JP5660184B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a game is played with various game effects associated with the progress of the game.

Rotate a ball game machine that launches a game ball on a game board provided with a plurality of winning holes, and a plurality of spinning cylinders with multiple types of symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface. 2. Description of the Related Art A spinning-type game machine that performs a game that stops rotation and aligns a predetermined symbol combination is known. In order to enhance the interest of the player, these ball game machines and revolving game machines (in this specification, the ball game machine and the revolving game machine are simply referred to as game machines). It is usual that various aspects of game effects associated with progress are performed. For example, if certain conditions are met during a game,
By displaying various figures and images on a liquid crystal screen or the like, a game effect (for example, a so-called notice effect) is performed to make the player feel a progress pattern of subsequent games. Also,
Attach the player's attention by moving the movable object mounted on the gaming machine, turn on various lamps, and output sound effects from the speaker. Various aspects of game effects are being attracted, thereby giving the player some suggestions regarding the progress of the game.

Moreover, in order to perform a game effect effectively, it is desirable to perform the effect which cooperated in connection with each other instead of using these effects separately. From this point of view, for example, the content of the effect to be performed on the screen is determined according to the progress of the game, and the output volume is switched according to the determined content of the effect (Patent Document 1) or on the screen. There has also been proposed a technique (Patent Document 2) in which an output volume when performing an effect can be set in advance for each content of the effect according to the effect content to be performed.

JP 2001-070546 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-113631

However, the proposed technique has a problem that various game effects performed in association with the progress of the game cannot always be appropriately executed. This is because the speaker output volume can be set from the outside. For example, if it is set to “Low volume” (or “Silence”), the effect of using sound effects is expected. Can not. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to supplement the effect by the sound effect with another effect using a liquid crystal screen, a lamp, or the like. On the other hand, if the output volume of the speaker is set to “high volume”, there is a possibility that the presentation will give an excessive impression to the player if the normal presentation is performed on the liquid crystal screen or lamp. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and various game effects performed in association with the progress of the game can be appropriately executed regardless of the setting of the output volume of the speaker. The purpose is to provide a simple gaming machine.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is, the gaming machine according to claim 1 is:
An auditory presentation means for performing an auditory presentation, which is the aforementioned game presentation that works on the hearing of the player;
Visual presentation means for performing visual presentation, which is the gaming presentation that works on the player's vision;
Production control means for performing control related to execution of the auditory presentation and the visual presentation;
Output volume setting means capable of setting the output volume of the auditory effect performed by the auditory effect means;
With
The visual effect means includes a light emitting effect device that performs a predetermined light effect as the visual effect,
The production control means includes
Setting content detection means for detecting the setting content of the output volume setting means;
An effect pattern storage means for storing at least a standard effect pattern as an effect pattern of the light emission effect and an emphasis effect pattern that is an effect content that emphasizes a visual effect compared to the standard effect pattern;
And comprising
When the setting content of the output volume setting means detected by the setting content detection means is a standard sound volume determined in advance, the effect pattern of the light emission effect is determined as the standard effect pattern, and from the standard sound volume If the volume is low, the emphasis effect pattern is determined, and the light emission effect device is driven according to the determined effect pattern.

A gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The effect pattern storage means stores an effect pattern in which the brightness of the light emitting effect device is standard as the standard effect pattern, and an effect pattern in which the brightness of the light emission effect device is brighter than the standard as the emphasized effect pattern It is characterized by memorizing.

In addition, the gaming machine of the reference invention disclosed for reference in this specification is:
In a gaming machine in which a game is performed with various game effects that are effects related to the progress of the game,
An auditory presentation means for performing an auditory presentation, which is the aforementioned game presentation that works on the hearing of the player;
Visual presentation means for performing visual presentation, which is the gaming presentation that works on the player's vision;
Production control means for performing control related to execution of the auditory presentation and the visual presentation;
Output volume setting means capable of setting the output volume of the auditory presentation performed by the auditory presentation means by an external operation;
With
The production control means includes
Setting content detection means for detecting the setting content of the output volume set by the output volume setting means;
Execution pattern storage means for storing at least a standard execution pattern as an execution pattern of the visual effect, and a suppression execution pattern in which the effect content is conservatively set compared to the standard execution pattern;
And comprising
Based on the setting content of the output volume detected by the setting content detection means, the execution pattern of the visual effect is determined as the standard execution pattern or the suppression execution pattern, and the visual effect is determined according to the determined execution pattern. It is characterized by being executed by visual presentation means.

In the gaming machine of the reference invention, as the game effects performed in association with the progress of the game, an auditory effect that works on the player's hearing and a visual effect that works on the player's vision can be executed. For production, the output volume can be set by an external operation. In addition, at least a standard execution pattern and a suppression execution pattern in which the content of the production is set conservatively compared to the standard execution pattern are stored as visual execution execution patterns.
Then, the setting contents of the output volume of the auditory effect set by the external operation are detected, and based on the contents, the execution pattern of the visual effect is determined as “standard execution pattern” or “suppression execution pattern”. The visual presentation is executed according to the executed pattern.

Game effects are often performed in combination with auditory effects and visual effects in order to produce games more effectively, but if the output volume settings of the auditory effects are changed by external operations, There is a possibility that the produced effect cannot be obtained or the game effect becomes excessive. Therefore, the setting content of the output volume of the auditory effect set by the external operation is detected, and the execution pattern of the visual effect is determined as “standard execution pattern” or “suppression execution pattern” based on the detected content. In this way, regardless of how the output volume setting of the auditory effect is changed by an external operation, it is possible to always execute an appropriate effect as a whole game effect that combines the auditory effect and the visual effect. It becomes.

The term “game” here refers to various games realized (executed) by the operation of the gaming machine. Specifically, whether or not to execute a jackpot game that is advantageous to the player. In a gaming machine that makes a determination (lottery), a symbol display showing the determination result is displayed.
Examples include “symbol-changing games”, “big-hit games” that are executed when the determination result is a win, and “demonstration games” that are executed when the progress of “symbol-changing games” is stagnant.

In addition, the “game effect” is a dynamic effect that is executed at any time according to the progress of the game to excite the game, that is, an effect in which the content changes with the passage of time in the game. Specifically, the “symbol-changing game effect” performed with the progress of the above-mentioned “symbol-changing game”, the “spot-hit game effect” performed with the progress of the “hit-game”, and the “demo game” A “demo game effect” performed as the game progresses can be exemplified.

In addition, in the gaming machine of the reference invention, when the output volume detected by the setting content detection unit is a large volume, the execution pattern of the visual effect is determined as the suppression execution pattern and is detected by the setting content detection unit. When the output volume is lower than the high volume, the visual effect execution pattern may be determined as the standard execution pattern.

For example, if there is a possibility that the production effect due to the auditory effect will be excessive depending on the setting content by the external operation, the execution pattern of the visual effect is changed to a modest effect content (for example, the type and number of symbols displayed as the design for the effect are The number of the symbols may be small, the size of the symbol may be small, or the number of movements and the amount of movement of the movable member may be small). On the other hand, if there is no possibility that the effect of the auditory effect will be excessive due to the setting content by the external operation, the visual effect execution pattern is displayed as a flashy effect content (for example, an effect design). The standard execution pattern of “the number and the number of symbols to be displayed is large, the size of the symbol is large, the number of movements and the amount of movement of the movable member is large”, etc.). Thus, by determining the execution pattern of the visual effect based on the setting contents of the output volume of the auditory effect by the external operation, the auditory effect and the visual effect can be executed in a well-balanced combination. Thereby, it is possible to always execute an appropriate effect as the entire game effect.

In the gaming machine of the reference invention, the visual effect means includes a light emission effect device in which the light emitting member performs a predetermined light emission operation in accordance with the progress of the game, and the effect control means is controlled by the setting content detection means. Based on the detected setting of the output volume, the light emitting operation pattern of the light emitting member, the light emitting operation pattern in which the brightness of the light emitting effect device is standard, or the brightness of the light emitting effect device is darker than the standard The light emission operation pattern may be determined.

In this way, when performing the light emitting operation of the light emitting member as part of the game effect, for example, when the light emitting operation pattern of the light emitting member is not likely to have an excessive effect of the auditory effect depending on the setting content by the external operation, for example. A light emitting operation pattern in which the brightness of the light emitting effect device is standard is used. Conversely, if there is a possibility that the production effect due to the auditory effect will be excessive due to the setting contents by external operation, the brightness of the light emitting effect device will be darker than the standard (the light emitting member may be turned on / flashed less frequently) Including light emission operation pattern. As described above, by determining the light emission operation pattern based on the setting contents of the output volume of the auditory effect, the auditory effect and the visual effect can be executed in a well-balanced combination. Thereby, it is possible to always execute an appropriate effect as the entire game effect.

According to each of the above inventions, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of appropriately executing various game effects performed in association with the progress of the game.

It is a front view of the gaming machine of the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of a game board. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the symbol display apparatus mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the effect display apparatus mounted in the game machine of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit in the game machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the normal symbol is variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that the special symbol was variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the one aspect | mode of the effect performed with an effect display apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the rough flow of the game control processing which CPU mounted in the main control board performs in order to control progress of a game. It is the block diagram which showed notionally the mode that the game machine of a present Example performs various game effects with progress of a game. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the presentation control process which the sub control board mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example performs. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that an output volume is set with a volume setting switch. It is explanatory drawing which showed the some production content memorize | stored in ROM mounted in the sub control board. It is explanatory drawing which showed the content of production memorize | stored in ROM mounted in the sub control board of the modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the effect display control process which the effect display control board of a modification receives and performs an effect designation | designated command. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the effect performed on the screen of an effect display apparatus according to the effect designation | designated command from a sub control board. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the image of the speech balloon was superimposed and displayed on the image currently displayed on the effect display apparatus.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order.
A. Game machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
A-2. Game board configuration:
A-3. Configuration of control circuit:
B. Overview of the game:
C. Game control overview:
D. Production control processing of this embodiment:
E. Variation:

A. Game machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the gaming machine 1 is mainly composed of a front frame 4, an upper plate 5, a lower plate 6, a game board 10, and the like. In FIG. 1, detailed illustration of the game board 10 is omitted. The front frame 4 is attached to a middle frame 3 (not shown), and the middle frame 3 is attached to a main body frame 2 (not shown). The middle frame 3 is formed of a plastic material and is attached to the inside of the main body frame 2. The main body frame 2 is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate-like members, and forms an outer frame of the gaming machine 1.
One end of the front frame 4 is pivotally supported with respect to the middle frame 3, and one end of the middle frame 3 is supported by the main body frame 2.
It is pivotally supported with respect to. The game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3, and the front side is covered with the front frame 4.

The front frame 4 is formed of a plastic material, and a circular opening 4a is formed at a substantially central portion.
Is formed. A transparent plate such as a glass plate is fitted in the opening 4a, and the board surface of the game board 10 disposed on the back side can be visually recognized. The front frame 4 is provided with various lamps 4b to 4f (light emitting members). The various lamps 4b to 4f perform an effect (game effect) that attracts the player's attention by turning on or blinking according to a predetermined light emission operation pattern according to the progress of the game, and as necessary. Further, it is also possible to perform an effect that makes the player feel that the subsequent game development has occurred. Accordingly, these various lamps 4b to 4f are one aspect of the “visual presentation means” in the present invention.

An upper plate 5 is provided below the front frame 4, and a lower plate 6 is provided below the upper plate 5. A locking device 9 is provided on the right side of the front frame 4, and a prepaid card type ball lending device 13 (CR unit) is provided on the left side of the front frame 4.

The upper plate 5 is provided with a dish-shaped recess and a dish outer edge 5a formed so as to surround the recess. The game ball is thrown into a recess formed in the upper plate 5 and supplied to the launcher unit 12 (see FIG. 5). The dish outer edge 5a is provided with various buttons such as a game ball lending switch 5b, a return switch 5c, and a discharge button for discharging the inserted game ball. Furthermore, a first speaker 5y having a plurality of long holes and a large number of small holes formed thereon is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper plate 5. Further, two operation switches SW1 and SW2 are provided on the front side of the upper plate 5. The player can intervene in the progress of the game by pressing these operation switches SW1 and SW2 to select a character or a game condition appearing in the game effect.

The lower plate 6 is provided with a discharge port 6 a for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1, and the discharged game balls are stored in the lower plate 6. The lower plate 6 has a lower plate full switch 6s.
Is provided (see FIG. 5), and when the lower plate 6 is filled with game balls, this is detected and the payout of the game balls is interrupted. In order to discharge the game balls stored in the lower plate 6,
A ball hole (not shown) for discharging game balls from the lower plate 6 is provided on the bottom surface of the lower plate 6, and a discharge knob that opens and closes the ball hole at a substantially central front side of the lower plate 6. 6b is provided. The discharge knob 6b is normally in an upright state, but when the lower end is pressed to the back side, the upper end rotates as a rotation shaft, the ball hole is opened, and the game balls stored in the lower plate 6 are discharged. Is possible. Further, second speakers 6c are provided on the left and right sides of the discharge knob 6b. The first speaker 5y provided on the upper plate 5 and the second speaker 6 provided on the lower plate 6
From c, various sound effects are output according to the progress of the game in order to stimulate the player's interest in the game. Furthermore, if necessary, it is also possible to execute an effect that makes the player feel that the game will be developed later. Therefore, the first speaker 5y and the second speaker 6
c is an aspect of the “auditory effect means” in the present invention.

An ashtray 7 is provided at the left end of the lower plate 6, and a firing handle 8 is provided at the right end of the lower plate 6. The firing handle 8 is provided with a touch switch 8a for detecting that the player is touching the handle. The rotation axis of the firing handle 8 is connected to a launching device unit 12 (not shown) mounted on the back side of the lower plate 6, and when the player rotates the firing handle 8, the movement is transmitted to the launching device unit 12. Then, a launch motor 8m (not shown) built in the unit rotates, and a game ball is launched with a strength according to the rotation angle. On the left side surface of the launch handle 8, a launch stop switch 8b that is operated by the player to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball is disposed.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 10. As described above, the game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 11 surrounded by an outer rail 14 and an inner rail 15 is formed at the center of the game board 10.

A central device 26 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 11, and a variable prize device 18 is provided in a lower portion of the game area 11. The central device 26 and the variable winning device 18
Is provided with a starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17. Starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17
Is a so-called tulip-type start opening in which a pair of wing pieces on the left and right are configured to be openable and closable. Inside the start port 17 is a start port (ordinary electric accessory) switch 17 for detecting the passage of a game ball.
s (see FIG. 5) and a normal electric accessory (starting port) solenoid 17m for operating the blade portion
(See FIG. 5). When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the game ball is likely to enter the open state, and when the pair of wing pieces are upright, the game ball is likely to enter the normal state.

The central device 26 is provided with an effect display device 27. The effect display device 27 is equipped with a liquid crystal screen, and as the game progresses, various effect symbols such as an identification symbol, a background symbol, a character symbol, a notice symbol, and the like indicating the result of the determination on the liquid crystal screen are changed. By displaying, it is possible to execute an effect that attracts the player's interest in the game.
In addition, a model for production is mounted on the right side of the liquid crystal screen. This model is a so-called movable accessory 25 (movable effect device) partly configured to be movable, and the movable part (movable member) performs a predetermined operation according to the progress of the game. It is possible to produce an effect that attracts the attention of the person. Therefore, the effect display device 27 and the movable accessory 25 are one aspect of the “visual effect means” in the present invention. In the illustrated example, as the movable accessory 25, a model of the upper body part of the character that appears in the effect on the effect display device 27 is mounted, and the upper part from the character's neck (indicated by a diagonal line in the figure). Part) to movable parts (
As a movable member), an operation of turning this part to the left and right is possible.

In addition, a symbol display device 28 is provided at the lower left of the central device 26, and the symbol display device 2.
In FIG. 8, it is possible to display a normal symbol, a special symbol or the like in a variable stop display.

A normal symbol operation gate 36 is provided at the left end of the game area 11, and a gate switch 36s (see FIG. 5) for detecting the passage of a game ball is provided inside the gate.
Further, a lamp windmill 24 is provided between the normal symbol operating gate 36 and the central device 26. A number of obstacle nails 23 are provided between and around each of these gaming devices.

A large winning opening 31d is provided substantially at the center of the variable winning device 18. This grand prize opening 3
Reference numeral 1d includes an open / close plate 31e that is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape and is attached to be openable and closable, and a prize winning solenoid 31m (see FIG. 5) for opening and closing the open / close plate 31e. The big winning opening 31d is in a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter in a normal state, but when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the game ball enters an open state and the game ball enters with a high probability. A special game, which is a game state advantageous to the player, is started. Note that a big prize opening switch 31s (see FIG. 5) is provided inside the big prize opening 31d, and it is possible to detect a game ball won in the big prize opening 31d.

An out port 48 is provided below the game board 10 (game area 11), and a back ball preventing member 58 is provided below the out port 48. The back ball preventing member 58 is provided in the gaming area 1
The game ball that has returned without reaching 1 has a function of preventing the game ball from returning to the launch position again.
On the other hand, a foul ball prevention member (not shown) is attached to the tip of the inner rail 15, and a return rubber (not shown) is attached to the outer rail 14 on the substantially opposite side of the foul ball prevention member (the right half side of the game board 10). Attached along the fitting.

Further, the variable winning device 18, the central device 26 and the side decoration member 5 arranged in the game area 11.
0 etc. are provided with a board decoration lamp / LED (hereinafter referred to as board decoration lamps) (not shown). These panel decoration lamps (light-emitting members) turn on and blink according to a predetermined light-emitting operation pattern according to the progress of the game, and produce an effect (game effect) that attracts the player's attention. Accordingly, it is also possible to perform an effect that makes the player feel that the subsequent game development has occurred. Therefore, the panel decoration lamps are one aspect of the “visual presentation means” in the present invention. In the present embodiment, the “light emitting effect device” is configured by the panel decoration lamps and the various lamps 4 b to 4 f (light emitting members) provided on the front frame 4.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the symbol display device 28 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the symbol display device 28 of the present embodiment is configured by incorporating twelve small light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a substantially rectangular region. Of these 12 LEDs, 3 LEDs normally constitute the symbol display unit 29, and the remaining 9 LEDs constitute the special symbol display unit 30. Furthermore, the normal symbol display unit 29 has one LED for displaying a normal symbol (hereinafter referred to as a normal symbol LED 29a) and two LEDs for displaying the number of reserved normal symbols (hereinafter, a normal symbol). Called hold display LED 29b).
Further, the special symbol display unit 30 displays seven LEDs for displaying special symbols (hereinafter referred to as special symbol LED 30a) and the number of special symbols reserved (hereinafter referred to as special symbol reserved number). The two LEDs (hereinafter referred to as special figure hold display LED 30b). The manner in which the symbol display device 28 of this embodiment displays the normal symbol, the special symbol, and the number of special symbol reservations using these 12 LEDs will be described later.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the screen configuration of the effect display device 27 installed in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. As described above, the effect display device 27 is mainly configured by using a liquid crystal display screen, and on the liquid crystal screen, three identification symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c and a background symbol 27 of the background thereof are provided.
d is displayed. Of these, the three identification symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed in various manners in accordance with the display of the special symbol 30 shown in FIG. 3, and the background symbol 27d displays an image in which a character appears. This makes it possible to produce games.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 is composed of many control boards, various boards, and the like. Of these, the main control board 200 controls the basic progress of the game and whether or not it is related to the winning ball. In addition, the sub control board 220 includes an effect display device 27 and a light emission effect device (various lamps 4b to 4f).
And control of various effects (game effects) performed using the movable accessory 25, various speakers 5y, 6c, and the like. In addition, the production display control board 23
0 performs control for actually driving the effect display device 27 under the control of the sub-control board 220. Further, the payout control board 240 controls the operation of paying out the rented or winning balls, and the launch control board 260 controls the game balls. These control boards include a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU, and an RA that stores temporary data when the program is executed.
M, peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with peripheral devices,
Various peripheral LSIs, such as an oscillator that outputs a clock for the CPU to perform operations, a watchdog timer that monitors CPU runaway, and a CTC (counter / timer circuit) that periodically generates interrupt signals, are connected to each other via a bus. Connected and configured. The direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5 represents the direction in which data or signals are input / output.

As shown in the drawing, the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the start port switch 17s, the big prize port switch 31s, the gate switch 36s, etc. After determining the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240,
Various game commands (game information) relating to the progress of the game are output toward the launch control board 260 and the like. Here, the game command is used to transmit various operations performed by the main control board 200 in relation to the progress of the game, for example, information related to symbol variation performed by the symbol display device 28, so-called jackpot game, payout of prize balls, and the like. These are various commands output from the main control board 200 to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. Further, the main control board 200 includes an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17m for opening and closing a pair of blade pieces provided at the start opening 17, a large winning opening solenoid 31m for opening and closing the large winning opening 31d, and a normal symbol. These operations are directly controlled by outputting a signal to the symbol display device 28 that performs variable stop display of the special symbol.

When the sub-control board 220 receives various game commands from the main control board 200, the sub-control board 220 analyzes the contents of the command and performs a game effect according to the result. That is, the main control board 20
Based on various game commands received from 0, the specific display contents (display pattern) on the above-described effect display device 27, sound effects output from the various speakers 5y and 6c, and various lamps 4b to 4f After determining specific modes such as lighting or blinking of the panel decoration lamps (light emission operation pattern of the light emitting member) and the driving form of the movable accessory 25 (operation pattern of the movable part), the effect display device 27 is displayed. Driving display control board 230 to be driven, various speakers 5y
, 6c, the driving board 227 for driving the movable accessory 25, and the decorative driving board 228 for driving various LEDs and lamps for decoration. Produce. In addition, the operation signals from the operation switches SW 1 and SW 2 described above are input to the sub control board 220 via the effect button board 229. Note that, as described above, the main control board 200 controls the progress of the game, and the sub-control board 2
20 receives various game commands (game information) related to progress from the main control board 200 to perform various effects. Therefore, the main control board 200 of this embodiment corresponds to the “game progress control means” in the present invention.

Further, a volume setting switch 300 is provided on the back side of the gaming machine 1, and by changing the setting of the volume setting switch 300, the volume of the sound effect output from the various speakers 5y and 6c is changed as a whole. It is possible to make it larger or smaller, and to prevent sound effects from being output. The volume setting switch 300 is connected to the sub-control board 220, and the sub-control board 220 also controls to change the output volume of the sound effect according to the setting of the volume setting switch 300. Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is not only reflected in the output volume of the sound effect, but also in the effect by the effect display device 27, the light effect effect device, the movable accessory 25, etc. By reflecting, it is possible to appropriately execute various effects (game effects) performed in association with the progress of the game. This point will be described in detail later.

The payout control board 240 is responsible for various controls relating to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, a ball rental switch 5b or a return switch 5c provided on the upper plate 5 described above by the player.
, The signal is transmitted to the ball lending device 13 via the payout control board 240, and the ball lending apparatus 13 pays out a predetermined number of balls while exchanging data with the payout control board 240.

Further, when the main control board 200 outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control board 240 receives this command, and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m built in the game ball payout device 109, whereby A payout is made. The paid-out prize ball is detected by the payout switch 109j and input to the payout control board 240.

Further, the payout control board 240 outputs a signal for allowing the game ball to be launched (a launch permission signal) to the launch control board 260 under the control of the main control board 200. In response to the launch permission signal, various controls for launching the game ball are performed.

B. Overview of the game:
Next, the contents of the control performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described. First, as a preparation, an outline of the game will be briefly described.

In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a game is performed as follows. First, when the player throws the game ball into the recess of the upper plate 5 and rotates the firing handle 8, the game ball thrown into the upper plate 5 is 1
The balls are supplied to the launching device unit 12 one by one and are launched toward the game area 11 described above with reference to FIG. The strength at which the game ball is launched can be adjusted by the rotation angle of the launch handle 8, and the player can aim the game ball by changing the rotation angle of the launch handle 8. .

When the launched game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 provided on the left side of the game area 11, the normal symbol variation display is started on the symbol display device 28. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the normal symbol display unit 29 is provided in the symbol display device 28, and the normal symbol display unit 29 is mounted with the normal symbol LED 29 a and the universal symbol hold display LED 29 b. Of these, the normal symbol LED 29a is used to display the variation of the normal symbol.

FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which normal symbols are variably displayed. In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the normal symbol LED 29a is repeatedly blinked to display the variation of the normal symbol. In the figure, the state in which the normal symbol LED 29a is lit is represented by a radial solid line, and the state in which the normal symbol LED 29a is lit is represented by a broken line. And blinking normal symbol LED29a
When is stopped in the lighting state, it becomes a normal symbol hit and the start port 17 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). On the contrary, when it stops in the light-off state, it is usually out of the design and the start port 17 does not open.

If the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 during the normal symbol variation display, the passing of the game ball is stored as the number of holdings, and after the current normal symbol variation display is completed, the variation display is displayed. Done. Up to four normal symbols can be stored, and the number of stored normal symbols is displayed by the general symbol display LED 29b.

FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the number of normal symbols held is displayed by the universal symbol hold display LED 29 b provided in the symbol display device 28. When there is no normal symbol hold (that is, when the number of hold is zero), both of the two normal figure hold display LEDs 29b are turned off.
When there is one hold, the left-hand general map hold display LED 29b remains off and the right-hand general map hold display LED 29b is lit. When there are two holds, the left-hand general map hold display LED 29b is lit in addition to the right-side normal map hold display LED 29b. Next, when there are three holds, the right-hand map hold display LED 29b blinks, and the left-hand map hold display LED 2
9b lights up. When the number of holds increases to the upper limit of 4, the left and right map hold display L
The ED 29b is blinked. As described above, the normal symbol display unit 29 can display the number of hold from 0 to 4 by turning on, turning off, or blinking the two general-purpose hold display LEDs 29b.

Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the symbol display device 28 is provided with the special symbol display unit 30. When a game ball enters the start port 17, the special symbol change display is started. The display is stopped with any of the symbols described below.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a stop display mode of special symbols. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the special symbol display unit 30 includes seven LEDs, and displays these special symbols by lighting them. As shown in FIG. 7, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
Then, eight special symbol stop display modes are provided, and a lighting state specific to each stop display mode is set. Further, the stop display modes of these eight kinds of special symbols are roughly classified into three symbols. First, the stop display mode of the three special symbols shown in the upper part of the figure is classified as “normal jackpot symbol”, and the stop display mode of the three special symbols shown in the middle part is classified as “probable big hit symbol”. The stop display modes of the two special symbols shown in the lower row are classified as “outgoing symbols”. In the special symbol display section 30, seven LEDs (special symbol LED30
The special symbol is changed and displayed by blinking a) for a predetermined time, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, the special symbol is stopped and displayed according to one of the stop display modes. When either of the “normal jackpot symbol” or the “probability big hit symbol” (so-called jackpot symbol) is stopped and displayed, the jackpot game in which the big winning opening 31d is opened is started. The big hit game of the present embodiment is configured such that the round game in which the big winning opening 31d is in an open state is repeated a plurality of times. When the big winning opening 31d is in an open state, it becomes easy for a game ball to enter, so the big hit game can be said to be a game state that is very advantageous for the player.

In addition, when the special symbol that has been variably displayed is stopped and displayed with the probability variation big hit symbol shown in the middle of FIG. 7, until a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, until the next big hit game is generated or the special big hit game is generated) A state in which the probability that a special symbol is displayed as a big hit symbol is set to a high probability (so-called probability variation state, or simply a probability variation state).
It becomes.

In addition, even if a game ball has entered the starting port 17, the special symbol variation display cannot be started (for example, when the special symbol variation display, or a big hit game) Even so, the fact that a game ball has entered the start port 17 is stored as the number of special symbols held (the number of special drawings held). For this reason, it is possible to perform variable display using the stored number of reserves when the special symbol variable display becomes possible. Note that the number of reserved special figure reservations is displayed by a special figure hold display LED 30b.
The mode of displaying the number of special symbols held using the special figure hold display LED 30b is the same as that of the general figure hold display LED 29b shown in FIG.

In accordance with the above-described change display and stop display of the special symbol, the effect display device 27 performs various effects using the effect symbols. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an aspect of the effect performed by the effect display device 27. As described above with reference to FIG. 4, three identification symbols 27 a, 27 b and 27 c are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen constituting the effect display device 27. When the variation display of the special symbol is started in the symbol display device 28 described above, also in the effect display device 27, these three identification symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c start the variation display all at once. In the present embodiment, a design in which nine numbers from “1” to “9” are designed as identification symbols is prepared.

FIG. 8A conceptually shows a state in which the three identification symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed at the same time. When a predetermined time elapses after the variable display is started, the left identification symbol 27a is first stopped and displayed in any one of “1” to “9”, and then the right identification symbol 27c is stopped and displayed. The middle identification symbol 27b is stopped and displayed. The combination of the three identification symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c that are stopped and displayed on the effect display device 27 is configured to be interlocked with the combination of the special symbols that are stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 described above. For example, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at the winning symbol, the effect display device 27 3
The two identification symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed with the same symbol. In particular, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at the above-described probability variation winning symbol, the three identification symbols 27a, 27b, 27c of the effect display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol representing an odd number. On the other hand, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 is off and stops at the symbol, the three identification symbols 27a, 27b,
27c is stopped and displayed in any combination that does not have the same symbol.

As described above, the special symbols displayed on the symbol display device 28 and the three identification symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c displayed on the effect display device 27 correspond to each other in the display contents. The timing for confirmation (stop display) is also set the same. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the effect display device 27 is provided at a position that is more easily noticeable than the symbol display device 28, and the display screen is large and the display content is easy to understand. It is normal to play a game while looking at the screen of the device 27. Accordingly, the left identification symbol 27a that is first stopped and displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 27, and the right identification symbol 2 that is subsequently stopped and displayed.
If 7c is the same symbol, the player will watch the variation of the symbol as if the middle identifying symbol 27b that is stopped and displayed last stops also in the same symbol, so that a so-called jackpot gaming state is entered. It will be. In this way, the effect of variably displaying the last identification symbol in a state where the two identification symbols are stopped at the same symbol is called a reach effect, which can increase the interest of the player by performing the reach effect. It is possible.

C. Overview of game control:
The game described above is realized by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performing the following control. Below, the game control process which the main control board 200 performs is demonstrated.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of the game control process performed by the main control board 200 for controlling the progress of the game. As shown in the figure, in the game control process, each process such as a prize ball-related process, a normal symbol game process, a start port closing process, a special symbol game process, and a special electric accessory game process is repeatedly executed. The time required for one round of processing is approximately 4 msec.
Therefore, these various processes are repeatedly executed about every 4 msec. During each of these processes, various game commands are transmitted to various control boards such as the sub control board 220 and the payout control board 240. As a result, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 progresses, and the sub-control board 220 controls the production in accordance with the progress of the game, and the payout control board 240 pays out the winning balls or the rental balls. Will be done. Hereinafter, game control processing performed by the main control board 200 will be described according to the flowchart.

When the game control process is started, the main control board 200 performs a process (pay ball related process) for paying out a game ball as a prize ball (S100). In such a process, among the various switches connected to the main control board 200, a game ball switch (starting port switch 17) provided in each winning port.
s and a special winning opening switch 31s), it is detected whether or not a game ball has entered. The number of game balls to be paid out as a prize ball is determined according to the prize opening. Come different. Therefore, when the entry of a game ball is detected, after determining the number of game balls to be paid out as a prize ball, processing for outputting a command indicating the number of game balls to the payout control board 240 is performed. still,
When a command indicating the number of game balls is received from the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 interprets the contents of the command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m mounted on the game ball payout device 109. The process of paying out a prize ball is performed.

When the main control board 200 outputs a command indicating the number of game balls (S100), this time, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol game process is performed, that is, whether or not the normal symbol variation stop display is performed (S102). . Such a determination is made by detecting whether or not the start port 17 is open. If the start port 17 is not open, it is determined that the normal symbol game process is to be performed (S102: yes), and the normal symbol game process described below is performed (S104). on the other hand,
If the start port 17 is open, it is determined that the normal symbol game process is not performed (S102: n
o) The normal symbol game process (S104) is skipped.

In the normal symbol game process (S104), the following processes are mainly performed. First, it is determined whether or not the number of held ordinary symbols is present (whether or not it is “0”). Here, the reserved number of normal symbols is set by the game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 36. In this embodiment, the upper limit value of the reserved number is “4”.
It is said. After determining whether or not the normal symbol is correct, the normal symbol variation display time is set, and the normal symbol variation display is started. When the variable display time elapses, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with a symbol corresponding to the normal symbol determination result. At this time, when the normal symbol hit symbol is stopped and displayed, the start port 17 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds).

When the normal symbol game process is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the start port 17 is open (S106). When the opening is being opened (S106: yes), a process for starting the start port 17 from the open state to the normal state (start port return process) is performed (S108). On the other hand, if the start port 17 is not open (S106: no), the start port return process (S108)
Skip because there is no need to do.

In the start port return process (S108), the following process is performed. First, it is determined whether or not a condition for ending the opening state of the start port 17 is satisfied. Here, as a condition for ending the opening state, the normal electric accessory operating time (that is, the opening time of the start port 17) elapses, or a specified number of game balls enter the start port 17 in the opening. Two conditions are set.
When any of the conditions is satisfied, it is determined that the condition for ending the opening state of the start port 17 is satisfied, and the start port 17 is returned from the open state to the normal state. On the other hand, when the normal electric accessory operating time has not elapsed and the specified number of game balls have not entered the start opening 17 in the opening, the condition for ending the opening state of the start opening 17 is as follows. It is determined that it has not been established, and the start port return process is terminated while the start port 17 remains open. In the start port return process (S108) in FIG. Note that the normal electric accessory operating time (that is, the opening time of the start port 17) is set to about 0.5 seconds in the normal gaming state, but is extended to about 5 seconds when the above-described opening extension function is operated. Is done.

In the game control process, it is determined whether or not to start the special symbol game process following the start port return process (S110). Such a determination is made by detecting whether or not the big hit game flag is set. Here, the jackpot game flag is a flag that is set when the jackpot game described later is reached. If the big hit game flag is not set, it is determined that the special symbol game process is to be performed (S110: yes), and the special symbol game process described below is performed (S112). On the other hand, when the big hit game flag is set, it is determined that the special symbol game process is not performed (S110: no), and the special symbol game process (S1).
12) Skip.

In the special symbol game process, the following processes are mainly performed. First, it is determined whether or not a special symbol is appropriate, and a time for variably displaying the special symbol on the symbol display device 28 is determined. Then
Various game commands relating to the determined contents are output toward the sub-control board 220.
For example, a command indicating the result of determining whether the special symbol is correct or a command (variation pattern designation command) indicating the time for displaying the special symbol in a variable manner is output. Simultaneously with the output of the variation pattern designation command, the special symbol display unit 30 of the symbol display device 28 starts to display the variation of the special symbol. Therefore, the variation pattern designation command is also a game command for transmitting the variation display start timing in the symbol display device 28 to the sub-control board 220. Note that when the number of reserved special symbols is “0”, the above-described processing, that is, the determination of whether or not the special symbol is successful and the variation time are determined, and the processing for outputting various related game commands is not performed. Here, the number of reserved special symbols is set when a game ball enters the starting port 17, and as shown in the special symbol holding display section 30c of FIG. 3, until the upper limit value “4” is reached. It can be set. This reserved number is digested one by one each time a special symbol variation display is performed.
In addition, as described above, the main control board 200 outputs various commands related to the determination result of special symbols and the variable display time to the sub-control board 220, and the sub-control board is based on this command. Various effects are performed by 220 determining more detailed contents of the effects.

In this way, after the variable symbol display is started, when the determined variable display time has elapsed, the special symbol is stopped and the game command (symbol stop command) indicating that the special symbol is stopped is sub-controlled. Output to the substrate 220. In addition, the special symbol that is stopped and displayed at this time is a symbol corresponding to the determination result of the previous determination, and the determination result is “
If it is a “winning”, either the “normal winning symbol” or the “probable variation winning symbol” shown in FIG. 7 is stopped, and if the determination result is “missing”, the “missing” symbol shown in FIG. "Design" is stopped and displayed. When either the “normal winning symbol” or the “probable variation winning symbol” (winning symbol) is stopped and displayed, the big hit game flag is set and the big hit game is started. Prior to the start of the big hit game, a game command (big hit game start command) indicating that the big hit game is started is output toward the sub-control board 220. When the big hit game is started in this way, the operation of once closing the large winning opening 31d from the opened state and then opening it again is repeated a plurality of times. During the opening of the special winning opening 31d, it is possible to enter a game ball with a high probability, and a gaming state advantageous to the player is achieved. It should be noted that a game command (a jackpot game start command) indicating that a jackpot game is started is a main control board 200.
Is output toward the sub-control board 220, and the “big hit game effect” using the effect display device 27, the light emission effect device, the movable accessory 25, the various speakers 5y, 6c, and the like is started. Thereafter, in accordance with the progress of the jackpot game, game commands (round number designation command, inter-stage presentation designation command, jackpot game end command, etc.) are output from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 220. A “big hit game effect” is executed in accordance with the progress of the game.

In the special symbol game process (S112 in FIG. 9), as described above, based on the result of determining whether the special symbol is correct or not, the special symbol is changed and stopped, and when the winning symbol is stopped and displayed. The process of starting the big hit game is performed. In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the gaming state advantageous to the player is not only a big hit game, but also a state where the probability that the winning symbol is stopped and displayed is high (so-called probability variation state), or a special symbol. There are also provided a state in which the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened (so-called time-short state), and a state in which the opening time of the start port 17 is extended (so-called open extended state). During the big hit game, the game state that is advantageous to the player including the probability variation state is temporarily interrupted. Therefore, in the special symbol game process of the present embodiment, when the big hit game is started, a process of temporarily interrupting the probability variation state, the time reduction state, and the open extension state is also performed.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the game control process, following the above-described special symbol game process (S112), it is determined whether or not the big hit game flag is set (S114). If the jackpot game flag is set (S114: yes), the bonus game is executed by performing the special electric accessory game process described below (S116). On the other hand, when the big hit game flag is not set (S114: no), the process returns to the top of the game control process without performing the special electric accessory game process, and the above-mentioned prize ball related process (S100) The following series of processing is repeated.

In the special electric accessory game process, a process of repeating the operation of opening the special winning opening 31d and the operation of closing it is performed a predetermined number of times. In general, a game from when the special winning opening 31d is opened until it is closed is called a “round game”. One round game is continued until the opening time of the special winning opening 31d reaches a predetermined time or until a specified number of game balls enter the large winning opening 31d in the opening. The main control board 200 monitors whether or not these conditions are satisfied. If any of the conditions is satisfied, the main winning opening 31d is closed to end one round game, and the number of round games It is determined whether or not the predetermined number has been reached. If the predetermined number has not been reached, the special winning opening 31d is opened again to start a new round game.
In this way, the main control board 200 also relates to the start or end timing of the round game.
When a round game is started, a game command indicating the number of round games (round number designation command) is output from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 220.

In the special electric game game process, when a predetermined number of round games are completed, a process of ending the big hit game is also performed. At the end of the big hit game, processing for setting a gaming state after the big hit game is ended according to the winning symbol that triggered the big hit game. In other words, if the special symbol that triggered the jackpot game is the “probable hit symbol” shown in FIG. 7, the gaming state is in a probabilistic state, in a short-time state, and in an open extended state. Set to. On the other hand, if the special symbol that triggered the big hit game is the “normal hit symbol”, the game state is set to the time-short state and the open extended state, although it is not a probable change state.

As described above, in the special electric accessory game process (S116 in FIG. 9), the so-called jackpot game is started, the jackpot game is continued until a predetermined number of rounds are consumed, and after the jackpot game ends, A process for setting a gaming state after the end of the big hit game is performed according to the special symbol that triggered the big hit game. And after completion | finish of a special electrically-powered object game process, it returns to the head again and repeats a series of processes after a prize ball related process (S100).

The main control board 200 determines the number of game balls to be paid out as a prize ball and outputs a prize ball command to the payout control board 240 while repeating the game control process as described above, The control of advancing the game is performed while changing the game state into various game states such as a big hit game state, a probable change state, and a short time state by determining whether or not the symbol is correct. As a result, the gaming machine 1 can perform the game as described above.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram conceptually showing how the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment executes various game effects as the game progresses. As described above, when the main control board 200 executes the game control process, various game commands (for example, a variation pattern designation command, a symbol stop command, a jackpot game, etc.) are sent from the main control board 200 toward the sub-control board 220. Start command, round number specification command, etc.) are output. The sub-control board 220 is the main control board 2
When the game command from 00 is received, the contents of the effect to be executed by the effect display device 27, the various speakers 5y and 6c, the movable accessory 25, the light emitting effect device, etc. are determined according to the game situation represented by the game command. Then, when a command (effect designation command) for designating an effect performed by the effect display device 27 is output to the effect display control board 230, the effect display control board 230 is output.
Is designated by reading out image data stored in advance in association with an effect designating command (image data of an effect design such as an identification symbol, a background symbol, a character symbol, etc.) and displaying it on the effect display device 27. The production of the contents is executed.

In addition, the sub control board 220 outputs an effect designation command to the effect display control board 230 and outputs drive signals to the amplifier board 226, the accessory driving board 227, and the decoration driving board 228, respectively. The effect using the sound effect, the movable accessory 25, and the light emitting effect device is executed. As a result, in accordance with the progress of the game, an effect in which the effect display device 27, the various speakers 5y and 6c, the movable accessory 25, the light emission effect device, and the like are integrated is performed. The sub-control board 220 according to the present embodiment has various effects such as an effect acting on the sight by the effect display device 27, the movable accessory 25, the light-emitting effect device, and the like as the main control substrate 200 advances the game. Control of the effect acting on hearing by 5y and 6c is performed. Therefore, the sub-control board 220 of this embodiment is the “production control means” in the present invention.
It is what constitutes.

Here, as described above, the volume setting switch 300 is provided on the back side of the gaming machine 1, and by changing the setting of the volume setting switch 300, the magnitude of the output volume of the sound effect can be changed. Is possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the signal from the volume setting switch 300 is input to the sub-control board 220. When the sub-control board 220 detects the setting of the volume setting switch 300, the contents are sent to the amplifier board 226. Are reflected in the drive signal and output. As a result, the volume setting switch 300 is provided from the various speakers 5y and 6c.
Sound effects are output at the output volume set to.

Therefore, the effects performed by the effect display device 27, the various speakers 5y and 6c, the movable accessory 25, and the light emitting effect device are basically controlled by the sub-control board 220 as the game progresses. The output volume of the sound effect from the various speakers 5y and 6c varies depending on the setting content of the volume setting switch 300. Therefore, the volume setting switch 300
Depending on the setting contents, the sub control board 220 may not be able to execute an appropriate effect as intended. In view of these points, the sub-control board 220 mounted on the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment performs the following effect control process to appropriately play a game regardless of the setting content of the volume setting switch 300. It is possible to produce.

D. Production control processing of this embodiment:
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the effect control process executed by the sub-control board 220 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment in order to perform an effect in accordance with the progress of the game. As shown in the figure, when the production control process (S500) is started, the sub-control board 220 first determines whether or not a game command is received from the main control board 200 (S502).
. If no game command has been received (S502: no), the determination is repeated until the game command is received.

As described above with reference to FIG. 9, when the game control process is executed on the main control board 200, various game commands (for example, variation pattern designation commands, Symbol stop command, jackpot game start command, round number designation command, etc.) are output. Therefore, the sub-control board 220 determines that a game command has been received over time while repeating the determination of S502 of FIG. 11 (S502: yes).

If it is determined that a game command has been received (S502: yes), the following processing is performed in order to produce an effect according to the game command. First, it is determined whether or not the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is set to the volume “medium” (S504).

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing how the output volume is set using the volume setting switch 300 provided in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the volume setting switch 300 of this embodiment is provided with a protruding portion 300a that can slide stepwise, and the position of the protruding portion 300a is moved to the left and right. Thus, it is possible to switch the output volume setting to four stages.

FIG. 12B shows the setting contents of the output volume with respect to the setting position of the protrusion 300a. As shown in the drawing, when the protrusion 300a is set to the position “0” in FIG. 12A, the output volume is set to “mute” (a state where no sound effect is output), and the protrusion 300a.
Is set to the position “1”, the volume is set to “low” (a state in which the sound effect is output at a volume lower than the standard). Similarly, when the protrusion 300a is set to the position “2”, the volume “
When set to “Medium” (the sound effect is output at a normal volume) and set to the position “3”, the sound volume is “high” (the sound effect is output at a volume higher than the standard). Set to The form of the volume setting switch 300 is not limited to the form shown in FIG.
The output volume may be changed continuously by sliding 0a continuously, or it may be a rotary switch or a switch that switches by pressing a button.

Further, since the volume setting switch 300 of this embodiment has a function of setting the output volume of various sound effects output from the various speakers 5y and 6c, the volume setting switch 300 of this embodiment This corresponds to the “output volume setting means” in the invention.

In S504 of the effect control process shown in FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the output volume set in the volume setting switch 300 is set to the volume “medium” (standard output volume). If it is determined that the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is “medium” (S504: y)
es) selects the standard effect content (S506). Here, the effect contents are contents of effects performed by the effect display device 27, the movable accessory 25, the light emission effect device, and the various speakers 5y and 6c. A ROM (not shown) is mounted on the sub-control board 220, and data indicating the contents of these effects is stored in advance in the ROM in association with game commands. Further, as will be described later, in this embodiment, a plurality of contents of effects including standard effect contents are stored for one game command. Therefore, when it is determined that the volume setting switch 300 is set to the “medium” volume (S504: yes), the volume setting switch 300 is set as a standard out of a plurality of effects stored for the game command. The content of the production is selected.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is not “medium” (S504: no), it is determined whether or not the volume is set to “high” (S508). Then, if it is determined that the volume is set to “high” (S508: yes), the production content in which the visual production is suppressed rather than the standard production content is selected (S510). Here, the visual effect is an effect that mainly acts on the player's vision, and in this embodiment, the display effect performed on the screen of the effect display device 27, the movable effect by the movable accessory 25, and the light emission by the light emitting effect device. Directing etc. correspond. In addition, “the contents of the effect in which the visual effect is suppressed” means that the screen display of the effect display device 27, the movement of the movable accessory 25, and the lighting / flashing on the light emitting effect device are more conservative than the standard effect. It is the set production content. “Production effect in which visual effect is suppressed” is also stored in advance on the ROM mounted on the sub-control board 220 in association with the game command.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the volume setting switch 300 is not set to the volume “high” (S
508: no) means that the volume setting switch 300 is set to a volume “low” or less (volume “small” or “mute”), so that the effect content that emphasizes the visual effect is selected (S51).
2). Here, “the contents of the effect emphasizing the visual effect” means that the screen display of the effect display device 27, the movement of the movable accessory 25, and the lighting / flashing in the light emitting effect devices 4b to 4f are more than the standard effect. It is the production contents set up flashy. This “content of the effect in which the visual effect is emphasized” is also stored in advance on the ROM mounted on the sub-control board 220 in association with the game command.

Note that the process of detecting the setting contents of the volume setting switch 300 is performed by the sub control board 220 in FIG.
This is performed while the effect control process shown in FIG. Therefore, the sub-control board 220 of this embodiment corresponds to “setting content detection means” in the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a plurality of effect contents stored in the ROM of the sub control board 220. In the present embodiment, a plurality of contents of effects as shown in FIG. 13 are stored for each game command output from the main control board 200. For example, when the output volume setting of the volume setting switch 300 is “medium”, standard effect contents are stored. That is, the volume “medium” is a state in which the output volume of the sound effect is set to the standard volume, and in this case, the production is performed with the standard production content. In addition, when the output volume setting of the volume setting switch 300 is “mute” or “volume”, the contents of the effect emphasizing the visual effect are stored. “Mute” is a state where no sound effect is output, and “Small” is a state where the output volume of the sound effect is reduced to a low volume. Therefore, the production is performed with the production content that emphasizes the visual production. Further, when the output volume setting of the volume setting switch 300 is “high”, the contents of the effects that suppress the visual effects are stored. The volume “high” is a state in which sound effects are output at a high volume. In such a state, if a more flashy effect is performed on the screen of the effect display device 27, the movable accessory 25, and the light emission effect device, the player may feel that the effect is excessive. Therefore, in order to avoid such a situation, the presentation is performed with the content that suppresses the visual presentation.

FIG. 13 also shows items set for each effect content. In the present embodiment, as the contents of the effect, an effect designation command, the driving amount of the movable accessory 25, the brightness (light quantity, luminance) for turning on (or flashing) the light emitting effect device (light emitting member), and the various speakers 5y, 6c. Each item such as output volume is set. Here, the effect designation command is a command for designating an effect performed on the effect display device 27 as described above. For example, for “standard effect contents” shown in the middle of the figure, command B is set as the effect designation command, and the driving amount of the movable accessory 25 and the light effect device (light emitting member) are set. Brightness that lights up various speakers 5
The output volumes of y and 6c are all standard settings. On the other hand, for the “production content that emphasizes visual production” shown in the upper part of the figure, as the production designation command,
A command A different from the command B is set, and the driving amount of the movable accessory 25 and the brightness of the light emitting effect device are set to be larger (or brighter) than the standard. Also,
For the “Production contents with suppressed visual effects” at the bottom of the figure,
Command C is set, and the driving amount of the movable accessory 25 and the brightness of the light emitting effect device are set to be smaller (darker) than the standard. In addition, since the effect by the sound effect is not the visual effect, “the effect content that emphasizes the visual effect” or “the effect content that suppresses the visual effect”
In either case, the output volumes of the various speakers 5y and 6c are set as standard.

In the ROM mounted on the sub-control board 220 of this embodiment, such contents of effects are stored in association with game commands. In the effect control process of this embodiment shown in FIG. 11, when a game command is received (S502: yes), the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is confirmed (S504, S508), and a plurality of data stored in the ROM are stored. The corresponding effect content is selected from the effect content (S506, S510, S512).

When the content of the effect is selected in this way, the effect designation command stored in the selected effect content is read and output to the effect display control board 230 (S514). Production display control board 23
At 0, the image data stored in advance in association with the effect designation command is read and displayed on the effect display device 27. As shown in FIG. 13, different presentation designation commands are output according to the setting of the volume setting switch 300, so that the presentation display device 27 executes different presentations according to the setting of the volume setting switch 300. become.

When the sub control board 220 outputs an effect designation command to the effect display control board 230 and starts the effect on the effect display device 27 (S514), then, the volume setting switch 300 is started.
The content of the effect selected according to the setting of the movable accessory 25, the light emitting effect device, and various speakers 5y.
, 6c is started (S516). The contents of specific effects performed by the movable accessory 25, the light emitting effect device, and the various speakers 5y and 6c, that is, the movable effector 25 is moved at any timing, and the light emitting effect device is turned on (or flashes) in any pattern. The content of what kind of sound effect is output is set in advance according to the content of the effect designated on the effect display control board 230 (ie, the effect designation command). And when performing those effects, according to the drive amount of the movable accessory 25 set to the effect content of FIG. 13, the brightness of the light emission effect device (light emitting member), and the output volume of various speakers 5y and 6c. The driving signal is output to the accessory driving board 227, the amplifier board 226, and the decorative driving board 228. As a result, in accordance with the effect performed on the screen of the effect display device 27, an effect in which the movable accessory 25, the light emitting effect device, and the various speakers 5y and 6c are integrated is performed.

When a series of effects corresponding to the game command from the main control board 200 is completed, the process returns to the top process again to determine whether a new game command has been received from the main control board 200 (S502).

As described above, in the effect control process of the present embodiment, when the main control board 200 receives a game command to be output to the sub-control board 220 while executing the game control process shown in FIG.
An effect is performed on the screen of the effect display device 27 with the effect content according to the setting of the volume setting switch, and in accordance with this effect, the effect is performed by the movable accessory 25, the light emitting effect device, and the various speakers 5y, 6c. . The setting of the volume setting switch 300 is “mute” or “volume”.
If the effect effect by sound effect cannot be expected, the effect content with the enhanced visual effect, that is, the effect display device 27, the movable accessory 25, the light effect effect device, etc., will perform a flashy effect. As a result, it is possible to compensate for the shortage of the production effect due to the sound effect and to produce an appropriate production as a whole.

Conversely, when the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is set to “volume” and the effect effect by the sound effect can be sufficiently expected, the effect display device 27 and the movable accessory 25 are further provided. If a flashy effect is performed with a light emitting effect device or the like, the player may feel that the effect is excessive. Therefore, in such a case, the production content in which the visual production is suppressed, that is,
In the effect display device 27, the movable accessory 25, the light emission effect device, etc., a modest effect is performed. As a result, it is possible to perform an appropriate performance without giving an excessive feeling as a whole.

E. Modified example:
In the embodiment described above, the sub-control board 220 detects the setting content of the volume setting switch 300 and outputs an effect designation command corresponding to the setting content of the volume setting switch 300 to the effect display control board 230. did. Therefore, the effect display control board 230 merely performs an effect designated by the sub control board 220. However, the effect display control board 230 may change the effect contents on the effect display device 27 in accordance with the setting of the volume setting switch 300 more actively. Below, such a modification is demonstrated.

Also in the modified example, the content of the effect control process executed by the sub control board 220 is the same as the process described above with reference to FIG. The main control board 2 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
It is determined whether or not a game command is received from 00 (corresponding to S502), and when a gaming command is received (corresponding to S502: yes), the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is detected and the volume is set to “medium”. (S504: equivalent to yes), select “standard effect content” (S5
06 equivalent). If the volume is set to “High” (S508: equivalent to yes), “Production effect with suppressed visual effects” is selected (S510 equivalent), and if the volume is not set to “High” (S508). : Equivalent to no), “Production effect with enhanced visual effect” is selected (S512).
Equivalent). Next, after outputting an effect designation command toward the effect display control board 230 (S
514), in accordance with the selected content of the effect, the effect on the movable accessory 25, the light emitting effect device, and the various speakers 5y and 6c is executed (corresponding to S516).

Here, in the above-described embodiment, different production designation commands are stored according to the production contents, and accordingly, different production designation commands are output to the production display control board 230 according to the setting of the volume setting switch 300. It was. On the other hand, in the modified example, the stored effect designation command is only a standard command for different production contents, and therefore,
Even if the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is changed, the same effect designation command is output to the effect display control board 230.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the contents of effects stored in the ROM of the sub-control board 220 of the modified example. Similar to the content of the effect described above with reference to FIG. 13, in the modified example, “standard effect content”, “effect content with emphasized visual effect”, “visual” according to the setting of the output volume of the volume setting switch 300. "Production contents with effects suppressed" are set, and for each, an effect designation command, the driving amount of the movable accessory 25, the brightness of the light emitting effect device (light emitting member), the output volume of the sound effect, etc. are set However, the same command is set for any production content for the production designation command. In the modification, the signal of the volume setting switch 300 is also input to the effect display control board 230, and when the effect display control board 230 receives the effect designation command, the effect display device is set according to the setting of the volume setting switch 300. 27, the effect contents on the screen are switched and displayed.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the effect display control process for the effect display control board 230 of the modified example to receive an effect designation command and produce an effect on the effect display device 27. As shown in FIG. 15, when the effect display control process (S600) is started, the effect display control board 2
30 first determines whether or not an effect designation command has been received from the sub-control board 220 (S602). If no production designation command has been received (S602: no),
Since there is no need to produce an effect on the effect display device 27, the process enters a standby state while monitoring whether an effect designation command has been received.

When an effect designation command is received (S602: yes), an effect with the content designated in the command is started (S604). That is, a ROM and a frame memory (not shown) are mounted on the effect display control board 230, and a series of image data to be displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27 is associated with the effect designation command in this ROM. It is remembered. Then, when the image data read from the ROM is written in the frame memory, the contents are displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27. In S604, a series of effects is started on the effect display device 27 by sequentially reading a series of image data stored in response to the effect designation command received from the sub-control board 220 and writing it to the frame memory.

Next, the effect display control board 230 determines whether or not the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is equal to or lower than the volume “low” (that is, the volume “low” or “mute” is set) (S606).
As described above, in the modification, the signal of the volume setting switch 300 is input not only to the sub control board 220 but also to the effect display control board 230, and the effect display control board 230 sets the setting of the volume setting switch 300. It is possible to detect. In addition, instead of directly inputting the signal of the volume setting switch 300 to the effect display control board 230, via the sub control board 220,
The setting content of the volume setting switch 300 may be transmitted to the effect display control board 230. By doing so, no wiring is required between the volume setting switch 300 and the effect display control board 230, so that the configuration of the gaming machine 1 can be simplified.

When it is determined that the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is not lower than the volume “low” (S606: no), the process returns to the top process as it is and repeats the determination of whether or not the next effect designation command has been received. . As a result, when the volume setting switch 300 is set to the volume “medium” or the volume “high”, the effect specified in the effect designation command from the sub control board 220 is displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27. Will be executed.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view illustrating an effect performed on the screen of the effect display device 27 in accordance with the effect designation command from the sub control board 220. In this example, the identification symbols 27a, 27b, 2
When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the variable display of 7c (for example, three identification symbols 27a
, 27b, 27c, and after the start of the variable display, until one of the identification symbols is stopped and displayed) shows one aspect of the notice effect using the notice symbol.
The sub-control board 220 moves the movable accessory 25 at a predetermined timing or turns on the light emitting effect device in accordance with the display of such an image (effect design) on the screen of the effect display device 27. The production progresses while blinking or outputting sound effects from the various speakers 5y and 6c.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S606 of FIG. 15 that the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is equal to or lower than the volume “low” (S606: yes), a balloon (a notice symbol, a kind of effect symbol) is displayed. It is determined whether or not it is time to perform (S608). That is, the effect by the sound effect is not only a melody such as a design fluctuation sound flows, but depending on the content of the effect determined by the sub-control board 220, a speech is read out or a mimicry sound (for example, “docan”).
Or “Dadadatsu” etc.) may be output. However, if the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is set to “Low” or “Silence”, it is highly possible that the player will not hear the speech even if the speech is read aloud or imitated. The dialogue and the mimicry sound are displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27 by a balloon.

The timing for displaying the speech balloon is determined by preliminarily storing it as attached data in the image data stored in association with the effect designation command, and checking the presence or absence of the attached data when reading the image data from the ROM. be able to. Alternatively, when the sub-control board 220 performs an effect of reading a dialogue or an effect of outputting a mimicry sound, the effect display control board 2
It is also possible to determine whether or not it is the timing to display a speech balloon by receiving the output on the effect display control board 230 as outputting the timing to 30.

If the timing for displaying the speech balloon has not been reached (S608: no), the standby state is maintained until the display timing is reached. When it is determined that the balloon display timing has been reached (S608), the balloon image is displayed over the image displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27 (S610).

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a balloon image is displayed over the image displayed on the effect display device 27. In the illustrated example, the dialogue of the character displayed on the effect display device 27 is displayed on the screen as a balloon image 27e (notice symbol). The balloon image 27e to be displayed is stored in advance in the ROM of the effect display control board 230, and when the balloon display timing is determined (S608: yes), the balloon is displayed on the image data written in the frame memory at that time. By overwriting the image 27e, an image as shown in FIG. 17 can be displayed on the effect display device 27.

When the balloon image 27e is displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27 in this way (S6).
10) It is determined whether or not the effect on the effect display device 27 has ended, in other words, whether or not all the image data stored in correspondence with the effect designation command has been displayed (S612). If the effect designated by the effect designation command has not ended (S612: no), the process returns to S608 again, and waits until the balloon display timing comes. On the other hand, when it is determined that the designated effect has been completed (S612: yes), the process returns to the top and repeats the determination of whether or not a new effect designation command has been received (S602).

In the modification described above, the effect display control board 230 performs on the effect display device 27 by changing the effect content performed for the received effect designation command in accordance with the setting of the volume setting switch 300. It is possible to switch the production. For this reason, according to the setting of the volume setting switch 300, an appropriate effect can be performed. For example, when the setting of the volume setting switch 300 is “mute” or “volume” and the effect effect by the sound effect cannot be expected, the balloon image 27e is displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27. It is possible to make up for the lack of effects due to sound effects. When the volume setting switch 300 is set to the volume “medium” or the volume “high” and the effect effect by the sound effect can be sufficiently expected, the balloon image 27e is displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27. This is wasteful and may give the player an impression of excessive production. On the contrary,
In the above-described modification, when the volume setting switch 300 is set to the volume “medium” or the volume “high”, the balloon image 27e is not displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27, so that the effect is excessive. Appropriate performance can be performed without fear of giving the player an impression.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is not limited to the wording of each claim unless it departs from the scope described in each claim. Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can also be added as appropriate to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily replace them.

For example, in the above-described embodiment or modification, the case where the present invention is applied to a ball game machine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the ball and ball game machine, and the present invention can be suitably applied to other game machines such as a revolving game machine and an arrange ball game machine.

In the above-described embodiment or modification, the “lighting effect device” is used as the “visual effect means”.
The case where the present invention is applied to a ball game machine having both the “effect display device 27” and the “movable accessory 25” has been described. However, the present invention is applicable to any gaming machine provided with “auditory presentation means (for example, various speakers 5y, 6c, etc.)” and at least one “visual presentation means”. Can do. For example, a gaming machine provided with “various speakers 5y, 6c” and “light emitting effect device”, a gaming machine provided with “various speakers 5y, 6c” and “effect display device 27”, and “various speakers 5y, 6c”. The present invention can be suitably applied to any gaming machine including the “movable accessory 25”.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine, 4b-4f ... Lamps (visual production | presentation means, light emission production device),
5y ... 1st speaker (auditory production means)
6c ... 2nd speaker (auditory production means),
25. Movable accessory (visual production means, movable production device),
27 ... Production display device (visual production means), 50 ... Side decoration member,
200 ... main control board (game progress control means),
220 ... Sub-control board (production control means, setting content detection means),
230 ... production display control board, 300 ... volume setting switch (output volume setting means)

Claims (2)

An auditory presentation means for performing an auditory presentation, which is the aforementioned game presentation that works on the hearing of the player;
Visual presentation means for performing visual presentation, which is the gaming presentation that works on the player's vision;
Production control means for performing control related to execution of the auditory presentation and the visual presentation;
Output volume setting means capable of setting the output volume of the auditory effect performed by the auditory effect means;
With
The visual effect means includes a light emitting effect device that performs a predetermined light effect as the visual effect,
The production control means includes
Setting content detection means for detecting the setting content of the output volume setting means;
An effect pattern storage means for storing at least a standard effect pattern as an effect pattern of the light emission effect and an emphasis effect pattern that is an effect content that emphasizes a visual effect compared to the standard effect pattern;
And comprising
When the setting content of the output volume setting means detected by the setting content detection means is a standard sound volume determined in advance, the effect pattern of the light emission effect is determined as the standard effect pattern, and from the standard sound volume If the volume is too low, the game machine is determined to be the emphasis effect pattern, and the light emission effect device is driven according to the determined effect pattern. In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The effect pattern storage means stores an effect pattern in which the brightness of the light emission effect device is standard as the standard effect pattern, and an effect pattern in which the brightness of the light emission effect device is brighter than the standard as the emphasis effect pattern. A gaming machine characterized by memorizing.

Images