JP7548555B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines by lottery whether or not to award a gaming advantage to a player.

In a slot machine used as a gaming machine, a winning combination is drawn in response to the player's bet of medals (gaming media) and the operation of a start switch, and multiple reels marked with various symbols are controlled to rotate. The reels are then stopped sequentially in response to the results of the lottery and the player's operation of a stop switch, and when a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination is displayed on an active line, which is the line that is the subject of a payout, a predetermined number of medals is paid out, and a gaming profit (hereinafter simply referred to as gaming profit) is awarded to the player.

In addition, in slot machines, multiple game states are provided that give players different degrees of advantage (game profits) during gameplay. For example, when a winning combination with a large game profit (hereinafter referred to as a correct combination) overlaps with another winning combination (hereinafter referred to as a selected winning type), the operation mode of the stop switch that is the winning condition for the correct combination (hereinafter referred to as a correct operation mode) is notified (hereinafter, the performance that notifies the operation mode that is the winning condition for such a predetermined winning combination (assisting the winning of the correct combination) is simply referred to as an assist performance), and some slot machines are provided with an AT performance state in which an AT (assist time) is executed, allowing the player to easily display the symbol combination corresponding to the correct combination on the pay line. In addition, some slot machines use an RT (replay time) game state in which the winning probability of a replay role is set high, or a so-called ART game state in which the above-mentioned AT performance state and the RT game state proceed simultaneously (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-010751 A

In a slot machine, multiple setting values with different degrees of advantage can be set internally. For example, a low setting value reduces the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state, and a high setting value increases the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state, making it possible to add variety to the game.

However, if it were simply assumed that the higher the setting value, the easier it would be to transition to the AT presentation state, then the expected number of coins to be won would simply differ depending on the difference in setting value, which would affect the player's gaming profits. For example, if the decrease in the expected number of coins to be won at a low setting value is suppressed, the expected number of coins to be won at a high setting value would become too high, increasing the risk of speculation. Conversely, if the expected number of coins to be won at a high setting value is suppressed, the expected number of coins to be won at a low setting value would become too low, resulting in the player's investment being unnecessarily large.

In addition, if the expected number of coins to be won were to simply differ depending on the set value, the game would become monotonous, making the player feel bored and possibly causing a decrease in the operating rate of the slot machine.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can improve playability while maintaining the player's motivation to play.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises a winning type selection means (e.g., a winning type selection means 304: see paragraphs 28 and 40, FIG. 6) for determining one of a plurality of winning types by a winning type selection lottery, a reel control means (e.g., a reel control means 306: see paragraphs 29 and 30, FIG. 3) for controlling the rotation of a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are respectively arranged based on an operation of a start switch, and for controlling the stop of each of the reels corresponding to the operated stop switch based on the selection result of the winning type selection means in response to an operation of a stop switch corresponding to the rotating reel, and a non-internal game state, a bonus internal game state (e.g., an RB internal game state) to which a transition is made based on the winning of a bonus role (e.g., a winning role "RB1") in the non-internal game state, and a bonus internal game state (e.g., a RB internal game state) to which a transition is made based on the winning of the bonus role in the non-internal game state, and a bonus granting means (see paragraph 426) capable of granting a bonus related to an auxiliary performance that assists the winning of a predetermined winning role (for example, a predetermined gaming profit related to the transition to an AT performance state: see paragraphs 422 and 426). The winning types include a first winning type, a second winning type, and a third winning type, and the first winning type (for example, winning types "Bell A1" to "Bell F2"("Bell in batting order"): see paragraphs 51, 57, 58, and FIG. 6) is a type in which a first small role (for example, any of the winning roles "small role 4" to "small role 9") does not overlap with a second small role (for example, any of the winning roles "small role 4" to "small role 9" other than the first small role), and a third small role (for example, any of the winning roles "small role 4" to "small role 9" other than the first small role) does not overlap with a first small role. The bonus role overlaps with the fourth minor role (for example, any of the winning roles "minor role 12" to "minor role 31" and "minor role 35" to "minor role 39") in the non-internal game state, and the first and second minor roles (for example, any of the winning roles "minor role 10", "minor role 12" to "minor role 34", and "minor role 40" to "minor role 43") are set to the first and second minor roles (see FIG. 5). The third and fourth minor roles (see FIG. 5) are set to a payout (for example, 7) that is higher than the game value required to start a game. In the non-internal gaming state , the first winning type and the third winning type may be determined by the winning type lottery (see FIG. 6), but a miss (e.g., winning type "miss": see paragraphs 45-48, FIG. 6) and the second winning type are not determined, and in the bonus-operating gaming state, the second winning type may be determined by the winning type lottery (see FIG. 6), and at least one small role among the fourth small roles in the third winning type (e.g., any of the winning roles "small role 12" to "small role 31") is equal to at least one small role among the third small roles in the first winning type (e.g., any of the winning roles "small role 12" to "small role 31"), and when the third winning type is determined by the winning type lottery, the bonus granting means can grant a bonus related to the auxiliary performance.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can improve playability while maintaining the player's motivation to play.

FIG. 1 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of a slot machine. 1 is an external view of the slot machine with the front door open, illustrating the general mechanical configuration of the slot machine. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels and the winning lines. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a winning combination. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a winning type lottery table. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of a game state. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the presentation state. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a CPU initialization process in a main control board. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a cold start process in a main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an error stop process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a setting value switching process in a main control board. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an initialization start process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a state restoration process in a main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining game start processing on the main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining the game medal insertion processing on the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an internal lottery process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a pattern code setting process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an execution flag setting process in the main control board 200. 13 is a flowchart explaining non-favorable section processing executed in state-specific module execution processing. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the normal presentation state processing executed in the state-specific module execution processing. This is a flowchart explaining the CZ performance state processing executed in the state-specific module execution processing. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a reel presentation state process executed in the state-specific module execution process. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the pull-back performance state processing executed in the state-specific module execution processing. 13 is a flowchart explaining the processing performed during reel rotation on the main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining the reel stop processing in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a display determination process in a main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining the payout process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining game transition processing on the main control board. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a save process in the main control board when power is turned off. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a timer interrupt process in the main control board. An explanatory diagram showing the lottery probability regarding AT levels. This is an explanatory diagram to explain the lottery for transition to the CZ presentation state based on the winning type ``rare role.'' An explanatory diagram showing the probability of transitioning to a CZ performance state depending on the number of lights on and the setting value. An explanatory diagram for explaining the AT level promotion lottery. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the winning mode of the winning type "1 My A". 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the lottery for upgrading the probability state and the lottery for additional lighting numbers.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values shown in the embodiment are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements that have substantially the same function and configuration are given the same reference numerals to avoid duplicated explanations, and elements that are not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated.

(Mechanical Configuration of Slot Machine 100)
1 and 2, a slot machine 100 as a gaming machine is provided with a housing 102 with an open front, and an upper front door 104 and a lower front door 106 which are rotatably arranged vertically side by side at one end of the front of the housing 102. A colorless and transparent symbol display window 108 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate or the like is provided at approximately the center of the lower part of the upper front door 104, and three reels 110 (left reel 110a, center reel 110b, right reel 110c) are provided at positions corresponding to the symbol display window 108 in the housing 102 so as to be independently rotatable. As shown in the pattern arrangement in Figure 3(a), multiple types of patterns are arranged in each of 20 equal areas on the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c, and the player can view a total of nine patterns, three consecutive patterns located on the top, middle, and bottom rows of the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c, through the pattern display window 108.

An operation unit installation stand 112 is formed on the top of the front lower door 106, and is provided with a medal insertion unit 114, a bet switch 116, a start switch 118, a stop switch 120, a performance switch 122, and the like. The medal insertion unit 114 accepts medals inserted as game value through a medal insertion port 114a. The bet switch 116 inserts (bet) a specified number of medals required for one game from those electrically stored inside the slot machine 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as credits).

The start switch 118 is composed of, for example, a lever that can detect tilting operation, and detects the start operation of the game by the player. The stop switches 120 (stop switch 120a, stop switch 120b, stop switch 120c) are provided corresponding to the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c, respectively, and detect the stop operation by the player. Note that when the stop switch 120 can be stopped, the first stop is when the player operates one of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c to stop the reels, and after the first stop, the second stop is when the player operates one of the two stop switches 120 that have not been stopped, and after the second stop, the third stop is when the player operates the last remaining stop switch 120 to stop the reels. The effect switch 122 is composed of, for example, a push switch and a jog dial switch arranged around it so that it can rotate freely, and detects the push operation and rotation operation by the player.

A liquid crystal display unit 124 that displays various images associated with the performance is provided approximately in the center of the top of the upper front door 104. Performance lamps 126, for example composed of high-brightness light-emitting diodes (LEDs), are provided at the top and left and right of the upper front door 104. Speakers 128 that perform auditory performances using sound effects, musical tones, etc. are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display unit 124 on the rear surface of the upper front door 104 and at the left and right positions on the rear surface of the lower front door 106.

The operation unit installation base 112 is provided with a main credit display unit 130 and a main payout display unit 132. In addition, a sub-credit display unit 134 and a sub-payout display unit 136 are provided between the symbol display window 108 and the operation unit installation base 112. The main credit display unit 130 and the sub-credit display unit 134 display the number of medals credited (number of credits), and the main payout display unit 132 and the sub-payout display unit 136 display the number of medals paid out.

Below the reels 110 in the housing 102, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 142 is provided for paying out medals from a medal discharge port 140a. In addition, at the lower front part of the lower front door 106, a tray section 140 is provided for storing medals paid out from the medal discharge port 140a. Also, a power switch 144 is provided inside the housing 102. The power switch 144 is operated by an administrator who manages the slot machine 100, and is used to switch between two states: a power-off state and a power-on state.

In addition, inside the cabinet 102, a setting key and a setting change switch (collectively referred to as a setting value setting means) (not shown) are provided on the main control board 200 described later. In the slot machine 100, when a predetermined key (operation key) is inserted into the setting key and turned from the OFF position to the ON position, and the power is turned on via the power switch 144, the slot machine 100 transitions to a setting change mode, and the setting value can be changed (also simply referred to as a setting change). The setting value indicates the degree of advantage (machine odds) of the player in stages, and is expressed in six stages, for example, from 1 to 6. In general, the setting value is set so that the higher the numerical value of the setting value, the higher the degree of advantage in the game as a whole (the higher the expected number of coins to be won). Then, each time the setting change switch is pressed in a state in which the setting can be changed, the setting value is incremented by one, and the setting value is changed to one of the six setting values, for example, and when the start switch 118 is operated, the setting value is confirmed, and the setting key is returned to its original position (OFF position), ending the setting change mode and enabling play. Note that settings can only be changed for a certain period of time after the power switch 144 is operated to turn on the power.

In the slot machine 100, once play can begin and a specified number of medals have been bet, the active lines are activated and operation of the start switch 118 is activated. Here, betting includes any of the following: inserting medals credited through operation of the bet switch 116, inserting medals through the medal insertion unit 114, and automatically inserting medals based on a replay role, which will be described in detail later, being displayed on an active line. The active lines are lines for determining whether a winning role has been achieved, and in this embodiment there are two active lines. As shown in FIG. 3(b), of the nine symbols (three reels × three rows, top, middle, and bottom) that face the symbol display window 108, the active line A1 is set as a line connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop in the middle row of the left reel 110a, the top row of the middle reel 110b, and the middle row of the right reel 110c, and the active line A2 is set as a line connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop in the middle row of the left reel 110a, the bottom row of the middle reel 110b, and the middle row of the right reel 110c. Such active lines A1 and A2 may be abbreviated as active lines A. Inactive lines are lines other than the active line A that are not used to determine whether a winning combination has been won, and display other symbol combinations that make it easier to determine the winning combination when it is difficult to determine the winning combination based on the symbol combination displayed on the active line A alone. In this embodiment, five inactive lines B1, B2, B3, C1, and C2 shown in FIG. 3(b) are assumed.

When the player operates the start switch 118, the game begins, the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c are controlled to rotate, and a lottery for a winning type is executed. After that, the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c are stopped according to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. Then, if a winning combination that can receive a medal payout is won based on the result of the lottery for a winning type and the combination of the symbols displayed on the pay line A, the medals are paid out. If a winning combination that can receive a medal payout is not won or if a winning combination that can receive a medal payout is won but not won, the game ends when the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c all stop.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned one game refers to the game from when a medal is inserted through the medal insertion section 114, when a credited medal is inserted through the operation of the bet switch 116, or when a medal is automatically inserted based on a replay role being displayed on the active line A, until the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c are controlled to rotate and a winning type lottery is executed in response to the player's operation of the start switch 118, and the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c corresponding to the operated stop switch 120a, 120b, 120c are controlled to stop in response to the result of the winning type lottery and the player's operation of the multiple stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and if a winning role that may be awarded with a medal is won, the medal is paid out. In addition, when a player does not win a prize type that can receive a medal payout or wins a prize but does not win, one game ends when the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c all stop. However, the start of one game may be interpreted as the operation of the start switch 118 by the player instead of the insertion of a medal or the winning of a replay role. The number of times such one game is repeated is defined as the number of games. In addition, such a game in which a prize type lottery is performed and one payout can be received is sometimes called a basic game to distinguish it from a pseudo game (pseudo game) described later. Here, whether the basic game is played alone or in combination with the pseudo game, the completion of the basic game is considered as the completion of one game. Therefore, the completion of the pseudo game does not affect the counting of the number of games in the slot machine 100. However, the number of games managed by the hall computer (not shown) may or may not include simulated games as part of the number of games, depending on the specifications.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in Figure 4, the slot machine 100 is provided with a control board including a main control board 200 (main control unit) that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-control board 202 (sub-control unit) that controls the presentation according to the progress of the game. In addition, the transmission of electrical signals between the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 is limited to one direction only, from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 202, from the viewpoint of preventing fraud, etc.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 200a which is a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b in which programs and the like are stored, and a main RAM 200c which functions as a work area, and generally controls the entire slot machine 100. Note that even if the power is cut off, the main RAM 200c retains data without erasing it, unless a setting change is made and the RAM is cleared.

The main control board 200 also has functional units such as an initialization means 300, a betting means 302, a winning type selection means 304, a reel control means 306, a determination means 308, a payout control means 310, a game state control means 312, a presentation state control means 314, and a command transmission means 316, which function when the main CPU 200a cooperates with the main RAM 200c based on a program stored in the main ROM 200b.

The main control board 200 receives various detection signals from the inserted medal detection unit 414b, which detects the insertion of medals into the medal insertion slot 114a, the bet switch 116, the start switch 118, and the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and the main CPU 200a executes various processes based on the received detection signals.

The initialization means 300 executes initialization processing on the main control board 200. The betting means 302 bets medals to be used in the game. The winning type selection means 304 performs a winning type selection based on the operation of the start switch 118, as will be described in detail later, to determine whether or not a winning role has been won, and more specifically, whether or not a winning type that includes a winning role has been won.

The reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and controls the stopping of the corresponding left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c corresponding to the rotating left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c, respectively. In addition, the reel control means 306 may extend the time from enabling the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c in the previous game to enabling the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c by the player to display the lottery result of the winning type lottery (which is disabled by the completion of the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c in the previous game) to a specified time in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and during that time, perform a reel effect (freeze effect) that controls the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c in various ways. The reel effect can be realized by not enabling any switch that should be enabled for a predetermined time, suspending a process that should be executed for a predetermined time, or not transmitting or receiving a signal of any switch that should be transmitted or received for a predetermined time. In addition, in this embodiment, as a reel presentation, a pseudo game similar to a basic game may be performed in which the basic game is interrupted in response to the operation of the start switch 118 in the basic game, the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are rotated and controlled, and the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are stopped (temporarily stopped) in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. The pseudo game ends when the start switch 118 is operated again or a predetermined time has elapsed since the temporary stop control, and the rotation control of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c in the basic game is resumed. As an example of the pseudo game, a predetermined pattern (for example, a pattern constituting a bonus role) on each reel 110a, 110b, and 110c may be automatically temporarily stopped in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. In such a pseudo game, the effects can be executed with rotation control and stopping modes similar to or different from those of the basic game, which can enhance the interest of the game. Note that the provisional stop means that the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c appear to be stopped at first glance, but the phase signal of the stepping motor 152 of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c continues to change within 500 msec to indicate a state in which the reels are not completely stopped, and the provisional stop control means control to provisionally stop the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. However, unless otherwise specified, both stop and temporary stop are treated simply as stop in the sense that they do not rotate in one direction but maintain their position, and both stop control and temporary stop control are treated simply as stop control in the sense that the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c are controlled to rotate in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c are stopped in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c corresponding to the rotating left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c, respectively.

The reel drive control unit 150 is also connected to the main control board 200. This reel drive control unit 150 drives the stepping motor 152 based on the rotation start signal for the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c sent from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 118. The reel drive control unit 150 also stops the driving of the stepping motor 152 based on the stop signal for each of the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c and the detection signal of the rotation position detection circuit 154 sent from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the stop switch 120.

The determination means 308 determines whether or not a symbol combination corresponding to a winning role has been displayed on the pay line A. Here, the display of a symbol combination corresponding to a winning role on the pay line A may simply be referred to as winning. The payout control means 310 pays out medals in the number (value amount) corresponding to the winning role based on the fact that a symbol combination corresponding to a winning role has been displayed on the pay line A (winning). In addition, a medal payout device 142 is connected to the main control board 200, and the payout control means 310 dispenses medals while counting the number of medals paid out.

The game state control means 312 refers to the result of the winning type lottery and the judgment result of the judgment means 308, and transitions the game state to one of multiple game states. The presentation state control means 314 refers to the result of the winning type lottery, the judgment result of the judgment means 308, and transition information of the game state, and transitions the presentation state to one of multiple presentation states.

The command transmission means 316 sequentially determines game-related commands associated with the operation of the betting means 302, the winning type selection means 304, the reel control means 306, the determination means 308, the payout control means 310, the game state control means 312, the presentation state control means 314, etc., and sequentially transmits the determined commands to the sub-control board 202.

The main control board 200 is also provided with a random number generator (random number generating means) 200d. The random number generator 200d sequentially increments the count value, and resets the count value after counting a predetermined number of times (changing the number sequence to determine the initial value), thereby looping the count value within a predetermined numerical range. The main control board 200 obtains a random number value by extracting the count value from the random number generator 200d at a predetermined point in time. The random number value generated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 (hereinafter referred to as the winning type lottery random number) is used to determine the gaming profit to be awarded to the player, for example, the winning type by the winning type lottery means 304.

(Sub-control board 202)
Similarly to the main control board 200, the sub-control board 202 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU 202a which is a central processing unit, a sub-ROM 202b which stores programs and the like, and a sub-RAM 202c which functions as a work area, and controls the performance in particular based on commands from the main control board 200. Similarly to the main RAM 200c, the sub-RAM 202c is also connected to a backup power supply (not shown), so that data is not erased and is retained even if the power supply is cut off. Similarly to the main control board 200, the sub-control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator (random number generating means) 202d, and the random number value (hereinafter referred to as the performance lottery random number) generated by the random number generator 202d is mainly used to determine the mode of the performance.

In addition, the sub-control board 202 has functional units such as an initialization determination means 330, a command receiving means 332, and a performance control means 334, which function in cooperation with the sub-RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub-ROM 202b.

The initialization determination means 330 executes the initialization process in the sub-control board 202. The command receiving means 332 receives commands from other control boards such as the main control board 200, and processes the commands. The performance control means 334 receives a detection signal from the performance switch 122, and determines the performance of the game to be performed by each device of the liquid crystal display unit 124, the speaker 128, and the performance lamp 126 based on the received command. Specifically, the performance control means 334 determines image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 124, lighting data for the performance through lighting devices such as the performance lamp 126, the sub-credit display unit 134, and the sub-payout display unit 136, and determines audio data constituting the sound to be output from the speaker 128. Then, the performance control means 334 executes the performance of the determined game. In addition, the performance also includes auxiliary performance. The auxiliary performance is a performance that notifies the player of the correct operation mode of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, which is the winning condition of the correct role, when a selected winning type in which a correct role and an incorrect role overlap is won in the winning type lottery. With such an auxiliary performance, the player can easily display the symbol combination corresponding to the correct role on the effective line A. The correct role refers to a winning role that is more advantageous than the incorrect role, including not only the medal payout due to the winning role winning, but also all the game profits obtained by the winning role winning. The performance state in which such an auxiliary performance is executed is called an AT (assist time) performance state. In addition, a so-called ART game state in which the AT performance state and the RT (replay time) game state, in which the probability of winning a replay role is high, proceed in parallel, may also be used.

In the following, notification means managed by boards other than the main control board 200, including the sub-control board 202, such as the LCD display unit 124, performance lamps 126, speaker 128, sub-credit display unit 134, and sub-payout display unit 136, may be referred to as other notification means. In contrast, notification means managed by the main control board 200, such as the main credit display unit 130 and main payout display unit 132, may be referred to as main notification means (instruction monitor). In addition, the main notification means and other notification means capable of executing auxiliary performances may be collectively referred to as auxiliary performance execution means. The performance state control means 314 causes the auxiliary performance execution means to execute the auxiliary performance in the AT performance state. In particular, in this embodiment, the main notification means (instruction monitor) is a number (instruction number) that can identify the operation mode (batting order) displayed on the main payout display unit 132, and the operation order is notified via the liquid crystal display unit 124, the performance lamp 126, and the speaker 128 as other notification means.

(Table used in main control board 200)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the winning combination, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the winning type selection table.

In the slot machine 100, as described in detail below, multiple types of game states and presentation states are provided, and the game states and presentation states are changed according to the progress of the game. In the main control board 200, multiple winning type lottery tables corresponding to the game states managed and controlled by the game state control means 312 are stored in the main ROM 200b. The winning type lottery means 304 extracts the corresponding winning type lottery table from the main ROM 200b according to the current setting value (which indicates the easiness of obtaining a game profit in stages) stored in the main RAM 200c and the current game state, and determines which winning type in the winning type lottery table corresponds to the winning type lottery random number obtained according to the operation signal of the start switch 118 based on the extracted winning type lottery table.

Here, the winning roles that make up the winning types extracted in the winning type lottery table include a replay role, a small role, and a bonus role. A replay role is a role that allows the player to play again without placing a new medal bet when a symbol combination corresponding to the replay role is displayed on the active line A. A small role is a role that allows the player to receive a predetermined number of medals according to the symbol combination when a symbol combination corresponding to the small role is displayed on the active line A. A bonus role is a role that allows the game state managed by the game state control means 312 to transition to a bonus game state (a game state during RB operation described later) when a symbol combination corresponding to the bonus role is displayed on the active line A.

As shown in FIG. 5, the winning role in this embodiment includes a bonus role, "RB1". Replay roles include "Replay 1" to "Replay 4". Small roles include "Small Role 1" to "Small Role 43". In FIG. 5, one or more symbols constituting each winning role are associated with the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c. In the following, the winning roles "Small Role 1" and "Small Role 2" may be abbreviated to "3-coin role", "Small Role 3" to "Small Role 9" to "7-coin role", and "Small Role 10" to "Small Role 43" to "1-coin role".

Here, in this embodiment, when the stop switch 120 is operated by the player, if the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to a possible winning combination are on the active line A, the reel control means 306 performs stop control so that the symbols stop on the active line A. Also, when the stop switch 120 is operated, if the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to a possible winning combination are not on the active line A but are within a range equivalent to four symbol frames in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the reel 110 (pulling-in range), the reel control means 306 performs stop control so that the number of separated symbols becomes the number of slipping frames, and the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination are pulled onto the active line A and then stopped after maintaining rotation for the number of slipping frames. In addition, when there are multiple symbols corresponding to winning combinations that can win prizes on the reel 110 and all of them are within the reel-in range of the reel 110, it is determined which symbol to reel in to the pay line A according to a predetermined priority order, and the stop control is performed so that the prioritized symbol is stopped after maintaining rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to reel in the winning line A. In addition, when the stop switch 120 is pressed, if a symbol constituting a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination other than a winning combination that can win a prize is on the winning line A, the reel control means 306 also executes a so-called kicking process in parallel to prevent the symbol from stopping on the winning line A. In addition, as described later, when an operation mode (operation order or operation timing) is set as a winning condition for a winning combination included in a winning type, the reel control means 306 controls the stop so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination can be displayed on the winning line A according to the operation mode of the player.

For example, the symbols constituting the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning roles "Replay 1", "Replay 2", "Small Role 1" to "Small Role 11", and "RB1" are arranged on each reel 110 so that they can always be displayed on the pay line A by the above-mentioned stopping control. Such a winning role may be expressed as PB=1. On the other hand, for example, the symbols constituting the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning roles "Replay 3", "Replay 4", and "Small Role 12" to "Small Role 43" are not always arranged on each reel 110 so that they can always be displayed on the pay line A by the above-mentioned stopping control, so that so-called misses may occur. Such a winning role may be expressed as PB≠1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the winning type lottery table is divided into multiple winning areas, and the winning types that are the subject of the lottery vary depending on each game state, and the presence or absence of non-wins (misses) also differs. In FIG. 6, the winning areas (winning types) assigned to each game state (non-internal game state (non-internal), RB internal game state (RB internal), RB operating game state (RB operating)) are represented by "◎" or "○", but in reality, a winning type lottery table corresponding to each of the multiple game states is stored in the main ROM 200b. Note that "◎" indicates a winning type that allows the lottery of an advantageous zone to be drawn, for which a lottery to move to an advantageous zone can be held, and "○" indicates a winning type that does not allow the lottery of an advantageous zone to be drawn, for which a lottery to move to an advantageous zone cannot be held.

In the winning type lottery table, each partitioned winning area is associated with a predetermined number of entries (winning range value), which is a numerical value indicating the winning range, and a winning type. The total number of entries in all winning areas assigned to each game state is the total number of winning type lottery random numbers (65536). Therefore, the probability of each winning type being determined is the value obtained by dividing the number of entries associated with the winning area by the total number of winning type lottery random numbers. The winning type lottery means 304 sequentially obtains the number of entries from the multiple winning areas in the winning type lottery table starting with the highest number based on the game state at that time, subtracts the number of entries from the winning type lottery random number, and if the value after subtraction is less than 0, the winning type associated with the winning area at that time is the lottery result of the winning type lottery. Also, if the number of entries in all winning areas 1 or more are subtracted from the winning type lottery random number and the value after subtraction is 0 or more, the winning type "miss" of winning area 0 is the lottery result of the winning type lottery.

Here, we will add some details about the winning role "RB1". A specified first-class special role (RB) is a role that increases the number of symbol combinations related to winning per set number or increases the probability of activating a condition device related to winning per set number, and is capable of operating in a pre-determined case and continuing to operate until a game result not exceeding 12 times is obtained. Here, a condition device is a device whose operation is a necessary condition for the display of a symbol combination related to a winning, replay, or the operation of a role or role continuous operation device, and is activated when a winning type lottery (a computer-generated lottery held within the gaming machine) is won, i.e., a winning flag.

According to the winning type lottery table in FIG. 6, for example, winning area 0 is associated with the winning type "miss." If such a winning type is won, the symbol combination corresponding to any of the winning roles shown in FIG. 5 will not be displayed on the pay line A, and no medals will be paid out.

In addition, winning area 1 is associated with a winning type "Replay A" that includes overlapping winning roles "Replay 1" to "Replay 3," and winning area 2 is associated with a winning type "Replay B" that includes overlapping winning roles "Replay 1" to "Replay 4." In the following, the two winning types in winning areas 1 and 2 may be simply referred to as the winning type "Replay."

The winning area 3 is associated with the winning type "Cherry A" which includes the winning roles "Small Role 1", "Small Role 2", "Small Role 11", "Small Role 16", "Small Role 19", "Small Role 20", "Small Role 23", "Small Role 28", and "Small Role 31" in overlapping fashion. The winning area 4 is associated with the winning type "Watermelon A" which includes the winning roles "Small Role 10", "Small Role 16" to "Small Role 23" in overlapping fashion. The winning area 5 is associated with the winning type "Chance A" which includes the winning roles "Small Role 11", "Small Role 16" to "Small Role 23" in overlapping fashion. The winning area 6 is associated with the winning type "Bell H" which includes the winning roles "Small Role 3", "Small Role 4", "Small Role 6", "Small Role 7", and "Small Role 10" in overlapping fashion. In the following, the four winning types in the winning areas 3 to 6 may be simply abbreviated as the winning type "Rare Role".

In addition, the winning regions 7 to 18 are associated with selected winning types (winning types "Bell A1", "Bell A2", winning types "Bell B1", "Bell B2", winning types "Bell C1", "Bell C2", winning types "Bell D1", "Bell D2", winning types "Bell E1", "Bell E2", winning types "Bell F1", "Bell F2") that overlap and include either a correct combination with a payout of 7 coins (winning types "Small combination 4" to "Small combination 9") or an incorrect combination with a payout of 1 coin (winning types "Small combination 10" to "Small combination 43"). In the following, the 12 winning types in the winning regions 7 to 18 may be simply referred to as the winning type "Bell in batting order".

The winning area 19 is associated with the winning type "Bell G" which includes the winning roles "Small Role 4" to "Small Role 10" in overlapping fashion. The winning area 20 is associated with the winning type "JAC-A" which includes the winning roles "Small Role 1" to "Small Role 43" in overlapping fashion. The winning area 21 is associated with the winning type "JAC-B" which includes the winning roles "Small Role 10", "Small Role 11", "Small Role 14" to "Small Role 31", "Small Role 34", and "Small Role 36" to "Small Role 43" in overlapping fashion.

In addition, winning areas 22 to 27 are each associated with a selected winning type (winning types "1 my A", "1 my B", "1 my C", "1 my D", "1 my E", and "1 my F") that includes an overlap of the winning role "RB1" and any of the winning roles with a payout of one coin (winning roles "minor role 12" to "minor role 39"). Note that below, the six winning types in winning areas 22 to 27 may be simply referred to as the winning type "1 my chance role".

The winning area 28 is also associated with the winning type "1 My G" which includes the winning combination "RB1", the winning combinations "small combination 14" to "small combination 31", and "small combination 35".

When a winning type that includes multiple overlapping winning roles is won, the winning conditions for which winning role the corresponding symbol combination is preferentially displayed on the pay line A are set, such as the order in which the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are operated, and the operation timing of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c (operation position of the reel 110).

In the following description, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c that stop the reels in the order of left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c is referred to as "batting order 1," the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c that stop the reels in the order of left reel 110a, right reel 110c, and center reel 110b is referred to as "batting order 2," and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c that stop the reels in the order of center reel 110b, left reel 110a, and right reel 110c is referred to as "batting order 3." ", the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c that stop the reels in the order of center reel 110b, right reel 110c, and left reel 110a is "batting order 4", the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c that stop the reels in the order of right reel 110c, left reel 110a, and center reel 110b is "batting order 5", and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c that stop the reels in the order of right reel 110c, center reel 110b, and left reel 110a is "batting order 6".

For example, if the winning type "Bell A1" in winning area 7 is won and an operation is performed according to the correct operation mode (batting order 1), the stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "minor role 4", which is a correct role with a payout of 7 coins, is preferentially displayed on the effective line A. Also, if an operation is performed according to batting orders 2 to 6, the stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "1 coin role", which is an incorrect role with a payout of 1 coin, is preferentially displayed on the effective line A with a probability of 1/2.

The probability of winning (number of symbols placed) for each winning type in winning areas 7 to 18 is set to be equal. Since players usually cannot know which winning type they have won, providing winning areas 7 to 18 as described above makes it difficult to win with a correct combination. Also, as described above, even if the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are operated in an operation mode that prioritizes the display of incorrect combinations, it is not necessarily possible to display the symbol combination corresponding to the incorrect combination on the pay line A, so depending on the operation mode, a miss may occur (PB ≠ 1).

In addition, when the winning type "1 My A" in the winning area 22 is won and an operation is performed according to the correct operation mode (batting order 1, 2), the stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "1 piece role" with a payout of 1 coin is preferentially displayed on the effective line A. In addition, when an operation is performed according to batting order 3 to 6, the stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "minor role 38" with a payout of 1 coin is preferentially displayed on the effective line A with a probability of 1/2, and the stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RB1" is preferentially displayed on the effective line A with a probability of 1/2. In the latter case, the game state control means 312 will transition the game state to a game state inside RB.

The winning probability (number of pieces placed) of each winning type in the winning areas 22 to 27 is set to be equal. Since a player cannot usually know which winning type he/she has won, by providing the winning areas 22 to 27 as described above, there is no risk of missing out (PB=1), but if the player operates randomly, he/she cannot know in advance whether the winning role "1 piece role" or the winning role "RB1" will be won. In addition, the winning probability (number of pieces placed) of each winning type "1 my chance role" in the winning areas 22 to 27 is greater than the winning probability (number of pieces placed) of each winning type "rare role" (winning types "Cherry A", "Watermelon A", "Chance A", "Bell H"). In addition, the winning probability (number of pieces placed) of each winning type "1 my chance role" may be greater than or less than the total winning probability (number of pieces placed) of the winning types "rare role" (winning types "Cherry A", "Watermelon A", "Chance A", "Bell H").

When any of the above winning types is won, the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning type is established (ON), and the stop control of each reel 110 is performed according to the establishment status of this internal winning flag. At this time, if a winning type including a small role is won, but the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role cannot be displayed on the active line A during the game, the internal winning flag is turned off after the game ends. In other words, the right to win a small role is limited only to the game in which the winning type including a small role is won, and the right cannot be carried over to the next game. On the other hand, when a winning type including the winning role "RB1" is won, the RB internal winning flag is established (ON), and the RB internal winning flag is carried over across games until the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RB1" is displayed on the active line A. In addition, when an internal win flag corresponding to a win type that includes a replay role is set, a symbol combination corresponding to one of the replay roles included in that win type is always displayed on the active line A, and after the processing required to play the next game without requiring a medal is performed, the internal win flag is turned off.

(Game state transition)
Here, the transition of the game state will be explained with reference to FIG. 7. Here, a number of game states are prepared, such as a non-internal game state, an RB internal game state, and an RB operating game state. As will be described later, each game state transitions according to the winning of a bonus role, winning (operation), and ending. The types of wins that can be won in each game state are represented by "◎" or "○" in FIG. 6.

The non-internal game state is a game state that corresponds to the initial state among multiple game states. The game state control means 312 transitions the game state in response to the winning of the winning role "RB1". For example, in a game in which the winning role "RB1" is won, when a symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RB1" is displayed on the pay line A, the game state control means 312 transitions the game state to the RB operating game state (1).

When the conditions for ending the RB-operated game state are met, that is, when any of the winning types "Cherry A", "Watermelon A", "Chance A", "Bell H", "JAC-A" and "JAC-B" win eight times or 12 games are played, the game state control means 312 transitions the game state to a non-internal game state (2). Note that in the RB-operated game state, the probability of winning the winning types "Cherry A", "Watermelon A", "Chance A" and "Bell H" is lower than in the non-internal game state and the RB-internal game state.

On the other hand, in a game in which the winning role "RB1" is won, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RB1" cannot be displayed on the active line A, the game state control means 312 transitions the game state to an RB-inside game state (3). Then, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RB1" is displayed on the active line A in the RB-inside game state, the game state control means 312 transitions the game state to an RB-operated game state (4).

(Transition of performance state)
8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the presentation state. The transition of the presentation state caused by the presentation state control means 314 in the main control board 200 will be described in detail below.

Here, in order to comprehensively and uniformly determine whether or not the game state with high medal acquisition performance is biased, a game area that has a performance related to the instruction function, that is, a game area that is advantageous to the player, including a game area that executes an auxiliary performance (instruction function), is defined as an advantageous area. Note that, when an auxiliary performance is activated as a result of a lottery or the like related to the activation of the auxiliary performance on the main control board 200, the advantageous area is a game area in which information indicating the content of the instruction may be transmitted to a peripheral board such as the sub-control board 202 only when the content of the instruction is displayed on the main notification means so that the main control board 200 can identify it. Also, unlike the advantageous area, a game area in which the auxiliary performance (instruction function) cannot be executed is defined as a non-advantageous area. Therefore, multiple performance states belong to either the advantageous area or the non-advantageous area, which are game areas. In this embodiment, almost all performance states belong to the advantageous area, and a non-advantageous area is realized in some performance states (here, several games from the start of the normal performance state transitioned from the pull-back performance state).

In addition, in the advantageous zone, among the winning modes in which the correct combination would be missed without the auxiliary effect, in the selected winning type in which the payout for the correct combination is the maximum (here, 7 coins), when an auxiliary effect that assists in winning the correct combination (an auxiliary effect that can obtain the maximum payout number) is performed, this must be notified, for example, by lighting up the zone indicator 160.

In addition, in non-advantageous zones, the probability of winning a type of win can be made different for each setting value, but the probability of deciding to transition to a presentation state with auxiliary effects (AT presentation state) for the same winning type must not be made different for each setting value. On the other hand, in advantageous zones, both the probability of winning a type of win and the probability of deciding to transition (or add) to a presentation state with auxiliary effects (AT presentation state) for the same winning type can be made different for each setting value.

Therefore, in addition to managing the transition of the presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 also manages the transition between the non-advantageous zone and the advantageous zone. Furthermore, regardless of this management, the advantageous zone is forcibly terminated when the following termination conditions are met. For example, the zone is forcibly terminated when the value counted in the advantageous zone reaches a predetermined value (for example, the number of games played during the zone reaches 1,500 games or the net increase in the number of coins exceeds 2,400 coins). In either case, the presentation state control means 314 resets all information updated in the advantageous zone (all variables that affect the performance related to the instruction function) by transitioning from the advantageous zone to the non-advantageous zone.

(Non-AT performance state, AT performance state)
In the non-AT performance state, the frequency of the auxiliary performance is much lower than in the AT performance state, and the auxiliary performance is almost not performed, so the number of medals that can be won is limited. Here, four performance states are provided as the non-AT performance state, namely, the normal performance state, the CZ performance state (chance zone performance state), the reel performance state, and the pull-back performance state.

In the AT performance state, by having the auxiliary performance execution means execute an auxiliary performance when the selected winning type is won, it is possible to win many medals while reducing medal consumption. Therefore, by transitioning to the AT performance state, the player can play more advantageously than in a non-AT performance state. Here, there are four AT performance states: a specialized AT performance state, a normal AT performance state, a chance AT performance state, and a battle AT performance state. Each performance state will be explained individually below.

(Each performance state)
The normal presentation state is a presentation state that corresponds to the initial state among multiple presentation states. The presentation state control means 314 performs a CZ lottery in the normal presentation state. The CZ lottery is a lottery that determines the transition to the CZ presentation state, and the presentation state control means 314 performs a CZ lottery with different probabilities for each winning type determined by the winning type lottery, as will be described in detail later. Then, when the CZ lottery is won in the normal presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to the CZ presentation state (1).

In the CZ presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 performs an AT lottery. The AT lottery is a lottery that determines whether to transition to an AT presentation state (normal AT presentation state), and the presentation state control means 314 performs the AT lottery with different probabilities for each winning type determined by the winning type lottery. Then, if the AT lottery is won in the CZ presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to a specialized AT presentation state, which is an AT presentation state (2). Note that the CZ presentation state can be said to be a more advantageous presentation state than the normal presentation state, since it may be determined that the transition to an AT presentation state in which an auxiliary presentation is executed will occur.

On the other hand, when a predetermined termination condition is met in the CZ presentation state (for example, a predetermined number of plays has elapsed without winning the AT lottery), the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state (3).

In addition, when a predetermined condition is met in the normal presentation state (when the number of lights on the rare combination counter, described later, reaches 4), the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to the reel presentation state (4). In the reel presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 performs an AT lottery while determining at least a transition to a CZ presentation state, and notifies the result of the lottery through a reel presentation that repeats spinning and stopping one or more times. For example, the presentation state control means 314 executes a reel presentation that repeats spinning and stopping more frequently the higher the gaming profit, depending on the result of the AT lottery, such as transition to a CZ presentation state, winning a transition to a specialized AT presentation state, or winning a transition to a specialized AT presentation state + a predetermined gaming profit.

If the AT lottery is won in the reel presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to a specialized AT presentation state, which is an AT presentation state (5). Also, if a transition to the AT presentation state is not determined in the reel presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to a CZ presentation state (6). In this way, once the transition to the reel presentation state has occurred, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to either a specialized AT presentation state or a CZ presentation state. Note that since the transition to either the AT presentation state or the CZ presentation state is determined for the reel presentation state, this can be said to be a more advantageous presentation state than the normal presentation state.

In addition, if a predetermined ceiling condition is met without transitioning to a specialized AT presentation state (AT presentation state), for example, if the player continuously stays in any of the presentation states (non-AT presentation states) of the normal presentation state, CZ presentation state, reel presentation state, and pull-back presentation state, and the ceiling number of plays is consumed (so-called reaching the ceiling), the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to a specialized AT presentation state (7).

In the specialized AT presentation state, the number of plays that can continue until a specific end condition (e.g., four plays) is met is determined by lottery. When the specific end condition is met in the specialized AT presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to the normal AT presentation state (8).

In the normal AT presentation state, the auxiliary presentation is executed until a predetermined end condition (for example, the number of continued plays determined in the specialized AT presentation state is exhausted) is met. Then, in the normal AT presentation state, when a predetermined transition condition to the chance AT presentation state is met (for example, when a lottery for the selected winning type is won), the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to the chance AT presentation state (9).

In the chance AT presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 determines by lottery whether or not to gradually increase the continuation rate for continuing the normal AT presentation state (resulting in a larger expected number of coins won). If it is determined that the continuation rate should be increased in the chance AT presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to a specialized AT presentation state (10). Also, if it is not determined that the continuation rate should be increased in the chance AT presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 returns the presentation state to the normal AT presentation state (11).

In addition, when a predetermined transition condition to the battle AT presentation state is met in the normal AT presentation state (for example, when a lottery based on the selected winning type is won), the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to the battle AT presentation state (12).

In the battle AT presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 executes a presentation simulating a battle, and determines the outcome by lottery. When a battle is won in the battle AT presentation state (when a transition to the chance AT presentation state is determined), the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to the chance AT presentation state (13). Also, when a battle is lost in the battle AT presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 returns the presentation state to the normal AT presentation state (14).

When a predetermined end condition is met in the normal AT presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to a pullback presentation state (15).

In the pullback presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 performs a continuation lottery to determine whether or not to transition (continue) to the AT presentation state (specialized AT presentation state) again, based on the continuation rate determined in the chance AT presentation state, etc. Then, if the continuation lottery is won, the presentation state control means 314 continues the advantageous zone and returns the presentation state to the specialized AT presentation state (16). On the other hand, if the continuation lottery is not won, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state (17). In this case, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the advantageous zone to a non-advantageous zone once, and performs an advantageous zone transition lottery with a high probability until the zone transitions to the advantageous zone. Therefore, the advantageous zone transition lottery in this embodiment is always set to transition to the advantageous zone at some point.

The specific processing on the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 is explained below based on the flowchart.

(CPU Initialization Processing of Main Control Board 200)
9 is a flow chart for explaining the CPU initialization process in the main control board 200. When power is supplied from the power supply board, a system reset occurs in the main CPU 200a, and the main CPU 200a performs the following CPU initialization process (S100).

(Step S100-1)
When the power is turned on, the main CPU 200a reads a startup program from the main ROM 200b as an initial setting process, and performs setting processes required for executing various processes.

(Step S100-3)
The main CPU 200a sets a wait processing time in a timer counter.

(Step S100-5)
The main CPU 200a judges whether a power-off warning signal has been detected. The main control board 200 is provided with a power-off detection circuit, which outputs a power-off warning signal when the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined value. If a power-off warning signal has been detected, the process proceeds to step S100-3, and if a power-off warning signal has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S100-7.

(Step S100-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the wait processing time set in step S100-3 has elapsed or not. If it is judged that the wait processing time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S100-9, and if it is judged that the wait time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S100-5.

(Step S100-9)
The main CPU 200a executes the processes required to permit access to the main RAM 200c.

(Step S100-11)
The main CPU 200a executes a checksum confirmation process. Here, the main CPU 200a calculates a checksum and judges whether the calculated checksum does not match the checksum saved at the time of power off (is abnormal) and whether the backup is abnormal. If the main CPU 200a judges that either or both of the backup and the checksum are abnormal, it turns on the backup abnormality flag, and if it judges that neither the backup nor the checksum are abnormal, it turns off the backup abnormality flag.

(Step S100-13)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the backup abnormality flag is on, and if it is judged that the backup abnormality flag is on, the process proceeds to step S110, whereas if it is judged that the backup abnormality flag is not on, the process proceeds to step S120.

(Step S110)
The main CPU 200a executes a cold start process, which will be described later.

(Step S120)
The main CPU 200a executes a setting value switching process for switching the setting value, which will be described later.

(Step S130)
The main CPU 200a executes a state restoration process to restore the state immediately before the power was turned off, as will be described later.

Figure 10 is a flowchart explaining the cold start process (S110) in the main control board 200.

(Step S110-1)
The main CPU 200a clears the used area in the main RAM 200c and executes a used area RAM check process to detect any abnormalities in the used area.

(Step S110-3)
The main CPU 200a clears the separate area (unused area) in the main RAM 200c and executes a separate area RAM check process to detect an abnormality in the separate area. If an abnormality is detected in the separate area in the separate area RAM check process, the main CPU 200a turns on a RAM read/write error flag.

(Step S110-5)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "EA" indicating an abnormality in the main RAM 200c.

(Step S110-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether an abnormality has been detected in the above step S110-1. If it is judged that an abnormality has been detected in the above step S110-1, the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is judged that an abnormality has not been detected in the above step S110-1, the process proceeds to step S110-9.

(Step S110-9)
The main CPU 200a acquires a RAM read/write error flag that is turned on when an abnormality is detected in step S110-3.

(Step S110-11)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the RAM read/write error flag is on. If it is judged that the RAM read/write error flag is on, the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is judged that the RAM read/write error flag is not on, the process proceeds to step S120.

(Step S120)
The main CPU 200a executes a setting value switching process for switching the setting value, which will be described later.

(Step S110-13)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "E7" indicating a backup error.

(Step S112)
The main CPU 200a executes an error stop process for stopping the progress of the game due to an error, which will be described later.

Figure 11 is a flowchart explaining the error stop processing (S112) in the main control board 200.

(Step S112-1)
The main CPU 200a sets an initial stack pointer value as the address of the stack pointer.

(Step S112-3)
The main CPU 200a executes an error setting process for setting an error display and an alarm sound.

(Step S112-5)
The main CPU 200a sets the external signal 1-3 output bit OFF, which turns off the output image of the bits corresponding to the external signals 1-3.

(Step S112-7)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port image set process for updating the output image for the bit set in step S112-5.

(Step S112-9)
The main CPU 200a goes into a permanent loop, which stops the progress of the game.

Figure 12 is a flowchart explaining the setting value switching process (S120) in the main control board 200.

(Step S120-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires a signal from the input port 1, and judges whether the setting value switching condition is satisfied based on the acquired signal from the input port 1. As a result, if it is judged that the setting value switching condition is not satisfied, the setting value switching process is terminated, and if it is judged that the setting value switching condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S120-3. Here, the signal from the input port 1 includes a signal indicating whether the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 are open or not, and a signal indicating whether the setting key is turned on or not. Here, it is judged that the setting value switching condition is satisfied when a signal indicating that the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 are open and a signal indicating that the setting key is turned on are acquired.

(Step S120-3)
The main CPU 200a executes a RAM clear process to clear areas in the main RAM 200c that should be cleared when the settings are changed.

(Step S120-5)
The main CPU 200a executes a table content setting process for transferring the table data of the setting value switching data table to the main RAM 200c.

(Step S120-7)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a setting change start command, which indicates the start of changing the setting value.

(Step S120-9)
The main CPU 200a executes an edge check process to detect the falling edge (on edge) of the signal at the input port.

(Step S120-11)
The main CPU 200a acquires setting value data indicating the current setting values.

(Step S120-13)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the on-edge of the setting change switch has been detected in the above step S120-9. If it is judged that the on-edge of the setting change switch has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-17, and if it is judged that the on-edge of the setting change switch has been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-15.

(Step S120-15)
The main CPU 200a increments the setting value data by one.

(Step S120-17)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the set value data is within the range (1 to 6) that can be set as a set value. If it is judged that the set value data is within the range, the process proceeds to step S120-21, and if it is judged that the set value data is not within the range, the process proceeds to step S120-19.

(Step S120-19)
The main CPU 200a sets the setting value data to zero.

(Step S120-21)
The main CPU 200a updates the setting value data to the value incremented or set in step S120-15 or step S120-19.

(Step S120-23)
The main CPU 200 a executes a display data conversion process for displaying the set value in the main credit display section 130 .

(Step S120-25)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the on-edge of the setting change switch has been detected. If it is judged that the on-edge of the setting change switch has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-31, and if it is judged that the on-edge of the setting change switch has been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-27.

(Step S120-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the setting change switch is on. If it is judged that the setting change switch is on, the process proceeds to step S120-27, and if it is judged that the setting change switch is not on, the process proceeds to step S120-29.

(Step S120-29)
The main CPU 200a sets a setting change switch interval timer.

(Step S120-31)
The main CPU 200a executes a timer wait process to wait until the setting change switch interval timer counts down to 0.

(Step S120-33)
The main CPU 200a judges whether it has detected an on-edge of the start switch 118. If it has judged that an on-edge of the start switch 118 has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-9, whereas if it has judged that an on-edge of the start switch 118 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-35.

(Step S120-35)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the setting key is OFF. If it is judged that the setting key is OFF, the process proceeds to step S120-35, and if it is judged that the setting key is not OFF, the process proceeds to step S120-37.

(Step S120-37)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the setting key is on. If it is judged that the setting key is on, the process proceeds to step S120-37, and if it is judged that the setting key is not on, the process proceeds to step S122.

(Step S122)
The main CPU 200a executes an initialization start process to start the initialization start, which will be described later.

Figure 13 is a flowchart explaining the initialization start process (S122) in the main control board 200.

(Step S122-1)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a setting change end command indicating that the change of the setting value has been completed.

(Step S122-3)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a setting change state command indicating the state when the setting value change is completed.

(Step S122-5)
The main CPU 200a sets a wait timer at the start of initialization.

(Step S122-7)
The main CPU 200a executes a timer wait process to wait until the wait timer reaches 0 at the start of initialization.

(Step S122-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a setting change RAM clear process to clear another area of the main RAM 200c.

(Step S122-11)
The main CPU 200a executes a RAM clear process to clear areas in the main RAM 200c that should be cleared when the settings are changed.

(Step S122-13)
The main CPU 200a sets a game status command indicating the current game status in a transmission buffer.

(Step S200)
The main CPU 200a executes a game start process to start a game, which will be described later.

Figure 14 is a flowchart explaining the state restoration process (S130) in the main control board 200.

(Step S130-1)
The main CPU 200a restores the stack pointer.

(Step S130-3)
The main CPU 200a executes an unused area clearing process to clear unused areas in the main RAM 200c.

(Step S130-5)
The main CPU 200a clears the stack pointer storage buffer.

(Step S130-7)
The main CPU 200a sets (ON) the post-power-off recovery flag.

(Step S130-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a port input process to update the image of the input port.

(Step S130-11)
The main CPU 200a executes an operation target bit extraction process for extracting information on the operation target bit based on the image of the input port updated in step S130-9.

(Step S130-13)
The main CPU 200a sets the operation target bit extracted in step S130-11 as the operation target bit of the previous state.

(Step S130-15)
The main CPU 200a acquires the motor phases of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Here, the motor phase is set as the state of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. The motor phase indicates the operation state of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, i.e., accelerating, rotating steadily, stopped, and waiting. Specifically, a variable of 1 byte (storage unit) assigned to the motor phase changes to a value such as accelerating = 3, rotating steadily = 2, stopped = 1, and waiting = 0 according to the operation state of the stepping motor 152.

(Step S130-17)
The main CPU 200a determines whether any of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are rotating steadily or accelerating based on the motor phase acquired in step S130-15. If it is determined that none of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are rotating steadily or accelerating, the process proceeds to step S130-21, whereas if it is determined that any of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are rotating steadily or accelerating, the process proceeds to step S130-19.

(Step S130-19)
The main CPU 200a executes a rotation error process that performs settings when an error is detected in the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c.

(Step S130-21)
The main CPU 200a restores the saved register group.

(Step S130-23)
The main CPU 200a then permits the interrupt and ends the state restoration process, thereby restoring the main CPU 200a to the state it was in immediately before the power was turned off.

Figure 15 is a flowchart explaining the game start process (S200) on the main control board 200.

(Step S200-1)
The main CPU 200a executes a re-play state identification signal output setting process for outputting a re-play state identification signal indicating whether or not a re-play is being performed.

(Step S200-3)
The main CPU 200a sets an inserted number indicator output bit OFF to turn off (light off) the bit corresponding to the inserted number indicator that displays the number of inserted medals (number of bets).

(Step S200-5)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port image set process for updating the output image for the bit set in step S200-3.

(Step S200-7)
The main CPU 200a sets a game start wait timer.

(Step S200-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a timer wait process to wait until the game start wait timer counts down to 0.

(Step S200-11)
The main CPU 200a executes a one-game RAM clear process to clear an area in the main RAM 200c that should be cleared for each game.

(Step S200-13)
The main CPU 200a executes a bonus signal setting process for setting a bonus signal.

(Step S200-15)
The main CPU 200a executes an edge clear process to clear edge information of the input port image.

(Step S210)
The main CPU 200a executes a medal insertion process for receiving insertion of medals, which will be described later.

Figure 16 is a flowchart explaining the medal insertion process (S210) on the main control board 200.

(Step S210-1)
The main CPU 200a executes an error checking process to check the detection results of various errors.

(Step S210-3)
The main CPU 200a executes an edge check process to detect the falling edge (on edge) of the signal at the input port.

(Step S210-5)
The main CPU 200a acquires a door open error detection flag that is set to 1 when the front upper door 104 or the front lower door 106 is open.

(Step S210-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 are closed based on the door open error detection flag acquired in the above step S210-5. If it is judged that the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 are closed, the process proceeds to step S210-17, and if it is judged that at least one of the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 is not closed, the process proceeds to step S210-9.

(Step S210-9)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "E8" which indicates that at least one of the front upper door 104 or the front lower door 106 is open.

(Step S210-11)
The main CPU 200a executes an error wait process to display an error, request an alarm sound, and wait for recovery from the error.

(Step S210-13)
The main CPU 200a executes a setting value confirmation process to confirm the setting value.

(Step S210-15)
The main CPU 200a executes an edge clear process to clear edge information of the input port image.

(Step S210-17)
When a credit switch (not shown) for paying back accumulated (credited) medals is pressed, the main CPU 200a executes a credit button check process for paying back the accumulated medals.

(Step S210-19)
The main CPU 200a executes a process related to the medal insertion button for betting medals. When the bet switch 116 is pressed, the reserved (credited) medals are bet up to a specified number, and the number of reserved medals is subtracted by the number of medals bet. When medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 114a, medals are bet up to a specified number, and when more medals are inserted than the specified number, the number of medals is added to the number of reserved medals.

(Step S210-21)
The main CPU 200a executes a medal acquisition process to check whether the number of inserted medals is a specified number.

(Step S210-23)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the number of inserted coins is equal to the specified number based on the result of the check in step S210-21. If the number of inserted coins is equal to the specified number, the process proceeds to step S210-1. If the number of inserted coins is equal to the specified number, the process proceeds to step S210-25.

(Step S210-25)
The main CPU 200a sets a start indicator output bit for turning on (illuminating) a start indicator (not shown) that indicates whether or not the operation of the start switch 118 has been validated.

(Step S210-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not it has detected a falling edge (pressing) of the start switch 118. As a result, if it is judged that the falling edge of the start switch 118 has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S210-1, and if it is judged that the falling edge of the start switch 118 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S210-29.

(Step S210-29)
The main CPU 200a clears the main payout display section buffer to clear the display of the main payout display section 132.

(Step S210-31)
The main CPU 200a executes a re-play state identification signal clearing process for clearing the re-play state identification signal.

(Step S210-33)
The main CPU 200a executes blocker blocking pre-processing to turn off (extinguish) the start indicator.

(Step S210-35)
The main CPU 200a sets a lever press command, which indicates that the start switch 118 has been pressed, in the transmission buffer.

(Step S220)
The main CPU 200a executes an internal lottery process for carrying out a lottery for determining the type of winning. This internal lottery process will be described later.

Figure 17 is a flowchart explaining the internal lottery process (S220) in the main control board 200.

(Step S220-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires the setting value data.

(Step S220-3)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "EC" indicating a setting value abnormality error.

(Step S220-5)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the setting value data acquired in step S220-1 is abnormal. If it is judged that the setting value data is abnormal, the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is judged that the setting value data is not abnormal, the process proceeds to step S220-7.

(Step S220-7)
The main CPU 200a obtains the winning type lottery random number updated by the random number generator 200d.

(Step S220-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a state offset acquisition process for acquiring an offset value related to a game state.

(Step S220-11)
The main CPU 200a sets the address of the internal lottery area definition table (winning type lottery table).

(Step S220-13)
The main CPU 200a adds the offset value acquired in step S220-9 to the address set in step S220-11, and sets the value indicated by the address as the initial value of the winning area. Here, the first winning area in the winning type lottery table for the current game state is set as the initial value.

(Step S220-15)
The main CPU 200a acquires lottery data, which is a numerical value indicating the winning range of the winning area, and executes a lottery data acquisition process to shift the winning area by one.

(Step S220-17)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not to hold a prize type lottery. If it is judged that a prize type lottery will not be held, the process proceeds to step S220-21. If it is judged that a prize type lottery will be held, the process proceeds to step S220-19.

(Step S220-19)
The main CPU 200a subtracts the lottery data from the random number value.

(Step S220-21)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the subtraction result in the above step S220-19 is negative, i.e., whether the winning area has been won by the winning type lottery. If it is judged that the winning type lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S230, and if it is judged that the winning type lottery has not been won, the process proceeds to step S220-23.

(Step S220-23)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the winning type lottery has ended. If it is judged that the winning type lottery has not ended, the process proceeds to step S220-15, and if it is judged that the winning type lottery has ended, the process proceeds to step S220-25.

(Step S220-25)
The main CPU 200a clears the trigger role type.

(Step S230)
The main CPU 200a executes a symbol code setting process for setting a symbol code based on the winning area and the game state. This symbol code setting process will be described later.

Figure 18 is a flowchart explaining the pattern code setting process (S230) on the main control board 200.

(Step S230-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires the winning area acquired in step S220, and executes a game state setting process for setting the game state to an internal game state if the acquired winning area includes a bonus role.

(Step S230-3)
The main CPU 200a sets the winning area acquired in step S230-1 as the stop control number.

(Step S230-5)
The main CPU 200a determines (sets) the type of winning based on the winning area acquired in step S230-1. Depending on the determined type of winning, the main CPU 200a may turn on a pseudo game execution flag. When the pseudo game execution flag is on, it indicates that a pseudo game is executed, and when it is off, it indicates that a pseudo game is not executed.

(Step S230-7)
The main CPU 200a executes a symbol code initial setting process for setting symbol codes indicating symbols that can be displayed and symbols to be drawn in, based on the stop control number set in step S230-3.

(Step S230-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a display symbol bit initial value setting process to set a display symbol bit.

(Step S231)
The main CPU 200a executes an execution flag setting process which sets an execution flag, performs various processes related to the performance state, processes related to the auxiliary performance, etc. This execution flag setting process will be described later.

(Step S230-13)
The main CPU 200a sets a presentation command, which is a command related to the advantageous zone, in the transmission buffer.

(Step S230-15)
The main CPU 200a sets a winning information command indicating the type of winning in the transmission buffer.

(Step S230-17)
The main CPU 200a checks the one-game timer.

(Step S230-19)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a pre-reel spin command indicating that the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have not yet spun.

(Step S230-21)
The main CPU 200a executes an excitation release waiting process for waiting for the excitation release of the stepping motor 152.

(Step S236)
The main CPU 200a executes a reel performance process for executing a pseudo game. Specifically, in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the main CPU 200a automatically controls a provisional stop of a predetermined symbol (e.g., a symbol constituting a bonus role) on each of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, and turns off a pseudo game execution flag when all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have provisionally stopped or when they start rotating through a random delay process after the provisional stop.

(Step S230-23)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the 1-game timer is not 0. As a result, if it is judged that the 1-game timer is not 0, the process proceeds to step S230-23, and if it is judged that the 1-game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S230-25.

(Step S230-25)
The main CPU 200a executes a reel start process for starting the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Here, the motor phases of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are set to accelerating to start the rotation of each reel, and the one-game timer is set to a value equivalent to 4.1 seconds.

(Step S230-27)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a reel start command indicating that the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have started to rotate.

(Step S240)
The main CPU 200a executes a process during the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. This process will be described later.

Figure 19 is a flowchart explaining the execution flag setting process (S231) in the main control board 200.

(Step S231-1)
The main CPU 200a executes an AT state update process to update (transition) the presentation state based on the next AT flag. The next AT flag indicates the presentation state to be set in the next game, and is set by the following process.

(Steps S232 to S236)
The main CPU 200a executes a state-specific module execution process that executes a module for each presentation state and game section, and ends the execution flag setting process. In the state-specific module execution process, a module (process) corresponding to the presentation state and game section being shifted to is read from the main ROM 200b and executed. In the following, modules related to the features of this embodiment will be described in detail, and modules unrelated to the features of this embodiment will not be described.

Figure 20 is a flowchart explaining the non-advantageous zone processing (S232) executed in the state-specific module execution processing. The non-advantageous zone processing is executed when the play zone is a non-advantageous zone.

(Step S232-1)
The main CPU 200a performs a lottery for determining advantageous zones.

(Step S232-3)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the advantageous zone lottery has been won in the above step S232-1. If it is judged that the advantageous zone lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S232-5, and if it is judged that the advantageous zone lottery has not been won, the non-advantageous zone process is terminated.

(Step S232-5)
The main CPU 200a turns on the advantageous zone flag indicating that the zone is an advantageous zone, and ends the non-advantageous zone processing. As a result, the zone is transitioned to an advantageous zone in the advantageous zone update processing in step S280-7, which will be described later.

Figure 21 is a flowchart explaining the normal presentation state processing (S233) executed in the state-specific module execution processing. The normal presentation state processing is executed when the presentation state is the normal presentation state.

(Step S233-1)
The main CPU 200a increments the continued play counter for counting the number of continued plays by 1. The continued play counter is also incremented by 1 for each play in the CZ presentation state process described below and the pull-back presentation state process (not shown) executed in the pull-back presentation state. The continued play counter is also reset when the state transitions to the specialized AT presentation state.

(Step S233-3)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the value of the continued play counter is equal to or greater than the ceiling play number. If it is judged that the value of the continued play counter is equal to or greater than the ceiling play number, the process proceeds to step S233-5, and if it is judged that the value of the continued play counter is not equal to or greater than the ceiling play number, the process proceeds to step S233-7.

(Step S233-5)
The main CPU 200a sets the next AT flag to a value corresponding to the specialized AT presentation state, and ends the normal presentation state processing.

(Step S233-7)
The main CPU 200a conducts a CZ lottery based on the winning type determined by the winning type lottery.

(Step S233-9)
The main CPU 200a determines whether the CZ lottery was won in step S233-7. If it is determined that the CZ lottery was won, the process proceeds to step S233-11. If it is determined that the CZ lottery was not won, the process proceeds to step S233-13.

(Step S233-11)
The main CPU 200a sets the next AT flag to a value corresponding to the CZ presentation state.

(Step S233-13)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the transition condition to the reel effect state is satisfied. If it is judged that the transition condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S233-15, and if it is judged that the transition condition is not satisfied, the process of the normal effect state is terminated.

(Step S233-15)
The main CPU 200a sets the next AT flag to a value corresponding to the reel presentation state, and ends the normal presentation state processing.

Figure 22 is a flowchart explaining the CZ presentation state processing (S234) executed in the state-specific module execution processing. The CZ presentation state processing is executed when the presentation state is the CZ presentation state. Note that among the processes in the CZ presentation state processing, the same processes as those in the normal presentation state processing are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted.

(Step S234-1)
The main CPU 200a conducts an AT lottery based on the winning type determined by the winning type lottery.

(Step S234-3)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the AT lottery has been won in the above step S234-1. If it is judged that the AT lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S234-5. If it is judged that the AT lottery has not been won, the process proceeds to step S234-7.

(Step S234-5)
The main CPU 200a sets the next AT flag to a value corresponding to the specialized AT presentation state, and terminates the CZ presentation state processing.

(Step S234-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the game is the final game of the CZ presentation state. If it is judged that the game is the final game of the CZ presentation state, the process proceeds to step S234-9. If it is judged that the game is not the final game of the CZ presentation state, the process of the CZ presentation state is terminated.

(Step S234-9)
The main CPU 200a sets the next AT flag to a value corresponding to the normal presentation state.

Figure 23 is a flowchart explaining the reel presentation state processing (S235) executed in the state-specific module execution processing. The reel presentation state processing is executed when the presentation state is the reel presentation state. Note that among the processes in the reel presentation state processing, the same processes as those in the normal presentation state processing are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted.

(Step S235-1)
The main CPU 200a conducts an AT lottery based on the winning type determined by the winning type lottery.

(Step S235-3)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the AT lottery has been won in the above step S235-1. If it is judged that the AT lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S235-5. If it is judged that the AT lottery has not been won, the process proceeds to step S235-7.

(Step S235-5)
The main CPU 200a sets the next AT flag to a value corresponding to the specialized AT presentation state, and ends the reel presentation state processing.

(Step S235-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the game is the final game of the reel presentation state. If it is judged that the game is the final game of the reel presentation state, the process proceeds to step S235-9. If it is judged that the game is not the final game of the reel presentation state, the process of the reel presentation state is terminated.

(Step S235-9)
The main CPU 200a sets the next AT flag to a value corresponding to the CZ presentation state.

Figure 24 is a flowchart explaining the pull-back performance state process (S236) executed in the state-specific module execution process. The pull-back performance state process is executed when the performance state is the pull-back performance state.

(Step S236-1)
The main CPU 200a conducts a continuation lottery to determine whether or not to transition again (continue) to the AT presentation state, based on the type of winning determined by the winning type lottery.

(Step S236-3)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the continuation lottery has been won in the above step S236-1. If it is judged that the continuation lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S236-5. If it is judged that the continuation lottery has not been won, the process proceeds to step S236-7.

(Step S236-5)
The main CPU 200a sets the next AT flag to a value corresponding to the specialized AT presentation state, and ends the pull-back presentation state processing.

(Step S236-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the game is the final game in the pull-back presentation state. If it is judged as the final game in the pull-back presentation state, the process proceeds to step S236-9. If it is judged as the final game in the pull-back presentation state, the process ends.

(Step S236-9)
The main CPU 200a sets the next AT flag to a value corresponding to the normal presentation state and turns off the advantageous zone flag.

Figure 25 is a flowchart explaining the processing during reel rotation (S240) in the main control board 200.

(Step S240-1)
The main CPU 200a sets the stop indicator output bit off (output image) to turn off (turn off) the bit corresponding to the indicator (not shown) of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c. Here, the stop indicator output bit is composed of a bit string of 3 bits, each bit corresponding to the light emission color of the three stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, respectively, and is represented by blue=1 and red=0.

(Step S240-3)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port image set process to update the output image for the bit set in step S240-1.

(Step S240-5)
The main CPU 200a executes an error checking process to check the detection results of various errors.

(Step S240-7)
The main CPU 200a refers to the index flag and obtains the index of the spinning reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Note that the index flag is set only after the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have reached a steady rotation speed. In other words, the fact that the index flag is set indicates that the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have reached a steady rotation speed.

(Step S240-9)
The main CPU 200a judges whether all index flags of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have been detected. If it is determined that all index flags have not been detected, the process proceeds to step S240-1, and if it is determined that all index flags have been detected, the process proceeds to step S240-11.

(Step S240-11)
The main CPU 200a acquires the stopped reel bit indicating the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c that have stopped or are starting to stop. Here, the stopped reel bit is composed of a bit string of 3 bits, each bit corresponding to one of the three reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, and is represented as 1 for a steady state and 0 for an accelerating state, decelerating state, or stopped state.

(Step S240-13)
The main CPU 200a stores the stopped reel bit acquired in step S240-11 as a reel rotation in progress flag.

(Step S240-15)
The main CPU 200a sets a stop indicator output bit ON (output image) to turn ON (turn OFF) the bit corresponding to the indicator (not shown) of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c.

(Step S240-17)
The main CPU 200a acquires an image of the input port 0, and executes an operation target bit extraction process to extract an operation target bit from the acquired image. Here, the operation target bit is composed of a bit string of 3 bits, each bit corresponding to one of the three stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, and is represented as 1 if it is operated and 0 if it is not operated.

(Step S240-19)
The main CPU 200a calculates the logical product of the reel spinning flag acquired in step S240-13 and the bit to be operated extracted in step S240-17. If the reel 110 is spinning and the stop switch 120 corresponding to that reel is operated, that is, if the operated stop switch 120 corresponds to the reel 110 that is actively spinning, the logical product will be 1.

(Step S240-21)
The main CPU 200a determines whether the logical product calculated in step S240-19 is 0, i.e., whether the stop switch 120 corresponding to the spinning reel 110 has not been operated. If it is determined that the stop switch 120 corresponding to the spinning reel 110 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S240-3, and if it is determined that the stop switch 120 corresponding to the spinning reel 110 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S240-23.

(Step S240-23)
The main CPU 200a obtains an output image including the stop indicator output bit, and calculates the logical product of the obtained output image and the logical product calculated in the above step S240-19. Here, if the operated stop switch 120 is lit in red, the bit of the logical product becomes 0, and if the operated stop switch 120 is lit in blue, the bit of the logical product becomes 1.

(Step S240-25)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the logical product calculated in the above step S240-23 is 0, i.e., whether the operated stop switch 120 is lit in red. If it is judged that the operated stop switch 120 is lit in red, the process proceeds to step S240-1, and if it is judged that the operated stop switch 120 is not lit in red, the process proceeds to step S240-27.

(Step S240-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the operated stop switch 120 is valid. As a result, if it is judged that the operated stop switch 120 is not valid, the process proceeds to step S240-1, and if it is judged that the operated stop switch 120 is valid, the process proceeds to step S240-29. Note that here, it is judged whether or not one stop switch 120 is operated. Then, if it is judged that one stop switch 120 is operated, the process proceeds to step S240-29, and if it is judged that not one stop switch 120 is operated, that is, two or more stop switches 120 are operated, the process proceeds to step S240-1.

(Step S240-29)
The main CPU 200a executes a stop control reel setting process to acquire various parameters for stopping the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120.

(Step S240-31)
The main CPU 200a prohibits interrupts.

(Step S240-33)
The main CPU 200a executes a touch reference position acquisition process to derive the symbol number of the symbol located on the pay line A as the touch reference position.

(Step S240-35)
The main CPU 200a executes a sliding frame number acquisition process for determining the number of sliding frames on the reel 110.

(Step S250)
The main CPU 200a executes a reel stop process for stopping the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120. This reel stop process will be described later.

Figure 26 is a flowchart explaining the reel stop process (S250) in the main control board 200.

(Step S250-1)
The main CPU 200a obtains the pressed reference position derived in the above step S240-35.

(Step S250-3)
The main CPU 200a calculates a stop request number by correcting the number of sliding symbols determined in the above step S240-37 with respect to the pressed reference position acquired in the above step S250-1.

(Step S250-5)
The main CPU 200a sets a stop request flag (sets it to 1). The stop request flag is a flag for requesting a program operating in parallel to perform a stop process for the target reel 110, and by setting the stop request flag to 1, it becomes possible to stop the symbol corresponding to the stop request number on the activated line A. The stop request flag and the stop request number are read out by the program operating in parallel, and the reel 110 is stopped. When the stop process is completed, the stop request flag is reset to 0 (OFF) by that program.

(Step S250-7)
The main CPU 200a permits the interrupt.

(Step S250-9)
The main CPU 200a sets a stop information command indicating the stopping order of the reels 110 in the transmission buffer.

(Step S250-11)
The main CPU 200a sets the stop indicator output bit off (output image) to turn off (turn off) the bit corresponding to the indicator (not shown) of the stop switch 120.

(Step S250-13)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port image set process for updating the output image for the bit set in step S250-11.

(Step S250-15)
The main CPU 200a executes a display symbol bit setting process to set a display symbol bit.

(Step S250-17)
The main CPU 200a executes a next cylinder setting pre-processing for stopping the next reel 110.

(Step S250-19)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the stop processing has been completed for all of the reels 110. As a result, if it is judged that the stop processing has not been completed for all of the reels 110, the process proceeds to step S240, and if it is judged that the stop processing has been completed for all of the reels 110, the process proceeds to step S250-21.

(Step S250-21)
The main CPU 200a determines whether the stop request flag is on for any of the reels 110, i.e., whether all of the reels 110 have been stopped. If it is determined that all of the reels 110 have not been stopped, the process proceeds to step S250-21, and if it is determined that all of the reels 110 have been stopped, the process proceeds to step S250-23.

(Step S250-23)
The main CPU 200a executes an error checking process to check the detection results of various errors.

(Step S250-25)
The main CPU 200a executes an operation target bit extraction process for extracting information on the operation target bit.

(Step S250-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the stop switch 120 is pressed based on the operation target bit acquired in the above step S250-25. If it is judged that the stop switch 120 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S250-23, and if it is judged that the stop switch 120 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S260.

(Step S260)
The main CPU 200a executes a display determination process for determining the winning combination that has been achieved. This display determination process will be described later.

Figure 27 is a flowchart explaining the display determination process (S260) in the main control board 200.

(Step S260-1)
The main CPU 200a clears the buffer of the main payout display section 132.

(Step S260-3)
The main CPU 200a executes a display judgment abnormality detection process to determine whether a display judgment abnormality has occurred based on whether or not the pattern combination displayed on the active line A matches the pattern combination permitted to be displayed on the active line A.

(Step S260-5)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "EE" which indicates a display determination abnormality (error).

(Step S260-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the display judgment is abnormal based on the judgment result of the above step S260-3. If it is judged that the display judgment is abnormal, the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is judged that the display judgment is not abnormal, the process proceeds to step S260-9.

(Step S260-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a display symbol identification generation process for determining a winning combination based on the symbol combination stopped (displayed) on the pay line A.

(Step S260-11)
The main CPU 200a sets the initial value of the payout number to 0.

(Step S260-13)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not a small win has been won. If it is judged that a small win has been won, the process proceeds to step S260-15. If it is judged that a small win has not been won, the process proceeds to step S260-35.

(Step S260-15)
The main CPU 200a turns on a winning flag indicating that a small winning combination has been achieved.

(Step S260-17)
The main CPU 200a executes a payout number setting process for setting the payout number according to the small winning combination.

(Step S260-19)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the time is within an advantageous zone. If it is judged that the time is within an advantageous zone, the process proceeds to step S270. If it is judged that the time is within an advantageous zone, the process proceeds to step S260-21.

(Step S260-21)
The main CPU 200a obtains the value of the advantageous zone MY counter, which counts the net increase in the number of coins during the advantageous zone.

(Step S260-23)
The main CPU 200a adds the number of payout coins to the value of the advantageous zone MY counter obtained in step S260-23 above.

(Step S260-25)
The main CPU 200a acquires the number of coins inserted for the game.

(Step S260-27)
The main CPU 200a subtracts the number of inserted coins from the value added in step S260-23.

(Step S260-29)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the result of the subtraction in step S260-27 is negative. If it is judged that the result of the subtraction is not negative, the process proceeds to step S260-33, and if it is judged that the result of the subtraction is negative, the process proceeds to step S260-31.

(Step S260-31)
The main CPU 200a clears the value of the advantageous zone MY counter (sets it to 0).

(Step S260-33)
The main CPU 200a updates the value of the advantageous zone MY counter to the value subtracted in the above step S260-27 or the value cleared in the above step S260-31.

(Step S260-35)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the replay role has been won. If it is judged that the replay role has not been won, the process proceeds to step S270, and if it is judged that the replay role has been won, the process proceeds to step S260-37.

(Step S260-37)
The main CPU 200a sets the number of coins inserted as the number of coins to be paid out.

(Step S260-39)
The main CPU 200a turns on the replay operation flag.

(Step S260-41)
The main CPU 200a sets the number of coins to be automatically inserted.

(Step S270)
The main CPU 200a executes a payout process for paying out medals, which will be described later.

Figure 28 is a flowchart explaining the payout process (S270) in the main control board 200.

(Step S270-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires a re-play operation flag.

(Step S270-3)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a payout start command indicating that the payout of medals has started.

(Step S270-5)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not a replay has been won based on the replay operation flag acquired in step S270-1. If it is judged that a replay has been won, the process proceeds to step S270-41. If it is judged that a replay has not been won, the process proceeds to step S270-7.

(Step S270-7)
The main CPU 200a executes a main display display process to display 0 on the main payout display section 132.

(Step S270-9)
The main CPU 200a determines whether or not a payout has been made (the number of payout coins is 0). If it determines that no payout has been made, the process proceeds to step S270-35. If it determines that a payout has been made, the process proceeds to step S270-11.

(Step S270-11)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the number of reserved sheets is 50 or more. If it is judged that the number of reserved sheets is 50 or more, the process proceeds to step S270-13, and if it is judged that the number of reserved sheets is not 50 or more, the process proceeds to step S270-15.

(Step S270-13)
The main CPU 200a executes a medal payout device control process for causing the medal payout device 142 to pay out one medal, and then moves to step S270-23.

(Step S270-15)
The main CPU 200a sets a payout start interval timer.

(Step S270-17)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the payout start timer is not 0, i.e., whether it is the time of the first payout. If it is judged as the time of the first payout, the process proceeds to step S270-21, and if it is judged as not the time of the first payout, the process proceeds to step S270-19.

(Step S270-19)
The main CPU 200a executes a timer wait process to wait until the payout start interval timer counts down to 0.

(Step S270-21)
The main CPU 200a increments the number of stored coins by one.

(Step S270-23)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a payout execution command indicating that one medal has been paid out.

(Step S270-25)
The main CPU 200a executes a main display pre-display process for displaying on the main payout display section 132 the number of coins that have already been paid out.

(Step S270-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the bonus game state is in effect. If it is judged that the bonus game state is not in effect, the process proceeds to step S270-31. If it is judged that the bonus game state is in effect, the process proceeds to step S270-29.

(Step S270-29)
The main CPU 200a increments by one the number of medals acquired during bonus operation, which is the number of medals paid out in the bonus game state.

(Step S270-31)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the payout of the payout number of medals has been completed. If it is judged that the payout has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S270-11, and if it is judged that the payout has been completed, the process proceeds to step S270-33.

(Step S270-33)
The main CPU 200a executes a payout end process to end the payout of medals.

(Step S270-35)
The main CPU 200a judges whether an over error has been detected. If it is judged that an over error has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S270-41, and if it is judged that an over error has been detected, the process proceeds to step S270-37.

(Step S270-37)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "E5" indicating an over error.

(Step S270-39)
The main CPU 200a executes an error wait process to display an error, request an alarm sound, and wait for recovery from the error.

(Step S270-41)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a payout end command indicating that the payout of medals has been completed.

(Step S280)
The main CPU 200a executes a game transition process that performs a transition of the game state, a process of managing the advantageous zone, etc. This game transition process will be described later.

Figure 29 is a flowchart explaining the game transition process (S280) on the main control board 200.

(Step S280-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires a replay operation flag, and based on the acquired replay operation flag, executes a replay display control process which sets a stop display output bit off (output image) to turn on or off a bit corresponding to a replay display (not shown) indicating that the next play is a replay, and updates the output bit of the set output image.

(Step S280-3)
When a bonus combination is won, the main CPU 200a executes a combination operation symbol display process for setting various parameters for controlling the bonus game state.

(Step S281)
The main CPU 200a executes a state-specific module execution process that executes a module for each presentation state and section state. In the state-specific module execution process, a module (process) corresponding to the transitioned presentation state is read from the main ROM 200b and executed.

(Step S280-5)
When the number of coins acquired during the bonus operation reaches a predetermined number in the bonus game state, the main CPU 200a executes a bonus operation end process for shifting the game state to a non-internal game state.

(Step S280-7)
The main CPU 200a executes advantageous zone update processing that manages advantageous zones.

(Step S280-9)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the next game is in an AT presentation state. If it is judged that the next game is not in an AT presentation state, the process proceeds to step S280-15, and if it is judged that the next game is in an AT presentation state, the process proceeds to step S280-11.

(Step S280-11)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the bonus game state is in effect. If it is judged that the bonus game state is not in effect, the process proceeds to step S280-15, and if it is judged that the bonus game state is in effect, the process proceeds to step S280-13.

(Step S280-13)
The main CPU 200a sets the advantageous lamp flag on to turn on the section indicator 160.

(Step S280-15)
The main CPU 200a executes a performance command setting process that sets a performance command, which is a command related to the advantageous zone, in a transmission buffer.

(Step S280-17)
The main CPU 200a sets a game end command, which indicates that one game has ended, in the transmission buffer.

(Step S280-19)
The main CPU 200a executes a terminal board signal output process for outputting an external signal.

(Step S280-21)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the effect wait timer, which is set when the advantageous zone is ended in the above step S280-7, is 0. As a result, if it is judged that the effect wait timer is not 0, the process proceeds to step S280-21, and if it is judged that the effect wait timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S280-23.

(Step S280-23)
The main CPU 200a sets a game status command indicating the game status in a transmission buffer.

(Step S280-25)
The main CPU 200a sets a game start command indicating the start of the next game in the transmission buffer, and transfers the process to step S200.

One game is executed through a series of processes from step S200 to step S280. After that, steps S200 to S280 are repeated.

Next, we will explain the power-off evacuation process and timer interrupt process on the main control board 200.

(Evacuation process when power is turned off for the main control board 200)
30 is a flow chart explaining the power-off save processing in the main control board 200. The main CPU 200a monitors the power-off detection circuit, and when the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined value, interrupts and executes the power-off save processing.

(Step S300-1)
When the power-off warning signal is input, the main CPU 200a saves the registers.

(Step S300-3)
The main CPU 200a checks the power-off warning signal.

(Step S300-5)
The main CPU 200a judges whether a power-off warning signal has been detected. If it is judged that a power-off warning signal has been detected, the process proceeds to step S300-11. If it is judged that a power-off warning signal has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S300-7.

(Step S300-7)
The main CPU 200a restores the registers.

(Step S300-9)
The main CPU 200a performs processing to permit an interrupt, and ends the power-off save processing.

(Step S300-11)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port clear process to stop the output of the output port.

(Step S300-13)
The main CPU 200a executes a save process for the separate area when power is turned off.

(Step S300-15)
The main CPU 200a executes a RAM protect setting process required to prohibit access to the main RAM 200c.

(Step S300-17)
In order to set the power interruption occurrence monitoring time, the main CPU 200a sets the counter value of a loop counter to a predetermined number of times the power interruption detection signal has been detected.

(Step S300-19)
The main CPU 200a decrements the value of the loop counter set in step S300-17 by one.

(Step S300-21)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the counter value of the loop counter is 0. If it is judged that the counter value is not 0, the process proceeds to step S300-19, and if it is judged that the counter value is 0, the process proceeds to the above-mentioned CPU initialization process (step S1000).

If a power outage actually occurs, operation of the slot machine 100 will stop while steps S300-19 to S300-21 are being looped.

(Timer interrupt processing of main control board 200)
31 is a flow chart for explaining the timer interrupt process in the main control board 200. The main control board 200 is provided with a reset clock pulse generating circuit that generates a clock pulse every predetermined period (1.49 milliseconds in the simultaneous rotation reference example, hereinafter referred to as "1.49 ms"). When a clock pulse is generated by the reset clock pulse generating circuit, an interrupt occurs and the following timer interrupt process is executed.

(Step S400-1)
The main CPU 200a saves the registers.

(Step S400-3)
The main CPU 200a clears the interrupt flag.

(Step S400-5)
The main CPU 200a reads various input port images and executes port input processing to accurately obtain the latest switch states.

(Step S400-7)
The main CPU 200a outputs the set output image to the output port and executes a dynamic port output process which controls the lighting of the main credit display section 130, the main payout display section 132, the number of inserted coins indicator, the start indicator, the indicators of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, the replay indicator, and the section indicator 160.

(Step S400-9)
The main CPU 200a updates the timer interrupt processing phase. The timer interrupt processing phase is any one of 0 to 3. Here, if the timer interrupt processing phase is 0, 1, or 2, 1 is added, and if the timer interrupt processing phase is 3, it is changed to 0.

(Step S400-11)
The main CPU 200 a performs a sub-command transmission process to transmit the commands stored in the transmission buffer to the sub-control board 202 .

(Step S400-13)
The main CPU 200 a executes a stepping motor control process for controlling the stepping motor 152 .

(Step S400-15)
The main CPU 200 a executes an output port image output process that outputs an output image to be output to the medal payout device 142 .

(Step S400-17)
The main CPU 200a executes a random number update process to update various random number values.

(Step S400-19)
The main CPU 200a executes fraud monitoring processing to detect errors in order to output external signals (external signals 4 and 5) corresponding to the errors to the outside.

(Step S400-21)
The main CPU 200a executes a module (subroutine) corresponding to the timer interrupt processing phase updated in step S400-9. Here, the timer interrupt processing phase is set to any one of 0 to 3, and one module is provided corresponding to each of the timer interrupt processing phases 0 to 3 (four in total), so that one module is executed once every four timer interrupt processing times (every 5.96 ms). For example, a module that executes a time monitoring process that subtracts from various timers is associated with one timer interrupt processing phase.

(Step S400-23)
The main CPU 200a executes a test signal output process for outputting a test signal to the outside.

(Step S400-25)
The main CPU 200a reads various input port images and executes port input processing to accurately obtain the latest switch states.

(Step S400-27)
The main CPU 200a restores the registers.

(Step S400-29)
The main CPU 200a permits the interrupt and ends the timer interrupt process.

<Overall gameplay>
As explained using Figure 8, this embodiment adopts a non-AT presentation state and an AT presentation state, and in the non-AT presentation state, the player hopes to transition to an AT presentation state which offers greater gaming profits than the non-AT presentation state.

To explain with reference to FIG. 8, while remaining in the normal presentation state, the player first expects that the presentation state will transition to the CZ presentation state based on the winning of the winning type "rare role", which is a so-called rare role. When the winning type "rare role" is won by the winning type lottery, the presentation control means 334 executes a so-called premonition presentation for, for example, 32 plays to make the player expect that a transition to the CZ presentation state may have been decided, and notifies the player whether or not a transition to the CZ presentation state has been decided by the time the premonition presentation ends.

Furthermore, when the presentation state transitions to the CZ presentation state, the player hopes that the presentation state will transition to the AT presentation state through an AT lottery. In the AT presentation state, auxiliary presentations are executed, allowing the player to play advantageously. In such an AT presentation state, an AT level is defined, and the game progresses according to the AT level. The AT level indicates the ease of continuation of the AT presentation state (continuation rate) with a number of stages (here, "1," "2," and "3"), and the higher the number, the higher the continuation rate (expected number of coins won). Therefore, the player hopes to transition to the AT presentation state, and wishes to play the AT presentation state with a high AT level.

However, if the player could easily grasp the AT level, there is a risk that the player would become disappointed soon after the AT presentation state begins if the AT level is low. Therefore, the presentation state control means 314 stores the AT level internally so that it cannot be easily grasped.

The AT level may be increased, but it will not be decreased, until the series of AT performance states ends. In other words, while the player remains in a non-AT performance state, and after that, while the player transitions to an AT performance state and remains in the AT performance state, the AT level will only be maintained or increased. Then, when the AT performance state ends and the player transitions to the normal performance state, the AT level will also be reset to the initial value of "1".

Figure 32 is an explanatory diagram showing the lottery probability for the AT level. When the presentation state control means 314 transitions the presentation state to the specialized AT presentation state, at that timing, as shown in Figure 32 (a), a lottery is held to promote the AT level. For example, if the AT level is "1", the presentation state control means 314 maintains the AT level at "1" with a probability of 97%, promotes it to "2" with a probability of 2%, and promotes it to "3" with a probability of 1%. Similarly, if the AT level is "2", the presentation state control means 314 maintains the AT level at "2" with a probability of 98%, and promotes it to "3" with a probability of 2%. If the AT level is already "3", the presentation state control means 314 maintains the AT level at "3" with a probability of 100%.

In addition, the presentation state control means 314 performs a lottery for the number of continued plays per play in the specialized AT presentation state. For example, as shown in FIG. 32(b), when the AT level is "1", the presentation state control means 314 determines "+5G" as the number of continued plays per play with a 30% probability, "+10G" as the number of continued plays with a 30% probability, "+30G" as the number of continued plays with a 25% probability, and "+50G" as the number of continued plays with a 15% probability. Therefore, the expected number of additional plays is 19.5 plays. In addition, when the AT level is "2", the presentation state control means 314 determines "+5G" as the number of continued plays per play with a 10% probability, "+10G" as the number of continued plays with a 20% probability, "+30G" as the number of continued plays with a 40% probability, and "+50G" as the number of continued plays with a 30% probability. Therefore, the expected number of additional plays is 29.5 plays. Furthermore, when the AT level is "3", the presentation state control means 314 determines the number of continued plays for each play as "+5G" with a 5% probability, "+10G" with a 10% probability, "+30G" with a 30% probability, and "+50G" with a 55% probability. Therefore, the expected number of additional plays is 37.8 plays. In this way, the higher the AT level, the greater the expected number of additional plays.

In addition, the presentation state control means 314 performs a lottery for transition to the chance AT presentation state for each game in the normal AT presentation state. For example, as shown in FIG. 32(c), when the AT level is "1", the presentation state control means 314 determines transition to the chance AT presentation state with a probability of 0.5% for each game. When the AT level is "2", the presentation state control means 314 determines transition to the chance AT presentation state with a probability of 0.7% for each game. When the AT level is "3", the presentation state control means 314 determines transition to the chance AT presentation state with a probability of 1.0% for each game. In this way, the higher the AT level, the higher the probability of transition to the chance AT presentation state.

In addition, at the start of the battle presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 performs a lottery to determine the probability of winning in the presentation simulating a battle, that is, the expectation of transitioning to the chance AT presentation state. For example, as shown in FIG. 32(d), when the AT level is "1", the presentation state control means 314 determines "low expectation" with a low expectation with a 60% probability, determines "medium expectation" with a higher expectation level than "low expectation" but lower than "high expectation" with a 30% probability, determines "high expectation" with a high expectation level with a 10% probability, and determines "chance AT presentation state transition" with a 0% probability, which means a 100% victory. In addition, when the AT level is "2", the presentation state control means 314 determines "low expectation" with a 55% probability, determines "medium expectation" with a 30% probability, determines "high expectation" with a 14% probability, and determines "chance AT presentation state transition" with a 1% probability. Also, when the AT level is "3", the presentation state control means 314 determines "low expectation" with a 50% probability, "medium expectation" with a 30% probability, "high expectation" with an 18% probability, and "chance AT presentation state transition" with a 2% probability. In this way, the higher the AT level, the higher the expectation of winning (chance AT presentation state transition).

As mentioned above, in the normal presentation state, the player expects the presentation state to transition to the CZ presentation state (second presentation state) based on the winning of the winning type "rare role", which is a so-called rare role. Below, we will explain the lottery for transitioning to the CZ presentation state based on the winning type "rare role".

Figure 33 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the lottery for transition to the CZ performance state by the winning type "rare role". Here, it is assumed that the performance control means 334 displays an image related to the performance on the liquid crystal display unit 124. The rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" is displayed at the bottom of the liquid crystal display unit 124. For example, as shown in Figure 33 (a), the rare role counter 500a is associated with the winning type "Cherry A" in the winning area 3 and the red color associated with the winning type "Cherry A", the rare role counter 500b is associated with the winning type "Chance A" in the winning area 5 and the purple color associated with the winning type "Chance A", the rare role counter 500c is associated with the winning type "Bell H" in the winning area 6 and the yellow color associated with the winning type "Bell H", and the rare role counter 500d is associated with the winning type "Watermelon" in the winning area 4 and the green color associated with the winning type "Watermelon". However, until the rare role type "rare role" is won, all rare role counters 500a, 500b, 500c, and 500d are turned off.

Suppose that during the normal presentation state, a winning type "Cherry A" (first winning type) including the winning role "minor role 1" (first role) is determined by a winning type lottery. In this case, in the liquid crystal display unit 124, a so-called premonition presentation is executed for, for example, 32 plays to give the player hope that the winning type "Cherry A" may be transitioning to a CZ presentation state based on the winning of the winning type "Cherry A". In addition, in order to indicate that the premonition presentation is based on the winning of the winning type "Cherry A" on the liquid crystal display unit 124, the presentation control means 334 lights up the rare role counter 500a corresponding to the winning type "Cherry A" in red, which is reminiscent of the winning type "Cherry A", as shown in FIG. 33(b) (the first special benefit can be awarded). Furthermore, on the liquid crystal display unit 124, a number indicating the remaining number of plays (initial number of plays - number of plays played) of the premonition effect is displayed in the center of the rare combination counter 500a corresponding to the winning type "Cherry A" so that the player can easily grasp the number of plays since winning the winning type "Cherry A" (the first bonus can be awarded). The initial value of this number (initial number of plays) is "32".

If a transition to the CZ presentation state had been determined based on the winning of the winning type "Cherry A", the decision to transition to the CZ presentation state would be notified within 32 plays from the winning. Therefore, if the decision to transition to the CZ presentation state has not been notified even after 32 plays have passed, this means that the winning of the winning type "Cherry A" did not determine the transition to the CZ presentation state.

When the player wins the winning type "Cherry A" and continues playing, as shown in FIG. 33(c), the value in the center position of the rare role counter 500a is decremented by one for each play. For example, the value changes from "32" to "31". The rare role counter 500a continues to light up until the value becomes 0, that is, until 32 plays have passed since the winning type "Cherry A", and then goes out after 32 plays have passed. The player continues playing while the rare role counter 500a is lighted (until the value in the center position becomes 0), hoping to be notified that a transition to the CZ presentation state has been decided.

In addition, after winning the winning type "rare role" and the rare role counter 500 starts counting (decrementing), if another winning type "rare role" is won, not only is the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" that was won later set to the initial value "32", but the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" that was won earlier is also reset to the initial value "32" regardless of the value of the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" that was won earlier at that time.

For example, suppose that 10 games have passed since winning the winning type "Cherry A" and the value of the rare role counter 500a corresponding to the winning type "Cherry A" has decreased to "22". If the winning type "Chance A" (second winning type) including the winning role "Small role 11" (second role) is won in that game, not only is the value of the rare role counter 500b corresponding to the winning type "Chance A" set to "32" (second bonus can be awarded), but the value of the rare role counter 500a corresponding to the winning type "Cherry A" is also reset to "32" as shown in FIG. 33(d). It goes without saying that if the winning type "Cherry A" is further won after multiple games have passed since winning the winning type "Cherry A", the value of the rare role counter 500a corresponding to the winning type "Cherry A" is reset to "32".

In this way, if the winning type "rare role" continues to be won within 32 plays, the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" that was won continues to light during that time. Also, if the winning type "rare role" that was won is different, the number of lit rare role counters 500 will increase. In this embodiment, it is set so that the player's gaming profit is higher when there are a large number of lit rare role counters 500 than when there are a small number, such as a higher probability of transitioning to a CZ presentation state. Therefore, in the normal presentation state, the player does not simply hope to win the winning type "rare role", but also hopes to win the winning type "rare role" within 32 plays in a row.

Figure 34 is an explanatory diagram showing the probability of transition to the CZ presentation state for the number of lights and the setting value. When the winning type "rare role" is won, the presentation state control means 314 determines the transition to the CZ presentation state with the probability shown in Figure 34 based on the number of lights of the rare role counters 500 at that time, including the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" that was won, and the setting value. For example, when the number of lights is 1, that is, when no rare role counters 500 are lit, the winning type "rare role" is won and one rare role counter 500 is lit, the presentation state control means 314 determines the transition to the CZ presentation state with a probability of 0.5% in setting 1, a probability of 2% in setting 2, a probability of 3% in setting 3, a probability of 8% in setting 4, a probability of 9% in setting 5, and a probability of 12% in setting 6. In addition, when two lights are on, that is, when only one rare role counter 500 is on, and another winning type "rare role" is won, the performance state control means 314 determines a transition to the CZ performance state with a probability of 1% in setting 1, a probability of 5% in setting 2, a probability of 7% in setting 3, a probability of 15% in setting 4, a probability of 20% in setting 5, and a probability of 22% in setting 6. In addition, when three lights are on, that is, when two rare role counters 500 are on, and another winning type "rare role" is won, the performance state control means 314 determines a transition to the CZ performance state with a probability of 25% in setting 1, a probability of 40% in setting 2, a probability of 45% in setting 3, a probability of 70% in setting 4, a probability of 75% in setting 5, and a probability of 99% in setting 6. In addition, if the winning type "rare role" is won when four lights are lit, that is, when three lights are lit on the rare role counter 500, the performance state control means 314 determines the transition to the CZ performance state with a probability of 100%, regardless of the set value. In this case, the performance state control means 314 transitions the performance state to the reel performance state.

Note that, here, we have described the probability of transitioning to the CZ presentation state when the winning type "rare role" is won in the normal game state, but when a transition to the CZ presentation state is decided, the presentation state control means 314 further performs a lottery for transitioning to the AT presentation state with a common probability regardless of the set value.

With reference to Figure 34, it can be seen that when the number of lit rare role counters 500 is large, the probability of transitioning to the CZ presentation state is higher than when the number of lit rare role counters 500 is small. Also, for the same number of lit rare roles, the higher the set value, the higher the probability of transitioning to the CZ presentation state. Thus, the higher the set value, the easier it is to transition to the CZ presentation state, and ultimately the easier it is to transition to the AT presentation state (there is a high probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state).

However, if it were simply assumed that the higher the setting value, the easier it would be to transition to a CZ presentation state or an AT presentation state, then the expected number of coins to be won would simply differ depending on the difference in setting value, which would affect the player's gaming profits. For example, if the decrease in the expected number of coins to be won at a low setting value is suppressed, the expected number of coins to be won at a high setting value would become too high, increasing the risk of speculation. Conversely, if the expected number of coins to be won at a high setting value is suppressed, the expected number of coins to be won at a low setting value would become too low, resulting in the player's investment being unnecessarily large.

Furthermore, if the expected number of coins to be won were to simply differ depending on the setting value, the game would become monotonous, the player would feel bored, and the operation rate of the slot machine 100 would likely decrease. Furthermore, a player would be able to refer to past game results for the slot machine 100 and easily infer that if the number of coins won is high, the setting value of the slot machine 100 is high, and if the number of coins won is low, the setting value of the slot machine 100 is low, which could result in a decrease in the operation rate of the slot machine 100.

Therefore, when the set value is high, the frequency of transition to the AT presentation state is high, but the expected number of coins to be won from transition to the AT presentation state until the end is low; on the other hand, when the set value is low, the frequency of transition to the AT presentation state is low, but the expected number of coins to be won from transition to the AT presentation state until the end is high, thereby achieving a balance in the game.

Figure 35 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the AT level promotion lottery. As described above, in the normal presentation state, when the winning type "rare role" is won, the presentation state control means 314 decides whether or not to transition the presentation state to the CZ presentation state based on the winning of the winning type "rare role". If such a transition lottery is won, the presentation state control means 314 notifies the player of the fact with a premonition performance and then transitions the presentation state to the CZ presentation state. On the other hand, if the transition lottery is not won, all rare role counters 500 are turned off, and the player understands that the transition to the CZ presentation state will not occur depending on the winning type "rare role". At the timing when such rare role counters 500 are turned off, the presentation state control means 314 performs an AT level promotion lottery as shown in Figure 35 according to the AT level and the number of lights immediately before the turned off rare role counters 500. For example, if the AT level is "1" and one light is on, the performance state control means 314 raises the AT level by one step with a probability of 0.5%, if the AT level is "1" and two lights are on, the AT level raises the AT level by one step with a probability of 1%, and if the AT level is "1" and three lights are on, the AT level raises the AT level by one step with a probability of 99%. Also, if the AT level is "2" and one light is on, the performance state control means 314 raises the AT level by one step with a probability of 0.5%, if the AT level is "2" and two lights are on, the AT level raises the AT level by one step with a probability of 99%, and if the AT level is "2" and three lights are on, the AT level raises the AT level by one step with a probability of 99%.

Since AT level "3" cannot be promoted any further, no promotion lottery is held when the AT level is "3". In addition, when 4 lights are lit, as shown in FIG. 34, there is a 100% chance of transitioning to the CZ performance state, so there is no chance of not winning the lottery for transitioning to the CZ performance state (not being subjected to said transition lottery). In addition, an example has been given here in which the AT level can be promoted by lottery but not demoted (fallen), but this is not the only case, and the AT level may be demoted by lottery but not promoted, or it may be promoted and demoted by lottery.

As explained using FIG. 35, when the lottery for transition to the CZ presentation state is not won, the presentation state control means 314 performs a lottery for promoting the AT level. Here, there is no set difference (difference due to the setting value) in the probability of the promotion lottery. However, as explained using FIG. 34, the higher the setting value, the easier it is for the presentation state to transition to the CZ presentation state. In other words, the lower the setting value, the higher the probability of not winning the lottery for transition to the CZ presentation state. Then, every time the lottery for transition to the CZ presentation state is not won, the AT level promotion lottery can be taken. Therefore, as a result, although the frequency of transition to the CZ presentation state is low, the lower the setting value, the more opportunities there are to receive the lottery for promoting the AT level, and the easier it is for the AT level to be promoted, so the expected number of coins when transitioning to the AT presentation state is also higher. Therefore, even if the player does not win the lottery for transition to the CZ presentation state, he or she can think that it contributes to the promotion of the AT level, and dissatisfaction with not winning the lottery for transition can be reduced.

Note that, although an example has been described here in which there is no setting difference in the probability of the promotion lottery, this is not the only case, and a setting difference may be set in the probability of the promotion lottery. For example, a lower setting value may have a higher promotion probability than a higher setting value. With this configuration, the AT level is more likely to be promoted in the AT level promotion lottery due to not winning the transition lottery to the CZ presentation state, and the player can look forward to the AT level being promoted.

Also, a higher setting value may increase the probability of promotion compared to a lower setting value. In this case, at first glance, it may appear that a higher setting value results in a higher AT level. However, as described above, a lower setting value is more likely to result in a loss of the transition lottery to the CZ presentation state and therefore more opportunities to receive the AT level promotion lottery, so ultimately, a lower setting value is more likely to result in a higher AT level. With this configuration, even if a player does not win the transition lottery to the CZ presentation state, they can consider that this has contributed to the AT level being promoted, and dissatisfaction over not winning the transition lottery can be reduced.

With the configuration described above, the higher the setting value, the higher the frequency of transition to the CZ presentation state, and therefore the higher the frequency of transition to the AT presentation state; on the other hand, the lower the setting value, the more opportunities there are to be drawn to advance to the AT level in the normal presentation state, and therefore the greater the expected number of coins to be won. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the difference in the expected number of coins to be won depending on the setting value, improve playability while maintaining motivation to play, and make it difficult to guess the setting value.

Here, a CZ presentation state in which an AT lottery is performed is given as a specific presentation state for transitioning to an AT presentation state in order to perform a lottery for an AT level promotion when transitioning to an AT presentation state is not determined, but this is not limited to the above, and any presentation state that is a stage preceding transitioning to an AT presentation state and that affects the probability of transitioning to an AT presentation state will suffice. Here, an example is given in which the AT level is set before transitioning to the AT presentation state, and the game progresses depending on which of multiple AT levels with different degrees of advantage is in the AT presentation state, and when transitioning to the AT presentation state is not determined in the CZ presentation state, an AT level promotion lottery is performed. However, this is not the only case, and the game can proceed according to which of multiple levels of different degrees of advantage the player has in various first presentation states that are advantageous to the player, such as the CZ presentation state, reel presentation state, specialized AT presentation state, normal AT presentation state, battle AT presentation state, chance AT presentation state, etc. Furthermore, such levels may be set in various presentation states prior to transition to the first presentation state, and if transition to the first presentation state is not determined in a second presentation state such as the normal presentation state, CZ presentation state, reel presentation state, specialized AT presentation state, normal AT presentation state, or battle AT presentation state, a lottery may be held to upgrade the level.

(About the winning type "1 My Chance Role")
As described above, in the slot machine 100 of this embodiment, the winning type "batting order bell" is adopted as the selected winning type, and the auxiliary performance is performed in the AT performance state, so that the expected number of winning coins per unit of play in the AT performance state can be relatively increased compared to the normal performance state. Specifically, even if the winning type "batting order bell" is won in the non-AT performance state, the auxiliary performance is hardly performed, so the player operates the stop switch 120 by deciding the batting order (for example, batting order 1 or batting order 2), and the expected number of winning coins per unit of play is (7 coins (correct answer role) x 1 + 1 coin x 1/2 x 5) / 6 ≒ 1.58 coins. On the other hand, when the winning type "batting order bell" is won in the AT performance state, the auxiliary performance is executed, so the player can operate it by the correct operation mode, and the expected number of winning coins per unit of play is 7 coins. In this way, by keeping the performance state in the AT performance state, the player can obtain a lot of game profits in a short time while suppressing the consumption of medals, and therefore the motivation to play can be improved.

However, if the expected number of coins to be won per unit of play in the non-AT presentation state is set relatively low as described above in order to increase the expected number of coins to be won per unit of play in the AT presentation state, the player's investment will be unnecessarily large as he or she continues to remain in the non-AT presentation state. On the other hand, if one tries to increase the expected number of coins to be won per unit of play in the AT presentation state while suppressing the decrease in the expected number of coins to be won per unit of play in the non-AT presentation state, one has no choice but to set the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state low or to set a period during which no lottery is held. This will result in a decrease in the frequency of transitions to the AT presentation state, which could result in the player feeling fatigued.

Here, the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state is set low, and without setting a period during which no lottery is held, a winning type "One My Chance" is set and the expected number of coins to be won is adjusted, thereby maintaining the player's motivation to play, while the expected number of coins to be won per unit of play in the non-AT presentation state is relatively low, thereby increasing the difference in the expected number of coins to be won between the non-AT presentation state and the AT presentation state.

Figure 36 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the winning mode of the winning type "1 My A" in the winning area 22. As shown in the upper part of Figure 36, the winning type "1 My A" is a selected winning type that includes the winning role "RB1" and the winning roles "small role 16" to "small role 19", "small role 36", and "small role 38", each of which has a payout of one coin, overlapping with each other.

As shown in FIG. 36 (batting order 1), when the winning type "1 My A" (third winning type) is won and the stop switch 120a is operated to stop the left reel 110a first according to the batting order 1, the "Replay" pattern constituting the winning roles "Small Role 16" to "Small Role 19", which have the largest number of winning role symbol combinations that can be displayed on the activated line A, is set to be displayed preferentially. The reel control means 306 performs stop control so that the "Replay" pattern is displayed preferentially on the activated line A in response to the operation of the stop switch 120a. Note that the "Replay" pattern is PB=1 on the left reel 110a, so it can always be displayed on the activated line A by the stop control. In this way, by stopping the "Replay" pattern on the activated line A of the left reel 110a, the winning roles "RB1", "Small Role 36", and "Small Role 38" included in the winning type "1 My A" are no longer likely to win. Next, when the stop switch 120b is operated to stop the center reel 110b second, the reel control means 306 performs stop control according to the operation position so that, for example, the symbol "red 7" constituting the winning combination "minor combination 18" and "minor combination 19" is preferentially displayed on the activated line A. Also, when the stop switch 120c is operated to stop the right reel 110c third, the reel control means 306 performs stop control according to the operation position so that, for example, the symbol "blank A" constituting the winning combination "minor combination 19" is preferentially displayed on the activated line A. Note that the symbols "blue 7", "blank B", "red 7", and "blank A" on the center reel 110b are PB=1 when all symbols are combined, and the symbols "blue 7", "blank B", "red 7", and "blank A" on the right reel 110c are PB=1 when all symbols are combined. Therefore, by performing the operation in the batting order 1 and 2, it is possible to win one of the winning roles "Small Role 16" to "Small Role 19" (third role) with PB = 1, and the player can receive the payout of one medal.

Next, as shown in FIG. 36 (batting order 3-1), when the winning type "1 My A" is won and the stop switch 120b is operated to stop the center reel 110b first according to the batting order 3, the winning roles "small role 36" and "small role 38", which have the largest number of symbol combinations of winning roles that can be displayed on the activated line A, are set to be displayed preferentially with the symbols "blank C" and "bell B". Then, the reel control means 306 controls the stop so that, for example, the symbol "bell B" is displayed preferentially on the activated line A in response to the operation of the stop switch 120b. Note that the symbols "blank C" and "bell B" on the center reel 110b are PB=1 on the center reel 110b when all the symbols are taken together. In this way, the symbol "bell B" stops on the activated line A of the center reel 110b, eliminating the possibility of winning the winning roles "small role 16" to "small role 19" included in the winning type "1 My A". Next, when the stop switch 120a is operated so that the left reel 110a stops second in the range of the symbol numbers "0" to "2" or the symbol numbers "13" to "19", the symbols "blank C" and "cherry" constituting the winning combination "minor combination 38" which has the largest number of medals paid out, ie, one medal, are set to be preferentially displayed. Then, the reel control means 306 controls the stop so that, for example, the symbol "cherry" is preferentially displayed on the activated line A in response to the operation of the stop switch 120a. Next, when the stop switch 120c is operated so that the right reel 110c stops third, the symbol "watermelon" constituting the winning combination "minor combination 38" to be drawn in is set to be preferentially displayed. Then, the reel control means 306 controls the stop so that the symbol "watermelon" is preferentially displayed on the activated line A in response to the operation of the stop switch 120c. In addition, since the "watermelon" symbol is PB=1 on the right reel 110c, it can always be displayed on the pay line A by the stop control. In this way, the winning combination "minor combination 38" is confirmed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 36 (batting order 3-2), when the winning type "1 My A" is won and the stop switch 120b is operated to stop the center reel 110b first according to the batting order 3, the winning roles "small role 36" and "small role 38", which have the largest number of symbol combinations of winning roles that can be displayed on the activated line A, are set to be displayed preferentially with the symbols "blank C" and "bell B". Then, the reel control means 306 controls the stop so that, for example, the symbol "bell B" is displayed preferentially on the activated line A in response to the operation of the stop switch 120b. Note that the symbols "blank C" and "bell B" on the center reel 110b are PB=1 on the center reel 110b when all the symbols are taken together. In this way, the symbol "bell B" stops on the activated line A of the center reel 110b, eliminating the possibility of winning the winning roles "small role 16" to "small role 19" included in the winning type "1 My A". Next, when the stop switch 120a is operated so that the left reel 110a stops second in the range of the symbol numbers "3" to "12", the symbols "blank C" and "cherry" cannot be controlled to stop, so that the symbols "blue 7" and "blank A" constituting the winning combination "RB1" and "minor combination 36" to be drawn are set to be displayed preferentially. Then, the reel control means 306 controls the stop so that, for example, the symbol "blue 7" is displayed preferentially on the pay line A in response to the operation of the stop switch 120a. Next, when the stop switch 120c is operated so that the right reel 110c stops third in the range of the symbol numbers "0" to "6" or the symbol numbers "17" to "19", the symbols "blue 7" and "blank A" constituting the "minor combination 36" which has the largest number of medals paid out, 1, are set to be displayed preferentially. Then, in response to the operation of the stop switch 120c, the reel control means 306 performs stop control so that, for example, the "blue 7" symbol is preferentially displayed on the pay line A. In this way, the winning combination "minor combination 36" is confirmed. When the stop switch 120c is operated so that the right reel 110c stops third in the range of symbol numbers "7" to "16", the "watermelon" symbol constituting the winning combination "RB1" is set to be preferentially displayed. Then, in response to the operation of the stop switch 120c, the reel control means 306 performs stop control so that the "watermelon" symbol is preferentially displayed on the pay line A. In this way, the winning combination "RB1" is confirmed.

As can be seen by comparing (batting order 3-1) and (batting order 3-2) in FIG. 36, when the stop switch 120a is operated on the left reel 110a with the symbol numbers "0" to "2" or "13" to "19", the winning role "minor role 38" is awarded, and when the stop switch 120a is operated on the left reel 110a with the symbol numbers "3" to "12", the winning role "RB1" is awarded. The number of symbols for the symbol numbers "0" to "2" or "13" to "19" is 10 frames, and the number of symbols for the symbol numbers "3" to "12" is also 10 frames. Therefore, when operated in batting order 3, there is a 1/2 probability that one coin will be paid out, and a 1/2 probability that the game state will transition to the RB operating game state.

If one coin is paid out with a probability of 1/2, the RB internal win flag is carried over and the game state transitions to the RB internal medium game state. In this case, the next time the "1 My Chance" win type is won, it will be possible to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RB1" on the active line A.

In this embodiment, the auxiliary effect execution means performs auxiliary effects for an operation mode (in the example of FIG. 36, the batting order is 1, 2) that can win the winning role "1 coin role" (correct role) with PB = 1 as the correct operation mode in both the non-AT performance state and the AT performance state. Therefore, if the player operates in the correct operation mode, one coin will be paid out, and if the player operates in the incorrect operation mode, one coin will be paid out or the game will transition to a RB-operated game state.

Here, if the player operates randomly, the game may transition to a RB-operated game state, and the expected number of coins to be won per unit of play will be relatively high (reducing the investment amount), but by deliberately using auxiliary effects that encourage the player to perform operations that result in a smaller expected number of coins to be won, the expected number of coins to be won per unit of play is relatively low.

However, if a winning combination (third combination) with a small expected number of coins is won when the auxiliary performance is followed, and a winning combination with a large expected number of coins is won when the auxiliary performance is ignored and a different operation mode is performed, there is a risk that a player will intentionally not follow the auxiliary performance. Therefore, when the winning type "1 My Chance Role" is won, a predetermined game profit related to the transition to the AT performance state (changing the ease of transition) is awarded, and the game is made into a so-called ceiling consumption game (or the number of games to reach the ceiling is shortened). In addition, if the auxiliary performance is not followed, it is a specification that restricts them. In other words, when the winning type "1 My Chance Role" is won in a non-AT performance state, if the player operates in the correct operation mode according to the auxiliary performance, although the expected number of coins is small, a predetermined game profit, for example, an addition to the probability of transition to the CZ performance state is awarded, and the game can be made into a so-called ceiling consumption game (or the number of games to reach the ceiling is shortened). On the other hand, when the winning type "1 My Chance" is won in a non-AT performance state, if the player does not follow the auxiliary performance and operates in an incorrect operation mode, the expected number of coins to be won is large, but the player cannot receive the specified game profit, and the game cannot be considered as a so-called ceiling consumption game (or the number of games to reach the ceiling cannot be shortened) (the number of games to reach the ceiling is extended). In other words, in order to prevent the player from ignoring the auxiliary performance, by operating in a correct operation mode, a game profit that is more advantageous than operating in an incorrect operation mode, for example, an increase in the probability of transitioning to a CZ performance state, is granted. Since such a game characteristic is adopted, when the winning type "1 My Chance" is won, the operation mode that wins a winning role with a small expected number of coins can be set as the correct operation mode, and the operation mode that wins a winning role with a large expected number of coins can be set as the incorrect operation mode.

With this configuration, it is possible to maintain the player's motivation to play while increasing the difference in the expected number of coins to be won between the non-AT presentation state and the AT presentation state, since the expected number of coins to be won per unit of play in the non-AT presentation state is relatively low through the auxiliary presentation.

(Predetermined gaming profit regarding transition to AT performance state)
The following describes the predetermined gaming profits related to the transition to the AT performance state. As described with reference to FIG. 33, in the normal performance state, when a winning type "rare role" (any one of the winning types "rare role" is the first winning type, and another winning type "rare role" different from the first winning type is the second winning type) is won, the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" lights up, and the initial value "32" is set to the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role". In addition, when the winning type "rare role" is won and the rare role counter 500 is lit up, if another winning type "rare role" is won, not only is the initial value "32" set to the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" that was won later, but the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" that was won earlier is also reset to the initial value "32", and the lighting period of each rare role counter 500 is extended to 32 games.

As explained using FIG. 34, when the number of lights on the rare role counter 500 is large, the probability of transitioning to the CZ presentation state is higher than when the number of lights on is small. Therefore, in the normal presentation state, the player does not simply hope to win the winning type "rare role", but also hopes to win the winning type "rare role" consecutively within 32 games after winning the winning type "rare role" as much as possible. However, it is theoretically difficult to continue winning the winning type "rare role" in a short interval. Moreover, in order to increase the number of lights on, it is necessary to continue winning different winning types "rare roles" during that short interval.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the probability of transition to the CZ presentation state is added as a predetermined gaming profit regarding the transition to the AT presentation state due to the player operating in the correct operation mode according to the auxiliary presentation. For example, when the winning type "1 My Chance Role" is won and the player operates in the correct operation mode according to the auxiliary presentation, resulting in the winning role "1 piece role", the presentation state control means 314 performs an additional lottery for the number of lights on the rare role counter 500 based on the winning role "1 piece role" being won (the first or second benefit can be awarded). In the additional lottery for the number of lights on, three probability states (normal probability state, high probability state, and ultra-high probability state) are provided, and the presentation state control means 314 determines by lottery whether or not to add the number of lights on depending on the probability state at the time when the winning type "1 My Chance Role" is won and the number of lights on at that time. Here, the process of the presentation state control means 314 that grants the first bonus if the first winning type is won through the winning type lottery, grants the second bonus if the second winning type is won, and grants the first or second bonus if the third winning type is won is referred to as the bonus granting means.

Figure 37 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the lottery for promoting the probability state and the additional lottery for the number of lights on. As described above, when the winning type "rare role" is won in the normal presentation state, the presentation state control means 314 decides whether or not to transition to the CZ presentation state based on the winning type "rare role". If the transition lottery is not won, the presentation state control means 314 performs a lottery for promoting the probability state as shown in Figures 37(a) and 37(b) according to the number of lights on and the setting value immediately before the rare role counter 500 that has been turned off, at the timing when all rare role counters 500 are turned off, at which the player can visually confirm that the winning type "rare role" will not cause a transition to the CZ presentation state.

For example, as shown in FIG. 37(a), when the probability state is in the normal probability state, at the timing when all rare role counters 500 are turned off, if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 1, the presentation state control means 314 transitions the probability state to a high probability state with a 0.5% probability; if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 2, the probability state transitions to a high probability state with a 2% probability; if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 3, the probability state transitions to a high probability state with a 2% probability; if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 4, the probability state transitions to a high probability state with a 2.5% probability; if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 5, the probability state transitions to a high probability state with a 2.5% probability; and if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 6, the probability state transitions to a high probability state with a 2.5% probability. In addition, if all rare role counters 500 are lit at the time when the probability state is in the normal probability state and three are lit, the probability state will transition to the high probability state with a 3% probability, regardless of the setting value.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 37 (b), when the probability state is in the normal probability state, at the timing when all rare role counters 500 are turned off, if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 1, the probability state is transitioned to the ultra-high probability state with a 0.5% probability; if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 2, the probability state is transitioned to the ultra-high probability state with a 0.5% probability; if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 3, the probability state is transitioned to the ultra-high probability state with a 0.5% probability; if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 4, the probability state is transitioned to the ultra-high probability state with a 0.5% probability; if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 5, the probability state is transitioned to the ultra-high probability state with a 0.5% probability; and if 1 or 2 lights are lit and the setting value is 6, the probability state is transitioned to the ultra-high probability state with a 1% probability. In addition, if all rare role counters 500 are lit at the time when the probability state is in the normal probability state and three are lit, the probability state will transition to the ultra-high probability state with a 1% probability, regardless of the setting value.

In addition, when all four lights are lit, as shown in Figure 34, there is a 100% chance of transitioning to the CZ presentation state, so there is no chance of not winning the transition lottery to the CZ presentation state (not being subjected to the transition lottery).

In addition, an example has been given here in which a lottery to upgrade the probability state is conducted when all rare role counters 500 are turned off while the probability state is in the normal probability state, but this is not the only case, and the lottery to upgrade the probability state can be conducted at various triggers, such as when the AT performance state ends (when transitioning from the pull-back performance state to the normal performance state) or when the "1 My Chance Role" winning type is won. Also, the performance state control means 314 transitions the probability state to the normal probability state when a predetermined ending condition is met, for example, when a demotion lottery is won.

When the "1 My Chance" winning type is won, and the player operates the correct operation mode according to the auxiliary performance, resulting in the winning role "1 coin role", the presentation state control means 314 determines by lottery whether to add more lights depending on the probability state set as described above and the number of lights at that time. For example, as shown in FIG. 37(c), the presentation state control means 314 adds more lights with a 5% probability if the normal probability state is in a state with 0 lights, and adds more lights with a 0.5% probability if the normal probability state is in a state with 1 to 4 lights. In addition, the presentation state control means 314 adds more lights with a 15% probability if the high probability state is in a state with no lights, and adds more lights with a 25% probability if the super high probability state is in a state with no lights.

Here, the probability of the number of lights increasing when the rare combination counter 500 is not lit at all (lights 0) is set higher than the probability of the number of lights increasing when the rare combination counter 500 is lit 1 to 4. With this configuration, even in a situation where the winning type "rare combination" is rarely won, the player can hope for the rare combination counter 500 to light up by winning the winning type "1 My Chance combination".

Note that here, even when four lights are lit, an additional lottery is performed to determine the number of lights that are lit. However, even if a win occurs, the number of lights is not increased because there are no new rare role counters 500 to light up. In this case, the initial values of all rare role counters 500 are set to "32."

When it is decided to increase the number of lights, the presentation state control means 314 randomly selects one rare role counter 500 from the unlit rare role counters 500, lights up the selected rare role counters 500, and sets the initial value of all rare role counters 500 to "32." Note that, here, one rare role counter 500 is selected evenly from the unlit rare role counters 500, but this is not the only case, and a predetermined rare role counter 500 may be selected with a biased probability according to a predetermined rule according to the game situation.

In this way, when the winning type "1 My Chance Role" is won and the player operates in the correct operation mode according to the auxiliary performance, a predetermined gaming profit for the transition to the AT performance state is awarded, making it possible for the player to operate in accordance with the auxiliary performance. Also, by making the predetermined gaming profit for the transition to the AT performance state an additional lottery for the number of lights on (an additional lottery for the probability of transitioning to the CZ performance state), even in a situation where the winning type "rare role" is not won frequently, the player can hope for the rare role counter 500 to light up by winning the winning type "1 My Chance Role".

Here, we have explained that, taking the winning of the winning type "1 My Chance Role" (third winning type) as an example, when the expected number of coins to be won is small when the player operates in a predetermined operation mode, and the expected number of coins to be won is large when the player operates in another operation mode or randomly, a predetermined operation mode that intentionally causes a winning role (third role) with a small expected number of coins to be won is performed as an auxiliary performance, and when the player operates according to the auxiliary performance, a predetermined gaming profit related to the transition to the AT performance state is awarded based on the winning role with a small expected number of coins to be won. However, this is not limited to such a case, and when the expected number of coins to be won is small when the player operates in a predetermined operation mode, and the expected number of coins to be won is large when the player operates in another operation mode or randomly, regardless of the presence or absence of an auxiliary performance, it is sufficient to award a predetermined gaming profit related to the transition to the AT performance state when the player operates in a predetermined operation mode that causes a winning role with a small expected number of coins to be won. For example, in a game that assumes that the game will proceed with the operation mode (batting order 1, 2) in which the left reel 110a is stopped first, a winning role "7 coin role" (correct role) with a payout of 7 coins is assigned only to the operation mode in which a reel other than the left reel 110a (the middle reel 110b or the right reel 110c) is stopped first, and when the left reel 110a is operated in the operation mode in which the left reel 110a is stopped first, a game that only allows the winning role "1 coin role" with a payout of 1 coin to be won is adopted, and It is conceivable that the expected number of coins to be won is small when the player operates the reel in the operation mode, and the expected number of coins to be won is large when the player operates the reel in the operation mode in which the left reel 110a, which produces a winning combination with a small expected number of coins, is stopped for the first time, and that the player is not given the predetermined gaming profit for the transition to the AT presentation state as a penalty when the player operates the reel in the operation mode in which the left reel 110a, which produces a winning combination with a small expected number of coins, is operated in another irregular operation. Note that the winning combination with a small expected number of coins to be won (third combination) has a lower probability of transition to the AT presentation state or a smaller number of coins to be paid out, and thus has a smaller gaming profit, than the winning combinations "small combination 1", "small combination 10", "small combination 11", and "small combination 6" (first combination, second combination) that constitute the winning type "rare combination". In other words, the third combination is not a combination that is more advantageous than the first combination, and is not a combination that is more advantageous than the second combination.

Here, we have explained that, using the winning type "1 My Chance Role" as an example, a predetermined operation mode that causes a winning role with a smaller expected number of coins to be won is performed as an auxiliary effect, and when a player operates according to the auxiliary effect, a predetermined gaming profit related to a transition to the AT presentation state is awarded based on the winning of a winning role with a smaller expected number of coins to be won. However, this is not the only case, and a predetermined gaming profit related to a transition to the AT presentation state may also be awarded based on the winning type "1 My Chance Role". With this configuration, it is possible to award a predetermined gaming profit related to a transition to the AT presentation state without waiting for the winning of a winning role with a smaller expected number of coins to be won, so that notification of this fact can be realized early.

In addition, in this example, when the winning type "rare role" (first winning type, second winning type) is won, the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" lights up (a predetermined gaming profit is awarded), and when the winning type "1 my chance role" (third winning type) is won and the player operates a predetermined operation mode to win a winning role with a smaller expected number of coins, the winning role "1 coin role" (third role) is won, the rare role counter 500 that is not lit is lit instead of the corresponding winning type "rare role" (a predetermined gaming profit is awarded). However, not limited to such a case, when the player operates a predetermined operation mode to win a winning role with a smaller expected number of coins and a predetermined winning role is won, the same gaming profit as when any of the winning types "rare roles" is won (a prize) is awarded, and if it is used as a so-called almighty winning role, the same effect as the above embodiment is achieved. For example, in a game in which the game progress state (stage) corresponding to one of the winning types "rare role" is switched sequentially among a red stage corresponding to the winning type "Cherry A", a green stage corresponding to the winning type "Watermelon A", a purple stage corresponding to the winning type "Chance A", and a yellow stage corresponding to the winning type "Bell H", for example, if the winning type "rare role", for example, "Cherry A" is won (or the winning role "Small role 1" (first role) is won) while staying in the red stage corresponding to the winning type "Cherry A" (first winning type), a transition to the AT performance state is determined with a high probability (the first lottery can be executed), and the winning type "Chance A" ( In a game in which, while staying in the purple stage corresponding to the second winning type, if another winning type "rare role", for example, the winning type "Chance A" is won (or if the winning role "Small Role 11" (second role) is won), a transition to the AT performance state is determined with a high probability (a second lottery can be executed), if the winning type "1 My Chance Role" (third winning type) is won in the same red stage, and the player operates in a predetermined operation mode to win a winning role (third role) with a smaller expected number of coins, and a predetermined winning role is won, instead of winning the winning type "Cherry A", a transition to the AT performance state is determined with a high probability (a first lottery or a second lottery can be executed). Here, the processing of the performance state control means 314 that executes the first lottery when the first winning type is won by the winning type lottery, executes the second lottery when the second winning type is won, and executes the first lottery or the second lottery when the third winning type is won is called a lottery execution means.

Here, an example is given in which, when a "rare role" type win is won, the rare role counter 500 corresponding to the winning type "rare role" lights up. However, this is not limited to such a case, and it is sufficient to transition to a specific state corresponding to the type of winning type "rare role" (first winning type, second winning type) that has been won, and for example, it is sufficient to transition to a state in which it is easier to transition to an AT performance state based on the winning of the winning type "rare role".

In addition, here we have given an example in which the winning combination that can be won by an expected specified operation mode has a smaller expected number of coins than winning combinations that can be won by other operation modes, but the winning combination that can be won by an expected specified operation mode may be less than the specified number, for example, a payout of one or two coins may be sufficient.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or revised examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the consumption of a predetermined number of continuous plays (number of plays management) was given as an example of a predetermined end condition for the AT presentation state (normal AT presentation state), but this is not limited to this case, and various end conditions can be adopted, such as difference number management, payout number management, and navigation count management. For example, in difference number management, the AT presentation state ends when the difference (difference number) between the payout number of the winning role that has been won and the specified number spent on that play becomes a predetermined number or more. In payout number management, the AT presentation state ends when the payout number of the winning role that has been won becomes a predetermined number or more. In navigation count management, the AT presentation state ends when the navigation count of the winning role that has been won becomes a predetermined number or more.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the reel 110 has three reels (reels 110a, 110b, 110c) and the corresponding stop switches 120 are three (stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c). However, this is not limited to the above case, and the above embodiment can also be applied to cases where the reel 110 has two or four or more reels and the corresponding stop switches 120 are two or four or more.

In the above-described embodiment, the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 are arranged to share the functional parts for progressing the game, but the functional parts of the main control board 200 may be arranged on the sub-control board 202, or the functional parts of the sub-control board 202 may be arranged on the main control board 200, or all the functional parts may be arranged together on a single control board.

In the above embodiment, the game is played using medals as the game value, but the game value may be electrical information (it may be so-called medalless). In this case, when a winning combination is achieved, the amount of value corresponding to the winning combination may be given to the player in the form of electrical information.

Furthermore, each process performed by the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 described above does not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order according to the order described in the flowchart, and may include parallel or subroutine processing.

100 Slot machine (amusement machine)
110 Reel 114 Medal insertion section 116 Bet switch 118 Start switch 120 Stop switch 124 Liquid crystal display section 132 Main payout display section 312 Game state control means 314 Presentation state control means 334 Presentation control means 500 Rare combination counter

Claims (1)

A winning type selection means for selecting one of a plurality of winning types by a winning type selection lottery;
a reel control means for controlling the rotation of a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are respectively arranged based on the operation of a start switch, and for controlling the stop of each of the reels corresponding to the operated stop switch based on the lottery result of the winning type lottery means in response to the operation of a stop switch corresponding to the rotating reel;
A game state control means for transitioning to any one of a plurality of game states including a non-internal game state, a bonus internal game state to which a transition is made based on winning a bonus role in the non-internal game state, and a bonus active game state to which a transition is made based on winning the bonus role;
A bonus awarding means capable of awarding a bonus related to an auxiliary performance that assists the winning of a predetermined winning combination;
Equipped with
The winning types include a first winning type, a second winning type, and a third winning type,
The first winning type is such that the first small prize does not overlap with the second small prize, but overlaps with the third small prize,
The second winning type is that the first small prize overlaps with the second small prize,
The third winning type is that the bonus role overlaps with the fourth minor role in the non-internal gaming state,
A payout higher than a game value required to start a game is set for the first minor win and the second minor win,
The third minor prize and the fourth minor prize are set with a payout equal to or less than the game value required to start playing,
In the non-internal gaming state , the first win type and the third win type may be determined by the win type lottery, but a loss and the second win type are not determined,
In the bonus operation gaming state, the second winning type may be determined by the winning type lottery,
At least one of the fourth small prizes in the third winning type is equal to at least one of the third small prizes in the first winning type,
The bonus awarding means is a gaming machine capable of awarding a bonus related to the auxiliary performance when the third winning type is determined by the winning type lottery.

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