JP7471638B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

Conventionally, as a gaming machine, a pachinko gaming machine is known that is equipped with a variable display device capable of displaying a variable display game based on a plurality of identification information, and generates a specific gaming state advantageous to the player according to the result of the variable display game. Also, a slot machine is known that is equipped with a plurality of reels, executes a game by variably displaying the reels based on a start operation by the player, stops the reels based on a stop operation by the player, and generates a specific gaming state according to the stop display state of the reels. In addition, in recent slot machines, an increasing number of ones are equipped with an image display device in addition to the reels, and perform effects related to the game on the image display device.
Among such gaming machines, there is also known a gaming machine that is provided with a plurality of display devices, each of which displays various information (Patent Document 1).

JP2013-146377A

However, there was room for improvement in conventional gaming machines.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a gaming state control means capable of controlling a first gaming state, a second gaming state advantageous to a player, and a third gaming state disadvantageous to the player compared to the second gaming state, a first drawing means capable of executing a first lottery with a first probability in a first period of the first gaming state, a second drawing means capable of executing a second lottery with a second probability in a second period of the first gaming state which is a period controlled when the first lottery is won, an operation means operable by a player, and a control means for controlling a first lottery with a first probability in a third period of the first gaming state which is a period prior to the first period. and a changing means capable of changing the probability and the second probability , wherein the first lottery means is capable of executing the first lottery in which a winning is made with the changed probability when the first probability is changed by the changing means, and the second lottery means is capable of executing the second lottery in which a winning is made with the changed probability when the second probability is changed by the changing means, and the game state control means is configured to be controllable to the second period if the first lottery is won, to be controllable to the third game state if the first lottery is not won, and to be controllable to the second game state if the second lottery is won .

1 is a schematic front view showing the appearance of the gaming machine. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine. 1 is a diagram for explaining the flow of play on a gaming machine. 11 is a timing chart for explaining the transition of the game state and the display contents on the main display device. 13 is a chart showing the probability of winning the match lottery during the lottery game period. 13 is a chart showing the types and order of match lotteries for each game content during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state. A diagram showing the game content selection presentation and successive presentations displayed on the main display. This is a table showing the type and order of the match lottery for each selection during the lottery game period in the AT state. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a game content selection effect and a succession effect displayed on the main display in the modified example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Here, a slot machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the overall configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The slot machine 1 is installed in an amusement park or the like.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the slot machine 1 is equipped with a front door 1a, a bet button 2a, a return button 2c, a performance button 2d, an upper performance button 2f, a medal insertion slot 2, a start lever 3, a reel 4, a stop button 5, a display window 6, a medal payout device 7, a medal payout outlet 7b, a main display 8, a speaker 9, a front panel 19, a lamp 11, a navigation lamp 12, an advantageous zone lamp 13, a probability setting device 14, a display decorative frame 15, a drum unit 4d, a main control device 10, and a sub-control device 20.

The main control unit 10 and the sub-control unit 20 each have a memory unit and a control unit, and are devices capable of various calculation processes and various controls, and are included in the concept of a computer. Each memory unit has a storage device such as a semiconductor memory element that stores programs, information, etc. necessary for the operation of the slot machine 1. Each control unit has a CPU, etc. Each control unit realizes the various functions of the embodiment by appropriately reading and executing various programs, etc. stored in each memory unit.

[Front view of the gaming machine]
As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine 1 is provided with a front door 1a at its front.
The front door 1a is pivotally attached to one side (left side as seen from the front) of a main body (not shown) that is disposed behind the front door 1a and attached to an island equipment (not shown), and is configured to be able to be opened and closed forward in a single-opening manner. Note that, hereinafter, the left and right directions are shown when the slot machine 1 is seen from the front.

A main display 8 is disposed at the center of the upper part of the front door 1a in the left-right direction when the slot machine 1 is viewed from the front side. The main display 8 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like capable of displaying a plurality of pieces of information, such as information related to effects (effect images), as will be described later, and constitutes a first display means.
A display decorative frame 15 having an opening in the center is disposed above the front door 1a and in front of the main display 8, and the main display 8 is disposed with its display surface facing forward through the opening of the display decorative frame 15.

A speaker 9 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the main display 8, and is capable of outputting, for example, sound effects corresponding to the effects displayed on the main display 8.
In addition, lamps 11 consisting of LEDs or the like are provided on each of the left and right sides of the main display 8, and can output, for example, light when a winning combination is achieved or light of an illumination mode corresponding to the performance displayed on the main display 8.

An upper performance button 2f is arranged on the right side of the main display 8.
The upper performance button 2f is a push button that moves in the forward and backward directions, and the pushing operation of the upper performance button 2f is detected by a non-contact sensor or the like and output as operation information of the upper performance button 2f to the sub-controller 20. In addition, a light-emitting source (not shown) consisting of an LED or the like is provided inside the upper performance button 2f, and the light emitted by the light-emitting source can notify that the operation of the upper performance button 2f is valid.

A flat front panel 19 having decorations and various function indications on its surface is disposed in the vertical center of the front door 1a of the slot machine 1.
Behind the front panel 19, there is disposed a drum unit 4d having a reel 4 as a variable display means.
Further, in the approximate center of the front panel 19, a display window 6 made of a light-transmitting material is formed, through which the symbols on the reels 4 can be seen from the front.

The reels 4 are composed of a left reel 4a, a center reel 4b, and a right reel 4c arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and the rotation axis of each of the reels 4a to 4c extends in the left-right direction, and the rotation center is set to be the same. The reels 4 (4a to 4c) have continuous patterns (identification information) on the periphery, and these patterns are configured to be identifiable from outside the machine through the display window 6, and as the reels 4 rotate in one direction, the patterns can be displayed in a variable manner, for example, from top to bottom, within the display window 6. Each of the reels 4a to 4c shows multiple patterns (for example, 20), and the types of patterns are, for example, "replay,""watermelon,""cherry,""bell,""7," etc.
The shape of the reel 4 is not limited to this, and for example, the number of symbols on the periphery may be other than 20.

Above the display window 6 on the front panel 19, navigation lamps 12a, 12b, and 12c capable of indicating the stopping sequence of the stop buttons 5, which will be described later, are disposed in correspondence with the reels 4a, 4b, and 4c.
In addition, a favorable zone lamp 13, for example, composed of an LED, is disposed on the lower left side of the display window 6 on the front panel 19. The favorable zone lamp 13 is controlled to light up during a favorable zone (described later). Note that, instead of the favorable zone lamp 13, the slot machine 1 may control to light up, for example, the "dot" portion of a 7-segment display (also called "7-seg") constituting a payout number display section that displays the number of medals paid out.

A sub-display 17 is disposed on the front panel 19 to the right of the display window 6 (reels 4).
The sub-display 17 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like capable of displaying multiple pieces of information, such as information related to the performance (performance image) as described below, and constitutes a second display means.
The sub-display 17 has a smaller display area than the main display 8, but is disposed closer to the reel 4 than the main display 8, making it easy to visually recognize the displayed image while watching the reel 4 rotate and stop.
The sub-display unit 17 may be provided on the left side of the display window 6 (the reels 4). The sub-display unit 17 may be configured as a touch panel type display unit.

A step protruding forward is formed below the front panel 19, and a coin insertion slot 2, a bet button 2a, and a performance button 2d, which are exemplified as operating means, are disposed on the upper surface of the step.
The medal insertion slot 2 is a portion where a player inserts a medal (game medium). Inside the medal insertion slot 2, a medal selector 2b (medal detection means) which is a sensor or the like that detects a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 2 is provided.
The bet button 2a is a push button that allows the player to input the number of bets required to start a game, and allows the player to input the maximum number of bets permitted by the slot machine 1 with one operation.

The performance button 2d is a push button that moves up and down, and the pressing of the performance button 2d is detected by a non-contact sensor or the like and output to the sub-controller 20 as operation information of the performance button 2d. In addition, a light-emitting source (not shown) such as an LED is provided inside the performance button 2d, and the light emitted by the light-emitting source can notify that the operation of the corresponding performance button 2d is valid. The performance button 2d is disposed in a position closer to the reel 4 than the upper performance button 2f described above.

A start lever 3, a return button 2c, and a stop button 5, which is exemplified as an operating means (stop operating means), are disposed on the front surface of the stepped portion.
The start lever 3 is a lever that the player operates to start the game. After the number of bets is input, the start lever 3 becomes active and the game can start.
The return button 2c is a push button that moves back and forth, and is a button that is operated to cancel the set bet number or to pay out medals stored as credit medals.
The stop buttons 5 are buttons for stopping the spinning reels 4 and are composed of push-type buttons that move back and forth, with the left stop button 5a, center stop button 5b, and right stop button 5c being arranged at predetermined intervals horizontally to correspond to the left reel 4a, center reel 4b, and right reel 4c.

Below the front door 1a of the slot machine 1, there is a medal payout outlet 7b through which medals paid out from the medal payout device 7 are ejected.

[Block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine]
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control system in the slot machine 1.
2, the slot machine 1 is equipped with a main control device 10 which performs the drawing of winning roles and the control of the progress of the game, and a sub-control device 20 which is configured to be able to communicate with the main control device 10 and performs various presentation controls based on control information from the main control device 10. The transmission of control information between the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20 is limited to one direction only, from the main control device 10 to the sub-control device 20, to prevent the input of unauthorized signals from the sub-control device 20 to the main control device 10.

The main control device 10 is connected to the bet button 2a, medal selector 2b, return button 2c, start lever 3, stop button 5, probability setting device 14 (setting means), medal payout device 7, drum unit 4d, and advantageous zone lamp 13 by communication cables, and is capable of controlling each device. The main control device 10 also includes a memory unit (storage means) and a control unit.

The probability setting device 14 makes it possible to change the probability of winning a specific game state (e.g., AT state) into multiple stages (e.g., six stages), and the main control device 10 performs a process of setting the probability of winning a specific game state to one of multiple probability values with different probabilities based on the probability setting operation in the probability setting device 14.
The setting values set by the probability setting device 14 are: setting 1 has the lowest probability value, the higher the number, the higher the probability value, and setting 6 has the highest probability value. Therefore, setting 1 is the setting that is most disadvantageous to the player, while the higher the number, the more advantageous it is to the player, and setting 6 is the setting that is most advantageous to the player.

In addition, the winning probability of a specific game state may be controlled by a fixed probability value without being affected by the setting value of the probability setting device 14.
In addition to the specific game state, the probability of winning a predetermined small role (for example, a bell role) may be made variable in multiple stages (for example, six stages).

The drum unit 4d is a device integrally including the reels 4a to 4c and stepping motors (not shown) for rotating the reels 4a to 4c.
The medal payout device 7 has a medal storage section (not shown) that collects medals inserted into the medal selector 2b as medals before being paid out, and is a device that pays out the medals stored in the medal storage section to a medal payout outlet 7b. The medal payout device 7 is equipped with a sensor that detects the paid-out medals.
The medal selector 2 b is provided downstream of the medal insertion port 2 and is equipped with a sensor that detects medals inserted through the medal insertion port 2 .

The memory unit of the main control device 10 stores various information such as game programs related to the game, tables for drawing lots for minor winnings and AT states, etc.
Furthermore, the main control device 10 operates using a control unit and a storage unit in which programs are stored, thereby carrying out processes related to the progress of play on the slot machine 1 .

The main control device 10 performs processes such as starting the game and sampling random numbers from a random number generator (not shown) based on a signal from the start lever 3. It then performs lottery processing for winning combinations based on the sampled random numbers. It also performs random number generation processing, for example by updating the random numbers at a predetermined timing, according to the control program in the storage unit, and performs lottery processing for transitioning to the CZ state or a pseudo bonus state (described later), lottery processing for continuation during the AT state, lottery processing for adding extra bonuses during the AT state, etc., based on the generated random numbers.

That is, the main control device 10 is provided with a lottery means (decision means) that draws (determines) whether or not to award a special benefit such as a small win, a pseudo bonus state, or an AT state in response to the execution of a game.
In addition, the selection pattern using random numbers may be other than the patterns described above, and the hand may be selected based on random numbers generated by software, and the transition to a pseudo bonus state or AT state, or an additional selection may be performed based on random numbers generated by a random number generator, or all selections may be performed using random numbers generated by software or random numbers generated by a random number generator.

The main control device 10 also controls the rotation of the reels 4 based on a signal from the start lever 3. The main control device 10 detects the rotational position of each reel 4a, 4b, 4c based on signals from sensors (not shown) provided on each reel 4a, 4b, 4c, and is therefore able to grasp the rotational position of the symbols on each reel 4a, 4b, 4c. Then, based on a signal from the stop button 5, it performs control to stop the desired symbol within the display window 6.

In addition, the main control device 10 realizes the game play of the slot machine 1 by controlling the game progress process involving internal lottery processing, management of various information stored in the memory unit, and devices such as the medal payout device 7 in response to the operation of the operation unit such as the start lever 3.

The sub-controller 20 is connected to the performance button 2d, upper performance button 2f, speaker 9, main display 8, lamp 11, navigation lamp 12, and sub-display 17 via communication cables, and is capable of communicating with them. The sub-controller 20 controls these devices in response to control information from the main control unit 10. The sub-controller 20 also includes a memory unit and a control unit.

The memory unit of the sub-controller 20 stores various information such as programs related to performance, performance image data, audio data, etc.
The sub-controller 20 operates by a control unit and a storage unit in which a program is stored, and performs processing such as effects synchronized with play on the slot machine 1 in response to commands (control information) from the main controller 10. For example, it controls the main display 8, the lamps 11, the speaker 9, etc. to output effect images and sound effects that indicate a transition in the game state, and lamp effects.

In addition, the sub-controller 20 is capable of controlling the switching timing of each effect based on a signal from the effect button 2d.
Either or both of the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20 constitute the determination means, the lottery mode change means, and the performance control means in the present invention.

Such a slot machine 1 is configured to be able to execute slot machine games such as those described below under the control of the main control device 10.

At the start of a game, medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 2, or the number of bets is set from credit medals by operating the bet button 2a.
Then, when the number of bets reaches a predetermined number (for example, three coins), one of the conditions for starting the game is met, and the player enters a state in which the right to play one game is held and the game can be started.

In this state in which the game can be started, the operation of the start lever 3 is valid. In this valid state, when the start lever 3 is tilted, all of the conditions for starting the game are met, the game starts, the reels 4a to 4c on which multiple symbols are displayed start to move, and an internal lottery process is executed to determine the lottery result of the current game from multiple winning combinations (including losing combinations) such as replay combinations, small combinations, and bonus combinations before the reels 4 stop.
In the internal lottery process, a winning combination for the current game is determined by lottery from among a plurality of winning combinations based on a predetermined winning probability. For example, a lottery result such as a replay combination or a bell combination is derived by lottery.

Furthermore, even if the main control device 10 receives a signal from the start lever 3, if the elapsed time from the start of the rotation of the reel 4 in the previous game has not yet passed a predetermined time (e.g., 4.1 seconds), the main control device 10 performs a limiting control to limit the number of games executed per unit time (e.g., one minute) to within a predetermined number (e.g., 14 times) by temporarily waiting (inserting a waiting time) before the start of rotation of the reel 4, thereby delaying the start of rotation of the reel 4. In other words, the main control device 10 is provided with a game number limiting means capable of limiting the number of games executed per unit time to within a predetermined number. With this control, the shortest execution time required for one game is set to a predetermined time (e.g., 4.1 seconds).
In addition, the period for monitoring the above-mentioned shortest execution time may be set based on a point other than the point at which the reel 4 starts to rotate between games. For example, it may be based on the point at which the stop button 5 is activated, or any point may be used as the base as long as it is possible to monitor the number of games per unit time.

Each of the reels 4a to 4c is an example of a display means, and a number of symbols (replay, bell, watermelon, cherry, 7) are displayed in a predetermined arrangement on the periphery of each of the reels 4a to 4c. The rotation speed gradually increases from a stopped state, and then reaches a steady state where the reels rotate at a constant speed.
When the reels reach this steady rotation, the stop buttons 5a to 5c provided corresponding to the reels 4a to 4c become operable by pressing them.

When each of the stop buttons 5a to 5c is pressed in this state, the reels 4a to 4c are controlled to stop with a combination of symbols that is permitted based on the timing of the operation and the results of the internal lottery process.

In the stopped state, three consecutive symbols displayed in the vertical direction on each of the reels 4a to 4c stop (stopped display) so that they face outside the machine through the display window 6, and the presence or absence of a win is determined based on the state of the stopped display at this time.
Winning is determined based on the combination of symbols that stop on any of the five winning lines in the display window 6: the upper, middle and lower lines, the line sloping downward to the right, and the line sloping upward to the right.

Winning of a small win, a replay win, or other winning combination is determined based on the combination of symbols on such a winning line.
Small roles include, for example, bell, watermelon, and cherry.

There are two types of bell roles, each with a different combination of corresponding symbols. For example, there can be a common bell role with the corresponding symbol combinations of "bell, replay, bell" in the order of "left reel 4a, middle reel 4b, right reel 4c" on the winning line (and so on), and a push order bell role with the corresponding symbol combinations of "bell, bell, bell".

The common bell role is a minor role in which the corresponding symbol combination ("bell, replay, bell") stops regardless of the operation sequence (called the push sequence) of the stop buttons 5a to 5c, while the push sequence bell role is a minor role in which the corresponding symbol combination ("bell, bell, bell") stops when a specific push sequence is followed.

Furthermore, the push order bell role has six push order bell roles 1 to 6, in which the corresponding symbol combination ("Bell Bell Bell") is displayed as a stop by operating the stop buttons 5a to 5c in one of six push orders (for example, "5a → 5b → 5c", "5c → 5b → 5a", etc.). When the stop buttons 5a to 5c are operated in five other push orders (push orders other than the specific push orders), the corresponding symbol combination ("Bell Bell Bell") is not displayed as a stop, and instead, another symbol combination such as "Bell Bell Replay" (called a "Bell Spill") is displayed as a stop.

When the push order bell role is won, regardless of which stop button 5 is operated second or third, as long as only the first stop button 5 is operated in a specific push order, the reels 4 may be controlled to stop so that the combination of symbols corresponding to the push order bell role stops. Also, the number of push order bells is not limited to six, and three push order bells 1 to 3 may be provided.

The watermelon role is a minor role (rare role) where the corresponding symbol combination is "watermelon, watermelon, watermelon", and there are two types: a weak watermelon role where "watermelon, watermelon, watermelon" stops on the upper line or lower line, and a strong watermelon role where "watermelon, watermelon, watermelon" stops on a right-upward line or a right-downward line.
The cherry role is a minor role (rare role) where the corresponding symbol combination is "Cherry-ANY-ANY", and there are two types of cherry roles: a weak cherry role where "Cherry" stops on the top or bottom row of the left reel 4a, and a strong cherry role where "Cherry" stops on the middle row of the left reel 4a.

There are two replay roles with different corresponding symbol combinations, a normal replay role (hereinafter referred to as a replay role) with a corresponding symbol combination of "replay, replay, replay" and a chance replay role (chance role) with a corresponding symbol combination of "replay, bell, bell".
"Replay Bell Bell" (Chance Eye) is a combination of symbols that stops when a Chance Replay role is won, and along with the Watermelon and Cherry roles, it is set as a so-called rare role with a relatively low probability of winning in the internal lottery process.

In addition, the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20 can generate an AT (assist time) as a game state related to the push order bell role. When the push order bell role is won, the AT is a state in which the push order of the winning push order bell role is notified (push order navigation is executed) by the main display 8 and the navigation lamp 12.
Therefore, the occurrence of the AT allows the player to easily win medals, and is controlled during the pseudo bonus state and AT state described below.

Based on the symbol combinations as described above, the winning of the small prize and the replay prize is judged (judgment means), and when the result of the judgment is that the symbol combination is a combination of symbols corresponding to each of the above, a win is achieved and a game value according to the achievement of each win is awarded.
For example, when a combination of symbols corresponding to a minor prize such as a bell, a cherry, or a watermelon stops, it is determined that a minor prize has been won, and the medal payout device 7 is driven and controlled to pay out a predetermined number of medals through the medal payout opening 7b.

Specifically, in the case of a bell role (common bell role, push order bell role), when a combination of corresponding symbols is stopped and displayed, eight medals are paid out.
In addition, when the push order bell role is won, if the stop buttons 5a to 5c are operated in a push order other than the specific push order (five push orders), no medals will be paid out.
In addition, the probability of winning the bell role is set so that the number of medals held by the player increases during the AT state described below.

In addition, when a combination of symbols corresponding to a weak watermelon role and a strong watermelon role is stopped and displayed, two medals are paid out.
In addition, when a combination of symbols corresponding to a weak cherry role and a strong cherry role is stopped and displayed, one medal is paid out.
The number of medals paid out when a combination of symbols corresponding to each winning combination is stopped and displayed may be other than the above-mentioned number.

In addition, the replay and chance replay roles are determined by the stopped display of the combination of symbols corresponding to the replay and chance replay roles, and the player can play the next game with the same number of bets as the number of bets set in the previous game without inserting medals (without setting the number of bets).

In addition, the winning probability of each role is set as follows for each setting value: Bell role > Replay role > Weak Cherry role > Weak Watermelon role > Chance Replay role > Strong Cherry role > Strong Watermelon role, in other words, Bell role is set as the most likely to win and Strong Watermelon role is set as the least likely to win.
The relationship between the winning probabilities of each role may be other than that described above.
In addition, the weak cherry role, weak watermelon role, chance replay role, strong cherry role, and strong watermelon role are called rare roles, meaning that they are winning roles that are difficult to win.

[Game flow on gaming machines]
Next, the flow of a game on the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a gaming state in the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment.
The main control unit 10 and the sub-control unit 20 are capable of controlling the slot machine 1 to multiple gaming states, and perform various processes in each gaming state, control of transitions between gaming states (hereinafter simply referred to as "transitions"), etc. as follows.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game of the slot machine 1 of the embodiment is composed of multiple game states, including a normal game state, a CZ state, a pseudo bonus state, and an AT state. The main control unit 10 and the sub-control unit 20 are capable of controlling the transition from one game state to another game state based on the establishment of a predetermined transition condition.

The game of the slot machine 1 has a normal section and an advantageous section. These sections are divided according to the game state, and further divided according to a winning state for a game state advantageous to a player, such as an AT state.
A normal probability state and a high probability state are set as winning states for game states that are advantageous to the player, as described below.
The normal section is a section that can be played in a normal gaming state, and includes a section in which a pseudo bonus state can be played in the normal gaming state by lottery with the lottery probability in the normal probability state.
In addition, during the normal period, lottery control may be performed so that the pseudo bonus state is not won.
In addition, in the normal period, the probability of winning the pseudo bonus state may be made an ultra-high probability state that is even higher than the high probability state. For example, in the normal period, if a specified rare role is won, the pseudo bonus state is always won.
After transitioning from the normal zone to another game state, the advantageous zone remains in place until returning to the normal zone again.

The advantageous zone includes zones playable in the CZ state, the precursor state of the CZ state, the pseudo-bonus state, the normal probability state and high probability state of the pseudo-bonus state, the precursor state of the pseudo-bonus state, and the AT state. The main control device 10 counts the number of games played consecutively while in the advantageous zone. When the game state is in the advantageous zone, the advantageous zone lamp 13 is lit.
In addition, the advantageous zone lamp 13 may be lit only while the player can actually recognize the state as advantageous, such as the CZ state, pseudo bonus state, AT state, etc. For example, the advantageous zone lamp 13 may not be lit during the high probability state of the pseudo bonus state.

After entering the advantageous zone, in order to end the advantageous zone, in addition to the case of moving to the normal zone due to the game lottery results, etc., the establishment of one of the following conditions is set: "the number of consecutive games in the advantageous zone reaches a predetermined number" or "the number of medals acquired during the advantageous zone reaches a predetermined number." A limiting means (so-called limiter) is provided to limit the number of medals that can be acquired during a series of advantageous zones consisting of each state identified as an advantageous zone.

The above conditions for ending the advantageous zone are merely examples, and may include, for example, "at least one push order bell has been announced." The above conditions for ending the advantageous zone may also include, for example, "a combination of symbols corresponding to a bonus role has been stopped and displayed," "a combination of symbols corresponding to a winning role of a first-class special role (a so-called regular bonus) has been stopped and displayed," etc. The upper limit on the number of consecutive games in the advantageous zone may be any number, such as 1,000 or 1,500, and the upper limit on the number of medals that can be won may be any number, such as 1,000 or 2,400.

Next, we will provide a detailed explanation of each game state (normal game state, CZ state, pseudo bonus state, AT state) that is executed under the control of the main control unit 10 and the sub-control unit 20, the transition process between game states, and the various effects that occur in conjunction with the transition process.

Unless otherwise specified below, the transition from each game state to another game state is basically after the third reel is stopped in the game in which the transition condition is met (or after the medals are paid out). However, this is not limited to this, and the transition may occur from the next game after the transition condition is met.
In addition, the effects include, for example, premonition effects (pseudo bonus premonition effects or pseudo bonus false premonition effects) and continuous effects, which will be described later, and include notifications of the awarding of a bonus through images (video) on the main display 8 and the sub-display 17, sound effects from the speaker 9, and illumination from the lamps 11, as well as advance notifications before the bonus is awarded, thereby increasing the player's anticipation of the awarding of the bonus.

(Normal game state)
The normal gaming state is the gaming state in which the slot machine 1 remains when the main controller 10 is reset, and is a disadvantageous state for the player.
As shown in Fig. 3, the main control device 10 performs a lottery process for transition to the CZ state, pseudo bonus state, and AT state during the normal game state. Depending on the specifications of the slot machine 1, it may not be possible to directly transition from the normal game state to the AT state.

Transition process from normal game state to pseudo bonus state (arrow a in FIG. 3)
In the normal gaming state, a pseudo bonus state is awarded as a special gaming state based on the result of the decision by the main control device 10, which acts as a decision means, as to whether or not to award a bonus being a predetermined special decision result.

More specifically, the main control device 10 performs a lottery process for transitioning to the pseudo bonus state based on the winning of a predetermined rare role as a specific lottery result. For example, the main control device 10 performs a lottery process for transitioning to the pseudo bonus state with a predetermined probability (e.g., 20%) when a chance role is won.
The pseudo bonus state continues until a predetermined number of games have been played, during which a lottery for transition to the AT state is held. The pseudo bonus state will be described in detail later.

In addition, the transition to the pseudo bonus state, i.e., the decision of whether or not to grant a predetermined benefit, may be made by something other than the drawing of a rare role by the drawing means. For example, the transition to the pseudo bonus state may be decided when a predetermined role (e.g., a bell role) is won (or the actual number of times it is won) reaches a predetermined number, or the transition to the pseudo bonus state may be decided when the number of games played after the previous pseudo bonus state or the end of the AT state reaches a predetermined number, or points may be added according to the drawing of roles, and the points to be added according to the type of role won or the state in which the role is won may be changed, and the pseudo bonus state may be generated when the points reach a predetermined number.
In addition, a pseudo bonus state may be generated during the AT state described below.
In addition, in this embodiment, the role that triggers the selection of the pseudo bonus state is set mainly to a chance role, but the pseudo bonus state may be selected by lottery when other roles are won.

If the lottery for transition to the pseudo bonus state is won, a pseudo bonus precursor display is executed on the main display 8 for a predetermined number of games (e.g., 18 games) prior to the transition to the pseudo bonus state to heighten the player's anticipation of the transition to the pseudo bonus state, thereby notifying the player that the transition to the pseudo bonus state will ultimately occur.
In other words, based on the prior decision by the main control unit 10, as a decision-making means, to generate a pseudo-bonus state, the sub-control unit 20 controls the execution of a pseudo-bonus precursor effect as a pre-effect during a predetermined period before the pseudo-bonus state is generated.

In addition, a waiting period of a predetermined number of games (e.g., 12 games) is set between the winning of the lottery for transition to the pseudo bonus state and the execution of the pseudo bonus premonition performance, and the pseudo bonus premonition performance is executed after the end of this waiting period.
Therefore, even if the lottery for transition to the pseudo bonus state is won, the transition to the pseudo bonus state will not occur immediately, but will occur after a waiting period and the execution of the pseudo bonus precursor effect.

During the pseudo bonus premonition effect, the main display 8 switches to an image of a stage with a different background from that during the normal game state, and an effect image on the premonition stage in which the character that appears performs an action different from that during the normal game state is executed. For example, an effect on the premonition stage in which the character advances through a cave is executed throughout multiple games. The effect content itself does not change even after one game ends. For example, even if the screen is switched due to the occurrence of various events in a specific game, the effect content itself, such as the character advancing through a cave, continues to be executed in the next game without changing. Therefore, the pseudo bonus premonition effect is a series of effects executed across multiple games.
In addition, as will be described in more detail later, multiple patterns with different backgrounds, etc. are prepared for the premonition stage, and one of the patterns of the premonition stage is selected under the control of the sub-control device 20 depending on whether or not a win has been made in the pseudo-bonus state at that time.

In addition, even if a rare role (e.g., a chance role) that triggers a transition to the pseudo bonus state is won but the lottery for transition to the pseudo bonus state is not won, a pseudo bonus false premonition display is executed on the main display 8 for a predetermined number of games (e.g., 18 games) to notify the player that they will not ultimately transition to the pseudo bonus state, just as when they win the pseudo bonus state.
In addition, the pseudo bonus false premonition effect may be executed with a predetermined probability (for example, 50%) when a rare role that triggers a transition to the pseudo bonus state is won but the lottery for transition to the pseudo bonus state is not won, or it may be executed always.
In other words, the sub-controller 20 controls the execution of a pseudo-bonus false premonition display as a pre-miss display for a specified period of time based on the fulfillment of a specified condition (fulfillment of a 50% or 100% probability condition) when the main controller 10 as a decision-making means has not previously decided to grant the first bonus.

Also, when the pseudo bonus false premonition effect is executed, just as when the pseudo bonus state is won, a waiting period of a predetermined number of games (e.g., 12 games) is set between the winning of a rare role that triggers a transition to the pseudo bonus state and the execution of the pseudo bonus false premonition effect.
The pseudo bonus premonition effects and pseudo bonus false premonition effects are basically made up of a series of effects across multiple games in which the performance images (stages or characters that appear, etc.) are set in the same way, and by making the final content announced different, the player's anticipation can be kept captivated until the very end.

In addition, during games in the waiting period, control is performed to change the content of the presentation on the main display 8 from other states. For example, the appearance rate of a specific character that appears in each game may be increased, the color scheme of the character's dialogue image may be changed, the background may be changed, and other presentations (so-called provocative presentations) may be performed.

In addition, in the pseudo bonus premonition effect and pseudo bonus false premonition effect, a notification is given as to whether or not the game will eventually transition to a pseudo bonus state. In this case, the main display 8 executes a continuous effect (continuous effect) from several games (e.g., two games) before the final game of the premonition effect. The continuous effect is executed, for example, as a battle effect consisting of an image in which a main character and an enemy character battle each other for a predetermined number of games (e.g., three games).

In the continuous performance, a performance image in which the main character and enemy character repeatedly attack and defend is executed for each game, and the performance content of each game is carried over to the next game. For example, when the main character receives damage in a certain game, the damage is carried over to the next game (for example, a performance in which a meter showing the amount of damage is changed).
In addition, the offensive and defensive state between the main character and enemy character in each game is set depending on whether or not there is a transition to a predetermined pseudo-bonus state, and it is set so that when there is a transition to the pseudo-bonus state, there are more games in which the main character attacks than when there is no transition.
In other words, the continuous effects are a series of effects that are executed over (across) a number of games.
In addition, a button effect may be executed in parallel with the continuous effect.

If the pseudo bonus state is won (in the case of a pseudo bonus premonition effect), an image of the main character ultimately winning is displayed to notify the player that the pseudo bonus state has been won, and if the pseudo bonus state is not won (in the case of a false pseudo bonus premonition effect), an image of the main character ultimately losing is displayed to notify the player that the pseudo bonus state has not been won.
In addition, instead of a continuous presentation, a presentation may be executed that is completed with only the final game of the pseudo bonus premonition presentation and the pseudo bonus false premonition presentation, and a notification regarding a transition to the pseudo bonus state may be given based on the result of that presentation.

The pseudo bonus premonition effect and the pseudo bonus false premonition effect may be generated immediately when a rare role that triggers a transition to the pseudo bonus state is won. The pseudo bonus false premonition effect may be generated without fail when a rare role that triggers a transition to the pseudo bonus state is won, or may be generated with a predetermined probability. The number of games for the pseudo bonus premonition effect and the pseudo bonus false premonition effect may be any number of games, or may be selectively determined from a number of numbers of games (e.g., 15 to 20 games). Similarly, the waiting period may be selectively determined from a number of numbers of games (e.g., 10 to 15 games), allowing the waiting period to change.

In addition, in the normal game state, there are a normal probability state and a high probability state, which have different winning probability states to transition to the pseudo bonus state. The winning probability of the transition lottery to the pseudo bonus state is higher in the high probability state than in the normal probability state, and the transition of the probability state is controlled so that there is a 30% probability, for example, when a weak watermelon role is won, and there is a 5% probability, for example, when a replay role is won, when a bell role is won, and when a miss occurs, for transition from the high probability state to the normal probability state, as a specified fall condition.

The probability of winning in the pseudo bonus state is set, for example, at 20% when a chance role is won in the normal probability state, and at 50% when a chance role is won in the high probability state.
In addition, when the setting value in the probability setting device 14 is changed or when the main control device 10 is reset, after passing through the normal zone and transitioning to the advantageous zone, actual play can begin in the normal game state under the normal probability state; however, for each setting value in the probability setting device 14, the normal game state may be started in a high probability state with a predetermined probability.

・Transition process from normal game state to CZ state (arrow c in FIG. 3)
In the normal game state, the main control device 10 performs a lottery process for transitioning to the CZ state based on winning a specified rare combination. For example, when a weak cherry combination or a strong cherry combination is won, the main control device 10 performs a lottery process for transitioning to the CZ state with a specified probability. The condition for transitioning to the CZ state is winning this lottery.

In addition, in the normal game state, the winning probability state of the CZ state may be changeable by the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20. Notification control of the winning probability state may also be performed. When notification control is performed, rather than directly notifying each probability state, the display content of the main display 8 may be changed to the extent that the player can predict what the probability state is at that time.

In addition, even if the player wins the lottery to transition to the CZ state, the player will not transition to the CZ state immediately, but will transition to the CZ state after a delay period of a specified number of games (e.g., 3 to 5 games).
During the delay period of the CZ state, similar to the standby period of the pseudo bonus state described above, control is performed to make the content of the presentation on the main display 8 different from other states. For example, the appearance rate of a specific character that appears in each game is increased, the color scheme of the character's dialogue image is changed, the background is changed, and other presentations (so-called provocative presentations) are performed.
Then, at the end of the game when the delay period ends, the main display 8 notifies the player that the game will transition to the CZ state.

In addition, in order to heighten the player's anticipation of the transition to the CZ state, during the delay period of the CZ state, the main display 8 may execute a continuous presentation of the CZ state for a predetermined number of games (e.g., two games) to notify the player of the eventual transition to the CZ state.

In addition, even if a specified rare role (for example, a strong cherry role) is won but the lottery for transition to the CZ state is not won, the presentation content on the main display 8 is controlled to be different from other states (so-called teasing presentation) for a specified number of games (for example, 3 to 5 games), similar to the above-mentioned delay period.
Therefore, when a specified rare role (for example, a strong cherry role) is won, the player's sense of expectation is heightened for a specified period of time regardless of whether or not there is a transition to the CZ state.

In addition, a false continuous performance of the CZ state for a predetermined number of games (for example, 2 games) to notify the player that the game will not ultimately transition to the CZ state may be executed on the main display 8. In this case, the characters that appear in the continuous performance of the CZ state and the false continuous performance may basically be set to be the same, and the final notification content may be made different, thereby keeping the player's expectations high until the end.
For example, as a continuous performance in the CZ state (fake continuous performance), a performance image may be executed in which the character challenges a sports competition throughout each game. In this case, during the continuous performance (fake continuous performance), sports competitions are continuously executed throughout the games during that time, and if the CZ state is won, an image is executed in which the character ultimately succeeds in the competition (for example, succeeds in scoring a goal in soccer), and if the CZ state is not won, an image is executed in which the character fails the competition.

In addition, during the delay period of the CZ state, a premonition effect of the CZ state (CZ premonition effect or CZ false premonition effect) similar to the premonition effect (pseudo bonus premonition effect or pseudo bonus false premonition effect) may be executed on the main display 8, or a continuous effect or false continuous effect may be executed after the premonition effect of the CZ state (CZ premonition effect or CZ false premonition effect).
In addition, the delay period when a specified rare role (for example, a strong cherry role) is won may be any period during which multiple games are played, and the number of games may be determined from multiple numbers of games based on a random number draw, or may be determined by a fixed number of games.

・Transition process from normal game state to AT state (arrow g in FIG. 3)
In the normal game state, the main control device 10 performs a lottery process for transitioning to the AT state based on the winning of a predetermined rare role. For example, when a strong cherry role is won, the transition process to the AT state is performed with a predetermined probability (for example, 1%). The condition for transitioning to the AT state is winning this transition lottery.
In addition, the transition to the AT state from the normal game state may be made on the condition that a specified rare role is won, or may be made with a specified probability (e.g., 1%) when a losing lottery result is derived in which no small role is won.

In this embodiment, the transition to the AT state is mainly performed via a pseudo-bonus state in order to heighten the player's sense of anticipation, and therefore the probability of transitioning directly from the normal game state to the AT state is set to be extremely low.
In addition, the probability of transitioning directly from the normal gaming state to the AT state may be made changeable depending on the set probability in the probability setting device 14, or the lottery for transitioning directly from the normal gaming state to the AT state may be won only in the case of a relatively high set value (e.g., setting 4 to 6).
In addition, in the normal game state, if the player wins the lottery to transition to the AT state, a premonition effect similar to that which occurs when the pseudo-bonus state described above occurs is executed, and the AT state occurs after the premonition effect ends.

In addition, when the lottery for transitioning directly from the normal game state to the AT state is won, the selection control of premonition effects different from that when the pseudo bonus state occurs may be performed. For example, when transitioning directly to the AT state, the selection rate of premonition effects consisting of characters and backgrounds that have a low appearance rate (or do not appear) in the pseudo bonus false premonition effects may be made higher than when the pseudo bonus state occurs. Also, premonition effects that are not executed when the pseudo bonus state occurs may be executed only when transitioning directly to the AT state.

(CZ state)
In the CZ state, push order navigation is not performed when the push order bell role is won, but since the lottery process for transitioning to the pseudo bonus state is performed with a higher probability in each game than in the normal game state, it is a game state in which it is easier to transition to the pseudo bonus state than when remaining in the normal game state.
Although push order navigation is not performed when the push order bell role is won, push order navigation may be executed when the push order bell role is won, or push order navigation may be executed a portion of the time when the push order bell role is won, i.e., with a predetermined probability (for example, 40%) when the push order bell role is won.

Since it is easier to transition to a pseudo-bonus state while in the CZ state than while in the normal game state, the CZ state is positioned as a chance zone in the flow of the game.
The maximum number of games that can be played in the CZ state is 10.
During the CZ state, control information regarding the CZ state is transmitted from the main control unit 10 to the sub-control unit 20, and under the control of the main control unit 10 and the sub-control unit 20, various effects and the number of remaining games during the CZ state are displayed on the main display 8.

・Transition process from CZ state to pseudo bonus state (arrow e in Figure 3)
In the CZ state, a lottery process for transitioning to a pseudo bonus state is performed in each game.
The winning probability of the pseudo bonus state transition lottery process is set according to the winning role of each game. The winning probability of the pseudo bonus state transition lottery process is, for example, 50% when a rare role is won, 10% when a bell role and a replay role are won, and 5% when a losing role is won. The pseudo bonus state transition lottery is performed for each game in the CZ state, but whether or not there is a transition to the pseudo bonus state is determined in the final game of the CZ state, and when the transition to the pseudo bonus state is announced in the final game, the game state will transition to the pseudo bonus state in the same way as in the normal game state.
In addition, since the lottery for transition to the pseudo bonus state is executed when each role is internally won, the lottery for transition to the pseudo bonus state is executed even if the symbol corresponding to the winning role does not stop on reel 4 (when a miss occurs).

The winning probability of the pseudo bonus state transition lottery process for some or all of the winning roles may be other than the above. Also, while the pseudo bonus state transition lottery process is performed when the bell role is won, the pseudo bonus state transition lottery process may also be performed based on the winning of the symbol corresponding to the bell role.

During the CZ state, a CZ effect in which a specific character appears is displayed on the main display 8 to increase interest in the game. In the CZ effect, for example, an effect image in which the main character prepares for a battle is displayed for the first few games (e.g., seven games), and an effect image in which the main character battles an enemy character is displayed as a series of effects spanning multiple games for the last few games (e.g., three games) of the CZ state. Then, if the player wins the lottery to transition to the pseudo bonus state, the player is notified that the main character will win the final game and transition to the pseudo bonus state.

In addition, during the CZ state, the background during the preparation for the match and the offensive and defensive content during the match change depending on the winning content of the game that was played during that time, to change the sense of expectation for the transition to the pseudo bonus state. In addition, the number of remaining games in the CZ state is displayed on the main display 8, and the number of remaining games is subtracted each time a game is played.
Furthermore, even during the preparation performance before the battle performance in the CZ performance, performance images in which the main character prepares for battle are executed continuously throughout each game, so that even during the preparation performance, there is a series of performances that spans multiple games.

・Transition process from CZ state to normal gaming state (arrow d in FIG. 3)
In the CZ state, if the player does not win the lottery to enter the pseudo bonus state, the game will transition to the normal game state after a set number of games have been played in the CZ state. At this time, the CZ presentation will inform the player that the main character has been defeated and will not transition to the pseudo bonus state.

When transitioning from the CZ state to the normal game state, setting-related information (setting suggestion information) that can suggest the setting value set by the probability setting device 14 may be notified by the notification means (main display 8, speaker 9) under the control of the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20. For example, a predetermined character from among multiple characters may be displayed on the main display device 8 or the sub-display device 17. The character to be displayed is selected according to a selection probability that is preset in accordance with each setting value of the probability setting device 14, so that it is possible to predict the setting value to some extent from the displayed character.

(pseudo bonus state)
The pseudo bonus state is a game state in which it is easy to win medals, as push order navigation for the push order bell role is performed in the same way as in the AT state, as a notification of an operation mode that is advantageous to the player during the game in the pseudo bonus state.
In addition, the pseudo bonus state continues for a predetermined period (for example, 18 to 20 games), and a lottery for transition to the AT state is held in a predetermined game executed during that period.
Therefore, the pseudo bonus state is also a gaming state that mainly determines whether or not the AT state in the slot machine 1 occurs, in which the player can win a large number of medals.
During the pseudo bonus state, push order navigation may be executed with a predetermined probability (for example, 60%) when the push order bell role is won, thereby making the frequency of push order navigation lower than during the AT state.
In addition, the period during which the pseudo bonus state continues may be determined not only by the number of games executed, but also by the number of times the push order navigation is executed, the number of medals paid out (number of medals paid out), the number of medals actually increased by the payment of medals (net increase in number of medals), etc.

In addition, in the first game that transitions to the pseudo bonus state, the period from when the start lever 3 is operated until when the stop button 5 is operated is extended by the control of the main control device 10 compared to a normal game, and during this period, the reel 4 is rotated in reverse, and then a specific symbol combination ("7, 7, 7") is temporarily stopped on the reel 4 and then rotated forward again, a so-called reel effect is performed, and the occurrence of the pseudo bonus state is notified.

The reel presentation period during which the reel presentation is performed is set to, for example, 15 seconds, and during this period, operation of the stop button 5 is invalid, so that even if the reel 4 is operating, the game cannot progress.
Then, at the end of the reel presentation period, a specific symbol combination (for example, "7, 7, 7") will stop (automatically stop), so that the pseudo bonus state is similar to the AT state in terms of gameplay, but in appearance it appears as if a so-called big bonus state (real bonus state) has occurred, which is differentiated from the AT state.

Furthermore, when the reel presentation period ends, the reel 4 automatically starts rotating in the forward direction, and the operation of the stop button 5 becomes valid. From this point on, the stop operation of the first game that has transitioned to the pseudo bonus state becomes possible in the same way as in a normal game.
During the reel effect, under the control of the sub-control device 20, an effect image corresponding to the reel effect is displayed on the main display 8 as described below.

・Transition process from pseudo bonus state to AT state (arrow f in FIG. 3)
In the pseudo bonus state, a lottery process for transition to the AT state is performed in a predetermined number of games (1 to 3 games) executed at the end of the pseudo bonus state.
In this embodiment, the lottery process for transitioning to the AT state is executed over a lottery game period that is set at the longest between the last three games of the pseudo bonus state, and whether or not to transition to the AT state is determined based on the result of the match lottery executed in each game during the lottery game period.
Then, if all the results of the match lotteries in each game during the lottery game period are winning, it is determined that a specific condition (first specific condition) has been met, a transition to the AT state is decided, and the game state transitions to the AT state after the pseudo bonus state ends.

In other words, the main control unit 10, as a decision-making means, is capable of deciding whether or not to grant a specified bonus (transition to an AT state) in connection with the execution of multiple games during a lottery game period, which is a specified period, and is configured to decide to grant the specified bonus when the lottery result regarding the granting of the specified bonus in the multiple games satisfies a predetermined specific condition (first specific condition).
In this embodiment, the lottery process for transition to the AT state is performed in a predetermined number of games executed at the end of the pseudo bonus state, but it is also possible to set up a period of a predetermined number of games after the pseudo bonus state ends in which to perform the lottery process for transition to the AT state, and to play a game to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state after the pseudo bonus state ends.

In addition, the probability of winning the match lottery for each game executed during the lottery game period is not always constant, but can change according to predetermined conditions, the probability can be different between each game, and the lottery format can be changed.
For example, the probability of winning the match lottery for each game may be 50% for all three games during the lottery game period, or the probability of winning the match lottery for each game may be 25% for the first game, 50% for the second game, and 100% for the third game. However, it is preferable that the total probability of transitioning from the pseudo bonus state to the AT state is the same regardless of the lottery mode.
The total probability of transitioning from the pseudo bonus state to the AT state may be set to be different depending on the lottery mode. In this case, when the AT state is won in a lottery mode with a low total probability, a bonus that is more advantageous to the player may be given than when the AT state is won in a lottery mode with a high total probability. For example, when the AT state is won in a lottery mode with a low total probability, multiple continuation rights to the AT state may be stored (stocked), or an AT state with a larger number of continuations (higher AT state) may be generated.
In addition, although details will be described later, the change of the lottery mode is executed based on the player's operation, and the player can select the lottery mode according to his/her preference.

During the lottery game period, in response to the execution of the game, continuous performances by characters are executed on the main display 8 under the control of the sub-controller 20 based on the reception of control information from the main controller 10 .
The continuous effects during the pseudo bonus state have different content from the continuous effects executed during the pseudo bonus premonition effect (or pseudo bonus false premonition effect) described above, and are designed to complete the battle effect for each game.
In other words, in the continuous presentation executed during the pseudo bonus precursor presentation (or pseudo bonus false precursor presentation), the main character competes against the enemy character for three games, with the outcome of the battle being determined in the final game, whereas in the continuous presentation executed during the pseudo bonus state, the battle presentation is executed such that the outcome of the battle is determined for each game according to the battle lottery in each game.
In addition, the battle presentation in each game is executed based on the winning probability set for each game, so that the friendly characters (including the main character) who battle against the enemy characters in each game can appear in different types according to the winning probability.

For example, if the match lottery in the first game during the consecutive performance has a 25% chance of being won, ally character A will appear, if the match lottery in the second game has a 50% chance of being won, ally character B will appear, and if the match lottery in the third game has a 100% chance of being won, ally character C (e.g., the main character) will appear.
Then, if the match lottery in each game is won, the character on the friendly side that appears wins at the end of the game, and if the match lottery is not won, the character on the friendly side that appears loses at the end of the game. As a result, if the match lottery in all games is won, all the characters on the friendly side will win, and finally, the transition to the AT state will be announced.

Furthermore, the lottery mode of each game during the lottery game period can be changed based on the player's operation.
In other words, the probability of winning the match lottery in each game and the order in which the match lotteries are executed can be changed by the player operating, for example, the bet button 2a as an operating means.

A player can change the lottery mode of the game during the lottery game period during the game content selection process executed during the game content selection game one game before the transition to the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state, and in that game, a game content selection presentation corresponding to the selection of the lottery mode is executed on the main display 8.
In the game content selection presentation, for example, while the game content selection game is being played, a presentation image is displayed on the main display 8 which allows the player to select the lottery mode of the game during the lottery game period, and when the player arbitrarily selects a lottery mode in accordance with the presentation image, the selected lottery mode is set as the lottery mode of the game during the subsequent lottery game period.
Therefore, the lottery mode of the game during the lottery game period is changed according to the selection of the lottery mode of the game by the player's operation.

In addition, in order to increase the interest of the game during the pseudo bonus state, during periods other than the lottery game period, a pseudo bonus effect in which a specific character appears is displayed on the main display 8 or the sub-display 17. In the pseudo bonus effect, for example, an introductory image of each character that appears is displayed, and a specific piece of music is output from the speaker 9.

On the other hand, during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state, the background during the match presentation and the content of the offense and defense during the match presentation change depending on the lottery type of the game selected by the player's operation as described above, thereby changing the sense of anticipation for the transition to the AT state.
Furthermore, the number of remaining games in the pseudo bonus state is displayed on the main display 8, and the number of remaining games is subtracted each time a game is executed.

In this embodiment, the period for conducting the transition lottery for the AT state in the pseudo-bonus state is set to the last three games of the pseudo-bonus state, but it can be any period in which the transition lottery is conducted in a number of consecutive games, for example, four or five games.
In addition, the specific condition for transitioning to the AT state is set when all match lotteries in multiple games are won, but other conditions may also be used; for example, it may be determined that transitioning to the AT state will occur when one or two wins are obtained.
In addition, if there is a loss in even one match lottery during the lottery game period, the lottery game period (pseudo bonus state) is ended at that point, but it is also possible to execute all three games during the lottery game period regardless of the lottery results of each game. In this case, if there is a loss in the match lotteries for all games, a transition to the AT state may be made as a special privilege. However, in this case, the condition is that a game that has a 100% probability of winning the match lottery is not executed.

In addition, the lottery for transition to the AT state during the pseudo bonus state may be executed outside the lottery game period described above. For example, when reel 4 is stopped in a normal operation mode (e.g., an operation mode in which the left reel 4a is stopped first), a symbol combination corresponding to a replay role stops, but when reel 4 is stopped in an irregular operation mode different from the normal operation mode (e.g., an operation mode in which the right reel 4c is stopped first), a specific replay role in which a specific symbol combination (e.g., "7, 7, 7") stops can be drawn, and when a specific replay role is won during a period other than the lottery game period during the pseudo bonus state, a transition to the AT state may be made unconditionally (with a 100% probability).
In this case, when a specific replay combination is won, it is preferable to display on the main display 8 an image encouraging the player to perform an irregular operation mode and to aim for a specific symbol combination.

In addition, if a rare role (e.g., a strong cherry role) is won during a period other than the lottery game period during the pseudo bonus state, the right to transition to the AT state at that time may be granted with a predetermined probability (e.g., 10%).
In addition, when a rare role (e.g., a strong cherry role) is won during a period other than the lottery game period during the pseudo bonus state, rather than granting the right to transition to the AT state, it is also possible to grant the right to win a match lottery for a specified number of games (one game, two games) during the lottery game period with a specified probability (e.g., 20%) at that time.

In this case, when a rare combination is won, it is preferable to execute a winning effect on the main display 8 that is completed in one game.
The winning effect is an effect in which the main display 8 displays an image according to the type of rare role that has been won and the result of the lottery for transitioning to the AT state, such as displaying an item (for example, a watermelon item) that can notify of the won rare role along with the appearance of a specified character, or displaying text information such as "Chance" or "Hot" indicating the expectation of the occurrence of the AT state along with the appearance of a specified character.
In addition, if the right to transition to the AT state is granted when a rare role is won during a period other than the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state, it is preferable to carry out a continuous performance in which the player wins all games during the lottery game period regardless of the outcome of the match lottery.
In addition, during the lottery game period, a draw lottery may be held separately from the match lottery, and if the match lottery is not won but the draw lottery is won, the match lottery for that round may be invalidated and a game in which a new match lottery is held may be additionally held during the lottery game period.
In addition, if all the match lotteries during the lottery game period are won, the lottery game period may be extended so that the lottery game period does not end until a match lottery is not won. In this case, if a match lottery for the extended game is won, the right to continue the AT state may be granted each time.

In addition, a button effect may be executed during the match effect of each game during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state.
The button presentation is a presentation in which, for example, at the end of a game in which a match presentation is executed, first an operation image consisting of an image imitating an operation button that prompts the player to operate the presentation button 2d, or text information instructing the player to operate (e.g., "PUSH"), is displayed on the main display 8, and then, when the indicated presentation button 2d is operated, an image notifying the player of the result of a predetermined match presentation lottery is displayed on the main display 8.
In this case, it is preferable that if the result of the match lottery is a win, the probability of the button effect being executed is higher than if the result is a non-win.

-Transition process from pseudo bonus state to normal game state (arrow b in FIG. 3)
In the pseudo bonus state, if a specific condition is not met and the right to transition to the AT state is not granted, that is, if all the competition lotteries for each game during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state are not won, the game transitions to the normal game state after the pseudo bonus state ends.
In this embodiment, if the match lottery is not won even once in a game during the lottery game period, the non-fulfillment of the specific condition is confirmed, and therefore, when the match lottery is not won in any game during the lottery game period, the termination condition for the pseudo-bonus state is fulfilled, and the game state transitions to the normal game state from the next game.

Therefore, the duration of the pseudo bonus state will change depending on the result of the game match lottery during the lottery game period.
For example, if the match lottery for the 18th game, which is the first game during the lottery game period, is not won, the duration of the pseudo bonus state will be 18 games, but if the first game to be not won is the 20th game, which is the last game, the duration will be 20 games.
In addition, since push order navigation is performed during the lottery game period, even if the specific conditions are not met in the pseudo bonus state, the longer the lottery game period continues without the match lottery being a non-winning one, the more opportunities there are to win medals, making the player more advantageous.
It should be noted that push order navigation for the push order bell role is performed even in games during the lottery game period, but push order navigation may not be performed in games during the lottery game period, or push order navigation may be performed only with a predetermined probability (for example, 50%).

When transitioning from the pseudo bonus state to the normal game state, setting-related information (setting suggestion information) that can suggest the setting value set by the probability setting device 14 may be notified by the notification means (main display 8, sub-display 17, speaker 9) under the control of the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20. For example, a predetermined character from among multiple characters may be displayed on the main display device 8 or the sub-display device 17, and the displayed character may be selected according to a selection probability that is preset in accordance with each setting value of the probability setting device 14, making it possible to predict the setting value to some extent from the displayed character.

(AT state)
The AT state is a game state in which it is easy to win medals, as push order navigation for the push order bell role is performed to notify the player of an operation mode that is advantageous to the player during the game in the AT state.

During the AT state, a predetermined number of games (e.g., 30 games) granted at the time of the initial transition to the AT state is managed as the remaining number of games that can continue the AT state, and the remaining number of games is subtracted for each game, and the AT state continues until there are no remaining games.
When there are no more games remaining in the AT state, the AT state ends.

During the AT state, control information regarding the AT state is sent from the main control device 10 to the sub-control device 20, and under the control of the sub-control device 20, images of various effects during the AT state are displayed on the main display device 8. In addition, the number of games remaining during the AT state, the total number of medals won during a series of AT states, and the total number of games played during the AT state are displayed on the main display device 8.

In addition, in the AT state, a lottery process for continuing the AT state is performed in a predetermined number of games (2 to 3 games) executed at the end of the AT state.
In this embodiment, the lottery process for continuing the AT state is executed over a lottery game period that is set for at most the last three games of the AT state, and whether or not to continue the AT state is determined based on the result of the match lottery executed in each game during the lottery game period.
Then, if the result of the match lottery in each game during the lottery game period is a win twice, it is determined that a specific condition (second specific condition) has been met, the continuation of the AT state is decided, and a new AT state will start after the end of the ongoing AT state.
In other words, the main control unit 10, as a decision-making means, is capable of deciding whether or not to grant a specified bonus (continuation of the AT state) in connection with the execution of multiple games during a lottery game period, which is a specified period, and is configured to decide to grant the specified bonus when the lottery result regarding the granting of the specified bonus in the multiple games satisfies a predetermined specific condition (second specific condition).

In addition, in the new AT state, the continuation of the AT state itself is managed in the same way as during the initial transition to the AT state, and the AT state ends when a predetermined number of games (e.g., 30 games) have been played; however, in the predetermined number of games (2 to 3 games) played at the end of this new AT state, a lottery process for the continuation of the AT state is performed in the same way as during the initial transition.
Therefore, the AT state is repeatedly executed depending on the establishment of specific conditions in the continuation lottery process during each AT state.

In addition, in the match lottery for each game executed during the lottery game period in the AT state, the winning probability is not always constant, as in the pseudo bonus state, but can change according to predetermined conditions, the probability can be different between each game, and the lottery pattern can be changed.
In addition, the change in the lottery mode is executed based on the player's operation, just like during the pseudo bonus state, and can be selected according to the player's preference.

Also, similar to the pseudo bonus state, during the lottery game period in the AT state, continuous character presentations are executed on the main display 8 under the control of the sub-controller 20 based on the reception of control information from the main control unit 10 in response to the execution of the game.
As with the pseudo bonus state, the continuous performances during the AT state are also designed so that the battle performance is completed for each game, and the battle performance is executed based on the winning probability set for each game, and the friendly characters (including the main character) who compete against the enemy characters for each game appear in different types corresponding to the winning probability.

If the match lottery for each game is won, the friendly character that appears wins at the end of the game, and if the match lottery is not won, the friendly character that appears loses at the end of the game, and this presentation is carried out in a complete manner for each game.
However, in the continuation lottery process during the AT state, some of the conditions are set differently from the transition lottery process during the pseudo-bonus state. In the pseudo-bonus state, transition to the AT state is confirmed if all the results of the match lotteries in three games are wins, whereas in the AT state, continuation of the next AT state is confirmed if two of the results of the match lotteries in three games are wins.

Therefore, the conditions for continuing the AT state are less difficult than the transition conditions, which are the conditions for entering the AT state. For example, if the match lotteries for the first and second games are won, the continuation of the next AT state is confirmed at that point. Even if the match lottery for the third game is not won, after the match performance for that game is determined to be a loss, the continuation of the AT state will finally be announced and a transition will occur to a new AT state.

In addition, in this embodiment, if all the results of the match lotteries in each game executed during the lottery game period during the AT state are winning, in addition to being granted the right to continue the AT state for the next time, the right to continue the AT state for the time after that is also granted.
In other words, if two winning results are derived in the match lottery during the lottery game period during the AT state, a specific benefit will be awarded and the right to continue the next AT state will be granted, but if three winning results are derived, in addition to the grant of the specific benefit, the right to continue will be stored (stored) so that the AT state will continue for the next AT state as well, as a different benefit.

In addition, if the right to continue the AT state is stored (stocked), the AT state will continue unconditionally, so in the next game during the lottery game period during the AT state, it is preferable to execute an image on the main display 8 that can notify the player that the state will continue, without performing the battle effect described above.

Furthermore, even if the right to continue the AT state is stored (stored), rather than unconditionally confirming the AT state, a normal continuation lottery process may be performed in the next AT state, and the AT state may be continued using the stored information of the right to continue the AT state only if a specific condition is not met.
Therefore, in this case, a match lottery is also held for the game during the lottery game period during the next AT state, and if a specific condition is met at this time, the AT state will continue without using the stored information of the right to continue the AT state, with its use reserved for the next time onwards.
Furthermore, the main control unit 10 may be able to store and hold (stock) multiple continuation rights for the AT state that are granted by deriving three winning results, so that, for example, when three winning results are derived in succession, two continuation rights may be able to be additionally stored.
In this case, when the AT state is continued using the stored information of the right to continue the AT state, the stored information of the right to continue is subtracted each time.

Also, similarly to the pseudo bonus state, the lottery mode of each game during the lottery game period in the AT state can be changed based on the player's operation.
In other words, the probability of winning the match lottery in each game and the execution order of each match lottery can be changed by the player operating, for example, the bet button 2a as an operating means.

As in the pseudo bonus state, the player can change the lottery mode of the game during the lottery game period during the game content selection process executed in the game content selection game one game before the transition to the lottery game period, and in that game, a game content selection display corresponding to the change in the lottery mode during the lottery game period is executed on the main display 8, and the game content selection display and the player's selection of game content are also executed in the same way as during the pseudo bonus state.
Therefore, the lottery mode of the game during the lottery game period in the AT state is changed according to the selection of the lottery mode of the game by the player's operation.

In addition, in order to increase interest in the game during periods other than the lottery game period during the AT state, the AT state performance in which a specific character appears is displayed on the main display 8 or the sub-display 17. In the AT state performance, for example, an introductory image of each character that appears is displayed, and a specific piece of music is output from the speaker 9.

Meanwhile, during the lottery game period in the AT state, the background during the battle presentation and the content of the offensive and defensive battles during the battle presentation change according to the lottery mode of the game selected by the player's operation as described above, thereby changing the sense of expectation for the continuation of the AT state.

In this embodiment, the period for conducting the AT state continuation lottery in the AT state is set to the last three games of the AT state, but it can be any period in which the transition lottery is conducted in a number of consecutive games, for example, four or five games.
In addition, the specific condition under which the AT state continues is set when the match lottery in multiple games is won twice, but other conditions may also be used; for example, it may be determined that the AT state will continue when the match lottery is won once or three times.
In addition, if there is a loss in the match lottery even once during the lottery game period, the lottery game period (AT state) is ended at that point, but it is also possible to execute all three games during the lottery game period regardless of the lottery results of each game. In this case, if there is a loss in the match lottery for all games, it is also possible to continue to the next AT state as a special privilege. However, in this case, the condition is that a game that has a 100% probability of winning the match lottery is not executed.

In addition, during the AT state, the lottery for the next AT state continuation may be performed outside the lottery game period described above. For example, similar to during the pseudo bonus state, if a specific replay role is won during a period other than the lottery game period during the AT state, the AT state may be continued unconditionally (100% probability).

In addition, if a rare role (e.g., a strong cherry role) is won during a period other than the lottery game period during the AT state, the right for the AT state to continue at that time may be granted with a predetermined probability (e.g., 10%).
In addition, when a rare role (e.g., a strong cherry role) is won during a period other than the lottery game period during the AT state, instead of granting the right to continue in the AT state, the right to win a match lottery for a specified number of games (1 to 3 games) during the lottery game period may be granted at that time with a specified probability (e.g., 20%).
In this case, when a rare combination is won, it is preferable to execute a winning effect on the main display 8 that is completed in one game.
Also, similar to during the pseudo bonus state, a button effect may be executed during the match effect of each game during the lottery game period in the AT state.

In addition, if a specified rare role (for example, a weak cherry role, a weak watermelon role, a strong watermelon role, or a strong cherry role) is won during the AT state, a lottery may be held to add to the number of games played in the AT state, and if the lottery for adding the number of games is won, a predetermined number of games corresponding to the rare role that triggered the win may be added to the number of remaining games in the currently active AT state.

In addition, if a specific rare role (e.g., a strong cherry role) is won during the AT state, in addition to the above-mentioned additional lottery, it may be possible to generate an additional specialized zone in which the probability of the number of games being added for a specific period (e.g., 10 games) is higher than in other states.
The add-on specialization zone occurs with a specified probability (e.g., 10%) when a specific rare role (e.g., a strong cherry role) is won, and during the add-on specialization zone, in addition to rare roles with a low probability of winning, for example, all roles other than replay roles are used as trigger roles for adding on, increasing the possibility of a large number of games being awarded (added on) as a specified bonus.

In addition, in the add-on specialization zone, the right to continue the AT state may be granted (stocked) at a predetermined probability (for example, 15%) when a predetermined role (for example, a rare role) is won. In addition, the right to continue the AT state may be granted (stocked) multiple times each time the above conditions are met.
In this case, if the number of rights (stock number) remaining to continue the AT state is met, the specific condition will be met unconditionally in the continuation lottery process during the AT state.
In addition, based on the establishment of a predetermined condition during the AT state, the AT state may be temporarily interrupted to generate a pseudo bonus state.

In addition, if three winning results are derived in the match lottery during the lottery game period during the AT state, in addition to the grant of a specified bonus, a continuation right is stored (stocked) so that the AT state will continue for the next AT state as well, as a grant of another bonus, a specified number of games (for example, 20) may be added to the remaining number of games in the AT state currently being executed or the next AT state, or the aforementioned added specialization zone may be executed after the end of the AT state currently being executed as a grant of another bonus.
In addition, during the lottery game period in the AT state, a draw lottery may be executed separately from the match lottery, and if the match lottery is not won but the draw lottery is won, the match lottery for that round may be invalidated and a game for a new match lottery may be additionally executed during the lottery game period.
In addition, if all the match lotteries during the lottery game period are won, the lottery game period may be extended so that the lottery game period does not end until a match lottery is not won. In this case, if a match lottery for the extended game is won, the right to continue the AT state may be granted each time.

・Transition process from AT state to normal gaming state (arrow h in FIG. 3)
In the AT state, if a specific condition is not met and the right to continue to the next AT state is not granted, that is, if two winning results are not derived in the match lottery for each game during the lottery game period in the AT state, the game transitions to the normal game state after the AT state ends.
In this embodiment, if a non-winning result in the match lottery is derived twice in a game during the lottery game period, the non-establishment of a specific condition is confirmed, and therefore, when a non-winning result in the match lottery is derived twice in any game during the lottery game period, the condition for terminating the AT state is established, and the game state transitions to the normal game state from the next game.

Therefore, the duration of the currently executed AT state will change depending on the result of the game match lottery during the lottery game period.
For example, if the match lottery for the 28th game, which is the first game during the lottery game period, is not won, and then the match lottery for the 29th game, which is the second game, is also not won, the duration of the AT state will be 29 games, but if the match lottery for the second game is won and the match lottery for the 30th game, which is the last game, is not won, the duration will be 30 games.
In addition, since push order navigation is performed during the lottery game period, even if a specific condition is not met in the continuation lottery process in the AT state, the longer the lottery game period continues without two non-winning matches, the more opportunities there are to win medals, which makes the player more advantageous.
It should be noted that push order navigation for the push order bell role is performed even in games during the lottery game period, but push order navigation may not be performed in games during the lottery game period, or push order navigation may be performed only with a predetermined probability (for example, 50%).

When the AT state is changed to the normal game state, the winning probability state of the AT state is controlled to be the normal probability state. At this time, the winning probability state may be changed to the high probability state with a predetermined probability for each setting in the probability setting device 14.
In addition, when transitioning to a high probability state after the end of the AT state, there is a possibility that restriction control will be performed by the aforementioned restriction means during the high probability state, but if restriction control is performed during the high probability state, a transition will be made to the normal probability state.

In addition, at the end of the AT state, an ending state is set for a predetermined period (e.g., 5 seconds), and during the ending state (ending period), the game progress is temporarily disabled, and after the ending state ends, the game transitions to the normal game state.
During the ending state, setting-related information that can suggest the setting value set by the probability setting device 14 is notified by the notification means under the control of the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20. For example, a predetermined image is displayed on the main display device 8 and the sub-display device 17, and a predetermined sound is output by the speaker 9.
In this manner, the gaming state of the slot machine 1 is shifted.

[Game state transition and display contents on the main display unit]
Next, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 4, the transition of the game state realized by the control of the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20, and the display contents on the main display device 8 will be described.
FIG. 4 shows the display contents on the main display 8 from when the game state transitions from the normal game state to the pseudo bonus state, and then until it finally transitions to the AT state.
Specifically, under the control of the main control device 10, a transition to a pseudo bonus state has already been determined with a predetermined probability (e.g., 20%) when a predetermined role (e.g., a chance role) is won, and as the game progresses, the gaming state transitions from a normal gaming state to a pseudo bonus state, and then, during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state, a specific condition is met and the gaming state transitions to an AT state. This shows the presentation content (presentation image) displayed on the main display 8.

In this embodiment, the main control unit 10 controls the drawing of various bonuses and changes to various game states (including the time of change), and transmits control information related to this control from the main control unit 10 to the sub-control unit 20, which then controls the corresponding presentation images.
The start time and duration of effects that are not directly related to changes in the game state (for example, pseudo bonus false premonition effects, etc.) may be controlled by the sub-controller 20 based on the reception of control information from the main controller 10, or may be controlled independently by the sub-controller 20 without receiving control information from the main controller 10. However, it is necessary to receive control information that triggers the effects (for example, information on winning a rare role, etc.).

As shown in Figure 4, when the transition to the pseudo bonus state has already been determined as a result of the transition lottery, the game state will transition from the normal game state to the pseudo bonus state once the aforementioned waiting period and the period during which the pseudo bonus precursor performance is executed have elapsed (the third game in Figure 4: timing t0).
Immediately before the transition to the pseudo bonus state, as shown in the figure, a pseudo bonus premonition display is executed on the main display 8, and upon the transition to the pseudo bonus state, the pseudo bonus premonition display ends and a display for the pseudo bonus state begins, consisting of introductory images of each character that appears, etc.

In the example of FIG. 4, the main control device 10 as the determination means shows a case where the lottery for transitioning to the pseudo bonus state is won, but if the lottery for transitioning to the pseudo bonus state is not won, a pseudo bonus false premonition effect is executed on the main display 8 due to the winning of a chance role.

The pseudo bonus premonition performance is performed for a predetermined number of games, but for the three games immediately prior to the final game, continuous performances are performed during the pseudo bonus premonition performance, and the continuous performances are performed by a battle performance in which a main character and an enemy character battle each other on the main display 8.
Then, after the final game of the premonition effect is finished (the second game in Figure 4), an effect is executed in which one of the characters wins to notify whether the pseudo bonus state has been achieved or not. In the example shown in Figure 4, since the pseudo bonus state has been achieved, during the period from the end of the final game until the start of the next game after a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed, an image of the main character winning is displayed as the result image of the continuous effect, along with text information such as "Victory" or "Bonus Confirmed".

The pseudo bonus state will continue for a predetermined period of time, but once a predetermined number of games (e.g. 16) have been played since the pseudo bonus state began, the display of the presentation image during the pseudo bonus state on the main display 8 will cease.

The last three games in the pseudo bonus state are the lottery game period in which the AT state transition lottery process is executed as described above, but the game immediately prior to that (the 19th game in Figure 4: timing t1) is set as a game content selection game, and the game content selection process is carried out during the execution of this game content selection game.
The game content selection process is executed by the main control device 10, and a process of selecting game content, which is the lottery type of the game desired by the player, is executed by operating the bet button 2a during the execution of the game content selection game.
The game contents that the player can select are provided in a number of types (e.g., three types), each of which specifies the type of match lottery for each game during the lottery game period and the order in which the match lottery is executed. By selecting the game content that the player desires, the lottery style of the game during the subsequent lottery game period is determined.

In the game content selection presentation on the main display 8, which is executed in response to the game content selection process, a presentation image for selecting the game content during the lottery game period is displayed, and when the player operates the bet button 2a to select a predetermined presentation image, the game content corresponding to the selected presentation image is set as the lottery mode of the game during the subsequent lottery game period.
The game content selection presentation will be described in detail later.

When the next game (the 20th game in FIG. 4: timing t2) starts after the end of the game content selection game, a transition to a lottery game period occurs in which a transition lottery process for the AT state is executed.
During the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state, as described above, a continuous performance in which a battle performance is executed in each game is executed on the main display device 8 .
The lottery game period is executed for 1 to 3 games, and when the match lottery in a predetermined game is not won, the pseudo bonus state ends and the game transitions to the normal game state, while if all the match lotteries in each game are won, the right to transition to the AT state is granted. Therefore, the lottery game period is executed for a maximum of three games, and when the match lottery in the third game is not won for the first time or when the AT state transitions, the lottery game period will continue for three games.
The example in Figure 4 shows a case where the right to transition to the AT state has been granted, so the lottery game period will continue for three games (the 23rd game in Figure 4: timing t3).

If the right to transition to the AT state has been granted at the end of the pseudo bonus state, the game state will transition to the AT state from the game following the final game of the pseudo bonus state, which is the final game of the lottery game period, and the AT state presentation will be executed on the main display 8 from the start of the next game (the 23rd game in Figure 4: timing t3).
As described above, the game state is changed and effects are displayed on the main display device in accordance with the execution of the game.

[Odds of winning the match lottery during the lottery game period]
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the probability of winning the match lottery executed for each game during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state and the AT state will be described.
As described above, the match lottery during the lottery game period is executed under the control of the main control unit 10 as a determination means, and the transition or continuation of the AT state is determined based on the result of the match lottery.

As mentioned above, during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state and the AT state, a match presentation that is completed in one game will be executed for each game, and the main control unit 10 executes a match lottery with a winning probability that is set individually for each game in the lottery game period in response to the match presentation.
Specifically, in response to each battle performance, a game is played during the lottery game period in either an "ally character A" game in which ally character A appears, an "ally character B" game in which ally character B appears, or an "ally character C" game in which ally character C appears, and a battle lottery is held with the winning probability set for each game.

FIG. 5 shows the winning probability of the match lottery for each game during the lottery game period.
As shown in FIG. 5, during the lottery game period, when the "ally character A" game is played, the probability of winning the match lottery is set to 25%, when the "ally character B" game is played, the probability of winning the match lottery is set to 50%, and when the "ally character C" game is played, the probability of winning the match lottery is set to 100%.
Therefore, the probability of winning increases in the order of the "ally character A" game → the "ally character B" game → the "ally character C" game, and when the "ally character C" game is played, the player is confirmed as having won the match lottery, thereby increasing the player's sense of expectation.

Since the match lottery during the lottery game period is conducted with the above-mentioned winning probabilities, each game during the lottery game period can be played with a different winning probability, which allows for a wider variety of game modes and makes it possible to increase the entertainment value of the game.
The winning probability of the match lottery in each game during the lottery game period may be other than the above-mentioned winning probability, and the winning probability pattern may be other than the three patterns.
Also, the winning probability of the match lottery may be changed according to the lottery result of the game role at that time. For example, in the "ally character A" game, if the push order bell role or the replay role is won, the winning probability of the match lottery may be set to 25%, but if the rare role is won, the winning probability may be increased to 50%. Furthermore, the rate at which the winning probability is increased may be changed according to the type of rare role won.

In addition, the winning probability of the match lottery during the lottery game period is set to be the same during the pseudo bonus state and the AT state, but it may be set to be executed with different winning probabilities during the pseudo bonus state and the AT state.
As described above, the probability of winning the match lottery during the lottery game period is set.

[Type and order of match lottery for each game during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state]
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the types and order of the match selections for each game content during the selection game period in the pseudo bonus state will be described.
As mentioned above, the match lotteries are classified into three types with different winning probabilities, and the game content during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state is determined by the type of match lottery to be executed and the order in which it is executed. The game content is determined by the control of the main control unit 10 based on the player's selection operation during the game content selection game. Based on the result of this determination, the match lottery for each game is conducted, and the match presentation for each game during the lottery game period is executed by the control of the sub-control unit 20 based on control information from the main control unit 10.

In this embodiment, three types of grouped game contents, in which the types and orders of the match lotteries for the three games are preset, are provided as options for the game contents during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state, and the player can select one of the three types of grouped game contents.
Then, by a player selecting one of the three types of game content groups, the type and order of the match lottery, which is the lottery mode during the lottery period, will be changed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the game contents (lottery modes) selectable by the player's operation include "stable", which is a game content in which an "ally character B" game is played in the first game, an "ally character B" game in the second game, and an "ally character B" game in the third game during the lottery game period; "contest", which is a game content in which an "ally character A" game is played in the first game, an "ally character B" game in the second game, and an "ally character C" game in the third game; and "safe", which is a game content in which an "ally character C" game is played in the first game, an "ally character B" game in the second game, and an "ally character A" game in the third game.

In the main control device 10, a lottery table for the pseudo bonus state corresponding to Figure 6 is pre-stored, and this lottery table is used to select the above game content based on an input signal from the bet button 2a during the game content selection game one game before the lottery game period, thereby determining the type and order of the match lotteries for each game during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state being executed at that time.
In other words, the lottery pattern during the lottery game period is determined by the type and order of the match lotteries, which are the game content during the lottery game period, and the main control device 10 constitutes a lottery pattern changing means that can change the lottery pattern in multiple games executed during the lottery game period based on the operation of the bet button 2a as an operating means.

Therefore, based on the operation of the bet button 2a as an operating means, the player can select the game content he or she desires. For example, if the player selects "match" as the game content, the first game will be an "ally character A" game in which the probability of winning the match lottery is set to 25%, the second game will be an "ally character B" game in which the probability of winning the match lottery is set to 50%, and the third game will be an "ally character C" game in which the probability of winning the match lottery is set to 100%.
That is, the main control device 10 as a determination means is capable of executing a lottery for each of a plurality of games during the lottery game period, based on the lottery mode changed by the player's operation.

However, during the lottery game period in the pseudo-bonus state, the pseudo-bonus state ends if a player fails to win even one match lottery, so even if the types and order of match lotteries for three games are determined in advance, not all match lotteries will be held.
During the game content selection game, the number of bets has already been set, so the input signal from the bet button 2a for selecting the game content is unrelated to the setting of the number of bets and does not affect the progress of the game.
In addition, the game content selection presentation may be started at the end of the game prior to the game content selection game, so that the game content can be set using an input signal from the bet button 2a for setting the number of bets in the game content selection game.

During the game content selection game in the pseudo bonus state, the main display 8 displays a game content selection display based on the player's operation.
The game content selection presentation will be described in detail later.

Since the game content is selected as described above, if "stable" is selected as the game content, all games during the lottery game period will be played as the "ally character B" game, which has a relatively medium probability of winning (50%).
Therefore, when "stable" is selected as the game content, the probability of winning will be higher in all games compared to when the "ally character A" game is played, and furthermore, the probability of winning will be lower compared to when the "ally character C" game is played, so that a match lottery will be held that transitions to the AT state with a relatively stable probability.
In addition, the lottery game period is likely to be longer than when an "ally character A" game is included, and is also likely to be shorter than when an "ally character C" game is included, resulting in a relatively stable number of games for the lottery game period.

In addition, if "Contest" is selected as the game content, the first game during the lottery game period will be played as the "ally character A" game, which has a relatively low probability of winning (25%), the second game will be played as the "ally character B" game, which has a relatively medium probability of winning (50%), and the third game will be played as the "ally character C" game, which has a relatively high probability of winning (100%).

Therefore, when "match" is selected as the game content, the match lottery is held so that the probability of winning gradually increases as the game progresses during the lottery game period, and ultimately the match lottery is held so that the player is guaranteed to win. Although there is a high possibility of not winning the match lottery in the early stages of the game, as long as the player wins the match lottery in the early stages of the game, the match lottery is held so that there is a high probability of transitioning to the AT state.
In addition, with regard to the lottery game period, since the first game in the lottery game period is played as the "ally character A" game, which has a relatively low probability of winning (25%), it is likely to be shorter than if other game content (e.g., "stable") is selected, resulting in a lottery game period of a relatively small number of games.

In addition, if "Safe" is selected as the game content, the first game during the lottery game period will be played as the "Ally Character C" game, which has a relatively high probability of winning (100%), the second game will be played as the "Ally Character B" game, which has a relatively medium probability of winning (50%), and the third game will be played as the "Ally Character C" game, which has a relatively low probability of winning (25%).

Therefore, if "safe" is selected as the game content, a match lottery is first drawn which is guaranteed to result in a win, and then match lotteries are drawn which gradually decrease the probability of winning, so that the match lottery is not immediately unsuccessful in the early stages, and the possibility of transitioning to the AT state continues until the final stage.
In addition, with regard to the lottery game period, since the first game in the lottery game period is played as the "ally character C" game which is guaranteed to be a winning game, the lottery game period is likely to be longer than when other game content (e.g., "contest") is selected, resulting in a lottery game period of a relatively large number of games.

As described above, since the type and order of the match lottery is set for each game content during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state, it is possible to characterize the difficulty of winning the match lottery according to the progress of the game during the lottery game period and the length of the lottery game period for each game content.

For example, if you select "Play," there is a risk that you will not win the match lottery at an early stage of the lottery game period, shortening the lottery game period and reducing your opportunities to win medals. However, if you win the match lottery at an early stage, there is a high probability that you will transition to the AT state.
On the other hand, if you select "Safe", you will win the match lottery in the early stages of the lottery game period, the lottery game period will be longer, and you will be sure to have the opportunity to win a certain number of medals, but you will be less likely to lose the match lottery in the final stage and move on to the AT state.
Furthermore, if "stable" is selected, the game during the lottery game period will be played with an expected value intermediate between "game" and "safe" in terms of the probability of winning the match lottery and the length of the lottery game period.

Therefore, by allowing the player to freely select the game content, it becomes possible to play the game during the lottery game period with game content that suits the player's preferences, the amount of medals that the player has acquired at that point, or the player's condition on that day, etc. This increases the player's satisfaction with the game, and also increases the player's sense of anticipation for the transition to the AT state and the interest of the game.

In addition, the type and order of the match lottery, which is the lottery mode during the lottery period, is changed when the player selects one of the three types of game content grouped together, so that the player can easily select the lottery mode during the lottery period and can prevent selection errors, etc.

The winning probability of the match lottery during the lottery game period will be the characteristics of each game content as described above, and further, as long as the probability of ultimately transitioning to the AT state is approximately equal for each game content, it may be other than the above probabilities. For example, in the above example, the winning probability of the first game when "game" is selected and the winning probability of the third game when "safe" is selected are set to be the same, but the winning probability of the first game when "game" is selected may be set to be higher than the winning probability of the third game when "safe" is selected.

Furthermore, the number of games in the lottery game period may be other than three, for example, four or five games.
In addition, in this embodiment, a match lottery is conducted for each game during the lottery game period, and the match presentation corresponding to the match lottery is executed so as to be completed in one game, but the match lottery may be executed over a predetermined number of games rather than being conducted for each game.

For example, the maximum number of games that can be executed during the lottery game period may be set to nine, and a match lottery may be executed for the first, fourth, and seventh games, and match presentations corresponding to each match lottery may be executed as continuous presentations spanning the first to third, fourth to sixth, and seventh to ninth games, and the results of each match lottery may be derived for the third, sixth, and ninth games.
In this case, for example, the difference in the length of the lottery game period becomes more pronounced between when the player does not win the mid-game match lottery and when the maximum number of games are played, so the selection of game content becomes more important, making it possible to realize a game experience that is more rewarding for the player in terms of selecting game content.
As described above, the type and order of the match lottery for each game content during the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state are set.

[Game content selection and continuous effects displayed on the main display]
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a game content selection presentation and a successive presentation executed on the main display device 8 under the control of the sub-control device 20 based on a control signal from the main control device 10 will be described.

FIG. 7 shows effect images executed on the main display device 8 in the game content selection game during the pseudo bonus state and in the game during the lottery game period.
Specifically, it shows a presentation image displayed on the main display 8 between the game content selection presentation executed during the game content selection game immediately before the lottery game period and the successive presentation executed during the subsequent lottery game period.
Note that FIG. 7 shows a case where a specific condition is established in the lottery process for transition to the AT state during the lottery game period.

First, FIG. 7(a) shows an image produced on the main display 8 when a game content selection game is executed during a pseudo bonus state.
As shown in Figure 7 (a), when the game content selection game is executed, an initial image of the game content selection game is displayed in the main part of the screen of the main display 8, with the first selection image 20a, the second selection image 20b, and the third selection image 20c forming approximately the vertices of a triangle.

In addition, at the top of the screen of the main display 8, a remaining game number image 30a indicating the number of games remaining in the pseudo bonus state is displayed on one side (left side), and an acquired number image 30b indicating the number of medals acquired (net increase in number of medals) during the pseudo bonus state is displayed on the other side (right side).
Figure 7 (a) shows a game content selection game in progress, with the remaining game count image 30a displaying "4G", indicating that there are four games remaining, and the acquired number image 30b displaying "56 medals", indicating that 56 medals have been acquired during this pseudo bonus state.
In addition, a push order navigation image 31 corresponding to the push order bell role won in the game content selection game is displayed at the bottom of the screen of the main display 8, and the push order navigation image 31 for winning the push order bell role in the game is announced ("2 → 1 → 3").

Each selection image is composed of text information indicating the game content, information indicating the order in which friendly characters appear (only the alphabet for the characters), and a roughly circular frame surrounding the text information; the first selection image 20a contains the information "stable" and "BBB" and corresponds to "stable" as a game content option during the lottery game period mentioned above; similarly, the second selection image 20b contains the information "match" and "ABC" and corresponds to "match" as a game content option, and the third selection image 20c contains the information "safe" and "CBA" and corresponds to "safe" as a game content option.

Furthermore, in the initial image of the game content selection game, the frame surrounding the first selection image 20a is thicker than the other selection images, indicating that the first selection image 20a has been selected in the initial state.
From this state until the game content selection game is ended, the selection of game content is possible, and the main control device 10 carries out a game content selection process based on the operation of the operating means by the player.

When the game content selection process is performed, the main control device 10 performs a process of sequentially switching the selected game content at predetermined time intervals (for example, one second).
For example, in the initial state, "stable" is selected, but after a predetermined time has passed, the selected game content is switched from "stable" to "game," and after another predetermined time has passed, the selected game content is switched from "game" to "safe," and after another predetermined time has passed, the selected game content is switched from "safe" back to "stable," and this process is repeated.

In addition, when the sequential switching process of the game content is performed, based on the control information received from the main control device 10, the sub-control device 20 displays the selection notification of the selected image on the main display 8 in sequential switching order in response to the sequential switching process of the game content.
Therefore, in the initial state, only the frame surrounding the first selection image 20a as shown in Figure 7 (a) is made thick, indicating that the first selection image 20a has been selected, but after a predetermined time has elapsed, only the frame surrounding the second selection image 20b is made thick, indicating that the second selection image 20b has been selected, and after another predetermined time has elapsed, only the frame surrounding the third selection image 20c is made thick, indicating that the third selection image 20c has been selected, and after another predetermined time has elapsed, only the frame surrounding the first selection image 20a is made thick, indicating that the first selection image 20a has been selected. This display is repeated.

Then, when an input signal is generated from the bet button 2a while the sequential switching process of the game content is being performed, the main control device 10 performs a process of determining the game content selected at that time as the game content for the current lottery game period.
Therefore, when the sequential switching process of the game contents is being performed, the player can select the desired game contents by operating the bet button 2a at the time when the desired selection image is selected and notified.
Unless the bet button 2a is operated, the sequential switching process of the game content continues until the next game in the game content selection game starts, and by operating the bet button 2a to input the number of bets for the next game, the game content selected and notified at that time is determined as the game content for the current lottery game period.

Figure 7 (b) shows the display on the main display 8 after the game content selection game has ended, in which the player operates the bet button 2a when the second selection image 20b is selected and notified, i.e., when the player selects "game".
As shown in Figure 7 (b), when "Contest" is selected as the game content by the player's operation, the first selection image 20a and the third selection image 20c are erased, and a fourth selection image 20d, which is an enlarged image of the second selection image 20b, is displayed in the main part of the screen of the main display 8, notifying the player that "Contest" has been selected as the game content.

In addition, in the lower left corner of the screen of the main display 8, in response to the selection of "match" as the game content, an appearance order image 33 is displayed which notifies the appearance order of the ally characters during the lottery game period.
As explained above in FIG. 6, when "match" is selected as the game content, the type and order of the battle lottery are determined according to that selection, and in response to the "match," information "ABC" indicating that ally character A → ally character B → ally character C will appear in that order in the battle presentation during the subsequent lottery game period is displayed in advance as appearance order image 33.

As shown in Figures 7(a) and (b) above, the lottery pattern, which is determined by the type and order of the match lottery, is changed by the player's operation, and a presentation related to this change in the lottery pattern is executed on the main display unit 8.
In other words, the sub-controller 20 constitutes an effect control means capable of executing effects related to changes in the lottery patterns in a plurality of games during a lottery game period.

In addition, the appearance order image 33 notifies the lottery mode during the lottery game period in advance, and when the lottery mode is changed by the player's selection of game content through his/her operation, the notification mode in the appearance order image 33 is changed in accordance with the changed game content.
In other words, the sub-control device 20, which serves as a presentation control means, can provide advance notification of the lottery conditions for each of multiple games during the lottery game period, and can change the advance notification conditions for the multiple games based on changes in the lottery conditions.
FIG. 7B shows the end of the game content selection game, and the number of acquired coins image 30b has changed to "64 coins" due to the winning of the push order bell role.

Next, FIG. 7(c) shows an effect image on the main display 8 during execution of the first game in the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state.
When "Contest" is selected as the game content during the lottery game period, as described above, the first game will be played under the control of the main control unit 10 as an "ally character A" game, that is, a game with a 25% chance of winning the match lottery.

As shown in FIG. 7(c), when the first game in the lottery game period is executed, an enemy character image 22, who is the opponent in the battle performance, is displayed on the right side of the screen of the main display 8, while an ally character who will appear in this battle performance is displayed on the left side of the screen.
Since this is an "ally character A" game, an ally character A image 21a is displayed as the ally character.

In addition, since the game has moved to the first game in the lottery game period, the remaining game number image 30a changes to the information "3G", and since the number of coins won in this game has decreased by the input amount of the bet, the won number image 30b changes to the information "61 coins".
In addition, a push order navigation image 31 is displayed at the bottom of the screen of the main display 8, and the push order order ("1→3→2") for winning the push order bell role in the game is announced.
Furthermore, as the appearance order image 33, information "ABC" indicating the appearance order of friendly characters is continuously displayed.

Then, at the start of the first game in the lottery game period, the main control device 10 executes a match lottery corresponding to the "ally character A" game, with a winning probability of 25%, and a match presentation corresponding to the match lottery is displayed during the execution of the game.
Since the battle presentation is completed in one game, if the battle lottery is not won, a presentation image (video) showing that the ally character A image 21a is defeated by the enemy character image 22 and informing the player that the battle lottery is not won is displayed between the start and end of the game, and if the battle lottery is won, a presentation image (video) showing that the ally character A image 21a beats the enemy character image 22 and informing the player that the battle lottery is won is displayed between the start and end of the game.

Also, Figure 7 (c) shows a case where the first game match lottery during the lottery game period is won, so although not shown, at the end of the game, a presentation image will be displayed in which the ally character A image 21a wins against the enemy character image 22.
The presentation image in which the ally character A image 21a wins against the enemy character image 22 may be any image that notifies the player in one game that the battle lottery has been won. For example, it may be an presentation image in which the ally character A image 21a attacks the enemy character image 22 as each reel 4 stops, causing the enemy character image 22 to eventually fall, or an presentation image in which the enemy character image 22 attacks the ally character A image 21a as a predetermined reel 4 stops, but when the last reel 4 stops, the ally character A image 21a attacks the enemy character image 22, causing the enemy character image 22 to eventually fall.

If the match lottery is not successful, an image showing the ally character A image 21a being defeated by the enemy character image 22 is displayed, and at the end of the game, it is notified that the match lottery is not successful and that there will be no transition to the AT state, and the pseudo bonus state for this game ends.
Therefore, in this case, the second and third games in the lottery game period will not be executed, so that the lottery game period will be shortened and the number of games in which the push order navigation is executed will be reduced.

Next, FIG. 7(d) shows an effect image on the main display 8 during execution of the second game in the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state.
If the match lottery in the first game during the lottery game period is won, the game will continue to the second game during the lottery game period. However, if "match" is selected as the game content during the lottery game period, the main control unit 10 will control the second game to be an "ally character B" game, i.e., a game with a 50% chance of winning the match lottery.

As shown in FIG. 7(d), when the second game in the lottery game period is executed, the enemy character image 22, who is the opponent in the battle performance, is displayed again on the right side of the screen of the main display 8, while the friendly character appearing in this battle performance is displayed on the left side of the screen.
Since this is an "ally character B" game, an ally character B image 21b is displayed as the ally character.
Incidentally, the opponent in the battle presentation of the second game is displayed as the enemy character image 22, just like in the first game, but the enemy character may be changed for each game.

Furthermore, when moving to the second game in the lottery game period, the remaining game number image 30a changes to the information "2G", and due to the increase in the number of coins won for the push order bell role in the previous game and the decrease in the number of coins won for the input number of bets in the current game, the won number image 30b changes to the information "66 coins".
Also, FIG. 7(d) shows a case where a replay role is won in the second game, so the push order navigation image 31 is not displayed.
Furthermore, as the appearance order image 33, the information "ABC" indicating the appearance order of the friendly characters is continuously displayed, but since the first game's match lottery has been won during the lottery game period, a circle image is additionally displayed on the image of "A" corresponding to the first game's match lottery, and the fact that the first game's match lottery has already been won is notified as historical information.

In addition, FIG. 7(d) shows a case where the match lottery for the second game during the lottery game period is a winning entry, so illustration is omitted, but just like the first game, at the end of the second game, an effect image is displayed in which the ally character B image 21b wins against the enemy character image 22, and it is announced that the match lottery has been a winning entry.

If the match lottery in the second game is unsuccessful, an image showing ally character B image 21b being defeated by enemy character image 22 is displayed, and at the end of the game it is announced that the match lottery was unsuccessful and that there will be no transition to the AT state, and the pseudo bonus state in the second game ends.
Therefore, in this case, the third game in the lottery game period will not be executed, so that the lottery game period will be shortened and the number of games in which the push order navigation is executed will be reduced.

Next, FIG. 7(e) shows an effect image on the main display 8 during execution of the third game in the lottery game period in the pseudo bonus state.
If the match lottery in the second game during the lottery game period is won, the game will continue to the third game during the lottery game period. However, if "match" is selected as the game content during the lottery game period, the main control unit 10 will control the third game to be an "ally character C" game, i.e., a game with a 100% probability of winning the match lottery.

As shown in FIG. 7(e), when the third game in the lottery game period is played, the enemy character image 22, who is the opponent in the battle performance, is displayed again on the right side of the screen of the main display 8, while the friendly character appearing in this battle performance is displayed on the left side of the screen.
Since this is an "ally character C" game, an ally character C image 21c is displayed as the ally character.
In addition, if the match lottery in the third game is won, the game will transition to the AT state, so an enemy character different from the first and second games may appear to notify the player that they will transition to the AT state if they win.

Furthermore, when the game moves to the third game in the lottery game period, the remaining game number image 30a changes to the information "1G", and since the previous game was a winning replay role, the won coin number image 30b remains displayed as the information "66 coins".
In addition, a push order navigation image 31 is displayed at the bottom of the screen of the main display 8, and the push order order ("3→2→1") for winning the push order bell role in the game is announced.
Furthermore, as the appearance order image 33, the information "ABC" indicating the appearance order of the friendly characters is continuously displayed, but since the player has won the match-up lotteries for the first and second games during the lottery game period, a circle image is additionally displayed on both the "A" and "B" images corresponding to the match-up lotteries for the first and second games, and the fact that the player has already won the match-up lotteries for the first and second games is notified as historical information.

Also, Figure 7 (e) shows a case where the match lottery for the third game during the lottery game period is a winning entry, so although illustration is omitted, as in the first and second games, at the end of the third game, an image showing the ally character C image 21c defeating the enemy character image 22 is displayed, and it is announced that the match lottery has been a winning entry.
If the match lottery for the third game is a winning entry, the game will transition to the AT state, and after a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed since the display of the presentation image in which the ally character C image 21c defeats the enemy character image 22, an image is displayed notifying the player of the transition to the AT state, for example, consisting of the main character and text information such as "entering the AT."

If the match lottery in the third game is unsuccessful, an image showing the ally character C image 21c being defeated by the enemy character image 22 is displayed, and at the end of the game it is announced that the match lottery was unsuccessful and that the game will not transition to the AT state, and the pseudo bonus state ends when the third game ends.
Therefore, in this case, the lottery game period will be the same as when transitioning to the AT state, and the number of games in which push order navigation is executed will also be the same.

As described above, since the presentation corresponding to the game content selection game is executed during the pseudo bonus state, the player can reliably select the game content he or she prefers, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which the player selects game content different from the game content he or she desires, enabling the player to play the game during the lottery game period with peace of mind.
During the lottery game period, friendly characters that correspond to the game content selected by the player will appear in each game and a battle performance will be executed, so that the player can enjoy the battle performance while being aware of the battle lottery probability for each game, and it is possible to execute a performance that efficiently heightens the sense of expectation and security that changes from game to game.

In addition, the display of the appearance order image 33 notifies the player of the lottery mode of each game during the lottery game period in advance, and the advance notification mode of multiple games is changed based on the change in the lottery mode by the player's operation, so the player can know in advance the type and order of the match lotteries during the lottery game period that was changed by his or her operation, allowing the player to play with peace of mind without any sense of distrust.

In this embodiment, the results of the match lottery are determined by the characters in a match performance, but the results of the match lottery may be notified to the player in a way other than a match performance as long as the results can be notified to the player. For example, an image of the main character opening a treasure chest may be displayed, and the results of the match lottery may be notified based on whether or not there is treasure in the treasure chest, or the main character may take a shot in soccer, and the results of the match lottery may be notified based on whether or not a goal is scored.

In addition, the selected image selected at that time is determined as the game content by operating the bet button 2a, but if the bet button 2a is operated again after operating the bet button 2a, the display of the selected images sequentially changing may be restarted, so that even if the bet button 2a has been operated once, the game content may be selected again by operating the bet button 2a again.

Furthermore, the presentation in the game content selection game may be other than that described above. For example, the first selection image 20a, the second selection image 20b, and the third selection image 20c may be displayed first as selectable game content, and the selected image may be switched sequentially each time the player operates the bet button 2a, rather than after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the selected image selected at that time may be determined as the game content by operating the start lever 3 for the next game.
Furthermore, the operating means for selecting the game content may be something other than the bet button 2a as long as the main control device 10 can monitor the input.

Also, when a battle performance is being executed, a meter image may be displayed that notifies intermediate information on the expected win/loss rate of both characters.
In addition, the number of game contents executed and their results may be stored as historical information, and a function may be provided that can display the historical information based on the player's operation of the operating means, so that the past AT state transition rate for each game content can be checked as reference information when selecting a game content.

In addition, at the end of the game when the results of the match lottery are announced, a button effect may also be used to announce the results of the match lottery based on the player's operation of the effect button 2d.
In addition, the battle performance is executed on the main display device 8, but it may be executed on the main display device 8 and the sub-display device 17, or it may be executed on the sub-display device 17 only.

In addition, when the right to transition to the AT state is granted in advance based on the winning of a predetermined rare role (e.g., a cherry role) in a game other than the lottery game period during the pseudo bonus state, a friendly character that does not normally appear may be made to appear, and the fact that the transition to the AT state has been confirmed may be notified at the start of the game. In this case, multiple characters (e.g., character A and character B) may be made to appear at the same time, instead of a friendly character that does not normally appear.
As described above, the game content selection presentation and the successive presentation are executed on the main display device 8.

[Type and order of match lottery for each game content during the lottery game period in AT state]
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the types and order of the match lotteries for each game content during the lottery game period in the AT state will be described.
In this embodiment, the AT state continues until the game with push order navigation has been played a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of 30 times), and a lottery game period is set between the final three games, similar to the pseudo bonus state, and if certain conditions are met during this lottery game period, the right to continue the AT state is granted.

However, the continuation condition of the AT state (second specific condition) is different from the transition condition of the AT state, and is granted when the match lottery is won twice during the lottery game period, and is easier to achieve than the transition condition of the AT state (first specific condition).
Therefore, even if one match lottery during the lottery game period is unsuccessful, the AT state does not end at that point, and at least two match lotteries will be executed, so the duration of the AT state is 29 or 30 games.

For example, even if the match lottery for the first game during the lottery game period is not won, the second game is played, and if the match lottery for the second game is also not won, it is determined that the right to continue the AT state will not be granted, in which case the AT state will end after 29 games and the game will transition to the normal game state from the next game.
In addition, if the match lottery for the first game during the lottery game period is not won but the match lottery for the second game is won, the AT state will continue up to the maximum number of continuations, 30 games, regardless of the result of the match lottery for the third game.

Furthermore, during the lottery game period during the AT state, if the match lottery is won in all games, in addition to being granted the right to continue the AT state, the right to continue the AT state for the next game is also granted.
Therefore, if the match lotteries for the first and second games during the lottery game period are both won, it is decided at that point that the next AT state will continue, and the match lottery for the third game is carried out as a lottery to determine whether or not to grant the right to continue the AT state after the next game.

In this embodiment, since the continuation conditions of the AT state (second specific conditions) are different from the transition conditions of the AT state (first specific conditions) as described above, the game content options selectable during the lottery game period are also set to be different from those between lottery games in the pseudo bonus state.
Specifically, the type of match lottery for each game during the lottery game period is set in the same way as during the pseudo-bonus state, that is, it is set so that either an "ally character A" game with a winning probability set at 25%, an "ally character B" game with a winning probability set at 50%, or an "ally character C" game with a winning probability set at 100% will be executed; however, a "big game" has been added as a game content option, and furthermore, the type and order of match lotteries in the "game" game content are set differently from those during the pseudo-bonus state.

In addition, the game content during the lottery game period in the AT state, similar to during the pseudo bonus state, is determined based on the player's operation by the game content selection process in the main control unit 10 during the game content selection game, which is the game immediately preceding the lottery game period, and based on the result of this determination, a match lottery is held for each game, and the match presentation of each game during the lottery game period is executed by control of the sub-control unit 20 based on control information from the main control unit 10.
Therefore, separate from the game content selected during the pseudo bonus state, the game content (lottery mode) during the lottery game period can be selected even during the AT state.

In other words, when certain conditions are met during the lottery game period, during the pseudo bonus state, the right to transition to the AT state is granted as a privilege, and during the AT state, the right to continue to the next AT state is granted as a privilege different from the right to transition to the AT state. The main control device 10, which acts as a lottery mode changing means, can separately select and change the game content (lottery mode) during the lottery game period depending on the type of privilege granted.

In addition, the continuation condition of the AT state (second specific condition) is different from the transition condition of the AT state (first specific condition). In other words, the main control device 10, which serves as a lottery mode changing means, can separately select and change the game content (lottery mode) during the lottery game period according to the type of these specific conditions.

FIG. 8 shows the types and order of match lotteries, which are game contents during the lottery game period in the AT state.
In this embodiment, four types of grouped game contents, in which the types and orders of three game matches are preset, are provided as options for the game contents during the lottery game period in the AT state, and the player can select one of the four types of game contents.

As shown in FIG. 8, the game contents (options) selectable by the player's operation are set as follows: "Stable", which is a game content in which an "ally character B" game is played in the first game, an "ally character B" game in the second game, and an "ally character B" game in the third game during the lottery game period; "Contest", which is a game content in which an "ally character A" game is played in the first game, an "ally character C" game in the second game, and an "ally character B" game in the third game; "Safe", which is a game content in which an "ally character C" game is played in the first game, an "ally character B" game in the second game, and an "ally character A" game in the third game; and "Big Contest", which is a game content in which an "ally character A" game is played in the first game, an "ally character B" game in the second game, and an "ally character C" game in the third game.

In the main control device 10, a lottery table for the AT state corresponding to FIG. 8 is provided in advance, and the lottery table is used to select the game content based on an input signal from the bet button 2a during the game content selection game one game before the lottery game period, thereby determining the type and order of the match lottery for each game during the lottery game period during the AT state being executed at that time.

Therefore, the player can select the game content he or she desires based on the operation of the bet button 2a as an operating means. For example, if the player selects "match" as the game content, the first game will be an "ally character A" game in which the probability of winning the match lottery is set to 25%, the second game will be an "ally character C" game in which the probability of winning the match lottery is set to 100%, and the third game will be an "ally character B" game in which the probability of winning the match lottery is set to 50%.

However, during the lottery game period in the AT state, the AT state ends when two match-up lotteries have been lost, so even if the types of match-up lotteries for three games are determined in advance, not all match-up lotteries will be held.
During the game content selection game, since the number of bets has already been set, the input signal from the bet button 2a for selecting the game content is unrelated to the setting of the number of bets.

During the game content selection game preceding the lottery game period, a game content selection presentation based on the player's operation is performed on the main display 8 .
The game content selection presentation is performed in the same manner as that described in Fig. 7, and therefore will not be described here. However, since the number of selectable game contents during the AT state is greater than that during the pseudo bonus state, four selection images of game contents "stable", "game", "safe" and "big game" are displayed, and one of these four game contents is selected.

Since the game content is selected as described above, if "stable" is selected as the game content, all games during the lottery game period will be played as the "ally character B" game, which has a relatively medium probability of winning (50%).
Therefore, when "stable" is selected as the game content, the probability of winning will be higher in all games than when the "ally character A" game is played, and furthermore, the probability of winning will be lower than when the "ally character C" game is played, so that a match lottery will be held with a relatively stable probability of the AT state continuing and another benefit being awarded.
In addition, the lottery game period is likely to be longer than when an "ally character A" game is included, and is also likely to be shorter than when an "ally character C" game is included, resulting in a lottery game period of a relatively stable number of games.

In addition, if "Contest" is selected as the game content, the first game during the lottery game period will be played as the "ally character A" game, which has a relatively low probability of winning (25%), the second game will be played as the "ally character C" game, which has a relatively high probability of winning (100%), and the third game will be played as the "ally character B" game, which has a relatively medium probability of winning (50%).

Therefore, when "match" is selected as the game content, a match lottery with the lowest probability of winning is held for the first game, and a match lottery with a guaranteed win is held for the second game. Although there is a high probability of losing the match lottery for the first game, as long as the player wins the match lottery for the first game, the match lottery is held in such a way that the player is guaranteed to win the match lottery twice and the AT state is guaranteed to continue.
In addition, with regard to the lottery game period, even if you do not win the match lottery for the first game, the third game will definitely be played, and the lottery game period is likely to be longer than if you select other game content (for example, "Stable"), resulting in a relatively large number of games.

In addition, if "Safe" is selected as the game content, the first game during the lottery game period will be played as the "Ally Character C" game, which has a relatively high probability of winning (100%), the second game will be played as the "Ally Character B" game, which has a relatively medium probability of winning (50%), and the third game will be played as the "Ally Character C" game, which has a relatively low probability of winning (25%).

Therefore, when "safe" is selected as the game content, a match lottery that is guaranteed to be a win is first drawn, and then match lotteries are drawn so that the probability of winning gradually decreases, so that the match lottery is not immediately unsuccessful in the initial stage, and the possibility of the AT state continuing after the initial stage is drawn. However, even if the match lottery for the second game is won, the possibility of the match lottery for the third game being unsuccessful and a different benefit being awarded is low.
In addition, with regard to the lottery game period, even if you do not win the match lottery for the second game, the third game will definitely be played, and the lottery game period will likely be longer than if you select other game content (for example, "Stable"), resulting in a relatively large number of games.

In addition, if "Big Game" is selected as the game content, the first game during the lottery game period will be played as the "Ally Character A" game, which has a relatively low probability of winning (25%), the second game will be played as the "Ally Character B" game, which has a relatively medium probability of winning (50%), and the third game will be played as the "Ally Character C" game, which has a relatively high probability of winning (100%).

Therefore, when "Big Game" is selected as the game content, a match lottery with the lowest probability of winning is held first, and then match lotteries with gradually increasing probability of winning are held, until a match lottery in which a win is guaranteed is held. As long as the match lotteries for the first and second games are won, the match lotteries will be held in such a way that in addition to the continuation of the AT state, another benefit (the right to continue the AT state for the next game after) will also be granted.
In addition, in terms of the lottery game period, compared to other game contents, the first and second games during the lottery game period will not include the "ally character C" game, which is guaranteed to be won, so the lottery game period is likely to be shorter than when other game contents (e.g., "safe") are selected, resulting in a relatively small number of games.

As described above, since the type and order of the match lottery is set for each selection during the lottery game period in the AT state, it is possible to characterize the difficulty of winning the match lottery according to the progress of the game during the lottery game period, the length of the lottery game period, and even the expectation of receiving another bonus for each game content.

For example, if "Big Game" is selected, there is a risk that the first and second game match lotteries will not be won, the lottery game period will be shortened, and the opportunities to win medals will be reduced accordingly. However, if the first and second game match lotteries are won, the right to continue the AT state for the next game will be granted, as well as the right to continue the AT state for the game after that, making the game content one that has the potential for a sudden reversal.
In addition, when "Game" is selected, there is no risk that the lottery game period will be shorter than when "Big Game" is selected, but the expectation of being granted the right to continue the AT state the time after next will decrease.

On the other hand, if you select "Safe", the lottery game period will be longer because the game will continue until the third game, and you will definitely have a chance to win a certain number of medals, but you will not win the final game lottery, so the possibility of the AT state continuing or another benefit being awarded will be low. In particular, the possibility of another benefit being awarded will be lower than if you selected other game contents.
Furthermore, if "Stable" is selected, a match lottery will be executed in all games with no bias in the expectation for the continuation of the AT state or the granting of another benefit.

Therefore, by allowing the player to freely select the game content, it becomes possible to play the game during the lottery game period with game content that suits the player's preferences, the amount of medals they have acquired at that point, or how they are feeling on that day, etc. This increases the player's satisfaction with the game, and also increases the player's expectations for the continuation of the AT state or the awarding of other benefits, making the game more interesting.

In addition, the selection of game content during the lottery game period in the AT state is executed separately from the selection of game content during the lottery period in the pseudo bonus state, and the game content during the lottery game period in the AT state is changed separately depending on the selection of game content by the player's operation.
Therefore, the player can change the game content individually depending on the type of bonus to be awarded and the type of specific conditions under which the bonus will be awarded, and the game content can be changed one by one in response to various changing game conditions, making it possible to realize game content that will extremely satisfy the player.

In this embodiment, if all match lotteries during the lottery game period are won, the same bonus is awarded for all game contents, but different bonuses may be awarded depending on the game contents. For example, when "big game" is selected, while other game contents grant the right to continue the AT state for the next time, it is possible to grant the right to continue the AT state after that as well, thereby granting a bonus that is greater than other game contents and commensurate with the risk.

In addition, the winning probability of the match lottery during the lottery game period may be other than the above-mentioned probabilities, so long as the characteristics of each game content are as described above. For example, in the above example, the winning probability of the first game when "Go" is selected is set to be the same as the winning probability of the third game when "Safe" is selected, but the winning probability of the first game when "Go" is selected may be set to be higher than the winning probability of the third game when "Safe" is selected.

In addition, each match lottery during the lottery game period in the AT state is controlled with the same winning probability as during the pseudo bonus state, but match lotteries with different winning probabilities may be held during the AT state and during the pseudo bonus state. For example, during the AT state, a "ally character D" game in which a match lottery with a winning probability of 10% that is not set in the pseudo bonus state is held may be added to any of the game contents, or may be replaced with the "ally character A" game.

Furthermore, the number of games in the lottery game period may be other than three, for example, four or five games.
In addition, in this embodiment, a match lottery is conducted for each game during the lottery game period, and the match presentation corresponding to the match lottery is executed so as to be completed in one game, but the match lottery may be executed over a predetermined number of games rather than being conducted for each game.

For example, the maximum number of games that can be executed during the lottery game period may be set to nine, and a match lottery may be executed for the first, fourth, and seventh games, and match presentations corresponding to each match lottery may be executed as continuous presentations spanning the first to third, fourth to sixth, and seventh to ninth games, and the results of each match lottery may be derived for the third, sixth, and ninth games.
In this case, for example, the difference in the length of the lottery game period between not winning the mid-way match lottery and playing the maximum number of games becomes more pronounced, so the selection of game content becomes more important, making it possible to realize a game experience that is more rewarding for the player in terms of selecting game content.
As described above, the type and order of the match lottery for each selection during the lottery game period in the AT state are set.

<Modification>
Next, as modified examples of the game content selection presentation and the continuous presentation, the presentation executed on the main display 8 in the game content selection game during the pseudo bonus state and the AT state, and in the game during the lottery game period will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, when determining the game content during the lottery game period during the pseudo bonus state and the AT state, the player is allowed to select one of multiple types of game content for which the match-up lotteries are grouped in advance, but in a modified example, the player is allowed to select the type of match-up lottery for each game during the lottery game period.

Specifically, the main control device 10 sets the type of match lottery for each game during the lottery game period in accordance with each of the reels 4a-4c spinning during the game content selection game, which is the game immediately preceding the lottery game period, and determines the type of match lottery for each game according to the order in which the reels 4a-4c actually stop during spinning.

For example, if an "ally character A" game is preset on the left reel 4a, an "ally character B" game on the middle reel 4b, and an "ally character C" game on the right reel 4c, and the player actually stops the reels 4 in the order of left reel 4a → middle reel 4b → right reel 4c in the game content selection game, the game content during the lottery game period will be executed in the order of "ally character A" game → "ally character B" game → "ally character C" game, and if the reels 4 are stopped in the order of right reel 4c → middle reel 4b → left reel 4a, the game content during the lottery game period will be executed in the order of "ally character C" game → "ally character B" game → "ally character A" game.

Therefore, in this modified example, the player can arbitrarily select the type of match lottery for each game during the lottery game period by the actual operation sequence of the stop buttons 5a to 5c as operation means during the game content selection game.
That is, the main control device 10 as a selection mode changing means can change the selection modes in a plurality of games based on a stop operation related to the progress of the game by the stop button 5 as a stop operation means.

In addition, in the modified example, in order not to impede the player's selection of game content by operating the stop button 5, the push order navigation corresponding to the push order bell role is prohibited during the game content selection game.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the game content options during the lottery game period were different during the pseudo bonus state and the AT state, but in the modified example, the game content selection procedures and controls are the same.

Furthermore, when selecting game content in the modified example, a predetermined time limit is set for the selection period under the control of the main control device 10, and if all of the reels 4 are not stopped within a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) from the start of the game content selection game, the selection of game content based on the player's operation to stop the reels 4 becomes invalid, and the default game content is set.
In addition, in the default setting, all match draws during the lottery game period are executed in the "ally character B" game, so a player who desires game content corresponding to "stable" in the above-mentioned embodiment need only wait until the time limit has elapsed before performing the stop operation.

[Game content selection and continuous effects displayed on the main display in the modified example]
FIG. 9 shows effect images executed on the main display 8 in the game content selection game and the lottery game period during the AT state.
Specifically, it shows a presentation image displayed on the main display 8 between the game content selection presentation executed during the game content selection game immediately before the lottery game period and the successive presentation executed during the subsequent lottery game period.
In addition, in Fig. 9, as an example of the lottery game period, the lottery game period during the AT state is shown, but the same effect image is also displayed during the pseudo bonus state. Also, in Fig. 9, a case where a specific condition is established in the continuation lottery process of the AT state is shown.

First, FIG. 9(a) shows an effect image on the main display 8 when a game content selection game is executed in the AT state.
As shown in Figure 9 (a), when the reel 4 spins as a result of the game content selection game being played, an ally character A selection image 23a, an ally character B selection image 23b, and an ally character C selection image 23c are arranged horizontally in the main part of the screen of the main display 8 and are displayed side by side horizontally corresponding to the reel 4.

Each of the selected images of the ally characters corresponds to each of the reels 4a to 4c currently spinning, with the left reel 4a corresponding to the ally character A selected image 23a, the middle reel 4b corresponding to the ally character B selected image 23b, and the right reel 4c corresponding to the ally character C selected image 23c.
The order in which the selected images of the corresponding friendly characters appear (battle order) is set according to the order in which the reels 4a to 4c are actually stopped, thereby determining the type and order of the battle lotteries for each game during the lottery game period.

In addition, an instruction image 32a consisting of text information saying "Stop the reels and select the battle order" is displayed at the top of the screen of the main display 8, which prompts the player to select the order in which the friendly characters will appear (battle order) by stopping each of the reels 4a to 4c in the order in which they stop, i.e., the order of the battle lottery during the lottery game period.
Further, below the indication image 32a, a rectangular meter image 32b extending in the horizontal direction is displayed to notify the lapse of the time limit for selecting the order of the above-mentioned battle lottery.
The meter image 32b is completely filled with black when the game content selection game starts, but as time passes, the blackened portion decreases from right to left, and finally, when there is no blackened portion left, it indicates that the time limit has been reached.

In addition, a remaining game number image 30a indicating the number of games remaining in the AT state is displayed on one side (left side) of the upper part of the screen of the main display 8, and an acquired number image 30b indicating the number of medals acquired (net increase in number of medals) during the AT state is displayed on the other side (right side).
Figure 9 (a) shows a game content selection game in progress, and the remaining game count image 30a displays information such as "4G", indicating that there are four games remaining, and the acquired number image 30b displays information such as "160 medals", indicating that the number of medals acquired during the AT state is 160 medals.
The number of medals won during the AT state is displayed as the sum of the number of medals won during the pseudo bonus state that triggered the current AT state.

Then, the player will play the game content selection game with the image shown in Figure 9(a) displayed, and the order in which the player operates the stop buttons 5a to 5c to stop the reels 4 at this time will determine the order in which friendly characters appear during the lottery game period, i.e., the order (game content) of the match lottery during the lottery game period.

For example, if the player first operates the center stop button 5b to stop the center reel 4b, then operates the right stop button 5c to stop the right reel 4c, and finally operates the left stop button 5a to stop the left reel 4a, the order in which the ally characters appear will be ally character B → ally character C → ally character A, and the game content will be set so that during the lottery game period, the first game will be an "ally character B" game with a winning probability set to 50%, the second game will be an "ally character C" game with a winning probability set to 100%, and the third game will be an "ally character A" game with a winning probability set to 25%.

In this modified example, at the start of the game content selection game, an ally character A selection image 23a, an ally character B selection image 23b, and an ally character C selection image 23c are displayed, and one type of battle lottery can be selected for each of them, but the specified selection images may be the same, allowing two or three battle lotteries to be selected using the same method.
Specifically, in a game executed outside the lottery game period or in a game content selection game, a predetermined selection image may be changed to a selection image that is more advantageous to the player than usual based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, such as winning a predetermined rare role. For example, when a predetermined rare role is won in the game content selection game, the ally character C selection image 23c that is most advantageous to the player may be set to two or three, and the "ally character C" game may be executed multiple times.

Next, FIG. 9(b) shows an image produced on the main display 8 when the player operates the stop button 5 in the above-mentioned order to stop all of the reels 4 and end the game.
As shown in FIG. 9(b), when the player operates the control means in the order of the center stop button 5b → right stop button 5c → left stop button 5a, an appearance order setting image 32c indicating that the appearance order has been set is displayed above the selected image of each friendly character.

In other words, numerical information "1" is displayed at the top of the ally character B selection image 23b, indicating that the character will appear (battle) first, numerical information "2" is displayed at the top of the ally character C selection image 23c, indicating that the character will appear second, and numerical information "3" is displayed at the top of the ally character A selection image 23a, indicating that the character will appear third.
In this modified example, the push order navigation is not executed in the game content selection game, but Figure 9 (b) shows an example of a case where a replay role is won in the game content selection game, so the number of coins won image 30b does not change and shows the information "160 coins."

Next, FIG. 9(c) shows an effect image on the main display 8 during execution of the first game in the lottery game period in the AT state.
When a stopping operation is performed in the game content selection game so that the center reel 4b stops first, the main control device 10 controls the execution of the "ally character B" game, that is, a game with a 50% probability of winning the match lottery, as the first game in the lottery game period.

As shown in FIG. 9(c), when the first game in the lottery game period is executed, an enemy character image 22, who is the opponent in the battle performance, is displayed on the right side of the screen of the main display 8, while an ally character who will appear in this battle performance is displayed on the left side of the screen.
Since this is an "ally character B" game, an ally character B image 21b is displayed as the ally character.

In addition, since the game has moved to the first game in the lottery game period, the remaining game number image 30a changes to the information "3G", and since the number of coins won in this game has decreased by the input amount of the bet, the won number image 30b changes to the information "157 coins".
In addition, a push order navigation image 31 is displayed at the bottom of the screen of the main display 8, and the push order order ("3→2→1") for winning the push order bell role in the game is announced.
Also, as the appearance order image 33, information "BCA" is displayed which indicates the appearance order of the friendly characters corresponding to the appearance order setting image 32c.

Then, at the start of the first game in the lottery game period, the main control device 10 executes a match lottery corresponding to the "ally character B" game, with a 50% probability of winning, and a match presentation corresponding to the match lottery is displayed during the execution of the game.
Since the battle presentation is completed in one game, if the battle lottery is not won, a presentation image (video) showing that ally character B image 21b is defeated by enemy character image 22 and informing the player that the battle lottery is not won is displayed between the start and end of the game, and if the battle lottery is won, a presentation image (video) showing that ally character B image 21b wins against enemy character image 22 and informing the player that the battle lottery is won is displayed between the start and end of the game.

Figure 9 (c) shows a case where the first game match lottery during the lottery game period is won, so although illustration is omitted, at the end of the game, an image showing ally character B image 21b defeating enemy character image 22 will be displayed.
In addition, the AT state will continue unless the player fails to win the match lottery twice, so even if the player fails to win the match lottery for the first game, the AT state will not end with this game and the lottery game period will continue.

Next, FIG. 9(d) shows an effect image on the main display 8 during execution of the second game in the lottery game period in the AT state.
When a stopping operation is performed so that the right reel 4c stops for the second time in the game content selection game, the main control device 10 controls so that the second game in the lottery game period is the "ally character C" game, that is, a game with a 100% probability of winning the match lottery.

As shown in FIG. 9(d), when the second game in the lottery game period is played, the enemy character image 22, who is the opponent in the battle performance, is displayed again on the right side of the screen of the main display 8, while the friendly character appearing in this battle performance is displayed on the left side of the screen.
Since this is an "ally character C" game, an ally character C image 21c is displayed as the ally character.
Incidentally, the opponent in the battle presentation of the second game is displayed as the enemy character image 22, just like in the first game, but the enemy character may be changed for each game.

In addition, since the game has moved to the second game in the lottery game period, the remaining number of games image 30a changes to "2G", and due to the increase in the number of coins won for the push order bell role in the previous game and the decrease in the number of coins won for the input number of bets in this game, the number of coins won image 30b changes to "162 coins".

In addition, a push order navigation image 31 is displayed at the bottom of the screen of the main display 8, and the push order order ("1→2→3") for winning the push order bell role in the game is announced.
Furthermore, as the appearance order image 33, the information "BCA" indicating the appearance order of friendly characters continues to be displayed, but since the first game's match lottery has been won during the lottery game period, a circle image is additionally displayed on the image of "B" corresponding to the first game's match lottery, and the fact that the first game's match lottery has already been won is notified as historical information.

Then, the second game is played during the lottery game period. Figure 9(d) shows a case where the match lottery for the second game during the lottery game period is a win, so illustration is omitted. However, just like the first game, at the end of the second game, an effect image is displayed in which the ally character C image 21c wins against the enemy character image 22, and it is announced that the match lottery has been won.

If a game other than the "ally character C" game is played in the second game and the match lottery for the second game is unsuccessful, an image showing an ally character being defeated by an enemy character image 22 is displayed, and the fact that the match lottery was unsuccessful is notified at the end of the game.
At this time, if the match lottery for the first game is not successful, after a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) during which an effect image of an ally character being defeated by an enemy character image 22 is displayed, an image is displayed notifying the player that the AT state will not continue into the next AT state, and the current AT state ends in the second game.

Therefore, in this case, the third game in the lottery game period will not be executed, so that the lottery game period will be shortened and the number of games in which the push order navigation is executed will be reduced.
If the player wins the match lotteries for both the first and second games, the game will continue into the next AT state at that point, so when the second game ends, text information saying "Continuation confirmed" or a specific sound effect may be output.

Next, FIG. 9(e) shows an effect image on the main display 8 during execution of the third game in the lottery game period in the AT state.
When a stopping operation is performed so that the left reel 4a stops for the third time in the game content selection game, the main control device 10 controls the execution of the "ally character A" game, i.e., a game with a 25% probability of winning the match lottery, as the third game in the lottery game period.

Then, the third game in the lottery game period is executed, and as shown in FIG. 9(e), when the third game in the lottery game period is executed, the enemy character image 22, who is the opponent in the battle performance, is displayed again on the right side of the screen of the main display 8, while the friendly character appearing in this battle performance is displayed on the left side of the screen.
Since this is an "ally character A" game, an ally character A image 21a is displayed as the ally character.
In addition, if the match lottery in the third game is won, the game will transition to the AT state, so an enemy character different from the first and second games may appear to notify the player that they will transition to the AT state if they win.

In addition, since the game has moved to the third game in the lottery game period, the remaining game number image 30a changes to the information "1G", and due to the increase in the number of coins won for the push order bell role in the previous game and the decrease in the number of coins won for the input number of bets in the current game, the won number image 30b changes to the information "167 coins".
In addition, a push order navigation image 31 is displayed at the bottom of the screen of the main display 8, and the push order order ("1→3→2") for winning the push order bell role in the game is announced.

In addition, the "BCA" information indicating the appearance order of friendly characters continues to be displayed as the appearance order image 33, but because the player has won the match-up lotteries for the first and second games during the lottery game period, circle images are additionally displayed on both the "B" and "C" images corresponding to the match-up lotteries for the first and second games, and the player is notified as history information that the player has already won the match-up lotteries for the first and second games.

Also, Figure 9 (e) shows a case where the match lottery for the third game during the lottery game period is a winning entry, so although illustration is omitted, as in the first and second games, at the end of the third game, an image showing ally character A image 21a defeating enemy character image 22 is displayed, and it is announced that the match lottery has been a winning entry.
If the third game's match lottery is a winning entry, the next AT state will continue, and after a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed since the display of the presentation image in which the ally character A image 21a wins over the enemy character image 22, an image is displayed notifying the player that the AT state will continue, for example, consisting of the main character and text information such as "AT continues."

Furthermore, if the match lotteries for all games during the lottery game period are won, in addition to the image notifying that the above-mentioned AT state will continue, text information such as "Plus 1" will be displayed next to the image "AT Continues" to notify that the AT state will continue for the next game after that.
In addition, if all the game lotteries during the lottery game period are won, anything that allows the player to recognize that the AT state will continue for the next and the time after that is acceptable; for example, a character other than the main character may be displayed, text information saying "big win" may be displayed, or the sound effects may be changed.

If the match lottery in the third game is unsuccessful, an effect image in which the ally character A image 21a is defeated by the enemy character image 22 is displayed, and the fact that the match lottery was unsuccessful is notified at the end of the game.
However, if the player has already won the match lottery for the first and second games and has been granted the right to continue the AT state, an image informing the player that the AT state will continue will be displayed a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) after the display of the presentation image in which the ally character A image 21a is defeated by the enemy character image 22.

In addition, if the match lottery for either the first or second game during the lottery game period is unsuccessful and the match lottery for the third game is also unsuccessful, after a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed during which an image showing ally character A image 21a being defeated by enemy character image 22 is displayed, an image notifying the player that the next AT state will not continue will be displayed, and the current AT state will end.
Therefore, in this case, the lottery game period will be the same as when it continues to the next AT state, and the number of games in which the push order navigation is executed will also be the same.

As described above, in this modified example, a match lottery can be selected for each game during the lottery game period during the pseudo bonus state and the AT state, which results in a greater variety of game content and makes it possible to implement game content that will satisfy a large number of players.
In particular, since the conditions for awarding a bonus are different during the pseudo bonus state and during the AT state, it is possible to change the selection mode of the match lottery in detail depending on the conditions for awarding the bonus, thereby making it possible to provide a selection mode that is more satisfying to players.
In addition, since the match lottery is selected by utilizing the stopping operation of reel 4, it is possible to efficiently select the match lottery without affecting the progress of the game.

Furthermore, since the presentation is executed on the main display 8 in response to the game content selection game, the player can reliably select the match lottery of his/her choice, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which the player selects a match lottery different from the one he/she desires, enabling the player to play the game during the lottery game period with peace of mind.
During the lottery game period, a character on the friendly side according to the match lottery selected by the player appears in each game and a match performance is executed, so that the player can enjoy the match performance while being aware of the match lottery probability for each game, and it is possible to execute a performance that efficiently heightens the sense of expectation and security that changes from game to game.

This modified example is applied to both the AT state transition lottery process in the pseudo bonus state and the next AT state continuation lottery process in the AT state, but it may be applied to either one. In other words, this modified example may be applied to one of them, and the previously described selection of pre-grouped game content may be applied to the other.

In addition, the number of game contents (types and order of match lotteries) executed and their results may be stored as historical information, and a function may be provided that can display the historical information based on the player's operation of the operating means, so that the past AT state transition rate and continuation rate can be checked for each game content as reference information when selecting each match lottery.
In addition, at the end of the game when the results of the match lottery are announced, a button effect may also be used to announce the results of the match lottery based on the player's operation of the effect button 2d.
In addition, the battle performance is executed on the main display device 8, but it may be executed on the main display device 8 and the sub-display device 17, or it may be executed on the sub-display device 17 only.

In addition, when the right to transition to or continue in the AT state is granted in advance based on the winning of a predetermined rare role (e.g., a cherry role) in a game other than the lottery game period during the pseudo bonus state and the AT state, a character on the ally side that does not normally appear may be made selectable, and the fact that the transition to or continuation of the AT state has been confirmed may be notified at the start of the game content selection game or the first game during the lottery game period. In this case, instead of a character on the ally side that does not normally appear, multiple characters (e.g., character A and character B) may be made to appear at the same time.
As described above, the game content selection presentation and the successive presentation are executed on the main display device 8 in the modified example.

As described above, in the present invention, a gaming machine (slot machine 1) that executes a game based on the operation by a player and executes effects related to the game is equipped with a determination means (main control device 10) that can determine whether or not to grant a specified bonus in relation to the execution of multiple games during a specified period, and can decide to grant the specified bonus when the lottery results related to the granting of the specified bonus in the multiple games satisfy a predetermined specific condition, an operation means (bet button 2a, stop button 5) that can be operated by the player, and a lottery mode change means (main control device 10) that can change the lottery mode in the multiple games based on the operation of the operation means, and the determination means is configured to execute a lottery for each game in the multiple games based on the lottery mode changed by the lottery mode change means.

Here, the determination means and the lottery mode change means may be provided in the main control device 10 or in the sub-control device 20. Also, they may be configured by the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20 working together.
Further, the predetermined period of time may be, for example, a period during which a predetermined number of games are executed, a predetermined amount of time, or the like.
Furthermore, the specified bonus may be anything that gives the player an advantage, such as an AT state, a CZ state, a pseudo bonus state, or a high probability state.

In addition, the performance may be performed using a display means that displays multiple pieces of information, such as a liquid crystal display, an LED display, or an EL display, or may be performed using a light-emitting means such as a speaker or a lamp.
Further, the lottery mode is a mode of a lottery formed by the lottery probability, the order of the lottery, etc., and changing the lottery mode may mean changing the lottery probability or the order of the lottery.

Therefore, by allowing the player to arbitrarily select the lottery mode for multiple games, it becomes possible to change the lottery mode for each game played, and multiple games are played after changing the lottery mode to suit the player's preferences, which increases the player's satisfaction with the game and increases the player's expectations for receiving a specified bonus and the interest of the game.

The configuration also includes a presentation control means (sub-control device 20) capable of executing presentations related to changes in the lottery patterns in the plurality of games.
Here, the performance control means may be provided in the main control device 10 or in the sub-control device 20. Also, it may be configured by the main control device 10 and the sub-control device 20 working together.

As a result, because effects related to changes in the lottery patterns in multiple games are executed, players can reliably select the game content they prefer, and it is possible to prevent situations in which a player selects game content different from the game content they desired, allowing players to play multiple games with peace of mind.

In addition, the presentation control means is configured to be capable of notifying in advance of the lottery mode of each game among the plurality of games, and to be capable of changing the pre-notification mode of the plurality of games based on the change in the lottery mode by the lottery mode changing means.
Therefore, when the lottery mode is changed by the player's operation, the advance notification modes of multiple games are changed, so that the player can know in advance the lottery mode that has been changed by his/her own operation, and it is possible for the player to play the game with peace of mind without any sense of distrust.

The lottery mode changing means is configured to be able to change the lottery mode in the plurality of games by selecting one from a plurality of groups in which the lottery modes in the plurality of games are predefined.
Therefore, the lottery modes in the multiple games can be changed to the player's preferred mode simply by selecting one of the multiple groups in which the lottery modes are determined in advance, so that the player can easily select the lottery modes in the multiple games and can prevent selection errors.

In addition, the operation means includes a stop operation means (stop button 5) capable of executing operations related to the progress of the game, and the lottery pattern change means is configured to be able to change the lottery pattern in the multiple games based on a stop operation related to the progress of the game by the stop operation means.
Therefore, since the lottery mode is selected by utilizing the stop operation related to the progress of the game in the stop operation means, it is possible to efficiently select the lottery mode without affecting the progress of the game, and it is also possible to select the lottery mode in more detail, thereby making it possible to realize a lottery mode that satisfies a large number of players.

In addition, the specified bonus is set in multiple types with different bonuses being awarded, and the lottery pattern change means is configured to be able to change the lottery patterns in the multiple games separately according to the types of the specified bonus.
Therefore, depending on the type of benefit given, the player can individually change the lottery mode, and can change the game content one by one by comparing the size of the benefit given with his/her own win/loss record, etc., making it possible to realize game content that is extremely satisfying to the player.

In addition, the specific conditions are set in multiple types that result in different lottery results in the multiple games, and the lottery pattern change means is configured to be able to change the lottery patterns in the multiple games separately depending on the type of the specific conditions.
Therefore, depending on the type of specific condition, the player can individually change the lottery mode, and can change the game content one by one by comparing the difficulty of achieving the specific condition with his/her own win/loss record, etc., making it possible to realize game content that is extremely satisfying to the player.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming machine provided with a plurality of display devices, each of which displays various information.
However, the information displayed on the display device of the conventional gaming machine is not sufficient to enhance entertainment value, and is also insufficient in terms of notification function.
In this way, the slot machine 1 of the present invention can solve all or part of the problems that need to be improved in conventional gaming machines.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. However, it goes without saying that the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the AT state (AT) is given as a privilege, but the ART or RT may be given instead. Also, a bonus state may be generated in addition to the pseudo bonus state.

In addition, in this embodiment, the type of AT state is a type that can continue the AT state multiple times in units of a specified number of games, but it may also be a type that ends when there are no more games remaining in the AT state.

In addition, in this embodiment, the bet button 2a or the stop button 5 are exemplified as the operating means, but other means that output an input signal when operated by the player may be used, such as the start lever 3.

In addition, the front door 1a may be provided with a vibration means for vibrating the front door 1a by activating a motor, speaker, etc., so that when a game content selection display or a continuous display is displayed, the vibration means is activated to increase the player's sense of anticipation.
In addition, a fan means may be provided on the front door 1a to blow air toward the player, and the fan means may be activated when a game content selection display or a continuous display is displayed, thereby increasing the player's sense of anticipation.

In addition, a separate display device other than the main display device 8 and the sub display device 17 may be provided as a display means, and each display device may be selectable as the execution location for game content selection effects, continuous effects, etc.

In addition, characters on the team may have the same winning probability in the match lottery but different image patterns. For example, when "stable" is selected, all characters have a 50% winning probability, but different characters may appear as the characters on the team.
In addition, although the type of winning probability in the battle lottery is notified according to the type of friendly character, multiple types of enemy characters may be set and the type of winning probability in the battle lottery may be notified according to the type of enemy character.

In addition, a lottery may be held if a specified rare role is won during the pseudo bonus state (or during the AT state), or a specified lottery may be held at the start of the pseudo bonus state (or at the start of the AT state), and if the lottery is won, it may be internally determined that all (or both) of the match lotteries during the lottery game period have been won in advance.
In addition, when a predetermined rare role is won during the pseudo bonus state (or during the AT state), or when a predetermined lottery is held at the start of the pseudo bonus state (or at the start of the AT state), the ally character that appears may be changed based on the lottery. For example, based on the winning of a strong cherry role during the pseudo bonus state (or during the AT state), ally character B, which was originally scheduled to appear, may be changed to ally character C.

In addition, an additional specialization zone may be generated as another bonus with a predetermined probability when all match lotteries between lottery games during the AT state are won or when two lottery lotteries are won.
In addition, the number of games in the lottery game period and the number of winnings in the match lottery, which is the condition for the transition (or continuation) of the AT state, may be made changeable by the establishment of a predetermined condition. In this way, the importance of the combination of the appearance order (match order) of the friendly characters changes depending on various situations, making it possible to play a highly entertaining game in which the selection of game content becomes more important.

In addition, if the number of consecutive games in which the pseudo bonus state is not won during normal play reaches a predetermined number (e.g., 1000 times), a function (so-called ceiling function) may be provided that forcibly generates a pseudo bonus state, and in this case, it may be possible to execute a lottery game period with game content that is more advantageous to the player than normal.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the main control unit 10 performed operations as various means such as a lottery means (determination means), but the sub-control unit 20 can perform some or all of these operations and operate as various means.
Conversely, the main control unit 10 can perform some or all of the operations executed by the sub-control unit 20, and the main control unit 10 can operate as various means.

Furthermore, although the present invention is applied to a slot machine, it can also be applied to other gaming machines such as pachinko (for example, ball slot).
The present invention can also be applied to so-called enclosed gaming machines that can execute games using pseudo gaming media in the form of data, without using actual gaming media such as medals or gaming balls.

1: Slot machine 2: Bet button 4: Reels 5: Stop button 8: Main display 10: Main control device 17: Sub display 20: Sub control device

Claims (7)

a game state control means capable of controlling a first game state, a second game state advantageous to a player, and a third game state less advantageous to the player than the second game state;
a first lottery means for executing a first lottery in which a winning probability is reached with a first probability during a first period of the first gaming state;
a second selection means for executing a second selection having a second probability of being won in a second period of the first gaming state, the second period being a period controlled when the first selection is won;
An operation means operable by a player;
A change means for changing the first probability and the second probability in a third period of the first gaming state, the third period being a period prior to the first period ;
Equipped with
The first lottery means is
When the first probability is changed by the change means, the first lottery in which a winning probability is set after the change can be executed,
The second lottery means is
When the second probability is changed by the change means, the second lottery in which a winning probability is changed can be executed,
The game state control means includes:
If the first lottery is won, the second period is controllable;
If the first lottery is not won, the third gaming state can be controlled.
When the second lottery is won, the game can be controlled to the second gaming state.
A gaming machine characterized by: In the first gaming state, when a specific combination is won, a notification means is provided for notifying specific information regarding a specific operation mode;
The first gaming state is
A fourth period is a period preceding the third period,
The notification means includes:
The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the specific role is won, specific information regarding a specific operation mode can be notified with a lower probability during the first period and the second period than during the fourth period . The change means is
The first probability can be changed to a third probability;
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the second probability is changeable to a fourth probability which is lower than the third probability . The change means is
The second probability can be changed to a third probability;
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the first probability is changeable to a fourth probability which is lower than the third probability . The third probability is
5. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the probability includes 100% . The first probability is
the same probability as the second probability,
The first lottery means is
When the first probability is not changed by the change means, the first lottery in which a winning occurs with the first probability can be executed;
The second lottery means is
A gaming machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the second probability is not changed by the change means, the second lottery in which a winning option is selected with the second probability can be executed . The first gaming state is
A fourth period is a period preceding the third period,
A determination means capable of determining whether to transition to the second gaming state when a special combination is won during the fourth period;
granting means for granting a right to control the game state to the second game state when the determining means determines that the game state is to be transitioned to the second game state;
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising :

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