JP7805673B2 - gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Gaming machines (slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on their outer periphery have been known for some time. These types of gaming machines assign a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals or pachinko balls, and players play to acquire this gaming value. Furthermore, these types of gaming machines conduct an internal lottery and start the rotation of the multiple reels when the player initiates a spin operation, and control the multiple reels to stop in a manner based on the results of the internal lottery when the player initiates a stop operation. The outcome of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line when the multiple reels have stopped, and medals and other items are paid out based on the outcome of the game.

In recent years, gaming machines that can perform assist time play, which changes the probability of winning a small prize by executing a prize-winning assistance effect under specified conditions to assist in the winning of a small prize, which pays out game value upon winning, and makes it easier to win game value such as medals in the AT state where the prize-winning assistance effect can be executed, have been gaining popularity (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-150273

Among gaming specifications that allow for assist time play, those that allow a high amount of game value to be acquired per play in assist time play (hereinafter referred to as high pure increase specifications) are particularly popular. When designing a gaming machine, in order to ensure that the game value acquisition performance falls within the range set in advance by rules, etc., it is necessary to design the game value acquisition performance for games that are not assist time play to be low, and technology to optimally adjust this balance is desired.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide technology that makes it possible to optimally adjust the performance of game value acquisition.

(1) The present invention comprises a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery; an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a plurality of types of roles, including bonuses and minor roles, are won; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and, upon a stop operation, controlling the reels to stop while rotating in a manner according to the results of the internal lottery; and a winning determination means for determining whether a role has won based on the display of a symbol combination on an active line that indicates a winning form predetermined for each role when the plurality of reels are stopped. and a game state control means for setting a normal state in which an internal lottery is conducted with the bonus as the lottery subject, a bonus establishment state in which the winning of the bonus is carried over, and a bonus state to which the bonus is entered by winning the bonus, and when the small winning combination is won, a game value according to the payout of the small winning combination is paid out. In this gaming machine, there are a plurality of specific winning combinations in which a correct small winning combination and an incorrect small winning combination with a payout lower than that of the correct small winning combination are won in combination, and each of the specific winning combinations is classified into either a first group or a second group, and a specific operation sequence is predetermined as the order of the stop operations according to the type of the specific winning pattern; when the reel control means is in the bonus formation state, whether the specific winning pattern belonging to the first group or the second group is obtained, the reel control means controls to allow the winning of the correct minor role based on the order of the stop operations being the specific operation sequence, and to prevent the winning of the correct minor role based on the order of the stop operations being different from the specific operation sequence; when the reel control means is in the normal state, if the specific winning pattern belonging to the first group is obtained, the reel control means prevents the winning of the correct minor role regardless of the order of the stop operations; and when the specific winning pattern belonging to the second group is obtained, the reel control means controls to allow the winning of the correct minor role based on the order of the stop operations being the specific operation sequence, and to prevent the winning of the correct minor role based on the order of the stop operations being different from the specific operation sequence.

(2) The present invention also provides a system for determining whether a winning combination has been achieved by a winning combination of a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer periphery thereof, an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination of a plurality of types of winning combinations, including bonuses and minor winning combinations, has been achieved, a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and, upon a stop operation, for controlling the reels to stop in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery, and a winning judgment means for determining whether a winning combination has been achieved by a winning combination based on the display of a winning combination on an active line that indicates a winning combination predetermined for each winning combination when the plurality of reels have stopped. and a game state control means for setting a normal state in which an internal lottery is conducted with the bonus as the lottery subject, a bonus establishment state in which the winning of the bonus is carried over, and a bonus state to which the game state is shifted by winning the bonus, and when the small winning combination is won, a game value according to the payout of the small winning combination is paid out. In this gaming machine, there are a plurality of specific winning combinations in which a correct small winning combination and an incorrect small winning combination with a payout lower than that of the correct small winning combination are won in combination, and each of the specific winning combinations This relates to a gaming machine in which the reels are classified into either a first group or a second group, and a specific operation mode is predetermined as the mode of the stop operation corresponding to the type of the specific winning mode. When the reel control means is in the bonus formation state, whether the specific winning mode belonging to the first group or the second group is obtained, the reel control means controls to allow the winning of the correct minor role based on the stop operation mode being the specific operation mode, and to prevent the winning of the correct minor role based on the stop operation mode being different from the specific operation mode. When the reel control means is in the normal state, if the specific winning mode belonging to the first group is obtained, the reel control means prevents the winning of the correct minor role regardless of the stop operation mode. When the specific winning mode belonging to the second group is obtained, the reel control means controls to allow the winning of the correct minor role based on the stop operation mode being the specific operation mode, and to prevent the winning of the correct minor role based on the stop operation mode being different from the specific operation mode.

According to the present invention (1) and (2), for specific winning patterns belonging to the first group, the correct minor role cannot be won in the normal state, but the correct minor role can be won in the bonus state, and for specific winning patterns belonging to the second group, the correct minor role can be won in both the normal state and the bonus state, making it possible to suitably adjust the performance of acquiring game value in each game state.

1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a cabinet of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small prizes in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small winning combinations and replays in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a transition diagram of the gaming state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of the presentation state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a transition diagram of a gaming zone in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the winning combination when the batting order bell a3 is won in a BB formation state in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram for explaining the method of stopping control when the batting order bell A3 is won in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram for explaining the method of stopping control when the batting order bell A3 is won in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram for explaining the method of stopping control when the batting order bell A3 is won in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram for explaining the method of stopping control when the batting order bell A3 is won in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the winning combination when the batting order bell a3 is won in the normal state in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram for explaining the method of stopping control when the batting order bell A3 is won in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram for explaining the method of stopping control when the batting order bell A3 is won in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for realizing a stop control method in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram comparing the expected value of the payout rate for each game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a batting order bell in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a batting order bell in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a batting order bell in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

1. Configuration Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The gaming machine of this embodiment is a so-called slot machine or reel gaming machine, a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as the gaming medium.

In this embodiment, the gaming machine contains a reel unit consisting of a first reel R1 through a third reel R3 (multiple reels) housed within a box-shaped housing comprised of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. The lower part of the reel unit storage space PS in the storage box BX also contains a power supply unit EU, which incorporates a power supply and is equipped with various switches such as a power switch ES, a setting change key cylinder KS, and a setting change button BS, as well as a hopper unit HP, which serves as a medal payout device. The hopper unit HP includes a medal storage tank MT for storing medals to be used in games, a payout motor (not shown) comprised of a stepping motor, and a rotating disk (not shown) pivotally supported by the payout motor. The rotating disk is driven by the payout motor to dispense medals one by one. When a certain amount of medals is stored in the medal storage tank MT, the hopper unit HP sends surplus medals to a cash box CB. Furthermore, within the cabinet of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, a main board MAIN is mounted above the reel unit storage space PS, and a sub-board SUB is mounted to the side of the reel unit storage space PS. These control boards (main board MAIN, sub-board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of a calculation means), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM (an example of temporary storage means), etc., so as to control the operation of the gaming machine. In this embodiment, the power supply unit EU is provided with a setting change key cylinder KS and setting change button BS, but the setting change key cylinder KS and setting change button BS may also be provided on the surface of the main board MAIN.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer periphery of each of the first to third reels R1 to R3 is divided into 20 regions (each region referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has one of several different symbols arranged on it. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are supported by a stepping motor (reel drive means; not shown), are driven to rotate around the axis of the stepping motor, and can be stopped in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units) by controlling the number of pulses and pulse width of the stepping motor's drive pulses. In other words, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor drives the first to third reels R1 to R3 to rotate in response to drive pulses supplied from the control board, and when a full-phase excitation drive pulse is supplied from the control board, the first to third reels R1 to R3 stop as the stepping motor stops rotating.

The upper front door UD and lower front door DD can be opened and closed independently, and the upper front door UD has a display window DW that allows the spinning and stopped states of the first through third reels R1, R2, R3 to be observed. When the first through third reels R1, R2, R3 are stopped, three consecutive patterns (top, middle, and bottom patterns) among the multiple types of patterns arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the first through third reels R1, R2, R3 can be observed through the display window DW from the front of the gaming machine.

In addition, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, each reel has an upper, middle, and lower display position for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an active line is set by combining the display positions of each reel. In this embodiment of the gaming machine, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to three, and when a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, an active line L1 consisting of the middle of the first reel R1, the bottom of the second reel R2, and the top of the third reel R3 is activated.

The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning line in the display window DW, and if the symbol combination on the winning line corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is treated as a winning combination and medals are paid out from the hopper unit HP.

The upper front door UD is also equipped with a game information display unit DS and a zone indicator SEC. The game information display unit DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or won in BB state. The zone indicator SEC also notifies you whether you are in a favorable zone by turning on and off the built-in LED.

The upper front door UD is also provided with a liquid crystal display LCD for game presentations. This liquid crystal display LCD displays various videos (or images) to assist and liven up the game. In addition, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, multiple speakers SP for game presentations are provided on the upper front door UD and lower front door DD. These speakers SP output various sounds to assist and liven up the game.

The lower front door DD is also provided with various operating mechanisms. These include a bet button (insertion mechanism) B0 for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever (game start mechanism) SL for spinning the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start play, and stop buttons (stop mechanism) B1 to B3 for stopping each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, which are driven to rotate by a stepping motor.

In this embodiment of the gaming machine, when a player inserts a medal into the medal slot MI or presses the bet button B0, the machine is set to a ready state in which it can begin controlling the rotation of the first reel R1 through the third reel R3. When the player then presses the start lever SL, the control board drives the stepping motor to start the rotation of the first reel R1 through the third reel R3, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. Once the rotation speed of the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, pressing the stop buttons B1 through B3 is permitted (enabled).

After that, when the player presses stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switch (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, continuity sensor, pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of stop buttons B1 to B3 turns on, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from OFF to ON.

Furthermore, when the player releases a pressed stop button B1-B3 at any time, the stop switch corresponding to each stop button B1-B3 turns off, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from on to off.

The control board then stops the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 at a stop position determined by the results of an internal lottery based on the change from OFF to ON of the reel stop signal, whose state changes depending on when the stop buttons B1 through B3 are pressed and released.

Furthermore, a medal payout opening MO and a medal tray MP are provided at the bottom of the lower front door DD, and a number of medals according to the results of the game are paid out from the hopper unit HP through the medal payout opening MO to the medal tray MP. When medals are paid out according to the results of the game, if medal credit (internal storage) is permitted, medals equivalent to some or all of the payout number are credited, up to the credit limit (50 in this embodiment), and the displayed value of the credit indicator, which consists of a 7-segment display on the game information display unit DS, changes in accordance with the change in the number of medal credits.

Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by game control means (main board MAIN and sub-board SUB) 100. The game control means 100 is powered by the power supply unit EU when the power switch ES is activated, and receives input signals from input means such as the medal insertion switch 210, bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, setting change permission switch 250, and setting change switch 260. It performs various calculations to execute the game, and controls the operation of output means such as the reel unit 310, hopper unit (payout device) HP, display device 330, and sound device 340 based on the calculation results. The functions of the game control means 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, as well as software consisting of a given program pre-stored in ROM, etc.

The game control means 100 includes a setting change means 103, a deposit acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game status control means 170, a bonus awarding means 175, a presentation control means 180, a game information storage means 190a, and a presentation information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, the deposit acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game status control means 170, and an AT control means 175 are realized by the CPU of the main board MAIN executing various programs, and the presentation control means 180 is realized by the CPU of the sub-board SUB executing various programs. The game information storage means 190a is composed of a main ROM and main RAM mounted on the main board MAIN, and the effect information storage means 190b is composed of a sub ROM and sub RAM mounted on the sub board SUB. The various programs executed by the CPU of the main board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and the various programs executed by the CPU of the sub board SUB are stored in the sub ROM of the effect information storage means 190b.

The setting change means 103 controls changes to the setting values stored in the setting value storage area 1913 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In this embodiment, the game is switched between starting in game mode and setting change mode depending on the state of the setting change permission switch 250 when the power is turned on. When the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and turned clockwise from its initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 turns on. In this state, when the power switch ES is activated and power is supplied from the power supply unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the gaming machine in setting change mode. In this embodiment, the setting value can be selected from six setting values, from Setting 1 to Setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery varies so that the expected payout rate increases from Setting 1 to Setting 6. Note that in this embodiment, the setting values are expressed in the order of Setting 1 < Setting 2 < Setting 3 < Setting 4 < Setting 5 < Setting 6.

Furthermore, when the setting change switch 260 is activated by pressing the setting change button BS in setting change mode, the setting change means 103 changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 → ... Setting 6 → Setting 1 → ... each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260, confirms the setting value based on a game start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated by pressing the start lever SL, and stores the confirmed setting value in the setting value memory area 1913. In this embodiment, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 can be changed to the OFF state by returning the setting key inserted in the setting change key cylinder KS to its initial position, thereby transitioning from setting change mode to game mode.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in the initial position, the gaming machine is started in game mode based on the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 being in the OFF state. In this embodiment, in game mode, it is possible to play games but it is not possible to change setting values, and in setting change mode, it is possible to change setting values but it is not possible to play games.

Furthermore, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a predetermined memory area of the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In particular, in this embodiment, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, the information stored in the lottery flag memory area 1915, game status memory area 1916, presentation status memory area 1918, high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 is initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, the memory areas in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a other than the lottery flag memory area 1915, game status memory area 1916, presentation status memory area 1918, high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 are designated as information storage areas, and information stored in memory areas other than the information storage areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value memory area 1913 and credit information memory area 1914 are designated as information storage areas, and the information stored in these memory areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode.

The insertion acceptance means 105 accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and performs processing to enable the game start operation for the start lever SL (game start operation means) based on the insertion of the specified number of medals (3 medals). In this embodiment of the gaming machine, the first depression of the start lever SL, which is enabled based on the insertion of the specified number of medals, is accepted as the game start operation, triggering the start of rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also triggering the execution of an internal lottery.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot MI, the medal insertion switch 210 is activated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medals to an inserted state, up to a specified insertion number. In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, it is possible to store (store and store) up to 50 medals as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the gaming information storage means 190a, and when the bet button B0 is pressed while medals are stored as credits in the gaming machine, the bet switch 220 is activated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the medals stored as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 to an inserted state, up to a specified insertion number.

The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random number values for the lottery. Random number values can be generated, for example, by a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values from 0 to 65,535 without duplication within one cycle. In this embodiment, "random number values" include not only values that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values that are generated regularly but can actually function as random numbers due to irregular acquisition timing, etc.

The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start play (first pressing of the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

The lottery table selection process determines which internal lottery table to use for the internal lottery, from among multiple internal lottery tables stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3) as shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. Each internal lottery table corresponds to multiple random number values (e.g., 65,536 random number values from 0 to 65,535), various combinations such as replays, small combinations, and bonuses, as well as misses (non-wins). In this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables are prepared for each of six setting values. The probability of obtaining certain winning patterns in the internal lottery varies depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between combinations and random number values is set so that the higher the setting value, the higher the expected ball payout rate.

In this embodiment of the gaming machine, minor roles 1 to 38 are provided as minor roles, and the winning patterns for the minor roles are set as shown in Figures 5 and 6, including batting order bell group a (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6), batting order bell group c (batting order bell c3 to batting order bell c6), batting order bell group d (batting order bell d3 to batting order bell d6), special role group a (special role 1 to special role 3), special role group b (special role 4 to special role 11), common bell a, common bell b, common 1-coin role, cherry a, cherry b, JAC1, and JAC2.

In addition, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, replays Replay 1 to Replay 4 are provided, and as shown in Figure 6, Replay A and Replay B are set as winning modes for replays.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the probability of winning a small prize is the same on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, the probability of winning a replay is higher on internal lottery table 2 than on internal lottery table 1, replays are not included in the lottery on internal lottery table 3, and the method of drawing small prizes on internal lottery table 3 is different from that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the probability of winning a small prize is higher than on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is provided as a bonus, and the big bonus (BB) is the subject of a lottery on internal lottery table 1.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game state can be set to normal state, BB established state, or BB state, and the lottery table selection process selects one of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery depending on the game state.

In this embodiment, the winning probability for bonus and replay winning modes does not change depending on the setting value, but the winning probability for some minor winning modes does change depending on the setting value, and the higher the setting value, the higher the winning probability for JAC1 and JAC2.

In the random number determination process, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generation means 110 for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number value is used to determine whether or not it has resulted in a winning combination by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination determined to be a winning combination is set from a non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to a winning state (second flag state, on state) based on the results of the random number determination process. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, if two or more winning combinations occur at the same time, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more winning combinations are set to a winning state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

The gaming machine of this embodiment is also equipped with a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that allows a winning state to be carried over to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. The former carry-over flag is associated with a big bonus (BB), while the latter non-carry-over flag is associated with small bonuses and replays. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, if a big bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery, the winning state of the big bonus (BB) lottery flag is carried over until the big bonus (BB) is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether small bonuses and replays will be won, even in games in which the winning state of the big bonus (BB) lottery flag is carried over. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, if a small win or replay is won in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag for the bonus associated with the carryover flag is carried over, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of roles consisting of the lottery flag for the bonus that has already been won and the lottery flag for the small win or replay won in the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

The reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 using a stepping motor based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start play. It also controls the reel control to enable a stop operation by pressing the stop button B1 through B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reel that is rotating steadily at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute), and controls the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 that are being rotated by the stepping motor to stop in a manner according to the setting state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery).

When the player presses one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 while the stop operation for the stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled and the stop switch 240 is activated, the reel control means 130 controls the reels (first reel R1 to third reel R3) to stop by supplying a full-phase excitation drive pulse to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240.

In other words, each time one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed button (first reel R1 to third reel R3) and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, pressing stop button B1 corresponds to an operation to stop the first reel R1, pressing stop button B2 corresponds to an operation to stop the second reel R2, and pressing stop button B3 corresponds to an operation to stop the third reel R3. In other words, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, if the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed is changed, the stop order of the first reel R1 to third reel R3 will also change. In this embodiment, of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the stop operation corresponding to the first reel to stop is referred to as the first stop operation, the stop operation corresponding to the second reel to stop is referred to as the second stop operation, and the stop operation corresponding to the last reel to stop is referred to as the third stop operation; the stop of the reel corresponding to the first stop operation may be referred to as the first stop, the stop of the reel corresponding to the second stop operation as the second stop, and the stop of the reel corresponding to the third stop operation as the third stop.

In addition, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 corresponding to the pressed stop button B1 through B3 is stopped within 190 ms of the time the stop button is pressed. When the rotating reels are stopped within 190 ms of the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each rotating reel is determined by the number of frames required from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, within a range of 0 to 4 frames (a predetermined pull-in range). The reel control means 130 controls the stopping of the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button B1 through B3 so that, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames from the display position on the pay line at the time the stop button is pressed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a winning state is displayed in the display position on the pay line.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the red 7 symbol a "RED7a," red 7 symbol b "RED7b," BAR symbol a "BARa," BAR symbol b "BARb," special symbol "SP," replay symbol "RP," bell symbol a "BLa," bell symbol b "BLb," watermelon symbol "WM," and cherry symbol "CH" are arranged on the outer periphery of the first reel R1 through third reel R3 that make up the reel unit 310. When symbols within four frames of the press detection position are drawn onto an active line, the symbols arranged within four frames on the outer periphery of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position, which is the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is activated (when a press of the stop button is detected). In this embodiment, the press detection position is the display position on the top row of each reel.

In addition, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, the reel unit 310 is equipped with a reel index 315 consisting of a photosensor, and the reel control means 130 is able to monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (number of rotation steps of the stepping motor's rotation shaft) from the reel's reference position (the frame detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 each time the reel makes one rotation. In other words, the reel control means 130 can obtain the reel position at the time the stop switch 240 is activated by determining the rotation angle from the reel's reference position.

The reel control means 130 also determines the stopping position of the spinning reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

The stop control table here sets the correspondence between the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch 240 is activated (the time the press of the stop button is detected), and the actual stop position, depending on the setting state of the lottery flag. The stop control table may also set the correspondence between the push detection position and the number of sliding symbols, which indicates the amount of rotation from the push detection position to the actual stop position, depending on the setting state of the lottery flag.

In addition, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, the priorities for small wins, replays, and bonuses are set in the order of "replay > bonus" and "small win > bonus," and the stop control table is set so that stop positions containing symbols that make up the winning form of the high-priority win are selected according to the priorities associated with each win.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stop control table that is referenced when the lottery flags for multiple types of minor roles are set to a winning state in the internal lottery has two types of stop positions: one where the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the active line (number priority control), and one where the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on a predetermined payout for the minor role (payout number priority control).When the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the active line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the active line.When the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of medals paid out based on the payout for the minor role corresponding to the pattern displayed at the display position on the active line (stop positions that can win a minor role with a greater payout). However, when stop positions are set according to the number of medals paid out, for multiple stop positions that have the same number of medals paid out, the priority of each stop position is treated as the same and a stop position is set relative to the press detection position; and when stop positions are set according to the number of symbol combinations that indicate winning patterns that can be displayed on an active line, for multiple stop positions that have the same number of symbol combinations that indicate winning patterns that can be displayed on an active line, the priority of each stop position is treated as the same and a stop position is set relative to the press detection position.

The stop control table, which is referenced when a batting order bell belonging to any of batting order bells a3 to a6 (an example of a specific winning mode), batting order bell b3 to b6 (an example of a specific winning mode), batting order bell c3 to c6 (an example of a specific winning mode), or batting order bell d3 to d6 (an example of a specific winning mode) is won in the internal lottery, has the correct batting order (an example of a specific operation sequence, an example of a specific operation mode) set for each batting order bell, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order bells is won, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that when stop buttons B1-B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a 9-coin small win (an example of a correct small win) will be won. When stop buttons B1-B3 are pressed in a press order different from the correct batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that either a 1-coin small win (an example of an incorrect small win) will be won, or no win will be won (a missed win). In Figures 9 and 10, "1-coin small win (1/2)" means that in that press order, there is a 1/2 probability that a 1-coin small win will be won, and there is a 1/2 probability that a missed win will occur. Furthermore, "1-coin small win (1/4)" in Figures 9 and 10 means that in that press order, there is a 1/4 probability that a 1-coin small win will be won, and there is a 3/4 probability that a missed win will occur.

Furthermore, when each batting order bell is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set in each stop control table so that in the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of a 9-coin minor win are preferentially displayed on the active line due to payout number priority control, and in the press order different from the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of a 1-coin minor win are preferentially displayed on the active line due to quantity priority control.

In this embodiment, for the batting order bell group a (an example of the first group) and the batting order bell group b (an example of the first group), the correct batting order is valid only when the BB state is reached. In normal play, if the batting order bell is won, even if the stopping operation is performed according to the correct batting order, there is a 50% chance that a 1-coin minor role will be won, and a 50% chance that a role will be missed. In other words, in normal play, for the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group b, even if the stopping operation is performed in a manner that would allow a 9-coin minor role to be won in the BB state, the stop positions are determined using number priority control to avoid the winning of a 9-coin minor role. On the other hand, for the batting order bell group c (an example of the second group) and the batting order bell group d (an example of the second group), the correct batting order is valid in both the normal state and the BB state. In either play state, when the batting order is reached, the stop positions are determined using payout number priority control to prioritize the winning of a 9-coin minor role in the correct batting order.

In addition, the stop control table, which is referenced when a special role belonging to either special role group a (special role 1 to special role 3) or special role group b (special role 4 to special role 11) is won in the internal lottery, sets the stop position relative to the press detection position so that a one-coin minor role will be awarded regardless of the type of stop operation performed, and when the stop operation is performed in an order that stops the first reel R1 first, a unique stop pattern corresponding to the type of special role can appear.

In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when common bell a or common bell b is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 9-coin minor prize is won, and when each common bell is won, a 9-coin minor prize is always won regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed. However, in the stop control table that is referenced when common bell a or common bell b is won in normal conditions, number priority control prevents the 9-coin minor prize from being won regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed, and a 1-coin minor prize is always won. In other words, in this embodiment, if common bell a or common bell b is won in a BB formation state, a 9-coin minor prize is won, and if common bell a or common bell b is won in normal conditions, a 1-coin minor prize is won.

In addition, the stop control table that is referenced when a common 1-coin role is won in the internal lottery sets the stop position relative to the press detection position so that a 1-coin minor role will be won, and when a common 1-coin role is won, a 1-coin minor role will always be won regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

In addition, the stop control table that is referenced when Cherry A is won in the internal lottery has the stop position set relative to the press detection position so that of the one-coin small wins, small win 14, small win 32, small win 33, small win 36, and small win 38, one-coin small win 14, small win 32, or small win 33 is given priority.When Cherry A is won, the one-coin small win will always be won regardless of the stop operation performed.

In addition, the stop control table that is referenced when Cherry B is won in the internal lottery sets the stop position relative to the press detection position so that the three-coin minor win 7 takes priority over the one-coin minor win 36. When Cherry B is won, there are cases where the three-coin minor win is won, and cases where neither win is won.

In addition, the stop control table referenced when JAC1 wins in the internal lottery has the stop position set relative to the press detection position so that a 9-coin minor win is guaranteed, and the stop control table referenced when JAC2 wins in the internal lottery has the stop position set relative to the press detection position so that a 1-coin minor win is guaranteed.

In addition, for various replay winning patterns such as Replay A and Replay B, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that one of the replays included in the winning pattern will always win, regardless of the type of stop operation.

Furthermore, the Big Bonus (BB) can only be won if the Big Bonus (BB) is won alone in the normal state; there are no losses when the BB is formed, and since there are always overlapping wins of small winning combinations or replays with higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set in the stop control table to prevent the Big Bonus (BB) from being won.

The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the first reel R1 through the third reel R3. Specifically, the winning determination means 140 references a winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a to determine whether the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when all of the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 have stopped corresponds to a predetermined winning combination. The winning determination table is then prepared so that, as shown in Figures 10 through 15, the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when each reel has stopped can be used to determine whether a big bonus (BB), replay 1 through replay 4, or small bonus 1 through small bonus 38 has been achieved.

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a winning combination is achieved, a winning process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140. For example, when a small combination is achieved, the payout control means 150 performs a medal payout process; when a replay is achieved, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process; and when a bonus is achieved, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process to transition the game state.

The payout control means 150 performs payout control processing related to the payout of medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and the payout control means 150 controls the hopper unit HP (payout device) to pay out medals equivalent to the determined number of medals to be paid out.

The hopper unit HP performs the operation of paying out the number of medals instructed by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit HP is equipped with a payout medal detection switch 325 that activates each time a medal is paid out, and the payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit HP based on the input signal from the payout medal detection switch 325.

When medal credit storage (accumulation storage) is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed in which the number of payouts is added to the number of credits (number of medals stored as credits) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, and medals are virtually paid out.

When a replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs replay processing (replay processing) to set the next game in the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any medals. In other words, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number required for the next game without using any medals (including credit medals) held by the player, and the machine waits for the next game start operation using the start lever SL with an active line corresponding to the specified insertion number set.

As shown in FIG. 16, the game state control means 170 performs game state transition processing to transition the game state between the normal state, the BB established state, and the BB state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in a game state memory area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information memory means 190a. The game state transition condition may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

The normal state is a gaming state that corresponds to the initial state among multiple gaming states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the BB establishment state or the BB state. Specifically, if a big bonus (BB) is won in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) is not won, the game transitions to the BB establishment state, and if a big bonus (BB) is won and also won in the normal state, the game transitions to the BB state. Furthermore, in the normal state, the internal lottery is conducted by referencing internal lottery table 1, of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, where the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1/7.3 or higher and the big bonus (BB) is set as a lottery item.

The BB established state is a game state that is entered when a Big Bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery in the normal state, but the Big Bonus (BB) is not won. Of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, the probability of winning a replay is higher than in internal lottery table 1, so a miss (non-win) does not occur, and an internal lottery is held using internal lottery table 2, which excludes the Big Bonus (BB) from the lottery.

Furthermore, in the BB state, the lottery flag corresponding to the Big Bonus (BB) remains in the winning state until the Big Bonus (BB) is won. Note that in this embodiment, the symbol combination indicating the Big Bonus (BB) winning form is not displayed on the pay line in the BB state, so once the gaming state transitions to the BB state, it will not transition back to the BB state.

The BB state is a game state that is entered when a symbol combination indicating a big bonus (BB) winning form is displayed on an active line. Of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, an internal lottery is conducted using internal lottery table 3, which has a different method of drawing small winning combinations from internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

In addition, in the BB state, the total number of medals paid out during play in the BB state determines whether the termination condition has been met, and if it is determined that more than a predetermined number of medals (e.g., 83 medals) have been paid out, the game state control means 170 controls the BB state to end and return the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, count information regarding the number of medals paid out in the BB state is stored in the game state memory area 1916.

As shown in Figure 17, the AT control means 175 changes the presentation state between multiple presentation states including the initial presentation state, normal presentation state, and AT state, sets the presentation state to the AT state under predetermined conditions, determines whether the AT state termination conditions are met based on the values of the AT stock number counter 1920 and the AT game number counter 1921, and controls the termination of the AT state when the AT state termination conditions are met. In this embodiment, information indicating the current presentation state is stored in the presentation state memory area 1918 provided in the main RAM of the game information memory means 190a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the player is in the AT state, the AT control means 175 notifies the player of the correct batting order by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the correct batting order on the main display 300, which is a 7-segment display provided in the game information display unit DS, when a batting order chance role or batting order bell is won, thereby assisting in the winning of a 9-coin minor role (minor role 3 to minor role 6); and the presentation control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order on the liquid crystal display LCD when a batting order chance role or batting order bell is won, thereby providing a winning assistance presentation that assists in the winning of a 9-coin minor role (minor role 3 to minor role 6), allowing the player to play in an assist time game in which it is easier to win medals than when the player is in the initial presentation state or normal presentation state.

In addition, as shown in Figure 18, the AT control means 175 is capable of setting a normal zone (non-advantageous zone) and an advantageous zone, and in the normal zone, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state, which is the initial state, and a lottery is held to transition to an advantageous zone, and by winning the advantageous zone transition lottery, the advantageous zone is initiated, and the presentation state can be set to the AT state, provided that the zone is an advantageous zone.

The AT control means 175 then conducts a lottery to determine whether a player will transition to a favorable zone during play in the normal zone when the presentation state remains in the normal state or the BB state. In the normal state, the AT control means 175 conducts a lottery to determine whether a player will transition to a favorable zone based on whether a winning pattern is obtained in the internal lottery: special role group a + BB, special role group b, batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, common bell a, common bell b, cherry a + BB, cherry b, common 1-piece role + BB, or normal replay a. In the normal state, there are cases where a winning pattern is obtained in which a big bonus (BB) is won alone, in which case the lottery to determine whether a player will transition to a favorable zone is not conducted. Additionally, in the BB formation state, an advantageous zone transition lottery is held based on whether the internal lottery results in a winning pattern of special role group a, special role group b, batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, common bell a, common bell b, cherry a, cherry b, common 1-piece role, or normal replay a. In the BB formation state, there are cases where the winning pattern of normal replay b is obtained, but in that case, the advantageous zone transition lottery is not held.

In the advantageous zone transition lottery, the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the advantageous zone transition lottery table stored in the main lottery table memory area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won (advantageous zone win) based on the comparison result. In the advantageous zone transition lottery table, a win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery that is associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery, and it is determined that the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won if the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery and is associated with a win in the advantageous zone transition lottery table.

When the AT control means 175 wins the advantageous zone transition lottery in the normal zone, it performs advantageous zone transition processing based on the win in the advantageous zone transition lottery, starts the advantageous zone from the next game of the game that won the advantageous zone transition lottery, and sets the presentation state to the normal presentation state. In this embodiment, low-probability mode and high-probability mode can be set as the selection mode for the AT lottery in the normal presentation state. When the normal presentation state is in the normal presentation state, the game remains in either selection mode, and when the presentation state transitions to the normal presentation state, a mode determination lottery is conducted and the lottery mode is determined based on the result of the mode determination lottery. The mode determination lottery obtains a random number value between 0 and 255 associated with the stop operation corresponding to the third stop of the game that transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state, and obtains either the low-probability mode or the high-probability mode corresponding to this random number value as the selection result. In this embodiment, the mode determination lottery is conducted in a manner such that the low-probability mode is more likely to be selected than the high-probability mode. Note that games that transition the presentation state to the normal presentation state are games in which the advantageous zone transition lottery is won, or games in which the AT state ends in the advantageous zone. In games in which the advantageous zone transition lottery is won, a mode determination lottery is held as part of the advantageous zone transition process, and in games in which the AT state ends in the advantageous zone, a mode determination lottery is held as part of the process to return the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

In addition, the winning pattern of the advantageous zone transition lottery may be, for example, two types: low probability of winning and high probability of winning, and the advantageous zone transition process may determine whether the lottery mode should be transitioned to low probability mode or high probability mode. In this case, if the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery is a low probability of winning, the lottery mode can be set to low probability mode in the advantageous zone transition process, and if the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery is a high probability of winning, the lottery mode can be set to high probability mode in the advantageous zone transition process.

The AT control means 175 conducts an AT lottery in the advantageous zone when the game state is in the BB state and the presentation state is in the normal presentation state. Specifically, the AT lottery is conducted based on whether the internal lottery results in a winning pattern of special role group A, special role group B, cherry A, cherry B, common bell A, common bell B, or normal replay A. In this embodiment, the AT lottery is not conducted when the game state is in the normal state or BB state. However, the AT lottery may be configured to be conducted when the game state is in at least one of the normal state and the BB state.

In the AT lottery, when a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the AT lottery is obtained, a random number value between 0 and 255 is obtained. The obtained random number value is compared with the AT lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and whether or not the AT lottery has been won is determined based on the comparison result. In the AT lottery table, AT wins and losses are assigned to random number values for the AT lottery, and if the random number value obtained for the AT lottery is associated with an AT win in the AT lottery table, it is determined that the AT lottery has been won. Note that in this embodiment, the probability of winning the AT differs between low-probability mode and high-probability mode, and the probability of winning the AT is set higher in high-probability mode than in low-probability mode. However, in this embodiment, for special role group A and special role group B, the AT lottery result is always an AT win in both low-probability mode and high-probability mode.

In addition, in this embodiment, if a winning pattern other than the batting order bell is obtained that triggers the execution of the AT lottery, the AT lottery is executed before the stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated. However, for the AT lottery when the batting order bell is won, the AT lottery is executed when a one-coin small role included in the winning batting order bell is won. Therefore, in a game where the batting order bell is won, the AT lottery is not executed if a nine-coin small role is won or if no role is won. Note that the AT lottery may be executed with the same execution trigger as when other winning patterns are obtained when the batting order bell is won, and then the result of the AT lottery may be invalidated based on the fact that a one-coin small role is not won. In addition, in this embodiment, if the first stop operation stops the first reel R1 when the batting order bell is won, a one-coin small role will always be won, so the AT lottery may be executed when the first stop operation stops the first reel R1.

Furthermore, when the AT control means 175 is in the low-probability mode during normal presentation, it updates the value of the high-probability transition counter 1919 when a one-coin minor combination is won in a game in which the batting order bell is won; however, if a nine-coin minor combination is won even when the batting order bell is won, or if no combination is won, the value of the high-probability transition counter 1919 is not updated. In this embodiment, when the normal presentation is in low-probability mode and the AT control means 175 is in low-probability mode, it draws a high-probability transition subtraction value to determine whether the subtraction value for updating the high-probability transition counter 1919 is "3" or "29", and subtracts the determined subtraction value from the value of the high-probability transition counter 1919.

The high probability transition subtraction value lottery obtains a random number between 0 and 255 when a 1-coin minor win occurs during a game in which the batting order bell is won, and the subtraction value that is pre-assigned to this random number, either "3" or "29," is selected as the lottery result.

The AT control means 175 then determines that the high probability transition condition has been met based on the value of the high probability transition counter 1919 reaching the initial value "0" in low probability mode, and transitions the lottery mode to high probability mode. When staying in high probability mode in the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 conducts a drop-out lottery based on the winning of batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, or a common 1-piece role. In the drop-out lottery, the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the drop-out lottery table stored in the main lottery table memory area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the drop-out lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the fall-out lottery table, a fall-out win or loss is assigned to a random number value for the internal lottery associated with the winning pattern that triggers the execution of the fall-out lottery, and if the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with either the batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, or a common 1-piece role, and is also associated with a fall-out win in the fall-out lottery table, it is determined that the fall-out lottery has been won. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 determines that the high-probability termination condition has been met based on the lottery result of the fall-out lottery being a fall-out win, and transitions the lottery mode to the low-probability mode.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the presentation state is transitioned to the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 sets the ceiling counter 1924 to a predetermined value of "1024", and performs a process of subtracting a subtraction value corresponding to the result of an internal lottery from the value of the ceiling counter 1924 each time a game is played in the normal presentation state. In particular, in this embodiment, when the batting order bell is won, the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is subtracted on the condition that a 1-coin small combination is won, and the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is not updated if a 9-coin small combination is won or if no combination is won.

The AT control means 175 then controls the transition of the presentation state from the normal presentation state to the AT state based on whether the result of the AT lottery is an AT win or the value of the ceiling counter 1924 reaches the initial value "0". Furthermore, based on the decision to transition to the AT state, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value of "1" to the AT stock number counter 1920, and when transitioning the presentation state to the AT state upon the end of a game in which the condition for transitioning to the AT state is met (a game in which the lottery result is an AT win or a game in which the value of the ceiling counter 1924 reaches the initial value "0"), it subtracts a fixed value of "1" from the AT stock number counter 1920 and sets the value "30" in the AT game number counter 1921, which corresponds to 30 plays, which is the number of plays that constitutes the condition for terminating the AT state.

The AT control means 175 then plays an assist time game based on the fact that the presentation state is the AT state, and subtracts a fixed value of "1" equivalent to one game from the value of the AT game number counter 1921 each time an assist time game is played. In this embodiment, when a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, or batting order bell group d is won in the AT state, a correct batting order notification that notifies the player of the correct batting order and a winning assistance presentation are performed.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 notifies the correct batting order related to the batting order bell, the operation instruction number corresponding to the correct batting order corresponding to the selected batting order bell ("03" (batting order 3), "04" (batting order 4), "05" (batting order 5), "06" (batting order 6)) is displayed on the main display 300.

In addition, when the presentation state is in the AT state in the advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 conducts an additional lottery based on whether special role group A, special role group B, cherry A, cherry B, common bell A, or common bell B is won in the internal lottery. In the additional lottery, when a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the additional lottery is obtained, a random number value between 0 and 255 is obtained, and the obtained random number value is compared with the additional lottery table stored in the main lottery table memory area 1910 to determine whether the additional lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the additional lottery table, an additional win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the additional lottery, and it is determined that the additional lottery has been won if the random number value obtained for the additional lottery is associated with an additional win in the additional lottery table. Note that the additional lottery, which is conducted when a winning pattern belonging to either special role group A or special role group B is obtained, is designed to always result in an additional win. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value of "1" to the AT stock number counter 1920 based on the result of the additional lottery being an additional win.

Then, when the value of the AT game number counter 1921, which is subtracted by a fixed value each time assist time play is performed in the AT state, reaches the initial value "0", if the AT stock number > 0, the AT control means 175 subtracts a fixed value "1" from the value of the AT stock number counter 1920 and resets the value of the AT game number counter 1921 to "30" to continue the AT state, and if the AT stock number = 0, it determines that the termination condition has been met because the AT game number = 0 and the AT stock number = 0, and returns the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

In addition, in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the first clear counter 1922 stored in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to a predetermined value of "1" during the advantageous zone transition process. During the advantageous zone, the value of the first clear counter 1922 is incrementally updated by adding a fixed value (e.g., 1) equivalent to one game of play to the value of the first clear counter 1922 each time a game is played. When the value of the first clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold value (e.g., 1500) (when the value of the first clear counter 1922 reaches "1501"), it is determined that the advantageous zone termination condition has been met. In this embodiment, the first clear counter 1922 is updated after all rotating reels in each game have stopped, but the first clear counter 1922 may be updated at any trigger as long as it is predetermined for each game. For example, the update may be triggered by operating the start lever SL to start play.

In addition, in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the second clear counter 1923 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to the initial value "0" during the advantageous zone transition process, and during the advantageous zone, updates the value of the second clear counter 1923 according to the difference in the number of medals in each game, subtracts the value "3" corresponding to the number of medals inserted in the game (3 medals) from the value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "15" if 15 medals are paid out, and "0" if no winning combination is achieved and no medals are paid out), to obtain the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in that game, and performs an update process in which this calculation result is added to the value of the second clear counter 1923, and if the value of the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value (for example, 2400), it is determined that the condition for ending the advantageous zone has been met. The value of the second clear counter 1923 is controlled so that it does not fall below its initial value of "0." For example, if the value of the second clear counter 1923 is "2" at the start of a game and no winning combination is achieved as a result of the game, and no medals are paid out, the calculation result for the difference in the number of medals for that game will be "-3." Adding the calculation result for the difference in the number of medals to the value of the second clear counter 1923 will result in a value below the initial value of "0." However, the updated value of the second clear counter 1923 is counted and stopped with the initial value of "0" as its lower limit. Furthermore, if a replay is won during a game, the difference in the number of medals is calculated by treating the game in which the replay was won as having paid out medals equivalent to the specified number of medals for that game, and the next game, which is provided free of charge due to the replay winning, as having inserted medals equivalent to the specified number of medals for that game, even if no actual medals were inserted, and the difference in the number of medals is calculated by treating the same as the game in which the replay was won.

Furthermore, in the advantageous zone, the first clear counter 1922 and the second clear counter 1923 are updated even if a transition in the game state or presentation state occurs, as long as the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are not met.

The AT control means 175 also performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a based on the end of the advantageous period. In particular, in this embodiment, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190, the information stored in the presentation status storage area 1918, high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 is initialized by an initialization process based on the end of the advantageous period. More specifically, storage areas in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a other than the presentation status storage area 1918, high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 are designated as information storage areas, and information stored in storage areas other than the information storage areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, when initialization processing is performed upon the end of the advantageous zone, unlike when initialization processing is performed in setting change mode, in addition to the setting value storage area 1913 and credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and game status storage area 1916 are also designated as information storage areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization processing upon the end of the advantageous zone. When initialization processing is performed upon the end of the advantageous zone, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values of the high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values (e.g., 0), and the game returns to the normal zone.

In this embodiment, an initialization process is executed upon the end of the advantageous period to return to the normal period, so if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value while remaining in the AT state, the initialization process upon the end of the advantageous period forces each AT state to terminate, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values of the high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values (e.g., 0). Furthermore, if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds the threshold value while the game is in another presentation state, the current presentation state is forcibly terminated by initialization processing associated with the end of the advantageous period, and the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values of the high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values (e.g., 0). Note that in this embodiment, the presentation state is not initialized by turning the power on/off. However, when the game is started in setting change mode, even if initialization processing is performed in setting change mode, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values of the high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values (e.g., 0).

In addition, in this embodiment, the advantageous zone begins when the advantageous zone transition lottery is won in the normal zone, and within the advantageous zone, the presentation state is set to AT state under specified conditions and assist time play is performed; however, even after the AT state ends, the advantageous zone is maintained as long as the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are not met. In other words, in this embodiment, since the advantageous zone continues even after the AT state ends, there are cases where the player remains in the advantageous zone even when the presentation state transitions to a presentation state different from the AT state.

The AT control means 175 also controls the LED built into the section indicator SEC to light up when a favorable section begins, thereby indicating that the vehicle is currently in the favorable section, and to turn off the LED built into the section indicator SEC when the favorable section ends. In this embodiment, the LED built into the section indicator SEC is turned off during normal sections, so it is possible to determine whether or not the vehicle is currently in the favorable section by checking the lighting status of the section indicator SEC.

In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 is configured to start or end advantageous zone notification, which notifies the user that the vehicle is currently in an advantageous zone, based on the value of the first clear counter 1922. For example, when a predetermined value of "1" is set to the first clear counter 1922 upon transition to an advantageous zone, advantageous zone notification is started when the value of the first clear counter 1922 becomes greater than the initial value of "0" (the value of the first clear counter 1922 is not the initial value of "0"); and when the value of the first clear counter 1922 is initialized to the initial value of "0" upon the end of the advantageous zone and transition to a normal zone, advantageous zone notification is ended when the value of the first clear counter 1922 becomes the initial value of "0".

The interval indicator SEC does not need to be a dedicated unit as in this embodiment, and may also serve as the main display 300. For example, whether or not the player is in an advantageous interval can be indicated by switching the dot display unit, which displays decimal points and the like, on and off on the seven-segment display; the dot display unit can be turned off in normal intervals, and turned on in advantageous intervals to notify the player of the advantageous interval. Furthermore, when an advantageous interval begins, an LED built into the interval indicator SEC lights up to immediately notify the player of the advantageous interval, but the advantageous interval may also be a non-notification interval that does not notify the player of the advantageous interval until a predetermined number of plays have been played since the start of the advantageous interval, or a non-notification interval that does not notify the player of the advantageous interval until the first correct batting order notification in the advantageous interval is executed.

The effect control means 180 controls the display effects performed using the display device 330 (an example of an effect device) and the sound effects performed using the sound device 340 (an example of an effect device) based on the effect data stored in the effect data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b. For example, in response to game events such as the insertion of a medal, operation of the bet button B0, start lever SL, or stop buttons B1-B3, or changes in the game status, the effect control means 180 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game or assist the game depending on the progress of the game. The content of the effects executed during the game is determined by referencing the effect lottery table stored in the sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b, depending on the game status, effect status, the results of the internal lottery, etc. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into an image buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1928 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD. Sound data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into a sound buffer 1929 provided in the sub-RAM, and sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1929 is output from the speaker SP.

When the presentation state is the AT state, the presentation control means 180 controls the display device 330 and sound device 340 to execute a winning support presentation that notifies the player of the correct batting order when the batting order bell is won and supports the winning of 9 small prizes (small prizes 3 to 6).

In addition, when playing in the AT state, the presentation control means 180 controls the execution of a remaining number display presentation that displays the number of plays remaining until the AT state ends on the display device 330, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). In the remaining number display presentation, when the value of the AT game number counter 1921 is decremented by playing, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of plays also decreases to reflect the decrement.

The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the functions of the game control means 100 of this embodiment can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD, or from a web server on the Internet via a network. In the above computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, pointing device (such as a mouse), touch panel, or controller. In the above computer system, the reel unit 310, hopper unit HP, etc. are not essential components, and these device units can virtually realize their functions by controlling the images displayed on the display (display device 330).

2. Method of this embodiment In this embodiment, the winning patterns of the small prize are the batting order bell a group (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6), the batting order bell b group (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6), the batting order bell c group (batting order bell c3 to batting order bell c6), and the batting order bell d group (batting order bell d3 to batting order bell d6). In the BB formation state, for any of the batting order bells belonging to the batting order bell a group to the batting order bell d group, it is possible to win a 9-piece small prize by performing a stop operation according to the correct batting order according to the winning pattern. In the normal state, it is not possible to win a 9-piece small prize for the batting order bell a group and the batting order bell b group, but it is possible to win a 9-piece small prize for the batting order bell c group and the batting order bell d group, as in the BB formation state. In this embodiment, the difference in stop control between the normal state and the BB formation state will be explained using the example of a case where the batting order bell a3 belonging to the batting order bell a group wins.

Figure 19 shows the winning combination when the batting order bell A3 is selected in a BB state.

As shown in Figure 19, when the winning pattern of batting order bell a3 is obtained in the BB formation state, small prize 3, small prize 16, small prize 17, small prize 24, small prize 27, small prize 28, and big bonus (BB) are won, and if the order of stopping operations is batting order 3 (B2 → B1 → B3), small prize 3, which is a 9-coin small prize, will be won.

The following explains how to stop the reels in batting order 3 when batting order bell a3 is won in a BB state.

When the stop button B2 is pressed while the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 are spinning, and the detected position of the first stop operation for the second reel R2 is number 6, as shown in Figure 20 (A), the stop position of the first reel R1 is determined using payout number priority control, since the first stop operation is in accordance with the correct hitting order.

Specifically, the symbols within the pull-in range for the push detection position of number 6 on the second reel R2 are as shown in Figure 21, and the highest number of medals will be paid out when the replay symbol "RP" is displayed on an active line.

As shown in Figure 20(B), the second reel R2 is stopped so that the replay symbol "RP" for number 5 is displayed on the pay line. Then, as shown in Figure 20(C), when the second reel R2 stops, the winning combinations that can be won among the small combinations included in the batting order bell a3 are small combination 3, small combination 24, and small combination 27.

Next, when the stop button B1 is pressed while the second reel R2 is stopped and the first and third reels R1 and R3 are spinning, and the press detection position of the second stop operation for the first reel R1 is number 7 as shown in FIG. 22(A), the symbols present within the pull-in range for this press detection position are as shown in FIG. 23, and the symbols that can display the symbol combination representing the winning combination of a possible winning combination are the BAR symbol a "BARa" and the bell symbol a "BLa." Here, the BAR symbol a "BLa" can win a 1-coin small combination, and the bell symbol a "BLa" can win a 9-coin small combination. Therefore, payout number priority control prioritizes the winning of the 9-coin small combination, and the first reel R1 is stopped so that the bell symbol a "BLa" of number 6 is displayed on the pay line as shown in FIG. 22(B). Then, as shown in Figure 22 (C), when the first reel R1 stops, of the small winning combinations included in the batting order bell a3, the only winning combination that can be won is small winning combination 3.

Finally, when the spinning third reel R3 is stopped, the replay symbol "RP" on the third reel R3 is positioned in a way that allows it to be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position, so minor win 3 will always be won. For example, if the press detection position on the third reel R3 is number 8, as shown in Figure 22 (D), the third reel R3 will stop in a position that displays the replay symbol "RP" number 4 on the active line, and minor win 3 will be won.

Figure 24 shows the winning combination when the batting order bell A3 is obtained in normal mode.

As shown in Figure 24, when the winning pattern of batting order bell a3 is obtained in the normal state, small wins 3, 16, 17, 24, 27, and 28 are won, and even if the stopping operation order is batting order 3 (B2 → B1 → B3), the winning of small win 3, which is a 9-coin small win, is avoided. Note that even if the stopping operation order is other than batting order 3, the winning of the 9-coin small win is also avoided.

The following explains how to stop the reels in batting order 3 when batting order bell A3 is won under normal circumstances.

When the stop button B2 is pressed while the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 are spinning, and the detected position of the first stop operation for the second reel R2 is number 6, as shown in Figure 20 (A), the first stop operation is not in the correct order, so the stop position of the first reel R1 is determined using number priority control.

Specifically, the symbols present within the pull-in range for the push detection position of number 6 on second reel R2 are as shown in Figure 25, and the largest number of symbol combinations that indicate winning combinations that can be displayed on an active line is when the replay symbol "RP" is displayed on an active line.

As shown in Figure 20(B), the second reel R2 is stopped so that the replay symbol "RP" for number 5 is displayed on the pay line. Then, as shown in Figure 20(C), when the second reel R2 stops, the winning combinations that can be won among the small combinations included in the batting order bell a3 are small combination 3, small combination 24, and small combination 27.

In this embodiment, if the first stop operation stops the second reel R2 when the batting order bell a3 is won, the second reel R2 will stop in the same manner in both payout number priority control and quantity priority control. This is because even if the first stop operation is in line with the correct batting order for each batting order bell, the second stop operation may result in an incorrect batting order, and the stop position is determined so that the symbols common to the 9-coin minor combination and the 1-coin minor combination are drawn onto the active line.

Next, when the stop button B1 is pressed while the second reel R2 is stopped and the first reel R1 and third reel R3 are spinning, and the press detection position for the second stop operation on the first reel R1 is number 7 as shown in Figure 26 (A), the symbols present within the pull-in range for this press detection position are as shown in Figure 23, and the symbols that can display the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the possible winning combination are the BAR symbol a "BARa" and the bell symbol a "BLa". Here, the BAR symbol a "BLa" has two symbol combinations that can be displayed on an active line to represent winning combinations, and the bell symbol a "BLa" has one symbol combination that can be displayed on an active line to represent winning combinations. Therefore, number priority control prioritizes the display of the BAR symbol a "BARa," and as shown in Figure 26 (B), the first reel R1 is stopped so that the seventh BAR symbol a "BARa" is displayed on the active line. Then, as shown in Figure 26 (C), when the first reel R1 has stopped, of the minor combinations included in the batting order bell a3, the only winning combination that can be won is minor combination 24.

Finally, when stopping the third reel R3 while it is spinning, if the third stop operation is performed at a press detection position on the third reel R3 that includes the No. 2 watermelon symbol "WM" or the No. 7 red 7 symbol "Red 7b" within its pull-in range, a minor win 24 will be awarded. For example, as shown in FIG. 26(D), if the press detection position on the third reel R3 is No. 8, as shown in FIG. 26(E), the third reel R3 will stop at a position that displays the No. 7 red 7 symbol "Red 7b" on the pay line, and a minor win 24 will be awarded. Note that if the press detection position for the third stop operation on the third reel R3 does not include either the No. 2 watermelon symbol "WM" or the No. 7 red 7 symbol "Red 7b" within its pull-in range, the third reel R3 will stop in a manner that does not award any winning combination.

In this embodiment, if the stop operation is performed according to batting order 3 when a BB is formed, a 9-coin minor win can be achieved; however, if the stop operation is performed according to batting order 3 in normal conditions, the 9-coin minor win will be avoided, and a 1-coin minor win will occur, or a win will be missed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if any batting order bell is won, there is still a possibility of falling from the correct batting order to the incorrect batting order when the first stop operation is performed, so the stop control is switched according to the game state when the second stop operation is performed.

Figure 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the process for switching stop control during the second stop operation.

First, when the batting order bell is won, stop data for the correct batting order and stop data for the incorrect batting order are set as reference data (step S100). The stop data for the correct batting order is stop data that prioritizes the display of symbols that make up the winning combination of a 9-coin minor win on the active line, and the stop data for the incorrect batting order is stop data that prioritizes the display of symbols that make up the winning combination of a 1-coin minor win on the active line.

If it is not the first stop operation (N in step S101) or the third stop operation (N in step S102), a check is made to see if the winning batting order bell belongs to either batting order bell group c or batting order bell group d (step S103).

If the winning batting order bell belongs to batting order bell group c or batting order bell group d (Y in step S103), the process skips step S104, which determines the game status, and proceeds to step S105 and subsequent steps.

If the winning batting order bell belongs to either group a or group b (N in step S103), a check is made to see if the game state is normal (step S104), and if the game state is normal (Y in step S104), the referenced stop data is updated to stop data for an incorrect batting order (step S107).

On the other hand, if the game state is a BB established state (N in step S104), a check is made to see if the second stop operation is in accordance with the correct batting order (step S105). If it is in accordance with the correct batting order (N in step S105), the referenced stop data is updated to stop data for the correct batting order (step S106). If it is not in accordance with the correct batting order (Y in step S105), the referenced stop data is updated to stop data for an incorrect batting order (step S106).

In this embodiment, in a game in which the batting order bell is won, the type of batting order bell that was won is determined at the time of the second stop operation, and if it is determined that it belongs to batting order bell group a or batting order bell group b, the current game state is determined and the process is branched to switch the stop control.

According to the present embodiment described above, for batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, it is not possible to win a 9-coin small prize in the normal state, but a 9-coin small prize is possible in the BB state, and for batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d, a 9-coin small prize is possible in both the normal state and the BB state, making it possible to suitably adjust the medal acquisition performance in each game state.

Figure 28 is a schematic diagram comparing medal acquisition performance (here, expected ball payout rate) in each game state in this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 28, in the normal state, batting order 1, 2 < batting order 3-6, and even in the BB state, batting order 1, 2 < batting order 3-6. In other words, in the normal state and the BB state, a game method that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first is more advantageous in terms of expected ball payout rate than a game method that stops the first reel R1 first. In the BB state, there is no bias in the expected ball payout rate depending on the order of the stop operations.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 28, when comparing the difference in expected ball payout rate between game states, for batting orders 3 to 6, normal state < BB state < BB established state, and it can be seen that in a game method in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first, the BB state has a higher expected ball payout rate than the normal state, and furthermore, the BB established state has a higher expected ball payout rate than the BB state.

In a specification like this embodiment, where the medal acquisition potential is higher for batting orders 3 to 6 (a game method in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first) than for batting orders 1 and 2 (a game method in which the first reel R1 stops first), it is necessary to design the expected value of the payout rate for batting orders 3 to 6 at a high level so that it does not fall below the lower limit of the payout rate range set by the rules.

In this embodiment, by designing the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state to be low, even if the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state is increased, it does not exceed the upper limit of the ball payout rate range set by the rules, and design freedom can be ensured to the extent that the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state is lowered. With regard to the BB state, since it is required that the medal acquisition performance in the BB state exceeds the medal acquisition performance in the normal state, in order to lower the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state, it becomes necessary to design the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state to be low.

However, a comparison of medal acquisition performance between normal and BB states involves a comparison with the playing method with the highest expected ball payout rate in normal states, and therefore a comparison with batting orders 3 to 6, which have the highest expected ball payout rates, which would hinder a design that reduces medal acquisition performance in BB state.

Therefore, in order to lower the medal acquisition performance in the normal state, which serves as an indicator for designing the medal acquisition performance in the BB state, the control rules for stop control in the normal state are made different between when the BB is established and when the batting order bell is won, thereby limiting the winning of small winning combinations with high payouts and achieving the desired effect. However, in specifications such as this embodiment that recommend a playing method of stopping the first reel R1 first when playing in a favorable zone in the normal presentation state, it may be necessary to maintain the relationship between the magnitude of the expected ball payout rate for each stop operation order in the normal state and when the BB is established, in order to treat a playing method of stopping the second reel R2 or third reel R3 first as unfavorable.

For this reason, in this embodiment, batting order bell groups a and b are provided as batting order bell groups with different control rules in the normal state and the BB state, and batting order bell groups c and d are provided as batting order bell groups with the same control rules in the normal state and the BB state. By making it impossible for batting order bell groups a and b to win a 9-coin minor combination in the normal state, the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state is lowered while maintaining the magnitude relationship of the expected value of the ball payout rate between the order of stop operations, and as a result, the effect of ensuring a sufficient reduction in the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state can be achieved.

In this embodiment, the gaming method in which reels other than the first reel R1 are stopped first is explained using an example in which the expected value of the payout rate is the same, but as long as the difference is only slight, it does not have to be completely the same.

In addition, in this embodiment, when providing a group of batting order bells in which the control rules for stop control differ between the BB formation state and the normal state, and a group of batting order bells in which the control rules for stop control are the same between the normal state and the BB formation state, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell a3 and batting order bell c4, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell a4 and batting order bell c3, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell a5 and batting order bell c6, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell a6 and batting order bell c5, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell b3 and batting order bell d4, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell b4 and batting order bell d3, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell b5 and batting order bell d6, and the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell b6 and batting order bell d5. That is, in the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group c, the combination of one-piece small wins where small win 3 overlaps and the combination of one-piece small wins where small win 4 overlaps are swapped, and the combination of one-piece small wins where small win 5 overlaps and the combination of one-piece small wins where small win 6 overlaps are swapped. In the batting order bell group b and the batting order bell group d, the combination of one-piece small wins is swapped in a similar manner. In this way, according to this embodiment, by swapping the combination of one-piece small wins and overlapping nine-piece small wins, it is possible to increase the number of types of batting order bells without increasing the number of types of one-piece small wins.

In addition, in this embodiment, there are four types (small prizes 3 to 6) of correct small prizes included in the batting order bell (small prizes that can be won in the correct batting order: in this embodiment, 9 small prizes) and in each batting order bell, small prizes 3 to 6 do not win in duplicate, but in the BB state, small prizes 3 to 6 can win in duplicate in JAC1. This reduces the chances of winning a correct small prize in the BB state compared to the BB state, thereby lowering the expected ball payout rate in the BB state.

When adopting a method for lowering the expected value of the payout rate in a BB state, as in this embodiment, the effect of lowering the expected value of the payout rate can be further achieved by increasing the number of correct minor winning combinations that can be won without overlapping in the normal state or when a BB is formed.

For example, the example shown in Figure 29 provides eight types of correct minor roles (correct minor role 1 to correct minor role 8), with correct minor role 1 and correct minor role 5 set as correct minor roles exclusive to batting order 3, correct minor role 2 and correct minor role 6 set as correct minor roles exclusive to batting order 4, correct minor role 3 and correct minor role 7 set as correct minor roles exclusive to batting order 5, and correct minor role 4 and correct minor role 8 set as correct minor roles exclusive to batting order 6. Correct minor roles 1 to 4 are used to form batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, and correct minor roles 5 to 8 are used to form batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d. In this way, the number of correct minor roles is increased compared to the embodiment described above, significantly reducing the chances of winning a correct minor role in BB state, and as a result, a significant reduction in the expected value of the payout rate in BB state can be ensured.

In addition, in this embodiment, there is no batting order bell that awards the correct minor winning combination with batting order 1 or batting order 2, which are the order of the stopping operations that first stop the first reel R1, as the correct batting order. However, it is also possible to configure a batting order bell that sets the correct batting order for batting order 1 and batting order 2. In this case, a group of batting order bells that normally do not allow the award of the correct minor winning combination can include a batting order bell that sets batting order 1 as the correct batting order and a batting order bell that sets batting order 2 as the correct batting order.

For example, in the example shown in Figure 30, six types of correct minor roles (correct minor role 1 to correct minor role 6) are provided, with correct minor role 1 set as the correct minor role exclusively for batting order 1, correct minor role 2 set as the correct minor role exclusively for batting order 2, correct minor role 3 set as the correct minor role exclusively for batting order 3, correct minor role 4 set as the correct minor role exclusively for batting order 4, correct minor role 5 set as the correct minor role exclusively for batting order 5, and correct minor role 6 set as the correct minor role exclusively for batting order 6. Correct minor roles 1 to 6 are used to form batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, and correct minor roles 3 to 6 are used to form batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d. In this way, even if it becomes impossible to win the correct small winning combination in the normal state for the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group b, the effect of lowering the expected value of the ball payout rate can be achieved without bias in the order of the stopping operations, so the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state can be lowered while maintaining the relationship in magnitude between the expected values of the ball payout rate for each of the stopping operation orders in the normal state and the BB formation state.

In addition, by using a different correct minor role for the batting order bell c group and the batting order bell d group than for the batting order bell a group and the batting order bell b group, it is possible to increase the variety of correct minor roles and ensure a reduction in the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state. For example, as shown in Figure 31, the correct minor roles that make up the batting order bell c group and the batting order bell d group may be correct minor role 7 exclusive to batting order 3, correct minor role 8 exclusive to batting order 4, correct minor role 9 exclusive to batting order 5, and correct minor role 10 exclusive to batting order 6.

In addition, in this embodiment, small prize 1 and small prize 2 are provided as 9-coin small prizes that do not constitute a hitting order bell, and these constitute common bell a and common bell b. When a common bell is won, the control rules for stop control are switched so that in the BB state, a 9-coin small prize is won regardless of the order of stop operations, whereas in the normal state, a 1-coin small prize is won regardless of the order of stop operations. In other words, according to this embodiment, the control rules for stop control are also switched for common bell a and common bell b according to the game state, which has the effect of lowering the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state. In this case, the expected value of the ball payout rate is lowered without bias in the order of stop operations, so the effect of lowering the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state can be achieved while maintaining the magnitude relationship between the expected values of the ball payout rate for each order of stop operations in the normal state and the BB state.

In addition, in this embodiment, with only the Batting Order Bell A group to the Batting Order Bell B group, there is a risk that the expected value of the payout rate for games that are not in the AT state (hereinafter referred to as non-AT games) will fall below the lower limit of the range of payout rates set by the rules. Therefore, the presence of Common Bell A and Common Bell B, which can win 9 small prizes regardless of the order of stop operations when a BB is formed, can raise the expected value of the payout rate for games that are not in the AT state.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the batting order bell is drawn, the correct batting order is determined at the time of the second stopping operation, but it may also be determined whether the batting order is correct or not at the time of the first stopping operation.

In addition, in this embodiment, with regard to the batting order bells a through d, the stop control is configured so that if the first stop operation stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 and is different from the correct batting order, the one-coin minor prize may not be awarded. This is because, in designing the high net increase specifications, the correct batting order is biased toward batting orders 3 through 6, which stop the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first, and this is to suppress an increase in the payout rate for non-AT play in these operation orders. In particular, in this embodiment, even if a stop operation is performed along batting orders 3 through 6 when a batting order bell is won in the normal presentation state, no penalty will be incurred for subsequent plays. Therefore, if there is a large discrepancy in the payout rate for non-AT play between batting orders 1 and 2 and batting orders 3 through 6, it becomes difficult to eliminate the strategy element that suggests it is better to play along batting orders 3 through 6, even if you take into account the fact that you will not be able to enter the AT lottery. Therefore, if the first stopping operation stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 and is not in the correct batting order, the winning rate for a single small combination can be reduced to 1/4, suppressing the increase in the payout rate for non-AT games in batting orders 3 to 6.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the batting order bell is won, if the stop operation is performed in the correct batting order, the 9-coin minor prize is guaranteed to be awarded. However, even if the stop operation is performed in the correct batting order, the 9-coin minor prize may not be awarded unless a stop operation is performed at a specific press detection position on any of the reels. In this case, the stop operation required at the specific press detection position may be at least one of the first stop operation, second stop operation, and third stop operation. The stop operation required at the specific press detection position may depend on the order of the stop operations, such as only the first stop operation, or the stop operation at the specific press detection position may be required only for a specific reel among the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 (the specific reel may be one or more). In other words, in this application, the phrase "a correct minor role can be won in a specific operation sequence" means that the correct minor role will always be won in a specific operation sequence, or that even in a specific operation sequence, there may be cases where the correct minor role is won and cases where the correct minor role is not won. Also, in this application, specific operation modes include operation modes in which the order of stop operations is specified but the touch detection position is not specified, and operation modes in which both the order of stop operations and the touch detection position are specified.

Also, when a lottery for transitioning to a favorable zone is conducted in the normal zone, a lottery result of the favorable zone win may be obtained and transition to the favorable zone is always made. In this embodiment, a lottery for transitioning to a favorable zone is conducted when a winning pattern other than normal replay b is obtained during play in a BB state in the normal zone. Therefore, by configuring the system to always transition to the favorable zone except when a winning pattern of normal replay b is obtained, the time spent in the normal zone can be reduced. Here, in this embodiment, when a BB is formed, stopping the first reel R1 first is compared to stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first, the expected value of medal acquisition is higher when stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first. Since processing related to transitioning to a favorable zone in the normal zone is executed in accordance with the results of an internal lottery, and there is no difference in the degree of advantage regardless of which reel is stopped first, a strategy element arises in which a game method of stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first becomes advantageous if the player stays in the normal zone for a long period of time. Furthermore, because the player can determine whether or not they are in a favorable zone by the favorable zone notification, it becomes easy for them to switch game methods based on the presence or absence of the favorable zone notification. Therefore, by extremely increasing the probability of transitioning to a favorable zone, it is possible to minimize situations in which it is advantageous to stop the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first. In particular, the method of increasing the favorable zone transition rate described above is suitable for game specifications designed to ensure that the sum of the number of medals paid out in the BB state and the number of medals paid out due to the correct batting order notification during assist time play, divided by the total number of medals paid out (the so-called instruction-included device ratio), does not exceed 70%, and this embodiment also employs similar game specifications.

In addition, in this embodiment, if the player is in a favorable zone while a BB is established, a ceiling function is installed so that the player will transition to the AT state at least once before the end of the favorable zone. This prevents the favorable zone from ending without transitioning to the AT state during a series of favorable zones, and without the player being notified of the correct batting order to win a 9-coin minor role. In this embodiment, the value of the ceiling counter is updated when the player is in the normal presentation state in the favorable zone, and is updated by a fixed value each time a game is played. An update is permitted only when the batting order bell is won, provided that a 1-coin minor role is won. However, the value may be updated based on the results of an internal lottery, or based on the game results, such as the winning of a role. Furthermore, with regard to updating the value of the ceiling counter, it is preferable to allow the value of the ceiling counter to approach a predetermined value when the stopping operation is performed in an operating sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), and not allow the value of the ceiling counter to approach a predetermined value when the stopping operation is performed in an operating sequence that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first (batting order 3 to 6). The reason for providing a specification that transitions to the AT state at least once during a series of advantageous periods is that, since the number of plays that constitutes the end condition for the advantageous period is 1,500, the possibility of falling below the lower limit of the range of ball payout rates in the so-called new mid-term test (1,600 G) is reduced as much as possible. In particular, in this embodiment, the medal acquisition potential for an operation sequence that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first (batting order 3 to batting order 6) is higher than the medal acquisition potential for an operation sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), and because it is difficult to acquire medals for an operation sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), if the advantageous period of 1500G is exhausted without even transitioning to the AT state, there is a possibility that the payout rate will be too low. For this reason, it is preferable to provide a ceiling function and allow the ceiling counter value required to activate the ceiling function to be updated for an operation sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2).

In addition, in this embodiment, common bell a and common bell b are provided as winning modes in which two or more medals are paid out when the first reel R1 is stopped first (striking order 1, 2) in a BB formation state, and the probability of obtaining either of these winning modes is at least 1/400.

In this embodiment, when a batting order bell belonging to any of batting order bell groups a to d is won in a BB formation state, performing the stopping operation in the operating sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2) will always result in a single small win. However, the lower limit of the payout rate range in the so-called short-term test is when the number of medals paid out exceeds 1/3 of the number of medals inserted, and a payout rate of 33.33333...% will not meet the short-term test. For this reason, in a gaming method in which the stopping operation is performed in the operating sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), it is necessary to provide a winning mode in which two or more medals are paid out at an appropriate frequency.

In this embodiment, therefore, winning possibilities for common bell a and common bell b are provided, and two or more medals are guaranteed to be paid out when the stopping operation is performed in the operating sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (hit order 1, 2). In this embodiment, the winning probability of common bell a and common bell b is approximately 1/64 each (combined probability of approximately 1/32), and since it is almost certain that one of the common bells will be obtained at least once during the 400G of the short-term test, a design that can be expected to be suitable for the short-term test is possible.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the order of stopping operations that may result in a 9-coin minor win when the batting order bell is won is biased toward stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first (batting order 3 to batting order 6), it is preferable to prevent the winning information of the batting order bell from being notified to the sub-board, at least during non-AT play. Furthermore, in situations where the player is in a favorable zone and operation instruction information is provided to the player, the winning information of the batting order bell may be notified to the sub-board, or the winning information of the batting order bell may not be notified to the sub-board at all, regardless of whether the play is during non-AT or AT play. Even if the winning information of the batting order bell is not notified to the sub-board, if operation instruction information corresponding to the correct batting order is notified to the sub-board when the main board notifies the correct batting order, the winning assistance effect can be executed on the sub-board. Therefore, it is possible to play the assist time game smoothly without notifying the winning information of the batting order bell itself. In this way, by preventing the notification of winning batting order bell information to the sub-board, at least for non-AT play, it is possible to prevent fraudulent activity such as modifying the sub-board to fraudulently determine winning batting order bells during non-AT play and thereby reduce the consumption of medals during non-AT play.

In addition, in this embodiment, the gaming machine inserts gaming media such as medals to play games, and pays out gaming media when winning combinations are achieved. However, games may also be played by consuming or granting gaming value as electronic information without using gaming media. For example, the gaming machine or an external unit connected to the gaming machine may be configured to store information about gaming value owned by the player, so that consuming gaming value by subtracting the number of gaming values is replaced by inserting gaming media, and granting gaming value by adding the number of gaming values is replaced by paying out gaming media.

BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window,
L1 valid line, DS game information display unit, LCD liquid crystal display,
BS Setting change button, KS Setting change key cylinder, SEC Section indicator,
EU power supply unit, ES power switch, SP speaker,
PS Reel unit storage space, MAIN Main board, SUB Sub board,
HP Hopper Unit, MT Medal Storage Tank, CB Cash Box,
R1 1st reel, R2 2nd reel, R3 3rd reel,
B0 bet button, SL start lever, B1 to B3 stop buttons,
MI medal insertion slot, MO medal dispensing slot, MP medal tray,
100 Game control means,
103 setting change means, 105 input acceptance means, 110 random number generation means,
120 Internal lottery means, 130 Reel control means, 140 Winning determination means,
150 payout control means, 160 replay processing means,
170 game state control means, 175 AT control means,
180 performance control means,
190a game information storage means, 1910 main lottery table storage area,
1911 Stop control table storage area, 1912 Winning determination table storage area,
1913 setting value storage area, 1914 credit information storage area,
1915 lottery flag storage area, 1916 game status storage area,
1918 performance state memory area, 1919 high probability transition counter,
1920 AT stock number counter, 1921 AT game number counter,
1922 first clear counter, 1923 second clear counter,
1924 ceiling counter,
190b performance information storage means, 1926 performance data storage area,
1927 Sub lottery table storage area,
1928 Image buffer, 1929 Sound buffer,
210 medal insertion switch, 220 bet switch, 230 start switch,
240 Stop switch, 250 Setting change permission switch,
260 setting change switch, 300 main display,
310 reel unit, 315 reel index,
325 payout medal detection switch, 330 display device, 340 sound device,

Claims (1)

a plurality of reels on the outer periphery of which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged;
An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a plurality of types of winning combinations including small winning combinations are won;
a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop in response to a stop operation in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery;
Equipped with
When a symbol combination showing a predetermined winning form for each winning combination is displayed on an active line, the winning combination is won, and when the winning combination of the minor winning combination is won, a game value according to the dividend of the winning minor winning combination is paid out.
As the winning mode of the small win, there are a plurality of specific winning modes in which at least the first small win, the second small win, the third small win, and the fourth small win are won in overlapping fashion,
The first small win is set to have a higher payout than the second small win, the third small win, and the fourth small win,
The second small win, the third small win, and the fourth small win are set to the same payout,
the plurality of reels are a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel;
a correct operation mode is set for each of the plurality of specific winning modes, and the operation mode that initially stops the first reel is not set as the correct operation mode for any of the specific winning modes;
There exist specific winning modes in which the operation mode for first stopping the second reel is the correct operation mode and there exist specific winning modes in which the operation mode for first stopping the third reel is the correct operation mode, but there does not exist specific winning modes in which the operation mode for first stopping the first reel is the correct operation mode,
The reel control means
In a game in which the specific winning mode has been obtained by the internal lottery, if a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode corresponding to the specific winning mode, the first minor role will be won, and if a stop operation is performed in a first unsuccessful operation mode that stops the first reel first among unsuccessful operation modes that are operation modes different from the correct operation mode corresponding to the specific winning mode, the second minor role will be won without fail, and the reel that stops first is different from the correct operation mode corresponding to the specific winning mode, and the stop operation is performed in a second unsuccessful operation mode that stops the second reel or the third reel first. In this case, depending on the timing of the stop operation, there are cases where the third minor role will win or where neither role will win, and the correct operation mode corresponding to the specific winning mode is the same as the reel that is stopped first, and when the stop operation is performed in the third failed operation mode in which the second reel or the third reel is stopped first, there are cases where the fourth minor role will win or where neither role will win, depending on the timing of the stop operation, and the gaming machine is controlled to stop the spinning reels so that the winning rate of the fourth minor role is higher than the winning rate of the third minor role.