JP7502779B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines, and in particular to pinball gaming machines (pachinko machines) that can transition to a "time-saving state."

A pinball game machine (pachinko machine), which is an example of a game machine, has one or more starting holes including "openable/closable starting holes that can be changed from a closed state to an open state" and a big prize hole in the game area, and executes a win/loss judgment (a win/loss judgment regarding a special symbol) based on the game ball entering the starting hole. Then, based on the result of this win/loss judgment being a big prize, a big prize game is executed in which the big prize hole is opened.
Conventionally known gaming machines of this type are capable of transitioning to a time-saving state in which the frequency of winning/losing determinations is increased by performing an opening extension control, etc., to extend the opening time of an opening/closing type starting hole, when a predetermined transition condition is met (see Patent Document 1).
In addition, in general, a gaming machine is provided with a presentation means as well as a symbol display device that presents the result of the win/loss judgment regarding the special symbol after executing the variable display of the symbol (special symbol) for a predetermined time as a means for notifying the result of the win/loss judgment. Then, the "game presentation corresponding to the variable display of the symbol" is executed by this presentation means.

JP 2002-78903 A

However, in recent years, the triggers (transition conditions) for switching to the time-saving mode have become more diverse, but it is difficult to say that notification actions (changing symbol displays and game effects) are being implemented that are commensurate with this diversification, and the reality is that interest in playing the game has not been sufficiently heightened.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above viewpoints, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can fully increase interest in gaming.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
A winning/losing determination means for executing a winning/losing determination based on the entry of a game ball into a starting hole;
A symbol display means for displaying a result of the winning/losing judgment after the symbol variation is performed for a predetermined variation time;
a special game execution means for executing a special game based on the result of the win/loss determination being a jackpot;
A counting means for counting the number of times the hit/miss judgment is executed without the result of the hit/miss judgment being a jackpot under a predetermined condition,
As the starting hole, at least a variable starting hole in which the possibility of the game ball entering can be changed is provided,
a time-saving state transition means for transitioning the game state to a time-saving state in which the frequency of execution of the hit/miss determination is increased by performing a time-saving control including at least one of a ball-scoring possibility improvement control for improving the possibility of the ball scoring into the variable starting hole compared to when the game state is in a normal state and a variation shortening control for shortening the variation time compared to when the game state is in a normal state;
A gaming machine comprising:
As the time-saving state,
A first time-saving state to which the state transitions based on the establishment of a predetermined transition condition;
A second time-saving state transitions based on the count value counted by the counting means reaching a value indicating a predetermined number of times;
Equipped with
A special effect is executed when the count value counted by the counting means reaches a predetermined timing before the count value indicates the predetermined number of times.
The feature (hereinafter referred to as the first feature) is that when the gaming state is the normal state at the specified timing, a first effect is executed as the special effect, and when the gaming state is the first time-saving state at the specified timing, the first effect is not executed.

According to the first feature, if the game state is in a non-time-saving state (i.e., normal state) at a predetermined timing before the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the predetermined number of times, the first effect is executed as a special effect, and if the game state is in the first time-saving state, the first effect is not executed. Therefore, a player who confirms the execution of this first effect judges that the game state may soon transition to the second time-saving state, and continues playing with excitement.
In other words, if the game state at the specified timing is a non-time-saving state (normal state), the player will encounter the first presentation and realize that there is a possibility that the second time-saving state will start soon, creating a sense of expectation, thereby sufficiently increasing the player's interest in the game.

Here, an example of the first effect is an effect (such as a countdown effect described below) that suggests that the transition to the time-saving state is near (the counted value counted by the counting means will soon reach a value indicating a predetermined number of times).
In addition, in a gaming machine having the first feature, if the gaming state at the specified timing is a time-saving state, the special effect itself may not be executed, or an effect different from the first effect may be executed as the special effect (see the second feature described below).
In addition, in a gaming machine having the first characteristic, if the counting means transitions to the first time-saving state before the counted value reaches a value indicating a predetermined number of times, an effect other than the first effect (for example, an advance effect described below) may be executed.

In the present invention, the aspect of time-saving control (i.e., time-saving performance) may be specified as at least one of improving the chances of scoring and fluctuation-saving control, or may be specified in a state including other controls.
In the present invention, the time-saving performance in the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state may be equal to or different from each other.
If the time-saving performance is equal between the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state, when the game state is in the first time-saving state and transitions to the second time-saving state are made based on the count value reaching a value indicating a predetermined number of times, it is possible to transition to the new time-saving state (second time-saving state) in a state in which it is difficult for the player to understand (or in which the player does not understand) that a new time-saving state (second time-saving state) is starting.

And if the time-saving performance is equal between the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state, for example, the player can naturally get the impression that the first time-saving state will continue longer than usual even after transitioning to a new time-saving state (the second time-saving state). In this case, the impression that the first time-saving state will continue indefinitely can be given to the player, making it seem as if the period of the first time-saving state (the number of time-saving instances) has been extended, giving the player the impression that he or she has gained something.

On the other hand, if the time-saving performance differs between the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state, when the game state is in the first time-saving state and transitions to the second time-saving state are made based on the count value reaching a value indicating a predetermined number of times, it is possible to make it easier for the player to understand that a new time-saving state (second time-saving state) is about to begin. This makes it clear that the game is transitioning from the first time-saving state to the second time-saving state, which can add some variety to the game.

Here, in the gaming machine, the variable starting hole can change over a specified opening time from a closed state, in which it is difficult for the gaming ball to enter, to an open state, in which it is easier for the gaming ball to enter than in the closed state. When the gaming state is in a non-time-saving state, the variable starting hole opens at a normal frequency, and the possibility of the gaming ball entering the variable starting hole is normal. In contrast, when the gaming state is in a time-saving state, the variable starting hole opens at a high frequency, and the possibility of the gaming ball entering the variable starting hole is improved compared to the non-time-saving state.

An example of a state in which the likelihood of a ball entering the variable starting hole is increased is an extended open state in which the open time of the variable starting hole is extended (including an extended open state in which the open time is extended by increasing the number of times the variable starting hole is open).The number of times the variable starting hole is open and the extended open time can be made equal in the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state, making the manner of time-saving control (time-saving performance) equal.

In addition, the manner of time-saving control (time-saving performance) of the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state can also be specified by control other than (a) the control for improving the chance of scoring and (b) the control for reducing fluctuations of the present invention.
For example, the control may be specified by (c) a stop time control that shortens the stop time of a special symbol, (b) a shortening control that shortens at least one of the fluctuation time and stop time of a normal symbol (described later), or (d) a winning probability improvement control that improves the winning probability of a winning/losing judgment regarding a normal symbol, or by a combination of two or more of the controls shown in (a) to (d) (provided that the combination includes at least one of (a) and (b)).

Here, in the following explanation, (a) the time-shortening state to which a transition is made via a special game will be referred to as the "a time-shortening state (jackpot time-shortening state)," (b) the time-shortening state to which a transition is made without a special game based on the count value counted by a specified counting means reaching a value indicating a specified number of times will be referred to as the "b time-shortening state (reached time-shortening state)," and (c) the time-shortening state to which a transition is made without a special game based on the determination of a specific pattern will be referred to as the "c time-shortening state (specific time-shortening state)."
The "predetermined counting means" in (b) is a counting means for counting the number of hit/miss judgments that are executed under a predetermined condition without the result of the hit/miss judgment being a big hit. In addition, the special game can be exemplified by at least one of a big hit game that has a possibility of obtaining a predetermined prize ball profit and a small hit game that has a possibility of obtaining a smaller prize ball profit than the big hit game.

In addition, the above-mentioned "predetermined number of times", i.e., the number of times the "b time-saving state" is activated (hereinafter, the number of times the game state transitions to the "b time-saving state", sometimes referred to as the specified number of times reached), can be determined, for example, as follows.
This specified number of times can be set to a number that exceeds the upper limit of execution times (time-saving times) of the "a time-saving state", that is, the upper limit of the number of hit/miss judgments regarding the special symbols that can be executed while maintaining the profit of the "a time-saving state". Specifically, this specified number of times can be set to a value that exceeds the "reciprocal" of the jackpot probability of this gaming machine.

In other words, if a hit/miss judgment is performed a number of times in the normal probability state that exceeds the inverse of the jackpot probability (i.e., the probability of winning the hit/miss judgment), but no jackpot is generated (i.e., the hit/miss judgment does not result in a jackpot), the player is considered to be "stuck" (a jackpot was not generated despite the fact that it would have been normal to generate a jackpot based on probability), and the player is transitioned to the time-saving state (time-saving state b). For example, a transition to the "time-saving state b" occurs when the number of hit/miss judgments performed without a jackpot is approximately three times the inverse of the jackpot probability (normal probability). For example, if the jackpot probability (normal probability) is "1/300", the player will transition to the "time-saving state b" when the number of hit/miss judgments performed without a jackpot is approximately "900 times".

The above-mentioned "predetermined condition" may be, for example, (1) in a gaming machine equipped with a function for changing the probability of a jackpot in a hit/miss judgment regarding a special symbol from a normal probability to a high probability (hereinafter referred to as a probability changing function), the "predetermined condition" is that the probability of a jackpot in a hit/miss judgment is the normal probability, regardless of whether or not the game has transitioned to a time-saving state. Also, (2) in a gaming machine not equipped with a probability changing function, the "predetermined condition" may be always met.
In addition, the "predetermined condition" may be satisfied by not transitioning to the time-saving state. In other words, the "predetermined condition" may be satisfied uniformly when the time-saving state has not been transitioned to, and the "predetermined condition" may not be satisfied when the time-saving state has been transitioned to.

In the present invention, the first time-shortening state can be exemplified by at least one of (1) a time-shortening state (time-shortening state a) to which a special game is entered after a special game is played, and (2) a time-shortening state (time-shortening state c) to which a special game is entered without playing the special game based on the result of a win/loss judgment being a specific result (based on a specific pattern being displayed as a confirmed result).
In addition, in the present invention, the second time-shortening state is a time-shortening state (time-shortening state b) to which a transition is made when the number of correct/incorrect judgments reaches a specified number of times.

Here, the gaming machine of the present invention, for example,
The apparatus includes a normal symbol win/loss determination means for determining whether a normal symbol has been won or lost based on the detection of a game ball by an operation detection unit (e.g., a normal symbol operation gate),
The variable starting hole can be changed from a closed state in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter into the hole to an open state in which it is more likely for the game ball to enter into the hole than in the closed state, based on the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the normal symbol being a hit.
In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention may be equipped with only the variable starting hole (the second starting hole described later) as the starting hole, or may be equipped with a starting hole (the first starting hole described later) in which the possibility of the game ball entering does not change in addition to the variable starting hole.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
In the gaming machine having the first feature,
When the gaming state is the first time-saving state at the specified timing, the special effect may include a feature (hereinafter referred to as the second feature) of executing a second effect different from the first effect.

According to the second feature, different effects are executed as the special effects depending on the game state at the predetermined timing before the count value counted by the counting means reaches the value indicating the predetermined number of times.
Specifically, if the game state at the specified time is a non-time-saving state, the player will encounter a first presentation and realize that the time-saving state may soon begin. Also, if the game state at the specified time is a time-saving state, the player will encounter a second presentation and realize that the time-saving state may continue.

In this way, according to the second feature, different effects are executed depending on the game state at the specified timing, and the player is given an impression (sense of expectation) that corresponds to that game state, which further increases interest in the game.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
In the gaming machine having the second feature,
The device may have a feature (hereinafter referred to as the third feature) that, when the first time-saving state ends between the specified timing and the counted value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the specified number of times, a third effect different from the second effect is executed as the special effect.

According to a gaming machine having the third feature, if the gaming state is in the first time-saving state at the specified timing, the second effect is executed as a special effect. However, if the gaming state becomes a non-time-saving state before the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the specified number of times, the third effect is executed as a special effect. Therefore, because the gaming state is changed before the count value counted by the counting means reaches the specified number of times, more varied effects can be executed, further increasing the interest in the game.

As described above, the gaming machine of the present invention can fully increase the interest in gaming.

FIG. Front view of the game board 1. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 50. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 50. 1 is a diagram showing the features of the pachinko machine 50. 1 is a diagram showing the features of the pachinko machine 50. A chart showing the time-saving state operation patterns according to the game state in the pachinko machine 50. A diagram showing the manner of time-saving control (time-saving performance) executed in the time-saving state granted in the pachinko machine 50 of each embodiment. (a) is a time chart showing the start timing of the jackpot time-saving state, (b) is a time chart showing the start timing of the arrival time-saving state, and (c) is a time chart showing the start timing of the specific time-saving state. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a main routine executed by a main control device 80 of a pachinko machine 50. 13 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the normal pattern start winning confirmation process executed by the main control unit 80. The first flowchart showing the control contents of the normal pattern win/loss determination process executed by the main control unit 80. A second flowchart showing the control contents of the normal pattern determination process executed by the main control unit 80. (a) is a third flowchart showing the control contents of the normal pattern win/loss determination process executed by the main control unit 80, and (b) is a fourth flowchart showing the control contents of the normal pattern win/loss determination process executed by the main control unit 80. 11 is a first flowchart showing the control contents of the normal symbol game processing executed by the main control device 80. 6A is a second flowchart showing the control contents of the normal symbol game processing executed by the main control unit 80, and FIG. 6B is a third flowchart showing the control contents of the normal symbol game processing executed by the main control unit 80. 13 is a flowchart of the special pattern winning confirmation process executed by the main control unit 80. 13 is a first flowchart of the special pattern winning/losing determination process executed by the main control unit 80. Second flowchart of special symbol winning/losing determination process executed by the main control device 80 13A is a flowchart of a miss setting process executed by the main control device 80, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modified example. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the command sent in the special pattern change start process, and FIG. 1B is a third flowchart of the special pattern win/loss determination process executed by the main control unit 80. The fourth flowchart of the special pattern winning/losing determination process executed by the main control unit 80. The fifth flowchart of the special pattern winning/losing determination process executed by the main control unit 80. The sixth flowchart of the special pattern winning/losing determination process executed by the main control unit 80. A diagram for explaining the command to enter the time-saving state and the command to end the time-saving state, etc. 13 is a first flowchart of the jackpot game processing executed by the main control unit 80. A second flowchart of the jackpot game processing executed by the main control unit 80. The third flowchart of the jackpot game processing executed by the main control unit 80. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of the performance display. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of the performance display. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of the performance display. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of the performance display. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of the performance display. 1 is a time chart for explaining countdown effects, etc. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of the performance display. 11 is a time chart for explaining power-up effects, etc. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of the performance display. 11 is a time chart for explaining an advance performance, etc. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of the performance display. A time chart to explain power-up effects and countdown effects. 13 is a flowchart showing the time-saving effect flag management process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. 11 is a flowchart showing a count command receiving process executed by a sub integrated control device 83. 13 is a flowchart showing the special effect flag setting process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. 11 is a flowchart showing a count flag release process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. Flowchart 1 showing the performance start processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. Flowchart 2 showing the performance start processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. 13 is a flowchart showing the process of setting a special effect pattern executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. 13 is a flowchart showing the performance stop processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 83.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various forms may be adopted as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Example 1
As shown in Fig. 1, a pachinko machine 50, which is a type of gaming machine, has a structure in which each component is held by an outer frame 51, which is a vertically long fixed outer shell holding frame. Hinges 53 are provided on the top and bottom of the left side of the outer frame 51, and an inner frame 70 shown in Fig. 3 is attached to the other side of the hinge 53, and the inner frame 70 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the outer frame 51. A glass plate 61 is provided in the front frame 52 so as to be freely removable, and a game board 1 shown in Fig. 2 is attached to the inner frame 70 behind the glass plate 61.

The front frame 52 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the inner frame 70, with the upper and lower hinges (not shown) on the left side as fulcrums. When the inner frame 70 is closed relative to the outer frame 51 and the front frame 52 is closed relative to the inner frame 70, play can be performed. When the front frame 52 is opened relative to the inner frame 70, with the upper and lower hinges (not shown) on the left side as fulcrums, the front surface 1a of the game board 1 is opened, and a pachinko parlor staff member or the like can carry out work to resolve any malfunctions that have occurred on the front surface 1a (such as work to resolve ball jams in the game board 1). In the following explanation, the front frame 52 is also referred to as a glass frame.

Speakers 66 are provided on the upper left and right sides of the front frame 52, and play sounds generated by the pachinko machine 50 are output to enhance the player's entertainment. In addition, to enhance the player's entertainment, the front frame 52 is also provided with a number of frame-side decorative lamps 65 that emit light according to the game status. An upper tray 55 and a lower tray 63 are integrally formed below the front frame 52. A launch handle 64 is attached to the right side of the lower tray 63, and by rotating the launch handle 64 clockwise, a launch device (not shown) is moved, and game balls supplied from the upper tray 55 are launched toward the game board 1.

A performance button 67 that can be operated by the player is provided at the top center of the upper tray 55. When the player operates the performance button 67 during the valid period, it changes the performance content displayed on the performance pattern display device 6 (described later) and changes the game sound output by the speaker 66. The performance button 67 also has a jog dial 68 around it, and is configured so that the image for the performance can be changed by rotating the jog dial 68. The pachinko machine 50 is a so-called CR machine, and is equipped with a prepaid card unit (CR unit) 56 for reading and writing prepaid cards, and the pachinko machine 50 is equipped with a CR settlement display device having a loan button 57, a settlement button 58, and a balance display 59.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 1 of the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment.
This game board 1 has an approximately circular game area 3 surrounded by known guide rails 2a, 2b, which is divided into a first game area portion 3L and a second game area portion 3R by a center case 5 located approximately in the center.
The left side of the center case 5 is the first game area (hereafter referred to as the left hitting area) 3L, and the right side is the second game area (hereafter referred to as the right hitting area) 3R. A game ball that reaches the T part shown in the figure with a launch power of a predetermined force or more rolls on the guide path 3p, reaches the right hitting area 3R, and flows down the right hitting area 3R. On the other hand, a game ball that does not reach the T part because its launch power is less than the predetermined value flows down the left hitting area 3L (left side of the center case 5). Note that many game nails are planted in the game areas 3 (left hitting area 3L, right hitting area 3R) (not shown).

The center case 5, like known ones, is equipped with a warp entrance, a warp passage, a stage, a window overlooking the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6, and the like. A first start opening 11 is disposed under the center case 5. Also, four normal winning openings 13 are provided to the left of the first start opening 11. These normal winning openings 13 are normal winning openings in which the winning rate does not change and balls can always be won.
A normal symbol activation gate 17 is disposed in the right-hand hitting area 3R on the right side of the center case 5.
In the right-hand hitting area 3R, a normal electric device 12A is disposed under the normal symbol operation gate 17. A second start hole 12 is provided inside the normal electric device 12A, so that a game ball that has entered the normal electric device 12A can enter the second start hole 12.

The normal electric device 12A is provided with a pair of left and right wings 12t for opening and closing the device, and these wings 12t are rotatable based on a fulcrum on the lower end side, and the normal electric device 12A is closed by narrowing the gap between the upper ends of the pair of wings 12t.
When the normal electric device 12A is in a closed state, a gap is formed between the upper ends of the pair of wing pieces 12t that allows the passage of approximately one game ball, but an obstacle member 12s that prohibits the passage of the game ball is provided directly above the gap formed by the upper ends. Therefore, when the normal electric device 12A is in an open state, the game ball that flows down the right hitting area 3R may enter the normal electric device 12A and enter the second starting hole 12, but when the normal electric device 12A is in a closed state, it is impossible for the game ball to enter the normal electric device 12A (second starting hole 12). However, the obstacle member 12a may be removed from the upper part of the pair of wing pieces 12t, and the game ball may enter the normal electric device 12A (second starting hole 12) even when the normal electric device 12A is in a closed state.

In addition, when the distance between the upper ends of the pair of wings 12t is widened, the normal electric device 12A is opened. In other words, when the normal electric device 12A is opened, the pair of wings 12t are in a generally inverted-H position when viewed from the front, the distance between the upper ends is widened to several diameters of a game ball, and the distance between the upper end of each wing 12t and the obstacle member 12s exceeds the diameter of a game ball. Furthermore, the opposing surfaces of the pair of wings 12t on the left and right constitute guide surfaces that guide game balls that reach the upper periphery of the second starting hole 12 into the inside of the second starting hole 12. Therefore, when the normal electric device 12A is opened, game balls that flow down around the upper periphery of the normal electric device 12A (the upper ends of the pair of wings 12t) are more likely to enter the second starting hole 12.

In addition, a large prize opening 14 is located to the lower left of the normal electric device 12A (second starting opening 12), and a first starting opening (first starting winning device) 11 is located directly below the center case 5 and to the left of the large prize opening 14.
The first starting hole 11 is configured to make it difficult for game balls that have flowed down the right hitting area 3R to enter the hole, due to the planted game nails (not shown) and the large center case 5 arranged in the approximate center of the game area 3. As a result, only game balls that have flowed down the left hitting area 3L can enter the hole. In other words, the possibility of game balls that have flowed down the right hitting area 3R entering the hole 11 is low.

At the bottom of the right-hand hitting area 3R, there are arranged a normal symbol display device 7 consisting of multiple LEDs, a normal symbol reserved number display device 8, a first special symbol display device 9 consisting of a 7-segment display device, a second special symbol display device 10 consisting of a 7-segment display device, a first special symbol reserved number display device 18 consisting of multiple LEDs, and a second special symbol reserved number display device 19 consisting of multiple LEDs. It is difficult for players to reliably recognize the display contents of the various displays arranged in this position, and players will play by focusing on the display contents of the performance symbol display device 6.

By configuring the game board 1 as described above, the first special pattern (hereinafter also referred to as the first special pattern) in the first special pattern display device 9 starts to change based on the game ball that has flowed down into the left hitting area 3L entering the first start hole 11 (the first start hole switch 11a (see Figure 4) detects the game ball), and stops after a predetermined time.

When a game ball is allowed to flow down into the right-hand hitting area 3R, the game ball enters the normal symbol activation gate 17 (the normal symbol activation switch 17a (see FIG. 4) detects the game ball), and based on this, the normal symbol (hereinafter also referred to as the normal symbol) begins to change display on the normal symbol display device 7, and the normal electric solenoid 12b (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is driven according to the state of the normal symbol (won or lost) that has stopped after a predetermined time. In other words, when the winning state of the normal symbol (winning symbol) is displayed stopped on the normal symbol display device 7 and the normal electric solenoid 12b is driven, the wing piece 12t of the second start hole (normal electric device 12A) opens almost synchronously, and the ball can enter the second start hole 12 (detection by the second start hole switch 12a (see FIG. 4)). When a game ball enters the second start hole 12 (the second special symbol start switch 12a (see Figure 4) detects the game ball), the second special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as the second special symbol) starts to change and display on the second special symbol display device 10, and stops after a predetermined time.

During the fluctuation of the first special pattern and the second special pattern, the performance mode linked to the fluctuation of each special pattern (hereinafter also referred to as special pattern) is displayed on the performance pattern display device 6. In addition, the first special pattern and the second special pattern do not change at the same time, and the fluctuation of the second special pattern (win/lose judgment) is carried out with priority regardless of the order of balls entering the first starting hole 11 and the second starting hole 12. Specifically, when there is a reserved memory of the first special pattern, the fluctuation of the second special pattern stops, and the second special pattern reserved memory is no longer in a state, and the fluctuation of the first special pattern reserved memory (win/lose judgment) begins. This point will be described later.
However, unlike this embodiment, the first special pattern and the second special pattern may be changed in the order in which the balls enter the first starting hole 11 and the second starting hole 12, or the first special pattern and the second special pattern may be changed simultaneously.

A large prize opening solenoid 14b (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is driven according to the state in which the first special symbol and the second special symbol are determined and displayed. When the large prize opening solenoid 14b is driven, the door member 14t of the large prize opening 14 opens almost synchronously, and the game ball can enter the large prize opening 14 (the count switch 14a (see FIG. 4) detects the game ball).
That is, a door member (opening/closing member) 14t is supported at the lower end of the large prize opening 14 so as to be able to tilt, and in a non-special game state (when neither a large prize game nor a small prize game described later is being played), the large prize opening 14 is closed by the door member 14t and game balls cannot be inserted. On the other hand, in a special game state (large prize game, etc.), the door member 14t tilts (tilts toward the player facing the game board 1) and the large prize opening 14 is opened and game balls can be inserted.

As described above, since the normal symbol activation gate 17, the second start hole 12, and the big prize hole 14 are located in the right-hand hitting area 3R (to the right of the center case 5), when the special game state (big win game state, etc.) or the time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c) is entered, the launch handle 64 is adjusted (the launch power of the game balls is adjusted to a predetermined force or more) so that all of the launched game balls reach the right-hand hitting area 3R. On the other hand, since the first start hole 11 is located almost directly below the center case 5, and in the non-open extended state (non-time-saving state), the frequency with which the normal electric device 12A (second start hole 12) is in the open state is low (much lower than in the time-saving state), the launch handle 64 is adjusted (the launch power of the game balls is adjusted to less than the predetermined force) so that all of the launched game balls reach the left-hand hitting area 3L.

In this pachinko machine 50, the open extension function operates in the time-saving states (time-saving state A, time-saving state B, and time-saving state C described below) (to control for improving the chances of winning), so the time-saving states are sometimes referred to as open extension states (time-saving state A, time-saving state B, and time-saving state C).

However, in the time-saving state (the a time-saving state, the b time-saving state, and the c time-saving state described below),
Of the opening extension function of the variable start hole (second start hole 12) and the variable shortening function of the special pattern, only the variable shortening function may be operated without operating the opening extension function, or only the opening extension function may be operated without operating the variable shortening function.

A large number of game pegs (not shown) are planted in the game area 3 of the game board 1, and an outlet 2d is provided at the bottom of the board surface.
As shown in Fig. 3, the back side of the pachinko machine 50 has an inner frame 70, which is detachably attached to the game board 1, housed in the outer frame 51. The inner frame 70 is provided with a ball tank 71, a tank rail 72, and a payout device 73 from above. With this configuration, if a game ball enters the winning hole on the game board 1, a predetermined number of game balls can be discharged from the ball tank 71 through the tank rail 72 by the payout device 73 to the upper tray 55. In addition, a main control device 80, a payout control device 81, a performance symbol control device 82, a sub-integrated control device 83, a launch control device 84, and a power supply board 85 are provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 50. The performance symbol control device 82 and the sub-integrated control device 83 correspond to the sub-control devices.

The main control device 80, the performance symbol control device 82, and the sub integrated control device 83 are provided on the game board 1, and the payout control device 81, the launch control device 84, and the power supply board 85 are provided on the inner frame 70. Note that the launch control device 84 is not drawn in FIG. 3, but it is provided below the payout control device 81. An external connection terminal 78 is provided on the right side of the ball tank 71, and signals indicating the game status and game results are sent from this external connection terminal 78 to a hall computer (not shown). Note that, conventionally, two types of external connection terminals 78 for sending signals to the hall computer are used: one for the board (a terminal for outputting signals output from the game board side to the hall computer) and one for the frame (a terminal for outputting signals output from the frame side (front frame 52, inner frame 70, outer frame 51) to the hall computer). In this embodiment, signals indicating the game status and game results are sent to the hall computer via one external connection terminal 78.

In addition, detection signals are input to the main control device 80 from the glass frame opening switch 35 and the inner frame opening switch 36. When the inner frame 70 is closed relative to the outer frame 51, the inner frame switch 36 (see FIG. 4) is turned ON, and when the inner frame 70 is open relative to the outer frame 51, the inner frame switch 36 is turned OFF. Furthermore, the glass frame opening switch 35 can be provided on the back side of the inner frame 70.

The main control device 80 on the back side of the pachinko machine 50 is provided with a performance display device 48, a setting key SW 47, and a RAM clear switch 46.
The RAM clear switch 46 is a switch for clearing the RAM by turning on the power switch 86 and powering on the device while pressing the RAM clear switch 46. The RAM clear switch 46 also functions as an operating means for changing the step setting value to an arbitrary value when changing the settings.
Here, the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment may be provided with a function for changing the setting of the jackpot determination probability. For example, when any of the six types (types) of setting values 1 to 6 can be set, different jackpot determination probabilities are provided in stages corresponding to each of the setting values 1 to 6. In this case, the jackpot winning probability corresponding to the setting value 1 increases in the order of (1/300), setting value 2 (1/290), setting value 3 (1/280), setting value 4 (1/270), setting value 5 (1/260), and setting value 6 (1/250).

In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, an administrator (such as a pachinko parlor staff member) inserts the setting key SW47 into the setting switch (keyhole) and rotates the setting key SW47 in a predetermined direction (for example, clockwise) from the initial position to turn the setting switch ON. In this state, when the power is turned on to the pachinko machine 50 while the RAM clear switch 46 is being pressed, the mode of the pachinko machine 50 becomes the setting change mode.
In this setting change mode, an administrator (such as a pachinko parlor staff member) can change the setting value by pressing the RAM clear switch 46 (setting change button). That is, each time the RAM clear switch 46 (setting change button) is pressed, the setting value is changed in the order of setting value 1 to setting value 6, and then back to setting value 1...
At this time, as the setting value is changed, a numerical value indicating the setting value at that time is displayed on the performance display device 48.

The electrical configuration of this pachinko machine 50 is centered around the main control device 80, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 4. Although not shown in detail, the main control device 80, payout control device 81, performance symbol control device 82, and sub-integrated control device 83 all have a CPU, ROM, RAM, input port, output port, etc. In addition, in each of these control devices, the CPU starts a program consisting of a main routine and a subroutine loaded in the ROM in response to an interrupt signal with a 2 ms or 4 ms cycle, and various controls are executed. The main control device 80 also has a random number counter that extracts (generates) various random numbers, etc.
In addition, in this embodiment, the launch control device 84 is not provided with a CPU, ROM, or RAM. However, this is not limited to this, and the launch control device 84 may be provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.

The main control device 80 receives detection signals from a first start port switch 11a that detects game balls that have entered the first start port 11, a second start port switch 12a that detects game balls that have entered the second start port 12, a normal symbol activation switch 17a that detects game balls that have entered the normal symbol activation gate 17 that activates the normal symbol, a count switch 14a for counting game balls that have entered the special prize port 14, and a general prize port switch 13a that detects game balls that have entered the general prize port 13.

The main control unit 80 operates according to a program installed therein, and generates various commands related to the progress of the game based on the above-mentioned detection signals, etc., and outputs them to the payout control unit 81 and the sub-integrated control unit 83.
In addition, the main control device 80 controls the display of the first special pattern display device 9 and the second special pattern display device 10, which are connected via the pattern display device relay terminal board 90, and the lighting of the first special pattern reserved number display device 18, the second special pattern reserved number display device 19, the normal pattern display device 7, and the normal pattern reserved display device 8.

Furthermore, the main control unit 80 controls the opening and closing of the large prize opening 14 by controlling the large prize opening solenoid 14b, and controls the opening and closing of the normal electric device (second starting opening 12) by controlling the normal electric device solenoid 12b.
The output signal from the main control device 80 is also output to the test signal terminal, and signals for managing the fluctuation of symbols, the big win (also called special game), etc. are output to the external connection terminal 78 and sent to the hall main computer 87. The main control device 80 and the payout control device 81 are capable of two-way communication.

The payout control device 81 operates the payout motor 20 in response to commands sent from the main control device 80 to pay out prize balls. In this embodiment, a detection signal from the payout switch 21 for counting the game balls paid out as prize balls is input to the payout control device 81, and the payout control device 81 counts the prize balls. Alternatively, a configuration may be used in which a detection signal from the payout switch 21 is input to both the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81, and the counting of prize balls is performed by both the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81.

When the full switch 22 and the ball out switch 23 input signals, and the full switch 22 inputs a signal indicating that the lower tray 63 is full, or when the ball out switch 23 inputs a signal indicating that there are few or no game balls in the ball tank, the payout control device 81 stops the payout motor 20 and stops the payout operation of the prize balls. The full switch 22 and the ball out switch 23 are also configured to continue outputting signals until the condition is resolved, and the payout control device 81 resumes driving the payout motor 20 when the signal is no longer output.

The payout control device 81 also communicates with the prepaid card unit via the CR unit terminal board 24 to operate the payout motor 20 and dispense the dispensed balls. The dispensed balls are detected by the payout switch 21, and the detection signal is input to the payout control device 81. The CR unit terminal board 24 is also connected to the settlement display board 25 for two-way communication, and the settlement display board 25 is connected to a ball loan button for requesting the loan of game balls, a return button for requesting settlement, and a balance display.

In addition, the payout control device 81 transmits information regarding winning balls, information indicating the open/closed status of the frames (inner frame, front frame), etc. to the hall computer 87 via the external connection terminal 78, and also transmits a launch stop signal to the launch control device 84.
In this embodiment, the game balls are paid out, but the game balls generated in response to winning or the like may be stored without being paid out.

The launch control device 84 controls the launch motor 30 to launch the game balls into the game area 3. In addition to the payout control device 81, the launch control device 84 receives a rotation amount signal from the launch handle 64, a touch signal from the touch switch 28, and a launch stop signal from the launch stop switch 29.
The rotation amount signal is output when the player operates the launch handle 64, the touch signal is output when the player touches the launch handle 64, and the launch stop switch signal is output when the player presses the launch stop switch 29. If the touch signal is not input to the launch control device 84, the game ball cannot be launched, and when the launch stop switch signal is input, the game ball cannot be launched even if the player is touching the launch handle 64.

When the pachinko machine 50 is powered on with the RAM clear switch (SW) 46 (located on the main control unit 80 in the illustrated example) pressed, all but a portion of the RAM area is cleared and the RAM is initialized.
In this embodiment, the step setting values (so-called values indicating settings 1 to 6) are also configured not to be erased by RAM clearing. Specifically, the RAM clearing process is configured not to erase areas related to the step setting values among the RAM areas erased by RAM clearing.
As described above, the pachinko machine 50 is provided with a RAM clear SW 46 in the main control device 80 for erasing information stored in the RAM. The RAM clear SW 46 may be provided in the payout control device 81 or the power supply board 85. The performance display device 48 is provided in the main control device 80 and is controlled by the main control device 80. In this embodiment, the main control device 80 is also provided with a setting key SW 47 used when changing or checking settings as described above.

The sub-integrated control device 83 corresponds to the sub-control device, and receives data and commands sent from the main control device 80, sorts them into data for performance display control, sound control, and lamp control, and sends the commands for performance display control to the performance pattern control device 82, while distributing the commands for sound control and lamp control to each control part contained in it (functional parts as sound control device and lamp control device).
The functional unit as a voice control device (represented as a voice control unit 83a in FIG. 4) controls the voice output from the speaker 66 by operating the sound LSI based on the data for voice control, that is, controls the volume and the type of sound (for example, the type of notification sound, control of setting suggestion sound, etc.) etc. The functional unit as a lamp control device (represented as a lamp control unit 83b in FIG. 4) controls various LEDs and lamps 26 by operating a lamp driver based on the data for lamp control.

In addition, the sub-integrated control device 83 is connected to the effect button 67 and the jog dial 68, and when the player operates the effect units 67, 68, the operation signal is input to the sub-integrated control device 83. The jog dial 68 may be configured to be connected to the effect symbol control device 82.
The sub-integrated control device 83 and the performance pattern control device 82 are capable of two-way communication.
The performance pattern control device 82 controls the performance pattern display device 6 based on the data and commands received from the sub-integrated control device 83 (both of which are sent from the main control device 80 and generated by the sub-integrated control device 83), and displays performance images such as performance patterns on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6.
In this embodiment, the sub-integrated control device 83 and the performance pattern control device 82 are separated into separate devices, but they may also be configured to be integrated into a single device.

The power supply board 85 (see FIG. 3) is configured as a DC power supply that generates a DC voltage from power supplied from an external AC power supply, and supplies power to each component of the pachinko machine 1 by operating a power switch 86 (see FIG. 3) provided on the power supply board 85. The power supply board 85 is equipped with a backup power supply consisting of a capacitor and the like, and stores power in the backup power supply while power is being supplied from the AC power supply. As a result, in the event of a power outage, power is supplied to the main control device 80, etc. (for example, the RAM of the main control device 80, etc.), and data in the RAM of the main control device 80 is retained for a certain period of time even after the power supply from the AC power supply is stopped. The backup power supply may be provided in the main control device 80, or in a device other than the power supply board. In this case, the power supply board outputs a supply signal to a device equipped with a backup power supply when power is being supplied from the AC power supply, and outputs a power outage signal to the device equipped with a backup power supply when the power supply is stopped.

Next, the basic specifications of the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment is a so-called "time-saving machine" and does not have a high probability state in which the probability of determining a jackpot in the judgment of whether a special symbol is a hit is higher than usual. In other words, the probability of determining a jackpot in the judgment of whether a special symbol is a hit does not change, and is always performed at the normal probability. However, the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment may have the high probability state.
In the pachinko machine 50, a hit/miss judgment of a first special symbol (hereinafter referred to as a first hit/miss judgment) is executed in response to a ball entering the first starting hole 11. Also, a hit/miss judgment of a second special symbol (hereinafter referred to as a second hit/miss judgment) is executed in response to a ball entering the second starting hole 12.

When the first hit/miss determination is executed, the stopping pattern of the first special pattern (a winning pattern or a losing pattern) and the change pattern (a change pattern that specifies the time during which the first special pattern changes and is displayed) are determined by random number lottery, and the first special pattern display device 9 and the performance pattern display device 6 start changing the patterns based on the determined change time. After that, after the change time of the first special pattern has elapsed, the stopping pattern (confirmed pattern) of the first special pattern is displayed on the first special pattern display device 9, and the performance pattern corresponding to the first special pattern is displayed (confirmed display) on the performance pattern display device 6, and the result of the first hit/miss determination is announced.

In addition, when the second hit/miss determination is executed, the stopping pattern (hit pattern or miss pattern) of the second special pattern and the change pattern (changing pattern that specifies the time when the second special pattern changes and is displayed) are determined by random number lottery, and the second special pattern display device 10 and the performance pattern display device 6 start changing the patterns based on the determined change time. After that, after the change time of the second special pattern has elapsed, the stopping pattern (confirmed pattern) of the second special pattern is displayed on the second special pattern display device 10, and the performance pattern corresponding to the second special pattern is displayed (confirmed display) on the performance pattern display device 6, and the result of the second hit/miss determination is notified.

When the result of the hit/miss judgment of the first special symbol (first hit/miss judgment) or the hit/miss judgment of the second special symbol (second hit/miss judgment) is a jackpot, the special symbols are displayed in a varying manner for a predetermined time, and then the special symbols (first special symbol, second special symbol) are displayed as a confirmed jackpot symbol (Special symbol 1_jackpot symbol 1, Special symbol 1_jackpot symbol 2, Special symbol 1_jackpot symbol 3, Special symbol 2_jackpot symbol 1, or Special symbol 2_jackpot symbol 2). This causes the condition device to operate, which in turn operates the role-playing device to open the jackpot opening 14 in a predetermined manner, thereby executing a jackpot game.

In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, when the first hit/miss judgment results in a hit, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the stopped pattern (the hit pattern displayed as a confirmed hit) will be "Special pattern 1_hit pattern 1 (4R normal hit pattern)" with a probability of "35%", "Special pattern 1_hit pattern 2 (6R normal hit pattern)" with a probability of "60%", and "Special pattern 1_hit pattern 3 (6R normal hit pattern)" with a probability of "5%".

Also, as shown in FIG. 5(b), if the result of the second hit/miss judgment is a hit, there is a 40% chance that the result will be "Special chart 2_jackpot pattern 1 (6R normal jackpot pattern)" and a 60% chance that the result will be "Special chart 2_jackpot pattern 2 (8R normal jackpot pattern)."

And all of the jackpot symbols are so-called "normal jackpot symbols (jackpot symbols that do not increase the jackpot probability even if they are displayed as confirmed jackpot symbols)."
In other words, when the stop display (confirmation display) is made, a normal jackpot occurs, and after the corresponding jackpot game (4R jackpot game, 6R jackpot game, or 8R jackpot game) is played, the game state of the pachinko machine 50 transitions to a normal probability state and time-saving state (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "normal probability/time-saving state") (see FIG. 9(a)). This normal probability/time-saving state is the a-time-saving state.

In this embodiment, the state transitions to the normal probability/time-saving state (a-time-saving state) regardless of which jackpot symbol is displayed as a stopped (confirmed) jackpot symbol. However, the state may not transition to the normal probability/time-saving state (a-time-saving state) regardless of which jackpot symbol is displayed as a stopped (confirmed) jackpot symbol. For example, after the end of a jackpot game that is executed based on the result of the first hit/miss judgment being a jackpot, the state may be in the normal probability state and non-time-saving state (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "normal probability/non-time-saving state"), or the rate of transition to the normal probability/time-saving state (a-time-saving state) may be lower than after the end of a jackpot game that is executed based on the result of the second hit/miss judgment being a jackpot.

If the result of the hit/miss judgment for the first special symbol (first hit/miss judgment) is a hit and the hit game is executed based on the confirmed display of "Special symbol 1_Jackpot symbol 1" or "Special symbol 1_Jackpot symbol 2" as the hit symbol, and then the normal probability/time-saving state (time-saving state a) is entered, the game will continue until the number of times the "hit/miss judgment for the special symbol (first hit/miss judgment or second hit/miss judgment)" executed after the hit game has been executed reaches 100 or the hit/miss judgment (first hit/miss judgment or second hit/miss judgment) results in a hit.

In addition, if the result of the hit/miss judgment for the first special symbol (first hit/miss judgment) is a hit and the hit game is executed based on the confirmed display of "Special symbol 1 - hit/miss pattern 3" as the hit symbol, and then the normal probability/time-saving state (time-saving state a) is entered, the game will continue until the number of times the "hit/miss judgment for the special symbol (first hit/miss judgment or second hit/miss judgment)" executed after the hit game has been executed reaches 895 times or the hit/miss judgment (first hit/miss judgment or second hit/miss judgment) results in a hit.

Then, when the "normal probability/time-saving state (time-saving state a)" that is entered after the jackpot game is played based on the result of the first hit/miss judgment being a hit is ended, the game state becomes the normal probability/non-time-saving state (i.e., the normal state). Here, the number of times that the hit/miss judgment can be performed while maintaining the time-saving state a (100 times or 895 times) is called the number of times of time-saving in the time-saving state a.

In addition, if the normal probability/time-saving state (a time-saving state) is entered after a jackpot game is played based on the result of the hit/miss judgment (first hit/miss judgment) of the second special symbol being a jackpot, the game will continue until the number of times the "hit/miss judgment (first hit/miss judgment or second hit/miss judgment) for the special symbol is executed after the jackpot game reaches "100 times" or the hit/miss judgment (first hit/miss judgment or second hit/miss judgment) results in a jackpot. Then, when this normal probability/time-saving state (a time-saving state) ends, the game state will return to the normal probability/non-time-saving state (i.e., the normal state).
In the following explanation, when the result of the win/loss judgment is a jackpot and the jackpot game is played, the time-saving state (time-saving state A) to which the player enters may be referred to as the "jackpot time-saving state" based on the cause of the transition.

In addition, this time-saving state (time-saving state a) is a state in which the opening time of the normal electric device (second starting port 12) is extended (opening extension function) and the variable time-saving function that shortens the average fluctuation time of the special and normal patterns is activated (i.e., a state in which time-saving control is performed), and the non-time-saving state is a state in which the opening extension function and the variable time-saving function are not activated (i.e., a state in which time-saving control is not performed).

As shown in FIG. 5(c), in this pachinko machine 50, when the game state is in the normal probability state (whether in the non-time-saving state or the time-saving state), if the number of times that the "win/lose judgment regarding the special symbol (first win/lose judgment or second win/lose judgment)" is executed without the result being a jackpot reaches "900 times (prescribed number of times reached)," the game state transitions to the normal probability/time-saving state (hereinafter, this time-saving state may be referred to as the b-time-saving state) (see FIG. 9(b)).

In other words, when the number of hit/miss judgments (first hit/miss judgment or second hit/miss judgment) performed in the normal probability state reaches the specified number of times, the state transitions to the normal probability/extended open state (b time-shortened state) without going through a jackpot game. This normal probability/time-shortened state (b time-shortened state) continues until the number of hit/miss judgments (first hit/miss judgment or second hit/miss judgment) performed after the transition to the normal probability/time-shortened state (b time-shortened state) reaches "900 times" or the result of the hit/miss judgment (first hit/miss judgment or second hit/miss judgment) is a jackpot.

In the following explanation, the time-shortening state (time-shortening state b) to which a transition occurs when the number of correct/incorrect judgments (first correct/incorrect judgment or second correct/incorrect judgment) reaches a specified number of times may be referred to as the ``reached time-shortening state'' based on the cause of the transition.
Here, as shown in FIG. 5(d), the specified number of times reached is the number of times the special pattern changes counted from the "RAM clear process" for initializing the RAM installed in the main control unit 80 or "after a jackpot occurs (after a jackpot game is executed)", that is, the number of times "a win/loss determination regarding the special pattern" is executed without the result of the win/loss determination under normal probability conditions resulting in a jackpot.

In the embodiment, the number of times the specified number of times is reached is not particularly limited as long as it is a value (a value greater than 300) that exceeds the "reciprocal" of the jackpot probability (1/300). In other words, if a jackpot is not generated even after a hit/miss determination is performed a number of times that exceeds the "reciprocal" of the jackpot probability in the normal probability state, the player is deemed to be "stuck" and the game is switched to a time-saving state in order to rescue the player who continues to play normally. More specifically, when the jackpot probability is "1/300", the number of times can be, for example, 301 times or more, particularly 700 times or more, or any number between 750 and 900 times.

In this embodiment, when the game transitions to the "attainment time-saving state (time-saving state b)," it is highly likely that a much greater number of time-saving times will be obtained compared to the jackpot time-saving state a. Here, the number of hit/miss judgments (900 times) that can be performed while maintaining the time-saving state b is referred to as the number of time-saving times in the time-saving state b.

In this embodiment, the result of the first hit/miss judgment is a hit, and the number of time-saving times (895 times) set in the hit time-saving state (a time-saving state) to which the game transitions after the hit game is executed based on the fixed display of "Special chart 1_Jackpot pattern 3" as the hit pattern is greater than the number of time-saving times (100 times) set in the hit time-saving state (a time-saving state) to which the game transitions after the hit game is executed based on the fixed display of other hit patterns (Special chart 1_Jackpot pattern 1, Special chart 1_Jackpot pattern 2, Special chart 2_Jackpot pattern 1, Special chart 2_Jackpot pattern 2).

The time-saving state for reaching the target (time-saving state b), like the time-saving state for hitting the jackpot (time-saving state a), is a state in which the time-saving function is activated to extend the opening time of the normal electric device (second starting hole 12) (opening extension function) and to shorten the average fluctuation time of the special and normal symbols.

In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, even when the game state is not in the time-saving state as shown in Fig. 6(a) or when the game state is in the time-saving state as shown in Fig. 6(b), if the result of the first win/loss judgment is a miss, "special chart 1_missing chart 1" or "special chart 1_missing chart 2" is displayed as the miss symbol. Also, if the result of the first win/loss judgment is a miss, the probability that the miss symbol is set to "special chart 1_missing chart 1" (probability of being selected by random number lottery) is "149/150", and the probability that the miss symbol is set to "special chart 1_missing chart 2" (probability of being selected by random number lottery) is "1/150".
Here, "Special pattern 1_missing pattern 1" constitutes a specific example of a non-specific missing pattern (non-specific pattern), and "Special pattern 1_missing pattern 2" constitutes a specific example of a specific missing pattern (specific pattern).

In this embodiment, the specific pattern is set as one form of the losing pattern (special pattern 1_losing pattern 2), but in the present invention, the specific pattern may be set regardless of the losing pattern. For example, if the result of the win/loss judgment regarding the special pattern is not a jackpot, it may be judged whether or not there is a specific win, and if there is a specific win, the specific pattern may be selected as the stopping pattern, and if there is no specific win, a non-specific pattern may be selected as the stopping pattern.

In addition, if the result of the second win/loss judgment is a miss, as shown in FIG. 6(c), "Special pattern 2_miss pattern 1" is displayed as the confirmed missing pattern. Note that if the result of the second win/loss judgment is a miss, the probability that the missing pattern will be set to "Special pattern 2_miss pattern 1" is "100%, and this "Special pattern 2_miss pattern 1" constitutes a specific example of a non-specific missing pattern.

In this way, in this embodiment, the losing symbols of the first special symbol include a specific losing symbol (specific losing symbol), but the losing symbols of the second special symbol do not include a specific losing symbol (specific symbol). However, the losing symbols of the second special symbol may include a specific losing symbol.

When the game state is not in the time-saving state, if a specific losing symbol (special symbol 1_losing symbol 2) is displayed as a stopped symbol (confirmed symbol), a specific losing symbol occurs, and as shown in FIG. 6(a), the game state of the pachinko machine 50 transitions to a normal probability state and time-saving state (time-saving state c) without executing a jackpot game (without going through a jackpot game). This normal probability/time-saving state (time-saving state c) continues after transitioning to the state (time-saving state c) until the number of times that a win/loss judgment (first win/loss judgment or second win/loss judgment) regarding the special symbol is performed reaches 50 times, or the result of the win/loss judgment (first win/loss judgment or second win/loss judgment) is a jackpot (see FIG. 9(c)). Here, the number of win/loss judgments that can be performed while maintaining the time-saving state c (50 times) is called the number of time-saving times in the time-saving state c.

The "normal probability state and time-saving state" to which the game transitions without going through a jackpot game based on the fixed display of this specific losing symbol (specific symbol) is the specific time-saving state (c time-saving state). Note that even if a non-specific losing symbol is stopped (fixed display), this does not trigger a transition to the time-saving state.
When this normal probability/time-shortened state (c time-shortened state) ends, the game state becomes a normal probability/non-time-shortened state (normal state).

This specific time-saving state (time-saving state c), like the jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a), extends the opening time of the normal electric device (second starting hole 12) (opening extension function) and activates a time-saving function that shortens the average fluctuation time of the special and normal patterns. Here, the time-saving state (time-saving state c) in which the specific losing pattern (special pattern 1_losing pattern 2) is displayed as a confirmed result and transitions are made to without executing a jackpot game is called the "specific time-saving state" and may be distinguished from the other time-saving states (time-saving state a and time-saving state b) that have different activation triggers.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6 (b), when the game state is in a time-saving state (either time-saving state a, time-saving state b, or time-saving state c), even if a specific missing pattern (special pattern 1 - missing pattern 2) is displayed as a confirmed pattern, it is not treated as a specific missing pattern, but as a simple missing pattern.
That is, in this embodiment, when the game state is in the time-saving state (either the a time-saving state, the b time-saving state, or the c time-saving state), if the specific losing symbol (special symbol 1_losing symbol 2) is displayed as confirmed, the number of time-saving times is maintained as it is, and is not newly added with 50. For example, when the number of win/loss judgments that can be performed while maintaining the time-saving state (remaining number of times) is 20, even if the specific losing symbol (special symbol 1_losing symbol 2) is displayed as stopped (confirmed), the number of time-saving times is not "20 times + 50 times" but is maintained as "20 times".

When the game state is in the time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, or time-saving state c), if a specific missing symbol (special symbol 1_missing symbol 2) is displayed as confirmed, it may not be treated as a simple miss. For example, when the game state is in the time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, or time-saving state c), when a specific missing symbol is displayed as confirmed, the remaining number of win/loss judgments that can be performed in the ongoing time-saving state is compared with the number of time-saving times in the time-saving state (specific time-saving state) that are granted when the specific missing symbol is stopped and displayed. If the number of time-saving times is greater than the remaining number, the remaining number may be updated with the number of time-saving times (50 times) that are to be granted when the game transitions to the time-saving state c.

For example, if the remaining number of times that a win/lose determination can be made in the ongoing time-saving state is "60 times," the remaining number may be maintained even if a specific losing symbol is displayed as a confirmed result, and if the remaining number of times that a win/lose determination can be made in the ongoing time-saving state is "20 times," the remaining number may be updated to "50 times" even if a specific losing symbol is displayed as a confirmed result. In this way, even if a specific losing symbol is displayed as a confirmed result, the remaining number of times that a win/lose determination can be made in the ongoing time-saving state will not decrease, and the player will not be disadvantaged.

Here, with reference to FIG. 7, the "game state when a trigger for transition to the time-saving state occurs" and the "type of time-saving state to be transitioned to" will be described.
Regardless of whether the game state is a "normal probability/non-time-saving state (so-called normal state),""time-saving state A,""time-saving state B," or "time-saving state C," when a jackpot pattern is displayed as confirmed, the game can transition to the "time-saving state A" via the jackpot game.

In addition, when the game state is the "normal probability/non-time-saving state (so-called normal state)", "time-saving state a", or "time-saving state c", if a transition trigger to the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b) occurs, it is possible to transition to the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b) without going through a jackpot game. Note that when the game state is the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b), it is considered unrealistic to create a transition trigger to the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b). In other words, the possibility of a situation where the probability of a jackpot is 1/300, the result of the hit/miss judgment (hit/miss judgment regarding the special pattern) for 900 times not resulting in a jackpot, transitioning to a time-saving state (time-saving state b), and in this time-saving state (time-saving state b), the result of the hit/miss judgment (hit/miss judgment regarding the special pattern) for another 900 times not resulting in a jackpot, in other words, a situation where the probability of a jackpot is 1/300 and there is no jackpot for 1800 times, is quite low.

It is also conceivable that the time-saving state is set to operate only once before a jackpot (jackpot game) is reached, in which case the result of the hit/miss judgment (hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol) over 900 times in the time-saving state will not result in a jackpot, and the time-saving state will not be entered even if the hit/miss judgment (hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol) is performed again over 900 times after the time-saving state ends.

Furthermore, when the game state is in the "normal probability/non-time-saving state (so-called normal state)," if a transition trigger to the specific time-saving state (time-saving state c) occurs, it is possible to transition to the specific time-saving state (time-saving state c) without going through a jackpot game. In contrast, when the game state is in the "time-saving state a" or "time-saving state b," even if a specific losing pattern is displayed, the game state does not transition to the "time-saving state c" anew, but rather the ongoing time-saving state is maintained.

In this embodiment, even if special chart 1_missing pattern 2 is displayed as a confirmed display in the time-saving state, there is no transition to a new specific time-saving state (c time-saving state). However, if special chart 1_missing pattern 2 (specific missing pattern) is displayed as a confirmed display in the final change of the time-saving state (the final change in which a change display can be executed in the time-saving state, i.e., a change that is started with one remaining turn), a transition to the c time-saving state may be made.

Next, using FIG. 5, we will explain the content of the jackpot game that is executed when the result of the hit/miss judgment (first hit/miss judgment, second hit/miss judgment) regarding the special pattern is a jackpot, and the game state to which the player transitions after the jackpot game is executed.

As shown in FIG. 5, if the result of the first hit/miss judgment is a hit and "Special chart 1_jackpot pattern 1 (4R normal jackpot pattern)" is displayed as a confirmed hit, a 4R normal jackpot occurs and a "4R jackpot game" is played. Also, if the result of the first hit/miss judgment is a hit and "Special chart 1_jackpot pattern 2 (6R normal jackpot pattern)" or "Special chart 1_jackpot pattern 3 (6R normal jackpot pattern)" is displayed as a confirmed hit, a 6R normal jackpot occurs and a "6R jackpot game" is played.

When the result of the second hit/miss judgment is a hit and "Special chart 2_hit pattern 1 (6R normal hit pattern)" is displayed, a 6R normal hit occurs and a "6R hit game" is played. Also, when the result of the second hit/miss judgment is a hit and "Special chart 2_hit pattern 2 (8R normal hit pattern)" is displayed, an 8R normal hit occurs and an "8R hit game" is played.
Here, in the "4R jackpot game", a round game (maximum opening of 30 seconds or 10 counts per round) in which the large prize winning port 14 is opened is played four times with a predetermined interval in between, and in the "6R jackpot game", a similar round game is played six times with a similar interval in between. Furthermore, in the "8R jackpot game", a similar round game is played eight times with a similar interval in between.

Although not shown in the figures, the number of winning balls that are awarded by the balls that land in the first starting hole 11 and the second starting hole 12 is three, and the number of winning balls that are awarded by the balls that land in the other winning holes 13 is ten. For this reason, when the game ball is shot toward the right hitting area 3R in the open extended state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c), the balls that land in the second starting hole 12 will land with high frequency, and by frequently winning "three" winning balls based on the balls that land in the second starting hole 12, the so-called "ball loss" can be suppressed.
The number of winning balls that can be won by entering the big winning hole 14 is 10. The number of winning balls that can be won by entering the big winning hole 14 is 10, and the number of winning balls that can be won by entering the normal electric device (second starting hole 12) is 9.

Next, the time-saving performance of each time-saving state will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, the time-saving state is a state in which a hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol can be executed in a more advantageous state than when the game state is in a normal state (non-time-saving state). In other words, it is a state in which the frequency of execution of a hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is increased by increasing the possibility of the ball entering the second starting hole 12 and shortening the average fluctuation time of the special symbol, etc., compared to when the game state is in a normal state (non-time-saving state).

In this embodiment, the following methods are used to increase the chances of a ball entering the second starting hole 12 during the time-saving state: (1) extending the opening time of the second starting hole 12; and (2) increasing the frequency of opening the second starting hole 12 by shortening the average fluctuation time of the normal symbols and increasing the probability of a hit in the judgment regarding the normal symbols.

In addition, in this embodiment, the time-saving performance of each time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c) is set as follows.
The average change time of the normal pattern is set to 5 seconds in the non-time-saving state, and shorter than 5 seconds in the time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c). In other words, it is set to an average of 1 second in the time-saving state a, an average of 0.5 seconds in the time-saving state b, and an average of 0.8 seconds in the time-saving state c.

The opening time of the normal electric device (second starting port 12) is "once every 0.3 seconds" in the non-time-saving state, and is longer in the time-saving states (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c) than in the non-time-saving state. In other words, in the time-saving state a, it is "once every 2.0 seconds," in the time-saving state b, "once every 1.5 seconds," and in the time-saving state c, "twice every 1.0 seconds."

The average change time of the special symbols is 20 seconds in the non-time-saving state, and is shorter in the time-saving states (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c) than the average change time in the non-time-saving state. In other words, it is "10 seconds on average" in the time-saving state a, "5 seconds on average" in the time-saving state b, and "7 seconds on average" in the time-saving state c.

In addition, in the display of effects corresponding to the fluctuation of special patterns, the probability of executing a reach and the associated reach effect (hereinafter simply referred to as the "reach appearance rate") is an average of "21/229" in the non-time-saving state, an average of "7/229" in the jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a), an average of "4/229" in the reach time-saving state (time-saving state b), and an average of "5/229" in the specific time-saving state (time-saving state c).
In addition, the winning probability of the normal pattern is set to "1/6" in the non-time-saving state (non-open extended state), and is set to "5/6" in the time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c). In this embodiment, the winning probability of the normal pattern is equal in any time-saving state, but the winning probability of the normal pattern may be different between at least one of the time-saving state a and the time-saving state c and the time-saving state b.

In addition, the winning probability of the normal symbol may be made different depending on the type of time-saving state. For example, the winning probability of the normal symbol may be made higher in the b time-saving state than in the a time-saving state or the c time-saving state, or may be made lower.
In addition, in this embodiment, the time-saving performance of the b time-saving state is different from the time-saving performance of the a time-saving state and the c time-saving state, but the time-saving performance of the b time-saving state may be the same as the time-saving performance of the a time-saving state and the c time-saving state.

In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, with the above configuration, when the game state is not in the time-saving state, the player first aims the game ball at the left-hand hitting area 3L (hits from the left) and aims for the ball to enter the first starting hole 11 to generate a jackpot in the first hit/miss judgment. After the jackpot is generated and the jackpot game is executed, the game moves to the jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a), and the opening time of the normal electric device 12A (second starting hole 12) is extended, so the game ball launch mode is switched (made stronger) and the game ball is launched toward the right-hand hitting area 3R (hits from the right to aim for the ball to enter the second starting hole 12).

In addition, regardless of whether the game state is in the non-time-saving state or the time-saving state, when the hit/miss judgment (hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol) is performed a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, "900 times") without the occurrence of a jackpot, the game transitions to the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b), and the opening time of the normal electric device 12A (second starting hole 12) is extended.

Furthermore, if a specific loss symbol is displayed in a non-time-saving state, the game state will transition to a specific time-saving state (time-saving state c) without a jackpot game, and the opening time of the normal electric device 12A (second starting hole 12) will be extended. Note that even if a specific loss symbol is displayed as a confirmed symbol in a time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c), it will be treated as a normal loss (non-specific loss), and the game will not transition to the specific time-saving state based on the confirmed display of the specific loss symbol.

Also, in this gaming machine 50, the amount of prize balls usually increases in proportion to the number of rounds played, so in the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, when the result of the second win/loss judgment is a jackpot, there is a higher chance of winning a larger number of prize balls than when the result of the first win/loss judgment is a jackpot.

In this embodiment, there is no difference in the bonus granted after a jackpot game between when the result of the first hit/miss judgment is a jackpot and when the result of the second hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, but unlike this embodiment, a difference may be established between the two cases. For example, more bonuses may be granted after a jackpot game when the result of the second hit/miss judgment is a jackpot than when the result of the first hit/miss judgment is a jackpot. In other words, the period of the time-saving state (time-saving state a) to which the player enters after a jackpot game may be longer when the result of the second hit/miss judgment is a jackpot than when the result of the first hit/miss judgment is a jackpot.

Furthermore, the method of providing a difference in payoff when the result of the second win/loss determination is a jackpot and when the result of the first win/loss determination is a jackpot is not limited to this, and for example, the bonus awarded after a jackpot game may be the same and a difference in payoff may be provided depending on the amount of prize balls awarded when the jackpot game is played, or conversely, the amount of prize balls awarded after a jackpot game may be the same and a difference in payoff provided to the player may be provided depending on the amount of bonus awarded after the jackpot game.
As described above, in this pachinko machine 50, the second starting hole 12 etc. are arranged in the right-hand hitting area 3R, and since the frequency of winning at the second starting hole 12 increases in the time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c), the configuration is such that the launch of the game ball into the right-hand hitting area 3R is induced in the time-saving state (jackpot time-saving state, reach time-saving state, specific time-saving state).

In addition, in Example 1, as shown in FIG. 8, the average change time of the special pattern in the b time-saving state is different from those in the a time-saving state and the c time-saving state, and the degree of shortening of the change time of the special pattern in the b time-saving state (the average change time of the special pattern in the non-time-saving state (the degree of shortening relative to 20 seconds)) is different from the degree of shortening of the change time of the special pattern in the a time-saving state and the c time-saving state.
Furthermore, the probability of a reach occurring in the b time-saving state is different from the probability of a reach occurring in the a time-saving state and the c time-saving state.
In addition, the average change time of the special symbols is shorter in the b time-saving state and the c time-saving state than in the a time-saving state, and the occurrence probability of a reach is lower in the b time-saving state and the c time-saving state than in the a time-saving state. Therefore, the change of the special symbols is executed at shorter intervals in the b time-saving state and the c time-saving state than in the a time-saving state.

In this pachinko machine 50, the game proceeds as follows.
First, the main routine executed by the main control device 80 of the pachinko machine 50 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 10. This main routine is executed periodically by a hardware interrupt approximately every 2 ms. In this embodiment, the process from S10 to S65, which is executed only once, is called "main process", and the process of S70, which is executed repeatedly as long as time permits within the time remaining after executing this main process, is called "remaining process". The "main process" is executed periodically by the above interrupt.

When a hardware interrupt is executed by the microcomputer, it is first determined whether it is a normal interrupt or not (S10). This determination process is performed by determining whether the value in a specified area of the RAM as a memory is a specified value, and is intended to determine whether normal processing may be executed when the processing executed by the microcomputer transitions to this processing. Cases when the interrupt is not normal include when the power is turned on or when the microcomputer goes out of control due to noise, etc., but since microcomputer runaway is considered to be almost nonexistent due to recent technological improvements, it usually occurs when the power is turned on. When the power is turned on, the value in the specified area of the RAM is different from the specified value.
If it is determined that the interrupt is not normal (S10: no), initial settings (for example, writing a specified value to a specified area of the memory, writing each initial value to the working area of the memory, etc., setting the special and normal patterns as the initial patterns, etc.) are made (S15), and the process moves to the remaining processing (S70).

If a positive judgment that the interrupt is normal is made (S10: yes), the initial value random number update process is executed (S20). This process is an increment process that increments the value of the initial value random number by +1 each time this process is executed, incrementing the value of the initial value random number before this process is executed by +1. However, if the random number value before this process is executed is the maximum value "3966", it will return to the initial value "0" in the next process, and 3967 integers from "0" to "3966" will be repeatedly created in ascending order.

The random number update process for determining a jackpot (S25) following S20 is an increment process that increments by +1 each time the process is executed, similar to the initial value random number update process. When the maximum value of "3966" is reached, the next process returns to the initial value of "0", and 3967 integers from "0" to "3966" are repeatedly created in ascending order. The initial value of the random number for determining a jackpot is the value set in the initial value random number setting process. If this value is 250, the random number for determining a jackpot will be updated as follows: "250", "251", "252", ... "3966", "0", "1", ...

When the random number for determining a jackpot goes through one cycle (updated 3967 times), the value of the initial random number at that time is set as the initial value of the random number for determining a jackpot, and the random number for determining a jackpot is incremented by +1 from its initial value. Then, when the random number for determining a jackpot goes through another cycle, the value of the initial random number at that time is set as the initial value of the random number for determining a jackpot. In other words, this series of operations is repeated. In the above example, when the random number for determining a jackpot becomes "249", it is the first cycle, so the value after "249" will be the value of the initial random number. If the value of the initial random number is "87", it will change to "249", "87", "88", ... "3966", "0", "1", ... "86", and the value after "86" will be a new value of the initial random number.
The random number update process for determining the winning symbol (S30) is configured as a counter that repeatedly creates 100 integers from "0" to "99," and is incremented by +1 for each process, returning to the initial value of "0" when the maximum value is exceeded.

The random number update process for determining a win (S35) following S30 is configured as a counter that repeatedly creates 997 integers from "0" to "996", and is incremented by +1 for each process, returning to the initial value of "0" when it exceeds the maximum value.
The random number update process for determining a win is used to draw normal patterns, while the other initial value random numbers, random numbers for determining a jackpot, random numbers for determining a jackpot pattern, random numbers for reaching a reach, and random numbers for determining a variation pattern are used to draw special patterns.
The random number update process for reach determination (S40) following S35 is configured as a counter that repeatedly creates 229 integers from "0" to "228", and is incremented by +1 for each process, returning to the initial value of "0" when it exceeds the maximum value.

The number of values that can be reached in the non-time-saving state (when the variable time-saving function is not activated) is 21, with values ranging from "0" to "20." The number of values that can be reached in the jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a) is 7, with values ranging from "0" to "6." The number of values that can be reached in the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b) is 4, with values ranging from "0" to "3." The number of values that can be reached in the specific time-saving state (time-saving state c) is 5, with values ranging from "0" to "4."

The random number update process for determining the variation pattern (S45) following S40 is configured as a counter that repeatedly creates 1021 integers from "0" to "1020", incrementing by +1 for each process and returning to the initial value of "0" when the maximum value is exceeded.
The random number update process for determining losing symbols (S46) is configured as a counter that repeatedly creates 3,967 integers from "0" to "3,966", and is incremented by +1 for each process, returning to the initial value of "0" when the maximum value is exceeded.

In the subsequent winning confirmation process (S50), winnings at the first starting port 11, the second starting port 12, winnings at the large winning port 14, the general winning port 13, and balls entering the normal pattern activation gate 17 are confirmed, and input processing is performed for each switch provided in the pachinko machine 50 and connected to the main control unit 80.
The process of confirming whether a ball has entered each starting port and operating port (starting winning process) will be described later.

In this embodiment, when a game ball enters the first start port 11 or the second start port 12, multiple random numbers are obtained, such as a random number for determining a jackpot, a random number for determining a jackpot pattern, a random number for determining a variation pattern, and a random number for judging a reach. However, the number that can be reserved and stored is limited to four for each of the first start port 11 and the second start port 12, and even if a game ball enters the first start port 11 or the second start port 12 when the reserved memory is full of four balls, only the prize balls (three balls) are paid out, and the multiple random numbers are not reserved and stored.

Next, a hit/miss determination process (S55) is performed as a condition establishment determination means for determining whether or not a big hit has occurred. When this hit/miss determination process (S55) is completed, each output process (S60) such as an image output process is executed.
In each output process (S60), the main control device 80 executes output processes for the performance symbol control device 82, the payout control device 81, the launch control device 84, the sub-integrated control device 83, the large prize opening solenoid 14b, etc., depending on the progress of the game. That is, when the winning confirmation process (S50) detects that a game ball has won in each winning opening on the game board 1, it executes a process of outputting prize ball data to the payout control device 81 to pay out a game ball as a prize ball, a process of outputting sound data corresponding to the game status to the sub-integrated control device 83, and a process of outputting an error signal to the performance symbol control device 82 to notify that an error is occurring when there is an abnormality in the pachinko machine 50.

The following fraud monitoring process (S65) is a process for monitoring whether or not fraud has been committed against the normal winning opening 13, and determines whether or not the number of game balls entering the winning opening within a specified time period is greater than a predetermined number. If so, it is determined that fraud has occurred, and a notification to that effect is issued. In other words, the fraud determination means is provided in the main control device 80.

The residual process that follows this process is composed of an initial value random number update process (S70), which is exactly the same as the above-mentioned S20. This process forms an infinite loop and is executed repeatedly as long as time allows until the next interrupt is executed. The time required to execute the above-mentioned processes from S10 to S65 differs for each interrupt, depending on whether or not the jackpot process is executed, the display mode of the special pattern, etc. As a result, the number of times the residual process is executed also differs for each interrupt, and the value updated to the initial value random number by executing the interrupt process shown in FIG. 10 once is not uniform. This makes it extremely unlikely that the initial value random number will be synchronized with the random number for determining a jackpot. If the values of the initial value random number (3967 ways from 0 to 3966) are generated at the same rate when the random number for determining a jackpot goes through one cycle, the probability of synchronization is only 1/3967. In addition, the above-mentioned random number update process for determining a jackpot (S35) may also be configured to be executed within the residual process.

Next, the start winning confirmation process for the normal symbol (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the normal symbol start winning confirmation process) will be described with reference to Fig. 11. This normal symbol start winning confirmation process is one of the subroutines of the winning confirmation process (S50) of the main routine of Fig. 10.
The start winning confirmation process for the normal symbol shown in FIG. 11 (normal symbol start winning confirmation process) judges whether or not there is a ball entering the normal symbol operation gate 17 (S100), and if there is a ball entering (S100: yes), judges whether or not the reserved memory for the normal symbol is full (S102). In the case of a negative judgment (S102: no), various random numbers such as a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is a winning symbol and a random number for determining a winning symbol (random number for determining a normal symbol) are extracted in the process of S104, and the various extracted random numbers are stored as reserved memory in the memory of the main control device 80 (a reserved memory process for normal symbols provided in the built-in RAM, not shown in FIG. 11) (maximum of four). Then, the display control of the normal symbol reserved number display device 8 and the normal symbol reserved number command transmission process to the performance symbol display device 82 and the sub integrated control device 83 are performed (S106), and this process is terminated (returned).

In addition, if the process of S100 determines that no game ball has entered the normal symbol activation gate 17 (S100: no) or if the reserved memory for normal symbols is full (S102: yes), the process will return.

Next, the winning/losing judgment process for the normal symbol (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the normal symbol winning/losing judgment process) will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14. This normal symbol winning/losing judgment process is one of the subroutines of the winning/losing judgment process (S55) of the main routine of Figure 10.
In the normal symbol hit/miss judgment process (normal symbol hit/miss judgment process), first, it is judged whether the normal electric role 12A for opening the second starting hole 12 is in operation (S110). If the normal electric role 12A is in operation (S110: yes), it proceeds directly to the normal symbol game process. Also, if the normal electric role 12A is not in operation (S110: no), it is judged whether the normal symbol is changing (S112). If it is not changing (S112: no), it is judged whether the fixed symbol is displayed (S114).

If the confirmed symbol is not being displayed (S114: no), it is determined whether or not there is a reserved memory of a normal symbol (S116), and if there is a reserved memory of a normal symbol (S116: yes), the number of reserved memories of normal symbols is decremented (S118) and the process proceeds to S120. However, if there is no reserved memory of a normal symbol (S116: no), the process proceeds directly to normal symbol game processing.

In S120, the oldest reserved memory is read (and that reserved memory is erased) and it is determined whether the time-saving flag (first time-saving flag, second time-saving flag, or third time-saving flag) is set (i.e., 1). If the determination in S120 is positive (S120: yes), the random number for determining a win for the read normal symbol is compared with the winning value recorded in the time-saving table (S122), and the process moves to S130 in FIG. 14. If the determination is negative (S120: no), the random number for determining a win is compared with the winning value recorded in the normal table in S124, and the process moves to S130 in FIG. 13.

In this embodiment, when the game state is such that the jackpot probability for special symbols is the normal probability (time-saving flag is "0"), the hit probability for normal symbols is "1/6", and when the game state is in the time-saving state (time-saving flag is "1"), the hit probability for normal symbols is "5/6". When the time-saving flag is 1, the game state is normally one in which the normal symbol probability variation function is activated.

The hit probability of the normal symbol (the probability that the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the normal symbol is a hit) changes from the normal probability (in this embodiment, "1/6") to the high probability (in this embodiment, "5/6") on the premise that the continuous operation device of the accessory that started operating when the jackpot game started (see S388 in FIG. 22) has stopped operating. In other words, it is generally a prerequisite for the hit probability of the normal symbol to change to a high probability that the continuous operation device of the accessory that was operating during the jackpot game has stopped operating after the jackpot game ends.
Therefore, the probability of winning the normal pattern is not necessarily changed from the normal probability to a high probability when the time-saving flag becomes "1", but the probability of winning the normal pattern may be changed to a high probability when the following two conditions are met: (1) the operation of the continuous operation device of the reel has stopped, and (2) the time-saving flag has become "1".

In S130 of FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol is a winning symbol, and if it is a winning symbol (S130: yes), the winning symbol is determined based on the random number for determining the winning symbol (S132), and the variation pattern is determined (S134). After that, the normal symbol winning symbol setting process is executed (S136), and the process moves to S140. On the other hand, if the normal symbol is not a winning symbol (S130: no), the variation pattern for a losing symbol is determined (S138), and the process moves to S140.

In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, the normal symbol fluctuation time (the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation pattern determined in S134 or S138) is an average of 5.0 seconds if the game state of the pachinko machine 50 is in the normal state (non-time-saving state), regardless of whether the result of the normal symbol hit/miss judgment is a hit or miss, and regardless of the winning symbol, an average of 1.0 second if the game state of the pachinko machine 50 is in the a time-saving state (first time-saving flag = 1), an average of 0.5 seconds if the b time-saving state (second time-saving flag = 1), and an average of 0.8 seconds if the c time-saving state (third time-saving flag = 1).

Then, the process proceeds to S140, where the normal symbol display device 7 starts to change, and a normal symbol change start command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S140), and the process proceeds to normal symbol game processing. In the normal symbol win setting process (S136) of this embodiment, if a positive judgment is made in S130 during a non-time-saving state, the normal electric role device 12A is set to open once every 0.3 seconds.

In addition, if a positive judgment is made in S130 during time-saving state a, the normal electric device 12A is set to an opening pattern of once every 2 seconds, if a positive judgment is made in S130 during time-saving state b, the normal electric device 12A is set to an opening pattern of once every 1.5 seconds, and if a positive judgment is made in S130 during time-saving state c, the normal electric device 12A is set to an opening pattern of twice every 1.0 seconds.

In S112 of FIG. 12, if the normal symbol is changing (S112: yes), the process proceeds to S146 shown in FIG. 14(a). In S146, it is determined whether the normal symbol change time has elapsed. If the determination is positive (S146: yes), a confirmed symbol display process for the corresponding normal symbol is performed (S148), and the process proceeds to normal symbol game processing. In the confirmed symbol display process, a command to display the confirmed symbol (symbol confirmation command) is output to the sub-integrated control device 83, and a command is output to the normal symbol display device 7 to stop it at the confirmed symbol. Note that if the symbol change time has not elapsed (S146: no), the process proceeds directly to normal symbol game processing.

In S114 of FIG. 12, if the fixed symbol is being displayed (S114: yes), the process proceeds to S150 shown in FIG. 14(b). In S150, it is determined whether the fixed symbol display time has ended. If the fixed symbol display time has ended (S150: yes), the display of the fixed symbol ends (S152), and it is determined whether the normal symbol combination is a winning combination (S154). If the normal symbol combination is a winning combination (S154: yes), a normal symbol winning start performance process is performed (S156), and the process proceeds to normal symbol game processing. If the fixed symbol display time has not ended (S150: no) or if the normal symbol combination is a losing combination (S154: no), the process proceeds directly to normal symbol game processing.

15 to 16, the normal symbol game process performed by opening the normal electric role 12A (second starting hole 12) will be described. The normal symbol game process is a process executed after the execution of the normal symbol hit/miss determination process.
As shown in Fig. 15, when the normal symbol game process is started, first, it is determined whether the normal electric role 12A is in operation (S160). If the normal electric role 12A is in operation (S160: yes), it is determined whether the normal electric role 12A is open (S162). On the other hand, if the normal electric role 12A is not in operation (S160: no), this process ends (returns).

If the normal electric role device 12A is not open (S162: no), it is determined whether the normal symbol hit end performance is in progress (S164), and if the normal symbol hit end performance is not in progress (S164: no), it is confirmed whether the normal symbol hit start performance time has elapsed (S166). If the normal symbol hit start performance time has elapsed (S166: yes), the process proceeds to the normal electric role device opening process (S168) and ends.
The normal electric device opening process (S168) in this embodiment opens the normal electric device 12A (second starting port 12) based on the opening pattern of the normal electric device 12A set in S136 described above (changing from a closed state to an open state).

If the normal electric role 12A is open in the process of S162 in FIG. 15 (S162: yes), the process proceeds to S170 in FIG. 16(a). Then, it is determined whether or not nine balls (prescribed number) have entered the normal electric role 12A (second starting hole 12) (S170). If the prescribed number has been reached (S170: yes), the normal electric role closure process (S174) is performed, and the normal symbol winning end performance process is executed (S176), and the process ends. On the other hand, if nine balls (prescribed number) have not entered the normal electric role 12A (second starting hole 12) (S170: no), it is determined whether or not the opening time of the normal electric role 12A has ended (S172). If the determination is positive (S172: yes), the process proceeds to S174. If the determination is negative (S172: no), the process ends as it is.

If the normal symbol hit end presentation is in progress in the process of S164 in FIG. 15 (S164: yes), the process proceeds to S180 shown in FIG. 16(b) and checks whether the normal symbol hit end presentation time has elapsed (S180). If the normal symbol hit end presentation time has elapsed (S180: yes), a normal symbol hit end command transmission process (S182) is executed, and in this process a normal symbol hit end command is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the normal symbol game ends. Note that if the normal symbol hit end presentation time has not elapsed (S180: no), the normal symbol game process ends as is.

Next, the winning confirmation process for the special symbol (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the special symbol winning confirmation process) will be described with reference to Fig. 17. This special symbol winning confirmation process is one of the subroutines of the winning confirmation process (S50) of the main routine of Fig. 10.
When the special symbol winning confirmation process is started, the main control device 80 judges whether or not a game ball has entered the first start hole 11 based on the detection signal of the first start hole switch 11a (S200). If the judgment is positive (S200: yes), the random numbers for determining a big win, for determining a big win symbol, for judging a reach, for determining a variation pattern, etc. are read from the corresponding counters, and it is judged whether or not the first reserved memory is full (four in this embodiment) (S202). Also, if it is judged that a game ball has entered the first start hole 11 (S200: yes), the main control device 80 outputs a signal to the payout control device 81 to instruct the payout of prize balls (three balls).

If the first reserved memory is not full (S202: no), the random numbers are stored in the memory area as the first reserved memory, the number of lights on the first special symbol reserved number display device 18 is increased by 1, "1" is added to the counter indicating the number of the first reserved memories, and the number of lights on the first special symbol reserved number display device 18 is increased (S204). Then, a reserved number command (first reserved number command) corresponding to the added number of the first reserved memories is generated and transmitted to the sub-integration device 83 (S206), and the process proceeds to S210.
On the other hand, if there are four first reserved memories (S202: yes), no reserved memories are stored, and the process proceeds to S210 without increasing the counter indicating the number of first reserved memories or the number of lights on the first special pattern reserved number display device 18.

If it is determined that a game ball has not entered the first starting hole 11 (S200: no), the process also proceeds to S210, where it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the second starting hole 12 based on the detection signal of the second starting hole switch 12a. If the determination is positive (S210: yes), the random numbers for determining a jackpot, the random numbers for determining a jackpot pattern, the random numbers for reaching a target, the random numbers for determining a variation pattern, etc. are read from the corresponding counters, and it is determined whether or not the second reserved memory is full (4 balls in this embodiment) (S212). Also, if it is determined that a game ball has entered the second starting hole 12 (S210: yes), the main control unit 80 outputs a signal to the payout control unit 81 to instruct it to pay out prize balls (3 balls).

If the second reserved memory is not full (S212: no), the random numbers are stored as the second reserved memory, "1" is added to the counter indicating the number of second reserved memories, "1" is added to the counter indicating the number of second reserved memories, and the number of lights on the second special symbol reserved number display device 19 is increased (S214). Then, a reserved number command (second reserved number command) corresponding to the added number of second reserved memories is generated and sent to the sub-integration device 83 (S216), and this process ends.
On the other hand, if there are four second reserved memories in S212 (S212: yes), the second reserved memories are not stored, and the process ends (returns) without increasing the number of second reserved memories or the number of lights on the second special symbol reserved number display device 19. Also, if no game ball has entered the second starting hole 12 (S210: no), the process ends.

In addition, a signal instructing the payout control device 81 to pay out prize balls (3 balls) is output from the main control device 80 to the payout control device 81 prior to the judgment process performed in S200 and the judgment process performed in S210, so that prize balls will be paid out even if the first reserve memory and the second reserve memory are full.
Furthermore, when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives the first reserved number command or the second reserved number command (second reserved memory number instruction command), it sends an instruction signal to the performance pattern control device 82 to change the number of reserved memories displayed on the performance pattern display device 6 according to the reserved memory number indicated by the received command.

Here, after performing S204, a look-ahead judgment (hereinafter referred to as the first look-ahead judgment) is executed regarding the reserved memory for the newly generated first special pattern (the reserved memory for the first special pattern stored in S204 based on the positive judgment of S200, i.e., the first reserved memory), and the preview performance content may be selected based on the result of this first look-ahead judgment.
Similarly, after performing S214, a look-ahead judgment (hereinafter referred to as the second look-ahead judgment) may be performed on the reserved memory for the newly generated second special pattern (the reserved memory for the second special pattern stored in S214 based on the positive judgment of S210, i.e., the second reserved memory), and the preview performance content may be selected based on the result of this second look-ahead judgment.

Note that the look-ahead judgment is a judgment made in advance regarding the reserved memory (first reserved memory, second reserved memory) before making a correct/incorrect judgment (see Figures 18 to 24 described below). The performance content executed based on the results of the look-ahead judgment will be described later.

In addition, this look-ahead judgment is not limited to a configuration in which a random number stored in the reserved memory area (an area that stores reserved memory acquired based on the ball entering the starting holes 11 and 12 in S204 and S206) is read ahead and judged, but may also be a look-ahead judgment of a random number stored in a memory area other than the reserved memory area (for example, a temporary memory area).

Next, the special symbol hit/miss judgment process (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the special symbol hit/miss judgment process) will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 25. This special symbol hit/miss judgment process is one of the subroutines of the hit/miss judgment process (S55) of the main routine shown in Figure 10.
As shown in Fig. 18, when the special symbol hit/miss judgment process is started, the main control device 80 judges whether the special electric role is in operation based on the big hit flag (S320). If the special electric role is in operation (S320: yes), the process proceeds to the big hit game process. Also, if the judgment of S320 is a negative judgment (S320: no), the special symbol is not changing (S322: no), and the fixed symbol is not being displayed (S324: no), the process proceeds to S330 in Fig. 19, and judges whether there is a second reserved memory (reserved memory by S214 in Fig. 17 above) (S330).

If this reserved memory exists (S330: yes), the second reserved memory count is decremented (S332) and the process proceeds to S338.
On the other hand, if there is no second reserved memory (S330: no), it is determined whether there is a first reserved memory (reserved memory by S204 in FIG. 17) (S334). If there is a first reserved memory (S334: yes), the number of first reserved memories is decremented (S336) and the process proceeds to S338.

If there is no first reserved memory (S334: no), a standby command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S337), and then the process proceeds to the big win game process. This standby command is a command indicating that the special symbol has not changed and the pachinko machine 50 is in a "standby state (a so-called "state of waiting for customers").
Also, in this pachinko machine 50, when both the first reserved memory and the second reserved memory are not "zero", the second reserved memory is processed preferentially.

In S338, it is determined whether or not the probability variable flag is set (i.e., 1). Here, the probability variable flag being 1 means that the current pachinko machine 50 is in a high probability state.
If the result of the process of S338 is positive (S338: yes), the random number for determining a jackpot read in S204 or S214 is compared with the winning value recorded in the probability change table (S340).
On the other hand, if the result of the process of S338 is negative (S338: no), the random number for determining a jackpot read in S204 or S214 is compared with the winning value recorded in the normal table (S344).
Then, based on the determination in S340 or S344, it is determined whether or not a jackpot has been reached (S350).

Here, in the pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment, since it does not have a probability variation function of the special symbol, a negative determination is made across the board in S338. However, in the pachinko machine 50 that has a probability variation function of the special symbol, a positive determination is made in S338. Note that the pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment may also have a probability variation function of the special symbol.
In addition, the pachinko machine 50 of Example 1 does not have a function that allows the probability of a jackpot for determining whether or not a special pattern is a hit to be set in stages, but in a pachinko machine 50 that has such a setting function, a jackpot is determined (jackpot determination) in S350 with a probability that differs in stages depending on the setting value at that time.

When it is determined in S350 that a jackpot has been reached (S350: yes), the jackpot symbol is determined by random number lottery using the random numbers for determining the jackpot symbol (S352).
If the result of the "first hit/miss determination" is a hit, the hit symbol is determined by random number lottery using the hit symbol determination random number read by decrementing the first reserved memory (S352).

Furthermore, if the result of the "second hit/miss determination" is a hit, the hit symbol is determined by random number lottery using the hit symbol determination random number read by decrementing the second reserved memory.
Here, the main control device 80 compares the random number for determining a jackpot read by decrementing the first reserved memory with the winning value to determine whether or not a jackpot has been reached, which corresponds to the "first win/loss determination." Also, the main control device 80 compares the random number for determining a jackpot read by decrementing the second reserved memory with the winning value to determine whether or not a jackpot has been reached, which corresponds to the "second win/loss determination."

As shown in Fig. 5(a) and (b), in the process of S352, which is entered after the first hit/miss judgment, the jackpot pattern is determined to be either "Special chart 1_jackpot pattern 1 (4R normal jackpot pattern)", "Special chart 1_jackpot pattern 2 (6R normal jackpot pattern)" or "Special chart 1_jackpot pattern 3 (6R normal jackpot pattern)". In addition, in the process of S352, which is entered after the second hit/miss judgment, the jackpot pattern is determined to be either "Special chart 2_jackpot pattern 1 (6R normal jackpot pattern)" or "Special chart 2_jackpot pattern 2 (8R normal jackpot pattern)".

Then, when the winning symbol is determined in the process of S352, the process proceeds to a variation pattern determination process (S354).
In this variation pattern determination process (S354), the jackpot variation pattern is determined by the variation pattern determination random number. Here, the variation time (variation time of special symbols) until the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed is specified by the variation pattern, but in the performance display (variation display of performance symbols) corresponding to the variation (hereinafter referred to as jackpot variation) executed when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, the reach (reach display followed by reach performance) is performed uniformly. Therefore, regardless of the game state (open extension state, non-open extension state) of the pachinko machine 50, it is highly likely that a long variation time (longer than when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss) will be determined.

Then, after the fluctuation pattern determination process, the jackpot setting process is performed (S356), and then the process proceeds to S364.
Here, the jackpot setting process is a process for obtaining the game state after the jackpot game is executed (whether it will be a time-saving state in Example 1, or a high probability state or a time-saving state in a pachinko machine 50 equipped with a special probability function, etc.) and information related to the jackpot game (opening time of the jackpot, opening pattern, ending time of the jackpot, number of rounds, etc.) based on the determined jackpot pattern (see Figures 5 (a) and (b)).
On the other hand, if it is determined that the winning combination is a miss in S350 (S350: no), a losing symbol is determined (S358). Then, when the losing symbol is determined, a variation pattern is determined based on the reach determination random number and the variation pattern determination random number (S360). When the variation pattern is set in this way, a loss setting process is performed (S362), and then the process proceeds to S364.

The out-of-range setting process of S362 will now be described with reference to FIG.
When the miss setting process is started, it is determined in S362e whether the value of the time-saving flag is "1" or not (S362e). Here, in this embodiment, the time-saving flags are a first time-saving flag that is set when the game state is "time-saving state a", a second time-saving flag that is set when the game state is "time-saving state b", and a third time-saving flag that is set when the game state is "time-saving state c".
If a positive determination is made in S362e (S362e: yes), S362f is executed and then the process proceeds to S362g. If a negative determination is made in S362e (S362e: no), S362f is skipped and the process proceeds to S362g.

Here, in S362f, a process of decrementing the time-saving count by "1" is performed. In other words, the remaining number of win/loss determinations that can be performed in the time-saving state (time-saving count) is decremented by "1."
In this embodiment, at the end of a jackpot game, the state transitions to a jackpot time-saving state, and the number of time-saving times is set to "100 times" or "895 times" (see S546 in FIG. 28), and when the number of hit/miss judgments performed in the normal probability state reaches "900 times", the state transitions to an reached time-saving state, and the number of time-saving times is set to "900 times" (see S452 in FIG. 24). Also, when a specific miss pattern is displayed as a confirmed hit, the state transitions to a specific time-saving state, and the number of time-saving times is set to "50 times" (see S458 in FIG. 24).

In S362f, the number of time-saving times is incremented by "-1" each time the variable display of the special symbol starts, and the value of the time-saving flag is changed from "1" to "0" when the variable display, which has the number of time-saving times set to "0" by performing S362f, is stopped. However, unlike this embodiment, if the value of the corresponding time-saving flag is "1", a process of decrementing the number of time-saving times by "-1" may be performed when the special symbol stops being displayed.

In S362g, the value of the arrival counter is incremented by "1." Here, the arrival counter is a counter for counting the number of hit/miss determinations executed in the normal probability state, and in the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, when a big hit game is executed or the RAM is cleared, the arrival counter is initialized (the value is set to "0") (see FIG. 5(d)).
In this manner, in this pachinko machine 50, when the game state is in the normal probability state, the number of times that the "win/lose judgment regarding the special symbol" is executed without resulting in a jackpot is counted.

When S362g is executed, the process proceeds to S362h, where a process is performed to send a count command to the sub-integration device 83. In other words, each time a win/loss determination is made in the normal probability state, information indicating that the win/loss determination was made in the normal probability state is sent from the main control device 80 to the sub-integration device 83. As a result, the sub-integration device 83 can grasp the number of win/loss determinations that have been made in the normal probability state.

Then, when S362h is executed, the process proceeds to S362i, where it is determined whether the value of the arrival counter has reached a specified number of times. Here, when the number of hit/miss judgments executed without the occurrence of a jackpot in the normal probability state reaches a specified number of times (900 in this embodiment), the game state transitions to the time-saving state (time-saving state b) without the jackpot game.
If the result of S362i is negative (S362i: no), the loss setting process is returned. On the other hand, if the result of S362i is positive (S362i: yes), the process of setting the value of the reach flag to "1" (S362j) is executed, and then the loss setting process is returned. The reach flag is a flag indicating that the number of hit/miss judgments (variable display) in the normal probability state has reached a specified number of times, and the value is set to "1" when the specified number of times has been reached.

Here, in S360 of Fig. 19, if the random number for reach judgment is judged to be a value that generates a reach (the above-mentioned predetermined value), a variation pattern is determined using a variation pattern table that takes into account the game state at that time and the random number for determining the variation pattern. Here, if the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss, a reach (a reach display followed by a reach performance) is performed in the variation display of the performance pattern, which is called a "reach miss", and a case where a reach is not performed is called a "normal miss".
In addition, if the result of the win/loss judgment is a miss, no reach is made, and the game state is not in a time-saving state, the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the "fluctuation pattern table for normal miss and non-time-saving state," and if the game state is in a time-saving state, the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the "fluctuation pattern table for normal miss and time-saving state."

When the result of the hit/miss judgment is miss and a reach is made (when the reach is missed) and the game state is not in the time-saving state, the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the "fluctuation pattern table for the reach is missed and the non-time-saving state", and when the game state is in the time-saving state, the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the "fluctuation pattern table for the reach is missed and the time-saving state". In this case, as in the case when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, the fluctuation time determined by referring to the fluctuation pattern table for the time-saving state is made shorter than the fluctuation time determined by referring to the fluctuation pattern table for the non-time-saving state.
Generally, when a normal miss occurs (when there is no reach display followed by a reach performance), the "fluctuation pattern determined by referring to the fluctuation pattern table for normal miss and non-time-saving state" specifies a fluctuation time that is shorter than that of a fluctuation pattern determined by referring to the "fluctuation pattern table for reach miss and non-time-saving state" when a reach miss occurs (when there is a reach display followed by a reach performance).

19, following S356 or S362, the process proceeds to S364, where a reservation number command is sent to the sub-integrator 83, indicating the reservation memory number decremented in S332 or S336.
In S366 following S364, data indicating the above-mentioned lottery result (first win/loss judgment or second win/loss judgment) is output to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S366), and the process proceeds to jackpot game processing.

Here, the data transmitted to the sub integrated control device 83 in S366 will be described with reference to FIG.
The fluctuation start command (display control command) of S366 includes information (data) based on the correct/incorrect judgment result in addition to fluctuation pattern data (fluctuation pattern command) that specifies the fluctuation time.
Specifically, if the result of the hit/miss determination is a hit, "hit information" is included.
In addition, if the result of the correct/incorrect judgment is a mistake and the specified number of times has been reached in that correct/incorrect judgment (if a positive judgment is made in S362i of Figure 20(a)), the miss information and the reach information will be included, and if the correct/incorrect judgment does not result in the specified number of times being reached (if a negative judgment is made in S362i of Figure 20(a)), the miss information will be included but the reach information will not be included.

Furthermore, when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a specific miss, the miss information and the specific information are included. Here, the specific information is generated when the special symbol 1_miss symbol 2 is selected as the miss symbol during the non-time shortening period.
In addition, the fluctuation start command also includes data indicating whether the miss is a reach miss or a normal miss (data specifying the random number for reach judgment) if the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss.

Furthermore, when the game state is a time-saving state (when the first time-saving flag = 1, the second time-saving flag = 1, or the third time-saving flag = 1), the fluctuation start command also includes data specifying the remaining number of win/lose judgments (win/lose judgments regarding special patterns) in that time-saving state. In other words, it also includes data specifying the number of time-saving times (remaining times) after being decremented in S362f. Then, when the sub-integration device 83 receives a fluctuation start command including this data, it can know that the final win/lose judgment performed in that time-saving state (the final fluctuation display (special pattern) performed in that time-saving state) has been performed.

Furthermore, the processing of S366 causes the performance pattern display device 6 to start displaying the changing performance patterns, and at almost the same time, the main control device 80 also starts changing the special patterns.
Returning to FIG. 18 for further explanation, if it is determined in S322 of FIG. 18 that the special symbol is changing (S322: yes), the process proceeds to S370 of FIG. 21(b), where it is determined whether the symbol change time (based on the change pattern of S354 or S360) has elapsed. If the determination is negative (S370: no), the process proceeds directly to the big win game process. On the other hand, if the determination is positive (S370: yes), the big win game process is performed after the fixed symbol display process (S372). In the fixed symbol display process, a command to display the fixed symbol (symbol fixed command) is output to the sub-integrated control device 83, and a command is output to the special symbol display device 9, 10 to stop it at the fixed symbol.

When it is determined in S324 of Fig. 18 that the fixed symbol is being displayed (S324: yes), the process proceeds to S374 of Fig. 22, where it is determined whether the display time of the fixed symbol has ended. When it is determined that the fixed symbol is not being displayed (S374: no), a big win game process is performed.
On the other hand, if the determination at S374 is affirmative (S374: yes), the display of the confirmed symbols is terminated (S376), and it is determined whether the confirmed and displayed special symbols are symbols that will result in a jackpot (S378).

If it is determined in S378 that the symbol is a jackpot (S378: yes), it is determined in S380 whether the time-saving flag (first time-saving flag, second time-saving flag, or third time-saving flag) is 1. If any of the first time-saving flag, second time-saving flag, and third time-saving flag is 1 (S380: yes), the time-saving flag (first time-saving flag, second time-saving flag, or third time-saving flag) is set to 0 in S382, and the process proceeds to S384. On the other hand, if none of the time-saving flags (first time-saving flag, second time-saving flag, and third time-saving flag) is 1 (S380: no), the process proceeds directly to S384.
In other words, in S382, if the value of the first time-saving flag is 1, the value of the first time-saving flag is set to 0, if the value of the second time-saving flag is 1, the value of the second time-saving flag is set to 0, and if the value of the third time-saving flag is 1, the value of the third time-saving flag is set to 0.

In S384, a state designation command is transmitted. In this case, a command indicating that the gaming state is "a normal probability/non-time-saving state (i.e., normal state)" is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. In other words, during the execution of a jackpot game, the gaming state becomes a normal probability/non-time-saving state (normal state).
Following S384, in S386, a jackpot flag is set by a condition device operation start process, and in the following S388, a device for continuously operating the reels is operated.

After S388, the main control device 80 performs a jackpot start effect process in the following S390, and executes a jackpot game process. When the jackpot start effect process is executed, the main control device 80 transmits a command indicating the start of a jackpot game and information related to the jackpot game (opening time of the jackpot, opening pattern, ending time of the jackpot, number of rounds, etc.) to the sub-integrated control device 83.
In S378, if it is determined that the special symbol displayed as confirmed is not a symbol that will result in a jackpot (S378: no), the process proceeds to S398 in FIG. 23, where it is determined whether the first time-saving flag is "1" or not.

In other words, in S398, it is determined whether or not the current state is the jackpot time-saving state. Then, if the value of the first time-saving flag is 1 (S398: yes), it is determined whether or not the value of the reach flag is 1 (S404), and if the determination is affirmative, the process moves to S450 (see FIG. 24). In other words, even if the jackpot time-saving state is in progress, once the specified number of times has been reached (when the value of the reach flag becomes 1), the process moves to the reach time-saving state. Details of S450 will be described later.

If a negative judgment is made in S404 (S404), it is judged in S406 whether or not the number of time-saving times is "0" (S406). Then, if the number of time-saving times is not "0" (S406: no), the process proceeds directly to S470.
On the other hand, when the number of time-saving times is "0", the first time-saving flag is set to "0" in S410, and the process proceeds to S470.

If the first time-saving flag is not “1” in S398 (S398: no), the process proceeds to S412, where it is determined whether or not the second time-saving flag is “1.” That is, in S412, it is determined whether or not the game is currently in the reached time-saving state.
Then, when the value of the second time-saving flag is 1 (S412: yes), it is determined whether the value of the arrival flag is 1 (S414), and when the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to S450 (see FIG. 24). However, as described above, since it is actually impossible for the value of the arrival flag to be set to 1 during the arrival time-saving state, a negative determination is usually made in S414.

If the determination in S414 is negative, the process proceeds to S416, where it is determined whether the number of time-saving times is "0" or not (S416). If the number of time-saving times is not "0" (S416: no), the process proceeds directly to S470.
On the other hand, when the number of time-saving times is "0", the second time-saving flag is set to "0" in S430, and the process proceeds to S470.

If the second time-saving flag is not "1" in S412 (S412: no), the process proceeds to S436 in Fig. 24, where it is determined whether or not the third time-saving flag is "1". That is, in S436, it is determined whether or not the specific time-saving state is currently in effect.
If the value of the third time-saving flag is 1 (S436: yes), the process proceeds to S438, where it is determined whether the value of the reach flag is 1 (S438). If the determination in S438 is affirmative (S438; yes), the process proceeds to S450.

If the result of the determination in S438 is negative (S438: no), the process determines whether the number of time-saving times is "0" (S440). If the number of time-saving times is not "0" (S440: no), the process proceeds directly to S470.
On the other hand, when the number of time-saving times is "0", the process proceeds to S446, the third time-saving flag is set to "0", and the process proceeds to S470.

If a negative judgment is made in S436 (S436: no), that is, if the value of none of the time-saving flags is 1, the process proceeds to S448, where it is judged whether the value of the reach flag is "1". If a positive judgment is made in S448 (S448: yes), the process proceeds to S470 after carrying out a process of setting the value of the reach flag to "0" (S450), a process of setting the number of time-saving times (S452), and a process of setting the value of the second time-saving flag to "1" (S454).

Here, a positive judgment in S448 indicates a case where the game state transitions to the "time-saving state", and in that case, the number of time-saving times is set to "900 times" in S452. When transitioning to the "time-saving state", the average fluctuation time reduction of special symbols, the average fluctuation time reduction of normal symbols, and the opening extension function for extending the opening time of normal electric roles are set.
If the result of the determination in S448 is negative (S448: no), then in S456, it is determined whether or not the current loss is a specific loss (whether or not the specific loss symbol confirmation display was performed in S372). If the result of the determination in S456 is negative, the process proceeds directly to S470.

On the other hand, if the result of S456 is positive, the process proceeds to S470 after performing a process of setting the number of time-saving times (S458) and a process of setting the third time-saving flag to "1" (S460). When the third time-saving flag is set to "1" in S460, the process proceeds to a specific time-saving state (c time-saving state).

Here, a positive judgment in S456 indicates a case where the game state transitions to a "specific time-saving state", in which case the number of time-saving times is set to "50 times" in S458. When transitioning to a "specific time-saving state", the following functions are set: shortening the average fluctuation time of special symbols, shortening the average fluctuation time of normal symbols, and extending the opening time of normal electric roles. Then, after performing S460, the process transitions to S470.

In S470, the main control device 80 transmits a state designation command indicating whether the current game state is in a special bonus state, whether the time is shortened, etc. to the sub integrated control device 83 after the special pattern determination time (600 ms), and transitions to jackpot game processing.

In this embodiment, the timing for sending a state designation command from the main control device 80 to the sub integrated control device 83 in the special pattern hit/miss determination process is after the special pattern is determined, but the state designation command may also be sent when the special pattern starts to change and when the power is restored.

In this embodiment, when in the time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b or time-saving state c), even if special pattern 1_missing pattern 2 is displayed as confirmed, the state will not transition to time-saving state c. However, the remaining number of times that can be performed in the ongoing time-saving state and the number of time-saving times to be awarded based on the stopped display of the specific missing pattern may be compared, and if the number of time-saving times is greater than the remaining number, the remaining number may be updated with the number of time-saving times to be awarded.

For example, if a negative judgment is made in S404 or S414 in FIG. 23 or S438 in FIG. 24, it is judged whether or not a specific failure has occurred, and if a positive judgment is made in the judgment, the remaining number of times that can be performed in the ongoing time-saving state and the number of time-saving times to be awarded based on the occurrence of a specific failure are compared. Then, if the number of time-saving times to be awarded is greater, the remaining number of times that can be performed in the ongoing time-saving state and the number of time-saving times to be awarded may be updated (overwritten) with the number of time-saving times to be awarded.

The contents of the state designation command sent in S470 will now be described with reference to FIG.
In the process of S470, which is performed after the value of the second time-saving flag is set to 1 (S454), a second time-saving state transition designation command is transmitted. That is, a command indicating a transition to the arrival time-saving state is transmitted from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83.
In addition, in the process of S470, which is performed after the value of the third time-saving flag is set to 1 (S460), a third time-saving state transition designation command is transmitted. That is, a command indicating a transition to a specific time-saving state is transmitted from the main control device 80 to the sub integrated control device 83.

Furthermore, in the process of S470 which is performed after the value of the first time-saving flag is set to 0 (S410), a command to specify the end of the first time-saving state is transmitted. That is, a command indicating that the jackpot time-saving state is to end is transmitted from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83.
In addition, in the process of S470 which is performed after the value of the second time-saving flag is set to 0 (S430), a second time-saving state end designation command is transmitted. That is, a command indicating that the arrival time-saving state ends is transmitted from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83.

Furthermore, in the process of S470, which is performed after the value of the third time-saving flag is set to 0 (S446), a command to transition to the third time-saving state is sent. In other words, a command indicating that the specific time-saving state is ending is sent from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83.

Similarly, the state designation command of S384 in FIG. 22 is a time-saving state end designation command (a command designating that the time-saving state a, the time-saving state b, or the time-saving state c) has ended). In other words, a command indicating that the time-saving state (the time-saving state a, the time-saving state b, or the time-saving state c) has ended is transmitted from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83.

In addition, the state designation command of S556 in Fig. 28 described later is a big win time-saving state start designation command. In other words, a command indicating a transition to a big win time-saving state (a time-saving state) is transmitted from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83.
Furthermore, in the jackpot start presentation process of S390 in the above-mentioned FIG. 22, a command indicating the start of jackpot play is transmitted from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83.
Then, the sub-integrated control device 83 that receives the above command executes the time-saving effect flag management process described below (see Figure 41).

Next, the big win game processing will be explained using Figures 26 to 28.
26, in the jackpot game process, the main control device 80 judges whether the consecutive operation device of the accessory is in operation based on the jackpot flag (S500). When the consecutive operation device of the accessory is in operation (S500: yes), it judges whether the big prize opening 14 is open (S502), and if it is judged that the big prize opening 14 is closed (S502: no), it judges whether the big prize opening 14 is closed due to an interval between rounds of play (S506).

If it is not during the interval between rounds of play (S506: no), it is determined whether the big win end presentation is in progress (S508). If this is also a negative determination (S508: no), it is determined whether the time required for the presentation to start the big win game has elapsed (S510). If the big win start presentation time has elapsed (S510: yes), the big win opening process (S512) is performed, and the big win game process is ended (returned).
In addition, in S500, if the accessory continuous operation device is not operating (S500: no), the big win game process is terminated. Also, in S510, if the big win start presentation time has not elapsed (S510: no), the big win game process is terminated.

If it is determined that the large prize opening 14 is open (S502: yes), the process proceeds to S514 in Fig. 27 to determine whether or not 10 prizes have been won in the large prize opening 14. In this embodiment, the specified number of prizes won in the large prize opening 14 is 10, but it may be 8 or 9, and is not particularly limited.
If ten balls have not been won in the large prize opening 14 (S514: no), the process proceeds to S516, where it is determined whether the opening time of the large prize opening 14 has ended. If the opening time has ended (S516: yes), the process proceeds to S518. If the opening time of the large prize opening 14 has not ended (S516: no), the large prize game process ends (returns) as is.
In S514, if ten game balls have entered the big prize opening 14 (S514: yes), a big prize opening closing process (S518) is performed, a big prize interval process (S520) is performed, and the big prize game process is ended (returned).

Return to FIG. 26. If it is determined in S506 of FIG. 26 that an interval is in progress (S506: yes), the process proceeds to S522 of FIG. 27, where it is determined whether or not the interval time between rounds of play has elapsed. If the interval time between rounds of play has elapsed (S522: yes), it is determined whether or not the last round in which the jackpot opening 14 was open was the final round (S524). If the interval time between rounds of play has not elapsed (S522: no), the jackpot game process is terminated (returned) as is. If it is the final round in S524 (S524: yes), a jackpot end presentation process (S526) is performed, and the jackpot game process is terminated (returned).

If it is not the final round in S524 (S524: no), the process of opening the large prize opening 14 (S528) is performed, and the large prize game process ends (returns). In addition, in the process of opening and closing the large prize opening 14, a signal is also sent to the sub-integrated control device 83. Based on that signal, the sub-integrated control device 83 determines the current round and performs a performance according to that round.

Return to Fig. 26. If it is determined in S508 of Fig. 26 that the jackpot end presentation is in progress (S508: yes), the process proceeds to S530 of Fig. 28, where it is determined whether the jackpot end presentation time has elapsed. If the jackpot end presentation time has not elapsed (S530: no), the jackpot game process is ended (returned).
On the other hand, if the jackpot end presentation time has elapsed (S530: yes), the operation of the device for continuously operating the reels is stopped (S532), and the operation of the condition device is stopped (S534).

After S534 is executed, the process proceeds to S544, where it is determined whether or not the game will transition to time-saving mode in the next game state.
In this embodiment, the result of S544 is always positive, followed by a process of setting the number of time-saving times (S546) and a process of setting the time-saving flag to 1 (S548). Here, when the time-saving flag is set to 1 in S548, the average fluctuation time reduction of the special symbol, the average fluctuation time reduction of the normal symbol, and the opening extension function for extending the opening time of the normal electric role object are set.

The process of S548 is performed, or if a negative determination is made in S544 (S544: no), the process proceeds to S550, where it is determined whether the value of the reach counter is a "positive number." If a positive determination is made in S550 (S550: yes), the value of the reach counter is initialized (set to "0"), and the process proceeds to S554. If a negative determination is made in S550 (S550: no), the process proceeds directly to S554.
That is, in this pachinko machine 50, when a jackpot occurs or when RAM clear processing is performed on the main control device 80, the attainment counter is initialized. In this case, when the number of hit/miss judgments (hit/miss judgments regarding special symbols) executed in the normal state after the initialization reaches "900 times", the machine transitions to the attainment time-saving state.

In S554, the main control device 80 performs a process of transmitting a big win end command to the sub-integrated control device 83, and in the following S556, transmits a state designation command to the sub-integrated control device 83. Then, the big win game process is returned.
In other words, in S556, a command indicating that the time-saving state (jackpot time-saving state) to which the transition will be made via jackpot play is to be made is transmitted from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83.
Here, in S546, the number of time-saving times is set to "100 times" or "895 times" when the result of the first hit/miss judgment (hit/miss judgment regarding the first special pattern) or the second hit/miss judgment (hit/miss judgment regarding the second special pattern) is a jackpot and the jackpot game that was executed is ended.

Next, an overview of the performance control executed in the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 29 to 40.
In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, the sub-integrated control device 83 controls the performance pattern control device 82, etc. based on each command transmitted from the main control device 80, performs display performance on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6, controls the sound effects generated from the speaker 66, and controls the light emission mode of the LEDs/lamp 26 for illumination.

First, FIG. 29(a) shows the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6 when the game state is the "non-time-saving state."
Regardless of whether the game state is the "non-time-saving state" or the "time-saving state," when a judgment of whether a special symbol has been won or lost is executed based on the game ball entering the starting hole 11, 12, the special symbol starts to change in the first special symbol display device 9 or the second special symbol display device 10. Then, in response to the start of the special symbol change, the left, right, and center performance symbols start to change vertically (scroll change) in the main display area 6H of the performance symbol display device 6.

In this main display area 6H, when the change time (change time of the special pattern) specified by the change pattern described above has elapsed, it stops at a combination that indicates the result of the win/lose judgment. In this embodiment, the change of the performance pattern is performed by displaying three-digit constituent patterns in the main display area 6H, but the number of constituent patterns is not particularly important, and it may be one or a number other than three, and the scrolling direction may be horizontal. In the main display area 6H, the constituent pattern displayed on the left side is called the left performance pattern 6L, the constituent pattern displayed on the right side is called the right performance pattern 6R, and the constituent pattern displayed in the center is called the center performance pattern 6C.

In addition, a related matter display area 6F appears on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6, and for example, using characters, videos, live-action images, etc., related effects are executed to liven up the changes in the performance patterns and the stopped display, and comments, warnings, etc. to be issued to the player are displayed.
However, when the "game state is not in the time-saving state", a general left-hit suggestion effect LH that encourages the player to "hit to the left" the game ball is executed on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6. Note that when the "game state is not in the time-saving state", any display suggesting the launch mode of the game ball (for example, the general left-hit suggestion effect LH) may not be performed at all, except for the left-hit suggestion effects LS1, LS2, and LS3 described later.

This general left-hit suggestion effect LH is composed of an arrow L1 pointing to the left and a text display L2 saying "Please hit to the left" displayed at a position away from the arrow L1.
While this "general left hit suggestion effect LH" appears, the player will usually reduce the strength of the game ball's launch, allowing the launched game ball to flow down the left hit area 3L and progress with the game.

This general left-hit suggestion effect LH is displayed when the game state changes, in order to inform the player which game area (either the left-hit area 3L or the right-hit area 3R) he or she should aim to shoot the game ball toward.
In this case, after a predetermined time has elapsed, it may be determined that the player has already determined which game area to play in, and the display may be terminated.
It is also possible to display the message when it is detected that the game ball is shot into the right-hand shot area 3R when left-hand shot play is recommended (the game state is not in the time-saving state). In this case, by ending the display when it is detected that the launch position has been corrected to the recommended game area (i.e., the left-hand shot area 3L), irregular play in a game area other than the recommended game area (i.e., the right-hand shot area 3R) can be suppressed.

In addition, when the game state is not in a time-saving state, the main display area 6H is displayed large and approximately in the center of the performance pattern display device 6.
In addition, when the game state transitions to a non-time-saving state, a display suggesting a left hit (such as a general left hit suggestion effect LH) may not be displayed except immediately after the transition. In other words, when it is suggested that the game ball launch mode will be switched immediately after the transition (switching from a right hit during the time-saving state to a left hit during the non-time-saving state), for example, the left hit suggestion effects LS1, LS2, and LS3 described below are performed. Then, after the transition to the non-time-saving state, a display suggesting the game ball launch mode may not be displayed, and a warning display may be displayed when a right hit is detected during the non-time-saving state (for example, when the normal symbol activation gate 17 provided in the right hit area 3R detects a game ball).

Furthermore, regardless of whether the game state is the "non-time-saving state" or the "time-saving state," the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6 is capable of displaying a first reserved pattern display area 6D and a second reserved pattern display area 6E in addition to a variable display area 6H for displaying the result of a win/loss judgment regarding the special pattern.
The first reserved pattern display area 6D is an area capable of displaying up to four reserved patterns (hereinafter referred to as first reserved patterns) 6d corresponding to reserved memories (first reserved memories) acquired based on the game ball entering the first starting hole 11. The second reserved pattern display area 6E is an area capable of displaying up to four reserved patterns (hereinafter referred to as second reserved patterns) 6e corresponding to reserved memories (second reserved memories) acquired based on the game ball entering the second starting hole 12.

In Figure 29, a "black circle" indicates that a reserved pattern is displayed in the reserved memory number display areas 6D and 6E, and a "white circle" indicates that it is not displayed. Note that when the game state is in the "non-time-saving state," if the player fires the game ball aiming at the left-hand hitting area 3L, the first reserved memory will be accumulated, but it is difficult to accumulate the second reserved memory. Also, as will be described later, when the game state is in the "time-saving state," if the player fires the game ball aiming at the right-hand hitting area 3R, the second reserved memory will be accumulated, but it is difficult to accumulate the first reserved memory.

Also, as shown in Fig. 29(a), when the result of the win/loss judgment regarding the special pattern is displayed, the variation of the performance pattern starts in the main display area 6H. In other words, when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives a variation start command, the left performance pattern 6L, the center performance pattern 6C, and the right performance pattern 6R start to vary as shown in Fig. 29(a).
If it is decided to perform a reach, when it is time to execute the reach display, the left effect pattern 6L and the right effect pattern 6R are stopped and displayed with the same numbers as shown in Fig. 29(b) to execute the reach display. At this time, the word "reach" M1 is displayed on the screen 6a, and the reach display starts.

Furthermore, when the change time (change time of the special symbol) specified by the aforementioned change pattern has elapsed, the combination in the main display area 6H stops at a combination that indicates the result of the win/loss judgment.
At this time, if the result of the judgment regarding the special symbol is a jackpot, after the change time has elapsed, as shown in Figure 29 (c), the changing center performance symbol 6C is stopped and displayed with the same numbers as the left performance symbol 6L and the right performance symbol 6R, and the confirmation display of the jackpot symbol is executed. The occurrence of a jackpot is notified by this confirmation display of the jackpot symbol, and the jackpot game is executed.
Although not shown in the figure, when the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss, there are misses with a reach (reach miss) and misses without a reach (normal miss). Also, when the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss, after the change time has elapsed, the changing center performance symbol 6C is stopped and displayed with a number different from the left performance symbol 6L and the right performance symbol 6R, and a confirmation display of the miss symbol is executed.

As shown in FIG. 29(d), when the jackpot game ends, the game state transitions to the jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a). In this case, the jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a) is in a state in which the variable display of the special symbol can start, and the effect display corresponding to the variable display of the special symbol can start on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6.

Next, using Figure 30, the presentation display for the jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state) will be explained.
When the game state transitions to a jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state), a display for the jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state) is started on the screen 6a of the display pattern display device 6 in response to the variable display of the special pattern.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 30(a), a right-hit suggestion effect RS1 is executed near the upper edge of the screen 6a. This right-hit suggestion effect RS1 is composed of a text display R2 saying "Please hit right", arrows R1 (arrows R1 pointing to the right) displayed on either side of the text display R2, and text information R3 saying "Tatsukichi RAUSH". At this time, a text display R4 indicating the remaining number of times in the jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a) (the number of hit/miss determinations that can be made while maintaining the benefits of the jackpot time-saving state) is also displayed on the screen 6a.

Also, an ally character A and an enemy character B appear on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6 and glare at each other. When the right-hit suggestion effect RS1 for the jackpot time-saving state appears, the player usually tries to increase the launch strength of the game ball and make the launched game ball flow down the right-hit region 3R to progress in the game.
After this, in the jackpot time-saving state, a performance display starts every time the variable display of the special symbol starts, but if it is decided to make a reach, as shown in Fig. 30(b), after the reach display, a battle performance is performed between ally character A and enemy character B, and the result of the battle is suggested based on the outcome of the hit/miss judgment. In other words, if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a jackpot, a display is executed in which ally character A wins (not shown). Also, if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss, a display is executed in which enemy character B wins, as shown in Fig. 30(c).

Although not shown, if it is not determined that a reach is to be executed, ally character A and enemy character B maintain a state of glaring at each other (see FIG. 30(a)).
In addition, when the jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state) is started, the main display unit 6H is displayed in a reduced size in the corner of the screen 6a, and each time the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special pattern is a miss, the text information R4 indicating the remaining number of times in the jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state) is updated (-1 is displayed each time a specified time has elapsed after the start of the performance display).
In addition, when the game state is the jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state), the right-hit suggestion effect RS1 for the jackpot time-saving state continues.

And each time the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss, the remaining number of times in the jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state) is updated, and when the final fluctuation of the jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state) ends and transitions to the normal state (non-time-saving state), the left-hit suggestion effect LS1 for the jackpot time-saving state appears, as shown in FIG. 30(d). This left-hit suggestion effect LS1 suggests that the effect display will change (the launch mode of the game ball will change to a left hit), and is performed by displaying on the screen 6a ally character A, character D (rock character D) suggesting the end of the jackpot time-saving state, text information R5 saying "Sorry, time-saving has ended!", and text information R6 saying "Please return to left hit."

In other words, the jackpot time-saving state takes a certain amount of time to change, and friendly character A and enemy character B appear, but when this state (jackpot time-saving state) ends and the game state changes, the player is not confused about which game area (left-hitting area 3L or right-hitting area 3R) to play in, so that the left-hitting suggestion effect LS1 can be displayed to guide the player.

When the jackpot time-saving state ends and the game state becomes a non-time-saving state, a left-hit suggestion effect LS1 is executed on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6. Then, when a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed after the left-hit suggestion effect LS1 is executed, the aforementioned "general left-hit suggestion effect LH" may be executed, or a display suggesting the launch mode of the game ball may not be displayed.

FIG. 31 shows a case where the condition for transitioning to the reached time-shortened state (time-shortened state b) is met when the game state is in the non-time-shortened state (hereinafter referred to as case 1).
Here, the condition for transitioning to the reached time-saving state (b time-saving state) is that the number of hit/miss judgments regarding the special pattern performed without the occurrence of a jackpot reaches the specified number of times, which is "900 times."
In addition, in case 1, it is sufficient that the game state when the number of win/loss judgments regarding the special pattern reaches the specified number of times is a non-time-saving state, and the game state before the specified number of times is reached (whether it is a non-time-saving state or a time-saving state) is not particularly important.

Figure 31 (a) shows an example of the display when the condition for transitioning to the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b) is met when the game state is in a non-time-saving state. In other words, Figure 31 (a) shows a case where, when the game state is in a non-time-saving state, the "number of hit/miss judgments for the special symbol" performed without the occurrence of a jackpot reaches the specified number of hits of "900 times," and a losing symbol is displayed in the main display area 6H.

At this time, the character S displayed in the related matter display area 6F of the performance symbol display device 6 will have a smiling expression. This is because the "number of times that the special symbol win/loss judgments have been performed without the occurrence of a jackpot" has reached the specified number of times of "900 times", and the character S's expression indicates that it has been determined that the next time a fluctuation (a fluctuation related to the special symbol) occurs, there will be an advantage in moving to the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b).

In this case 1, after the losing pattern is displayed on the main display unit 6H, as shown in Fig. 31 (b), the reaching performance is executed on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6. Here, the reaching performance is a performance that suggests a transition to the reaching time-saving state (b time-saving state).
In this reaching performance, a text display R7 saying "Suddenly, we will enter Karaoke Play Time from the next change!" is displayed along with a cat character N holding a microphone M. Also, a large arrow R8 pointing to the right is displayed on the screen 6a, suggesting that the next change will transition to the b time-saving state and that the player should prepare to start hitting the right from the next change.

This arrow R8 is larger than the multiple white arrows R1 displayed during the jackpot time-saving state, and is filled in black, with only one displayed. Therefore, just before the start of the b time-saving state, the state is significantly different from the start of the a time-saving state, making it easy for the player to distinguish the type of time-saving state that is about to start.
Here, the "right hit suggestion effect RS2" in the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b) is executed by displaying the arrow R8, the text display R7, the microphone M, and the character N. This "right hit suggestion effect RS2" is easily distinguishable at a glance from the "right hit suggestion effect RS1" in the jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a), so the player can mentally prepare for the start of the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b).

In this embodiment, the achievement effect is performed by displaying text display R7 or character N saying "Suddenly, we will enter Karaoke Yu Time from the next change!" just before the transition to the b time-saving state. However, unlike this embodiment, the achievement effect may be performed by displaying text display or character N saying "Suddenly, we will enter Karaoke Yu Time from this change!" after the transition to the b time-saving state (for example, at the start of the first change executed in the b time-saving state).

After the reaching performance is performed, when the reaching time-saving state (b time-saving state) starts, the reaching time-saving state performance is executed. When this reaching time-saving state performance starts, the character state R4 indicating the remaining number of times in the reaching time-saving state (b time-saving state) is updated every time the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special pattern is a miss (-1 is displayed every time a predetermined time has passed after the performance display starts).
Also, when the state transitions to the reached time-saving state (b time-saving state), the main display section 6H is displayed in a reduced size in the corner of the screen 6a.

In addition, during the performance during the reached time-saving state, text information R10 "Karaoke Yu-Time" is displayed on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6, and text information R4 indicating the remaining number of time-saving times in the b time-saving state is also displayed. However, since the number of time-saving times is set high (upper limit set to 900 times) in the reached time-saving state (b time-saving state), and there is a high possibility of a jackpot occurring, it is not necessarily necessary to display the remaining number of time-saving times in the b time-saving state.

In addition, in the time-saving state (b time-saving state), the change time is shorter (about half) than in the time-saving state for the big win, so even if the performance display (change of the special symbol) starts, the result of the hit/miss judgment is displayed quickly. In other words, the change starts "quickly" and the result of the hit/miss judgment is displayed quickly.
In fact, since the number of time-saving times in the reached time-saving state (b time-saving state) is large at 900 times (which is 9 times the number of time-saving times in the jackpot time-saving state), the purpose is to quickly consume the large number of time-saving times and display the result of the win/loss judgment.

The jackpot time-saving state provides a favorable game state as a bonus for winning a jackpot, and since the interest lies in whether or not a jackpot can be obtained in this time-saving state, it entertains the player with previews and reach effects, whereas the reached time-saving state provides a time-saving state as a relief measure for players who have played to the point where the reached time-saving state is activated without being able to get a jackpot. For this reason, rather than creating a performance that shows whether or not a jackpot will be won (whether or not the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special pattern is a jackpot or not), it is considered to refrain from variable effects so that a jackpot will occur as soon as possible.

Here, in this reaching time-saving state (b time-saving state), the character N continues to sing karaoke until the reaching time-saving state (b time-saving state) ends, and the aforementioned arrow R8 continues to be displayed, suggesting a right hit.
Furthermore, even in the reached time-saving state (b time-saving state), each time the result of the judgment regarding the special pattern is incorrect, the remaining number of times in the reached time-saving state (b time-saving state) is updated.

Although not shown in the figure, in the reaching time-saving state (b time-saving state), it is determined whether or not to execute a reach, and if the reach is executed, a reach display and the subsequent reach performance are executed. However, the probability of executing the reach is lower than in the big win time-saving state.
In addition, in the time-saving state (time-saving state b), even if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a hit, the reach may not be executed. In other words, even if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a hit, when the performance display starts, the hit symbol may be displayed without the reach display.

Furthermore, just before the final fluctuation of the reached time-saving state (b time-saving state) is about to end, a left-hit suggestion effect LS2 for the reached time-saving state appears, as shown in FIG. 31(d). This left-hit suggestion effect L6 suggests that the effect display will change (the launch mode of the game ball will change to a left hit), and displays a character N waving his hand, text information R11 stating that "Karaoke Yu-time will end soon," and a large arrow R12 pointing to the left.

In other words, in the time-saving state (b time-saving state), the display of a short variable time effect is repeated, but when this state (time-saving state) ends and the game state changes, the left-hit suggestion effect LS2 is displayed to guide the player so that the player will not be confused as to which game area (either the left-hit area 3L or the right-hit area 3R) in which to play.
This arrow R12 is also larger than the multiple white arrows R1 displayed during the jackpot time-saving state, and is filled in black, with only one arrow displayed. Therefore, when the time-saving state b starts, it is significantly different from when the time-saving state a starts, and it is easy for the player to distinguish the type of time-saving state that is ending.

In this embodiment, a display example is shown in which the condition for transitioning to the reached time-shortened state (time-shortened state b) is met when the game state is in a non-time-shortened state, but there are also cases in which the condition for transitioning to the reached time-shortened state (time-shortened state b) is met when the game state is in a time-shortened state (time-shortened state a or time-shortened state c).

Figure 32 (a) shows a case in which, in a non-time-saving state, the game state transitions to the c-time-saving state based on the confirmed display of a specific pattern (in this embodiment, an example is a specific miss pattern indicating the occurrence of a specific miss).
Here, in this embodiment, it is assumed that there is a possibility of transitioning to a specific time-shortened state when the game state is in a non-time-shortened state, but unlike this embodiment, it may also be possible to transition to a specific time-shortened state even when in a time-shortened state under specified conditions.

As shown in FIG. 32(a), in the non-time-saving state, if the result of the win/loss judgment regarding the special pattern is that a "specific losing pattern" will be displayed stopped (i.e., if the result indicates the occurrence of a specific losing pattern), when a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the fluctuation, the left performance pattern 6L, the right performance pattern 6R, and the center performance pattern 6C are stopped in that order, and the losing performance pattern is displayed as a confirmed pattern. In this case, the performance pattern in which even numbers are arranged in ascending order from left to right is displayed as a confirmed pattern in the fluctuation display area 6H.

At this time, the character S displayed in the related matter display area 6F of the effect pattern display device 6 will have a smiling expression. This is because the expression of the character S expresses that when the effect pattern indicating the occurrence of a specific miss is displayed as confirmed, it is confirmed that the next change (change related to the special pattern) will bring about the benefit of transitioning to a specific time-saving state (time-saving state b).

When the occurrence of a specific miss is notified in this way, a specific time-saving state start effect is executed, as shown in FIG. 32(b). In this specific time-saving state start effect, text information R13 stating "The next change will enter Tatsukichi Chance!" is displayed on the screen 6a along with a specific character Q as related information 6F.

In addition, in the special time-saving state start effect, a right-hit suggestion effect RS3 is executed by displaying the text display R14 "Please hit right", an arrow R15 pointing to the right, a bear Tatsukichi Q, and the text display R13 "The next change will enter Tatsukichi Chance!", suggesting to the player to prepare for a right hit.
In other words, the content and characters of the text information make it possible to distinguish at a glance whether the state is a transition to a jackpot time-saving state or an arrival time-saving state. Therefore, the player can mentally prepare for the start of the specific time-saving state (c time-saving state).

When the special symbol starts to change after the transition to the specific time-saving state, as shown in FIG. 32(c), the effect display starts on the screen 6a (main display unit 6H) of the effect symbol display device 6, and the effect during the specific time-saving state is executed. When this specific time-saving state (c time-saving state) starts, the main display unit 6H is displayed in a reduced size in the corner of the screen 6a, and text information R4 indicating the remaining number of times in the specific time-saving state (c time-saving state) is updated and displayed on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6 (-1 is displayed each time a predetermined time has passed after the effect display starts).

During the performance during the specific time-saving state, text information R18 saying "Tatsukichi Chance - Catch a Win!" is displayed on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6, and text information R4 indicating the remaining number of time-saving times in the c time-saving state is also displayed.
In addition, the right-hit suggestion display LS3 will continue even while the specific time-saving state (c time-saving state) is continuing.

If Tatsukichi's character Q can catch text information R17 (text information R17 indicating a win) that suggests a big win until the end of this special time-saving state (c time-saving state), a presentation suggesting that a big win is possible will be executed (see FIG. 32(c)). Also, even in the special time-saving state (c time-saving state), the remaining number of times in the special time-saving state (c time-saving state) is updated each time the result of the win/loss judgment regarding the special pattern is a miss.

Furthermore, just before the final fluctuation of the specific time-saving state (c time-saving state) is about to end, a left-hit suggestion effect LS3 for the specific time-saving state appears, as shown in FIG. 32(d). This left-hit suggestion effect LS3 suggests that the effect display will change (the launch mode of the game ball will change to a left hit), and is performed by displaying the face S of the bear Tatsukichi character and text information R19 saying "Tatsukichi Chance will end soon."

In this case, too, in the specific time-saving state (c time-saving state), the display of the short variable time effect is repeated, but when this state (reach time-saving state) ends and the game state changes, the left-hit suggestion effect LS3 is displayed to guide the player so that the player will not be confused as to which game area (the left-hit area 3L or the right-hit area 3R) he or she should play in.
When the specific time-saving state ends and the game state becomes a non-time-saving state, the above-mentioned left-hit suggestion effect LS3 is executed on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6. Then, when a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed after the left-hit suggestion effect LS3 is executed, the above-mentioned "general left-hit suggestion effect LH" may be executed, or a display suggesting the launch mode of the game ball may not be displayed.

In addition, although not shown in the figure, in the specific time-saving state (c time-saving state), it is determined whether or not to execute a reach, and if the reach is executed, a reach display and the subsequent reach performance are executed. However, the probability of executing the reach is lower than in the big win time-saving state.
Furthermore, in the specific time-saving state (c time-saving state), even if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a hit, the reach may not be executed. In other words, even if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a hit, when the performance display starts, the hit symbol may be displayed without the reach display.

As described above, the presentation mode differs depending on each time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c), and not only the display mode of the right-hit suggestion mode but also the display mode of the left-hit suggestion mode differs depending on the presentation mode. To be more specific, differences are provided in the size of the arrow, the number of arrows, the display mode of the right-hit suggestion presentation, etc., in each time-saving state. Therefore, the player can immediately tell which time-saving state is starting and which time-saving state is ending.
In this embodiment, the difference is indicated by the display mode, but it is also possible to indicate it by a different announcement voice or a different lighting pattern of LED. In the case of voice or LED, it is possible to inform the player without having a display device.

Next, the features of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Figures 33 and 34 show a case (hereinafter referred to as Case 2) in which the condition for transitioning to the reached time-shortened state (b time-shortened state) is met while the game state remains in a non-time-shortened state (an example of 10 fluctuations until the reached time-shortened state is reached).
In other words, as shown in Figure 34, this shows a case where the game state remains in the non-time-saving state (the values of the first time-saving flag to the third time-saving flag all remain at "0"), the number of hit/miss determinations for the special pattern performed without generating a jackpot reaches the specified number of times, "900," and the value of the second time-saving flag becomes "1."

In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, the content of the presentation display differs when the count value of the count counter is "1 to 890" as shown in FIG. 33(a) and when the count value of the count counter is "891 to 900" as shown in FIG. 33(b) and (c). Here, when the count value of the count counter is "891 to 900", the gaming state of the pachinko machine 50 is about to transition to the reached time-saving state. In the following explanation, the case when the count value of the count counter is "891 to 900" is referred to as the "special period before transition", and the case when the count value of the count counter is "1 to 890" is referred to as the "normal period before transition".

The counting counter is a counter provided in the sub-integrated device 83, which counts the number of times that the result of the hit/miss judgment is not a jackpot under normal probability conditions (the number of miss variations). This counting counter corresponds to the aforementioned arrival counter (a counter provided in the main control device 80). This counting counter is incremented by "+1" each time it receives a count command (see S362h in FIG. 20(a)) sent from the main control device 80 (see FIG. 42 described below).

The count command shown in S362h of FIG. 20(a) is a command sent from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated device 83 each time the result of the hit/miss determination in the normal probability state is not a jackpot (each time the arrival counter is incremented by +1, as shown in S362g of FIG. 20(a)). This count command may be (1) data indicating the count value after the arrival counter has been incremented by +1 (or data indicating the absolute value of the count value), or (2) a command instructing to increment the value of the counting counter by "+1".

The "pre-transition special period" presentation display shown in Figures 33(b) and (c) is different from the "pre-transition normal period" presentation display shown in Figure 33(a) in the following respects. In other words, the "pre-transition special period" presentation display differs from the "pre-transition normal period" presentation display in that special presentations are added that take into account the game state at that time (time of display). This is explained in more detail below.

As shown in Figure 33 (b), when the game state is not in the time-saving state and the count value of the counting counter reaches "891", a countdown effect T1 is started (see the countdown effect flag = "1" in Figure 34).
In other words, when the number of win/loss judgments (win/loss judgments regarding the special pattern) to be performed before transitioning to the reached time-shortened state (the number of times remaining until transitioning to the reached time-shortened state) reaches "10," a countdown performance T1 is started as a special performance.

This countdown performance T1 is a performance that displays the number of times remaining until the time-saving state is reached on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6, and in the countdown performance T1 that is executed when the count value of the counting counter is "891," the text information "10 times left until karaoke play time" is displayed on the screen 6a.
In this embodiment, the remaining number of times (the number of times remaining until the transition to the reached time-saving state) displayed in the countdown performance T1 is displayed with the number of times including the performance display to be started, but unlike this embodiment, the performance display to be started may be displayed with the number of times decremented by 1. For example, in the countdown performance T1 executed when the count value of the counter is "891", text information such as "9 more times until karaoke play time" may be displayed on the screen 6a.

As shown in Figures 33 and 34, thereafter, provided that the game state is not in the time-saving state and no jackpot has occurred, the remaining number displayed will be decremented by one each time the counting counter starts to change, and will continue to do so until the counting counter reaches 900. For example, as shown in Figure 33(c), in countdown performance T1, which is executed when the counting counter has a count of 892, text information stating "9 more times until karaoke play time" is displayed on screen 6a.

Although not shown in the figure, in countdown performance T1, which is executed when the count value of the counter is "893," text information "8 more times until karaoke play time" is displayed on screen 6a. Thereafter, every time the count value is incremented by "1," the "number of times until karaoke play time" that constitutes the text information is decremented by "1" and displayed in countdown performance T1. Then, in countdown performance T1, which is executed when the count value is "900," text information "1 more time until karaoke play time" is displayed.

In the final stage of the effect display executed when the count value reaches "900", the aforementioned reaching effect is executed (see FIG. 31(b)). Then, when the effect display executed when the count value reaches "900" ends, the reaching time-saving effect is executed from the next effect display (see FIG. 31(c)). During this reaching time-saving effect, the text information "Karaoke Yu-Time" is displayed on screen 6a.

Figures 35 and 36 show a case (hereinafter referred to as case 3) in which the game state is in the time-saving state just before the conditions for transitioning to the reached time-saving state (b time-saving state) are met (an example of 10 fluctuations until the reached time-saving state is reached), and the game state transitions to the "pre-transition special period."
Here, in Fig. 35, a specific time-saving state (c time-saving state) is exemplified as the time-saving state immediately before the condition for transitioning to the reached time-saving state is satisfied (see the third time-saving flag = "1" in Fig. 36), but the immediately preceding time-saving state may be a jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state). Also, in case 3, a case in which the game state transitions to the time-saving state before the "pre-transition special period" is exemplified, but the game state may transition to the time-saving state at the timing of transition to the "pre-transition special period".

In this case 3, as shown in FIG. 35(b), even when the count value of the counting counter reaches "891", the gaming state remains in the time-saving state c.
In other words, case 3 indicates a case where the game state is in the c time-shortened state when the game state transitions to the "pre-transition special period".
In this case 3, when the game state transitions to the "pre-transition special period", the effect display is executed with the special effect. However, as described below, when the game state transitions to the "pre-transition special period", the content of the special effect is different from that when the game state is in the non-time-saving state.

In this case 3, when the count value of the counting counter is "891 to 900", the power-up effect T2 is executed in the effect display (see the power-up effect = "1" in Figure 36).
This power-up effect T2 is executed by displaying text information such as "The number of electric support times will be powered up soon!" on the effect display, as shown in FIG. 35(b).

As shown in Figures 35 and 36, thereafter, provided that the game state is in the time-saving state and no jackpot occurs, a display accompanied by a power-up display T2 is executed until the count value of the counting counter reaches "900".
Then, when the effect display executed when the count value reaches "900" is finished, as shown in Fig. 35(c), the next effect display (the effect display executed when the count value reaches "901") displays text information saying "The electric support will continue!" However, after the display shown in Fig. 35(c) is displayed for a moment, the time-saving effect shown in Fig. 31(c) is executed.

In this embodiment, when the count value of the counting counter is "891 to 900", the power-up effect T2 is executed in the performance display, but the number of times the power-up effect T2 is executed may be less than in this embodiment. For example, when the count value of the counting counter is "891", the power-up effect T2 may be executed in the performance display, and when the count value is "892 to 900", the power-up effect T2 may not be executed in the performance display. For example, the power-up effect T2 may be executed only in the performance display that starts when the count value of the counting counter is "891".

Figures 37 and 38 show a case where the game state is in a non-time-saving state when the "pre-transition special period" begins, but the game state becomes a time-saving state midway through the "pre-transition special period" (hereinafter referred to as Case 4).

In a specific example showing an example of Case 4 (hereinafter referred to as Specific Example 1), as shown in FIG. 37(a), when the count value of the counting counter reaches "894", the game state is in a non-time-saving state and countdown effect T1 is being executed (see the part in FIG. 38 where the countdown effect flag is "1").

However, in this specific example 1, when the count value of the counting counter reaches "894", a specific losing pattern (performance pattern) is displayed as a confirmed result in the performance display.
In this case, the next presentation display (the presentation display in which the count value of the counting counter becomes "895") will be executed with the game state in the time-saving state (c time-saving state) (see the third time-saving flag = "1" in Figure 38).

In this specific example 1, as shown in Figure 37 (b), when the count value of the counting counter reaches "895", a special effect is displayed accompanied by an advance performance T3 (see the advance performance flag = "1" in Figure 38).
This advance performance T3 is executed by displaying text information in the performance display saying, "The countdown is still in progress, but the karaoke play time will be brought forward."

In this specific example 1, as shown in Figure 37 (c), the presentation display following the presentation display involving the advance presentation T3 (the presentation display in which the count value becomes "896" to "900") will involve a display related to "Karaoke Yu-time."
Here, the advance performance T3 refers to a sudden transition to the time-saving state when the c time-saving state is started in the "special period before transition". However, the advance performance T3 brings the arrival time-saving state forward during the period until the transition to the arrival time-saving state, thereby providing continuity between the started c time-saving state and the arrival time-saving state that starts thereafter.

As shown in Figures 39 and 40, the game state is in a time-saving state when the "pre-transition special period" begins, but the game state becomes a non-time-saving state midway through the "pre-transition special period" (hereinafter referred to as Case 5).

In a specific example showing an example of Case 5 (hereinafter referred to as specific example 2), as shown in FIG. 39(a), the game state is in the time-saving state when the count value of the counting counter is "893", and the power-up effect T2 is being executed (see the power-up effect = "1" in FIG. 40). Here, FIG. 39(a) shows the state immediately after the start of the effect display in which the count value becomes "893", and FIG. 39(b) shows the state after the state shown in FIG. 39(a) in the effect display in which the count value becomes "893" (for example, the state immediately before the end of the effect display).

However, in this specific example 2, when the effect display in which the count value of the counting counter is "893" ends, the game state transitions from the time-saving state to the non-time-saving state. Note that this ending time-saving state may be the a time-saving state or the c time-saving state (see the part of FIG. 40 where the third time-saving flag = "1").
In this case, the next presentation display (the presentation display in which the count value of the counting counter becomes "894") is executed with the game state in the non-time-saving state.

In this specific example 2, as shown in FIG. 39(b), before the display in which the count value of the counting counter reaches "893" ends, a special effect is accompanied by an electric support interruption effect T4. This electric support interruption effect T4 is executed by displaying text information in the display that reads, "Electric support will be temporarily interrupted shortly, but power up after 7 changes!". Note that this electric support interruption effect T4 may also be executed in the display (the first display executed in non-time-saving mode) after the display in which the count value of the counting counter reaches "893" ends.

In this specific example 2, as shown in Fig. 39(c), the display following the display accompanied by the electric support interruption display T4 (the display where the count value is between "894" and "900") is accompanied by a countdown display T5. However, in the countdown display T5, "the number of fluctuations until the transition to the reached time-saving state when the count value is "894"" is displayed.
This countdown effect T5 is also an effect that displays the remaining number of times until the time-saving state is reached on the screen 6a. For example, in the countdown effect T5 that is executed when the count value of the counting counter is "894," the text information "7 times left until electric support resumes" is displayed on the screen 6a.
In the specific example 2, when the game state transitions from the time-saving state to the non-time-saving state during the pre-transition special period, the power-up effect T2 is exemplified as the effect executed before the transition to the non-time-saving state. However, as the effect (time-saving state effect) until the game state transitions to the non-time-saving state during the pre-transition special period, when the game state is the c-time-saving state, the "effect in the normal c-time-saving state (see FIG. 32(c) and (d))" may be executed, and when the game state is the a-time-saving state, the "effect executed in the normal a-time-saving state (FIG. 30(a) to (d))" may be executed. That is, the specific example 2 is a case where the time-saving state ends during the pre-transition special period that started when the game state is in the time-saving state, and in this case, after the transition to the pre-transition special period, the "effect executed in the normal c-time-saving state" or the "effect executed in the normal a-time-saving state" is executed, instead of the power-up effect T2, during the period until the time-saving state ends. Then, when the time-saving state ends after the transition to the pre-transition special period, a countdown effect may be started.

As shown in Figures 39 and 40, thereafter, provided that the game state is not in a time-saving state and a jackpot does not occur, the remaining number displayed will continue to be decremented by "1" each time the counting counter starts to fluctuate until the count value of the counting counter reaches "900".
Note that the number at which the countdown starts is different between countdown performance T1 in case 1 and countdown performance T5 in case 5. That is, in countdown performance T1, the initial countdown value is "10," and in countdown performance T5, the initial countdown value is "7." Also, the content displayed by the text information is different between countdown performance T1 in case 1 and countdown performance T5 in case 5, but the content of both countdown performances T1 and T5 may be the same.

Next, a time-saving effect flag management process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 41. This process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub-integrated control device 83.
This process sets the time-saving effect flag (setting the value to "1") when transitioning to each time-saving state (time-saving state A, time-saving state B, time-saving state C), cancels it (setting the value to "0") when it ends, and cancels it when a jackpot game starts.

When this process starts, in S1000, the sub-integrated control device 83 determines whether or not it has received a jackpot start command. Here, the sub-integrated control device 83 can determine that a jackpot game has started by receiving a jackpot start command (a command indicating the start of a jackpot game transmitted in S390 of FIG. 22).
If an affirmative decision is made in S1000 (S1000: yes), it is determined whether or not the value of any of the time-saving effect flags is "1" (S1005).

In other words, if the time-saving state resulting in a positive judgment of S1000 is time-saving state a, the value of the first time-saving effect flag is set to "1", if it is time-saving state b, the value of the second time-saving effect flag is set to "1", and if it is time-saving state c, the value of the third time-saving effect flag is set to "1".
If the determination in S1005 is negative (S1005: no), the process returns.

On the other hand, if the result of S1005 is positive (S1005: yes), the process sets the value of the set time-saving effect flag to "0" and the value of the corresponding number display counter to "0", and then returns to this process. Here, the number display counter is a counter corresponding to the remaining number of correct/incorrect judgments that can be performed in the time-saving state, and when transitioning to each time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c), the number of time-savings corresponding to the time-saving state to be transitioned to (the upper limit number of correct/incorrect judgments that can be performed while maintaining the benefits of the time-saving state to be transitioned to) is set.

To explain S1010 in more detail, if the game state is the time-saving state a, the process sets the value of the first time-saving effect flag to "0" and initializes the number-of-time-saving state counter (sets it to "0"), and then returns to this process. Also, if the game state is the time-saving state b, the process sets the value of the second time-saving effect flag to "0" and initializes the number-of-time-saving state counter (sets it to "0"), and then returns to this process. Furthermore, if the game state is the time-saving state c, the process sets the value of the third time-saving effect flag to "0" and initializes the number-of-time-saving state counter (sets it to "0"), and then returns to this process.

The number of times display counter is a counter that refers to the remaining number of times at the start of the effect display when the remaining number of times in the time-saving state during the transition is displayed on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6 when the effect is displayed in the time-saving state. For example, in FIG. 30(b), the remaining number of times at the start of the effect display is "80 (times)," the value of the number of times display counter at that time is "80," and the "remaining number of times in the time-saving state" is displayed as "80 times" on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6.

Here, when the time-saving state a is started, the corresponding number of times of time-saving (upper limit number of times) is set to "100 times" or "895 times". When the time-saving state b is started, the corresponding number of times of time-saving (upper limit number of times) is set to "900 times". When the time-saving state c is started, the corresponding number of times of time-saving (upper limit number of times) is set to "50 times".
Then, each time a judgment is made as to whether or not the transition to the time-saving state will occur (each time the variable display of the special pattern (performance pattern) ends), the value of the count display counter is decremented by "1".

In this embodiment, the value of the count display counter is taken into consideration when setting the effect pattern in the time-saving state in the effect start process (FIGS. 45 to 47) described later. For example, the effect pattern set in the time-saving state is a pattern in which, when the effect display starts, the remaining number of times at the start time is displayed for a certain period of time based on the value of the count display counter, and then the remaining number is changed to a display with "-1". Note that the display mode of the remaining number of times is not limited to the mode shown in this embodiment.

If a negative judgment is made in S1000 (S1000: no), the process proceeds to S1015, where it is judged whether or not the value of the time-saving effect flag is "0" (S1015). If a positive judgment is made in the process of S1015 (S1015: yes), the process proceeds to S1020, where it is judged whether or not a command to transition to a time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c) has been received (S1020).

In other words, it is determined whether any of the following has been received (S1020): (1) a second time-saving state transition designation command (a command indicating a transition to an reached time-saving state) transmitted from the main control unit 80 in the processing of S470 in FIG. 23; (2) a third time-saving state transition designation command (a command indicating a transition to a specific time-saving state) transmitted from the main control unit 80 in the processing of S470 in FIG. 23; or (3) a command indicating a transition to a jackpot time-saving state transmitted from the main control unit 80 in S556 in FIG. 28 (S1020).

If a positive judgment is made at S1020 (S1020: yes), the process proceeds to S1025, where the value of the time-saving effect flag corresponding to the command to transition to the time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c) corresponding to the received command is set to "1", the number of time-saving times corresponding to the value of the time-saving effect flag is set in the number-of-times display counter, and the process returns.

Here, in S1020, when a command is received specifying a transition to the jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a), the time-saving count display counter is set to "100 times" or "895 times". Also, when a command is received specifying a transition to the reached time-saving state (time-saving state b), the time-saving count display counter is set to "900 times". Furthermore, when a command is received specifying a transition to the specific time-saving state (time-saving state c), the time-saving count display counter is set to "50 times".
On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S1020 (S1020: no), the process returns.

Also, if a negative judgment is made in S1015 (S1015: no), the process proceeds to S1030. This S1030 is a process for judging whether or not a second time-saving state transition designation command has been received. Here, if a positive judgment is made in S1030, it is a case where a time-saving state transition designation command that designates a transition to an arrival time-saving state (b time-saving state) from a jackpot time-saving state (a time-saving state) or a specific time-saving state (c time-saving state) has been received.
Unlike this embodiment, in the following cases, there is a possibility of receiving a command specifying that a specific time-saving state (time-saving state c) has been entered. In other words, when the game state is in the time-saving state, when a specific loss symbol is displayed as a confirmed loss symbol, the remaining number of win/loss judgments that can be performed in the ongoing time-saving state is compared with the number of time-saving times in the time-saving state that are granted when the specific loss symbol is stopped and displayed. If the result of this comparison shows that the number of time-saving times is greater than the remaining number, and the remaining number is updated with the number of time-saving times to be granted in conjunction with the transition to the time-saving state c, there is a possibility of receiving a command specifying that a specific time-saving state (time-saving state c) has been entered.

If the result of S1030 is positive (S1030: yes), the process proceeds to S1035, where the currently set time-saving effect flag (first time-saving effect flag or third time-saving effect flag) is set to "0", and the value of the second time-saving effect flag corresponding to the received second time-saving state transition designation command is set to "1", and the value of the number of times display counter in the ongoing time-saving state is updated to the number of times of the time-saving state to be transitioned to. In other words, a positive determination is actually made in S1030 when a time-saving state transition designation command indicating a transition to time-saving state b is received in time-saving state a or time-saving state c, and in S1035 the currently set first time-saving effect flag or third time-saving effect flag is set to "0", and the value of the second time-saving effect flag is set to "1".

In this embodiment, it is considered that it is actually impossible for a case to occur in which a command to transition to the second time-saving state is received while the second time-saving performance flag is being set (when a negative judgment is made in S1015 because the second time-saving performance flag is set).
After executing the processing of S1035, the process proceeds to S1036, where the value of the time-saving time reaching flag is set to "1", and then the time-saving effect flag management processing is returned.

If a negative judgment is made at S1030 (S1030: no), the process proceeds to S1040, where it is judged whether or not a command to end the time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c) has been received (S1040).
In other words, it is determined whether or not (1) a first time-shortening state end designation command (a command indicating the end of the jackpot time-shortening state) transmitted from the main control unit 80 in the processing of S470 in FIG. 23, (2) a second time-shortening state end designation command (a command indicating the end of the reached time-shortening state) transmitted from the main control unit 80 in the processing of S470 in FIG. 23, or (3) a third time-shortening state end designation command (a command indicating the end of a specific time-shortening state) transmitted from the main control unit 80 in the processing of S470 in FIG. 23 has been received (S1040).

If the determination in S1040 is negative (S1040: no), the process returns.
On the other hand, if the determination in S1040 is positive (S1040: yes), the process proceeds to S1045, where the value of the time-saving effect flag corresponding to the received time-saving state (time-saving state a, time-saving state b, time-saving state c) end designation command is set to "0" and the number display counter of the time-saving state to be ended is initialized (set to "0"), and then the process returns. Here, in S1045, when the time-saving state a is to be ended, the value of the first time-saving effect flag is set to "0", when the time-saving state b is to be ended, the value of the second time-saving effect flag is set to "0", and when the time-saving state c is to be ended, the value of the third time-saving effect flag is set to "0".

Next, a count command receiving process executed by the sub integrated control device 83 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 42. This process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub integrated control device 83.
When this process starts, it is determined whether or not a count command has been received (S1100). Here, the count command is a command transmitted from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83 each time a win/loss determination regarding a special symbol is executed when the game state is in the normal probability state (see S362h in FIG. 20(a)). Then, the sub-integrated control device 83 counts the number of times the count command has been received, thereby counting the number of times the "win/loss determination regarding a special symbol" is executed when the game state is in the normal probability state.

If the determination in S1100 is negative (S1100: no), the process returns. If the determination is positive (S1100: yes), the process proceeds to S1105.
In S1105, it is determined whether the value of the count flag is "0" (S1105). If the determination in S1105 is affirmative (S1105: yes), a process of setting the value of the count flag to "1" (S1110) is executed, and then the process proceeds to S1115, where the value of the count counter is incremented by "1". If the determination in S1105 is negative (S1105: no), S1110 is skipped, and the process proceeds to S1115, where the value of the count counter is incremented by "1".

If the count command sent from the main control unit 80 is a command to instruct the count counter value to be incremented by "+1", the sub integrated control unit 83 that receives the count command increments the count counter value by "+1" in S1115. If the count command sent from the main control unit 80 is data indicating the count value after the arrival counter (see S362g in FIG. 20(a)) has been incremented by +1, a process of saving the data is performed instead of S1115 in this embodiment.

The count flag is a flag indicating that the sub integrated control device 83 is in a state of counting the number of times that the sub integrated control device 83 receives a count command transmitted from the main control device 80. When the value of the count flag is set to "1", the count counter is incremented every time the sub integrated control device 83 receives a count command.
In other words, in this embodiment, when a count command is received for the first time in the normal probability state, the value of the counting flag is set to "1", and when a jackpot time-saving transition command (state designation command of S556 in Figure 28 (command indicating a transition to jackpot time-saving mode)) is received, the value of the counting flag is changed from "1" to "0" and the value of the counting counter is initialized (see Figure 44).

If the sub-integrated control device 83 is different from the main control device 80 and does not have a backup power supply, the value of the counting flag is set to "0" and the value of the counting counter is initialized by turning off the power supply of the pachinko machine 50. However, if the sub-integrated control device 83 has a backup power supply and also has a RAM clearing device, the value of the counting flag is set to "0" and the value of the counting counter is initialized by clearing the RAM installed in the sub-integrated control device 83.

In S1120, which is performed after S1115, it is determined whether the value of the predetermined timing arrival flag is "0." The predetermined timing arrival flag is a flag indicating that the count value of the counter has reached a specific value (891) or more, and details thereof will be described later. Here, the point in time when the count value of the counter has reached the specific value (891) corresponds to the "predetermined timing" of the present invention.
If the determination in S1120 is affirmative, that is, if the value of the predetermined timing arrival flag is "0", the process proceeds to S1125, where it is determined whether the value of the counting counter has reached a specific value (891 times).

If the result of S1125 is negative (S1125; no), the count command reception process is temporarily returned. In this case, the count value of the counting counter is "1 to 890", which corresponds to a period that has not yet transitioned to the "pre-transition special period" (pre-transition normal period).

On the other hand, if the result of S1125 is positive (S1125; yes), the process sets the value of the specified timing arrival flag to "1" (S1130) and the value of the special effect start flag to "1" (S1135), and then returns to the count command reception process. When the value of the specified timing arrival flag becomes "1", the "pre-transition special period" begins. The special effect start flag is a flag indicating that a special effect (countdown effect T1 or power-up effect T2) can be executed in the first effect display executed in the "pre-transition special period" (the effect display that notifies the user that the result of the win/loss judgment is a miss).

On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in S1120 (S1120; no), the process proceeds to S1140, where it is judged whether or not the count value has exceeded the specified number of times (900 times) (S1140). If a negative judgment is made in S1140 (S1140; no), the process executes a special effect flag setting process in S1160, and then returns to the count command receiving process. In other words, if the count value of the counting counter is "891 to 900", the process executes a special effect flag setting process in S1160, and then returns to the count command receiving process. This special effect flag setting process will be described later with reference to FIG. 43.

Also, if the count value of the counting counter exceeds the specified number of times (900) in S1140 (if the count value is "901") (S1140; yes), the process proceeds to S1143, where the value of the specified timing arrival flag is set to "0", and then the process proceeds to S1150.
In S1150, it is determined whether or not there is any special effect flag whose value is "1". If the determination in S1150 is positive (S1150; yes), the value of the special effect flag whose value is "1" is set to "0" (S1155), and the count command receiving process is returned.

On the other hand, if the determination in S1150 is negative (S1150; no), the count command reception process is returned.
Here, the special effect flags are (1) a countdown effect flag, (2) a power-up effect flag, and (3) an advance effect flag. If any of these special effect flags has a value of "1", then in S1155 the value of the special effect flag with a value of "1" is set to "0".

Next, the special effect flag setting process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83 will be described using the flowchart in Figure 43. This special effect flag setting process is a process executed when setting an effect flag to be referenced in the effect display that notifies the user that the result of the win/loss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss during the "pre-transition special period." Note that this process is executed periodically (e.g., every 2 ms) by the sub-integrated control device 83.

When the special effect flag setting process is started, S1160a determines whether the value of the special effect start flag is "1" (S1160a). If the determination in S1160a is negative (S1160a; no), the process proceeds to S1160e.

On the other hand, if the result of S1160a is affirmative, the process proceeds to S1160b, where it is determined whether the value of the time-saving effect flag is "1" (S1160b). Specifically, it is determined whether the value of the first time-saving effect flag or the third time-saving effect flag is "1".

Then, if a positive judgment is made in S1160b (S1160b; yes), in S1160c, the value of the power-up flag is set to "1" and the value of the special effect start flag is set to "0", and then the special effect flag setting process is returned.
On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in S1160b (S1160b; no), in S1160d, the countdown flag is set to the value of "1" and the special effect start flag is set to the value of "0", and then the special effect flag setting process is returned.

In S1160e, it is determined whether the value of the power-up flag is "1".
When the determination in S1160e is affirmative (S1160e; yes), the process proceeds to S1160f, where it is determined whether or not the value of the time-saving flag has become “0.” Specifically, it is determined whether or not the value of the first time-saving effect flag or the third time-saving effect flag has changed from “1” to “0.”

If the result of S1160f is positive (S1160f; yes), the value of the countdown effect flag is set to "1" and the value of the power-up flag is set to "0", and then the special effect flag setting process is returned.
On the other hand, if the determination in S1160f is negative (S1160f; no), the effect flag setting process is returned. In this case, the value of the power-up flag remains at "1".

If a negative judgment is made in S1160e (S1160e; no), the process proceeds to S1160h, in which it is judged whether the value of the countdown effect flag is "1" or not.
If a negative judgment is made in S1160h (S1160h; no), the special effect flag setting process is returned.

When the determination in S1160h is affirmative (S1160h; yes), the process proceeds to S1160i, where it is determined whether or not the value of the time-saving flag has become "1." Specifically, it is determined whether or not the value of the third time-saving effect flag has changed from "0" to "1."
Here, at the stage of S1160i, it is possible that the value of the third time-saving effect flag becomes "1" from "0" (the specific time-saving state starts), but it is impossible that the value of the first time-saving effect flag becomes "1" from "0" (the jackpot time-saving state starts). After all, when the jackpot time-saving state starts, the value of the special effect flag (power-up effect flag) becomes "0" in S1245 of FIG. 44 described later.

If a negative determination is made in S1160i (S1160i; no), the effect flag setting process is returned.
On the other hand, if the result of S1160i is affirmative (S1160i; yes), the value of the advance effect flag is set to "1", the value of the countdown effect flag is set to "0", and the special effect flag setting process is returned.

Next, the counting flag release process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 44. This counting flag release process is executed when the state transitions to the jackpot time-saving state before transitioning to the reached time-saving state. In other words, when a jackpot game (special game) is executed, the flag related to the game presentation set in the time-saving state is released (set to "0").
This process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub-integrated control device 83.

When the count flag reset process is started, it is determined whether the value of the count flag is "1" (S1200). If the determination in S1200 is negative (S1200; no), the count flag reset process is returned.
On the other hand, if the result of S1200 is affirmative, the process proceeds to S1205, where it is determined whether or not a command indicating a transition to a jackpot time-shortening state has been received (S1205). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the sub-integrated control device 83 has received a state designation command (S556) of FIG. 28. In addition, in S1205, it may be determined whether or not a jackpot start command (S390 of FIG. 22) has been received.
If the determination in S1205 is negative (S1205; no), the count flag reset process is returned.

On the other hand, if the determination in S1205 is affirmative (S1205; yes), the process proceeds to S1210, where the value of the count flag is set to "0" and the count counter is initialized.
After S1210 is executed, the process proceeds to S1215, where it is determined whether the value of the predetermined timing arrival flag is "1".

If the result of S1215 is negative (S1215; no), the process proceeds directly to S1230. If the result of S1215 is positive (S1215; yes), the value of the predetermined timing arrival flag is set to "0" in S1220, and the process proceeds to S1230.

Then, in S1230, it is determined whether the value of the special effect start flag is "1".
If a positive judgment is made in S1230 (S1230; yes), the value of the special effect start flag is set to "0" in S1235, and the process proceeds to S1240.
Also, if a negative determination is made in S1230 (S1230; no), S1235 is skipped and the process proceeds to S1240.

Furthermore, in S1240, it is determined whether or not there is any special effect flag whose value is "1." If the determination in S1240 is affirmative (S1240; yes), the value of the special effect flag whose value is "1" is set to "0" in S1245, and the process proceeds to S1250. In other words, if the value of any of the countdown effect flag, power-up effect flag, or advance effect flag is "1," the value of the special effect start flag is set to "0."
Also, if a negative determination is made in S1240 (S1240; no), S1245 is skipped and the process proceeds to S1250.

In S1250, it is determined whether the value of the time-saving time reaching flag is "1". If the determination in S1250 is affirmative (S1250; yes), the value of the time-saving time reaching flag is set to "0" in S1255, and the counting flag release process is returned. If the determination in S1250 is negative (S1250; no), the counting flag release process is returned as is.

Next, the performance start process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83 will be explained using the flowcharts in Figures 45 to 47. Note that this process is executed periodically (e.g., every 2 ms) by the sub-integrated control device 83.

When the sub-integrated control device 83 starts the performance start process, it determines whether or not a change start command has been received (S1500). Here, the change start command is a command sent from the main control device 80 when starting the change of the special pattern (see S366 in FIG. 19).

This fluctuation start command includes data showing the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol (jackpot, miss) and data showing the fluctuation pattern that specifies the fluctuation time. Also, if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a hit, the fluctuation start command includes data specifying the hit symbol (data showing the type of hit that occurred with the symbol specification command). Furthermore, if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss, the fluctuation start command includes miss data (miss information) showing that the hit/miss judgment result is a miss, as well as data regarding the presence or absence of arrival information and data regarding the presence or absence of specific miss information.
Here, the reaching information is data added to the losing information when the "win/lose judgment on the special symbol" is executed a prescribed number of times without a jackpot. Also, the specific losing information is data added to the losing information when a specific losing is detected (see FIG. 21(a)).

Furthermore, as mentioned above, when the game state is the time-saving state (when the first time-saving effect flag = 1, the second time-saving effect flag = 1, or the third time-saving effect flag = 1), the fluctuation start command also includes data specifying the remaining number of win/loss judgments (win/loss judgments regarding the special pattern) in that time-saving state. Therefore, when the sub-integration device 83 receives a fluctuation start command including this data, it can know that the final win/loss judgment performed in that time-saving state (the final "variable display regarding the special pattern" performed in that time-saving state) has been performed.

If a negative judgment is made at S1500 (S1500: no), the performance start process ends, and if a positive judgment is made (S1500: yes), the process proceeds to S1505, where an allocation random number is obtained to be used when allocating the performance pattern (performance mode).

After executing S1505, the sub-integrated control device 83 proceeds to S1510 and determines whether or not a jackpot has occurred (whether or not the fluctuation start command contains jackpot information).
If a positive judgment is made at S1510 (S1510: yes), the process proceeds to S1515, where it is determined whether the value of the time-saving effect flag (any of the first time-saving effect flag to the third time-saving effect flag) is "1" (S1515).

If a positive judgment is made at S1515 (S1515: yes), a "presentation pattern including a jackpot presentation for time-saving mode" is set as the "pattern of presentation display (presentation pattern) that is started in response to the changing display of special symbols" (S1520), and the process proceeds to S1600.
On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in S1515 (S1515: no), a "presentation pattern with a jackpot presentation for non-time-saving mode" is set (S1525), and the process proceeds to S1600.

If a negative judgment is made at S1510 (S1510: no), that is, if the result of the judgment is incorrect (S1510: no), the process proceeds to S1530 in FIG. 46, where it is determined whether or not arrival information has been added to the fluctuation start command.

If a positive determination is made in S1530 (S1530: yes), a presentation pattern for the reach presentation is set (S1540), and the process proceeds to S1600. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 31B, a presentation pattern for executing a presentation display including the reach presentation is set.
On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made at S1530 (S1530: no), the process proceeds to S1550, where it is judged whether or not specific information is added to the deviation information (fluctuation start command).

If the result of S1550 is affirmative (S1550: yes), the process proceeds to S1555, where a "performance pattern with a specific miss performance" is set (S1555), and the process proceeds to S1600. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 32B, a performance pattern for executing a performance display with a specific time-saving state start performance is set.
On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made at S1550 (S1550: no), the process proceeds to S1560, where it is judged whether or not any of the special effects has a value of "1".

If a positive judgment is made at S1560 (S1560: yes), the process proceeds to S1565, where a "special effect pattern setting process" is executed, and the process proceeds to S1600.
The "special effect pattern setting process" will be described later with reference to FIG.

If a negative judgment is made at S1560 (S1560: no), the process proceeds to S1570, in which it is judged whether the value of the time-saving time reaching flag is "1".
If a positive judgment is made at S1570 (S1570: no), the process proceeds to S1600 after performing a process of setting a presentation pattern for the already-reached presentation at S1575 and setting the value of the time-saving time reached flag to "0".

Here, the time-saving time reaching flag is a flag that is set after a transition from a time-saving state (first time-saving state or third time-saving state) to a reached time-saving state (see S1036 in FIG. 41). For this reason, according to the presentation pattern set in S1575, for example, as shown in FIG. 35(c), a presentation pattern is set to execute a presentation display that suggests "further continuation of the time-saving state" (for example, a presentation display accompanied by the display of text information such as "electric support will continue for a while longer!").

If a negative judgment is made at S1570 (S1570: no), the process proceeds to S1580, where a "presentation pattern with a general miss presentation" is set (S1580), and the process proceeds to S1600.
Here, in S1580, a presentation pattern with a general miss presentation when no arrival information or specific information is added is set. Specifically, when the value of any of the time-saving presentation flags is "0", a presentation pattern with a general miss presentation for non-time-saving is set. Also, when the value of any of the time-saving presentation flags is "1", a general miss presentation for time-saving is set.

Returning to FIG. 45 for further explanation, when the process proceeds to S1600, a process is performed to set the effect pattern to be displayed as confirmed (the effect pattern that notifies the result of the win/loss judgment regarding the special pattern). After this, the effect is started in S1605 (S1605), and the effect start process is returned.

Here, the "special effect pattern setting process" will be described with reference to FIG.
When the special effect pattern setting process is started, in S1565a, it is determined whether or not the value of the countdown effect flag is "1." If the determination in S1565a is affirmative (S1565a: yes), in S1565b, a process for setting an effect pattern for performing an effect display including a countdown effect is performed, and the special effect pattern setting process is returned.
In S1565b, for example, a presentation pattern is set to perform a presentation display including a countdown presentation as shown in Figures 33(b), (c) and 39(c).

When setting a presentation pattern for a presentation display including a countdown presentation, the "count value of the counting counter (S1115 in FIG. 42)" at that time is referenced to identify the numerical value to be displayed in the countdown presentation. For example, if the count value is "891", the value (10 times) obtained by subtracting the count value (891) from the "prescribed number of times to reach (900)" is displayed as the number of times remaining until the time-saving state is reached (the number of times a win/loss judgment for the special symbol is made). Then, if the result of the judgment for the special symbol is a miss until the count value reaches the "prescribed number of times to reach (900)", the remaining number of times is decremented according to the count value at that time and displayed.

If a negative judgment is made in S1565a (S1565a: no), it is judged in S1565c whether or not the value of the power-up effect flag is "1".
If the result of S1565c is affirmative (S1565c: yes), then in S1565d, it is determined whether or not the current time-saving state is the final change. As described above, it is possible to determine whether or not the current time-saving state is the final change based on the change start command.

If a negative judgment is made in S1565d (S1565d: no), a process of setting a presentation pattern for displaying a presentation including a presentation for normal electric support is performed in S1565e, and the process of setting the presentation pattern for special presentations is returned.
On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in S1565d (S1565d: yes), a process of setting a presentation pattern for displaying a presentation including a presentation for interrupted electric support is performed in S1565f, and the presentation pattern setting process for special presentations is returned.

Here, as a presentation pattern for displaying a presentation including a presentation for normal electric support, for example, as shown in Figures 35(b) and 39(a), a process is performed to set a presentation pattern for displaying a presentation including a presentation (power-up presentation) that suggests that the ongoing time-saving state will be powered up, and the process of setting the presentation pattern for the special presentation is returned.

In addition, as an example of a presentation pattern for displaying a presentation including a presentation for interrupted electric support, as shown in FIG. 39(b), the ongoing time-saving state is interrupted, but when the count value reaches the "prescribed number of times (900)," a process is performed to set a presentation pattern for displaying a presentation including a presentation indicating that the time-saving state will resume, and the process for setting the presentation pattern for the special presentation is returned.

If a negative judgment is made in S1565c (S1565c: no), in S1565g it is judged whether or not the value of the forward performance flag is "1".
If a positive judgment is made in S1565g (S1565g: yes), processing is performed in S1565h to set a presentation pattern for displaying a presentation including a presentation for an early-movement presentation, and then the presentation pattern setting processing for a special presentation is returned.
On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in S1565g (S1565g: no), the process for setting the effect pattern for the special effect is returned.

Here, an example of a presentation pattern for performing a presentation display including a presentation for a forward-tilting presentation is a presentation pattern for performing a presentation display including a forward-tilting presentation, as shown in FIG. 37(b).

Next, a description will be given of the effect stopping process executed by the sub integrated control device 83 with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 48. Note that this process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub integrated control device 83.
When the effect stop process is started, the sub-integrated control device 83 judges whether or not it has received a change stop command (S1700). Here, the change stop command is a command transmitted from the main control device 40 when stopping the change of the special symbol and displaying the fixed symbol (see the process of S372 in FIG. 21(b)).
If a negative judgment is made (S1700: no), the performance stop processing is terminated.

On the other hand, if the result is positive (S1700: yes), the process proceeds to S1705, where it is determined whether the time-saving effect flag (the value of any one of the first time-saving effect flag to the third time-saving effect flag) is "1." If the result is positive in S1705, the value of the number display counter is incremented by "1" and the process proceeds to S1715, whereas if the result is negative in S1705, S1710 is skipped and the process proceeds to S1715.

In S1715, a process is performed to send a performance pattern confirmation display instruction signal to the performance pattern control device 82. Then, the performance stop process is terminated.

Here, if the result of the hit/miss determination is a jackpot, a "jackpot pattern (performance pattern)" is confirmed and displayed on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6 as a result of the processing of S1715.
In this case, the middle performance pattern 6C is displayed stopped with the same number pattern (performance pattern) as the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R, and the occurrence of a jackpot is announced.
On the other hand, if the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss, the "miss pattern (performance pattern)" is confirmed and displayed on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6 as a result of the processing of S1715.
In this case, the middle performance pattern 6C is displayed as a number pattern (performance pattern) different from the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R, and a miss is notified.

However, among the "losing patterns (performance patterns)", specific losing patterns (performance patterns) are composed of performance patterns consisting of even numbers arranged in ascending order from right to left.

According to the pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment, if the game state is not in the time-saving state at a predetermined timing before the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the predetermined number of times (before the number change (before the 10 change) that results in the specified number of times being reached), the first effect (a countdown effect is exemplified) is executed as a special effect. Therefore, a player who confirms the execution of this first effect judges that the game state may soon transition to the time-saving state, and continues playing with excitement.

In addition, if the game state is in the time-saving state at a specified timing before the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the specified number of times (before the number of changes (10 changes) that will result in the specified number being reached), a second effect (such as a power-up effect) is executed as a special effect. Therefore, a player who confirms the execution of this second effect (power-up effect) will determine that the game state is about to transition to the time-saving state and that there is a possibility that the number of times the time-saving state will continue will increase significantly, and will continue playing with great anticipation.

Furthermore, even if the game state is in the time-saving state at a predetermined timing before the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the predetermined number of times (before the number change (before the 10 change) that results in the specified number of times being reached), if the game state becomes a non-time-saving state before the count value reaches the value indicating the specified number of times, the first performance (e.g., a countdown performance) is executed.

In addition, even if the game state is not in the time-saving state at a predetermined timing before the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the predetermined number of times (before the number change (before the 10 change) that results in the specified number of times reached), if the game state becomes the time-saving state before the count value reaches the value indicating the specified number of times, an early performance is executed.

In this way, a variety of effects can be executed depending on the game state at the specified timing, or the game state before the count reaches the value indicating the specified number of times, giving the player a sense of anticipation and thus sufficiently increasing interest in the game.

In the first embodiment, the first time-saving state includes the time-saving state a and the time-saving state c. However, the first time-saving state may include only one of the time-saving state a and the time-saving state c.

(2) Example 2
The pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the special effects are executed according to the contents of the above-mentioned look-ahead judgment. In other words, when a promising reserved memory occurs, an effect similar to the special effect, etc., that is, an effect suggesting the possibility of transition to the time-saving state may be executed as a notice effect (pre-effect).
To explain more specifically, in the above-mentioned look-ahead judgment, the main control unit 80 judges whether the random number for determining a jackpot related to the newly generated reserved memory (the first reserved memory in S204, the second reserved memory in S214) is a specific value (a jackpot value that results in a jackpot), and if a positive judgment is made, the main control unit 80 generates look-ahead command 1 indicating that the random number for determining a jackpot related to the newly generated reserved memory is a specific value, and transmits it to the sub-integrated control unit 83.

In addition, if it is determined that the random number for determining a jackpot related to the newly generated reserved memory is not a specific value, it determines whether the random number for determining a reach related to the generated reserved memory is a predetermined value (a value that will cause a reach-miss performance to be executed in the performance display). If a positive determination is made, the main control unit 80 generates a look-ahead command 2 indicating that the newly generated reserved memory is a predetermined value (a value indicating a reach will be executed) and transmits it to the sub-integrated control unit 83.

Furthermore, the main control unit 80 generates a look-ahead command 3 indicating that the random number for determining a jackpot related to the newly generated reserved memory (first reserved memory, second reserved memory) is not the specific value (the jackpot value that results in a jackpot) and is not the specified value (the value indicating a reach), and transmits this to the sub-integrated control unit 83.

On the other hand, the sub-integrated control device 83 that has received look-ahead command 1 executes a jackpot preview performance with a high jackpot reliability in the performance display (hereinafter referred to as a high reliability preview performance, for example, a performance in which a special character with high rarity appears). On the other hand, the sub-integrated control device 83 that has received look-ahead command 2 executes a jackpot preview performance with a lower jackpot reliability than the high reliability preview performance (for example, a performance in which a character different from the special character and less rare than the special character appears).

In the pachinko machine 50 of Example 1, a special effect (countdown effect, power-up effect, early effect) is executed at a predetermined timing (when the count value reaches 891) before the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the predetermined number of times (900), but a preview effect that announces the appearance of a special effect may be executed before the predetermined timing before the count value reaches a value indicating the predetermined number of times (before the count value reaches 891).

For example, based on the result of the first look-ahead judgment described above, each time the sub-integrated control device 83 receives look-ahead command 2 or 3 sent from the main control device 80, a preview effect may be executed that announces the appearance of a special effect at a timing prior to the specified timing (hereinafter referred to as the advance timing).
Specifically, the advance notice performance may be executed at a predetermined probability at an advance timing (for example, 20, 40, or 60 fluctuations before the predetermined number of times is reached). For example, at the advance timing, a lottery is held to determine whether or not to execute the advance notice performance.
If the execution lottery is won (for example, the winning probability is 30%), a preview effect may be executed to announce the appearance of a special effect.

Examples of preview effects that warn of the appearance of this special effect include displaying text information such as "Countdown may begin?" or "Power-up may begin?" on the screen 6a.
According to the second embodiment, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect of the first embodiment. That is, according to the second embodiment, since the advance notice performance may appear at a timing prior to the predetermined timing, the player's sense of expectation can be heightened.
In addition, in Example 2, a specific example was shown in which a preview performance is executed before the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating a predetermined number of times, but it is also possible to simply display the remaining number of fluctuations (the number of fluctuations of the special pattern, for example, 30 more, 10 more) until the transition to the reached time-saving state is made.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope shown in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be exemplified within the scope of the present invention.

In each embodiment, a state in which the time-saving performance differs between the first time-saving state (specific time-saving state) and the second time-saving state (achievement time-saving state) is illustrated. In this case, it is relatively easy to determine the transition from the first time-saving state (specific time-saving state) to the second time-saving state (achievement time-saving state), which can add variety to the game.

Also, unlike each embodiment, the time-saving performance may be the same in the first time-saving state (specific time-saving state) and the second time-saving state (reach time-saving state). In this case, when transitioning from the first time-saving state (specific time-saving state) to the second time-saving state (reach time-saving state), the transition to the new time-saving state (second time-saving state, i.e., the reach time-saving state) can be made in a state where it is difficult (or impossible) for the player to understand that a new time-saving state (second time-saving state, i.e., the reach time-saving state) is about to begin. This extends the time-saving state, giving the player the impression that he or she has made a gain, and increasing the player's interest in the game.

Furthermore, in each embodiment, in the first time-saving state (specific time-saving state) and the second time-saving state (reach time-saving state), both the goal-scoring possibility improvement control (opening extension control of the second starting hole 12) and the fluctuation shortening control that shortens the fluctuation time of the special pattern are different, and the time-shortening performance of the time-shortening state of the first time-saving state (specific time-shortening state) and the second time-shortening state (reach time-shortening state) is different. However, it is also possible to make only one of the goal-scoring possibility improvement control (opening extension control of the second starting hole 12) and the fluctuation shortening control different, and to make the time-shortening performance of the time-shortening state of the first time-saving state (specific time-shortening state) and the second time-shortening state (reach time-shortening state) different.

For example, when the first time-saving state (specific time-saving state) and the second time-saving state (reach time-saving state) are consecutive (when the first time-saving state (specific time-saving state) transitions to the second time-saving state (reach time-saving state) without a normal state in between), only the goal-scoring possibility improvement control (extended opening control of the second starting hole 12) may be continued (the goal-scoring possibility improvement control may be in the same mode), and the variable time-saving control may be updated along with the number of time-saving times (the variable time-saving control may be made different).

In this case, the average fluctuation time of the special symbols will be different in the first time-saving state (specific time-saving state) and the second time-saving state (attainment time-saving state), but the opening pattern of the second start hole 12 will be the same. Therefore, even when moving from the first time-saving state (specific time-saving state) to the second time-saving state (attainment time-saving state), the player will easily feel as if the same time-saving state is continuing.

In each embodiment, the present invention is not provided with a function for changing the probability of a jackpot to a higher probability by determining whether or not a special pattern is a hit (a function for changing the probability of a jackpot), but the present invention can also be suitably applied to a pachinko machine 50 that is provided with a function for changing the probability of a jackpot.
However, if the device is equipped with a probability fluctuation function for the probability of a jackpot, when the probability of a jackpot is high, the arrival counter may not be incremented even if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special pattern is a miss, as shown in Figure 20 (b).
That is, in the pachinko machine 50 having the probability fluctuation function, when the miss setting process 2 is started, it is judged whether or not the value of the probability fluctuation flag (a flag indicating that the probability of a big win in the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol has changed to a high probability) is "1" (362a). Then, when the judgment is negative in S362a (S362a; no), the process after S362a shown in FIG. 20(a) is the same as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, if the value of the probability change flag is "1"(S362a; yes), the process of decrementing the probability change count by "1" is performed in S362b. In other words, the remaining number of hit/miss judgments that can be performed in a high probability state (probability change count) is decremented by "1".
Thereafter, in S362c, it is determined whether the value of the time-saving flag is "1" (S362c). If the result of S362c is affirmative (S362c: yes), S362d is executed and then the failure setting process 2 is returned, whereas if the result of S362c is negative (S362c: no), S362d is skipped and the failure setting process 2 is returned.
In other words, when the probability of a big win is fluctuating, even if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss, the counting means (attainment counter) is not incremented.

In addition, in each embodiment, when the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol under the specified conditions is a miss, the counting means (arrival counter) is incremented, but in a pachinko machine 50 that generates small hits in addition to misses when the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is not a big hit, the counting means (arrival counter) may be incremented to indicate that the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a small hit.

Furthermore, in each embodiment, if the game state is in a non-time-saving state at a predetermined timing before the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the predetermined number of times, a number indicating the number of changes (the number of changes of the special pattern) until the game state is changed to the reached time-saving state is counted down and displayed (countdown presentation), but the first presentation is not limited to this form (countdown presentation). For example, if the game state is in a non-time-saving state at the predetermined timing, text information suggesting that the opportunity to change to the reached time-saving state is approaching (for example, text information saying "It's almost here!") may be displayed, or a character suggesting that the opportunity is approaching may appear.

This point is not limited to countdown effects, but is also the same for power-up effects and advance effects. For example, if the game state is in a time-saving state at the specified timing, a character indicating that the time-saving state will continue from the specified timing until the reached time-saving state (for example, an illustration of the second starting hole 12 in an open state and text information suggesting that the open time will be extended (text information saying "extended")) may appear.

In each embodiment, a process is performed in which a count command is sent to the sub-integration device 83 each time the value of the arrival counter is incremented by "1" (each time the number of times the win/loss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss under normal probability conditions is counted). However, the count command may be sent to the sub-integration device 83 less frequently than in each embodiment. For example, a count command may be sent to the sub-integration device 83 at a predetermined interval (for example, each time the number of times the win/loss judgment is a miss reaches 100), rather than each time the number of times the win/loss judgment is a miss is counted.

The count command may be sent to the sub-integration device 83 as an independent command, or the count command may be combined with the fluctuation start command (display control command) of S366 in FIG. 19 and sent to the sub-integration device 83.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sub-integration device 83 includes a counter (counting counter in FIG. 42) that counts the number of times the count command is received. However, based on the variation start command (display control command) received by the sub-integration device 83, the number of times the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss in the normal probability state may be counted, and it may be determined whether the count value reaches a specified number of times.
In this case, a means may be provided for preventing discrepancy in count values between the arrival counter provided in the main control device 80 and the counter provided in the sub-integration device 83. As this means, the arrival counter provided in the main control device 80 may be compared with the counter provided in the sub-integration device 83 to prevent discrepancy in count values between the two counters. For example, each time the arrival counter counts a predetermined number of times (e.g., each time it counts 100 times), the count value of the arrival counter may be compared with the count value of the counter provided in the sub-integration device 83.

Note that since the sub-integrated device 83 does not normally have a backup power supply, the count value of the counter provided in the sub-integrated device 83 is not preserved even if a power outage (momentary power outage) occurs in the pachinko machine 50. On the other hand, since the main control device 80 has a backup power supply, the count value of the arrival counter provided in the main control device 80 is preserved even if a power outage (momentary power outage) occurs in the pachinko machine 50. For this reason, when the power supply to the pachinko machine 50 is restored, the count value of the arrival counter provided in the main control device 80 may be transmitted to the sub-integrated device 83.

In addition, each embodiment and each modified example has been described as an example of application to a general digital pachinko type pachinko machine 50, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to other types of pachinko machines 50, such as a so-called "type 1/type 2 mixed machine type" pachinko machine 50 or a so-called "V Challenge type" pachinko machine 50.
Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention may be a so-called "enclosed gaming machine" or a "non-enclosed gaming machine."

[Correspondence to claims]
Next, the correspondence between the terms used in the description of the above embodiments (examples) and the terms used in the claims will be shown.
The "pachinko machine 50" corresponds to an example of the "gaming machine."
The firing handle 64 shown in FIG. 1, the firing control device 84 shown in FIG. 4, etc., and the firing motor 30 correspond to an example of the "firing means".
The "left hitting area 3L" corresponds to an example of a first playing area portion, and the "right hitting area 3R" corresponds to an example of a second playing area portion.
The "normal symbol activation gate 17" corresponds to an example of an activation detection unit.

The first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 shown in each embodiment correspond to an example of a "starting port", and the second starting port 12 corresponds to an example of a variable starting port.
The process from S330 to S350 in FIG. 19 corresponds to an example of a "pass/fail determination."
The first special symbol display device 9 and the second special symbol display device 10 in Figures 2 and 4 correspond to examples of the symbol display device.
The process from FIG. 26 to FIG. 28 through the affirmative judgment of S378 in FIG. 22 corresponds to an example of a "jackpot game execution means", and the jackpot game execution means corresponds to an example of a special game execution means.
The process of S362g in FIG. 20A corresponds to an example of a "counting means."

The jackpot time-saving state (time-saving state a) and the specific time-saving state (time-saving state c) shown in FIG. 7 are specific examples of the first time-saving state, and the arrival time-saving state (time-saving state b) corresponds to an example of the second time-saving state.

The "countdown effect" illustrated in Figures 33(a), 33(b) and 39(c) corresponds to an example of the "first effect." The "countdown effect" illustrated in Figure 39(c) also corresponds to an example of the "third effect."
The "power-up effect" illustrated in Figures 32(b) and 39(a) corresponds to an example of the "second effect."
The effect shown in FIG. 37(b) corresponds to an example of a "forward-moving effect."

1; game board, 3; game area, 3L: left-hand hitting area, 3R: right-hand hitting area, 6; performance pattern display device, 11; first start port (special 1 start port), 12; second start port (special 1 start port), 14; big prize port, 17; normal pattern activation gate, 80; main control device, 82; performance pattern control device, 83; sub-integrated control device.

Claims (3)

A winning/losing determination means for executing a winning/losing determination based on the entry of a game ball into a starting hole;
A symbol display means for displaying a result of the winning/losing judgment after the symbol variation is performed for a predetermined variation time;
a special game execution means for executing a special game based on the result of the win/loss determination being a jackpot;
A counting means for counting the number of times the hit/miss judgment is executed without the result of the hit/miss judgment being a jackpot under a predetermined condition,
As the starting hole, at least a variable starting hole in which the possibility of the game ball entering can be changed is provided,
a time-saving state transition means for transitioning the game state to a time-saving state in which the frequency of execution of the hit/miss determination is increased by performing a time-saving control including at least one of a ball-scoring possibility improvement control for improving the possibility of a ball scoring into the variable starting hole compared to when the game state is in a normal state and a variation shortening control for shortening the variation time compared to when the game state is in a normal state;
A gaming machine comprising:
As the time-saving state,
A first time-saving state to which the state transitions based on the establishment of a predetermined transition condition;
A second time-saving state transitions based on the count value counted by the counting means reaching a value indicating a predetermined number of times;
Equipped with
A special effect is executed when the count value counted by the counting means reaches a predetermined timing before the count value indicates the predetermined number of times.
The gaming machine is characterized in that, when the gaming state is the normal state at the specified timing, a first performance is executed as the special performance, and, when the gaming state is the first time-saving state at the specified timing, the first performance is not executed. The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that if the gaming state is the first time-saving state at the specified timing, a second effect different from the first effect is executed as the special effect. The gaming machine according to claim 2, characterized in that if the first time-saving state ends between the specified timing and the count value counted by the counting means reaches a value indicating the specified number of times, a third effect different from the second effect is executed as the special effect.

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