JP4126443B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of performing a lottery with the progress of a game and giving a player a profit according to the result.

(Background of the Invention)
In general, with this type of gaming machine, the higher the possibility of obtaining a large amount of profit (for example, a large number of balls) as a result of the game, the more the player can play with a high sense of expectation. There is a tendency that the game can be continued for a long time. From the standpoint of the hall operator, it can be said that a gaming machine that allows a player to continue playing for a longer period of time, that is, a gaming machine with a high operation rate, is more desirable as an introduction target.

  Against this background, so-called big hit probability fluctuation machines are widely provided as gaming machines that are likely to obtain a large amount of profits in recent years, and in many halls, the big hit probability fluctuation machine is a high introduction rate as the mainstream model.・ The operating rate is realized. In other words, whether or not a player can benefit from a gaming machine is determined by lottery, but the jackpot probability variation machine increases the probability of lottery when a certain condition is satisfied. For this reason, if a player can play a game with a high probability of winning a big hit, it will be easier to win a lottery, and as a result, increasing the number of big hits will increase the possibility of obtaining a large amount of profit. .

  However, in a gaming machine that has a high possibility of obtaining a large amount of profit such as a big hit probability variation machine, a specific value of the big hit probability is set according to the magnitude of the profit. In other words, the higher the probability that the profit from the jackpot will be higher, the lower the probability of winning the jackpot relatively, and as a result, the game is less likely to generate a big hit (the first hit is difficult) It will be a machine.

(Prior art 1)
In this way, even if there is a high possibility that a large amount of profit can be obtained, if the road to the occurrence of a big hit during a normal game becomes long, the player tends to stop playing until there is no time before. In order to cover this point, for example, a technique is known in which a sense of expectation up to a big hit is increased by a variety of reach effects (see Patent Document 1). In this technique, when reach pattern display is completed once, the number of times of normal fluctuation display is counted thereafter, and the next reach pattern display mode (pattern or character image mode) is determined according to the counted number. To change.

(Prior art 2)
As another technique, there is one that employs a so-called continuous production in order to continuously give a sense of expectation to the big hit (see Patent Document 2). In ordinary reach production, there is a drawback that you can only expect the fluctuations made in each reach production, but in the technology using continuous production accompanying the start suspension, through the process of continuous reach fluctuation You can gradually increase your expectation for the big hit.
JP 2004-16449 A (page 4-5, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5) JP 2004-135925 A (page 4-6, FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B)

  However, even when a variety of reach effects are used as in the prior art 1, the reach occurrence probability is actually set to be much higher than the jackpot probability. The production will not be directly related to the big hit. For this reason, in a short time, the player can maintain the expectation to some extent by the reach production, but if the reach production that is not related to the big hit is shown many times, the reach production will eventually become anaerobic, It will not be able to endure the game. In addition, on the actual machine, the reach effect takes longer than the normal fluctuation display. Therefore, when the reach effect is frequently used, the actual operation is reduced accordingly. For this reason, heavy use of reach production is not a pleasure for hall operators.

  In addition, the above prior art 2 is intended to eliminate the drawback of expecting only a change in each reach production, but in the end, since the continuous production announcement can only be made within the reserved range, Continuity is limited and not very effective. In this regard, there are some gaming machines that continue the continuous performance announcement even though the suspension is interrupted, but when the suspension is interrupted, the subsequent continuous performance announcement is meaningless (the big hit The player will be able to perceive it, which may cause the player to feel bad.

  And even if the big hit probability fluctuation machine managed to get a big hit, if it was a normal symbol (non-probable variation), after the big hit game ends (if the bonus is added after the big hit, the bonus ends) After) There is a tendency to stop the game immediately. Alternatively, if it is recognized that a big hit has been made with a probability variation game, it will cease immediately after the probability variation game ends (or when the privilege is added after the probability variation game, after the privilege ends). As a result, the operation of the gaming machine per unit time is lowered in the hall, and the player's expectation for the big hit is kept away by monotonizing the production contents. In addition, if the player reduces the willingness to play, the customer will move away from the hall, and the operation of the gaming machine will decrease even in the long run.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that not only reduces the player's willingness but also can dramatically improve the expectation of a big hit and further enhance the operation of the gaming machine.

(Solution 1)
The gaming machine of the present invention has a lottery means for performing a lottery based on a start winning prize, and when a predetermined result is obtained by a lottery by the lottery means, the gaming machine can give a profit to the player, The lottery result by the lottery means includes a hit with the operation of the condition device and a win without the operation of the condition device. In the lottery by the lottery means, the winning with the operation of the condition device is performed. A first game mode in which the probability is set relatively low, and a second game mode in which the winning probability for winning with the operation of the condition device is set to be more than double that of the first game mode. The winning probability changing means that can change each other on the condition that the winning is accompanied by the operation, and one operation for giving a profit to the player is the acceptance of the game ball by the operation of a predetermined movable body Easy ball winning And when the first winning winning combination with the operation of the condition device is won as a result of the lottery by the lottery means, the change to the second game mode by the winning probability changing means, and the movable body And a result of the lottery by the lottery means. The first profit granting means for giving the player a first profit providing an opportunity to obtain a prize ball by facilitating acceptance of the game ball by the ball winning means by the operation of When the second winning combination with the operation of the condition device is won, the winning probability changing means changes to the second game mode and the ball winning means operates the movable body. However, unlike the case of the first profit granting means, providing an opportunity to obtain a prize ball by operating the movable body in a manner in which it is difficult to accept a game ball by the ball winning means, Said first interest A second profit adding means for adding to the player a second income less valuable than the result of the lottery by the selecting means, if the third per without actuation of said condition device is elected, the winning probability An opportunity to obtain a prize ball by operating the movable body in a manner in which it is difficult to accept the game ball that is the same as or similar to the second profit granting means without changing the game mode by the changing means Displayed on the display device, a third profit granting means for giving the player a third profit different from the second profit, a display device for displaying the lottery result information by the lottery means Display control means for displaying the result information variably over a predetermined fluctuation time, and then stopping the display, wherein the display control means is configured to determine whether the lottery result by the lottery means is associated with the operation of the condition device. The result information is variably displayed for the same or approximate variation time when the second hit and when the lottery result by the lottery means is the third win without the operation of the condition device . Is.

Gaming machine of the present invention, the upper Symbol Three income (the first benefit, a second benefit, a third benefit) to the or is susceptible impart to the player, confer any benefits lottery result It will be different. Among them, for example, with a first benefit is the content which is directly related to the payout amount that can be acquired by the player, if you to have been content with benefits increasing change subsequent winning probability, as compared to Therefore, the second profit is lower in value than the first profit, and is not directly related to the increase in the amount of balls. However, even if the amount of play is not so large due to the second profit, if the content of the subsequent winning probability is changed to be high, the player can thereby increase the expectation for the next winning. it can.

In addition , what changes the winning probability of winning with the operation of the condition device as in the second profit is certainly worthy for the player, but the winning probability is changed internally in the gaming machine. It is preferable that some kind of behavior (acting of an accessory or performing an effect, etc.) is combined therewith because it is difficult for the player to visually recognize and benefit from just doing it. Therefore, when the second profit is given, the player is given a sense of expectation by exhibiting a behavior that the player can recognize. If the player recognizes (guesses) that the second profit is given through such behavior, even if he cannot acquire a conspicuous amount of balls on the spot, he will win the first profit sooner or later. By doing so, it is possible to continue the game while expecting that many games can be obtained.

However, since the second profit is a content that increases the winning probability per unit that accompanies the operation of the condition device, it is not realistic to give the second profit to the player too often in view of the game specifications. On the other hand, if the second profit is given only rarely, it will dilute itself as a rare privilege for the player, and rather it will keep away the expectation.

Therefore, as a means to solve this point in a high dimension, the gaming machine of the present invention gives the player 3rd profit, and whether the content of this 3rd profit is equivalent to the 2nd profit, Or the approximate contents. Specifically, in the case of winning the second per unit with the operation of the condition device (second profit), in addition to changing the winning probability per unit with the operation of the condition device high, Some kind of behavior (actor action or performance action) will be provided, but if the third win without the action of the condition device is won (third profit), the hit with the action of the condition device The winning probability is not changed, and only the behavior similar to or similar to the case of the second profit is shown. Such a third benefit is not a content that increases the winning probability per unit that accompanies the operation of the condition device. Therefore, even if it appears at an appropriate frequency, the game specifications are not greatly distorted. However, since the behavior that is visible to the player when the third profit is granted is difficult to distinguish from the case of the second profit, when the player touches the third profit, it is the third profit. It is impossible to immediately determine whether it is due to the profit of the second or the profit of the second. In addition, in the above configuration, when the lottery result by the lottery means is the second hit out of the hits involving the operation of the condition device, and when the lottery results in the third hit without the operation of the condition device , Alternatively, the result information is variably displayed for the approximate variation time.

Therefore, if the player knows that the winning probability with the operation of the condition device is increased by the second profit, even if the third profit is actually granted, By having the expectation that it may have been the second profit (the probability has increased), it is possible to maintain a high expectation and willingness to play until the next winning is achieved. Or, even if you have not been able to obtain the first profit or the second profit for a while and are gradually giving up, you will win the third profit while continuing the game with a slight sense of expectation. In this case, the expectation that “the second profit may have been granted this time” has been revived, and it is difficult to reduce the willingness to play.

That is , when the first profit and the second profit are given, the player can obtain a specific profit of an increase in the number of winnings by increasing the chances of winning a prize, but compared to the first profit, The second profit is less as a chance to win. However, when the first profit or the second profit is granted, the game mode is changed to the second game mode and the winning probability is actually advantageous, so the player expects until the next winning A feeling can be maintained high. In addition, when the second profit or the third profit is given, since the operation of the movable body is the same or appears as a behavior similar to each other, the player can thereby obtain the second profit or the third profit. Recognize that a profit has been granted. Therefore, even if it is actually the third profit, there is not a little expectation that the second profit was granted during the player's recognition, so the expectation until the next winning is obtained The feeling and willingness to play can be kept high.

(Solution 2 )
In the above solutions 1, wherein the selecting means may be more of the first per than the second per of the per with the operation of the condition device is intended to perform the drawing to facilitate the winning preferable.

  (Solution 3)
  In the solving means 1 or 2, the lottery means is provided when the start prize is received. It is preferable that the lottery is performed based on the acquired random number value.

(Solution 4)
In the solving means 1 to 3, in the first game mode, the third condition that does not involve the operation of the condition device is compared with the probability that the first game out of the operations that accompany the operation of the condition device wins. When the winning probability is set to be higher than double (or more than double), and the first game mode is changed from the first game mode to the second game mode by the winning probability changing means, the first game mode In the first game mode, the probability of winning the first hit out of the hits involving the operation of the condition device is doubled without changing the probability of winning the third win without the operation of the condition device. It is preferable that the height is changed to the above (or twice or more).

  In this case, in the first game mode having a relatively low winning probability, the player will receive the first profit. Is more than double (or more than double) the probability that the third benefit will be granted Therefore, the appearance rate of the third profit is relatively high, even when the probability is low. Even so, I have many opportunities to continue to maintain my expectations until the next winning.

  Alternatively, if the game is changed to the second game mode with a relatively high winning probability, the third profit is granted. The probability that the first profit will be granted will be set more than double. Therefore, the player can actually get a lot of opportunities to get a lot of balls with the first profit. You can feel the lottery results as expected.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the player's expectation is not easily interrupted, and the game can be continued for a long time while maintaining a high expectation until the next profit is always obtained. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is not easy to get bored for the player, and there is an advantage that the operation is increased for the hall operator.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described along the following items with reference to the corresponding drawings.

1. Overview of pachinko machine (Fig. 1, Fig. 2)
2. Board configuration (Figure 3)
3. Special symbol display device (Fig. 4)
4). 4. Hit mode Maintenance lottery Control configuration (Figure 5)
6-1. Main board 6-2. Peripheral board 7. Example of control processing 7-1. Start winning process (Figure 6)
7-2. Game operation processing (Fig. 7)
7-3. Special figure variation setting process A (Fig. 8)
7-4. Variable variation setting process (Fig. 8)
7-5. Hit variation setting process (Fig. 9)
7-6. Special figure variation execution process B (FIG. 10)
7-7. Hit determination process (Fig. 11)
7-8. Big hit processing (Figure 12)
8). 8. Game mode / winning probability changing means Features of one embodiment 10. 10. Game state maintenance / demotion determination processing Production processing

(1. Overview of pachinko machine)
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 specifically show the configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to an embodiment. The pachinko machine 1 includes a frame body and a game board 4, and the frame body includes an outer frame 2, a main body frame 3, a front frame 5, and the like. Among these, the outer frame 2 is configured by combining upper, lower, left, and right frame members in a rectangular shape, and a lower plate 6 for receiving the lower surface of the main body frame 3 is provided at the front lower portion thereof. One side edge (left edge in this example) of the body frame 3 is attached to one side edge (left edge in this example) of the outer frame 2 via a hinge mechanism 7, as shown in the figure. The main body frame 3 can be opened and closed on the front side of the outer frame 2. The main body frame 3 is configured by integrally molding the front frame body 8, the game board mounting frame 9, and the mechanism mounting frame 10 with a synthetic resin material. Among these, the front frame body 8 is formed on the front side of the main body frame 3, and its outer shape has a size that matches the outer shape of the outer frame 2 excluding the lower plate 6.

  The game board mounting frame 9 is formed integrally with the rear portion of the front frame body 8, and the game board 4 is mounted on the game board mounting frame 9 so as to be fitted from the front. Although not shown here, the game board 4 can also be opened and closed to the front side from the main body frame 3 via a hinge mechanism, and the game board 4 can be attached to and detached from the main body frame 3 along with this opening and closing operation. It has become.

  An annularly formed guide rail 11 is disposed on the board surface (front surface) of the game board 4, and the guide rail 11 includes an outer rail and an inner rail. On the board surface of the game board 4, a substantially circular game area 12 is defined inside the guide rail 11. In addition, the structure (board | board surface structure) in the game area | region 12 is mentioned later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a bass speaker 14 is provided at a lower left position of the front frame body 8, and the bass speaker 14 is attached to the front frame body 8 via a mounting plate 13. Has been. In addition, a launch rail 15 is provided at a lower position of the front frame 8 at the right side from the center, and this launch rail 15 plays a role of guiding the game ball toward the launch path of the game board 4. A lower front member 16 is attached to the front frame 8 at a position below the launch rail 15 and the bass speaker 14. A lower pan 17 is formed at a substantially central position of the lower front member 16, and a firing handle 18 is provided at a position further to the right.

  As shown in part in FIG. 2, a locking device 19 is mounted on the back side of the main body frame 3 (front frame body 8) just on the side opposite to the hinge mechanism 7. The locking device 19 has a function of locking the entire body frame 3 with respect to the outer frame 2 or locking the front frame 5 with respect to the body frame 3. The locking device 19 has two types of frame locking latches 21 and door locking latches 23, and one of the frame locking latches 21 corresponds to the closing tool 20 of the outer frame 2. For example, when the main body frame 3 is pushed into the outer frame 2 from the state shown in FIG. 2, the two frame locking latches 21 on the upper and lower sides respectively engage with the corresponding stoppers 20, thereby causing the main body frame 3 to move. The outer frame 2 is fixed in a locked state.

  The other door locking latch 34 corresponds to the closing tool 22 provided on the rear surface of the front frame 5. For example, when the front frame 5 is pushed into the main body frame 3 from the state shown in FIG. At the top and bottom, the three door locking latches 34 are respectively engaged with the corresponding closures 22, whereby the front frame 5 is fixed in a locked state to the main body frame 3.

  The locking device 19 also has a cylinder lock 24. With the main body frame 3 and the front frame 5 closed, for example, an administrator or employee of the hall inserts a predetermined key into the key hole of the cylinder lock 24. When it is turned in one direction, the engagement between the frame locking latch 21 and the closing tool 20 of the outer frame 2 is released, and the main body frame 3 is unlocked. When the key is turned in the opposite direction, the engagement between the door locking latch 23 and the closing tool 22 of the front frame 5 is released, and the front frame 5 is unlocked. The front end portion of the cylinder lock 24 is exposed to the front surface of the lower front member 16 through the front frame 8 and the lower front member 16 so that the unlocking operation can be performed by inserting a key from the front of the pachinko machine 1. Arranged to do so.

  The front frame 5 is also called a glass frame or a glass door, and the front frame 5 is attached to the front side of the main body frame 3 through a hinge mechanism 25 so as to be opened and closed. The front frame 5 includes a door main body frame 26 on the back side, and includes a side decoration device 27, an upper plate 28, and an acoustic illumination device 29 on the front side. The door main body frame 26 is configured by a pressed metal frame member, and the door main body frame 26 is formed to have a size that covers a portion from the upper end of the front frame body 8 to the upper edge of the lower front member 16. ing. When the front frame 5 is closed, the front side of the front frame 8 including the game board 4 is covered by the front frame 5, but a substantially circular opening window 30 is formed in the center of the door body frame 26. The game area 12 of the game board 4 can be viewed from the front through the opening window 30. In addition, a window frame 31 having a rectangular frame shape larger than the opening window 30 is provided on the rear side of the door main body frame 26, and a transparent glass plate 32 is doubled forward and backward in the window frame 31. Is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 5 is provided with side decoration devices 27 on the left and right sides around the opening window 30, and an upper plate 28 at the lower part thereof. In addition, an acoustic illumination device 29 is disposed at the top. The side decoration device 27, the acoustic illumination device 29, the upper plate 28, and the like are integrated so as to constitute the outer shape of the front frame 5 as a whole, and are designed to recall a sense of unity in appearance.

  Among these, the side decoration device 27 is mainly configured by a side decoration body 33 having a built-in lamp substrate, and the side decoration bodies 33 form a pair just on the left and right of the opening window 30. In the side decorative body 33, a plurality of slit-shaped opening holes (without reference numerals) that are long in the horizontal direction are arranged in the vertical direction, and each opening hole has a light source (for example, LED) disposed on the lamp substrate. A corresponding lens 34 is incorporated.

  The acoustic illumination device 29 includes a transparent cover body 35, a speaker 36, a speaker cover 37, a reflector body (not shown), and the like, and these components are unitized in a state where they are assembled with each other.

(2. Board configuration)
FIG. 3 shows the game board 4 alone. As shown in FIG. 3, in the game area 12, a number of obstacle nails (without reference numerals) are provided in a predetermined gauge arrangement, and a windmill 40 is provided at an appropriate position in the middle thereof. ing. At the center of the game area 12, there is a center feature 42 that attracts a lot of attention. The design of the center feature 42 characterizes the model of the pachinko machine 1, the game concept, and the like.

  The center accessory 42 is composed of a frame-like decorative body as a whole, and a character body 42a designed with the head of a racehorse is integrally attached to the upper edge portion thereof. Furthermore, decorative bodies 42b and 42c designed for the front legs of the racehorses are arranged on the left and right of the character body 42a. Of these, the right decorative body 42c can function as a movable accessory.

  The left and right side edges of the center accessory 42 are decorated with alphabet letters designed, and here the alphabet letters are emitted by a decoration lamp (LED) (not shown). In addition, a warp passage is formed along with a warp entrance (not shown) at the upper edge portion or the left and right side edge portions of the center accessory 42. When a game ball flowing down along the game board surface enters the warp entrance, the warp passage passes through the warp passage. It is taken inside the center accessory 42.

  A ball receiving shelf 42d is formed at the lower edge of the center accessory 42, and the ball receiving shelf 42d has a certain depth in the front-rear direction. The game ball taken in through the warp passage is released to the inside of the center accessory 42 and guided to the ball receiving shelf 42d. The ball receiving shelf 42d can roll a game ball on its upper surface and give various changes to its movement to add interest to the game. Alternatively, a movable body (not shown) is disposed on the ball receiving shelf 42d, and the movement of the game ball can be changed by the movable body.

  A ball guiding path 42e is formed at the center of the lower edge of the center accessory 42, and an inlet (not shown) to the ball guiding path 42e is formed on the upper surface of the ball receiving shelf 42d. Has been. The game ball that has dropped from the ball receiving shelf 42d to the entrance of the ball guiding path 42e is guided downward through the ball guiding path 42e.

  On the other hand, the exit of the ball guiding path 42e is open toward the front, and the game ball released from the exit falls almost downward. In the game area 12, a ball entry device 44 is arranged at a position immediately below the ball guide path 42e, and when a game ball enters the ball entry device 44, a start prize is awarded. Therefore, the game ball released from the ball guiding path 42e can be awarded with a start with a considerably high probability. The ball entry device 44 has a pair of left and right movable pieces 44a, and these movable pieces 44a can be expanded left and right to increase the probability of entry.

  Further, an attacker device 46 is disposed in the game area 12 at a position below the above-described ball entry device 44, and the attacker device 46 opens and closes the big prize opening by opening and closing the opening and closing member 46a. be able to.

  In addition, the game area 12 is provided with a starting gate port 48, a general winning port 50, and the like. Further, a liquid crystal display device 51 is disposed inside the center accessory 42, and in this liquid crystal display device 51, for example, an effect display by video is performed.

(3. Special symbol display device)
In the present embodiment, four multicolor LEDs 52 are arranged on the left side of the character body 42a in the upper edge of the center accessory 42, and the arrangement of these LEDs 52 can function as a special symbol display device. . The arrangement of the four LEDs 54 on the right side of the character body 42a is a start hold lamp.

  In the present embodiment, the function of the special symbol display device can be realized by turning on / off the LED 52. For example, by changing the four LEDs 52 in various patterns in response to the start winning prize, the variation state of the special symbol can be displayed. When the predetermined fluctuation time is over, the stop state in which the special symbol is determined can be displayed by the turn-on / off display patterns of the four LEDs 52. Thereby, when the lottery is performed, the result information is displayed by turning on / off the LED 52 (display means). Further, the control of special symbol fluctuation display and stop display by turning on / off the LED 52 is performed by a main control board described later (display control means).

  Specifically, each LED 52 is provided with lighting colors of two colors (for example, red and green), whereby each LED 52 is “lighted off”, “lighted with lighting color 1”, and “lighted color 2”. The lighting / light-off display pattern can be switched in three ways of “lighting”. Accordingly, a total of 81 (34 = 81) lighting / light-off display patterns when four LEDs 52 are arranged can be prepared. Here, for convenience of explanation, only two colors are used, but the lighting color of the LED 52 may be three or more colors (preferably about seven colors). Further, the LEDs 52 need not be arranged in one place, may be arranged separately, and do not particularly need to be arranged on the board surface. Or a special symbol may be displayed by five or more LEDs, and may be displayed using 7 segment LED.

  FIG. 4 shows a list of 81 lighting / light-off display patterns. In the table of FIG. 4, the symbol “◯” represents “off” of the LED 52, the symbol “◎” represents “lighting with lighting color 1”, and the symbol “●” represents “lighting with lighting color 2”. ing. For this reason, for example, in Pattern No. 0, all LEDs 52 are “off”, but in Pattern No. 1, one LED 52 located at the right end is “Illuminated with Lighting Color 1”, and the other 3 One is understood to be in a “light-off” state.

  On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, four hit modes are prepared as modes in which the player is given a profit, and these are (1) “normal (non-probable) big hit”, (2) “ There are four types: “probable big hit”, (3) “short open probable hit”, and (4) “short open per hit”. As an example, in the table of FIG. 4, pattern numbers 15, 30, 41, 46, 47, 48, 49, 54, 59, 73, 76, and 79 are display patterns corresponding to “probability big hit” When the special symbol is stopped and displayed in these display patterns, the player is given a profit (first profit) of “probable big hit”.

  Similarly, pattern numbers 35 and 53 correspond to “short open probability variation”, and pattern numbers 40 (35), 61 (53), 50, 56, 69, and 75 correspond to “short open per change”. Numbers 63 (73) and 70 (54) correspond to “ordinary (non-probable) big hit”. It should be noted that the pattern numbers marked with parentheses indicate that display patterns that are very similar are provided for “short opening probability variation per hit” and “short open per hit”. For example, the pattern numbers 40 and 35 are very similar to each other in the combination of turning on / off display, and it is difficult to distinguish the display patterns at first glance from these display modes. Here, similarly, pattern numbers 61 and 53 are very similar.

  Also, the pattern numbers 63 and 70 corresponding to “normal (non-probable change) big hit” and the pattern numbers 73 and 54 corresponding to “probable big hit” are very similar to each other. Is difficult to distinguish.

  As described above, the display pattern shown in FIG. 4 represents the symbol display mode (display eye) when the special symbol display device 60 is stopped. As can be seen from FIG. In the pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment, the lottery result and the subsequent internal state are not easily determined from the symbol display mode of the special symbol display device 60 basically. That is, in this embodiment, by preparing a variety of display patterns for special symbols and display patterns that are very similar among a plurality of winning types, the player can read the lottery results from the display mode of the special symbols. The emphasis is on the fact that the lottery result and the internal state can be estimated from the effect display by the liquid crystal display device 51 and the behavior of the attacker device 46 and the like.

Therefore, even if a “probable big hit” or “ordinary big hit” is won during the game, it is not clearly notified to the player in terms of performance. Furthermore, even if the winning probability is changed to a high value by “probability big hit” or “short open probability change hit”, the internal state is not clearly notified by character information such as “probably changing”. In addition, because there is no particular difference in the variation display mode (variation time etc.) of the special symbol depending on whether the internal state is a normal state (low probability) or a probability variation state (high probability), Even if the change display of the special symbol is seen, it cannot be determined that the player is “probably changing”. Therefore, the player basically plays the game without being provided with clear information about the type of the winning result and the internal probability state.

  However, when the four LEDs 52 are all lit, as in pattern numbers 15 and 30 in FIG. 4, for example, it is easy to make a visual judgment. In this embodiment, these lighting patterns correspond to “probable big hit”. Assigned as a thing (so-called “iron plate pattern”). This leaves a possibility that the player can clearly read the winning type by the display pattern (display eye) when the special symbol display device 60 is stopped.

(4. Hit mode)
Next, details of each hit mode are as follows.
(1) “Normal (non-probable change) big hit” is, for example, a round operation that opens and closes the attacker device 46 in a certain pattern for a maximum of 30 seconds and repeats up to 10 rounds. It is called. The player can win a lot of prize balls by winning the game balls in the big prize opening during the big hit game. Note that each round operation ends when either 30 seconds elapses or 10 winning balls are counted. The jackpot game ends when the round operation ends 10 times.

  (2) The “probable big hit” is to enable a big hit game similar to the above (1), but after the big hit game is finished, the winning probability for the next big hit is set higher than usual (for example, the normal hit big hit) When the jackpot probability is 1/320, a privilege of changing to 5 / fold 1/64) is added. For this reason, when the player wins a promising big hit, the next big hit probability becomes high, and it is possible to continuously win the big hit (so-called consecutive resort).

  (3) “Short opening probability variation hit” is, for example, a round operation of opening the big winning opening for 0.3 seconds twice, and the interval between rounds is 2 seconds. This short opening probability change is ended when the attacker device 46 is opened only twice for a relatively short time (0.3 seconds). If a prize is won in the big winning slot during this time, a specified number (for example, 15) of prize balls will be paid out, but not as many prize-winning opportunities as in the big hit game. However, if the player wins the short-open probability change perk, there is a privilege that the next jackpot winning probability is set high (1/64). Become.

  (4) “Short opening per win” is the same mode as “Short opening probable per hit” in the operation of the attack device 46, but the bonus for changing the big hit winning probability is not added. That is, when the short opening is reached, the attacker device 46 is terminated only by opening it twice for a relatively short time (0.3 seconds). However, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of winning balls can be paid out when winning a big winning opening during this period.

  In addition, the specific numerical value said by said (1)-(4) is the best thing in implementation of this invention. In addition, these numerical values can be variously changed and are not limited by the best numerical values.

  The probability of winning the winning modes (1) to (4) by lottery during a game is represented by, for example, Table 1 below.

(5. Maintenance lottery)
In this embodiment, when the probability variation state (high probability state) is caused by the “probability big hit” in (2) or “short open probability variation” in (3), the probability variation state is maintained with every start prize as a trigger. A lottery (falling lottery) is performed. The maintenance lottery is performed with a certain probability (for example, 1/640). When the lottery is lost with this maintenance lottery, a process of internally returning from the high probability state to the low probability state (normal probability) is performed.

(6. Control configuration)
FIG. 5 schematically shows a control configuration for controlling the operation of the pachinko machine 1. The control of the pachinko machine 1 is roughly divided into a main board group and a peripheral board group, and among these, the main board group plays game operations (winning detection, winning judgment, special symbol display, prize ball payout, etc.) ), And a group of peripheral boards controls production operations (light emission decoration, sound output, liquid crystal display, etc.). In addition to this, the pachinko machine 1 is equipped with a power supply board, a launch control board, an interface board, and the like. However, since any known ones can be applied, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

(6-1. Main board)
The main board includes a main control board 56 and a payout control board 58, and the main control board 56 is disposed on the back side of the game board 4. The other payout control board 58 is disposed on the back side of the main body frame 3 together with the prize ball device. The main control board 56 and the payout control board 58 are equipped with electronic parts such as a CPU (not shown) as well as ROM and RAM, and execute various game control programs using these electronic parts. Bidirectional communication is performed between the main control board 56 and the payout control board 58 via the respective input / output interfaces 56a and 58a. For example, when the main control board 56 transmits a prize ball command, it responds to this. Then, an ACK signal is returned from the payout control board 58 to the main control board 56.

  A special symbol display device 60 (LED 52) provided on the game board 4 is connected to the main control board 56, and a solenoid 62 and a winning ball for driving the ball entering device 44, the attacker device 46, and the like are detected. A winning switch 64, a start hold lamp (not shown in FIG. 5), and the like are connected. A payout motor 66 for driving the payout device is connected to one payout control board 58, and a motor index sensor, a prize ball count switch, and the like (none of which are shown) are connected to the payout control board 58. Yes.

(6-2. Peripheral board)
In addition to the sub-integrated board 68, the peripheral board includes, for example, a plurality of illumination control boards 70 and 72, a waveform control board 74, and the like. Between the main control board 56 and the sub-integrated board 68, communication in only one direction is performed between the input / output interface 56a and the input interface 68a. Even if a command is sent to 68, the reverse is not performed.

  The sub-integrated board 68 also has electronic components such as a ROM and RAM as well as a CPU (not shown), and a predetermined effect control program can be executed by these electronic components. Bidirectional communication is performed between the sub-integrated board 68 and the other illumination control boards 70 and 72 and the waveform control board 74 with the respective input / output interfaces 68b, 70a, 72a and 74a. For example, a lamp (LED) 76 for decoration is mainly connected to the first lighting control board 70, and a lighting signal for the lamp 76 is transmitted from the sub-integrated board 68 to the lighting control board 70. Then, in response to this, the illumination control board 70 performs a process of turning on the lamp 76. Alternatively, a decoration lamp 78 is connected to the second illumination control board 72 together with the liquid crystal display device 51, and a display command for the liquid crystal display device 51 is transmitted from the sub-integrated board 68 to the illumination control board 72. Then, in response to this, the illumination control board 72 performs a process of actually operating the liquid crystal display device 51. In addition to this, for example, in the case where an actor performing an effect operation by a movable body such as a drum or a character body is provided on the board surface, loads such as a motor and a solenoid for driving these are controlled by the illumination control boards 70 and 72. Connected to etc.

  The waveform control board 74 executes processing for generating and transmitting / receiving waveform signals such as inaudible ultrasonic waves as well as audible sound waves as acoustic outputs. For example, when a sound output command is transmitted from the sub-integrated board 68 to the waveform control board 74, the waveform control board 74 performs processing for driving the speakers 14 and 36. In addition, an ultrasonic transmission / reception device 80 is connected to the waveform control board 74, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception device 80 enables ultrasonic communication between a plurality of platforms. Normally, a plurality of pachinko machines 1 are installed side by side in the island facility of the hall, but between the pachinko machines 1 equipped with the ultrasonic transmission / reception device 80, ultrasonic communication is possible. By using this communication function, a plurality of pachinko machines 1 can synchronize the effect operation or exchange game information between specific stands.

(7. Example of control processing)
Next, an example of control processing executed by the main control board 56 (CPU) will be described.

(7-1. Start winning process)
First, FIG. 6 shows a routine of the start winning process. In this start winning process, it is determined whether or not there is a start win during the game (step S101). Specifically, when a detection signal is input from a winning switch 64 (starting port switch) corresponding to the above-described pitching device 44, it is determined that there is a starting winning (YES). It is determined that there is no starting prize (NO).

  When it is determined that there is a start prize (step S101 = YES), it is next determined whether or not the number of start suspensions is less than the maximum of four (step S102). If the start pending number has already reached 4 at this time (NO), the start winning process routine is returned as it is. On the other hand, if the number of start-up holds is less than 4 (YES), a hold storage process is performed next (step S103). In the hold storage process, for example, “1” is added to the hold number counter secured in the RAM, and the number of lighting of the start hold lamp 54 is increased by one.

  In the hold storage process, a random value is acquired together. The random value acquired at this time includes, for example, random numbers for hit determination, random numbers for win symbols, random numbers for variable fluctuation (variable fluctuation counter), etc. for different purposes. Among these, the random number for winning determination determines whether the lottery result is a win or not, and in the case of a win, whether it is the above-mentioned “normal big hit”, “probable big hit” or “short open positive change” Or a random number for determining whether it is “per short opening”. In this embodiment, “normal big hit”, “probability big hit”, “short open positive change hit” and “short open hit per change” are acquired based on a common random number (0 to 65535). For the lottery of “per short opening” not related to the operation of, a dedicated random number may be used.

  The next winning design random number is used when the winning determination random number is determined to be winning, and more specifically, the display pattern that is stopped and displayed by the special symbol display device 60 (in FIG. 4). This is a random number for specifying the pattern number of the hit display. The variable variation random number (variable variation counter) is a random number for varying the symbol variation time by the special symbol display device 60 at the time of deviation variation, for example. When the above random number values are acquired and stored in, for example, the RAM, the suspension storage process is finished and the present routine is returned.

(7-2. Game operation processing)
Next, FIG. 7 shows a routine of the game operation process accompanying the start winning. In this game operation process, it is first determined whether or not there is a start suspension (step S201). Specifically, when the value of the hold number counter is not 0, it is determined that there is a start hold (YES), and then it is determined whether or not the special symbol is in an unchanged state (step S202). At this time, if the special symbol display device 60 has not yet started the fluctuation display (fluctuation display by blinking of the LED 52) (YES), then the hold shift process is executed (step S203).

  In the hold shift process, the value of the hold number counter is decremented by “1”, and the process of shifting the contents of each random number value stored in the hold storage area of the RAM is performed. Following this, symbol variation processing is executed (step S204). Here, the variation time of the special symbol, the setting of the display pattern when the variation is stopped, and the like are performed. The contents of the symbol variation process will be described later in detail using still another flowchart (FIGS. 8 and 10).

  When the above-described symbol variation process (step S204) is completed, an information output process (step S205) is then executed. Here, a control information command is generated and transmitted from the main control board 56 to the sub-integrated board 68. . Based on the received control information command, the sub-integrated board 68 interprets the control information of the main control board 56 (presence / absence of start winning / holding, special symbol fluctuation / stop display mode, hit determination result, probability fluctuation, etc.) Then, a predetermined production operation is controlled.

  In the game operation process of FIG. 7, a hit determination process (step S206) is finally performed. Note that the value of the hold number counter is 0 at the start of the game operation process (step S201 = NO), or the special symbol display device 60 is changing even if the value of the hold number counter is not 0 (step S202 = If NO, in either case, the information output process (step S205) and the hit determination process (step S206) are executed bypassing the hold shift process (step S203) and the symbol variation process (step S204).

  In the hit determination process (step S206), the hit flag (1 or 2) set at the start of the variation of the special symbol is referred to, and if the hit flag is set, another process (FIG. 11) is executed. Note that the process of setting the hit flag and the content of the hit determination process will be described in detail later using different flowcharts (FIGS. 9 and 11).

(7-3. Special figure variation setting process A)
Next, details of the symbol variation process (step S204) performed in the game operation process of FIG. 7 will be described.
FIG. 8 shows the contents of the special figure variation setting process A included in the symbol variation process. In the special figure variation setting process A, the special symbol display device 60 mainly sets the variation time and selects the display pattern at the time of stop according to the lottery result. Specifically, the result of the lottery is determined based on the already acquired random numbers for winning determination (step S301). If the winning (winning) is determined (YES), the hit fluctuation setting process (step S302) is performed. Executed. Here, “winning” means that either (1) the normal big hit, (2) the probability variation big hit, (3) the short opening probability variation, or (4) the short opening per hit.

  On the other hand, if the result of the lottery is out of lane, that is, it is determined that none of (1) to (4) is true (NO), the variable fluctuation random number already obtained (variable fluctuation) The value of the counter is compared with a predetermined value (for example, 1024) (step S303). The variable fluctuation random number is acquired within a range of 0 to 65535, for example. If this random number value is less than 1024 (YES), the variable fluctuation setting process (step S304) is executed. On the contrary, if the value of the random number for variable fluctuation is 1024 or more (NO), the fluctuation timer is set through each determination in step S305 or step S306. The variation timer is a timer for setting the variation time by the special symbol display device 60. Specifically, if the current start pending number is 0 (step S305 = YES), the predetermined variation timer is relatively small. The longer 10 seconds are set (step S307). Similarly, if the start suspension number is 1 (step S306 = YES), the fluctuation timer is set to a relatively medium 8 seconds, and if the start suspension number is 2 or more (step S306 = NO), the fluctuation timer changes. The timer is set to a relatively short 6 seconds (so-called hold time short). In any case, when the variation timer is set, a special symbol stop pattern is subsequently selected (steps S310 to S312). The stop pattern is appropriately selected from the on / off display patterns that do not correspond to any hit mode in FIG.

  When the above special figure fluctuation setting process A is summarized, if the lottery result corresponds to any hit, the special symbol fluctuation display is started after another hit fluctuation setting process (step S302) is executed. (Step S313). On the other hand, if the lottery result does not correspond to any hit (displacement), another variable variation setting process (step S304) with a distribution ratio of 1/64 according to the value of the acquired variable variation random number (variable variation counter). ) Is executed, but in other cases (63/64), the change display of the special symbol is started after the time of the change timer is set in three stages according to the number of pending start (step S313) It becomes.

(7-4. Variable variation setting process)
Here, the variable variation setting process in step S304 is based on the conventional concept of “outlier reach variation”. In other words, when the symbol is removed by lottery, the variation time of the special symbol is gradually shortened according to the number of start suspensions (steps S307 to S309). By changing the variation time to be longer or shorter, or changing the special symbol stop pattern, it is difficult to make the player notice that the variation is out of place. In this variable fluctuation setting process, for example, the fluctuation time is distributed according to the table shown in Table 2 below.

  In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, since there is no effect synchronized with the change / stop of the special symbol (for example, the conventional decoration symbol change / stop display, etc.) There is no need to perform “outlier reach fluctuations” to increase For this reason, the setting of the variation time of the special symbol may be basically based on the concept of “short holding time”, but if the setting of the variation time is always fixed, it becomes easier for the player to be aware of “going out”.

  In consideration of this point, by executing the variable variation setting process described above, even if the lottery result is out of the range, “outreach reach variation” is performed at an appearance rate of 1/64. In this regard, in view of the fact that the conventional “displacement reach fluctuation” was performed at a relatively high appearance rate of about 1/11, in this embodiment, a long time for the purpose of providing a space between players. It can be said that the fluctuation is suppressed to a low appearance rate of 1/64. Therefore, from the player's perspective, it is less likely to show “outside reach fluctuations” that are unrelated to hits at a long time, and from the hall operator's perspective, there is a situation where operation is reduced due to various “outside reach fluctuations”. There are advantages to both because it is avoided.

(7-5. Hit variation setting process)
FIG. 9 shows the contents of the above-mentioned hit variation setting process (step S302 in FIG. 8). Here, when the lottery result is a win, it can be roughly divided into the setting of the fluctuation time in the case of `` normal big hit '' and `` probable big hit '', and in the case of `` short open positive change '' and `` The setting of the variation time is shared by the case of “per short opening”.

  That is, if it is determined in step S401 that it corresponds to “per short opening” (YES) or it is determined in step S402 that it corresponds to “short open probability variation” (YES), both cases are common. A short opening per change setting process (step S403) is executed. In step S403, using the value of the variable variation random number (variable variation counter), for example, the variation time is distributed in four ways according to the table shown in Table 3 below.

  Since the value of the variable fluctuation counter is acquired within the range of 0 to 65535, the fluctuation is usually applied to the fluctuation setting process per short opening in most cases (255/256 of appearance rate). As a result, a normal variation timer corresponding to the number of pending start-ups is set at a considerably high appearance rate, so that the player can hardly distinguish from a normal deviation variation. When the above short open per-change variation setting process is executed, “2” is set to the internal hit flag (step S405), and this routine is returned.

  On the other hand, if “normal big hit” or “probability big hit” is true, the determinations in step S401 and step S402 are both denied (NO). In this case, the common big hit fluctuation setting process (step S404) is executed. The In this step S404, using the value of the variable fluctuation random number (variable fluctuation counter) from 0 to 65535, for example, the fluctuation time is distributed in six ways according to the table shown in Table 4 below. When this big hit variation setting process is executed, "1" is set to the internal hit flag (step S406), and this routine is returned.

(7-6. Special figure change execution process B)
Next, FIG. 10 shows the contents of the special figure variation execution process B included in the symbol variation process (step S204 in FIG. 7). When the variation of the special symbol is started by the special symbol variation setting process A, it is determined here whether or not it is during the variation period (step S501). Specifically, whether or not it is during the fluctuation period can be determined by referring to the above-described fluctuation timer. If the fluctuation timer is activated, it is determined that the fluctuation period is in effect (YES). Conversely, if the variation timer is stopped, it is determined that the variation period is not in effect (NO).

  If it is determined in step S501 that the special symbol is changing, a change display control process (step S502) is executed. Here, for the two two-color LEDs 52 constituting the special symbol display device 60, for example, counter values of 0 to 15 are acquired and assigned to 8-bit values, and a total of eight switches (two colors are used by using these values). A process of switching ON / OFF of LED × 4) every 40 ms is performed. Thereby, the high-speed fluctuation | variation by the special symbol display apparatus 60 is implement | achieved, while four 2 color LED52 blinks. Here, the lighting / extinguishing of the LED 52 is controlled with reference to the counter value, but the lighting / extinguishing pattern of the LED 52 can be switched using, for example, a predetermined variation pattern table.

  Thereafter, when the variation timer counts up and the variation period ends, it is determined that it is not during the variation period of the special symbol (NO), and then stop pattern display control (step S503) is executed. In this stop pattern display control, the special symbol display device 60 uses the stop pattern lighting / light-off display pattern data already selected in the special symbol variation setting process A (FIG. 8), the hit variation setting process (FIG. 9), or the like. Sent to. The pattern data need not be transmitted every interrupt cycle (for example, 4 ms), and it is preferable to adjust the light emission luminance of the LED 52 by sampling appropriately.

(7-7. Hit determination process)
FIG. 11 shows the contents of the hit determination process (step S206 in FIG. 7) included in the game operation process. This winning determination process is executed when the lottery result is a win, and is not executed when the lottery is lost. Here, when the lottery result is a win, the operation pattern of the attacker device 46 is set according to the type of the win.

  From the processing order, it is determined whether or not the lottery result is “per short opening” (step S601). If the determination here is negative (NO), then the lottery result is “short opening probability change”. It is determined whether or not it is “winning” (step S602). Accordingly, when the result of the lottery is “ordinary big hit” or “probability big hit”, the determination is also denied (NO) here, so step S603 is executed next. In step S603, the maximum setting period for the operation pattern of the attacker device 46 is set to 30 seconds, the maximum setting continuation number (maximum number of rounds) is set to 10 rounds, and the setting interval is set to 2 seconds. .

  On the other hand, when the result of the lottery is “short open probability change hit”, the determination in step S602 is affirmed (YES), and then step S604 is executed. In step S604, the setting maximum period for the operation pattern of the attacker device 46 is set to 0.3 seconds, the setting maximum duration (maximum number of rounds) is set to 2 rounds, and the setting interval is set to 2 seconds. Is done. When step S603 or step S604 is executed, the big hit process (step S605) is executed by operating the condition device internally.

On the other hand, when the result of the lottery is “per short opening”, the determination in step S601 is affirmed (YES), and the short opening per process (step S606) is executed. In this short opening per unit processing, the condition device is not operated internally, but in order to realize a behavior that is the same as or similar to the “short open probability variation per unit” in appearance, the attacker device 46 is simply operated. First, the grand prize opening is opened for 0.3 seconds, and after closing it for an interval of 2 seconds, the grand prize opening is opened again for 0.3 seconds and then closed again. .

(7-8. Big hit processing)
FIG. 12 shows the contents of the big hit process (step S605 in FIG. 11) included in the hit determination process. When the condition device operates internally and the big hit process is executed, first, a predetermined round counter is initialized (step S701). The round counter is secured in, for example, the RAM, and the value of the round counter is reset with the initialization. The round counter is for counting the number of rounds in the big hit game, and when the value reaches the set maximum number of times, the big hit process ends.

  After the round counter is initialized, when a predetermined winning ball number counter is set to “0” (step S702), the special winning opening is subsequently opened (step S703). Then, in the next step S704, it is determined whether or not the opening period of the special winning opening is within the set maximum period. The time (30 seconds or 0.3 seconds) set in step S603 or step S604 during the previous hit determination process is applied to the maximum set period here. If the opening period is within the set maximum period (YES), it is then determined whether or not the value of the winning ball counter is less than 10 (step S705). At this time, if the value of the winning ball counter is less than 10 (YES), it is determined whether or not the detection signal of the count sensor corresponding to the big winning opening is turned on (step S706). If the count sensor is turned ON by winning a prize at the big winning opening (YES), “1” is added to the winning ball counter in the next step S707, and the determination in step S704 is performed again. Alternatively, if there is no winning in the big winning opening in step S706 and the count sensor is not ON (NO), the determination in step S704 is performed without adding the winning ball number counter.

  In the case of “ordinary big hit” or “probable big hit”, one round is ended when either the set maximum period of 30 seconds elapses or the winning ball reaches 10 counts. Become. If either of these two conditions is satisfied, the determination in step S704 or step S705 is negative (NO), so that the big prize opening is closed to end the round (step S708). Then, in the next step S709, it is determined whether or not the value of the round counter has reached the set maximum continuation count (10 rounds).

  On the other hand, in the case of “short opening probability variation hit”, the set maximum period is as short as 0.3 seconds. For this reason, the winning ball counter does not normally reach 10, and the determination of step S709, that is, the round counter reaches the set maximum number of times (2 rounds) after the set maximum period of 0.3 seconds elapses first. It is determined whether or not.

  In any case, if the value of the round counter has not reached the set maximum number of times (10 or 2) (step S709 = NO), then “1” is added to the value of the round counter (step S710) and the winning ball The number counter is reset to “0” (step S702).

  The above processing corresponds to the processing of the first round during “normal big hit”, “probability big hit”, or “short open probability big hit”. Thereafter, when the round operation is repeated and it is determined that the value of the round counter has reached the set maximum continuation number (10 or 2) (step S709 = YES), the big hit processing is ended there.

(8. Game mode / winning probability changing means)
As already described, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the big hit game by “probable big hit” or “short open probable hit” is finished, the game mode from there is changed to so-called “probable change (at high probability)”. (First game mode → second game mode). While the game mode is “probable”, the winning probability of the big hit is five times the normal (at low probability), so the player can continuously win the next big hit with a high probability. .

  In this regard, in the conventional probability variation type pachinko machine, the special symbol (decorative symbol) at the time of the big hit is notified to the player whether it is “probable big hit” or “probably changing” after the big hit game, etc. In most cases, the player is notified of the fact that it is “probable change” by displaying the character information. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, even if it is shifted to “probability change” internally by “probability big hit” or “short open probability change hit”, the internal state at that time is clear to the player. Not announced. In addition, since the display patterns by the special symbol display device 60 are diverse (81 ways), the player simply looks at the display mode at the time of stop by the special symbol display device 60 (the combination mode of turning on / off the LED 52). It is difficult to immediately determine whether the “probable big hit” has been assigned, the “normal (non-probable) big hit” has been assigned, or simply “displaced”. Of course, when the “normal big hit” or “probable big hit” is made, the jackpot game is enabled by the operation of the condition device, so that the player can detect that either “big hit” was obtained, but clearly Which “big hit” is not easily recognized.

  In addition to this, in this embodiment, there is a mode of “short opening probability variation hit” in which the big prize opening is performed for 0.3 seconds only twice, and then the game mode is shifted to “probability variation”. However, most players do not notice the opening / closing action of the attacker device 46 at all, or even if they notice it, it is not easy to enter the big winning opening within the opening period of the “short opening probability variation”. If the player happens to be aware of the opening / closing action of the attacker device 46, it can be predicted that it may have been a “short open probability variation hit”. Since “per short opening” in which the opening / closing action is performed also exists in this embodiment, “short opening probable per hit” and “per short opening” are simply determined by focusing on the movement of the attacker device 46 and the related performance action. It is not easy to determine.

(9. Features of one embodiment)
In summary, the following features are found in the game in the pachinko machine 1 of one embodiment.
(1) Even if it is a “big hit” for the first time in a normal game mode (at low probability), that fact is not clearly notified, so just watching the display when the special symbol is stopped gives the player However, it is not easy to determine whether it is “normal big hit” or “probable big hit”. After that, since the variation display mode (variation time, etc.) of the special symbol is the same in the normal state (at low probability) and the probability variation state (at high probability), the player can see the variation display of the special symbol. Cannot be determined as “probably changing”. Therefore, the player can maintain a high sense of expectation and willingness to play the next “big hit” while expecting that the game mode has shifted to “probability change” after the big hit game has ended. In addition, in the specification of the pachinko machine 1, in view of the fact that the distribution rate of “probable big hit” is 12/16 and the distribution rate of “normal big hit” is 2/16, in many cases, “ It is easy to expect that it has shifted to “Changing”.

  (2) In addition to “probable big hit”, there is a possibility that the game state may shift to “probable change” triggered by “short open probable hit”, so that the player can perform an opening / closing action of the attacker device 46 and a related production operation. If you notice, even if you haven't paid a big hit yet, expecting a transition from normal gaming to “probable change”, and maintaining high expectations and willingness to win a big hit from there be able to.

  (3) However, due to the specifications of the pachinko machine 1, the distribution rate of “short open probability variation” with the operation of the condition device is suppressed to the same level as “normal big hit” (2/16), and it appears as it is The rate is low and the appeal to the player is relatively low. As a supplement to this point, there is a separate “Short Open Per Open” that shows the same behavior as the “Short Open Probability Hit” without opening the condition device (opening / closing action of the attacker device 46 and related stage action). By combining the hit probability (1/128) of the “short open probability variation” and the appearance rate of the “short open probability variation”, the player is given an opportunity to come into contact with either one at a relatively high frequency.

  (4) For this reason, for example, when the player touches the behavior of the opening / closing action of the attacker device 46 and the related production action in a normal game mode (at a low probability), the player is changed to “probability change” by “short open probability change hit”. While expecting that there may have been a transition, it is possible to maintain a high sense of expectation and willingness to play until the next "big hit" is awarded.

  (5) Also, when a player touches an opening / closing action of the attacker device 46 or a related production action at a certain point in time, even if it is actually merely “per short opening”, Since the next opening / closing action and related production action may occur while continuing, the player's expectation for the transition to “probability change” is not easily diminished.

  (6) Or, even if you are not blessed with an opportunity to shift to “probability”, if a player wins a “big hit” even once, expecting to go back to (1) above and shift to “probability” As the feelings come out, the willingness to play will increase further while expecting the next big hit.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, there are few points where the player's expectation and willingness to play are interrupted, and the game is eager for a long time while maintaining a high expectation that a profit such as a big hit will always be obtained Can work on.

  On the other hand, in the case of the player's turn in the hall, conventionally, only the condition of the nail adjustment was read or the table was selected by looking at the data such as the number of rotations and the number of hits per table. Then, it will be interesting to find a table that has been abandoned without knowing that the previous player has entered “probability” internally.

(10. Game mode maintenance / demotion determination process)
As described above, the fact that the game mode shifts to “probable change” for some time is a factor that enhances the interest of the pachinko machine 1, but in this embodiment, another aspect is further elaborated. Specifically, when the game mode shifts to “probability change” internally, for example, a lottery (whether so-called relegation / falling etc. ) Is performed (mode maintenance lottery means).

FIG. 13 shows the contents of the game state maintenance / demotion determination process for executing the above lottery. As described above, when the game mode shifts to “probability change”, the main control board 56 executes the processing of FIG. Here, first, a lottery is performed as to whether or not the game mode should be maintained as “probability change” using a random number value acquired in response to the start winning (step S801). The winning probability of the player who maintains the game mode is set to be relatively high, for example, 639/640, and the winning probability is only 1/640 with a considerably low probability. If it does not fall in the lottery here (NO), this routine is returned as it is, but if it falls in the lottery (YES), “demotion determination” to the normal game mode is made.

  If the lottery is lost in the above lottery, then a loss variation setting process (step S802) is performed. Here, using the value of the random number for variable fluctuation (variable fluctuation counter), for example, the fluctuation time is distributed in three ways according to the table shown in Table 5 below.

  Since the value of the variable fluctuation counter is acquired within the range of 0 to 65535, the normal fluctuation is applied in most cases in this defeat selection fluctuation setting process. As a result, a normal variation timer corresponding to the number of pending start-ups is set with a considerably high appearance rate, so that the player can hardly distinguish from a normal deviation variation, and in particular, the demotion from "probability variation" It is impossible to immediately determine what has been done. In the selection change setting process, a predetermined stop symbol (outgoing display pattern) is also selected.

  When the above-described selection change setting process is executed, “0” is set to the internal game state flag (step S803), and this routine is returned. After this, the game mode flag is “0”, so that the internal game mode is pulled back to the normal time.

  With such a specification, even if it shifts to “probability change” once, there is a possibility that it will be a big hit with a high probability in every starting prize from there, conversely from “probability change” with a probability of 1/640. It can be said that there is a possibility of being demoted. Therefore, even if the player is currently expecting a “probable” game mode, he can always play the game while feeling close to the big hit and the risk of falling. Therefore, a thrilling interest is added there.

  In this way, in this embodiment, even if it shifts to `` probability change '' once, there is a possibility that it will win the next `` big hit '', conversely, it will be lost in the maintenance lottery, and from there it will be in the normal probability state It can be said that there is a possibility of being demoted. Based on the possibility of demotion due to such a maintenance lottery, in this embodiment, the rate of transition to “probability change” at the time of hitting is relatively high (accuracy change in 14/16, non-probability change in 2/16) ), Which increases the player's expectation and avoids the player becoming more unilaterally advantageous than the hall operator.

(11. Production process)
The above is purely the contents of the processing related to the control of the game operation by the main control board 56, but when the sub integrated board 68 receives the control information command from the main control board 56, it executes various effect processes based on this. be able to.

  When there is a start prize, the main control board 56 performs random number acquisition, special symbol variation processing, etc., but in this embodiment, the special symbol variation or stop display and the effect display operation by the liquid crystal display device 51 are not necessarily synchronized. Absent. For example, even if special symbol change / stop display is performed on the special symbol display device 60 in response to a start winning every time during a normal game, the liquid crystal display device 51 is at a constant pace regardless of this. Continuous images (for example, images of racehorses being grazed, connected to stables, or being trained in a race) continue to be displayed. Similarly, since the conventional reach variation display method is not adopted for the special symbol, the liquid crystal display device 51 does not perform the reach effect display using the decorative symbol.

  Instead, when the result of the hit determination is “ordinary big hit” or “probable big hit”, an animation image having a series of stories is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 51 before shifting to these big hit games, Then, when some kind of completion (for example, a racehorse wins a domestic race) is seen, it develops into a big hit game production (for example, the same racehorse runs in an overseas race). In addition, sound effects and the like are output from the speakers 14 and 36 in accordance with changes in the video.

  In addition to this, when it comes to “Short Open Probability Per Hit” or “Short Open Per Hit”, any related production action (for example, a visual change such as a racehorse changing position to a paddock or entering a start gate) (Changed video) is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 51, and BGM and sound effects are output from the speakers 14, 36.

  The player can continue the highly entertaining game while guessing the change of the internal state and the lottery result by touching the effect operation as described above.

It is a front view of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the front frame and main body frame of the pachinko machine. It is a front view of a game board. It is the figure which showed all the display patterns of the special symbol as a list. It is the block diagram which showed roughly the control structure of the pachinko machine. It is a flowchart of a start winning process. It is a flowchart of a game operation process. It is a flowchart of special figure fluctuation setting processing A. It is a flowchart of a hit variation setting process. It is a flowchart of special figure fluctuation execution processing B. It is a flowchart of a hit determination process. It is a flowchart of jackpot processing. It is a flowchart of a game state maintenance / demotion determination process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine 4 Game board 42 Center object 44 Pitching device 46 Attacker unit (ball winning means)
46a Opening and closing member (movable body)
52 LED
56 Main control board (profit discriminating means, first to third profit granting means)

Claims (3)

In a gaming machine that has a lottery means for performing a lottery based on the start winning prize, and can give a profit to the player when a predetermined result is obtained by the lottery by the lottery means
The lottery results by the lottery means include a hit with the operation of the condition device and a hit with no operation of the condition device,
In the lottery by the lottery means, the first game mode in which the winning probability with the operation of the condition device is set relatively low, and the winning probability with the operation of the condition device than the first game mode are set. A winning probability changing means for making it possible to mutually change the second game mode set higher than double, on condition that the winning is accompanied by the operation of the condition device;
As one operation for giving a profit to the player, a ball winning means that facilitates the reception of the game ball by the operation of a predetermined movable body,
As a result of the lottery by the lottery means, when the first hit out of the hits accompanied by the operation of the condition device is won, the change to the second game mode by the winning probability changing means and the operation of the movable body First profit granting means for giving a player a first profit providing an opportunity to obtain a prize ball by facilitating acceptance of a game ball by the ball winning means;
As a result of the lottery by the lottery means, when the second win out of the hits accompanied by the operation of the condition device is won, the winning probability changing means changes to the second game mode and the ball winning means In spite of the operation of the movable body at, unlike the first profit providing means, the movable body is operated in a manner in which it is difficult to accept the game ball by the ball winning means to obtain a prize ball. A second profit granting means for giving the player a second profit having a lower value than the first profit by providing an opportunity;
As a result of the lottery by the lottery means, if the third win without the operation of the condition device is won , the game state is not changed by the winning probability changing means, and is the same as the second profit granting means? Or a third benefit that provides the player with a third benefit different from the second benefit that provides an opportunity to obtain the winning ball by operating the movable body in a manner that makes it difficult to accept the approximate game ball. Granting means;
A display device on which the lottery result information by the lottery means is displayed;
Display control means for stopping display after the result information displayed on the display device is variably displayed over a predetermined variation time;
The display control means includes
When the lottery result by the lottery means is the second hit out of hits involving the operation of the condition device, and when the lottery result by the lottery means is the third hit without the operation of the condition device ; In the gaming machine, the result information is variably displayed for the same or approximate variation time. The lottery means
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the lottery is performed so that the first win is more likely to be won than the second win among the wins accompanied by the operation of the condition device. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the lottery means performs the lottery based on a random number value acquired when the start winning is made.

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