JP2009261591A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine provided with two start openings, which permits an optimal variation time to be set and a related performance to exhibit a high performance effect. <P>SOLUTION: When game balls enter a first start opening 105 and a second start opening 120 during variation, their entitlements to variation are reserved as reserved balls. The game data of the reserved balls are determined by a preliminary determination means 330 before the reserved balls are varyingly displayed. As a result of the determination of the preliminary determination means 330, the related performance is put on across a plurality of the reserved balls. A control means 200 preferentially processes reserved balls obtained by entrance into the second start opening 120. The control means 200 sets the variation time due to entrance on the basis of the quantity of reserved balls in the first varying display reservation means 401 when a game ball enters the second start opening 120 when the related performance is put into motion by the reserved balls reserved in the first varying display reservation means 401. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs a lottery drawing when a game ball enters a start opening.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a gaming machine in which a lottery is drawn by entering a game ball at a start opening, and when a big win is won, an attacker is opened to obtain more prize balls. When such a gaming machine enters a starting ball, the game starts to display a special symbol, and after the predetermined time elapses, stops the variable display and notifies the player of the lottery result. And, during the above-mentioned special symbol variation display, various designs are performed with the symbol display part, lamps, or other features, etc., so as to increase the player's expectation for the jackpot and improve the gameability. I have to.

When a game ball enters the start opening during the special symbol variation display, the right of variation display (hereinafter referred to as “reserved ball”) is reserved up to a predetermined number (four). Processing is performed in the order in which the reserved balls are reserved.
Further, in the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the time for processing a reserved ball that is reserved, that is, the special symbol variation display time is controlled so as to vary depending on the number of the reserved balls. Specifically, when the number of retained balls is large, the variation time is shortened to digest the retained balls at an early stage, and when the number of retained balls is small, the variation time is lengthened.

In this way, if the change time is shortened when the number of reserved balls is large, a new reserved ball can be accepted (reserved), and the player must stop firing the game ball for a long time. Inconvenience can be eliminated.
On the other hand, if the number of reserved balls is small and the change time is lengthened, it will prevent the player from feeling tired by preventing frequent occurrence of lottery due to the absence of reserved balls. can do.

In addition, as described above, during the special symbol variation display, in order to increase the player's expectation for the jackpot, various elaborate effects are performed, but a plurality of holding balls are sequentially processed. The gaming machine shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 has enhanced the production effect by focusing on the above.
This gaming machine performs a related effect (display of a related decorative symbol) that completes one story over a plurality of decorative symbols in the symbol display unit, thereby providing an effect that can be obtained by only one display of the decorative symbol. Compared to, it is intended to demonstrate a higher production effect.

  For example, when there are three reserved balls, the design display unit performs the effect with the decorative symbols three times in succession. At this time, an effect related to the first stage of the story is performed in the first decorative design, and subsequently, an effect related to the middle of the story, which is a continuation of the first effect, is performed in the second decorative design. Then, in the third decorative design, after performing the effect that the story is completed, the player is informed that the jackpot is finally confirmed. Thus, if a story is continued over a plurality of decorative symbols, the player's sense of expectation can be gradually increased. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a very high production effect as compared with the production in which the contents are completed by one decoration design.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a gaming machine in which a game board is provided with a priority start port and a non-priority start port. This gaming machine distinguishes between a reserved ball that enters and retains a priority start port and a retained ball that enters and retains a non-priority start port when a game ball enters the start port. Remember. Then, in a state in which the holding ball related to the priority starting port and the holding ball related to the non-priority starting port are simultaneously stored, processing is sequentially performed from the holding ball related to the priority starting port.

JP 2002-369921 A JP 2004-283544 A JP 2007-275404 A

As shown in Patent Document 3, in a gaming machine in which a game board is provided with a priority start port and a non-priority start port, as shown in Patent Document 1, the control of the variation time according to the number of reserved balls is retained. If this is done, the following problems will occur.
For example, it is assumed that there are four reserved balls that have entered the non-priority start opening and are retained, and that there is one retained ball that has entered the preferential start opening and has been retained. At this time, the control means preferentially processes the reserved ball that has entered the priority start port and has been reserved. However, the control means independently stores the reserved ball that has entered and retained the ball at the priority start port and the retained ball that has been retained at the non-priority start port. For this reason, when processing the reserved ball retained at the priority start port, processing with a longer variation time is performed as in the case where there is no reserved ball.

In the gaming machine as described above, it is conceivable to adopt the related effect shown in Patent Document 2 above, but the related effect becomes halfway for the following reason, and the effect of the effect is significantly reduced.
That is, when the related effects are performed by the four reserved balls related to the non-priority start opening, for example, the first related effect (the first of the consecutive stories) is generated by the first reserved ball related to the non-priority start opening. Suppose it was done. If a game ball enters the priority starting port during the digestion of the first reserved ball, the reserved ball by the received ball is preferentially processed, so the first related effect and the second A normal effect is interrupted and performed between the related effects. And after the end of this interruption effect, the second related effect will be resumed, and a series of related effects will be interrupted.

  In addition, since a plurality of reserved balls are reserved at the non-priority start opening, the variation time of the first reserved ball and the variation time of the second reserved ball for performing the related effects are set to be relatively short. . However, as described above, the holding ball related to the priority starting port that is processed by interrupting both the holding balls has a long variation time, that is, a production time. In this way, if the interruption effect time is longer than the first related effect and the second related effect, the relevance and continuity of the related effect are no longer completely lost due to the interruption effect. As a result, it becomes impossible to exhibit a high performance effect peculiar to the related performance. Therefore, the above-mentioned gaming machine that provides two start ports and variably controls the variation time according to the number of reserved balls cannot be used as a related effect. There was a problem that the production effect peculiar to the related production could not be exhibited.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which an optimal variation time is set in a gaming machine provided with two start ports and a high performance effect by related effects can be exhibited.

  The first invention is a control means for controlling the progress of a game in a normal game state or a special game state that gives a player a game value more advantageous than the normal game state, and a special symbol is variably displayed and a predetermined time has elapsed. The special symbol variation display means for displaying the subsequent game state by stopping the variation display later, and the right to start the variation display of the special symbol by the special symbol variation display means when the game ball enters the game A starter, wherein the starter includes at least a first starter and a second starter, and the control means is triggered by a game ball entering the starter. Game data lottery means for acquiring game data by lottery, and the number of game balls that have entered the first start port when the special symbol is variably displayed by the special symbol variation display means, Enter the ball A first variation display holding means for retaining the right to display the variation of the special symbol as a machine, and the game ball enters the second starting port when the special symbol is variably displayed by the special symbol variation display unit. The game is stored in the second variable display holding means, the first variable display holding means, and the second variable display holding means for storing the right of the display of the special symbol in response to the entry. Prior determination of determining the game data acquired by the game data lottery means when the incoming ball is stored, before the start of the change display of the special symbol triggered by the incoming ball As a result of determining the game data by the means and the pre-determining means, it is retained over the right of the variable display of a plurality of special symbols reserved in the first variable display holding means or in the second variable display holding means Duplicate Over the right of variable display of a plurality of special symbols reserved in the first variable display holding means, the effect data holding storage means for storing a command for executing the related effect made over the right of variable display of the special symbol Related performance activation monitoring means for detecting that a related effect is being executed, and effect control means for controlling the effect based on the game data, the control means comprising the first variation display holding means and the second When the variable display right is reserved for both the variable display holding means, the variable display right stored in the second variable display holding means is preferentially processed, and the related effect activation monitoring means is related. When the execution of the effect is detected and the right to display the variation of the special symbol is reserved in the second variation display holding unit, the variation of the special symbol in the first variation display holding unit Based on the number of reserved display rights, a variable time for processing the variable display right of the special symbol reserved in the second variable display holding means is set.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the related control is processed with the right of the variable display stored in the first variable display holding means, the game control ball enters the second starting port. Then, an effect at the time of change due to the entry is controlled in association with the related effect.

The first start port and the second start port are provided in the game board, and the game balls launched on the game board are configured to be able to enter or pass. The configuration of the two start ports is not particularly limited as long as it can detect that a game ball has entered or passed.
When a game ball enters or passes through the start opening, a random number is acquired by a random number generation means or the like. The random number is checked against a predetermined table to determine whether it is a hit or a loss. The special symbol is a symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, that is, whether it is a win or a loss.
Fluctuation display means notifying the player of the special symbol, and it takes a predetermined time from the start of the lottery until the special symbol is finally notified to the player. As for the special symbol, it is only necessary that the lottery result is finally notified to the player. Therefore, when the special symbol is finally notified to the player after the lottery is started, that is, notification to the player during the change is not essential, and no notification is given to the player during the change. Is also included in the variable display referred to in the present invention.

The special symbol variation display is started by a lottery of winning or losing. Therefore, the start port generates a right to make a lottery of winning or losing.
The game data includes a random number value acquired by a random number generating means and a command based on the random value.
When a game ball enters or passes through the starting port, a lottery of winning or losing is performed. This lottery result must be notified to the player every time. The notification of the lottery result is a special symbol variation display, but some effect is provided for each special symbol variation display. That is, one presentation is performed for one special symbol variation display. The related effect is made over a variation display of a special symbol multiple times, which means that the multiple effects are performed in association with each other in some form.
Therefore, the same effect may be performed at the time of displaying the special symbol multiple times, or a series of continuous stories may be developed. In any case, the related effects of the present invention include a wide variety of effects that are associated with a plurality of effects.

In the effect data hold storage means, a flag attached to a command for executing the effect, a counter value indicating the number of executions of the related effect, and the like are stored as commands, and the command is referred to at the start of fluctuation (at the start of the effect). Then, the related effect may be started, or the execution command itself of the related effect may be stored, and the execution command may be read out when the change starts. In any case, before processing the right of variable display reserved in the hold storage means, if any command (signal) is stored in the effect data hold storage means and the related effect is started based on the command, The detailed content is not particularly limited.
The related effect activation monitoring means only needs to detect that the related effect is executed over the right of the variable display reserved in the first variable display holding means, and the fluctuation reserved in the second variable display hold means. Execution of a related effect in the right to display may or may not be detected.

  According to the first invention, when the related effect is activated by the right of variable display of the special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “holding ball”) in the first variable display holding unit, the second variable display holding unit reserves it. When the holding ball is interrupted, the fluctuation time is set based on the number of reserved balls held by the first fluctuation display holding means. Therefore, the interruption effect that is executed when the game ball enters the second starting port does not become longer than necessary compared to the time of the related effect that is activated. In other words, since the time of the effect that interrupted and the time of the related effect before and after the interruption effect (for example, the first and second times of the related effect) are maintained in harmony, The impression that the production has completely ended is faded, and the production effect of the related production can be maintained.

  According to the second invention, when the related effect is processed in the right of the variable display stored in the first variable display holding means, when the game ball enters the second start opening, Since the effect at the time of change is controlled in association with the related effect, the related effect can be executed without interrupting the effect. In addition, since the newly associated production time is in harmony with the time of the related production before and after being activated, it is possible to further improve the production effect peculiar to the related production.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the gaming machine of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the gaming machine. The gaming machine 1 includes a game board 101. At a lower position of the game board 101, an operation handle 113 including a launching unit (see reference numeral 292 in FIG. 3) is arranged. The game ball launched by driving the launching unit rises between the rails 102 a and 102 b and reaches the upper position of the game board 101, and then falls within the game area 103. The game area 103 is provided with a plurality of nails (not shown). The game ball is dropped in various directions, and a windmill or a ball that changes the fall direction of the game ball is placed in the middle of the fall. A mouth is provided.

  A symbol display unit 104 is arranged at the center of the game area 103 of the game board 101. For example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) is used as the symbol display unit 104. Below the symbol display unit 104, a first start port 105 capable of receiving a game ball driven toward the game area 103 is disposed. Below the first start port 105, a second start port 120 having a pair of movable pieces 120a is disposed. When the pair of movable pieces 120a are in the closed state, the second starter port 120 is unable or impossible to receive the game ball. When the pair of movable pieces 120a is in the open state, It becomes easier to accept a game ball than the one start port 105. The pair of movable pieces 120a are controlled to a first state in which a game ball is less likely to enter than the first start port 105 in the normal game state, and the first start in the special game state such as the probability change state or the short time state. It is controlled to the second state in which the game ball is easier to enter than the mouth 105. In this embodiment, the time-short state refers to a gaming state in which the second start port 120 is controlled to the second state, and the probability change state refers to the second start port 120 being controlled to the second state. In addition, it means a gaming state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is set higher than in the normal gaming state.

A winning gate 106 is arranged on the left side of the symbol display unit 104.
The winning gate 106 is provided to detect the passing of the game ball and to draw a normal symbol for opening the second start port 120 for a predetermined time. A normal winning opening 107 is disposed on the side of the symbol display unit 104 or below. When a game ball enters the normal winning opening 107, a predetermined number of winning balls (for example, 10) are paid out. At the bottom of the game area 103, a collection port 108 is provided for collecting game balls that have not entered any of the entrances.

In the lower right of the symbol display unit 104, a first special symbol display 84 for displaying a lottery result by a first special symbol lottery means 300 described later, and a second special for displaying a lottery result by a second special symbol lottery means 320. A symbol display 86 is provided. In both of these indicators 84 and 86, after the special symbol is variably displayed, the lottery result is finally displayed. When a game ball enters the first start port 105 or the second start port 120 during the special symbol variation display, the right of the special symbol variation display obtained by the entry, the so-called reserved ball is reserved. . The number of reserved balls thus reserved is displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 88 and the second special symbol hold indicator 90. The first special symbol display 84 and the second special symbol display 86 constitute the special symbol fluctuation display means of the present invention.
Similarly to the above, when a game ball enters the winning gate 106, the normal symbol lottery means 360 performs a lottery, and a normal symbol display 82 for displaying the lottery result is provided. The normal symbol change display right obtained by the game ball entering the winning gate 106 during the normal symbol change display, that is, the number of the reserved balls is displayed on the normal symbol hold indicator 92.

  Each of these indicators 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 is composed of, for example, an LED, and the lottery result by the first special symbol lottery means 300, the second special symbol lottery means, depending on the lighting state of this LED. 320, lottery results by normal symbol lottery means 360, the number of reserved balls obtained by entering the first starting port 105, the number of reserved balls obtained by entering the second starting port 120, Also, the number of reserved balls obtained by entering the winning gate 106 is notified.

  When the game ball enters the first starting port 105 or the second starting port 120, the symbol display unit 104 described above starts displaying a plurality of decorative symbols and stops the variation of the decorative symbols after a predetermined time. Let When specific symbols (for example, “777”) are prepared at the time of the stop, a big hit state is obtained. In the big hit state, the operation of opening the large winning opening opening / closing door 109a in the large winning opening opening / closing device 109 located below for a certain period is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times), and the number of awards corresponding to the game balls entered. Pay out the ball. In addition, when the game ball enters the first starting port 105, the symbol display unit 104 displays the decorative symbol related to the ball entering the first starting port 105 in a variable manner, and the game ball is displayed at the second starting port 120. By entering the ball, the decorative symbol related to the ball entering the second start port 120 is variably displayed. In the present embodiment, when a game ball enters the first start port 105 or the second start port 120, the special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display 84 or the second special symbol display 86. During the special symbol variation display, the symbol display unit 104 displays the decorative symbol variation. If both the first start port 105 and the second start port 120 have a so-called hold ball for variable display, the hold ball obtained by entering the second start port 120 has priority. Digested.

  A frame member 110 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the game area 103 of the game board 101. The frame member 110 has a shape that surrounds the periphery of the game area 103 on the four sides of the game board 101 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Further, the frame member 110 has a shape protruding from the board surface of the game board 101 toward the player side. Thereby, the gaming machine of the present embodiment can be made more conspicuous than other types of gaming machines that do not include the frame member 110. By making the gaming machine conspicuous, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the gaming machine and to strengthen the deterrent against fraudulent acts on the gaming machine.

In the frame member 110, effect lights 111 (lamp units) are provided on two sides on the upper side and the lower side of the game area 103. The effect lights 111 each include a plurality of lights 112. Each light 112 irradiates a player in front of the gaming machine, and the irradiation direction of light can be changed in the vertical direction so that the irradiation position moves along the abdomen from the top of the player. Each light 112 is driven by a motor (not shown) provided in the effect light 111 so as to change the light irradiation direction in the vertical direction.
Further, each light 112 can irradiate the surroundings of the gaming machine, and the light irradiation direction can be rotated so that the irradiation position forms a circle with respect to the gaming machine. Each light 112 is driven by a motor provided in the effect light 111 so as to rotate the light irradiation direction. The motor that is driven to rotate the direction of light irradiation from each light 112 is a different motor from the motor that changes the direction of light irradiation from each light 112 up and down.
The effect light 111 can change the irradiation direction of the light irradiated from the entire effect light 111 to three dimensions by rotating while changing the irradiation direction of the light irradiated from each light 112 in the vertical direction.

The light irradiation direction is changed when, for example, a big hit state is reached. Accordingly, the player and the surroundings of the gaming machine can be sequentially irradiated to inform the surroundings that the gaming machine is in the big hit state, and the attention of the player who has been in the big hit state can be increased. .
Therefore, it is possible to give the player a sense of excitement due to attention, and to continuously or repeatedly use the gaming machine of the present embodiment, thereby improving the operating rate of the gaming machine.
In addition, the light irradiation direction or pattern may be made different when an abnormal situation different from that in a normal game occurs, for example, when an illegal act is performed on a gaming machine described in detail later. . As a result, it is possible to quickly find an abnormal situation such as an illegal act, and to strengthen the deterrence against the illegal act on the gaming machine after the next time.

In the frame member 110, a tray unit 119 to which game balls are supplied is provided on the lower side of the game area 103. The tray unit 119 is supplied with game balls lent out from a rental ball device (not shown).
An operation handle 113 is disposed at a lower position of the frame member 110. The operation handle 113 is operated by the player when the game ball is fired by driving the launching unit. Similar to the frame member 110 described above, the operation handle 113 has a shape protruding from the board surface of the game board 101 to the player side.

  The operation handle 113 includes a firing instruction member 114 that drives the above-described launching unit to launch a game ball. The firing instruction member 114 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the operation handle 113 so as to rotate clockwise as viewed from the player. The launcher causes the game ball to be launched when the firing instruction member 114 is directly operated by the player. Although not described because it is a known technique, the operation handle 113 is provided with a sensor that detects that the player directly operates the firing instruction member 114.

On the upper side and the side of the symbol display unit 104 (on the right side in FIG. 1), there are provided effects (hereinafter referred to as “effects”) 115, 116. The directors 115 and 116 in the gaming machine of the present embodiment schematically represent a part of the Japanese sword (the vicinity of the samurai). The directors 115 and 116 are provided so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the directors 115 and 116 as if the blade is pulled out from the sheath and the pulled blade is returned to the sheath again.
The director 110 is driven by a solenoid, and the director 116 is driven by a motor. By driving the similar directors 115 and 116 with different types of driving sources, it is possible to cause the directors 115 and 116 to perform their own movements, thereby increasing the stage effect.

In the frame member 110, a chance button 117 that accepts an operation by the player is provided on the lower side of the game area 103. The operation of the chance button 117 is effective while guidance for prompting the operation of the chance button 117 is displayed, for example, in a specific reach effect during the game.
In addition, the frame member 110 incorporates a speaker (see reference numeral 277 in FIG. 3) that outputs a production effect sound or a sound for informing fraud. This speaker 277 is of a type that can output high / mid / low sounds, and outputs high / mid / low sounds in a balanced manner during normal performance. Is controlled to output a high treble region high so that it can be heard well around.

(Internal structure of control means)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control means of the gaming machine 1. The control means 200 is composed of a plurality of control boards. In the illustrated example, the main control board 201, the sub control board 202, the prize ball control board 203, and the lamp control board 206 are configured.

  The main control board 201 controls the basic operation related to the game of the gaming machine 1, and based on the program stored in the ROM 201b, the CPU 201a that executes the basic processing accompanying the progress of the game content, and the data work during the arithmetic processing of the CPU 201a A RAM 201c functioning as an area is provided.

  The main control board 201 performs a jackpot lottery relating to the game, and selects a command of effect recorded in the ROM 201b based on the lottery result. There are about 120 types of effect execution commands stored in the ROM 201b, and the effect time is determined for each reach effect execution command described in detail later.

  On the input side of the main control board 201, a first start port detection unit 221 that detects a game ball that has entered the first start port 105, and a second that detects a game ball that has entered the second start port 120. A start opening detection unit 225, a gate detection unit 222 that detects a game ball that has passed through the winning gate 106, a normal winning port detection unit 223 that detects a game ball that has entered the normal winning port 107, and a big winning port opening / closing device A special winning opening detection unit 224 that detects a game ball that has entered 109 is connected.

  In addition, a prize winning opening / closing unit 231 is connected to the output side of the main control board 201 to control the opening / closing of the prize winning opening / closing device 109. The special prize opening / closing unit 231 has a function of opening the special prize opening / closing device 109 for a certain period of time in a big hit, and is configured using a solenoid such as a special prize opening / closing solenoid 109b (not shown in detail). This jackpot is pre-programmed to occur with a predetermined probability based on the generated random number.

Connected to the input side of the sub-control board 202 is a chance button detection unit 220 that detects that the chance button 117 has been operated.
The sub-control board 202 mainly controls the effects during the game. Based on the effect commands transmitted from the main control board 201, the CPU 202a for executing the effect lottery and effect processing, the program and the past effects. A ROM 202b for storing a pattern, a RAM 202c functioning as a data work area at the time of arithmetic processing of the CPU 202a, and the like are provided.

The sub control board 202 receives an effect command that constitutes a part of the game effect transmitted from the main control board 201, and draws a lottery in the CPU 202a based on the effect command to produce an effect background pattern, a reach effect pattern, and an appearance. An effect such as a character is confirmed, and this effect confirmation command is transmitted to perform sub-control in the game.
The CPU 202a has a function of performing control so that the same effect pattern is not continuously generated in the range of effect commands transmitted from the main control board 201, compared to the past effect patterns that have been changed a predetermined number of times. It may be.

  The symbol display unit 104 is connected to the output side of the sub-control board 202, and the sub-control board 202 also has a function of executing effect processing based on the above-described effect determination command. That is, the CPU 202a in the sub-control board 202 executes an effect process based on the effect confirmation command, the ROM 202b stores various image data such as a background image, a pattern image, and a character image, and the RAM 202c performs data work during the calculation process of the CPU 202a. Functions as an area. The sub-control board 202 is further provided with a VRAM 202d for writing image data to be displayed on the symbol display unit 104.

  Normally, the CPU 202a reads a program stored in the ROM 202b, executes various image processing such as background image display processing, symbol image display and variation processing, and character image display processing, reads necessary image data from the ROM 202b, and stores it in the VRAM 202d. Write. The background image, the design image, and the character image are superimposed and displayed on the design display unit 104 on the display screen. That is, the design image and the character image are displayed so as to be seen in front of the background image. At this time, if the background image and the design image overlap at the same position, the design image is preferentially stored in the VRAM 202d by referring to the Z value of the Z buffer of each image data by a known hidden surface removal method such as the Z buffer method. .

  A speaker 277 is connected to the output side of the sub-control board 202, and the sub-control board 202 also has a function of controlling output of sound as an effect process based on the effect determination command described above. That is, in the sub control board 202, the CPU 202a executes audio processing based on the effect confirmation command, the ROM 202b stores various audio data, and the RAM 202c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the CPU 202a. When various effects are executed, based on the effect confirmation command, the CPU 202a reads a program stored in the ROM 202b, executes various sound output processes such as effect sound effect processing, and outputs sound from the speaker 277.

On the output side of the sub-control board 202, a lamp control board 206 for controlling the lamp 262, the effect light 111, and the accessory part 254 is provided.
The lamp control board 206 functions as a CPU 206a that executes an effect process based on the effect confirmation command transmitted from the sub-control board 202, a ROM 206b that stores various effect pattern data, and a work area for data during the calculation process of the CPU 206a. A RAM 206c and the like are provided.

  The lamp control board 206 performs lighting control for various lamps 262 provided on the game board 101, the base frame, and the like based on the effect confirmation command transmitted from the sub-control board 202. The lighting control for the lights 112 is performed, and the drive control for the motors is performed to change the irradiation direction of the light from each light 112.

  In addition, the lamp control board 206 performs drive control for the solenoid that operates the effect accessory 115 on the accessory part 254 based on the effect confirmation command transmitted from the sub control board 202, and the effect accessory 116. The drive control for the motor that operates is performed.

  In addition, a prize ball control board 203 is connected to the main control board 201 so as to be able to transmit in both directions. The prize ball control board 203 performs prize ball control based on a program stored in the ROM 203a. The prize ball control board 203 includes a CPU 203a that executes prize ball control processing, a RAM 203c that functions as a data work area when the CPU 203a performs arithmetic processing, and the like.

  The prize ball control board 203 performs control for paying out the number of prize balls at the time of entering the ball to the connected payout unit 291. In addition, an operation of launching a game ball with respect to the launch unit 292 is detected, and the launch of the game ball is controlled. The payout unit 291 includes a motor for paying out a predetermined number from the game ball storage unit.

  The prize ball control board 203 is a game ball that has entered the respective entrances (the first start opening 105, the second start opening 120, the normal winning opening 107, and the big winning opening opening / closing device 109) with respect to the payout unit 291. Control to pay out the number of prize balls corresponding to. The launching unit 292 launches a game ball for gaming, and includes a sensor (not shown) that detects a game operation by the player, a solenoid that launches the game ball, and the like (not shown). When the game operation is detected by the sensor of the launching unit 292, the prize ball control board 203 drives a solenoid or the like in response to the detected game operation to intermittently fire the game ball, thereby playing the game area 103 of the game board 101. A game ball is sent out.

(Functional configuration of main control board and sub control board)
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of the control means 200 for controlling the progress of the game.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ROM 201b of the main control board 201 is a first special symbol lottery means 300, a first special symbol display control, as a means that functions mainly when a game ball enters the first starting port 105. Means 301, first special symbol variation control means 302, and first random number determination means 303 are provided.
The ROM 201b is a second special symbol lottery means 320, a second special symbol display control means 321 and a second special symbol variation control means as means for functioning mainly when a game ball enters the second start port 120. 322 and second random number determination means 323 are provided.
Further, the ROM 201b is a jackpot game control means 340, a probability change game control means 341, a time-short game control means 342, a normal game control means 343, a prior determination means 330, the fluctuation determination means 331, and an effect as means for controlling the progress of the game. An execution command lottery means 332 is provided.
Further, the ROM 201b includes a normal symbol lottery means 360, a normal symbol display control means 361, a normal symbol fluctuation control means 362, and a normal symbol lottery result determination means 363 as means that function when a game ball enters the winning gate 106. I have.

The RAM 201c of the main control board 201 includes a first special symbol hold storage unit 401, a second special symbol hold storage unit 402, a normal symbol hold storage unit 403, and a game state storage unit 404.
On the other hand, the ROM 202b of the sub-control board 202 includes effect lottery means 501 and effect control means 502.
In addition, the RAM 202c of the sub control board 202 includes a first effect data hold storage unit 510, a second effect data hold storage unit 511, and a related effect activation monitoring unit 512.
The first special symbol lottery means 300 and the second special symbol lottery means 320 constitute the game data lottery means of the present invention.
Further, the first special symbol hold storage means 401 constitutes a first variable display hold means of the present invention, and the second special symbol hold storage means 402 constitutes a second variable display hold means of the present invention. Yes. The configuration and function of each means will be described below.

  The jackpot game control means 340, probability change game control means 341, time-short game control means 342, and normal game control means 343 are all programs that control the progress of the game in each game state.

  The jackpot game control means 340 proceeds with the jackpot game when a transition from the normal game state to the jackpot game state is made as a result of the jackpot lottery by the first special symbol lottery means 300 or the second special symbol lottery means 320 described later. Control. Specifically, the jackpot game control means 340 includes a long hit game in which the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening / closing device 109 is performed for a total of 15 rounds, and a short hit game in which the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening / closing device 109 is performed for two rounds. To control. In the present embodiment, “long win and short win” are collectively referred to as “big hit”, and “long win game and short win game” are collectively referred to as “big hit game”.

  As described above, when a long winning game is executed, the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening / closing device 109 is executed more than the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening / closing device 109 during the short winning game. Yes. The opening / closing operation of the special prize opening / closing device 109 is performed by operating the special prize opening / closing solenoid 109b by the special prize opening / closing part 231. Specifically, the jackpot game control means 340 operates the jackpot opening / closing solenoid 109b from the first round to the 15th round in the long hit gaming state and only two rounds in the short hit gaming state to thereby win the big prize opening / closing door 109a. Open and close. Then, when a game ball enters the big winning opening / closing device 109, the big winning opening detection unit 224 counts the number of balls entered. Further, when the game winning ball detecting unit 224 detects that the game ball has entered the game winning opening / closing device 109, the game ball is paid out by the payout unit 291.

  Here, “round” means that a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses and a predetermined number (for example, 9 balls) of game balls enter when a long game and a short game are being executed. This means a unit for opening / closing the special prize opening opening / closing device 109 by satisfying any of the following conditions. In the present embodiment, the opening time of the big prize opening / closing device 109 per round in the short win game is set to be extremely shorter than the opening time of the big winning opening / closing device 109 per round in the long hit game. ing.

  The probability variation game control means 341 is a probability of winning a big hit when the first special symbol lottery means 300 and the second special symbol lottery means 320 perform a lottery in a game after a long win game or a short win game is executed. Control the probability change game that increases. As will be described in detail later, whether or not the first special symbol lottery means 300 determines whether or not it is successful is determined based on the first special symbol probability change time determination table, and whether or not the second special symbol lottery means 320 determines whether or not the second special symbol is probable. This is performed based on the determination table.

  In the present embodiment, “probability change game” means that the first special symbol lottery means 300 and the second special symbol lottery means 320 determine whether or not the first special symbol probability change per-time determination table and second special symbol probability change, respectively. It means a game played based on the hourly determination table. A gaming state in which a probability variation game is being performed is referred to as a “probability variation gaming state”. Here, the special symbol probability variation time determination table (the first special symbol probability variation time determination table and the second special symbol probability variation time determination table) is longer and shorter than the special symbol normal variation time determination table. The winning probability for winning is set to be high (for example, the winning probability is set to be about 10 times higher than normal. Details will be described later).

  In the present embodiment, if the random number drawn by the first special symbol drawing means 300 is determined to be a long hit, the probability variation game is performed with a probability of, for example, 1/2 after the long hit game is executed. When it is determined that a short win is achieved, the probability change gaming state is entered with a probability of, for example, a half after the short win game is executed. If the second special symbol lottery means 320 is determined to be a long win, the probability change game state is assumed with a half probability after the long hit game is executed, and if it is determined to be a short win, After the short hit game is executed, the probability change game state is entered with a probability of almost 100%. On the other hand, when the random number drawn by the second special symbol lottery means 320 is determined to be a long hit, after the long hit game is executed, the probability change gaming state is established with a probability of 60%, for example. However, if it is determined that a short win is made, as described above, after the short win game is executed, the probability change gaming state is entered with a probability of almost 100%.

  In addition, although it is substantially the same mode as the above short win, any one of the normal short win, the probable gaming state and the short-time gaming state that are not changed to the probable gaming state after the winning game is executed, Needless to say, a small hit or the like in a normal gaming state may be combined as appropriate.

  The short time game control means 342 controls the short time game in which the lottery time is shortened in the lottery by the normal symbol lottery means 360. In the probability variation game state, the time-short game is performed by the time-short game control unit 341 together with the probability variation game by the probability variation game control unit 341.

  In the present embodiment, the “short-time gaming state” means a gaming state in which a lottery by the normal symbol lottery means 360 described later is performed based on a normal symbol short-time hitting determination table. In other words, the normal symbol lottery means 360 performs lottery based on the normal symbol normal hour determination table in the normal gaming state, but in the short time gaming state, the normal symbol lottery means 360 draws based on the normal symbol short time determination table. Done. The normal symbol time per hour determination table has a lottery time shorter than the normal symbol normal time per time determination table.

As a result of the lottery by the normal symbol lottery means 360, if the winning is won, the pair of movable pieces 120a are released for a certain period of time, so that the game ball can easily enter the second starting port 120. In the normal symbol time / short time determination table, the winning probability is set as high as 90%, for example. Therefore, in the short-time gaming state, it is possible to acquire a lot of winning balls by entering the second starting port 120, and the game can proceed without reducing the gaming balls as much as possible.
In addition, a game that is performed in a state where a game value advantageous to the player is given, such as the probability variation game and the short-time game, is referred to as a special game.

  Then, the normal game control means 343 controls the progress of a game that does not fall into either the jackpot game or the special game, that is, a normal game. As described above, one of the jackpot game control means 340, the probability variation game control means 341, the short-time game control means 342, and the normal game control means 343 controls the progress of the game depending on the game state. The gaming state in which the control units 340 to 343 are in progress is written in the gaming state storage unit 404 of the RAM 201c.

Next, the normal symbol lottery means 360, the normal symbol display control means 361, the normal symbol variation control means 362, the normal symbol lottery result determination means 363, and the normal symbol hold, which start control when the game ball passes the winning gate 106. The storage unit 403 will be described.
When the game ball passes through the winning gate 106 and is detected by the gate detection unit 222, the normal symbol lottery means 360 extracts a random number from a random number value (for example, 0 to 250) prepared in advance. When the random value is extracted by the normal symbol lottery means 360, the normal symbol lottery result determination means 363 determines whether or not it is a hit based on the table stored in the ROM 201b. At this time, if the game is in the normal game state, the winning is determined based on the normal symbol normal time per hour determination table, and if it is in the time-short game state (including the probability variation game state), it is based on the normal symbol time per hour determination table. Winning is determined.

If the result of the determination by the normal symbol lottery result determination means 363 is a win, the second starting port opening / closing solenoid 120b is operated to open the movable piece 120a, and if it is lost, the second starting port opening / closing solenoid is operated. The control is terminated without operating 120b. Therefore, when the result of the determination by the normal symbol lottery result determination means 363 is lost, the second start port 120 is not opened and the closed state is maintained. The result of determination by the normal symbol lottery result determination means 363 is displayed on the normal symbol display 82 by the normal symbol display control means 361.
It should be noted that a predetermined time is required until the determination result is displayed on the normal symbol display 82 after the game ball passes through the winning gate 106. During this time, if the game ball further passes the winning gate 106, the right to draw by the normal symbol lottery means 360 is reserved in the normal symbol hold storage means 403. The maximum number of reserved rights for the lottery is four, and is displayed on the normal symbol hold display 92 by the normal symbol display control means 361.

Next, control when a game ball enters the first start port 105 or the second start port 120 will be described.
When the first start port detector 221 detects that a game ball has entered the first start port 105, the detection signal is transmitted to the main control board 201. If the said signal is received, the 1st special symbol lottery means 300 will extract one random number value from random numbers (for example, 0-600) prepared beforehand. The random value extracted here includes a hit random number, a design random number, and a reach random number. The winning random number is a random number for determining whether or not it is a big hit, and the design random number is a random number for determining the type of winning (long hit, short hit). The reach random number is a random number for determining whether or not to perform a reach effect (including a related effect described later).

  The RAM 201c is provided with a game state storage unit 404. Whether the current game state is a normal game state or a special game state (probability game state, short-time game state). Is remembered. When the first special symbol lottery means 300 extracts a random number value, the first random number determination means 303 determines the random number value based on the gaming state stored in the gaming state storage means 404.

  Specifically, if it is a normal gaming state, the extracted random number value is determined based on a special symbol normal time per hit determination table, and if it is a probability variable gaming state, it is determined based on a special symbol probable per hour determination table. In the special symbol normal hour determination table, a first special symbol normal hour determination table and a second special symbol normal hour determination table are prepared, and the first special symbol normal variation determination table is also included in the special symbol normal variation determination table. A symbol probability change time determination table and a second special symbol probability change time determination table are prepared. Each of these determination tables is stored in the ROM 201b, and different tables are referred to based on the gaming state and the starting opening that has entered the ball.

  The random value extracted by the first special symbol lottery means 300 is as shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is an example of a table showing the jackpot winning probability and the winning random number. FIG. 5B is a table (first special symbol random number determination table) for determining the type of jackpot game (number of rounds, probability variation, normal) when winning a symbol random number, that is, jackpot. FIG. 5C is a table (first special symbol reach random number determination table) for determining whether or not to perform a reach effect or a related effect described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, one winning random number is extracted from 601 random numbers from 0 to 600. 7 and 317 are stored as jackpot random numbers in the special symbol normal hourly determination table referred to in the normal gaming state, and 7 and 317 are stored in the special symbol normal hourly determination table referred to in the probability varying gaming state. 37, 67, 97, 127, 157, 187, 217, 247, 277, 317, 337, 367, 397, 427, 457, 487, 517, 547, 577 are stored as random numbers.

  When a game ball enters the first start port 105, the first special symbol lottery means 300 extracts the winning random number. At this time, in the normal gaming state, the first random number determination means 303 determines the hit or loss of the hit random number based on the special symbol normal hour hit determination table. That is, if the winning random number drawn by entering the first starting port 105 is 7 or 317, it is determined to be winning, and if it is any other random number, it is determined to be lost. Further, in the probability variation gaming state, it is determined whether or not it is a win based on a special symbol probability change time determination table.

  As a result of the determination of the winning random number, when it is determined that the winning random number is a jackpot random number, the first special symbol lottery means 300 further extracts the symbol random number, and the first random number determining means 303 The extracted symbol random number is determined based on the table shown in FIG. 5B, and the type of jackpot is determined. The types of jackpots determined here include “long hits” in which the jackpot game time is long and a large amount of game balls can be expected to be paid out, and “short hits” in which the jackpot game time is short. Furthermore, in the long win, only the "probable change time short length" occurs after the jackpot game ends, and only the short game state occurs after the jackpot game ends (the probability change game state is (It does not occur) There is "normal per length". Also, for short wins, only the short-time gaming state occurs after the end of the jackpot game (the probability-changing gaming state does not occur), and both the probability-changing gaming state and the short-time gaming state occur after the jackpot game ends. There is “Short-term per chance”.

Further, the first special symbol lottery means 300 acquires a reach random number together with the extraction of the winning random number. If the first random number determination unit 303 determines that the winning random number is lost as a result of the determination, the first random number determination unit 303 uses the acquired reach random number based on FIG. 5 (c-1). Judgment. On the other hand, when it is determined that the winning random number is a big hit, the first random number determining unit 303 determines the acquired reach random number based on FIG. 5C-2.
In the case of winning a jackpot, the reach random number extracted is determined to have a related effect or reach with almost any probability. In other words, when winning the jackpot, the related effect or reach effect is executed with the most probability. On the other hand, if the winning random number is determined to be lost without winning a big hit, a so-called lost effect (effect that does not reach reach) is executed with a probability of 80% or more, but related effects and reach effects are executed. There is also a possibility that As a result, so-called gas effects and gas effects are executed.

  When a game ball enters the second start port 120, the second special symbol lottery means 320 extracts the winning random number. At this time, in the normal gaming state, the second random number determination means 323 determines the hit or loss of the hit random number based on the special symbol normal hour hit determination table. That is, if the winning random number drawn by entering the second starting port 120 is 7 or 317, it is determined to be a winning, and if it is any other random number, it is determined to be lost. Further, in the probability variation gaming state, it is determined whether or not it is a win based on a special symbol probability change time determination table.

  FIG. 6A is a table showing the winning probability and the winning random number when the game ball enters the second starting port 120. FIG. 6B is a table (second special symbol random number determination table) for determining the type of jackpot game when the symbol random number and the jackpot are won. FIG. 6C is a table (second special symbol reach random number determination table) for determining whether or not to perform a reach effect or a related effect described later.

As shown in FIG. 6A, one hit random number is extracted from 601 random numbers from 0 to 600, and this is the same as described above. Further, it is determined based on FIG. 6A whether or not the extracted random number value is won by the jackpot. This random number table is the same as described above.
If it is determined that the extracted random number is a jackpot random number, the type of jackpot is determined based on FIG. 6B. The lottery probability of this jackpot type is shown in FIG. 5B. It is different from the random number table shown.

That is, the design random number determination table differs between when the game ball enters the first start port 105 and when the game ball enters the second start port 120. Specifically, when the ball enters the second starting port 120, the percentage of winning per winning length is higher than when the ball enters the first starting port 105. That is, when a game ball enters the second start port 120, the degree of expectation to win per length with a certain change time is increased. In this way, the gameability can be improved by changing the degree of expectation for the jackpot depending on the start opening into which the game ball has entered.
As can be seen from FIG. 6 (c), when a game ball enters the second start port 120, a related effect is produced with the same probability as when a game ball enters the first start port 105. Reach production and so-called lost production are determined.

  As described above, when the first random number determination unit 303 determines the extracted random number value, the first special symbol variation control unit 302 varies the special symbol based on the random number value and the first special symbol. The display control means 301 variably displays the lottery result on the first special symbol display 84. Even when the second random number determination means 323 determines a random value, the same control as described above is performed by the second special symbol display control means 321 and the second special symbol fluctuation control means 322.

On the other hand, when a game ball enters the first start port 105 and a variation display based on the previous game ball is in progress, the extracted random number value is the first random number in the RAM 201c. It is stored in the special symbol hold storage means 401. The first special symbol storage unit 401 is configured as shown in FIG.
That is, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the storage area related to the hold order. As is clear from this figure, the first special symbol hold storage means 401 has a game ball in the first start port detecting unit 221. A random number value (hit random number, symbol random number, reach random number) acquired based on the detection is stored as a holding ball in association with the order in which game balls are detected. In other words, when a game ball enters the first start opening 105, the right of the special symbol change display is stored in the first special symbol hold storage means 401 as a so-called hold ball. The reserved balls retained in the storage unit 401 are digested and processed in the storage unit 401 in the order stored.

  Specifically, the first special symbol storage unit 401 includes four storage areas from the first storage area 401 a to the fourth storage area 401 d, each time a game ball enters the first start port 105. The reserved balls are retained in order from the first storage area 401a. That is, when a game ball enters the first start port 105 in a state where the reserve ball is retained in the first storage area 401a, the reserve ball is retained in the second storage area 401b. In this way, up to four reserved balls are reserved in the first special symbol storage unit 401. On the other hand, when a game ball enters the first starting port 105 in a state where the reserve ball is retained in all of the first storage area 401a to the fourth storage area 401d, the above-mentioned variation display is performed as the reserve ball. Rights are not reserved. In other words, if the number of reserved balls is retained up to the upper limit number of reserves in the first special symbol storage unit 401, even if a game ball enters the first start port 105, the big hit lottery by the entered ball is Not done. However, even in this case, a predetermined number of prize balls for the game balls entering the first start port 105 are paid out.

  Further, the reserved ball retained in the first special symbol storage unit 401 is always digested (processed) from the first storage area 401 a by the first special symbol variation control unit 302. When the reserved sphere stored in the first storage area 401a is digested, the reserved sphere retained from the second storage area 401b to the fourth storage area 401d moves from the storage area to the previous area. That is, when the reserved sphere retained in the first storage area 401a is digested, the retained sphere retained in the second storage area 401b moves to the first storage area 401a. Similarly, the reserved ball retained in the third storage area 401c moves to the second storage area 401b, and the retained ball retained in the fourth storage area 401d shifts to the third storage area 401c. Therefore, the fourth storage area 401d can accept the reserved ball again, that is, can reserve it. Note that the process of shifting the reserved balls retained in the storage areas 401 a to 401 d is performed by a not-shown hold shift means of the control means 200.

  On the other hand, when a game ball enters the second start port 120 and a change display based on the previous game ball is being executed, the game ball is sent to the second start port detection unit 225. Random values (hit random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers) acquired based on the detection are stored in the second special symbol hold storage unit 402 as a hold ball in association with the order in which the game balls are detected. . That is, when a game ball enters the second start port 120, the right to display the special symbol, that is, the right to win the big prize is stored in the second special symbol storage unit 402 as a reserved ball. The right to display the variation of the special symbol reserved in the storage area 402 is digested and processed in the storage area 402 by the second special symbol variation control means 322 in the stored order.

  Specifically, the second special symbol storage unit 402 includes four storage areas from the fifth storage area 402a to the eighth storage area 402d, and each time a game ball enters the second start port 120, The reserved balls are retained in order from the fifth storage area 402a. That is, when a game ball enters the second start port 120 in a state where it is retained in the fifth storage area 402a, a reserved ball is retained in the sixth storage area 402b. In this way, up to four reserved balls are reserved in the second special symbol storage unit 402. On the other hand, when a game ball enters the second start port 120 in a state where the reserve ball is retained in all of the fifth storage area 402a to the eighth storage area 402d, the above-mentioned variation display is performed as the reserve ball. Rights are not reserved. In other words, if the number of reserved balls is retained up to the upper limit number of reserves in the second special symbol storage means 402, even if a game ball enters the second start port 120, Not done. However, even in this case, a predetermined number of prize balls for the game balls entering the second start port 120 are paid out.

  In addition, when a plurality of reserved balls are reserved in the second special symbol storage unit 402, the reserved balls are digested from the fifth storage area 402a, but the reservation stored in the fifth storage area 402a When the sphere is digested, the reserved sphere retained from the sixth storage area 402b to the eighth storage area 402d moves from the storage area to the previous area. That is, when the reserved sphere retained in the fifth storage area 402a is digested, the retained sphere retained in the sixth storage area 402b moves to the fifth storage area 402a. Similarly, the reserved sphere retained in the seventh storage area 402c moves to the sixth storage area 402b, and the retained sphere retained in the eighth storage area 402d moves to the seventh storage area 402c. Therefore, the eighth storage area 402d can accept the reserved ball again, that is, can reserve it. Note that the shift processing of the reserved balls retained in the respective storage areas 402a to 402d is performed by a not-shown hold shift means of the control means 200.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the storage balls are reserved for each start opening into which the game balls have entered, the storage balls are reserved, so that the random numbers related to these hold balls and the start openings into which the game balls have entered Are stored in association with each other. However, as described above, the object of the present invention can be achieved even if the holding balls are stored by another method without storing the holding balls separately in the two storage units 401 and 402. For example, the reserved balls are retained in one storage means in the order in which the game balls enter the start opening. At this time, even if the flag that associates which starting ball the game ball has entered is stored in association with the holding ball, and the holding ball with the predetermined flag is preferentially processed, An effect similar to that of the gaming machine can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 7C, the eight storage areas from the first storage area 401a to the eighth storage area 402d are all hit random number storage areas, symbol random number storage areas, and reach random number storage areas. have. The hit random number storage area is an area for storing a hit random number used for determining whether or not to start the big hit game. In addition, in the case of a jackpot, the symbol random number storage area determines whether or not the stop symbol form of the first special symbol display 84 or the second special symbol display 86 is a probability variation symbol (the number of rounds is 15 rounds). This is an area for storing symbol random numbers used in the process. The reach random number storage area is an area for storing a reach random number used for determining whether or not to perform a reach effect.
Then, as described above, when the reserved ball is reserved in the first special symbol storage unit 401, the first special symbol display control unit 301 displays the number of reserved balls held in the first special symbol hold display. Displayed on the device 88.

  Note that the second special symbol lottery means 320 and the second special symbol display control means 321 also when a game ball enters the second start port 120 and the second start port detector 225 detects a game ball. The second special symbol variation control means 322 and the second random number determination means 323 perform the same processing as described above. However, the extracted random number value is stored in any one of the fifth storage area 402a to the eighth storage area 402d. When a plurality of reserved balls are reserved in the special symbol storage means 401 and 402, the reserved balls are digested in the following order.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a holding ball is reserved in the first storage area 401 a to the third storage area 401 c of the first special symbol holding storage unit 401, and the fifth storage area 402 a of the second special symbol holding storage unit 402. Further, it is assumed that the reserved ball is reserved in the sixth storage area 402b.
In addition, the order in which the game balls enter the first start port 105 and the second start port 120 is, as illustrated, the first start port 105 → the second start port 120 → the first start port 105 → the second. It is assumed that the start port 120 → the first start port 105.
In the present embodiment, since the second start port 120 is a priority start port, in this case, the hold balls in the fifth storage area 402a are processed preferentially, and hold in the order of the arrows shown in FIG. 8B. The ball is digested.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8C, it is assumed that three reserved balls are reserved in the first special symbol storage unit 401 that performs non-priority processing. In this case, the three reserved balls retained in the first special symbol storage unit 401 are digested successively in the order indicated by the dotted lines in the figure. However, when the first reserved ball is digested, in other words, when the first variation display is performed, the reserved ball is reserved in the second special symbol hold storage means 402 to which priority processing is performed. Then (when the ball enters the second starting port 120), the reservation ball is interrupted, and the reservation ball is digested in the order indicated by the solid line in the figure.

  As is apparent from this, when a plurality of reserved balls are reserved in the first special symbol storage unit 401 in which the non-priority processing is performed in both storage units 401 and 402, the priority processing is performed. There is a high possibility that an interruption process is performed when the reserved ball is reserved in the 5 storage area 402a. In other words, when a game ball enters the first starting port 105 and a plurality of holding balls are retained, there is a possibility that an interruption process may be performed due to the game ball entering the second starting port 120. high. This means that when a plurality of reserved balls are reserved in the first special symbol reservation storage means 401, it is unlikely that each of these reserved balls will be digested continuously. On the other hand, when a game ball enters the second start port 120, which is the priority start port, and a plurality of holding balls are reserved, no interruption processing is performed, and the plurality of holding balls are always continuous. To be digested.

  The retained balls are sequentially digested as described above. The CPU 201a controls the digestion of the retained balls, and the first special symbol variation display control means 302 and the second special symbol variation display in the ROM 201b. Control means 322. These variable display control means 302 and 322 monitor which holding balls are processed, and based on the random numbers of the holding balls to be processed stored in the first storage area 401a or the fifth storage area 402a. The above variable display has started.

  When the variable display is started as described above, the first special symbol display control means 301 and the second special symbol display control means 321 apply the determination result to the first special symbol display 84 and the second special symbol display 86. Is displayed in a variable manner.

  During the special symbol variation display, the decorative symbol effect by the symbol display unit 104, the lamp effect by the lamp 112 (the lamp 262), the sound effect by the speaker 277, or the effect objects 115 and 116 (the accessory part 254). An effect production is performed, and a lottery winning result is notified to the player together with various elaborate productions. In order to make this effect more effective, the main control board 201 is provided with a prior determination means 330. The control of the prior determination unit 330 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the first start port detection unit 221 or the second start port detection unit 225 detects that a game ball has entered the first start port 105 or the second start port 120.

(Step S101)
Then, a fluctuation detection unit (not shown) of the main control board 201 detects whether or not the special symbol fluctuation display is being performed.

(Step S102)
If it is determined in step S101 that the change is in progress, the first special symbol hold storage unit 401 or the second special symbol hold storage unit 402 stores random numbers in the fourth storage area 401d or the eighth storage area 402d. Detect whether or not Specifically, when a ball entry signal is received from the first start port detector 221, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls retained in the first special symbol storage unit 401 is less than 4, and the second start When the incoming signal is received from the mouth detector 225, it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls in the second special symbol storage unit 402 is less than 4.

  If it is determined in step S102 that there are four reserved balls, a special symbol variation display, that is, a jackpot lottery is not performed depending on the game ball entering, so that the winning ball control board 203 Pays out a predetermined prize ball and ends the control.

(Step S103)
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the number of reserved balls is less than 4, that is, it is determined that the reserved balls are reserved, the first storage area 401a to the fourth storage area 401d or the fifth storage area 402a to the eighth storage area. A reserved ball (random value) is stored in 402d.

(Step S104)
As described above, when the random number value is stored in the first special symbol hold storage unit 401 or the second special symbol hold storage unit 402, the prior determination unit 330 determines whether the jackpot is based on the random number value. ”“ Hits type (probability per change, normal win, etc.) ”“ reach presence / absence ”“ related production presence / absence ”are determined (preliminary determination). That is, the prior determination means 330 determines game data related to the effect from the extracted random number value.
The determination of game data by the prior determination unit 330 may determine a random value with reference to the first special symbol hold storage unit 401 or the second special symbol hold storage unit 402, or a processing area for prior determination The random number value extracted in the storage area may be directly written and determined. However, the prior determination is not to be performed immediately after the reach random number is extracted, but at least before the production based on the reach random number is controlled and at the timing at which the related production is possible. If so, it can be done anytime.

(Step S105)
As described above, when the prior determination unit 330 determines an effect command based on the extracted random number value, the effect command is transmitted to the sub control board 202, and the process shown in FIG. The details will be described later.

(Step S106)
In step S101, when the first start port detection unit 221 or the second start port detection unit 225 detects a signal, if there is no change related to the previous game ball entry, 2. It is determined whether a game ball has entered the start port 120 or a game ball has entered the first start port 105, and the process proceeds to (B) and (C) of FIG. That is, when no change is made and a game ball enters one of the start ports, the special symbol related to the entry is changed immediately. Is not stored, and the variation start process is performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a game ball enters the start port in a state where the reserved ball is not reserved, the prior determination by the prior determination unit 330 is not performed. In other words, the preliminary determination unit 330 performs the preliminary determination only when the reserved ball is reserved. This is because the purpose of the “preliminary determination” performed by the prior determination means 330 is to determine whether or not to perform a related effect over a variable display of a plurality of special symbols. The related effects in the present invention refer to the following effects.

(Explanation of related effects)
That is, when a game ball enters either the first start port 105 or the second start port 120, a jackpot lottery is performed as described above. This jackpot lottery is a lottery to determine whether or not a jackpot game right that can win more prize balls than in the normal gaming state can be acquired. The lottery result is displayed on the first special symbol display 84 or the second special symbol display 86. In these indicators 84 and 86, the LED is turned on or blinked, as if the lottery is currently being drawn. Such special symbol variation display is performed for a predetermined time.

  This special symbol variation display is performed once for each reserved ball. During this one special symbol variation display, the symbol display unit 104, the speaker 277, the lamp 112, and the directors 115 and 116, Various productions are made. A normal effect, including a reach effect, is a content in which one effect is made with respect to one special symbol variation display, and a story or the like is completed within the range of this one effect.

  On the other hand, the related effect is that a single story is completed or a plurality of effect contents are associated with each other over a variable display of a plurality of special symbols. In other words, a plurality of performances are set to contents related in some way. FIG. 10 shows an example of the related effects using the effect actors 115 and 116 and the symbol display unit 104.

  For example, at the time of the first variation display (when the first reserved memory is consumed), as shown in FIG. The blade is pulled out, and operation control is performed to move along the longitudinal direction of the production actor 116. Further, at this time, an LED (indicated by a dotted line in the figure) incorporated in the blade portion is brought into a light-emitting state, so that the player looks as if the blade is shining. However, in the decorative symbol of the symbol display unit 104, after the three numbers arranged in a row scroll for a predetermined time, the symbol display unit 104 finally stops in a state where three identical symbols (symbols) are not aligned, The fact that the lottery result (variation) was lost is notified.

  At the time of the second fluctuation display (when the second reserved memory is digested), as shown in FIG. Is removed, and the movement control is performed to move along the longitudinal direction of the director 115. At this time, the LED (indicated by a dotted line in the figure) built in the blade portion is turned on to make the player feel as if the blade is shining. However, even in the second variation display, after the three numbers arranged in a row scroll for a predetermined time in the decorative symbol of the symbol display unit 104, finally the same three numbers (symbols) are not aligned. It stops in the state and informs the player that the lottery result (fluctuation) was lost.

  At the time of the third variation display (when the third reserved memory is consumed), as shown in FIG. Is removed, and motion control is performed to move along the longitudinal direction of each of the directors 115 and 116. Further, at this time, the above-described LED (details are not shown) is set in a light-emitting state to make the player appear as if both blades are shining. However, even in the third variation display, after the three numbers arranged in a row scroll for a predetermined time in the decorative symbol of the symbol display unit 104, finally the same three numbers (symbols) are not aligned. It stops in the state and informs the player that the lottery result (fluctuation) was lost.

  At the time of the fourth variation display (when the fourth holding ball is digested), as shown in FIG. 10 (d), in addition to the operation control of the directors 115 and 116, the upper right of the game board 101 is displayed. A plurality of LEDs (not shown) are set in a light emitting state from the side toward the lower left, and a plurality of LEDs (not shown) are also set in a light emitting state from the upper left to the lower right of the game board 101. This gives the player the impression that the game board 101 has been cut from the left and right with a sword. At the time of the fourth variation display, after the three numbers arranged in a row scroll for a predetermined time in the decorative symbol of the symbol display unit 104, finally three identical numbers (symbols) are arranged. And the player is informed that the lottery result (variation) is a big hit.

As described above, in the related effects, effects having continuity and relevance over a plurality of variations (in this example, continuous effects by the directors 115 and 116) are performed. Therefore, whenever the player sees the effect continuously performed, in other words, as the related effect progresses, the player has a great expectation that the winning will be won in the next variation display.
Here, the related effects using the effect actors 115 and 116 and the symbol display unit 104 have been described. However, the related effect may be performed by any one of the effect actor, the symbol display unit, the speaker, and the lamp. Alternatively, these may be combined as appropriate.

  As described above, in order to perform the related effects made over a plurality of variation displays, the pre-determining unit 330 determines a random value before the variation display starts and transmits it to the sub-control board 202. Then, the sub control board 202 controls the related effects based on the effect command transmitted from the prior determination means 330. The control procedure will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the RAM 202 c of the sub control board 202 includes a first effect data hold storage unit 510 and a second effect data hold storage unit 511. The first effect data hold storage means 510 includes four storage areas from the first storage area 510a to the fourth storage area 510d, and the second effect data hold storage means 511 includes the fifth storage area 511a. 4 to 8th storage area 511d.

  Then, every time the advance determination means 330 determines the effect command, the effect command is transmitted to the sub control board 202 by the advance determination means 330 (step S101 to step S105 in FIG. 9) from the first storage area 510a. It is stored in any one of the eighth storage area 511d. Prior determination means 330 associates a signal corresponding to a storage area for storing the effect command when transmitting the effect command. Specifically, when the pre-determination means 330 finalizes the effect command, a storage area in which a random number value as a basis is stored (the first storage area 401a to the fourth storage area 401d of the first special symbol hold storage means 401) is stored. Or the signal which identifies which is the 1st memory area 402a-the 4th memory area 402d) of the 2nd special symbol holding means 402 is attached to an effect command.

Thereby, for example, when the random number value is stored in the first storage area 401a of the first special symbol storage unit 401 in the main control board 201, the effect command transmitted to the sub control board 202 is the first effect. The data is stored in the first storage area 510a of the data storage means 510.
The first storage area 401a to the fourth storage area 401d of the first special symbol hold storage means 401 correspond to the first storage area 510a to the fourth storage area 510d of the first effect data storage means 510. Further, the fifth storage area 402a to the eighth storage area 402d of the second special symbol holding storage means 402 correspond to the fifth storage area 511a to the eighth storage area 511d of the second effect data storage means 511. Then, when the variable display is started and the reserved balls retained in the first storage area 401a or the fifth storage area 402a are digested, one random number value or effect command stored in each storage area is one. Shift to the previous storage area.

  A control procedure when an effect command is transmitted from the preliminary determination means 330 to the sub-control board 202 will be described with reference to FIG.

(Step S201)
When the sub control board 202 receives the effect command, the effect control means 502 refers to the identification signal attached to the effect command and in which of the storage areas 501a to 501d and 502a to 502d the command is stored. Confirm.

(Step S202)
Next, the effect control unit 502 determines whether or not the effect command is a command for performing a related effect.

(Step S203)
When it is determined in step S202 that the command is a command for performing a related effect, the effect control unit 502 adds a related effect flag to the effect command. At this time, any one of “1” to “4” is added to the related effect flag, and this is determined by the number of the area in the effect data holding storage means. Is done. For example, when an effect command is stored in the first storage area 510a and the fifth storage area 511a, the related effect flag “1” is attached. Similarly, when the effect command is stored in the second storage area 510b and the sixth storage area 511b, the flag “2” is stored, and when the effect command is stored in the third storage area 510c and the seventh storage area 511c. Is flag “3”, and flag “4” is added when the effect command is stored in the fourth storage area 510d and the eighth storage area 511d.

  However, in the same effect data storage means 510 and 511, when a jackpot effect command is included in other effect commands processed before the effect command, the related effect is as follows. A flag is attached. For example, if the effect command stored in the eighth storage area 511d is a command related to the related effect, the flag “4” is originally attached to the effect command. At this time, if a jackpot effect command is stored in the fifth storage area 511a, the flag “3” is added to the eighth storage area 511d. Similarly, when the jackpot effect command is stored in the sixth storage area 511b, the flag “2” is added to the eighth storage area 511d, and the jackpot effect command is stored in the seventh storage area 511c. If there is, “1” is added to the eighth storage area 511d.

(Step S204)
Next, the effect control means 502 determines whether or not the flag attached to the effect command is “1”. In other words, in the same effect data storage means 510, 511, there is an effect command that is processed before the effect command, or there is an effect command that is processed immediately before the effect command. It is determined whether or not it is a jackpot effect command.

(Step S205)
In the above step S204, when the flag added to the effect command is other than “1”, that is, “2” to “4”, that is, in the same effect data storage means 510, 511, the effect command. If there is another effect command to be processed before, flags “1” to “3” are attached to the other effect command. For example, when an effect command is stored in the seventh storage area 511c, the flag “3” is attached to the effect command. In this case, the effect control means 502 newly adds a flag “1” to the effect command stored in the fifth storage area 511a that is processed before the effect command in the same effect data storage means 511. The flag “2” is newly added to the effect command stored in the sixth storage area 511b.

  However, in the same effect data storage means 510, 511, if the jackpot effect command is included in other effect commands processed before the effect command, the jackpot effect command and The related effect flag is not attached to the effect command processed before the jackpot effect command. The related effect flag is attached to the effect command that is processed after the jackpot effect command. For example, when an effect command is stored in the eighth storage area 511d, the flag “4” is originally attached to the effect command. However, when the big hit effect command is stored in the fifth storage area 511a, the flag “1” is attached to the sixth storage area 511b, the flag “2” is attached to the seventh storage area 511c, and A flag “3” is attached to the eighth storage area 511d. This is to prevent the effect of the related effects stored later from being exerted on the effect that has already won the jackpot.

  As a result, when an effect command “with related effects” is transmitted, a series of consecutive related commands from the effect command to be processed first to the effect command are stored in the storage means for storing the effect command. An effect flag will be attached.

(Step S206)
As described above, when a related effect flag is attached to each effect command, the effect command is stored in a predetermined storage area.
If it is determined in step S202 that “no related effects”, the processes in steps S203 to S205 are unnecessary, and the effect commands are stored as they are in a predetermined storage area.
Furthermore, even when the related effect flag attached to the effect command transmitted from the pre-determining means 330 is “1” in step S204, the process of step S205 is not necessary, and therefore only the effect command. Is stored in a predetermined storage area.

(Variation start processing)
Next, the variation start process of the holding ball will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, as described above, the reserve ball obtained when the game ball enters the second start port 120 is preferentially processed.

(Step S301)
The special symbol variation display is started by digestion of the reserved ball. The CPU 201a first determines whether or not a random number value (holding ball) is stored in the fifth storage area 402a, that is, whether or not the holding ball in the second special symbol holding storage unit 402 is 1 or more.

(Step S302)
In the above-described step S301, if a holding ball is stored in the fifth storage area 402a, that is, if there is a holding ball in the first variation display holding storage means 401, the random number value stored in the fifth storage area 402a is illustrated. In addition to shifting to the processing area not to be processed, the random number values stored in the fifth storage area 402b to the eighth storage area 402d are shifted to the previous storage area. In addition, when the random number value is stored only in the fifth storage area 402a (when the sixth storage area 402b to the eighth storage area 402d are empty areas), the random number value stored in the fifth storage area 402a Only the process of storing in the processing area is performed.

(Step S303)
Next, the CPU 201b confirms the gaming state stored in the gaming state storage unit 404. Specifically, it is confirmed whether the current gaming state is the normal gaming state, the short-time gaming state, or the probability-changing gaming state.

(Step S304)
When the game state is confirmed in step S303, the variation determination unit 331 selects a hit determination table corresponding to the game state. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the gaming state is a normal gaming state or a short-time gaming state, a table for determining that the winning random numbers “7” and “317” are jackpots is selected, and the gaming state is a probabilistic gaming state. If it is, the table for determining all 20 random numbers such as “7”, “37”, etc. as a big hit is selected.

(Step S305)
In step S304, when a winning determination table based on the gaming state is selected, it is determined whether or not the variation determining means 331 is a big hit based on the selected table.

(Step S306)
In step S305, if it is determined that the jackpot is not a big hit (losing), the process of step S307 is performed. If the jackpot is determined to be a big hit, the process of step S316 is performed.

(Step S307)
If it is determined in step S306 that the game is lost, the variation determination unit 331 confirms the number of reserved balls retained in each of the first variation display hold storage unit 401 and the second variation display hold storage unit 402. To do.

(Step S308)
In step S307, when the reserved number of reserved balls is confirmed, the fluctuation determining unit 331 selects a reach random number determination table at the time of loss based on the reserved number. However, the reach random number determination table is selected based on the larger reserved number of the reserved balls in the first special symbol hold storage unit 401 and the second special symbol hold storage unit 402.
In this embodiment, as is clear from FIG. 14, the probability that the reach effect is performed decreases as the number of reserved balls increases, and the reach effect is performed as the reserved number of reserved balls decreases. The probability is set to be high.
The probability that the related effect is performed is set to be constant regardless of the total number of reserved balls. Thereby, the determination result of the prior determination means 330 and the determination result of the fluctuation determination means 331 do not differ. That is, as a result of the determination by the prior determination unit 330, when it is determined that there is a related effect, the fluctuation determination unit 331 is always determined to have a related effect.

(Step S309)
When the reach random number determination table is selected in step S308, based on the selected table, the fluctuation determination unit 331 determines the presence / absence of a related effect and the presence / absence of reach.
Here, the prior determination means 330 determines the production command based on the tables shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 regardless of the number of the reserved balls, whereas the fluctuation determination means 331 Different tables are selected according to the number. As a result, the determination results of “with reach” and “without reach” may differ between the preliminary determination unit 330 and the variation determination unit 331.
For example, it is assumed that the reach random number extracted by the second special symbol lottery means 320 is “15” when a game ball enters the second start port 120 and is retained as a holding ball. In this case, the pre-determining unit 330 transmits an effect command with reach to the sub-control board 202. However, when the reserved balls are digested, if there are four reserved balls retained in either the first special symbol reserved storage means 401 or the second special symbol reserved storage means 402, the fluctuation determining means 331 Since the reach random number is determined based on the table shown in FIG. 14C, it is determined that “no reach”.

  As described above, the determination result of the prior determination unit 330 may be different from the determination result of the variation determination unit 331. However, in this embodiment, a problem arises because the determination result regarding the presence or absence of reach is different. There is no. This is because the determination result of the pre-determining means 330 is only to attach a related effect flag, and each effect is controlled based on an effect execution command determined by the variation determining means 331 as described below. Because.

(Step S310)
As described above, when the presence / absence of a related effect and the presence / absence of reach are determined, the effect execution command lottery means 332 determines the effect execution command by lottery based on the determination result. The effect execution command determined here roughly determines the contents of the effect, and mainly determines the time (scale) of the effect. This effect execution command is determined based on the larger reserved number of the reserved numbers of the reserved balls in the first special symbol storage unit 401 and the second special symbol storage unit 402, as in step S308. The This effect execution command will be described with reference to FIG.

When a loss is determined in the change through the processing of step S306 to step S309, the presence / absence of a related effect and the presence / absence of a reach effect are determined as effects at the time of the loss.
In step S309, if the reach random number is determined and it is determined that there is no reach, the effect execution command lottery means 332 determines an effect execution command based on the lottery table shown in FIG. . At this time, the production execution command lottery means 332 determines a command according to the number of reserved balls.

  For example, when the number of reserved balls reserved in the first special symbol storage unit 401 is two and the number of reserved balls reserved in the second special symbol storage unit 402 is zero, the execution execution command lottery unit Step 332 determines either the command B-1 or B-2. In the effect execution commands B-1 and B-2, the effect time is set to 8 seconds. When there are four reserved balls reserved in either the first special symbol hold storage unit 401 or the second special symbol hold storage unit 402, the effect execution command lottery unit 332 selects D-1 or Determine any command of D-2. The effect execution commands D-1 and D-2 are both set to effect time of 4 seconds. In this way, the production time (scale) is determined based on the larger reserved number of reserved balls in the first special symbol storage unit 401 and the second special symbol storage unit 402. The

  In step S309, if the reach random number is determined and it is determined that there is a reach, the effect execution command lottery means 332 determines an effect execution command based on the lottery table shown in FIG. . In this case as well, the production time is determined according to the number of reserved balls retained.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S309 that the reach random number has been determined to have a related effect, the effect execution command lottery means 332 executes the effect based on the lottery table shown in FIG. Determine the command. If it is determined that there is a related effect, the command I-1 or I-2 is determined regardless of the number of reserved balls. In the effect execution commands I-1 and I-2, the effect time is set to 1 minute.
As is clear from this, when the related effect is performed, the effect time is determined to be a predetermined time regardless of the number of reserved balls.

(Step S311)
When the effect execution command is determined as described above, the effect execution command is transmitted to the sub-control board 202, and the first special symbol display control unit 301 and the first special symbol variation control unit 302 change the special symbol. To control.

(Step S312)
On the other hand, if the holding ball is not stored in the fifth storage area 402a in step S301, it is determined in step S312 whether or not the holding ball is stored in the first storage area 401a. As described above, only when the holding ball is not stored in the fifth storage area 402a, it is determined whether or not there is a holding ball in the first storage area 401a. It is nothing but to preferentially process the holding ball obtained by the ball. When it is determined that there is no reserved ball in the first storage area 401a, it means that there is no reserved ball, and the control is terminated. More specifically, when no holding ball is stored in any storage area, the variation process is not started.

(Step S313) (Step S314)
In the above step S312, when the holding ball is stored in the first storage area 401a, the storage area shift process and the gaming state are confirmed in the same manner as in the above step S302 and step S303.

(Step S315)
In step S315, as in step S304, the determination table is selected according to the gaming state. The jackpot determination table selected here is the same as that in step S304, but the table shown in FIG. 5B is selected as the symbol random number determination table. Therefore, as compared with the table shown in FIG. 6B selected in step S304, the winning probability per length with a certain change time is reduced.
After the table is selected as described above, processing similar to the above is performed, and an effect execution command is transmitted.

(Step S316)
If it is determined that the jackpot is determined as a result of the hit determination process in step S305, the reach random number determination table for the jackpot is selected in step S316. In the jackpot reach random number determination table, as already described, it is determined with “with related effects” and “with reach effects” with almost a probability (FIG. 5 (c-2), FIG. 6 (c-2)). reference).
Then, in step S309, when it is determined whether or not there is a related effect and whether or not reach is achieved, the effect execution command lottery means 332 determines an effect execution command based on the lottery table shown in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 16, the production time for the big hit is determined regardless of the number of reserved balls.

  In FIG. 9, when no game balls are reserved when a game ball enters the first start port 105 or the second start port 120, from step S106 in FIG. The process of step S303 or step S314 is performed. That is, when a game ball enters the start port without a holding ball, the processing after step S303 (step S314) is performed without making the above-described prior determination.

Then, when the effect execution command is transmitted to the sub control board 202 as described above, control of the effect is started on the sub control board 202 as shown in FIG.
That is, when an effect execution command is received, the effect execution command is stored in the processing area of the RAM 202c. The effect execution command includes a command related to either the first storage area 401a or the fifth storage area 402a, a command related to jackpot or lose, presence / absence of reach, and type of reach effect The scale and scale are stored. Here, a command transmitted to the sub-control board 202 at the start of the variation process is referred to as an effect execution command, and the above-described effect command transmitted to the sub-control board 202 by the prior determination unit 330 before the start of the variation process. Distinguish.

(Step S401)
The effect control means 502 determines whether the received effect execution command is an effect execution command related to the reserved ball in the first storage area 401a or an effect execution command related to the reserved ball in the fifth storage area 402a. In other words, it is determined whether or not the reserved ball obtained by entering the first starting port 105 is digested or the reserved ball obtained by entering the second starting port 120 is digested.

(Step S402)
If it is determined in step S401 that the reserved ball obtained by entering the second starting port 120 is digested, the related effect activation monitoring means 512 holds the reserved ball held in the first special symbol hold storage means 401. To determine whether or not a related effect is activated. If it is determined that the related effect is not being activated, the process proceeds to step S403. In this way, whether or not the related effect is activated by the reserved ball retained in the first special symbol storage means 401 is determined if the related effect is activated, This is for controlling in association with the related effects.

(Step S403)
When the related effect is not activated in the reserved ball related to the first start port 105 which is the non-priority start port when the reserved ball related to the second start port 120 is digested, the flag of the fifth storage area 511a and A table is selected based on the production execution command. The table selected at this time is first selected according to the effect execution command, as shown in FIG.
For example, when the received effect execution command is “A-1”, the table corresponding to “A-1” is selected, and when it is “M-1”, “M-1” is selected. The table corresponding to is selected.

  In the table corresponding to the above-mentioned effect execution command, a background pattern, a lamp effect pattern, a sound pattern, and an accessory effect pattern corresponding to the effect time and effect contents (whether there is a reach, whether there is a related effect) are stored as commands. Has been. That is, a plurality of 12-second effect patterns are stored as commands in the table corresponding to “A-1”, and the table corresponding to “M-1” (not shown) is for 1 minute. A plurality of effect patterns are stored as commands.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, each of the above tables is a general table selected when there is no related effect flag (here, the related effect flag is “0”), and the related effect flags are “1” to “ The table is divided into a first table to a fourth table selected in the case of “4”.
Therefore, for example, when the execution execution command “A-1” is received when the reserved ball in the fifth storage area 402a is subjected to variation processing, if the related effect flag is not attached to the fifth storage area 511a, A table is selected. Moreover, when the related effect flag is attached | subjected to the 5th memory area 511a, the table corresponding to the said related effect flag will be selected among the 1st table-the 4th table.

(Step S404)
When a table is selected as described above, the effect lottery means 501 refers to the table and performs an effect lottery, and the lottery result is determined. Here, an effect pattern such as a background pattern, a reach pattern, or an appearance character is determined in accordance with the presence or absence of reach in the effect execution command.

(Step S405)
When the lottery and determination of effects are made in step S404, the effect commands stored in the respective storage areas are shifted. Then, the effect control unit 502 controls the symbol display unit 104, the speaker 277, the lamp 112, and the accessory part 254 according to the determined effect pattern to execute the effect.

  The first table to the fourth table are each provided with an effect of contents having one continuity or relevance, as already described. For example, when a related effect is performed by a lamp effect, a red lamp is lit in the range of 1 to 2 seconds on the first table, and a blue lamp is set in the range of 1 to 4 seconds on the second table. A command to turn on a white lamp for 1 to 5 seconds on the third table, and turn on any two or three of these red, blue and white lamps on the fourth table Is remembered. Therefore, if the effect patterns stored in the first table to the fourth table are sequentially performed, the effect having one relevance or continuity is performed.

When the related effect appears, control based on the effect execution command related to the related effect flag “1” is first performed, then control based on the effect execution command related to the related effect flag “2” is performed, and then the related effect is performed. Control based on the effect execution command related to the flag “3” is performed, and finally control based on the effect execution command related to the related effect flag “4” is performed.
For example, as shown in FIG. 19A, the related effect flag “1” is attached to the fifth storage area 511a, the related effect flag “2” is attached to the sixth storage area 511b, and the related effect flag “2” is related to the seventh storage area 511c. It is assumed that the production flag “3” is attached.

  Then, when the reserved ball retained in the fifth storage area 402a of the second special symbol storage unit 402 is digested, the effect lottery unit 501 performs the effect lottery based on the first table. When the effect ends, in other words, when the change ends, the storage area is shifted, and the related effect flag “2” stored in the sixth storage area 511b is set in the fifth storage area 511a. The attached production command is shifted and stored. Therefore, in the next change, the effect lottery means 501 performs the effect lottery based on the second table.

In this manner, if the related effect flag is attached to the plurality of continuous storage areas of the second effect data hold storage unit 511 by the prior determination unit 330, the effects associated with each other are made over a plurality of variable displays. High expectations can be given to the player.
In addition, since the 2nd starting port 120 is a priority starting port, when a related production | presentation is activated by the holding ball obtained by having entered the 2nd starting port 120, for example, from the 5th storage area 511a to the 8th storage area When the related effect flags “1” to “4” are added over 511d, the related effect is surely executed four times in succession.

Next, the case where the related effect is activated by the holding ball obtained by entering the first starting port 105 will be described using a specific example based on FIGS. 17 and 20.
For example, as shown in FIG. 20A, the first storage area 510a to the fourth storage area 510d are associated with the first storage area 510a with the related effect flags “1” to “4” attached thereto. When the reserved ball is digested, an effect execution command related to the reserved ball is transmitted to the sub-control board 202, and the process proceeds from step S401 to step S406.

(Step S406)
In the first storage area 510a, an effect command with a related effect flag “1” is stored, and a table based on the related effect flag “1” is selected.
In step S404, the effect lottery means 501 performs the effect lottery based on the selected first table, and the effect control means 502 performs the first related effect based on the lottery result. Activate.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 20B, in step S405, the effect commands stored in the sub-control board 202 are shifted, and the related effect flag “2” is attached to the first storage area 510a. The effect command is stored, the effect command with the related effect flag “3” is stored in the second storage area 510b, and the effect command with the related effect flag “4” is stored in the third storage area 510c. Is done.
Then, when the first related effect is completed, the same processing as described above is performed, the second to fourth related effects are executed, and all the related effects are completed four times.

On the other hand, when a game ball enters the second start port 120 during execution of the first related effect, that is, during fluctuation display, the reserved ball is reserved in the second special symbol storage unit 402 of the main control board 201. . At this time, an effect command (preliminary determination result) is transmitted to the sub-control board 202 through steps S101 to S105 of FIG. 9, and this effect command is stored in the fifth storage area 511a (FIG. 20C). .
As described above, when a game ball enters the second start port 120, priority is given to the reserved ball related to the ball. Therefore, the effect related to the second start port 120 is interrupted between the first related effect and the second related effect.

That is, when the first related effect (variation display) related to the first start port 105 is completed, the CPU 201a of the main control board 201 performs the effect of the reserved ball related to the second start port 120 through the steps shown in FIG. An execution command is transmitted to the sub control board 202.
At this time, the related effect activation monitoring means 512 detects that the related effect is being activated by the holding ball related to the first start port 105. As described above, when the related effect is activated with the reserved ball related to the first starting port 105, the effect execution command lottery means 332 stores the reserved ball in the first special symbol reservation storage means 401 in step S310. An effect execution command is determined based on the number.

  That is, in the above step S310, as shown in FIG. 21, it is determined whether or not the related effect is activated with the reserved ball retained in the first special symbol storage unit 401 (step S310-1). If it is determined that the related effect is not activated, the larger reserved number of reserved balls in the first special symbol hold storage unit 401 and the second special symbol hold storage unit 402 A lottery table is determined based on (step S310-2), and an effect execution command is determined by lottery based on the lottery table (step S310-4).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S310-1 that the related effect is activated by the reserved ball reserved in the first special symbol reservation storage unit 401, the reserved ball in the first special symbol reservation storage unit 401 The lottery table is determined based on the reserved number (step S310-3). Therefore, in the above example, as shown in FIG. 20C, since three reserved balls are reserved in the first special symbol storage unit 401, any of the “no reach” effect and the “reach” effect Even so, a 4-second effect execution command is determined.

When this effect execution command is received, the process proceeds to step S402 via step S401 shown in FIG.
Here, it is stored in the related effect activation monitoring means 512 of the sub control board 202 that the related effect is currently activated by the holding ball related to the first start port 105. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds from step S402 to step S406.

As already described, in step S406, a table is selected based on the flag of the effect command stored in the first storage area 510a. That is, when the related effect is activated with the holding ball related to the first starting port 105, even if a game ball enters the second starting port 120, the effect by the entering is the first storage area 510a. It is determined based on the flag (FIG. 20D).
Therefore, in the above example, since the related effect flag “2” is attached to the effect command stored in the first storage area 510a, the effect lottery is made based on the second table.

  In other words, when the related effect is activated with the holding ball related to the first start port 105 which is the non-priority start port, the game ball enters the second start port 120 and the interruption process (effect) is performed. However, this effect is performed in association with the related effect. Further, even if a game ball enters the second start port 120, these effects are all related to the related effects by the same procedure as described above.

Moreover, since the interruption effect time is determined based on the number of reserved balls retained in the first special symbol hold storage means 401 as described above, the interruption effect is in harmony with the individual effects of the related effects that are activated. It is set to the time when it was removed.
For example, in FIG. 20A, since there are four reserved balls when processing the reserved balls related to the first storage area 510a, the variation time is 4 seconds. When a game ball enters the second start port 120 during this change, the state shown in FIG.
Then, the variation (production) time of the reserved ball obtained by entering the second starting port 120 is determined based on the number of reserved balls retained in the first special symbol storage unit 401. As shown in FIG. 20 (d), since three reserved balls are reserved in the first special symbol storage unit 401, in this case, the interruption effect time is 4 seconds as shown in FIG.

Further, the reserved ball related to the related effect flag “2” that has been shifted to the first storage area 510a is processed. In this process, the first special symbol storage unit 401 also stores the reserved ball. There are at least three reserved balls reserved. Therefore, the variation time when processing this holding ball is also 4 seconds.
In this way, since there is no significant difference in the number of reserved balls between the processing of the interrupting effect and the processing of the related effect before and after that, even if the interrupting effect is made during the activation of the related effect, the interruption The production time is kept in harmony with the production before and after, and it is possible to exhibit the effects specific to the related production.

  In the present embodiment, when a related effect is activated with the holding ball related to the first start port 105, if a game ball enters the second start port 120, the effect is generated from the same table twice in succession. A lottery will be held. In the above example, the effect lottery table is changed from the first table to the second table to the second table, and the effect lottery is performed twice from the same lottery table. In this way, even if the same effect continues multiple times, the relevance with the preceding and subsequent effects is not impaired, and therefore an effect specific to the related effect can be exhibited. However, if the same effect is disliked, a table dedicated to interruption corresponding to the related effect flag may be provided. In this way, the same effect is not repeated, which is particularly effective when a single story is developed using the decorative symbols of the symbol display unit 104.

In the above embodiment, when the related effect is activated with the holding ball related to the first start opening 105, the interruption effect that is performed when the game ball enters the second start opening 120 is being activated. The control is related to the related effects.
However, the interruption effect does not necessarily have to be controlled in association with the related effect. This is because, as described above, the time of the interruption effect is kept in harmony with the time of each related effect made before and after the interruption effect. In other words, in the above embodiment, if the first related effect is 4 seconds and the second related effect is 8 seconds, the effect that interrupts between the first and second times is 4 seconds or 8 seconds. . Therefore, even if the interrupting effect is not associated with the related effect that is being activated, the series of fluctuation times (direction times) are maintained in harmony, so that the relatedness before and after the interrupting effect is not completely lost. .

Note that, according to the above-described embodiment, it is configured such that a game ball can easily enter the first start port 105 in the normal game state, and a game ball can easily enter the second start port 120 in the special game state. However, both the start ports 105 and 120 may be reversed, or may be provided on the game board completely separately.
Further, in the above embodiment, the main control board 201 and the sub control board 202 share the role, but it is only necessary to appropriately determine on which board each unit is provided. In particular, in the above-described embodiment, the prior determination unit 330 determines whether or not there is a related effect and a reach effect in the main control board 201 and transmits the determination result to the sub-control board 202. However, for example, when the main control board 201 determines only the presence or absence of a reach and transmits an effect command to the sub control board 202 and receives an effect command with a reach, the sub control board 202 further determines whether or not there is a related effect. May be determined by lottery.

It is a front view of the gaming machine of the present embodiment. It is the elements on larger scale of FIG. It is a block diagram of a control means. It is a detailed block diagram in a main control board and a sub control board. It is an example of the random number value at the time of entering a 1st starting port, and the determination table which determines this random number value. It is an example of the random number value at the time of entering a 2nd start opening, and the determination table which determines this random number value. It is a conceptual diagram of the 1st fluctuation display reservation means and the 2nd fluctuation display reservation means of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the digestion order of holding | maintenance. It is a flowchart which shows control of prior judgment. It is a figure which shows an example of a related effect. It is a conceptual diagram of the memory | storage means which memorize | stores the production command obtained by prior determination. It is a flowchart which shows the control at the time of providing the related production flag for performing a related production. It is a flowchart which shows the change start process in a main control board. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the reserve number of reservation balls, and a reach random number determination table. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the reserved number of reservation balls, and the lottery table of the production execution command at the time of a loss. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the reservation number of reservation balls, and the lottery table of the production execution command at the time of big hit. It is a flowchart which shows the effect process in a sub control board. It is a figure which shows the relationship between an effect execution command and the table which determines an effect pattern. It is a figure explaining an example of the process of a related effect. It is a figure explaining another example of the process of a related effect. It is a figure explaining the process which determines an effect execution command in the case of related effect activation.

Explanation of symbols

105 First start port 120 Second start port 200 Control unit 300 First special symbol lottery unit 301 First special symbol display control unit 302 First special symbol variation control unit 303 First random number determination unit 320 Second special symbol lottery unit 321 Second special symbol display control means 322 Second special symbol variation control means 323 Second random number determination means 330 Pre-determination means 401 First special symbol hold storage means 402 Second special symbol hold storage means 502 Effect control means 510 First effect data Reservation storage means 511 Second effect data reservation storage means 512 Related effect activation monitoring means

Claims (2)

Control means for controlling the progress of the game in the normal game state or in a special game state that gives a player a more advantageous game value than the normal game state, and the special symbol is variably displayed, and the variability display is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. A special symbol variation display means for displaying the game state thereafter, and a start opening for generating a right to start the variation display of the special symbol by the special symbol variation display means when the game ball enters. A gaming machine,
The starting port includes at least a first starting port and a second starting port,
The control means includes
Game data lottery means for acquiring game data by lottery when the game ball enters the start opening,
The number of the game balls that have entered the first starting port when the special symbol is variably displayed by the special symbol variation display means is stored, and the right to display the variation of the special symbol triggered by the entry A first variable display holding means for retaining
The number of the game balls that have entered the second starting port when the special symbol is variably displayed by the special symbol variation display means is stored, and the right to display the variation of the special symbol triggered by the entry A second variable display holding means for retaining
When an entry of the game ball is stored in the first variation display holding unit and the second variation display holding unit, the entry is triggered before the start of the variable symbol display of the special symbol triggered by the entry. Pre-determination means for determining the game data acquired by the game data lottery means,
As a result of determining the game data by the prior determination means, a plurality of special symbols retained over the right of the variable display of a plurality of special symbols retained in the first variation display suspension means or a plurality of special symbols retained in the second variation display suspension means Effect data holding storage means for storing a command for executing a related effect made over the right of variable display of symbols;
Related production activation monitoring means for detecting that the related production is executed over the right of the variable display of a plurality of special symbols reserved in at least the first fluctuation display holding means;
Production control means for controlling the production based on the game data,
The control means includes
When the right for variable display is reserved in both the first variable display hold means and the second variable display hold means, the variable display right stored in the second variable display hold means is processed with priority. With
When the related effect activation monitoring means detects the execution of the related effect, and when the right of variable display of the special symbol is reserved in the second variable display holding means, the change of the special symbol in the first variable display hold means A gaming machine characterized in that, based on the number of reserved display rights, a change time for processing a change display right of a special symbol reserved in the second change display holding means is set. When the related effect is processed with the right of variable display stored in the first variable display holding unit, the effect control unit is configured to input the game ball when the game ball enters the second start port. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein an effect at the time of fluctuation is controlled in association with the related effect.

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