JP7736727B2 - gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines, and more specifically to slot machines.

There are known gaming machines equipped with an ART (Assist Replay Time) or AT (Assist Time) function, which is a gaming state in which an assist function is activated that notifies the player of the correct button press sequence when a button press sequence role is won through an internal lottery (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this gaming machine, whether or not the gaming state will transition to ART is determined by an ART lottery that is executed when a predetermined role is won, for example.

In recent years, gaming machines have been developed in which gameplay progresses in either advantageous zones, which can exercise instruction functions to determine whether or not to conduct an ART lottery or to perform ART processing, or normal zones, which cannot exercise instruction functions.

The advantageous period ends, for example, when the number of continuing games reaches 1,500 games, or when the medal difference, which is the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the cumulative number of medals paid out minus the number of medals bet, reaches 2,400 or more.

JP 2017-086994 A

However, in such conventional gaming machines, when the gaming zone shifts from the advantageous zone to the normal zone, all payout status, such as the payout rate (the ratio of the number of medals paid out to the number of medals bet) and the gaming state, are initialized. Therefore, in such conventional gaming machines, it was impossible to create a so-called consecutive win state, in which special gaming states such as ART are continued.

The object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that has advantageous gaming zones and can continuously execute special gaming states.

The first invention is
a plurality of reels each displaying a plurality of symbols;
a start switch that starts the rotation of the plurality of reels based on the operation of a player;
a plurality of stop switches provided corresponding to each of the plurality of rotating reels and configured to stop the rotating reels during rotation based on the operation of the player;
an internal lottery unit that performs an internal lottery based on the operation of the start switch by the player and establishes one flag among a plurality of winning combination flags as a winning flag;
a game state control unit that executes game progress in one of the game states including a general game state; AT, ART, and pseudo bonus, which are game states in which an assist function is executed to notify the player of a correct operation sequence when the winning flag established by the internal lottery includes a predetermined operation sequence combination that is won by the player operating the stop switch in the correct operation sequence; and a special game state including at least one of CZ and high probability mode, which are game states in which a state transition lottery to determine whether to transition to one of the AT, ART, and pseudo bonus is performed with a higher probability than in the general game state;
a section control unit that executes game progress in one of game sections including an advantageous section in which processing related to the instruction function can be performed and a normal section in which processing related to the instruction function cannot be performed;
a display unit that notifies the user that the gaming zone is the advantageous zone after the gaming zone has transitioned to the advantageous zone;
Equipped with
the game state control unit transitions the game state from the general game state to the special game state in a game subsequent to the game in which the zone control unit transitions the game zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone based on the flag of a predetermined role being established as the winning flag by the internal lottery;
It is an amusement machine.

The second invention is
a plurality of reels each displaying a plurality of symbols;
a start switch that starts the rotation of the plurality of reels based on the operation of a player;
a plurality of stop switches provided corresponding to each of the plurality of rotating reels and configured to stop the rotating reels during rotation based on the operation of the player;
an internal lottery unit that performs an internal lottery based on the operation of the start switch by the player and establishes one flag among a plurality of winning combination flags as a winning flag;
a game state control unit that executes game progress in one of the game states including a general game state; AT, ART, and pseudo bonus, which are game states in which an assist function is executed to notify the player of a correct operation sequence when the winning flag established by the internal lottery includes a predetermined operation sequence combination that is won by the player operating the stop switch in the correct operation sequence; and a special game state including at least one of CZ and high probability mode, which are game states in which a state transition lottery to determine whether to transition to one of the AT, ART, and pseudo bonus is performed with a higher probability than in the general game state;
a section control unit that executes game progress in one of game sections including an advantageous section in which processing related to the instruction function can be performed and a normal section in which processing related to the instruction function cannot be performed;
A display unit that notifies the user that the gaming zone is the advantageous zone based on the fact that a specific condition is satisfied after the gaming zone has transitioned to the advantageous zone;
Equipped with
the game state control unit transitions the game state from the general game state to the special game state in a game subsequent to the game in which the zone control unit transitions the game zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone based on the flag of a predetermined role being established as the winning flag by the internal lottery;
It is an amusement machine.

The third invention is
a plurality of reels each displaying a plurality of symbols;
a start switch that starts the rotation of the plurality of reels based on the operation of a player;
a plurality of stop switches provided corresponding to each of the plurality of rotating reels and configured to stop the rotating reels during rotation based on the operation of the player;
an internal lottery unit that performs an internal lottery based on the operation of the start switch by the player and establishes one flag among a plurality of winning combination flags as a winning flag;
a game state control unit that executes game progress in one of game states including a normal game state and a special game state that is a game state more advantageous to the player than the normal game state;
a section control unit that executes game progress in one of game sections including an advantageous section in which processing related to the instruction function can be performed and a normal section in which processing related to the instruction function cannot be performed;
a display unit that notifies the user that the gaming zone is the advantageous zone after the gaming zone has transitioned to the advantageous zone;
Equipped with
the game state control unit transitions the game state from the normal game state to the special game state in a game subsequent to a game in which the zone control unit transitions the game zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone based on the satisfaction of a predetermined game condition;
It is an amusement machine.

The fourth invention is
a plurality of reels each displaying a plurality of symbols;
a start switch that starts the rotation of the plurality of reels based on the operation of a player;
a plurality of stop switches provided corresponding to each of the plurality of rotating reels and configured to stop the rotating reels during rotation based on the operation of the player;
an internal lottery unit that performs an internal lottery based on the operation of the start switch by the player and establishes one flag among a plurality of winning combination flags as a winning flag;
a game state control unit that executes game progress in one of game states including a normal game state and a special game state that is a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state;
a section control unit that executes game progress in one of game sections including an advantageous section in which processing related to the instruction function can be performed and a normal section in which processing related to the instruction function cannot be performed;
A display unit that notifies the user that the gaming zone is the advantageous zone based on the fact that a specific condition is satisfied after the gaming zone has transitioned to the advantageous zone;
Equipped with
the game state control unit transitions the game state from the normal game state to the special game state in a game subsequent to a game in which the zone control unit transitions the game zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone based on the satisfaction of a predetermined game condition;
It is an amusement machine.

In the third and fourth aspects, the gaming condition may be that a flag for a predetermined role is established as the winning flag in the internal lottery.

In addition, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the gaming state control unit may transition the gaming state from the special gaming state to the general gaming state when a predetermined second gaming condition is met.

In addition, in the first to fourth inventions, the zone control unit may transition the gaming zone from the advantageous zone to the normal zone when a predetermined third gaming condition is met.

In addition, in the first to fourth inventions, the zone control unit may transition the gaming zone from the advantageous zone to the normal zone when a predetermined fourth gaming condition is met.

In the first to fourth aspects, the game machine further includes a setting value control unit that sets one of a plurality of setting values based on an operation by an operator of the store and executes game progress using the set setting value,
the section control unit, when the setting value control unit changes the setting value, executes the game progress in the normal section;
The game state control unit may determine in which game state, the general game state or the special game state, the game progress will be carried out depending on whether a predetermined fifth game condition is satisfied or not when the zone control unit transitions the game zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone for the first time in a game after the setting value control unit changes the setting value.

This invention makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that has advantageous gaming zones and can continuously execute special gaming states.

1 is a front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine of the present embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on a rotating reel in the slot machine of this embodiment. FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the transition of the RT state of the slot machine of this embodiment. 10 is a diagram for explaining the flags of the winning combinations that are established for each RT state in the internal lottery table of the slot machine of this embodiment. FIG. This is a diagram to explain the possible winning roles for each push order on the internal lottery table of the slot machine of this embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the difference in the number of medals and the difference in the number of medals in the slot machine of the present embodiment. 10 is a diagram for explaining a section transition lottery table in the slot machine of this embodiment. FIG. A figure for explaining the mode lottery table when the game area in this embodiment transitions from the normal area to the advantageous area. 10 is a diagram for explaining a mode lottery table when mode A is selected in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a mode lottery table when mode B is selected in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a mode lottery table when mode C is selected in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an ART lottery table in the slot machine of this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a lottery table for mode lottery in the slot machine of this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the lottery table for the ceiling lottery in the slot machine of this embodiment. FIG. A diagram for explaining the lottery table for the CZ lottery in the slot machine of this embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a lottery table when determining a target number of games in the slot machine of the present embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the special game state transition process in this embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a second special game state transition process in another embodiment.

[Embodiment]
A slot machine will be described below as an embodiment of a gaming machine of the present invention. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

<Explanation of the slot machine cabinet>
1 is a diagram showing a cabinet 10 of a slot machine 1. A front door 100 is provided on the front of the cabinet 10.

The front door 100 has a translucent reel window 200 in its center. Through this reel window 200, the player can see the multiple symbols displayed on the surface of each reel 20 (described below).

Above the reel window 200, there is an LCD screen 3, an illumination unit (not shown), and a speaker (not shown) for various effects during play.

The LCD screen 3 serves as a display unit and displays various animations (effect screens) during play.

In addition, when the gaming zone is in a favorable zone, the LCD screen 3 receives information from the media management unit 614 (described below) regarding the difference in the number of medals, which is the cumulative value of the number of medals paid out minus the number of medals bet, and information regarding the medal difference, which is the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the difference in the number of medals. As a result, the LCD screen 3 displays the difference in the number of medals and the difference in the number of medals.

Furthermore, the LCD screen 3 receives information regarding the number of games to be continued in the advantageous zone from the zone control unit 616 (described below) and displays the number of games to be continued in the advantageous zone.

The illumination unit lights up or goes out in a predetermined pattern when a predetermined condition is met (for example, when a high-expectation display screen is displayed or when a specific winning combination is achieved).

The speakers output predetermined background music and sound effects.

The operation unit 4 is provided below the reel window 200. The operation unit 4 includes a stop switch 40, an insertion slot 41, a bet switch 42, a lever 43, a medium display unit 44, and a settlement switch 45.

Each stop switch 40 is provided corresponding to each rotating reel 20 and is used by the player to stop each rotating reel 20 while it is spinning.

Medal slots 41 are used to insert medals. A medal sensor (not shown) is also provided in slot 41. The medal sensor detects when a player inserts a medal into slot 41 and outputs a detection signal.

The bet switch 42 is used when a player bets medals.

The lever 43 functions as a start switch to rotate each reel 20.

The medium display unit 44, which serves as a display unit, displays the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out, the number of medals bet, etc. based on information from the medium management unit 614 (described below), etc.

In addition, the medium display unit 44 displays that the playing zone is an advantageous zone when the playing zone is an advantageous zone and certain conditions are met. When the certain conditions are met, a predetermined lamp on the medium display unit 44 lights up to notify the player that the playing zone is an advantageous zone. By lighting up the lamp in this way, the player can see at a glance that the playing zone is an advantageous zone, and the player will not make a mistake about when to stop playing.

The settlement switch 45 is used when the player finishes playing and dispenses medals from the payout outlet 51, which will be described later.

Each switch on the operation unit 4 outputs an operation signal based on the player's operation.

Furthermore, a payout outlet 51 for paying out medals and a lower tray 52 for storing medals paid out from the payout outlet 51 are provided below the operating unit 4.

The slot machine 1 also includes a hopper unit 50 that is controlled by the media management unit 614 and accepts and dispenses medals.

In addition to these, as shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 is equipped with a spinning reel unit 2 and a control unit 6. The spinning reel unit 2 and control unit 6 are located inside the cabinet 10, along with a power supply device (not shown) that turns the main power supply of the slot machine 1 on and off.

The spinning reel unit 2 includes three spinning reels 20 with an arrangement of symbols as shown in Figure 3, and three stepping motors 21 that drive each of the reels. The spinning reel unit 2 is located near the center inside the cabinet 10.

In this embodiment, the stepping motor 21 stops the rotation of the reel 20 within 190 ms after the stop switch 40 is operated. The stepping motor 21 also completes one rotation in 504 steps. This causes the reel 20 to rotate at a speed of 80 rotations per minute. In other words, the number of steps that can be advanced within 190 ms is 127.

The rotation and stopping of these rotating reels 20 and stepping motor 21 are controlled by a rotation start control unit 611 and a rotation stop control unit 612, which will be described later.

<Explanation of the game flow>
First, a player inserts medals into the slot slot 41, or operates the bet switch 42 to use stored medals (credits) to bet medals on the slot machine 1. When a predetermined number of medals are bet on the slot machine 1, the pay line L is activated. After that, the player can operate the lever 43, i.e., start playing.

As shown in Figure 1, the active line L in this embodiment consists of one line sloping downward to the right. In this embodiment, when a MAX BET of three coins is placed, one line (the line sloping downward to the right) is activated and becomes the active line L.

In the following, winning is not limited to winning combinations that pay out medals, such as bells and watermelons, but also refers to patterns corresponding to replays and RT transition replays lining up on the active line L.

In this embodiment, one game (one play) refers to a series of actions in which a player operates the bet switch 42, lever 43, and stop switch 40 to obtain the game result (including the medal payout process).

Specifically, when the lever 43 is operated (lever on) while the game is ready to start, an internal lottery is held to determine the winning flag, and each reel 20 begins to spin. In this state, when one of the stop switches 40 is operated, the reel 20 corresponding to the operated stop switch 40 stops. When all reels 20 stop, a predetermined number of medals are paid out depending on the combination of symbols (symbol stop pattern) that line up (win) on the pay line L. This completes one game.

<Explanation of RT state>
4, the slot machine 1 has RT states RT0 to RT2. As will be described later, each of RT0 to RT2 has a predetermined replay probability, which is the probability that a replay flag, which is a combination that allows a player to play the next game without betting medals, will be established as a winning flag.

RT0 is the RT state to which the player transitions after winning an RT0 transition replay when the RAM provided in the control unit 6 is cleared and the RT state is RT2. The replay probability of RT0 is 1/7.3. Note that in this specification, this replay probability refers to the probability of winning a combined replay role, including not only replays but also all replay roles such as RT transition replays. If a replay role was won in the previous game, the player can play the next game without betting medals.

RT1 is the RT state to which a player transitions when the RT state is RT0 and the "Push Order Bell 1-12" combination flag is established and a bell spill occurs. The replay probability for RT1 is 1/7.3.

RT2 is the RT state to which a player transitions when the RT state is RT1 and the "RT2 transition replay" role flag is established and the RT2 transition replay is won. The replay probability for RT2 is 1/1.4. Furthermore, if an RT0 transition replay is established by an internal lottery when the RT state is RT2 and the RT0 transition replay is won, the RT state will transition from RT2 to RT0.

The RT0 transition lip, bell spill, and RT2 transition lip are examples of transition roles that allow the game state to transition when the flag of a role including these becomes a winning flag and a win is achieved.

In addition, switching between RT0 to RT2 is performed by the RT state control unit 617, which will be described later.

<Explanation of ART>
In the following description, the general gaming state refers to a gaming state that is not one of the special gaming states such as ART (Assist Replay Time) and CZ (Chance Zone).

ART is one of the special gaming states that is more advantageous to the player than the regular gaming state.

For example, after winning the ART lottery, which is held when a predetermined role is won by the internal lottery, once the game state transitions to ART, an assist is executed to notify the player of the push order to win a push order role if a push order role flag, described below, is established, until the play period in which ART can be played (number of remaining games in ART) reaches 0 (zero) and the ART ends. This assist notifies the player of the push order to win a specific push order role out of multiple push order roles specified for each push order in one push order role flag.

In addition, in this embodiment, one set of ART consists of 50 games, and during that set of ART, a continuation lottery is held to determine whether or not the next set will continue.

In addition, in ART, assistance is provided to ensure that the game progresses in RT2, an RT state in which a replay has a high probability of winning in an internal lottery.

Specifically, if the RT state is other than RT2, assistance is provided to change the RT state to RT2. For example, even if the RT state falls to RT0 during ART, assistance is provided to ensure that a bell spill symbol is won, and when the bell spill symbol is won, the RT state transitions to RT1. Furthermore, assistance is provided to ensure that an RT2 transition lip is won, and when the RT2 transition lip is won, the RT state transitions to RT2.

On the other hand, if the RT state is RT2, assistance will be provided to maintain the RT state at RT2.

As such, ART is a gaming state that is mainly executed when the RT state is RT2, but even when the RT state is other than RT2, the gaming state is ART in the following cases:

Specifically, even after the gaming status control unit 618 has decided to transition the gaming status to ART, when the RT status has not yet reached RT2, i.e., in the so-called ART preparation state (for example, when the RT status is RT1 and before the RT2 transition lip is won), the gaming status is ART.

Also, if the "RT0 transition replay" role flag is established during ART when the RT state is RT2, and the player presses the stop switch 40 in a different order than the assist announced to win a normal replay, resulting in an RT0 transition replay and a transition to RT0 (a fall), the game state will also be ART.

In addition, the game state in the add-on specialized zone, which is executed to add an additional number of games to continue ART in game units after one set of ART has ended, is also ART.

As described above, ART is a gaming state that continues from the time the ART transition signal described below is generated until the general gaming state transition signal is generated.

Also, as mentioned above, ART is mainly executed during RT2, but RT2 can also occur when ART is not in progress. Specifically, for example, if an RT2 transition lip is won during RT1 when transition to ART has not yet been determined, the RT state will transition from RT1 to RT2.

<Explanation of control unit 6>
2, the control unit 6 is mainly composed of a main control unit 61 and a sub-control unit 62. The main control unit 61 and the sub-control unit 62 each include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) used for calculations, and a storage unit (not shown) consisting of a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs or data necessary for game progress, etc.

<Description of main control unit 61>
The main control unit 61 controls the progress of the game, such as the internal lottery and the control of the spinning reel 20. The main control unit 61 controls the stepping motor 21 and starts or stops the spinning of the spinning reel 20 based on the player's operation of the bet switch 42, the lever 43, and the stop switch 40.

The main control unit 61 also sequentially transmits information necessary for the presentation to the sub-control unit 62, such as an internal lottery result signal (described below), a special game state transition signal such as an ART transition signal, and a general game state transition signal.

As shown in Figure 2, the main control unit 61 includes an internal lottery unit 610, a rotation start control unit 611, a rotation stop control unit 612, a game result determination unit 613, a media management unit 614, a setting value control unit 615, a section control unit 616, a RT status control unit 617, a game status control unit 618, and a bonus award unit 619.

<Explanation of the internal lottery unit 610>
The internal lottery unit 610 performs an internal lottery based on the random number obtained when the operation signal of the lever 43 is output and the internal lottery table T1 provided in the internal lottery unit 610. Then, in response to the result of the internal lottery, an internal lottery result signal is generated. This internal lottery result signal is transmitted from the internal lottery unit 610 to the sub-control unit 62 including the rotation start control unit 611, the rotation stop control unit 612, the game state control unit 618, and the performance control unit 620.

The operation signal of the bet switch 42 is output when a predetermined number of medals have been stored and the bet switch 42 is operated (the bet switch 42 is turned on) during the bet acceptance period.

Whether or not an operation signal for each switch has been output is determined for each game. In this embodiment, operation of each switch means an operation that outputs an operation signal for that switch.

The internal lottery table T1 contains information on possible winning combinations in each RT state, as shown in Figure 5, and information on winning combinations (winning combinations) corresponding to combination flags and push orders, as shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, although not shown, the internal lottery table T1 has multiple areas in which combinations corresponding to random numbers obtained when the lever 43 is operated are stored.

The internal lottery table T1 is explained in detail below.

The internal lottery table T1 contains information on possible winning combinations (information on the flags of combinations that may be achieved). In the internal lottery table T1, for each RT state, the columns marked with "○" are flags of combinations that may be achieved, and the blank columns are flags of combinations that may not be achieved.

For example, from the "Pure Loss" column in Figure 5, we can see that the "Pure Loss" role flag can be established in RT0 and RT1, but not in RT2. A pure loss is when all roles are non-winning.

As shown in Figure 6, the role flags stored in the internal lottery table T1 include a push order role flag that wins when the stop switch 40 is operated in a specified order, and a push order irrelevant role flag that can win regardless of the push order.

In this embodiment, the push order role flags are role flags for "RT0 transition lip 1-6," "RT2 transition lip 1-6," and "push order bell 1-12."

A minor winning combination is a symbol combination that, if won, will result in the payout of a certain number of medals. Additionally, replays and RT transition replays are symbol combinations that, if won, will allow the next play without the need to bet medals.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the role information stored in the internal lottery table T1 includes information on one or more winning roles that are set for each role flag. For example, information on push order roles, which are roles that can be won when the stop switches 40 are operated in a specified order, includes information on the push order roles that have been set and information on the order in which the corresponding stop switches 40 are pressed.

In Figure 6, the order in which the stop switches 40 can be pressed to achieve a winning push order role is indicated by three letters at the top of the table. For example, "Left, Middle, Right" indicates that the stop switches 40 are operated in the order of the left stop switch 40a, the middle stop switch 40b, and the right stop switch 40c. The push order for a push order role is assisted when a specified condition is met (for example, when the game state becomes ART). Hereinafter, the function that assists with the push order so that a winning push order role can be achieved is referred to as the instruction function.

In this embodiment, all winning roles set in the role flags are won at the same time. For example, if the role flag "RT2 Transition Lip 1" is established as a result of the internal lottery (the winning flag is "RT2 Transition Lip 1"), the winning roles, the RT2 Transition Lip and the regular Lip, are won at the same time. In this case, the RT2 Transition Lip will only win if the player presses the stop switch 40 in the correct order (left, center, right) to win the RT2 Transition Lip.

The role flag "Push Order Bell 1-6" consists of a middle bell, in which nine medals are paid out when the stop switch 40 is pressed in one order, and a bell spill, in which one medal is paid out when the stop switch 40 is pressed in five orders.

Furthermore, the role flag "Push Order Bell 7-12" consists of a middle bell, which pays out nine medals when the stop switch 40 is pressed in five different orders, and a bell spill, which pays out one medal when the stop switch 40 is pressed in one different order.

Cherry and watermelon are winning combinations that may or may not result in a winning prize depending on when the player presses the stop switch 40.

In this embodiment, the winning flags are "Push Order Bells 1-12," "Common Bell," "Cherry," and "Watermelon." Furthermore, the winning flags that make up these winning flags are the middle bell, bell spill, downward-right bell, cherry, and watermelon.

<Description of Rotation Start Control Unit 611>
The rotation start control unit 611 controls the stepping motor 21 to rotate the spinning reel 20 based on the operation signal of the lever 43. The rotation start control unit 611 controls the stepping motor 21 so that the spinning reel 20 rotates at a speed of, for example, 80 rotations per minute. The rotation start control unit 611 also starts the spinning of the spinning reel 20 based on the operation of the lever 43 by the player when a certain time (4.1 seconds, which is the so-called wait time) has elapsed since the spinning reel 20 started spinning in the previous game.

<Description of rotation stop control unit 612>
The rotation stop control unit 612 includes a rotation reel detection unit 612a, a symbol table T2, a symbol determination unit 612b, and a push order determination unit 612c. The rotation stop control unit 612 controls the stepping motor 21 based on the internal lottery result signal output by the internal lottery unit 610, the operation signal of the stop switch 40 by the player, and the symbol table T2. As a result, the rotation of the corresponding rotation reel 20 stops within 190 milliseconds after the player operates the stop switch 40.

The spin stop control unit 612 controls the spin stop of the spin reel 20 based on the internal lottery result signal output by the internal lottery unit 610, the spin reel position detection signal output by the spin reel detection unit 612a, and the symbol table T2. For example, the spin stop control unit 612 controls the pull-in of the spin reel 20 so that symbols corresponding to winning combinations are aligned on the pay line L, and controls the kick-off of the spin reel 20 so that symbols corresponding to non-winning combinations are not aligned on the pay line L.

The reel detection unit 612a detects the position of the reels 20 as they spin. Specifically, after the reels 20 start to rotate, the reel detection unit 612a detects when each reel 20 passes a reference point (not shown). When the reels 20 pass a reference point, the reel detection unit 612a outputs a detection signal indicating that each reel 20 has passed a reference point. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the middle line of all reels 20 is the detection position, which is the absolute position of the slot machine 1.

A detection signal is detected each time the reference point of each reel 20 passes this detection position. Each time the reel detection unit 612a receives a detection signal indicating that the reference point of the reel 20 has passed the middle line (each time the reel 20 makes one rotation), it initializes (clears to zero) the measured step value of each stepping motor 21 and measures the steps again from 0 (zero). In this way, the reel detection unit 612a measures the steps.

In addition, the reel detection unit 612a detects the steps of the reference point of each reel 20 from the detection position, which is an absolute position in the slot machine 1, based on the measured steps. The position of the reel 20 is detected from the detected steps of the reference point. The detected position of the reel 20 is output by the reel detection unit 612a as a reel position detection signal. The output reel position detection signal is sent from the reel detection unit 612a to the rotation stop control unit 612, etc.

The reel detection unit 612a also outputs, as a stop signal, information on the position of the reel 20 when the player operates the stop switch 40, and information on the position of the reel 20 when the reel 20 stops. The output stop signal is sent from the reel detection unit 612a to the symbol determination unit 612b, etc.

The pattern determination unit 612b determines the pattern on the pay line L when all the reels 20 have stopped, based on the stop signal output by the reel detection unit 612a and the pattern table T2. This determines the pattern on the pay line L of each reel 20. The result of this determination is sent from the pattern determination unit 612b to the game result determination unit 613, etc. as a pattern determination signal.

The push order determination unit 612c determines which of the three stop switches 40 the player operated and at what timing. The result of this determination is sent as a push order determination signal from the push order determination unit 612c to the game result determination unit 613, etc.

In addition, unlike the above, the push order determination signal may contain information regarding six possible push orders, or information regarding the corresponding step of the stepping motor 21 when the player operates the stop switch 40.

The symbol table T2 also contains information on the stop position of the spinning reel 20, which is determined according to the winning flag and the symbol on the active line L when the operation signal of the stop switch 40 is output. This information includes information on the number of steps (number of sliding symbols) from when the stop switch 40 is operated until the spinning reel 20 stops, depending on the order in which the stop switch 40 is pressed, the winning combination corresponding to the winning flag, and the position of the spinning reel 20 when the stop switch 40 is operated.

<Explanation of the Game Result Determination Unit 613>
The game result determination unit 613 determines the game result based on the internal lottery result signal output from the internal lottery unit 610 and the symbol determination signal output from the symbol determination unit 612b. The game result is determined based on the symbols aligned on the pay line L, depending on whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

Specifically, if the combination of symbols that have stopped on the pay line L matches a predetermined combination of symbols, it is determined that a winning combination has been achieved. This determination result is sent as a game result determination signal from the game result determination unit 613 to the media management unit 614 and sub-control unit 62.

<Explanation of the Medium Management Unit 614>
The medium management section 614 decreases the number of credits in accordance with the number of medals bet when medals are bet based on the player's operation, and increases the number of credits when medals are credited based on the player's operation.

In addition, when the acquisition flag is set as a winning flag by the internal lottery and an acquired winning combination is won based on the player's operation, the media management unit 614 increases the number of credits according to the number of medals paid out based on the type of acquired winning combination that has been won.

The media management unit 614 also controls the hopper unit 50 based on the game result determination signal output by the game result determination unit 613 or the operation signal output by operating the settlement switch 45 on the operation unit 4.

In other words, if the result of medals being paid out based on the game result determination signal exceeds the credit limit (for example, 50 medals), the media management unit 614 controls the hopper unit 50, and medals are paid out from the hopper unit 50.

Furthermore, when the number of credits is 1 or more (when one or more medals are stored) and the settlement switch 45 is operated, the medium management unit 614 controls the hopper unit 50. As a result, the stored medals are paid out from the hopper unit 50.

In addition, the media management unit 614 calculates the difference in medal count, which is the cumulative value of the number of medals paid out minus the number of medals bet in the advantageous zone, and the difference in medal count, which is the difference between the maximum and minimum difference in medal count.

Figure 7 shows an example of calculating the difference in number of sheets and the difference in number of medals. In the example of Figure 7, a replay is won in the third game, the game zone shifts to the advantageous zone, and the display of the difference in number of medals begins. The advantageous zone ends in the 800th game.

As shown in Figure 7, the difference in medal count reaches its minimum value (-9 medals) in the third game. After that, the game state shifts to ART, etc., and the number of medals won increases, with the difference in medal count reaching its maximum value (+1,500 medals) in the 800th game. Based on this, the media management unit 614 calculates the medal difference from the game in which the player shifted to the advantageous zone until the end of the advantageous zone. In this example, the medal difference from the game in which the player shifted to the advantageous zone until the end of the advantageous zone is 1,509 medals.

This information on the difference in number of coins and the difference in number of medals is sent to the LCD screen 3 when the gaming zone is in a favorable zone. As a result, the difference in number of coins and the difference in number of medals during the favorable zone are displayed on the LCD screen 3.

After the advantageous period ends, the media management unit 614 initializes the difference in number of sheets and the difference in number of medals to 0 (zero).

<Explanation of the setting value control unit 615>
The set value control unit 615 progresses the game using one of a plurality of set values (for example, 1 to 6) based on the operation of the store operator. This set value is set for each slot machine 1. Information on the set value set by the set value control unit 615 is transmitted to the internal lottery unit 610, etc. In this embodiment, the winning probability of a replay, the winning probability of a common bell, etc. differs depending on which set value is used.

<Explanation of section control unit 616>
The section control unit 616 executes the game progress in one of the game sections including the advantageous section and the normal section below.

The advantageous period ends when the number of continuing games reaches a predetermined number of games or when the medal difference exceeds a predetermined value.

Furthermore, the advantageous zone is a zone that is made up of at least a zone in which the game state control unit 618, described below, transitions the game state to a special game state such as ART, and a zone in which the game state has not transitioned to a special game state such as ART, and the game state control unit 618 can conduct a state transition lottery to determine whether or not to transition the game state to a special game state. In this way, the advantageous zone is a completely different concept from conventional special game states such as ART.

The normal interval is an interval in which the game state control unit 618 cannot transition the game state to the special game state, and can only execute the transition process to the advantageous interval.

In addition, when the gaming zone is a normal zone and a predetermined gaming condition is met, the zone control unit 616 transitions the gaming zone from the normal zone to an advantageous zone. In this case, the zone control unit 616 generates a zone transition signal.

Specifically, the zone control unit 616 determines whether to leave the gaming zone as a normal zone or transition to a favorable zone based on the winning flag generated by the internal lottery during the normal zone. More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the gaming zone will always transition to a favorable zone unless a pure loss is won when the gaming zone is in the normal zone. Note that "other roles" in Figures 8 to 12 refer to roles other than cherries, watermelons, chance symbols, and pure losses. Furthermore, the winning probability for roles other than pure losses varies depending on the setting value.

As mentioned above, this advantageous zone is a gaming zone that includes a zone in which the gaming state control unit 618 can transition the gaming state to a special gaming state, but more specifically, it is a zone in which some processing and lottery related to the instruction function can be performed.

Any processing or lottery related to the instruction function refers to, for example, processing that activates the instruction function (assists), CZ lottery processing, CZ processing, AT lottery processing (including processing related to the continuation of AT), AT processing, ART lottery processing (including processing related to the continuation of ART), ART processing, and changes to the game state based on specified conditions. A specified condition is, for example, when the number of continued games or the medal difference reaches a specified value.

Also, as shown in Figure 9, when the game zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, the zone control unit 616 performs a mode lottery based on the winning flag. The probability of winning ART during the CZ differs depending on this mode.

If a cherry is won and the gaming zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, the probability that mode A will be selected is 90%, the probability that mode B will be selected is 9%, and the probability that mode C will be selected is 1%. On the other hand, if a watermelon is won, the probability that mode A will be selected is 70%, the probability that mode B will be selected is 25%, and the probability that mode C will be selected is 5%.

Also, if a chance combination is won, there is a 0% chance that Mode A will be selected, an 80% chance that Mode B will be selected, and a 20% chance that Mode C will be selected. Also, if any other combination is won, Mode A will always be selected.

As shown in Figure 10, if Mode A is selected and a cherry is won, the probability of remaining in Mode A is 80%, the probability of transitioning to Mode B is 18%, and the probability of transitioning to Mode C is 2%. Also, if a watermelon is won, the probability of remaining in Mode A is 60%, the probability of transitioning to Mode B is 35%, and the probability of transitioning to Mode C is 5%.

Also, if a chance combination is won, the probability of remaining in Mode A is 0%, the probability of transitioning to Mode B is 70%, and the probability of transitioning to Mode C is 30%. Also, if any other combination is won, Mode A will always be selected.

As shown in Figure 11, if a cherry is won when mode B is selected, the probability of transitioning to mode A is 0%, the probability of remaining in mode B is 95%, and the probability of transitioning to mode C is 5%. Also, if a watermelon is won, the probability of transitioning to mode A is 0%, the probability of remaining in mode B is 90%, and the probability of transitioning to mode C is 10%.

If a chance combination is won, mode C will always be selected. If any other combination is won, mode B will always be selected.

As shown in Figure 12, if Mode C is selected, Mode C will always be selected regardless of which winning combination is obtained.

In addition, the interval control unit 616 counts the number of continuing games in the advantageous interval while the gaming interval is in the advantageous interval.

The interval control unit 616 also transmits information regarding the number of games to be continued in the advantageous interval to the LCD screen 3. This causes the number of games to be continued to be displayed on the LCD screen 3.

In addition, when the gaming zone is a favorable zone and certain conditions are met, the zone control unit 616 causes the medium display unit 44 to display that the gaming zone is a favorable zone. For example, the medium display unit 44 indicates that the gaming zone is a favorable zone by displaying a "." (dot) to the bottom right of the number of credits.

The zone control unit 616 forcibly transitions the advantageous zone to the normal zone when the number of continuing games in the advantageous zone reaches 1,500 games, or when the medal difference exceeds a predetermined value (e.g., 2,400 medals).

In addition, the zone control unit 616 transitions the gaming zone from the advantageous zone to the normal zone when a predetermined third gaming condition is met.

The specified third gaming conditions include when the number of continuing games in the advantageous zone mentioned above reaches 1500 games, or when the medal difference exceeds a specified value, as well as the following: For example, when a player spends 1000 medals in an advantageous zone in a general gaming state, when a specified role (for example, a rare role such as a cherry) is won a specified number of times or more, when the end of the advantageous zone is determined by a lottery to determine the end of the advantageous zone, when the end of the advantageous zone is determined by a lottery based on the winning role, when the end of the advantageous zone is determined by a lottery during a CZ to end the advantageous zone, and when a lottery is held to shorten the maximum number of continuing games.

The zone control unit 616 can also transition the gaming zone from the advantageous zone to the normal zone when a predetermined fourth gaming condition is met. In this embodiment, the fourth gaming condition is when the gaming state control unit 618 transitions the gaming state from ART to the normal gaming state.

As described above, the interval control unit 616 of the slot machine 1 in this embodiment controls the transition destination of the game interval after the special game state ends, depending on whether the special game state is CZ or ART.

In addition to the forced transition described above, the interval control unit 616 can transition the advantageous zone to the normal zone at any time. For example, in gaming machines equipped with so-called bonuses (e.g., a device for continuously operating special devices related to Type 1 special devices), the conditions for ending the advantageous zone can be that a bonus has been won during the advantageous zone, or that an assist has been performed at least once during the advantageous zone to win the push order role that will result in the greatest number of medals being paid out out of all push order roles. Additionally, the interval control unit 616 can also end the advantageous zone if all ART games have been played or if the ART continuation lottery has not been won.

In addition, when the setting value control unit 615 changes the setting value based on the operation of the store operator, the payout rate, which is the ratio of the number of medals paid out to the number of medals bet, and the payout status, such as the game status, are all initialized. In this case, the interval control unit 616 also transitions the game interval to the normal interval and initializes the number of continuing games.

<Explanation of RT state control unit 617>
The RT state control unit 617 progresses the game using one of the multiple RT states. As described above, the multiple RT states each have a predetermined probability (replay probability) that the replay flag will be established as a winning flag.

The RT state control unit 617 also transitions between RT states depending on the game progress, such as the winning combination. The triggers for transitioning from each RT state to another RT state are predetermined, as shown in Figure 4.

In addition, if the ART lottery is won, the notification unit 621 (described below) will assist in the pressing order (left, center, right) so that the RT2 transition replay will win, for example, if the role flag "RT2 transition replay 1" is won. Then, if the RT2 transition replay wins, the RT state control unit 617 will transition to RT2, which has a higher replay probability than RT1.

In addition, the RT status control unit 617 transmits information indicating the current RT status to the internal lottery unit 610, as well as to the performance control unit 620, notification unit 621, etc. This may cause the current RT status to be displayed on the LCD screen 3.

<Explanation of the game status control unit 618>
The gaming state control unit 618 switches the gaming state between a normal gaming state and a special gaming state (ART or CZ).

When a predetermined condition is met while the gaming state is CZ (for example, when a rare combination is won), the gaming state control unit 618 performs an ART lottery to determine whether or not to transition the gaming state from CZ to ART, depending on the mode selected for the current game.

As shown in Figure 13, when mode A is selected, the probability that the game state will not transition from CZ to ART (hereinafter referred to as the "ART non-winning probability") is 40%, and the probability that it will transition from CZ to ART (hereinafter referred to as the "ART winning probability") is 60%. When mode B is selected, the ART non-winning probability is 20%, and the ART winning probability is 80%. When mode C is selected, the ART winning probability is 100%.

When the gaming state control unit 618 decides to transition the gaming state from the normal gaming state to ART during an advantageous period, it generates an ART transition signal that indicates that the gaming state for that game will be transitioned to ART, as well as the number of games awarded during ART.

As mentioned above, even when the ART is ready or when a player falls, the game state is ART, and the game state transitions to ART (ART has started) when the ART transition signal is generated.

Also, as mentioned above, if a transition to the bonus-specialized zone described below occurs during ART, it is still ART, and a corresponding special game state transition signal is generated.

When the game status control unit 618 receives an internal lottery result signal indicating that a specific role has been won while in the bonus-specialized zone during ART, it conducts a bonus lottery to determine whether to increase the number of games to be played in ART. The result of this lottery is sent from the game status control unit 618 to the presentation control unit 620 and the notification unit 621 as an ART bonus lottery result signal.

In addition, the gaming state control unit 618 transitions the gaming state from CZ to the general gaming state, for example, when 10 CZ games have been played.

In addition, when the gaming state control unit 618 decides to transition the gaming state from the normal gaming state to the CZ when the gaming zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, it generates a CZ transition signal that indicates that the gaming state will transition to the CZ in that game, as well as the number of games to be awarded during the CZ. Then, the gaming state becomes CZ from the game for which the CZ transition signal was generated.

Furthermore, in a game after the setting value control unit 615 changes the setting value based on the operation of the store operator, when the zone control unit 616 transitions the gaming zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone for the first time, the gaming state control unit 618 determines in which gaming state, the normal gaming state or the special gaming state, the game will proceed, depending on whether a predetermined fifth gaming condition is met.

In this embodiment, the predetermined fifth gaming condition is, for example, that the RT state is RT1 or RT2 when the gaming zone shifts from the normal zone to the advantageous zone for the first time in a game after the setting value has been changed. If the fifth gaming condition is met, the gaming state shifts from the normal gaming state to the special gaming state.

On the other hand, if the RT state is RT0 when the game zone shifts from the normal zone to the advantageous zone for the first time in a game after the setting has been changed, the fifth gaming condition is not met, and the gaming state remains in the normal gaming state. Furthermore, even if the RT state shifts from RT0 to RT1 during a subsequent advantageous zone, the gaming state will not shift to CZ.

However, in this case, the game state control unit 618 will perform special processing such as drawing lots to transition to CZ, drawing lots to transition to high probability mode, drawing lots to transition to special game states such as ART, and relaxing the conditions for ending the advantageous zone (the advantageous zone ends after 1000 games, whereas the maximum number of games that the advantageous zone ends after is 1500).

In addition, the gaming state control unit 618 generates a general gaming state transition signal when ART or CZ ends.

The gaming state control unit 618 also generates state transition signals such as a CZ transition signal, an ART transition signal, and a general gaming state transition signal to transition the gaming state from the current gaming state to another gaming state. In this way, the gaming state control unit 618 switches the gaming state between the general gaming state, ART, and CZ.

<Explanation of the benefit granting unit 619>
In addition, when the gaming zone is a favorable zone, the bonus awarding unit 619 counts the number of results, which is the number of times a specified gaming result is obtained during a specified period, and awards a bonus to the player when the number of results reaches a specified value.

Specifically, when the gaming zone transitions to a favorable zone, the bonus awarding unit 619 counts the number of games that will continue in the favorable zone, and when the number of games that will continue reaches the number of games determined by lottery, it causes the gaming status control unit 618 to transition the gaming status to ART.

Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating the lottery table used for the mode lottery performed by the bonus awarding unit 619 when the gaming zone transitions to a favorable zone. As can be seen from the figure, the lottery value for which mode to transition to varies depending on the setting value set by the setting value control unit 615. For example, when the setting value is 1, the probability that mode a will be selected is 50%, the probability that mode b will be selected is 25%, the probability that mode c will be selected is 10%, and the probability that mode d will be selected is 15%.

Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the lottery table used in the ceiling lottery conducted by the bonus awarding unit 619 when the gaming zone transitions to the advantageous zone. Note that this ceiling means that when the number of continued games reaches a predetermined value (ceiling game number), a ball-winning benefit is guaranteed.

In this example, when the number of continuing games reaches the ceiling number of games, the bonus granting unit 619 causes the game status control unit 618 to transition the game status to ART. In other words, the bonus when the number of games reaches the ceiling number of games is to perform processing to increase the payout rate, which is the ratio of the total number of medals paid out to the number of medals bet.

As can be seen from Figure 15, the probability of winning the ceiling number of games varies depending on the selected mode. For example, if mode c is selected in the mode lottery in Figure 14, there is a 25% probability that the ceiling number of games will be 100 games, a 25% probability that the ceiling number of games will be 200 games, and a 50% probability that the ceiling number of games will be 300 games. Furthermore, if mode d is selected, there is a 100% probability that the ceiling number of games will be 100 games. Note that there is no difference in this ceiling number of games depending on the setting value.

Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the lottery table used for the CZ lottery that the bonus awarding unit 619 causes the game state control unit 618 to perform when the number of continued games reaches a specific number of games. As can be seen from the figure, when mode a is selected, the probability of winning the CZ lottery differs for each specific number of games, such as a 50% probability of winning the CZ when the number of games reaches 100, and a 10% probability of winning the CZ when the number of games reaches 200. This CZ lottery is performed when the game state is the general game state and the game zone is an advantageous zone.

In the ceiling lottery in Figure 15, for example, if 300 games is selected as the ceiling game count in mode a, and the number of continued games reaches 100 or 200 games, the CZ lottery will be held with the winning probability in Figure 16, but once 300 games are reached, the game will always transition to ART. Hereinafter, the number of games less than the number selected as the ceiling game count will be referred to as the lottery game count. That is, in the example above, 300 games is the ceiling game count, and 100 and 200 games less than 300 games are the lottery game counts.

In addition, in Figure 16, 900 games in mode a, 900 games in mode b, 300 games and beyond in mode c, and 100 games and beyond in mode d are marked with "-". This is because when these game numbers are reached, it means that the ceiling game number has been reached and a transition to ART is confirmed.

As mentioned above, when the number of continuing games reaches the number of lottery games, the bonus is not a process to increase the payout rate, but rather a lottery to determine whether or not to increase the payout rate.

The bonus awarding unit 619 also performs the following other process. That is, when the gaming zone is a favorable zone, the bonus awarding unit 619 counts the number of results, which is the number of times a specified gaming result is obtained during a specified period. Then, when the number of games required to reach the specified number of results satisfies a specified condition, the bonus awarding unit 619 awards a bonus to the player.

Specifically, when the playing zone is a favorable zone, the bonus awarding unit 619 counts the number of CZ passes during a specified period and awards a bonus to the player based on the number of games required until the number of CZ passes reaches 10.

Here, the number of CZ skips refers to the number of times the game state transitioned to the CZ and an ART lottery was held during that CZ, but the ART was not won. In other words, 10 CZ skips means that the game state transitioned to the CZ 10 times, but the ART lottery was not won in all 10 CZs.

Hereinafter, the target number of games is the number of games that must be played before the number of results reaches a predetermined number. In this embodiment, the target number of games played until the number of CZ throughs reaches 10 is preset to 300 games.

In this embodiment, the specified period refers to, for example, the period after the game zone becomes a favorable zone, until the number of games being played reaches the target number of games, or until the favorable zone ends. Note that the number of games being played starts counting each time a new target number of games is set.

In this example, if the number of games required to reach 10 CZ throughs is less than or equal to 300, which is a preset target number of games, the predetermined condition is met, and the bonus awarding unit 619 causes the game state control unit 618 to transition the game state to ART, which is one of the special game states. In other words, the bonus when the predetermined game result is the number of CZ throughs is to perform processing to increase the payout rate.

On the other hand, if the number of CZ skips does not reach 10 by the time the target number of games (300 games) is reached, the bonus awarding unit 619 resets the next target number of games to 300 and initializes the number of CZ skips and the number of games currently being played. The bonus awarding unit 619 then determines whether the number of CZ skips will reach 10 by the time the new target number of games is reached.

In addition, the bonus awarding unit 619 awards a bonus to a player based on the number of games required for the number of winning combinations that constitute a specific winning flag to reach 20 when the gaming zone is a favorable zone, separately from the number of CZ passes.

For example, the bonus awarding unit 619 determines whether or not the middle bell, which is the winning combination that constitutes the "Push Order Bells 1-12" combination flag, or the downward-right bell, which is the winning combination that constitutes the "Common Bell" combination flag, has been awarded 20 times during the target number of 100 games. These 100 games are determined, for example, using the lottery table in FIG. 17 when the advantageous zone transitions.

In the example of Figure 17, the setting value of slot machine 1 is 1, and the lottery table used is a table for setting value 1. In addition, multiple modes are provided for each setting value, and the lottery value for the target number of games differs for each mode.

For example, in the diagram, if the current mode is mode A, the target number of games is determined by lottery from among 100, 300, 500, 700, or 900 games. If the target number of games is 900, as shown in italics, the game will transition to ART when 900 games are reached, even if the number of times either the middle bell or the downward-right bell has been won does not reach 20 before 900 games are reached.

In this example, if either the middle bell or the downward-right bell wins 20 times during the target number of 100 games, the bonus awarding unit 619 will cause the game status control unit 618 to conduct a CZ lottery.

On the other hand, if either the middle bell or the downward-right bell for the winning role has not been won 20 times before the number of games being played reaches the target number of games, the bonus awarding unit 619 will initialize the number of times a specific winning role has been won, the number of games being played, the target number of games, etc., and will determine these by re-drawing the lottery.

As mentioned above, if the game result is a specific winning combination, the game result differs from the number of CZ passes, and the game state will not transition to CZ unless the CZ lottery is won. In other words, the bonus in this case is not a process to increase the payout rate, but rather a lottery to determine whether or not to increase the payout rate.

<Description of the sub-control unit 62>
2, the sub-controller 62 includes a performance control unit 620 and an alarm unit 621. The sub-controller 62 determines the performance content based on a signal transmitted from the main controller 61. Specifically, the sub-controller 62 controls the performance control unit 620, the alarm unit 621, the illumination unit, and the speaker, as well as the output of the determined performance content.

<Explanation of the performance control unit 620>
The presentation control unit 620 selects a presentation pattern for each game, for example, in response to an internal lottery result signal, a CZ transition signal, an ART transition signal, and a general game state transition signal.

The selection of the presentation pattern is based on a table (presentation table T3) that stores presentation content corresponding to the winning flag or game status, etc. Based on the selected presentation pattern, the presentation control unit 620 controls the notification unit 621, illumination unit, and speaker to display the presentation on the LCD screen 3.

The effect table T3 also includes a premonition effect table that may be selected, for example, when a flag for a specific role is established or when a state transition lottery is won. The premonition effect table is one of the areas stored in the effect table T3 that is selected only during a specific game period (premonition effect period) in which a premonition effect is performed. The premonition effect is also one of the effects that suggests the likelihood of the game state transitioning to a special game state.

<Description of Notification Unit 621>
For example, when a push order role flag is established as a winning flag during ART after winning the ART lottery, the notification unit 621 assists in the push order to win a specific push order role among the multiple push order roles included in that push order role, according to a signal sent from the main control unit 61.

<Explanation of special game state transition process>
The special game state transition process of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the setting value control unit 615 determines whether the setting value has been changed based on the operation of the store operator (step S101).

If the setting value has been changed (S101: YES), the interval control unit 616 sets the game interval to the normal interval (step S102).

Next, the internal lottery unit 610 determines whether the flag that was selected by the internal lottery is other than a pure loss (step S103).

If the winning flag indicates a pure loss (S103: NO), processing repeats step S103.

If the winning flag indicates anything other than a pure loss (S103: YES), the zone control unit 616 transitions the gaming zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone (step S104).

Next, the RT state control unit 617 determines whether the RT state is RT0 (step S105).

If the RT state is RT0 (S105: YES), the special processing described above is performed, and then the special game state transition processing of the present invention ends.

On the other hand, if the RT state is not RT0 (S105: NO), the gaming state control unit 618 transitions the gaming state from the general gaming state to CZ (step S106).

Then, the game status control unit 618 determines whether the CZ has ended (step S107). In this embodiment, it determines whether 10 games of the CZ have been played.

If the CZ has not ended (S107: NO), the game status control unit 618 determines whether or not the ART lottery held during the CZ has been won (step S108).

If the ART lottery has not been won (S108: NO), processing returns to step S107.

If the ART lottery has been won (S108: YES), the game status control unit 618 transitions the game status from CZ to ART (step S109).

The game status control unit 618 then determines whether ART has ended (step S110).

If ART has not ended (S110: NO), processing repeats step S110.

On the other hand, if ART has ended (S110: YES), the gaming state control unit 618 transitions the gaming state from ART to the general gaming state (step S111).

The zone control unit 616 also transitions the gaming zone from the advantageous zone to the normal zone (step S112). After that, the special gaming state transition process of the present invention ends.

Returning to step S101, if the setting value has not been changed (S101: NO), the zone control unit 616 determines whether the play zone is a favorable zone (step S113).

If the gaming zone is a favorable zone (S113: YES), the gaming state control unit 618 determines whether the gaming state is CZ (step S114).

If the game status is CZ (S114: YES), processing proceeds to step S107.

On the other hand, if the gaming state is not CZ (S114: NO), the gaming state control unit 618 determines whether the gaming state is ART (step S115).

If the game status is ART (S115: YES), processing proceeds to step S110.

On the other hand, if the gaming state is not ART (the gaming state is the regular gaming state) (S115: NO), processing proceeds to step S119, which will be described later.

Returning to step S113, if the gaming zone is not a favorable zone (S113: NO), the internal lottery unit 610 determines whether the flag selected by the internal lottery is other than a pure loss (step S116).

If the winning flag indicates a pure loss (S116: NO), processing repeats step S116.

On the other hand, if the winning flag indicates anything other than a pure loss (S116: YES), the zone control unit 616 transitions the gaming zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone (step S117). Processing then proceeds to step S106.

Returning to step S107, if the CZ has ended (S107: YES), the game state control unit 618 transitions the game state from the CZ to the normal game state (step S118).

Next, the section control unit 616 determines whether a predetermined third game condition has been met (step S119).

If the specified third game condition is not met (S119: NO), the game status control unit 618 determines whether the CZ lottery has been won (step S120).

If the CZ lottery has not been won (S120: NO), processing returns to step S119.

On the other hand, if the CZ lottery is won (S120: YES), processing proceeds to step S106.

If the predetermined third gaming condition is satisfied (S119: YES), the zone control unit 616 shifts the gaming zone from the advantageous zone to the normal zone (step S121). After that, the special gaming state shift process of the present invention ends.
The special game state transition process is executed by the above steps.

To summarize the above, the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following features:
a plurality of rotating reels 20 on which a plurality of symbols are respectively displayed;
a lever 43 that starts the rotation of the plurality of reels 20 based on the operation of a player;
a plurality of stop switches 40 provided corresponding to each of the plurality of rotating reels 20 and configured to stop the rotating reels 20 in response to an operation by a player;
an internal lottery unit 610 that performs an internal lottery based on the operation of the lever 43 by the player and establishes one flag among a plurality of winning combination flags as a winning flag;
a game state control unit 618 that executes game progress in one of game states including a normal game state and a special game state that is a game state that is more advantageous to a player than the normal game state;
a zone control unit 616 that executes game progress in one of game zones, which ends when the number of continuing games reaches a predetermined number of games or when a predetermined termination condition (for example, when the medal difference, which is the difference between the maximum and minimum medal difference, which is the cumulative value of the number of medals paid out minus the number of medals bet, reaches 2,400 or more) is met, and which includes at least a zone in which the game status control unit 618 transitions the game status to CZ, a zone in which the game status control unit 618 has not transitioned to CZ and the game status control unit 618 can perform a state transition lottery to determine whether or not to transition the game status to CZ, and a normal zone in which the game status control unit 618 cannot transition the game status to CZ and can only execute transition processing to the favorable zone;
Equipped with
The game state control unit 618 transitions the game state from the general game state to the CZ in games following the game in which the zone control unit 616 transitions the game zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone based on the fulfillment of a predetermined game condition (a flag other than a pure miss being established).

<Action and effect>
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that has an advantageous zone as a gaming zone and can continuously execute a special gaming state.

In other words, according to the present invention, when a winning combination other than a pure loss is achieved while the gaming zone is in the normal zone, the gaming zone transitions to a favorable zone, and the gaming state transitions from the general gaming state to the special gaming state, CZ. Therefore, if the player wins ART in the ART lottery held in the CZ, the player can easily receive benefits in terms of winning balls.

Also, even if the ART ends with a single win, if a winning combination other than a pure miss is won again during the normal interval, a new CZ can be started, so by winning the ART during the CZ, players can enjoy what is known as a winning streak.

Other Embodiments
In the above embodiment, an example is described in which, when a flag other than a pure miss is established by an internal lottery while the gaming area is a normal area, the gaming area transitions from the normal area to an advantageous area and also transitions from a general gaming state to a CZ, which is a special gaming state; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and a second special gaming state transition process described below may be executed.

For example, in the second special game state transition process, if a combination other than a pure loss is won when the game zone is the normal zone, the type of game state to transition to may differ depending on the winning combination.

Specifically, if a role other than a so-called rare role is won, the gaming zone will transition from the normal zone to the advantageous zone and the gaming state will transition from the general gaming state to ART, and if a rare role is won, the gaming zone will transition from the normal zone to the advantageous zone and the gaming state will transition from the general gaming state to an added-on specialized zone during ART.

More specifically, two additional bonus specialized zones can be provided: Additional Bonus Specialized Zone 1, which is entered when a weak rare role (cherry, watermelon) is won during the normal period, and Additional Bonus Specialized Zone 2, which is entered when a strong rare role (chance eye) is won.

This bonus-specialized zone is part of the ART, and while the bonus-specialized zone continues, the number of remaining games in the ART is not subtracted. In this second special game state transition process, the game state enters the bonus-specialized zone before the subtraction of the remaining number of games in the ART begins, and the number of remaining games in the ART is added based on the game results.

As mentioned above, the bonus-specialized zone 1 is entered when a weak rare role, such as a cherry or watermelon, is won during the normal zone. In this bonus-specialized zone 1, for example, when a rare role is won, there is a 10% chance that no bonus games will be awarded, an 80% chance that 10 games will be awarded, a 7% chance that 20 games will be awarded, and a 3% chance that 30 games or more will be awarded.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, the bonus-specialized zone 2 is entered when a chance symbol, which is a strong rare role, is won during the normal zone. In this bonus-specialized zone 2, for example, when a rare role is won, there is a 5% chance that no bonus games will be awarded, a 50% chance that 10 games will be awarded, a 30% chance that 20 games will be awarded, and a 15% chance that 30 games or more will be awarded.

Below, with reference to Figure 19, we will explain the second special game state transition process, which is another embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the order of the processes described below can be changed as appropriate without changing the spirit of the present invention.

First, the interval control unit 616 determines whether the game interval is a normal interval (step S201).

If the gaming area is a normal area (S201: YES), the internal lottery unit 610 determines whether the flag drawn by the internal lottery is other than a pure loss (step S202).

If the winning flag indicates a pure loss (S202: NO), processing repeats step S202.

On the other hand, if the winning flag is not a pure loss (S202: YES), the zone control unit 616 transitions the gaming zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone (step S203).

Next, the internal lottery unit 610 determines whether the winning flag indicates a strong rare combination (chance combination) (step S204).

If the winning flag does not indicate a strong rare combination (S204: NO), the internal lottery unit 610 determines whether the winning flag indicates a weak rare combination (cherry, watermelon) (step S205).

If the winning flag does not indicate a weak rare combination (S205: NO), the game status control unit 618 transitions the game status from the normal game status to ART (step S206).

Next, the game status control unit 618 determines whether ART has ended (step S207).

If ART has not ended (S207: NO), processing repeats step S207.

On the other hand, if ART has ended (S207: YES), the gaming state control unit 618 transitions the gaming state from ART to the general gaming state (step S208).

Next, the interval control unit 616 determines whether to transition the gaming interval from the advantageous interval to the normal interval (step S209).

If it is determined that the gaming zone should be transitioned from the advantageous zone to the normal zone (S209: YES), the zone control unit 616 transitions the gaming zone to the normal zone (step S210). After that, the second special gaming state transition process, which is another embodiment of the present invention, ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the gaming zone will not be transitioned from the advantageous zone to the normal zone (S209: NO), processing proceeds to step S211, which will be described later.

Returning to step S201, if the gaming zone is not a normal zone (it is a favorable zone) (step S201: NO), the gaming status control unit 618 determines whether the gaming status is ART (step S211).

If the game status is ART (S211: YES), processing proceeds to step S207.

On the other hand, if the gaming status is not ART (S211: NO), the gaming status control unit 618 determines whether the ART lottery has been won (step S212).

If the ART lottery is won (S212: YES), processing proceeds to step S206.

On the other hand, if the ART lottery is not won (S212: NO), the zone control unit 616 determines whether to transition the gaming zone to the normal zone (step S213).

If it is determined that the game zone should be transitioned to the normal zone (S213: YES), processing proceeds to step S210.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the game zone will not be transitioned to the normal zone (S213: NO), processing returns to step S211.

Returning to step S205, if the winning flag indicates a weak rare role (S205: YES), the game status control unit 618 transitions the game status to the bonus-specialized zone 1 during ART and executes the bonus processing (step S214).

Next, the game status control unit 618 begins subtracting the number of remaining ART games upon the end of bonus-specialized zone 1 (step S215). Processing then proceeds to step S207. Subsequent processing is as described above.

Returning to step S204, if the winning flag indicates a strong rare role (S204: YES), the game status control unit 618 transitions the game status to the bonus-specialized zone 2 during ART and executes the bonus processing (step S216).

Next, the game status control unit 618 starts subtracting the number of remaining games of ART upon the end of the bonus specialization zone 2 (S217). Then, the process proceeds to step S207. The subsequent process is as described above.
By the above procedure, the second special game state transition process, which is another embodiment of the present invention, is executed.

In the other embodiments described above, examples are given in which weak rare roles are cherries and watermelons, and strong rare roles are chance symbols, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, winning roles may include weak cherries, weak watermelons, and weak chance symbols, which are weak rare roles, and winning roles may include strong cherries, strong watermelons, and strong chance symbols, which are strong rare roles.

Further, other different embodiments will be described below.
In the above embodiment, examples of the special game state are CZ and ART, but in addition to these, the special game state may also be AT (assist time), a so-called pseudo bonus, high probability mode, etc.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the gaming state to which the game zone transitions when it transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone is CZ, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the gaming state to which the game zone transitions when it transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone may be ART, AT, pseudo bonus, etc.

When the special game state is AT, game progress can be carried out within a Type 1 BB or Type 2 BB. In the following, "BB" refers to either a Type 1 BB or Type 2 BB bonus.

In an AT machine, when the setting value is changed, gameplay begins in a state that is not inside BB (not inside BB). Then, when BB is won for the first time after the setting value is changed (inside BB), the game zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, but the game state control unit does not transition the game state to the special game state. Instead, the game state control unit can execute the special processing described above.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the gaming state transitions from the normal gaming state to the special gaming state (a special gaming state transition signal is generated) in the game in which the gaming zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the gaming state may transition from the normal gaming state to the special gaming state, for example, three games or five games after the gaming zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone.

Also, unlike the above embodiment, ART may start when the RT state transitions to RT2 due to the winning of an RT2 transition lip.

Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes an example in which the ART lottery is conducted only during the CZ, the present invention is not limited to this. If the gaming zone is an advantageous zone, the gaming state control unit can conduct the ART lottery even if, for example, a rare role is won.

In addition, if the slot machine is equipped with bonuses such as RB (Type 1 special feature), Type 1 BB (feature continuous operation device for Type 1 special feature), CT (Type 2 special feature), or Type 2 BB (feature continuous operation device for Type 2 special feature) (the slot machine in the above embodiment is not equipped with any of RB, Type 1 BB, or Type 2 BB), and one of these bonuses is won, the notification unit does not have to notify the correct button press order even if the button press order flag is established.

Also, unlike the above embodiment, if the slot machine is equipped with, for example, a Type 1 BB (which may also be a Type 2 BB), the zone control unit will conduct a zone transition lottery even if a Type 1 BB is won during the normal zone. However, in this case, even if the zone control unit decides to transition the gaming zone from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, within the Type 1 BB, the gaming zone will transition to the standby zone without transitioning to the advantageous zone.

During this waiting period, the period control unit does not count the number of continuing games in the advantageous period, and the medium display unit does not notify that the play period is an advantageous period. Furthermore, no processing related to the instruction function is performed within the Type 1 BB. Then, when the Type 1 BB is won and the play state transitions into Type 1 BB, the play period transitions from the waiting period to the advantageous period.

Furthermore, for example, if the correct push order is announced when a push order combination is won, and the payout rate when the combination excluding the bonus wins with the maximum payout number is 100% or more (when the specific conditions are met), an optional display unit such as a media display unit may display that the gaming zone is a favorable zone.

In addition, even if the specific conditions are not met, when the gaming zone becomes a favorable zone, any display unit, such as the medium display unit, may notify the player that the zone is in a favorable zone.

Unlike the previous embodiment, in the special game state, the player wins by operating the stop switch in the correct button sequence, and the correct button sequence may be announced only if the winning flag includes a promotion lip for transitioning to the RT state.

The probability of winning the state transition lottery can also be varied depending on whether the number of continuing games in the normal zone is odd or even. For example, if the game zone transitions to an advantageous zone when the number of continuing games in the normal zone is even, the probability of winning the ART during the CZ can be made higher than if the game zone transitions to an advantageous zone when the number of continuing games in the normal zone is odd.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the gaming zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone when the winning flag is not "pure loss," but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the gaming zone may transition from the normal zone to the advantageous zone only when the winning flag is "replay" or "common bell."

Furthermore, the longer the number of consecutive games in the normal period, the higher the probability of winning the state transition lottery. For example, the probability of winning the ART lottery may increase by 1% for each pure loss during the normal period.

The predetermined game results may include the number of games played in the advantageous zone, the number of CZ passes, and the number of times a specific winning combination is won, as described in the above embodiment, as well as the number of medals paid out and the difference in the number of medals (including negative differences).

Furthermore, in the first bonus awarding process in the above embodiment, an example is described in which a mode lottery, ceiling lottery, etc. is conducted in a game in which the game state has transitioned to an advantageous zone, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mode lottery, ceiling lottery, etc. may be conducted 10 games after entering an advantageous zone, after the end of a Type 1 BB that was won after transitioning to the advantageous zone.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which if the number of games required to reach a predetermined number of CZ passes during the advantageous period meets a predetermined condition, the game state will always transition to ART, and if the number of games required to reach a predetermined number of times a specific winning flag is established meets a predetermined condition, a CZ lottery will be held.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the number of games required to reach a predetermined number of CZ passes during the specified period meets a predetermined condition, an ART lottery may be held. Also, if the number of games required to reach a predetermined number of times that a specific winning flag is established meets a predetermined condition, the game state may always transition to ART.

Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes an example in which a transition to ART or a CZ lottery is conducted as a bonus, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a transition to a so-called pseudo bonus using ART or AT, a transition to AT, or a setting suggestion may be given as a bonus. Then, the game result may be selected from these game results by lottery by the bonus awarding unit.

In addition, the bonus awarding unit may determine a predetermined game result, a predetermined number of times that the number of results must be met, and a target number of games, thereby managing the high and low probability of winning a lottery related to a ball-winning benefit, such as a normal ART lottery.

In addition, the specified period during the advantageous zone, game results, number of results, and specified number of times may be determined by lottery at a specified timing based on the winning combination that triggered the transition to the advantageous zone, the set value, the current mode, the RT status, etc.

For example, if a player does not win the ART lottery during a CZ in a favorable zone, the number of results until the next CZ may be determined by lottery, and the game results may also be determined by lottery for each predetermined number of games in the favorable zone.

Furthermore, when game results, number of results, and predetermined number of times are determined by lottery, these lottery values may be set to have differences based on set values.

Also, if the game state transitions to ART during a favorable zone and the number of medals paid out during that ART is less than a predetermined value, the bonus awarding unit can count the number of results while maintaining the favorable zone. In this case, the bonus awarding unit may award a CZ depending on the number of results, or may conduct a transition lottery to determine whether to transition to AT, CZ, etc.

In addition, when determining the number of game results, the lottery value may be changed by referring to the current RT status, set value, or current mode, etc.

Furthermore, when the target number of games is determined using a lottery table, the bonus awarding unit may award a more advantageous bonus to the player the more stringent the conditions are for the player. In other words, if the target number of games until the number of CZ passes reaches 10 is 100 games or 200 games, the bonus awarding unit may award a more advantageous bonus when 100 games is set as the target number of games.

For example, if the target number of games is 200 and the number of CZ passes reaches 10 within the target number of games, and the bonus awarding unit awards the number of sets at the time of transition to ART as 1 to 3, then when the target number of games is 100, the bonus may be awarded as follows: If the target number of games is 100 and the number of CZ passes reaches 10 within the target number of games, for example, the bonus awarding unit can always set the number of ART sets to 3, or add 30 games as the number of additional games.

Furthermore, for example, if the number of results reaches a predetermined number when the number of games is a multiple of 100, an additional bonus may be awarded. For example, as in the above embodiment, if the number of CZ passes reaches 10 on the 200th game, the bonus awarding unit may award two sets of ART.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which, when the setting value is 1 in the lottery table of Figure 17 and the target number of games is 900, the player transitions to ART regardless of the resulting number of CZ passes. However, for example, if a number of games other than 900 is won in mode a, a lottery may be held to transition to a different mode.

Furthermore, in this lottery table, the larger the set value, the more advantageous the target number of games can be set to the player. For example, if the set value is 6, it can be determined that the transition to ART will occur after 300 games in mode b, and after 100 games in mode c.

Also, if a Type 2 BB is won during a favorable zone and a role requiring a push during that Type 2 BB is won, a bonus may be awarded based on the number of times the player successfully pushes the button. Note that a push is when a specific symbol lines up on an active line when the player presses the stop switch in the correct order or at the correct timing.

Also, for example, if the target number of games is 300, the number of games currently being played is 295, and the game state transitions to a CZ that lasts for 7 games, the bonus awarding unit can also execute the following processing. For example, the bonus awarding unit may not initialize the number of CZ passes until the CZ to which the transition occurred in the 295th game ends, and when the number of CZ passes in that CZ reaches 10, the bonus awarding unit may cause the game state control unit to transition the game state to ART.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which it was determined whether a predetermined number of results was achieved within a target number of games, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bonus awarding unit may change the contents of subsequent lotteries depending on how many times a predetermined game result is achieved before a predetermined target number of games is played.

For example, the bonus awarding unit can increase the probability of winning the ART the more medals paid out during the 40 games in the advantageous zone.

The bonus awarding unit may also conduct a CZ lottery if 120 or more medals are paid out within 40 games in the advantageous zone, and may conduct an ART lottery if 140 or more medals are paid out.

In the above embodiment, the game status control unit and the bonus awarding unit were described as separate units, but the game status control unit may also have the functionality of the bonus awarding unit. In this case, the game status control unit awards bonuses to the player.

In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the number of games to continue in the advantageous zone and the medal difference are displayed on the LCD screen, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of games to continue in the advantageous zone and the medal difference may be displayed on the medium display unit. In this case, the number of games to continue can be displayed next to the number of credits or the number of medals paid out displayed on the medium display unit.

The number of games remaining and the medal difference may also be displayed on a seven-segment display connected to the main control unit, or on a mechanism known as a gimmick that operates at a predetermined timing.

Also, instead of displaying the LCD screen or medium display unit of the slot machine, the number of games to be continued and the medal difference in the advantageous zone may be displayed on a data counter as an external display unit that is electrically and physically connected directly or indirectly to the outside of the slot machine. In this case, the zone control unit simply transmits information regarding the number of games to be continued to the data counter.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the number of games to be continued and the medal difference in the advantageous zone are always displayed on the LCD screen when the gaming zone is an advantageous zone, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of games to be continued and the medal difference may be displayed on the LCD screen when a predetermined combination (bell, replay, etc.) is achieved three times in a row, or when the number of games to be continued reaches 500.

Also, for example, if a player presses and holds the third stop switch when a rare combination is achieved, the number of games to be played and the medal difference may be displayed on the LCD screen.

Alternatively, a lottery may be held to determine the operation the player should take, and the number of games to continue and the medal difference may be displayed on the LCD screen only when the player performs the winning operation. For example, the operation may be selected by lottery from among the player pressing the bet switch, operating the lever, or pressing and holding the third stop, and the number of games to continue may be displayed when the player performs the winning operation.

In addition, the number of games continued and the medal difference may be displayed on the LCD screen when in a specific RT state (e.g., RT1) or a specific mode (e.g., mode C).

In addition, the type of winning combination that triggers the transition of the gaming zone to the advantageous zone may determine whether or not the number of continuing games and medal difference are displayed, or whether or not they are likely to be displayed.

Setting suggestions may also be made based on the ratio at which the number of continuing games and medal difference are displayed. For example, the higher the setting value, the more likely it is that the number of continuing games will be displayed in the advantageous zone.

The colors indicating the number of games to continue and the medal difference can also be changed based on the progress of the game, specifically, the ball payout factors. For example, a slot machine may have a ceiling function related to the game results during a favorable zone, and the color indicating the number of games to continue may change gradually from white, blue, yellow, green, red, purple, to rainbow colors as the number of games remaining until the ceiling function is activated decreases. In this case, players can enjoy playing with a sense of anticipation that the time for the ceiling function to be activated is approaching.

Furthermore, unlike the above embodiment, different effects may be achieved even within the same advantageous zone, such as a higher probability of winning the ART or the possibility of winning with a direct hit on the ART.

In addition to the above, the number of games to be played in an advantageous zone may be displayed only when the advantageous zone is in a favorable zone and certain conditions are met. For example, the number of games to be played in an advantageous zone may be displayed only in advantageous zones that are in ART.

In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the probability of the game zone switching from the normal zone to the advantageous zone varies depending on the setting value, but it is not necessary for the setting value to vary.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which a zone transition lottery is conducted when a rare role is won, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a zone transition lottery may be conducted when a specific role other than a pure loss is won.

Also, if a specific role is won through an internal lottery, the game zone may always transition to a favorable zone without a zone transition lottery being executed.

Furthermore, advantageous zones may be zones with restrictions such as the transition probability being below a predetermined value (for example, 1/17,500 or less), and zone transition lotteries not being held for replays that appear only in specific RT states.

In addition, the winning combination used when the gaming zone transitions to the advantageous zone may be a winning combination other than a winning combination that has a different winning probability during a bonus and a non-bonus period.

Furthermore, the above embodiment describes an example in which the advantageous period is forcibly ended when the number of continuing games reaches 1,500 games or when the medal difference reaches a predetermined number (2,400 medals), but the present invention is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, no particular restrictions are imposed, but a restriction may be imposed such that, for example, if 17,500 games have been played, the advantageous zone may not be played in more than 70% of the play zone of those 17,500 games.

The present invention may also be applied to gaming machines in which the number of medals paid out when processing related to bonuses such as Type 1 BB and instruction functions is executed is less than 70% of the total number of medals paid out.

Furthermore, while there may be no difference in the set values for the probability of winning a small prize, there may be a difference in the set values for the probability of transitioning to a favorable zone even for the same small prize. This same difference in set values may also be set for mode lotteries, additional lotteries, and AT or ART continuation lotteries.

Note that while the above embodiments describe examples of processing and lotteries related to the instruction function, these are merely examples and may include any form of processing and lotteries related to the instruction function. For example, a direct hit on the AT or ART may be made depending on the results of play during a specified period in the advantageous zone.

1 Slot machine 10 Cabinet 100 Front door 2 Rotating reel unit 20 (20a, 20b, 20c) Rotating reel 200 Reel window 3 Liquid crystal screen 4 Operation unit 40 (40a, 40b, 40c) Stop switch 41 Insertion slot 42 Bet switch 43 Lever (start switch)
44 Media display section (display section)
45 Adjustment switch 50 Hopper unit 51 Payout outlet 52 Lower tray 6 Control unit 61 Main control unit 610 Internal lottery unit 611 Rotation start control unit 612 Rotation stop control unit 612a Rotating reel detection unit 612b Pattern determination unit 612c Push order determination unit 613 Game result determination unit 614 Medium management unit 615 Setting value control unit 616 Section control unit 617 RT state control unit 618 Game state control unit 619 Benefit granting unit 62 Sub control unit 620 Performance control unit 621 Notification unit T1 Internal lottery table T2 Pattern table T3 Performance table

Claims (1)

a plurality of reels each displaying a plurality of symbols;
a start switch that starts the rotation of the plurality of reels based on the operation of a player;
a plurality of stop switches provided corresponding to each of the plurality of rotating reels and configured to stop the rotating reels during rotation based on the operation of the player;
an internal lottery unit that performs an internal lottery based on the operation of the start switch by the player and establishes one flag among a plurality of winning combination flags as a winning flag;
a game state control unit that determines whether the game state is a normal game state or a special game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state;
A favorable zone in which processing related to an instruction function that instructs the player on operations that affect the ball output can be executed,
And, a normal zone in which the processing related to the instruction function cannot be executed but the transition processing to the advantageous zone can be executed;
A section control unit capable of controlling the transition of a gaming section including
Equipped with
the zone control unit executes a transition process to the advantageous zone when a predetermined gaming condition is satisfied when the gaming zone is the normal zone and the gaming state is the general gaming state;
The game state control unit executes a state transition process to transition the game state to the special game state when the zone control unit executes a transition to the advantageous zone,
The state transition process is completed in a game in which the transition process to the advantageous zone is performed,
The game state control unit is capable of transitioning from the special game state to the general game state when the game zone is the advantageous zone, and progressing the game in the general game state while maintaining the advantageous zone.
Gaming machine.