JP2006149869A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively implement the performance during the games with a slot machine. <P>SOLUTION: In the slot machine 1, when the start lever 24 is operated with the number of bets already determined, three reels 10a, 10b and 10c are rotated. At this point, when the win flag is turned ON by the internal lottery. the corresponding performance (winning notice or the like) is carried out. Otherwise, each time any of stop buttons 26, 28 and 30 is operated, the performance corresponding to the winning flag is carried out (winning notice at first stop and another winning notice at second stop or the like). During the big bonus game, visual performances are presented on a liquid crystal display device 42 and are combined with lighting and flashing in the special patterns by means of cabinet lamps 45, 46 and 48 or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs internal lottery for each game and determines whether or not a privilege can be granted based on the winning result.

  As a prior art related to this type of gaming machine, there is known a gaming machine that shifts to a special game such as a bonus game when a certain condition is satisfied during a general normal game (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . As is well known, in this type of gaming machine, lottery is performed in each game, and when a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination at that time is displayed, a predetermined number of game values (for example, medals) are paid out. In general normal games, it is possible to display a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination, which is often referred to as “pocket”, and the type of symbol displayed in that combination (small role) There is a difference in the number of payouts depending on the type). Whether or not it is necessary to pay out for each game can be determined from the combination mode (out) of the symbols displayed when the rotating reel is stopped. For example, the symbols corresponding to the winning combination are aligned on the active line. When displayed, the payout is made, and when they are not aligned, there is no payout (so-called “missing”). Alternatively, if the internal lottery itself is off, the symbol combination display with payout is avoided by reel control.

  Furthermore, in a known game machine, when a so-called bonus combination is won internally during a normal game, that is, on a control process that does not appear on the outer surface, a game state called a special game (replay time game) is entered. In this special game, the replay winning probability is higher than that in the normal game, but the probability that the replay symbols are actually aligned is reduced by reel control. In addition, if you shift to the state of special game, even if you win the bonus combination repeatedly, the winning results will be accumulated internally (in the control process) as so-called “secret stock”, and the bonus symbol combination display on the surface will be reel Continue to be avoided by control. For this reason, during a special game, even if a bonus combination is won, the game will not shift to a special game, and the winning results that are stocked will be released only after the special game ends (or is canceled), and the combination of bonus symbols is actually displayed. Is possible.

  In general, a player who plays with this type of gaming machine has a major goal of executing more bonus games. However, in a known gaming machine (Patent Document 1), in principle, a bonus is used until the end of a special game. I can't proceed to the game. For this reason, the player has a great interest in the timing at which the special game ends, or whether the current internal state of the gaming machine is likely to end the special game. While playing games.

  In this regard, a known gaming machine is capable of inferring whether or not the stock is actually easily released, that is, whether or not it is advantageous to the player, regarding the release of the winning result that is stocked internally. There is a feature. That is, a known gaming machine changes a reel control pattern according to an internal state, and gives a certain tendency to a combination mode (outcome) of symbols displayed when the reel is stopped. At this time, if a certain tendency is given to the outcome when the reel is stopped depending on whether the player is in an advantageous state or an unfavorable state, the player guesses the current internal state while observing the tendency of the appearance It is considered possible.

JP 2004-105617 A

However, the following problems occur in known gaming machines.
(1) First, although it is technically possible to infer whether or not the state inside the gaming machine is advantageous to the player from the tendency of appearance when the reels are stopped, such changes are not noticed at all. For a player or a player who has an interest in performing a bonus game but does not show any interest until now, the technique will no longer function effectively.

(2) Next, even if the same small role is won, if there are multiple active lines (determined according to the multiplier of the game value and the number of bets), the active lines are always the same when the symbols are displayed in combination. Because of this, even in the same small role, the outcome varies depending on the active line. Further, if the timing at which the player performs the reel stop operation is different, the reel stop position differs depending on the reel control. For this reason, even if a beginner or the like who is unfamiliar with the game looks at the appearance at the time of reel stop, it cannot be easily determined whether the tendency of the appearance has changed or the timing of his / her stop operation has shifted.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a technique that can convey internal information to a player in an easily understandable manner.

(Solution 1)
The gaming machine according to the present invention can display a combination of symbols by arranging a plurality of symbol rows side by side, and can be started in a state in which a multiplier of game values used for one game is determined. Device, a start operation unit for starting the symbol display device, and a stop operation unit that can be operated when the symbol display device is started by the operation of the start operation unit and the symbol display mode changes. When the symbol display device is stopped in response to the operation to the stop operation unit, a predetermined number of game values are given to the player as needed based on the combination display mode of the symbol at the time. In a gaming machine capable of ending a game and making a transition to a special gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state based on the results of the game played during the general normal gaming state, once The game When there is an operation on the stop operation unit after starting the symbol display device, lottery means for performing internal lottery every time and determining whether or not one of a plurality of types of winning combinations prepared in advance is won By controlling the stop of the symbol display device based on the determination result of the lottery means, it is allowed to display a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination in the case of winning, while all in the case of non-winning The stop control means for avoiding the display of the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination, and the transition to the special gaming state is assumed when a specific condition is satisfied in the game between the normal gaming state A pre-transition game execution means for executing a pre-transition game and giving a player a game opportunity consisting of a series of games during the pre-transition game, and the winning obtained in each game performed during the pre-transition game Role About the value of the winning value is determined, and the winning value totaling means for counting the determined winning value through the game opportunity during the game before the transition, and when the pre-transition game is finished, the winning value totaling means Continuing to determine (without disclosing to the player) whether or not the specific condition should be satisfied again in the game in the normal gaming state after the special gaming state has ended based on the magnitude of the result of collecting the winning value The determination means and setting the result of counting the winning value as large as possible at the end of the pre-transition game are set as a game purpose during the pre-transition game, and the process toward achieving the game purpose is given to the player. Information disclosing means for disclosing to the player intermediate progress information obtained by compiling the winning value obtained during the pre-transition game to be displayed as visually recognizable performance information. Prepare.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the result of a game played during a general normal game (for example, the result of winning a lottery performed internally, the number of digested games, the type / number of assigned winning roles, and a combination display When a specific condition is satisfied reflecting the type / number of times, the number of acquired game values, etc.), the transition to the special game state is determined in the internal game control process. However, the game is not immediately transferred to the special game state on the surface with which the player is in contact, and the player is given a game opportunity in advance of the game on the premise of shifting to the special game state.

  For this reason, the player can enjoy the benefit of confirming the transition to the special gaming state at the time when the game opportunity of the game before the transition is given, but the game before the transition can be digested easily. It is not a thing of the nature, but a certain game purpose is given there, and the magnitude of the profit which oneself receives afterwards changes depending on the achievement degree of this game purpose.

  Specifically, in the game during the game before the transition, the value of the winning value is determined for each winning role (the type of the winning determined by the internal lottery), and this winning value is counted through the game during the game before the transition. . Winning value means the internal value that is given to the event “winning the internal lottery” in the game before the transition game, and such winning value has assigned a probabilistic low winning role. Something big is given, and conversely, a winning combination that is not very low stochastically is not given a great value. The winning value may be anything as long as it can be specified by some scale such as points, points, frequency, and weight, but the larger the result, the more continuous the special gaming state (in the internal control) ( Or the probability of being able to make a transition is increased. This is because it is internally determined whether or not a specific condition is satisfied again based on the size of the counting result at the end of the pre-migration game.

  In view of the internal mechanism of such a gaming machine, as many winning roles as possible will be allocated in the internal lottery held in each game before the game before the transition, and thereby the result of counting the winning value should be as large as possible Is the purpose of playing games. However, even if an internal lottery is conducted, the player usually sees, measures, or feels the amount of the winning value determined for each winning role as well as the winning result. I can't. This is because these are only logical operation information used in internal game control processing, and are not of a nature that can be perceived by humans.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine of the present invention, when the pre-transition game is executed, the game purpose is set to increase the internal winning value totaling result as much as possible at the end of the game. Visual production information is used so that it can be easily understood (or recognized, recognized, grasped, grasped, felt, etc.). The production information expresses the process of progressing toward the achievement of the above game objectives during the game before the transition, specifically, while the winning value obtained so far is halfway counted It is progress information. For this reason, the player can easily know how close he is to achieving the game objective each time by visually checking the progress information during the game before the transition. As a result, the player is serious about the game before the transition based on the game purpose of determining whether or not the transition to the next special gaming state is possible as soon as possible before the transition to the special gaming state. You can tackle and keep your interest and motivation for games for a long time.

(Solution 2)
The gaming machine of the present invention can have a separate structure. In this case, the gaming machine of the present invention displays a combination of symbols by arranging a plurality of symbol rows side by side, and can be started in a state where the multiplier of the game value used for one game is determined. A display device, a start operation unit for starting the symbol display device, and a stop operation unit that can be operated when the symbol display device is started by an operation on the start operation unit and the display mode of the symbol fluctuates. When the symbol display device is stopped in response to an operation to the stop operation unit, a predetermined number of game values are given to the player as needed based on the symbol combination display mode at that time. In the gaming machine that finishes the game, lottery means for performing internal lottery for each game and determining whether or not one of a plurality of types of winning combinations prepared in advance is won, and the symbol display device Beginning When there is an operation to the stop operation unit later, the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is displayed by controlling the stop of the symbol display device based on the determination result of the lottery means. On the other hand, in the case of non-winning, a stop control means for avoiding display of a combination of symbols corresponding to all the winning combinations, and a specific kind of game by the lottery means in a game in a general normal gaming state When the winning result is obtained, in this game, in order to avoid displaying a combination of symbols associated with the specific type of winning result, the winning storage is carried over to the next and subsequent games and stored. And a storage game state transition means for transitioning from the normal game state to a predetermined storage game state when the winning result of the specific type is carried over by the winning storage unit In the game played in the pooled gaming state, when the specific type of winning result is obtained by the lottery means, the combination of symbols associated with the specific type of winning result is displayed in the current game. In order to avoid the storage and addition means for adding the storage frequency of the specific type of winning result by the winning and storage means, and when a predetermined transition condition is satisfied in the game played during the storage and gaming state, By executing a predetermined pre-transition game at the same time, after passing through this pre-transition game, by releasing the storage game state and releasing the specific type of winning results stored by the winning storage means only once, The storage and release means that allows the combination of symbols associated with the winning result to be displayed, and the specific type in the game after the game before the transition When a combination of symbols associated with the winning result is displayed, special game state transition means for shifting to a special gaming state advantageous to the player, and when the game played in the special gaming state ends, the winning storage State return means for returning from the special game state to either the normal game state or the stored game state according to the presence or absence of storage by means, and the winning obtained in each game performed during the game before transition The winning value is determined for the role, and the determined winning value is totaled through the game opportunity during the game before the transition. When the pre-transition game is completed, the winning value is totaled by the winning value totaling means. The specific condition should be satisfied again in the game in the normal gaming state after the special gaming state is ended based on the result value of the winning value. Continuation determination means for determining whether or not (without disclosing to the player), and the purpose of the game during the game before the transition to increase the result of the winning value as much as possible at the end of the game before the transition In order to display the process toward the achievement of the game purpose as production information that can be visually recognized by the player, the intermediate progress information obtained by compiling the winning value obtained during the game before the transition to the middle is disclosed to the player Information disclosure means.

  In this solution, as a rule, an internal lottery is performed in each game, but if a specific type of winning result is obtained by an internal lottery while in the storage game state, the winning result is carried over, and internal stock It will be stored as. Therefore, unless the stored gaming state is released and a specific type of winning result is not released, the symbol combination associated therewith is not displayed, and the combination display continues to be avoided by the stop control means. On the other hand, when a combination of symbols associated with a specific type of winning result is displayed, it shifts to a special gaming state that is advantageous to the player, so from the player's point of view, how quickly a specific type of winning result is released. Whether or not to do so is greatly related to one's own interests.

  However, if a pre-transition game is executed in the stored game state, a specific type of winning result is always released after the pre-transition game. For this reason, it is the first major goal for a player to perform a pre-transition game as a precondition for transitioning to a special gaming state. The game cannot be executed, and a predetermined transition condition must be satisfied in order to execute the pre-migration game. Whether or not this transition condition is satisfied is determined based on the result of counting the winning value at the end of the previous game before transition. For this reason, from the player's point of view, the result of counting the winning value obtained in one pre-transition game determines the fate of whether or not the pre-transition game can be executed again, and thus the opportunity to enter the special game state. It can be said that the key to how many can be obtained.

  However, since the size of the winning value determined internally cannot be directly felt by the player, the player can use the game purpose during the pre-transition game as direction information as in the solution 1. In this way, it is possible to effectively prevent the player's motivation from decreasing while maintaining the fun of the game.

(Solution 3)
In the solving means 1 and 2, a game opportunity during the game before the transition is displayed by displaying a combination of corresponding symbols among a plurality of types of winning combinations in the internal lottery performed in each game. It is possible to win with a relatively high probability for a specific winning combination.

  As described above, the game purpose of pre-transition games is to allocate more winning roles in a series of game opportunities, thereby increasing the winning value aggregation results as much as possible. The advantage that if the winning probability of replaying (replay) is relatively high in the game of the previous game, the player can execute the game of the game before the transition without significantly reducing the game value he has invested There is.

(Solution 4)
In the solving means 1 to 3, the information disclosing means displays the result of whether or not the winning value is obtained in each game during the game before the transition, and if the winning value is obtained, the magnitude Display with the degree of.

  In this case, the player can easily know the presence or absence of the winning value and the size thereof for each game during the game before the transition. Therefore, in the process of achieving the goal of the game, the player learns that a relatively large winning value is obtained for each game, and the player feels satisfied, or conversely, this game is too big If you know that the winning value could not be obtained, you can tackle the game eagerly while switching your feelings to the next game, such as “Next time”.

(Solution 5)
In solving means 1 to 4, the information disclosing means preliminarily displays a target value of the result of counting the winning value that should be maximized at the end of the pre-migration game.

  As described above, the game purpose during the game before the transition is set to increase the result of winning value as much as possible at the end of the game, but the player is informed of how much it should be increased. Otherwise, the game objectives may feel vague. Therefore, in this solution, by clearly displaying the maximum (upper limit) total result obtained during the game before transition as the target value, it is clear how far the result of winning value should be increased. The points are disclosed to the player in an easy-to-understand manner. The target value may be displayed at the same time as the start of the game before transition or before the start. Alternatively, the target value may always be displayed on the outer surface of the gaming machine.

(Solution 6)
In the solving means 5, the information disclosing means is arranged at the front position of the gaming machine main body facing the player, and when the magnitude of the winning value is represented by a numerical value of 1 or more, the information disclosing means is a numerical value from 1 to 3. Three kinds of winning value information corresponding to each other are arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and are disposed on the back side of the display board corresponding to the arrangement of the winning value information. A light emission source that individually illuminates the winning value information by irradiating light from the back side to the front side, and a numerical value that represents the size of the winning value that is aggregated in the progress of the game before the transition is 1 When the value is within the range up to 3, the winning value is displayed by illuminating one kind of winning value information corresponding to each numerical value by the light emission source, and represents the winning value. If the number exceeds 3, 2 types A light emission control device capable of displaying the winning value having a size corresponding to a numerical value obtained by adding two or more numerical values from 1 to 3 by simultaneously illuminating the winning value information on the light source. And have.

  In this case, for example, the winning value can be disclosed to the player by expressing it as a numerical value from 1 to 6. Specifically, when one type of winning value information corresponding to any one of the numerical values 1 to 3 is illuminated, the numerical values (1 to 3) corresponding to the winning value information are obtained as a result of the current aggregation (progress Information can be easily recognized by the player. The player can always be aware of the purpose of the game while watching the display of the winning value information, and can concentrate on the game of the game before the transition to achieve the goal.

  In addition, when the winning value count result (intermediate progress information) sequentially changes with the progress of the game during the game before the transition, the type of the winning value information to be illuminated changes accordingly. When the total result increases to a numerical value exceeding 3, in this case, two or more types of winning value information respectively corresponding to the numerical values 1 to 3 are illuminated and displayed. By touching such a display mode, the player can easily know that the current counting result has a size corresponding to the numerical values 4 to 6 obtained by adding two of the numerical values 1 to 3.

(Addition 1 of Solution 6)
It is preferable that the winning value information is arranged in the vicinity of a symbol display unit by the symbol display device. In addition, it is preferable to include teaching means for teaching (or disclosing, suggesting, notifying, notifying, announcing, etc.) to the player that the game before the transition is in proximity to winning value information.

  If the winning value information is arranged in the vicinity of the symbol display section, the player can easily know the current totaling result (intermediate progress information) together with the symbol display mode in each game. In addition, if it is taught that a game before transition is being taught, the player can tackle the game before transition while clearly recognizing the situation of the player and the importance of the game purpose.

(Additional item 2 of Solution 6)
The configuration of the solving means 6 is suitable, for example, for a swivel-type game machine having the following basic configuration (a game ball can be used in addition to medals, coins, etc. as a game medium). A rotating type gaming machine constitutes a gaming machine main body, a box-shaped housing having an accommodation space for the symbol display device therein, a front door provided so that a front surface of the housing can be opened and closed, A display window that is formed on the front door so that the symbol display mode by the symbol display device can be viewed from the front side, and is arranged on the front door for receiving the start operation and the stop operation by the player. An operation member (starting operation member, stop operation member), an input portion disposed on the front surface of the housing for receiving input of game media, and a front surface of the front door for determining the multiplication value of the game value A multiplication operation unit capable of accepting an operation to perform, a game control device disposed inside the housing and having a function of controlling the progress of the game, and an instruction command from the game control device Receive And a presentation controller for controlling a predetermined effect operation.

(Solution 7)
In the solving means 1 to 6, the winning value counting means totals the winning value only when a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is displayed in the game before the transition game.

  In this case, it is not enough to assign any winning combination in the internal lottery. Whether or not the transition condition is satisfied again only after the player can actually display the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination. Is decided. For this reason, the player is serious about the game during the transition game with a sense of tension that he must stop the display so that the combination of symbols is displayed (so-called “not to be missed”). You can work on it.

  The gaming machine of the present invention can obtain a large effect when the game machine shifts to a special game state advantageous to the player, thereby enhancing the interest of the game.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a swivel game machine will be described with reference to the corresponding drawings along the following items.

(1. Overview of Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a slot machine 1 which is an embodiment of a rotating type gaming machine. The slot machine 1 in FIG. 1 is of a type that uses, for example, medals, coins or the like as game media. In addition, there is a type using a game ball (so-called “parrot machine”) as a spinning-type game machine, and this type is also suitable as an embodiment.

  The slot machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a box-shaped casing 2, and the casing 2 forms a main body portion of the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 is installed in a state where a plurality of slot machines 1 are arranged on the island facility of the game arcade based on the housing 2. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 has an accommodating space inside, and various components are accommodated therein.

  The housing 2 is open on the front side facing the player, but the opening on the front side is closed by the front door 4. The front door 4 can be opened forward with one side end (left side end in this example) as the center, and the inside of the housing 2 is exposed in the opened state.

  The front door 4 has a flat display plate 6 at a position from the middle to the upper side when viewed in the vertical direction, and a rectangular display window 8 is formed at substantially the center thereof. Three reels (left reel, middle reel, right reel) 10a, 10b, and 10c are disposed behind the display window 8 (inside the housing 2) as an example of a mechanical symbol display device. A part of the reels 10a, 10b, 10c is visible from the front side through the display window 8.

  Each reel 10a, 10b, 10c has a reel band around the outer periphery thereof, and various patterns are attached to the surface thereof. Although not shown in FIG. 1, for example, symbols such as the numbers “7” and “BAR”, bells, watermelons, plums, apples, cherries, etc., or the slot machine 1 Characters, figures, symbols and the like that characterize the model are included.

  The slot machine 1 can change or stop the display mode of the symbols by rotating or stopping the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c. For this reason, while the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are rotating, it is possible to visually recognize how the symbols fluctuate through the display window 8 from the front side, and when the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c stop, The three symbols are effectively displayed in the vertical direction.

  Display areas (without reference numerals) are formed on both sides and upper and lower sides of the display window 8 in the display board 6, and various character information and symbol information are attached to these display areas in a predetermined arrangement. . A lamp unit (not shown) is disposed behind the display panel 6 and information in the display area is lit and displayed by transmitting light from the lamp. For example, when a player inserts a medal through the medal insertion slot 15 for the first time, the multiplier of the medal, that is, the number of bets is added according to the number of inserted coins. The line lamp lights up. At this time, if the medal acceptance operation in the slot machine 1 is in the credit mode, medals inserted exceeding the maximum bet number (for example, 3 bets) are stored as credits, and the credit number is numerically displayed on the display unit 16. .

  For example, up to 50 credits can be stored. If there is enough credit remaining after one game, the amount can be used for the next bet. The number of bets is selected by operating the bet buttons 18, 20, and 22. The bet buttons 18, 20, and 22 are respectively a single bet (1), 2 bets (2), and a MAX bet (3). Multiply).

  In any case, when the player determines the number of bets for each game and operates the start lever 24 in a state where the effective line lamp is lit and displayed, the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c start to rotate and the symbols change. When the player operates the stop buttons 26, 28, and 30 while the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are rotating, the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c corresponding to the right, middle, and left respectively stop rotating and the symbols are displayed. The fluctuation stops. At this time, it is determined whether the combination of symbols on the active line corresponds to any of big bonus, regular bonus, various small roles (with medal payout), and replay (replay). When it is determined that the combination is applicable, a predetermined privilege is given according to the type of symbol combination (for example, bonus symbol, small role symbol, replay symbol, etc.), and one game is completed. The bonus is a transition to a big bonus game or a regular bonus game in the case of a bonus symbol, a payout of a medal in the case of a small role symbol, and a replay symbol in which the next game is not inserted or a bet operation is performed. It is possible to execute (replay).

  When a combination of symbols corresponding to various small roles is displayed, the number of medals to be paid out is displayed on the display unit 32. In the credit mode, the paid out medals are added to the credit on the display unit 16. And stored. Of the medals paid out at this time, medals exceeding the maximum number of credits are paid out to the tray 38 through the payout opening 36. Alternatively, when a combination of replay symbols is displayed, the immediately preceding active line is re-enabled and replay (replay) is possible as described above. The player can also cancel the credit mode by operating the settlement button 40 and settle the medal storage (credit).

  The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a liquid crystal display 42 above the display window 8, and the liquid crystal display 42 is used to provide images for effects and various bonus games as the game progresses. The number of medals is displayed. In addition, two speakers 44 are provided on the left and right of the payout opening 36, and sound effects, BGM, sounds, and the like accompanying the progress of the game are output from these speakers 44. In addition, lamps 45, 46, and 48 are arranged at various locations on the front door 4, and these lamps 45, 46, and 48 can perform effects by light-emitting decoration according to the gaming state.

(2. Internal structure of slot machine)
FIG. 2 schematically shows configurations of various mechanism elements, electronic devices, operation members, and the like that are installed in the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 has a main control board 50 for comprehensively controlling the progress of the game. The main control board 50 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an interface, etc. (all not shown). Has been implemented.

  The bet buttons 18, 20, 22 and the start lever 24, the stop buttons 26, 28, 30 and the settlement button 40 are all connected to the main control board 50, and these operation buttons use sensors (not shown). The operation by the player can be detected and the operation signal can be output to the main control board 50.

  The housing 2 accommodates other devices together with the main control board 50, and various signals are input from these devices to the main control board 50. In addition to the reel device 10 having the three reels 10a to 10c, the devices include a medal selector 52 and a hopper device 54.

  The reel device 10 has a position sensor (not shown) for detecting a reference position related to the rotation of each reel 10a, 10b, 10c, and a detection signal (index signal) from these position sensors is a main control board. 50 is input. The medal selector 52 detects medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 15 one by one and outputs a detection signal (inserted medal signal) to the main control board 50. The hopper device 54 has a payout sensor (not shown) that detects paid-out medals one by one, and a payout medal signal for each medal is input to the main control board 50 from the payout sensor. ing.

  On the other hand, a control signal is output from the main control board 50 to the reel device 10 and the hopper device 54. That is, the reel device 10 has a built-in stepping motor (not shown) for rotating the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and a drive pulse signal for controlling start and stop of these stepping motors is a main control. Output from the substrate 50. When medals are paid out, the hopper device 54 receives a required number of drive signals from the main control board 50, and the hopper device 54 performs a medal payout operation.

  The slot machine 1 includes a sub control board 56 in addition to the main control board 50. The sub control board 56 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an interface, a VDP, a sound source IC, an audio amplifier, etc. (all of which are shown in the figure). Not implemented). The sub control board 56 receives various command signals from the main control board 50 and controls the operation of the liquid crystal display 42, the display units 16, 32, 34, and the speaker 44, and the lamps 45, 46, 48 and the panel lamp 70. Controlling lighting or flashing.

  The panel lamp 70 is disposed, for example, on the back side of the display board 6 and on the right side of the display window 8 when viewed from the front side. Although not particularly illustrated, the panel lamp 70 includes, for example, four lamps (light emission sources), and these four lamps are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The individual lamps are housed one by one in a housing partitioned within the panel lamp 70, and in this state, light can be emitted from the back of the display panel 6 toward the front side.

  Further, an external terminal board 58 is connected to the main control board 50, and the slot machine 1 is connected to the hall computer 60 in the game hall via the external terminal board 58. The external terminal board 58 relays various signals (inserted medal signal, payout medal signal, game status, etc.) transmitted from the main control board 50 to the hall computer 60.

  In addition, a power supply unit 62 is accommodated in the housing 2, and the power supply unit 62 takes in power from an external power source and generates power necessary for the operation of the slot machine 1. The electric power generated here is supplied from the power supply unit 62 to each unit.

  The power supply unit 62 is provided with a power switch 64, a setting key switch 66, a reset switch 68, and the like. None of these switches are exposed to the outside of the housing 2 and can be operated only by opening the front door 4. Among them, the power switch 64 is for turning on / off the power supply to the slot machine 1, and the setting key switch 66 is for changing the settings (for example, settings 1 to 6) of the slot machine 1. . The reset switch 68 is used to cancel an error that has occurred in the slot machine 1 and is also operated when changing the setting together with the setting key switch 66.

(3. Game processing)
Next, the flow of game processing in the slot machine 1 will be described. The following game processing proceeds in accordance with a processing procedure on a control program executed by the CPU of the main control board 50.

(3-1. Revolute game processing)
FIG. 3 shows one processing procedure for one basic game (rotating game) in the slot machine 1. One game starts from start processing (step S10). This starting process is a process for starting the rotation of the reels 10a, 10b, 10c. Here, a random number triggered by the insertion of a medal or the operation of the bet buttons 18, 20, 22 or the operation of the start lever 24 is used. A process such as lottery is performed. The details of the starting process (step S10) will be described later using another flowchart.

  In one game, a stop process (step S20) is executed following the start process (step S10). This stop process stops the rotation of each of the reels 10a to 10c and controls the stop position, and this usually corresponds to a process called “reel control”. There are two types of stop processing using reel control, for example, a table method and a control method, and either of them may be used here. Stop processing using reel control will also be described later using another flowchart.

  When the stop process is finished by the reel control, the determination process (step S30) is executed next. This determination process is for providing a necessary game result based on the combination (out) of symbols displayed when all the reels 10a, 10b, 10c are stopped. The main game results are medal payouts and replays (replays), but in addition to these, there is a privilege to shift to a bonus game depending on the type of combination of symbols (big bonus symbol, regular bonus symbol, etc.) It may be given or it may be an opportunity to change the internal state (various modes). The specific contents of the determination process will be described after the stop process.

  The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment has a specification for shifting to a gaming state generally referred to as “replay time (abbreviated as“ RT ”)”. Next to the determination process (step S30), the replay time game process (step S40). ) Is executed. In the replay time (RT) game process, replay time game count (subtraction), replay time game release determination, internal mode transition determination, and the like are performed. Here, although the replay time game process is placed in the spinning game routine, the replay time game process may be placed in the start process (step S10) routine. The replay time game process will also be described in detail later using another flowchart.

(3-2. Start processing)
FIG. 4 specifically shows the contents of the start process. Here, first, the insertion of medals or the operation of the bet buttons 18, 20, and 22 is awaited (step S101). As long as the player does not make a bet or insert a medal (No), the start lever 24 is not activated, so the determination in Step S104 is denied (No) and the standby state (Step S101) continues to be looped. When there is a bet operation or a medal insertion, an acceptance process (step S102) is performed in response to this, and the effective line lamp is turned on according to the number of bets. In the acceptance process (step S102), a medal insertion command or a bet command is transmitted from the sub control board 48 to the sub control board 56.

  Subsequent to the acceptance process (step S102), a start lever valid process (step S103) is performed, and the operation of the start lever 24 is substantially validated for the first time. When the player operates the start lever 24 in this state, the determination in step S104 is affirmed (Yes), and then the start lever invalidation process (step S105) is performed.

  When the start lever 24 is operated, random number extraction (random lottery) is performed using this as an opportunity (step S106). The random number used here may be either a software random number or a hardware random number. Further, the timing for extracting the random number after receiving the operation of the start lever 24 is not particularly defined, and an appropriate extraction timing can be set in the programming process.

  In the next flag processing (step S107), winning / losing is determined from the extracted random value, and in the case of winning, a flag corresponding to the type of winning combination (small role, special small role, etc.) is turned ON. The winning flag command is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 48. When a big bonus or a regular bonus is won during replay time games, only “1” is added to each bonus stock counter, and the bonus corresponding winning flag is not turned ON. In addition, when the bonus stock counter is “0” (so-called “out of stock”) and a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, the replay time setting process shown in parentheses in FIG. 4 (see FIG. 5). To be described later).

  When the above flag processing (step S107) is performed, it is determined whether or not the wait timer started in the previous start processing has timed up (for example, 4.1 seconds have elapsed) (step S108). When time-up (Yes) is confirmed, each reel 10a, 10b, 10c is started (step S109), and a wait timer from this point to the next start is started (step S110).

  FIG. 5 shows the replay time setting process. This replay time setting process consists of a single step (reference numerals omitted), where the number of replay time games (so-called “ceiling”) is selected and selected and set. The number of replay time games can be selected using, for example, a selection lottery table stored in advance in the ROM of the main control board 46, and the number of games selected from these is, for example, 1260 at maximum. ing.

(3-3. Reel stop processing)
FIG. 6 shows the contents of reel stop processing by the table method as an example. Since a well-known technique can be applied to the reel control, the flow of processing will be schematically described here.

  In the reel stop process, first, a reel control table is selected according to a flag representing the winning result at that time (step S201). A reel control table having a plurality of patterns for all the winning results is prepared in advance, and these are stored in the ROM of the main control board 50 as read-only table data. Also, the reel control table pattern to be selected is different between the replay time game and the general game. For example, in a reel control table during a replay time game, even if a big bonus or a regular bonus is won internally, the winning result is carried over as stock, and a bonus symbol does not appear as an outcome when the reel is stopped (so-called `` The stop position of each of the reels 10a, 10b, 10c is controlled by the “normal deviation point”). Alternatively, during a replay time game, a replay is won with a relatively high probability (eg, 1/17), but on the reel control table, a combination of symbols corresponding to the replay is displayed. It is divided into those that only allow the display mode to be out of place, and the probability (appearance rate) that the combination of symbols corresponding to the replay is actually displayed is about the same as the normal time (for example, 7.29) It is suppressed.

  In any case, in a state where a reel control table having an appropriate pattern is selected, a standby state is entered until the stop buttons 26, 28, 30 are pressed (steps S202, S210, S217, S219). In these standby states, it is determined whether each of the left and middle reels 10a, 10b has already stopped, or whether the first reel stop flag is not set (= 0). At the same time, it is determined whether any one of the left, middle and right stop buttons 26, 28 and 30 is pressed. If none of the stop buttons 26, 28, and 30 are pressed, the determinations in steps S219 and S209 are both denied (No), and steps S202 and after are repeated.

  For example, if the left stop button 26 is first pressed in accordance with a so-called “forward push” or “forward scissor push” procedure (step S202 = Yes), the first reel stop flag is not set at this time ( Therefore, the first reel stop process (step S206) is executed for the left reel 10a. Here, the “first reel stop process” means a process for stopping the reel first.

  Alternatively, when the center stop button 28 is first pressed in accordance with the so-called “middle push” procedure (step S210 = Yes, step S211 = Yes), the first reel stop process (step S212) is executed for the middle reel 10b. The In addition to this, when the right stop button 30 is first pressed in accordance with the so-called “reverse push” or “reverse scissor push” procedure (step S217 = Yes), the first reel stop process ( Step S218) is executed.

  When the first reel stop process (steps S204, S212, and S218) is performed for any one of the left, middle, and right reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, the reel control table of a plurality of patterns corresponding to the flag at that time is used. A table pattern is selected based on the random value. For example, for one winning combination “Bell”, a plurality of reel control tables are prepared in advance to stop the symbol “Bell” on the reels 10a to 10c on the active line. It means that one pattern is selected. When one pattern is selected, the stop positions of the reels 10a to 10c are controlled based on the reel control table. Thereby, for example, the symbol “bell” is stopped somewhere on the active line.

  For example, taking a pattern in which the left reel 10a is stopped first along the forward pressing procedure, the first reel stop process is performed on the left reel 10a in step S204. At this time, the main control board 50 transmits a stop information command (first stop information command) indicating the stop eye of the left reel 10 a to the sub control board 56.

  In the next step S206, reel control tables (stop tables) for the remaining middle and right reels 10b and 10c are determined by random lottery. Specifically, assuming that the symbol “bell” is stopped at the lower position when the left reel 10a is stopped, the effective line can be selected from the lower line or the upward line at that time (in the case of MAX betting). However, either one (for example, a line rising to the right) is selected by random number lottery here. The random number lottery distribution rate may be about half.

  When the above processing (step S206) is performed, the first reel stop flag is turned ON (= 1) (step S207), and the left reel stop flag is turned ON (= 1) (step S208). ). Since all the reels 10a to 10c are not stopped at this stage, the determination in step S209 is negative (No), and step S202 and subsequent steps are executed.

  Then, since the left reel 10a has already stopped at this time (step S202 = No), when the stop button 28 at the center position is pressed secondly (step S210 = Yes) along the forward pressing procedure, the first reel After the stop flag is determined (step S211 = No), the middle reel stop process (step S213) is executed. In the middle reel stop process, the stop position is controlled based on the reel control table (stop table) previously selected for the middle reel 10b. Accordingly, in the example of the above-mentioned right-up effective line, the symbol “bell” on the middle reel 10b stops at the middle position. In addition, the top of the stop is a state in which two symbols “bells” are aligned on the left and middle reels 10a and 10b on the right-up line (so-called “right-up template”). At this time, the main control board 50 transmits a stop information command (second stop information command) indicating the stop eye of the middle reel 10 b to the sub control board 56. In this case, since the middle reel 10b is in the second stop, steps S212, S214, and S215 are all bypassed, and the middle reel stop flag is only turned ON (= 1) in step S216.

  Similarly, when the right stop button 30 is finally pressed (step S219 = Yes), the stop position is controlled based on the reel control table (stop table) previously selected for the right reel 10c (step S219). S220). As a result, the symbol “bell” on the third right reel 10c stops at the upper position, so that when all reels are stopped, three symbols “bell” are displayed on the right-up effective line. It becomes a state. At this time, the main control board 50 transmits a stop information command (third stop information command) indicating the stop eye of the right reel 10 c to the sub control board 56. In this case, since the right reel 10c is in the third stop, steps S218, S221, and S222 are all bypassed, and the right reel stop flag is turned ON (= 1) in step S223.

  In the reel stop process of FIG. 6, in order to simplify the description, when the right stop button 30 is first pressed with the right reel 10c being the first stop, the determination in step S217 is negative (No), and A logic is adopted in which the determination in step S219 is affirmed (Yes). For this reason, when the right stop button 30 is pressed repeatedly while the right reel 10c is already stopped (first reel stop flag = 1 and right reel stop flag = 1), the determination in step S219 is affirmed. Even if the process proceeds after the next right reel stop process (step S202), the process here is simply passed through and no substantial stop process is performed.

  If the all-reel stop flag is turned on through the processing so far, the determination in step S209 is affirmed (Yes), and the processing by the main control board 50 exits this routine.

  The above is an example of the reel stop process by the table method. In addition to this, there is a reel stop process by a control method, but since a known process can be applied to this, a specific description is omitted here. In this embodiment, either the control method or the table method of reel stop processing may be executed, and which method should be adopted may be determined as appropriate when constructing the control program.

(3-4. Determination process)
FIG. 7 specifically shows the contents of the determination process. When all the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are stopped by the reel stop process described above, the main control board 50 transmits the output (the symbol display mode) displayed at that time to the sub control board 56 (step S301). .

  Next, the display mode when all reels are stopped is a combination of big bonus symbols (step S302), a combination of regular bonus symbols (step S303), or a combination of small role symbols (step S304). Whether the combination is a combination of replay symbols (step S305) is determined. If it is determined that the symbol displayed in combination is either a big bonus or a regular bonus (steps S306, S307 = Yes), a sound effect command indicating that the symbol combination is displayed is It is transmitted to the control board 56. If it is determined that the symbol displayed in combination is a small role (Yes), the hopper device 54 is instructed to perform a medal payout operation corresponding to the type, and a payout sound command is sent to the sub-control board 56. (Step S308).

  However, during the replay time game, the display of a combination of a big bonus symbol or a regular bonus symbol is avoided by the reel control, so here it is exclusively a combination of a small role symbol or a replay symbol, or usually a gap. (Excessively purely disappointing) will only appear. Here, “missing point” means that a combination of symbols corresponding to bonuses, small roles, and replays is not displayed on any active line. Therefore, here, only the process (step S308) or the replay process (step S311) when the combination of the small role symbols is displayed is performed.

  On the other hand, when the replay time game is canceled and the big bonus symbol or the regular bonus symbol is allowed to be displayed in combination, the big bonus game processing (steps) is performed according to the type of the symbol displayed in combination at that time. S309) or regular bonus / JAC game game processing (step S310) is executed.

  When the above process is completed, the winning combination for the small role or replay is turned OFF (step S312), and this process is terminated. If no symbol combination is displayed due to lost selection or missing (step S305 = No), the winning combination of the small role or replay is simply turned OFF, and the determination process is also ended. If the process proceeds to the big bonus game process (step S309) or the regular bonus / JAC game game process (step S310), the winning flag is turned OFF during each of these processes.

(3-5. Replay time game processing)
FIG. 8 specifically shows the contents of the replay time game process. When the combination of symbols is determined in the determination process during the replay time game, one game is completed. In response to this, the number of games in the replay time counter is decremented by “1” ( Step S601). As a result, the number of games is advanced by 1 toward the maximum number of games (ceiling) of the replay time game.

  In this process, it is next determined whether or not the remaining number of games in the replay time counter has become “0” (step S602). When the maximum number of games is reached during the replay time game (Yes), the replay time game is forcibly canceled there (step S603), but another release condition is satisfied until the maximum number of games is reached. Also replay time game is to be canceled. Therefore, if the maximum number of games has not been reached (step S602 = No), then the replay time game release condition is confirmed from the currently staying mode (step S604), and whether the release condition for each mode is satisfied. Is determined (step S605). In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of modes during the replay time game, and a transition / stay is made between the plurality of modes internally. In addition, various specific contents of the release conditions are conceivable, but representative examples include a winning result of a release lottery performed in each game. The specific contents of the internal mode stay / transition and the release condition for each mode will be described later.

  If the replay time game release condition is not satisfied (step S605 = No), then the mode transition condition is confirmed (step S606). The mode transition conditions are also different for each mode during the stay, and various kinds of specific contents of the mode transition conditions can be considered, but typically, the mode transition lottery is won. When the mode transition condition is satisfied (step S607 = Yes), the mode transition is performed internally according to a certain rule (step S608). On the other hand, if the mode transition condition is not satisfied (step S607 = No), the replay time game process ends without performing the mode transition.

(4. Mode transition during replay time game)
FIG. 9 conceptually shows the internal correlation of the replay time mode. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the transition and stay between the three internal states are repeatedly performed, roughly divided into three, due to the control processing performed by the main control board 50 performed inside the machine. One of them is the “general gaming state”, and the player moves or stays in this state when no bonus flag is stocked internally. The second is the “replay time gaming state (reference symbol RT)”. In this state, when the bonus flag is stocked internally, the state is shifted and stayed. The third is the “special gaming state”. In this state, when the replay time gaming state is released and a combination of a big bonus symbol or a regular bonus symbol is displayed, the state shifts and stays. Note that “general gaming state” and “replay time gaming state” other than “special gaming state” may be referred to as “normal gaming state”, respectively.

  Among these, “replay time gaming state” has a plurality of modes, and if the release condition is satisfied while staying in each mode, the replay time gaming state itself is canceled and “special gaming state” Transition to is finalized. Alternatively, even if the cancellation condition is not satisfied, when the transition condition for each mode is satisfied, the transition to the next mode occurs in order, and finally the “replay time gaming state” is canceled. The internal state transition / stay will be described in detail below.

(1) At the time of setting change For example, the case where the setting operation (change operation of the settings 1-6) of the slot machine 1 is performed under management of the hall operator is considered. In this case, since the lottery table defining the winning range (probability) of the random number value is changed, the internal state of the slot machine 1 is the initial stage of the replay time gaming state (RT) even if the bonus flag is stocked. “Mode 1-A” is started. Needless to say, if there is no bonus stock, the internal state starts from the general gaming state.

(2) At the time of first win When a big bonus or regular bonus is won for the first time in a game in the general game state, the game will shift to the replay time game state (RT) as described above. Stay in a mode called “1-B”.

(3) Replay time game At the initial stage of the replay time game state (reference symbol RT0), the player stays in "mode 1-A" or "mode 1-B". 1-A ”shifts to“ mode 1-B ”or“ mode 3 ”, or“ mode 1-B ”shifts to“ mode 1-A ”or“ mode 3 ”.

  As shown in FIG. 9, if the mode is shifted to "Mode 3" at the initial stage (RT0) of the replay time game, if the transition lottery is won, the initial stage (RT0) is exited and the next stage is reached. The “replay time game” is released through “mode 4” and “mode 5” which is the final stage. However, in the initial stage (RT0), since there is a possibility of reciprocating between “Mode 1-A” and “Mode 1-B”, it is difficult to get out of the replay time gaming state if the player is over (So-called “hamari”) can also occur.

  Here, the biggest difference between “mode 1-A” and “mode 1-B” is the degree of probability of transition from there to the next “mode 3”. In other words, in this embodiment, the probability of winning the transition lottery to “Mode 3” in “Mode 1-B” is relatively high, but in “Mode 1-A”, “Mode 3” is shifted to “Mode 3”. The probability of winning the transition lottery is not so high. Therefore, if you are simply staying in “Mode 1-B”, it can be said that there is a relatively high probability that the transition to the bonus game will be confirmed through “Modes 3, 4 and 5”. When staying in “Mode 1-A”, it can be said that the probability of confirming the transition to the bonus game is relatively low.

  On the other hand, if the mode is shifted to “mode 3”, it is possible to shift to the next “mode 4” by winning the mode transition lottery with a certain probability (for example, about 1/18) that is performed every game there. Further, when the mode is shifted to “mode 4”, the transition condition is automatically satisfied when a relatively short replay time (for example, a maximum of 7 games) is completed, and the mode can be surely shifted to the next “mode 5”. Further, the transition condition from “mode 5” to the next is that either a relatively short replay time (for example, a maximum of 10 games) ends or the value of a predetermined internal winning counter becomes 0. However, the mode transition condition is surely satisfied and the replay time gaming state is canceled. While staying in these “modes 4 and 5”, it is possible to display replays, that is, combinations of replay symbols, with a relatively high probability (for example, about 1.17) in each game. Therefore, there is an advantage that the player can play toward the bonus game while suppressing the amount of medals held on hand.

  As described above, in the initial stage (RT0) of the replay time gaming state, the transition to “mode 3” is a shortcut to canceling the replay time, but apart from the mode lottery, a specific small role (for example, in each game) When a specific type of “watermelon”, “replay” or the like is won, the system shifts to “mode 8”. When transitioning to “mode 8”, transition to the next “modes 2-1 and 2-2” is made depending on whether a relatively short replay time (about several games) is completed or the mode transition lottery is won. Apart from this, when the maximum number of replay time games (ceiling) is reached without easily leaving the initial stage (RT0), it is possible to forcibly shift to “modes 2-1 and 2-2”. The conditions for shifting from “modes 2-1 and 2-2” are almost the same as those in “mode 4”. When a relatively short replay time (for example, a maximum of 7 games) ends, the replay time gaming state is canceled. To confirm the transition to the bonus game.

  Although it is very low in probability, if it falls under a net lottery (specific random numbers in the whole random range 0-16383) in the random lottery performed in each game as other cancellation conditions, the replay time game is canceled only by that and the bonus There is also a case where the transition to the game is confirmed.

(4) End of replay time As described above, the replay time game is ended by either passing through “mode 5”, passing through “modes 2-1 and 2-2”, or falling under a net deviation. Then, the mode shifts to “mode 6, 7”. When the mode is shifted to “Modes 6 and 7”, the bonus flag is internally turned on in each game (so-called “stock release”), and the bonus symbols are aligned by the reel control. For this reason, in the reel stop process of FIG. 6, a reel control table having a pattern that allows the bonus symbols to be displayed in combination is selected. Note that whether the big bonus flag or the regular bonus flag is ON differs depending on the number of remaining stocks and the result of the lottery at that time.

(5) After the bonus game ends When a big bonus symbol or a combination of regular bonus symbols is displayed during the stay of “modes 6 and 7,” the bonus game can be executed as a result. If bonus stock remains at the time when the bonus game ends, the process proceeds to “mode 1-B” and the replay time game is started from the beginning (replay time counter = 0). Conversely, if there is no bonus stock left, the game moves to the general gaming state.

(5. Special gaming state)
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a combination of a big bonus symbol (for example, “7-7-7”) or a regular bonus symbol (for example, “BAR-BAR-BAR”) is displayed, The game proceeds to a special game state called “Big Bonus Game” or “Regular Bonus Game”. These big bonus games and regular bonus games include multiple game opportunities, and there is a possibility that medals may be paid out in the meantime, so it can be said that the player is more advantageous than usual. .

  In the big bonus game and the regular bonus game, the former includes more game opportunities. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a maximum number of times (for example, a single bonus game) (30 times) an opportunity to play a small role game and an opportunity to play a JAC game (regular bonus game) a maximum number of times (for example, 3 times).

(5-1. Big bonus game processing)
FIG. 10 specifically shows the contents of the big bonus game process. Here, first, initialization processing is performed, and the random value lottery value table is changed for the small role game (step S401). The changed winning value table has a larger winning value for the small role than usual, and it can be said that the winning probability of the small role is high during the big bonus game.

  Next, the big bonus winning flag is turned off (step S402), and then the reel device 10 is started (step S403) and stopped (step S404). The contents of the start process and the stop process are the same as those already described.

  When all the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are stopped by the stop processing, the outcome (symbol display mode) at that time is transmitted to the sub-control board 56 (step S405), and only one internal small game counter is counted. Up (step S406).

  Next, the outcome when all reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are stopped is determined, and whether or not the symbol related to the combination display is a JAC symbol (step S407) or whether or not it is a small role symbol (step S412). ) Is judged. The JAC symbol used here can be used, for example, as a replay symbol at normal times, but a mode in which a dedicated JAC symbol is provided separately may be used.

  As a result of the determination, if any combination of the JAC symbol and the small role symbol is not displayed (No), the process proceeds to step S415, and the winning flag is turned OFF. In this case, the flag was not turned on due to the lottery, or the player could not display the symbol combination even if the flag was turned on (missed), or the player was active This is probably because the combination of symbols is not displayed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S407 or step S412 that a combination of JAC symbols or small role symbols is displayed (Yes), the main control board 50 has the number of medals corresponding to the symbols related to the combination display. The payout device 54 is instructed to pay out, and a payout sound command is transmitted to the sub-control board 56 (steps S409 and S413). Further, when the main control board 50 instructs the payout, the payout counter is counted up by that number (steps S409 and S414).

  When a combination of JAC symbols is displayed during the big bonus game (step S407 = Yes), a game opportunity called a “JAC game” is given to the player. Since the content of the JAC game is the same as that of the regular bonus game, in this case, an RB / JAC game game process is executed following step S409 (step S410).

  The contents of the RB / JAC game game process will be described later with reference to another flowchart. When the RB / JAC game game process is completed once, the JAC game counter is incremented there (step S411).

  Similarly, when a combination of JAC symbols or small role symbols is displayed, step S415 is executed subsequent to step S411 or step S414, respectively, where the winning flag is turned OFF. Then, after each game end, it is determined whether or not the big bonus game itself should be ended (step S416), and while the end condition is not satisfied (No), the process returns to step S403 and the next start processing is performed. Done.

In general, a big bonus game ends when any of the following conditions is satisfied.
(1) The count of the small role game counter has reached 30 in step S406.
(2) The count number of the JAC game counter has reached 3 in step S411.

  If any of the above conditions is satisfied, the end determination in step S416 is affirmed (Yes), and then the big bonus game end processing is performed and the winning value table is restored (step S417). Since the winning value table is different between the general gaming state and the replay time gaming state, the winning value table corresponding to the internal state (mode) of the transfer destination is selected here.

(5-2. RB / JAC game processing)
FIG. 11 specifically shows the contents of the RB / JAC game process. Here, first, initialization processing is performed, and the random value lottery winning value table is changed for the RB / JAC game (step S501). The hit value table changed here has more hit values for JAC symbols than usual, and it can be said that the probability of displaying combinations of JAC symbols is high.

  Next, a start process (step S502) and a stop process (step S503) of the reel device 10 are executed. When all the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are stopped by the stop process, the outcome (symbol display mode) at that time is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 56 (step S504), and the RB / JAC game counter is set to 1. Is counted up (step S505).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the outcome when all the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are stopped corresponds to a specified symbol combination (step S506). The symbol combination here is usually a combination of three JAC symbols (dedicated “JAC-JAC-JAC” or dual-purpose “Replay-Replay-Replay”). (For example, “BAR-replay-replay”, “7-replay-replay”, etc.) may be provided. If the outcome at the time of the stop does not correspond to the specified combination (step S506 = No), the process proceeds to step S510 and the winning flag is turned OFF. In this case, either the flag was not turned on because it was simply lost in the lottery, or the player could not display the combination of symbols even if the flag was turned on (missed). it is conceivable that. Conversely, when it is determined that the outcome at the time of stop corresponds to a prescribed combination (Yes), the main control board 50 drives the hopper device 54 to execute a prescribed number (for example, 12) of medals, A payout sound command is transmitted to the sub-control board 56 (step S508). When a payout is made, the payout counter is counted up by that number (step S509), and subsequently, the winning flag is turned off (step S510).

  Also in the RB / JAC game processing, the end determination (step S511) of one JAC game (regular bonus game) is performed. While the number of times that the specified symbol combination is displayed during the JAC game (regular bonus game) (the number of times that “winning” has been reached) has not yet reached a certain number (for example, 8 times), the end determination is negative (No The process returns to step S502, and the JAC game (regular bonus game) is continued. After this, when the number of times that a predetermined symbol combination is displayed in the JAC game (regular bonus game) (the number of times “winning” has been reached) reaches a certain number (for example, 8 times), there is one JAC game ( It is determined that the (regular bonus game) is to be ended (Yes). In this case, the process proceeds to step S512, the JAC game (regular bonus game) is finished, the winning value table is returned to the state before the change (for the small role game), and the big bonus game process (FIG. 10) is restored. To do.

(6. Continuous possibility of bonus game)
The above is a general description of the flow of the game from when the mode transition is performed during the replay time game until the replay time gaming state is eventually released and the state shifts to the special gaming state (bonus release). On the other hand, when the bonus game ends with the bonus flag stock remaining, the game proceeds to the replay time gaming state again. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, especially during the replay time gaming, “mode 4”, And when it shifts to a bonus game via "mode 5", the opportunity to transfer to the next bonus game is given comparatively early (so-called "bonus resort").

  That is, when a transition is first made to “mode 4” during a replay time game, a short replay time (for example, a maximum of 7 games) with an increased probability that a combination of replay symbols is displayed (probability of giving a replay opportunity) will be provided. Beginning and passing through “mode 5”, a game (for example, referred to as “chance game”) with a higher probability of displaying a combination of replay symbols during this mode stay is played up to 10 times. Depending on the type of winning combination obtained during the chance game, the number of winning combinations, or the number of times a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is actually displayed, the user again goes through “Mode 5” after the bonus game ends. It is a specification that the probability of whether or not it can be different.

  For example, if a lot of replays and other winning roles are allocated during this chance game, or if the corresponding symbol combination is displayed many times, the probability of switching to “Mode 5” again after the bonus game ends. Becomes higher. On the other hand, since it is already decided to enter the bonus game after going through “Mode 5”, how to get to “Mode 5” at an early stage is a condition for handling many bonus games. ing. Therefore, in the game in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, it can be said that the continuity (or continuity) of the bonus game depends on the contents of the chance game performed during the stay of “Mode 5”. Hereinafter, processing performed in the chance game while staying in “Mode 5” will be described in detail. In the following, an example is described in which the outcome is determined by the number of winnings in the chance game and the type of winning role, but the outcome is determined by the number of times the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning role is actually displayed. There may be.

(6-1. Chance game)
FIG. 12 shows the contents of the chance game process. When the mode is shifted to “mode 5” during the replay time game, the chance game process of FIG. 12 is executed separately from the already described replay time game process (FIG. 8).

  Also in this chance game process, first, the number of games in the replay time counter is decremented by “1” (step S701), but the number of games counted here determines the transition condition from “mode 5”. This is not for the total number of replay time games. If the number of remaining games is not 0 (step S702 = No), it is determined whether or not any combination is won in the current game (step S703).

  As described above, when the mode is internally shifted to “mode 4” or “mode 5”, the probability that a combination of replay symbols is displayed is greatly increased as compared with other modes. In other words, in the game that is staying other than “Mode 4” and “Mode 5”, the replays as the winning combination are divided into a plurality of types (for example, replays 1 to 3), and when replay 1 is won (for example, probability 7) It is permissible that the replay symbols are displayed in combination with the actual reel control, but the other replays 2 and 3 are internally won (for example, the probability is about 1 / 1.4). Even so, a gap appears as an actual result.

  However, in the lottery during the chance game performed in the previous “mode 4” or “mode 5”, all the replays 1 to 3 are aggregated into the replay 1, and as a result, the probability that the combination of replay symbols is displayed is relative. It is a mechanism to increase the height (for example, about 1.17). In addition, other winning roles "Cherry" (winning probability is about 1 / 99.02), "Bell" (winning probability is about 1 / 7.9), "Watermelon" (winning probability is about 1 / 148.94) , “Internal RB / Internal BB” (winning probability of about 244.53) is not particularly changed.

  In any case, if any winning flag is ON in the game staying in “mode 5” (step S703 = Yes), the internal winning counter calculation process is subsequently executed (step S704). In the internal winning counter calculation process, an initial value (for example, “6”) is given in advance to a subtraction type counter called “internal winning counter”, and a subtraction value (winning value) is obtained for each winning combination obtained in each game. ) Is determined, and the value of the internal winning counter is sequentially subtracted.

  Table 1 below lists the distribution ratios of the internal winning counter subtraction values for the winning combinations “Replay 1”, “Bell”, and “Internal RB / Internal BB”.

  As is clear from Table 1, when “Replay 1”, “Bell”, “Internal RB / Internal BB” are won while staying in “Mode 5”, the subtraction value 1 or 2 (rarely 3 to 3 is rare) It is understood that 6) is chosen. With the subtraction value selected at this time, the value of the internal winning counter (initial value 6) is subtracted in the internal winning counter calculation process (step S704). However, if the winning combination is “Replay 1”, an extra lottery for whether or not to give a subtraction value is exceptionally performed, and only when the winning combination is won (for example, a probability of 1/256), Table 1 Determines the subtraction value.

  For other winning roles such as “Cherry” and “Watermelon”, the subtraction values 1 to 6 are selected according to the distribution rates shown in Tables 2 and 3, respectively. Is relatively low. Further, as is clear from the comparison between Table 2 and Table 3, “Watermelon” has a higher probability that the subtraction value 4 is selected for “Cherry” and “Watermelon”. However, the probability that the subtraction values 5 and 6 are selected is the same for any winning combination.

  When shifting to “mode 5”, the main control board 50 transmits an initial value command [= 14H06H] representing the initial value (= 6H06H) of the internal winning counter to the sub control board 56 at the start of the first game. Further, the main control board 50 transmits a counter value command representing the value of the internal winning counter to the sub-control board 56 when the start lever 24 is operated in each game staying in “mode 5”. Further, when the subtraction value is determined in the internal winning counter calculation process (step S704), the main control board 50 transmits a command representing the value of the internal winning counter after the subtraction to the sub control board 56. Table 4 below shows a list of commands used in the internal winning counter calculation process.

  Based on these received commands [= 14H01H to 14H06H], the sub-control board 56 compares the previous (before subtraction) internal winning counter value with the current (after subtracting) internal winning counter value and subtracts it. The effect processing is performed based on the number (how much has been reduced) and the winning flag command. The contents of the effect process by the sub control board 56 will be further described later.

  When the internal winning counter calculation process is performed, it is next determined whether or not the value of the internal winning counter has become 0 or less (step S705). If the value of the internal winning counter is not yet 0 or less (No), the chance game process is returned and the first step S701 is executed.

(6-2. Lottery mode)
In the chance game (up to 10 times) while staying in “Mode 5”, whether the number of games in the replay time counter becomes 0 (step S702 = Yes) or the internal winning counter calculation process (step S704) results in an internal winning When the value of the counter becomes 0 or less (step S705 = Yes), the lottery mode determination process (step S706) is executed next. In the lottery mode determination process, a process for determining the level of the lottery probability itself is performed for the transfer lottery that determines whether the internal mode transition condition is successful. This lottery mode determination process is easy to understand if it is considered to be similar to the “setting change” operation in the slot machine. That is, if the setting value increases due to the setting change, the winning probability increases accordingly, and conversely, if the setting value decreases, the winning probability decreases accordingly, the lottery mode determination process executes the lottery mode determination process. The probability increases or decreases.

  For this reason, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a specification having a concept of “lottery mode” in addition to the concept of various “modes” staying inside. The various “modes” staying during the game are concepts for controlling the process until the transition to the bonus game (special game state) internally depending on the success or failure of the transition conditions. This concept is for controlling whether or not the transition conditions of various “modes” are easily satisfied by the difference in the probability of the transition lottery.

  Specifically, there are three types of “lottery mode”, for example, A to C, and among these, if belonging to “lottery mode A”, there is a probability of internally shifting to and staying in “mode 1-A”. The probability is relatively high, and accordingly, the probability of shifting to and staying in “Mode 1-B” is relatively low. In contrast to this, when belonging to “Lottery mode C”, the probability of shifting to and staying in “Mode 1-A” is relatively low, so that shifting and staying in “Mode 1-B” is relatively reduced. The probability of doing is relatively high. The “lottery mode B” is an intermediate position between them. For this reason, since the one belonging to “lottery mode B, C” tends to shift and stay in “mode 1-B” more easily than belonging to “lottery mode A”, the process of mode transition after that Therefore, it can be said that the probability of passing through “modes 3 to 5” is relatively high.

  Table 5 below shows a list of the mode transfer destination allocation rates during the stay of “Mode 1-A” by “Lottery modes A, B, C”.

  As is apparent from Table 5, the probability that “mode 1-B” and “mode 3” are selected as destinations during stay in “mode 1-A” is higher than “lottery mode B, C” than “lottery mode A”. ”Is overwhelmingly higher (the allocation rate is 300 times or more when shifting to“ Mode 1-B ”and 5000 times or more when shifting to“ Mode 3 ”).

  Table 6 below shows a list of the mode transfer destination allocation rates during the stay of “mode 1-B” by “lottery modes A, B, C”.

  As is apparent from Table 6, here, the probability that “mode 3” is selected as the transition destination while staying in “mode 1-B” belongs to “lottery modes B and C” rather than “lottery mode A”. Can be said to be overwhelmingly higher (more than 5000 times). And when belonging to “lottery mode A”, the probability that the transition destination of “mode 1-A” remains the same as it is is also overwhelmingly higher than “lottery modes B and C” (more than 5000 times). It can be said.

  As is clear from the above comparison, the difference between the “lottery modes A to C” is that from the “mode 1-A” to the “mode 1-B” or the “mode 1-B” in the initial stage of the replay time game. This is an element that greatly affects how smoothly the mode can be shifted to “Mode 3” (without passing too many games).

  In addition, in the lottery mode determination process (step S706), the assignment of which “lottery mode” belongs is further determined by a lottery (lottery mode distribution lottery) performed internally. The value of the internal winning counter (0 to 6) is referred to as an element that affects the distribution lottery at this time, and the value of the internal winning counter in the game staying in “Mode 5”. The more you subtract, the more advantageous it is for the lottery. Accordingly, the player may allocate more winning combinations in the game staying in “Mode 5”, and as a result, the value of the internal winning counter that is internally subtracted may be close to 0 (or less than 0). If possible, it can be said that the subsequent game can be performed while belonging to the “lottery mode” which is advantageous to the player.

  The “lottery mode distribution table (1)” shown in Table 7 below is for the case where the value of the internal winning counter becomes 0 or less before the number of replay time games becomes 0 in the game that is staying in “Mode 5”. This is a list of lottery mode distribution rates.

  The characteristics (trends) of the distribution rate shown in Table 7 indicate that the “lottery mode C” as the transition destination has a very high probability (99) regardless of which “lottery mode A, B, C” currently belongs. (. 99% or more). The fact that the game belongs to the “lottery mode C” after the shift by the lottery is easy to shift from “mode 1-B” to “modes 3 and 4” in the replay time game after the bonus game ends as described above. Thus, it can be said that the probability of returning to “mode 5” increases. Returning to “Mode 5” means that the transition to the bonus game is always confirmed before that, and as a result, “bonus game continuity (continuity)” is high. Will lead to become.

  For this reason, for example, even if the player currently belongs to “lottery mode A”, which is disadvantageous to the player at present, a lot of winning roles are allocated in the game staying in “mode 5”, and the value of the internal winning counter is internally set accordingly. If it can be reduced to 0 or less, it can be said that the player has succeeded in increasing the probability that the player can continuously execute the bonus game.

  On the other hand, even if the player belongs to “lottery mode C” or “lottery mode B”, which is advantageous to the player, the “lottery mode A May be demoted. For example, “Lottery mode distribution table (4)” shown in Table 8 below shows a distribution ratio when “lottery mode A” is relatively easily selected as a transfer destination of the mode distribution lottery.

  The characteristics (trends) of the distribution ratio shown in the table (4) of Table 8 are those in the “lottery mode A, B” at present, and the “lottery mode A” is maintained or lower as the transition destination. , B ”is easily selected, and conversely,“ lottery mode C ”, which is more advantageous than the current situation, is difficult to select as a transition destination from“ lottery mode A, B ”. In addition, when currently belonging to the “lottery mode C”, the current “lottery mode C” may be maintained as a transfer destination, but the current lottery may fall and the “lottery mode A” may be selected. It also has the property that it can be a fairly high probability.

  When the lottery is performed in the table (4) shown in Table 8, the lottery often belongs to the “lottery mode A” after the transition. Therefore, the replay time game after the end of the bonus game is changed from “mode 1-B” to “ Although it is easy to shift to “Mode 1-A”, it can be said that it is difficult to shift to “Mode 3”. And since it becomes difficult to shift to “modes 4 and 5” after that it becomes difficult to shift to “mode 3”, and as a result, “continuity (continuity) of bonus game” is reduced. It leads to lowering.

  For this reason, even if it belongs to “lottery mode C”, which is advantageous to the player at present, for example, it is not possible to allocate a lot of winning roles in the game while staying in “mode 5”, thereby internally When the value of the winning counter cannot be brought close to 0, as a result, the probability that the player can continuously execute the bonus game cannot be increased.

  In the lottery mode determination process (step S706), the lottery lottery is performed using the lottery mode distribution table (1) in Table 4 because the value of the internal winning counter is 0 before the number of games in the replay time counter becomes zero. This is the case (step S705 = Yes). On the other hand, if the number of games in the replay time counter becomes 0 before the value of the internal winning counter becomes 0 or less (step S702 = Yes), the distribution rate shown in Table 9 below is set. Based on the selected lottery mode distribution table (1) or (4), the lottery mode distribution lottery is performed based on the selected table.

  The characteristics (trends) of the distribution ratio shown in Table 9 indicate that the lottery mode distribution table (1) is more easily selected when the value of the internal winning counter is smaller (closer to 1) at the end of the chance game. The lottery mode distribution table (4) is more easily selected as the value of the internal winning counter is larger (closer to 6). The fact that the lottery mode sorting table (1) is easily selected means that it is easy to belong to “lottery modes B and C” which is advantageous to the player, and as a result, the bonus game is continuously (continuously). It is understood that the specification increases the probability that it can be executed. On the other hand, the fact that the lottery mode distribution table (4) is easily selected means that it is easy to belong to the “lottery mode A” which is disadvantageous for the player, and as a result, the bonus game is continuously (continuously). It is understood that the specification has a low probability of being executed.

(6-3. Summary of specifications by chance game)
Summarizing the above specifications (lottery mode, lottery mode sorting table, etc.), the following gaming properties are realized for the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment.

  (1) During the replay time game, various mode transitions and stays are repeated by mode transition lottery, but the direct factor that determines the advantage / disadvantage regarding the probability of mode transition lottery is the internally selected “lottery mode” Is.

  (2) However, the “lottery mode” may be advantageous to the player depending on the type of winning combination assigned by the player in the “chance game (mode 5)”, the number of winnings, etc. Sometimes it becomes.

  (3) If the player gets a better winning result in the “chance game”, the probability that the condition for moving to the “chance game” again will be increased (“lottery modes B and C” are likely to be selected). Therefore, the success / failure in the “chance game” is the key to the continuous (continuation) bonus game.

  (4) Therefore, when the player reaches the “chance game”, the player can first enjoy the benefits of “bonus confirmation”. However, the player does not simply compulsorily digest the “chance game” before the “bonus game”. In addition, with the clear objective awareness of the continuation of the “bonus game” again, the “chance game” can be tackled eagerly.

  The above is an example in which the outcome of the “chance game” is determined only by the winning results of each time, but the mode in which the outcome of the “chance game” is determined by whether or not the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is actually displayed It can also be. In this case, in the chance game process of FIG. 12, a procedure for determining a combination of symbols is additionally performed, and when it is determined that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed, the internal winning counter calculation process is not performed for the first time. (Step S704) is executed. Therefore, it is not enough for the player to simply win by lottery, and it is necessary to display the combination firmly aiming at the symbol of the winning role, so there is always a tension that `` There must be no missing '' Can work on “chance game”.

(7. Production process)
The above is an example of game control by the main control board 50, but in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the presentation operation is controlled by the sub control board 56 as the game progresses.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of effect processing executed by the sub control board 56. When the slot machine 1 is turned on, an initialization process is first performed in the effect process (step S801). Next, a medal insertion command transmitted from the main control board 50 is awaited. When the medal insertion command is actually transmitted, an effect of outputting an insertion sound, a betting sound, etc. is performed in accordance with this command (step S802).

  Subsequently, a winning (start) flag command transmitted from the main control board 50 is awaited (step S803). The winning (starting) flag command is transmitted from the main control board 50 in response to the operation of the starting lever 24. When the winning (starting) flag command is received, the sub-control board 56 controls the rendering operation in accordance with the winning (starting) flag command. . The effect operation here is, for example, an output of a reel start sound or a notification effect of a winning combination by the liquid crystal display 42.

  When the start effect is performed, the first to third stop information commands are then awaited (steps S804 to S806). When the three stop buttons 26, 28, and 30 are operated in order, the first to second stop information commands are sequentially transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 56. Control of the presentation operation according to the winning flag and the first to third stop information commands is performed. The effect operation here is, for example, output of each reel stop sound, effect of turning off the reel, image effect by the liquid crystal display 42, and the like. In particular, when the third stop information command is received, an effect operation corresponding to the symbol combination at that time is performed (step S806).

  Then, since a payout command is transmitted from the main control board 50 according to the result of the determination processing, the sub control board 56 receives this and produces an effect by the payout sound output (step S807). Further, a game status command transmitted from the main control board 50 is awaited here, and the current game status is examined from the received command. The game status represents, for example, “big bonus game”, “regular bonus game”, “JAC game”, “bonus game end”, or the like.

(7-1. Chance game production process)
The above-described presentation process represents a general procedure executed through each game in common with various “modes”. In the present embodiment, in particular, “mode 5” is displayed during the transition / stay. The “chance game effect process” is executed.

  FIG. 14 shows a process for determining the “mode” during the stay in the various effect processes (steps S802 to S807) and thereby switching the contents of the effect process. Specifically, in various effect processes, it is first determined whether or not the user is staying in “mode 5” (step S901). If the user is staying in “mode 5” (Yes), the chance game effect process is performed. (Step S902) is executed. Conversely, if the user is not staying in “mode 5”, the normal performance process (step S903) is executed. The normal effect processing here includes control of basic effect operations such as the output of the medal insertion sound and the bet sound, the output of the reel start sound, the reel light-off effect, and the symbol combination display effect.

  In the chance game effect process (step S902), the basic effect operation is controlled as described above. In addition, in the present embodiment, the player is clearly informed that the game is “chance game”. Therefore, a special production is performed. For example, when a bet operation (insertion of medals or operation of bet buttons 18, 20, and 22) is performed in a state where the mode has been internally shifted to "mode 5", this is a dedicated event for informing the start of a "chance game". Sound effects and BGM are output from the speaker 44, and the lighting pattern of the case lamps 45, 46, and 48 is changed, so that a clear appeal is made to the player. In accordance with this, information indicating that the “chance game” is started is notified on the liquid crystal display 42, and the image is switched to the one dedicated to the “chance game”.

  FIG. 15 shows more specifically the contents of the above-mentioned chance game effect process. Here, first, the sub-control board 56 receives the winning flag command and the command (14H00H to 14H06H) representing the internal winning counter value (step S1001). Next, a display effect pattern by the liquid crystal display 42 and a lighting effect pattern by the panel lamp 70 are determined based on the received winning flag command and a command representing the internal winning counter value (step S1002). The display effect pattern by the liquid crystal display 42 can be selected by lottery from effect pattern data stored in advance in the ROM of the sub-control board 62, for example. When the effect pattern is determined in this way, the effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 and the panel lamp 70 is turned on based on the determined effect pattern (step S1003).

  Hereinafter, actual examples of effects performed during the chance game will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 29.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of effects at the time of receiving a medal insertion command (step S802 in FIG. 13), for example. In this production example, the background of the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 is switched to an amusement park in order to visually appeal that the “chance game” is started by inserting a medal or a betting operation, and there is a specific comical. Character (for example, a killer person wearing a pink suit) appears. Further, the chance game display portion L on the right side of the display window 8 is turned on by the panel lamp 70 (installed on the back side of the display board 6). In addition, when the “chance game” is entered, the decorative lamps 45, 46, etc. are lit and flashed in a specific pattern.

  In the game control by the main control board 50, the original purpose of the “chance game” is that the player assigns a lot of winning roles within 10 games, thereby acquiring as many subtraction values (winning value) as possible. In the end, the value of the internal winning counter will be reduced to 0 or less (in other words, the result of counting the winning value will be maximized). The purpose of the game is expressed in a stylized way, like a story about how many other characters (eg, 6-brother siblings) who are hiding somewhere and hiding somewhere can be found.

(7-2. Winning value information)
The number of characters to be found in the production is displayed using three types of character information C1, C2, and C3 arranged at the position on the right side of the display window 8. The character information C1, C2, and C3 are arranged in order at the lower position of the chance game display portion L. The character information C1 is positioned at the lowermost level, and the character information C2 is subsequently positioned at the upper middle level. The character information C3 is located at the top of the three. These character information C1, C2, and C3 are assigned images of the face portion of the character (number of people 1 to 3) in order to express specifically the “number of characters to be found”.

  Among these, since the character information C1 has only one character face, it represents that the “number of characters to be found” is one. Further, since the character information C2 has two character faces arranged side by side, it represents that the “number of characters to be found” is two. Similarly, the character information C3 indicates that the “number of characters to be found” is three. These character information C1, C2, and C3 can be individually lit and displayed by the transmitted light of the panel lamp 70 described above.

(7-3. Target value of count result)
Further, these three types of character information C1, C2, and C3 are 6 persons when the corresponding number of persons is totaled. As a result, the player is recognized in a stellar manner as “the chance game” is to “find all six hidden characters”.

(7-4. Example of effect image)
In the example of the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display 42, “Ferris wheel” is drawn on the left hand as a vehicle / attraction in the amusement park, “Coffee cup” is drawn on the right hand, A comical drawing of a particular character thinking "Which one to search for?"

  In addition to the character information C1, C2, C3, the liquid crystal display 42 has a plurality of icons (for example, six silhouette images) for expressing “the number of characters to be found” on the upper left of the screen, for example. This is displayed side by side, so that the player is recognized in an effective manner as the purpose of the “chance game” to “find six characters” together with the display of the character information C1, C2, C3. The

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the specification is such that if more characters can be found in the effect screen of the “chance game”, the continuity of the next bonus game can be increased accordingly. The player's sense of tension and expectation are greatly enhanced by directing expressions for game purposes. Further, for example, the number of remaining games (here, 10 games) is displayed in the upper right corner of the screen, so that the player can accurately grasp the progress of the “chance game”.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of an image displayed when the start lever 24 is operated (step S803 in FIG. 13), for example. In this example, a state is shown in which a specific character immediately starts to act by lever operation, and bravely runs away to a “coffee cup”. In addition to this, a plurality of effect image patterns are prepared, for example, there are a pattern toward the “Ferris wheel” and other patterns. Which pattern is to be selected can be determined, for example, by sorting lottery performed independently by the sub-control board 56, or can be determined based on the received winning flag command.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of an image displayed when the first reel is stopped (step S804 in FIG. 13), for example. In this example, a state is shown in which a specific character registers two “coffee cups” by stopping the first reel, and thinks which one to look into. There are also a plurality of patterns of effect images at this time. For example, an image in which the color of “coffee cup” varies depending on the type of winning flag at that time (winning role “bell” = Yellow, “Cherry” = Red, “Watermelon” = Green, “Replay” = Blue, No winning (out of) = White, All roles corresponding = Rainbow, etc.).

  Subsequently, FIG. 19 shows an example of an image displayed when the second reel is stopped (step S805 in FIG. 13). In this example, a state is shown in which a specific character approaches one of the “coffee cups” (here, the left side) by the second reel stop and tries to look into it. The pattern when changing from the image of FIG. 18 to the image of FIG. 19 is given a regularity that a specific character approaches a “coffee cup” of a color corresponding to the type of the winning flag at that time. For example, if a blue and yellow “coffee cup” are displayed side by side in the image of FIG. 18 and the winning combination at that time is “Bell”, the specific character is yellow on the screen at the second stop. The change of approaching to the "coffee cup" of appears.

(7-5. Intermediate progress information)
FIG. 20 shows an example of an image displayed when the third reel is stopped (step S806 in FIG. 13). In this example, as a result of a specific character looking into the “coffee cup” by stopping the third reel, one character (one of six children) hidden behind it was found. ing. Thereby, at the upper left of the screen, one of the icons that have been silhouette-displayed so far is switched to an image representing the face portion of the actual character, and it is clearly displayed that one character has been found by this game. In addition, the game is displayed in a state where the number of remaining games in the upper right corner of the screen is reduced by one.

  FIG. 21 shows a state of the display board 6 when the effect image of FIG. 20 is displayed. When one character hidden on the screen is found as described above, the corresponding character information C1 is lit and displayed by the panel lamp 70. As a result, the player can easily know the result of collecting the winning value (intermediate progress information) obtained so far by viewing the lighting display on the display board 6 separately from the image on the liquid crystal display 42. (In this case, one person).

  The number of characters found on the screen corresponds to the internal winning counter value command (14H00H to 14H06H) received from the main control board 50. That is, at the start of the “chance game”, the game purpose is set to find up to six characters, and therefore, the internal winning counter value of the main control board 50 is initially set to 6. A command (14H06H) corresponding to this is transmitted to the sub-control board 62.

  If the subtraction value of the internal winning counter obtained in a certain game in the “chance game” is 1, a command (14H05H) representing 5 as the internal winning counter value after subtracting this is sent to the sub-control board 62. Sent. The sub control board 62 compares the command of the internal winning counter value received in the previous game with the command of the internal winning counter value received this time to determine the number of characters to be found on the screen. it can.

  Thus, if the subtraction value determined by the main control board 50 is 1, an effect image in which one character is found on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42 is displayed, and the subtraction value is 2-6. For example, as shown in FIG. 22 (corresponding to subtraction value 2) and FIG. 23 (corresponding to subtraction value 6), an effect image in which characters corresponding to the number of characters are found on the screen is displayed. It has become.

  However, if the game is out of the lottery in this game, or if it is not selected in the subtraction value determination lottery (probability of 1/256) even if it is won in the replay, the processing of the main control board 50 will be Since the subtraction value is 0, the command of the internal winning counter value received by the sub control board 56 is not different from the previous one (same as the previous one). In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, a specific character may look into the “coffee cup” on the screen, but there is no comical character that there was no target character there. It is to be drawn.

(7-6. Total display based on character information)
As described above, in the effect image by the liquid crystal display 42, it is possible to represent one to six people as six icon images as the number of characters found during the “chance game”. In contrast, in this embodiment, only three types of character information C1, C2, and C3 are arranged on the display board 6. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the found characters are within the range of 1 to 3 people, the corresponding character information C1, C2, and C3 are individually lit and displayed. Can be handled by simultaneously lighting and displaying two types of character information C1, C2, and C3.

  First, FIG. 25 shows a state of the display board 6 when two characters are found. In this case, only the character information C2 in the middle stage is lit and displayed, so that the player can easily know at a glance that two characters have been found so far. Similarly, FIG. 26 shows the state of the display board 6 when there are a total of three characters found so far. In this case, only the character information C3 at the uppermost level is lit on and the other character information C1 and C2 are turned off. Thus, the player can easily know at a glance that he has found three characters so far.

  Here, it is assumed that multiple characters (two or three) are found at a time in one game, but one or two characters are found through two or more games. However, if the total number of people is two or three, the same lighting display as that in FIGS. 24 and 25 is performed.

  On the other hand, when the total number of found characters exceeds 3 to 4-6, in FIG. 27 (corresponding to 4 people), FIG. 28 (corresponding to 5 people), and FIG. 29 (corresponding to 6 people). The indicated lighting display is performed. That is, if the total number of found characters is 4, two types of character information C1 and C2 are lit and displayed simultaneously. Thereby, the player can easily understand at a glance that the number of characters found in the current situation is four people including one person and three persons.

  Similarly, for five or six people, the two types of character information C2 and C3 can be turned on at the same time, or all three types of character information C1, C2 and C3 can be turned on at the same time. It can be disclosed to the player that it is a person or six.

(7-7. Summary of effect processing)
As described above, in the present embodiment, necessary information (the number of characters found) is surely disclosed and transmitted to the player while effectively using the limited narrow area of the right side position of the display window 8. Is possible. This also makes it possible to make the most effective use of the resources of the panel lamp 70 and to disclose necessary presentation operations and necessary information.

  In addition, during the “chance game”, a state in which characters are sequentially found by the effect process performed in each game is displayed in an effect using the liquid crystal display 42 and the display board 6. In particular, if one target character is added on the production screen while the “chance game” is being performed, and if one additional character is found, the icon on the upper left of the screen will correspond to the face of the actual character. The display is switched to the display of an image indicating the number of characters, and the number of characters that have been found so far is displayed as a totaling result as the lighting display sequentially changes on the right side of the display window 8. For this reason, the player can tackle the game while clearly recognizing the progress of the game toward the achievement of the game objective of the “chance game”. You can enjoy the game independently while calculating whether or not there is.

  In the present embodiment, the actual purpose is to internally subtract the value of the internal winning counter in the specification of the slot machine 1, but this is a sensation of “finding more characters” on the production screen. Therefore, the player who is in contact with such a production can concentrate on the “chance game” with a clearer sense of purpose.

  In addition, if all six players are successfully found on the production in the “chance game”, the player has the highest probability of being able to execute the “chance game” again. It can be a great expectation that the opportunity of a “chance game” will be given again.

(7-8. Other effects processing)
The above is the contents of the chance game effect processing while staying in “Mode 5”, but in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the effect processing during the big bonus and the effect processing during the regular bonus are the sub-control board as other effect processing. 56. These effect processes are performed based on the game status command transmitted from the main control board 50. For example, when the game status becomes “big bonus game” after the combination of bonus symbols is displayed, the sub control board 56 causes the big bonus to be displayed. Production processing is executed. Alternatively, when the game status becomes “JAC game (regular bonus game)”, JAC game effect processing is executed.

It is a front view of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a slot machine. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of 1 game (rotational game) in a slot machine. It is a flowchart of a starting process. It is a flowchart of a replay time setting process. It is a flowchart of a reel stop process. It is a flowchart of a determination process. It is a flowchart of a replay time game process. It is the figure which showed the correlation of mode transition notionally. It is a flowchart of a big bonus game process. It is a flowchart of a regular bonus / JAC game process. It is a flowchart of a chance game process. It is a flowchart of effect processing. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure for performing a chance game effect process during "mode 5" stay. It is a flowchart of a chance game effect process. FIG. 38 is an external view for describing a rendering operation at the start of a Chang game (when a medal is inserted and when a bet is operated). It is the figure which showed an example of the image displayed at the time of starting lever operation by chance game effect processing. It is the figure which showed an example of the image displayed at the time of the 1st reel stop by chance game effect processing. It is the figure which showed an example of the image displayed at the time of the 2nd reel stop by chance game effect processing. It is the figure which showed an example of the image displayed at the time of the 3rd reel stop by chance game effect processing. It is the figure which showed an example of presentation operation performed at the time of the 3rd reel stop by chance game presentation processing. It is the figure which showed an example of the image displayed at the time of a 3rd reel stop as a pattern showing the game result different from FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed when the third reel is stopped as a pattern representing a game result different from those in FIGS. 20 and 22. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed when the third reel is stopped as a pattern expressing a game result different from those of FIGS. 20, 22 and 23. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that character information (2 persons) is light-displayed by chance game effect processing. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that character information (3 persons) is light-displayed by chance game effect processing. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that character information (4 persons) is light-displayed by chance game effect processing. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that character information (5 persons) is light-displayed by chance game effect processing. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that character information (6 persons) is light-displayed by chance game effect processing.

Explanation of symbols

1 Slot Machine 10 Reel Device 24 Start Lever 26, 28, 30 Stop Button 34 Display Unit 42 Liquid Crystal Display 50 Main Control Board 56 Sub Control Board 70 Panel Lamp

Claims (1)

A plurality of movable bodies with symbols in the circumferential direction are provided, and a symbol display device that displays a combination of the plurality of symbols when the movable body is stopped while rotating the movable bodies to change the display of the symbols is provided. In a gaming machine in which a game result is determined for each game by a combination mode of symbols when each movable body is stopped,
Special gaming state transition means for transitioning to a special gaming state when a combination of specific symbols is displayed when the symbol display device is stopped;
A gaming machine, comprising: a continuous transition means that allows continuous transition to the special gaming state when the special gaming state ends and returns to the normal gaming state.

Images