JPH1128277A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a player to hope for the contents of a story which, after the previous jackpot has been finished, are displayed at the next jackpot. SOLUTION: One or plural consecutive stories 4 consisting of a plurality of partial stories 4a, 4b, 4c,..., 4z are stored in a storage means 2 in advance. A display control means 6, when receiving a state signal showing a playing state and an elapsed period signal showing the elapse of a specific period, switches to the partial story following some partial story to display it on a display means 8 only when a jackpot has occurred within the specific period. Unless the requirement that a jackpot occurs within the specific period is met, the player cannot watch the partial story 4b following the partial story 4a displayed the previous time. Therefore, the player continues a game in an effort to gain a jackpot to watch the next partial story 4b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball game machine,
The present invention relates to a technique for displaying a continuous story on a display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine or an arrangement ball machine, a player not only has the pleasure of obtaining a prize ball by making a big hit, but also sees a story displayed on a display during a big hit. There is pleasure to enjoy.
Generally, the story displayed during the jackpot was the same every time, so the player's expectation of the story was low. Also, if the story is the same every time,
The game during the jackpot becomes monotonous and makes the player tired. Conventionally, the above problem has been solved by two methods. That is, the first method is a method of displaying a story corresponding to the symbol displayed on the display when a big hit occurs. The second method is a method in which one story is randomly selected from stories of the number of views and the story is displayed.

[0003]

However, even with the above method, the contents of the story displayed during the jackpot are:
It was completed each time a jackpot occurred and there was no continuity. Therefore, the expectation of the player for the story is completed each time a big hit occurs, and the expectation for the story displayed at the next big hit is weak. The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and can provide a player with a sense of expectation in the content of a story displayed in the next jackpot after the previous jackpot has ended. It is intended to provide a gaming machine.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A ball game machine of the present invention comprises:
A continuous story including a plurality of partial stories is stored in advance, and only when a jackpot occurs within a specific period, the next partial story following a certain partial story is displayed on the display. According to the present invention, if a jackpot occurs within a specific period, the next partial story is displayed on the display, but if no jackpot occurs within the specific period, the next partial story is not displayed.
Therefore, the player continues the game in order to generate a big hit in order to see the next partial story. Also, instead of displaying the next partial story unconditionally, it is possible to improve the satisfaction of being able to see the next partial story by setting the condition "when a big hit occurs in a specific period" .

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the present invention in a block diagram. FIG. 2 shows the front side appearance of the pachinko machine, and FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the multifunction device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. FIG.
6 shows a flowchart of the first-type start-up process, FIG. 6 shows a special symbol process, and FIG. 7 shows a special winning process.
8 to 10 show examples of partial stories displayed on the display.

First, an outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the ball game machine of the present invention includes a storage unit 2, a display control unit 6, and a display unit 8. One or more continuous stories 4 composed of a plurality of partial stories 4a, 4b, 4c,..., 4z are stored in the storage means 2 in advance. The display control means 6 receives the state signal indicating the gaming state and the period elapse signal indicating the elapse of the specific period, and switches to the next partial story following a certain partial story only when a big hit occurs within the specific period. Is displayed on the display means 8. Here, the “specific period” is an appropriate period that is set in advance when the pachinko machine 10 performs a pachinko game. In the following example, a period until the number of times the special symbol changes reaches a predetermined number is set.

[0007] According to this configuration, the display control means 6 displays the next partial story 4b on the display means 8 when a big hit occurs within a specific period, for example, when the partial story 4a is displayed in the previous big hit. . On the other hand, if there is no big hit within the specific period, the next partial story 4b is not displayed and the previous partial story 4a is displayed. Thus, "a jackpot occurs within a specific period"
Unless the condition is satisfied, the player cannot see the partial story 4b following the previously displayed partial story 4a. Therefore, the player continues the game in an attempt to see the next partial story 4b and tries to generate a big hit within a specific period. Therefore, within the specific period, a sense of expectation to see the next partial story 4b is obtained. Also, by setting a condition that the next partial story 4b is not always displayed but a big hit within a specific period, the satisfaction when the next partial story is seen increases.

Next, an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine, which is one of ball and ball game machines, will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko machine 10 is provided with a multi-function device 14, lamps 16, a first-type starting port 18, a large winning port 20, and the like appropriately arranged on a game board surface 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the composite device 14 includes a normal symbol display 46, a special symbol display 50, a normal symbol memory lamp 44, a special symbol memory lamp 48, a gate 42,
52, specific area sensors 40 and 54, and the like.
The first-type starting port 18 operates in the same manner as a normal winning port to pay out a prize ball. On the other hand, when the pachinko ball passes through the gates 42 and 52 as indicated by the arrow D2, only the specific area sensors 40 and 54 detect the passage, and the prize ball is not paid out.

The ordinary symbol display 46 displays ordinary symbols. The normal symbol starts to change when the pachinko ball passes through the gates 42 and 52, and stops after a normal symbol change period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed. If a pachinko ball passes through the gates 42 and 52 during the normal symbol fluctuation period, the normal symbol memory lamp 44 is turned on corresponding to the number of pachinko balls. A light bulb, an LED, or the like is used as the normal symbol memory lamp 44. Then, when the normal symbol stops changing, the normal symbol memory lamp 44 is turned off and the next change starts. The special symbol display 50 displays a special symbol (for example, a picture, an alphanumeric character, a symbol, or the like). The special symbol starts to fluctuate when a pachinko ball wins in the first-type starting port 18 shown in FIG. 2, and stops after a special symbol fluctuation period (for example, 20 seconds) has elapsed. If during the special symbol change period, the first
When a pachinko ball is awarded in the seed starting port 18, the special symbol memory lamp 48 shown in FIG.
A light bulb, an LED, or the like is used as the special symbol memory lamp 48. Thereafter, each time the special symbol fluctuates and stops, one lamp is turned off.

Returning to FIG. 2, the first-type starting port 18 is provided with a starting port sensor 32 and an accessory 36. The starting port sensor 32 detects the winning of the pachinko ball, and the tulip-shaped accessory 36 is opened and closed by a solenoid 34. Even when the accessory 36 is closed, there is a gap enough to allow a pachinko ball to pass as shown by the broken line, and a prize can be won even when the accessory 36 is not open. In the case where the ordinary symbol displayed and stopped on the ordinary symbol display 46 after the change is a hit symbol, the accessory 36 is displayed for a predetermined period (for example, 1).
Seconds). Grand Prize Winner 20
Is provided with a lid 20 a, which is opened and closed by a solenoid 30. The special winning opening 20 is provided with a V zone 20b as a special area. If a pachinko ball wins in the V zone 20b at a certain time, the big hit state can be continued within a certain limit. Speakers 2 that output sound effects, music, etc., except for the game board surface 12
6, a touch sensor 24 for detecting whether or not the player's hand is touching the handle 22, and a metal frame sensor 38 for detecting opening of the glass frame 17. Speaker 2
Numeral 6 is provided inside the upper plate 28 which is a tray for receiving a prize ball, and the touch sensor 24 and the metal frame sensor 38 are provided at predetermined positions. The lamps 16 include a light bulb and an LE.
D etc. are used, and the pachinko machine 1 is not limited to the illustrated position.
It is arranged at an appropriate position according to the game content of “0”.

Next, the configuration of the main control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, a main control unit 100 includes a CPU (processor) 110, a ROM
102, a RAM 104, a timer 106, an input processing circuit 108, an output processing circuit 112, a display control circuit 114, and a communication control circuit 116. CPU11
0 controls the pachinko game in the pachinko machine 10 according to the game control program stored in the ROM 102. In addition to the game control program, the ROM 102 stores one or more continuous stories including a plurality of partial stories. Each story is composed of a plurality of screens (images and symbols) to be displayed continuously or intermittently on the special symbol display 50. An EPROM is generally used for the ROM 102, but is not limited thereto.
A ROM or a flash memory may be used. RAM1
In general, a DRAM is used for 04, but a nonvolatile memory such as an SRAM or a flash memory may be used.
The RAM 104 stores various data such as a first-type counter, a special change flag, a special winning opening flag, and special symbol change period data, a change count, or an input / output signal.

The timer 106 executes a timing function in response to a command from the CPU 110, and performs period management such as a normal symbol fluctuation period and a special symbol fluctuation period. Input processing circuit 10
The bus 8 receives the detection signals sent from the starting port sensor 32 and the specific area sensors 40 and 54 and converts them into data formats that can be processed in the main control unit 100.
Through the CPU 110 and the RAM 104. On the other hand, the output processing circuit 112 receives the operation data sent from the CPU 110 via the bus 118, and
The various operating devices provided in the pachinko machine 10 are operated as described above.

The display control circuit 114 receives display data sent from the CPU 110 via the bus 118, and displays characters, designs, images, and the like on the ordinary design display 46 and the special design display 50. Perform control. The communication control circuit 116 is a circuit for transmitting and receiving data to and from the frame control unit 200. The frame control unit 200 is configured around a CPU similarly to the main control unit 100, and its contents are publicly known, so that detailed description is omitted. The frame control unit 200 controls the firing and payout of pachinko balls required for playing a pachinko game, outputs sound effects, music, and the like from the speaker 26, or inspects whether or not the door is opened by the metal frame sensor 38. And so on. Each of the above components is connected to the bus 118.

Next, a processing procedure for realizing the present invention in the pachinko machine 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In the processing procedures shown in these figures, the game control program stored in the ROM 102 in the main control unit 100 shown in FIG.
This is realized by the PU 110 executing at a predetermined timing.

First, in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5, a winning process of a pachinko ball to the first type starting port is performed. In the state where the special symbol is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display 50, when a pachinko ball is won in the first type start-up port 18, the following processing is performed. In other words, in step S10, it is determined that a winning has been achieved (YES) in response to the detection signal output from the starting port sensor 32, and the first type counter is counted up [step S12]. The first type counter is a counter that counts the number of pachinko balls that have won the first type starting port 18 while the special symbol is being fluctuated and displayed on the special symbol display 50. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the special fluctuation flag is on (step S16). The special change flag is turned on during a period in which the special symbol is fluctuatingly displayed on the special symbol display 50, and is turned off during a period in which the special symbol is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display 50.
If the special variation flag is off (NO), the special variation flag is set to on in preparation for the next symbol variation [Step S18], the first type counter is counted down [Step S20], and the number of variations is further reduced. After counting up [Step S22], the first type start-up port process is terminated.
The number of times of change is the number of times of the change of the special symbol displayed on the special symbol display 50 by winning the first type start port 18. In this specification, “counting up” generally means increasing the count value by 1, but includes a case where the count value is increased by 2 or more as appropriate according to a game state or the like. Also, when you say "count down,"
The operation is the same as the count up except that the count value is reduced.

On the other hand, in the state where the special symbol is fluctuatingly displayed on the special symbol display 50, the first type starting port 18 is provided.
When a pachinko ball is won, the following processing is performed. That is, similarly to the normal state, steps S10,
The processes in S12 and S16 are performed, and the special variation flag is determined to be ON (YES) in step S16, and thereafter, the first-class start-up process is terminated without performing anything. further,
If a pachinko ball has not been won in the first type starting port 18, the following processing is performed regardless of the display state of the special symbol display 50. That is, since no detection signal is output from the start-up opening sensor 32, it is determined in step S10 that no winning has been made (NO). Therefore, it is determined whether or not to change the symbol of the special symbol display 50 based on the value of the first type counter [Step S14]. At this time, if the value of the first type counter is a value larger than 0 (YES), the process proceeds to step S16 to perform the same processing as described above. In this way, it is possible to check the symbol change state of the special symbol display 50 even in a state where no prize has been won, and to start the change if the symbol is stopped. On the other hand, if the type 1 counter is 0, the type 1 start-up process is terminated without doing anything.

Next, in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6, a special symbol changing process is performed. First, it is determined whether or not the state of the special fluctuation flag is ON (step S30). If the special fluctuation flag is off (NO), the special symbol processing is terminated without doing anything. On the other hand, if the special fluctuation flag is on (YES), the following processing is performed.

That is, while the special symbol starts to be changed on the special symbol display 50 [Step S32], C in FIG.
The special symbol fluctuation period data is sent from the PU 110 to the timer 106. Timer 1 receiving special symbol fluctuation period data
06 is the CPU when the special symbol fluctuation period has passed
A change stop signal is sent to 110. Then, it is determined whether or not the special symbol change period has elapsed, that is, whether or not there is a change stop signal from the timer 106 [Step S34].
When the special symbol change period has elapsed (YES), the special symbol which has been changed and displayed on the special symbol display 50 is stopped [Step S36], and the special variable flag is turned off [Step S38]. Then, it is determined whether or not the special symbol stopped and displayed on the special symbol display 50 matches the big hit symbol [Step S40]. For example, it is determined whether or not a predetermined special symbol such as a so-called slotted symbol of “777” is displayed. If the special symbol stopped and displayed matches the big hit symbol (YES), the special winning opening flag is set to ON (step S42), and the special symbol processing is ended. Here, the special winning opening flag is a flag that is turned on when the cover 20a of the special winning opening 20 is opened for a special winning opening opening period, and is turned off when the lid 20a is not opened.

Then, the number of fluctuations is a predetermined number (for example, 5
0) is determined (step S44).
If the number of changes exceeds a predetermined number (YES), the special symbol processing is terminated without doing anything. On the other hand, if the number of fluctuations does not exceed the predetermined number (NO), the partial story displayed on the special symbol display 50 is changed [Step S46], and the special symbol processing ends.

In step S44, for example, when the continuous story is "Momotaro Monogatari", the partial story is divided into the first to fourth chapters as shown in Table 1, and each content is determined.

[Table 1]

Similarly, when the continuous story is a "major league match", the partial story is divided into the first to third chapters as shown in Table 2 and each content is determined.

[Table 2]

That is, in the first chapter, FIG.
As shown in order by (F), the situation until the pitcher pitches is depicted. In the second chapter, as shown in order from FIG. 9 (A) to FIG. 9 (F), the situation until the batter hits the ball thrown by the pitcher is described. In Chapter 3, as shown in order from FIG. 10 (A) to FIG. 10 (F), the situation until the ball hit by the batter becomes a home run is depicted. In these screens, a state in which the announcer is broadcasting live is shown in words (characters and voices) so that the contents of each scene are clear. When the above step S46 is executed, if the partial story displayed in the previous jackpot is the second chapter, the partial story of the third chapter is changed to be displayed on the special symbol display 50 thereafter. The number of partial stories into which the continuous story is divided is appropriately determined according to the content of the story, the length of the jackpot, the type of the pachinko machine 10, and the like. Therefore, it is divided into five or more chapters or only two chapters.
Further, even in the same continuous story, there are many or few partial stories depending on the pachinko machine 10.

Next, in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 7, opening / closing processing of a special winning opening is performed. First, it is determined whether or not the special winning opening flag is ON (step S50). If the special winning opening flag is ON (YES), the cover 20a of the special winning opening 20 is opened [step S52]. After that, the first set (or changed by the execution of step S46)
The display of the partial story starts (step S54). For example, each scene shown in FIG. 8 is converted from FIG. 8A to FIG.
It is displayed in order until. Then, until a special winning opening period (for example, 30 seconds) elapses (NO in step S56) and until a predetermined number of pachinko balls win in the special winning opening 20 (NO in step S62), step S54 is performed. To 62 are repeatedly executed.

In the meantime, in step S54, the special winning opening 20
The partial story is displayed in animation (or like a picture-story show) according to the number of winning prizes. If a pachinko ball wins in the special winning opening 20 (YES in step S58), a prize is paid out [step S60]. In addition,
In order to inform the player how many pachinko balls have won the special winning opening 20 during the opening of the special winning opening, the winning number is displayed on the screen of the special symbol display 50 or the like. For this reason, the player can know how many more prizes can be won, which makes it easier to set a game strategy thereafter.

Thereafter, if the above-mentioned special winning opening opening period has elapsed, or if a predetermined number of pachinko balls have won the special winning opening 20, the lid 20a of the special winning opening 20 is closed [step S64], and the special winning opening is achieved. It is determined whether or not a pachinko ball has won a special area (for example, the V zone 20b) of the special winning opening 20 during the opening period (step S66). If the pachinko ball has won the special area of the special winning opening 20 (YES), the process returns to step S52 again, and steps S52 to S6.
Repeat 4. Through this processing, the player can obtain a great profit. The intermittent opening of the special winning opening 20 is limited to a certain number of times (for example, 16 times). On the other hand, if the pachinko ball does not win in the special area of the special winning opening 20 (NO), the number of times of change is cleared to 0 [Step S68], and the special winning opening process is ended.

According to the pachinko machine 10, the partial story is changed only when the number of changes between the previous jackpot and the next jackpot is within a predetermined number (steps S44 and S46 in FIG. 6). The partial story is displayed on the special symbol display 50 (step S54 in FIG. 7).
This partial story change becomes the next partial story following the previous partial story. If the previous partial story is the last partial story (final chapter), it becomes the first partial story (chapter 1) again.
On the other hand, if the number of changes exceeds a predetermined number and the jackpot is hit, the same partial story as the previous one is displayed without displaying the next partial story following the previous partial story. So, the player tries to see the next partial story,
An attempt is made to make a big hit until the number of changes reaches a predetermined number. Therefore, there is a sense of expectation to see the next partial story before the number of fluctuations after the end of the jackpot reaches the predetermined number D. Also, when the next partial story can be seen with the jackpot within the predetermined number of times Satisfaction is also greater. Another effect is that the story content was completed each time a big hit occurred, so displaying a too long story would make the content thin and difficult to understand, but in the present invention, one story Is divided into a plurality of pieces and displayed successively, so that the story content every time a big hit occurs is enhanced, and even a long story can be displayed with enhanced content. Further, since the story develops each time a big hit occurs, the player can expect a sense of the content of the story.

[Other Embodiments] The structure, shape, size, material, number, arrangement, operating conditions, and the like of other parts in the above-described ball game machine are not limited to the above-described embodiment. . For example, each of the following embodiments to which the above embodiment is applied may be implemented. (1) In the above-described embodiment, step S shown in FIG.
At 46, a change is made to the next partial story following the previous partial story. In this aspect, when the player changes in the middle, the story displayed during the jackpot is displayed from the partial story that was continued by the previous player, which is not preferable. Specifically, the previous player stops the game after a certain period of time by continuing the partial story contents to Chapter 3, and the other players play the game with the ball game machine (pachinko machine) and win a big hit Then, the partial story of Chapter 3 is displayed. At this time, other players may not be able to understand the connection between the stories. Therefore, when a big hit occurs, the story is changed to another partial story according to the number of changes. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the number of changes exceeds a predetermined number in step S44 (YES), the story is changed to the first partial story [step S46a], and when the number of changes does not exceed the predetermined number (NO), the next story is performed. Change to a partial story [Step S46a]. In this way, when the number of changes exceeds a predetermined number, the story is returned to the beginning and displayed. Therefore, even when a player is changed on the way, the first partial story is displayed, so that the connection of the stories can be understood, and the game can be played without a sense of incongruity.

(2) The "specific period" is a period until the number of times the special symbol changes reaches the predetermined number, but may be another period. As other periods, a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes) after a jackpot, a period until the number of reach reaches a predetermined number (for example, 20 times), the number of pachinko balls fired becomes a predetermined number (for example, 500). Period to reach,
Alternatively, there are various periods such as a period until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of pachinko balls are won in a specific winning opening. Thus, within each period, the player has an expectation to see the next partial story. When the number of reach times is used as a reference, it is possible to impart a fair sense of expectation to the player. Also, for example, after the end of the jackpot, the special symbol is 5
There is a ball game machine in which the fluctuation time of the special symbol and the ordinary symbol is reduced until the ball changes 0 times, and the gaming state becomes advantageous for the player. When the present invention is applied to such a ball game machine, a period in which the player is in an advantageous gaming state may be a “specific period”. In this case, the gaming state is advantageous, and a sense of expectation for the story is also added, so that the gaming ability is improved.

(3) A continuous story consisting of a plurality of partial stories is stored in the ROM 102.
04 may be stored. In this case, the continuous story is stored by communication from the frame control unit 200 (or an external device such as a hall computer or another pachinko machine) connected by a communication line. This storage is performed at an appropriate time, such as when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on, reset, or when a big hit occurs. Similarly, a part of the plurality of partial stories is stored in the ROM 102, and the other part is stored in the RA 102.
It may be stored in M104. Thus, the continuous story itself can be changed without replacing the pachinko machine 10. In addition, by storing (storing) some partial stories in the RAM 104 in a timely manner through a communication line, it becomes possible to freely develop the contents of a continuous story like an RPG (Rolling Play Game). Therefore, the player can expect to see the next partial story before the next jackpot occurs, and can enjoy various continuous stories.

(4) In the above embodiment, the next partial story following a partial story is displayed on the display on condition that a big hit occurs within a specific period. Instead of this aspect, the condition may be that another specific condition is satisfied within a specific period. "Other specific conditions"
There are cases such as winning in a specific winning opening, and a case where a symbol fluctuating and displayed on the display unit coincides with a specific symbol when the symbol is stopped thereafter. In this manner, by satisfying not only the jackpot but also other specific conditions, the next partial story following the previous partial story is displayed. Therefore, the expectation of seeing the next partial story can be further increased.

[0031]

Other Embodiments The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. This embodiment has aspects of the invention other than the aspects of the invention described in the claims.
Embodiments of the present invention will be enumerated below, and related explanations will be provided as necessary.

[Mode 1] In the ball game machine according to claim 1, when a jackpot occurs after a lapse of a specific period, a first partial story in a continuous story is displayed on a display. And ball game machine. [Relevant Description of Aspect 1] According to this aspect, if a big hit occurs after the elapse of the specific period, the display is returned to the beginning of the continuous story. Therefore, the player tries to watch a partial story following the last viewed partial story and plays a game aiming at a jackpot. Therefore, the expectation to see the next partial story before the next big hit occurs is further increased.

[0033]

According to the present invention, a sense of expectation to see the next partial story can be obtained before the next big hit occurs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external appearance on the front side of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2, showing a configuration of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a first-type start-up process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing special symbol processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a special winning opening process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a partial story displayed on a special symbol display.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a partial story displayed on a special symbol display.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a partial story displayed on a special symbol display.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another special symbol processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 storage means 4 story 4a, 4b, 4c,..., 4z partial story 6 display control means 8 display means 10 pachinko machine (ball game machine) 12 game board surface 14 multi-function device 18 first-class start-up opening 20 large winning opening 50 special Symbol display (display, display means) 100 Main control unit 102 ROM (storage means) 114 Display control circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A continuous story consisting of a plurality of partial stories is stored in advance, and the next partial story following a certain partial story is displayed on a display only when a jackpot occurs within a specific period. A ball game machine characterized by the following.