JPH0928859A - Game device and symbol display method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give an expectative feeling of prize winning to a player even after prize non-winning is decided. SOLUTION: Plural symbols are displayed on a display part 34. A symbol deciding part 14 decides display conditions of these symbols in order. A prize winning determining part 12 determines that a prize is won when a combination of decided symbols coincides with a combination of prize winning, and delivers a coin. The symbol deciding part 14 performs lot-redrawing processing on at least this single decided symbol when a combination in the case where at least a single decided symbol except the finally decided symbol is set as a different decided symbol coincides with a combination of prize winning. The lot-redrawing processing is enough when being performed in a given frequency.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a slot machine, a pachinko game machine, and a game machine, and a symbol display method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a slot machine, a pachinko gaming machine, a game machine, etc., it is judged whether or not a combination of symbols such as a picture, letters and numbers displayed in a display area matches a given winning combination, and they are matched. If so, the coin is refunded, the prize is awarded, and the like.

Taking a slot machine as an example, FIG. 8 (A)
As shown in, the display state of the symbol displayed in the display window 200 is first determined ("7" is determined in FIG. 8A). Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the display window 202
The symbol displayed on the screen is fixed, and finally the symbol displayed on the display window 204 is fixed. Then, after the display states of the symbols are sequentially confirmed in this way, it is determined whether or not the combination of the confirmed symbols matches a given winning combination, for example, a combination such as "777". Done.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems.

That is, in FIG. 8B, the display windows 200, 20
In 2, the symbols “7” and “BAR” are fixed. Therefore, for example, when the winning combination is made only when all three symbols are the same, the display window 20
When the symbols 0 and 202 do not match, it is determined that the winning is non-win. As a result, from the time when the symbol in the display window 202 is fixed until the time when the symbol in the display window 204 is fixed, the symbols are meaninglessly rotated, which wastes time for the player.

In a game machine such as a slot machine, a process of finishing in a short time is repeated many times. FIG. 8 (A),
In the case of (B) as an example, the process of deciding the symbols displayed in the display windows 200 to 204 is one play, and the player repeats the process of this one play many times endlessly. Therefore, the waste of wasted time in the processing of this one play causes a great stress to the player, and the smoothness and fun of the game are reduced by half.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a player with an expectation of winning even after a non-win is confirmed. And to provide a symbol display method.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a game device according to the present invention has a means for displaying a plurality of symbols in a display area, and a display state of the plurality of symbols is sequentially determined. The symbol determination means includes a progressive symbol determination means and a winning determination means for determining a winning when a combination of the determined symbols matches a given winning combination, and the symbol determination means includes at least a symbol other than a finally determined symbol. When a combination in which one confirmed symbol is a different confirmed symbol matches the winning combination, a process of making the display state of the at least one confirmed symbol non-confirmed and then re-confirming is performed.

Further, the present invention is a symbol display method for displaying a plurality of symbols in a display area of a display means, wherein a symbol determining step of sequentially determining display states of the plurality of symbols, and a determining step. A winning symbol determination step of determining a winning combination when a combination of the selected symbols matches a given winning combination, and in the symbol determining step, at least one confirmed symbol other than the finally confirmed symbol is a different confirmed symbol. In the case where the combination in the above case matches the winning combination, the process of undeciding the display state of the at least one confirmed symbol and then confirming the state again is performed.

According to the present invention, when the display state of the symbols displayed on the display means is sequentially determined and the combination of the determined symbols matches the winning combination, for example, the payout of coins, the award of prizes, etc. Decision is made. At this time, according to the present invention, for example, the re-lottery processing is performed after the final symbol is determined. For example, in the case where there are three symbols as an example, a winning combination is a winning symbol other than the third winning symbol, that is, a combination in which at least one of the first and second winning symbols is a different symbol. If the combination matches, the re-lottery process is performed. For example, when the combination in which the first confirmed symbol is different matches the winning combination, the display state of the first confirmed symbol is undetermined, and then confirmed again. Then, when the first confirmed symbol becomes different from that before the re-lottery, and the combination after the re-lottery matches the winning combination, the coins will be refunded.

According to the present invention, even if the non-winning prize is fixed before the final symbol is fixed, the chance of winning the prize comes again by the re-lottery. As a result, the player's sense of expectation can be maintained even after the non-winning prize is fixed, and the time until the final symbol is fixed after the non-winning prize is fixed can be meaningful.
As a result, the smoothness and fun of the game can be significantly improved.

The game device according to the present invention further comprises means for displaying a plurality of symbols in the display area, and symbol determining means for sequentially determining the display states of the plurality of symbols.
Winning combination determining means for determining a winning combination when a combination of confirmed symbols matches a given winning combination, wherein the symbol determining means has at least one symbol other than the final confirmed symbol as the final confirmed symbol. When it coincides with the confirmed symbol, the display state of the confirmed symbols other than the at least one confirmed symbol is made unconfirmed, and then the process of confirming again is performed.

Further, the present invention is a symbol display method for displaying a plurality of symbols in a display area of a display means, wherein a symbol determining step of sequentially determining display states of the plurality of symbols, and a determining step. And a winning determination step of determining that the winning combination is achieved when the combination of the determined symbols matches a given winning combination, and in the symbol determining step, the symbol finally determined is at least one determination other than the final confirmed symbol. In the case of matching with the symbol, it is characterized in that the display state of the fixed symbols other than the at least one fixed symbol is made non-fixed and then fixed again.

According to the present invention, for example, in the case where there are three symbols, the third deterministic symbol is the other deterministic symbol, that is, at least one of the first and second deterministic symbols. If it matches with, re-lottery processing is performed. For example, when the third confirmed symbol and the first confirmed symbol match, the display state of the second confirmed symbol becomes undetermined, and then confirmed again. When the combination after the re-lottery process matches the winning combination, coins are refunded, prizes are awarded, and the like. According to the present invention, even when a non-winning prize is fixed before the final symbol is fixed, the player's expectation can be maintained, and the smoothness and fun of the game can be significantly improved.

In this case, it is preferable that the symbol deciding means omits the process of re-deciding after the non-deciding, when the decided combination of symbols matches a given winning combination. When the combination before the re-lottery matches the winning combination, the refund coins or the like at that time may be larger than the refund coins or the like due to the re-lottery. Therefore, if the re-lottery process is performed in such a case, it may be disadvantageous to the player, may give the player a sense of disappointment, and the interest of the game may be halved.

Further, the symbol deciding means may perform the process of deciding again after the deciding is made undetermined at a given frequency, or the process of deciding again after making the undecided is a combination of the decided symbols. May be performed for a given combination. Once you let the player experience the re-lottery, even if you do not always do the re-lottery after that,
This is because the player's expectations can be maintained. Furthermore,
This is because if the re-lottery process is always performed, the smoothness of the game may be impaired.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a slot machine.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an example of a schematic perspective view showing its appearance.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the processing unit 1
0, winning combination memory 20, coin payout unit 2
2, coin accepting unit 24, operation unit 26, RAM 28 as a working memory, display control unit 30, symbol memory 3
2. The display unit 34 is included.

The processing unit 10 including a CPU and the like controls the entire apparatus based on a given program and operation signals from the operation unit 26 and the like.
2. Includes the symbol determination unit 14. The winning combination memory 20 stores a winning combination, a payout rate when winning, and the like. Coin payout unit 22
As shown in FIG. 2, pays out coins when a prize is won, and includes a so-called hopper. Similarly, the coin accepting unit 24 is for accepting coins from the player.

The operation unit 26 is a stop button 4 shown in FIG.
0, 41, 42, lever 44, etc.,
The player operates this operation unit 26 to enjoy the game.
The RAM 28 serves as a work area of the processing unit 10. On the RAM 28, various logical storage units necessary for the processes of the winning determination unit 12 and the symbol determination unit 14 are constructed.

The display control unit 30 controls the display on the display unit 34. The display unit 34, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of symbols are displayed in the display area including the display windows 50, 52 and 54. The display unit 34 is configured by a CRT or the like in the case of a so-called video type slot machine, and is configured by a drum or the like on which a given symbol is drawn in the case of a mechanical type slot machine. In the case of a video slot machine, the image information of the symbols displayed on the display unit 34 is stored in the symbol memory 32.

The symbol determining section 14 sequentially determines the display states of the symbols displayed on the display section 34 (display windows 50 to 54). For example, in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the symbols displayed in the display windows 50, 52, and 54 are "
7 ”,“ BAR ”, and“ BAR ”are sequentially determined. Which confirmation symbol is displayed in each of the display windows 50 to 54 is determined by using, for example, the random number generator 16 or the like. For example, a virtual reel storage section (not shown) is constructed on the RAM 28. A given address and a symbol code corresponding to each of the addresses are stored in the virtual reel storage section.
The symbol image corresponding to this symbol code is stored. The symbol determination unit 14 specifies the address of the virtual reel storage unit based on the random number generated by the random number generator 16, so that the symbol code corresponding to the address is read, and the symbol read by this symbol code is read. The image is displayed in the display windows 50 to 54 as the confirmed symbol.

The winning determination unit 12 determines that the winning combination is a winning combination when the combination of the determined symbols matches the winning combination stored in the winning combination memory 20, and pays the coins to the player via the coin payout unit 22. put out.

In the following, a case will be described in which symbols are fixed in order from the left display window. However, when the stop buttons 40, 41, 42 as shown in FIG. 2 are used, for example, it is completely arbitrary which display window symbol is to be decided first.

Now, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the symbols displayed in the display windows 50 and 52 are "
7 "and" BAR "are confirmed. In a normal slot machine, all the confirmed symbols in the display windows 50 to 54 are not the same, so a prize is not awarded. Therefore, a non-prize (miss) is made at the time of FIG. 3 (B). Therefore, until the rotation of the symbols in the display window 54 is stopped and the display state is fixed, it becomes a meaningless time for the player.

In view of this, in the present embodiment, when the finally fixed symbol matches at least one fixed symbol other than the final fixed symbol, the display state of the fixed symbols other than the at least one fixed symbol is made unfixed. After that, the process of re-establishing is performed. For example, in FIG. 3 (C),
The confirmed symbol “BAR” displayed in the display window 54 matches the confirmed symbol “BAR” displayed in the display window 52. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 3 (D), the display state of the symbols in the display window 50 is made unconfirmed (the reel is rotated), and then the process of fixing again is performed (stopping the rotation). . That is, re-lottery is performed when the state of FIG. Then, when the confirmed symbol displayed in the display window 50 becomes, for example, "BAR", a prize is won,
Coins will be paid out to the player.

By carrying out the re-lottery in this way, it is possible to maintain the player's expectation until all the symbols are confirmed. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the waste of wasted time between the non-winning prize and the next play. As a result, the smoothness and fun of the game can be significantly improved.

In the above description, the case where a plurality of symbols are the same is won is described as an example. However, there are various forms of winning combinations, and it is possible to win even when a plurality of symbols are different, for example. Therefore, the principle of this embodiment can be generalized as follows. That is, when the combination in which at least one confirmed symbol other than the finally confirmed symbol is a different confirmed symbol and the winning combination matches, the display state of the at least one confirmed symbol is unconfirmed and then confirmed again. It suffices to perform the processing. For example, in FIG. 3C, "7" displayed in the display window 50 is "B".
If it is “AR”, the winning combination will be made, so that FIG.
As shown in, the “7” is undetermined, and the re-lottery processing is performed.

Next, the specific operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

First, all reels are rotated (step S1). After that, the rotation of the reels is stopped sequentially, for example, left, center, right (steps S2 to S4). next,
It is determined whether or not the combination of confirmed symbols matches the winning combination, and if they match, the payout is made (steps S5 and S11).

In this embodiment, as is clear from the flow chart of FIG. 4, when the confirmed symbol combination matches the winning combination, the re-lottery process (the process of making the confirmed symbol non-confirmed and then confirming it again). Is omitted. The reason is as follows. For example, the combination of confirmed symbols is as shown in FIG.
That is, let us consider a case where a combination in which "cherry" is displayed in the left display window 50 is selected. Then, it is assumed that this combination is a winning combination and two coins are to be refunded. Then, for example, when the re-lottery processing is performed and the combination after the re-lottery is as shown in FIG. 5B, this combination is a non-winning prize,
No coins will be refunded. If such a situation occurs, it may be disadvantageous to the player and the interest of the game may be reduced by half. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in step S5 of FIG. 4, when the combination of the fixed symbols matches the winning combination, the re-lottery processing is not performed. However, if the player can select whether or not to perform the re-lottery after all the symbols are fixed, such a flow is not always necessary.

If the confirmed symbol does not match the winning combination, it is determined whether the finally confirmed symbol matches the other confirmed symbols (step S6). If they do not match, there is no need for re-lottery processing, so
The non-winning prize is confirmed (step S12).

On the other hand, if they match, it is determined whether or not the re-lottery process is to be performed (step S7). As described above, in this embodiment, the re-lottery process may not be performed even in the state shown in FIG. 3C, for example. This is because if the player is made to experience the re-lottery even once, the player's expectation of the re-lottery can be maintained until the last reel is stopped. In addition, if the re-lottery is performed every time, 1
This is because the playing time becomes long and the smoothness of the game may be hindered.

In this case, the re-lottery process may be performed at a given frequency (probability) using random numbers or the like, and the re-lottery process may be performed only when the combination of the fixed symbols is the given combination. It may be performed. For example, "
If you have two 7 ", if you have two" BAR ",
Alternatively, the re-lottery process may be performed only when a specific symbol is displayed.

When the re-lottery processing is performed, the unmatched reel, that is, the reel of the display window 50 in FIG. 3C is rotated, and then this rotating reel is stopped (step S8,
S9). Finally, it is determined again whether or not it matches the winning combination. If they match, the coins are paid out, and if they do not match, a non-winning prize is determined (step S1).
0, S11, S22). After that, the same play is repeated until the player desires.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

For example, although the above embodiment has mainly described the case where there are three symbols, the present invention can be applied to the case where there are four or more symbols. In this case, for example, FIG.
Then, both display windows 150 and 152 are re-lotted (restart)
Alternatively, only the display window 152 may be re-lotted. Further, for example, in FIG. 6B, it is possible to re-lottery only the display window 154.

Further, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
It is also applicable when the symbols are displayed in a matrix in the display area. In this case, for example, paylines P1 to P8
The re-lottery may be possible with only one pay line, or the re-lottery may be possible with a plurality of pay lines. Alternatively, the player may be allowed to re-lottery only with the pay line bet. Further, when the re-lottery is performed and the prize is won, the re-lottery may be performed only on the payline having the largest payout. For example, in FIG. 6C, when the symbols on the display window 250 are restarted and the lottery is performed only on the payline P1, the winning is more than when the symbols on the display window 252 are restarted and the lottery is performed on the payline P5. If the payment is large. Therefore, in this case, only the symbol in the display window 250 is restarted. In any case, it is not necessary to perform the re-lottery processing in consideration of all the combinations, and the re-lottery processing may be performed at least to the extent that the player's expectations can be maintained.

In the above embodiment, the slot machine has been mainly described as an example, but the present invention is a pachinko gaming machine having such a symbol display area, a game machine for business use and a home, and a multimedia terminal. Alternatively, it can be applied to various amusement devices such as a large attraction device in which many players participate. For example, FIG. 7 shows an example of a block diagram when the present invention is applied to a home-use game machine. This game device includes a main body device 120 and an operating unit 11.
2. Storage medium for storing game programs (CD-
A ROM, a game cassette, a memory card, etc.) 132, and the generated images and sounds are output to the television monitor (or dedicated monitor) 110 or the like to enjoy the game. The main body device 120 includes a CPU 122 and an image composition unit 1.
24, a voice synthesis unit 126, a work RAM 128, and a backup memory (memory card or the like) 130 for backing up data. The CPU 122 includes a prize determination unit 134 and a symbol determination unit 136, and the prize determination unit 1
34, the symbol determination unit 136, based on the game program or the like stored in the storage medium 132, the winning determination process,
The process of determining the display state of the symbol is performed. The data such as the winning combination and the symbol image is based on, for example, RA based on the game program stored in the storage medium 132.
Stored on M128.

In the above embodiment, the symbol display is C
The case of displaying on a display such as RT has been mainly described. However, the symbol display in the present invention is not limited to this, and a symbol is drawn on a drum or the like and rotated or
It includes various things such as displaying symbols by a mechanical mechanism such as stopping and displaying symbols such as numbers using a 7-segment display or the like.

[0042]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram of a present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an example of a schematic perspective view of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D are diagrams for explaining the symbol display of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of this embodiment.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining another example of symbol display according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining another example of symbol display of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an example of a block diagram when the present invention is applied to a home-use game machine.

8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining conventional symbol display.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 processing unit 12 winning determination unit 14 symbol determination unit 16 random number generator 20 winning combination memory 22 coin payout unit 24 coin accepting unit 26 operation unit 28 RAM 30 display control unit 32 symbol memory 34 display unit 40 to 42 stop button 44 lever 50 ~ 54 Display window

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A means for displaying a plurality of symbols in a display area, a symbol confirming means for sequentially confirming the display states of the plurality of symbols, and a confirmed combination of symbols coincides with a given winning combination. And a winning combination determining unit that determines that the winning combination is a winning combination, and the symbol fixing unit matches the winning combination in a case where at least one confirmed symbol other than the finally confirmed symbol is a different confirmed symbol. If at least 1
A game device characterized by performing a process of undeciding the display state of one definite symbol and then redeciding it. 2. A means for displaying a plurality of symbols in a display area, a symbol confirming means for sequentially confirming the display states of the plurality of symbols, and a combination of the confirmed symbols coincides with a given winning combination. Winning symbol determining means for determining that the winning symbol is a winning symbol, the symbol confirming portion determines the at least one final symbol when the final confirmed symbol matches at least one final symbol other than the final final symbol. An amusement apparatus, characterized in that the display state of a fixed symbol other than the symbol is unfixed and then is fixed again. 3. The symbol determination means according to claim 1, wherein, when the determined symbol combination matches a given winning combination, the symbol determination means performs a process of re-determining after the non-determination. A play device characterized by omission. 4. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the symbol deciding means performs a process of deciding again after the non-deciding is done at a given frequency. 5. The symbol deciding means according to claim 1, wherein the symbol deciding means performs the process of deciding again after making the non-deciding, when a combination of deciding symbols is a given combination. Playing device. 6. A symbol display method for displaying a plurality of symbols in a display area of a display means, comprising a symbol fixing step of sequentially fixing display states of the plurality of symbols, A winning determination step of determining a winning combination when the combination matches a given winning combination, wherein at least one confirmed symbol other than the finally confirmed symbol is a different confirmed symbol in the symbol determining step. At least 1 if the combination of
A method of displaying a symbol, characterized in that the display state of one confirmed symbol is made unconfirmed and then confirmed again. 7. A symbol display method for displaying a plurality of symbols in a display area of a display means, comprising a symbol fixing step of sequentially fixing display states of the plurality of symbols, and And a winning determination step of determining that the combination is a winning combination when the combination matches a given winning combination, wherein in the symbol fixing step, the finally fixed symbol matches at least one fixed symbol other than the final fixed symbol. In this case, the symbol display method is characterized in that the display state of the confirmed symbols other than the at least one confirmed symbol is made unconfirmed and then confirmed again.