JP7706513B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

Applicable under Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act. Published on the website on May 18, 2023.

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines, arrange ball machines, mahjong ball gaming machines, slots, and enclosed pachinko machines (controlled gaming machines) that circulate enclosed gaming balls inside, and more specifically to gaming machines that can emphasize the sounds desired by the player and can clearly let the player hear the sounds that are intended to be heard.

As a conventional gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, for example, a gaming machine as described in Patent Document 1 is known. This gaming machine allows the volume of background music (BGM) and the amount of light of lamps to be set to a certain degree of freedom.

JP 2008-295551 A

However, the above gaming machines had the problem that they could not emphasize specific sounds such as background music, dialogue, or sound effects even if the player wanted to do so.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can emphasize the sounds desired by the player and clearly let the player hear the sounds that are intended to be heard.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means. Note that the parentheses indicate reference symbols of the embodiments described below, but the present invention is not limited to these.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, a first sound effect and
A second sound effect; and
Dialogue sounds of a plurality of characters including a first character and a second character;
A setting means (e.g., the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1) that allows a predetermined setting to be performed;
A volume adjustment means (for example, the sub-control CPU 800a shown in FIG. 4) for adjusting a predetermined volume;
The volume control means is
When the predetermined setting is made by the setting means, the volume of the first sound effect is adjusted to a first volume level based on the predetermined setting,
When the predetermined setting is made by the setting means, the volume of the second sound effect is adjusted to a second volume level different from the first volume level ,
When a specific setting is made with the setting means (e.g., the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1), the volume of the dialogue sound of the first character is adjusted to a volume level higher than the volume of the dialogue sound of the second character based on the specific setting .

The present invention allows you to emphasize the sounds that the player desires, and allows the player to clearly hear the sounds you want them to hear.

1 is an oblique view showing the appearance of an amusement machine according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board according to the embodiment. 1A and 1B are side cross-sectional views of the special symbol 2 starting device according to the embodiment, in which FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting the volume balance during play. FIG. 13 is a table showing the volume ratios of background music, sound effects (SE), and dialogue (VC) for each setting content when volume balance setting is performed. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a screen for customizing the performance when the waiting demo screen is displayed, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a screen for customizing the performance content while waiting for customers or while the special pattern is changing. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a player can arbitrarily select which song to play. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for arbitrarily adjusting each volume during a game. A figure showing an example screen for adjusting the volume levels as desired when customizing the presentation while the customer waiting demo screen is displayed. 13A to 13C show examples of music that can be selected in the presentation mode during normal play, and FIG. 13D shows an example of music that is played when a medley is selected. This is a timing chart showing that the selected music is being played over multiple pattern changes, and also showing that playback of the selected music stops when there is a continued state of no pattern changes or no launch of the game ball using the launch handle. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that allows a user to select whether to continue playing a song or to play a new song. FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing that the music selected by the player can be paused or muted depending on the game status. (a) shows an example of music that can be selected when playing a jackpot, (b-1) to (d-1) show examples of music that can be selected in each presentation mode that the player can select when in the RUSH state (right-hit state), which is an advantageous state that is favorable to the player, and (b-2) to (d-2) show examples of music that are played when the player does not select a music and a jackpot is played in each presentation mode that the player can select when in the RUSH state (right-hit state), which is an advantageous state that is favorable to the player. (a) shows another example of music that can be selected when playing a jackpot, (b) shows an example of music that can be selected when selecting automatically, (c-1) to (d-1) show examples of music that can be selected in each presentation mode that the player can select in the RUSH state (right-hit state), which is an advantageous state that is favorable to the player, and (c-2) to (d-2) show examples of music that are played when the player does not select a music and a jackpot is played in each presentation mode that the player can select in the RUSH state (right-hit state), which is an advantageous state that is favorable to the player. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing main processing of sub-control according to the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the data analysis process shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a command reception process of sub-control according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process of the sub-control according to the embodiment. 13A is a flowchart illustrating an initial command list for moving images, FIG. 13B is a flowchart illustrating a regular command list for moving images, and FIG. 13C is a flowchart illustrating a command list for still images.

Below, one embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings, using a pachinko gaming machine as an example. Note that in the following description, when directions such as up, down, left and right are indicated, they refer to up, down, left and right when viewed from the front of the illustration.

<Explanation of the external appearance of the pachinko machine>
First, the external configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Explanation of the external appearance of the front of the pachinko machine>

As shown in Figure 1, the pachinko machine 1 is configured with a rectangular front frame 3 attached to the front of a wooden outer frame 2 so that it can be opened and closed, and a game board 4 mounted inside a game board storage frame (not shown) attached to the underside of the front frame 3. The game board 4 is mounted with the game area 40 shown in Figure 2 facing the front, and a glass door frame 5 supporting transparent glass is provided in front of this game area 40 as shown in Figure 1. The game area 40 is an area surrounded by a ball guide rail 6 (see Figure 2) arranged on the surface of the game board 4.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko game machine 1 has a front operation panel 7 disposed below the glass door frame 5, an upper tray unit 8 disposed on the front operation panel 7, and an upper tray 9 for storing ejected game balls formed integrally with the upper tray unit 8. The front operation panel 7 also has a ball loan button 11 and a prepaid card ejection button 12 (card return button 12). The upper tray surface of the upper tray 9 is provided with a push-button type performance button device 13 that can be pressed by the player to change the performance effect when a built-in lamp (not shown) is lit. The upper tray 9 also has a ball ejection button 14 for ejecting the game balls stored in the upper tray 9 downward, and a setting button 15 consisting of an approximately cross key. The setting buttons 15 can be operated by the player and are made up of a circular decision key 15a located in the center, a triangular up key 15b located above the decision key 15a in the figure, a triangular left key 15c located to the left of the decision key 15a in the figure, a triangular right key 15d located to the right of the decision key 15a in the figure, and a triangular down key 15e located below the decision key 15a in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper tray 9 is provided with a volume adjustment button 16 and a light intensity adjustment button 17 to the left of the setting button 15. The volume adjustment button 16 can be operated by the player, and is made up of a triangular up key 16a and a triangular down key 16b. The light intensity adjustment button 17 can be operated by the player, and is made up of a triangular up key 17a and a triangular down key 17b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a launch handle 18 for operating the launch unit is provided on the right end side of the front operation panel 7, and speakers 19 that emit background music (BGM), sound effects (SE), or dialogue (VC) are provided on both sides of the upper part of the front frame 3 and near the launch handle 18. In addition, decorative lamps such as full-color LED lamps that create a dramatic effect through light decoration are arranged around the perimeter of the front frame 3.

<Explanation of the appearance of the game board>
Next, the external configuration of the game board 4 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal display device 41 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is arranged in the approximate center of the game area 40 of the game board 4. The liquid crystal display device 41 divides the display area into three areas, left, center, and right, and can independently display numbers, characters, letters (character conversations, lyrics subtitles, etc.) or patterns (special patterns and normal patterns). Around the liquid crystal display device 41, decorative top decoration 42a, left decoration 42b, and right decoration 42c are provided, and movable role devices 43 are arranged on the back side of the top decoration 42a, left decoration 42b, and right decoration 42c. In addition, decorative lamps such as full-color LED lamps that create a dramatic effect by light decoration are arranged on the top decoration 42a, left decoration 42b, and right decoration 42c.

As shown in Figure 2, the movable part device 43 is composed of an upper movable part 43a, a left movable part 43b, a right movable part 43c, and an upper left movable part 43d, which perform predetermined performance operations as the game progresses, and a motor (not shown) such as a two-phase stepping motor that drives each of the upper, left, right, and upper left movable parts 43a to 43d. In addition, decorative lamps such as full-color LED lamps that create performance effects through light decoration are arranged on these upper, left, right, and upper left movable parts 43a to 43d.

On the other hand, the special symbol 1 start hole 44 is arranged directly below the liquid crystal display device 41, and inside it is provided a special symbol 1 start hole switch 44a (see FIG. 4) that detects winning balls. The number of valid winning balls detected by this special symbol 1 start hole switch 44a (see FIG. 4), that is, the number of first start reserved balls, is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 as a predetermined number (for example, 4). Note that, when a game ball enters the special symbol 1 start hole 44 and is detected by the special symbol 1 start hole switch 44a (see FIG. 4), this number of first reserved balls is added by 1 (+1), and when the variable display of special symbols such as numbers, characters, or symbols (decorative symbols) begins, it is subtracted by 1 (-1). Note that decorative lamps such as full-color LED lamps that create a dramatic effect by light decoration are arranged around the special symbol 1 start hole 44.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2, a special symbol 2 start device 45 is disposed on the lower right side of the liquid crystal display device 41. As shown in Fig. 3, this special symbol 2 start device 45 is composed of a special symbol 2 start port 45a, an opening/closing section 45b that can change the special symbol 2 start port 45a between an "open state" in which the game ball YK can enter and a "closed state" in which the game ball YK cannot enter, an entry guide section 45c that can change between a "guiding state" that guides the game ball YK toward the special symbol 2 start port 45a and a "non-guiding state" that does not guide the game ball YK, and a special symbol 2 start port switch 45a1 (see Fig. 4) that detects the game ball YK that has entered the special symbol 2 start port 45a.

The special symbol 2 start hole 45a opens almost horizontally toward the right side of the front left-right direction in FIG. 2, and a special symbol 2 start hole switch 45a1 (see FIG. 4) that detects winning balls is provided inside the special symbol 2 start hole 45a. The number of valid winning balls detected by the special symbol 2 start hole switch 45a1 (see FIG. 4), that is, the number of second start reserved balls, is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 as a predetermined number (for example, 4). Note that when a game ball enters the special symbol 2 start hole 45a and is detected by the special symbol 2 start hole switch 45a1 (see FIG. 4), the number of second start reserved balls is increased by 1 (+1), and when the display of special symbols such as numbers, characters, or patterns (decorative patterns) begins to change, the number is decreased by 1 (-1).

The opening/closing section 45b is equipped with an opening/closing member 45b1 that can move left and right relative to the special symbol 2 starting hole 45a, and a normal electric role solenoid 45b2 (see FIG. 4) that drives and controls the opening/closing member 45b1. When the opening/closing section 45b is in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the opening/closing member 45b1 protrudes into the special symbol 2 starting hole 45a (moves to the left in the figure) to prevent the game ball YK from entering the special symbol 2 starting hole 45a, and when in the open state, as shown in FIG. 3(a), it retreats to the right in the figure to allow the game ball YK to enter the special symbol 2 starting hole 45a.

The ball entry guide section 45c is equipped with a guide member 45c1 that slopes downward from the right side to the left side as shown in FIG. 2 (sloping downward toward the special symbol 2 starting hole 45a). This guide member 45c1 is driven and controlled by the normal electric role solenoid 45b2 (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the ball entry guide section 45c is in the guide state, the guide member 45c1 slides and protrudes to the front side of the play area 40 (the glass door frame 5 side shown in FIG. 1) and guides the game ball YK placed on the upper side to the special symbol 2 start hole 45a, and when in the non-guide state, the guide member 45c1 slides backward (to the rear side of the play area 40) and retreats, as shown in FIG. 3(b). As a result, even if the game ball YK is placed on the guide member 45c1 when it is in the guide state, if the guide member 45c1 changes to the non-guide state before the game ball YK enters the special symbol 2 start hole 45a and the guide member 45c1 slides backward, the game ball YK will flow downstream without entering the special symbol 2 start hole 45a. The guide member 45c1 and the opening and closing member 45b1 are designed to operate in conjunction with each other. That is, when the guide member 45c1 is in the guiding state, the opening/closing member 45b1 retreats to the right side as shown in FIG. 3(a) to allow the game ball YK to enter the special pattern 2 starting hole 45a, and when the guide member 45c1 is in the non-guiding state, the opening/closing member 45b1 protrudes to the left side as shown in FIG. 3(b) to prevent the game ball YK from entering the special pattern 2 starting hole 45a.

In the following, the special symbol 2 starter 45 described above may be referred to as a normal electric device. In addition, the special symbol 2 starter 45 is equipped with decorative lamps such as full-color LED lamps that create a dramatic effect through light decoration.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a winning device 46 is arranged on the right side of the special symbol 1 starting hole 44. When the special symbol is selected in the lottery, that is, during a winning game state, this winning device 46 is controlled by a special electric device solenoid 46b (see FIG. 4) so that the large prize hole (not shown) closed by the opening and closing door 46a opens, allowing the game ball to enter the large prize hole (not shown). The game ball that enters the large prize hole (not shown) is detected as a winning ball by a large prize hole switch 46c (see FIG. 4) provided inside the large prize hole (not shown).

On the other hand, when the special symbol is not selected, i.e., when the game is not in a winning state, the special electric device solenoid 46b (see FIG. 4) drives and controls the opening and closing door 46a, and the large prize opening (not shown) is closed. This prevents the game ball from entering the large prize opening (not shown). In the following, the device combining the opening and closing door 46a and the special electric device solenoid 46b may be referred to as the special electric device. In addition, the winning device 46 is equipped with decorative lamps such as full-color LED lamps that create a dramatic effect through light decoration.

The prize-winning device 46 is provided with a distribution device 47, which is a conventionally known structure. As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution device 47 has a V area 47a and a non-V area 47b, and when a game ball enters a large prize opening (not shown), the game ball is distributed to either the V area 47a or the non-V area 47b. The distribution device 47 does not distribute a game ball that enters the large prize opening (not shown) to the V area 47a, but to the non-V area 47b, unless a specified game state is reached.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2, a normal symbol start port 48 consisting of a gate is arranged in the upper right part of the liquid crystal display device 41, and a normal symbol start port switch 48a (see Fig. 4) that detects the passage of the game ball is provided inside the normal symbol start port. In addition, a general winning port 49 is arranged on the right side of the winning device 46 and the left side of the special symbol 1 starting port 44. This general winning port 49 is composed of an upper right general winning port 49a arranged on the right side of the winning device 46, an upper left general winning port 49b arranged on the left side of the special symbol 1 starting port 44, a middle left general winning port 49c, and a lower left general winning port 49d. Inside the upper right general winning opening 49a is an upper right general winning opening switch 49a1 (see FIG. 4) that detects the passage of the game ball, inside the upper left general winning opening 49b is an upper left general winning opening switch 49b1 (see FIG. 4) that detects the passage of the game ball, inside the middle left general winning opening 49c is a middle left general winning opening switch 49c1 (see FIG. 4) that detects the passage of the game ball, and inside the lower left general winning opening 49d is a lower left general winning opening switch 49d1 (see FIG. 4) that detects the passage of the game ball. In addition, the general winning openings 49 are equipped with decorative lamps such as full-color LED lamps that create a dramatic effect with light decoration.

On the other hand, just below the special pattern 1 starting hole 44, there is an outlet 50 into which game balls (out balls) that flow down to the lowest part of the game area 40 without winning are placed. The game balls that enter this outlet 50 are detected as non-winning balls by the outlet switch 50a (see FIG. 4) provided inside, and the winning balls described above also flow down to the lowest part of the game area 4 through the back side of the game board 4, so they are detected by the outlet switch 50a (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the outlet switch 50a (see FIG. 4) detects the total number of outs discharged, that is, the same number of game balls as the game balls launched into the game area 40 by the launch handle 18. In addition, when counting the game balls launched into the game area 40 by the launch handle 18, a switch may be provided at the point where the ball guide rail 6 enters the game area 40 to count them.

On the other hand, three seven-segment displays are arranged in the lower right periphery of the play area 40 of the game board 4, two of which are special symbol display devices 51, and the remaining seven-segment display device 53a displays special symbol 1, special symbol 2, the number of balls reserved for the start of normal symbols, and the game status (for example, favorable game status, etc.). As shown in FIG. 2, this special symbol display device 51 is composed of a special symbol 1 display device 51a and a special symbol 2 display device 51b, and to the left of the special symbol 1 display device 51a is a normal symbol display device 52 consisting of one LED, and furthermore, a round lamp 53b that notifies the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and a right hit notification lamp 53c that notifies the right hit are provided.

In addition, an identification lamp device 51A that displays identification information corresponding to special pattern 1 and special pattern 2 is provided on the upper end side of the left ornament 42b.

This identification lamp device 51A has first and second identification lamps 51Aa and 51Ab for informing the player that special symbol 1 or special symbol 2 is changing, or that special symbol 1 or special symbol 2 has won or lost. This first identification lamp 51Aa corresponds to special symbol 1, and the second identification lamp 51Ab corresponds to special symbol 2. When special symbol 1 is changing, the first identification lamp 51Aa flashes, when special symbol 1 is a win, the first identification lamp 51Aa is lit, and when special symbol 1 is a loss, the first identification lamp 51Aa is turned off. Furthermore, when special symbol 2 is changing, the second identification lamp 51Ab flashes, when special symbol 2 is a win, the second identification lamp 51Ab is lit, and when special symbol 2 is a loss, the second identification lamp 51Ab is turned off.

In addition, although not shown, multiple game pegs are arranged in the play area 40 of the game board 4, and a windmill 54 is arranged as a member for changing the falling direction of the game ball.

<Description of the control device>
Next, the control device that performs electronic control according to the progress of the game and is provided in the pachinko game machine 1 having the above-mentioned external configuration will be explained using Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, this control device is mainly composed of a main control board 60 that controls the overall game operation, a payout/launch control board 70 that pays out game balls based on control commands from the main control board 60, and a sub-control board 80 that controls images, lights, and sounds.

<Description of the main control board>
The main control board 60 is mainly equipped with a one-chip microcomputer 600 consisting of a main control CPU 600a, a main control ROM 600b which stores a game program describing a series of game control procedures, and a main control RAM 600c which functions as a working area, buffer memory, etc., a measurement/setting display device 610 consisting of 7 segments which displays (performance display) information related to the ratio of the number of winning balls when the probability of winning is low (when the probability of winning is in a normal low probability state), and also displays the setting contents of the probability of generating a game state advantageous to the player, a RAM clear switch 620, and a setting key switch 630.

The main control board 60 configured in this manner is connected to a payout/launch control board 70 which controls the payout motor M to pay out game balls. In addition, there are connected a special pattern 1 start port switch 44a which detects winning at the special pattern 1 start port 44, a special pattern 2 start port switch 45a1 which detects winning at the special pattern 2 start port 45a, a normal pattern start port switch 48a which detects passage through the normal pattern start port 48, an upper right general prize port switch 49a1, an upper left general prize port switch 49b1, a middle left general prize port switch 49c1, and a lower left general prize port switch 49d1 which detect winning at the general prize ports 49 (upper right general prize port 49a, upper left general prize port 49b, middle left general prize port 49c, and lower left general prize port 49d), a large prize port switch 46c which detects winning at a large prize port (not shown) which is opened or closed by the opening and closing door 46a, and an outlet switch 50a which can detect the same number of game balls as the game balls launched into the game area 40 by the launch handle 18. In addition, a normal electric role solenoid 45b2 that drives and controls the opening and closing member 45b1 and the guide member 45c1, a special electric role solenoid 46b that controls the operation of the opening and closing door 46a, a distribution device 47, a special symbol 1 display device 51a, a special symbol 2 display device 51b, a normal symbol display device 52, a 7-segment display device 53a, a round lamp 53b, and a right-hit notification lamp 53c are also connected. In addition, a fraud detection board 55 that detects fraudulent behavior by the player is connected.

When the main control board 60 configured in this way receives a signal from the special symbol 1 start port switch 44a, the special symbol 2 start port switch 45a1, or the normal symbol start port switch 47a at the main control CPU 600a, it conducts a lottery and determines the special symbol variation pattern and the display content of the stop symbol or normal symbol according to the winning/losing information that is the lottery result, and transmits the determined information to the special symbol 1 display device 51a, the special symbol 2 display device 51b, or the normal symbol display device 52. As a result, the lottery result is displayed on the special symbol 1 display device 51a, the special symbol 2 display device 51b, or the normal symbol display device 52. Furthermore, the main control board 60, i.e., the main control CPU 600a, generates a performance control command DI_CMD including the determined information and transmits it to the sub-control board 80. In addition, when the main control board 60, i.e., the main control CPU 600a, receives signals from the special symbol 1 start port switch 44a, the special symbol 2 start port switch 45a, the upper right general prize port switch 49a1, the upper left general prize port switch 49b1, the middle left general prize port switch 49c1, the lower left general prize port switch 49d1, and the large prize port switch 46c, it determines how many game balls to pay out to the player, and sends a payout control command PAY_CMD containing this determined information to the payout/launch control board 70, which then pays out the game balls to the player.

In addition, if the result of the lottery is that a normal symbol is selected, the normal electric role solenoid 45b2 is controlled to keep the opening/closing member 45b1 in the open state and the guide member 45c1 in the guide state for a specified time, and if the result is that a special symbol is selected, the special electric role solenoid 46b is controlled to open the big prize opening (not shown).

In a type 1/type 2 mixed gaming machine, when a small win game state is reached, the opening and closing door 46a is controlled to repeatedly open and close the large prize opening (not shown), and when a game ball enters the large prize opening (not shown), the distribution device 47 is controlled so that the game ball is distributed to the V area 47a.

On the other hand, the main control board 60, i.e., the main control CPU 600a, measures the number of winning balls each time it receives a signal from the special symbol 1 start port switch 44a, the special symbol 2 start port switch 45a1, the upper right general winning port switch 49a1, the upper left general winning port switch 49b1, the middle left general winning port switch 49c1, the lower left general winning port switch 49d1, and the large winning port switch 46c, and measures the total number of game balls discharged each time it receives a signal from the outlet switch 50a. Then, the main control board 60, i.e., the main control CPU 600a, outputs to the measurement/setting display device 610 the content (performance display) regarding the ratio of how many winning balls were generated during low probability, etc., based on the measured number of winning balls and the total number of game balls discharged. As a result, the content (performance display) regarding the ratio of how many winning balls were generated during low probability, etc., is displayed on the measurement/setting display device 610.

Furthermore, the measurement and setting display device 610 can display the setting contents of the probability of generating a game state advantageous to the player in six steps, for example, from "1" to "6". Thus, when changing such setting contents, when a dedicated key is inserted into the setting key switch 630 and turned ON, the setting contents of the probability of generating a game state advantageous to the player can be changed in six steps, for example, from "1" to "6" by the RAM clear switch 620 (for example, the setting "6" has the highest probability of generating a game state advantageous to the player, and the setting "1" has the lowest probability of generating a game state advantageous to the player). The setting change contents are then displayed on the measurement and setting display device 610, and when the setting change contents are confirmed, the dot on the lower right side of the 7-segment lights up to indicate that the setting contents have been confirmed.

On the other hand, when the RAM clear switch 620 is pressed except when a dedicated key is inserted into the setting key switch 630 and turned ON, the entire memory area of the main control RAM 600c is not cleared, but only a portion of the memory area is cleared.

On the other hand, when the main control board 60, i.e., the main control CPU 600a, receives a fraud detection signal that detects a player's fraudulent behavior using a magnetic sensor, radio wave sensor, or vibration sensor mounted on the fraud detection board 55, it generates a fraud error command (presentation control command DI_CMD) and sends it to the sub-control board 80.

<Explanation about the payout/launch control board>
The payout/launch control board 70 receives a payout control command PAY_CMD from the main control board 60 (main control CPU 600a) and generates a payout motor signal based on the received payout control command PAY_CMD. The payout motor signal thus generated controls the payout motor M to pay out game balls to the player. Furthermore, the payout/launch control board 70 performs processing to start or stop the operation of firing game balls in response to the player's operation based on a prize ball count signal indicating the payout operation of game balls and a status signal related to an abnormality in the payout operation.

Meanwhile, a touch sensor is provided on the periphery of the launch handle 18 shown in FIG. 1, and when the player's hand touches the touch sensor of the launch handle 18, the touch sensor outputs a detection signal to the payout/launch control board 70, as shown in FIG. 4. In response to this, the payout/launch control board 70 transmits the detection signal to the main control board 60 (main control CPU 600a). The main control board 60 (main control CPU 600a) then transmits the detection signal to the sub-control board 80 as a presentation control command DI_CMD. This makes it possible to transmit information as to whether or not the player has touched the handle 18 to play to the sub-control board 80.

The payout/launch control board 70 also processes balls to be loaned to players. That is, when the ball loan button 11 shown in Figures 1 and 4 is pressed, a ball loan signal is sent to the CR unit (not shown) located adjacent to the pachinko game machine 1. In response to this, the CR unit sends a ball loan request signal to the payout/launch control board 70. Then, in response to this signal, the payout/launch control board 70 pays out game balls to the player, and when the payout is complete, it sends a ball loan completion signal to the CR unit. Thus, in this way, the payout/launch control board 70 processes balls to be loaned to players.

<Explanation about the sub-control board>
The sub-control board 80 is equipped with a sub-one-chip microcomputer 800 which is made up of a sub-control CPU 800a which receives performance control commands DI_CMD from the main control board 60 (main control CPU 600a) and controls the execution and image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41, a sub-control ROM 800b which stores control programs describing performance control procedures, and a sub-control RAM 800c which functions as a working area, buffer memory, etc.

Furthermore, the sub-control board 80 is equipped with a sound LSI 801 that generates desired background music and sound effects, a sound RAM 802 that functions as a working area or buffer memory, a VDP 803 that generates image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 based on instructions from the sub one-chip microcomputer 800, a DDR2 SDRAM 804 that is composed of a working area for expanding compressed video data and a frame buffer area for temporarily storing image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41, and a game ROM 805 that stores in advance CG data of compressed still image data and compressed video data, and sound data such as background music and sound effects. Note that a still image is a so-called sprite image, which represents a single image such as text data such as characters, a background image, or a special pattern. Also, a moving image means a collection of multiple still images (multiple frames) that change continuously, and smooth operation is reproduced by drawing multiple still images continuously on the liquid crystal display device 41.

The sub-control board 80 thus configured is connected to a decorative lamp board 90 equipped with decorative lamps such as full-color LED lamps that produce lamp effects, and is further connected to a push-button type effect button device 13 that can be pressed by the player to change the effect when the built-in lamp (not shown) is lit, and a speaker 19 that emits background music, sound effects, or dialogue. The sub-control board 80 is further connected to a movable role device 43 that performs a predetermined effect operation as the game progresses, an identification lamp device 51A that notifies the player that the special symbol 1 or special symbol 2 is changing, or that the special symbol 1 or special symbol 2 has won or lost, a setting button 15 that allows various settings to be made, a volume adjustment button 16 that allows volume adjustment, a light adjustment button 17 that allows light intensity adjustment, and a liquid crystal display device 41.

The sub-control board 80 thus configured receives a presentation control command DI_CMD sent from the main control board 60 (main control CPU 600a) at the sub-control CPU 800a, which includes basic information required for the special symbol variation pattern based on the lottery result, the current game state, the number of balls on hold for starting, the decorative symbols to be stopped based on the lottery result, etc. Then, the sub-control CPU 800a determines by lottery the presentation pattern corresponding to the received presentation control command DI_CMD from among a large number of presentation patterns previously stored in the sub-control ROM 800b, and temporarily stores a control signal instructing the execution of the determined presentation pattern in the sub-control RAM 800c.

The sub-control CPU 800a transmits to the sound LSI 801 a sound-related control signal, among the control signals that instruct the execution of a presentation pattern stored in the sub-control RAM 800c. In response to this, the sound LSI 801 reads out sound data corresponding to the control signal from the game ROM 805 or sound RAM 802, and outputs it to the speaker 19. This causes the speaker 19 to produce background music, sound effects, or dialogue corresponding to the presentation pattern determined above.

The sub-control CPU 800a also transmits to the decorative lamp board 90 a light-related control signal among the control signals that instruct the execution of the performance pattern stored in the sub-control RAM 800c. This causes the decorative lamp board 90 to control the turning on and off of decorative lamps such as full-color LED lamps that produce the lamp performance effect, thereby executing a lamp performance corresponding to the performance pattern determined above.

Then, the sub-control CPU 800a transmits to the VDP 803 a command list relating to images among the control signals for instructing the execution of the performance pattern stored in the sub-control RAM 800c. As a result, the VDP 803 generates image data to display an image based on the command list, and transmits the generated image data to the liquid crystal display device 41, so that an image corresponding to the determined performance pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41. Note that the image data displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 is updated every frame, but the VSYNC (vertical synchronization signal) shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted from the VDP 803 to the sub-control CPU 800a as an interrupt signal so that the sub one-chip microcomputer 800 (sub-control CPU 800a) can know that the display operation of this one frame has ended. This allows the sub-control CPU 800a to know that one frame's worth of image data has been displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41. Note that this VSYNC interrupt signal is generated, for example, every 33 ms.

Furthermore, the sub-control CPU 800a transmits to the movable role device 43 a control signal related to a movable role among the control signals that instruct the execution of the performance pattern stored in the sub-control RAM 800c. As a result, the movable role device 43 moves in accordance with the determined performance pattern.

<Power supply board explanation>
Incidentally, power is supplied to each of the boards described above from a power supply board 130 shown in Fig. 4. This power supply board 130 is configured to include a voltage generation unit 1300, a voltage monitoring unit 1310, and a system reset generation unit 1320. This voltage generation unit 1300 receives an AC voltage of 24V, which is an external power source supplied from a transformer (not shown) installed in the game arcade, and generates multiple types of DC voltages, and the generated DC voltages are supplied to each board (not shown).

The voltage monitoring unit 1310 monitors the AC 24V voltage, and outputs a voltage abnormality signal ALARM to the main control board 60 if a voltage abnormality is detected due to a cutoff of this voltage or the occurrence of a power outage. The voltage abnormality signal ALARM outputs an "L" level signal when a voltage abnormality occurs, and outputs an "H" level signal when the voltage is normal.

On the other hand, the system reset generation unit 1320 generates a system reset signal RST when the power is turned on, and the generated system reset signal RST is output to each board.

<Explanation of specific sound emphasis settings>
Here, the specific sound emphasis setting will be described.

Conventionally, gaming machines that allow the volume to be adjusted are known, but gaming machines that allow the emphasis of specific sounds such as background music, sound effects, or dialogue are not known.

In this embodiment, therefore, it is possible to set specific sounds such as background music, sound effects, or dialogue to be emphasized. Specifically, when a player presses the volume adjustment button 16 shown in FIG. 1 to adjust the volume during a game (including a big win game), or while a customer waiting demo screen is displayed or while waiting for customers, as shown in FIG. 5, a screen for adjusting the volume (see image P1) is displayed in the lower left part of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 41 on the liquid crystal display device 41. Note that in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an example is shown in which an image of a winning game is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41, in which the left decorative pattern (see image P2a), the middle decorative pattern (see image P2b), and the right decorative pattern (see image P2c) have stopped (in the figure, they have stopped at "777"), and the resident pattern (see image P3) has also stopped at the same number.

As shown in FIG. 5, this volume adjustment screen (see image P1) displays information indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps (see image P1a), and information indicating that the volume can be selected with the volume adjustment button 16 (see image P1b). When the player presses the up key 16a of the volume adjustment button 16 shown in FIG. 1, the information indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps (see image P1a) shown in FIG. 5 is displayed with the volume increasing by one step. When the player presses the down key 16b of the volume adjustment button 16 shown in FIG. 1, the information indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps (see image P1a) shown in FIG. 5 is displayed with the volume decreasing by one step. When the volume is changed, the change is immediately reflected.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when a screen for adjusting the volume (see image P1) is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41, a volume balance setting screen (see image P4) is also displayed. As shown in FIG. 5, this volume balance setting screen (see image P4) displays the content indicating which sound is to be emphasized (see image P4a) and the content indicating that the selection is made with the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 (see image P4b). Specifically, when the player presses the up key 15b or the down key 15e of the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1, the player can select and set which sound is to be emphasized. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the options are "default", "BGM emphasis", "dialogue emphasis", and "low sound effects". When "default" is selected, the volumes of the BGM, sound effects (SE), and dialogue (VC) all remain at the current volume output value (shown as 100% in the figure), as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when "BGM emphasis" is selected, the volume of the BGM remains at the current volume output value (shown as 100% in the figure), but the volumes of the sound effects (SE) and dialogue (VC) are lowered by 50% from the current volume output value, as shown in Fig. 6. On the other hand, when "BGM emphasis" is selected, the volume of the BGM remains at the current volume output value (shown as 100% in the figure), but the volumes of the sound effects (SE) and dialogue (VC) are lowered by 50% from the current volume output value, as shown in Fig. 6. On the other hand, when "dialogue emphasis" is selected, the volume of the dialogue (VC) remains at the current volume output value (shown as 100% in the figure), but the volume of the BGM is lowered by 75% from the current volume output value, and the volume of the sound effects (SE) is lowered by 50% from the current volume output value, as shown in Fig. 6. On the other hand, when "low sound effects" is selected, as shown in FIG. 6, the volume of the background music and dialogue (VC) will remain at the current volume output value (shown as 100% in the figure), but the volume of the sound effects (SE) will be reduced by 50% from the current volume output value.

Thus, when selecting and setting which sound to emphasize, as explained above, rather than emphasizing the set sound, the volume output value of other sounds is lowered to relatively emphasize them. This allows sounds desired by the player to be emphasized, and conversely, the volume output value of sounds that the player finds loud to be lowered, thereby outputting sounds according to the player's preferences and broadening the range of play for the player.

When the player presses the up key 15b or down key 15e of the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 to select which sound to emphasize, the selection is immediately reflected. That is, for example, when "BGM emphasis" is selected, the volume of the sound effects (SE) and dialogue (VC) is immediately lowered by 50% from the current volume output value, as shown in FIG. 6. This allows the player to immediately notice the change in volume, and allows the selection of the volume balance in real time. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, when the volume adjustment screen (see image P1) is displayed, the volume balance setting screen (see image P4) is also displayed accordingly, so that the player can emphasize the dialogue of his/her favorite character at any timing during the pattern change. This allows the game to be provided according to the player's preferences.

The volume adjustment screen shown in FIG. 5 (see image P1) is configured to disappear from the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 41 after a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) if the player does not press any of the volume adjustment buttons 16 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the display of the volume balance setting screen (see image P4) is also configured to disappear accordingly.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the volume balance setting screen (see image P4) is displayed to the right of the volume adjustment screen (see image P1) shown in FIG. 5, but this is not a limitation and the screen may be displayed in any location. However, it is preferable to display the screen in a location other than a location that would interfere with the movable role device 43 and make it difficult for the player to see, that is, a location that is easy for the player to see.

The volume balance setting screen shown in FIG. 5 (see image P4) may have a transparent background or may be opaque. However, as explained above, since the volume balance setting in this embodiment can be adjusted in sync with the timing of the volume adjustment and can be displayed even during reach effects, it is preferable to display the screen with some transparency (for example, about 50%) so as not to be obtrusive to the player, so that the displayed effects are not invisible to the player.

<Description of Modifications of Specific Sound Emphasis Settings>
Incidentally, in the above description, an example has been given in which the volume balance is set in synchronization with the timing of the volume adjustment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a method such as that shown in FIG. 7 may also be used.

Specifically, when the customer waiting demo screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 (see FIG. 2), if the player presses the performance button device 13 (see FIG. 1), a menu screen (see image P10) is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 as shown in FIG. 7(a). As shown in FIG. 7(a), this menu screen displays the word "Customize" (see image P10a) in the upper center of the screen, and below that, customizable contents such as "Winning Chance Notification", "Increased Pre-reading Expectation", "Premium Up", and "Volume Balance Setting" (see image P10b) are displayed. The winning chance notification is a high-expectation pre-reading notice that, if it appears, increases the expectation of a winning game state. In addition, the increase in the expectation of pre-reading is a method of lowering the appearance rate of pre-reading notices with low expectation of a winning game state (for fluctuations that change the reserved status but end in a normal reach) and adjusting the allocation value so that it appears during a reach with high expectation of a winning game state, such as a strong SP reach. Furthermore, premium up means that the appearance rate of the premium effect of the winning confirmation effect is increased in the fluctuation that results in a winning. In other words, if the premium effect does not appear, the expectation of a winning will be lower than when the custom setting is OFF. On the other hand, as explained above, the volume balance setting allows you to select and set which sound to emphasize.

Thus, such customizable content (see image P10b) can be selected with the cross key (see image P10c) and confirmed with a button (see image P10d) as shown in FIG. 7(a). However, the volume balance setting is confirmed at the stage of selection, as explained above.

Here, the method of selecting the customizable content (see image P10b) will be specifically explained. When the player presses the up key 15b and down key 15e shown in FIG. 1, the square frame W1 shown in FIG. 7(a) moves up and down, and the customizable content (see image P10b) can be selected. Then, after selecting the customizable content (see image P10b) (in FIG. 7(a), "Chance notification at the time of winning" is selected), the player presses the left key 15c and right key 15d shown in FIG. 1 to set the ON/OFF of the performance content of "Chance notification at the time of winning", "Increased expectation of anticipation", and "Premium up". Furthermore, after selecting the customizable content (see image P10b), the player presses the left key 15c and right key 15d shown in FIG. 1 to select one of "Default", "BGM emphasis", "Dialogue emphasis", and "Reduced sound effects" in the case of "Volume balance setting".

After making such settings, the player presses the decision key 15a shown in FIG. 1 to confirm the settings. However, in the case of the volume balance setting, the settings are confirmed at the stage of selection without pressing the decision key 15a shown in FIG. 1. To return to the normal screen, the player moves the square frame W1 shown in FIG. 7(a) to "Return to normal screen" (see image P10e) and presses the decision key 15a shown in FIG. 1 to return to the normal screen. In this embodiment, the setting contents are confirmed by pressing the decision key 15a shown in FIG. 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The setting contents may be confirmed at the stage of setting the ON/OFF of the customizable performance contents by pressing the left key 15c and right key 15d shown in FIG. 1, without pressing the decision key 15a shown in FIG. 1.

On the other hand, it is possible to set customizable contents not only when the customer waiting demo screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 (see FIG. 2) but also during customer waiting and during the variation of special symbols. In this embodiment, an example of setting customizable contents during the variation of special symbols will be described. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the liquid crystal display device 41 displays a state in which the decorative symbols are rapidly varying (see image P2) and the resident symbols are simultaneously varying rapidly (see image P3), indicating that they are varying. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the customizable contents (see image P11) are displayed in the lower left corner of the screen, and the selection contents (see image P12) are also displayed, and further, it is displayed that the selection can be made with the cross key (see image P13) and that the selection can be made with the button (see image P14). Specifically, when the player presses the up key 15b and the down key 15e shown in FIG. 1, the customizable contents (see image P11) can be selected. After selecting a customizable content (see image P11) (in FIG. 7(b) "Volume Balance Setting" is selected), the player can press the left key 15c and right key 15d shown in FIG. 1 to set the selected customizable content (see image P12). After making such settings, the player can press the confirm key 15a shown in FIG. 1 to confirm the setting. However, as explained above, the volume balance setting is confirmed at the stage of selection.

As described with reference to FIG. 7, the timing of the volume balance setting can be set at the same timing as the customizable content. This makes it easier for the player to notice the settings, thereby providing a comfortable game experience that meets the player's preferences.

As explained above, the volume balance setting is reflected immediately when it is selected, but the effects of "Chance notification when winning", "Increased expectation of anticipation", and "Premium up" are not reflected immediately after being set, and instead reflect the content selected from the first start reserved ball when the game ball enters the special pattern 1 start hole 44 (see Figure 2).

The volume balance settings can also be reset to the "default" when the company logo is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41. This allows the next player to start playing with the "default" settings, preventing a situation in which the next player starts playing with settings that he or she does not like.

In this embodiment, when "BGM Emphasis" is selected in the "Volume Balance Setting", an example is shown in which all BGM is emphasized, but this is not limiting, and specific BGM may be emphasized. That is, BGM in gaming machines can be broadly divided into two types: BGM that is played when a specific effect such as a reach effect occurs, and BGM that the player can freely select which song to play. Therefore, when "BGM Emphasis" is selected, for example, it is possible to emphasize only the BGM that the player can freely select which song to play. In this way, the player can pay more attention to the songs that he or she likes or wants to hear. In this case, the volume output value of the BGM that is played when a specific effect such as a reach effect occurs will be reduced.

By the way, the BGM that the player can select arbitrarily to play can be set, for example, as shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, when the liquid crystal display device 41 displays a state in which the decorative pattern is changing at high speed (see image P2) and the resident pattern is changing at high speed accordingly (see image P3), indicating that the pattern is changing, and when the volume control screen (see image P1) and the volume balance setting screen (see image P4) are displayed, a screen for selecting a song (see image P20) is displayed in the upper right corner of the screen. As shown in FIG. 8, this screen for selecting a song (see image P20) displays selectable songs (in the figure, a medley is selected) (see image P20a), and displays the content (see image P20b) indicating that the selection is made with the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, when the player presses the left key 15c and the right key 15d of the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1, any song can be selected and set. As shown in Figure 8, when a medley is selected, the song currently being played is displayed (see image P21).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, an example is shown in which a screen for selecting a song (see image P20) is displayed when a screen for adjusting the volume (see image P1) and a volume balance setting screen (see image P4) are displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the volume balance setting screen (see image P4) is displayed, the screen for selecting a song (see image P20) is not displayed, and when the volume balance setting screen (see image P4) is not displayed, the screen for selecting a song (see image P20) may be displayed.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, when "Dialogue Emphasis" is selected in the "Volume Balance Setting", an example in which all dialogue is emphasized is shown, but it is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to emphasize only the dialogue of the character selected by the player. In this way, the dialogue of the character that the player likes can be emphasized and heard, so that a performance that is more suited to the player can be achieved. In this case, the output value of the volume of the dialogue of the character other than the selected character is lowered. In addition, the dialogue sound of the character selected by the player may be output from the speaker 19, and the dialogue corresponding to the dialogue sound may be displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 41. In this way, the performance of the character selected by the player can be emphasized more, so that a performance that suits the player's preferences can be achieved. Furthermore, even if the player misses the dialogue sound of the character selected by the player, the player can identify what dialogue the character selected by the player has spoken by looking at the dialogue displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41. The lines displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 may be completely the same as the lines output from the speaker 19, or a portion of the lines may be displayed.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the "volume balance setting" can be selected from "default," "BGM emphasis," "dialogue emphasis," and "low sound effects," but in addition, "variable volume adjustment" may be selected. In other words, this "variable volume adjustment" allows for individual adjustment of the volume of BGM, sound effects (SE), and dialogue (VC). This allows the player to set the volume balance in detail with more freedom. A specific explanation is given below.

9 shows an example in which the left decorative pattern (see image P2a), the middle decorative pattern (see image P2b), and the right decorative pattern (see image P2c) have stopped (in the illustration, they have stopped at "777"), and the resident pattern (see image P3) has also stopped at the same number, resulting in a winning game, and is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41. At this time, if the player presses the volume adjustment button 16 shown in FIG. 1 to adjust the volume, as shown in FIG. 9, a volume adjustment screen (see image P1) is displayed in the lower left part of the screen of the liquid crystal display device 41. As shown in FIG. 9, this volume adjustment screen (see image P1) displays content (see image P1a) indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps, and content (see image P1b) indicating that the volume can be selected with the volume adjustment button 16. When the player presses the up key 16a of the volume adjustment button 16 shown in Figure 1, the content indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps as shown in Figure 9 (see image P1a) is displayed with the volume increasing by one step. When the player presses the down key 16b of the volume adjustment button 16 shown in Figure 1, the content indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps as shown in Figure 9 (see image P1a) is displayed with the volume decreasing by one step. When the volume is changed, the change is immediately reflected.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when a volume adjustment screen (see image P1) is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41, a volume balance setting screen (see image P4) is also displayed in the upper right corner of the screen. As shown in FIG. 9, this volume balance setting screen (see image P4) displays content indicating which sound is to be emphasized (see image P4a), and content indicating that selection is made with the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 (see image P4b). Specifically, when the player presses the up key 15b or down key 15e of the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1, the player can select and set which sound is to be emphasized. In this embodiment, the options available are "default", "BGM emphasis", "dialogue emphasis", "reduced sound effects", and "adjust each volume freely". When "Adjust each volume freely" is selected, a screen for adjusting the BGM volume (see image P30), a screen for adjusting the dialogue (VC) volume (see image P31), and a screen for adjusting the sound effect (SE) volume (see image P32) are displayed next to the screen for adjusting the volume (see image P1), as shown in Fig. 9. The screen for adjusting the BGM volume (see image P30) displays, as shown in Fig. 9, a content indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps (see image P30a) and a content indicating that the selection is made with the volume adjustment button 16 (see image P30b). The screen for adjusting the dialogue (VC) volume (see image P31) displays, as shown in Fig. 9, a content indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps (see image P31a) and a content indicating that the selection is made with the volume adjustment button 16 (see image P31b). Furthermore, on the screen for adjusting the sound effect (SE) volume (see image P32), as shown in Fig. 9, a content (see image P32a) indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps is displayed, and a content (see image P32b) indicating that the volume can be selected with the volume adjustment button 16 is displayed. Thus, the player presses the left key 15c and the right key 15d of the setting button 15 shown in Fig. 1 to select one of the screen for adjusting the BGM volume (see image P30), the screen for adjusting the dialogue (VC) volume (see image P31), and the screen for adjusting the sound effect (SE) volume (see image P32), and adjusts the selected volume with the volume adjustment button 16 shown in Fig. 1. When the player presses the up key 16a of the volume adjustment button 16 shown in Fig. 1, a content (see images P30a, P31a, and P32a) indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps is displayed, which indicates that the volume increases by one step. When the down key 16b of the volume adjustment button 16 shown in FIG. 1 is pressed, the contents indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps as shown in FIG. 9 (see images P30a, P31a, and P32a) are displayed to decrease the volume by one step. When the volume is changed, the change is immediately reflected (for example, when changing BGM is playing while the symbols are changing, and the volume of the BGM is lowered on the BGM volume adjustment screen (see image P30), the volume of the changing BGM becomes quieter each time). This allows the player to immediately notice the change in volume, making it possible to select the volume balance in real time.

Incidentally, the "volume adjustment" described above can also be set when a menu screen such as that shown in FIG. 10 (see image P10) is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41. As shown in FIG. 10, this menu screen displays the word "Customize" (see image P10a), and below that, the customizable contents such as "Chance notification when winning", "Increased expectation of advance prediction", "Premium increase", and "Volume balance setting" (see image P10b) are displayed.

Thus, such customizable content (see image P10b) can be selected with the cross key (see image P10c) and confirmed with a button (see image P10d), as shown in FIG. 10. However, the volume balance setting is confirmed at the stage of selection, as explained above.

Here, to specifically explain how to select customizable content (see image P10b), when the player presses the up key 15b and down key 15e shown in Figure 1, the square frame W1 shown in Figure 10 moves up and down, allowing the player to select customizable content (see image P10b). Then, after selecting customizable content (see image P10b) (in Figure 10, "volume balance setting" is selected), the player presses the left key 15c and right key 15d shown in Figure 1, allowing the player to select from "default", "BGM emphasis", "dialogue emphasis", "reduced sound effects", and "adjust each volume as desired" for "volume balance setting". When the player presses the left key 15c and the right key 15d shown in FIG. 1 and selects "volume adjustment", as shown in FIG. 10, a screen for adjusting the BGM volume (see image P40), a screen for adjusting the dialogue (VC) volume (see image P41), and a screen for adjusting the sound effect (SE) volume (see image P42) are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41. As shown in FIG. 10, the screen for adjusting the BGM volume (see image P40) displays a content (see image P40a) indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps. As shown in FIG. 10, the screen for adjusting the dialogue (VC) volume (see image P41) displays a content (see image P41a) indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps. As shown in FIG. 10, the screen for adjusting the sound effect (SE) volume (see image P42) displays a content (see image P42a) indicating that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps. Thus, when the player presses the right key 15d of the setting button 15 shown in Fig. 1, he can select one of the screens for adjusting the BGM volume (see image P40), the screen for adjusting the dialogue (VC) volume (see image P41), and the screen for adjusting the sound effect (SE) volume (see image P42), and can adjust the volume by pressing the up key 15b and the down key 15e shown in Fig. 1. When the player presses the up key 15b shown in Fig. 1, the content showing that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps shown in Fig. 10 (see images P40a, P41a, and P42a) is displayed with the volume increasing by one step. And when the player presses the down key 15e shown in Fig. 1, the content showing that the volume can be adjusted in 10 steps shown in Fig. 10 (see images P40a, P41a, and P42a) is displayed with the volume decreasing by one step. When the volume is changed, the change is immediately reflected (for example, when the volume of the BGM is lowered on the BGM volume adjustment screen (see image P40) while the pattern is changing, the volume of the BGM that is changing becomes smaller each time). This allows the player to immediately notice the change in volume, and allows the selection of the volume balance in real time. Also, when the player presses the right key 15d shown in FIG. 1 while the sound effect (SE) volume adjustment screen (see image P42) is selected, the screen returns to "default". This allows the player to select again from "default", "BGM emphasis", "dialogue emphasis", "low sound effect", and "volume adjustment". In this embodiment, when adjusting the volume when the menu screen (see image P10) as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41, an example is shown in which the volume adjustment button 16 shown in FIG. 1 is not used, but the volume adjustment button 16 may be used.

In addition, in this embodiment, only when "Adjust each volume arbitrarily" is selected, the screen for adjusting the BGM volume (see images P30 and P40), the screen for adjusting the dialogue (VC) volume (see images P31 and P41), and the screen for adjusting the sound effects (SE) volume (see images P32 and P42) shown in Figures 9 and 10 are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41, but this is not limiting, and they may also be displayed when "BGM emphasis" or the like is selected.

By the way, when you set the volume individually using "Adjust Volume for Each Game" as described above, the set volume will be saved unless you perform a reset as described below. That is, for example, even if a player sets the volume individually using "Adjust Volume for Each Game", selects "Default" once, and then selects "Adjust Volume for Each Game" again, the previously set volume setting will be saved rather than setting the individual volume from scratch. This prevents a situation in which the player has to set the volume balance multiple times.

Here, we will explain the timing of the reset mentioned above.

When the volume is set on the settings screen as described with reference to FIG. 9, the reset timing (timing to return to "default") is when the power is cut off. In this way, even if the player takes a break and a certain amount of time has passed, the settings will not be reset, so the player does not need to make new settings every time he or she takes a break. This makes it possible to provide a comfortable gaming experience.

On the other hand, if the volume is set on a menu screen as described with reference to FIG. 10, the reset timing (timing to return to "default") occurs when starting play or when customizing on the menu screen shown in FIG. 10, by having the player confirm the current settings and then confirming whether or not to reset the current settings, and then the player resets them using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1. In this way, the player can quickly set the volume balance to his or her preference.

The sub-control board 80 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a back switch (not shown) that can be used by employees of the game arcade. This back switch can be adjusted by employees of the game arcade by pinching and turning it. In this case, if the volume can be set on the setting screen as described with reference to FIG. 9, turning the back switch once in any direction changes the overall volume balance, and the liquid crystal display 41 displays the currently set volume balance together with the volume display (volume adjustment screen (see image P1)). In this case, by turning the back switch again in any direction from this state, the set volume balance can be returned to the "default", that is, reset. In this way, employees of the game arcade can reset only with the back switch, and there is no need to go to the trouble of returning to the "default" using the setting button 15. This reduces the workload of employees of the game arcade. In addition, if the volume can be set on the menu screen as described with reference to FIG. 10, the liquid crystal display 41 does not display the above-mentioned display even if the back switch is turned in any direction. This is because the volume settings can be easily checked on the menu screen.

<Explanation about sounds that cannot be adjusted with the specific sound emphasis setting or that require different reduction ranges>
Incidentally, if all sounds were made adjustable in the specific sound emphasis setting described above, there is a possibility that the sounds that are desired to be heard by the player would not be able to be clearly heard.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the sounds that you want the player to hear are not adjustable by the specific sound emphasis setting, or the reduction amount is made different. The details are explained below.

<About error notification sounds>
Since the error notification sound is a sound that the player wants to hear, in this embodiment, the error notification sound cannot be adjusted. Examples of the error notification sound include a RAM clear notification sound effect, a door opening notification sound effect, a fraud detection warning notification sound effect, a frame unit connection abnormality notification sound effect, and a left hit notification sound. The left hit notification sound is an error sound "Please return to left hit" that is notified when the player hits right using the launch handle 18 during normal play. This error sound "Please return to left hit" is notified by a predetermined character uttering it as a line. Therefore, when the error sound "Please return to left hit" is notified, even if "BGM emphasis" and "volume arbitrary adjustment" are selected in the volume balance setting, the output value of the volume of the predetermined character's line is not lowered and it is notified at the maximum volume. In this way, it is possible to make the sound that the player wants to hear clearly. The left hit notification sound may be notified at the maximum volume from the beginning. However, during a predetermined period (when a predetermined game ball is hit with the right hand), if "BGM emphasis" or "volume adjustment" is selected in the volume balance setting, the output value of the volume of the predetermined character's lines may be lowered or the reduction amount may be reduced (for example, 50% in FIG. 6 may be changed to 80%), and when the predetermined period is exceeded, the notification may be made at the maximum volume. That is, the volume of the left hand hit notification sound may be increased in stages. In this way, it is possible to prevent the player during the game from being unnecessarily surprised. In addition, when an error sound is notified, the error sound may be output from the speaker 19 and the error content corresponding to the error sound may be displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 41. In this way, even if the player misses the error sound, the player can understand that an error has occurred by looking at the error content displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41. The error content displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 may be completely the same as the error sound output from the speaker 19, or a part of the error sound may be displayed.

<Saving function related sounds>
In the case where a saving function is installed that stops the game when the player acquires a certain number of prize balls, the notification sound effect related to the saving function is also a sound that the player wants to hear. For this reason, in this embodiment, the notification sound effect related to this saving function cannot be adjusted. In other words, the notification sound effect before the saving function is activated is as follows:
(1) A sound effect is announced when there are approximately 5,000 balls remaining before the saving function is activated. (2) A sound effect is announced when the saving function is activated after waiting for the end of the jackpot game that is currently being played. (3) A sound effect is announced when the saving function is activated. (4) A sound effect is announced continuously after the saving function is activated until the gaming machine is cut off from power.

In this case, in the case of (1) above, if a volume balance setting other than "default" is selected, the output value of the volume of the sound effect is lowered or the reduction amount is made lower than that of the other sound effects (for example, in FIG. 6, it is set to 50%, but it is set to 80%), and in the cases of (2) to (4) above, even if a volume balance setting other than "default" is selected, the notification is made at maximum volume. In this way, it is possible to play the sounds that you want the player to hear, and to alert the player that the saving function is being activated.

<About the sound that is determined by the customization content selected by the player>
The sound that is determined by the player's custom selection (see FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 10), such as the sound effect in the winning chance notification, is also the sound that the player wants to hear. In this case, when such a sound effect is output, even if a volume balance setting other than "default" is selected, the selection is not reflected and the output value of the volume of this sound effect is not lowered (the current volume is used), or the reduction amount is made smaller than other sound effects (for example, the 50% setting in FIG. 6 is changed to 80%). In this way, the player can hear the sound that the player wants to hear, and the player can be made aware that the custom selection has been notified.

<About sounds you want to emphasize in reach effects and other productions>
The sound to be emphasized in the reach effect and the like is also the sound that the player wants to hear. For example, in some gaming machines, there is a music reach effect that is often seen as a reach effect, in which a certain music piece is played and the jackpot is reached when the music piece is played to the end. In such a case, even if "emphasis on dialogue" or "adjustment of each volume" is selected in the volume balance setting, the music reach effect does not reflect the selection and does not lower the output value of the volume of the sound effect (set to the current volume), or lowers the volume lower than other sound effects (for example, 50% in FIG. 6 is set to 80%). In this way, it is possible to let the player hear the sound that is desired, and to prevent the original enjoyment of the reach effect from being impaired during the reach effect in which a jackpot is expected.

<About the sounds that are used to create a high probability of winning>
The notification sound that indicates a high probability of winning and that the player is expecting a big win is also a sound that the player wants to hear. For example, when a character cut-in or a reach line is inserted for the purpose of the performance, the character and the lines are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 (see FIG. 2), and the displayed lines may be output as the voice of the character. In such a case, even if "BGM emphasis" or "volume adjustment" is selected in the volume balance setting, the selection is not reflected and the output value of the volume of the character's lines is not lowered (the current volume is used), or the volume is lowered to a lower extent than the volume of the lines other than the character's lines (for example, 50% in FIG. 6 is changed to 80%). In this way, the sound that the player wants to hear can be heard, and even if the player is engrossed in a smartphone or the like and does not see the performance, the volume of the lines of the performance with a high probability of winning can be relatively increased to notify the player that the performance has the expectation of a big win game.

<About the sound that is heard when a jackpot is confirmed>
The sound of notification when the jackpot is confirmed is also a sound that the player wants to hear. For example, when the jackpot game is confirmed after the reach effect is reached, the win/lose button is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 (see FIG. 2) at the end of the reach effect, and the jackpot game is confirmed after the determination of whether or not it is a jackpot is made on the liquid crystal display device 41 (see FIG. 2). Then, a jackpot confirmation screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 (see FIG. 2), and the game transitions to the consumption of the jackpot round. At this time, at the timing when the jackpot game is confirmed, the decorative lamp flashes rapidly or a notification sound (sound effect, character's congratulatory voice, etc.) is output to notify the player that the jackpot has been confirmed. This notification sound is output during the period from the timing when the big win game is confirmed until the end of the round, and at this time, even if "BGM emphasis" or "volume adjustment" is selected in the volume balance setting, the selection is not reflected and the output value of the volume of the sound effects and character lines is not lowered (the current volume is used), or the reduction amount is made smaller than that of other sound effects and character lines (for example, 80% instead of 50% in FIG. 6). In this way, it is possible to let the player hear the sound that is desired to be heard, and the impact of the big win notification can be relatively increased, thereby improving the interest of the game.

<Explanation of song selection>
Here, the selection of music will be explained. In this embodiment, as explained with reference to FIG. 8, the player can arbitrarily select which music to play. This allows the player to play a game while playing his/her favorite music. This can improve the interest of the gaming machine. This point will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 11(a) to (c), there are multiple songs that can be selected. To explain this in detail, the sub-control CPU 800a can change the presentation mode during normal play to "stage a" shown in Fig. 11(a), "stage b" shown in Fig. 11(b), and "stage c" shown in Fig. 11(c). When the presentation mode is "stage a", the player can use the setting button 15 shown in Fig. 1 to select one of the default (stage a initial BGM), song 1, song 2, song 3, song 4, song 5, song 6, and medley shown in Fig. 11(a). If the player does not select any song, the default (stage a initial BGM) is automatically selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and the default (stage a initial BGM) is played by the sound LSI 801. In addition, a medley in this embodiment is a song in which all or the main parts of two or more songs are connected and played.

On the other hand, if the presentation mode is "b stage", the player can use the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 to select from Default (b stage initial BGM), Music 1, Music 2, Music 3, Music 4, Music 5, Music 6, and Medley, as shown in FIG. 11(b). If the player does not select any music, the default (b stage initial BGM) is automatically selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and the default (b stage initial BGM) is played by the sound LSI 801.

When the presentation mode is "c stage", the player can use the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 to select from Default (c stage initial BGM), Music 1, Music 2, Music 3, Music 4, Music 5, Music 6, and Medley, as shown in FIG. 11(c). If the player does not select any music, the default (c stage initial BGM) is automatically selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and the default (c stage initial BGM) is played by the sound LSI 801.

When the player uses the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 to select a medley as shown in FIG. 11(a)-(c), the sound LSI 801 will play music 1, music 2, music 3, music 4, music 5, and music 6 as shown in FIG. 11(d) as a medley. That is, predetermined music is played in order, for example, starting with music 1, followed by music 2, music 3, music 4, and so on. Alternatively, music 1-6 will be played randomly. Alternatively, the music will be played starting from the music played during the previous medley selection (for example, music 2), or starting from the music next to the music played during the previous medley selection (for example, music 2) (for example, music 3).

When a medley is selected, the timing for the song being played to switch to the next song is as follows: When the currently played song finishes playing, the next song will start playing. When the pattern changes a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 changes), the next song will start playing. Or, when a specific pattern change (for example, a reach change) starts playing, the next song will start playing. In this way, the transition can occur at various times.

On the other hand, when a medley is selected, as shown in FIG. 8, the song currently being played (reproduced) is displayed (see image P21). This allows the player to play while checking which song is currently being played, and therefore the player will not play without knowing which song is being played. This can increase the player's interest.

The music selected by the player using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 is played over multiple symbol changes, as shown in FIG. 12. That is, the music selected by the player continues to be played by the sound LSI 801 even after the symbol change starts at timing T1, stops at timing T2, starts again at timing T3, and stops at timing T4, as shown in FIG. 12. In other words, the playback of the music selected by the player is not stopped for each symbol change.

On the other hand, if there is no pattern change or no game ball is launched using the launch handle 18 between timing T4 and timing T5 shown in FIG. 12, the sound LSI 801 stops playing the music selected by the player.

On the other hand, when the game is resumed at timing T6 shown in FIG. 12, the sub-control CPU 800a causes the liquid crystal display device 41 to display, as shown in FIG. 13, a message indicating whether or not to reset the music selection (see image P50), and a message prompting the player to select Yes or No using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 (see image P50a). This allows the player to select whether to continue playing the music or to play a new music. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the liquid crystal display device 41 shown in FIG. 13 displays an image in which the decorative pattern (see image P2) has stopped (in the figure, it has stopped at "767") and the resident pattern (see image P3) has also stopped at the same number, resulting in a losing game.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the music selected by the player can be paused or muted depending on the game status. That is, when the music selected by the player is being played by the sound LSI 801, when the reach effect starts at timing T10 shown in FIG. 14, the music selected by the player is stopped or muted by the sound LSI 801 (the playback itself continues). Next, at timing T11 shown in FIG. 14, the big win fanfare starts, and at timing T12, when the big win game starts, the sound LSI 801 plays the music selected by the player from the continuation (if the sound is muted, the sound is restored). Next, at timing T13 shown in FIG. 14, when the big win game ends, the music selected by the player by the sound LSI 801 is stopped or muted again (the playback itself continues). Then, at timing T14 shown in FIG. 14, the sound LSI 801 plays the music selected by the player from the continuation (if the sound is muted, the sound is restored).

In this way, the music selected by the player can be paused or muted depending on the game status. When a jackpot game starts, the sound LSI 801 may start the music selected by the player from a special starting position for a jackpot, such as starting from the chorus, rather than continuing to play the music (if muted, the sound is restored) from where it left off. Also, when a jackpot game ends and the music selected by the player is played (if muted, the sound is restored), it may be played from the beginning of the music, rather than continuing to play the music (if muted, the sound is restored).

The default (initial BGM for stage a) shown in FIG. 11(a), the default (initial BGM for stage b) shown in FIG. 11(b), and the default (initial BGM for stage c) shown in FIG. 11(c) all have no lyrics (are not sung). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11(d), when a medley is selected, the default (initial BGM for stage a) shown in FIG. 11(a), the default (initial BGM for stage b) shown in FIG. 11(b), and the default (initial BGM for stage c) shown in FIG. 11(c) are not played. This means that when a medley is selected, only songs with lyrics (that have lyrics) are played, which increases the player's interest.

In addition, although only one medley can be selected in the example shown in this embodiment, multiple medleys may be provided and selected. That is, for example, Medley 1 may play even-numbered songs, and Medley 2 may play odd-numbered songs, etc.

By the way, the player can freely select which song to play not only during normal play, but also during jackpot play. That is, as shown in FIG. 15(a), there are multiple songs that can be selected during jackpot play. More specifically, the player can use the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 to select one of songs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 shown in FIG. 15(a). Note that if the player does not select any song, song 1 will be automatically selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and song 1 will be played by the sound LSI 801.

On the other hand, even in the RUSH state (right-hand hitting state) that is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal playing state after a big win game, the player can freely select which song to play. To explain this point in more detail, in the RUSH state (right-hand hitting state), in this embodiment, the player can select one of the modes "A mode" shown in FIG. 15(b-1), "B mode" shown in FIG. 15(c-1), or "C mode" shown in FIG. 15(d-1) using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1. If the player does not select any of the modes using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1, the initial mode "A mode" shown in FIG. 15(b-1) is selected.

When the player selects "A mode" using the setting button 15 shown in Figure 1, the player can use the setting button 15 shown in Figure 1 during the RUSH state (right-hand hit state) to select one of the default (initial BGM of A mode), song 1, song 2, song 3, song 4, song 5, and song 6 shown in Figure 15 (b-1). Note that if the player does not select any song, the default (initial BGM of A mode) is automatically selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and the default (initial BGM of A mode) is played by the sound LSI 801. In addition, when the player selects "A mode" using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 and the jackpot game state is reached, if the default (A mode initial BGM) shown in FIG. 15(b-1) is selected, the sub-control CPU 800a selects songs 2 to 3, 4, and so on in order as shown in FIG. 15(b-2), and the selected songs are played by the sound LSI 801. In other words, the songs 2 to 1 shown in FIG. 15(b-2) are played in order, and when the playback of song 1 is completed, the song 2 is played again in a loop. The change to the next song may be changed for each consecutive win in which a jackpot game occurs in succession, or may be changed according to the number of consecutive wins in which a jackpot game occurs in succession. In addition, if a song other than the default (A mode initial BGM) is selected, such loop playback is not performed, and the selected song continues to be played during the jackpot game, even if the jackpot game occurs in succession. This will ensure that music that does not match the player's preferences is not played, increasing the player's interest.

On the other hand, when the player selects "B mode" using the setting button 15 shown in Figure 1, the player can use the setting button 15 shown in Figure 1 during the RUSH state (right-hand hit state) to select from the default (initial BGM of B mode), song 1, song 2, song 3, song 4, song 5, and song 6 shown in Figure 15 (c-1). Note that if the player does not select any song, the default (initial BGM of B mode) is automatically selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and the default (initial BGM of B mode) is played by the sound LSI 801. In addition, when the player selects "B mode" using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 and the jackpot game state is reached, if the default (B mode initial BGM) shown in FIG. 15(c-1) is selected, the sub-control CPU 800a selects songs 3 to 4, 5, and so on in order as shown in FIG. 15(c-2), and the selected songs are played by the sound LSI 801. In other words, the songs 3 to 2 shown in FIG. 15(c-2) are played in order, and when the playback of song 2 is completed, the song 3 is played again in a loop. The change to the next song may be made for each consecutive win in which a jackpot game occurs, or may be made depending on the number of consecutive wins in which a jackpot game occurs. In addition, if a song other than the default (B mode initial BGM) is selected, such loop playback is not performed, and the selected song continues to be played during the jackpot game, even if the jackpot game occurs consecutively. This will ensure that music that does not match the player's preferences is not played, increasing the player's interest.

On the other hand, when the player selects "C mode" using the setting button 15 shown in Fig. 1, the player can use the setting button 15 shown in Fig. 1 to select from the default (C mode initial BGM), song 1, song 2, song 3, song 4, song 5, and song 6 shown in Fig. 15 (d-1) during the RUSH state (right-hand hit state). Note that if the player does not select any song, the default (C mode initial BGM) is automatically selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and the default (C mode initial BGM) is played by the sound LSI 801. In addition, when the player selects "C mode" using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 and the jackpot game state is reached, if the default (C mode initial BGM) shown in FIG. 15(d-1) is selected, the sub-control CPU 800a selects songs 4 to 5, 6, and so on in order as shown in FIG. 15(d-2), and the selected songs are played by the sound LSI 801. In other words, songs 4 to 3 shown in FIG. 15(d-2) are played in order, and when the playback of song 3 is completed, song 4 is played again, in a loop playback. The change to the next song may be changed for each consecutive win in which a jackpot game occurs in succession, or may be changed according to the number of consecutive wins in which a jackpot game occurs in succession. In addition, if a song other than the default (C mode initial BGM) is selected, such loop playback is not performed, and the selected song continues to be played during the jackpot game even if the jackpot game occurs in succession. This will ensure that music that does not match the player's preferences is not played, increasing the player's interest.

The default (initial BGM in A mode) shown in FIG. 15(b-1), the default (initial BGM in B mode) shown in FIG. 15(c-1), and the default (initial BGM in C mode) shown in FIG. 15(d-1) all have no lyrics (no singing). Also, as shown in FIG. 15(b-1) to (d-1), medleys cannot be selected when selecting music during RUSH state (right-hit state). This is because the game progresses quickly during RUSH state (right-hit state), making it unsuitable for playing medleys. However, it may be possible to select medleys.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the default (initial BGM for A mode) shown in FIG. 15(b-1), the default (initial BGM for B mode) shown in FIG. 15(c-1), and the default (initial BGM for C mode) shown in FIG. 15(d-1) are provided, but they do not have to be provided. In this case, it is sufficient to carry over the music selected in FIG. 15(a).

In addition, in this embodiment, in the RUSH state (right-hand hitting state), the player can select one of the "A mode" shown in FIG. 15(b-1), the "B mode" shown in FIG. 15(c-1), and the "C mode" shown in FIG. 15(d-1) using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1. In this case, when the presentation mode is changed (for example, from "A mode" to "B mode") during a consecutive win in which consecutive jackpot games occur, the music of the previous presentation mode (for example, "A mode") may be continued in the changed presentation mode (for example, "B mode"). Alternatively, the music may be switched to the default music of the changed presentation mode (for example, "B mode").

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the default (initial BGM for A mode) shown in FIG. 15(b-1), the default (initial BGM for B mode) shown in FIG. 15(c-1), and the default (initial BGM for C mode) shown in FIG. 15(d-1) are provided, but this is not limiting, and an "automatic" setting may also be provided as shown in FIG. 16. To explain this in more detail, during a jackpot game, the player can use the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 to select from "automatic", song 1, song 2, song 3, song 4, song 5, or song 6 shown in FIG. 16(a). When "Automatic" is selected, as shown in FIG. 16(b), at the first win, song 7 is selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, if the number of consecutive wins is 2 to 3, song 8 is selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, if the number of consecutive wins is 4 to 5, song 9 is selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, if the number of consecutive wins is 6 or more and "A mode" described below is selected, song 10 is selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and if the number of consecutive wins is 6 or more and "B mode" described below is selected, song 11 is selected by the sub-control CPU 800a.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, after a jackpot, in the RUSH state (right-hand hit state), which is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal game state, the player can select either "A mode" shown in FIG. 16(c-1) or "B mode" shown in FIG. 16(d-1) using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1. If the player does not select either mode using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1, the initial mode, "A mode" shown in FIG. 16(c-1), is selected.

When the player selects "A mode" using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1, the player can select any one of the following songs shown in FIG. 16(c-1): Random (A mode), song 1, song 2, song 3, song 4, song 5, and song 6 during the RUSH state (right-hand hitting state). In addition, when the player selects "A mode" using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 and enters the jackpot game state, the player can select any one of the following songs shown in FIG. 16(c-2): Random (A mode), song 1, song 2, song 3, song 4, song 5, and song 6. If the player does not select any song, the random (A mode) is automatically selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and the random (A mode) is played by the sound LSI 801. Furthermore, if a player selects a song, the selected song will continue to be played during the jackpot game, even if the jackpot game occurs consecutively. This prevents the song that does not match the player's wishes from being played, which increases the player's interest.

On the other hand, when the player selects "B mode" using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1, the player can select any one of the random (B mode), music 1, music 2, music 3, music 4, music 5, and music 6 shown in FIG. 16 (d-1) using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 during the RUSH state (right-hand hitting state). Also, when the player selects "B mode" using the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 and enters the jackpot game state, the player can select any one of the random (B mode), music 1, music 2, music 3, music 4, music 5, and music 6 shown in FIG. 16 (d-2). Note that if the player does not select any music, the random (B mode) is automatically selected by the sub-control CPU 800a, and the random (B mode) is played by the sound LSI 801. Furthermore, if a player selects a song, the selected song will continue to be played during the jackpot game, even if the jackpot game occurs consecutively. This prevents the song that does not match the player's wishes from being played, which increases the player's interest.

As explained with reference to FIG. 8, the player can freely select which song to play, but the display position and size of the song selection displayed on the liquid crystal display 41 may be different depending on whether the game is normal, whether a jackpot has been hit, or whether the player is in an advantageous state. Also, if the song name to be displayed is long, it may be displayed in a scrolling manner, and supplementary information such as the name of the lyricist, composer, and singer may be made available for confirmation.

On the other hand, when returning to normal play from a jackpot play state or an advantageous state favorable to the player, the music selected during the previous normal play may or may not be retained.

On the other hand, when a new jackpot game occurs after returning to the normal game state, the music selected during the previous jackpot game may or may not be the same as the music selected during the previous jackpot game.

In addition, in this embodiment, songs 1 to 6 are exemplified as songs that are selected during normal play, jackpot play, and when the player is in an advantageous state, but of course different songs may be selected for each of these. Alternatively, the selectable songs may differ depending on the presentation mode.

On the other hand, you can select a song while waiting for customers, but if the sound is muted, the selected song may or may not be played.

<Description of the processing contents of the sub-control board>
Here, the processing method of the various contents explained above will be explained in detail below, specifically with reference to the processing contents (program outline) of the sub-control board 80 shown in Figures 17 to 21.

First, when the power is turned on to the pachinko game machine 1, a power-on signal is sent from the power supply board 130 (see FIG. 4) to each control board to indicate that power has been turned on. Then, upon receiving this signal, the sub-control CPU 800a performs the main processing shown in FIG. 17.

<Sub-control: Explanation of main process>
17, first, the sub-control CPU 800a initializes the internal registers and sets the input/output direction of the input/output ports. Then, it sets the data to be transmitted from the output port set in the output direction so that the data is transferred serially (step S1000).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a initializes the memory area in the sub-control RAM 800c that stores the performance control command DI_CMD received from the main control board 60 (see FIG. 4) (step S1001). The sub-control CPU 800a then performs interrupt permission setting processing for the input port that receives the interrupt signal from the main control board 60 (step S1002).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a initializes the memory areas in the sub-control RAM 800c used as a working area and stack area (step S1003), and issues an initialization command to the sound LSI 801 (see FIG. 4). This causes the sound LSI 801 to initialize the registers provided therein (step S1004).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a checks whether an abnormality has occurred in the motor (not shown) that operates the top, left, right, and top left movable parts 43a to 43d (see Figure 2), and checks the memory area in the sub-control RAM 800c in which the motor data that operates the motor (not shown) is stored. If abnormal data is stored, the sub-control CPU 800a issues a command to return the motor to its origin position (retracted position). This causes the top, left, right, and top left movable parts 43a to 43d to return to their initial positions (step S1005).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a sets the CTC (Counter Timer Circuit) that is provided inside and has functions such as generating pulse output at a constant period and measuring time. In other words, the sub-control CPU 800a sets the time constant register of the CTC so that a timer interrupt occurs periodically every 1 ms (step S1006).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a performs a checksum calculation, which is an 8-bit addition calculation, on the working area of the sub-control RAM 800c (step S1007), and compares the checksum calculation value with the checksum calculation value calculated in the memory backup (see step S1015) described below and stored in the sub-control RAM 800c to confirm whether they match (step S1008). If they do not match (step S1008: NO), a process is performed to clear all areas in the sub-control RAM 800c (step S1009).

On the other hand, if there is a match (step S1008: YES) or after completing the processing of step S1009, the sub-control CPU 800a disables the watchdog timer function (not shown) (step S1010) and refreshes the hardware of the sub-control CPU 800a, VDP 803, etc. (step S1011).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a reads the performance control command DI_CMD received from the main control board 60 (see Figure 4) stored in the memory area of the sub-control RAM 800c, and determines by lottery a performance pattern corresponding to the contents of the command from among a large number of performance patterns previously stored in the sub-control ROM 800b (step S1012).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a performs a process to analyze the input contents of the setting button 15, the volume adjustment button 16, the light intensity adjustment button 17, and the effect button device 13 obtained in the timer interrupt process described below (step S1013). Specifically, the sub-control CPU 800a analyzes whether the setting button 15, the volume adjustment button 16, the light intensity adjustment button 17, and the effect button device 13 are pressed by the player, released, or remain pressed.

Next, based on the presentation pattern determined by lottery in step S1012, the sub-control CPU 800a controls the operation of the top, left, right and top left movable parts 43a-43d (see Figure 2), controls the turning on and off of decorative lamps such as LED lamps which are light emitting means mounted on the decorative lamp board 90 (see Figure 4), controls the speaker 19 and controls the image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 (step S1014).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a performs a checksum calculation, which is an 8-bit addition operation on the working area of the sub-control RAM 800c, and performs memory backup processing to store the checksum calculation value in the sub-control RAM 800c (step S1015).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a checks whether a VSYNC interrupt signal has been sent from the VDP 803 to the sub-control CPU 800a (step S1016). If a VSYNC interrupt signal has not been sent (step S1016: NO), the sub-control CPU 800a repeats the process of step S1016 until a VSYNC interrupt signal is sent, and when a VSYNC interrupt signal is sent (step S1016: YES), the process returns to step S1007 again and repeats the processes of steps S1007 to S1016.

<Sub-control: Data analysis processing>
Next, the data analysis process of step S1014 of the main process will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 18. First, the sub-control CPU 800a generates a command list for generating image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41 by the VDP 803, based on the performance scenario data corresponding to the performance pattern determined by lottery in step S1012 (step S1050).

Next, if the performance scenario data contains data indicating that a performance produced by pressing the performance button device 13 is enabled or data indicating that a performance produced by repeatedly hitting the setting button 15 is enabled, the sub-control CPU 800a stores the data in a memory area within the sub-control RAM 800c.

Furthermore, the sub-control CPU 800a performs processing to generate a control signal related to light based on the data contents of the lamp data stored in the above-mentioned performance scenario data, and store the signal in the sub-control RAM 800c. At this time, the light intensity setting set using the light intensity adjustment button 17 shown in Figure 1 is also taken into consideration.

The sub-control CPU 800a also determines the operation content of the upper, left, right, and upper left movable props 43a to 43d based on the data content of the movable prop data stored in the performance scenario data, and generates motor data for the motor (not shown) of the movable prop device 43 according to the determined operation content.

Furthermore, the sub-control CPU 800a generates a control signal for sound based on the data contents of the sound data stored in the performance scenario data (step S1051). At this time, if the player uses the setting button 15 shown in FIG. 1 to select either "Default", "BGM emphasis", "Dialogue emphasis", or "Reduced sound effects" shown in FIG. 6, or "Arbitrary volume adjustment" shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the output value of the sound volume will be according to that setting. That is, the BGM, sound effects (SE), and dialogue (VC) stored in the game ROM 805 are provided with identifiers such as BG for BGM, SE for sound effects, and VC for dialogue, respectively. As a result, the sub-control CPU 800a refers to these identifiers to set the output value of the sound volume according to the setting. Furthermore, the above-described specific sound emphasis setting cannot adjust the sound or the reduction range is different for the sound of error (including the sound of left hit), the sound related to the saving function, the sound whose notification is determined by the customization contents selected by the player, the sound to be emphasized in the performance such as reach performance, the sound of the performance with high expectation of big win, and the sound at the time of big win confirmation, and the sub-control CPU 800a refers to this identifier to make the corresponding sound not adjustable by the specific sound emphasis setting or to make the reduction range different. Thus, the sub-control CPU 800a refers to the identifier in this way to generate a control signal related to the sound and transmit it to the sound LSI 801. In response to this, the sound LSI 801 stores the output sound in a channel corresponding to the sound. Then, the sound LSI 801 sets the balance of the output sound based on the setting in the primary channel of the channel volume for the stored sound, and fades the secondary channel by fading processing. The sound output processing timing is interrupted every 1 ms. Thus, the sound LSI 801 that has performed this processing integrates all channel sounds as a total volume and stores it in a specific channel, so that the speaker 19 outputs a sound according to the above-mentioned processed content.

On the other hand, for the music selection described with reference to Figures 11 to 16, the sub-control CPU 800a generates a control signal for the music selected by the player or automatically, and transmits it to the sound LSI 801. In response to this, the sound LSI 801 plays the music corresponding to the generated control signal. This causes the music selected by the player or automatically to be output from the speaker 19. Note that, as shown in Figures 12 and 14, when music playback is stopped or muted, no music is output from the speaker 19.

The volume setting set using the volume adjustment button 16 shown in Figure 1 will also be taken into consideration. However, if the sound cannot be adjusted, it will not be taken into consideration.

Thus, the sub-control CPU 800a repeats the processing of steps S1050 and S1051 described above until all data based on the presentation pattern determined by lottery in step S1012 shown in FIG. 18 has been generated (step S1052: NO), and when all of the data has been generated (step S1052: YES), it proceeds to processing of step S1053.

Then, the sub-control CPU 800a performs button-enabled processing based on the contents stored in the sub-control RAM 800c in step S1051 above and the input contents of the setting button 15, the volume adjustment button 16, the light intensity adjustment button 17, and the performance button device 13 processed in step S1013 shown in Figure 17 (step S1053). At this time, the volume balance setting and song selection described with reference to Figures 5 to 16 above are performed.

<Sub-control: command reception interrupt processing>
Next, referring to FIG. 19, a description will be given of the processing that occurs when a performance control command DI_CMD and an interrupt signal are sent from the main control board 60 while such main processing is being executed.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the sub-control CPU 800a receives the interrupt signal, it executes a save process to save the contents of each register to a stack area in the sub-control RAM 800c (step S1100). The sub-control CPU 800a then reads the register of the input port that received the performance control command DI_CMD (step S1101) and calculates a pointer indicating the address of the memory area for sending and receiving commands in the sub-control RAM 800c (step S1102).

Then, the sub-control CPU 800a again reads the register of the input port that received the performance control command DI_CMD (step S1103) and checks whether the value read in step S1101 matches the value read in step S1103. If they do not match (step S1104: NO), the process proceeds to step S1107. If they match (step S1104: YES), the performance control command DI_CMD received from the main control board 60 is stored in the address corresponding to the calculated pointer (step S1105). This stored performance control command DI_CMD is read out by the sub-control CPU 800a when processing step S1012 shown in FIG. 17.

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a updates the pointer indicating the address of the command transmission/reception memory area in the sub-control RAM 800c (step S1106), and restores the registers saved in the processing of step S1100 (step S1107). This causes the process to return to the main processing shown in FIG. 17.

<Sub-control: Timer interrupt processing>
Next, referring to FIG. 20, a process to be performed when a timer interrupt occurs every 1 ms, which is set in step S1006 (see FIG. 17) of the main process, will be described.

As shown in FIG. 20, when a timer interrupt occurs every 1 ms, the sub-control CPU 800a executes a save process to save the contents of each register to a stack area in the sub-control RAM 800c (step S1150).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a twice acquires data on the setting button 15, the volume control button 16, the light intensity control button 17, and the performance button device 13, as well as motor data on the movable role device 43 (step S1151), and checks whether the data acquired twice matches (step S1152). If the data does not match (step S1152: NO), the sub-control CPU 800a repeats the processing of step S1151 until the data matches, and if the data matches (step S1152: YES), it stores the matching data in the sub-control RAM 800c (step S1153).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a receives signals from the setting button 15, the volume adjustment button 16, the light intensity adjustment button 17, and the effect button device 13 (step S1154). These received signals are analyzed by the button analysis process of step S1013 shown in FIG. 17.

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a transmits the light-related control signal stored in the sub-control RAM 800c in step S1051 shown in FIG. 18 to the decorative lamp board 90 (see FIG. 4) (step S1155). At this time, the control signal required to turn on or off the identification lamp device 51A (see FIG. 2) is also transmitted.

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a restores the registers that were saved in step S1150 (step S1156). This returns to the main processing shown in FIG. 17.

<Sub-control: Command list>
The command list generated in step S1050 shown in FIG. 18 will now be described in detail with reference to FIG.

This command list is a sequence of commands for the VDP 803 (command parser 8035), but the contents and order of the commands differ slightly depending on whether you are instructing the drawing of a video or a still image.

When instructing VDP803 to draw a video, the initial command list in Figure 21(a) and the regular command list in Figure 21(b) are used.

As shown in FIG. 21(a), the sub-control CPU 800a first generates a command to set the memory area of the DDR2 SDRAM 804 in which the frame buffer area is set, and the memory area of the DDR2 SDRAM 804 in which video data is stored (step S1200).

Next, a command is generated to instruct the decoding of the video (step S1201). Specifically, this is an instruction as to which compressed video data to decode, along with the address of the CG data storage area in the game ROM 805 where the relevant video is stored, the number of frames of that video, etc.

Next, the command for the termination process is entered to complete the generation of the initial command list (step S1202).

Next, the sub-control CPU 800a generates the regular command list shown in FIG. 21(b).

As shown in FIG. 21(b), this steady-state command list is composed of video rendering instructions, and in the initial command list, a command is generated to determine which frame number of the decoded data is to be rendered at which coordinate position on the liquid crystal display device 41 for the decoded video data (step S1203). Next, a termination processing command is entered to complete the generation of the steady-state command list (step S1204).

On the other hand, when instructing the VDP 803 to draw a still image, as shown in FIG. 21(c), the sub-control CPU 800a first generates a command to set the memory area of the DDR2 SDRAM 804 in which the frame buffer area is set (step S1210).

Next, a command is generated to instruct decoding of the still image (step S1211). Specifically, this is an instruction as to which still image compressed data to decode, and is instructed together with the address and data size of the CG data storage area of the game ROM 805 where the corresponding still image is stored.

Next, a command is generated to indicate at what coordinate position on the liquid crystal display device 41 the decoded still image data should be drawn, and in what manner (rotation angle, reduction/enlargement, etc.) (step S1212). Next, a termination command is entered to complete the generation of the command list for still images (step S1213).

These command lists for moving images and still images are sent to the VDP 803 (see FIG. 4), processed appropriately, and then sent to the liquid crystal display device 41. As a result, the images shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 to FIG. 10, and FIG. 13 are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 41.

Therefore, through the above process, the various details described above are executed.

<Description of Modifications>
In this embodiment, the sound LSI 801 and the VDP 803 are configured separately, but they may be integrated into one chip.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the sub-control CPU 800a is provided within the sub one-chip microcomputer 800, but this is not limiting, and the sub-control CPU 800a may be provided within the VDP 803.

1 Pachinko game machine 15 Setting button (setting means)
800a Sub-control CPU (volume control means)

Claims (1)

A first sound effect;
A second sound effect; and
Dialogue sounds of a plurality of characters including a first character and a second character;
A setting means capable of setting a predetermined value;
A volume adjustment means for adjusting a predetermined volume,
The volume control means is
When the predetermined setting is made by the setting means, the volume of the first sound effect is adjusted to a first volume level based on the predetermined setting,
When the predetermined setting is made by the setting means, the volume of the second sound effect is adjusted to a second volume level different from the first volume level ,
When a specific setting is made by the setting means, the game machine adjusts the volume of the speech sound of the first character to a volume level higher than the volume of the speech sound of the second character based on the specific setting .

Images