JP7824673B2 - gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines.

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, have a feature that suggests the result of a special symbol determination in the symbol change immediately following the target symbol change. For example, see Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-99626

While this type of presentation is effective in terms of increasing the enjoyment of the game, there is still room for improvement in terms of increasing the enjoyment of the game.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the enjoyment of the game by executing a presentation that suggests the result of a win/loss judgment regarding the target pattern change that will be executed later.

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine which is equipped with a specific movable body which has a light-emitting part and is composed of one or more movable bodies, and which is capable of executing, as effects using the specific movable body, a first effect in which the specific movable body moves, and a second effect in which the light-emitting part is turned on without moving the specific movable body, and in which, in executing the first effect, the rate at which the first effect is executed during the execution of a specific pattern variation is higher when the second effect is executed with a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation than when the second effect is not executed with the predetermined pattern variation, or when the second effect is executed with a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation, the first effect can be executed with the specific pattern variation, and when the second effect is not executed with the predetermined pattern variation, the first effect is not executed with the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, and when a predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second effect with the predetermined pattern variation, the execution of the second effect is stopped, and the predetermined pattern variation is stopped. a specific effect can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation; a gaming machine is provided which is characterized in that the first effect can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the gaming machine is further provided with a separate device different from the specific movable body, and when the first effect is executed, a specific effect can be executed by the separate device in parallel with the first effect, the specified operation is performed during the execution of the second effect in the predetermined pattern variation, and when the first effect is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the specific effect can be executed in parallel with the first effect, and during at least a part of when the specified operation is performed during the execution of the second effect in the predetermined pattern variation and the first effect is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the first effect is controlled to be identical to the operation of the specific movable body at a specified time when the specified operation is not performed during the execution of the second effect in the predetermined pattern variation and the first effect is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, and the specific effect is controlled to be different from the presentation mode at the specified time.
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine which is provided with a specific movable body which is made up of one or more movable bodies, and which is capable of executing, as performances using the specific movable body, a first performance in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is equal to or greater than a specific movement amount, and a second performance in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is less than the specific movement amount, and in executing the first performance, the rate at which the first performance is executed during the execution of a specific pattern variation is higher than the rate at which the second performance is executed in a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation, or the first performance can be executed in a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation when the second performance is executed, and when the second performance is not executed in the predetermined pattern variation, the first performance is not executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, and when a predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, the execution of the second performance is stopped, and the predetermined pattern variation is stopped. a specific effect can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation; a gaming machine is provided which is characterized in that the first effect can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the gaming machine is further provided with a separate device different from the specific movable body, and when the first effect is executed, a specific effect can be executed by the separate device in parallel with the first effect, the specified operation is performed during the execution of the second effect in the predetermined pattern variation, and when the first effect is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the specific effect can be executed in parallel with the first effect, and during at least a part of when the specified operation is performed during the execution of the second effect in the predetermined pattern variation and the first effect is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the first effect is controlled to be identical to the operation of the specific movable body at a specified time when the specified operation is not performed during the execution of the second effect in the predetermined pattern variation and the first effect is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, and the specific effect is controlled to be different from the presentation mode at the specified time.

This invention provides a gaming machine that can enhance the excitement of the game by executing a presentation that suggests the result of a win/loss judgment for the target pattern change that will be executed later.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons and their surroundings arranged in the area III shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a gaming board installed in the gaming machine. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. 6(a) to 6(d) are diagrams showing the movable positions of the effect shield. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing is a winning combination, Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for drawing the special drawing 1 stopping pattern, and Figure 9(c) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for drawing the special drawing 2 stopping pattern. Figure 10(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for deriving a special chart variation pattern when in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for deriving a special chart variation pattern used when the special chart variation pattern HNP is determined. Figure 11(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 11(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. FIG. 12(a) is a table listing the items that can be set in game customization and their details, and FIG. 12(b) is a table listing the items that can be set in general customization and their details. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of game customization. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of general-purpose customization during non-playing. 15(a) to 15(c) are diagrams showing the operation patterns of the effect shielding device. 16(a) and 16(b) are diagrams showing specific examples of movable object pre-reading effects. Figures 17(a) and 17(b) are diagrams showing specific examples of movable object pre-reading effects. FIG. 18 shows a flow of the pre-reading effect control process. Figure 19(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used to determine whether or not to execute the lid-covering effect, and Figure 19(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used to determine the mode of the lid-covering effect. 20(a) to 20(c) are diagrams that schematically show lottery tables used for lottery execution of the pre-reading effect when the cover effect is not executed in the pattern variation that is the pre-reading target. 21(a) to 21(c) are diagrams that schematically show lottery tables used for lottery execution of the pre-reading effect when the cover effect is executed in the pattern variation of the pre-reading target. Figure 22(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used to determine the mode of the movable body pre-reading performance, and Figure 22(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used to determine the mode of the pattern pre-reading performance. Figures 23(a) to 23(d) are diagrams showing specific examples of when the middle cursor button is operated while a movable object pre-reading performance is being executed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front,""rear,""left,""right,""upper," and "lower" refer to the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front (player's side) as shown in FIG. 1 .
In the following explanation, "advantage (degree of advantage)" refers to an advantage for the player, and further, unless otherwise specified, refers to an advantage in terms of the amount of gaming media (gaming balls or medals) obtained, excluding aspects of presentation such as so-called premium images.

<Features of the present invention>
Before describing the details of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, the features of the invention (present invention) described in this embodiment will be described.
In addition, when explaining the features, the configuration in parentheses is an example of the configuration of this embodiment corresponding to the immediately preceding configuration, and the configuration may be described in parentheses for the same purpose in the explanation of the gaming machine 10 that follows this explanation.

The first invention according to the present invention is
A gaming machine that is equipped with a specific movable body (performance shielding body 85) that has a light-emitting part and is composed of one or more movable bodies, and that can execute a first performance (covering performance) in which the specific movable body moves, and a second performance (movable body pre-reading performance) in which the light-emitting part is turned on without the movement of the specific movable body, as performances using the specific movable body,
In carrying out the first performance above,
Regarding the rate at which the first effect is executed during the execution of a specific pattern variation, the rate at which the second effect is executed in a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation is higher than the rate at which the second effect is not executed in the predetermined pattern variation,
Alternatively, when the second performance is executed in a predetermined pattern change before a specific pattern change, the first performance may be executed in the specific pattern change, and when the second performance is not executed in the predetermined pattern change, the first performance is not executed in the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change,
When a predetermined operation (operation on the middle cursor button 38e) is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, the execution of the second performance is stopped, and the first performance can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation,
Further provided with a separate device (main display unit 81) different from the specific movable body,
When the first performance is executed, a specific performance (suggestion image) may be executed by the other device in parallel with the first performance,
When the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the specific performance can be executed in parallel with the first performance,
The performance mode of the specific performance when the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation may be different from the performance mode of the specific performance when the predetermined operation is not performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.
The second aspect of the present invention is
A gaming machine that is equipped with a specific movable body (performance shielding body 85) that is composed of one or more movable bodies, and that is capable of executing a first performance (covering performance) in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is equal to or greater than a specific movement amount, and a second performance (moving body pre-reading performance) in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is less than the specific movement amount, as performances using the specific movable body,
In carrying out the first performance above,
Regarding the rate at which the first effect is executed during the execution of a specific pattern variation, the rate at which the second effect is executed in a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation is higher than the rate at which the second effect is not executed in the predetermined pattern variation,
Alternatively, when the second performance is executed in a predetermined pattern change before a specific pattern change, the first performance may be executed in the specific pattern change, and when the second performance is not executed in the predetermined pattern change, the first performance is not executed in the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change,
When a predetermined operation (operation on the middle cursor button 38e) is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, the execution of the second performance is stopped, and the first performance can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation,
Further provided with a separate device (main display unit 81) different from the specific movable body,
When the first performance is executed, a specific performance (suggestion image) may be executed by the other device in parallel with the first performance,
When the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the specific performance can be executed in parallel with the first performance,
The performance mode of the specific performance when the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation may be different from the performance mode of the specific performance when the predetermined operation is not performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to the first and second inventions of the present invention, by linking the execution of the first performance using the specific movable body with the execution of the second performance, it is possible to make the cover performance easier to recognize and increase interest in the game, and by preventing the first performance from being stopped if the second performance is stopped by the specified operation, it is possible to prevent a decrease in interest in the game when the specified operation occurs.
Furthermore, according to these inventions, it is possible to make it easier to recognize that the predetermined operation has occurred.

Note that the above-mentioned movement amount does not refer to the path traveled by the movable body when it moves (operates), but rather to the distance between the original position (initial position) of the movable body before the target performance is executed and the position farthest from the original position during the execution of the performance.
Furthermore, the specific amount of movement does not need to be an amount of movement based on data stored in the gaming machine 10, but may be an amount of movement defined in terms of phenomena.
Furthermore, the movement of the above-mentioned specific movable body is not limited to linear movement as in this embodiment, but may also be rotational movement, and in this case the amount of movement refers to the difference in rotation angle between the initial rotation position of the specific movable body before the execution of the target performance and the rotation position of the specific movable body that is farthest from the initial rotation position during the execution of the performance.
Furthermore, when the "second performance is not executed in the predetermined pattern variation," a performance different from the second performance is permitted to be executed.

Furthermore, the gaming machine according to this embodiment described below is a pachinko machine that pays out actual gaming balls as prize balls, but the gaming machine according to the present invention may also be a pachinko machine that provides prize balls as electronic data (so-called smart pachinko).
Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention may be a conventional slot machine that uses a predetermined number of medals to perform a pattern change that causes multiple reels to spin, and pays out medals based on the result of the pattern change (the stopping pattern of the multiple reels), or it may be a slot machine (so-called smart slot) that pays out all medals as electronic data.
The bonus game in these cases is not limited to a so-called real bonus (a device that continuously operates a bonus), but also includes AT game (assist time) such as a pseudo bonus. In particular, when the bonus game in the present invention is an AT game, the termination condition may be set arbitrarily.

The gaming machine 10 having the above features will be specifically described based on the following embodiment.

<Structure of the gaming machine 10>
First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, Figure 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device 90 arranged in area II shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in area III shown in Figure 1 and their surroundings, Figure 4 is a diagram showing a game board 50 installed within the gaming machine 10, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10.
1 to 5 are merely examples of components necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and components and functions not shown here may be added to the gaming machine 10. Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the components shown here, and some components or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, in which gaming balls are shot into the front area (hereinafter referred to as the "gaming area 50a") of a gaming board 50 on which numerous gaming pegs (not shown) are erected, and a prize ball is awarded when the gaming ball enters a prize slot (e.g., the big prize slot 55, etc.). Note that in the following description, the entry of a gaming ball into a prize slot may be simply referred to as "entering (a prize slot)."

The gaming machine 10 comprises a rectangular outer frame 15 that opens at the front and back, an inner frame 17 that detachably holds the gaming board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 that is configured to cover the front side of the gaming board 50.

The middle frame 17 is supported so that it can rotate freely around its left end by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed in front of the outer frame 15. The middle frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction (to the right in this embodiment) to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20).

The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about its left end, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)).
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view.
The front frame 20 also has an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are spaced apart from each other vertically and are formed integrally with the front frame 20.
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

1 to 5, the middle frame 17 has a middle frame open door sensor 76 that detects whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the outer frame 15, and a front frame open door sensor 77 that detects whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, both of these door open sensors are ON in the open state and OFF in the closed state. However, these door open sensors may also be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state.
This allows the gaming machine 10 to detect both the open/closed state of the middle frame 17 relative to the outer frame 15 and the open/closed state of the front frame 20 relative to the middle frame 17.

As shown in FIG. 3 , a group of operation buttons operated by the player is disposed on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. This group of operation buttons includes a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100 (described later), which includes a ball loan button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting a prepaid card return operation. The operation unit electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200 (described later), which includes an effect button 37 for switching effects occurring during play or accepting player operations to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, and center cursor button 38e) for instructing operations up, down, left, and right. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting operation, and the connected control board detects the operation of each operation unit by changes in the detection state of the sensor.
In addition, a movable decorative body 22 is provided on the side of the upper ball tray 27, which is operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown).

A ball ejection mechanism 36 is provided below the lower ball tray 29 to eject game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball ejection mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally through the bottom opening and are ejected.
Although not shown in the figure, the upper ball tray 27 is provided with a mechanism that, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, can be operated to move the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29, and by operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, it is possible to discharge the stored balls.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. The upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed with light-transmitting covers, inside which are disposed frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c). The speakers 33 and frame lamps 35 can emit sounds or turn on or off in conjunction with effects and error effects that occur during gameplay.

The effect display device 80 is composed of a main display unit 81 disposed approximately in the center of the game board 50 and sub-display units 82 disposed around the main display unit 81. The sub-display unit 82 further includes an upper sub-display unit 82a disposed above the main display unit 81, a left sub-display unit 82b disposed on the left side of the main display unit 81, and a right sub-display unit 82c disposed on the right side of the main display unit 81.
Here, the main display unit 81 is a fixed liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display unit 82a, the left sub-display unit 82b, and the right sub-display unit 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices operated by actuators such as motors (not shown).

The main display unit 81 can display the changing display of the pattern row that is performed in conjunction with the changing display in the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 described below, and can also display various other effects.
In the variable display of the symbol rows (decorative symbols) displayed on the main display unit 81, the displayed decorative symbols form three symbol rows. The direction of the variable display of each symbol row is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, up and down, left and right, depth, or a combination of these (diagonal direction).
Here, the depth direction refers to the virtual direction perceived by the player in a display mode that uses a method (for example, perspective) that makes the player perceive the pattern row as if it is changing from the back of the main display unit 81 to the front or vice versa, even though it is actually a planar changing display on the display screen of the main display unit 81.
In addition, the decorative symbols in this embodiment include a "1 symbol" imitating the number "1," a "2 symbol" imitating the number "2," a "3 symbol" imitating the number "3," a "4 symbol" imitating the number "4," a "5 symbol" imitating the number "5," a "6 symbol" imitating the number "6," a "7 symbol" imitating the number "7," an "8 symbol" imitating the number "8," and a "9 symbol" imitating the number "9," and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following description, the "1 symbol,""3symbol,""5symbol,""7symbol," and "9 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "odd number symbols," and the "2 symbol,""4symbol,""6symbol," and "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even number symbols."

Each of the sub-display sections 82 is not only provided to mainly display effect images related to the effects, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the upper sub-display unit 82a are on the upper side relative to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b on the left side relative to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c on the right side relative to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where it overlaps with the display area of the decorative pattern on the main display unit 81.

In this embodiment, the performance display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub-display unit 82a, left sub-display unit 82b, right sub-display unit 82c) all use liquid crystal display devices, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices, such as drum type and dot matrix type, can be used as the performance display device 80.

A performance shield 85 is disposed between the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. Furthermore, the performance shield 85 is composed of an upper left performance shield 85a, an upper right performance shield 85b, a lower left performance shield 85c, and a lower right performance shield 85d; as will be described in more detail below, these are configured to be able to move in conjunction with each other in a direction that shields the main display unit 81.

A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and these LEDs form the display area of the pattern display device 90, which displays special patterns and normal patterns.
In addition, the pattern display device 90 is disposed at a position that is more difficult for the player to see than the main display section 81, and the display area of the pattern display device 90 is smaller than the display area of the main display section 81.
In this embodiment, the arrangement and number of LEDs for the pattern display device 90 are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs for the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

The special symbols are symbols that are stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a special electric device (for example, special electric device 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on second special symbol display device 92.
In addition, the special pattern may be abbreviated as "Special Pattern," the first special pattern as "Special Pattern 1," and the second special pattern as "Special Pattern 2."

The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a normal electric device (for example, the normal electric device 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93.
In addition, normal patterns are sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu", and normal electric devices are sometimes called "Denchu".

In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reserve lamp 94, a second special symbol reserve lamp 95, and a normal symbol reserve lamp 96.
The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved normal patterns, and in all cases the number of corresponding pattern variations can be identified by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right always lit only = 1, left and right always lit = 2, right flashing + left always lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 displays a changing special pattern and then stops displaying the special pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the special pattern,'' and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern display device 93 displays a changing special pattern and then stops displaying the normal pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the normal pattern.''
In addition, in the following explanation, the display of the change in the pattern row (decorative pattern) displayed on the main display unit 81 described above may be referred to as "pattern change of decorative pattern" to distinguish it from "pattern change of special pattern" and "pattern change of normal pattern."
In the following explanation, when simply referring to "pattern change," it means the pattern change of the special design unless otherwise specified.

As shown in Figure 4, obstacles such as numerous game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative elements are placed on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the game balls that are shot out will roll.
Additionally, curved outer rail 51 and inner rail 53 are provided on the left and upper sides of play area 50a to guide game balls launched by rotating operating handle 31 to the top of play area 50a. Note that outer rail 51 is located outside inner rail 53 with respect to the center of play area 50a. Here, windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which game balls fall.

The gaming machine 10 allows the strength of the game ball to be varied by the amount of rotation (e.g., the angle of rotation) of the operating handle 31. Various obstacles are placed in the gaming area 50a to ensure that the game ball rolls along either the first flow path X (so-called left-handed hit), along which a weaker ball rolls, or the second flow path Y (so-called right-handed hit), along which a stronger ball rolls. Although not shown, the operating handle 31 is equipped with a touch sensor to determine whether or not the player is operating it.

Figure 4 shows the main prize openings: the large prize opening 55, the first start opening 57, the second start opening 59, the gate 63, and the general prize opening 67, but the prize openings shown are only examples, and their number and placement may be changed as appropriate.

The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right corner of the play area 50a. A large prize opening sensor 72 is attached to the large prize opening 55, and a prize ball is determined to have been won in the large prize opening 55 based on the detection result of the large prize opening sensor 72, and the number of prize balls associated with the large prize opening 55 (15 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the large prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, which makes it easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, which makes it difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66.
More specifically, the special electric device 65 is in an open state in at least a part of the jackpot game that is set due to the jackpot being derived by the special chart hit/miss determination described below, and as a result, entry into the large prize winning hole 55 is permitted. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, entry into the large prize winning hole 55 becomes easier, and therefore the jackpot game in which the chances of winning prize balls are significantly increased can be said to be an advantageous game state.
In a jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is set alternately between an open state and a closed state, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round," and the total number of rounds that occur in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls enter the jackpot opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state.
In addition, one open state also ends when a sufficient time (30 seconds in this embodiment) has passed for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize opening 55.

The first starting hole 57 is located at the bottom center of the play area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and a winning entry into the first starting hole 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70, and the number of prize balls associated with the first starting hole 57 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a winning entry related to the first starting hole 57 is determined, the pattern of special design 1 is changed.
In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y.

The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right corner of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and a winning ball is determined based on the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71, and the number of prize balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In at least some cases where a winning combination is determined for the second starting port 59, the pattern of special chart 2 will change.
In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state, which makes it easy for a game ball to enter the second starting port 59, and a closed state, which makes it difficult for the ball to enter, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62.
More specifically, the normal electric device 61 is in an open state during at least a portion of the normal winning game that is played when the normal symbol pattern changes, and this allows entry into the second starting hole 59. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in an open state, entry into the second starting hole 59 is easy, so the chances of the symbol pattern change of the special symbol 2 being executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls due to the prize balls.

Gate 63 is located in the center right of game area 50a. Gate 63 is equipped with a gate sensor 74, and a win at gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of gate sensor 74. In at least some cases where a win at gate 63 is determined, a normal symbol variation will occur.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the gate 63 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

The general winning opening 67 is located in the lower left of the game area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to the general winning opening 67, and a winning ball at the general winning opening 67 is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (four in this embodiment) is awarded.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X compared to when rolling from the second flow path Y, but the obstacles may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning openings 67 may be provided.

The outlet 69 is located at the bottom of the play area 50a. A game ball that is shot into the play area 50a and does not enter any of the winning holes falls into the outlet 69 and is treated as an out ball.
In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) is provided for detecting game balls (hereinafter referred to as "out balls") that have entered the winning hole and the out hole.

In addition to the sensors mentioned above, the game board 50 is also equipped with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (both not shown) to prevent fraudulent acts such as receiving prize balls illegally.

As shown in Figure 5, the back of the game board 50 is equipped with a main control board case 109 housing the main control board 100, a first sub-control board case 209 housing the first sub-control board 200, a second sub-control board case 309 housing the second sub-control board 300, a power supply control board case 509 housing the power supply control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 housing the payout control board 400, and in addition to the back of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an open/close cover 45 covering part of the back of the main control board case 109 is attached in a removable manner.
The main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43 .
Furthermore, the substrate cases and covers that cover the respective substrates are made of transparent materials, and the corresponding substrates can be seen through the respective cases and covers.

5, a volume adjustment unit 83 that is operated to adjust the volume and a brightness adjustment unit 84 that is operated to adjust the brightness are provided on the first sub-control board 200. The first sub-control board case 209 stores the first sub-control board 200 so that the volume adjustment unit 83 and the brightness adjustment unit 84 are exposed to the outside, and the opening/closing cover 45 is attached so as to avoid the volume adjustment unit 83 and the brightness adjustment unit 84. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 5, i.e., when the first sub-control board 200 is stored in the first sub-control board case 209 and the opening/closing cover 45 is attached, the volume adjustment unit 83 and the brightness adjustment unit 84 can be operated.
The volume adjustment unit 83 and the brightness adjustment unit 84 are so-called rotary switches. In this embodiment, the volume adjustment unit 83 can be adjusted to one of three levels: high volume, medium volume, and low volume, and the brightness adjustment unit 84 can be adjusted to one of three levels: high brightness, medium brightness, and low brightness. The volume adjustment unit 83 and the brightness adjustment unit 84 are not limited to rotary switches, and may be slide switches. Furthermore, the volume adjustment unit 83 and the brightness adjustment unit 84 may be switches provided on a board different from the first sub-control board 200, as long as they are electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the installation location of the volume adjustment unit 83 and the brightness adjustment unit 84 is not important, as long as they are provided on the back side of the game board 50.

In addition, on the back of the gaming board 50, above the opening and closing cover 45, there is a gaming ball tank 46 that stores gaming balls supplied from the gaming island's ball supply equipment. The gaming ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 that leads to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out through the payout passage 49 to the upper ball tray 27.

So far, we have explained the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, but this is just one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with other configurations.

<Operation of the effect shield 85>
Next, the operation of the effect shield 85 will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) to 6(d). Figures 6(a) to 6(d) are diagrams showing the movable positions of the effect shield 85.
As described above, the effect shields 85 are composed of an upper left effect shield 85a, an upper right effect shield 85b, a lower left effect shield 85c, and a lower right effect shield 85d, and Fig. 6(a) shows the effect shields 85 in their initial positions. Note that, at these positions, the entire display area of the main display unit 81 is visible.
FIG. 6( b ) shows a state in which a portion (approximately 10% of the entire display area) of the main display unit 81 is covered by the effect shield 85 .
FIG. 6( c ) shows a state in which a part (approximately 30% of the whole) of the display area of the main display unit 81 is covered by the effect shield 85 .
Figure 6 (d) shows a state in which the entire display area related to the main display unit 81 is covered by the performance shield 85 (a state in which the display area related to the main display unit 81 is shielded).
In this way, the upper left performance shield 85a, the upper right performance shield 85b, the lower left performance shield 85c, and the lower right performance shield 85d operate in conjunction with one another in the planar direction of the display area related to the main display unit 81. In the following explanation, the position of the performance shield 85 shown in Fig. 6(a) may be referred to as the original position, the position of the performance shield 85 shown in Fig. 6(b) may be referred to as the first operating position, the position of the performance shield 85 shown in Fig. 6(c) may be referred to as the second operating position, and the position of the performance shield 85 shown in Fig. 6(d) may be referred to as the third operating position, and the first operating position and the second operating position exist on a trajectory that moves from the original position to the third operating position.
In addition, in this embodiment, "covering" refers to the covering object (in this embodiment, the performance shield 85) being positioned in front of the object being covered (in this embodiment, the display area related to the main display unit 81), and the covering object being between the player and the object, making part or all of the object being covered invisible or difficult to see.
In this embodiment, each of the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right shields 85a, 85b, 85c, and 85d has an original position detection sensor (not shown) that detects the shield when the shield is in its original position (this position may also be referred to as the original position). Therefore, the gaming machine 10 (particularly the first sub-control board 200) can determine whether each shield is in its original position.

6(c), the upper left effect shield 85a has a protrusion on its front surface (the front surface when the main display unit 81 side is defined as the back surface) that resembles the character "heaven," the upper right effect shield 85b has a protrusion on its front surface that resembles the character "down," the lower left effect shield 85c has a protrusion on its front surface that resembles the character "mu," and the lower right effect shield 85d has a protrusion on its front surface that resembles the character "two." The shape of the front side (player side) of these effect shields 85 is not limited to the shape of this embodiment and may be any shape, but in this embodiment, the entire shape becomes visible when the effect shield 85 is in the third operating position.
In particular, the convex portion of the lower right performance shield 85d is made of transparent resin, and a full-color LED is installed behind it (the back side). This causes the convex portion to light up in various colors. In the following explanation, this convex portion will be referred to as the performance shield lamp 85e.

<Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may also have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 7.

The main control board 100 is equipped with a CPU 101 that performs various calculations related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, an I/O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals to and from peripheral boards and various devices, and a random number circuit 105 that operates separately from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers), and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

The CPU 101 reads out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processing to execute various processes related to the main control of the game.
The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power supply generated in a backup power circuit (described later). Specifically, the RAM 103 is configured to back up various information stored therein so that when power is restored after a power outage, the data can be used to restore the gaming machine 10 to the state it was in immediately before the power outage. For example, in addition to data such as a stack pointer and various registers that were held when the power outage occurred, information related to gaming, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (game stopped state or playable state), the current special drawing state, and the current regular drawing state, is backed up.

In this embodiment, at least an area in which such game-related information is stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related area of RAM 103) is backed up, as well as an area in which the complement of a checksum and a backup flag related to the game-related area of RAM 103 are stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related backup information area of RAM 103). Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 recovers using the various pieces of information stored in the backed-up game-related area of RAM 103 and the game-related backup information area of RAM 103.
Note that the specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited in any way. For example, the area of RAM 103 to be backed up may be configured to be able to retain data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage. As another example, within RAM 103, different hardware may be provided for a first memory configured to retain data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10. In this case, the gaming machine 10 may save the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is lost, and recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

The main control board 100 is also electrically connected to the first start gate sensor 70, second start gate sensor 71, special prize gate sensor 72, general prize gate sensor 73, gate sensor 74, out ball sensor 75, middle frame open door sensor 76, front frame open door sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104. Although not shown, in addition to these sensors, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full tank detection sensor, magnetic detection sensor, and radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104.

In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern hold lamp 94, the second special pattern hold lamp 95, the normal pattern hold lamp 96, the normal electric role solenoid 62 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I/O port 104.
Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and the RAM clear switch 43 , and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the main operation unit 39 .

The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various performance control commands are sent from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200.
Furthermore, data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured so as not to be able to request the main control board 100 to transmit data.
In addition, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 which performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 which stores data such as presentation control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 which functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port 204 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202.
In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect operation of these operating sections.

In addition, the first sub-control board 200, through performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, generates image control commands that instruct the image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, brightness adjustment commands that instruct brightness adjustment, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, volume adjustment commands that instruct volume adjustment, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35 and performance shield lamp 85e, and movement control data for controlling the movement of movable bodies such as the movable decorative body 22, sub-display unit 82, and performance shield 85.
Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, brightness adjustment command, audio control command, volume adjustment command) is sent from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the audio control board 310, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was received successfully is sent from each control board (second sub-control board 300, audio control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the frame lamp 35, and transmits lamp control data via the I/O port 204. The frame lamp 35 and the performance shield lamp 85e are configured so that their lighting is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.
The lamp control data is generated according to the brightness determined based on the adjustment results obtained by operating the brightness adjustment unit 84 or a brightness adjustment operation unit (operable by the player, not shown) connected to the first sub-control board 200. Therefore, in this embodiment, the frame lamp 35 and the effect shield lamp 85e can be lit at the brightness determined based on the adjustment results. In this embodiment, the brightness can be set in a range of 10 levels, from brightness 1 to brightness 10, with the brightness increasing in this order. In addition, each time the brightness is adjusted, the first sub-control board 200 transmits a brightness adjustment command including data specifying the brightness after the adjustment to the second sub-control board 300. The adjusted brightness is also reflected in the brightness of the displayed image.

The second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a CPU that performs various arithmetic processing related to image presentation based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM that stores image control programs and various data, a RAM that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device (all not shown), and is configured so that the CPU executes the main control related to image presentation in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM.
In addition, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP (not shown) that generates image data in accordance with the content of the effect determined by the effect content determination means 225 (described later) based on a control signal received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates sound data in accordance with the content of the effect based on a control signal received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in an image ROM in response to instructions from the CPU, processes the image data, and sends the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. A high-speed VRAM is also connected to the VDP, which is used to expand and process the image data read from the image ROM.

The audio control board 310 is equipped with a CPU 311 that performs various calculations related to audio effects based on audio control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores audio control programs, audio data, etc., a RAM 313 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals to and from peripheral boards and each device. The CPU 311 is configured to execute main control related to audio effects in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 312. Therefore, the audio control board 310 reads audio data stored in ROM 312 in response to audio control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesizes the read audio data, and transmits the final synthesized audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, allowing the speaker 33 to output audio.

The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, ROM and RAM (all not shown).
In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be able to communicate in both directions, and performs control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls based on a payout control command from the main control board 100, and also controls the launch of game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launching mechanism based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31.

The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage).
In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400).
In addition, when a power outage is detected by the power outage detection circuit 503, the power supply control board 500 sends a power outage signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.
In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the gaming island's power supply equipment.
In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

<Functional Configuration of Gaming Machine 10>
Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Figure 8 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may also have functional configurations that are not shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, when explaining the functional configuration, reference will be made to Figures 9 to 11 as necessary.

As shown in Figure 8, the main control board 100 is equipped with a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a preliminary determination means 125, a special symbol lottery means 130, a regular symbol lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a symbol display control means 145, an electric device control means 150, a game status control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration processing execution means 175, and a power interruption processing execution means 180. These means are functional representations of what is realized by the control configurations on the main control board 100 described using Figure 7.

The main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in said means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (performance control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 is transmitted by the command transmission means to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200 (described below) after being stored.

The ball entry determination means 110 determines whether a ball has been entered into each entry slot based on the detection results of the sensors installed in each entry slot.

The main random number generating means 115 can generate multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win is determined to have been made at a winning slot, it obtains (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning slot from the random number circuit 105.
More specifically, when it is determined that a prize has been won at the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59, the main random number generating means 115 acquires a random number for determining whether a special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop symbol pattern, and a random number for drawing a special symbol variation pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that a prize has been won at gate 63, the main random number generating means 115 stores the random number for determining whether a normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol stop symbol pattern, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol variation pattern, which will be described later, in corresponding storage areas of the main information storage means 160.
The random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers it updates are being updated normally, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality is written to a specific storage area of the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can recognize that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

The main reserve control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern change of the special symbol and the reservation of the pattern change of the normal symbol. Regarding the special symbol 1, the random number for determining whether the special symbol is a winner, the random number for drawing the special symbol stop symbol, and the random number for drawing the special symbol change pattern, which are acquired upon winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information for the special symbol 1.
More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") which is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the lottery by the special chart lottery means 130), and stores the activation hold information in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and controls the remaining activation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter which is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter.
In addition, the main hold control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and regular drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the hold counter for special drawing 2 is referred to as the special drawing 2 hold counter.
In addition, in the following explanation, "holding of operation hold information" may be expressed as "holding of pattern change."
In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In this embodiment, when both the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are reserved, a priority change is made in which the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 is used preferentially.

The advance judgment means 125 performs advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of a special chart is pending at a predetermined advance judgment timing.
More specifically, the preliminary judgment means 125 reads each random number of the currently reserved operation pending information and performs preliminary judgment for each of the following: special symbol win/loss judgment, special symbol stop symbol lottery, and special symbol change pattern lottery, which will be described later. Each preliminary judgment uses a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used for the lottery corresponding to each preliminary judgment. Therefore, the results of these preliminary judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later.
In addition, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) including the derived result of the pre-determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
As mentioned above, the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160) in at least some cases when the activation pending information of the special symbol is reserved at the timing of the predetermined pre-determination, and therefore is transmitted following the above-mentioned reserved command. Here, the predetermined timing of the pre-determination refers to not being during a jackpot game, and furthermore, in this embodiment, if the activation pending information of the special symbol 1 is reserved during a normal symbol high probability, which will be described later, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to that pre-determination is also restricted.

The special chart lottery means 130 includes a special chart success/failure determination means 131, a special chart stop pattern lottery means 132, and a special chart variation pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of the special chart success/failure determination means 131, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132, and the special chart variation pattern derivation means 133. When the special chart variation start condition is satisfied, the special chart lottery means 130 reads out the earliest activation pending information from the activation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160.
In addition, "the conditions for the start of the change of the special chart are satisfied" means, for example, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: there is no jackpot, neither special chart 1 nor special chart 2 is currently changing the pattern, and at least one of special chart 1 and special chart 2 has pending activation information.

Here, Figures 9(a) to 9(c), Figure 10(a), and Figure 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing lottery tables used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following explanation.
In addition, in lotteries using lottery tables, including those other than these, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are sequentially added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one lottery value, the addition is performed once), and the result corresponding to the lottery value that has generated a carry (overflow) is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery tables, names are given to the lottery tables for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data, such as the lottery values contained in the lottery tables corresponding to the names, are identifiable and stored in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery tables, items may be listed for convenience of explanation, and lottery values may be "-" or "0," but these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. Furthermore, results in which "-" or "0" is listed as a lottery value will not result in a win. Furthermore, if the lottery table contains a lottery value that is identical to the random number range used in the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range), the result will be derived 100%, so there is no need to perform a lottery. Also, if the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur when adding the last lottery value, so there is no need to perform the addition, and in that case, the lottery value used for the addition itself becomes unnecessary.

The special symbol hit/miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special symbol hit/miss judgment for each symbol change, and executes the special symbol hit/miss judgment by lottery using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special symbol hit/miss judgment to judge whether the winning will be a jackpot or a miss.
9A is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss, and this lottery table is commonly used for special drawing 1 and special drawing 2. The range of random numbers used in this determination is 0 to 65535, so when the special drawing lottery state is low probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "low probability of special drawing"), a jackpot is derived with a probability of 230/65536 (approximately 1/284.9), and when a jackpot is not derived, it is a miss.
Similarly, when the special drawing state is in a high probability state (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special drawing high probability"), a jackpot is derived with a probability of 499/65536 (approximately 1/131.3), and if a jackpot is not derived, it is a miss.

When the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a big hit, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 reads out a random number for the special chart stop pattern lottery and determines the stop pattern of the special chart by lottery using the read random number and a lottery table for the special chart stop pattern lottery.
9(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for drawing the stop symbol of special symbol 1, and the range of random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 99. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived from special symbol 1, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50/100 (1/2), symbol B with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5), and symbol C with a probability of 10/100 (1/10).
Here, symbol A is a symbol with eight rounds and a low probability of a special symbol and a high probability of a normal symbol (described later) after the jackpot game ends (hereinafter, this symbol may be referred to as a "normal symbol," and a jackpot related to this symbol may be referred to as a "normal jackpot"). On the other hand, symbol B is a symbol with nine rounds and a high probability of a special symbol and a high probability of a normal symbol after the jackpot game ends (hereinafter, this symbol may be referred to as a "probability variable symbol," and a jackpot related to this symbol may be referred to as a "probability variable jackpot"). Furthermore, symbol C is a probability variable symbol with sixteen rounds and a high probability of a special symbol and a high probability of a normal symbol after the jackpot game ends. Therefore, symbol C is more advantageous than symbol B in terms of the number of rounds, and symbols B and C are more advantageous than symbol A in terms of both the number of rounds and the subsequent special symbol lottery state.
9(c) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for the lottery of the special symbol 2 stop symbol, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 99, similar to the lottery of the special symbol 1 stop symbol. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol 2, symbol a is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 65/100 (approximately 1/1.53), and symbol b is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 35/100 (approximately 1/2.85).
Here, symbol a is a probability variable symbol with 16 rounds and a high probability of a special symbol and a high probability of a normal symbol after the end of the jackpot game, while symbol b is a normal symbol with 4 rounds and a low probability of a special symbol and a high probability of a normal symbol after the end of the jackpot game. Therefore, symbol a can be said to be a more advantageous symbol than symbol b in terms of both the number of rounds and the subsequent special symbol lottery state.
In addition, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is not a jackpot, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 will uniformly determine pattern D as the stop pattern if special chart 1 is a miss, and pattern c if special chart 2 is a miss.
In addition, in this embodiment, the rate at which the special symbol becomes highly probable after the end of a jackpot game using special symbol 1 (50/100) is different from the rate at which the special symbol becomes highly probable after the end of a jackpot game using special symbol 2 (65/100) (the symbol variation of special symbol 2 is more favorable than the symbol variation of special symbol 1). Although details are omitted, this difference is realized by providing a function that makes the special symbol highly probable after the end of a jackpot game when the game ball passes through the V prize area (not shown) provided in the large prize opening 55 during the jackpot game (when the sensor provided in the V prize area detects the game ball), and by changing whether or not to provide a round (the ninth round in this embodiment) that makes it easier to pass through the V prize area depending on the stopped symbol of the special symbol.

The special chart fluctuation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special chart fluctuation pattern lottery tables to be referred to when determining the special chart fluctuation pattern, and selects one special chart fluctuation pattern lottery table for determining the current special chart fluctuation pattern based on the current special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special chart success/failure judgment, determines one special chart fluctuation pattern using the selected special chart fluctuation pattern lottery table and a random number for special chart fluctuation pattern lottery, and determines the fluctuation time based on the determined special chart fluctuation pattern.
Although details of the transition conditions will be described later, the special chart variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment includes a special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special chart variation pattern is adopted for the pattern variation of special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and for the pattern variation of special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and the pattern variation of the other special chart in each special chart variation pattern derivation state is determined to be a predetermined special chart variation pattern depending on the result of the special chart success/failure judgment.

FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for deriving a special pattern variation pattern in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. Therefore, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a miss, the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP will be determined with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11), the special chart fluctuation pattern HRP with a probability of 52/1000 (approximately 1/19.2), HSP1-A with a probability of 13/1000 (approximately 1/76.9), HSP1-B with a probability of 11/1000 (approximately 1/90.9), HSP2-A with a probability of 9/1000 (approximately 1/111), HSP2-B with a probability of 7/1000 (approximately 1/143), HSP3-A with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), and HSP3-B with a probability of 3/1000 (approximately 1/333). In this case, the special pattern variation patterns ASP1-A to ASP3-C are not determined. In addition, although details will be described later using FIG. 10 (b), when the special pattern variation pattern HNP is determined, the special pattern variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special pattern 1 pending counter at the start of the pattern variation.
If the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, special chart variation pattern ASP1-A will be determined with a probability of 90/1000 (approximately 1/11.1), special chart variation pattern ASP1-B with a probability of 110/1000 (approximately 1/9.09), special chart variation pattern ASP2-A with a probability of 135/1000 (approximately 1/7.41), special chart variation pattern ASP2-B with a probability of 165/1000 (approximately 1/6.06), special chart variation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180/1000 (approximately 1/5.56), special chart variation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220/1000 (approximately 1/4.56), and special chart variation pattern ASP3-C with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10). In this case, the special chart variation pattern HNP to the special chart variation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined.
In addition, in the explanation of the special chart variation patterns of this embodiment, when two special chart variation patterns are described with "~" in between, the description of the special chart variation pattern that exists between the special chart variation pattern described earlier and the special chart variation pattern described later is omitted in accordance with the order described in Figure 10(a) or Figure 10(b) described below.
Also, although not shown in the figure, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, the special chart variation pattern is drawn by lottery according to the result of the special chart success/failure judgment, just as in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA.

Figure 10(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for deriving a special chart variation pattern used when the special chart variation pattern HNP is determined. As described above, in this lottery, the special chart variation pattern is further identified using the value of the special chart 1 pending counter.
First, as shown in Figure 10 (b), the special chart fluctuation patterns HNP include special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-A with a fluctuation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-B with a fluctuation time of 5600 ms, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-C with a fluctuation time of 8000 ms, and special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-D with a fluctuation time of 11200 ms, in that order of increasing fluctuation time.
The range of the random numbers used in this lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the lottery table shown in FIG. 10(a)) is 0 to 999. Therefore, when the special pattern 1 reserved counter = 3 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "reserved 3") at the start of the pattern variation, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in this case, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B to the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D are not determined. Also, when the special pattern 1 reserved counter = 2 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "reserved 2") at the start of the pattern variation, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (approximately 1/1.18), and in this case, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D are not determined. If the special pattern 1 reserved counter = 1 (hereinafter referred to as "reserved 1") at the start of the pattern change, special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), special pattern change pattern HNP-B with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and special pattern change pattern HNP-C with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25), and in such cases, special pattern change pattern HNP-D is never determined. When the pattern variation starts, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter = 0 (hereinafter referred to as "reserved 0"), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (approximately 1/1.18). In this case, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-A is not determined. In the following explanation, in addition to the above-mentioned "reserved 3", "reserved 2", "reserved 1", and "reserved 0", the case where the special pattern 1 reserved counter = 4 is sometimes referred to as "reserved 4".
In this way, when the special pattern variation pattern HNP is determined, the special pattern variation pattern (variation time) that is likely to be determined by the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern variation differs. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern variation, the more likely it is that a long pattern variation will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern variation, the more likely it is that a short variation time will be determined).
In addition, such special chart fluctuation patterns (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "basic special chart fluctuation patterns") also exist in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, and although the types and lengths of the corresponding basic special chart fluctuation patterns differ, their tendencies (the relationship between the value of the pending counter (in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, the value of the special chart 2 pending counter) and the special chart fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time) that is likely to be determined) are the same as in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA.

In addition, at the start of the pattern change, the special symbol change pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (change start command) that includes the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment, the determined special symbol stop symbol, and the determined special symbol change pattern, and stores this command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the earliest pending activation information from the pending activation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to perform a regular map hit/miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is a hit or not, and if the regular map hit is won and the regular electric device 61 is controlled to an open state as a result of the regular map hit/miss judgment, performs a regular map stop pattern lottery to determine the stopping pattern of the regular map by lottery, and a regular map change pattern lottery to determine the change pattern (change time) of the regular map by lottery.
More specifically, in the normal drawing hit/miss judgment, there are two states where the normal drawing lottery state is a high probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing high probability") and a low probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing low probability"). Although the drawing table is not shown, in this embodiment, in the normal drawing high probability state, the normal drawing hits with a probability of 65535/65536, and the remaining probability of 1/65536 is a miss, while in the normal drawing low probability state, the normal drawing hits with a probability of 1/65536, and the remaining probability of 65535/65536 is a miss. Note that in the normal drawing low probability state, the normal drawing may not be a hit (65536/65536 is a miss).

In the normal stop pattern lottery, similar to the special stop pattern lottery, one stop pattern is determined by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for normal stop pattern lottery from multiple types of stop patterns that have different patterns when the normal electric device 61 is opened. If the normal stop pattern is determined to be a miss, the stop pattern is determined uniformly, similar to special pattern 1 and special pattern 2.
In addition, in the lottery for the general map fluctuation pattern, as in the lottery for the special map fluctuation pattern, one general map fluctuation pattern is determined from multiple types of general map fluctuation patterns by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for the general map fluctuation pattern lottery.
In this way, a high probability of winning a normal game is higher than a low probability of winning a normal game, and it can be said to be a more advantageous state than a low probability of winning a normal game.

When the result of the special symbol winning/losing lottery is a jackpot, the jackpot game control means 140 determines the demo time for the jackpot start demo and the demo time for the jackpot end demo according to the determined jackpot symbol.
In addition, when a jackpot starts, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (jackpot start command) including a demo time related to the jackpot start demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and when the jackpot ends, it generates a presentation control command (jackpot end command) including a demo time related to the jackpot end demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The pattern display control means 145 causes the first special pattern display device 91 to variably display the special pattern 1 in accordance with the variation time based on the special pattern variation pattern of the special pattern 1, and causes the special pattern 1 to be stopped and displayed with the stop pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variation time has elapsed. Similarly, the second special pattern display device 92 causes the second special pattern display device 92 to variably display the special pattern 2 in accordance with the variation time based on the special pattern variation pattern of the second special pattern, and causes the special pattern 2 to be stopped and displayed with the stop pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variation time has elapsed.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special pattern game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special pattern 1 and special pattern 2, and when the special pattern is stopped for display (at the time when the value of the special pattern game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting the fixed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Here, the term "confirmed stop display of decorative symbols" refers to the final stop display of decorative symbols in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of decorative symbols that may occur during the execution of the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of decorative symbols, for example, the stopped decorative symbols are accompanied by a small up and down swaying motion (so-called swaying fluctuation), while in the confirmed stop display of decorative symbols, the stopped decorative symbols are not accompanied by a swaying fluctuation. For this reason, the stop display mode of the confirmed stop display of decorative symbols is different from the stop display mode of the provisional stop display of decorative symbols. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the stopped display of the decorative symbols is a confirmed stop display or a provisional stop display.

In addition, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal map to be displayed on the normal pattern display device 93 in a changing manner according to the normal map changing pattern (changing time) of the normal map, and after the changing time has elapsed, causes the normal map to be displayed in a stopped pattern determined by the normal map stopping pattern lottery.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a regular pattern game timer for managing the time related to the display of the regular pattern (variable time, stop display time).

If the result of the special symbol lottery is a jackpot, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66 after the special symbol stops, causing the special electric device 65 to open according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stopped symbol on the special symbol. A jackpot game is a game state in which one opening and closing operation of the special electric device 65 is considered one round of play, and the round of play is executed consecutively for a specified number of rounds (in this example, 16R, 9R, 8R).

In addition, if the regular symbol win/lose lottery is won, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the regular electric symbol solenoid 62, causing the regular electric symbol 61 to open according to an opening pattern corresponding to the regular symbol stop pattern.

The game state control means 155 controls the special symbol lottery state. Specifically, as described above, at the start of a jackpot game, the game state control means 155 sets the special symbol probability to low regardless of the symbol associated with the jackpot, maintains the special symbol probability to low at the end of a jackpot game associated with a normal jackpot, and sets the special symbol probability to high at the end of a jackpot game associated with a special jackpot.

The game state control means 155 also controls the normal symbol lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal symbol to low probability at the start of a jackpot, regardless of the symbol associated with the jackpot, sets the normal symbol to high probability at the end of the jackpot game for a normal jackpot, sets the normal symbol to high probability until 100 symbol changes have occurred (after 100 symbol changes, the normal symbol becomes low probability), and sets the normal symbol to high probability at the end of the jackpot game for a variable probability jackpot, until the start of the next jackpot game (including, for example, when a finite number of times sufficient to derive a jackpot (for example, 5,000 times) is set).

In addition, the game state control means 155 controls the above-mentioned special symbol variation pattern derivation state. The transition of this special symbol variation pattern derivation state will be explained with reference to Figures 11(a) and 11(b). Note that Figure 11(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special symbol variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 11(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special symbol variation pattern derivation state.
As shown in Figure 11 (a), the special symbol variation pattern derivation state is composed of a special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA corresponding to low probability of special symbol and low probability of normal symbol, a special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to high probability of special symbol and high probability of normal symbol, and a special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC corresponding to low probability of special symbol and high probability of normal symbol, and the special symbol variation pattern derivation state is set according to the special symbol lottery state and the normal symbol lottery state except during jackpot play. The transition conditions between the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA and the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC include transition condition (i) to transition condition (iii). Transition condition (i) is the end of jackpot play related to a special symbol variation jackpot, transition condition (ii) is the end of jackpot play related to a normal jackpot, and transition condition (iii) is the end of the 100th symbol variation. In addition, if a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot is started in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC will be set again after the jackpot game ends (the count of the pattern variation in transition condition (iii) will start from 0).

Also, as shown in Figure 11 (b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC (the sum of the fluctuation times derived by multiplying the occurrence rate (the probability that can occur in any pattern fluctuation, which is derived by multiplying the probability that the result of the special chart success/failure judgment is derived by the probability of winning the special chart fluctuation pattern) by the fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern that can be selected in that special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state)) becomes shorter in the order of special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, and special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB. This is mainly due to the difference in the length of the fluctuation time of the basic special chart fluctuation pattern that has the highest selection rate in each special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the difference between the average fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA and the average time of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is greater than the difference between the average fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB.

In addition, when the special chart lottery state, normal chart lottery state, and special chart variation pattern derivation state are updated, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) including each updated state, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means and data derived by calculations, etc., in the corresponding storage areas.

The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I/O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If an error state is determined, a presentation control command (error command) containing information that can identify the error state is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

When a performance control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the performance control command to the first sub-control board 200.
In principle, each performance control command is transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The power restoration processing execution means 175 includes a recovery state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179.

The recovery state setting means 176 executes a recovery state setting process to set a recovery state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of power outage immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The recovery states set by this process include a game-stopped state and a game-enabled state (which may or may not involve RAM clear processing).
Specifically, if there is an abnormality in RAM 103 when power is restored, a game-stop state is set regardless of the state of RAM clear switch 43 and the state of middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in RAM 103 when power is restored and RAM clear switch 43 is ON (depressed state) when power is restored, a RAM clear process is executed and a playable state is set, provided that middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set). If there is no abnormality in RAM 103 when power is restored and RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set. Note that if the RAM clear process is executed, a special low probability and a normal low probability are set.
Here, the game stop state is a return state in which the game cannot proceed by not executing the processing according to the detection results of the sensors provided at each winning slot (the detection results of the sensors themselves do not need to be looked at), and the playable state is a return state in which the game can proceed by executing the processing according to the detection results of the sensors provided at each winning slot.

Whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 103 is determined by performing a RAM abnormality check at the beginning of the recovery state setting process on the game-related area of RAM 103. (Specifically, this check determines whether or not a backup flag is stored (whether or not the backup flag is ON) in the backup information area related to the target area, and if the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), derives a checksum of the target area and the complement stored in the backup information area related to that area, and if the calculation result is 0, determines that the target area is normal; otherwise, determines that the target area is abnormal.)

The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to a playable state when the playable state is set.
More specifically, in the process of transitioning to a playable state, if the security signal output is ON, a process of turning the security signal output OFF and initial setting of the device are executed.
In addition, during the initial setting of the device, processes such as sending a launch permission command to the payout control board 400 to allow the launch of game balls, setting the state in which balls will be valid when they enter each winning slot, and setting data to activate the random number circuit 105 are performed.

The power cutoff process execution means 180 executes the power cutoff process based on receiving a power cutoff signal from the power supply control board 500 .
Specifically, for the area of RAM 103 related to gaming, the checksum of that area is derived, the complement of that checksum is stored in the backup information area of RAM 103 related to gaming, and a backup flag indicating that power has been cut off for that area is turned ON (the backup flag is stored in the backup information area of RAM 103 related to gaming).

As shown in Figure 8, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generating means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a volume adjustment means 250, a brightness adjustment means 255, a sub-information storage means 260, a customization control means 265, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 7.
Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in said means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. Also, the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored by the sub-command management means 270 in a received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. In the following explanation, the storage of the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply referred to as "receiving a performance control command."

The sub-random number generation means 210 is capable of generating random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by the CPU 201 through program processing, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a pre-reading presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner that is consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side.
The presentation modes in this embodiment are broadly divided into normal mode, low-probability time-saving mode, and special variable mode, with the normal mode corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to the special variable mode, and the low-probability time-saving mode corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the normal mode includes a normal mode, an active mode, and a simple mode that are set by game customization, which will be described later. As will be described in detail later, these presentation modes differ in the frequency and reliability of the pre-reading presentation (expectation of a jackpot game occurring), which will be described later.

When the presentation route determination means 222 receives a preliminary determination command, it determines (sets) a presentation route corresponding to the currently reserved pattern change based on the result of the preliminary determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special pattern change pattern). Note that if the special pattern change pattern corresponding to the pattern change is the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern HNP, the presentation route determination means 222 does not determine a presentation route when the preliminary determination command is sent, but determines a presentation route based on the special pattern change pattern (special pattern change pattern HNP-A to special pattern change pattern HNP-D) included in the change start command at the start of the pattern change.
Here, the presentation route is the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern judgment in the pattern change, and the content of the presentation executed in the pattern change will be determined by the presentation content determination means 225 described later in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

In this embodiment, in normal mode, a different presentation route corresponds to each of the special symbol variation patterns shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b). These presentation routes are broadly divided into a miss presentation route, which notifies the player that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the current symbol variation is a miss (not a jackpot), and a jackpot presentation route, which notifies the player that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the current symbol variation is a jackpot. Furthermore, the miss presentation route includes a non-miss presentation route, in which no development presentation is performed, and a miss presentation route, in which a development presentation is performed. Here, a development presentation refers to a presentation that notifies the player whether the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the current symbol variation is a jackpot or not after the decorative symbol reaches a reach state (a state in which all decorative symbols except one symbol row are displayed statically and the remaining symbol rows are displayed dynamically). In this embodiment, there are three types of development presentations, A through C, each with different content. These development presentations are also performed in the jackpot presentation route. Below, we will explain the details of the presentation routes corresponding to each special chart variation pattern.

In the development effects A to C corresponding to the failure effect route, a series of effects corresponding to each development effect are executed, and at the end of the series, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is not a jackpot. On the other hand, in the development effects A to C corresponding to the jackpot effect route, a series of effects corresponding to each development effect are executed, just like the development effects corresponding to the failure effect route, and at the end of the series, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a jackpot. In other words, all of the development effects A to C can be said to be effects that announce whether the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a jackpot or not.
In this embodiment, one presentation route corresponds to one special chart variation pattern. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may be made to correspond to one special chart variation pattern. In this case, one presentation route may be determined from multiple presentation routes corresponding to the determined special chart variation pattern.

The presentation routes corresponding to special chart fluctuation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and special chart fluctuation pattern HRP correspond to the non-development miss presentation route described above.
Specifically, the special pattern variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D correspond to a presentation route in which the decorative patterns are not in a reach state and are displayed as a barrage (a state in which all pattern rows are stopped and the same decorative pattern is not stopped in each pattern row), thereby announcing that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss. Here, the same decorative pattern refers to a decorative pattern that resembles the same number, and the parts other than the numbers that make up the decorative pattern (such as character images, which will be described later) may be different. Note that different decorative patterns refer to decorative patterns that resemble different numbers.
The special symbol variation pattern HRP corresponds to a presentation route in which the decorative symbol reaches a ready state without pseudo-variation, and then the decorative symbol stops and displays with a random pattern without executing the development presentation described below, thereby announcing that the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for this symbol variation is a miss. Here, pseudo-variation refers to a period before the development presentation begins (the period until the decorative symbol reaches a ready state in the pattern variation in which the development presentation is executed), which is separated by the stopping of decorative symbols based on certain rules (for example, the stopping of decorative symbols in a pattern in which a 7 symbol stops in the middle symbol row, such as "5 symbol - 7 symbol - 6 symbol"). Therefore, it can be said that a pseudo-variation only occurs when the number of pseudo-variations is two. In other words, if the decorative symbol changes only once until the ready state is formed, it can be said that a pseudo-variation does not occur, and in such a case, it can be said that one pseudo-variation is executed. In this embodiment, the maximum number of pseudo fluctuations is three, but the maximum number of pseudo fluctuations is not limited to this, and any number greater than or equal to two may be used.

The special chart fluctuation patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route.
Specifically, the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-fluctuation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern is displayed with a scattered pattern. Note that the types of development performance corresponding to these special chart fluctuation patterns are different from each other, and the above-mentioned development performance A corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A, and the above-mentioned development performance B corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo-fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped with a spread. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performance corresponding to these special chart fluctuation patterns are different from each other, and development performance A corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A, and development performance B corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo-fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a spread. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performance corresponding to these special chart fluctuation patterns are different from each other, and development performance A corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A, and development performance B corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B.

The special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B correspond to the jackpot presentation route described above.
Specifically, for the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-fluctuation, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern is displayed in a pattern alignment (all pattern rows are stopped, and the same decorative pattern is stopped in each pattern row). The types of development effects corresponding to these special chart fluctuation patterns are different from each other, and the above-mentioned development effect A corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A, and the above-mentioned development effect B corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B.
For the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo fluctuations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with the pattern aligned. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to these special chart fluctuation patterns are different from each other, and development effect A corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, and development effect B corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo-fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a jackpot, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with the pattern aligned. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development performance corresponding to these special chart fluctuation patterns are different from each other, and the development performance A corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, and the development performance B corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B.
The special pattern variation pattern ASP3-C corresponds to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo-variations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with the pattern aligned. Note that the special pattern variation pattern ASP3-C corresponds to a development performance C that is different from both development performance A and development performance B.

In this way, in this embodiment, by matching the same development performance, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, and the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B. As a result, the contents of the performances of the matched performance routes will match from the start to the end (the timing when the result of the special chart success/failure judgment is shown by the development performance related to the performance route). Therefore, the player can have a sense of expectation of winning a jackpot in the pattern variation in which the development performance A and the development performance B are executed. Also, the above-mentioned special pattern variation pattern in which the performance route in which the development performance A and the development performance B are executed is determined can also be said to be a special pattern variation pattern that makes the player expect a jackpot.
In addition, there is no corresponding development miss presentation route for the special chart variation pattern ASP3-C. Therefore, when the development presentation C is executed in the pattern variation, the player can be made to recognize with certainty that he has won the jackpot. Therefore, it can be said that the presentation route corresponding to the special chart variation pattern is a presentation route that determines a jackpot win, and the special chart variation pattern is also said to be a special chart variation pattern that determines a jackpot win.

10(a), if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss, within the range where the number of pseudo-fluctuations is the same, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which development performance A is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which development performance B is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B) will be less likely to be determined in that order. And, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, within the range where the number of pseudo-fluctuations is the same, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which development performance A is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which development performance B is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B) will be more likely to be determined in that order. And, as mentioned above, development performance C is only executed when a jackpot is won.
Therefore, the expectation of winning a jackpot can be increased in the order of development effect A, development effect B, and development effect C.

10(a), when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss, in the range of the same type of development performance, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where no pseudo fluctuation occurs (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the number of pseudo fluctuations is two (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the number of pseudo fluctuations is three (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A) will be less likely to be determined in that order. And when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, in the range of the same type of development performance, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where no pseudo fluctuation occurs (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the number of pseudo fluctuations is two (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the number of pseudo fluctuations is three (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A) will be more likely to be determined in that order.
Therefore, the more times the pseudo fluctuation is executed, the higher the expectation of winning the jackpot.

As described above, in special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A, and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the reach state is reached without any pseudo-fluctuation, in special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B, the reach state is reached through two pseudo-fluctuations, and in special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B, and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-C, the reach state is reached through three pseudo-fluctuations.
Therefore, the time until the reach state is reached is longer in the special chart fluctuation pattern where the reach state is reached without any pseudo fluctuation, the special chart fluctuation pattern where the reach state is reached after two pseudo fluctuations, and the special chart fluctuation pattern where the reach state is reached after three pseudo fluctuations.

When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a hold winning occurrence), it sets effect data for displaying an image corresponding to the held symbol change in the display area of the main display unit 81 based on the information in the special symbol 1 hold counter and special symbol 2 hold counter included in the command. While details are omitted, a hold icon is an image that, depending on the appearance of the icon, suggests the likelihood of a jackpot win for the corresponding held symbol change, and the appearance (color or shape) of the image is determined by information included in the pre-determination command sent following the hold command. Furthermore, the sub-hold control means 223 sets effect data for displaying an image corresponding to the current symbol change (hereinafter, referred to as the "change icon") in the display area of the main display unit 81. As with the hold icon, details will be described later, a change icon is an image that, depending on the appearance of the icon, suggests the likelihood of a jackpot win for the currently executing symbol change.

When the pre-reading effect control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the pre-reading effect based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.
A pre-reading effect is an effect that suggests the degree of expectation for the result of the judgment on whether the special symbol will be selected in the pre-reading target pattern change, and the content of the effect that will be executed in the pre-reading target pattern change, over one or more pattern changes before the pre-reading target pattern change begins.
Details will be given later, but in this embodiment, the predictive effects include a movable body predictive effect using a performance shield 85, and a pattern predictive effect using a combination of decorative patterns that are displayed as fixed stops.

When the effect content determination means 225 receives a change start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current pattern change in accordance with the setting status of the game customization and general customization described below, in addition to the effect route already determined by the effect route determination means 222.
More specifically, the effect content determination means 225 determines the effect pattern lottery table to be referenced for the content of the effect (effect pattern) for each effect execution timing in the pattern change, etc., based on the effect route determined by the effect route determination means 222, the setting status of game customization, and the setting status of general customization, and determines the content of the effect by lottery using the determined effect pattern lottery table. In particular, by doing so, it is possible to change the content of the effect related to (executed according to) the determined effect route, and to create a connection between the effects in one pattern change. Furthermore, even if the same effect route is determined, it is possible to diversify the effects to be executed according to the setting status of game customization.

When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final combination of stopping patterns of the decorative patterns (left pattern, middle pattern, right pattern) based on the stopping patterns of the determined special patterns.
Specifically, the patterns B, C, and a correspond to odd-numbered patterns, the patterns A and b correspond to even-numbered patterns, and the patterns D and c correspond to scattered patterns.
In addition, when matching the combination of decorative patterns to be stopped with the stopping patterns of the special chart, it is not necessary to have the above-mentioned correspondence. For example, if the combination of decorative patterns to be stopped does not have a high expected probability compared to the above-mentioned correspondence, such as matching pattern a with an even-numbered pattern, in some cases (a lower rate than the rate at which the above-mentioned correspondence is achieved), a combination of decorative patterns that differs from the above-mentioned correspondence may be adopted, and even in such cases, it can be said that the combination of decorative patterns to be stopped corresponds to the stopping pattern of the special chart.

When the jackpot start command is received, the jackpot effect control means 227 determines the content of the jackpot effect that notifies players that a jackpot game is in progress, based on the information contained in the command. The jackpot effects include a start demo effect that notifies players that a jackpot game has started, a round effect that notifies players that a round game is in progress, and an end demo effect that notifies players that a jackpot game has ended.

The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read-out performance data includes performance data related to images, it generates image control commands based on that performance data and stores those commands in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read-out performance data includes performance data related to sounds, it generates audio control commands related to sounds based on that performance data and stores those commands in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.
Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the normal presentation control means 220 is configured to be able to use the presentation shield 85 to execute a cover presentation that suggests the result of the special symbol win/loss determination in the ongoing pattern change.

In particular, when the restored state upon power restoration is a playable state (when RAM clear processing is involved), the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that the playable state has been achieved with RAM clear processing, and when the restored state upon power restoration is a playable state (when RAM clear processing is not involved), the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying that the playable state has been achieved without RAM clear processing.
Furthermore, when the recovery state at the time of power restoration is a game stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads out presentation data for informing the user that the game has stopped and that it is necessary to execute a RAM clear process.
Details of these notifications are omitted, but it is preferable that they continue to be executed for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after execution has started, and the presentation device that executes the notification does not matter.

When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error effect pattern and reads out effect data for executing an error effect in accordance with the error effect pattern.
Note that the error effect is executed with priority over the variable effect related to the pattern variation (the execution of the variable effect is restricted by the execution of the error effect). Here, when the device related to the execution of the error effect and the device related to the execution of the variable effect are the same device, the execution of the error effect with priority is not limited to the case where only the error effect is executed on the device, but also includes the case where the error effect is executed in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variable effect on the device.
In addition, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and if it determines that it is in an error state, read out presentation data that executes an error presentation.An example of such an error state is a right-hit error state that is determined based on the number of times gate 63 is won when the probability of winning is low.

The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps, such as the frame lamp 35 and the performance shield lamp 85e. For example, if the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to the frame lamp 35 or the performance shield lamp 85e, the lamp control means 240 reads out lamp control data based on that performance data and transmits the read lamp control data to the frame lamp 35 and the performance shield lamp 85e.

When the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a movable role object (movable decorative body 22, sub-display unit 82, performance shield 85), the movable role object control means 245 reads movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable role object from ROM 202 based on the performance data, and transmits it to the movable object to control the movement of the movable object.

The volume adjustment means 250 executes a volume adjustment process for adjusting the volume and a volume adjustment command generation process for generating the volume adjustment command described above.
In this embodiment, when the volume adjustment operation unit (which can be operated by the player and is not shown) connected to the first sub-control board 200 is operated, the volume adjustment process based on the operation is executed regardless of whether the pattern is changing or not.

The brightness adjustment unit 255 executes a brightness adjustment process for adjusting brightness and a brightness adjustment command generation process for generating the brightness adjustment command described above.
In this embodiment, when the operation unit related to the brightness adjustment is operated, the brightness adjustment process based on the operation is executed regardless of whether the pattern is changing or not.

As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in said means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas.

The customization control means 265 performs game customization and general customization that affect the presentation content determined by the presentation content determination means 225. As will be described in detail below, these customizations are performed based on operations on the cursor buttons 38.

The sub-command management means 270 receives performance control commands transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received performance commands in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, if an audio control command or volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the audio control board 310. In principle, these commands are transmitted in the order in which they are stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

As explained above, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to perform game customization and general customization that affect the content of the effects during symbol changes and the like, based on game operations (operations on the cursor button 38, etc.). Furthermore, as look-ahead effects, it is configured to be able to perform movable object look-ahead effects using the effect shield 85, and pattern look-ahead effects using a combination of decorative symbols that are displayed as fixed stops, as well as a cover effect that uses the effect shield 85 and suggests the results of a special symbol win/loss determination during the ongoing symbol change. Furthermore, in order to increase the enjoyment of the game, the execution conditions for these look-ahead effects and the execution conditions for the cover effect are related. Details of these functions are explained below.

<About game customization and general customization>
First, the game customization and general customization will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12(a) is a table listing the items that can be set in game customization and their details, and FIG. 12(b) is a table listing the items that can be set in general customization and their details.

As shown in Figure 12(a), the items that can be set in the game customization include normal mode, active mode, and simple mode, and in this embodiment, one of these modes is set in the normal low probability (special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA). The execution frequency of the effect in the pattern variation changes depending on which mode is set.
More specifically, when the active mode is set, the frequency of execution of the look-ahead effects (movable body look-ahead effects, pattern look-ahead effects) increases, while when the simple mode is set, the frequency of execution of the look-ahead effects decreases. Therefore, when the active mode is set, the reliability of the look-ahead effects decreases, while when the simple mode is set, the reliability of the look-ahead effects increases. Here, the reliability of the look-ahead effects refers to the degree to which a jackpot game will occur in the pattern change (the pattern change that is the target of the look-ahead effect) corresponding to the look-ahead effect when the look-ahead effect is executed.
From this, it can be said that game customization is customization related to the frequency of execution of predictive effects.

As shown in Figure 12(b), the items that can be set with general customization include the total number of balls won, the total number of balls difference, and 3D display, and each item can be set to either ON or OFF. Depending on the setting status of these items, the control of the corresponding presentation changes.
More specifically, when the cumulative number of balls acquired is ON, even if a new normal high probability state is set after a normal high probability state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, special chart variation pattern derivation state PC) has ended and a normal low probability state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA) is inserted between them, the number of balls acquired in these normal high probability states continues to be counted. Here, the number of balls acquired is the total number of game balls (prize balls) awarded by game balls entering the big prize slot 55 in a jackpot game.
On the other hand, if the cumulative number of balls acquired item is OFF, the number of balls acquired is initialized based on the transition to normal low probability (transition condition (iii) being satisfied) except during jackpot play. As a result, if the cumulative number of balls acquired item is OFF, when a new normal high probability is set after the normal high probability has ended and a normal low probability has been sandwiched between them, the number of balls acquired will be counted anew from the start of the jackpot play that triggers the setting of the new normal high probability.
In this embodiment, the value of the number of acquired balls can be initialized not only when the initialization condition described above is met, but also when a reset condition that is met by an operation is met, as will be described in detail later. This also applies to the difference in the number of acquired balls, as will be described later.

When the cumulative difference in ball count is ON, even if a new normal high probability is set after a normal high probability has ended and a normal low probability is sandwiched between them, the difference in ball count for these normal high probability periods continues to be counted. Here, the difference in ball count refers to the total number of game balls (prize balls) awarded when game balls enter the prize slots provided in the gaming machine 10 minus the total number of game balls (out balls) detected by the out ball sensor 75. The difference in ball count may be reflected in the difference in ball count each time a prize ball or out ball is generated, or it may be reflected in the total number of prize balls each time a prize ball is generated, and reflected in the total number of out balls each time an out ball is generated, and the difference in ball count may be calculated by subtracting the total number of out balls from the total number of prize balls.
On the other hand, if the item for the cumulative difference in ball count is OFF, the number of difference balls is initialized based on the transition to normal low probability except during jackpot play. As a result, if the item for the cumulative difference in ball count is OFF, when a new normal high probability is set after the normal high probability has ended and a normal low probability has been sandwiched between them, the number of difference balls will be counted anew from the start of the jackpot play that triggers the setting of the new normal high probability.

When the 3D display item is ON, the target image for 3D display will be displayed as a 3D image; when the item is OFF, the target image will be displayed as a 2D image.

In this embodiment, game customization can be performed during non-play and play in normal low probability mode. Here, "non-play" refers to a state in which no symbol variation is being performed and no jackpot game is being performed, and "play" refers to a state other than non-play.
The general-purpose customization is configured to be executable both when not playing and when playing, regardless of whether the result image, described below, is a low probability or a high probability.
In addition, the customization contents relating to game customization and general customization are not initialized by transitioning to normal low probability mode except during jackpot play.

<About game customization>
Next, game customization will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of game customization.

As shown in FIG. 13, game customization is realized by operating the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d.
13 , in a state in which game characteristic customization is executable, an operation recommendation image ssg that indicates that game characteristic customization can be executed by operating the left cursor button 38 c or the right cursor button 38 d is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81. Note that the operation recommendation image ssg is an image that also indicates that general-purpose customization can be executed by operating the up cursor button 38 a or the down cursor button 38 b.

As shown in the scene in the middle of the top row, when the right cursor button 38d is operated while the operation recommendation image ssg is displayed, a game customization image kg1 is displayed that can identify the game customization mode currently being set (in this embodiment, this is the same as the mode that was set immediately before the operation, and in this example, it is normal mode, which is the default state for game customization).
Although not shown in the drawings, even if the left cursor button 38c is operated in this state, the same game customization image kg1 is displayed.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the right cursor button 38d is operated to start displaying the game characteristic customization image kg1 (an operation on the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d), a game characteristic customization image kg1 that identifies the mode that was set immediately before that operation is displayed, but it is also possible to display a game characteristic customization image kg1 that identifies the mode next to the mode that was set immediately before that operation at that time. In other words, the mode related to game characteristic customization may be switched by that operation.

If the right cursor button 38d is further operated in the state shown in the middle scene in the top row, the game customization image kg1 switches to a display mode that can identify the next mode (in this example, the active mode), as shown in the scene at the far right of the top row.
In this embodiment, when a game mode is switched to the next mode by a game operation (without a new game operation), the currently set game mode becomes the next mode. However, the game mode may be updated when a certain time has elapsed since the game operation (for example, when the game customization image kg1 is no longer displayed).

When the right cursor button 38d is operated in the state shown in the scene at the top right, the game customization image kg1 switches to a display mode that identifies the next mode (in this example, simple mode), as shown in the scene at the bottom left.
When the right cursor button 38d is operated in the state shown in the scene at the left end of the bottom row, the game customization image kg1 switches to a display mode that identifies the next mode (in this example, normal mode), as shown in the scene in the middle of the bottom row.
When the left cursor button 38c is operated in the state shown in the middle scene in the bottom row, the game customization image kg1 switches to a display mode that identifies the previous mode (in this example, simple mode), as shown in the scene at the right end of the bottom row.

In this way, in this embodiment, game customization is achieved by operating the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d, and by performing this operation, a game customization image kg1 is displayed that can identify the mode related to the game customization being set.
This allows the player to perform game characteristic customization and also recognize the customization status of the game characteristic customization (the mode related to the game characteristic customization currently being set).
In this embodiment, the game characteristic customization image kg1 is hidden when 10 seconds have passed since the most recent operation related to game characteristic customization (operation of the left cursor button 38c or the right cursor button 38d).

<About general customization>
Next, general-purpose customization will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of general-purpose customization during non-playing.

As shown in FIG. 14, general customization is realized by operating the middle cursor button 38e and the effect button 37 in addition to operating the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b.
Specifically, as shown in the scene at the top left of Fig. 14, in a state where general customization is executable, an operation recommendation image ssg is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81, similar to the scene at the top right of Fig. 13. Although not shown, in a state where general customization is executable but game performance customization is not executable (other than when not playing or when playing in a normal high probability game), the word "game performance" and the arrow pointing out from the word are not displayed in the images that make up the operation recommendation image ssg.

As shown in the scene in the middle of the top row of Figure 14, when the down cursor button 38b is operated while the operation recommendation image ssg is displayed, a general-purpose customization image kg2 is displayed that can identify the ON/OFF setting status of each item related to general customization (in this embodiment, this is the same as the setting that was made immediately before the operation; in this example, the 3D display item is ON and the other items are OFF, and these states are the default states of each item), as well as the predetermined first selection item (the item shown in shaded area; in this example, the cumulative number of balls won).
Although not shown in the drawings, even if the up cursor button 38a is operated in this state, the same general-purpose customized image kg2 is displayed.
The general-purpose customized image kg2 also includes the text "Use middle button to switch" which indicates that the selected item can be switched between ON and OFF by operating the middle cursor button 38e.

When the down cursor button 38b is operated in the state shown in the middle scene in the top row, the general-purpose customized image kg2 switches to a state in which the next item (in this example, the cumulative difference in the number of balls) is selected, as shown in the scene at the far right of the top row.
When the down cursor button 38b is operated in the state shown in the scene at the top right, the general-purpose customized image kg2 switches to a state in which the next item (in this example, 3D display) is selected, as shown in the scene at the bottom left.
Although not shown in the figure, when the up cursor button 38a is operated in the state shown in the scene at the top right, the general-purpose customized image kg2 switches to a state in which the previous item (in this example, the cumulative number of balls won) is selected.

When the middle cursor button 38e is operated in the state shown in the scene on the far left of the bottom row, the selected item in the general-purpose customized image kg2 is switched between ON and OFF (in this example, the 3D display item is switched from ON to OFF), as shown in the scene in the middle of the bottom row, and the text "Press middle button to switch" included in the general-purpose customized image kg2 is changed to "Press PUSH button to confirm."
The words "Confirm with *PUSH button" indicate that the current ON/OFF selection status of each item will be reflected as the result of this general customization by operating the effect button 37.

When the effect button 37 is operated in the state shown in the middle scene at the bottom, the general customization image kg2 is hidden, as shown in the scene at the right end of the bottom row, and the ON/OFF selection status of each item at the time of that operation (in this example, all items are OFF, as shown in the middle scene at the bottom) is reflected (set) as the result of this general customization.

In this way, in this embodiment, when not playing, general customization is achieved by operating the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b, as well as the middle cursor button 38e and the effect button 37, and by operating the up cursor button 38a or the down cursor button 38b, a general customization image kg2 is displayed that can identify the status of the general customization being set or selected.
This allows the player to recognize not only that general customization can be performed, but also the customization status of general customization (ON/OFF of items related to general customization that are being set or selected).
In this embodiment, the general-purpose customization image kg2 will be hidden 30 seconds after the most recent general-purpose customization operation (operation on the up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, or middle cursor button 38e) even if the effect button 37 is not operated, and at this time, the ON/OFF setting status for each item related to general-purpose customization will not change.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, even during game characteristic customization (while the game characteristic customization image kg1 is being displayed), operations related to general customization are valid, and performing such operations causes the general customization image kg2 to be displayed. Similarly, even during general customization (while the general customization image kg2 is being displayed), operations related to game characteristic customization are valid, and performing such operations causes the game characteristic customization image kg1 to be displayed.
However, in this embodiment, the general-purpose customization image kg2 is displayed with priority over the game customization image kg1, and therefore in the area where the display areas of the game customization image kg1 and the general-purpose customization image kg2 overlap, the general-purpose customization image kg2 is displayed in front of the game customization image kg1.

Although not mentioned above, in this embodiment, except when general customization is in progress, operating the middle cursor button 38e changes the contents of each customization to their default state (initializes the contents of each customization). Therefore, operating the middle cursor button 38e in this embodiment can be considered an operation for initializing customization.

<Outline of the pre-reading and cover-up effects>
First, an overview of the pre-reading effect and the cover effect according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 15 to 17.
15(a) to 15(c) are diagrams showing the operation pattern of the effect shielding body 85. 16(a) and 16(b) are diagrams showing a specific example of the movable body pre-reading effect, and 17(a) and 17(b) are diagrams showing a specific example of the movable body pre-reading effect. The pattern pre-reading effect will be explained in text, with illustrations omitted.

As shown in Figures 15(a) to 15(c), there are a total of three operating patterns for the performance shield 85 in this embodiment, and by using these operating patterns, movable body anticipation performances and cover performances can be realized.
Specifically, the operation patterns of the performance shield 85 include an operation pattern shown in Figure 15(a) in which the performance shield 85 moves from its original position to a first operation position (hereinafter may be referred to as the "first operation pattern"), an operation pattern shown in Figure 15(b) in which the performance shield 85 moves from its original position to a second operation position (hereinafter may be referred to as the "second operation pattern"), and an operation pattern shown in Figure 15(c) in which the performance shield 85 moves from its original position to a third operation position (hereinafter may be referred to as the "third operation pattern").
The cover effect in this embodiment is realized by the third operation pattern, which will be described in detail later. Furthermore, the cover effect can be categorized into a low-speed pattern in which the third operation pattern takes a long time (the operation speed of the cover 85 in the third operation pattern is slow), and a high-speed pattern in which the third operation pattern takes a short time (the operation speed of the cover 85 in the third operation pattern is fast).

As shown in Figures 16(a) and 16(b), the moving object pre-reading effect can use either the first operation pattern or the second operation pattern. When it is decided to execute the pre-reading effect, it is executed with one or more pattern changes from the next pattern change until the pattern change to be pre-read is executed. In particular, Figure 16(a) shows the moving object pre-reading effect using the first operation pattern, and Figure 16(b) shows the moving object pre-reading effect using the second operation pattern. Note that the specific example shown in Figures 16(a) and 16(b) is a snapshot of one pattern change in which the pre-reading effect is executed.

16(a) shows the first scene (the scene on the far left) in which the combination of decorative symbols (variations) that were fixed and displayed in the immediately preceding symbol variation is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81. At this time, the effect shield 85 is in its original position.
The second scene from the left shown in Fig. 16(a) is the scene following the first scene shown in Fig. 16(a), and in this scene, the operation of the effect shielding body 85 according to the first operation pattern (movable body pre-reading effect) is executed in response to the start of the pattern change. Therefore, the effect shielding body 85 is in the first operation position.
The third scene from the left shown in Figure 16(a) is the scene following the second scene from the left shown in Figure 16(a), and in this scene, the performance shield 85 is in the first operating position and a suggestion image sg1 containing the words ``Chance!'' is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81.
The fourth scene from the left shown in Fig. 16(a) is the scene following the third scene from the left shown in Fig. 16(a), and in this scene, the effect shield 85 is returned to its original position, and the combination of decorative symbols (variable symbols) is displayed in a fixed, stopped state in the display area related to the main display unit 81. At this time, the suggestion image sg1 displayed in the immediately preceding scene is not displayed.

16(b) shows the first scene (the scene on the far left) in which the combination of decorative symbols (variations) that were fixed and displayed in the immediately preceding symbol variation is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81. At this time, the effect shield 85 is in its original position.
The second scene from the left shown in Fig. 16(b) is the scene following the first scene shown in Fig. 16(b), and in this scene, the operation of the effect shielding body 85 according to the second operation pattern (movable body pre-reading effect) is executed in response to the start of the pattern change. Therefore, the effect shielding body 85 is in the second operation position.
The third scene from the left shown in Figure 16 (b) is the scene following the second scene from the left shown in Figure 16 (b), and in this scene, the performance shield 85 is in the second operating position and a suggestion image sg2 containing the words ``Super hot!'' is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81.
The fourth scene from the left shown in Fig. 16(b) is the scene following the third scene from the left shown in Fig. 16(b), and in this scene, the effect shield 85 is returned to its original position, and the combination of decorative symbols (variable symbols) is displayed in a fixed, stopped state in the display area of the main display unit 81. At this time, the suggestion image sg2 displayed in the immediately preceding scene is not displayed.

In this way, in the movable object pre-reading effect in this embodiment, the effect shield 85 operates in response to the start of the pattern change, and then a suggestive image (suggestive image sg1 or suggestive image sg2) corresponding to that operation is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81. In other words, in this embodiment, it can be said that the display of the suggestive image and the movable object pre-reading effect are executed in parallel. In particular, in the present invention, the execution of effects in parallel does not necessarily mean that the execution periods of both effects are the same, but also includes a partial overlap of the execution periods of both effects.
In the movable object pre-reading performance in this embodiment, the suggestive image is hidden at the same time as the performance shield 85 moves from the operating position (first operating position or second operating position) due to the execution of the movable object pre-reading performance to the original position.

As shown in Figures 17(a) and 17(b), the third movement pattern is used for the lid covering effect, with Figure 17(a) showing a slow-speed pattern lid covering effect in which the third movement pattern takes a long time (the movement speed of the effect shield 85 in the third movement pattern is slow), and Figure 17(b) showing a fast-speed pattern lid covering effect in which the third movement pattern takes a short time (the movement speed of the effect shield 85 in the third movement pattern is fast).

17(a) shows the first scene (the scene on the far left) in which the combination of decorative symbols (variations) that were fixed and displayed in the immediately preceding symbol variation is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81. At this time, the effect shield 85 is in its original position.
The second scene from the left in Figure 17(a) is the next scene after the first scene in Figure 17(a) (the timing when the pattern change begins), and in this scene, the decorative pattern is shown changing and displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and at this time, the performance shield 85 is in its original position, as in the first scene shown in Figure 17(a).
The third scene from the left shown in Figure 17(a) is the scene following the second scene from the left shown in Figure 17(a), and in this scene, a suggestion image sg1 containing the words "Chance!" is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81.

The fourth scene from the left shown in Figure 17(a) is the scene following the third scene from the left shown in Figure 17(a), and in this scene, the effect shield 85 is located in the third operating position. In this case, the slow pattern described above is used for the operation of the effect shield 85. Furthermore, at this time, the display of the suggestion image sg1 that was displayed in the previous scene is maintained. Therefore, the process of the effect shield 85 moving from its original position to the third operating position (the period during which the cover effect is executed) overlaps with the display period of the suggestion image sg1.
Also, although not shown in the figure, when the effect shield 85 is positioned in the third operating position, the effect shield lamp 85e lights up in white.
After the fourth scene from the left shown in Figure 17 (a) (not shown), the performance shield 85 begins to return to its original position, and the suggestion image sg1 is no longer displayed.

17(b) shows the first scene (the scene on the far left) in which the combination of decorative symbols (variations) that were fixed and displayed in the immediately preceding symbol variation is displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81. At this time, the effect shield 85 is in its original position.
The second scene from the left in Figure 17(b) is the next scene after the first scene in Figure 17(b) (the timing when the pattern change begins), and in this scene, the decorative pattern is shown changing and displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and at this time, the performance shield 85 is in its original position, as in the first scene shown in Figure 17(b).
The third scene from the left shown in Figure 17(b) is the scene following the second scene from the left shown in Figure 17(b), and in this scene, a suggestion image sg2 containing the words "Super hot!" is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81.
The fourth scene from the left shown in Figure 17(b) is the scene following the third scene from the left shown in Figure 17(b), and in this scene, the effect shield 85 is located in the third operating position. In this case, the high-speed pattern described above is adopted for the operation of the effect shield 85. Furthermore, at this time, the display of the suggestion image sg2 that was displayed in the previous scene is maintained. Therefore, the process of the effect shield 85 moving from its original position to the third operating position (the execution period of the cover effect) overlaps with the display period of the suggestion image sg2. In other words, in this embodiment, it can be said that the display of the suggestion image and the cover effect are executed in parallel.
Also, although not shown in the figure, when the effect shield 85 is positioned in the third operating position, the effect shield lamp 85e lights up in red.
After the fourth scene from the left shown in Figure 17 (b) (not shown), the performance shield 85 begins to return to its original position, and the suggestion image sg2 is no longer displayed.

In this way, in the cover effect in this embodiment, a suggestion image (suggestion image sg1 or suggestion image sg2) is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and the effect shield 85 operates. Furthermore, when the cover effect is executed, the display mode of the suggestion image displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81 and the lighting mode of the effect shield lamp 85e correspond to the pattern of the operating speed of the effect shield 85.

Next, although not shown in the figures, in the pattern pre-reading performance, there are cases where the pattern combination displayed as a confirmed stop is a spread consisting of only even numbered symbols (hereinafter may be referred to as an "even numbered spread"), where the pattern combination displayed as a confirmed stop is a spread consisting of only odd numbered symbols excluding symbol 7 (hereinafter may be referred to as an "odd numbered spread (excluding symbol 7)"), and where the pattern combination displayed as a confirmed stop is a spread consisting of only odd numbered symbols including symbol 7 (hereinafter may be referred to as an "odd numbered spread (including symbol 7)").
When the symbol pre-reading effect is executed, each symbol row related to the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed one by one in order.
In addition, in the pattern pre-reading performance in this embodiment, the performance shield 85 does not move and is maintained in its original position.

<About the predictive performance control process>
Next, using Figures 18 to 22, we will explain in detail the predictive effect control process that determines whether or not to execute a cover effect, whether or not to execute a predictive effect, and the mode of these effects (performance mode).
FIG. 18 shows a flow of the pre-reading performance control process, which is executed by the pre-reading performance control means 224 when a pre-determination command is received in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA.
Figure 19(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used to determine whether or not to execute the lid-covering effect, and Figure 19(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used to determine the mode of the lid-covering effect.
Figures 20(a) to 20(c) are schematic diagrams showing lottery tables used for drawing lots to determine whether a pre-reading effect will be executed when a cover effect is not executed during a pattern change that is the subject of pre-reading, and Figures 21(a) to 21(c) are schematic diagrams showing lottery tables used for drawing lots to determine whether a pre-reading effect will be executed when a cover effect is executed during a pattern change that is the subject of pre-reading.
Figure 22(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used to determine the mode of the movable body pre-reading performance, and Figure 22(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used to determine the mode of the pattern pre-reading performance.
The range of random numbers used in these lotteries is 0 to 99.

As shown in FIG. 18, in step S202, which is the first step in the predictive effect control process, a lottery is conducted for the cover effect, that is, a lottery is conducted to determine whether or not the cover effect will be executed and the manner in which it will be executed.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 19 (a), in the lottery to determine whether or not the cover-lid effect will be executed, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment for the pattern change (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "target pattern change") that triggered the execution of this advance reading effect control process is a miss, and a special pattern change pattern in which no advanced effect will be executed is determined, there is a 0/100 probability that the lottery to execute the cover-lid effect will be won, and there is a 100/100 (1/1) probability that the lottery to execute the cover-lid effect will not be won.
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which a development effect is executed is determined, there is a 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33) probability that the player will win the lottery to execute the lid-covering effect, and a 70/100 (approximately 1/1.43) probability that the player will not win the lottery to execute the lid-covering effect.
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a jackpot, there is a 60/100 (approximately 1/1.67) probability that the player will win the lottery to execute the cover-lid effect, and a 40/100 (1/2.5) probability that the player will not win the lottery to execute the cover-lid effect.
In this way, in this embodiment, the cover effect is executed when a development effect is executed in the target pattern change, and when the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, it is executed with a higher probability than when the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment is a miss.

Also, as shown in Figure 19 (b), in the lottery that determines the mode of the lid-covering effect (which is carried out when it is decided to execute the lid-covering effect), if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which an advanced effect is executed is determined, a slow pattern is determined with a probability of 60/100 (approximately 1/1.67), and a high-speed pattern is determined with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5).
If the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment for the target pattern change is a jackpot, a slow pattern is determined with a probability of 20/100 (1/5), and a fast pattern is determined with a probability of 80/100 (1/5).
In this way, in this embodiment, when the cover-cover effect is executed, the high-speed pattern is determined with a higher probability when the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot than when the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation. In other words, when the cover-cover effect is executed, the low-speed pattern is determined with a lower probability when the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot than when the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation.
In this embodiment, if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which the development effect is not executed is determined, the execution of the cover effect is not determined, so the lottery value column for "miss (no development effect)" in Figure 19 (b) is "-". This also applies to the following explanation.

Returning to FIG. 18, in step S204, it is determined whether a pre-reading effect is being executed, i.e., whether a movable object pre-reading effect or a pattern pre-reading effect is being executed, and if the condition is met, the pre-reading effect control process is terminated; if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, a lottery is held to determine whether or not to execute a pre-reading effect based on whether or not to execute a cover effect. In particular, the lottery refers to the effect mode set by game customization.
Specifically, in the lottery that determines whether or not to execute a pre-reading effect when a cover effect is not executed, as shown in Figure 20 (a), when normal mode is set by game customization, if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which an advanced effect is not executed is determined, there is a 20/100 (1/5) probability that a symbol pre-reading effect will be determined, and there is an 80/100 (1/1.25) probability that the execution of the pre-reading effect will not be determined (the execution of the movable body pre-reading effect will also not be determined).
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which a development effect is executed is determined, the symbol pre-reading effect is determined with a probability of 50/100 (1/2), and the execution of the pre-reading effect is not determined with a probability of 50/100 (1/2) (the execution of the movable body pre-reading effect is also not determined).
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot, the symbol pre-reading effect is determined with a probability of 60/100 (approximately 1/1.67), and the execution of the pre-reading effect is not determined with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5) (the execution of the moving body pre-reading effect is also not determined).

As shown in Figure 20 (b), when the active mode is set by game customization, if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which an advanced effect is not executed is determined, there is a 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33) probability that a symbol pre-reading effect will be determined, and there is a 70/100 (approximately 1/1.43) probability that the pre-reading effect will not be executed (the execution of the movable body pre-reading effect will also not be determined).
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which a development effect is executed is determined, the symbol pre-reading effect is determined with a probability of 70/100 (approximately 1/1.43), and the execution of the pre-reading effect is not determined with a probability of 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33) (the execution of the movable body pre-reading effect is also not determined).
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot, the symbol pre-reading effect is determined with a probability of 90/100 (approximately 1/1.11), and the execution of the pre-reading effect is not determined with a probability of 10/100 (1/10) (the execution of the moving body pre-reading effect is also not determined).

As shown in Figure 20 (c), when simple mode is set by game customization, if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which an advanced effect is not executed is determined, the symbol pre-reading effect is determined with a probability of 10/100 (1/10), and the execution of the pre-reading effect is not determined with a probability of 90/100 (approximately 1/1.11) (the execution of the movable body pre-reading effect is also not determined).
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which a development effect is executed is determined, the symbol pre-reading effect is determined with a probability of 20/100 (1/5), and the execution of the pre-reading effect is not determined with a probability of 80/100 (1/1.25) (the execution of the movable body pre-reading effect is also not determined).
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot, the symbol pre-reading effect is determined with a probability of 60/100 (approximately 1/1.67), and the execution of the pre-reading effect is not determined with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5) (the execution of the moving body pre-reading effect is also not determined).

Furthermore, in the lottery that determines whether or not to execute a pre-reading effect when a cover effect is executed, as shown in Figure 21 (a), when normal mode is set by game customization, if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which a development effect is executed is determined, there is a 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33) probability that a moving object pre-reading effect will be determined, a 20/100 (1/5) probability that a symbol pre-reading effect will be determined, and a 50/100 (1/2) probability that the pre-reading effect will not be executed.
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot, the moving body pre-reading performance is determined with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5), the symbol pre-reading performance is determined with a probability of 20/100 (1/5), and the execution of the pre-reading performance is not determined with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5).

As shown in Figure 21 (b), when the active mode is set by game customization, if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which a development effect is executed is determined, there is a 40/100 (1/2.5) probability that a moving object pre-reading effect will be determined, a 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33) probability that a symbol pre-reading effect will be determined, and a 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33) probability that the execution of the pre-reading effect will not be determined.
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot, the moving body pre-reading effect is determined with a probability of 60/100 (approximately 1/1.67), the symbol pre-reading effect is determined with a probability of 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33), and the execution of the pre-reading effect is not determined with a probability of 10/100 (1/10).

As shown in Figure 21 (c), when simple mode is set by game customization, if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which an advanced effect is executed is determined, there is a 15/100 (approximately 1/6.67) probability that a moving object pre-reading effect will be determined, a 5/100 (1/20) probability that a symbol pre-reading effect will be determined, and there is an 80/100 (1/1.25) probability that the execution of the pre-reading effect will not be determined.
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot, the moving body pre-reading performance is determined with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5), the symbol pre-reading performance is determined with a probability of 20/100 (1/5), and the execution of the pre-reading performance is not determined with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5).

In this way, in this embodiment, when a look-ahead effect is executed, if a cover effect is executed in the target pattern variation, the movable body look-ahead effect is more likely to be determined as the type of look-ahead effect than the pattern look-ahead effect. Therefore, when a movable body look-ahead effect is executed as the look-ahead effect, the probability of a cover effect being executed in the target pattern variation is higher than when a pattern look-ahead effect is executed as the look-ahead effect.
This creates a correlation between the execution of the cover effect using the effect shield 85 and the execution of the movable body pre-reading effect, which is a pre-reading effect using the movement of the effect shield 85, making the cover effect easier to recognize and increasing the interest in the game.
In order to achieve this effect, the movable body pre-reading effect does not necessarily have to use the operation of the effect shield 85, but may be realized by the lighting or non-lighting and color of the lamp (effect shield lamp 85e) provided on the effect shield 85. In other words, the movable body pre-reading effect may be a pre-reading effect using the effect shield 85. Furthermore, the lamp may be provided on each of the effect shields 85, or as in this embodiment, the lamp may be provided on some of the movable bodies that make up the effect shield 85.
In addition, the execution of the movable object pre-reading effect may be decided only when the execution of the lid covering effect is decided.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a pattern pre-reading effect is executed, a lid-covering effect may be executed when the target pattern changes, but it is also possible to prevent a lid-covering effect from being executed when the target pattern changes when a pattern pre-reading effect is executed.
In addition, in this embodiment, the performance shield 85 is made up of multiple movable bodies, but it may also be made up of a single movable body.
In addition, in this embodiment, the cover effect is an effect that is executed based on the start of the symbol variation, but is not limited to this. For example, the cover effect may be executed when a reach state occurs, or may be executed during the development effect.

Therefore, the gaming machine 10 is equipped with a specific movable body (effect shield 85) consisting of one or more movable bodies, and is capable of executing, as effects using the specific movable body, a first effect (cover effect) in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is equal to or greater than a specific movement amount (from the original position to the third movement position), and a second effect (movable body pre-reading effect) in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is less than the specific movement amount; in executing the first effect, the rate at which the first effect is executed during the execution of a specific pattern change is higher when the second effect is executed at a predetermined pattern change before the specific pattern change than when the second effect is not executed at the predetermined pattern change; or, in other words, when the second effect is executed at a predetermined pattern change before the specific pattern change, the first effect can be executed at the specific pattern change, and when the second effect is not executed at the predetermined pattern change, the first effect is not executed at the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change.
In addition, when the specific movable body is made up of a plurality of movable bodies, the movable body whose movement amount is compared with the specific movement amount may be a part of the plurality of movable bodies.
In addition, when the "second effect is not executed in the predetermined pattern variation," an effect different from the second effect is allowed to be executed.

The gaming machine 10 is also equipped with a specific movable body (effect shield 85) that has a light-emitting unit (effect shield lamp 85e) and is composed of one or more movable bodies, and is capable of executing two effects using the specific movable body: a first effect (cover effect) in which the specific movable body moves, and a second effect (movable body pre-reading effect) in which the light-emitting unit is turned on without moving the specific movable body. When the first effect is executed, the rate at which the first effect is executed during the execution of a specific pattern change is higher when the second effect is executed with a predetermined pattern change before the specific pattern change than when the second effect is not executed with the predetermined pattern change. In other words, when the second effect is executed with a predetermined pattern change before the specific pattern change, the first effect can be executed with the specific pattern change, and when the second effect is not executed with the predetermined pattern change, the first effect is not executed with the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change.

Also, although not shown in the figures, in this embodiment, if the pattern change related to the execution of this look-ahead performance control process results in the value of the special pattern 1 pending counter being 1, i.e., if that pattern change will be executed next, the lottery will not be executed and the look-ahead performance control process will end.

Returning to FIG. 18, in step S208, it is determined whether or not the lottery that determines whether or not the pre-reading effect will be executed has been won. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S210; if the condition is not met, the pre-reading effect control process ends.

In step S210, a lottery is held to determine the type of pre-reading effect.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 22 (a), in the lottery that determines the mode of the movable body pre-reading performance, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment for the target pattern change is a miss and a special pattern change pattern in which a development performance is executed is determined, the first operation pattern is determined with a probability of 60/100 (approximately 1/1.67), and the second operation pattern is determined with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5).
If the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment for the target pattern change is a jackpot, the first operation pattern is determined with a probability of 30/100 (approximately 1/3.33), and the second operation pattern is determined with a probability of 70/100 (approximately 1/1.43).

Also, as shown in Figure 22 (b), in the lottery that determines the mode of the pattern pre-reading performance, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment for the target pattern change is a miss and the special pattern change pattern in which the development performance is executed is not determined, an even number spread will be determined with a probability of 100/100 (1/1), and odd number spreads (excluding 7 symbols) and odd number spreads (including 7 symbols) will not be determined.
When the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol change is a miss and a special symbol change pattern in which a development performance is executed is determined, an even numbered variance is determined with a probability of 60/100 (approximately 1/1.67), an odd numbered variance (excluding 7 symbols) is determined with a probability of 40/100 (1/2.5), and an odd numbered variance (including 7 symbols) is never determined.
If the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment for the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot, an even number spread will be determined with a probability of 20/100 (1/5), an odd number spread (excluding 7 symbols) will be determined with a probability of 70/100 (approximately 1/1.43), and an odd number spread (including 7 symbols) will be determined with a probability of 10/100 (1/10).

Returning to FIG. 18, in step S212, the effect data for the pre-reading effect determined by the lottery process up to this point is set. This means that the pre-reading effect will be executed from the next pattern change.

In this embodiment, as shown in step S204, if the pre-reading performance is not being executed, it can be determined to execute a new pre-reading performance, but the condition may be added that the special pattern change pattern related to the reserved pattern change is the basic special pattern described above. In this way, the flow of the pre-reading performance can be made smoother.
In particular, when configured in this way, the value of the special symbol 1 reserve counter when the symbol change that executes the movable body pre-reading effect starts changes the change time for that symbol change, i.e., the time from when one movable body pre-reading effect starts to when the next movable body pre-reading effect starts (the execution interval of the movable body pre-reading effect) can change, but the expectation of the lid cover effect being executed in the symbol change for the pre-read target of these movable body pre-reading effects does not change. This allows for variation in the execution rhythm of the movable body pre-reading effect without changing the expectation of the execution of the lid cover effect, thereby increasing the interest in the game.

In addition, in this embodiment, the pattern pre-reading performance has a mode in which the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the target pattern change is determined to be a jackpot (odd number spread (including 7 patterns)). On the other hand, this mode does not exist in the movable body pre-reading.
This increases attention to the cover effect, which is likely to be performed after the movable body prediction effect, and makes the game more interesting.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the probability that the mode of the movable body pre-reading performance is determined varies depending on the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation. And the probability that the execution of the lid cover performance is determined varies depending on the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation (the symbol fluctuation currently being executed). More specifically, among the modes of the movable body pre-reading performance, the second operation pattern is determined with a higher probability when the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation is a jackpot than when the result is a miss. And the execution of the lid cover performance is determined with a higher probability when the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the target symbol fluctuation (the symbol fluctuation currently being executed) is a jackpot than when the result is a miss.
This increases the anticipation for the execution of the cover effect by the manner in which the movable body is predicted, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game.

<About the behavior when using the middle cursor button during the moving object pre-reading effect>
As described above, in this embodiment, when the middle cursor button 38e is operated, the contents of each customization (game customization, general customization) are changed to the default state (the contents of each customization are initialized), except when general customization is being performed. Below, using Figures 23(a) to 23(d), the behavior when the middle cursor button 38e is operated while a movable object pre-reading effect is being performed will be described. Note that Figures 23(a) to 23(d) are diagrams showing specific examples of when the middle cursor button 38e is operated while a movable object pre-reading effect is being performed.

Figure 23(a) shows an example in which the middle cursor button 38e is operated in the second scene from the left in Figure 16(a).As shown in Figure 23(a), in this case, the performance shield 85 moves from the first operating position to the original position.
Figure 23 (b) shows an example in which the middle cursor button 38e is operated in the third scene from the left in Figure 16 (a).As shown in Figure 23 (b), in this case, the performance shield 85 moves from the first operating position to the original position, and the displayed suggestion image sg1 also becomes hidden.
Figure 23 (c) shows an example in which the middle cursor button 38e is operated in the second scene from the left in Figure 16 (b).As shown in Figure 23 (c), in this case, the performance shield 85 moves from the second operating position to the original position.
Figure 23 (d) shows an example in which the middle cursor button 38e is operated in the third scene from the left in Figure 16 (b).As shown in Figure 23 (d), in this case, the performance shield 85 moves from the second operating position to the original position, and the displayed suggestion image sg2 also becomes hidden.

In this embodiment, for the movable object pre-reading effect and the cover effect, which are effects that use the same device (effect shield 85) and are related in terms of whether they can be executed, if the middle cursor button 38e is operated during the execution of the movable object pre-reading effect, the execution of both the movable object pre-reading effect and the suggestive image that are currently being executed is stopped. This is because the operation of the middle cursor button 38e is an operation that initializes the game customization related to the execution frequency of the movable object pre-reading effect.
On the other hand, with regard to the cover effect, if it has been decided that the cover effect will be executed, the cover effect will be executed when the target pattern changes in the movable body pre-reading effect that has been canceled.
This prevents the lid cover effect from being canceled when the movable object pre-reading effect is canceled due to an incorrect operation of the middle cursor button 38e, and makes it possible to suppress a decrease in interest in the game when an incorrect operation (on the middle cursor button 38e) occurs. In the following explanation, the lid cover effect that is executed by the pattern variation of the target related to the movable object pre-reading effect after the movable object pre-reading effect has been canceled will simply be referred to as the lid cover effect after the movable object pre-reading effect has been canceled.
In order to achieve this effect, after the movable body pre-reading effect is stopped, such as at the start of the pattern change of the target related to the stopped movable body pre-reading effect, it may be decided again whether or not to execute the lid cover effect in the pattern change of the target. In particular, when deciding again whether or not to execute the lid cover effect in the pattern change of the target, it is preferable to use the lottery tables shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b).
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation to set the content of each customization (game customization, general customization) to the default state was a single operation on the middle cursor button 38e, but the operation to set the content to the default state may be multiple operations on a single operation unit such as the middle cursor button 38e, or may involve performing a single operation followed by an operation on an operation unit different from the operation unit related to that single operation.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, when a predetermined operation (operation on the middle cursor button 38e) is performed during the execution of the second effect (movable body pre-reading effect) in the above-mentioned predetermined pattern change, the execution of the second effect is stopped, and the first effect (covering effect) can be executed in the above-mentioned specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change.
It should be noted that the predetermined operation is preferably an operation for setting each customization content to a default state, as in this embodiment, but is not limited to this, and the purpose of the operation does not matter.

In particular, in this embodiment, in parallel with the cover effect, suggestive images (suggestive image sg1, suggestive image sg2) are displayed by the main display unit 81, which is a device different from the effect shield 85.
This makes it easier to recognize the cover effect, thereby enhancing the effect of preventing a decline in interest in the game when the above-mentioned incorrect operation occurs.
In order to achieve this effect, the device different from the effect shield 85 is not limited to a device that displays an image, but may also be a lamp or a speaker. Also, in this embodiment, a suggestive image is always displayed when the cover effect is executed, but this is not limited to this, and the suggestive image may be displayed only when the cover effect is executed. This also applies to the following inventions.

In other words, the gaming machine 10 is equipped with a separate device (main display unit 81) that is different from the specific movable body (effect shield 85), and when the first effect (cover effect) is executed, a specific effect (suggestive image) can be executed by the separate device in parallel with the first effect.

In particular, in this embodiment, if the movable object prediction performance is canceled due to an incorrect operation of the middle cursor button 38e, a suggestive image is displayed in parallel with the cover performance that may be executed thereafter.
According to this, by emphasizing the cover effect that is executed after the above-mentioned incorrect operation is made, the effect of suppressing a decrease in interest in the game when the above-mentioned incorrect operation occurs can be further enhanced.

In other words, when a predetermined operation (operation of the middle cursor button 38e) is performed on the gaming machine 10 during the execution of the second effect (movable object pre-reading effect) in the predetermined pattern change, and the first effect (cover effect) is executed during the specific pattern change following the predetermined pattern change, a specific effect (suggestive image) can be executed in parallel with the first effect.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a suggestive image is displayed in parallel with the cover performance that follows the movable object pre-reading performance regardless of whether the movable object pre-reading performance is canceled or not, and the display mode of the suggestive image does not differ depending on whether the movable object pre-reading performance is canceled or not (it is the same regardless of whether the movable object pre-reading performance is canceled or not), but is not limited to this.
Specifically, the display mode of the suggestion image displayed in parallel with the lid covering performance that is executed after the movable object pre-reading performance is stopped may be different from the display mode of the suggestion image displayed in parallel with the lid covering performance that is executed without the movable object pre-reading performance being stopped.
This makes it easier to recognize that the above-mentioned erroneous operation has been performed.
In order to achieve this effect, the display mode of the suggestion image displayed in parallel with the lid covering effect executed after the movable object pre-reading effect is stopped does not necessarily have to be different from the display mode of the suggestion image displayed in parallel with the lid covering effect executed without the movable object pre-reading effect being stopped. In other words, in some cases where the movable object pre-reading effect is stopped, it is sufficient that the display mode of the suggestion image displayed in parallel with the lid covering effect after the stoppage is different from the display mode of the suggestion image displayed in parallel with the lid covering effect executed without the movable object pre-reading effect being stopped.
However, for a predetermined period of time after the movable object pre-reading performance is stopped, the image displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81 and the lighting state of the frame lamp 35 may be the same regardless of the state of the stopped movable object pre-reading performance (the operation pattern of the performance shield 85). Here, the predetermined period may be any period of time after the middle cursor button 38e is operated, and an example of this period is the period until the target pattern related to the stopped movable object pre-reading performance starts to change.

In other words, in the gaming machine 10, when a predetermined operation (operation of the middle cursor button 38e) is performed during the execution of the second effect (movable object pre-reading effect) in the above-mentioned predetermined pattern change, and the first effect (cover effect) is executed in the above-mentioned specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change, the presentation mode of the specific effect may differ from the presentation mode of the specific effect when a predetermined operation is not performed during the execution of the second effect in the predetermined pattern change, and the first effect is executed in the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change.

Similarly, the lighting mode of the performance shield lamp 85e when the cover performance is executed may be different between the lighting mode of the performance shield lamp 85e in a cover performance executed after the movable object pre-reading performance is stopped and the lighting mode of the performance shield lamp 85e in a cover performance executed without the movable object pre-reading performance being stopped.
This also makes it easier to recognize that the above-mentioned erroneous operation has been performed.
Note that, even when this effect is achieved, the lighting mode of the effect shield lamp 85e in the cover performance executed after the movable object pre-reading performance is canceled does not necessarily have to be different from the lighting mode of the effect shield lamp 85e in the cover performance executed without the movable object pre-reading performance being canceled. In other words, in some cases where the movable object pre-reading performance is canceled, it is sufficient that the lighting mode of the effect shield lamp 85e in the cover performance after the cancellation is different from the lighting mode of the effect shield lamp 85e in the cover performance executed without the movable object pre-reading performance being canceled.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the first effect (cover effect) includes the lighting of the light-emitting unit (effect shield lamp 85e), and the lighting state of the light-emitting unit when a predetermined operation (operation of the middle cursor button 38e) is performed during the execution of the second effect (movable object pre-reading effect) in the predetermined pattern change and the first effect is executed in the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change may differ from the lighting state of the light-emitting unit when a predetermined operation is not performed during the execution of the second effect in the predetermined pattern change and the first effect is executed in the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a suggestive image is displayed in the cover-cover performance after the movable object pre-reading performance regardless of whether the movable object pre-reading performance has been canceled or not, but it is not limited to this, and the configuration may be such that a suggestive image is not displayed in the cover-cover performance if the movable object pre-reading performance is not canceled, and a suggestive image is displayed in the cover-cover performance executed after the movable object pre-reading performance has been canceled.
This also makes it easier to recognize that the above-mentioned erroneous operation has been performed.
In order to achieve this effect, in some cases where the movable object prediction performance is canceled, a suggestive image may be displayed in the cover performance that is executed after the cancellation.

Also, as described above, in this embodiment, in parallel with the movable body advance reading, suggestive images (suggestive image sg1, suggestive image sg2) are displayed by the main display unit 81, which is a device different from the performance shield 85.
This makes it easier to recognize the movable body read-ahead, thereby making it easier to recognize that the above-mentioned erroneous operation has occurred.
In order to achieve this effect, a suggestive image may be displayed in some cases when the movable object prediction performance is executed.

In other words, the gaming machine 10 is equipped with a separate device (main display unit 81) that is different from the specific movable object (effect shield 85), and when the second effect (movable object pre-reading effect) is executed, a predetermined effect (suggestive image) can be executed by the separate device in parallel with the second effect.

In particular, in this embodiment, the display of the suggestive image that is executed in parallel with the movable object pre-reading performance is stopped in the same way as the movable object pre-reading performance when the middle cursor button 38e is operated.
This can enhance the effect of making it easier to recognize that an erroneous operation has occurred.
In order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary for the display of the suggestive image that is executed in parallel with the movable body pre-reading effect to be stopped by operating the middle cursor button 38e. In other words, the display of the suggestive image that is executed in parallel with the movable body pre-reading effect may be stopped in some cases when the middle cursor button 38e is operated.

In other words, when a predetermined operation (operation of the middle cursor button 38e) is performed on the gaming machine 10 while the second effect (movable object pre-reading effect) in the above-mentioned predetermined symbol variation is being executed, the predetermined effect (suggestive image) can be stopped.

<Other Modifications>
Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.
First, in this embodiment, the cover effect, the movable body pre-reading effect, and the pattern pre-reading effect can be determined to be executed in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, which is a low probability of normal play, but this is not limited to this. In other words, these effects can be determined to be executed in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state (special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC), which is a high probability of normal play.

In addition, in this embodiment, the effect executed in parallel with the cover effect and the effect executed in parallel with the movable body pre-reading effect are both the display of suggestive images, but these effects may also be different effects.
However, even in this case, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to have a correlation (correlation in decision ratio) between the type of performance executed in parallel with the lid covering performance and the type of performance executed in parallel with the movable body pre-reading performance.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned invention, the different modes (presentation modes, lighting modes) can be anything that a player can recognize as different. In particular, when the lighting modes are different, one of them may not be lit.

In addition, while the special winning determination in this embodiment determines whether or not a jackpot will be won, it may also, or instead, determine whether or not a small winning (a so-called double winning) that will result in a jackpot game will be won.

In addition, as long as the relationship between the probability, rate, and frequency in this embodiment is guaranteed, the lower the probability, the higher the frequency, the more likely the winner will be. In either case, the lottery itself may not be held.
Furthermore, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.

In addition, in the above explanation, the recovery state upon power restoration is determined by referring to the state of the RAM clear switch 43 upon power restoration, but it is also possible to refer to whether the time the RAM clear switch 43 has been in the ON state since power restoration exceeds a specified time (e.g., 3 seconds). In this way, the occurrence of erroneous RAM clear processing can be further reduced.

In addition, in the above explanation, the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 (open/closed state of the middle frame 17) was referenced when determining the recovery state upon power restoration, but the recovery state may be set without reference to this state. In this case, the recovery state upon power restoration may be uniformly set according to the case when the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON (the middle frame 17 is open).

The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications, improvements, and other aspects as long as the objectives of the present invention are achieved.

<Additional Notes>
The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea.
(1)
A gaming machine that is equipped with a specific movable body that has a light-emitting unit and is composed of one or more movable bodies, and that can execute a first performance in which the specific movable body moves, and a second performance in which the light-emitting unit is turned on without the movement of the specific movable body,
In carrying out the first performance,
Regarding the rate at which the first effect is executed during the execution of a specific pattern variation, the rate at which the second effect is executed in a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation is higher than the rate at which the second effect is not executed in the predetermined pattern variation,
Alternatively, when the second performance is executed in a predetermined pattern change before a specific pattern change, the first performance may be executed in the specific pattern change, and when the second performance is not executed in the predetermined pattern change, the first performance is not executed in the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change,
When a predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, the execution of the second performance is stopped, and the first performance can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation,
Further, a separate device different from the specific movable body is provided,
When the first performance is executed, a specific performance by the other device may be executed in parallel with the first performance,
When the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the specific performance may be executed in parallel with the first performance,
The presentation mode of the specific performance when the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation may be different from the presentation mode of the specific performance when the predetermined operation is not performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(2)
A gaming machine that is equipped with a specific movable body that is composed of one or more movable bodies, and that can execute a first performance in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is equal to or greater than a specific movement amount, and a second performance in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is less than the specific movement amount,
In carrying out the first performance,
Regarding the rate at which the first effect is executed during the execution of a specific pattern variation, the rate at which the second effect is executed in a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation is higher than the rate at which the second effect is not executed in the predetermined pattern variation,
Alternatively, when the second performance is executed in a predetermined pattern change before a specific pattern change, the first performance may be executed in the specific pattern change, and when the second performance is not executed in the predetermined pattern change, the first performance is not executed in the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change,
When a predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, the execution of the second performance is stopped, and the first performance can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation,
Further, a separate device different from the specific movable body is provided,
When the first performance is executed, a specific performance by the other device may be executed in parallel with the first performance,
When the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the specific performance may be executed in parallel with the first performance,
The presentation mode of the specific performance when the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation may be different from the presentation mode of the specific performance when the predetermined operation is not performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation.
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame portions 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball ejection mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation unit 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54, protective member 55, large prize opening 57, first start opening 59, second start opening 61, normal electric role device 62, normal electric role device solenoid 63, gate 65, special electric role device 66, special electric role device solenoid 67, general prize opening 69, outlet opening 70, first start opening sensor 71, second start opening sensor 72, large prize opening sensor 73, general prize opening sensor 74, gate sensor 75, outlet ball sensor 76, middle frame door open sensor 77, front frame door open sensor 80, performance display device 81, main display unit 82, sub-display unit 82a, upper sub-display unit 82b, left sub-display unit 82c, right sub-display unit 83, volume adjustment unit 84, brightness adjustment unit 85, performance shield 85a, upper left performance shield 85b, upper right performance shield 85c, lower left performance shield 85d, lower right performance shield 85e, performance shield lamp 90, pattern display device 91 First special symbol display device 92 Second special symbol display device 93 Ordinary symbol display device 94 First special symbol reserve lamp 95 Second special symbol reserve lamp 96 Ordinary symbol reserve lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 I/O port 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main hold control means 125 Advance determination means 130 Special symbol lottery means 131 Special symbol win/loss determination means 132 Special symbol stop symbol lottery means 133 Special symbol variation pattern derivation means 135 Regular symbol lottery means 140 Big win game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric role control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration processing execution means 176 Recovery state setting means 179 Playable state transition means 180 Power cut processing execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I/O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal presentation control means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Presentation route determination means 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Pre-reading presentation control means 225 Presentation content determination means 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Big win presentation control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable role control means 250 Volume adjustment means 255 Brightness adjustment means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 I/O port 400 Dispensing control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path ssg Operation recommendation image kg1 Game customization image kg2 General customization image sg1 Suggestion image sg2 Suggestion image

Claims (2)

A gaming machine that is equipped with a specific movable body that has a light-emitting unit and is composed of one or more movable bodies, and that can execute a first performance in which the specific movable body moves, and a second performance in which the light-emitting unit is turned on without the movement of the specific movable body,
In carrying out the first performance,
Regarding the rate at which the first effect is executed during the execution of a specific pattern variation, the rate at which the second effect is executed in a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation is higher than the rate at which the second effect is not executed in the predetermined pattern variation,
Alternatively, when the second performance is executed in a predetermined pattern change before a specific pattern change, the first performance may be executed in the specific pattern change, and when the second performance is not executed in the predetermined pattern change, the first performance is not executed in the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change,
When a predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, the execution of the second performance is stopped, and the first performance can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation,
Further, a separate device different from the specific movable body is provided,
When the first performance is executed, a specific performance by the other device may be executed in parallel with the first performance,
When the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the specific performance may be executed in parallel with the first performance,
At least part of the time when the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the first performance is controlled so as to be identical to the operation of the specific movable body at a predetermined time when the predetermined operation is not performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, and the specific performance is controlled so as to be different from the performance mode at the predetermined time .
A gaming machine characterized by: A gaming machine that is equipped with a specific movable body that is composed of one or more movable bodies, and that can execute a first performance in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is equal to or greater than a specific movement amount, and a second performance in which the movement amount of the specific movable body is less than the specific movement amount,
In carrying out the first performance,
Regarding the rate at which the first effect is executed during the execution of a specific pattern variation, the rate at which the second effect is executed in a predetermined pattern variation before the specific pattern variation is higher than the rate at which the second effect is not executed in the predetermined pattern variation,
Alternatively, when the second performance is executed in a predetermined pattern change before a specific pattern change, the first performance may be executed in the specific pattern change, and when the second performance is not executed in the predetermined pattern change, the first performance is not executed in the specific pattern change after the predetermined pattern change,
When a predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, the execution of the second performance is stopped, and the first performance can be executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation,
Further, a separate device different from the specific movable body is provided,
When the first performance is executed, a specific performance by the other device may be executed in parallel with the first performance,
When the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation, and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the specific performance may be executed in parallel with the first performance,
At least part of the time when the predetermined operation is performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, the first performance is controlled so as to be identical to the operation of the specific movable body at a predetermined time when the predetermined operation is not performed during the execution of the second performance in the predetermined pattern variation and the first performance is executed in the specific pattern variation after the predetermined pattern variation, and the specific performance is controlled so as to be different from the performance mode at the predetermined time .
A gaming machine characterized by: