JP7590232B2 - Slot Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a slot machine that has a variable display section that can variably display multiple types of identifiable identification information, and derives a display result by stopping the variable display section after the variable display section has been variably displayed, and can generate a winning result according to the display result.

Slot machines generally have a variable display section with reels that have multiple types of symbols on the outer periphery that serve as identification information; when a specified number of bets is set and a start switch is operated, the reels begin to spin; when a stop switch is operated and the reels stop spinning, a predetermined symbol combination (for example, 7-7-7; hereafter, the symbol combination is also referred to as the display result combination or hand) appears on the winning line, resulting in a win.

One such slot machine is one that, in a game where the operation procedure for the stop switch is not announced, controls are performed in a manner that is disadvantageous to the player when the player operates the stop switch using an operation procedure other than the common operation procedure (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-166405 A

In the slot machine of Patent Document 1, by implementing control that is disadvantageous to the player (a so-called penalty), it is possible to encourage the player to operate the stop switch using a common operating procedure, but there is still room for improvement in terms of imposing penalties due to such operating procedures.

The present invention was conceived in light of this situation, and its purpose is to provide a slot machine with improvements in terms of penalties resulting from operating procedures.

The slot machine of means A is
A plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identifiable identification information,
A slot machine in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit after the variable display unit is variably displayed, and a winning prize can be generated according to a display result combination which is a combination of the display results of the plurality of variable display units,
A game control means for controlling the progress of a game;
A performance control means for controlling the performance;
a plurality of derivation operation means that are operated to derive a display result combination;
The game control means includes:
A pre-determination means for determining a display result combination that is allowed to be derived;
a derivation control means for controlling the derivation of a display result combination in response to a determination result of the advance determination means and operations of the plurality of derivation operation means;
updating means for updating a value of a specific counter in accordance with the progress of a game in a normal state;
a notification state control means for controlling an operation procedure of the plurality of derivation operation means to a notification state capable of being notified when a value of the specific counter becomes a specific value in the normal state,
The performance control means includes a notification performance means for notifying the operation procedure in the notification state,
The notification and production means notifies the user of the operation procedure corresponding to a specific determination result when the determination result of the pre-determination means becomes any one of a plurality of specific determination results;
the derivation control means is capable of deriving a combination of award display results that will result in an award win that awards a gaming value when the determination result of the pre-determination means is any one of the plurality of specific determination results and the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in the operation sequence corresponding to the specific determination result;
The update means includes:
updating the value of the specific counter when the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in a normal procedure, while not updating the value of the specific counter when the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in an irregular procedure different from the normal procedure;
performing a first update control for updating the specific counter so that an expected value of a value used for updating becomes a first value when a determination result of the advance determination means becomes a first determination result;
performing a second update control for updating the specific counter so that an expected value of a value used for updating becomes a second value larger than the first value when a determination result of the advance determination means becomes a second determination result;
The performance control means further includes a counter display means for displaying a counter value of the specific counter on the display means,
The counter display means is
changing a state of the counter display so that a value specified from the counter display is updated when an operation for starting a variable display of the variable display section of a next game is performed after the value of the specific counter is updated by operating the specific counter according to the normal procedure in one game ;
After the value of the specific counter is not updated due to the operation in the irregular procedure in one game , when an operation for starting the variable display of the variable display part in the next game is performed, the state of the counter display is not changed,
the irregular procedure is an operation procedure in which the deriving operation means to be operated first among the plurality of deriving operation means is different from the normal procedure,
the performance control means makes the display content of the display means, including the counter display, difficult to view when the operated derivation operation means is the derivation operation means in the irregular procedure when any of the plurality of derivation operation means is operated for the first time, and keeps the display content of the display means difficult to view until at least all of the plurality of derivation operation means are operated;
The presentation control means further includes advantageous update suggestion presentation means for executing an advantageous update suggestion presentation that suggests that the second update control is performed,
The advantageous update suggestion producing means is
When the determination result of the advance determination means becomes the first determination result, a first update suggestion effect is executed as the advantageous update suggestion effect;
When the determination result of the advance determination means becomes the second determination result, a second update suggestion effect is executed as the advantageous update suggestion effect;
When the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in the irregular procedure regardless of whether the first update suggestion performance or the second update suggestion performance is being executed, the advantageous update suggestion performance is terminated.
It is characterized by:
Other slot machines include
a plurality of variable display units (e.g., reels 2L, 2C, and 2R) each capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identifiable identification information;
In a slot machine (e.g., slot machine 1), a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit after the variable display unit is variably displayed, and a winning prize can be generated according to a display result combination that is a combination of the display results of a plurality of variable display units;
A game control means (for example, a main control unit 41) for controlling the progress of a game;
A performance control means (for example, a sub-control unit 91) for controlling the performance;
a plurality of derivation operation means (e.g., stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) that are operated to derive a display result combination;
The game control means includes:
A pre-determination means (for example, an internal lottery process by the main control unit 41) for determining a display result combination that is allowed to be derived;
a derivation control means (for example, reel control by the main control unit 41) for controlling to derive a display result combination in accordance with a determination result of the advance determination means and operations of the plurality of derivation operation means;
In a normal state (for example, in a normal advantageous zone), an update means (for example, a point granting process by the main control unit 41) updates the value of a specific counter (for example, a point counter) according to the progress of a game;
a notification state control means (for example, a process of controlling to an AT state by a main control unit 41) for controlling the operation procedure of the plurality of derived operation means to a notification state (for example, an AT state) when the value of the specific counter becomes a specific value (for example, 100, 300, 600, 1000) in the normal state,
The presentation control means includes a notification presentation means (for example, a process of executing a navigation presentation by a sub-control unit 91) that notifies the user of the operation procedure in the notification state,
The notification means notifies the user of the operation procedure (e.g., a correct procedure) corresponding to a specific determination result when the result of the pre-determination means is one of a plurality of specific determination results (e.g., a push order bell);
the derivation control means is capable of deriving a combination of award display results (e.g., a combination of symbols for a plum role) that will result in a winning award (e.g., a plum role) that awards a gaming value (e.g., a medal) when the determination result of the pre-determination means becomes any one of the plurality of types of specific determination results and the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in the operation sequence corresponding to the specific determination result;
The update means includes:
When the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in a normal procedure (e.g., a normal operation), the value of the specific counter is updated, whereas when the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in an irregular procedure (e.g., an irregular operation) different from the normal procedure (e.g., in the case of NO in Sa1 of FIG. 16), the value of the specific counter is not updated (e.g., the point acquisition lottery process of Sa3 shown in FIG. 16 is not executed);
A first update control is performed to update the specific counter so that the expected value of the value used for updating becomes a first value (e.g., about 25 points) when the result of the determination by the advance determination means becomes a first determination result (e.g., winning Suica) (for example, processing performed by the main control unit 41 when flag category FC4 is won in the point acquisition lottery shown in FIG. 17 ).
A second update control is performed to update the specific counter so that the expected value of the value used for updating becomes a second value (e.g., about 90 points) greater than the first value when the determination result of the advance determination means becomes a second determination result (e.g., a strong cherry win) (for example, processing performed by the main control unit 41 when flag category FC6 is won in the point acquisition lottery shown in FIG. 17 ).
The presentation control means further includes advantageous update suggestion presentation means (for example, a process of executing the point suggestion presentation shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 by the sub-control unit 91) for executing advantageous update suggestion presentation suggesting that the second update control is performed;
The advantageous update suggestion producing means is
When the determination result of the pre-determination means becomes the first determination result, a first update suggestion effect is executed as the advantageous update suggestion effect (for example, the sub-control unit 91 executes the point suggestion effect when the watermelon is won as shown in FIG. 21 ),
When the determination result of the pre-determination means becomes the second determination result, a second update suggestion effect is executed as the advantageous update suggestion effect (for example, the sub-control unit 91 executes the point suggestion effect when a strong cherry is won as shown in FIG. 20 ),
When the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the irregular procedure regardless of whether the first update suggestion presentation or the second update suggestion presentation is being executed, the advantageous update suggestion presentation is terminated (for example, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the sub-control unit 91 executes a cancellation process).

1A and 1B are a front view and a diagram showing an example of a main internal configuration of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel. 13 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the game state. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations of winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes when winning. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations of winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes when winning. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations of winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes when winning. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations of winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes when winning. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining combinations of winning roles that are read out as lottery target roles for each game state. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the lottery target roles arranged for each flag category. This is a diagram to explain reel control when the push order role is won. 13 is a diagram showing a game start command that the main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 when the start switch 7 is operated. FIG. 13 shows the game end command sent by the main control unit to the sub-control unit at the third stop. 4 is a flowchart showing the control content of a main process performed by a main control unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a point map. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point update presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point acquisition lottery process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table for the privilege lottery process. A figure showing an example in which a point update effect is executed based on normal operations. A figure showing an example in which a point update effect is not executed based on an irregular operation. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a point suggestion presentation when a strong cherry is won. A diagram illustrating an example of a point suggestion presentation when a watermelon is won. This is a diagram showing a table for life gain lotteries and one-hit victory lotteries in the first and second states of the advantageous zone. A figure showing an example of a bonus lottery process during AT. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a life-granting suggestion display when a watermelon is won. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a life-granting suggestion display when a strong cherry is won. A diagram showing the process in which a sub-control unit executes navigation performance. A diagram showing the command transmission process at the start of a game in the main control unit. A diagram showing the processing in the sub-control unit when a game start command or a game end command is received. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal display in a state where error notification control is performed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the timing for canceling an error notification based on receipt of a game end command. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of canceling an error notification in the next game. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the processing executed in the game state.

[Embodiment]
As a gaming machine according to the present embodiment, a slot machine will be described based on the following example. The slot machine according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Configuration of Slot Machine]
FIG. 1(a) is a front view of a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram showing an example of the main internal configuration of the slot machine 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the slot machine 1 has a front door 1b pivotally supported on a side end of a housing 1a whose front is open. Inside the slot machine 1, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter, left reel, center reel, and right reel) on which multiple types of symbols that can be distinguished from each other are arranged in a predetermined order and in equal numbers are arranged in a horizontal direction, and as shown in FIG. 2, three consecutive symbols among the symbols arranged on these reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are displayed in three rows, top, middle, and bottom, in a see-through window 3 provided in the approximate center of the front of the slot machine 1 so as to be visible from the player side.

In this embodiment, a configuration using three reels is exemplified, but a configuration using only one reel, a configuration using two reels, or a configuration using four or more reels may also be used. Also, in this embodiment, the variable display unit is configured to variably display the patterns displayed in the viewing window 3 by rotating the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, but it is not limited to reels and may be configured, for example, to variably display the patterns by moving a belt having multiple patterns arranged on its outer surface. Also, in this embodiment, the variable display unit is configured with physical reels, but the variable display unit may also be configured with an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

As shown in FIG. 1, on the front of the slot machine 1, there are provided a medal insertion section 4 into which medals can be inserted, a medal payout outlet 9 from which medals are paid out, a MAXBET switch 6 that is operated to set the maximum bet number among a prescribed number (3 in this embodiment) determined according to the game status within a range of credits (the number of medals stored as the game value owned by the player), a start switch 7 that is operated to start the game, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R that are operated to stop the rotation of reels 2L, 2C, 2R, respectively, and a performance switch 56 that is operated by the player during a performance, all of which are operable by the player.

In the following, the operation of the start switch 7 (e.g., pressing the start switch 7 by hand) is referred to as the "start operation," the operation of the stop switch to stop the rotation of the first reel (e.g., pressing the stop switch by hand) is referred to as the "first stop operation," the operation of the stop switch to stop the rotation of the second reel (e.g., pressing the stop switch by hand) is referred to as the "second stop operation," and the operation of the stop switch to stop the rotation of the third reel (e.g., pressing the stop switch by hand) is referred to as the "third stop operation" or "final stop operation." The first stop operation, second stop operation, and third stop operation are also collectively referred to as the "stop operations." Furthermore, releasing the press of the first stop switch (first stop operation) (for example, releasing the hand from the stop switch) is referred to as the "first stop release," releasing the press of the second stop switch (second stop operation) (i.e., releasing the hand from the stop switch) is referred to as the "second stop release," and releasing the press of the third stop switch (third stop operation) (i.e., releasing the hand from the stop switch) is referred to as the "third stop release" or "final stop release." The order in which the player operates reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is also referred to as the "operation procedure."

On the front of the slot machine 1, side lamps 27 consisting of multiple LEDs are provided next to the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. In addition, reel backlights 28L, 28C, and 28R (hereinafter simply referred to as "reel backlights 28") are provided near the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, corresponding to the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, respectively, and irradiate the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R with light from the back or side of the reels. Furthermore, a speaker 53 that outputs sound is provided above the liquid crystal display 51.

On the front of the slot machine 1, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a game display unit 13 provided with a credit indicator 11 that displays the number of medals stored as credits, a game support indicator 12 that displays the number of medals paid out when a win occurs and an error code indicating the content of an error, a 1BET LED 14 that lights up to indicate that the bet number is set to 1, a 2BET LED 15 that lights up to indicate that the bet number is set to 2, a 3BET LED 16 that lights up to indicate that the bet number is set to 3, an insertion request LED 17 that lights up to indicate that it is possible to insert medals, a start valid LED 18 that lights up to indicate that the start operation of the game by operating the start switch 7 is valid, a status LED 19 that lights up to indicate that the game is being controlled to a state such as an advantageous zone AT, which will be described later, and a replay in progress LED 20 that lights up to indicate that a replay game is being played.

As shown in FIG. 1(b), inside the slot machine 1, there is provided a main control unit 41 that controls the progress of the game and outputs various commands according to the progress of the game. The main control unit 41 includes a main CPU 41a that performs various controls related to the progress of the game, and a RAM 41c that stores various data related to the progress of the game. The main control unit 41 detects the operation of the MAXBET switch 6, the start switch 7, and the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, etc., and the insertion of medals into the medal insertion unit 4, and performs control related to the progress of the game, such as spinning/stopping the reels 2L, 2C, 2R and turning on/off each LED in the game display unit 13, according to the detected operation.

Inside the slot machine 1, a sub-controller 91 is provided that controls the effects in response to commands from the main controller 41. The sub-controller 91 includes a sub-CPU 91a that performs various controls related to the effects, and a RAM 91c that stores various data related to the effects. Based on commands from the main controller 41, the sub-controller 91 controls the display of images on the LCD 51, the output of sound from the speaker 53, and the turning on/off of the side lamps 27 and reel backlights 28. The effect data used for the image display on the LCD 51 and the sound output from the speaker 53 is stored in the RAM 91c. Furthermore, the sub-controller 91 detects the operation of the effect switch 56, and controls the display of images on the LCD 51 and the output of sound from the speaker 53 in response to the detected operation.

When playing a game on the slot machine 1, the player inserts medals into the medal insertion section 4 or operates the MAXBET switch 6 to set a specified number of bets. This activates the winning line LN, and the operation of the start switch 7 activates the game, making it possible to start. The winning line LN is a line for determining whether the combination of symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R displayed in the see-through window 3 matches the winning combination of symbols. In this embodiment, so-called small hill lines, such as the lower row of reel 2L, the middle row of reel 2C, and the lower row of reel 2R, are set as the winning lines. Note that the winning lines are not limited to small hills, and may be provided horizontally in the middle row, such as the middle row of reel 2L, the middle row of reel 2C, and the middle row of reel 2R, and may be provided in multiple winning lines rather than a single line. In addition, an invalid line may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the combination of symbols that constitute a winning prize is aligned on the winning line LN.

When the start switch 7 is operated in a state in which the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R spin. At this time, an internal lottery is performed by the main control unit 41. The internal lottery is a process for determining the symbol combinations (display result combinations) that are allowed to be derived.

Specifically, in the internal lottery process, the main control unit 41 judges whether each lottery target role has won in a predetermined order. For example, in the internal lottery process, the main control unit 41 obtains a random number from integers within a predetermined range (0 to 65535). Each lottery target role is assigned a judgment value number from the integers within a predetermined range (0 to 65535) according to the game state in advance. The main control unit 41 adds the judgment value number of each lottery target role to the obtained random number in a predetermined order, and when the addition result overflows (exceeds 65535), the lottery target role that was the subject of addition at that time is determined to be the winning role. When a lottery target role wins through the internal lottery, it is permitted to derive a pattern combination corresponding to that lottery target role.

The administrator can change the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery by changing the settings. Specifically, the medal payout rate (payout rate) is changed by determining the winning probability used in the internal lottery according to the setting value set by the administrator. The setting values are 1 to 6, with 6 having the highest payout rate, and the payout rate decreasing as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. In other words, when the setting value is set to 6, it is most advantageous for the player, and the advantageous rate decreases stepwise as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

When the stop switch 8L, 8C, or 8R is operated, the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch stops spinning. This causes the symbol combination to be derived and displayed in the see-through window 3. When a symbol combination that matches the symbol combination of a winning combination stops on the winning line LN, a win corresponding to that winning combination occurs.

The roles that can result in a win include special roles (bonuses), small roles, and replay roles. A special role (bonus) is a role that, when won, controls the game state to a bonus state in which the probability of winning a small role is higher than in a non-bonus state. Special roles (bonuses) include first-class special roles such as RB (regular bonus) and BB (big bonus), and second-class special roles such as CB (challenge bonus). In this embodiment, BB is provided as a special role. A small role is a role that, when won, awards medals. A replay role (replay) is a role that, when won, allows the player to start the next game without consuming medals owned by the player.

For each role determined according to the game state to win, it is necessary to win the internal lottery and set the winning flag for that role. The internal lottery is determined by the main control unit 41 using random numbers before the display results of all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are derived (specifically, when the start switch 7 is detected) to determine whether or not to allow each of the above-mentioned roles to win.

Of the winning flags for each role, the winning flags for the small role and the replay role are only valid in the game in which the flag is set and are invalid in the next game, but the winning flag for the special role is valid until the combination of roles permitted by the flag is achieved and is invalid in the game in which the combination of roles permitted by the flag is achieved. In other words, once a winning flag for a special role is won, even if the combination of roles permitted by the flag is not achieved, the winning flag is not invalidated and is carried over to the next game.

In addition, in the internal lottery, a small role or a replay role (hereinafter also referred to as a "push order role") that is more advantageous when the stop operation is performed in a predetermined operation mode (for example, operation procedure (push order), operation timing) than when the stop operation is performed in another operation mode can be won. Push order roles include, for example, roles that result in a stop mode that is more advantageous when the stop operation is performed in a predetermined operation mode than the stop mode that stops when the stop operation is performed in another operation mode, and roles that result in a higher rate of advantageous stop modes when the stop operation is performed in a predetermined operation mode than when the stop operation is performed in another operation mode. In addition, advantageous stop modes include not only stop modes that involve the awarding of medals, but also stop modes that involve a transition to an advantageous game state, and stop modes that avoid a transition to an unfavorable game state.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the procedure for operating the stop switch 8L first in one game is also called the "normal procedure," and the procedure for operating the stop switch 8C or the stop switch 8R first is also called the "irregular procedure." In other words, the "normal procedure" includes the procedure for operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8L, stop switch 8C, and stop switch 8R (left, center, right order), and the procedure for operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8L, stop switch 8R, and stop switch 8C (left, center, right order). The "irregular procedure" includes a procedure of operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8C, stop switch 8L, and stop switch 8R (in the order of center, left, and right); a procedure of operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8C, stop switch 8R, and stop switch 8L (in the order of center, right, left); a procedure of operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8R, stop switch 8L, and stop switch 8C (in the order of right, left, and center); and a procedure of operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8R, stop switch 8C, and stop switch 8L (in the order of right, center, left). Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the "normal procedure" is also referred to as "normal operation," and operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the "irregular procedure" is also referred to as "irregular operation."

The main control unit 41 can execute navigation that notifies the player of navigation information corresponding to the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that is advantageous to the player when the push order role is won by the internal lottery. Specifically, the main control unit 41 can control the assist time (advantageous section) that is the notification period during which navigation notification can be executed that notifies the player of the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that is advantageous to the player according to the internal lottery result by the lighting mode of the game assistance display 12.

When a predetermined lottery condition is met in the normal zone, the main control unit 41 performs a lottery to determine whether or not to control the zone to a favorable zone, and by winning the lottery, starts control in the favorable zone. Winning the lottery to transition to a favorable zone is also referred to as "winning the favorable zone". In the favorable zone, when the main control unit 41 wins the push order role, it executes a navigation notification, notifies the player of the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that is advantageous to the player using the game auxiliary display 12, and transmits a command (the command "instruction number" described later) that can identify the operation mode that is advantageous to the player to the sub-control unit 91, thereby executing a navigation performance that notifies the operation mode using the liquid crystal display 51 and the speaker 53, etc. On the other hand, a game in which the operation mode is not notified using the liquid crystal display 51 and the speaker 53, etc., is hereinafter referred to as a "game in which the navigation performance is not executed". In other words, a game in which the navigation effect is not executed is a game in which the operation mode is not notified using the LCD display 51, speaker 53, etc., regardless of whether the advantageous zone is normal or in the AT state.

In a game in which a push order role is won, when the player's operation pattern matches the operation pattern corresponding to the winning push order role (hereinafter also referred to as the "correct sequence"), the player will win a role advantageous to the player (in this embodiment, the plum role).

By following the navigation and operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the correct sequence, the player can win the role that pays out the most medals among the roles included in the push order roles. Alternatively, by following the navigation and operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the correct sequence, the player can win the role that is unlikely to miss out on a win among the roles included in the push order roles. Note that among the roles included in the push order roles, roles that can win when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in the correct sequence are called "main roles," and roles that can win when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in an incorrect sequence that differs from the correct sequence are called "sub roles."

By operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the operation mode notified by the navigation notification and navigation performance, the main role included in the push order role won by the internal lottery can be reliably won.

[state transition]
3 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the game state. As shown in Fig. 3, the states managed by the main control unit 41 include the game state related to the winning probability in the internal lottery.

Game play states include not in the internal state, in the internal state, and BB. In the internal state, the game can proceed and the medal payout rate is guaranteed based on a predefined design value. Note that in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, most games are played by the player in the internal state.

On the other hand, during the non-internal period, the player does not play, or if they do, the time spent playing is extremely short. During the non-internal period, if a BB is won and the BB does not win, the game state transitions to the internal period from the next game. In other words, during the internal period, the BB win is carried over.

In both non-internal and internal play, a game in which BB can be won (hereinafter also referred to as a "BB winning game") may be played. Specifically, in non-internal play, if the BB symbol combination can be derived in response to the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in a game in which BB has been won, BB will be won. In this case, the game state will be controlled to BB from the next game. In other words, in non-internal play, the game in which BB has been won will be a BB winning game.

Inside, the BB win is carried over. Here, when the BB and the small role are won at the same time, the reel control is performed so that the symbol combination of the small role is preferentially derived. Furthermore, if the small role is a role with no misses, in a game in which the BB and the small role are won at the same time, the small role will always win regardless of the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, and the BB cannot win. Similarly, when the BB and the replay role are won at the same time, the replay role is controlled so that the symbol combination of the replay role is preferentially derived. Since the replay role is generally a role with no misses, in a game in which the BB and the replay role are won at the same time, the replay role will always win regardless of the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, and the BB cannot win. Therefore, during the internal process, only in games that result in a loss in the internal lottery (games that do not win any prizes), if the BB symbol combination can be derived by operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, the BB will be won. In this case, the game state will be controlled to BB from the next game. In other words, during the internal process, games that result in a loss in the internal lottery become games in which the BB can be won.

During a BB, the BB game is played for a specified number of games (for example, 60G), but since the payout rate during a BB is approximately 101%, the net increase in number of coins hardly increases at all. Therefore, for the player, a BB is merely a state in which a specified number of games (for example, 60G) is played. When the BB ends, the game state transitions back to non-internal.

The internal states include normal zones and advantageous zones. Normal zones are states in which navigation is not executed, and are non-notification states in which navigation information cannot be notified. Advantageous zones are states in which navigation can be executed, and are notification states in which navigation information can be notified. In this embodiment, among the advantageous zones, navigation is not executed in the normal advantageous zone, but navigation can be executed in the first state, the second state, and the ending state. Note that navigation may also be executed in the normal advantageous zone, but in the first state, the second state, and the ending state, the probability of executing navigation to make the main character win when the push order role is won is higher than in the normal advantageous zone. In this way, in the AT state in advantageous zones such as the first state, the second state, and the ending state, navigation is executed with a higher probability than in the advantageous zone or the normal advantageous zone.

In the normal zone, when the lottery for transition to the advantageous zone is won (winning the advantageous zone), the state is controlled to the advantageous zone. Note that in this embodiment, the condition for winning the advantageous zone is the winning of most of the roles that can be won during normal play, so the duration of play during normal play is approximately 1G. Note that the condition for winning the advantageous zone may be met when any of the roles that can be won during normal play is won.

During the normal period, navigation is not performed in the game in which the push order role is won, so the net increase in the number of coins a player can win per game will be 0 or a negative number, taking into account the number of medals used to set the bet amount. Note that the net increase in the number of coins per game is the number of medals paid out per game minus the number of medals used to set the bet amount per game. In this embodiment, the normal payout rate is set to 40%. Thus, normally, the payout rate is 1 or less (100% or less) or less than 1 (less than 100%).

The advantageous zone includes the normal advantageous zone, the first state, the second state, and the ending state. Hereinafter, the first state, the second state, and the ending state will be collectively referred to as the "AT state." In the normal advantageous zone, navigation is not executed in the game in which the push order role is won, so the net increase in the number of coins that a player can win per game will be 0 or negative, taking into account the number of medals used to set the bet amount. In this embodiment, the payout rate in the normal advantageous zone is set to 40%. Thus, in the normal advantageous zone, the payout rate is 1 or less (100% or less) or less than 1 (less than 100%).

In the normal advantageous zone, an AT successive effect is executed, which indicates a transition to the first state. The AT successive effect continues for 3 to 5 consecutive games from the start, and notifies the player whether or not a transition to the first state will occur in the final game.

In the first state of the advantageous zone, the number of games (hereinafter also referred to as the AT game number) is fixed. For example, in this embodiment, the number of AT games in the first state is predetermined to 30G or 50G. In the first state of the advantageous zone, a life-specialized continuous performance is executed, which suggests a transition to a life-specialized zone. The life-specialized continuous performance is a performance that continues for 3 to 5 games from the start, and is a performance that notifies the player whether or not to transition to the life-specialized zone in the final game. The life-specialized zone indicates a state in which there is a high possibility of acquiring a life, which will be described later in FIG. 22(d). The 3 to 5 games of the life-specialized continuous performance in the first state are included in the AT game number that is predetermined when transitioning to the first state. In other words, the life-specialized continuous performance is executed within the AT game number of 30 games or 50 games. Hereinafter, the AT continuous performance and the life-specialized continuous performance may be collectively referred to simply as "continuous performance".

When a predetermined number of AT games have been played in the first state, the state transitions from the first state to the second state (hereinafter also referred to as the second AT state). In the second state, the number of AT games is indefinite. Specifically, in the second state, an ally character battles an enemy character, and when the ally character wins the battle, the state transitions to the first state, whereas when the ally character loses the battle, the AT state ends and the state transitions to a non-AT state.

In order for an ally character to battle an enemy character in the second state, a life is required as the right to do so. In this embodiment, it is possible to acquire a life in the first state, but it is not possible to acquire a life in the second state. That is, the player acquires a life while staying in the first state, and by spending the life acquired in the first state in the second state, the ally character can battle an enemy character. In the second state, a battle can be fought as many times as the number of lives possessed, and even if the ally character is defeated by the enemy character in a battle, if the ally character has remaining life, the ally character can battle the enemy character again. If the ally character has no remaining life at the time of being defeated by the enemy character, the AT state ends and the state transitions to a non-AT state.

If an ally character defeats an enemy character in the second state and the state transitions to the first state, the player can gain life again in the first state. Therefore, as long as there is life remaining, it is possible to continue to repeatedly transition between the first and second states, and during that time, navigation is performed when the push order bell (such as the 213 option role A described below) is won, and the player can increase the net increase in the number of medals by operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R according to that navigation.

The first state also includes a first section and a second section, which are sections with different net increases in the number of medals. The first section is the first half of the first state in which the number of AT games is fixed (for example, 1G to 15G if the first state is 30G). The first section is a section in which navigation is performed less frequently than the second section, and in which the net increase in the number of medals is lower than the second section. For example, the net increase in the number of medals per 1G in the first section is 1 medal.

On the other hand, the second section is the latter section in the first state where the number of AT games is fixed (for example, 16G to 30G if the first state is 30G). The second section is a section where navigation is performed more frequently than the first section, and where the net increase in the number of medals is higher than the first section. For example, the net increase in the number of medals per 1G in the second section is 5 medals. In this way, even in the AT state, navigation is performed with a higher probability in the second section than in the first section.

In this way, the first section in the first state has a lower net increase in the number of medals than the second section. This makes it more advantageous for the player to stay in the second section, since they can earn more medals.

In the second state, as in the second section, navigation occurs more frequently than in the first section, and the net increase in the number of medals is higher. For example, the net increase in the number of medals per game in the second state is 5 medals, as in the second section in the first state. Therefore, the player can win more medals during a battle in the second state. In this way, even in the AT state, when in the second state, navigation occurs with a higher probability than when in the first section in the first state.

In this embodiment, the player's advantage increases when certain symbols (watermelon, strong cherry) are won. Specifically, in the first section of the first state, when a strong cherry is won, a life is confirmed to be awarded, and in the second state, when a strong cherry is won, it is confirmed that an ally character will win the battle.

In the normal advantageous zone, processing such as a lottery related to control to the first state is carried out. Specifically, in the normal advantageous zone, the main control unit 41 carries out a point acquisition lottery, which will be described later in FIG. 17(a). The points updated by the point acquisition lottery are managed by the main control unit 41. The main control unit 41 has an internal point counter (not shown) for counting points. In addition, when the value of the point counter reaches a specified value, the main control unit 41 executes an AT lottery, which will be described later in FIG. 17(b).

In the favorable zone, the ending state is controlled when the total number of medals generated by winning during the favorable zone, which is updated based on the progress of the game, reaches a predetermined ED transition number. The ED transition number is updated during the favorable zone, and is not updated during the normal zone or BB. The ending state is a state in which it is determined that control to the favorable zone state will continue until the total value of the net increase in the number of medals reaches the upper limit number (for example, 2400 medals) or the number of games played during the favorable zone reaches the upper limit number of games (for example, 1500G). In the ending state, as in the second state and the second zone, navigation is performed more frequently than in the first zone, and the net increase in the number of medals is high. In this way, even in the AT state, when the ending state is in the first zone, navigation is performed with a higher probability than when it is in the first zone in the first state. The ED transition number is set when the normal zone is transitioned to the favorable zone. The ED transition number may be determined by lottery or may be determined in advance. The ED transition number is managed by the main control unit 41. That is, the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 stores the number of ED transitions. The main control unit 41 cumulatively counts the number of ED transitions and ends the advantageous period according to the counting process.

When the limiter condition is met in the favorable zone, the favorable zone is switched to the normal zone. Specifically, when the number of sheets in the favorable zone (the number of sheets with a net increase during the favorable zone) reaches 2400 sheets, the favorable zone ends and the zone is switched to the normal zone. The number of sheets in the favorable zone is counted by a favorable zone number counter stored in RAM 41c. In other words, when the number of sheets in the favorable zone reaches the upper limit, it is said that the "limiter condition" is met. Alternatively, in the favorable zone, when the total number of games played (number of favorable zone Gs), which is updated based on the progress of the game, reaches a predetermined upper limit G (for example, 1500 G), the favorable zone ends and the zone is switched to the normal zone. The number of favorable zone Gs is counted by a net increase counter stored in RAM 41c.

When the game is controlled from the favorable zone to the normal zone, the total number of games played and the net increase in coins counted in the favorable zone, as well as the points that can be earned during play, are initialized. The number of Gs in the favorable zone and the net increase in coins during the favorable zone are updated not only during the favorable zone but also during BBs, and are not updated in the normal zone.

If the setting is changed during the advantageous zone, it will be controlled to the normal zone. At this time, the total number of games played and the net increase in coins counted during the advantageous zone, as well as the points that can be acquired during play, are also reset. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the medal payout rate changes according to the setting value. In detail, the medal payout rate is changed by varying the probability of winning in a predetermined lottery, such as the point acquisition lottery described below, according to the setting value (for example, 1 to 6). A store clerk or the like can change this setting value by changing the setting. Note that when the setting is changed, no lottery is held to determine the initial number of games played until the ceiling number of games is reached.

In this way, the conditions for transitioning from the advantageous zone to the normal zone include limiter conditions and optional ending conditions that are met based on the progress of the game, as well as a condition for a setting change.

[Winning Role]
4 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the types of winning combinations, winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes. The name column of each of the winning combinations in Fig. 4 to 7 shows the name of the winning combination, and the combination of the patterns that will result in the winning combination is shown in the pattern combination column. The award column also shows the value (number of medals paid out, replay award, etc.) that will be awarded when the winning combination is won.

As shown in FIG. 4, the replay roles include Lip 1 to Lip 6. As shown in FIG. 5, the special role includes BB. As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the minor roles include Plum 1 to 6, watermelon, and 1-coin roles 1 to 33. Plum 1 to 6 are main roles that can be won when the push order role is won, and when they are won, 9 medals are paid out, which is more than the number of medals used in the bet (3 medals). Plum 1 to 6 are collectively referred to as "Plum roles." 1-coin roles 1 to 33 are sub roles that can be won when the push order role is won, and when they are won, 1 medal is paid out, which is less than the number of medals used in the bet (3 medals). 1-coin roles 1 to 33 are collectively referred to as "1-coin roles."

As shown in FIG. 6, among the symbol combinations that will result in a 1-coin winning combination 22, when "Character-Character-Black 7" is derived on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three character symbols are arranged in a row on the reels. Specifically, character symbols are derived on the bottom row of the left reel 2L, the middle row of the middle reel 2C, and the top row of the right reel 2R, and the character symbols are arranged in a row going up to the right. The arrangement of character symbols in a row is also referred to as "character alignment."

As shown in FIG. 7, among the symbol combinations that will result in a 1-coin winning combination 23, when "Chara-Chara-Plum" or "Chara-Plum-Plum" is derived on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three 7 symbols are arranged in a row on the reels. Specifically, when a 7 symbol is derived on the top row of the left reel 2L, the top row of the middle reel 2C, and the top row of the right reel 2R, three 7 symbols are arranged in a row on the top row. Note that the arrangement of 7 symbols in a row is also referred to as "7-match."

[Role to be selected]
8 is a diagram for explaining the combination of winning roles read out as the lottery target roles for each game state. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the lottery target roles arranged by flag category. The role number column in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 shows the role number determined for each lottery target role, the flag category column shows the flag category assigned to each type of lottery target role, the lottery target role column shows the name, the game state column shows that the lottery target role is a lottery target role with a circle for each game state, and the advantageous zone winning column shows whether or not the advantageous zone is won. Also, the winning role combination column in FIG. 8 shows the combination of winning roles included in each lottery target role.

As shown in FIG. 8, BB is provided as a special role that can be selected. The roles that can be selected for the replay role are normal lip, 7-match lip, 7-mismatch lip, character match lip, and character mismatch lip. The roles that can be selected for the minor role are common plum, 213-choice role A-D, 231-choice role A-D, 312-choice role A-D, 321-choice role A-D, watermelon, 7-match 1, 2, character match 1, weak cherry, strong cherry, and chance eye A, B. The minor roles in BB are BB medium small role and BB medium 1. The 213-choice roles A-D, 231-choice roles A-D, 312-choice roles A-D, and 321-choice roles A-D are roles that can execute navigation when won, and are therefore types of push order roles. The 213-choice roles A-D, 231-choice roles A-D, 312-choice roles A-D, and 321-choice roles A-D are collectively referred to as "push order bells." Additionally, 7-matching 1-1 and 2-1 are collectively referred to as "7-matching 1-1."

When not inside the draw, all roles except for BB small/medium and 1 BB can be won, but when inside the draw, the BB win has already been carried over, so BB, BB small/medium and 1 BB cannot be won.

Each role is assigned a common flag category for non-internal, internal, and BB. Also, while role numbers are determined for each role to be drawn, flag categories are assigned for each type of role to be drawn. For this reason, the number of flag categories is smaller than the number of role numbers. Also, the point acquisition lottery in the normal advantageous zone and the bonus lottery in the advantageous zone (hereinafter collectively referred to as "lotteries related to AT control") are both conducted based on the flag category. For this reason, the processing burden can be reduced compared to conducting lotteries related to the control of these AT states based on role numbers.

In this embodiment, flag categories are also assigned to misses and BBs, and BBs are assigned FC1, the same as other roles such as regular replies. Common plums are assigned FC4, the same as watermelons.

[Reel control of push order role]
10 is a diagram for explaining reel control when the push order role is won. As described above, in this embodiment, in a game in which the push order role is won in an advantageous zone, navigation is executed and the correct procedure is notified to the player. The player can win a winning role (main role) that is advantageous to the player by operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the correct procedure according to the navigation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, in a game in which any of the 213-choice roles A-D, 231-choice roles A-D, 312-choice roles A-D, and 321-choice roles A-D is won, the main role of plum is won when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in the correct sequence, while the secondary role of 1 coin is won when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in the incorrect sequence. Note that if the secondary role of 1 coin is not won when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in the incorrect sequence, no win may occur.

As shown in FIG. 10, the "normal procedure" is not set as the "correct procedure", while the "irregular procedure" can be set as the "correct procedure". In other words, in a game in which the player wins any of the 213-choice roles A-D, 231-choice roles A-D, 312-choice roles A-D, and 321-choice roles A-D, as long as the player operates the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the normal procedure, the main role of the plum cannot be won. This may be a factor that induces the player to operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the irregular procedure, but as will be described later, in this embodiment, if the player operates the stop switches in the irregular procedure in a game in which navigation is not executed, a penalty that is disadvantageous to the player is imposed on the player. Therefore, the player is encouraged to operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the normal procedure in a game in which navigation is not executed.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing game start commands that the main control unit 41 sends to the sub-control unit 91 when the start switch 7 is operated. When the start switch 7 is operated (start operation), the main control unit 41 executes an internal lottery process, and sends a group of commands including predetermined information to the sub-control unit 91 depending on the result of the internal lottery process. Hereinafter, the group of commands No. 1 to No. 13 shown in Figure 11 will be simply referred to as "game start commands". The main control unit 41 sends each command in the order of No. 1 to No. 13 as a game start command. Each command is assigned a serial number as a "set serial number" with the same number as the number. Each command stores various information managed by the main control unit 41.

For example, the command No. 2 "instruction number" stores information related to navigation. That is, the command No. 2 stores information that can identify the order in which to press the start switch 7 in a game in which the start switch 7 is operated. Specifically, the command "instruction number" stores information that indicates the order in which to press the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the command No. 2 "instruction number", it executes a navigation effect on the liquid crystal display 51 based on the operation procedure that can be identified from the command "instruction number". The sub-control unit 91 also causes the speaker 53 to output a sound that notifies the player of the operation procedure that can be identified from the command "instruction number".

For example, the command "small role type" of No. 3 stores information that can specify whether the role won by the internal lottery is a small role, a replay role, or a special role. Also, the command "section state" of No. 6 stores information that can specify which of the internal states shown in FIG. 3 the game in which the start switch 7 is operated is in. Specifically, the command "section state" of No. 6 stores information indicating whether the currently controlled state is a normal section, an advantageous section, and further whether, among the advantageous sections, the advantageous section is normal, the first section of the first state, the second section of the first state, the second state, or the ending state. The sub-control unit 91 can specify which section state the game in which the start switch 7 is operated is in based on receiving the command "section state" of No. 6. Also, the command "ball output state" of No. 4 can store information that can specify the game state of the game in which the start switch 7 is operated. Command No. 9 "ART Premonition G Count" stores the number of games in the AT continuous performance. Command No. 10 "Points" in the game start command stores the number of points acquired in the previous game. Additionally, command No. 11 "Winning Number" stores information that can identify the role number of the role that was won by the internal lottery.

When the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command, it stores information indicating that a medal has been bet in the command No. 12 "insert medal". When information indicating that a medal has been bet is stored in the command No. 12 "insert medal", the sub-control unit 91 can determine that the game start command has been received.

Figure 12 shows game end commands sent by the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91 at the third stop. The main control unit 41 sends the command group No. 1 to No. 13 to the sub-control unit 91 in the order of No. 1 to No. 13 not only when the start switch is operated but also at the third stop of the stop switch. Hereinafter, the command group No. 1 to No. 13 shown in Figure 12 will be simply referred to as "game end commands". Note that, among the commands sent at the third stop, command No. 11 is different from command No. 11 sent when the start switch 7 is operated. No. 11 is a command that stores information about winning. In other words, at the third stop, the main control unit 41 sends information about winning, not information about the winning number.

In the command "points" of No. 10 in the game end command, the number of points acquired in the point acquisition lottery process at the third stop, which will be described later, is stored. In addition, when the main control unit 41 transmits a game end command, it stores information indicating that the reel is stopped in the command "stop reel" of No. 13. When information indicating that the reel is stopped is stored in the command "stop reel" of No. 13, the sub-control unit 91 can determine that the game end command has been received. That is, the sub-control unit 91 determines whether the received command group is a game start command or a game end command based on the command "insert medal" of No. 12 and the command "stop reel" of No. 13. When the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command, it does not need to transmit the command "stop reel" of No. 13, and when it transmits a game end command, it does not need to transmit the command "insert medal" of No. 12.

[Main processing]
The control contents of the main processing performed by the main control unit 41 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flow chart showing the control contents of the main processing performed by the main control unit 41. The main processing is repeatedly executed for each unit of play. One cycle of the main processing corresponds to one unit of the game.

As shown in FIG. 13, the main control unit 41 first performs a game start waiting process (S1) to carry out processing from the end of control of the previous game to starting the next game. In the game start waiting process, a process is carried out to set the number of bets in response to the insertion of medals, etc., and when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected with the specified number of bets set, a process is carried out to start the next game.

Next, when the game starts, an internal lottery process (S2) is performed to determine whether or not a winning is allowed to occur (internal lottery). In the internal lottery process, an internal lottery is performed to determine whether or not a winning is allowed to occur (i.e., whether or not derivation of a display result is allowed) based on a preset setting value (1-6) in the slot machine 1 and a random number value for the internal lottery obtained simultaneously with the start of the game by detection of the start switch 7. Then, the winning number (general role) corresponding to the winning combination is stored in the winning number setting area of RAM 41c so that the winning result of the internal lottery can be identified. In addition, if a special role is won, the winning number (special role) corresponding to the winning special role is stored in the winning number setting area of RAM 41c.

Next, a favorable zone transition flag generation process (S3) is performed to convert the winning number (general role) into a favorable zone transition flag, and a lottery flag generation process (S4) is performed to convert the winning number (general role) into a lottery flag. In the favorable zone transition flag generation process, the favorable zone transition flag conversion table is used to obtain the value of the favorable zone transition flag corresponding to the winning number (general role), and this is stored in a specified area of RAM 41c. In addition, in the lottery flag generation process, the lottery flag conversion table is used to obtain the values of lottery flags 1 to 3 corresponding to the winning number (general role), and these are each stored in a specified area of RAM 41c.

Next, a ball payout control process (S5) is performed at the start of the game, which performs processing related to the advantageous zone, processing related to the navigation notification, and processing related to the AT state when the game is started. In the processing related to the advantageous zone, a process for transitioning to the advantageous zone is performed when a role that transitions to the advantageous zone is won in the normal zone, and in the processing related to the navigation notification, a process for setting the navigation number and a process related to the management of the advantageous zone state are performed, and in the processing related to the AT state, a process for transitioning to the AT state is performed according to the winning role in the normal advantageous zone. In the process for setting the navigation number, if a role that is the target of the navigation notification is won and the navigation notification is performed, a navigation number of "1" to "13" is set in the navigation number setting area of RAM 41c according to the operation mode to be notified, and if a role that is the target of the navigation notification is won and the navigation notification is not performed, or if a role that is not the target of the navigation notification is won, "0" is set in the navigation number setting area of RAM 41c.

Next, interruption is prohibited (S6), and an operation signal setting process is performed (S7). In the operation signal setting process, a process is performed to transmit an operation signal capable of identifying the recommended stop operation mode to the test device.

Next, after the operation signal setting process, the interrupt permission is set (S8), and the game start command transmission process (S9) shown in FIG. 11 is performed to specify that one game has started. A control state command group including multiple commands that can specify various control states at the start of one game is set in a command queue and transmitted sequentially to the sub-control unit 91.

Next, after the game start command transmission process, a freeze process (S10) is performed to control the freeze state that delays the progress of the game for a predetermined period of time. In the freeze process, it is determined whether or not it has been decided to control the game to the freeze state when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game, and if it is determined that it has been decided to control the game to the freeze state, the progress of the game is delayed for a predetermined period of time. In addition, when a reel effect that changes the reels is performed in the freeze state, a process is performed to change the reels in a change mode according to the type of reel effect.

Next, after the freeze process is completed, interrupts are prohibited (S11), and a game start setting process (S12) is performed to set the predetermined time when the reels will start spinning. In the game start setting process, the reels start spinning process associated with the start of the game is performed, and the reels start spinning toward a constant speed.

Next, after the game start setting process, the device is set to interrupt permission (S13), and external signal processing at the start of rotation (S14) is performed to output an external output signal at the start of rotation (such as a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals used in the game) from a specified output port to external devices such as a call lamp, hall computer, or test device.

Next, after external signal processing at the start of rotation, a reel stop process (S15) is performed to control the stopping of the reels. In the reel stop process, if a navigation notification is performed, the game aid display 12 displays the navigation number set in the navigation number setting area to notify the operation mode. In addition, if all reels are rotating at a constant speed, acceptance of a stop operation for the rotating reels is enabled, and the system waits until the player performs a reel stop operation. Then, when a valid stop operation is detected for a reel for which a stop operation is enabled, reel stop control is performed to stop the reel for which a valid stop operation has been performed. This reel stop control is repeated for the rotating reels, and the reel stop process is terminated when the rotation of all reels is stopped.

Next, after the reel stopping process, a winning search process (S16) is performed. In the winning search process, a winning symbol combination is searched for based on the symbol combination stopped on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and a winning flag indicating whether or not a win has been made and the number of medals to be paid out in response to the win are set in a specified area of RAM 41c.

Next, interruption is prohibited (S17), and a gaming machine information calculation process (S18) is performed to calculate the gaming history used when calculating the gaming machine information to be displayed on the gaming machine information display 50.

Next, after the gaming machine information calculation process, the interrupt is permitted (S19), and a special gaming state end check process (S20) is performed. In the special gaming state end check process, if the special gaming state is controlled, it is determined whether or not the end condition is met. Next, a gaming state setting process (S21) is performed. In the gaming state setting process, the gaming state of the next game is set based on the winning data set by the winning search process and the results of the special gaming state end check process.

Next, at the timing when the game ends, processing related to the advantageous zone and processing related to the navigation notification are performed, and a ball output control process at the end of the game (S22) is performed in which a lottery process for winning points, a lottery process for winning lives, and a lottery process for one-hit win are performed based on predetermined conditions. In the processing related to the advantageous zone, it is determined whether or not the end condition of the advantageous zone is met in the advantageous zone, and if the end condition of the advantageous zone is met, a processing for setting an advantageous zone end flag is performed, and in the processing related to the navigation notification, processing related to management of the advantageous zone state is performed. The lottery process for winning points, the lottery process for winning lives, and the lottery process for one-hit win are explained in detail below.

Next, the game end command transmission process (S23) shown in FIG. 12 is performed, and a group of control state commands including a number of commands that can specify various control states at the end of one game is set in the command queue and sequentially transmitted to the sub-control unit 91.

Next, after the game end command transmission process, a payout process is performed (S24) to award a number of medals according to the winnings that have occurred as a result of the game, based on the payout number set in a predetermined area of RAM 41c by the winning search process (S16). In the payout process, a predetermined number of medals is awarded to the player for each winning that has occurred, and the number of medals awarded is added to the credits. When the credits reach the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), the medals that have not been added to the credits are paid out from the medal payout opening 9.

Next, after the payout process, external signal processing at the end of the game (S25) is performed, which outputs an external output signal at the end of the game (such as a medal OUT signal indicating the number of medals awarded) from a specified output port to external devices such as a call lamp, hall computer, or test device.

Next, a game end setting process is performed (S26). In the game end setting process, it is determined whether or not the replay symbol combination has stopped on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and if the replay symbol combination has stopped, the process of setting the number of bets to replay in the next game, setting the replay flag in a specified area of RAM 41c, controlling the replay LED 20 to the ON state (lighted state), etc. is performed.

Next, favorable zone end processing is performed (S27). In the favorable zone end processing, it is determined whether or not a favorable zone end flag indicating the end of the favorable zone is set in a specified area of RAM 41c, and if it is determined that the favorable zone end flag is set, favorable zone data initialization processing is performed to initialize a favorable zone related area in the storage area of RAM 41c in which data related to the control of the favorable zone is stored, and to end the favorable zone. In the favorable zone data initialization processing, the favorable zone in-progress flag indicating that the vehicle is in the favorable zone and the navigation number set in the navigation number setting area are initialized, and the favorable zone in-progress signal buffer for outputting the fact that the vehicle is in the favorable zone to an external device such as a test device is turned OFF.

Next, after the favorable zone end processing, favorable zone signal control processing (S28) is performed. In the favorable zone signal control processing, if the favorable zone flag is set in RAM 41c, control is performed to turn on the favorable zone signal buffer in RAM 41c.

Next, after the favorable zone signal control process, the favorable zone notification end process (S29) is performed. In the favorable zone notification end process, it is determined whether the favorable zone signal buffer in RAM 41c is OFF or not, and if it is determined that the favorable zone signal buffer is OFF, the zone display LED 19 is controlled to be turned off.

Next, after the advantageous zone notification end process, the game end initialization setting process (S30) is performed. In the game end initialization setting process, the initialization process of Sa32 sets the area of RAM41c to be initialized in the game. Except when the special game state ends, the size of the area to be initialized at the end of every game is set, and when the special game state ends, the size of the area to be initialized at the end of the special game state is set.

Next, interrupts are prohibited (S31), and initialization processing (S32) is performed. In the initialization processing, an area of the size set in the game end initialization setting processing is initialized from the initialization end address of the game RAM area allocated to RAM 41c, thereby initializing the area that is initialized at the end of every game except at the end of a special game state, and initializing the area that is initialized at the end of a special game state at the end of a special game state. Then, after the initialization processing, interrupts are permitted (S33), and processing returns to Sa1.

Then, the processes of S1 to S33 are repeated. When the main process is completed, the process related to the control of one unit of game is completed, and the main process is repeatedly executed for each unit of game.

[Point Map]
With reference to FIG. 14, an example of a point map used in the normal advantageous zone will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of a point map. As shown in FIG. 14(a), the display area of the liquid crystal display 51 includes a performance area 510 in which a performance image related to the game such as a background image is displayed, and a map area 520 in which a point map is displayed. The performance area 510 is located near the center of the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 and is a display area that occupies most of the display area. The map area 520 is located at the top end of the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 (the bottom and right end of the screen in this embodiment), and is a display area smaller than the performance area 510.

In the point map of the map area 520, an update image 520a that displays the update value of points accumulated based on the game, reach icon images 520c, 520d, and 520e that decorate the reach point that is the target of the accumulated points, a final icon image 520f that decorates the final point, and a moving image 520b consisting of a character (hereinafter also referred to as a "moving character") that moves toward the reach point corresponding to the accumulated points are displayed integrally. In this embodiment, multiple points such as 100p, 300p, and 600p are set as the reach point, and 1000p is set as the final point. Since the reach point is not displayed in the update image 520a, the player will pay attention to the reach point decorated by the reach icon image as well as the update value in the update image 520a.

In the normal advantageous zone, when points are awarded by the point acquisition lottery, the update value is updated by the awarded points, and the number corresponding to the updated points is reflected in the update image 520a. The point acquisition lottery is executed by the main control unit 41 based on a table described later with reference to FIG. 17(a). Furthermore, the moving character moves to a position according to the update value, thereby approaching the target arrival point. Since the number of the arrival point and the arrival icon are always displayed while the moving character is moving, the player can easily recognize the number of points until the arrival point is reached based on the distance between the moving character and the moving character's target position. When the moving character reaches the arrival point, an AT lottery is held, and the player may transition to the first state (AT win) based on the lottery.

As shown in FIG. 14(b), when the current update value is 50p, the moving character is stopped at the 50p position on map 520m. As shown in FIG. 14(c), when 10p is subsequently added, the update value is updated to 60p, and the moving character moves to the 60p position on map 520m. As shown in FIG. 14(d), when a further 50p is subsequently added, the update value is updated to 110p, and the moving character moves to the 110p position on map 520m. In this case, since the moving character has reached the 100p position, an AT lottery is held.

[Point renewal production]
15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a point update effect. The point update effect is an effect for showing the number of points awarded to the player by the point acquisition lottery. As shown in FIG. 15, a text image PI showing the number of points awarded is displayed near the center of the liquid crystal display 51. Such a point update effect is executed at the timing when the start switch 7 is pressed in the game following the game in which the point acquisition lottery was held. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 executes an update effect suggesting that the value of the point counter has been updated when the game following the game in which the point acquisition lottery was held is started.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a point acquisition lottery process. In Figure 16, the point acquisition lottery process executed by the main control unit 41 is explained using a flowchart. The point acquisition lottery process is executed during the normal advantageous zone shown in Figure 3. In the ball output control process at the end of the game (S22) shown in Figure 13, the main control unit 41 can execute the point acquisition lottery process. The main control unit 41 judges whether or not the stop switch 8L (left stop switch) has been operated as the first stop operation in the reel stop process (S15) (step Sa1). In other words, it judges whether or not it was a normal operation in which the stop switch 8L is pressed. If it is operated in an irregular procedure (NO in step Sa1), the main control unit 41 sets a penalty (step Sa2). The penalty setting in the normal advantageous zone is a process of changing the lottery probability of the special lottery process in the next game. For example, the main control unit 41 sets the point acquisition probability in the point acquisition lottery process shown in Figure 17 executed in the next game to be lower than the point acquisition probability when the penalty setting is not set. This reduces the probability of points being awarded only in the next game, which is unfavorable to the player. In this way, the penalty setting may be set to provide control that is unfavorable to the player, but it is also possible to have no setting at all. In other words, not executing the point acquisition lottery process shown in step Sa3 itself is a penalty for that game.

When the stop switch 8L (left stop switch) is operated as the first stop operation (YES in step Sa1), the main control unit 41 executes the point acquisition lottery process shown in the table shown in FIG. 17 (step Sa3). FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a table of the bonus lottery process. As shown in FIG. 17(a), the main control unit 41 executes the point acquisition lottery process based on the flag category. FIG. 17(a) shows the proportion of points that are awarded for each flag category: 0 points, 1 point, 10 points, 50 points, and 100 points. As shown in FIG. 17(a), when the flag category FC4 is won, the expected value of points acquired by the point acquisition lottery is calculated as 10 points x (179/256) + 50 points x (64/256) + 100 points x (13/256), which is about 25 points. Additionally, if flag category FC6 is selected, the expected number of points to be acquired through the point acquisition lottery is calculated as 50 points x (51/256) + 100 points x (205/256), which is approximately 90 points.

Also, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the main control unit 41 executes the AT lottery process based on the reached points. FIG. 17(b) shows the percentage of AT winnings awarded for each reached point. That is, when the irregular procedure is performed (NO in step Sa1), the main control unit 41 ends the game end ball payout control process shown in FIG. 13 without executing the point acquisition lottery process. That is, the main control unit 41 does not update the point counter value when the irregular procedure is performed.

For example, if the flag category of the winning combination in the internal lottery process in step S2 of the main process shown in FIG. 13 is FC0, there is a 125/256 probability that no points are awarded, a 76/256 probability that 1 point is awarded, a 51/256 probability that 10 points are awarded, and a 3/256 probability that 50 points are awarded. Also, if the flag category of the winning combination in the internal lottery process in step Sa1 is FC7, there is a 51/256 probability that 50 points are awarded, and a 204/256 probability that 100 points are awarded, but the awarded points are never determined to be 0 points. Returning to FIG. 16, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not points have been awarded in the point acquisition lottery process in step Sa4 (step Sa4). If the main control unit 41 determines that points have been acquired (YES in step Sa4), it executes the point awarding process (step Sa5). The point granting process is a process in which the main control unit 41 updates the points stored in the RAM 41c and stores the number of points acquired in the "points" command in the game end command sent to the sub-control unit 91 at the third stop described in FIG. 12.

The main control unit 41 executes the point granting process (step Sa5) and then ends this process. If no points have been acquired (NO in step Sa4), the main control unit 41 ends this process without executing the point granting process.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the main control unit 41 executes the point acquisition lottery process only when a normal operation is performed. In other words, when an irregular operation is performed, the main control unit 41 does not execute the point acquisition lottery process. In other words, when an irregular operation is performed, the fact that the point acquisition lottery process is not executed is a penalty for the player. In this way, when the stop switch is operated in a normal operation, the point value for control to the first state is updated, while when it is operated in an irregular procedure, a penalty can be imposed that the point value is not updated, so that the player can be encouraged to operate in a normal operation. Also, regardless of the result of the internal lottery process, a penalty is imposed when it is operated in an irregular procedure, so that the player can be encouraged to operate in a normal manner.

Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example in which a point update effect is executed based on a normal operation. Figure 18 shows the relationship between (a) the player's operation, (b) the processing of the main control unit 41, and (c) the processing of the sub-control unit 91 at timings t1 to t7. As shown in Figure 18, at timing t1, the player operates the start switch 7. Based on the operation of the start switch 7, the main control unit 41 executes an internal lottery process. After the start switch 7 is operated, at timing t2, the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation. That is, a normal operation is performed. The main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the first stop operation at timing t2 is the stop switch 8L. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8L has been operated as the first stop operation. At timing t3, the stop switch 8L is operated as the second stop operation. The main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the second stop operation at timing t3 is the stop switch 8C. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8C has been operated as the second stop operation. At timing t4, the stop switch 8L is operated as the third stop operation. The main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the third stop operation at timing t4 is the stop switch 8R. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8R has been operated as the third stop operation. Based on the fact that the third stop operation has been performed after normal operations have been performed, the main control unit 41 executes a point acquisition lottery process. In the example of FIG. 18, the points acquired in the point acquisition lottery process are one or more points. After executing the point acquisition lottery process, the main control unit 41 executes a point granting process at timing t5.

At timing t5, the points are awarded and the main control unit 41 transmits the game end command shown in FIG. 12 to the sub-control unit 91. That is, in the point acquisition lottery process at timing t4, the command "points" is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91, which can specify the number of points acquired (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as acquired points). Here, at timing t5, the sub-control unit 91 waits without executing the point update effect shown in FIG. 15, such as displaying the acquired points on the LCD display 51. After the winning determination process, at timing t6, the main control unit 41 counts the number of medals awarded based on the occurrence of a winning as the ED transition number and the number of medals in the advantageous zone.

Furthermore, at timing t6, the main control unit 41 counts the number of medals awarded by winning as data to be displayed on a role ratio monitor (not shown). The role ratio monitor usually displays a numerical value indicating the performance of the slot machine (hereinafter also referred to as "role ratio information"). The numerical value indicating the performance of the slot machine is, for example, the instruction-inclusive role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, the consecutive role payout ratio for the past 6000 games, the role payout ratio for the past 6000 games, the consecutive role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, the role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, and the role etc. state ratio to the total cumulative payout number. The main control unit 41 stores the number of medals awarded by winning in the RAM 41c in order to display the role ratio information on the role ratio monitor. Therefore, the main control unit 41 adds the number of medals awarded by the winning determination process at timing t5 to the data stored in the RAM 41c as role ratio information. In other words, the main control unit 41 updates the role ratio information. This ends the game that started at time t1.

At timing t7, the start switch 7 is pressed again. That is, a new next game is started. Here, the sub-control unit 91 executes a point update effect for the acquired points received at timing t5. That is, the sub-control unit 91 indicates through the point update effect that the value of the point counter was updated in the game prior to the game in which the point update effect is executed.

Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example in which a point update effect is not executed based on an irregular operation. The example of Figure 19 is different from Figure 18 in that the stop switch 8L is not operated as the first stop operation at timing t2. That is, Figure 19 shows an example in which an irregular operation is performed at timing t2. The main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the first stop operation at timing t2 is the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation. The sub-control unit 91 executes a stop effect based on receiving that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation. The stop effect is an effect indicating that the point acquisition lottery process has not been executed due to an irregular operation that is not a normal operation, and is an effect in which an effect that displays an image suggesting a winning role is stopped. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the effect of darkening the display of the liquid crystal display 51 executed by the sub-control unit 91 corresponds to the stop effect. The stop effect may not only be a darkening effect, but may also be an effect that displays a text image such as "Please press the left stop switch first." Alternatively, it may be an effect that ends the execution of the point suggestion effect that is currently being executed and returns to the normal image before the point suggestion effect was executed.

In addition, because an irregular operation has been performed, the main control unit 41 does not execute the point acquisition lottery process at timing t4, and does not execute the point granting process at timing t5. Therefore, the sub-control unit 91 does not receive the acquired points, and does not execute the point update presentation at timing t7, which is the start of the next game. On the other hand, even if an irregular operation has been performed, the main control unit 41 updates the ED transition number, the advantageous zone number, and the role ratio information at timing t5.

As explained using Figures 18 and 19, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the point update effect is executed when the start switch 7 of the next game is operated only if normal operations have been performed in a specified game and points have been acquired. This makes it possible to indicate to the player that the point counter was updated in the previous game through the point update effect at the start of the next game, and also makes it possible to ensure consistency between whether the point counter is updated and whether the point update effect is executed, since the point counter is not updated if an irregular operation has been performed in the previous game and the point update effect is not executed in the next game.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 19, even if an irregular operation is performed, the main control unit 41 executes a process of updating the role ratio information and the limiter at timing t6 after the winning determination process. In other words, the main control unit 41 counts the medals when medals are awarded based on the occurrence of a winning operation, regardless of whether the operation is a normal operation or an irregular operation.

As a result, the cumulative number of medals is counted not only in the case of normal operation but also in the case of irregular operation, preventing the player from distinguishing whether or not an advantage is obtained depending on the procedure of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, and preventing an excessive advantage from being obtained as a result of irregular operation. Also, the cumulative number of medals is counted not only in the case of normal operation but also in the case of irregular operation, and the cumulative result is displayed, so that the medal payout history of the slot machine 1 can be appropriately shown to the outside as role ratio information.

[Point suggestion performance]
20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point suggestion effect when a strong cherry is won. The point suggestion effect is an effect that is performed when a specific combination is won, and is an effect that suggests a winning combination to a player to predict the points that will be awarded. The point suggestion effect is performed in the normal advantageous zone.

As shown in FIG. 20(a), when the start operation is performed, a point suggestion effect is executed in which an image of a cherry and an image of a "?" are displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. Because the image of a cherry is displayed, the player is prompted to operate the device to win a cherry. Furthermore, because the flag category of a strong cherry is FC6, the player hopes that 50 or more points will be awarded if a cherry wins, as shown in FIG. 17. In other words, the point suggestion effect is an effect that suggests that a large number of points have been awarded, and is executed based on the operation of the start switch 7.

In FIG. 20, the case where a normal operation is performed and the case where an irregular operation is performed after the point suggestion performance are shown are described. FIG. 20(b1), (c1), and (d1) are diagrams for explaining the case where a normal operation is performed. FIG. 20(b2), (c2), (d2), (b3), (c3), and (d3) are diagrams for explaining the case where an irregular operation is performed. In FIG. 20(b1), the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation. That is, in FIG. 20(b1), a normal operation is performed. At this time, the image showing the cherry and "?" displayed as the point suggestion performance remains displayed. After that, in FIG. 20(c1), the stop switch 8C is operated as the second stop operation. The image showing the cherry and "?" displayed as the point suggestion performance remains displayed. Finally, in FIG. 20(d1), the stop switch 8R is operated as the third stop operation. As a result, a strong cherry will be awarded on the reels, and an image indicating that a strong cherry has been awarded will be displayed on the LCD display 51. When the start switch 7 for the next game is operated, the points awarded as a result of the strong cherry being awarded will be displayed as a point update effect.

In Fig. 20 (b2) and (b3), the stop switch 8L is not operated as the first stop operation, and an irregular operation is performed. As a result, the main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the first stop operation is the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation. Based on receiving that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation, the sub-control unit 91 executes a stop effect in which the liquid crystal display 51 goes dark, as shown in Fig. 20 (b2) and (b3). In addition, the image showing a cherry and the image showing a "?" that were displayed as the point suggestion effect disappear. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 ends the execution of the point suggestion effect when an irregular operation is performed. Thereafter, when the second stop operation is performed as shown in Figures 20(c2) and (c3), and when the third stop operation is performed as shown in Figures 20(d2) and (d3), the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 remains in the state it was in when the stop performance was executed.

As a result, even if a point suggestion effect suggesting that the point counter will be updated with 50 or more points is executed at the start of a game in which a strong cherry is won, and then an irregular operation is performed and the point counter value is not updated, the execution of the point suggestion effect will end. This prevents a player who has performed an irregular operation from misunderstanding that the point counter will be updated with a large value. Note that the point suggestion effect may not only be an image showing a cherry or an image showing a question mark, but may also be a text image such as "Points gained?" that directly suggests the gain of points. In other words, the point suggestion effect may be anything that suggests the possibility of points being awarded to the player.

Figure 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point suggestion effect when a watermelon is won. The point suggestion effect is also executed when a role other than a strong cherry role is won in the internal lottery. Figure 21 shows an example of a case where a watermelon role is won in the internal lottery.

As shown in FIG. 21(a), when a start operation is performed, a point suggestion effect is executed in which an image of a watermelon and an image of a question mark are displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. Because an image of a watermelon is displayed, the player is prompted to operate the device so that the watermelon will win. Furthermore, because the flag category of the watermelon is FC4, the player expects that 10 or more points will be awarded if the watermelon wins, as shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 21(b1)-(d1) show the point suggestion effect when a normal operation is performed. FIG. 21(b2)-(d2) and (b3)-(d3) show examples in which a stop effect is executed when an irregular operation is performed. The form of the effect is the same as that of FIG. 20, so it will not be repeated.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if irregular control is performed regardless of the winning combination in the internal lottery, the point acquisition lottery process is not performed and a stop effect is executed, so that the player is prompted to perform normal operations.

[AT Bonus Lottery]
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a table of the life acquisition lottery and the one-hit win lottery in the first and second states of the advantageous zone. The bonus in this embodiment includes points that can be granted during the normal advantageous zone, life that can be granted during the first state, and one-hit win in the battle that can be granted during the second state. Even if life is acquired, it may be consumed in the second state and it may not be possible to move from the second state to the first state, whereas the one-hit win is a process that determines the transition from the second state to the first state. Therefore, winning the one-hit win is a control that is more advantageous to the player than acquiring life. In the following, the first state is referred to as the "AT first state", and the second state is referred to as the "AT second state". In addition, the life acquisition lottery and the one-hit win lottery are collectively referred to as the "privilege lottery during the AT".

(Life Gain Draw)
Life can be awarded based on a life acquisition lottery executed by the main control unit 41 during the AT first state. Fig. 22(a) shows a life acquisition lottery table referenced in the life acquisition lottery in the first section during the AT first state. As shown in Fig. 22(a), in the life acquisition lottery in the first section, the expected value of life awarded per 1G differs when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, and when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won.

Specifically, when a winning combination with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is achieved, there is a 55% chance of receiving one life, and a 10% chance of receiving two lives. When a winning combination with a flag category of FC6 is achieved, there is a 100% chance of receiving two lives. When a winning combination with a flag category of FC7 is achieved, there is a 35% chance of receiving one life, and a 20% chance of receiving two lives.

In this way, in the first section of the first AT state, the expectation of multiple lives being awarded increases when the lottery conditions are met in the order of winning FC4 or FC5, winning FC7, and winning FC6.

In the first section of the first AT state, if a life is awarded in response to the winning of a role with a flag category of FC6, reverse push navigation is executed in the game in which the role with a flag category of FC6 is won. Therefore, when the player operates stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in accordance with the reverse push navigation, a BAR lip is won. In other words, in the first section of the first AT state, the winning of a BAR lip suggests to the player that a life will be awarded.

Figure 22(b) shows the life acquisition lottery table referenced in the life acquisition lottery in the second section of the first AT state. As shown in Figure 22(b), when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, there is a 20% probability of one life being awarded. When a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, there is a 60% probability of one life being awarded, and a 31% probability of two lives being awarded. When a role with a flag category of FC7 is won, there is a 28% probability of one life being awarded, and a 5% probability of two lives being awarded.

In this way, even in the second section of the first AT state, the expectation of multiple lives being awarded increases when the lottery conditions are met in the order of winning FC4 or FC5, winning FC7, and winning FC6.

In addition, the first section is a section in which navigation is performed less frequently than the second section. In other words, the probability of notifying navigation in the second section is higher than the probability of notifying navigation in the first section.

(Life Specialized Zone)
The life specialization zone is a state to which the player can move from the AT 1 state based on the specialization zone lottery. Fig. 22(c) shows a specialization zone lottery table referred to in the specialization zone lottery during the AT 1 state. As shown in Fig. 22(c), in the specialization zone lottery during the AT 1 state, the probability of entering the specialization zone differs when a combination of a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, when a combination of a flag category of FC6 is won, and when a combination of a flag category of FC7 is won.

Specifically, when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, there is a 10% probability of entering the specialized zone. Also, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, there is a 50% probability of entering the specialized zone. Furthermore, when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won, there is a 30% probability of entering the specialized zone.

Figure 22(d) shows the life acquisition lottery table referenced in the life acquisition lottery in the specialized zone. As shown in Figure 22(d), when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, there is a 50% chance that one life will be awarded, and a 35% chance that two lives will be awarded. Also, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, there is a 100% chance that two lives will be awarded. Furthermore, when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won, there is a 35% chance that one life will be awarded, and a 50% chance that two lives will be awarded.

(One-hit win lottery)
A one-hit win in a battle can be awarded based on a one-hit win lottery executed by the main control unit 41 during the second AT state. Fig. 22(e) shows a one-hit win lottery table referenced in the one-hit win lottery during the second AT state. As shown in Fig. 22(e), in the one-hit win lottery during the second AT state, the probability of one-hit win differs when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, and when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won.

Specifically, when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, there is a 50% chance of a one-hit win. Also, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, there is a 100% chance of a one-hit win. Furthermore, when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won, there is a 50% chance of a one-hit win.

In this way, during the second AT state, the probability of a one-hit win is higher for a role with a flag category of FC6 than for rare roles such as roles with a flag category of FC4 or FC5, or roles with a flag category of FC7, among the lottery conditions. Note that during the second AT state, if a one-hit win is awarded as a result of a role with a flag category of FC6 being won, reverse push navigation is executed in the game in which a role with a flag category of FC6 is won. Also, the first state is an interval in which navigation is performed less frequently than the second state. In other words, the probability of navigation being announced in the second state is higher than the probability of navigation being announced in the first state.

Figure 23 is a diagram showing an example of a bonus lottery process during the AT. In Figure 23, the bonus lottery during the AT executed by the main control unit 41 is explained using a flowchart. The bonus lottery acquisition lottery process during the AT can be executed in the game end ball output control process (S22) in the first state, second state, and ending state shown in Figure 3. After the third stop operation is performed in the game end ball output control process (S22) shown in Figure 13, the main control unit 41 determines whether the game state is in the ending state (step Sb1). If it is in the ending state (YES in step Sb1), the main control unit 41 ends the process. In other words, if it is in the ending state, the main control unit 41 does not execute the life acquisition lottery process and the one-hit win lottery process described later.

If the game is not in an ending state (NO in step Sb1), the main control unit 41 determines whether or not the game is a game in which navigation is displayed (step Sb2). The main control unit 41 determines whether or not the game is a game in which navigation is displayed based on the role number of the winning role in the internal lottery process (S2) shown in FIG. 13. A game in which navigation is displayed is a game in which the sub-control unit 91 executes a navigation performance. If the game is a game in which navigation is displayed (YES in step Sb2), the main control unit 41 executes the process shown in step Sb5. If the game is not a game in which navigation is displayed (NO in step Sb2), the main control unit 41 determines whether or not the stop switch 8L (left stop switch) has been operated as the first stop operation (step Sb3). That is, the main control unit 41 determines whether a normal operation or an irregular operation has been performed in step Sb4. If the stop switch 8L has not been operated as the first stop operation (NO in step Sb3), a penalty is set (Sb4) and the process ends. The penalty setting in the AT state is a process of changing the lottery probability of the life acquisition lottery process and the one-hit win lottery process in the next game. For example, the main control unit 41 sets the probability of winning a life or one-hit win in the life acquisition lottery process and the one-hit win lottery process shown in FIG. 22 executed in the next game to be lower than the probability of winning when the penalty setting is not set. This reduces the probability of granting a life or one-hit win only in the next game, resulting in control that is disadvantageous to the player. In this way, the penalty setting may be set to perform control that is disadvantageous to the player, but it is not necessary to perform any setting. This is because not executing the life acquisition lottery process shown in step Sa6 and the one-hit win acquisition lottery process shown in step Sa9 is a penalty in the game. In addition, since an irregular operation has been performed, the sub-control unit 91 executes a stop effect. The stop effect is the same effect as the stop effect described in the above-mentioned point acquisition lottery process, and is an effect in which the screen goes dark. The abort effect here does not indicate that the point acquisition lottery process was not executed due to an irregular operation, but rather that the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win lottery process was not executed. The abort effect is not limited to a darkening effect, but may be an effect that displays a text image such as "Please press the left stop switch first." In other words, when an irregular operation is performed during the AT, the main control unit 41 does not execute the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win lottery process as a penalty to the player.

When it is determined that the stop switch 8L has been operated as the first stop operation (YES in step Sb3), the main control unit 41 determines whether the game state is in the first state (step Sb5). When it is in the first state (YES in step Sb5), the main control unit 41 executes a life acquisition lottery process (step Sb6). That is, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not to grant a life depending on the table shown in FIG. 22(a) or FIG. 22(b) and the result of the internal lottery process. After the life acquisition lottery process, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not a life has been acquired in step Sb10 (step Sb7). When a life has not been acquired (NO in step Sb7), the main control unit 41 ends the process.

If a life has been acquired (YES in step Sb7), the main control unit 41 executes a life-granting process (step Sb8). The life-granting process is a process in which the main control unit 41 updates the number of lives stored in the RAM 41c and stores the acquired number of lives in the game end command sent to the sub-control unit 91 at the third stop described in FIG. 12. After executing the life-granting process, the main control unit 41 ends the process.

Next, returning to step Sb5, the case where the game is not in the first state will be described. If the game is not in the first state (NO in step Sb5), the main control unit 41 executes a one-hit win lottery process (step Sb9). At this time, since it was determined in step Sb1 that the game state is not in the ending state and it was determined in step Sb5 that the game state is not in the first state, the main control unit 41 determines that the game state is in the second state. Since normal operations are being performed in the second state, the main control unit 41 executes a one-hit win lottery.

That is, the main control unit 41 performs a lottery for a one-hit win based on the table shown in FIG. 22(e) and the result of the internal lottery process. After the one-hit win lottery process, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not a one-hit win has been won (step Sb10). If the main control unit 41 determines that a one-hit win has not been won (NO in step Sb10), it ends the process. If the main control unit 41 determines that a one-hit win has been won (YES in step Sb10), it executes a one-hit win granting process (step Sb11). The one-hit win granting process is a process in which the main control unit 41 executes a process in response to winning a one-hit win, and stores the fact that a one-hit win has been won in the game end command sent to the sub-control unit 91 at the third stop described in FIG. 12.

In this way, in a game in the first or second state where no navigation display is shown, the main control unit 41 performs control to execute the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win award process when a normal operation is performed, but performs control not to execute the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win award process when an irregular operation is performed. Control not to execute the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win award process is disadvantageous to the player. In other words, the slot machine 1 can impose a penalty on the player when an irregular operation is performed. In this way, the slot machine 1 can encourage the player to operate normally.

On the other hand, the main control unit 41 performs common control during a game in the ending state, whether a normal operation is performed or an irregular operation is performed. This prevents a decrease in interest in the game in the ending state, which is the last state executed during the AT, by not giving a penalty even if an irregular operation is performed during the ending state.

[Life Granting Suggestion]
24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a life-granting suggestion effect when a watermelon is won. The life-granting suggestion effect is an effect that is performed when a specific combination is won, and suggests to the player that a life may be granted by suggesting a winning combination. The life-granting suggestion effect is executed in the first state. Since the first state is during AT, the liquid crystal display 51 displays a remaining game image 51a indicating the number of remaining games and a life image 51b indicating the number of lives.

24(a), when the start switch 7 is operated, an image showing a treasure chest is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. The image showing the treasure chest includes a watermelon, suggesting that the watermelon role has been won. The image showing the treasure chest may also be green without a watermelon, suggesting that the watermelon role has been won. In other words, when the image showing the treasure chest is displayed, the player hopes that the watermelon role has been won. In addition, the watermelon role with a flag category of FC4 is a role for which a life acquisition lottery process is executed, as shown in FIG. 22(a) and FIG. 22(b). In other words, the life grant suggestion effect is an effect that suggests the possibility of life being granted, and is executed based on the operation of the start switch 7.

In FIG. 24, the case where a normal operation is performed and the case where an irregular operation is performed after a life-granting suggestion performance is performed are described. FIG. 24(b1), (c1), and (d1) are diagrams for describing the case where a normal operation is performed. Also, FIG. 24(b2), (c2), (d2) and (b3), (c3), and (d3) are diagrams for describing the case where an irregular operation is performed. In FIG. 20(b1), the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation. That is, in FIG. 20(b1), a normal operation is performed. At this time, the image showing the treasure chest displayed as the life-granting suggestion performance remains displayed. After that, in FIG. 24(c1), the stop switch 8C is operated as the second stop operation. The image showing the treasure chest displayed as the life-granting suggestion performance remains displayed. Finally, in FIG. 24(d1), the stop switch 8R is operated as the third stop operation. As a result, a watermelon appears on the reels, and the liquid crystal display 51 displays an image indicating that a life has been awarded in response to the winning watermelon role. In addition, as a life has been awarded, the sub-control unit 91 updates the life image 51b.

24(b2) and 24(b3) show an example in which the stop switch 8L is not operated as the first stop operation, but an irregular operation is performed. As a result, the main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the first stop operation is the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation. Based on receiving that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation, the sub-control unit 91 executes a stop effect in which the liquid crystal display 51 goes dark, as shown in FIG. 24(b2) and FIG. 24(b3). In addition, the image showing the treasure chest that was displayed as the life-granting suggestion effect disappears. That is, the sub-control unit 91 ends the execution of the life-granting suggestion effect when an irregular operation is performed. In both cases where the second stop operation is performed in Fig. 24(c2) and Fig. 24(c3), and where the third stop operation is performed in Fig. 24(d2) and Fig. 24(d3), the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 remains in the state it was in when the stop performance was executed.

In this way, in a game where the watermelon role is won, if an irregular operation is performed, the life acquisition lottery is not executed, and no control is performed to extend the AT state due to the life acquisition. This makes it possible to encourage the player to perform normal operations.

25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a life-granting suggestion effect when a strong cherry is won. As shown in FIG. 25(a), when the start switch 7 is operated, an image showing a treasure chest is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. The image showing the treasure chest shows a cherry, suggesting that the cherry role has won. The image showing the treasure chest may show that the cherry role has won by showing no cherry and being red. In other words, when the image showing the treasure chest is displayed, the player hopes that the cherry role has won. In addition, the strong cherry role with a flag category of FC6 is a role for which a life-granting lottery process is executed, as shown in FIG. 22(a) and FIG. 22(b). The form of the effect is the same as that of FIG. 24, and will not be repeated.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if irregular control is performed, regardless of whether the winning combination in the internal lottery is a watermelon combination or a strong cherry combination, the life acquisition lottery process is not performed and a stop effect is executed, so that the player can be prompted to perform normal operations.

Figure 26 is a diagram showing the process in which the sub-control unit 91 executes the navigation effect. The following describes the process when the sub-control unit 91 receives a game start command. The sub-control unit 91 receives the game start command shown in Figure 11 from the main control unit 41 (step Sc1). As described above, information related to navigation can be stored in the command No. 2 "instruction number" included in the game start command. In other words, the command No. 2 stores information that can identify the push order in a game in which the start switch 7 is operated. The sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not information that can identify the push order is stored in the command No. 2 "instruction number" (step Sc2).

If the No. 2 command "instruction number" contains information that can identify the push order (YES in step Sc2), the sub-control unit 91 executes a navigation effect (step Sc3) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the No. 2 command "instruction number" does not contain information that can identify the push order (NO in step Sc2), the sub-control unit 91 ends the process without executing a navigation effect. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 uses the No. 2 command "instruction number" to determine whether or not to execute a navigation effect. Here, the sub-control unit 91 does not refer to any commands other than the No. 2 command "instruction number" contained in the game start command when determining whether or not to execute a navigation effect.

In other words, the sub-control unit 91 executes the navigation effect when information regarding navigation is stored in the command No. 2 "instruction number", regardless of the information contained in the commands received from the main control unit 41 at the start of play, including commands that store information regarding the winning role, such as the commands "minor role type" and "winning number", and commands that store information that can identify the game state, such as "interval state" and "ball output state". As a result, regardless of whether or not a role has been won and the game state, if information regarding navigation is stored in the command No. 2 "instruction number", the sub-control unit 91 executes the navigation effect, so that the player can be appropriately notified of the operation procedure.

That is, for example, even if the game state is in a favorable zone, but the main control unit 41 stores information indicating that it is a normal zone in the command "zone information" due to an error or the like and sends this information to the sub-control unit 91, the sub-control unit 91 can determine whether or not to execute a navigation performance based on the command No. 2 "instruction number". Similarly, even if a role with a navigation display is won, but the main control unit 41 stores information that a role without a navigation display is won in the command "winning number" due to an error or the like and sends this information to the sub-control unit 91, the sub-control unit 91 can determine whether or not to execute a navigation performance based on the command No. 2 "instruction number".

Figure 27 is a diagram showing the game start command transmission process in the main control unit. The following describes the process when the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command. After the start switch 7 is operated, the main control unit 41 executes the game start command transmission process as shown in step S9 of the main process shown in Figure 13. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the main control unit 41 changes the content of the command to be transmitted as the game start command according to the winning combination. After the game start command transmission process is started, the main control unit 41 judges whether the winning combination number is any of combination numbers 8 to 23 (step Sd1). The combinations of combination numbers 8 to 23 are combinations that, when the stop operation is performed in a predetermined push order, are more advantageous than when the stop operation is performed in another push order, as shown in Figure 10. Hereinafter, the combinations of combination numbers 8 to 23 are simply referred to as "push order combinations".

If the winning combination is a push order combination (YES in step Sd1), the main control unit 41 transmits the commands "minor combination type" and "winning number" without including them in the game start command (step Sd2). That is, the main control unit 41 transmits the commands No. 1, 2, 4 to 10, 12, and 13 to the sub-control unit 91 without transmitting the command No. 3 "minor combination type" and the command No. 11 "winning number" themselves among the game start commands shown in FIG. 11. Hereinafter, the order of the game start commands No. 1, 2, 4 to 10, 12, and 13 is referred to as the special order. That is, if the winning combination is a push order combination (YES in step Sd1), the main control unit 41 transmits the game start commands in the special order (step Sd2) and ends the process.

If the winning combination is not a push order combination (NO in step Sd1), the main control unit 41 stores information about the winning combination in the commands "minor combination type" and "winning number" (step Sd3). The main control unit 41 transmits the game start command including the commands "minor combination type" and "winning number" (step Sd4). That is, the main control unit 41 transmits the commands No. 1 to 13 of the game start commands shown in FIG. 11 to the sub-control unit 91. Hereinafter, the order of the game start commands No. 1 to 13 is referred to as the "specific order". That is, if the winning combination is not a push order combination (NO in step Sd1), the main control unit 41 transmits the game start commands in the specific order (step Sd2) and ends the process.

In this way, when the push order role shown in FIG. 10 is won, the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command in a special order that does not include the commands "minor role type" and "winning number" in the game start command. At this time, the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command in a special order regardless of whether information regarding navigation is stored in the command "instruction number". In other words, even when a push order role that does not execute a navigation performance is won in the AT state, the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command in a special order.

As a result, the main control unit 41 does not transmit the command "minor role type" and the command "winning number" in which information about the winning role is stored, in a game in which the navigation performance is not executed in the AT state. This prevents the sub-control unit 91 from recognizing that the push order role has been won based on the game start command received from the main control unit 41.

In addition, the game start command sent in a specific order includes the command "minor role type" and the command "winning number", while the game start command sent in a special order does not include the command "minor role type" and the command "winning number". This allows the sub-control unit 91 to recognize whether the push order role has been won based on whether the command "minor role type" and the command "winning number" are included.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the order in which the commands shown in No. 1 to 13 are sent in the game end command shown in FIG. 12 is also referred to as the "specific order." In the following, to distinguish between the specific order in the game start command and the specific order in the game end command, the specific order in the game start command may be referred to as the "first specific order," and the specific order in the game end command may be referred to as the "second specific order."

As described above, FIG. 27 illustrates an example in which the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command in a special order. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the main control unit 41 transmits the game end command including the command "minor role type". As a result, when the game has already ended, the sub-control unit 91 can determine whether or not the push order role has been won based on the command "minor role type" included in the game end command.

The main control unit 41 may also transmit the game end commands in a special order, transmitting commands No. 1, 2, 4 to 10, 12, and 13 among the game end commands. In this case, to distinguish between the special order in the game start commands and the special order in the game end commands, the special order in the game start commands is referred to as the "first special order," and the special order in the game end commands is referred to as the "second special order."

Figure 28 is a diagram showing the processing in the sub-control unit 91 when a game start command or a game end command is received. In this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 changes the processing to be executed depending on the order of the game start command and the game end command received from the main control unit 41. The sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not a game start command or a game end command has been received from the main control unit 41 (step Se1).

If the sub-controller 91 has not received a game start command or a game end command from the main controller 41 (NO in step Se1), the sub-controller 91 repeats the process of step Se1. If the sub-controller 91 has received a game start command or a game end command from the main controller 41 (YES in step Se1), the sub-controller 91 judges whether the received command is in a specific order (step Se2). If the received command is not in a specific order (NO in step Se2), the sub-controller 91 judges whether the received command is in a special order (step Se3). If the received command is not in a special order (NO in step Se3), the sub-controller 91 performs error notification control (step Se4). As described above, the specific order is an order in which the game start command and the game end command include all of the commands No. 1 to 13 without any omissions. Also, the special order is an order in which the game start command and the game end command include all of the commands No. 4 and No. 5 among the commands No. 1 to 13. This is the order in which 11 commands are missing, and means that the push order role has been won. In other words, the specific order and special order are predetermined orders in the slot machine 1. If the received command is neither a specific order nor a special order, the sub-control unit 91 can determine that an error or the like has occurred. Therefore, in step Se4, the sub-control unit 91 starts notifying an error. Hereinafter, an order that is neither a specific order nor a special order will be referred to as a "special order." If the numerical information contained in the command is outside a specified range, the sub-control unit 91 may determine that an error has occurred and that it is a special order.

The sub-control unit 91 performs error notification control (step Se4) and ends the process. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the liquid crystal display 51 in a state in which error notification control has been performed. Returning to step Se2, if the received command is a specific sequence (YES in step Se2), the sub-control unit 91 performs control according to the received game start command or game end command (step Se5) and proceeds to step Se7. Also, in step Se3, if the received command is a special sequence (YES in step Se3), the sub-control unit 91 performs control in the case where the push order role is won (step Se6) and proceeds to step Se7. Note that, if the command received by the sub-control unit 91 is a game end command, in step Se3, the sub-control unit 91 may determine whether to perform control in the case where the push order role is won (step Se6) or error notification control (step Se4) based on both the game start command and the game end command. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 may recognize that a push order role has been won based on the fact that the command at the start of a game in a unit game is the first special order, and further, the command at the end of a game is also the second special order.

In step Se7, the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not error notification control is being performed (step Se7). That is, it determines whether or not the state in which error notification control was performed in step Se4 remains maintained. If error notification control is being performed (YES in step Se7), the sub-control unit 91 cancels the error notification control (step Se8) and ends the process. If error notification control is not being performed (NO in step Se7), the sub-control unit 91 ends the process.

In this way, the main control unit 41 may transmit the start-of-game command in a special or specific order, and transmit the end-of-game command in a specific order. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the start-of-game command or the end-of-game command from the main control unit 41 in a specific order, it performs control according to the received command. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the start-of-game command from the main control unit 41 in a special order, it performs control in the case where the push order role is won. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the start-of-game command or the end-of-game command from the main control unit 41 in a special order that is neither a specific order nor a special order, it performs error notification control. As a result, as shown in FIG. 28, the sub-control unit 91 can perform different controls depending on the order in which the multiple commands included in the start-of-game command or the end-of-game command are received from the main control unit 41.

Figure 30 is a diagram showing the timing for canceling an error notification based on receiving a game end command. Figure 30 shows the relationship between (a) the player's operation, (b) the processing of the main control unit 41, and (c) the processing of the sub-control unit 91 at timings t1 and t2. As shown in Figure 30, at timing t1, the player operates the start switch 7. Based on the operation of the start switch 7, the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command to the sub-control unit 91. Here, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game start command in a special order that is neither a specific order nor a special order. As a result, the sub-control unit 91 starts an error notification. That is, the sub-control unit 91 displays the error occurrence screen shown in Figure 29 on the liquid crystal display 51. The player stops the reels according to the display shown in Figure 29.

At timing t2, the player performs a third stop operation. Based on the third stop operation, the main control unit 41 sends a game end command to the sub-control unit 91. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game end command in a specific order. The sub-control unit 91 cancels the error notification. This makes it easy to cancel minor communication errors that occur when sending a game start command.

In this way, when the start switch 7 is operated, the sub-control unit 91 starts the error notification when it receives a game start command in a special order from the main control unit 41. Furthermore, after the error notification has started, the sub-control unit 91 ends the error notification if it receives a game end command in the second specific order from the main control unit 41 at the third stop. As a result, even if an error such as a missing command occurs in the game start command sent when the start switch 7 is operated within one game and an error notification is initiated, the error notification can be ended as long as no error such as a missing command occurs at the subsequent third stop. Therefore, with the slot machine 1, minor errors such as missing commands can be easily resolved within one game.

Figure 31 is a diagram showing an example of canceling an error notification in the next game. Figure 31 shows the relationship between (a) the player's operation, (b) the processing of the main control unit 41, and (c) the processing of the sub-control unit 91 at timings t1, t2, and t3. As shown in Figure 31, at timing t1, the player operates the start switch 7. Based on the operation of the start switch 7, the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command to the sub-control unit 91. Here, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game start command in a special order that is neither a specific order nor a special order. As a result, the sub-control unit 91 starts an error notification. That is, the sub-control unit 91 causes the liquid crystal display 51 to display the error occurrence screen shown in Figure 29. The player stops the reels according to the display of the error occurrence screen shown in Figure 29.

At timing t2, the player performs a third stop operation. Based on the third stop operation, the main control unit 41 transmits a game end command to the sub-control unit 91. Here, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game end command in a special order different from the specific order. Therefore, the sub-control unit 91 does not cancel the error notification. At timing t2, the sub-control unit 91 may change the error occurrence screen shown in FIG. 29 to a screen that displays "Please operate the start switch." or the like. At timing t3, the player operates the start switch 7 again. Based on the operation of the start switch 7, the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command to the sub-control unit 91. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game start command in the specific order. The sub-control unit 91 cancels the error notification. This makes it possible to easily cancel minor communication errors that occur at timings t1 and t2.

In this way, when the start switch 7 is operated, the sub-control unit 91 starts the error notification when it receives the game start command from the main control unit 41 in a special order that is neither a specific order nor a special order. Also, after the error notification has started, when the start switch 7 in the next game is operated, the sub-control unit 91 ends the error notification when it receives the game start command from the main control unit 41 in the first specific order. As a result, even if the error notification is started due to an error such as a missing command that occurred in the game start command transmitted based on the start switch 7 being operated, if there is no missing command in the game start command transmitted based on the start switch 7 being operated in the next game, the error notification ends. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, minor missing commands such as static electricity can be easily eliminated in the next game.

Originally, the bonus lottery process was executed when the start switch 7 was operated. However, the slot machine 1 in this embodiment determines whether or not to execute the bonus lottery process depending on whether the first stop operation is a normal operation or an irregular operation. If the bonus lottery process were executed when the start switch 7 was operated as in the past, it would be necessary to discard the result of the bonus lottery process that was already executed when the start switch 7 was operated after the irregular operation, which would make the process complicated. This is because the timing of the first stop operation for determining whether or not to give a penalty in a unit game is later than the timing of the start switch 7 being operated. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 in this embodiment, the bonus lottery process itself is executed when the third stop operation is performed, which is later than the timing of the first stop operation. As a result, even if an irregular operation is performed, the bonus lottery process has not yet been executed at the timing of the first stop operation, so there is no need to discard the result of the executed bonus lottery process.

Figure 32 is a diagram explaining the processing executed in the game state. Figure 32 compares and explains the processing executed in the period in which the "normal stage" and "continuous performance" are executed in the normal advantageous zone, the period in which the "first zone stage" and "continuous performance" are executed in the first state, the period in which the "second zone stage" and "continuous performance" are executed in the second state, the specialized zone stage, the second state stage in the second state, and the ending stage in the ending state.

As mentioned above, a "consecutive effect" is an effect that suggests a transition in the game state, and is executed continuously for 3 to 5 games. A continuous effect in the normal advantageous zone is an effect that suggests whether or not there will be a transition to the first state. A continuous effect in the first state is an effect that suggests whether or not there will be a transition to the specialized zone of the first state. A continuous effect is, for example, an effect in which the story progresses with each game, and whether or not the game state will transition is announced in the final game.

When stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation during normal stages and continuous performances in the normal advantageous zone, the point acquisition lottery process is executed. On the other hand, when stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation during normal stages and continuous performances in the normal advantageous zone, the point acquisition lottery process is not executed as a penalty. Furthermore, in states other than the normal advantageous zone, the point acquisition lottery process is not executed.

If stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in the first section stage, second section stage, continuous performance, or specialized zone stage of the first state, a life acquisition lottery process is executed. On the other hand, if stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in the first section stage, second section stage, continuous performance, or specialized zone stage of the first state, the life acquisition lottery process is not executed as a penalty. Furthermore, in states other than the first state, the life acquisition lottery process is not executed.

If the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in the second state stage of the second state, the one-hit win lottery process is executed. On the other hand, if the stop switch 8C or the stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in the second state stage of the second state, the one-hit win lottery process is not executed as a penalty. Furthermore, in states other than the second state, the one-hit win lottery process is not executed.

When the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in a state other than the ending state, the stop effect is not executed. On the other hand, when the stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in a state other than the ending state, the stop effect is not executed. In all states, the number of advantageous zones and the role ratio information are updated for each game.

Next, the processing in the next game after the start switch 7 is pressed will be explained. If the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in the normal stage and continuous performance of the normal advantageous zone, the point update performance will be executed in the next game. On the other hand, if the stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in the normal stage and continuous performance of the normal advantageous zone, the point update performance will not be executed in the next game. Furthermore, in states other than the normal advantageous zone, the point update performance will not be executed.

Next, the updating of the continuous performance will be described. As described above, the continuous performance is a performance that is executed continuously for 3 to 5 games. In the following, an example will be described in which the continuous performance is 5 games. A different performance is executed in each of the 5 games included in the continuous performance. For example, the first stimulating performance is executed in the first game, the second stimulating performance is executed in the second game, the third stimulating performance is executed in the third game, the fourth stimulating performance is executed in the fourth game, and the result notification performance is executed in the fifth game. Here, updating the continuous performance means that after a performance in the continuous performance is executed, a performance corresponding to the next game is executed. In other words, if the second stimulating performance is executed in the game after the first stimulating performance is executed in the first game, the continuous performance is updated. On the other hand, if the first stimulating performance is executed again in the game after the first stimulating performance is executed in the first game, the continuous performance is not updated.

When the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation during a continuous performance in each state, the continuous performance is updated in the next game. In other words, the continuous performance progresses.

If stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation during a continuous performance in the normal advantageous zone, the continuous performance will not be updated. For example, if stop switch 8C is operated as the first stop operation during the second game of a continuous performance, the second teasing performance will be executed again in the next game. In other words, during the normal advantageous zone, the continuous performance will not be updated as a penalty.

In contrast, in the continuous performance in the first state, even if the stop switch 8C or the stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation, the continuous performance is updated. In other words, in the first state, which is advantageous to the player, if the continuous performance is executed again without being updated, the advantageous state for the player will continue. Therefore, even if an irregular operation is performed, the control is not disadvantageous to the player, and no penalty is imposed. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, in the continuous performance in the first state, the continuous performance is not updated even if irregular control is performed.

The effect lottery process is explained. The effect lottery process is a process that determines the type of effect to be executed. If the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in the normal stage of the normal advantageous zone, the first zone stage, the second zone stage of the first state, or the second state stage of the second state, the effect lottery process for the next game is executed. On the other hand, if the stop switch 8C or the stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in the normal stage of the normal advantageous zone, the first zone stage, the second zone stage of the first state, or the second state stage of the second state, the effect lottery process for the next game is not executed as a penalty. In other words, the game progresses without any effects. The period during which effects are not executed is not limited to one game, but may be three games.

[Main components]
The above describes the S stand 2 according to the present embodiment. The main configuration of the S stand 2 according to the present embodiment will now be described.

(1-1) A plurality of variable display units (e.g., reels 2L, 2C, and 2R) are provided that can variably display a plurality of types of identifying information, each of which is identifiable;
In a slot machine (e.g., slot machine 1), a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit after the variable display unit is variably displayed, and a winning prize can be generated according to a display result combination that is a combination of the display results of a plurality of variable display units,
A game control means (for example, a main control unit 41) for controlling the progress of a game;
A performance control means (for example, a sub-control unit 91) for controlling the performance;
a plurality of derivation operation means (e.g., stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) that are operated to derive a display result combination;
The game control means includes:
A pre-determination means (for example, an internal lottery process by the main control unit 41) for determining a display result combination that is allowed to be derived;
a derivation control means (for example, reel control by the main control unit 41) for controlling to derive a display result combination in accordance with a determination result of the advance determination means and operations of the plurality of derivation operation means;
In a normal state (for example, in a normal advantageous zone), an update means (for example, a point granting process by the main control unit 41) updates the value of a specific counter (for example, a point counter) according to the progress of a game;
a notification state control means (for example, a process of controlling to an AT state by a main control unit 41) for controlling the operation procedure of the plurality of derived operation means to a notification state (for example, an AT state) when the value of the specific counter becomes a specific value (for example, 100, 300, 600, 1000) in the normal state;
a transmission means (for example, a game start command transmission process and a game end command transmission process by the main control unit 41) for transmitting commands (for example, a game start command and a game end command) to the performance control means,
The presentation control means includes a notification presentation means (for example, a process of executing a navigation presentation by a sub-control unit 91) that notifies the user of the operation procedure in the notification state,
The notification means notifies the user of the operation procedure (e.g., a correct procedure) corresponding to a specific determination result when the determination result of the pre-determination means is one of a plurality of specific determination results (e.g., a push order bell);
the derivation control means is capable of deriving a combination of award display results (e.g., a combination of symbols for a plum role) that will generate an award winning (e.g., a plum role) that awards a gaming value (e.g., a medal) when the determination result of the pre-determination means becomes any one of the plurality of types of specific determination results and the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in the operation sequence corresponding to the specific determination result;
The update means updates the value of the specific counter when the multiple derivation operation means are operated in a normal procedure (for example, a normal operation), but does not update the value of the specific counter when the multiple derivation operation means are operated in an irregular procedure (for example, an irregular operation) different from the normal procedure (for example, in the case of NO in Sa1 of FIG. 16 ) (for example, does not execute the point acquisition lottery process of Sa3 shown in FIG. 16 ).
The transmission means is capable of transmitting a determination result command (e.g., the commands "minor role type" and "winning number") based on the determination result of the pre-determination means to the presentation control means, and in a game in which the notification presentation means does not notify the operation procedure (e.g., a game in which navigation is not executed in the normal zone, normal advantageous zone, or AT state), when the determination result of the pre-determination means is one of the multiple types of specific determination results (e.g., YES in Sd1 shown in Figure 27) (for example, a game start command is transmitted in a special order that does not include the commands "minor role type" and "winning number" in Sd2 shown in Figure 27).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated normally, the value of the point counter for controlling the AT state is updated, while when the stop switches are operated irregularly, a penalty can be imposed in which the value of the point counter is not updated, so that the player can be encouraged to operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R normally. Furthermore, since the commands "minor role type" and "winning number" are not sent from the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91, it is possible to prevent the sub-control unit 91 from recognizing that one of the push order roles has been won based on the game start command received from the main control unit 41.

(1-2) The presentation control means further includes an update presentation means (for example, a process of executing the point update presentation shown in FIG. 15 by the sub-control unit 91) for executing an update presentation (for example, a point update presentation shown in FIG. 15) indicating that the value of the specific counter has been updated when a game is started (for example, at the time of a start operation),
The update presentation means indicates, through the update presentation, that the value of the specific counter has been updated in a game prior to the game in which the update presentation is executed (for example, a process in which the sub-control unit 91 executes a point update presentation at timing t7 for points acquired at timing t4 shown in Figure 18).

Specifically, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the point update effect can indicate to the player at the start of the next game that the point counter was updated in the previous game, and if an irregular operation was performed in the previous game, the point counter is not updated and the point update effect is not executed in the next game, so that it is possible to ensure consistency between whether the point counter is updated and whether the point update effect is executed. Furthermore, in slot machines, the point update effect is generally executed when the start switch 7 is operated. Therefore, it is natural for the player to have the point update effect executed when the start switch 7 is operated, and it does not feel strange. Therefore, it is desirable for the point update effect to be executed when the start switch 7 is operated.

(1-3) The update means updates the specific counter in a game in which the advantageous update condition is established (for example, a game in which a strong cherry or watermelon is won) with a value larger than that in a game in which the advantageous update condition is not established (for example, a point acquisition lottery shown in FIG. 17 ),
The presentation control means further includes advantageous update suggestion presentation means (for example, a process of executing the point suggestion presentation shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 by the sub-control unit 91) for executing advantageous update suggestion presentation suggesting that the advantageous update condition has been established;
The advantageous update suggestion presentation means executes the advantageous update suggestion presentation at the start of a game when the advantageous update condition is established, and then terminates the execution of the advantageous update suggestion presentation when the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the irregular procedure during the game (for example, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, a sub-control unit 91 executes a stop presentation).

Specifically, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, at the start of a game in which a rare combination is won, a point suggestion effect is executed that suggests that the point counter will be updated with a value greater than in a game in which the rare combination is not won. However, even if an irregular operation is subsequently performed and the point counter value is not updated, the execution of the point suggestion effect ends. This prevents a player who has performed an irregular operation from misunderstanding that the point counter will be updated with a greater value.

(1-4) The update means
A first update control is performed to update the specific counter so that the expected value of the value used for updating becomes a first value (e.g., about 25 points) when the result of the determination by the advance determination means becomes a first determination result (e.g., winning Suica) (for example, processing performed by the main control unit 41 when flag category FC4 is won in the point acquisition lottery shown in FIG. 17 ).
A second update control is performed to update the specific counter so that the expected value of the value used for updating becomes a second value (e.g., about 90 points) when the determination result of the pre-determination means becomes a second determination result (e.g., a strong cherry win) (for example, processing performed by the main control unit 41 when flag category FC6 is won in the point acquisition lottery shown in FIG. 17 ).
When the determination result of the advance determination means is either the first determination result or the second determination result, when the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the irregular procedure (for example, NO at Sa1 in Figure 16), the value of the specific counter is not updated (for example, the point acquisition lottery process of Sa3 shown in Figure 16 is not executed).

Specifically, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the player can be prompted to perform normal operations regardless of the winning combination in the internal lottery process.

(1-5) The advantageous update suggestion producing means
When the determination result of the pre-determination means becomes the first determination result, a first update suggestion effect is executed as the advantageous update suggestion effect (for example, the sub-control unit 91 executes the point suggestion effect when a strong cherry is won as shown in FIG. 20 ),
When the determination result of the pre-determination means becomes the second determination result, a second update suggestion effect is executed as the advantageous update suggestion effect (for example, the sub-control unit 91 executes the point suggestion effect when the watermelon is won as shown in FIG. 21 ),
When the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the irregular procedure regardless of whether the first update suggestion presentation or the second update suggestion presentation is being executed, the advantageous update suggestion presentation is terminated (for example, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the sub-control unit 91 executes a cancellation process).

Specifically, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the player can be prompted to perform normal operations regardless of the winning combination in the internal lottery process.

(2-1) A plurality of variable display units (e.g., reels 2L, 2C, and 2R) are provided that can variably display a plurality of types of identifying information, each of which is identifiable;
In a slot machine (e.g., slot machine 1), a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit after the variable display unit is variably displayed, and a winning prize can be generated according to a display result combination that is a combination of the display results of a plurality of variable display units,
A game control means (for example, a main control unit 41) for controlling the progress of a game;
A performance control means (for example, a sub-control unit 91) for controlling the performance;
a plurality of derivation operation means (e.g., stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) that are operated to derive a display result combination;
The game control means includes:
A pre-determination means (for example, an internal lottery process by the main control unit 41) for determining a display result combination that is allowed to be derived;
a derivation control means (for example, reel control by the main control unit 41) for controlling to derive a display result combination in accordance with a determination result of the advance determination means and operations of the plurality of derivation operation means;
A notification state control means (for example, a process of controlling to the AT state by the main control unit 41) that controls the operation procedure of the plurality of derivation operation means to a notification state (for example, an AT state) that can be notified;
a transmission means (for example, a game start command and a game end command) for transmitting commands to the performance control means (for example, a game start command and a game end command) by the main control unit 41;
The presentation control means includes a notification presentation means (for example, a process of executing a navigation presentation by a sub-control unit 91) that notifies the user of the operation procedure in the notification state,
The game in the notification state (for example, a game in a first section in the first state) includes a notification game in which the operation procedure is notified (for example, a game in which a navigation performance is executed) and a non-notification game in which the operation procedure is not notified (for example, a game in which a navigation performance is not executed),
The derivation control means is capable of deriving a combination of award display results (e.g., a combination of symbols for a plum role) that will result in a winning combination (e.g., a plum role) that awards a gaming value (e.g., a medal) when the determination result of the pre-determination means is one of the plurality of types of specific determination results (e.g., a push order bell) and the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in the operation procedure (e.g., a correct answer procedure) corresponding to the specific determination result,
The game control means, in the non-notification game, when the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in a normal procedure (for example, normal operation), performs normal control (for example, processes Sb6 to Sb8 which execute a life acquisition lottery process shown in FIG. 23 or processes Sb9 to Sb11 which execute a one-hit win lottery process), while when the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in an irregular procedure (for example, irregular operation) different from the normal procedure, performs irregular control which is less favorable than the normal control (for example, process Sb4 which does not execute the life acquisition lottery process and the one-hit win lottery process shown in FIG. 23),
The transmission means is capable of transmitting a determination result command (for example, the commands "minor role type" and "winning number") based on the determination result of the pre-determination means to the presentation control means, and in a game in which the notification presentation means does not notify the operation procedure (for example, a game in which a navigation presentation is not executed in an AT state), when the determination result of the pre-determination means is one of the multiple types of specific determination results, the transmission means does not transmit the determination result command (for example, in Sd2 shown in Figure 27, a game start command is transmitted in a special order that does not include the commands "minor role type" and "winning number").

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, in a game in which the navigation effect is not executed in the AT state, when normal operation is performed, the life acquisition lottery process and the one-hit win lottery process are executed, but when an irregular operation different from the normal operation is performed, a penalty can be imposed in which the life acquisition lottery process and the one-hit win lottery process are not executed, so that the player can be encouraged to operate normally. Furthermore, in a game in which the navigation effect is not executed, the commands "minor role type" and "winning number" are not sent from the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91, so that it is possible to prevent the sub-control unit 91 from recognizing that the push order role has been won based on the game start command received from the main control unit 41.

(2-2) The notification state includes a normal notification state (e.g., a first state) and a specific notification state (e.g., a second state),
When in the specific notification state, the notification performance means notifies the operation procedure with a higher probability than a probability of notifying the operation procedure in the normal notification state,
When the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the irregular procedure during the non-announcement game in the normal notification state (for example, NO in Sb3 of Figure 23), the game control means performs the irregular control which is more disadvantageous than when the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the normal procedure (for example, in the first state, the life acquisition lottery process of Sb5 shown in Figure 23 is not executed).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, in the first state, the player can be prompted to perform normal operations. Also, the normal notification state may be the first section of the first state, and the specific notification state may be the second section of the first state. Furthermore, the normal notification state may be the first state, and the specific notification state may be the ending state.

(2-3) The game control means further includes a value counting means for counting the cumulative amount of game value awarded based on the occurrence of a winning win (for example, a process for counting the number of pieces in the advantageous zone by the main control unit 41),
The notification state further includes a special notification state (e.g., an ending state),
the notification state control means is capable of controlling the notification state to the special notification state until a specific condition is satisfied (for example, a limiter condition is satisfied),
The game control means performs common control when the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the normal procedure and when they are operated in the irregular procedure during the non-announcement game in the special announcement state (for example, in the case of the ending state shown in Figure 23, common control is performed to skip the processing of Sb2 to Sb11 in Figure 23, regardless of whether the operation is normal or irregular).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, in a special notification state (for example, an ending state), even if an irregular operation is performed in a non-notification game, the same control is performed as when a normal operation is performed, which increases the interest of the game.

(2-4) The notification state control means
In the notification state, when the determination result of the advance determination means becomes a first determination result (e.g., a watermelon win), a first extension control is performed to extend the notification state (e.g., a life is acquired based on a FC4 win in the life acquisition lottery in FIG. 22 ),
In the notification state, when the determination result of the advance determination means becomes a second determination result (for example, a strong cherry win), a second extension control is performed to extend the notification state and is more advantageous than the first extension control (for example, a life is acquired based on the FC6 win in the life acquisition lottery in FIG. 22 ),
Regardless of whether the determination result of the advance determination means is the first determination result or the second determination result, when the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the irregular procedure (for example, NO in Sb3 of Figure 23), neither the first extension control nor the second extension control is performed (for example, in the first state, the life acquisition lottery process of Sb6 shown in Figure 23 is not executed).

Specifically, as shown in Figures 24 and 25, the player may be prompted to perform normal operations. The second extension control may also be a life acquisition lottery that is executed during the specialized zone.

(2-5) The performance control means
In the notification state, when the determination result of the advance determination means becomes the first determination result, a first performance is executed (for example, when the watermelon is won, a life-granting suggestion performance shown in FIG. 24 is executed),
In the notification state, when the determination result of the advance determination means becomes the second determination result, a second effect is executed (for example, when a strong cherry is won, a life-granting suggestion effect shown in FIG. 25 is executed),
Regardless of whether the first or second performance is being executed, when the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the irregular procedure (for example, if NO in Sb3 in Figure 23), a stop performance is executed (for example, the stop performance shown in Figures 24 and 25 is executed).

Specifically, as shown in Figures 24 and 25, the player can be prompted to perform normal operations. Furthermore, the stop effect executed in the first effect and the stop effect executed in the second effect may be stop effects of different types. For example, the stop effect executed in the first effect may be a stop effect in which the life-granting suggestion effect is cancelled without a blackout effect, whereas the stop effect executed in the second effect may be a stop effect in which the life-granting suggestion effect is cancelled with a blackout effect.

(2-6) The game control means further includes a value counting means for counting the cumulative amount of game value awarded based on the occurrence of a winning win (for example, a process for counting the number of pieces in the advantageous zone by the main control unit 41),
the notification state control means terminates the notification state (for example, an ending state) in accordance with an accumulation of the gaming value counted by the value counting means;
The value counting means counts the gaming value when the gaming value is awarded based on the occurrence of a winning prize, regardless of whether the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the normal procedure or the irregular procedure (for example, limiter update shown in Figures 18 and 19).
Specifically, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the cumulative number of medals is counted not only in the case of normal operation but also in the case of irregular operation, so that it is possible to prevent a distinction between advantageous and inadequate operation depending on the type of operation, and to prevent an excessive advantage from being gained by irregular operation.

(2-7) Further comprising a display means (for example, a role ratio monitor) capable of displaying the accumulation of the gaming value counted by the gaming control means,
The value counting means counts the gaming value when the gaming value is awarded based on the occurrence of a winning prize, regardless of whether the multiple derivation operation means are operated in the normal procedure or the irregular procedure (for example, updating the role ratio information shown in Figures 18 and 19).

Specifically, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the cumulative number of medals paid out is counted and the cumulative result is displayed not only in the case of normal operation but also in the case of irregular operation, so that the payout history of the number of medals paid out in the slot machine 1 can be properly shown to the outside.

(2-8) the transmission means is capable of transmitting a procedure command capable of identifying the operation procedure to the performance control means (for example, transmitting a game start command and a game end command in a specific order by the main control unit 41);
The performance control means, when receiving the procedure command, notifies the operation procedure that can be identified based on the procedure command (for example, executes a navigation performance), regardless of whether or not it has determined that the determination result of the pre-determination means is the specific determination result based on the determination result command received from the transmission means (for example, regardless of whether the push order bell has been won in the internal lottery processing).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 26, when a game start command is received, regardless of the winning combination in the internal lottery process, the sub-control unit 91 executes a navigation effect, so that the player can be properly informed of the pressing order.

(2-9) the transmitting means is capable of transmitting a game state command capable of identifying a state being controlled to the presentation control means (for example, transmitting a game start command and a game end command in a specific order by the main control unit 41);
The presentation control means, when receiving the procedure command, notifies the operation procedure that can be identified based on the procedure command (for example, executes a navigation presentation), regardless of whether the state being controlled based on the game state command received from the transmission means is the notification state (for example, regardless of the game state).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 26, when a game start command is received regardless of the game state, the sub-control unit 91 executes a navigation effect, so that the player can be appropriately informed of the button press order.

(2-10) The transmission means is capable of transmitting the determination result command based on the result of the determination by the advance determination means to the presentation control means, and in a game in which the notification presentation means does not notify the operation procedure (for example, a game in which a navigation presentation is not executed in an AT state), when the result of the determination by the advance determination means is one of the multiple types of specific determination results (for example, when the push order bell is won), the transmission means does not transmit the determination result command (for example, the commands "minor role type" and "winning number" are not included in the game start command).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27, in a game in which the navigation effect is not executed in the AT state, even if the push order bell is won in the internal lottery process, the commands "minor role type" and "winning number" based on the winning role are not sent from the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91, so the sub-control unit 91 can be prevented from recognizing that the push order bell has been won based on the game start command received from the main control unit 41.

(2-11) The transmission means is capable of transmitting a plurality of commands to the performance control means in a predetermined order,
The performance control means includes:
When the plurality of commands are received from the transmission means in a specific order (for example, when Se2 in FIG. 28 is YES), a first control is performed (for example, the process of step Se5 by the sub-control unit 91 shown in FIG. 28 ),
When the plurality of commands are received from the transmission means in a special order (for example, when Se3 in FIG. 28 is YES), a second control is performed (for example, the process of step Se6 by the sub-control unit 91 shown in FIG. 28 ),
When the multiple commands are received from the transmitting means in an order that is neither the specific order nor the special order (for example, when Se3 in Figure 28 is NO), a third control is performed (for example, processing of step Se4 by the sub-control unit 91 shown in Figure 28).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 28, the sub-control unit 91 can perform different control depending on the order of commands when it receives a game start command or game end command from the main control unit 41.

(2-12) The transmitting means
At a first trigger in one unit game (for example, when the start switch 7 is operated), the plurality of commands can be transmitted to the performance control means in a first specific order (for example, the main control unit 41 transmits game start commands in the first specific order),
At a second trigger (e.g., at a third stop) subsequent to the first trigger in the one unit game, the plurality of commands can be transmitted to the performance control means in a second specific order (e.g., the main control unit 41 transmits a game end command in the second specific order);
The performance control means includes:
When the plurality of commands are received from the transmission means in an order different from the first specific order at the first trigger, a special notification (for example, an error notification by the sub-control unit 91 shown at timing t1 in FIG. 30 ) can be initiated;
After the special notification has been started, the special notification is terminated when the multiple commands are received from the transmitting means in the second specific order at the second trigger (for example, the termination of the error notification by the sub-control unit 91 shown at timing t2 in Figure 30).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 30, even if an error notification is initiated within a unit game due to a missing command that occurs when the start switch 7 is operated, if there is no missing command at the subsequent third stop, the error notification will end, so minor missing commands can be easily resolved within the unit game.

(2-13) The performance control means
When the plurality of commands are received from the transmitting means in an order other than the specific order and the special order (for example, a special order) at the first trigger in one game, the special notification (for example, an error notification by the sub-control unit 91 shown at timing t1 in FIG. 31 ) is started as the third control,
After the special notification has been started, the special notification is terminated when the multiple commands are received from the transmitting means in the first specific order at the first trigger in the game following the first game (for example, the termination of the error notification by the sub-control unit 91 as shown at timing t3 in Figure 31).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 31, even if an error notification is initiated due to a missing command that occurs when the start switch 7 is operated in one game, if there is no missing command when the start switch 7 is operated in the next game, the error notification will end, so any minor missing commands that occurred in one game can be easily resolved in the next game.

(2-14) The plurality of commands transmitted in the specific order (for example, a command at the start of a game in a specific order and a command at the end of a game in a specific order) include the determination result command (for example, the commands “minor role type” and “winning number”),
The plurality of commands sent in the special order (for example, game start commands in the special order) do not include the determination result command (for example, the commands "minor winning combination type" and "winning number").

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27, the sub-control unit 91 can recognize whether the push order role is a winning role based on whether the commands "minor role type" and "winning number" are included.

[Modification]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Modifications of the above-described embodiment that can be applied to the present invention will be described below.

[Regarding error notification by the sub-control unit 91]
As described above, the sub-control unit 91 performs error notification control when the game start command and the game end command are in a special order.

In the slot machine 1 of the modified example, in order to perform error notification control, attention is paid only to the order of the commands at the start of play. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 does not perform error notification control even if the commands at the end of play are in a special order. This prevents the processing from becoming complicated, since the sub-control unit 91 only needs to determine the order of the commands at the start of play.

[About the Specialized Zone]
In the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a specialized zone is provided in the first state.

In the slot machine 1 of the modified example, a specialized zone is provided in the second state. In the specialized zone in the second state, for example, one-hit wins can be stocked with a high probability. That is, the number of one-hit wins stored as stocks is determined to be a win in the second state. In other words, if two one-hit wins can be stocked in the specialized zone in the second state, the main control unit 41 determines a one-hit win in the second state when entering the specialized zone. Furthermore, a one-hit win is also determined in the next second state. This increases the interest in playing in the second state.

[Frequency of navigation in AT mode]
In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, in the AT state, navigation performance is executed more frequently in the second section of the first state, the second state, and the ending state than in the first section of the first state.

In the slot machine 1 of the modified example, in at least one of the second section of the first state, the second state, and the ending state, the navigation effect is executed in all games in which the push order role is won. In other words, the main control unit 41 controls the state to a so-called full navigation state. This further increases the interest in the second section of the first state, the second state, and the ending state in the AT state.

[About the point lottery]
In the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, an example has been described in which the point acquisition lottery process is executed according to the flag category.

In the slot machine 1 of the modified example, the points may be updated uniformly as the game progresses, regardless of the flag category. Alternatively, the points may be updated uniformly even if the winning combination is a miss, while when a rare combination or the like is won, the points may be updated to a value greater than the value updated in the case of a miss, depending on the flag category.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18 etc., an example has been described in which the point acquisition lottery process is executed when the third stop operation is performed. In the slot machine 1 of the modified example, the main control unit 41 may execute the point acquisition lottery process when the first stop operation or the second stop operation is performed.

[About the life gain lottery]
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the life acquisition lottery process is executed when the third stop operation is performed, as shown in Figures 13, 23, etc. In the slot machine 1 of the modified example, the main control unit 41 may execute the life acquisition lottery process when the first stop operation or the second stop operation is performed.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it goes without saying that modifications and additions that do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 slot machine, 2L, 2C, 2R reels, 7 start switch, 8L, 8C, 8R stop switches, 51 liquid crystal display, 41 main control unit, 91 sub control unit.

Claims (1)

A plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identifiable identification information,
A slot machine in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit after the variable display unit is variably displayed, and a winning prize can be generated according to a display result combination which is a combination of the display results of the plurality of variable display units,
A display means capable of displaying a predetermined image;
A game control means for controlling the progress of a game;
A performance control means for controlling the performance;
a plurality of derivation operation means that are operated to derive a display result combination;
The game control means includes:
A pre-determination means for determining a display result combination that is allowed to be derived;
a derivation control means for controlling the derivation of a display result combination in response to a determination result of the advance determination means and operations of the plurality of derivation operation means;
updating means for updating a value of a specific counter in accordance with the progress of a game in a normal state;
a notification state control means for controlling an operation procedure of the plurality of derivation operation means to a notification state capable of being notified when a value of the specific counter becomes a specific value in the normal state,
The performance control means includes a notification performance means for notifying the operation procedure in the notification state,
The notification and production means notifies the user of the operation procedure corresponding to a specific determination result when the determination result of the pre-determination means becomes any one of a plurality of specific determination results;
the derivation control means is capable of deriving a combination of award display results that will result in an award win that awards a gaming value when the determination result of the pre-determination means is any one of the plurality of types of specific determination results and the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in the operation sequence corresponding to the specific determination result;
The update means includes:
updating the value of the specific counter when the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in a normal procedure, while not updating the value of the specific counter when the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in an irregular procedure different from the normal procedure;
performing a first update control for updating the specific counter so that an expected value of a value used for updating becomes a first value when a determination result of the advance determination means becomes a first determination result;
performing a second update control for updating the specific counter so that an expected value of a value used for updating becomes a second value larger than the first value when a determination result of the advance determination means becomes a second determination result;
The performance control means further includes a counter display means for displaying a counter value of the specific counter on the display means,
The counter display means is
changing a state of the counter display so that a value specified from the counter display is updated when an operation for starting a variable display of the variable display section of a next game is performed after the value of the specific counter is updated by operating the specific counter according to the normal procedure in one game ;
After the value of the specific counter is not updated due to the operation in the irregular procedure in one game , when an operation for starting the variable display of the variable display part in the next game is performed, the state of the counter display is not changed,
the irregular procedure is an operation procedure in which the deriving operation means to be operated first among the plurality of deriving operation means is different from the normal procedure,
the performance control means makes the display content of the display means, including the counter display, difficult to view when the operated derivation operation means is the derivation operation means in the irregular procedure when any of the plurality of derivation operation means is operated for the first time, and keeps the display content of the display means difficult to view until at least all of the plurality of derivation operation means are operated;
The presentation control means further includes advantageous update suggestion presentation means for executing an advantageous update suggestion presentation that suggests that the second update control is performed,
The advantageous update suggestion producing means is
When the determination result of the advance determination means becomes the first determination result, a first update suggestion effect is executed as the advantageous update suggestion effect;
When the determination result of the advance determination means becomes the second determination result, a second update suggestion effect is executed as the advantageous update suggestion effect;
The slot machine ends the advantageous update suggestion presentation when the plurality of derivation operation means are operated in the irregular procedure regardless of whether the first update suggestion presentation or the second update suggestion presentation is being executed.