JP7111366B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine provided with effect execution means for executing effects.

In the pachinko game machine, when a game ball enters a predetermined starting hole, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game advantageous to the player is to be executed, and the pattern display means starts to display variable patterns. Then, when a predetermined fluctuation time elapses from the start of the variable display of the symbols, the symbols indicating the result of the determination are stopped and displayed. In addition, various effects are performed in an image display means such as a liquid crystal display device along with the variable display of the pattern (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-14593 A

By the way, in conventional gaming machines, there are cases in which an effect for notifying the possibility of a special game being executed is executed during the variable display of symbols. it wasn't expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of enhancing the interest of an effect that foretells the possibility of execution of a special game.

The present invention employs the following configurations in order to solve the above problems.

A gaming machine according to the present invention comprises a determination means for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to a player, a first variation pattern, and a second variation pattern having a longer variation time than the first variation pattern. and a pattern control means for stopping and displaying the pattern indicating the determination result of the determination means after variably displaying the pattern in any one of a plurality of variation patterns including The effect control means displays the corresponding display corresponding to the variable display of the symbols in one of a plurality of display modes including a predetermined mode and a specific mode suggesting execution of the special game. possible, and during the variable display of the symbols, a suggestive effect suggesting that the special game will be executed, a notice effect for notifying the possibility that the special game will be executed, and the suggestive effect and the notice effect. and a predetermined effect that suggests that the effect is executed by updating a predetermined image in accordance with the passage of time, and the first notice effect is the first notice effect. and a second notice effect different from the first notice effect, and when the first change pattern is selected, the first notice effect can be executed, and the second change pattern is selected. In this case, the second notice effect can be executed, and when the specific condition is not satisfied, the corresponding display can be not displayed in the specific mode, and the second notice effect is executed in the variable display of 1. Afterward, the corresponding display can be continuously displayed, and when the specific condition is satisfied, the corresponding display can be displayed in the specific mode, and in the variable display of 1, the second announcement effect is performed. It is possible not to display the corresponding display after execution, and when the corresponding display is in the specific mode, the second advance notice effect can be executed regardless of whether or not the suggestive effect is executed, and When the corresponding display is the specific mode, there are times when the second notice effect is executed at a first timing and times when it is executed at a second timing after the first timing, and the first timing. When executing with, the predetermined effect is not executed before the second notice effect, and when executed at the second timing, the predetermined effect can be executed before the second notice effect. , and 1, the second notice effect and other effects can be executed, and the second notice effect and the other effects have different execution periods.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of the presentation for notifying the possibility of execution of the special game.

Schematic front view of gaming machine 1 A plan view showing a part of the gaming machine 1 Enlarged view of indicator 4 in FIG. Block diagram showing a configuration example of a control device provided in the game machine 1 Explanatory diagram exemplifying various random numbers used for jackpot determination processing Explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of production in the low base state Explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first production accessory 71 and the second production accessory 72 Explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of production after the appearance of the fixed notification production Explanatory diagram for explaining the jackpot variation pattern table Explanatory diagram for explaining the execution necessity determination table of the fixed notification effect Explanatory diagram for explaining a cut-in type selection table for selecting the type of cut-in effect to be performed after the confirmed notification effect appears Explanatory diagram for explaining that various fixed notification effects are reproduced during the time-saving game after the end of the jackpot game A screen diagram for explaining various effects executed after the confirmation notification effect is performed. A screen diagram for explaining various effects executed after the confirmation notification effect is performed. A screen diagram for explaining various effects executed after the confirmation notification effect is performed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the main RAM 103 and various information stored in the main RAM 103; A flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the game control board 100 Detailed flowchart of switch processing in step S2 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the first start opening switch process in step S21 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the second start opening switch process in step S22 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of pre-determination processing in steps S218 and 228 of FIGS. Detailed flowchart of special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of big hit determination processing in step S309 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of variation pattern selection processing in step S310 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of stop processing in step S319 of FIG. Flowchart showing an example of game state setting processing executed at the end of the jackpot game in the game control board 100 Flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the effect control board 130 Detailed flowchart of command reception processing in step S10 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of pending command reception processing in step S13 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the fluctuation start command reception process in step S16 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the variable effect pattern setting process in step S163 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the notice effect pattern setting process in step S164 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of determination notification effect setting process in step S1641 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of role product action setting process in step S1651 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of cut-in effect setting processing in step S1661 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of reproduction confirmation notification effect setting processing in step S1681 of FIG. Flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the image sound control board 140 Detailed flowchart of image output control processing in step S41 of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the lamp control board 150;

Hereinafter, a gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with appropriate reference to the drawings.

[Example of schematic configuration of gaming machine 1]
First, a schematic configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the gaming machine 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing part of the gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a gaming board 2 on which accessories related to winning and judgment are provided, and a frame member 3 surrounding the gaming board 2 . The frame member 3 supports a transparent glass plate arranged parallel to the game board 2 at a predetermined interval, and the glass plate and the game board 2 form a game area 10 in which game balls can flow down. It is

When the player grips the handle 20 and rotates the lever 21 clockwise, game balls stored in the upper tray 28 are guided to a shooting device (not shown), and are played with a hitting force corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 20. Launched into area 10 . The game area 10 is provided with game nails, windmills, etc. (not shown), and the shot game ball is guided to an upper position in the game area 10, and touches the game nails, the windmills, etc. It falls in the game area 10 along the game board 2 while changing the movement direction. It should be noted that the shooting of game balls is temporarily stopped when the player operates the stop button 22 .

The upper tray 28 stores game balls and prize balls supplied to the shooting device. Below the upper plate 28, a lower plate 29 for storing prize balls is provided. When the player operates the take-out button 23 arranged close to the lower tray 29, a part of the lower surface of the lower tray 29 is opened, and the game balls accumulated in the lower tray 29 are arranged below the lower tray 29. It drops into a box (not shown). In addition, the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 29 may be composed of one plate.

When the player performs so-called "left-handed hitting", in which the player rotates the handle 20 at a small rotation angle, the game ball is launched with a relatively weak hitting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the left area in the game area 10 as illustrated by the arrow 31 . On the other hand, when the player performs a so-called "right-handed hit" in which the player keeps rotating the handle 20 at a large rotation angle, the game ball is hit with a relatively strong hitting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the right area in the game area 10 as illustrated by the arrow 32 .

A first starting port 11, a second starting port 12, three normal winning ports 14, a first gate 15, and an electric tulip 17 are provided on the passage path of the left-handed game ball as accessories related to winning and judgment. It is In addition, on the passage path of the game ball hit to the right, there are the second starting port 12, the big winning port 13, one normal winning port 14, the second gate 16, and the electric tulip as accessories related to winning and judgment. 17 are provided.

The game ball launched into the game area 10 enters any one of the first starting hole 11, the second starting hole 12, the big winning hole 13, and the normal winning hole 14 in the process of flowing down along the game board 2. may win prizes. In this case, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29 according to the place where the prize was won. The game balls that did not win a prize are discharged from the game area 10 through the discharge port 18. - 特許庁

The first starting port 11 is a starting region that is always open, and the second starting port 12 is a starting region that is opened only when an electric tulip 17 as a normal electric accessory is operating. In the gaming machine 1, when the game ball passes through the first start port 11 and wins, or when the game ball passes through the second start port 12 and wins, a jackpot game (special game) advantageous to the player is played. It is determined whether or not to execute, and a special symbol indicating the determination result is displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 of the display 4, which will be described later. Then, when the special symbol indicating the big win is stopped and displayed, a big win game (an example of the special game) for opening the big winning opening 13 is executed.

In the following description, the judgment executed on the condition that the game ball enters the first start port 11 is called "first special symbol judgment", and the condition that the game ball enters the second start port 12. The judgment to be executed is called "second special symbol judgment", and these judgments are collectively called "special symbol judgment".

In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the second starting port 12 is provided as a starting port for starting the second special symbol determination will be described. A starting port may be provided in which a game ball can win a prize regardless of whether it is activated or not. As such a configuration, a configuration in which a game ball passing through a specific area alternately wins the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 can be cited. In addition, although a game ball can win in both the first start port 11 and the second start port 12, one of them is easier to win than the other (for example, a game ball is first started). Another example is a configuration in which a distribution member that distributes to the opening 11 or the second starting opening 12 is operated so that the first starting opening 11 is more likely to win.

The big winning opening 13 is a special winning area that is opened according to the result of the special symbol determination. A plate for opening and closing the big winning opening 13 is provided at the opening of the big winning opening 13 . The big winning opening 13 is normally closed by this plate. On the other hand, when a predetermined big winning symbol indicating that the judgment result of the special symbol judgment is "big winning" is stopped and displayed on the display device 4, the big winning game to open the big winning opening 13 by actuating the plate. is executed. During the jackpot game, a large winning opening until a predetermined condition (in this embodiment, 9 game balls enter the big winning opening 13, or 29.5 seconds elapse after the opening of the big winning opening 13) is satisfied. 13 is maintained in an open state and then closed, and a long open round game is executed a predetermined number of times at predetermined time intervals.

In this way, since the big winning opening 13 is opened for a long time during the big winning game, the player can win more prizes than when the big winning game is not performed by hitting right during the big winning game. you can get the ball.

The electric tulip 17 is arranged close to the second starting port 12 and has a pair of blade members. The electric tulip 17 has a closed posture (see the solid line in FIG. 1) in which the pair of blade members closes the second start port 12, and an open posture in which the second start port 12 is opened (see the broken line in FIG. 1). It is configured to be able to change its posture.

The second starting port 12 is normally closed by an electric tulip 17, as illustrated in FIG. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the first gate 15 or the second gate 16, it is determined whether or not to open the second start port 12, although the prize ball is not paid out. Here, when it is determined that the second starting port 12 is to be opened, the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 17 maintain the open posture for a specified time and then return to the closed posture for a specified number of times. In this way, the second starting port 12 is in a state in which it is difficult for the game ball to pass when the electric tulip 17 is not operating, whereas it is in a state in which the game ball can easily pass when the electric tulip 17 is operated. Become.

In the following description, the judgment executed on the condition that the game ball passes through the first gate 15 or the second gate 16 is called "normal symbol judgment".

The normal winning opening 14 is always open like the first starting opening 11, and is a winning opening from which a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by winning of game balls. In addition, unlike the first starting hole 11 and the like, even if a game ball enters the normal winning hole 14, no determination is made.

[Configuration example of effect means of gaming machine 1]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the game board 2 or the frame member 3 includes a liquid crystal display device 5, a speaker 24, a first performance accessory 71, a second performance accessory 72, a board Lamps 25 and the like are provided. The frame member 3 also incorporates a frame lamp 37 (see FIG. 4) not shown in FIG.

The liquid crystal display device 5 is an image display device that displays an effect image. ing. On this liquid crystal screen 5, for example, a decorative pattern for notifying the judgment result of the special pattern judgment, a character or item for performing a notice effect, etc., a reserved image (holding icon) displayed as many as the special pattern judgment is held, An effect image including various display objects such as the icon suggesting that the special symbols are displayed in a variable manner is displayed. Note that the image display device may be configured by another image display device such as an EL display device.

The speaker 24 outputs musical pieces, voices, sound effects, etc., in synchronization with or asynchronously with the display effects performed by the liquid crystal display device 5, and performs sound effects.

The first performance accessory 71 is arranged in front and to the side of the liquid crystal screen 5 . The first production accessory 71 incorporates a light-emitting element (for example, an LED). The first production accessory 71 performs a predetermined production by both or one of the movement of the accessory itself and the light. In this embodiment, the first performance accessory 71 is configured in a shape that imitates a sword, and the initial posture ( 1) and a pivoting posture in which the sword appears to be substantially horizontal (for example, see FIG. 7(B-3)).

The second production accessory 72 is arranged above the liquid crystal screen 5 and the first production accessory 71 . A light-emitting element (for example, an LED) is built in the second production accessory 72 . The second production accessory 72 performs a predetermined production by both or one of the movement of the accessory itself and the light. In this embodiment, the second effect accessory 72 is configured in a star-like shape, and is configured to be rotatable with the depth direction of the gaming machine 1 as its axis direction.

The board lamp 25 and the frame lamp 37 perform various effects with light, such as changing the lighting or blinking pattern and changing the emission color.

[Configuration example of operation means of gaming machine 1]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the frame member 3 is provided with a performance button 26 and a performance key 27 as operation means operated by the player. The effect button 26 is a push button for inputting operation information when pressed by the player. The effect key 27 is a so-called cross key for the player to perform a selection operation. In the gaming machine 1, an effect corresponding to the operation of the effect button 26 or the effect key 27 may be performed.

[Configuration example of display 4]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. The indicator 4 mainly displays information about special symbol determination and normal symbol determination, and as illustrated in FIG. It comprises a special symbol reservation display 43, a second special symbol reservation display 44, a normal symbol display 45, a normal symbol reservation display 46, a game state display 47, a round display 48 and the like.

When the first special symbol determination is performed, the first special symbol display device 41 variably displays the symbol, and then stops and displays the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination. Notification of judgment results. When the second special symbol determination is performed, the second special symbol display 42 variably displays the symbol and then stops and displays the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the second special symbol determination. Notification of judgment results. On the first special symbol display device 41 and the second special symbol display device 42, as the determination symbol, a big hit symbol indicating that the determination result of the special symbol determination is "big hit", or a determination result of the special symbol determination is "losing". ” is stopped and displayed.

The first special symbol reservation display 43 displays the number of reservations for the first special symbol determination. The second special symbol reservation display 44 displays the number of reservations for the second special symbol determination.

When the normal symbol determination is performed, the normal symbol display 45 notifies the determination result of the normal symbol determination by variably displaying the symbol and then stop-displaying the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the normal symbol determination. The normal symbol reservation display 46 displays the number of normal symbol determination pending. The game state display 47 displays the game state at the time when the gaming machine 1 is powered on. The round indicator 48 displays the opening pattern of the big winning opening 13 during the big winning game when the first special symbol indicator 41 or the second special symbol indicator 42 stop-displays the big winning symbol.

In the following description, the symbols displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 are called "special symbols", and the symbols displayed on the normal symbol display 45 are "normal symbols". shall be called Also, the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 41 is called "first special symbol", and the special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display 42 is called "second special symbol". may be distinguished.

[About variable production]
In the gaming machine 1, when the game ball wins in the first start port 11 (or the second start port 12), the first special symbol determination (or second special symbol determination) for determining whether or not to execute the jackpot game is performed. done. And, when the game ball wins in the first starting port 11 (or the second starting port 12), the first special symbol (or the second special symbol) is variably displayed, the special symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination (second special symbol determination) is stop-displayed. On the other hand, on the liquid crystal screen 5, as the special symbols are variably displayed, a variable effect is performed in which the decorative symbols are variably displayed (see FIG. 1), and the special symbols indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination are stopped. Along with the display, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a manner indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination.

During such a variable production, a so-called ready-to-win production may be performed. Specifically, on the liquid crystal screen 5, for example, three lines of decorative patterns consisting of numerical lines in which numbers 1 to 9 are written in succession in the vertical direction are displayed. , these decorative patterns are variably displayed so as to scroll from top to bottom, for example. On the other hand, when the ready-to-win effect is performed, before all the decorative patterns are stopped and displayed, first, for example, the left and right decorative patterns (left and right patterns) are completely displayed. Pseudo-stop so as not to stop. At that time, when the same decorative patterns as the left pattern and the right pattern stop on the effective line in a simulated manner, the ready-to-win state is established, and a ready-to-win effect is performed to give the player a sense of expectation that three of the same decorative patterns will be aligned. will be Then, when the jackpot pattern is stopped and displayed on the first special pattern display device 41 (or the second special pattern display device 42), the same decorative pattern is permanently stopped on the effective line to notify the jackpot. . It should be noted that, during the variation production, when the different decorative patterns as the left pattern and the right pattern are pseudo-stopped, the ready-to-win production is not performed, and the first special pattern display device 41 (or the second special pattern display device 42) shows a losing pattern. Along with the stop display, the three decorative patterns that do not become double eyes are actually stopped, and the variable presentation is completed.

"Pseudo-stop" refers to a state in which the decorative pattern continues to move slightly without being completely stationary, and "real stop" refers to a state in which the decorative pattern is completely stationary.

[About display area and hold icon]
By the way, when the symbols (special symbols and decorative symbols) are variably displayed as described above or during the jackpot game, a new game ball enters the first start port 11 (or the second start port 12). Even so, the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) triggered by the winning and the variable display of symbols cannot be immediately executed. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1, even if the game ball wins the first start port 11 (or the second start port 12), the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) and the symbol fluctuation display are immediately performed. If it cannot be executed, the first special symbol determination (or second special symbol determination) is reserved within a range not exceeding a predetermined number ("4" in this embodiment), and the number of reservations is the first special symbol reserved display. It is displayed on the device 43 (or the second special symbol reservation display device 44).

On one liquid crystal screen 5, a first pending icon display area 51 and a second pending icon display area 51 and a second pending icon are displayed as display areas for displaying a pending icon as an effect image suggesting that special symbol determination and variable display of symbols are suspended. An icon display area 52 is provided (see FIG. 1).

The first pending icon display area 51 is an area in which a pending icon indicating that the first special symbol determination is pending is displayed. The first reserved icon display area 51 displays the same number of reserved icons as the number of reserved first special symbol determination indicated by the first special symbol reserved display 43 (see FIG. 3).

The second pending icon display area 52 is an area where a pending icon indicating that the second special symbol determination is pending is displayed. The second reserved icon display area 52 displays the same number of reserved icons as the number of reserved second special symbol determination indicated by the second special symbol reserved display 44 (see FIG. 3).

In FIG. 1, three pending icons are displayed in the first pending icon display area 51 to suggest that the pending number of the first special symbol determination is "3", and the second special symbol determination A state in which two pending icons are displayed in the second pending icon display area 52 to indicate that the pending number is "2" is illustrated.

In addition, on the liquid crystal screen 5, as a display area for displaying the icon as a variation suggestive image suggesting that the symbol is displayed in a variable manner on the first special symbol display device 41 (or the second special symbol display device 42), , the area 53 is provided (see FIG. 1).

In the gaming machine 1, at the time of starting the variable display of the symbols in order to digest the reserved first special symbol determination right, it is displayed first among the suspended icons displayed in the first suspended icon display area 51. The pending icon thus selected (the closest pending icon to the area 53 ) is moved from the first pending icon display area 51 to the area 53 . Then, when another suspended icon is displayed in the first suspended display area 51 , the display position of the other suspended icon is shifted to the area 53 side in the first suspended icon display area 51 . For example, when the first special symbol determination is digested with three pending icons displayed in the first pending icon display area 51 as exemplified in FIG. The reserved icon located on the right side is moved from the first reserved icon display area 51 to the area 53 , and the display positions of the remaining two reserved icons are shifted to the right within the first reserved icon display area 51 . As a result, the number of reserved icons displayed in the first reserved icon display area 51 is two, and the player is informed that the reserved right of first special symbol determination is two. Become.

Note that such shift processing is similarly performed for the pending icon displayed in the second pending icon display area 52 . Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are suspended, the second special symbol determination is preferentially digested over the first special symbol determination. . Therefore, the shift processing for the pending icon displayed in the second pending icon display area 52 is performed with priority over the shift processing for the pending icon displayed in the first pending icon display area 51 . That is, the shift processing for the suspended icon displayed in the first suspended icon display area 51 is performed after there are no suspended icons displayed in the second suspended icon display area 52 .

Before the special symbol determination is performed based on the acquired information such as the jackpot random number acquired in response to the winning of the game ball in the first start port 11 (or the second start port 12), the hold corresponding to the acquired information An icon is displayed in the first reserved icon display area 51 (or the second reserved icon display area 52). Then, when the special symbol determination and the special symbol fluctuation display are performed based on the acquired information corresponding to the suspended icon displayed in the first suspended icon display area 51 (or the second suspended icon display area 52), The pending icon is moved to the area 53 and displayed in the area 53 as the icon suggesting that the special symbol is being variably displayed.

Note that, for example, a normal icon and a special icon are displayed in the first pending icon display area 51 . Here, the normal icon is a default pending icon that does not imply any degree of confidence in the jackpot, for example a white pending icon. The special icon is a pending icon indicating the reliability of the big win, and a pending icon displayed in a color other than white corresponds to this. Special icons are arranged in order from a pending icon that suggests relatively low confidence in the jackpot to a pending icon that suggests relatively high confidence in the jackpot, e.g. blue pending icon, yellow pending icon, green pending icon, red pending icon, rainbow pending icon, etc.

Note that the display mode of the normal icon does not change until the special symbol determination corresponding to the reserved icon is completed, that is, until the normal icon is deleted from the area 53 after the normal icon is moved to the area 53. There is Further, when the suspended icon is displayed in the first suspended icon display area 51, it may be displayed as a special icon from the beginning. Further, for example, when the normal icon displayed in the first reserved icon display area 51 changes to the special icon in the first reserved icon display area 51 or the area 53, or when the icon displayed in the first reserved icon display area 51 A special icon may change to a higher special icon in the first reserved icon display area 51 or the area 53 . Such a change from a normal icon (or a special icon) to a special icon (or a higher-level special icon) will be referred to as "pending change" in the following description.

On the other hand, the second reserved icon display area 52 displays normal icons and special icons in the same way as the first reserved icon display area 51 . In addition, in the second reserved icon display area 52, a special reserved icon called a "reproduced icon" that is not displayed in the first reserved icon display area 51 may be displayed. This "reproduction icon" will be described later.

[Configuration of control device of gaming machine 1]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control device provided in the gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG.
On the back side of the game board 2, in addition to a ball tank for storing game balls delivered to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29, a control device for controlling the operation of the game machine 1 is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the control device of the gaming machine 1 includes a game control board 100 for controlling the progress of the game such as transmission of various judgments and commands, and overall effects based on the commands received from the game control board 100. , an image sound control board 140 that controls the effects of images and sounds, and a lamp control board 150 that controls the effects of various lamps and movable bodies. The configuration of the control device is not limited to this, and for example, the effect control board 130, the image sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150 may be configured by one board.

[Configuration example of game control board 100]
The game control board 100 includes a main CPU 101 , a main ROM 102 and a main RAM 103 . The main CPU 101 performs various arithmetic processes related to determination and the number of awarded balls to be paid out, based on programs and the like stored in the main ROM 102 . The main RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the main CPU 101 executes the above programs or as a work area for data processing.

The game control board 100 includes a first starter switch 111, a second starter switch 112, an electric tulip control unit 113, a first gate switch 114, a second gate switch 115, a large winning port switch 116, and a large winning port control unit. 117, a normal prize winning port switch 118, and respective indicators 41 to 48 constituting the indicator 4 are connected. In addition, since the gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment has four normal winning openings 14, it is provided with four normal winning opening switches 122, but in FIG. It is written.

The first starting port switch 111 detects that a game ball has entered the first starting port 11 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100 . The second starting port switch 112 detects that a game ball has entered the second starting port 12 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100 . The electric tulip control unit 113 opens and closes the second starting port 12 by activating an electric solenoid connected to a pair of blade members of the electric tulip 17 so as to be able to transmit drive in response to a control signal from the game control board 100. do. The first gate switch 114 detects that the game ball has passed through the first gate 15 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100 . The second gate switch 115 detects that the game ball has passed through the second gate 16 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100 .

The big winning hole switch 116 detects that a game ball has entered the big winning hole 13 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100 . The large winning opening control unit 117 opens and closes the large winning opening 13 by activating an electric solenoid connected to a plate that closes the large winning opening 13 so as to be able to transmit drive based on a control signal from the game control board 100. do. The normal winning opening switch 118 detects that the game ball has entered the normal winning opening 14 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100 .

When the main CPU 101 of the game control board 100 receives a detection signal from the first starting port switch 111, the second starting port switch 112, the big winning port switch 116, or the normal winning port switch 118, the game ball wins. A payout control board (not shown) is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the location, and the number of prize balls to be paid out is managed based on information from the payout control board. Although detailed description is omitted, the payout control board supplies game balls to the upper tray 28 or the lower tray 29 by controlling a drive motor that sends out game balls from the ball tank.

The main CPU 101 acquires various random numbers as acquired information at the timing when the detection signal is input from the first starting switch 111, and executes the first special symbol determination using the acquired random numbers. In addition, various random numbers are acquired as acquisition information at the timing when the detection signal from the second starting port switch 112 is input, and the second special symbol determination is executed using the acquired random numbers.

When the game ball is detected by the first start switch 111 or the second start switch 112 and the detection signal is input, the main CPU 101 acquires a jackpot random number, a pattern random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number. do.

Here, the jackpot random number is a random number for determining a jackpot or a loss. The symbol random number is a random number for determining the type of jackpot when it is determined to be a jackpot. The ready-to-win random number is a random number for determining whether to perform a ready-to-win effect or not to perform a ready-to-win effect when it is determined that the game is lost. The variation pattern random number is a random number for determining the variation pattern when the special symbols are variably displayed.

When the main CPU 101 acquires these random numbers, first, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not to execute a jackpot game based on whether or not the acquired jackpot random number matches a predetermined random number value stored in the main ROM 102 . judge. Here, when it is determined that a jackpot game is to be executed, the type of jackpot is determined based on which random number of predetermined random numbers stored in the main ROM 102 matches the acquired pattern random number. Here, as the types of jackpots, for example, after the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the probability variable game state, and after the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the time-saving game state. An example would be the "regular jackpot." The game state and the types of jackpots will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines not to execute the jackpot game based on the judgment based on the jackpot random number, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the acquired ready-to-win random number matches the predetermined random number value stored in the main ROM 102. It is determined whether to carry out a performance with reach or a performance without reach. In addition, the main CPU 101 determines the variation pattern of the special symbols when the special symbols are variably displayed regardless of whether or not the jackpot game is performed. Thereby, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is determined.

When the main CPU 101 determines to execute a jackpot game and determines the type of jackpot, the main CPU 101 controls the opening and closing of the jackpot 13 via the jackpot controller 117 to play a jackpot game corresponding to the jackpot type. to run.

Further, the main CPU 101 acquires a random number at the timing when the detection signal from the first gate switch 114 or the second gate switch 115 is input, and uses the acquired random number to execute normal symbol determination. When it is determined to open the second starting port 12 , the second starting port 12 is temporarily opened by operating the electric tulip 17 via the electric tulip control section 113 .

Further, the main CPU 101 causes the display devices 41 to 48 constituting the display device 4 to execute the processing described above with reference to FIG.

[Configuration example of production control board 130]
The performance control board 130 includes a sub CPU 131 , a sub ROM 132 , a sub RAM 133 and an RTC (real time clock) 134 . The sub CPU 131 performs arithmetic processing when controlling effects based on programs stored in the sub ROM 132 . The sub RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the sub CPU 131 executes the above programs or as a work area for data processing. The RTC 134 measures the current date and time (date and time).

The sub CPU 131 sets the effect contents based on the game information regarding the special symbol determination, the normal symbol determination, the jackpot game and the like transmitted from the game control board 100 . At that time, the input of the operation information from the production button 26 or the production key 27 may be received, and the contents of production corresponding to the operation information may be set. The sub CPU 131 transmits to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 a command instructing execution of the set effect content.

[Configuration example of image sound control board 140]
The image sound control board 140 includes a general CPU 141, a control ROM 142, a control RAM 143, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 144, an audio DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 145, and the like. The supervising CPU 141 performs arithmetic processing when controlling images and sounds representing effects for which the contents of effects are set in the effect control board 130 based on programs stored in the control ROM 142 . The control RAM 143 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the overall CPU 141 executes the above programs or as a work area for data processing.

The VDP 144 generates an effect image displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 . Acoustic DSP 145 generates acoustic data output from speaker 24 . The supervising CPU 141 generates a control signal based on the command from the production control board 130 and the program stored in the control ROM 142 and outputs it to the VDP 144 and the sound DSP 145, thereby controlling the operation of the VDP 144 and the sound DSP 145.

Although not shown in the figure, the VDP 144 includes an image ROM that stores material data necessary for generating effect images, a drawing engine that executes drawing processing of the effect images, and a liquid crystal display that displays the effect images drawn by the drawing engine. It has an output circuit for outputting to the display device 5 . Based on the control signal from the general CPU 141, the drawing engine draws the effect image in the frame buffer using the material data stored in the image ROM. The output circuit outputs the effect image drawn in the frame buffer to the liquid crystal display device 5 at a predetermined timing.

Also, although not shown in the figure, the audio DSP 145 includes an audio ROM for storing various audio data related to sound effects such as music, voice, and sound effects, and a work area for data processing by the audio DSP 145. SDRAM is connected. The audio DSP 145 reads the audio data corresponding to the control signal from the general CPU 141 from the audio ROM to the SDRAM, executes data processing, and outputs the processed audio data to the speaker 24 .

[Configuration example of lamp control board 150]
The lamp control board 150 includes a lamp CPU 151 , a lamp ROM 152 and a lamp RAM 153 . The lamp CPU 151, based on the program stored in the lamp ROM 152, performs arithmetic processing when controlling the operations of the first production accessory 71, the second production accessory 72, the board lamp 25, the frame lamp 37, and the like. The lamp RAM 153 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the lamp CPU 151 executes the above programs or as a work area for data processing.

The lamp ROM 152 stores light emission pattern data and operation pattern data. Here, the light emission pattern data is data indicating the respective light emission patterns of the light emitting element provided in the first production accessory 71, the light emitting element provided in the second production accessory 72, the board lamp 25, the frame lamp 37, and the like. The motion pattern data is data indicating motion patterns of the first performance accessory 71, the second performance accessory 72, and the like.

The lamp CPU 151 reads the light emission pattern data corresponding to the command received from the effect control board 130 from the light emission pattern data stored in the lamp ROM 152 to the lamp RAM 153, 2 Control the light emission of the light emitting element provided in the production accessory 72, the board lamp 25, and the frame lamp 37. Further, the lamp CPU 151 reads the operation pattern data corresponding to the command received from the effect control board 130 from the operation pattern data stored in the lamp ROM 152 to the lamp RAM 153, and the motor for operating the first effect accessory 71. (or the motor that operates the second production accessory 72) is controlled.

Further, when the player operates the effect button 26 or the effect key 27, the lamp CPU 151 transmits to the effect control board 130 an operation command notifying that effect.

[Description of determination method using various random numbers]
Next, a determination method using various random numbers will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying various random numbers used in the jackpot determination process. For the sake of convenience, the drawings for explaining the various tables after FIG. 5 are explained assuming that the range of various random numbers and the random numbers are set to numbers smaller than the actual numbers.

The jackpot random numbers exemplified in FIG. 5(A) are random numbers used for determination to determine whether or not to execute a jackpot game. This jackpot random number is a low probability state (normal game state and time-saving game state in this embodiment) with a relatively low probability of being determined to execute a jackpot game, and a relatively probability of being determined to execute a jackpot game. For each of the high high probability state (probability variation gaming state in this embodiment), it is set individually.

In this embodiment, two winning values of "0" and "1" are set in advance for the low probability state, and when the game is controlled in the low probability state, the game ball is placed in the first start port 11 When the jackpot random number obtained at the timing of winning (or the second start port 12) matches the winning value, it is determined that the jackpot game is to be executed.

In addition, regarding the high probability state, 15 winning values of "0" to "14" are preset in this embodiment, and when the game is controlled in the high probability state, the game ball is first started. When the jackpot random number acquired at the timing of winning the prize at the port 11 (or the second start port 12) matches one of these winning values, it is determined that the jackpot game is to be executed.

Here, the possible range of the jackpot random number is set to "0" to "599" in this embodiment in both the low probability state and the high probability state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the jackpot probability in the low probability state is 2/600 (=1/300), and the jackpot probability in the high probability state is 15/600 (=1/40).

When it is determined to be a jackpot (executing a jackpot game) based on the jackpot random number, the pattern random number obtained together with the jackpot random number at the time of winning the first start gate 11 (or the second start gate 12). is matched with which random number among random numbers preset for each type of jackpot, a process of determining the type of jackpot is performed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 (B), in this embodiment, as the type of jackpot by the first starting gate winning, there are three types of "16R variable probability hit", "2R probability variable hit", and "16R normal hit". prepared. In this embodiment, the type of jackpot by the second starting opening prize is the same as the type of jackpot by the first starting opening prize, but in other embodiments, these jackpot types may be different. .

Here, "16R probability variable hit" is performed 16 times of long opening round game to long open the big winning opening 13 until predetermined conditions are performed, and after the big winning game is completed, the game is controlled in the probability variable game state. It is a big hit.

"2R probability variable hit" is a big hit in which the game is controlled in the probability variable game state after the big win game is completed, along with two long open round games that open the big prize mouth 13 for a long time until a predetermined condition is met. be. It should be noted that the "2R probability variable hit" may be a jackpot in which two short opening round games are performed by briefly opening the big winning opening 13 (for example, for 0.1 seconds).

"16R normal win" is a big win in which a long opening round game is performed 16 times in which the big winning opening 13 is opened for a long time until a predetermined condition is met, and the game is controlled in a time-saving game state after the big win game is over. be.

(About game state)
Here, the game state in the gaming machine 1 will be explained. The gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment controls the game in one of three gaming states of "normal gaming state", "probability variable gaming state", and "time saving gaming state".

"Normal game state" is a normal game state in which special symbol determination is performed in a low-probability state in which the probability of being determined to execute a jackpot game is relatively low, and the electric chew support function is not provided. That is, in the normal game state, the probability that the special symbol determination determines that the big hit game is executed is set to a relatively low probability (for example, 1/300). In addition, the probability that the second starting port 12 is determined to be opened by the normal design determination is set to a relatively low probability (eg 1/12), and the fluctuation time of the normal design is relatively long (eg 25 seconds) and the opening time of the second starting port 12 when it is determined to open the second starting port 12 is set to a relatively short time (for example, 0.1 seconds×1 time).

"Probability variation gaming state" is a gaming state in which special symbol determination is performed in a high probability state with a relatively high probability of being determined to execute a jackpot game, and an electric chew support function is provided. That is, in the variable probability gaming state, the probability of being determined to execute a jackpot game by special symbol determination is set to a relatively high probability (for example, 1/40). In addition, the probability that the second starting port 12 is determined to be opened by the normal design determination is set to a relatively high probability (eg 12/12), and the fluctuation time of the normal design is relatively short (eg 2 seconds). and the opening time of the second starting port 12 is set to a relatively long time (for example, 1.6 seconds×3 times) when it is determined to open the second starting port 12 . In addition, the probability variable gaming state and the time saving gaming state have the characteristic that a variation pattern with a short variation time of the special symbol is likely to be selected as compared with the normal gaming state.

In addition, in the gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment, when the jackpot game ends and shifts to the variable probability game state, basically, the variable probability game state continues until the next big hit.

"Time-saving game state" is a game state in which special symbol determination is performed in the above-described low-probability state and an electric chew support function is provided. That is, in the time-saving gaming state, the probability of being determined to execute a big hit game by special symbol determination is set to a relatively low probability (for example, 1/300). In addition, the probability that the second starting port 12 is determined to be opened by the normal design determination is set to a relatively high probability (eg 12/12), and the fluctuation time of the normal design is relatively short (eg 2 seconds). and the opening time of the second starting port 12 is set to a relatively long time (for example, 1.6 seconds×3 times) when it is determined to open the second starting port 12 .

In addition, in the gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment, when the jackpot game ends and shifts to the time saving game state, if the jackpot does not occur on the way, the second special symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) The game is controlled in the time-saving game state until 100 times. Then, when a big hit is not achieved before the 100th special symbol determination is performed, the game state is returned from the time-saving game state to the normal game state after the 100th special symbol determination is performed.

In the following description, the state in which it is easy for the game ball to enter the second starting port 12 due to the provision of the electric chew support function (for example, the probability variable game state and the time-saving game state) is referred to as the "high base state". A state (for example, a normal game state) in which it is not easy for a game ball to enter the second starting port 12 due to the lack of the electric chew support function is sometimes called a "low base state". Also, in the following description, the game performed in the low base state may be called "non-time-saving game", and the game performed in the high base state may be called "time-saving game".

When it is determined that the game ball is a jackpot based on the jackpot random number obtained when the game ball wins the first start port 11, the pattern random number obtained together with this jackpot random number is shown in FIG. 5(B). The type of jackpot is determined based on which random number value matches the type of jackpot in the symbol determination table provided. The possible range of the symbol random number acquired when the game ball wins the first start port 11 is "0" to "199" in this embodiment. Since 90 random values from "0" to "89" are assigned for the 16R probability variation, the 16R probability variation per ratio is 90/200 (=45%).

In addition, since 30 random numbers of "90" to "119" are assigned with respect to the 2R probability variation, the 2R probability variation per ratio is 30/200 (= 15%). In addition, since 80 random numbers from "120" to "199" are assigned to the normal 16R wins, the normal 16R wins occur at a rate of 80/200 (=40%).

As illustrated in FIG. 5(C), in the present embodiment, the same three types of jackpots as the jackpots by the first start-up prize are prepared as the types of jackpots by the second start-up prize. When it is determined that the game ball is a jackpot based on the jackpot random number obtained when the game ball wins the second start port 12, the symbol random number obtained together with this jackpot random number is shown in FIG. 5(C). The type of jackpot is determined based on which random number value matches the type of jackpot in the symbol determination table provided.

The possible range of the symbol random number obtained when the game ball wins in the second starting hole 12 is "0" to "199", like the symbol random number related to the first starting hole winning. Since 110 random numbers from "0" to "109" are assigned for the 16R probability variation, the 16R probability variation per ratio is 110/200 (=55%). In addition, since 10 random numbers of "110" to "119" are assigned with respect to the 2R probability variation, the 2R probability variation per ratio is 10/200 (=5%). In addition, since 80 random numbers from "120" to "199" are assigned to the normal 16R wins, the normal 16R wins occur at a rate of 80/200 (=40%).

[Flow of production in low base state]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of effects in the low base state. When the game is controlled in the high base state, it is possible for the player to hit the ball to the right so that the game ball can easily enter the second starting hole 12 . On the other hand, when the game is controlled in the low base state, it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second starting hole 12 even if the player hits to the right. Therefore, when the game is controlled in the low base state, the player plays the game by hitting the first start hole 11 to the left.

On the other hand, when the game ball wins in the first starting port 11, the first special symbol determination is executed. Then, in the first special symbol display device 41, after the first special symbol is variably displayed, it is stopped and displayed in a display mode showing the determination result of the first special symbol determination. On the other hand, on the liquid crystal screen 5, the following effect is performed with the display of such a first special symbol.

That is, on the liquid crystal screen 5, when the first special symbol determination is executed, the variable display of the decorative symbols is started almost simultaneously with the start of the variable display of the first special symbol (see FIG. 6A). ). Specifically, on the liquid crystal screen 5, for example, three rows of decorative patterns consisting of numerical rows in which numbers 1 to 9 are continuously written in the vertical direction are displayed in the horizontal direction, and the variation of the first special pattern When the display is started, the variable display of decorative patterns is started so that these decorative patterns are scrolled from top to bottom (for example, see FIG. 13(B)).

Then, when a predetermined time elapses from the start of scrolling, for example, the left pattern, which is the decorative pattern in the left column, and the right pattern, which is the decorative pattern in the right column, are stopped before all the decorative patterns are stopped. . At that time, when the same decorative pattern does not stop on the effective line, the ready-to-win state is not established, and the result of the first special pattern judgment is "lost" along with the stop display of the first special pattern. A failure is notified by stopping display of three decorative symbols (for example, rose eyes) suggesting that the winning line is on the activated line (see FIG. 6(B)). Then, when the first special symbol determination is suspended, the first reserved icon displayed in the reserved area 51 is shifted to the area 52, and the decorative pattern is displayed along with the variable display of the first special symbol. The next variable display is started (see FIG. 6(H)).

On the other hand, when the same decorative symbols as the left symbol and the right symbol stop on the active line, reach is established (see FIG. 6(C)). When ready-to-win is established in this manner, a ready-to-win effect is executed to give the player a sense of expectation that the same decorative pattern as the left and right patterns will stop on the effective line as a middle pattern and the patterns will be aligned. be.

In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a normal ready-to-win effect, an SP ready-to-win effect, and an SPSP ready-to-win effect are prepared as the ready-to-win effect to be executed with the variable display of the first special symbol.

The normal reach effect (see FIG. 6(D)) is, for example, a reach effect in which animation characters play an active role as the scroll speed of the medium pattern is gradually reduced. In the game machine 1, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "big hit", the fluctuation time of the first special symbol is likely to be set to a relatively long time, and conversely, when it is "losing". has the characteristic that the fluctuation time of the first special symbol is likely to be set to a relatively short time. On the other hand, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "losing" and the fluctuation time of the first special symbol is set to a relatively short time, this normal ready-to-win effect is executed and at the end of it. "Loss" is likely to be reported. Therefore, it can be said that the normal reach effect is a reach effect that suggests that the reliability of the big hit is relatively low.

In the SP reach effect (see FIG. 6(E)), for example, an effect in which a live-action character plays an active role is developed over a longer period of time than, for example, a normal reach effect until the middle pattern stops on the active line. It is a reach performance. This SP ready-to-win effect may be selected when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "big hit". Also, the SP ready-to-win effect is likely to be selected when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "lost" and the fluctuation time of the first special symbol is set to a longer time. Therefore, it can be said that the SP ready-to-win effect is a ready-to-win effect suggesting that the reliability of the jackpot is moderate.

In the SP reach production (see FIG. 6(F)), until the medium pattern stops on the active line, for example, a production in which a live-action character plays an active role takes longer than the SP reach production, for example. It is a reach performance that is done. This SPSP ready-to-win effect is likely to be selected when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "big hit". In addition, the SPSP reach effect may be selected even when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "losing", but when the fluctuation time of the first special symbol is set to a relatively short time is difficult to be selected, and conversely, it is easy to be selected when the fluctuation time of the first special symbol is set to a relatively long time. Therefore, it can be said that the SPSP ready-to-win effect is a ready-to-win effect suggesting that the reliability of the big win is relatively high.

So far, a case has been described in which one ready-to-win effect is executed after the ready-to-win effect is established, and whether or not it is a "jackpot" is notified at the end of the ready-to-win effect. A plurality of types of ready-to-win effects different from each other may be executed within the same fluctuation of the symbol.

Specifically, when the variation time of the first special symbol is set to a relatively long time, that is, when the variation pattern of the first special symbol with a relatively long variation time is selected, for example, after the reach establishment First, a normal ready-to-win effect is executed, and during or at the end of the normal ready-to-win effect, it may develop into a higher ready-to-reach effect such as an SP ready-to-reach effect or SPSP ready-to-win effect.

It should be noted that, for example, the development pattern that develops from the normal ready-to-win production to the SP ready-to-win production is selected when a longer variation time is selected than the variation time for selecting the development pattern that develops from the normal ready-to-win production to the SP ready-to-win production. , the execution of the ready-to-win effect that develops in the former development pattern has a higher reliability for the big win than the execution of the ready-to-win effect that develops in the latter development pattern. Therefore, in this embodiment, it can be said that the reliability of the big win is the highest when the normal ready-to-win effect develops into the SPSP ready-to-win effect.

In this way, when one or a plurality of kinds of ready-to-win effects are performed during one time variation display of the first special symbol, a display showing the determination result of the first special symbol determination is accompanied by the stop display of the first special symbol. The decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in this mode (see FIG. 6(B)). Then, when the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a display mode for informing the "big win" along with the stopped display of the first special symbol, a predetermined opening effect (OP Effect) is started (see FIG. 6(G)). Although not shown in the figure, during a plurality of round games that constitute the jackpot game, a predetermined round production is performed, and a predetermined ending is performed in the ending period after all the round games are completed. A performance is held.

In the present embodiment, three types of ready-to-win effects, ie, normal ready-to-win effects, SP ready-to-win effects, and SPSP ready-to-win effects are described, but four or more types of ready-to-win effects may be prepared. In addition, regarding the above three types of ready-to-win production, there are development patterns in which the ready-to-win production develops in the order of normal reach production, SP ready-to-win production, and SP ready-to-reach production, and variations patterns of special symbols corresponding to these development patterns are prepared. good too.

[Regarding the actions of the production accessories 71 and 72]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the actions of the first performance accessory 71 and the second presentation accessory 72. As shown in FIG. The second production accessory 71 is normally maintained in a stationary state as illustrated in FIG. 7(A-1). On the other hand, for example, when a special pattern variation pattern is selected in which the reach effect develops from the normal reach effect to the SP reach effect, first, the same decorative pattern is displayed on the effective line as the left pattern and the right pattern. A pseudo-stop is performed and a normal ready-to-win effect is executed (see FIG. 7 (A-2)). Then, for example, at the end of the normal reach effect, the second effect accessory 72 rotates clockwise for a predetermined time while emitting light with a predetermined light emission pattern (see FIG. 7A-3). Along with this, the ready-to-win effect performed on the liquid crystal screen 5 develops from the normal ready-to-win effect to the SP ready-to-win effect (see FIG. 7 (A-4)).

Thus, in this embodiment, the second production accessory 72 operates at the end of the normal reach production, thereby functioning as a means for suggesting the development from the low-reliability normal reach production to the medium-reliability SP reach production. do.

On the other hand, the first performance accessory 71 is normally maintained in an initial posture in which the sword looks almost upright, as exemplified in FIG. 7(B-1). On the other hand, for example, when a special symbol variation pattern is selected in which the reach effect develops from the normal ready-to-win effect to the SPSP ready-to-win effect, first, the same decorative pattern is displayed on the effective line as the left pattern and the right pattern. A pseudo-stop is performed and a normal ready-to-win effect is executed (see FIG. 7(B-2)). Then, for example, at the end of the normal reach production, the first production accessory 71 emits light in a predetermined light emission pattern, for example, and the posture changes to a rotational posture in which the sword appears to be substantially horizontal (FIG. 7 (B-3 )) and return to the initial posture. Along with this, the ready-to-win effect performed on the liquid crystal screen 5 develops from the normal ready-to-win effect to the SPSP ready-to-win effect (see FIG. 7 (B-4)).

Thus, in this embodiment, the first production accessory 71 operates at the end of the normal reach production, thereby functioning as means for suggesting development from the low-reliability normal reach production to the high-reliability SPSP reach production. do.

Although not shown in the figure, when the first production accessory 71 or the second production accessory 72 does not operate at the end of the normal reach production, it develops into SP SP reach production or SP reach production. However, at the end of the normal ready-to-win production, the middle symbol different from the left symbol and the right symbol stops on the effective line, and a loss is notified.

[Regarding a modified example of character action]
In this embodiment, the second production accessory 72 operates to suggest that the reliability of the big win is relatively low (medium in this embodiment) and to suggest the development to the SP reach production, and the reliability of the big win. A case will be described where the first production accessory 71 operates to suggest that the degree is relatively high and to suggest development to the SPSP ready-to-win production.
On the other hand, in order to suggest that the reliability of the first production accessory 71 (or the second production accessory 72) is relatively high (or relatively low), the timing other than the reach development time You may make it operate by . For example, the operation timing of the first production accessory 71 or the second production accessory 72 is determined based on the determination result of the special symbol determination (the determination result of whether or not it is a big hit and the variation pattern). Specifically, it is determined whether or not to operate one of the two production accessories 71 and 72, and if it is determined to operate, one or more of a plurality of operation timings during the fluctuation of the special symbol The operation timing of the performance accessory is set by selecting the operation timing of by, for example, performing a random number lottery.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which each of the first performance accessory 71 and the second performance accessory 72 has one operation pattern. A plurality of operation patterns (operation modes) may be prepared.

[About the flow of production when reach is developed]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, the flow of the effect when the fixed notification effect appears during the normal ready-to-win effect will be described. Here, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the effect after the appearance of the fixed notification effect.

In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, during the variable display of the first special symbol, in which the jackpot is finally announced, the confirmed notification effect is used as the notification effect for notifying that the player will be in an advantageous state. may be executed (see FIG. 8(A)). In the present embodiment, this fixed notification effect is a effect for notifying that the first special symbol indicating a big win will be stopped and displayed, and is configured as a so-called premium effect in which the appearance rate is extremely low.

The fixed notification effect may be executed at various timings during the variable display of the first special symbol. In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, there is a case where the fixed notification effect is executed before the ready-to-win state is established. In addition, there is a case where the fixed notification effect is executed during the normal reach effect after the ready reach is established. In this way, when the fixed notification effect is executed by the end of the normal ready-to-win effect and further develops into the SPSP ready-to-win effect or SP ready-to-win effect, the following effect is performed.

For example, when the variation pattern of the first special design corresponding to the variation performance pattern of the decorative design that develops from the normal reach performance to the SPSP reach performance is selected, at the end of the normal reach performance, the first performance accessory 71 operates ( See FIG. 8(B)). The operation of the first production accessory 71 is as described above with reference to FIGS. 7(B-1) to (B-4).

On the other hand, for example, when the variation pattern of the first special symbol corresponding to the variation effect pattern of the decorative symbol that develops from the normal reach effect to the SP reach effect is selected, the second effect accessory 72 is activated at the end of the normal reach effect. (see FIG. 8(C)). The operation of the second production accessory 72 is as described above with reference to FIGS. 7(A-1) to (A-4).

In this way, when the first production accessory 71 operates and develops into SPSP reach production, or when the second production accessory 72 operates and develops into SP reach production, at the end of each reach production , a cut-in effect is executed. In this cut-in effect, a specific effect image is displayed superimposed on the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 in response to the operation of the effect button 26 by the player (or automatically), or a specific effect is displayed. This is an effect such as full-screen display of the image on the liquid crystal screen 5 .

It should be noted that this cut-in effect is a effect suggesting the degree of reliability (that is, the degree of reliability for the big win) that the changing special pattern (here, the first special pattern) is finally stopped and displayed in a manner indicating the big win. be. Therefore, a plurality of production patterns are prepared for the cut-in production. Specifically, in this embodiment, a weak cut-in effect that displays a specific effect image that suggests that the reliability of the big win is relatively low, and a specific effect that suggests that the reliability of the big win is relatively high A strong cut-in effect that displays the effect image of is prepared.

Thus, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a strong cut-in effect or a weak cut-in effect is performed for each of the SP ready-to-win effect and the SPSP ready-to-win effect. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, there are two production routes respectively for the case of developing into the SPSP ready-to-win production and the case of developing into the SP ready-to-win production after the fixed notification production appears.

The first production route in the case of developing to the SPSP ready-to-win production is that after the confirmed notification production appears, the first production accessory 71 operates to develop into the SPSP ready-to-win production, and the SPSP ready-to-win production is strong at the end. This is an effect route in which a cut-in effect is performed (see FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8D).
The second production route in the case of developing to the SPSP ready-to-win production is that after the confirmed notification production appears, the first production accessory 71 operates to develop into the SPSP ready-to-win production, and the SPSP ready-to-win production is weak at the end. This is an effect route where a cut-in effect is performed (see FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8E).

The first production route in the case of developing into the SP reach production is that after the confirmed notification production appears, the second production accessory 72 operates and develops into the SP reach production, and is strong at the end of the SP reach production. This is an effect route where a cut-in effect is performed (see FIGS. 8(A), (C), and (F)).
The second production route in the case of developing into the SP reach production is that after the confirmed notification production appears, the second production accessory 72 operates and develops into the SP reach production, and is weak at the end of the SP reach production. This is an effect route where a cut-in effect is performed (see FIGS. 8(A), (C), and (G)).

By the way, in the present embodiment, the notification effect for notifying that the player will be in an advantageous state is basically configured as a fixed notification effect for notifying that the jackpot will always be won. For this reason, when the fixed notification effect appears, the player can safely watch the effect normally performed during the variable display of the special symbols while feeling a sense of superiority for having won the jackpot. preferable.

On the other hand, for example, even though the fixed notification effect has appeared, the second effect accessory 72 is activated instead of the first effect accessory 71, and the reliability of the big win is not necessarily high SP reach effect , or if a weak cut-in effect instead of a strong cut-in effect is performed at the end of the ready-to-win effect, the player may feel uneasy about losing the game. , there is a risk that the entertainment of the confirmation notification production will be significantly reduced.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the fixed notification effect appears before the reach development, the ratio of the first effect accessory 71 to operate and develop to the SPSP reach effect is higher than the second effect. It is set to be higher than the rate at which the accessory 72 operates and develops into the SP ready-to-win effect.
Further, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the fixed notification effect appears and develops into the SP ready-to-win effect or the SPSP ready-to-win effect, the rate of appearance of the strong cut-in effect is higher than that of the weak cut-in effect. It is set to be higher than the percentage that

As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment reduces the rate of occurrence of a so-called slack pattern, in which an effect with low reliability for a big win is performed after the confirmed notification effect is performed, thereby reducing the occurrence rate of the confirmed notification effect. It suppresses the decline in interest of people.

[About the variation pattern table for the jackpot]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the big winning variation pattern table. For example, when a game ball wins in the first start port 11, along with the above-described jackpot random number, symbol random number, and reach random number, the variation pattern random number used for the variation pattern selection process for selecting the variation pattern of the first special symbol is acquired. be done. In this way, after various random numbers are acquired as acquisition information, if it is determined to be a jackpot based on the acquired jackpot random number, based on the symbol random number acquired together with the jackpot random number The type of jackpot is determined. Then, the variation pattern of the first special symbol is selected based on the variation pattern random number obtained together with the jackpot random number and the symbol random number used in these processes.

The main ROM 102 of the game control board 100 stores a large winning variation pattern table (see FIG. 9). This big hit variation pattern table is a table used to select a first special symbol variation pattern when the first special symbol determination determines a big hit.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the big hit variation pattern table, the variation pattern random number and the variation pattern of the first special symbol are associated with each other. The possible range of variation pattern random numbers is set to "0" to "99" in this embodiment. Also, in the big hit variation pattern table, the variation pattern A has a variation time of the first special symbol of 30 seconds, the variation pattern B has a variation time of the first special symbol of 50 seconds, and the variation time of the first special symbol is 70 seconds. For each of the variation pattern C which is seconds, the variation pattern D whose variation time of the first special symbol is 90 seconds, and the variation pattern E whose variation time of the first special symbol is 110 seconds, a random number related to the variation pattern random number Numerical values are associated.

As exemplified in FIG. 9, when the variation pattern random number obtained together with the jackpot random number matching the jackpot winning value is any one of "0" to "4", the above variation pattern A is selected. If it is any one of "5" to "14", the variation pattern B is selected. Further, if the obtained variation pattern random number is any of "15" to "29", the above variation pattern C is selected, and if it is any of "30" to "59", the above Variation pattern D is selected, and variation pattern E is selected when it is any of "60" to "99".

Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 in this embodiment, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is a big hit, the variation pattern A is selected at a rate of 5/100 (=5%), and the variation pattern B is selected by 10. / 100 (= 10%), variation pattern C is selected at a rate of 15/100 (= 15%), variation pattern D is selected at a rate of 30/100 (= 30%), variation Pattern E is selected at a rate of 40/100 (=40%).

When the variation patterns selected when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is a big hit are arranged in descending order of the selection rate, variation pattern E, variation pattern D, variation pattern C, variation pattern B, and variation pattern A in order.

[Regarding the execution necessity determination table of the confirmation notification effect]
As will be described in detail later, in the game machine 1 , when the game control board 100 executes the first special symbol determination, a variation start command is transmitted from the game control board 100 to the effect control board 130 . This variation start command includes symbol setting information indicating the result of determination as to whether or not it is a big hit, variation pattern setting information indicating the variation pattern of the selected first special symbol, and the like.

The sub CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 determines whether or not it is a big hit based on the pattern setting information included in the variation start command received from the effect control board 100 . Then, when it is determined to be a jackpot, a process for determining whether or not to execute the above-described fixed notification effect is performed with reference to the execution necessity determination table for the fixed notification effect (see FIG. 10).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the execution necessity determination table of the fixed notification effect. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the execution necessity determination table, the variation pattern of the first special symbol, the variation time of the first special symbol, and the execution necessity determination random number are associated with each other.

When the sub CPU 131 receives the variation start command related to the first special symbol determination jackpot, it specifies the variation pattern of the first special symbol based on the variation pattern setting information included in the variation start command. Then, in response to receiving this variation start command, an execution necessity determination random number is acquired, and the acquired execution necessity determination random number is associated with the variation pattern of the first special symbol identified above in the execution necessity determination table. It is determined whether or not to execute the fixed notification effect based on whether or not it matches with the random number value (winning value) set.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the execution necessity determination table for the fixed notification effect, the possible range of execution necessity determination random numbers is set to "0" to "99". In addition, in the execution necessity determination table, one random value of "0" is associated with the variation pattern A, and when the variation pattern of the first special symbol this time is the variation pattern A, the confirmation notification The probability of being determined to execute the effect is 1/100 (=1%).

Also, two random numbers of "2" and "56" are associated with the variation pattern B, and when the variation pattern of the first special symbol this time is the variation pattern B, the confirmed notification effect is executed. Then the determined probability is 2/100 (=2%).
Also, three random numbers of "10", "38", and "86" are associated with the variation pattern C, and when the variation pattern of the first special symbol this time is the variation pattern C, it is determined The probability of being determined to execute the notification effect is 3/100 (=3%).

In addition, four random numbers of "7", "21", "48", and "98" are associated with the variation pattern D, and the variation pattern of the first special symbol this time is the variation pattern D. In one case, the probability of being determined to execute the fixed notification effect is 4/100 (=4%).
In addition, six random numbers of "27", "31", "55", "72", "83", and "94" are associated with the variation pattern E, and this first special symbol is the variation pattern E, the probability of executing the fixed notification effect is 6/100 (=6%).

Incidentally, as illustrated in FIG. 10, when the first special symbol is variably displayed in the variation pattern A whose variation time is 30 seconds, the normal ready-to-win effect is executed after the ready-to-win effect is established, and the normal ready-to-win effect ends. Occasionally, a jackpot will be announced. The execution decision probability of the fixed notification effect for this variation pattern A is set to 1% as described above. Therefore, the appearance rate of the fixed notification effect is also 1% when the big win is notified in the normal ready-to-win effect.

In addition, when the first special symbol is variably displayed in the variation pattern B whose variation time is 50 seconds, the SP ready-to-win performance is executed after the ready-to-win performance is established, and the big win is reported at the end of this SP ready-to-win performance. become. The execution decision probability of the fixed notification effect for this variation pattern B is set to 2% as described above.
In addition, when the first special symbol is variably displayed in the variation pattern D whose variation time is 90 seconds, the normal ready-to-win performance develops into the SP ready-to-win performance after the establishment of the ready-to-win, and the big hit is reported at the end of this SP ready-to-win performance. will be The execution decision probability of the fixed notification effect for this variation pattern D is set to 4% as described above.
Therefore, the appearance rate of the fixed notification effect when the big win is notified in the SP ready-to-win effect is 6% (=2%+4%) in this embodiment.

On the other hand, when the first special symbol is variably displayed in the variation pattern C whose variation time is 70 seconds, the SPSP ready-to-win performance is executed after the ready-to-win performance is established, and the big win is reported at the end of this SPSP ready-to-win performance. become. The execution decision probability of the fixed notification effect for this variation pattern C is set to 3% as described above.
In addition, when the first special symbol is variably displayed in the variation pattern E whose variation time is 110 seconds, the normal ready-to-win performance develops into the SPSP ready-to-win performance after establishment of the ready-to-win, and the big win is announced at the end of this SPSP ready-to-win performance. will be The execution decision probability of the fixed notification effect for this variation pattern E is set to 6% as described above.
Therefore, the appearance rate of the fixed notification effect when the big win is notified in the SPSP ready-to-win effect is 9% (=3%+6%) in this embodiment.

So far, with reference to FIG. 10, the appearance rate of the fixed notification effect when the big hit is notified in each ready-to-win effect has been described, but when the variation pattern D is selected as the first special symbol variation pattern When comparing with the case where the variation pattern E is selected, the following can be said.

That is, when the variation pattern D is selected, the normal ready-to-win effect develops into the SP ready-to-win effect, and a big hit is announced, the appearance rate of the fixed notification effect is 4%. In addition, when the variation pattern E is selected and the normal ready-to-win effect develops into the SPSP ready-to-win effect and a big hit is announced, the appearance rate of the fixed notification effect is 6%. Therefore, when the fixed notification effect is executed before the reach is established, it is easier to develop into the SPSP reach effect than the SP reach effect (that is, the first effect accessory 71 operates more than the second effect accessory 72. easy).

Thus, when the fixed notification effect is executed, the first effect accessory 71 is easier to operate than the second effect accessory 72, and it is easier to develop into SPSP reach effect than SP reach effect. A player who has seen the fixed notification effect has developed into an SP ready-to-win effect in which it cannot be said that the reliability of the big win is necessarily high. It is possible to effectively suppress memorization.

In addition, when the variation pattern B or the variation pattern D is selected and the jackpot is announced in the SP reach effect, the appearance rate of the fixed notification effect is 6% (= 2% + 4%) as described above. be.
On the other hand, when the variation pattern C or the variation pattern E is selected and the jackpot is announced in the SPSP ready-to-win effect, the appearance rate of the fixed notification effect is 9% (= 3% + 6%) as described above. be.
For this reason, when comparing the case where the determined notification effect is executed and the big win is reported in the SP reach performance and the case where the big win is reported in the SP reach performance, the SPSP reach performance is more successful than the SP reach performance. is likely to be reported.
Therefore, even if the establishment of the ready-to-win state directly develops into the SP ready-to-win effect or the SP ready-to-win effect, as described above, it is possible to effectively prevent the player from feeling uneasy about the possibility of losing. I can say that I can.

[Regarding the cut-in type selection table for the appearance of the cut-in effect] This variation start command is the setting information of the symbol indicating the judgment result of whether or not it is a big hit, and the variation pattern indicating the variation pattern of the selected first special symbol. It includes setting information and the like.

In the gaming machine 1, when the first special symbol determination is executed in the game control board 100, the setting information of the symbol indicating the determination result of whether or not the jackpot, and the setting information of the variation pattern indicating the variation pattern of the first special symbol. etc. is transmitted from the game control board 100 to the effect control board 130 . On the other hand, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not to perform the ready-to-win effect based on the pattern setting information included in the variation start command received from the effect control board 100, and which ready-to-win effect is performed when performing the ready-to-win effect. or, in the case of developing the ready-to-win performance, what kind of pattern is used to develop the ready-to-win performance, which decorative pattern is used to notify winning or losing, etc. are set. Here, when a variable production pattern is set to notify winning or losing in the SP reach production or the SPSP reach production, cut-in production type to select the type of cut-in production that suggests the reliability of the jackpot at the end of these reach productions. Execute the selection process.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a cut-in type selection table for selecting the type of cut-in effect to be performed after the confirmation notification effect appears. The sub CPU 131 sets a variable effect pattern for informing a big hit in the SP ready-to-win effect or SPSP ready-to-win effect, and furthermore, sets a notice effect pattern to execute a fixed notification effect before developing into these ready-to-win effects. The cut-in type selection table exemplified in 11 is referred to, and the type of cut-in effect to appear at the end of these ready-to-win effects is selected.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the cut-in type selection table, the variation pattern of the first special symbol, the cut-in type, and the type selection random number are associated with each other.

When the sub CPU 131 receives a variation start command related to the first special symbol determination jackpot and identifies that the variation pattern of the first special symbol is the variation pattern D or the variation pattern E, it acquires a type selection random number, A cut-in type is selected based on which random value associated with the identified variation pattern matches the type selection random number that has been acquired.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the cut-in type selection table that is referred to when the fixed notification effect appears, the variation pattern of the first special symbol, the cut-in type, and the random number of the type selection random number correspond. attached. In FIG. 11, only the variation patterns D and E out of the variation patterns A to E are illustrated for convenience of explanation, and illustration of the other variation patterns is omitted.

The possible range of the type selection random number is set to "0" to "99" in this embodiment. In the cut-in type selection table of FIG. 11, 60 random numbers from "0" to "59" are associated with the strong cut-in when the variation pattern of the first special symbol is the variation pattern D. , and 40 random numbers from "60" to "99" are associated with the weak cut-in. Therefore, if the acquired type selection random number matches any one of "0" to "59", it is determined to execute a strong cut-in effect, and if it matches any of "60" to "99", It is determined to execute a weak cut-in effect.
Regarding the fluctuation pattern D, since random numbers are associated with each of the strong cut-in and the weak cut-in as described above, the ratio of execution of the strong cut-in is 60/100 (=60%). and the rate at which the weak cut-in is executed is 40/100 (=40%).

On the other hand, when the variation pattern of the first special symbol is the variation pattern E, 80 random numbers from "0" to "79" are associated with the strong cut-in, and the weak cut-in are associated with 20 random numbers from "80" to "99". Therefore, if the acquired type selection random number matches any of "0" to "79", it is determined to execute a strong cut-in effect, and if it matches any of "80" to "99", It is determined to execute a weak cut-in effect.
Regarding the fluctuation pattern E, since random numbers are associated with each of the strong cut-in and the weak cut-in as described above, the ratio of execution of the strong cut-in is 80/100 (=80%). , and the rate at which the weak cut-in is executed is 20/100 (=20%).

As is clear from the notation of FIG. 11 and the description so far, in this embodiment, when the confirmed notification effect is executed and the normal reach effect is developed to the SP reach effect and the jackpot is announced, a strong cut-in is performed. The ratio of execution of the effect is 60%, and the ratio of execution of the weak cut-in effect is 40%.
On the other hand, when the fixed notification performance is executed and the normal ready-to-win performance develops into the SPSP ready-to-win performance to notify the jackpot, the ratio of executing the strong cut-in performance is 80%, and the weak cut-in performance is executed. 20%.

Thus, when the fixed notification effect is executed, even if the final ready-to-win effect in which the big hit is announced is either the SP reach effect or the SPSP reach effect, the strong cut-in effect is preferred over the weak cut-in effect. is easy to execute.
Therefore, the weak cut-in effect is executed in spite of the execution of the fixed notification effect, and as a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the player from feeling uneasiness that the game may be lost. It is possible to

[Regarding the reproduction of the confirmed notification effect]
In the gaming machine 1, as described above, a definite notification effect is executed to definitely notify that the big winning game will be executed. In the present embodiment, three types of confirmed notification effects, i.e., a premium effect A, a premium effect B, and a premium effect C, are prepared as types of this confirmed notification effect. One of three kinds of fixed notification effects is executed.
Although detailed explanation is omitted, in the present embodiment, the premium effect A, the premium effect B, and the premium effect C are effects with a relatively low appearance rate, and specific effect images different from each other are displayed on the screen. It is structured as a production to do.

By the way, if the fixed notification effect is a effect of displaying a specific effect image on the screen, and the time that the specific effect image is displayed is relatively short (for example, if it is displayed only for a few seconds), If the display size of the specific effect image is small, the player may not notice that the fixed notification effect has been executed, and as a result, there is a possibility that the high effect intended by the developer of the gaming machine 1 cannot be obtained. be.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the fixed notification effect is executed during the variable display of the first special symbol, the fixed notification effect that is common to the fixed notification effect is displayed at a high level after the jackpot game ends. It is supposed to be reproduced during the time-saving game in the base state.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining that various fixed notification effects are reproduced during the time-saving game after the end of the jackpot game. As illustrated in FIG. 12, when the premium effect A is executed during the variable display of the first special symbol in a situation where the non-time-saving game is being performed, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a jackpot. In a situation where a time-saving game is performed after a jackpot game is executed, a performance for reproducing the premium performance A is performed during the variable display of the second special symbol.
In addition, when the premium performance B is executed while the first special symbol is being changed and displayed in a situation where the non-time-saving game is being performed, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a big win, and the big win game is executed. In the situation that the time-saving game is performed after that, an effect of reproducing the premium effect B is performed during the variable display of the second special symbol.
In addition, when the premium performance C is executed while the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner in a situation where the non-time-saving game is being performed, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a big win, and the big win game is executed. In the situation that the time-saving game is performed after that, an effect of reproducing the premium effect C is performed during the variable display of the second special symbol.

Thus, in the game machine 1 of the present embodiment, the fixed notification performance common to the fixed notification performance executed when the non-time-saving game is performed is reproduced during the time-saving game after the jackpot game is finished.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the fixed notification effect is executed during the variable display of the first special symbol related to the jackpot during the non-time-saving game, during the variable display of the second special symbol related to the jackpot during the time-saving game , the common fixed notification effect is executed. Concrete processing for reproducing this fixed notification effect will be described in detail later.

[Specific example of production executed after confirmation notification production is performed]
A specific example of the effect executed after the determination notification effect is performed will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. FIG. Here, FIGS. 13 to 15 are screen diagrams for explaining various effects executed after the confirmation notification effect is performed.

In FIG. 13(A), the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating that the determination result of the first special symbol determination is a loss, and the second symbol related to the first special symbol determination is displayed in the first reserved icon display area 51. It is shown with two pending icons displayed. In addition, in FIG. 13A, the earliest pending icon displayed in the first pending icon display area 51 is a special icon (for example, a red pending icon).

When a predetermined fixed time (for example, 1 second) elapses after the losing symbol shown in FIG. Along with the start of the variable display of one special symbol, the variable display of the decorative symbols is started (see FIG. 13(B)). At that time, the special icon displayed in the first reserved icon display area 51 shifts to the area 53 . It should be noted that here, when these symbols are displayed, since it is determined that the premium effect A is to be executed as the fixed notification effect before the ready-to-win state is established, for example, a predetermined character is displayed on the upper right of the liquid crystal screen 5 and , a premium effect A is executed in which the character outputs a specific line from the speaker 24 (see FIG. 13(C)).

In addition, in FIG. 13(C), it is illustrated that the fixed notification effect is executed before the ready-to-win state is established during the variable display of the first special symbol. There are multiple prepared, and the final notification effect may be performed when the reach is established or after the reach is established.

A so-called pseudo-continuous advance notice effect may be executed after the premium effect A is executed as the fixed notification effect. This pseudo-continuous advance notice effect is a effect that makes it appear that the decorative symbols are variably displayed a plurality of times during one time variative display of the special symbol (here, the first special symbol).

When this pseudo-continuous notice effect is executed, first, during the variable display of the first special symbol, an effect is performed in which the decorative symbols in the three columns are simulated to stop in a manner indicating a failure (see FIG. 13(D)). In this way, when the decorative symbols are pseudo-stopped and the pseudo-first streak effect is completed, the pseudo-second streak effect is started. Specifically, the pseudo-stopped decorative symbols in the three rows are restarted, and the variable display of the decorative symbols is resumed (see FIG. 13(E)). Then, when the pseudo continuous notice effect develops to the pseudo third row, the decorative symbols in the three rows are pseudo-stopped in a manner indicating a failure, as in the case of developing from the pseudo first row to the pseudo second row (Fig. 13 (F)), and thereafter the three rows of decorative symbols are restarted to restart the variable display of the decorative symbols (see FIG. 13 (G)).

Here, a performance pattern is set in which a pseudo-continuous notice effect that develops to the pseudo third stage is executed before establishment of the ready-to-win state, the normal ready-to-win effect develops to the SPSP ready-to-win effect, and a big win is announced in this SPSP ready-to-win effect. If so, the following effects will occur.

That is, when a predetermined time elapses after the start of the variable display of the pseudo third decorative pattern, the same decorative patterns as the left pattern and the right pattern are pseudo-stopped on the effective line, establishing a ready-to-win state, and moving on the effective line. A normal ready-to-win effect is executed to heighten the player's expectation for the stop of the decorative symbols same as the ready-to-win symbols (three symbols in this case) (see FIG. 13(H)).

And here, since it is set to develop from the normal reach production to the SPSP reach production, for example, the first production accessory 71 operates at the end of the normal reach production, and the reach production is changed from the normal reach production to the SPSP reach production. develops (see FIG. 13(I)).

In addition, after the confirmed notification effect is performed, it develops to the normal reach effect, and when the second effect accessory 72 is operated and develops to the SP reach effect, or after the confirmed notification effect is performed during the normal reach effect, the second effect There is also a case where the accessory 72 is activated and develops into an SP ready-to-win effect.

On the other hand, FIG. 13 shows how the first production accessory 71 operates during the normal ready-to-win production after the fixed notification production is performed and develops into a highly reliable SPSP ready-to-win production. . In this case, the player who has seen the fixed notification effect can feel confident about the big win when he/she sees that the first effect accessory 71 is activated and develops into the SPSP ready-to-win effect. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the player from feeling uneasy about the possibility of losing.

Returning to the description after FIG. 13, at the end of the SPSP ready-to-win effect, although not shown in the drawing, a predetermined effect display prompting the player to operate the effect button 26 within a preset valid period is displayed. When the player operates the effect button 26 during the valid period (or when the valid period ends without being operated), the cut-in effect described above is performed.

FIG. 14(A) illustrates a state in which a strong cut-in effect is being performed as a cut-in effect. In this way, after the fixed notification effect is performed, it develops into the SPSP ready-to-win effect, and furthermore, the strong cut-in effect, which suggests that the reliability of the big win is relatively high, is executed. It is possible to further deepen the conviction that the jackpot will be achieved.

In addition, even if the SPSP ready-to-win effect develops after the execution of the fixed notification effect, a weak cut-in effect may be performed, but in this embodiment, the ratio of the weak cut-in is set to 20%, which is rather low. (see FIG. 11). For this reason, it is difficult for the player to have a sense of unease as to whether or not the final notification effect has been executed, or that the game may be lost.

After the fluctuation display of the first special symbol relating to the jackpot of the first special symbol determination is started, when the fluctuation time corresponding to the preset fluctuation pattern (here, the fluctuation pattern E) elapses, the second in the mode indicating the jackpot Along with the stop of the 1 special symbol, the same medium symbol as the ready-to-win symbol stops on the activated line, and a big hit is announced (see FIG. 14(B)).

When a predetermined fixed time elapses after the decorative symbols are finally stopped in such a manner as to indicate a big win, a predetermined opening performance is executed in the opening period of the big win game, although not shown in the drawing. This opening effect is composed of, for example, an effect of informing the type of jackpot, an effect of prompting the player to hit to the right, and the like.

During the round game in which the opening period is over and the big winning opening 13 is opened, the decoration pattern stopped and displayed when notifying the big win, the kind of the big win (whether it is a variable big win or not), the number of rounds, and the consecutive chances of the big win. The liquid crystal screen 5 is used to display the number of rounds, an effect display prompting the player to hit right, and the total number of game balls to be paid out in the current jackpot game, etc. (see FIG. 14(C)).

In this way, when all of the multiple round games accompanied by the effect during the round are completed and the ending period of the jackpot game is reached, although not shown in the figure, for example, the game state after the jackpot game is finished is displayed to the player. An ending effect to notify is performed.

As described above, when the variation display of the first special symbol relating to the jackpot ends and the jackpot game is executed, in the present embodiment, after the jackpot game is finished, the game is played in the variable probability game state or the time saving game state. is controlled. In the game state in which these electric chew support functions are provided, the following effects are performed along with the time-saving game.

That is, for example, when the game ball wins in the second starting port 12 in a situation where the first special symbol determination is suspended and the second special symbol determination is suspended, for the suspension related to the first special symbol determination The reservation related to the second special symbol determination is preferentially digested.

FIG. 14(D) illustrates a state in which one first special symbol determination is suspended, and the first suspension of two second special symbol determination suspensions is digested. ing. When the variable display of the symbols becomes possible in a state where the second special symbol determination is suspended twice, one of the two suspended icons related to the second special symbol determination displayed in the second suspended icon display area 52 is displayed. The first pending icon is shifted into the area 53 as the icon, and the second pending icon is shifted within the second pending icon display area 52 . Along with this, the variable display of the second special symbol is started, and the variable display of the decorative symbol is also started.

Here, when the determination result of the second special symbol determination corresponding to the icon displayed in the area 53 is "loss", the decorative symbols in the three rows are lost along with the stop display of the second special symbol. It is stopped and displayed in the manner shown (see FIG. 14(E)).

By the way, in the gaming machine 1, when the fixed notification effect is executed along with the variable display of the first special symbol, the jackpot game executed following the stop display in the mode indicating the jackpot of the first special symbol is executed. It is supposed that an effect to reproduce the fixed notification effect is performed along with the variable display of the second special symbol after the end.

Here, if the confirmed notification effect is reproduced during the variable display of the second special symbol related to the determination of the second special symbol that is determined to be lost, the confirmed notification effect is reproduced as the advance notice effect during the variable display of the second special symbol. There is a risk that a loss will be reported despite the fact that the game has been played, and that the game will be hindered.

Therefore, in this embodiment, during the variable display of the second special symbol related to the second special symbol determination determined as a big hit, an effect to reproduce the fixed notification effect is performed.
By adopting such a configuration, the player can confirm the fixed notification effect performed during the variable display of the first special symbol related to the big win during the variable display of the second special symbol, and this time. It is possible to recognize that the variable display of the second special symbol also leads to a big hit. That is, by adopting the above configuration, it is possible to notify that both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are big hits by one type of fixed notification effect.

In addition, when the game is controlled in the probability variable game state or the time-saving game state, there may be a state called "continuous chan" in which the jackpot game is continuously executed. During the variable display of the second special symbol related to , or during the variable display of the second special symbol related to the fourth and subsequent jackpots. The relationship between the confirmed notification effect performed during the variable display and the confirmed notification effect reproduced during the time saving game becomes weak, and as a result, the player may not be able to recognize that the confirmed notification effect has been reproduced. There is In addition, when the variable probability game state (or time-saving game state) ends before the third big hit is drawn and the game state is returned to the normal game state, it is possible to reproduce the fixed notification effect during the time-saving game. It becomes difficult.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, in order to suppress the occurrence of these problems, during the variable display of the second special symbol related to the second big win, that is, after the big win game related to the first win is completed During the variable display of the second special symbol (or first special symbol) relating to the first big hit, the fixed notification effect is reproduced.

Concerning the reproduction of the fixed notification effect, specifically, the following effect is performed.
That is, when the jackpot game related to the first hit is completed and the second special symbol determination is suspended, the jackpot is executed when the second special symbol determination is performed at the stage when the second special symbol determination is suspended. Pre-determination processing including processing for determining in advance whether or not is executed.

As a result of this pre-determination process, when the pre-determination result indicating that it will be a "jackpot" when the suspension of the second special symbol determination is digested, the reproduction icon is displayed in the second suspension icon display area 52 is displayed (see FIG. 14(E)). In this way, by displaying the reproduction icon as the pending icon related to the second special symbol determination, the variable display of the second special symbol accompanied by the reproduction of the confirmed notification effect is refrained, and the second corresponding to the reproduction icon It is possible to effectively suggest that the determination result of the 2 special symbol determination is a "jackpot".

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which only one type of reproduction icon is displayed regardless of the type of confirmed notification effect to be reproduced. A plurality of types of effect images for displaying the reproduction icon may be prepared so that the player can identify whether the fixed notification effect is to be reproduced. As a result, in addition to the reproduction of the confirmed notification effect, the player can specify the type of the confirmed notification effect to be reproduced.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the confirmation notification effect is reproduced during the variable display of the second special symbol related to the first big win after the jackpot game related to the first win is completed, the second special symbol determination related to the big win is performed. Even if it is suspended, if it is not the suspension related to the second big win, the reproduction icon will not be displayed.

When the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed while the reproduction icon is displayed as illustrated in FIG. , the next symbol variation related to the second special symbol determination is started (see FIG. 14(F)).

Here, when the determination result of the second special symbol determination corresponding to the suspension immediately before the reproduction icon is "losing", the decorative symbol that was being variably displayed is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating "losing". (See FIG. 14(G)).

Next, when a predetermined fixed time elapses from the stop display of this decorative symbol, the shift process for the second pending icon display area 52 is executed. As a result, the reproduction icon moves from the second reserved icon display area 52 to the area 53 and is displayed as the icon, and the decorative pattern corresponding to the icon starts to be variably displayed (Fig. 14 ( H)).

By the way, if the player knows in advance that the fixed notification effect performed during the variable display of the first special symbol will be reproduced during the variable display of the second special symbol corresponding to the reproduction icon, the reproduction icon By paying attention to the effect performed during the variable display of the second special symbol corresponding to , it is possible for the player to recognize the fixed notification effect.

However, if the player does not recognize what the reproduced icon represents, or if the player overlooks the fixed effect performed during the variable display of the first special symbol, There is a possibility that the player will miss the fixed notification effect executed during the variable display of the second special symbol.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the variable display of the second special symbol corresponding to the reproduction icon is started, the confirmation notification effect is reproduced after the variable display of the second special symbol is started. A countdown effect is executed to countdown the remaining time until the game is finished (see FIG. 14(I)). As shown in FIG. 14(I), this countdown effect is configured as an effect for displaying a message such as "5 seconds left to reproduce the confirmed notification effect". Accompanied by the display of this message, an effect of outputting voices such as "five seconds left", "four seconds", "three seconds", and "two seconds" from the speaker 24 is also performed.

In another embodiment, in order to prevent the player from overlooking the reproduction of the confirmed notification effect, a reproduction icon is provided with a word or message that allows the player to recognize that the confirmed notification effect is reproduced. may be given to

When 4 seconds have passed since the start of the variable display of the second special symbol corresponding to the reproduction icon and the start of the above-described countdown effect, the effect display such as "1 second until the reproduction of the confirmed notification effect" is performed ( See FIG. 15(A)). Then, when 1 second has passed from this point, the countdown effect ends, and the effect of reproducing the confirmation notification effect is executed (see FIG. 15(B)). Here, since the premium effect A is executed as the fixed notification effect during the variable display of the first special symbol, the same effect as the premium effect A is performed (FIGS. 13(C) and 15(B)). reference).

When the fixed notification effect is executed in this way, the ready-to-win state is established (see FIG. 15(C)), and after the predetermined ready-to-win effect is executed (see FIG. 15(D)), the jackpot is notified. becomes (see FIG. 15(E)).

In addition, this predetermined ready-to-win effect may be the same or common ready-to-win effect as the ready-to-win effect performed during the variable display of the first special symbol accompanied by the execution of the fixed notification effect, or the change in the first special symbol. The ready-to-win effect may be performed only during the variable display of the second special symbol and not during display.

Also, FIGS. 14 and 15 show how the effect of reproducing the fixed notification effect is started at the timing of 5 seconds after the variable display of the second special symbol. is not limited to this. For example, the reproduction effect is started with the start of the variable display of the second special symbol, or the reproduction effect is started at the timing of 3 seconds after the variable display of the second special symbol is started, or the ready-to-win is established. The reproduction effect may be started during the subsequent reach effect.

In the present embodiment, the reproduction effect for reproducing the confirmed notification effect described so far is performed during the variable display of the second special symbol relating to the big hit of the second special symbol determination. Therefore, when the variable display of the second special symbol accompanied by the reproduction effect is completed and the second special symbol indicating the big win is stopped and displayed for a predetermined fixed time, the effect display related to the big win game (so-called opening effect) starts. (See FIG. 15(F)).

[Configuration example of main RAM 103]
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the main RAM 103 and various information stored in the main RAM 103. As shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 16A, the main RAM 103 has a determination memory area 1030, a first reserved memory area 1031, a second reserved memory area 1032, a third reserved memory area 1033, and a fourth reserved memory area 1034. , a first reserved storage area 1035, a second reserved storage area 1036, a third reserved storage area 1037, and a fourth reserved storage area 1038 are provided.

The determination storage area 1030 is a storage area for storing various information used for the special symbol determination when the special symbol determination is actually executed. The first reserved storage area 1031 to the fourth reserved storage area 1034 are storage areas for storing various information related to the first special symbol determination, and the first reserved storage area 1035 to the fourth reserved storage area 1038 are the second It is a storage area in which various information related to special symbol determination is stored. Also, the second special symbol determination is prioritized over the first special symbol determination. Therefore, in the determination storage area 1030, when the second special symbol determination is suspended when the special symbol determination is performed, various information stored in the first suspension storage area 1035 is shifted, and the first When only the special symbol determination is reserved, various information stored in the first reserved storage area 1031 is shifted.

As illustrated in FIG. 16(B), the reserved storage areas 1031 to 1038 are respectively acquired by the main CPU 101, an area for storing a jackpot random number, an area for storing a pattern random number, an area for storing a reach random number, It includes an area for storing variation pattern random numbers, an area for storing pre-determination information, and the like.

A jackpot random number is a random number for determining a jackpot or a loss. The symbol random number is a random number for determining the type of jackpot when it is determined to be a jackpot. The ready-to-win random number is a random number for determining whether to perform a ready-to-win effect or not to perform a ready-to-win effect when it is determined that the game is lost. The variation pattern random number is a random number for determining the variation pattern of the special symbols when the special symbols are variably displayed.

The pre-determination information is information obtained by pre-determination processing (see FIG. 21), which will be described later, based on the jackpot random number, symbol random number, reach random number, and fluctuation pattern random number. Preliminary judgment information is specifically, winning start information, information indicating whether the judgment result of special symbol judgment is a jackpot, information indicating what kind of jackpot if it is a jackpot, Information indicating the variation pattern of the special symbol, information indicating the game state of the gaming machine 1, and the like are included. Here, the winning starting gate information is acquired when the game ball wins the first starting gate 11 with the jackpot random number, the pattern random number, the reach random number, and the fluctuation pattern random number stored in the same reserved storage area. It is information indicating whether the game ball was acquired when the game ball entered the second starting port 12 or won a prize. Pre-determination information including these information is stored in the same reservation storage area as the jackpot random numbers, pattern random numbers, reach random numbers, and variation pattern random numbers used in the pre-determination process.

The five pieces of information explained based on FIG. 16(B) are stored in the first reservation storage area 1031 to the fourth reservation storage area 1034 in order from the first reservation storage area 1031 each time the game ball wins the first start port 11. Each time a game ball wins in the second starting port 12, it is stored in one of the first reservation storage area 1035 to the fourth reservation storage area 1038 in order from the first reservation storage area 1035.

For example, when the information is not stored in any of the first reserved storage area 1031 to the fourth reserved storage area 1034 and five pieces of information related to the first special symbol determination are newly acquired, the five pieces of information are It is stored in the first reserved storage area 1031 . Also, for example, when five information related to the first special design determination is newly acquired in a state in which five pieces of information are stored in each of the first reserved storage area 1031 and the second reserved storage area 1032, the five pieces of information is stored in the third reserved storage area 1033 .

In addition, when the information stored in the first reserved storage area 1031 is shifted to the determination storage area 1030 when executing the first special symbol determination, it is stored in the reserved storage area after the second reserved storage area 1032. The information is shifted to the first reserved storage area 1031 side. For example, when the information stored in the first reserved storage area 1031 to the third reserved storage area 1033 is shifted to the judgment storage area 1030, the second Information stored in reserved storage area 1032 is shifted to first reserved storage area 1031 and information stored in third reserved storage area 1033 is shifted to second reserved storage area 1032 .

Such shift processing of information is similarly performed in the first reservation storage area 1035 to the fourth reservation storage area 1038 in which the information related to the second special symbol determination is stored. In addition, in the gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment, when both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are suspended, that is, information is stored in both the first reserved storage area 1031 and the first reserved storage area 1035. If stored, the shift processing in the first reserved storage area 1035 to the fourth reserved storage area 1038 is preferentially performed prior to the shift processing in the first reserved storage area 1031 to the fourth reserved storage area 1034 .

By the way, even if the game ball enters the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12 and various random numbers are obtained when the special symbols are variably displayed or during the jackpot game, the special symbol judgment and the special symbol are not performed. Variable display cannot be performed immediately.

Therefore, when various random numbers are acquired under such circumstances, the main CPU 101 stores the acquired random numbers and the like as information for suspending special symbol determination in the reserved storage areas 1031 to 1038 as described above. It is supposed to be stored in . On the other hand, when the special symbols are not variably displayed, the determination of the special symbols is not suspended, and the jackpot game is not in progress, the main CPU 101 receives various random numbers and the like as a result of winning the starting game. It is assumed that it is directly stored in the determination storage area 1030 .

[Timer interrupt processing by game control board 100]
Next, with reference to FIG. 17, timer interrupt processing executed in the game control board 100 will be described. Here, FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the game control board 100. As shown in FIG. The game control board 100 repeatedly executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. . Note that the processing of the game control board 100, which will be explained based on the flowcharts of FIG.

First, the main CPU 101 executes a random number update process for updating various random numbers including jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, variation pattern random numbers, and normal symbol random numbers (step S1).

The normal symbol random number is a random number for determining whether or not to open the second starting port 12 . A jackpot random number, a symbol random number, a reach random number, a fluctuation pattern random number, and a normal symbol random number are incremented by "1" each time the process of step S1 is performed. A loop counter is used as a counter for performing the processing of step S1, and each random number is reset to "0" and updated after reaching a preset maximum value.

Following the processing of step S1, the main CPU 101 executes switch processing when a detection signal is input from each switch (step S2). This switch processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Following the process of step S2, the main CPU 101 executes special symbol determination, causes the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 to variably display the special symbol, and then displays the determination result of the special symbol determination. A special symbol process including a process of stopping and displaying the special symbol shown is executed (step S3). This special symbol processing will be described in detail later based on FIG.

Following the process of step S3, the main CPU 101 executes normal symbol determination, causes the normal symbol display 45 to variably display the normal symbol, and then stops and displays the normal symbol indicating the result of the normal symbol determination. A normal design process is executed (step S4).

Following the processing of step S4, the main CPU 101 performs the electric tulip processing of operating the electric tulip 17 via the electric tulip control unit 113 when it is determined to open the second starting port 12 as a result of the normal symbol determination. (step S5).

Following the processing of step S5, the main CPU 101 performs a large winning prize opening control process for controlling the large winning prize opening control section 117 to open the large winning prize opening 13 when it is determined that a big win has been achieved in the processing of step S3. Execute (step S6).

Following the processing of step S6, the main CPU 101 executes prize ball processing for controlling payout of prize balls according to winning of game balls (step S7).

Following the processing of step S7, the main CPU 101 transmits various commands set (stored) in the main RAM 103 in the processing steps before step S7 and information necessary for determining the content of the effect to the effect control board 130. Processing is executed (step S8).

[Switch processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 18 is a detailed flow chart of the switch processing in step S2 of FIG. Following the processing of step S1, the main CPU 101 monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the first starting port switch 111, as exemplified in FIG. For random numbers (jackpot random numbers, pattern random numbers, reach random numbers, and fluctuation pattern random numbers), the first starter switch processing including the processing of acquiring the value at the time when the detection signal from the first starter switch 111 is input is executed. (step S21). This first start opening switch process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Next, the main CPU 101 monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the second starter switch 112, and the detection signal from the second starter switch 112 is detected for various random numbers appropriately updated by the process of step S1. A second start opening switch process including a process of acquiring a value at the time of input is executed (step S22). This second start opening switch process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Then, the main CPU 101 monitors the presence or absence of the input of the detection signal from the gate switch 114, and the value at the time when the detection signal from the gate switch 114 is input for the normal symbol random number appropriately updated by the process of step S1. is executed (step S23).

[First start opening switch processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 19 is a detailed flowchart of the first start opening switch process in step S21 of FIG. As exemplified in FIG. 19, the main CPU 101 receives a detection signal from the first starter switch 111 (specifically, when the first starter switch 111 is "ON") following the random number update process in step S1. It is determined whether or not the first starting port switch 111 has been turned "ON" (step S210). Here, when it is determined that the first starting port switch 111 has turned "ON" (step S210: YES), the number U1 of pending first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 103 is stored in the main ROM 102. It is determined whether or not it is less than the maximum pending number Umax1 ("4" in this embodiment) of the first special symbol determination (step S211).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the number of reservations U1 is less than the maximum number of reservations Umax1 (step S211: YES), it updates the value of the number of reservations U1 by adding "1" (step S212) to the first special symbol. As acquisition information used for determination, a jackpot random number, a pattern random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number are acquired (steps S213 to S216).

In this way, various acquisition information such as a jackpot random number is acquired in accordance with the establishment of the acquisition condition that the first starting port switch 111 is turned "ON" while the number U1 of reservations is less than the maximum number Umax1 of reservations.

Following the processing of step S216, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the current state is the high base state (step S217). A time saving game flag is stored in the main RAM 103 . This time-saving game flag is set to "OFF" when controlling the electric tulip 17 in a state in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second starting port 12, and conversely, the game ball is likely to enter the second starting port 12. This flag is set to "ON" when controlling the electric tulip 17 to the state. In step S217, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the current state is the high base state based on whether or not the time saving game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is set to "ON".

When the main CPU 101 determines that the current state is not the high base state (step S217: NO), that is, when the time saving game flag is set to "OFF", the main CPU 101 executes preliminary determination processing (step S218). Specifically, prior to the jackpot determination processing (see FIG. 23) and variation pattern selection processing (see FIG. 24) described later, based on the information acquired by the processing of steps S213 to S216, whether or not to hit the jackpot Along with pre-determining whether or not, pre-determination is performed to acquire the variation pattern of the special symbol that is actually selected when the first special symbol determination is performed. This pre-determination process will be described in detail later based on FIG. are stored in the main RAM 103 (see FIG. 16B).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S218, or determines that it is in the high base state (the time saving game flag is set to "ON") (step S217: YES), the first special symbol determination is performed. Such pending command is set in the main RAM 103 (step S219). This pending command is a command notifying that the first special symbol determination has been suspended, and when the processing of step S218 is executed, it includes the prior determination information obtained in this processing step, It is transmitted to the effect control board 130 by the transmission process of step S8.

[Second start opening switch processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 20 is a detailed flowchart of the second start opening switch process in step S22 of FIG. As exemplified in FIG. 20, the main CPU 101 receives the detection signal from the second starter switch 112 (specifically, when the second starter switch 112 is "ON") following the first starter switch process in step S21. is input, it is determined whether or not the second starting port switch 112 is "ON" (step S220).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the second starting port switch 112 is turned "ON" (step S220: YES), the second special symbol determination pending number U2 stored in the main RAM 103 is stored in the main ROM 102. It is determined whether or not it is less than the maximum pending number Umax2 ("4" in this embodiment) of the second special symbol determination (step S221).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the number of reservations U2 is less than the maximum number of reservations Umax2 (step S221: YES), it updates the value of the number of reservations U2 by adding "1" (step S222) to the second special symbol. As acquisition information used for determination, a jackpot random number, a pattern random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number are acquired (steps S223 to S226).

Following the process of step S226, the main CPU 101 determines whether the current state is the high base state (step S227), similarly to the process of step S217. Here, when it is determined that the current state is the high base state (step S227: YES), that is, when the time saving game flag is set to "ON", a preliminary determination process is executed (step S228). This pre-determination process will be described in detail later based on FIG. are stored in the main RAM 103 (see FIG. 16B).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S228, or determines that it is not in the high base state (the time saving game flag is set to "OFF") (step S227: NO), the second special symbol determination is performed. Such pending command is set in the main RAM 103 (step S229). This pending command is a command for notifying that the second special symbol determination has been suspended, and includes the prior determination information obtained in this processing step when the processing of step S228 is executed, It is transmitted to the effect control board 130 by the transmission process of step S8.

[Preliminary determination processing by the game control board 100]
Hereinafter, the prior determination processing executed by the game control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the preliminary determination processing in steps S218 and S228 of FIGS.

If the main CPU 101 determines in the process of step S217 of FIG. 19 that the base state is not the high base state, or if it determines that the base state is the high base state in the process of step S227 of FIG. ). Specifically, in the low probability state (normal game state or time saving game state in this embodiment), the low probability jackpot random number table is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 . On the other hand, when it is in a high probability state (probability variable gaming state in this embodiment), the high probability jackpot random number table is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 . 19 (or step S223 in FIG. 20) matches any of the winning values stored in the jackpot random number table set in the main RAM 103. Based on this, it is determined whether or not it will be determined as a big hit at the start of the fluctuation.

Next, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not it is determined to be a big win at the start of the variation based on the determination result of step S2181 (step S2182). Here, when it is determined that it is a big win at the start of the fluctuation (step S2182: YES), the big win fluctuation pattern table is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S2183).

On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a big hit at the start of the variation (step S2182: NO), it determines whether or not the ready-to-win effect is performed during the variation (step S2184). Specifically, based on whether or not the reach random number obtained together with the jackpot random number used in the jackpot determination process in step S2181 matches the winning value of the reach random number stored in the main ROM 102, the It is determined whether or not a ready-to-win performance is performed during variation.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the ready-to-win effect will be performed (step S2184: YES), it reads the ready-to-win variation pattern table from the main ROM 102 and sets it in the main RAM 103 (step S2185).

By the way, if the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "losing" and the reach effect is not performed during the variation, the first special symbol is based on the number of reservations of the first special symbol determination at the start of the variation. is determined. Then, the number of pending first special symbol determination may differ between before and after the suspended first special symbol determination is digested. For this reason, the special symbol variation pattern acquired before the first special symbol determination is digested may differ from the special symbol variation pattern selected when the first special symbol determination is actually digested. be. In other words, for the right of the first special symbol determination for which the ready-to-win effect is not performed during the variation, it may not be possible to acquire an accurate special symbol variation pattern prior to the first special symbol determination.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the ready-to-win effect is not performed (step S2184: NO), the process proceeds to step S2187 without performing the variation pattern random number determination process of step S2186 described later. .

When the main CPU 101 sets the big hit variation pattern table or the ready-to-win variation pattern table, the main CPU 101 executes variation pattern random number determination processing (step S2186). Specifically, the variation pattern random number acquired at the time of the starting opening winning along with the jackpot random number used in the processing of step S2181 is selected from among the random values stipulated in the variation pattern table set in the main RAM 103. The variation pattern of the first special symbol (or second special symbol) to be selected in the first special symbol determination (or second special symbol determination) performed at the start of the variation based on which random value matches. identify.

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S2186 or determines that the ready-to-win effect is not performed (step S2184: NO), the main CPU 101 generates advance determination information and stores it in the main RAM 103 (step S2187). The area in which this advance determination information is stored is as described above with reference to FIG.

In this way, the main CPU 101, based on the acquired information such as the jackpot random number acquired when the game ball wins the first start hole 11 (or the second start hole 12), Before the determination and the variation pattern selection process are performed, it is determined in advance whether it is a big hit or not, and the variation pattern (that is, variation time) of the first special symbol (or the second special symbol) is acquired.

[Special symbol processing by game control board 100]
Next, details of the special symbol processing executed by the game control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart of the special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the big win game is in progress based on whether or not the big win game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is set to "ON" ( step S301). This jackpot game flag is a flag indicating whether or not a jackpot game is being executed, and is set to "ON" at the start of the jackpot game, and set to "OFF" at the end of the jackpot game. Here, when it is determined that the jackpot game is in progress (step S301: YES), the process proceeds to the normal symbol process of step S4.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the jackpot game is not being performed (step S301: NO), the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the special symbols are being variably displayed (step S302). Here, if it is determined that the special symbols are not displayed in a variable display (step S302: NO), it is determined whether or not the second special symbol determination pending number U2 stored in the main RAM 103 is "1" or more. (step S303). Here, when it is determined that the number of reservations U2 is "1" or more (step S303: YES), the number of reservations U2 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S304).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the number of reservations U2 is not "1" or more (step S303: NO), whether or not the number of reservations U1 of the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 103 is "1" or more. (step S305). Here, when it is determined that the number of reservations U1 is equal to or greater than "1" (step S305: YES), the main CPU 101 updates the number of reservations U1 to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S306).

Following the processing of step S304 or the processing of step S306, the main CPU 101 executes shift processing on the reserved storage area of the main RAM 103 (step S308). Specifically, when executing the shift process following the process of step S304, the main CPU 101 determines the earliest acquired information stored in the second special symbol determination reserved storage areas 1035 to 1038. 1030, and the remaining acquired information is shifted to the determination storage area 1030 side. Further, when the shift process is executed following the process of step S306, the earliest acquired information stored in the reserved storage areas 1031 to 1034 for the first special symbol determination is shifted to the storage area 1030 for determination. At the same time, the remaining acquired information is shifted to the determination storage area 1030 side.

Following the process of step S308, the main CPU 101 executes the big win determination process based on the random number stored in the determination storage area 1030 (step S309). By executing this jackpot determination process, it is determined whether or not a jackpot has occurred, and when it is determined that a jackpot has occurred, the type of jackpot is determined. Then, special symbol setting information indicating the results of these processes is set in the main RAM 103 . This jackpot determination process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

As is clear from the notation in FIG. 22, when the starting condition that the jackpot game is not being played and the symbols are not fluctuating is satisfied, the main CPU 101, in this step S309, based on the jackpot random number or the like acquired at the time of winning the starting gate, It is determined whether or not to execute a jackpot game advantageous to the player.

Following the process of step S309, the main CPU 101 executes a variation pattern selection process for selecting a variation pattern of special symbols (step S310). This variation pattern selection process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Following the process of step S310, the main CPU 101 determines whether the special symbol setting information set in the process of step S309, whether this special symbol setting information relates to the first special symbol determination, or to the second special symbol determination. A change start command including information indicating whether the change is relevant, setting information of the change pattern set in the process of step S310, information on the game state of the gaming machine 1, etc. is set in the main RAM 103 (step S311).

This variation start command is a command for instructing the start of an effect associated with the variable display of the special symbol, and is transmitted to the effect control board 130 by the transmission process of step S8. As a result, the variable display of decorative patterns on the liquid crystal display device 5 and the like are started.

Following the processing of step S311, the main CPU 101 starts variable display of special symbols based on the setting information of the variation pattern included in the variation start command set in the processing of step S311 (step S312). At that time, when the processing of steps S309 to S311 is performed in a state in which the acquisition information (random number) related to the first special symbol determination is stored in the determination storage area 1030, in the first special symbol display 41 Start variable display of special symbols. On the other hand, when the processing of steps S309 to S311 is performed in a state in which the acquisition information (random number) related to the second special symbol determination is stored, the second special symbol display device 42 starts the variable display of the special symbol. do.

Next, the main CPU 101 starts measuring the fluctuation time, which is the elapsed time after the start of the fluctuation display in step S312 (step S313).

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S313, or determines that the special symbols are being changed and displayed (step S302: YES), the main CPU 101 selects by the process of step S310 from the start of measurement of the change time in step S313. It is determined whether or not the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern has passed (step S315). Here, when it is determined that the fluctuation time has not passed (step S315: NO), the process proceeds to the normal design process of step S4.

When the main CPU 101 determines that the fluctuation time has elapsed (step S315: YES), the special symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. A pattern confirmation command for notifying that the game has been played is set in the main RAM 103 (step S316). This symbol confirmation command is transmitted to the effect control board 130 by the transmission process in step S8. As a result, a process of stopping and displaying the decorative symbols that have been variably displayed on the liquid crystal display device 5 in a manner that indicates the determination result of the special symbol determination is performed.

Following the process of step S316, the main CPU 101 terminates the variable display of the special symbols started in the process of step S312 (step S317). Specifically, the special symbol (big win symbol or losing symbol) set in the process of step S309 is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device which has been variably displaying the special symbol. It should be noted that the stop display of this special symbol is continued until at least a predetermined symbol fixing time (for example, 1 second) elapses.

In this way, the main CPU 101 variably displays the special symbols on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42, and then displays the special symbol indicating the determination result of the big win determination process on the first special symbol display 41. Alternatively, the second special symbol display 42 is stopped and displayed.

Following the process of step S317, the main CPU 101 resets the variation time that has started to be measured in the process of step S313 (step S318), and performs stop processing including processing for starting a jackpot game in the event of a jackpot. Execute (step S319). This in-stop process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

[Big hit determination processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 23 is a detailed flowchart of the big hit determination process in step S309 of FIG. The main CPU 101 executes a jackpot determination based on the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area 1030 (step S3091). Specifically, whether or not a big win is determined based on whether or not the big win random number stored in the determination storage area 1030 matches a preset winning value.

The winning value here is the winning value of the jackpot defined in the high-probability jackpot random number table or the low-probability jackpot random number table. When the jackpot determination is executed in the high probability state (probability variable gaming state in this embodiment), the winning value stored in the jackpot random number table for high probability is used. On the other hand, when the jackpot determination is executed in the low probability state (normal game state or time saving game state in this embodiment), the winning value stored in the jackpot random number table for low probability is used.

In this way, the main CPU 101 stores in the determination storage area 1030 the acquired information such as the jackpot random number acquired when the game ball enters the first start port 11 or the second start port 12. When the conditions are established, it is determined whether or not to execute a jackpot game advantageous to the player based on the jackpot random number.

Following the processing of step S3091, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the determination result of the big win determination is a big win (step S3092). Here, when it is determined that it is a big win (step S3092: YES), the kind of big win is determined by referring to the symbol determination table for the big win stored in the main ROM 102 (step S3093).

Specifically, when the symbol random number stored in the determination storage area 1030 together with the jackpot random number used for the jackpot determination in step S3091 relates to the first special symbol determination, the symbol random number is , the kind of jackpot is determined based on which random number value specified in the symbol determination table for the first start opening prize matches. On the other hand, in the case of the second special symbol determination, the type of jackpot is determined based on which random number value defined in the symbol determination table for the second start winning prize matches the symbol random number. to decide.

In this way, the main CPU 101 selects one of the 16R variable probability win, the 2R variable probability win, and the 16R normal win by determining the type of jackpot.

Then, the main CPU 101 sets, in the main RAM 103, the setting information of the jackpot symbol corresponding to the determined jackpot type (step S3094). As a result, the jackpot pattern set here during the process of step S317 is stopped and displayed on the first special pattern display device 41 or the second special pattern display device 42, and the jackpot game corresponding to the special pattern is performed. will be taken.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a big win (step S3092: NO), it sets the setting information of the losing symbol in the main RAM 103 (step S3095). As a result, the lost symbol set here during the process of step S317 is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display . In this case, the jackpot game is not performed.

[Variation pattern selection processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 24 is a detailed flowchart of the variation pattern selection process in step S310 of FIG. After executing the big win determination process in step S309 of FIG. 22, the main CPU 101 determines whether the determination result in step S3091 is a big win (step S3101). Here, when it is determined that it is a big win (step S3101: YES), the big win variation pattern table is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3102).

On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a big hit (step S3101: NO), whether or not the reach random number stored in the determination storage area 1030 matches the winning value of the reach random number stored in the main ROM 102. Based on this, it is determined whether or not to perform a ready-to-win effect that makes the player expect a big win (step S3103). Here, if it is determined that the ready-to-win effect is performed (step S3103: YES), the ready-to-win variation pattern table is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3104). Conversely, when it is determined that the ready-to-win effect is not performed (step S3103: NO), the fluctuation pattern table for losing is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3105).

Subsequently, the main CPU 101 refers to the fluctuation pattern table set in the main RAM 103 by the process of step S3102, the process of step S3104, or the process of step S3105, and executes the fluctuation pattern random number determination process (step S3106). Specifically, when the big hit variation pattern table or the reach variation pattern table is set in the main RAM 103, the variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern random number stored in the determination storage area 1030 is A variation pattern is selected by reading from the pattern table.

Also, when the fluctuation pattern table for losing is set in the main RAM 103, the number of pending special symbol determination is specified based on the number of pending storage areas in which various information is stored immediately before the shift processing of step S308 is performed. , A variation pattern is selected by reading a variation pattern corresponding to the specified pending number and the presence or absence of the current time saving from the variation pattern table for loss.

By selecting the special symbol variation pattern in this manner, the special symbol variation time is inevitably determined.

When the variation pattern is selected, the main CPU 101 sets the setting information of the selected variation pattern in the main RAM 103 (step S3107). This variation pattern setting information is included in the variation start command and transmitted to the effect control board 130 together with the pattern setting information set in the main RAM 103 by the jackpot determination process of step S309 described above.

[Stopping process by game control board 100]
FIG. 25 is a detailed flowchart of the stop processing in step S319 of FIG. After resetting the variable time by the process of step S318, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not it is a jackpot (step S3191). Here, when it is determined that it is a jackpot (step S3191: YES), the jackpot game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is set to "ON" (step S3192).

Next, the main CPU 101 sets the time saving game flag and probability variable game flag stored in the main RAM 103 to "OFF" (step S3193). Here, the time saving game flag is a flag indicating whether or not it is a time saving state in which the electric chew support function is given, and the probability variation game flag is determined to be a big hit in the special symbol determination. It is a flag indicating whether or not it is in a high probability state.

In the gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment, the game state is controlled by setting the time saving game flag and probability variation game flag. That is, when the game state is controlled to the variable probability game state, both the probability variable game flag and the time saving game flag are set to "ON", and when the game state is controlled to the time saving game state, the probability variable game flag is "OFF". , the time saving game flag is set to "ON", and both the probability variation game flag and the time saving game flag are set to "OFF" when controlling the game state to the normal game state.

Following the process of step S3193, the main CPU 101 sets an opening command to the main RAM 103 for notifying that the jackpot game will start (step S3194). This opening command includes information such as the type of jackpot and the opening pattern of the jackpot 13 during the jackpot game, and is transmitted to the effect control board 130 by the transmission process of step S8.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a big hit (step S3191: NO), it determines whether or not the time saving game flag is set to "ON" (step S3196). Here, if it is determined that the time saving game flag is set to "ON" (step S3196: YES), the remaining time saving game count J stored in the main RAM 103 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S3197). This time-saving game residual number J indicates the remaining number of times the special symbol determination is executed in the time-saving state.

Following the process of step S3197, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the remaining time saving game count J is "0" (step S3198). Here, if it is determined that the time saving game residual number J is "0" (step S3198: YES), the time saving game flag is set to "OFF" (step S3199). As a result, the electric chewing support function is no longer provided.

When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S3199, when it determines that the time saving game flag is not "ON" (step S3196: NO), or when it determines that the remaining time saving game number J is not "0" ( Step S3198: NO), it is determined whether or not the variable probability game flag is set to "ON" (step S3201).

When the main CPU 101 determines that the variable probability game flag is set to "ON" (step S3201: YES), the main CPU 101 updates the high probability game residual count K stored in the main RAM 103 by subtracting "1". (Step S3202). This high-probability game residual number K indicates the remaining number of times the special symbol determination is executed in the high-probability state.

Following the process of step S3202, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the high-probability game remaining number K is "0" (step S3203). Here, when it is determined that the high probability game residual number K is "0" (step S3203: YES), the probability variation game flag is set to "OFF" (step S3204). As a result, special symbol determination is performed in a low probability state.

When the processing of this step S3204 is performed, if it is determined that the probability variation gaming flag is not "ON" (step S3201: NO), if it is determined that the high probability game residual number K is not "0" ( Step S3203: NO), or when the processing of step S3194 is performed, the processing proceeds to the normal design processing of step S4.

[Game state setting processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing an example of the game state setting process executed in the game control board 100 when the jackpot game ends. In the gaming machine 1, the big winning game is executed by the big winning opening opening control process of step S6, but when the ending in this big winning game is completed, the game state setting process for setting the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 after the big winning game is completed. is executed.

When the ending of the jackpot game is completed, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the jackpot that triggered the current jackpot game is a variable hit based on the pattern setting information stored in the main RAM 103 (step S6261). Here, when it is determined that it is not a probability variable hit (step S6261: NO), the process proceeds to step S6266, which will be described later.

When the main CPU 101 determines that it is a variable probability hit (step S6261: YES), it sets the variable probability game flag stored in the main RAM 103 to "ON" (step S6262), The probability game residual number K is set to, for example, "10000" (step S6263). By performing the processing of this step S6263, the high probability state relating to the jackpot determination continues until the special symbol determination is performed 10000 times after the jackpot game ends.

Following the process of step S6263, the main CPU 101 sets the time saving game flag stored in the main RAM 103 to "ON" (step S6264), and sets the remaining time saving game count J also stored in the main RAM 103 to "10000". ” (step S6265). By performing a series of processes of steps S6262 to S6265 in this way, if a jackpot does not occur in the middle after the jackpot game ends, the game continues in a probability variable game state until special symbol determination is performed 10000 times. will be controlled.

When the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a probability variable hit (step S6261: NO), it sets the time saving game flag to "ON" (step S6266), and sets the time saving game remaining number J to "100" (step S6267). .

By performing a series of processes of steps S6266 and S6267 in this way, if a big hit does not occur on the way after the end of the big hit game, the game will continue in a time-saving game state until 100 special symbol determinations are performed. will be controlled.

[Timer interrupt processing by production control board 130]
When the game machine 1 is powered on, the sub CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 sets a CTC cycle, which is a cycle for performing timer interrupt processing, which will be described later. Then, the sub CPU 131 repeats the random number update process for updating the effect random number or the like used for determining the contents of the effect at a predetermined cycle shorter than the CTC cycle. That is, while the gaming machine 1 is running, the sub CPU 131 repeats the random number update process at predetermined intervals and repeats the timer interrupt process at the CTC intervals.

Hereinafter, timer interrupt processing executed in the effect control board 130 will be described with reference to FIG. 27 . Here, FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the effect control board 130. As shown in FIG. The sub CPU 131 repeats a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 27 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) in the same manner as the timer interrupt process performed by the game control board 100 . In addition, the process performed by the production|presentation control board 130 demonstrated based on the flowchart after FIG. 27 is performed according to the command which sub CPU131 issues based on the program memorize|stored in sub ROM132.

The sub CPU 131 first executes command reception processing when receiving a command as game information from the game control board 100 (step S10). Details of this command reception processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

Following the processing of step S10, the sub CPU 131 executes command transmission processing (step S30). Specifically, the command set in the sub-RAM 133 by the process of step S10 is transmitted to the image sound control board 140 (and the lamp control board 150). By executing this command transmission process, the image sound control board 140 is instructed to execute effects such as image display and sound output, and the lamp control board 150 is instructed to execute effects such as lighting of various lamps. be done.

Then, the sub CPU 131 executes data transfer processing (step S50). Specifically, since data relating to image sound control is transmitted from the image sound control unit 140 , the data is transferred to the lamp control unit 150 . As a result, the lamp control unit 150 controls the effect by the effect media such as the board lamp 25, the frame lamp 37, the effect accessories 71 and 72, the effect button 26, etc. so as to synchronize with the effect performed by the liquid crystal screen 5 and the speaker 24. controlled by

[Command reception processing by effect control unit 130]
FIG. 28 is a detailed flowchart of command reception processing in step S10 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 28, the sub CPU 131 first determines whether or not a command transmitted from the game control board 100 is received (step S11). Here, if it is determined that the command has not been received (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S30.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that it has received a command from the game control board 100 (step S11: YES), the command is step S219 (see FIG. 19) or step S229 (see FIG. 20) game control according to the process It is determined whether or not it is a hold command transmitted from the board 100 (step S12). Here, if it is determined that the command is not a hold command (step S12: NO), the process proceeds to step S15, which will be described later.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is a hold command (step S12: YES), the sub CPU 131 executes hold command reception processing (step S13). This pending command reception process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is not a hold command (step S12: NO), the command is a variation start command transmitted from the game control board 100 according to the process of step S311 (see FIG. 22). It is determined whether or not there is (step S15). Here, if it is determined that the received command is not the variation start command (step S15: NO), the process proceeds to step S19, which will be described later.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is the variation start command (step S15: YES), the sub CPU 131 executes variation start command reception processing (step S16). This fluctuation start command reception processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is not the variation start command (step S15: NO), the command is the symbol confirmation command transmitted from the game control board 100 in accordance with the process of step S316 (see FIG. 22). It is determined whether or not (step S19). When the sub CPU 131 determines that it is a pattern confirmation command (step S19: YES), it ends the variation display of the decorative symbols and stops and displays the decorative symbols indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination executed at the start of the symbol variation. A variable effect end command instructing execution of processing is set in the sub-RAM 133 (step S20).

By transmitting this fluctuation effect end command to the image sound control unit 140 and the lamp control unit 150 by the process of step S30, the special symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) Along with being stopped and displayed on the 1 special symbol display device 41 (or the second special symbol display device 42), a decorative symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5. It will be stopped and displayed.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is not the pattern confirmation command (step S19: NO), it determines whether the command is an operation command transmitted from the lamp control board 150 (step S21). This operation command is a command transmitted from the lamp control board 150 to notify the information when the lamp CPU 151 of the lamp control board 150 detects the operation of the effect button 26 or the effect key 27. It includes information indicating whether the key is the effect button 26 or the effect key 27, information indicating which key was operated when the effect key 27 was operated, and the like. If the sub CPU 131 determines that it has received an operation command (step S21: YES), it sets an operation notification command including information included in this operation command in the sub RAM 133 (step S22). On the other hand, if it is determined that the received command is not an operation command (step S21: NO), another command corresponding to the received command is set in the sub-RAM 133 (step S23).

[Pending command reception processing by production control board 130]
FIG. 29 is a detailed flowchart of the pending command reception process in step S13 of FIG. When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is a pending command (step S12: YES), as illustrated in FIG. is updated to the new value (step S131). Specifically, based on the winning start opening information included in the advance determination information in the reserve command, whether it is a reserve command related to the first special symbol determination or a reserve command related to the second special symbol determination is determined, and based on the determination result, the number of reservations related to the first special symbol determination or the number of reservations related to the second special symbol determination is updated to a value obtained by adding "1".

Following the process of step S131, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not the received pending command includes pre-determination information (step S132). Here, if it is determined that the pre-determination information is not included, the process proceeds to step S144, which will be described later.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received pending command contains the prior determination information (step S132: YES), the sub CPU 131 stores the prior determination information in the sub RAM 133 (step S133). Then, a look-ahead effect random number is acquired and stored in the sub-RAM 133 (step S134). This look-ahead effect random number is incremented by "1" each time the random number update process described above is performed, and the sub CPU 131 acquires the count value at the time of receiving the pending command as the look-ahead effect random number.

Following the process of step S134, the sub CPU 131 executes the pending look-ahead effect based on, for example, the advance determination information included in the received pending command and the look-ahead effect determination table stored in the sub ROM 132. It is determined whether or not (step S135). Although not shown in the figure, for example, the sub ROM 132 stores a prefetch effect determination table for big wins and a prefetch effect determination table for losing. When the sub CPU 131 receives the advance determination information indicating the big win in the processing of step S 133 , it reads the prefetch effect determination table for the big win from the sub ROM 132 and sets it in the sub RAM 133 . On the other hand, when the advance determination information indicating the failure is received in the process of step S133, the read-ahead effect determination table for failure is read from the sub-ROM 132 and set in the sub-RAM 133. In these tables, the variation pattern of the special symbol and the winning value related to the pending look-ahead effect are associated. The sub-CPU 131 determines the variation pattern of the special symbols included in the advance determination information stored in the process of step S133, among the winning values stored in the table in which the prefetch effect random number acquired in the process of step S134 is set. It is determined whether or not to execute a look-ahead effect based on whether or not it matches with any of the winning values corresponding to .

Although detailed explanation is omitted, it is better to refer to the prefetch effect determination table for big win than to refer to the prefetch effect determination table for loss. Also, the winning value of each table is defined so that it is easy to determine when the look-ahead effect is executed. In both the big hit look-ahead performance determination table and the loss look-ahead performance determination table, winning values are defined so that execution of the look-ahead performance is more likely to be determined as the variation time of the special pattern becomes longer.

In the process of step S135, when it is determined not to execute the pending look-ahead effect (step S135: NO), the process proceeds to step S144, which will be described later. On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines to execute the pending look-ahead effect (step S135: YES), the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not the pending command received this time is the pending command related to the second special symbol determination (step S136). .

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received hold command is not a hold command for holding the first special symbol determination (step S136: NO), it acquires a change random number and stores it in the sub RAM 133 (step S137). This changing random number is incremented by "1" each time the random number update process described above is performed, and the sub CPU 131 acquires the count value at the time of receiving the hold command as the changing random number.

Following the process of step S137, the sub CPU 131 sets the initial display color, pending change pattern, and change timing of the newly displayed pending icon (step S138). Although not shown in the figure, the sub ROM 132 stores an effect pattern determination table for determining the effect pattern of the pending look-ahead effect using the pending icon. In this effect pattern determination table, the variation pattern of the special symbol, the change random number, the remaining number of reservations for the first special symbol determination (or the number of remaining reservations for the second special symbol determination), the initial display color of the reservation icon, A pending change pattern is associated with a pending change timing. In the process of step S138, the sub CPU 131 includes the special symbol variation pattern included in the advance determination information related to the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) set in the sub RAM 133 in the process of step S133, The change random number acquired in the process of step S137, corresponding to the number of remaining pending first special symbol determination (or second special symbol determination) updated in the process of step S131, the initial display color of the pending icon, pending By reading the change pattern and the pending change timing from the performance pattern determination table, the initial display color of the pending icon, the pending change pattern, and the pending change timing are determined. These determination results are set in the sub-RAM 133 as setting information indicating the effect pattern of the reserved look-ahead effect.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the pending command received this time is the pending command related to the second special symbol determination (step S136: YES), the reproduction flag stored in the sub RAM 133 is set to "ON". It is determined whether or not it is set (step S140). Here, the reproduction flag is a flag indicating whether or not it is necessary to execute a reproduction effect for reproducing the fixed notification effect when the fixed notification effect is executed with the variable display of the first special symbol. This reproduction flag is set to "ON" when the fixed notification effect is executed with the variable display of the first special symbol, and is set to "OFF" when the setting for executing the reproduction effect is performed. is.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the reproduction flag is not set to "ON" (step S140: NO), the sub CPU 131 executes the processes after step S137 described above. As a result, the effect pattern is set for the pending prefetch effect using the pending icon related to the second special symbol determination.

Further, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the reproduction flag is set to "ON" (step S140: YES), the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not the judgment result of the suspended second special symbol judgment is a "jackpot". (step S141). Specifically, whether or not the preliminary determination information related to the second special symbol determination stored in the sub RAM 133 in the above-described step S133 includes information indicating that the determination result of the second special symbol determination is a big hit. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the determination result of the reserved second special symbol determination is "big hit".

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the determination result of the second special symbol determination that has been put on hold is not a "big hit" (step S141: NO), it executes the processes after step S137 described above.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the determination result of the suspended second special symbol determination is a "jackpot" (step S141: YES), the second suspended icon display area 52 displays a suspension related to the second special symbol determination. Setting information for displaying a reproduction icon (see, for example, FIG. 13E) as an icon is generated and set in the sub-RAM 133 (step S142).

When the sub CPU 131 executes the process of step S138, executes the process of step S142, determines that the received pending command does not contain the advance determination information (step S132: NO), or executes the pending prefetch effect is not executed (step S135: NO), the icon display command is set in the sub-RAM 133 (step S144). This icon display command causes execution of processing to display a pending icon related to the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) in the first pending icon display area 51 (or the second pending icon display area 52). It is a command for instructing the control board 140 and is transmitted to the image sound control board 140 by the command transmission processing in step S30.

Here, when the process of step S144 is executed following the process of step S132 or the process of step S135, the normal icon is displayed in the first reserved icon display area 51 or the second reserved icon display area 52. FIG. In this case, the pending look-ahead effect of changing the normal icon to the special icon is not executed.

On the other hand, when the process of step S144 is executed following the process of step S138, the hold command including the setting information set in the sub-RAM 133 by the process of step S138 is transmitted to the image sound control board 140. . In this case, a suspended look-ahead effect is executed in which a normal icon is displayed and then changed to a special icon, or a special icon is displayed and then changed to a higher special icon.

Further, when the process of step S144 is executed following the process of step S142, an icon display command including the setting information of the reproduction icon set in the sub-RAM 133 in the process of step S142 is transmitted to the image sound control board 140. It will be. In this case, the above pending look-ahead effect is not executed, and the reproduction icon is displayed in the second pending icon display area 52 as the pending icon related to the second special symbol determination.

[Variation start command reception processing by production control board 130]
FIG. 30 is a detailed flowchart of the fluctuation start command reception process in step S16 of FIG. When the sub CPU 131 determines that the command received from the game control board 100 is the variation start command (step S15: YES), it executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG.

That is, the sub CPU 131 acquires the value at the time when the variation start command is received from the game control board 100 and stores it in the sub RAM 133 regarding the performance random number appropriately updated by the random number update process described above (step S161). Then, the received variation start command is analyzed (step S162).

In this variation start command, as described above, the symbol setting information indicating the determination result of the big hit determination process, and whether the symbol setting information relates to the first special symbol determination or the second special symbol determination Winning start opening information indicating whether or not it is a thing, setting information of the variation pattern of the special symbol, information indicating the game state of the gaming machine 1, and the like are included. Therefore, by analyzing the fluctuation start command, it is possible to specify the type and result of the special symbol determination. In other words, it is possible to specify whether it is a big win or a loss, and if it is a big win, what kind of big win it is. Further, by specifying whether or not the variation pattern is a variation pattern for losing based on the setting information of the variation pattern, it is possible to determine whether it is necessary to perform the effect with reach or the effect without reach. . Also, based on the setting information of the variation pattern, it is possible to specify the variation time of the special symbol. Also, the current game state of the gaming machine 1 can be specified based on the information indicating the game state.

After analyzing the fluctuation start command, the sub CPU 131 executes a fluctuation production pattern setting process for setting a fluctuation production pattern of the fluctuation production associated with the fluctuation display of the special symbols based on the analysis result (step S163). By executing this variable effect pattern setting process, the variation mode of the decorative pattern, the presence or absence of the ready-to-win effect, the type of the decorative pattern that constitutes the ready-to-win effect, the type and content of the ready-to-win effect, the type of the decorative pattern to be stopped and displayed, etc. is determined. This variation effect pattern setting process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Subsequently, the sub CPU 131 executes a notice effect pattern setting process for setting the effect pattern of various notice effects to be executed when the decorative symbols are variably displayed according to the variable effect pattern set in the process of step S163 (step S164). ). By executing the process of step S164, it is possible to determine whether or not to execute various types of advance notice effects such as a step-up notice effect, dialogue notice effect, and confirmation notification effect, and what effect pattern is executed when the notice effect is executed. It is determined whether to execute with This advance notice effect pattern setting process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Next, the sub CPU 131 sub-submits a variable effect start command for instructing the start of the variable effect in the variable effect pattern set in the processing of step S163 and the start of the notice effect in the notice effect pattern set in the process of step S164. It is set in the RAM 133 (step S167).

This variable effect start command includes information indicating the variable effect pattern set by the process of step S163 and information indicating the notice effect pattern set by the process of step S164, and command transmission process of step S30. is sent to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by. As a result, the variable effect and the advance notice effect for which the effect pattern is determined in the effect control board 130 are realized by the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 .

Following the process of step S167, the sub CPU 131 subtracts "1" from the pending number stored in the sub RAM 133 (step S168). Specifically, when the variation start command received from the game control board 100 notifies the start of the symbol variation related to the first special symbol determination, subtract "1" from the pending number of the first special symbol determination. updated to the specified value. On the other hand, when the received variation start command notifies the start of the symbol variation related to the second special symbol determination, the number of pending of the second special symbol determination is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1".

[Variation production pattern setting processing by production control unit 130]
FIG. 31 is a detailed flowchart of the variable effect pattern setting process in step S163 of FIG. Following the processing of step S162 in FIG. 30, the sub CPU 131 sets the decorative symbols to be stopped and displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 along with the stop display of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, as illustrated in FIG. (step S1631). Specifically, based on the symbol setting information included in the variation start command received from the game control board 100, at the end of the symbol variation, whether a special symbol indicating a big win is stopped or displayed, or a special symbol indicating a loss is displayed. Specifies whether the symbol is to be statically displayed. Then, when it is specified that the special symbol indicating the big win is stopped and displayed, a decorative pattern for notifying the big win is set, and when it is specified that the special symbol indicating the loss is stopped and displayed, A decorative pattern is set for notifying a failure.

Although the detailed description is omitted, in this step S1631, it is determined whether it is necessary to perform the production with reach or the production without reach based on the setting information of the variation pattern included in the received variation start command. A decorative pattern to be stopped and displayed is set based on the judgment result. Also, when a variation start command relating to a big hit is received, in step S1631, based on the information included in the variation start command, the game state after the end of the big hit game is specified, and based on the specified result, stop A decorative pattern to be displayed may be set.

Following the processing of step S1631, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not it is necessary to perform a ready-to-win effect based on the information regarding the variation pattern included in the received variation start command (step S1632).

When the sub CPU 131 determines that there is no need to perform a ready-to-win effect (step S1632: NO), the decorative pattern set in the process of step S1631 (here Then, a variable effect pattern of no reach effect is set until the stop display of the lost pattern), and the setting information is set in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1633).

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that it is necessary to perform a ready-to-win effect (step S1632: YES), the variable display of the decorative symbols is started, the ready-to-win effect is performed, and then the decorative symbols set in the processing of step S1631 are performed. A variable performance pattern of a ready-to-win performance is set until (a winning pattern or a losing pattern) is stopped and displayed, and the setting information is set in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1634). By executing the processing of this step S1634, the ready-to-win pattern to be displayed on the effective line when the ready-to-win is established, the type of ready-to-win effect to be executed, and in the case of developing the normal ready-to-win effect, either SP ready-to-win effect or SPSP ready-to-win effect is developed. It will be decided whether to allow

[Forecast effect pattern setting processing by effect control board 130]
FIG. 32 is a detailed flowchart of the advance notice effect pattern setting process in step S164 of FIG. 30, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not to execute the above-described fixed notification effect as exemplified in FIG. , a confirmation notification effect setting process for setting the type and execution timing of confirmation notification effect is executed (step S1641). This confirmation notification effect setting process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Following the processing of step S1641, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not to operate the first performance accessory 71 and the second presentation accessory 72. A role product action setting process for setting whether to perform is executed (step S1651). This role product action setting process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

The sub CPU 131, subsequent to the processing of step S1651, performs processing for setting which of the weak cut-in effect and the strong cut-in effect is to be executed when executing the cut-in effect at the end of the SP reach effect or the SP SP reach effect. etc. is executed (step S1661). This cut-in effect setting process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Sub CPU131, following the processing of step S1661, when the fixed notification effect is executed in conjunction with the variable display of the first special symbol, the sub CPU131 is for executing the reproduction effect of reproducing the fixed notification effect during the time-saving game. A reproduction effect setting process including a setting process is executed (step S1681). This reproduction effect setting process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

[Decision notification effect setting processing by effect control board 130]
FIG. 33 is a detailed flowchart of the confirmation notification effect setting process in step S1641 of FIG. The sub CPU 131 executes the confirmation notification effect setting process as illustrated in FIG. 33 following the process of step S163 in FIG. First, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not the received variation start command is a variation start command for a big hit based on the pattern setting information included in the variation start command received from the game control board 100 ( step S1642). In the present embodiment, the fixed notification effect is executed during the variable display of the special symbols related to the big hit, but the fixed notification effect is not executed during the variable display of the special symbols related to the loss. Therefore, when it is determined that the received variation start command is not a variation start command relating to the jackpot (step S1642: NO), the processing in step S1651 (see FIG. 32) is performed without executing the processing after step S1643. can proceed.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the received variation start command is a variation start command related to a big hit (step S1642: YES), it reads the execution necessity determination table (see FIG. 10) from the sub ROM 132 and stores it in the sub RAM 133. set (step S1643). Then, the execution necessity determination random number is obtained and stored in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1644). This execution necessity determination random number is incremented by "1" each time the random number update process described above is performed, and the sub CPU 131 acquires the count value at the time of receiving the variation start command relating to the big win as the execution necessity determination random number. .

Next, the sub CPU 131 executes execution necessity determination processing for determining whether or not to execute the fixed notification effect (step S1645). Specifically, when a variation start command relating to a big hit is received, the variation pattern of the special symbol is specified based on the variation pattern setting information included in this variation start command. Then, based on whether or not the acquired execution necessity determination random number matches the random number value (winning value) associated with the specified special symbol variation pattern in the execution necessity determination table, the final notification effect Decide whether to execute

In addition, although FIG. 10 illustrates an execution necessity determination table for determining whether or not to execute the fixed notification effect with the variable display of the first special symbol, the gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment Then, it is also possible to execute the fixed notification effect along with the variable display of the second special symbol, and although not shown in the figure, there is also a table for determining whether or not to execute this fixed notification effect. , are stored in the sub ROM 132 . Therefore, in the process of step S1643 described above, when the variation start command relating to the jackpot of the first special symbol determination is received, the execution necessity determination table for the first special symbol determination (see FIG. 10) is set. , When the variation start command related to the jackpot of the second special symbol determination is received, an execution necessity determination table for the second special symbol determination is set.

Subsequently, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not the result of determination in step S1645 is to execute the fixed notification effect (step S1646). Here, when it is determined that the determination result is not to execute the fixed notification effect (step S1646: NO), a series of the fixed notification effect setting process is completed and the process proceeds to step S1651.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the determination result indicates that the final notification effect is to be executed (step S1646: YES), the sub CPU 131 sets the final notification effect flag stored in the sub RAM 133 to "ON" (step S1647), and sets the reproduction flag described above to "ON" (step S1648). Here, the fixed notification effect flag is a flag indicating whether or not the fixed notification effect is to be executed, and is set to "ON" when it is determined to execute the fixed notification effect, and the pattern variation in which the fixed notification effect is performed. It is set to "OFF" when settings relating to other advance notice effects to be executed during the period are made.

When the reproduction flag is set to "ON", the sub CPU 131 sets the determined notification effect pattern and sets the setting information in the sub RAM 133 (step S1649). Specifically, for example, a lottery process using random numbers is executed to select the type of fixed notification effect to be executed, and to select the execution timing of the fixed notification effect.

[Performance action setting processing by effect control board 130]
FIG. 34 is a detailed flowchart of the role product action setting process in step S1651 of FIG. The sub CPU 131 executes a role product action setting process as illustrated in FIG. 34 following the process of step S1641 in FIG. Specifically, first, based on the setting information of the variation performance pattern set in the sub-RAM 133 by the processing of step S163 of FIG. (step S1652). Here, when it is determined that the ready-to-win effect does not develop (step S1652: NO), the process proceeds to cut-in effect setting processing in step S1661.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the ready-to-win effect develops (step S1652: YES), it determines whether or not the destination is the SP ready-to-win effect (step S1653). Specifically, it is determined whether the normal ready-to-win effect is developed from the SP ready-to-win effect or the SP ready-to-win effect.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the development destination is the SP ready-to-win production (step S1653: YES), when the normal ready-to-win production develops into the SP ready-to-win production, an operation that suggests development to the SP ready-to-win production (Fig. 7 (A- 3) Set the operation pattern of the second production role product 72 for causing the second production role product 72 to execute ), and set the setting information in the sub RAM 133 (step S1654).

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the development destination is not the SP ready-to-win effect (step S1653: NO), when the normal ready-to-win effect develops into the SPSP ready-to-win effect, an operation that suggests development to the SPSP ready-to-win effect (Fig. 7 ( B-3) reference) is set the operation pattern of the first production role product 71 for causing the first production role product 71 to execute, and the setting information is set in the sub RAM 133 (step S1655).

By transmitting the variation start command including these setting information to the ramp control board 150, the first production accessory 71 or the second production accessory 72 operates when the reach develops from the normal reach production.

[Cut-in effect setting processing by effect control board 130]
FIG. 35 is a detailed flowchart of cut-in effect setting processing in step S1661 of FIG. The sub CPU 131 executes cut-in effect setting processing as exemplified in FIG. 35 following the processing of step S1651 in FIG. Specifically, first, based on the setting information of the variable effect pattern set in the sub-RAM 133 by the processing in step S163, it is determined whether or not the ready-to-win effect is performed during the current pattern change (step S1662). . Here, when it is determined that the effect with reach is not executed (step S1662: NO), the process proceeds to step S1681.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the ready-to-win effect is to be executed (step S1662: YES), it determines whether or not the final ready-to-win effect for which the determination result of the special symbol determination is notified is the SP ready-to-win effect or more. (step S1663). That is, it is determined whether or not winning or losing is reported in the SP ready-to-win effect or SPSP ready-to-win effect. Here, when it is determined that the final ready-to-win effect is not equal to or greater than the SP ready-to-win effect (step S1663: NO), that is, when winning or losing is reported in the normal ready-to-win effect, the process proceeds to step S1681.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the final ready-to-win effect is equal to or greater than the SP ready-to-win effect (step S1663: YES), the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not the fixed notification effect flag stored in the sub RAM 133 is set to "ON". (step S1664). Here, if it is determined that the fixed notification effect flag is set to "ON" (step S1664: YES), the cut-in type selection table (see FIG. 11) for appearance of the fixed notification effect is read from the sub ROM 132 and sub- It is set in the RAM 133 (step S1665). Then, the fixed notification effect flag is set to "OFF" (step S1666).

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the fixed notification effect flag is not set to "ON" (step S1664: NO), for example, based on the symbol setting information included in the received variation start command, It is determined whether or not the current symbol variation is a symbol variation related to a big hit (step S1668). Here, when it is determined that it is a symbol change related to a big win (step S1668: YES), the cut-in type selection table for big win is read from the sub-ROM 132 and set in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1669). Conversely, if it is determined that the symbol variation is not a big hit (step S1668: NO), the cut-in type selection table for losing is read from the sub-ROM 132 and set in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1670).

In the present embodiment, only the cut-in type selection table for appearance of the confirmation notification effect out of these three cut-in type selection tables is illustrated, and the other two cut-in type selection tables are omitted. However, when comparing these tables, the following can be said.

When comparing the case of selecting the cut-in type using the cut-in type selection table for big wins and the case of selecting the cut-in type using the cut-in type selection table for losing, the former is better than the latter In comparison, it can be said that the strong cut-in effect is more likely to be selected and the weak cut-in effect is less likely to be selected.

In addition, when comparing the case of selecting the cut-in type using the cut-in type selection table for the appearance of the confirmed notification effect and the case of selecting the cut-in type using the cut-in type selection table for the big hit, the former It can be said that the strong cut-in effect is more likely to be selected and the weak cut-in effect is less likely to be selected in the latter case.
Therefore, when the fixed notification effect is executed, the strong cut-in is easily executed within the same variation, and the player can watch the effect until the big win is reported with peace of mind.

When the sub CPU 131 executes the process of step S1666, the process of step S1669, or the process of step S1670, the sub CPU 131 acquires the type selection random number and stores it in the sub RAM 133 (step S1672). This type selection random number is incremented by "1" each time the random number update process described above is performed, and the sub CPU 131 acquires the count value at the time of receiving the variation start command as the type selection random number.

Next, the sub CPU 131 executes cut-in type selection processing for selecting strong cut-in or weak cut-in as the type of cut-in effect (step S1673). Specifically, the sub CPU 131 identifies the variation pattern of the special symbols based on the information included in the received variation start command, and the acquired type selection random number is specified in the set cut-in type selection table. A cut-in type is selected based on which random value associated with the fluctuation pattern matches. The processing for selecting the cut-in type is as described above with reference to FIG.

[Reproduction effect setting processing by effect control board 130]
FIG. 36 is a detailed flowchart of the reproduction confirmation notification effect setting process in step S1681 of FIG. The sub CPU 131 executes reproduction effect setting processing, as illustrated in FIG. 36, following the processing of step S1661 in FIG. Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the reproduction flag is set to "ON" (step S1682). Here, if it is determined that the reproduction flag is not set to "ON" (step S1682: NO), a series of the announcement effect pattern setting process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S167.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the reproduction flag is set to "ON" (step S1682: YES), for example, based on the information included in the variation start command received this time, the variation display of the second special symbol is started (step S1683). In this embodiment, the reproduction effect for reproducing the fixed notification effect is performed during the variable display of the second special symbol. Therefore, when it is determined that the variable display of the second special symbol is not started (step S1683: NO), that is, when the variable display of the first special symbol is started, the processing after step S1684 is not executed. , the process proceeds to step S167.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 131 determines that the variable display of the second special symbol is started (step S1683: YES), the second special symbol indicating the big win is stopped based on the information included in the variable start command. It is determined whether or not it is displayed (step S1684). Here, when it is determined that the second special symbol indicating a big win is not stop-displayed (step S1684: NO), that is, when the second special symbol indicating a loss is stop-displayed, the process proceeds to step S167.

When the sub CPU 131 determines that the second special symbol indicating the big hit will be stop-displayed (step S1684: YES), it sets an effect pattern for reproduction effect (step S1685). Specifically, when the fixed notification performance is executed during the variable display of the first special symbol, the setting information of the fixed notification performance is held, and based on the setting information, the confirmation is reproduced by the reproduction performance. Determine the type of notification effect. Then, the fluctuation time of the second special symbol is specified based on the information included in the received fluctuation start command relating to the big hit of the second special symbol determination. Here, if the variation time of the second special symbol is 30 seconds, for example, the timing when 0 seconds have passed since the variation display of the second special symbol was started, the timing when 5 seconds have passed, and 10 seconds. The timing for executing the reproduction performance is selected by selecting one of a plurality of timings including the elapsed timing. Then, the information indicating the result of these processes is set in the sub-RAM 133 as the setting information of the reproduction effect pattern.

Next, the sub CPU 131 executes countdown effect setting processing (step S1686). Specifically, based on the setting information set in the process of step S1685, the remaining time from the start of the variable display of the second special symbol to the start of the reproduction effect is specified. For example, when the reproduction effect is started at the timing when 5 seconds have passed since the variable display of the second special symbol is started, "5 seconds" is specified as the remaining time. Further, when the reproduction effect is started at the timing when 15 seconds have passed since the variable display of the second special symbol is started, "15 seconds" is specified as the remaining time. In addition, when the reproduction effect is started at the timing when 0 seconds have passed since the variable display of the second special symbol is started, "0 seconds" is specified as the remaining time. After identifying the remaining time in this manner, the sub CPU 131 stores setting information for executing a countdown effect (see FIG. 14(I)) in which the time from the remaining time to 0 seconds is counted down by one second in the sub RAM 133. set.

A countdown effect as exemplified in FIG. 14(I) is executed by transmitting the variable effect start command including the setting information set in the process of step S1686 to the image sound control board 140. FIG.

Note that this countdown effect is not essential, and a configuration in which the countdown effect is not performed, or a configuration in which whether or not to perform the countdown effect is determined by lottery using random numbers, for example, may be adopted.

After executing the process of step S1686, the sub CPU 131 sets the reproduction flag to "OFF" (step S1687), and ends the series of reproduction effect setting processes.

[Timer Interrupt Processing by Image Sound Control Board 140]
Next, timer interrupt processing executed in the image sound control board 140 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the image sound control board 140. As shown in FIG. The image sound control board 140 repeats the series of processes illustrated in FIG. 37 at regular time intervals (for example, 33 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. do.

First, the overall CPU 141 executes image output control processing for controlling image display on the liquid crystal screen 5 based on the command received from the effect control board 130 (step S41). This image output control processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Following the processing of step S41, the overall CPU 141 executes a sound effect output control process for outputting various sound effects from the speaker 24 in synchronization with or asynchronously with the effect display performed on the liquid crystal screen 5 ( step S42).

Following the processing of step S42, the overall CPU 141 executes data transmission control processing (step S44). Specifically, data relating to image sound control performed in the image sound control board 140 is transmitted to the effect control board 130 . In response to this, the effect control board 130 transfers the data received from the image sound control board 140 to the lamp control board 150 . Thereby, the frame lamp 25, the effect button 26, the effect accessories 71 and 72, etc. are controlled so as to synchronize with the effect performed by the liquid crystal screen 5 and the speaker 24. FIG.

[Image Output Control Processing by Image Sound Control Board 140]
FIG. 38 is a detailed flowchart of image output control processing in step S41 of FIG. The overall CPU 141 first determines whether or not a command transmitted from the effect control board 130 is received (step S411). Here, if it is determined that the command has not been received (step S411: NO), the process proceeds to step S42.

On the other hand, when the overall CPU 141 determines that it has received a command from the effect control board 130 (step S411: YES), it sets the setting information included in the command to the control RAM 143 (step S412). Next, the supervising CPU 141 determines how various effects images should be displayed on the liquid crystal screen 5 based on the set setting information, and creates and controls a display list for controlling the drawing processing of the VDP 144. RAM 143 (step S413), and the display list is set in the display list storage area (step S414).

Here, the display list consists of a group of commands for instructing the execution of drawing in units of frames. It includes various parameters such as angle and transmittance. The display list storage area is provided in a VRAM having an SRAM capable of writing and reading image data at high speed. Executes the drawing process of the displayed image.

[Timer Interrupt Processing by Lamp Control Board 150]
Next, timer interrupt processing executed in lamp control board 150 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 39 is a flow chart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the lamp control board 150. As shown in FIG. The lamp control board 150 receives commands from the effect control board 130 and the image sound control board 140 via the effect control board 130 during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. A series of processing illustrated in FIG. 39 is repeatedly executed at regular time intervals based on data related to image sound control, etc.

The lamp CPU 151 of the lamp control board 150 first executes data reception processing for receiving data relating to image sound control transmitted from the image sound control board 140 via the effect control board 130 (step S601). The lamp CPU 151 operates various production means (the production button 26, the production accessories 71, 72, etc.) in synchronization with the production by the liquid crystal screen 5 and the speaker 24, based on the data related to the image sound control received by the process of step S601. ).

After the process of step S601, the lamp CPU 151 determines whether or not it has received the variable effect start command transmitted from the effect control board 130 (step S602). Here, if it is determined that the variable effect start command is received (step S602: YES), the light emission pattern data corresponding to the setting information included in the received variable effect start command is read from the lamp ROM 152 and set in the lamp RAM 153. By doing so, the light emission patterns of the board lamp 25, the frame lamp 37, and the light emitting elements provided in the production accessories 71 and 72 are set (step S603). Following the processing of step S603, the lamp CPU 151 starts light emission control of each light emitting element based on the set light emission pattern data (step S604).

Next, the lamp CPU 151 determines whether or not the operation of the production accessories 71 and 72 during the pattern fluctuation is instructed by the received variation production start command (step S605). Here, when the fluctuation start command including the setting information set by the processing of step S1654 or step S1655 shown in FIG. .

When the lamp CPU 151 determines that the operation of the production accessories 71 and 72 has been instructed (step S605: YES), the lamp ROM 152 stores the operation pattern data corresponding to the setting information included in the received variable production start command. By reading from and setting it in the lamp RAM 153, the operation pattern of the first performance accessory 71 or the second performance accessory 72 is set (step S606).

When the lamp CPU 151 executes the process of step S606, when it determines that the command for starting the variable production is not received (step S602: NO), or it determines that the operation of the production accessories 71 and 72 is not instructed. In the case (step S605: NO), it is determined whether or not the variable effect end command transmitted from the effect control board 130 is received (step S607). Here, when it determines with having received the end command of fluctuation production|presentation (step S607: YES), the light emission control started by the process of step S604 mentioned above is complete|finished (step S608).

When the lamp CPU 151 determines that it has not received the command to end the variable effect (step S607: NO), or when it executes the process of step S608, it determines whether the effect button 26 (or the effect key 27) has been operated. Determine (step S609). Specifically, based on whether a detection signal from a sensor that detects the operation of the effect button 26 (or a detection signal from a sensor that detects the operation of each key of the effect key 27) is input, the effect button 26 (or one of the effect keys 27) is operated.

When the lamp CPU 151 determines that the effect button 26 (or effect key 27) has been operated (step S609: YES), it transmits an operation command notifying that effect to the effect control board 130 (step S610).

[Action and effect of the present embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, after the fixed notification effect is executed during the variable display of the special symbols that will be stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a big win, the reproduction effect that reproduces the confirmed notification effect A production including is sometimes executed. Therefore, even if the player overlooks the fixed notification performance, it is possible to confirm the fixed notification performance again, and as a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the decrease in interest of the fixed notification performance. can be suppressed to

In addition, in the present embodiment, the effect including the reproduction effect is executed during the variable display of the second special symbol relating to the big win, so the player can concentrate on the game such as the steering wheel operation during the big win game.
In addition, since the reproduction effect is executed during the variable display of the second special symbol related to the big win, the player can confirm the confirmed notification effect again, and the big win is reported as a result of the variable display of the second special symbol this time. It is possible to recognize in advance what will be done.

In addition, in the present embodiment, after the fixed notification effect (an example of the notification effect) is executed, a cut-in effect that suggests the possibility of a big win (an example of the possibility suggestion effect) is executed. A strong cut-in effect suggesting that the possibility of winning a big win is relatively high is more likely to be executed than a weak cut-in effect suggesting that the possibility of winning a big win is relatively low.
Thus, when the fixed notification effect is executed, the strong cut-in effect is more likely to be executed than the weak cut-in effect, so that the player's expectation for the big win is reduced after the fixed notification effect is executed. It is possible to effectively suppress

In addition, in this embodiment, after executing the confirmed notification effect, the first possibility suggesting effect (in this embodiment, the operation of the second effect accessory 72 and development to SP reach production) and a second possibility suggesting production that suggests that the possibility of a big hit is relatively high (in this embodiment, the operation of the first production accessory 71 and development to SPSP reach production ), the second possibility-suggesting presentation is more likely to be performed than the first possibility-suggesting presentation.
Thus, when the fixed notification effect is executed, the second possibility-suggesting effect is more likely to be executed than the first possibility-suggesting effect. It is possible to effectively suppress lowering expectations.

Note that the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment can be regarded as the following gaming machine.
Special game determination means (101) for determining whether or not to execute a special game (for example, a jackpot game) advantageous to the player when the starting condition is established;
Symbol display control means (101) for causing predetermined symbol display means (41, 42) to variably display symbols, and then stopping and displaying symbols indicating the determination results of the special game determination means;
Special game execution means (101, 117,) for executing the special game when a specific pattern indicating that the special game is determined by the special game determination means to be executed is stopped and displayed on the pattern display means. When,
A first effect (for example, a variable display of a first special pattern) including a predetermined effect (for example, a fixed notification effect) during the variable display of the pattern in which the specific pattern is stopped and displayed by the pattern display means a first effect execution means capable of executing the effect accompanying);
After the first effect is executed by the first effect executing means, the second effect including the predetermined effect (for example, the reproduction effect corresponding to the confirmed notification effect) (for example, the effect accompanying the variable display of the second special symbol) ), and a second effect executing means capable of executing ).

Also, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment can be regarded as the following gaming machine.
The second production execution means is
The gaming machine is capable of executing the second effect during the variable display of the symbols in which the specific symbols are stop-displayed in the symbol display means (for example, during the variable display of the second special symbols).

Also, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment can be regarded as the following gaming machine.
A gaming machine that determines whether or not to run a special game (for example, a jackpot game) and executes the special game according to the result of the determination,
a notification effect executing means capable of executing a notification effect (for example, a fixed notification effect) for notifying that the player is in an advantageous state (for example, a jackpot game state);
Possibility-suggesting effect execution means capable of executing a possibility-suggesting effect (for example, a cut-in effect) suggesting the possibility that the player will be in an advantageous state;
The production mode of the possibility suggesting production is divided into a first production mode (for example, weak cut-in) suggesting that the possibility is relatively low and a second production mode suggesting that the possibility is relatively high. a production mode determination means for determining any one of a plurality of production modes including a mode (for example, strong cut-in),
The possibility of the possibility suggesting effect execution means during the period from the execution of the notification effect (for example, fixed notification effect) by the notification effect execution means to the state advantageous to the player (for example, the jackpot game state). When the suggestive effect is executed, the effect mode of the possibility suggestive effect is more likely to be determined as the second effect mode (for example, strong cut-in) than the first effect mode (for example, weak cut-in). A gaming machine characterized by:

Also, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment can be regarded as the following gaming machine.
A gaming machine that determines whether or not to run a special game (for example, a jackpot game) and executes the special game according to the result of the determination,
a notification effect executing means capable of executing a notification effect (for example, a fixed notification effect) for notifying that the player is in an advantageous state;
A first possibility suggesting production (for example, the operation of the second production accessory 72 and development to SP reach production) that suggests that the possibility of becoming an advantageous state for the player is relatively low. 1 possibility-suggestion effect execution means;
A second possibility-suggesting production (for example, the operation of the first production accessory 71 and development to an SPSP ready-to-win production) that suggests that the player is likely to be in an advantageous state is relatively high. 2 Possibility suggestion production execution means,
When the possibility suggesting effect is executed during a period from when the notification effect (for example, fixed notification effect) is executed by the notification effect executing means until the state becomes advantageous to the player (for example, a jackpot game state). a second possibility-suggesting effect by the second possibility-suggesting effect executing means is more likely to be executed than the first possibility-suggesting effect by the first possibility-suggesting effect executing means. .

[Modified example of fixed notification effect and its reproduction effect]
In another embodiment, the following configuration may be adopted for the fixed notification effect and its reproduction effect.
That is, in the present embodiment, mainly the case where the fixed notification effect is executed during the variable display of the first special symbol related to the big hit is explained, but the fixed notification effect is performed during the variable display of the second special symbol related to the big win. may be executed.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the reproduction effect is the same effect as the fixed notification effect, but the reproduction effect is a production that is partly the same as the fixed notification effect and the remaining part is different. There may be.

Also, in the present embodiment, the case of executing the reproduction effect of reproducing the fixed notification effect during the time saving game has been described, but in other embodiments, the reproduction effect may be executed during the jackpot game.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case of executing the reproduction effect during the variable display of the second special symbol relating to the big hit has been described, but in other embodiments, the reproduction effect is performed during the variable display of the second special symbol relating to the loss. may be executed.

Further, in another embodiment, in the high base state, the reproduction effect may be executed regardless of the variable display of the second special symbol. For example, a plurality of display means including a first image display means (e.g., main liquid crystal) and a second image display means (e.g., sub-liquid crystal) are provided, and the first image display means is provided with a variable effect accompanying the variable display of the second special symbol. One example is a configuration in which the second image display means executes a reproduction effect irrespective of pattern fluctuations at the same time that the advance notice effect is executed. In this case, it is also possible to execute all of the variable effects and the advance notice effects performed during the variable display of the first special symbols accompanied by the fixed notification effects as reproduction effects in the second image display means.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the reproduction effect that reproduces the fixed notification effect is described for the case where it is executed in the high base state of the variable probability game state or the short time game state. The reproduction effect may be executed in the base state.

Also, in the present embodiment, the case where the effect reproduced by the reproduction effect is the confirmed notification effect (so-called premium effect) has been described, but the effect reproduced by the reproduction effect is not limited to the confirmed notification effect. In another embodiment, a reproduction effect may be executed to reproduce a so-called hot performance (announcement performance suggesting that the reliability of the big win is relatively high, although it is not a performance notifying a big win).

[Modified Example of Conditions Advantageous to Players]
In the present embodiment, the case where the jackpot is notified by the fixed notification effect (an example of the notification effect) has been described, but the notification effect is not limited to this, for example, the game is controlled in the probability variable game state. It may be an effect to inform that it will be. That is, the state advantageous to the player is not limited to the jackpot game state in which the jackpot game is executed, but may be another state.

[Modified Example of Possibility-Suggesting Rendering with Multiple Rendering Modes]
In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the possibility-suggesting effect suggesting that the player will be in an advantageous state is the cut-in effect. A performance that can be controlled to any one of a plurality of performance modes including a first performance mode suggesting that the possibility is relatively low and a second performance mode suggesting that the possibility is relatively high. If so, the effect may be different from the cut-in effect.

[Modified Example of First Possibility Suggesting Effect and Second Possibility Suggesting Effect]
In the present embodiment, the first possibility-suggesting effect, which suggests that the possibility of the player being in an advantageous state is relatively low, changes from the effect in which the second effect accessory 72 operates or the normal ready-to-win effect to the SP ready-to-win effect. , and the second possibility-suggesting effect suggesting that the possibility is relatively high is the effect in which the first effect accessory 71 operates or the development effect from the normal reach effect to the SPSP reach effect. explained. On the other hand, in other embodiments, the first possibility-suggesting effect and the second possibility-suggesting effect may be effects other than those exemplified here. For example, one example is a configuration in which an effect of displaying one character is executed as the first possibility-suggesting effect, and an effect of displaying a plurality of characters is executed as the second possibility-suggesting effect.

[Other Modifications]
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be, for example, in the following forms. That is, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a so-called type 1 pachinko game machine has been described, but the present invention can be applied to other game machines such as a type 1 type and 2 types mixed type pachinko game machine. may

Further, the configuration of the gaming machine 1 and the operation mode of each member described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be realized with other configurations and operation modes. In addition, the order of processing, set values, thresholds used for determination, etc. in the flowcharts described above are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented with other orders and values without departing from the scope of the present invention. Needless to say. The screen diagrams and the like exemplified in the above embodiment are merely examples, and may be in other forms.

1 game machine 5 liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal screen)
24 speaker 71 first production accessory 71
72 Second production accessory 72
100 game control board 101 main CPU
102 Main ROM
103 Main RAM
130 effect control board 131 sub CPU
132 sub ROMs
133 sub-RAM
134 RTCs
140 image sound control board 141 general CPU
142 control ROM
143 control RAM
144 VDP
145 Acoustic DSP
150 lamp control board 151 lamp CPU
152 Lamp ROM
153 Lamp RAM

Claims (1)

Determination means for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player;
Symbols are variably displayed according to any one of a plurality of variation patterns including a first variation pattern and a second variation pattern having a longer variation time than the first variation pattern, and then the determination result of the determination means is determined. a pattern control means for stopping and displaying the indicated pattern;
and a production control means for controlling production,
The production control means is
The corresponding display corresponding to the variable display of the symbols can be displayed in any one of a plurality of display modes including a predetermined mode and a specific mode suggesting that the special game will be executed,
During the variable display of the symbols, a suggestive effect suggesting that the special game will be executed, a notice effect that foretells the possibility that the special game will be executed, and a different effect from the suggestive effect and the notice effect. and a predetermined effect suggesting that the effect is executed by updating the predetermined image according to the passage of time,
The notice effect includes a first notice effect and a second notice effect different from the first notice effect,
When the first variation pattern is selected, the first notice effect can be executed,
When the second variation pattern is selected, the second notice effect can be executed,
When the specific condition is not satisfied, the corresponding display can be not displayed in the specific mode, and the corresponding display can be continuously displayed after the second advance notice effect is executed in the variable display of 1 ,
When the specific condition is satisfied, it is possible to display the corresponding display in the specific mode, and it is possible not to display the corresponding display after the execution of the second advance notice effect in 1 variable display. ,
when the corresponding display is the specific mode, the second advance notice effect can be executed regardless of whether the suggestive effect is executed;
When the corresponding display is the specific mode, the second announcement effect is executed at a first timing and at a second timing after the first timing, and the first timing is executed. When executed at the timing, the predetermined effect is not executed before the second notice effect, and when executed at the second timing, the predetermined effect can be executed before the second notice effect. can be,
It is possible to execute the second notice effect and other effects in one variable display,
A gaming machine in which execution periods are different between the second notice performance and other performances.

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