JP7649526B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines, and can be applied in particular to pachinko gaming machines.

In conventional gaming machines, a hit/miss probability is determined based on the ball entering the starting hole, and a jackpot game is executed by changing the display of the symbols, and if the hit/miss determination result is a jackpot, the symbols are stopped and displayed as a jackpot symbol, and the jackpot opening is opened. In addition, a game presentation (reach presentation, character presentation, etc.) is executed in conjunction with the changing display of the symbols, and the execution mode of the game presentation indicates the possibility that the hit/miss determination result will be a jackpot, i.e., the possibility that the symbols will stop and display as a jackpot symbol (jackpot reliability) (for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, a predetermined game sound selected from a number of game sounds is output in conjunction with the changing display of the symbols and the reach performance (preview performance), and the game sound heightens the player's sense of elation, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

JP 10-57583 A

In gaming machines like those mentioned above, the game sounds that are output along with the changing display of symbols and the reach effects increase the interest in the game, but there is also a risk that the output format of the game sounds is uniform, which may lead to a decrease in interest in the game.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a highly entertaining gaming machine with diversified game sound output modes.

The first aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a gaming machine comprising:
an identification information display means for variably displaying the identification information based on the establishment of a predetermined condition;
a variable ball entry port that can be changed between a ball entry possible state where the game ball can enter and a ball entry impossible state where the game ball cannot enter;
and a special game execution means for executing a special game in which the variable ball entrance is in a ball entrance state when the result of the variable display of the identification information becomes a specific result,
A game effect sound selection means for selecting a predetermined game effect sound from a plurality of game effect sounds;
a game effect sound output means for outputting the game effect sound selected by the game effect sound selection means;
a game effect image selection means for selecting a predetermined game effect image from a plurality of game effect images;
A game effect image display means for displaying the game effect image selected by the game effect image selection means on a display unit,
The game effect image includes a common game effect image corresponding commonly to a plurality of game effect sounds, and a plurality of individual game effect images corresponding individually to the plurality of game effect sounds,
The game effect sound selected by the game effect sound selection means and the game effect image selected by the game effect image selection means are executed in parallel,
A first game condition is determined in advance and may be satisfied during a game.
When the game performance sound selection means has selected a game performance sound before the first game condition is established, the common game performance image is displayed regardless of the type of the game performance sound being output.
When, after the first game condition is established, the game performance sound selection means selects a game performance sound and the selected game performance sound is output, the individual game performance image corresponding to the game performance sound is displayed depending on the type of the game performance sound being output.

According to such a gaming machine, the gaming machine is provided with a gaming sound output means for selecting a predetermined gaming sound from a plurality of gaming sound effects and outputting the selected gaming sound, and a gaming image display means for selecting a predetermined gaming image from a plurality of gaming image effects and displaying the selected gaming image on the display unit. The gaming machine also has a common gaming image corresponding to the plurality of gaming sound effects in common, and a plurality of individual gaming image effects corresponding to each of the plurality of gaming sound effects individually, and the gaming sound effects and the gaming image effects are executed in parallel. Before the first gaming condition is established, the common gaming image is displayed regardless of the type of gaming sound being output, and after the first gaming condition is established, the individual gaming image corresponding to the gaming sound effects is displayed depending on the type of gaming sound being output. This changes the correspondence between the gaming sound effects and the gaming image before and after the first gaming condition is established during the game, diversifying the gaming effects, preventing boredom with the game, and making it possible to increase the interest in the game.

A second aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The game effect sound selection means has a first period during which a predetermined game effect sound can be selected from a plurality of game effect sounds, and a second period during which a game effect sound cannot be selected,
The first gaming condition is characterized in that it can be established during the first period.

According to this type of gaming machine, there is a first period during which a gaming effect sound can be selected, and a second period during which a gaming effect sound cannot be selected, and the first gaming condition can be established during the first period during which a gaming effect sound can be selected. As a result, the first gaming condition is established during a period during which the gaming effect sound being executed can be changed to another gaming effect sound, and the establishment of the first gaming condition changes the correspondence between the gaming effect sound and the gaming effect image, making it possible to diversify the gaming effects.

A third aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The first game condition is characterized in that it is established based on the game ball entering a predetermined ball entry opening.

With this type of gaming machine, the first gaming condition is established based on the gaming ball entering a predetermined ball entry port. As a result, the first gaming condition is established based on the player causing the gaming ball to enter the predetermined ball entry port, and the correspondence between the gaming effect sounds and the gaming effect images changes depending on the player's own play, preventing boredom with the game and making it possible to increase interest in the game.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine of the first aspect of the present invention,
A second game condition is determined in advance and may be satisfied during a game.
After the first game condition is established, the individual game presentation image corresponding to the game presentation sound being output is displayed depending on the type of game presentation sound being output, and then, when the second game condition is established, the common game presentation image is displayed regardless of the type of game presentation sound being output.

According to such a gaming machine, in addition to the first gaming condition, there is a second gaming condition. Furthermore, after the first gaming condition is established, the second gaming condition is established in a situation where an individual gaming effect image corresponding to the selected and output gaming effect sound is displayed. After that, a common gaming effect image is displayed regardless of the type of gaming effect sound being output. This changes the correspondence between the gaming effect sound and the gaming effect image before and after the first gaming condition and the second gaming condition are established, diversifying the gaming effects, preventing boredom with the game, and making it possible to increase interest in the game.

The gaming machine of the present invention makes it possible to diversify the output modes of gaming sounds, providing a gaming machine with high intrigue.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an enlarged view of the main display shown in FIG. 3, showing displays provided in the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. This is a table showing the correspondence between the type of win and the opening pattern of the large prize opening. 13 is a table showing various random numbers acquired by the game control microcomputer. (A) is a hit determination table, (B) is a jackpot type determination table, (C) is a normal pattern hit determination table, and (D) is a normal pattern change pattern selection table. This is a fluctuation pattern table. 13 is a flowchart of a main control process. 13 is a flowchart of an interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a start port sensor detection process. This is a flowchart of the processing at the time of the initial goal. 13 is a flowchart of a general operation process. 13 is a flowchart of normal symbol waiting processing. This is a flowchart of the normal pattern correctness determination process. 13 is a flowchart of normal pattern random number shift processing. This is a flowchart of processing during normal pattern change. 13 is a flowchart of the normal pattern determination process. 13 is a flowchart of normal electric device processing. 13 is a flowchart of special chart operation processing. 13 is a flowchart of a special symbol waiting process. This is a flowchart of the special chart 2 correctness determination process. This is a flowchart of the special chart 2 variation pattern selection process. This is a flowchart of the special chart 2 variation pattern selection process. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of random number shift processing. This is a flowchart of the special drawing 1 correct/incorrect determination process. This is a flowchart of the special chart 1 variation pattern selection process. This is a flowchart of the special chart 1 variation pattern selection process. FIG. 1 is a flowchart of random number shift processing. This is a flowchart of processing during special pattern change. 13 is a flowchart of a special symbol determination process. This is a flowchart of special electric device processing 1 (jackpot game). 13 is a flowchart of a game status setting process. This is a flowchart of special electric device processing 2 (small hit game). 13 is a flowchart of a specific area sensor detection process. This is a flowchart for processing the number of reserved balls. 13 is a flowchart of a power interruption monitoring process. 13 is a flowchart of a sub-control main process. 13 is a flowchart of a reception interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a 2 ms timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a 10 ms timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a first presentation mode setting process. 13 is a flowchart of a pre-performance switching process. 13 is a table showing a random number table for selecting effects. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a time chart of the selection effect. A diagram showing battle effects and preview effects. A diagram showing battle effects and preview effects.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using examples. In the following examples, the present invention will be applied to a pachinko game machine (pinball game machine) in which the game medium used in the game is a game ball, and the game can be progressed by firing the game ball toward the game board. Specifically, the present invention will be described using as an example a so-called "type 1" pachinko game machine in which a special pattern is displayed in a variable manner based on the entry of a game ball into the starting hole, and when a jackpot pattern is displayed stationary with the end of the variable display of the special pattern, a jackpot game (special game) in which a predetermined amount of game profit (e.g., prize balls) can be played by the player.

In the following description, the term "front" simply refers to the near side (the side where the player is positioned when playing) when the gaming machine is viewed from the front, and the term "rear" simply refers to the rear side when the gaming machine is viewed from the front. Additionally, the terms "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" simply refer to the top, bottom, left and right directions when the gaming machine is viewed from the front, for example the top, bottom, left and right in Figures 1 and 3.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment 1 comprises a game machine frame 50 and a game board 2 attached within the game machine frame 50, and the game board 2 is configured to be freely attached and detached from the game machine frame 50. Figure 3 shows the game board 2 removed from the game machine frame 50. The game machine frame 50 is configured to have a front frame 51 with a decorative surface, a main frame 52 to which the game board 2 and the like are attached, and an outer frame 53 for attaching the pachinko game machine 1 to the island equipment of the hall, and the front frame 51, the main frame 52, and the outer frame 53 are pivotally supported at one side end and each is configured to be openable and closable.

The front frame 51 is also provided with a launch handle 60 for launching game balls with a launch strength according to the amount of operation (rotation angle) by the player, a ball supply tray (upper tray) 61 capable of storing game balls and supplying the stored game balls to the launching device, and a surplus ball receiving tray (lower tray) 62 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the ball supply tray 61. The front frame 51 is also provided with a first effect button 63a and a second effect button 63b (collectively referred to as the "effect button 63") that can be operated by the player during the execution of game effects that are executed as the game progresses, a decorative frame lamp 66 that can emit various lights depending on the game situation, and a speaker 67 that can emit various sounds (sound effects) depending on the game situation.

The effect button 63 functions as an input means that allows input by the player, and the effect button to be used can be selected according to the type of game effect. For example, when the first effect button 63a or the second effect button 63b is operated during the execution of a game effect, a predetermined operation corresponding effect is performed based on the operation. The configuration of the effect button 63 is not limited to the embodiment 1, and it is sufficient as long as the player can input. For example, it may be an input means (e.g., a retractable type, a touch sensor type, etc.) in which the player directly touches the button part to input, or a non-contact type input means (e.g., a photoelectric type) in which input is performed by detecting the proximity of a part of the player's body. In addition, the effect button may perform an effect action such as protruding upward or forward or vibrating (a movable effect operation means).

The game board 2 has a game area 3, in which game balls launched by operating the launch handle 60 flow down, surrounded by a rail member 4. A number of game nails 16 that guide the game balls are protruding from the game area 3, and a ball return prevention piece 6 is provided at the tip of the rail member 4. The ball return prevention piece 6 is intended to prevent the game balls that have been guided into the game area from returning to the launching device. The game board 2 also has a decorative board lamp 5 (see Figure 5) that can emit various lights depending on the game situation.

Near the center of the game area 3, an image display device 7, which is one form of the performance display means, is provided. The image display device 7 in this embodiment is a liquid crystal display device, and its display screen 7a is provided with a performance pattern display area 7b (also called the "performance pattern display section") in which performance patterns 8L, 8C, and 8R (also simply called "performance pattern 8") are displayed, and a background display area 7c in which a background image constituting the background of the display screen 7a is displayed. The performance patterns 8L, 8C, and 8R are displayed in synchronization with the variable display of the first special pattern and the variable display of the second special pattern, which will be described later. The variable display mode includes, for example, a mode in which the display is scrolled up and down, left and right, and diagonally, and in this embodiment, the display is scrolled up and down in principle. The performance pattern display area 7b is composed of three pattern display areas, for example, "left", "middle", and "right", and the left pattern display area displays the left performance pattern 8L, the middle pattern display area displays the middle performance pattern 8C, and the right pattern display area displays the right performance pattern 8R. Furthermore, the left, center, and right pattern display areas do not need to be positioned separately, and the left, center, and right performance pattern display areas may each be the entire pattern display area (performance pattern display area 7b).

In this embodiment, the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are each composed of a number (identification information) that represents a number from "1" to "9". Depending on the combination (stop display mode) of the left, center, and right performance symbols stopped and displayed in the performance symbol display area 7b, the display result of the variable display of the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 41a (also called the "first special symbol display section") described below and the display result of the variable display of the second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 41b (also called the "second special symbol display section"), that is, the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment (also simply called the "hit/miss judgment"), are displayed so that the player can easily recognize them. In this embodiment, the stopping order of the performance symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R that are displayed in a variable manner is, in principle, "left → right → center". Note that the first special symbol, the second special symbol, or the performance symbol may simply be referred to as "symbol" or "identification information". Additionally, normal patterns are sometimes called "normal patterns," special patterns "special patterns," the first special pattern "special pattern 1" or "first special pattern," and the second special pattern "special pattern 2" or "second special pattern."

For example, if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is a big hit, it is possible to stop and display the performance symbols with three identical digits such as "777" (also called "hit performance symbols"). Also, if the result is a small hit, it is possible to stop and display the performance symbols with a pre-set chance symbol such as "135" or a special symbol such as "3★3" (also called "small hit performance symbols"). Also, if the result is a miss, it is possible to stop and display the performance symbols with a variety of symbols (also called "miss performance symbols") in which at least one of the three symbols is different, such as "637" or "373". This makes it possible for the player to easily grasp the progress of the game by looking at the performance symbols that are stopped and displayed. In other words, the player generally does not directly grasp the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment by looking at the special symbols displayed on the first special symbol display 41a or the second special symbol display 41b, but by looking at the performance symbols displayed in the performance symbol display area 7b.

Here, among the stop display modes of the performance symbols, the stop display mode (in this embodiment, a repeat number) that corresponds to the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is sometimes referred to as the "big hit mode" or "specific display result", and the stop display mode (in this embodiment, a random number) that corresponds to the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is sometimes referred to as the "miss mode" or "non-specific display result". Also, the stop display mode that corresponds to the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is sometimes referred to as the "small hit mode" or "predetermined display result".

On the display screen 7a of the image display device 7, in addition to displaying game effects using the aforementioned effect patterns (effect pattern game effects), winning game effects executed in response to winning games and demo effects for waiting customers are also displayed. In addition to effect patterns such as numbers, various effect images other than the effect patterns, such as background images and character images, are also displayed in the effect pattern game effects, winning game effects and demo effects.

The display screen 7a of the image display device 7 is provided with a first effect hold display area 9c (first effect hold display section) that displays the first effect hold 9a according to the number of stored first special chart holds, which will be described later, and a second effect hold display area 9d (second effect hold display section) that displays the second effect hold 9b according to the number of stored second special chart holds, which will be described later. Depending on the display mode (display number) of the first effect hold and the second effect hold, the number of stored first special chart holds displayed on the first special chart hold display 43a (see FIG. 4) and the number of stored second special chart holds displayed on the second special chart hold display 43b, which will be described later, can be clearly shown to the player.

Furthermore, the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 of this embodiment is provided with a variable hold display area 9e that displays the effect hold corresponding to the currently changing special pattern (first special pattern or second special pattern), i.e., the effect hold corresponding to the consumed special pattern hold (first effect hold 9a or second effect hold 9b) (see Figure 3).

The display screen 7a of the image display device 7 is also provided with a left-hit display area 70c (left-hit instruction image display section) that displays a left-hit instruction image 70 (described below) and a right-hit display area 71c (right-hit instruction image display section) that displays a right-hit instruction image 71 (described below) depending on the game status. The left-hit instruction image 70 and the right-hit instruction image 71 are collectively referred to as "launch instruction images."

Near the center of the game area 3 and in front of the image display device 7, a center ornament 10 is provided so as to surround the performance pattern display area 7b. At the bottom of the center ornament 10, a stage section 11 is provided, which has a game ball rolling surface on which the game ball can roll. A hollow warp section 12 is provided at the left side of the center ornament 10. The warp section 12 is provided with a warp entrance and a warp exit, and receives game balls flowing down the game area 3 from the warp entrance, discharges the game balls from the warp exit, and guides them to the stage section 11. Game balls guided to the rolling surface of the stage section 11 are more likely to enter the first starting hole 20 described below than game balls that are not guided to the stage section 11. Furthermore, at the top of the center ornament 10, a decorative member 13 is arranged, which has an electric member such as an LED (board lamp 5) that can be lit depending on the game status and is shaped like letters, figures, etc.

In addition, a movable decorative member 14 is provided at the top of the center decorative body 10, behind the decorative member 13, which can move in response to game effects. In FIG. 3, only a portion of the movable decorative member 14 is visible, but, for example, when a game effect that has a relatively high probability of winning is executed, the movable decorative member 14 falls downward and covers the front of the display screen 7a, making most of it visible. This increases the player's sense of anticipation for a win.

A fixed winning device 19 is provided below the image display device 7 in the game area 3, and is equipped with a non-variable first starting hole 20 that does not change the ease with which the game ball can enter. Random numbers and the like for determining whether the special symbol is a winner are obtained based on the game ball entering the first starting hole 20, and when a predetermined condition is met, a win/loss determination for the first special symbol (first special symbol win/loss determination) is executed and the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner and is displayed as a stop based on the result of the win/loss determination.

A variable winning device 22 (also called a "variable starting hole") is provided below the first starting hole 20. The variable starting hole 21 changes the ease with which the game ball can enter the hole. Random numbers and the like for determining whether the special symbol has been hit are obtained based on the game ball's entry into the second starting hole 21, and when a predetermined condition is met, a hit/miss determination of the second special symbol (second special symbol hit/miss determination) is made and the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner and stopped based on the result of the hit/miss determination.

The variable winning device 22 includes a movable member 23, and opens and closes the second starting hole 21 by the operation of the movable member 23. By this opening and closing operation, the second starting hole 21 can be changed from a first state (closed state) to a second state (open state) in which the game ball is more likely to enter than the first state. In other words, the movable member 23 changes the possibility of the game ball entering the second starting hole 21 by performing a predetermined operation (opening and closing operation). The movable member 23 is driven by a second starting hole solenoid 24 (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the second starting hole 21 is made possible for the game ball to enter only when the movable member 23 is in an open state, and is not possible for the game ball to enter when the movable member 23 is in a closed state. In addition, the second starting hole 21 does not have to be completely impossible for the game ball to enter when the movable member 23 is in a closed state, as long as it is more difficult for the game ball to enter when the movable member 23 is in a closed state than when the movable member 23 is in an open state.

To the right of the first starting hole 20 in the game area 3, a first large prize winning device 31 equipped with a first large prize winning hole 30 (also called the "first variable ball winning hole") is provided. The first large prize winning device 31 is equipped with an opening/closing member 32, and the first large prize winning hole 30 is opened and closed by the operation of the opening/closing member 32. The opening/closing member 32 is driven by a first large prize winning hole solenoid 33 (see FIG. 5). The first large prize winning hole 30 can receive game balls only when the opening/closing member 32 is in the open state. In other words, the first large prize winning device 31 can be changed between a ball-entry-prohibited state (closed state) in which game balls cannot enter and a ball-entry-possible state (open state) in which game balls can enter, by the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member 32.

In addition, above the first large winning opening 30 in the game area 3 and at the lower right of the center decorative body 10, a second large winning device 36 equipped with a second large winning opening 35 (also called a "second variable ball winning opening") is provided. The second large winning device 36 is equipped with an opening/closing member (wing member) 37, and the second large winning opening 35 is opened and closed by the operation of the opening/closing member 37. The opening/closing member 37 is driven by a second large winning opening solenoid 38 (see FIG. 5). The second large winning opening 35 can receive game balls only when the opening/closing member 37 is in the open state. In other words, the second large winning device 36 can be changed between a ball-entry-prohibited state (closed state) in which game balls cannot enter and a ball-entry-possible state (open state) in which game balls can enter, by the opening and closing operation of the opening/closing member 37.

The second large prize device 36 is formed with a specific area 39 through which a game ball that has entered the second large prize opening 35 can pass. In this pachinko game machine 1, a high probability state, which will be described later, is generated based on the detection that at least one of the game balls that have entered the second large prize opening 35 has passed through the specific area 39. In other words, the specific area 39 is a high probability activation port. Such a specific area 39 is not provided in the first large prize device 31. The second large prize opening 35 (second large prize device 36) that has such a specific area 39 (V area) as a high probability activation port is also called a "V attacker." The high probability state is one of the game benefits that is given to the player separately from the special game.

In the right area of the center decoration 10 in the game area 3, a gate 28 (game ball passage port) through which the game ball can pass is provided. Based on the passage of the game ball through the gate 28, a random number for determining whether or not the normal pattern is a winning symbol is obtained, and when a predetermined condition is met, a normal pattern winning/losing determination is executed to determine whether or not the second starting port 21 is opened, and the normal pattern is displayed in a variable manner, and is displayed as a stopped state based on the result of the normal pattern winning/losing determination. When the winning normal pattern is displayed as a stopped state, the second starting port 21 is opened. Furthermore, a plurality of general winning ports 27 are provided at the bottom of the game area 3. In this embodiment, four general winning ports 27 are provided, three of which are left general winning ports provided to the left of the first starting port 20, and one is a right general winning port provided to the right of the first large winning port 30. The first start hole 20, the second start hole 21, the first large prize hole 30, the second large prize hole 35, and the general prize hole 27 are each ball entry holes that trigger the payout of prize balls, and when a game ball enters each ball entry hole, a predetermined number of game balls (prize balls) are paid out from each ball entry hole. Specifically, the number of prize balls from the first start hole 20 is "4", the number of prize balls from the second start hole 21 is "2", the number of prize balls from the first large prize hole 20 and the second large prize hole 35 is "15", and the number of prize balls from the general prize hole 27 is "10".

In this way, the game area 3, which has multiple ball entry ports (first start port 20, second start port 21, first large prize entry port 30, second large prize entry port 35, general prize entry port 27, and gate 28), can be divided into a left game area 3A (first area) on the left side of the center in the left-right direction, and a right game area 3B (second area) on the right side. Firing a game ball so that it flows down through the left game area 3A is called a "left hit," and firing a game ball so that it flows down through the right game area 3B is called a "right hit." Here, among the multiple ball entry ports, the first start port 20 and the three left general entry ports 27 are provided so that game balls flowing down the left game area 3A of the game area 3 can enter, and the second start port 21, the first large entry port 30, the second large entry port 35, the right general entry port 27, and the gate 28 are provided so that game balls flowing down the right game area 3B of the game area 3 can enter. In this pachinko game machine 1, when starting a game, in principle, a left shot is used to aim for a ball to enter the first start port 20. On the other hand, when a hit or miss judgment based on a ball entering the first start port 20 results in a hit and the game state changes, in principle, a right shot is used to aim for a ball to enter the gate 28, the second start port 21, the first large entry port 30, and the second large entry port 35.

3 and 4, the main display 40 is disposed at the lower right of the game board 2. The main display 40 includes a first special symbol display 41a (first special symbol display section) for displaying and stopping the first special symbol, a second special symbol display 41b (second special symbol display section) for displaying and stopping the second special symbol, and a normal symbol display 42 (normal symbol display section) for displaying and stopping the normal symbol. The main display 40 also includes a first special symbol reserved display 43a for displaying the number of hit/miss judgment information (first special symbol reserved) stored for the first special symbol, a second special symbol reserved display 43b for displaying the number of hit/miss judgment information (second special symbol reserved) stored for the second special symbol, and a normal symbol reserved display 44 for displaying the number of operation reserved (normal symbol reserved) stored for the normal symbol display 42. Furthermore, the main display 40 includes a win indicator 48 that indicates that the result of the first special symbol hit/miss judgment or the second special symbol hit/miss judgment is a hit, a round indicator 45 that indicates the number of rounds of the winning game that will be executed if the result of the first special symbol hit/miss judgment or the second special symbol hit/miss judgment is a hit, a game status indicator 46 that indicates that the probability fluctuation function is activated, and a launch direction indicator 47 that indicates the launch direction of the game ball, i.e., whether the state is to be hit to the right or the state is to be hit to the left. The display of these various indicators included in the main display 40 is controlled by the main control unit described below.

The display of the first special symbol is based on the entry of a game ball into the first starting hole 20. The display of the second special symbol is based on the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 21. In the following description, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are sometimes collectively referred to as "special symbols." Furthermore, the first special symbol display device 41a and the second special symbol display device 41b are sometimes collectively referred to as "special symbol display unit 41." Furthermore, the first special symbol reserve display device 43a and the second special symbol reserve display device 43b are sometimes collectively referred to as "special symbol reserve display unit 43."

In the special symbol display section 41, the special symbol (identification information) is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined time, and then displayed in a stopped state, and the result of the lottery (special symbol hit/miss judgment, jackpot lottery) based on the ball entering the first starting hole 20 or the second starting hole 21 is announced by the stopped special symbol (stopped symbol). The stopped special symbol is one special symbol selected from a plurality of types of special symbols by the special symbol hit/miss judgment. If the stopped symbol is a predetermined specific special symbol (specific identification information), that is, if the mode of the stopped display of the special symbol (display result of the variable display of the special symbol) is a winning mode such as a jackpot pattern or a small jackpot pattern, a special game (jackpot game, small jackpot game) is played in which the first large winning hole 30 or the second large winning hole 35 is opened in an opening pattern according to the type of the stopped winning symbol. The opening patterns of the large prize openings (first large prize opening 30 and second large prize opening 35) during special games will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first special symbol display 41a is composed of eight LEDs indicated by "i-p" and displays a special symbol according to the result of the first special symbol hit/miss judgment. In this embodiment, four types of big hits, "15R first big hit", "15R second big hit", "5R third big hit" and "2R fourth big hit", and a first small hit are provided as the result of the first special symbol hit/miss judgment (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 8), and the LEDs of the first special symbol display 41a can adopt a display mode according to each of these big hits and small hits. For example, if the result of the first special symbol hit/miss judgment is the first big hit (15R big hit), the three LEDs of "ijn" are lit and the rest are turned off (15R first big hit symbol). In addition, if the second jackpot (15R jackpot) occurs, the three LEDs of "ijk" are lit and the rest are turned off (15R second jackpot symbol). In addition, if the third jackpot (15R jackpot) occurs, the three LEDs of "ijl" are lit and the rest are turned off (15R third jackpot symbol). In addition, if the fourth jackpot (2R jackpot) occurs, the four LEDs of "jnop" are lit and the rest are turned off (2R fourth jackpot symbol). In addition, if the first small jackpot occurs, the four LEDs of "mnop" are lit and the rest are turned off (small jackpot symbol). In addition, if the miss occurs, the two LEDs of "lo" are lit and the rest are turned off (miss symbol).

On the other hand, the second special symbol display 41b is composed of eight LEDs indicated by "a-h" and displays a special symbol according to the result of the second special symbol hit/miss judgment. In this embodiment, two types of hits, "15R 5th hit" and "15R 6th hit", are provided as the result of the second special symbol hit/miss judgment (see FIG. 8), and the LEDs of the second special symbol display 41b can adopt a display mode according to each of these hits. For example, if the result of the second special symbol hit/miss judgment is the 5th hit (15R jackpot), the three LEDs of "abd" are lit and the rest are turned off (15R 5th hit symbol). Also, if the result is the 6th hit (15R jackpot), the three LEDs of "abc" are lit and the rest are turned off (15R 6th hit symbol). In addition, if a second small win occurs, the four LEDs of "cdeh" are lit and the rest are turned off (second small win pattern). In addition, if a miss occurs, the two LEDs of "eh" are lit and the rest are turned off (miss pattern).

The display mode of the special symbols (stopping symbols) is not limited to these and can be set arbitrarily. Also, before the special symbols are displayed, the special symbols are displayed for a predetermined period of time, and the display mode can be, for example, a mode in which the LEDs are lit so that light flows repeatedly from left to right in a predetermined order.

In this pachinko game machine 1, when a game ball enters the first starting hole 20 or the second starting hole 21, various information (also called "acquired information") such as a random number for determining whether or not a special symbol is drawn is acquired based on the ball entry, and the acquired various information is temporarily stored in a special symbol reservation memory unit (not shown) formed in the RAM of the main control unit. In detail, if the ball enters the first starting hole 20, it is stored in the first special symbol reservation memory unit (not shown) as a first special symbol reservation (first acquired information), and if the ball enters the second starting hole 21, it is stored in the second special symbol reservation memory unit (not shown) as a second special symbol reservation (second acquired information). The number of special symbol reservations (acquired information) that can be stored in each special symbol reservation memory unit is limited to a predetermined number, and the upper limit in this embodiment is "4". These first special chart reserved memory unit and second special chart reserved memory unit are also referred to as the "first acquired information storage means" and the "second acquired information storage means", respectively, and are also collectively referred to as the "acquired information storage means".

The reserved special symbols stored in the reserved special symbols memory unit are consumed when it becomes possible to display the special symbols based on the reserved special symbols. Consumption of reserved special symbols means judging the random numbers or the like for judging whether the special symbols correspond to the reserved special symbols, and executing the display of the special symbols to show the result of the judgment. Therefore, in this pachinko game machine 1, even if the display of the special symbols based on the game ball entering the first start hole 20 or the second start hole 21 cannot be executed immediately at the time of the ball entering, that is, even if the display of the special symbols is being executed or a special game is being executed, it is possible to reserve the right to judge whether the special symbol is entered for the ball up to a predetermined number.

The number of reserved special drawings stored in the reserved special drawing memory unit is displayed on the first reserved special drawing display 43a and the second reserved special drawing display 43b. Specifically, the first reserved special drawing display 43a is composed of two LEDs, "uv", and displays the number of reserved first special drawings by controlling the display of the LEDs according to the number of reserved first special drawings. For example, when the number of pending items is "0", the display mode may be "u□v□" (for example, □ is off, ● is red, ▲ is green) with both LEDs turned off; when the number of pending items is "1", the display mode may be "u□v●" with the "u" LED turned off and the "v" LED turned red; when the number of pending items is "2", the display mode may be "u●v□" with the "u" LED turned red and the "v" LED turned off; when the number of pending items is "3", the display mode may be "u●v●" with both LEDs lit red; and when the number of pending items is "4 (maximum number)", the display mode may be "u▲v▲" with both LEDs lit green.

The second special chart reserved indicator 43b is composed of two LEDs, "wx", and displays the number of second special charts reserved by controlling the display of the LEDs according to the number of second special charts reserved. For example, when the reserved number is "0", the display mode is "w□x□" (for example, □: off, ●: red lit, ▲: green lit), with both LEDs turned off, and the reserved numbers "1" to "4" are determined in the same way as the first special chart reserved indicator 43a.

The normal symbol is displayed in a variable manner when the game ball passes through the gate 28. The normal symbol display 42 displays the normal symbol in a variable manner for a predetermined period of time, and then stops, and the normal symbol (stopped symbol) displayed in a stopped state notifies the player of the result of the normal symbol hit/miss judgment based on the game ball passing through the gate 28. The normal symbol displayed in a stopped state is one normal symbol selected from a plurality of types of normal symbols by the normal symbol hit/miss judgment. If the normal symbol displayed in a stopped state is a predetermined specific normal symbol (a winning normal symbol), an auxiliary game is played in which the second start hole 21 is opened in an opening pattern according to the current game state. The opening pattern of the second start hole 21 will be described later.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the normal symbol display 42 is composed of two "st" LEDs, and displays the normal symbol according to the result of the normal symbol hit/miss judgment by the lighting state of the LEDs. For example, if the judgment result is a hit, a winning normal symbol with both LEDs lit is displayed as "s■t■" (for example, ■: lit, □: off). If the judgment result is a miss, a missing normal symbol with only the "t" LED lit is displayed as "s□t■". Note that a missing normal symbol is not a specific normal symbol. Before the normal symbol is displayed, a variable display of the normal symbol is executed for a predetermined variable time, and the variable display state is, for example, a state in which both LEDs alternately light up and go out.

In this pachinko game machine 1, when a game ball passes through gate 28, various information (also referred to as "acquired information") such as a random number for determining whether a normal pattern is a hit or miss is acquired based on that passage, and the acquired various information is temporarily stored as a normal pattern reserve in a normal pattern reserve memory section (not shown) formed in the RAM of the main control section. The number of normal pattern reserves that can be stored in the normal pattern reserve memory section is limited to a predetermined number, and in this embodiment, the upper limit is "4". The normal pattern reserves stored in the normal pattern reserve memory section are consumed when it becomes possible to display a variable normal pattern based on that normal pattern reserve. Consumption of a normal pattern reserve refers to determining the random number for determining whether a normal pattern is a hit or miss corresponding to that normal pattern reserve, and executing a variable normal pattern display to show the result of that determination. Therefore, in this pachinko game machine 1, even if the display of normal symbols based on the passage of the game ball through the gate 28 cannot be executed immediately at the time of the passage, i.e., even if the display of normal symbols is being executed or an auxiliary game is being executed, the right to determine whether the normal symbols are correct for the passage can be reserved up to a specified number.

The number of reserved regular maps stored in the reserved regular map memory unit is displayed on the reserved regular map display 44. Specifically, the reserved regular map display 44 is composed of two LEDs, "qr", and displays the number of reserved regular maps by lighting up the LEDs according to the number of reserved regular maps. For example, when the reserved number is "0", the display mode can be "q□r□" (for example, □: off, ●: red lit, ▲: green lit) with both LEDs off, and when the reserved number is "1", the display mode can be "q□r●" with the "q" LED off and the "r" LED lit in red. In addition, the reserved numbers "2" to "4" are also determined in the same way as the first special map reserved display 43a.

Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko game machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 5. The pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a main control board 80 (also called the "main control unit" and "game control unit") that controls game progress and game profits, such as determining whether a special symbol is a hit or not, determining whether a normal symbol is a hit or not, and transitioning game states, a sub-control board 90 (also called the "sub-control unit" and "performance control unit") that controls the performance executed as the game progresses, a payout control board 110 (also called the "payout control unit") that controls the payout of game balls, an image control board 100 (image control unit) that controls the display of the image display device 7, the performance display unit 102, the performance first special symbol reserve display unit 103a, and the performance second special symbol reserve display unit 103b, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, a main control board storage case that stores the main control board 80 is provided in the approximate center of the rear side (back side) of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and above this main control board case is a storage case for the image control board, etc., that stores the sound control board 106, the lamp control board 107, and the image control board 100, and above the storage case for the image control board, etc., is a sub-control board storage case that stores the sub-control board 90. Also, below and to the left of the main control board case is a payout control board case that stores the payout control board, and to the right of that is a power supply board case that stores the power supply board 109.

The main control board 80 is equipped with a one-chip microcomputer for game control (hereinafter referred to as the "game control microcomputer") 81 that controls the progress of the game on the pachinko game machine 1 according to a program. The game control microcomputer 81 includes a ROM that stores programs for controlling the progress of the game, a RAM used as a work memory, and a CPU that executes the programs stored in the ROM. The game control microcomputer 81 transmits and receives data (information) to and from other boards, etc. via an input/output circuit 87 (I/O port section). The input/output circuit 87 may be built into the game control microcomputer 81. The ROM may also be external. The RAM of the game control microcomputer 81 is provided with the special pattern reservation memory section (first special pattern reservation memory section and second special pattern reservation memory section) and the normal pattern reservation memory section described above. In addition, memory areas are reserved at specific addresses in the RAM (main control RAM) of the main control board 80 (game control microcomputer 81) for use with various flags and various counting counters.

Various sensors and solenoids are connected to the main control board 80 via a relay board 88. Therefore, signals are input from each sensor to the main control board 80, and signals are output from the main control board 80 to each solenoid. Specifically, the sensors connected include the first start hole sensor 20a, the second start hole sensor 21a, the gate sensor 28a, the first large prize hole sensor 30a, the second large prize hole sensor 35a, the specific area sensor 39a, the non-specific area sensor 49a, and the general prize hole sensor 27a. These various sensors are also referred to as "game ball detection means."

The first start port sensor 20a is provided in the first start port 20 and detects game balls that have entered the first start port 20. The second start port sensor 21a is provided in the second start port 21 and detects game balls that have entered the second start port 21. The gate sensor 28a is provided in the gate 28 and detects game balls that have passed through the gate 28. The first large prize port sensor 30a is provided in the first large prize port 30 and detects game balls that have entered the first large prize port 30. The second large prize port sensor 35a is provided in the second large prize port 35 and detects game balls that have entered the second large prize port 35. The specific area sensor 39a is provided in a specific area 39 in the second large prize port 35 and detects game balls that have passed through the specific area 39. The non-specific area sensor 49a is provided in a non-specific area (not shown) in the second large prize opening 35, and detects game balls that enter the second large prize opening 35 and pass through the non-specific area (i.e., game balls that do not pass through the specific area 39). The general prize opening sensor 27a is provided in each general prize opening 27 and detects game balls that enter the general prize opening 27.

The solenoids connected include the second start port solenoid 24, the first large prize port solenoid 33, and the second large prize port solenoid 38. The second start port solenoid 24 is for driving the movable member 23 of the variable prize device 22. The first large prize port solenoid 33 is for driving the opening/closing member 32 of the first large prize device 31. The second large prize port solenoid 38 is for driving the opening/closing member 37 of the second large prize device 36.

Furthermore, the first special symbol display 41a, the second special symbol display 41b, the normal symbol display 42, the first special symbol reserve display 43a, the second special symbol reserve display 43b, the normal symbol reserve display 44, the round display 45, the game status display 46, the launch direction display 47, and the win display 48 are connected to the main control board 80. In other words, the display control of these main displays 40 is performed by the game control microcomputer 81.

The main control board 80 also transmits various commands to the payout control board 110 and receives signals from the payout control board 110 to monitor payouts. The payout control board 110 is connected to a payout device 120 that pays out prize balls and loan balls, and a card unit 135 (installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enabling ball lending based on information stored in an inserted prepaid card (game value storage medium) or the like), as well as to a launching device 112 via a launch control board 111 (also called the "launch control unit"). The launching device 112 includes a launch handle 60 (see FIG. 1).

The payout control board 110 is equipped with a payout control one-chip microcomputer 116 (also called the "payout control microcomputer") that controls the payout of game balls from the pachinko game machine 1 according to a program. The payout control microcomputer 116 includes a ROM that stores programs for controlling the payout of game balls, a RAM used as a work memory, and a CPU that executes the programs stored in the ROM. The payout control microcomputer 116 drives the payout motor 121 of the payout device 120 to pay out prize balls or pay out loan balls based on signals from the game control microcomputer 81 and signals from the card unit 135 connected to the pachinko game machine 1 via the input/output circuit 117. The paid-out game balls are detected by payout sensors 122 and 123 for counting. When the player operates the handle 60 (see FIG. 1) of the launching device 112, the touch switch 114 detects the player's contact with the launching handle 60, and the launching volume 115 detects the amount of rotation of the launching handle 60. The launching motor 113 is then controlled so that the game balls are launched with a strength that corresponds to the magnitude of the detection signal from the launching volume 115. In this embodiment, the number of game balls that can be continuously launched by the launching device 112 by driving the launching motor 113 is approximately 100 per minute.

The main control board 80 also transmits various commands to the sub-control board 90. The connection between the main control board 80 and the sub-control board 90 is a one-way communication connection that only allows signals to be transmitted from the main control board 80 to the sub-control board 90. In other words, a unidirectional circuit (not shown, for example, a circuit using a diode) is interposed between the main control board 80 and the sub-control board 90 as a means for restricting the direction of communication.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sub-control board 90 is equipped with a one-chip microcomputer 91 for controlling the effects of the pachinko game machine 1 according to a program. The microcomputer 91 for controlling the effects includes a ROM that stores programs for controlling the effects as the game progresses, a RAM used as a work memory, and a CPU that executes the programs stored in the ROM. The microcomputer 91 for controlling the effects transmits and receives data to and from other boards via an input/output circuit 95. The input/output circuit 95 may be built into the microcomputer 91 for controlling the effects. The ROM may also be external. At a predetermined address in the RAM (RAM for controlling the effects) of the sub-control board 90 (microcomputer 91 for controlling the effects), a memory area is reserved for use by various flags and various counting counters.

The image control board 100, the sound control board 106, and the lamp control board 107 are connected to the sub-control board 90. The sub-control board 90 (sub-controller), the image control board 100 (image controller), the sound control board 106 (sound controller), and the lamp control board 107 (lamp controller) function as a presentation control means (presentation execution means) that controls the execution of various presentations such as display presentations, sound presentations, and lamp presentations (light presentations) by corresponding presentation devices, components, etc. (presentation means) according to the game situation.

The performance control microcomputer 91 of the sub-control board 90 causes the CPU of the image control one-chip microcomputer 101 ("image control microcomputer") of the image control board 100 to control the display of the image display device 7, the performance display device 102, the performance first special pattern reserved display device 103a, and the performance second reserved display device 103b based on commands received from the main control board 80. The RAM of the image control board 100 is a memory for expanding image data. The ROM of the image control board 100 stores image data such as still image data and video data to be displayed on the image display device 7, specifically, characters, items, figures, letters, numbers, and symbols (including performance patterns, reserved patterns, etc.) and background images. The image control microcomputer 101 reads image data from the ROM based on commands from the performance control microcomputer 91. Then, it executes display control based on the read image data.

The performance display 102 is made up of two LEDs, and performs a change display and a stop display in accordance with the change display and stop display of the performance pattern 8, and displays the stop display in a display mode that indicates the display result of the performance pattern 8 (the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment) by turning on/off the two LEDs or by combining colors. In addition, the performance first special pattern hold display 103a and the performance second hold display 103b are also made up of two LEDs. And, by turning on/off the two LEDs or by combining colors, the performance first special pattern hold display 103a is displayed and controlled in a display mode that indicates the same number of reserved items as the number of reserved items displayed in the first performance hold display area 9c and the number of reserved items displayed in the first special pattern hold display 43a. In addition, the performance second special pattern hold display 103b is displayed and controlled in a display mode that indicates the same number of reserved items as the number of reserved items displayed in the second performance hold display area 9d and the number of reserved items displayed in the second special pattern hold display 43b. This is because it is possible that the performance pattern, the first performance pending display section, or the second performance pending display section may become partially or entirely invisible when the character pattern is displayed on almost the entire display screen 7a (performance pattern display section) or when the movable decorative member 14 is operated to cover the performance pattern display area 7b (performance pattern display section) of the display screen 7a, and therefore such a display is provided. Note that a VDP (Video Display Processor) may be provided instead of or in addition to the image control one-chip microcomputer 101 of the image control board 100.

The performance control microcomputer 91 outputs voice, music, sound effects, etc. from the speaker 67 via the voice control board 106 based on commands received from the main control board 80. Sound data such as voice output from the speaker 67 is stored in the ROM of the sub-control board 90. A CPU may be implemented on the voice control board 106, in which case the CPU may be made to execute voice control. In this case, a ROM may be implemented on the voice control board 106, and sound data may be stored in the ROM. The speaker 67 may also be connected to the image control board 100, and the image control microcomputer 101 may be made to execute voice control. In this case, sound data may also be stored in the ROM of the image control board 100.

Furthermore, based on the commands received from the main control board 80, the performance control microcomputer 91 determines the light pattern data (data that determines the on/off state and light color, etc., also called lamp data) that determines the light emission mode of lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the panel lamp 5 from the data stored in the ROM, and controls the lighting of lamps (LEDs) such as the frame lamp 66 and the panel lamp 5 via the lamp control board 107.

In addition, the performance control microcomputer 91 operates the movable decorative member 14 connected to the lamp control board 107 via the relay board 108 based on the command received from the main control board 80. As mentioned above, the movable decorative member 14 is a so-called movable gimmick provided on the center decorative body 10 (behind the decorative member 13). The performance control microcomputer 91 determines operation pattern data (also called "drive data") for operating the movable decorative member 14 in a predetermined operating mode from the data stored in the ROM of the sub-control board 90, and controls the operation of the movable decorative member 14 based on the determined operation pattern data. Note that a CPU may be implemented on the lamp control board 107, and in this case, the CPU may be made to execute lamp lighting control and operation control of the movable decorative member 14. Furthermore, in this case, a ROM may be implemented on the lamp control board 107, and data regarding the light emission pattern and operation pattern may be stored in the ROM.

The sub-control board 90 is also connected to a first effect button detection switch 63c and a second effect button detection switch 63d, which detect when the first effect button 63a or the second effect button 63b (see FIG. 1) is operated (pushed, rotated, pulled, etc.). Therefore, when the player performs a specified input operation on the first effect button 63a or the second effect button 63b, a signal is output from the corresponding effect button detection switch to the sub-control board 90. The first effect button detection switch 63c and the second effect button detection switch 63d are collectively referred to simply as the "effect button detection switch."

Next, the control (judgment means) related to the hit/miss judgment in the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. The results of the special symbol hit/miss judgment are "big hit", "small hit", and "miss". When the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is "big hit", a "big hit symbol" is displayed statically in the special symbol display section 41, when it is "small hit", a "small hit symbol" is displayed statically in the special symbol display section 41, and when it is "miss", a "miss symbol" is displayed statically in the special symbol display section 41. When it is judged to be a big hit or a small hit, a "special game" is executed in which the first big winning hole 30 or the second big winning hole 35 is opened in an opening pattern according to the type of the special symbol that is stopped and displayed. The special game executed when a big hit is obtained is called a "big hit game", and the special game executed when a small hit is obtained is called a "small hit game".

There are several types of jackpots. As shown in FIG. 6, the types of jackpots are "15R (round) 1st jackpot", "15R 2nd jackpot", "15R 3rd jackpot", "2R 4th jackpot", "15R 5th jackpot" and "15R 6th jackpot". "15R 1st jackpot" and "15R 5th jackpot" are jackpots in which the number of times (number of rounds) the large prize entry port (first large prize entry port 30 or second large prize entry port 35) is opened 15 times, and in the first and second rounds, the second large prize entry port 35 is opened in a manner that makes it possible (easy) for the game ball to pass (V pass) to the specific area 39. The rounds that aim to pass the game ball to the specific area 39 are also called "V rounds" or "chance rounds".

In the "15R 2nd jackpot", "15R 3rd jackpot" and "15R 6th jackpot", the large prize opening (first large prize opening 30 or second large prize opening 35) is opened 15 times (number of rounds), but the opening time in the first and second rounds, which are the aforementioned V rounds, is extremely short (opening and closing for an instant), making it difficult (or even impossible) for the game ball to pass through to the specific area 39. In other words, these jackpots can be said to be jackpots that do not open the second large prize opening 35 in a manner that allows (easy) the game ball to pass through to the specific area 39.

The "2R 4th jackpot" is a jackpot in which the large prize opening (first large prize opening 30 or second large prize opening 35) is opened twice (number of rounds), and the second large prize opening 35 is opened in such a way that the game ball can pass through to the specific area 39 in the first and second rounds, which are V rounds. However, the opening time of the second large prize opening 35 is 1.8 seconds in the first and second rounds combined, so the possibility of the game ball passing through to the specific area is lower than in the 15R 1st jackpot.

In the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, the game state after the end of a jackpot game is transitioned to a high probability state, which will be described later, based on the passage of the game ball into the specific area 39 during the jackpot game. Therefore, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss determination is a 15R first jackpot or a 15R fifth jackpot, the first and second V rounds are executed in a state in which the probability of the game ball passing through the specific area 39 is extremely high, so that the game state after the jackpot game can be transitioned to a high probability state by passing the game ball through the specific area 39 during the execution of the jackpot game. Furthermore, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment is a 2R 4th jackpot, the first and second V rounds are executed in a state in which there is a possibility of the game ball passing through the specific area 39, although not as likely as a 15R 1st or 15R 5th jackpot. Therefore, if the game ball can be made to pass through the specific area 39 during the execution of the jackpot game, the game state after the jackpot game can be transitioned to a high probability state.

In contrast, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment is 15R 2nd jackpot, 15R 3rd jackpot, or 15R 6th jackpot, since the opening times of the V rounds in the first and second rounds are each 0.1 seconds, it is extremely difficult to get the game ball to enter the second large prize opening, and the possibility of the game ball passing through the specific area 39 during the jackpot game is extremely low (effectively impossible), and the game state after the jackpot game is very likely to be the normal state (low probability state) described below (it can be said to be in a low probability state).

On the other hand, a small win (first small win, second small win) is a win that opens the large prize opening (second large prize opening 35) in the same opening pattern as the 2R 4th jackpot. In other words, in a small win, the second large prize opening 35 is opened in a manner that allows the game ball to pass through to the specific area 39. However, even if a game ball passes through the specific area 39 during the execution of a small win game, the game state after the execution of the small win game does not change from before the execution of the small win game. Therefore, if the game state before the execution of the small win game is a normal state (low probability state), the game state after the execution of the small win game will also be a normal state. And from the player's point of view, the above 2R 4th jackpot and a small win cannot be distinguished by looking at the opening pattern of the large prize opening (second large prize opening 35). That is, it is difficult for the player to recognize whether the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is "2R 4th big hit" or "small hit". Therefore, even if the game ball passes through the specific area 39 during the special game (big hit game) as the 2R 4th big hit, it is difficult to recognize whether the game state thereafter has transitioned to a high probability state. Also, even if the game ball passes through the specific area 39 during the special game (small hit game) as a small hit, it is difficult to recognize whether the game state thereafter remains in the normal state or has transitioned to a high probability state. As a result, in the case of a small hit or a 2R 4th big hit, the game can be played with the expectation that it may be in a high probability state, and the interest in the game can be increased. In addition, in the case of a small hit, the number of times the big prize opening is opened is not called the number of rounds, but simply the number of openings.

The opening pattern of the large prize opening when each big prize and small prize occurs in the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 6. That is, in the case of the 15R first big prize (when the 15R first big prize symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41a) and the 15R fifth big prize (when the 15R fifth big prize symbol is stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display 41b), the second large prize opening 35 is opened for a maximum of 28 seconds in the 1R to 2R, and the first large prize opening 30 is opened for a maximum of 28 seconds in the 3R to 15R. In this case, since the opening time of the second large prize opening 35 in the 1R and 2R is 28 seconds each, the possibility that the game ball will pass through the specific area 39 during that round (V round) is extremely high.

In addition, in the case of a 15R 2nd jackpot (when the 15R 2nd jackpot symbol is displayed on the first special symbol display 41a), a 15R 3rd jackpot (when the 15R 3rd jackpot symbol is displayed on the first special symbol display 41a), or a 15R 6th jackpot (when the 15R 6th jackpot symbol is displayed on the second special symbol display 41b), the second jackpot opening 35 is opened for a maximum of 0.1 seconds in the 1st to 2nd rounds, and the first jackpot opening 30 is opened for a maximum of 28 seconds in the 3rd to 15th rounds. In this case, the opening time of the second jackpot opening 35 in the 1st and 2nd rounds is a very short time of a maximum of 0.1 seconds each (opening and closing for an instant), so it is almost impossible for the game ball to pass through the specific area 39 during that round (during the V round).

In this embodiment, the opening patterns for the 15R 2nd, 3rd, and 6th jackpots are different from the opening patterns for the 15R 1st and 5th jackpots in the 1st and 2nd rounds (V rounds). In the 15R 1st and 5th jackpots, the second large prize winning hole 35 is opened for 28 seconds in the 1st and 2nd rounds, so that in the V round, unless there is a ball jam or a problem with the game ball launching system, the game ball will almost certainly enter the second large prize winning hole 35 and pass through the specific area 39 with a high probability. In contrast, in the 15R 2nd, 3rd, and 6th jackpots, the second large prize winning hole 35 is opened for only 0.1 seconds in the 1st and 2nd rounds. Therefore, it is very difficult for the game ball to enter the second large prize winning hole 35. Therefore, the possibility of the game ball passing through the specific area 39 during the execution of the jackpot game for the second, third, and sixth jackpots of 15R is significantly lower than for the first and fifth jackpots of 15R, and it can be said that it is virtually impossible for the game ball to pass through.

In addition, a jackpot in which a V round is executed in a state where the probability of the game ball passing through the specific area 39 (V passing probability) is extremely high is also called a "V passing scheduled jackpot," and a jackpot in which a V round is executed in a state where the probability of the V passing through is extremely low is also called a "V non-passing scheduled jackpot."

As shown in FIG. 6, in the case of a 2R 4th jackpot (when the 2R 4th jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41a), the second large prize opening 35 is opened for a maximum of 0.9 seconds from the 1R to the 2R. In this case, the total opening time of the second large prize opening 35 in the 1R and 2R is a maximum of 1.8 seconds, so it is possible to make a game ball enter the second large prize opening 35 during that round and pass through the specific area 39. In the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, one game ball is launched in about 0.6 seconds, so if the opening time of the second large prize opening 35 is 1.8 seconds, it is fully possible to make a game ball enter the second large prize opening 35 and aim for the game ball to pass through the specific area 39. However, the 2R 4th jackpot has a short total opening time of the 2nd main prize slot of 1.8 seconds, so you cannot expect to win as many prize balls (game profits) as you can with the other 15R jackpots. In other words, compared to other jackpots, it is a jackpot in which you will hardly get any prize balls.

In addition, in the case of the first small win (when the first small win pattern is stopped and displayed on the first special pattern display 41a) and the second small win (when the second small win pattern is stopped and displayed on the second special pattern display 41b), the second large prize winning hole 35 is opened twice for a maximum of 0.9 seconds. In other words, the large prize winning hole is opened in the same opening pattern as the 2R 4th big win. Even in this small win, the opening time of the second large prize winning hole 35 is a total of 1.8 seconds, so it is possible to make the game ball enter the second large prize winning hole 35 and pass through the specific area 39. However, as mentioned above, even if there is a passage to the specific area 39 in the small win game, there is no change in the game state before and after the small win game. In addition, in the small win game, the total opening time of the large prize winning hole is short at 1.8 seconds, so as with the 2R 4th big win, it is not possible to expect many prize balls. In other words, a small win offers almost no benefits to the player, either in terms of transitioning game states or winning balls (only winning balls from entering the jackpot).

In this embodiment, the opening patterns of the second large winning hole 35 may include a first opening pattern in which the game ball can pass through the specific area 39 (15 first jackpot, 15R fifth jackpot), a second opening pattern in which the game ball has difficulty passing through the specific area 39 (15R second jackpot, 15R third jackpot, 15R sixth jackpot), and a third opening pattern in which the game ball can pass through the specific area but has a lower probability of passing through than the first opening pattern (2R fourth jackpot). In addition, as an opening pattern for a small win, a fourth opening pattern in which the game ball can pass through the specific area 39 but does not give a bonus even if it does pass through (does not generate a high probability state). This fourth opening pattern may also be an opening pattern in which the game ball cannot pass through the specific area 39 as another embodiment.

The distribution probability for each jackpot in the hit/miss judgment of the first special symbol (special symbol 1) is 40% for the first jackpot in 15R, 20% for the second jackpot in 15R, 30% for the third jackpot in 15R, and 10% for the fourth jackpot in 2R (see the column of random numbers for determining the type of jackpot in Figure 6). In contrast, the distribution probability for the hit/miss judgment of the second special symbol (special symbol 2) is 80% for the fifth jackpot in 15R, and 20% for the sixth jackpot in 15R (see the column of random numbers for determining the type of jackpot in Figure 6). This distribution probability can be said to represent the possibility that the game ball will pass through the specific area 39 during the hit game, that is, the probability of a high probability state, and can also be said to represent the probability of a high base state in which the opening extension function described below is activated.

In other words, the probability of a high probability state occurring is at least 40% if a jackpot is determined based on the ball entering the first starting hole 20 (first special symbol hit/miss judgment), and the probability is 50% if the game ball passes through the specific area 39 during the jackpot game related to the 2R 4th jackpot is included. On the other hand, if a jackpot is determined based on the ball entering the second starting hole 21 (second special symbol hit/miss judgment), the probability is 80%.

In addition, regarding the probability of a high base state, if a jackpot is reached based on the first special symbol judgment in a game state where the open extension function is not activated (low base state), the probability is 60%, and if a 2R fourth jackpot is included when a jackpot is reached based on the first special symbol judgment in a high base state, the probability is 70%. On the other hand, if a jackpot is reached based on the second special symbol judgment, the probability is 100%. And if a jackpot is reached based on the second special symbol judgment, a 2R jackpot, which can occur when a jackpot is reached based on the first special symbol judgment, will not occur, and it will always be a 15R jackpot.

In this way, in the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, the probability of a high probability state, the probability of a high base state, and the possibility of winning 15R's worth of prize balls are higher when a game ball enters the second start hole 21 and a jackpot is reached in the second special symbol hit judgment (second special symbol hit lottery) than when a game ball enters the first start hole 20 and a jackpot is reached in the first special symbol hit judgment (first special symbol hit lottery). In other words, the game is set so that a jackpot is more likely to be advantageous for the player when a game ball enters the second special symbol hit judgment than when a jackpot is reached in the first special symbol hit judgment, and the second special symbol is more likely to be advantageous for the player when a variably displayed display is made than when a variably displayed display is made. For this reason, the player plays the game in the hope of a ball entering the second start hole 21. This is particularly noticeable when the extended opening function is activated (high base state), which increases the frequency of balls entering the second starting hole 21. Note that the distribution probability described above is only an example, and can be set arbitrarily, taking into account gameplay, specifications, etc.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the second special symbol is prioritized over the first special symbol, when both the first special symbol variable display and the second special symbol variable display are executable, that is, when the first special symbol reservation and the second special symbol reservation are both "1" or more, the second special symbol variable display (consumption of the second special symbol reservation) is prioritized over the first special symbol variable display (consumption of the first special symbol reservation). As a result, a high base state in which the frequency of balls entering the second starting hole 21 increases increases the frequency of the second special symbol variable display, and can be said to be a state in which the player can play advantageously. Nevertheless, for the player, the display of the first special symbol in a high base state is a setback to playing in an advantageous state (high base state), and the display of the first special symbol in a high base state may be less favorable than the display of the second special symbol, so the display of the first special symbol in a high base state is not desirable for the player.

Here, as the mode of the stop display of the special symbols, the jackpot symbol is also called the "specific display result", the small jackpot symbol is also called the "predetermined display result", and the miss symbol is also called the "predetermined mode" or "non-specific display result". Also, the jackpot symbol that does not trigger the setting of the high base state (15R third jackpot symbol, 2R fourth jackpot symbol in low base state) is also called the "first specific display result", and the jackpot symbol that triggers the setting of the high base state (15R first, second, fifth, and sixth jackpot symbols, 2R fourth jackpot symbol in high base state) is also called the "second specific display result". Also, as the game state when the special symbols are displayed in a variable manner, the game state in which the opening extension function does not operate (low base state) is also called the "first game state", and the game state in which the opening extension function operates (high base state) is also called the "second game state".

In this pachinko game machine 1, the judgment of whether it is a big hit, a small hit, or a miss is made based on the "special symbol hit/miss judgment random number (also called "hit/miss judgment information")", and the judgment of the type of the big hit in the case of a big hit is made based on the "jackpot type determination random number (also called "symbol determination random number" or "symbol determination information"). As shown in FIG. 7 (A), the special symbol hit/miss judgment random number takes a value in the range of "0 to 629", and the big hit type determination random number takes a value in the range of "0 to 99". In addition, the random numbers (acquired information) acquired based on the ball entering the first starting hole 20 or the second starting hole 21 include the special symbol hit/miss judgment random number and the big hit type determination random number as well as the "variation pattern random number (also called "variation pattern information")". The variation pattern random number is a random number for determining the variation pattern including the variation time, and takes a value in the range of "0 to 198". Furthermore, the random numbers obtained based on the passage of gate 28 include a random number for determining whether or not a normal symbol has been drawn, as shown in FIG. 7(B). The random number for determining whether or not a normal symbol has been drawn is a random number used to determine whether or not to play the auxiliary game that opens second starting hole 21 (a normal symbol lottery), and takes a value in the range of "0 to 240."

Next, the game state of the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. The pachinko game machine 1 has a plurality of game states by combinations in which the probability fluctuation function for special symbols, the probability fluctuation function for normal symbols, the fluctuation time shortening function, and the opening extension function are in an activated or deactivated state. The state in which the probability fluctuation function is activated for special symbols (first special symbol and second special symbol) is called the "high probability state", and the state in which it is not activated is called the "normal state (also called the "low probability state"). In the high probability state, the probability of being determined as a jackpot in the special symbol hit/miss judgment is higher than in the normal state. That is, in the normal state, the hit/miss judgment is performed using the hit judgment table for the normal state, and in the high probability state, the hit/miss judgment is performed using the hit judgment table for the high probability state in which the value of the special symbol hit/miss judgment random number determined as a jackpot is higher than in the normal state (see FIG. 8 (A)). In other words, when the probability variation function for special symbols is activated, the probability that the display result of the special symbol variation display will be a jackpot (the stopped symbol will be a jackpot symbol) increases compared to when it is not activated.

The state in which the time-saving function is activated for the special symbols (first special symbol and second special symbol) is called the "time-saving state," and the state in which it is not activated is called the "non-time-saving state." In the time-saving state, the average value of the special symbol's time of fluctuation (the time from the start of the fluctuation display to the final display) is shorter than the average value of the special symbol's time of fluctuation in the non-time-saving state. In other words, in the time-saving state, the fluctuation pattern is determined using a fluctuation pattern table that is set so that a fluctuation pattern with a short fluctuation time is selected more often than in the non-time-saving state (see FIG. 9). As a result, in the time-saving state, the pace of consumption of the reserved special symbols is faster, and effective balls entering the starting hole (balls that can be stored as reserved special symbols) are more likely to occur. Therefore, it is possible to aim for a jackpot while playing smoothly.

The probability fluctuation function and the time shortening function for the special symbols (first special symbol and second special symbol) may operate simultaneously, or only one of them may operate. The probability fluctuation function and the time shortening function for the normal symbols operate in synchronization with the time shortening function for the special symbols. That is, the probability fluctuation function and the time shortening function for the normal symbols operate in the time shortening state of the special symbols, and do not operate in the non-time shortening state. Therefore, in the time shortening state, the probability of a win in the normal symbol hit/miss judgment is higher than in the non-time shortening state. That is, the normal symbol hit/miss judgment (normal symbol judgment) is performed using a normal symbol hit judgment table in which the value of the normal symbol random number (hit random number) that is judged to be a hit is greater than the normal symbol hit judgment table used in the non-time shortening state (see FIG. 8 (C)). In other words, when the probability fluctuation function for the normal symbols operates, the probability that the display result of the normal symbol's variable display will be a hit (the stopped symbol will be a normal hit symbol) is higher than when it is not operating.

In addition, in the time-saving state, the change time of the normal pattern is shorter than in the non-time-saving state. In this embodiment, the change time of the normal pattern is 30 seconds in the non-time-saving state, but 1 second in the time-saving state (see FIG. 8 (D)). Furthermore, in the time-saving state, the opening time extension function of the variable winning device 22 (second starting hole 21) is activated, and the opening time of the second starting hole 21 in the auxiliary play is longer than in the non-time-saving state. In addition, in the time-saving state, the opening count increase function of the variable winning device 22 is activated, and the opening count of the second starting hole 21 in the auxiliary play is greater than in the non-time-saving state. Specifically, when the result of the normal symbol hit/miss judgment in the non-time-saving state is a hit, the movable member 23 of the variable winning device 22 (second starting hole 21) performs one 0.2-second opening operation, and when the result of the normal symbol hit/miss judgment in the time-saving state is a hit, the movable member 23 of the variable winning device 22 (second starting hole 21) performs three 2.0-second opening operations.

When the probability variation function and variation time reduction function for normal symbols, as well as the opening time extension function and opening count increase function of the variable winning device 22 are operating, the second starting hole 21 opens more frequently and game balls enter the second starting hole 21 more frequently than when these functions are not operating (also called a "high frequency state"). As a result, the base, which is the ratio of the number of winning balls to the number of shot balls, becomes higher. Therefore, the state in which these functions are operating is also called a "high base state," and the state in which they are not operating is also called a "low base state." In a high base state, you can aim for a jackpot without significantly reducing the game balls you have in hand (held balls).

The high base state (high frequency state) does not necessarily require all of the above functions to be activated. In other words, the activation of at least one of the probability fluctuation function and fluctuation time reduction function for normal symbols, and the opening time extension function and opening count increase function of the variable winning device 22, must make the second starting hole 21 more likely to open (higher ball entry frequency) than when the function is not activated. Also, the high base state may be controlled independently without being associated with the time reduction state for special symbols. The function that generates such a high base state can also be called the "high base generation function."

In the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, if the first or fifth jackpot of 15R occurs, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be a high probability state of the special symbol, a time-saving state of the special symbol, and a high base state if the game ball passed through the specific area 39 during the jackpot game (see FIG. 6). This game state is specifically called the "high probability, high base state." The high probability, high base state ends when the variable display of the special symbol is executed a predetermined number of times (100 times in this example) or when a jackpot is hit and the jackpot game is executed.

In addition, in the case of the 15R 2nd and 6th jackpots, the game state after the jackpot game ends is the normal state of the special pattern because it is extremely difficult for the game ball to pass through the specific area 39 during the jackpot game, and in addition, it becomes the special pattern time-saving state and the high base state (see FIG. 6). This game state is specifically called the "low probability high base state". The low probability high base state ends when the special pattern variable display is executed a predetermined number of times (100 times in this example) or when a jackpot is won and a special game (jackpot game) related to the jackpot is executed before the special pattern variable display is executed a predetermined number of times (100 times in this example). In addition, although the possibility is extremely low, if the game ball passes through the specific area 39 during the jackpot game related to the 15R 2nd and 6th jackpots, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be the "high probability high base state". Also, although the possibility is extremely low, if the game ball does not pass through the specific area 39 during the jackpot game related to the first and fifth jackpots of 15R, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be a "low probability high base state."

In addition, in the case of a 15R third jackpot, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be the normal state of the special symbol, since the possibility of the game ball passing through the specific area 39 during that jackpot game is extremely low, and in addition, the game state will be the non-time-saving state of the special symbol and the low base state (see Figure 6). This game state is specifically called the "low probability low base state." The low probability low base state is the basic game state in this pachinko game machine 1, that is, the initial game state. Note that, although the possibility is extremely low, if the game ball passes through the specific area 39 during the jackpot game related to the 15R third jackpot, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be the "high probability low base state" described below.

In addition, in the low probability low base state, if a 2R fourth jackpot occurs, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be a high probability state of the special pattern, a non-time-saving state of the special pattern, and a low base state if the game ball passes through specific area 39 during the jackpot game (see Figure 6). This game state is specifically called the "high probability low base state." The high probability low base state ends when the special pattern is displayed in a variable manner a predetermined number of times (100 times in this example) or when a jackpot is hit and the jackpot game is played.

This high-probability, low-base state is a state in which the high-probability state is hidden, i.e., it is a state in which it is difficult for the player to recognize that it is a high-probability state. In other words, the high-probability, low-base state is what is known as a "latent high-probability state (also called a "probability non-announcement state"). In contrast, the above-mentioned high-probability, high-base state is a state in which it is clear to the player that it is a high-probability state. In other words, the high-probability, high-base state is what is known as a "high-probability game state."

In addition, in the high base state, if the fourth jackpot of the second round occurs, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be a "high probability high base state" if the game ball passes through the specific area 39 during the jackpot game (see Figure 6). In other words, the time-saving function of the special pattern and the base state will be the same as the state before the jackpot game is executed.

In a high base state such as a high probability high base state or a low probability high base state, it is more advantageous to play by hitting the ball to the right to enter the right play area 3B. In a high base state, the second start hole 21 is more easily opened than in a low base state, and it is easier to enter the second start hole 21 than the first start hole 20. Therefore, in a high base state, by hitting the ball to the right to enter the second start hole 21 while passing the ball through the gate 28, which is the trigger for determining whether the normal pattern is a hit or not, more start balls (opportunities for determining whether the special pattern is a hit or not) can be obtained than by hitting the ball to the left. In this state, the launch direction indicator 47 is controlled to light in a predetermined manner, and notifies the player that the ball should be launched into the right play area.

In contrast, in low base states such as a high-probability low base state or a low-probability low base state, it is more advantageous to play by hitting the ball from the left into the left play area 3A. In a low base state, the second start hole 21 is less likely to open than in a high base state, and it is easier to get the ball into the first start hole 20 than into the second start hole 21. Therefore, in a low base state, hitting the ball from the left to get the ball into the first start hole 20 can provide more start holes (opportunities to determine whether the special symbol has been hit) than hitting the ball from the right. In this state, the launch direction indicator 47 is controlled to light up (display controlled) in a predetermined manner, indicating that the ball should be launched into the left play area.

Specifically, the launch direction indicator 47 is composed of two LEDs, "yz", and indicates the launch direction by lighting the LEDs according to the game state. For example, in a low base state, it can notify that the ball should be launched into the left game area by displaying "y□z□" (e.g., □: off, ■: on) with both LEDs off. Also, in a high base state, it can notify that the ball should be launched into the right game area by displaying "y■z■" (e.g., □: off, ■: on).

In addition, in this embodiment, the launch instruction notification instructing whether the game ball should be launched toward the left game area 3A or the right game area 3B is performed not only by the display mode of the LED on the launch direction indicator 47, but also by displaying the launch instruction image (left hit instruction image 70, right hit instruction image 71) on the image display device 7 (display screen 7a). Generally, it can be said that the image display device 7 (display screen 7a) is easier for a player to see and grasp (understand) the display content than the launch direction indicator 47. Therefore, a player generally looks at the launch instruction image displayed on the image display device 7 (display screen 7a) to understand whether he should "hit left" or "hit right", that is, whether the current game state is a "left hit game state" in which the ball is hit left, or a "right hit game state" in which the ball is hit right.

In this embodiment, as mentioned above, a "right hit" is performed when the game state is a special game state (jackpot game state) or a high base state (high probability high base state, low probability low base state), so the "right hit game state" refers to the special game state or the high base state. This "right hit game state" is also called the "predetermined game state," the "special game state" is also called the "first predetermined game state," and the "high base state" is also called the "second predetermined game state."

As described above, in the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, if the low-probability, low base state in which no small hit or big hit games are being played is used as a reference, this low-probability, low base state can be regarded as the "normal game state" or "normal state", and the game in which the special pattern is displayed in a variable manner in this state can be regarded as "normal game".

The jackpot game is a game that can be executed by changing the display of the special symbol and stopping the display of the jackpot symbol, and since it is an advantageous game for the player in that a large number of prize balls can be obtained by the game ball entering the large prize opening (first large prize opening 32, second large prize opening 35), the jackpot game can be regarded as a "special game," and the game state in which the jackpot game is played can be regarded as a "special game state."

Although small win games are not as profitable as big win games, it is possible to win prize balls by having game balls enter the big prize openings (first big prize opening 32, second big prize opening 35), so they can be said to be more advantageous to players than regular games. Therefore, small win games can also be considered as "special games", and the game state in which the small win games are played can also be considered as a "special game state". Furthermore, to distinguish between special games as big win games and special games as small win games, special games as small win games can also be considered as "small profit special games".

[Main control main processing]
Next, the operation of the game control microcomputer 81 (control processing by the main control unit) will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 38. The counter, flag, status, buffer, etc., which appear in the operation description of the game control microcomputer 81, are provided in the RAM of the main control board 80. When the power supply of the pachinko game machine 1 is turned on, the game control microcomputer 81 provided in the main control board 80 reads out the program of the main control main processing shown in Fig. 10 from the ROM of the main control board 80 and executes it. As shown in the figure, in the main control main processing, initial settings are first performed (S101). In the initial settings, for example, stack settings, constant settings, interrupt time settings, CPU settings of the main control board 80, SIO, PIO, CTC (interrupt time controller), resetting of various flags, statuses, and counters, etc. are performed. The initial value of the flag is "0", i.e. "OFF", the initial value of the status is "1", and the initial value of the counter is "0". Incidentally, the initial setting (S101) is executed only once after the power is turned on, and is not executed thereafter.

Following the initial setting (S101), interrupts are prohibited (S102), and the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S103) is executed. In this normal and special symbol main random number update process (S103), the values of the various random number counters shown in FIG. 7 are updated by incrementing them by 1. When the value of each random number counter reaches its upper limit, it returns to "0" and is incremented again. Note that the initial value of each random number counter may be a value other than "0", and may be changed randomly. The updated random number counter values are stored sequentially in a specified update value storage area (not shown) in the RAM of the main control board 80.

When the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S103) is completed, an interrupt is permitted (S104). While the interrupt is permitted, the interrupt process (S105) can be executed. This interrupt process (S105) is executed based on an interrupt pulse repeatedly input to the CPU of the main control board 80 at a cycle of, for example, 4 ms. Then, after the interrupt process (S105) is completed and before the next interrupt process (S105) is started, the update process of various counter values by the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S103) is repeatedly executed. Note that if an interrupt pulse is input to the CPU when the interrupt is prohibited, the interrupt process (S105) does not start immediately, but starts after the interrupt is permitted (S104).

[Interrupt handling]
Next, the interrupt process (S105) will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, in the interrupt process (S105), first, the output process (S201) is executed. In the output process (S201), the commands (control signals) set in the output buffer provided in the RAM of the main control board 80 in each process described below are output to the sub-control board 90 and the payout control board 110. The commands output here include information on the game state, the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment, the symbol as the type of big hit, the variation pattern, and the like. The command is, for example, made up of 2 bytes of information. The upper byte is information on the type of command, and the lower byte is information on the content of the command.

In the input process (S202) that follows the output process (S201), the detection signals detected by various sensors (first start hole sensor 20a, second start hole sensor 21a, first large prize hole sensor 30a, second large prize hole sensor 35a, general prize hole sensor 27a, etc. (see FIG. 5)) attached to the pachinko game machine 1 are read and stored in the output buffer of the RAM as prize ball information. In addition, when the first start hole sensor 20a or the second start hole sensor 21a detects a game ball, the start ball entry process (S205) described below stores the start ball entry command corresponding to each start hole in the output buffer of the RAM. In addition, a detection signal from the lower tray full switch that detects the lower tray 62 being full is also taken in and stored in the output buffer of the RAM as lower tray full data.

The normal and special symbol main random number update process (S203) that is performed next is the same as the normal and special symbol main random number update process (S103) that is performed in the main control main process of Figure 10. That is, the update process of the various random number counter values (including the normal symbol random number counter value) shown in Figure 7 is performed both during the execution period of the timer interrupt process (S105) and during other periods (the period from the end of the interrupt process (S105) until the start of the next interrupt process (S105)).

Following the normal and special symbols main random number update process (S203), the start hole sensor detection process (S204), start ball entry process (S205), normal symbol operation process (S206), special symbol operation process (S207), specific area sensor detection process (S208), reserved ball count process (S209), and power cut monitoring process (S210) are executed. In addition, "other processes" necessary for progressing the game are executed, and the interrupt process (S105) is terminated. Then, the main control main process S102 to S104 is repeatedly executed (see FIG. 10) until the next interrupt pulse is input to the CPU of the main control board 80, and when the interrupt pulse is input (about 4 msec later), the interrupt process (S105) is executed again. In the output process (S201) of the interrupt process (S105) executed again, the commands set in the output buffer of the RAM in the previous interrupt process (S105) are output.

[Starting port sensor detection process]
12, in the start gate sensor detection process (S204), first, it is determined whether the game ball has passed through the gate 28, that is, whether the game ball has been detected by the gate sensor 28a (S301). If the game ball has not passed through the gate 28 (NO in S301), the process proceeds to S305, and if the game ball has passed through the gate 28 (YES in S301), it is determined whether the number of reserved balls with normal symbols (the number of reserved normal symbols, specifically, the value of a counter that counts the number of reserved normal symbols provided in the RAM) is less than 4 (S302).

If the number of reserved balls for normal symbols is not less than four (NO in S302), the process proceeds to S305. On the other hand, if the number of reserved balls for normal symbols is less than four (YES in S302), "1" is added to the number of reserved balls for normal symbols (S303), and the process of obtaining a random number for normal symbols (S304) is performed. In the process of obtaining a random number for normal symbols (S304), the value of the random number counter for determining whether or not a normal symbol has been selected (label-TRND-H, FIG. 7 (B)) stored in the update value memory area (not shown) of the RAM is obtained, and the obtained random number value (obtained information) is stored in the address space corresponding to the current number of reserved balls for normal symbols in the reserved balls memory section provided in the RAM of the main control board 80.

In S305, it is determined whether a game ball has entered the second start hole 21, i.e., whether a game ball has been detected by the second start hole sensor 21a (S305). If a game ball has not entered the second start hole 21 (NO in S305), the process proceeds to S309. If a game ball has entered the second start hole 21 (YES in S305), it is determined whether the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 (the number of reserved second special charts, specifically, the value of the counter that counts the number of reserved second special charts provided in the RAM of the main control unit 80) is less than 4 (upper limit) (S306). If the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is not less than 4 (NO in S306), the process proceeds to S309. If the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is less than 4 (YES in S306), 1 is added to the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 (S307).

Next, the special symbol 2 related random number acquisition process (S308) is performed. In the special symbol 2 related random number acquisition process (S308), the value of the random number counter for determining whether or not the special symbol has been hit (label-TRND-A), the value of the random number counter for determining the type of big win (label-TRND-AS), and the value of the fluctuation pattern random number counter (label-TRND-T1) stored in the update value memory area (not shown) of the RAM are acquired (i.e., the random number values shown in FIG. 7(A) are acquired), and these acquired random number values (acquired information) are stored in the address space of the second special symbol reserved memory unit 85b according to the current number of reserved balls for special symbol 2.

Next, it is determined whether a game ball has entered the first starting hole 20, i.e., whether a game ball has been detected by the first starting hole sensor 20a (S309). If a game ball has not entered the first starting hole 20 (NO in S309), the process is terminated. If a game ball has entered the first starting hole 20 (YES in S309), it is determined whether the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 (the number of reserved first special charts, specifically, the value of the counter that counts the number of reserved first special charts provided in the RAM of the main control unit 80) is less than 4 (upper limit) (S310). Then, if the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is not less than 4 (NO in S310), the process is terminated. If the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is less than 4 (YES in S310), "1" is added to the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 (S311).

Next, the special chart 1 related random number acquisition process (S312) is performed. In the special chart 1 related random number acquisition process (S312), similar to the special chart 2 related random number acquisition process (S308), the value of the special pattern hit/miss determination counter (label-TRND-A), the value of the jackpot type determination random number counter (label-TRND-AS), and the value of the fluctuation pattern random number counter (label-TRND-T1) stored in the update value memory area (not shown) of the RAM are acquired (i.e., the random number values shown in FIG. 7(A) are acquired), and these acquired random number values are stored in the address space of the first special chart reserved memory unit according to the current number of reserved balls for special chart 1.

[Processing at the start of the ball entry]
As shown in FIG. 11, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the start ball entry process (S205) following the start ball entry sensor detection process (S204). As shown in FIG. 13, in the start ball entry process (S205), first, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls in the special figure 2 has increased by "1" (S315). If it is determined that the number of reserved balls in the special figure 2 has increased by "1" (YES in S315), the process proceeds to S316. This corresponds to the case where "1" is added to the number of reserved balls in the special figure 2 in S307 in the start ball entry sensor detection process (S204) based on the game ball entering the second start ball. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of reserved balls in the special figure 2 has not increased (NO in S315), the process proceeds to S319.

In S316, the latest acquired random number value (acquired information) acquired in the special symbol 2 related random number acquisition process (S308) in the immediately preceding start port sensor detection process (S204) and stored in the second special symbol reserved memory unit is read (S316). Next, the acquired random number value related to the read second special symbol is judged (S317). In S317, the value of the special symbol hit/miss determination random number counter (special symbol hit/miss determination random number value) among the acquired random numbers read out is judged as a hit or miss depending on the current game state (low probability state or high probability state), and if the result of the judgment is a hit, the type of hit is further judged. This process of S317 corresponds to a pre-judgment (so-called "reserved pre-read") made prior to the hit/miss judgment (S1303, S1309) in the special symbol 2 hit/miss judgment process (S1202) described later.

In addition, the pre-determination of whether or not there is a jackpot can be determined based on the jackpot determination table (see FIG. 8(A)), that is, the jackpot determination table for high probability states in the high probability state, and the jackpot determination table for normal states in the normal state (low probability state), to determine whether or not there is a match with the jackpot determination value. In addition, as another pre-determination mode, a fluctuation pattern information determination table capable of determining fluctuation pattern information is provided, which includes a fluctuation pattern information determination table for normal states (low probability states) and a fluctuation pattern information determination table for high probability states (high probability states). In the pre-determination, it is possible to select a predetermined fluctuation pattern information based on the acquired random number value (such as the value of the random number counter for determining whether or not a special pattern has been hit) and the fluctuation pattern information determination table according to the game state. Then, from this selected fluctuation pattern information, it is possible to identify whether or not there is a jackpot, the type of jackpot, and whether or not a game performance with a high probability of a jackpot is executed.

Next, in S318, game information (pre-judgment information) related to the result of the pre-judgment in S317, specifically, information indicating whether the random number value for the special symbol hit/miss judgment matches the jackpot judgment value (hit/miss information), information indicating the value of the random number counter for determining the jackpot type (random number value for determining the jackpot type), information indicating the value of the variable pattern random number counter (variation pattern random number value), etc. are generated as a special symbol 2 start entry command, and the command is set in the output buffer of the RAM (S318). Note that as the special symbol 2 start entry command, part or all of the value of the special symbol 2 acquisition random number read in S316 may be sent directly to the sub-control board, or the value of the special symbol 2 acquisition random number may not be sent directly, and game information acquired based on the value of the special symbol 2 acquisition random number (for example, the aforementioned variable pattern information, etc.) may be sent.

In addition, by analyzing the special chart 2 start entry command sent from the main control unit 80 by the sub-control unit 90, the sub-control unit 90 can identify whether the information is related to a jackpot, what the jackpot type is, what the variation pattern is, etc. In addition, in this embodiment, by analyzing the special chart 2 start entry command, it is possible to determine whether the acquired special chart 2 acquisition random number will be a jackpot when judged in a high probability state, and whether it will be a jackpot when judged in a low probability state. As a result, the sub-control unit 90 can store the received special chart 2 start entry command as a hold (performance hold information), pre-judge the performance hold information at a specific timing, and determine whether performance hold information that will be judged as a jackpot when judged in a low probability state is stored.

In addition, from the viewpoint of preventing fraud, the random number value for determining whether or not a special symbol has been selected among the obtained random number values read in S316 is not sent directly to the sub-control unit, but instead command data including information indicating the value of the random number counter for determining the type of jackpot (random number value for determining the type of jackpot) and the value of the fluctuation pattern random number counter (fluctuation pattern random number value), as well as information indicating the result of the preliminary determination, is generated as a special symbol 2 start entry command, and this can be set.

Next, in S319, similar to the process related to Special Chart 2 described above, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls for Special Chart 1 has increased by "1" (S319). If it is determined that the number of reserved balls for Special Chart 1 has increased by "1" (YES in S319), the process proceeds to S320. This corresponds to the case where "1" is added to the number of reserved balls for Special Chart 1 in S311 of the start hole sensor detection process (S204) based on a game ball entering the first start hole. On the other hand, if it is determined in S319 that the number of reserved balls for Special Chart 1 has not increased (NO in S319), the process ends as it is.

In S320, it is determined whether the time-saving flag is ON or not (S320). If it is determined that the time-saving flag is ON, i.e., that the base state is high (YES in S320), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time-saving flag is OFF, i.e., that the base state is low (NO in S320), the process proceeds to the pre-determination process from S321 onwards.

The processing of S321 to S323 is the same as the processing of S316 to S318 described above for special chart 1. That is, the latest acquired random number value (acquired information) acquired in the special chart 1 related random number acquisition process (S312) in the start port sensor detection process (S204) and stored in the first special chart reservation memory unit is read (S321), and a preliminary judgment is made on the read acquired random number value (S322). Then, command data including game information related to this preliminary judgment is generated as a special chart 1 start ball entry command, and the command is set in the output buffer of RAM (S323). Note that the preliminary judgment (reserved advance reading) of S322 is made prior to the hit/miss judgment (S1603, S1609) in the special chart 1 hit/miss judgment process (S1207) described later.

Here, in the high base state, the extended opening function is activated, which increases the frequency of balls entering the second starting hole 21, making it easier to judge whether or not the special symbol 2 is a hit (see FIG. 8(B)). In addition, in this embodiment, as described below, the consumption of the special symbol 2 reservation (display of the change in the second special symbol) is executed in priority to the consumption of the special symbol 1 reservation (display of the change in the first special symbol). For this reason, in this embodiment, the advance judgment regarding the special symbol 1 reservation (special symbol 1 advance judgment) is performed in the low base state, where the change in the first special symbol is mainly displayed, and the advance judgment regarding the special symbol 2 reservation (special symbol 2 advance judgment) is performed regardless of whether the base state is low or high. In addition, as described below, the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment is controlled to a low-probability, low-base state during a jackpot game, but even if a game ball enters the first starting hole 20 during a jackpot game and the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 increases by "1," the processes of S321 to S323 (special chart 1 advance determination process) are not performed.

[General action processing]
After the start ball entry game process (S206), the game control microcomputer 81 performs the normal symbol operation process (S207) shown in Fig. 14. In the normal symbol operation process (S207), the process related to the normal symbol display 42 and the variable winning device 22 is divided into four stages, and each stage is assigned a "normal symbol operation status 1, 2, 3, 4". If the "normal map operation status" is "1" (YES in S401), normal pattern waiting processing (S402) is performed; if the "normal map operation status" is "2" (NO in S401, YES in S403), normal pattern changing processing (S404) is performed; if the "normal map operation status" is "3" (NO in both S401 and S403, YES in S405), normal pattern determination processing (S406) is performed; if the "normal map operation status" is "4" (NO in all of S401, S403, and S405), normal electric role processing (S407) is performed. Note that the normal map operation status is initially set to "1".

[Normal symbol standby processing]
As shown in FIG. 15, in the normal symbol waiting process (S402), first, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls of the normal symbol is "0" (S501), and if it is "0" (YES in S501), this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is not "0" (NO in S501), a normal symbol hit/miss determination process described later is performed (S502), and then a normal symbol change pattern selection process (S503) is performed. In the normal symbol change pattern selection process, by referring to the normal symbol change pattern selection table shown in FIG. 8 (D), if the game state is in the time-saving state, a normal symbol change pattern with a normal symbol change time of 1 second is selected. On the other hand, if the game state is in the non-time-saving state, a normal symbol change pattern with a normal symbol change time of 30 seconds is selected. After the normal symbol change pattern selection process (S503) is completed, a normal symbol random number shift process (S504) described later is performed, and then a normal symbol change start process (S505) is performed, and the process is terminated. In the normal pattern variation start process, the normal pattern variation display is started based on the normal pattern variation pattern selected in S503, and the normal operation status is set to "2." In addition, in the normal pattern variation start process, a normal pattern variation start command is set to notify the sub-control board 90 of the start of the normal pattern variation.

[Normal pattern correctness determination process]
As shown in FIG. 16, in the normal symbol hit/miss judgment process (S502), first, the value of the normal symbol hit/miss judgment random number counter (label-TRND-H) stored in the normal symbol reserve memory unit is read (S601). Next, it is judged whether the time-saving flag is ON (i.e., whether the game state is in the time-saving state or not) (S602). If it is judged in S602 that the time-saving flag is ON, that is, that the game state is in the time-saving state (YES in S602), it is judged whether or not there is a hit by the high probability normal symbol hit/miss judgment based on the table for the time-saving state (hit judgment value is "0" to "239") of the normal symbol hit judgment table shown in FIG. 8 (C) (S604), and the process proceeds to S605. That is, it is judged whether or not the value of the normal symbol hit/miss judgment random number counter (label-TRND-H) read out matches any of the hit judgment values. On the other hand, in S602, if it is determined that the time-saving flag is not ON, that is, the time-saving state is not in effect (NO in S602), a low-probability normal symbol hit/miss judgment based on the table for non-time-saving states (hit judgment values are "0" and "1") in the normal symbol hit judgment table shown in Fig. 8 (C) is used to judge whether or not there is a hit (S603), and the process proceeds to S605. Then, in S605, it is determined whether or not the result of the normal symbol hit/miss judgment (S603, S604) is a hit (normal symbol hit) (S605), and if it is determined to be a miss (NO in S605), the missing normal symbol (normal symbol miss symbol) to be displayed as a stop symbol is determined (S606), and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S605 that there is a win (a normal winning symbol) (YES in S605), the winning normal symbol (a normal winning symbol) to be displayed is determined (S607), the normal winning symbol flag is turned ON (S608), and the processing ends.

[Normal pattern random number shift processing]
As shown in FIG. 17, in the normal pattern random number shift process (S504), first, the number of normal pattern reserved balls is decremented by 1 (S701). Next, the storage location of each normal pattern reserved in the normal pattern reserved memory unit is shifted one position from the current position to the side to be read (S702). Then, the address space which is the storage location of the top reserved memory in the normal pattern reserved memory unit is made empty ("0"), that is, the RAM area corresponding to the fourth normal pattern reserved is cleared to 0 (S703), and the process is completed. In this way, the normal pattern reserved is consumed in the reserved order.

[Normal pattern change processing]
As shown in Fig. 18, in the normal pattern variation process (S404), first, it is determined whether the normal pattern variation time has elapsed (S801), and if it has not elapsed (NO in S801), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it has elapsed (YES in S801), a normal pattern variation stop command is set (S802) and the normal pattern operation status is set to "3" (S803). Then, other processes such as stopping the normal pattern variation display with the display result (won normal pattern or lost normal pattern) according to the result of the random number for normal pattern hit/miss judgment are performed (S804), and this process is terminated.

[Normal design confirmation process]
As shown in FIG. 19, in the normal pattern determination process (S406), first, it is determined whether the normal pattern hit flag is ON (S901). If the normal pattern hit flag is not ON (NO in S901), the normal pattern operation status is set to "1" (S905), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the normal pattern hit flag is ON (YES in S901), it is then determined whether the time-saving flag is ON, that is, whether the time-saving state is in progress (S902). Then, if the time-saving state is in progress (YES in S902), the opening pattern during the time-saving state is set as the opening pattern of the variable winning device 22 (second starting hole 21) (S903). As described above, the opening pattern during the time-saving state is an opening pattern in which a 2.0-second opening is repeated three times. Therefore, the second starting hole opening counter, which counts the number of times the second starting hole 21 is opened, is set to "3".

On the other hand, if the game is not in the time-saving state (NO in S902), the opening pattern during the non-time-saving state is set as the opening pattern of the variable winning device 22 (second starting hole 21) (S906). As mentioned above, the opening pattern during the non-time-saving state is an opening pattern in which a 0.2-second opening is performed once. Therefore, the second starting hole opening counter is set to "1". Then, following the setting of the opening pattern (S903, S906), the normal operation status is set to "4" (S904), and this process ends.

[Normal electric accessory processing]
As shown in Fig. 20, in the normal electric accessory process (S407), first, it is determined whether the normal winning end flag is ON (S1001). The normal winning end flag is a flag that indicates that the opening of the second starting hole 21 has ended in the auxiliary game that was executed as a winning one.

If the normal hit end flag is not ON (NO in S1001), it is determined whether the second start port 21 is open (S1002). If it is not open (NO in S1002), it is determined whether the time (timing) to open the second start port 21 has arrived (S1003). If it has not arrived (NO in S1003), the process is terminated. If it has arrived (YES in S1003), the second start port 21 is opened (S1004), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the second start port 21 is open (YES in S1002), it is determined whether the time (timing) to close the second start port 21 has arrived (i.e., whether a predetermined opening time has elapsed since the second start port 21 was opened) (S1005). If it has not arrived (NO in S1005), the process is terminated. If it has arrived (YES in S1005), the second start port 21 is closed (closed) (S1006).

Following the closing process of the second start hole 21 (S1006), the value of the second start hole opening counter is decremented by 1 (S1007), and it is determined whether the value of the second start hole opening counter is "0" or not (S1008). If it is not "0" (NO in S1008), the process is terminated to open the second start hole 21 again. On the other hand, if it is "0" (YES in S1008), a normal win end process is performed to end the auxiliary play (S1009), and the normal win end flag is set (S1010) to terminate the process. Note that the second start hole opening counter becomes "0" when the second start hole 21 is opened (the movable member 23 is opened) three times during the time-saving state, and becomes "0" when the second start hole 21 is opened once during the non-time-saving state.

On the other hand, if the normal symbol winning end flag is ON in S1001 (YES in S1001), the opening operation of the second starting port 21 for the number of times set in S903 or S906 has ended, so the normal symbol winning end flag is turned OFF (S1011), the normal symbol winning flag is turned OFF (S1012), the normal symbol operation status is set to "1" (S1013), and the process is terminated. As a result, in the next interrupt process, the normal symbol waiting process (S402) will be executed again as the normal symbol operation process (FIG. 13).
[Normal electric accessory processing]
As shown in Fig. 20, in the normal electric accessory process (S407), first, it is determined whether the normal winning end flag is ON (S1001). The normal winning end flag is a flag that indicates that the opening of the second starting hole 21 has ended in the auxiliary game that was executed as a winning one.

If the normal hit end flag is not ON (NO in S1001), it is determined whether the second start port 21 is open (S1002). If it is not open (NO in S1002), it is determined whether the time (timing) to open the second start port 21 has arrived (S1003). If it has not arrived (NO in S1003), the process is terminated. If it has arrived, the second start port 21 is opened (S1004), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the second start port 21 is open (YES in S1002), it is determined whether the time (timing) to close the second start port 21 has arrived (i.e., whether a predetermined opening time has elapsed since the second start port 21 was opened) (S1005). If it has not arrived (NO in S1005), the process is terminated. If it has arrived (YES in S1005), the second start port 21 is closed (closed) (S1006).

Following the closing process of the second start hole 21 (S1006), the value of the second start hole opening counter is decremented by 1 (S1007), and it is determined whether the value of the second start hole opening counter is "0" or not (S1008). If it is not "0" (NO in S1008), the process ends to open the second start hole 21 again. On the other hand, if it is "0" (YES in S1008), the normal win end process is performed to end the auxiliary play (S1009), and the normal win end flag is set (S1010) to end the process. Note that the second start hole opening counter becomes "0" when the second start hole 21 is opened (the movable member 23 is opened) three times during the time-saving state, and becomes "0" when the second start hole 21 is opened once during the non-time-saving state.

On the other hand, if the normal symbol win end flag is ON in S1001 (YES in S1001), the opening operation of the second starting port 21 has ended for the number of times set in S903 or S906, so the normal symbol win end flag is turned OFF (S1011), the normal symbol win flag is turned OFF (S1012), the normal symbol operation status is set to "1" (S1013), and the process ends. As a result, in the next interrupt process, the normal symbol wait process (S402) will be executed again as the normal symbol operation process (Figure 13).

[Special diagram operation processing]
As shown in Fig. 11, the game control microcomputer 81 performs special symbol operation processing (S207) following normal symbol operation processing (S206). As shown in Fig. 21, in the special symbol operation processing (S207), the processing related to the special symbol display device 41 and the big prize device (the first big prize device 31 and the second big prize device 36) is divided into five stages, and "special symbol operation status 1, 2, 3, 4, 5" is assigned to each stage. Then, if the special symbol operation status is "1" (YES in S1101), special symbol waiting processing (S1102) is performed; if the special symbol operation status is "2" (NO in S1101, YES in S1103), special symbol changing processing (S1104) is performed; if the special symbol operation status is "3" (NO in S1101, S1103, YES in S1105), special symbol determination processing (S1106) is performed; if the special symbol operation status is "4" (NO in S1101, S1103, S1105, YES in S1107), special electric device processing 1 for a big win game (S1108) is performed; and if the special symbol operation status is "5" (NO in S1101, S1103, S1105, S1107), special electric device processing 2 for a small win game (S1109) is performed. In addition, the special chart operation status is initially set to "1".

[Special symbol standby process]
As shown in Fig. 22, in the special symbol waiting process (S1102), first, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls in the second starting hole 21 (i.e., the number of reserved balls in special symbol 2) is "0" (S1201). If the number of reserved balls in special symbol 2 is "0" (YES in S1201), that is, if there is no memory of the random number counter value obtained based on the ball entering the second starting hole 21, it is determined whether the number of reserved balls in the first starting hole 20 (i.e., the number of reserved balls in special symbol 1) is "0" (S1206). Then, if the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is also "0" (YES in S1206), that is, if there is no memory of the random number counter value obtained based on the ball entering the first starting hole 20, it is determined whether or not the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 is in the process of becoming a standby screen (a demo screen for waiting for customers is being executed) (S1211), and if it is in the process (YES in S1211), the process is terminated, and if it is not in the process (NO in S1211), a standby screen setting process is executed to display the standby screen (S1212).

If the number of reserved balls for Special Chart 2 is not "0" in S1201 (NO in S1201), that is, if there is one or more memories of random number counter values obtained based on a ball entering the second starting hole 21, the Special Chart 2 hit/miss determination process (S1202), Special Chart 2 change pattern selection process (S1203), Special Chart 2 random number shift process (S1204), and Special Chart 2 change start process (S1205) described below are performed in this order. In addition, when the number of reserved balls for the special chart 2 is "0" but the number of reserved balls for the special chart 1 is not "0" (YES in S1201, NO in S1206), that is, when there is no memory of the random number counter value related to the second starting hole 21, but there is one or more memories of the random number counter value acquired based on the ball entering the first starting hole 20, the special chart 1 hit/miss judgment process (S1207), the special chart 1 variation pattern selection process (S1208), the special chart 1 random number shift process (S1209), and the special chart 1 variation start process (S1210) described later are performed in this order. Thus, in this embodiment, the variation display of the first special pattern based on the first special pattern reservation is performed only when the number of reserved balls for the special chart 2 is "0" (YES in S1201). In other words, the consumption of the second special pattern reservation (the variation display of the second special pattern) is executed in priority to the consumption of the first special pattern reservation (the variation display of the first special pattern). In this embodiment, a win/loss determination based on the reserved second special chart is more likely to result in a jackpot that is more profitable for the player than a win/loss determination based on the reserved first special chart (see FIG. 8(B)).

[Special diagram 2 pass/fail judgment process]
As shown in FIG. 23, in the special pattern 2 hit/miss judgment process (S1202), first, the value (label-TRND-A) of the random number counter for determining whether or not the special pattern hit is hit (oldest memory) stored in the lowest area of the special pattern reserved memory section of the RAM (i.e., the RAM area corresponding to the first one of the second special pattern reserved) is read as a judgment value (S1301). Next, it is judged whether or not the probability variable flag is ON, that is, whether or not it is in a high probability state (S1302). Then, if it is not in a high probability state (NO in S1302), that is, if it is in a normal state, a hit/miss judgment is made based on the hit judgment table for the normal state (the jackpot judgment values are "3" and "397") in the hit judgment table (see FIG. 8 (A)) (S1303). On the other hand, if it is in a high probability state (YES in S1302), a hit/miss judgment is made based on the jackpot judgment table for the high probability state in the hit judgment table (see FIG. 8 (A)) (S1309). In the jackpot determination table for high probability states, the jackpot determination values are "3,""53,""113,""173,""227,""281,""337,""397,""449," and "503."

If the result of the hit/miss judgment (S1303, S1309) is judged to be a "jackpot" (YES in S1304), the value of the random number counter for determining the type of jackpot (label-TRND-AS) is read out, the type of jackpot is judged based on the jackpot type judgment table shown in FIG. 8 (B) (S1310), the jackpot pattern is determined based on the value of the random number for determining the type of jackpot (S1311), the jackpot flag is turned ON (S1312), and the process ends. In addition, in the case of a hit/miss judgment related to the first special pattern, the type of jackpot is judged using the jackpot type judgment table for the first special pattern, and in the case of a hit/miss judgment related to the second special pattern, the type of jackpot is judged using the jackpot type judgment table for the second special pattern. If the first special symbol (special symbol 1) is judged to be a jackpot, then it will be determined to be either a 15R first jackpot, a 15R second jackpot, a 15R third jackpot, or a 2R fourth jackpot; if the second special symbol (special symbol 2) is judged to be a jackpot, then it will be determined to be a 15R fifth jackpot or a 15R sixth jackpot (see Figure 8 (B)).

In response to this, in this embodiment, the jackpot flags are a long jackpot flag that is turned ON if the jackpot type is 15R 1st jackpot, 15R 2nd jackpot, 15R 3rd jackpot, 15R 5th jackpot, or 15R 6th jackpot, and a short jackpot flag that is turned ON if the jackpot type is 2R 4th jackpot. When the 2R 4th jackpot occurs and the short jackpot flag is turned ON, the 2R lamp (see FIG. 4) on the round display 45 is lit at the timing when the 2R 4th jackpot pattern is confirmed and displayed. Specifically, the display mode is "2R▲15R△" (for example, ▲: lit, △: unlit). Also, when the long win flag is turned ON for any of the 15R 1st to 3rd jackpots, 15R 5th jackpot, and 15R 6th jackpot, the 15R lamp (see Figure 4) will be lit at the timing when the corresponding jackpot pattern is confirmed and displayed. Specifically, the display will look like "2R △ 15R ▲".

Here, the jackpot determination (special symbol hit/miss determination) and the jackpot type determination may each be called a "determination," or the jackpot determination and the determination of which jackpot symbol will be obtained may also be called a "determination." These results may also be called "determination results."

On the other hand, if the result of the hit/miss determination (S1303, S1309) is not a "big hit" (NO in S1304), then it is determined whether or not it is a small hit (S1305). That is, it is determined whether or not the value of the random number counter for determining whether or not a special symbol is a hit (Label-TRND-A) matches any of the small hit determination values "101" to "105" (see FIG. 8 (A)). Then, if it is determined that it is not a "small hit" (NO in S1305), then the losing symbol is determined (S1308) and processing ends. In other words, if the result of the hit/miss determination (S1303, S1309) is neither a "big hit" nor a "small hit", then the result is a "miss". On the other hand, if the result of the small win determination (S1305) is determined to be a "small win" (YES in S1305), the small win symbol is determined (S1306), the small win flag is turned ON (S1307), and the process ends. Note that the random number that determines whether or not there is a small win may be set separately from the random number used to determine whether or not there is a special symbol.

[Special Chart 2 Variation Pattern Selection Processing]
In the special pattern waiting process (FIG. 22), the special pattern 2 winning/losing determination process (S1202) is followed by the special pattern 2 variation pattern selection process (S1203). As shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, in the special pattern 2 variation pattern selection process (S1203), first, it is determined whether the game state is in the time-saving state (whether the time-saving flag is ON or not) (S1401). Then, if it is not in the time-saving state (NO in S1401), that is, if it is in the non-time-saving state, it is determined whether the jackpot flag is ON or not (S1402), and if it is ON (YES in S1402), a variation pattern is selected based on the variation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) by referring to the table for jackpots during non-time-saving state (the part of the variation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the non-time-saving state and jackpot) (S1403). In addition, if the variation pattern is determined, the variation time is also determined. In addition, in this embodiment, the table for the big win during the non-time-saving state is also divided according to whether the big win is a long win (15R big win) or a short win (2R big win) (see FIG. 9). However, this process is a variation pattern selection process for the special chart 2, and only the 15R fifth big win (long win) exists in the big win that is won by the lottery of the special chart 2 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the part referenced in this process is always the part of the long win, and the variation pattern P1 or P2 is selected. In addition, the table for the big win during the non-time-saving state does not have to be divided into a long win and a short win. This is also the same for the table for the big win during the time-saving state described later.

On the other hand, if the big win flag is not ON (NO in S1402), it is determined whether the small win flag is ON or not (S1405). Then, if the small win flag is ON (YES in S1405), the table for non-time-saving state and small/medium wins (the portion of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the non-time-saving state and small win) is referenced, and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1409). Specifically, in this embodiment, fluctuation pattern P4 is always selected.

Also, if the small win flag is not ON (NO in S1405), it is neither a big win nor a small win, and in this case, it is determined whether the reserved number of the second special pattern is "1" or "2" (S1406). The reserved number here refers to the number of memories including the information that determines the fluctuation pattern by this process, so the number of reserved memories is set to any value from "1" to "4". Then, if it is determined in S1406 that the reserved number is "1" or "2" (YES in S1406), a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) by referring to the first reserved number miss table during non-time-saving state (the part of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the non-time-saving state, miss, and reserved ball number "1, 2") (S1407). In this embodiment, one of the fluctuation patterns P5 to P8 is selected.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1406 that the reserved number is not "1" or "2", i.e., it is "3" or "4" (NO in S1406), a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) by referring to the second reserved number miss table during non-time-saving state (the portion of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the non-time-saving state, miss, and reserved ball number "3, 4") (S1408). In this embodiment, one of the fluctuation patterns P9 to P12 is selected. Here, the first reserved number miss table during non-time-saving state is set to be more likely to select a fluctuation pattern with a relatively long fluctuation time than the second reserved number miss table. In addition, the shortest selectable fluctuation time (12000 ms) is also set to be longer than that of the second reserved number miss table (4000 ms). In other words, when you miss, the function of shortening the fluctuation according to the number of reserved balls is activated, and when the number of reserved balls of the special pattern is "3" or "4", a fluctuation pattern with a shorter fluctuation time is selected compared to when the number of reserved balls of the special pattern is "1" or "2".

In addition, in the above-mentioned S1401, if it is determined that the game state is in the time-saving state (YES in S1401), it is determined whether the jackpot flag is ON or not (S1410 in FIG. 25). Then, if it is determined that the jackpot flag is ON (YES in S1410), it refers to the table for jackpots during time-saving state (the part of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the time-saving state and jackpot), and selects a fluctuation pattern based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) (S1411). As mentioned above, this process is a fluctuation pattern selection process for special chart 2, and since only the 15R fifth jackpot (long jackpot) exists in the jackpot that can be won by the lottery for special chart 2 (see FIG. 6), in S1411, fluctuation pattern P13 or P14 corresponding to the long jackpot is selected.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1410 that the big win flag is not ON (NO in S1410), it is determined whether or not the small win flag is ON (S1412). Then, if the small win flag is ON (YES in S1412), a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value by referring to the time-saving state medium/small win table (the portion of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the time-saving state and small win) (S1416). Specifically, in this embodiment, fluctuation pattern P16 is always selected.

In addition, if it is determined in S1412 that the small win flag is not ON (NO in S1412), that is, in the case of a miss, it is determined whether the reserved number of the second special pattern is "1" or not (S1413). The reserved number here is the same as described above, and the reserved number is set to any value from "1" to "4". Then, if it is determined that the reserved number is "1" (YES in S1413), a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) by referring to the table for the third reserved number miss during the time-saving state (the part of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the non-time-saving state, miss, and reserved ball number "1") (S1414). In this embodiment, one of the fluctuation patterns P17 to P20 is selected. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1413 that the reserved number is not "1", that is, that the reserved number is any of "2" to "4" (NO in S1413), a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (Label-TRND-T1) by referring to the fourth reserved number miss table during time-saving state (the portion of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the time-saving state, miss, and reserved ball number "2 to 4") (S1415). In this embodiment, one of the fluctuation patterns P21 to P24 is selected.

In this way, in the fluctuation pattern table during the time-saving state (the portion of the fluctuation pattern table shown in Figure 9 that corresponds to the time-saving state), the shortened fluctuation function according to the number of reserved balls at the time of a miss works when the number of reserved balls is between "2" and "4". Also, when a long jackpot is won, a fluctuation pattern with a shorter fluctuation time is more likely to be selected than in the non-time-saving state. In other words, the fluctuation pattern table during the time-saving state is a table in which the average fluctuation time of special symbols is shorter than in the fluctuation pattern table during the non-time-saving state. As a result, in the time-saving state, the speed at which reserved special symbols are consumed is faster (play during the time-saving state progresses more quickly) compared to the non-time-saving state (normal state).

After the variation pattern is selected as described above, other processing (S1404) shown in FIG. 24 is performed, and then this processing ends. In other processing (S1404), a variation pattern designation command corresponding to the selected variation pattern (variation pattern designation command corresponding to special chart 2) is set in the output buffer of the RAM. The set variation pattern designation command is included in a variation start command, which will be described later, and is sent to the sub-control board 90 by output processing (S201).

[Special Figure 2 Random Number Shift Processing]
As shown in Fig. 26, in the special chart 2 random number shift process (S1204), first, the number of reserved balls for special chart 2 is decremented by 1 (S1501). Next, the storage location of various counter values in the second special chart reserved memory unit is shifted to the lower side (for example, to the address "0000" side when the second special chart reserved memory unit consists of an address space corresponding to addresses "0000" to "0003") (S1502). Then, "0" is set in the top address space of the second special chart reserved memory unit, that is, the RAM area corresponding to the fourth reserved second special chart (if the upper limit number has been stored) is cleared to 0 (S1503), and this process is completed.

After the special symbol 2 random number shift process (S1204) is executed, the special symbol 2 variation start process (S1205) in the special symbol standby process (S1102) shown in FIG. 22 is executed. In the special symbol 2 variation start process (S1205), the special symbol operation status is set to "2" and a variation start command is set in the output buffer of the RAM to start the variation display of the second special symbol.

In addition, in the special pattern waiting process (S1102) of FIG. 22, if the number of reserved balls for special pattern 2 is "0" and the number of reserved balls for special pattern 1 is not "0" (YES in S1201, NO in S1206), the special pattern 1 hit/miss determination process (S1207), special pattern 1 change pattern selection process (S1208), special pattern 1 random number shift process (S1209), and special pattern 1 change start process (S1210) are performed in this order.

[Special diagram 1 pass/fail judgment process]
As shown in Fig. 27, in the special drawing 1 winning/loosening judgment process (S1207), processing (S1601 to S1612) is performed in the same manner as the special drawing 2 winning/loosening judgment process (S1202) shown in Fig. 23. Therefore, a detailed description of this process is omitted.

However, since this process is related to special pattern 1, in S1601, the random number counter value (label-TRND-A) for determining whether or not the special pattern has been hit is read out from the lowest area of the first special pattern reserved memory section of the RAM (i.e., the RAM area corresponding to the first of the first special pattern reserved). In addition, in the type determination of the jackpot in S1610, it may be determined to be any of the following: 15R first jackpot, 15R second jackpot, 15R third jackpot, and 2R fourth jackpot (Figure 8 (B)). As shown in the column for the first special pattern (special pattern 1) in Figure 8 (B), the distribution rate of each jackpot is 40% for 15R first jackpot, 20% for 15R second jackpot, 30% for 15R third jackpot, and 10% for 2R fourth jackpot. If the type of jackpot is determined to be either the 15R 1st jackpot, the 15R 2nd jackpot, or the 15R 3rd jackpot, the long jackpot flag is turned ON in S1612. On the other hand, if the type of jackpot is determined to be the 2R 4th jackpot, the short jackpot flag is turned ON in S1612.

[Special Chart 1 Variation Pattern Selection Processing]
As shown in Figures 28 and 29, in the special chart 1 variation pattern selection process (S1208), processing (S1701 to S1720) is performed in the same manner as the special chart 2 variation pattern selection process (S1203) shown in Figures 24 and 25. Therefore, a detailed description of this process will be omitted.

However, since this process is related to special chart 1, if S1702 (Fig. 28) is YES (i.e., if the jackpot flag is ON), it is further determined whether the type of jackpot is a 15R jackpot (either a 15R first jackpot, a 15R second jackpot, or a 15R third jackpot) (S1703). If it is a 15R jackpot (long jackpot) (YES in S1703), the table for 15R jackpots in non-time-saving state (the portion of the fluctuation pattern table shown in Fig. 9 that corresponds to the non-time-saving state and long jackpot) is referenced, and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (label-TRND-T1) (S1704). Specifically, fluctuation pattern P1 or P2 is selected.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1703 that the 15R jackpot is not a jackpot (NO in S1703), i.e., if the 2R fourth jackpot (short jackpot) is a jackpot, the table for 2R jackpots in non-time-saving mode (the portion of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the non-time-saving mode and short jackpot) is referenced and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1706). Specifically, fluctuation pattern P3 is selected.

In addition, in this special chart 1 variation pattern selection process, even if S1712 (Fig. 29) is YES (i.e., the jackpot flag is ON), it is further determined whether the type of jackpot is a 15R jackpot (either a 15R first jackpot, a 15R second jackpot, or a 15R third jackpot) (S1713). If it is a 15R jackpot (long jackpot) (YES in S1713), the table for 15R jackpots in the time-saving state (the portion of the variation pattern table shown in Fig. 9 that corresponds to the time-saving state and long jackpot) is referenced, and a variation pattern is selected based on the variation pattern random number counter value (S1714). Specifically, variation pattern P13 or P14 is selected.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1713 that the 15R jackpot is not a jackpot (NO in S1713), i.e., if the 2R fourth jackpot (short jackpot) is a jackpot, the table for 2R jackpots during time-saving state (the portion of the fluctuation pattern table shown in FIG. 9 that corresponds to the time-saving state and short jackpot) is referenced, and a fluctuation pattern is selected based on the fluctuation pattern random number counter value (S1715). Specifically, fluctuation pattern P15 is selected.

In this special chart 1 variation pattern selection process, after the variation pattern is selected, other processes (S1705, FIG. 28) are performed, and this process ends. In other processes (S1705), a variation pattern designation command corresponding to the selected variation pattern (variation pattern designation command corresponding to special chart 1) is set in the output buffer of the RAM. The set variation pattern designation command is included in a variation start command, which will be described later, and is sent to the sub-control board 90 by output process (S201).

[Special Figure 1: Random number shift processing]
As shown in Fig. 30, in the special chart 1 random number shift process (S1209), first, the number of reserved balls for special chart 1 is decremented by 1 (S1801). Next, the storage location of various counter values in the first special chart reserved memory unit is shifted to the lower side by one (S1802). Then, "0" is set in the top address space of the first special chart reserved memory unit, that is, (if the upper limit number has been stored) the RAM area corresponding to the fourth reserved first special chart is cleared to 0 (S1803), and this process is completed.

After executing the special symbol 1 random number shift process (S1209), the special symbol 1 variation start process (S1210) in FIG. 22 is executed. In the special symbol 1 variation start process (S1210), the special symbol operation status is set to "2" and a variation start command is set in the output buffer of the RAM to start the variation display of the first special symbol.

[Special pattern change processing]
As shown in Fig. 31, in the special symbol variation process (S1104), first, it is determined whether the variation time of the special symbol (variation time determined according to the variation pattern selected in S1203 or S1208 in Fig. 22, see Fig. 9) has elapsed (S1901). If it is determined that the variation time has not elapsed (NO in S1901), the process ends. This allows the variation display of the special symbol to continue.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (YES in S1901), a fluctuation stop command is set (S1902). Then, it is determined whether the high probability flag is ON (S1903), and if it is ON (YES in S1903), the high probability counter is decremented by 1 (S1904), and it is determined whether the value of the high probability counter is "0" (S1905). If it is determined in S1905 that the high probability counter is "0", the high probability flag is turned OFF and processing transitions to S1907. On the other hand, if it is determined that the high probability flag is not ON (NO in S1903) or if it is determined that the high probability counter is not "0" (NO in S1905), processing transitions to S1907.

Then, in S1907, it is determined whether the time-saving flag is ON (S1907), and if it is determined that the time-saving flag is ON (YES in S1907), the value of the time-saving counter that counts the number of times the special pattern variable display is executed during the time-saving state is decremented by 1 (S1908), and it is determined whether the value of the time-saving counter is "0" (S1909), and if it is "0" (YES in S1909), the time-saving flag is turned OFF (S1910), and the process proceeds to S1911. Also, if it is determined that the time-saving flag is not ON (NO in S1907) or if it is determined that the value of the time-saving counter is not "0" (NO in S1909), the process proceeds to S1911. In S1911, the special pattern operation status is set to "3" (S1911). Then, other processing is performed, such as stopping the display of the special symbol based on the results of the random numbers used to determine whether the special symbol is a hit or not and the random numbers used to determine the type of big win (S1912), and this processing ends.

[Special design confirmation process]
As shown in Fig. 32, in the special symbol determination process (S1106), first, it is determined whether the jackpot flag is ON (S2001). If the jackpot flag is ON (YES in S2001), it is then determined whether the jackpot type is a 15R jackpot (any of the 15R 1st jackpot, 15R 2nd jackpot, 15R 3rd jackpot, and 15R 5th jackpot) (S2002). Then, if it is a 15R jackpot (i.e., if the long jackpot flag is ON), the value of a round counter that counts the number of rounds executed during the jackpot game (in the case of one opening per round, one round is from the opening to the closing of the large prize opening) is set to "15", and the opening pattern of the large prize opening (first large prize opening 30 or second large prize opening 35) is set (see Figure 6) as follows: if it is a 15R 1st jackpot, the opening pattern for a 15R 1st jackpot; if it is a 15R 2nd jackpot, the opening pattern for a 15R 2nd jackpot; if it is a 15R 3rd jackpot, the opening pattern for a 15R 3rd jackpot; if it is a 15R 5th jackpot, the opening pattern for a 15R 5th jackpot; and if it is a 15R 6th jackpot, the opening pattern for a 15R 6th jackpot (S2003).

On the other hand, if S2002 determines that the jackpot is not a 15R jackpot (i.e., the short jackpot flag is ON), the jackpot type is a 2R fourth jackpot, so the round counter value is set to "2" and the opening pattern for the large prize opening (first large prize opening 30 or second large prize opening 35) is set to the opening pattern for a 2R fourth jackpot (see Figure 6) (S2004).

After completing the processing of S2003 or S2004, the jackpot opening command is set to start the jackpot game (S2005), the opening performance of the jackpot game is started (S2006), and the special chart operation status is set to "4" (S2007).

Also, when it is determined in S2001 that the big win flag is not ON (NO in S2001), it is determined whether the small win flag is ON or not (S2008). As a result, if the small win flag is ON (YES in S2008), the value of the small win opening counter that counts the number of times the big win opening (second big win opening 35) is opened during the small win game is set to "2", and the opening pattern for the small win (see FIG. 6) is set as the opening pattern of the big win opening (second big win opening 35) (S2009). Then, in order to start the small win game, the opening command for the small win is set (S2010), the opening performance for the small win game is started (S2011), and the special chart operation status is set to "5" (S2012). Furthermore, if the small win flag is not ON in S2008 (NO in S2008), neither the big win game nor the small win game will start, so the special chart operation status is set to "1" and processing ends.

[Special Electric Device Processing 1 (Big Hit Game)]
As shown in FIG. 33, in the special electric role processing 1 (S1108), first, it is determined whether the probability variable flag is ON or not (S2101), and if it is determined to be ON (YES in S2101), the probability variable flag is turned OFF (S2102). Also, it is determined whether the time-saving flag is ON or not (S2103), and if it is determined to be ON (YES in S2103), the time-saving flag is turned OFF (S2104). In other words, during the execution of a jackpot game, it is controlled to a low probability state and a non-time-saving state. In this embodiment, since the non-time-saving state is always a low base state, it is also controlled to a low probability low base state during the execution of a jackpot game.

Next, it is determined whether the jackpot end flag is ON (S2105). The jackpot end flag is a flag indicating that all the openings of the large prize winning holes (first large prize winning hole 30 and second large prize winning hole 35) in the jackpot game have been completed (the jackpot game has ended). If the jackpot end flag is not ON (NO in S2105), it is determined whether the large prize winning hole (first large prize winning hole 30 or second large prize winning hole 35) is being opened (S2106). If it is not being opened (NO in S2106), it is determined whether it is time (timing) to open the large prize winning hole (first large prize winning hole 30 or second large prize winning hole 35), that is, whether the opening time of the jackpot has passed and it has reached the time to start the first round, or whether the interval time between rounds has passed and it has reached the time to start the next round (next opening) (S2107). This is determined based on the large prize winning hole opening pattern set for each type of jackpot described above. For example, if it is before the start of the first round, it is determined whether the opening period has ended and it is time to execute the first opening process of the first round. If the first round has already started, it is determined whether the previous round has ended and the specified interval period has ended. Note that a round is simply called "R" or "round play."

If the result of the judgment in S2107 is NO, the process ends. On the other hand, if the result of the judgment in S2107 is YES, it is judged whether the round to be executed corresponds to either the first round or the second round, that is, whether it is a V round (S2108). This may be judged using the value of a round counter for each type of jackpot, or a round counter that counts the number of the round to be executed may be provided separately. If the round to be executed is not a V round (NO in S2108), that is, if it is any of the 3rd to 15th rounds, the process proceeds to S2110, where the first large prize winning device 31 is operated to open the first large prize winning port 30 according to the opening pattern (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the type of jackpot. On the other hand, if it is determined that the round to be executed is a V round (first or second round) (YES in S2108), the V valid period setting process (S2109) is performed, and then the process proceeds to S2110, where the second large prize device 36 is operated to open the second large prize opening 35 according to the opening pattern (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the type of big win. In addition, when the large prize opening (first large prize opening 30 or second large prize opening 35) is opened, that is, when the round is started, the round start command for the corresponding round is set. For example, a round start command that can specify the round to be started is set, such as a "1R start command" for the start of the first round, and a "2R start command" for the start of the second round. The set round start command is sent to the sub-control unit 90 by the output process of S201.

In the V valid period setting process (S2109), the period during which the second large winning opening 35 is open and the period after the second large winning opening 35 is closed in the V round (first or second round in this embodiment) is set as the period (corresponding to the first period) during which the detection of the game ball by the specific area sensor 39a is judged to be valid. In this embodiment, the other periods (including during a small win or when a special game is not being played) are set as the period (corresponding to the second period) during which the detection of the game ball by the specific area sensor 39a is judged to be invalid. Here, judging the detection of the game ball by the specific area sensor 39a to be valid means that the V flag is turned ON based on the detection of the game ball by the specific area sensor 39a (see S2401 to S2403 of the specific area sensor detection process described later), and judging the detection of the game ball by the specific area sensor 39a to be invalid means that the V flag is not turned ON even if the game ball is detected by the specific area sensor 39a.

Here, when the specific area sensor 39a detects a game ball and the V flag is turned ON, the game status indicator 46 is set to a predetermined display mode, and the game status indicator 46 is notified that the game status after the jackpot game ends will be a high probability state. Specifically, the game status indicator 46 is composed of three LEDs, "a1a2a3". In this embodiment, in the normal state (low probability state), the display mode is "a1□a2□a3□" (for example, □: off, ■: on). Also, when the specific area sensor 39a detects a game ball during the jackpot game and the V flag is turned ON, the display mode is "a1■a2■a3■". When the jackpot game ends and the game status is set to a high probability state, the display mode is "a1□a2□a3□". Furthermore, the lighting control timing of the game status indicator 46 is not limited to such timing, and during a jackpot game, the display mode may remain "a1□a2□a3□" even if the game ball passes through a specific area, and when the game transitions to a high probability state after the jackpot game ends, the display mode may change to "a1■a2■a3■", and when the game transitions from the high probability state to a low probability state, the display mode may change to "a1□a2□a3□".

In other words, in the specific area sensor detection process (S208) described below, the V flag is turned ON only when a V passage (passage of the game ball into the specific area 39) is detected during the V valid period, and the V flag is not turned ON when a V passage is detected outside the V valid period (V invalid period). When the V flag is ON, the high probability flag is turned ON, that is, the game state after the jackpot game is set to a high probability state (see the game state setting process described below). In this way, the V flag is prevented from being turned ON based on a V passage caused by fraudulent conduct, that is, from being fraudulently set to a high probability state.

In addition, if there is a V pass in the V round (1st or 2nd round) of a big win game, the game state after the end of that big win game is set to a high probability state, while even if there is a V pass during a small win game, if the game state before the small win game was a normal state, the game state after the end of that small win game is also set to a normal state, and if the game state before the small win game was a high probability state, the game state after the end of that small win game is also set to a high probability state. In other words, the probability of winning or losing is not changed before and after a small win game.

In this embodiment, in the V valid period setting process (S2109), the period in which the detection of the game ball by the specific area sensor 39a is judged to be valid is set to the period (first period) even in the case of the 15R second and third jackpots. In other embodiments, the first period may not be set in the V round in the case of the 15R second and third jackpots. In other words, the V round may be set to the second period in the case of the 15R second and third jackpots. In the jackpot game related to the 15R second and third jackpots, the opening time of the second large winning hole 35 is set to an extremely short time of 0.1 seconds, so that the possibility of the game ball entering the second large winning hole 35 is extremely low, but if the second period is set, the V flag will not be ON even if the ball enters. This makes it possible to prevent the V flag from being turned ON illegally or the V flag from being turned ON by a rare ball entering. In this embodiment, the first and second rounds are considered to be V rounds, and the detection of game balls by the specific area sensor 39a is enabled in the V rounds, but the location of the V rounds does not have to be limited to this.

If the large prize opening (first large prize opening 30 or second large prize opening 35) is open in S2106 (YES in S2106), it is determined whether the number of balls entering the large prize opening in that round has reached the specified maximum number of balls (10 per round in this embodiment) (S2111). If the specified number of balls has not been reached (NO in S2111), it is determined whether the time (timing) has come to close the large prize opening, that is, whether a specified opening time (see FIG. 6) has elapsed since the large prize opening was opened (S2112). Then, if the opening time of the large prize opening has not elapsed (NO in S2112), the process ends.

On the other hand, if the specified number of balls has been reached (YES in S2111), or if the opening time of the large prize opening has elapsed (YES in S2112), that is, if one of the two round end conditions is met, the large prize opening (first large prize opening 30 or second large prize opening 35) is closed (S2113). Then, the round counter value is decremented by 1 (S2114), and it is determined whether the round counter value is "0" or not (S2115). If it is determined that the round counter value is not "0" (NO in S2115), the process ends in order to start the next round. In addition, when the large prize opening (first large prize opening 30 or second large prize opening 35) is closed, that is, when the round is ended, the round end command for the corresponding round is set. For example, a round end command that can specify the round to be ended is set, such as a "1R end command" for the end of the first round, and a "2R end command" for the end of the second round. This set round end command is sent to the sub-control unit 90 by the output process of S201. The round end command is sent at the end of a round except the final round of the jackpot game, that is, when it is determined in S2115 that the round counter value is not "0". For example, if the number of rounds of the jackpot game being executed is a 15R jackpot game, the round end command is sent until the end of the 14R, but is not sent at the end of the 15R. This is because at the end of the final round, the ending command set in the process of S2116 described later is sent.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the round counter value is "0" (YES in S2115), a jackpot ending command is set (S2116) as a jackpot ending process that ends the jackpot game, and the jackpot ending performance is started (S2117). Then, a jackpot end flag is set (S2118), and the process ends. Note that the round counter becomes "0" when the jackpot opening is executed 15 times in the case of a long jackpot (15R jackpot), and becomes "0" when the jackpot opening is executed twice in the case of a short jackpot (2R jackpot).

Also, if it is determined in S2105 that the jackpot end flag is ON (YES in S2105), the final round has ended, so it is determined whether the execution time for the jackpot ending performance (ending time) has elapsed (S2119), and if the ending time has not elapsed (NO in S2119), the process ends. On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (YES in S2119), the jackpot end flag is turned OFF (S2120), and the game status setting process (S2121) described below is performed. Then, the jackpot flag is turned OFF (S2122), the special symbol operation status is set to "1" (S2123), and the process ends. As a result, in the next interrupt process, the special symbol standby process (S1102) is executed again as the special symbol operation process (S207). The game control microcomputer 81 that executes the above special electric device processing 1 (S1108) can be said to function as a "special game execution means."

[Game Status Setting Process]
As shown in FIG. 34, in the game state setting process (S2121), first, it is determined whether or not the V flag is ON (S2201). The V flag is a flag that is turned ON in the specific area sensor detection process (FIG. 36) described later. Then, if the V flag is ON (YES in S2201), the probability variable flag is turned ON (S2202), the probability variable counter is set to "100" (S2203), the V flag is turned OFF (S2204), and the process proceeds to S2205. On the other hand, if the V flag is OFF (NO in S2201), the probability variable flag is not turned ON and the process proceeds to S2205. That is, in this pachinko game machine 1, whether or not the game state after the big win game is ended is determined based on whether or not the V flag is ON in this game state setting process.

In S2205, it is determined whether the jackpot game that has just finished (the jackpot game that has just been executed) is a 15R jackpot. If it is determined to be a 15R jackpot (YES in S2205), it is determined whether the 15R jackpot is a 15R third jackpot (S2206). If it is a 15R third jackpot (YES in S2206), the process ends. If it is not a 15R third jackpot, that is, if it is a 15R first, second, or fifth jackpot (NO in S2206), the time-saving flag is turned ON (S2207), and the time-saving counter is set to "100" (S2208), and the process ends. Here, if the current jackpot game is related to the 15R 1st jackpot or the 15R 5th jackpot, the game ball should pass through the specific area 39 (V passing) during the jackpot game and the V flag should be ON (YES in S2201), so the game state after the jackpot game ends in this case will be a high probability high base state. Also, if the current jackpot game is related to the 15R 2nd jackpot, the V should not have passed through and the V flag should not have been ON during the jackpot game (NO in S2201), so the game state after the jackpot game ends in this case will be a low probability high base state. Also, if the current jackpot game is related to the 15R 3rd jackpot, the V should not have passed through and the V flag should not have been ON during the jackpot game (NO in S2201), so the game state after the jackpot game ends in this case will be a low probability low base state.

On the other hand, if S2205 determines that the jackpot game that has ended (the jackpot game executed this time) is not a 15R jackpot, i.e., it is a 2R fourth jackpot (NO in S2205), it is determined whether or not the game state before the start of this jackpot game, i.e., the game state at the time of the 2R fourth jackpot, was in a time-saving state (S2209), and if it is determined that it was not in a time-saving state (NO in S2209), the processing ends without turning the time-saving flag ON. As a result, if the V flag is not turned ON in this jackpot game (NO in S2201), the game state after the jackpot game ends will be a low-probability low-base state, and if the V flag is turned ON in this jackpot game (YES in S2201), the game state after the jackpot game ends will be a high-probability low-base state.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S2209 that the game state at the time of the 2R 4th jackpot was in the time-saving state (YES in S2209), the time-saving flag is turned ON (S2207), the time-saving counter is set to "100" (S2208), and processing ends. As a result, if the V flag is not turned ON during this jackpot game (NO in S2201), the game state after the jackpot game ends will be a low-probability high-base state, and if the V flag is turned ON during this jackpot game (YES in S2201), the game state after the jackpot game ends will be a high-probability high-base state.

The high probability high base state, low probability high base state, and high probability low base state all end when one of the following conditions is met: the special pattern changes and displays 100 times, or the next jackpot occurs.

The reason for the process (S2209) of determining whether the game state before the start of the jackpot game for the 2R 4th jackpot is the time-saving state is to make the operating states of the time-saving function and high base function before and after the jackpot game the same as the state (conditions) when a small jackpot occurs. If these operating states were different for the 2R 4th jackpot and the small jackpot, even if it was difficult to recognize which win was generated based on the opening pattern of the large prize opening, it would be easy to determine which win was generated based on the subsequent game state (operating state of the time-saving function and high base function). This makes it difficult to distinguish between the 2R 4th jackpot and the small jackpot based on the opening pattern of the large prize opening, and also makes it difficult to distinguish based on the subsequent operating state of the time-saving function and high base generation function.

[Special Electric Device Processing 2 (Small Win Game)]
As shown in FIG. 35, in the special electric device processing 2 (S1109), first, it is determined whether the small win end flag is ON (S2301). The small win end flag is a flag indicating that the opening of the second large winning hole 35 has been completed in the small win game. If the small win end flag is not ON (NO in S2301), it is determined whether the second large winning hole 35 is being opened (S2302). If it is not being opened (NO in S2302), it is determined whether the time (timing) to open the large winning hole (first large winning hole 30 or second large winning hole 35) has arrived, that is, whether the time for the opening of the small win has passed and the time for the first opening has begun, or whether the time for the interval between multiple openings has passed and the time for the next opening has begun (S2303). If the result of the determination in S2303 is NO, the processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the judgment result of S2303 is YES, a V invalid period setting process (S2304) is performed, and then the process proceeds to S2305, where the second large prize device 36 is operated to open the second large prize opening 35 in accordance with the small prize opening pattern (see Figure 6).

In the V invalid period setting process (S2304), the period during which the second large winning opening 35 is open and the period after the second large winning opening 35 is closed during a small winning game is set as a period (second period) during which the detection of the game ball by the specific area sensor 39a is determined to be invalid. In addition, in this embodiment, the period other than the period determined as the valid period in the above-mentioned V valid period setting process (S2109) is set as the invalid period (second period). Therefore, in this V invalid period setting process, it is confirmed whether it is not a valid period, that is, whether it is set to an invalid period. Specifically, it is confirmed whether the V timer (provided in the RAM of the main control board 80), which measures the elapse of the V valid period by counting down, is set to "0" (i.e., a state without a valid period). If the V timer is not "0", the V timer is set to "0". It is also possible to set the V timer to "0" without checking whether the V timer is "0" or not, that is, to a state without a valid period. As a result, even if a V passes during a small win game, if the game state before the small win game starts is normal, the game state after the small win game ends will not transition to a high probability state. In this embodiment, the period other than the period set as the valid period in the V valid period setting process (S2109) described above is an invalid period, so the process of S2304 may be omitted.

If the second large prize opening 35 is open in S2302 (YES in S2302), it is determined whether the number of balls that entered the second large prize opening 35 during the two openings, i.e., the total number of game balls that entered during the two openings, has reached the specified maximum number of balls (10 in this embodiment) (S2306). If the specified number of balls has not been reached (NO in S2306), it is determined whether it is time to close the second large prize opening 35, i.e., whether a specified opening time (see FIG. 6) has elapsed since the second large prize opening 35 was opened (S2307). Then, if the opening time of the second large prize opening 35 has not elapsed (NO in S2307), the process ends.

On the other hand, if the number of balls entering the second large prize opening 35 during the two openings reaches the specified number (YES in S2306), the second large prize opening 35 is closed (S2314) and the process proceeds to the small prize end process of S2311. On the other hand, if it is determined in S2307 that the opening time of the second large prize opening 35 has elapsed (YES in S2307), the second large prize opening 35 is closed (S2308). Then, the value of the small prize opening counter is decremented by 1 (S2309), and it is determined whether the value of the small prize opening counter is "0" or not (S2310). If it is determined in S2310 that the value is not "0" (NO in S2310), the process ends as it is in order to start the next opening.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S2310 that the count is "0" (YES in S2310), the process proceeds to the small win end process in S2311. In S2311, as the small win end process that ends the small win game, a small win ending command is set (S2311) and the small win ending presentation is started (S2312). Then, the small win end flag is set (S2313) and the process ends. The small win opening counter becomes "0" when the second large winning port 35 is opened twice.

In S2301, if the small win end flag is ON (YES in S2301), two releases have been completed, so it is determined whether the small win ending time has elapsed (S2315), and if the ending time has not elapsed (NO in S2315), processing ends. On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (YES in S2315), the small win end flag is turned OFF (S2316), the small win flag is turned OFF (S2317), and the special symbol operation status is set to "1" (S2318), and processing ends. As a result, in the next interrupt processing, the special symbol standby processing (S1102) will be executed again as the special symbol operation processing (S207).

The probability of winning or time-saving flag is not switched from ON to OFF when the small win game starts. Furthermore, the game state setting process (S2121, FIG. 36) is not performed when the small win game ends. In other words, in this pachinko game machine 1, the game state does not change before and after the small win game is executed. The game control microcomputer 81 that executes the above special electric device process 2 (S1109) can be said to function as a "small-profit special game execution means."

[Specific area sensor detection process]
As shown in FIG. 11, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a specific area sensor detection process (S208) following the special chart operation process (S207). As shown in FIG. 36, in the specific area sensor detection process (S208), first, it is determined whether or not a game ball has been detected by the specific area sensor 39a (S2401), and if it is determined that there is no detection (NO in S2401), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is detection in S2401 (YES in S2401), it is determined whether or not it is during the V valid period (S2402). The V valid period is a period set in the V valid period setting process (S2109) in the special electric role process 1 (S1108) described above. In this embodiment, the V valid period is set in the first and second rounds of the big win game.

If it is determined in S2402 that the V is in the valid period (YES in S2402), the V flag is turned ON (S2403) and it is determined whether the currently active jackpot game is a 2R jackpot (2R fourth jackpot) or not (S2404). If it is determined that it is not a 2R jackpot (NO in S2404), that is, if it is a 15R jackpot, the first V pass command is set (S2405) and processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is a 2R jackpot (YES in S2404), the second V pass command is set (S2406) and processing ends. The CPU of the main control board 80 transmits this V pass command to the sub-control board 90 at a predetermined timing, and the sub-control board 90 executes a game presentation in the presentation pattern display area or the like depending on the type of V pass command received.

Also, if it is determined in S2402 that the V valid period is not in progress (NO in S2402), the third V passing command is set (S2407) without turning the V flag ON, and processing ends. The first V passing command is a command for causing the sub-control board 90 to perform V passing notification control. In contrast, the second V passing command and the third V passing command are commands for not causing the sub-control board 90 to perform V passing notification control in principle. In addition, the game control microcomputer 81 functions as a means for switching between valid and invalid passing of the game ball into the specific area 39 (specific area state switching means) by executing such specific area sensor detection processing (S208) and V valid period setting processing (S2109).

[Reserved ball count processing]
As shown in FIG. 11, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the reserved ball number process (S209) following the specific area sensor detection process (S208). As shown in FIG. 37, in the reserved ball number process (S209), first, the reserved ball number of special pattern 1, the reserved ball number of special pattern 2, and the reserved ball number of normal pattern stored in the RAM of the main control board 80 are read (S2501). Next, the reserved ball number data (reserved ball number command for transmitting the reserved ball number information to the sub-control board 90, etc.) is set in the output buffer of the RAM (S2502). This reserved ball number data (reserved ball number command) is output by the output process (S201) in the next interrupt process (S105), and the reserved ball number data (reserved ball number command) is set in the output buffer (S2502) and output process (S201) are performed sequentially for each interrupt process.

When the sub-control unit 90 receives this reserved ball number command and determines that the number of reserved balls for the special chart has increased or decreased based on the received reserved ball number command, it updates the display contents of the performance reserved display area (first performance reserved display area 9c, second performance reserved display area 9d) on the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 accordingly. Specifically, for example, when the number of reserved balls for the special chart 1 increases by one from "3" to "4", the first performance reserved 9a corresponding to the increased number of reserved balls for the special chart 1, "4", is additionally displayed in the first performance reserved display area 9c. Also, when the number of reserved balls for the special chart 1 decreases by one from "2" to "1" (that is, when the first special chart reservation is consumed), the first performance reserved 9a displayed at the left end of the first performance reserved display area 9c (the part corresponding to the number of reserved balls for the special chart 1, "1", see FIG. 3) is erased, or moved to the variable reserved display area (not shown) and displayed, and accordingly the first performance reserved 9a displayed in the first performance reserved display area 9c is moved (shifted) by one to the left. On the other hand, the display contents of the second performance hold 9b (second special chart hold) can be updated in the same way as the first performance hold 9a (first special chart hold).

The data on the number of reserved balls for the special pattern when the number of reserved balls for the special pattern is added, i.e., the data on the number of reserved balls for the special pattern when a starting ball is entered (starting winning), may be included in the starting ball entry command described above, or a reserved ball number command indicating the number of reserved balls for the special pattern after the addition (after the starting ball is entered) may be set in the output buffer together with the starting ball entry command. The data on the number of reserved balls for the special pattern when the number of reserved balls for the special pattern is subtracted, i.e., the data on the number of reserved balls for the special pattern when the special pattern starts to change (the reserved special pattern is consumed), may be included in the change start command described above, or a reserved ball number command indicating the number of reserved balls for the special pattern after the subtraction (after the reserved special pattern is consumed) may be set in the output buffer together with the change start command.

[Power off monitoring process]
As shown in Fig. 11, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the reserved ball count process (S209) followed by the power off monitoring process (S210). As shown in Fig. 38, in the power off monitoring process (S210), first, it is determined whether or not a power off signal has been input (S2601), and if there is no input (NO in S2601), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is a power off signal input (YES in S2601), data regarding the current state of the gaming machine (whether or not it is in a special mode, whether or not it is a winning game, how many reserved balls there are, how many times the special mode/time reduction mode is left, etc.) is stored in the RAM (S2602), the power off flag is turned ON (S2603), and then the loop process is performed without returning to the interrupt process (Fig. 11).

[Sub-control main processing]
Next, the operation of the performance control microcomputer 91 (control processing by the sub-control unit 90) will be described with reference to Figs. 39 to 51. The counters, flags, status, buffers, timers, etc., which appear in the description of the operation of the performance control microcomputer 91, are provided in the RAM of the sub-control board 90 (sub-control unit). When the power supply of the pachinko game machine 1 is turned on, the performance control microcomputer 91 provided in the sub-control board 90 reads out the program of the sub-control main processing shown in Fig. 39 from the ROM of the sub-control board 90 and executes it. As shown in the figure, in the sub-control main processing, first, a CPU initialization process is performed (S4001). In the CPU initialization process (S4001), stack setting, constant setting, CPU 92 setting, SIO, PIO, CTC (interrupt time controller), etc. are set, and various flags, statuses, and counters are reset.

Next, in S4002, it is determined whether the power-off signal is ON and the contents of the RAM of the sub-control board 90 are normal (S4002). If the result of this determination is NO (NO in S4002), the RAM of the sub-control board 90 is initialized (S4003) and the process proceeds to S4004. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is YES (YES in S4002), the RAM of the sub-control board 90 is not initialized and the process proceeds to S4004. In other words, if the power-off signal is not ON, or if the power-off signal is ON but the contents of the RAM are not normal (NO in S4002), the RAM of the sub-control board 90 is initialized, but if the power-off signal is ON due to a power outage or the like but the contents of the RAM are maintained normal (YES in S4002), the RAM is not initialized and information is restored based on the data backed up in the RAM. When the RAM is initialized, various flags, statuses, and counter values are reset.

Note that S4001 to S4003 are executed only once after power is turned on (when power is turned on), and are not executed thereafter. In this embodiment 1, the performance control microcomputer 91 also performs processing similar to the power interruption monitoring processing (S209) by the game control microcomputer 81 shown in FIG. 11, and when the power interruption signal is turned ON due to a power interruption or the like, data related to the performance control at that time is stored in the RAM of the sub-control board 90. In other words, data related to the performance control at the time of a power interruption such as a power interruption is backed up. Therefore, when power is turned on after recovery from a power interruption such as a power interruption (when power is restored), the state of the performance control by the performance control microcomputer 91 will return to the state before the power interruption occurred, unless the RAM of the sub-control board 90 is initialized (S4003).

In S4004, interrupts are prohibited. Next, a random number seed update process is executed (S4005). In the random number seed update process (S4005), the values of various random number counters for determining effects are updated. The updated random number counter values are stored sequentially in a predetermined update value memory area (not shown) of the RAM of the sub-control board 90. The random numbers for determining effects include a random number for determining a variable effect that determines the mode (variable effect pattern) of the effect pattern game effect to be executed, a random number for determining a preview effect that determines a preview effect, and a random number for determining an effect pattern that determines an effect pattern. The method of updating the random numbers can be the same as the random number update process performed by the main control board 80 described above. Note that when updating the random numbers, the random number values may be added by 2 instead of by 1. The random numbers for determining effects are obtained at a predetermined timing. This timing can be, for example, when a control signal (start ball entry command) is sent from the main control board 80 notifying that a start ball has been entered, when a control signal (start ball entry command) is sent from the main control board 80 notifying the start of a fluctuation (start fluctuation command), or when a fluctuation performance pattern, which will be described later, is determined. The acquired random number for determining the performance is stored in a predetermined random number counter value storage area (not shown) in the RAM of the sub-control board 90.

When the random number seed update process (S4005) is completed, the command transmission process is executed (S4006). In the command transmission process, various commands (control signals) stored in the output buffer (also called the "sub output buffer") in the RAM of the sub-control board 90 are transmitted to the control board that is the corresponding command transmission destination among the image control board 100, the voice control board 106, and the lamp control board 107. Each control board (each control unit) that receives the command executes various effects (such as effect pattern game effects and special game effects related to jackpot games) using various effect devices (such as the image display device 7, the speaker 67, the board lamp 5, the frame lamp 66, and the movable decorative member 14) according to the received command. The effect control microcomputer 91 then permits interruption (S4007). Thereafter, S4004 to S4007 are looped. While interrupts are enabled, it is possible to execute the receive interrupt process (S4008), the 2 ms timer interrupt process (S4009), and the 10 ms timer interrupt process (S4010). By executing these control processes, it is possible to control the display of the performance patterns executed on the display screen 7a (performance pattern display area 7b) of the image display device 7, control the lighting of various lamps, control the operation of the movable decorative members, and control the sound output from the speaker.

[Receive interrupt processing]
In the reception interrupt process (S4008), as shown in FIG. 40, it is determined whether the strobe signal (STB signal) is ON, that is, whether the strobe signal sent from the main control board 80 has been input to the external INT input section of the performance control microcomputer 91 (S4101). If it is determined in S4101 that the strobe signal is not ON (NO in S4101), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S4101 that the strobe signal is ON (YES in S4101), the various commands sent from the main control board 80 are stored in the RAM of the sub-control board 90 (S4102), and the process is terminated. This reception interrupt process (S4008) is executed in priority to other interrupt processes (S4009, S4010).

[2ms timer interrupt processing]
The 2 ms timer interrupt process (S4009) is a process executed every time an interrupt pulse with a 2 msec period is input to the sub-control board 90. As shown in FIG. 41, in the 2 ms timer interrupt process (S4009), first, an input process is performed to create switch data (edge data and level data) based on the detection signal from the performance button detection switches 63c and 63d (S4201). Next, a lamp data output process (S4202) is performed to output lamp data for illuminating lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the panel lamp 5, and a drive data output process (S4203) is performed to output drive data for driving the movable decorative member 14 (electrical drive source). The lamp data and drive data are created in the 10 ms timer interrupt process described later. Then, a watchdog timer process is performed to reset the watchdog timer (S4204).

[10 ms timer interrupt processing]
The 10 ms timer interrupt process (S4010) is a process executed every time an interrupt pulse with a 10 msec period is input to the sub-control board 90. As shown in FIG. 42, in the 10 ms timer interrupt process (S4010), first, a first presentation mode setting process (S4301) is performed, which will be described later. In the first presentation mode setting process (S4301), a predetermined presentation mode is selected from a plurality of presentation modes (also called "game modes") based on a predetermined trigger, and the selected presentation mode is set. As will be described later in detail, these plurality of presentation modes differ in part or all of the display modes of the game presentation displayed on the display screen, in part or all of the display patterns of the LEDs, etc., and in part or all of the sound patterns output from the speaker. Next, a received command analysis process (S4302), which will be described later, is performed. Next, a switch state acquisition process is performed in which the switch data created in the 2 ms timer interrupt process is stored in the RAM of the sub-control board 90 as switch data for 10 ms timer interrupt process (S4303), and a switch process is performed to set the display contents of the display screen 7a, etc. based on the switch data stored in the switch state acquisition process (S4304). After that, other processes are performed, such as creating lamp data (data for controlling the lighting of the panel lamps 5 and frame lamps 66) and updating the random numbers for determining effects (S4305).

[Received command analysis process]
Next, the received command analysis process (S4302) will be described with reference to Figures 43 and 44. In the received command analysis process (S4302), first, it is determined whether or not a start-entry command has been received from the main control board 80 (S4401). If it is determined that a start-entry command has not been received (NO in S4401), the process proceeds to S4404. If it is determined that a start-entry command has been received (YES in S4401), the process proceeds to S4402, whereupon a performance hold information storage process is performed, a pre-determination process is performed (S4403), and the process proceeds to S4404. The effect pending information storage process (S4402) stores various information (game information such as pre-determination results, random number values for determining the type of jackpot, fluctuation pattern random number values, fluctuation pattern information, etc.) contained in the start ball entry command received in S4401 (special ball entry command for special symbol 1 or special ball entry command for special symbol 2) in a shift memory format in a predetermined effect pending information storage area of the RAM of the sub-control board 90 according to the type of special pattern (first special pattern, second special pattern) and the number of special balls pending at the time of sending and receiving the start ball entry command (at the time of command generation).

For example, if the received start ball entry command is a special chart 1 start ball entry command corresponding to the reserved ball number "4" of special chart 1, the information such as the preliminary judgment result and the hit type contained in the special chart 1 start ball entry command is stored as special chart 1 performance reserved information in the area corresponding to the reserved number 4 in the special chart 1 performance reserved information storage area. The performance reserved information stored in this way is used to execute various performances such as variable performances, preview performances, and performance modes, which will be described later. The memory contents (performance reserved information) of the performance reserved information storage area in the sub-control board 90 are consistent with the memory contents (acquired information) of the special chart reserved memory section (first special chart reserved memory section, second special chart reserved memory section) in the main control board (main control section) 80 described above. For this reason, the performance reserved information storage area of the sub-control board 90 can also be called the "acquired information storage means." The means for making a judgment based on the acquired information in this sub-control board (sub-control section) is also called the "judgment execution means." The pre-determination process (S4403) is a process for pre-determining the various information stored in the effect pending information storage process, and executing a game effect (pre-effect) based on the results of the pre-determination in conjunction with a variable display prior to the variable display related to the various information. The means for making a pre-determination based on the various information (acquired information) in this sub-control board (sub-control unit) is also referred to as the "pre-determination means."

Next, in S4404, it is determined whether or not a fluctuation start command has been received from the main control board 80 (S4404), and if it is determined that a fluctuation start command has been received (YES in S4404), then a fluctuation performance start process (S4405) is performed, and processing proceeds to S4406. On the other hand, if it is determined that a fluctuation start command has not been received (NO in S4404), processing proceeds to S4406 without performing the fluctuation performance start process. In S4406, it is determined whether or not a fluctuation stop command has been received from the main control board 80 (S4406), and if it is determined that a fluctuation stop command has been received (YES in S4406), a fluctuation performance end process is performed to stop the display of the performance pattern and end the fluctuation performance (S4407), and processing proceeds to S4408. On the other hand, if it is determined that a fluctuation stop command has not been received (NO in S4406), processing proceeds to S4408 without performing the fluctuation performance end process.

Here, in the variable performance end process (S4407), a variable performance end command is set in the sub-output buffer to stop the display of the performance pattern 8 and end the variable performance. When the set variable performance end command is sent to the image control board 100 by the command sending process (S4006), the image control microcomputer 101 stops the display of the performance pattern 8 that was being displayed on the display screen 7a of the image display device 7, and ends the variable performance (performance pattern game performance). Note that variable performance refers to various performances that are performed in conjunction with the variable display of the special pattern.

Next, in S4408, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game-related command has been received from the main control board 80 (S4408). Here, a jackpot game-related command is a command sent from the main control board 80 when a jackpot game is executed, and specifically, it corresponds to an opening command sent at the start of a jackpot game (occurrence of a jackpot), a round start command sent at the start of a round, a round end command sent at the end of a round, an ending command sent at the end of a jackpot game, etc. In S4408, it is determined whether or not any of these jackpot game-related commands has been received (S4408), and if it is determined that a jackpot game-related command has been received (YES in S4408), a jackpot game-related performance process is performed according to the type of the received command (S4409), and the process proceeds to S4410.

In the jackpot game-related performance processing, for example, if the received command is an opening command, an opening performance command that specifies an opening performance according to the type of jackpot specified based on the command is set in the sub-output buffer; if the received command is a round start command, a round performance command that specifies a round performance according to the round specified based on the command is set in the sub-output buffer; if the received command is an ending command, an ending performance command that specifies an ending performance according to the type of jackpot specified based on the command is set in the sub-output buffer. When these various performance commands related to the jackpot that have been set are sent to the image control board 100 by the command sending process (S4006), the image control microcomputer 101 executes performances related to the jackpot game, such as opening performances and round performances, on the display screen 7a of the image display device 7 in accordance with the progress of the jackpot game.

S4409 is a process that is executed when any of the commands related to the jackpot game described above is received (for example, when an opening command is received) (a process that is executed when a jackpot occurs). S4410 performs other processes based on received commands other than the various commands described above (for example, a normal symbol change start command or a normal symbol change stop command) (S4410).

[Sound effects]
Next, we will explain the sound effect presentation, which is one of the game presentations of this pachinko game machine. This pachinko game machine stores a wide variety of game presentations, such as a game presentation that is executed when a game ball enters a predetermined ball entrance, a game presentation that is executed in conjunction with the variable display of patterns (special patterns, presentation patterns, normal patterns), a game presentation that is executed in conjunction with a big win game or a small win game, and a game presentation (demonstration presentation) that is executed when not playing, and when a predetermined execution condition set for each is established, a game presentation corresponding to the established execution condition is executed. By making it possible to execute such a wide variety of game presentations, it is possible to prevent a player from getting bored with the game even if he plays for a long time, and to increase the interest in the game.

The pachinko game machine of this embodiment has a function in which the probability (ease of ball entry) of a game ball entering a plurality of ball entry ports changes depending on the game situation. In response to this change in the game situation, when a game ball enters a corresponding ball entry port, a special sound effect (special game sound, game performance sound) is output, thereby increasing interest in the game. Specifically, there is a first start port 20 and a second start port 21, and in a first game situation (low probability low base state), the probability of a game ball entering the first start port is higher than the probability of a game ball entering the second start port. In other words, in the first game situation, it is easier for a player to enter the ball into the first start port than into the second start port.

In addition, in the second game situation (high probability high base state), the probability of the game ball entering the second start port is higher than the probability of the game ball entering the first start port. In other words, in the second game situation, it is easier for the player to enter the ball into the second start port than the first start port. In addition, in the third game situation (low probability high base state), the probability of the game ball entering the second start port is higher than the probability of the game ball entering the first start port. In other words, in the third game situation, it is easier for the player to enter the ball into the second start port than the first start port. In addition, in the fourth game situation (high probability low base state), the probability of the game ball entering the first start port is higher than the probability of the game ball entering the second start port. In other words, in the fourth game situation, it is easier for the player to enter the ball into the first start port than the second start port.

In this way, the pachinko game machine of this embodiment has a function that changes the relative probability (ease of a ball entering) of a game ball entering the first starting hole 20 and the second starting hole 21 depending on the game situation (game state). The function that changes the probability of a ball entering in this way is also called a ball entry possibility control means.

More specifically, in the first game situation (low probability low base state, first ball entry possibility state) in which it is easier to enter the first starting hole than the second starting hole, when the ball enters the second starting hole, which is a difficult ball entry hole, a special sound effect (special game sound) that is not output when the ball enters the first starting hole, which is an easy ball entry hole, is output (game sound output means). Specifically, a sound effect (special game sound) of "That one is more difficult! Amazing!" is output. Since players usually play by continuously firing about 100 game balls per minute, it is difficult for them to notice that the ball enters the second starting hole, which is rarely entered (low chance of entering the ball). Therefore, when the ball enters such a relatively difficult ball entry hole, the fact is notified at a specific timing, thereby increasing the interest in the game. In addition, based on the ball entry, it is possible to increase the expectation of a big win game with respect to the result of the variable display corresponding to the ball entry.

In addition, in the first game situation, even if the ball enters the first starting hole, which is easier to enter, the special sound effect (special game sound) described above is not output. In the first game situation, if the ball enters the second starting hole, which is a difficult ball entry hole in the first game situation, a special sound effect (special game sound) is output, but if the ball enters the first starting hole, which is an easy ball entry hole in the first game situation, a special sound effect (special game sound) is not output.

In this embodiment, the output timing (alert timing) of the special sound effect is the timing of the ball entering (when the ball enters), but this is not limited to this timing. For example, since which entry port (first entry port or second entry port) the ball entered is stored for each pending information, the output timing of the special sound effect may be the start (when the change starts) of the variable display of the special pattern (performance pattern) based on the ball entering (entering a difficult entry port). In such a case, a special sound effect such as "We're going to start changing the display for rare balls now!" is output. This allows the player to recognize that the variable display based on the ball entering an entry port different from the usual one is about to begin, and makes it possible to increase the player's anticipation of a big win game based on the variable display that is about to begin.

In contrast, the third game situation (low probability high base state, third ball entry possibility state) is a game situation in which it is easier to enter the second starting hole than the first starting hole. In the third game situation, when the ball enters the first starting hole, a special sound effect (special game sound) that is not output when the ball enters the second starting hole is output (game sound output means). Specifically, a sound effect (special game sound) of "That one is the more difficult one! Amazing!" is output. This makes it possible to heighten interest in the game and to heighten expectations for a jackpot game based on the result of the variable display corresponding to the ball entering the difficult ball entry hole (first starting hole).

In addition, in the third game situation, even if the ball lands in the second starting hole, which is easier to enter, the above-mentioned special sound effect (special game sound) is not output. In the third game situation, if the ball lands in the first starting hole, which is a difficult ball entry hole in the third game situation, a special sound effect (special game sound) is output, but if the ball lands in the second starting hole, which is an easy ball entry hole in the third game situation, a special sound effect (special game sound) is not output. The above-mentioned first and third game situations aim to increase the player's sense of anticipation by outputting a special sound effect when the ball lands in a difficult ball entry hole.

In addition, in this embodiment, there is a second game situation (high probability high base state, second ball entry possibility state) different from the first game situation and the third game situation described above, and in this game situation, no special sound effect (special game sound) is output even if the ball enters either the difficult entry ball gate or the easy entry ball gate. The second game situation (high probability high base state, second ball entry possibility state) is a game situation in which it is easier to enter the second start gate than the first start gate. In the second game situation, the above-mentioned special sound effect (special game sound) is not output even if the ball enters the first start gate or the second start gate. As a result, there is a situation in which a special sound effect is not necessarily output even if the ball enters an entry gate (start gate) with a high degree of difficulty. This diversifies the correspondence between the game situation and the special sound effect, increasing the interest in the game. In addition, it is possible to give a sense of incongruity to the performance (sound effect) and increase the interest in the game.

In addition, in this embodiment, there is a fourth game situation (high probability low base state, fourth ball entry possibility state) that is different from the first game situation, the second game situation, and the third game situation described above. The fourth game situation is a situation in which it is easier to enter the first starting hole than the second starting hole. This game situation is the least feasible game situation compared to the first game situation, the second game situation, and the third game situation. In such a game situation with low feasibility, a special sound effect is output when the ball enters the first starting hole, which is easy to enter, and a special sound effect is not output when the ball enters the second starting hole, which is more difficult to enter than the first starting hole (lower ball entry possibility). This makes it possible to have a situation in which special sound effects are likely to occur and to increase interest in the game. In addition, if it is too easy to output special sound effects, the expectation for the special sound effects will be reduced, so this function is adopted in such a game situation that is less likely to occur compared to other game situations. Furthermore, having this fourth game situation in addition to the first or third game situation has a significant effect.

In this embodiment, in a specified game situation (game state), if a first jackpot occurs and the game ball does not pass through a specific area during the jackpot game (first specific condition is met), the first game situation (low probability low base state) is executed (set). The first game situation (low probability low base state) is also executed (set) after the power is turned on with RAM clear (initialization of game information) (first specific condition is met). The first game situation (low probability low base state) is also executed (set) if the result of the variable display a specified number of times in succession in the high base state is a miss (first specific condition is met).

In addition, in a specified game situation (game state), if a second jackpot occurs and the game ball passes through a specific area during jackpot play (the second specific condition is met), a second game situation (high probability, high base state) is executed (set). In addition, in a specified game situation (game state), if a third jackpot occurs and the game ball does not pass through a specific area during jackpot play (the third specific condition is met), a third game situation (low probability, high base state) is executed (set). In addition, in a specified game situation (game state), if a fourth jackpot occurs and the game ball passes through a specific area during jackpot play (the second specific condition is met), a fourth game situation (high probability, low base state) is executed (set).

In this embodiment, the timing of the change in the game situation (the establishment of the first to fourth specific conditions) is when the game state changes, but this is not limited to this. In the same (identical) game state, the game situation may be changed when a specific condition is established (for example, winning a specific random number lottery) without going through a jackpot, and the relative probability (ease of entry) of a game ball into the first ball entry port and the second ball entry port may be changed. The first ball entry port and the second ball entry port may be the first start port and the second start port, or a ball entry port separate from these start ports may be provided. In addition, at least one of the first ball entry port and the second ball entry port must be a variable ball entry port that can be changed between an open state and a closed state in which the probability of a game ball entering is lower than in the open state. In addition, both ball entry ports may be variable ball entry ports.

In addition, in this embodiment, the special sound effects that can be output in the first, second, and fourth game situations are common sound effects (for example, "That's the more difficult one! Amazing!"). This is not limiting, and special sound effects with different audio content (first special sound effect, second special sound effect, third special sound effect) may be output depending on each game situation.

In addition, in this embodiment, a special sound effect is output depending on the game situation, such as when the ball enters a difficult-to-enter ball hole, but in addition to or instead of the special sound effect, lamp control with a special lighting mode may be executed. Whether or not lamp control with a special lighting mode is executed is the same as for the special sound effect.

The special sound effect may be output at a louder volume than normal. This allows the player to be sure that a special sound effect has been output, enhancing interest in the game. For example, in the first game situation, the volume of the music that is output together with the variable display when the ball lands in the second starting hole is set to be louder than the volume of the music that is output together with the variable display when the ball lands in the first starting hole. The device also has a volume adjustment means that can adjust these volumes.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a game ball enters an entrance that is associated with a special sound effect depending on the game situation, a special sound effect is always output. Alternatively, a special sound effect may be output at a predetermined rate when a game ball enters an entrance that is associated with a special sound effect. In other words, when a game ball enters an entrance that is associated with a special sound effect, a special sound effect may or may not be output. This reduces the frequency with which special sound effects occur, making them rarer and significantly increasing the player's sense of anticipation when they occur.

In addition, the first specific condition may be satisfied when the high base state ends, the second specific condition may be satisfied when a special jackpot occurs, the third specific condition may be satisfied when a normal jackpot occurs, and the fourth specific condition may be satisfied when a latent special jackpot occurs.

[Player Selection Presentation]
Next, the player selection effect, which is one of the game effects of the pachinko game machine of this embodiment, will be explained using Figures 45 and 46. In the pachinko game machine of this embodiment, a predetermined game sound (game music, game effect sound) is output in association with the game (variable display of effect symbols), and a predetermined game image (game effect image) is displayed together with the game sound to increase the player's expectation of a big win and increase the interest in the game. This player selection effect is an effect in which the player can arbitrarily select and decide one or both of the game sounds and/or game images based on the establishment of a predetermined condition.

In the specified presentation state (first presentation state, initial state) after power is turned on, predetermined game sounds are output and predetermined game images are displayed in conjunction with the changing display of the presentation symbols. In this first presentation state, the player cannot select either the game sounds (game music) or the game images (game presentation images).

In addition, in another presentation state (second presentation state), the player can select from a number of game sounds (game music) to be output in conjunction with the varying display of the presentation symbols by operating the presentation button. In addition, in this presentation state, regardless of which of the multiple game sounds is selected, the game image displayed on the display screen in conjunction with the selected game sound is a common game image. In this second presentation state, the game sound can be selected from the game sounds (game music) and game images (game presentation images), and the game image that is executed is a common (common game image, common game presentation image). When such a presentation state is executed, the player can output his/her preferred game sound in conjunction with the game, which increases the interest in the game.

In addition, in yet another presentation state (third presentation state), the game sound (game music) output in conjunction with the variable display of the presentation pattern can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of game sounds by the player operating the presentation button. In addition, in this presentation state, depending on which of the plurality of game sounds is selected, the game image displayed on the display screen in conjunction with the selected game sound differs. For example, when game music A is selected as the game sound, game image A is displayed in conjunction with (in parallel with) the output of the game music A, and when game music B is selected, game image B is displayed in conjunction with (in parallel with) the output of the game music B. In this third presentation state, the game sound can be selected from among the game sound (game music) and the game image (game presentation image), and the game image to be executed is individual (individual game image, individual game presentation image) for each selected game sound. When such a presentation state is executed, the player can output the game sound of his choice in conjunction with the game, which enhances the interest in the game. Furthermore, the game images executed according to the selected game sounds are different (the combinations are fixed), which prevents players from getting bored of the game and increases interest in the game. The means for selecting one game sound from multiple game sounds is called a "game sound selection means (game performance sound selection means)."

In addition, in yet another presentation state (fourth presentation state), the player can arbitrarily select from a plurality of game images the game image (game presentation image) to be displayed on the display screen in association with the variable display of the presentation symbol by operating the presentation button. In addition, in this presentation state, regardless of which of the plurality of game images is selected, the game sound (game music) output from the speaker (sound output means) in association with the selected game image is a common game sound. In this fourth presentation state, the game image can be selected from the game sound (game music) and the game image (game presentation image), and the game sound output is common (common game sound, common game presentation sound). When such a presentation state is executed, the player can display a game image of his choice in association with the game, which enhances the interest in the game. The means for selecting one game image from a plurality of game images is called a "game image selection means (game presentation image selection means)."

In addition, in yet another presentation state (fifth presentation state), the player can arbitrarily select from a plurality of game images the game image (game presentation image) displayed on the display screen in association with the variable display of the presentation pattern by operating the presentation button. In addition, in this presentation state, depending on which of the plurality of game images is selected, the game sound output from the speaker in association with the selected game image differs. For example, when game image C is selected as the game image, game sound C is output in association with (in parallel with) the display of game image C, and when game image D is selected, game sound D is output in association with (in parallel with) the output of game image D. In this fifth presentation state, the game image can be selected from among game sounds (game music) and game images (game presentation images), and the game sound output is individual (individual game sound, individual game presentation sound) for each selected game image. When such a presentation state is executed, the player can display a game image of his choice in association with the game, which enhances the game interest. Furthermore, the game sounds that are played vary depending on the game image selected (the combinations are fixed), preventing players from becoming bored with the game and increasing interest in it.

In addition, in yet another presentation state (sixth presentation state), the player can select both the game image (game presentation image) displayed on the display screen in conjunction with the variable display of the presentation pattern, and the game sound (game music) output from the speaker by operating the presentation button. In addition, the game image can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of game images, the game sound can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of game sounds, and the combination of game images and game sounds can also be arbitrarily selected (game image A with game sound A, game image A with game sound B, etc.). In this sixth presentation state, both the game sound (game music) and the game image (game presentation image) can be individually selected, and the individually selected game sounds and game images are executed in parallel. When such a presentation state is executed, the player can display his/her favorite game sounds and game images in conjunction with the game, which increases the interest in the game. Furthermore, the combination of game sounds and game images can be set to your liking, preventing players from becoming bored with the game and increasing their interest in it.

In this embodiment, when the game ball enters the starting hole (first starting hole or second starting hole) (at the ball entry timing), the random number acquisition means for effect selection (effect selection means) in the sub-controller acquires a random number value for effect selection (random number range: 0 to 199). As shown in FIG. 45, depending on the acquired random number value, a different game effect (selected effect) is executed (including the case where no effect is executed).

Specifically, if the acquired random number value for effect selection is between 0 and 159 (first condition is met), the execution state of the player-selected effect currently being executed (or not being executed) is maintained. In other words, if the player-selected effect is not being executed, it is not executed. If it is in a specified effect state (e.g., the fifth effect state), that effect state is maintained (continuation pattern). Also, if the acquired random number value for effect selection is between 160 and 168 (second condition is met), the execution state of the effect is set to the first effect state (initial state) in which a predetermined game sound/game image is executed at a specified timing (e.g., at a specified timing during the executing variable display or at the start of the next variable display) (non-selection pattern).

If the acquired random number value for effect selection is 169 to 178 (third condition is met, second game condition), the active effect state is set to a second effect state in which the player can select a game sound and a common game image is executed at a predetermined timing (for example, a predetermined timing during the active variable display or at the start of the next variable display) (game sound selection pattern 1). If the acquired random number value for effect selection is 179 to 183 (fourth condition is met, first game condition), the active effect state is set to a third effect state in which the player can select a game sound and an individual game image is executed according to the selected game sound at a predetermined timing (for example, a predetermined timing during the active variable display or at the start of the next variable display).

If the acquired random number value for effect selection is between 184 and 193 (the fifth condition is met), the active effect state is set to a fourth effect state in which the player can select a game image and a common game sound is executed at a predetermined timing (for example, a predetermined timing during the active variable display or at the start of the next variable display) (game image selection pattern 1). If the acquired random number value for effect selection is between 194 and 198 (the sixth condition is met), the active effect state is set to a fifth effect state in which the player can select a game image and an individual game sound is executed according to the selected game image at a predetermined timing (for example, a predetermined timing during the active variable display or at the start of the next variable display).

In addition, if the acquired random number value for effect selection is 199 (seventh condition is met), the active effect state is set to a sixth effect state (game sound/game image selection pattern 1) in which the player can select both game sounds and game images individually at a predetermined timing (for example, a predetermined timing during the active variable display or at the start of the next variable display). Also, as shown in FIG. 45, the more diverse the combination of game sounds and game images, the lower the possibility of execution is set. This makes it possible to increase interest in the game the more interesting the player-selected effect (for example, the third, fifth, or sixth effect state) is executed.

Next, an example of a player selection effect being executed will be explained using a time chart in FIG. 46. The period t1 shown in FIG. 46 is a predetermined period after the power is turned on, during which the effect state is set to the first effect state. This t1 period is a change period during which an effect selection lottery is executed for each variable display. The effect selection lottery is a lottery that determines the selection pattern of game sounds and game images to be executed using the effect selection random number value obtained based on the starting ball entry and the effect selection random number table shown in FIG. 45.

In the 50th variation (predetermined number of variations) after the start of period t1, game sound selection pattern 1 is selected (the third condition is met, and the second game condition is met). Then, in the next variation display (the 51st variation, a predetermined period has elapsed since the winning of the variation selection lottery), the first presentation state is set to the second presentation state. The second presentation state continues for a predetermined period (e.g., the period of 30 variation displays) after the state is set, and during this period, the player can use the presentation button to arbitrarily select (decide) a game sound (game music). Note that the presentation selection lottery is also executed for each variation display until game sound selection pattern 1 is selected (until the third condition is met), and the result of the presentation selection lottery is that the continuation pattern or the non-selection pattern is selected.

In addition, there is a non-changeable period during period t2 after the start of the second presentation state during which the presentation selection lottery is not executed (the selected presentation state is maintained). In this embodiment, the non-changeable period lasts until 50 variable displays have been executed after the start of the second presentation state. This prevents a situation in which the first presentation state or another presentation state is quickly set even though the second presentation state has been executed and a preferred game sound (music) has been set, and prevents a decrease in interest in the game. This also makes it possible to maintain a set state such as the second presentation state for a certain amount of time.

When the non-change period ends (from the 101st variable display), the change period begins, during which a performance selection lottery is executed. In the example shown in FIG. 46, game sound selection pattern 2 is selected in the performance selection lottery for the 116th variable display (the fourth condition is met, and the first game condition is met). In addition, the continuation pattern is selected in the performance selection lottery executed from the 101st to 115th variable displays (the second condition is met).

Then, at the next change display (the 117th change, a predetermined period of time has passed since winning the effect selection lottery), the third effect state is set. After the third effect state is set, a game sound selection period of a predetermined period is set, and while this period continues, the player can use the effect button to arbitrarily select (decide) a game sound (game music). Note that in this embodiment, the game sound selection period (game image selection, game sound/game image selection period) is set to the same length for all effect states.

In addition, the period t3 after the start of the third presentation state also has a non-change period in which the presentation state is not changed (maintained) as described above, and a change period in which the presentation state can be changed by lottery (determination). This non-change period is also set to the same length for all presentation states.

When the non-change period ends, the game enters a change period in which a presentation selection lottery is held. In the example shown in FIG. 46, game image selection pattern 2 is selected in the presentation selection lottery in the 195th changing display (the sixth condition is met). Then, in the next changing display (the 196th changing display, a predetermined period has elapsed since the presentation selection lottery was won), the fifth presentation state is set. After the fifth presentation state is set, a game image selection period of a predetermined period is set, and during the duration of this period, the player can use the presentation button to arbitrarily select (decide) a game image (game presentation image).

In this embodiment, after the end of a selection period (such as a game sound selection period) during which game sounds and game images can be selected, the game continues with the game sound and/or game image selected at the end of the selection period. In addition, the first to sixth presentation states described above can be transitioned in any pattern. For example, there is a pattern of transition from the second presentation state (period during which the second presentation state in FIG. 46 is set, period t2) to the third presentation state (period during which the third presentation state in FIG. 46 is set, period t3), and there is also a pattern of transition from the third presentation state (period during which the third presentation state is set, period t3) to the second presentation state (period during which the second presentation state is set, period t2). In addition, various (all) transition patterns can be executed, such as a pattern of transition from the sixth presentation state (period during which the sixth presentation state, not shown, is set) to the first presentation state (period during which the sixth presentation state, not shown) or the fifth presentation state (period during which the fifth presentation state, not shown) .

In addition, in this embodiment, if the result of the changing display of the presentation pattern is a jackpot at a specified timing while a specified presentation state is being executed, and a jackpot game is executed, the presentation state after the jackpot game ends is reset (similar to after the power is turned on), and the presentation state starts from the first presentation state (t1) as shown in FIG. 46.

In addition, in this embodiment, the non-change period is set to be longer than the game sound selection period (game image selection period, or game sound/game image selection period), but this is not limited to this embodiment. The non-change period and the game sound selection period may be the same length, or the non-change period may be shorter than the game sound selection period. In addition, the game sound selection period (second presentation state) may continue until the presentation state changes (including the non-change period and the change period).

In the above-mentioned embodiment, a predetermined period after power-on may be set as a non-change period, or if the presentation state after power-on is the first presentation state, a non-change period may not be set. Also, a presentation selection lottery execution period in which a presentation selection lottery is executed and a presentation selection lottery non-execution period in which a presentation selection lottery is not executed may be provided, and the presentation selection lottery execution period may include a non-change period and a change period. For example, a first gaming state (e.g., low probability low base state) and a second gaming state (high probability high base state) may be provided, and at least a portion of the period of the first gaming state may be set as a presentation selection lottery execution period, and the second gaming state may be set as a presentation selection lottery non-execution period.

In the selection presentation of this embodiment, after a predetermined number of changes, the selection mode of the game sounds and game images, as well as the correspondence between the game images or game sounds corresponding to the selected game sounds or game images, change, making it possible to diversify the presentation mode and prevent players from becoming bored with the game. This also makes it possible to increase interest in the game.

[Battle effects]
Next, the reach effect (battle effect) of the pachinko machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 47 and Fig. 48. Fig. 47(a) shows a scene in which a predetermined variable display is being executed. Speakers 67 are shown in the upper left and right of the display screen 7a. Fig. 47(b) shows a scene after a predetermined time has elapsed from the scene shown in Fig. 47(a) in the same variable display as Fig. 47(a).

In FIG. 47(b), a preview effect (first preview effect, special notification effect) is being executed, which gives advance notice of the reach effect (game effect) that will be executed (later). The first display effect 201 (special notification effect) is executed in the first preview display area 213 of the display screen 7a. In the first display effect 201, the words "Enemy A is coming!!" (dialogue characters, text information, first text information) are displayed as lines spoken by an ally character 202. Here, the text (dialogue characters) displayed in the first display effect 201 is statically displayed (displayed in a stopped state) in a relatively small size in the first preview display area 213, which is a relatively narrow display area. This comparison is with the second display effect described below.

In addition, together with this first display effect 201, a first audio effect 200 (special notification effect, first special notification effect) is output (executed) from the speaker 67. In the first audio effect 200, as the words "Enemy A is coming!!" are displayed in the first display effect 201, a line corresponding to the words (the same as the words) is output as audio. For ease of explanation, FIG. 47(b) shows the words "Enemy A is coming" as if they were being output from the speaker, but in reality, the same audio as the words "Enemy A is coming" is output.

Figure 47(c) shows a scene after a predetermined time has elapsed from the scene shown in Figure 47(b) in the same variable display as Figure 47(b). Figure 47(c) shows a scene in which a battle reach has been executed based on the advance notice performance (first voice performance and first display performance by the ally character 202) described in Figure 47(b). In a battle reach, the ally character 202 and the enemy character A battle each other, and if the ally character wins, it is a big hit, and if the enemy character A wins, it is a miss. This battle reach is a reach performance with a lower reliability of a big hit than the special battle reach described later. Note that the performances from Figure 47(c) onwards will not be explained. After this, there are performance execution modes that result in a big hit and performance execution modes that result in a miss.

Figure 47(d) shows a scene after a predetermined time has elapsed from the scene shown in Figure 47(a) in the same variable display as Figure 47(a). In Figure 47(d), a notice performance (second notice performance, special notification performance, second special notification performance) that notices in advance the reach performance (game performance) that will be executed (after this) is being executed. In the second notice display area 214 of the display screen 7a, the second display performance 206 (special notification performance) is executed. In the second display performance 206, the characters "The enemy horde has come! Gather!" (lines, text information, second text information) are displayed as the lines of the ally character 202. Figure 47(d) shows how the characters appear one by one from the right side of the second notice display area 214 and flow to the left. Note that the characters up to "The enemy horde has come" are displayed, and the scene in which the corresponding sound "The enemy horde has come" is output from the speaker 67 is shown.

Here, the characters (dialogue characters) displayed in the second display performance 206 are scrolled (displayed in an operational mode, moved) in a relatively large size in the relatively large display area of the second preview display area 214. This comparison is with the first display performance described above. Also, multiple arrows pointing left and displayed at the top of the second preview display area 214 indicate the direction of movement (scroll display direction) of the characters (second character information).

In addition, together with this second display effect 206, a second audio effect 205 (special notification effect) is output (executed) from the speaker 67. In the second audio effect 205, as the words "A horde of enemies is coming! Gather around!" are displayed in the second display effect 206, a line corresponding to the words (the same as the words) is output as audio. For ease of explanation, in Figs. 47(d) to (f) it is shown as if the words "A horde of enemies is coming, gather around" are output from the speaker, but in reality, the same audio as the words "A horde of enemies is coming, gather around" is output. In addition, the volume of the audio output in the second audio effect 205 is set to a volume louder than the volume of the audio output in the first audio effect 201.

Figure 47(e) shows a scene a predetermined time after the scene shown in Figure 47(d) in the same variable display as Figure 47(d). In the second preview display area 214, additional letters appear one by one from the right side of the scene in Figure 47(d) (the letters "zo! shu") and flow to the left. In addition, in response to the letters "zo! shu" being displayed, the sound "zo shu" is also output from the speaker 67.

Figure 47 (f) shows a scene a predetermined time after the scene shown in Figure 47 (e) in the same variable display as Figure 47 (e). In the second preview display area 214, additional letters appear one by one from the right side of the scene in Figure 47 (e) (the letters "ZO! 集") and flow to the left. Also, in this scene, all the letters (text information) of the second display performance are displayed. Furthermore, in response to the letters "GO!" being displayed, the scene is shown in which the sound "GO" is further output from the speaker 67.

Figure 48(g) shows a scene after a predetermined time has elapsed from the scene shown in Figure 47(f) in the same variable display as Figure 47(f). Figure 48(g) shows a scene in which a special battle reach has been executed based on the advance notice performance (second voice performance and second display performance by the ally character 202) described in Figures 47(d) to (f). In the special battle reach, multiple ally characters 202 battle multiple enemy characters A, and if the ally characters win, it is a jackpot, and if the enemy character A wins, it is a miss. This special battle reach is also a reach performance with a higher jackpot reliability than the previously described battle reach.

Figure 48 (h) shows a scene a predetermined time after the scene shown in Figure 48 (g) in the same variable display as Figure 48 (g). An operation suggestion image 211 imitating a variable button that the player can operate is displayed in the lower right of the display screen. The special battle reach is an effect that involves the player operating the variable button. When the player operates the variable button according to the operation instructions, a battle takes place between ally characters (ally character A), ally character B, and ally character C and multiple enemy characters. In addition, a reach pattern 210 ("7↓7") is displayed in the upper right of the display screen, in which two symbols are displayed stationary with the same pattern and one symbol is performing a variable display.

Figure 48(i) shows a scene a predetermined time after the scene shown in Figure 48(h) in the same variable display as Figure 48(h). Figure 48(i) shows a scene in which the battle presentation progresses based on the player's operation of the presentation button (the arrow moves downwards), and the friendly character has defeated the enemy character. This confirms a jackpot.

Figure 48(j) shows a scene after a predetermined time has elapsed from the scene shown in Figure 48(i) in the same variable display as Figure 48(i). Figure 48(j) shows a scene in which a jackpot has been hit as a result of an ally character defeating an enemy character in a battle performance, and a jackpot pattern 212 is displayed. The performance that notifies the player of this jackpot is also called a hit notification performance.

As explained above, the display has a first notice performance (first special notification performance) in which characters are displayed in a stationary state and a sound corresponding to the characters is output, and a second notice performance (second special notification performance) in which characters are displayed in a moving state (including a swinging display) and a sound corresponding to the characters is output, and the second notice performance is a performance that notifies a higher probability of a jackpot than the first notice performance. In addition, the characters and the display area displayed in the first notice performance are larger than the characters and the display area displayed in the second notice performance. In addition, the sound output in the second notice performance is louder than the sound output in the first notice performance. This diversifies the game performances by the display mode of the text information and the sound output, and makes it easier for the player to recognize game performances with a higher probability of a jackpot. This also makes it possible to attract players more to game performances with a higher probability of a jackpot, and to increase interest in the game.

Although the examples and other aspects of the present invention have been described above as embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these, and is not limited to the wording of each claim as long as it does not deviate from the scope of the claims, and includes a range that can be easily substituted by a person skilled in the art, and it is possible to appropriately add improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art would normally have. In addition, two or more of the above-mentioned inventions may be implemented in combination as appropriate.

[Other aspects]
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the number of rounds in the big win game is two types, "2R" and "15R", but the number of rounds is not limited to this, and the number of rounds may be three or more types, or may be only one type. Furthermore, the opening pattern of the first big win opening 30 and the second big win opening 35 (V attacker) is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and for example, the opening time and the number of openings per round can be various.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the possibility of V passing is set to be high (easy) or low (substantially impossible) depending on the length of the opening time of the second large winning opening 35 (V attacker) in the V round. In other words, when the opening time of the second large winning opening 35 in the V round is relatively long, it becomes easy for the game ball to enter the second large winning opening 35, and at least one of the game balls that enter the second large winning opening 35 almost certainly passes through the specific area 39, while when the opening time of the second large winning opening 35 in the V round is relatively short, it becomes difficult (substantially impossible) for the game ball to enter the second large winning opening 35, and as a result, the game ball does not pass through the specific area 39. Instead of this, a movable piece that opens and closes the specific area may be provided, and the movable piece may be operated based on the number of balls that enter the second large winning opening 35 in the V round (the count value by the ball number counting means), and the possibility of V passing may be different depending on the operating mode.

For example, when the movable piece is operated based on a first predetermined number of balls (e.g., the first ball) entering the second large prize opening 35 in the V round, the movable piece is operated in a manner that makes the possibility of V passing low (effectively impossible), and when the movable piece is operated based on a second predetermined number of balls (e.g., any one from the second ball to a specified number), the movable piece is operated in a manner that makes the possibility of V passing high. Then, a jackpot in which the movable piece only operates in a manner that makes V passing low in the V round, that is, a jackpot in which the movable piece only operates based on the first predetermined number of balls entering the second large prize opening 35, is called a "V non-passing jackpot," and a jackpot in which the movable piece may operate in a manner that makes V passing low or in a manner that makes V passing high, that is, a jackpot in which the movable piece operates based on the first predetermined number of balls entering the second large prize opening 35 and the second predetermined number of balls entering the second large prize opening 35, is called a "V passing jackpot." With this configuration, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the probability fluctuation function is activated (whether a high probability state occurs) based on whether the game ball passes through a specific area.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a game privilege is given to the player in the form of a high probability state occurring based on the game ball passing through a specific area 39 in a V-round during a jackpot game (special game), but the privilege in this invention is not limited to the occurrence of a high probability state. For example, the content (type) of the privilege is not important as long as it gives some kind of benefit to the player, such as a high base state that increases the frequency with which the game ball enters the starting hole, or a fluctuation time reduction state (time reduction state) that makes the fluctuation time of the identification information shorter than normal. In addition, the privilege may give one or multiple privileges based on the game ball passing through a specific area.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine (a so-called "V-type machine") having a specific area 39 as a sure-win operation port, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a type of gaming machine (a so-called "variable symbol machine") that does not have a specific area 39 in the big prize port and determines whether or not to grant a high probability state based on the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment (the type of big prize symbol that is stopped and displayed). Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to a type of gaming machine that does not have a probability fluctuation function. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to a type 1/2 pachinko gaming machine that has a specific area (V area) in the big prize port that can be entered when the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is a small hit, and when a game ball that enters the big prize port passes through the specific area (V passing) during a small hit game, it becomes a big hit, and the big hit game is executed based on the V passing.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a control process (so-called special pattern 2 priority change) was adopted in which the second special pattern reservation (display of the change of the second special pattern) is consumed in priority to the first special pattern reservation (display of the change of the first special pattern), but this is not limited to this, and a control process (so-called special pattern 1 priority change) may be used in which the first special pattern reservation is consumed in priority to the second special pattern reservation. Alternatively, a control process (so-called ball entry order (storage order) change) may be used in which the first special pattern reservation and the second special pattern reservation are consumed in order of the oldest memory without setting a priority between the consumption of the first special pattern reservation and the consumption of the second special pattern reservation. In addition, instead of the special pattern 2 priority change in the above-mentioned embodiment, a control process (so-called special pattern 1, 2 simultaneous change) in which the display of the change of the first special pattern and the display of the change of the second special pattern (the consumption of the first special pattern reservation and the consumption of the second special pattern reservation) are executed in parallel may be adopted.

[others]
As a reference invention for the gaming machine described above, the following may be adopted.
(Reference Invention 1)
In conventional gaming machines, when the ball enters a specific ball entrance, the interest in the game is increased, but the output manner of the game sounds is uniform, which may lead to a decrease in the interest in the game. The present invention 1 has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a gaming machine with a high level of interest by diversifying the output manner of the game sounds.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-1 for solving the above-mentioned problems is as follows:
an identification information display means for variably displaying the identification information based on the establishment of a predetermined condition;
a variable ball entry port that can be changed between a ball entry possible state where the game ball can enter and a ball entry impossible state where the game ball cannot enter;
and a special game execution means for executing a special game in which the variable ball entrance is in a ball entrance state when the result of the variable display of the identification information becomes a specific result,
A first ball entrance through which game balls can enter;
A second ball entrance through which game balls can enter;
a game sound output means capable of outputting a special game sound related to a game based on a ball entering the first ball entrance or the second ball entrance;
and a ball entry possibility control means for changing the relative ball entry possibility between the first ball entry port and the second ball entry port,
At least one of the first ball entry port and the second ball entry port is an entry port in which the possibility of a game ball entering is variable,
the ball entry possibility control means sets a first ball entry possibility state in which a ball is more likely to be entered through the first ball entry port than through the second ball entry port based on the satisfaction of a first specific condition, and sets a second ball entry possibility state in which a ball is more likely to be entered through the second ball entry port than through the first ball entry port based on the satisfaction of a second specific condition,
The game sound output means includes:
In the first ball entry possibility state, when the game ball enters the first ball entry port, the special game sound is not output, and when the game ball enters the second ball entry port, the special game sound is output;
The present invention is characterized in that in the second ball entry possibility state, the special game sound is not output in either the case where the game ball enters the first ball entry port or the case where the game ball enters the second ball entry port.

According to such a gaming machine, the gaming machine is provided with a first ball entry port, a second ball entry port, a ball entry possibility control means for changing the relative ball entry possibility between the first ball entry port and the second ball entry port, and a game sound output means for outputting a special game sound related to the game. When a first specific condition is satisfied, a first ball entry possibility state is set in which the ball is more likely to enter the first ball entry port than the second ball entry port, and when a second specific condition is satisfied, a second ball entry possibility state is set in which the ball is more likely to enter the second ball entry port than the first ball entry port. In the first ball entry possibility state, if the ball enters the first ball entry port, which has a high ball entry possibility, the special game sound is not output, and if the ball enters the second ball entry port, which has a relatively low ball entry possibility, the special game sound is output. In the second ball entry possibility state, if the ball enters either the first ball entry port or the second ball entry port, the special game sound is not output.

By relatively varying the chances of a ball entering the first ball entry port and the second ball entry port, multiple ball entry possibility states are generated, with a state in which a special game sound is output when the ball enters the ball entry port with a low chance of entering the ball, and a state in which the special game sound is not output regardless of which ball entry port the ball enters. This makes it possible to draw attention to the output of the special game sound and increase interest in the game.

The special game sound is output when the game ball enters a ball entry hole that is set according to the game state. For example, by setting a ball entry hole that is relatively difficult to enter (difficult to enter the ball into), and using special sound effects that praise the ball entering the hole, such as "Wow, you entered it!!" or "That's a difficult ball entry hole, wow!!", it is possible to increase interest in the game by outputting special sound effects. In addition, by setting the special sound effects to notify information about the game (for example, "The game state is currently favorable for the player", "The current probability of a big hit on the game machine is 1/80", "The game is currently in the left area firing state", "The reliability of a specific reach is 50% or more", etc.), it is possible to provide the player with awareness and information about the game through the chance (rare) ball entry, and increase interest in the game.

The special game sound may be output at a louder volume than the game sound output when the ball enters the first ball entry opening. This makes it easier for the player to recognize that the special game sound output when the ball enters an entry opening that is relatively difficult to enter (hard to enter the ball) is a special sound. This also makes it possible to attract the player's attention to the special game sound and get them to pay attention to it.

The predetermined condition can be satisfied based on a ball entering the starting hole. At least one of the first ball entry hole and the second ball entry hole can be a ball entry hole (variable ball entry hole) that can change between a first state and a second state in which the probability of a game ball entering the hole is higher than that of the first state. Both the first ball entry hole and the second ball entry hole can be starting holes (special chart starting holes) that variably display the identification information depending on the ball entering the hole.

In addition, the gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-2 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-1,
the ball scoring possibility control means sets a third ball scoring possibility state in which a ball scoring possibility through the second ball scoring hole is higher than that through the first ball scoring hole based on the establishment of a third specific condition,
The game sound output means is configured to output the special game sound when the game ball enters the first ball entrance in the third ball entrance possibility state, and not output the special game sound when the game ball enters the second ball entrance.

With this type of gaming machine, when a third specific condition is met, a third ball entry possibility state is set in which the ball is more likely to enter the second ball entry port than the first ball entry port. In the third ball entry possibility state, the special game sound is not output if the ball enters the second ball entry port, which has a higher probability of entering, but the special game sound is output if the ball enters the first ball entry port, which has a relatively lower probability of entering. This makes it possible to diversify the output patterns of the special game sound (including a state in which it is not output), draw attention to the output of the special game sound, and increase interest in the game.

In addition, the gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-3 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 1-1 or Reference Invention 1-2,
the ball entry possibility control means sets a fourth ball entry possibility state in which a ball entry into the first ball entry port is more likely to occur than into the second ball entry port based on the establishment of a fourth specific condition,
the fourth ball scoring possibility state is a game state that is more advantageous to a player than any of the first ball scoring possibility state, the second ball scoring possibility state, and the third ball scoring possibility state;
The game sound output means is characterized in that, in the fourth ball entry possibility state, when the game ball enters the first ball entry port, it outputs the special game sound, and when the game ball enters the second ball entry port, it does not output the special game sound.

According to this gaming machine, when the fourth specific condition is met, a fourth ball entry possibility state is set in which the probability of the ball entering the first ball entry port is higher than that of the second ball entry port. The fourth ball entry possibility state is a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the first, second, and third ball entry possibility states, and in this state, if the ball enters the second ball entry port, which has a lower probability of entering the ball, the special game sound is not output, but if the ball enters the first ball entry port, which has a relatively higher probability of entering the ball, the special game sound is output. In this way, in the special fourth ball entry possibility state that is advantageous to the player, the probability of the special game sound being output is increased, and the output patterns of the special game sound (including a state where it is not output) are diversified, so that the player can pay attention to the output of the special game sound and increase interest in the game.

In addition, in the fourth ball entry possibility state, which is a special game state that is more advantageous to the player than other game states, the ball entry port through which the ball can be entered is set as the ball entry port from which the special game sound is output. This increases the possibility of the special game sound being output and makes it possible to increase interest in the game. In this case, the special game sound may not be output at a high volume, but may be output at a volume equivalent to the game sound output when the ball enters the second ball entry port. This makes it possible to set the volume low in a state in which the possibility of the special game sound being output is high, and to prevent a decrease in interest in the game from occurring due to frequent output of a high volume.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 1 makes it possible to diversify the output modes of gaming sounds, providing a gaming machine with high intrigue.

(Reference Invention 2)
In conventional gaming machines, the gaming sounds output together with the changing display of symbols and reach effects enhance the interest in the game, but the output manner of the gaming sounds is uniform, which may lead to a decrease in the interest in the game. This reference invention 2 was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a gaming machine with a high level of interest by diversifying the output manner of the gaming sounds.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-1 is as follows:
an identification information display means for variably displaying the identification information based on the establishment of a predetermined condition;
a variable ball entry port that can be changed between a ball entry possible state where the game ball can enter and a ball entry impossible state where the game ball cannot enter;
and a special game execution means for executing a special game in which the variable ball entrance is in a ball entrance state when the result of the variable display of the identification information becomes a specific result,
A game effect sound selection means for selecting a predetermined game effect sound from a plurality of game effect sounds;
a game effect sound output means for outputting the game effect sound selected by the game effect sound selection means;
a game effect image selection means for selecting a predetermined game effect image from a plurality of game effect images;
A game effect image display means for displaying the game effect image selected by the game effect image selection means on a display unit,
The game effect image includes a common game effect image corresponding commonly to a plurality of game effect sounds, and a plurality of individual game effect images corresponding individually to the plurality of game effect sounds,
The game effect sound selected by the game effect sound selection means and the game effect image selected by the game effect image selection means are executed in parallel,
A first game condition is determined in advance and may be satisfied during a game.
When the game performance sound selection means has selected a game performance sound before the first game condition is established, the common game performance image is displayed regardless of the type of the game performance sound being output.
When, after the first game condition is established, the game performance sound selection means selects a game performance sound and the selected game performance sound is output, the individual game performance image corresponding to the game performance sound is displayed depending on the type of the game performance sound being output.

According to such a gaming machine, the gaming machine is provided with a gaming sound output means for selecting a predetermined gaming sound from a plurality of gaming sound effects and outputting the selected gaming sound, and a gaming image display means for selecting a predetermined gaming image from a plurality of gaming image effects and displaying the selected gaming image on the display unit. The gaming machine also has a common gaming image corresponding to the plurality of gaming sound effects in common, and a plurality of individual gaming image effects corresponding to each of the plurality of gaming sound effects individually, and the gaming sound effects and the gaming image effects are executed in parallel. Before the first gaming condition is established, the common gaming image is displayed regardless of the type of gaming sound being output, and after the first gaming condition is established, the individual gaming image corresponding to the gaming sound effects is displayed depending on the type of gaming sound being output. This changes the correspondence between the gaming sound effects and the gaming image before and after the first gaming condition is established during the game, diversifying the gaming effects, preventing boredom with the game, and making it possible to increase the interest in the game.

In addition, the gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-2 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-1,
The game effect sound selection means has a first period during which a predetermined game effect sound can be selected from a plurality of game effect sounds, and a second period during which a game effect sound cannot be selected,
The first gaming condition is characterized in that it can be established during the first period.

According to this type of gaming machine, there is a first period during which a gaming effect sound can be selected, and a second period during which a gaming effect sound cannot be selected, and the first gaming condition can be established during the first period during which a gaming effect sound can be selected. As a result, the first gaming condition is established during a period during which the gaming effect sound being executed can be changed to another gaming effect sound, and the establishment of the first gaming condition changes the correspondence between the gaming effect sound and the gaming effect image, making it possible to diversify the gaming effects.

In addition, the gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-3 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-1,
The first game condition is characterized in that it is established based on the game ball entering a predetermined ball entry opening.

With this type of gaming machine, the first gaming condition is established based on the gaming ball entering a predetermined ball entry port. As a result, the first gaming condition is established based on the player causing the gaming ball to enter the predetermined ball entry port, and the correspondence between the gaming effect sounds and the gaming effect images changes depending on the player's own play, preventing boredom with the game and making it possible to increase interest in the game.

In addition, the gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-4 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 2-1,
A second game condition is determined in advance and may be satisfied during a game.
After the first game condition is established, the individual game presentation image corresponding to the game presentation sound being output is displayed depending on the type of game presentation sound being output, and then, when the second game condition is established, the common game presentation image is displayed regardless of the type of game presentation sound being output.

According to such a gaming machine, in addition to the first gaming condition, there is a second gaming condition. Furthermore, after the first gaming condition is established, the second gaming condition is established in a situation where an individual gaming effect image corresponding to the selected and output gaming effect sound is displayed. After that, a common gaming effect image is displayed regardless of the type of gaming effect sound being output. This changes the correspondence between the gaming effect sound and the gaming effect image before and after the first gaming condition and the second gaming condition are established, diversifying the gaming effects, preventing boredom with the game, and making it possible to increase interest in the game.

The game device may also be provided with an input means that allows a player to input, and a predetermined game effect sound to be output by the game effect sound output means may be selected from a plurality of game effect sounds (game music) by inputting to the input means. The game device may also be provided with a game effect sound storage means that stores a plurality of game effect sounds (game music) with different tones, and a game effect image storage means that stores a plurality of game effect images (game moving images) with different display modes. Furthermore, at least a portion (or even all) of the game effect sounds (game music) that can be selected by the game effect sound selection means may be different before and after the first game condition is established.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 2 makes it possible to diversify the output modes of gaming sounds, providing a gaming machine with high intrigue.

(Reference Invention 3)
In conventional gaming machines, the gaming effects and the gaming sounds output together increase the interest of the player, but the execution modes of the gaming effects and the gaming sounds are uniform, which may lead to a decrease in the interest of the player. The present invention 3 has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a gaming machine with high entertainment value that diversifies the execution modes of the gaming effect images and the gaming effect sounds.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 3-1 is as follows:
an identification information display means for variably displaying the identification information based on the establishment of a predetermined condition;
a variable ball entry port that can be changed between a ball entry possible state where the game ball can enter and a ball entry impossible state where the game ball cannot enter;
A display unit that displays a game performance image;
A game effect sound output means for outputting a game effect sound;
and a special game execution means for executing a special game in which the variable ball entrance is in a ball entrance state when the result of the variable display of the identification information becomes a specific result,
A special notification effect is provided to indicate the possibility of executing the special game,
The special notification effect is an effect in which character information is displayed on the display unit and the character information displayed on the display unit is output by the game effect sound output means as a sound,
The special notification performance includes a first special notification performance in which the character information is displayed on the display unit in a stopped state, and a second special notification performance in which the character information is displayed on the display unit in a moving state,
The second special notification effect is characterized in that it indicates a higher possibility of execution of the special game than the first special notification effect.

According to such a gaming machine, a display unit that displays a gaming performance image and a gaming performance sound output means that outputs a gaming performance sound are provided, and the special notification performance indicating the possibility of a special game is a performance in which text information is displayed on the display unit and the text information displayed on the display unit is output as a sound by the gaming performance sound output means. In addition, the special notification performance includes a first special notification performance that displays text information in a stopped state and a second special notification performance that displays text information in an operating state, and the second special notification performance indicates a higher possibility of a special game being executed than the first special notification performance. This makes it possible to diversify the gaming performance by the display state of the text information and the sound output, and to indicate the possibility of a special game being executed to the player by the execution state. This also makes it possible to increase the player's interest in the game.

In addition, the gaming machine of Reference Invention 3-2 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 3-1,
The character information includes first character information and second character information different from the first character information,
The first special notification effect is an effect in which the first character information is displayed in a stopped state on a display unit,
The second special notification effect is characterized in that it is an effect in which the second text information is displayed in an operational manner on a display unit.

According to this type of gaming machine, the first special notification effect is an effect in which the first character information is displayed in a stopped state, and the second special notification effect is an effect in which the second character information is displayed in an operating state. As a result, the character information displayed in a stopped state in the first special notification effect and the character information displayed in an operating state in the second special notification effect differ not only in the display state but also in the character information itself, allowing the player to easily recognize the difference between the special notification effects and easily grasp the possibility of playing a special game. This also makes it possible to increase interest in the game.

In addition, the gaming machine of Reference Invention 3-3 is the gaming machine of Reference Invention 3-1,
The character information displayed in a moving manner in the second special notification performance is characterized in that it is displayed in a larger size than the character information displayed in a stopped manner in the first special notification performance.

With this type of gaming machine, the text information displayed in an operating mode in the second special notification effect is displayed in a larger size than the text information displayed in a stopped mode in the first special notification effect. In the second special notification effect, which indicates a higher possibility of playing a special game than the first special notification effect, the text information is displayed in an operating mode that is more noticeable than the stopped mode, and the display size is made larger. This increases attention to the second special notification effect, and players who see it have significantly higher expectations for the special game. This also makes it possible to increase interest in the game.

In the special notification effect, a specific character is displayed on the display unit, and the text information displayed and output (audio output) in the special notification effect is displayed in parallel with the specific character. The text information is then displayed and output (audio output) as text information uttered by the specific character. The specific characters displayed in the first special notification effect and the second special notification effect may be the same character or different characters. Different types of characters may be indicated (indicated) as possibilities for the execution of a special game (jackpot reliability). For example, the first character indicates a higher possibility than the second character.

The text information displayed in the first special notification effect (first text information) and the text information displayed in the second special notification effect (second text information) may be displayed in different sizes or colors. The second special notification effect, which indicates a high jackpot reliability, can be displayed in a large size to make it easier for players to recognize. The second special notification effect, which indicates a high jackpot reliability, can be displayed in a conspicuous color to make it easier for players to recognize. For example, the text information displayed in the first special notification effect can be displayed in white or blue characters, and the text information displayed in the second special notification effect can be displayed in red, gold, or rainbow colors. Any two or more of these may be combined.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the first special notification effect and the second special notification effect notify different possibilities for the execution of a special game. Alternatively, the first special notification effect and the second special notification effect may not notify different possibilities for the execution of a special game, i.e., both notification effects (preview effects) may have the same jackpot reliability. Even in this case, it is possible to increase interest in the game by using special notification effects with different execution modes.

The gaming machine of Reference Invention 3 makes it possible to provide a highly innovative gaming machine that diversifies the execution modes of game presentation images and game presentation sounds.

1 Pachinko game machine, 2 Game board, 3 Game area, 7 Image display device, 7a Display screen, 7b Performance pattern display area, 7c Background display area, 8 Performance pattern, 9a First performance hold, 9b Second performance hold, 9c First performance hold display area (First performance hold display section), 9d Second performance hold display area (Second performance hold display section), 20 First start opening, 21 Second start opening, 30 First big prize opening, 35 Second big prize opening, 41a First special pattern display (First special pattern display section), 41b Second special pattern display (Second special pattern display section), 80 Main control board (Main control section, game control means), 81 Game control microcomputer (Main control section, game control means), 90 Sub-control board (Sub-control section, performance control means), 91 Performance control microcomputer (Sub-control section, performance control means), 100 Image control board (image control unit, performance control means), 101 Image control microcomputer (image control unit, performance control means).

Claims (4)

an identification information display means for variably displaying the identification information based on the establishment of a predetermined condition;
a variable ball entry port that can be changed between a ball entry possible state where the game ball can enter and a ball entry impossible state where the game ball cannot enter;
and a special game execution means for executing a special game in which the variable ball entrance is in a ball entrance state when the result of the variable display of the identification information becomes a specific result,
A game effect sound selection means for selecting a predetermined game effect sound from a plurality of game effect sounds;
a game effect sound output means for outputting the game effect sound selected by the game effect sound selection means;
a game effect image selection means for selecting a predetermined game effect image from a plurality of game effect images;
A game effect image display means for displaying the game effect image selected by the game effect image selection means on a display unit,
The game effect image includes a common game effect image corresponding commonly to a plurality of game effect sounds, and a plurality of individual game effect images corresponding individually to the plurality of game effect sounds,
The game effect sound selected by the game effect sound selection means and the game effect image selected by the game effect image selection means are executed in parallel,
A first game condition is determined in advance and may be satisfied during a game.
When the game performance sound selection means has selected a game performance sound before the first game condition is established, the common game performance image is displayed regardless of the type of the game performance sound being output.
A gaming machine characterized in that, when, after the first game condition is established, the game performance sound selection means selects a game performance sound and the selected game performance sound is output, the individual game performance image corresponding to the game performance sound is displayed depending on the type of the game performance sound being output. The game effect sound selection means has a first period during which a predetermined game effect sound can be selected from a plurality of game effect sounds, and a second period during which a game effect sound cannot be selected,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the first gaming condition can be satisfied during the first period. The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first gaming condition is established based on the gaming ball entering a predetermined ball entry hole. A second game condition is determined in advance and may be satisfied during a game.
The gaming machine described in claim 1, characterized in that after the first gaming condition is established, the individual gaming presentation image corresponding to the type of gaming presentation sound being output is displayed depending on the type of gaming presentation sound being output, and then, when the second gaming condition is established, the common gaming presentation image is displayed regardless of the type of gaming presentation sound being output.

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