JP7705136B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Conventionally, gaming machines (reel gaming machines, slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on the outer periphery are known. This type of gaming machine provides a fixed gaming value for gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and players play to acquire such gaming media. This type of gaming machine also performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of the multiple reels when the player operates to start the rotation, and controls the multiple reels to stop in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when the player operates to stop the reels. The result of the game is determined by the combination of symbols displayed on the winning determination line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals and the like are paid out according to the result of the game.

In the gaming machine described above, a configuration is known that allows a so-called reversal effect to be executed as a performance related to the awarding of a bonus, in which a display is first made to indicate that a bonus has not been won, and then a notification is given that a bonus has been awarded (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-18678 A

In recent years, there has been a demand for gaming machines to use a variety of effects to increase the player's interest in the effects. In such gaming machines, the expectation regarding the award of a bonus varies depending on the effect that is executed. In this case, if a so-called reversal effect, such as that in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, is configured to be executable for multiple effects with different expectations, and the occurrence frequency of each effect is configured to be approximately the same, the player may feel uneasy about the content of the effect that is executed, and the player's interest in the effects may decrease.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can prevent players from losing interest in the presentation.

The present invention relates to a reel system comprising:
An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery;
An auxiliary game control means for controlling an auxiliary game;
A performance control means for controlling performance related to a game;
A display means for displaying a performance ,
The auxiliary game control means is capable of awarding a predetermined benefit,
The performance control means is capable of executing a specific performance as a performance related to the granting of the predetermined benefit,
The performance control means is capable of executing the specific performance at either a first timing or a second timing subsequent to the first timing within a predetermined period of time;
The specific effects include a first specific effect including a first effect executed with a first probability and a second effect executed with a second probability, and a second specific effect;
When the specific performance executed at least at the first timing is the second performance, the probability of the predetermined benefit being awarded is higher than when the specific performance is the first performance,
a ratio of a probability of execution at the second timing to the first probability is a first ratio;
a ratio of a probability of execution at the second timing to the second probability is a second ratio;
the first rate is greater than the second rate;
The performance control means is capable of executing the second specific performance in parallel with the first specific performance during the predetermined period,
The second specific effect is an effect to be displayed on the display means,
The second specific performance is characterized in that its display is completed before the second timing .

The present invention provides a gaming machine that can prevent players from losing interest in the presentation.

1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an amusement machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing winning areas that can be won by an internal lottery in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and winning roles included in each winning area. FIG. (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal area and advantageous area controlled by the AT control means, and the presentation state during the advantageous area. (A) is a diagram showing the execution probability of a CZ transition suggestion effect that is executed at the time of a premonition in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing the execution probability of a CZ transition suggestion effect that is executed at the time of a CZ transition. (A) is a diagram showing the execution timing and execution rate when a low expectation effect is executed in the gaming machine of this embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a diagram showing the execution timing and execution rate when a low expectation effect and a chance suggestion effect are executed, (C) is a diagram showing the execution timing and execution rate when a medium expectation effect is executed, (D) is a diagram showing the execution timing and execution rate when a medium expectation effect and a chance suggestion effect are executed, (E) is a diagram showing the execution timing and execution rate when a high expectation effect is executed, and (F) is a diagram showing the execution timing and execution rate when a high expectation effect and a chance suggestion effect are executed.

The present embodiment will be described below. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

1. Overview of the Configuration of the Gaming Machine FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to set the gaming value to an input state based on an input signal output from a gaming value management device (dedicated unit) having a configuration capable of recording the total number of gaming values that a player can use for playing games by an electromagnetic method, and is configured to output a payout signal to the gaming value management device when paying out the gaming value, and to record the gaming value corresponding to the payout signal in a predetermined recording medium (for example, a medal card capable of storing data related to the gaming value) in the gaming value management device by an electromagnetic method, which is a so-called medal-less gaming machine.

The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is housed in a box-shaped housing consisting of a housing BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD, and houses a reel unit 310 (see FIG. 2) consisting of multiple reels, a left reel R1 to a right reel R3. The housing of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment also houses a control board that is equipped with a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc., and controls the operation of the slot machine 1.

The outer periphery of each of the left reels R1 to right reels R3 shown in Figure 1 is divided into 20 regions (hereinafter, each region will be referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of several types of symbols is arranged on each frame.

The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed separately. The front upper door UD is provided with a display device 330 as a display means for performing effects composed of various videos and images to assist and liven up the game. The display device 330 is also configured so that the transparent area 330a facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is composed of a transparent liquid crystal display, and the spinning state and stopped state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the display device 330. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three patterns (upper pattern, middle pattern, lower pattern) that are consecutively arranged on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 out of the multiple types of patterns arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 330.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, an upper, middle, and lower row are provided for each reel as display positions for observing the patterns through the display device 330, and an active line L1 is set for an active line based on a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the total number of game values required for one game, the so-called specified input number, is set to three in any game state, and when the game value equivalent to the specified input number is set to the input state, the active line L1 formed by the middle row of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is activated.

The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the pay line L1. If the symbol combination on the pay line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, the winning combination is deemed to have won, and a value equivalent to the payout amount is added to the credit number storage means 191 (see FIG. 2) provided in the storage means 190 of the game control means 10 that controls the progress of the game on the slot machine 1, and the game value that can be used for the game is stored by electromagnetic means.

The front lower door DD is provided with various operating means. The operating means include a max bet button MB, which sets a specified number of game values to the inserted state as an insert operation means for performing an operation to set the game value that is virtually credited (stored) by being stored in the credit number storage means 191 to the inserted state, a start lever SL, which serves as a game start operation means for causing the player to perform a start operation that triggers the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to spin and start a game, stop buttons B1 to B3, which serve as a stop operation means for causing the player to perform a stop operation that triggers the stopping of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are rotated and driven by the stepping motor, a settlement button BS for returning the game value that has been set to the inserted state to the credit number storage means 191, and a counting button BC for transmitting the game value stored in the credit number storage means 191 to a dedicated unit and recording it on a medal card.

The lower front door DD is provided with multiple display means, namely a game information display section DS and a credit number display section CD. The game information display section DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, seven-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in a bonus state, information on the winning combination in the current game, and information suggesting how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3 related to the payout of medals.

When the specified number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, the game information display unit DS displays a notification display that corresponds to a winning role command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information about the winning role in this game, and when the left reel R1 to right reel R3 stop after the notification display is displayed, the notification display ends and the number of medals paid out or won is displayed. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the game information display unit DS lights up and goes out in a display mode corresponding to the winning role command.

The game information display unit DS is also provided with a zone notification unit, which is a dot on a seven-segment display and lights up when a favorable zone is started by the AT control means 200 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, and when the expected number of medals to be won is 1 or more due to the assistance of winning a minor prize.

The credit number display unit CD is made up of an LED, a seven-segment display, etc., and displays the amount of gaming value (number of credits) corresponding to the amount of money inserted by the player into the gaming value management device. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to credit gaming value equivalent to a maximum of 16,368 medals. For this reason, the credit number display unit CD is configured to be able to display a five-digit number. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, in the slot machine 1, a counting button BC is disposed near the credit number display unit CD.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, multiple sound devices 340 for producing effects using sound are provided on the front lower door DD. The sound devices 340 output various sounds to assist and liven up the game.

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is controlled by a game control means 10 serving as a control board. The game control means 10 receives input signals from input means such as a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260 serving as a plurality of operation detection means, performs various calculations to execute a game, and controls the operation of output means such as the presentation device 300, the reel unit 310, the game information display unit DS, and the credit number display unit CD based on the calculation results.

The game control means 10 also includes a setting change means 100, an input acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state transition control means 170, a performance control means 180, a storage means 190, and an assist time control means (AT control means) 200. Each of the means constituting the game control means 10 reads out and executes each control program pre-stored in the storage means 190 when each control process is executed.

The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 192 of the storage means 190. When the setting change permission switch 250 is ON and the setting change is permitted, the setting change means 100 cyclically changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... → setting 6 → setting 1 → ... each time it receives an input signal output from the setting change switch 260 provided in the power supply device, and determines the setting value based on the start signal output from the start switch 230 when the start lever SL is operated. In the slot machine 1, the winning probability of some of the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value determined in the setting value storage means 192. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to be able to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the winning probability of a role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be initialized, the game state is set to a non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control related to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the setting change is also initialized and a normal zone is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the game control means 10 is cut off (power interruption) and then the power supply is resumed again, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be resumed from the state before the power interruption, and the control related to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the power interruption is also configured to be maintained in the state before the power interruption.

When the input signal output from the dedicated unit is received during the input acceptance period during which input of game value is accepted, or when a bet operation is performed in which the max bet button MB is pressed and the bet switch 220 is activated while game value is credited to the credit number storage means 191, the input acceptance means 105 sets the credited game value to an input state up to the specified input number (3 coins), and performs processing to enable a game start operation on the start lever SL based on the game value equivalent to the specified input number being set to the input state.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the first press of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a gaming value equivalent to the specified insertion number, is accepted as the player's operation to start the game, and serves as a trigger for starting the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, as well as a trigger for the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to execute an internal lottery.

The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for lotteries. In this embodiment, "random numbers" include not only values that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values that may be generated regularly but may function as random numbers because of irregular acquisition timing, etc.

The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on a start signal output when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

In the lottery table selection process, a selection is made based on the current game state as to which internal lottery table to use for the internal lottery from among the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 193 of the storage means 190. In each internal lottery table, multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535) are associated with various roles such as replays, small roles, and bonuses, as well as non-wins (misses).

In the following description, a bonus means a winning combination that activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device, a bonus being activated means that a bonus is won and activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device, and a bonus state means that the reel or reel continuous operation device is activated.

In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for lottery) generated by the random number generating means 110 is obtained for each game based on the start signal output from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number is compared with the internal lottery table selected in the lottery table selection process, and it is determined whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the comparison result.

In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to a established state (second flag state, ON state) based on the result of the random number determination process. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are won, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more winning combinations are set to an established state. In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over the established state to the next game or later until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to an unestablished state without carrying over the established state to the next game or later regardless of whether a prize is won or not are prepared. In addition, the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage means 194 of the storage means 190.

The reel control means 130 executes reel rotation control, which starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and controls the rotation state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, based on the output of a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player executes a start operation on the start lever SL. In addition, when the rotation state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 becomes a steady rotation state at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 executes control to validate the stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 corresponding to each reel is pressed. Then, when a reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation, the reel control means 130 executes control to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation (reel stop control).

In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and the player presses each of the active stop buttons B1 to B3, the first press operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second press operation will be referred to as the second stop operation, and the third press operation will be referred to as the third stop operation.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the reel that is spinning corresponding to the pressed stop button for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms from the time the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed (the time the stop switch 240 detects the stop operation), and the reel is configured to be able to rotate a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until it stops.

For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the range in which symbols can be pulled onto the active line L1 (pulling-in range) is a total of five frames, from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until four frames have rotated.

When executing the reel stop control, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel based on a preset priority order by logic calculation including a pull-in process to stop the spinning reel so that a combination with a lottery flag set to a hit state can win as much as possible, and a kick-off process to stop the spinning reel so that a combination with a lottery flag set to a non-hit state cannot win, and a table reference process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 195 of the storage means 190, thereby stopping the spinning reel and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the spinning reel by the reel stop control and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of minor roles are won in the internal lottery, the priority of the candidate stop positions can be determined according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the pay line L1 (number priority control), or according to the amount of payout of the game value based on the payout that is predetermined for the minor role (number priority control). However, when the number priority control is executed, if multiple minor roles with the same payout are won, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each minor role is treated as being the same.

The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, the winning determination means 140 refers to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 196 of the storage means 190 to determine whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 at the time when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is a winning form of a predetermined winning combination. The winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or small winning combination can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "winning determination") based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combination that indicates the winning form of a winning combination will also be referred to as the "winning symbol combination".

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the result of the determination by the winning determination means 140 in the winning determination process. For example, the processes executed based on the result of the determination of the winning role include a process to determine the number of medals to be paid out by the payout control means 150 when a small role is won, a process to cause the replay processing means 160 to execute the next game without consuming medals when a replay is won, and a process to cause the game state transition control means 170 to transition the game state when a role that triggers a transition of the game state, such as a bonus, is won.

The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for the payout of game value according to the game result. Specifically, when a small winning combination is won, the payout amount of the game value in the game is determined based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and a value corresponding to the determined payout amount is added to the credit number storage means 191, thereby controlling the virtually payout of the game value.

When the winning determination means 140 determines that a symbol combination indicating a winning replay among the multiple types of replay roles described below has been stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (replay process) that sets the machine to a ready state for the next game without the need to insert medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed that automatically sets the game value of the specified insertion amount to an insertion state without using the credited game value stored in the credit amount storage means 191, and the machine waits for the start operation of the start lever SL for the next game with the same winning line L1 as the previous game set.

The game state transition control means 170 performs processing for transitioning the game state between multiple game states, and processing related to the activation and termination of bonuses. Here, the transition condition for each game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of any one of the multiple predefined conditions, or the fulfillment of all of the multiple predefined conditions.

The performance control means 180 controls the performance related to the game, such as image and video performance using the display device 330 as a performance display device, and sound performance using the sound device 340, based on the performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 197. Specifically, when the player operates each component of the slot machine 1 by inserting a medal, operating the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, and the stop buttons B1 to B3, or when a game event such as a change in the game state occurs, the means 180 controls the execution of performances that liven up the game or assist the game, such as lighting or blinking lamps and LEDs, outputting sounds from the sound device 340, and using the left reels R1 to R3 to delay the start of rotation of the left reels R1 to R3 when a start signal is output from the start switch 230.

The performance control means 180 also causes each component of the performance device 300 to execute a performance based on each performance state. In this embodiment, the performance control means 180 acquires a random number from the random number storage area of the random number generation means 110 for each lottery process that uses a random number, and executes each lottery process using the performance lottery table required for each lottery process from among the multiple performance lottery tables stored in the performance control data storage means 197.

In this embodiment, when the AT control means 200 executes the winning assistance, the presentation control means 180 executes a winning assistance presentation that uses the presentation device 300 to announce the content to be announced in the winning assistance (for example, announcing the correct batting order when the winning area "batting order bell 1" is won).

The AT control means 200 uses data stored in the AT control data storage means 198 to control the transition between the advantageous zone (advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to the instruction function, including the auxiliary game capable of executing the winning assistance to assist in the winning of a specific role, can be executed, and the normal zone (non-advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to the auxiliary game (control related to the instruction function) based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, and constitutes an auxiliary game control means that performs control related to the normal zone, advantageous zone, and auxiliary game.

The AT control data storage means 198 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF by a specified control process) used in various controls related to multiple types of presentation states, including AT states and non-AT states, that are executed within the advantageous zone.

The AT control means 200 sets the presentation state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions in the advantageous zone, and displays information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation sequence (correct batting order) of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that enables the winning specific role to win on the game information display unit DS, thereby performing a winning assistance (announcement of correct batting order) that assists the specific role to win. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when the winning assistance is performed by the AT control means 200, the presentation control means 180, which will be described later, executes a winning assistance presentation that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct batting order on the display device 330. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is notified by the winning assistance, thereby executing an auxiliary game (AT game, announcement game) that is advantageous to the player.

When a predetermined end condition for ending the advantageous zone, described later in more detail, is met, the AT control means 200 executes a predetermined end process for ending the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process for initializing information related to the advantageous zone, such as various flags and numerical values set within the advantageous zone. In addition, the AT control means 200 lights up the zone notification unit provided in the game information display unit DS when the advantageous zone starts and the winning assistance is executed, so that the expected medal acquisition value becomes 1 or more. For this reason, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to turn off the zone notification unit if the presentation state is such that the winning assistance is not executed, even if the advantageous zone has started.

The AT control means 200 executes a game number update process in which, each time a game is played in a game that has started an advantageous zone, the value "1", which corresponds to one game, is added to the value (stored value) stored in the first advantageous zone counter 198a, and the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 198a is cumulatively incremented. The AT control means 200 also executes a difference number update process in which the AT control means 200 cumulatively records in the second advantageous zone counter 198b the difference value (number of medals difference) obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out from the game that has started an advantageous zone by the number of medals inserted.

When the AT control means 200 of this embodiment is controlling the advantageous zone, regardless of the game state, it executes a game number update process that cumulatively adds (updates) the value stored in the first advantageous zone counter 198a by a value of "1", which corresponds to one game, each time one game is played, and a number difference update process that cumulatively updates the value stored in the second advantageous zone counter 198b by a value corresponding to the difference in the number of medals.

Here, in the difference number update process for updating the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b, when the number of medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number of medals inserted and the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b is subtracted, the AT control means 200 sets the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b to the value "0" if the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b is less than the value "0". As a result, the AT control means 200 can fix the value of the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b at the lowest point to the value "0", so that in the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b, it is not necessary to vary the value that is the judgment threshold according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b can be reduced.

When 1500 games have been played, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 198a becomes the first value "0", or when the player has acquired more than 2400 medals from the point at which the most medals were consumed in the advantageous zone, that is, when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b becomes the value "2401" from the point at which it was the lowest value (lowest point), the AT control means 200 determines that a specific end condition has been met as a predetermined end condition for ending the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined end process that ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

In a specified initialization process, the AT control means 200 initializes all information used in various control processes in the favorable zone, such as each flag set to ON in the favorable zone and values set in the favorable zone. The AT control means 200 can also end the favorable zone when a predetermined end condition (normal end condition) other than the specific end condition is met, and executes the specified initialization process and the specified end process when the normal end condition is met. Details of the normal end condition set by the AT control means 200 in this embodiment will be described later.

2. Components of the Gaming Machine of the Present Embodiment Next, the components of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

<Winning areas subject to internal lottery>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are the subject of an internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations that are associated with each winning area.

The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also referred to as "RBB") as a bonus that is a consecutive operation device for a first type special feature. The slot machine 1 also has, as game states controlled by the game state transition control means 170, a non-RT state in which the RBB is not set to an established state and the RBB is not operating, a bonus established state in which the RBB is set to an established state and the RBB is maintained in the established state until the RBB is activated, and a bonus state in which the RBB is activated and the RBB is activated, and a bonus state in which the RBB is activated and the RBB is activated.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas that are subject to the internal lottery include the winning area "all small roles", the winning area "all 1-coin roles", the winning area "normal replay 1", the winning area "normal replay 2", the winning area "rare replay", the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin roles", the winning area "RBB & rare roles", and the winning area "RBB", which correspond to the winning numbers 1 to 20, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 corresponds to a non-win (miss) as a result of the internal lottery.

Here, "batting order" refers to the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, the timing at which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed is also referred to as "pressing timing."

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the batting order, which is the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, is made up of six types of batting orders, batting order 1 to batting order 6. Batting order 1 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is called a "scissors hit" batting order. Batting order 2 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is called a "scissors hit". Batting order 3 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Batting order 4 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Batting order 5 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Batting order 6 is a batting order known as reverse pressing, in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner in the order from the winning area associated with winning number 20 to the non-winning area associated with winning number 0.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the small roles that can be won if the internal lottery is won include Bell A to Bell F, 1-coin roles A to 1-coin roles C, and rare roles, and the replays that can be won in the internal lottery include Replay A, Replay B, and Rare Replay. Each small role and each replay is associated with a winning area in the combination shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 1 has the winning areas "RBB & 1-coin role" and "RBB & rare role" set as winning areas including bonuses and small roles, and the winning area "RBB" set as a winning area including only bonuses.

In slot machine 1, the winning probability for the winning area "Rare Replay" is set to be lower than the winning areas for other replays. Also, in slot machine 1, the winning probability for the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is set to be lower than each winning area including the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" and the minor role of the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role".

Here, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the role associated with the carryover possible flag is RBB, and the small role and replay are associated with the non-carryover flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a winning area including RBB is won in the internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the established state of the lottery flag of the winning RBB until the RBB is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small role and replay will be won, even in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small role or replay is won in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over, the lottery flag corresponding to two or more roles consisting of the lottery flag of the already won RBB and the lottery flag of the small role or replay won in the internal lottery is set to an established state.

<Internal lottery table>
In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, as the internal lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (normal) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the bonus establishment state (internal) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the bonus state (operating) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C) are stored in the internal lottery table storage means 193. In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value number is associated with each winning area that is the subject of the lottery.

<Random number determination process>
In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the lottery value numbers corresponding to each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 193, and when the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it determines that the winning area corresponding to the subtracted lottery value number has been won. Also, when the result of the subtraction is a positive value at the time when the internal lottery means 120 has finished subtracting all the lottery value numbers stored in the internal lottery table, it determines that none of the roles have been won.

The random number generating means 110 of this embodiment is configured to be able to generate a total of 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535 as random numbers to be used in the internal lottery. In the internal lottery table A, the total number of lottery values associated with the winning area "RBB" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is 65,536, and in the internal lottery table B, the total number of lottery values associated with the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is 65,536. Therefore, in the internal lottery in the non-RT state or the bonus establishment state, any role will be won, and there will be no non-winning roles.

<Bonus winning determination process>
As described above, in the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment, in the bonus establishment state, the lottery value number is set in the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role" and the winning area "RBB & rare role". Therefore, in the internal lottery when the gaming state is the bonus establishment state, since there is a possibility that RBB will be won again in the state where RBB has already been set to the establishment state, the internal lottery means 120 is configured to execute a bonus winning judgment process to judge whether or not the winning area in which the win/loss is determined by the random number judgment process is a winning area including a bonus, in order not to set the newly won RBB to the establishment state.

When the internal lottery means 120 determines in the bonus win determination process that the winning area including the bonus is the target for determining whether it has been won or not in the random number determination process, if the winning area including the bonus is won and the game state is a bonus established state, it executes a process to skip the process of setting the bonus to an established state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to an established state when an RBB has already been set to an established state.

<Details of the batting order bell>
In this embodiment, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" are each set with a batting order (correct batting order) that will enable Bells A to F to win if won.

In the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" and "Batting Order Bell 7", the correct batting order that will allow Bell A to win is set to batting order 1, in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 2" and "Batting Order Bell 8", the correct batting order that will allow Bell B to win is set to batting order 2, in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3" and "Batting Order Bell 9", the correct batting order that will allow Bell C to win is set to batting order 3, in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4" and "Batting Order Bell 10", the correct batting order that will allow Bell D to win is set to batting order 4, in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 5" and "Batting Order Bell 11", the correct batting order that will allow Bell E to win is set to batting order 5, and in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 6" and "Batting Order Bell 12", the correct batting order that will allow Bell F to win is set to batting order 6. The winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" through "Batting Order Bell 12" are configured so that when stop buttons B1 through B3 are pressed in a batting order that is different from the correct batting order set for each winning area, there is a 1/2 chance that a 1-coin role A or 1-coin role B will win, and there is a 1/2 chance that a different symbol combination from any winning symbol combination will be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, resulting in a missed win (non-winning).

<Reel Control Means>
In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in any game state, the priority order of the winning combinations to be stopped on the pay line L1 in the reel stop control is set in the order of "replay > small combination >bonus." In other words, when a bonus and a small combination or a bonus and a replay are won in combination, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the bonus and win the small combination or the replay.

<Small prize payout>
The payouts for Bell A to Bell F are set to a number (15) greater than the specified number (3). The payouts for 1-coin A to 1-coin C and rare are set to a number (1) less than the specified number (1).

<Game state transition control means>
FIG. 4(A) is a state transition diagram showing game states to which a transition can be made from each game state in the control relating to the transition of game states executed by the game state transition control means 170 of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4(A), the non-RT state is a gaming state (initial gaming state, normal gaming state) that corresponds to the initial state among the multiple types of gaming states, and is a non-bonus state in which a bonus has not been activated or established. In the non-RT state, the gaming state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8978/65536 (approximately 1/7.3).

The bonus establishment state is a game state to which the player enters when the winning area "RBB", the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role", or the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and RBB is set to the establishment state. In the bonus establishment state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B, in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 8982/65536 (approximately 1/7.3).

The bonus state is a game state to which the player is transitioned when the RBB is won and activated. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 determines whether the termination condition of the activated RBB is met based on the total number of medals paid out, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined payout number (e.g., 100 medals), it terminates the bonus state by terminating the operation of the RBB, and transitions the game state to a non-RT state, which is a non-bonus state. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with the winning area "All Small Wins" which wins all small wins of Bell A to Bell F, 1 Coin A to 1 Coin C, and Rare, and the winning area "All 1 Coin" which wins all small wins of 1 Coin A to 1 Coin C and Rare where the payout is set to 1.

The bonus state will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the probability of winning the winning area "All Small Winnings" or the winning area "All 1 Coin Winnings" in the bonus state in which the internal lottery table C is selected is set to be higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including small winnings in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B, that is, the probability of winning a small winnings in the bonus state is set to be higher than the probability of winning any of the small winnings in a game state other than the bonus state. Also, in the internal lottery table C, the probability of winning the winning area "All Small Winnings" is set to be the same as the sum of the probability of winning any one of the winning areas "Battle Order Bell 1" to "Battle Order Bell 6" and any one of the winning areas "Battle Order Bell 7" to "Battle Order Bell 12" in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B.

Because of this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that in the bonus state, the probability of winning all minor prizes is higher than in the non-RT state when the bonus is not activated or in the bonus activation state, and the probability of winning any minor prize is the same or higher.

In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured so that in the bonus state, the probability of winning the "All Minor Features" winning area is lower than the probability of winning any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" (the combined probability of winning each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12").

In this way, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has multiple types of first specific winning modes (winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", winning area "Batting Order Bell 7" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 12") in which multiple types of specific roles (Bell A to Bell F) set to a payout greater than the amount of game value inserted required to start play do not overlap with each other and overlap with other minor roles, and a second specific winning mode (winning area "All Minor Roles") in which multiple types of specific minor roles overlap and are won, and the internal lottery means 120 is configured to conduct an internal lottery so that multiple types of first specific winning modes exist in the normal game state (non-RT state) and bonus establishment state, and to conduct an internal lottery so that the second specific winning mode exists in the bonus state. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the probability of winning the second winning mode in the internal lottery in the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning any of the multiple types of first winning modes in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state, and the winning probability of each of the small roles in the internal lottery in the bonus state is configured to be equal to or higher than the winning probability of each of the small roles in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state.

For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the expected medal acquisition rate in the bonus state is less than 100%.

Here, in the bonus establishment state, as will be described in more detail later, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12" are won, the configuration is such that Bell A to Bell F cannot win unless the stop button B1 to stop button B3 are pressed in the correct batting order consisting of batting order 1 to batting order 6, so the probability of any of Bell A to Bell F winning is limited to when the stop button B1 to stop button B3 can be pressed in the correct batting order from the six types of batting orders. On the other hand, when an AT game is executed in which the winning assistance is executed by the AT control means 200 described later, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12" are won, the correct batting order is notified by the winning assistance by the AT control means 200 and the winning assistance effect by the effect control means 180, so the probability of any of Bell A to Bell F winning can be increased by up to six times compared to when the winning assistance is not executed.

In this embodiment, six types of bells A to F are set as winning roles (specific roles) that pay out more medals than the specified number of medals when the stop operation is performed in the correct stroke order and the timing of pressing the first stop operation is appropriate. The probability of obtaining a winning mode including a specific role in the bonus state is compressed to about 1/6 of the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a specific role in a game state other than the bonus state. By configuring in this way, the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a specific role in the bonus state can be compressed to about 1/N of the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a specific role in a game state other than the bonus state by providing a mode in which N types of specific roles are won without overlapping each other in a game state other than the bonus state and performing an internal lottery, and providing a mode in which N types of specific roles are won in overlapping in the bonus state. This makes it possible to design medal acquisition performance for AT play while lowering the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state to less than 100%, and thus dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1 equipped with an AT function.

<AT Control Means>
FIG. 4(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal interval and advantageous interval controlled by the AT control means 200 of this embodiment, and the presentation state controlled during the advantageous interval.

As described above, the normal interval is a period during which control of auxiliary play based on the results of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. During play within the normal interval, the AT control means 200 executes a favorable interval lottery, which is a lottery that determines whether or not to end the normal interval and start a favorable interval, based on the winning area that is selected in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

In the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 200 first obtains from the AT control data storage means 198 an advantageous zone transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous zone" and "miss (no win)" are associated with each of a number of random numbers. The AT control means 200 then obtains a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the obtained random number with the advantageous zone transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start the advantageous zone based on the comparison result.

The AT control means 200 executes the advantageous zone lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the winning probability of the "start of advantageous zone" in the advantageous zone lottery is 1/17500 or more.

The AT control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute a favorable zone lottery when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", winning area "RBB & Rare Role", winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role", winning area "Normal Replay 1", or winning area "Rare Replay" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the bonus establishment state, and not to execute a favorable zone lottery when another winning area is won. In addition, the AT control means 200 executes a favorable zone lottery that wins the "start of the favorable zone" with a high probability of approximately 1/1.5.

In the advantageous zone, the AT control means 200 has a normal state, a CZ state, and an AT state as states (presentation states) related to the instruction function, and in the normal state, it is configured not to execute the winning assistance of Bells A to F when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" are won, and in the CZ state and AT state, it is configured to execute the winning assistance of Bells A to F when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" are won. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the proportion of time spent in the advantageous zone during the entire game can be 70% or more.

The normal state is a presentation state (normal presentation state) that corresponds to the normal state among multiple types of presentation states, and is set when there is no transition to another presentation state. When the presentation state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 200 executes an incremental update to add a value "1" equivalent to one game to the stored value of a non-AT game number counter (not shown), which counts the number of plays in the normal state, each time a game is played. When the stored value of the non-AT game number counter becomes a value of "700", the AT control means 200 determines that the transition condition to the CZ state has been met, and transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

The AT control means 200 also executes a CZ lottery for each game in the normal state to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state. In the CZ lottery, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery in which the player can win the "transition to the CZ state" regardless of the result of the internal lottery. In the CZ lottery, the AT control means 200 also acquires a lottery table by referring to the winning area that was won in the internal lottery, so that the probability of winning the "transition to the CZ state" changes depending on the winning area that was won in the internal lottery. The AT control means 200 acquires a lottery table in which the player can win the "transition to the CZ state" with a higher probability when the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won in the internal lottery and when the winning area "rare replay" is won than when other winning areas are won.

The AT control means 200 performs a lottery in the CZ lottery to determine either "transition to CZ state" or "no win", and if "transition to CZ state" is won in the CZ lottery, it determines that the CZ transition condition has been met, and after a predetermined number of games (e.g., 5 games) have been played, the presentation state transitions from the normal state to the CZ state.

The CZ state is a more advantageous presentation state for players than the normal state, as it provides assistance for winning with Bells A through F when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" through "Batting Order Bell 12" are won.

In this embodiment, the performance control means 180 executes a winning assistance performance that notifies the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that allows Bells A to F to be won based on the fact that winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" have been won in an internal lottery during the CZ state and winning assistance is executed by the AT control means 200 and information (selection role group information) is received that can determine which of winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" has been won.

At the start of the CZ state, the AT control means 200 sets a value (e.g., 8 times) corresponding to the predetermined number of times that the winning assistance is executed to the CZ auxiliary play count counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 198. Each time a winning area "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12" is won and a winning assistance is executed, the AT control means 200 executes a decrement update to subtract the stored value of the CZ auxiliary play count counter by the value "1", which corresponds to 1 time.

The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state in a game in which the CZ state has been started. If the "transition to the AT state" is selected in the CZ AT lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the CZ state to the AT state after eight winning assistances have been performed since the start of the CZ state. On the other hand, if the "transition to the AT state" is not selected in the CZ AT lottery, the AT control means 200 ends the CZ state after eight winning assistances have been performed since the start of the CZ state. If the CZ state is ended without the AT transition condition being satisfied, the AT control means 200 determines that the normal termination condition has been satisfied among the conditions for terminating the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined initialization process, which is a process for initializing information about the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process for terminating the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game.

In the AT lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery that allows a player to win "Transition to AT state" regardless of the result of the internal lottery. In addition, in the AT lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 200 is configured to obtain a lottery table by referring to the winning area that was won in the internal lottery, so that the probability of winning "Transition to AT state" changes depending on the winning area that was won in the internal lottery. The AT control means 200 obtains a lottery table that allows a player to win "Transition to AT state" with a higher probability when the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won in the internal lottery and when the winning area "rare replay" is won than when other winning areas are won.

The AT state is a more advantageous presentation state for players than the normal state, as it provides prize assistance for Bells A through F when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" through "Batting Order Bell 12" are won.

In this embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" are selected in an internal lottery during the AT state, and the AT control means 200 executes the winning assistance, the performance control means 180 executes a winning assistance performance that notifies the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that allows Bells A to F to be won, based on receiving information (selection role group information) that can determine which of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" has been selected.

At the start of the AT state, the AT control means 200 sets an initial value (50 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in the AT game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 198, and executes a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the AT game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

The AT control means 200 is also configured to execute an add-on lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) the duration of the AT state by determining whether or not to add a value determined by lottery to the stored value of the AT game number counter when the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 and when the winning area "rare replay" is won, and to execute an add-on process to add the determined value to the AT game number counter when the value determined by the add-on lottery is 1 or greater.

When the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes "0" due to the decrement update performed each time a game is played in the AT state, the AT control means 200 determines that the termination condition of the AT state (AT termination condition) has been met, terminates the AT state, and determines that the normal termination condition of the termination conditions of the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing information about the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

In addition, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 198a reaches the value "1500" in the AT state, and when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b exceeds the value "2400" in the AT state, the AT control means 200 determines that the AT end condition has been met, ends the AT state, and determines that a specific end condition among the advantageous zone end conditions has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process for initializing information about the advantageous zone, and a predetermined end process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

3. Details of the Presentation in the Normal State Next, details of the presentation related to the transition to the CZ state executed by the presentation control means 180 of this embodiment when the AT control means 200 controls the normal state will be described.

<CZ transition hint>
The presentation control means 180 of this embodiment is configured to display a predetermined icon in the display area of the display device 330 when it is controlled to the normal state by the AT control means 200. The presentation control means 180 is configured to be able to change the display mode of the predetermined icon according to the progress of the game.

In addition, the presentation control means 180 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute a CZ transition suggestion presentation that suggests a transition to the CZ state when it is controlled to the normal state by the AT control means 200. The presentation control means 180 is configured to be able to execute a CZ transition suggestion presentation lottery that determines whether or not to execute a CZ transition suggestion presentation when a transition to the CZ state has not been determined. In addition, when a "transition to the CZ state" is determined by the CZ lottery, the presentation control means 180 is configured to execute a CZ transition suggestion presentation with a higher probability than when the CZ transition condition is not satisfied during the five games from when the CZ transition condition is satisfied to when the transition to the CZ state occurs. And, the presentation control means 180 is configured to execute a CZ transition suggestion presentation with a higher probability in a game in which the game transitions from the normal state to the CZ state occurs than in a game in other normal states.

The CZ transition suggestion effects of this embodiment are composed of multiple types of effects, and are grouped into a first effect group composed of effects that have the lowest expectation of transitioning to the CZ state when the effects included in the group are executed, because each effect has a higher probability of being executed when the transition to the CZ state has not been determined than other effect groups; a second effect group composed of effects that have the highest expectation of transitioning to the CZ state when the effects included in the group are executed, because each effect has a lower probability of being executed when the transition to the CZ state has not been determined than other effect groups; and a third effect group composed of effects that have a higher expectation of transitioning to the CZ state when the effects included in the group are executed, because each effect has a lower probability of being executed when the transition to the CZ state has not been determined than the effects included in the first effect group and a higher expectation of transitioning to the CZ state than the effects included in the second effect group.

The first effect group includes a low expectation effect that displays an effect composed of a color different from the default effect on the outer periphery of the display area while maintaining the display of the default effect in the normal state displayed within the display area of the display device 330. The second effect group includes a high expectation effect that displays a specified icon that covers the default effect in the normal state displayed within the display area of the display device 330. The third effect group includes a medium expectation effect that cuts in a specified character into the default effect in the normal state displayed within the display area of the display device 330.

The effect control means 180 is also configured to be able to execute a chance suggestion effect that suggests that a "transition to CZ state" has been determined in parallel with any of the low expectation effect, medium expectation effect, and high expectation effect. The chance suggestion effect is an effect that suggests that a "transition to CZ state" has been determined by changing the display mode of a specific icon displayed on the display device 330 at the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate to a display mode specific to the chance suggestion effect (for example, changing the display color of the icon).

In addition, the presentation control means 180 is configured to execute the presentation, whether it is a low expectation presentation, a medium expectation presentation, or a high expectation presentation, either at the normal timing when the start lever SL is operated to start and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to spin, or at the delay timing, which is a timing after the normal timing, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated for the first stop.

The presentation control means 180 is configured to be able to execute a warning sound presentation consisting of a sound that notifies the player that a presentation will be executed when the start lever SL is operated to start, regardless of whether a low expectation presentation, a medium expectation presentation, or a high expectation presentation is being executed.

<Probability of execution of effects when CZ transition suggestion effects are executed>
Figure 5 is a diagram showing the execution probability of each effect when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect, where Figure 5(A) is a diagram showing the execution probability of each effect executed between the time when "transition to CZ state" is decided in the CZ lottery and the time when the transition to the CZ state is made (premonition time), and Figure 5(B) is a diagram showing the execution probability of each effect executed in a game where the transition to the CZ state is made (at the time of CZ transition) based on the decision of "transition to CZ state" in the CZ lottery.

As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), low expectation effects that do not execute chance suggestion effects are configured to be more likely to be executed during premonitions than during CZ transitions. On the other hand, medium expectation effects that do not execute chance suggestion effects and high expectation effects that do not execute chance suggestion effects are configured to be more likely to be executed during CZ transitions than during premonitions.

Also, as shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), in all cases of low expectation level effects, medium expectation level effects, and high expectation level effects, the probability that a chance suggestion effect will not be executed is higher than the probability that a chance suggestion effect will be executed in parallel.

<Percentage of execution timing when CZ transition suggestion performance is executed>
Figure 6 is a diagram showing the percentage of whether or not a warning sound is heard when each effect is executed and the timing of execution (execution timing) when a decision has been made to execute a CZ transition effect and the content of the effect to be executed has been decided, where Figure 6(A) is a diagram showing the percentage of low expectation effects in which a chance suggestion effect is not executed, Figure 6(B) is a diagram showing the percentage of low expectation effects in which a chance suggestion effect is executed, Figure 6(C) is a diagram showing the percentage of medium expectation effects in which a chance suggestion effect is not executed, Figure 6(D) is a diagram showing the percentage of medium expectation effects in which a chance suggestion effect is executed, Figure 6(E) is a diagram showing the percentage of high expectation effects in which a chance suggestion effect is not executed, and Figure 6(F) is a diagram showing the percentage of high expectation effects in which a chance suggestion effect is executed.

As shown in Figures 6(A), 6(C), and 6(E), when a chance suggestion effect is not executed, the effect control means 180 is configured so that, for low expectation effects, medium expectation effects, and high expectation effects, the proportion of effects executed when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate is greater than the proportion of effects executed when the first stop operation is executed, regardless of whether the effect is a premonition or a CZ transition.

For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the normal timing for executing the CZ transition suggestion effect is higher than the delay timing, so that if the CZ transition suggestion effect is not executed at the normal timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate in the normal state, the player is led to predict that a transition to the CZ state will not occur, temporarily lowering the player's expectations, and by executing the CZ transition suggestion effect at the delay timing when the first stop operation is executed, the player's expectations for the transition to the CZ state can be reversed from the state in which they were once lowered, and the player's expectations can be significantly increased.

As shown in Fig. 6(A), Fig. 6(C), and Fig. 6(E), when the chance suggestion effect is not executed and the first stop operation is executed, the ratio of executing the CZ transition suggestion effect without the warning sound is set as follows: low expectation effect is about 5.0% of the execution probability of about 1/1.6, medium expectation effect is about 4.5% of the execution probability of about 1/4.2, and high expectation effect is 0% of the execution probability of about 1/33.4 during the premonition, low expectation effect is about 18.0% of the execution probability of about 1/2.5, medium expectation effect is about 6.0% of the execution probability of about 1/3.8, and high expectation effect is about 4.5% of the execution probability of about 1/14.3 during the CZ transition. In both the premonition and the CZ transition, the ratio of execution when execution is decided is set to be higher in the order of low expectation effect > medium expectation effect > high expectation effect.

As described above, in slot machine 1, the high expectation effects are configured to transition to the CZ state when executed, or to have a higher expectation of determining a transition to the CZ state at the time of execution than other CZ transition suggestion effects. For this reason, in slot machine 1, if the rate at which high expectation effects are executed at delayed timing is set to the same rate at which low expectation effects are executed at delayed timing, the high expectation effects are not executed at normal timing but are executed at delayed timing, which may cause the player to distrust the effects and reduce the player's interest in the effects, as they may feel that their expectation has been lowered once even though a transition to the CZ state has already been determined.

In response to this, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the rate at which CZ transition suggestion effects are executed at delay timings increases in the order of low expectation effects > medium expectation effects > high expectation effects, both during premonitions and during CZ transitions. By reducing the rate at which high expectation effects are not executed at normal timings and are executed at delay timings, and setting a high rate at which they are executed at normal timings, it is possible to prevent players from distrusting high expectation effects and to prevent a decline in the players' interest in the effects.

Also, as shown in Figures 6(B), 6(D), and 6(F), when executing a chance suggestion effect, the effect control means 180 is configured to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate, regardless of whether it is a low expectation effect, a medium expectation effect, or a high expectation effect, whether it is a premonition or a CZ transition.

As described above, the chance suggestion effect of this embodiment is configured to be executed at the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, if the CZ transition suggestion effect is executed at a delayed timing when the chance suggestion effect is executed, the CZ transition suggestion effect will not be executed until the first stop operation is executed, even though the chance suggestion effect is executed as the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate, and the player will determine that the CZ transition suggestion effect will be executed when the first stop operation is executed. Even though the execution of the CZ transition suggestion effect has already been decided, the player will feel distrustful of the effect and his/her interest in the effect will decrease because his/her sense of expectation has been lowered once.

In contrast, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the normal timing, which is the timing before the delay timing and the timing at which the chance suggestion effect starts, when a chance suggestion effect that is completed before the delay timing is executed, thereby preventing the player from having distrust in the CZ transition suggestion effect and preventing a decline in the player's interest in the effect.

The determination of "Transition to CZ state" in the CZ lottery constitutes the specified bonus in this embodiment, the CZ transition suggestion effect suggesting that "Transition to CZ state" may have been determined constitutes the specific effect related to the granting of the specified bonus in this embodiment, the low expectation effect constitutes the first effect in this embodiment, the high expectation effect, which has a higher probability of determining "Transition to CZ state" when executed at normal timing than in the case of a low expectation effect, constitutes the second effect in this embodiment, and the medium expectation effect, which has a higher probability of determining "Transition to CZ state" when executed at normal timing than in the case of a low expectation effect and a lower probability of determining "Transition to CZ state" than in the case of a high expectation effect, constitutes the third effect in this embodiment.

In addition, the execution probability of approximately 1/1.6, which is the probability that a low expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect is not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the premonition, and the execution probability of approximately 1/2.5, which is the probability that a low expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect is not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the CZ transition, respectively constitute the first probability in this embodiment, and the execution probability of approximately 1/33.4, which is the probability that a high expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect is not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the premonition, and the execution probability of approximately 1/2.5, which is the probability that a high expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect is not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the CZ transition, respectively constitute the first probability in this embodiment, The probability of a high expectation effect without a chance suggestion effect being executed when a decision is made to execute a row suggestion effect, which is approximately 1/14.3, constitutes the second probability in this embodiment, and the probability of a medium expectation effect without a chance suggestion effect being executed when a decision is made to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect during a premonition, which is approximately 1/4.2, and the probability of a medium expectation effect without a chance suggestion effect being executed when a decision is made to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect during a CZ transition, which is approximately 1/3.8, constitutes the third probability in this embodiment.

In addition, the rate of approximately 5.0% which is the rate of execution of a low expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect and a notice sound effect are not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the premonition, and the rate of approximately 18.0% which is the rate of execution of a low expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect and a notice sound effect are not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the CZ transition, constitute the first rate in this embodiment, and the rate of 0% which is the rate of execution of a high expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect and a notice sound effect are not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the premonition, and the rate of approximately 18.0% which is the rate of execution of a high expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect and a notice sound effect are not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the CZ transition, constitute the first rate in this embodiment, The second percentage in this embodiment is approximately 4.5% of the probability that a high expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect and a notice sound effect are not executed when it is decided to execute a row suggestion effect, and the third percentage in this embodiment is approximately 6.0% of the probability that a medium expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect and a notice sound effect are not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the premonition, and the third percentage in this embodiment is approximately 4.5% of the probability that a medium expectation effect in which a chance suggestion effect and a notice sound effect are not executed when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect at the time of the CZ transition, and the third percentage in this embodiment is approximately 6.0 ....

In addition, one game, including the normal timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate and the delay timing when the first stop operation is executed, constitutes a predetermined period in this embodiment, the low expectation effect, the medium expectation effect, and the high expectation effect constitute the first specific effect in this embodiment, and the chance suggestion effect that is completed to be displayed before the delay timing constitutes the second specific effect in this embodiment.

4. Summary of the present embodiment As described above, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured so that the ratio of the CZ transition suggestion effects executed at the delay timing is greater for low expectation effects than for high expectation effects both at the time of the premonition and at the time of the CZ transition, and the ratio of the high expectation effects executed at the delay timing rather than at the normal timing is suppressed, and the ratio of the high expectation effects executed at the normal timing is set to a large ratio, thereby preventing the player from having distrust for the high expectation effects and preventing the player from losing interest in the effects.

5. Modifications In this embodiment, the performance control means 180 is configured to be able to execute the CZ transition suggestion performance at the timing when the first stop operation is executed as the delay timing, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 180 may, for example, set the delay timing to the timing when the second stop operation is executed, or the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate and reach a steady rotation, or may be configured to be any timing after the normal timing.

In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 sets normal timing and delay timing in one game as a predetermined period, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may have a specific state controlled by the presentation control means 180 that continues until multiple games are executed, and may set the timing when a first number of games are executed in the specific state as normal timing, and the timing when a second number of games, which is greater than the first number of games, is executed as delay timing.

In addition, in this embodiment, the performance control means 180 is configured so that, for low expectation performance and high expectation performance, in both cases where the performance is performed at normal timing and when the performance is performed at delayed timing, the probability of "transition to CZ state" being determined is higher when the high expectation performance is performed than when the low expectation performance is performed, but this is not limited to this. For example, when the performance control means 180 is performed at normal timing, the probability of "transition to CZ state" being determined is higher when the high expectation performance is performed than when the low expectation performance is performed, and when the performance is performed at delayed timing, the probability of "transition to CZ state" being determined is higher when the low expectation performance is performed than when the high expectation performance is performed. In other words, when the CZ transition suggestion performance is performed at delayed timing, the probability of a predetermined bonus being granted is reversed between when the first performance is performed and when the second performance is performed.

In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a transition from the normal state to the CZ state as a specified bonus, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute a transition from the normal state to the AT state, or may be configured to execute control to add (add) to the number of plays during which the AT state continues. The specified bonus may be any bonus that is advantageous to the player, and is not limited to this embodiment.

In addition, in this embodiment, the presentation control means 180 is configured such that the first probability that a low expectation presentation is executed is higher than the second probability that a high expectation presentation is executed, and the first proportion of the first probability that a presentation is executed at a delayed timing without a warning sound presentation is higher than the second proportion of the second probability that a presentation is executed at a delayed timing without a warning sound presentation, but is not limited to this. The presentation control means 180 may be configured such that the first proportion is higher than the second proportion, for example, the second probability is higher than the first probability.

In addition, in this embodiment, the performance control means 180 is configured to execute a chance suggestion performance that changes the display mode of a specific icon displayed on the display device 330 as the second specific performance, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 180 may execute, for example, a performance that displays a character that is not displayed in other performances as the second specific performance. The performance control means 180 may also be configured, for example, to output a sound different from the notice sound performance from the audio device 340 as the second specific performance. The performance control means 180 may also be configured, for example, to execute a performance that stops all sounds output from the audio device 340 as the second specific performance.

In other words, the performance control means 180 only needs to be configured to be able to execute a performance that is completed before the delay timing as the second specific performance, and the second specific performance is not limited to a performance that involves display by the display device 330.

In this embodiment, the effect control means 180 is configured to start the chance suggestion effect at the same timing as the normal timing, but is not limited to this. The effect control means 180 may be configured to execute the chance suggestion effect at a timing before the normal timing (the timing from when the start lever SL is operated to start until the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate). The effect control means 180 may be configured to execute the chance suggestion effect, for example, at a timing from when a low expectation effect, a medium expectation effect, or a high expectation effect is executed at the normal timing until the delay timing (such as when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate steadily).

In other words, the presentation control means 180 only needs to be configured to complete the display of the chance indication presentation before the delay timing, and the relationship between the start timing and the normal timing is not limited to that of this embodiment.

In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB that sets a specified number of game values to the inserted state, but this is not limited to this, and for example, in addition to the max bet button MB, it may be configured to have a single bet button that sets the game value equivalent to one medal to the inserted state.

In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured as a medal-less gaming machine that records the gaming value by an electromagnetic method, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured as, for example, a gaming machine of a type that uses medals as a gaming medium for playing games.

In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the stored value of each counter or memory means as an initial value, and to perform a decrement update in which one is subtracted each time a game is played, or an increment update in which one is added each time a game is played, but this is not limited to this, and the method of updating each counter or memory means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited.

1. Slot machine (amusement machine)
120 Internal lottery means 180 Presentation control means 200 AT control means (auxiliary game control means)
330 Display device (display means)
R1 left reel R2 center reel R3 right reel

Claims (3)

Multiple reels and
An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery;
An auxiliary game control means for controlling an auxiliary game;
A performance control means for controlling performance related to a game;
A display means for displaying a performance ,
The auxiliary game control means is capable of awarding a predetermined benefit,
The performance control means is capable of executing a specific performance as a performance related to the granting of the predetermined benefit,
The performance control means is capable of executing the specific performance at either a first timing or a second timing subsequent to the first timing within a predetermined period of time;
The specific effects include a first specific effect including a first effect executed with a first probability and a second effect executed with a second probability, and a second specific effect;
When the specific performance executed at least at the first timing is the second performance, the probability of the predetermined benefit being awarded is higher than when the specific performance is the first performance,
a ratio of a probability of execution at the second timing to the first probability is a first ratio;
a ratio of a probability of execution at the second timing to the second probability is a second ratio;
the first rate is greater than the second rate;
The performance control means is capable of executing the second specific performance in parallel with the first specific performance during the predetermined period,
The second specific effect is an effect to be displayed on the display means,
The second specific performance is completed before the second timing.
A gaming machine characterized by: The first specific performance is executed at the first timing and is not executed at the second timing when the second specific performance is executed.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1 . Multiple reels and
An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery;
An auxiliary game control means for controlling an auxiliary game;
A performance control means for controlling performance related to a game;
A display means for displaying a performance,
The auxiliary game control means is capable of awarding a predetermined benefit,
The performance control means is capable of executing a specific performance as a performance related to the granting of the predetermined benefit,
The performance control means is capable of executing the specific performance at either a first timing or a second timing subsequent to the first timing within a predetermined period of time;
The specific effects include a first specific effect including a first effect executed with a first probability and a second effect executed with a second probability, and a second specific effect;
When the specific performance executed at least at the first timing is the second performance, the probability of the predetermined benefit being awarded is higher than when the specific performance is the first performance,
a ratio of a probability of execution at the second timing to the first probability is a first ratio;
a ratio of a probability of execution at the second timing to the second probability is a second ratio;
the first rate is greater than the second rate;
The second specific effect is an effect to be displayed on the display means,
The first specific performance is executed at the first timing and is not executed at the second timing when the second specific performance is executed.
A gaming machine characterized by:

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