entry designation command through the reserved memory number notification command are sent in sequence. Therefore, when a command is received, the start winning port entry designation command, pattern designation command, variable category designation command, and reserved memory number notification command are stored in the storage areas corresponding to the end of the buffer numbers "1" to "4" corresponding to the first or second special pattern reserved memory, in that order.

Whenever the variable display of the decorative pattern starts, the commands stored in the start winning reception command buffer are deleted from the entry corresponding to the reserved memory of the variable display that just ended (the entry with buffer number "1-0" or "2-0"), and the contents of the entries corresponding to the reserved memory of the variable display that is about to start (the entry corresponding to buffer number "1-1" or "2-1") and the contents of the entries after the reserved memory of the variable display that is about to start are shifted. For example, when the variable display of the decorative pattern of the first special pattern reserved memory ends, the commands stored in buffer number "1-0" are deleted, the commands stored in buffer number "1-1" are shifted to buffer number "1-0", the commands stored in the area corresponding to buffer number "1-2" are shifted to the area corresponding to buffer number "1-1", and the commands stored in the areas corresponding to buffer numbers "1-3" and "1-4" are shifted to the areas corresponding to buffer numbers "1-2" and "1-3". Therefore, buffer number "0" becomes the area (entry) for storing each command related to the pending memory that is variably displayed at that time.

(Super Reach performance)
Here, the effects during the super reach will be explained based on Fig. 11-9 to Fig. 11-11. Fig. 11-9 (A) is a diagram showing the execution period of various effects during the super reach, (B) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the types and contents of the super reach effects, and (C) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the types and contents of the effects. Fig. 11-10 (A) is a diagram showing the types and contents of the cheering effects, and (B) is a diagram for explaining the appearance rate of each cheering character. Fig. 11-11 is a diagram showing the types and contents of the cut-in effects.

When the display of the decorative symbols is variable based on the normal reach variation pattern, the CPU 120 for controlling the performance starts the variable display, and then executes the normal reach performance as the variable display performance based on the fact that the variable display mode is the normal reach display mode. After that, the CPU 120 ends the variable display of the decorative symbols without progressing to the super reach performance.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11-9(A), in the variable display of the decorative symbols based on the Super Reach variable pattern, after the variable display starts, a normal reach presentation is executed as the variable display presentation based on the variable display mode being the normal reach display mode. After that, a super reach presentation is executed as the variable display presentation based on the variable display mode being the super reach display mode, and the variable display of the decorative symbols ends after the super reach presentation ends.

In this way, the normal reach effect is a common effect that is executed in both the normal reach variation pattern and the super reach variation pattern, and in the case of a normal reach, it ends without progressing to a super reach effect, while in the case of a super reach, it progresses to a super reach effect. Therefore, even in the case of a normal reach, the player can expect that the normal reach effect will progress to a super reach effect by executing the normal reach effect.

The performance control CPU 120 also executes a development suggestion performance that suggests which of the Super Reach performances A to C the game will develop into, as a performance different from the variable display performance, in the normal reach performance in the super reach variation pattern (super reach α, β, γ). In the super reach performance, it is also possible to execute a support performance and a cut-in performance that suggest the possibility (expectation) that the variable display result will be a jackpot, and a deciding performance that notifies the player that the variable display result will be a jackpot or a miss.

(Super Reach Effects A to C)
As shown in Figure 11-9 (B), when the super reach fluctuation pattern is super reach α, the performance control CPU 120 executes super reach performance A as the super reach performance, when the super reach fluctuation pattern is super reach β, it executes super reach performance B as the super reach performance, and when the super reach fluctuation pattern is super reach γ, it executes super reach performance C as the super reach performance.

Super Reach Performance A is a video of character A singing a song with great enthusiasm, Super Reach Performance B is a video of character B singing a song with great enthusiasm, and Super Reach Performance C is a video of character C singing a song with great enthusiasm. If each character A to C sings the song to the end within the performance period, it is a success and a jackpot is awarded, but if they do not, it is a failure and a loss is awarded.

In other words, when the Super Reach α jackpot fluctuation pattern is selected, Super Reach performance A is executed in which character A successfully finishes singing the song, when the Super Reach β jackpot fluctuation pattern is selected, Super Reach performance B is executed in which character B successfully finishes singing the song, when the Super Reach γ jackpot fluctuation pattern is selected, Super Reach performance C is executed in which character C successfully finishes singing the song. On the other hand, when the Super Reach α miss fluctuation pattern is selected, Super Reach performance A is executed in which character A fails to finish singing the song, when the Super Reach β miss fluctuation pattern is selected, Super Reach performance B is executed in which character B fails to finish singing the song, when the Super Reach γ miss fluctuation pattern is selected, Super Reach performance C is executed in which character C fails to finish singing the song.

In this way, the performance control CPU 120 executes Super Reach performance A when the Super Reach α fluctuation pattern is selected, executes Super Reach performance B when the Super Reach β fluctuation pattern is selected, and executes Super Reach performance C when the Super Reach γ fluctuation pattern is selected. And since the probability of a jackpot increases in the order of Super Reach α fluctuation pattern, Super Reach β fluctuation pattern, and Super Reach γ fluctuation pattern, the probability of a jackpot increases in the order of Super Reach performance A, Super Reach performance B, and Super Reach performance C (jackpot expectation: Super Reach performance A < Super Reach performance B < Super Reach performance C).

In addition, Super Reach Performance A, in which character A sings, is an animation performance created by animating (moving image) the singing character (e.g., a character modeled after a real person or a fictional character), while Super Reach Performance B, in which character B sings, and Super Reach Performance C, in which character C sings, are live-action performances created by filming real people singing (e.g., characters B and C) (see Figure 11-19).

In addition, in the feature section 001SG, an example is given of a form in which each of the Super Reach Effects A to C is executed in a one-to-one correspondence with each of the Super Reach Effects α, β, and γ, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one of multiple Super Reach Effects may be determined by lottery for one Super Reach, and the determined Super Reach Effects may be executed. Furthermore, the types of Super Reach and the types of Super Reach Effects that can be executed are not limited to the above, and four or more types of Super Reach and Super Reach Effects may be executed.

(Suggested future developments)
As shown in FIG. 11-9(C), the development suggestion effect is executed during a predetermined period (see FIG. 11-9(A)) before the normal reach effect ends and develops into the super reach effect. In detail, after an icon image 001SG001A including a character A appearing in the super reach effect A, an icon image 001SG001B including a character B appearing in the super reach effect B, and an icon image 001SG001C including a character C appearing in the super reach effect C are displayed, each icon image is changed between a display state and a non-display state, and a roulette display is executed in which the icon images in the display state are repeatedly displayed by moving from the left side to the right side, and the roulette display ends, suggesting that the development will be executed into the super reach effects A to C corresponding to the types of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C that are finally displayed (active display) (see FIG. 11-16 and FIG. 11-17).

In other words, when the Super Reach α fluctuation pattern is selected, the performance control CPU 120 finally determines to execute pattern PH-1, which suggests the execution of Super Reach performance A, by displaying icon image 001SG001A, when the Super Reach β fluctuation pattern is selected, finally determines to execute pattern PH-2, which suggests the execution of Super Reach performance B, by displaying icon image 001SG001B, and when the Super Reach γ fluctuation pattern is selected, finally determines to execute pattern PH-3, which suggests the execution of Super Reach performance C, by displaying icon image 001SG001C.

(Supporting performance)
The cheering performance is executed for a predetermined period of time (see Figure 11-9 (A)) before the cut-in performance is executed, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the development into the super reach performance. In more detail, multiple (e.g., five) cheering characters MA to MC different from the above-mentioned characters A to C are displayed in frame-in sequence from the right side of the display area 5E (display screen) of the image display device 5, run toward the left side, and then the cheering characters MA to MC, who stay on the cheering stage displayed on the left side of the display area 5E, cheer on the characters singing in the background (characters A to C singing in the super reach performances A to C).

The cheering performance in which cheering character MA cheers on characters A to C is an animation performance in which the cheering character (e.g., a character modeled after a real person or a fictional character) is created as an animation (moving image), and the cheering performance in which cheering character MB or cheering character MC cheers on characters A to C is a live-action performance created by filming the real person (e.g., a person different from characters A to C) who is cheering (see Figure 11-21).

In addition, in the cheering performance, the cheering characters MA to MC, who are framed in order from the right side of the display area 5E, do not necessarily stay on the cheering stage. There are failure patterns (patterns PS1-1 to 3) in which all five pass the cheering stage and frame out to the left side of the display screen, leaving none of them staying, and success patterns (patterns PS2-1 to 9) in which some pass the cheering stage, but one, three, or five stay on the cheering stage to cheer.

Depending on the variable display result, the performance control CPU 120 determines by lottery whether or not to execute a cheer performance, and if it determines to execute it, determines by lottery the type of cheer character (cheering characters MA to MC) and the number of cheering characters MA to MC who will stay on the cheer stage and cheer. Specifically, the performance control CPU 120 determines whether or not to execute a cheer performance, the cheering character type, and the number of cheering characters at a predetermined ratio so that the expectation of a jackpot is higher when a cheer performance is executed than when it is not executed, and the expectation of a jackpot increases in the order of cheering character type MA, cheering character MB, and cheering character MC, and the expectation of a jackpot increases in the order of the number of cheering characters 0, 1, 3, and 5. In other words, the expectation of a jackpot is higher in a successful pattern than in a failed pattern.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 11-10(A), the probability of winning the jackpot for the multiple patterns PSP-0 (not performed), PSP1-1 to 3, and PSP2-1 to 9, which define whether or not a cheering effect will be performed, the type of cheering character, and the number of cheering characters MA to MC who will be staying on the cheering stage, is lowest for the pattern PSP-0, which does not perform the cheering effect, and highest for the pattern PSP2-9, which has the maximum number of cheering characters MC, five. Therefore, the player will pay attention not only to whether or not a cheering effect will be performed, but also to the type and number of cheering characters MA to MC, which increases the interest of the game.

In addition, FIG. 11-10(B) shows an example of a ratio that determines the frequency with which the support characters MA to MC appear in each of the failure and success patterns when the variable display result is a jackpot, and the frequency with which the support characters MA to MC appear in each of the failure and success patterns when the variable display result is a miss.

In other words, the performance control CPU 120 determines the appearance rates of the cheering characters MA to MC so that the cheering characters MA and MB appear more frequently in successful patterns than the cheering character MC, and the cheering character MC appears more frequently in unsuccessful patterns than the cheering characters MA and MB, and the success pattern has a higher reliability of a jackpot.

In the feature section 001SG, an example is given in which the number of cheering characters that come into the frame is five, there are three types of cheering characters, and there are four types of numbers of people staying on the cheering stage: 0, 1, 3, and 5; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of cheering characters that come into the frame, the types of cheering characters, and the number of people staying can be changed in various ways. Also, cheering characters that are not cheering on the cheering stage can be made to not only be framed out, but also to fall just before the cheering stage and be unable to reach it, making them unable to cheer.

(Cut-in effect)
As shown in Fig. 11-9(C), the cut-in effect is executed for a predetermined period of time (see Fig. 11-9(A)) after the support effect ends and before the deciding effect is executed. In detail, the cut-in effect suggests the likelihood of a big win by displaying images of characters A to C in small or large size (see Fig. 11-28). When character C is displayed in large size, the color of the effect image (e.g., blue, green, red) also suggests the likelihood of a big win.

The CPU 120 for controlling the performance determines by lottery whether or not to execute a cut-in performance according to the variable display result, and if it determines to execute the performance, it determines the type of character (characters A to C) to be displayed according to the type of super reach fluctuation pattern, and then determines by lottery the size at which characters A to C will be displayed, and the color of the effect image (e.g., blue, green, red) when character C is displayed in a large cut-in. Specifically, the CPU 120 determines whether or not to execute the cut-in performance, the type of character, the display size, and the presence or absence and color of the effect image in a predetermined ratio so that the expectation of a jackpot is higher when the cut-in performance is executed than when it is not executed, and the expectation of a jackpot increases in the order of character types: character A, character B, and character C, and the expectation of a jackpot is higher for large display sizes than small sizes, and the expectation of a jackpot increases in the order of effect image colors: blue, green, and red.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 11-11, the probability of winning for the multiple patterns PN1-1 to 3 and PN2-1 to 5, which define whether or not a cut-in effect will be performed, the type of characters A to C, the display size, and the presence or absence (color) of an effect image, is lowest for pattern PN-0, which does not perform a cut-in effect, and highest for pattern PN2-5, in which character C is displayed in a large size and the effect image is displayed in red. Therefore, players will pay attention not only to whether or not a cut-in effect will be performed, but also to the type of characters A to C, the display size, the presence or absence of an effect image, and the color if any, which increases the interest of the game.

(Decisive performance)
Although not shown in detail, the deciding performance is a performance that notifies the player of the result of whether or not the characters A to C executed in the super reach performance will succeed in singing the song to the end, and notifies the player of whether or not the game state is controlled to a big win. Specifically, for example, just before the end of the song, a display prompting the player to operate the push button 31B (or the stick controller 31A) is displayed, and at the timing when the operation of the push button 31B (or the stick controller 31A) is detected, or at the timing when the operation of the push button 31B (or the stick controller 31A) is not detected and the operation effective period ends, the movable body 32 is moved from the origin position to the performance position, and either a big win confirmation notification is performed, which displays an image of the characters A to C having succeeded in singing the song to the end, or a miss confirmation notification is performed, which displays an image of the characters A to C having failed to sing the song to the end, without the movable body 32 being moved from the origin position to the performance position.

Pattern PK-1 is selected when the variable display result is a miss, and the song fails to finish singing, resulting in a confirmed miss notification. Pattern PK-2 is selected when the variable display result is a jackpot, and the song succeeds in finishing singing, resulting in a confirmed jackpot notification.

In addition, in pattern PK-2, when the operation of the push button 31B (or stick controller 31A) is detected, or when the effective operation period ends without the operation of the push button 31B (or stick controller 31A) being detected, the vibration motor 61 is driven for a predetermined period (e.g., about 10 seconds) to vibrate the push button 31B (or stick controller 31A), and a light emission effect is performed in which the button LED 62 lights up in rainbow colors while the vibration effect is being performed.

(About the characters used in various productions)
Next, the characters used in various effects will be described with reference to Fig. 11-12. Fig. 11-12 shows (A) a diagram of characters used in various effects, and (B) a diagram of cheering characters used in various effects.

In recent years, pachinko and slot machines are often sold in multiple models with common titles and other content. For example, models created in collaboration with celebrities or singers have become a major genre, and popular models are made into series and successors are developed over many years, or multiple models with different specifications such as jackpot probability are sold (manufactured and sold) several months or years apart.

In this way, when multiple models with the same content are developed over time, images used in previous works may be reused in the models developed later. The advantages and circumstances of reusing images used in previous works include: 1. It reduces the cost of creating new images. 2. It creates a sense of unity between series. 3. Due to relationships with copyright holders, images cannot be edited or altered. 4. In the case of live-action images, the appearance of the newly photographed subject (for example, a person or landscape) may have changed or may no longer exist, making it necessary to reuse images from previous works.

Due to the above advantages and circumstances, when reusing images used in past works, for example when reusing live-action images from past works, there is a possibility that the resolution of the image data will be different (lower) than the resolution of the image data taken for the current work, depending on the performance of the camera at the time of shooting, etc., and when comparing the live-action images taken for the current work with the live-action images from past works, the image quality of the live-action images from the past works may be poor, causing players to feel uncomfortable. Also, in recent years, there has been a trend toward larger display devices such as LCD displays, so when reusing images from past works that were created to fit small display devices, if the images were stretched to fit a large display device and displayed at a large size, the images could become grainy and look unattractive.

The pachinko game machine 1 of the characteristic part 001SG was developed as a successor to a series of pachinko game machines in collaboration with a singer, for example, and in this game, images based on image data newly created for this game and images based on old image data reused from past games can be displayed as still images or moving images. In such cases, since a long time often passes between the development of the first pachinko game machine in a series (e.g., the first game) and the development of the subsequent game in the series (e.g., the tenth game), there may be differences in the appearance of the singer or background, and in the quality of the images taken, between the image data of the past game taken in the first game and the image data of the current game taken in the tenth game.

To be more specific, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the following characters A to C (see FIG. 11-12 (A)) and cheering characters MA to MC (see FIG. 11-12 (B)) can appear in the various effects described above. In other words, the images based on image data newly created for this work and the images based on image data reused from previous works include images of the above characters A to C and cheering characters MA to MC, as well as effect images consisting of these characters A to C and cheering characters MA to MC and background images, but for ease of explanation, the images of characters A to C and cheering characters MA to MC will be described below.

Firstly, characters A to C are based on the singers they are tied up with, while supporting characters MA to MC are based on people who are not related to the singers.

Character A and support character MA are animated images of people, and can be displayed as images based on image data newly created for this work.

Character B and support character MB are real-life images of people taken by actually photographing them, and can be displayed as images based on image data newly created for this work.

Character C and support character MC are real-life images of people taken by actually photographing them, and can be displayed as images based on image data created and used in previous works (such as the first film), that is, old image data reused from previous works. For ease of explanation, they are drawn in the figure with dotted lines to indicate low image quality.

In other words, the images of characters A, B and cheering characters MA and MB are high-quality images (first type images) displayed based on high-resolution image data (first type image data) newly created for the current work, while the images of character C and cheering character MC are low-quality images (second type images) displayed based on low-resolution image data (second type image data) created and used in a previous work (for example, the first work), and therefore the images of character C and cheering character MC are of lower quality than the images of characters A, B and cheering characters MA and MB, and are therefore likely to give the player the impression that they look bad.

Characters A to C may each be characters created separately for the same person, or they may be multiple types of characters created separately for different people. Also, support characters MA to MC may each be characters created separately for the same person, or they may be multiple types of characters created separately for different people.

As shown in FIG. 11-12(B), the support characters MA to MC are simply displayed in a smaller size (normal size) than the characters A to C in various effects, but as shown in FIG. 11-12(A), the characters A to C may be displayed in a small size (normal size) or in a large size larger than the small size in various effects.

For characters A and B, small and large size image data have been newly created for this work, so they can be displayed as high quality images in both small and large sizes, while for character C, the small size image data used in previous works is reused for display, so when displayed at small size, it can be displayed as a low quality image, and when displayed at large size, the small size image data is stretched and displayed, so it can be displayed as an image of even lower quality than when displayed at small size.

In this way, the second type images of character C and cheering character MC are displayed by reusing low-resolution image data used in previous works, and therefore have lower image quality than the first type images of characters A, B and cheering characters MA, MB, which are displayed based on high-resolution image data created for the current work. In other words, since the pachinko gaming machine 1 is capable of displaying high-quality first type images (e.g., images of characters A, B and cheering characters MA, MB) and low-quality second type images (e.g., images of character C and cheering character MC), various ideas are devised in various performances to display images favorably so that the low image quality of the second type images is not noticeable, as will be explained below.

In the characteristic part 001SG, the low-quality second type image is an example of a form of low quality in which the image uses image data with a lower resolution than the high-quality first type image, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, since "image quality" is the apparent resolution, the low-quality second type image is not only an image with lower image data or display resolution (low pixel density) than the high-quality first type image, but may also include, for example, an image with the same resolution but with an older date of creation (storage date) of image data, an image with low contour emphasis and low detail gradation reproduction (changes in image brightness and color), or an image with a large amount of noise. Therefore, the second type of image data containing image data with lower image quality than the first type stored in the ROM 121 is image data whose image quality when displayed on the image display device 5 is lower than that of an image displayed based on the first type of image data.

The first type of image data stored in ROM 121 includes multiple image data, and these multiple image data are not limited to image data that all have the same image quality when displayed, but may include multiple image data whose image quality level is within a first range. The second type of image data stored in ROM 121 includes multiple image data, and these multiple image data are not limited to image data that all have the same image quality when displayed, but may include multiple image data whose image quality level is within a second range whose image quality level is lower than the first range.

The small and large size images may be images of a single image data displayed in a reduced or enlarged scale, as described above, that is, images of a single image data displayed by switching the display size in the display control by the display control unit 123, or images displayed using individual image data stored in the ROM 121 (for example, image data of a normal display size and image data that has been subjected to a reduced or enlarged process during the image production process, etc.).

In addition, in characteristic section 001SG, the first type of image data is illustrated as image data newly created for the current work, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first type of image data may include image data of a relatively new work among image data reused from past works.

In addition, in normal reach performances, except for performances suggesting future developments, the proportion of high-quality performance images displayed is higher than in super reach performances.

(Example of Super Reach animation)
Next, an example of the performance of the Super Reach will be described with reference to Fig. 11-13 and Fig. 11-14. Fig. 11-13 shows an example of the performance of the Super Reach from (A) to (G). Fig. 11-14 shows an example of the performance of the Super Reach from (H) to (M).

Below, we will explain examples of performance during variable display periods based on Super Reach fluctuation patterns (e.g., Super Reach α, β, γ).

As shown in FIG. 11-13(A), when a start winning occurs, the CPU 120 for controlling the performance starts variable display of the decorative patterns in each of the decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R based on a predetermined variable pattern. At the upper left of the display area 5E of the image display device 5, a display area 5SL for displaying the first reserved memory number (e.g., the number "2"), the second reserved memory number (e.g., the number "0"), and a small pattern corresponding to the decorative pattern (e.g., an arrow "↓↓↓") is provided, and the small pattern is variably displayed in synchronization with the variable display of the decorative pattern. In addition, at the bottom of the display area 5E of the image display device 5, a reserved display area 5H is provided, which includes a first reserved memory display area capable of displaying the first reserved memory number by the number of circular reserved displays, a second reserved memory display area capable of displaying the second reserved memory number by the number of circular reserved displays, and an active display area for displaying the reserved display corresponding to the variable display being executed as an active display.

The first reserved memory count, second reserved memory count, reserved display, small symbols, and error display (not shown) indicating an error state that has occurred in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are displayed in front of (on a higher layer) the presentation images such as characters A to C and support characters MA to MC, preventing the presentation images from overlapping and reducing the visibility of the first reserved memory count, second reserved memory count, small symbols, and error display. On the other hand, the decorative symbols are displayed behind (on a lower layer) the presentation images, preventing the decorative symbols from overlapping and reducing the visibility of the presentation images.

After the variable display starts, as shown in FIG. 11-13(B), if the variable display mode is set to the normal reach display mode, the normal reach presentation starts as a variable display presentation of the decorative pattern.

As shown in FIG. 11-13(C), when a predetermined time has elapsed since the variable display mode was changed to the normal reach display mode, the performance control CPU 120 displays a reduced decorative pattern in the display area 5SR provided in the upper right part of the display region 5E of the image display device 5, and displays multiple icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C to start a performance suggesting development. Then, depending on the type of icon image 001SG001A, 001SG001B, or 001SG001C finally displayed, it is suggested which of the super reach performances A to C will develop into.

As shown in FIG. 11-13 (D), after the development suggestion performance is completed, a reach title indicating the type of super reach performance (e.g., Super Reach Performance C) and a reach title image 001SG002 indicating the expected jackpot (e.g., the number of stars) are displayed to notify the user that a super reach performance will start and its type, and then a super reach performance image 001SG003 is displayed to start the super reach performance.

As shown in FIG. 11-13 (E), when it has been decided to execute a cheer performance, once a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the super reach performance, a cheer character image 001SG031 corresponding to the determined type of cheer character MA-MC is displayed at the bottom of the display area of the super reach performance image 001SG003, and the cheer performance begins.

As shown in FIG. 11-13 (F), if it has been decided that a cut-in effect will be performed, a cut-in effect image 001SG004 of the decided type will be displayed and the cut-in effect will begin when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cheering effect ended.

As shown in FIG. 11-13 (G), when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cut-in effect ended, an operation prompting image 001SG005 is displayed to prompt the player to operate the push button 31B (or the stick controller 31A). When a push operation of the push button 31B (or a pull operation of the stick controller 31A) is detected during the valid operation period in which the operation prompting image is displayed, or when the valid operation period ends without detecting a push operation of the push button 31B (or a pull operation of the stick controller 31A), the variable display result is notified.

As shown in FIG. 11-14(H), if the variable display result is a jackpot, a movable body performance is executed in which the movable body 32 falls from the origin position above the display area to the performance position in front of the display area, and an effect image 001SG006 is displayed. In addition, as the movable body 32 moves from the origin position to the performance position, a predetermined sound effect is output from the speakers 8L, 8R, and the movable body LED (not shown) is made to emit light in a predetermined color (e.g., rainbow colors, etc.). After that, as shown in FIG. 11-14(I), after the movable body 32 is moved from the performance position to the origin position, a super reach performance image 001SG003 is displayed, indicating that characters A to C have successfully finished singing the song, and then, as shown in FIG. 11-14(J), a combination of jackpot patterns is stopped and a jackpot confirmation is announced.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11-14(K), if the variable display result is a miss, the performance control CPU 120 displays an effect image 001SG007 in which glass cracks and glass fragments scatter in the display area 5E of the image display device 5. Then, as shown in FIG. 11-14(L), it displays a super reach performance image 001SG003 indicating that characters A to C have failed to finish singing the song, and then, as shown in FIG. 11-14(M), it displays a stop display of the miss pattern combination and notifies the player that the miss has been confirmed.

(Example of display operation of development suggestion)
Next, examples of the display operation of the development suggestion performance will be described with reference to Figs. 11-15 to 11-18. Fig. 11-15 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of various icon images. Fig. 11-16 (A) to (F) are diagrams showing examples of the display operation of icon images in the development suggestion performance. Fig. 11-17 (G) to (J) are diagrams showing examples of the display operation of icon images in the development suggestion performance. Fig. 11-18 is a timing chart showing the display mode of the icon images and the game effect lamp in the development suggestion performance.

As shown in FIG. 11-15, at the start of the development suggestion effect, the effect control CPU 120 displays icon image 001SG001A including character A appearing in super reach effect A, icon image 001SG001B including character B appearing in super reach effect B, and icon image 001SG001C including character C appearing in super reach effect C in a triangular shape that is in contact with each other. Note that the external shapes of each icon image 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C are all the same.

These icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C are composed of a first display element 001SG011 consisting of a character image corresponding to each of the characters A to C and a background image (area shown in white in the figure) displayed around each character image, and a second display element 001SG012 including a character image of "SP Reach Performance", alphabet images of "A, B, C", a graphic image of a "star" indicating the probability of a big win, and a rectangular frame image surrounding the background image of each character image. In other words, each icon image 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C is displayed as a single image based on image data for displaying the character image and background image that constitute the first display element 001SG011 and image data that is different from the image data for displaying the various images that constitute the second display element 001SG012.

In each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C, the display proportion occupied by the image constituting the first display element 001SG011 is slightly higher than the display proportion occupied by the image constituting the second display element 001SG012. In addition, the various images constituting the second display element 001SG012 are displayed so as to overlap in front of the character image and background image constituting the first display element 001SG011.

In icon image 001SG001A, the image of character A and the background image that make up the first display element 001SG011 are high-quality animation images created specifically for this work, and the character image, alphabet image, graphic image, and frame image that make up the second display element 001SG012 are high-quality images created specifically for this work.

In icon image 001SG001B, the image of character B and the background image that make up the first display element 001SG011 are high-quality live-action images created specifically for this work, and the character image, alphabet image, graphic image, and frame image that make up the second display element 001SG012 are high-quality images created specifically for this work.

In icon image 001SG001C, the image of character C and the background image that make up the first display element 001SG011 are low-quality live-action images reused from a previous work, while the character image, alphabet image, graphic image, and frame image that make up the second display element 001SG012 are high-quality images created specifically for this work.

When these icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C are displayed side by side during a common period (for example, a development suggestion performance period), the images of characters A and B and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B are high quality images, while the image of character C and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of icon image 001SG001C are low quality images. In other words, when icon image 001SG001C, which includes a low quality image and background image of character C, is displayed side by side with icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B, which include high quality images and background images of characters A and B, it becomes easier for the player to recognize that the image of character C and the background image are low quality.

Therefore, icon image 001SG001C includes, as a first display element 001SG011, an image of character C and a background image that are lower quality than the high-quality images of characters A and B and the background image that constitute the first display element 001SG011 of the other icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B, while, as a second display element 001SG012, it includes a high-quality image that is common to the various high-quality images that constitute the second display element 001SG012 of the other icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B.

Thus, the image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of icon image 001SG001C has lower image quality than the images constituting the first display element 001SG011 of icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B, while the image constituting the second display element 001SG012 of icon image 001SG001C and the images constituting the second display element 001SG012 of icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B are both high image quality, with almost no difference in image quality.

In other words, when icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B and icon image 001SG001C are displayed at least for a common period of time, the difference in image quality between the images constituting the second display element, icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B and icon image 001SG001C, is smaller than the difference in image quality between the images constituting the first display element 001SG011, making it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality between the images constituting the first display element 001SG011, and therefore the high-image-quality images and background image of characters A and B and the low-image-quality image and background image of character C can be displayed favorably.

In addition, in each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C, the character image and background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 are images of equal or nearly equal high or low image quality, thereby preventing either the character image or the background image from standing out too much.

In addition, the images constituting the second display elements in icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C may be images of even higher quality than the high-quality images of characters A and B and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B. By doing this, the second display elements, which have almost no difference in quality between icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B and icon image 001SG001C, stand out more, making it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display elements.

Although icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C are images composed of a main display element (first display element) that indicates the type of performance to be developed and an auxiliary display element (second display element) that supplements the content of the main display element, they may be images composed of multiple display elements including other display elements different from the first display element and the second display element. In other words, a display element is an element that constitutes at least a part of an image (such as the icon image described above), and includes not only the partial image itself that constitutes at least a part of an image, but also image quality (such as resolution), display mode (such as color, brightness, luminance, saturation, contrast), type (such as whether it is an animation image, a photographed image, a text image, a graphic image, etc.), display content (such as an image including a person or character), etc.

Specifically, the icon image may be an image composed of a first display element consisting of a character image, a second display element consisting of a character image, an alphabet image, a graphic image, and a frame image, and a third display element consisting of a background image of the character image. In this case, the image quality of each of the first display element, the second display element, and the third display element may be different, or the image quality of at least two of the first display element, the second display element, and the third display element (for example, the first display element and the third display element, the first display element and the second display element, the second display element and the third display element) may be equal or approximately equal.

For example, a second type image of lower image quality than the character image constituting the first display element may be displayed as a background image constituting the third display element. Also, a second type image of lower image quality than the character image with the lowest image quality among the icon images displayed side by side may be displayed as a background image.

In addition, even if the image quality is the same or approximately the same, in order to make the character image stand out, a background image with a lower brightness or saturation than the color of the character image may be displayed, special processing may be applied to the image data to make it appear blurred, or special display processing may be used to display it.

In the characteristic portion 001SG, the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C are arranged in a triangular shape while touching each other, but the present invention is not limited to this, and each icon image 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C may be arranged with a predetermined gap between them. Also, they may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction, up-down direction, or diagonal direction, or may be arranged to spread out radially from a predetermined reference point. In other words, the shape, size, and arrangement of each icon image are not limited to the above, and can be changed in various ways. Furthermore, the size of each icon image may differ depending on the type and expectation of the super reach performance to be developed.

Next, an example of the display operation of each icon image 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C performed by the performance control CPU 120 will be explained based on the timing chart shown in Figure 11-18 and with reference to Figures 11-16 and 11-17.

As shown in FIG. 11-18, the presentation control CPU 120 first displays a low-quality image of character C and a background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of icon image 001SG001C on the lower right side of the display area 5E of the image display device 5 at timing ta1 when the development suggestion presentation starts (see FIG. 11-16 (A)), and then, at timing ta2 when a predetermined time (e.g., about 1000 ms) has elapsed from timing ta1, displays various high-quality images constituting the second display element 001SG012, thereby displaying the icon image 001SG001C (see FIG. 11-16 (B)).

In the above example, the low-quality image of character C and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 and the various high-quality images constituting the second display element 001SG012 are displayed from the beginning at the lower right side of the display area 5E of the image display device 5, which is the position of the icon image 001SG001C. However, for example, the first display element 001SG011, the background image, and the second display element 001SG012 may be enlarged and displayed in the center of the display area, and then moved to the lower right side of the display area and displayed in a reduced size.

Next, at timing ta3, when a predetermined time (e.g., about 300 ms) has elapsed since timing ta2, a high-quality image of character B and a background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of icon image 001SG001B are displayed on the lower left side of the display area 5E of the image display device 5 (see FIG. 11-16(C)), and then, at timing ta4, when a predetermined time (e.g., about 1000 ms) has elapsed since timing ta3, various high-quality images constituting the second display element 001SG012 are displayed, thereby displaying icon image 001SG001B (see FIG. 11-16(D)).

Next, at timing ta5, when a predetermined time (e.g., about 300 ms) has elapsed since timing ta4, the high-quality image of character A and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of icon image 001SG001A are displayed above icon images 001SG001B and 001SG001C in the display area 5E of the image display device 5 (see FIG. 11-16 (E)). Then, at timing ta6, when a predetermined time (e.g., about 1000 ms) has elapsed since timing ta5, the various high-quality images constituting the second display element 001SG012 are displayed, thereby displaying icon image 001SG001C (see FIG. 11-16 (F)).

Then, the performance control CPU 120 displays the three icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C side-by-side (see FIG. 11-17 (G)), and then at timing ta7, a predetermined time after timing ta6, starts a roulette display in which the icon images in the displayed state move sequentially in a predetermined pattern, for example by changing each icon image between a displayed state and a hidden state (see FIG. 11-17 (H) (I)).

In addition, instead of changing each icon image between a displayed state and a hidden state, the roulette display may be performed by sequentially moving the effect images. Also, it is preferable that the display state and the form of the effect images are common to all of the icon images.

Then, at timing ta8 when a predetermined time (e.g., 5000 ms) has elapsed since the start of the roulette display, the roulette display ends. Finally, by keeping only one of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C (e.g., icon image 001SG001C) in a displayed state (active display) and keeping the other icon images in a hidden state (or inactive display) for a predetermined time (e.g., about 3000 ms), it is suggested that the display will progress to a super reach effect C corresponding to the type of icon image 001SG001C in the displayed state (see FIG. 11-17 (J)).

Then, at timing ta9, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the roulette display ended, at timing ta10, when a predetermined time (e.g., about 1000 ms) has elapsed since the display of the low-quality image of character C and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 of the displayed icon image 001SG001C ended, the display of the various high-quality images constituting the second display element 001SG012 ends, and the development suggestion performance ends.

In the above, when displaying each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, 001SG001C, the various images that make up the second display element 001SG012 are displayed a predetermined time after the images of characters A to C and the background image that make up the first display element 001SG011 have been displayed. In this way, when displaying the icon image 001SG001C, the low-quality image of character C and the background image that make up the first display element 001SG011 are displayed first, and then the various high-quality images that make up the second display element 001SG012 are displayed later, allowing the player to recognize the low-quality image of character C and the background image, and making the low-quality image that was displayed first less noticeable with the high-quality image that is displayed later.

In addition, when terminating the display of icon image 001SG001C, while the various high-quality images that make up second display element 001SG012 are still displayed, the display of the low-quality image of character C and the background image that make up first display element 001SG011 is terminated, and then the display of the various high-quality images that make up second display element 001SG012 is terminated. This allows the display of the low-quality images to be terminated first while the high-quality images stand out, thereby preventing only the low-quality images from remaining and standing out.

In addition, when displaying each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C, the performance control CPU 120 starts displaying the low-quality icon image 001SG001C, and then starts displaying the high-quality icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B, thereby making the player aware that the icon image 001SG001C, which includes a low-quality display, has been displayed, and then by displaying the high-quality icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B later, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize that the icon image 001SG001C is of low quality.

The performance control CPU 120 can make it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element 001SG011 by causing the game effect lamp 9 to emit light in a common light emission mode when displaying the high-quality icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B and when displaying the low-quality icon image 001SG001C. Note that in addition to frame-side lamps such as the game effect lamp 9, lamps provided on the game board side may also be emitted in a common light emission mode.

The performance control CPU 120 may also change the display mode of each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C according to the variable display result. For example, when the variable display result is a jackpot, the display color of the second display element 001SG012 of each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C may be changed from a normal color (e.g., white) to red at a higher rate than when the variable display result is a miss, thereby changing the display mode of each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C. In this way, the player will pay attention to the display mode of the second display element 001SG012, making it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element 001SG011.

In addition, during the period from timing ta8 to timing ta9 when it is suggested that a development will occur into a Super Reach performance corresponding to the type of icon image in the displayed state, the display mode (e.g., brightness and color) of the game effect lamp 9 may be changed to a mode according to the likelihood of a jackpot for the type of Super Reach performance that is suggested to develop, for example by emitting low-brightness blue light when Super Reach performance A is suggested and emitting high-brightness red light when Super Reach performance C is suggested.

In addition, it is preferable that the display time of the images of characters A to C and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 during the development suggestion performance period be longer than the display time of the various images constituting the second display element 001SG012, or that no non-display state be provided. For example, by changing only the various images constituting the second display element 001SG012 between a display state and a non-display state during the roulette display period, the various images constituting the second display element 001SG012 become more noticeable, making it difficult for the player to recognize the low-quality character image 001SG021C.

(Example of the display operation of the Super Reach performance)
Next, examples of display operations of the super reach performance will be described with reference to Fig. 11-19 to Fig. 11-20. Fig. 11-19 shows (A) an example of the performance operation of the super reach performance A, (B) an example of the performance operation of the super reach performance B, and (C) an example of the performance operation of the super reach performance C. Fig. 11-20 shows (A) an example of the display of an image in the super reach performance C, and (B) a main part of (A).

As shown in Figure 11-19 (A), in Super Reach performance A, a Super Reach performance image 001SG003 consisting of an animated character image 001SG021A corresponding to character A and a background image 001SG022A is displayed across the entire display area 5E. The character image 001SG021A and background image 001SG022A are displayed as animations in sync with the music, which is output from speakers 8L, 8R, and the game effect lamps 9 and the like are lit up in sync with the music. Note that a background image (not shown) is displayed in the shaded areas in Figures 11-19 (A) to (C).

As shown in FIG. 11-19(B), in super reach performance B, a super reach performance image 001SG003 consisting of a live-action character image 001SG021B corresponding to character B and a background image 001SG022B is displayed over almost the entire display area 5E. The character image 001SG021B and background image 001SG022B are displayed as moving images in sync with the music, which is output from speakers 8L and 8R, and the game effect lamps 9 and the like are lit up in sync with the music.

As shown in FIG. 11-18(C), in the super reach performance C, a super reach performance image 001SG003 consisting of a character image 001SG021C of a live-action image corresponding to character C and a background image 001SG022C is displayed in a predetermined display area 001SG023 in the display area 5E, and a part of the background image displayed in the predetermined display area 001SG023 is displayed in a special display area 001SG024 in a rectangular frame around the predetermined display area 001SG023. The character image 001SG021C and background image 001SG022C are displayed as moving images in sync with the music, the music is output from speakers 8L, 8R, and the game effect lamp 9 and the like are lit up in sync with the music.

In FIG. 11-19(C), for ease of explanation, a dotted line is used to indicate the predetermined display area 001SG023, but in reality, no such dotted line is displayed. Also, character images 001SG021B, 001SG021C and background images 001SG022B, 001SG022C are displayed based on a single image data set in which the character and the background are photographed. Also, musical note images and pattern images (not shown) displayed near the character images in FIG. 11-19 may be displayed in front of the character images and background images (higher display layer) as first type images using image data different from the character images and background images.

In Super Reach performance C, the character image 001SG021C and background image 001SG022C are displayed based on low-resolution image data reused from previous works (see Figures 11-12). In previous works, the character image 001SG021C and background image 001SG022C could be displayed in the entire display area 5E based on image data, but since the image display device 5 of this work is larger than the image display device of previous works, if the image is displayed at its original size without being enlarged, it will be displayed in the specified display area 001SG023, which is smaller than the display area 5E of the image display device 5, and the surrounding special display area 001SG024 will be left unused.

As shown in FIG. 11-20 (A), the performance control CPU 120 is capable of stretching and enlarging a portion (such as the periphery) of the background image 001SG022C displayed in the specified display area 001SG023 by using display processing to display it in the special display area 001SG024.

In detail, the special display area 001SG024 includes a first special area EL1 in which the background image 001SG022C displayed in the first predetermined area E1 at the top of the predetermined display area 001SG023 is enlarged, a second special area EL2 in which the background image 001SG022C displayed in the second predetermined area E2 at the bottom of the predetermined display area 001SG023 is enlarged, a third special area EL3 in which the background image 001SG022C displayed in the third predetermined area E3 on the left side of the predetermined display area 001SG023 is enlarged, and a fourth special area EL4 in which the background image 001SG022C displayed in the fourth predetermined area E4 on the right side of the predetermined display area 001SG023 is enlarged.

The performance control CPU 120 stretches and enlarges a portion of the background image 001SG022C displayed in the specified display area 001SG023 in the special display area 001SG024 surrounding the specified display area 001SG023, and links the animated display of the background image 001SG022C in the specified display area 001SG023 with the animated display of the background image 001SG022C in the special display area 001SG024. This creates a correlation between the background image displayed in the specified display area 001SG023 and the background image displayed in the special display area 001SG024, so that the background image 001SG022C can be displayed seamlessly in both the specified display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024.

In addition, the background image displayed in the special display area 001SG024 is displayed in a manner that reduces the resolution and reduces the degree of recognition by stretching and enlarging a portion of the low-quality background image 001SG022C displayed in the specified display area 001SG023, making the background image displayed in the special display area 001SG024 less noticeable than the background image 001SG022C displayed in the specified display area 001SG023, and therefore allowing the background image in the specified display area 001SG023 to be displayed optimally.

The reserved display image 001SG025 displayed in the reserved display area 5H provided at the bottom of the display area 5E of the image display device 5 is displayed overlapping the predetermined display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 (upper display layer) during the execution period of the super reach performance C, and a part of the reserved display image 001SG025 is continuously displayed on at least a part of the boundary between the predetermined display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024. By doing this, at least a part of the boundary between the predetermined display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 (for example, a part of the boundary between the second predetermined area E2 and the second special area EL2) becomes difficult to see, so that the predetermined display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 can be seen as if they are one continuous display area without any sense of incongruity.

Although not specifically shown, for example, by variably displaying the decorative pattern in the order of the first special area EL1, the first specified area E1, the second specified area E2, and the second special area EL2, the boundary between the specified display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 becomes difficult to see, and the specified display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 can be made to look natural as if they are a single continuous display area.

In addition, the image displayed overlapping the boundary between the specified display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 is not limited to the hold display image 001SG025 or decorative patterns as described above, but may be various presentation images such as a strip-shaped caption image displayed in a zone presentation as a hold preview notice, or a dialogue image of a character image.

In the above example, the predetermined display area 001SG023 occupies approximately 80% (occupancy rate of approximately 80%) of the display area 5E of the image display device 5, and the special display area 001SG024 occupies approximately 20% (occupancy rate of approximately 20%). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ratio of the predetermined display area 001SG023 to the display area 5E of the image display device 5 can be changed in various ways. For example, it is preferable that the ratio of the predetermined display area 001SG023 to the display area 5E of the image display device 5 is in the range of approximately 50% or more and less than 100%.

The shapes and layout of the specified display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 can also be changed in various ways. For example, it is acceptable for one special display area 001SG024 to be displayed on at least one of the top, bottom, left, or right sides of the specified display area 001SG023.

In addition, when one display area is configured with multiple (e.g., three) image display devices, the central image display device may be the specified display area 001SG023, and the image display devices to the left and right of it may be the special display area 001SG024.

In addition, an example has been given of a form in which the continuity of the images displayed in the specified display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 is enhanced by displaying in the special display area 001SG024 an image of the peripheral portion of the background image 001SG022C displayed in the specified display area 001SG023, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a portion other than the peripheral portion of the background image 001SG022C displayed in the specified display area 001SG023 may be displayed, or the character image 001SG021C displayed in the specified display area 001SG023 or another character image may be displayed.

In addition, an image other than the character image 001SG021C or the background image 001SG022C may be displayed as long as it is related to the image displayed in the specified display area 001SG023. An image related to the image displayed in the specified display area 001SG023 may be, for example, not only a part of the image displayed in the specified display area 001SG023, but also an image that is different from the image displayed in the specified display area 001SG023 but has a similar display form to the image displayed in the specified display area 001SG023, an image that emphasizes or decorates (for example, an effect image or a decorative image), or an image that has a different display form but related content (for example, a character image of a different type from the character image 001SG021C).

Furthermore, a predetermined display may be performed on a display device other than the image display device 5 (e.g., a light guide plate device or a transmissive liquid crystal device) at a position corresponding to the special display area 001SG024 of the image display device 5 (e.g., a position in front of the special display area 001SG024).

(Example of display operation of cheering performance)
Next, examples of the display operation of the cheering performance will be described based on Fig. 11-21 to Fig. 11-27. Fig. 11-21 (A) to (F) are diagrams showing examples of the cheering performance. Fig. 11-22 (A1), (A2), (B1), and (B2) are diagrams showing examples of the performance when the cheering character stays on the cheering stage, and (C) is a diagram for explaining the state of the effect image in a successful pattern. Fig. 11-23 is a diagram for explaining examples of the operation of the cheering characters MA and MB.

As shown in FIG. 11-21(A), when the performance control CPU 120 is displaying character image 001SG021B and background image 001SG022B in response to the execution of super reach performances A to C (e.g., super reach performance B), if it has been decided that a cheer performance will be executed, at the start timing of the cheer performance, the performance control CPU 120 starts the cheer performance by displaying a cheer stage image 001SG030 representing a cheer stage for cheering characters MA to MC in a specific area (e.g., lower left) of the display area 5E of the image display device 5.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11-21(B), a cheering character image 001SG031 showing the cheering characters MA to MC of the determined type is displayed in frame-in from the lower right position of the display area 5E, and a moving image is displayed of the cheering characters running to the left. As shown in FIG. 11-21(C)(D), the cheering characters MA to MC are displayed in frame-in one by one at predetermined intervals, until finally five cheering characters MA to MC are displayed in frame-in. Note that the cheering stage image 001SG030 and the cheering character image 001SG031 are displayed in front (on a higher display layer) of the character image 001SG021B and background image 001SG022B that are displayed in response to the execution of the super reach performance B.

In addition, if a successful pattern (pattern PS2-1 to 9) in which one, three or five people stay on the cheering stage and cheer is determined, the performance control CPU 120 freezes the cheering character images 001SG031 of the determined number on the cheering stage image 001SG030, and displays them as a moving image in which they face the character image 001SG021B and cheer on character B (see Figures 11-21 (C) and (D)).

As shown in FIG. 11-21(E), in the case of a successful pattern in which all five cheering characters MA to MC are cheering, the performance control CPU 120 freezes and displays all five cheering character images 001SG031 on the cheering stage image 001SG030.

Also, as shown in FIG. 11-21 (F), in the case of a successful pattern in which one or three cheering characters MA to MC are cheering, one or three of the five cheering character images 001SG031 are displayed frozen on the cheering stage image 001SG030, while the remaining cheering character images 001SG031 pass in front of the cheering stage image 001SG030 and are displayed framed out from the lower left corner of the display area 5E.

Also, as shown in FIG. 11-21 (G), in the case of failure patterns in which none of the cheering characters MA to MC are cheered on (patterns PS1-1 to 3), all five cheering character images 001SG031 pass in front of the cheering stage image 001SG030 and are displayed framed out from the lower left corner of the display area 5E. In other words, none of the cheering character images 001SG031 are displayed stationary on the cheering stage image 001SG030.

Also, as explained in FIG. 11-10 (B), the cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB has high image quality, so it is displayed stopped (displayed in a success pattern) more frequently in the cheering stage image 001SG030 than the cheering character image 001SG031, which has low image quality and corresponds to the cheering character MC.

On the other hand, the cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering character MC is of low image quality, so the cheering stage image 001SG030 is displayed as passing (displayed in a failure pattern) more frequently than the cheering character images 001SG031 of high image quality corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB.

In other words, the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 is displayed more frequently as a stopped image on the cheering stage image 001SG030 for optimal display, while the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 is displayed more frequently as a passing image rather than as a stopped image on the cheering stage image 001SG030, making it difficult for the player to recognize that it is of low quality.

In addition, as shown in Figures 11-22 (A1) (A2) (C), when the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB is frozen on the cheering stage image 001SG030, the performance control CPU 120 displays a small-sized effect image 001SG033 in front of the cheering character image 001SG031 (higher display layer), while as shown in Figures 11-22 (B1) (B2) (C), when the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering character MC is frozen on the cheering stage image 001SG030, the performance control CPU 120 displays a large-sized effect image 001SG034 that is larger and brighter than the small-sized effect image 001SG033 in front of the cheering character image 001SG031 (higher display layer).

In this way, when a low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 is frozen on the cheering stage image 001SG030, an effect image 001SG034 with higher visibility is displayed than when a high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 is frozen on the cheering stage image 001SG030, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the cheering character image 001SG031 is of low quality.

In addition, since there is a higher chance of a jackpot when the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC is stopped and displayed on the cheering stage image 001SG030 than when the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering characters MA and MB are stopped and displayed on the cheering stage image 001SG030, even when the player notices that the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC is stopped and displayed on the cheering stage image 001SG030, the effect image 001SG034 can be used to suitably display the low quality image without making it noticeable.

In addition, when displaying a high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB, different image data is used for display when the cheering character image 001SG031 is displayed as a moving image with the cheering characters MA and MB running, and when the cheering character image 001SG031 is displayed as a still image with the cheering characters MA and MB staying on the cheering stage image 001SG030.

In more detail, as shown in FIG. 11-23, first high resolution data and second high resolution data, which has a lower resolution than the first high resolution data and a higher resolution than the low resolution data used to display the low quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB, are stored individually in ROM 121 as image data for displaying the high quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB. When the performance control CPU 120 displays the high quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB as a moving image, that is, when the image quality is not noticeable, it displays the moving image based on the second high resolution data, and when the high quality cheering character image 001SG031 is displayed as a still image, that is, when the image quality is noticeable, it displays the moving image based on the first high resolution data, thereby reducing the amount of image data stored in ROM 121.

In addition, even when a low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC is displayed, pattern images and reserved display images of higher quality than the cheering character image 001SG031 are always displayed in the foreground (higher display layer) in the display areas 5SL, 5SR and reserved display area 5H, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC is of low quality.

In addition, the number of characters displayed stopped on the cheering stage image 001SG030 and staying there is the same for the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering characters MA and MB and the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC, but the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 may have more cheering character images 001SG031 staying there than the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031. By doing this, it becomes difficult to focus on each of the low-quality cheering character images 001SG031 individually, so they can be made to appear less noticeable.

(Display mode of boundary line)
Next, the boundary lines displayed on the edges of the cheering characters MA to MC will be described with reference to Figs. 11-24 to 11-27. Fig. 11-24 is a diagram for explaining the types of display modes of the boundary lines displayed on the edges of the cheering characters. Fig. 11-25 is a diagram showing (A) the display mode of the boundary lines when the cheering character MA is displayed during the execution of the super reach performance A, (B) the display mode of the boundary lines when the cheering character MB is displayed, and (C) the display mode of the boundary lines when the cheering character MC is displayed. Fig. 11-26 is a diagram showing (A) the display mode of the boundary lines when the cheering character MA is displayed during the execution of the super reach performance B, (B) the display mode of the boundary lines when the cheering character MB is displayed, and (C) the display mode of the boundary lines when the cheering character MC is displayed. Fig. 11-27 is a diagram showing (A) the display mode of the boundary lines when the cheering character MA is displayed during the execution of the super reach performance C, (B) the display mode of the boundary lines when the cheering character MB is displayed, and (C) the display mode of the boundary lines when the cheering character MC is displayed.

As shown in Figures 11-24 to 11-27, when Super Reach performances A to C are being executed, character images 001SG021A to 001SG021C and background images 001SG022A to 001SG022C are displayed across almost the entire display area 5E of the image display device 5, and when the cheering performance is started, a cheering character image 001SG031 and a cheering stage image 001SG030 are displayed in front of them (upper display layer). Because the display area of the cheering character image 001SG031 and the cheering stage image 001SG030 is smaller than that of the background images 001SG022A-001SG022C, which are displayed across almost the entire display area 5E of the image display device 5, the background images 001SG022A-001SG022C, which include the character images 001SG021A-001SG021C, become background images for the cheering character image 001SG031 and the cheering stage image 001SG030.

As shown in FIG. 11-24, background image 001SG022A, which includes character image 001SG021A, is an animated image, background image 001SG022B, which includes character image 001SG021B, is a high-quality live-action image, and background image 001SG022C, which includes character image 001SG021C, is a low-quality live-action image. On the other hand, cheering character image 001SG031 of cheering character MA is an animated image, cheering character image 001SG031 of cheering character MB is a high-quality live-action image, and cheering character image 001SG031 of cheering character MC is a low-quality live-action image.

Here, when the cheering character image 001SG031 is displayed in front of the background images 001SG022A-001SG022C (higher display layer), depending on whether or not at least some of the display elements of the cheering character image 001SG031 and the background images 001SG022A-001SG022C are shared, the cheering character image 001SG031 displayed in the foreground may blend in with the background images 001SG022A-001SG022C and become difficult to recognize.

The performance control CPU 120 is therefore capable of executing a process to display a contour line with width around the edge of the cheering character image 001SG031 depending on the type of cheering character image 001SG031 and background images 001SG022A-001SG022C, in other words, a border process to display a border (boundary line) around the boundary between the cheering character image 001SG031 and background images 001SG022A-001SG022C. Note that the cheering character images and background images are made of different image data.

As shown in Figures 11-24 and 11-25, when a background image 001SG022A (animation image) including a character image 001SG021A is displayed in super reach performance A, when a cheering character image 001SG031 (animation image) corresponding to cheering character MA is displayed, a thick-line border image 001SG041 with a wide line width that is easy for the player to recognize is displayed (see Figure 11-25 (A)), when a cheering character image 001SG031 (high-quality live-action image) corresponding to cheering character MB is displayed, a border image is not displayed (see Figure 11-25 (B)), and when a cheering character image 001SG031 (low-quality live-action image) corresponding to cheering character MC is displayed, a thin-line border image 001SG042 with a narrow line width that is more difficult for the player to recognize than the border image 001SG041 is displayed (see Figure 11-25 (C)).

As shown in Figures 11-24 and 11-26, when a background image 001SG022B (high-quality live-action image) including a character image 001SG021B is displayed in the super reach performance B, when a cheering character image 001SG031 (animation image) corresponding to cheering character MA is displayed, a boundary line image is not displayed (see Figure 11-26 (A)), when a cheering character image 001SG031 (high-quality live-action image) corresponding to cheering character MB is displayed, a thick line border image 001SG041 with a wide line width that is easy for the player to recognize is displayed (see Figure 11-26 (B)), and when a cheering character image 001SG031 (low-quality live-action image) corresponding to cheering character MC is displayed, a thick line border image 001SG041 with a wide line width that is easy for the player to recognize is displayed (see Figure 11-26 (C)).

As shown in Figures 11-24 and 11-27, when a background image 001SG022C (a low-quality live-action image) including a character image 001SG021C is displayed in the Super Reach performance C, when a cheering character image 001SG031 (animation image) corresponding to the cheering character MA is displayed, a thin-line border image 001SG042, which has a narrow line width and is more difficult for a player to recognize than the border image 001SG041, is displayed (see Figure 11-27 (A)), and the cheering character When the cheering character image 001SG031 (high-quality live-action image) corresponding to MB is displayed, a thin-line border image 001SG042 is displayed, which has a narrow line width and is more difficult for the player to recognize than the border image 001SG041 (see FIG. 11-27(B)), and when the cheering character image 001SG031 (low-quality live-action image) corresponding to the cheering character MC is displayed, a thick-line border image 001SG041 is displayed, which has a wide line width and is easier for the player to recognize (see FIG. 11-27(C)).

In this way, the performance control CPU 120 can display, as background display images, a first background display (e.g., background image 001SG022A (animation image) including character image 001SG021A) that includes a specific display element (e.g., an animation image) that has at least a portion in common with the display elements (e.g., an animation image) of cheering character image 001SG031, and a second background display that does not include the specific display element (e.g., background image 001SG022B (high-quality live-action image) including character image 001SG021B, or background image 001SG022C (low-quality live-action image) including character image 001SG021C).

For example, when the first background display (e.g., background image 001SG022A (animation image) including character image 001SG021A) is displayed, when the cheering character image 001SG031 (animation image) corresponding to cheering character MA is displayed, a thick border line image 001SG041 with a wide line width that is easy for the player to recognize is displayed.

On the other hand, when the second background display (for example, background image 001SG022B (high-quality live-action image) including character image 001SG021B or background image 001SG022C (low-quality live-action image) including character image 001SG021C is displayed, when displaying cheering character image 001SG031 (animation image) corresponding to cheering character MA, a thin-line border image 001SG042, which has a narrow line width and is more difficult for the player to recognize than border image 001SG041, is displayed.

In addition, when the first background display (for example, background image 001SG022A (animated image) including character image 001SG021A) is displayed and cheering character image 001SG031 (high-quality live-action image) corresponding to cheering character MB is displayed, or when the second background display (for example, background image 001SG022B (high-quality live-action image) including character image 001SG021B) is displayed and cheering character image 001SG031 (animated image) corresponding to cheering character MA is displayed, the boundary line images 001SG041 and 001SG042 are not displayed.

In other words, for example, when the cheering character image and the background image are both animated images, or both are live-action images, and at least some of the display elements of the cheering character image and the background image are common (common in animation images or common in live-action images), the cheering character image will easily blend into the background image, and a thick border image 001SG041 that is easy for the player to recognize will be displayed.

On the other hand, if the display elements of the cheering character image and the background image are not the same, for example when one of the cheering character image and the background image is an animated image and the other is a live-action image, it is difficult for the cheering character image to blend in with the background image, so either a thin line border image 001SG042, which has a narrow line width and is more difficult for the player to recognize than border image 001SG041, is displayed, or border images 001SG041 and 001SG042 are not displayed.

Even if the display elements of the cheering character image and the background image are not the same, for example, when one of the cheering character image and the background image is a low-quality live-action image and the other is a high-quality animation image, the low-quality live-action image is difficult to see and may blend into the background image, so a thin-line border image 001SG042, which has a narrow line width and is more difficult for the player to recognize than the border image 001SG041, is displayed.

In addition, for example, if both the cheering character image and the background image are real-life images, but one is a high-quality image and the other is a low-quality image, and some of the display elements of the cheering character image and the background image are common but others are not, there is a possibility that the cheering character image will blend into the background image, so a thin-line border image 001SG042, which has a narrow line width and is more difficult for the player to recognize than border image 001SG041, is displayed.

In addition, although not specifically shown, when a background image 001SG022B including character image 001SG021B, which is a live-action human image, is displayed, for example, if a high-quality animation image such as character image 001SG021A is displayed as a cheering character, the border image may not be displayed, and if a low-quality animation image (such as an old animation image) is displayed, the border image may be displayed.

Display elements are elements that make up at least a part of a specified image (e.g., cheering character image 001SG031 and cheering stage image 001SG030) or background image (e.g., background images 001SG022A-001SG022C including character images 001SG021A-001SG021C), and include not only the partial image itself that makes up at least a part of an image, but also image quality (e.g., resolution, etc.), display mode (e.g., color, brightness, luminance, saturation, contrast, etc.), type (e.g., whether it is an animated image, live-action image, text image, graphic image, etc.), display content (e.g., an image including a person or character, etc.), etc.

For example, if the display colors (display elements) of the specified image to be displayed and the background image are the same or similar colors, the border image may be displayed. In this case, the border image may be displayed in a color different from the display color of the background image (for example, a display color different from the background image, or an image with stronger contrast than the background image).

In addition, when the character image or cheering character image is displayed as a video, the shape of the edge changes in accordance with the movement of the character image or cheering character image, so the boundary line images 001SG041, 001SG042 change in accordance with changes in the display mode of the character image or cheering character image, allowing them to be displayed in a natural manner without giving the player a sense of discomfort. The line width of the edge may also be changed in accordance with the movement of the character image or cheering character image.

Furthermore, the boundary image is not limited to a linear image with a uniform line width that is displayed along the edge of the character image or cheering character image, but may be, for example, a boundary image whose outline shape differs from that of the edge of the character image or cheering character image.

The border image is an image with low display transmittance (including 0% transmittance) and may be an image of the same or nearly the same image quality as the image to be bordered, or an image of different image quality. The display color is arbitrary and can be changed in various ways.

The probability of being controlled to the jackpot game state may be higher when the boundary image is displayed than when the boundary image is not displayed. Also, it is preferable that the cheering character image that is bordered by the boundary image 001SG042 is displayed in a lighter color than the background image that is overlapped and displayed behind it.

(Example of display operation for cut-in effects)
Next, an example of the display operation of the cut-in effect will be described with reference to Fig. 11-28 to Fig. 11-29. Fig. 11-28 shows (A1) and (A2) a state where character A is displayed in small and large sizes, (B1) and (B2) a state where character B is displayed in small and large sizes, and (C1) and (C2) a state where character C is displayed in small and large sizes. Fig. 11-29 is a timing chart showing the display mode of each character.

As shown in FIG. 11-28, the performance control CPU 120 can display the determined type of characters A to C in small or large size during the cut-in performance.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11-28 (A1), when the cut-in performance pattern is pattern PN1-1, character image 001SG021A corresponding to character A, which is a high-quality animation image, is displayed in small size, and background image 001SG051 is displayed around it. Also, as shown in FIG. 11-28 (A2), when the cut-in performance pattern is pattern PN2-1, character image 001SG021A corresponding to character A is displayed in large size, and background image 001SG052 is displayed around it. Note that the background images 001SG051 and 001SG052 for the cut-in performance, which are shown by horizontal lines and dots displayed around the character images in FIG. 11-28, are image data different from the image data for displaying the character images.

As shown in FIG. 11-28 (B1), when the cut-in performance pattern is pattern PN1-2, character image 001SG021B corresponding to character B, which is a high-quality live-action human image, is displayed in small size, with background image 001SG051 displayed around it. Also, as shown in FIG. 11-28 (B2), when the cut-in performance pattern is pattern PN2-2, character image 001SG021B corresponding to character B is displayed in large size, with background image 001SG052 displayed around it.

As shown in FIG. 11-28 (C1), when the cut-in performance pattern is pattern PN1-3, character image 001SG021C corresponding to character C, which is a low-quality live-action human image, is displayed in small size, with background image 001SG051 displayed around it. Also, as shown in FIG. 11-28 (C2), when the cut-in performance pattern is pattern PN2-3, character image 001SG021C corresponding to character C is displayed in large size, with background image 001SG052 displayed around it.

Here, character image 001SG021C corresponding to character C, which is a live-action human image, is displayed using image data reused from a previous work, so the image is of low image quality even when displayed at a small size as shown in FIG. 11-28 (C1). Therefore, when character image 001SG021C is displayed at a large size as shown in FIG. 11-28 (C2), the image quality is further degraded by stretching the small, low-image-quality character image 001SG021C through display processing to display it at a large size.

The performance control CPU 120 therefore displays effect image 001SG053, which has higher image quality than character image 001SG021C and resembles a flame to highlight character image 001SG021C, in front of character image 001SG021C (on the higher display layer) so that at least a portion of the image overlaps. In this way, it appears as if effect image 001SG053 is highlighting character image 001SG021C, but the more prominent effect image 001SG053 makes it difficult for the player to recognize that character image 001SG021C is of low image quality.

In addition, patterns PN2-3 to PN2-5, in which effect image 001SG053 is displayed, have a higher probability of winning than the other patterns, and the probability of winning varies depending on whether the display color of effect image 001SG053 is blue, green, or red (see Figure 11-11), making it easier for the player to focus on effect image 001SG053 rather than character image 001SG021C, making it difficult for the player to recognize that character image 001SG021C is of low image quality.

As shown in FIG. 11-29, the performance control CPU 120 does not display effect image 001SG053 for character image 001SG021A corresponding to character A, which is a high-quality animation image, or character image 001SG021B corresponding to character B, which is a high-quality live-action person image, whether displayed in small or large size. However, when character image 001SG021C corresponding to character C, which is a low-quality live-action person image, is displayed in a large size and in a conspicuous manner, the effect image 001SG053 begins to be displayed at timing tb2, a predetermined time (e.g., 1500 ms) has elapsed since timing tb1, when display (cut-in performance) of character image 001SG021C begins, thereby allowing the player to recognize that low-quality character image 001SG021C has been displayed, and making it difficult for the player to recognize that character image 001SG021C is low quality, due to effect image 001SG053.

In addition, the presentation control CPU 120 displays the character image 001SG021C as a moving image during a predetermined period of time (e.g., 1500 ms) from timing tb1 when the display of the character image 001SG021C (cut-in presentation) begins, that is, during the period (tb1 to tb2) during which the effect image 001SG053 is not displayed. This makes it difficult for the player to recognize that the image is of low quality because the character image 001SG021C becomes difficult to see due to its movement.

In addition, because the period between timings tb2 and tb3 is longer than the period between timings tb1 and tb2, it is difficult for the player to recognize that character image 001SG021C is of low image quality.

In addition, during the period from timing tb1 to tb2, the still image displayed during the period from timing tb2 to tb3 may be displayed in a sliding manner to be displayed like a moving image.

In addition, if character image 001SG021A and character image 001SG021B are also displayed as animations during the period from timing tb1 to tb2, it is preferable to display character image 001SG021C in an animation with a greater movement mode than character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B, so that the roughness of the image quality is less noticeable than in character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B.

In addition, when displaying the effect image 001SG053, the performance control CPU 120 may be able to display the effect image 001SG053 in a number of display modes (e.g., blue, green, red, a small-sized effect image, a large-sized effect image, etc.) depending on the variable display result. For example, when the variable display result is a jackpot, the performance control CPU 120 may display the red or large-sized effect image 001SG053 at a higher rate than when the variable display result is a miss.

The presentation control CPU 120 can also use image data (such as high-quality character images) different from the image data of the low-quality character image 001SG021C to execute cut-in presentations in various presentations, such as advance notice presentations, pseudo consecutive presentations, and deciding presentations, which are different from the cut-in presentations in the super reach presentations described above, and can display effect image 001SG053 during the execution of these cut-in presentations. By doing this, it becomes harder for the player to perceive the effect image 001SG053, which is intended to make it harder for the player to recognize that character image 001SG021C is of low quality, and this can prevent a decline in interest in the game.

Figure 11-30 is a flow chart showing the variable display start setting process (step S171) in the performance control process shown in Figure 10. In the variable display start setting process, the performance control CPU 120 first determines whether the first variable display start command reception flag is on (step 001SGS271). If the first variable display start command reception flag is on (step 001SGS271; Y), the various command data and various flags stored in association with the buffer numbers "1-0" to "1-4" of the first special chart reserved memory in the start winning time reception command buffer are shifted up by one buffer number (step 001SGS272). Note that the contents of buffer number "1-0" cannot be shifted because there is no destination to shift to, so it is erased.

Specifically, the various command data and flags stored in association with buffer number "1-1" of the first special chart reserved memory are shifted to be stored in association with buffer number "1-0", the various command data and flags stored in association with buffer number "1-2" of the first special chart reserved memory are shifted to be stored in association with buffer number "1-1", the various command data and flags stored in association with buffer number "1-3" of the first special chart reserved memory are shifted to be stored in association with buffer number "1-2", and the various command data and flags stored in association with buffer number "1-4" of the first special chart reserved memory are shifted to be stored in association with buffer number "1-3".

In addition, if the first variable display start command reception flag is off in step 001SGS271 (step 001SGS271; N), it is determined whether the second variable display start command reception flag is on (step 001SGS273). If the second variable display start command reception flag is off (step 001SGS273; N), the variable display start setting process is terminated, and if the second variable display start command reception flag is on (step 001SGS273; Y), the various command data and various flags stored in association with the buffer numbers "2-0" to "2-4" of the second special chart reservation memory in the start winning time reception command buffer are shifted up by one buffer number at a time (step 001SGS274). Note that the contents of buffer number "2-0" cannot be shifted because there is no destination to shift to, so it is erased.

Specifically, the various command data and flags stored in association with buffer number "2-1" of the second special chart reserved memory are shifted to be stored in association with buffer number "2-0", the various command data and flags stored in association with buffer number "2-2" of the second special chart reserved memory are shifted to be stored in association with buffer number "2-1", the various command data and flags stored in association with buffer number "2-3" of the second special chart reserved memory are shifted to be stored in association with buffer number "2-2", and the various command data and flags stored in association with buffer number "2-4" of the second special chart reserved memory are shifted to be stored in association with buffer number "2-3".

After executing step 001SGS272 or step 001SGS274, the performance control CPU 120 reads the variation pattern designation command from the variation pattern designation command storage area (step 001SGS275).

Next, the display result (stopping pattern) of the decorative pattern is determined according to the data stored in the display result designation command storage area (i.e., the received display result designation command) (step 001SGS276). In this case, the performance control CPU 120 determines the stopping pattern of the decorative pattern according to the display result designated by the display result designation command, and stores data indicating the determined stopping pattern of the decorative pattern in the decorative pattern display result storage area.

In this feature section 001SG, when the received variable display result designation command is the second variable display result designation command corresponding to the probability of a jackpot A, the performance control CPU 120 determines, for example, a combination of decorative patterns (jackpot patterns) in which three patterns are aligned to "7" as the stopping pattern. When the received variable display result designation command is the third variable display result designation command corresponding to the probability of a jackpot B, the stopping pattern is determined from among multiple combinations of odd numbers other than "7" (for example, combinations of decorative patterns such as "111", "333", "555", and "999"). When the received variable display result designation command is the fourth variable display result designation command corresponding to the probability of a jackpot C, the stopping pattern is determined from among "334" and "778", which are the same chance numbers as the small win. In addition, when the received variable display result designation command is the fifth variable display result designation command corresponding to a non-probability jackpot, the performance control CPU 120 determines, for example, a combination of decorative patterns (jackpot patterns) in which three patterns are aligned as even numbers as the stopping patterns. In addition, when the received variable display result designation command is the sixth variable display result designation command corresponding to a small jackpot, the stopping patterns are determined from among "334" and "778", which are the same chance numbers as the probability jackpot C. In addition, when the received variable display result designation command is the first variable display result designation command corresponding to a miss, the stopping patterns are determined to be decorative patterns in which three patterns are not aligned, and are combinations other than the above-mentioned chance numbers (miss patterns).

When determining these stopping patterns, the performance control CPU 120 may, for example, extract a random number for determining the stopping pattern, and determine the stopping pattern of the decorative pattern using a stopping pattern determination table in which data indicating combinations of decorative patterns are associated with numerical values. In other words, the stopping pattern may be determined by selecting data indicating the combination of decorative patterns that corresponds to the numerical value that matches the extracted random number.

Next, the performance control CPU 120 checks whether the fluctuation pattern in the variable display is a super reach fluctuation pattern (step 001SGS277), and if it is not a super reach fluctuation pattern (step 001SGS277; N), proceeds to step 001SGS283. Also, if it is a super reach fluctuation pattern (step 001SGS277; Y), it checks whether it is a super reach α fluctuation pattern (step 001SGS278A), and if it is a super reach α fluctuation pattern (step 001SGS278A; Y), it selects the super reach α fluctuation pattern, that is, the performance control pattern (process table) corresponding to the super reach performance A (step 001SGS278B), and proceeds to step 001SGS281.

If it is not the super reach α fluctuation pattern in step 001SGS278A (step 001SGS278A; N), it is checked whether it is the super reach β fluctuation pattern (step 001SGS279A), and if it is the super reach β fluctuation pattern (step 001SGS279A; Y), the super reach β fluctuation pattern, that is, the performance control pattern (process table) corresponding to the super reach performance B is selected (step 001SGS279B), and step 001SGS281 is proceeded to.

If the Super Reach β fluctuation pattern is not selected in step 001SGS279A (step 001SGS279A; N), the Super Reach γ fluctuation pattern, that is, the performance control pattern (process table) corresponding to the Super Reach performance C is selected (step 001SGS280), and the process proceeds to step 001SGS281.

In step 001SGS281, the performance control CPU 120 executes a cheer performance type determination process (step 001SGS281), then executes a cut-in performance type determination process (step 001SGS282), and proceeds to step 001SGS283.

As shown in FIG. 11-31, in the support performance type determination process, the performance control CPU 120 first identifies the variable display result and the variation pattern (step 001SGS301). The variable display result can be identified by the variable display result designation command stored in the variable display result designation command storage area for storing the variable display result designation command for designating the variable display result (miss, special chance hit A, special chance hit B, special chance hit C, non-special chance hit, small hit) sent from the main board 11 at the start of the variable display. In addition, the variation pattern can be identified by the variation pattern designation command stored in the variation pattern designation command storage area, as described above.

Then, the performance control CPU 120 determines by lottery whether or not to execute a cheer performance based on the variable display result. If execution is determined, the type of cheering character and the number of cheering characters to be present on the cheering stage are determined by lottery using a cheering performance type determination table (not shown) according to the variable display result and the type of super reach performance (step 001SGS302).

Next, it is checked whether or not a decision has been made to execute the cheering performance (step 001SGS303), and if execution has not been decided (step 001SGS303; N), the process ends. If execution has been decided (step 001SGS304), the type of cheering performance decided in step 001SGS302 is stored in a specified area of RAM 122 (step 001SGS304). Then, the cheering performance start waiting timer is set to the period until the performance starts (step 001SGS305), and the process ends.

As shown in FIG. 11-32, in the cut-in performance type determination process, the performance control CPU 120 first identifies the variable display result and the variation pattern (step 001SGS311). The variable display result can be identified by the variable display result designation command stored in the variable display result designation command storage area for storing the variable display result designation command for designating the variable display result (miss, variable probability jackpot A, variable probability jackpot B, variable probability jackpot C, non-variable probability jackpot, small jackpot) sent from the main board 11 at the start of the variable display. In addition, the variation pattern can be identified by the variation pattern designation command stored in the variation pattern designation command storage area, as described above.

Then, the performance control CPU 120 determines by lottery whether or not to execute a cut-in performance based on the variable display result. If it determines to execute, it determines by lottery using a cut-in performance type determination table (not shown) the type of character, the display size of the image, whether or not to display an effect image, and if so, the display color, depending on the variable display result and the type of super reach performance (step 001SGS312).

Next, it is checked whether or not a cut-in effect has been decided to be executed (step 001SGS313), and if execution has not been decided (step 001SGS313; N), the process ends. If execution has been decided (step 001SGS313; Y), the type of cut-in effect decided in step 001SGS312 is stored in a specified area of RAM 122 (step 001SGS314). Then, the cut-in effect start waiting timer is set to the period until the effect starts (step 001SGS315), and the process ends.

Returning to FIG. 11-30, in step 001SGS283, the performance control CPU 120 selects a performance control pattern (process table) according to the variable pattern designation command. Then, it starts the process timer for process data 1 of the selected process table (step 001SGS284).

In addition, in the process table, display control execution data for controlling the display of the image display device 5, lamp control execution data for controlling the lighting of each LED, sound control execution data for controlling the sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R, and operation unit control execution data for controlling the operation of the push button 31B and stick controller 31A are arranged in chronological order in correspondence with each process data n (numbers 1 to N).

Then, the performance control CPU 120 executes control of the performance device (image display device 5 as a performance component, various lamps as performance components, speakers 8L, 8R as performance components, and operation unit (push button 31B, stick controller 31A, etc.)) according to the contents of process data 1 (display control execution data 1, lamp control execution data 1, sound control execution data 1, operation unit control execution data 1) (step 001SGS285). For example, to display an image corresponding to a fluctuation pattern on the image display device 5, it outputs a command to the display control unit 123. It also outputs a control signal (lamp control execution data) to the lamp control board 14 to control the lighting/extinguishing of various lamps. It also outputs a control signal (sound number data) to the sound control board 13 to output sound from the speakers 8L, 8R.

In addition, in this feature section 001SG, the performance control CPU 120 controls the display of the decorative pattern to vary according to a variation pattern that corresponds one-to-one to the variation pattern designation command, but the performance control CPU 120 may select the variation pattern to be used from multiple types of variation patterns that correspond to the variation pattern designation command.

Then, the variable display time timer is set to a value equivalent to the variable display time specified by the variation pattern designation command (step 001SGS286). A predetermined time is also set to the variable display control timer (step 001SGS287). The predetermined time is, for example, 33 ms, and the performance control CPU 120 writes image data being variably displayed, including image data showing the display state of the left, center, and right decorative patterns, to the VRAM each time the predetermined time elapses, and the display control unit 123 outputs a signal corresponding to the image data written to the VRAM to the image display device 5, which then displays an image corresponding to the signal. This realizes the variable display of the decorative patterns and the display of videos of other performances.

Next, the performance control CPU 120 sets the value of the performance control process flag to a value corresponding to the performance processing during variable display (step S172), and ends the variable display start setting processing (step 001SGS288).

(Action and Effects)
As described above, in the pachinko game machine 1 in the characteristic section 001SG, the performance control CPU 120 can display the character images 001SG021A, 001SG021B, 001SG021C in small or large size, and when the high-quality character images 001SG021A, 001SG021B are displayed in large size, the effect image 001SG053 is not displayed, and when the low-quality, small-sized character image 001SG021C is stretched by display processing and displayed in large size, the effect image 001SG053, which has higher quality than the character image 001SG021C, is displayed so that at least a portion of it overlaps in front of the character image 001SG021C (higher display layer).
By doing this, when character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B are displayed in large size, the effect image 001SG053 is not displayed and they can be displayed preferably in high image quality, whereas when character image 001SG021C is displayed in large size, the effect image 001SG053 stands out and makes it difficult for the player to recognize that character image 001SG021C is low image quality, so a low image quality image can be displayed preferably.

In the characteristic section 001SG, when the low-quality character image 001SG021C is displayed in a large size, the expectation of a jackpot is higher than when the high-quality character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B are displayed in a large size. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the expectation of a jackpot is the same when the low-quality character image 001SG021C is displayed in a large size and when the high-quality character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B are displayed in a large size, it is preferable that the effect image 001SG053 (special display) is displayed only when the low-quality character image 001SG021C is displayed in a large size. In other words, it is preferable that the special display is an image that is displayed only when the low-quality character image 001SG021C is displayed in a manner in which the image quality is lower than normal (for example, enlarged display), regardless of the expectation of a jackpot.

In addition, in the characteristic section 001SG, an example was given of a form in which a special display is displayed when a specific display (e.g., a low-quality character image 001SG021C) is displayed in a manner in which the image quality is lower than normal (e.g., enlarged display, etc.), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the display means includes a first display means (e.g., a main display) and a second display means (e.g., a sub-display) that is positioned closer to the player than the first display means, the special display may be displayed only when the specific display (e.g., a low-quality character image 001SG021C) is displayed on the second display means (e.g., the sub-display) in which the player can more easily recognize the difference in image quality than the first display means.

The image data of character image 001SG021C also includes display data reused from other gaming machines (such as past titles in the same series as pachinko gaming machine 1). By doing so, development costs can be reduced by reusing display data.

It can also be controlled to a favorable state for the player (for example, a jackpot game state, a probability variable state, or a time-saving state), and the performance control CPU 120 may display red or large-sized effect image 001SG053 at a higher rate when the variable display result is a jackpot than when it is a miss. By doing this, the player will pay attention to the display mode of effect image 001SG053, making it difficult for the player to guess that effect image 001SG053 is being displayed to make it difficult for them to recognize that character image 001SG021C is of low image quality.

The presentation control CPU 120 can also use image data (such as high-quality character images) different from the image data of the low-quality character image 001SG021C to execute cut-in presentations in various presentations, such as advance notice presentations, pseudo consecutive presentations, and deciding presentations, that are different from the cut-in presentation in the super reach presentation described above. By doing this, the effect image 001SG053 is also displayed in other presentations, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the effect image 001SG053 is intended to make it difficult for the player to recognize that the character image 001SG021C is low quality, thereby preventing a decline in interest in the game.

In addition, when the performance control CPU 120 displays character image 001SG021C corresponding to character C, a low-quality live-action human image, in a large, eye-catching manner, it starts displaying effect image 001SG053 at timing tb2, a predetermined time (e.g., 1500 ms) after timing tb1, when display of character image 001SG021C (cut-in performance) begins. In this way, after making the player aware that low-quality character image 001SG021C has been displayed, effect image 001SG053 makes it difficult for the player to recognize that character image 001SG021C is of low quality.

The performance control CPU 120 also displays the character image 001SG021C as a moving image for a predetermined period (tb1-tb2) from timing tb1 when the display (cut-in performance) of the character image 001SG021C begins until a predetermined time (e.g., 1500 ms) has elapsed. By doing this, the character image 001SG021C is displayed in a moving manner during the predetermined period when the effect image 001SG053 is not displayed, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the character image 001SG021C is of low image quality.

In addition, the performance control CPU 120 is capable of displaying icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B which use high-quality image data for the first display element 001SG011, and icon image 001SG001C which uses low-quality image data for the first display element 001SG011. While the image which constitutes the first display element 001SG011 of icon image 001SG001C has lower image quality than the image which constitutes the first display element 001SG011 of icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B, the image which constitutes the second display element 001SG012 of icon image 001SG001C and the image which constitutes the second display element 001SG012 of icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B are both high image quality, with almost no difference in image quality.
By doing this, when icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B and icon image 001SG001C are displayed during a common period, the second display element 001SG012, which is part of the icon image, has almost no difference in image quality between icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B and icon image 001SG001C, making it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element 001SG011, and therefore icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B and icon image 001SG001C can be displayed favorably.

In addition, the various images that make up the second display element 001SG012 are displayed so that they overlap in front of the character image and background image that make up the first display element 001SG011. By doing this, the second display element 001SG012 stands out more than the first display element 001SG011, making it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element 001SG011.

In addition, the image that constitutes the second display element 001SG012 in the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C is an image of even higher quality than the high-quality images of characters A and B and the background image that constitute the first display element 001SG011 of the icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B. By doing this, the second display element 001SG012, which has almost no difference in image quality between the icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B and the icon image 001SG001C, stands out more, making it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element 001SG011.

The performance control CPU 120 may also change the display mode of each icon image 001SG001A, 001SG001B, 001SG001C by changing the display color of the second display element 001SG012 of each icon image 001SG001A, 001SG001B, 001SG001C from a normal color (e.g., white) to red at a higher rate when the variable display result is a jackpot than when it is a miss. In this way, the player will focus on the display mode of the second display element 001SG012, making it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element 001SG011.

When displaying each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C, the performance control CPU 120 displays the images of characters A to C and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011, and then displays the various images constituting the second display element 001SG012 after a predetermined time has elapsed since displaying them. When terminating the display of the icon image 001SG001C, the CPU 120 terminates the display of the various high-quality images constituting the second display element 001SG012 after terminating the display of the low-quality image of character C and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 while displaying the various high-quality images constituting the second display element 001SG012. In this way, by drawing attention to the first display element 001SG011 and then displaying the second display element 001SG012 later, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element 001SG011.

In addition, when displaying each of the icon images 001SG001A, 001SG001B, and 001SG001C, the performance control CPU 120 starts displaying the low-quality icon image 001SG001C, and then starts displaying the high-quality icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B. By doing this, the player is made aware that the icon image 001SG001C, which includes a low-quality display, is displayed, and then the high-quality icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B are displayed later, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the icon image 001SG001C is low quality.

The performance control CPU 120 also causes the game effect lamp 9 to emit light in a common light emission mode when displaying the high-quality icon images 001SG001A and 001SG001B and when displaying the low-quality icon image 001SG001C. By doing so, the common light emission mode makes it difficult for the player to recognize the difference in image quality of the first display element 001SG011.

In addition, the performance control CPU 120 can display cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering characters MA and MB and cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC in the display area 5E in a success pattern (patterns PS2-1 to 9)) in which the cheering characters frame in from the lower right position of the display area 5E and run toward the left, and then one, three, or five people stay on the cheering stage to cheer, and a failure pattern (patterns PS1-1 to 3)) in which all of the cheering characters MA to MC pass through the cheering stage and frame out from the lower left side of the display area 5E. The performance control CPU 120 determines the appearance rate of cheering characters MA to MC so that the cheering characters MA and MB appear more frequently in the success pattern than the cheering character MC, and the cheering character MC appears more frequently in the failure pattern than the cheering characters MA and MB, and the success pattern has a high reliability of a jackpot. When a high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering character MC is displayed frozen on the cheering stage image 001SG030, a small-sized effect image 001SG033 is displayed in front of the cheering character image 001SG031 (higher display layer), while when a low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering character MC is displayed frozen on the cheering stage image 001SG030, a small-sized effect image 001SG033 is displayed in front of the cheering character image 001SG031 (higher display layer). A large-sized effect image 001SG034 that is larger and brighter than the effect image 001SG033 is displayed, and when a cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to a low-image-quality cheering character MC is stopped and displayed on a cheering stage image 001SG030, an effect image 001SG034 having higher visibility than when a cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to high-image-quality cheering characters MA, MB is stopped and displayed on the cheering stage image 001SG030 is displayed.
By doing this, the movement display of the cheering characters MA, MB often ends within the display area 5E, so the cheering characters MA, MB can be preferably displayed with high image quality, while the movement display of the cheering character MC often ends outside the display area 5E, so it is difficult for the player to recognize that the image quality of the cheering character MC is low. Also, when the cheering character MC ends within the display area 5E, the movement end corresponding display stands out, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the image quality of the cheering character MC is low, so the cheering characters MA, MB and the cheering character MC can be preferably displayed.

The performance control CPU 120 also determines whether or not to execute a cheering performance, the type of cheering characters, and the number of cheering characters at a predetermined ratio so that the likelihood of a jackpot increases for numbers of cheering characters of 0, 1, 3, and 5 in that order, that is, so that a successful pattern has a higher likelihood of a jackpot than a failed pattern. By doing this, players can focus on whether or not the cheering characters MC are displayed in a successful pattern, which increases interest in the game.

In addition, when the performance control CPU 120 displays a moving image of the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB, that is, when the image quality is not very noticeable, it displays the moving image based on the second high-resolution data, and when the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 is displayed as a still image, that is, when the image quality is more noticeable, it displays the moving image based on the first high-resolution data. By doing this, it is possible to reduce the data volume without causing any noticeable degradation in image quality.

In addition, even when a low-image-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC is displayed, reserved display images with higher image quality than cheering character image 001SG031 are always displayed in the foreground (higher display layer) in display areas 5SL, 5SR and reserved display area 5H. In this way, by drawing attention to reserved display area 5H etc., it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize that cheering character MC is low image quality.

In addition, by having more cheering character images 001SG031 of low image quality stay there than cheering character images 001SG031 of high image quality, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize that each cheering character image 001SG031 is of low image quality.

In addition, in the display area 5E, it is possible to execute a super reach performance A which displays character image 001SG021A, a super reach performance B which displays character image 001SG021B, and a super reach performance C which displays character image 001SG021C. In the super reach performances A and B, a super reach performance image 001SG003 which displays character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B is displayed in the display area 5E, and in the super reach performance C, a super reach performance image 001SG003 which displays character image 001SG021C is displayed in a specified display area 001SG023, and a part of the background image 001SG022C displayed in the specified display area 001SG023 is stretched and enlarged for display in the special display area 001SG024.
By doing this, the high-quality Super Reach performance image is displayed large in a wide area of the display area 5E, so that the character images 001SG021A, 001SG021B can be displayed appropriately, while the low-quality Super Reach performance image is displayed small in the predetermined display area 001SG023, so that it is difficult for the player to recognize that it is of low quality. Also, by displaying part of the background image 001SG022C in the empty area around the predetermined display area 001SG023, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity caused by the difference in size of the display area of the Super Reach performance image 001SG003.

The performance control CPU 120 also links the animated display of background image 001SG022C in the specified display area 001SG023 with the animated display of background image 001SG022C in the special display area 001SG024. In this way, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity in the display.

The hold display image 001SG025 displayed in the hold display area 5H provided at the bottom of the display area 5E of the image display device 5 is displayed overlapping the predetermined display area 001SG023 and the front side (upper display layer) of the special display area 001SG024 during the execution period of the super reach performance C, and a part of the hold display image 001SG025 is displayed on at least a part of the boundary between the predetermined display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024. In this way, the border between the predetermined display area 001SG023 and the special display area 001SG024 is hidden by the hold display image 001SG025, making it difficult for the player to recognize, and therefore reducing the sense of incongruity in the display.

In addition, the background image displayed in the special display area 001SG024 is displayed in a manner that reduces the resolution and reduces the degree of recognition by stretching and enlarging a portion of the low-quality background image 001SG022C displayed in the specified display area 001SG023, thereby allowing the background image 001SG022C to be displayed in an optimal manner so that the related display is not too noticeable.

In addition, when the cheering character image and background image are both animated images or both live-action images, and at least some of the display elements (image properties) of the cheering character image and background image are common (common for animated images or common for live-action images), the performance control CPU 120 displays a thick-line border image 001SG041 that is easy for the player to recognize because the cheering character image easily blends into the background image. However, when the display elements (image properties) of the cheering character image and background image are not common, such as when one of the cheering character image and background image is an animated image and the other is a live-action image, and the cheering character image is difficult to blend into the background image, the performance control CPU 120 displays a thin-line border image 001SG042, which has a narrow line width and is more difficult for the player to recognize than the border image 001SG041.
In this way, the boundary line image 001SG042 can prevent the cheering character image from blending into the background image, allowing the cheering character image to be displayed appropriately. Also, by switching the state of the boundary line image 001SG042 according to the type of background display, the cheering character image and the background display can be displayed appropriately while preventing the cheering character image from being overly emphasized.

Furthermore, when the cheering character image and background image are both animated images or both live-action images, and at least some of the display elements (image properties) of the cheering character image and background image are common (common for animated images or common for live-action images), the performance control CPU 120 displays a thick border image 001SG041 that is easy for the player to recognize because the cheering character image easily blends into the background image. However, when the cheering character image and background image are not common (common for animated images or common for live-action images), and one of the cheering character image and background image is an animated image and the other is a live-action image, the cheering character image is difficult to blend into the background image, the performance control CPU 120 does not display border images 001SG041, 001SG042.
In this way, the boundary line image 001SG042 can prevent the cheering character image from blending into the background image, allowing the cheering character image to be displayed appropriately. Also, by displaying or hiding the boundary line image 001SG042 depending on the type of background display, the cheering character image and the background display can be displayed appropriately while preventing the cheering character image from being overly emphasized.

In other words, the border display in characteristic part 001SG is characterized in that when at least a portion of a predetermined image (e.g., a cheering character image) is displayed so as to overlap with the background image, the display mode of the border display is changed or the border image is displayed or hidden depending on whether at least a portion of the display elements of the predetermined image and the background image are common or not. For example, the line width of the border display is changed or the border display is displayed or hidden depending on whether the image quality of the background image is the same or approximately the same as that of the predetermined image and whether the image quality of the background image is different from that of the predetermined image. This allows the predetermined image to be displayed more appropriately when the predetermined image is displayed so as to overlap with the background image than when it is always displayed in the same display mode.

In addition, when the display elements (image properties) of the cheering character image and the background image are not common, such as when one of the cheering character image and the background image is an animated image and the other is a live-action image, the performance control CPU 120 displays the thin-line border image 001SG042, which has a narrow line width and is more difficult for the player to recognize than the border image 001SG041, or does not display the border images 001SG041 and 001SG042, thereby reducing the processing effort and burden associated with the border images 001SG041 and 001SG042.

In addition, when a cheering character image is displayed using low-quality image data, boundary line images 001SG041 and 001SG042 are not displayed, and when a cheering character image is displayed using low-quality image data, boundary line images 001SG041 and 001SG042 are displayed, allowing the cheering character image using low-quality image data to be displayed optimally.

In addition, because the background display image and the cheering character image are displayed based on different display data, the border image can prevent the cheering character image from appearing to blend in with the background display, allowing the cheering character image to be displayed optimally. Also, by switching the state of the border image depending on the type of background display, the cheering character image and the background display image can be displayed optimally while preventing the cheering character image from being overly emphasized.

In addition, when a live-action cheering character image is displayed while a live-action image is being displayed, a border image is displayed regardless of whether the cheering character image is of high image quality, and when an animated image is displayed while a live-action image is being displayed, the border image is not displayed if the animated image is of high image quality, and is displayed if the animated image is of low image quality. In this way, the border image can be displayed appropriately according to the image quality of the character image.

(Variation 1)
Next, a first modified example of the characteristic portion 001SG will be described with reference to Fig. 11-33. Fig. 11-33 (A) to (D) are diagrams showing a first modified example of the characteristic portion 001SG.

In the characteristic part 001SG, in the development suggestion performance described in FIG. 11-16, when displaying each icon image 001SG001A, 001SG001B, 001SG001C, a form has been exemplified in which various images constituting the second display element 001SG012 are displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the images of characters A to C and the background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 were displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11-33(A) and (B), in the icon image 001SG001C, The low-quality image of character C and the background image that make up the first display element 001SG011 may be displayed in a fade-in manner so that the details of the image are difficult to see, and then the various images that make up the second display element 001SG012 may be displayed, while in the icon image 001SG001B, as shown in FIG. 11-33(C), the high-quality image of character C and the background image that make up the first display element 001SG011 may be displayed, and then the various images that make up the second display element 001SG012 may be displayed, as shown in FIG. 11-33(D).

In other words, when the display time of the character image and background image constituting the first display element 001SG011 is the same for icon image 001SG001B and icon image 001SG001C, the image of character C and the background image, which are low quality, are displayed in a fade-in display mode for part of the display time in which the details are difficult to see, while the image of character B and the background image, which are high quality, are displayed in a mode in which the images are easy to see for the entire display time, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the image of character C and the background image are low quality.

(Variation 2)
Next, a second modified example of the characteristic portion 001SG will be described with reference to Fig. 11-34. Fig. 11-34 (A) to (D) are diagrams showing a second modified example of the characteristic portion 001SG.

In the characteristic part 001SG, in the cheering performance described in FIG. 11-22, the cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to each of the cheering characters MA to MC is exemplified as appearing as an individual performance pattern, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may include a performance pattern in which the cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering characters MA and MB and the cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to the cheering character MC appear during a common period, as shown in FIG. 11-34 (A).

In this way, when a high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering characters MA and MB and a low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC are displayed during a common period, for example, the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 and the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 may be displayed stopped on the cheering stage image 001SG030 in different ways.

To explain in more detail, for example, as shown in FIG. 11-34(A), a high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering characters MA and MB and a low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC may be scrolled (moving) at high speed in the left-right direction, and then the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering characters MA and MB may be displayed by gradually slowing down its moving speed in a slow-down manner just before being stopped and displayed on the cheering stage image 001SG030 as shown in FIG. 11-34(B), and then may be displayed stationary on the cheering stage image 001SG030 as shown in FIG. 11-34(C), while the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC may be displayed stationary on the cheering stage image 001SG030 without being displayed in the slow-down manner in which it moves at a slow speed just before being stopped and displayed on the cheering stage image 001SG030 as shown in FIG. 11-34(D).

By doing this, the high-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering characters MA and MB is displayed at a slower speed for a longer period of time than the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC, making it more noticeable, while the low-quality cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to cheering character MC is not displayed at a slower speed for a longer period of time, making it more difficult for the player to recognize that it is of low quality.

(Variation 3)
Next, a third modification of the characteristic portion 001SG will be described with reference to Fig. 11-35. Fig. 11-35 (A) and (B) are diagrams showing a third modification of the characteristic portion 001SG.

In the characteristic part 001SG, in the cut-in effect described in FIG. 11-28, a form was exemplified in which the character image 001SG021A corresponding to character A and the character image 001SG021B corresponding to character B with high image quality, and the character image 001SG021C corresponding to character C with low image quality each appear as separate effect patterns, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may include, for example, an effect pattern in which the character image 001SG021C corresponding to character C with low image quality is displayed, and then the character image 001SG021B corresponding to character B with high image quality is displayed.

In this way, when displaying a character image 001SG021B corresponding to a high-quality character B and a character image 001SG021C corresponding to a low-quality character C in a common period, it is preferable to display, for example, the character image 001SG021C corresponding to the low-quality character C, a background image 001SG071 for a high-quality cut-in display, and a character image 001SG073 of "GO GO!" indicating the degree of expectation on the left side of the display area 5E as shown in FIG. 11-35(A), and after displaying a background image 001SG072 for a cut-in display on the right side of the display area 5E, to display, as shown in FIG. 11-35(B), the character image 001SG021B corresponding to the high-quality character B, a background image 001SG075 for a high-quality cut-in display, and a character image 001SG074 of "Hot!" indicating the degree of expectation on the right side of the display area 5E.

By doing this, it becomes easier to focus on the character image 001SG021B corresponding to the later displayed high-image-quality character B, making the character image 001SG021C corresponding to the earlier displayed low-image-quality character C less noticeable, so that even if an effect image is not displayed on the character image 001SG021C corresponding to the low-image-quality character C, it becomes more difficult for the player to recognize that it is of low image quality.

Also, as shown in FIG. 11-35(A), by displaying a high-quality background image 001SG071 and a text image 001SG073 of "GO GO!" indicating the expectation level as the background image of the character image 001SG021C corresponding to the low-quality character C, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize that the character image 001SG021C is low quality.

Also, as shown in FIG. 11-35(B), by displaying a high-quality background image 001SG075 and a text image 001SG074 that is larger than the text image 001SG073 of "GO GO!" as the background image of the character image 001SG021B corresponding to the high-quality character B, the player is more likely to notice the larger, higher-quality text image 001SG074.

The characteristic part 001SG in the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to these examples, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

(Explanation of Modifications and Applications)
Furthermore, the characteristic portion 001SG has been exemplified as a form capable of displaying a first type image of high image quality (e.g., character image 001SG021A, 001SG021B, etc.) and a second type image of lower image quality than the first type image (e.g., character image 001SG021C, etc.), but the present invention is not limited to this, and a third type image of intermediate image quality between the first type image of high image quality and the second type image of low image quality, or a highest type image of higher image quality than the first type image of high image quality or a lowest type image of lower image quality than the second type image of low image quality may be displayed in a manner according to each of these types.

In addition, in the characteristic part 001SG, an effect image for highlighting a low-quality second type image (for example, character image 001SG021C or cheering character image 001SG031) is displayed superimposed on the low-quality second type image, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the image is a low-quality second type image (making the second type image difficult to see), but the present invention is not limited to this, and as long as the effect image is an image that can be displayed in a manner that is more noticeable than the low-quality image, it may be displayed adjacent to the periphery of the low-quality second type image so as not to overlap with it, or in an area away from the low-quality second type image.

In other words, the above-mentioned effect images 001SG033, 001SG034, and 001SG053 do not have to be images for emphasizing the second type image, as long as they are images displayed in a manner that is more noticeable than the second type image such as the cheering character image 001SG031 and the character image 001SG021C, or images displayed in a manner that makes the second type image less noticeable, and the display manner can be changed in various ways, for example, they may be text images, pattern images, decorative images, etc. Also, in the case of images displayed in a manner that makes the second type image less noticeable, the image quality may be the same or approximately the same as that of the second type image, and in the case of images displayed in a manner that is more noticeable than the second type image, it is preferable that the image quality is at least higher than that of the second type image.

Furthermore, in addition to displaying an effect image using image data other than the image data used to display the low-quality second type image, overlapping or surrounding the low-quality second type image, it is also possible to change the display mode of the low-quality second type image by special processing (e.g., monochrome display processing, negative-positive display processing, distortion display processing, etc.) to make it difficult for the player to recognize that the image is of low quality. It is also preferable to increase the proportion of the low-quality second type image data to which the above-mentioned special processing is applied compared to the high-quality first type. Furthermore, by making it more likely that the image will be controlled to an advantageous state when special processing is applied compared to when special effects are not applied, the player will be more likely to notice that the image is changed by the special processing, making it difficult for the player to recognize that the image is of low quality.

In addition, in the characteristic part 001SG, when displaying a character image or the like as a moving image, an example has been given in which the number of display frames (number of still images, number of frames) processed per unit time, i.e., the frame rate, is the same for low-quality character images and high-quality character images, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the frame rates may be different for low-quality character images and high-quality character images. In particular, the frame rate may be made higher for low-quality character images than when displaying a high-quality character image as a moving image.

In addition, in the characteristic section 001SG, a live-action image of a person or an animated image imitating a person is applied as an example of the first type image and the second type image, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first type image and the second type image may be not only a person, but also a live-action image or an animated image of a living thing such as an animal, or a landscape or structure (for example, a movable body for performance or the surface of a pachinko game machine). The display object displayed as the first type image or the second type image may be something other than a person.

In addition, in the feature section 001SG, in the super reach effects A to C, the development suggestion effect, the cheering effect, the cut-in effect, etc. can be executed, and the feature display for making it difficult for the player to recognize that the image is a low-quality second type image in each effect has been exemplified individually for each effect, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the feature display for making it difficult for the player to recognize that the image is a low-quality second type image may be executed in other effects. In other words, the feature display that is executable to make it difficult for the player to recognize that the image is a low-quality second type image in each of the development suggestion effect, the cheering effect, and the cut-in effect may be executable in other effects. Also, at least two of these multiple effects may be displayed during a common period.

In addition, in the characteristic part 001SG, in the cheering performance, the background display (e.g., background images 001SG022A-001SG022C) is an image displayed behind (on a lower display layer) the specified display (e.g., cheering character image 001SG031), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the background display may be an image displayed so as to be in contact with at least a portion of the specified display, and does not necessarily have to be an image displayed behind (on a lower display layer) the specified display. For example, the specified display may be displayed in a non-display area provided in part of the background display without overlapping. Furthermore, the specified display and background display may be still displays rather than animated displays.

In addition, in the feature part 001SG, in the cheering performance, an example was given of a form in which the cheering characters MA to MC can be displayed in a success pattern (first display pattern) in which they move within the display area 5E (special display area) and then end their movement within the display area 5E, and a failure pattern (second display pattern) in which they move within the display area 5E (special display area) and then move outside the display area 5E, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the images that are the subject of the moving display are not limited to the cheering characters MA to MC, and can be changed in various ways, for example, to variable display images such as patterns.

The first display pattern in which a special display (image) moves within a special display area and then ends its moving display within the special display area includes not only a pattern in which the special display area moves and then stops (still displays) in a specified area within the special display area, but also a pattern in which the display mode of the image changes (for example, moves) but the moving display ends by remaining in a specified area. The second display pattern in which a special display (image) moves within a special display area and then moves outside the special display area means that the moving display may or may not end, so long as it moves outside the special display area.

For example, in the case of a failure pattern in the cheering performance described above, since the special display area is the display area 5E, the cheering characters MA to MC pass through the cheering stage and frame out from the lower left side of the display area 5E, and are displayed outside the special display area. However, if the special display area in which the first special display and the second special display can be displayed is the area from the right edge of the screen in the display area 5E to the cheering stage (a display area smaller than the display area 5E), the cheering characters MA to MC pass through the cheering stage and are displayed outside the special display area. Also, after the cheering characters MA to MC have been displayed outside the special display area, the display may end by framing out, or the display may end by disappearing or fading out before framing out. Also, the display may continue to scroll, and the display may not end inside or outside the special display area.

In addition, an example has been given of an effect image being displayed when cheering characters MA and MB, which are first type images, are displayed frozen on the cheering stage, and when cheering character MC, which is a second type image, is displayed frozen on the cheering stage, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an effect image may not be displayed when cheering characters MA and MB, which are first type images, are displayed frozen on the cheering stage.

In addition, in the characteristic part 001SG, the decorative patterns displayed in the decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R, the fourth pattern image and reserved display image displayed in the display area 5SL, and the small patterns displayed in the display area 5SR are images used as identification information for identifying the type of pattern, such as numbers and symbols, and therefore are images of higher image quality than the performance images such as the character images and background images displayed in the various performances described above, and although an example has been given of a form in which they are always displayed in front of the performance image (upper display layer) not only when the character images and background images are displayed in the various performances described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be displayed with image quality equal to or approximately equal to the highest image quality among the performance images displayed in the various performances.

In addition, in the characteristic section 001SG, an example is given of a form in which a cheering character image 001SG031 of one of multiple types of cheering characters MA to MC with different display elements (e.g., image quality, etc.) is displayed in the cheering performance, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, cheering character images 001SG031 corresponding to each of multiple types of cheering characters MA to MC may be displayed on the cheering stage image 001SG030 for a common period of time, in which case the display mode of the border image displayed on the cheering character image 001SG031 corresponding to each of the cheering characters MA to MC may differ depending on the type of background image, and cheering characters that require the display of a border display and cheering characters that do not require the display of a border display may be mixed.

In addition, when cheering characters that require a boundary display and cheering characters that do not require a boundary display are displayed during the same period, it is preferable to display the cheering characters that require a boundary display in a higher display layer than the cheering characters that do not require a boundary display, or to display them in a manner that is easy for the player to recognize.

In addition, when a cheering character that requires a boundary display and a cheering character that does not require a boundary display are displayed during a common period, the display mode can be unified by displaying a boundary display on both cheering characters. In this way, it is possible to prevent the sense of incongruity caused by a mixture of cheering characters that display a boundary display and cheering characters that do not display a boundary display.

In addition, advantageous states that are advantageous to the player in the pachinko game machine 1 may include not only a big win game state, a sure win state, a time-saving state, and the like, but also a small win game state, a reach state, a pseudo consecutive performance state, a reserved consecutive state, a chance up performance, a foresight notice performance, a miss with time-saving, a ceiling time-saving control described below, and other variable display results, controls, and performances. In addition, in the slot machine, they may include a chance zone (CZ) win, an assist time (AT) win, a replay time (RT) win, a bonus win, and the like.

In addition, in the characteristic section 001SG, an example was given of a form in which the display result of the variable display includes "miss with time reduction", but the CPU 103 may be able to execute ceiling time reduction control, which controls the display to the time reduction state without going through the jackpot game state, based on the variable display having been performed a specified number of times (e.g., 900 times) since a specified condition (e.g., performing a clearing process to clear flags, counters, and buffers stored in RAM 102 in the initialization process of step S6, controlling to the jackpot game state, or setting the display result to miss with time reduction) being met. The internal count of the specified number of times is reset when the specified condition is met, and the number of times the time reduction has been performed in the time reduction state under the ceiling time reduction control (e.g., 900 times) may be different from the number of times the time reduction has been performed in the normal time reduction state (e.g., 100 times).

When the above-mentioned ceiling time-saving control is executed and the number of times the variable display is executed reaches the above-mentioned specified number of times without the above-mentioned predetermined condition being met, the performance control CPU 120 may be able to execute the display of character images 001SG021A, 001SG021B, 001SG021C, etc.

In addition, in the characteristic section 001SG, an example of a form in which character images 001SG021A, 001SG021B, 001SG021C, etc. are displayed to notify of a jackpot is given, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the variable display result is a small jackpot or a miss with time reduction, or when the above-mentioned ceiling time reduction control is executed, high-quality character images 001SG021A and 001SG021B are displayed to notify of a small jackpot or a miss with time reduction, or to notify that the conditions for executing the ceiling time reduction control have been met, while when the variable display result is a jackpot, low-quality character image 001SG021C may be displayed to notify of a jackpot.

In addition, in the characteristic part 001SG, a form in which a so-called type 1 pachinko gaming machine that can be controlled to a high probability state after a jackpot game ends is exemplified as a pachinko gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be a so-called type 1/type 2 gaming machine that can be controlled to a jackpot game state by a V winning occurring as a result of a small jackpot in the time-saving state after a jackpot game ends, and the gameplay can be changed in various ways.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a pachinko game machine 1 is given as an example of a game machine, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to so-called sealed game machines in which a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed inside the game machine so that they can be circulated, and the number of loaned balls loaned in response to a loan request by a player and the number of prize balls awarded in response to winning are added, while the number of game balls used in the game is subtracted and stored. In these sealed game machines, scores or points are awarded to the player instead of game balls, and these awarded scores or points correspond to the game value.

In addition, in the above embodiment, spherical gaming balls (pachinko balls) were used as an example of gaming media, but the gaming media is not limited to spherical gaming media and may be non-spherical gaming media such as medals.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine was applied as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to a slot machine in which, for example, a game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using gaming value, one game ends when a variable display result is derived from a variable display device that can variably display multiple types of identifiable patterns, and a prize can be won depending on the variable display result derived from the variable display device.

The gaming machine of the present invention can also be applied to slot machines and other enclosed gaming machines that enclose gaming media and award points based on winning. In addition, a gaming machine capable of playing games is one that at least plays games, and is not limited to pachinko gaming machines or slot machines, and may be a general gaming machine.

1 Pachinko game machine 4A First special symbol display device 4B Second special symbol display device 5 Image display device 100 Game control microcomputer 120 Performance control CPU

Claims (1)

A gaming machine that can be controlled to an advantageous state that is advantageous to a player,
A specific effect execution means capable of executing a specific effect suggesting that the game is controlled to the advantageous state;
A storage means capable of storing display data used in the specific performance;
Equipped with
The types of display data stored in the storage means include at least a first type of display data and a second type of display data including display data for displaying an image that can be visually recognized as having lower image quality than an image displayed using the first type of display data,
The specific performance execution means includes:
In the specific display area, a first specific performance using the first type of display data and a second specific performance using the second type of display data are at least executable.
During execution of the first specific performance, a first display using the first type of display data can be displayed in a first display area that is within the specific display area and has a high occupancy rate with respect to the specific display area;
During execution of the second specific performance, a second display using the second type of display data can be displayed in a second display area within the specific display area and having a lower occupancy rate with respect to the specific display area than the first display area;
When the second display is displayed, a related display related to the second display can be displayed in a region different from the second display region in the specific display region,
The second specific performance can be executed when the game is controlled to be in the advantageous state and when the game is not controlled to be in the advantageous state.
A display of information related to a game can be displayed;
The expectation level controlled to the advantageous state is different between when the first specific performance is executed and when the second specific performance is executed,
The related display can be displayed in conjunction with the second display,
The information display is displayed in priority to the related display.
A gaming machine characterized by:

Images