JP7646149B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines, and can be applied to so-called "pinball gaming machines" and "slot machines."

For example, a pinball game machine (pachinko machine) has a starting hole and a big prize hole (big prize device), and executes a win/lose determination based on a win at the starting hole. When this win/lose determination is executed, a special symbol display device (identification information display means) executes a variable display of a special symbol (variable display of identification information). Then, based on the determined display of a stopped symbol (big prize symbol) indicating that the result of the win/lose determination is a big prize on the special symbol display device, a big prize game is executed in which the big prize hole is changed to an open state.
In this type of gaming machine, in addition to a special pattern display device that displays special patterns, it is common for the machine to also be equipped with a performance pattern display device as a means of notifying the player of the result of the win/loss determination, and to execute a variable performance corresponding to the changing display of the special patterns.

In addition, with this type of gaming machine, it was common for each win/loss determination to involve a single apparent change presentation (a change presentation in which the presentation pattern is displayed in a changing manner) and then the result of the win/loss determination was announced.
However, in recent years, a gaming machine has been proposed that can execute "an effect with pseudo fluctuations (pseudo consecutive effects) in which the effect symbols are changed for a predetermined time and the fluctuations are temporarily stopped (paused) repeatedly" in response to one win/loss judgment (see Patent Document 1). In this gaming machine, the fluctuation effect executed in response to one win/loss judgment can be made to look as if it were being executed multiple times. In addition, in a gaming machine that can execute this pseudo consecutive effect, the more pseudo consecutive fluctuations executed in response to one win/loss judgment, the higher the expectation of a jackpot occurrence generally becomes, so by having the pseudo consecutive effect appear as a fluctuation effect, the interest in playing the game is increased.

JP 2010-187989 A

However, it would be desirable to make improvements to gaming machines capable of implementing pseudo consecutive effects in order to further increase the enjoyment of the game.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above viewpoints, and aims to further increase the interest in gaming machines capable of implementing pseudo consecutive performances.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
A winning/loosening determination means for determining winning/looseness based on the establishment of a predetermined condition;
an identification information display means for displaying a result of the judgment after varying the identification information for a variation time period determined each time the judgment is made;
A variable performance execution means for executing a variable performance that changes the performance pattern according to a performance mode determined each time the winning/losing judgment is performed,
As the presentation mode, after performing the variation of the presentation pattern for a predetermined time, a first pseudo variation in which the pseudo consecutive mode is temporarily stopped is performed a predetermined number of times, and then a second pseudo variation in which the presentation pattern is varied until the determined variation time ends is performed.
A pseudo-continuous mode display performance associated with the pseudo-continuous mode being temporarily stopped in the first pseudo-variation is executed according to a predetermined performance display pattern, and a special performance is executable in the second pseudo-variation;
As the performance display pattern,
A first display performance pattern in which the pseudo consecutive mode is temporarily stopped without displaying a reach in the first pseudo variation to be targeted;
A second display performance pattern in which the pseudo consecutive mode is temporarily stopped after failing to temporarily stop the pseudo consecutive mode without performing the reach display in the first pseudo variation to be targeted;
A third display performance pattern in which the reach display is performed in the first pseudo variation to be targeted, and then the pseudo consecutive mode is temporarily stopped.
A first pseudo consecutive fluctuation execution mode in which the pseudo consecutive fluctuation display performance is executed according to the first display performance pattern or the second display performance pattern in the first pseudo fluctuation, and then the second pseudo fluctuation is executed, and a second pseudo consecutive fluctuation execution mode in which the pseudo consecutive fluctuation display performance is executed according to the third performance display pattern in the first pseudo fluctuation,
In the first pseudo consecutive variation execution mode, the pseudo consecutive mode display performance is more likely to be executed when it is executed according to the second performance display pattern than when it is executed according to the first performance display pattern,
When the third display performance pattern is executed, the special performance is more likely to be executed than when the first pseudo consecutive variation execution mode is executed (hereinafter referred to as the first performance feature).

According to the gaming machine having the first feature, the possibility of a special effect being executed in the second pseudo variation is made higher when the pseudo consecutive display effect is executed according to the second display effect pattern than when the pseudo consecutive display effect is executed according to the first display effect pattern. Therefore, a player who encounters the pseudo consecutive display effect according to the second display effect pattern can have a sense of expectation.
In particular, when the special effect is an effect that suggests that the result of the hit/miss judgment is highly likely to be a jackpot, the player who encounters the special effect can have a great sense of expectation. Here, examples of the special effect include (1) a reach effect (so-called "super reach effect") that is executed by developing the reach effect that is executed when the reach display is displayed, and (2) an effect that appears infrequently (for example, an effect in which a character that appears infrequently) appears.

In addition, when the pseudo consecutive mode display effect is executed according to the third display effect pattern (when the pseudo consecutive mode display effect is executed after the reach display), the player is more likely to encounter a special effect, so even if the reach display is made without the pseudo consecutive mode temporarily stopping, the player can have a sense of anticipation of encountering a special effect. In other words, if the pseudo consecutive mode temporarily stops after the reach display but the special effect is not executed, the player may feel that the effect has been prolonged in vain and that they have gained nothing, which may lead to a disappointment. However, according to the present invention, when the pseudo consecutive mode temporarily stops after the reach display, the special effect is more likely to be executed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such a "situation in which the player is disappointed."

When a reach display is performed during the first pseudo-fluctuation, the execution time of the first pseudo-fluctuation (the time until the pseudo-consecutive mode temporarily stops at the display position) may be delayed compared to when a reach display is not performed during the first pseudo-fluctuation. Therefore, when the pseudo-consecutive mode display performance is executed according to the third display performance pattern, the pseudo-consecutive mode may temporarily stop with a delay, and transition to the subsequent first pseudo-fluctuation or second pseudo-fluctuation.

In other words, when the pseudo consecutive mode display effect is performed according to the third display effect pattern, the pseudo consecutive mode may stop provisionally later than when the pseudo consecutive mode display effect is performed according to the first or second display effect pattern, but the later the pseudo consecutive mode stops provisionally, the higher the possibility of a special effect being executed. Therefore, even if the pseudo consecutive mode does not stop provisionally at the specified timing, the player can continue to hope without giving up.

In this invention, the "pseudo consecutive pattern" may be indicated by a combination of predetermined performance symbols stopping, or by a predetermined performance symbol stopping at a predetermined position (for example, the last pattern to stop), or by a pseudo consecutive pattern being displayed with a different pseudo consecutive pattern from the performance symbol. As long as it indicates to the player that a pseudo consecutive performance is being executed, the pattern (the specific configuration of the pseudo consecutive pattern) is not particularly important.

In addition, in the present invention, the number of times that the "first pseudo fluctuation" is executed is not particularly important as long as it is one or more. Therefore, in a pseudo consecutive performance, two or more "pseudo fluctuations" are executed in addition to the "second pseudo fluctuation", and typically, the more times the "pseudo fluctuations" are executed, the higher the expectation of a jackpot occurring.

The "reach display" will be described below.
In general, the variable performance starts with the variable display of multiple performance symbols in response to the variable display of the special symbol, and then ends with the multiple performance symbols being stopped and displayed in a predetermined order.The result of the hit/miss judgment is then announced based on the combination of the multiple performance symbols that are stopped and displayed.In this case, when the stopping order of multiple performance symbols is set, a performance symbol other than the one that is stopped and displayed last is displayed, and depending on which performance symbol is stopped and displayed last, a performance display that indicates that there is a possibility of a specific result (small hit, big hit) being displayed by all the performance symbols that are stopped and displayed is the "reach display".

The gaming machine of the present invention is
In the gaming machine having the first feature,
In one pseudo-consecutive display performance, after the pseudo-consecutive mode display performance is executed once according to the third performance display pattern, a feature (hereinafter referred to as the second feature) may be that when the pseudo-consecutive mode display performance is executed, the pseudo-consecutive mode display performance is executed according to the third performance display pattern.

With a gaming machine having the second feature, the following effect can be obtained. In other words, in one pseudo consecutive performance, if a reach display is made once in a specified "first pseudo variation" but no reach display is made in another subsequent "first pseudo variation", it may seem as if the player has been demoted, giving the player an impression of dissatisfaction and decreasing interest in the game. In contrast, with a gaming machine having the second feature, a reach display is made in another subsequent "first pseudo variation", making it possible to prevent a decrease in interest in the game.

The meaning of "executing a win/loss determination based on the establishment of a predetermined condition" in the present invention varies depending on the type of gaming machine as follows.
In other words, in pinball gaming machines (pachinko machines), the winning or losing determination is made based on the gaming ball entering the starting hole, while in reel-type gaming machines (slot machines), the winning or losing determination is made based on the operation of a lever.

As described above, the present invention can further increase the entertainment value of gaming machines that can perform pseudo consecutive performances.

FIG. Front view of the game board 1. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 50. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 50. 1 is a diagram showing the operation of the pachinko machine 50. A diagram showing the relationship between the jackpot pattern, the type of jackpot, and the game state after the jackpot game is executed on the pachinko machine 50. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a main routine executed by a main control device 80 of a pachinko machine 50. 13 is a flowchart of the start-up winning confirmation process for special symbols executed by the main control unit 80. 13 is a first flowchart of the process for determining whether or not a special symbol is a win/loss determination process executed by the main control unit 80. A second flowchart of the win/loss determination process for special patterns executed by the main control unit 80. 13A is a diagram showing the relationship between the game state and the variation pattern table, and FIG. 13B is a third flowchart of the win/loss determination process executed by the main control unit 80. The fourth flowchart of the win/loss determination process for special patterns executed by the main control unit 80. 13 is a first flowchart of the jackpot game processing executed by the main control unit 80. A second flowchart of the jackpot game processing executed by the main control unit 80. The third flowchart of the jackpot game processing executed by the main control unit 80. An explanatory diagram showing the content of the variable performance. An explanatory diagram showing the content of the variable performance. An explanatory diagram showing the contents of the first display performance pattern. An explanatory diagram showing the contents of the first display performance pattern. An explanatory diagram showing the content of a second display performance pattern. An explanatory diagram showing the content of the third display presentation pattern. A time chart showing the contents of the variable performance. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a change performance. 11 is a flowchart showing the performance start processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. A chart showing the characteristics of each type of presentation pattern. A chart showing the characteristics of each type of presentation pattern. 13 is a flowchart showing the performance stop processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. 6A is a diagram showing the features of a pachinko machine 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various forms may be adopted as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Example 1
As shown in Fig. 1, a pachinko machine 50, which is a type of gaming machine, has a structure in which each component is held by an outer frame 51, which is a vertically long fixed outer shell holding frame. Hinges 53 are provided on the top and bottom of the left side of the outer frame 51, and an inner frame 70 shown in Fig. 4 is attached to the other side of the hinge 53, and the inner frame 70 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the outer frame 51. A glass plate 61 is provided in the front frame 52 so as to be freely removable, and a game board 1 shown in Fig. 2 is attached to the inner frame 70 behind the glass plate 61.

The front frame 52 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the inner frame 70, with the upper and lower hinges (not shown) on the left side as fulcrums. When the inner frame 70 is closed relative to the outer frame 51 and the front frame 52 is closed relative to the inner frame 70, play can be performed. When the front frame 52 is opened relative to the inner frame 70, with the upper and lower hinges (not shown) on the left side as fulcrums, the front surface 1a of the game board 1 is opened, and a pachinko parlor staff member or the like can carry out work to resolve any malfunctions that have occurred on the front surface 1a (such as work to resolve ball jams in the game board 1). In the following explanation, the front frame 52 is also referred to as a glass frame.

Speakers 66 are provided on the upper left and right sides of the front frame 52, and the game sounds generated by the pachinko machine 50 are output to improve the player's entertainment. In addition, in order to improve the player's entertainment, a plurality of frame side decorative lamps 65 that emit light according to the game status are also provided on the front frame 52. An upper tray 55 and a lower tray 63 are integrally formed below the front frame 52. A launching handle 64 is attached to the right side of the lower tray 63, and by rotating the launching handle 64 clockwise, a launching device (not shown) is operated, and the game balls supplied from the upper tray 55 are launched toward the game board 1.
In addition, a performance button 67 that can be operated by the player is provided at approximately the center of the top of the upper tray 55.

The effect button 67 can be operated by the player during the valid period to change the game effects (the effect display by the effect pattern display device 6, the game sounds output from the speaker 66 as the game progresses, the light-emitting effects executed using the frame-side decorative lamps 65, the driving effects executed by the movable parts, etc.). Note that in this embodiment, a button-type (press-type) effect button 67 is shown as an example of the operation means, but the type of the operation means is not limited to this. For example, it may be a non-contact type operation means (sensor, etc.) that is operated by the player waving his/her hand, etc.

The effect button 67 is also provided with a jog dial 68 around it, and the effect image can be changed by rotating the jog dial 68. The pachinko machine 50 is also a so-called CR machine, and is equipped with a prepaid card unit (CR unit) 56 for reading and writing prepaid cards, and is equipped with a CR settlement display device having a loan button 57, settlement button 58, and balance display 59.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the game board 1 of the pachinko machine of this embodiment. The overall structure of this pachinko machine follows known technology, so illustration and explanation are omitted. As shown in Fig. 2, the game board 1 is provided with a substantially circular game area 3 surrounded by known guide rails 2a and 2b.
A center case 5 is located in the approximate center of the play area 3. The center case 5, like known ones, is equipped with a warp entrance, a warp passage, a stage, a window overlooking a screen 6a of a performance symbol display device 6 (a liquid crystal display device that displays performance symbols), and the like.

A normal symbol operation gate 17 for normal symbols (hereinafter also referred to as normal symbols) through which a gaming ball can pass (enter) is provided on the left side of the center case 5. The normal symbol operation gate 17 causes a lottery for determining whether a normal symbol will win or lose when a gaming ball enters and passes through it.
In addition, directly below the center case 5, a first start hole 11 and a second start hole 12 are arranged in a vertical line, in which a jackpot lottery is held with a variable display of a special symbol (also referred to as a special symbol) due to the entry of a game ball. This pachinko machine 50 has two types of special symbols: a first special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as a first special symbol) that changes when a ball enters the first start hole 11, and a second special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as a second special symbol) that changes when a ball enters the second start hole 12. In addition, the first start hole 11 is configured to allow game balls to enter at all times, but the second start hole 12 is configured as a normal electric device that is opened when a normal symbol lottery is won, and balls can enter only when it is open.

When a game ball enters the first starting hole 11, multiple types of random numbers such as a random number for determining a jackpot for the first special symbol, a random number for determining a jackpot symbol, and a random number for determining a variation pattern of the first special symbol are extracted and stored as a first reserved memory. In addition, a hit/miss determination of the first special symbol is performed according to these random numbers, and the result is determined to be a hit or miss.
When the ball enters the second starting hole 12, multiple types of random numbers such as a random number for determining a jackpot for the second special symbol, a random number for determining a jackpot symbol, and a random number for determining a variation pattern of the second special symbol are extracted and stored as a second reserved memory. In addition, a hit/miss determination of the second special symbol is performed according to these random numbers, and the result is determined to be either a hit or a miss.

The second starting hole 12, configured as a normal electric device, opens for a predetermined time when the normal symbol lottery is won. Below the second starting hole 12, there is a large prize winning hole 14, which is a special electric device that opens when a jackpot game is played when a jackpot lottery is won. In addition, multiple general prize winning holes 13 are arranged in the lower left area of the game area 3 (below the left hitting area where the game ball reaches when the launch strength of the game ball in the game area 3 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value).

In the lower right area of the game board 1, there are installed a first special symbol display device 9 configured using seven segments, a second special symbol display device 10 configured using seven segments, a first special symbol reserved number display device 18 and a second special symbol reserved number display device 19 consisting of four LEDs, a normal symbol display device 7 consisting of two LEDs, and a normal symbol reserved number display device 8 consisting of four LEDs. Here, the first special symbol and the second special symbol constitute specific examples of identification information, and the first special symbol display device 9 and the second special symbol display device 10 constitute specific examples of identification information display means.

In addition, an LCD panel of a performance pattern display device 6 is disposed in the center of the center case 5 of the game board 1, and on the screen of the LCD panel (the front surface 6a of the performance pattern display device 6), a pattern presentation is performed to announce the results of the jackpot lottery corresponding to the first and second special charts by displaying changing performance patterns, etc.
A large number of game nails 4 are planted in the game area 3 of the game board 1, and an outlet 2s is provided at the bottom of the board surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, the back side of the pachinko machine 50 has an inner frame 70, which is detachably attached to the game board 1, housed in the outer frame 51. From above, the inner frame 70 is provided with a ball tank 71, a tank rail 72, and a payout device 73. With this configuration, if a game ball enters a winning hole on the game board 1, a predetermined number of game balls can be discharged from the ball tank 71 via the tank rail 72 by the payout device 73 into the upper tray 55. In addition, a main control device 80, a payout control device 81, a performance symbol control device 82, a sub-integrated control device 83, a launch control device 84, and a power supply board 85 are provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 50. The performance symbol control device 82 and the sub-integrated control device 83 correspond to sub-control devices.

The main control device 80, the performance symbol control device 82, and the sub integrated control device 83 are provided on the game board 1, and the payout control device 81, the launch control device 84, and the power supply board 85 are provided on the inner frame 70. Although the launch control device 84 is not shown in FIG. 4, the launch control device 84 is provided below the payout control device 81. An external connection terminal 78 is provided on the right side of the ball tank 71, and signals indicating the game status and game results are sent to a hall computer (not shown) from this external connection terminal 78. Note that, in the past, two types of external connection terminals 78 were used for sending signals to the hall computer: one for the board (a terminal for outputting signals output from the game board side to the hall computer) and one for the frame (a terminal for outputting signals output from the frame side (front frame 52, inner frame 70, outer frame 51) to the hall computer). In this embodiment, signals indicating the game status and game results are sent to the hall computer via one external connection terminal 78.

Detection signals are also input to the main control device 80 from the glass frame opening switch 35 and the inner frame opening switch 36. Although specific illustrations are omitted, a retractable switch that allows the glass frame opening switch 35 to protrude forward and backward (forward and backward of the pachinko machine 50) protrudes from the front surface of the inner frame 70. When the front frame 52 is opened relative to the inner frame 70, the front end of the glass frame opening switch 35 is opened, so that the amount of protrusion of the glass frame opening switch 35 increases, and the glass frame opening switch 35 is in the OFF state. On the other hand, when the front frame 52 is closed relative to the inner frame 70, the front end of the glass frame opening switch 35 is pressed backward by the back surface of the front frame 52, so that the amount of protrusion of the glass frame opening switch 35 decreases, and the glass frame opening switch 35 is in the ON state. In this pachinko machine 50, even if the front frame 52 is actually open, the glass frame opening switch 35 can be turned ON by pressing the front end of the glass frame opening switch 35 (toward the rear of the pachinko machine 50) with a finger (the finger of a pachinko parlor staff member) or the like.

When the inner frame 70 is closed relative to the outer frame 51, the inner frame switch 36 (see FIG. 4) is turned on, and when the inner frame 70 is open relative to the outer frame 51, the inner frame switch 36 is turned off. Furthermore, a glass frame opening switch 35 can be provided on the back side of the inner frame 70.

The electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 50 is centered around the main control device 80, as shown in the block diagram of Fig. 4. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the main control device 80, payout control device 81, performance symbol control device 82, and sub-integrated control device 83 are all equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input port, output port, etc., but in this embodiment, the launch control device 84 is not provided with a CPU, ROM, or RAM. However, this is not limited to this, and the launch control device 84 may be provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.
This pachinko machine 50 is equipped with a backup power supply and is configured to retain the contents of the RAMs provided in at least the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81. In the pachinko machine 50, the contents of the RAM provided in the sub-integrated control device 83 are not retained.

The main control device 80 receives detection signals from a first start port switch 11a that detects game balls that have entered the first start port 11, a second start port switch 12a that detects game balls that have entered the second start port 12, a normal symbol activation switch 17a that detects game balls that have entered the normal symbol activation gate 17 that activates the normal symbol, a count switch 14a for counting game balls that have entered the special prize port 14, and a general prize port switch 13a that detects game balls that have entered the general prize port 13.

The main control unit 80 operates according to a program installed therein, and generates various commands related to the progress of the game based on the above-mentioned detection signals, etc., and outputs them to the payout control unit 81 and the sub-integrated control unit 83.
In addition, the main control unit 80 controls the display of the first special pattern display device 9 and the second special pattern display device 10, which are connected via the pattern display device relay terminal board 90, and the lighting of the first special pattern reserved number display device 18, the second special pattern reserved number display device 19, the normal pattern display device 7, and the normal pattern reserved display device 8.

Furthermore, the main control unit 80 controls the opening and closing of the large prize opening 14 by controlling the large prize opening solenoid 14b, and controls the opening and closing of the normal electric device (second starting opening 12) by controlling the normal electric device solenoid 12b.
The output signal from the main control device 80 is also output to the test signal terminal, and signals for managing the fluctuation of symbols, the big win (also called special game), etc. are output to the external connection terminal 78 and sent to the hall main computer 87. The main control device 80 and the payout control device 81 are capable of two-way communication.

The payout control device 81 operates the payout motor 20 in response to commands sent from the main control device 80 to pay out prize balls. In this embodiment, a detection signal from the payout switch 21 for counting the game balls paid out as prize balls is input to the payout control device 81, and the payout control device 81 counts the prize balls. Alternatively, a configuration may be used in which a detection signal from the payout switch 21 is input to both the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81, and the counting of prize balls is performed by both the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81.

When the full switch 22 and the ball out switch 23 input a signal, and the full switch 22 inputs a signal indicating that the lower tray 63 is full, or when the ball out switch 23 inputs a signal indicating that there are few or no game balls in the ball tank, the payout control device 81 stops the payout motor 20 and stops the payout operation of the prize balls. The full switch 22 and the ball out switch 23 are also configured to continue outputting signals until the condition is resolved, and the payout control device 81 resumes driving the payout motor 20 when the signal is no longer output.

The payout control device 81 also communicates with the prepaid card unit (CR unit) 56 via the CR unit terminal board 24 to operate the payout motor 20 and dispense the dispensed balls. The dispensed balls are detected by the payout switch 21, and the detection signal is input to the payout control device 81. The CR unit terminal board 24 is also connected to the settlement display board 25 for two-way communication, and the settlement display board 25 is connected to a ball loan button for requesting the loan of game balls, a return button for requesting settlement, and a balance display.

In addition, the payout control device 81 transmits information regarding winning balls, information indicating the open/closed status of the frames (inner frame, front frame), etc. to the hall computer 87 via the external connection terminal 78, and also transmits a launch stop signal to the launch control device 84.
In this embodiment, the game balls are paid out, but the game balls generated in response to winning or the like may be stored without being paid out.

The launch control device 84 controls the launch motor 30 to launch the game balls into the game area 3. In addition to the payout control device 81, the launch control device 84 receives a rotation amount signal from the launch handle 64, a touch signal from the touch switch 28, and a launch stop signal from the launch stop switch 29.
The rotation amount signal is output when the player operates the launch handle 64, the touch signal is output when the player touches the launch handle 64, and the launch stop switch signal is output when the player presses the launch stop switch 29. If the touch signal is not input to the launch control device 84, the game ball cannot be launched, and when the launch stop switch signal is input, the game ball cannot be launched even if the player is touching the launch handle 64.

The sub-integrated control device 83 corresponds to a sub-control device, and receives data and commands sent from the main control device 80, and distributes them into data for performance display control, sound control, and lamp control. The commands for performance display control are sent to the performance pattern control device 82, and the commands for sound control and lamp control are distributed to each control part contained in itself (functional parts as sound control device and lamp control device).

The functional unit as a voice control device (represented as voice control unit 83a in FIG. 4) controls the voice output from the speaker 66 by activating the sound LSI based on the voice control data, i.e., controls the volume and the type of sound (e.g., the type of notification sound). The functional unit as a lamp control device (represented as lamp control unit 83b in FIG. 4) controls the various LEDs and lamps 26 by activating the lamp driver based on the lamp control data.

The sub-integrated control device 83 is also connected to the effect button 67 and jog dial 68, and when the player operates the effect units 67, 68, the operation signal is input to the sub-integrated control device 83. The jog dial 68 may also be configured to be connected to the effect symbol control device 82.

The sub-integrated control device 83 and the performance pattern control device 82 are capable of two-way communication.
The performance pattern control device 82 controls the performance pattern display device 6 based on the data and commands received from the sub-integrated control device 83 (both of which are sent from the main control device 80 and generated by the sub-integrated control device 83), and displays performance images such as performance patterns on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6.
In this embodiment, the sub-integrated control device 83 and the performance pattern control device 82 are separated into separate devices, but they may also be configured to be integrated into a single device.

Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 50 will be described.
In the pachinko machine 50, a hit/miss judgment of the first special symbol is executed in response to a ball entering the first starting hole 11, and a hit/miss judgment of the second special symbol is executed in response to a ball entering the second starting hole 12. Then, depending on the hit/miss judgment, the first special symbol display device 9, the second special symbol display device 10, and the performance symbol display device 6 start to change symbols based on the determined change time. After that, when the change time of the first or second special symbol has elapsed and the confirmed symbol of the first or second special symbol is displayed on the first or second special symbol display device 10, the performance symbol display device 6 displays a confirmed effect symbol corresponding to the special symbol (first special symbol, second special symbol), and notifies the result of the hit/miss judgment of the special symbol.

When the result of the judgment of whether the first or second special symbol is a jackpot, and the special symbols (first and second special symbols) are displayed as confirmed jackpot symbols, the condition device is activated, which activates the continuous operation device of the role, and the jackpot game is executed in which the jackpot opening 14 is opened in a predetermined manner that is favorable for winning prize balls.

If the confirmed jackpot pattern is a guaranteed jackpot pattern, the game state of the pachinko machine 50 after the jackpot game ends is set to a high probability game state (high probability state) and an extended open state. This high probability game state (high probability state) and extended open state continues until the next jackpot occurs. Here, a guaranteed jackpot pattern is a jackpot pattern that, when confirmed, will set the game state of the pachinko machine 50 to a high probability game state (high probability state) after the jackpot game ends.

In addition, if the confirmed jackpot pattern is a normal jackpot pattern, the game state of the pachinko machine 50 after the jackpot game ends will be the normal probability game state (normal probability state), and the extended open state. In this normal probability state, and in the extended open state, the variable display ends a predetermined number of times (100 times) without a jackpot occurring.

Here, the high probability game state (high probability state or guaranteed variable game state) refers to a state in which a probability fluctuation function is activated that increases the probability of a jackpot being determined based on the hit/miss determination of the first special symbol and the hit/miss determination of the second special symbol (jackpot determination probability), and the normal probability state refers to a state in which the probability fluctuation function is not activated. Also, the extended opening state (time-saving state) refers to a state in which the opening time of the normal electric role device (second starting hole 12) is extended (opening extension function) and the time-saving function that shortens the average fluctuation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol is activated, and the non-extended opening state (non-time-saving state) refers to a state in which the opening extension function and the time-saving function are not activated.

The basic specifications of the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment is a so-called "high probability machine," and the probability of a jackpot for the first and second special symbols in a high probability state is about 10 times that of a jackpot for the first and second special symbols in a normal probability state (where the jackpot determination probability is normal). In other words, the jackpot determination probability in the normal probability state is "1/300," and the jackpot determination probability in the high probability state is "1/30."

The number of winning balls that can be won by winning the first starting hole 11 and the second starting hole 12 is four, and the number of winning balls that can be won by winning the other winning holes 13 is ten. In addition, the number of winning balls that can be won by winning the large winning hole 14 is ten. Furthermore, the number of winning balls that can be won by winning the large winning hole 14 is ten, and the number of winning balls that can be won by the normal electric device (second starting hole 12) is nine (not shown in FIG. 5).

The winning probability of a normal pattern is set to "1/6" in the non-open extended state (non-time-saving state), and to "5/6" in the open extended state (time-saving state).
The opening time of the normal electric device (second starting port 12) is "once every 0.3 seconds" in the non-open extension state (non-time-saving state), and "twice every 1 second" in the open extension state (time-saving state).
The normal pattern change time is an average of 5 seconds in a non-open extended state and 1 second in an open extended state.

Next, the content of the jackpot game executed by this pachinko machine 50 and the game state after the jackpot game ends will be explained using Figures 6 (a) and (b). Here, in the following explanation, the hit/miss judgment executed based on the ball entering the first starting hole 11 may be referred to as the "first hit/miss judgment," and the hit/miss judgment executed based on the ball entering the second starting hole 12 may be referred to as the "second hit/miss judgment."

There are two types of jackpot games that are executed when a jackpot pattern is displayed as a confirmed result of the first win/loss determination.
One of the jackpot games is a jackpot game that is executed when a jackpot pattern is confirmed as a result of the first hit/miss judgment, and after the jackpot game ends, the game moves to a high probability game state (high probability state) and an extended open state (time-saving state). This high probability game state (high probability state) continues until the number of hit/miss judgments reaches 10,000 or the hit/miss judgment result is a jackpot.
In addition, the other jackpot game is a jackpot game that is executed when a normal jackpot pattern is confirmed and displayed as a result of the first hit/miss judgment, and after the end of the jackpot game, the game does not enter a probability variation game state, but transitions to an extended open state (time-shortened state). This extended open state (time-shortened state) continues until a jackpot occurs or the number of hit/miss judgments reaches 100.

The jackpot game that is executed when the guaranteed jackpot pattern is displayed as a result of the first hit/miss judgment is the so-called "8R jackpot game", in which the round game (maximum opening of 30 seconds or 10 counts per round) to open the jackpot hole 14 is played eight times. Also, the jackpot game that is executed when the normal jackpot pattern is displayed as a result of the first hit/miss judgment is the so-called "8R jackpot game", in which the round game (maximum opening of 28 seconds or 10 counts per round) to open the jackpot hole 14 is played eight times.
When the result of the first hit/miss judgment is a hit, the hit symbols to be displayed as confirmed hits are divided into sure hit symbols and normal hit symbols at a ratio of 50%.

There are also two types of jackpot games that are executed when a jackpot pattern is displayed as a confirmed result of the second win/loss determination.
One of the jackpot games is a jackpot game that is executed when the probability variable jackpot pattern is confirmed as a result of the second hit/miss judgment, and after the jackpot game ends, the game moves to a probability variable game state (high probability state) and an extended open state (time-saving state). This probability variable game state (high probability state) also continues until the number of hit/miss judgments reaches 10,000 or the hit/miss judgment result is a jackpot.
In addition, the other jackpot game is a jackpot game that is executed when the normal jackpot pattern is confirmed and displayed as a result of the second hit/miss judgment, and does not transition to a probability variable game state after the jackpot game ends, but transitions to an extended opening state (time-shortened state). This extended opening state (time-shortened state) continues until a jackpot occurs or the number of hit/miss judgments reaches 100.

The jackpot game that is executed when the second hit/miss judgment is a jackpot is a "10R jackpot game", in which the round game (1 round is a maximum of 30 seconds of opening or 10 counts) to open the large prize winning port 14 is played 10 times. Also, when the result of the second hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, the jackpot pattern that is displayed as a definite hit is divided into a sure-win jackpot pattern and a normal jackpot pattern at a 50% ratio.
In the following explanation, a jackpot that results in a guaranteed display of a special jackpot pattern will be referred to as a "special jackpot", and a jackpot that results in a guaranteed display of a normal jackpot pattern will be referred to as a "normal jackpot".

Note that this "state in which normal play is possible" refers to a state in which a player can play normal games, and refers to a state in which a player can play games using the pachinko machine 50, regardless of whether the gaming state of the pachinko machine 50 is a "non-time-saving state and normal probability gaming state", a "time-saving state and normal probability gaming state", a "high probability gaming state", etc.

In this pachinko machine 50, the game proceeds as follows.
First, the main routine executed by the main control device 80 of the pachinko machine 50 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 7. This main routine is executed periodically by a hardware interrupt approximately every 2 ms. In this embodiment, the process from S10 to S65, which is executed only once, is called "main process", and the process of S70, which is executed repeatedly as long as time permits within the time remaining after executing this main process, is called "remaining process". The "main process" is executed periodically by the above interrupt.

When a hardware interrupt is executed by the microcomputer, it is first determined whether it is a normal interrupt or not (S10). This determination process is performed by determining whether the value in a specified area of the RAM as a memory is a specified value, and is for determining whether normal processing may be executed when the processing executed by the microcomputer transitions to this processing. Cases when the interrupt is not normal include when the power is turned on or when the microcomputer goes out of control due to noise, etc., but since microcomputer runaway is considered to be almost nonexistent due to recent technological improvements, it usually occurs when the power is turned on. When the power is turned on, the value in the specified area of the RAM is different from the specified value.
If it is determined that the interrupt is not normal (S10: no), initial settings (for example, writing a specified value to a specified area of the memory, writing each initial value to the working area of the memory, etc., making the special and normal patterns the initial patterns, etc.) are made (S15), and the process moves to the remaining processing (S70).

If a positive judgment is made that the interrupt is normal (S10: yes), an initial value random number update process is executed (S20). This process is an increment process that increments the value of the initial value random number by +1 each time this process is executed, and increments the value of the initial value random number before this process is executed by +1. However, if the random number value before this process is executed is the maximum value "3966", it will return to the initial value "0" in the next process, and 3967 integers from "0" to "3966" will be repeatedly generated in ascending order.
The random number update process for determining a jackpot (S25) following S20 is an increment process that increments by +1 each time the process is executed, similar to the initial value random number update process. When the maximum value of "3966" is reached, the next process returns to the initial value of "0", and 3967 integers from "0" to "3966" are repeatedly created in ascending order. The initial value of the random number for determining a jackpot is the value set in the initial value random number setting process. If this value is 250, the random number for determining a jackpot will be updated as follows: "250", "251", "252", ... "3966", "0", "1", ...

When the random number for determining a jackpot goes through one cycle (updated 3967 times), the value of the initial random number at that time is set as the initial value of the random number for determining a jackpot, and the random number for determining a jackpot is incremented by +1 from its initial value. Then, when the random number for determining a jackpot goes through another cycle, the value of the initial random number at that time is set as the initial value of the random number for determining a jackpot. In other words, this series of operations is repeated. In the above example, when the random number for determining a jackpot becomes "249", it is the first cycle, so the value after "249" will be the value of the initial random number. If the value of the initial random number is "87", it will change to "249", "87", "88", ... "3966", "0", "1", ... "86", and the value after "86" will be a new value of the initial random number.
The random number update process for determining the winning symbol (S30) is configured as a counter that repeatedly creates 100 integers from "0" to "99", and is incremented by +1 for each process, returning to the initial value of "0" when the maximum value is exceeded.

The random number update process for determining a win (S35) following S30 is configured as a counter that repeatedly creates 997 integers from "0" to "996", and is incremented by +1 for each process, returning to the initial value of "0" when the maximum value is exceeded.
The random number update process for determining a win is used to draw normal patterns, while other initial value random numbers, random numbers for determining a jackpot, random numbers for determining a jackpot pattern, random numbers for reaching a reach, and random numbers for determining a variation pattern are used to draw special patterns.

The random number update process for reach determination (S40) following S35 is configured as a counter that repeatedly creates 229 integers from "0" to "228", and is incremented by +1 for each process, returning to the initial value of "0" when it exceeds the maximum value. Note that the number of values that are in reach when in the normal probability state and the variable time shortening function is not activated is 21, with values ranging from "0" to "20", the number of values that are in reach when in the normal probability state and the variable time shortening function is activated is 5, with values ranging from "0" to "4", and the number of values that are in reach when in the high probability state is 6, with values ranging from "0" to "5".

The random number update process for determining the variation pattern (S45) following S40 is configured as a counter that repeatedly creates 1021 integers from "0" to "1020", and is incremented by +1 for each process, returning to the initial value of "0" when it exceeds the maximum value.

In the subsequent winning confirmation process (S50), winnings at the first starting port 11, the second starting port 12, winnings at the large winning port 14, the general winning port 13, and balls entering the normal pattern activation gate 17 are confirmed, and input processing is performed for each switch provided in the pachinko machine 50 and connected to the main control unit 80.
The process of confirming whether a ball has entered each starting port and operating port (starting winning process) will be described later.

In this embodiment, when a game ball enters the first start port 11 or the second start port 12, multiple random numbers are obtained, such as a random number for determining a jackpot, a random number for determining a jackpot pattern, a random number for determining a variation pattern, and a random number for judging a reach. However, the number that can be reserved and stored is limited to four for each of the first start port 11 and the second start port 12, and even if a game ball enters the first start port 11 or the second start port 12 when the reserved memory is full of four balls, only the prize balls (three balls) are paid out, and the multiple random numbers are not reserved and stored.

Next, a hit/miss determination process (S55) is performed as a condition establishment determination means for determining whether or not a big hit has occurred. When this hit/miss determination process (S55) is completed, each output process (S60) such as an image output process is executed.
In each output process (S60), the main control device 80 executes output processes for the performance symbol control device 82, the payout control device 81, the launch control device 84, the sub-integrated control device 83, the large prize opening solenoid 14b, etc., depending on the progress of the game. That is, when the winning confirmation process (S50) detects that a game ball has won in each winning opening on the game board 1, it executes a process of outputting prize ball data to the payout control device 81 to pay out a game ball as a prize ball, a process of outputting sound data corresponding to the game status to the sub-integrated control device 83, and a process of outputting an error signal to the performance symbol control device 82 to notify that an error is occurring when there is an abnormality in the pachinko machine 50.
The subsequent fraud monitoring process (S65) is a process for monitoring whether or not fraud has been committed against the normal winning opening 13, and judges whether or not the number of game balls entering the winning opening within a specified time is more than a predetermined number, and if so, judges that fraud has occurred and notifies the user of that fact. In other words, the fraud judgment means is provided in the main control device 80.

The residual process that follows this process is composed of an initial value random number update process (S70), which is exactly the same as the above-mentioned S20. This process forms an infinite loop and is executed repeatedly as long as time allows until the next interrupt is executed. The time required to execute the above-mentioned processes from S10 to S65 differs for each interrupt, depending on whether or not the jackpot process is executed, the display mode of the special pattern, etc. As a result, the number of times the residual process is executed also differs for each interrupt, and the value updated to the initial value random number by executing the interrupt process shown in FIG. 8 once is not uniform. This makes it extremely unlikely that the initial value random number will be synchronized with the random number for determining a jackpot. If the values of the initial value random number (3967 ways from 0 to 3966) are generated at the same rate when the random number for determining a jackpot goes through one cycle, the probability of synchronization is only 1/3967. In addition, the above-mentioned random number update process for determining a jackpot (S35) may also be configured to be executed within the residual process.

Next, the winning confirmation process for the special symbol (hereinafter, referred to as the special symbol winning confirmation process) will be described with reference to Fig. 8. This special symbol winning confirmation process is one of the subroutines of the winning confirmation process (S50) of the main routine of Fig. 7.
When the special symbol start winning confirmation process is started, the main control device 80 judges whether or not a game ball has entered the first start hole 11 based on the detection signal of the first start hole switch 11a (S200). If the judgment is positive (S200: yes), the random numbers for determining a big win, for determining a big win pattern, for judging a reach, for determining a variation pattern, etc. are read from the corresponding counters, and it is judged whether or not the first reserved memory is full (4 in this embodiment) (S202). Also, if it is judged that a game ball has entered the first start hole 11 (S200: yes), the main control device 80 outputs a signal to the payout control device 81 to instruct the payout of prize balls (3 balls).

If the first reserved memory is not full (S202: no), the random numbers are stored in the memory area as the first reserved memory, the number of lights on the first special symbol reserved number display device 18 is increased by 1, "1" is added to the counter indicating the number of the first reserved memories, and the number of lights on the first special symbol reserved number display device 18 is increased (S204). Then, a reserved number command (first reserved number command) corresponding to the added number of the first reserved memories is generated and transmitted to the sub-integration device 83 (S206), and the process proceeds to S210.
On the other hand, if there are four first reserved memories (S202: yes), no reserved memories are stored, and the process proceeds to S210 without increasing the counter indicating the number of first reserved memories or the number of lights on the first special pattern reserved number display device 18.

If it is determined that a game ball has not entered the first starting hole 11 (S200: no), the process also proceeds to S210, where it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the second starting hole 12 based on the detection signal of the second starting hole switch 12a. If the determination is positive (S210: yes), the random numbers for determining a jackpot, the random numbers for determining a jackpot pattern, the random numbers for determining a reach, the random numbers for determining a variation pattern, etc. are read from the corresponding counters, and it is determined whether or not the second reserved memory is full (4 balls in this embodiment) (S212). Also, if it is determined that a game ball has entered the second starting hole 12 (S210: yes), the main control unit 80 outputs a signal to the payout control unit 81 to instruct it to pay out prize balls (4 balls).

If the second reserved memory is not full (S212: no), the random numbers are stored as the second reserved memory, "1" is added to the counter indicating the number of second reserved memories, "1" is added to the counter indicating the number of second reserved memories, and the number of lights on the second special symbol reserved number display device 19 is increased (S214). Then, a reserved number command (second reserved number command) corresponding to the added number of second reserved memories is generated and sent to the sub-integration device 83 (S216), and this process ends.
On the other hand, if there are four second reserved memories in S212 (S212: yes), the second reserved memories are not stored, and the process is terminated (returned) without increasing the number of second reserved memories or the number of lights on the second special reserved symbol number display device 19. Also, if no game ball has entered the second starting hole 12 (S210: no), the process is terminated.

In addition, a signal instructing the payout control device 81 to pay out prize balls (4 balls) is output from the main control device 80 to the payout control device 81 prior to the judgment process performed in S200 and the judgment process performed in S210, so that prize balls will be paid out even if the first reserve memory and the second reserve memory are full.
Furthermore, when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives the first reserved number command or the second reserved number command (second reserved memory number instruction command), it transmits an instruction signal to the performance pattern control device 82 to change the number of reserved memories displayed on the performance pattern display device 6 according to the reserved memory number indicated by the received command.

Next, the special symbol hit/miss judgment process (special symbol hit/miss judgment process) will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 12. This special symbol hit/miss judgment process is one of the subroutines of the hit/miss judgment process (S55) of the main routine shown in Figure 7.
When the special symbol hit/miss judgment process is started, the main control device 80 judges whether the special electric role is in operation based on the big hit flag (S320). If the special electric role is in operation (S320: yes), the process proceeds to the big hit game process. If the judgment of S320 is a negative judgment (S320: no), the special symbol is not changing (S322: no), and the fixed symbol is not being displayed (S324: no), the process proceeds to S330 in Fig. 10, and judges whether there is a second reserved memory (reserved memory by S214 in Fig. 8 above) (S330).

If this reserved memory exists (S330: yes), the second reserved memory number is decremented (S332) and the process proceeds to S338.
On the other hand, if there is no second reserved memory (S330: no), it is determined whether there is a first reserved memory (reserved memory by S204 in FIG. 8) (S334). If there is a first reserved memory (S334: yes), the number of first reserved memories is decremented (S336) and the process proceeds to S338.

If there is no first reserved memory (S334: no), a standby command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S345), and then the process proceeds to the big win game process. This standby command is a command indicating that the special symbol has not changed and the pachinko machine 50 is in a "standby state (a so-called "state of waiting for customers").
Also, in this pachinko machine 50, when both the first reserved memory and the second reserved memory are not "zero", the second reserved memory is processed preferentially.

In S338, it is determined whether or not the probability variable flag is set (i.e., 1). Here, the probability variable flag being 1 means that the current pachinko machine 50 is in a high probability state.
If the result of the process of S338 is positive (S338: yes), the random number for determining a jackpot read in S204 or S214 is compared with the winning value recorded in the probability change table (S340).
On the other hand, if the result of the process of S338 is negative (S338: no), the random number for determining a jackpot read in S204 or S214 is compared with the winning value recorded in the normal table (S344).
Then, based on the determination in S340 or S344, it is determined whether or not a jackpot has been reached (S350).

When it is determined in S350 that a jackpot has been reached (S350: yes), the jackpot symbol is determined by random number lottery using the random numbers for determining the jackpot symbol (S352).
Here, the main control device 80 compares the random number for determining a jackpot read by decrementing the first reserved memory with the winning value and determines whether or not a jackpot has been reached, which corresponds to the "first win/loss determination." Also, the main control device 80 compares the random number for determining a jackpot read by decrementing the second reserved memory with the winning value and determines whether or not a jackpot has been reached, which corresponds to the "second win/loss determination."

If the result of the "first hit/miss judgment" is a hit, the hit symbol is determined by random number lottery using the hit symbol determination random number read by decrementing the first reserved memory. In this case, as shown in Figure 6 (a), the hit symbol is determined to be either the normal hit symbol (symbol B) or the probability hit symbol (symbol A) with a probability of 50% for each.
In addition, if the result of the "second hit/miss judgment" is a hit, the hit symbol is determined by random number lottery using the hit symbol determination random number read by decrementing the second reserved memory. In this case, as shown in Figure 6 (b), the hit symbol is determined to be either the normal hit symbol (symbol D) or the probability hit symbol (symbol C) with a probability of 50% for each.

Then, when the winning symbol is determined in the process of S352, the process proceeds to a variation pattern determination process (S354).
In this variation pattern determination process (S354), the jackpot variation pattern is determined by the variation pattern determination random number. Here, the variation time (variation time of special symbols) until the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed is specified by the variation pattern, but in the performance display (variation display of performance symbols) corresponding to the variation (hereinafter referred to as jackpot variation) executed when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, the reach (reach display followed by reach performance) is performed uniformly. Therefore, regardless of the game state (open extension state, non-open extension state) of the pachinko machine 50, it is highly likely that a long variation time (longer than when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss) will be determined.

Then, after the fluctuation pattern determination process, the jackpot setting process is performed (S356), and then the process proceeds to S364.
Here, the jackpot setting process is a process of obtaining the game state after the jackpot game is executed (whether it will be a high probability state or a time-saving state, etc.) and information related to the jackpot game (jackpot opening time, opening pattern, jackpot ending time, number of rounds, etc.) based on the determined jackpot pattern (see Figures 6 (a) and (b)).

If it is determined in S350 that there is a miss (S350: no), a missing symbol is determined (S358). Then, when the missing symbol is determined, a fluctuation pattern is determined based on the reach determination random number and the fluctuation pattern determination random number (S360). When the fluctuation pattern is set in this way, a miss setting process is performed (S362), and then the process moves to S364.

Here, in S360, when "when the reach judgment random number is judged to be a value that generates a reach", a variation pattern is determined using a variation pattern table for reach misses that takes into account the game state at that time and the variation pattern determination random number. Here, when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss, a reach (reach display followed by reach performance) is performed in the variation display of the performance pattern, which is called a "reach miss", and a case where a reach is not performed is called a "no reach miss".
As shown in FIG. 11(a), when the result of the win/loss judgment is a miss and no reach is made (miss without reach), and the game state is in a non-open extension state, the variation pattern is determined by referring to the "variation pattern table for miss without reach and non-open extension", and when the game state is in an open extension state, the variation pattern is determined by referring to the "variation pattern table for miss without reach and open extension".

When the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss and a reach is made (when the reach is missed) and the game state is in a non-open extension state, the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the "reach miss and non-open extension fluctuation pattern table", and when the game state is in an open extension state, the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the "reach miss and open extension fluctuation pattern table". In this case, as in the case where the result of the hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, the fluctuation time determined by referring to the open extension fluctuation pattern table is made shorter than the fluctuation time determined by referring to the non-open extension fluctuation pattern table.
Generally, when there is a miss without a reach (when there is no reach display and no reach performance following), the fluctuation pattern determined by referring to the "fluctuation pattern table for miss without a reach and non-opening extension" specifies a shorter fluctuation time than the fluctuation pattern determined by referring to the "fluctuation pattern table for miss without a reach and non-opening extension" when there is a miss in a reach (when there is a reach display and a reach performance following).

Following S356 or S362, data showing the above-mentioned lottery result is output to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S364), and the process proceeds to the jackpot game process. Here, the data sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 in S364 are "data showing the result of the hit/miss judgment (data showing hit or miss)", "if the result of the hit/miss judgment is a hit, data showing the type of jackpot (data showing that the jackpot that will occur is a normal jackpot, or data showing that it is a guaranteed jackpot)", "if the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss, data showing whether the miss is a reach miss or a non-reach miss", and "a fluctuation start command (display control command) including data on the fluctuation pattern (fluctuation pattern command) that specifies the fluctuation time".
In addition, the processing of S364 causes the performance pattern display device 6 to start displaying the changing performance patterns, and at almost the same time, the main control device 80 also starts changing the special patterns.

If it is determined in S322 of FIG. 9 that the special symbol is changing (S322: yes), the process proceeds to S370 of FIG. 11(b), where it is determined whether the symbol change time (based on the change pattern of S354 or S360) has elapsed. If the determination is negative (S370: no), the process proceeds directly to the jackpot game processing. On the other hand, if the determination is positive (S370: yes), the process proceeds to the jackpot game processing after performing the confirmed symbol display processing (S372). In the confirmed symbol display processing, a command to display the confirmed symbol (symbol confirmation command) is output to the sub-integrated control device 83, and a command is output to the special symbol display devices 9, 10 to stop them at the confirmed symbol.

When it is determined in S324 of Fig. 9 that the fixed symbol is being displayed (S324: yes), the process proceeds to S374 of Fig. 12, where it is determined whether the display time of the fixed symbol has ended. When it is determined that the fixed symbol is not being displayed (S374: no), a big win game process is performed.
On the other hand, if the determination at S374 is affirmative (S374: yes), the display of the confirmed symbols is terminated (S376), and it is determined whether the confirmed and displayed special symbols are symbols that will result in a jackpot (S378).

If it is determined in S378 that the symbol is a jackpot (S378: yes), it is determined whether the probability flag is 1 (S380). If the probability flag is 1 (S380: yes), the probability flag is set to 0 in S382 and the process proceeds to S384. On the other hand, if the probability flag is not 1 (S380: no), the process proceeds directly to S384.
Then, in S384, it is determined whether or not the time-saving flag is 1. If the time-saving flag is 1 (S384: yes), the time-saving flag is set to 0 in S386, and the process proceeds to S390. On the other hand, if the time-saving flag is not 1 (S384: no), the process proceeds directly to S390.

In this S390, a state designation command is transmitted. In this case, a command indicating that the gaming state is "normal probability/non-open extended state", that is, a normal gaming state (a command indicating that the high probability/open extended state is ending) is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. As a result, during the execution of the big win game, the gaming state becomes the normal probability/non-open extended state (normal gaming state).
Then, if the jackpot pattern confirmed and displayed in S376 is a sure jackpot, a jackpot game based on the sure jackpot is played, and then the game state transitions from a normal probability/non-open extended state to a high probability/open extended state.

Following S390, in S392, a condition device operation start process is carried out to set a big win flag, and in the following S394, a device for continuously operating a reel is operated.
After S394, the jackpot game start process is performed in the following S396. In the jackpot game start process, a command to start the jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as the jackpot start command) and information related to the jackpot game (jackpot opening time, opening pattern, jackpot ending time, number of rounds, etc.) are sent to the sub-integrated control device 83. When the jackpot game start process is completed, the jackpot game process is performed.

In S378, if it is determined that the confirmed special symbol is not a symbol that will result in a jackpot (S378: no), it is determined in S400 whether the special symbol flag is "1" or not.
If the probability change flag is "1" in S400 (S400: yes), it is determined whether the probability change count is "0" (S404).
If the number of chance changes is "0" (S404: yes), the chance change flag is set to "0" in S406 and the process proceeds to S410. On the other hand, if the chance change flag is not "1" (S400: no) or the number of chance changes is not "0" (S404: no), the process proceeds directly to S410.

In S410, it is determined whether the time-saving flag is "1", and if it is "1" (S410: yes), it is determined whether the number of time-saving times is "0" (S412). If the number of time-saving times is "0" (S412: yes), the time-saving flag is set to "0" in S414, and the process proceeds to S416.
Also, if the time-saving flag is not "1" (S410: no) or if the number of time-saving times is not "0" (S412: no), the process proceeds directly to S416.

In S416, the main control unit 80 transmits a state designation command indicating the current game state, such as whether or not the game is in a special bonus state or a time-saving state, to the sub-integrated control unit 83 after the special pattern determination time (600 ms), and transitions to jackpot game processing.
In this embodiment, the timing for sending a status designation command from the main control unit 80 to the sub-integrated control unit 83 in the special pattern win/loss determination process is after the special pattern is determined, but the configuration may also be such that the status designation command is sent when the special pattern starts to change and when the power is restored.

When the special probability flag is released in S406 and the time-saving flag is released in S414, a command indicating that the game state has transitioned from a high probability/extended open state (advantageous game state) to a normal probability/non-extended open state (normal game state) (hereinafter referred to as the special probability end command) is transmitted in S416.

Next, the big win game process will be described with reference to FIG. 13 to FIG.
13, in the jackpot game process, the main control device 80 judges whether the consecutive operation device of the accessory is in operation based on the jackpot flag (S500). When the consecutive operation device of the accessory is in operation (S500: yes), it judges whether the big prize opening 14 is open (S502), and if it is judged that the big prize opening 14 is closed (S502: no), it judges whether the big prize opening 14 is closed due to an interval between rounds of play (S506).

If it is not during the interval between rounds of play (S506: no), it is determined whether the big win end presentation is in progress (S508). If this is also a negative determination (S508: no), it is determined whether the time required for the presentation to start the big win game has elapsed (S510). If the big win start presentation time has elapsed (S510: yes), the big win opening process (S512) is performed, and the big win game process is ended (returned).
In addition, in S500, if the accessory continuous operation device is not operating (S500: no), the big win game process is terminated. Also, in S510, if the big win start presentation time has not elapsed (S510: no), the big win game process is terminated.

If it is determined that the large prize opening 14 is open (S502: yes), the process proceeds to S514 in Fig. 14 to determine whether or not 10 prizes have been won in the large prize opening 14. In this embodiment, the specified number of prizes won in the large prize opening 14 is 10, but it may be 8 or 9, and is not particularly limited.
If ten balls have not been won in the large prize opening 14 (S514: no), the process proceeds to S516, where it is determined whether the opening time of the large prize opening 14 has ended. If the opening time has ended (S516: yes), the process proceeds to S518. If the opening time of the large prize opening 14 has not ended (S516: no), the large prize game process ends (returns) as is.
In S514, if ten game balls have entered the big prize opening 14 (S514: yes), a big prize opening closing process (S518) is performed, a big prize interval process (S520) is performed, and the big prize game process is ended (returned).

Return to FIG. 13. If it is determined in S506 of FIG. 13 that an interval is in progress (S506: yes), the process proceeds to S522 of FIG. 14, where it is determined whether or not the interval time between rounds of play has elapsed. If the interval time between rounds of play has elapsed (S522: yes), it is determined whether or not the last round in which the jackpot opening 14 was open was the final round (S524). If the interval time between rounds of play has not elapsed (S522: no), the jackpot game process is terminated (returned) as is. If it is the final round in S524 (S524: yes), a jackpot end presentation process (S526) is performed, and the jackpot game process is terminated (returned).

If it is not the final round in S524 (S524: no), the process of opening the large prize opening 14 (S528) is performed, and the large prize game process ends (returns). In addition, in the process of opening and closing the large prize opening 14, a signal is also sent to the sub-integrated control device 83. Based on that signal, the sub-integrated control device 83 determines the current round and performs a performance according to that round.

Return to Fig. 13. If it is determined in S508 of Fig. 13 that the jackpot end presentation is in progress (S508: yes), the process proceeds to S530 of Fig. 15, where it is determined whether the jackpot end presentation time has elapsed. If the jackpot end presentation time has not elapsed (S530: no), the jackpot game process is ended (returned).
On the other hand, if the jackpot end presentation time has elapsed (S530: yes), the operation of the device for continuously operating the reels is stopped (S532), and the operation of the condition device is stopped (S534).

Then, in S536, the main control device 80 judges whether or not to transition to a special chance mode in the next game state. If the judgement is positive (S536: yes), the number of special chance modes is set (S538), and the special chance mode flag is set to 1 (S540). In this embodiment, setting the special chance mode flag to 1 increases the probability of winning the special symbol. The number of special chance modes is set to 10,000.

If a negative judgment is made in S536 (S536: no), when S540 is executed, the process proceeds to S544, where it is judged whether or not the time-saving mode will be entered in the next game state.
In this embodiment, the result of S544 is always positive, and then the process proceeds to S554 after performing a process of setting the number of time-saving times (S546) and setting the time-saving flag to 1 (S548). In addition, when the time-saving flag is set to 1, the average fluctuation time reduction of special symbols, the average fluctuation time reduction of normal symbols, and the opening extension function for extending the opening time of normal electric roles are set.

Here, if the completed jackpot game is based on the confirmed display of a special jackpot pattern, the number of time-saving times is set to 10,000 in S546, and if it is based on the confirmed display of a normal jackpot pattern, the number of time-saving times is set to 100 in S546.
In S554, the main control device 80 performs a process of transmitting a big win end command to the sub-integrated control device 83, and in the following S556, transmits a state designation command to the sub-integrated control device 83. Then, the big win game process is returned.

Next, an overview of the game presentation executed in this pachinko machine 50 will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 23.
In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, the sub-integrated control device 83 controls the performance pattern control device 82, etc. based on each command transmitted from the main control device 80, performs variable performance (display performance) on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6, controls the sound effects generated from the speaker 66, and controls the light emission mode of the LEDs/lamp 26 for electric decoration.

In this embodiment, the explanation will focus on the change presentation (display presentation).
FIG. 16(a) is a schematic front view showing the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6.
Regardless of the game status, when a determination is made as to whether a special pattern has been hit or not based on a game ball entering the first starting hole 11 or the second starting hole 12, the special pattern begins to change on the first special pattern display device 9 or the second special pattern display device 10.

Then, as shown in FIG. 16(a), in response to the start of the change in the special pattern, a display area 6H appears on the performance pattern display device 6, and the left, right, and center performance patterns begin to change vertically (scroll change) in this display area 6H.
In this appearing display area 6H, a middle pattern changing area 6HC located approximately in the center when viewed from the front, a left pattern changing area 6HL located to the left of the middle pattern changing area 6HC when viewed from the front, and a right pattern changing area 6HR located to the right of the middle pattern changing area 6HC when viewed from the front can appear.

In addition, in any of the pattern changing areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR, the performance patterns consisting of the Arabic numerals "1" to "9" are displayed (circularly displayed) in a scrolling manner in the order of "1" to "9." In other words, in any of the pattern changing areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR, the individual Arabic numerals appear in sequence on the upper side of the screen 6a, move to the lower side of the screen 6a, and then disappear from the screen 6a.
In any of the pattern changing areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR, when a predetermined Arabic numeral (for example, "5") appears on the upper side of the screen 6a, it moves to the lower side of the screen 6a (after changing) and then disappears from the screen 6a. In this way, before the predetermined Arabic numeral moves to the lower side of the screen 6a and disappears from the screen 6a, the predetermined Arabic numeral (for example, Arabic numeral "5") is followed by an Arabic numeral (for example, Arabic numeral "6") that appears on the upper side of the screen 6a repeatedly, and a changing display (circular display) is executed. Note that, at the pseudo-repeated timing described later, the pseudo-repeated pattern 6V may be displayed instead of the performance pattern composed of Arabic numerals (described later using FIG. 18, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21).

However, in any of the pattern changing areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR, when the corresponding performance patterns start to change, the speed of the changing performance patterns is high, making it difficult to identify the changing performance patterns. Moreover, since the pattern changing areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR are all displayed in a semi-transparent state, the player can recognize the background behind the pattern changing areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR and the background color of the screen 6a.
In addition, in Figure 16 (a) etc., the ``downward arrow Y'' written inside the pattern changing area 6HC, 6HL, 6HR indicates that the direction of change of the performance pattern is downward on the screen 6a, and that the change of the performance pattern is so fast that it cannot be recognized by visual angle.

In the following, the performance pattern that scrolls and changes in the middle pattern changing area 6HC will be referred to as middle performance pattern 6C, the performance pattern that scrolls and changes in the left pattern changing area 6HL will be referred to as left performance pattern 6L, and the performance pattern that scrolls and changes in the right pattern changing area 6HR will be referred to as right performance pattern 6R.
In addition, the vertically middle positions (hereinafter referred to as "display positions") 6TC, 6TL, 6TR of each pattern changing area 6HC, 6HL, 6HR are the positions where the scrolling and changing performance patterns 6C, 6L, 6R will stop (see Figure 16 (b)).

Then, in the pattern changing areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR, the speed of the effect patterns, which are scrolling and changing at high speed, gradually slows down, and the moving effect patterns become recognizable.Furthermore, the speed of the effect patterns slows down, and the effect patterns stop at the corresponding display positions 6TC, 6TL, and 6TR.
The stopping (stopping display) of the performance patterns 6C, 6L, and 6R includes "stopping in a provisional state (hereinafter referred to as provisional stop state)" and "stopping in a confirmed state."

Here, a temporary stop is a state in which the target effect patterns 6C, 6L, 6R are stopped at display positions 6TC, 6TL, 6TR but are moving slightly (for example, swinging up and down). Also, this temporary stop is a state in which the effect patterns 6C, 6L, 6R are stopped at display positions 6TC, 6TL, 6TR, but leave open the possibility that they may start to change again (hereinafter referred to as re-change).

The temporarily stopped symbols 6C, 6L, and 6R then transition from a temporarily stopped state to a fixed stopped state after the change time (change time of the special symbols) specified in the change pattern described above has elapsed. This causes the combination of symbols 6C, 6L, and 6R to be displayed, and the result of the win/lose judgment to be announced. This fixed stop state continues for a fixed time (approximately 0.6 seconds), and when this fixed time is stopped, it becomes possible to start a new change of symbols 6C, 6L, and 6R in the symbol change areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR.

In this embodiment, the performance pattern is provided with a three-digit constituent pattern, but the number of constituent patterns is not particularly important, and may be one or a multiple number other than three, and the scrolling direction may be horizontal.
In addition, a related matter display section 6F that displays related matters related to the variation of the performance symbols also appears on the screen 6a of the performance symbol display device 6. This related matter display section 6F executes related effects to liven up the variation of the performance symbols and the stop display, suggests the game state at that time (time-saving state or non-time-saving state), and suggests the type of the game state (jackpot time-saving state, pattern time-saving state), for example, using characters, videos, live-action images, etc.

The related item display section 6F may also appear behind the pattern changing areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR. In this case, the player can view the related items (characters, videos, live images, etc.) displayed in the related item display section 6F behind the changing performance patterns (viewing the changing performance patterns superimposed on the related items).

Furthermore, a first reserved pattern display area 6D and a second reserved pattern display area 6E can appear on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6.
The first reserved pattern display area 6D is an area capable of displaying up to four reserved patterns (hereinafter referred to as first reserved patterns) 6d corresponding to reserved memories (first reserved memories) acquired based on the game ball entering the first starting hole 11. The second reserved pattern display area 6E is an area capable of displaying up to four reserved patterns (hereinafter referred to as second reserved patterns) 6e corresponding to reserved memories (second reserved memories) acquired based on the game ball entering the second starting hole 12.
In Figure 16 etc., a "black circle" indicates that a reserved pattern is displayed in the reserved memory number display areas 6D and 6E, and a "white circle" indicates that a reserved pattern is not displayed.

In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, the sub-integrated control device 83 determines the presentation mode (presentation pattern) of the variable presentation based on receiving the variation start command sent from the main control device 80, and the variable presentation starts according to this presentation mode (presentation pattern). In other words, as shown in FIG. 16(a), in the pattern variation areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR, the variable presentation of the left presentation pattern 6L, the center presentation pattern 6C, and the right presentation pattern 6R starts.

Then, if the started variable performance involves a reach display, when the timing for displaying the reach display arrives, the reach display is executed by temporarily stopping the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R with the same numbers, as shown in Figure 16 (b).
Incidentally, this pachinko machine 50 is equipped with, as presentation modes (presentation patterns), (1) a presentation mode that specifies a variable presentation without a pseudo-consecutive presentation (hereinafter referred to as a general presentation mode), and (2) a presentation mode that specifies a variable presentation with a pseudo-consecutive presentation (hereinafter referred to as a pseudo-consecutive presentation mode).

In the variable presentation according to the general presentation mode, the timing to display the reach display may occur only once. In other words, the variable start command received from the main control device 80 includes the reach judgment random number, and the reach display is performed if (1) the result of the hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, or (2) the reach judgment random number is a value (hereinafter referred to as the "reach value") that determines whether the reach display is to be executed (if the hit/miss judgment result is the aforementioned reach miss).
In contrast, in a variable performance according to a pseudo consecutive performance mode, the performance pattern is changed for a predetermined period of time, and then a first pseudo-variation that temporarily stops is performed a predetermined number of times, and then a second pseudo-variation that changes the performance pattern until the change time specified by the change pattern is completed (see Figure 22).

In the variation performance according to this pseudo consecutive performance mode, (1) if the result of the hit/miss judgment is a big hit, or (2) if the reach judgment random number is a "reach value," there is a possibility that the timing to display the reach in the second pseudo variation will arrive. However, as described later, in the variation performance according to the pseudo consecutive performance mode, there is a possibility that the timing to display the reach will arrive in the first pseudo variation that is executed once or multiple times prior to the second pseudo variation.
The reach display executed in this first pseudo fluctuation is not executed based on (1) whether the result of the hit/miss judgment is a big hit or (2) whether the reach judgment random number is a "reach value." In other words, it is a reach display executed according to the presentation mode (presentation pattern) determined by the sub-integrated control device 83 every time a fluctuation start command is received.

In this way, in both the normal presentation mode and the pseudo consecutive presentation mode, the reach display is executed when the "timing to execute the reach display" arrives. In other words, when (1) the result of the hit/miss judgment is a big hit, or (2) the random number for the reach judgment is the "reach value" and the "timing to execute the reach display" determined by the presentation mode arrives, or in the first pseudo-variation, when the "timing to execute the reach display" determined by the presentation mode arrives, the corresponding presentation patterns 6L and 6R are temporarily stopped with the same numbers in the left and right pattern variation areas 6HL and 6HR, as shown in FIG. 16(b). At this time, the scroll variation (variable display) continues in the center pattern variation area 6HC.

Next, using Figure 17, we will explain the cases where a reach state is reached based on (1) whether the result of the hit/miss determination is a jackpot or (2) whether the random number for reach determination is a "reach value."
In such a case, when a reach state is reached (triggered by the reach state), a reach effect starts, as shown in Fig. 17(a). This reach effect can be classified into two types: (1) a normal reach effect in which the effect content being executed does not develop (the effect content does not change) and ends, and (2) a super reach effect in which the effect content that started as a normal reach effect develops (the effect content changes) midway through the effect (for example, within 10 seconds after the reach effect starts).

This super reach effect is an effect that suggests that there is a high expectation that the result of the hit/miss judgment will be a jackpot, and constitutes a specific example of a special effect. This super reach effect is a "reach effect with a premium feel" in which the appearance of the background screen suddenly changes in the middle of the normal reach effect that has started. In this super reach effect, a highly rare effect is executed. For example, a cut-in effect is executed in which the screen 6a suddenly cracks and a highly rare character appears from within (see Figure 23 (h)).

In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, in a variation presentation according to the pseudo consecutive presentation mode, the super reach presentation can be executed while the second pseudo variation is being executed. Also, in the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, there is a possibility that the super reach presentation will be executed in a variation presentation according to the general presentation mode. However, in this pachinko machine 50, in a variation presentation according to the pseudo consecutive presentation mode, the possibility of executing the super reach presentation is higher than in a variation presentation according to the general presentation mode.

In the present invention, the super reach effect may be executable only in the variation effect according to the pseudo consecutive performance mode, and may be impossible in the variation effect according to the general performance mode. Also, it may be possible that the reach effect (the reach effect that ends with the normal performance or the super reach effect) may be executed during the first pseudo variation in the variation effect according to the pseudo consecutive performance mode.
Furthermore, the specific content of the super reach effect (special effect) will be described later.

Then, regardless of whether the reach performance ends in a normal reach performance or develops into a super reach performance, once the fluctuation time (special pattern fluctuation time) specified in the aforementioned fluctuation pattern has elapsed, the center performance pattern 6C will be temporarily stopped at the corresponding display position 6TC. Then, once a certain period of time (for example, 0.3 seconds) has elapsed, the center performance pattern 6C that has been temporarily stopped will be stopped in a confirmed state together with the left performance pattern 6L that was previously temporarily stopped and the right performance pattern 6R that was previously temporarily stopped (Figures 17 (b) and (f)). As a result, the combination pattern (performance pattern) showing the result of the hit/miss judgment will be displayed in the display area 6H as a confirmed state.

In the final display of the combination pattern (presentation pattern) showing the result of this win/loss judgment, as shown in Figure 17(b), if a jackpot pattern is to be displayed, the final display period (approximately 0.6 seconds) is waited for and then the jackpot game is executed (Figures 17(c) and (d)).
After the jackpot game is executed, the gaming state of the pachinko machine 50 becomes a high probability state or a normal probability state (low probability state) (Figure 17 (e)).

On the other hand, when the combination pattern (performance pattern) showing the result of the win/lose judgment is displayed as a confirmed display of a losing pattern, as shown in Figure 17 (f), a confirmation display period (approximately 0.6 seconds) is waited for before a new variable performance can be executed (Figures 17 (g) (h)).

Next, the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 23. Here, the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect constitutes a specific example of the "pseudo consecutive mode display effect".
FIG. 18 shows a specific example of a pseudo consecutive symbol display effect according to the first display effect pattern.
18(a) shows the state immediately after the start of the variation performance (first pseudo variation). At this time, all the pattern variation areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR continue to scroll (variable display) at high speed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18(b), the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R are temporarily stopped in that order until the first predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the change performance (first pseudo change). Here, this temporary stop is performed by the left performance pattern 6L stopping at the corresponding display position 6TL while slightly shaking up and down, and the right performance pattern 6R stopping at the corresponding display position 6TR while slightly shaking up and down. At this time, in the middle pattern change area 6HC, the state in which the middle performance pattern 6C changes at high speed is maintained.
In the case shown in Figure 18 (b), different "performance patterns composed of Arabic numerals" are displayed as the stopping patterns (temporarily stopping performance patterns) of the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R, and the state is such that no reach display is executed (hereinafter referred to as non-reach).

In this way, after the left and right performance patterns 6L and 6R have temporarily stopped, when the second specified time has elapsed, the speed at which the middle performance pattern 6C changes gradually slows down, and it becomes possible to recognize the appearance of the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V appearing from the area above the middle pattern changing area 6HC (above the display position 6TC), as shown in Figure 18 (c).

This starts the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect. Here, the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is an effect that indicates whether or not the pseudo consecutive symbol 6V that appeared on the screen 6a from the part above the display position 6TC in the middle symbol changing area 6HC is displayed at the display position 6TC.
Then, the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that appeared is moved toward the lower side of the middle pattern variation region 6HC and temporarily stops at the display position 6TC, thereby informing the start of the next pseudo variation. The timing at which the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that appeared temporarily stops at the display position 6TC is called the "pseudo consecutive timing."

In other words, the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that appeared in the middle pattern variation area 6HC temporarily stops at the display position 6TC, and the next pseudo variation is successfully started. Here, the effect that shows that the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that appeared in the middle pattern variation area 6HC temporarily stops at the display position 6TC is hereinafter referred to as "successful effect".
In this way, the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V temporarily stops at the display position 6TC, which triggers the next first pseudo fluctuation (see FIG. 18(e)) or second pseudo fluctuation (see FIG. 18(f)). Note that the start of a pseudo fluctuation (first pseudo fluctuation or second pseudo fluctuation) as a result of the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V temporarily stopping at the display position 6TC is sometimes referred to as the performance pattern changing again.

Then, when the object of the re-variation is the first pseudo-variation, the pseudo consecutive pattern display performance is started again in the order of Figures 18(a) to (c).
Also, when the second pseudo-variation starts, as shown in FIG. 19, all the pattern variation areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR scroll (variable display) at high speed.

Then, after starting the fluctuation performance (second pseudo-fluctuation), there are cases where a reach display is made as shown in Figure 19(b) (i.e., a reach display is made based on the result of the hit/miss judgment being a jackpot, or a reach display is made based on the random number for reach judgment being a "reach value"), and cases where a reach display is not made as shown in Figure 19(e) (a reach display is not made based on the random number for reach judgment not being a reach value).
When a reach display is performed, the reach effect is performed as described above, as shown in Fig. 19(c). The reach effect may end with a normal reach effect, or may develop into a super reach effect halfway through the normal reach effect.

In this way, when a reach effect is performed, the combination pattern indicating the result of the win/loss judgment is temporarily stopped when the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation pattern ends. After this, when a certain period of time (for example, 0.6 seconds) has passed, the combination pattern indicating the result of the win/loss judgment is displayed in a confirmed state (Figure 19 (d)).

Even if the reach display is not performed, the left performance pattern 6L, the right performance pattern 6R, and the center performance pattern 6C will be temporarily stopped in this order until the end of the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation pattern. After this, when a certain time (for example, 0.6 seconds) has passed, the combination pattern indicating the result of the hit/miss judgment will be displayed as a confirmed state (Figure 19 (f)).

FIG. 20 shows a specific example of a pseudo consecutive symbol display effect according to the second display effect pattern.
20(a) shows a state in which the left and right performance symbols 6L and 6R are temporarily stopped in the first pseudo-variation that has started. At this time, in the middle pattern variation area 6HC, the middle performance symbol 6C is maintained in a state in which it varies at high speed.
In the case shown in Figure 20 (a), different "performance patterns composed of Arabic numerals" are displayed as the stopping patterns (temporarily stopping performance patterns) of the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R, and the reach display is not executed (non-reach).

In this way, after the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R have temporarily stopped, when the second specified time has elapsed, the speed at which the middle performance pattern 6C changes gradually slows down, and as shown in Figure 20 (b), the appearance of the pseudo-consecutive pattern 6V can be seen from the upper part of the middle pattern changing area 6HC, and a performance (pseudo-consecutive pattern display performance) begins, indicating whether the pseudo-consecutive pattern 6V will temporarily stop at the display position 6TC or not.
Then, the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that has appeared is moved toward the lower side of the middle pattern changing area 6HC, and without temporarily stopping at the display position 6TC, it is moved to the lower side of the display position 6TC in the middle pattern changing area 6HC (see Figures 20(b) and 20(c)).After that, it is made to disappear from the screen 6a, as shown in Figure 20(d).

In this way, the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that appeared in the middle pattern change area 6HC does not temporarily stop at the display position 6TC, but moves downward from the display position 6TC, and then disappears from the screen 6a, thereby notifying the user that the next pseudo change has failed to start. Hereinafter, the effect indicating that the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that appeared in the middle pattern change area 6HC did not temporarily stop at the display position 6TC will be referred to as a "failed effect."

In this way, if the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V does not temporarily stop at the display position 6TC, in the middle pattern changing area 6HC, as shown in Fig. 20 (d), the state in which the middle performance pattern 6C changes at high speed is resumed. At this time, the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R are maintained in a temporarily stopped state.
After this, the speed at which the middle performance pattern 6C changes gradually slows down, and as shown in Figure 20 (e), it becomes possible to see the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V appear again from the upper part of the middle pattern changing area 6HC.

Then, the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that appeared again is moved toward the lower side of the middle pattern changing area 6HC and temporarily stopped at the display position 6TC, thereby announcing that the next pseudo change will start (see FIG. 20(f)). At this point, the pseudo consecutive pattern display performance is completed as a successful performance.
In this way, when the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V temporarily stops at the display position 6TC, the next first pseudo fluctuation or second pseudo fluctuation starts, as shown in Figure 20 (g).

FIG. 21 shows a specific example of a pseudo consecutive symbol display effect according to the third display effect pattern.
FIG. 21(a) shows the state in which the left and right performance patterns 6L and 6R are temporarily stopped with the same numbers in the first pseudo-variation that has started, and a reach display is executed.
At this time, in the middle pattern changing area 6HC, the middle performance pattern 6C is maintained in a state of changing at high speed.

In this way, after the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R have temporarily stopped, when the second specified time has elapsed, the speed at which the middle performance pattern 6C changes gradually slows down, and as shown in Figure 21 (b), the appearance of the pseudo-consecutive pattern 6V can be seen from the upper part of the middle pattern changing area 6HC, and a performance (pseudo-consecutive pattern display performance) begins, indicating whether the pseudo-consecutive pattern 6V will temporarily stop at the display position 6TC or not.
Then, the pseudo-consecutive pattern 6V that appears is moved toward the downward side of the middle pattern change area 6HC and temporarily stopped at the display position 6TC, as shown in Figure 21 (c), which notifies the user that the next pseudo-change (first pseudo-change or second pseudo-change) is about to begin.

After that, as shown in FIG. 21(d), all the pattern changing areas 6HC, 6HL, and 6HR resume scrolling (changing display) at high speed (start changing again).
In other words, the third display performance pattern indicates a case where, after a reach state is reached, the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that appears in the middle pattern change area 6HC is temporarily stopped at the display position 6TC, thereby successfully starting the next pseudo change.

Next, an example of the effects executed by the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 22 and 23.
In this variation performance example, after the first pseudo variation is performed twice, the second pseudo variation is performed and the variation performance ends. Here, in Fig. 22 and Fig. 23, after the variation performance starts, the first pseudo variation is described as "pseudo consecutive 1", the second pseudo variation is described as "pseudo consecutive 2", and the second pseudo variation is described as "pseudo consecutive 3" after the second pseudo variation is completed.

As shown in this example of a variation effect, in the pseudo consecutive effects shown in this embodiment, the more pseudo variations (first pseudo variation and second pseudo variation) that are executed in one variation effect, the higher the likelihood that the result of the hit/miss determination will be notified as a jackpot. In other words, the more pseudo variations (first pseudo variation and second pseudo variation) that occur, the higher the expectation of a jackpot occurring.

In this embodiment, if the number of pseudo fluctuations (first pseudo fluctuation and second pseudo fluctuation) is "2", the expectation rate is "10%", if the number of pseudo fluctuations (first pseudo fluctuation and second pseudo fluctuation) is "3", the expectation rate of a jackpot occurrence is "60%," and if the number of pseudo fluctuations (first pseudo fluctuation and second pseudo fluctuation) is "4", the expectation rate of a jackpot occurrence is "100% (i.e., a jackpot is guaranteed)". The expectation rate of a jackpot occurrence refers to the possibility that a jackpot occurrence will be notified when a pseudo consecutive performance that performs the "number" of pseudo fluctuations (first pseudo fluctuation and second pseudo fluctuation) is encountered.

In the example of the variation performance shown in Figures 22 and 23, after the second pseudo variation (pseudo consecutive 3) starts, when a predetermined time has elapsed, a reach display is performed (see Figure 23 (f)). In this case, the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R are temporarily stopped, but in the middle pattern variation area 6HC, the middle performance pattern 6C is maintained in a state of rapid variation. Then, a normal reach performance is started.

After the normal reach effect starts, when the time comes for the reach effect to develop, the normal reach effect develops into a super reach effect (see FIG. 23(g)). Here, the super reach effect constitutes an example of a special effect.

Then, after the reach effect develops into the super reach effect, when the third predetermined time has elapsed, a cut-in effect is executed (see FIG. 23(h)). This cut-in effect is an effect in which a crack appears on the screen 6a, and text information saying "super hot" appears from the crack.
After this, when the change time (change time of the special symbol) specified by the change pattern has elapsed, the result symbol is displayed as a confirmed symbol in the change display area 6H, and the change performance is completed.

However, if the number of times the pseudo fluctuation is executed becomes particularly large (four times) and the occurrence of a jackpot is confirmed, this super reach effect can be executed as an especially rare effect (an effect with a high premium feel).
For example, this particularly rare effect (hereafter referred to as the Premium Super Reach effect) is performed as follows. When this Premium Super Reach effect starts, the temporarily stopped left effect pattern 6L and the right effect pattern 6R start to change (scroll) again at a discernible change speed, and transition to a reach effect known as a "full rotation reach." More specifically, if the temporarily stopped left effect pattern 6L and right effect pattern 6R are "7," the left effect pattern 6L and right effect pattern 6R are changed and displayed in sequence in the order of "8,""9,""1" to "6."

Then, after the reach effect develops into a premium super reach effect, a cut-in effect is executed when a third predetermined time has elapsed, in which a crack appears on the screen 6a, and text information saying "jackpot confirmed" may appear from within the crack. When this premium super reach effect is executed, once the change time specified by the change pattern (change time of the special symbol) has elapsed, the result symbol is displayed as confirmed in the change display area 6H, and the change effect is completed.

In addition, the super reach performance may have a plurality of modes with different contents (display contents, etc.), and the expectation (reliability) of the occurrence of a jackpot (i.e., the possibility that a jackpot pattern will be definitely displayed) may be suggested according to the super reach performance that appears. For example, the expectation (reliability) of the occurrence of a jackpot may be higher when the super reach performance B (e.g., a super reach that displays a background image B different from the background image A and a character B different from the character A) appears than when the super reach performance A (e.g., a super reach that displays a background image A and a character A). In addition, the expectation (reliability) of the occurrence of a jackpot may be higher when the super reach performance C (e.g., a super reach that displays a background image C different from the background image A and the background image B and a character C different from the character A and the character B) appears than when the super reach performance B appears.
In addition, in the case where a pseudo consecutive pattern display effect is executed in accordance with the third display effect pattern in the first pseudo-variation, the probability of developing into a super reach effect (for example, super reach effect C), which has a high expectation (reliability) of a jackpot occurring, may be increased.

Next, a description will be given of the performance start process executed by the sub integrated control device 83 with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 24. Note that this process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub integrated control device 83.
When the sub-integrated control device 83 starts the performance start process, it judges whether or not it has received a change start command (S1200). Here, the change start command is a command transmitted from the main control device 80 when starting the change of the special symbol (see S364 in FIG. 10).

This fluctuation start command contains data indicating the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol (jackpot, miss) and data indicating the fluctuation pattern that specifies the fluctuation time (hereafter referred to as fluctuation pattern specification data). Also, if the result of the hit/miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a jackpot, the fluctuation start command contains data specifying the jackpot symbol (data indicating the type of jackpot that has occurred with the symbol specification command).

If a negative judgment is made at S1200 (S1200: no), the presentation start processing is terminated as is, and if a positive judgment is made (S1200: yes), the process proceeds to S1210, where it is determined whether or not a jackpot (a jackpot win) has occurred (whether or not jackpot information is included in the fluctuation start command).
If a positive judgment is made at S1210 (S1210: yes), the process proceeds to S1215, where a "presentation pattern for a jackpot" is set as the "pattern (presentation mode) of the variable presentation (presentation display) that is started in response to the variable display of the special pattern" (S1215), and the process proceeds to S1230.

Here, in S1215, a presentation pattern corresponding to the fluctuation pattern indicated by the aforementioned fluctuation pattern identification data is set. Here, as the "presentation pattern for a jackpot (presentation mode for a jackpot)" set in S1215, a presentation with a reach (a presentation with a reach display and a subsequent reach presentation) is uniformly set. As the presentation pattern for a jackpot (variation mode for a jackpot) that is set, the aforementioned (1) presentation mode that specifies a fluctuation presentation without a pseudo consecutive presentation (general presentation mode), or (2) presentation mode that specifies a fluctuation presentation with a pseudo consecutive presentation (pseudo consecutive presentation mode) is set.

Then, in S1215, if the fluctuation pattern data (data specifying the fluctuation pattern) received in S1200 is fluctuation pattern data specifying a fluctuation pattern corresponding to a fluctuation performance accompanied by a super reach performance (hereinafter referred to as a fluctuation pattern for a super reach), a reach performance accompanied by a super reach performance (a normal reach performance can develop into a super reach performance) is set. Here, in this embodiment, in S1215, as a performance pattern for a jackpot (a fluctuation mode for a jackpot), a performance pattern accompanied by a super reach performance may be uniformly set as a reach performance. In other words, if the result of the hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, a fluctuation performance accompanied by a super reach performance may basically be executed.
In addition, in a variable presentation following a pseudo consecutive presentation, the possibility of a super reach presentation being set as a reach presentation may be made higher than in a variable presentation following a general presentation mode.

If a negative judgment is made at S1210 (S1210: no), that is, if the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss (S1210: no), the process proceeds to S1220, where a "presentation pattern including a miss presentation (a variable presentation when the hit/miss judgment is a miss)" is set, and then the process proceeds to S1230.
Here, also in S1220, the presentation pattern (presentation mode) of the variable presentation (miss presentation) is determined based on the variable pattern indicated by the aforementioned variable pattern identification data.

However, in this embodiment, the "miss effect" includes an effect related to a miss without a reach (an effect that does not involve a reach display and a subsequent reach effect) and an effect related to a miss in a reach (an effect that involves a reach display and a subsequent reach effect).
Among these, when the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss in the reach (when the random number for reach judgment is a "reach value"), if the fluctuation pattern indicated by the aforementioned fluctuation pattern identification data is a fluctuation pattern corresponding to a fluctuation performance accompanied by a super reach performance (fluctuation pattern for a super reach), the reach performance is set to one accompanied by a super reach performance (one in which a normal reach performance can develop into a super reach performance).

When executing a reach effect related to this reach miss, if the game state is in an open extended state, the possibility of a super reach effect being executed as the reach effect may be lowered compared to when the game state is in a non-open extended state.

When the process proceeds to S1230, a process is performed to set the effect pattern to be displayed as confirmed (the effect pattern that notifies the result of the win/loss judgment regarding the special pattern). After this, the effect is started in S1235 (S1235), and the effect start process is returned.

Next, the features of the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to Figures 25 and 26.
In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, as described above, each time a win/loss judgment is performed, a variation pattern corresponding to the result of the win/loss judgment and the game state at that time (open extended state, non-open extended state) is determined. Then, when the variation pattern is determined, the sub-integrated control device 83 sets a presentation pattern (presentation mode) corresponding to the determined variation pattern.

Then, when the presentation pattern (presentation mode) is a pseudo consecutive presentation mode, after performing the first pseudo fluctuation once or multiple times, a "pseudo consecutive presentation" is executed in which a second pseudo fluctuation is performed.
In addition, in the first pseudo variation, the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance can be executed according to the first display performance pattern, the second display performance pattern, or the third display performance pattern. In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, the possibility of the super reach performance (special performance) being executed in the second pseudo variation is different based on the type of display performance pattern used when performing the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance. Hereinafter, the possibility that the reach performance started in the second pseudo variation develops into the super reach performance (special performance) (hereinafter referred to as the super reach development rate) will be described using the concrete example shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26.

As mentioned above, in a variation performance according to a pseudo consecutive performance mode (pseudo consecutive performance), the expectation of a jackpot occurring in the hit/miss judgment (jackpot reliability) differs based on the number of first pseudo fluctuations executed. In other words, in a variation performance according to a pseudo consecutive performance mode (pseudo consecutive performance), the expectation of a jackpot occurring (jackpot reliability) is set to "100%" for a variation performance in which the first pseudo fluctuation is performed three times and then the second pseudo fluctuation is performed (i.e., a pseudo consecutive performance in which pseudo fluctuations are performed four times, hereinafter referred to as pseudo consecutive performance A). In addition, in a variation performance according to a pseudo consecutive performance mode (pseudo consecutive performance), the expectation of a jackpot occurring (jackpot reliability) is set to "60%" for a variation performance in which the second pseudo fluctuation is performed after the first pseudo fluctuation is performed two times (i.e., a variation performance in which pseudo fluctuations are performed three times, hereinafter referred to as pseudo consecutive performance B). Furthermore, in a variation presentation according to the pseudo consecutive presentation mode (pseudo consecutive presentation), in order for a variation presentation in which a first pseudo variation is performed once and then a second pseudo variation is performed (i.e., a variation presentation in which a pseudo variation is performed twice, hereafter referred to as pseudo consecutive presentation C), the expected probability of a jackpot occurring (jackpot reliability) is set to "10%".

The pseudo consecutive display A is executed only when the result of the hit/miss determination is a jackpot, and is a so-called "display indicating a confirmed jackpot (display that notifies that a jackpot has occurred)." The pseudo consecutive display B is more likely to appear when the result of the hit/miss determination is a jackpot than when the result of the hit/miss determination is a miss, and the pseudo consecutive display C is more likely to appear when the result of the hit/miss determination is a jackpot than when the result of the hit/miss determination is a jackpot.

Figure 25 is a chart showing the types of presentation patterns (pseudo consecutive presentation modes) that identify pseudo consecutive presentation B in S1215 or S1220 (see Figure 24), and the "probability that a normal reach presentation develops into a super reach (super reach development rate)" in the second pseudo fluctuation for each type.
As shown in Fig. 25, types P1 to P5 of presentation patterns are provided as presentation patterns (pseudo consecutive presentation modes) that specify the pseudo consecutive presentation B. In Fig. 25, in the presentation patterns of types P1 to P5, the relationship between the "display presentation pattern applied in the pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation that appears in the first pseudo variation" and the "super reach development rate" is determined.
The super reach development rate shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26 described later may differ depending on the "game state when the presentation pattern is set (open extended state, non-open extended state)" and the "result of hit/miss determination (whether it is a big hit or a miss)". For example, while maintaining the relationship (magnitude relationship) between the "individual types of presentation patterns" and the "super reach development rate" shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26, when the game state is in the open extended state, the "super reach development rate" may be lower overall compared to when the game state is in the non-open extended state.

Here, in Figures 25 and 26, (1) "first pattern" indicates that a pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation is executed according to the "first display presentation pattern" in the first pseudo fluctuation that is the target, (2) "second pattern" indicates that a pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation is executed according to the "second display presentation pattern" in the first pseudo fluctuation that is the target, and (3) "third pattern" indicates that a pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation is executed according to the "third display presentation pattern" in the first pseudo fluctuation that is the target.

The type P1 presentation pattern shown in Figure 25 is a presentation pattern in which a pseudo consecutive pattern display presentation is executed according to the "third pattern" during the first and second first pseudo fluctuations, and the "super reach development rate" is set to the first probability (e.g., 80%).
In addition, the type P2 presentation pattern is a presentation pattern in which a pseudo consecutive pattern display presentation is executed according to a "second pattern" during the first and second first pseudo fluctuations, and the "super reach development rate" is set to a second probability (e.g., 65%) that is lower than the first probability.
Furthermore, the type P3 presentation pattern is a presentation pattern in which a pseudo consecutive pattern display presentation is executed according to the "first pattern" in the first and second first pseudo fluctuations, and the "super reach development rate" is set to a third probability (e.g., 45%) that is lower than the second probability.

In addition, the type P4 presentation pattern shown in Figure 25 is a presentation pattern in which a pseudo consecutive pattern display presentation is executed according to the "first pattern" in the first pseudo-fluctuation, and a pseudo consecutive pattern display presentation is executed according to the "second pattern" in the second pseudo-fluctuation, and the "super reach development rate" is set to a fourth probability (e.g., 48%) between the second probability and the third probability.
Furthermore, the type P5 presentation pattern is a presentation pattern in which a pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation is executed according to the "second pattern" in the first pseudo fluctuation, and a pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation is executed according to the "first pattern" in the second pseudo fluctuation, and the "super reach development rate" is set to a fifth probability (e.g., 46%) which is between the second and third probabilities and lower than the fourth probability.

FIG. 26 shows that the presentation pattern (pseudo consecutive presentation mode) that specifies the pseudo consecutive presentation C includes presentation patterns of types Q1 to Q3.
26, the type Q1 presentation pattern is a presentation pattern in which the pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation is executed according to the "third pattern" in the first pseudo fluctuation, and the "super reach development rate" is set to probability A (for example, 40%). In other words, in the pseudo consecutive presentation C according to the presentation pattern of type Q1 in which the number of times the first pseudo fluctuation is executed is set to one (reduced), the "super reach development rate" is set to be lower than the pseudo consecutive presentation A according to the presentation pattern of type P1 in which the number of times the first pseudo fluctuation is executed is set to two (increased).

In addition, in the type Q2 presentation pattern, a pseudo consecutive pattern display presentation is executed according to the "second pattern" in the first pseudo variation, and the "super reach development rate" is set to probability B (for example, 15%) which is lower than probability A.
Furthermore, in the type Q3 presentation pattern, a pseudo consecutive pattern display presentation is executed according to the "first pattern" in the first pseudo variation, and the "super reach development rate" is set to probability C (e.g., 10%) which is lower than probability B.

When pseudo consecutive performance C is executed according to the performance patterns of types Q2 and Q3, the "super reach development rate" is lower than when pseudo consecutive performance B is executed according to any of the performance patterns of types P3 to P5.
In addition, when the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance is not executed according to the "third pattern" in the first pseudo variation (when the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance is executed only in the first and second patterns), it is not necessarily necessary to execute the reach state (the reach state and the subsequent reach performance) in the second pseudo variation executed after the end of the first pseudo variation. In other words, in the pseudo consecutive performance according to the performance pattern of the pattern P3 or P4, or the pattern Q2 or Q3, there may be a case where the reach state and the subsequent reach performance are not executed.

As described above, when the pseudo consecutive pattern display effect is executed according to the "third pattern" in the first pseudo variation in the pseudo consecutive performance (see the performance patterns of types P1 and Q1), the possibility that the super reach performance (special performance) will be executed in the second pseudo variation (Super reach development rate) is high. Also, when the pseudo consecutive pattern display effect is executed according to only the "second pattern" in the first pseudo variation in the pseudo consecutive performance (see the performance patterns of types P2 and Q2), the possibility that the super reach performance (special performance) will be executed in the second pseudo variation (Super reach development rate) is the next highest. Furthermore, when the pseudo consecutive pattern display effect is executed according to only the "first pattern" in the first pseudo variation in the pseudo consecutive performance (see the performance patterns of types P3 and Q3), the possibility that the super reach performance (special performance) will be executed in the second pseudo variation (Super reach development rate) is the lowest.

In addition, there are cases where the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance is executed according to the "first pattern" in the first pseudo variation in the pseudo consecutive performance, and then the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance is executed according to the "second pattern" in the first pseudo variation (see the performance pattern of type P4, hereinafter referred to as the former case). Also, there are cases where the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance is executed according to the "second pattern" in the first pseudo variation in the pseudo consecutive performance, and then the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance is executed according to the "first pattern" in the first pseudo variation (see the performance pattern of type P5, hereinafter referred to as the latter case).
In this embodiment, in the former and latter cases, the super reach development rate is lower than that of "variable presentation according to the presentation pattern of type P2" and higher than that of "variable presentation according to the presentation pattern of type P3". Moreover, the super reach development rate is higher in "variable presentation according to the presentation pattern of type P4" which executes the pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation according to the "second pattern" later than in "variable presentation according to the presentation pattern of type P5" which executes the pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation according to the "second pattern" first. However, the super reach development rate may be the same in the former and latter cases.
Also, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, when the number of pseudo-fluctuations is large (for example, three as shown in Figure 25), the possibility that a super reach effect (special effect) will be executed in the second pseudo-fluctuation (super reach development rate) is higher than when the number of pseudo-fluctuations is small (for example, two as shown in Figure 26).

In addition, in this embodiment, in a mode in which the first pseudo fluctuation is executed multiple times in one fluctuation performance, once the pseudo consecutive pattern display performance is executed according to the third display performance pattern, the pseudo consecutive pattern display performance is executed according to the third display performance pattern in the subsequent first pseudo fluctuation (see the performance pattern of type P1 in FIG. 25 and the second feature of the present invention). Although not shown, in a performance pattern in which the first pseudo fluctuation is executed three times in one fluctuation performance (pseudo consecutive performance) according to the second feature of the present invention, for example, if the pseudo consecutive pattern display performance is executed according to the first or second display performance pattern in the first first pseudo fluctuation and the pseudo consecutive pattern display performance is executed according to the third display performance pattern in the third first pseudo fluctuation.

In other words, according to an aspect having the second characteristic of the present invention, when the first pseudo fluctuation is executed multiple times, once a reach display is displayed in a given first pseudo fluctuation (i.e., after a pseudo consecutive pattern display performance is executed according to a third display performance pattern accompanied by a reach display), the pseudo consecutive pattern display performance is not executed in the first display performance pattern or the second display performance pattern in the subsequent first pseudo fluctuation. If a pseudo consecutive pattern display performance is executed in the first display performance pattern or the second display performance pattern, it may cause anxiety that the fluctuation performance will end without a "reach display", and according to an aspect having the second characteristic of the present invention, such anxiety can be prevented from arising.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 25 and 26, the transition rate of the super reach (the development rate of the super reach) is determined to correspond to the expectation of the occurrence of a jackpot (the reliability of the occurrence of a jackpot). In other words, in the variable presentation according to the presentation pattern that specifies the pseudo consecutive presentation B, the expectation of the occurrence of a jackpot is highest in the variable presentation according to the presentation pattern of type P1. The expectation of the occurrence of a jackpot (the reliability of the occurrence of a jackpot) decreases in the order of the variable presentation according to the presentation pattern of type P2, the variable presentation according to the presentation pattern of type P4, the variable presentation according to the presentation pattern of type P5, and the variable presentation according to the presentation pattern of type P3 (see the "Reliability" section in Fig. 25). This "reliability" indicates that the "reliability" is highest at the value "1" shown in this "reliability", and decreases in the order of the values "2", "3", "4", and "5".

In addition, in variable presentations that follow a presentation pattern that specifies pseudo consecutive presentation C, the expectation of a jackpot occurring is highest in variable presentations that follow a presentation pattern of type Q1. The expectation of a jackpot occurring (the reliability of a jackpot occurring) decreases in variable presentations that follow a presentation pattern of type Q2, followed by variable presentations that follow a presentation pattern of type Q3 (see the "Reliability" section in Figure 26). This "reliability" indicates that the "reliability" is highest for the symbol "A" and decreases in the order of symbols "B" and "C".

In the pachinko machine 50 of the present invention, (1) the case where the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance is executed according to the third display performance pattern in the first pseudo variation is the most likely to transition to the subsequent other first pseudo variation (the number of first pseudo variations is the most likely to be large), (2) the case where the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance is executed according to the second display performance pattern in the first pseudo variation is the second most likely to transition to the subsequent other first pseudo variation (the number of first pseudo variations is the next most likely to be large), and (3) the case where the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance is executed according to the first display performance pattern in the first pseudo variation is the least likely to transition to the subsequent other first pseudo variation (the number of first pseudo variations is the least likely to be small). In this case, the following effects can also be obtained.

In other words, as described above, in a variation presentation (pseudo consecutive presentation) according to the pseudo consecutive presentation mode, the more pseudo variations there are, the higher the rate of Super Reach development and the higher the reliability of a jackpot occurrence (for example, pseudo consecutive presentation B with three pseudo variations has a higher rate of Super Reach development and a higher reliability of a jackpot occurrence than pseudo consecutive presentation C with two pseudo variations). For this reason, when the first pseudo consecutive pattern suggests that the pseudo consecutive pattern display presentation is executed according to the third display presentation pattern, it is possible to increase the player's expectations regarding the execution of a Super Reach presentation and the occurrence of a jackpot.

Next, a description will be given of the effect stopping process executed by the sub integrated control device 83 with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 27. Note that this process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub integrated control device 83.
When the effect stop process is started, the sub-integrated control device 83 judges whether or not it has received a change stop command (S1300). Here, the change stop command is a command transmitted from the main control device 40 when stopping the change of the special symbol and displaying the fixed symbol (see the process of S372 in FIG. 11(b)).
If a negative judgment is made (S1300: no), the performance stop processing is terminated.

On the other hand, if the determination is affirmative (S1300: yes), in S1305, a process is performed to transmit a performance pattern confirmation display instruction signal to the performance pattern control device 82. Then, the performance stop process is terminated.
Here, when S1305 is performed, the variable performance being executed in the display area 6H is stopped (the variable performance is stopped by displaying a fixed performance pattern showing the result of the win/loss judgment).

Also, in S1305, if the result of the hit/miss determination is a jackpot, a "jackpot pattern (performance pattern)" is confirmed and displayed on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6 as a result of the processing of S1305.
In this case, the middle performance pattern 6C is displayed stopped with the same number pattern (performance pattern) as the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R, and the occurrence of a jackpot is announced.
On the other hand, if the result of the hit/miss judgment is a miss, a "miss pattern (performance pattern)" is confirmed and displayed on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6 as a result of the processing of S1305.

According to the pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment, the possibility of a special effect (super reach effect) being executed in the second pseudo variation is higher when the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is executed according to the second display effect pattern than when the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is executed according to the first display effect pattern. Therefore, a player who encounters the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect according to the second display effect pattern can have a sense of expectation.
In other words, if the pseudo consecutive symbols 6V approaching the display position 6TC are expected to temporarily stop at the display position 6TC, but fail to do so once, the pseudo consecutive symbols 6V that appear again succeed in temporarily stopping at the display position 6TC, the possibility of a special effect being executed is increased. This increases the expectation of the player who encounters the failed effect.

In addition, when the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is executed according to the third display effect pattern, the player is more likely to encounter a special effect, so even if the pseudo consecutive symbol 6V does not temporarily stop at the display position 6TC and the reach display is performed in the first pseudo variation, the player can have a sense of expectation for encountering a special effect. In other words, if the pseudo consecutive symbol 6V temporarily stops at the display position 6TC after the reach display, but the special effect is not executed, the player may feel that the effect has been prolonged in vain and that he has gained nothing, which may cause a situation that disappoints the player. In contrast, according to this embodiment, when the pseudo consecutive symbol 6V temporarily stops at the display position 6TC after the reach display, the possibility of a special effect being executed increases. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the "situation that disappoints the player".

When a reach display is performed during the first pseudo-fluctuation, the execution time of the first pseudo-fluctuation (the time until the pseudo-consecutive pattern is displayed at the display position) may be delayed compared to when a reach display is not performed during the first pseudo-fluctuation. Therefore, when the pseudo-consecutive pattern display performance is executed according to the third display performance pattern, the pseudo-consecutive pattern may be displayed at the display position with a delay, and there is a possibility of transitioning to the subsequent first pseudo-fluctuation or second pseudo-fluctuation.

In addition, in the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, after a pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is executed once according to the third effect display pattern in one pseudo consecutive symbol display effect, the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is executed according to the third effect display pattern when executing the subsequent pseudo consecutive symbol display effect. Therefore, the following effect can be obtained. In other words, in one pseudo consecutive symbol display, if a reach display is displayed once in a predetermined "first pseudo variation" but no reach display is displayed in the subsequent other "first pseudo variation", it may seem that the player has been demoted, giving the player an impression of dissatisfaction and decreasing interest in the game. In contrast, according to the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, a reach display is displayed in the subsequent other "first pseudo variation", so it is possible to prevent a decrease in interest in the game.

(2) Example 2
The pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment may be provided with display presentation patterns b to d other than the first to third display presentation patterns as display presentation patterns for the pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation.

In the pachinko machine 50 of Example 1, it was possible to execute a pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation according to a first display presentation pattern and a pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation according to a second display presentation pattern, in which the pseudo consecutive symbol 6V is temporarily stopped at the display position 6HC without going through a reach.
In contrast to this, in the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28(a), further diversification of the display presentation patterns is attempted to specify the contents of the pseudo consecutive pattern display presentation for temporarily stopping the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V without going through a reach.

That is, the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment is provided with a second display presentation pattern b, a second display presentation pattern c, and a second display presentation pattern d in addition to the first to third display presentation patterns.
Here, in the pseudo consecutive symbol display performance according to the second display performance pattern, a performance (failure performance) is executed in which the pseudo consecutive symbol 6V that appeared from the upper part of the middle symbol variable area 6HC fails to temporarily stop at the display position 6TC once. After this, the pseudo consecutive symbol 6V is moved to the lower side of the display position 6TC, and then it disappears from the screen 6a.

After this, the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V is made to appear again from the upper part of the middle pattern changing area 6HC, and this pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that has appeared again is moved toward the lower side of the middle pattern changing area 6HC and temporarily stops at the display position 6TC, thereby announcing the start of the next pseudo change and completing the successful performance.
In other words, in the pseudo consecutive symbol display presentation according to the second display presentation pattern, after one unsuccessful presentation is executed, the successful presentation is completed.

In contrast, the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect according to the second display effect pattern b is a mode in which a successful effect is completed after two unsuccessful effects. Also, the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect according to the second display effect pattern c is a mode in which a successful effect is completed after three unsuccessful effects, and the pseudo consecutive symbol display effect according to the second display effect pattern d is a mode in which a successful effect is completed after four unsuccessful effects.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, since the number of display performance pattern forms increases, the content of the variable performance can be further diversified. For example, the content of the variable performance can be further diversified by adjusting the appearance rate of the special performance (super reach performance) according to the number of failed performances that have started the pseudo consecutive pattern display performance.

In particular, in the pachinko machine 50 of Example 2, the number of failure effects can be adjusted according to the length of the fluctuation time (the time the special symbols fluctuate). For example, when the fluctuation time is short, the second display effect pattern is selected. Also, when the fluctuation time is long, the second display effect pattern d may be selected. In this case, when the fluctuation time is long, the number of times the first pseudo fluctuation is executed can be increased, or the number of times the failure effect is executed can be increased, further diversifying the manner of the fluctuation effects and further increasing the interest in the game.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope shown in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be exemplified within the scope of the present invention.

In other words, in the present invention, when a pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is executed in the third display performance pattern in the first pseudo variation, the possibility of the subsequent first pseudo variation being executed may be higher than when a pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is executed in the first display performance pattern or the second display performance pattern.

In addition, if a pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is executed in the first or second display performance pattern in the first pseudo variation, the variation effect may end without a reach display in the second pseudo variation.In addition, if a pseudo consecutive symbol display effect is executed according to the third display performance pattern in the first pseudo variation, it may be determined that a reach display will be included in the second pseudo variation.

Furthermore, in each embodiment, an example is given of a state in which the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R are temporarily stopped at the corresponding display positions 6TL, 6TR, and the pseudo fluctuation is resumed (restarted to fluctuate again) when the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V is temporarily stopped at the corresponding display position 6TC, but the content of the performance when the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V is temporarily stopped and the form of the pseudo pattern are not limited to those shown in each embodiment.

For example, a modified example of FIG. 28(b) can be exemplified. That is, as exemplified in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 28(b-1), when the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V that appears from the upper part of the middle pattern variation area 6HC temporarily stops at the display position 6TC, the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R may disappear (see FIG. 28(b-2)). In such a case, the pseudo variation may be resumed in response to the temporary stopping of the pseudo consecutive pattern 6V alone (see FIG. 28(b-3)). Note that in such a case, the single pseudo consecutive pattern 6V may be enlarged and displayed.

The pseudo consecutive symbols may also be composed of a predetermined combination of symbols. For example, the pseudo variation may be started when the symbols to be temporarily stopped are odd numbers arranged in ascending order from right to left.

Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention has
In a gaming machine having the first or second feature,
In the first pseudo variation, the subsequent first pseudo variation is more likely to be executed when the pseudo consecutive display performance is executed according to the second display performance pattern than when the pseudo consecutive display performance is executed according to the first display performance pattern;
It may also be a feature (hereinafter referred to as the third feature) that in the initial first pseudo-variation, the subsequent first pseudo-variation is more likely to be executed when the pseudo-consecutive mode display performance is executed according to the third display performance pattern than when the pseudo-consecutive mode display performance is executed according to the second display performance pattern.

With a gaming machine having the third characteristic, a player who encounters the first pseudo consecutive display effect can predict the number of pseudo fluctuations that will be executed, and thus the result of the win/loss judgment, further increasing the player's interest in the game.

In addition, in each embodiment, each embodiment and each modified example has been described as an example of application to a general digital pachinko type pachinko machine 50, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to other types of pachinko machines 50, such as a so-called "one-type two-type mixed machine type" pachinko machine 50 or a so-called "V Challenge type" pachinko machine 50.
Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention may be a so-called "enclosed gaming machine" or a "non-enclosed gaming machine."

In addition, in each embodiment, a pinball gaming machine has been described as the gaming machine, but the present invention can also be suitably applied to a reel type gaming machine (slot gaming machine) in which a game is played using medals as a value medium. Furthermore, the present invention can also be suitably applied to a reel type gaming machine (Parrot gaming machine) in which a game is played similarly to a slot gaming machine using game balls as a value medium.

[Correspondence to claims]
Next, the correspondence between the terms used in the above description of the embodiments (examples) and the terms used in the claims will be shown.
The "pachinko machine 50" corresponds to an example of a "game machine."
The process from S330 to S350 in FIG. 10 corresponds to an example of a "pass/fail determination."
The first special symbol display device 9 and the second special symbol display device 10 in Figures 2 and 4 correspond to an example of an identification information storage means.
The effect pattern display device 6 of Figures 2, 4, 16, etc. corresponds to an example of a variable effect execution means.

1; game board, 3; game area, 6; performance pattern display device, 11; first start gate, 12; second start gate, 14; big prize gate, 17; normal pattern activation gate, 80; main control device, 82; performance pattern control device, 83; sub-integrated control device.

Claims (1)

A winning/loosening determination means for determining winning/looseness based on the establishment of a predetermined condition;
an identification information display means for displaying a result of the judgment after varying the identification information for a variation time period determined each time the judgment is made;
A variable performance execution means for executing a variable performance that changes the performance pattern according to a performance mode determined each time the winning/losing judgment is performed,
As the presentation mode, after performing the variation of the presentation pattern for a predetermined time, a first pseudo variation in which the pseudo consecutive mode is temporarily stopped is performed a predetermined number of times, and then a second pseudo variation in which the presentation pattern is varied until the determined variation time ends is performed.
A pseudo-continuous mode display performance associated with the pseudo-continuous mode being temporarily stopped in the first pseudo-variation is executed according to a predetermined display performance pattern, and a special performance is executable in the second pseudo-variation,
As the display performance pattern,
A first display performance pattern in which the pseudo consecutive mode is temporarily stopped without displaying a reach in the first pseudo variation to be targeted;
A third display performance pattern in which the reach display is performed in the first pseudo variation to be targeted, and then the pseudo consecutive mode is temporarily stopped.
A first pseudo consecutive fluctuation execution mode in which the pseudo consecutive fluctuation display performance is executed according to the first display performance pattern in the first pseudo fluctuation, and then the second pseudo fluctuation is executed; and a second pseudo consecutive fluctuation execution mode in which the pseudo consecutive fluctuation display performance is executed according to the third display performance pattern in the first pseudo fluctuation, and then the second pseudo fluctuation is executed;
When the third display performance pattern is executed, the special performance is more likely to be executed than when the first pseudo consecutive variation execution mode is executed,
This gaming machine is characterized in that after the pseudo consecutive display performance is executed once according to the third display performance pattern in one pseudo consecutive display performance, the pseudo consecutive display performance is always executed according to the third display performance pattern when executing the pseudo consecutive display performance.

Images