JP2001299999A - Game machine with charge-free game, single and reel rotating function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which has a display and a game controller for controlling an indication image, in which at least one random phenomenon is indicated and in which a prize is given from the game machine if a result of a predetermined winning phenomenon is generated. SOLUTION: In the game machine, when a basic game including a trigger condition is completed, a function game sequence is started. With regard to at least some games of the function game sequence, at least one element of a plurality of image conveying elements from a preceding game is retained. A judgment whether or not any image conveying element is retained is carried out independently from the trigger condition. Whereas, a remaining image conveying element of a display means is varied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game machine. In particular, the present invention relates to game machines and improvements to games played on the game machines.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Since players who always play with gaming machines quickly get bored with a particular game, manufacturers of these machines need to develop innovative gaming features that add interest to the game. is there. By doing so, the player can continue to enjoy the game, so that the game can be continued and a new player can be attracted.

[0003]

With the growth of the game console market, there is intense competition between manufacturers to meet existing and new demands. When choosing a game console supplier,
Field operators often pay close attention to the popularity of various games and their patrons.
Therefore, game console manufacturers are eager to equip players with popular games, along with mechanisms to improve sales, retain customers and attract new customers.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there are provided a display means and a game control means arranged for controlling an image displayed on the display means, wherein the game control means comprises at least one random control means. When the event is arranged to play the game displayed on the display means, and the result of the predetermined victory event comes out, the present game machine is a game machine that gives a prize, and when the basic game including the trigger condition is completed, A functional game sequence is initiated, for at least some of the games of the functional game sequence, at least one of the plurality of image carrying elements from the preceding game is retained and which image carrying element is to be retained. A game machine is provided in which the decision is made independently of the trigger condition, while the remaining image-carrying elements of the display means change. It is.

The present invention is specifically intended for use in a reel-to-reel type game in which each image transport element is a reel-to-reel video simulation. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a video simulation of a spinning reel carries a number of symbols and causes the display means to display a plurality of symbols when the reel stops spinning. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is applicable to other types of games, such as card games, ball games, such as Keno.

[0006] A functional game sequence is a series of free games. The trigger condition is any suitable condition, for example, the presence of multiple scatter symbols on the display means.

[0007] In the series of free games, the first game in the series of free games may change all of its image-carrying elements to update the display, ie, to spin all reels again. For the rest of the series of free games, only one of the image transport elements is changed each time, i.e., only one reel is re-spun for each series of games. The reels selected for re-spinning are randomly selected by the game control means, and one game in a series of games is
Different for the next game.

If another trigger condition occurs during a series of free games, a new series of free games is started. This new set of free games is added to the remaining set of free games from the first sequence of free games. In other words, in the above example, if multiple scattering symbols reappear, a new series of free games is started.

In one embodiment of the invention, in the first free game of a new series, all reels are re-spun, and thereafter only one of the free game reels is re-spun for each free game. Alternatively, in the first game of a new series of free games, only one of the image transport elements may be updated by the control means without updating the entire screen display.

All winnings occurring in the functional game sequence are paid at a predetermined integer multiple of the winnings paid in the base game. Typically, the winnings in one of the functional games is three times the winnings in the underlying base game.
Double paid.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a game machine, including a game according to the present invention. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a video display device 14 on which a game 16 is played in use.
including. Game 16 is a spinning reel game that simulates one number of spins of a plurality of spinning reels 18. The center plaque 20 of the game machine 10 houses a bank 22 of buttons that the player can use to play the game 16. The central plaque 20 houses a credit input mechanism 24 including a coin input chute 24.1 and a bill collector 24.2.

The game machine 10 includes a top box 26 on which the artwork 28 is placed. Artwork 28
Includes details of payment tables and bonus awards.

[0013] A coin tray 30 is mounted below the console 12 for cash payment from the game machine 10.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated the control means or control circuit 32. Games and users
The program that executes the interface is the control circuit 3
2 processor 34. The processor 34
Driving the screen of the video display device 14,
It forms part of a controller 36 that receives input signals from sensors 38. The sensors 38 include sensors associated with the bank 22 of buttons and touch sensors mounted on the screen. Controller 36 provides a mechanism 2 that indicates that the player has provided enough credits to begin the game.
4 receives an input pulse. The mechanism 24 may be a credit card reader (not shown) or other type of authentication device instead of or in addition to the coin input chute 24.1 or the bill collector 24.2.

Finally, the controller 34 drives a payment mechanism 40, such as a coin hopper that sends coins to the coin tray 30 to pay the player when he wants to redeem his credits. is there.

Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the basic game 16
The results are shown. In this example, three scattering symbols S42 have been spun up. The presence of the three scattering symbols 42 is a trigger condition for starting a function sequence that is a predetermined number of free games, such as 16 free games. In addition, a winning money is paid for these three scattering symbols 42.

In the first game of the series of free games, a screen display is shown at 44 in FIG.
All five reels 18 have been re-spun up.
In the example shown in FIG. 4a, winnings are paid for five jacks (J) on one line. Currently, there are 15 free games left.

After the second free game, the results are shown in FIG. 4b of the drawing. Only the fourth reel is selected for re-spin, this selection is realized randomly under the control of the control circuit 32 of the game machine 10, and the remaining reels 18 are retained. In this regard, it should be noted that regardless of which reel 18 carries the scatter symbol 42 that triggered the functional sequence, the control circuit 32 determines which reel 18 should be held in each series of free games.
Is determined by In the game shown in FIG. 4b, three jacks on the first payline are paid victory. 14 out of a series of free games
The game remains.

After the third spin, the result is shown in FIG. 4c of the drawing. In this case, the second reel 18 is selected and re-rotated by the control circuit 32, and the remaining reels 18 are held. Here again, three scattering symbols 42 appear and the functional sequence, ie, a series of free games or spins, occurs again. In other words, the three scatter symbols 42 trigger a new series of free games, the remaining 13 games from the first series of free games and the second series of 16 free games are added, and 29 free games and Become. Prizes are paid for the three scattering symbols 42.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, in the first game after the second trigger condition, that is, in the first game of the remaining 29 games, the control circuit 32
Select only one reel 18 and rotate again to hold the remaining reel 18. Instead, in a second embodiment of the present invention, the presence of three scatter symbols 42 re-triggered this function, and all reels 18 are in the first of a new series of free games with the results shown in FIG. 4d of the drawings. Re-spins for the game. In this game, victory is paid to four 10s on payline 3 and three kings (K) on payline 1. Currently, there are 28 free games left.

In the next game of the second embodiment of the present invention, only one of the reels 18 is re-spun. Here again, the fourth reel 18 is randomly selected and re-rotated, and the result is shown as in FIG. 4e of the drawing. Payment line 1
The prize is paid for the four kings (K) and the three 10s of the pay line 3. Currently, 27 free games or spins remain as described above.

In each of the embodiments described above, all winnings arising in a free-of-charge game are paid a predetermined multiple of the winnings awarded in the base game. Typically, one victory in a functional game is paid three times the victory in the base game.

One advantage of the present invention is that a functional game sequence is provided that the user believes will increase player interest.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous changes and / or modifications can be made to the invention as set forth in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. Therefore, these examples
It should be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The present invention has been described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a control circuit of the game machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an example of a screen display showing a result of a basic game played on the game machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4a shows various screen displays of a functional game sequence of the game.

FIG. 4b shows various screen displays of the functional game sequence of the game.

FIG. 4c shows various screen displays of the functional game sequence of the game.

FIG. 4d shows various screen displays of the functional game sequence of the game.

FIG. 4e shows various screen displays of the functional game sequence of the game.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the game of FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4a to 4e.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of another embodiment of the game of FIGS. 3 and 4a to 4c.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game machine 12 Console 14 Video display device 16 Game 18 Spinning reel 20 Central plaque 24 Credit input mechanism 24.1 Coin input chute 24.2 Payment collector 26 Top box 28 Artwork 30 Coin tray 32 Control circuit 34 Processor 36 Controller 38 Sensor 40 Payment mechanism 42 Scattering symbol 44 Screen display

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A game machine comprising: a display means; and a game control means arranged to control an image displayed on the display means, wherein the game control means displays at least one random event on the display means. This game machine is a game machine that provides a prize if a predetermined victory event is obtained and a basic game including a trigger condition is completed, and a functional game sequence is started. For at least some of the games of the functional game sequence,
At least one of the plurality of image-carrying elements from the preceding game is retained, a determination of which image-carrying element is to be retained is made independently of the trigger condition, and the remaining image-carrying elements of the display means change. Said game machine. 2. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein said game sequence is a series of free games. 3. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein in the series of free games, a first game of the series of free games has all image transport elements changed to update the display. 4. The game machine according to claim 3, wherein for one of the remaining games in the series, only one of the image transport elements changes each time. 5. The game machine according to claim 4, wherein said image transport element selected to be changed is randomly selected by said game control means. 6. The game machine according to claim 5, wherein the selected image transport element changes from one game in the series of free games to the next game. 7. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein a new series of free games is started when another trigger condition occurs in the series of free games. 8. The gaming machine of claim 7, wherein the new series of free games is added to the series of free games remaining from an initial sequence of free games. 9. The gaming machine of claim 8, wherein in the first game of the new series of free games, only one of the image transport elements is changed by the controller. 10. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein an integral multiple of a predetermined winning amount paid in the basic game is paid for all wins occurring in the functional game sequence. 11. A game machine as claimed in claim 1 and substantially described with reference to the accompanying drawings.