JP7640418B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be controlled to create an advantageous state for the player.

Some conventional gaming machines are capable of executing suggestive effects that can suggest the degree of expectation controlled to an advantageous state, and are also capable of executing special effects that can suggest content that is advantageous to the player and different from the degree of expectation controlled to an advantageous state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-81122 A

However, in Patent Document 1, there was room for improvement in terms of improving the marketability of a gaming machine capable of executing suggestive effects and special effects.

The present invention was developed to address these problems, and aims to provide an amusement machine that can improve marketability.

(1) A gaming machine that performs variable display and can be controlled to an advantageous state that is advantageous to a player,
A suggestion effect execution means capable of executing a suggestion effect capable of suggesting an expectation level controlled to the advantageous state;
A special effect execution means capable of executing a special effect which is advantageous to a player and can suggest a content different from the expectation level controlled to the advantageous state;
A sound output means capable of outputting a performance sound;
Equipped with
The suggestion performance execution means includes:
As the suggestion performance, a first suggestion performance and a second suggestion performance having a longer execution period than the first suggestion performance can be executed,
Each of the first suggestion performance and the second suggestion performance can be executed in a plurality of performance modes including a first performance mode and a second performance mode having a higher expectation of being controlled to the advantageous state than the first performance mode;
A rate at which the second suggestion performance is executed in the second performance mode when controlled to the advantageous state is higher than a rate at which the first suggestion performance is executed in the second performance mode when controlled to the advantageous state,
The special effect execution means includes:
As the special effects, a first special effect, a second special effect suggesting a content more advantageous than the first special effect, and a third special effect having a different aspect from the first special effect and the second special effect can be executed;
In one variable display, the second special effect can be executed at different rates depending on whether the suggestion effect is executed in the second effect mode a first number of times or a second number of times that is greater than the first number of times;
The first special effect or the second special effect being executed can be changed to the third special effect.
The sound output means includes:
When the first suggestion performance is started, a performance sound corresponding to the first suggestion performance can be output over a first period,
When starting the second suggestion performance, a performance sound corresponding to the second suggestion performance can be output for a second period shorter than the first period.
It is characterized by:

The present invention may have only the invention-specific matters described in the claims of the present invention, or may have the invention-specific matters described in the claims of the present invention as well as configurations other than the invention-specific matters.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gaming machine according to an embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram showing various control boards etc. installed in a pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a performance control command. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a fluctuation pattern. An explanatory diagram showing a fluctuation pattern determination table for the first special pattern. An explanatory diagram showing a fluctuation pattern determination table for the second special pattern. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the display result determination table, (B) and (C) are explanatory diagrams showing the jackpot type determination table, (D) is an explanatory diagram showing the small jackpot type determination table, and (E) is an explanatory diagram of the jackpot type. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a data retention area for game control. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the data holding area for performance control, and (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the command buffer received at the time of start winning. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a game control main process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt process for game control. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a start winning determination process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a random number value determination process when a prize is won. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of normal special symbol processing. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a variation pattern setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol stopping process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol stopping process. This is a flowchart showing an example of pre-processing for opening a small win. A flowchart showing an example of processing during small win release. A flowchart showing an example of a small hit end processing. A flowchart showing an example of a jackpot end process. An explanatory diagram showing the waiting period for release when a jackpot game starts. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the conditions for ending the time-saving state. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a performance control main process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a performance control process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a variable display start setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a chance-up effect determination process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a chance-up effect determination process. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the determination ratio of the level to be notified in the level notification performance. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing possible chance-up effects and their contents. FIG. FIG. 13A is a timing chart of the variable display in the fluctuation pattern of super reach δ, and FIG. 13B is a timing chart of the variable display in the fluctuation pattern of super reach ε. An explanatory diagram showing the execution period and output period of each chance-up effect. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the determination ratio of the presentation pattern of each chance-up presentation. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the determination ratio of the presentation pattern of each chance-up presentation. FIG. This is an explanatory diagram showing the execution period of each chance-up effect and the percentage that is executed in each chance-up pattern. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the determination ratio of the type of chance up coin when each chance up effect is executed in a chance up pattern. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode when a reach effect is executed. An explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the small hit game state. An explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the jackpot game state. An explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the jackpot game state. An explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the jackpot game state. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a change effect in a modified example. An explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the jackpot game state in a modified example. An explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the jackpot game state in a modified example. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a determination ratio of a final notification level in a modified example. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the determination ratios of the effect patterns of the telop effects and the cut-in effects and the determination ratios of the types of chance-up coins in a modified example. FIG.

The following describes the form for implementing the gaming machine according to the present invention based on the examples.

(Basic explanation)
First, the basic configuration and control of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described.

The gaming machine of form 1 is
A gaming machine (e.g., a pachinko gaming machine 1) that can be controlled to a favorable state (e.g., a big win gaming state or a small win gaming state) that is favorable to a player,
A suggestion effect execution means (for example, a part where the effect control CPU 120 executes the variable display start setting process and the variable display during effect process shown in FIG. 27 ) capable of executing a suggestion effect (for example, a chance up effect) capable of suggesting the expectation level controlled to the advantageous state;
a special effect execution means (for example, a part in which the effect control CPU 120 executes the variable display start setting process and the variable display in progress process shown in FIG. 27 ) capable of executing a special effect (for example, a level notification effect) capable of suggesting a content that is advantageous to the player and different from the expectation level controlled to the advantageous state (for example, 10 rounds of big win game are executed when the variable display result is a big win or a small win, time-saving control is executed for a maximum of 99 variable displays after the big win game, the second special chart reserve memory contains a reserved memory in which the variable display result is a big win or a small win, etc.);
Equipped with
The suggestion performance execution means includes:
As the suggestive performance, a first suggestive performance (e.g., a button vibration performance, a reach-time voice output performance) and a second suggestive performance (e.g., a character display performance, a title performance, etc.) having a longer execution period than the first suggestive performance can be executed,
Each of the first suggestion performance and the second suggestion performance can be executed in a plurality of performance modes including a first performance mode (e.g., a non-execution or normal pattern shown in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 ) and a second performance mode (e.g., a chance-up pattern shown in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 ) having a higher expectation of being controlled to the advantageous state than the first performance mode,
The rate at which the second suggestive effect is executed in the second performance mode when controlled to the advantageous state is higher than the rate at which the first suggestive effect is executed in the second performance mode when controlled to the advantageous state (for example, as shown in Figures 35 and 36, the rate at which a character display effect or a title effect is executed in a chance-up pattern when the variable display result is a big win or a small win is higher than the rate at which a button vibration effect or a voice output effect at the time of a reach is executed in a chance-up pattern).
The special effect execution means includes:
As the special effects, a first special effect (for example, a portion in which a low level such as 1 to 9 is announced as a level announcement effect) and a second special effect suggesting a content more advantageous than the first special effect (for example, a portion in which a level such as 10 to 49 is announced as a level announcement effect) can be executed;
The second special effect can be executed at different rates depending on whether the suggestion effect is executed in the second effect mode a first number of times (e.g., once) or a second number of times (e.g., twice) that is greater than the first number of times (e.g., as shown in FIG. 38 , the more times the chance-up effect is executed in the chance-up pattern, the higher the rate at which a level such as 10 to 49 is announced as the level announcement effect).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the number of times the suggestive presentation is executed in the second presentation mode not only determines whether or not the suggestive presentation will be controlled to an advantageous state, but also suggests content that is advantageous to the player, thereby increasing the player's expectations regarding the advantageous content, thereby improving the marketability of the gaming machine.

The gaming machine of form 2 is
The special effect execution means is capable of executing the second special effect at a higher rate when the number of times the suggestive effect has been executed in the second effect mode is the second number of times than when the number of times the suggestive effect has been executed in the second effect mode is the first number of times (for example, as shown in FIG. 38 , the higher the number of times the chance-up effect is executed in a chance-up pattern, the higher the rate at which a level such as 10 to 49 is announced as the level announcement effect).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, the second special effect is more likely to be executed when the suggestive effect has been executed many times than when it has been executed few times, so that the player's expectations for advantageous content can be gradually increased each time the suggestive effect is executed, thereby improving the player's interest in the game.

The gaming machine of form 3 is
A sound output means (e.g., speakers 8L, 8R) capable of outputting a performance sound is provided;
The sound output means includes:
When the first suggestion effect is started, a sound effect corresponding to the first suggestion effect can be output over a first period (for example, as shown in FIG. 34, when a button vibration effect or a reach-time voice output effect is started, a sound effect is output over a period T1 from the start of the button vibration effect or the reach-time voice output effect).
When the second suggestion effect is started, a sound effect corresponding to the second suggestion effect can be output for a second period shorter than the first period (for example, as shown in FIG. 34, when a character display effect or a title effect is started, a sound effect is output from the start of the character display effect or the title effect for a period T2 shorter than the period T1).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, when the first suggestive effect or the second suggestive effect is started, a sound effect corresponding to the first suggestive effect or the second suggestive effect is output, thereby making it possible for the player to recognize the start of the suggestive effect, and the player can recognize that the suggestive effect being executed is the second suggestive effect by recognizing that the output of the sound effects has ended when the second period has been executed. Therefore, when the second suggestive effect is executed, the player's attention can be drawn to the suggestive effect earlier than when the first suggestive effect is executed, thereby increasing the player's expectations for content that will be advantageous to the player.

The gaming machine of form 4 is
The special effect execution means is capable of executing the second special effect at different rates when the number of times the suggestive effect has been executed in the second performance mode is the first number of times and when the number of times is the second number of times, which is greater than the first number of times, during a predetermined period (for example, the period from when the variable display in the variable pattern of Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε is started to when the variable display result is announced as the reach performance of each Super Reach) (for example, as shown in FIG. 38 , the greater the number of times the chance up performance is executed in the chance up pattern, the higher the rate at which a level such as 10 to 49 is announced as the level announcement performance);
The suggestion performance includes a predetermined suggestion performance (for example, a change performance shown in Modification 1) different from the first suggestion performance and the second suggestion performance,
The suggestion performance execution means includes:
The predetermined suggestion performance can be executed in a first execution pattern in which the predetermined period is executed from a first timing, which is a start timing before the predetermined period, throughout the predetermined period (for example, as shown in modified example 1, a portion in which the display mode of the reserved display is changed before a variable display based on the reserved display is executed), and a second execution pattern in which the predetermined period is executed from a second timing, which is a start timing within the predetermined period, throughout the predetermined period (for example, as shown in modified example 1, a portion in which the display mode of the reserved display (active display) is changed when the reserved display is displayed as an active display (when a variable display based on the reserved display is executed));
The special effect execution means includes:
When the predetermined suggestion effect is executed in the first execution pattern, the second special effect can be executed at a predetermined rate regardless of whether the predetermined suggestion effect is executed or not (for example, as shown in FIG. 62(D), a portion in which a level such as 10 to 49 is notified as a level notification effect at a rate independent of a change in the display mode of the pending display);
When the predetermined suggestion effect is executed in the second execution pattern, the second special effect can be executed at a specific ratio according to whether or not the predetermined suggestion effect is executed (for example, as shown in FIG. 62(D), a part in which a level such as 10 to 49 is notified as a level notification effect at a ratio related to a change in the display mode of the pending display (active display)).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, it becomes clear whether the execution of the predetermined suggestive performance is at the first timing or the second timing, which affects the execution of the second special performance, so that the effect of the predetermined suggestive performance can be improved while preventing confusion among the player.

The gaming machine of form 5 is
The special effect execution means includes:
A third special effect (for example, a portion in which a level such as 90 to 100 is notified as a level notification effect) that suggests a content more advantageous to the player than the first special effect and the second special effect can be executed;
The first special effect or the second special effect being executed can be changed to the third special effect (for example, as shown in FIG. 63 and FIG. 64 as a modified example 2, after level 9 or level 30 is announced as a level announcement effect, a level such as level 90 to 100 is announced in a reward acquisition effect).
The rate at which the first special effect changes to the third special effect when the first special effect is being executed is higher than the rate at which the second special effect changes to the third special effect when the second special effect is being executed (for example, as shown in FIG. 65 as a second modified example, when a level of 1 to 9 is announced as the level announcement effect, a level of 90 to 100 is announced at a higher rate than when a level of 10 to 49 is announced as the level announcement effect).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, even when the first special effect is executed, the player's expectation that it will change to the third special effect can be maintained, so that a decline in interest in the game can be prevented.

The gaming machine of form 6 is
The presentation mode of the suggestion presentation includes a third presentation mode whose execution rate when controlled to the advantageous state is lower than the first presentation mode and the second presentation mode (for example, as shown in FIG. 66(A) and FIG. 66(B) as a modified example 3, a portion in which a caption is displayed in rainbow colors as a subtitle caption presentation, and a portion in which a cut-in image is displayed in rainbow colors as a cut-in presentation),
The special effect execution means is capable of executing the second special effect at a higher rate when the suggestive effect is executed the first number of times in the third effect mode than when the suggestive effect is executed the second number of times in the second effect mode (for example, when a rainbow-colored caption is displayed as the subtitle caption effect and a rainbow-colored cut-in image is displayed as the cut-in effect (when both the subtitle caption effect and the cut-in effect notify that the game will be controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state), a portion where a high level such as 90 to 100 is notified as the level notification effect at a higher rate than when a rainbow-colored caption is displayed as the subtitle caption effect and a red or gold-colored cut-in image is displayed as the cut-in effect, or when a red or gold-colored caption is displayed as the subtitle caption effect and a rainbow-colored cut-in image is displayed as the cut-in effect (when only one of the subtitle caption effect and the cut-in effect notifies that the game will be controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state)).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, it is possible to draw the player's attention to the fact that the suggestive presentation is executed in the third presentation mode, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

The gaming machine of form 7 is
The suggestive effects include a first type of suggestive effect (e.g., a button vibration effect, a title effect, a subtitle telop effect, a cut-in effect) that suggests the degree of expectation that will be controlled to the advantageous state by using a specific element (e.g., a display color or a light-emitting color), and a second type of suggestive effect (e.g., a reach-time voice output effect, a character display effect) that suggests the degree of expectation that will be controlled to the advantageous state by using a predetermined element (e.g., a displayed image or an output sound) different from the specific element,
The first type of suggestive performance and the second type of suggestive performance each include a plurality of types of suggestive performance (for example, the first type of suggestive performance includes a button vibration performance, a title performance, a subtitle telop performance, and a cut-in performance, and the second type of suggestive performance includes a reach-time voice output performance and a character display performance).
The number of the first type of suggestive effects that can be executed by the suggestive effect execution means is greater than the number of the second type of suggestive effects that can be executed by the suggestive effect execution means (for example, as shown in FIG. 38(C), the first type of suggestive effects includes four effects, namely, a button vibration effect, a title effect, a subtitle telop effect, and a cut-in effect, and the second type of suggestive effects includes two effects, namely, a reach-time voice output effect and a character display effect).
The special effect execution means is capable of executing the second special effect at a different rate when the first type of suggestive effect is executed in the second effect mode and when the second type of suggestive effect is executed in the second effect mode (for example, when a button vibration effect, a title effect, a subtitle telop effect, or a cut-in effect that suggests the probability of a win by color (display color or light emission color) is executed, a chance-up coin other than white is displayed at a higher rate than when a reach-time voice output effect, effect, or character display effect that suggests the probability of a win by a method other than color (display image, output voice) is executed, i.e., when the variable display result is a big win or a small win, a higher rate is set for announcing a higher level in the level notification effect).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, not only can the number of times the suggestive performance is executed in the second performance mode simply determine whether or not the suggestive performance is controlled to an advantageous state, but the suggested content can create a sense of expectation in the player, and the player can be drawn to the type of suggestive performance that is executed, thereby increasing interest in the game.

The gaming machine of form 8 is
A specific performance execution means (for example, a part in which the performance control CPU 120 executes the variable display start setting process and the variable display in-progress performance process shown in FIG. 27 ) capable of executing a plurality of types of specific performance including a first specific performance (for example, a reach performance of a super reach δ) and a second specific performance different from the first specific performance (for example, a reach performance of a super reach ε),
The suggestive performance execution means is capable of executing the suggestive performance a plurality of times during the execution of the specific performance (for example, as shown in FIG. 33, during the reach performance of super reach δ, a character display performance and a title performance can be executed, and during the reach performance of super reach ε, a character display performance, a title performance, a subtitle telop performance, and a cut-in performance can be executed).
The number of times the suggestive effects can be executed differs between when the first specific effect is executed and when the second specific effect is executed (for example, as shown in FIG. 33, when a variable display is executed in a variable pattern of a super reach δ, four effects are executed as a chance-up effect, and when a variable display is executed in a variable pattern of a super reach ε, six effects are executed as a chance-up effect).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, since the second specific effect is executed before the first specific effect, it is suggested that a greater number of suggestive effects will be executed during the execution of the second specific effect than during the execution of the first specific effect, the player can be drawn to both whether the first or second specific effect will be executed and the number of times the suggestive effect has been executed in the second effect mode, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

The gaming machine of form 9 is
The suggestive effects include a first type of suggestive effect (e.g., a button vibration effect, a title effect, a subtitle telop effect, a cut-in effect) that suggests the expectation level controlled to the advantageous state using a specific element (e.g., a display color or a light-emitting color),
The first type of suggestion effect includes the first suggestion effect and the second suggestion effect (for example, a part including a button vibration effect and a subtitle telop effect),
The specific performance has an introduction section (e.g., the introduction part shown in FIG. 33) that is executed in a performance mode that is at least partially common between the first specific performance and the second specific performance, and a development section (e.g., the development part (development part A and development part B) shown in FIG. 33) that is executed in a performance mode that is different between the first specific performance and the second specific performance after the introduction section,
The number of the first type of suggestive effects that the suggestive effect execution means can execute in the introduction section is greater than the number of the first type of suggestive effects that the suggestive effect execution means can execute in the development section (for example, as shown in Modification Example 5, in the introduction section, which is the first half of the reach effect of Super Reach δ and the reach effect of Super Reach ε, a larger number of chance-up effects that suggest the rate at which the game will be controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state by a display color or a light-emitting color can be executed than in the development section, which is the second half of the reach effect of Super Reach δ and the reach effect of Super Reach ε).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, by executing more types of a first type of suggestive performance in the introduction section than in the development section following the introduction section, it becomes easier for the player to recognize the suggestive rules based on specific elements in the first type of suggestive performance, so that the presentation effect caused by the execution of the first type of suggestive performance can be easily understood by the player, thereby increasing interest in the game.

The gaming machine of form 10 is
The suggestive effects include a first type of suggestive effect (e.g., a button vibration effect, a title effect, a subtitle telop effect, a cut-in effect) that suggests the expectation level controlled to the advantageous state using a specific element (e.g., a display color or a light-emitting color),
The first type of suggestion effect includes the first suggestion effect and the second suggestion effect (for example, a part including a button vibration effect and a subtitle telop effect),
The specific performance has an introduction part (for example, the introduction part shown in FIG. 33) executed in a performance mode that is at least partially common between the first specific performance and the second specific performance, and a development part (for example, the development part (development part A and development part B) shown in FIG. 33) executed in a performance mode different between the first specific performance and the second specific performance after the introduction part,
The first type of suggestive performance executed in the development part of the first specific performance and the first type of suggestive performance executed in the development part of the second specific performance are executed in at least a part of a common performance mode (for example, as shown in variant example 4, a character display performance having the same performance mode is a performance that can be executed in the introduction part of each reach performance),
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, when the first specific effect is executed and when the second specific effect is executed, the first type of suggestive effect is executed in a presentation manner that is at least partially common in the development section of each specific effect, making it easier for the player to recognize these first type of suggestive effects, and therefore the presentation effect of the first type of suggestive effect can be accurately imparted to the player.

The gaming machine of form 11 is
The suggestive performance execution means is capable of executing the second suggestive performance at a common ratio when the first specific performance is executed and when the second specific performance is executed (for example, as shown in Figs. 33, 34, 35 and 36, when the reach performance of Super Reach δ is executed and when the reach performance of Super Reach ε is executed, a button vibration performance, a reach-time voice output performance, a character display performance and a title performance can be executed, and the determination ratio of the chance-up pattern in these button vibration performance, reach-time voice output performance, character display performance and title performance is common between the execution of the reach performance of Super Reach δ and the execution of the reach performance of Super Reach ε).
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, regardless of whether the first specific performance or the second specific performance is executed, the player can be made to pay attention to the execution of the second special performance, thereby improving the player's interest in the game.

A gaming machine of form 12 is
When the specific performance execution means is controlled to the advantageous state, the specific performance execution means is capable of executing the second specific performance at a higher rate than the first specific performance (for example, when a reach performance of a super reach ε is executed, a portion controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state at a higher rate than when a reach performance of a super reach δ is executed);
The special effect execution means is capable of executing the second special effect at a fixed rate regardless of whether the first specific effect or the second specific effect is executed (a portion in which a level such as 10 to 99 is notified as a level notification effect at a fixed rate regardless of whether the reach effect of super reach δ or the reach effect of super reach ε is executed);
It is characterized by the following.
According to this feature, even when the first specific effect is being executed, in which the rate at which the game is controlled to an advantageous state is lower than when the second specific effect is being executed, the player's sense of expectation that the second special effect will be executed can be maintained, thereby preventing a decline in interest in the game.

The following describes an embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the following, the near side of FIG. 1 is the front (front face, front) side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the far side is the rear (rear face, back) side, and the description is based on the up, down, left and right directions when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is viewed from the front side. Note that the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in this embodiment is the surface facing the player playing with the pachinko gaming machine 1. In addition, in the description of each step in the flowchart, for example, "Step S1" may be abbreviated to "S1" or "003SGS1", "Normal reach" may be abbreviated to "N reach", and "Super reach" may be abbreviated to "SP reach".

(Configuration of Pachinko Game Machine 1, etc.)
1 is a front view of a pachinko game machine 1, showing the layout of the main components. The pachinko game machine (game machine) 1 is broadly composed of a game board (gauge board) 2 that constitutes the game board surface, and a game machine frame (base frame) 3 that supports and fixes the game board 2. A game area is formed on the game board 2, and game balls as game media are shot into this game area by a predetermined ball shooting device.

Note that the "variable display" of special symbols refers to, for example, the display of multiple types of special symbols in a variable manner. Variations include updating the display of multiple symbols, scrolling the display of multiple symbols, transforming one or more symbols, and enlarging/reducing one or more symbols. In the variation of special symbols and normal symbols described below, multiple types of special symbols or normal symbols are updated and displayed. In the variation of decorative symbols described below, multiple types of decorative symbols are scrolled or updated, or one or more decorative symbols are transformed or enlarged/reduced. Note that variations also include a mode in which a certain symbol is displayed flashing. At the end of the variable display, a specified special symbol is displayed stationary (also called derived or derived display) as the display result (the same applies to the variable display of other symbols described below). Note that the variable display may be expressed as a variable display or variation.

The special pattern variably displayed on the first special pattern display device 4A is also called the "first special pattern," and the special pattern variably displayed on the second special pattern display device 4B is also called the "second special pattern." A special pattern game using the first special pattern is also called the "first special pattern game," and a special pattern game using the second special pattern is also called the "second special pattern game." There may be only one type of special pattern display device that variably displays the special patterns.

An image display device 5 is provided near the center of the play area on the game board 2. The image display device 5 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) device, and displays various presentation images. The image display device 5 may also be composed of a projector and a screen. The image display device 5 displays various presentation images.

For example, on the screen of the image display device 5, in synchronization with the first special game or the second special game, multiple types of decorative patterns (such as patterns showing numbers, etc.) that are different from the special patterns are variably displayed as decorative identification information. Here, in synchronization with the first special game or the second special game, decorative patterns are variably displayed (for example, scrolled up and down or updated) in the "left", "middle" and "right" decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C and 5R. The special game and the variable display of decorative patterns that are executed in synchronization are collectively referred to as simply variable display.

The lower part of the screen of the image display device 5 is provided with display areas (first special chart pending memory display area 5D, second special chart pending memory display area 5U) for displaying pending displays corresponding to variable displays whose execution is pending.

The number of reserved variable displays is also called the reserved memory number. The reserved memory number corresponding to the first special game is also called the first reserved memory number, and the reserved memory number corresponding to the second special game is also called the second reserved memory number. The sum of the first reserved memory number and the second reserved memory number is also called the total reserved memory number.

A first hold indicator 25A and a second hold indicator 25B, each of which includes a plurality of LEDs, are provided at predetermined positions on the game board 2. The first hold indicator 25A displays the first hold memory number by the number of lit LEDs. The second hold indicator 25B displays the second hold memory number by the number of lit LEDs.

A winning ball device 6A is provided below the image display device 5, and a variable winning ball device 6B is provided to the right of the winning ball device 6A.

The winning ball device 6A forms a first start winning hole that is always kept in a constant open state so that game balls can enter, for example, by a specified ball receiving member. When a game ball enters the first start winning hole, a specified number of prize balls (for example, three) are paid out and a first special game can be started based on the game ball being detected by a first start hole switch 22A provided in the winning ball device 6A.

The variable winning ball device 6B (normal electric device) forms a second start winning port that changes between a closed state and an open state by the solenoid 81 (see FIG. 2). The variable winning ball device 6B, for example, has a movable piece that can move forward and backward above the second start winning port, and when the solenoid 81 is in the off state, the movable piece advances, so that the tip of the movable piece covers the top of the second start winning port, and the second start winning port is in a closed state where game balls cannot enter (also referred to as the second start winning port being in a closed state). On the other hand, when the solenoid 81 is in the on state, the variable winning ball device 6B retracts the movable piece from above the second start winning port, so that the second start winning port is in an open state where game balls can enter (also referred to as the second start winning port being in an open state). When a game ball enters the second start winning hole, the game ball is detected by the first start hole switch 22A provided in the winning ball device 6A, and a predetermined number of prize balls (e.g., three) are paid out and the second special game can be started. Note that the variable winning ball device 6B is not limited to having a movable piece as long as it can change between a closed state and an open state.

At predetermined positions on the game board 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 1, three locations are provided at the lower left of the game area and one location is provided above the variable winning ball device 6B), general winning openings 10 are provided which are always kept in a constant open state by a predetermined ball receiving member. In this case, when a game ball enters one of the general winning openings 10, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 10 balls) are paid out as prize balls.

Between the winning ball device 6A and the variable winning ball device 6B, a special variable winning ball device 7 having a large winning opening is provided. The special variable winning ball device 7 has a large winning opening door that is driven to open and close by a solenoid 82 (see Figure 2), and the large winning opening door forms the large winning opening as a specific area that changes between an open state and a closed state.

As an example, in the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid 82 for the large prize opening door (for the special electric device) is in the OFF state, the large prize opening door closes the large prize opening, and game balls cannot enter (pass through) the large prize opening. On the other hand, in the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid 82 for the large prize opening door is in the ON state, the large prize opening door opens the large prize opening, and game balls can easily enter the large prize opening.

When a game ball enters the large prize opening, a predetermined number of game balls (e.g., 14 balls) are paid out as prize balls based on the game ball being detected by the first count switch 23 provided in the special variable prize ball device 7. When a game ball enters the large prize opening, more prize balls are paid out than when a game ball enters the first start prize opening, the second start prize opening, or the general prize opening 10, for example.

The entry of a game ball into each winning port, including the general winning port 10, is also referred to as a "winning". In particular, a winning ball into the starting port (first starting winning port, second starting winning port) is also referred to as a starting winning port.

In addition to the first count switch 23 described above, the special variable winning ball device 7 of this embodiment is also provided with a second count switch 24 capable of detecting game balls. The second count switch 24 is a switch for controlling the game state to a big win game state after a small win game state, which will be described later, by detecting a game ball that has entered the big win opening during the small win game state.

A normal symbol display 20 is provided at a predetermined position on the game board 2 (the lower left of the game area in the example shown in FIG. 1). As an example, the normal symbol display 20 is made up of a 7-segment LED or the like, and performs a variable display of normal symbols as multiple types of normal identification information different from the special symbols. The normal symbols are represented by numbers indicating "0" to "9" or lighting patterns such as "-". The normal symbols may also include a pattern in which all LEDs are turned off. Such a variable display of normal symbols is also called a normal symbol game.

A pass gate 41 through which the game ball can pass is provided to the right of the image display device 5. When the game ball passes through the pass gate 41, a regular game is executed.

A regular symbol pending display 25C is provided below the regular symbol display 20. The regular symbol pending display 25C is configured to include, for example, four LEDs, and displays the regular symbol pending memory count, which is the number of regular symbol games that are pending execution, by the number of lit LEDs.

In addition to the above features, the surface of the game board 2 is provided with windmills that change the direction and speed of the game balls, as well as numerous obstacle nails. At the bottom of the game area, there is an outlet that takes in game balls that do not enter any of the winning holes.

The game area in this embodiment is composed of a left game area 2L, which is an area formed to the left of the image display device 5, where game balls can flow down to enter the general winning port 10 and the first start winning port formed by the winning ball device 6A, and a right game area 2R, which is an area formed to the right of the image display device 5, where game balls can flow down to enter the second start winning port formed by the variable winning ball device 6B and the special winning port formed by the special variable winning ball device 7, and can pass through the passing gate 41.

In this embodiment, the normal state is a state in which the player mainly shoots game balls toward the left game area 2L, and the time-saving state, big win game state, and small win game state are states in which the player shoots game balls toward the right game area 2R.

Speakers 8L, 8R for playing and outputting sound effects and the like are provided at the upper left and right positions of the gaming machine frame 3. A main lamp 9a is provided above the image display device 5 on the gaming machine frame 3, and frame lamps 9b are provided on the left and right of the main lamp 9a so as to surround the playing area. Furthermore, an attacca lamp 9c is provided near the special variable winning ball device 7 on the gaming board 2.

A movable body 32 that operates according to the performance is provided at a predetermined position on the game board 2 (above the image display device 5 in FIG. 1). The movable body 32 is also provided with a movable body lamp 9d.

At the lower right position of the gaming machine frame 3, a ball-hitting operation handle (operation knob) 30 is provided, which is operated by the player or the like to launch the gaming ball toward the gaming area using the ball-hitting device.

At a predetermined position of the gaming machine frame 3 below the playing area, a ball supply tray (upper tray) is provided to hold (store) gaming balls dispensed as prize balls or gaming balls lent by a predetermined ball lending machine so that they can be supplied to the ball launching device. In addition to the upper tray, the gaming machine frame 3 may also be provided with a payout section (ball supply tray) from which prize balls are paid out when the upper tray is full.

A stick controller 31A that can be held and tilted by a player is attached to a predetermined position on the gaming machine frame 3 below the playing area. The stick controller 31A is provided with a trigger button that can be pressed by a player. Operations on the stick controller 31A are detected by a controller sensor unit 35A (see FIG. 2).

At a predetermined position on the gaming machine frame 3 below the playing area, a push button 31B is provided that the player can press to give a predetermined command. The operation of the push button 31B is detected by a push sensor 35B (see FIG. 2).

In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a stick controller 31A and a push button 31B are provided as detection means for detecting the player's actions (operations, etc.), but other detection means may also be provided.

The push button 31B is also provided with a button lamp 9e, and the button lamp 9e, together with the main lamp 9a, frame lamp 9b, attacca lamp 9c, and movable body lamp 9d described above, may be collectively referred to as the game effect lamps 9. The main lamp 9a, frame lamp 9b, attacca lamp 9c, movable body lamp 9d, and button lamp 9e are each configured to include an LED.

Furthermore, a button vibration motor 33 is built into the push button 31B. The push button 31B can vibrate when driven by the button vibration motor 33.

(Outline of game progress)
The game ball is launched toward the game area by the player rotating the ball hitting operation handle 30 provided on the pachinko game machine 1. When the game ball passes through the passing gate 41, a normal game is started by the normal symbol display 20. If the game ball passes through the passing gate 41 during the period during which the previous normal game is being played (if the game ball passes through the passing gate 41 but the normal game based on the passing cannot be played immediately), the normal game based on the passing is put on hold up to a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 4).

In this normal game, if a specific normal symbol (a normal winning symbol) is displayed as a fixed normal symbol, the display result of the normal symbol will be "normal winning". On the other hand, if a normal symbol other than a normal winning symbol (a normal losing symbol) is displayed as a fixed normal symbol, the display result of the normal symbol will be "normal losing". When it becomes a "normal winning", an opening control is performed to open the variable winning ball device 6B (the second starting winning port becomes an open state).

When a game ball enters the first start winning hole formed in the winning ball device 6A, the first special symbol game is started by the first special symbol display device 4A.

When a game ball enters the second start winning hole formed in the variable winning ball device 6B, the second special symbol game is started by the second special symbol display device 4B.

In addition, if the game ball enters (wins) the start winning hole during the period when the special game is being played or during the period when the game is controlled to the jackpot game state described below (when a start winning occurs but the special game based on the start winning cannot be played immediately), the special game based on that entry will be put on hold until a specified upper limit number (for example, 4) is reached.

In special game, if a specific special symbol (a jackpot symbol, for example, "7"; the actual symbol varies depending on the type of jackpot, as described below) is displayed as a confirmed special symbol, it is a "jackpot", and if a special symbol other than the jackpot symbol (a losing symbol, for example, "-") is displayed as a confirmed special symbol, it is a "loss".

After the display result in the special game becomes "jackpot," the game is controlled to a jackpot game state, which is an advantageous state for the player.

In the jackpot game state, the large prize opening formed by the special variable prize ball device 7 is opened in a predetermined manner. This open state continues until the opening period (e.g., 29 seconds) has elapsed, or until the number of game balls that have entered the large prize opening reaches a predetermined number (e.g., 10), whichever comes first. The open period is the maximum period during which the large prize opening can be opened in one round, and is hereinafter also referred to as the maximum opening period. This cycle in which the large prize opening is open is called a round (round game). In the jackpot game state, the round can be repeated until the predetermined maximum number of times (10 times or 4 times) is reached.

In the jackpot gaming state, the player can get prize balls by making the gaming ball enter the big prize opening. Therefore, the jackpot gaming state is an advantageous state for the player. The more rounds there are in the jackpot gaming state, and the longer the upper limit opening period, the more advantageous it is for the player.

The "jackpot" has a set type of jackpot. For example, there are multiple types of opening modes of the jackpot opening (number of rounds or maximum opening period) and game states after the jackpot game state (normal state, time-saving state, special state, etc.), and the jackpot type is set according to these. There may be jackpot types that offer many prize balls, jackpot types that offer few prize balls, or jackpot types that offer almost no prize balls.

After the jackpot game state ends, the game may be controlled to a time-saving state depending on the type of jackpot mentioned above.

In the time-saving state, control (time-saving control) is executed to shorten the average special symbol fluctuation time (period during which the special symbol fluctuates) more than in the normal state. In the time-saving state, control (high opening control, high base control) is also executed to make it easier for the game ball to enter the second start winning hole by shortening the average regular symbol fluctuation time (period during which the regular symbol fluctuates) more than in the normal state and by improving the probability of a "regular symbol hit" in the regular symbol game more than in the normal state. The time-saving state is an advantageous state for the player because it is a state in which the fluctuation efficiency of special symbols (especially the second special symbol) is improved.

The time-saving state continues until one of the end conditions is met first, such as a predetermined number of special games being played or the next big win game state starting. The end condition is that a predetermined number of special games have been played, which is also called a time-saving state (time-saving state with time-saving).

The normal state refers to a game state other than advantageous states such as a jackpot game state that is advantageous to the player, and special states such as a time-saving state and a probability-varying state, and is a state in which the pachinko game machine 1, such as the probability that the display result in the normal game will be a "normal hit" and the probability that the display result in the special game will be a "jackpot", is controlled in the same way as the initial setting state of the pachinko game machine 1 (for example, when a system reset is performed and the specified return process is not executed after the power is turned on).

The state in which time-saving control is being executed is called the high base state, and the state in which time-saving control is not being executed is called the low base state (such as the progress of the performance).

In the pachinko game machine 1, various effects (effects that notify the progress of the game or liven up the game) are executed according to the progress of the game. The effects are described below. The effects are performed by displaying various effect images on the image display device 5, but in addition to or instead of the display, the effects may be audio output from the speakers 8L and 8R, the game effect lamp 9 turning on and off, the movement of the movable body 32, or any other effect device that includes some or all of these.

As an effect that is executed according to the progress of the game, in the "left", "middle" and "right" decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C and 5R provided on the image display device 5, a variable display of decorative patterns begins in response to the start of the first or second special pattern game. At the timing when the display result (also called the determined special pattern) in the first or second special pattern game is displayed statically, the determined decorative pattern (a combination of three decorative patterns) which is the display result of the variable display of the decorative patterns is also displayed statically (derived).

During the period from when the variable display of the decorative symbols starts to when it ends, the state of the variable display of the decorative symbols may become a predetermined reach state (a reach is achieved). Here, a reach state refers to a state in which the decorative symbols that have not yet been stopped and displayed on the screen of the image display device 5 continue to be variable displayed when the decorative symbols that have not yet been stopped and displayed form part of a jackpot combination, which will be described later.

In addition, when the above-mentioned reach state occurs during the variable display of the decorative symbols, a reach effect is executed. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, multiple types of reach effects are executed with different rates (also called jackpot reliability or jackpot expectation) of the display result (the display result of the special game or the display result of the variable display of the decorative symbols) becoming a "jackpot" depending on the performance state. Reach effects include, for example, a normal reach and a super reach, which has a higher jackpot reliability than a normal reach.

When the display result of the special game is a "jackpot", a fixed decorative pattern that is a predetermined jackpot combination is derived as the display result of the variable display of decorative patterns on the screen of the image display device 5 (the display result of the variable display of decorative patterns is a "jackpot"). As an example, the same decorative patterns (for example, "7") are displayed stopped in line on a predetermined effective line in the "left", "center", and "right" decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R.

In the case of a "probability jackpot" that is controlled to a probability jackpot state after the end of the jackpot game state, odd decorative symbols (e.g., "7") may be displayed in a line, and in the case of a "non-probability jackpot (normal jackpot)" that is not controlled to a probability jackpot state after the end of the jackpot game state, even decorative symbols (e.g., "6") may be displayed in a line. In this case, odd decorative symbols are also called probability jackpot symbols, and even decorative symbols are also called non-probability jackpot symbols (normal symbols). After a reach state is reached with non-probability jackpot symbols, a promotion effect may be executed that ultimately results in a "probability jackpot".

When the display result of the special game is a "miss," the state of the variable display of the decorative pattern does not become a reach state, and the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern may display a fixed decorative pattern of a non-reach combination (also called a "non-reach miss") as a "non-reach miss" (the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern may be a "non-reach miss"). Also, when the display result is a "miss," after the state of the variable display of the decorative pattern becomes a reach state, the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern may display a fixed decorative pattern of a predetermined reach combination (also called a "reach miss") that is not a jackpot combination as a "reach miss" (the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern may be a "reach miss").

The effects that the pachinko gaming machine 1 can execute include displaying the variable display compatible display (reserved display) described above. In addition, as other effects, for example, a preview effect that predicts the jackpot reliability is executed during the variable display of the decorative pattern. Preview effects include a preview effect that predicts the jackpot reliability in the variable display currently being executed, and a pre-reading preview effect that predicts the jackpot reliability in the variable display before execution (variable display whose execution is reserved). As a pre-reading preview effect, an effect that changes the display mode of the variable display compatible display (reserved display) to a mode different from normal may be executed.

In addition, in the image display device 5, a pseudo consecutive performance may be executed in which a single variable display appears to be multiple variable displays by temporarily pausing the decorative pattern during the variable display and then restarting the variable display.

Even during a jackpot game state, a jackpot performance is executed to notify the player of the jackpot game state. The jackpot performance may include a performance to notify the player of the number of rounds, or an upgrade performance to show that the value of the jackpot game state is increasing.

In addition, for example, when a special game or the like is not being executed, a demo (demonstration) image is displayed on the image display device 5 (a customer waiting demo performance is executed).

(Board configuration)
The pachinko game machine 1 is equipped with a main board 11, a performance control board 12, a sound control board 13, a lamp control board 14, a relay board 15, and the like, as shown in Fig. 2. In addition, various boards, such as a payout control board, an information terminal board, and a launch control board, are arranged on the back of the pachinko game machine 1. Furthermore, a power supply board 17 is also equipped. The various control boards are not only electronic circuit boards such as printed wiring boards on which conductor patterns are formed and on which electrical components can be mounted, but also electronic circuit mounting boards configured to realize specific electrical functions by mounting electrical components on the electronic circuit board.

A power switch 91 is connected to the power supply board 17, and by operating the power switch 91 (turning it ON), power from an AC power source such as an external power source such as a commercial power supply, such as 100V AC, can be supplied from the power supply board 17 to electrical components including various control boards such as the main board 11 and the performance control board 12. The power supply board 17 is equipped with, for example, a rectifier circuit for converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), and a power supply circuit for converting a specified DC voltage to a specific DC voltage (for example, 12V DC or 5V DC).

The main board 11 is the main control board, and has the function of controlling the progress of the above-mentioned games in the pachinko game machine 1 (execution of special games (including reserved game management), execution of regular games (including reserved game management), jackpot game status, game status, etc.). The main board 11 has a game control microcomputer 100, a switch circuit 110, an output circuit 111, etc.

The game control microcomputer 100 mounted on the main board 11 is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 103, a random number circuit 104, and an I/O (Input/Output port) 105.

The CPU 103 executes the program stored in the ROM 101 to perform processes that control the progress of the game (processing that realizes the functions of the main board 11). At this time, various data stored in the ROM 101 (such as data on fluctuation patterns, performance control commands, and various tables referenced when making various decisions) are used, and the RAM 102 is used as the main memory. The RAM 102 serves as a backup RAM in which the stored contents are preserved for a certain period of time even if the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped in part or in whole. Note that all or part of the program stored in the ROM 101 may be deployed to the RAM 102 and executed on the RAM 102.

The random number circuit 104 counts updatable numerical data indicating various random numbers (game random numbers) used to control the progress of the game. The game random numbers may be updated by the CPU 103 executing a specific computer program (updated by software).

The I/O 105 is configured to include, for example, an input port to which various signals (detection signals) are input, and an output port for transmitting various signals (signals for controlling (driving) the first special pattern display device 4A, the second special pattern display device 4B, the normal pattern display device 20, the first hold display device 25A, the second hold display device 25B, the normal hold display device 25C, etc., solenoid drive signals).

The switch circuit 110 takes in detection signals (such as a detection signal indicating that a game ball has passed or entered and the switch has been turned on) from various switches for detecting game balls (gate switch 21, start port switches (first start port switch 22A and second start port switch 22B), first count switch 23), and transmits them to the game control microcomputer 100. The transmission of the detection signal indicates that the game ball has passed or entered.

The switch circuit 110 receives a reset signal, a power-off signal, and a clear signal from the power supply board 17 and transmits them to the game control microcomputer 100. The reset signal is an operation stop signal for stopping the operation of control circuits such as the game control microcomputer 100, and can be output using either a power supply monitoring circuit, an IC with a built-in watchdog timer, or a system reset IC. The power-off signal is turned off when the specified power supply voltage used in the pachinko game machine 1 exceeds a specified value, and is turned on when the period during which the specified power supply voltage is below the specified value continues for longer than the power-off reference time. The clear signal is turned on in response to, for example, pressing the clear switch 92 provided on the power supply board 17.

The output circuit 111 transmits solenoid drive signals (such as signals to turn on solenoid 81 and solenoid 82) from the game control microcomputer 100 to the solenoid 81 for the normal electric device and the solenoid 82 for the large prize opening door.

As part of controlling the progress of the game, the main board 11 (game control microcomputer 100) supplies presentation control commands (commands that specify (notify) the progress of the game, etc.) to the presentation control board 12 according to the progress of the game. The presentation control commands output from the main board 11 are relayed by the relay board 15 and supplied to the presentation control board 12. The presentation control commands include, for example, commands that specify various determination results in the main board 11 (for example, the display results of the special game (including the type of jackpot), the variable pattern used when executing the special game (described in detail later)), the game status (for example, the start or end of the variable display, the opening status of the jackpot opening, the occurrence of a win, the number of reserved memories, the game status), the occurrence of an error, etc.

The performance control board 12 is a sub-control board independent of the main board 11, and has the function of receiving performance control commands and executing performances (various performances according to the progress of the game, including various notifications such as driving the movable body 32, notifying errors, and notifying of power outage recovery) based on the received performance control commands.

The performance control board 12 is equipped with a performance control CPU 120, a ROM 121, a RAM 122, a display control unit 123, a random number circuit 124, and an I/O 125.

The performance control CPU 120 executes the programs stored in the ROM 121 to perform processing for executing performances together with the display control unit 123 (processing for realizing the above-mentioned functions of the performance control board 12, including determining the performance to be executed). At this time, various data (data such as various tables) stored in the ROM 121 are used, and the RAM 122 is used as the main memory.

The presentation control CPU 120 may instruct the display control unit 123 to execute a presentation based on detection signals from the controller sensor unit 35A and the push sensor 35B (signals that are output when an operation by the player is detected and that appropriately indicate the content of the operation).

The display control unit 123 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor), CGROM (Character Generator ROM), VRAM (Video RAM), etc., and executes the performance based on instructions to execute the performance from the performance control CPU 120.

The display control unit 123 displays a performance image on the image display unit 5 by supplying a video signal corresponding to the performance to be executed to the image display unit 5 based on an instruction to execute the performance from the performance control CPU 120. The display control unit 123 further supplies a sound designation signal (a signal designating the sound to be output) to the sound control board 13 and a lamp signal (a signal designating the on/off state of the lamp) to the lamp control board 14 in order to output sound synchronized with the display of the performance image and to turn on/off the game effect lamp 9. The display control unit 123 also supplies a signal to operate the movable body 32 to the movable body 32 or to a drive circuit that drives the movable body 32.

The audio control board 13 is equipped with various circuits that drive the speakers 8L and 8R, and drives the speakers 8L and 8R based on the sound designation signal, causing the speakers 8L and 8R to output the sound designated by the sound designation signal.

The lamp control board 14 is equipped with various circuits that drive the game effect lamp 9, and drives the game effect lamp 9 based on the lamp signal, turning the game effect lamp 9 on and off in the manner specified by the lamp signal. In this way, the display control unit 123 controls the sound output and the turning on and off of the lamp.

The performance control CPU 120 may be configured to execute control of audio output, turning on/off the lamp (such as supplying a sound designation signal or a lamp signal), and controlling the movable body 32 (such as supplying a signal to operate the movable body 32).

The random number circuit 124 counts updatable numerical data indicating various random number values (random numbers for performance) used to execute various performances. The random numbers for performance may be updated by the performance control CPU 120 executing a specific computer program (updated by software).

The I/O 125 mounted on the performance control board 12 includes an input port for taking in performance control commands transmitted from, for example, the main board 11, and an output port for transmitting various signals (video signals, sound designation signals, lamp signals).

The boards other than the main board 11, such as the performance control board 12, the sound control board 13, and the lamp control board 14, are also called sub-boards. As with the pachinko game machine 1, multiple sub-boards may be provided for different functions, or one sub-board may be configured to have multiple functions.

Figure 3 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a performance control command used in this embodiment. The performance control command is, for example, two bytes in length, with the first byte indicating MODE (command classification) and the second byte indicating EXT (type of command). The first bit of the MODE data (bit 7) is always set to "1", and the first bit of the EXT data is set to "0". Note that the command format shown in Figure 4 (A) is only an example, and other command formats may be used. Also, in this example, the control command is composed of two control signals, but the number of control signals that make up the control command may be one, or may be three or more.

In the example shown in FIG. 3(A), command 8001H is a first variable display start command that specifies the start of variable display in a special symbol game using the first special symbol in the first special symbol display device 4A. Command 8002H is a second variable display start command that specifies the start of variable display in a special symbol game using the second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B. Command 81XXH is a variable pattern designation command that specifies the variable pattern (variable time (variable display time)) of the decorative symbols (also called performance symbols) that are variably displayed in the "left", "middle", and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5 in response to the variable display of the special symbol in the special symbol game. Here, XXH indicates an unspecified hexadecimal number, and may be any value that is set arbitrarily according to the contents of the instruction by the performance control command. In addition, in the variable pattern designation command, different EXT data is set according to the specified variable pattern, etc.

Command 8CXXH is a variable display result specification command, which is a presentation control command that specifies a variable display result such as a special pattern or a decorative pattern. In the variable display result specification command, as shown in FIG. 4(B), for example, different EXT data is set depending on the determination result (predetermined result) of whether the variable display result (also called the variable display result) is a "miss" or a "jackpot", and the determination result (jackpot type determination result) of which of several types of jackpot type should be used if the variable display result is a "jackpot".

For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the variable display result designation command, command 8C00H is a first variable display result designation command indicating a pre-determined result that the variable display result is "miss". Command 8C01H is a second variable display result designation command notifying the pre-determined result and the jackpot type determination result that the variable display result is "jackpot" and the jackpot type is "jackpot A". Command 8C02H is a third variable display result designation command notifying the pre-determined result and the jackpot type determination result that the variable display result is "jackpot" and the jackpot type is "jackpot B". Command 8C03H is a fourth variable display result designation command notifying the pre-determined result and the jackpot type determination result that the variable display result is "small hit" and the jackpot type is "small hit A". Command 8C04H is a fifth variable display result designation command that notifies the pre-determined result and the jackpot type determination result that the variable display result is "small hit" and the jackpot type is "small hit B". Command 8C05H is a fifth variable display result designation command that notifies the pre-determined result and the jackpot type determination result that the variable display result is "small hit" and the jackpot type is "small hit C". Command 8C06H is a fifth variable display result designation command that notifies the pre-determined result and the jackpot type determination result that the variable display result is "small hit" and the jackpot type is "small hit D".

Command 8FXXH is a pattern determination command that specifies the stop (determination) of the change in the decorative pattern in each of the "left", "middle" and "right" decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, 5R of the image display device 5. The pattern determination command is also a command for notifying the pattern determination period. Command 95XXH is a game state designation command that specifies the current game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the game state designation command, different EXT data is set depending on the current game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1, for example. As a specific example, command 9500H is a first game state designation command corresponding to a game state in which time-saving control is not performed (low base state, normal state), and command 9501H is a second game state designation command corresponding to a game state in which time-saving control is performed (high base state, time-saving state).

Command A0XXH is a start of jackpot command (also called a "fanfare command") that specifies the display of a presentation image indicating the start of a jackpot game. Command A1XXH is a large prize opening open notification command that notifies the player that the large prize opening is in an open state during a jackpot game. Command A2XXH is a large prize opening post-open notification command that notifies the player that the large prize opening has changed from an open state to a closed state during a jackpot game. Command A3XXH is a end of jackpot command that specifies the display of a presentation image at the end of a jackpot game.

In the hit start specification command and hit end specification command, for example, EXT data similar to that of the variable display result specification command may be set, so that different EXT data is set according to the pre-determined result and the result of the big win type determination. Alternatively, in the hit start specification command and hit end specification command, the correspondence between the pre-determined result and the big win type determination result and the EXT data set may be made different from the correspondence in the variable display result specification command. In the big win opening notification command and the big win opening after notification command, for example, different EXT data is set according to the number of rounds executed in the big win state (for example, "1" to "10") described later.

Command B100H is a first start port entry designation command that notifies the first start condition for executing a special symbol game using a first special symbol in the first special symbol display device 4A has been established based on the occurrence of a start winning (first start winning) caused by a game ball passing through (entering) the first start winning port formed by the winning ball device 6A being detected by the first start port switch 22A. Command B200H is a second start port entry designation command that notifies the second start condition for executing a special symbol game using a second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B has been established based on the occurrence of a start winning (second start winning) caused by a game ball passing through (entering) the second start winning port formed by the variable winning ball device 6B being detected by the second start port switch 22B.

Command C1XXH is a first reserved memory number notification command that notifies the first reserved memory number so that the reserved memory number of special charts can be specified. Command C2XXH is a second reserved memory number notification command that notifies the second reserved memory number so that the reserved memory number of special charts can be specified. The first reserved memory number notification command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12 when the first start port entry designation command is transmitted, for example, based on the game ball passing (entering) the first start port and the first start condition being established. The second reserved memory number notification command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12 when the second start port entry designation command is transmitted, for example, based on the game ball passing (entering) the second start port and the second start condition being established. In addition, the first pending memory number notification command and the second pending memory number notification command may be sent in response to the start of execution of the special game when either the first start condition or the second start condition is met (when the pending memory number is reduced).

Instead of the first pending memory number notification command and the second pending memory number notification command, a total pending memory number notification command that notifies the total pending memory number may be sent. In other words, the total pending memory number notification command may be used to notify an increase (or decrease) in the total pending memory number.

The commands shown in FIG. 3(A) are merely examples, and some of these commands may not be included, or different commands may be used instead of these commands, or different commands may be added to these commands. For example, a prize ball number notification command may be provided to enable the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the game ball's entry into each winning port to be specified, a gate passage notification command to notify that the game ball has passed through the passage gate 41, and a notification command to notify the remaining number of variable display times for which the special bonus control or time-saving control will be executed.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of random numbers counted on the main board 11 side. As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, on the main board 11 side, the numerical data indicating each of the random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result, the random number value MR2 for determining the type of jackpot, the random number value MR3 for determining the variation pattern, and the random number value MR4 for determining the normal chart display result are controlled so as to be countable. Note that random number values other than these may be used to enhance the game effect. Such random numbers used to control the progress of the game are also called game random numbers.

The random number circuit 104 may count the numerical data indicating some or all of these random number values MR1 to MR4. The CPU 103 may count the numerical data indicating some of the random number values MR1 to MR4 by updating various numerical data by software using a random counter different from the random number circuit 104, such as a random counter provided in a game control counter setting unit (not shown).

The random number value MR1 for determining the special symbol display result is a random number value used to determine whether or not to control the game state to a jackpot by treating the variable display result of a special symbol or the like in a special symbol game as a "jackpot", and takes a value in the range of "0" to "65535", for example. The random number value MR2 for determining the jackpot type is a random number value used to determine the jackpot type as either "jackpot A" or "jackpot B" when the variable display result is a "jackpot", and to determine the small jackpot type as either "small jackpot A", "small jackpot B", "small jackpot C", or "small jackpot D" when the variable display result is a "small jackpot", and takes a value in the range of "0" to "299", for example.

The random number value MR3 for determining the variation pattern is a random number value used to determine the variation pattern in the variable display of special patterns and decorative patterns to one of several types prepared in advance, and can take a value in the range of "1" to "997", for example.

The random number value MR4 for determining the normal symbol display result is a random number value used to determine whether the variable display result in the normal symbol game by the normal symbol display device 20 is a "normal symbol hit" or a "normal symbol miss", and takes a value in the range of "3" to "23", for example.

The random number MR5 used to determine the initial value of MR4 is a random number used to determine the initial value of the random number MR4, and ranges, for example, from "3" to "23".

5(A) and 5(B) show the variation patterns in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a plurality of variation patterns are prepared in advance for the cases where the variable display result is a "miss" and the variable display mode of the decorative pattern is a "non-reach" and a "reach", respectively, and for the case where the variable display result is a "jackpot". The variation pattern corresponding to the case where the variable display result is a "miss" and the variable display mode of the decorative pattern is a "non-reach" is called a non-reach variation pattern (also called a "non-reach miss variation pattern"), and the variation pattern corresponding to the case where the variable display result is a "miss" and the variable display mode of the decorative pattern is a "reach" is called a reach variation pattern (also called a "reach miss variation pattern"). The non-reach variation pattern and the reach variation pattern are included in the miss variation pattern corresponding to the case where the variable display result is a "miss". The variation pattern corresponding to the case where the variable display result is a "jackpot" is called a jackpot variation pattern. The variation pattern corresponding to the variable display result being "small hit" is called the small hit variation pattern.

The jackpot fluctuation pattern and reach fluctuation pattern include a normal reach fluctuation pattern in which a normal reach reach performance is executed, and a super reach fluctuation pattern in which a super reach reach performance is executed. In this embodiment, one normal reach fluctuation pattern is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more normal reach fluctuation patterns may be provided. Also, in this feature section 003SG, five types of fluctuation patterns are provided as super reach fluctuation patterns: super reach α, super reach β, super reach γ, super reach δ, and super reach ε, but the present invention is not limited to this, and six or more or four or less types of super reach fluctuation patterns may be provided.

In this embodiment, the small hit fluctuation pattern is provided with only the super reach fluctuation pattern in which the reach performance of the super reach is executed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the small hit fluctuation pattern may be provided with both the normal reach fluctuation pattern in which the reach performance of the normal reach is executed, and the super reach fluctuation pattern in which the reach performance of the super reach is executed.

Of these variation patterns, for the big win variation pattern and the small win variation pattern, after the same special chart variation time as the miss variation pattern, an additional 15 seconds of special chart display time is set up to execute a congratulatory performance to congratulate the player that the variable display result is a big win.

In this embodiment, the jackpot fluctuation pattern, small jackpot fluctuation pattern, and miss fluctuation pattern have the same period until the variable display result is notified, preventing the player from recognizing in advance whether the variable display result is a jackpot, small jackpot, or miss based on the length of the period until the variable display result is notified.

In this embodiment, as described later, the determination ratio of each set variation pattern is set so that the variable display results become "big hit" and "small hit" in the order of super reach, normal reach, and non-reach, and therefore, in the normal reach variation pattern and super reach variation pattern, the longer the special chart variation time, the higher the expectation of a big hit or small hit.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described below, these fluctuation patterns are determined using only the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern, a random number value for determining the type of fluctuation pattern may be provided, and the type of fluctuation pattern may first be determined from these random number values for determining the type of fluctuation pattern, and then the fluctuation pattern belonging to the determined type may be determined.

The ROM 101 provided in the game control microcomputer 100 stores not only the game control program but also various table data used to control the progress of the game. For example, the ROM 101 stores table data constituting a plurality of judgment tables prepared for the CPU 103 to make various judgments and decisions. The ROM 101 also stores table data constituting a plurality of control pattern tables used by the CPU 103 to output various control signals from the main board 11, and a variation pattern table that stores a plurality of variation patterns that are the variation modes of each pattern in a variable display such as a special pattern or a normal pattern.

Figures 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams of the method of determining the variation pattern in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the variation pattern determination table to be selected varies depending on the special symbol design of the variable display to be executed, the display result of the variable display, the number of reserved memories, the game status, etc.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the variable display of the first special symbol is executed, if the game state is the normal state (low base state) and the variable display result is a jackpot, the jackpot variable pattern determination table A is selected; if the game state is the time-saving state (high base state) and the variable display result is a jackpot, the jackpot variable pattern determination table B is selected; if the game state is the normal state (low base state), the number of reserved first special symbols is one or less, and the variable display result is a miss, the miss variable pattern determination table A is selected; if the game state is the normal state (low base state), the number of reserved first special symbols is two or more, and the variable display result is a miss, the miss variable pattern determination table B is selected; and if the game state is the time-saving state (high base state) and the variable display result is a miss, the miss variable pattern determination table C is selected.

In the jackpot fluctuation pattern determination table A, of the possible values of the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern, 1 to 20 are assigned to the normal reach jackpot fluctuation pattern PB1-1, 21 to 370 are assigned to the super reach α jackpot fluctuation pattern PB1-2, and 371 to 997 are assigned to the super reach β jackpot fluctuation pattern PB1-3.

In the jackpot fluctuation pattern determination table B, the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern can take a value from 1 to 997, and the values from 1 to 997 are assigned to the non-reach jackpot fluctuation patterns PB1-4.

When the variable display result of the first special symbol in the normal state is a jackpot (first hit), the pattern determination period based on these variable patterns is set to 0.5 seconds (see 003SGS209 of the special symbol stop processing shown in FIG. 18), and the opening waiting period for the first round in the jackpot game state is set to 5 seconds (see FIG. 24). Furthermore, since these variable patterns are not subject to the execution of the chance-up effect described below, the pattern determination period based on the variable display when the variable display result of the first special symbol in the normal state is a jackpot, and the opening waiting period for the first round in the jackpot game state are restricted so that the level notification effect and reward acquisition effect described below are not executed, respectively.

In this embodiment, during the variable display of the first special symbol in the normal state, the effect that suggests that the variable display result will be a jackpot, such as the chance-up effect described later, is not executed except for the reach effect (see FIG. 28), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the chance-up effect or an effect similar to it that suggests that the variable display result will be a jackpot may be executed other than the reach effect even during the variable display of the first special symbol in the normal state. In this way, when the chance-up effect is executed during the variable display of the first special symbol in the normal state, the variable display of the first special symbol in the normal state may have more types of chance-up effects that can be executed than the variable display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol in the time-saving state. In this way, in the variable display of the second special symbol in the time-saving state, processing related to the level to be notified in the level notification effect described later can be performed for the chance-up effect that is less than the variable display of the first special symbol in the normal state, so that the processing of the level notification effect can be prevented from becoming complicated.

Furthermore, as described below, the chance up effect in this embodiment is also an effect in which the chance up coin used in the level notification effect is displayed by executing it in a chance up pattern (see Figures 40 to 54), but the present invention is not limited to this, and if the chance up effect can be executed in the variable display of the first special pattern in the normal state, the chance up coin may not be displayed even if the chance up effect is executed in the chance up pattern in the variable display of the first special pattern in the normal state. In this way, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the player's interest in the game due to the chance up coin being displayed in the variable display of the first special pattern in the normal state in which the level notification effect is not executed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when the variable display of the first special symbol is executed in the time-saving state and the variable display result is a jackpot, the jackpot variable pattern determination table B is selected and the variable pattern is determined to be PB1-4. Since the special symbol variable time excluding the celebration effect period is set to 500 ms, which is shorter than other jackpot variable patterns of the first special symbol, the chance-up effect described below cannot be executed during the variable display excluding the celebration effect period. Furthermore, the symbol determination period based on the variable pattern PB1-4 is set to 0.5 seconds (see 003SGS209 of the special symbol stop processing shown in FIG. 18), and the opening waiting period for the first round in the jackpot game state is set to 5 seconds (see FIG. 24). Therefore, during the symbol determination period based on the variable pattern PB1-4 and the opening waiting period for the first round in the jackpot game state, the level notification effect and the reward acquisition effect described below are restricted from being executed.

In this embodiment, when the variable display of the first special symbol (variable display by the variable pattern PB1-4) is executed in the time-saving state and the variable display result is a jackpot, the level notification effect is not executed during the pattern determination period based on the variable display. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the variable display of the first special symbol is executed in the time-saving state and the variable display result is a jackpot, the level notification effect is executed during the pattern determination period based on the variable display, and further, the reward acquisition effect may be executed during the opening waiting period of the first round in the jackpot game state based on the variable display. In addition, when the level notification effect is executed during the pattern determination period based on the variable display by the variable pattern PB1-4, the level to be notified may be determined to be one of 1 to 49 (see FIG. 31) so that it is not affected by any type of jackpot.

In the miss fluctuation pattern determination table A, of the possible values of 1 to 997 for the random number value MR3 for fluctuation pattern determination, 1 to 500 are assigned to the non-reach miss fluctuation pattern PA1-1, 501 to 900 are assigned to the normal reach miss fluctuation pattern PA2-1, 901 to 970 are assigned to the super reach α miss fluctuation pattern PA2-2, and 971 to 977 are assigned to the super reach β miss fluctuation pattern PA2-3.

In the miss fluctuation pattern determination table B, of the possible values of 1 to 997 for the random number value MR3 for fluctuation pattern determination, 1 to 500 are assigned to the non-reach miss fluctuation pattern PA1-2, 501 to 900 are assigned to the normal reach miss fluctuation pattern PA2-1, 901 to 970 are assigned to the super reach α miss fluctuation pattern PA2-2, and 971 to 977 are assigned to the super reach β miss fluctuation pattern PA2-3.

In the loss fluctuation pattern determination table C, the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern can take a value from 1 to 997, and the values from 1 to 997 are assigned to the non-reach loss fluctuation patterns PA1-3.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, when the variable display of the second special pattern is executed, if the game state is normal (low base state) in the variable display except for the second to fifth variable displays after the jackpot game of jackpot A and the variable display result is a jackpot, the jackpot variable pattern judgment table C is selected, if the variable display result is a jackpot in the first to fifth variable displays after the jackpot game of jackpot A, the jackpot variable pattern judgment table D is selected, if the time-saving state (high base state) after the jackpot game of jackpots B to F is reached and the variable display result is a jackpot, the jackpot variable pattern judgment table E is selected, if the game state is normal (low base state) in the variable display except for the second to fifth variable displays after the jackpot game of jackpot A and the variable display result is a jackpot, the small jackpot variable pattern judgment table A is selected, and if the jackpot game of jackpot A is reached, the small jackpot variable pattern judgment table B is selected. If the variable display result is a small win in the first to fifth variable displays after the end of the game, select the small win variable pattern determination table B; if the time-saving state (high base state) after the end of the big win game of big wins B to F is in and the variable display result is a small win, select the small win variable pattern determination table C; if the game state is in the normal state (low base state) in the variable display except for the second to fifth variable displays after the big win game of big win A and the variable display result is a miss, select the miss variable pattern determination table D; if the variable display result is a miss in the first to fifth variable displays after the end of the big win game of big win A, select the miss variable pattern determination table E; if the time-saving state (high base state) after the end of the big win game of big wins B to F is in and the variable display result is a big win, select the big win variable pattern determination table F.

In the jackpot fluctuation pattern determination table C, the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern can take a value from 1 to 997, and the values from 1 to 997 are assigned to the non-reach jackpot fluctuation pattern PB3-1.

In the jackpot fluctuation pattern determination table D, the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern can take a value from 1 to 997, and the values from 1 to 997 are assigned to the Super Reach γ jackpot fluctuation pattern PB3-2.

In the jackpot fluctuation pattern determination table E, of the possible values of the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern, 1 to 300 are assigned to the Super Reach δ jackpot fluctuation pattern PB3-3, and 301 to 997 are assigned to the Super Reach ε jackpot fluctuation pattern 3-4.

In the small win fluctuation pattern determination table A, of the possible values of the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern, 1 to 997 are assigned to the non-reach small win fluctuation pattern PC3-1.

In the small win fluctuation pattern determination table B, the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern can take a value from 1 to 997, and the values from 1 to 997 are assigned to the Super Reach γ small win fluctuation pattern PC3-2.

In the small win fluctuation pattern determination table C, of the possible values of the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern, 1 to 300 are assigned to the Super Reach δ small win fluctuation pattern PC3-3, and 301 to 997 are assigned to the Super Reach ε small win fluctuation pattern PC3-4.

In the loss fluctuation pattern determination table D, of the possible values of 1 to 997 for the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern, 1 to 997 is assigned to the non-reach loss fluctuation pattern PA3-1.

In the miss fluctuation pattern determination table E, the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern can take a value from 1 to 997, and the values from 1 to 997 are assigned to the fluctuation pattern PC3-3 for the Super Reach γ small hit.

In the miss fluctuation pattern determination table F, of the possible values of 1 to 997 for the random number value MR3 for fluctuation pattern determination, 1 to 700 are assigned to the non-reach miss fluctuation pattern PA3-2, 701 to 960 are assigned to the super reach δ miss fluctuation pattern determination table PA3-4, and 961 to 997 are assigned to the super reach ε miss fluctuation pattern determination table PA3-5.

Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of a display result determination table stored in ROM 101. In this embodiment, a common display result determination table is used for the first special chart and the second special chart, but the present invention is not limited to this, and separate display result determination tables may be used for the first special chart and the second special chart.

The display result determination table is a table that is referenced to determine whether or not to control the variable display result to a jackpot game state as a "jackpot" before a determined special pattern that is a variable display result is derived and displayed in a special pattern game using a first special pattern by the first special pattern display device 4A or a special pattern game using a second special pattern by the second special pattern display device 4B, based on a random number value MR1 for determining the special pattern display result.

In the display result determination table, a numerical value (determination value) to be compared with the random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result is assigned to the special chart display result of "jackpot" or "miss" depending on whether the game state of the pachinko game machine 1 is a normal state or time-saving state (low probability state) or a probability change state (high probability state).

In the display result judgment table, the table data indicating the judgment value to be compared with the random number value MR1 for judging the special chart display result is judgment data assigned to the decision result of whether or not to control the special chart display result to a jackpot game state as a "jackpot". In the display result judgment table, when the game state is a probability variable state (high probability state), more judgment values are assigned to the special chart display result of a "jackpot" than when the game state is a normal state or a time-saving state (low probability state). As a result, in the probability variable state (high probability state) in which probability variable control is performed in the pachinko game machine 1, the probability of determining that the special chart display result is a "jackpot" and controlled to a jackpot game state is higher (about 1/30 in this embodiment) than the probability of determining that the special chart display result is a "jackpot" and controlled to a jackpot game state when the game state is a normal state or a time-saving state (low probability state) (about 1/300 in this embodiment). That is, in the display result judgment table, judgment data is assigned to the decision result of whether or not to control to a jackpot game state so that when the game state of the pachinko game machine 1 is in a probability variable state (high probability state), the probability of deciding to control to a jackpot game state is higher than when it is in a normal state or a time-saving state.

Figure 8 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the display result judgment table. The display result judgment table is a collection of data stored in ROM 101, and is a table in which a hit judgment value to be compared with MR1 is set. The display result judgment table has a judgment value for a big hit and a judgment value for a small hit set for each of the cases where the variable display special symbol designation buffer (a value that the CPU 103 sets when executing normal special symbol processing as a value that designates a special symbol that executes variable display) is 1 (first), i.e., the first special symbol is the target for variable display, and the variable display special symbol designation buffer is 2 (second), i.e., the second special symbol is the target for variable display.

As shown in FIG. 8(A), when the variable display special pattern designation buffer is the first, a judgment value corresponding to a big win is set, but a judgment value corresponding to a small win is not set. Therefore, when the first special pattern is the target of variable display, only a big win is possible, and a small win cannot occur.

In addition, when the variable display special pattern designation buffer is set to the second, the same judgment value as when the variable display special pattern designation buffer is set to the first is set as the judgment value corresponding to a big win, and when the second special pattern is the subject of variable display, a big win occurs with the same probability as when the first special pattern is the subject of variable display, and among these judgment values, a judgment value corresponding to approximately 1/7 of a small win is set, so that when the second special pattern is the subject of variable display, there is approximately a 1/7 probability (ratio) of winning a small win.

In other words, when the value of MR1 matches any of the hit determination values corresponding to the big hit shown in FIG. 8(A), the CPU 103 determines that the special symbol will be a big hit (Big Hit A to Big Hit C). Also, when MR1 matches any of the hit determination values corresponding to the small hit shown in FIG. 8(A), the CPU 103 determines that the special symbol will be a small hit. Note that the "probability" shown in FIG. 8(A) indicates the probability (probability) of a big hit and the probability (probability) of a small hit. Also, determining whether or not to make a big hit means determining whether or not to control the game state to a big hit, but also means determining whether or not to make the stopped symbol on the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B a big hit symbol. Also, determining whether or not to make a small hit means determining whether or not to control the game state to a small hit, but also means determining whether or not to make the stopped symbol on the second special symbol display device 4B a small hit symbol.

In this embodiment, the CPU 103 uses the display result determination table shown in FIG. 8(A) to determine whether or not a big win or a small win has occurred. However, a big win determination table and a small win determination table may be provided separately, and the big win determination may be performed using a common table for the variable display of the first special pattern and the variable display of the second special pattern, regardless of the variable display special pattern designation buffer, and the small win determination may be performed using a separate table only when the variable display special pattern designation buffer is the second.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the variable display special chart designation buffer is the first, no judgment value other than the judgment value corresponding to a big win is set as a judgment value corresponding to a small win, in other words, a small win is not won, but it is also possible to set some of the judgment values other than the judgment value corresponding to a big win as a judgment value corresponding to a small win, so that a small win is won.

Figures 8 (B) and (C) are explanatory diagrams showing the jackpot type determination table (for the first special symbol) and the jackpot type determination table (for the second special symbol) stored in ROM 101. Of these, Figure 8 (B) is a table when the jackpot type is determined using reserved memory based on the game ball winning the first start winning slot (i.e., when the first special symbol is variably displayed). Also, Figure 8 (C) is a table when the jackpot type is determined using reserved memory based on the game ball winning the second start winning slot (i.e., when the second special symbol is variably displayed).

The jackpot type determination table is a table that is referenced to determine the type of jackpot, either A or B, based on the random number (MR2) for determining the type of jackpot when it is determined that the variable display result is to be a jackpot pattern. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 8(B) and (C), the jackpot type determination table (for the first special pattern) has two types of jackpots, A and B, whereas the jackpot type determination table (for the second special pattern) has only one type of jackpot, B. In other words, the jackpot that occurs when the first special pattern is displayed in a variable manner is either A or B, whereas the jackpot that occurs when the second special pattern is displayed in a variable manner is only B.

Figure 8 (D) is an explanatory diagram showing the small win type determination table stored in ROM 101. The small win type determination table is a table that is referenced to determine the type of small win to be small win A or small win B based on the random number (MR2) for winning type determination when a determination is made to make the variable display result a small win pattern. In this embodiment, if the game ball passes through the second count switch 24 during the small hit game of small hit A, that is, if a V-winning jackpot occurs, a jackpot game of jackpot type C is executed, if the game ball passes through the second count switch 24 during the small hit game of small hit B, that is, if a V-winning jackpot occurs, a jackpot game of jackpot type D is executed, if the game ball passes through the second count switch 24 during the small hit game of small hit C, that is, if a V-winning jackpot occurs, a jackpot game of jackpot type E is executed, and if the game ball passes through the second count switch 24 during the small hit game of small hit D, that is, if a V-winning jackpot occurs, a jackpot game of jackpot type F is executed. In other words, these jackpots CF are not determined by the random number value MR2 for determining the type of jackpot extracted at the time of the initial winning, but by the fact that the game ball passes through the second count switch 24 during any of the small jackpots A to D.

Now, referring to FIG. 8(E), the jackpot types in this embodiment are explained. In this embodiment, the jackpot types are set to jackpot A through jackpot F, for which time-saving control is executed after the jackpot game state ends.

Of these jackpots A through F, jackpot A is a jackpot that is repeatedly executed four times (so-called four rounds) to change the jackpot entry port to the second state that is advantageous to the player. In addition, after the jackpot game state of jackpot A ends, if the game state in which jackpot A was won is the normal state, the time-saving control is executed once for the variable display of the second special symbol, and if the game state in which jackpot A was won is the time-saving state, the time-saving control is executed seven times for the variable display of the second special symbol.

Jackpot B is a jackpot that changes the jackpot entry port to a second state that is advantageous to the player, and is repeated 10 times (so-called 10 rounds). After the jackpot game state of jackpot B ends, time-saving control is executed until 99 special game games are executed targeting the variable display of the second special pattern, or until another jackpot occurs before 99 special game games are executed.

Jackpot C is a jackpot that is repeated three times (so-called three rounds) to change the jackpot entry port to the second state that is advantageous to the player. After the jackpot game state of jackpot C ends, time-saving control is executed until seven special game games are executed targeting the variable display of the second special pattern, or until another jackpot occurs before seven special game games are executed.

Jackpot D is a jackpot that is repeated three times (so-called three rounds) to change the jackpot entry port to the second state that is advantageous to the player. After the jackpot game state of jackpot D ends, time-saving control is executed until seven special game games are executed targeting the variable display of the second special pattern, or until another jackpot occurs before 99 special game games are executed.

The jackpot E is a jackpot that is repeated nine times (so-called nine rounds) to change the jackpot entry port to a second state that is advantageous to the player. After the jackpot game state of the jackpot E ends, the time-saving control is executed until seven special game games are executed targeting the variable display of the second special pattern, or until another jackpot occurs before seven special game games are executed.

The jackpot F is a jackpot that changes the jackpot opening to a second state that is advantageous to the player nine times (so-called 9 rounds). After the jackpot game state of the jackpot F ends, the time-saving control is executed until 99 special game games are executed targeting the variable display of the second special pattern, or until another jackpot occurs before the 99 special game games are executed.

In addition, in the time-saving state, the probability of a "normal hit" increases, making it easier to get a small hit than in the normal state. Therefore, in the time-saving state and the variable display of the second special symbol up to four times immediately after the time-saving state ends, a big hit may occur as a result of the variable display of the second special symbol, or a big hit may occur when the game ball enters a V during a small hit game, resulting in a so-called consecutive win state in which big hit game states tend to occur consecutively.

In addition, in the time-saving state after the end of the jackpot game of jackpot A, the number of special games in which the time-saving control is executed is set to one, so the percentage of the variable display result being a jackpot or small jackpot in either the variable display of the second special pattern in that one time and the variable display of the second special pattern based on up to four reserved memories that occur during that one time of the variable display of the second special pattern (the total percentage of jackpots occurring in the above total of five variable displays of the second special pattern and the percentage of jackpots occurring when the game ball enters the V) is set to approximately 54%.

In addition, in the time-saving state after the end of jackpot play for jackpots C and E, the number of special games for which time-saving control is executed is set to seven, so the percentage of variable display results that will be a jackpot or small jackpot in either of the seven variable displays of the second special pattern and the variable displays of the second special pattern based on up to four reserved memories that occur during the seven variable displays of the second special pattern (the total percentage of jackpots occurring in the above total of 11 variable displays of the second special pattern and the percentage of jackpots occurring when the game ball enters the V) is set to approximately 82%.

In the time-saving state after the end of jackpot play for jackpots B, D, and F, the number of special games for which time-saving control is executed is set to 99, so the percentage of the variable display result being a jackpot or small jackpot in either of the 99 variable displays of the second special pattern and the variable displays of the second special pattern based on up to four reserved memories that occur during the 99 variable displays of the second special pattern (the sum of the percentage of jackpots occurring in the total of 103 variable displays of the second special pattern and the percentage of jackpots occurring when the game ball enters the V) is set to nearly 100%.

In this embodiment, six types of jackpots are provided, from jackpot A to jackpot F, but the present invention is not limited to this, and seven or more types of jackpots may be provided, or five or fewer types may be provided.

The RAM 102 provided in the game control microcomputer 100 shown in FIG. 2 may be a backup RAM, part or all of which is backed up by a backup power source created in a specified power supply board. In other words, even if the power supply to the pachinko game machine 1 is stopped, part or all of the contents of the RAM 102 are saved for a certain period of time (until the capacitor serving as the backup power source discharges and the backup power source is unable to supply power). In particular, at least the data corresponding to the game state, i.e., the control state of the game control means (such as a special chart process flag) and the data indicating the number of unpaid winning balls may be saved in the backup RAM. The data corresponding to the control state of the game control means is data necessary to restore the control state to before the occurrence of a power outage, etc., based on the data, when the power is restored after a power outage, etc. occurs. In addition, the data corresponding to the control state and the data indicating the number of unpaid winning balls are defined as data indicating the progress of the game.

In this RAM 102, for example, a game control data holding area 003SG150 as shown in FIG. 9 is provided as an area for holding various data used to control the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1. The game control data holding area 003SG150 shown in FIG. 9 includes a first special chart reserve memory section 003SG151A, a second special chart reserve memory section 003SG151B, a normal chart reserve memory section 003SG151C, a game control flag setting section 003SG152, a game control timer setting section 003SG153, a game control counter setting section 003SG154, and a game control buffer setting section 003SG155.

The first special symbol reservation memory unit 003SG151A stores reservation data for a special symbol game (a special symbol game using the first special symbol in the first special symbol display device 4A) that has not yet started, but in which a game ball has passed (entered) through the first start winning port formed by the winning ball device 6A and a start winning (first start winning) has occurred. As an example, the first special symbol reservation memory unit 003SG151A associates reservation numbers with the order of winning (the order of detection of the game ball) into the first start winning port, and stores, as reservation data, random number values MR1 for determining the variable display result, random number values MR2 for determining the type of winning, and numerical data indicating random number values MR3 for determining the variation pattern, which are extracted by the CPU 103 from the random number circuit 104, etc., based on the establishment of the first start condition when the game ball passes (enters), until the number of reserved data reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, "4"). The reserved data stored in the first special chart reserved memory unit 003SG151A thus indicates that the execution of a special chart game using the first special chart is reserved, and serves as reserved information that makes it possible to determine whether or not a jackpot will be reached based on the variable display result (special chart display result) in this special chart game.

The second special symbol reservation memory unit 003SG151B stores reservation data for a special symbol game (a special symbol game using a second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B) that has not yet started, but in which a game ball has passed (entered) through the second start winning port formed by the variable winning ball device 6B and a start winning (second start winning) has occurred. As an example, the second special symbol reservation memory unit 003SG151B associates reservation numbers with the order of winning (the order of detection of the game ball) into the second start winning port, and stores, as reservation data, numerical data indicating the random number value MR1 for determining the variable display result, the random number value MR2 for determining the type of winning, and the random number value MR3 for determining the variation pattern, which are extracted by the CPU 103 from the random number circuit 104, etc., based on the establishment of the second start condition when the game ball passes (enters), until the number reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, "4"). The reserved data stored in the second special chart reserved memory unit 003SG151B thus indicates that the execution of a special chart game using the second special chart is on hold, and serves as reserved information that makes it possible to determine whether or not a jackpot will be reached based on the variable display result (special chart display result) in this special chart game.

The reserved information (first reserved information) based on the establishment of the first start condition by the game ball passing (entering) the first start winning port, and the reserved information (second reserved information) based on the establishment of the second start winning condition by the game ball passing (entering) the second start winning port may be stored in a common reserved memory unit in association with the reserved number. In this case, start port data indicating whether the game ball passed (entered) the first or second start winning port may be included in the reserved information and stored in association with the reserved number.

The normal symbol reserve memory unit 003SG151C stores reserve information for normal symbol games that have not yet been started by the normal symbol display device 20, even though the game ball that passed through the passing gate 41 has been detected by the gate switch 21. For example, the normal symbol reserve memory unit 003SG151C associates the game balls with reserve numbers in the order in which they passed through the passing gate 41, and stores numerical data indicating the random number value MR4 for determining the normal symbol display result extracted by the CPU 103 from the random number circuit 104, etc. based on the passage of the game ball as reserved data, until the number reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, "4").

The game control flag setting unit 003SG152 is provided with multiple types of flags whose states can be updated depending on the progress of the game on the pachinko game machine 1. For example, the game control flag setting unit 003SG152 stores data indicating the flag value and data indicating the on or off state for each of the multiple types of flags.

The game control timer setting unit 003SG153 is provided with various timers used to control the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1. For example, the game control timer setting unit 003SG153 stores data indicating the timer values of multiple types of timers.

The game control counter setting unit 003SG154 is provided with multiple types of counters for counting count values used to control the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1. For example, the game control counter setting unit 003SG154 stores data indicating the count values of each of the multiple types of counters. Here, the game control counter setting unit 003SG154 may be provided with a random counter for counting some or all of the game random numbers in a manner that allows the CPU 103 to update them by software.

In the random counter of the game control counter setting unit 003SG154, random numbers not generated by the random number circuit 104, for example, numerical data indicating random numbers MR1 to MR4, are stored as random count values, and the numerical data indicating each random number is updated periodically or irregularly according to the execution of software by the CPU 103. The software executed by the CPU 103 to update the random count value may be for updating the random count value separately from the updating operation of the numerical data in the random number circuit 104, or may be for updating the random count value by performing a predetermined process such as scrambling or arithmetic processing on all or part of the numerical data extracted from the random number circuit 104.

The game control buffer setting unit 003SG155 is provided with various buffers that temporarily store data used to control the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1. For example, the game control buffer setting unit 003SG155 stores data indicating the buffer values in each of multiple types of buffers.

The ROM 121 mounted on the performance control board 12 shown in FIG. 2 stores not only a performance control program, but also various data tables used to control performance operations. For example, the ROM 121 stores table data constituting multiple judgment tables prepared for the performance control CPU 120 to make various judgments, decisions, and settings, pattern data constituting various performance control patterns, and the like.

As an example, the ROM 121 stores a presentation control pattern table that stores multiple types of presentation control patterns that the presentation control CPU 120 uses to control presentation operations by various presentation devices (e.g., the image display device 5, speakers 8L, 8R, game effect lamp 9 and decorative LEDs, presentation model, etc.). The presentation control patterns correspond to various presentation operations executed according to the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1 and are composed of data indicating the control content. The presentation control pattern table may store, for example, a presentation control pattern for when a special chart is displayed variably, a preview presentation control pattern, various presentation control patterns, etc.

The special symbol variable display performance control pattern corresponds to a number of different variation patterns and is composed of data indicating the control contents of various performance operations, such as the variable display operation of decorative symbols, the reach performance, the re-draw performance, and the like, during the period from when the special symbol starts to vary in the special symbol game until the confirmed special symbol that is the special symbol display result is derived and displayed, or various performance display operations that do not involve the variable display of decorative symbols. The advance notice performance control pattern is composed of data indicating the control contents of the performance operation that becomes the advance notice performance that is executed in response to advance notice patterns, of which multiple patterns are prepared in advance. The various performance control patterns correspond to various performance operations that are executed depending on the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1 and are composed of data indicating the control contents.

The control patterns for controlling the presentation of special charts during variable display may include, for example, multiple types of reach presentation control patterns in which the presentation manner in each reach presentation is different for each variation pattern that executes the reach presentation.

The RAM 122 mounted on the performance control board 12 shown in Figure 2 is provided with a performance control data holding area 003SG190 as shown in Figure 10 (A) as an area for holding various data used to control performance operations. The performance control data holding area 003SG190 shown in Figure 10 (A) includes a performance control flag setting unit 003SG191, a performance control timer setting unit 003SG192, a performance control counter setting unit 003SG193, and a performance control buffer setting unit 003SG194.

The performance control flag setting unit 003SG191 is provided with multiple types of flags whose states can be updated according to the performance operation state, such as the display state of the performance image on the screen of the image display device 5, and the performance control commands sent from the main board 11. For example, the performance control flag setting unit 003SG191 stores data indicating the flag value and data indicating the on or off state for each of the multiple types of flags.

The performance control timer setting unit 003SG192 is provided with multiple types of timers that are used to control the progress of various performance operations, such as the display operation of a performance image on the screen of the image display device 5. For example, the performance control timer setting unit 003SG192 stores data indicating the timer values of each of the multiple types of timers.

The performance control counter setting unit 003SG193 is provided with multiple types of counters used to control the progress of various performance operations. For example, the performance control counter setting unit 003SG193 stores data indicating the count values of each of the multiple types of counters.

The performance control buffer setting unit 003SG194 is provided with various buffers that temporarily store data used to control the progress of various performance operations. For example, the performance control buffer setting unit 003SG194 stores data indicating the buffer values for each of multiple types of buffers.

In this embodiment, the data constituting the start winning time receiving command buffer 003SG194A as shown in FIG. 10(B) is stored in a predetermined area of the performance control buffer setting unit 003SG194. The start winning time receiving command buffer 003SG194A has a storage area (area corresponding to buffer numbers "1-1" to "1-4") corresponding to the maximum value of the total reserved memory number of the first special symbol reserved memory (for example, "4") and a storage area (area corresponding to buffer number "1-0") corresponding to the first special symbol being displayed variably. The start winning time receiving command buffer 003SG194A also has a storage area (area corresponding to buffer numbers "2-1" to "2-4") corresponding to the maximum value of the total reserved memory number of the second special symbol reserved memory (for example, "4") and a storage area (area corresponding to buffer number "2-0") corresponding to the second special symbol being displayed variably. When a start win occurs at the first start win port or the second start win port, a set of three commands, namely, a start win designation command (first start win designation command or second start win designation command), a pattern designation command, and a reserved memory number notification command (first reserved memory number notification command or second reserved memory number notification command), is sent from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12. The storage area corresponding to the first special pattern reserved memory and the storage area corresponding to the second special pattern reserved memory in the start win reception command buffer 003SG194A are provided with storage areas (entries) for storing these start win designation commands, pattern designation commands, and reserved memory number notification commands separately in the first special pattern reserved memory and the second special pattern reserved memory.

The contents of these storage areas (entries) are shifted up one at a time when the start condition is met and the variable display of the top reserved memory (buffer number "1-1" or buffer number "2-1") begins, as described below, and the contents of buffer number "1-0" or buffer number "2-0", which stores the contents of the reserved memory for which the start condition is met, are cleared in the decorative pattern change stop process that is executed when the variable display ends.

Furthermore, in the start winning time reception command buffer 003SG194A of this embodiment, a memory area is reserved for each of the buffer numbers "2-0" to "2-4" of the second special chart reserved memory in order to set a panel pattern determined flag indicating that the pattern (panel pattern) of the variable display corresponding panel and the second special chart reserved memory corresponding panel to be displayed on the image display device 5 in the second special chart variable display corresponding panel display performance processing (Figure 26) described below has already been determined.

When a first winning entry is made to the first winning entry, the CPU 120 for controlling the performance stores the command from the top (the entry with the lowest buffer number) of the free entry corresponding to the first special symbol reserved memory in the command buffer 003SG194A for receiving the command at the time of winning, and when a second winning entry is made to the second winning entry, the CPU 120 stores the command from the top (the entry with the lowest buffer number) of the free entry corresponding to the second special symbol reserved memory in the command buffer 003SG194A for receiving the command at the time of winning. When a winning entry is made to the first winning entry, the command from the starting entry designation command to the reserved memory number notification command is sent in sequence. Therefore, when a command is received, the command from the starting entry designation command, the pattern designation command, and the reserved memory number notification command are stored in the storage area corresponding to the last "1" to "4" of the buffer number corresponding to the first or second special symbol reserved memory, in that order.

Whenever the variable display of the decorative pattern is started, the commands stored in the start winning reception command buffer 003SG194A shown in FIG. 10(B) are deleted from the entry corresponding to the reserved memory of the variable display that was just ended (the entry with buffer number "1-0" or "2-0"), and the contents stored in the entry corresponding to the reserved memory of the variable display that is about to start (the entry corresponding to buffer number "1-1" or "2-1") and the contents stored in the entries after the reserved memory of the variable display that is about to start are shifted. For example, when the variable display of the decorative pattern of the first special pattern reserved memory is ended in the storage state shown in FIG. 10(B), the commands stored in buffer number "0" are deleted, the commands stored in buffer number "1" are shifted to buffer number "0", the commands stored in the area corresponding to buffer number "2" are shifted to the area corresponding to buffer number "1", and the commands stored in the areas corresponding to buffer numbers "3" and "4" are shifted to the areas corresponding to buffer numbers "2" and "3". Therefore, buffer number "0" becomes the area (entry) for storing each command related to the pending memory that is variably displayed at that time.

In this embodiment, when the performance control CPU 120 executes the command analysis process (S75), it determines whether or not it has received a start winning designation command, a pattern designation command, or a pending memory count notification command. If these commands have been received, these commands are stored at the top of the free area of the start winning time reception command buffer 003SG194A as pending memory for each special pattern.

(Operation)
Next, the operation (function) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described.

(Main Operations of Main Board 11)
First, a description will be given of the main operations of the main board 11. When power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started, the game control microcomputer 100 is started, and a game control main process is executed by the CPU 103. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the game control main process executed by the CPU 103 on the main board 11.

In the game control main process shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 103 first sets interrupts to be prohibited (step S1). Then, it performs the necessary initial settings (step S2). The initial settings include setting the stack pointer, register settings for built-in devices (CTC (counter/timer circuit), parallel input/output port, etc.), and setting the RAM 102 to be accessible.

Next, it is determined whether the recovery condition is met (step S3). The recovery condition can be met when the clear signal is off, backup data is present, and the backup RAM is normal. When power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started, if a clear switch provided on the power supply board 17 is pressed, for example, an on-state clear signal is input to the game control microcomputer 100. If such an on-state clear signal is input, it is determined in step S3 that the recovery condition is not met. The backup data only needs to be capable of being stored in the RAM 102, which serves as the backup RAM for game control. In step S3, it is determined whether the recovery condition can be met by checking or inspecting the presence or absence of backup data and the presence or absence of data errors.

If the recovery condition is met (step S3; Yes), recovery processing (step S4) is executed, followed by random number circuit setting processing (step S8). The recovery processing in step S4 sets a working area based on the contents stored in RAM 102. By setting the working area using the backup data stored in RAM 102, the game state when the power supply was stopped is restored, and if, for example, a special symbol was fluctuating, it is sufficient if the fluctuating special symbol can be resumed from the state before the stoppage.

If the recovery condition is not satisfied (step S3; No), the initialization process (step S6) is executed, and then the random number circuit setting process (step S8) is executed. The initialization process of step S6 includes a clearing process that clears flags, counters, and buffers stored in RAM 102, and the execution of the clearing process sets initial values in the working area.

After executing the random number circuit setting process (step S8), the CPU 103 sets the register of the CTC built into the game control microcomputer 100 so that a timer interrupt occurs periodically at a predetermined time (e.g., every 2 ms) (step S9), and permits the interrupt (step S10). After that, the process enters a loop. After that, an interrupt request signal is sent from the CTC to the CPU 103 at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every 2 ms), and the CPU 103 can periodically execute the timer interrupt process.

When the CPU 103 that has executed such game control main processing receives an interrupt request signal from the CTC and accepts the interrupt request, it executes the game control timer interrupt processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12. When the game control timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 12 is started, the CPU 103 first executes a predetermined switch processing to determine whether or not detection signals have been received from various switches such as the gate switch 21, the first start port switch 22A, the second start port switch 22B, and the first count switch 23 via the switch circuit 110 (step S21). Next, by executing a predetermined main side error processing, it performs an abnormality diagnosis of the pachinko game machine 1, and makes it possible to issue a warning if necessary depending on the diagnosis result (step S22). After that, by executing a predetermined information output processing, it outputs data such as jackpot information (information indicating the number of jackpots), start information (information indicating the number of start winnings), and probability fluctuation information (information indicating the number of times the game has entered a probability variable state) that are supplied to a hall management computer installed outside the pachinko game machine 1 (step S23).

Following the information output process, a game random number update process is executed to update at least a portion of the game random numbers used on the main board 11 side by software (step S24). After this, the CPU 103 executes a special symbol process process (step S25). By the CPU 103 executing the special symbol process process at each timer interrupt, the execution and reservation management of the special symbol game, the control of the jackpot game state, the control of the game state, etc. are realized.

Following the special symbol process, the normal symbol process is executed (step S26). The CPU 103 executes the normal symbol process at each timer interrupt, enabling the execution and reservation management of the normal symbol game based on the detection signal from the gate switch 21 (based on the game ball passing through the passing gate 41), and the opening control of the variable winning ball device 6B based on a "normal symbol hit". The normal symbol game is executed by driving the normal symbol display 20, and the number of reserved normal symbols is displayed by lighting the normal symbol reservation display 25C.

After executing the normal symbol process processing, as part of the game control timer interrupt processing, processing when a power outage occurs, processing for paying out prize balls, etc. may be performed. After that, the CPU 103 executes a command control processing (step S27). The CPU 103 may set a performance control command for transmission in each of the above processes. In the command control processing of step S27, a process is performed to transmit the performance control command set for transmission to a sub-side control board such as the performance control board 12. After executing the command control processing, the interrupt is permitted and then the game control timer interrupt processing is terminated.

(Special pattern processing)
Fig. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the special symbol process executed in step S25 shown in Fig. 12. In this special symbol process, the CPU 103 first executes a start winning determination process (step S101).

In the start winning judgment process, a process is executed to detect the occurrence of a start winning, store the reserved information in a specified area of the RAM 102, and update the reserved memory number. When a start winning occurs, a random number value for determining the display result (including the type of big win) and the variation pattern is extracted and stored as reserved information. In addition, a process for predicting and judging the display result and the variation pattern based on the extracted random number value may be executed. After the reserved information and the reserved memory number are stored, a transmission setting is performed to transmit a performance control command to the performance control board 12 to specify the judgment results such as the occurrence of a start winning, the reserved memory number, and the predictive judgment. The performance control command at the time of the start winning that has been set for transmission in this way is transmitted from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12, for example, after the special pattern process is completed, by executing the command control process of step S27 shown in FIG. 12.

After executing the start winning determination process in step S101, the CPU 103 selects and executes one of the processes in steps S110 to S120 depending on the value of the special symbol process flag provided in the RAM 102. Note that in each step of the special symbol process (steps S110 to S120), a transmission setting is made to transmit a performance control command corresponding to each step to the performance control board 12.

The normal special pattern processing in step S110 is executed when the value of the special pattern process flag is "0" (initial value). In this normal special pattern processing, a determination is made as to whether or not to start the first special pattern game or the second special pattern game based on the presence or absence of reserved information. In addition, in the normal special pattern processing, based on a random number value for determining the display result, whether or not the display result of the special pattern or the decorative pattern is to be a "big win" or a "small win", and if it is a "big win", the type of big win is determined (pre-determined) before the display result is derived and displayed. Furthermore, in the normal special pattern processing, a determined special pattern (either a big win pattern, a small win pattern, or a miss pattern) to be stopped and displayed in the special pattern game is set in response to the determined display result. After that, the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "1", and the normal special pattern processing is terminated. In addition, the special pattern game using the second special pattern may be executed in priority over the special pattern game using the first special pattern (also called special pattern 2 priority consumption). Also, the order in which the game balls enter the first start winning slot and the second start winning slot may be stored, and the conditions for starting the special game may be met in the order in which the balls enter (also called winning order consumption).

When making various decisions based on random number values, various tables stored in ROM 101 (tables in which decision values compared with random number values are assigned to decision results) are referenced. The same applies to other decisions on the main board 11 and various decisions on the performance control board 12. On the performance control board 12, various tables are stored in ROM 121.

The fluctuation pattern setting process of step S111 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "1". This fluctuation pattern setting process includes a process of determining the fluctuation pattern to one of multiple types using a random number value for determining the fluctuation pattern based on a pre-determined result of whether the display result is a "big hit" or a "small hit". In the fluctuation pattern setting process, when the fluctuation pattern is determined, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "2" and the fluctuation pattern setting process ends.

The variation pattern specifies the execution time of the special game (special game variation time) (which is also the execution time of the variable display of the decorative symbols), the manner of the variable display of the decorative symbols (whether or not there is a reach, etc.), and the content of the presentation during the variable display of the decorative symbols (type of reach presentation, etc.), and is also called the variable display pattern.

The special pattern change process of step S112 is executed when the value of the special pattern process flag is "2". This special pattern change process includes a process for making settings to change the special pattern in the first special pattern display device 4A and the second special pattern display device 4B, and a process for measuring the elapsed time since the special pattern started to change. It also determines whether the measured elapsed time has reached the special pattern change time corresponding to the change pattern. Then, when the elapsed time since the special pattern started to change reaches the special pattern change time, the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "3", and the special pattern change process ends.

The special pattern stop process of step S113 is executed when the value of the special pattern process flag is "3". This special pattern stop process includes a process for setting the first special pattern display device 4A or the second special pattern display device 4B to stop the fluctuation of the special pattern and to stop displaying (deriving) the confirmed special pattern that is the display result of the special pattern. If the display result is a "big win", the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "4". On the other hand, if the big win flag is off and the display result is a "small win", the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "8". If the display result is a "miss", the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "0". If the display result is a "small win" or "miss", when the time-saving state or the probability change state is controlled and the end of the number of times is established, the game state is also updated. When the value of the special pattern process flag is updated, the special pattern stop process ends.

The pre-opening process for the jackpot in step S114 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "4". This pre-opening process for the jackpot includes a process for setting the jackpot opening port to open by starting the execution of a round in the jackpot game state based on the display result being "jackpot". When the jackpot opening port is opened, a process for supplying a solenoid drive signal to the solenoid 82 for the jackpot opening port is executed. At this time, for example, depending on the type of jackpot, the maximum open period for opening the jackpot opening port and the maximum number of rounds to be executed are set. When these settings are completed, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "5" and the pre-opening process for the jackpot is completed.

The jackpot opening process of step S115 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "5". This jackpot opening process includes a process for measuring the time that has elapsed since the jackpot opening was opened, and a process for determining whether or not it is time to return the jackpot opening from an open state to a closed state based on the measured elapsed time and the number of game balls detected by the first count switch 23. When the jackpot opening is to be returned to a closed state, a process for stopping the supply of a solenoid drive signal to the solenoid 82 for the jackpot opening door is executed, and then the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "6", and the jackpot opening process is terminated.

The post-jackpot release process of step S116 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "6". This post-jackpot release process includes a process for determining whether the number of times the round that opens the big prize opening has been executed has reached a set upper limit, and a process for making settings to end the jackpot game state when the upper limit has been reached. When the number of times the round has been executed has not reached the upper limit, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "5", whereas when the number of times the round has been executed has reached the upper limit, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "7". When the value of the special chart process flag is updated, the post-jackpot release process ends.

The jackpot end process of step S117 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "7". This jackpot end process includes a process of waiting until a waiting time corresponding to the period during which an ending presentation is executed as a presentation operation that notifies the end of the jackpot game state has elapsed, and a process of making various settings for starting special rate control or time-saving control in response to the end of the jackpot game state. When such settings are made, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "0", and the jackpot end process ends.

The small win pre-opening process in step S118 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "8". This small win pre-opening process includes a process for setting the large prize opening to an open state in the small win game state based on the display result being "small win". At this time, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "9", and the small win pre-opening process ends.

The small win open processing of step S119 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "9". This small win open processing includes a process for measuring the time that has elapsed since the large prize opening was opened, and a process for determining whether or not it is time to return the large prize opening from an open state to a closed state based on the measured elapsed time. When the large prize opening is returned to a closed state and it is time to end the small win game state, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "10" and the small win open processing ends.

The small win end process of step S120 is executed when the value of the special chart process flag is "10". This small win end process includes a process of waiting until a waiting time corresponding to the period during which the presentation operation that notifies the end of the small win game state is executed has elapsed. Here, when the small win game state ends, the game state in the pachinko game machine 1 before the small win game state is entered is continued. When the waiting time at the end of the small win game state has elapsed, the value of the special chart process flag is updated to "0", and the small win end process ends.

(Start winning judgment process)
14 is a flow chart showing the start winning judgment process (S101) shown in FIG. 13. In the start winning judgment process, the CPU 103 first judges whether the first start hole switch 22A is on or not based on a detection signal from the first start hole switch 22A provided corresponding to the first start winning hole formed by the winning ball device 6A (003SGS101). At this time, if the first start hole switch 22A is on (003SGS101; Y), it judges whether the first special symbol reserved memory number, which is the reserved memory number of the special symbol game using the first special symbol, is a predetermined upper limit value (for example, "4" as the upper limit memory number) (003SGS102). The CPU 103 may specify the first special symbol reserved memory number by reading the first reserved memory number count value, which is the stored value of the first reserved memory number counter provided in the game control counter setting unit 003SG154, for example. When the number of reserved first special charts in 003SGS102 is not the upper limit (003SGS102; N), for example, the storage value of the start port buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit 003SG155 is set to "1" (003SGS103).

When the first start port switch 22A is off in 003SGS101 (003SGS101; N) or when the first special symbol reserved memory number has reached the upper limit in 003SGS102 (003SGS102; Y), the second start port switch 22B, which is provided corresponding to the second start entry port formed by the variable winning ball device 6B, is judged to be on or not (003SGS104). At this time, if the second start port switch 22B is on (003SGS104; Y), it is judged to be whether the second special symbol reserved memory number, which is the reserved memory number of the special symbol game using the second special symbol, has reached a predetermined upper limit (for example, "4" as the upper limit memory number) (003SGS105). The CPU 103 can specify the number of reserved second special figures by, for example, reading the second reserved memory count value, which is the stored value of the second reserved memory count counter provided in the game control counter setting unit 003SG154. When the second reserved memory count in 003SGS105 is not the upper limit value (003SGS105; N), for example, the storage value of the start port buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit 003SG155 is set to "2" (S106).

After executing any of the processes of 003SGS103 and 003SGS106, the number of reserved memories corresponding to the start port buffer value, which is the stored value of the start port buffer, is updated to add 1 (003SGS107). For example, when the start port buffer value is "1", the first reserved memory count value is added by 1, while when the start port buffer value is "2", the second reserved memory count value is added by 1. Thus, the first reserved memory count value is updated to increase by 1 when the game ball passes (enters) the first start winning port and the first start condition corresponding to the special game using the first special game is established. In addition, the second reserved memory count value is updated to increase by 1 when the game ball passes (enters) the second start winning port and the second start condition corresponding to the special game using the second special game is established. At this time, the total reserved memory number is also updated to add 1 (003SGS108). For example, the total reserved memory count value, which is the stored value of the total reserved memory count counter provided in the game control counter setting unit 003SG154, can be updated to add 1.

After executing the process of 003SGS108, the CPU 103 extracts numerical data indicating the random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result, the random number value MR2 for determining the type of winning, and the random number value MR3 for determining the variation pattern from the numerical data updated by the random number circuit 104 and the random counter of the game control counter setting unit 003SG154 (003SGS109). The numerical data indicating each random number value thus extracted is stored by being set as reserved information at the beginning of an empty entry in the special chart reserved memory unit according to the start port buffer value (003SGS110). For example, when the start port buffer value is "1", the numerical data indicating the random number values MR1 to MR3 are stored in the first special chart reserved memory unit 003SG151A, while when the start port buffer value is "2", the numerical data indicating the random number values MR1 to MR3 are stored in the second special chart reserved memory unit 003SG151B.

The numerical data indicating the random number value MR1 for determining the special symbol display result and the random number value MR2 for determining the type of hit are used to determine whether the variable display result of the special symbol or decorative symbol is a "big hit" or a "small hit", and further to determine the type of big hit if the variable display result is a "big hit". The random number value MR3 for determining the variation pattern is used to determine the variation pattern including the variable display time of the special symbol or decorative symbol. By executing the processing of 003SGS109, the CPU 103 extracts numerical data indicating all of the random number values used to determine the variable display state including the variable display result and the variable display time of the special symbol or decorative symbol.

Following the processing of 003SGS110, the sending setting of the start port winning designation command according to the start port buffer value is performed (003SGS111). For example, when the start port buffer value is "1", the storage address of the first start port winning designation command table in ROM 101 is stored in the buffer area specified by the transmission command pointer in the transmission command buffer, and the setting is performed to send the first start port winning designation command to the performance control board 12. On the other hand, when the start port buffer value is "2", the storage address of the second start port winning designation command table in ROM 101 is stored in the buffer area of the transmission command buffer, and the setting is performed to send the second start port winning designation command to the performance control board 12. The start port winning designation command thus set is transmitted from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12, for example, by executing the command control process of S27 shown in FIG. 4 after the special pattern process is completed.

Following the processing of 003SGS111, the CPU 103 executes a winning random number value determination process (003SGS112). After that, the CPU 103 performs settings for sending a pending memory number notification command to the performance control board 12, for example by storing the storage address of the pending memory number notification command table in the ROM 101 in a buffer area specified by the transmission command pointer in the transmission command buffer (003SGS113). The pending memory number notification command thus set is transmitted from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12, for example by executing the command control process of S27 shown in FIG. 4 after the special symbol process process is completed.

After executing the process of 003SGS113, it is determined whether the start port buffer value is "1" (003SGS114). At this time, if the start port buffer value is "1" (Y in 003SGS114), the start port buffer is cleared and its stored value is initialized to "0" (003SGS115), and then the process of 2390SGS104 is started. In contrast, if the start port buffer value is "2" (N in 003SGS114), the start port buffer is cleared and its stored value is initialized to "0" (003SGS116), and then the start winning process is terminated. This ensures that the process based on the detection of both valid start winnings can be completed reliably, even if both the first start port switch 22A and the second start port switch 22B simultaneously detect the start winning of a valid game ball.

(Random value judgment process when winning)
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of a process executed by the 003SGS112 in FIG. 14 as a winning random number value determination process. In this embodiment, when the variable display of the special symbol or the decorative symbol is started, the special symbol normal process determines whether or not the special symbol display result (the variable display result of the special symbol) is controlled to a big win game state as a "big win" or whether or not it is controlled to a small win game state as a "small win". In addition, in the variable pattern setting process, a variable pattern that specifically specifies the variable display mode of the decorative symbol is determined. On the other hand, apart from these determinations, at the timing when the game ball is detected at the start winning hole (the first start winning hole or the second start winning hole), the CPU 103 executes the winning random number value determination process of S112 to determine whether or not it is determined that the big win symbol or the small win symbol is derived and displayed as the special symbol display result. As a result, before the variable display of special patterns and decorative patterns based on the detection of a game ball entering the starting winning hole begins, in other words, before it is determined whether or not a big win will be reached at the start of the variable display, it is determined that the special pattern display result will be a "big win" or a "small win," and based on this determination result, various chance-up effects, as will be described later, are executed by the effect control CPU 120, etc.

In the winning random number value judgment process shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 103 first selects and sets the display result judgment table shown in FIG. 8(A) (003SGS121). Then, based on the start port buffer value and the numerical data indicating the random number value MR1 for special chart display result judgment extracted by 003SGS109 in FIG. 14, it judges whether or not it is within a predetermined jackpot judgment range (003SGS122). In the jackpot judgment range, individual judgment values assigned to the special chart display result of "jackpot" in the display result judgment table selected by the processing of 003SGS121 are set, and the CPU 103 can compare the random number value MR1 with each judgment value one by one to judge whether or not there is a judgment value that matches the random number value MR1. Alternatively, numerical values indicating the minimum (lower limit) and maximum (upper limit) judgment values included in the jackpot judgment range may be set, and the CPU 103 may compare the random number value MR1 with the minimum and maximum values of the jackpot judgment range to determine whether the random number value MR1 is within the jackpot judgment range. In this case, by determining that the random number value MR1 is within the jackpot judgment range, it can be determined that the variable display result based on the reserved data including the random number value MR1 is determined to be a "jackpot".

If 003SGS122 determines that the value is not within the jackpot determination range, i.e., if it is determined that the jackpot will not be reached during variable display (003SGS122; N), it is determined whether the start port buffer value is 1 or not (003SGS123). If the start port buffer value is 2 (003SGS123; N), it is further determined whether the numerical data indicating the random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result extracted in 003SGS109 in FIG. 14 is within a predetermined small jackpot determination range (003SGS124).

If the start port buffer value is 1 in 003SGS123 (003SGS123; Y) or if the random number value MR1 is not within the small win determination range in 1003SGS124 (003SGS124; N), the system sets up the sending of a symbol designation command corresponding to a miss and ends the winning random number value determination process (003SGS125).

In addition, if the random number value MR1 in 003SGS124 is within the small win determination range (003SGS124; Y), the small win type determination table shown in FIG. 8 (D) is selected (003SGS126), and it is determined whether the value of the random number value MR2 for winning type determination extracted in 003SGS109 in FIG. 14 is within the small win A determination range (003SGS127). If the value of the random number value MR2 is within the small win A determination range (003SGS127; Y), the sending setting of the pattern designation command corresponding to the 4-round jackpot and the number of time reductions being 7 is performed, and the winning random number value determination process is terminated (003SGS128).

If the value of the random number MR2 is not within the judgment range for small win A, it is further judged whether the value of the random number MR2 is within the judgment range for small win B (003SGS129). If the value of the random number MR2 is within the judgment range for small win B (003SGS127; Y), the sending setting of the symbol designation command corresponding to the four-round jackpot and the number of time-saving times being 99 is performed, and the random number judgment process at the time of winning is terminated (003SGS130).

If the value of the random number MR2 is not within the judgment range for small win B, it is further judged whether the value of the random number MR2 is within the judgment range for small win C (003SGS131). If the value of the random number MR2 is within the judgment range for small win C (003SGS131; Y), the sending setting of the symbol designation command corresponding to the 10-round jackpot and the number of time-saving times being 7 is performed, and the random number judgment process at the time of winning is terminated (003SGS132).

In addition, if the value of the random number value MR2 is not within the range for determining a small win C, the system sets the transmission of a symbol designation command corresponding to a 10-round big win and 99 times of time reduction, and ends the process of determining the random number value when winning (003SGS133).

If the value of the random number value MR1 is within the jackpot determination range (003SGS122; Y), the jackpot type determination table shown in FIG. 8(B) and FIG. 8(C) is selected (003SGS134). In addition, in the step 003SGS134, if the start port buffer value is 1, the jackpot type determination table (for the first special symbol) shown in FIG. 8(B) is selected, and if the start port buffer value is 2, the jackpot type determination table (for the second special symbol) shown in FIG. 8(C) is selected. Then, it is determined whether the value of the random number value MR2 for hit type determination extracted in 003SGS109 in FIG. 14 is within the jackpot A determination range (003SGS135).

If the value of random number MR2 is within the judgment range of jackpot A (003SGS135; Y), the sending setting of a symbol designation command corresponding to a 4-round jackpot and 1 time of time reduction is performed, and the random number value judgment process at the time of winning is terminated (003SGS136). If the value of random number MR2 is within the judgment range of jackpot A (003SGS135; N), the sending setting of a symbol designation command corresponding to a 10-round jackpot and 99 times of time reduction is performed, and the random number value judgment process at the time of winning is terminated (003SGS137).

The commands set for transmission are sent to the performance control board 12 by the CPU 103 executing the command control process shown in FIG. 12.

(Special pattern normal processing)
Fig. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the process executed in S110 of Fig. 13 as the normal special symbol process. In the normal special symbol process shown in Fig. 16, the CPU 103 first judges whether the second special symbol reserved memory number is "0" or not (step 003SGS161). The second special symbol reserved memory number is the reserved memory number of the special symbol game using the second special symbol by the second special symbol display device 4B. For example, in the process of step 003SGS161, it is sufficient to read the second reserved memory number count value stored in the game control counter setting unit and judge whether the read value is "0" or not.

When the second special chart reserved memory number is other than "0" in step 003SGS161 (step 003SGS161; N), the random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result, the random number value MR2 for determining the winning type, and the random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern are read out as reserved data stored in the second special chart reserved memory unit corresponding to the reserved number "1" (step 003SGS162). The numerical data read out at this time may be temporarily stored, for example, in a fluctuation random number buffer.

Following the processing of step 003SGS162, the second special chart reserved memory count value and the total reserved memory count value are updated by subtracting 1 from each other, and the second special chart reserved memory count and the total reserved memory count are updated, and the data in the second special chart reserved memory section is updated. Specifically, the reserved data indicating the random number values MR1 to MR3 stored in entries lower than reserved number "1" in the second special chart reserved memory section (for example, entries corresponding to reserved numbers "2" to "4") are shifted to higher entries by one entry at a time (step 003SGS163).

Then, the variable special chart designation buffer value, which is the stored value in the variable special chart designation buffer, is updated to "2" (step 003SGS164), and the process proceeds to step 003SGS169a.

On the other hand, when the second special pattern reserved memory number is "0" in step 003SGS161 (step 003SGS161; Y), it is determined whether the first special pattern reserved memory number is "0" (step 003SGS165). The first special pattern reserved memory number is the reserved memory number of the special pattern game using the first special pattern by the first special pattern display device 4A. For example, in the process of step 003SGS165, the first reserved memory number count value stored in the first reserved memory number counter in the game control counter setting unit is read, and it is determined whether the read value is "0". In this way, the process of step 003SGS165 is executed when it is determined that the second special pattern reserved memory number is "0" in step 003SGS161, and it is determined whether the first special pattern reserved memory number is "0". As a result, the special pattern game using the second special pattern is started in priority to the special pattern game using the first special pattern.

The special chart game using the second special chart is not limited to being executed with priority over the special chart game using the first special chart, and may be started in the order in which the game ball enters (passes) the first start winning port or the second start winning port and the start winning occurs. In this case, a table may be provided that stores data that can identify the order in which the start winning occurs, and it may be possible to determine whether to start the special chart game using the first special chart or the second special chart from the stored data.

When the number of reserved first special charts is other than "0" in step 003SGS165 (step 003SGS165; N), the reserved data stored in the first special chart reserved memory section corresponding to reserved number "1" is read out as numerical data indicating a random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result, a random number value MR2 for determining the winning type, and a random number value MR3 for determining the fluctuation pattern (step 003SGS166). The numerical data read out at this time may be temporarily stored, for example, in a random number buffer for fluctuation.

Following the processing of step 003SGS166, the first special chart reserved memory count value and the total reserved memory count value are updated by subtracting 1 from each other, and the first special chart reserved memory count and the total reserved memory count are updated, and the data in the first special chart reserved memory section is updated. Specifically, the reserved data indicating the random number values MR1 to MR3 stored in entries lower than reserved number "1" in the first special chart reserved memory section (for example, entries corresponding to reserved numbers "2" to "4") are shifted to higher entries by one entry (step 003SGS167).

After that, the variable special chart designation buffer value, which is the stored value in the variable special chart designation buffer, is updated to "1" (step 003SGS168), and then the process proceeds to step 003SGS169.

In step 003SGS169, the display result determination table shown in FIG. 8 is selected and set as the table to be used to determine whether the special pattern display result, which is the variable display result of the special pattern, is a "jackpot" or a "miss". Next, the numerical data indicating the random number value MR1 for determining the special pattern display result stored in the variable random number buffer is compared with the determination value assigned to each special pattern display result of "jackpot", "small hit" and "miss" to determine whether the special pattern display result is a "jackpot", "small hit" or "miss". In addition, in this step 003SGS170, if the random number value MR1 for determining the special pattern display result falls within the range of 1020 to 1079 or 13320 to 13586, it is determined to be a "jackpot", and if not, the variable display special pattern designation buffer value is determined. If the variable display special chart designation buffer value is 1, it is judged as a "miss", and if the variable display special chart designation buffer value is 2, it is judged whether the random number value MR1 for determining the special chart display result falls within the range of 3276 to 42129. If it does, it is judged as a "small hit", and if it does not, it is judged as a "miss".

If it is determined in step 003SGS170 that it is a "jackpot" (step 003SGS170; Y), the jackpot flag is set to the ON state (step 003SGS172). At this time, one of the jackpot type determination tables shown in FIG. 8 (B) or FIG. 8 (C) is selected and set as the table to be used to determine the jackpot type as one of several types (step 003SGS173). For example, if the variable display special pattern designation buffer value is 1, the first special pattern jackpot type determination table shown in FIG. 8 (B) is selected and set, and if the variable display special pattern designation buffer value is 2, the second special pattern jackpot type determination table shown in FIG. 8 (C) is selected and set. By referencing the jackpot type determination table thus set, the system determines which of several types of jackpots the jackpot type will be, depending on whether the numerical data indicating the random number value MR2 for jackpot type determination stored in the variable random number buffer matches with the determination value assigned to each of the jackpot types "jackpot A" and "jackpot B" in the jackpot type determination table (step 003SGS174).

By determining the jackpot type in the processing of step 003SGS174, the game state after the end of the jackpot game state is controlled to a time-saving state, and the maximum variable display number controlled to the time-saving state is determined in advance. In response to the jackpot type determined in this way, for example, a jackpot type buffer value, which is the storage value of the jackpot type buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit, is set (step 003SGS175), and the determined jackpot type is stored. As an example, if the jackpot type is "jackpot A", the jackpot type buffer value may be set to "0", and if the jackpot type is "jackpot B", the jackpot type buffer value may be set to "1". After processing of step 003SGS175, the process proceeds to step 003SGS176.

Also, if the result of step 003SGS170 is not a "big hit" (step 003SGS170; N), it is further determined whether or not the result is a "small hit" (step 003SGS171). If the result is not a "small hit" (step 003SGS171; N), the process proceeds to step 003SGS176, and if the result is a "small hit" (step 003SGS171; Y), the small hit flag is set to ON (step 003SGS171a). At this time, the small hit type determination table shown in FIG. 8 (D) is selected and set as the table to be used for determining the type of small hit to one of several types (step 003SGS171b). By referencing the small hit type determination table thus set, the system determines which of several types of small hits the small hit type will be, depending on whether the numerical data indicating the random number value MR2 for hit type determination stored in the variable random number buffer matches with the determination value assigned to each small hit type in the small hit type determination table: "small hit A", "small hit B", "small hit C", or "small hit D" (step 003SGS171c).

By determining the small hit type in the processing of step 003SGS171c, the big hit game state controlled by the passing of the game ball through the second count switch 24 during a small hit game is determined in advance. In response to the small hit type thus determined, for example, the small hit type buffer value, which is the storage value of the small hit type buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit, is set (step 003SGS171d), and the determined small hit type is stored. As an example, if the small hit type is "small hit A", the small hit type buffer value is set to "0", if the small hit type is "small hit B", the small hit type buffer value is set to "1", if the small hit type is "small hit C", the small hit type buffer value is set to "2", and if the small hit type is "small hit D", the small hit type buffer value is set to "3". After processing step 003SGS17d, proceed to step 003SGS176.

In step 003SGS176, the CPU 103 sets a fixed special symbol in response to the pre-determined result of whether to control to a big win game state or a small win game state (whether the big win flag or small win flag is turned on), and the determined result of the big win type in the big win game state and the small win type in the small win game state. As an example, in response to the pre-determined result of the special symbol display result being "miss", a special symbol showing the "-" symbol, which is a miss symbol, is set as the fixed special symbol. Also, if the special symbol display result is determined to be "big win" in step 003SGS170, if the big win type in step 003SGS174 is "big win A", a special symbol showing the number "1" is set as the fixed special symbol. Also, if the big win type is "big win B", a special symbol showing the number "2" is set as the fixed special symbol. Also, when the special symbol display result is determined to be a "small win" in step 003SGS171, if the small win type is "small win A", the special symbol showing the number "3" is set as the confirmed special symbol. Also, if the small win type is "small win B", the special symbol showing the number "4" is set as the confirmed special symbol. Also, if the small win type is "small win C", the special symbol showing the number "5" is set as the confirmed special symbol. Also, if the small win type is "small win D", the special symbol showing the number "6" is set as the confirmed special symbol. Note that these confirmed special symbols are only examples, and other confirmed special symbols may be set, or multiple types of symbols may be set as confirmed special symbols.

After the confirmed special symbol is set in step 003SGS176, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to "1", which corresponds to the variable pattern setting process (step 003SGS177), and then the normal special symbol processing is terminated.

If the number of reserved memories for the special symbol game using the first special symbol is "0" in step 003SGS165 (step 003SGS165; Y), a predetermined demo display setting is performed (step 003SGS178), and then the normal special symbol processing is terminated. In this demo display setting, it is determined whether or not a performance control command (customer waiting demo designation command) that designates a demonstration display (demo screen display) by, for example, displaying a predetermined performance image on the image display device 5 has been transmitted from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12. At this time, if the customer waiting demo designation command has already been transmitted, the demo display setting is terminated as is. On the other hand, if it has not been transmitted, settings are performed to transmit the customer waiting demo designation command, and then the demo display setting is terminated.

(Variation pattern setting process)
Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of the process executed in S111 of Fig. 13 as the fluctuation pattern setting process. In the fluctuation pattern setting process, the CPU 103 first selects one of the fluctuation pattern determination tables shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 according to the end of which big win game, the variable display count, the variable display result, the game state, etc. (003SGS161). Then, the fluctuation pattern is determined using the value of the random number value MR3 for fluctuation pattern determination extracted in 033SGS109 of Fig. 14 and the selected fluctuation pattern determination table (003SGS162).

Then, the CPU 103 performs settings to start the variation of the special pattern so that either a special pattern game using the first special pattern on the first special pattern display device 4A or a special pattern game using the second special pattern on the second special pattern display device 4B is started according to the variable special pattern designation buffer value. As an example, if the variable special pattern designation buffer value is "1", settings are performed to send a drive signal to update the display of the first special pattern on the first special pattern display device 4A. On the other hand, if the variable special pattern designation buffer value is "2", settings are performed to send a drive signal to update the display of the second special pattern on the second special pattern display device 4B (003SGS163).

Following the processing of 003SGS163, settings are made to send various commands for when the special symbol starts to change (003SGS164). For example, when the special symbol change designation buffer value is "1", the CPU 103 stores the setting data indicating the storage address (first address) in the ROM 101 of the first change start command table prepared in advance in the buffer area designated by the transmission command pointer in the transmission command buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit 003SG155 in order to sequentially send the game state designation command, the first variable display start command, the variable pattern designation command, the variable display result designation command, and the first reserved memory number notification command from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12. On the other hand, when the variable special chart designation buffer value is "2", the CPU 103 stores the setting data indicating the storage address in the ROM 101 of the second variable start command table prepared in advance in the buffer area specified by the transmission command pointer in the transmission command buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit 003SG155 in order to sequentially transmit the game state designation command, the second variable display start command, the variable pattern designation command, the variable display result designation command, and the second reserved memory number notification command from the main board 11 to the performance control board 12. Note that the various commands for which the transmission setting has been performed are transmitted to the performance control board 12 by the CPU 103 executing the command control process shown in FIG. 4.

After executing the process of 003SGS164, a special pattern variable display time is set, which is the variable display time of the special pattern according to the result of the determination of the variation pattern (003SGS165). The special pattern variable display time, which is the variable display time of the special pattern, is the time required from the start of the variable display of the special pattern in the special pattern game to the fixed special pattern, which is the variable display result (special pattern display result), being displayed stationary. After that, the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "2", which is the value corresponding to the special pattern variation process (003SGS166), and the variation pattern setting process is terminated.

The commands set for transmission are sent to the performance control board 12 by the CPU 103 executing the command control process shown in FIG. 12.

(Special symbol stop processing)
Fig. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of the process executed in S113 of Fig. 13 as the special symbol stop process. In the normal special symbol process, the CPU 103 first judges whether or not the symbol determination period timer indicating the period during which the variable display is stopped is operating (033SGS201). If the symbol determination period timer is not operating (033SGS201; N), the CPU 103 derives and displays the stopped symbol of the special symbol (033SGS202), sets the transmission setting of the symbol determination command (033SGS203), and judges whether or not the big win flag is set (003SGS204).

If the jackpot flag is set (003SGS204; Y), the jackpot type and game status are specified and the specified jackpot type and game status are stored (003SGS204a), and if the time-saving flag is set, the time-saving flag is cleared (003SGS205). Furthermore, depending on the jackpot type, the sending setting of the jackpot start 1 designation command or the jackpot start designation command and the sending setting of the game status designation command indicating the normal state are performed (003SGS207, 003SGS208), and the pattern determination period timer according to the selected variation pattern is set (003SGS209). For example, if a variable display is executed in the variation pattern corresponding to the first special pattern and a jackpot is obtained, the pattern determination period timer corresponding to 0.5 seconds is set as the pattern determination period, and if a variable display is executed in the variation pattern corresponding to the second special pattern and a jackpot is obtained, the pattern determination period timer corresponding to 20 seconds is set as the pattern determination period.

The CPU 103 also sets the transmission of a pattern determination command according to the value of the set pattern determination period timer (003SGS209a), and ends the special pattern stop process.

On the other hand, if the big win flag is not set (003SGS204; N), it is further determined whether the small win flag is set (003SGS210). If the small win flag is set (003SGS210; Y), it sets the transmission of one of the hit start 3 designation command, hit start 4 designation command, hit start 5 designation command, or hit start 6 designation command according to the type of small win (003SGS211), and it is determined whether the time-saving flag is set (003SGS212).

If the time-saving flag is set (003SGS212; Y), the value of the total time-saving counter, which indicates the total number of time-saving times for the first special symbol and the second special symbol, is decremented by 1 (003SGS213). Then, it is determined whether the variable special symbol designation buffer value is 1 (003SGS214). If the variable special symbol designation buffer value is 1 (003SGS214; Y), proceed to 003SGS216. If the variable special symbol designation buffer value is 2 (003SGS214; N), the value of the second special symbol time-saving counter, which indicates the number of time-saving times for the second special symbol, is decremented by 1 (003SGS215), and proceed to 003SGS216.

In 003SGS216, the CPU 103 determines whether the value of the total time-saving counter or the second special time-saving counter is 0. If the value of the total time-saving counter or the second special time-saving counter is 0 (003SGS216; Y), the time-saving flag is cleared (003SGS217), the values of the total time-saving counter and the second special time-saving counter are cleared (003SGS217a), and the process proceeds to 003SGS218. On the other hand, if the time-saving flag is not set (003SGS212; N) or if the values of the total time-saving counter and the second special time-saving counter are not 0 (003SGS216; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS218.

In 003SGS218, the CPU 103 sets a pattern determination period timer corresponding to a small win. For example, in 003SGS218, if the variable display is executed in the Super Reach γ variable pattern PC3-2, the pattern determination period timer is set to 0.5 seconds as the pattern determination period, and if the variable display is executed in the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variable pattern PC3-3 or PC3-4, the pattern determination period timer is set to 20 seconds as the pattern determination period.

In addition, the transmission of a game state designation command and a second special symbol time-saving count notification command according to the state of the time-saving flag is set (003SGS219), and the processing of 003SGS209a is executed to end the special symbol stop processing.

Also, if the small win flag is not set (003SGS210), the CPU 103 judges whether or not the time-saving flag is set (003SGS220). If the time-saving flag is set (003SGS220; Y), the value of the total time-saving count counter is decremented by 1 (003SGS221). Then, it judges whether or not the variable special chart designation buffer value is 1 (003SGS222). If the variable special chart designation buffer value is 1 (003SGS222; Y), it proceeds to 003SGS224, and if the variable special chart designation buffer value is 2 (003SGS222; N), it decrements the value of the second special chart time-saving count counter by 1 (003SGS223) and proceeds to 003SGS224.

In 003SGS224, the CPU 103 determines whether the value of the total time-saving counter or the second special chart time-saving counter is 0. If the value of the total time-saving counter or the second special chart time-saving counter is 0 (003SGS224; Y), the time-saving flag is cleared (003SGS225), the values of the total time-saving counter and the second special chart time-saving counter are cleared (003SGS226), and the process proceeds to 003SGS227. On the other hand, if the time-saving flag is not set (003SGS220; N) or if the values of the total time-saving counter and the second special chart time-saving counter are not 0 (003SGS224; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS227.

In 003SGS227, the CPU 103 sets a pattern determination period timer corresponding to a miss. For example, in 003SGS227, a pattern determination period timer corresponding to 0.5 seconds may be set as the pattern determination period.

In addition, the transmission of a game state designation command and a second special symbol time-saving count notification command according to the state of the time-saving flag is set (003SGS228), and the processing of 003SGS209a is executed to end the special symbol stop processing.

If the pattern determination period timer is running (003SGS201; Y), the CPU 103 decrements the value of the pattern determination period timer by 1 (003SGS231) as shown in FIG. 19, and determines whether the pattern determination period timer has timed out after decrementing the value by 1 (003SGS232). If the pattern determination period timer has not timed out (003SGS232; N), the special pattern stop process is terminated, and if the pattern determination period timer has timed out (003SGS232; Y), it determines whether the stopped pattern is a losing pattern (003SGS233).

If the stopped symbol is a losing symbol (003SGS233; Y), the value of the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the normal special symbol processing, and the special symbol stopping processing is terminated (003SGS324). If the stopped symbol is not a losing symbol (003SGS233; N), it is further determined whether the stopped symbol is a winning symbol (003SGS235). If the stopped symbol is a winning symbol (003SGS235; Y), a winning display time timer corresponding to the winning type is set (003SGS236), a winning start command transmission setting corresponding to the winning type is performed (003SGS237), the value of the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the winning pre-opening processing (003SGS238), and the special symbol stopping processing is terminated.

In addition, if the stopped symbol is a small win symbol (003SGS235; N), the big win display time timer corresponding to the small win type is set (003SGS239), a win start command transmission setting corresponding to the small win type is performed (003SGS240), the value of the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the small win release pre-processing (003SGS241), and the special symbol stop processing is terminated.

(Pre-opening processing for small hits)
FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of the process executed in 118 of FIG. 13 as the small win opening pre-processing. In the small win opening pre-processing, the CPU 103 first decrements the small win display time timer by 1 (003SGS261), and judges whether the small win display time timer has timed out (003SGS262). If the small win display time timer has not timed out (003SGS262; N), the small win opening pre-processing is terminated, whereas if the small win display time timer has timed out (003SGS262; Y), a value corresponding to a predetermined period is set in the opening time timer for opening the large prize opening (003SGS263). Then, the value of the special pattern process flag is updated to "9" which is a value corresponding to the small win opening process (S119) (003SGS264), and the small win opening pre-processing is terminated.

(Small hit open processing)
21 is a flow chart showing an example of the process executed in S119 of FIG. 13 as the small win opening process. In the small win opening process, the CPU 103 first decrements the value of the opening time timer by 1 (003SGS271). Then, the CPU 103 determines whether the opening time timer has timed out (003SGS272).

If the opening timer has timed out (003SGS272; Y), the process proceeds to 003SGS285. If the opening timer has not timed out (003SGS272; N), the process determines whether it is time to open the large prize opening (003SGS273). If it is time to open the large prize opening, the CPU 103 controls the large prize opening to an open state by driving the solenoid 003SG083 for the large prize opening door 003SG711 (003SGS274). Then, the process sets the transmission of the large prize opening open command according to the round (003SGS275), and proceeds to 003SGS276. The large prize opening open command set for transmission in 003SGS275 is transmitted to the performance control board 12 by the command control process described above. If it is not time for the big prize opening to open (003SGS273;N), the process moves to 003SGS276 without going through 003SGS274 and 003SGS275.

In 003SGS276, the CPU 103 determines whether it is time to close the large prize opening (003SGS276). If it is time to close the large prize opening (003SGS276; Y), the CPU 103 controls the large prize opening to a closed state by driving the solenoid 003SG083 for the large prize opening door 003SG711 (003SGS277). Then, the CPU 103 sets the transmission of the command after the large prize opening is opened according to the round (003SGS278) and proceeds to 003SGS279. The command set for transmission during the large prize opening in 003SGS278 is transmitted to the performance control board 12 by the command control process described above. If it is not time for the big prize opening to close (003SGS276;N), the process moves to 003SGS279 without going through 003SGS277 and 003SGS278.

In 003SGS279, the CPU 103 determines whether the third count switch 003SG024B is on or not (003SGS279). If the third count switch 003SG024B is not on (003SGS279; N), the small win open process is terminated, and if the third count switch 003SG024B is on (003SGS279; Y), it determines whether the V winning flag, which indicates that the third count switch 003SG024B has already been on, i.e., that the game ball has passed through the third count switch 003SG024B, has been set or not (003SGS280). If the V prize flag is set (003SGS280; Y), the small win release process ends, and if the V prize flag is not set (003SGS280; N), the V prize flag is set (003SGS281).

Then, the CPU 103 sets up the transmission of a V winning notification command to the performance control board 12 (003SGS282). The V winning notification command is transmitted to the performance control board 12 in the command control process (S27) described above. Also, if the large prize opening is open, the CPU 103 controls the large prize opening to a closed state by driving the solenoid 003SG083 for the large prize opening door 003SG711 (003SGS283), and clears the opening time timer (003SGS284).

Then, in 003SGS285, the CPU 103 updates the value of the special symbol process flag to "10" (003SGS285), which is the value corresponding to the small win end process (S120), and ends the small win open process.

(Small hit end processing)
FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an example of the process executed in S120 of FIG. 13 as a small hit end process. In the small hit end process, the CPU 103 judges whether the small hit end display timer is operating (003SGS301). If the small hit end display timer is not operating (003SGS301; N), the small hit flag is cleared (003SGS302), and a setting for sending a hit end designation command corresponding to the small hit is performed to the performance control board 12 (003SGS303). The hit end designation command is sent to the performance control board 12 in the command control process (S17) described above. Then, the small hit end display timer is set to a value corresponding to the small hit end display time (003SGS304), and the small hit end process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the small win end display timer is running (003SGS301; Y), the value of the small win end display timer is decremented by 1 (003SGS305). Then, it is determined whether the small win end display time has elapsed, that is, whether the small win end display timer has timed out (003SGS306). If the small win end display time has not elapsed (003SGS306; N), the CPU 103 determines whether the third count switch 003SG024B has been turned on (003SGS307). If the third count switch 003SG024B is not on (003SGS307; N), the small win end process is terminated, and if the third count switch 003SG024B is on (003SGS307; Y), it is determined whether the V winning flag, which indicates that the third count switch 003SG024B has already been turned on, i.e., that the game ball has passed through the third count switch 003SG024B, has been set (003SGS308). If the V winning flag is set (003SGS308; Y), the small win end process is terminated, and if the V winning flag is not set (003SGS308; N), the V winning flag is set (003SGS309).

Then, the CPU 103 sets up the transmission of a V winning notification command to the performance control board 12 (003SGS310) and ends the small win end processing. The V winning notification command is sent to the performance control board 12 in the command control processing (S17) described above.

Also, when the small win end display time has elapsed in 003SGS306 (003SGS306; Y), the CPI 103 determines whether the V win flag is set (003SGS311). If the V win flag is set (003SGS311; Y), the CPU 103 clears the V win flag and sets the big win flag (003SGS312, 003SGS313). Then, the CPU 103 determines the big win type from "Big Win C" to "Big Win F" based on the small win type in which the V win occurred (003SGS314). As shown in FIG. 8(E), if the small hit type where the V win occurred is "small hit A", the big hit type is determined to be "big hit C", if the small hit type where the V win occurred is "small hit B", the big hit type is determined to be "big hit D", if the small hit type where the V win occurred is "small hit C", the big hit type is determined to be "big hit E", if the small hit type where the V win occurred is "small hit D", the big hit type is determined to be "big hit F". In response to the big hit type determined in this way, for example, the big hit type buffer value, which is the storage value of the big hit type buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit 003SG155, is set (003SGS315), and the determined big hit type is stored and proceeds to 003SGS316.

After executing 003SGS315, the CPU 103 updates the value of the special pattern process flag to "4" (003SGS316), which corresponds to the pre-big win release process (S114), and ends the small win end process.

In other words, in this feature section 003SG, the game ball passes through the third count switch 003SG024B not only during the small win game, but also during the period from when the small win game ends until the small win end display time has elapsed. Therefore, even if the game ball enters the big win hole just before the small win game ends, the game ball passes through the third count switch 003SG024B, and the big win game is executed after the small win end processing is completed.

If the V winning flag is not set in 003SGS311 (003SGS311; N), the CPU 103 clears the time-saving flag (003SGS317) and clears the values of the total time-saving counter and the second special symbol time-saving counter (003SGS318). In other words, the game state is controlled from the time-saving state to the normal state. Then, a game state designation command indicating the normal state is set to be sent (003SGS319), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to "0" which corresponds to the special symbol normal processing (S110) (003SGS317), and the small win end processing is terminated.

(Jackpot end processing)
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed in S117 of FIG. 13 as the jackpot end processing.

In the jackpot end processing, the CPU 103 determines whether the jackpot end display timer is operating, i.e., whether the timer is counting (003SGS321). If the jackpot end display timer is not operating (003SGS321;N), the jackpot end display timer is set to a value equivalent to the display time corresponding to the time for which the jackpot end display is performed on the image display device 5 (jackpot end display time) (003SGS322), and the processing ends.

On the other hand, if the jackpot end display timer is running (003SGS321; Y), the value of the jackpot end display timer is decremented by 1 (003SGS323). The CPU 103 then checks whether the value of the jackpot end display timer is 0, i.e., whether the jackpot end display time has elapsed (003SGS324). If it has not elapsed, the process ends.

If the jackpot end display time has elapsed (003SGS324; Y), the CPU 103 judges whether the stored jackpot type is jackpot A or not (003SGS325). If the jackpot type is jackpot A (003SGS325; Y), it judges whether the game state in which the jackpot was won is normal or not (003SGS325a). If the game state in which the jackpot was won is normal (003SGS325a; Y), it sets the second special chart time-saving count counter to "1" and the total time-saving count counter to "5" (003SGS326, 003SGS327), and proceeds to 003SGS333. If the game state in which the jackpot was won is time-saving (003SGS325a; N), it proceeds to 003SGS331.

On the other hand, if the jackpot type is not jackpot A (003SGS325; N), it is determined whether the jackpot type is jackpot B, D, or F (003SGS328). If the jackpot type is jackpot B, D, or F (003SGS328; Y), the second special chart time-saving counter is set to "99" and the total time-saving counter is set to "103" (003SGS329, 003SGS330), and the process proceeds to 003SGS339.

Furthermore, if the jackpot type is not jackpot B, D, or F (003SGS328; N), the jackpot type is determined to be jackpot C or jackpot E, and the process proceeds to 003SGS331. In 003SGS331, the CPU 103 sets the second special chart time-saving count counter to "7" and the total time-saving count counter to "11" (003SGS332, 003SGS333), and proceeds to 003SGS333.

In 003SGS333, the CPU 103 performs transmission setting of a game state designation command according to the jackpot type of the executed jackpot game. In addition, in 003SGS333, the CPU 103 executes transmission setting of the second game state designation command if the jackpot type of the executed jackpot game is jackpot A, the third game state designation command if the jackpot type of the executed jackpot game is jackpot B, the fourth game state designation command if the jackpot type of the executed jackpot game is jackpot C, the fifth game state designation command if the jackpot type of the executed jackpot game is jackpot D, the sixth game state designation command if the jackpot type of the executed jackpot game is jackpot E, and the sixth game state designation command 7 if the jackpot type of the executed jackpot game is jackpot F. In addition, the game state designation command set for transmission in 003SGS333 is transmitted to the performance control board 12 by the CPU 103 executing the command control process shown in FIG. 12.

After executing the process of 003SGS333, the CPU 103 sets the time-saving state variable display count counter to "0" and ends the jackpot end process (003SGS334).

In other words, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, if the jackpot A is a jackpot won in the normal state, the time-saving state after the jackpot game ends is ended when one of the following termination conditions is met: the second special symbol is displayed once or the first and second special symbols are displayed a total of five times (termination condition 1); the second special symbol is displayed once or the first and second special symbols are displayed a total of five times or less to control the jackpot game state (termination condition 2); or the second special symbol is displayed once or the first and second special symbols are displayed a total of five times or less to control the small jackpot game state, and no V win occurs during the small jackpot game state (termination condition 3).

In addition, if jackpot A is a jackpot won in the time-saving state, the time-saving state after the jackpot game ends will end when one of the following termination conditions is met: the second special symbol is displayed seven times or the first special symbol and the second special symbol are displayed a total of 11 times (termination condition 1); the jackpot game state is controlled based on the second special symbol being displayed seven times or less or the first special symbol and the second special symbol being displayed a total of 11 times or less (termination condition 2); or the small jackpot game state is controlled based on the second special symbol being displayed seven times or less or the first special symbol and the second special symbol being displayed a total of 11 times or less, and no V win occurs during the small jackpot game state (termination condition 3).

The time-saving state after a jackpot game of either jackpot B, jackpot D, or jackpot F ends when one of the following termination conditions is met: the second special symbol is displayed 99 times or the first special symbol and the second special symbol are displayed a total of 103 times (termination condition 1); the jackpot game state is controlled based on the second special symbol being displayed 99 times or less or the first special symbol and the second special symbol being displayed a total of 103 times or less (termination condition 2); or the small jackpot game state is controlled based on the second special symbol being displayed 99 times or less or the first special symbol and the second special symbol being displayed a total of 103 times or less, and no V win occurs during the small jackpot game state (termination condition 3).

In this embodiment, the time-saving state after playing on any of the jackpots B, D, and F is shown as ending when the variable display of the second special pattern is executed 99 times or the variable display of the first special pattern and the second special pattern is executed a total of 103 times, but the present invention is not limited to this, and since the number of variable displays controlled to the time-saving state after playing on any of the jackpots B, D, and F in this embodiment is high, the player will not be disadvantaged if the variable display of the first special pattern is executed a few times. Therefore, the time-saving state after playing on any of the jackpots B, D, and F may end when the variable display of the first special pattern and the second special pattern is executed a total of 99 times, regardless of the number of variable displays of the second special pattern. By doing this, the conditions for ending the time-saving state after playing on any of the jackpots B, D, and F can be simplified, reducing the processing load on the CPU 103 and the amount of data stored in the ROM 101.

The time-saving state after the game of either jackpot C or jackpot E ends when one of the following termination conditions is met: the second special symbol is displayed seven times or the first special symbol and the second special symbol are displayed a total of 11 times (termination condition 1); the game is controlled to a jackpot game state based on the second special symbol being displayed seven times or less or the first special symbol and the second special symbol being displayed a total of 11 times or less (termination condition 2); or the game is controlled to a small jackpot game state based on the second special symbol being displayed seven times or less or the first special symbol and the second special symbol being displayed a total of 11 times or less, and no V win occurs during the small jackpot game state (termination condition 3).

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 25, when the time-saving state after the end of each jackpot game is controlled to the small jackpot game state, if the game ball does not pass the second count switch 24 during the small jackpot game state (if a V win does not occur), the time-saving state ends. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for the time-saving state of jackpot A, jackpot C, and jackpot E, which have fewer variable display counts controlled to the time-saving state after the end of a jackpot game than after jackpot games of jackpot B, jackpot D, and jackpot F, the time-saving state may continue to be controlled to the time-saving state if the game ball does not pass the second count switch 24 during the small jackpot game state. In this way, in the time-saving state after the big win game of the big win B, the big win D, or the big win F, if the chance-up coin is not awarded during the variable display as described below and the variable display result is a small win, it is possible to illegally avoid being controlled to a big win game state (for example, a big win with four rounds) in which the player intentionally does not win a V prize, which is disadvantageous to the player. Furthermore, in the time-saving state after the big win game of the big win A, the big win C, or the big win E, for example, even if a V prize cannot be generated during a small win game due to a game machine trouble such as a game ball not being launched or a ball running out, it is possible to leave the possibility of being controlled to a small win game state again by the variable display in the remaining time-saving state, so that the possibility of the player being disadvantaged can be reduced and a decrease in interest in the game can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 24(A), in the first round of a jackpot game based on the variable display of the first special symbol in the normal state, the jackpot opening is controlled from a closed state to an open state after a waiting period of length S1 (e.g., 5 seconds) from the start of the jackpot game. The jackpot opening controlled to the open state is controlled to a closed state again when 29 seconds have passed or when 10 game balls have entered the jackpot opening, and the first round ends when the jackpot opening is controlled from an open state to a closed state.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 24(B), in the first round of a jackpot game based on the variable display of the first special symbol in the time-saving state, and in the first round of a jackpot game based on the variable display of the second special symbol regardless of whether it is in the normal state or the time-saving state, the jackpot opening is controlled from a closed state to an open state after a waiting period of length S2 (e.g., 20 seconds) that is longer than S1 from the start timing of the jackpot game. The jackpot opening that has been controlled to an open state is controlled to a closed state again when 29 seconds have passed or when 10 game balls have entered the jackpot opening, and the first round ends when the jackpot opening is controlled from an open state to a closed state.

In particular, in this embodiment, in a jackpot game based on the variable display of the first special symbol in the time-saving state, during the waiting period for the opening of said length S2, a consecutive win mode entry effect is executed to notify that the time-saving state in which the variable display result is more likely to be a small win or a big win than in the normal state is controlled by mainly executing the variable display of the second special symbol after the jackpot game ends, and in a jackpot game based on the variable display of the second special symbol, during the waiting period for the opening of said length S2, a reward acquisition effect can be executed to notify that the number of rounds of the jackpot game, the number of time-saving times granted after the jackpot game ends, and that there is a reserved memory in the reserved memory of the second special symbol in which the variable display result is a small win or a big win, etc.

(Main operations of the performance control board 12)
Next, the main operations of the performance control board 12 will be described. When the performance control board 12 receives a power supply voltage from a power supply board or the like, the performance control CPU 120 starts up and executes the performance control main process as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26. When the performance control main process shown in FIG. 26 starts, the performance control CPU 120 first executes a predetermined initialization process (step S71), clears the RAM 122, sets various initial values, and sets the registers of the CTC (counter/timer circuit) mounted on the performance control board 12. In addition, it executes an initial operation control process (step S72). In the initial operation control process, control is executed to perform the initial operation of the movable body 32, such as control to drive the movable body 32 to return it to its initial position and control to perform a predetermined operation check.

Then, it is determined whether the timer interrupt flag is on or not (step S73). The timer interrupt flag is set to the on state every time a predetermined time (e.g., 2 milliseconds) elapses, for example based on the register setting of the CTC. At this time, if the timer interrupt flag is off (step S73; No), the process of step S73 is repeatedly executed and the process waits.

In addition, on the performance control board 12 side, an interrupt occurs to receive a performance control command from the main board 11, in addition to a timer interrupt that occurs every time a predetermined time has elapsed. This interrupt occurs, for example, when the performance control INT signal from the main board 11 becomes ON. When an interrupt occurs due to the performance control INT signal becoming ON, the performance control CPU 120 automatically sets the interrupt to be prohibited, but if a CPU that does not automatically become interrupt prohibited is used, it is desirable to issue an interrupt prohibition command (DI command). In response to an interrupt due to the performance control INT signal becoming ON, the performance control CPU 120 executes, for example, a predetermined command reception interrupt process. In this command reception interrupt process, a performance control command is taken in from a predetermined input port that receives a control signal transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15, among the input ports included in the I/O 125. The performance control command taken in at this time is stored in a performance control command reception buffer provided in, for example, the RAM 122. The performance control CPU 120 then sets the interrupt to permitted and ends the command reception interrupt process.

If the timer interrupt flag is on in step S73 (step S73; Yes), the timer interrupt flag is cleared to an off state (step S74), and a command analysis process is executed (step S75). In the command analysis process, for example, various presentation control commands transmitted from the game control microcomputer 100 of the main board 11 and stored in the presentation control command reception buffer are read, and then settings and controls corresponding to the read presentation control commands are performed. For example, the read presentation control command is stored in a specified area of the RAM 122, or a reception flag provided in the RAM 122 is turned on so that which presentation control command was received and the contents specified by the presentation control command can be confirmed in the presentation control process process, etc. In addition, if the presentation control command specifies the game state, the display control unit 123 may be instructed to display a background corresponding to the game state.

After executing the command analysis process in step S75, the performance control process is executed (step S76). In the performance control process, for example, control is performed to operate various performance devices, such as the display operation of the performance image in the display area of the image display device 5, the sound output operation from the speakers 8L and 8R, the lighting operation of the decorative light-emitting elements such as the game effect lamp 9 and the decorative LEDs, and the driving operation of the movable body 32. In addition, judgments, decisions, settings, etc. are made regarding the control contents of the performance operations using the various performance devices in accordance with the performance control commands transmitted from the main board 11.

Following the performance control process processing of step S76, a performance random number update process is executed (step S77), and at least a portion of the performance random numbers used on the performance control board 12 side is updated by software. Then, the process returns to step S73. Other processes may be executed before returning to step S73.

(Performance control process)
Fig. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed in step S76 of Fig. 26 as the performance control process. In the performance control process shown in Fig. 26, the performance control CPU 120 first executes a reserved display update process (step S161). In the reserved display update process, for example, a process for displaying the reserved display in the first special chart reserved memory display area 5D and the second special chart reserved memory display area 5U is executed according to the first special chart reserved memory number and the second special chart reserved memory number stored in the start winning reception command buffer 003SG194A.

After executing the process of step S161, the performance control CPU 120 selects and executes one of the processes of steps S170 to S177 as described below, depending on the value of a performance process flag provided in, for example, RAM 122.

The variable display start waiting process of step S170 is executed when the value of the presentation process flag is "0" (initial value). This variable display start waiting process includes a process of determining whether or not to start the variable display of the decorative pattern on the image display device 5 based on whether or not a command specifying the start of variable display has been received from the main board 11. If it is determined that the variable display of the decorative pattern on the image display device 5 should be started, the value of the presentation process flag is updated to "1" and the variable display start waiting process ends.

The variable display start setting process of step S171 is a process executed when the value of the performance process flag is "1". In this variable display start setting process, the display result of the variable display of the decorative pattern (determined decorative pattern), the mode of the variable display of the decorative pattern, whether or not various performances such as reach performances and various advance notice performances are executed, and the mode and execution start timing are determined based on the display result and the change pattern specified by the performance control command. Then, a performance control pattern (a collection of control data for instructing the display control unit 123 to execute a performance) that reflects the determined result is set. After that, based on the set performance control pattern, the display control unit 123 is instructed to start the execution of the variable display of the decorative pattern, the value of the performance process flag is updated to "2", and the variable display start setting process is terminated. In response to the instruction to start the execution of the variable display of the decorative pattern, the display control unit 123 starts the variable display of the decorative pattern on the image display device 5.

The variable display performance process of step S172 is a process executed when the performance process flag value is "2". In this variable display performance process, the performance control CPU 120 instructs the display control unit 123 to display a performance image based on the performance control pattern set in step S171 on the display screen of the image display device 5, to drive the movable body 32, to output voice and sound effects from the speakers 8L and 8R by outputting a command (sound effect signal) to the voice control board 13, and to turn on/off/blink the game effect lamp 9 and the decorative LED by outputting a command (illumination signal) to the lamp control board 14, thereby executing various performance controls during the variable display of the decorative pattern. After performing such performance control, for example, in response to the reading of an end code indicating the end of the variable display of the decorative pattern from the performance control pattern, or the reception of a command specifying the stop display of the fixed decorative pattern from the main board 11, the fixed decorative pattern, which is the display result of the decorative pattern, is stopped. When the final decorative pattern is displayed in a stopped state, the value of the performance process flag is updated to "3" and the performance process during variable display ends.

The special winning waiting process of step S173 is a process executed when the value of the performance process flag is "3". In this special winning waiting process, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not a performance control command specifying the start of a big win game state or a small win game state has been received from the main board 11. Then, when a performance control command specifying the start of a big win game state or a small win game state is received, if the command specifies the start of a big win game state, the value of the performance process flag is updated to "6". On the other hand, if the command specifies the start of a small win game state, the value of the performance process flag is updated to "4", which is a value corresponding to the small win performance process. Also, when a command specifying the start of a big win game state or a small win game state is not received and the waiting time for receiving the command has elapsed, it is judged that the display result in the special game was "miss", and the value of the performance process flag is updated to the initial value "0". When the value of the performance process flag is updated, the special symbol hit waiting process is terminated. Note that the special symbol hit waiting process in this embodiment is also a process for executing a level notification performance during the pattern determination period when the variable display result in the variable display of the second special symbol is a big hit or a small hit.

The small win presentation process of step S174 is a process executed when the presentation process flag value is "4". In this small win presentation process, the presentation control CPU 120 sets, for example, a presentation control pattern corresponding to the presentation content in the small win game state, and executes various presentation controls in the small win game state based on the set content. In addition, in the small win presentation process, for example, in response to receiving a command from the main board 11 specifying that the small win game state is to be ended, the value of the presentation process flag is updated to "5", which is a value corresponding to the small win end presentation, and the small win presentation process is ended.

The small win end presentation process in step S175 is executed when the presentation process flag value is "5". In this small win end presentation process, the presentation control CPU 120 sets a presentation control pattern corresponding to, for example, the end of a small win game state, and executes various presentation controls at the end of the small win game state based on the settings. After that, the presentation process flag value is updated to the initial value "0", and the small win end presentation process ends.

The jackpot performance process of step S176 is a process executed when the performance process flag value is "6". In this jackpot performance process, the performance control CPU 120 sets, for example, a performance control pattern corresponding to the performance content in the jackpot game state, and executes various performance controls in the jackpot game state based on the set content. In addition, in the jackpot performance process, for example, in response to receiving a command from the main board 11 specifying that the jackpot game state is to end, the value of the performance process flag is updated to "7", which is a value corresponding to the ending performance process, and the jackpot performance process is terminated. In addition, the jackpot performance process of this embodiment is also a process for executing a consecutive win mode entry performance and a reward acquisition performance during the period from the start of the first round to the time when the big prize entry port is opened.

The ending presentation process of step S177 is executed when the value of the presentation process flag is "7". In this ending presentation process, the presentation control CPU 120 sets a presentation control pattern corresponding to, for example, the end of a jackpot gaming state, and executes various presentation controls for the ending presentation at the end of the jackpot gaming state based on the settings. After that, the value of the presentation process flag is updated to the initial value "0", and the ending presentation process is terminated.

(Variable display start setting process)
Next, the operation of the performance control CPU 120 will be described. Figure 28 is a flow chart showing an example of the variable display start setting process shown in Figure 27. In the variable display start setting process, the performance control CPU 120 first judges whether the first variable display start command reception flag is set, that is, whether the first variable display start command has been received (003SGS431). If the first variable display start command reception flag is set (003SGS431; Y), the various command data stored in association with the buffer numbers "1-0" to "1-4" of the first special chart reserved memory in the start winning reception command buffer 003SG194A is shifted up by one buffer number (003SGS432). Note that the contents of the buffer number "1-0" cannot be shifted because there is no destination to shift to, so it is erased.

In addition, if the first variable display start command reception flag is not set (003SGS431; N), it is determined whether the second variable display start command reception flag is set, that is, whether the second variable display start command has been received (003SGS433). If the second variable display start command reception flag is set (003SGS433; Y), the various command data and various flags stored in association with buffer numbers "2-0" to "2-4" of the second special chart reservation memory in the start winning time reception command buffer 003SG194A are shifted up by one buffer number (003SGS434). Note that the contents of buffer number "2-0" cannot be shifted because there is no destination to shift to, so it is erased.

Also, if the second variable display start command reception flag is not set (003SGS433;N), the variable display start setting process ends.

After executing 003SGS432 or 003SGS434, the performance control CPU 120 reads the variation pattern designation command from the variation pattern designation command storage area (003SGS435), and determines the stopping pattern of the decorative pattern according to the data stored in the display result designation command storage area (003SGS436).

The performance control CPU 120 also determines whether the fluctuation pattern is a Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε fluctuation pattern (003SGS437). If it is a Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε fluctuation pattern (003SGS437; Y), it executes a chance-up performance determination process to determine the performance pattern of each chance-up performance to be executed during the variable display (003SGS438), and proceeds to 003SGS439. Note that if the fluctuation pattern is a fluctuation pattern other than Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε, it proceeds to 003SGS439.

In 003SGS439, the performance control CPU 120 selects a process table corresponding to each variation pattern. Then, it starts the process timer for process data 1 of the selected process table (003SGS440).

In each process table, display control execution data for controlling the display of the image display device 5, lamp control execution data for controlling the lighting of each LED, sound control execution data for controlling the sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R, and operation unit control execution data for controlling the operation of the push button 31B and stick controller 31A are arranged in chronological order in correspondence with each process data n (numbered 1 to N).

Then, the performance control CPU 120 executes control of the performance device (image display device 5 as a performance component, various lamps as performance components, speakers 8L, 8R as performance components, and operation unit (push button 31B, stick controller 31A, etc.)) according to the contents of process data 1 (display control execution data 1, lamp control execution data 1, sound control execution data 1, operation unit control execution data 1) (003SGS441). For example, to display an image corresponding to a fluctuation pattern on the image display device 5, it outputs a command to the display control unit 123. It also outputs a control signal (lamp control execution data) to the lamp control board 14 to control the lighting/extinguishing of various lamps. It also outputs a control signal (sound number data) to the sound control board 13 to output sound from the speakers 8L, 8R.

In addition, in this feature section 003SG, the performance control CPU 120 controls the display of the decorative pattern to vary according to a variation pattern that corresponds one-to-one to the variation pattern designation command, but the performance control CPU 120 may select the variation pattern to be used from multiple types of variation patterns that correspond to the variation pattern designation command.

Then, the variable display time timer is set to a value equivalent to the variable display time specified by the variable pattern designation command (003SGS442). A predetermined time is also set to the variable display control timer (003SGS443). The predetermined time is, for example, 30 ms, and the performance control CPU 120 writes image data indicating the display state of the left, center, and right decorative patterns to the VRAM every time the predetermined time elapses, the display control unit 123 outputs a signal corresponding to the image data written to the VRAM to the image display device 5, and the image display device 5 displays an image corresponding to the signal, thereby realizing the variable display of the decorative patterns. Next, the value of the performance control process flag is updated to a value corresponding to the variable display in progress performance process (S172), and the variable display start setting process is terminated (003SGS444).

(Chance Up Performance Determination Processing)
29 and 30 are flow charts showing an example of the chance-up effect determination process shown in FIG. 28. In the chance-up effect determination process, the effect control CPU 120 first specifies the variable display result from the variable pattern designation command read in the process of 003SGS435 (003SGS451), and judges whether the specified variable display result is a big win or a small win (003SGS452). If the specified variable display result is a big win or a small win (003SGS452; Y), it specifies the number of rounds of the big win game to be executed after the variable display ends (003SGS453), and specifies the number of time reductions after the big win game (003SGS454). Furthermore, the number of rounds of a jackpot game and the number of times the time is reduced after the jackpot game can be determined, for example, from the pattern designation command stored in buffer number "2-0" of the start winning time reception command buffer 003SG194A shown in Figure 10 (B).

Furthermore, the performance control CPU 120 identifies the number of reserved memories that will result in a big win or a small win from the second special chart reserved memories in the start winning reception command buffer 003SG194A shown in Figure 10 (B) (003SGS455), and determines the level to be notified in the level notification performance (003SGS456).

For example, as shown in FIG. 31, if the number of rounds of the jackpot game executed after the variable display is 4 rounds, or the total number of rounds of the small jackpot game executed after the variable display (the number of times the large prize opening is opened in the small jackpot game) and the number of rounds of the jackpot game executed when a V win occurs in the small jackpot game is 4 rounds, and the number of time-saving times after the jackpot game is 7, the level to be notified in the level notification performance is set to a level range of 1 to 9 80% of the time, and set to a level range of 10 to 49 20% of the time.

In addition, if the number of rounds of the big win game executed after the variable display is 10 rounds, or the total number of rounds of the small win game executed after the variable display (the number of times the big win opening is opened in the small win game) and the number of rounds of the big win game executed when a V win occurs in the small win game is 10 rounds, and the number of time-saving times after the big win game is 7, the level to be notified in the level notification performance is determined to be in the level range of 1 to 9 10% of the time, in the level range of 10 to 49 30% of the time, in any of the levels of 50 to 89 30% of the time, and in the level range of 90 to 99 30% of the time.

In addition, if the number of rounds of the big win game executed after the variable display is 4 rounds, or the total number of rounds of the small win game executed after the variable display (the number of times the big win opening is opened in the small win game) and the number of rounds of the big win game executed when a V win occurs in the small win game is 4 rounds, and the number of time-saving times after the big win game is 99 times, the level range will be determined to be 50 to 89 with a probability of 100%.

In addition, if the number of rounds of the big win game executed after the variable display is 4 rounds, or the total number of rounds of the small win game executed after the variable display (the number of times the big win opening is opened in the small win game) and the number of rounds of the big win game executed when a V win occurs in the small win game is 4 rounds, and the number of time reductions after the big win game is 7 times, and furthermore, if there is one or more reserved memory numbers that will result in a big win or small win in the second special chart reserved memory, the level band will be determined to be 50 to 89 with a probability of 100%.

In addition, if the number of rounds of the big win game executed after the variable display is 10 rounds, or the total number of rounds of the small win game executed after the variable display (the number of times the big win opening is opened in the small win game) and the number of rounds of the big win game executed when a V win occurs in the small win game is 10 rounds, and the number of time-saving times after the big win game is 99, the level to be announced in the level announcement performance is set to a level range of 50 to 89 at a rate of 50% and a level range of 90 to 99 at a rate of 50%.

In addition, if the number of rounds of the big win game executed after the variable display is 10 rounds, or the total number of rounds of the small win game executed after the variable display (the number of times the big win opening is opened in the small win game) and the number of rounds of the big win game executed when a V win occurs in the small win game is 10 rounds, and the number of time reductions after the big win game is 7 times, and furthermore, if there is one or more reserved memory numbers that will result in a big win or a small win in the second special chart reserved memory, the level to be announced in the level announcement performance is determined to be in the level range of 50 to 89 at a rate of 50% and in the level range of 90 to 99 at a rate of 50%.

In addition, in the processing of 003SGS456, after the level range is determined, the level to be announced in the level announcement performance is randomly determined from within the determined level range (for example, if the level range is determined to be 10 to 49 based on the above ratio, one of these 10 to 49 levels is decided).

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the level to be notified in the level notification performance is exemplified as being randomly determined from within the determined level band, but the present invention is not limited to this. The level to be notified in the level notification performance may be determined in a ratio according to the number of reserved memories in the second special chart reserved memory that will be a big hit or a small hit within the level band after the level band is determined. For example, when the number of reserved memories in the second special chart reserved memory that will be a big hit or a small hit is two or more, a high level within the determined level band may be determined at a higher ratio than when the number of reserved memories in the second special chart reserved memory that will be a big hit or a small hit is one or less. In this way, when a player recognizes the level determination rule, even if a low level is notified in the level notification performance, if the player can determine that the notified level belongs to the upper level of a specific level band, the player can have a sense of expectation about the existence of multiple reserved memories in the second special chart reserved memory that will be a big hit or a small hit, and the interest in the game can be improved.

Then, if the number of rounds of the big win game executed after the variable display is 10 rounds, or the total number of rounds of the small win game executed after the variable display (the number of times the big win opening is opened in the small win game) and the number of rounds of the big win game executed when a V win occurs in the small win game is 10 rounds, and there are two or more reserved memories in the second special chart reserved memory that will result in a big win or a small win, the level to be notified in the level notification performance is determined to be 100 at a rate of 100%.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, an example is shown in which the level to be notified in the level notification performance is determined by referring to the second special chart reserved memory, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the level to be notified in the level notification performance may be determined by referring to both the second special chart reserved memory and the first special chart reserved memory.

The effect control CPU 120 also determines the effect pattern of the button vibration effect according to the level determined in 003SGS456 (the level to be notified in the level notification effect) (003SGS457). As shown in FIG. 32, the button vibration effect in this embodiment is an effect included in the chance-up effect, and vibrates the push button 31B when the variable display starts, and causes the LED (button lamp 9e) in the push button 31B to light up in one of the following colors: white, blue, red, or rainbow.

As shown in FIG. 35(A), in step 003SGS457, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 1 to 9, the light color of the button lamp 9e is determined to be white 70% of the time, blue 7% of the time, and red 23% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 10 to 49, the light color of the button lamp 9e is determined to be white 65% of the time, blue 7% of the time, red 23% of the time, and rainbow 5% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 50 to 89, the light color of the button lamp 9e is determined to be white 60% of the time, blue 7% of the time, red 23% of the time, and rainbow 10% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 90 to 99, the light color of the button lamp 9e is determined to be white 55% of the time, blue 7% of the time, red 23% of the time, and rainbow 15% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is 100, the light color of the button lamp 9e is determined to be white 50% of the time, blue 7% of the time, red 23% of the time, and rainbow 20% of the time. Note that the pattern in which the light color of the button lamp 9e is determined to be white in the level notification performance of this embodiment is a non-execution pattern in which the button vibration motor 33 is not driven, that is, the push button 31B is not vibrated and only emits light.

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not the color of the button lamp 9e has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS457 (003SGS458). If the color of the button lamp 9e has been determined to be white in step 003SGS457 (003SGS458; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS460. If the color of the button lamp 9e has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS457 (003SGS458; Y), the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the button vibration performance is executed is determined according to the notification level (003SGS459), and the process proceeds to 003SGS460.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(A), if the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 1 to 9, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the button vibration effect is executed is determined to be white 85% of the time, red 13% of the time, and gold 2% of the time. If the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 10 to 49, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the button vibration effect is executed is determined to be white 70% of the time, red 25% of the time, gold 4% of the time, and rainbow 1% of the time. If the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 50 to 89, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the button vibration effect is executed is determined to be white 50% of the time, red 15% of the time, gold 30% of the time, and rainbow 5% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 90 to 99, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the button vibration effect is executed is determined to be white 25% of the time, red 10% of the time, gold 25% of the time, and rainbow 40% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification effect is 100, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the button vibration effect is executed is determined to be red 5% of the time, gold 15% of the time, and rainbow 80% of the time. Note that the chance up coin in this embodiment is an image that indicates that the chance up effect has been executed in the chance up pattern, and also an image that suggests the expectation of the level notified in the level notification effect (expected level increase value).

Next, in 003SGS460, the presentation control CPU 120 determines the reach voice output presentation and presentation pattern according to the level determined in 003SGS456 (the level to be notified in the level notification presentation) (003SGS460). As shown in FIG. 32, the reach voice output presentation and presentation in this embodiment are presentations included in chance up presentations, and are presentations that display and output one of "Reach!", "Chance!", or "Super Hot!" when the decorative pattern is in tenpai (reach).

As shown in FIG. 35B, in step 003SGS460, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 1 to 9, the display and audio output of "Reach!" is determined 65% of the time, the display and audio output of "Chance!" is determined 12% of the time, and the display and audio output of "Hot!" is determined 23% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 10 to 49, the display and audio output of "Reach!" is determined 60% of the time, the display and audio output of "Chance!" is determined 13% of the time, and the display and audio output of "Hot!" is determined 27% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 50 to 89, the display and audio output of "Reach!" is determined 55% of the time, the display and audio output of "Chance!" is determined 14% of the time, and the display and audio output of "Hot!" is determined 31% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 90 to 99, there is a 40% chance that "Reach!" will be displayed and sound output, a 16% chance that "Chance!" will be displayed and sound output, and a 39% chance that "Hot!" will be displayed and sound output. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is 100, there is a 45% chance that "Reach!" will be displayed and sound output, a 16% chance that "Chance!" will be displayed and sound output, and a 39% chance that "Hot!" will be displayed and sound output.

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not a voice output other than "Reach!" has been decided in step 003SGS460 (003SGS461). If a voice output of "Reach!" has been decided in step 003SGS460 (003SGS461;N), the process proceeds to 003SGS463. If a voice output other than "Reach!" has been decided in step 003SGS460 (003SGS461;Y), the type (display color) of chance up coins to be acquired after the execution of the reach voice output performance is decided according to the notification level (003SGS462), and the process proceeds to 003SGS463.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(B), if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 1 to 9, the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the reach-time voice output performance is executed is determined to be white 98% of the time and red 2% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 10 to 49, the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the reach-time voice output performance is executed is determined to be white 79% of the time, red 20% of the time, and gold 1% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 50 to 89, the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the reach-time voice output performance is executed is determined to be white 69% of the time, red 10% of the time, gold 20% of the time, and rainbow 1% of the time. Also, if the level notified in the level notification performance is any of 90 to 99, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the reach voice output performance is executed is determined to be white 60% of the time, red 5% of the time, gold 15% of the time, and rainbow 20% of the time. Also, if the level notified in the level notification performance is 100, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the reach voice output performance is executed is determined to be white 30% of the time, red 2% of the time, gold 8% of the time, and rainbow 60% of the time.

Next, in 003SGS463, the effect control CPU 120 determines the effect pattern of the character display effect according to the level determined in 003SGS456 (the level to be notified in the level notification effect) (003SGS463). As shown in FIG. 32, the character display effect in this embodiment is an effect included in the chance-up effect, and is an effect that displays one of the characters to C in the background during the introductory part, which is the first half of each of the super reach δ and ε reach effects.

The introduction part of each reach performance of Super Reach δ and ε is a part in which the display mode of the image displayed on the image display device 5, the light emission pattern of the game effect lamp 9, and the sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R are the same. On the other hand, the development part (details will be described later), which is the latter half of each reach performance of Super Reach δ and ε, is a part in which the display mode of the image displayed on the image display device 5, the light emission pattern of the game effect lamp 9, and the sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R are different.

As shown in FIG. 35(C), in step 003SGS463, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 1 to 9, then character A is displayed 60% of the time, character B is displayed 10% of the time, and character C is displayed 30% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 10 to 49, then character A is displayed 55% of the time, character B is displayed 11% of the time, and character C is displayed 34% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 50 to 89, then character A is displayed 50% of the time, character B is displayed 12% of the time, and character C is displayed 38% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 90 to 99, then character A is displayed 45% of the time, character B is displayed 13% of the time, and character C is displayed 42% of the time. Furthermore, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is 100, there is a 40% chance that character A will be displayed, a 14% chance that character B will be displayed, and a 46% chance that character C will be displayed.

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not it has been decided in step 003SGS463 to display a character other than character A (003SGS464). If it has been decided in step 003SGS463 to display character A (003SGS464;N), it proceeds to 003SGS466, and if it has been decided in step 003SGS463 to display a character other than character A (003SGS464;Y), it determines the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the character display performance is executed according to the level to be notified (003SGS465), and proceeds to 003SGS466.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(B), if the level announced in the level announcement performance is any one of 1 to 9, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the character display performance is executed is determined to be white 98% of the time and red 2% of the time. If the level announced in the level announcement performance is any one of 10 to 49, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the character display performance is executed is determined to be white 79% of the time, red 20% of the time, and gold 1% of the time. If the level announced in the level announcement performance is any one of 50 to 89, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the character display performance is executed is determined to be white 69% of the time, red 10% of the time, gold 20% of the time, and rainbow 1% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 90 to 99, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the character display effect is executed is determined to be white 60% of the time, red 5% of the time, gold 15% of the time, and rainbow 20% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification effect is 100, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the character display effect is executed is determined to be white 30% of the time, red 2% of the time, gold 8% of the time, and rainbow 60% of the time.

Next, in 003SGS466, the presentation control CPU 120 determines the presentation pattern of the title presentation according to the level determined in 003SGS456 (the level to be notified in the level notification presentation) (003SGS466). As shown in FIG. 32, the title presentation in this embodiment is a presentation included in the chance-up presentation, and is a presentation in which the reach title displayed at the beginning of the development part, which is the latter half of each reach presentation of super reach δ and ε, is displayed in one of the colors white, red, or gold.

As shown in FIG. 36(A), in step 003SGS466, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 1 to 9, the title display color is determined to be white 55% of the time, red 40% of the time, and gold 5% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 10 to 49, the title display color is determined to be white 50% of the time, red 44% of the time, and gold 6% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 50 to 89, the title display color is determined to be white 45% of the time, red 48% of the time, and gold 7% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 90 to 99, the title display color is determined to be white 40% of the time, red 52% of the time, and gold 8% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification is 100, there is a 35% chance that the title display color will be white, a 56% chance that it will be red, and a 9% chance that it will be gold.

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not the title display color has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS466 (003SGS467). If the title display color has been determined to be white in step 003SGS466 (003SGS467; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS469. If the title display color has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS466 (003SGS467; Y), the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin to be acquired after the title display performance is executed is determined according to the level to be notified (003SGS468), and the process proceeds to 003SGS469.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(A), if the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 1 to 9, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the title effect is executed is determined to be white 85% of the time, red 13% of the time, and gold 2% of the time. If the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 10 to 49, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the title effect is executed is determined to be white 70% of the time, red 25% of the time, gold 4% of the time, and rainbow 1% of the time. If the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 50 to 89, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the title effect is executed is determined to be white 50% of the time, red 15% of the time, gold 30% of the time, and rainbow 5% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 90 to 99, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the title effect is executed is determined to be white 25% of the time, red 10% of the time, gold 25% of the time, and rainbow 40% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification effect is 100, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the title effect is executed is determined to be red 5% of the time, gold 15% of the time, and rainbow 80% of the time.

In 003SGS469, the CPU 120 for controlling the performance determines whether the variable display pattern is the Super Reach ε pattern by specifying the variable display pattern from the variable display pattern designation command read in 003SGS435 (003SGS469). If the variable display pattern is the Super Reach δ pattern (003SGS469; N), the CPU 120 proceeds to 003SGS476. If the variable display pattern is the Super Reach ε pattern (003SGS469; Y), the CPU 120 determines the subtitle telop pattern according to the level determined in 003SGS456 (the level to be notified in the level notification performance) (003SGS470). As shown in FIG. 32, the subtitle telop performance in this embodiment is a performance included in the chance-up performance, and is a performance in which the subtitles displayed during the execution of the development part, which is the latter half of each reach performance of the Super Reach δ and ε, are displayed in white, red, or gold.

As shown in FIG. 36B, in step 003SGS470, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 1 to 9, the display color of the subtitle telop is determined to be white 50% of the time, red 44% of the time, and gold 6% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 10 to 49, the display color of the subtitle telop is determined to be white 45% of the time, red 48% of the time, and gold 7% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 50 to 89, the display color of the subtitle telop is determined to be white 40% of the time, red 52% of the time, and gold 8% of the time. Also, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 90 to 99, the display color of the subtitle telop is determined to be white 35% of the time, red 56% of the time, and gold 9% of the time. Furthermore, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is 100, the display color of the subtitle telop will be determined to be white 30% of the time, red 60% of the time, and gold 10% of the time.

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not the display color of the subtitle telop has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS470 (003SGS471). If the display color of the subtitle telop has been determined to be white in step 003SGS470 (003SGS471; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS473. If the display color of the subtitle telop has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS470 (003SGS471; Y), the process determines the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin to be acquired after the execution of the subtitle telop performance according to the level of notification (003SGS472), and proceeds to 003SGS473.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(A), if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 1 to 9, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the subtitle telop performance is executed is determined to be white 85% of the time, red 13% of the time, and gold 2% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 10 to 49, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the subtitle telop performance is executed is determined to be white 70% of the time, red 25% of the time, gold 4% of the time, and rainbow 1% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 50 to 89, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the subtitle telop performance is executed is determined to be white 50% of the time, red 15% of the time, gold 30% of the time, and rainbow 5% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification performance is any of 90 to 99, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the subtitle telop performance is executed is determined to be white 25% of the time, red 10% of the time, gold 25% of the time, and rainbow 40% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification performance is 100, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the subtitle telop performance is executed is determined to be red 5% of the time, gold 15% of the time, and rainbow 80% of the time.

In 003SGS473, the CPU 120 for controlling the effects determines the effect pattern of the cut-in effect according to the level determined in 003SGS456 (the level to be notified in the level notification effect) (003SGS473). As shown in FIG. 32, the cut-in effect in this embodiment is an effect included in the chance-up effect, and is an effect in which the cut-in image displayed at the end of the development part, which is the latter half of each reach effect of the super reaches δ and ε, is displayed in one of the colors white, red, or gold.

As shown in FIG. 36(C), in step 003SGS473, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 1 to 9, the display color of the cut-in image is determined to be white 45% of the time, blue 7% of the time, and red 48% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 10 to 49, the display color of the cut-in image is determined to be white 40% of the time, blue 8% of the time, and red 52% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 50 to 89, the display color of the cut-in image is determined to be white 35% of the time, blue 9% of the time, and red 56% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification performance is any of 90 to 99, the display color of the subtitle telop is determined to be white 30% of the time, blue 10% of the time, and red 60% of the time. Furthermore, if the level to be notified in the level notification performance is 100, the display color of the subtitle telop will be determined to be white 25% of the time, blue 11% of the time, and red 64% of the time.

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not the display color of the cut-in image has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS473 (003SGS474). If the display color of the cut-in image has been determined to be white in step 003SGS473 (003SGS474;N), the process proceeds to 003SGS476. If the display color of the cut-in image has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS473 (003SGS474;Y), the process determines the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the cut-in performance is executed according to the level of notification (003SGS475), and proceeds to 003SGS476.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(A), if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 1 to 9, the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the cut-in effect is executed is determined to be white 85% of the time, red 13% of the time, and gold 2% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 10 to 49, the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the cut-in effect is executed is determined to be white 70% of the time, red 25% of the time, gold 4% of the time, and rainbow 1% of the time. If the level to be notified in the level notification effect is any of 50 to 89, the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the cut-in effect is executed is determined to be white 50% of the time, red 15% of the time, gold 30% of the time, and rainbow 5% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 90 to 99, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the cut-in effect is executed is determined to be white 25% of the time, red 10% of the time, gold 25% of the time, and rainbow 40% of the time. Furthermore, if the level notified in the level notification effect is 100, the type (display color) of the chance up coin acquired after the cut-in effect is executed is determined to be red 5% of the time, gold 15% of the time, and rainbow 80% of the time.

Then, in step 003SGS4766, the effect control CPU 120 sets the execution of each determined chance-up effect. It also sets the execution of a level notification effect (003SGS477) according to the level determined in 003SGS456 (the level to be notified in the level notification effect), and sets the execution of a reward acquisition effect (003SGS478) according to the level to be notified, the time-saving state after a big win game, the number of reserved memories in the second special chart reserved memory that will result in a big win or a small win, etc., and ends the chance-up effect determination process.

If the variable display result in 003SGS452 is a miss (003SGS452;N), the performance control CPU 120 determines the performance pattern of the button vibration performance (the light color of the button lamp 9e) in accordance with the fact that the variable display result is a miss (003SGS481). As shown in FIG. 35(A), in the step 003SGS481, the light color of the button lamp 9e is determined to be white 90% of the time, blue 9% of the time, and red 1% of the time.

In other words, in the button vibration presentation in this embodiment, the push button 31B emitting white light (the push button 31B not vibrating) indicates with the lowest probability that the variable display result will be a big or small hit, the push button 31B emitting blue light indicates with a higher probability that the variable display result will be a big or small hit than when the push button 31B emitting white light, the push button 31B emitting red light indicates with a higher probability that the variable display result will be a big or small hit than when the push button 31B emitting blue light, and the push button 31B emitting rainbow colors indicates with a higher probability that the variable display result will be a big or small hit than when the push button 31B emitting red light (hope of winning according to the light color in the button vibration presentation: rainbow > red > blue > white).

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not the light color of the button lamp 9e has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS481 (003SGS458). If the light color of the button lamp 9e has been determined to be white in step 003SGS481 (003SGS458; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS460. If the light color of the button lamp 9e has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS481 (003SGS458; Y), the process determines the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin to be acquired after the button vibration performance is executed in accordance with the variable display result being a miss, and proceeds to 003SGS484.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(A), if the variable display result is a miss, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the button vibration effect is executed is determined to be white 34% of the time, red 33% of the time, and gold 33% of the time.

Next, in 003SGS484, the presentation control CPU 120 determines the voice output presentation during reach and the presentation pattern depending on whether the variable display result is a miss (003SGS484).

As shown in FIG. 35(B), in step 003SGS484, depending on whether the variable display result is a miss, there is a 90% chance that the display and audio output of "Reach!" will be decided, a 9% chance that the display and audio output of "Chance!" will be decided, and a 1% chance that the display and audio output of "Hot!" will be decided.

In other words, in this embodiment, the voice output effect and effect when a hit is reached indicates that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit with a low probability by outputting and displaying the voice "Reach!", and indicates that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit with a high probability by outputting and displaying the voice "Super hot!" (Expectation of a hit in the voice output effect and effect when a hit is reached: voice output and display of "Super hot!" > voice output and display of "Chance!" > voice output and display of "Reach!").

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not a voice output other than "Reach!" has been decided in step 003SGS484 (003SGS485). If a voice output of "Reach!" has been decided in step 003SGS484 (003SGS485; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS487. If a voice output other than "Reach!" has been decided in step 003SGS484 (003SGS485; Y), the process determines the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the execution of the reach-time voice output performance in accordance with the variable display result being a miss (003SGS486), and proceeds to 003SGS487.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(B), depending on whether the variable display result is a miss, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the reach-time voice output effect is executed is determined to be white 34% of the time, red 33% of the time, and gold 33% of the time. Also, if the level notified in the level notification effect is any of 10 to 49, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the reach-time voice output effect is executed is determined to be white 79% of the time, red 20% of the time, and gold 1% of the time.

Next, in 003SGS487, the presentation control CPU 120 determines the presentation pattern for the character display presentation depending on whether the variable display result is a miss (003SGS487).

As shown in FIG. 35(C), in step 003SGS487, if the variable display result is a miss, there is a 90% chance that character A will be displayed, a 9% chance that character B will be displayed, and a 1% chance that character C will be displayed.

In other words, the character display presentation of this embodiment suggests with the lowest probability that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit by displaying character A in the background, and suggests with the highest probability that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit by displaying character C in the background (expected hit probability for each character displayed in the character display presentation: character C display > character B display > character A display).

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not it has been decided in step 003SGS487 to display a character other than character A (003SGS488). If it has been decided in step 003SGS487 to display character A (003SGS488; N), it proceeds to 003SGS490. If it has been decided in step 003SGS487 to display a character other than character A (003SGS488; Y), it determines the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the character display performance is executed in accordance with the variable display result being a miss (003SGS489), and proceeds to 003SGS490.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(B), depending on whether the variable display result is a miss, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the character display performance is executed is determined to be white 34% of the time, red 33% of the time, and gold 33% of the time.

Next, in 003SGS490, the performance control CPU 120 determines the performance pattern for the title performance based on the fact that the variable display result is expected (003SGS490).

As shown in FIG. 36(A), in step 003SGS490, depending on whether the variable display result is "should", the title display color is determined to be white 90% of the time, red 9% of the time, and gold 1% of the time.

In other words, in the title display effect of this embodiment, when the title is displayed in white, it indicates with the lowest probability that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit, and when the title is displayed in gold, it indicates with the highest probability that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit (expected hit probability for each title display color in the title effect: gold > red > white).

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not the title display color has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS490 (003SGS491). If the title display color has been determined to be white in step 003SGS490 (003SGS491; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS493. If the title display color has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS490 (003SGS491; Y), the process determines the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin to be acquired after the title display performance is executed according to the fact that the variable display result is a "should" (003SGS492), and proceeds to 003SGS493.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(A), depending on whether the variable display result is "should," the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the title performance is executed is determined to be white 34% of the time, red 33% of the time, and gold 33% of the time.

Then, in 003SGS493, the performance control CPU 120 determines whether the variable display fluctuation pattern is the Super Reach ε fluctuation pattern (003SGS493) by, for example, identifying the fluctuation pattern from the fluctuation pattern designation command read in 003SGS435. If the variable display fluctuation pattern is the Super Reach δ fluctuation pattern (003SGS493; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS476, and if the variable display fluctuation pattern is the Super Reach ε fluctuation pattern (003SGS493; Y), the performance pattern for the subtitle telop performance is determined in accordance with the fact that the variable display result is a miss (003SGS494).

As shown in FIG. 36(B), in step 003SGS494, if the variable display result is a miss, the display color of the subtitle telop is determined to be white 90% of the time, red 9% of the time, and gold 1% of the time.

In other words, in the subtitle caption display performance of this embodiment, the caption displayed in white indicates with the lowest probability that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit, and the caption displayed in gold indicates with the highest probability that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit (expected hit probability for each caption display color in the subtitle caption performance: gold > red > white).

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not the display color of the subtitle telop has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS494 (003SGS495). If the display color of the subtitle telop has been determined to be white in step 003SGS494 (003SGS495; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS497. If the display color of the subtitle telop has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS494 (003SGS495; Y), the process determines the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin to be acquired after the execution of the subtitle telop performance in accordance with the variable display result being a miss (003SGS476), and proceeds to 003SGS497.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(A), depending on whether the variable display result is a miss, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin acquired after the subtitle telop effect is executed is determined to be white 34% of the time, red 33% of the time, and gold 33% of the time.

In 003SGS497, the performance control CPU 120 determines the performance pattern of the cut-in performance depending on whether the variable display result is a miss (003SGS497).

As shown in FIG. 36(C), in step 003SGS497, depending on whether the variable display result is a miss, the display color of the cut-in image is determined to be white 90% of the time, blue 9% of the time, and red 1% of the time.

In other words, in this embodiment, the cut-in display effect indicates with the lowest probability that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit when the cut-in image is displayed in white, and with the title displayed in red, indicates with the highest probability that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit (expected hit probability for each title display color in the title effect: red > blue > white).

Then, the performance control CPU 120 judges whether or not the display color of the cut-in image has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS497 (003SGS498). If the display color of the cut-in image has been determined to be white in step 003SGS497 (003SGS498; N), the process proceeds to 003SGS476. If the display color of the cut-in image has been determined to be other than white in step 003SGS497 (003SGS498; Y), the process determines the type (display color) of the chance up coin to be acquired after the cut-in performance is executed in accordance with the variable display result being a miss (003SGS499), and proceeds to 003SGS476.

For example, as shown in FIG. 38(A), depending on whether the variable display result is a miss, the type (display color) of the chance-up coin acquired after the cut-in effect is executed is determined to be white 34% of the time, red 33% of the time, and gold 33% of the time. After that, steps 003SGS476 to 003SGS478 are executed as described above, and the chance-up effect determination process is completed.

As described above, in the variable display in the Super Reach δ variable pattern of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33(A), a button vibration effect is executed from the start of the variable display, a voice output effect at the time of reach from the time when the decorative pattern is ready (reach), a character display effect is executed during the execution of the introductory part which is the first half of the reach effect, and a title effect is executed at the beginning of the development part (development part A) which is the second half of the reach effect. Furthermore, if the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit, a celebration effect is executed until the variable display stops after the big hit is notified as a reach effect, and a level notification effect is executed during the pattern determination period from the stop of the variable display to the start of the big hit game.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 33(B), in the variable display in the Super Reach ε variable pattern of this embodiment, a button vibration effect is executed from the start of the variable display, a voice output effect at the time of reach from the time when the decorative pattern is tenpai (reach), an effect, a character display effect during the execution of the introductory part which is the first half of the reach effect, a title effect at the beginning of the development part (development part B) which is the second half of the reach effect, a subtitle telop effect during the execution of the development part (development part B) which is the second half of the reach effect, and a cut-in effect at the end of the development part (development part B) which is the second half of the reach effect. Furthermore, if the variable display result is a big win or a small win, a celebration effect is executed until the variable display stops after the big win is notified as a reach effect, and a level notification effect is executed during the pattern determination period from the stop of the variable display to the start of the big win game.

As shown in FIG. 33(C), of these chance-up effects, the button vibration effect and the reach-time voice output effect have an execution period of L1, the character display effect and the title effect have an execution period of L2 that is longer than L1, the cut-in effect has an execution period of L3 that is longer than L2, and the subtitle caption effect has an execution period of L4 that is longer than L3.

The button vibration effect, reach voice output effect, effect, character display effect, title display effect, subtitle telop effect, and cut-in effect are also effects that output sound corresponding to each effect from the start timing of each effect. Specifically, as shown in Figures 34 (A) to 33 (DE), the button effect, reach voice output effect, and effect output sound corresponding to each effect from the start timing of each effect over a period T1, and the character display effect and title effect output sound corresponding to each effect over a period T2 shorter than T1 from the start timing of each effect. Furthermore, the cut-in effect outputs sound corresponding to the cut-in effect over a period T3 shorter than T2 from the start timing of the effect, and the subtitle telop effect outputs sound corresponding to the subtitle telop effect over a period T4 shorter than T3 from the start timing of the effect. In other words, in the chance-up effect in this embodiment, the longer the execution period of the effect, the shorter the output period of the sound corresponding to each effect is set.

Here, as shown in Figures 35 to 37, when the variable display result is a big win or a small win, if the level to be notified in the level notification effect is within the same range (for example, 1 to 9, 10 to 49, 50 to 89, 90 to 99, 100), the shorter the execution period of the chance-up effect, the more likely it is to have a normal pattern (if it is a button vibration effect, white light is emitted (push button 31B vibration is not executed), if it is a reach voice output effect, if it is a reach, the voice output and display of "Reach!", if it is a character display effect, character A is displayed, if it is a title effect, the title is displayed in white, if it is a subtitle telop effect, the telop is displayed in white, and if it is a cut-in effect, If the effect is a chance-up effect, the percentage of chance-up effects that are executed in the cut-in image in white is set to be higher, and conversely, the longer the execution period of the chance-up effect, the higher the percentage of chance-up effects that are executed in the chance-up pattern (blue, red, or rainbow light for a button-activated effect, voice output effect when a reach occurs, voice output and display of "Chance!" or "Hot!" for an effect, display of character B or character C for a character display effect, display of the title in red or gold for a title effect, display of the caption in red or gold for a subtitle telop effect, and display of the cut-in image in blue or red for a cut-in effect).

This means that the longer the output period of the effect sound output at the start of each chance up effect, the higher the probability that the chance up effect will be executed in the normal pattern, and conversely, the shorter the output period of the effect sound output at the start of each chance up effect, the higher the probability that the chance up effect will be executed in the chance up pattern.

As shown in Fig. 38(A) to Fig. 38(C), when the variable display result is a big win or a small win, the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin that can be obtained after the execution of each Chance Up performance is set to be red, gold, or rainbow at a higher rate as the level notified in the level notification performance is higher. In other words, when the Chance Up Coin is displayed in red, gold, or rainbow, it suggests that the level notified in the level notification performance is higher than when the Chance Up Coin is displayed in white. In particular, when the Chance Up Coin is displayed in gold, it suggests that the level notified in the level notification performance is higher at a higher rate than when the Chance Up Coin is displayed in red, and when the Chance Up Coin is displayed in rainbow, it suggests that the level notified in the level notification performance is higher at a higher rate than when the Chance Up Coin is displayed in gold (expectation of high level notification by display color of Chance Up Coin: rainbow > gold > red > white).

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 38 (A) to 38 (C), the chance-up effects in this embodiment are divided into button vibration effects, title effects, subtitle caption effects, and cut-in effects that indicate the likelihood of a win by color (display color or light emission color), and reach-time voice output effects, effects, and character display effects that indicate the likelihood of a win by things other than color (displayed image, output voice). Among these, when comparing the rate of determining the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin when the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit in the button vibration effect, title effect, subtitle telop effect, and cut-in effect, which indicate the expected hit probability by color (display color or light emission color), with the rate of determining the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin when the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit in the reach-time voice output effect, effect, and character display effect, which indicate the expected hit probability by other than color (display color or light emission color), the button vibration effect, title effect, subtitle telop effect, and cut-in effect are more likely to determine the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin to be other than white than the reach-time voice output effect, effect, and character display effect. Furthermore, when the level to be notified in the level notification effect is 10 or higher, the button vibration effect, title effect, subtitle telop effect, and cut-in effect are more likely to determine the type (display color) of the Chance Up Coin to be rainbow color than the reach-time voice output effect, effect, and character display effect.

In other words, in this embodiment, when a button vibration effect, title effect, subtitle caption effect, or cut-in effect that indicates the likelihood of a win by color (display color or light emission color) is executed, a chance-up coin other than white is displayed at a higher rate than when a reach-time voice output effect, effect, or character display effect that indicates the likelihood of a win by something other than color (displayed image, output voice) is executed. In other words, when the variable display result is a big win or a small win, the rate at which a higher level is announced in the level announcement effect is set to be high.

As described above, in this embodiment, the chance-up effect determination process is executed within the variable display start setting process, that is, by determining whether or not to execute the chance-up effect, the effect pattern, and the level to be notified in the level notification effect at the start of the variable display, it is possible to determine whether or not to execute the chance-up effect, the effect pattern, and the level to be notified in the level notification effect at an appropriate rate according to the start of the variable display, thereby reducing the processing load on the CPU 103 and preventing the occurrence of malfunctions due to complicated processing.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, a chance-up effect determination process is executed in the variable display start setting process to determine whether or not to execute a chance-up effect and the effect pattern at the start of the variable display. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The chance-up effect determination process may be executed in the variable display during effect process (see FIG. 27), that is, the chance-up effect execution and effect pattern may be determined during the variable display. For example, by executing the chance-up effect determination process when, for example, 10 seconds have elapsed since the start of the variable display, even if the variable display is the first variable display in the time-saving state, it is possible to refer to the reserved memory that has occurred within 10 seconds to determine whether or not to execute each chance-up effect, the effect pattern, and the level to be notified in the level notification effect (especially level 100, which indicates that there is a reserved memory in the reserved memory in which the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit), so that each chance-up effect and level notification effect can be executed appropriately.

(Performance mode)
Next, the presentation mode in the variable display of Super Reach δ and Super Reach ε in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 39 to 55. As shown in Figures 39 to 59, in the time-saving state, small win game state, and big win game state, a right-hit promotion image that encourages the player to shoot the game ball toward the right game area 2R is always displayed in the lower right of the image display device 5. The right-hit promotion image is an image that is not displayed when the game state is controlled to the normal state.

First, as shown in Figures 39 and 40, the variable display starts with the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variation pattern. At this time, if the push button 31B emits white light and the push button 31B does not vibrate, the Chance Up Coin will not be displayed after the button vibration effect is executed, as shown in Figures 39 (A-1) to 39 (A-3).

On the other hand, when the push button 31B is illuminated in a color other than white (blue, red, rainbow) as the button vibration effect, as shown in Figures 40 (A-4) to 40 (A-8), a notification icon 003SGIA is displayed in accordance with the effect pattern of the button vibration effect executed on the image display device 5 based on the execution of the button vibration effect (Figure 40 (A-8) shows an example in which the push button 31B is illuminated in red as the button vibration effect). Then, when a specific period of time has elapsed since the start of the display of the notification icon 003SGIA, the notification icon 003SGIA changes to a chance up coin. The chance up coin is then moved and displayed in the chance up coin standby position, which is the right end of the display area of the image display device 5. Thereafter, the display of the chance up coin is maintained. Furthermore, the specific period from when the notification icon 003SGIA starts to be displayed until the notification icon 003SGIA changes to a Chance Up Coin should be a period that does not interfere with the performance that is executed thereafter, and should be a period of time (e.g., 2 seconds) that is sufficient for the player to visually recognize the text information written on the notification icon 003SGIA.

Next, as shown in Figures 41 and 42, when the variable display progresses to a reach, a reach-time voice output effect and effect are executed. At this time, if the reach-time voice output effect and effect is executed with the voice output and display of "Reach!", no chance up coins will be displayed (additionally displayed) after the reach-time voice output effect is executed, as shown in Figures 41 (B-1) to 41 (B-3).

On the other hand, when the reach-time voice output effect, the voice output and display of "Chance!" or "Super Hot!" are executed, as shown in FIG. 42(B-4) to FIG. 42(B-8), the notification icon 003SGIB corresponding to the reach-time voice output effect and the effect pattern executed on the image display device 5 is displayed based on the reach-time voice output effect and the effect being executed (FIG. 42(B-7) shows an example of the reach-time voice output effect, the voice output and display of "Chance!" are executed as the effect). Then, when a specific period of time has passed since the display of the notification icon 003SGIB, the notification icon 003SGIB changes to a chance up coin. Then, the chance up coin is moved and displayed to the chance up coin standby position, which is the right end of the display area of the image display device 5 (if the chance up coin is already displayed, it is moved and displayed below the chance up coin displayed at the bottom). After that, the display of the chance up coin is maintained.

Then, when the reach voice output performance and performance are completed, the reach performance of Super Reach δ or the reach performance of Super Reach ε begins. Note that in this embodiment, the reach performance of Super Reach δ is broadly divided into an introduction part and a development part (development part A), and the reach performance of Super Reach ε is broadly divided into an introduction part and a development part (development part B). Of these, the introduction part is a performance part that is executed in a common presentation style for the reach performance of Super Reach δ and the reach performance of Super Reach ε, and the development part (development part A) in the reach performance of Super Reach δ and the development part (development part B) in the reach performance of Super Reach ε are performance parts that are executed in different presentation styles.

When the introductory part starts in the reach performance of Super Reach δ or the reach performance of Super Reach ε, a character display performance is executed as shown in Figures 43 and 44. At this time, if character A is displayed as the character display performance, no chance up coins will be displayed (additionally displayed) after the character display performance is executed, as shown in Figures 43 (C-1) to 43 (C-4).

On the other hand, when character B or character C is displayed as the character display effect, as shown in FIG. 44(C-5) to FIG. 44(C-8), a notification icon 003SGIC is displayed according to the effect pattern of the character display effect executed on the image display device 5 based on the execution of the character display effect (FIG. 44(C-7) shows an example in which character B is displayed as the character display effect). Then, when a specific period of time has passed since the display of the notification icon 003SGIC, the notification icon 003SGIC changes to a chance up coin. Then, the chance up coin is moved and displayed to the chance up coin standby position, which is the right end of the display area of the image display device 5 (if a chance up coin is already displayed, it is moved and displayed below the chance up coin displayed at the bottom). Thereafter, the display of the chance up coin is maintained.

After the character display performance ends, if the variable display is a variable display based on the fluctuation pattern of Super Reach δ, the game moves to development part A, which is the latter half of the reach performance of Super Reach δ. In development part A, a battle takes place between friendly character and enemy character A. When development part A starts, a title display performance is executed. At this time, if the title is displayed in white as the title display performance, no chance up coins will be displayed (additionally displayed) after the title display performance is executed, as shown in Figures 45 (D-1) to 45 (D-3).

On the other hand, when the title is displayed in red or gold as the title display effect, as shown in FIG. 46 (D-4) to FIG. 46 (D-7), a notification icon 003SGID is displayed according to the effect pattern of the title display effect executed on the image display device 5 based on the execution of the title display effect (FIG. 46 (D-6) shows an example in which the title is displayed in red as the title display effect). Then, when a specific period of time has passed since the display of the notification icon 003SGID, the notification icon 003SGID changes to a chance up coin. Then, the chance up coin is moved and displayed to the chance up coin standby position, which is the right end of the display area of the image display device 5 (if a chance up coin is already displayed, it is moved and displayed below the chance up coin displayed at the bottom). Thereafter, the display of the chance up coin is maintained.

After the title display effect ends, a battle between the ally character and enemy character A is carried out, as shown in Figures 47 (E-1) to 47 (E-7). At this time, if the variable display result is a big win or a small win, the ally character wins against enemy character A, and it is announced that the variable display result is a big win or a small win. Then, a congratulatory effect is displayed to show that the decorative patterns have been lined up in the same number, and the variable display stops (see Figures 47 (E-4) to 47 (E-6)).

On the other hand, if the variable display result is a miss, the friendly character is defeated by enemy character A, which notifies the player that the variable display result is a miss, and the variable display stops (see FIG. 47 (E-7)). Note that if the variable display result is a miss, the chance-up coin displayed in the standby position at the time the variable display stops is hidden.

Furthermore, after the character display performance ends, if the variable display is a variable display based on the fluctuation pattern of Super Reach ε, the game moves to development part B, which is the latter half of the reach performance of Super Reach ε. In development part B, a battle takes place between ally character and enemy character B. When development part B starts, a title display performance is executed. At this time, if the title is displayed in white as the title display performance, no chance up coins will be displayed (additionally displayed) after the title display performance is executed, as shown in Figures 48 (F-1) to 48 (F-3).

On the other hand, when the title is displayed in red or gold as the title display effect, as shown in FIG. 49 (F-4) to FIG. 49 (F-7), a notification icon 003SGID is displayed according to the effect pattern of the title display effect executed on the image display device 5 based on the execution of the title display effect (FIG. 48 (D-6) shows an example in which the title is displayed in red as the title display effect). Then, when a specific period of time has elapsed since the display of the notification icon 003SGID, the notification icon 003SGID changes to a chance up coin. Then, the chance up coin is moved and displayed to the chance up coin standby position, which is the right end of the display area of the image display device 5 (if a chance up coin is already displayed, it is moved and displayed below the chance up coin displayed at the bottom). Thereafter, the display of the chance up coin is maintained.

After the title display effect ends, a battle between the ally character and enemy character A is carried out, as shown in Figures 50 (G-1) and 50 (G-2). During the battle, audio is output in response to the lines of the ally character, and a subtitle telop effect is executed to display subtitles for the lines of the ally character. At this time, if the subtitle telop is displayed in white as the subtitle telop effect, no chance up coins are displayed (additionally displayed) after the subtitle telop effect is executed, as shown in Figures 50 (G-3) to 50 (G-4).

On the other hand, when the subtitle telop is displayed in red or gold as the subtitle telop effect, as shown in FIG. 51 (G-5) to FIG. 51 (G-8), a notification icon 003SGIE is displayed according to the effect pattern of the subtitle telop effect executed on the image display device 5 based on the execution of the subtitle telop effect (FIG. 51 (G-7) shows an example in which the subtitle telop is displayed in red as the subtitle telop effect). Then, when a specific period of time has passed since the display of the notification icon 003SGIE, the notification icon 003SGIE changes to a chance up coin. Then, the chance up coin is moved and displayed to the chance up coin standby position, which is the right end of the display area of the image display device 5 (if the chance up coin is already displayed, it is moved and displayed below the chance up coin displayed at the bottom). Thereafter, the display of the chance up coin is maintained.

Then, when the subtitle telop effect ends and development part B approaches the end, a cut-in effect is executed. At this time, if the cut-in image is displayed in white as the cut-in effect, no chance-up coins will be displayed (additional display) after the cut-in effect is executed, as shown in Figures 52 (H-1) to 52 (H-3).

On the other hand, when a cut-in image is displayed in red or gold as a cut-in effect, as shown in FIG. 53 (H-4) to FIG. 53 (H-7), a notification icon 003SGIF is displayed according to the effect pattern of the cut-in effect executed on the image display device 5 based on the execution of the cut-in effect (FIG. 53 (H-6) shows an example in which a cut-in image is displayed in red as a cut-in effect). Then, when a specific period of time has elapsed since the display of the notification icon 003SGIF, the notification icon 003SGIF changes to a chance up coin. Then, the chance up coin is moved and displayed to the chance up coin standby position, which is the right end of the display area of the image display device 5 (if a chance up coin is already displayed, it is moved and displayed below the chance up coin displayed at the bottom). Thereafter, the display of the chance up coin is maintained.

After that, as shown in Figures 54 (I-1) to 54 (I-6), if the variable display result is a big win or a small win, the friendly character defeats enemy character B, and it is announced that the variable display result is a big win or a small win. Then, a congratulatory effect is displayed to show that the decorative patterns have been lined up in the same number, and the variable display stops (see Figures 54 (I-3) to 54 (I-5)).

On the other hand, if the variable display result is a miss, the friendly character is defeated by enemy character B, which notifies the player that the variable display result is a miss, and the variable display stops (see FIG. 54 (I-6)). Note that if the variable display result is a miss, the chance-up coin displayed in the standby position at the time the variable display stops is hidden.

In this embodiment, the reach effect of Super Reach δ and Super Reach ε is exemplified as a form in which the ally character is defeated by an enemy character to notify the player that the variable display result will be a miss, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the reach effect of Super Reach δ and Super Reach ε may also be a pattern in which the ally character revives and defeats the enemy character after being defeated by the enemy character (a so-called revival pattern). By doing this, even if the ally character is defeated by the enemy character, the player's sense of expectation that the ally character will revive and defeat the enemy character can be maintained until the variable display stops, that is, until the Chance Up Coin is no longer displayed.

In addition, in this embodiment, when it is notified that the variable display result will be a miss as a reach effect of Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε due to an ally character being defeated by an enemy character, the variable display stops and the Chance Up Coin is hidden, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the Chance Up Coin may be hidden at the point when it is notified that the variable display result will be a miss as a reach effect. Furthermore, at the timing when the Chance Up Coin is hidden, the display of the image displayed as the reach effect may also end, and the normal background image (background image in the time-saving state) may be displayed, and the decorative pattern may be displayed in a miss combination.

By doing this, even if the variable display result is notified as a miss as a reach effect, the Chance Up Coin is displayed until the variable display stops, which prevents the player from perceiving that a big win or small win may be notified by the revival pattern described above.

As described above, when the variable display is executed in the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variable pattern and the variable display result is a big win or a small win, a level notification effect is executed during the pattern determination period of the variable display. As the level notification effect, first, as shown in FIG. 55 (J-1) to FIG. 55 (J-3), the image display device 5 displays a message indicating that the level notification effect will be executed (a "Level up Chance!" display shown in FIG. 55 (J-1)), and then a message indicating that the level of the ally character will be increased (a "Level up your character!" display shown in FIG. 55 (J-2)) and that the more chance up coins acquired (displayed) during the variable display, the more likely the character's level will become high (a "The more coins acquired during the change, the more chances!" display).

Next, as shown in Figures 55 (J-4) and 55 (J-5), all chance up coins displayed after each chance up effect is executed during variable display on the image display device 5 are highlighted. At this time, these chance up coins are displayed in the color they were in when they were displayed, so the player can roughly grasp the level notified in the level notification effect from the number and display color of these chance up coins.

When the highlighting of the Chance Up Coin displayed during the variable display ends, the level notification effect starts, as shown in Figure 55 (J-6) to Figure 55 (J-7). In this level notification effect, first, a level 1 ally character is displayed on the image display device 5, and then an operation prompting image is displayed that prompts the player to operate the push button 31B.

At this time, when the player operates the push button 31B or the operation acceptance period of the push button 31B ends, the level of the ally character displayed on the image display device 5 rises to the level determined in step 003SGS456 of the chance-up performance determination process. This notifies the player of the final level of the ally character. For example, as shown in FIG. 55 (J-8), the first level-up is implemented when the player operates the push button 31B or when the operation acceptance period of the push button 31B ends. At this time, an aura 5o is displayed around the ally character, and the size of the aura indicates the current level. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 56 (J-9) to FIG. 56 (J-16), the displayed chance-up coins affect the level display from top to bottom, thereby implementing a level-up of the character, and the aura 5o becomes larger according to the level of the character.

Then, as shown in FIG. 57 (J-17), after the level-up caused by the action of the last chance-up coin has finished, a message is displayed indicating that the level determined at the start of the variable display has been reached (the final level has been reached), and then the game transitions to a jackpot game state.

As shown in Figures 57 (J-18) and 57 (J-19), if the Chance Up Coin is not displayed at the time of Figure 55 (J-7), the level determined at the start of the variable display and the aura 5o corresponding to that level are displayed when the player operates the push button 31B or when the operation acceptance period of the push button 31B ends. Then, after a display indicating that the level determined at the start of the variable display has been reached (the final level has been reached), the game transitions to the big win game state.

In this embodiment, the level of an ally character is indicated by the size of the aura 5o in the level notification presentation, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the level notification presentation, the level of an ally character may be indicated by the color or shape of the aura 5o instead of or in addition to the size of the aura 5o.

Next, we will explain the presentation of the small win game state and the big win game state when the variable display is executed in the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variable pattern and the variable display result is a big win or small win.

When a variable display is executed in the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variable pattern and the variable display result is a small win, the level notification effect described above is executed during the pattern determination period, and then the game is controlled to a small win game state. In the small win game state, as shown in FIG. 58 (K-1), a V winning promotion display (a right-facing arrow and a display of "Aim for V!") is displayed in the center of the image display device 5, urging the player to shoot the game ball toward the right game area 2R to pass the game ball through the second count switch 24 (to win a V), as shown in FIG. 58 (K-1). In addition, a level notification image showing the level notified in the level notification effect is displayed in the lower left of the image display device 5.

If a game ball enters the large prize opening while the large prize opening is open during a small prize game state, and the game ball then passes through the second count switch 24 (when a V prize has occurred), as shown in FIG. 58 (K-2), the image display device 5 displays a V prize notification image indicating that the game ball has passed through the second count switch 24, in place of the V prize promotion display. After that, based on the game ball having passed through the second count switch 24 during the small prize game state, the game is controlled to a large prize game state after the small prize game state.

When the opening of the large prize opening is completed during the small prize game state, and the small prize game state ends, and the game ball does not pass through the second count switch 24, as shown in FIG. 58 (K-3), a warning image is displayed on the image display device 5 so as to overlap with the V prize promotion display, warning the player to pass the game ball through the second count switch 24. At this time, a timer image showing the remaining opening period of the large prize opening is displayed at the bottom right corner of the image display device 5.

If the game ball passes the second count switch 24 after the warning image and timer image are displayed, the image display device 5 displays a V winning notification image indicating that the game ball has passed the second count switch 24 in place of the V winning promotion display, as shown in FIG. 58 (K-2), and then controls the game state to a big win game state after the small win game state. On the other hand, if the big win opening is closed without the game ball passing the second count switch 24 after the warning image and timer image are displayed, the game state is controlled from the small win game state to the normal state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 58 (K-4) and FIG. 58 (K-5), after the display of the V winning promotion display, timer image, and level notification image is terminated, the image display device 5 displays a left hit promotion image in place of the V winning promotion display, timer image, and level notification image, encouraging the player to shoot the game ball toward the left game area 2L. Furthermore, the display of the left hit promotion image may end when the game state is controlled to the normal state and all remaining variable displays of the reserved memory for the second special symbol end, or when the variable display of the first special symbol begins.

Next, if the variable display is executed in the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variable pattern and the variable display result is a big win, or if the variable display is executed in the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variable pattern and the variable display result is a small win and the game ball passes through the second count switch 24 in the small win game state, the game is controlled to the big win game state.

In the period before the opening of the big prize winning port in the first round of the big win game state, a reward acquisition presentation is executed. The reward acquisition presentation in this embodiment is a presentation in which each friendly character battles a different enemy character, and the number of rounds of the big win game is announced in small increments as a result of each battle. In addition, the reward acquisition presentation may announce that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result will be a big win or a small win after the big win game ends, and that time-saving control will be executed for a maximum of 99 variable displays after the big win game ends, in other words, that in the time-saving state after the big win game ends, the game state will almost certainly be controlled to the normal state and the variable display result will be a big win or a small win.

As shown in FIG. 59 (L-1), the reward acquisition effect first displays on the image display device 5 a message indicating that the reward acquisition effect will be executed (a message saying "V-COMBO has occurred! Defeat the enemy and get the reward!"). Then, as shown in FIG. 59 (L-2), the level of the ally character notified in the level notification effect is displayed in the lower left part of the image display device 5, and the number of remaining battles to be executed as the reward acquisition effect (initially displayed as 4) is displayed in the upper right part of the image display device 5. Furthermore, an image of the ally character facing enemy character A is displayed in the center of the image display device 5, and the first battle begins.

For the first battle, as shown in FIG. 59 (L-3) to FIG. 59 (L-4), an operation prompting image is displayed in the center of the image display device 5 to prompt the player to operate the push button 31B. Then, when the player operates the push button 31B, or when the operation acceptance period for the push button 31B ends without the player operating the push button 31B, an image of an ally character defeating enemy character A is displayed, and the number of remaining battles displayed in the upper right corner of the image display device 5 is updated by subtracting 1. Also, as shown in FIG. 59 (L-5), in response to the ally character defeating enemy character A, one round is notified as the number of rounds of the jackpot game. Furthermore, at this time, the right part of the image display device 5 starts displaying images of stars in the same number as the number of rounds notified as the number of rounds of the jackpot game (one in this embodiment), and the first battle ends.

After the first battle ends, an image of the ally character and enemy character B facing each other is displayed in the center of the image display device 5, and the second battle begins. For the second battle, as shown in FIG. 59 (L-6) to FIG. 59 (L-7), an operation prompting image is displayed in the center of the image display device 5 to prompt the player to operate the push button 31B. Then, when the player operates the push button 31B, or when the operation acceptance period for the push button 31B ends without the player operating the push button 31B, an image of the ally character defeating the enemy character B is displayed, and the number of remaining battles displayed in the upper right part of the image display device 5 is updated by subtracting 1. Also, as shown in FIG. 59 (L-8), in response to the ally character defeating the enemy character B, one round is added to the number of rounds of the jackpot game. Furthermore, at this time, the right part of the image display device 5 starts to additionally display the same number of star images (one in this embodiment) as the number of rounds reported as the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and the second battle ends.

After the second battle ends, an image of the ally character and enemy character C facing each other is displayed in the center of the image display device 5, and the third battle begins. For the third battle, as shown in FIG. 60 (L-9) to FIG. 60 (L-10), an operation prompting image is displayed in the center of the image display device 5 to prompt the player to operate the push button 31B. Then, when the player operates the push button 31B, or when the operation acceptance period for the push button 31B ends without the player operating the push button 31B, an image of the ally character defeating the enemy character C is displayed, and the number of remaining battles displayed in the upper right corner of the image display device 5 is updated by subtracting one round. Also, as shown in FIG. 60 (L-11), in response to the ally character defeating the enemy character C, one round is added to the number of rounds of the jackpot game. Furthermore, at this time, the right side of the image display device 5 starts to additionally display star images in the same number as the number of rounds announced as the number of rounds of the jackpot game (1 in this embodiment), and the third battle ends.

After the third battle ends, an image of the friendly character and enemy character D facing off against each other is displayed in the center of the image display device 5, and the fourth battle begins. For the fourth battle, as shown in Figures 60 (L-12) to 60 (L-13), an operation prompting image is displayed in the center of the image display device 5 to encourage the player to operate the push button 31B. Then, when the player operates the push button 31B, or the operation acceptance period for the push button 31B ends without the player operating the push button 31B, an image of the friendly character defeating the enemy character D is displayed, and the number of remaining battles displayed in the upper right corner of the image display device 5 is updated by subtracting 1 (the number of remaining battles is updated to 0).

If the number of rounds in the jackpot game is 4, the maximum number of times the game will be controlled to the time-saving state after the jackpot game is 7, and there is no reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or small jackpot, then as the fourth battle, one round is added to the number of rounds in the jackpot game, as shown in FIG. 61 (L-15). Furthermore, at this time, the right side of the image display device 5 starts to display additional star images in the same number as the number of rounds reported as the number of rounds in the jackpot game (one in this embodiment), and the total number of star images displayed notifies the player that the jackpot game is a four-round jackpot.

In addition, if the number of rounds in the jackpot game is 10, the number of times the game is controlled to the time-saving state after the jackpot game is a maximum of 7 times, and there is no reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or small jackpot, 7 rounds will be added and announced as the number of rounds in the jackpot game for the fourth battle, as shown in FIG. 61 (L-16). Furthermore, at this time, the right part of the image display device 5 starts to additionally display star images in the same number as the number of rounds announced as the number of rounds in the jackpot game (7 in this embodiment), and the total number of displayed star images will announce to the player that the jackpot game is a 10-round jackpot.

In addition, if the number of rounds in the jackpot game is 4 rounds, the number of times that the time-saving state is controlled after the jackpot game is a maximum of 7 times, and there is one or more reserved memories in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or small win, or if the number of rounds in the jackpot game is 4 rounds, the number of times that the time-saving state is controlled after the jackpot game is a maximum of 99 times, and there is no reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or small win, the fourth battle will be as shown in FIG. 61 (L- As shown in FIG. 17), one round is added to the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and an image (in this embodiment, a "V" image) is displayed to inform that the time-saving state after the jackpot game will continue until the variable display of the second special pattern becomes a jackpot or a small hit (if the number of times controlled to the time-saving state after the jackpot game is a maximum of 99 times, there is an extremely high probability that the time-saving state after the jackpot game will continue until the variable display of the second special pattern becomes a jackpot or a small hit). Note that, as will be described later, the "V" image may also be displayed when there is a reserved memory in the second special pattern reserved memory that will result in a jackpot or a small hit. In other words, the "V" image is an image that informs that there is an extremely high probability that the time-saving state after the jackpot game will continue until the variable display of the second special pattern becomes a jackpot or a small hit, or that there is a reserved memory in the second special pattern reserved memory that will result in a jackpot or a small hit.

At this time, the right side of the image display device 5 starts to display an additional "V" to notify that the time-saving state after the end of the jackpot game will continue until the variable display of the second special symbol becomes a jackpot or a small hit, along with the same number of star images (one in this embodiment) as the number of rounds reported as the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and the total number of these star images displayed notifies the player that the jackpot game is a four-round jackpot and that the time-saving state after the end of the jackpot game will continue until the variable display of the second special symbol becomes a jackpot or a small hit (if the maximum number of times the time-saving state is controlled after the jackpot game is 99 times, there is an extremely high probability that the time-saving state after the end of the jackpot game will continue until the variable display of the second special symbol becomes a jackpot or a small hit).

The "V" image in this embodiment is an image that continues to be displayed even after the end of the big win game, and is also an image that becomes invisible when the variable display ends and the variable display result corresponding to the "V" image is a big win or a small win. In addition, in a variable display where the variable display result corresponding to the "V" image is a big win or a small win, in order to indicate that the variable display is a variable display corresponding to the "V" image, the "V" image may be highlighted at a timing prior to announcing a big win or a small win, and a pattern that can notify that the variable display corresponds to the "V" image (for example, three "V" images as stopping patterns) may be displayed as a stopping pattern.

As described above, the image of "V" is an example of an image that continues to be displayed in the time-saving state after the end of the jackpot game, but the display mode of the "V" image may be different during the jackpot game and during the time-saving state. For example, during the jackpot game, the image of "V" may be displayed in a highly visible manner such as in the center of the image display device 5 or in an enlarged manner in order to create a sense of celebration that notifies the player that the time-saving state after the end of the jackpot game will continue until the variable display of the second special pattern becomes a jackpot or small win, or that there is a reserved memory in the second special pattern reserved memory that will become a jackpot or small win, while in the time-saving state after the jackpot game, the image of "V" may be displayed in a manner with lower visibility than during the jackpot game, such as in the end of the image display device 5 or as a smaller image than during the jackpot game so as not to obstruct the performance executed during the time-saving state. Furthermore, in order to allow the player to recognize that the variable display corresponding to the image of "V" is a variable display corresponding to the image of "V", the image of "V" may be displayed in a manner that is more visible than before the variable display began, or may continue to be displayed in the manner of low visibility described above.

In addition, if the number of rounds in the jackpot game is 10 rounds, the number of times the game is controlled to the time-saving state after the jackpot game is a maximum of 7 times, and there is one reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or small win, or if the number of rounds in the jackpot game is 4 rounds, the number of times the game is controlled to the time-saving state after the jackpot game is a maximum of 99 times, and there is no reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or small win, the fourth battle will be as shown in FIG. 61 (L-1 As shown in 8), 7 rounds are added to the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and an image (in this embodiment, an image of a "V") is displayed to notify that the time-saving state after the end of the jackpot game will continue until the variable display of the second special pattern becomes a jackpot or a small win (if the number of times controlled to the time-saving state after the jackpot game is the maximum of 99 times, there is an extremely high probability that the time-saving state after the end of the jackpot game will continue until the variable display of the second special pattern becomes a jackpot or a small win). Furthermore, at this time, on the right side of the image display device 5, along with the same number of star images (7 in this embodiment) as the number of rounds reported as the number of rounds of the jackpot game, additional "V" images are displayed to notify the player that the time-saving state after the jackpot game ends will continue until the variable display of the second special pattern becomes a jackpot or a small win, and the total number of these star images displayed notifies the player that the jackpot game is a 10-round jackpot and that the time-saving state after the jackpot game ends will continue until the variable display of the second special pattern becomes a jackpot or a small win (if the maximum number of times the time-saving state is controlled after the jackpot game is 99, there is an extremely high probability that the time-saving state after the jackpot game ends will continue until the variable display of the second special pattern becomes a jackpot or a small win).

In addition, if the number of rounds in the jackpot game is 10 rounds and there are two reserved memories in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or a small hit, then as the fourth battle, as shown in FIG. 61 (L-19), seven rounds will be added to the number of rounds in the jackpot game and announced, and after the jackpot game ends, the same number of "V" images as the number of reserved memories in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or a small hit will be displayed as an image to announce that the variable display result based on the second special chart reserved memory has been a jackpot or a small hit two or more times. Furthermore, at this time, on the right side of the image display device 5, along with the same number of star images (7 in this embodiment) as the number of rounds reported as the number of rounds of the jackpot game, additional "V" images are displayed in the second special chart reserved memory in the same number as the number of reserved memories in which the variable display result is a jackpot or small win, as images informing the player that the variable display result based on the second special chart reserved memory will be a jackpot or small win two or more times after the jackpot game ends, and the total number of these star images displayed informs the player that the jackpot game is a 10-round jackpot and that after the jackpot game ends, the game state will be controlled to a jackpot game state or small win game state two or more times without being controlled to the normal state.

After these reward acquisition effects have finished, the big prize slot will be opened for the first round of big win play.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 59 to 61, four battles between an ally character and enemy characters A to D are executed as a reward acquisition presentation, and the number of rounds during the jackpot game is announced in accordance with the ally character's defeat of enemy characters A to D in each battle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be a case where, in at least one battle, the number of rounds during the jackpot game is not announced because the ally character is defeated by enemy characters A to D.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 59 to 61, four battles between an ally character and enemy characters A to D are executed as a reward acquisition presentation, and the number of rounds during the jackpot game is announced according to whether the ally character defeats enemy characters A to D in each battle, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the expected value of the number of rounds announced may be different depending on which enemy characters A to D the ally character defeats.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 59 to 61, four battles between an ally character and enemy characters A to D are executed as a reward acquisition performance, and in response to the ally character defeating enemy character D in the fourth battle, it is possible to notify that the time-saving state will be controlled for up to 99 variable displays after the end of a big win game and that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a big win or a small win. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be possible to notify in the first to third battles that the time-saving state will be controlled for up to 99 variable displays after the end of a big win game and that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a big win or a small win.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 59 to 61, four battles between an ally character and enemy characters A to D are executed as a reward acquisition performance, and depending on whether the ally character defeats enemy characters A to D in these four battles, it is possible to notify the number of rounds of the jackpot game, the fact that the time will be reduced for up to 99 variable displays after the jackpot game ends, and the fact that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or a small win. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to provide an enemy character that is determined to be 10 rounds of the jackpot game when defeated by an ally character, or an enemy character that is determined to be controlled to be in the time-saving state for up to 99 variable displays after the jackpot game ends, or that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or a small win.

As described above, in the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, in the variable display with the variable pattern of Super Reach δ and Super Reach ε, it is possible to execute a button vibration effect, a voice output effect at the time of reach, an effect, a character display effect, a title effect, a subtitle telop effect, and a cut-in effect as chance-up effects that suggest that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit, and in addition to these chance-up effects, it is possible to execute a level notification effect as an effect that suggests that the number of rounds of the big hit game when the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit, that time-saving control will be performed for up to 99 variable displays after the big hit game, and that the variable display result will be a big hit or a small hit in the second special chart reserved memory.

These chance-up patterns include a normal pattern and a chance-up pattern that suggests that the variable display result will be a big win or a small win at a higher rate than the normal pattern.

The higher the level notified as the level notification effect, the higher the probability that 10 rounds will be notified as the number of rounds of the jackpot game, the higher the probability that time-saving control will be performed for up to 99 variable displays after the jackpot game, and the higher the probability that the variable display result in the second special chart reserved memory will be a jackpot or small jackpot.

As shown in Figures 35 and 36, in each chance-up performance, the higher the level notified in the level notification performance, the higher the probability of the chance-up pattern being determined to be executed. In other words, in the variable display of the Super Reach δ and Super Reach ε variable patterns, a higher level such as level 90 to 99 is more likely to be notified in the level notification performance when the chance-up performance is executed in the chance-up pattern a second number of times (e.g., 3 or more times) that is greater than the first number of times (e.g., 1 or 2 times).

In other words, in this embodiment, the number of times that chance-up effects such as button vibration effects, reach-time voice output effects, effects, character display effects, title effects, subtitle telop effects, and cut-in effects are executed by the chance-up pattern not only indicates whether or not the game state is controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state, but also indicates that when the game state is controlled to a big win game state, the number of rounds is 10 rounds, the number of times that the variable display in which time-saving control is performed is a maximum of 99 times, and the variable display result in the second special chart reserved memory is a big win or a small win, etc., so that the player's expectations for the number of rounds when the game state is controlled to a big win game state being 10 rounds, the number of times that the variable display in which time-saving control is performed is a maximum of 99 times, and the variable display result in the second special chart reserved memory being a big win or a small win, etc. can be increased, thereby improving the interest in the game and improving the marketability of the pachinko game machine 1.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 35 to 37, in each chance-up effect, the longer the effect execution period, the higher the probability that the effect will be executed in the chance-up pattern. This makes it easier for the player to recognize that the chance-up effect with a longer effect execution period has been executed in the chance-up pattern, thereby improving the effect of these chance-up effects (especially the subtitle telop effects and cut-in effects, which have long effect execution periods).

In this embodiment, the number of rounds when the game is controlled to a jackpot game state is 10 rounds, the number of times that the variable display in which time-saving control is performed is a maximum of 99 times, and the variable display result in the second special chart reserved memory is a jackpot or small win, etc., are suggested at different rates according to the level notified in the level notification performance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the targets suggested according to the level notified in the level notification performance may be, in addition to or instead of the content related to the game, such as the number of rounds when the game is controlled to a jackpot game state being 10 rounds, the number of times that the variable display in which time-saving control is performed is a maximum of 99 times, and the variable display result in the second special chart reserved memory being a jackpot or small win, the content related to the performance may be the content related to the performance, such as a performance with a low execution rate being executed during a jackpot game.

In addition, in this embodiment, the more times each chance-up performance is executed in the chance-up pattern, the higher the probability of a high level (e.g., 90 to 99) being announced in the level notification performance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the less times each chance-up performance is executed in the chance-up pattern, the higher the probability of a high level (e.g., 90 to 99) being announced in the level notification performance. By doing this, even if each chance-up performance is executed in the normal pattern, it is possible to maintain the player's sense of expectation that 10 rounds of big win play will be executed when the variable display result is a big win or a small win, that time-saving control will be executed for up to 99 variable displays after the big win play, and that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a big win or a small win, and therefore it is possible to suppress a decrease in interest in the game due to each chance-up performance being executed in the normal pattern.

Also, as shown in FIG. 34, in each chance up effect, it is possible to output a sound effect corresponding to each effect from the start of the effect, and the output period of these sound effects is inversely proportional to the length of the execution period of each effect. In other words, the shorter the effect execution period of a chance up effect, the longer the output period of the sound effect is set, while the longer the effect execution period of a chance up effect, the shorter the output period of the sound effect is set. Therefore, in each chance up effect, the output of the sound effect can make the player aware of the start of each chance up effect.

Furthermore, for example, because the output of the effect sound ends earlier than the execution of effects such as the button vibration effect, the reach voice output effect, and other effects, the player can recognize that the chance-up effect being executed is an effect that has a longer execution period than the button vibration effect, the reach voice output effect, and other effects such as the character display effect, the title effect, the cut-in effect, and the subtitle telop effect. Therefore, when the character display effect, the title effect, the cut-in effect, the subtitle telop effect, and other effects are executed, the player's attention can be drawn to these character display effects, the title effect, the cut-in effect, and the subtitle telop effect, etc., earlier than when the button vibration effect, the reach voice output effect, and other effects are executed, and the player's expectations can be increased for the fact that 10 rounds of jackpot play will be executed when the variable display result is a jackpot or small jackpot, that time-saving control will be executed for a maximum of 99 variable displays after the jackpot play, and that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a jackpot or small jackpot.

In this embodiment, the example shows a form in which the shorter the effect execution period is, the longer the effect sound output period is, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the chance-up effect, the shorter the effect execution period is, the longer the output period of the game effect lamp 9 may be. In particular, in button vibration effects, reach-time voice output effects, and effects that have a longer effect execution period than the effects (character display effects, title effects, cut-in effects, subtitle telop effects), the game effect lamp 9 may be illuminated only at the start of the effect, and thereafter the game effect lamp 9 may not be illuminated until the effect ends.

Furthermore, in effects (character display effects, title effects, cut-in effects, subtitle caption effects) whose effect execution period is longer than that of button vibration effects, reach-time voice output effects, and other effects, the light-emitting area of the game effect lamp 9 may be made smaller than that of the game effect lamp 9 in button vibration effects, reach-time voice output effects, and other effects.

As shown in Fig. 38(A) to Fig. 38(C), the chance-up effects in this embodiment include effects that suggest the likelihood of a big win by displaying or emitting colors such as button vibration effects, title effects, subtitle telop effects, and cut-in effects, and effects that suggest the likelihood of a big win by using a different mode (output sound or displayed image) from the color of the reach-time voice output effects, effects, character display effects, etc. Here, when the button vibration effects, title effects, subtitle telop effects, and cut-in effects are executed in the chance-up pattern, the chance-up coin can be displayed in a color other than white at a higher rate than when the reach-time voice output effects, effects, and character display effects are executed in the chance-up pattern. In particular, when the level to be notified in the level notification effects is 10 or higher, the button vibration effects, title effects, subtitle telop effects, and cut-in effects are more likely to determine the type (display color) of the chance-up coin to be rainbow color than the reach-time voice output effects, effects, and character display effects.

In other words, in this embodiment, when a button vibration effect, title effect, subtitle caption effect, or cut-in effect that indicates the expected probability of a win by color (display color or light emission color) is executed, a chance-up coin other than white is displayed at a higher rate than when a reach-time voice output effect, effect, or character display effect that indicates the expected probability of a win by something other than color (displayed image, output voice) is executed. In other words, when the variable display result is a big win or small win, the rate at which a higher level is announced in the level announcement effect is set to be high. Therefore, not only is it possible to control each chance-up effect to an advantageous state depending on the number of times it is executed in the chance-up pattern, but it is also possible to make the player feel a sense of expectation that 10 rounds of big win play will be executed when the variable display result is a big win or a small win, that time-saving control will be executed for up to 99 variable displays after the big win play, and that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory where the variable display result is a big win or a small win, etc. In addition, the player can be drawn to whether the chance-up effect being executed is an effect that suggests the likelihood of a big win by the display color or light emission color of the button vibration effect, title effect, subtitle telop effect, cut-in effect, etc., or an effect that suggests the likelihood of a big win by a different aspect from the color of the reach-time voice output effect, effect, character display effect, etc., thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

In this embodiment, when a button vibration effect, title effect, subtitle telop effect, or cut-in effect that indicates the probability of a hit by color (display color or light emission color) is executed, the probability of a higher level being notified in the level notification effect is set higher when the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit than when a reach-time voice output effect, effect, or character display effect that indicates the probability of a hit by other than color (display color or light emission color) is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a button vibration effect, title effect, subtitle telop effect, or cut-in effect that indicates the probability of a hit by color (display color or light emission color) is executed, the probability of a higher level being notified in the level notification effect may be set lower when the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit than when a reach-time voice output effect, effect, or character display effect that indicates the probability of a hit by other than color (display color or light emission color).

In this embodiment, the proportion of high-level levels such as 90 to 100 announced in the level announcement effect varies depending on the number of times the chance-up effect was executed in the chance-up pattern and which chance-up pattern each chance-up effect was executed in. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a numerical value to be added as a level for each chance-up pattern may be determined in advance, and the level to be announced in the level announcement effect may be determined by the sum of the numerical values according to the executed chance-up patterns. In this case, for example, the numerical value to be added as a level may be different for button vibration effects, title effects, subtitle telop effects, and cut-in effects that indicate the probability of a win by color (display color or light emission color), and reach-time voice output effects, effects, and character display effects that indicate the probability of a win by something other than color (displayed image, output voice).

As shown in FIG. 33(A) and FIG. 33(B), in the variable display in the variation pattern of Super Reach δ, a total of four chance-up effects can be executed, including a button vibration effect, a voice output effect at the time of reach, an effect, a character display effect, and a title effect, while in the variable display in the variation pattern of Super Reach ε, a total of six chance-up effects can be executed, including a subtitle telop effect, and a cut-in effect, in addition to the button vibration effect, the voice output effect at the time of reach, an effect, a character display effect, and a title effect. In other words, in the variable display in the variation pattern of Super Reach δ, the chance-up effect can be executed four times, and in the variable display in the variation pattern of Super Reach ε, the chance-up effect can be executed six times. This suggests that when the reach effect of Super Reach ε is executed, the chance-up effect is executed more times than when the reach effect of Super Reach δ is executed, so that the player can pay attention to both which of the reach effect of Super Reach ε and the reach effect of Super Reach δ is executed and the number of times the chance-up effect is executed in the chance-up pattern, thereby improving the interest in the game.

In this embodiment, the number of times the chance-up effect is executed is different for the variable display of Super Reach δ and the variable display of Super Reach ε that can be executed in the time-saving state, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of times the chance-up effect is executed may be different for the variable display of the reach that can be executed in the normal state.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is given of a form in which the number of chance-up effects that can be executed in the variable display of Super Reach ε is greater than the number of chance-up effects that can be executed in the variable display of Super Reach δ, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of chance-up effects that can be executed in the variable display of Super Reach δ and the variable display of Super Reach ε may be the same, or the number of chance-up effects that can be executed in the variable display of Super Reach ε may be less than the number of chance-up effects that can be executed in the variable display of Super Reach δ.

As shown in Figures 33, 34, 35, and 36, when the reach performance of Super Reach δ is executed and when the reach performance of Super Reach ε is executed, a button vibration effect, a reach-time voice output effect, a character display effect, and a title effect can be executed, and the determination ratio of the chance-up pattern in these button vibration effects, reach-time voice output effects, character display effects, and title effects is the same when the reach performance of Super Reach δ is executed and when the reach performance of Super Reach ε is executed. Therefore, regardless of whether the reach performance of Super Reach δ or the reach performance of Super Reach ε is executed, the player can be drawn to the fact that a high level such as 90 to 100 can be announced in the level announcement effect, thereby increasing the interest in the game.

In this embodiment, the button vibration effect, the voice output effect when a reach is reached, the character display effect, and the chance up pattern determination ratio in the title effect are exemplified as being common when the Super Reach δ reach effect is executed and when the Super Reach ε reach effect is executed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and at least a part of the button vibration effect, the voice output effect when a reach is reached, the character display effect, and the chance up pattern determination ratio in the title effect may be different when the Super Reach δ reach effect is executed and when the Super Reach ε reach effect is executed.

In addition, in this embodiment, the button vibration effect, reach voice output effect, effect, character display effect, and title effect are exemplified as being common to the Super Reach δ reach effect and the Super Reach ε reach effect, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the button vibration effect, reach voice output effect, character display effect, and title effect may be different from the Super Reach δ reach effect and the Super Reach ε reach effect. In this way, whether the button vibration effect and reach voice output effect executed before the reach effect starts are executed in a chance-up pattern suggests whether the Super Reach δ reach effect or the Super Reach ε reach effect will be executed later, so that the player can pay more attention to which effect pattern these chance-up effects will be executed in, and the interest in the game can be increased.

Also, as shown in Figures 32 and 33, in the reach performance of Super Reach δ, the chance-up performance can be performed as a button vibration performance, a reach-time voice output performance, a performance, a character display performance, and a title display performance, and in the reach performance of Super Reach ε, the chance-up performance can be performed as a button vibration performance, a reach-time voice output performance, a performance, a character display performance, a title display performance, a subtitle telop performance, and a cut-in performance. Also, according to the number of times that the chance-up performance is performed in the chance-up pattern of these chance-up performances, chance-up coins are awarded, and the final level in the level notification performance is suggested by the number of awarded chance-up coins and the display color, that is, the proportion of 10 rounds of big win play when the variable display result is a big win or a small win, the time-saving control is executed for a maximum of 99 variable displays after the big win play, and the presence of a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a big win or a small win is suggested. On the other hand, whether the reach performance is a Super Reach δ reach performance or a Super Reach ε reach performance, no chance up coins are awarded in response to the execution of the reach performance. In other words, regardless of whether the reach performance is a Super Reach δ reach performance or a Super Reach ε reach performance, a level such as 10 to 99 is announced as a level announcement performance at a certain rate. Therefore, even when the reach performance of Super Reach δ is executed, where the rate at which the game is controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state is lower than when the reach performance of Super Reach ε is executed, the expectation of a high level being announced in the level announcement performance can be maintained, and interest in the game can be increased.

In this embodiment, a chance up coin is awarded in response to the chance up effect being executed in the chance up pattern, that is, a form is exemplified in which it is possible to suggest that a high level will be announced in the level announcement effect depending on the number of times the chance up effect is executed in the chance up pattern, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to award a chance up coin when the reach effect of Super Reach ε is executed, that is, it is possible to suggest that a high level will be announced in the level announcement effect when the reach effect of Super Reach ε is executed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, a form was exemplified in which the image display device 5 displays a pending display corresponding to a variable display whose execution is pending in the first special chart pending memory display area 5D and the second special chart pending memory display area 5U, but the present invention is not limited to this. As a first modified example, as shown in FIG. 62(A), an active display area 5S may be provided in a predetermined position of the image display device 5 (for example, the lower center of the image display device 5), and a pending display corresponding to a variable display being executed may be displayed as an active display in the active display area 5S.

In addition, in this way, when it is possible to display an active display in addition to a reserved display, the proportion of the game being controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state may be made different depending on the display mode of the reserved display or active display, or the timing at which the display mode of the reserved display or active display changes.

For example, as shown in FIG. 62(B), for pending displays and active displays where the variable display result is a miss, the final display mode is determined to be white 90% of the time, blue 9% of the time, and red 1% of the time. On the other hand, for pending displays and active displays where the variable display result is a big win or small win, the final display mode is determined to be white 5% of the time, blue 15% of the time, red 75% of the time, and rainbow 5% of the time.

In addition, if the variable display result is a miss and the final display state of the reserved display or active display is determined to be other than white, if the final display state is blue, the timing of the change to the blue is determined to be during the reserved display at a rate of 95% and during the active display at a rate of 5%. If the final display state is red, the timing of the change to the red is determined to be during the reserved display at a rate of 50% and during the active display at a rate of 50%. On the other hand, if the variable display result is a big win or a small win and the final display state of the reserved display or active display is determined to be other than white, if the final display state is blue, the timing of the change to the blue is determined to be during the reserved display at a rate of 40% and during the active display at a rate of 60%. If the final display state is red, the timing of the change to the red is determined to be during the reserved display at a rate of 20% and during the active display at a rate of 80%. If the final display state is rainbow, the timing of the change to the red is determined to be during the reserved display at a rate of 10% and during the active display at a rate of 90%.

As described above, when it is possible to execute an effect (hereinafter, a change effect) that changes the expectation level controlled to the big win game state or the small win game state depending on the display mode of the pending display or active display and the timing of the change in the display mode, the change effect may be included in the chance-up effect of the present invention. Furthermore, even when a change effect is included in the chance-up effect, whether or not a chance-up coin is awarded (additionally displayed) may be changed depending on the timing of the change in the display mode of the pending display or active display. For example, as shown in FIG. 62(D), if the pending display that is the subject of the change effect is executed during the pending display (before the variable display of Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε is executed), chance up coins are not awarded in response to the execution of the change effect (a high level band level such as 90 to 99 is announced as a level announcement effect at a rate that is not related to the execution of the change effect), and if the pending display that is the subject of the change effect is displayed as an active display (during the execution of the variable display of Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε), chance up coins are awarded in response to the execution of the change effect (a high level band level such as 90 to 99 is announced as a level announcement effect at a rate that is related to the execution of the change effect).

By doing this, it becomes clear which of the changes in the display mode of the pending display and the changes in the display mode of the active display will affect the results of the level notification effect, preventing player confusion and improving the presentation effect of the change effect.

In the present modified example and the above embodiment, a form in which a variable display can be executed in the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variation pattern in the time-saving state has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and in the time-saving state, a variable display can also be executed in a Super Reach variation pattern other than the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variation pattern. In this way, when a variable display can be executed in a Super Reach variation pattern other than the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variation pattern in the time-saving state, a change performance can be executed for both the pending display and the active display during a variable display in a Super Reach variation pattern other than the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variation pattern, while a change performance can be executed only for the active display during a variable display in the Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε variation pattern, and a change performance for the pending display can not be executed. By doing this, Super Reach effects other than Super Reach δ and Super Reach ε can be executed in the time-saving state, increasing interest in the game, and by making it possible to execute change effects only on the active display during variable display in the variable pattern of Super Reach δ and Super Reach ε, it becomes easier to draw the player's attention to the active display, increasing interest in the game.

In the above embodiment, when the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit in the variable pattern of Super Reach δ or Super Reach ε, the level is notified by executing a level notification effect during the pattern determination period, and the notified level indicates that 10 rounds of big hit play are executed when the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit in the reward acquisition effect executed at the time of big hit play, that time-saving control is executed for up to 99 variable displays after the big hit play, and that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory in which the variable display result is a big hit or a small hit, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as a modified example 2, as shown in Figures 63 (A) to 63 (G) and Figures 64 (A) to 64 (F), when a low level such as 9 or 30 is notified in the level notification effect, a higher level may be notified in the first to third battles in the reward acquisition effect.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 65, when the level announced in the level announcement presentation is the lowest level band such as 1 to 9, a higher probability of a very high level band such as 90 to 100 being announced in the end may be set, compared to when the level announced in the level announcement presentation is 10 to 49, etc. By doing this, even when a low level band such as 1 to 9 is announced in the level announcement presentation, the player's anticipation of the level being promoted to a high level band such as 90 to 100 during the reward acquisition presentation can be maintained, and a decrease in interest in the game can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, as the performance pattern of the chance-up performance, a normal pattern and a chance-up pattern that indicates a higher probability of being controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state than the normal pattern are provided, and in some chance-up performances, a confirmation pattern (for example, rainbow light emission in a button vibration performance) that notifies that the game will be controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as a modification example 3, a confirmation pattern may also be provided in other chance-up performances (in Figs. 66(A) and 66(B), a form in which a rainbow display of a caption or a rainbow display of a cut-in image is exemplified as a confirmation pattern for a subtitle telop performance and a cut-in performance). In addition, it is desirable to set the determination rate of these confirmation patterns to a sufficiently low value (for example, 1%), as shown in Figs. 66(A) and 66(B), as well as the determination rate of other performance patterns. Furthermore, in cases where it is possible to determine the rainbow color display of captions or cut-in images as shown in Figures 66(A) and 66(B), the percentage of rainbow colored Chance Up Coins displayed after a subtitle caption effect or cut-in effect is executed may be set to an extremely higher percentage (90% in Figures 66(C) and 66(D)) than the percentage of Chance Up Coins displayed in other display modes, as shown in Figures 66(C) and 66(D).

In addition, in this second variation, the rate at which a relatively low level such as 1 to 49 is first announced in the level announcement presentation, and then the rate at which level 100 is finally announced in the reward acquisition presentation may be set higher than the rate at which level 100 is announced in the level announcement presentation. By doing this, even if a relatively low level such as 1 to 49 is announced in the level announcement presentation, the player's sense of anticipation for level 100 being announced can be effectively maintained.

In the examples shown in Figures 63(A) to 63(G) and Figures 64(A) to 64(F), during the reward acquisition presentation, the level notified in the level announcement presentation is promoted to a level band two or more levels higher, which makes it possible to accurately attract the player's attention to the level increase during the reward acquisition presentation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the level band that is increased in the reward acquisition presentation may be only one level.

Furthermore, when a rainbow-colored caption is displayed as a subtitle caption effect, or a rainbow-colored cut-in image is displayed as a cut-in effect, additional rainbow-colored Chance Up Coins may be displayed at a higher rate, particularly more than double the rate, than when a red or gold caption is displayed as a subtitle caption effect, or a red or gold cut-in image is displayed as a cut-in effect. In this way, when a rainbow-colored caption is displayed as the subtitle caption effect and a rainbow-colored cut-in image is displayed as the cut-in effect (when both the subtitle caption effect and the cut-in effect indicate that the game will be controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state), a high level such as 90 to 100 is announced as the level announcement effect at a higher rate than when a rainbow-colored caption is displayed as the subtitle caption effect and a red or gold cut-in image is displayed as the cut-in effect, or when a red or gold caption is displayed as the subtitle caption effect and a rainbow-colored cut-in image is displayed as the cut-in effect (when only one of the subtitle caption effect and the cut-in effect indicates that the game will be controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state), so the player can be drawn to the fact that the chance-up effect is being executed in a confirmed pattern, and interest in the game can be increased.

In addition, in this modified example 3, the lower the chance up effect is executed in a performance pattern that controls the game state to a big hit or small hit, the lower the level notified in the level notification performance is suggested, and the higher the chance up effect is executed in a performance pattern that controls the game state to a big hit or small hit, the higher the level notified in the level notification performance is suggested. In particular, when the chance up effect is executed in a performance pattern that notifies the game state to be controlled to a big hit or small hit, the level notified in the level notification performance is suggested to be higher by more than twice the rate when the chance up effect is executed in other performance patterns. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as the performance pattern of the chance up effect, multiple performance patterns with different execution rates are provided regardless of the rate at which the game state is controlled to a big hit or small hit, and the level notified in the level notification performance can be suggested simply by which performance pattern is executed.

Furthermore, in this variant example 3 and the above embodiment, a form is exemplified in which the level to be announced in the level announcement effect is suggested depending on the number of times the chance up effect is executed in the chance up pattern and which chance up pattern each chance up effect is executed in, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the level to be announced in the level announcement effect may be suggested only based on the number of times the chance up effect is executed in the chance up pattern.

In addition, in this embodiment, the same introduction part is provided in both the reach performance of Super Reach δ and the reach performance of Super Reach ε, and development parts with different presentation modes are provided in both reach performances, and the introduction parts of both reach performances can execute character display performances with the same presentation mode as chance-up performances, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as a fourth variant, the character display performance may be a performance that can be executed in the introduction part of each reach performance. In this way, by making it possible to execute character display performances with the same presentation mode in the development part (development part A) of the reach performance of Super Reach δ and development part B, which is a development part with a different presentation mode from development part A and is the development part of the reach performance of Super Reach ε, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize the character display performance, and therefore the presentation effect of the character display performance can be accurately given to the player.

In addition, in the fourth variant, an example is given of a form in which the character display performance is executed in the same manner in the development part of the reach performance of Super Reach δ and the development part of the reach performance of Super Reach ε, but the present invention is not limited to this, and some different performances may be executed as the character display performance in the development part of the reach performance of Super Reach δ and the development part of the reach performance of Super Reach ε.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is given of the application of the present invention to a gaming machine (a so-called type 1/type 2 machine) that can execute a variable display and that can be controlled to a jackpot gaming state based on the passage of a gaming ball through the second count switch 24 in the large prize opening when the variable display result is controlled to a small prize gaming state, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may also be applied to a gaming machine (a so-called variable probability machine) that can execute a variable display and that, when controlled to a jackpot gaming state as a variable display result, is controlled to a variable probability state after the jackpot gaming state ends, or a gaming machine (a gaming machine with a so-called small prize rush function) that can execute a variable display and that increases the number of gaming balls that enter the large prize opening in a small prize gaming state in at least some of the cases when controlled to a jackpot gaming state as a variable display result.

When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned variable probability machine, the level notified by the level notification effect of the present invention may suggest the percentage of the machine that will be controlled to the variable probability state after the end of a jackpot game, the number of variable display times that will be controlled to the variable probability state after the end of a jackpot game, etc.

In addition, when the present invention is installed in a gaming machine having the small win rush function described above, it may be possible to suggest that the number of game balls entering the large prize port will increase in the small win game state after the big win game ends (transition to the small win rush state), etc.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given of a form in which the introduction part, which is the first half of the reach performance of Super Reach δ and the reach performance of Super Reach ε, does not execute a chance-up performance that suggests the rate at which the game will be controlled to a jackpot game state or a small jackpot game state using display colors and light emission colors, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as a variant example 5, in the introduction part, which is the first half of the reach performance of Super Reach δ and the reach performance of Super Reach ε, chance-up performances that suggest the rate at which the game will be controlled to a jackpot game state or a small jackpot game state using display colors and light emission colors may be executed in greater numbers than in the development part, which is the second half of the reach performance of Super Reach δ and the reach performance of Super Reach ε. By doing this, not only can the number of times the chance-up effect is executed in the chance-up pattern determine whether the game state is simply controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state, but the player can also have a sense of expectation that 10 rounds of big win game will be executed when the variable display result is a big win or a small win, that time-saving control will be executed for up to 99 variable displays after the big win game, and that there is a reserved memory in the second special chart reserved memory where the variable display result is a big win or a small win, etc., and the player can be made to pay attention to whether the color of the executed chance-up effect suggests that the game state will be controlled to a big win game state or a small win game state, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

In addition, in the above embodiment, spherical gaming balls (pachinko balls) were used as an example of gaming media, but the gaming media is not limited to spherical gaming media and may be non-spherical gaming media such as medals.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine was applied as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to a slot machine in which, for example, a game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using gaming value, one game ends when a variable display result is derived from a variable display device that can variably display multiple types of identifiable patterns, and a prize can be won depending on the variable display result derived from the variable display device.

The gaming machine of the present invention can also be applied to slot machines and other enclosed gaming machines that enclose gaming media and award points based on winning. Furthermore, a gaming machine capable of playing games is one that at least allows playing games, and is not limited to pachinko gaming machines or slot machines, and may be a general gaming machine.

1 Pachinko game machine 4A First special symbol display device 4B Second special symbol display device 5 Image display device 100 Game control microcomputer 120 Performance control CPU

Claims (1)

A gaming machine that performs variable display and can be controlled to an advantageous state that is advantageous to a player,
A suggestion effect execution means capable of executing a suggestion effect capable of suggesting an expectation level controlled to the advantageous state;
A special effect execution means for executing a special effect which is advantageous to a player and can suggest a content different from the expectation level controlled to the advantageous state;
A sound output means capable of outputting a performance sound;
Equipped with
The suggestion performance execution means includes:
As the suggestion performance, a first suggestion performance and a second suggestion performance having a longer execution period than the first suggestion performance can be executed,
Each of the first suggestion performance and the second suggestion performance can be executed in a plurality of performance modes including a first performance mode and a second performance mode having a higher expectation of being controlled to the advantageous state than the first performance mode;
A rate at which the second suggestion performance is executed in the second performance mode when controlled to the advantageous state is higher than a rate at which the first suggestion performance is executed in the second performance mode when controlled to the advantageous state,
The special effect execution means includes:
As the special effects, a first special effect, a second special effect suggesting a content more advantageous than the first special effect, and a third special effect having a different aspect from the first special effect and the second special effect can be executed;
In one variable display, the second special effect can be executed at different rates depending on whether the suggestion effect is executed in the second effect mode a first number of times or a second number of times that is greater than the first number of times;
The first special effect or the second special effect being executed can be changed to the third special effect.
The sound output means includes:
When the first suggestion performance is started, a performance sound corresponding to the first suggestion performance can be output over a first period,
When starting the second suggestion performance, a performance sound corresponding to the second suggestion performance can be output for a second period shorter than the first period.
A gaming machine characterized by:

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