JP4743386B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, among the various ball game machines, a so-called first type pachinko game machine is used while changing a plurality of symbols in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially at the center of the game board. Display (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). This gaming machine shifts to a special game called so-called jackpot where more prize balls can be obtained than a normal game when a combination of symbols when a plurality of rows of symbol variations are stopped becomes a specific mode. It is known as a thing (for example, refer patent document 1). The variable display of symbols in the display area is not only a variable display of multiple symbols, but the time of variable display is usually reduced in a state where it is a big hit if one more symbols are aligned, as in the so-called reach screen. For example, an effect is made to increase the player's expectation, such as making it longer. In addition, the player's expectation is enhanced by controlling the specific game such as the probability variation that changes the probability of transition to special games by giving the story to the variation display using characters on the image such as symbols Yes.
JP 2003-230714 A

  Here, in the conventional type 1 pachinko gaming machine, the display of whether or not the jackpot is generated, the decorative symbol variation display is responsible for almost all of the role of directing. That is, an aspect such as a reach pattern of a decorative symbol indicating the possibility of a jackpot and a process of progressing a variation of an image or a decorative symbol displayed as an effect of the reach mode causes a player to expect a jackpot occurrence. It played a role of production. Such productions are not only different for each model, but various production contents are prepared and incorporated so that only the same production does not occur frequently in one model. Therefore, the player always expects a new style of production, and as a producer, he always pursues the creation of a new production from a new perspective. Accordingly, the present inventor has come up with a novel effect by a technique other than the decorative design technique, and has technically realized this.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving the gameability by increasing the player's expectation for the game.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with a game board on which a game area is formed, and a predetermined position in the game area. In order to show the result of the lottery, the lottery means for executing the lottery to determine whether or not to shift to the special game which is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, triggered by entering the starting prize port Special symbol display device for variably displaying special symbols, special symbol storage means for holding a plurality of special symbol sets that are combinations of a plurality of special symbols that can be displayed on the special symbol display device, and special symbol storage means A set selection means for selecting one of the plurality of special symbol sets held in accordance with the result of the lottery, and a special symbol display device for each of the plural types of special symbols included in the selected special symbol set Cut sequentially And a special symbol control means for displaying the variation of the special symbols by displaying with e. Special symbol storage means, as a special symbol set, all symbol sets that include all the special symbols that can be displayed on the special symbol display device, and only some of the special symbols that can be displayed on the special symbol display device One or more of the included partial symbol sets are stored, and the set selection means selects the partial symbol set when the lottery result is a specific result.

  Here, for example, “0” “1” “2” “3” “4” “5” “6” “7” “8”, which are winning symbols, are included in the “all symbol sets” included in the “special symbol set”. Eleven kinds of special symbols consisting of “9” and “−” which is an off symbol may be included. The “partial symbol set” includes, for example, 10 types of “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, and “9” from which the missing symbols are removed. Only a special symbol may be included, or three types of special symbols “3”, “7”, and “−” with a limited number of hit symbols may be included. The type and configuration of the special symbols included in the set may be arbitrary. “When the result of the lottery is a specific result” may be a case where it is determined that the lottery is a win, or may be a case where it is determined that the so-called reach is lost. When the result of the lottery is not a “specific result”, that is, in the normal state, the set selection unit may select the entire symbol set. The “special symbol control means” may be “main display control means” described later in the embodiment.

  According to this aspect, the partial symbol set is selected only in a specific case, and the types of special symbols variably displayed on the special symbol display device are limited to some symbols. When the number of special symbols displayed in a variable manner is temporarily reduced in this way, it seems that the probability of stopping at the winning symbol appears to have increased temporarily, so that the player's expectation for jackpot occurrence is increased. It is possible to improve game play.

  The special symbol storage means includes, as the special symbol set, a special symbol set including at least one of a winning symbol indicating that the lottery result is a winning symbol and a winning symbol indicating that the lottery result is incorrect. And holding at least one set that includes only the winning symbol as a partial symbol set included in the plurality of special symbol sets, and the set selecting means determines whether the winning symbol is a specific result. You may select the partial symbol set which contains only.

  For example, “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, and “8” are removed from the “set including only winning symbols”. 10 kinds of special symbols consisting of “9” may be included. When “a set including only winning symbols” is selected, only the winning symbols are displayed on the special symbol display device. Thereby, it is possible to notify the player that the jackpot has been confirmed. In addition, when it is determined whether or not the jackpot with probability variation is determined according to the stop symbol, if “a set including only the winning symbol” is selected, whether the player stops at the jackpot symbol with probability variation or not It is possible to focus attention on whether or not, and to provide a new gameability to the player.

  You may further provide the production | presentation display apparatus which carries out the variation display of the production image for showing the result of a lottery in production, and the production display control means which controls the fluctuation display of an production image. The set selection means may select the partial symbol set when the result of the lottery is a result of displaying the reach mode in the variation of the effect image. In this case, while an effect that may be a big hit is displayed on the effect display device, a special symbol that may be a big hit is also displayed on the special symbol display device. Therefore, it is possible to display the effect content in the effect display device and the effect content in the special symbol display device together, and synergistically increase the player's expectation for the jackpot.

  The set selection means selects one of a plurality of special symbol sets as a first set to be initially displayed, and selects a set according to the lottery result as a second set for special symbol control. The means may initially display the special symbol included in the first set in a variably manner and then switch the symbol variation being displayed to the variation in the special symbol included in the second set. In this case, after the entire symbol set is variably displayed initially, the partial symbol set is switched to the variable symbol display without the player's knowledge. It is possible to increase the player's expectation for the occurrence of fluctuation display.

  You may further provide the operation input means which receives the operation input by a player. The set selection means selects the first set and the second set when the result of the lottery is a result that should display the reach mode, and the special symbol control unit should display the reach mode as the result of the lottery If the operation input means receives an operation input by the player while the effect display control means displays the reach form on the effect display device in the case of the result, the first set of symbols displayed The variation may be switched to a second set of symbol variations.

  In this case, regardless of whether or not the effect image of the reach mode is displayed, the special symbol control means always selects the entire symbol set initially, and then the special symbol control when the player inputs an operation. The configuration may be such that the means switches to the partial symbol set. Alternatively, when a reach-type effect image is displayed, the special symbol control means initially selects either the full symbol set or the partial symbol set, and then the special symbol control when the player inputs an operation. The configuration may be such that the means switches to another partial symbol set.

  When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a specific game execution means for shifting the game state to a specific game where the possibility of shifting to a special game is advantageous to the player may be further provided. The set selection means may select the partial symbol set when the result of the lottery is a result to display the reach mode while the game state is shifted to the specific game.

  “Specific game” may mean, for example, a probability fluctuation state where the probability of transition to a special game is changed to a higher probability than the normal state, or may mean a time reduction state where the symbol fluctuation time is shortened. However, either may be used. In this case, there is a possibility that the partial symbol set is selected only when the game is in the specific game state, and accordingly, the player's expectation for the occurrence of jackpot in the specific game state can be further increased.

  The special symbol storage means holds a special symbol set in which a plurality of suggested symbols that further indicate that the partial symbol set has been selected is included in addition to the special symbols, and the set selection means indicates that the lottery result indicates the reach mode. When a result to be displayed is selected, a special symbol set including a plurality of suggested symbols is selected, and when a special symbol set including a plurality of suggested symbols is selected, the special symbol control means selects a special symbol set at the start of symbol variation. After suggesting that a partial symbol set has been selected by sequentially displaying a plurality of suggested symbols on a special symbol display device, the special symbols in the partial symbol set can be displayed sequentially to change the special symbol. May be displayed.

  “A plurality of character designs that suggest that a partial symbol set has been selected” is, for example, six character designs of “C”, “H”, “A”, “N”, “C”, and “E” meaning chances. It may be. In this case, it is possible to clearly notify the player that the partial symbol has been selected, and it is possible to more reliably increase the player's expectation for the jackpot occurrence.

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

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, by adding a staging element to the role of the special symbol in the ball game machine, it is possible to enhance the player's expectation for the game and improve the game performance.

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

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has mechanisms such as storage of game balls, delivery of game balls to the launch rail, and extraction of game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, and a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62 on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. , A center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66, an operation opening 68, and a general prize opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start port 62 includes a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the start port. The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66.

  The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol 202 stops in a predetermined manner. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The inside of the special winning opening 66 is divided into a specific area (so-called V zone) and a general area. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects passage of a game ball through a specific area and a sensor that detects passage of a general area.

  The special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60 provided substantially at the center of the game area 52 display the variation of the special symbol 202 and the variation of the effect image including the decorative symbol 200 linked to the special symbol 202 on each screen. (Hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). Here, the special symbol 202 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery performed when the game ball is dropped into the start port 62, and the symbol mode when the change display is stopped is determined to be the winning symbol. When the symbol is a symbol, the timing at which the stop symbol is displayed is the jackpot occurrence timing. The special symbol display device 61 is display means composed of, for example, 7 segment LEDs. The effect display device 60 is a liquid crystal display that variably displays an effect image including the decorative symbol 200 in a manner linked with the variable symbol display of the special symbol 202. The decorative symbol 200 is a symbol for visually producing the lottery result display indicated by the special symbol 202. The effect display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 200, for example, a plurality of rows of moving images of symbol variation simulating a slot machine game in the central area of the screen. The effect display device 60 is constituted by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be constituted by other display means such as a mechanical drum or LED. The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50. The passing of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers a lottery for expanding the start port 62.

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

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60. The variable display of the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 is stopped after the elapse of the display time determined prior to display. When the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 at the time of the stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 66 is started. At this time, the decorative symbol 200 simulating a game of a slot machine takes a display mode in which three symbols are matched.

  The big winning opening 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after nine or more game balls are dropped. If at least one game ball falls into a specific area while the big prize opening 66 is open, the big prize opening 66 is opened again. In this way, the opening / closing of the special winning opening 66 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, eight times, on condition that at least one game ball falls into the specific area while the special winning opening 66 is opened once.

  When a special game occurs and a predetermined condition such as a lottery is satisfied, a probability variation game is started as a specific game after the special game ends. In the probability variation game, a lottery with a higher win probability than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game is generated relatively early.

  When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, a symbol called a normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 204 for a predetermined time. The normal symbol display device 204 is provided on the right side of the effect display device 60. When the normal symbol variation display is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%. During the execution of the fluctuation shortening game, the fluctuation display time of the normal symbol is shortened, and the time during which the start port 62 is opened is set relatively long.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the effect display device 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60, and decoration. The center decoration 64 is provided with a lottery holding lamp 20 at the upper part thereof and an operation holding lamp 22 at a left side part thereof. The lottery hold lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of lottery holds depending on the number of lights. The number of lottery holds is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation or special game, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. The operation hold lamp 22 is also composed of four lamps, and displays the number of hold of normal symbol fluctuations depending on the number of lights. The number of normal symbol fluctuations held is the number of game balls that have passed through the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of normal symbol lotteries for which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet been executed. In addition, a game effect lamp 90 is provided in the game area 52 and plays a role of production by blinking or the like. The operation button 82 is a button operated by the player to input a predetermined instruction on the gaming machine side. The operation button 82 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball tray 15.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 41 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub board 49 includes a liquid crystal unit 42, controls display contents on the effect display device 60, and changes display contents according to a lottery result by the main board 41 in particular. The main board 41 and the sub board 49 constitute a game control device 100. The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in this embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 is electrically connected to each of the start opening 62, the big prize opening 66, the special symbol display apparatus 61, the effect display apparatus 60, the speaker 18, the game effect lamp 90, and the general winning opening 72. To enable transmission / reception of various control signals. The game control apparatus 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game, but also staging operations such as symbol variation display and electrical decoration. The game control device 100 may be configured in such a manner that the functions are shared by the main board 41 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including the basic operation of the game, and the sub board 49 that controls the production of symbols and the like. Good.

  The game control device 100 is configured by hardware including elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs, and a CPU used for arithmetic processing. The game control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a ball determination unit 110 that determines whether or not to enter a winning game, a winning lottery unit 112 that executes a lottery to determine whether to shift to a special game, a stop symbol, or a variation pattern. Table storage means 120 for holding various tables in which the correspondence relationship with the winning / failing lottery values is determined, symbol determination means 130 for determining a symbol variation stop symbol and variation display variation pattern, and special symbol memory for retaining a special symbol set Means 150; set selection means 152 for selecting a set of special symbols; operation input means 154 for accepting a player's operation input via the operation button 82; and main display control means for controlling symbol variation display such as special symbols. 160, effect display control means 162 for controlling the effect processing such as the decorative display variation display and the blinking of the illumination, and the hold system for controlling the hold of the lottery value Means 170, special game control means 180 for controlling a special game, specific game execution means 190 for controlling a game in a probability variation state, and ordinary electric accessory opening / closing control means 192 for controlling the opening and closing of ordinary electric actors such as the start port 62 , And a special prize opening / closing control means 194 for controlling the opening / closing of the special prize opening 66. In the present embodiment, the effect display control means 162 is provided on the sub board 49, and the configuration other than the effect display control means 162 is provided on the main board 41. However, in a modified example, each functional block may be provided on either the main board 41 or the sub board 49.

  The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor provided in the start opening 62, detects the drop of the game ball into the start opening 62, and generates start winning information indicating the drop. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor provided in the general winning opening 72, detects the falling of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the drop. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62, and receives the general winning information, determines that the game ball has won the general winning opening 72.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 includes a success / failure lottery value acquisition means 113 and a success / failure determination means 114. The success / failure lottery value acquisition means 113 uses a random number value to determine whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, when the game ball enters the start port 62. Acquired as a lottery value. For example, the success / failure lottery value is acquired from a value range from “0” to “65535”. The “random number” in the present application may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like.

  The success / failure determination unit 114 determines whether or not to shift to the special game in accordance with the determination result / lottery value acquired by the determination unit 105. The success / failure determination unit 114 holds a plurality of success / failure tables to be referred to in the determination of success / failure. In the plurality of success / failure tables, the determination result of winning or losing is associated with the winning / losing lottery value, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting. The success / failure determination unit 114 refers to a success / failure table for determination of success / failure based on a normal probability at the normal time, and refers to a correct / failure table in which the probability of winning is higher than the normal probability when the probability changes. The success / failure determination unit 114 refers to any one of the plurality of success / failure tables, and determines whether or not the success / failure lottery value is a win. The determination result by the determination unit 114 is variably displayed in a special symbol form on the special symbol display device 61. In addition, a decorative design that effectively shows the determination result by the success / failure determination unit 114 is variably displayed on the effect display device 60.

  The table storage unit 120 includes a symbol range table to be referred to when the symbol determining unit 130 determines various symbols such as a special symbol and a decorative symbol, and a pattern determining unit to be referred to when the symbol determining unit 130 determines a variation pattern. Hold the table.

  The symbol determination means 130 determines the type of stop symbol to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60 and its variation pattern according to the lottery result by the success / failure lottery means 112. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation. The symbol determining unit 130 includes a decorative symbol determining unit 132 that determines a decorative symbol, a special symbol determining unit 140 that determines a special symbol, and a normal symbol determining unit 148 that determines a normal symbol.

  The special symbol determining unit 140 includes a pattern determining unit 144 and a symbol selecting unit 146. The symbol selecting means 146 first acquires the symbol determination lottery value, and determines the stop symbol of the variation of the special symbol according to the determination result by the success / failure determination means 114 and the symbol determination lottery value. The symbol selection unit 146 sends information indicating the determined stop symbol to the main display control unit 160.

  The pattern determination unit 144 determines one of the plurality of variation patterns according to the determination result by the success / failure determination unit 114. The pattern determining unit 144 stores a plurality of types of variation patterns in which variation modes from the variation start to the stop when the special symbol is variably displayed. The plurality of variation patterns stored by the pattern determining unit 144 have various variation times. That is, for each variation pattern, a variation display time is defined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol is stopped when the variation display time elapses. The special symbol determining unit 140 sends information indicating the selected variation pattern to the main display control unit 160 and the decorative symbol determining unit 132.

  The decorative symbol determination unit 132 includes a pattern determination unit 136 and a symbol selection unit 138. The symbol selection unit 138 determines the stop symbol of the decoration symbol corresponding to the determination result by the success / failure determination unit 114 and the special symbol and the variation pattern determined by the special symbol determination unit 140. The stop symbol of the decorative symbol is formed as a combination of three symbols. For example, when the determination result by the success / failure determination means 114 indicates a shift to a special game, three symbols such as “777” and “111” are arranged. A combination is selected. In this case, it is preferable that the same numbers as the special symbols are selected as the numbers arranged as the decorative symbols. For example, when the special symbol is “3”, the decorative symbol is “333”. When the determination result by the success / failure determination unit 114 indicates that the game does not shift to the special game, a combination that does not have three symbols such as “312” and “946” is selected. However, when the determination result by the success / failure determination unit 114 indicates that the game does not shift to the special game, and the pattern determination unit 144 selects the variation pattern indicating the detachment with reach, the symbol selection unit 138 sets “191”. Or a combination that does not have only one symbol, such as “727”.

  The pattern determining unit 136 determines any pattern from a plurality of types of variation patterns according to the determination by the special symbol determining unit 140. The variation pattern of the effect image including the decorative design defines the effect display process of the effect image, that is, the effect process from the start of change of the effect image to the stop of change. The pattern determining means 136 stores a plurality of types of variation patterns of effect images. The fluctuation pattern displays a pattern for displaying a normal out symbol, a pattern for displaying a symbol out of reach after reaching a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and a jackpot symbol through a reach state. When the pattern is included. In particular, the pattern that passes through the reach state includes patterns having various fluctuation times. Each variation pattern has a variation time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses. The pattern determining unit 136 determines a variation pattern of the effect image having the same variation time as that of the special symbol in accordance with the variation pattern of the special symbol determined by the pattern determining unit 144.

  The normal symbol determining means 148 obtains a lottery random number for determining the normal symbol when the entrance determining means 110 determines the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and the normal symbol is determined according to the lottery random number. decide. When the normal symbol determination means 148 is a specific symbol, the normal electric accessory opening / closing control means 192 widens the start port 62 for a predetermined time.

  The special symbol storage means 150 holds a plurality of special symbol sets that are combinations of a plurality of types of special symbols that can be displayed on the special symbol display device 61. The special symbol set includes an entire symbol set including all the special symbols of the winning symbol and the off symbol, and a partial symbol set including only a part of the special symbols. As the partial symbol set, the special symbol storage unit 150 holds a set including a missing symbol and a set including only a winning symbol not including a missing symbol. Each partial symbol set may be held in the special symbol storage unit 150 one set at a time, or a plurality of sets may be held in the special symbol storage unit 150, and the number of holdings and the type of configuration symbol are arbitrary. .

  The set selection unit 152 selects one of a plurality of special symbol sets held in the special symbol storage unit 150 according to the lottery result by the success / failure lottery unit 112 and the type of the special symbol determined by the symbol selection unit 146. To select. In this embodiment, the symbol selecting unit 146 determines a special symbol according to the lottery result, and the set selecting unit 152 selects a symbol set including the special symbol. Also, if the decorative symbol determined by the symbol selecting means 138 is in a state with reach, and the gaming state at that time is in the probability variation state, the set selecting means 152 sets the special symbol set to 2 Select a set. One is an initial symbol set to be displayed initially, and the other is a switching symbol set that is switched when the player presses the operation button 82. The set selection means 152 may be determined to select all symbol sets as the initial symbol set. The partial symbol set is a set that can be selected only when the decorative symbol is in a state with reach and the gaming state at that time is in the probability variation state.

  The main display control means 160 causes the special symbol display device 61 to display the result of the lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112 as a special symbol variation display according to the variation pattern determined by the symbol determination unit 130. The main display control unit 160 displays the variation of the special symbol by displaying each of the plural types of special symbols included in the special symbol set selected by the set selection unit 152 while sequentially switching to the special symbol display device 61. When two sets of the initial symbol set and the switching symbol set are selected by the set selection unit 152 as the special symbol set, the main display control unit 160 initially displays the special symbols included in the initial symbol set in a variable manner. In that case, the “PUSH mark” is displayed on the effect display device 60 in accordance with the timing at which the effect display control means 162 displays the reach mode on the effect display device 60. The timing for displaying the reach mode is set in advance in each variation pattern of the effect image as a time value such as “5 seconds after the start of change”, for example, and when the timing is reached, the effect display device 60 displays “ “PUSH mark” is displayed. Almost at the same time when the reach mode is displayed, that is, when the “PUSH mark” is displayed, the operation input unit 154 shifts to an information acquisition standby state indicating that the operation button 82 has been pressed. The period in which the acquisition standby state is maintained, that is, the period in which the “PUSH mark” is displayed after the depression of the operation button 82 is validated, is set to the period until the symbol variation is terminated. When the operation input unit 154 acquires information indicating that the player has pressed the operation button 82 while the “PUSH mark” is displayed, the set selection unit 152 switches from the initial symbol set to the switching symbol set, The display control means 160 switches the displayed symbol variation to the special symbol variation included in the switching symbol set.

  The effect display control unit 162 causes the effect display device 60 to display the result of the lottery performed by the success / failure lottery unit 112 as a variation display of the effect image including the variation of the decorative symbol according to the variation pattern determined by the symbol determination unit 130. The effect display control means 162 controls turning on and off of the game effect lamp 90. The main display control means 160 causes the normal symbol display device 204 to display normal symbol fluctuations. The main display control means 160 transmits the change start command and the change stop command to the effect display control means 162 at the timing of starting and stopping the change display of the special symbol, so that the main display control means 160 and the effect display are displayed. The fluctuation display by the control means 162 is synchronized and interlocked.

  The holding control unit 170 holds the winning / failing lottery value acquired by the winning / failing lottery value acquiring unit 113 as a holding ball until the number of holdings reaches a predetermined upper limit. The upper limit of the number of holds is 4.

  The special game control unit 180 controls the execution process of the special game when the determination result by the success / failure determination unit 114 is successful. The special game control unit 180 includes a special game transition determination unit 182, a unit game execution unit 184, and a special game end unit 186. The special game transition determination means 182 determines that it is the timing for starting the special game when the symbol variation corresponding to the winning lottery result is stopped. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously continued a plurality of times, and is constituted by one or a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing as a unit. The unit game is repeated up to 15 times, for example, and the grand prize opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. The unit game execution means 184 controls the special prize opening / closing control means 194 to open / close the special prize opening 66 to execute the unit game. The special prize opening / closing control means 194 sends an opening instruction to the special prize opening solenoid 80 to open the special prize opening 66 during the unit game. The special game ending means 186 determines whether or not to continue the unit game, that is, whether or not to start the next unit game, based on the number of continuations of the unit game and the presence / absence of the passage of the special winning prize opening 66 to the specific area. Determine. When the continuation condition for starting the next unit game is not satisfied, or when the upper limit number of unit games is exhausted, the special game ending means 186 ends the special game.

  When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the ordinary electric accessory opening / closing control means 192 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Thereby, the start port 62 changes to a state advantageous to the player.

  The specific game execution means 190 shifts the game state after the special game to the probability variation state when the winning / raising lottery value is a value to be transferred to the specific game. In principle, the probability variation state is continued until the next jackpot occurs, and during that time, the probability of the hit determination by the success / failure determination means 114 is maintained at a high value.

  FIG. 4 is a table showing the correspondence between the special symbol set and the special symbol type. The symbol table 211 includes a symbol set number column 230 and a special symbol column 232. In the symbol set number column 230, numbers of a plurality of special symbol sets are stored. In the special symbol column 232, the types of special symbols included in each special symbol set are defined. The first symbol set 212 is a total symbol set. That is, “1” is assigned as the set number to the first symbol set 212, and “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, and “6” are the winning symbols for the special symbols. "" "7" "8" "9" and all the special symbols including "-" as the off symbol are associated with each other.

  The second symbol set 214 to the eighth symbol set 226 are partial symbol sets. For example, “2” is assigned to the second symbol set 214 as a set number, and “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” as the special symbol are “−”. "Is associated. For example, the third symbol set 216 is assigned “3” as the set number, and the special symbol “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9” and the symbol “−” "Is associated.

  For example, the fourth symbol set 218 is assigned “4” as a set number, and “1”, “3”, “5”, “7”, and “9” as the special symbols are “−”. "Is associated. Here, when the special symbols that generate jackpots with probability variation are “3” and “7”, the probability of probability variation occurring among jackpots is 2/5 in appearance. Therefore, it seems that the probability that probability fluctuation will occur is increased compared to the entire symbol set whose probability of probability fluctuation occurring in the jackpot is 2/10 in appearance, which can increase the player's expectation. it can.

  For example, “5” is assigned to the fifth symbol set 220 as a set number, and as special symbols, hit symbols “3” and “7” corresponding to jackpots with probability fluctuations and “−” which is an off symbol correspond to each other. Attached. If the special symbols that generate jackpot with probability variation are “3” and “7”, the fifth symbol set 220 includes only symbols with probability variation as the winning symbol. Will surely occur.

  The 6th symbol set 222 and the 7th symbol set 224 are special symbol sets that do not include an outlier symbol, that is, a jackpot is determined. The 6th symbol set 222 and the 7th symbol set 224 are special symbol sets that can be selected only when the lottery result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is a big hit. For example, “6” is assigned to the sixth symbol set 222 as a set number, and “0” “1” “2” “3” “4” “5” “6” “ 7 ”,“ 8 ”, and“ 9 ”are associated with each other, and the off symbol“-”is not included. Therefore, although the jackpot is fixed, since all the winning symbols are included, the probability of occurrence of the probability variation is the same as the entire symbol set. On the other hand, “7” is assigned as the set number to the seventh symbol set 224, and only the symbols “0”, “1”, “2”, and “3” corresponding to the numbers are associated as special symbols. Not included. When the 6th symbol set 222 or the 7th symbol set 224 is selected, the variation display of the special symbol serves to substantially notify the player that the occurrence of the jackpot has been confirmed.

  The eighth symbol set 226 is assigned “8” as the set number, and is associated with “7”, “−”, “−” as the special symbol as the special symbol. That is, as the winning symbol, only one symbol with probability variation is included, and conversely, two off symbols are included. Therefore, it seems that the possibility that a big hit will occur is reduced in appearance because the number of outliers is more than the winning symbol. On the other hand, if even a big hit occurs, the probability fluctuation will surely occur.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows a PUSH mark displayed on the effect display device 60. In the PUSH mark 210, a character string “button PUSH!” Is drawn slightly larger in order to prompt the player to press the operation button 82. The effect display control means 162 causes the player to press the operation button 82 by displaying the PUSH mark 210 on the effect display device 60 when the decorative symbol 200 variably displayed during the probability change is in a reach mode. Prompt.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine. First, when the game ball has won the start opening 62 or the general winning opening 72, or when the game ball has passed through the operation opening 68 (S10), if it is not in the special game (N of S12), A control process for a normal game such as winning / failing lottery is executed (S14). If a special game is in progress (Y in S12), a special game control process is executed (S16), and various prizes in the processes from S10 to S16 are obtained. The corresponding prize ball payout is processed (S18).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. In the normal game control process, if the winning / losing lottery value is being held (Y in S30) and the symbol variation is not being displayed (N in S32), the winning / non-judging means 114 executes the determining process. (S34). In accordance with the determination result, the main display control means 160 starts variable display, and the effect display control means 162 starts variable display of the effect image (S36). If the winning / losing lottery value is not held in S30 (N in S30), the processing from S32 to S36 is skipped, and if the symbol variation is being displayed in S32 (Y in S32), S34 and S36. Is skipped. Subsequently, if the symbol variation display has already started (Y in S38), the symbol variation display process is executed (S40). If the symbol variation display has not started (N in S38), S40 is skipped. .

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the success / failure determination process of S34 in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the success / failure determination means 114 shifts to the special game (S50), and the symbol selection means 146 determines the symbol corresponding to the winning / failing lottery value as a special symbol stop symbol (S52), and the symbol selection means. In step S54, the decoration pattern is determined according to the determination result and the special symbol. If the decorative design is not in the reach mode (N in S56), the set selection means 152 selects one special symbol set (S58). When the decorative symbol is in the reach mode (Y in S56) and the probability is changing (Y in S59), the set selection means 152 selects two special symbol sets (S60), and the probability If not changing (N in S59), the set selecting means 152 selects one special symbol set as usual (S58).

  The pattern determining unit 144 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol based on the winning / not-lotting value (S62), and the pattern determining unit 136 determines the variation pattern of the decorative symbol according to the winning / failing lottery value and the variation pattern of the special symbol (S64). ).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the variation display process of S40 in FIG. First, in the case where the elapsed time from the start of the variation with respect to the symbol variation being displayed has not reached the variation display time designated in advance (N in S70), the special symbol set selected by the set selection means 152 is 2 If it is set (Y in S72), if the PUSH mark 210 is not already displayed on the effect display device 60 (N in S74), the effect display control means 162 displays the PUSH mark 210 on the effect display device 60 (S76). ) If the push mark 210 has been displayed (Y in S74), S76 is skipped. In S72, when the special symbol set selected by the set selection means 152 is one set (N in S72), S74 and S76 are skipped.

  Here, when the player presses the operation button 82 (Y in S78), if the PUSH mark 210 has already been displayed on the effect display device 60 at that time (Y in S80), the main display control means 160 displays. The special symbol set in the middle is switched from the initial symbol set to the switching symbol set (S82), the effect display control means 162 erases the PUSH mark 210 from the screen of the effect display device 60 (S84), and the flow of S40 is ended. In S80, if the PUSH mark 210 is not displayed on the effect display device 60 (N in S80), S82 and S84 are skipped, and the flow of S40 is ended. In S78, when the player has not pressed the operation button 82 (N in S78), S80 to S84 are skipped, and the flow of S40 is ended.

  In S70, when the elapsed time from the start of the change with respect to the symbol change being displayed has reached the change display time designated in advance (Y in S70), the effect display control means 162 stops the effect image change display ( S86), the flow of S40 is terminated.

(Example 2)
The pachinko gaming machine in the present embodiment differs from the pachinko gaming machine in the first embodiment in that a symbol that suggests that it is a partial symbol set is added to the partial symbol set. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the contents of the special symbol set in the second embodiment using a display example on the effect display device 60. The special symbol set in the present embodiment includes a regular symbol 240 and a suggestive symbol 242. The regular symbol 240 is a portion corresponding to the partial symbol set in the first embodiment, and includes a part of special symbols such as “0” to “4” and “−”. The suggestion symbol 242 is a part added to the partial symbol set described in the first embodiment, and includes a plurality of character symbols that suggest that the partial symbol set has been selected. The suggestion symbol 242 includes six character symbols “C”, “H”, “A”, “N”, “C”, and “E” meaning “chance”, for example. The suggestion symbol 242 is included in all the special symbol sets other than the full symbol set, that is, in all the partial symbol sets held in the special symbol storage unit 150. When the special symbol set including the suggestive symbol 242 is selected by the set selecting unit 152, the main display control unit 160 sequentially displays the suggestive symbol 242 on the special symbol display device 61 at the start of the variation of the special symbol and displays “CHANCE”. "To indicate to the player that the partial symbol set has been selected. Thereafter, the regular symbol 240 included in the special symbol set is sequentially displayed to display the variation of the special symbol. The suggestion symbol 242 is displayed only once, and thereafter, the regular symbol 240 is cyclically displayed. Thereby, it is possible to notify the player that the partial symbol has been selected more clearly in a short time, and it is possible to more reliably increase the player's sense of expectation for the jackpot occurrence.

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

  In each of the embodiments, the configuration in which the set selection unit 152 selects the partial symbol set only when the decorative symbol is in the reach mode has been described. In the modification, regardless of whether or not the decorative symbol is in the reach mode, for example, when a predetermined lottery is executed and a specific lottery result is obtained, the set selection unit 152 selects the partial symbol set. There may be.

  In each of the embodiments, the configuration in which the set selection unit 152 selects the partial symbol set only when in the probability variation state has been described. In the modified example, even in a state other than the probability variation state, for example, when a predetermined lottery is executed and a specific lottery result is obtained, the set selection unit 152 may select a partial symbol set.

  In each of the embodiments, the configuration in which the change display of the special symbol is switched to the change display of the switching symbol set only when the player presses the operation button 82 has been described. In the modification, regardless of whether or not the operation button 82 is pressed, if the switching symbol set is selected by the set selection unit 152, the display may be switched to the variation display.

  In each embodiment, the configuration in which the set selection unit 152 selects both the initial symbol set and the switching symbol set when the decorative symbol is in the reach mode regardless of whether or not the operation button 82 is pressed has been described. In the modification, the set selection unit 152 initially selects only the initial symbol set, and when the operation button 82 is pressed by the player, the set selection unit 152 selects the switching symbol set afterward. Also good.

  In each of the embodiments, the configuration in which the special symbol set including the special symbol is selected after determining the special symbol as the stop symbol has been described. In the modification, a special symbol as a stop symbol may be determined from a plurality of special symbols included in a set after first selecting the set.

  In each embodiment, the special symbol display device 61 is exemplified by a display device composed of one digit of seven segments. The special symbol display device 61 in the modification may be a display device composed of 7 segments of a plurality of digits such as 2 digits.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a figure of the table which shows the correspondence of a special symbol set and the kind of special symbol. It is a figure which shows typically the PUSH mark displayed on an effect display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. 6 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the success / failure determination process of S34 in FIG. 7 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the fluctuation | variation display process of S40 in FIG. 7 in detail. It is a figure which shows typically the content of the special symbol set in Example 2 using the example of a display to an effect display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Pachinko machines, 50 game boards, 52 game areas, 60 effect display devices, 61 special symbol display devices, 82 operation buttons, 100 game control devices, 112 winning / failing lottery means, 130 symbol determining means, 150 special symbol memory means, 152 Set selection means, 154 operation input means, 160 main display control means, 162 effect display control means, 190 specific game execution means.

Claims (5)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and a game ball entering is a lottery opportunity;
Lottery means for performing a lottery to determine whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game, triggered by entering the starting prize opening,
A special symbol display device that variably displays a special symbol which is a symbol for indicating the result of the lottery,
Special symbol storage means for holding a plurality of special symbol sets that are combinations of a plurality of special symbols that can be displayed on the special symbol display device;
Set selection means for selecting any one of a plurality of special symbol sets held in the special symbol storage means according to the result of the lottery;
Special symbol control means for displaying the variation of the special symbol by displaying each of the plural types of special symbols included in the selected special symbol set while sequentially switching to the special symbol display device;
An effect display device that variably displays an effect image for effectively indicating the result of the lottery,
Effect display control means for controlling the variation display of the effect image ,
The special symbol storage means includes, as the special symbol set, a whole symbol set including all the special symbols that can be displayed on the special symbol display device, and a part of the special symbols that can be displayed on the special symbol display device. One or more partial symbol sets including only the symbols of each of the symbols, a plurality of symbol symbols that are not included in the entire symbol set, and that indicate that the partial symbol set is selected. Holding a special symbol set in which the suggested symbol is further included in addition to the special symbol,
The set selection means selects said portion pattern set when the result of the lottery was the result should be displayed reach manner in change of the presentation image, and a special symbol sets included the plurality of suggested symbols ,
When the special symbol set including the plurality of suggested symbols is selected, the special symbol control means sequentially displays the plurality of suggested symbols, each of which is a character symbol, on the special symbol display device when the symbol variation starts. A bullet ball game machine characterized by displaying a change in a special symbol by sequentially displaying a plurality of special symbols included in the partial symbol set after clearly indicating that the partial symbol set is selected. . The special symbol storage means includes, as the special symbol set, at least one of a winning symbol indicating that the lottery result is a winning and a winning symbol indicating that the lottery result is a failure. Holding a plurality of special symbol sets, and holding at least one set including only the winning symbol as the partial symbol set included in the plurality of special symbol sets,
The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the set selection means selects a partial symbol set including only the winning symbol when the result of the lottery is a specific result. The set selection means selects one of the plurality of special symbol sets as a first set for initial display, and selects a set according to the lottery result as a second set,
The special symbol control means displays the special symbol included in the first set in a variably initial state, and then changes the displayed symbol variation to the variation of the special symbol included in the second set. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that It further comprises an operation input means for receiving an operation input by the player,
The set selection means selects the first set and the second set when the result of the lottery is a result to display the reach mode,
The special symbol control means is the operation input means when the result of the lottery is a result to display the reach mode, and the effect display control unit displays the reach mode on the effect display device. 4. The ball game machine according to claim 3 , wherein when the player receives an operation input from the player, the displayed first set of symbol variation is switched to the second set of symbol variation. 5. . A specific game execution means for shifting the game state to a specific game where the possibility of shifting to the special game is advantageous to the player when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
The set selection means selects the partial symbol set when the result of the lottery is a result to display the reach mode while the gaming state is shifted to the specific game. Item 5. A ball game machine according to any one of Items 1 to 4 .

Images