JP3637862B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a special symbol display unit and an effect symbol display unit, and relates to a display form thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A pachinko machine as a gaming machine is provided with a symbol display device having a plurality of (or singular) special symbol display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols, and a special symbol when a game ball wins a symbol start opening. When a start signal is generated, the symbols on each special symbol display section start to fluctuate, and after a predetermined time, the symbols are sequentially stopped, and when the combinations of the stopped symbols are all the same symbols, for example, the player Some special gaming situations (bonus) are advantageous.
[0003]
Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-289703, an effect symbol display unit is provided separately from a special symbol display unit in which a plurality of symbols are variably displayed. Pachinko machines have been proposed that appeal to players by displaying the symbol.
In addition, some pachinko machines make it easy for a game ball to win a symbol start opening until the number of symbol fluctuations in the special symbol display unit reaches a predetermined number (for example, 50 times) after the jackpot is over. In this type of pachinko machine, during this time (when symbol fluctuations are shortened, abbreviated for short), special symbol fluctuations, etc. are processed quickly, so the fluctuation time is shortened and the number of fluctuations per unit time is increased. Yes.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this way, since the probability of winning a jackpot at the time of change is not changed, it is not possible to give an impression that it is likely to be a jackpot even if the number of symbol fluctuations per unit time increases.
Therefore, the present invention provides a gaming machine that gives the player the impression that the jackpot probability has changed, such as when the number of symbol fluctuations at the time of change is increased.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The gaming machine of the present invention has a special symbol display unit LA that can variably display a plurality of symbols and a special symbol start storage unit that stores a special symbol start signal.
A special game that is advantageous to the player when the symbol of the special symbol display unit LA starts to fluctuate based on the memory of the special symbol start storage unit, and the preset symbol is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit LA after a predetermined time. It is a gaming machine that creates a state.
In addition, an effect symbol display memory unit that stores an effect symbol display unit MA and an effect symbol start signal is provided, and the symbol of the effect symbol display unit MA starts to change based on the storage of the effect symbol start memory unit.
In this gaming machine, the first state in which the number of symbol fluctuations in the special symbol display portion LA and the number of symbol fluctuations in the effect symbol display portion MA are the same, and the number of symbol fluctuations in the effect symbol display portion MA are the special symbol display portion. The second state is smaller than the number of symbol variations of LA.
Therefore, in the second state, the number of symbol fluctuations in the effect symbol display area MA is less than the number of symbol fluctuations in the special symbol display area LA, so if the player sees the symbol fluctuation in the effect symbol display area MA, The appearance ratio becomes an impression that it has been changed with a higher probability than actual.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 (front view), FIG. 2 (enlarged view of a game board), and FIG. 3 (perspective view of a normal electric accessory) are pachinko machines 10 of a well-known type as game machines.
The pachinko machine 10 is paired with a ball lending machine 20, and the ball lending machine 20 has a built-in card reader (not shown). The front panel 21 of the ball lending machine 20 is provided with a display lamp and a card insertion slot 22 when the operation of the ball lending machine is effective.
On the other hand, the upper plate 12 attached to the front panel 11 of the pachinko machine is provided with operation buttons and the like of the ball lending machine 20, specifically, the card inserted into the card insertion slot 22. A display 13a for displaying a balance (frequency) and the like, a conversion button 13b for supplying a ball to a pachinko machine through the ball lending machine 20 by a player's operation, and a return button 13c for returning a card are provided.
A lower plate 17 is disposed under the upper plate 12, and the overflowing prize ball is stored when the upper plate 12 is full. Further, by operating the handle 18 of the launching device, the game balls supplied for each ball from the upper plate 12 are guided by the guide rails 31 and launched into the game area 19.
[0007]
Near the center of the game area 19, a liquid crystal display symbol display device L for performing a variable display game via a plurality of symbols is arranged. The symbol display device L has an effect symbol display portion MA and a special symbol. A display unit LA is provided. The symbols that can be displayed on the special symbol display section LA are 10 kinds of symbols “0 to 9”, and the symbol variation is performed in order. A special symbol memory display portion LR (four LEDs) is arranged around the special symbol display portion LA, and indicates the number of remaining special symbol fluctuations as will be described in detail later. In addition, an effect symbol memory display portion MR (four LEDs) is arranged above the effect symbol display portion MA, and indicates the number of times the remaining effect symbols are displayed.
The effect symbol memory display portion MR is configured to be displayed larger than the special symbol memory display portion LR so that it can be easily recognized by the player.
[0008]
A symbol start port A is disposed at the bottom of the symbol display device L. When the game ball passes the symbol start port A, a special symbol start signal is generated, and the effect symbol display unit is controlled by a control method described in detail later. The MA and the special symbol display unit LA start to display the variation, and the determination counter Hc selects the reach, the jackpot (special game state), or the off, and the production symbol display unit MA and the special symbol corresponding to them. The symbols on the display unit LA are stopped and displayed after a predetermined time (after 8 to 25 seconds in the first state, and after 3 to 5 seconds in the second state (when symbol variation is shortened)).
[0009]
Also, normal symbol start gates 23a and 23b are provided on the left and right sides of the symbol start opening A, and when the game ball passes, the symbols of the normal symbol display 56 attached to the big prize opening 58 described later start changing. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time described in detail later (30 seconds in the first state, 5 seconds in the second state (reduced symbol variation)), the stop symbol is a preset symbol and When they coincide with each other, it is a win and the ordinary electric accessory 57 is opened for a predetermined time. In addition, a normal symbol memory display 56a (four LEDs) is arranged around the normal symbol display 56, and a maximum of four game balls that have passed through the normal symbol start gates 23a and 23b during the variation of the symbol are displayed. It is possible to memorize up to the number, and indicates the remaining number of symbol variations.
[0010]
When the door 57a of the ordinary electric accessory 57 is opened, a symbol start opening B (pedestal) capable of receiving one game ball is provided. A special symbol start signal is generated and prize balls (for example, seven balls) are paid out, and the special symbol display portion LA is displayed by the control method described later in the same manner as the symbol start port A.
The symbol start port B is configured so that a special symbol start signal is generated when the door 57a of the ordinary electric accessory 57 is opened for a predetermined time and the game ball is won (single or plural), or Alternatively, it may be configured via a tulip-type winning device or the like.
The display method of the special symbol display portion LA is performed by the determination counter Hc. When the big hit is selected, “7” is displayed, and when it is off, other symbols are displayed.
[0011]
When the jackpot is selected, the jackpot symbol “7” is displayed on the special symbol display portion LA, and the jackpot symbol (not shown) is also displayed on the effect symbol display portion MA, and the open / close door 58a of the jackpot 58 is t It keeps opening for 2 seconds or closes when a game ball is won. When the game ball passes through a specific area (not shown) provided in the big prize opening 58 while the opening / closing door 58a is opened, the big prize opening 58 is opened again, and this operation is performed up to X times. .
[0012]
Next, control (game content) of the pachinko machine having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to a control flow (FIGS. 4 to 6) showing a concept.
(1) When the power is turned on, the normal symbol determination counter Fc and the determination counter Hc are initialized. The normal symbol determination counter Fc forms a circulation counter of 0 to 2 incremented by 1 every 2 ms, and determines whether or not the normal symbol is hit.
The determination counter Hc is incremented by 1 every 2 ms to form a circulation counter of 0 to 249, and determines whether or not it is a big hit.
[0013]
(2) Control in the first state (FIGS. 4 and 5)
(B) The determination flow for determining whether or not a hit has occurred is not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, but when the game ball passes the normal symbol start gates 23a and 23b, the symbol variation starts and the normal symbol is started. It is determined whether the determination counter Fc (circulation counter of 0 to 2) is “2”. As a result, when the value of the normal symbol determination counter Fc is “2” (probability 1/3), “7” is displayed on the normal symbol display 56 as a win, “−” is displayed when it is off, and 30 seconds later. Stop display.
And, when winning, the game ball will almost win the symbol start opening B by opening the ordinary electric accessory 57 for a predetermined time (3 seconds).
[0014]
(B) Display Mode of Special Symbol Display Unit LA and Special Symbol Storage Display Unit L R The display mode of the special symbol storage display unit LR and the symbol variation of the special symbol display unit LA will be described with reference to FIG.
It is detected whether the game ball has won the symbol starting port A or the symbol starting port B (S1). The symbol starting port A is arranged at the lower part of the symbol display device L, and if a game ball passes, it will win a prize, but the symbol starting port B is provided inside the ordinary electric accessory 57, so a win occurs. And winning by opening the door 57a.
When the game ball wins either the symbol start opening A or the symbol start opening B, it is determined whether the value of the determination counter Hc is “7” (probability 1/250), that is, whether or not it is a big hit ( S2).
[0015]
Then, the stored state of the special symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas) is verified (S3). The special symbol start storage unit (0th area) stores the current state during symbol change, and the first to fourth areas include the symbol start port A during the symbol change of the special symbol display unit LA, or When winning B, it is possible to memorize the determination result of whether or not it is a big hit up to four times. Therefore, the special symbol start storage unit can store the determination results of five times including the currently changing state, and when the five areas are already stored, the determination result is ignored and the process proceeds to step 7.
On the other hand, when the storage area of the special symbol start storage unit is less than 5, the determination result is additionally stored (S4), and one special symbol storage display unit LR is additionally lit (S5). That is, the number of lighting of the special symbol memory display section LR is the number stored in the special symbol start storage section, that is, the remaining number of special symbol fluctuations.
On the other hand, when the symbol starting openings A and B are not won in the step 1, it is tested whether or not there is a determination result in each area of the special symbol starting storage unit (S6). If yes, go to Step 7.
[0016]
In step 7, it is determined whether or not the symbol on the special symbol display portion LA is changing. When the symbol is changing, the program returns to the main routine and continues to change. However, when the special symbol change is stopped, the special symbol is stopped. The symbol on the display unit LA starts to change, one special symbol memory display unit LR is turned off to indicate the remaining number of symbol variations, and the value of the special symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas) is shifted (first). The value of the area is set to the 0th area, the value of the second area is set to the first area, ...). In the process described above, the special symbol display unit LA starts the symbol variation process and sequentially performs the remaining number of times.
[0017]
(C) Display modes of effect symbol display unit MA and effect symbol memory display unit MR Control of these display modes will be described with reference to FIG.
As is clear from FIG. 5, in FIG. 4, the jackpot determination (S2) is not performed, the special symbol start storage unit is the production symbol start storage unit, and the special symbol memory display unit LR is the production symbol memory display unit MR. Control is performed by replacing with As a result, the special symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas) and the production symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas) have the same contents, and the production symbol memory display unit MR and the special symbol storage display unit LR are the same. It is a display mode. In addition, the start and stop of the symbol variation of the special symbol display portion LA and the effect symbol display portion MA are performed almost simultaneously, and there is a correspondence relationship.
[0018]
Therefore, the player remains the same regardless of which of the special symbol display portion LA and the effect symbol display portion MA, and the player remains regardless of which of the special symbol memory display portion LR and the effect symbol memory display portion MR. You can know the number of symbol fluctuations.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, what is displayed on the effect symbol display area MA indicates a horse racing scene or the like corresponding to the start of symbol variation in the special symbol display area LA, and the horse number to be goal first Corresponds to the stop symbol of the special symbol display part LA. According to this display mode, the player knows the result by paying attention to the effect symbol display portion MA having a larger screen display than the special symbol display portion LA as to whether or not to win the game.
[0019]
(3) Control in the second state (FIGS. 4 and 6)
This second state is set after the jackpot is over, and the symbol variation time of the normal symbol display 56 is changed to 5 seconds, and the symbol variation time of the special symbol display portion LA is changed to 3 to 5 seconds (symbol variation reduction). Although the point is different, the same process as FIG. 4 is used for the control of the special symbol memory display unit LR and the special symbol display unit LA.
As a result, the symbol variation time of the normal symbol display 56 is shortened from 30 seconds to 5 seconds, and the hit determination is performed quickly. Therefore, the probability of winning (1/3) is the same as in the first state. However, the number of occurrences per unit time increases because it is determined whether or not many game balls passing through the normal symbol starting gates 23a and 23b are hit. Since the ordinary electric accessory 57 is frequently opened, the game ball wins the symbol start opening B, pays out a prize ball (for example, 7 pieces) and generates a special symbol start signal. This is dealt with by shortening the fluctuation time of the display unit LA.
[0020]
In this way, in the second state where the winning frequency increases, a lot of prize balls are paid out, so that it is possible to stop the decrease of game balls to be consumed, and the special symbol display portion LA and the special symbol storage display portion LR. The special symbol variation time is shortened from 8 to 25 seconds to 3 to 5 seconds according to the control flow shown in FIG.
[0021]
On the other hand, the control of the effect symbol display part MA and the effect symbol memory display part MR in the second state is shown in FIG.
It is detected whether or not the symbol start opening A has been won (S21), and when winning, the stored state of the effect symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas) is verified (S22). That is, when all the effect symbol start storage units (0th to 4th areas) are stored, the process proceeds to step 28. On the other hand, when it is in a storable state, it is stored in the effect symbol start storage part (0th to 4th areas) (S23) and one effect symbol storage display part MR is turned on (S24).
[0022]
Next, it is detected whether or not the symbol start opening B has been won (S25). If no winning is made, the stored state of the effect symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas) is verified (S26). This test is performed when there is no memory in the effect symbol start storage unit (areas 0 to 4), that is, the symbol change of the effect symbol display unit MA is not performed, and the process returns to the main routine.
On the other hand, if there is a memory in the effect symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas), the process proceeds to step 28 so that the symbol can be changed.
In addition, when the game ball has won the symbol start opening B and the stored state of the effect symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas) is verified (S27), and the effect symbol start storage unit ( If there is memory in the (0th to 4th areas), the process proceeds to step 28 without storing it in the effect symbol start storage unit (S23, S24 is skipped).
As described above, even if a game ball wins the symbol start opening B, in principle, it is not stored in the effect symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas), and the symbol variation of the effect symbol display unit MA is performed. Absent.
However, when the game ball is won in the symbol start opening B in the step 25 and the stored state of the effect symbol start storage section (0th to 4th areas) is verified (S27), this effect When there is nothing stored in the symbol start storage unit, the process proceeds to step 23, where an exception is provided that allows the symbol change in the effect symbol display unit MA to be stored in the effect symbol start storage unit. The treatment for this exception is to prevent the effect symbol display portion MA from being displayed for a long time.
[0023]
In step 28, it is determined whether or not the symbol on the effect symbol display unit MA is changing. When the symbol is changing, the state is maintained as it is and the process returns to the main routine.
On the other hand, when the symbol of the effect symbol display unit MA is stopped, the symbol of the effect symbol display unit MA is started to change (S29), and one of the effect symbol memory display units MR is turned off to indicate the remaining number of symbol changes. Along with (S30), the value of the effect symbol start storage unit (0th to 4th areas) is shifted (the value of the first area is changed to the 0th area, the value of the second area is changed to the first area,...).
[0024]
As described above, in the second state, the display mode of the special symbol memory display portion LR is added and displayed every time the game ball wins the symbol start port A or the symbol start port B, and correspondingly Then, the symbols of the special symbol display section LA are changed.
On the other hand, the effect symbol memory display unit MR, in principle, adds and displays only when the game ball wins the symbol start opening A, and variably displays the effect symbol display unit MA correspondingly.
As a result, the display mode (the number of LED lighting) of the special symbol memory display unit LR is larger than the display mode (the number of LED lighting) of the effect symbol memory display unit MR, and the number of symbol fluctuations is also different.
[0025]
This means that the number of symbol variations of the effect symbol display portion MA that the player pays attention to is smaller than the number of symbol variations of the special symbol display portion LA, and the appearance ratio of jackpots relative to the number of symbol variations seems to have increased. In other words, when the player pays attention to the special symbol memory display portion LR, even if the number of symbol fluctuations of the special symbol display portion LA per unit time is large, the player wins a big hit with respect to the first state (the same jackpot probability). Although it does not appear as if the appearance ratio has changed, when attention is paid to the effect symbol storage display section MR, it appears as if the appearance ratio of the jackpot has increased since the number of changes in the effect symbol display section MA is small.
[0026]
It should be noted that the effect symbol display unit MA has a small number of symbol fluctuations per unit time even in the second state (during symbol shortening), so that one display is a narrative-like display for a long time. It can be displayed and the content of the display can be enhanced.
In the above description, the special symbol is composed of the special symbol display part LA and the special symbol memory display part LR, and the effect symbol is composed of the effect symbol display part MA and the effect symbol memory display part MR. There is no need to configure both, and the special symbol memory display unit LR and the production symbol memory display unit MR may have other display modes such as using a part of the production symbol display unit MA in addition to the LED. Good.
Although the second state is selected when the symbol variation is shortened, it may be set at an appropriate time, after a continuous jackpot, or the like in consideration of the type of the pachinko machine.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
The gaming machine of the present invention is provided with a special symbol display unit and an effect symbol display unit, and in the second state, the number of symbol variations of the effect symbol display unit MA is less than the number of symbol variations of the special symbol display unit LA. However, when looking at the symbol variation of the effect symbol display unit MA, the appearance ratio that is a big hit is given an impression that it has been changed with a higher probability than actual.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a game board.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ordinary electric accessory.
FIG. 4 is a control flow diagram of a special symbol display unit and a special symbol storage display unit in a first state and a second state.
FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram of an effect symbol display unit and an effect symbol storage display unit in a first state.
FIG. 6 is a control flow diagram of an effect symbol display unit and an effect symbol storage display unit in a second state.
[Explanation of symbols]
23a, 23b Normal symbol start gate 57 Normal electric accessory 58 Large winning opening A Symbol start port B Symbol start port L Symbol display device LA Special symbol display unit LR Special symbol memory display unit MA Production symbol display unit MR Production symbol memory display unit

Claims (1)

A special symbol display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols and a special symbol start storage unit for storing a special symbol start signal;
A special game that is advantageous to the player when the symbols of the special symbol display unit start to change based on the memory of the special symbol start storage unit and the preset symbol is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit after a predetermined time. A gaming machine that creates a state,
An effect symbol start storage unit for storing an effect symbol display unit and an effect symbol start signal is provided, and the symbol of the effect symbol display unit starts to change based on the memory of the effect symbol start storage unit,
A first state in which the number of symbol changes in the special symbol display unit and the number of symbol changes in the effect symbol display unit are the same;
A gaming machine having a second state in which the number of symbol fluctuations in the effect symbol display unit is smaller than the number of symbol variations in the special symbol display unit.

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