JP2010172657A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain a novel game property by focusing attention on a ball entry state into a large winning hole. <P>SOLUTION: As pattern selection tables which are referred for selecting either of a plurality of types of variation patterns where symbol variation modes are prescribed, a Pachinko game machine of a certain mode retains a regular pattern selection table which is referred to select a variation pattern despite the number of balls entering the large winning hole and a special pattern selection table which is referred to select a variation pattern according to the number of balls entering the large winning hole opened in a special game. The special pattern selection table has variation patterns whose symbol variation times are different from each other, set out as objects to be selected, and a variation pattern determination means refers the special pattern selection table in a predetermined period after finishing the special game and selects a variation pattern whose variation time is relatively short, according to the numerousness of the number of balls entering the large winning hole opened in the special game. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to a technique for controlling the progress of a game in a ball game machine.

  Conventionally, among various types of ball game machines, the so-called first type pachinko game machine, the lottery is performed in response to the ball entering the start opening provided on the game board, Depending on the result of the lottery, symbols are displayed in a variable manner. In other words, a plurality of symbols are displayed in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially in the center of the game board while the symbols are varied (hereinafter, such a display is referred to as “symbol variation” or “variable display”). This gaming machine is known to shift to a special game when a combination of symbols when a plurality of rows of symbol variations are stopped has a specific form. A special game is also called a jackpot, and a unit game involving the opening of a big prize opening provided on the game board is performed a plurality of times, and more prize balls can be obtained than a normal game (see, for example, Patent Document 1) ). The variable display of symbols in the display area is not only a variable display of multiple symbols, but the time of variable display is usually reduced in a state where it is a big hit if one more symbols are aligned, as in the so-called reach screen. For example, an effect is made to increase the player's expectation, such as making it longer.

  Some gaming machines also shift to a specific game advantageous to the player, which is called a so-called probability variation game (hereinafter also referred to as “probability variation”) even after the special game is over. When a special game has occurred and the winning stop symbol at that time is in a specific mode, the probability change is started after the special game ends. In the probability change, a lottery with a higher probability of winning than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game is generated relatively early. When the transition is made to such a probability change, a new special game is generated relatively early, so that the player's sense of expectation is further enhanced.

JP 2003-230714 A

  In recent years, an increasing number of game machines have a so-called sudden probability change (hereinafter referred to as “surprising accuracy” as appropriate) in which a probability change without a game is made without the knowledge of the player. Suddenness has a big impact on the player in the sense that it suddenly shifts to probability change without any special performance, but since the probability change transition itself is conditional on the end of the special game, it won a big prize just before that transition The jackpot production is secured by opening the mouth several times in a short time. On the other hand, in a configuration in which the short-time opening of the big prize opening always shows an outbreak, there is a possibility that the player's interest may gradually fade, so the result of the winning lottery is less profitable than the jackpot In some cases, so-called small hits are set, and similarly, a short time release is performed to shift to a predetermined small hit game. It is also known that after the small hit, if the gaming state satisfies a predetermined promotion condition, it is a big hit, that is, a transition to a normal special game. According to such a configuration, it is recognized that a sudden or small hit has occurred due to a short time opening of the special winning opening. In general, it is relatively likely that the small hits will end only by opening and closing the big prize opening, whereas suddenness will surely shift to probability change after opening and closing the big prize opening, so that suddenness is more advantageous to the player. There is a tendency to be recognized. For this reason, after the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening, the player's sense of expectation is raised as to whether the occurrence is a winning or a small hit. Focusing on this point, there is also one that performs a cursing effect that suggests whether the winning or the small win is after opening / closing the big winning opening.

  Incidentally, in the first place, it can be said that such a short time opening of the special winning opening is a convenient game control for ensuring execution of a special game as a condition when suddenly shifting to a probable change state. In other words, at present, it is defined that the probability change transition is performed after the end of the special game, while the special game is defined as a game that opens and closes the special winning opening a plurality of times. That is, when the result of the winning / losing lottery performed in the normal game is a win with a probability change, the probability change transition is after at least opening the big winning opening. For this reason, it is necessary to open and close the winning prize opening a plurality of times in a short period of time for the sake of convenience in order to suddenly generate a certain change without sandwiching a long jackpot effect. For these reasons, the current situation is that, in the present situation, it is basically not envisaged to enter during the short-term opening period of the grand prize opening. The inventors have come up with the idea that innovative gameplay that has never existed in the past can be created by devising the association between the game state and the state of entering the big winning opening opened for a short period of time.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a novel gameability by paying attention to the state of entering a big winning opening.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a game board on which a game area is formed, a start prize opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area and into which a game ball can enter. , The result of the lottery and the lottery means for executing the lottery for determining whether or not to shift to the special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, triggered by entering the starting winning opening An effect display device in which a symbol for displaying the game is variably displayed, a large winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area and opened when the result of the winning / failing lottery wins, and a large winning opening for a predetermined time or more Special game operating condition holding means for holding special game operating conditions as a condition for shifting to a normal special game where the game is released, and for shifting to a special game in which a special winning opening is opened for less than a predetermined time Special game operating conditions as conditions Special game operation condition holding means to be held, special game control means for executing a normal special game when a special game operation condition is established as a result of the fact that the winning / failing lottery indicates a transition to a normal special game, and a winning / losing lottery Detects the number of balls entered into the special game control means for executing the special game when the special game operation condition is established as a result of indicating the transition to the special game and the special winning opening opened in the special game. As a pattern selection table that is referred to in order to select one of a plurality of types of variation patterns in which the pattern variation mode is defined, and the number of entered balls detection means, the variation pattern can be used regardless of the number of entries to the big prize opening. A normal pattern selection table that is referred to to select, and a special pattern selection table that is referred to select a variation pattern according to the number of balls entered into the special winning opening opened in a special game. Holding comprises a change pattern determining means for selecting the change pattern with reference to any of the pattern selection table according to the selected movement pattern, and a display control means for variably displaying symbols in the effect display device.

  In the special pattern selection table, variation patterns with different symbol variation times are set as selection targets, and the variation pattern determining means refers to the special pattern selection table for a predetermined period after the end of the special game, and is released in the special game. A variation pattern having a relatively short variation time is selected in accordance with the number of balls entered into the big winning opening. The variation pattern determination means may select any variation pattern at the symbol variation start timing.

  Here, the “big prize opening” may be provided as a single big prize opening that is commonly used for opening in normal special games and opening in special games, or opened in normal special games. A special prize opening and a special prize opening opened by special games may be provided as separate components. The “predetermined time” may be a reference time for one opening of the big prize opening, or may be a reference time for multiple opening of the big winning opening. That is, in the special game, regardless of whether the special winning opening is opened once or plural times, the total opening time of the special winning opening is less than a predetermined time. “Special game” is less profitable than ordinary special games in that the opening time of the special winning opening is short, but it is advantageous to the player in that the special winning opening is opened and there is a possibility of entering the game ball It becomes. The “predetermined period” may be a period until the gaming state becomes a predetermined state after the end of the special game. For example, it may be a period until the winning / failing lottery results in a transition to a special game. Alternatively, it may be a period corresponding to a predetermined number of symbol variations after the end of the special game. In this case, the “period for the predetermined number of symbol fluctuations” may be a period for a plurality of symbol fluctuations, or may be a time including a plurality of symbol fluctuation times.

  According to this aspect, the number of balls entered into the big winning opening opened during the special game is detected. The special pattern selection table is basically referenced for a predetermined period after the end of the special game (hereinafter also referred to as “the period after the specific game”), and the fluctuation time is relatively short depending on the number of entered balls. A pattern is selected. If the symbol variation time is shortened, the success / failure lottery execution interval will also be shortened, and more success / failure lotteries will be made in a short period of time on the premise of entering the starting prize opening, so the success / failure lottery will shift to special games. The time of the results shown will come relatively early. Due to such game characteristics, during the special game, the player launches a game ball aiming to enter the big prize opening in order to increase the later fluctuation efficiency, and after the special game, the start prize is given to increase the lottery efficiency. A game ball is launched aiming at the entrance to the mouth. As a result, the launch of gaming balls is promoted as a whole, and an improvement in the operating rate of gaming machines is expected. In addition, a novel gameability that aims to enter the big prize opening during special games is created to improve the fluctuation efficiency.

  Here, the number of balls entered into the big prize opening is used as a determination index, but it can be said that it is highly feasible because the special prize opening time is relatively short. That is, during special games, the opening time of the big prize opening is shorter than during special games, so the number of balls entered is limited. As a result, it is relatively easy to set the number of balls entered as a criterion for judgment and to control the switching of effects based on the number of balls entered.

  The variation pattern determining means may select a variation pattern having a relatively short variation time in the special pattern selection table as the number of balls entered into the special winning opening opened in the special game is larger. In that case, it may be switched to a predetermined short variation pattern at a time according to the number of balls entered into the big winning opening, or may be gradually switched to a short variation pattern for each variation.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to improve the subsequent variation efficiency as more balls are entered in the special winning opening during the special game. From such game characteristics, it is possible to promote launching of game balls during special games, and an improvement in the operating rate of the gaming machine is expected.

  The variation pattern determining means selects a variation pattern having a relatively short variation time in the special pattern selection table when the number of balls entered into the special winning opening opened in the special game exceeds a predetermined number. Also good. That is, it is not always necessary to have a relationship in which the number of balls entering the special winning opening during special games and the variation time gradually change in one direction (for example, proportional). ) May be used as a reference.

  The variation pattern determining means selects a variation pattern having a relatively short variation time according to the cumulative number of balls entered into the special winning opening opened in the special game until the predetermined end condition is satisfied. When the predetermined end condition is satisfied, the reference destination may be switched to the normal pattern selection table. Here, the “predetermined end condition” may be that the game state becomes a predetermined state after the end of the special game. For example, the condition may be that the winning lottery results in a transition to a special game. Alternatively, the condition may be that a predetermined number of symbol changes have been performed after the special game ends.

  According to this aspect, since a short variation pattern is selected based on the cumulative value of the number of balls entered in a plurality of special games, the variation efficiency is improved step by step each time the special game is repeated. Can do. Even if the player's interest in the special game itself is diminished by repeating the special game, it is possible to maintain that interest by accumulating the number of balls entered into the big prize opening. become.

  When a predetermined transition condition is satisfied, a specific game execution means for shifting the game state to a specific game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state after the end of the special game may be provided. Special game operating condition holding means is a special game operating condition, special special game operating conditions for shifting to a special special game that includes a unit game with the opening of a grand prize opening, and a unit with the opening of a big prize opening. The special game control means holds a small hit game operating condition for shifting to a small hit game that is a game, and the special game control means results in that the lottery indicates the shift to the special special game, and the symbol is stopped in a predetermined special big hit mode. When the special special game operation condition is satisfied, the special special game is executed. On the other hand, the winning lottery results in the transition to the small hit game, and when the symbol is stopped in a predetermined small hit mode, When the special operating game is executed as the transition condition, the special lottery game is executed after the end of the special special game. Probability of results showing a transition to a special game normally may also be migrated to the probability change state at a high probability state than the normal state.

  In this aspect, either a special special game or a small hit game is executed as the special game. The special special game includes a plurality of unit games, and there is a possibility that the profit state of the player is higher than the small hit game consisting of the unit games. In addition, during the unit game, the grand prize opening may be opened once or a plurality of times may be opened. On the other hand, in the special special game, the player's profit state is smaller than the normal special game in which the big prize opening is opened for a predetermined time or more in that the opening time of the big prize opening is less than the predetermined time. That is, the special special game can be said to be located between the normal special game and the small hit game in view of the profit state of the player, but it becomes closer to the small hit game when compared with the opening time of the big prize opening. If both of the opening times are set to be approximately the same, it is difficult to visually determine which game has been switched to. On the other hand, since the transition to the probability variation state is triggered by the end of the special special game, the transition probability to the next special game is increased, and the transition to the special game may come soon due to the improvement of the variation efficiency of the symbol. Be expected. On the other hand, when the small hit game ends, the transition to the probability variation state is not made. For this reason, the player is greatly expected to expect whether the special game is a special special game or a small hit game.

  In addition, when a predetermined transition condition is satisfied, a specific game execution means may be provided that shifts the game state to a specific game that is easier to enter the starting winning opening than the normal state after the special game is over. The variation pattern determining means may refer to the special pattern selection table only when the special game is completed after the special game is finished. The “transition condition” here may be, for example, a condition that the lottery result indicates the transition of the special game and the special game is executed.

  In other words, even if the fluctuation time is short, the winning lottery will not be executed unless the starting prize opening is entered. Therefore, it is not possible to expect game balls to be launched at a low entry rate, and a substantial improvement in operating rate can be expected. Absent. In this respect, in this aspect, after the special game is over, the game is shifted to the specific game, and an opportunity to shorten the variation time is provided in a state where the ease of entering the start winning opening is increased. In other words, since the starting time of the winning prize opening is made to allow more balls than usual and the variation time is shortened, the lottery efficiency can be increased by the synergistic effect of the shortening of the variation time and the ease of entering the ball. . As a result, launching of game balls can be promoted, and an improvement in operating rate becomes more realistic.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention may be mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, it is possible to realize a novel gameability by paying attention to the state of entering the big winning opening.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in an Example. It is a figure showing the outline | summary of the normal pattern selection table used when determining a fluctuation pattern. It is a figure showing the outline | summary of the special pattern selection table used when determining a fluctuation pattern. It is a timing chart which shows the change production process in case special change is performed. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. 7 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the success / failure determination process of S34 in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail a special symbol variation pattern selection process of S54 in FIG. 9; FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the fluctuation | variation display process of S40 in FIG. 8 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the small hit game control process of S15 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the special game control process of S16 in FIG. 7 in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine.
Hereinafter, a so-called first type pachinko gaming machine, which is conventionally known as a bullet ball gaming machine, will be described as an example. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so that it can be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending out the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, an effect symbol display device 60, a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. 62, a center decoration 64, a grand prize opening 66, an operation opening 68, and a general prize opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start port 62 includes a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the expanding mechanism of the start port 62. When the expansion mechanism of the start port 62 is expanded, the opening width of the start port 62 is expanded and the ease of entering the ball is improved. The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the winning at the time of entering. The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66. The winning detection device 78 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the big winning opening 66, and generates big winning opening winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning.

  The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that becomes an open state as a “big hit” when the special symbol 192 stops in a predetermined big hit mode. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball. In the present embodiment, the special winning opening 66 is opened even when the special symbol 192 is stopped in a predetermined small hit mode.

  The special symbol display device 61 provided on the left side of the game area 52 and the effect symbol display device 60 provided in the approximate center of the game area 52 are linked to the variation of the special symbol 192 and the special symbol 192 on each screen. Variations in the effect image including the decorative design 190 are displayed (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “design variation” or “variable display”). Here, the special symbol 192 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery performed when the game ball is dropped into the start port 62, and the symbol mode when the change display is stopped is determined to be the winning symbol. When the symbol is a symbol, the timing at which the stop symbol is displayed is the jackpot occurrence timing. The special symbol display device 61 is display means composed of, for example, 7 segment LEDs.

  The effect symbol display device 60 is a liquid crystal display that variably displays the decorative symbol 190 in a manner linked with the variation display of the special symbol 192. The decorative symbol 190 is a symbol for visually rendering the lottery result display indicated by the special symbol 192. The effect symbol display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 190, for example, a plurality of rows of moving images of symbol variation that simulates a slot machine game in the center area of the screen. The effect symbol display device 60 is configured by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be configured by a mechanical rotating device such as a drum or other display means such as an LED. Since the special symbol 192 does not necessarily have a role of production, in this embodiment, the special symbol display device 61 at the lower left of the production symbol display device 60 is displayed in an inconspicuous size. In the case of adopting a technique in which a decorative role is not displayed and a decorative symbol is not displayed, a special symbol may be displayed on a liquid crystal display such as the effect symbol display device 60. The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50.

  The operation port 68 includes a passage detection device 69. The passage detection device 69 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The passage of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers an open lottery for determining whether or not to expand the expansion mechanism of the start port 62. When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, a normal symbol, which is a symbol indicating the result of the open lottery, is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 59. The normal symbol display device 59 is provided on the lower right side of the effect symbol display device 60. When the normal symbol variation display is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the effect symbol display device 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as protection of the game ball flow path, the special symbol display device 61 and the effect symbol display device 60, and decoration. A lottery hold lamp 20 is provided below the effect symbol display device 60, and an operation hold lamp 22 is provided below the normal symbol display device 59 at the lower right of the game area 52, which is a symmetrical position. Yes. The lottery hold lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of lottery holds depending on the number of lights. The number of lottery holds is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation or special game, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. The operation hold lamp 22 is also composed of four lamps, and displays the number of hold of normal symbol fluctuations depending on the number of lights. The number of normal symbol fluctuations held is the number of game balls that have passed through the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of normal symbol lotteries for which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet been executed. Furthermore, game effect lamps 90 are respectively provided above and below the effect symbol display device 60. The operation button 82 is a button operated by the player to input a predetermined instruction to the gaming machine. The operation button 82 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball tray 15.

  When the player rotates the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning port 72, the start port 62, and the big winning port 66, the winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out to the upper ball plate 15 or the lower ball plate 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes. In this application, “incoming”, “entering”, and “winning” include “passing”.

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect symbol display device 60. The variable display of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is stopped after the elapse of the display time determined prior to the display. When the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 at the time of the stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 66 is started. At this time, the decorative pattern 190 simulating the game of the slot machine takes a display mode in which the three patterns are matched. In the special game, the grand prize winning slot 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after nine or more game balls are dropped. Such opening / closing of the big prize opening 66 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times.

  In a normal game after the end of a special game, in principle, a variable time shortening game (time reduction), which is one of the specific games, is started. In time saving, the variation time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is shortened from the normal time. The variation time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is returned to the original variation time after the variation display of a predetermined variation number is performed. When a special game occurs and the winning stop symbol at that time is in a specific mode, a probability variation game (probability change), which is one of the specific games, is further started after the special game ends. In the probability change, a lottery with a higher win probability than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game is generated relatively early.

FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine.
The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 102 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub-board 104 includes a liquid crystal unit 42 and controls display contents on the effect symbol display device 60, operations of the plurality of movable accessories 140, and lighting of the game effect lamp 90, and in particular displays according to a lottery result by the main board 102. The contents are changed and the lighting of the movable accessory 140 and the game effect lamp 90 is activated along with the progress of the production. The main board 102 and the sub board 104 constitute a game control device 100. The set substrate 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in this embodiment.
In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 includes a start port 62, a big winning port 66, a general winning port 72, an operating port 68, a special symbol display device 61, an effect symbol display device 60, a normal symbol display device 59, and an operation button. 82, the speaker 18, the game effect lamp 90, and the movable accessory 140 are electrically connected to each other, and can transmit and receive various control signals. The game control apparatus 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game but also the staging operations such as the symbol variation display, the movable accessory 140, and the electric decoration. The game control device 100 is configured in such a manner that functions are shared between a main board 102 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including basic operations of the game, and a sub board 104 that controls design effects and the like. The game control device 100 is configured by hardware including elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs, and a CPU used for arithmetic processing.

  In the present embodiment, the main board 102 includes a ball entry judging means 110, a winning / failing lottery means 112, a symbol determining means 114, a holding control means 116, a main display control means 118, a pattern determining means 119, a special game control means 120, a small hit game. Control means 121, specific game execution means 122, opening / closing control means 124, and condition holding means 176 are provided. The sub-board 104 in this embodiment includes a pattern storage unit 130, an effect determination unit 132, an effect display control unit 134, and an accessory control unit 136. Each functional block included in the main board 102 may be configured such that any one of the functional blocks is mounted on the sub board 104 instead of the main board 102. Similarly, each functional block included in the sub-board 104 may be configured such that any one of them is mounted on the main board 102 instead of the sub-board 104.

  The entrance determination means 110 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each winning opening. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62, and when receiving the big winning opening winning information, determines that the game ball has won the big winning opening 66, and the general winning is obtained. When the information is received, it is determined that the game ball has won the general winning opening 72. When receiving the passage information, the ball entering determination unit 110 determines that the game ball has passed through the operation port 68.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 accepts a random number value to determine whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game when the game ball enters the start port 62. Get as a value. For example, the success / failure lottery value is acquired from a value range from “0” to “65535”. The “random number” in the present application may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a plurality of success / failure tables to be referred to in the success / failure determination. In the plurality of success / failure tables, the determination result of winning or losing is associated with the winning / losing lottery value, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to a success / failure table for determination of success / failure based on a normal probability in a normal state (hereinafter, referred to as “normal success / failure table” as appropriate). Refer to the “probability appropriateness determination table”) as appropriate. In this embodiment, in the normal success / failure table, only when the success / failure lottery value falls within the range of 0 to 299 is a big hit. In the probability variation success / failure table, the jackpot range is expanded, and not only when the success / failure lottery value falls within the range of 0 to 299 but also when it falls within the range of 300 to 2999. Thus, the range corresponding to the jackpot changes according to the gaming state. In the present embodiment, as a special game, in addition to a normal special game (hereinafter, also referred to as “15R special game” as appropriate) in which the unit game in which the special winning opening 66 is opened is repeated up to 15 times, the minimum number of times is given. A special special game that is repeated only twice (hereinafter also referred to as “2R special game” as appropriate) is provided. Hereinafter, the jackpot that shifts to the 15R special game is referred to as “15R jackpot” and the jackpot that shifts to the 2R special game is appropriately referred to as “2R jackpot”.

  Further, in the present embodiment, even if the winning / raising lottery value does not correspond to the jackpot range, that is, a so-called out of range, it is a small hit if it falls within a predetermined range. In this embodiment, regardless of whether or not it is in a probable variation state, the winning / losing lottery value is a small hit when it falls within the range of 60000-65535. In this way, if it does not correspond to the jackpot, it is all “out of”, but in this embodiment, among the cases where it does not correspond to the jackpot, especially the winning lottery value range when it does not correspond to the jackpot It is expressed as “out”.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to any of the plurality of success / failure tables and determines whether or not the success / failure lottery value is a win. The determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is variably displayed in a special symbol form on the special symbol display device 61. In addition, the decorative symbols that show the results of the determination by the success / failure lottery means 112 are variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 60.

  The symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the special symbol to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 according to the result of the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112. Moreover, the symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 by lottery. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation. The symbol determination means 114 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine a special symbol or a normal symbol stop symbol.

  The symbol determination means 114 acquires a symbol determination lottery value for determining a special symbol, and determines the stop symbol of the special symbol according to the determination result of the success / failure lottery means 112 and the symbol determination lottery value. The symbol determination unit 114 sends data indicating the determined stop symbol to the main display control unit 118 and the effect determination unit 132. The symbol determining means 114 acquires a lottery random number for determining a normal symbol when the game ball passes through the operation port 68, and determines a stop symbol of the normal symbol according to the lottery random number. When the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a specific symbol, the opening / closing control means 124 expands the normal electric accessory at the start port 62 for a predetermined time.

  The hold control means 116 holds the winning / losing lottery value acquired by the winning / failing lottery means 112 as a holding ball. The success / failure lottery value is accumulated until the number of holds reaches a predetermined upper limit. The upper limit of the number of holds is 4.

  The pattern determination means 119 holds a pattern determination table that stores a plurality of types of variation patterns in which variation modes from the variation start to the stop when the special symbol is variably displayed. Multiple types of variation patterns have various variation times. That is, for each variation pattern, a variation display time is defined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol is stopped when the variation display time elapses. The pattern determination unit 119 refers to the pattern determination table in accordance with the result of the determination on the success / failure by the result determination / absence lottery unit 112, and selects one of the plurality of variation patterns. The pattern determination unit 119 sends data indicating the determined variation pattern to the main display control unit 118 and the effect determination unit 132.

  That is, the pattern determining means 119 selects a variation pattern in which a display process of symbol variation to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect symbol display device 60 is determined, based on a separately obtained pattern lottery value. Determine from. The pattern lottery value is acquired from a value range from “0” to “255”, for example. The pattern determining means 119 refers to the pattern determination table when starting the symbol variation and determines the variation pattern of the symbol variation. In the variation pattern, a variation time from a variation start to a stop when the special symbol is variably displayed is determined, and has various variation times depending on the type. That is, for each variation pattern, a variation display time is defined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol is stopped when the variation display time elapses.

  The pattern determination means 119 refers to the pattern determination table for losing when the result of the determination is wrong, and refers to the pattern determination table for 15R jackpot when the result is 15R jackpot. Further, when the determination result is 2R jackpot, the 2R jackpot pattern determination table is referred to, and when the jackpot is hit, the small hit pattern determination table is referred to. In particular, when the determination result is a 2R big hit or a small win, the special pattern selection table is referred to for a predetermined period after the 2R special game or the small hit game ends. This special pattern selection table is for selecting a variation pattern (also referred to as a “special variation pattern”) having a variation time that varies depending on the number of balls entering the big winning opening 66 during the 2R special game or the small hit game. Details will be described later. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, unlike the special pattern selection table, a normal pattern determination table referred to so as to select a variation pattern regardless of the number of balls entered into the big winning opening 66 is referred to as a “normal pattern selection table”. " Further, the variation pattern determined with reference to the normal pattern selection table is also referred to as “normal variation pattern”.

  In the present embodiment, if the result of the determination is wrong, any variation pattern of super reach, normal reach, or no reach may be selected. This reach production is a display of symbol variation that becomes a winning symbol combination if another symbol is aligned by the decorative symbol 190 when a variation pattern with reach is selected, suggesting a sign of a big hit. This is an effect that raises the player's expectation. Basically, the variation time of the special symbol 192 becomes longer in the order of super reach, normal reach, and reach. In particular, when selecting a variation pattern of “no reach”, a different table is referred to so that a variation pattern having a shorter variation time is selected in the short time state than in the normal state. A pattern lottery value and a variation pattern are associated with each determination result, and a pattern number is set for each variation pattern. The pattern determining unit 119 transmits the pattern number to the effect determining unit 132 every time the variation pattern is set as described above.

  The main display control means 118 displays the result of the lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112 as a special symbol variation display as a special symbol variation display according to the stop symbol determined by the symbol determination unit 114 and the variation pattern determined by the pattern determination unit 119. 61 is displayed. The main display control means 118 transmits a change start command and a change stop command to the effect determination means 132 and the effect display control means 134 at the timing of starting and stopping the change display of the special symbol. Thereby, the fluctuation display by the main display control means 118 and the effect display control means 134 is synchronized, and the interlock is maintained. The main display control means 118 displays the normal symbol variation on the normal symbol display device 59.

  The condition holding unit 176 includes a special game operation condition holding unit 178 and a small hit game operation condition holding unit 180. The special game operation condition holding means 178 holds a special game operation condition as a condition for shifting to a special game including a unit game involving opening of the special winning opening 66 a plurality of times. The special game operation condition is a result indicating that the game shifts to the special game in the lottery, and the content of the condition is that the symbol variation corresponding to the lottery is stopped. The special game operation condition holding means 178 holds a special special game operation condition for shifting to the 2R special game in addition to a normal special game operation condition for shifting the game state to the 15R special game. Further, as the special special game operating condition, the probability changing special game operating condition for shifting to the probability changing state after the 2R special game is held. Whether or not the probability variation special game operating condition is satisfied is determined by the type of the special symbol determined by the symbol determining means 114.

  The small hit game operating condition holding means 180 holds the small hit game operating condition as a condition for shifting to the small hit game, which is a unit game accompanied by the opening of the big winning opening 66. The small hitting operating condition is a result indicating that the game is shifted to the small hitting game in the lottery, and the content of the condition is that the symbol variation corresponding to the lottery is stopped.

  The special game control means 120 controls the execution process of the special game when the result of winning / not-winning lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112 is a big hit. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously continued a plurality of times until a predetermined upper limit is reached, and is constituted by a plurality of unit games. In the present embodiment, when 15R is a big hit, the unit game is repeated up to 15 times, and the big prize opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. In the case of 2R jackpot, the unit game is repeated up to two times, and the big prize opening 66 is opened for about 0.8 seconds in one unit game. The special game control means 120 starts the next unit game after the end of the current unit game if the number of continuations of the unit game has not reached the upper limit number in each special game. When the upper limit number of unit games is exhausted, the special game is terminated.

  The small hit game control means 121 becomes a lottery result indicating the transition to the small hit game by the winning / not-lotting means 112, and the small hit game is assumed that the small hit operation condition is established when the special symbol is stopped in a predetermined small hit mode. Execute. The small hit game is composed of one unit game. However, the big prize opening 66 is opened twice during one unit game. The opening time of the special winning opening 66 is less than a predetermined time (for example, 1.8 seconds) per opening. In this embodiment, it is set to 0.8 seconds. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the big winning opening 66 is opened for about 0.8 seconds in 2R jackpot, it is closed once so that one unit game is completed. For this reason, the special game with 2R jackpot is in the same manner of operation as the jackpot game. However, the small hit game is different from the 2R big hit constituted by two unit games in that it is constituted by one unit game.

  The specific game execution means 122 executes control for shifting the game state from the normal state to the specific game state, and control for returning the specific game state to the normal state. The specific game in the present embodiment has a probability change in which the winning probability of the winning / failing lottery is switched from a normal probability state to a high probability state, and a short time in which the symbol variation time is switched from a normal time to a short time. The probabilistic state continues until the next jackpot occurs. In the present embodiment, in the case of 15R jackpot, the probability change may or may not be started after the end of the special game, but the time reduction is always started. This time saving is continued until the number of times the special symbol fluctuates after the special game reaches a predetermined number of times (also referred to as “continuation number”), for example, 100 times. On the other hand, in the case of 2R jackpot, the probability change can be started after the end of the special game, but the time reduction is not started. This probability change is called a so-called sudden probability change (accuracy), and whether or not the 2R jackpot is accompanied by a shift to accuracy is identified by a special symbol 192 determined by the symbol determination means 114. However, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, a stop symbol similar to the small hit is displayed for the decorative symbol 190, and it is set so that the player cannot distinguish both simply by looking at the decorative symbol 190.

  The opening / closing control means 124 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric accessory at the start opening 62 and the special winning opening 66. When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the opening / closing control unit 124 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Further, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the special winning opening solenoid 80 during the special game, and opens the special winning opening 66. The opening / closing control means 124 executes an open extension that causes the expansion mechanism of the start port 62 to expand for a longer time than in the normal state in the probability change state after the 15R special game and in the short time state, but the probability change state after the 2R special game (In other words, when there is a rush), the opening extension is not performed. After the 15R special game, as a merit of normal probability change and time saving, the opening time of the start port 62 is lengthened so that the player can continue the game without reducing the possession. On the other hand, after the 2R special game, avoiding the player from easily recognizing the occurrence of suddenness with its open extension, that is, whether the small hit game or the 2R special game has occurred by the operation of the ordinary electric game It is to prevent recognition. In the specific game, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to greatly open the starting port 62. In the small hit game, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the big prize opening solenoid 80 to open the big prize opening 66 for a predetermined short period of time.

  The pattern storage means 130 holds a plurality of effect patterns in which effect image contents to be displayed on the effect symbol display device 60 in the variation of the decorative symbol 190 and the display process thereof are determined. In the effect pattern, a plurality of change patterns in which a change process from start to stop and a change process in the change display of the decorative pattern 190 and a change process are defined, and a change display of the decorative pattern are displayed separately, and the degree of expectation to the jackpot A plurality of notice effect patterns that suggest height in advance are included.

  The fluctuation pattern displays a pattern for displaying a normal out symbol, a pattern for displaying a symbol out of reach after reaching a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and a jackpot symbol through a reach state. When the pattern is included. In particular, the pattern that passes through the reach state includes patterns having various fluctuation times. Each variation pattern has a variation time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses. The effect determining means 132 selects the variation pattern of the effect image having the same variation time as that of the special symbol according to the variation pattern of the special symbol. The effect determining means 132 selects a variation pattern with a short variation time so that the variation display time of the special symbol is substantially shortened during the short time.

  The effect determining means 132 determines the combination of the stop symbols of the decorative symbols and their arrangement and variation pattern according to the result of the lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112, according to the stop symbol of the special symbol and the variation pattern of the special symbol. That is, the effect determining means 132 determines the effect contents to be displayed on the effect symbol display device 60 according to the result of the success / failure lottery received from the success / failure lottery means 112 and the pattern number received from the pattern determining means 119. The effect determining unit 132 selects any one of the plurality of variation effect pattern data corresponding to the variation pattern of the special symbol determined by the pattern determining unit 119 and reads it from the pattern storage unit 130. The effect determination means 132 determines the combination of the stop symbols of the decorative symbol 190 based on the special symbol stop symbols determined by the symbol determination means 114. The effect determining unit 132 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine a stop symbol of a decorative symbol and a pattern table to be referred to in order to determine a variation pattern.

  The decorative symbol stop symbol is formed as a combination of three symbols. In the case where the determination result by the winner / rejection lottery means 112 is a 15R jackpot indicating a shift to a normal special game, a combination of three symbols such as “111” and “222” is selected. In this case, it is preferable that the same numbers as the special symbols are selected as the numbers to be arranged as the decorative symbols. For example, when the special symbol is “3”, the decorative symbol is “333”. If the jackpot is accompanied by a transition to probability change after a special game, a number for probability change is selected. For example, when an odd symbol is set as a symbol for probability change, the decorative symbol is “555”, “777”, or the like. In the case where the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates that the game does not shift to the special game, a combination that does not have three symbols such as “312” and “946” is selected. However, if the determination result is that the game does not shift to the special game, and the variation pattern of the special symbol indicating the loss with reach is selected, only one such as “191” or “727” is selected. Select a combination that does not have the symbols.

  Further, in this embodiment, a common symbol is set that is displayed when the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is 2R big hit and small hit. If the decision result is a 2R big win indicating a shift to a special special game, and if the decision result is a small win indicating a shift to a small hit game, the decorative symbol is a single number. “135” and “246” are selected. That is, when the result of the winning / not-winning lottery is 2R big win or small win, the open mode of the big winning opening 66 is the same, and the stop symbol of the decorative symbol 190 is also set the same. For this reason, it is difficult for the player to determine whether the player is 2R big hit or small hit. In addition, as described above, whether or not the 2R jackpot has a certainty cannot be determined from the stop symbol of the decorative symbol 190. In this embodiment, even in such a state, the variation time of the symbol after each game is shortened according to the number of balls entered into the big winning opening 66 during the 2R special game and the small hit game. The effect determining unit 132 sends information on the stop symbol of the decorative symbol and the variation pattern of the effect image to the effect display control unit 134.

  The notice effect pattern is an effect pattern for temporarily displaying an image, animation, video, or the like of a specific character or motif, or an effect pattern for outputting a specific sound. The effect by the notice effect pattern is executed in parallel with the symbol variation, and suggests in advance that the symbol variation is highly expected to stop in the big hit mode. For example, there are a normal notice effect in which only one character image is displayed on the screen, and a group notice effect in which a large number of characters are displayed so as to pass from one end to the other end of the screen. Further, the display process of the notice effect is divided into a plurality of stages, and the number of stages to be displayed is variable, and a step-up notice effect that is set such that the higher the number of stages is, the higher the expectation for the big hit is included.

  The notice effect pattern includes a pattern in which the effect is executed at a timing after the display form of the decorative symbol 190 reaches the reach state and the final stop state of the symbol is notified, and no decorative symbol 190 is stopped. There is a pattern in which the performance is executed at the timing and the reach is reached at the same time.

  The effect determining means 132 determines whether or not to display the notice effect on the effect symbol display device 60 according to the result of the success / failure lottery, and determines the notice effect pattern to be displayed. The effect determining means 132 holds a notice determination table that should be referred to in order to determine whether or not to display the notice effect, and a notice type table that should be referred to when selecting the type of the notice effect pattern. The notice decision table is set so that different columns are referred to depending on the result of the lottery, and if the lottery is a win, the notice lottery will be displayed with a higher probability than if it was missed. Correspondence between whether to display the result and the notice effect is determined. Thereby, the high expectation degree to the jackpot can be suggested by displaying the notice effect itself.

  The effect display control unit 134 causes the effect symbol display device 60 to variably display the effect image according to the selected variation pattern data as a result of the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery unit 112. The effect display control means 134 causes the effect symbol display device 60 to display the notice effect according to the selected notice effect pattern when the effect determining means 132 decides to display the notice effect. The effect display control means 134 further controls effect processing such as lighting and extinguishing of the game effect lamp 90 and sound output from the speaker 18.

  In accordance with the instruction received from the effect display control means 134, the accessory control means 136 operates the movable accessory 140 in an effect manner in accordance with the effect contents in the effect symbol display device 60 and the blinking process of the game effect lamp 90.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a normal pattern selection table used when determining a variation pattern. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of a special pattern selection table used when determining a variation pattern. In each figure, for the sake of convenience, the fluctuation pattern is schematically shown as “with reach” with reach and “without reach” without reach, and the average change time is shown as the change time. Yes. Actually, there are a plurality of types of reach effects such as normal reach and super reach, and various variation patterns are set corresponding to the pattern determination lottery values, but the description thereof is omitted here.

  The pattern determining means 119 usually selects a special symbol variation pattern with reference to the normal pattern selection table shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, different tables are referred to depending on whether the normal game is in a normal state or in a short time. Further, in any gaming state, a table in which the result of the winning / failing lottery is different depending on whether it is a 15R big hit, 2R big hit or small hit, or a miss. Actually, different variation patterns are selected depending on whether or not the jackpot is with certainty, but detailed description thereof is omitted here. In the modification, a probability variation pattern selection table that is referred to separately when the probability variation is in progress may be provided.

  The pattern determination means 119 acquires the pattern determination lottery value from the range of “0 to 255” prior to the special symbol variation display. Based on the pattern determination lottery value and the result of the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112, the variation time of the special symbol is determined. Each variation pattern is assigned a variation pattern number (not shown) for identifying the variation pattern.

  As shown in the drawing, based on the current gaming state and the result of the lottery determination, a variation pattern without a reach effect and a variation pattern with a reach effect are set according to the range of pattern determination lottery values. Since the fluctuation pattern with reach is positioned as a fluctuation pattern with high expectation for the big hit, the pattern determination lottery value is assigned so that it is selected more than when it is out of the winning lottery result . Further, the table selected during the time reduction (also referred to as “time reduction table”) is set so that the fluctuation time is considerably shorter than the fluctuation pattern in the normal state for any fluctuation pattern with or without reach. As described above, after the execution of the 15R special game, the time shifts to time. Therefore, the time table is referred to, and the variation efficiency of symbols is improved.

  On the other hand, when a 2R special game or a small hit game (hereinafter, both games are collectively referred to as “special game”) is executed, the pattern is determined after the special game ends until the next 15R special game is entered. The means 119 selects a special symbol variation pattern with reference to the special pattern selection table shown in FIG. In the example shown in the figure, three special pattern selection tables are set according to the number of balls entered into the big winning opening 66 during the special game. The special pattern selection table shown in FIG. 5 (a) is selected when the number of balls entered into the grand prize winning slot 66 during the special game is 1, and the special pattern selection table shown in FIG. When there are three or more, the special pattern selection table shown in FIG. When the number of entered balls is zero, a special pattern selection table having the same configuration as the normal pattern selection table shown in FIG. 4 is referred to. Since the pattern selection table has the same configuration, the normal pattern selection table may be used as it is, instead of being separately selected as the special pattern selection table.

  As can be seen by comparing each special pattern selection table, the variation time of the variation pattern to be selected is shortened as a whole as the number of balls entering the special winning opening 66 during the special game increases. Yes. In the short time state, the time is further shortened. In other words, when a special game is executed in which the big winning opening 66 is opened for a short period of time when the 2R big hit or the small hit is generated, the more the player enters the big winning opening 66, the more after the special game ends. The fluctuating time is shortened, and the lottery is quickly executed on condition that the ball enters the start port 62. That is, as a result, the lottery efficiency of the success / failure lottery is improved, so that the next jackpot comes relatively early.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a variation effect process when special variation is executed. The horizontal axis of the figure represents the passage of time. The thick arrows in the figure indicate symbol variations.
In the illustrated example, in the process of displaying normal fluctuation based on the normal fluctuation pattern, 2R big hit or small hit (denoted as “specific hit” in the figure) occurs at time t1, and the hit fluctuation starts. ing. At time t2, the symbol representing the specific hit is stopped and displayed, and a special game (2R special game or small hit game) is executed. That is, the short-term opening of the special winning opening 66 is executed twice. The pattern determination unit 119 updates the pattern determination counter each time the entrance determination unit 110 determines that the entrance into the big winning opening 66 is determined during the special game. That is, in this embodiment, the pattern determining unit 119 and the incoming ball determining unit 110 function as “incoming ball number detecting unit”.

  Then, since the special game is ended and returned to the normal game at time t3, the special pattern selection table is referred to as the pattern determination table when it is after the special game, and the symbol variation by the special variation pattern determined thereby (Shown as “special variation” in the figure). That is, the pattern determination unit 119 refers to the special pattern selection table that selects a variation pattern whose average variation time is relatively short as the count value of the pattern determination counter increases, and selects one of the special patterns by lottery. Determine the variation pattern. For subsequent symbol variations, pattern lottery using the same special pattern selection table is performed, and symbol variations based on the determined special variation pattern are displayed. Since the 15R jackpot has occurred at time t4, the 15R special game is started at time t5 after the jackpot fluctuation is displayed. Since the occurrence of the 15R jackpot is the special variation end condition, when the 15R special game ends at time t6, the normal pattern selection table is referred to as the pattern determination table, and the normal variation based on the normal variation pattern determined thereby is displayed. Has been.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine.
First, processing is performed when the game ball has won the start port 62, the general winning port 72, the big winning port 66, or the like, or when the game ball has passed the operation port 68 (S10). If a normal game is being played (Y in S12), a normal game control process such as symbol variation is executed (S14), and a small hit game control process is executed (S15). If it is not in a normal game (N in S12), a special game control process is executed (S16). After the processing from S14 to S16, a prize ball payout according to various winnings in S10 is processed (S18). Note that the special game of S16 and the small hit game of S15 are not executed at the same time, and when one is executed, the other is avoided.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. In the normal game control process, if the winning / losing lottery value is put on hold (Y in S30), and the symbol variation is not being displayed (N in S32), the winning / failing determining process is executed (S34). At this time, the success / failure lottery means 112 executes the success / failure determination, and the pattern determination means 119 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol. Then, a variation display start process is executed according to the determination result and the determined variation pattern (S36). If the winning or failing lottery value is not held in S30 (N in S30), the processing from S32 to S36 is skipped, and if the symbol variation is being displayed in S32 (Y in S32), S34 and S36 Is skipped. Subsequently, if the symbol variation display has already been started (Y in S38), the variation display process is executed (S40). When the symbol variation display is not started (N of S38), the process of S40 is skipped.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the success / failure determination process of S34 in FIG.
First, the success / failure lottery means 112 reads the success / failure lottery value (S42), and determines the success / failure based on the success / failure lottery value (S44). Subsequently, the symbol determination unit 114 determines a special symbol stop symbol based on the determination result (S46). The pattern determining means 119 selects a special symbol variation pattern (S48). The effect determining means 132 determines the stop symbol combination of the decorative symbols based on the determination result and the special symbol (S50), and selects the variation pattern of the decorative symbol having the same variation time according to the variation pattern of the special symbol (S52). ).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the variation display process of S40 in FIG.
When the symbol variation display has already been started, when the predetermined variation time has elapsed and the symbol display stop timing is reached (Y in S61), the symbol variation being displayed is stopped (S62). If the time is short (Y in S63) and the result of the lottery is not a big hit (N in S64), the number of changes is incremented (S65), and if the number of changes reaches the set number (Y in S66), The time saving is terminated (S68). If the number of fluctuations has not reached the set number (N in S66), S68 is skipped. In this embodiment, the time is shifted to a short time when the 15R special game ends. The “set number” is 100 times in principle. In the present embodiment, basically, there is no transition to a short time when the 2R special game ends. During a time reduction (Y in S63), if a big hit is made (Y in S64), the game shifts to a special game (S67), and the time reduction ends (S68). If the time is not short (N in S63), the processing from S64 to S68 is skipped. If the symbol display stop timing has not been reached (N in S61), the processing of S62 and after is skipped and the flow of this figure is terminated.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the small hit game control process of S15 in FIG.
When the small winning game is not started (N in S92) and the symbol indicating the small winning is stopped (Y in S94), the small winning game, which is a unit game with the opening of the big winning opening 66, is started. (S96). During the small hit game, every time there is a ball entering the opened large winning opening 66, the count value of the pattern determination counter for recording the number of balls is updated. The count value is once cleared when the next specific hit (small hit or 2R jackpot) or 15R jackpot occurs. If it is not a small hit (N in S94), the process of S96 is skipped. When the small hit game has already started (Y in S92) and the small hit game has ended (Y in S98), the pattern determining means 119 reads the updated number of balls entered into the pattern determining counter (S99), One of the special pattern selection tables shown in FIG. 5 is set according to the number of balls entered (S100). If the small hit game has not ended (N in S98), the processes in S99 and S100 are skipped and the process is terminated.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the special game control process of S16 in FIG. First, if the big prize opening 66 has not been opened (N in S70), the production display control means 134 starts the special game production process (S72), and the open / close control means 124 opens the special prize opening 66 (S74). ). At this time, if the game is a 2R special game, the count value of the pattern determination counter that records the number of balls entered is updated every time there is a ball entered in the large winning opening 66 opened at this time. The count value is used when selecting the pattern determination table after the 2R special game, and is once cleared when the next specific hit (small hit or 2R big hit) or 15R big hit occurs. In the case of 15R special game, the pattern determination counter is not updated. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the number of balls entered into the big prize opening 66 in the small hit game and the number of balls entered into the big prize opening 66 in the 2R special game are counted using the same pattern determination counter. However, separate counters for pattern determination may be provided for the small hit game and the 2R special game, and the count value may be updated respectively.
If the big winning opening 66 has been opened, S72 and S74 are skipped (Y in S70). When the set opening time has elapsed after the grand prize opening 66 is opened (Y in S76), or when the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76), nine game balls enter the big winning opening 66 When the player has entered the ball (Y in S78), the opening / closing control means 124 closes the special winning opening 66 (S80). If the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76) and the number of balls entered into the grand prize winning opening 66 has not reached nine or more (N in S78), the processing after S80 is skipped and the flow of S16 Exit.

If the unit game has reached the final round after closing the big prize opening 66 in S80 (Y in S82), the effect display control means 134 ends the effect processing of the special game (S84), and the special game control means 120 The special game is terminated (S86). In the case of 15R special game, 15 rounds are the final round, and in the case of 2R special game, 2 rounds are the final round. At this time, the pattern determining unit 119 executes a table setting process described later (S87). Further, the specific game executing means 122 starts execution of the specific game (S88). In other words, when the 15R special game is finished, the time is shifted. When the 2R special game is finished, if it is sudden, the process shifts to certain change. When the 2R special game is shifted to during the time saving, the time is continuously shifted to the time shortening when the 2R special game ends. If the final round has not been reached (N in S82), 1 is added to the number of rounds and the flow in S16 is terminated (S90).
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the table setting process of S87 in FIG.
When the 2R special game is finished (Y in S112), the pattern determination means 119 reads the updated number of balls entered into the pattern determination counter (S113), and any one of those shown in FIG. The special pattern selection table is set (S114). On the other hand, when the 15R special game ends (N in S112), the normal pattern selection table shown in FIG. 4 is set (S116).

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the number of balls entered into the big winning opening 66 opened during the special game (2R special game or small hit game) is detected. After the special game is over, the special pattern selection table is basically referenced for the period until the next 15R jackpot is generated, and the variation pattern with a relatively short variation time is selected according to the number of balls entered. The As a result, the time when the 15R jackpot where the profit state of the player is particularly high occurs relatively early. For this reason, during the special game, the game ball is launched from the game ball aiming at entering the big winning opening 66 in order to increase the fluctuation efficiency of the next normal game. In addition, if the variation time in the normal game is shortened and the lottery efficiency is thereby increased, the game ball is launched with the aim of entering the starting port 62 in order to increase the number of lotteries as much as possible and obtain a 15R jackpot in the short term. become. As a result, the launching of game balls is promoted as a whole, and an improvement in the operating rate of gaming machines can be expected.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there. Below, the modification is described.

[Modification 1]
Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the game content may be configured to develop to 15R jackpot when the game state satisfies a predetermined condition after the transition to the jackpot game. As the “predetermined condition”, for example, a ball entering a specific area provided at a predetermined position in the game area, such as the inside of a big prize opening, may be set as the condition. This makes it possible for the player's profit status to be relatively enhanced regardless of whether a surprise or small hit occurs, so that the player's expectation can be maintained even if the special game is not accurate and small hit. become.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, an example in which a variation pattern with a relatively short variation time is selected with reference to the special pattern selection table shown in FIG. 5 every time a special game is completed. In this case, even if the special game is repeatedly executed, the number of balls entered into the big winning opening 66 is counted for each special game, and a special pattern selection table corresponding to the number of balls entered is selected. . That is, the special pattern selection table is selected for each special game each time. In the modified example, when the special game is repeated in this way, the accumulated value of the number of balls entered in the special game for a plurality of times is stored, and the variation time gradually increases based on the accumulated number of game balls. A short variation pattern may be selected.

  For example, when a 15R jackpot occurs and a 15R special game is executed, the period until the next 15R jackpot occurs is set as a set period, and a special game that is repeatedly executed during the set period The number of balls entering 66 may be accumulated and counted. In that case, whether the special game is a 2R special game or a small hit game, the count value may be updated in the common pattern determination counter. Alternatively, a 2R special game pattern determination counter and a small hit game pattern determination counter may be provided separately, and the count values of the counters may be summed to obtain an accumulated value. In the set period, the special pattern selection table may be configured such that the variation time of the variation pattern selected after the end of each special game is gradually shortened according to the accumulated value. Then, the count value may be cleared in the pattern determination counter when a 15R jackpot occurs. According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the fluctuation efficiency step by step each time a special game is repeated. Even if the player's interest in the special game itself is diminished by repeating the special game, it is possible to maintain that interest by accumulating the number of balls entered into the big prize opening. become.

[Modification 3]
Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, in the case of a gaming machine having a specification in which the degree of freedom of setting the probability of hitting the jackpot is higher than the probability of hitting the jackpot, even if the probability of hitting the 2R jackpot is low, the probability of hitting the jackpot The execution frequency of the special game may be increased by setting it relatively high. As a result, it is possible to ensure the effectiveness of the game characteristic peculiar to the present embodiment in which more chances of shortening the variation time are given.

[Modification 4]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the special pattern selection table is selected on condition that the special game ends is shown. In the modified example, the special pattern selection table may be selected on the condition that the opening extension function of the start port 62 is activated, and a variation pattern having a short variation time may be selected. In this way, by shortening the fluctuation time when the ease of entering the starting port 62 is increased, the lottery efficiency of the success / failure lottery can be increased, and the effect of increasing the fluctuation efficiency can be more effectively exhibited. In this way, when the extension extension is executed only in the probability change state and the short time state after the 15R special game, the special pattern selection table is selected only when the small hit game ends in the probability change state and the short time state. Become so. This is because the opening extension is not executed after the 2R special game. According to such a configuration, a special privilege is generally given when a small hit, which is considered to be less profitable than a 2R big win, is given, and the player's expectation regarding whether or not a small hit has occurred The feeling can be raised.

[Modification 5]
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a special pattern selection table is provided separately from the normal pattern selection table, and the pattern determination lottery value and the variation pattern are associated with each pattern selection table. . In the modified example, a plurality of variation patterns with different variation times are set in a single pattern selection table, and a pattern determination lottery value is associated with each variation pattern to enter the big winning opening 66 during the special game. You may make it change according to a number. For example, a plurality of variation patterns whose variation times are gradually shortened in the order of pattern numbers may be set in the single pattern selection table. The smaller the number of balls entered into the special winning opening 66 during the special game, the higher the probability of selecting a variation pattern with a smaller pattern number. The larger the number of balls entered, the greater the probability of selection of a variation pattern with a larger pattern number. You may make it become comparatively high.

[Modification 6]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a conventional type 1 pachinko gaming machine has been shown, but the present invention can also be applied to other types of gaming machines having the function of the first type pachinko gaming machine. For example, the present invention can be applied to a multi-function machine in which a plurality of first type pachinko gaming machines are mixed. In addition, a complex that provides a game corresponding to a special game in the first type pachinko gaming machine as the first special game, and a game corresponding to a special game in the second type pachinko game machine as the second special game. It can also be applied to the machine.

[Modification 7]
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been shown in which the special variation by the special pattern selection table is terminated when the 15R jackpot is generated. In the modified example, the special variation may be terminated when the opening extension function is activated. In other words, when a transition to a special game is made after the end of the 15R special game, a transition to a shorter time is then started and a special variation is started. In this case, the special variation is terminated with the end of the shorter time as a normal pattern. You may make it return to a selection table. In this way, the opening extension function increases the ease of entering the starting port 62 and shortens the variation time only during the period when the lottery efficiency of the success / failure lottery increases, thereby substantially exhibiting the effect of the variation efficiency improvement. it can. Moreover, in other periods, it is possible to secure a period necessary for effect display such as a notice effect by securing the fluctuation time to some extent.

[Modification 8]
Although not particularly described in the above embodiment, a variation pattern having a variation time longer than that in the normal state may be selected as a variation pattern selected after the 15R special game is finished. In general, the transition time tends to be shortened when shifting to a shorter time after the 15R special game ends, but even if it is set longer in this way, if a special game occurs after that, the variation time should be shortened later. It is also possible. A game in which the variation time is gradually shortened every time a special game occurs and finally the state is shifted to the original time-saving state becomes possible. In other words, an unprecedented gaming mode can be created based on the relationship between the gaming state and the variation pattern.

  10 Pachinko machines, 50 game boards, 52 gaming areas, 60 production symbol display devices, 61 special symbol display devices, 62 start ports, 66 large winning ports, 68 operating ports, 72 general winning ports, 78 winning detection devices, 100 games Control device, 102 main board, 104 sub-board, 110 entry determination means, 112 winning / failing lottery means, 118 main display control means, 119 pattern determination means, 120 special game control means, 121 small hit game control means, 122 execution of specific game Means, 124 opening / closing control means, 130 pattern storage means, 132 effect determining means, 134 effect display control means, 178 special game operation condition holding means, 180 small hit game operation condition holding means, 190 decoration symbol, 192 special symbol.

Claims (6)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area and into which a game ball can enter;
Triggering lottery means for determining whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game, triggered by entering the starting winning opening,
An effect display device in which a symbol for showing the result of the success / failure lottery is variably displayed;
A special winning opening that is provided at a predetermined position in the game area and is opened when the result of the success / failure lottery is a win;
Special game operation condition holding means for holding a special game operation condition as a condition for shifting to a normal special game in which the special winning opening is opened for a predetermined time or more;
Special game operation condition holding means for holding a special game operation condition as a condition for shifting to a special game in which the special winning opening that is less than the predetermined time is opened;
Special game control means for executing the normal special game when the special game operation condition is satisfied as a result of the success / failure lottery indicating the transition to the normal special game;
Special game control means for executing the special game when the special game operation condition is satisfied as a result of the success / failure lottery indicating a transition to the special game;
Number-of-entry detection means for detecting the number of balls entered into the grand prize opening opened in the special game;
As a pattern selection table that is referred to in order to select one of a plurality of types of variation patterns in which the pattern variation mode is defined, reference is made so as to select the variation pattern regardless of the number of balls entered into the big winning opening. And a special pattern selection table that is referred to so as to select a variation pattern according to the number of balls entered into the grand prize opening opened in the special game. A variation pattern determining means for selecting a variation pattern with reference to a pattern selection table;
Display control means for performing variable display of symbols in the effect display device according to the selected variation pattern,
In the special pattern selection table, variation patterns having different variation times of symbols are set as selection targets,
The variation pattern determining means refers to the special pattern selection table for a predetermined period after the end of the special game, and makes a relative change according to the number of balls entered into the big prize opening opened in the special game. A ball game machine characterized by selecting a variation pattern with a short variation time.   The variation pattern determining means selects a variation pattern having a relatively short variation time in the special pattern selection table as the number of balls entering the special winning opening opened in the special game is larger. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1.   The variation pattern determining means is a variation pattern in which the variation time is relatively short in the special pattern selection table when the number of balls entered into the grand prize opening opened in the special game exceeds a preset number. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein   The variation pattern determining means is a variation pattern in which a variation time is relatively short according to a cumulative number of balls entered into the large winning opening opened in the special game until a predetermined end condition is satisfied. 4. The ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein when the predetermined end condition is satisfied, the reference destination is switched to the normal pattern selection table. When a predetermined transition condition is satisfied, the game includes a specific game execution means that shifts the game state to a specific game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state after the end of the special game,
The special game operation condition holding means, as the special game operation condition, a special special game operation condition for shifting to a special special game including a plurality of unit games accompanied by opening of the special prize opening, and the special prize operating condition Holds a small hit game operating condition for shifting to a small hit game that is a unit game with opening,
The special game control means determines that the special special game operating condition is satisfied when the winning / losing lottery results in the transition to the special special game and the symbol is stopped in a predetermined special big hit mode. While the game is executed, the winning / losing lottery results in a transition to the small hit game, and the small hit game operation condition is satisfied when the symbol is stopped in a predetermined small hit mode. Run
When the special special game is executed as the previous transition condition, the specific game execution means has a probability that the success / failure lottery results in the transition to the normal special game after the end of the special special game. 5. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein a transition is made to a probability variation state in which a high probability state is established. When a predetermined transition condition is satisfied, the game includes a specific game execution means for shifting the game state to a specific game that is easier to enter the starting winning opening than the normal state after the special game ends,
The bullet pattern according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the variation pattern determining means refers to the special pattern selection table only when transitioning to the specific game after the end of the special game. Gaming machine.

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