WO2009151117A1 - Game device and game device control method - Google Patents

Abstract

Squares in the form of a matrix of n rows and m columns are displayed on a display unit. The pattern in each square in the matrix of n rows and m columns is changed on the display unit based on operation of an operating unit by the player, and then changing of the pattern in each square is stopped. Whether adjacent squares are linked in the stopped matrix of n rows and m columns is determined based on the pattern in each square, and whether there is a win is determined based on the number of linked squares. When the stopped squares in the matrix of n rows and m columns is a win, a play value is paid out based on the number of linked squares.

Description

GAME DEVICE AND GAME DEVICE CONTROL METHOD

The present invention relates to a game device and a game device control method, and more particularly to a game device that performs a slot game and a game device control method.

As a gaming device for playing slot games, when a coin is inserted and the lever is tilted, the three drums on which the picture is drawn rotate, and then the reel machine that the coins come out when the three pictures are aligned when stopped is old Known from.

In recent years, instead of such a mechanical reel machine, a matrix-like pseudo reel is displayed on a display, and a plurality of character images assigned to each pseudo reel are scrolled on each pseudo reel screen, and then stopped. Such a video slot machine has appeared (see Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-313659 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-313660 JP 07-313661 A

Compared to a mechanical reel machine that uses drums, the video slot machine can be freely configured with reels and patterns, so you can set a variety of payout lines and entertain the player. .

However, in recent video slot machines, the setting of a winning line has become increasingly complex, making it difficult for beginners to understand and a high threshold game device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus and a game apparatus control method capable of playing a slot game that even beginners can enjoy.

The game device according to one aspect of the present invention is a game device having an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit displays an n-by-m matrix matrix on the display unit; Based on the operation of the operation unit by the player, means for changing the design of each square of the n-by-m matrix matrix displayed on the display unit, and then stopping the change of the design of each square; Means for judging whether or not adjacent squares are linked based on the design of each square and determining whether or not it is a win based on the number of squares in the stopped n-row m-column matrix. And a means for paying out a game value based on the number of chained cells when the stopped n-by-m matrix cell is a win.

In the above-described game device, the means for determining whether or not the winning is, starting from a cell at one end of each row in the stopped n-by-m matrix cell, sequentially determining whether or not the cells are chained, It may be determined whether or not it is a win based on the number of cells that are continuously chained.

In the game device described above, the symbols of each square include at least symbols indicating the right direction, the downward direction, the left direction, and the upward direction, and the means for determining whether or not the winning is the direction indicated by the symbol of one square If the direction indicated by the symbol of the other square is opposite to the direction indicated by the symbol of the other square, it is determined that the one square and the other square are not linked, and must be in the opposite direction. For example, it may be determined that the one cell and the other cell are linked.

In the game device described above, the symbols of each square further include a symbol indicating stop, and the means for determining whether or not the winning is the symbol of the other square in the direction indicated by the symbol of the one square, If the symbol indicates a stop, it may be determined that the one cell and the other cell are not linked.

In the above-described game device, the symbols of each square further include a transparent symbol that transmits the background image, and the means for determining whether the symbol is a hit is the other square in the direction indicated by the symbol of the one square. When the symbol is a transparent symbol, a predetermined bonus may be given based on a background image that can be seen through the transparent symbol of the other cell.

According to the present invention, an n-row m-column matrix cell is displayed on the display unit, and each cell of the n-row m-column matrix cell displayed on the display unit is displayed based on the operation of the operation unit by the player. Change the design, then stop the change of the design of each square, in the stopped n-by-m matrix matrix, determine whether adjacent squares are linked based on the design of each square, It is determined whether or not it is a win based on the chain number of cells, and if the stopped n-by-m matrix cell is a win, the play value is paid out based on the chain number of cells. So, even beginners can enjoy a slot game,

It is a figure which shows the game device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the system containing the game device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the game device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the basic game screen of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the reel symbol memory used in the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the symbol classification used in the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the character classification used in the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the counter for win determination and memory which are used in the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the table and memory for payout calculation used in the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic flowchart of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram (No. 1) showing a game screen of the slot game by the game device of the embodiment of the present invention. It is FIG. (2) which shows the game screen of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the chain continuation pattern of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the chain stop pattern of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a detailed flowchart of the win determination process of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is FIG. (1) for demonstrating the specific example of the win determination process of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is FIG. (2) for demonstrating the specific example of the win determination process of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is FIG. (3) for demonstrating the specific example of the win determination process of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is FIG. (4) for demonstrating the specific example of the win determination process of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the special game "search for a wally" in the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a detailed flowchart of the character process of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is FIG. (1) for demonstrating the specific example of the character process (re-lottery) of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is FIG. (2) for demonstrating the specific example of the character process (re-lottery) of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is FIG. (3) for demonstrating the specific example of the character process (re-lottery) of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is FIG. (4) for demonstrating the specific example of the character process (re-lottery) of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is FIG. (5) for demonstrating the specific example of the character process (re-lottery) of the slot game by the game device of one Embodiment of this invention.

[One Embodiment]
A game device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The game device of this embodiment is installed in an amusement facility, for example. These game devices are connected to the Internet, for example.

(Outline of game device)
A system including the game apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the game apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a system including the game apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The amusement facility 10 is located in each area, for example. Each amusement facility 10 is provided with a plurality of game apparatuses 12 for playing games. In addition to the game device 12, as shown in FIG. 2, the amusement facility 10 may be provided with a processing device 14 for displaying game contents, advertising the game, and the like.

Each game device 12 is connected to a LAN 20 in the amusement facility 10. One of the plurality of game apparatuses 12 is caused to function as a server. The game device 12 as a server controls a plurality of game devices 12, collects play data of a game such as a slot game executed by each game device 12 through the LAN 20, accumulates the play data, to manage.

The player inserts a medal into the game device 12 and plays a slot game. A player who visits the amusement facility 10 sits on the game device 12, inserts a medal, and performs a slot game by operating a touch panel, operation buttons, and the like.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the LAN 20 of the amusement facility 10 is connected to the Internet 22 so that each game device 12 communicates with the game devices 12 in other amusement facilities 10 as necessary. Also good.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a server 30 connected to the Internet 22 may be provided separately.
The server 30 has a control means (not shown) and a storage means (not shown), and controls the game apparatus 12 by the control means, and a game such as a slot game executed by the game apparatus 12 by the storage means. Are collected via the Internet 22, and the play data is accumulated and managed.

The game device 12 may be provided with an IC card I / F (interface) for reading a member card such as an IC card, and the player's play data and the like may be managed by the member card.

(Configuration of game device)
The configuration of the game device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the game apparatus according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a main LCD 16 and a sub LCD 18 are provided on the upper portion of the housing 13 of the game apparatus 12 in order to display game contents. A display monitor 34 is constituted by the main LCD 16 and the sub LCD 18. On the main LCD 16, there is provided a touch panel 24 on which an instruction can be input by touching the player.

A billboard 19 is provided on the sub LCD 18. A speaker 60 is provided between the main LCD 16 and the sub LCD 18. In addition, a woofer speaker 60 a is separately provided at the lower portion of the housing 13.

A control panel 21 is provided at the center of the housing 13 below the main LCD 16. The outer edge of the control panel 21 functions as an armrest for the player to rest with his arms.

On the control panel 21, a plurality of bet buttons 26 for a player to perform a bet operation and an execution button 28 for a player to perform an operation are provided.

On the control panel 21, a medal insertion slot 23 for inserting medals and a medal stock unit 25 for accumulating medals before insertion are provided.

A medal payout opening 27 for paying out medals is provided at the bottom of the housing 13 of the game apparatus 12. A meter key 31 and a reset key 32 are further provided at the bottom of the housing 13 of the game apparatus 12. Side lamps 33 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower side of the housing 13 of the game apparatus 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game apparatus 12 stores a CPU 40 that executes game programs, controls the entire system, calculates coordinates for image display, and the like, and programs and data necessary for the CPU 40 to perform processing. A system memory (RAM) 42 used as a buffer memory is connected in common by a bus line and is connected to a bus arbiter 44. The bus arbiter 44 controls the flow of programs and data with each block of the game apparatus 12 and devices connected to the outside.

A game data storage device or storage medium (including an optical disk or optical disk drive for driving a game recording medium such as a CD-ROM) 46 in which a game program and data (including video data and music data) are stored; A BOOTROM 48 in which a program and data for starting the apparatus are stored is connected to the bus arbiter 44 via a bus line.

A rendering processor 50 that reproduces video (MOVIE) data read from the program data storage device or the storage medium 46 via the bus arbiter 44 or generates an image for image display in accordance with the player's operation or game progress. And a graphic memory 52 for storing graphic data necessary for the rendering processor 50 to generate an image. The image signal output from the rendering processor 50 is converted from a digital signal to an analog signal by a video DAC (not shown) and displayed on the display monitor 34.

A sound processor 56 that reproduces the music data read from the program data storage device or the storage medium 46 via the bus arbiter 44 and generates sound effects and sounds according to the operation by the player and the progress of the game, and the sound processor 56 provides an effect. A sound memory 58 for storing sound data and the like necessary for generating sound and sound is connected. The audio signal output from the sound processor 56 is converted from a digital signal to an analog signal by an audio DAC (not shown) and output from the speaker 60.

A communication interface 62 is connected to the bus arbiter 44. The communication interface 62 is connected to an external network such as a telephone line via the LAN adapter 64. The game device 12 is connected to the Internet via a telephone line by the LAN adapter 64, and can communicate with other game devices 12, the network server 30, and the like. The communication interface 62 and the LAN adapter 64 use a telephone line, but use a terminal adapter (TA) or router that uses a telephone line, a cable modem that uses a cable TV line, a mobile phone or a PHS. Other communication methods such as wireless communication means and optical fiber communication means using an optical fiber may be used.

A bet button 26 and an execution button 28 are connected to the bus arbiter 44 via a peripheral I / F (interface) 66. The bet button 26 is for inputting a bet instruction, and the execution button 28 is for inputting an instruction to execute various operations.

The peripheral I / F 66 outputs a signal for controlling the game apparatus 12 or an externally connected device in accordance with the operation of the bet button 26 and the execution button 28 by the player.

The touch panel 24 is connected to the bus arbiter 44 via the peripheral I / F 68. The touch panel 24 is used for inputting various operations when the player touches a finger.

The peripheral I / F 68 outputs a signal for controlling the game apparatus 12 or an externally connected device in accordance with an operation by the player. The touch panel 24 functions as a position coordinate acquisition unit that acquires the coordinate value of the position designated by the finger and generates position coordinate information.

An IC card I / F 18 for reading the member's card 16 is connected to the bus arbiter 44.

A backup memory (not shown) is connected to the bus arbiter 44 and records game results and the like. The backup memory may be replaced with system memory (RAM).

Note that the game device 12 is not limited to a game device installed in an amusement facility or a store such as a game cafe, but is a home game device, a personal computer, a portable electronic game machine, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like An electronic device or a game information processing device may be used.

(Overview of slot game)
The outline of the slot game by the game device of this embodiment will be described.

In the slot game of the present embodiment, like a conventional video slot machine, a matrix-like pseudo reel is displayed on the display, and a plurality of symbols assigned to each pseudo reel are scrolled on each pseudo reel screen. It is intended to stop.

The conventional video slot machine basically determines whether or not a winning line is formed during the arrangement state of, for example, 3 rows and 3 columns when the pseudo reel is stopped, as in the case of a mechanical reel machine. The medals are paid out according to the formed pay line.

In the slot game of this embodiment, the symbol itself of each square of the pseudo reel has a meaning of “where to connect”, and medals are paid out according to the number of symbols connected. Thereby, the player can intuitively determine the hit / miss from the chained state of the symbols displayed on the display without being aware of the complicated winning line as in the past.

Furthermore, in the slot game according to the present embodiment, when a character is displayed on each square, a bonus is given according to the character, or a bonus game can be executed. Thereby, it is possible to give the player a further bonus enjoyment.

(Slot game basic screen)
A basic screen of the slot game by the game device of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a view showing a basic screen of the slot game by the game apparatus of the present embodiment.

At the top of the game screen, as shown in FIG. 4, a matrix-like pseudo reel consisting of 4 rows and 5 columns is displayed. On the background of the matrix-like pseudo reel, a picture based on a specific theme is drawn on the entire surface. A pseudo reel design is displayed in front of the background picture.

In Figure 4, a picture named “Yukai Camp” is drawn in the background. The background picture may be the same picture during the game, or may be a moving movie.

Medals bet on each row of a matrix of 4 rows and 5 columns. Each row is named, from the top, 1 course, 2 courses, 3 courses, 4 courses. The square in the first column at the left end of each row is a start square that becomes a starting point when judging the chain of squares in each course.

The pseudo reel design includes a transparent design that allows the background to show through, a pointing design for pointing the direction of connection, and a stop design for stopping the connection. As a special symbol, there is a symbol for searching for a wallie to start a game by searching for a wallie.

There are four types of pointing designs: pointing to the right, pointing to the bottom, pointing to the left, and pointing to the top.

In FIG. 4, the square in the second row and the third column, the square in the third row and the first column are transparent symbols, and the first row, the second column, the fourth column, the second row, the first column, the second column, the fourth column The fifth column, the third row, the second column, the third column, the fourth column, the fourth row, the second column, the third column, the fourth column, and the fifth column are the pointing patterns. The first row, first column, the third column, the fifth column, the third row, fifth column, and the fourth row, first column are the stop symbols.

In addition, as the pointing symbol, other directions, for example, a diagonally lower right pointing symbol, an obliquely lower left pointing symbol, an obliquely upper left pointing symbol, an obliquely upper right pointing symbol, and the like may be further provided. . If such a pattern is provided, not only a chain of cells in the vertical and horizontal directions but also a chain of cells in an oblique direction can be realized.

At the bottom of the game screen, as shown in FIG. 4, the player's current game progress such as the number of credited medals (CREDIT), the number of medals bet (BET), the number of medals earned, etc. are displayed. . *

(Memory, table, counter, etc.)
Various memories, tables, counters, and the like used in the slot game by the game apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a reel symbol memory used in the slot game by the game device of the present embodiment, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing symbol types used in the slot game by the game device of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a character type used in the slot game by the game device of the present embodiment, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a win determination counter and a memory used in the slot game of the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a payout calculation table and a memory used in the slot game of FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a reel symbol memory. The reel symbol memory stores symbols displayed in four rows and five columns squares M11, M12,..., M44, M45. When the pseudo reel rotates, the symbol changes at high speed, and a win determination process described later is performed based on the symbol when the pseudo reel is stopped.

FIG. 6A is a symbol type table. The type of symbol stored in the reel symbol memory is stored. The symbol type table includes a transparent symbol shown in FIG. 6 (b), a pointing symbol for pointing the connecting direction shown in FIGS. 6 (c) to (f), and FIG. 6 (g). A stop symbol for stopping the connection shown in FIG. 6 and a symbol for searching for a wallie shown in FIG. 6H are prepared.

The pointing design includes a right pointing design shown in FIG. 6 (c), a downward pointing design shown in FIG. 6 (d), a left pointing design shown in FIG. 6 (e), FIG. An upward pointing pattern shown in (f) is prepared.

FIG. 7A shows a character type table. The type of character appearing in the background of the pseudo reel is stored. In this embodiment, a “Wally” character shown in FIG. 7B, a “Wenda” character shown in FIG. 7C, a “Woof” character shown in FIG. 7D, and FIG. Five characters, “Odrow” character shown in FIG. 7 and “Shirohige” character shown in FIG. 7F, are prepared. Note that the illustrations of the characters are not shown in the drawings (c) to (f). Specific game control when each character appears will be described later.

FIG. 8 shows various counters and memories used for win determination.

Fig. 8 (a) shows the course counter. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the chain of cells is determined in order for four courses (1 course, 2 courses, 3 courses, 4 courses). The course counter controls the processing of the four courses.

FIG. 8B shows a chain counter. In this embodiment, a chain of cells is determined based on a 4 × 5 cell pattern. The number of square chains in the determination is counted by a chain counter.

Fig. 8 (c) shows the current mass address. In this embodiment, the chain of cells is determined in order from the leftmost cell of each course. The current mass address stores the address (Mnn = M11, M12,..., M44, M45) of the current cell (current cell) at the time of the determination.

FIG. 8D shows a symbol memory of the last mass and the current mass. This memory stores the symbol type displayed in the current cell and the symbol type displayed in the cell (last cell) that was the current cell immediately before. It is used to determine whether a mass is linked.

FIG. 9 shows various tables and memories used for payout calculation.

FIG. 9A is a chain number magnification table. In the chain number magnification table, a magnification with respect to the number of cells linked by a symbol in a matrix of cells of 4 rows and 5 columns is set. A medal obtained by multiplying the inserted medal by this magnification is paid out (added to the credit). No magnification is set for 1 chain or 2 chains or less.

FIG. 9B is a character bonus magnification table. When a special character appears in the current cell, a special bonus is given. In the character bonus magnification table, a bonus magnification for each character at that time is set. When a special character appears, the number of medals obtained by multiplying the number of medals bet by the multiplication factor obtained by adding the bonus multiplication factor of the character is paid out.

It should be noted that the number of medals obtained by multiplying the number of medals bet by the multiplication factor obtained so far and the bonus multiplication factor of the character may be paid out.

FIG. 9C shows a bet medal count memory. The bet medal number memory stores the number of medals bet on each course by the player.

FIG. 9D shows a payout medal number memory. The payout medal number memory stores the number of medals to be paid out to the player. The number of medals for each course and the total number of medals are stored.

In the present specification, “medal is paid out” includes not only the case where the medal is paid out from the medal payout opening 27 but also the case where the medal to be paid out is added to the credit. . The credited medal can be paid out from the medal payout opening 27 by a player separately operating.

(Outline flowchart of slot game)
A slot game by the game device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a slot game by the game apparatus of the present embodiment.

First, the player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 23 of the game apparatus 12 (step S10). When a medal is inserted, the number of inserted medals is added to the credit display (CREDIT) at the bottom of the game screen shown in FIGS. 4 and 11 (step S11).

Next, the player touches the bet button at the bottom of the game screen shown in FIG. 4 or presses the bet button 26 on the operation panel of the game apparatus 12 to bet a credited medal (step S12). When the medals are bet, as shown in FIG. 11, the number of medals bet is displayed on the bet display at the bottom of the game screen, and the 1 to 4 courses of a matrix of squares composed of 4 rows and 5 columns are displayed. The number of bets (5) is displayed for each course.

As a medal betting method for each course, for example, when 5 medals are bet, 5 medals are bet on each course at once. As another medal betting method, the number of medals designated for each course may be bet.

Next, the player starts the game by touching the spin button at the bottom of the game screen shown in FIG. 11 or pressing the execute button 28 on the operation panel of the game apparatus 12 (step S13).

When the game starts, as shown in FIG. 11, the matrix-shaped reels of 4 × 5 squares start to rotate all at once (step S14). At this time, among the symbols shown in FIG. 6, the symbols (FIGS. 6B to 6G) other than the symbol (FIG. 6H) appear at random from the symbols shown in FIG.

After that, the matrix-shaped reels of 4 × 5 squares automatically decelerate and stop sequentially from the left end (step S15). An example of the game screen in which the rotation of the reel is stopped is shown in FIG.

Next, a win determination process is executed based on the game screen where the reel rotation has stopped (step S16). Details of the win determination process will be described later.

When the win determination process ends, the number of medals acquired by the player is displayed on the win display at the bottom of the game screen shown in FIG. When the player presses the execution button 28 on the operation panel of the game apparatus 12, the number of win-displayed medals is added to the credit (step S17).

Note that the player can pay out the credited number of medals at any time. When the player presses the execution button 28, for example, medals are paid out from the medal payout exit 27.

(Win determination processing)
Next, details of the win determination process (step S16) in the schematic flowchart of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the win determination process, it is determined whether or not the player wins (WIN) based on the matrix of the 4 × 5 matrix in the state where the reel rotation is stopped, and a payout is made when the player wins (credits). This is a process of calculating the number of medals).

In the win determination process of this embodiment, whether or not a win is determined based on whether or not a chain of cells is broken from a matrix pattern of 4 rows and 5 columns and the number of chains of the cells is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Determine.

When the reel rotation is stopped, each square has a transparent symbol, a right pointing symbol, a downward pointing symbol, a left pointing symbol, an upward pointing symbol, and a stop as shown in FIGS. 6 (b) to (g). Any one of the symbols is shown.

WIN determination processing is performed for each row of a matrix of 4 rows and 5 columns shown in the basic screen of the game in FIG. Each row is named, from the top, 1 course, 2 courses, 3 courses, 4 courses. The square in the first column at the left end of each row is a start square that becomes a starting point when judging the chain of squares in each course.

At the start of determining the chain of squares in each course, the square in the first column at the left end of each row becomes the current square. In the game basic screen of FIG. 4, it is a square surrounded by a double frame.

At the start of judging the chain of squares in each course, that is, when the square in the first column at the left end of each row is the current square, the last square (the square that was the current square immediately before) does not exist. To determine the chain, the last mass symbol at that time is set to the right pointing symbol.

FIG. 13 shows the chain continuation pattern when sequentially determining the chain of cells, and FIG. 14 shows the chain stop pattern. In FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, in order to distinguish the current mass and the last mass, they are shown surrounded by a double frame of the last mass.

When the current mass and the last mass are both pointing patterns and the pointing direction is not the opposite direction (180 degrees), it is determined as a chain continuation pattern.

As shown in FIG. 13 (a), when the last cell is a right pointing symbol, if the current cell is a right pointing symbol, a downward pointing symbol, or an upward pointing symbol, a chain continuation pattern is obtained.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the last mass is a downward pointing symbol, if the current mass is a downward pointing symbol, a right pointing symbol, or a left pointing symbol, a chain continuation pattern is obtained.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 13C, when the last mass is a left pointing design, if the current mass is a left pointing design, a downward pointing design, or an upward pointing design, a chain continuation pattern is obtained.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 13D, when the last mass is an upward pointing symbol, if the current mass is an upward pointing symbol, a right pointing symbol, or a left pointing symbol, a chain continuation pattern is obtained.

If the last cell is a pointing symbol and the current cell symbol is as follows, it is determined as a chain stop pattern.

As shown in FIG. 14 (a), when the last mass is a right pointing design, a chain stop pattern is obtained if the current mass is the opposite left pointing design, stop design, and transparent design.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the last mass is a downward pointing symbol, if the current mass is the opposite upward pointing symbol, stop symbol, and transparent symbol, a chain stop pattern is obtained.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14 (c), when the last mass is a left-pointing symbol, if the current mass is the opposite right pointing symbol, stop symbol, and transparent symbol, a chain stop pattern is obtained.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14D, when the last mass is an upward pointing design, if the current mass is the opposite downward pointing design, stop design, and transparent design, a chain stop pattern is obtained.

Also, if the current cell is a pointing symbol and the direction indicated by the pointing symbol is outside the 4 × 5 matrix, the cell chain is stopped.

(Detailed flowchart of win determination processing)
Details of the win determination process of the slot game by the game device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a detailed flowchart of the win determination process of the slot game by the game device of this embodiment.

First, the value of the course counter is set to 1 which is an initial value (step S20).

Next, the last mass symbol is set to the right pointing symbol which is the initial value (step S21). Subsequently, the symbol of the current cell is cleared (step S22).

Next, the address of the course start mass corresponding to the value of the course counter is stored in the current mass address (step S23). Subsequently, the symbol of the course start value corresponding to the value of the course counter is stored as the symbol of the current square (step S24).

For example, if the course counter is “1”, the address “M11” of the start cell of “1 course” is stored in the current cell address, and in the case of FIG. 12, the downward pointing pointing symbol is used as the current cell symbol. Remember.

Next, the chain counter is set to the initial value “1” (step S25).

Next, the symbol type of the current cell designated by the current cell address is determined (step S26).

If it is determined in step S26 that the design of the current cell is the “pointing design”, whether or not the pointing direction of the design of the current cell is opposite to the pointing direction of the design of the last cell. (Step S27). That is, it is determined whether the symbol of the current mass and the symbol of the last mass are a chain continuation pattern as shown in FIG.

If it is determined that the pointing direction of the current cell symbol and the pointing direction of the last cell symbol are not opposite, it is determined whether a cell exists in the pointing direction of the current cell symbol (step) 28). That is, it is determined whether or not the direction indicated by the pointing symbol of the current cell is outside the matrix of 4 rows and 5 columns.

If it is determined that the pointing direction of the design of the current mass and the pointing direction of the design of the last mass are not opposite, and it is determined that there is a mass in the pointing direction of the design of the current mass, Assuming that the chain is continued, the following processing is performed.

The cell address in the pointing direction of the current cell symbol is stored in the current cell address (step S29), the current cell symbol is stored as the last cell symbol (step S30), and the pointing direction of the current cell symbol is indicated. The symbol of the square is stored as the symbol of the last mass (step S31), and the chain counter is incremented by one (step S32). Then, the process returns to step S26.

In step S27, if it is determined that the pointing direction of the symbol of the current cell is opposite to the pointing direction of the symbol of the last cell, it is determined that the cell chain is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S33.

Similarly, if it is determined in step S28 that there is no square in the pointing direction of the symbol of the current square, it is determined that the square chain is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S33.

If it is determined in step S26 that the symbol of the current cell is the “stop symbol”, it is determined that the cell chain is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S33.

If it is determined in step S26 that the symbol of the current cell is “transparent”, it is then determined whether or not a character exists in the background of the current cell that can be seen through the transparent symbol (step S37). ).

If it is determined in step S37 that there is a character in the current cell, special character processing (step S38) corresponding to the character type is executed. Details of the character processing will be described later.

If it is determined in step S37 that no character exists in the current cell, the cell chain is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S33.

If it is determined that the chain of cells has stopped, the value of the chain counter is determined (step S33).

In this embodiment, if the number of squares is “3” or more, a medal is paid out as a player's win. Therefore, if it is determined in step S33 that the value of the chain counter is 2 or less, there is no payout, and the process proceeds to step S35.

If it is determined in step S33 that the value of the chain counter is 3 or more, then payout is calculated (step S34). The number of medals for the payout is the number of medals obtained by multiplying the number of bet medals stored in the bet medal number memory shown in FIG. 9C for the course by the multiplication factor in the chain number multiplication table shown in FIG. . The calculated payout medal number is stored in the payout medal number memory shown in FIG.

Next, the course counter is counted up by 1 (step S35). Subsequently, the value of the course counter is determined (step S36).

If it is determined in step S36 that the value of the course counter is 4 or less, the processing of all courses (1 course, 2 courses, 3 courses, 4 courses) has not been completed, so the process returns to step S21. Similar win determination processing is executed for the next course.

In step S36, when it is determined that the value of the course counter is 5 or more, the process of all courses (1 course, 2 courses, 3 courses, 4 courses) is finished, and thus the win determination process is finished.

(Specific example of win determination processing)
A specific example of the win determination process will be described.

Suppose that the above-described win determination process is executed on the game screen of FIG.

For “1 course”, as shown in FIG. 16, there are four chains of “mass M11”-“mass M21”-“mass M22”-“mass M32”, and a win determination is made. The medal number “5 × 1 = 5” obtained by multiplying the bet medal number “5” by the magnification “1” in the case of four chains is stored in “1 course” of the payout medal number memory.

For “2 courses”, as shown in FIG. 17, there are 3 chains of “mass M21”-“mass M22”-“mass M32”, and a win determination is made. The medal number “5 × 1 = 5” obtained by multiplying the bet medal number “5” by the magnification “1” in the case of three chains is stored in “2 courses” of the payout medal number memory.

For “3 courses”, as shown in FIG. 18, there are two chains of “mass M31”-“mass M41” and no win determination is made. “0” is stored in “3 courses” in the payout medal number memory.

For “4 courses”, as shown in FIG. 19, there is one chain of “mass M41” and no win determination is made. “0” is stored in “4 courses” of the payout medal number memory.

Thus, the “total” of the payout medal number memory becomes “5 + 5 + 0 + 0 = 10”, and 10 medals are paid out.

(Character processing)
Next, details of the character processing (step S38) in the flowchart of FIG. 15 will be described with reference to the drawings.

The character process is a special bonus process that gives a bonus to a player according to the character type when it is determined in step S37 that a character exists in the current cell.

In this embodiment, five types of characters are prepared as shown in the character type table of FIG. “Wally” shown in FIG. 7B, “Wendor” shown in FIG. 7C, “Woof” shown in FIG. 7D, “Odrow” shown in FIG. 7E, and FIG. This is the “white beard” shown.

The bonus process for these five characters will be described. (1) Re-lottery process When the transparent square character is “Wally”, “Wendor”, or “Woof”, the re-lottery process is executed.

∙ For the transparent square on which the character is displayed, rotate the pseudo reel and draw again. In the re-lottery, symbols (Figs. 6 (c) to (h)) other than the transparent symbols (Fig. 6 (b)) among the symbols shown in Fig. 6 appear at random. Then, as a result of the re-lottery, the following bonus processing is executed based on the symbol type appearing on the transparent cell.

As a result of re-drawing, if a pointing symbol appears on the transparent square, the number of mass chains increases if it is a pointing symbol in the direction in which the preceding and succeeding squares are chained.

結果 If a stop symbol appears on a transparent square as a result of re-drawing, the mass chain stops there and the number of mass chains does not increase.

As a result of the re-lottery, if a symbol appears after searching for a wallet on a transparent cell, a special game “Search for Wally” described later is executed.
(2) Bonus magnification addition processing Bonus magnification addition processing is executed as bonus processing common to the five characters.

The magnification stored in the character bonus magnification table shown in FIG. 9 is added to the magnification multiplied by the number of medals bet, for example, the magnification obtained by the number of mass chains. For a “Wally” character, add “10” to the magnification, for a “Wendor” character, add “5” to the magnification, and for a “woof” character, add “2” to the magnification. If the character is “Odrow”, “1” is added to the magnification. If the character is “Shirohige”, “1” is added to the magnification.
(3) Search for Wally If the “Search for Wally” symbol appears on the transparent cell as a result of the re-drawing, the special game “Search for Wally” is executed.

As shown in FIG. 20A, the special game “Search for Wally” is replaced with a “Search for Wally” screen in which the entire upper part of the game screen is the same image as the actual picture book (details omitted).

The player looks for the Wally from the picture book image by visual observation, and when it finds the Wally, touches that portion as shown in FIG. If you make a mistake within the time limit, you can touch the screen many times.

If the Wally can be found correctly, a bonus acquisition screen as shown in FIG. 20C is obtained, and a special bonus, for example, 10 medals are acquired, and the special game “Search for Wally” ends.
(4) Free spin If the character of the transparent cell is "Shirohige", the right to free spin is acquired. For example, five slot games can be played without using medals.

The win determination process described above can be performed on the result of the free spin, and further medals can be obtained.

(Detailed flowchart of character processing)
Details of the character processing of the slot game by the game device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the character processing of the slot game by the game device of this embodiment.

In the character process, first, the type of character is determined (step S40).
(1) In the case of “Wally”, “Wendor”, and “Woof” When the character is “Worry”, “Wendor”, and “Woof”, first, only the transparent cell is redrawn (step S41).

Next, it is determined what symbol has appeared as a result of the re-lottery (step S42).

If the symbol that appears as a result of the re-lottery is the “search for wally” symbol, the special game “search for wally” is executed (step S43). If the Wally can be found correctly in the special game “Search for Wally”, a special bonus, for example, 10 medals, is obtained. Then, the process proceeds to step S45.

If the symbol that appears as a result of re-drawing is a “pointing” symbol, it is determined whether further mass chaining is possible depending on the direction of the pointing symbol, and if possible, the number of mass chains is calculated until the chain stops Count (step S44). Then, the process proceeds to step S45.

If the symbol that appears as a result of the re-lottery is a “stop” symbol, the process immediately proceeds to step S45.

In step S45, the payout medal number is calculated by adding the gain acquired as the character bonus to the payout medal number.

The number of medals acquired by the player (for example, “the number of medals bet” + “the number of medals acquired in the special game“ Search for Wally ””) and the magnification obtained by the player (for example, “the magnification based on the number of mass chains” + “character” Multiply the bonus multiplier by “) to get the final number of payout medals. As the “Bonus magnification by character”, the magnification “10” is added to the magnification by the number of mass chains (“1” to “400”) if it is a “Wally” character, and if it is a “Wendor” character, The magnification “5” is added, and if it is a “woof” character, the magnification “2” is added.

Next, the medal of the number of payout medals calculated by the bonus process is added to the credit (step S46).
(2) In the case of “Odrow” When the character is “Odrow”, the payout medal number is calculated by adding the magnification obtained as the character bonus to the already calculated payout medal number (step S51).

The final number is obtained by multiplying the number of medals obtained by the player (for example, “the number of medals bet”) by the magnification obtained by the player (for example, “multiple by the number of mass chains” + “1 (= bonus magnification by Odrow)”). The number of payout medals.

Next, the medal of the number of payout medals calculated by the bonus process is added to the credit (step S52).
(3) In the case of “white beard” When the character is “white beard”, the payout medal number is calculated by adding the magnification obtained as the character bonus to the already calculated payout medal number (step S61). .

Multiply the number of medals obtained by the player (for example, “the number of medals bet”) by the magnification obtained by the player (for example, “multiply by the number of mass chains” + “1 (= bonus magnification by white beard)”), and finally The number of payout medals.

Next, free spins are performed a predetermined number of times, for example, 5 slot games without using medals (step S62).

Next, medals of the number of payout medals increased by the bonus process including the result of free spin are added to the credit (step S63).

(Specific example of character processing (re-lottery))
Character processing (re-lottery) will be described using a specific example.

Suppose that the game screen in which the rotation of the reels is stopped is shown in FIG. 22, and character processing (re-lottery) for this game screen will be described.

First, it is assumed that the above-described win determination process is executed on the game screen of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 23, “1 course” is linked by the pointing pattern of “mass M11”-“mass M12”-“mass M13”-“mass M14”, and is linked by the transparent mass “mass M24”. Stops, resulting in four chains.

If the character of the transparent cell “Mass M24” is “Wally”, “Wendor”, or “Woof”, the re-lottery process is executed. As shown in FIG. 24, only the “mass M24” is rotated and the reels are drawn again.

Suppose that, as a result of the re-drawing, “mass M24” has become a downward pointing design as shown in FIG.

When the game screen (FIG. 25) as a result of the re-lottery is executed, a process similar to the win determination process is executed as shown in FIG. In the same way, from the pointing design of “mass M14”, the downward pointing design of “mass M24”, the downward pointing design of “mass M34”, the pointing design of “mass M44” to the right, and the mass chain The mass chain is stopped by the stop symbol of “Mass M45”.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, for "1 course", "mass M11"-"mass M12"-"mass M13"-"mass M14"-"mass M24"-"mass M34"-"mass M44" The chain is stopped by the stop symbol “Mass M45”, resulting in 7 chains. Before the re-lottery, there were 4 chains, but as a result of the re-lot, it increased to 7 chains and the number of payout medals increased.

[Modified Embodiment]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

For example, in the above embodiment, a game device provided in an amusement facility has been described as an example. However, the principle of the present invention is not a game device but a home game device, a portable game machine, a personal computer, Mobile phones such as mobile phones, PHS, and PDAs may be used.

In the above embodiment, an IC card is used for player identification, but a magnetic card, commuter pass, Suica card, Edy card, mobile phone, or the like may be used. Furthermore, as long as it identifies a player, means for identifying an individual such as a fingerprint or an iris may be used.

Further, the slot game according to the present invention may be taken in as a casino gaming machine and played as a kind of casino game.

Further, the slot game according to the present invention may be performed as a kind of bonus game in a pachinko machine, a pachislot machine or the like.

The game device and the game device control method according to the present invention are useful for providing a slot game that even beginners can enjoy.

10 ... Amusement facility 12 ... Game device 13 ... Case 14 ... Processing device 16 ... Main LCD
18 ... Sub LCD
19 ... Billboard 20 ... LAN
21 ... Control panel 22 ... Internet 23 ... Medal slot 24 ... Touch panel 25 ... Medal stock part 26 ... Bet button 27 ... Medal payout port 28 ... Execution button 30 ... Server 31 ... Meter key 32 ... Reset key 33 ... Side lamp 34 ... Display monitor 40 ... CPU
42 ... System memory 44 ... Bus arbiter 46 ... Program data storage device or storage medium 48 ... BOOTROM
50 ... Rendering processor 52 ... Graphic memory 56 ... Sound processor 58 ... Sound memory 60 ... Speaker 60a ... Woofer speaker 62 ... Communication interface 64 ... LAN adapter 66 ... Peripheral I / F
68 ... Peripheral I / F

Claims (11)

1. In a game device having an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit,
   The controller is
   Means for displaying a matrix cell of n rows and m columns on the display unit;
   Based on the operation of the operation unit by the player, means for changing the design of each square of the n-by-m matrix matrix displayed on the display unit, and then stopping the change of the design of each square;
   Means for judging whether or not adjacent squares are linked based on the design of each square and determining whether or not it is a win based on the number of squares in the stopped n-row m-column matrix. When,
   And a means for paying out a play value based on the number of chained cells when the stopped n-by-m matrix cell is a win.
2. The game device according to claim 1,
   Means for determining whether or not the winning is,
   Starting from the square at one end of each row in the stopped matrix of n rows and m columns, whether or not the squares are chained sequentially is judged, and whether or not it is a win based on the number of squares chained continuously A game device characterized by judging.
3. The game device according to claim 1 or 2,
   Each square design includes at least a design that points to the right, down, left, and up directions,
   Means for determining whether or not the winning is,
   If the direction indicated by the symbol of one cell and the direction indicated by the symbol of the other cell in the direction indicated by the symbol of the one cell are opposite directions, the one cell and the other cell are not linked. If the direction is not the opposite direction, it is determined that the one cell and the other cell are linked.
4. The game device according to claim 3,
   Each square symbol further includes a symbol indicating a stop,
   Means for determining whether or not the winning is,
   The game is characterized in that when the symbol of another square in the direction indicated by the symbol of the one square is a symbol indicating stop, it is determined that the one square and the other square are not linked. apparatus.
5. The game device according to claim 3,
   Each square design further includes a transparent design that transmits the background image,
   Means for determining whether or not the winning is,
   When a symbol of another cell in the direction indicated by the symbol of the one cell is a transparent symbol, a predetermined bonus is given based on a background image that can be seen through the transparent symbol of the other cell. A game device characterized by the above.
6. In a control method of a game device having an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit,
   The control unit causing the display unit to display a matrix of n rows and m columns; and
   Based on the operation of the operation unit by the player, the control unit changes the design of each square of the n-by-m matrix cell displayed on the display unit, and then changes the design of each square. A step to stop,
   The control unit determines whether or not adjacent squares are linked based on the design of each square in the stopped n-by-m matrix, and whether or not it is a hit based on the number of squares Determining whether or not,
   The control method includes a step of paying out a play value based on the number of chained squares when the control unit is a winning n-by-m matrix square.
7. The method for controlling a game device according to claim 6,
   The step of determining whether or not the winning is
   Starting from the square at one end of each row in the stopped matrix of n rows and m columns, whether or not the squares are chained sequentially is judged, and whether or not it is a win based on the number of squares chained continuously A method for controlling a game device, comprising: determining.
8. The method of controlling a game device according to claim 5 or 6,
   Each square design includes at least a design that points to the right, down, left, and up directions,
   The step of determining whether or not the winning is
   If the direction indicated by the symbol of one cell and the direction indicated by the symbol of the other cell in the direction indicated by the symbol of the one cell are opposite directions, the one cell and the other cell are not linked. If the direction is not the opposite direction, it is determined that the one cell and the other cell are linked to each other.
9. The method of controlling a game device according to claim 8.
   Each square symbol further includes a symbol indicating a stop,
   The step of determining whether or not the winning is
   The game is characterized in that when the symbol of another square in the direction indicated by the symbol of the one square is a symbol indicating stop, it is determined that the one square and the other square are not linked. Device control method.
10. The method of controlling a game device according to claim 8.
    Each square design further includes a transparent design that transmits the background image,
    The step of determining whether or not the winning is
    When a symbol of another cell in the direction indicated by the symbol of the one cell is a transparent symbol, a predetermined bonus is given based on a background image that can be seen through the transparent symbol of the other cell. A method for controlling a game device.
11. On the computer,
    Displaying an n-by-m matrix in a display unit,
    Based on the operation of the operation unit by the player, the step of changing the design of each square of the matrix cell of n rows and m columns displayed on the display unit, and then stopping the change of the design of each square,
    In the stopped n-by-m matrix cell, a step of determining whether adjacent cells are linked based on the design of each cell and determining whether it is a win based on the number of cells connected ,
    A program for executing a step of paying out a game value based on the number of chained squares when the stopped n-by-m matrix square is a win.

Images