JP7679062B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Various structures have been proposed for guiding game balls to various winning areas (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2019-187747 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a gaming machine equipped with a ball guide structure that allows for a smaller installation space.

The gaming machine of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, is arranged in a gaming area where gaming balls can enter, and is characterized by having an entrance structure with a vertical wall surface along the up-down direction, with an entrance through which gaming balls can enter formed on the vertical wall surface, and a guide member that guides the gaming ball toward the entrance, with an upper surface that is inclined toward the entrance.

The gaming machine of the present invention allows the space required for the ball guidance structure to be reduced.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram showing decorative patterns and reserved patterns displayed in the display area. 13 is a diagram for explaining the game state (transition of the game state). FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a specific effect. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 1-1. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining specific example 1-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 1-7. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 2-1. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 2-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a selection presentation. A figure to explain that a selection operation is valid during the first period of the selection presentation. A diagram to explain that selection operations and decision operations are valid during the second period of the selection presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 3-1. 13 is a diagram for explaining the game explanation display (game explanation image) and the opportunity display (opportunity image). FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 4-1. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 4-2. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 4-3. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 4-4. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining image presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 5-1. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 5-2. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining specific example 5-3. A diagram to explain the structure for guiding game balls to the entrance.

1) Basic Configuration of the Gaming Machine Hereinafter, one embodiment of the gaming machine 1 (pachinko gaming machine) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 1. In the following description, the term "image" includes not only still images but also moving images.

The gaming machine 1 includes a gaming board 90. The gaming board 90 is made of a substantially square piece of plywood, and includes a guide rail 903 that is provided in a substantially arc-shaped configuration and that forms a path for guiding gaming balls launched by operating a launching device 908 (launching handle) to a gaming area 902.

The game area 902 is provided with a display device 91, a starting area 904, a big prize area 906, an outlet, and the like. The display area 911 of the display device 91 is a portion that can be seen through an opening 901 formed in the game board 90. The game area 902 is also provided with a number of game pegs that act as obstacles against which the game balls collide, causing changes in the way the game balls flow down. The game balls flowing down the game area 902 change into various forms depending on the conditions when they collide with the game pegs.

In such a gaming machine 1, gaming balls are launched toward the gaming area 902 by operating the launching device 908. When a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area 902 enters a winning area such as the starting area 904 or the big winning area 906, a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by the payout device.

Note that we will not explain components of the gaming machine 1 that are not related to the present invention, such as the frame of the gaming machine 1 and the lower and upper trays that store the gaming balls. These components can be of the same structure as known gaming machines.

The lottery for the big win is executed by a winning/losing lottery means provided on a control board (not shown) when a game ball enters the starting area 904 (special chart starting area). In this embodiment, a first starting area 904a (the so-called "special chart 1" starting area) and a second starting area 904b (the so-called "special chart 2" starting area) are provided as the starting area 904. When a game ball enters the starting area 904, a number (winning/losing lottery information) is obtained from a random number source, and if the number is the same as the predetermined winning number, it is a big win, and if it is different, it is a loss. In this embodiment, the notification of the winning/losing lottery result is started in the order in which the number is obtained (so-called fluctuation is started), but if there is winning/losing lottery information for which the notification of the winning/losing lottery result has not yet been completed, the newly obtained winning/losing lottery information is stored as reserved information (strictly speaking, pre-variation reserved information to be described later) in a storage means provided on a control board (not shown).

In this embodiment, as the reserved pattern 10, a reserved pattern 11 (a pattern indicating the existence of the so-called "reserved change") corresponding to the winning/losing lottery information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the reserved information during change) in which the during-change performance (from the start of the change of the decorative pattern 80 (decorative pattern group 80g) to the complete stop of the combination indicating the winning/losing lottery result, which is the so-called performance during one change. Hereinafter, it may be referred to simply as "change") that notifies the winning/losing lottery result has started, but the notification of the winning/losing lottery result has not been completed, and a reserved pattern 12 before the change that corresponds to the winning/losing lottery information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the reserved information before the change) in which the during-change performance that notifies the winning/losing lottery result has not started (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the reserved pattern 11 during the change is displayed larger than the reserved pattern before the change 12, but the basic form of both is the same. The basic form of the reserved pattern 11 during the change and the reserved pattern before the change 12 may be completely different. In addition, the reserved pattern 11 during the change may not be displayed. In addition, the order in which the winning/losing lottery results corresponding to the reserved patterns 12 before the change are notified (the so-called reserved "consumption order") is earlier for those located to the right.

The maximum number of pre-change reserved information is limited. In this embodiment, the maximum number of first pre-change reserved information (special chart 1 reserved) obtained by winning the first starting area 904a is four, and the maximum number of second pre-change reserved information (special chart 2 reserved) obtained by winning the second starting area 904b is four. Therefore, with respect to the reserved pattern 10 corresponding to one of the special charts 1 and 2, one reserved pattern 11 during change and up to four pre-change reserved patterns 12 may be displayed (see FIG. 2). The pre-change reserved pattern 12 is set so that if the game ball should be launched aiming at the first starting area 904a (normal game state to be described later), the first pre-change reserved information (special chart 1 reserved) is displayed as the pre-change reserved pattern 12, and if the game ball should be launched aiming at the second starting area 904b (special game state to be described later), the second pre-change reserved information (special chart 2 reserved) is displayed as the pre-change reserved pattern 12. Regardless of the game state, the pre-change reserved pattern 12 corresponding to both the first pre-change reserved information and the second pre-change reserved information stored in the storage means may be displayed (up to eight pre-change reserved patterns 12 may be displayed).

In this embodiment, as in known gaming machines, the result of the lottery is notified to the player by the combination of decorative symbols 80 (see FIG. 2) displayed in the display area 911 of the display device 91. Specifically, decorative symbol groups 80g (left decorative symbol group 80gL, center decorative symbol group 80gC, right decorative symbol group 80gR) including multiple types of decorative symbols 80 start to change, and finally one decorative symbol 80 is selected from each decorative symbol group 80g and stops. If a jackpot is won, the combination of decorative symbols 80 selected from each decorative symbol group 80g and stopped will be a predetermined combination (for example, three of the same decorative symbol 80). If a jackpot is lost, the combination will be something other than that (a combination other than the jackpot combination). The decorative symbols 80 may be a combination of numbers and characters, etc.

In addition, images (such as so-called "small symbols") showing various information may be displayed unobtrusively near the outer edge of the display area 911 (illustration of such images is omitted in each figure). The player can enjoy the game without being aware of this type of image. In other words, it is basically possible to understand the results of the lottery by looking at the decorative symbols 80.

In this embodiment, a normal game state and a special game state are set as game states (see FIG. 3). The special game state is a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state. The normal game state is a low probability game state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is low (for example, the probability of winning a jackpot is about 1/320), and is a low base state (low probability, no time reduction) in which the game ball is unlikely to enter the starting area 904. The special game state is a high probability game state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is high (for example, the probability of winning a jackpot is about 1/80), and is a high base state (high probability, time reduction) in which the game ball is likely to enter the starting area 904. In the normal game state, the player launches the game ball aiming at the first starting area 904a. In this embodiment, a so-called "left hit" is performed. In the special game state, the player launches the game ball aiming at the second starting area 904b. In this embodiment, a so-called "right hit" is performed. The special game state is a state in which it is easy to win the lottery to open the second starting area 904b, which is triggered by the game ball entering the normal starting area 905, so it is relatively easy for the game ball to enter the second starting area 904b.

In this embodiment, the special game state is entered after all jackpot games have ended. The special game state ends when the winning/losing lottery results are a miss a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) in a row (see FIG. 3). When the special game state ends, the normal game state is entered. If the jackpot is won before the predetermined number of consecutive misses after the transition to the special game state, the game state is entered again (the count of the predetermined number is reset). In other words, the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called ST machine in which the condition for consecutive wins is to win a jackpot before the predetermined number of consecutive misses after the transition to the special game state. Note that, unless otherwise specified in the following description, the game characteristics (specifications) are merely one example. For example, it may be a so-called probability loop machine. It may also be a V probability machine. It may also be a gaming machine (one-type/two-type mixed machine) equipped with a so-called small win, in which a jackpot can be won by a game ball entering a predetermined area when the small win is won. In addition, a game state different from the normal game state and the special game state may be set, for example, a low probability game state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is low, and a high base state (low probability, with time reduction) in which the game ball is likely to enter the starting area 904.

2) The following describes various effects that can be executed by the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment. Note that the configuration may be such that only some of the effects described below can be executed. Also, the configuration may be such that the effects described below can occur only when a specific mode (which may be a mode that the player can select, or a mode that is set automatically (without selection by the player)) is set.

2-1) Specific Effects The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a push button 21 and a cross key 22 as operation means 20 that can be operated by the player (see FIG. 1). The specific effects are effects that use the push button 21, which is one type of operation means 20. The state in which the push button 21 is pressed in the original position and it is detected that it has reached a predetermined position is sometimes called the operation state, and the state in which it is not in this operation state is sometimes called the non-operation state. Note that using the push button 21 as the operation means 20 used for the effects is merely one example. For example, it may be something that is operated in the forward and backward directions instead of the up and down directions.

The push button 21 can change its state from a normal state (normal state) to a special state. The change in state of the push button 21 can be recognized by the player's senses (five senses). In this embodiment, a vibration device (not shown) that vibrates the push button 21 (main body of the button) is provided, and the state in which the vibration device is not driven (non-vibration state) is set as the normal state, and the state in which the vibration device is driven (vibration state) is set as the special state. In other words, if a player touches the push button 21 when the push button 21 is in the special state, the player can recognize that the push button 21 is vibrating by his sense (tactile sense). The mechanism (specific structure of the vibration device) that vibrates the operating means 20 such as the push button 21 is well known, so a description will be omitted. Note that, as another change in state, a light-emitting part is provided in the push button 21, and the state of the light-emitting part (including the state in which it is not emitting light) changes from one state (normal state) to another state (special state). In other words, the player can visually recognize the change in the state of the push button 21.

A specific performance (see FIG. 4) is a performance that can occur on the condition that a specific event occurs. In this embodiment, the acquisition of winning/losing lottery information (reserved information) in which the corresponding winning/losing lottery result is a jackpot (see FIG. 4(b)) is set as a specific event. Hereinafter, the acquisition of winning/losing lottery information in which the winning/losing lottery result is a jackpot may also be referred to as the acquisition of a "winning/losing lottery reserve." In addition, the acquisition of winning/losing lottery information in which the winning/losing lottery result is a jackpot (winning/losing lottery information in which the corresponding variable performance is immediately started) in a state in which the winning/losing lottery information stored in the storage means is 0 (a state in which the variable performance is not being executed) is also included in the specific event. Since the winning/losing lottery information is acquired in response to the entry of a game ball into the starting area 904, it can be said that a part of the occurrence of the event of the game ball entering the starting area 904 is the "occurrence of a specific event." In the following description, the time when a specific event occurs (i.e., the time when the entry of a game ball into the starting area 904 in which a winning/losing lottery result is acquired is detected) may also be referred to as a specific time. A player cannot accurately predict the timing at which the gaming ball will enter starting area 904. Although the player fires the gaming ball aiming at starting area 904, the gaming ball flows down the playing area 902 irregularly (in a manner that the player cannot predict), so it is virtually impossible for the player to accurately predict (know) said timing. The above-mentioned specific event is an event that cannot occur unless the gaming ball enters starting area 904, so it is virtually impossible for the player to accurately predict the specific point in time.

The special effect does not occur if the push button 21 is in a non-operated state (see FIG. 4(c-2)) at a specific time, but occurs if the push button 21 is in an operated state (see FIG. 4(c-1)) at a specific time. In other words, "operation of the operation means 20 (push button 21)" is set as the condition for the occurrence of the special effect. However, the special effect does not occur on the premise that the player is required to operate the push button 21. Although the time when the special effect occurs and the time when a general operation effect that requires the player to operate the push button 21 occur may coincide by chance, the special effect is not basically an effect in which an operation instruction is issued to the player (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, if the operation means 20 is the push button 21 and the acquisition of a winning reservation is a specific event, the special effect will not occur if the push button 21 is not pressed at the time the winning reservation is acquired, and the special effect will occur if the push button 21 is pressed at that time (see FIG. 4(b), (c-1), (c-2)). As mentioned above, since the player cannot accurately predict the time when the game ball will enter the starting area 904, i.e., the time when a specific event may occur, in order to generate a specific effect, the player must essentially keep the push button 21 in an operated state (keep the push button 21 pressed) while launching the game ball.

In this embodiment, the special effect is the change of the push button 21 from a normal state (normal state) to a special state. In other words, it is the change from a non-vibration state to a vibration state (see FIG. 4 (c-1)). Since the special effect can occur when the push button 21 is in an operating state, the player is operating the push button 21 and can feel the vibration occurring in the push button 21. In other words, with the configuration of this embodiment, when the vibration of the push button 21 occurs as a special effect, the player is always operating the push button 21 (in an operating state), so there is no situation in which the player does not notice the vibration of the push button 21. Note that the time for which the push button 21 vibrates (i.e., the length of the special effect) is predetermined (this time is constant). In this embodiment, it is "1 second". In other words, the vibration time is quite short. After this time has elapsed, the push button 21 automatically returns to the normal state (non-vibration state). On the other hand, even if a winning reservation is obtained, if the push button 21 is not in an operated state at that time (specific time), the push button 21 will remain in its normal state (normal state) (see FIG. 4(c-2)). In this way, even in a situation where the same "specific event" occurs, the reaction of the push button 21 (whether or not vibration occurs) will differ depending on whether the push button 21 is operated or not.

In this embodiment, if the push button 21 is in an operated state at the specific time when a winning reservation is obtained, the special effect is set to occur without fail (100% probability). By doing this, if the player plays while the push button 21 is in an operated state, the so-called "full notification" gameplay is realized. On the other hand, if the player plays while the push button 21 is in an operated state, there will be no big win unless a special effect occurs.

Note that the reserved symbol 10 corresponding to the winning reserved symbol may remain in its normal state (see Fig. 4 (c-1) and (c-2)). In other words, even if the so-called reserved symbol does not change (it does not become a so-called chance-up reserved symbol), the special effect will occur.

In addition, the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is provided with an "auto button function" that reflects in the operation presentation that requests the player to operate the operation means 20 (push button 21) that the operation means 20 has been virtually operated even if it has not actually been operated (the auto button function itself is well known, so a detailed description will be omitted). Even if the auto button function is ON (a state in which a virtual operation occurs), if the operation means 20 (push button 21) is not actually operated when a winning reservation is obtained, a specific presentation will not occur. In other words, the auto button function is not reflected in the "operation of the operation means 20", which is the condition for the occurrence of a specific presentation. As described above, the specific presentation is that the vibration of the operation means 20 (push button 21) is transmitted to the player who is actually operating it, so even if the auto button function is ON, if the operation is not actually performed, the specific presentation will not occur. Note that the auto button function is not a required configuration, and the auto button function may not be provided.

As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, at a specific point in time when a specific event that the player cannot predict occurs, it is possible to execute an interesting effect (specific effect) that will not occur if the operating means 20 (push button 21) is in a non-operated state, but will occur if the operating means is in an operated state.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, specific embodiments, modifications, etc., made to the above-mentioned specific performance-related matters. Note that, to the extent possible, configurations may be made that apply a combination of multiple technologies described using the following specific examples.

〇Specific example 1-1
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that if the push button 21 is in an operated state when a specific event occurs (specific time point), a specific effect (vibration of the push button 21) occurs with a 100% probability, but a setting may be made such that a specific effect does not necessarily occur even if the push button 21 is in an operated state when a specific event occurs. In other words, if the push button 21 is not in an operated state at a specific time point (if it is in a non-operated state), a specific effect will not occur, but a setting may be made such that a specific effect may or may not occur even if the push button 21 is in an operated state (a setting in which the probability of a specific effect occurring when in an operated state at a specific time point is less than 100%). For example, when a winning reservation is obtained and the push button 21 is in an operated state (see FIG. 5(a)), a predetermined lottery (hereinafter referred to as a vibration lottery; the probability of winning this lottery is less than 100%) is executed, and if the vibration lottery is won, the push button 21 vibrates (see FIG. 5(b-1)), but if the vibration lottery is not won, the push button 21 does not vibrate (see FIG. 5(b-2)).

In the above embodiment, if the push button 21 is kept in an operated state while playing, the jackpot will not be reached unless a special effect occurs. On the other hand, by doing as in this example, even if the push button 21 is kept in an operated state while playing and a special effect does not occur, there is still a possibility of winning the jackpot (the vibration of the push button 21 remains at "Chance Up"). However, just like in the above embodiment, the occurrence of a special effect is a confirmation of a jackpot.

Specific example 1-2
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the acquisition of winning/losing lottery information that results in a big win when the variable performance is not being executed is also included in the specific event, but the acquisition of winning/losing lottery information that results in a big win when the variable performance is being executed is included in the specific event, and the acquisition of the winning/losing lottery information when the variable performance is not being executed is not included in the specific event. In other words, immediately after the winning/losing lottery information is acquired, only the acquisition of the winning reservation displayed as the "pre-variation reserved pattern 12" is set as the specific event. The fact that winning/losing lottery information that results in a big win is acquired when the variable performance is not being executed means that the variable performance (winning variation) corresponding to the winning/losing lottery information is immediately started, so if it is thought that there is no need to generate a specific performance, this example can be used.

By doing this, the special effect will occur before the in-flight effect for the corresponding win/lose lottery result (jackpot) begins (it will occur while the in-flight effect that ends before the in-flight effect for the corresponding win/lose lottery result is being executed), so the special effect will function as a so-called pre-reading effect.

Specific example 1-3
In the above embodiment, the specific event is set to the acquisition of winning/losing lottery information (winning/losing pending) that will result in a big win, but other events whose occurrence time cannot be accurately predicted by the player may be set as the specific event. For example, it is possible to set the time when a specific performance that constitutes a variable performance and whose occurrence timing is random (unpredictable) starts as the specific event. For example, the start of a performance (cut-in performance) in which a specific performance image 201 is displayed (see FIG. 6(a)) is set as the specific event (not a performance that prompts the operation of the push button 21). If the push button 21 is in an operating state when the performance image 201 is displayed, the push button 21 vibrates (a specific performance occurs) (see FIG. 6(b-1)), but if it is not in an operating state, the push button 21 does not vibrate (a specific performance does not occur) (see FIG. 6(b-2)).

However, as in the above embodiment, by making a specific event occur at the time when the target winning/losing lottery information is acquired, there is an advantage that it is easy to understand which winning/losing lottery result the specific presentation suggests (which target hold is being made).

Specific example 1-4
Although the specific effect in the above embodiment is described as the change of the push button 21 from a non-vibration state to a vibration state, it is also possible to set other effects as the specific effect. For example, it is conceivable that a special image is displayed in the display area 911, which is not displayed if the push button 21 is in a non-operation state at a specific time, but is displayed if the push button 21 is in an operation state at a specific time.

However, since the occurrence of a special effect depends on whether the push button 21 is in an operated state or not, it is preferable that the special effect is related to the push button 21. For example, a change in the light emission state of the light-emitting part on the push button 21 could be set as a special effect. More preferably, since it is certain that the player is operating the push button 21 when a special effect occurs, it is preferable that a change occurs that is noticeable to the player operating the push button 21. For example, a special effect could be set as a blowing of air from the push button 21 or its vicinity, so that the player operating the push button 21 can feel it. Also, a special effect could be set as a movable object on or near the push button 21, and the movable object could be displaced to come into contact with the player operating the push button 21.

Specific example 1-5
The operation means 20 (push button 21) used for the special effects in the above embodiment is a physical structure that can be operated by the player, but the special effects described in the above embodiment may be generated by operating a touch panel or the like, which corresponds to the "operation of the operation means 20" (operation state). Also, a sensor capable of detecting the player's hands or the like may be provided, and the detection by the sensor may correspond to the "operation of the operation means 20" (operation state), which corresponds to the special effects described in the above embodiment.

Specific example 1-6
The occurrence of the specific effect is limited to a specific game state. For example, in a low base state in which the frequency of the game ball entering the start area 904 (first start area 904a) (the frequency of the winning/losing lottery information being acquired) is relatively low and the time required for one change is relatively long, the specific effect does not occur, and in a high base state (time-saving state) in which the frequency of the game ball entering the start area 904 (second start area 904b) (the frequency of the winning/losing lottery information being acquired) is relatively high and the time required for one change is relatively long, the specific effect can be set to occur. In the high base state, the winning/losing lottery information is acquired at a good tempo, and the winning/losing judgment result is notified at a good tempo (the reserved is consumed), so it can be said that it is suitable for a game in which the occurrence of the specific effect is expected while maintaining the operation state of the push button 21.

The gaming machine 1 according to the above embodiment may be set so that a specific effect occurs only during a special game state (so-called ST) (see FIG. 3). In the ST machine that transitions to a special game state after all jackpot games have ended as in the above embodiment, the key to continuation (consecutive wins) is to win a jackpot before a predetermined number of consecutive misses, and since winning a jackpot is something that players are happy about, the player is notified of the fact that he or she has won the jackpot through a specific effect. In the case of a so-called probability loop machine, winning a jackpot (normal jackpot) other than a probability jackpot that transitions to a high probability state (probability fluctuating state) after a jackpot game has ended is not something that players are happy about, so it is necessary to set it so that a specific effect does not occur for a normal jackpot, which makes the control complicated.

Specific example 1-7
An operation effect (see FIG. 7) that prompts the player to operate the push button 21 may occur. Specifically, the operation effect is set with an effective operation period during which the operation of the push button 21 is effective (reflected in the effect), and if a specific event occurs (see FIG. 7(b)) while the push button 21 is being operated (while in an operating state) during the effective operation period, the specific effect is not generated (see FIG. 7(c)). Since there is a high probability that the operation of the push button 21 during the effective operation period is performed by the player in response to the operation effect, if a specific effect is generated at that time, the player may mistakenly believe that a specific effect (vibration of the push button 21) has occurred as a result of the operation effect. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, the specific effect is not generated even if a specific event occurs during the operation of the push button 21 during the effective operation period.

Examples of operation effects include single operation effects that encourage the operation of the operation means 20 only once, continuous operation effects that encourage continuous operation (effects that encourage "continuous tapping" if the operation means 20 is the push button 21), and sustained operation effects that encourage the operation state to be maintained (effects that encourage "long press" if the operation means 20 is the push button 21). In particular, for sustained operation effects (see FIG. 7), there is a high probability that a situation will occur in which a specific event will occur when the operation means 20 (push button 21) is in an operating state, so it can be said that there is great significance in controlling as in this example. In addition, a function (automatic rapid tapping function) that reflects the sustained operation of the operation means 20 in a continuous operation effect as a virtual continuous operation is well known, and if such a function is installed, there is a high probability that a situation will occur in which a specific event will occur when the operation means 20 is in an operating state even in a continuous operation effect, so it can be said that there is great significance in controlling as in this example.

Specific example 1-8
In the case where multiple types of jackpots are set as jackpots, if a reserved hit that is a certain type of jackpot is obtained and the operation means 20 is in an operating state, a specific effect occurs, but if a reserved hit that is a different type of jackpot is obtained, even if the operation means 20 is in an operating state, the specific effect does not occur. For example, in the case where three types of jackpots, 10 round jackpots, 5 round jackpots, and 3 round jackpots, are set as jackpots (the concept of "round" is well known, so an explanation is omitted), if a reserved hit that is a 10 round jackpot is obtained, a specific effect may occur (if the operation means 20 is in an operating state), but if a reserved hit that is a 5 round jackpot or a 3 round jackpot is obtained, the specific effect does not occur (does not occur regardless of the state of the operation means 20). In other words, the specific effect can occur only when a reserved hit that is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of rounds in the jackpot is obtained.

In addition, in a configuration in which a special jackpot (a jackpot that transitions to a high probability state (a probability change with a higher probability of winning the win/lose lottery than normal) after the jackpot play ends) and a normal jackpot (a jackpot that transitions to a low probability state (a state with a lower probability of winning the win/lose lottery than the high probability state) after the jackpot play ends) is set, it is possible to set it so that a special presentation can occur when a reserved winning position that results in a special jackpot is obtained, but no special presentation occurs when a reserved winning position that results in a normal jackpot is obtained.

In this way, in a configuration in which multiple types of jackpots with different expected profits enjoyed by the player are set, if the expected profit is equal to or greater than a standard, a special effect may occur, but if it is less than the standard, the special effect may not occur. Depending on the type of jackpot, winning may not be very pleasing to the player, so the special effect can only occur when a jackpot that is expected to bring a certain level of profit or more is obtained (when a win reserve is acquired), so as not to disappoint the player's expectations (pleasure) when a special effect occurs.

Specific example 1-9
A period (hereinafter referred to as a prohibited period) is set during which a specific effect will not occur even if the operation means 20 is in an operating state when a reserved win is obtained. In other words, during a period other than the prohibited period (hereinafter referred to as a target period), if the operation means 20 is in an operating state when a reserved win is obtained, a specific effect will occur. For example, a prohibited period may be set from the transition to a certain game state until a predetermined number of variable effects are executed (until the predetermined number of fluctuations are completed), and the target period may be set thereafter. In other words, a configuration may be set in which whether a period is a prohibited period or a target period is determined based on the number of fluctuations (number of rotations).

In addition, for example, a configuration can be considered in which the period when one or more special presentation modes (also called stages, etc.; the concept of such modes (stages) is well known and therefore will not be explained here) is a prohibited period, and the rest is a target period. In other words, the configuration can be such that a special presentation will not occur when the presentation state is such that it is not appropriate to cause a special presentation to occur.

2-2) Specific Operation Presentation The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is capable of executing a specific operation presentation (see FIG. 8) as a type of operation presentation that prompts the player to operate the push button 21, which is one of the operation means 20. The specific operation presentation can occur as a presentation that constitutes part of the during-variation presentation. Note that the specific operation presentation in this embodiment is a single-shot operation presentation, but this does not deny the possibility of configuring a continuous operation presentation or a sustained operation presentation as described below.

The specific operation presentation suggests a post-event presentation that occurs after the specific operation presentation. In the specific operation presentation, as in the general operation presentation, in order to show the player that the push button 21 should be operated, an operation image 25 representing the push button 21 to be operated is displayed in the display area 911 (see FIG. 8(a)). The operation image 25 may be deformed, etc., to the extent that the player can recognize that it represents the push button 21 (operation means 20) to be operated. In this embodiment, a meter image 26 indicating the remaining (elapsed) operation valid period is displayed together with the operation image 25 (see FIG. 8(a)). In other words, the operation image 25 is displayed at least during the operation valid period. Since the specific operation presentation in this embodiment is a single-shot operation presentation, the operation valid period ends when the push button 21 is operated during the operation valid period. In addition, if the push button 21 is not operated throughout the operation valid period, the operation valid period ends and the push button 21 is considered to have been operated (control is performed in the same manner as when the push button 21 is operated, triggered by the end of the operation valid period).

In a specific operation presentation, a post-performance image 28 suggesting a post-performance is displayed together with the operation image 25 (see FIG. 8(a)). In other words, the post-performance image 28 is displayed during the valid operation period. It is preferable that the post-performance image 28 contains an element that the player can recognize as suggesting the post-performance of the suggested target. For example, if the post-performance is named "XXX performance," the post-performance image 28 contains the characters "XXX." Also, although not shown, it is conceivable that an image displayed as a post-performance is displayed as the post-performance image 28.

The specific form of the post-event performance may be any. In this embodiment, the display of a specified image is set as the post-event performance (see FIG. 8(c)). When a post-event performance occurs during a certain during-variation performance, the probability that the target hit/miss lottery result corresponding to that during-variation performance will be a jackpot (jackpot reliability) is higher than when the post-event performance does not occur. In other words, the post-event performance is a type of so-called chance-up performance. The post-event performance is not conditional on the occurrence of a specific operation performance. In other words, a post-event performance can occur even during a during-variation performance in which a specific operation performance does not occur.

In this embodiment, when a specific operation effect occurs and the push button 21 is operated (single operation) during the operation valid period (see FIG. 8(b)), the post-effect is always triggered to occur (occurs immediately after the operation) (see FIG. 8(c)). If the push button 21 is not operated during the operation valid period, the end of the operation valid period is considered to be the trigger for the operation of the push button 21, so in that case, the post-effect also occurs immediately after the end of the operation valid period. In other words, the occurrence of a specific operation effect is always linked to the occurrence of a post-effect (specific operation effect and post-effect occur with the same fluctuation). However, since the player is not informed throughout the game that the post-effect will always occur when a specific operation effect occurs, when a specific operation effect occurs and the post-effect image 28 is displayed, the player will operate the push button 21 in the hope that the post-effect will occur. Note that the post-effect is not a jackpot confirmation effect (although it is a chance-up effect). Therefore, the occurrence of a specific operation effect that is linked to the occurrence of a post-effect is not a jackpot confirmation effect. Even during a changing event where the lottery result is a loss, specific operation effects and post-event effects can occur.

In this way, the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is capable of executing an interesting operation presentation (specific operation presentation) in which the player is prompted to operate the push button 21 and is given a hint as to the subsequent presentation (post-presentation).

The following describes specific examples of improvements, specific embodiments, modifications, etc., made to the above-mentioned specific operation presentations. Note that, to the extent possible, a configuration may be made in which multiple techniques described using the following specific examples are combined and applied.

Specific example 2-1
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that if the push button 21 is not operated during the operation valid period in the specific operation performance (single operation performance), the post-performance occurs upon the end of the operation valid period. However, if the push button 21 is operated (see FIG. 9(b-1)) during the operation valid period of the specific operation performance (see FIG. 9(a)), the post-performance occurs (see FIG. 9(c-1)). However, if the push button 21 is not operated during the operation valid period (see FIG. 9(b-2)), the post-performance does not occur (see FIG. 9(c-2)). By doing so, the condition for the post-performance to be executed is that the push button 21 is operated (single operation), which contributes to promoting the operation in the operation performance (specific operation performance). Whether or not the push button 21 is operated in the specific operation performance does not affect the jackpot reliability of the target winning/losing lottery result.

When push button 21 is operated to cause a post-event performance to occur, after the post-event performance has ended, a performance similar to that in the case where push button 21 was not operated and the post-event performance had not occurred (see FIG. 9(d)) will be executed. In other words, during the specified period after the specific operation performance ends, the post-event performance will either be executed or not depending on whether or not an operation was performed (as in FIG. 9(c-1) (as in FIG. 9(c-2)), but thereafter the varying performance will proceed in the same manner.

If the specific operation presentation is a continuous operation presentation or a sustained operation presentation, the setting may be such that whether or not a post-presentation occurs is determined depending on whether or not the continuous operation or sustained operation during the valid operation period satisfies a specified condition. In other words, if an operation that satisfies the specified condition is performed before the valid operation period ends, the post-presentation occurs, but if no operation that satisfies the specified condition is performed, the post-presentation does not occur. The specified condition may be a predetermined (unchanging) condition, or may be a condition that can change each time a specific operation presentation occurs. Also, a lottery may be held to determine whether or not the condition is satisfied.

〇Specific example 2-2
In the above embodiment, it was explained that when a specific operation display occurs, a post-event display (display of a specified image) is determined to occur when the push button 21 is operated during the valid operation period or when the valid operation period ends. However, even when a specific operation display occurs, the probability of the post-event display occurring is only high, and it is not certain that the post-event display will occur (the probability of the post-event display occurring is less than 100%).

In this way, in a configuration in which the occurrence of a specific operation effect does not necessarily result in the occurrence of a post-event effect, an operation effect different from the specific operation effect may occur, specifically a normal operation effect in which the operation image 25 is displayed (the player is prompted to operate the push button 21) but the post-event effect image 28 is not displayed, and the post-event effect may also occur as a result of the operation of the push button 21 during the effective operation period of the normal operation effect or the end of the effective operation period. Based on this premise, the setting is such that the probability of a post-event effect occurring is higher after a specific operation effect than after a normal operation effect. In other words, the occurrence of a specific operation effect in which the post-event effect image 28 is displayed during an operation effect may be a configuration that merely suggests that the probability of a post-event effect occurring is higher than in a normal operation effect in which the post-event effect image 28 is not displayed.

By doing this, the presence or absence of the post-event performance image 28 during the operation performance indicates the likelihood (or the degree) of the post-event performance occurring, making the gameplay easy to understand.

Specific example 2-3
It is assumed that there are a plurality of types of post-performance images 28 that can be displayed in the specific operation performance. For example, there is a case where the first post-performance image 281 is displayed as the post-performance image 28 (first specific operation performance), and there is a case where the second post-performance image 282 (different in appearance from the first post-performance image 281) is displayed as the specific operation performance (second specific operation performance). In this case, the probability of a post-performance occurring after the specific operation performance is higher when the second post-performance image 282 is displayed (when the second specific operation performance occurs) (see FIG. 10(b)) than when the first post-performance image 281 is displayed in the specific operation performance (when the first specific operation performance occurs) (see FIG. 10(a)). It may be set so that when the second specific operation performance occurs, it is certain that a post-performance will occur, or it may be set so that even if the second specific operation performance occurs, a post-performance will not necessarily occur (the occurrence probability is less than 100%). Furthermore, the probability of a post-event effect occurring when a first specific operation effect occurs is always less than 100% (because the probability of a post-event effect occurring when a second specific operation effect occurs is lower).

In this way, the type (mode) of the post-event performance image 28 when the specific operation performance occurs is also a performance mode that the player pays attention to. In other words, as described above, the post-event performance is a chance-up performance, so the player hopes that the specific operation performance will occur and create a situation where the player can expect the post-event performance to occur, and if the specific operation performance occurs, the player will hope that it will be the second specific performance (the second post-event performance image 282 will be displayed), which realizes gameplay.

Specific example 2-4
The configuration is such that the player can arbitrarily select whether or not the gameplay will have a specific operation presentation. For example, a normal mode and a specific mode are set, and when the specific mode is set, a specific operation presentation may occur (an operation presentation in which the post-event presentation image 28 is displayed may occur), but when the normal mode is set, the specific operation presentation will not occur (the post-event presentation image 28 will not be displayed). Any method of selecting the mode may be used. In a standby state (a state in which the variable presentation is not being executed), a desired mode can be selected by operating the push button 21, the cross key 22, etc. In this way, when an operation presentation occurs, the player can arbitrarily select whether or not the gameplay will have a post-event presentation that is notified (a player who does not want to be notified that the post-event presentation will occur can select the normal mode).

When the specific mode is set, the operation performance accompanied by the occurrence of a post-event performance may be set to always be a specific operation performance (the post-event performance image 28 is always displayed). In other words, the specific mode may be configured as a "full notification mode" for the post-event performance, in which a post-event performance occurs if it is a specific operation performance, and a post-event performance does not occur if it is an operation performance other than the specific operation performance.

2-3) Selection Presentation The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment can execute a selection presentation (however, this does not occur in all variations) as a presentation constituting the during-variation presentation. Note that the selection presentation as described below may be executed in a state in which the during-variation presentation is not being executed, for example, in a jackpot game state.

The selection performance (see FIG. 11) is basically such that multiple options are displayed in the display area 911, and the player is prompted to select a preferred option from the multiple options by operating the operation means 20 (push button 21, cross key 22). In the display area 911, option images 30 showing the options are displayed. The option images 30 may be in a form that allows the player to select and understand the contents of each option. The selection performance may display the same option each time, or may change the options each time. In addition, it may be configured such that two or more options of the same type can be displayed among the multiple types of options. The contents of the options may be of any type, so an explanation is omitted. In this embodiment, the selection performance constitutes a variable performance, but the player's selection does not affect the winning/losing lottery result. The subsequent development (the form of the variable performance) only changes depending on the selection. In the following explanation, four types of characters A to D are displayed as options, and a selection performance is generated that prompts the player to select a preferred character. After the selection is made, a presentation that corresponds to the selected character (for example, the selected character speaks some lines) will occur.

The selection presentation is divided into a first period (first half) (see FIG. 11(a)) followed by a second period (second half) (see FIG. 11(b)).

During the first period (see FIG. 11(a)), an image (hereinafter referred to as an instruction image 32) showing the content of the selection performance (content required of the player) is displayed in the display area 911 together with an option image 30 corresponding to each option. In this embodiment, an instruction image 32 including the words "Choose your favorite character" is displayed. This allows the player to understand that they can choose their favorite character from the characters displayed as options.

In addition, one of the multiple options (option image 30) is in an emphasized state, being more emphasized than the other options. As described later, the option in the emphasized state indicates an option that is to be selected by a decision operation. In this embodiment, the cursor C is placed on one of the multiple option images 30. The option (option image 30) on which the cursor C is placed is in the emphasized state. At the start of the selection performance (the start of the first period), the option image 30 of the character A is in the emphasized state (the initial position of the cursor C is the character A) (see FIG. 11(a)). Note that there are various methods for creating the emphasized state. Possible methods include displaying a certain option image 30 larger than the other option images 30, or making the color of a certain option image 30 different from the color of the other option images 30. In addition, although the selection performance in this embodiment is such that one option is ultimately selected, two or more options may be selected. In this case, two or more option images 30 are in the emphasized state.

After the first period ends, the second period begins. In the second period (see FIG. 11(b)), an operation explanation image 34 relating to the operation of the operation means 20 is displayed in the display area 911. The operation explanation image 34 is an image showing how the player should operate the operation means 20 to select a preferred option. In this embodiment, the cursor C is moved by the cross key 22 (the left and right keys of the cross key 22), that is, the highlighted option image 30 is changed (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as a selection operation), and the selection of the highlighted option is confirmed (the selection is confirmed) by operating the push button 21 (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as a decision operation), and an image explaining the operation of the cross key 22 or the push button 21 is displayed as the operation explanation image 34. At least, the operation explanation image 34 includes an image representing the operation means 20 required for the selection operation or decision operation (which may be an image representing the appearance of the operation means 20 or may be a character representing the name of the operation means 20). By looking at this type of operation explanation image 34, the player can easily understand how to perform the selection operation and the decision operation.

Here, in the selection presentation in this embodiment, a selection operation that changes the highlighted option is valid from a stage before the operation instruction image 34 is displayed, i.e., from the first period. In other words, the operation instruction image 34 indicates that it is possible to change the highlighted option by operating the cross key 22, which is one of the operation means 20, and it is possible to change the highlighted option, i.e., to perform a selection operation (moving the cursor C in this embodiment) even during the first period in which the operation instruction image 34 is not displayed (see FIG. 12). However, a decision operation cannot be performed during the first period. In other words, even if the push button 21 is operated during the first period, a decision operation is not performed (the decision operation is not valid).

After the operation instruction image 34 is displayed, that is, after the transition to the second period, the selection operation can be performed by operating the cross key 22 as in the first period (see FIG. 13(b)(c)). In addition, after the transition to the second period, the decision operation can be performed by operating the push button 21 (see FIG. 13(d)(e)). In other words, the operation represented by the operation instruction image 34 becomes valid. In summary, during the first period, "selection operation is valid," and during the second period, "selection operation and decision operation are valid." Note that when a predetermined time (valid decision operation time) has elapsed after the transition to the second period, the decision operation is automatically performed even if the push button 21 is not operated. Specifically, the selection of the option that is highlighted at the end of the valid decision operation time is automatically confirmed.

In the above selection performance, the option images 30 are displayed during the first period before the operation explanation image 34 is displayed, and one of the option images 30 is highlighted, so it is believed that many players will understand that they are being prompted to select a preferred option. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment in which the instruction image 32 is displayed during the first period, it is expected that many players will understand as described above. In addition, since the operation means 20 is provided in a position that is visible to the player playing the game, it is assumed that many players are aware of its existence, and when the option image 30 is displayed, it is thought that players will try to change the highlighted option image 30 (move the cursor C) by operating the operation means 20 even if the operation explanation image 34 is not displayed. In particular, if the cross key 22 is provided as in this embodiment, it is expected that many players will think that a selection operation can be performed by operating the cross key 22 even if the operation explanation image 34 is not displayed.

In view of this, in this embodiment, it is possible to perform a selection operation (selection operation using the cross key 22 is valid) even before the operation instruction image 34 is displayed (see FIG. 12). In other words, for a player who understands that the presentation is for selecting a preferred option even before the operation instruction image 34 is displayed and attempts to operate the operation means 20 (operation of the cross key 22), the operation is valid so that the operation is not wasted (so that the player is prevented from becoming frustrated because the operation is not valid). Furthermore, by doing so, it is possible to select a preferred option (a state in which the preferred option image 30 is highlighted) before the transition to the second period in which the decision operation is valid, which has the advantage of shortening the time it takes to decide on an option in the selection presentation.

On the other hand, during the first period, since the operation instruction image 34 is not displayed, the player may think that the selection will not be finalized. In other words, if the confirmation operation (operation of the push button 21) were enabled during the first period, there is a risk that a situation may arise in which the player will confirm the selection of an option that is not to their liking. For this reason, the confirmation of the option (confirmation of the selection) is only enabled once the operation instruction image 34 is displayed (the player is informed that the selection will be finalized by operating the push button 21).

The following describes specific examples of improvements, specific embodiments, and modifications to the above selection performance-related matters. Note that, to the extent possible, a configuration may be created that applies a combination of multiple technologies described using the following specific examples.

Specific example 3-1
In the second period, a time image 36 is displayed to indicate the time (remaining time) until the end of the selection performance, specifically the time when the decision operation is valid (decision operation valid time). Various methods for indicating the time (modes of the time image 36) are conceivable. For example, a meter that changes with time may be displayed as the time image 36 (not shown), or a numerical value indicating the remaining time (a countdown numerical value) may be displayed as the time image 36 (see FIG. 14(b)). The time image 36 is not displayed in the first period, that is, in a state before the operation explanation image 34 is displayed (see FIG. 14(a)). In addition, the time image 36 may be displayed simultaneously with the start of display of the operation explanation image 34 (start of the second period), or may be displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of display of the operation explanation image 34 (start of the second period).

By doing as in this example, the selection presentation transitions from a state in which the time image 36 is not displayed (see FIG. 14(a)) to a state in which the time image 36 is displayed (see FIG. 14(b)). Because the state in which the time image 36 is displayed is a state in which a decision operation can be performed, the new display of the time image 36 clearly indicates the transition from a "state in which a decision cannot be made" to a "state in which a decision can be made". In addition, because the time image 36 indicates the "remaining time" (for making a decision operation) (indicating that the time is gradually running out), the player will intuitively recognize that he or she is being prompted to make a decision operation.

Specific example 3-2
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the selection of a preferred option is confirmed by highlighting the option and then performing a confirm operation (during the second period), but the configuration does not have to be premised on such a decision being made by "operating" the operating means 20 (push button 21). For example, the option that is highlighted is confirmed (selection is confirmed) when a specified time has elapsed since the transition to the second period (time-up). In other words, the configuration is such that the player highlights the preferred option by the time-up, and then the selection of the option is confirmed by waiting for the time to elapse. It is preferable that an image showing the remaining specified time (specified time image) is displayed.

In this example, since a "decision operation" is not necessary, the operation means 20 that the player must operate in the selection presentation is only that for performing a "selection operation." If the selection operation is configured to be performed using the cross key 22 as in the above embodiment, the player can simply operate the cross key 22 to highlight the desired option before the time is up. As in the above embodiment, the selection operation is valid during the first period. In other words, the selection operation (movement of cursor C) can be performed from a state before the specified time is displayed.

Specific example 3-3
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that before the operation explanation image 34 is displayed, the selection operation is possible but the decision operation is not possible. However, the configuration is such that the decision operation is possible (decision operation is valid) even before the operation explanation image 34 is displayed. In accordance with the above embodiment, when the push button 21 is operated in a state where the operation explanation image 34 is not displayed, the selection of the option that is highlighted at that time is decided. When the decision operation is performed (the selection is confirmed) in a state where the operation explanation image 34 is displayed, the operation explanation image 34 is not displayed through the selection performance. This is because the operation explanation image 34 explains the selection operation and the decision operation, and therefore does not need to be displayed when the decision operation is performed. In other words, the selection performance of this example is such that the operation explanation image 34 is displayed when the decision operation is not performed in a state where the operation explanation image 34 is displayed.

As explained in the above embodiment, the option images 30 are displayed and one of the option images 30 is highlighted before the operation instruction image 34 is displayed, so it is believed that many players will understand that they are being prompted to select their preferred option. Since players who understand the content of the selection presentation up to this point are likely to attempt to perform not only the selection operation but also the decision operation before the operation instruction image 34 is displayed, the decision operation is also made valid. In other words, the operation instruction image 34 is displayed for players who are unable to understand the content of the selection presentation.

However, if the player thinks that the selection cannot be confirmed when the operation instruction image 34 is not displayed, there is a risk that a situation may arise in which the player will select an option that is not to his/her liking if the above example is used. To avoid such a situation from occurring, the setting can be made as in the above embodiment (where the selection cannot be confirmed when the operation instruction image 34 is not displayed).

2-4) Game Explanation Presentation and Opportunity Presentation The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment is capable of executing a game explanation presentation and an opportunity presentation (however, these presentations do not occur in all variations) as presentations constituting the presentation during variation (see FIG. 15). As will be described in detail later, the opportunity presentation is provided on the premise that the game explanation presentation exists.

The game explanation performance is a performance in which a game explanation image 51 is displayed in the display area 911 (see FIG. 15(a)). The game explanation image 51 (see FIG. 15(b)) is an image that shows an explanation about the game of the gaming machine 1. The game explanation image 51 in this embodiment is an explanation about the game written inside a rectangular frame (outline). Various explanations about the game are considered. Various images that help the player play the gaming machine 1 (increase the ingenuity) can be considered, such as those that explain the performance that can occur as a component of the during-change performance, those related to the jackpot game, those related to the special game state, and those related to the original manga that became the motif of the gaming machine 1. Note that the game explanation performance in this embodiment does not suggest the jackpot reliability. In other words, a during-change performance that includes a game explanation performance does not have a higher jackpot reliability than one that does not include the performance. The lottery for whether or not to execute a game explanation performance, and the lottery for which type of game explanation performance to execute, are carried out regardless of the result of the lottery (the lottery table is the same for "jackpot" and "loss").

In this embodiment, the game instruction images 51 are assigned "numbers" (the "numbers" are displayed inside a rectangular frame). Different types of game instruction images 51 (images that explain different contents) are assigned different numbers. In other words, each game instruction image 51 is assigned a unique number (digit). In this embodiment, the numbers are shown as "No. O" (where O is a "number") (see FIG. 15(b)). In other words, game instruction images 51, regardless of their type, include a common element called "No." (hereinafter referred to as specific element 50c). A player who has played continuously for a certain period of time will come to perceive an effect in which an image with the "No." is displayed as a game instruction effect.

The opportunity effect is an effect in which an opportunity image 52 is displayed in the display area 911 (see FIG. 15(a)). The opportunity image 52 (see FIG. 15(c)) is a so-called chance-up effect that suggests that the reliability of the jackpot of the target hit/miss lottery result corresponding to the currently executing variable effect has increased. In other words, the opportunity image 52 (opportunity effect) suggests the reliability of the jackpot, unlike the game explanation image 51 (game explanation effect) described above. A configuration in which an opportunity image 52 (opportunity effect) that guarantees a jackpot may be set.

The opportunity image 52 includes an indication inside a square frame (outer shape) that suggests the reliability of a jackpot. The specific form of the indication of the reliability of a jackpot may be any. Words that suggest the reliability, such as "opportunity," "chance," or "hot," may be directly displayed, or the currently executing variable performance may be implied as a chance, such as "pay attention to future developments." In addition, the frame (outer shape) of the opportunity image 52 and the frame (outer shape) of the game explanation image 51 have the same shape (the color and thickness of the frame are also the same). The opportunity image 52 and the game explanation image 51 are never displayed together, but if they were to be overlapped, their frames (outer shape) would match exactly.

Like the game explanation image 51, the opportunity image 52 is also given a "No.○" (○ is a number (digit)). As described above, "No." is a common element (specific element 50c) that is given regardless of the type of game explanation image 51. This means that the specific element 50c is also given to the opportunity image 52 (see FIG. 15(c)). In other words, although the game explanation image 51 and the opportunity image 52 are different in nature, they contain a common element called "No.". Note that in this embodiment, the position where "No." is given is the same in the game explanation image 51 and the opportunity image 52. The opportunity image 52 and the game explanation image 51 are not displayed together, but if they were overlapped so that their outer shapes (frames) matched, the letters "No." would overlap.

In this embodiment, the range in which the game explanation image 51 is displayed in the display area 911 during the game explanation performance is the same as the range in which the opportunity image 52 is displayed in the display area 911 during the opportunity performance. As described above, the outer shape of the game explanation image 51 and the outer shape of the opportunity image 52 are the same, and the opportunity image 52 and the game explanation image 51 are displayed in a predetermined range (a range with the same shape as the outer shape of the game explanation image 51 and the opportunity image 52) in the display area 911 (whether the game explanation performance or the opportunity performance occurs, the game explanation image 51 or the opportunity image 52 is displayed in the range shown in FIG. 15(a)). Since the game explanation performance and the opportunity performance do not occur at the same time, the game explanation image 51 is displayed in the predetermined range when the game explanation performance occurs, and the opportunity image 52 is displayed in the predetermined range when the opportunity performance occurs. In this embodiment, the image layer that constitutes the game explanation image 51 and the opportunity image 52 is the foremost. Therefore, the game explanation image 51 and the opportunity image 52 are not obscured by other images.

The number (number) after "No." attached to the game instruction image 51 and the number (number) after "No." attached to the opportunity image 52 are not to be overlapped. In this embodiment, a total of 45 types of game instruction images 51 and a total of 5 types of opportunity images 52 are prepared. That is, there are a total of 50 types of game instruction images 51 and opportunity images 52. Each of the 50 types is assigned a different number. In this embodiment, each of the 5 types of opportunity images 52 is assigned a unique number such as No. 7, No. 15, No. 28, No. 32, and No. 46 (see FIG. 15(c)). The 45 types of game instruction images 51 are assigned numbers other than those. That is, each type of game instruction image 51 is also assigned a unique number. In summary, the game instruction images 51 and the opportunity images 52 are assigned numbers that look like "consecutive numbers".

In this embodiment, both the game explanation effect and the chance effect will not occur in one of the variation effects. In other words, if it is determined that one of the game explanation effect and the chance effect will occur, the other will not occur. In this embodiment, based on the target win/loss lottery result, it is determined by lottery whether or not to generate a chance effect, which is a so-called chance-up effect, in the variation effect for the target win/loss lottery result, and if the occurrence of a chance effect is determined by the lottery, the lottery for whether or not to execute the game explanation effect in the variation effect is not executed (the game explanation effect will not be executed). As mentioned above, the variation effect including the game explanation effect does not have a higher jackpot reliability than one that does not include it. Therefore, the lottery for whether or not to execute the game explanation effect executed when the chance effect does not occur, and the lottery for which type of game explanation effect to execute when it is determined to execute the game explanation effect are not related to the win/loss lottery result (the lottery table is the same for the "jackpot" case and the "loss" case).

In addition, the probability that a game explanation effect will occur during a certain variation (occurrence probability per variation) is higher than the probability that a good chance effect will occur. In other words, if you play continuously for a certain period of time, you will have more opportunities to encounter a game explanation effect than a good chance effect.

The effects of the game explanation effect and the opportunity effect are as follows. When a player encounters a game explanation effect in which a game explanation image 51 is displayed, the player plays the game while receiving an explanation from the game explanation image 51. Since the game explanation image 51 is assigned a common element (specific element 50c) "No.", the player gets the impression that the image to which the "No." is assigned is the game explanation image 51 (it is assumed that there are as many types of game explanation effects as there are "No."). On the premise that a game explanation effect having such a configuration occurs, in this embodiment, an opportunity effect occurs in which an opportunity image 52 is displayed. Since the opportunity image 52 is assigned the same "No." (specific element 50c) as the game explanation image 51, the player may mistake the opportunity image 52 for the game explanation image 51. In other words, the player may perceive the occurrence of an opportunity effect as the occurrence of a game explanation effect. However, because the opportunity image 52 includes text or the like that suggests the reliability of a jackpot, if a player looks closely, the player can understand that the opportunity image 52 suggests reliability. In this way, in this embodiment, the aspect of the opportunity effect is such that it can be mistaken for a game instruction effect, so that only players who notice that an opportunity effect is occurring (an opportunity image 52 different from the game instruction image 51 is displayed) can enjoy the reliability suggestive effect (chance increase suggestive effect) of the opportunity effect, which is an interesting feature. Note that whether or not a player notices that an opportunity effect is occurring does not make a difference in terms of essential profits (number of balls paid out).

In particular, in this embodiment, the game instruction image 51 and the opportunity image 52 are given numbers that appear to be "sequential numbers," which increases the likelihood that the player will perceive the opportunity image 52 as the game instruction image 51 (perceive both images as being of the same type).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the range of the display area 911 in which the game explanation image 51 is displayed in the game explanation presentation is the same as the range of the display area 911 in which the opportunity image 52 is displayed in the opportunity presentation, so that the player is more likely to perceive the opportunity image 52 as the game explanation image 51.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, both a game explanation effect and an opportunity effect will not occur in the same during-change effect (both a game explanation image 51 and an opportunity image 52 will not be displayed). If they are during the same change, it will be easier for the player to compare the game explanation effect or opportunity effect that occurred earlier with the other that occurred later, making it easier for the player to notice that a different effect is occurring. To avoid this, it is designed so that both a game explanation effect and an opportunity effect will not occur during one during-change effect.

Below, we will explain specific examples of improvements, concrete changes, modifications, etc., made to the above game explanation presentation and opportunity presentation. Note that, to the extent possible, a configuration may be created that applies a combination of multiple technologies explained using the following specific examples.

Specific example 4-1
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the numbers (numbers) given to the game instruction images 51 and the numbers (numbers) given to the opportunity images 52 do not overlap, but they may overlap. In other words, the numbers given to some of one or more types of opportunity images 52 and the numbers given to a certain type of game instruction images 51 are the same (see FIG. 16).

By doing this, a player who has been exposed to a game instruction presentation in which a game instruction image 51 with a certain number is displayed will feel a sense of incongruity when an image with different content (opportunity image 52) is displayed despite having the same number, and the likelihood of the player realizing that an opportunity presentation is occurring will increase. In other words, the configuration is such that the overlap of "numbers" is set as one of the triggers for realizing that an opportunity presentation is occurring.

Specific example 4-2
It is assumed that a "rule" is set for the numbers given to the opportunity images 52. For example, in the case where a total of five types of opportunity images 52 are provided as in the above embodiment, it is assumed that the numbers No. 7, No. 17, No. 27, No. 37, and No. 47 are given to the opportunity images 52 (see FIG. 17). In other words, it is assumed that the image with the last digit (the one's digit) of "7" is the opportunity image 52, and the other images are the game explanation image 51. In other words, this example is a novel one in which the number given to the opportunity image 52 to make it look like a type of game explanation image 51 is used as an element to distinguish the opportunity image 52 from the game explanation image 51. From another perspective, the various opportunity images 52 include a common element, the number "7" (an element that the game explanation image 51 does not include). This will trigger the player to notice the occurrence of an opportunity performance. Furthermore, anyone who discovers this rule can easily distinguish between the opportunity image 52 and the game explanation image 51.

When doing as in this example, the reliability of an occurrence may be suggested by an element (an element that differs for each type of opportunity image 52) other than the common element (the number "7") contained in the various opportunity images 52. For example, the larger the second digit (a number other than "7"), the higher the reliability when displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the reliability is highest in the order of No. 7, No. 17, No. 27, No. 37, and No. 47 (highest) (in the case of "No. 7", the second digit is considered to be "0").

Specific example 4-3
By making the aspects of the elements of both the game explanation image 51 and the opportunity image 52 different, it is possible to make the occurrence of an opportunity effect easier to notice. For example, it is possible to make the aspects of the frame of the game explanation image 51 and the frame of the opportunity image 52 different. However, if the size of the entire frame (the outer shape of both images) is made different, the difference between the two images becomes more noticeable, and the game explanation effect and the opportunity effect become completely different effects, so it is assumed that the size of the entire frame (the outer shape of both images) is maintained to be the same. As an example of making the aspect of the frame different, it is possible to make the thickness of the frame of one image different from that of the other image (for example, the frame of the opportunity image 52 is thicker than that of the game explanation image 51) (see FIG. 18). Also, although not shown, it is possible to make the color of the frame of one image different from that of the other image (for example, the game explanation image 51 is "black" and the opportunity image 52 is "red").

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the range in the display area 911 in which the game instruction image 51 is displayed coincides with the range in which the opportunity image 52 is displayed, but the range in which the game instruction image 51 is displayed may be different from the range in which the opportunity image 52 is displayed. In other words, the difference in the range (position) in which the images are displayed may make it easier to notice that an opportunity effect is occurring.

Specific example 4-4
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the common element (specific element 50c) included in both the game explanation image 51 and the opportunity image 52 is "No.", but the specific element 50c is not limited to this. For example, not only the game explanation image 51 (see FIG. 19(a)), but also the opportunity image 52 includes words such as "explanation", "points", "lecture", and "advice" (see FIG. 19(b)). The opportunity image 52 is an image suggesting reliability and is not an image that provides an explanation regarding the game. In view of this, it is not appropriate for the opportunity image 52 to include words such as "explanation". However, in order to enhance the effect of making the opportunity image 52 look like the game explanation image 51, words indicating that it is the game explanation image 51 are included in the opportunity image 52 as the specific element 50c.

By doing this, gameplay is improved in a way that makes it difficult for players to notice that a special opportunity is occurring (fewer players will notice when a special opportunity occurs).

2-5) Image Effects The gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment can execute image effects (however, they do not occur in all variations) as effects constituting the during-variation effects. As described below, the image effects (see FIG. 20) include the first to third stages.

The first stage (see FIG. 20(a)) is a stage in which multiple types of candidate images 60 are displayed in a variable manner. Each of the multiple types of candidate images 60 includes an element that suggests the winning/losing lottery result (target winning/losing lottery result) corresponding to the variable performance during which the image performance occurs. The candidate images 60 are patterns (not decorative patterns 80, etc., as in this embodiment) for notifying the winning/losing lottery result. Before the notification of the target winning/losing lottery result is completed (a combination of decorative patterns 80 indicating the target winning/losing lottery result is displayed), the candidate images 60 suggest the jackpot reliability of the target winning/losing lottery result (strictly speaking, they are only "suggested" when they become a decision image 64, which will be described later). The "suggestion" includes suggestions of the performance, etc. that will occur after the image performance ends (suggestions of future developments).

Examples of the candidate images 60 include "NEXT", which indicates the occurrence of a so-called pseudo-sequential performance (the pseudo-sequential performance itself is well known, so a description is omitted), "Development", which indicates a transition to a specified reach performance, "Chance", which suggests that the reliability of the jackpot has increased, "Super Hot", which suggests that the reliability of the jackpot is higher than that of "Chance", "Confirmed", which confirms that the target winning/losing lottery result is a jackpot, and "X", which confirms that the target winning/losing lottery result is a miss. In addition, the order of the lowest reliability of the jackpot when set as the determination image 64 described later is "X" (reliability 0%), "Development", "Chance", "NEXT", "Super Hot", and "Confirmed" (reliability 100%). A configuration in which other candidate images 60 are set may be used, or a configuration in which some of the candidate images 60 exemplified above are not set may be used.

In the first stage of image presentation in this embodiment, a total of four candidate images 60 are displayed in a variably manner in the display area 911. The combination (pattern) of the four candidate images 60 can change with each image presentation. The decision image 64, which will be described later, is selected only from the four candidate images 60 shown in the first stage. In other words, a candidate image 60 that was not shown in the first stage will not become the decision image 64. Note that in this embodiment, two or more of the four candidate images 60 may be the same type. In this case, the probability that the two or more candidate images 60 will be selected as the decision image 64 is higher (the probability that they will be selected is higher than when only one candidate image 60 is shown).

The external shape (size) of the candidate images 60 displayed in a variable manner in the first stage is the same. In the first stage, each candidate image 60 is displayed in a variable manner so that the user can understand what types of images are being displayed as the four candidate images 60.

In the second stage (see FIG. 20(b)) after the first stage, a cover image 62 that covers the multiple (four in this embodiment) candidate patterns that are being displayed in a variable manner is displayed in the display area 911. In this embodiment, an image like a "door" that advances from the left and right toward the center is displayed as the cover image 62, and covers the candidate image 60. To indicate that the candidate image 60 is covered by the cover image 62, an image that represents the "shadow" of the candidate image 60 (hereinafter referred to as a shadow image 61) is displayed. The shadow image 61 has the same size as the candidate image 60. The candidate image 60 is displayed as if it continues to change even after being covered by the cover image 62. In other words, the same number of shadow images 61 as the candidate images 60 displayed in the first stage are displayed in a variable manner. Note that, because they are displayed as shadow images 61 (shadows) in this way, it is not possible to know what content each image suggests for the candidate image 60. In other words, if the first stage is not seen, it is not possible to know what type of candidate image 60 there is.

As described above, the "outline" of the candidate image 60 is the same regardless of the type, so the appearance of the shadow image 61 does not change depending on the type of the candidate image 60 (the "shadow" covered by the covering image 62 is the same regardless of the type of the candidate image 60). In this embodiment, the combination of candidate images 60 displayed in a variable manner in the first stage changes, but the number (four) is the same. Therefore, the variable manner of the shadow image 61 in the second stage can be the same every time. In other words, there is an advantage that image control in the second stage according to the combination of types of candidate images 60 displayed in the first stage is not required. In other words, regardless of the type of candidate image 60 displayed in the first stage, the same image (meaning images displayed for image presentation such as the shadow image 61 and the covering image 62, excluding the reserved pattern 10 and the decorative pattern 80) can be displayed in the display area 911 every time in the second stage.

In the third stage (see FIG. 20(c)) following the second stage, one of the multiple images (four in this embodiment) shown in the first stage is displayed in the display area 911 as the determined image 64. Specifically, the cover image 62 shown in the second stage is erased, and one of the multiple candidate images 60 is displayed as the determined image 64 (the other candidate images 60 are not displayed in the third stage). In this embodiment, a change occurs in which the "door", which is the cover image 62, appears to move outward in the width direction, and the "door" is no longer displayed in the display area 911.

The result of the lottery is indicated by the decision image 64 (one of the candidate images 60) displayed in the third stage. For example, if "NEXT" is displayed as the decision image 64, then a pseudo continuous performance will occur. In other words, the decision image 64 displayed in the third stage can be said to indicate the "result" of the image performance.

In this way, the image presentation in this embodiment is easy to understand, in that a changing candidate image 60 (a candidate suggesting reliability) is displayed, then hidden for a moment, and when it reappears, only one image (decision image 64) is displayed (the decision image 64 suggests reliability (future developments)).

In addition, in the second stage of the image presentation, a shadow image 61 is displayed that is the same size as the candidate image 60, making it clear that the candidate image 60 has been covered.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, specific embodiments, and modifications of the above image presentation-related matters. Note that, to the extent possible, configurations may be made that apply a combination of multiple technologies described using the following specific examples.

Specific example 5-1
The configuration is such that the state of the shadow image 61 shown in the second stage suggests the probability that the result of the image presentation, i.e., the determination image 64 shown in the third stage, will be advantageous to the player (high jackpot reliability). For example, the shadow image 61 may be a first shadow image 611 or a second shadow image 612 having a different state from the first shadow image 611. The configuration is such that the determination image 64 shown in the third stage will be a high jackpot reliability when the second shadow image 612 is displayed, rather than when the first shadow image 611 is displayed in the second stage. For example, the first shadow image 611 is a "black" shade (see FIG. 21(a)), and the second shadow image 612 is a "red" shade (see FIG. 21(b)).

Because the shadow image 61 indicates the "shadow" of the candidate image 60 covered by the covering image 62, it does not need to have a form that corresponds to the type of candidate image 60 (suggested content). In other words, it only needs to be shaped to match the outer shape of the candidate image 60, and the basic form is simple. With such a simple basic form, it is also easy to design each of the multiple forms (first shadow image 611, second shadow image 612) for suggesting a result. In other words, this example makes use of the fact that the shadow image 61 is a "shadow" that indicates that it is covered by the covering image 62, making it easy to create an image for suggesting a result.

Specific example 5-2
The configuration is such that the state of the covered image 62 shown in the second stage suggests the probability that the result of the image presentation, i.e., the determined image 64 shown in the third stage, will be advantageous to the player (high jackpot reliability). For example, the covered image 62 may be a first covered image 621 or a second covered image 622 different in state from the first covered image 621. The determined image 64 shown in the third stage is more likely to be a jackpot reliability when the second covered image 622 is displayed than when the first covered image 621 is displayed in the second stage. For example, the first covered image 621 represents a "white" door (see FIG. 22(a)), and the second covered image 622 represents a "red" door (see FIG. 22(b)).

Since the covering image 62 is displayed to temporarily cover the candidate image 60, it is not necessary to set the appearance according to the type (suggested content) of the candidate image 60 displayed in the first stage. In other words, regardless of the type of candidate image 60 displayed in the first stage, it is only necessary to prepare an image for the second stage in which the first covering image 621 is displayed, and an image for the second stage in which the second covering image 622 is displayed, which has the advantage of making control easier.

Specific example 5-3
It is also possible that a transition from the second stage (see FIG. 23(a)) to the third stage (see FIG. 23(b-1)) does not occur, i.e., the determination image 64 is not displayed (see FIG. 23(b-2)). For example, it is also possible that the "door" which is the covering image 62 does not open (the covering image 62 remains without being erased), and the image presentation ends without the determination image 64 being displayed. Although not shown, in the second stage, it is preferable that a "teasing presentation" occurs in which the door which is the covering image 62 is about to open. It is preferable that the result of the image presentation which ends without the determination image 64 being displayed is a disadvantageous result for the player. In other words, it is preferable that the result of the target winning/losing lottery is determined to be a losing one.

In this way, the image presentation is such that the player first hopes that the covering image 62 will be erased (the "door" will open) and the decision image 64 will be displayed, and if the decision image 64 is displayed, the player hopes that an image with a high reliability will be displayed.

3) Structure for Guiding Gaming Balls to Entrance The following structure can be adopted as a structure for guiding gaming balls to areas (target areas) in the gaming area 902 where gaming balls can enter. In this embodiment, this structure (see Figs. 1 and 24) is adopted for the big prize area 906 as the target area. The big prize area 906 is an area where gaming balls launched by a so-called "right hit" can enter (it is provided on the right side of the gaming area 902).

The entrance to the target area (big prize area 906) is defined as the entrance 62. In other words, a game ball entering the target area passes through the entrance 62. The structure in which the entrance 62 is formed is defined as the entrance structure 60. The entrance structure 60 is placed in the game area 902 where game balls can enter. The entrance structure 60 has a vertical wall surface 61 (a surface that is approximately perpendicular to the left-right direction) that runs along the up-down direction. An entrance 62 (a hole that opens toward the left side) is formed in the vertical wall surface 61. In other words, the entrance 62 is a hole whose opening edge is formed along a plane that is parallel to the up-down direction (see FIG. 24).

The guide member 71 and the opening/closing member 72 are provided in a position close to the entrance 62. The guide member 71 is a plate-shaped member that slides in the front-rear direction. Specifically, it can move back and forth between the original position (the position in the normal state) (see FIG. 24(b-1)) and the advanced position (see FIG. 24(b-2)) in front of it. In the original position, it is located behind the front surface of the game board (the surface on which the game nails etc. are erected), and the game balls flowing down do not come into contact with the guide member 71. In the advanced position, it protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board. The upper surface of the guide member 71 has a shape that is inclined downward toward the entrance 62. In this embodiment, it is inclined downward toward the right side (see FIG. 24(a)). The gap between the entrance 62 side edge of the guide member 71 located in the advanced position and the vertical wall surface 61 (entrance 62) is set to a size that does not allow the game balls to pass through. Therefore, when the guide member 71 is in the advanced position, the game ball that flows down toward the guide member 71 is received on the upper surface of the guide member 71 and is guided toward the entrance 62.

The opening/closing member 72 can move back and forth between a closed position (normal position) (see FIG. 24(b-1)) in which it closes the entrance 62, and an open position (see FIG. 24(b-2)) in which it opens it. When the opening/closing member 72 is in the closed position, at least a part of the opening/closing member 72 is located in front of the entrance 62 (on the guide member 71 side), and the entrance 62 cannot be passed by a game ball. In other words, the size of the area of the entrance 62 that is not covered by the opening/closing member 72 is smaller than the size of a game ball, and therefore the game ball cannot pass through the entrance 62. On the other hand, when the opening/closing member 72 is in the open position, the opening/closing member 72 does not cover the entrance 62, and therefore the game ball can pass through the entrance 62.

When the guide member 71 is in the original position, the opening/closing member 72 is controlled to be in the closed position, and when the guide member 71 is in the advanced position, the opening/closing member 72 is controlled to be in the open position. In this embodiment, separate electric drive sources are provided to drive the guide member 71 and the opening/closing member 72. Examples of the electric drive source include a solenoid and a motor.

When the guide member 71 is in the advanced position, the opening/closing member 72 is in the open position (as shown in FIG. 24(b-2)), so that a game ball that reaches the guide member 71 (upper surface) passes directly through the entrance 62. On the other hand, when the guide member 71 is in the original position, there is no member to guide the game ball toward the entrance 62. However, since there is a possibility that a game ball that bounces irregularly or the like may pass through the entrance 62, the opening/closing member 72 is in the open position (as shown in FIG. 24(b-1)) to prevent the game ball from passing through the entrance 62 even if such an event occurs.

In this embodiment, an upstream guide section 65 is provided on the upper side (upstream side) of the guide member 71. The upstream guide section 65 is configured by the entrance structure 60. Specifically, the left side of the entrance structure 60 is the vertical wall surface 61 described above, and the upper side is the upstream guide section 65 (see FIG. 24). The upstream guide section 65 (upper side of the entrance structure 60) has a shape that slopes downward toward the left side (see FIG. 24(a)). Therefore, a game ball that reaches the upstream guide section 65 is guided toward the left side. When the guide member 71 is located in the advance position, a game ball that leaves the end (left end) of the upstream guide section 65 falls downward and reaches the guide member 71 (upper surface) (see FIG. 24(a)). In this embodiment, all game balls that are "hit to the right" reach the upstream guide section 65 (upper surface) except for those that enter various winning areas, etc. (see FIG. 1).

In this way, according to this embodiment, the entrance 62 through which the game ball passes to enter the target area is formed to follow the vertical wall surface 61 of the structure (entrance structure 60) arranged in the game area 902, so that the arrangement space for the structure for guiding the game ball to the target area can be reduced.

In addition, the movement of the game ball guided from the upstream guide section 65 to the entrance 62 is from right to left (flow on the upstream guide section 65) to left to right (flow on the guide member 71) (the flow of the game ball becomes "C" shaped) (see FIG. 24(a)). In other words, the game ball moving from right to left on the upstream guide section 65 is not guided to the entrance 62 (target area) in the same flow, but the direction of the game ball is changed (from left to right) and guided to the entrance 62 (target area). By adopting such a guidance structure, the structure (the conductor of the game ball) for guiding the game ball to the entrance 62 (target area) can be made compact.

In particular, in this embodiment, the upstream guide section 65 and the entrance 62 are formed by the same structure (entrance structure 60), and a game ball that rolls along the upper surface of the entrance structure 60 is guided to the entrance 62 formed on the left side (vertical wall surface 61) of the entrance structure 60, which is a novel feature (it is not normally envisaged that a game ball that rolls along the top surface of a structure would be guided to a hole formed in the side (surface along the vertical direction) of the structure).

In this embodiment, the target area is the big prize area 906 (entrance 62 is the entrance to the big prize area 906), but it is possible to use the starting area 904 or the normal starting area 905 as the target area. It is also possible to use the "V area" in a so-called V-type variable machine or the "two-type area" in a one-type two-type mixed machine as the target area. In this embodiment, entrance 62 (target area) is located in the so-called "right-hand hit" area, but it may also be located in the "left-hand hit" area.

The following describes specific examples of improvements, specific embodiments, modifications, etc., made to the structure for guiding game balls to the entrance 62. Note that, to the extent possible, a configuration may be made in which multiple technologies described using the following specific examples are combined and applied.

Specific example 6-1
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the guide member 71 that guides the game ball to the entrance 62 and the opening/closing member 72 that opens and closes the entrance 62 are provided, but the configuration may be such that the opening/closing member 72 is not provided. As described above, the entrance 62 is formed on the vertical wall surface 61 along the up-down direction, so that when the guide member 71 is in the original position, the game ball will not pass through the entrance 62 unless there is a special reason, and therefore the opening/closing member 72 is not provided and the entrance 62 is always open.

Specific example 6-2
Both the guiding member 71 and the opening/closing member 72 are displaced by a single electric drive source. For example, a solenoid is used as a single electric drive source, and the guiding member 71 moves forward (forward from the original position to the advanced position) and backward (backward from the advanced position to the original position) by directly transmitting the forward and backward movements of the plunger of the solenoid. On the other hand, the opening/closing member 72 is displaced from the closed position to the open position by the guiding member 71 moving from the original position to the advanced position, and is displaced from the open position to the closed position by the guiding member 71 moving from the advanced position to the original position. In other words, the guiding member 71 and the opening/closing member 72 are provided with an engagement portion that engages with each other, and the power transmitted to the guiding member 71 is also transmitted to the opening/closing member 72 by the engagement of the engagement portion. In addition to the electric drive source, a biasing member such as a spring that biases the guiding member 71 or the opening/closing member 72 toward one position may be used.

When the guide member 71 is in the advanced position, the opening/closing member 72 should be in the open position, and when the guide member 71 is in the original position, the opening/closing member 72 should be in the closed position. If an electric drive source is provided for each of the guide member 71 and the opening/closing member 72, the two electric drive sources must be controlled to ensure this positional relationship. Using one electric drive source as in this example, and making the position of one member necessarily determined by the position of the other member, has the advantage of making control easier.

Specific example 6-3
In the above embodiment, the movement of the game ball guided from the upstream guide section 65 to the entrance 62 is from right to left (flow on the upstream guide section 65) to left to right (flow on the guide member 71) (the flow of the game ball is in a "C" shape), but the left-right relationship may be reversed. That is, the upstream guide section 65 is inclined downward toward the right, and the guide member 71 is inclined downward toward the left, so that the movement of the game ball guided from the upstream guide section 65 to the entrance 62 may be from left to right (flow on the upstream guide section 65) to right to left (flow on the guide member 71) (the flow of the game ball is in a "U" shape). The game ball guided to the guide section passes through the entrance 62 formed on the right side surface (vertical wall surface 61) of the entrance structure 60.

4) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The matters described in the above embodiment can also be applied to other gaming machines, such as slot machines, except for the fact that they utilize a configuration unique to pachinko gaming machines.

The presentation that suggests the probability (confidence of the jackpot) of the winning/losing lottery result being a "jackpot" as described in the above embodiment can also be used to suggest the probability of a so-called "small win."

Specific means (gaming machines) obtained from the above embodiment are listed below.

・Means 1-1
This game machine is characterized by comprising: an operation means operable by a player; and an effect execution means for executing a specific effect which will not occur unless the operation means is in an operated state at a specific time when a specific event, the time of which cannot be accurately predicted, occurs, but which will occur if the operation means is in an operated state at the specific time.
The specific effects that can be executed by the gaming machine are interesting in that they will not occur if the operating means is not operated at a specific time, but will occur if the operating means is operated.

・Means 1-2
The gaming machine described in means 1-2 is characterized in that the operating means is capable of automatically changing from a normal mode to a special mode that the player can recognize as being different from the normal mode, and the specific presentation is such that if the operating means is in an operated state at the specific time, the operating means changes from the normal mode to the special mode.
Since the condition for the occurrence of a specific effect is that the operating means is operated at a specific point in time, it is preferable that the specific effect be a change in the state of the operating means.

・Means 1-3
The gaming machine described in means 1-2 is characterized in that the normal mode is set when the operating means is in a non-vibration state, and the special mode is set when the operating means is in a vibration state.
The occurrence of a special effect means that the operating means is operated at a specific point in time, so if the vibration of the operating means is configured as the special effect, the player will notice the occurrence of the special effect.

・Means 1-4
A gaming machine described in any one of means 1-1 to 1-3, characterized in that it is equipped with a win/lose lottery means for executing a win/lose lottery based on win/lose lottery information obtained when a gaming ball enters a specified area, and the specific event is the acquisition of the win/lose lottery information that results in a win.
In this way, a gaming experience is realized in which the player can quickly become aware of a win by continuing to operate the operating means while playing the game.

・Means 2-1
A gaming machine comprising: a display means; an operation means operable by a player; and an effect execution means for executing a specific operation effect which prompts the player to operate said operation means, in which a post-effect image which suggests a post-effect which may occur after the effect is displayed on said display means together with an operation image which represents said operation means.
The gaming machine described above is capable of executing an interesting operation presentation (specific operation presentation) in which the subsequent presentation (post-presentation) is suggested from the stage at which the player is prompted to operate the operating means.

・Means 2-2
The gaming machine described in means 2-1 is characterized in that if the operation of the operating means in the specific operation presentation satisfies a specified condition, the post-presentation occurs after the specific operation presentation, but if the specified condition is not satisfied, the post-presentation does not occur after the specific operation presentation.
This contributes to increasing the player's motivation to operate the operating means, since the player must operate the operating means to generate the post-event performance.

・Means 2-3
The gaming machine described in means 2-1 is characterized in that a normal operation presentation is executable in which the operation image is displayed but the post-performance image is not displayed, the post-performance can occur even after the normal operation presentation, and the post-performance is more likely to occur when the specific operation presentation occurs than when the normal operation presentation occurs.
In this way, the likelihood of a post-event performance occurring is indicated by whether or not a post-event performance image is displayed during the operation presentation, making the game easy to understand.

・Means 2-4
The gaming machine described in means 2-1 is characterized in that a first post-performance image and a second post-performance image having a different appearance from the first post-performance image are set as images that can be displayed in the specific operation performance as the post-performance image, and the probability that the post-performance will occur after the specific operation performance is higher when the second post-performance image is displayed than when the first post-performance image is displayed in the specific operation performance.
In this way, a gaming experience is realized in which, when a specific operation presentation occurs, the player also pays attention to the appearance of the post-presentation image.

・Means 3-1
A gaming machine comprising: a display means; an operation means operable by a player; and an effect execution means for executing a selection effect in which a plurality of options are displayed on the display means and the player is prompted to select a preferred option from among the plurality of options by operating the operation means, wherein the selection effect requires that a certain option be highlighted in a more emphasized state than other options when the selection of the certain option is determined, and wherein a selection operation that changes the highlighted option is possible before an operation explanation image relating to the operation of the operation means is displayed on the display means in the selection effect.
According to the gaming machine, the selection presentation can be made to proceed smoothly without wasting a player's operations.

・Means 3-2
The gaming machine described in means 3-1 is characterized in that the operation of the operating means by the player in the selection presentation is divided into the selection operation and a decision operation that determines the selection of the highlighted option, and the selection presentation includes a first period during which the selection operation is possible but the decision operation is not possible, and a second period following the first period during which the operation explanation image is displayed and both the selection operation and the decision operation are possible.
In the state before the operation instruction image is displayed (first period), since the player may think that the option will not be decided, it is preferable to allow selection operation but not decision operation.

・Means 3-3
The gaming machine described in Means 3-1 or 3-2 is characterized in that the selection effect displays a time image indicating the time remaining until the end of the selection effect, and the time image is not displayed before the operation instruction image is displayed, and the time image is displayed simultaneously with or after the operation instruction image is displayed.
In this way, the selection presentation changes from a state in which the time image is not displayed to a state in which it is displayed, so that the presentation appears as if the display of the time image is encouraging the player to select an option.

・Means 4-1
A gaming machine comprising: a display means having a display area; a game explanation performance execution means for executing a game explanation performance that displays a game explanation image in the display area and provides an explanation regarding the game, as a performance during the change from when the decorative pattern starts to change to when it stops in a manner indicating the result of the win/lose lottery; and an opportunity performance execution means for executing an opportunity performance that displays an opportunity image in the display area to indicate that the probability of the win/lose lottery result being a win has increased, as a performance during the change, wherein the game explanation image includes specific elements that are common regardless of the type, and the opportunity image includes the specific element.
According to the above gaming machine, an interesting gameplay is realized in which an opportunity image that appears to be a game explanation image at first glance suggests a so-called increased chance (only a player who notices that the opportunity image is different from the game explanation image can enjoy the suggestive effect of the opportunity image).

・Measure 4-2
The gaming machine described in Means 4-1 is characterized in that each of the game explanation images is assigned a unique number, and each of the opportunity images is assigned a number that does not overlap with the numbers assigned to the game explanation images.
By doing so, it becomes easier to give the impression that the game instruction image and the opportunity image are images of the same type (the opportunity image becomes easier to see as if it were a game instruction image).

・Means 4-3
The gaming machine described in means 4-1 or 4-2 is characterized in that the range in which the game explanation image is displayed in the display area during the game explanation performance is the same as the range in which the opportunity image is displayed in the display area during the opportunity performance.
By doing so, the opportunity image is more likely to look like a game explanation image.

・Means 4-4
A gaming machine described in any one of means 4-1 to 4-3, characterized in that it is set so that both the game explanation presentation and the opportunity presentation do not occur during one of the fluctuation presentations.
By doing this, it becomes difficult to notice that the game explanation effect (game explanation image) and the opportunity effect (opportunity image) are different effects.

・Means 5-1
A gaming machine that executes image presentations including a first stage in which a plurality of candidate images, each of which includes an element suggesting the probability that the result of the lottery will be a win, is displayed in a variable manner from when the decorative pattern starts to change until it stops in a manner indicating the result of the lottery, a second stage in which, after the first stage, a covering image is displayed that covers the plurality of candidate patterns, and a third stage in which, after the second stage, one of the plurality of candidate patterns is displayed as a determined image, and the determined image suggests the probability that the result of the lottery will be a win.
The image presentation is easy to understand, in that a changing candidate image is displayed, then hidden for a moment, and when it reappears, a decision image suggesting reliability is displayed.

・Means 5-2
The gaming machine described in means 5-1 is characterized in that in the second stage, a shadow image is displayed indicating that the multiple candidate images covered by the covering image are displayed in a changing manner.
By displaying such a shadow image, it is possible to clearly indicate the situation in which the candidate image is hidden.

・Means 5-3
The gaming machine described in Means 5-2 is characterized in that the probability that the decision image displayed in the third stage will be advantageous to the player is higher when a second shadow image having a different aspect from the first shadow image is displayed as the shadow image in the second stage than when a first shadow image is displayed as the shadow image in the second stage.
In this way, the shadow image can be used to suggest the result of the performance (decision image).

・Means 5-4
A gaming machine according to any one of means 5-1 to 5-3, characterized in that the probability that the deciding image displayed in the third stage will be advantageous to a player is higher when a second covering image having a different aspect from the first covering image is displayed as the covering image in the second stage than when a first covering image is displayed as the covering image in the second stage.
In this way, the cover image can be used to suggest the result of the presentation (decision image).

・Means 6-1
A gaming machine comprising: an entrance structure arranged within a gaming area where gaming balls can enter, the entrance structure having a vertical wall surface along the vertical direction, with an entrance through which the gaming balls can enter formed on the vertical wall surface; and a guide member which guides the gaming ball toward the entrance when positioned at an entrance position which is forward of the original position, the guide member having an upper surface which is inclined toward the entrance.
According to the above gaming machine, it is possible to reduce the space required for arranging the structure for guiding the gaming ball to the entrance.

・Measure 6-2
The gaming machine described in Means 6-1 is characterized in that it is equipped with an upstream guide section located upstream of the guide member in the gaming area and arranged so that when the guide member is located in the advanced position, a gaming ball coming out from the end reaches the guide member, and the upper surface of the guide member has a shape that is inclined downward toward one side in the left-right direction, and the upper surface of the upstream guide section has a shape that is inclined downward toward the other side in the left-right direction.
By doing this, the structure for guiding the game ball to the entrance can be made compact.

・Means 6-3
The gaming machine described in Means 6-1 or 6-2 is characterized in that it is provided with an opening/closing member that is positioned at a closed position that makes the entrance a state in which the gaming ball cannot pass when the guide member is positioned at the original position, and that is positioned at an open position that makes the entrance a state in which the gaming ball can pass when the guide member is positioned at the advanced position.
This prevents the game ball from passing through the entrance when the guide member is in the original position (when the game ball should not be guided to the entrance).

1 Gaming machine 10 Reserved symbol 20 Operation means (21 Push button 22 Cross key)
201: performance image 25: operation image 26: meter image 28: post-performance image (281: first post-performance image 282: second post-performance image)
30 Choice image 32 Instruction image 34 Operation explanation image 36 Time image C Cursor 51 Game explanation image 52 Opportunity image 50c Specific element 60 Candidate image 61 Shadow image (611 First shadow image 612 Second shadow image)
62 Covered image (621 First covered image 622 Second covered image)
64 Decision image 60 Entrance structure 61 Vertical wall surface 62 Entrance 65 Upstream guide section 71 Guide member 72 Opening and closing member 902 Play area 91 Display device 911 Display area

Claims (3)

An entrance structure is disposed within a game area into which the game ball can enter, the entrance structure having a vertical wall surface along the up-down direction, and an entrance through which the game ball can enter is formed on the vertical wall surface;
A guide member capable of guiding a game ball toward the entrance, the guide member having an upper surface that is inclined toward the entrance;
An upstream guide section that is provided upstream of the guide member and guides the game ball toward the guide member;
Equipped with
The gaming machine is characterized in that the gaming ball is guided downward in a left direction by the upstream guide portion, and the gaming ball is guided downward in a right direction by the guide member . The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with an opening/closing member that can be positioned in an open position that allows the gaming ball to pass through the entrance, and in a closed position that prevents the gaming ball from passing through the entrance. The guide member is capable of being positioned at an advance position in which the game ball can be guided toward the entrance, and at an original position in which the game ball cannot be guided toward the entrance,
The gaming machine described in claim 2, characterized in that the opening/closing member is controlled to be located in the closed position when the guide member is located in the original position, and to be located in the open position when the guide member is located in the advanced position.

Images