JP6901930B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a slot machine.

Conventionally, in a slot machine capable of shifting from a normal state to a special state such as an AT, a slot machine that shifts to a special state via a chance state is exemplified in the following Patent Document 1, for example. In Patent Document 1, when a specific winning combination is won, a separate lottery is performed to give a privilege in a normal state, but in a special state, a privilege is given regardless of the lottery, so that the player is motivated to play in the special state. It has been proposed to suppress the decline.

By the way, due to the recent revision of the internal rules of the gaming machine maker, it is necessary to establish a normal section and an advantageous section and make it an advantageous section in order to make it a special state, and further, the transition from the normal section to the advantageous section is a lottery. It is permissible if you win the prize, but there is a need to make the specifications so that it is not permissible to move without winning the lottery like the so-called ceiling.

JP-A-2017-70642

However, when adopting the specifications of the above-mentioned conventional slot machine, it is assumed that a chance state is provided in the advantageous section and the state shifts from the chance state to the special state, but in the normal section, the so-called ceiling is used to shift to the special state. However, there is a risk that it will be difficult to maintain the interest of the game due to the decrease in motivation to play.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of suppressing a decrease in playing motivation in a normal section.

In the slot machine of the present invention, the gaming state can be shifted between the first gaming state and the second gaming state. Then, the special state in which the rate of giving the game value is improved does not occur in the first game state, but the special state occurs on condition that it is in the second game state or shifts to the second game state. That is, the second gaming state in the slot machine of the present invention corresponds to an advantageous section in which a special state can be generated. Further, the second gaming state is divided into a first mode and a second mode in which the condition for generating a special state is more advantageous for the player than the first mode.

The first gaming state in the slot machine of the present invention does not generate a special state, and even if a predetermined number of games are executed like a so-called ceiling, it cannot shift to the second gaming state. Therefore, the first gaming state in this slot machine is a gaming state corresponding to a normal section in which the motivation for playing may decrease.

In the first gaming state of the slot machine of the present invention, it is possible to shift to the second mode (second gaming state) in which the condition for generating the special state is advantageous for the player. On the other hand, among the second gaming states, in the first mode in which the condition for generating the special state is more disadvantageous than the second mode, it is impossible to shift to the second mode which is advantageous for the player, or the second mode is more than the first gaming state. The transition to mode is difficult.

Therefore, the player of the slot machine of the present invention can regard the first gaming state as a chance state to the second mode. Therefore, according to this slot machine, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the player's motivation to play while the first gaming state is occurring.

Front view showing the appearance of a slot machine. Explanatory drawing explaining the winning line. A development view of the symbols arranged on the outer circumference of the reel. An explanatory diagram showing the role of the slot machine, winning symbols, and profits. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a slot machine. An explanatory diagram showing the number of winning random numbers specified in the internal winning combination lottery table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the transition of the game state when the advantageous state lottery is won by the internal winning of one piece combination A. The explanatory view which shows the transition of the game state when the advantageous state lottery is won by the simultaneous winning of a bonus combination and a two-card combination.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
(Example)
This example relates to a slot machine 1 in which a gaming state other than the bonus state is roughly classified into an advantageous state in which AT (an example of a special state) can be generated and a normal state in which AT cannot be generated. This content will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

First, the external configuration of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIG. The front portion of the slot machine 1 is formed by a front frame body 10 in which a substantially rectangular pattern display window 11 is arranged substantially in the center. The front frame body 10 is formed by arranging a liquid crystal display unit 53, a pair of left and right speakers 520, and a decorative lamp unit 56 on the upper side of the design display window 11. A base portion 100 forming a base of the slot machine 1 is formed on the lower side of the symbol display window 11. On the right side of the symbol display window 11, a payout number display unit 551 that displays the number of medals paid out, which is an example of the game value, and a credit number display unit 552 that displays the number of credits are arranged.

The base portion 100 is formed so as to project relative to the symbol display window 11 located behind the player. The base portion 100 has a shelf-shaped operation surface 14 at the upper end adjacent to the symbol display window 11, a medal tray 15 at the lower end, and an operation panel 13 adjacent to the lower side of the operation surface 14. doing.

On the operation surface 14, a MAXBET button 64 for inserting medals credited (stored) by the credit function, a credit settlement button 65 for paying out the credited medals, and a medal for directly inserting medals A slot 630 and a slot 630 are arranged. The operation panel 13 is provided with a start lever 62 for starting the symbol variation of the reel 21, a stop button 61 for stopping the symbol variation, and the like.

The symbol display window 11 is a display window including the symbol display areas 110L, C, and R. Each of the symbol display areas 110L, C, and R is a symbol display area for three symbols. In the entire symbol display window 11, a symbol display area for nine symbols arranged in a two-dimensional matrix consisting of three rows and three columns is formed. The entire window of the symbol display window 11 is formed of a transparent resin plate so that the symbol 20 can be seen from the player side. In the symbol display area in which nine symbols 20 are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, winning lines 211 to 215, which are the arrangement directions of the winning symbols to be won, are set. As shown in FIG. 2, the winning line of this example is composed of five lines consisting of three horizontal winning lines 211 to 213 and diagonal winning lines 214 and 215.

On the back side of each symbol display area 110L, C, R, reels 21L, C, R constituting the symbol variation display unit 2 are arranged respectively. The reels 21L, C, and R are rotary reels in which 21 symbols 20 are arranged at substantially constant intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape (see FIG. 3). The reel 21 may be an image-type reel in which a symbol is variablely displayed on a liquid crystal display instead of the rotary type reel of this example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MAXBET button 64 is an operation button for betting a specified number of credited medals on the game. In the non-bonus state in which the specified number of three-card betting game is played, three medals are bet according to the operation of the MAXBET button 64. In the bonus state in which a two-card betting game with a specified number of two cards is played, two medals are bet according to the operation of the MAXBET button 64. However, if the remaining credits are less than the specified number, all the remaining credits will be bet.

The start lever 62 is an operation lever operated by the player to start the game. When the operation of the start lever 62 is detected with a predetermined number of medals bet, the game is started and the rotations of the reels 21 are started all at once.
The stop button 61 is an operation button for stopping the rotation of the reel 21. The stop button 61 of this example is a combination of the left stop button 61L corresponding to the left reel 21L, the middle stop button 61C corresponding to the middle reel 21C, and the right stop button 61R corresponding to the right reel 21R.

The speaker 520 and the decorative lamp unit 56 are production means for producing a game by sound or light.
The liquid crystal display unit 53 provided with a liquid crystal display can display various effect screens for producing a game, a display screen for displaying game data, and the like. In particular, the liquid crystal display unit 53 of this example provides various notifications such as navigation notification (AT notification) during AT, which is a special state for notifying the player about winning, and production notification that arouses the player's expectation. To realize the function to execute. In particular, the liquid crystal display unit 53 of the slot machine 1 of this example has a function as a notification means for notifying that it is a chance zone capable of shifting to an advantageous state.

Next, the role of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described.
In the slot machine 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a replay combination is set in addition to a plurality of types of small combinations such as a bonus combination (BB combination, RB combination) and a 15-card combination. In FIG. 4, the name of each combination is shown in the left column, the winning symbol which is a combination of the symbols 20 corresponding to each combination is shown in the middle column, and the profit such as payout given to the player according to the winning is shown in the right column. There is.

There are four types of small roles: 15-card role, 2-card role, 1-card role A, and 1-card role B. Of these, the 1-card combination A and the 2-card combination are small combinations related to the advantageous state lottery for shifting from the normal state to the advantageous state. For the one-card winning combination A, a single internal winning under the normal state corresponds to winning the advantageous state lottery. For the two-card combination, simultaneous winning with the bonus combination (BB role or RB role) is equivalent to winning the advantageous state lottery.

Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIG. For the control unit 3 that controls the overall operation of the slot machine 1, in addition to the existing configuration, the insertion medal detection unit 63 and the reel 21 that detect the medals directly inserted via the medal insertion slot 630 (FIG. 1) A reel drive unit 22 that constitutes a symbol variation display means, a reference position detection unit 66 that detects the rotation position of the reel 21, a medal payout unit 54 that pays out medals, a payout number display unit 551 (see FIG. 1), and the number of credits. Various display units 55 including the display unit 552, a set value operation unit 68 for setting a set value indicating the degree of advantage of the player, an audio output unit 52 for controlling the speaker 520, and the like are electrically connected.

The inserted medal detection unit 63 outputs an insert signal each time it detects a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 630. In the slot machine 1, when a specified number of medals are inserted by directly inserting medals or by operating the MAXBET button 64, the start lever 62 is set to a valid state and a new game can be started. Become.

The reel driving unit 22 includes a stepping motor (not shown) that can be controlled in step units, and rotationally drives the reel 21 by the rotational driving force of the stepping motor.
The reference position detection unit 66 is a detection unit that detects the passage of the reference position piece for each reel 21L, C, and R and outputs a detection signal.
The set value operation unit 68 is an operation unit for changing the set value of six stages in which the internal winning probabilities of the bonus combination and the small combination are different by using the setting key 680.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3 includes a CPU 31, a memory means ROM 33 / RAM 34, an I / O unit 32 as an input / output interface, and a random number extraction unit 35 that extracts random numbers for an internal winning combination lottery. , A random number generation unit 350 that generates a random number, and the like. The random number extraction unit 35 extracts a random number for the internal winning combination lottery from the random numbers (0 to 65535) generated by the random number generation unit 350.

Although not shown, the ROM 33 stores an internal winning combination lottery table, a reel control table, an AT lottery table, a first distribution lottery table, a second distribution lottery table, an additional lottery table, and the like. In each of these lottery tables, a winning random number for collating the random numbers for the internal winning combination lottery is defined. Therefore, the lottery can be executed by collating the random numbers for the internal winning combination lottery with each lottery table.

The reel control table is a control table used for stop control of the reel 21. In this reel control table, the position where it can be stopped on the winning line is defined.
The internal winner lottery table is a lottery table used for the lottery of internal winners. In the internal winning combination lottery table, the winning random numbers of each combination are defined among the random numbers for the internal winning combination lottery of 0 to 65535. The internal winner lottery table includes a table for a bonus state and a table for a non-bonus state. The number of winning random numbers for each combination or combination of combinations to be won is different for each of the 6-step setting values 1 to 6. For example, in the case of a setting value 1 which is disadvantageous to the player side, the number of winning random numbers corresponding to each combination or combination of combinations is set as shown in FIG.

The AT lottery table is a lottery table for AT lottery for determining whether or not to generate AT under an advantageous state (first advantageous state).
The first distribution lottery table is for the first distribution lottery for determining the number of continuous games and the type of advantageous state (first advantageous state, second advantageous state) to be transferred when shifting from the normal state to the advantageous state. It is a lottery table.
The second distribution lottery table is a lottery table for determining the number of continuous games of the AT at the start of the AT.
The additional lottery table is a lottery table for additional lottery for determining the number of additional games to be added to the number of continuous games of the AT.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3 realizes the functions as the following means by executing the software program read from the ROM 33 on the CPU 31.
(1) Game means: A means for enabling a game to be executed by consuming medals, which are game values. In the bonus state, two medals are set as the game value consumed to execute the game, and in the non-bonus state, three medals are set as the game value.

(2) Internal winning combination lottery means: A means for determining an internal winning combination by an internal lottery. The internal winning combination lottery means determines the internal winning combination by collating the random numbers for the internal winning combination lottery with the winning random numbers of each combination specified in the internal winning combination lottery table, and internally corresponds to the internal winning combination. The winning flag is established.
(3) Flag control means: A means for controlling the internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination determined by the internal winning combination lottery means. The flag control means turns off (zero) the internal winning flags of each combination other than the bonus combination by the time the next game is started, regardless of whether or not the internal winning flag is established in the game for the first time. Reset. Therefore, if each role other than the bonus role does not win in the internally won game, all the roles will be missed. On the other hand, regarding the bonus combination flag, which is the internal winning flag of the bonus combination, the established state of the internal winning flag is sequentially carried over to the next game until the winning, and is reset to the off state according to the winning.

(4) Display control means: A means for starting the symbol variation of the reel 21 in response to the operation of the start lever 62 and stopping the symbol variation of the reel 21 in response to the operation of the stop button 62. The display control means inputs a control pulse to a stepping motor (not shown) constituting the reel drive unit 22, and rotates the stepping motor one step at a time for each pulse to change the symbol displayed on the reel 21.
(5) Winning determination means: A means for determining the presence / absence and type of a winning combination according to the combination of stopped symbols 20. The winning combination determines the winning combination according to the combination of the symbols 20 stopped on the winning lines 211 to 215 set to cross the three reels 21L, C, and R. The winning determination means obtains the type of the symbol 20 stopped on the winning lines 211 to 215 by taking in the number of steps of each corresponding stepping motor (reel drive unit 22) after each reel 21L, C, R is stopped. , It is determined whether or not a winning combination is established for the combination of the symbols 20.

(6) Game value giving means: A means for giving a medal (game value) when a prize is won by executing a game. The game value-giving means grants a number of medals corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning determination means (see FIG. 4). For example, if a 15-card combination is won, the profit of paying out 15 medals is given.

(7) State transition means: It is possible to shift the game state between the normal state (first game state) and the advantageous state (second game state), and it is advantageous to execute a predetermined number of games in the normal state. A means of shifting to an advantageous state on condition that the player wins an advantageous state lottery (predetermined transition lottery) without shifting to the state. In the slot machine 1 of this example, the internal lottery for determining the internal winning combination also serves as an advantageous state lottery. The internal winning of the 1-card winning combination A and the simultaneous winning of the bonus winning combination and the 2-card winning combination correspond to the winning of the advantageous state lottery.
(8) First distribution lottery means: The number of continuous games in the advantageous state (referred to as the number of continuous games in the advantageous state) when shifting to the advantageous state according to the internal winning of the one-card combination A under the normal state (winning of the advantageous state lottery). ) And the means to determine the type of advantageous state by the first distribution lottery.
(9) AT lottery means: A means for executing an AT lottery as to whether or not to generate an AT under an advantageous state (only the first advantageous state in this example).

(10) Special state generating means: AT (special state) for improving the medal (game value) grant rate is not generated in the normal state (first game state), but is in an advantageous state (second game state). Alternatively, a means for generating it on condition that the state shifts to an advantageous state.

(11) Second distribution lottery means: A means for determining the number of continuous AT games (referred to as the number of continuous AT games) by the second distribution lottery at the start of AT. In the second distribution lottery for the AT (first AT) under the first advantageous state and the second distribution lottery for the AT (second AT) under the second advantageous state, the number of AT continuous games is set. And the distribution rate is different (described later).
(12) Additional lottery means: A means for executing an additional lottery for determining the number of additional games to be added to the number of AT continuous games.

(13) Bonus state generating means: A means for generating a bonus state according to a winning of a bonus winning combination (BB winning combination, RB winning combination). The bonus state includes a BB state in which the trigger role is a BB role and ends in response to a payout of more than 315 cards, and an RB state in which the trigger role is an RB role and ends in response to a payout of more than 105 cards.

Next, (A) basic operation processing and (B) transition of the gaming state of the slot machine 1 configured as described above will be described.
(A) Basic operation processing The game of the slot machine 1 is executed by operating the start lever 62 in a state in which a predetermined number of medals are inserted and bet (a bet state). Random numbers for the internal winning combination lottery are extracted according to the execution of the game, and the internal lottery is executed by collating with the internal winning table corresponding to the game state. With this internal lottery, all the reels 21 start rotating, which starts the symbol variation.

During the symbol variation on each reel 21, the number of control pulses input to the reel drive unit 22, that is, the number of steps in which the stepping motor is rotated is counted. This number of steps is reset to zero each time the above-mentioned reference position piece attached to each reel 21 is detected. Using this number of steps, the control unit 3 uses the number of steps to draw the symbol 20 within the predetermined pull-in range (in this example, the range of 4 symbols) defined by the rules (rules regarding the certification of the gaming machine and the type verification, etc.) and the winning line. The so-called pull-in control that stops the machine is executed. The control unit 3 collates the number of steps at the time of operating the stop button 61 with the reel control table in which the position where the stop is possible on the winning line is defined, and depending on the presence / absence of the internal winning flag being established and the type of the flag. Determine the stop position and stop the symbol fluctuation.

The slot machine 1 can generate an AT (AT state, which is a special state) in which a navigation notification for winning an internal winning combination is performed. In the AT by the slot machine 1 of this example, when the 15-card combination, which is the AT combination, is simultaneously won with the 1-card combination B, the pressing order of the stop buttons 61L, C, and R is notified by navigation. If the stop buttons 61L, C, and R are operated according to the navigation notification, the 15-card combination can be won, but if the stop buttons 61L, C, and R are not operated according to the navigation notification, the symbol of the 1-card combination B becomes the control target of the above-mentioned pull-in control. If the 1-card combination B is included in the pull-in range, the 1-card combination will be drawn in and stopped, and the 15-card combination cannot be won.

The slot machine 1 can generate a bonus state in addition to the special state AT. In the slot machine 1, the output rate and the like are adjusted by differentiating the probability of occurrence of a bonus state and the probability of internal winning of a small winning combination according to a set value of 6 stages (game machine set value, mode). In the slot machine 1, the output rate for each set value is adjusted by providing a difference in the individual internal winning probabilities such as the BB combination that is not related to the advantageous state. Instead of or in addition to this, the AT generation conditions and the like may differ depending on the set value.

The slot machine 1 is an example of a general slot machine of a so-called AT machine, and may be a gaming machine having any specifications. The slot machine 1 can identify out, which is game information indicating the magnitude of the game value consumed according to the game, and safe, which is game information indicating the magnitude of the game value given to the player according to the game. It is configured to be able to output a game signal, a game signal that can identify a bonus or an AT, and the like.

(B) Transition of gaming state The gaming state in the slot machine 1 is roughly divided into an advantageous state in which AT can be generated and a normal state in which AT cannot be generated. Further, the advantageous state is roughly divided into a first advantageous state (first mode) and a second advantageous state (second mode), and the second advantageous state is more than the first advantageous state. The conditions for generating AT (special state) are advantageous for the player. It should be noted that the transition to the first advantageous state and the second advantageous state is possible only from the normal state, and the state transition between the first advantageous state and the second advantageous state does not occur.

When the end condition (described later) that can be satisfied during the advantageous state (second game state) is satisfied, the transition from the advantageous state to the normal state (first game state) occurs. The average number of continuous games (duration) in the advantageous state is longer in the second advantageous state than in the first advantageous state.

If the bonus combination and the two-card combination are simultaneously won or the one-card combination A is internally won, that is, the winning of the advantageous state lottery occurs in the game under the normal state, the advantageous state in which AT can be generated from the normal state in which AT cannot be generated. The game state changes to. In the game of the slot machine 1 of this example, since the so-called number of games on the ceiling is not set, the game does not shift to the advantageous state only by digesting the number of games under the normal state. On the other hand, for the advantageous state, the upper limit number of games is set. When the number of digested games in the advantageous state reaches 1500G, which is the upper limit of the number of games, the advantageous state is immediately terminated and the normal state is entered regardless of whether the AT is continued or not. That is, in the game of the slot machine 1, the advantageous state does not continue beyond the maximum number of games.

At the time of winning the advantageous state lottery by the internal winning of the 1-card combination A, there are a case where the first advantageous state is shifted and a case where the second advantageous state is shifted depending on the lottery result of the first distribution lottery described above. .. On the other hand, at the time of winning the advantageous state lottery by simultaneously winning the bonus combination and the two-card combination, the above-mentioned first distribution lottery is not executed, and the transition to the second advantageous state always occurs.

In the slot machine 1, the second advantageous state (second mode) can be shifted to the normal state (first game state) when the predetermined first transition condition is satisfied with the winning of the advantageous state lottery (transition lottery). On the other hand, it is impossible to shift from the first advantageous state (first mode). In this example, in addition to the internal winning of the 1-card combination A, the 2nd advantageous state is distributed by the 1st distribution lottery, and the simultaneous winning of the bonus combination and the 2-card combination shifts to the 2nd advantageous state. Is set in the above first transition condition for.

Below, in the case of (B-1) the case of winning the advantageous state lottery by the internal winning of the 1-card combination A, and the case of (B-2) the case of winning the advantageous state lottery by winning the bonus combination and the 2-card combination at the same time. The transition of the gaming state including the transition from the normal state to the advantageous state will be described separately.

(B-1) In the case of winning the advantageous state lottery by the internal winning of the 1-card combination A As shown in FIG. 7, the advantageous state lottery was won by the internal winning of the 1-card combination A (winning probability 1/50) under the normal state. In this case, the above-mentioned first distribution lottery for determining the number of continuous games in the advantageous state and the type of the advantageous state is executed.

In this first distribution lottery, there is a 98.4% probability that the product will be distributed to the first advantageous state, and a 1.6% probability that the product will be distributed to the second advantageous state. Furthermore, the breakdown of the number of state continuation games when assigned to the first advantageous state is 69.5% for zero G (game), 19.7% for 100G, 6.9% for 200G, and 2. It is 3%.

In the case of distribution to the second advantageous state, the number of state continuation games is not determined by the above-mentioned first distribution lottery and is not set. The transition of the gaming state in the case of distribution to the second advantageous state is the same as the case of transitioning to the second gaming state by simultaneously winning the bonus combination and the two-card combination. The case of distribution to the second advantageous state will be described in detail in the next section (B-2).

When the first advantageous state is determined by the first distribution lottery (the number of state continuation games is any of zero G, 100G, 200G, and 300G), the first advantageous state is started. When the first advantageous state is started, it becomes AT (start AT) until one navigation notification is executed. When the navigation notification by AT is executed, if the number of state continuation games has been exhausted, the above end condition is satisfied, and the normal state is returned after the end of AT.

Therefore, when the game is distributed to the first advantageous state of zero number of state continuation games G by the first distribution lottery, the number of state continuation games is already consumed at the time of the navigation notification by the start AT, and 15 cards are distributed by the navigation notification. The first advantageous state ends only by winning the role once. On the other hand, when the number of state continuation games by the first distribution lottery is 100G, 200G, or 300G, the number of state continuation games is undigested when the navigation notification by the start AT is executed. The AT is released without the end of the first advantageous state. The first advantageous state after the AT is released is a standby advantageous state (first mode standby state) in which the winning rate is the same as in the normal state, while the AT lottery with a winning probability of about 40% is executed every time 10 G is consumed. ..

If you win this AT lottery, the first AT will start. At the start of the first AT, the above-mentioned second distribution lottery is executed, and the number of AT continuous games of 10G to 50G is determined. While the first AT is continuing, an additional lottery for determining the number of additional games may be executed. If the additional lottery is won, the number of additional games is added to the number of AT continuous games, which is the number of continuous games of the first AT, and the number of continuous games under the first AT increases.

In the case of the slot machine 1 of this example, the first is a combination of the distribution rate of the number of AT continuous games by the second distribution lottery, the execution frequency of the additional lottery, the distribution rate of the number of additional games by the additional lottery, and the like. The number of games that can be digested from the occurrence of the first AT under the advantageous state to the end is about 20G.

When the number of games set by the second distribution lottery or the additional lottery is exhausted and the first AT ends, it is determined whether or not the number of state continuation games determined in the above first distribution lottery has been exhausted. To. If the number of continuous games has been exhausted, the end condition is satisfied, and the game returns to the normal state when the AT ends. On the other hand, if the number of state continuation games is undigested at the end of the first AT, the game shifts to the above-mentioned standby advantageous state again while maintaining the first advantageous state. In this standby advantageous state, the AT lottery is executed every time 10 G is consumed as described above, and if the player wins, the first AT is started again in the same manner as described above.

The first advantageous state (first mode) in the slot machine 1 of this example is divided into a first AT (special state) and a standby advantageous state in which the first AT is not generated (first mode standby state). .. In this first advantageous state, the first AT is started according to the winning in the AT lottery under the standby advantageous state, and when the number of state continuation games is not digested at the end of this AT, the state transition is returned to the standby advantageous state. It is executed repeatedly. Then, after the repetition of such a state transition, if the number of state continuation games has been exhausted at the time when the AT ends, the first advantageous state ends and returns to the normal state when the end condition is satisfied.

The average number of games in the first advantageous state is 49G, and the expected value of the payout rate, which is the ratio of the number of acquired medals (safe) to the number of digested medals (out), is 105%. The expected value of the balls to be played for each number of distribution games (number of continuous state games) by the first distribution lottery is -1 for 0G, 15 for 100G, 29 for 200G, and 44 for 300G.

(B-2) In the case of winning the advantageous state lottery by winning the bonus combination and the two-card combination at the same time In the case of winning the advantageous state lottery by winning the bonus combination and the two-card combination at the same time, as shown in Fig. 8, the first from the normal state 2 A transition to an advantageous state occurs. In addition, as described above, even when the player is assigned to the second advantageous state by the above-mentioned first distribution lottery according to the winning of the advantageous state lottery by the internal winning of the one-card combination A (distribution rate 1.6%). Similarly, a transition from the normal state to the second advantageous state occurs.

Immediately after the transition to the second advantageous state, the second AT is started. At the start of the second AT, the above-mentioned second distribution lottery is executed, and the number of AT continuous games (500G to 1000G) is determined by the lottery. Further, during the continuation of the second AT, the above-mentioned additional lottery is executed to determine the number of additional games, which is added to the number of AT continuous games, which is the number of continuous games of the second AT. After that, when the number of AT continuation games is exhausted in the second AT and reaches zero, the end condition is satisfied, the second advantageous state ends, and the normal state is restored.

The average number of games of the 2nd AT under the 2nd advantageous state is about 1000G including the addition. Further, since the second AT is always generated under the second advantageous state, the expected value of the output rate of the second advantageous state is as high as 167%. As a result, the expected value of the ball output in the second advantageous state is about 2000. In this way, in the slot machine 1, the AT generated in the second advantageous state (second mode) continues as compared with the AT (special state) generated in the first advantageous state (first mode). The average number of games during the period is advantageous to the player, and as a result, the AT generation condition is more advantageous in the second advantageous state than in the first advantageous state.

In the game of the slot machine 1 configured as described above, since AT cannot be generated in the normal state, the expected value of the output rate is suppressed to about 64% and does not exceed 100%. In this normal state, the player plays while expecting a transition to an advantageous state. Most of the players play while expecting to shift to the second advantageous state where the expected value of the ball is the highest. In addition, the numerical value of the output rate illustrated including the above-mentioned 64% output rate in the normal state is the output rate excluding the bonus amount.

If you win the advantageous state lottery and move to the first advantageous state, you will not be able to get a large number of balls compared to the second advantageous state, but the payout rate is higher than in the normal state (about 105%), so you can continue the game as it is. If you do so, you can increase the number of balls released little by little. On the other hand, when it is possible to shift to the second advantageous state, the payout rate is higher than that in the first advantageous state (about 167%), so that the number of balls can be greatly increased.

That is, the player of the slot machine 1 plays for the purpose of shifting to the second advantageous state, but does not shift to the second advantageous state from the first advantageous state, and can only shift from the normal state. Therefore, the player of the slot machine 1 can play the game by regarding the normal state as a chance zone (chance state) for shifting to the second advantageous state. Therefore, according to the slot machine 1, although the output rate is lower than the first advantageous state, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the motivation to play even in the normal state.

In order to give the player a strong impression that the normal state is the chance zone, a message indicating that the normal state is the chance zone that can be shifted to the second advantageous state is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 53 on condition that the normal state is the condition. Is good. In this case, it is preferable that the same message is not displayed while the standby advantageous state under the first advantageous state, which is highly expected to occur in the first AT, is occurring. With such a display setting, the player can be more strongly impressed that the normal state is the chance zone. As described above, the liquid crystal display unit 53 as the notification means does not notify that there is an opportunity to shift to the second advantageous state (second mode) in the standby advantageous state (first mode standby state), while the normal state (first mode). On condition that it is in the gaming state), it is notified that it is a chance zone where there is an opportunity to shift to the second advantageous state.

Regarding the first advantageous state in which the slot machine 1 is generated, although it is not possible to shift to the second advantageous state, it is possible to maintain the motivation to play because the output rate is higher than the normal state. Regarding the output rate in the first advantageous state, it is desirable that the output rate is higher than that in the normal state, and it is desirable to set the output rate to 100% or more so that the number of balls is not reduced.

As described above, in the game of the slot machine 1, the game state can be shifted between the advantageous state corresponding to the advantageous section in which AT can be generated and the normal state corresponding to the normal section in which AT is not generated. Since this normal state does not shift to an advantageous state even if a predetermined number of games are executed like a so-called ceiling, it is a gaming state in which the player's motivation to play may decrease. Further, in the slot machine 1, two types of advantageous states, a first advantageous state and a second advantageous state, in which the degree of advantage on the player side is different with respect to the AT generation condition, are set.

In the slot machine 1, it is possible to shift to the second advantageous state in which the AT generation condition is advantageous in the normal state, while the first advantageous state in which the AT generation condition is not advantageous is changed to the second advantageous state. Migration is impossible. Under such a transition of the gaming state, the player can regard the normal state as a chance zone to the second advantageous state, so that the decrease in the motivation to play in the normal state can be suppressed. Even when a first advantageous state that cannot shift to the second advantageous state occurs, the player is more advantageous than the normal state because AT can be generated in the first advantageous state, so that the motivation for playing is greatly reduced. There is no fear.

As described above, the slot machine 1 of this example is excellent in that it can suppress a decrease in the player's motivation to play that may occur in the normal state, and can maintain a high motivation to play the player regardless of the type of the game state that is occurring. It has good playability.

In the game of the slot machine 1, the second AT, which can be generated in the second advantageous state, has a longer duration more advantageous than the first AT, which can be generated in the first advantageous state. Therefore, for the player of the slot machine 1 of this example, the second advantageous state is a more valuable gaming state.

The slot machine 1 shifts to the normal state when a predetermined end condition is satisfied during the advantageous state. In the comparison between the first advantageous state and the second advantageous state, the average duration of the second advantageous state is longer than the average duration of the first advantageous state. Therefore, in the game of the slot machine 1, the second advantageous state can be made into a more valuable gaming state, and even if the game shifts to the first advantageous state, which cannot be regarded as a chance zone, the duration is relatively short. The transition to the normal state, which can be regarded as a chance zone, can be expected relatively early.

The first advantageous state that occurs in the slot machine 1 is divided into an AT that is a special state and a standby advantageous state that does not generate an AT (first mode standby state). The slot machine 1 does not notify that it is a chance zone where there is an opportunity to shift to the second advantageous state in this standby advantageous state, but it is a chance zone where it can shift to the second advantageous state on condition that it is in the normal state. Is notified. By executing such notification of the chance zone, it is possible to make the player recognize that the normal state that should be regarded as the chance zone is the chance zone.

In the slot machine 1, at least one of the AT generation conditions is satisfied when the state shifts from the normal state (first game state) to the advantageous state (second game state), and the AT is always generated according to the start of the advantageous state. (Start AT, etc.) occurs. If such a configuration is adopted, for example, even if an internal rule such as giving an instruction regarding winning (navigation notification of push order, etc.) at least once at the time of transition to an advantageous state is provided, there is no discomfort. It is possible to give instructions regarding winning.

Further, if the configuration is such that the start AT or the like is generated according to the start of the advantageous state, the start AT or the like is generated regardless of whether the number of games (number of state continuation games) distributed at the start of the first advantageous state is large or small. The advantageous state can be started in the same manner. Therefore, in the game of slot machine 1, which can be expected to acquire more balls as the number of games in the first advantageous state increases, even if the number of games actually distributed is small, it is large until the start AT or the like ends. It is possible to maintain the player's expectation that the number of state-continuing games has been distributed. On the other hand, for players who want to quickly return to the normal state, which is the chance zone, contrary to the above, even if the number of state continuation games actually distributed is large, the number of state continuation games is small until the start AT ends. It is possible to give the player a sense of expectation for the number.

Instead of or in addition to the configuration of this example, the following configuration may be adopted. In addition, the following configurations may be appropriately combined and adopted.
Examples of ATs include a start AT, a first AT, and a second AT in which the number of continuous games is different but the output rate and the like are not different. A different output rate may be set for each AT, and in this case, the output rate of the second AT may be advantageous to the player. That is, in order to make the second AT more advantageous to the player than the first AT, the output rate may be advantageous instead of the average number of games, and if at least one of the average number of games is advantageous, both may be advantageous. Further, in this example, the start AT and the first AT are separated, but the first AT may be generated at the start of the first advantageous state.

The configuration in which the first distribution lottery is executed at the start of the first advantageous state and the number of continuous games in the first advantageous state (the number of continuous games in the state) is determined is illustrated. Instead of this configuration, for example, the one-card winning combination A may be divided into a plurality of types, and the number of continuous games in the first advantageous state may be distributed according to the type of the internally winning one-card winning combination A. Further, in this example, it is illustrated that the advantageous state is distributed according to the type of the winning combination, but what kind of lottery method is used, such as performing a distribution lottery separately from the advantageous state lottery to distribute the advantageous state. A lottery method may be adopted. Further, for example, if the number of continuous games in the normal state is 100 G or more, it may be configured to shift to the second advantageous state according to the winning of the advantageous state lottery. Motivation is further improved.

Although the configuration in which the second AT is always generated during the second advantageous state is illustrated, the standby advantageous state may be generated during the second advantageous state as in the first advantageous state, and in this case, the occurrence thereof may be performed. The frequency is more advantageous than the first advantageous state (for example, in the first advantageous state, the AT lottery is performed every 10 G digestion, whereas the AT lottery is performed every 5 G digestion, or the AT winning probability is more advantageous than the first AT. Etc.). Further, instead of the configuration of this example in which the first advantageous state shifts to the standby advantageous state, as in the second advantageous state, for example, the number of games is distributed at the start AT so that the AT is continued. The first advantageous state may be terminated when the AT is terminated. At least one AT generation condition is advantageous in terms of duration, output rate, and frequency of occurrence, such that the player can expect more expected ball output values in the second advantageous state than in the first advantageous state. It suffices, and the advantageous state may be configured in any way.

Although the configuration in which the state does not shift between the first advantageous state and the second advantageous state is illustrated, it may be possible to shift from the first advantageous state to the second advantageous state. In this case, when the second transition condition, which is less likely to be satisfied than the first transition condition is satisfied in the normal state (first game state), is satisfied in the first advantageous state (first mode). It would be good if it was possible to shift to the second advantageous state. By setting the second transition condition in this way, the transition probability is lower in the case of transitioning from the first advantageous state to the second advantageous state than in the case of transitioning from the normal state to the second advantageous state. It is good to configure it so that it is difficult to migrate. As the second transition condition, for example, it is possible to set that a specific combination has been internally elected under the first advantageous state, or that a predetermined transition lottery has been won. It is preferable that the probability that a specific winning combination is internally won under the first advantageous state or the probability of winning in the transition lottery is lower than the probability that the first transition condition is satisfied in the normal state.

In this example, an AT for navigating the push order is illustrated as a special state, but any AT may be targeted, for example, for navigating the winning symbol. For example, a special state such as ART or RT may be targeted.
Although it has been illustrated that the start AT is always generated at the start of the advantageous state, it is not always necessary to generate the AT at the start such as shifting to the standby advantageous state at the start of the advantageous state.

Although the so-called periodic lottery in units of 10 G has been illustrated as the AT lottery in the standby advantageous state, the AT lottery may be configured for each game. For example, when the number of ceiling games is set and the number of games played for the number of ceiling games is played, the game shifts to AT, and the trigger for shifting to AT can be changed as appropriate.
The target gaming machine may be a so-called enclosed type or credit type gaming machine that enables a game based on points without using a gaming medium. In consideration of these, in the description in the examples, it is expressed as a game value including a game medium and a score.
All the numerical values, items, etc. illustrated, such as the specifications and setting values of the gaming machine, are examples, and any numerical value may be adopted. In addition, any combination of the illustrated configurations may be used, and a part thereof may not be adopted as appropriate.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as in the examples, these specific examples merely disclose an example of the technology included in the claims. Needless to say, the scope of claims should not be construed in a limited manner depending on the composition of specific examples, numerical values, and the like. The scope of claims includes technologies that are variously modified, modified, or appropriately combined with the above-mentioned specific examples by utilizing known technologies, knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the like.

1 Slot machine 11 Symbol display window 110 Symbol display area 20 Symbol 21 Reel 22 Reel drive unit 3 Control unit (game means, internal winning combination lottery means, flag control means, display control means, winning judgment means, game value adding means, state Transition means, 1st distribution lottery means, AT lottery means, special state generation means, 2nd distribution lottery means, additional lottery means, bonus state generation means)
35 Random number extraction unit 53 Liquid crystal display unit (notification means)
61 Stop button 62 Start lever

Claims (5)

A game means that makes it possible to execute a game by consuming the game value,
The game value-giving means for giving the game value when a prize is won by executing the game, and
It is possible to shift the gaming state between the first gaming state and the second gaming state, and even if a predetermined number of games are executed in the first gaming state, the transition to the second gaming state is not performed, and a predetermined transition lottery is performed. A state transition means for transitioning to the second game state on condition that the player wins the game, and
The special state in which the rate of giving the game value is improved is not generated in the first game state, but is generated on condition that the state is in the second game state or the state shifts to the second game state. With special condition generation means,
The second gaming state is divided into a first mode and a second mode in which the conditions for generating the special state are more advantageous to the player than the first mode.
The first mode is divided into a special state and a first mode standby state in which the special state has not occurred, and it is possible to shift to the first mode standby state after the end of the special state.
The second mode, one said predetermined first shift condition accompanied by first gaming state to the winning of the transition drawing can be migrated when a condition is satisfied, from the first mode is impossible migration, or the A slot machine capable of transitioning when a second transition condition, which is more difficult to satisfy than the first transition condition is satisfied in the first gaming state, is satisfied in the first mode. Compared with the special state generated in the first mode, at least one of the duration, the rate of giving the game value, and the frequency of occurrence of the special state generated in the second mode is for the player. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the condition for generating the special state is more advantageous in the second mode than in the first mode. The state transition means shifts from the second gaming state to the first gaming state when the end condition that can be satisfied during the second gaming state is satisfied.
The slot machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the average duration in the second gaming state is longer in the second mode than in the first mode. In the first mode standby state, the notification that there is an opportunity to shift to the second mode is not notified, while the notification that there is an opportunity to shift to the second mode on condition that the state is in the first gaming state is notified. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means. The special state is a special state for notifying the player about winning a prize.
The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the condition for generating the special state is at least satisfied when the first gaming state shifts to the second gaming state.

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