KR20060046212A - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A display for displaying a game screen having a plurality of display areas provided with a plurality of symbol display areas; Lottery means for performing a lottery to determine a symbol to be displayed in each of the symbol display areas among a plurality of symbols; A controller for controlling the display to variably display the symbol determined by the lottery means in each of the symbol display regions after variably displaying the plurality of symbols in each of the symbol display regions; If the combination is determined by the lottery means to be displayed in at least one of the display areas, the controller displays the predetermined symbol combination after displaying the symbols determined by the lottery means to be stopped in each of the symbol display areas. A gaming machine is provided that controls the display to substitute a symbol different from the symbols in the predetermined combination.

Display area, symbol, lottery, wild symbol, payout line, valid display column

Description

Gaming Machine {GAMING MACHINE}

1 is a perspective view illustrating a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram showing a button arrangement of a control panel.

3 is a block diagram illustrating slot machine centering on an internal configuration.

4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a video control circuit.

5 illustrates a game screen of a display.

6 illustrates a symbol displayed on a display.

7A and 7B illustrate an example of a payment line of a slot machine.

8 illustrates a symbol arrangement of a slot machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flowchart showing game progression of a slot machine.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a symbol arrangement on a display in a state in which a valid display column is displayed in a symbol display area C;

11 shows the arrangement of symbols on the display after the effective display column of FIG. 10 has been replaced.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a symbol arrangement on a display in a state in which a valid display column is not displayed in the display area C. FIG.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a game screen in which predetermined symbol combinations T11, T10, and T9 are arranged in predetermined symbol display areas C1-C3.

14 shows an example of a game screen in which a predetermined symbol combination is replaced with another symbol T2.

15 shows another example of a game screen in which a predetermined symbol combination is replaced with a symbol T4 other than the symbol T2.

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen on which the substitute symbol T2 is enlarged and displayed.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

3: display

4: coin slot

5: control panel

8: subdisplay

32: main CPU

71: video control circuit

81: symbol display area

82: line number display

The present invention relates to a gaming machine, such as a slot machine, in which a plurality of symbols arranged in a plurality of rows are variably displayed.

To date, slot machines are known as gaming machines that pay the player the game medium used for the game, such as medals or coins (hereinafter referred to as "coins") in response to the game's winning state. come. Typically, slot machines of a type having a plurality of reels (mechanical reels) each having a symbol disposed on an external peripheral surface, and a type having a number of reels (video reels) displayed on a video display. Slot machines are provided. In the case of a slot machine with video reels, when the player performs a predetermined action, each reel on the display begins to scroll, and symbols placed on each reel in a predetermined order are cyclically displayed. When all the reels stop, a coin is paid in response to the symbol combination on the active pay lines. For example, an example of a conventional slot machine having a video reel is disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO 00/32286 (Japanese National Publication No., JP-A-2002-537874).

However, in the case of slot machines in the prior art including the slot machines disclosed in JP-A-2002-537874, the number of coins to be paid is accurately determined according to the symbol pattern (stopped symbol combination) of the stopped reel, The time interval between the moment of stopping and the moment a coin is paid makes the player quite boring. Therefore, players looking for more enjoyment are dissatisfied with these conventional gaming machines and look forward to introducing new gaming machines.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine with improved enjoyment.

According to one aspect of the invention, a display for displaying a game screen having a plurality of display areas provided with a plurality of symbol display areas, and a lottery to determine a symbol to display in the symbol display area among the plurality of symbols. There is provided a gaming machine having a drawing means for performing and a controller for variably displaying a plurality of symbols in each symbol display area and then stopping the display in each symbol display area to display a symbol determined by the drawing means. Wherein the predetermined symbol combination is determined by the lottery means to be displayed in at least one symbol display area, and the controller stops at each symbol display area to display the symbol determined by the lottery means and then displays the predetermined symbol combination. The display is controlled to replace these predetermined symbol combinations with other symbols.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

An embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Equal or identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

1 is a perspective view showing a slot machine 1 which is an example of a gaming machine according to an embodiment. The slot machine 1 has a cabinet 2 provided with a display 3 which is implemented as a liquid crystal display for digitally displaying a slot game. A coin inlet 4 for injecting game media such as tokens and coins (collectively referred to as “coins” from below) is provided below the display 3 in the cabinet 2. The slot machine 1 may be provided with a banknote slot in addition to the coin slot 4 so that players can play slot games with banknotes or paper tokens.

A control panel 5 is provided below the display 3. The control panel 5 is approximately similar to that provided in the known slot game, and 14 buttons 6a to 6n are provided as shown in FIG.

As shown in Fig. 2, the upper left portion of the control panel 5 has a collect button (COLLECT) 6a for paying coins obtained in the game, a game rule button for inputting a command for executing a help function ( GAME RULES) 6b is disposed. The remaining 12 buttons are arranged in two steps approximately in the center of the control panel 5, these 12 buttons are five bet buttons 6c to 6g, multiple lines for entering the bet count (bet count) of coins Five line buttons 6h to 6l for inputting a feature, a START FEATURE 6m for starting a feature game (e.g. a free game), and this feature And a gamble button 6n for inputting the game to start switching to the double game at the end.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a coin reception tray 7 for a player is provided at the bottom of the cabinet 7 to receive coins that are paid. The slot machine 1 further includes a sub-display and speaker pairs 9L and 9R for displaying images not directly related to the game (eg, game content descriptions, picture effects of feature games).

3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 1 includes a number of components including a microcomputer 31.

The microcomputer 31 includes a main CPU (central processing unit) 32, a RAM (random access memory) 33, and a ROM (read only memory) 34 serving as a controller.

The main CPU 32 operates according to the program stored in the ROM 34, inputs signals from each section (button) of the control panel 5 via the I / O port 39, and on the other hand, Signals are input / output from / to other components to perform operational control of the slot machine 1. RAM 33 stores data and programs used by main CPU 32 for operation. For example, the RAM 33 temporarily holds a random number sampled by the sampling circuit 36 (described later) after the game starts. The ROM 34 stores programs and permanent data executed by the main CPU 32.

The random number generator 35, the sampling circuit 36, the clock pulse generator circuit 37, and the frequency divider 38 are provided to the slot machine 1. The random number generator 35 operates according to the instructions of the main CPU 32, and generates a random range of random numbers. The sampling circuit 36 extracts an arbitrary random number from the random number generated by the random number generator 35 according to the instructions of the main CPU 32 and inputs the extracted random number to the main CPU 32. The clock pulse generation circuit 37 generates a reference clock for operating the main CPU 32, and the frequency divider 38 divides the reference clock within a predetermined period and inputs the result to the main CPU 32.

In addition, the lamp driving circuit 59, the lamp 60, the LED driving circuit 61, the LED 62, the hopper drive circuit 63, the hopper 64, the supply completion signal circuit 65 And a coin detector 66 is provided to the slot machine. In addition, an image control circuit 71 for performing control processing of the image displayed on the display 3 and the subdisplay 8, and an acoustic control circuit for controlling sound generated from the speakers 9L, 9R ( 72 is further provided for the slot machine.

The lamp driving circuit 59 outputs a signal for turning on the lamp 60 to the lamp 60 and causes the lamp 60 to blink during the game. When the lamp 60 flashes, a number of indications are produced in accordance with the game. LED 62 displays information such as a number of credited coins and a number of acquired coins. The hopper drive circuit 63 drives the hopper 64 under the control of the main CPU 32. The hopper 64 performs an operation for paying a coin, and causes the coin to be paid to the coin reception tray.

The coin detector 66 calculates the number of coins paid by the hopper 64 and transmits data (counted value) indicating the calculated number of coins to the payment completion signal circuit 65. The payment completion signal circuit 65 receives data of the number of coins from the coin detector 66, and outputs a signal indicating completion of payment to the main CPU 32 when the number of coins to be paid reaches a certain number of coins. do.

The image control circuit 71 controls each image display on the display 3 and the subdisplay 8 to display various images including symbol images on the display 3 and the subdisplay 8, which will be described later. Will be.

As shown in Fig. 4, the image control circuit 71 includes an image control CPU 71a, a work RAM 71b, a program ROM 71c, an image ROM 71d, a video RAM 71e, and VDP (Video Display Processor) 71f. The image control CPU 71a determines an image to be displayed on the display 3 and the subdisplay 8 according to the image control program already stored in the program ROM 71c based on the parameters set in the microcomputer 31. . The work RAM 71b operates as a temporary storage for the image control CPU 71a to execute the image control program.

The program ROM 71c stores an image control program and various selection tables. The image ROM 71d stores bitmap data forming an image. The bitmap data includes data of various symbol images in the embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "symbol image group"). Video RAM 71e acts as temporary storage for VDP 71f to generate an image. The VDP 71f includes a control RAM 71g, generates an image in response to the display contents of the display 3 and the subdisplay 8 determined by the image control CPU 71a, and generates each generated image. Output to the display 3 and the subdisplay 8 is performed.

5 shows an example of the game screen of the display 3. In the embodiment, the symbol display area 81, the line number display 82 and the upper display 83 are displayed on the display 3.

Five columns of display areas A to E are provided in the symbol display area 81 so that each displays three symbols. As the image processing is performed, a reel image having different kinds of symbols pulled out is variably displayed in order to generate a rotating display in the display areas A to E, and when the reel image is stopped, the selected symbol is displayed in the symbol display area A1 to E. A3, B1 to B3, C1 to C3, D1 to D3, E1 to E3).

The line number display unit 82 displaying the line number indicating the dispensing line is displayed on both sides of the symbol display area 81. Of the line numbers displayed on the line number display unit 82, the number corresponding to the payment line selected by the player is displayed while the light is on, and the numbers not selected by the player are displayed with the light off.

The upper display unit 83 is formed above the symbol display area 81. The credit coin number display unit 83a, the bet coin number display unit 83b, the character information display unit 83c, the payment coin number display unit 83d, and the charge display section 83e are displayed on the upper display. It is provided in the part 83. The credit coin number display unit 83a displays the current number of credit coins, and the bet coin number display unit 83b displays the number of coins bet in a game. The character information display unit 83c displays character information indicating the current game state. For example, when entering the feature game state, the character information display unit 83c displays character information indicating the state. The number of payment coins display unit 83d displays the number of coins that can be obtained in one game, and the fee display unit 83e displays CREDIT.

6 shows the symbols displayed in each of the symbol display areas A1 to E3. In an embodiment, each symbol is classified as one of a special symbol and a regular symbol. Symbols classified as special symbols are bonus symbol (T1), wild symbol (T2), treasure chest symbol (T3), mask symbol (T4), chalice symbol (T5), map symbol (T6), and snake There is a symbol T7. The symbols classified as regular symbols are 5 symbols T8 to T12 each having different card marks.

The bonus symbol T1 classified as a special symbol is a symbol used as a trigger for entering a feature game (scatter symbol). For example, a predetermined number (for example, 3) When more than the bonus symbol T1 is displayed in the display areas A to E. The transition to the feature game is made when a predetermined number or more of the bonus symbols T1 are displayed in the display area A to E. In this case, the display position and arrangement may be arbitrary.

Wild symbols (specific symbols, T2) classified as special symbols are the so-called universal symbols, and 5 special symbols (treasure box symbol (T3), mask symbol (T4), chalice symbol (T5), map symbol (T6) and snake symbol (T7)) or one of 5 regular symbols (symbols T8 to T12).

The normal symbol (card mark symbol) is an ace symbol (A) (T8), a king symbol (K) (T9), a queen symbol (Q) (T10), a jack symbol (J) (T11), and a numeric symbol (10) ( T12).

7A and 7B show an example of a payment line of the slot machine 1. For ease of understanding, the payment line is shown on two separate drawings. As shown in the figure, nine payment lines are provided (defined) as an example. When a predetermined symbol combination is placed on any payment line, an award is awarded to the player in response to the symbol combination. Although not shown, in this embodiment another eleven payment lines are provided, providing a total of twenty payment lines (defined). Thus, since the number of columns increases to 5 in this embodiment, multiple supply lines can be arranged.

The slot machine 1 provides regular game state and feature game state as the game progresses. The main CPU 32 of the microcomputer 31 makes a victory decision according to whether or not the feature game switching condition is satisfied. If the feature game switching condition is satisfied, the feature game is executed. The feature game switching condition is to display a predetermined number or more of the bonus symbols T1 in the display areas A to E as described above. The coin payout rate in the feature game state is set to be higher than the coin payout rate in the regular game state. Thus, the player plays the regular game in anticipation of the transition to the feature game.

The victory decision is made by the supply line of 20 dispensing lines set in the symbol display areas A1 to A3, B1 to B3, C1 to C3, D1 to D3, E1 to E3 specified by the player having the line buttons 6h to 6l. This is done depending on whether or not the same symbol is arranged on the image. When the same symbol is arranged on the payment line specified by the player, it is determined that the winning condition is satisfied, and a predetermined number of coins are paid to the player. In the victory decision, the wild symbol T2 is regarded as a universal symbol and is treated as an advantageous symbol for the prize (the number of coins paid out) among the ten kinds of symbols described above. That is, if the ace symbol T8 and the wild symbol T2 are arranged in all symbol display areas on one pay line, the same number as when the ace symbol T8 is arranged on all symbol display areas on a pay line Coins are paid to the player. In this case, the wild symbol T2 is treated as an ace symbol T8 on the dispensing line.

The symbol arrangement displayed in the display areas A to E will be described with reference to FIG. 8. As shown in Fig. 8, thirty symbols arranged in a predetermined order are cyclically scrolled on the display in each display area A to E, and the player rotates the mechanical reel to variably display the symbols. To recognize the display. In the display area (A to E), the symbols can be scrolled to the same rotation period (cycle time) or to another rotation period. The three symbols of the jack symbol T11, the queen symbol T10 and the king symbol T9 are successively in the order of the symbol arrangement displayed in the display area C among the display arrangements displayed in the five display areas A through E. Is placed.

A control method of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is described. 9 is a flowchart showing the game progress of the slot machine 1.

When starting the main process, the slot machine 1 first starts the approval process at the start of the game. In particular, the main CPU 32 accesses the ROM 34 to transmit information about the basic screen and information such as a frame displayed on the display 3 to the image control circuit 71, and this control circuit 71 ) Stores the information once received in the video RAM 71e and displays this information on the display 3. Thus, the slot machine 1 enters a state ready to provide a slot game to the player. As a subsequent process, the main CPU 32 executes information about slot games of programs stored in the ROM 34 and the RAM 33. When the slot machine 1 operates, a regular game is played as a slot game (step S100).

In step S100, the slot machine 1 waits for the player to bet. When the player inputs the number of coins to be waged per game through the coin inlet 6 or presses any bet button 6c to 6g when credit is left, the game is started and the process proceeds to step S101. do.

In step S101, the main CPU 32 displays in each of the symbol display areas A1 to E3 among the symbols T1-T12, according to the random number transmitted from the sampling circuit 36 to the main CPU 32. A lottery is made to determine which symbol to do. For example, when a random number is generated in the range of integers 0 to 400 and random number 1 is obtained, the main CPU 32 causes a predetermined number of bonus symbols T1 in one of the symbol display areas A1 to E3. To display the feature game, thus satisfying the feature game transition condition to provide the player with the feature game. Based on the random number, this drawing may be executed at any timing, for example, it may be executed when any betting button 6c to 6g is pressed or after a variable display is generated in the display area A. FIG.

When the symbols displayed in the display areas A to E are determined by performing the drawing, the main CPU 32 scrolls (variably displays) the symbols displayed in the display areas A to E on the display 3. Start (step S102). The main CPU 32 controls the image control circuit 71 to perform image processing as the mechanical reel rotates.

As the scrolling of the symbols displayed in the display areas A to E stops in the order of the display areas A to E, for example, the predetermined symbol shown in FIG. 5 is displayed in the display areas A to E. FIG. (Step S103).

The main CPU 32 then executes a predetermined combination of symbols (in this embodiment, an effective display sequence (T11, T10, T9)) with a predetermined display area (display columns: C1, C2 in this embodiment). , Is determined in step S101 to be displayed in the display area C with C3 (step S104) .The CPU 32 determines that the predetermined combination is to be displayed in the predetermined display area (step S104). In step S104, the process proceeds to step S105, and if not (NO in step S104), the process proceeds to step S106.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 13, the display columns of the symbols arranged in the symbol display areas C1, C2, and C3 of the display area C are jack symbols T11, queen symbols T10, and king symbols T9. When matching with the effective display column of the array of, the main CPU 32 replaces all three symbols T9, T10, and T11 with wild symbols (specific symbols) T2 (step S105). Therefore, the display columns of the symbol display areas C1, C2, and C3 of the display area C become the display columns of three consecutive wild symbols T2 as shown in Figs. The main CPU 32 proceeds to step S106 after the processing of step S105.

In step S106, the main CPU 32 performs a victory determination. When the same symbol is arranged on the payment line specified by the player, the main CPU 32 determines that the winning condition is satisfied, and gives the player a predetermined number of coins (step S107). That is, when the symbol arrangement in the display areas A to E is as shown in Figs. 10 and 13, if only the symbol arrangement is on the supply line with the line number 1, the symbol arrangement is the four ace symbol T8. And one queen symbol (T10) is a combination, that is, a combination without a coin to be paid. However, in the symbol arrangement of FIG. 10, the display sequence of the symbols arranged in the display area C is a valid display sequence (the display sequence in which the symbols are arranged in the order of symbols T11, symbols T10, and symbols T9 from top to bottom). The display column is replaced with an array column of three wild symbols T2 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14. In fact, it is determined that five ace symbols T8 are arranged on the payment line of line number 1, and a predetermined number of coins are issued to the player.

As shown in Fig. 12, the display columns of the symbols arranged in the symbol display areas C1, C2, and C3 of the display area C are jack symbols T11, queen symbols T10, and king symbols T9. When shifted only one step from the effective display column of the array, the three symbols T9, T10, and T11 are not replaced by wild symbols (specific symbols) T2 in step S105, and the victory decision is made to the symbol that is not replaced. Is done for.

Therefore, when scrolling the symbols in the display areas A to E, a predetermined effective display column (display columns in which symbols are arranged in the order of symbols T11, symbols T10, and symbols T9 from top to bottom) is displayed in the display area C. Symbol T9, symbol T10, symbol T11 are replaced with wild symbol T2, which is a universal symbol (see FIGS. 11 and 14), and the victory decision is in fact a wild symbol T2. By doing so, the arrangement / combination of the symbols on the payout line specified by the player is easily a symbol arrangement / combination that is advantageous to the prize. Thus, when the symbol is replaced with the wild symbol T2, the player can expect a high prize. Therefore, even after stopping the scrolling of the symbols in the display areas A to E, the expected psychology of the player can be maintained considerably, so that the player can enjoy the game without being bored. In other words, the slot machine 1 provides the player with improved enjoyment compared to the conventional slot machine.

Since all symbols displayed in the symbol display areas C1, C2, and C3 of the display area C are wild symbols T2, all supply lines include a wild symbol T2. Thus, the wild symbol T2 is always associated with the winning decision on any payment line, and the payment rate is significantly improved. Therefore, the display strings T9, T10, T11 of symbols arranged in one display region C of the five display regions A to E are replaced by the display strings of the wild symbol T2, whereby the wild symbol T2 is By being placed on each payout line with a high probability, the player can expect to receive a large number of coins.

Then, in step S108, the main CPU 32 determines whether the feature game switching condition is satisfied.

That is, when it is determined in step 108 that the feature game switching condition is satisfied, three or more bonus symbols T1 are displayed in the display areas A to E, and the state is switched from the normal game state to the feature game state (step S109). ). In the feature game of the present embodiment, in which a so-called free game is adopted as the feature game, symbol scrolling is repeated without inputting any coins or pressing any bet buttons 6c to 6g. That is, during the feature game, the player can be paid coins without spending any coins or any credit coins, so the feature game state is in a very advantageous state for the player. After the feature game, processing proceeds to step S100.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S108 that there are no bonus symbols or one or two bonus symbols are displayed in the display areas A to E, no switching to the feature game switching condition is performed, and the process is performed in step S108. Proceeds to S100.

In the above embodiment, the main CPU 32 functions as follows: lottery means for performing a lottery to determine a symbol to be displayed in each symbol display area among a plurality of symbols, a plurality of in each symbol display area; A controller for controlling the display to display the symbol determined by the lottery means by stopping in each symbol display area after the symbol is variably displayed, and determining means for performing the victory judgment, in accordance with the combination of the symbols displayed in the symbol display area. .

The configuration of the slot machine 1 is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made.

In the above embodiment, when three symbols of the jack symbol T11, queen symbol T10, and king symbol T9 are displayed in the display area C, the display sequence of these three symbols T11, T10, T9 Is replaced by the wild symbol (T2). However, the slot machine 1 has an arbitrary display area in which three symbols of the jack symbol T11, the queen symbol T10, and the king symbol T9 are different from the display area C, for example, the display areas A, B, When displayed in D or E), the display sequence of these three symbols T11, T10, and T9 can be configured to replace with the wild symbol T2.

The display sequence of the symbol to be replaced by the wild symbol T2 is not limited to the display sequence of the jack symbol T11, the queen symbol T10, and the king symbol T9, and various symbols T1 to T5 as shown in FIG. Any predetermined column of T12) can be used.

In this embodiment, the symbols T11, T10, T9 are replaced with wild symbols T2 when the predetermined symbol display string is arranged in a single display area which is the display area C. However, the slot machine can be configured to replace the arranged symbols with wild symbols T2 when the predetermined symbol display sequence is arranged continuously in the horizontal direction or the inclined direction such that the predetermined symbol display columns extend across the plurality of display areas. The particular symbol to be displayed after the substitution is not limited to the wild symbol T2, but may be any symbol such as the bonus symbol T1 in order to make the player expect a significant prize in the end.

In this embodiment, each of the display areas A to E is configured in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. However, each of the display areas is configured in a horizontal direction, so that the symbol display areas A1, B1, C1, D1 and E1 are provided in the display area A, while the symbol display areas (B) are provided in the display area B. A2, B2, C2, D2, and E2 may be provided, and the display area C may be provided with symbol display areas A3, B3, C3, D3, and E3.

In this embodiment, a reel image is provided for each of the display areas A to E, and the image processing is performed such that the reel images are rotated and displayed in a vertical direction to variably display symbols in the symbol display areas. Is performed. However, image processing may be performed such that the reel images are displayed in the horizontal direction.

In this embodiment, the predetermined valid display columns (symbol sequences T11, T10, T9) are replaced with specific symbol display columns (wild symbol T2 columns) in the normal game state. However, replacing the effective display sequence with a particular symbol display sequence may occur only in the feature game state, or may occur in both the regular game state and the feature game state.

In this embodiment, the win determination (step S106) is performed after stopping scrolling of the symbol (step S103). However, the timing of performing the victory decision is not limited to the timing described in this embodiment, and the victory decision can be performed at any timing. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to perform a winning decision after performing a draw (step 101) to determine a symbol to display in each symbol display area A1 to E3.

In this embodiment, the victory decision is performed only in one regular game. However, the slot machine 1 may be configured to make a victory decision for a number of times. For example, the slot machine 1 performs a victory decision when a symbol determined by the lottery performed in step S101 is stopped in the symbol display regions (for example, between steps S103 and S104), And after the predetermined symbol combination (symbol T11, T10, T9) is replaced with another symbol (symbol T2), it may be configured to perform the victory decision again.

In this embodiment, the symbol (other symbol) to be replaced when the predetermined symbol combination (symbols T11, T10, T9) is stopped in the predetermined symbol display areas C1 to C3 is determined by the number of symbols T1, It is predefined with a wild symbol T2 which is regarded as any symbol in T3 to T12). However, other symbols displayed after substitution are not limited to the wild symbol T2 and may be any one of the plurality of symbols T1 to T12. 15 shows an example in which a predetermined symbol combination is replaced with a mask symbol T4.

Another symbol to be replaced may be determined by drawing a lottery among the plurality of symbols T1 to T12. For example, the slot machine 1 performs a draw for the main CPU 32 to determine another symbol among a plurality of symbols before step S105, and the main CPU 32 draws a predetermined symbol combination to the draw. It can be configured to control the display 3 to replace it with another symbol determined by it.

In this embodiment, the substitution of the symbol in step S105 is performed only once. However, the slot machine 1 may be configured to perform the replacement for a number of times. For example, the slot machine 1 performs a lottery to determine a number of other symbols to be displayed when the main CPU 32 replaces a plurality of symbols, and the main CPU 32 performs predetermined symbol combinations. It can be configured to control the display 3 to replace the other symbols sequentially after the replacement with another symbol. In this case, the main CPU 32 can perform the victory decision whenever the replacement is made.

It is preferred that the main CPU 32 be configured to control the display 3 to display other symbols used with special picture effects. The special image effect may be one or a combination of any image effects such as scaling, deformation, flashing, or the like.

As described with reference to this embodiment, a gaming system includes a display having a plurality of symbol display areas in which a plurality of consecutive symbols are variably displayed, and a controller for executing a predetermined program and controlling the display area of the display. A machine is provided wherein when the display sequence of symbols arranged in the at least one symbol display area is a predetermined effective display sequence, the controller is characterized by replacing the display sequence of symbols with a particular symbol display sequence that is programmatically advantageous. Lose.

In a gaming machine, when the symbol display sequence in the at least one symbol display region is a predetermined valid display sequence, the display sequence of symbols is replaced with a particular symbol display sequence. As the display string of symbols is replaced, the thalamus becomes more advantageous. In other words, if the display sequence of symbols is replaced with a particular symbol display sequence, the player of the slot machine 1 can expect more payments than before the symbol sequence is replaced, and thus can continue the game without being bored. Will be.

When the display sequence of symbols arranged in one symbol display area is a predetermined valid display sequence, the controller preferably replaces the display sequence of symbols with a particular symbol display sequence. In this case, since a particular symbol is placed on the active payout line used for thalamic determination with a high probability, the player can expect to receive more coins.

Thus, gaming machines provide improved enjoyment compared to conventional gaming machines.

The foregoing embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, and such variations and modifications may be obtained in practice of the invention. This embodiment has been selected and described to illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical application, so that those skilled in the art can utilize the invention in various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The gaming machine of the present invention provides players with improved enjoyment compared to conventional gaming machines.

Claims (15)

In gaming machines, A display for displaying a game screen having a plurality of display areas provided with a plurality of symbol display areas; Lottery means for performing a lottery to determine a symbol to be displayed in each of the symbol display areas among a plurality of symbols; A controller for controlling the display to variably display the symbol determined by the lottery means in each of the symbol display regions after the plural symbols are variably displayed in each of the symbol display regions. Including, If a predetermined symbol combination is determined by the lottery means to be displayed in at least one of the display areas, the controller displays the symbols determined by the lottery means to stop in each of the symbol display areas, and then the predetermined And control the display to replace a symbol combination with a symbol different from the symbols in the predetermined combination. The method of claim 1, Determining means for performing a victory determination in accordance with a symbol combination displayed in the symbol display areas. The method of claim 2, At least one pay line is defined in the symbol display areas, And the determining means performs the winning determination in accordance with a symbol combination stopped on the dispensing line. The method of claim 2, The judging means performs a victory judgment when the symbol determined by the lottery means is stopped in the symbol display areas, And the determining means performs a victory decision after the predetermined symbol combination is replaced with the other symbol. The method of claim 1, The drawing means performs a drawing to determine the other symbol among the plurality of symbols, The controller controls the display to replace the predetermined symbol combination with the other symbol determined by the lottery means. The method of claim 1, The drawing means performs a drawing to determine a plurality of other symbols among the plurality of symbols, And the controller controls the display to sequentially replace the other symbols after replacing the predetermined symbol combination with one of the other symbols. The method of claim 6, Determining means for performing a victory determination according to a symbol combination displayed in the symbol display areas, And the determining means makes a victory decision each time the controller controls the display to replace the other symbols. The method of claim 2, Each of the symbols is classified into one of a special symbol and a normal symbol. Further comprising payout means for performing a larger payment when the determining means determines a victory based on the special symbol than when the determining means determines a victory based on the regular symbol. Gaming Machine. The method of claim 8, If the predetermined symbol combination is determined by the lottery means to be displayed in the predetermined symbol display area, the controller displays the symbols determined by the lottery means to stop in each of the symbol display areas; And control the display to replace a predetermined symbol combination with another symbol classified as the special symbol. The method of claim 2, And said other symbol is a wild symbol which is considered by said determining means as at least one of said plurality of symbols. The method of claim 1, The display is provided with at least one reel having a periphery on which the plurality of symbols are arranged to rotate, The display for displaying the plurality of symbols arranged on the outer periphery of the reel in each of the symbol display regions. The method of claim 11, The reel is a video reel displayed on the display as a video image. The method of claim 11, Said reel being a mechanical reel provided for rotation behind said display. The method of claim 1, The controller controls the display to cause the other symbols to be displayed with a special video effect applied. The method of claim 14, The controller controls the display such that the other symbol is enlarged and displayed as one symbol.

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