JP7475643B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines, such as pachinko machines.

For example, the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 below is capable of executing multiple types of branching effects, such as a first character effect that displays a first character (object), a second character effect that displays a second character (object), a third character effect that displays a third character (object), or a fourth character effect that displays a fourth character (object). Then, before executing each character effect, the first character, second character, third character, and fourth character are displayed, and by displaying all but one character, it is possible to suggest which character effect will be executed.

JP 2014-230840 A

However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, the method of displaying each object of the branching effect and executing the branching effect corresponding to the one remaining object was commonplace. Therefore, there was room for improvement in the entertainment value of the process leading up to the execution of the branching effect.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances. That is, the objective of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can increase the interest of players in gaming.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
a game control means for executing a winning game when a winning is determined by a predetermined determination process;
In a gaming machine having a performance control means capable of controlling a performance,
The performance control means includes:
A selection effect can be executed in which one object is finally selected from a predetermined number of objects each of which indicates a winning expectation rate, which is the possibility of the winning game being executed;
In the selection performance,
a first image showing a missing state in which the outline of each of the predetermined number of objects is shown while a pattern that characterizes each of the objects is missing inside the outline is displayed, and then a second image showing an appearance state in which the pattern that was missing in the first image appears for objects that are fewer than the predetermined number of objects is displayed;
This gaming machine is characterized in that after the second image is displayed, one object among objects recognizable in the second image can be displayed.

The gaming machine of the present invention can increase the interest in gaming.

1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment. 2 is an oblique view showing the structure of the gaming machine frame of the gaming machine. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of the gaming machine. 5 is an enlarged view of part A shown in FIG. 4, showing displays provided on the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the game control board of the gaming machine. FIG. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the performance control board of the gaming machine. 13 is a hit type determination table. 13 is a table showing various random numbers acquired by the game control microcomputer. (A) is a jackpot determination table, (B) is a reach determination table, (C) is a normal symbol hit determination table, and (D) is a normal symbol variation pattern selection table. (A) is a normal special chart fluctuation pattern determination table, and (B) is a special special chart fluctuation pattern determination table. This is a table for determining the electric chute opening pattern. 13 is a flowchart of a main control process. 13 is a flowchart of a main-side timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a sensor detection process. 13 is a flowchart of a gate passing process. 13 is a flowchart of a normal operation process. 13 is a flowchart of a special action process. 13 is a flowchart of a special symbol waiting process. 13 is a flowchart of a jackpot determination process. 13 is a flowchart of a variation pattern selection process. 13 is a flowchart of a variation pattern selection process. 13 is a flowchart of a variation pattern selection process. This is a flowchart of processing during special pattern change. 13 is a flowchart of a special symbol determination process. 13 is a flowchart of a game status management process. 13 is a flowchart of special electric device processing. 13 is a flowchart of a game status setting process. 13 is a flowchart of a sub-control main process. 13 is a flowchart of a reception interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a 1 ms timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a 10 ms timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a received command analysis process. 13 is a flowchart of the variable performance start processing. A diagram showing the flow of presentation in a high probability state. FIG. 13 shows the SP reach of each enemy character. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing each story reach. A figure showing an example of a presentation when a first enemy character SP reach is executed from a normal development presentation. 1A is a diagram showing a cut-in preview performance, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a dialogue preview performance. FIG. 13 shows an enemy character selection display. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a special enemy character selection effect. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a special enemy character selection effect. A figure showing another example of the enemy character special selection presentation. A figure showing another example of the enemy character special selection presentation. A diagram showing the shake preview performance during each enemy character SP reach. FIG. 13 shows a story selection presentation. This figure shows the SP reach for each enemy character when the variable display of the special pattern is executed for 101 spins or more under high probability conditions. (A) is a table showing the expected probability of winning an enemy character SP reach with a high probability of 100 spins or less, and (B) is a table showing the expected probability of winning an enemy character SP reach with a high probability of 101 spins or more. This is a table showing the expected probability of winning a story reach. This is a variable presentation pattern selection table for enemy character SP reach. This is a variable presentation pattern selection table for story reach. This is a selection table for the variable presentation pattern for the enemy character SP reach after 101 highly probable spins.

1. Structure of the gaming machine The pachinko gaming machine PY1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the left and right directions of each part of the pachinko gaming machine PY1 will be described as being the same as the left and right directions of the player facing the pachinko gaming machine PY1. Also, the front direction of each part of the pachinko gaming machine PY1 will be described as the direction approaching the player facing the pachinko gaming machine PY1, and the rear direction of each part of the pachinko gaming machine PY1 will be described as the direction away from the player facing the pachinko gaming machine PY1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine PY1 of the embodiment has a gaming machine frame 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine frame 2 has an outer frame 22, an inner frame 21, and a front door 23 (front frame). The outer frame 22 is a vertically rectangular frame body that forms the outer shell of the pachinko gaming machine PY1. The inner frame 21 is a vertically rectangular frame body that is disposed inside the outer frame 22 and that mounts the gaming board 1 described below. The front door 23 is disposed on the front side of the outer frame 22 and the inner frame 21 and is a vertically rectangular frame body that protects the gaming board 1. The front door 23 faces the player directly and is decorated with various ornaments.

The gaming machine frame 2 is configured with a hinge section 24 on the left end side. This hinge section 24 allows the front door 23 to rotate freely relative to the outer frame 22 and the inner frame 21, and the inner frame 21 to rotate freely relative to the outer frame 22 and the front door 23. An opening 23a is formed in the center of the front door 23, and a transparent plate 23t is attached to the opening 23a so that the player can see the game area 6 described below. In this embodiment, the transparent plate 23t is a glass plate, but it may also be a transparent synthetic resin plate. In other words, the transparent plate 23t may be any plate that allows the game area 6 to be seen from the front.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the front door 23 is provided with a handle 72k (game ball shooting means) for shooting game balls with a shooting strength according to the rotation angle, a ball supply tray (upper tray) 34 for storing game balls, and a surplus ball receiving tray (lower tray) 35 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the ball supply tray 34. The front door 23 is also provided with a performance button (input unit) 40k and a select button 42k that can be operated by the player during performances that are executed as the game progresses. The select button (cross key) 42k is composed of an up button, a down button, a left button, and a right button. The front door 23 is also provided with a decorative frame lamp 212 and a speaker that outputs sound (not shown in Figure 1).

The game board 1 shown in FIG. 4 is attached to the game machine frame 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the game board 1 has a game area 6, in which game balls released by operating the handle 72k flow down, surrounded by a rail member 62. The game board 1 is also provided with a number of decorative board lamps 54. The game area 6 has a number of game nails protruding therefrom to guide the game balls. The game board 1 is an integrated unit consisting of a plate-shaped member disposed on the front side and a back unit (a unit for mounting various control boards, an image display device 50, harnesses, etc., described below) disposed on the rear side.

Also, near the center of the game area 6, there is provided an image display device 50 (effect display means, image display means), which is a liquid crystal display device. Note that the image display device may be another image display device, such as an organic EL display device. The display screen 50a (display section) of the image display device 50 has a performance pattern display area that performs variable display of performance pattern EZ (decorative pattern) synchronized with the variable display of the first special pattern and second special pattern described below. Note that the performance that displays the performance pattern EZ is called a performance pattern variable performance. The performance pattern variable performance is sometimes called a "decorative pattern variable performance" or simply a "variable performance".

The performance symbol display area consists of three performance symbol display areas, for example, "left," "center," and "right." The left performance symbol display area displays the left performance symbol EZ1, the center performance symbol display area displays the center performance symbol EZ2, and the right performance symbol display area displays the right performance symbol EZ3. Each performance symbol EZ consists of a number of symbols representing numbers, for example, from "1" to "8." The image display device 50 clearly displays the results of the variable display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 81a and the second special symbol display device 81b described below (i.e., the results of the jackpot lottery) by combining the left performance symbol EZ1, the center performance symbol EZ2, and the right performance symbol EZ3.

For example, if a jackpot is won, the display will stop with a repeating number such as "777". If a jackpot is lost, the display will stop with a random number such as "637". This makes it easier for the player to understand the progress of the game. In other words, the player generally does not understand the results of the jackpot lottery using the first special symbol display 81a or the second special symbol display 81b, but rather on the image display device 50. The position of the display area for the special symbols does not have to be fixed. The display of the changing special symbols can be, for example, scrolled vertically.

The image display device 50 displays on the display screen 50a not only the effect pattern change effect using the effect pattern EZ as described above, but also the big win effect that is performed in parallel with the big win game, and the demo effect for waiting for customers (customer waiting effect), etc. In the effect pattern change effect, in addition to the effect pattern EZ such as numbers, effect images other than the effect pattern EZ, such as background images and character images, are also displayed.

The display screen 50a of the image display device 50 also has a reserve icon display area that displays a reserve icon HA (effect reserve image) according to the number of reserved first special patterns and reserved second special patterns, which will be described later. By displaying the reserve icon HA, the number of reserved first special patterns displayed on the first special pattern reserve display 83a, which will be described later, and the number of reserved second special patterns displayed on the second special pattern reserve display 83b, which will be described later, can be clearly shown to the player.

A center frame 61 (inner wall portion) is disposed near the center of the game area 6 and in front of the image display device 50. A stage 61s is formed at the bottom of the center frame 61, which can guide the game balls rolling on the top surface to the first starting opening 11 described below. A warp 61w is provided at the left part of the center frame 61, which allows the game balls to flow in from the entrance and out to the stage 61s from the exit. A board movable body 55k that can move up and down is provided at the top of the center frame 61. The board movable body 55k can be moved from an origin position above the display screen 50a to a performance position that overlaps with the center of the display screen 50a in the front-to-rear direction.

Below the image display device 50 in the game area 6, a first start winning device 11D is provided, which includes a first start hole 11 that always allows the game ball to enter with a constant ease. The first start hole 11 is also called the first ball entry hole, fixed ball entry hole, first start winning hole, or first start area. The first start winning device 11D is also called the first ball entry means, fixed ball entry means, or first start winning device. The entry of a game ball into the first start hole 11 triggers the drawing of a first special symbol (a jackpot drawing, i.e., obtaining and determining a jackpot random number, etc.).

In addition, below the first starting hole 11 in the game area 6, a normal variable winning device (normal electric device, so-called electric chute) 12D equipped with a second starting hole 12 is provided. The second starting hole 12 is also called the second ball entry hole, variable ball entry hole, second starting winning hole, or second starting area. The electric chute 12D is also called the second ball entry means, variable ball entry means, or second starting winning device. The entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 12 triggers the drawing of a second special symbol (a big win drawing).

The electric chute 12D is equipped with an electric chute opening/closing member 12k (ball entry opening/closing member) that can be in an open or closed state, and the second starting opening 12 is opened and closed by the operation of the electric chute opening/closing member 12k. The electric chute opening/closing member 12k is driven by an electric chute solenoid 12s described below. When the electric chute opening/closing member 12k is in the open state, a game ball can enter the second starting opening 12, and when it is in the closed state, a game ball cannot enter the second starting opening 12. In other words, the second starting opening 12 is a starting opening in which the ease of entering a game ball can be changed. Note that the electric chute does not have to be one that makes it impossible to enter the second starting opening when it is in the closed state, as long as it makes it easier to enter the second starting opening when the electric chute opening/closing member is in the open state than when it is in the closed state.

In addition, to the right of the first starting hole 11 in the game area 6, a large prize device (special electric device) 14D equipped with a large prize hole 14 is provided. The large prize hole 14 is also called a special prize hole. The large prize device 14D is also called an attacker (AT), special prize means, or special variable prize device. The large prize device 14D is equipped with an AT opening/closing member 14k (special prize hole opening/closing member) that can be opened or closed, and the large prize hole 14 is opened or closed by the operation of the AT opening/closing member 14k. The AT opening/closing member 14k is driven by an AT solenoid 14s, which will be described later. The large prize hole 14 can receive game balls only when the AT opening/closing member 14k is in the open state.

A gate 13 through which the game ball can pass is provided to the right of the center frame 61. The gate 13 is also called a passing opening or a passing area. The passage of the game ball through the gate 13 triggers the execution of a normal pattern lottery (i.e., the acquisition and determination of a normal pattern random number (winning random number)) that determines whether or not the electric chute 12D is opened. Furthermore, a number of general winning openings 10 are provided at the bottom of the game area 6. Also, an outlet 19 is provided at the bottom of the game area 6 to discharge game balls that have been shot into the game area 6 but have not entered any of the winning openings out of the game area 6.

The game area 6 in which the various winning holes are arranged has a left game area 6L (first game area) on the left side of the center in the left-right direction, and a right game area 6R (second game area) on the right side. A hitting style in which the game ball is shot so that it flows down the left game area 6L is called a left hit. On the other hand, a hitting style in which the game ball is shot so that it flows down the right game area 6R is called a right hit. In this form of pachinko game machine PY1, the flow path through which the game ball flows down when playing with a left hit is called the first flow path R1, and the flow path through which the game ball flows down when playing with a right hit is called the second flow path R2.

On the first flow path R1, there are a first starting hole 11, a general winning hole 10, an electric chute 12D, and an outlet 19. By hitting a game ball so that it flows down the first flow path R1, the player can aim to win at the first starting hole 11 or the general winning hole 10. Note that since there is no gate on the first flow path R1, the electric chute 12D will not open when hitting from the left.

On the other hand, the second flow path R2 is provided with a gate 13, a general winning opening 10, a big winning device 14D, an electric chute 12D, and an outlet 19. By hitting a game ball so that it flows down the second flow path R2, the player can aim to pass through the gate 13 or win at the general winning opening 10, the second starting opening 12, or the big winning opening 14.

As shown in Fig. 4, displays 8 are arranged in the lower right corner of the game board 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the displays 8 include a first special symbol display 81a that variably displays the first special symbol, a second special symbol display 81b that variably displays the second special symbol, and a regular symbol display 82 that variably displays the regular symbol (regular symbol). The first special symbol is also called the first special symbol or special symbol 1, and the second special symbol is also called the second special symbol or special symbol 2. The regular symbol is also called the regular symbol.

The displays 8 also include a first special chart reserved display 83a that displays the number of reserved activations (first special chart reserved) stored in the first special chart display 81a, a second special chart reserved display 83b that displays the number of reserved activations (second special chart reserved) stored in the second special chart display 81b, and a regular chart reserved display 84 that displays the number of reserved activations (regular chart reserved) stored in the regular chart display 82.

The variable display of the first special symbol is triggered by the entry of a game ball into the first starting hole 11. The variable display of the second special symbol is triggered by the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 12. In the following explanation, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are sometimes collectively referred to as special symbols (special symbols). Furthermore, the first special symbol display 81a and the second special symbol display 81b are sometimes collectively referred to as the special symbol display 81. Furthermore, the first special symbol reserve display 83a and the second special symbol reserve display 83b are sometimes collectively referred to as the special symbol reserve display 83. Furthermore, the first special symbol reserve and the second special symbol reserve are sometimes collectively referred to as the special symbol reserve.

The special symbol display 81 notifies the result of a lottery (special symbol lottery, jackpot lottery) based on winning at the first start port 11 or the second start port 12 by displaying a special symbol in a variable manner (variable display) and then stopping to display it. The special symbol that stops to be displayed (stopping symbol, special symbol that is derived and displayed as a display result of the variable display) is one special symbol selected from a plurality of types of special symbols by the special symbol lottery. If the stopping symbol is a predetermined specific special symbol (a special symbol with a specific stopping mode, i.e., a jackpot symbol), a jackpot game (one example of a special game) is played in which the jackpot opening port 14 is opened in an opening pattern that corresponds to the type of the specific special symbol that stops to be displayed (i.e., the type of jackpot that has been won). The opening pattern of the jackpot opening in the special game will be described later.

Specifically, the special display 81 is composed of, for example, eight LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged side by side, and displays a special pattern according to the result of the jackpot lottery depending on the lighting state of the LEDs. For example, if a jackpot (one of the multiple types of jackpots described below) is won, the jackpot pattern is displayed with the first, second, fifth, and sixth LEDs from the left lit, as in "○○●●○○●●" (○: lit, ●: off). Also, if the jackpot is lost, a losing pattern is displayed with only the rightmost LED lit, as in "●●●●●●●○". A mode in which all LEDs are turned off as a losing pattern may be adopted. Note that the losing pattern is not a specific special pattern. Also, before the special pattern is displayed in a stopped state, the special pattern is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined variable time, and the variable display mode is, for example, a mode in which each LED is lit so that light flows repeatedly from left to right. The manner in which the variable display takes place can be anything, such as all LEDs flashing at the same time, as long as the individual LEDs are not displayed as stopped (illuminated in a specific manner).

In this pachinko game machine PY1, when a game ball enters the first start hole 11 or the second start hole 12, the values (numerical information, judgment information) of various random numbers such as the jackpot random number obtained for that entry are temporarily stored in the special chart reservation memory unit 105 described below. In detail, if the game ball enters the first start hole 11, it is stored as the first special chart reservation in the first special chart reservation memory unit 105a described below, and if the game ball enters the second start hole 12, it is stored as the second special chart reservation in the second special chart reservation memory unit 105b described below. There is an upper limit to the number of special chart reservations that can be stored in each special chart reservation memory unit 105, and in this embodiment, the upper limit is "4".

The reserved special symbols stored in the reserved special symbols memory unit 105 are consumed when it becomes possible to change the display of the special symbols based on the reserved special symbols. The consumption of reserved special symbols means determining the jackpot random number or the like that corresponds to the reserved special symbols, and executing the changeable display of the special symbols to show the result of the determination. Therefore, in this pachinko game machine PY1, even if the changeable display of the special symbols based on the winning of the game ball into the first start hole 11 or the second start hole 12 cannot be performed immediately after the winning, that is, even if a winning occurs during the changeable display of the special symbols or during the playing of a special game, the right to draw the jackpot for that winning can be reserved up to a specified number.

The number of reserved special drawings is then displayed on the reserved special drawing display 83. Specifically, each reserved special drawing display 83 is composed of, for example, four LEDs, and the number of reserved special drawings is displayed by lighting up the LEDs equal to the number of reserved special drawings.

The variable display of the normal symbol is triggered by the passage of the game ball through the gate 13. The normal symbol display 82 variably displays (varies) the normal symbol and then displays it in a stopped state, thereby announcing the result of the normal symbol lottery based on the passage of the game ball through the gate 13. The stopped normal symbol (normal symbol stop symbol, normal symbol derived and displayed as the display result of the variable display) is one normal symbol selected from among multiple types of normal symbols by the normal symbol lottery. If the stopped normal symbol is a specific normal symbol (a normal symbol in a predetermined stopping state, i.e., a normal winning symbol), an auxiliary game is played in which the second start hole 12 is opened in an opening pattern according to the current game state. The opening pattern of the second start hole 12 will be described later.

Specifically, the normal pattern display 82 is composed of, for example, two LEDs (see FIG. 5), and displays the normal pattern according to the result of the normal pattern lottery by the way they are lit. For example, if the lottery result is a win, a normal winning pattern with both LEDs lit is displayed as "○○" (○: lit, ●: off). If the lottery result is a loss, a normal loss pattern with only the right LED lit is displayed as "●○". A mode in which all LEDs are turned off may be adopted as a normal loss pattern. Note that a normal loss pattern is not a specific normal pattern. Before the normal pattern is displayed in a stopped state, the normal pattern is displayed in a specified change time, and the change display mode is, for example, a mode in which both LEDs are lit alternately. Note that the change display mode may be anything, such as all LEDs flashing at once, as long as the LEDs are not displayed in a stopped state (lighting display in a specific mode).

In this pachinko game machine PY1, when a game ball passes through gate 13, the value of the normal symbol random number (winning random number) obtained for that passage is temporarily stored as a normal symbol reserve in the normal symbol reserve memory unit 106 described below. There is an upper limit to the number of normal symbol reserves that can be stored in the normal symbol reserve memory unit 106, and in this embodiment, the upper limit is "4".

The reserved normal symbols stored in the reserved normal symbols memory unit 106 are consumed when it becomes possible to change the display of the normal symbols based on the reserved normal symbols. The consumption of reserved normal symbols means determining the normal symbol random number (winning random number) corresponding to the reserved normal symbols and executing the variable display of the normal symbols to show the result of the determination. Therefore, in this pachinko game machine PY1, even if the variable display of the normal symbols based on the passage of the game ball through the gate 13 cannot be performed immediately after the passage, that is, even if a prize is won while the variable display of the normal symbols is being executed or while an auxiliary game is being executed, it is possible to reserve the right to draw the normal symbols for that passage up to a specified number.

The number of reserved general maps is then displayed on the reserved general map display 84. Specifically, the reserved general map display 84 is composed of, for example, four LEDs, and displays the number of reserved general maps by lighting up the LEDs corresponding to the number of reserved general maps.

2. Electrical Configuration of the Game Machine Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko game machine PY1 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pachinko game machine PY1 includes a game control board 100 (main control board) that controls game profits such as big win lottery and transition of game state, a performance control board 120 (sub-control board) that controls performances executed as the game progresses, and a payout control board 170 that controls payout of game balls. The game control board 100 constitutes the main control unit, and the performance control board 120 constitutes the sub-control unit together with the image control board 140, the sound control board 161, and the sub-drive board 162 described later.

The sub-controller must have at least the presentation control board 120 and be capable of controlling game presentations using presentation means (image display device 50, speaker 610, board lamp 54, board movable body 55k, frame lamp 212, etc.).

The pachinko gaming machine PY1 also includes a power supply board 190. The power supply board 190 (power supply unit) receives AC 24V power from an external source and generates various voltages (DC 5V, DC 12V, DC 18V, DC 24V, DC 37V) required for the operation of the pachinko gaming machine PY1 based on the AC 24V power. The power supply board 190 supplies the generated power to the game control board 100, the performance control board 120, and the payout control board 170, and also supplies it to other devices via these boards.

The power supply board 190 is provided with a backup power supply circuit 192. When power is not being supplied to the pachinko game machine PY1, the backup power supply circuit 192 supplies power to the game RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 of the game control board 100 and the performance RAM 124 of the performance control board 120, which will be described later. Therefore, the information stored in the game RAM 104 of the game control board 100 and the performance RAM 124 of the performance control board 120 is retained even when the power to the pachinko game machine PY1 is cut off. In addition, a power switch 191 is connected to the power supply board 190. The power switch 191 is turned on and off to switch the power on and off. In addition, a backup power circuit for the game RAM 104 of the game control board 100 may be provided on the game control board 100, and a backup power circuit for the performance RAM 124 of the performance control board 120 may be provided on the performance control board 120.

As shown in Figure 6, the game control board 100 is equipped with a one-chip game control microcomputer (hereinafter "game control microcomputer") 101 that controls the progress of the game on the pachinko game machine PY1 according to a program. The game control microcomputer 101 (game control means) includes a game ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 that stores programs for controlling the progress of the game, a game RAM 104 used as a work memory, a game CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102 that executes the programs stored in the game ROM 103, and a game I/O (Input/Output) port 118 for inputting and outputting data and signals. The game RAM 104 is provided with the above-mentioned special chart reservation memory unit 105 (first special chart reservation memory unit 105a and second special chart reservation memory unit 105b) and the normal chart reservation memory unit 106. The game ROM 103 may be external.

Various sensors and solenoids are connected to the game control board 100 via the relay board 110. Therefore, signals are input from each sensor to the game control board 100, and signals are output from the game control board 100 to each solenoid. Specifically, the sensors connected include a first start hole sensor 11a, a second start hole sensor 12a, a gate sensor 13a, a big prize hole sensor 14a, and a general prize hole sensor 10a.

The first start opening sensor 11a is provided in the first start opening 11 and detects game balls that have entered the first start opening 11. The second start opening sensor 12a is provided in the second start opening 12 and detects game balls that have entered the second start opening 12. The gate sensor 13a is provided in the gate 13 and detects game balls that have passed through the gate 13. The large prize opening sensor 14a is provided in the large prize opening 14 and detects game balls that have entered the large prize opening 14. The general prize opening sensor 10a is provided in the general prize opening 10 and detects game balls that have entered the general prize opening 10.

The solenoids connected include an electric chute solenoid 12s and an AT solenoid 14s. The electric chute solenoid 12s drives the electric chute opening and closing member 12k of the electric chute 12D. The AT solenoid 14s drives the AT opening and closing member 14k of the big prize device 14D.

Furthermore, the game control board 100 is connected to a special chart display 81 (first special chart display 81a and second special chart display 81b), a regular chart display 82, a special chart reserve display 83 (first special chart reserve display 83a and second special chart reserve display 83b), and a regular chart reserve display 84. In other words, the display control of these displays 8 is performed by the game control microcomputer 101.

The game control board 100 also transmits various commands and signals to the payout control board 170, and receives signals from the payout control board 170 to monitor payouts. The payout control board 170 is connected to a card unit CU (installed adjacent to the pachinko game machine PY1, which enables ball lending based on information such as an inserted prepaid card) and a prize ball payout device 73, as well as to a launching device 72 via a launch control circuit 175. The launching device 72 includes a handle 72k (see FIG. 1).

The payout control board 170 drives the prize ball motor 73m of the prize ball payout device 73 to pay out prize balls or pay out loan balls based on signals from the game control microcomputer 101 and signals from the card unit CU connected to the pachinko game machine PY1. The paid-out game balls are detected by the prize ball sensor 73a to count them, and the detection signal from the prize ball sensor 73a is output to the payout control board 170.

When the player operates the handle 72k (see FIG. 1) of the launching device 72, the touch switch 72a detects contact with the handle 72k, and the launch volume 72b detects the amount of rotation of the handle 72k. The launch solenoid 72s is then driven so that the game ball is launched with a strength that corresponds to the size of the detection signal from the launch volume 72b. In this pachinko game machine PY1, one game ball is launched in about 0.6 seconds.

The gaming control board 100 also transmits various commands to the presentation control board 120. The connection between the gaming control board 100 and the presentation control board 120 is a one-way communication connection that only allows signals to be sent from the gaming control board 100 to the presentation control board 120. In other words, a unidirectional circuit (not shown, for example, a circuit using a diode) is interposed between the gaming control board 100 and the presentation control board 120 as a means for restricting the direction of communication.

As shown in FIG. 7, the presentation control board 120 is equipped with a presentation control one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as the "presentation control microcomputer") 121 that controls the presentation of the pachinko game machine PY1 according to a program. The presentation control microcomputer 121 (presentation control means) includes a presentation ROM 123 that stores programs for controlling the presentation as the game progresses, a presentation RAM 124 used as a work memory, a presentation CPU 122 that executes the programs stored in the presentation ROM 123, and a presentation I/O port 138 for inputting and outputting data and signals. Note that the presentation ROM 123 may be external.

As shown in FIG. 7, the performance control board 120 is connected to an image control board 140, an audio control board 161 (audio control circuit), and a sub-drive board 162 (sub-drive circuit). The image control board 140 is connected to an image display device 50, and the audio control board 161 is connected to a speaker 610. The sub-drive board 162 is also connected to a board lamp 54, a board movable body 55k, and a frame lamp 212.

As shown in FIG. 7, the performance control microcomputer 121 (performance control means) of the performance control board 120 causes the image CPU 141 of the image control board 140 to control the image display device 50 based on commands received from the game control board 100. The image control board 140 is equipped with an image ROM 142 that stores programs for controlling image display and the like, an image RAM 143 used as a work memory, and an image CPU 141 that executes the programs stored in the image ROM 142. Note that the image ROM 142 stores still image data and video data to be displayed on the image display device 50, specifically image data for characters, items, figures, letters, numbers, symbols, etc. (including performance patterns) and background images.

The performance control microcomputer 121 outputs voice, music, sound effects, etc. from the speaker 610 via the audio control board 161 based on commands received from the game control board 100. Sound data such as sound output from the speaker 610 is stored in the performance ROM 123 of the performance control board 120. A CPU may be implemented on the audio control board 161, and in that case, the CPU may be made to execute the audio control. In this case, a ROM may be implemented on the audio control board 161, and audio data may be stored in the ROM. The speaker 610 may be connected to the image control board 140, and audio control may be executed by the image CPU 141 of the image control board 140 or the audio CPU provided on the image control board 140. In this case, audio data may be stored in the image ROM 142 of the image control board 140.

As shown in FIG. 7, the performance control microcomputer 121 controls the lighting of lamps such as the frame lamp 212 and board lamp 54 via the sub-drive board 162 based on commands received from the game control board 100. In detail, the performance control microcomputer 121 creates light pattern data (data that determines the on/off state, light color, etc., also called lamp drive data) that determines the light emission mode of each lamp, and controls the light emission of each lamp according to the light pattern data. Note that data stored in the performance ROM 123 of the performance control board 120 is used to create the light pattern data.

Furthermore, the performance control microcomputer 121 controls the drive of the movable board body 55k via the sub-drive board 162 based on commands received from the game control board 100. In detail, the performance control microcomputer 121 creates operation pattern data (also called drive data) that determines the operation mode of the movable board body 55k, and controls the drive of the motor for driving the movable board body 55k according to the operation pattern data. The data stored in the performance ROM 123 of the performance control board 120 is used to create the operation pattern data.

A CPU may be mounted on the sub-drive board 162, in which case the CPU may be made to control the lighting of the lamps and the drive of the movable plate body 55k. In this case, a ROM may be mounted on the sub-drive board 162, and data relating to the light emission patterns and operation patterns may be stored in the ROM.

In addition, an input section detection sensor (performance button detection sensor) 40a and a select button detection sensor 42a are connected to the performance control board 120. The input section detection sensor 40a detects that the performance button 40k (see FIG. 1) has been pressed. When the performance button 40k is pressed, a detection signal is output from the input section detection sensor 40a to the performance control board 120. The select button detection sensor 42a detects that the select button 42k (see FIG. 1) has been pressed. When the select button 42k is pressed, a detection signal is output from the select button detection sensor 42a to the performance control board 120.

Note that Figures 6 and 7 are merely functional block diagrams for explaining the electrical configuration of this pachinko game machine PY1, and the boards shown in Figures 6 and 7 are not the only boards provided. With the exception of the game control board 100, any of the boards shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be configured as one board, and the one board shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be configured as multiple boards.

3. Description of jackpots, etc. In the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, there are "jackpots" and "losses" as a result of the jackpot lottery (special symbol lottery). When there is a "jackpot", a "jackpot symbol" is displayed on the special symbol display 81. When there is a "loss", a "loss symbol" is displayed on the special symbol display 81. When a jackpot is won, a "jackpot game" is executed in which the big prize opening 14 is opened in an opening pattern according to the type of special symbol (type of jackpot) that is displayed. The jackpot game is also called a special game.

In this form, the jackpot game includes multiple rounds of play (unit opening play), an opening (also written as OP) before the first round of play begins, and an ending (also written as ED) after the final round of play ends. Each round of play begins with the end of the OP or the end of the previous round of play, and ends with the start of the next round of play or the start of the ED. The time (interval time) for the jackpot opening to be closed between rounds of play is included in the open round of play before that closure.

There are multiple types of jackpots. The types of jackpots are as shown in Figure 8. As shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, there are broadly two types: a special jackpot and a normal jackpot. A special jackpot is a jackpot that controls the game state after a jackpot game to a high probability state, which will be described later. A normal jackpot is a jackpot that controls the game state after a jackpot game to a normal probability state (low probability state), which will be described later.

More specifically, the guaranteed jackpot and normal jackpot that can be won in the lottery for special chart 1 (lottery for the first special symbol) are jackpots in which the large prize winning port 14 is open for a maximum of 29.5 seconds per round from round 1 to round 8, and in which the large prize winning port 14 is open for a maximum of 0.1 seconds per round from round 9 to round 10. In other words, although the total number of rounds for these jackpots is 10 rounds, the actual number of rounds is 8 rounds. The actual number of rounds refers to the number of rounds in which game balls can win up to the maximum number of winning balls per round (8 balls in this embodiment). In these jackpots, the opening time of the large prize winning port 14 is extremely short from round 9 to round 10, making it a round in which no winning balls are expected. In addition, if the "probable jackpot" is won by the lottery of special chart 1, the "special chart 1_probable jackpot pattern" is displayed on the first special chart display 81a, and if the "normal jackpot" is won, the "special chart 1_normal pattern" is displayed on the first special chart display 81a.

The special jackpot and normal jackpot that can be won in the special drawing (drawing for the second special symbol) are jackpots that open the jackpot slot 14 for a maximum of 29.5 seconds per round from round 1 to round 10. In other words, the effective number of rounds for these jackpots is also 10 rounds. If a special jackpot is won in the special drawing, the second special symbol display 81b will display a stopped "special jackpot 2_special jackpot symbol", and if a normal jackpot is won, the second special symbol display 81b will display a stopped "special jackpot 2_normal symbol".

Regardless of which jackpot is won, after the jackpot is played, the machine will be controlled to the electric support control state (high base state) described below. If the electric support control state is controlled in accordance with a high probability state, it will continue until the next jackpot is won. On the other hand, if it is controlled in accordance with a normal probability state (low probability state), the number of electric support times (time-saving times) is set to 100 times. The number of electric support times is the upper limit of the number of times the variable display of the special pattern is executed in the electric support control state.

As shown in FIG. 8, the distribution rate of jackpots in the lottery for special chart 1 and the lottery for special chart 2 is 65% for special jackpots and 35% for regular jackpots. However, the lottery for special chart 2 is set to be more advantageous for players than the lottery for special chart 1 in that if a jackpot is won based on the lottery for special chart 1, a jackpot game with an effective number of rounds is played, whereas if a jackpot is won based on the lottery for special chart 2, a jackpot game with an effective number of rounds is played.

In this pachinko game machine PY1, the lottery to determine whether or not there is a jackpot is based on a "jackpot random number," and the lottery to determine the type of jackpot that has been won is based on a "win type random number." As shown in FIG. 9(A), the jackpot random number has a value in the range of 0 to 65535. The win type random number has a value in the range of 0 to 99. Note that the random numbers obtained based on winning at the first start port 11 or the second start port 12 include a "reach random number" and a "variation pattern random number" in addition to the jackpot random number and win type random number.

The reach random number is a random number that determines whether or not a reach will occur in the performance pattern change performance that indicates a jackpot result when the result of the jackpot determination is a miss. A reach is a state in which there is only one performance pattern remaining out of multiple performance patterns that are displayed in a changing manner, and depending on which of the performance patterns that are displayed in a changing manner are displayed, a combination of performance patterns that indicates a jackpot win (for example, a "7↓7" state). Note that the performance pattern that is displayed in a stopped state in the reach state may be displayed as if it is shaking slightly on the display screen 50a, or may be displayed as if it is expanding and contracting repeatedly. This reach random number has a value in the range of 0 to 255.

The fluctuation pattern random number is a random number used to determine the fluctuation pattern including the fluctuation time. The fluctuation pattern random number has a value in the range of 0 to 99. The random numbers obtained based on passing through gate 13 include the normal pattern random number (winning random number) shown in FIG. 9 (B). The normal pattern random number is a random number used for the lottery (normal pattern lottery) to determine whether or not to play the auxiliary game that opens electric chute 12D. The normal pattern random number has a value in the range of 0 to 65535.

4. Description of the game state Next, the game state of the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment will be described. The special chart display 81 and the normal chart display 82 of the pachinko game machine PY1 each have a probability fluctuation function and a fluctuation time shortening function. The state in which the probability fluctuation function of the special chart display 81 is activated is called the "high probability state", and the state in which it is not activated is called the "normal probability state (non-high probability state)". In the high probability state, the probability of a jackpot is higher than in the normal probability state. That is, a jackpot determination is performed using a jackpot determination table in which the value of the jackpot random number determined to be a jackpot is greater than that of the jackpot determination table used in the normal probability state (see FIG. 10 (A)). In other words, when the probability fluctuation function of the special chart display 81 is activated, the probability that the display result of the variable display of the special pattern by the special chart display 81 (i.e., the stopped pattern) will be a jackpot pattern is higher than when it is not activated.

The state in which the variable time shortening function of the special symbol display 81 is activated is called the "time shortening state", and the state in which it is not activated is called the "non-time shortening state". In the time shortening state, the variable time of the special symbol (the time from the start of the variable display to the derivation display of the display result) is shorter than in the non-time shortening state. In other words, the variable pattern is determined using a variable pattern table (the normal special symbol variable pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (A) and the special special symbol variable pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (B)) that is determined so that a variable pattern with a short variable time is selected more often than in the non-time shortening state. In other words, when the variable time shortening function of the special symbol display 81 is activated, a short variable time is more likely to be selected as the variable time of the variable display of the special symbol compared to when it is not activated. As a result, in the time shortening state, the pace of consumption of the special symbol reservation is faster, and effective winning (winning that can be stored as a special symbol reservation) at the starting port is more likely to occur. Therefore, it is possible to aim for a jackpot under smooth game progress.

The probability change function and the time shortening function of the special pattern display 81 may operate simultaneously, or only one of them may operate. The probability change function and the time shortening function of the normal pattern display 82 operate in synchronization with the time shortening function of the special pattern display 81. That is, the probability change function and the time shortening function of the normal pattern display 82 operate in the time shortening state, and do not operate in the non-time shortening state. Therefore, in the time shortening state, the probability of winning in the normal pattern lottery is higher than in the non-time shortening state. That is, a win judgment (determination of the normal pattern) is performed using a normal pattern win judgment table in which the value of the normal pattern random number (win random number) that is judged as a win is higher than the normal pattern win judgment table used in the non-time shortening state (see FIG. 10 (C)). In other words, when the probability change function of the normal pattern display 82 is activated, the probability that the display result of the variable display of the normal pattern by the normal pattern display 82 will be a normal winning pattern is higher than when it is not activated.

In addition, in the time-saving state, the time it takes for the normal symbols to change is shorter than in the non-time-saving state. In this embodiment, the time it takes for the normal symbols to change is 7 seconds in the non-time-saving state, but 1 second in the time-saving state (see FIG. 10(D)). Furthermore, in the time-saving state, the time the electric chute 12D is open during auxiliary play is longer than in the non-time-saving state (see FIG. 12). In other words, the function to extend the opening time of the electric chute 12D is activated. In addition, in the time-saving state, the number of times the electric chute 12D is opened during auxiliary play is greater than in the non-time-saving state (see FIG. 12). In other words, the function to increase the number of times the electric chute 12D is opened is activated.

When the probability variation function and variation time shortening function of the normal display 82, and the opening time extension function and opening count increase function of the electric chute 12D are operating, the electric chute 12D opens more frequently and game balls enter the second starting hole 12 more frequently than when these functions are not operating. As a result, the base, which is the ratio of the number of winning balls to the number of shot balls, becomes higher. Therefore, the state in which these functions are operating is called a "high base state," and the state in which they are not operating is called a "low base state." In the high base state, you can aim for a jackpot without significantly reducing the number of game balls you have. Note that the high base state is a state in which so-called electric support control (control that supports the entry of a winning ball into the second starting hole 12 by the electric chute 12D) is being executed. Therefore, the high base state is also called an electric support control state or an easy-to-enter state. In contrast, the low base state is also called a non-electric support control state or a non-easy-to-enter state.

The high base state does not have to have all of the above functions activated. In other words, it is sufficient that the activation of one or more of the following functions - the probability fluctuation function of the normal map display 82, the fluctuation time reduction function of the normal map display 82, the opening time extension function of the electric chute 12D, and the opening count increase function of the electric chute 12D - makes it easier for the electric chute 12D to open than when that function is not activated. Also, the high base state may be controlled independently without being associated with the time-saving state.

In this embodiment of the pachinko game machine PY1, the game state after winning a jackpot game due to winning a special jackpot is a high probability state, a time-saving state, and a high base state. This game state is particularly called the "high probability high base state." The high probability high base state ends when the variable display of special symbols is executed a predetermined number of times (10,000 times in this embodiment), or when a jackpot is won and the jackpot game is executed. In other words, in this embodiment, the high probability high base state essentially continues until the next jackpot is won. Note that the condition for ending the high probability high base state may be simply that a jackpot is won and the jackpot game is executed.

The game state after a jackpot game due to winning a normal jackpot is a normal probability state (a non-high probability state, i.e., a low probability state), a time-saving state, and a high base state. This game state is specifically called a "low probability, high base state." The low probability, high base state ends when the variable display of special symbols is executed a predetermined number of times (100 times in this embodiment), or when a jackpot is won and the jackpot game is executed.

When playing pachinko game machine PY1 for the first time, the game state after powering on is a normal probability state, a non-time-saving state, and a low base state. This game state is specifically referred to as the "low probability, low base state." The low probability, low base state will be referred to as the "normal game state." In addition, the state during which a special game (jackpot game) is being played will be referred to as the "special game state (jackpot game state)." Furthermore, the state in which the game is controlled to at least one of the high probability state and the high base state will be referred to as the "bonus game state."

In a high base state, such as a high probability high base state or a low probability high base state, it is more advantageous to play by hitting the ball to the right playing area 6R (see Figure 4). This is because the electric support control makes it easier for the electric chute 12D to open compared to a low base state, making it easier to win in the second starting hole 12 than in the first starting hole 11. Therefore, the ball is hit to the right in order to enter the second starting hole 12 while passing through the gate 13, which triggers the normal pattern lottery. This allows more starting wins (winning in the starting hole) to be obtained than by hitting to the left. In this pachinko game machine PY1, the game is played by hitting to the right even during jackpot play.

In contrast, in the low base state, it is more advantageous to play by hitting the game ball from the left into the left game area 6L (see Figure 4). Because electric support control is not being executed, the electric chute 12D is less likely to open than in the high base state, making it easier to win in the first starting hole 11 than in the second starting hole 12. For this reason, the game ball is hit from the left in order to win in the first starting hole 11. This allows more start wins to be obtained than by hitting from the right.

5. Operation of the gaming control microcomputer 101 [Main control main processing] Next, the operation of the gaming control microcomputer 101 will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 28. The counter, timer, flag, status, buffer, etc., which appear in the description of the operation of the gaming control microcomputer 101, are provided in the gaming RAM 104. When the power supply of the pachinko gaming machine PY1 is turned on, the gaming control microcomputer 101 provided in the gaming control board 100 reads out the program of the main control main processing shown in Fig. 13 from the gaming ROM 103 and executes it. As shown in the figure, in the main control main processing, initial settings are first performed (step S001). In the initial settings, for example, stack setting, constant setting, interrupt time setting, gaming CPU 102 setting, SIO, PIO, CTC (circuit for managing interrupt time), resetting of various flags, status, counters, etc. are performed. The initial value of the flag is "0", i.e. "OFF", the initial value of the status is "1", and the initial value of the counter is "0". The initial setting (S001) is executed only once after the power is turned on and will not be executed thereafter.

Following the initial setting (S001), interrupts are prohibited (S002), and the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003) is executed. In this normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003), the various random number counter values shown in FIG. 9 are updated by incrementing them by 1. When each random number counter value reaches its upper limit, it returns to "0" and is incremented again. Note that the initial value of each random number counter may be a value other than "0", and may be changed randomly. Each random number may also be a so-called hardware random number that is generated using a known random number generation circuit consisting of a counter IC or the like.

When the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003) is completed, an interrupt is permitted (S004). While the interrupt is permitted, the main timer interrupt process (S005) can be executed. The main timer interrupt process (S005) is executed based on an interrupt pulse repeatedly input to the gaming CPU 102, for example, at a 4 msec cycle. That is, it is executed at a 4 msec cycle, for example. Then, from the end of the main timer interrupt process (S005) until the next start of the main timer interrupt process (S005), the update process of various counter values by the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003) is repeatedly executed. Note that if an interrupt pulse is input to the gaming CPU 102 when the interrupt is prohibited, the main timer interrupt process (S005) does not start immediately, but starts after the interrupt is permitted (S004).

[Main timer interrupt processing] Next, the main timer interrupt processing (S005) will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, in the main timer interrupt processing (S005), output processing (S101) is executed first. In the output processing (S101), commands etc. set in the output buffer provided in the gaming RAM 104 of the gaming control board 100 in each process described below are output to the performance control board 120, the payout control board 170, etc.

In the input process (S102) that follows the output process (S101), the detection signals detected by various sensors (first start hole sensor 11a, second start hole sensor 12a, gate sensor 13a, big prize hole sensor 14a, general prize hole sensor 10a, etc. (see Figure 6)) attached mainly to the pachinko game machine PY1 are read and stored (set) in the output buffer of the gaming RAM 104 as prize ball information. In addition, a detection signal from the lower tray full switch that detects whether the lower tray 35 is full is also taken in, and stored in the output buffer of the gaming RAM 104 as lower tray full data.

The normal and special symbol main random number update process (S103) that is performed next is the same as the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S003) that is performed in the main control main process in Figure 13. That is, the update process for the various random number counter values (including the normal symbol random number counter value) shown in Figure 9 is performed both during the execution period of the main side timer interrupt process (S005) and during other periods (the period from the end of the main side timer interrupt process (S005) to the start of the next main side timer interrupt process (S005)).

After the normal and special symbols main random number update process (S103), the sensor detection process (S104), normal operation process (S105), and special operation process (S106) are executed. After that, other processes (S107) are executed, and the main timer interrupt process (S005) is terminated. As the other processes (S107), the second special symbol reserved indicator 83b is controlled to a display mode showing the number of reserved balls of the special symbol 2 described below, and the first special symbol reserved indicator 83a is controlled to a display mode showing the number of reserved balls of the special symbol 1 described below. Then, the main control main process steps S002 to S004 are repeatedly executed (see FIG. 13) until the next interrupt pulse is input to the gaming CPU 102, and when the interrupt pulse is input (after about 4 msec), the main timer interrupt process (S005) is executed again. In the output process (S101) of the main timer interrupt process (S005) that is executed again, the commands etc. that were set in the output buffer of the game RAM 104 in the previous main timer interrupt process (S005) are output.

[Sensor detection process] As shown in FIG. 15, in the sensor detection process (S104), first, it is determined whether or not the gaming ball has passed through the gate 13, i.e., whether or not the gaming ball has been detected by the gate sensor 13a (S201). If the gaming ball has passed through the gate 13 (YES in S201), the gate passing process described below is performed (S202). On the other hand, if the gaming ball has not passed through the gate 13 (NO in S201), the gate passing process (S202) is skipped and the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S203, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the second start hole 12, that is, whether or not a game ball has been detected by the second start hole sensor 12a (S203). If a game ball has not entered the second start hole 12 (NO in S203), the process proceeds to step S207. If a game ball has entered the second start hole 12 (YES in S203), the process proceeds to step S207. If a game ball has entered the second start hole 12 (YES in S203), the process proceeds to step S207. If the number of balls reserved for the special chart 2 has reached "4" (YES in S204), the process proceeds to step S207. If the number of balls reserved for the special chart 2 is less than "4" (NO in S204), the process adds 1 to the number of balls reserved for the special chart 2 (S205).

Next, a special chart 2 related random number acquisition process is performed (S206). In the special chart 2 related random number acquisition process (S206), the jackpot random number counter value (label-TRND-A), the hit type random number counter value (label-TRND-AS), the reach random number counter value (label-TRND-RC), and the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) are acquired (i.e., the random number group shown in FIG. 9(A) is acquired), and these acquired random number values are stored in a memory area of the second special chart reserved memory unit 105b that corresponds to the current number of reserved balls for special chart 2.

Next, in the sensor detection process (S104), it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the first start hole 11, that is, whether or not a game ball has been detected by the first start hole sensor 11a (S207). If a game ball has not entered the first start hole 11 (NO in S207), the process is terminated. However, if a game ball has entered the first start hole 11 (YES in S207), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 (the number of reserved first special charts, specifically, the value of the counter that counts the number of reserved first special charts provided in the gaming RAM 104) has reached "4" (upper limit memory number) (S208). Then, if the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 has reached "4" (YES in S208), the process is terminated. However, if the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is less than "4" (NO in S208), "1" is added to the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 (S209).

Then, the special chart 1 related random number acquisition process (S210) is performed, and this process is completed. In the special chart 1 related random number acquisition process (S210), as in the special chart 2 related random number acquisition process (S206), the jackpot random number counter value (label-TRND-A), the hit type random number counter value (label-TRND-AS), the reach random number counter value (label-TRND-RC), and the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) are acquired (i.e., the random number group shown in FIG. 9 (A) is acquired), and these acquired random number values are stored in the memory area of the first special chart reserved memory unit 105a corresponding to the current number of reserved balls for special chart 1.

[Gate Passing Process] As shown in FIG. 16, in the gate passing process (S202), it is determined whether the number of reserved normal symbol balls (the number of reserved normal symbols, specifically the value of the counter that counts the number of reserved normal symbols provided in the gaming RAM 104) is 4 or more (S301), and if the number of reserved normal symbol balls is 4 or more (YES in S301), the process ends. On the other hand, if the number of reserved normal symbol balls is not 4 or more (NO in S301), "1" is added to the number of reserved normal symbol balls (S302), and a normal symbol random number acquisition process is performed (S303). In the normal symbol random number acquisition process (S303), the normal symbol random number counter value (the value of label-TRND-H, see FIG. 9 (B)) is acquired, and the acquired random number value is stored in a memory area in the normal symbol reservation memory unit 106 of the gaming RAM 104 that corresponds to the current number of reserved normal symbol balls.

[Normal operation processing] The game control microcomputer 101 performs the normal operation processing (S105) following the sensor detection processing (S104) (see FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 17, in the normal operation processing (S105), first, it is determined whether the electric chute 12D is in operation (S401). If the electric chute 12D is not in operation (NO in S401), it is then determined whether or not a normal symbol is being displayed in a stopped state (S402). If a normal symbol is not being displayed in a stopped state (NO in S402), it is then determined whether or not a variable normal symbol is being displayed (S403). If a variable normal symbol is not being displayed (NO in S403), it is then determined whether or not the number of reserved balls for the normal symbol is "0" (S404). If the number of reserved balls for the normal symbol is "0" (YES in S404), this processing ends.

If the number of reserved balls for normal symbols is not "0" in step S404 (NO in S404), a win determination process is performed (S405). In the win determination process (S405), the normal symbol random number counter value (the value of label-TRND-H) stored in the normal symbol reserved memory unit 106 is read out, and it is determined whether or not there is a win based on the normal symbol win determination table shown in FIG. 10 (C). Then, a pattern determination process is performed (S406) in which normal symbol stop symbol data corresponding to the result of the win determination is set in a specified memory area of the gaming RAM 104. That is, in the pattern determination process (S406), if it is a "miss", data corresponding to a "normal symbol miss symbol" is set, and if it is a "win", data corresponding to a "normal winning symbol" is set.

The game control microcomputer 101 then performs normal pattern change time determination processing (S407). In the normal pattern change time determination processing (S407), by referring to the normal pattern change pattern selection table shown in FIG. 10 (D), if the game state is in the time-saving state, a normal pattern change pattern with a normal pattern change time of 1 second is selected. On the other hand, if the game state is not in the time-saving state, a normal pattern change pattern with a normal pattern change time of 7 seconds is selected.

Then, the game control microcomputer 101 decrements the number of reserved normal symbols by one (S408). Then, the storage location (memory area) of each reserved normal symbol in the normal symbol reserve memory unit 106 is shifted one position from the current position to the side from which it is read, and the memory area corresponding to the fourth reserved symbol in the normal symbol reserve memory unit 106 (the memory area farthest from the side from which it is read) is cleared (S409). In this way, the reserved normal symbols are consumed in the order in which they were reserved. After that, the game control microcomputer 101 starts displaying the changes in the normal symbol using the normal symbol change pattern selected in step S407 (S410). In conjunction with this, a normal symbol change start command is set to notify the performance control board 120 that the normal symbol changes have started.

If the normal symbol variation display is in progress in step S403 described above (YES in S403), it is then determined whether the normal symbol variation time has elapsed (S411), and if not, the process ends. On the other hand, if the time has elapsed (YES in S411), the normal symbol variation display is stopped with the display result (normal winning symbol or normal losing symbol) according to the result of the normal symbol random number determination (S412). Then, a normal symbol variation stop command is set to notify the performance control board 120 that the normal symbol variation has stopped (S413), and the normal symbol stop time is set (S414), and the process ends.

Also, if the normal symbol is displayed in the above-mentioned step S402 (YES in S402), it is then determined whether the stop time of the normal symbol set in step S414 has elapsed (S415), and if it has not elapsed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it has elapsed (YES in S415), it is determined whether the normal symbol stop symbol data for the normal winning symbol has been set (S416), and if it is not the data for the normal winning symbol (i.e., if it is not a win (NO in S416)), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is the data for the normal winning symbol (i.e., if it is a win (YES in S416)), the opening pattern of the electric chute 12D is set (S417). In detail, if the time-saving state is in effect, the opening pattern during the time-saving state (see electric chute opening TBL2 in FIG. 12) is set as the opening pattern of the electric chute 12D. On the other hand, if the game is not in the time-saving state, the opening pattern for the electric chute 12D is set to the opening pattern for the non-time-saving state (see electric chute opening TBL1 in FIG. 12). Then, the electric chute 12D is operated according to the opening pattern set in step S417 (S418).

Also, if the electric chute 12D is in operation in step S401 described above (YES in S401), it is then determined whether the operation time of the electric chute 12D has elapsed (S419), and if it has not elapsed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it has elapsed (YES in S419), the operation of the electric chute 12D is terminated (S420).

[Special action processing] The game control microcomputer 101 performs the special action processing (S106) following the normal action processing (S105) (see Figure 14). As shown in Figure 18, in the special action processing (S106), the processing related to the special chart display 81 and the big prize device 14D is divided into four stages, and each stage is assigned a "special action status 1, 2, 3, 4." Then, if the "special operation status" is "1" (YES in S1301), the game control microcomputer 101 performs special symbol waiting processing (S1302); if the "special operation status" is "2" (NO in S1301, YES in S1303), it performs special symbol changing processing (S1304); if the "special operation status" is "3" (NO in both S1301 and S1303, YES in S1305), it performs special symbol determination processing (S1306); and if the "special operation status" is "4" (NO in all S1301, S1303, and S1305), it performs special electric device processing (S1307). The special operation status is initially set to "1".

[Special symbol waiting process] As shown in FIG. 19, in the special symbol waiting process (S1302), first, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls in the second starting port 12 (i.e., the number of reserved balls in the special symbol 2) is "0" (S1401). If the number of reserved balls in the special symbol 2 is "0" (YES in S1401), that is, if there is no memory of the random number counter value group acquired due to winning in the second starting port 12, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls in the first starting port 11 (i.e., the number of reserved balls in the special symbol 1) is "0" (S1407). Then, if the number of reserved balls in the special symbol 1 is also "0" (YES in S1407), that is, if there is no memory of the random number counter value group acquired due to winning in the first starting port 11, it is determined whether the customer waiting flag is ON (S1415). If it is ON (YES in S1415), this process ends; if it is not ON (NO in S1415), the customer waiting command is set in the output buffer of the gaming RAM 104 (S1416), the customer waiting flag is set ON (S1417), and this process ends.

In step S1401, if the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is not "0" (NO in S1401), that is, if there is one or more random number counter value groups (reserved information for special chart 2) obtained due to winning in the second starting hole 12, the game control microcomputer 101 performs the special chart 2 big win determination process (S1402) and the special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (S1403) described later. After that, the game control microcomputer 101 decrements the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 by 1 (S1404). Then, the storage location (storage area) of various counter values in the second special chart reservation memory unit 105b is shifted by one from the current position to the side to be read, and the memory area corresponding to the first reserved ball in the second special chart reservation memory unit 105b is cleared (S1405). Next, the game control microcomputer 101 executes the special chart 2 variation start process (S1406) and proceeds to step S1413. In the special symbol 2 variation start process (S1406), the special operation status is set to "2" and a variation start command is set in the output buffer of the game RAM 104 to start the variation display of the second special symbol. The variation start command (also called the special symbol 2 variation start command) set in the special symbol 2 variation start process (S1406) includes information on the special symbol stop symbol data set in the special symbol 2 big win determination process (S1402) and information on the variation pattern set in the special symbol 2 variation pattern selection process (S1403) (information including variation time information).

In addition, if the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is "0" but the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is not "0" (YES in S1401 and NO in S1407), that is, if there is no reserved information for special chart 2 but there is one or more random number counter value groups (reserved information for special chart 1) obtained due to winning in the first starting hole 11, the game control microcomputer 101 performs the special chart 1 big win determination process (S1408) and the special chart 1 variation pattern selection process (S1409) described later. After that, the game control microcomputer 101 decrements the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 by 1 (S1410). Then, the storage location (storage area) of various counter values in the first special chart reservation memory unit 105a is shifted by one from the current position to the side to be read, and the memory area corresponding to the fourth reserved ball in the first special chart reservation memory unit 105a (the memory area farthest from the side to be read) is cleared (S1411). In this way, the first special chart reservations are consumed in the order in which they were reserved. Next, the game control microcomputer 101 executes the special symbol 1 variation start process (S1412) and proceeds to step S1413. In the special symbol 1 variation start process (S1412), the special operation status is set to "2" and a variation start command is set in the output buffer of the game RAM 104 to start the variation display of the first special symbol. The variation start command (also called the special symbol 1 variation start command) set in the special symbol 1 variation start process (S1412) includes information on the special symbol stop symbol data set in the special symbol 1 big win determination process (S1408) and information on the variation pattern set in the special symbol 1 variation pattern selection process (S1409) (information including information on the variation time).

When the process proceeds to step S1413, it is determined whether the customer waiting flag is ON or not, and if it is ON, the customer waiting flag is turned OFF (S1414), and the process ends. As described above, in this embodiment, the display of the changing special pattern based on the first special pattern reservation is performed only when the second special pattern reservation is "0" (YES in S1401). In other words, the consumption of the second special pattern reservation is executed in priority to the consumption of the first special pattern reservation.

[Special chart 2 jackpot determination process (special chart 1 jackpot determination process)] The special chart 2 jackpot determination process (S1402) and the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (S1408) have the same process flow, so they will be explained together based on Figure 20. As shown in Figure 20, in the special chart 2 jackpot determination process (S1402) or the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (S1408), first, the jackpot random number counter value (value of label-TRND-A) is read out as the determination value (S1501). In detail, in the special chart 2 jackpot determination process (S1402), the jackpot random number counter value stored in the first memory area of the second special chart reserved memory unit 105b of the game RAM 104 (i.e., the memory area corresponding to the first of the second special chart reserved) is read out. In addition, in the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (S1408), the jackpot random number counter value stored in the first memory area (i.e., the memory area corresponding to the first reserved first special chart) of the first special chart reserved memory unit 105a of the gaming RAM 104 is read.

Next, the jackpot determination table (Fig. 10(A)) is set (S1502). Then, it is determined whether the probability flag is ON, i.e., whether the probability is high (S1503). If the probability is not high (NO in S1503), i.e., if the probability is normal (non-high), it is determined whether a jackpot has been won based on the table for non-high probability states (jackpot determination value is "1" to "210") in the jackpot determination table (Fig. 10(A)) (S1504). On the other hand, if the probability is high (YES in S1503), it is determined whether a jackpot has been won based on the table for high probability states (jackpot determination value is "1" to "1660") in the jackpot determination table (Fig. 10(A)) (S1505).

If the result of the jackpot determination (S1504, S1505) is a "jackpot," the win type random number counter value (the value of label-TRND-AS) is read out and the win type is determined based on the win type determination table shown in FIG. 8 (S1506). After the win type is determined (S1506), the jackpot flag is turned ON (S1507), and the special stop symbol data corresponding to the win type (see FIG. 8) is set in the win type buffer provided in the game RAM 104 (S1508), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the result of the jackpot determination (S1504, S1505) is a "miss," the special stop symbol data (01H) corresponding to the miss symbol is set (S1508), and the process ends.

[Special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (special chart 1 variation pattern selection process)] The special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (S1403) and the special chart 1 variation pattern selection process (S1409) have the same processing flow, so they will be explained together with reference to Figs. 21 to 23. As shown in Fig. 21, in the special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (S1403) or the special chart 1 variation pattern selection process (S1409), first, it is determined whether the game state is in the time-saving state (whether the time-saving flag is ON or not) (S1601).

If the game is not in the time-saving state (NO in S1601), that is, if the game is in the non-time-saving state, it is next determined whether the jackpot flag is ON (S1602). If it is ON (YES in S1602), the game refers to the non-time-saving state jackpot normal table (the portion of the normal special chart fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (A) that corresponds to the non-time-saving state and jackpot), and selects a fluctuation pattern based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (the value of label-TRND-T1) (S1603). As shown in FIG. 11 (A) and (B), once the fluctuation pattern is determined, the fluctuation time is also determined.

In the variable presentation of this pachinko game machine PY1, in addition to Dohazure and normal reach, SP (Super Reach) can be executed. Dohazure is a variable presentation in which the combination of the presentation patterns EZ1, EZ2, and EZ3 is displayed as a barrage (for example, "458"). Normal reach is a variable presentation in which no development presentation is executed after the above-mentioned reach is formed, and the remaining presentation pattern that continues to be displayed is displayed as a variable presentation. SP reach is a variable presentation in which a development presentation is executed after the above-mentioned reach is formed, and the variable time after the reach is longer than that of normal reach. Thus, in this embodiment, the variation pattern is selected so that Dohazure, normal reach, and SP reach can be executed.

In an SP reach, the allocation rates for the various fluctuation patterns are set so that the winning expectation rate (expectation of winning the jackpot, possibility of playing the jackpot) is higher than in a normal reach (see Figures 11 (A) and (B)). Therefore, by looking at an SP reach, which has a long fluctuation time, a player can understand that the winning expectation rate is higher than in a normal reach. Here, there are three types of SP reach: Weak SP reach A, Weak SP reach B, and Strong SP reach. The allocation rates for the various fluctuation patterns are set so that the winning expectation rate increases in the order of Weak SP reach A ⇒ Weak SP reach B ⇒ Strong SP reach.

In step S1602 shown in FIG. 21, if the jackpot flag is not ON, it is determined whether the reach random number counter value (the value of label-TRND-RC) is a reach establishment random number value (S1604). As shown in FIG. 10(B), the reach establishment random number value is "1" to "30" in the non-time-saving state, and "1" to "10" in the time-saving state. In other words, in the time-saving state, it is less likely that a reach will occur when there is a miss than in the non-time-saving state. This is to speed up the consumption of reserved special charts by selecting more non-reach misses with short fluctuation times in the time-saving state.

If the reach random number counter value is a reach establishment random number value (YES in S1604), that is, in the case of a reach with miss, a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value by referring to the reach with miss table during non-time-saving state (the portion of the normal special chart fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (A) that corresponds to the non-time-saving state and reach with miss) (S1605).

On the other hand, if the reach random number counter value is not a reach establishment random number value (NO in S1604), that is, in the case of a miss without a reach, a table for misses without a reach during non-time-saving state (the part of the normal special pattern fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (A) that corresponds to a non-time-saving state and misses without a reach) is referenced and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1606). In this case of a miss without a reach, a shortened fluctuation function according to the number of reserved balls is activated. In other words, when the number of reserved balls for the special pattern is "3" or "4", a fluctuation pattern with a shorter fluctuation time is selected compared to when the number of reserved balls for the special pattern is "0" to "2" (see FIG. 11).

In addition, in step S1601, if it is determined that the game state is in the time-saving state (YES in S1601), the process proceeds to step S1612 shown in FIG. 22. In step S1612, it is determined whether the number of times the special symbol changes (the number of times the change display has changed) since it was controlled to the high probability state is 101 or more. The game control microcomputer 101 determines whether the number of times the special symbol has changed is 101 or more based on the value of the set probability change counter (whether it is "9899" or less). If it is not 101 or more (NO in S1612), the process proceeds to step S1607. In steps S1607 and after, the process (S1607 to S1611) is performed in the same manner as steps S1602 to S1606 above, except that the referenced normal special symbol change pattern determination table is the table in the time-saving state (the part of the normal special symbol change pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (A) that corresponds to the time-saving state).

In other words, if it is a jackpot, the portion of FIG. 11(A) in the time-saving state that corresponds to a jackpot is referenced, and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1608). If it is a miss with a reach, the portion of FIG. 11(A) in the time-saving state that corresponds to a miss with a reach is referenced, and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1610). If it is a miss without a reach, the portion of FIG. 11 in the time-saving state that corresponds to a miss with a no reach is referenced, and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1611).

In addition, in the normal special chart fluctuation pattern judgment table during the time-saving state (the portion of the normal special chart fluctuation pattern judgment table shown in FIG. 11 (A) that corresponds to the time-saving state), the function of shortening fluctuation according to the number of reserved balls at the time of a no-reach miss works when the number of reserved balls is "2" to "4". In other words, shortening fluctuation is more likely to be selected than in a non-time-saving state. Also, the fluctuation time for shortening fluctuation is shorter during the time-saving state than during a non-time-saving state. In other words, the special chart fluctuation pattern judgment table during the time-saving state is a table in which the fluctuation time is shorter than the special chart fluctuation pattern judgment table during a non-time-saving state.

In addition, in step S1612, if it is determined that the number of times the special symbol has changed since being controlled to the high probability state is 101 or more (YES in S1612), the process proceeds to step S1613 shown in FIG. 23. In step S1613 and thereafter, the process (S1614 to S1617) is performed in the same manner as steps S1602 to S1606 above, except that the special symbol change pattern determination table to be referenced is the special special symbol change pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (B).

In other words, if it is a jackpot, the portion of FIG. 11(B) corresponding to a jackpot is referenced and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1614). If it is a miss with reach, the portion of FIG. 11(B) corresponding to a miss with reach is referenced and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1616). If it is a miss without reach, the portion of FIG. 11(B) corresponding to a miss without reach is referenced and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1617).

After selecting the variation pattern as described above, the selected variation pattern is set (S1618) as shown in FIG. 21, and this process ends. Information on the variation pattern set in step S1618 is included in the variation start command set in step S1406 or S1412 in the special pattern waiting process (S1302), and is sent to the performance control board 120 by the output process (S101).

[Special symbol fluctuation processing] As shown in FIG. 24, in the special symbol fluctuation processing (S1304), it is first determined whether the special symbol fluctuation time (fluctuation time determined according to the fluctuation pattern selected in step S1403 or S1409, see FIG. 11 (A) (B)) has elapsed (S1801). If it has not elapsed (NO in S1801), this processing is immediately ended. This allows the display of the changing special symbols to continue.

On the other hand, if the fluctuation time has elapsed (YES in S1801), a fluctuation stop command is set (S1802) and the special operation status is set to "3" (S1803). Then, other processing is performed, such as stopping the special symbol fluctuation display at a symbol (jackpot symbol or losing symbol) according to the special symbol stop symbol data that has been set (S1804), and this processing ends.

[Special symbol determination process] As shown in FIG. 25, in the special symbol determination process (S1306), first, it is determined whether the stop time of the special symbol (the stop time determined according to the variation pattern selected in step S1403 or S1409, see FIG. 11 (A) (B)) has elapsed (S1901). If it has not elapsed (NO in S1901), this process is immediately terminated. This allows the stopped display of the special symbol to continue. On the other hand, if the stop time has elapsed (YES in S1901), the game status management process described below is performed (S1902).

Next, it is determined whether the jackpot flag is ON (S1903). If the jackpot flag is ON (YES in S1903), an opening pattern (see FIG. 8 for details) corresponding to the type of jackpot won is set (S1904). At this time, the value of a round counter that counts the number of unit opening games (round games) executed during the jackpot game is set to the number of rounds corresponding to the type of jackpot won. Note that the setting of the opening pattern (setting of data corresponding to the opening pattern) may be performed for each round.

Following step S1904, the game control microcomputer 101 performs a game state reset process (S1905). In the game state reset process (S1905), first, if the probability variable flag is ON, the probability variable flag is turned OFF, and if the time-saving flag is ON, the time-saving flag is turned OFF. In other words, while the jackpot game is being played, the game is controlled to a non-high probability state and a non-time-saving state. The probability variable counter value and the time-saving counter value are also set to "0". After that, in order to start the jackpot game, a jackpot opening command is set (S1906), and the opening of the jackpot game is started (S1907). Then, the special operation status is set to "4" (S1908), and this process ends.

Also, if the jackpot flag is not ON in step S1903 (NO in S1903), the jackpot game does not start, so the special operation status is set to "1" (S1909) and this process ends.

[Game Status Management Process] As shown in FIG. 26, in the game status management process (S1902), first it is determined whether the high probability flag is ON (S2001). If it is ON (YES in S2001), the value of the high probability counter, which counts the number of times the special symbol changes during the high probability state, is decremented by 1 (S2002), and it is determined whether the value of the high probability counter is "0" (S2003). If it is "0" (YES in S2003), the high probability flag is turned OFF (S2004), and the process proceeds to step S2005. If the determination result in step S2001 or S2003 is NO, the process immediately proceeds to step S2009.

In step S2005, it is determined whether the time-saving flag is ON. If it is ON (YES in S2005), the value of the time-saving counter, which counts the number of times the special symbol changes during the time-saving state, is decremented by 1 (S2006), and it is determined whether the value of the time-saving counter is "0" (S2007). If it is "0" (YES in S2007), the time-saving flag is turned OFF (S2008), and the process proceeds to step S2009. If the determination result in step S2005 or S2007 is NO, the process immediately proceeds to step S2009. In step S2009, a game state designation command including information on the current game state (information on whether the special variable flag and the time-saving flag are ON or OFF), the value of the special variable counter, and the value of the time-saving counter are set in the output buffer of the game RAM 104, and this process ends.

[Special Electric Device Processing (Big Win Game)] As shown in FIG. 27, in the special electric device processing (S1307), first, it is determined whether the big win end flag is ON (S2201). The big win end flag is a flag that indicates that all the big win openings 14 have been opened in the big win game being executed.

If the jackpot end flag is not ON (NO in S2201), it is determined whether the jackpot opening 14 is currently open (S2202). If it is not currently open (NO in S2202), it is determined whether the time to open the jackpot opening 14 has arrived, that is, whether the opening time for the jackpot game has elapsed and the time to start opening for the first round of play has arrived, or whether the interval time (closing time) until the jackpot opening 14 is reopened after being closed has elapsed and the time to start opening has arrived (S2203).

If the result of the determination in step S2203 is NO, the process ends. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S2203 is YES, the big prize opening 14 is opened according to an opening pattern (see FIG. 8) corresponding to the type of big win (S2204).

In the next step S2205, a round designation command transmission determination process is performed. In the round designation command transmission determination process (S2205), it is determined whether the opening of the jackpot opening 14 in step S2204 is the first opening during one round of play, and if so, a round designation command including information on the number of rounds of the jackpot game currently being played is set in the output buffer of the game RAM 104. Note that in this embodiment, the jackpot opening 14 is not opened multiple times during one round of play. Therefore, in this step S2205, a round designation command is always set.

In step S2202 of the special electric device processing (S1307), if the large prize opening 14 is open (YES in S2202), it is determined whether or not the closing condition for the large prize opening 14 is met (S2206). In this embodiment, the closing condition is met when either the number of prizes won into the large prize opening 14 in that round of play reaches the specified maximum number of prizes (8 prizes per round in this embodiment), or the time has come to close the large prize opening 14 (i.e., a specified opening time (see FIG. 8) has elapsed since the large prize opening 14 was opened). Then, if the closing condition for the large prize opening 14 is not met (NO in S2206), the processing ends.

On the other hand, if the conditions for closing the large prize opening 14 are met (YES in S2206), the large prize opening 14 is closed (blocked) (S2207). Then, it is determined whether or not one round of play ends with the closure in step S2207 (S2208). If one round of play does not end (NO in S2208), this process ends. On the other hand, if one round of play ends (YES in S2208), the round counter value is decremented by 1 (S2209), and it is determined whether or not the round counter value is "0" (S2210). If it is not "0" (NO in S2210), the process ends as it is to start the next round of play.

On the other hand, if it is "0" (YES in S2210), the jackpot ending command is set (S2211) as the jackpot ending process that ends the jackpot game, and the jackpot ending is started (S2212). Then, the jackpot ending flag is set (S2213), and the process ends.

If the jackpot end flag is ON in step S2201 (YES in S2201), the final round has ended, so it is determined whether the jackpot ending time has elapsed (S2214). If the ending time has not elapsed (NO in S2214), the process ends. On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (YES in S2214), the jackpot end flag is turned OFF (S2215), the jackpot flag is turned OFF (S2216), and the special action status is set to "1" (S2217). As a result, in the next main timer interrupt process (S005), the special symbol standby process (S1302) is executed again as the special action process (see FIG. 18). After that, the game status setting process (S2218) described below is performed, and this process ends.

[Game Status Setting Process] As shown in FIG. 28, in the game status setting process (S2218), first, it is determined whether the type of jackpot is a guaranteed jackpot (stopping symbol is special symbol 1_jackpot symbol 1 or special symbol 2_jackpot symbol 1, see FIG. 8) (S2301). If it is not a guaranteed jackpot (NO in S2301), the time-saving flag is turned ON (S2306), and the time-saving counter is set to "100" (S2307), and the process proceeds to step S2308. As a result, the game status after this jackpot becomes a normal probability state, time-saving state, and high base state (i.e. low probability high base state). This low probability high base state ends when either of the following conditions is met: the variable display of the special symbol is performed 100 times, or the next jackpot is won.

On the other hand, if a jackpot is determined to be a sure-win in step S2301, the sure-win flag is turned ON (S2302) and the time-saving flag is turned ON (S2303). The sure-win counter is then set to "10000" (S2304) and the time-saving counter is set to "10000" (S2305), and the process proceeds to step S2308. As a result, the game state after the current jackpot game becomes a high probability state, time-saving state, and high base state (i.e., a high probability, high base state). This high probability, high base state will essentially continue until the next jackpot is won. This is because it is almost impossible for the special symbol to change and be displayed until the sure-win counter value and the time-saving counter value change from "10000" to "0", so the sure-win flag and the time-saving flag will not be turned OFF until the next jackpot game starts. It is also possible to use only the sure-win flag without providing a sure-win counter, and to continue the high probability state until the next jackpot is won.

In step S2308, a game state designation command including information on the current game state (information on whether the special chance flag and time-saving flag are ON or OFF), the value of the special chance counter, and the value of the time-saving counter, etc., is set in the output buffer of the game RAM 104, and this process is terminated.

6. Operation of the performance control microcomputer 121 [Sub-control main processing] Next, the operation of the performance control microcomputer 121 will be described with reference to Figs. 29 to 34. The counters, timers, flags, status, buffers, etc. that appear in the operation description of the performance control microcomputer 121 are provided in the performance RAM 124. When the power supply of the pachinko game machine PY1 is turned on, the performance control microcomputer 121 provided in the performance control board 120 reads out and executes the program of the sub-control main processing shown in Fig. 29 from the performance ROM 123. As shown in the figure, in the sub-control main processing, first, a CPU initialization process is performed (S4001). In the CPU initialization process (S4001), stack setting, constant setting, setting of the performance CPU 122, setting of SIO, PIO, CTC (circuit for managing interrupt time), etc. are performed.

Next, it is determined whether the power-off signal is ON and the contents of the performance RAM 124 are normal (S4002). If the result of this determination is NO, the performance RAM 124 is initialized (S4003) and the process proceeds to step S4004. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is YES (YES in S4002), the performance RAM 124 is not initialized and the process proceeds to step S4004. In other words, if the power-off signal is not ON, or if the power-off signal is ON but the contents of the performance RAM 124 are not normal (NO in S4002), the performance RAM 124 is initialized, but if the power-off signal is ON due to a power outage or the like but the contents of the performance RAM 124 are maintained normal (YES in S4002), the performance RAM 124 is not initialized. Note that when the performance RAM 124 is initialized, the values of various flags, statuses, counters, etc. are reset. Also, steps S4001 to S4003 are executed only once after the power is turned on and are not executed thereafter.

In step S4004, interrupts are prohibited. Next, a random number seed update process is executed (S4005). In the random number seed update process (S4005), the values of various random number counters for determining effects are updated. The random numbers for determining effects include random numbers for determining effect patterns, random numbers for selecting variable effect patterns, random numbers for selecting variable effect patterns, and random numbers for determining preview effects. The method of updating the random numbers can be the same as the random number update process performed by the game control board 100 described above. When updating, the random number values may be added by 2 instead of by 1. This is also the case in the random number update process performed by the game control board 100 described above.

When the random number seed update process (S4005) is completed, the command transmission process is executed (S4006). In the command transmission process (S4006), various commands stored in the output buffer in the performance RAM 124 of the performance control board 120 are transmitted to the image control board 140. The image control board 140, which has received the command, executes various performances (variable performances, opening performances associated with a big win game, round performances, ending performances, etc.) using the image display device 50 according to the command. In addition, in conjunction with the execution of various performances by the image control board 140, the performance control board 120 outputs sound from the speaker 610 via the sound control board 161, lights up the board lamp 54 and the frame lamp 212 via the sub-drive board 162, and drives the board movable body 55k. The performance control microcomputer 121 then permits interruption (S4007). Thereafter, steps S4004 to S4007 are looped. When interrupts are enabled, it is possible to execute receive interrupt processing (S4008), 1 ms timer interrupt processing (S4009), and 10 ms timer interrupt processing (S4010).

[Reception interrupt processing] The reception interrupt processing (S4008) is performed based on the strobe signal (STB signal) sent from the game control board 100 being input to the external INT input section of the performance control microcomputer 121. In other words, if a strobe signal is not input to the external INT input section of the performance control microcomputer 121, the reception interrupt processing (S4008) is not performed. As shown in FIG. 30, in the reception interrupt processing (S4008), various commands sent from the game control board 100 are stored in the reception buffer of the performance RAM 124 (S4101). This reception interrupt processing (S4008) is executed with priority over other interrupt processing (S4009, S4010).

[1 ms timer interrupt processing] The 1 ms timer interrupt processing (S4009) is executed each time an interrupt pulse with a 1 msec period is input to the performance control board 120. As shown in FIG. 31, the 1 ms timer interrupt processing (S4009) first performs input processing (S4201). In the input processing (S4201), switch data (edge data and level data) is created based on detection signals from the input section detection sensor 40a (see FIG. 7) and the select button detection sensor 42a.

Next, lamp data output processing (S4202) is performed. In the lamp data output processing (S4202), the lamp data created in other processing (S4305) in the 10 ms timer interrupt processing (S4010) described below is output to the sub-drive board 162 in order to illuminate the board lamp 54 and frame lamp 212 at a timing that matches the performance. In other words, the board lamp 54 and frame lamp 212 are illuminated in a predetermined illumination mode according to the lamp data.

Next, drive control processing is performed (S4203). In the drive control processing (S4203), drive data (board movable body drive data) is created and output in order to drive the board movable body 55k at a timing that matches the performance, such as during an SP reach or jackpot performance. In other words, the board movable body 55k is driven in a predetermined operating mode according to the drive data.

After the drive control process (S4203), the watchdog timer process (S4204) is performed to reset the watchdog timer, and then this process ends.

[10 ms timer interrupt processing] The 10 ms timer interrupt processing (S4010) is executed each time an interrupt pulse with a 10 msec period is input to the performance control board 120. As shown in FIG. 32, the 10 ms timer interrupt processing (S4010) first performs the received command analysis processing (S4301), which will be described later.

Next, a switch state acquisition process (S4302) is performed to store the switch data created in the input process (S4201) of the 1 ms timer interrupt process (S4009) in the performance RAM 124 as switch data for the 10 ms timer interrupt process. Then, a switch process (S4303) is performed to set the display contents of the display screen 50a, etc., based on the switch data stored in the switch state acquisition process (S4302).

Next, audio control processing (S4304) is performed. In audio control processing (S4304), audio data (data that controls the audio output from the speaker 610) is created and output to the audio control board 161, and time management of audio performances is performed. As a result, audio that matches the performance being performed is output from the speaker 610. Other processing, such as updating random numbers for various performances, is then performed (S4305), and this processing ends.

[Received command analysis process] As shown in FIG. 33, in the received command analysis process (S4301), the presentation control microcomputer 121 first determines whether or not a game state designation command has been received from the game control board 100 (S4401), and if so, performs a mode status setting process (S4402). In the mode status setting process (S4402), the received game state designation command is analyzed, and the mode status value is set based on the game state information contained in the game state designation command. The mode status value is set to "1" if in a normal game state, "2" if in a high probability high base state, and "3" if in a low probability time-saving state. In this way, the presentation control microcomputer 91 can grasp the current game state. In addition, since the game state designation command includes information on the value of the probability variable counter and the time-saving counter, the performance control microcomputer 121 can determine how many times the variable display of the special pattern has been executed since the game was controlled to a high probability time-saving state (high probability state and time-saving state) or a low probability time-saving state (normal probability state and time-saving state) based on the information on the value of the probability variable counter and the time-saving counter.

Then, the performance control microcomputer 121 determines whether or not it has received a fluctuation start command (special chart 1 fluctuation start command or special chart 2 fluctuation start command) from the game control board 100 (S4403), and if so, performs the fluctuation performance start process described below (S4404).

Then, the performance control microcomputer 121 determines whether or not a fluctuation stop command (special chart 1 fluctuation stop command or special chart 2 fluctuation stop command) has been received from the game control board 100 (S4405), and if so, performs a fluctuation performance end process (S4406). In the fluctuation performance end process (S4406), the fluctuation stop command is analyzed, and based on the analysis result, a fluctuation performance end command for ending the fluctuation performance is set in the output buffer of the performance RAM 124.

Then, the performance control microcomputer 121 determines whether an opening command has been received from the game control board 100 (S4407), and if so, performs an opening performance selection process (S4408). In the opening performance selection process (S4408), the opening command is analyzed, and based on the analysis results, a pattern (content) of the opening performance to be executed during the opening of the jackpot game is selected. Then, an opening performance start command for starting an opening performance with the selected opening performance pattern is set in the output buffer of the performance RAM 124.

Then, the presentation control microcomputer 121 determines whether or not a round designation command has been received from the game control board 100 (S4409), and if so, performs a round presentation selection process (S4410). In the round presentation selection process (S4410), the round designation command is analyzed, and the round presentation pattern (contents) to be executed during the round of play of the jackpot game is selected based on the analysis result. Then, a round presentation start command for starting the round presentation with the selected round presentation pattern is set in the output buffer of the presentation RAM 124.

Then, the presentation control microcomputer 121 determines whether an ending command has been received from the game control board 100 (S4411), and if so, performs an ending presentation selection process (S4412). In the ending presentation selection process (S4412), the ending command is analyzed, and based on the analysis results, a pattern (content) of the ending presentation to be executed during the ending of the jackpot game is selected. Then, an ending presentation start command to start the ending presentation with the selected ending presentation pattern is set in the output buffer of the presentation RAM 124.

Then, the performance control microcomputer 121 performs other processing (S4413) based on received commands other than the above commands (for example, processing to perform a customer waiting performance based on receiving a customer waiting command, or processing to perform a normal pattern change performance based on receiving a normal pattern change start command), and ends the received command analysis processing (S4301).

[Variable performance start processing] As shown in FIG. 34, in the variable performance start processing (S4404), first, the performance control microcomputer 121 analyzes the variable performance start command (S4501). The variable performance start command includes information on the special chart stop pattern data set in the special chart 1 big win determination processing and the special chart 2 big win determination processing (see FIG. 20), information on the variable pattern set in the special chart 1 variable pattern selection processing and the special chart 2 variable pattern selection processing (see FIG. 21 to FIG. 23), information specifying the current game state, etc. Note that the information acquired by the performance control microcomputer 121 here can be used as appropriate in the processing executed thereafter.

Next, the performance control microcomputer 121 refers to the currently set mode status value (S4502). Then, it selects the performance symbols EZ1, EZ2, and EZ3 that will ultimately be displayed in the variable performance (S4503). Specifically, it obtains a random number for determining the performance symbols, and selects one table from multiple tables classified according to whether or not there is a reach, based on the analysis result of the variable start command. Then, it selects the performance symbol by judging the obtained random number for determining the performance symbol using the selected table. This determines the combination of performance symbols EZ1, EZ2, and EZ3 (for example, "777") that will ultimately be displayed.

Then, the performance control microcomputer 121 executes a variable performance pattern selection process to select a variable performance pattern, which is the content of the variable performance, based on the information on the variable pattern, the value of the mode status, and the information on the probability bonus counter or time-saving counter (S4504). In this way, once the variable performance pattern has been determined, the details of the content of the variable performance are determined, including the time of the variable performance, the variable display mode of the performance pattern, the presence or absence of a reach performance, the content of the reach performance, the presence or absence of a performance button performance (SW performance), the content of the performance button performance, the performance development configuration, and the type of background of the performance pattern.

Then, the preview performance selection process is executed (S4505). In the preview performance selection process (S4505), a random number for determining the preview performance is obtained, and one table is selected from multiple tables classified according to whether or not there is a reach, based on the analysis result of the fluctuation start command. The preview performance is then selected by using the selected table to judge the obtained random number for determining the preview performance. This determines the content of the preview performance, such as the so-called step-up preview performance or chance-up preview performance.

Then, a variable performance start command for starting the selected performance symbol, variable performance pattern, and preview performance is set in the output buffer of the performance RAM 124 (S4506), and this process ends. When the variable performance start command set in step S4506 is sent to the image control board 140 by the command sending process (S4006), a variable performance synchronized with the variable display of the special symbol is started on the display screen 50a.

7. Performance in high probability state Next, the performance in the high probability state (high probability time-saving state), which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described based on FIG. 35. In this embodiment, the situation in which the number of times the special symbol changes (the number of times the display changes) is 100 or less since being controlled to the high probability state is different from the situation in which the number of times the special symbol changes is 101 or more since being controlled to the high probability state (specific conditions are met). Therefore, in the following description, the situation in which the number of times the special symbol changes is 100 or less since being controlled to the high probability state will be described.

Figure 35 shows the flow of the presentation in a high probability state. As shown in Figure 35, when the variable presentation starts, it branches depending on whether a reach is formed or not. If a reach is not formed, it results in a complete miss. On the other hand, if a reach is formed, it branches depending on whether it subsequently develops into an SP reach. If a reach is formed but does not develop into an SP reach, it will almost always result in a reach miss (normal reach miss). Although not shown in Figure 35, after a reach is formed, it may occasionally result in a reach jackpot (normal reach jackpot).

When a reach is formed and develops into an SP reach, there are cases where an enemy character SP reach is executed, and cases where a story reach is executed. In this embodiment, the enemy character SP reach is set to be executed more frequently than the story reach. The enemy character SP reach is executed via the enemy character development presentation after the reach is formed. However, of the three enemy character development presentations, normal development presentation, enemy character selection presentation, and special enemy character selection presentation, the enemy character SP reach is executed mainly via the normal development presentation. On the other hand, the story reach is basically executed without going through the enemy character development presentations (normal development presentation, enemy character selection presentation, special enemy character selection presentation) after the reach is formed.

The enemy character SP reach is a battle presentation in which the main character and the enemy character fight. There are four types of enemy character SP reach in this form, depending on the enemy character that appears: the first enemy character SP reach, the second enemy character SP reach, the third enemy character SP reach, and the fourth enemy character SP reach. When an enemy character SP reach is executed, a branching timing is passed (the timing when the enemy character development presentation described below ends), and one of the four types of enemy character SP reach (branching presentation) is executed. When an enemy character SP reach is executed, at the end of the game, a win/lose branch is passed, and a suggestion of a win or loss (a win suggestion presentation or a miss suggestion presentation) is basically executed.

A story reach is an effect that indicates that the story of the main character is progressing. In this form, there are four types of story reaches: first story reach, second story reach, third story reach, and fourth story reach, depending on the content of the progressing story. When a story reach is executed, one of the four types of story reach is executed after a branching timing. When a story reach is executed, at the end, after a win/lose branching, a hint of a win or loss (a win hint effect or a loss hint effect) is executed.

Next, each enemy character SP reach will be described in detail based on FIG. 36. When the first enemy character SP reach (first performance, first branch performance) starts, as shown in FIG. 36(A), the first enemy character image T1 showing the first enemy character and the first expectation image K1 showing "Expectation 1" and one star are displayed on the display screen 50a. The first enemy character SP reach is an SP reach that suggests that the winning expectation is very low, and it is easy to execute a battle defeat performance (see FIG. 38(D-2)) in which the main character is defeated by the first enemy character. Therefore, the player has the impression that the first enemy character is a very strong enemy. And the first expectation image K1 clearly shows that the winning expectation of the first enemy character SP reach is very low. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 48(A), the winning expectation of the first enemy character SP reach executed through the normal development performance is set to 10%.

When the second enemy character SP reach (second performance, second branch performance) starts, as shown in FIG. 36(B), the display screen 50a displays a second enemy character image T2 showing the second enemy character and a second expectation image K2 showing "Expectation level 2" and two stars. The second enemy character SP reach is an SP reach that suggests a relatively low winning expectation, and the battle defeat performance (see FIG. 38(D-2)) in which the main character is defeated by the second enemy character is relatively likely to be executed. Therefore, the player is given the impression that the second enemy character is a relatively strong enemy. The second expectation image K2 clearly shows that the winning expectation of the second enemy character SP reach is relatively low. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 48(A), the winning expectation of the second enemy character SP reach executed through the normal development performance is set to 20%.

When the third enemy character SP reach (third performance, third branch performance) starts, as shown in FIG. 36(C), a third enemy character image T3 showing the third enemy character and a third expectation image K3 showing "Expectation level 3" and three stars are displayed on the display screen 50a. The third enemy character SP reach is an SP reach that suggests that the winning expectation is slightly high, and there is a slight possibility that a battle victory performance (see FIG. 38(D-1)) in which the main character wins against the third enemy character will be executed. Therefore, the player is given the impression that the third enemy character is an enemy that has a slight possibility of being defeated. The third expectation image K3 clearly shows that the winning expectation of the third enemy character SP reach is slightly high. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 48(A), the winning expectation of the third enemy character SP reach executed through the normal development performance is set to 30%.

When the fourth enemy character SP reach (fourth performance, fourth branch performance) starts, as shown in FIG. 36(D), a fourth enemy character image T4 showing the fourth enemy character and a fourth expectation image K4 showing "expectation level 4" and four stars are displayed on the display screen 50a. The fourth enemy character SP reach is an SP reach that suggests a slightly high winning expectation, and there is a slight possibility of a battle victory performance (see FIG. 38(D-1)) in which the main character wins against the fourth enemy character. Therefore, the player is given the impression that the fourth enemy character is an enemy that has a slight possibility of being defeated. The fourth expectation image K4 clearly indicates that the winning expectation of the fourth enemy character SP reach is slightly high. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 48(A), the winning expectation of the fourth enemy character SP reach executed through the normal development performance is set to 40%.

The above suggests that in enemy character SP reaches, the order of likelihood of winning is first enemy character SP reach ⇒ second enemy character SP reach ⇒ third enemy character SP reach ⇒ fourth enemy character SP reach. Therefore, when a reach is formed and an enemy character development performance is executed, the player will pay attention to which enemy character SP reach will be executed among the first enemy character SP reach, second enemy character SP reach, third enemy character SP reach, and fourth enemy character SP reach.

Next, each story reach (special effect) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 37. When the first story reach (first special effect) starts, as shown in FIG. 37(A), a first story image S1 showing the first story of the main character as a child is displayed on the display screen 50a. The first story reach is an SP reach that suggests a relatively high probability of winning, and a winning suggestion effect (not shown) that suggests a jackpot win is relatively likely to be executed. In this embodiment, the winning expectation of the first story reach (see "Normal") that is executed by directly developing from a reach is set to 50%, as shown in FIG. 49.

When the second story reach begins, as shown in FIG. 37(B), a second story image S2 showing the second story of the main character transformed into a red wolf is displayed on the display screen 50a. The second story reach is an SP reach that suggests a relatively high probability of winning, and a winning suggestion effect (not shown) that suggests a big win is likely to be executed relatively easily. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49, the winning expectation rate of the second story reach (see "Normal") that is executed by directly developing from a reach is set to 50%.

When the third story reach begins, as shown in FIG. 37(C), a third story image S3 showing the third story of the main character transformed into a golden wolf is displayed on the display screen 50a. The third story reach is an SP reach that suggests a relatively high probability of winning, and a winning suggestion effect (not shown) that suggests a big win is relatively likely to be executed. In this form, as shown in FIG. 49, the winning expectation rate of the third story reach (see "Normal") that is executed by directly developing from a reach is set to 50%.

When the fourth story reach (second special effect) begins, as shown in FIG. 37(D), a fourth story image S4 showing the fourth story of the main character transformed into an awakened wolf is displayed on the display screen 50a. The fourth story reach is an SP reach that suggests a guaranteed big win (guaranteed win), and a win suggestion effect (not shown) is always executed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 49, the probability of winning the fourth story reach (see "Normal") that is executed by directly developing from the reach is set to 100%.

As a result of the above, in the case of story reaches, the first story reach, second story reach, and third story reach all have the same winning expectation rate, although they are all high at 50%. Therefore, from the first story reach to the third story reach, the player's expectations in terms of winning expectation rate do not change regardless of the story reach. In contrast, the fourth story reach suggests a sure win. Therefore, among the story reaches, players will have a strong expectation of the fourth story reach being executed. Thus, all story reaches have a winning expectation rate that is higher than that of the enemy character SP reach (the fourth enemy character SP reach, which has the highest winning expectation rate). Therefore, after a reach is formed, players will expect a story reach to be executed more than an enemy character SP reach.

Next, an example of a performance when a first enemy character SP reach is executed after a normal development performance will be described with reference to Figure 38. First, as shown in Figure 38 (A), on the display screen 50a, the left performance pattern EZ1 and the right performance pattern EZ3 are displayed as a temporary stop at "4", resulting in a reach. In other words, the performance pattern EZ is displayed as a temporary stop in a reach state of "4↓4". Then, as shown in Figure 38 (B), a transformation preparation image HE is displayed as a normal development performance, indicating that the main character is brandishing his sword and about to transform. This normal development performance suggests that an enemy character SP reach will be executed afterwards.

Then, as shown in Figure 38 (C), a first enemy character image T1 and a first expectation image K1 are displayed as a first enemy character SP reach. Note that the example of the performance shown in Figure 38 shows a case where a first enemy character SP reach is executed, but the cases where a second enemy character SP reach, a third enemy character SP reach, and a fourth enemy character SP reach are executed are similar except for the display mode during the enemy character SP reach, so a description will be omitted.

If the main character wins against the first enemy character after a battle between the main character and the first enemy character, a battle victory image WI is displayed as a battle victory effect, as shown in FIG. 38 (D-1). This battle victory effect suggests to the player that he or she has won a jackpot. Next, as shown in FIG. 38 (E-1), the effect pattern EZ is displayed in a jackpot stop mode with "444".

On the other hand, if the main character is defeated by the first enemy character after a battle between the main character and the first enemy character, a battle defeat image LO is displayed as a battle defeat effect, as shown in FIG. 38 (D-2). This battle defeat effect suggests to the player that it is a loss. Next, as shown in FIG. 38 (E-2), the effect pattern EZ is displayed in a loss stop mode of "434".

By the way, various chance up preview effects can be executed while an enemy character SP reach is in progress. A chance up preview effect is a preview effect that suggests that the expected winning probability of the currently executed effect is high. Examples of chance up preview effects include the cut-in preview effect shown in FIG. 39(A) and the dialogue preview effect shown in FIG. 39(B).

In the cut-in preview performance (other chance-up preview performance), as shown in FIG. 39(A), a cut-in image KI showing the profile of a golden wolf is displayed temporarily interrupting the execution of an enemy character SP reach that is currently in progress. Therefore, by looking at the cut-in image KI, the player can understand that the winning expectancy of the enemy character SP reach that is currently in progress is increasing. Therefore, for example, if the cut-in image KI is displayed during the execution of a first enemy character SP reach that has a winning expectancy of 10%, the player can understand that the winning expectancy has exceeded 10%.

In the dialogue preview performance (other chance-up preview performance), for example, as shown in FIG. 39(B), when a first enemy character image T1a showing the first enemy character looking back is displayed, a dialogue image SY saying "I will break my destiny!" is displayed. Therefore, by looking at the dialogue image SY, the player can understand that the winning expectation of the enemy character SP reach currently in progress is increasing. Therefore, for example, if a dialogue image SY is displayed when the first enemy character image T1a is displayed during the execution of a first enemy character SP reach with a winning expectation of 10%, the player can understand that the winning expectation of the first enemy character SP reach has exceeded 10%.

Next, the enemy character selection performance (see FIG. 35) will be described as an enemy character development performance that develops into an enemy character SP reach. As described above, when developing into an enemy character SP reach, the normal development performance (see FIG. 38(B)) is basically executed. However, there are cases where the enemy character SP reach is executed after the enemy character selection performance, with a lower execution frequency than the normal development performance. Below, the enemy character selection performance will be described based on FIG. 40.

The enemy character selection effect (transition suggestion effect) is an effect that suggests which enemy character SP reach will be executed next, and is composed of the enemy character display effect shown in FIG. 40(A), the button press prompt effect shown in FIG. 40(B), and the enemy character determination effect shown in FIG. 40(C). When the enemy character selection effect starts after a reach is formed, the enemy character display effect is executed first.

In the enemy character display effect, as shown in FIG. 40(A), a first enemy character panel image PA1 showing the face of the first enemy character, "Expectation level 1," and one star is displayed in the upper left of the display screen 50a, a second enemy character panel image PA2 showing the face of the second enemy character, "Expectation level 2," and two stars is displayed in the upper right of the display screen 50a, a third enemy character panel image PA3 showing the face of the third enemy character, "Expectation level 3," and three stars is displayed in the lower left of the display screen 50a, and a fourth enemy character panel image PA4 showing the face of the fourth enemy character, "Expectation level 4," and four stars is displayed in the upper right of the display screen 50a. This enemy character display effect makes it possible to tease which of the four enemy character panel images PA1 to PA4 will be selected.

Next, in the button press promotion effect, as shown in FIG. 40(B), a button image BA that mimics the shape of the effect button 40k is displayed in the center of the display screen 50a, above the first enemy character panel image PA1, the second enemy character panel image PA2, the third enemy character panel image PA3, and the fourth enemy character panel image PA4. This button press promotion effect can encourage the player to press the effect button 40k.

Then, when the player presses the effect button 40k, or when the effective operation period elapses without the effect button 40k being pressed, the enemy character determination effect shown in FIG. 40(C) is executed. The enemy character determination effect suggests that the type of enemy character SP reach to be executed thereafter has been determined. In other words, the enemy character SP reach corresponding to the enemy character panel image selected in the enemy character determination effect is executed.

In FIG. 40(C), as an example in which the first enemy character panel image PA1 has been selected, a red frame-shaped border image DC is displayed in the upper left of the display screen 50a together with the first enemy character panel image PA1. Additionally, in the upper right, lower left, and lower right of the display screen 50a, blackened images PB2, PB3, and PB4 that make each enemy character panel image less visible are displayed. In this way, the border image DC and blackened images PB2, PB3, and PB4 clearly indicate which enemy character panel image has been selected. Note that the same applies when the second enemy character panel image PA2, third enemy character panel image PA3, or fourth enemy character panel image PA4 is selected, so a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, when an enemy character selection effect is executed, it is possible to draw the player's attention to which enemy character will be selected and to enjoy the process leading up to the start of the enemy character SP reach, more so than when a normal development effect (see FIG. 38(B)) is executed. In this embodiment, the probability of winning when an enemy character SP reach is executed via an enemy character selection effect is set to be higher than the probability of winning when an enemy character SP reach is executed via a normal development effect (see FIG. 48(A)).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 48(A), the winning expectation rate is 10% when the first enemy character SP reach is executed through the normal development presentation, whereas the winning expectation rate is 12% when the first enemy character SP reach is executed through the enemy character selection presentation. Also, the winning expectation rate is 20% when the second enemy character SP reach is executed through the normal development presentation, whereas the winning expectation rate is 22% when the second enemy character SP reach is executed through the enemy character selection presentation. Also, the winning expectation rate is 30% when the third enemy character SP reach is executed through the normal development presentation, whereas the winning expectation rate is 32% when the third enemy character SP reach is executed through the enemy character selection presentation. Also, the winning expectation rate is 40% when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed through the normal development presentation, whereas the winning expectation rate is 42% when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed through the enemy character selection presentation. In this way, when an enemy character selection effect is executed after a reach is formed, it is possible to give the player a sense of exhilaration due to the higher probability of winning than when a normal development effect is executed.

Incidentally, the enemy character selection presentation shown in Figure 40, in which a list of multiple panel images (images showing each enemy character) is displayed (see Figure 40 (A)), and selecting one of the panel images (see Figure 40 (C)) indicates the SP reach (reach presentation) that will be executed afterwards, is already commonplace. In other words, the player is only forced to focus for a moment on which panel image is to be selected, and there is room for improvement in the entertainment value of the process in which the type of SP reach is selected.

In this embodiment, therefore, as shown in Figures 41 to 44, an enemy character special selection effect can be executed. Note that Figures 41 and 42 show an example of an enemy character special selection effect, and Figures 43 and 44 show another example of the enemy character special selection effect. The enemy character special selection effect is made up of an enemy character recall effect, a blackout effect, a first selection effect, a remaining enemy character introduction effect, a button press promotion effect, and a second selection effect. In this embodiment, the enemy character special selection effect is executed less frequently than the enemy character selection effect. Below, an example of the enemy character special selection effect will be explained based on Figures 41 and 42.

After the reach is formed, when the enemy character special selection performance starts, the enemy character recall performance starts first. The enemy character recall performance is a performance in which the black silhouettes (shadows) of each enemy character (object) are lined up in a horizontal row to tease the player which enemy character will appear. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 41 (A), a first enemy character silhouette image TB1 showing the shadow of the first enemy character, which suggests that the winning expectation rate is the lowest among the four enemy characters, is displayed on the left side of the display screen 50a, a second enemy character silhouette image TB2 showing the shadow of the second enemy character, which suggests that the winning expectation rate is the second lowest among the four enemy characters, is displayed on the right side of the display screen 50a, a third enemy character silhouette image TB3 showing the shadow of the third enemy character, which suggests that the winning expectation rate is the second highest among the four enemy characters, is displayed on the left center of the display screen 50a, and a fourth enemy character silhouette image TB4 showing the shadow of the fourth enemy character, which suggests that the winning expectation rate is the highest among the four enemy characters, is displayed on the right center of the display screen 50a. Therefore, enemy characters that suggest a high probability of winning are placed closer to the center of the display screen 50a than enemy characters that suggest a low probability of winning.

Here, each enemy character silhouette image TB1-TB4 will be referred to as an "enemy character silhouette image TB." In the enemy character silhouette image TB (first image), it can be recognized that there are four enemy characters. However, the enemy character silhouette image TB is missing the patterns and colors that characterize each enemy character. In this way, the enemy character reminiscent presentation makes the player aware of (recalls) the four enemy characters, while the patterns and colors of each enemy character cannot be clearly recognized, making it possible for the player to focus on what enemy character will appear next (be clearly recognizable) and what kind of presentation will be performed.

Next, the blackout effect shown in FIG. 41(B) is executed. The blackout effect is an effect that draws the player's attention to the subsequent effects by displaying a black image BO on the display screen 50a. In this way, the blackout effect makes the player feel as if the lights have suddenly gone out (like a power outage), creating a sense of tension as to which enemy character will be selected next.

Then, the first selection effect shown in FIG. 41(C) is executed. The first selection effect (first selection effect) is an effect in which the enemy characters are selected (narrowed down) in a state in which one or more of the four enemy characters have been eliminated and the pattern and color that were missing from the enemy characters have been added. Specifically, in the first selection effect shown in FIG. 41(C), a third enemy character image T3 showing the third enemy character is displayed on the left center of the display screen 50a, and a fourth enemy character image T4 showing the fourth enemy character is displayed on the right center of the display screen 50a. This makes it possible to indicate that the first enemy character and the second enemy character have been eliminated, while the third enemy character and the fourth enemy character remain, narrowing down the execution to either the third enemy character SP reach or the fourth enemy character SP reach. In this way, the patterns and colors of the enemy characters that were missing in the enemy character recall performance are restored, and the enemy characters are narrowed down, giving the player a strong impression that the remaining enemy characters are being particularly highlighted. Note that the fourth enemy character image T4 and the third enemy character image T3 shown in FIG. 41(C) correspond to the "second image."

Next, as shown in FIG. 42(A)(B), the remaining enemy character introduction performance is executed. The remaining enemy character introduction performance is a performance in which the enemy characters remaining in the first selection performance are introduced one by one. Specifically, since the third enemy character and the fourth enemy character remain in the first selection performance shown in FIG. 41(C), as shown in FIG. 42(A), the fourth enemy character image T4 showing the fourth enemy character is first displayed for about 0.3 seconds on the display screen 50a. Next, as shown in FIG. 43(B), the third enemy character image T3 showing the third enemy character is displayed for about 0.3 seconds. Here, in the remaining enemy character introduction performance, enemy character images are displayed every short time in order starting from the enemy character that suggests a high probability of winning. In this way, the remaining enemy character introduction performance makes the player see the remaining enemy characters remaining in the first selection performance one by one like a flashback, making it possible to make a stronger impression of the remaining enemy characters. The display time for the enemy character image shown in the remaining enemy character introduction performance is not limited to 0.3 seconds, and can be changed as appropriate as long as it is a short period of time (less than 1 second) that feels like a flashback.

Next, as shown in FIG. 42(C), a button press prompting effect is executed to prompt the player to press the effect button 40k. In the button press prompting effect, a button image BA that mimics the shape of the effect button 40k is displayed on the display screen 50a. Therefore, when the player presses the effect button 40k, or when the effective operation period has elapsed without the effect button 40k being pressed, the second selection effect shown in FIG. 40(D) is executed. In this way, the button press prompting effect allows the player to enjoy an effect in which it feels as if he or she has selected one of the enemy characters remaining in the first selection effect through his or her own operation.

After the button press promotion effect shown in FIG. 42(C), the second selection effect is executed as shown in FIG. 42(D). In the second selection effect (second selection effect), one enemy character is displayed from among the enemy characters narrowed down in the first selection effect, suggesting that the type of enemy character SP reach to be executed thereafter has been determined. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 42(C), the fourth enemy character image T4 and the fourth expectation image K4 are displayed on the display screen 50a. In this way, the player can be shown the enemy character that will ultimately remain and the winning expectation degree by the second selection effect, and can understand that the fourth enemy character SP reach will be executed after that. As described above, with the end of the second selection effect, the enemy character special selection effect ends, and the enemy character SP reach corresponding to the enemy character image shown in the second selection effect is executed. Note that the fourth enemy character image T4 shown in FIG. 42(C) corresponds to the "third image".

Next, another example of the enemy character special selection effect will be described with reference to Figures 43 and 44. When the enemy character special selection effect is started, an enemy character recall effect is executed as shown in Figure 43 (A). The enemy character recall effect shown in Figure 43 (A) is the same as the enemy character recall effect described in Figure 41 (A), so its explanation will be omitted. Next, a blackout effect is executed as shown in Figure 43 (B). The blackout effect shown in Figure 43 (B) is the same as the blackout effect shown in Figure 41 (B), so its explanation will be omitted. Next, a first selection effect is executed as shown in Figure 43 (C).

In the first selection performance shown in FIG. 43(C), a second enemy character image T2 showing the second enemy character is displayed on the right side of the display screen 50a, a third enemy character image T3 showing the third enemy character is displayed on the left center of the display screen 50a, and a fourth enemy character image T4 showing the fourth enemy character is displayed on the right center of the display screen 50a. As a result, the first enemy character is eliminated, while the second enemy character, third enemy character, and fourth enemy character remain, indicating that the execution of either the second enemy character SP reach, the third enemy character SP reach, or the fourth enemy character SP reach has been narrowed down.

Here, in the first selection performance of this embodiment, one or more of the four enemy characters are excluded in order of the lowest suggested winning expectation. Therefore, there are three types of exclusion patterns: a first exclusion pattern in which the first enemy character, which suggests the lowest winning expectation, is excluded; a second exclusion pattern in which the first enemy character and the second enemy character, which suggests the second lowest winning expectation, are excluded; and a third exclusion pattern in which the first enemy character, the second enemy character, and the third enemy character, which suggests the third highest winning expectation, are excluded.

Therefore, from the player's point of view, it is preferable that many enemy characters with low winning expectation are excluded in the order of first exclusion pattern (see FIG. 43(C)) ⇒ second exclusion pattern (see FIG. 41(C)) ⇒ third exclusion pattern. In other words, the more enemy characters are excluded in the first selection performance, the higher the probability that only enemy characters with high winning expectation will remain and that enemy characters with high winning expectation will be selected. Therefore, the first selection performance can provide a novel gaming interest that makes the player look forward to as many enemy characters as possible being excluded. Note that in the first selection performance, one or more enemy characters are excluded in order of the suggested lowest winning expectation, so the first enemy character is always excluded. Therefore, it is advantageous for the player that there is no possibility of the first enemy character SP, which has the lowest winning expectation, being executed among the four enemy character SP reaches at the time the enemy character special selection performance is executed.

After the first selection performance shown in FIG. 43(C), the remaining enemy character introduction performance shown in FIG. 44(A), (B), and (C) is executed. In the first selection performance shown in FIG. 43(C), since the second, third, and fourth enemy characters remain, as shown in FIG. 44(A), the fourth enemy character image T4 showing the fourth enemy character is first displayed for approximately 0.3 seconds on the display screen 50a. Next, as shown in FIG. 44(B), the third enemy character image T3 showing the third enemy character is displayed for approximately 0.3 seconds. And finally, as shown in FIG. 44(C), the second enemy character image T2 showing the second enemy character is displayed for approximately 0.3 seconds.

Next, the button press prompting effect shown in FIG. 44(D) is executed. The button press prompting effect shown in FIG. 44(D) is the same as the button press prompting effect shown in FIG. 42(C), so a description is omitted. Then, as shown in FIG. 44(E), a second selection effect is executed. In the second selection effect shown in FIG. 44(E), the third enemy character image T3 and the third expectation image K3 are displayed, suggesting that a third enemy character SP reach will be executed. Therefore, the second selection effect shown in FIG. 44(E) suggests the execution of an enemy character SP reach, which has a lower expectation of winning than the second selection effect shown in FIG. 42(D), and the player will be disappointed.

As can be seen from the above explanation, in the special enemy character selection presentation of this embodiment, first, an enemy character silhouette image TB is displayed in an enemy character recall presentation. This enemy character silhouette image TB allows the player to understand the presence of four enemy characters, but the patterns and colors of the four enemy characters are missing (see Figures 41(A) and 43(A)). After that, after a blackout presentation, the first selection presentation removes one or more of the four enemy characters, and the pattern and color of the missing enemy character are displayed (see Figures 41(C) and 43(C)). In this way, it is possible to present a novel presentation in which the pattern and color of the missing enemy character appears as the four enemy characters are narrowed down.

Then, the enemy characters introduced in the first selection performance are introduced one by one in the remaining enemy character introduction performance (see Figs. 42(A)(B), 44(A)(B)(C)). This allows the player to confirm the remaining enemy characters again through flashbacks, while building up anticipation as to which enemy character will be selected. Then, after the button press promotion performance (see Figs. 42(C) and 44(D)), the second selection performance (see Figs. 42(D) and 44(E)) is executed, allowing the player to understand which enemy character was ultimately selected. In this way, by using the appearance of the patterns and colors that characterize each enemy character and performing a two-stage selection, the first selection performance and the second selection performance, it is possible to increase the interest in the game during the process in which the type of enemy character SP reach is determined, compared to the enemy character selection performance shown in Fig. 40.

In this embodiment, the winning expectation rate when an enemy character SP reach is executed after the enemy character special selection performance is set to be higher than the winning expectation rate when either a normal development performance or an enemy character selection performance is executed (see FIG. 48(A)). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 48(A), the winning expectation rate when a first enemy character SP reach is executed after the enemy character selection performance is 12%. In contrast, a first enemy character SP reach is not executed after the enemy character special selection performance. In addition, the winning expectation rate when a second enemy character SP reach is executed after the enemy character selection performance is 22%, whereas the winning expectation rate when a second enemy character SP reach is executed after the enemy character special selection performance is 25%. In addition, the winning expectation rate when a third enemy character SP reach is executed after the enemy character selection performance is 32%, whereas the winning expectation rate when a third enemy character SP reach is executed after the enemy character special selection performance is 35%. In addition, the expected probability of winning when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed after the enemy character selection performance is 42%, whereas the expected probability of winning when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed after the special enemy character selection performance is 45%.

In this way, when the special enemy character selection effect is executed after a reach is formed, it is possible to give the player a sense of exhilaration due to the higher probability of winning than when either the enemy character selection effect or the normal development effect is executed. And as mentioned above, when the special enemy character selection effect is executed, the first enemy character SP reach, which has the lowest probability of winning, will not be executed, so it is possible to have high expectations for the execution of the enemy character SP reach, which has a higher probability of winning.

Next, the problems with enemy character SP reaches will be explained. In this embodiment, as described above, when an enemy character SP reach is executed after a reach is formed, one of the four enemy character SP reaches will be executed. However, the four enemy character SP reaches have different winning expectations, so when a player realizes that an enemy character SP reach (particularly the first enemy character SP reach) with a relatively low winning expectation has been executed, he or she will assume that it is a loss anyway, and will lose motivation to play. In particular, when the first enemy character panel image PA1 is displayed in the enemy character determination presentation of the enemy character selection presentation before the enemy character SP reach is started, the player's motivation to play at that point will be greatly reduced.

In this embodiment, therefore, a shake preview effect can be executed so that the player can fully anticipate a big win even when an enemy character SP reach (particularly the first enemy character SP reach) with a relatively low winning expectation is executed. The shake preview effect (specific effect, specific chance up preview effect) is an effect in which the display screen 50a appears to tilt during the execution of each enemy character SP reach, as shown in Figures 45(A)(B)(C)(D), and is one of the chance up preview effects that suggests a high winning expectation, similar to the cut-in preview effect (see Figure 39) and the dialogue preview effect (see Figure 39(B)).

Specifically, when a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a first enemy character SP reach, a first shake image HO1 showing that the first enemy character with a flame effect is tilted is displayed on the display screen 50a. When a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a second enemy character SP reach, a second shake image HO2 showing that the second enemy character with a flame effect is tilted is displayed on the display screen 50a. When a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a third enemy character SP reach, a third shake image HO3 showing that the third enemy character with a flame effect is tilted is displayed on the display screen 50a. When a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a fourth enemy character SP reach, a fourth shake image HO4 showing that the fourth enemy character with a flame effect is tilted is displayed on the display screen 50a. Note that when a shake preview performance is executed in each enemy character SP reach, although the types of enemy characters displayed are different, the tilts and flame effects of each shake image HO1 to HO4 are the same.

In this embodiment, when a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of each enemy character SP reach, the winning expectation of each enemy character SP reach is set to be the same. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 48(A), when a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a first enemy character SP reach, the winning expectation is 50%, when a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a second enemy character SP reach, the winning expectation is 50%, when a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a third enemy character SP reach, the winning expectation is 50%, and when a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a fourth enemy character SP reach, the winning expectation is 50%.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 48(A), if a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a first enemy character SP reach with a winning expectation rate of 10% or 12%, the winning expectation rate will rise extremely significantly to 50%. Also, if a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a second enemy character SP reach with a winning expectation rate of 20%, 22%, or 25%, the winning expectation rate will rise significantly to 50%. Also, if a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a third enemy character SP reach with a winning expectation rate of 30%, 32%, or 35%, the winning expectation rate will rise slightly to 50%. Also, if a shake preview performance is executed during the execution of a fourth enemy character SP reach with a winning expectation rate of 40%, 42%, or 45%, the winning expectation rate will rise slightly to 50%.

In this way, even if an enemy character SP reach (first enemy character SP reach, second enemy character SP reach) with a relatively low winning expectation is executed, the winning expectation becomes very high when the shake notice performance is executed. In particular, even with the first enemy character SP reach, which has the lowest winning expectation, if the shake notice performance is executed, the winning expectation will rise to the same level as when the shake notice performance is executed with the fourth enemy character SP reach, which has the highest winning expectation. Therefore, the lower the winning expectation of the enemy character SP reach, the greater the increase in winning expectation when the shake notice performance is executed, and even with an SP reach with a basically low winning expectation such as the first enemy character SP reach, it is possible to suppress a decrease in motivation to play.

In addition, the shake preview effect, which makes the display screen 50a appear to be tilted, can be easily recognized as a chance-up preview effect that suggests that the winning expectancy will increase. Therefore, it is relatively easy for the player to remember the rule that if a shake preview effect is executed during a chance-up preview effect, the winning expectancy of each enemy character SP reach will increase and become the same. In other words, if a special effect that does not generally suggest that the winning expectancy will increase (for example, the display of a special image or the output of a special sound) is executed, it is difficult for the player to notice the execution of the special effect if the winning expectancy of each enemy character SP reach is made the same. However, since players generally pay attention to the execution of the chance-up preview effect, it is relatively easy for the player to recognize the rule that if a shake preview effect is executed, the winning expectancy of each enemy character SP reach will become the same.

However, in this embodiment, even if a chance up preview effect other than the shake preview effect (for example, the cut-in preview effect shown in FIG. 39(A) or the dialogue preview effect shown in FIG. 39(B)) is executed during the execution of each enemy character SP reach, the winning expectation rate for each enemy character SP reach is not the same. Therefore, it is possible to have the player pay particular attention to the execution of the shake preview effect among the chance up preview effects during the execution of each enemy character SP reach. Note that the cut-in preview effect and dialogue preview effect (other chance up preview effects) executed during the execution of each enemy character SP reach do not increase the winning expectation rate as much as the shake preview effect (a specific chance up preview effect) (it is a chance up preview effect that increases the winning expectation rate by 20%).

In this embodiment, there is a rule that when a shake preview performance is executed, the winning expectation of each enemy character SP reach is the same, so even if the enemy character selection performance suggests the execution of an enemy character SP reach, which has a relatively low winning expectation (see FIG. 40(C)), it is possible to make the player pay close attention (and look forward to) to the outcome of the subsequent performance. In other words, even if the first enemy character panel image PA1, which shows the first enemy character, which has the lowest winning expectation, is displayed in the enemy character determination performance of the enemy character selection performance, as shown in FIG. 40(C), it is possible to make the player strongly look forward to the execution of a shake preview performance in the subsequent first enemy character SP reach. This is because if a shake preview performance is executed, the player can obtain the same winning expectation as if a shake preview performance had been executed in the fourth enemy character SP reach, which has the highest winning expectation.

Here, the control when the performance control microcomputer 121 executes the enemy character SP reach will be described. Note that the following description is based on the assumption that the number of times the special symbol changes after being controlled to the high probability state is 100 or less. In this situation, the game control microcomputer 101 will determine the change pattern using the normal change pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (A) (see FIG. 21 and FIG. 22). Note that, as will be described later, in a situation where the number of times the special symbol changes after being controlled to the high probability state is 101 or more, the game control microcomputer 101 will determine the change pattern using the special change pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (B) (see FIG. 23). Here, it is assumed that the change pattern selected by the normal change pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (A) is the change pattern P32 indicating a weak SP reach B big win or the change pattern P42 indicating a weak SP reach B miss.

In this case, when a variation start command including information on variation patterns P32 and P42 is sent to the performance control board 120, the performance control microcomputer 121 determines the variation performance pattern based on the information on variation patterns P32 and P42 in the variation performance pattern selection process (S4504) of the variation performance start process (S4404) (see FIG. 34). Specifically, the performance control microcomputer 121 draws lots to determine whether or not to execute an enemy character SP reach, and if it is determined to execute an enemy character SP reach, it refers to the enemy character SP reach variation performance pattern selection table shown in FIG. 50 and determines the variation performance pattern using the variation performance pattern random number.

At this time, the performance control microcomputer 121 determines the variable performance pattern Q3 based on, for example, the information of the variable performance pattern P32. In this case, when a variable performance start command including the information of the variable performance pattern Q3 is sent to the image control board 140, the display screen 50a executes the second enemy character SP reach after the reach, through the normal development performance. Then, after the win/lose branch, a variable performance that finally suggests a win in the jackpot is executed. Also, for example, the variable performance pattern Q10 is determined based on the information of the variable pattern P32. In this case, when a variable performance start command including the information of the variable performance pattern Q10 is sent to the image control board 140, the display screen 50a executes the third enemy character SP reach after the reach, through the enemy character special selection performance. Then, after the win/lose branch, a variable performance that finally suggests a win in the jackpot is executed. Also, for example, the variable performance pattern Q28 is determined based on the information of the variable pattern P42. In this case, when a variable performance start command including information on the variable performance pattern Q28 is sent to the image control board 140, the display screen 50a displays a reach, followed by an enemy character selection display, followed by a first enemy character SP reach. Then, after a win/lose branch, a variable performance suggesting a loss is finally displayed.

In the variable presentation pattern selection table for enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 50, variable presentation pattern Q13 indicates that a shake notice presentation is executed during the execution of a first enemy character SP reach, suggesting a big win. Presentation pattern Q14 indicates that a shake notice presentation is executed during the execution of a second enemy character SP reach, suggesting a big win. Presentation pattern Q15 indicates that a shake notice presentation is executed during the execution of a third enemy character SP reach, suggesting a big win. Presentation pattern Q16 indicates that a shake notice presentation is executed during the execution of a fourth enemy character SP reach, suggesting a big win. When these variable presentation patterns Q13 to Q16 are selected, one of the variable presentation patterns Q13 to Q16 is selected by lottery.

On the other hand, the variable presentation pattern Q33 indicates that a shake notice presentation is executed during the execution of the first enemy character SP reach, suggesting a miss. Also, the presentation pattern Q34 indicates that a shake notice presentation is executed during the execution of the second enemy character SP reach, suggesting a miss. Also, the presentation pattern Q35 indicates that a shake notice presentation is executed during the execution of the third enemy character SP reach, suggesting a miss. Also, the presentation pattern Q36 indicates that a shake notice presentation is executed during the execution of the fourth enemy character SP reach, suggesting a miss. When these variable presentation patterns Q33 to Q36 are selected, one of the variable presentation patterns Q33 to Q36 is determined by lottery. As a result, the winning expectation rates shown in FIG. 48 (A) are set based on the distribution rates of the variable presentation patterns P32 and P42, the probability that the execution of the enemy character SP reach is determined by lottery, and the distribution rates of each variable presentation pattern shown in FIG. 50.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, when an enemy character selection display (see FIG. 40) is executed, it is not necessarily followed by an enemy character SP reach, but rather a story selection display may be executed. However, the frequency of transition from the enemy character selection display to the story selection display is set to be much lower than the frequency of transition from the enemy character selection display to the enemy character SP reach. In this embodiment, when the first enemy character panel image PA1 or the second enemy character panel image PA2 is selected in the enemy character determination display of the enemy character selection display (see FIG. 40(C)), the story selection display may be executed thereafter, but when the third enemy character panel image PA3 or the fourth enemy character panel image PA4 is selected, the story selection display may not be executed thereafter. The reason for this will be described later.

The story selection effect suggests that a story reach will develop, and also suggests which story reach will be executed. As mentioned above, there are four types of story reaches (see Figure 37), with the SP reach having a higher chance of winning than the enemy character SP reach (see comparison of Figure 48(A) and Figure 49). Therefore, it is possible to provide a player who sees a story selection effect suggesting the execution of a story reach with a sense of exhilaration as an SP reach that is higher in rank (has a higher chance of winning) than the enemy character SP reach will be executed. Below, the story selection effect is explained based on Figure 46.

The story selection presentation is composed of a story display presentation shown in FIG. 46(A), a button press prompt presentation shown in FIG. 46(B), and a story decision presentation shown in FIG. 46(C). In the story display presentation, as shown in FIG. 46(A), a first story panel image PX1 showing the face of the main character in childhood is displayed in the upper left of the display screen 50a to allow the viewer to imagine the first story, a second story panel image PX2 showing the face of the main character transformed into a red wolf is displayed in the upper right of the display screen 50a to allow the viewer to imagine the second story, a third story panel image PX3 showing the face of the main character transformed into a gold wolf is displayed in the lower left of the display screen 50a to allow the viewer to imagine the third story, and a fourth story panel image PX4 showing the face of the main character transformed into an awakened wolf is displayed in the lower right of the display screen 50a to allow the viewer to imagine the fourth story. This story display effect makes it possible to tease which of the four story panel images PX1 to PX4 will be selected.

Next, in the button press promotion effect, as shown in FIG. 46(B), a button image BA that mimics the shape of the effect button 40k is displayed in the center of the display screen 50a, above the first story panel image PX1, the second story panel image PX2, the third story panel image PX3, and the fourth story panel image PX4. This button press promotion effect makes it possible to encourage the player to press the effect button 40k.

When the player presses the effect button 40k, or when the effective operation period has elapsed without the effect button 40k being pressed, the story decision effect shown in FIG. 46(C) is executed. The story decision effect indicates that the type of story reach to be executed thereafter has been determined. In other words, the story reach corresponding to the story panel image selected in the story decision effect is executed.

In Figure 46 (C), as an example in which the first story panel image PX1 has been selected, a red frame-shaped border image DC is displayed in the upper left of the display screen 50a together with the first story panel image PX1. Furthermore, in the upper right, lower left, and lower right of the display screen 50a, blackened images PB2, PB3, and PB4 that make each story panel image less visible are displayed. In this way, the border image DC and blackened images PB2, PB3, and PB4 clearly indicate which story panel image has been selected. Note that the same applies when the second story panel image PX2, third story panel image PX3, or fourth story panel image PX4 is selected, so a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the flow of the performance from the enemy character selection performance through the story selection performance to the execution of the story reach will be described. When the story selection performance is executed, as described above, the condition is that the first enemy character panel image PA1 or the second enemy character panel image PA2 is selected in the enemy character determination performance of the enemy character selection performance (see FIG. 40(C)). In this embodiment, after the enemy character determination performance in which the first enemy character panel image PA1 or the second enemy character panel image PA2 is selected, the board movable body 55k (not shown) moves from the origin position at the top of the display screen 50a to a performance position overlapping the center of the display screen 50a in the front-rear direction. Then, when the board movable body 55k returns from the performance position to the origin position, the story selection performance (story display performance shown in FIG. 46(A)) is started. That is, if the board movable body 55 does not move to the performance position after the enemy character determination performance, the performance will transition to the enemy character SP reach, and if the board movable body 55k moves to the performance position, the performance will transition to the story selection performance.

As described above, in the story selection presentation, the story display presentation (see FIG. 46(A)) is followed by the button press prompt presentation (see FIG. 46(B)) and then the story decision presentation (see FIG. 46(C)). After that, the story reach corresponding to the story panel image selected in the story decision presentation is executed.

Next, the meaning of the story selection effect will be explained. When the enemy character selection effect is executed, if the first enemy character panel image PA1 or the second enemy character panel image PA2 is selected in the enemy character determination effect (see FIG. 40(C)), the player will think that at that point, the first enemy character SP reach or the second enemy character SP reach, which have a relatively low probability of winning, will be executed, and will be disappointed. However, after this enemy character determination effect, when the board movable body 55k moves to the performance position, the story selection effect is then executed. That is, even though the first enemy character panel image PA1 or the second enemy character panel image PA2 was selected, the first enemy character SP reach or the second enemy character SP reach is not executed, and a story selection effect suggesting the execution of a story reach is executed. Therefore, players who thought that the first enemy character SP reach or the second enemy character SP reach would be executed will be made to understand that the story reach, which has a higher chance of winning than the enemy character SP reach (the fourth enemy character SP reach, which has the highest chance of winning), will be executed, which can give them a great sense of excitement.

The story selection presentation (see FIG. 46) suggests which story reach will be executed, just as the enemy character selection presentation (see FIG. 40) suggests which enemy character SP reach will be executed. Therefore, from the player's perspective, even though the type of enemy character SP reach has been determined in the enemy character selection presentation, the determined enemy character SP reach is not executed, and instead the presentation transitions to the story reach selection presentation, where the type of story reach is determined, making it possible to provide a novel presentation.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49, the winning expectation rate when the first story reach is executed from the story selection performance (see the column for first story reach and story selection performance development) is set to 60%. Also, the winning expectation rate when the second story reach is executed from the story selection performance (see the column for second story reach and story selection performance development) is set to 60%. Also, the winning expectation rate when the third story reach is executed from the story selection performance (see the column for third story reach and story selection performance development) is set to 60%. Therefore, the winning expectation rate of the first story reach, second story reach, and third story reach is the same. In contrast, the winning expectation rate when the fourth story reach is executed from the story selection performance (see the column for fourth story reach and story selection performance development) is set to 100%.

Therefore, it is expected that a player who sees the story display effect shown in FIG. 46(A) will select the fourth story panel image PX4 rather than the first story panel image PX1, the second story panel image PX2, or the third story panel image PX3. In addition, the button press prompt effect shown in FIG. 46(B) can provide a novel gaming experience to the player, as if the player had determined the type of story reach by his or her own operation. In other words, even if the execution of the first enemy character SP reach or the second enemy character SP reach has been determined by the player's own operation by the button press prompt effect of the enemy character selection effect (see FIG. 40(B)), it is possible to provide a novel effect in which the player is allowed to determine the type of story reach with a higher probability of winning by their own operation again, like a re-challenge (like a so-called revival), by the button press prompt effect of the story selection effect (see FIG. 46(B)).

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, if the third enemy character panel image PA3 or the fourth enemy character panel image PA4 is selected in the enemy character determination presentation of the enemy character selection presentation (see FIG. 40(C)), there is no chance that the story selection presentation will be executed afterwards. This is because a player who thinks that the third enemy character SP reach or the fourth enemy character SP reach, which have a relatively high probability of winning, will be executed is not given a chance for a revival presentation such as a story selection presentation. In other words, by giving a chance for a revival presentation such as a story selection presentation only if the first enemy character panel image PA1 or the second enemy character panel image PA2 is selected in the enemy character determination presentation of the enemy character selection presentation (see FIG. 40(C)), only players who are greatly disappointed are given the chance for a revival presentation such as a story selection presentation.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, even if an enemy character SP reach is executed, it may progress to a story reach afterwards. Also, as mentioned above, it may progress directly to a story reach after a reach. And as mentioned above, it may progress from an enemy character selection effect through a story selection effect to a story reach. Therefore, there are three patterns when a story reach is executed.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49, the winning expectation rate (see the columns for "First Story Reach" and "Enemy Character SP Reach Development") when the first story reach is executed from the enemy character SP reach (regardless of which enemy character SP reach it is) is set to 55%. Also, the winning expectation rate (see the columns for "Second Story Reach" and "Enemy Character SP Reach Development") when the second story reach is executed from the enemy character SP reach (regardless of which enemy character SP reach it is) is set to 55%. Also, the winning expectation rate (see the columns for "Third Story Reach" and "Enemy Character SP Reach Development") when the third story reach is executed from the enemy character SP reach (regardless of which enemy character SP reach it is) is set to 55%. Also, the winning expectation rate (see the columns for "Fourth Story Reach" and "Enemy Character SP Reach Development") when the fourth story reach is executed from the enemy character SP reach (regardless of which enemy character SP reach it is) is set to 100%. Therefore, if the 4th Story Reach is executed, you are guaranteed to win, but for the 1st Story Reach, 2nd Story Reach, and 3rd Story Reach, the odds of winning are set to increase in the following order: Normal ⇒ Enemy Character SP Reach Development ⇒ Story Selection Development.

Here, the control when the performance control microcomputer 121 executes a story reach will be described. When the number of times the special symbol changes after being controlled to the high probability state is 100 or less, the game control microcomputer 101 selects the fluctuation pattern P31 indicating a strong SP reach jackpot or the fluctuation pattern P41 indicating a strong SP reach miss, based on the normal fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11(A). Also, when the number of times the special symbol changes after being controlled to the high probability state is 101 or more, the game control microcomputer 101 selects the fluctuation pattern P31 indicating a strong SP reach jackpot or the fluctuation pattern P41 indicating a strong SP reach miss, based on the special fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11(B).

In this case, when a fluctuation start command including information on fluctuation patterns P31 and P41 is sent to the performance control board 120, the performance control microcomputer 121 determines the fluctuation performance pattern based on the information on fluctuation patterns P31 and P41 in the fluctuation performance pattern selection process (S4504) of the fluctuation performance start process (S4404) (see FIG. 34). Specifically, the performance control microcomputer 121 draws lots to determine whether or not to execute a story reach, and if it is determined to execute a story reach, it refers to the story reach fluctuation performance pattern selection table shown in FIG. 51 and determines the fluctuation performance pattern using the fluctuation performance pattern random number.

In the story reach variable presentation pattern selection table shown in FIG. 51, variable presentation pattern Q41 indicates that after a reach, a first story reach is executed, suggesting a jackpot win. Variable presentation pattern Q42 indicates that after a reach, a second story reach is executed, suggesting a jackpot win. Variable presentation pattern Q43 indicates that after a reach, a third story reach is executed, suggesting a jackpot win. In contrast, variable presentation patterns Q61, Q62, and Q63 indicate that, in the presentation content of the above-mentioned variable presentation patterns Q41, Q42, and Q43, the suggestion of a jackpot win is replaced with a suggestion of a miss.

Furthermore, variable presentation pattern Q45 indicates that after a reach, an enemy character SP reach is followed by a first story reach, suggesting a jackpot.Furthermore, variable presentation pattern Q46 indicates that after a reach, an enemy character SP reach is followed by a second story reach, suggesting a jackpot.Furthermore, variable presentation pattern Q47 indicates that after a reach, an enemy character SP reach is followed by a third story reach, suggesting a jackpot.In contrast to these, variable presentation patterns Q64, Q65, and Q66 indicate that in the presentation content of the above-mentioned variable presentation patterns Q45, Q46, and Q47, the suggestion of a jackpot is replaced by a suggestion of a miss.

Furthermore, the variable presentation pattern Q49 indicates that after a reach, the enemy character selection presentation, through the story selection presentation, is followed by the first story reach, suggesting a jackpot win.Furthermore, the variable presentation pattern Q50 indicates that after a reach, the enemy character selection presentation, through the story selection presentation, is followed by the second story reach, suggesting a jackpot win.Furthermore, the variable presentation pattern Q51 indicates that after a reach, the enemy character selection presentation, through the story selection presentation, is followed by the third story reach, suggesting a jackpot win.In contrast to these, the variable presentation patterns Q67, Q68, and Q69 indicate that in the presentation content of the above-mentioned variable presentation patterns Q49, Q50, and Q51, the suggestion of a jackpot win is replaced by a suggestion of a miss.

On the other hand, variable presentation pattern Q44 indicates that after a reach, a fourth story reach is executed, suggesting a jackpot win. Variable presentation pattern Q48 indicates that after a reach, an enemy character SP reach is executed, followed by a fourth story reach, suggesting a jackpot win. Variable presentation pattern Q52 indicates that after a reach, an enemy character selection presentation is executed, followed by a story selection presentation, followed by a fourth story reach, suggesting a jackpot win. Based on the above, the winning expectation rates shown in FIG. 52 are set based on the allocation rates of variable presentation patterns P31 and P41, the probability that the execution of a story reach is determined by lottery, and the allocation rates of each variable presentation pattern shown in FIG. 51.

Next, in this embodiment, the difference between a situation where the number of times the special symbol changes after being controlled to the high probability state is 100 or less and a situation where the number of times the special symbol changes after being controlled to the high probability state is 101 or more will be explained. This pachinko game machine PY1 is a loop machine in which the high probability state essentially continues until the next jackpot is won. In other words, in the high probability state, the same game state, the high probability state, continues unless a jackpot is won. Therefore, if the number of times the special symbol changes after being controlled to the high probability state exceeds 100, the player is likely to feel that the presentation in the high probability state (high probability time-saving state) is unnecessarily long, since the high probability state has continued for a long time.

In particular, when an enemy character SP reach (first enemy character SP reach, second enemy character SP reach) with a relatively low winning probability is executed in an enemy character SP reach with a high probability of winning, the player must wait for the enemy character SP reach, which takes a relatively long time (longer than a normal reach), to end while thinking that it is a miss. Therefore, the execution of the first enemy character SP reach or second enemy character SP reach itself can feel annoying.

In this embodiment, when the number of times the special symbol changes after being controlled to the high probability state reaches 101 times or more, the winning expectation rate of each enemy character SP reach (first enemy character SP reach, second enemy character SP reach, third enemy character SP reach, fourth enemy character SP reach) is greatly increased. In particular, the lower the winning expectation rate of an enemy character SP reach, the greater the increase in winning expectation rate. Hereinafter, the number of times the special symbol changes after being controlled to the high probability state will be referred to as the "number of high probability changes."

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 48(A), when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, the expected winning rate is 10% when the first enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development presentation, and the expected winning rate is 12% when the first enemy character SP reach is executed from the enemy character selection presentation. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 48(B), when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the expected winning rate is 55% when the first enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development presentation, and the expected winning rate is 57% when the first enemy character SP reach is executed from the enemy character selection presentation. Therefore, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the expected winning rate increases by 45% in the first enemy character SP reach. Note that in this form, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the shake preview presentation is not executed in each enemy character SP reach.

As shown in FIG. 48(A), when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, the expected winning probability is 20% when the second enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development presentation, the expected winning probability is 22% when the second enemy character SP reach is executed from the enemy character selection presentation, and the expected winning probability is 25% when the second enemy character SP reach is executed from the special enemy character selection presentation. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 48(B), when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the expected winning probability is 60% when the second enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development presentation, the expected winning probability is 62% when the second enemy character SP reach is executed from the enemy character selection presentation, and the expected winning probability is 65% when the second enemy character SP reach is executed from the special enemy character selection presentation. Therefore, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the expected winning probability increases by 40% with the second enemy character SP reach.

As shown in FIG. 48(A), when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, the expected winning probability is 30% when the third enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development presentation, the expected winning probability is 32% when the third enemy character SP reach is executed from the enemy character selection presentation, and the expected winning probability is 35% when the third enemy character SP reach is executed from the special enemy character selection presentation. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 48(B), when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the expected winning probability is 65% when the third enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development presentation, the expected winning probability is 67% when the third enemy character SP reach is executed from the enemy character selection presentation, and the expected winning probability is 70% when the third enemy character SP reach is executed from the special enemy character selection presentation. Therefore, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the expected winning probability increases by 35% with the third enemy character SP reach.

As shown in FIG. 48(A), when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, the expected winning probability is 40% when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development presentation, the expected winning probability is 42% when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed from the enemy character selection presentation, and the expected winning probability is 45% when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed from the special enemy character selection presentation. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 48(B), when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the expected winning probability is 70% when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development presentation, the expected winning probability is 72% when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed from the enemy character selection presentation, and the expected winning probability is 75% when the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed from the special enemy character selection presentation. Therefore, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the expected winning probability increases by 30% with the fourth enemy character SP reach.

In this way, when the number of high probability fluctuations reaches 101 or more, the probability of winning all enemy character SP reaches increases, making it possible to greatly increase the sense of expectation for a big win when an enemy character SP reach is executed. Therefore, even if the enemy character SP reach has the same presentation style, it is possible to have completely different senses of expectation when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less and when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more.

In particular, even for the first enemy character SP reach, which has the lowest winning expectation among enemy character SP reaches, the winning expectation rises to 55% or 57% when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more. This winning expectation (55% or 57%) is higher than the winning expectation of 40% to 50% (see Figure 48 (A)) for the fourth enemy character SP reach, which has the highest winning expectation among enemy character SP reaches when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less. In other words, the winning expectation of the first enemy character SP reach that has been executed with 101 or more high probability fluctuations jumps up to a level higher than the winning expectation of the fourth enemy character SP reach that has been executed with 100 or fewer high probability fluctuations.

Therefore, if the number of high probability fluctuations reaches 101 or more, it is possible to give the player the impression that there is a high possibility of winning the jackpot, even in the case of a first enemy character SP reach. Similarly, even in the case of a second enemy character SP reach, if the number of high probability fluctuations reaches 101 or more, the winning expectation becomes higher than that of a fourth enemy character SP reach, which is executed with 100 or fewer high probability fluctuations. In this way, even in the case of a first enemy character SP reach or a second enemy character SP reach, which are perceived to have a relatively low winning expectation, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling that the SP reach is annoying by having the number of high probability fluctuations reach 101 or more.

Here, we will explain a method for significantly increasing the probability of winning an enemy character SP reach (first enemy character SP reach, second enemy character SP reach, third enemy character SP reach, fourth enemy character SP reach) when the number of high probability fluctuations reaches 101 or more. First, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, as described above, the fluctuation pattern is selected using the normal special chart fluctuation pattern determination table shown in Figure 11 (A).

On the other hand, if the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 spins or more, the fluctuation pattern is selected using the special special chart fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (B). Then, it is assumed that fluctuation patterns P35, P45 indicating weak SP reach C are selected based on the special special chart fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11 (B). In this case, the performance control microcomputer 121 draws a lottery based on the information on fluctuation patterns P35, P45 to determine whether or not to execute an enemy character SP reach, and if it is determined to execute an enemy character SP reach, it determines the fluctuation performance pattern using the fluctuation performance pattern selection table for enemy character SP reach after 101 high probability spins shown in FIG. 52.

The special special chart variation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11(B) does not have variation patterns P32 and P35 indicating a weak SP reach B. Therefore, when the number of high probability variations is 101 or more spins, the performance control microcomputer 121 will not execute an enemy character SP reach based on variation patterns P32 and P35 that can be selected when the number of high probability variations is 100 or less. In this way, when the number of high probability variations is 101 or more spins, the special chart variation pattern determination table (i.e., the type of variation pattern) to be referenced and the variation performance pattern selection table for selecting an enemy character SP reach are changed.

The variation patterns P35 and P45 (weak SP reach C) selected in the special special chart variation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11(B) are allocated so that the winning expectancy is higher than the variation patterns P32 and P42 (weak SP reach B) selected in the normal special chart variation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11(A). This makes it possible to significantly increase the winning expectancy of an enemy character SP reach executed based on variation patterns P35 and P45 when the number of high probability variations is 101 or more, compared to the winning expectancy of an enemy character SP reach executed based on variation patterns P32 and P42 when the number of high probability variations is 100 or less.

Here, the variable presentation patterns selected in the variable presentation pattern selection table for enemy character SP reach after 101 high probability spins shown in FIG. 52 and the variable presentation patterns selected in the variable presentation pattern selection table for enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 50 correspond to each other, except for one more "Q" character. For example, the variable presentation pattern QQ1 shown in FIG. 52 indicates that when the high probability fluctuation count is 101 times or more, the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development performance after the reach, suggesting a winning of the jackpot (normal fourth enemy character SP reach jackpot). On the other hand, the variable presentation pattern Q1 in FIG. 50 (A) indicates that when the high probability fluctuation count is 100 times or less, the fourth enemy character SP reach is executed from the normal development performance after the reach, suggesting a winning of the jackpot (normal fourth enemy character SP reach jackpot). Therefore, the variable presentation pattern Q1 and the variable presentation pattern QQ1 are variable presentation patterns that show the same presentation content. As a result of the above, in a situation where the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the probability of winning each shown in FIG. 48 (B) is set based on the distribution rate of fluctuation patterns P35 and P45, the probability that the execution of an enemy character SP reach will be determined by lottery, and the distribution rate of each fluctuation performance pattern shown in FIG. 52.

However, in the case of an enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the winning expectation rate is significantly higher than in the case of an enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, so the presentation is different in the following respects. That is, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, when the first enemy character SP reach starts, as shown in FIG. 47(A), a first enemy character image T1 showing the first enemy character and a fifth expectation rate image K5 showing "expectation rate 5" and five stars are displayed on the display screen 50a. By displaying this fifth expectation rate image K5, it is possible to make it easier to understand that the winning expectation rate of the first enemy character SP reach has increased significantly and is higher than the winning expectation rate of the fourth enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see FIG. 36(D)). In the first enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the presentation mode other than the fifth expectation image K5 is the same as the presentation mode of the first enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see Figure 36 (A)).

When the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, when the second enemy character SP reach starts, as shown in FIG. 47(B), the display screen 50a displays the second enemy character image T2 showing the second enemy character and the sixth expectation image K6 showing "expectation level 5.5" and 5.5 stars. By displaying this sixth expectation image K6, it is possible to make it easier to understand that the winning expectation level of the second enemy character SP reach increases significantly and is higher than the winning expectation level of the fourth enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see FIG. 36(D)). In the second enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the presentation mode other than the sixth expectation image K6 is the same as the presentation mode of the second enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see FIG. 36(B)).

When the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, when the third enemy character SP reach starts, as shown in FIG. 47(C), the display screen 50a displays a third enemy character image T3 showing the third enemy character and a seventh expectation image K7 showing "expectation level 6" and six stars. The display of this seventh expectation image K7 greatly increases the winning expectation of the third enemy character SP reach, making it easier to understand that it is higher than the winning expectation of the fourth enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see FIG. 36(D)). In the third enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the presentation mode other than the seventh expectation image K7 is the same as the presentation mode of the third enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see FIG. 36(C)).

When the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, when the fourth enemy character SP reach starts, as shown in FIG. 47(D), the display screen 50a displays a fourth enemy character image T4 showing the fourth enemy character and an eighth expectation image K8 showing "expectation level 6.5" and 6.5 stars. By displaying this eighth expectation image K8, it is possible to make it easier to understand that the winning expectation level of the fourth enemy character SP reach increases significantly and is higher than the winning expectation level of the fourth enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see FIG. 36(D)). In the fourth enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the presentation mode other than the eighth expectation image K8 is the same as the presentation mode of the fourth enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see FIG. 36(D)).

The variation patterns P35 and P45 (weak SP reach C) are allocated so that they have a higher winning expectation than the variation patterns P32 and P42 (weak SP reach B), but are selected less frequently. Therefore, when the number of high probability variations is 101 or more, the frequency of enemy character SP reaches is lower than when the number of high probability variations is 100 spins or less. This makes it possible to make the game smoother when the number of high probability variations is 101 or more, by not executing enemy character SP reaches, which have a relatively long fluctuation time, unnecessarily many times. In other words, by reducing the frequency of execution of SP reaches, which have a low winning expectation, when the number of high probability variations becomes 101 or more, it is possible to make it difficult for the performance in the high probability state (high probability time-shortened state) to feel unnecessarily long.

8. Effect of this embodiment As described above in detail, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, when an enemy character SP reach is executed after a reach, it branches into one of the first enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 36(A), the second enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 36(B), the third enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 36(C), and the fourth enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 36(D). In this case, when the first enemy character SP reach is executed, the player is disappointed because it has the lowest winning expectation among the enemy character SP reaches. However, as shown in FIG. 45(A), when a shake notice performance is executed during the execution of the first enemy character SP reach, the winning expectation of the first enemy character SP reach becomes 50%, which is the same as the winning expectation of the shake notice performance executed during the execution of the fourth enemy character SP reach (see FIG. 48(A)). Therefore, even though the player is in the first enemy character SP reach, the player can have a sense of expectation as if a shake notice performance had been executed in the fourth enemy character SP reach, and the player's interest in the game can be increased.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment of the pachinko gaming machine PY1, the shake notice effect executed in an enemy character SP reach is one of the chance-up notice effects. Therefore, when a shake notice effect is executed during execution of a first enemy character SP reach, it is possible to clearly show the player that the probability of winning in the first enemy character SP reach has increased. Furthermore, it is possible to make the player feel a sense of expectation as if a shake notice effect had been executed in a fourth enemy character SP reach, even though it is the first enemy character SP reach.

Furthermore, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, even if the cut-in preview effect shown in FIG. 39(A) is executed during the execution of the first enemy character SP reach, it does not mean that the winning expectancy in the fourth enemy character SP reach will be the same as that in the case where the cut-in preview effect is executed during the execution of the fourth enemy character SP reach. Similarly, even if the dialogue preview effect shown in FIG. 39(B) is executed during the execution of the first enemy character SP reach, it does not mean that the winning expectancy in the fourth enemy character SP reach will be the same as that in the case where the dialogue preview effect is executed during the execution of the fourth enemy character SP reach. Therefore, it is possible to make the player pay attention to which chance up preview effect (especially the shake preview effect) will be executed from among the multiple chance up preview effects during the execution of the first enemy character SP reach, thereby increasing the interest in playing the first enemy character SP reach.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment of the pachinko gaming machine PY1, an enemy character selection effect shown in FIG. 40 may be executed before an enemy character SP reach is executed. If the first enemy character panel image PA1 is selected in the enemy character determination effect of this enemy character selection effect, as shown in FIG. 40 (C), the first enemy character SP reach, which has the lowest winning expectation, will be executed, leaving the player very disappointed. However, even in this case, it is possible to increase the player's interest in playing the first enemy character SP reach by making the player look forward to the execution of a shake notice effect during the execution of the first enemy character SP reach.

In addition, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, in each of the first enemy character SP reach, second enemy character SP reach, third enemy character SP reach, and fourth enemy character SP reach that branch off after the reach, a shake notice performance may be executed, suggesting that the winning expectation will increase, as shown in Figures 45 (A) (B) (C) (D). When a shake notice performance is executed in each enemy character SP reach, the winning expectation of each enemy character SP reach becomes the same. Therefore, the lower the winning expectation of the enemy character SP reach among the four types of enemy character SP reach, the greater the increase in the winning expectation when the shake notice performance is executed, and it is possible to give the player a great sense of elation. In other words, it is possible to provide a novel gaming interest in which the lower the winning expectation of the enemy character SP reach, the more the player is expected to expect the shake notice performance to be executed.

In addition, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, in the enemy character determination performance of the enemy character selection performance shown in FIG. 40, if the first enemy character panel image PA1, which suggests the execution of the first enemy character SP reach, which has the lowest winning expectation, is selected as shown in FIG. 40(C), the player will be disappointed. However, in this case, if the story selection performance shown in FIG. 46 is executed without executing the first enemy character SP reach, a story reach (first story reach, second story reach, third story reach, fourth story reach) with a higher winning expectation than the fourth enemy character SP reach, which has the highest winning expectation among the enemy character SP reaches, will be executed (see FIG. 48(A) and FIG. 49). Therefore, it is possible to provide a novel gaming interest to a player who is disappointed when the first enemy character SP reach is executed, in that he or she can achieve the execution of an SP reach with a higher winning expectation than the fourth enemy character SP reach.

Furthermore, according to the pachinko gaming machine PY1 of this embodiment, there are four types of story reaches: first story reach, second story reach, third story reach, and fourth story reach. The story selection effect is an effect that suggests which of these four types of story reaches will be executed. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to provide a novel gaming interest in that the story selection effect is executed immediately after the execution of the first enemy character SP reach is suggested in the enemy character selection effect. In other words, even though the enemy character selection effect determines which enemy character SP reach will be executed, the story selection effect determines which story reach will be executed immediately thereafter. In this way, it is possible to provide a novel gaming interest in that two-stage selection effects (enemy character selection effect, story selection effect) are executed consecutively.

Furthermore, according to the pachinko gaming machine PY1 of this embodiment, as described above, after the enemy character selection effect suggests that a first enemy character SP reach will be executed (see FIG. 40(C)), the first enemy character SP reach may not be executed and the story selection effect shown in FIG. 46 may be executed. In this case, the story selection effect executes a button press promotion effect that encourages the player to press the effect button 40k, as shown in FIG. 46(B). Then, based on the pressing of the effect button 40k, the story decision effect shown in FIG. 46(C) suggests which story reach will be executed. In this way, it is possible to provide a novel gaming interest in that the first enemy character SP reach is not executed, but the player is allowed to decide which story reach will be executed.

In addition, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, the story reach includes the first, second, and third story reaches, which have the same winning expectation rate, and the fourth story reach, which has a higher winning expectation rate than these (see FIG. 49). The fourth story reach is an SP reach, which indicates a sure win. Therefore, as described above, if the story selection performance is executed immediately after the enemy character selection performance suggests the execution of the first enemy character SP reach, the player will expect the execution of the fourth story reach to be suggested rather than the first, second, and third story reaches. Therefore, it is possible to increase the interest in the story selection performance executed immediately after the enemy character selection performance. In short, immediately after the enemy character selection performance suggests the execution of the enemy character SP reach, which has a high winning expectation rate, the story selection performance suggests the execution of the story reach, which has a higher winning expectation rate, and it is possible to enjoy the two-stage selection performance consecutively.

In addition, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, if the first enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 36(A) is executed, the player will understand that this is the enemy character SP reach with the lowest winning expectation, and will be disappointed. However, when the number of high probability fluctuations becomes 101 or more, the winning expectation of the first enemy character SP reach (55%) becomes higher than the winning expectation of the second enemy character SP reach (20%) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see FIG. 48(A)(B)). Therefore, when the number of high probability fluctuations becomes 101 or more, even the first enemy character SP reach, which has the lowest winning expectation among the enemy character SP reaches, has a significantly increased winning expectation, making it possible to provide a novel gaming experience.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment of the pachinko gaming machine PY1, the first enemy character SP reach and the second enemy character SP reach are effects that branch off and are executed after a reach. Therefore, if the first enemy character SP reach, which has a lower chance of winning, is executed after a reach, the player will be disappointed. However, as described above, if the first enemy character SP reach is executed when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the chance of winning is higher than the second enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, so it is possible to prevent the player from being disappointed by the execution of the first enemy character SP reach.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment of the pachinko gaming machine PY1, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the winning expectation rate (55%) of the first enemy character SP reach is higher than the winning expectation rate (40%) of the fourth enemy character SP reach, which has the highest winning expectation rate among enemy character SP reaches when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less. Therefore, when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, the winning expectation rate of the first enemy character SP reach increases significantly. Therefore, if the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, it is possible to give the player a very high sense of expectation, even with the first enemy character SP reach, which is perceived to have the lowest winning expectation rate.

In addition, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, when the number of high probability fluctuations becomes 101 or more, the winning expectation rate increases not only for the first enemy character SP reach, but also for the second enemy character SP reach, the third enemy character SP reach, and the fourth enemy character SP (see Figures 48 (A) and (B)). In other words, the winning expectation rate of all enemy character SP reaches increases. And even if the number of high probability fluctuations becomes 101 or more, the relationship of winning expectation rate of first enemy character SP reach < winning expectation rate of second enemy character SP reach < winning expectation rate of third enemy character SP reach < winning expectation rate of fourth enemy character SP reach remains unchanged. Therefore, when the number of high probability fluctuations becomes 101 or more, it is possible to create a great sense of expectation for a jackpot with any enemy character SP reach, and it is possible to increase the interest in playing the enemy character SP reach.

In addition, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, in the high probability state, the winning expectation of the enemy character SP reach (particularly the first enemy character SP reach) will differ greatly depending on whether the number of times the special symbol changes is 101 or more. Therefore, even if the enemy character SP reach has the same presentation mode, it is possible to greatly differ the game interest of the enemy character SP reach before and after the number of times the special symbol changes reaches 101. In other words, in this embodiment, when controlled to a high probability state, it is a loop machine in which the high probability state continues until the next big win is won. Therefore, even if the number of high probability changes becomes 101 or more (even if a specific condition is established), the player does not know when the current game state (high probability state and time-saving state) will end. In other words, the winning expectation of the enemy character SP reach does not increase significantly just by the limited number of times the special symbol changes (for example, just before the end of the ST number or the time-saving number). Therefore, when the number of high probability fluctuations reaches 101 or more, it is possible to provide the player with a new gaming experience in which the player wonders how long the current gaming state will continue, while at the same time greatly increasing the chances of winning the enemy character SP reach.

In addition, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, when the enemy character special selection effect is executed, first, as shown in FIG. 41(A), an enemy character recall effect in which four enemy characters can be recognized is executed. After that, after the blackout shown in FIG. 41(B), a first selection effect with fewer than four enemy characters is executed as shown in FIG. 41(C). Next, after the remaining enemy character introduction effect shown in FIG. 42(A)(B) and the button press promotion effect shown in FIG. 42(C), a second selection effect in which one enemy character can be recognized is executed as shown in FIG. 42(D). After that, an enemy character SP reach corresponding to one enemy character is executed. In this way, after the first selection effect and the second selection effect, it is possible to enjoy which enemy character the enemy character SP reach corresponding to will be executed, and it is possible to increase the interest in the game.

Furthermore, with this form of pachinko gaming machine PY1, as shown in FIG. 41(A), the enemy character silhouette image TB shown in the enemy character recalling effect has the four enemy characters missing their respective characteristic patterns and colors. Then, as shown in FIG. 41(C), the third enemy character image T3 and fourth enemy character image T4 shown in the first selection effect have an appearance mode in which the patterns and colors that were missing in the enemy character silhouette image TB are shown. In this way, it is possible to provide a novel effect in which the missing patterns and colors are shown as the enemy characters are narrowed down.

Furthermore, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, after the first selection effect shown in FIG. 41(C), a remaining enemy character introduction effect is executed in which the enemy characters shown in the first selection effect are introduced one by one in order, as shown in FIG. 42(A)(B). That is, as shown in FIG. 42(A), the fourth enemy character image T4 is displayed for about 0.3 seconds (short time), and then as shown in FIG. 42(B), the third enemy character image T3 is displayed for about 0.3 seconds (short time). After that, as shown in FIG. 42(D), the fourth enemy character image T4, which allows one recognizable enemy character (fourth enemy character), is displayed as the second selection effect. In this way, the remaining enemy character introduction effect makes it possible to clearly display the enemy characters narrowed down in the first selection effect one by one, while building up anticipation as to which enemy character will be selected.

Furthermore, according to this form of pachinko gaming machine PY1, the enemy character special selection performance suggests which enemy character SP reach (second enemy character SP reach, third enemy character SP reach, fourth enemy character SP reach) will be executed among the enemy character SP reaches with different winning expectancies. In other words, it does not suggest the execution of any one of the SP reaches among multiple types of SP reaches with the same winning expectancy. Therefore, it is possible to arouse great interest in which enemy character will be selected (what the winning expectancy will be) after going through the first selection performance shown in FIG. 41 (C) and the second selection performance shown in FIG. 42 (D).

In addition, according to the pachinko game machine PY1 of this embodiment, in the first selection performance shown in FIG. 41(C), it is shown that, of the four enemy characters, the first enemy character with the lowest winning expectation and the second enemy character with the second lowest winning expectation are excluded. Also, in the first selection performance shown in FIG. 43(C), it is shown that, of the four enemy characters, only the first enemy character with the lowest winning expectation is excluded. Thus, in the first selection performance, one or more of the four enemy characters are excluded in order of the lowest suggested winning expectation. Therefore, the more enemy characters are excluded in the first selection performance, the more enemy characters that suggest a high winning expectation will remain. Therefore, when the first selection performance is executed from the enemy character recall performance, it is possible to make the player pay attention to how few enemy characters are displayed, and to expect the execution of an enemy character SP reach with a high winning expectation.

9. Modifications The following describes the modifications. In the description of the modifications, the same components as those in the pachinko game machine PY1 of the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description is omitted. Of course, the components of the modifications may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, the technical features in the above embodiment and the following modifications may be appropriately deleted unless they are described as essential in this specification.

In the above embodiment, there were four types of enemy character SP reaches: a first enemy character SP reach (see FIG. 36(A)), a second enemy character SP reach (see FIG. 36(B)), a third enemy character SP reach (see FIG. 36(C)), and a fourth enemy character SP reach (see FIG. 36(D)). However, the types of enemy character SP reaches are not limited to four, and may be two, three, five or more types.

In the above embodiment, the winning expectation of each of the enemy character SP reaches (first enemy character SP reach, second enemy character SP reach, third enemy character SP reach, fourth enemy character SP) is set to be different (see FIG. 48 (A)). However, the winning expectation of each enemy character SP reach may be set to be the same. Furthermore, of the multiple types of enemy character SP reaches, the winning expectation of some of the enemy character SP reaches (for example, the first enemy character SP reach and the second enemy character SP reach) may be set to be the same.

In the above embodiment, the fourth enemy character SP reach, which has the highest winning probability among the enemy character SP reaches, does not indicate a guaranteed win (winning the jackpot). However, the fourth enemy character SP reach may also indicate a guaranteed win. In other words, among the enemy character SP reaches, there may be an enemy character SP reach with a 100% winning probability.

In the above embodiment, there were four types of story reach: first story reach (see FIG. 37(A)), second story reach (see FIG. 37(B)), third story reach (see FIG. 37(C)), and fourth story reach (see FIG. 37(D)). However, the types of story reach are not limited to four, and may be two, three, five or more types.

In the above embodiment, among the multiple types of story reaches, some of the story reaches (first story reach, second story reach, third story reach) are set to have the same expected probability of winning (see Figure 49). However, the expected probability of winning for each of the story reaches (first story reach, second story reach, third story reach, fourth story reach) may be set to be different, or all may be set to be the same.

In the above embodiment, the fourth story reach among the story reaches indicates a guaranteed win. In other words, among the story reaches, there is a fourth story reach that has a 100% chance of winning (see FIG. 49). However, story reaches other than the fourth story reach (for example, the third story reach) may also indicate a guaranteed win. Also, among the story reaches, there may be no story reach that indicates a guaranteed win.

In the above embodiment, the enemy character SP reach or story reach may be executed in a high probability state (high probability time-saving state) or time-saving state (normal probability state and time-saving state). However, the enemy character SP reach or story reach may also be executed in a normal game state (normal probability state and non-time-saving state). In short, the present invention is not limited to implementation in a high probability state or time-saving state, but can be implemented in any game state, such as a normal game state.

In the above embodiment, when a shake notice performance is executed during the execution of a first enemy character SP reach (first performance), the winning expectation rate (50%) of the first enemy character SP reach is the same as the winning expectation rate (50%) of the second enemy character SP reach (second performance) when a shake notice performance is executed during the execution of the second enemy character SP reach (second performance) (see FIG. 48 (A) (B)). However, this is not limited to during the execution of an enemy character SP reach, and if there are two types of performances (first performance, second performance) with different winning expectation rates, and a chance up notice performance (specific performance) such as a shake notice performance is executed during the execution of each of these performances, the winning expectation rates of the two types of performances may be set to be the same. For example, the winning expectation rate of a battle strong SP reach (first performance) in which a chance up notice performance is executed may be set to be the same as the winning expectation rate of a mini character weak SP reach (second performance) in which a chance up notice performance is executed. Also, if there are three or more types of effects with different winning expectations, and a chance-up preview effect (specific effect) is executed while each of these effects is being executed, the winning expectations of the three or more types of effects may be the same.

In the above embodiment, if a shake preview effect is executed in the first enemy character SP reach (first branching effect) or second enemy character SP reach (second branching effect) that branches off after a reach, the winning expectation of each is set to be the same (see Figures 48 (A) and (B)). However, the first effect and second effect that have the same winning expectation are not limited to the branching first branching effect or second branching effect. Therefore, for example, the winning expectation of a specified pre-reach effect (first effect) in which a chance up preview effect is executed and the winning expectation of a specified post-reach effect (second effect) in which a chance up preview effect is executed may be set to be the same.

In the above embodiment, the specific effect that triggers the equalization of the winning expectation rates for two types of effects (first effect, second effect) with different winning expectation rates is the shake notice effect. However, the specific effect that triggers the equalization of the winning expectation rates is not limited to the shake notice effect, and may be a chance-up notice effect other than the shake notice effect (for example, a cut-in notice effect shown in FIG. 39(A), a dialogue notice effect shown in FIG. 39(B), a hold change notice effect, a vibration notice effect, a moving object notice effect, a pseudo-successive notice effect (a pseudo-successive effect in which the EZ display pattern is changed a predetermined number of times in one change effect), or a continuous notice effect (a performance in which related notice effects are executed in multiple change effects)). In addition, the specific effect that triggers the equalization of the winning expectation rates is not limited to the chance-up notice effect, and may be, for example, a specific sound output effect that outputs a specific sound from the speaker 610, or a specific light emission effect that causes the frame lamp 212 or the board lamp 54 to light up in a specific light emission mode.

In the above embodiment, when the shake notice performance (specific performance) is executed in each of the enemy character SP reach (first performance, second performance, and third performance), the winning expectation rate of each enemy character SP reach is set to be the same at 50% (see FIG. 48 (A)). However, the winning expectation rates of the first performance, second performance, and third performance when the specific performance is executed do not have to be completely the same, but may be set to be substantially the same. In this case, the winning expectation rates being substantially the same means that each winning expectation rate is within a range of +/- 10% of the average winning expectation rate. However, it is preferable that each winning expectation rate is within a range of +/- 5%. In this case, it is easier for the player to feel that the winning expectation rates of the first performance, second performance, and third performance are the same. Furthermore, it is preferable that each winning expectation rate is within a range of +/- 2.5%. In this case, it is easier for the player to feel that the winning expectation rates of the first performance, second performance, and third performance are almost the same.

In the above embodiment, when the execution of the first enemy character SP reach (first branching effect) is suggested in the enemy character selection effect (see FIG. 40(C)), the first enemy character SP reach is not executed thereafter, and a story reach (special effect) with a higher winning expectation than the enemy character SP reach (fourth enemy character SP reach with the highest winning expectation) can be executed. However, the special effect executed without executing the first enemy character SP reach (first branching effect) is not limited to the story reach, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be a mission effect indicating whether or not a special mission will be cleared, or a race effect indicating whether or not a race will come first. It may also be a winning suggestion effect with a winning expectation of 100%, such as a full rotation reach. The special effect is not limited to the SP reach executed after the reach, and may be a pre-reach effect. In addition, the special effect that is executed without the first enemy character SP reach being executed does not need to have a higher winning probability than the fourth enemy character SP reach (the branching effect with the highest winning probability), but only needs to have a higher winning probability than the second enemy character SP reach (second branching effect).

In the above embodiment, there are four types of story reaches (special effects) that are executed from the enemy character selection effect (transition suggestion effect) through the story selection effect (other transition suggestion effect), from the first story reach to the fourth story reach. However, the types of special effects are not limited to four types, and may be one type, two types, three types, five types or more. In the above embodiment, the story reach (special effect) has the same winning expectation from the first story reach (first special effect) to the third story reach, while the winning expectation of the fourth story reach (second special effect) is 100%. However, the winning expectation of the second special effect is not limited to 100%, and can be changed as appropriate as long as it is higher than the winning expectation of the first special effect. The winning expectation of each special effect may be different or the same. The winning expectation of each special effect may be 100%.

In the above embodiment, in order for a story selection effect (another transition suggestion effect) to be executed, the condition is that the enemy character selection effect (transition suggestion effect) suggests the execution of a first enemy character SP reach or suggests the execution of a second enemy character SP reach. However, the condition may be only the suggestion of the execution of a first enemy character SP reach (first branching effect). Alternatively, the story selection effect may be executed even if the execution of any enemy character SP reach (first enemy character SP reach, second enemy character SP reach, third enemy character SP reach, fourth enemy character SP reach) is suggested.

In the above embodiment, the execution of the story selection effect (other transition suggestion effect) is conditioned on the execution of an enemy character selection effect (transition suggestion effect) that suggests the execution of a first enemy character SP reach (first branch effect) or the execution of a second enemy character SP reach (second branch effect). However, the first branch effect, second branch effect, and transition suggestion effect are not limited to those described above and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the first branch effect and the second branch effect may be a branching weak SP reach and strong SP reach, and the transition suggestion effect may be a strong/weak SP reach selection effect that suggests the execution of a weak SP reach or the execution of a strong SP reach. Also, for example, the first branch effect and the second branch effect may be a branching mini character SP reach and battle SP reach, and the transition suggestion effect may be an SP reach type selection effect that suggests the execution of a mini character SP reach or the execution of a battle SP reach. Furthermore, the first branching effect and the second branching effect are not limited to SP reaches that are executed after a reach, but may be effects that are executed before a reach. The story selection effect may be executed immediately after a reach. Furthermore, the presentation style of other transition suggestion effects may be changed as appropriate depending on the content of the special effect.

In the above embodiment, the expected probability of winning the first enemy character SP reach (first performance, first branch performance) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more (55%) is set to be higher than the expected probability of winning the fourth enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (40%) (see Figures 48 (A) and (B)). However, the expected probability of winning the first performance (first branch performance) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more can be changed as appropriate, as long as it is higher than the expected probability of winning the second enemy character SP reach (second performance, second branch performance) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (20%).

In the above embodiment, the winning expectation rate (55%) of the first enemy character SP reach (first performance, first branch performance) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more is higher than the winning expectation rate (20%) of the second enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, but is lower than the winning expectation rate (60%) of the second enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more (see Figures 48 (A) and (B)). However, the winning expectation rate of the first enemy character SP reach (first performance, first branch performance) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more may be higher than the winning expectation rate (20%) of the second enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less, and may be higher than the winning expectation rate (60%) of the second enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more. Furthermore, the expected probability of winning a first enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more may be set to be higher than the expected probability of winning a third enemy character SP reach (65%) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more, or higher than the expected probability of winning a fourth enemy character SP reach (the enemy character SP reach with the highest expected probability of winning among enemy character SP reaches) (70%) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more.

In the above embodiment, when the number of high probability fluctuations reaches 101 or more, the winning expectation rate increases for all four types of enemy character SP reaches. However, when the number of high probability fluctuations reaches 101 or more, the winning expectation rate may be increased only for the first enemy character SP reach (first effect, first branching effect) among the four types of enemy character SP reaches, so that it becomes higher than the winning expectation rate for the second enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less.

In the above embodiment, the expected winning probability of the first enemy character SP reach (first performance, first branch performance) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more (when a specific condition is met) is set to be higher than the expected winning probability of the second enemy character SP reach (second performance, second branch performance) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (when a specific condition is not met). However, the expected winning probability of the first enemy character SP reach (first performance, first branch performance) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more (when a specific condition is met) may be set to be higher than the expected winning probability of the second enemy character SP reach (second performance, second branch performance) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (when a specific condition is not met). Similarly, the expected winning probability of a first enemy character SP reach (first effect, first branch effect) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more (when a specific condition is met) may be set to be equal to or higher than the expected winning probability of a fourth enemy character SP reach (fourth effect, fourth branch effect with the highest winning probability among the branch effects) when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (when a specific condition is not met).

In the above embodiment, in the branching first enemy character SP reach (first branching performance) and second enemy character SP reach (second branching performance), the winning expectancy (55%) of the first enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more is higher than the winning expectancy (20%) of the second enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see Figures 48 (A) and (B)). However, regardless of the relationship between the branching first branching performance and the second branching performance, in the relationship between the first performance and the second performance with a higher winning expectancy than the first performance, the winning expectancy of the first performance when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more may be higher than the winning expectancy of the second performance when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less. In this case, the first and second effects may be, for example, weak SP reach and strong SP reach, character SP reach and battle SP reach, pre-reach effect and post-reach effect, pseudo 2 effect (a performance in which the EZ effect pattern is displayed in a changing state twice in one changing effect) and pseudo 3 effect (a performance in which the EZ effect pattern is displayed in a changing state three times in one changing effect), etc.

In the above embodiment, in the branching first enemy character SP reach (first branching performance), second enemy character SP reach (second branching performance), and third enemy character SP reach (third branching performance), the winning expectation rate (55%) of the first enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more is higher than the winning expectation rate (30%) of the third enemy character SP reach when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less (see Figures 48 (A) and (B)). However, regardless of the relationship between the branching first branching performance and the third branching performance, in the relationship between the first performance and the third performance, which has a higher winning expectation rate than the second performance, the winning expectation rate of the first performance when the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 or more is higher than the winning expectation rate of the third performance when the number of high probability fluctuations is 100 or less. In this case, the first, second and third effects may be, for example, a weak SP reach, a medium SP reach and a strong SP reach, a character SP reach, a battle SP reach and a story reach, a pseudo 1 effect (a performance in which the EZ performance pattern is displayed once in one changing effect), a pseudo 2 effect (a performance in which the EZ performance pattern is displayed twice in one changing effect) and a pseudo 3 effect (a performance in which the EZ performance pattern is displayed three times in one changing effect).

In the above embodiment, when a specific condition is met that the number of high probability fluctuations is 101 times (specific number of times) or more, the expected winning probability of the first performance after the specific condition is met is set to be higher than the expected winning probability of the second performance before the specific condition is met. However, the fulfillment of the specific condition is not limited to the number of high probability fluctuations being 101 times or more, and may be, for example, the number of high probability fluctuations reaching a specific number other than 101 times (for example, 50 times), or the number of time-saving times reaching a specific number, or the number of special pattern fluctuations being executed a specific number of times after power-on or after a jackpot game. The fulfillment of the specific condition may also be a change in the performance mode or game state (the fulfillment of a specific transition condition). The fulfillment of the specific condition may also be the execution of a specific performance (for example, a preview performance such as a movable body driving performance or a cut-in preview performance).

In the above embodiment, after the first selection effect (first selection effect) and the second selection effect (second selection effect) of the enemy character special selection effect (FIGS. 41 and 42), one of the enemy character SP reach (second enemy character SP reach, third enemy character SP reach, fourth enemy character SP reach (branching effect)) is executed. However, the branching effect executed after the first selection effect and the second selection effect is not limited to the enemy character SP reach and can be changed as appropriate. For example, one of multiple types of story reaches, one of multiple types of character reaches, one of multiple types of development effects, one of multiple types of preview effects, one of multiple types of movable body drive effects, etc. may be executed. The types of branching effects are not limited to four types, and may be three types or five or more types.

In the above embodiment, in the enemy character silhouette image TB (first image, see FIG. 41(A)), the shape (outline) of the enemy character (object) can be recognized, but the pattern and color of the enemy character are missing. However, the missing mode of the first image is not limited to the missing pattern and color of the enemy character, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the missing mode may be a missing mode in which the pattern of the enemy character is recognizable, but the shape and color of the enemy character are missing. The missing mode may be a missing mode in which the color of the enemy character is recognizable, but the shape and pattern of the enemy character are missing. The missing mode may be a missing mode in which the shape and pattern of the enemy character are recognizable, but the color of the enemy character are missing. The missing mode may be a missing mode in which the shape and color of the enemy character are recognizable, but the pattern of the enemy character is missing. The missing mode may be a missing mode in which the pattern and color of the enemy character are recognizable, but the shape of the enemy character is missing. In short, the missing mode may be one or more elements of the shape, pattern, or color that characterize the object are missing. The first image may be in a state where there are no missing parts, and none of the object's shape, pattern, or color is missing.

In the above embodiment, in the image (second image, see Figures 41(C) and 43(C)) shown in the first selection performance (first selection performance), one or more of the four enemy characters (objects) are excluded in order of the lowest suggested probability of winning. However, in the second image shown in the first selection performance, which of the multiple types of objects are displayed can be changed as appropriate. Therefore, in the second image, one or more objects may be excluded regardless of the level of the expected probability of winning, or one or more objects may be excluded in order of the highest suggested probability of winning.

In the above embodiment, the second image shown in the first selection performance has one or more objects less and has an appearance mode in which the elements (pattern and color) that were missing in the first image (enemy character silhouette image TB) are shown. However, the second image may have one or more objects less but have a missing appearance mode in which the elements that were missing in the first image are still missing. Or, the second image may have a partial appearance mode in which the elements that were missing in the first image are partially shown. Note that the third image shown in the second selection performance (second selection performance) may also have a missing appearance mode in which the elements that were missing in the first image are still missing, or have a partial appearance mode in which the elements that were missing in the first image are partially shown.

In the above embodiment, an enemy character SP reach (branching effect) corresponding to one enemy character (object) narrowed down by the first selection effect and the second selection effect is executed. However, the object and the branching effect corresponding to that object can be changed as appropriate. For example, the object may be an item or a mini-character, and the branching effect may be an item appearance effect corresponding to the item, or a mini-character effect corresponding to the mini-character.

In the above embodiment, in the enemy character SP reach (branching effect) executed after the first selection effect (first selection effect) and the second selection effect (second selection effect), the winning expectation rate of the second enemy character SP reach, the winning expectation rate of the third enemy character SP reach, and the winning expectation rate of the fourth enemy character SP reach are different. However, in the branching effects executed after the first selection effect and the second selection effect, the winning expectation rate of each branching effect may be the same, or the winning expectation rate of some branching effects may be the same. In addition, the branching effect executed after the first selection effect and the second selection effect does not have to be an SP reach, and may be multiple types of pre-reach effects, multiple types of advance notice effects (for example, multiple types of cut-in advance notice effects), multiple types of movable body drive effects, etc.

In the above embodiment, the machine is configured as a gaming machine in which the transition to a high probability state is determined based on the type of winning jackpot pattern, but it may be configured as a so-called V-guaranteed machine (a gaming machine that controls to a high probability state based on the passage of a specific area (V area) in the winning jackpot). In the above embodiment, the machine is configured as a gaming machine that continues to be controlled to a high probability state until the start of the next jackpot game once it has been controlled to a high probability state (a so-called guaranteed loop type gaming machine), but it may be configured as a so-called ST machine (a guaranteed loop type gaming machine with a limited number of times). It may also be configured as a so-called one-type two-type mixed machine or a swing type gaming machine. It may also be configured as a falling machine that falls from a high probability state to a normal probability state by lottery when controlled to a high probability state, or as a limiter machine that limits the number of consecutive times it is controlled to a high probability state or a time-saving state. In other words, the invention shown in this specification can be suitably adopted for gaming machines of various game types, regardless of the game type of the gaming machine.

In the above embodiment, when the number of high probability fluctuations reaches 101 or more (when a specific condition is met), the fluctuation pattern is determined by changing from the normal special chart fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11(A) to the special special chart fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 11(B). However, even when a specific condition is met, the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table may not be changed. In other words, the probability of winning each enemy character SP reach (branching performance) may be significantly increased without changing the special chart fluctuation pattern determination table.

The winning expectation rates shown in FIG. 48(A), FIG. 48(B), and FIG. 49 are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate when implementing the present invention. The allocation rates shown in FIG. 50, FIG. 51, and FIG. 52 are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate when implementing the present invention.

In addition, a small win game (a special game in which the total opening time of the large prize opening is a specified time (e.g., 1.8 seconds) or less) may be played as a special game. The state in which a small win game is being played is called the small win game state.

There may also be multiple (e.g., two) big prize openings (big prize devices). In this case, the gaming machine is provided with a first big prize opening, a first big prize opening sensor capable of detecting a gaming ball that has entered the first big prize opening, a second big prize opening, and a second big prize opening sensor capable of detecting a gaming ball that has entered the second big prize opening.

10. Inventions Described in the Above-described Embodiments The above-described embodiments describe the inventions of the following means. In the following description of the means, the corresponding component names and expressions in the above-described embodiments and the symbols used in the drawings are added in parentheses for reference. However, the components of each invention are not limited to these additions.

<Means A>
The invention according to Means A1 is as follows:
When a jackpot is determined by a predetermined determination process (a jackpot determination process in steps S1402 and S1408), a game control means (game control microcomputer 101) capable of executing a jackpot game is provided.
In a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine PY1) equipped with a performance control means (performance control microcomputer 121) capable of controlling performance,
The performance control means includes:
A first performance (first enemy character SP reach) and a second performance (second enemy character SP reach) in which the winning expectation rate, which is the possibility that the jackpot game will be executed, is higher than that of the first performance, are executable;
During the execution of the first performance or the second performance, a specific performance (shake notice performance) can be executed,
This gaming machine is characterized in that it is possible to make the expected probability of winning (50%) in the first performance when the specific performance is executed during execution of the first performance (see Figure 45 (A)) the same or substantially the same (see Figure 48 (A)) as the expected probability of winning (50%) in the second performance when the specific performance is executed during execution of the second performance (see Figure 45 (B)).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, when the first performance is executed, the player realizes that the probability of winning is lower than that of the second performance, and becomes disappointed. However, if a specific performance is executed while the first performance is being executed, the probability of winning in the first performance becomes the same or substantially the same as the probability of winning in the second performance if a specific performance is executed while the second performance is being executed. Therefore, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation as if a specific performance had been executed in the second performance, despite the first performance being executed, and it is possible to increase interest in the game.

The invention according to Means A2 is as follows:
In the gaming machine according to the means A1,
The specific effect is a specific chance-up preview effect (shake preview effect shown in FIG. 45) that can suggest that the winning probability of the currently executing effect will increase.

With a gaming machine of this configuration, when a specific chance-up notice effect is executed during execution of the first effect, it is possible to clearly indicate to the player that the probability of winning in the first effect has increased. Furthermore, it is possible to make the player feel a sense of expectation as if a specific chance-up notice effect had been executed in the second effect, even though it is the first effect.

The invention according to Means A3 is as follows:
In the gaming machine according to the means A2,
The performance control means is capable of executing other chance-up advance notice performances (for example, a cut-in advance notice performance shown in FIG. 39(A) and a dialogue advance notice performance shown in FIG. 39(B)) that can suggest that the winning expectation of the performance being executed will increase,
This gaming machine is characterized in that the probability of winning in the first performance when the other chance-up notice performance is executed during execution of the first performance is made different from the probability of winning in the second performance when the other chance-up notice performance is executed during execution of the second performance.

With a gaming machine of this configuration, even if another chance-up notice performance is executed while the first performance is being executed, the expected probability of winning in the second performance will not be the same as if another chance-up notice performance was executed while the second performance was being executed. Therefore, it is possible to make the player pay attention to which chance-up notice performance is executed while the first performance is being executed, thereby increasing the player's interest in playing the first performance.

The invention according to Means A4 is:
In the gaming machine according to any one of means A1 to A3,
The performance control means includes:
This gaming machine is characterized in that it is possible to execute a first branching performance (first enemy character SP reach) as the first performance, or a second branching performance (second enemy character SP reach) as the second performance, after going through a predetermined branch (a branch that transitions to one of four types of enemy character SP reaches).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, if the first branch presentation is executed after a predetermined branch, the player will be greatly disappointed because the second branch presentation, which has a higher probability of winning, was not executed. However, if a specific presentation is executed while the first branch presentation is being executed, it is suggested that the probability of winning will be the same or substantially the same as if the specific presentation had been executed in the second branch presentation. Therefore, it is possible for the player to have high expectations for the specific presentation to be executed, even if the first branch presentation is executed after a predetermined branch.

The invention according to Means A5 is:
In the gaming machine according to the means A4,
The performance control means includes:
This gaming machine is characterized in that it is capable of executing a transition suggestion effect (an enemy character selection effect shown in Figure 40) that can suggest whether the first branching effect or the second branching effect will be executed before the specified branch.

With a gaming machine of this configuration, when the transition suggestion effect suggests that the first branching effect will be executed, the player will be greatly disappointed because the second branching effect was not suggested to be executed. Even in this case, it is possible to increase the player's interest in playing the first branching effect by making the player look forward to the execution of a specific effect while the first branching effect is being executed.

The invention according to Means A6 is:
In the gaming machine according to any one of means A1 to A5,
The performance control means includes:
A third performance (third enemy character SP reach) having a higher winning expectation rate than the second performance can be executed.
This gaming machine is characterized in that it is possible to make the winning expectancy (50%) suggested by the first performance when the specific performance is executed while the first performance is being executed the same or substantially the same as the winning expectancy (50%) suggested by the third performance when the specific performance is executed while the third performance is being executed (see Figure 488 (A)).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, when a specific performance is executed while a first performance is being executed, not only is the winning expectation in the first performance the same or substantially the same as the winning expectation in the second performance when a specific performance is executed while a second performance is being executed, but also the winning expectation in the third performance when a specific performance is executed while a third performance is being executed is the same or substantially the same as the winning expectation in the third performance when a specific performance is executed while a third performance is being executed. Therefore, even though it is the first performance, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation as if a specific performance had been executed in the third performance, which has a higher winning expectation, and it is possible to increase interest in the game.

The gaming machine described in JP 2005-058457 A is designed to execute a first effect (weak SP reach) that suggests a low probability of winning, which is the possibility of a jackpot game being executed, and a second effect (strong SP reach) that suggests a high probability of winning. However, if the second effect that suggests a high probability of winning is not executed and the first effect that suggests a low probability of winning is executed, the player will be disappointed. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the interest of the game so that the player can have a sense of expectation even when the first effect is executed. Therefore, the invention relating to means A1 to A6 differs from the gaming machine described in JP 2005-058457 A in that the effect control means can make the probability of winning in the first effect, when a specific effect is executed during the execution of the first effect, the probability of winning in the second effect, when a specific effect is executed during the execution of the second effect, the same or substantially the same. This makes it possible to solve the problem of providing a gaming machine that can increase the interest of players in gaming (achieve the effect of doing so).

<Method B>
The invention according to means B1 is as follows:
When a jackpot is determined by a predetermined determination process (a jackpot determination process in steps S1402 and S1408), a game control means (game control microcomputer 101) capable of executing a jackpot game is provided.
In a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine PY1) equipped with a performance control means (performance control microcomputer 121) capable of controlling performance,
The performance control means includes:
After passing through a predetermined branch (a branch that transitions to one of four types of enemy character SP reaches), a first branch effect (first enemy character SP reach) or a second branch effect (second enemy character SP reach) that has a higher probability of winning, i.e., the possibility of the jackpot game being executed, than the first branch effect can be executed.
A transition suggestion effect (enemy character selection effect shown in FIG. 40) that suggests whether the first branch effect or the second branch effect will be executed before the predetermined branch can be executed,
This gaming machine is characterized in that when the transition suggestion effect suggests that the first branching effect will be executed, it is possible to execute a special effect (story reach, see Figures 48(A) and 49) which has a higher chance of winning than the second branching effect, without executing the first branching effect (see Figure 35).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, when the transition suggestion effect suggests that the first branch effect will be executed, the player will become disappointed because he or she will know that the second branch effect, which has a higher chance of winning, will not be executed. In this case, however, there are cases where the first branch effect is not executed and a special effect, which has a higher chance of winning than the second branch effect, is executed instead. Therefore, it is possible to provide a novel gaming experience to a player who becomes disappointed when the first branch effect is executed, by suddenly realizing that a special effect, which has a higher chance of winning than the second branch effect, will be executed.

The invention according to means B2 is as follows:
In the gaming machine according to the means B1,
The special effects include a first special effect (first story reach) and a second special effect (fourth story reach) different from the first special effect,
The performance control means includes:
This gaming machine is characterized in that when the transition suggestion effect suggests that the first branching effect will be executed, another transition suggestion effect (a story selection effect shown in Figure 46) that can suggest whether the first special effect or the second special effect will be executed can be executed without executing the first branching effect.

With a gaming machine of this configuration, when the transition suggestion effect suggests that the first branching effect will be executed, the first branching effect may not be executed, and instead another transition suggestion effect that suggests that either the first special effect or the second special effect will be executed may be executed. In this case, it is possible to provide a novel gaming experience in which the other transition suggestion effect is executed immediately after the transition suggestion effect suggests that the first branching effect will be executed.

The invention according to means B3 is as follows:
In the gaming machine according to the means B2,
An operable operation means (performance button 40k) is provided,
The performance control means includes:
This gaming machine is characterized in that while the other transition suggestion effect (the button press prompting effect shown in Figure 46 (B)) is being executed, it is possible to suggest the execution of the first special effect or the execution of the second special effect based on an operation on the operating means (it is possible to execute the story determination effect shown in Figure 46 (A)).

With this gaming machine configuration, if a transition suggestion effect is executed immediately after the execution of a first branching effect is suggested by a transition suggestion effect, the player can decide to execute the first special effect or the second special effect by operating the operating means. In this way, it is possible to provide a novel gaming experience in which the player can decide to execute the first special effect or the second special effect instead of executing the first branching effect.

The invention according to means B4 is as follows:
In the gaming machine according to the means B2 or B3,
This gaming machine is characterized in that the second special effect (fourth story reach) has a higher probability of winning than the first special effect (first story reach) (see FIG. 49).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, if a transition suggestion effect suggests the execution of a first branching effect and then another transition suggestion effect is executed, the player will be more likely to expect the execution of a second special effect to be suggested in the other transition suggestion effect than if the execution of a first special effect is suggested in the other transition suggestion effect. This makes it possible to increase the interest in the game when another transition suggestion effect is executed.

In the gaming machine described in JP 2014-230840 A, after a predetermined branch, it is possible to execute a first character performance (first branch performance) or a second character performance (second branch performance) with a higher winning expectation than the first character performance. In addition, it is possible to execute a character selection performance (transition suggestion performance) that suggests whether the first character performance or the second character performance will be executed before the predetermined branch. However, if the execution of the first branch performance (first character performance) is suggested in the transition suggestion performance (character selection performance), the player will be disappointed because he or she will understand that the second branch performance (second character performance) with a higher winning expectation will not be executed. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the gaming interest so that the motivation of the player who is disappointed when the first branch performance is executed is not reduced. Therefore, the inventions according to means B1 to B4 differ from the gaming machine described in JP 2014-230840 A in that, when the execution of the first branch performance is suggested by the transition suggestion performance, a special performance with a higher winning expectation than the second branch performance can be executed without executing the first branch performance. This makes it possible to solve the problem of providing a gaming machine that can provide a new gaming experience (achieve the desired effect).

<Method C>
The invention according to Means C1 is
a game control means (game control microcomputer 101) capable of executing a jackpot game when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a jackpot win (jackpot symbol);
In a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine PY1) equipped with a performance control means (performance control microcomputer 121) capable of controlling performance,
The performance control means includes:
Before a specific condition is established (the number of high probability fluctuations becomes 101 or more), a first performance (a first enemy character SP reach) and a second performance (a second enemy character SP reach) in which the winning expectation rate, which is the possibility that the jackpot game will be executed, is higher than that of the first performance, can be executed.
This gaming machine is characterized in that when the first performance is executed after the specific condition is met, the expected probability of winning in the first performance (55%) is higher than the expected probability of winning in the second performance (20%) when the second performance is executed before the specific condition is met (see Figures 48 (A) and (B)).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, if the first performance is executed before the specific condition is met, the player will understand that the probability of winning is lower than that of the second performance, and will be disappointed. However, after the specific condition is met, the probability of winning of the first performance when the first performance is executed will be higher than the probability of winning of the second performance when the second performance is executed before the specific condition is met. Therefore, after the specific condition is met, the probability of winning has increased significantly even with the first performance, making it possible to provide a novel gaming experience.

The invention according to Means C2 is:
In the gaming machine according to the means C1,
The performance control means includes:
This gaming machine is characterized in that it is possible to execute a first branching performance (first enemy character SP reach) as the first performance, or a second branching performance (second enemy character SP reach) as the second performance, after going through a predetermined branch (a branch that transitions to one of four types of enemy character SP reaches).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, if the first branch presentation is executed after a specific branch, the player will be disappointed because the second branch presentation, which has a higher chance of winning, was not executed. However, if the first branch presentation is executed after a specific condition is met, the chance of winning is higher than the second branch presentation executed before the specific condition is met, so it is possible to prevent the player from being disappointed by the first branch presentation being executed.

The invention according to Means C3 is:
In the gaming machine according to the means C2,
The performance control means includes:
Before the specific condition is established, a third branching effect (a third enemy character SP reach) having a higher winning expectation rate than the second branching effect can be executed via the predetermined branch,
This gaming machine is characterized in that when the first branch presentation is executed after the specific condition is met, the expected probability of winning (55%) in the first branch presentation is higher than the expected probability of winning (30%) in the third branch presentation when the third branch presentation is executed before the specific condition is met (see Figures 48 (A) and (B)).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, after a specific condition is met, the expected probability of winning the first branch presentation is higher than the expected probability of winning the third branch presentation if the third branch presentation was executed before the specific condition was met. Therefore, after a specific condition is met, the expected probability of winning the first branch presentation is significantly increased, and it is possible to create a very high sense of expectation in the player even with the first branch presentation.

The invention according to Means C4 is:
In the gaming machine according to any one of means C3,
When the second branch performance is executed after the specific condition is satisfied, the winning expectation rate (60%) in the second branch performance is higher than the winning expectation rate (55%) in the first branch performance when the first branch performance is executed after the specific condition is satisfied (see FIG. 48(B)).
This gaming machine is characterized in that when the third branch presentation is executed after the specific condition is met, the expected probability of winning (65%) in the third branch presentation is higher than the expected probability of winning (60%) in the second branch presentation when the second branch presentation is executed after the specific condition is met (see Figure 48 (B)).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, after a specific condition is met, the probability of winning increases not only in the first branch effect, but also in the second and third branch effects. The second branch effect has a higher probability of winning than the first branch effect, and the third branch effect has a higher probability of winning than the second branch effect, and this relationship remains unchanged. Therefore, when a specific condition is met, it is possible to create a high sense of expectation of a jackpot in any branch effect, and to increase interest in the branch effects.

The invention according to Means C5 is
In the gaming machine according to any one of means C1 and means C4,
The specific condition is met when the number of times the variable display of the special symbol has been executed reaches a specific number (101 times).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, when the number of times the variable display of the special symbol is executed reaches a specific number of times, the probability of winning in the first performance increases significantly. Therefore, it is possible to make the entertainment value of the first performance significantly different before and after the number of times the variable display of the special symbol is executed reaches a specific number of times.

The gaming machine described in JP 2005-058457 A is designed to execute a first effect (weak SP reach) that suggests a low probability of winning, which is the possibility of a jackpot game being executed, and a second effect (strong SP reach) that suggests a high probability of winning. However, if the second effect that suggests a high probability of winning is not executed and the first effect that suggests a low probability of winning is executed, the player will be disappointed. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the interest of the game so that the player can have a sense of expectation even when the first effect is executed. Therefore, the invention relating to means C1 to C5 differs from the gaming machine described in JP 2005-058457 A in that the effect control means can make the probability of winning in the first effect, when a specific effect is executed during the execution of the first effect, the probability of winning in the second effect, when a specific effect is executed during the execution of the second effect, the same or substantially the same. This makes it possible to solve the problem of providing a gaming machine that can increase the interest in gaming (achieve the effect of doing so).

<Method D>
The invention according to means D1 is
When a jackpot is determined by a predetermined determination process (a jackpot determination process in steps S1402 and S1408), a game control means (game control microcomputer 101) capable of executing a jackpot game is provided.
In a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine PY1) equipped with a performance control means (performance control microcomputer 121) capable of controlling performance,
The performance control means includes:
A plurality of types of branching effects (a first enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 36(A), a second enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 36(B), a third enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 36(C), and a fourth enemy character SP reach shown in FIG. 36(D)) can be executed.
In each of the branching effects, a corresponding object (a first enemy character, a second enemy character, a third enemy character, a fourth enemy character) can be displayed,
a first selection effect (first selection effect) that displays a first image (enemy character silhouette image TB shown in FIG. 41(A)) in which a plurality of types of objects can be recognized, and then displays a second image (fourth enemy character image T4 and third enemy character image T3 shown in FIG. 41(C)) in which fewer objects than the plurality of types of objects can be recognized;
After the first selection performance, a second selection performance (second selection performance) is executed to display a third image (a fourth enemy character image T4 shown in FIG. 42(D)) in which one object among the objects recognizable in the second image is recognizable;
This gaming machine is characterized in that after the second selection effect, a branching effect corresponding to one object recognizable in the third image can be executed (after the second selection effect shown in Figure 42 (D) , a fourth enemy character SP reach can be executed).

According to a gaming machine of this configuration, in the first selection performance, a first image in which multiple types of objects can be recognized is displayed, and then a second image in which fewer objects than the multiple types of objects can be recognized is displayed. Then, in the second selection performance, a third image in which one of the objects recognizable in the second image can be recognized is displayed. After that, a branching performance corresponding to one object recognizable in the third image is executed. In this way, after the first selection performance and the second selection performance, the player can enjoy wondering which branching performance corresponding to which object will be executed, which can increase the interest in the game.

The invention according to means D2 is as follows:
In the gaming machine according to the means D1,
The first image is a missing state in which at least one or more elements of the shape, pattern, or color that characterizes each of the plurality of types of objects are missing (a missing state in which the pattern and color that characterize each enemy character are missing (see FIG. 41(A))),
The second image is an appearance mode in which elements missing from the first image are shown (missing patterns and colors are shown (see FIG. 41(C)) for objects that are fewer than the plurality of types of objects.

In a gaming machine with this configuration, when the first image is displayed in the first selection presentation, the multiple objects are in a missing state in which their respective characterizing elements are missing. After that, when the second image is displayed, the objects that are fewer than the multiple types are in an appearance state in which the elements that were missing in the first image are shown. In this way, it is possible to provide a novel presentation in which the missing elements are shown as the objects are narrowed down.

The invention according to Means D3 is:
In the gaming machine according to the means D1 or D2,
The performance control means includes:
This gaming machine is characterized in that in the second selection presentation, objects recognizable in the second image are introduced and displayed one by one in order (after executing the remaining enemy character introduction presentation shown in Figures 42 (A) and (B)), and then the third image is displayed.

In a gaming machine with this configuration, in the second selection presentation, the objects recognizable in the second image are introduced and displayed one by one in order, and then a third image in which one object is recognizable is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to clearly show the objects narrowed down in the second image, while building anticipation as to which object will be selected.

The invention according to means D4 is
In the gaming machine according to any one of means D2 to D3,
This is a gaming machine characterized in that the multiple types of branching effects each have a different winning expectation rate, which is the possibility that the jackpot game will be executed (see Figure 48 (A)).

With a gaming machine of this configuration, the multiple branching effects each have a different winning expectation, so each of the multiple objects indicates a high winning expectation. This makes it possible for the player to be very interested in which object will be selected after the first and second selection effects.

The invention according to means D5 is
In the gaming machine according to the means D4,
This gaming machine is characterized in that the objects recognizable in the second image are one or more of the multiple types of objects (first enemy character, second enemy character, third enemy character, fourth enemy character) excluding those with the lowest suggested probability of winning (first enemy character ⇒ second enemy character ⇒ third enemy character) (see Figures 41 (C) and 43 (C)).

According to a gaming machine with this configuration, in the first selection presentation, the objects recognizable in the second image are those in which one or more of the multiple types of objects have been removed, in order of the lowest probability of winning. Therefore, the more objects are removed in the second image, the more only objects suggesting a high probability of winning will remain in the second image. Therefore, when the second image is displayed from the first image, the player is directed to the fact that there are fewer objects shown in the second image, and it is possible to make the player anticipate the execution of a branch presentation with a high probability of winning.

The gaming machine described in JP 2014-230840 A can execute multiple types of branching effects, such as a first character effect that displays a first character (object), a second character effect that displays a second character (object), a third character effect that displays a third character (object), or a fourth character effect that displays a fourth character (object). Before executing each character effect, the first character, the second character, the third character, and the fourth character are displayed, and by displaying all but one character, it is possible to suggest which character effect will be executed. However, the method of displaying each object of the branching effects and executing the branching effect corresponding to the one remaining object was commonplace. Therefore, there was room for improvement in the gaming interest in the process leading up to the execution of the branching effect. Therefore, the invention according to means D1 to D5 differs from the gaming machine described in JP 2014-230840 A in that it is capable of executing a first selection effect in which a first image in which multiple types of objects can be recognized is displayed, followed by a second image in which fewer objects than the multiple types of objects can be recognized, and a second selection effect in which a third image in which one of the objects recognizable in the second image can be recognized is displayed after the first selection effect, and a branching effect corresponding to one object recognizable in the third image can be executed after the second selection effect. This makes it possible to solve the problem of providing a gaming machine that can provide novel gaming interest (achieve the effect of doing so).

PY1... Pachinko game machine 50... Image display device 50a... Display screen 101... Game control microcomputer 121... Performance control microcomputer T1 to T4... First enemy character image to fourth enemy character image TB... Enemy character silhouette image

Claims (1)

a game control means for executing a winning game when a winning is determined by a predetermined determination process;
In a gaming machine having a performance control means capable of controlling a performance,
The performance control means includes:
A selection effect can be executed in which one object is finally selected from a predetermined number of objects each of which indicates a winning expectation rate, which is the possibility of the winning game being executed;
In the selection performance,
a first image showing a missing state in which the outline of each of the predetermined number of objects is shown while a pattern that characterizes each of the objects is missing inside the outline is displayed, and then a second image showing an appearance state in which the pattern that was missing in the first image appears for objects that are fewer than the predetermined number of objects is displayed;
A gaming machine characterized in that, after displaying the second image, one object among objects recognizable in the second image can be displayed.

Images