JPH1147372A - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the amusement of a player by executing display hiding at least a part of identification information under variable display at the time of variably displaying several kinds of identification information at a variable display device, and then executing display allowing the hidden part of the identification information under variable display to appear again. SOLUTION: At parts under each of left, intermediate and right variably displayed patterns 5a to 5c, shielding matters 50a to 50c in the shapes of imaging rocks, etc., for shielding a corresponding pattern are fixedly displayed. Then, at the time of the lapse of a set time for switch-displaying all the patterns, the variable displaying mode of all the special patterns is shifted from switch display to fast scrolling display and after then, shifted to appearing/ hiding display in the order of the patterns 5a-5b-5c. Namely, after reducing the variable displaying speed of the left pattern 5a, the pattern 5a is hidden by the matter 50a to display to visualize only a part of the pattern (upper end part). Next, the pattern 5a is made to appear to define the stopping pattern of the pattern 5a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by, for example, a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine, a slot machine, and the like. More specifically, the present invention has a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be controlled to a state advantageous to a player when a display result of the variable display device becomes predetermined specific identification information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine of this type has a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information such as symbols, which is generally known in the related art. In some cases, when the result becomes predetermined specific identification information (for example, 777), the state can be controlled to a state advantageous to the player (for example, a big hit state).

[0003] In such a conventional gaming machine, a plurality of types of identification information are sequentially displayed in a predetermined order, so that the identification information is variably displayed in a changing manner such as a scroll display. It was like. The identification information appearing at the time of the variable display is always displayed in a manner visually recognizable to the player so that the type can be easily recognized by the player.

[0004]

However, in the conventional gaming machine described above, when variable display is performed, the identification information variably displayed is always displayed in a manner that can be visually recognized by the player. Therefore, there has been a problem that the display mode is hardly changed and the display is not interesting. As described above, since the display mode is hardly changed and the display is not interesting, it is difficult to improve the interest of the player by the display in the conventional variable display mode.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving a player's interest in a variable display mode.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, and a display result of the variable display device is a predetermined specific value. A game machine which can be controlled to a state advantageous to a player when the identification information is obtained, wherein the variable display device variably starts the plurality of types of identification information and performs control for deriving and displaying a display result. The variable display control unit includes a variable display control unit that performs a display in which at least a part of the identification information in the variable display is hidden, and then displays a display in which the hidden part of the identification information in the variable display appears again. It is characterized by performing display control to be executed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the variable display control means executes display control for hiding at least a part of the identification information during variable display. The present invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the case, the display information is controlled so that the identification information itself moves and is hidden, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 1, The control means performs display control for causing the type of identification information different from the type of identification information at the time of hiding, when performing display control for causing the hidden part of the identification information at least partially hidden again to appear. Is possible.

[0008] The present invention described in claim 4 is the first and second aspects of the present invention.
In addition to the configuration of the invention according to the third aspect, the variable display control means may include a variable display for displaying the plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order, and the plurality of types of identification information in the predetermined order. It is characterized by performing display control for selectively executing variable display by irrelevant display.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by the function of the variable display control means, the variable display device is controlled to variably start a plurality of types of identification information and then to derive and display the display result. With the further function of the variable display control means, after performing the display in which at least a part of the identification information during the variable display is hidden, the display control for executing the display for causing the hidden part of the identification information during the variable display to reappear is performed. Done. As described above, after the display in which at least a portion of the identification information being variably displayed is hidden is performed, the display in which the hidden portion of the identification information being variably displayed appears again is performed, so that the identification information is displayed or hidden. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the player to predict the identification information to be derived and displayed, so that it is possible for the player who looks at the variable display to be in an excited state, thereby improving the interest of the player. It becomes possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
With the further function of the variable display control means, when performing the display control in which at least a part of the identification information during the variable display is hidden, the display control is performed such that the identification information itself moves to perform the hiding operation. As described above, since the identification information itself is moved and hidden, it is possible to freely operate the identification information on the display range of the variable display device as compared with a case where the display is performed by hiding the identification information by something other than the identification information. Therefore, the degree of freedom of operation display at the time of variably displaying the identification information can be increased, and the joy of the variable display is further increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
With the further function of the variable display control unit, when performing display control for causing the hidden part of the identification information that is at least partially hidden again to appear, the identification information of a type different from the type of the identification information at the time of hiding is caused to appear. Display control is enabled. In this way, when the hidden part of the at least partially hidden identification information reappears, a type of identification information different from the type of the identification information at the time of hiding appears, so the type of the appearing identification information is Becomes difficult to predict. For this reason,
It is possible to further excite the player who sees the variable display to the excited state, and as a result, it is possible to further improve the interest of the player. In addition, since the type of identification information at the time of hiding and the type of identification information appearing thereafter are different, the fun of variable display is further increased.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed. With the further function of the variable display control means,
Display control for selectively executing variable display for displaying a plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order and variable display for displaying the plurality of types of identification information independently of the predetermined order is performed. As described above, the variable display for displaying a plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order and the variable display for displaying a plurality of types of identification information independently of a predetermined order are selectively executed. Since it becomes more difficult for the player to predict the identification information to be derived and displayed, it is possible to further excite the player who sees the variable display and to make the player excited, and as a result, to further enhance the interest of the player It becomes possible to do. Further, since the display order of the identification information at the time of the variable display is not fixed, the interest of the variable display is further increased.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko game machine is shown as an example of a game machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a coin game machine or a slot machine, and a plurality of types of identification information may be used. A variable display device capable of variably displaying, if the display result of the variable display device is predetermined specific identification information, if the gaming machine can be controlled in a state advantageous to the player, all It is possible to apply to.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a gaming board surface of a pachinko gaming machine 1 as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention. A game area 3 is formed on a front surface of a game board (not shown) of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a hitting operation handle 82 for a player to operate a hitting ball. When the hitting operation handle 82 is operated by the player, the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 87 are operated. Can be fired one by one. The fired pachinko balls are guided into the game area 3 between the section rails 2.

In the center of the game area 3, there is provided a variable display device 4 capable of variably displaying a special symbol as a plurality of types of identification information and changing the display state. Below the variable display device 4, a variable winning ball device 10 is provided. The variable winning ball device 10 is attached by fixing the base plate 60 to the game area 3. Variable winning ball device 1
0 is a first state which is advantageous for a player who can win a ball by opening the opening / closing plate 61 by setting a solenoid 71 described later to an excited state, and a state where the solenoid 71 is set to a non-excited state. As a result, the opening / closing plate 61 is closed, and the ball can be changed to a second state that is disadvantageous for a player who cannot win a hit ball. The variable winning ball device 10 has six LEDs 62 that are lit or flashed according to the game state.
Is provided.

A warp entrance 17 is provided on each of the left and right portions of the variable display device 4.
The ball that has entered the warp entrance 17 is
The water flows downward through the back side of the warp, and is discharged from the warp outlet 8 to the game area 3 again. For this reason, the ball discharged from the warp exit 8 is in a state where it is relatively easy to win the starting opening 9. A normal symbol starting gate 12 is provided in the passage of the ball hitting the warp entrance 17 provided on the left side of the variable display device 4. The ordinary symbol starting gate 12 has a passing ball detector 2 for detecting the passing of a ball.
0 is provided.

When a ball hit into the game area 3 enters the ordinary symbol starting gate 12, the passing ball is detected by the passing ball detector 20, and the ordinary symbol display 25 is displayed based on the detected output. Variable start.

The hit ball enters the normal symbol starting gate 12 again while the normal symbol display 25 is variably displayed, and the passing ball detector 2
If it is detected as 0, the normal start winning ball is stored, and after the normal symbol display 25 is variably stopped, the variable start is possible again, and then the normal symbol is displayed based on the storage of the normal start winning ball. 25 is variably started again. The upper limit of the normal start winning ball memory is set to, for example, "4". The starting winning prize storage number at the present time is usually displayed by the symbol start storing display 26.

The normal symbol display 25 is composed of, for example, a seven-segment display, and variably displays identification information called a normal symbol. When the display result of the ordinary symbol display 25 becomes predetermined specific identification information (for example, 7), a solenoid 28 to be described later is excited, and a pair of left and right movable pieces 24 are opened for a predetermined period to start. The mouth 9 is in the opened state, and the hit ball is more likely to win (small hit). The starting winning ball that has won the starting opening 9 is detected by a starting ball detector 21 described later, and the variable display device 4 is variably started based on the detection output.

The variable display device 4 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and is provided with a variable display section 5 having a display area capable of variably displaying identification information called a special symbol. The variable display unit 5 includes a left variable display unit variably displaying a left special symbol, a middle variable display unit variably displaying a middle special symbol, and a right variable display unit variably displaying a right special symbol. Each special symbol is variably displayed when all the variable display units start variably at the same time. First, the left special symbol of the left variable display unit is controlled to stop, and then the right special display unit of the right variable display unit is stopped. The symbols are controlled to stop, and finally the middle special symbols in the middle variable display section are controlled to be stopped.

In a state where the variable display device 4 is variably stopped, the special symbol is a combination of a predetermined specific special symbol (for example, a combination of three symbols such as 777) to display. When the result is a predetermined specific display mode, a specific game state (big hit state) occurs, and the variable winning ball device 10 is controlled to the first state to be in an advantageous state for the player. . in this way,
The pachinko gaming machine 1 has an ordinary symbol display 25 as a first symbol display device for variably displaying symbols.
And a variable display device 4 as a second symbol display device. Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the first symbol (ordinary symbol) by the ordinary symbol display 25 and the second symbol (special symbol) by the variable display device 4.
Will be displayed.

During the variable display of such a variable display device, a reach state may occur. Here, the reach has a variable display device whose display state can be changed,
The variable display device derives and displays a plurality of display results at different times, and when the plurality of display results are a combination of predetermined specific display modes, a game state that is advantageous to the player is specified. In a gaming machine that is in a gaming state, at a stage where a part of the plurality of display results has not been derived and displayed yet, a display in which a display result that has already been derived and displayed satisfies a condition that is a combination of the specific display mode State. In other words, the reach is a game state when the display result of the variable display device having a plurality of variable display units whose display state can be changed is a predetermined combination of specific display modes. In a gaming machine that is in a specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player, when the display result of the variable display device has not yet been derived and displayed, the variable display mode becomes easy to display the combination of the specific display modes. Means a display mode that makes the user think. Then, for example, a state in which the plurality of variable display units perform variable display while maintaining a state in which the combinations of the specific display modes are aligned is also included in the reach display state. Furthermore, some of the reach, when it appears, are more likely to cause a big hit than in a normal reach. Such a specific reach is called a super reach.

A specific winning area is provided in the variable winning ball apparatus 10, and a winning ball that has won the specific winning area is detected by a specific ball detector 22 described later. In addition, all the winning balls that have won in the variable winning ball device 10 are detected by the winning ball detector 23. Specifically, the specific prize ball detected by the specific ball detector 22 and the normal prize ball that has won the normal prize area other than the specific prize area are detected by the prize ball detector 23. A predetermined number of hit balls (for example, 9) have entered the variable winning ball apparatus 10 in the first state.
The first state of the variable prize ball device 10 ends when the earlier condition of either the detection by the prize ball detector 23 or the lapse of a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) is satisfied. To the second state. The number detected by the winning ball detector 23 is displayed by the number display 13 including a seven-segment display. The hit ball that has entered during the period when the variable winning ball device 10 is in the first state wins the specific winning area, and after the variable winning ball device 10 enters the second state, the specific ball detector 22 , The repetitive continuation control for setting the variable winning ball device 10 to the first state again is executed. The upper limit number of executions of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times. In the repetition continuation control, a state in which the variable winning ball device 10 is in the first state is called a round. If the maximum number of executions of the repetition continuation control is 16, the first round to the first
Variable winning ball device 10 for 16 rounds up to 6 rounds
May be brought to the first state.

If a hit ball wins the starting port 9 again and is detected by the starting ball detector 21 while the variable display device 4 is variably displaying, the starting winning ball is stored and the variable display device 4 is variably stopped. Thereafter, the variable display device 4 is again variably started based on the start winning prize memory after the state in which the variable display can be started again. The upper limit of the start winning memory is set to, for example, "4". The start winning prize storage number at the present time is displayed by the start storage display 6.

In the game area 3, furthermore, a windmill 19, normal winning openings 7, 11, 15 and a ball hit into the game area 3 win any of the winning areas and the variable winning ball devices. Out mouth 1 to collect as out ball if not done
6 are provided. Further, the game board is provided with a side lamp 18 for displaying a decorative pattern.

When a hit ball wins in various winning areas such as the starting port 9, the variable winning ball device 10, and the normal winning ports 7, 11, 15, etc., a prize ball is paid out according to the winning. Such a prize ball is paid out to the upper plate 87. Below the upper plate 87, the upper plate 8
A lower plate 86 is provided for storing hit balls discharged from the tray 7. The hit balls stored in the lower plate 86 can be discharged by operating the lower plate ball removing lever 85.

Speakers 81, 81 for generating sound effects such as stereo sound are provided on the left and right of the upper part of the game area 3.
Is provided. Reference numeral 83 in the figure denotes a key for preventing the front frame, which is the front frame of the pachinko gaming machine 1, from being opened and closed.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes:
A ROM serving as a program storage means for storing a control program as a control circuit for controlling a gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a CPU serving as a control center means for performing a control operation in accordance with the program stored in the ROM. A RAM as a game data storage means used as a work area for game control while storing game data of the game machine controlled by the CPU, and an I / O for ensuring signal consistency with the outside. A basic circuit having an O port and the like is provided. The basic circuit is
It is provided on a game control board.

Next, a control circuit provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the embodiment will be described. First, the game control board will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the game control board of the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, the game control board includes a basic circuit 40, a sound circuit 41, a 7-segment LED / LED circuit 42,
Solenoid ramp circuit 43, address decode circuit 4
4, an initial reset circuit 45, a clock reset pulse circuit 46, a power supply circuit 47, a switch input circuit 48, and an information output circuit 53.

The basic circuit 40 controls various devices of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a control program. Basic circuit 4
0 is a ROM storing a control program
56 (Read Only Memory) and a CPU (Central Procedures) for performing a control operation in accordance with the control program.
sing unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 55 functioning as a work memory of the CPU, and an I / O
An (Input / Output) port and a clock generation circuit are provided, and further, a counter and a timer are provided. Note that the internal configuration of the basic circuit 40 is C
The illustration is omitted except for the PU 54, the RAM 55 and the ROM 56.

The switch input circuit 48 includes the passing ball detector 2
0, the starting ball detector 21, the specific ball detector 22, and the winning ball detector 23 are connected. This switch input circuit 48
Transmits a detection signal output from each connected detector to the basic circuit 40.

The address decode circuit 44 comprises the basic circuit 4
Decoding the address signal sent from 0
And a ROM 56 and a RAM included in the basic circuit 40.
55, a circuit for outputting a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports and the like. The initial reset circuit 45
This is a circuit for resetting the basic circuit 40 when the power is turned on. In response to the initial reset pulse sent from the initial reset circuit 45, the basic circuit 40 initializes the RAM 55 and the I / O port. The clock reset pulse circuit periodically (for example, 2
This is a circuit for giving a reset pulse every msec) and repeatedly executing the control program from the beginning.

The sound circuit 41 creates sound effect data in response to a sound generation command signal output from the basic circuit 40, and supplies the created sound effect data to the sound output device 52.
The sound output device 52 is a device for outputting sound from the speakers 81, 81 and generates a sound effect in response to sound effect data given from the sound circuit 41. The sound output device 52 is provided at a predetermined location of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

The 7-segment LED / LED circuit 42 includes a number display 13, a normal symbol display 25, a start storage display 6,
The normal symbol start storage display 26 and the LED 62 are connected. The 7-segment LED / LED circuit 42 responds to a control signal output from the basic circuit 40,
The control of the lighting state of the 7-segment LED of the 3 and the normal symbol display 25 and the control of the lighting state of each of the start storage display 6, the normal symbol start storage display 26 and the LED 62 are performed.

The solenoid / lamp circuit 43 includes a solenoid 71 for driving the opening / closing plate 61, a solenoid 28 for driving the movable piece 24, and the side lamp 18.
Is connected. The solenoid / lamp circuit 43 controls the operation of the solenoid 71 and the solenoid 28 and the lighting control of the side lamp 18 in response to a control signal output from the basic circuit 40.

The information output circuit 53 is a circuit for outputting effective start information, big hit information and probability fluctuation information to a host computer, such as a hall management computer, based on a data signal supplied from the basic circuit 40. It is. The effective start information is information for indicating, for example, the number actually used for starting the variable display of the symbols on the variable display device 4 among the winning numbers of the hit balls to the start opening 9. The jackpot information is information relating to the occurrence of a jackpot due to the variable display of the variable display device 4. The probability variation information is information relating to the occurrence of a probability improvement state (high probability state) described later.

The power supply circuit 47 is connected to an AC power supply.
This is a circuit for supplying a plurality of types of DC voltages of 5 V, +12 V, +30 V, and + LV to each circuit. A +12 V DC voltage is supplied from the power supply circuit 47 to the basic circuit 40. Two types of DC voltages of +5 V and +12 V are supplied from the power supply circuit 47 to the display control board 29 described later via the connector 30.

Command data DAT0 to DAT7 for image display and a command data strobe signal STRV are supplied from the basic circuit 40 to a display control board 29, which will be described later, via a connector 30.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit formed on the display control board 29 used in the variable display device 4. The display control board 29 includes a basic circuit 32, a character ROM 33, a VDP (Video Displ).
a processor 34, a VRAM 35, a work RAM 36, a control ROM 37, an oscillation circuit 38, and a reset circuit 39.

The basic circuit 32 is connected via the connector 30 to:
It is connected to a game control board on which the circuit shown in FIG. 2 is formed. The basic circuit 32 includes command data D for displaying an image from the game control board via the connector 30.
AT0 to DAT7, command data strobe signal S
Receive TRV. Further, the basic circuit 32 includes a connector 3
0, two power supply voltages of +12 V and +5 V are supplied. The basic circuit 32 has a built-in CPU and controls the entire circuit formed on the display control board 29.

The basic circuit 32 controls the entire circuit formed on the display control board 29 in response to the received command data DAT0 to DAT7. The basic circuit 32 is a VDP
Address signal, data signal and control signal to the VDP 34 and the control ROM 37.
A data signal is transmitted / received to / from the terminal. Then, the basic circuit 32, based on the received data,
The entire circuit formed on the display control board 29 is controlled using the working area 36 as a work area. The control ROM 37 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the basic circuit 32 in advance, and responds to the address signal and the control signal transmitted from the basic circuit 32 to store the corresponding control program in a data signal. To the basic circuit 32.

The VDP 34 operates in response to a clock signal supplied from an oscillation circuit 38, and is reset in operation in response to a reset signal supplied from a reset circuit 39. The VDP 34 generates image data in response to a control signal from the basic circuit 32. VDP34 is VR
AM address signal, VRAM data signal, and VRA
A signal such as an M control signal is transmitted to the VRAM 35. VRA
A signal such as a VRAM data signal is returned from the M35 to the VDP. The VDP 34 transmits a character ROM address signal, a character ROM data signal, and a character ROM control signal to the character ROM 33.
A signal such as a character ROM data signal is returned from the character ROM 33 to the VDP.

The VDP 34 generates image data for forming an image displayed on the variable display unit 5 in response to a control signal output from the basic circuit 32. VRAM35
Temporarily stores the image data generated by the VDP 34. The image data generated by the VDP 34 and stored in the VRAM 35 is a character identification number in units of a set of a predetermined number of dots.

The image data contains identification numbers of a plurality of characters according to the displayed positional relationship. This is called map data. The identification numbers of the individual characters are stored in the control ROM 37 in advance. An identification number of a character required to compose a screen displayed on the variable display unit 5 is read from the control ROM 37, and the VDP 34
As a result, the data is stored in the VRAM 35 as map data for indicating the arrangement relationship of the characters on the display screen.

The character ROM 33 previously stores dot data corresponding to the identification number of the character. V
The DP 34 reads map data from the VRAM 35 at a predetermined timing, and reads dot data of each character based on the identification number of each character included in the map data. The VDP 34 generates an RGB signal (RED, GREEN, BLUE) signal based on the read dot data.

The VDP 34 transmits the generated RGB signals to an LCD module (not shown) via the connector 31. Further, the VDP 34 supplies the composite synchronization signal SYNC and the power supply voltage of +12 V to the LCD module via the connector 31. The LCD module displays an image on the variable display unit 5 based on the transmitted RGB signals and the composite synchronization signal SYNC. Note that the variable display unit 5 of the variable display device 4 shown in FIG. 1 is an image display surface included in the LCD module.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters used for game control and variable display control of the variable display device 4. C RND1 is used to predetermine whether or not to generate a big hit, and is configured to count up from 0, count up to 224 which is the upper limit thereof, and count up again from 0. This count-up addition update is performed by incrementing C RND1 by one for each interruption process. The CPU provided on the above-mentioned game control board receives a reset signal from the periodic reset circuit at regular intervals (for example, every 2 msec), executes the program from the beginning, executes the program to the end, and is in a reset waiting state. By repeatedly executing the program again from the beginning by receiving the reset signal, and repeatedly executing the program from the beginning to the end every time the reset signal is input, the gaming state of the gaming machine can be controlled. Is configured. Then, every time a reset pulse is input, for example, every 2 msec, this C RN
D1 is added and updated by "1".

C RND ZU1 is the type of the planned stop symbol to be displayed when the left, middle, and right variable display portions of the variable display device 4 are stopped when the jackpot is determined in advance, and when the deviation is determined in advance. Is used to determine the type of the scheduled stop symbol of the left special symbol (the second symbol left in the figure) to be displayed when the left variable display section of the variable display device 4 is stopped, and counts up from 0. Then, after counting up to the upper limit of 14, the count is restarted from 0 again. The count-up is updated by an infinite loop using the remaining time of interrupt processing.
This is performed by adding "2" to RND ZU1. At the stage where the CPU has been executed from the beginning to the end of the program, the CPU uses the remaining time of the interrupt processing until the reset signal is input, and executes this C
The value of RND ZU1 is updated by adding "2". If the result of the addition exceeds the upper limit of "14", the process of adding and updating the value from "0" by 2 is performed again.

Next, the C RND ZU 2 predetermines a scheduled stop symbol of the middle special symbol (in the second symbol in the figure) to be stopped and displayed on the middle variable display section of the variable display device 4 when it is determined in advance that it is out of position. This is used to count up from 0, count up to the upper limit of 14, and then count up from 0 again. Updating of this count-up is performed by incrementing C RND ZU2 by "1" at the time of carry-up of C RND ZU1. That is, C RND ZU
When the value of 1 changes from "14" to "0", the C RND ZU2 is added and updated by "1".

Next, the C RND ZU 3 determines in advance the scheduled stop symbol of the right special symbol (the right of the second symbol in the figure) to be stopped and displayed on the right variable display section of the variable display device 4 when it is determined in advance that it will deviate. It is counted up from 0, counted up to its upper limit of 14, and then counted up again from 0. The count-up is updated by adding "1" to C RND ZU3 at the time of carry-up of C RND ZU2. That is, when the value of C RND ZU2 changes from “14” to “0”, C R
ND ZU3 is added and updated.

Next, C RND R1 is for determining whether or not to perform reach display. After counting up from 0, counting up to its upper limit of 15, and then counting up from 0 again. It will be fixed. Then, the count-up is updated by C RND
This is performed by incrementing C RND R1 by "1" at the time of carry of ZU3. That is, CR
When the value of ND ZU3 changes from "14" to "0", C RND R1 is added and updated by "1". When the value of C RND R1 is “0”, it is determined to perform the reach display.

Next, C RND R2 is used to determine the type of reach, and is counted up from 0, counted up to its upper limit of 19, and then counted up again from 0. is there. And
Updating of the count-up is performed by incrementing C RND R2 by "1" at the time of carry-up of C RND R1. That is, when the value of C RND R1 changes from “15” to “0”, C RND R
2 is added and updated by "1". This C RN
The value of D R2 and the type of reach are associated in advance, and it is determined to display the reach corresponding to the value of C RND R2.

There are a plurality of types of reach, such as normal reach and super reach. here,
Normal reach refers to a normal reach state. The super reach is a reach in which the rate at which a stop symbol after reach display becomes a big hit is set high. That is, when the super reach is displayed on the variable display device 4,
The rate at which subsequent stop symbols become combinations of big hit symbols is
It is higher than normal reach.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining in advance whether or not to generate a big hit based on the value of the random counter. If the ball hits the starting port 9 and is detected by the starting ball detector 21, it is determined in advance that the value of CRN1 at that time is extracted and a big hit is generated when the extracted value is "3". You. In that case,
The symbol to be a big hit is determined by the extracted value of C RND ZU1.

On the other hand, when the extracted value of CRND1 is other than "3", the deviation is determined in advance. In that case, C
The scheduled stop symbol of the left variable display section is determined by the extracted value of RND ZU1, the scheduled stop symbol of the middle variable display section is determined by the extracted value of C RND ZU2, and C RND
The scheduled stop symbol on the right variable display section is determined by the extracted value of ZU3.

When these three scheduled symbols are determined, if the determined content coincides with a special symbol for generating a big hit, for example, a double-spot, the extracted value of C RND ZU2 is used. "1" is added to control so as to forcibly come off the symbol.

If the reach display is determined based on the extracted value of C RND R1, the process of matching the value of C RND ZU3 with the value of the extracted C RND ZU1 is performed. That is, C RN
The design to reach is determined by the extracted value of DR1. The reason why such processing is performed is that, even in the case of a deviation, it is possible to determine to perform reach display based on the extracted value of C RND R1.

When the gaming state is a probability improvement state (high probability state) described later, the extracted value of C RND1 is
At 3, 5, 7, 11, and 13, it is predetermined to generate a big hit, and at other times, the deviation is predetermined.

Here, the probability improvement state will be described.
The probability-improved state is a state in which the probability that a big hit occurs is improved. In this probability-improved state, the following control is performed. When the display result of the variable display device 4 at the time of occurrence of the big hit state is a combination of predetermined special identification information, the state is controlled to the high-probability state in which the probability of the occurrence of the subsequent big hit is improved. Then, in this high probability state, the probability of displaying a combination of specific identification information (specific display mode) predetermined to be a big hit displayed by the variable display device 4 is improved. When a specific combination of identification information is displayed on the variable display device 4, the big hit control is started again. Further, in this probability improvement state, control is performed such that the probability of occurrence of a small hit in the ordinary symbol display 25 is increased. Furthermore, in that case, the normal symbol display 2
Control for shortening the fluctuation time of the symbol (first symbol) in 5 (hereinafter referred to as fluctuation time reduction control) is also performed.

The control for shortening the fluctuation time is also referred to as time reduction control for short. In this variation time reduction control, for example, the variation time of a normal symbol, which is normally 30 seconds, is reduced to 5 seconds. By performing such fluctuation time reduction control, the frequency at which the movable piece 24 is opened increases, and as a result, the hit ball is more likely to win. When such fluctuation time reduction control is performed, the movable piece 24 is frequently opened, a large number of hit balls are started, and the variable display frequency of the variable display device 4 is increased, so that the probability of a big hit is constant. Even in a short time, big hits easily occur,
In this state, the number of payout balls to be paid out from the gaming machine increases due to an increase in the start winning prize, so that the player can play a game without reducing the number of balls (game balls owned by the player). This is an advantageous state for the player.

In this gaming machine, the arrangement of special symbols (second symbols) variably displayed on the variable display device 4 is predetermined. For example, in the left, middle, and right variable display sections, a plurality of special symbols are defined in the same arrangement. Specifically, the arrangement of each special symbol is 0,
1, ..., 13, 14 are determined in this order. And the symbol position corresponding to each of those symbols is allocated corresponding to each symbol. And C RND ZU
A symbol at a location where each of the extracted values 1, 2, and 3 matches the symbol position number is selected and determined as a scheduled stop symbol.

When a special symbol is variably displayed, the symbols are sequentially displayed according to such an arrangement sequence of the symbols.

Next, the types of variable patterns (variable display patterns) in variable display of the special symbols for the left, middle and right in the display control of the variable display device 4 (hereinafter referred to as variable types) will be described. As described above, the display control of the variable display device 4 is executed according to the command data sent from the basic circuit 40 to the display control board 29.

FIG. 6 shows the left, right,
It is a timing chart which shows the control timing which controls the fluctuation | variation type at the time of variable display of a special symbol inside. In FIG. 6, the control timing of each variation type of the left special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as a left symbol), the right special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as a right symbol), and the middle special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as a middle symbol) is time. Shown over time. “Activity” in FIG. 6 indicates a state in which the special symbol is variably displayed, and “Stop” in FIG. 6 indicates a state in which the special symbol is not variably displayed.

There are at least three types of variation of the special symbol: switching display of variation type A, scroll display of variation type B, and visible / hidden display of variation type C.

Here, the switching display means a variation pattern in which the displayed special symbol is switched to a new special symbol on the spot. The switching display is performed by sequentially switching the special symbols in accordance with the above-described symbol arrangement order. Such switching display is performed at a relatively high speed. The scroll display refers to a variation pattern in which a special symbol is moved up and down or left and right (in this embodiment, up and down) to sequentially display new special symbols. The scroll display is performed by sequentially scrolling the special symbols according to the above-described symbol arrangement order. Such scroll display is performed at a relatively high speed, similarly to the switching display.

The display of concealment is a display in which at least a part of the displayed special symbol is hidden and a display in which the concealed part is re-appearing, so that a variation pattern in which the special symbol is displayed so as to be hidden or displayed. Say. The visibility is basically performed by changing the special symbol in accordance with the symbol arrangement order described above. However,
When a specific variable display such as reach display is performed,
There are cases where the special symbol does not change and cases where the special symbol does not change according to the arrangement order of the symbols. Such a display is performed at a lower speed than the switching display and the scroll display. Specific examples of these variation types will be described later.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the variable display is executed, first, the left, middle, and right symbols are collectively arranged at the same time, and the variable type A is switched and displayed by switching display. After the state of the variation type A is continued for a predetermined period, the variation types of the left, middle, and right symbols are simultaneously switched to the variation type B scroll display. Then, first, the variation type of the left symbol is switched to the visibility type of variation type C. The left pattern is
After the display is hidden and displayed for a predetermined period, the display is stopped. Then, at the same time as the left symbol is stopped and displayed, the variation type of the right symbol is switched to the variation type C display. The right symbol is variably displayed in the variation type C for the same period as the left symbol, and then stopped and displayed. Then, the right symbol is stopped and displayed, and at the same time, the variation pattern of the middle symbol is changed to variation type C.
The display can be switched to the display. The middle symbol is variably displayed in the variation type C for the same period as the left symbol and the right symbol, and then stopped and displayed. Among them, the symbol as a display result of the variable display is determined by the stop display of the symbol.

Next, the control of the variable display performed by executing the control program in the basic circuit 40 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol changing process. This special symbol variation process is a subroutine executed according to the main routine of the control program executed by the basic circuit 40. In order to execute display control according to the special symbol variation processing, command data for instructing display control is transmitted from the basic circuit 40 of the game control board to the basic circuit 32 of the display control board 29. Then, in accordance with the command data, the basic circuit 32 controls the display of the variable display device 4 according to the special symbol variation processing.

First, step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S)
According to 1, processing for setting special symbol variation process data is performed. Here, the special symbol change process data is
This data defines the control contents of the process for performing the variable display control of the special symbol. Next, in S2, a subroutine of process data / timer processing is executed.
In the process data / timer process, a process of managing the control time allocated to the execution of the special symbol variation process by a timer is performed based on the special symbol variation process data.

Next, the process proceeds to S3, and it is determined whether or not the set time for variably displaying all the left, middle, and right symbols in the variation type A has elapsed based on the management information in S2. You. If it is determined in S3 that the set time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S4, in which data for switching and displaying all the symbols is set, and the set data is stored in the RAM 55.
Is stored. Thus, by executing the processing of the other control routine, all the symbols are variably displayed by switching display based on the data stored in the RAM 55. After S4, the special symbol change processing ends.
On the other hand, when it is determined in S3 that the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S5, and based on the management information in S2, whether or not the set time for variably displaying the left symbol in the variation type B has elapsed. Is determined.

If it is determined in S5 that the set time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S6, in which data for scrolling and displaying all the symbols are set.
The process of storing in the AM 55 is performed. Thus, by executing the processing of the other control routine, the left symbol is variably displayed by scroll display based on the data stored in the RAM 55. After S6, the special symbol change processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S5 that the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S7, and based on the management information in S2, determines whether the set time for variably displaying the left symbol in the variation type C has elapsed. Is determined.

If it is determined in S7 that the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S11 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined in S7 that the set time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S8, in which data for displaying the left symbol is displayed and hidden, and processing for storing the set data in the RAM 55 is performed. As a result, the left symbol is variably displayed in a visible / hidden display based on the data stored in the RAM 55.

After S8, the process proceeds to S9, where it is determined whether or not a set time for variably displaying the right symbol in the variation type B has elapsed based on the management information in S2. S
When it is determined that the set time has not elapsed by 9, the process proceeds to S 10, where data for scrolling the right symbol and the middle symbol is set, and the set data is stored in the RAM 55. As a result, the right symbol and the middle symbol are variably displayed by scroll display based on the data stored in the RAM 55 by the execution of the processes of the other control routines. After S10, the special symbol change processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S9 that the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S12 described below.

In S11, which proceeds when it is determined in S7 that the set time has elapsed, data for executing the left symbol stop start process is set in the special symbol process flag, and the set data is stored in the RAM 55. The storing process is performed. As a result, by executing the processing of the other control routine, the stop display of the left symbol is started based on the data of the special symbol process flag stored in the RAM 55. After S11, the process proceeds to S9.

Here, the special symbol process flag is a flag for designating the state of the process when variably displaying each special symbol. The variable display operation of each special symbol is divided into a plurality of processes, and is controlled to a state corresponding to the process specified by the data of the special symbol process flag. In S11, since the data for executing the left symbol stop start process is set in the special symbol process flag, the stop of the left symbol is started according to the data. The relationship between the data set in such a special symbol process flag and the control content is the same not only for the left symbol but also for the right symbol and the middle symbol.

In S12, which proceeds when it is determined in S9 that the set time has elapsed, whether or not the set time for variably displaying the right symbol in the variation type C based on the management information in S2 has elapsed. A determination is made as to whether or not it is.

If it is determined in S12 that the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S16 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S12 that the set time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S1.
The process proceeds to step S3, in which data for displaying the right symbol is displayed and hidden, and processing for storing the set data in the RAM 55 is performed. Thus, by executing the processing of another control routine, the right symbol is variably displayed in a visible / hidden display based on the data stored in the RAM 55.

After S13, the process proceeds to S14, where it is determined whether or not the set time for variably displaying the middle symbol in the variation type B has elapsed based on the management information in S2. If it is determined in S14 that the set time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S15, in which data for scrolling the middle symbol is set, and the set data is stored in the RAM.
The processing for storing the information in the file 55 is performed. Accordingly, the middle symbol is variably displayed by scroll display based on the data stored in the RAM 55 by executing the processing of the other control routine. After S15, the special symbol change processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S14 that the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S17 described below.

In S16, which proceeds when it is determined in S12 that the set time has elapsed, data for executing the right symbol stop start process is set in the special symbol process flag, and the set data is stored in the RAM 55. Is performed. Thus, by executing the processing of the other control routine, the stop display of the right symbol is started based on the data of the special symbol process flag stored in the RAM 55. After S16, the process proceeds to S14.

At S17, which proceeds when it is determined at S14 that the set time has elapsed, at S17, based on the management information at S2, whether the set time for variably displaying the middle symbol in the variation type C has elapsed. A determination is made as to whether or not it is.

If it is determined in S17 that the set time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S18, in which data for displaying the middle symbol is displayed and hidden, and processing for storing the set data in the RAM 55 is performed. Thus, by executing the processing of the other control routine, the middle symbol is variably displayed by the hidden / visible display based on the data stored in the RAM 55. After S18, the special symbol change processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S17 that the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S19, where data for executing the middle symbol stop start process is set in the special symbol process flag, and the set data is stored in the RAM 55. The storing process is performed. Accordingly, by executing the processing of the other control routine, the stop display of the middle symbol is started based on the data of the special symbol process flag stored in the RAM 55. After S19, the special symbol change processing ends.

By executing the special symbol change processing described above, the special symbol is variably displayed at the timing shown in FIG.

Next, a specific example of variable display performed in accordance with the execution of the above-described special symbol change processing will be described. Hereinafter, the variable display mode in the case of the normal variable display in which the reach state does not occur, the variable display mode in the case of reach 1, and the variable display mode in the case of reach 2 will be described with specific examples. As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 can display a plurality of types of reach states. Reach 1 and reach 2 described below are representative of a plurality of types of reach states.

First, the variable display mode in the case of normal variable display will be described. 8, 9, and 10 are display screen diagrams illustrating a normal variable display mode on the variable display device 4.
8, 9 and 10, the display screens displayed on the variable display unit 5 correspond to (a), (b), (c),
(D), (a), (b), (c), (d) of FIG. 9 and FIG.
0 are shown in the order of (a), (b), and (c) over time.

First, as shown in FIG. 8A, high-speed variable display by switching display is started for all of the left symbol 5a, the middle symbol 5b, and the right symbol 5c.
Left symbol 5a, middle symbol 5b and right symbol 5 variably displayed
In the lower part of each of c, the shielding objects 50a, 50b, 50c for shielding the corresponding special symbol are fixedly displayed. In this case, the shields 50a, 50b, and 50c are shaped like a rock.

When the set time for the switching display of all the symbols has elapsed, the variable display mode of all the special symbols shifts from the switching display to the high-speed scroll display as shown in FIG. 8B. Then, according to the elapse of the set time of the scroll display of each symbol, the left symbol 5a and the right symbol 5
The display shifts to the visible / hidden display in the order of c and the middle symbol 5b.

When the left symbol 5a shifts to visible / hidden display, the variable display speed of the left symbol 5a is reduced as shown in FIG. 8C, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8D. Then, a display is made in which the left symbol 5a is hidden by the lower shield 50a. In this case, the portion of the left symbol 5a except for the upper end portion of the symbol is hidden by the shield 50a. That is, when the left symbol 5a is hidden by the shield 50a, most of the symbol is hidden, and the upper end portion which is a part of the symbol is displayed so as to be visible to the player.

In the left symbol 5a, the upper end of the symbol is seen above the shield 50a, and the other portion is the shield 50a.
It is variably displayed while hidden by a. In the variable display in a state where the symbol is hidden by the shield 50a, the symbol basically changes to the next symbol by one symbol according to the arrangement order of the symbols. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, a state in which the symbol indicating “0” is changed to the symbol indicating the next “1” by being hidden by the shield 50a is shown. I have. In this way, by displaying a part of the hidden symbol so that it can be visually recognized, the player can predict the type of the hidden symbol to some extent from the shape of the part of the symbol, thereby increasing the fun of the display. As well as excitement of the player's expectations. Furthermore, the attention of the player who wants to know the state of the symbol change can be attracted to the variable display, and the player can concentrate on the game. In addition, since the display of the concealment display is performed at a relatively low speed, the operation of the symbol becomes easy for the player to see, and the fun of the variable display of the concealment display can be utilized.

In this example, the case where the next symbol is changed by one symbol while the symbol is hidden by the shield 50a has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be changed by a plurality of symbols.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, the left symbol 5a variably displayed in a state of being hidden by the shield 50a.
Is displayed above the shield 50a. The stop symbol of the left symbol 5a is determined by this appearance display. Then, as shown in FIGS. 9B to 9D, the right symbol 5c is variably displayed in the same manner as in the case of the left symbol 5a. That is, the right symbol 5c shifts from the scroll display to the visible / hidden display, appears in the information after the visible / hidden display, and the stop symbol of the right symbol 5c is determined. In this example, a state in which the symbol indicating “2” is hidden by the shield 50a and changed to the symbol indicating the next “3” is shown. In this case, the shape of the upper end of “2” is similar to the shape of the upper end of “3”, “6”, “8”, and “9”. For this reason, by performing such a display in which a part of the symbol is visually recognizable, the player may not be able to predict which symbol is the hidden symbol. As described above, since the player can or cannot predict a symbol hidden depending on the type of the symbol, the display can be more interesting.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the middle symbol 5b is replaced with the left symbol 5a and the right symbol 5c.
Is variably displayed in the same manner as in the case of. That is, the middle symbol 5b shifts from the scroll display to the visible / hidden display, appears in the information after the visible / hidden display, and the stop symbol of the middle symbol 5b is determined. In this example, the symbol indicating “7” is the shield 5
The state changed to a symbol showing the next “8” hidden by 0a is shown.

As described above, when the variable display using the visible / hidden display is executed, the special symbol during the variable display is displayed / hidden, so that it becomes difficult for the player to predict the type of the stopped symbol. As described above, by performing the variable display in the variable display mode in which the type of the stop symbol is difficult to predict, the player can be separated and excited, and as a result, the interest of the player can be improved. it can. Furthermore, in the display of the hidden pattern, the display of the special symbol is hidden by operating the special symbol itself, so that the display of the special symbol is hidden by operating the image other than the special symbol. Thus, the special symbol can be freely operated, so that the degree of freedom of the operation display at the time of variable display of the special symbol can be increased, and the fun of the variable display can be increased.

In this example, an example is shown in which a special symbol is displayed in addition to the special symbol, and the special symbol is operated so that the special symbol is hidden or displayed. However, the appearance / hide display is not limited to this, and may be performed by displaying an image of a hole and displaying an image in which a special symbol is hidden by inserting a special symbol into the hole. In such a case, it is sufficient to perform a display in which a part of the symbol can be visually recognized.

Next, the respective variable display modes when the reach 1 is displayed and when the reach 2 is displayed will be described. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are display screen diagrams showing a common variable display mode of the reach 1 and the reach 2 on the variable display device 4. FIG. 13 is a display screen diagram showing a variable display mode unique to Reach 1. FIG. 14 is a display screen diagram showing a characteristic variable display mode of the reach 2.

In the case of Reach 1, the display screen displayed on the variable display section 5 includes the display screens shown in FIGS. 11 (a), (b), (c),
(D), (a), (b), (c), (d) of FIG. 12, and (a), (b), (c) of FIG. In the case of the reach 2, the display screen displayed on the variable display unit 5 is shown in FIGS.
(C), (d), (a), (b), (c),
(D), and changes over time in the order of (a), (b), (c), and (d) in FIG.

First, the case of reach 1 will be described. FIG.
As shown in (a) to (d), even when the reach display is performed, the left symbol 5a is variably displayed as in the normal case, and then the stop symbol is determined. In this example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the stop symbol of the left symbol 5a is determined to be a symbol indicating "2". And
As shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, the right symbol 5c
However, in the same manner as in the case of the left symbol 5a, the display shifts from the scroll display to the visible / hidden display. In this example, the right symbol 5c
However, a state is shown in which the symbol “2” is hidden by the shield 50a, and the symbol “2” is maintained without being changed to the symbol “3”.

As described above, in the normal variable display, the type of the special symbol is further changed after being hidden. For this reason, generally, if the right symbol 5c is hidden by the symbol indicating “2”, the player is in the hidden state,
It is considered that the right symbol 5c is expected to have changed from the symbol indicating "2" to the symbol indicating "3". However, when the above-described reach display is performed, the design does not change in the hidden state, as shown in FIG. The symbol indicating "2" appears as it is, the stop symbol of the right symbol 5c is determined, and a reach state in which the left symbol 5a and the right symbol 5c are aligned occurs. The display in which the symbol is not changed in the hidden state as described above is such that the symbol having a similar shape at the upper end is arranged in the symbol array as in the case of “2”, “3” and “8”, “9”. In the case where two symbols are continued, it may be performed when the symbol in the preceding order becomes the scheduled stop symbol.

[0102] When the reach state is generated,
The display control is not limited to the display control in which the symbol is not changed in the hidden state, and the normal display control in which the symbol is changed in the hidden state may be performed.

As described above, after the special symbol is hidden and displayed, the player determines whether a symbol of the type at the time of hiding appears or a symbol of a type different from the hidden symbol appears. Variable display, which is difficult to read, is added. For this reason, it is difficult for the player to predict the symbol to be stopped and displayed, so that the player can be set apart and excited, and as a result, the interest of the player can be improved. Furthermore, after a special symbol is hidden, a symbol of the type at the time of hiding appears and a symbol of a type different from the hidden symbol appears. It is rich in variety and can make variable display more interesting. In addition, when a symbol which is difficult for the player to predict appears and a reach state advantageous to the player is generated, a surprising variable display can be provided, and the interest of the player can be further improved.

The display procedure up to the occurrence of the reach state as described above is common to the reach 1 and the reach 2. The reach 1 and the reach 2 are different in the display procedure after the reach state occurs.

In the case of reach 1, after the reach state occurs, the display shown in FIG. 13 is performed. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the middle symbol 5b shifts from the scroll display to the visible / hidden display. The example shown in FIG. 13 is a case where occurrence of a big hit is determined in advance, and the middle symbol 5b is hidden by the shield 50b with a symbol indicating “8”, and “9” in the next arrangement order is set. , The state in which the arrangement order is changed to “2” corresponding to the symbol advanced by a plurality of symbols. That is,
No change is made according to the arrangement order of the symbols.

Since “9” and “2” are similar in the shape of the upper end portion, in this case, the player can see that the middle symbol 5b is “2” just by looking at the display. Cannot be determined. According to the basic display mode of the variable display in which the symbols are changed in accordance with the arrangement order of the symbols, if the player hides behind the shield 50b with the symbol “8”, the player selects the symbol “9” for the next symbol. Predict the appearance of.

However, in this case, the hidden middle symbol 5b
Is a symbol indicating “2”, and finally, the middle symbol 5b of the symbol indicating “2”, which has been hidden, becomes the shield 50b.
Is displayed on the screen. The stop symbol of the middle symbol 5b is determined by this appearance display. In this case, "2"
As a result, a big hit occurs.

As described above, when a pattern different from the general expectation of the player appears and the display in which the middle symbol 5b is determined is performed, the interestingness of the variable display can be increased due to the unexpectedness of the display. , The interest of the player can be improved. Further, when such a surprising display is performed when a big hit is generated, the joy of the player can be further increased, and the interest of the player can be further improved.

In such a hidden state, the display in which the arrangement order is changed to a design advanced by a plurality of symbols without changing the symbols in the arrangement order is "0", "2", "3",
As in the case of “6”, “8”, and “9”, it may be performed when a symbol having a similar shape at the upper end becomes a scheduled stop symbol.

Also, in the reach state, if the middle symbol 5b to be stopped last is displayed or hidden, a reach display is performed in a variable display mode in which it is difficult to predict the type of the stopped symbol. As compared with the case where the display is made visible and hidden in, the player can be made more eccentric and more excited, and as a result, the interest of the player can be further improved.

Further, in the reach state, when a display in which a part of the middle symbol 5b to be stopped last is visually recognized is performed, for example, “0”, “2”, “3”,
When the reach occurs in any of the symbols “6”, “8”, and “9”, if any of those six symbols is hidden and displayed in the middle symbol 5b, the player is notified. Looking at the shape of the upper end portion of the symbol, it is expected that there is a high possibility that a combination of symbols will be generated. Therefore, in the reach state, by displaying a part of the symbol in the middle symbol 5b that is stopped last, the symbol can be visually recognized, so that the player can have more opportunities to have a sense of expectation about the occurrence of the big hit. In such a case, medium design 5
Until b finally appears, expectation is not lost,
An interesting game can be provided to the player.

In the case of reach 2, after the reach state occurs, the display shown in FIG. 14 is performed. As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the middle symbol 5b shifts from scroll display to visible / hidden display. The example shown in FIG. 14 is a case where the loss is determined in advance, and the middle symbol 5b is a shield 50 with a symbol indicating “1”.
Hide in b. Then, the hidden middle symbol 5b does not change to the symbol indicating “2” in the next arrangement order, but changes to the outlier character symbol 5d as shown in FIG. 14C.

The lost character design 5d is a design having a character whose upper end has a shape similar to "0", "2", "3", "6", "8", "9".
The design is different from the special design that is normally displayed variably. The missing character symbol 5d is not included in the special symbol array used in the normal variable display, and is the display according to the special symbol array order only when the middle symbol is stopped and displayed after the reach state occurs. Used independently. Since the shape of the upper end of the loss character design 5d is similar to the shape of the upper end such as "2", when the loss character design 5d is hidden, as shown in FIG. It is difficult for a player to determine exactly what the symbol is just by looking at the upper end of the symbol.

According to the basic display mode of the variable display, when the middle symbol 5b is hidden by the shield 50b with a symbol indicating "1", the player generally follows the symbol arrangement order in accordance with the symbol arrangement order. The appearance of "2", which is a symbol of "." But,
In this case, the top symbol of the hidden symbol is changed to a lost character symbol 5d having the same shape as the symbol indicating “2”. Then, finally, as shown in FIG. 14C, a display is made in which the middle symbol 5b indicating the hidden lost character symbol 5d appears above the shielding object 50b.

As described above, when the unexpected character pattern 5d of the player is displayed, it is possible to increase the fun of the variable display due to the unexpectedness of the display as compared with the case of simply displaying the pattern of the number of the loss. Can be. Further, by displaying the outlying character symbol 5d which is clearly different from the normal symbol, the player can clearly understand that the variable display result is out of alignment. Furthermore, by displaying the outlying character symbol partially similar in shape to the normal symbol, it becomes more difficult to predict the type of the special symbol to be stopped and displayed, so that only the normal symbol is displayed. In comparison with the above, the player can be more excited and more excited, and as a result, the interest of the player can be further improved.

The display of the appearance of the character pattern 5d is "0", "2", "3", "6",
As in the case of “8” and “9”, the process may be performed when a symbol having a similar shape at the upper end becomes a scheduled stop symbol.

After the outlying character symbol 5d is displayed, the outlying character symbol 5d is changed to another normal symbol as shown in FIG. 14D.
The stop symbol of the middle symbol 5b is determined by the symbol. In this example, the loss character design 5d is changed to “3”, which is a normal design, to indicate that a loss has occurred due to the normal design. Missing character design 5
d is the timing before the end of the set time of the visible / hidden display of the middle symbol 5b, and the outlying character symbol 5d
Is changed to a normal symbol at a stage where the display time does not become 0.5 seconds or more, and at the same time as the change to the normal symbol, the stop symbol of the middle symbol 5b is determined, and the display / hide display ends.
As described above, when the lost character symbol 5d is changed to a normal symbol after the display of the lost character symbol 5d, the lost character symbol 5d is deleted, and a normal symbol is displayed instead.

When changing the lost character design 5d to a normal special design, the normal design is, for example,
It is desirable that the shape of the upper end portion such as “2”, “3”, etc. be similar to the lost character design 5d. This makes it possible for the player to have a favorable impression that the lost character symbol 5d is a symbol that emphasizes that the normal symbol displayed later is a lost symbol. On the other hand, the missing character design 5d
Is changed to a normal special symbol, if the shape of the upper end of the normal symbol is not similar to the character symbol 5d, the character symbol 5d simply interferes with the occurrence of a big hit. This may give the player an unpleasant impression.

In this example, after displaying the lost character design 5d, the lost character design 5d is changed to a normal design. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lost character design 5d is not changed to a normal design. Alternatively, the stop symbol of the middle symbol 5b may be determined by the lost character symbol 5d.

Further, as a change mode in the case of changing the loss character design 5d to a normal design, a mode in which the loss character design 5d is gradually transformed into a normal design by using a technique such as morphing may be adopted. Alternatively, a mode in which a normal symbol appears after the missing character symbol 5d is hidden by the shield 50b may be adopted. Further, a display may be performed in which the lost character design 5d is rotated in that case, and the rotated character design 5d may be changed to a normal design during the rotation. In addition, a mode may be adopted in which a display is performed in which the loser character design 5d is crushed from above, and then a normal design appears instead. In the display mode in which such an effect on the display is performed, changing the shift character symbol 5d to a normal special symbol can increase the fun of the variable display.

The design to be displayed to indicate the loss may not be a design including a character like the loss character design 5d. In other words, any design may be used as long as it is easily distinguishable from a normal design and the loss can be clearly recognized.

When a big hit is to be generated, a big hit symbol which is clearly different from a normal hit symbol may be displayed once, and then a normal hit symbol constituting a combination of the big hit symbols may be displayed. By doing so, it is possible to increase the fun of the variable display due to the unexpectedness of the display and to improve the interest of the player as compared with the case of simply displaying the pattern of the winning number.

In the above-mentioned normal variable display and reach display, the special symbol is hidden in such a manner that a part of the special symbol can be visually recognized. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the entire special symbol may be hidden in the visible / hidden display. That is, at least one part of the special symbol may be hidden in the display.

Further, in the above-mentioned normal display and reach display in the variable display and the reach display, the example of the display in which the stop symbol is determined after the special symbol is hidden only once has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
After the operation that appears after the special symbol is hidden is repeated a plurality of times, a display for determining the stop symbol may be performed.

Next, feature points of the modified examples of the present invention will be enumerated. (1) A plurality of types of identification information (special symbols) are variably started on the variable display device (variable display device 4) by the basic circuit 40 shown in FIG. 2 and the basic circuit 32 shown in FIG. Variable display control means for performing control to derive and display the result is configured. (C) to FIG. 10 of FIG.
(C) and the like, as shown in the display screen diagram, the variable display control means executes a display in which at least a part of the identification information being variably displayed is hidden, and then hides the identification information being variably displayed. Display control (visible / hidden display) for executing display for causing the part to appear again. The display control for executing the display in which at least a part of the identification information in the variable display is hidden and then performing the display in which the hidden part of the identification information in the variable display is re-appeared includes the variable display of the identification information. It is executed in a state where the speed is set to a variable display speed lower than a predetermined high variable display speed.

(2) As shown in the display screen diagrams such as (c) and (d) of FIG. 8, the variable display control means executes display control in which at least a part of the identification information during variable display is hidden. In such a case, display control for causing the identification information itself to move and hide is performed. In the case where the identification information itself is moved and hidden, a shield (shield 50a or the like) is displayed on the variable display device as shown in FIG. Display control for hiding at least a portion may be performed.

(3) (c) of FIG. 8, (a) of FIG. 9, (a) and (c) of FIG. 13, (a), (c), and (c) of FIG.
As shown in (d) and the like, the variable display control means includes:
When performing the display control of causing the hidden part of the identification information that is at least partially hidden again, it is possible to perform the display control of causing the type of identification information different from the type of the identification information at the time of hiding. . In this case, the display control for causing the type of identification information different from the type of the identification information at the time of hiding to occur is the identification information normally variably displayed by the variable display device, and the identification information at the time of hiding (for example, 8) (See FIG. 13) and control to cause identification information (missing character design 5d) different from the identification information normally variably displayed by the variable display device to appear. (See FIG. 14).

(4) The variable display control means includes a variable display for displaying the plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order, as shown in FIG. 8 (c) and FIG. 9 (a). , As shown in FIGS.
A display control for selectively executing variable display by displaying the plurality of types of identification information irrespective of the predetermined order is performed. In this case, variable display by displaying a plurality of types of identification information irrespective of the predetermined order is performed without changing the identification information ((b) of FIG. 12).
To (d)) and the case where the predetermined order is moved up and changed (see (a) to (c) in FIG. 13).

(5) In the above-described embodiment,
An example in which the variable display device 4 is configured by a liquid crystal display device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the variable display device 4 may be any display device capable of performing the variable display of the identification information (symbol) as described above, and is constituted by another display device such as a CRT display device. May be done.

[0130]

[Specific example of means for solving the problem]

(1) The variable display device 4 shown in FIG. 1 constitutes a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (special symbols). When the display result of the variable display device becomes predetermined specific identification information (for example, 777), it can be controlled to a state advantageous to the player (big hit state). A variable display control for controlling the variable display device to variably start the plurality of types of identification information and to derive and display a display result by the basic circuit 40 shown in FIG. 2 and the basic circuit 32 shown in FIG. Means are configured. As shown in display screen diagrams such as (c) in FIG. 8 to (c) in FIG. 10, the variable display control unit executes a display in which at least a part of the identification information in the variable display is hidden. A display control (visible / hidden display) for executing a display for causing a hidden portion of the identification information in the variable display to reappear is performed.

(2) As shown in the display screen diagrams such as (c) and (d) of FIG. 8, the variable display control means controls at least a part (for example, the upper end) of the identification information during variable display.
When the display control for hiding is performed, the display control for causing the identification information itself to move and perform the hiding operation is performed.

(3) (c) of FIG. 8, (a) of FIG. 9, (a) and (c) of FIG. 13, (a), (c), and (c) of FIG.
As shown in (d) and the like, the variable display control means includes:
When performing the display control of causing the hidden part of the identification information that is at least partially hidden again, it is possible to perform the display control of causing the type of identification information different from the type of the identification information at the time of hiding. .

(4) The variable display control means includes a variable display for displaying the plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 9A. , As shown in FIGS.
A display control for selectively executing variable display by displaying the plurality of types of identification information irrespective of the predetermined order is performed.

[0134]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, the following effects can be obtained. As described above, after the display in which at least a portion of the identification information being variably displayed is hidden is performed, the display in which the hidden portion of the identification information being variably displayed appears again is performed, so that the identification information is displayed or hidden. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the player to predict the identification information to be derived and displayed, so that the player who sees the variable display can be put into an excited state, and as a result, the interest of the player can be improved. it can. That is, by the variable display mode, the interest of the player can be improved.

According to the second aspect, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect of the first aspect. Since the identification information itself is moved and hidden, the identification information can be freely operated on the display range as compared with a case where the identification information is hidden by something other than the identification information. In this case, the degree of freedom of the operation display can be increased, and the fun of the variable display is further increased.

Regarding claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. When the hidden part of the at least partially hidden identification information reappears, a type of identification information different from the type of the identification information at the time of hiding appears, so the player predicts the type of the identification information to appear. It becomes difficult. For this reason, the player who sees the variable display can be further excited and excited.
As a result, the interest of the player can be further improved. Further, it is possible to make the variable display more interesting.

Regarding claim 4, in addition to the effects of claim 1, 2, or 3, the following effects can be obtained. A variable display for displaying a plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order and a variable display for displaying the plurality of types of identification information independently of the predetermined order are selectively executed. This makes it more difficult for the player to predict the identification information to be displayed, so that it is possible to further excite the player who sees the variable display to be in an excited state, and as a result, to further enhance the interest of the player Can be. Further, it is possible to make the variable display more interesting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming board surface of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit formed on a game control board.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit formed on a display control board used in the variable display device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters used for game control and variable display control of the variable display device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining in advance whether to generate a big hit based on a value of a random counter.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing control timings for controlling the types of variation in variable display of left, right, and middle special symbols in the variable display device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of a special symbol change process.

FIG. 8 is a display screen diagram showing a normal variable display mode on the variable display device.

FIG. 9 is a display screen diagram showing a normal variable display mode on the variable display device.

FIG. 10 is a display screen diagram showing a normal variable display mode on the variable display device.

FIG. 11 is a display screen diagram showing a common variable display mode of reach 1 and reach 2 on the variable display device.

FIG. 12 is a display screen diagram showing a common variable display mode of reach 1 and reach 2 on the variable display device.

FIG. 13 is a display screen diagram showing a variable display mode unique to Reach 1.

FIG. 14 is a display screen diagram showing a variable display mode unique to Reach 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 is a game area, 4 is a variable display device, 5 is a variable display unit, 4
0 and 32 are basic circuits, 54 is a CPU, 55 is a RAM, 5
a is a left special symbol, 5b is a middle special symbol, 5c is a right special symbol, and 5d is an outlier character symbol.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, wherein a state advantageous to a player is provided when the display result of the variable display device becomes predetermined specific identification information. A variable display control means for performing control to derive and display a display result after variably starting the plurality of types of identification information in the variable display device, the variable display control means comprising: A gaming machine, comprising: performing a display in which at least a part of the identification information being variably displayed is hidden, and then performing a display for causing a hidden part of the identification information being variably displayed to appear again. . 2. The variable display control means according to claim 1, wherein, when performing display control in which at least a part of the identification information during variable display is executed, the display control is performed such that the identification information itself is moved and hidden. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein 3. The variable display control means, when executing display control for causing a hidden part of at least a part of hidden identification information to reappear, to use a different type of identification information from the type of identification information at the time of hiding. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a display control for causing a game to appear can be performed. 4. The variable display control means includes: a variable display for displaying the plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order; and a variable display for displaying the plurality of types of identification information irrespective of the predetermined order. 3. A display control for selectively performing display and display control.
Or the gaming machine according to 3.